Solving the Shortest Path Problem with Interval Arcs

This paper presents an algorithm for the shortest path problem when the connected arcs in a transportation network are represented as interval numbers. The methodology proposed in this paper considers fuzzy preference ordering of intervals (Sengupta and Pal (2000), European Journal of Operational Research 127, 28–43) from pessimistic and optimistic decision maker’s point of view.     

Synthesis of gold–poly(methyl methacrylate) core–shell nanoparticles by surface‐confined atom transfer radical polymerization at elevated temperature

Surface‐confined atom transfer radical polymerization was used to prepare gold nanoparticle–poly(methyl methacrylate) core–shell particles at elevated temperature. First, gold nanoparticles were prepared by the one‐pot borohydride reduction of tetrachloroaurate in the presence of 11‐mercapto‐1‐undecanol (MUD). MUD‐capped gold nanoparticles were then exchanged with 3‐mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) to prepare a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) of MPS on the gold nanoparticle surfaces and subsequently hydrolyzed with hydrochloric acid. The extent of exchange of MUD with MPS was determined by NMR. The resulting crosslinked silica‐primer layer stabilized the SAM of MPS and was allowed to react with the initiator [(chloromethyl)phenylethyl] trimethoxysilane. Atom transfer radical polymerization was conducted on the Cl‐terminated gold nanoparticles with the CuCl/2,2′‐bipyridyl catalyst system at elevated temperature. The rates of polymerization with the initiator‐modified gold nanoparticles exhibited first‐order kinetics with respect to the monomer, and the number‐average molecular weight of the cleaved graft polymer increased linearly with the monomer conversion. The presence of the polymer on the gold nanoparticle surface was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3631–3642, 2005     

Bioaerosol detection and characterization by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Instrumentation has been developed to detect and characterize airborne pollen and bacteria rapidly by injecting a bioaerosol into a nanocolloidal suspension of silver particles using a micropump. The biological particles were mixed with the silver colloid in order to deposit the metallic particles on the surface of the bioanalyte. The silver/bioanalyte suspension was pumped through a light scattering cuvette, and the enhanced Raman spectrum was recorded. Surface-enhanced Raman spectra are presented for tree pollen (cottonwood and redwood pollen) and a bacterium (Escherichia coli), and the E. coli spectra are compared with results obtained from the literature and with results obtained previously by mixing various concentrations of the bioanalyte with the silver colloid. Although the system has not been optimized to maximize the Raman spectra, it is shown spectra can be obtained rapidly. Some assignments of the chemical bonds associated with the spectra are based on previously published results for bacteria and pollen.     

Metal-free diastereoselective synthesis of diaza-bicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-7-one and its transformation to functionalized proline esters

A metal-free diastereoselective synthesis of novel 4-halo-3,6-di-aryl-2,6-diaza-bicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-7-one by intramolecular endo-trig haloamination of 3-amino-2-azetidinone is reported. The amidiolytic ring opening of diaza-bicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-7-one with sodium methoxide provides an easy access to previously unknown 4-halo-3-aryl amino-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid methyl esters in good yields.     

Optimal response-adaptive allocation designs in phase III clinical trials: Incorporating ethics in optimality

Optimal response-adaptive designs have been studied by various authors in the context for allocating patients among two competing treatments in a phase III clinical trial. However, depending on the variabilities of the responses, most of these designs may allocate a smaller number of patients to the better treatment. In the current work, we obtain an optimal target for a general class of responses maintaining a prefixed lower bound for the allocation to the better treatment, in addition to an ensured level of statistical precision. Various properties of the proposed procedure are investigated, and compared with the existing competitors. A data study is also included for the assessment of the proposed procedure in real situation.     

Diffusion of organic dyes in a niosome immobilized on a glass surface using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Giant multilameller niosomes containing cholesterol and triton X-100 are studied using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) data indicates formation of niosomes of broadly two different sizes (diameter)--~150 nm and ~1300 nm. This is confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and confocal microscopy. The diffusion coefficient (D(t)) of three organic dyes in the niosome immobilized on a glass surface is studied using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. On addition of the room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) (1-methyl-3-pentylimidazolium bromide, [pmim][Br] and 1-methyl- 3-pentylimidazolium tetra-fluoroborate, [pmim][BF(4)]) the size of the niosome particles increases. The D(t) of all the organic dyes (DCM, C343 and C480) increases on addition of RTILs, indicating faster diffusion. The viscosity calculated from the D(t) of the three dyes exhibits weak probe dependence. Unlike lipid or catanionic vesicle, the D(t) values in a niosome exhibit very narrow distribution. This indicates that the niosomes are fairly homogeneous with small variation of viscosity.     

Supramolecular Complex of Poly(styrene)-b-Poly(4-vinylpyridine) and 1-Pyrenebutyric Acid in Thin Film

Summary: Here, we have described a novel supramolecular complex (SMC) between poly(styrene)-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) and 1-pyrenebutyric acid (PBA) and studied of its self assembly in thin film. PBA will make supramolecular complex with the P4VP block due to strong hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic group of 1-pyrenebutyric acid and pyridine ring of P4VP. The formation of supramolecular complex between PS-P4VP and PBA through hydrogen bonding is investigated through FTIR study. The supramolecular complex of PS-b-P4VP and 1-pyrenebutyric acid changed the block copolymer morphology from cylindrical to lamella in thin film due to the increase of the volume fraction of P4VP (PBA). In both cases (parent block copolymer and SMC), the microdomains are oriented normal to the substrate after annealing in a selective solvent. Pure block copolymer shows cylindrical morphology with a periodicity of ∼26 nm, whereas the SMC shows lamellar morphology with a periodicity of ∼ 29 nm. After fabricating the thin film from SMC, 1-pyrenebutyric acid can be easily removed by dissolving the thin film in ethanol to transform the block copolymer thin film into nanotemplate or membrane.     

A convenient sol-gel route for the synthesis of salicylate-titania nanocomposites having visible absorption and blue luminescence

Syntheses of titania-based nanomaterials by simple sol-gel route using a mixture of CTAB and salicylate as well as salicylate ions as templates have been reported. The materials are characterized by the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and spectroscopic (FT IR, UV-VIS) analyses. A disordered mesoscale orientation of nanoparticles (ca. 2-4 nm) composed of TiO₂-salicylate surface complex has been obtained when 1:1 mixing ratio of CTAB and salicylate at the CTAB concentration of 0.001 M was employed as a template. All these nanocomposites exhibit a considerable red shift at the onsets of their absorption band compared to pure (organic-free) nanocrystalline TiO₂ and show blue luminescence at room temperature. This assembly of nanoparticles is highly interesting in the context of visible light sensitization and nanodevice fabrication.     

Selective sensing of Hg2+ via sol–gel transformation of a cholesterol-based compound

A cholesterol-based dithioacetal functionalised compound 1 has been designed, synthesised and successfully applied for the selective detection of Hg²⁺ ion. The specific Hg²⁺-induced deprotection of the thioacetal functionality of 1 resulted in sol-to-gel transition in DMF-H₂O (1:1, v/v) via the formation of precursor aldehyde 3. This Hg²⁺-prompted rapid sol to gel conversion is insensitive to the nature of Hg²⁺-salt. In the study, other metal ions did not show any change. To the best of our knowledge, this is a first time report of a chemodosimeter that functions as a selective ‘naked-eye’ Hg²⁺-detector by showing in situ sol-to-gel conversion.