Rich vehicle routing problems: From a taxonomy to a definition

Over the last years, several variants of multi-constrained Vehicle Routing Problems (VRPs) have been studied, forming a class of problems known as Rich Vehicle Routing Problems (RVRPs). The purpose of the paper is twofold: (i) to provide a comprehensive and relevant taxonomy for the RVRP literature and (ii) to propose an elaborate definition of RVRPs. To this end, selected papers addressing various cases are classified using the proposed taxonomy. Once the articles have been classified, a cluster analysis based on two discriminating criteria is performed and leads to the definition of RVRPs.     

Schur operators and domination problem

In this paper we are concerned with developing generalizing concepts of Dunford–Pettis operators analogous to the generalization of compact operators by strictly singular operators. Also, we give some new results concerning the domination problem in the setting of positive operators between Banach lattices.     

Engineering a Cu‐MOF Nano‐Catalyst by using Post‐Synthetic Modification for the Preparation of 5‐Substituted 1H‐Tetrazoles

A new nano scale Cu‐MOF has been obtained via post‐synthetic metalation by immersing a Zn‐MOF as a template in DMF solutions of copper(II) salts. The Cu‐MOF serves as recyclable nano‐catalyst for the preparation of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazoles via [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of various nitriles and sodium azide in a green medium (PEG). The post‐synthetic metalated MOF were characterized by FT‐IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. The morphology and size of the nano‐catalyst were determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM).     

Global Stabilization of a Class of Bilinear Systems in $${\mathbb{R}^3}$$

In this paper, we consider a class of bilinear systems in dimension three which can be an extension of another one in \({\mathbbm{R}^{2}}\). We prove that there exists some homogeneous feedback of degree zero stabilizing the considered class if and only if these feedbacks are constants.     

Asymmetric Cycloaddition: An Efficient Synthesis of Enantiopure Isoxazolines Substituted with Carbohydrate Analogues

A simple and convenient method for the synthesis of heterocycles substituted with carbohydrate analogs is described. The chiral optically pure five‐membered glycoconjugates containing the isoxazoline unit were obtained by an aromatic nitrile oxides cycloaddition with 1‐phenyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐pyridazine‐3,6‐dionyl N‐glycoside derivatives.     

Comparison of contact angle measurement and microbial adhesion to solvents for assaying electron donor-electron acceptor (acid-base) properties of bacterial surface

The electron donor-electron acceptor (acid-base properties) of cell surfaces of a series of bacteria were determined by two methods, namely, Microbial Adhesion to Solvents (MATS) and Contact Angle Measurements (CAM) combined with equation of Van Oss. The efficiency of these two methods was then compared. Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Bacillus subtilis ILP 142B, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and four Escherichia coli strains including HB101, AL52, O128B12 and ATCC 25922, acid-base properties were examined under the two different conditions mentioned above. The results showed that the correlation between acid-base properties determined by MATS and CAM was very weak. We have also found that when the microbial cell surface was electron donor by CAM method, similar result was found by MATS, but the reverse was not always true. In contrast, a good correlation between the two methods was obtained when the four E. coli strains were examined.     

A novel thin-film temperature and heat-flux microsensor for heat transfer measurements in microchannels

Temperature and heat-flux measurement at the microscale for convective heat-transfer studies requires highly precise, minimally intrusive sensors. For this purpose, a new generic temperature and heat-flux sensor was designed, calibrated and tested. The sensor allows measurement of temperature and heat flux distributions along the direction of flow. It is composed of forty gold thermoresistances, 85 nm thick, deposited on both sides of a borosilicate substrate. Their sensitivities are about 37.8 μV K(-1), close to those of a K-type wire thermocouple. Using a thermoelectrical model, temperature biases due to the Joule effect were calculated using the current crossing each thermoresistance and the heat-transfer coefficient. Finally, heat-transfer measurements were performed with deionized water flowing in a straight PDMS microchannel for various Reynolds numbers. The Nusselt number was obtained for microchannels of 50 to 10 μm span. The results were found to be in good agreement with classical Nu-Re macroscopic correlations.     

Heck and oxidative boron Heck reactions employing Pd(II) supported amphiphilized polyethyleneimine‐functionalized MCM‐41 (MCM‐41@aPEI‐Pd) as an efficient and recyclable nanocatalyst

A novel nanocatalyst was developed based on covalent surface functionalization of MCM‐41 with polyethyleneimine (PEI) using [3‐(2,3‐Epoxypropoxy)propyl] trimethoxysilane (EPO) as a cross‐linker. Amine functional groups on the surface of MCM‐41 were then conjugated with iodododecane to render an amphiphilic property to the catalyst. Palladium (II) was finally immobilized onto the MCM‐41@PEI‐dodecane and the resulted MCM‐41@aPEI‐Pd nanocatalyst was characterized by FT‐IR, TEM, ICP‐AES and XPS. Our designed nanocatalyst with a distinguished core‐shell structure and Pd²⁺ ions as catalytic centers was explored as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for Heck and oxidative boron Heck coupling reactions. In Heck coupling reaction, the catalytic activity of MCM‐41@aPEI‐Pd in the presence of triethylamine as base led to very high yields and selectivity. Meanwhile, the MCM‐41@aPEI‐Pd as the first semi‐heterogeneous palladium catalyst was examined in the C‐4 regioselective arylation of coumarin via the direct C‐H activation and the moderate to excellent yields were obtained toward different functional groups. Leaching test indicated the high stability of palladium on the surface of MCM‐41@aPEI‐Pd as it could be recycled for several runs without significant loss of its catalytic activity.     

1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of arylnitrile oxides and 2-diazopropane with 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives

The reactions of arylnitrile oxides 2 and 2-diazopropane 5 with 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives 1 have been studied. 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of arylnitrile oxides and 2-diazopropane with 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives is taking place regiospecifically. The asymmetric induction expected by the chiral centre of the 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives was very effective, diastereoisomers 3 and 4 were formed in an approximate 90:10 ratio. The stereoselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the 2-diazopropane with the 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,5-dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives are investigated. The attack of the 1,3-dipole occurred from the less hindered face of the dipolarophile, giving the isomer 6.