Bounds on Codes Derived by Counting Components in Varshamov Graphs

We are interested in improving the Varshamov bound for finite values of length n and minimum distance d. We employ a counting lemma to this end which we find particularly useful in relation to Varshamov graphs. Since a Varshamov graph consists of components corresponding to low weight vectors in the cosets of a code it is a useful tool when trying to improve the estimates involved in the Varshamov bound. We consider how the graph can be iteratively constructed and using our observations are able to achieve a reduction in the over-counting which occurs. This tightens the lower bound for any choice of parameters n, k, d or q and is not dependent on information such as the weight distribution of a code. This work is taken from the author’s thesis [10]     

Molar mass distributions by gradient liquid chromatography: predicting and tailoring selectivity

Interactive liquid chromatography (iLC) for polymer analysis is usually applied to the characterisation of distributions other than molar mass. In particular, its use for the determination of chemical-composition, functionality-type and tacticity distributions has been demonstrated. The application of iLC for the determination of molar mass distributions (MMDs), however, has not yet been fully explored. An expanded version of the reversed-phase liquid chromatography model has been developed to describe and predict how the retention behaviour of polydisperse polystyrene samples changes with molar mass. The relationship between molar mass and the parameters of the model has been investigated in some detail and non-linear correlations were found. From the model and the relationships between the model parameters and molar mass, calibration curves (retention time versus molar mass) were constructed to predict changes in chromatographic selectivity across a given molar mass range. These calibration curves were compared to experimentally obtained curves and, in most cases, excellent agreement was found. The dramatic enhancement in selectivity that can be obtained with iLC in comparison to size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was illustrated by measuring matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) MS spectra of fractions collected during a gradient-LC separation. In the low-molar mass range, essentially monodisperse fractions were obtained. Calibration curves, predicted by the model and validated experimentally using narrow-dispersity standards and MALDI-MS spectra of fractions, were used to determine the molar mass distribution of some narrowly distributed polystyrene samples. Molar mass distributions for such standards were found to be somewhat lower than the values reported by the manufacturers. The results also deviated from those obtained by MALDI-MS.     

Geometry optimised AB initio calculations on cyclopropenone and dimethylcyclopropenone adducts with borane and trifluoroborane

Geometry optimised ab initio calculations are reported for R₂C₃O.BY₃ (R = H, CH₃; Y = H, F). The results show that in the above series BH₃ is a stronger Lewis acid than BF₃, and that dimethylation increases the basicity of the cyclopropenone system.     

Inactivation of nitroalkane oxidase upon mutation of the active site base and rescue with a deprotonated substrate

Mutation of Asp402 in nitroalkane oxidase to Asn or Ala inactivates the enzyme with neutral nitroethane as substrate, but the activity can be rescued with the nitroethane anion. The V/K values of the D402N and D402A enzymes with the nitroethane anion are independent of pH, whereas the V/K values of the wild-type and D402E enzymes are pH dependent with both the protonated and the deprotonated forms of nitroethane. Moreover, although the V/K value of the D402E enzyme with neutral nitroethane is 20-fold less than that of the wild-type enzyme, there is only a 2-fold difference in the V/K values with the nitroethane anion. These results are fully consistent with a primary role for Asp402 as the active site base in nitroalkane oxidase which abstracts the substrate alpha-proton.     

The structure and variable temperature 13c nmr spectra ofμ,μ′-(1,3-dithiolatocyclohepta-4,6-diene)hexacarbonyl-diiron(I)

μ,μ′-(1,3-Dithiolatocyclohepta-4,6-diene)hexacarbonyldiiron(I) was prepared by the reaction of 2,3,4-trithiabicyclo[4,3,1]deca-6,8-diene with Fe₂(CO)₉. The carbonyls undergo rapid site exchange within each Fe(CO)₃ group but there is no exchange of carbonyls between the two different Fe(CO)₃ moieties. The novel bicyclic nature of the bridging ligand results in a short iron—iron bond distance and a long sulfur—sulfur distance as compared to other members of this class.     

The chemistry of cyclic enaminoketones. III. Synthesis of bi- and tricyclic enaminoketones from enamine esters and nitriles

The cyclization of enamines derived from β-aminoesters and β-aminonitriles into bi- and tricyclic enaminoketones ( 6,9,13 and 24 ) has been investigated. The enamines derived from aminonitriles cyclize smoothly with magnesium perchlorate in benzene or toluene, whereas the enamines derived from aminoesters cyclize spontaneously during their formation. The scope and limitation of this process is discussed.     

Deuterium isotope effect in (+)-glutamic acid hydrochloride

A study of the effects of deuterium substitution in (+)-glutamic acid hydrochloride is described. Solid state vibrational spectra depicting band shifts resulting from deuterium indicate that interatomic bond distances remain virtually unchanged. The cell volume expands only 0.05% upon deuteration, while the macroscopic linear and nonlinear polarizabilities are unaffected. The optical nonlinearity is therefore ascribed to the electronic nature of the hydrogen bonds.     

Measurements in the separation region of a gas-particle cross flow

This paper reports the results from a study of the effects of particles on the boundary layer characteristics for cross flow over a single circular cylinder in the near separation region and on a cylinder located in the second row of a small mock-up heat exchanger array. Two size ranges of particles (45–85 m and 100–200 m) with two concentrations were used for the single cylinder tests. For the array, the larger particles were used at a single concentration. For the single cylinder, the results with the larger particles at mass loading ratio of 1.0 show an obvious effect on the velocity profile shape and on the rms levels. For reduced concentrations, and for the smaller particles, the effects are less noticeable. For the array, similar trends are observed and a delay in the separation point is reported.     

Linkage isomerism in 5-exo thiocyanate and isothiocyanate substituted tricarbonyl(η-cyclohexa-1,3-diene)iron and tricarbonyl(η-cyclohepta-1,3-diene)iron

Nucleophilic addition to the tricarbonyl(η-cyclohexadienyl)iron cation and the tricarbonyl(η-cycloheptadienyl)iron cation by the thiocyanate ion forms initially the 5-exo-isothiocyanate (NCS) isomers, C₆H₇NCSFe(CO)₃ and C₇H₉NCSFe(CO)₃, both of which isomerise to the corresponding 5-exo thiocyanate isomers C₆H₇SCNFe(CO)₃ and C₇H₉SCNFe(CO)₃ on exposure to air.