Practical algorithms for transposition-invariant string-matching

We consider the problems of (1) longest common subsequence (LCS) of two given strings in the case where the first may be shifted by some constant (that is, transposed) to match the second, and (2) transposition-invariant text searching using indel distance. These problems have applications in music comparison and retrieval. We introduce two novel techniques to solve these problems efficiently. The first is based on the branch and bound method, the second on bit-parallelism. Our branch and bound algorithm computes the longest common transposition-invariant subsequence (LCTS) in time O((m²+loglogσ)logσ) in the best case and O((m²+logσ)σ) in the worst case, where m and σ, respectively, are the length of the strings and the size of the alphabet. On the other hand, we show that the same problem can be solved by using bit-parallelism and thus obtain a speedup of O(w/logm) over the classical algorithms, where the computer word has w bits. The advantage of this latter algorithm over the present bit-parallel ones is that it allows the use of more complex distances, including general integer weights. Since our branch and bound method is very flexible, it can be further improved by combining it with other efficient algorithms such as our novel bit-parallel algorithm. We experiment on several combination possibilities and discuss which are the best settings for each of those combinations. Our algorithms are easily extended to other musically relevant cases, such as δ-matching and polyphony (where there are several parallel texts to be considered). We also show how our bit-parallel algorithm is adapted to text searching and illustrate its effectiveness in complex cases where the only known competing method is the use of brute force.     

Acousto-optic mode coupling of partially coherent light in two-mode optical fibers

An acoustic pulse propagating on a two-mode fiber can act as a beam splitter in a scanning interferometer. When this device is employed in white-light interferometry, the effects of distributed coupling and dispersive interferometer arms need to be considered. A theory suitable for treating acousto-optic interaction of partially coherent light in a moving interaction region was developed. It was found that differential optical dispersion should be negligible and the acoustic pulse length short. Also the coherence time should be short but long compared to the intermodal group delay difference over a pulse length. Experiments with long acoustic pulses were performed, and fairly good agreement with theory was obtained.     

Dirichlet forms,quasiregular functions and Brownian motion

Summary Given a quasiregular function on an open setU in ⁿ it is shown that there exists a diffusionX _t inU such that mapsX _t inton-dimensional Brownian motion. The process is constructed from a Dirichlet form which can be described explicitly. This enables us to apply stochastic methods in the investigation of quasiregular mappings. Some examples of applications are given, including boundary behaviour and value distribution.     

α-Halo sulfides in the alkylation of 2-pyrimidinones

When α-halo sulfides are reacted with ambident 2-pyrimidinones, the major product is due to N-alkylation, the minor product to O-alkylation. N-Alkylation is favoured by the presence of a tertiary amine in a solvent of low dielectric constant and also by a change of the α-halo sulfide substituent from chlorine to iodine. Complete selectivity can be achieved. The course of the reaction is rationalized in terms of the HSAB-principle.     

BRCA1 mutation screening using restriction endonuclease fingerprinting-single-strand conformation polymorphism in an automated capillary electrophoresis system

Efficient mutation scanning techniques are needed for the rapid detection of novel disease-associated mutations and rare-sequence variants of putative importance. The large size of the breast cancer 1 gene (BRCA1) and the many mutations found throughout its entire coding sequence make screening for mutations in this gene particularly challenging. We have developed a method for screening exon 11 of the BRCA1 gene based on restriction enzyme digestion of fluorescence-labeled polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products followed by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) using an automated capillary electrophoresis system, denoted capillary restriction endonuclease fingerprinting (REF)-SSCP electrophoresis. Using this strategy on a control set of samples, we were able to detect 17 of 18 known sequence alterations. The method was then applied to screen 73 Norwegian females with family histories of breast and/or ovarian cancer. A total of 172 sequence alterations were detected, including substitutions, insertions, and deletions. One novel substitution of unknown function was identified. Sequencing of all samples negative in the capillary REF-SSCP system gave no additional mutations confirming the high sensitivity of the described methodology. Capillary REF-SSCP electrophoresis appeared as a technically convenient technique, requiring amplification of fewer PCR fragments than traditional SSCP. The novel strategy allows high-throughput mutation scanning without radioactive labeling and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE).     

Sequential cycloaddition approach to the tricyclic core of vibsanin E. Total synthesis of (+/-)-5-epi-10-epi-vibsanin E

[chemical reaction: see text]. A direct access to (+/-)-5-epi-10-epi-vibsanin E is described, based on three key cycloaddition steps, a rhodium-catalyzed [4 + 3] cycloaddition, a heteronuclear [4 + 2] cycloaddition, and a photochemically induced [4 + 2] cycloaddition.     

Evaluations of solid electrodes for use in voltammetric monitoring of heavy metals in samples from metallurgical nickel industry

Evaluation of different solid electrode systems for detection of zinc, lead, cobalt, and nickel in process water from metallurgical nickel industry with use of differential pulse stripping voltammetry has been performed. Zinc was detected by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) on a dental amalgam electrode as intermetallic Ni–Zn compound after dilution in ammonium buffer solution. The intermetallic compound was observed at –375 mV, and a linear response was found in the range 0.2–1.2 mg L^–1 (r²=0.98) for 60 s deposition time. Simultaneous detection of nickel and cobalt in the low g L^–1 range was successfully performed by use of adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (AdCSV) of dimethylglyoxime complexes on a silver–bismuth alloy electrode, and a good correlation was found with corresponding AAS results (r²=0.999 for nickel and 0.965 for cobalt). Analyses of lead in the g L^–1 range in nickel-plating solution were performed with good sensitivity and stability by DPASV, using a working electrode of silver together with a glassy carbon counter electrode in samples diluted 1:3 with distilled water and acidified with H₂SO₄ to pH 2. A new commercial automatic at-line system was tested, and the results were found to be in agreement with an older mercury drop system. The stability of the solid electrode systems was found to be from one to several days without any maintenance needed.     

Mass spectrometry of onium compounds—XI: Ionization potentials of hydroxy and mercapto pyridines

Ionization potential measurements of the volatile species from the three isomers of the tautomeric hydroxyl and mercapto pyridines show that these are in the hydroxy and mercapto forms rather than appearing as lactams and betaines. The corresponding N-methyl lactams and S- and O-methyl ethers were also studied for comparative purposes.