Integrated production scheduling and distribution planning in dairy supply chain by hybrid modelling

In this paper we address the production scheduling and distribution planning problem in a yoghurt production line of the multi-product dairy plants. A mixed integer linear programming model is developed for the considered problem. The objective function aims to maximize the benefit by considering the shelf life dependent pricing component and costs such as processing, setup, storage, overtime, backlogging, and transportation costs. Key features of the model include sequence dependent setup times, minimum and maximum lot sizes, overtime, shelf life requirements, machine speeds, dedicated production lines, typically arising in the dairy industry. The model obtains the optimal production plan for each product type, on each production line, in each period together with the delivery plan. The hybrid modelling approach is adopted to explore the dynamic behavior of the real world system. In the hybrid approach, operation time is considered as a dynamic factor and it is adjusted by the results of the simulation and optimization model iteratively. Thus, more realistic solutions are obtained for the scheduling problem in yoghurt industry by using the iterative hybrid optimization-simulation procedure. The efficiency and applicability of the proposed model and approach are demonstrated in a case study for a leading dairy manufacturing company in Turkey.     

What really drives chemical reactions on contact charged surfaces?

Although it is known that contact-electrified polymers can drive chemical reactions, the origin of this phenomenon remains poorly understood. To date, it has been accepted that this effect is due to excess electrons developed on negatively charged surfaces and to the subsequent transfer of these electrons to the reactants in solution. The present study demonstrates that this view is incorrect and, in reality, the reactions are driven by mechanoradicals created during polymer-polymer contact.     

A new high‐performance blue to transmissive electrochromic material and use of silver nanowire network electrodes as substrates

Synthesis of a novel, high‐performance blue to transmissive switching electrochromic material is described. The polymer (P1) was prepared by both electrochemical ( P1E ) and chemical ( P1C ) means from the corresponding monomer. The electrochemically synthesized polymer ( P1E ) revealed 64% optical contrast change (on ITO) in the visible region and very fast switching times of 0.32 s (coloration) and 0.90 s (bleaching). On the other hand, the chemically synthesized, solution processable polymer ( P1C ) also showed a high optical contrast value (49%, on ITO) with very fast switching times of 0.86 s for coloration and 0.57 s for bleaching. These high optical contrast values coupled with fast switching times place these materials along with high‐performance blue to transmissive electrochromic polymers. Significantly, these improved characteristics were achieved by side chain engineering of a known, inferior blue to transmissive polymer, PBEBT. Towards fabrication of flexible electrochromic devices, the performance of P1C was also tested on silver nanowire network electrodes. Even though the full potential of the material could not be demonstrated, a good optical contrast of 24% was achieved using these electrodes. Under the same potential range allowed by silver nanowire network electrodes, P1C on ITO showed an optical contrast of 30%. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 1680–1686     

Diazotisation Mechanism of Heteroaromatic Amines. Diazotisation of 2-aminothiazole as an equilibrium

The rate of diazotization of 2-aminothiazole was measured in 65 to 75% (w/w) aqueous H₂SO₄. The kinetic solvent isotope effect of the diazotization in 72% D₂SO4/D₂O was determined (k_H/k_D = 5.8 ± 0.2). These data are consistent with a mechanism in which the 2-aminothiazole, protonated at the ring N-atom, but not at the NH₂ group, is attacked by the NO⁺ ion. The reaction does not go to completion, but to an equilibrium. The equilibrium concentration of the diazonium ion was determined in 30,50,70, and 90% (w/w) H₂SO₄ at three initial concentration of reagents (0.001,0.01, and 0.1m). The final concentrations of the reagents and the diazonium ion are consistent with a reversible process. This is the first diazotization for which quantitative evidence for equilibration has been found. In the very large range of acidities used (H_o = ?1.73 to ?9.01), it was not possible to calculate meaningful equilibrium constants that are independent of the acidity.     

New diterpene isopimara-7,15-dien-19-oic acid and its prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory activity

The ethanolic extract of the bulbs of Fritillaria imperialis was subjected to fractionation by solvent-solvent extraction. The nonpolar fraction showed inhibitory activity against prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) (EC.3.4.21.26), a large intracellular enzyme that preferentially hydrolyze proline-containing oligopeptidase at the carboxylic side of a prolyl residue. We have isolated a diterpenoid isopimara-7,15-dien-19-oic acid (1) from the nonpolar fraction of F. imperialis, and on methylation of compound 1, a methylester 2 was obtained which is a known compound previously isolated from Fritillaria thunbergii. The present article describes the isolation and structural elucidation of isopimara-7,15-dien-19-oic acid (1) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques along with its prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory activity.     

Isoflavonoid Glycosides from the Rhizomes of Iris germanica

Five new di‐ and triglycosides, irigenin 7‐[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside] ( 1 ), 6‐hydroxygenistein 4′‐[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside] ( 2 ), nigricin 4′‐[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyanosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside] ( 3 ), nigricin 4′‐[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyanosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside] ( 4 ), and 7‐{4′‐{[2″‐O‐(4′′′′‐acetyl‐2′′′′‐methoxyphenyl)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]oxy}‐3′‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)phenyl]‐9‐methoxy‐8H‐1,3‐dioxolo[4,5‐g]‐[1 benzopyran‐8‐one‐] ( 5 ), along with a known compound, nigricin 4′‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranoside) ( 6 ), were isolated from the rhizomes of Iris germanica. The structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques.     

Electroinitiated polymerization of butadiene sulfone

Electroinitiated polymerization of butadiene sulfone was achieved by direct electron transfer in acetonitrile—tetrabutylammonium fluoroborate system by controlled potential electrolysis technique. High conversions were obtained at reasonable temperatures and polymerization times. The polymer was found to be composed of linear segments along with some cyclic units. The effect of monomer concentration, temperature, and polymerization potential on the rate of polymerization was investigated. Temperature and polymerization potential have positive effects on the rate of polymerization. The effect of ultrasonic vibration was also investigated by conducting electrolyses at different monomer concentrations in the presence and absence of ultrasonic vibration. It was observed that the rate of polymerization increases significantly in the presence of ultrasonic vibration. The inverse relationship between the rate of polymerization and monomer concentration was observed in presence and absence of ultrasonic vibration.     

The Generalized <Emphasis Type="Italic">PT</Emphasis>-Symmetric Sinh-Gordon Potential Solvable within Quantum Hamilton–Jacobi Formalism

The generalized Sinh-Gordon potential is solved within quantum Hamiltonian Jacobi approach in the framework of PT symmetry. The quasi exact solutions of energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the generalized Sinh-Gordon potential are found for n=0,1 states.     

Modification of glassy carbon electrode by the electrochemical oxidation of 3‐aminophenylcalix[4]pyrrole in nonaqueous media

3‐Aminophenylcalix[4]pyrrole (3APCP) was grafted to a glassy carbon (GC) surface during the electrochemical oxidation process in 0.1 M tetrabutylammoniumtetra‐fluoroborate (TBATFB) containing acetonitrile solution. The presence of a surface film was confirmed electrochemically by comparing voltammograms of dopamine and ferricyanide redox probes at the bare and modified electrodes. Reflection‐absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), XPS, atomic force microscopy (AFM), ellipsometry and the contact angle measurements were also employed to characterize 3APCP film on GC electrode. RAIRS analysis revealed that calix[4]pyrrole was bonded to the glassy carbon surface via the etheric linkage. The stability of the modified GC electrode was also studied. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.