Cooperative Strategies for Solving the Bicriteria Sparse Multiple Knapsack Problem

For hard optimization problems, it is difficult to design heuristic algorithms which exhibit uniformly superior performance for all problem instances. As a result it becomes necessary to tailor the algorithms based on the problem instance. In this paper, we introduce the use of a cooperative problem solving team of heuristics that evolves algorithms for a given problem instance. The efficacy of this method is examined by solving six difficult instances of a bicriteria sparse multiple knapsack problem. Results indicate that such tailored algorithms uniformly improve solutions as compared to using predesigned heuristic algorithms.     

Five new nortropane alkaloids and six new amino acids from the fruit of Morus alba LINNE growing in Turkey

Investigation of the constituents of the fruits of Morus alba LINNE (Moraceae) afforded five new nortropane alkaloids (1-5) along with nor-psi-tropine (6) and six new amino acids, morusimic acids A-F (7-12). The structures of the new compounds were determined to be 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxynortropane (1), 2beta,3beta-dihydroxynortropane (2), 2alpha,3beta,6exo-trihydroxynortropane (3), 2alpha,3beta,4alpha-rihydroxynortropane (4), 3beta,6exo-dihydroxynortropane (5), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1S,4S)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-pyrrolidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1S,4S)-4-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-pyrrolidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid (8), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-1(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yll-dodecanoic acid (10), (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4R,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-piperidin-1-yl]-dodecanoic acid-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), and (3R)-3-hydroxy-12-[(1R,4S,5S)-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-piperidin-1-yl]-dodecanoic acid (12) on the basis of spectral and chemical data.     

The synthesis and characterization of copper(II)–<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-aminosalicylate complexes with diamine ligands

The complexes were synthesized by the reaction between sodium salt of p-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) and Cu(II) for 1 and corresponding ethylenediamine (en) or its derivatives for 2–6. The complexes were characterized by using elemental analyses, FT-IR, UV–Vis, magnetic moment measurements, and thermal analyses techniques. In complex 1[Cu₂(PA)₄(H₂O)₂], two Cu(II) ions were found as bridged by four μ-O:O′ p-aminosalicylato (PA) ligands, forming a cage structure, and two aqua ligands to form dinuclear square-pyramidal geometry around Cu(II) ions. In the complexes 2–6, the PA (anionic form of p-aminosalicylic acid) coordinated to Cu(II) ions as monodentate manner by using its oxygen atom of deprotonated carboxylic acid and ethylenediamine derivatives coordinated to the Cu(II) ions in bidentate manner to form mononuclear octahedral complexes [Cu(PA)₂(L)₂] (L = ethylendiamine, N,N-dimethylethylendiamine, N,N′-dimethylethylendiamine, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylendiamine, and 1,3-propanediamine, for complexes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively). In all the complexes OH and NH₂ groups of PA ligands were not coordinated to metals.     

Sensitive Nucleic Acid Detection at NH2‐MWCNTs Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode and its Application for Monitoring of Gemcitabine‐DNA Interaction

An electrochemical dsDNA nanobiosensor was fabricated using amino‐functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (NH₂fMWCNTs/GCE) for the sensitive detection of DNA bases and electrochemical monitoring of drug‐DNA interaction. The influence of functional groups on MWCNT was studied by MWCNT functionalized with NH₂ (NH₂fMWCNTs) and COOH (COOHfMWCNT) groups based on the signal of DNA bases. The modified electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. One layer of calf thymus double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ct‐dsDNA) was immobilized onto the NH₂fMWCNTs/GCE (dsDNA/NH₂fMWCNTs/GCE). The dsDNA/NH₂fMWCNTs/GCE were used to investigate the interaction between the dsDNA and the anticancer drug gemcitabine by differential pulse voltammetry in acetate buffer of pH 4.70. For the confirmation of interaction, the lowering in intensity of the current signals of guanine and adenine was considered as an indicator. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies were performed for the comparison of the modified surfaces. In order to define and visualize the interaction mechanism between gemcitabine and dsDNA/NH₂fMWCNTs/GCE at the molecular level, in silico methods including docking and molecular dynamics simulations were employed.     

Synthesis in water-free DMF, characterization, electrical, and gas sensing properties of bis[2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethanol]copper(II) dibromide

2-(2-Aminoethylamino)ethanol (L) reacts with cupric bromide in dimethylformamide to give a mononuclear complex of Cu(II) [L₂Cu]Br₂, with six-coordinate distorted octahedral geometry, in which two molecules of tridentate (N,N,O) ligand are involved. The structure was confirmed by spectroscopic methods, elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, and magnetic measurements. Optimization of possible configurations indicated the formation of the trans structure of the complex. Experimental results indicate that the investigated complex, bis[2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethanol] copper(II) bromide, behaves as a semiconductor in the studied temperature range of 298–388 K. Gas sensing properties of the film for the volatile organic compounds (VOCs): acetone, tetra-chloromethane, chloroform, ethanol, and methanol, were also investigated as a function of vapor concentration and temperature in dark. The film showed maximum sensitivity to tetrachloromethane and ethanol vapors at room temperature. Responses of the film to the tested gases are reversible.     

Study on the stability of supercritical fluid extracted rosemary (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rosmarinus offcinalis</Emphasis> L.) essential oil

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of storage conditions and duration on composition and antioxidant activity of supercritical fluid (SCF) extracted essential oil of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.). Supercritical extraction was carried out sequentially by using SCF carbondioxide in the first two steps and with 5% ethanol as entrainer in the third step. The compositions of the extracts were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The total phenolics were analyzed using Folin-Ciocalteau assay. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were tested by β-carotene-linoleic acid bleaching method.     

Structural properties of trans‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine complexes of copper(II) and zinc(II) acesulfamates

The title compounds, trans‐bis(trans‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine)bis(6‐methyl‐2,2,4‐trioxo‐3,4‐dihydro‐1,2,3‐oxathiazin‐3‐ido)copper(II), [Cu(C₄H₄NO₄S)₂(C₆H₁₄N₂)₂], (I), and trans‐diaquabis(cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine)zinc(II) 6‐methyl‐2,2,4‐trioxo‐3,4‐dihydro‐1,2,3‐oxathiazin‐3‐ide dihydrate, [Zn(C₆H₁₄N₂)₂(H₂O)₂](C₄H₄NO₄S)₂·2H₂O, (II), are two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular complexes. In (I), the Cu^II ion resides on a centre of symmetry in a neutral complex, in a tetragonally distorted octahedral coordination environment comprising four amine N atoms from cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine ligands and two N atoms of two acesulfamate ligands. Intermolecular N—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds produce R₂²(12) motif rings which lead to two‐dimensional polymeric networks. In contrast, the Zn^II ion in (II) resides on a centre of symmetry in a complex dication with a less distorted octahedral coordination environment comprising four amine N atoms from cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine ligands and two O atoms from aqua ligands. In (II), an extensive two‐dimensional network of N—H...O, O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds includes R₂¹(6) and R₄⁴(16) motif rings.     

Determination of Triazines and N-Methylcarbamate Pesticides in Water by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detection

A rapid and selective method for the simultaneous determination of triazine herbicides (atrazine, its degradation product desethylatrazine, simazine, prometryn, terbutryn) and N-methylcarbamate insecticides (propoxur, carbaryl and methiocarb) in surface water has been developed. A 0.5 L of the water sample was preconcentrated by passage through a 1 g C₁₈ solid-phase extraction cartridge. The retained compounds were eluted with 5 mL of methanol from the cartridge. The pesticides were separated and quantified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV diode-array detection. Analytical separation was performed using a concave gradient elution with acetonitrile and water on a C₁₈ column. Prometryn and terbutryn were determined at 240 nm; propoxur, methiocarb at 204 nm and the others at 220 nm. Recoveries varied from 85 to 102% over concentrations at 0.025 and 0.2 µg L^?1. The limits of detection for the compounds investigated are in the range of 0.005-0.012 µg L^?1.     

Acid-Catalysed Hydrolysis of Some Aromatic Cyclic Sulfamates

The acid catalysed hydrolysis of some cyclic sulfamates, X-3-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-1,2,3-benzoxathiazole 2,2-dioxides ( 1a , X = Me; 1b , X = H; 1c , X = Cl; 1d , X = NO 2 ) have been studied in concentrated aqueous sulfuric and perchloric acid solutions. Analysis of the data by the Excess Acidity Method, activation parameters, substituent, solvent deuterium isotope effect and order of the catalytic effects of the acids are all in agreement with an A-1 mechanism in the studied range.