In Cellulo Generation of Fluorescent Probes for Live-Cell Imaging of Cylooxygenase-2

Live-cell imaging with fluorescent probes is an essential tool in chemical biology to visualize the dynamics of biological processes in real-time. Intracellular disease biomarker imaging remains a formidable challenge due to the intrinsic limitations of conventional fluorescent probes and the complex nature of cells. This work reports the in cellulo assembly of a fluorescent probe to image cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). We developed celecoxib-azide derivative 14 , possessing favorable biophysical properties and excellent COX-2 selectivity profile. In cellulo strain-promoted fluorogenic click chemistry of COX-2-engaged compound 14 with non/weakly-fluorescent compounds 11 and 17 formed fluorescent probes 15 and 18 for the detection of COX-2 in living cells. Competitive binding studies, biophysical, and comprehensive computational analyses were used to describe protein-ligand interactions. The reported new chemical toolbox enables precise visualization and tracking of COX-2 in live cells with superior sensitivity in the visible range.     

Investigation of data format conversions based on MZI-SOA

Employing a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI), this paper describes simulation demonstration of an all-optical scheme for data format conversion between non-return-to-zero (NRZ) and return-to-zero (RZ). Data format conversion between NRZ and RZ at 120 Gb/s has been simulated for the first time using an MZI. In addition, we have proposed for the first time data format conversion from NRZ to RZ by using a single SOA in an MZI.     

Single machine scheduling with family setups to minimize total earliness and tardiness

This paper considers the problem of scheduling a given number of jobs on a single machine to minimize total earliness and tardiness when family setup times exist. The paper proposes optimal branch-and-bound algorithms for both the group technology assumption and if the group technology assumption is removed. A heuristic algorithm is proposed to solve larger problems with the group technology assumption removed. The proposed algorithms were empirically evaluated on problems of various sizes and parameters. The paper also explores how the choice of procedure affects total earliness and tardiness if an implementation of lean production methods has resulted in a reduction in setup times. An important finding of these empirical investigations is that scheduling jobs by removing the group technology assumption can significantly reduce total earliness and tardiness.     

Supply chain scheduling: Just-in-time environment

We study the benefits of coordinated decision making in a supply chain consisting of a manufacturer, a distributor, and several retailers. The distributor bundles finished goods produced by the manufacturer and delivers them to the retailers to meet their demands. The distributor is responsible for managing finished goods inventory. An optimal production schedule of the manufacturer, if imposed on the distributor, may result in an increased inventory holding cost for the distributor. On the other hand, an optimal distribution schedule of the distributor, if imposed on the manufacturer, may result in an increased production cost for the manufacturer. In this paper we develop mathematical models for individual optimization goals of the two partners and compare the results of these models with the results obtained for a joint optimization model at the system level. We investigate the computational complexities of these scheduling problems. The experimental results indicate that substantial cost savings can be achieved at the system level by joint optimization. We also study conflict and cooperation issues in the supply chain. The cost of conflict of a supply chain partner is a measure of the amount by which the unconstrained optimal cost increases when a decision is to be made under the scheduling constraint imposed by the other partner. We quantify these conflicts and show that the cost of conflicts are significant. We also show that a cooperative decision will generate a positive surplus in the system which can be shared by the two partners to make cooperation and coordination strategy more attractive.     

Mass transfer to tubular electrodes: ECE process

The mathematical model of mass transport for linear sweep voltammetry under hydro-dynamic conditions at tubular electrodes has been studied for ECE processes in which an irreversible chemical reaction is coupled between two reversible charge transfer reactions. The resulting boundary value problem is converted into system of two integral equations, which is solved numerically. The effects of axial flow rate, scan rate, potential difference, variation of chemical reaction rate and the effect of the ratio of number of electrons (n ₂/n ₁) involved in two charge transfer reactions on CV-voltammograms are investigated and shown graphically.     

DNA-templated assemblies of nickel hexacyanoferrate crystals

We report here the synthesis of nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) crystals using calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) as a template. The double-stranded CT-DNA has been used as a template to self-assemble NiHCF crystals and to produce aggregates having different morphologies at different temperatures. The guided self-assembly behavior of DNA was studied at different temperatures by scanning electron microscopy. The cube-shaped crystals of NiHCF with an average diameter of 400 nm are observed along the DNA framework at room temperature; however, at higher temperatures, the morphology of NiHCF changed from open tubular to dendrimer. The intermediate temperatures show long chains (up to many micrometers) and spherical structures of NiHCF crystals. The micrometer long DNA template plays a key role in the formation of extended arrays of NiHCF crystals, suggesting that the templating action is retained even at the higher temperatures.     

Decays of the mesons and the singlet photon

In an attempt to explain the recent measurements on the radiative decays of the vector-mesons (V→Pγ), we study the consequences of introducing a small admixture of SU (3) singlet piece in the electromagnetic current. We find that this leads to an excellent fit of the theory with the new measurements on theV→Pγ decays. However, this addition adversely affects the fit of the leptonic decays of the vector mesons (V→e ⁺ e ⁻) and of the radiative decay of the pion (π→2γ). We conclude that the overall fit to the available data does not favour a large (>10%) admixture of the SU(3) singlet. The decay rates have been calculated in the vectormeson dominance model. At the hadronic vertex (VVP), we assume asymptotic nonet symmetry. The electromagnetic couplings (V−γ) are the ones appropriate to vector-mixing.     

The electroweak mixing angle in unified gauge theories—the renormalisation effects

A general analysis of the renormalisation corrections to the unification results for the coupling constants of strong and electroweak interactions is attempted. In particular, the effects of introducing an energy scale intermediate between the unification energy and the low-energy regions are studied and found to be important. This analysis is applied to unification schemes of both kinds, namely, unification at superhigh energies, and unification at accessible energies.