A Heuristic for Obtaining and Initial Solution for the Transportation Problem

A heuristic for obtaining an initial solution for the transportation problem is presented. Comparison of findings obtained by the new heuristic and Vogel's approximation method (VAM) are tabulated for 480 examples. Superior performance of the new heuristic over VAM is discussed in terms of total costs obtained, number of iterations required to reach the final solution, and CPU time required to solve the problems. Experimental design aspects are also presented.     

Elliptical Solutions to the Standard Cosmology Model with Realistic Values of Matter Density

We have examined a solution to the FRW model of the Einstein and de Sitter Universe, often termed the standard model of cosmology, using wide values for the normalized cosmic constant (Ω_∧) and spacetime curvature (Ω _k ) with proposed values of normalized matter density. These solutions were evaluated using a combination of the third type of elliptical equations and were found to display critical points for redshift z, between 1 and 3, when Ω_∧ is positive. These critical points occur at values for normalized cosmic constant higher than those currently thought important, though we find this solution interesting because the Ω_∧ term may increase in dominance as the Universe evolves bringing this discontinuity into importance. We also find positive Ω_∧tends towards attractive at values of z which are commonly observed for distant galaxies.     

Fast interfacial ionic conduction in nanostructured glass ceramics

The hopping movements of mobile ions in a nanostructured LiAlSiO4 glass ceramic are characterized by time-domain electrostatic force spectroscopy (TDEFS). While the macroscopic conductivity spectra are governed by a single activation energy, the nanoscopic TDEFS measurements reveal three different dynamic processes with distinct activation energies. Apart from the ion transport processes in the glassy and crystalline phases, we identify a third process with a very low activation energy, which is assigned to ionic movements at the interfaces between the crystallites and glassy phase. Such interfacial processes are believed to play a key role for obtaining high ionic conductivities in nanostructured solid electrolytes.     

Elastoplastic analysis of nonlinearly hardening variable thickness annular disks under external pressure

Based on von Mises’ yield criterion, deformation theory of plasticity and Swift’s hardening law, elasto-plastic deformation of variable thickness annular disks subjected to external pressure is studied. A nonlinear shooting method using Newton’s iterations with numerically approximated tangent is designed for the solution of the problem. Considering a thickness profile in the form of a general parabolic function, the condition of occurrence of plastic deformation at the inner and outer edges of the annular disk is investigated. A critical disk profile is determined and the corresponding elastic–plastic stresses as well as the residual stress distribution upon removal of the applied pressure are computed and discussed.     

Elastoplastic deformations of rotating parabolic solid disks using Tresca''s yield criterion

Analytical solutions for the stress distribution in rotating parabolic solid disks are obtained. The analysis is based on Tresca's yield criterion, its associated flow rule and linear strain hardening. It is shown that, the deformation behavior of the convex parabolic disk is similar to that of the uniform thickness disk, but in the case of concave parabolic solid disk, it is different. In the latter, the plastic core consists of three different plastic regions with different mathematical forms of the yield criteria. Accordingly, three different stages of elastic–plastic deformation occur. All these stages of elastic–plastic deformation are studied in detail. It is also shown mathematically that in the limiting case the parabolic disk solution reduces to the solution of rotating uniform thickness solid disk.     

Tetrakis(bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐2‐ene)‐Fused Calix[4]pyrrole

Tetrakis(bicyclo[2.2.2]oct‐2‐ene)‐fused calix[4]pyrrole, 5 , was obtained starting from (E)‐1,2‐bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethylene. This new calixpyrrole derivative is the prospective precursor of tetrabenzocalix[4]pyrrole, a potential ion‐pair receptor and an attractive species as a possible deep‐walled ‘molecular container’.     

Synthesis of Spirocyclic and Tricyclic Isoxazoline via 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions

1,3‐Dipolar cycloadditions of the bicyclic monoterpenes (S)‐(?)‐camphene ( 1 ), (R)‐(+)‐a‐pinene ( 2 ), and (S)‐(?)‐b‐pinene ( 3 ) with aryl and heteroaryl nitrile oxides afforded new spirocyclic and tricyclic isoxazoline derivatives 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 whose biological activities were evaluated in bioassay studies.     

Amperometric biosensors based on deposition of gold and platinum nanoparticles on polyvinylferrocene modified electrode for xanthine detection

In this study, new xanthine biosensors, XO/Au/PVF/Pt and XO/Pt/PVF/Pt, based on electroless deposition of gold(Au) and platinum(Pt) nanoparticles on polyvinylferrocene(PVF) coated Pt electrode for detection of xanthine were presented. The amperometric responses of the enzyme electrodes were measured at the constant potential, which was due to the electrooxidation of enzymatically produced H₂O₂. Compared with XO/PVF/Pt electrode, XO/Au/PVF/Pt and XO/Pt/PVF/Pt exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of the analyte. Effect of Au and Pt nanoparticles was investigated by monitoring the response currents at the different deposition times and the different concentrations of KAuCl₄ and PtBr₂. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curves of XO/Au/PVF/Pt and XO/Pt/PVF/Pt were obtained over the range of 2.5 × 10^?3 to 0.56 mM and 2.0 × 10^?3 to 0.66 mM, respectively. The detection limits were 7.5 × 10^?4 mM for XO/Au/PVF/Pt and 6.0 × 10^?4 mM for XO/Pt/PVF/Pt. The effects of interferents, the operational and the storage stabilities of the biosensors and the applicabilities of the proposed biosensors to the drug samples analysis were also evaluated.     

Large-scale plasmonic microarrays for label-free high-throughput screening

Microarrays allowing simultaneous analysis of thousands of parameters can significantly accelerate screening of large libraries of pharmaceutical compounds and biomolecular interactions. For large-scale studies on diverse biomedical samples, reliable, label-free, and high-content microarrays are needed. In this work, using large-area plasmonic nanohole arrays, we demonstrate for the first time a large-scale label-free microarray technology with over one million sensors on a single microscope slide. A dual-color filter imaging method is introduced to dramatically increase the accuracy, reliability, and signal-to-noise ratio of the sensors in a highly multiplexed manner. We used our technology to quantitatively measure protein-protein interactions. Our platform, which is highly compatible with the current microarray scanning systems can enable a powerful screening technology and facilitate diagnosis and treatment of diseases.