A branch and bound algorithm for minimizing the expected cost of testing coherent systems

We are interested in the problem of minimizing the expected cost of testing a coherent system. The concept of the Importance of Components is used to develop a branch and bound algorithm which determines the optimal testing policy for any coherent system.     

Synthesis by Si-H bond lithiation of novel half-pincer and pincer silyllithium compounds and their molecular structures

Structural Chemistry - The synthesis and the X-ray structural analysis of novel pincer and half-pincer silyllithiums: Ar2 (N)(tBu2MeSi)SiLi (Ar(N) = o-dimethylbenzylamine) (2a),...     

Microbial genotoxicity bioreporters based on <Emphasis Type="Italic">sulA</Emphasis> activation

A bacterial genotoxicity reporter strain was constructed in which the tightly controlled strong promoter of the Escherichia coli SOS response gene sulA was fused to the alkaline phosphatase-coding phoA reporter gene. The bioreporter responded in a dose-dependent manner to three model DNA-damaging agents—hydrogen peroxide, nalidixic acid (NA), and mitomycin C (MMC)—detected 30–60 min after exposure. Detection thresholds were 0.15 μM for MMC, 7.5 μM for nalidixic acid, and approximately 50 μM for hydrogen peroxide. A similar response to NA was observed when the bioreporter was integrated into a specially designed, portable electrochemical detection platform. Reporter sensitivity was further enhanced by single and double knockout mutations that enhanced cell membrane permeability (rfaE) and inhibited DNA damage repair mechanisms (umuD, uvrA). The rfaE mutants displayed a five- and tenfold increase in sensitivity to MMC and NA, respectively, while the uvrA mutation was advantageous in the detection of hydrogen peroxide. A similar sensitivity was displayed by the double rfaE/uvrA mutant when challenged with the pre-genotoxic agents 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline and 2-aminoanthracene following metabolic activation with an S9 mammalian liver fraction.     

Generation and EPR Spectroscopy of the First Silenyl Radicals,R2C=Si.−R: Experiment and Theory

The first two persistent silenyl radicals (R₂C=Si^.?R), with a half‐life (t_1/2) of about 30 min, were generated and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The large hyperfine coupling constants (hfccs) (a(²⁹Si_α)=137.5–148.0 G) indicate that the unpaired electron has substantial s character. DFT calculations, which are in good agreement with the experimentally observed hfccs, predict a strongly bent structure (?C=Si?R=134.7–140.7°). In contrast, the analogous vinyl radical, R₂C=C^.?R (t_1/2≈3 h), exhibits a small hfcc (a(¹³C_α)=26.6 G) and has a nearly linear geometry (?C=C?R=168.7°).     

Polyethylene Terephthalate Deconstruction Catalyzed by a Carbon-Supported Single-Site Molybdenum-Dioxo Complex

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is selectively depolymerized by a carbon-supported single-site molybdenum-dioxo catalyst to terephthalic acid (PTA) and ethylene. The solventless reactions are most efficient under 1 atmosphere of H₂. The catalyst exhibits high stability and can be recycled multiple times without loss of activity. Waste beverage bottle PET or a PET + polypropylene (PP) mixture (simulating the bottle + cap) proceeds at 260 °C with complete PET deconstruction and quantitative PTA isolation. Mechanistic studies with a model diester, 1,2-ethanediol dibenzoate, suggest the reaction proceeds by initial retro-hydroalkoxylation/β-C−O scission and subsequent hydrogenolysis of the vinyl benzoate intermediate.     

Densitometric Determination of Taurine and l-Lysine Hydrochloride in an Energy Drink and in Multi-Vitamin Syrup,and Validation of the Method

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A simple and rapid densitometric method has been developed for determination of taurine and lysine in ‘energy drinks’...     

Generation and Characterization of the First Persistent Platinum(I)‐Centered Radical

The first persistent platinum(I)‐centered radical was generated by homolytic cleavage of a Pt?HgSiR₃ bond of a mercury‐substituted platinum(II) complex. The Pt^I radical was characterized by EPR spectroscopy, chemical trapping experiments, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.     

Optimal Reliability Design of <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis>-out-of-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> Systems Subject to Two Kinds of Failure

K-out-of-N systems formed from N identical and independent components are considered in which the components can take two states: 0 (open) or 1 (closed) on command (e.g. Electromagnetic Relays and Solid State Switches). The components are subject to two kinds of failure on command: failure to open and failure to close. A K-out-of-N system is closed if and only if at least K of its components are closed. The system is considered open or closed depending on the states of its components. The optimum system is taken to be that system which maximizes the reliability. This paper finds the optimum K-out-of-N system given a fixed number of components.     

First Indonesian proficiency testing using reference value from isotope dilution mass spectrometry method for benzoic acid,methyl paraben,and n-butyl paraben in sweet soy sauce

Accreditation and Quality Assurance - Research Center for Chemistry-Indonesian Institute of Sciences (RCChem-LIPI) has successfully organized proficiency testing (PT) for the determination of...     

Activation of Homolytic SiZn and SiHg Bond Cleavage,Mediated by a Pt0 Complex,via Novel PtZn and PtHg Compounds

The thermally stable [(tBuMe₂Si)₂M] (M=Zn, Hg) generate R₃Si^. radicals in the presence of [(dmpe)Pt(PEt₃)₂] at 60–80 °C. The reaction proceeds via hexacoordinate Pt complexes, (M=Zn ( 2 a and 2 b ), M=Hg ( 3 a and 3 b )) which were isolated and characterized. Mild warming or photolysis of 2 or 3 lead to homolytic dissociation of the Pt? MSiR₃ bond generating silyl radicals and novel unstable pentacoordinate platinum paramagnetic complexes (M=Zn ( 5 ), Hg ( 6 )) whose structures were determined by EPR spectroscopy and DFT calculations.