A survey of dual-feasible and superadditive functions

Dual-feasible functions are valuable tools that can be used to compute both lower bounds for different combinatorial problems and valid inequalities for integer programs. Several families of functions have been used in the literature. Some of them were defined explicitly, and others not. One of the main objectives of this paper is to survey these functions, and to state results concerning their quality. We clearly identify dominant subsets of functions, i.e. those which may lead to better bounds or stronger cuts. We also describe different frameworks that can be used to create dual-feasible functions. With these frameworks, one can get a dominant function based on other ones. Two new families of dual-feasible functions obtained by applying these methods are proposed in this paper.     

Thermal, rheological, and structural behaviors of natural and modified cassava starch granules, with sodium hypochlorite solutions

The use of chemically modified starches is widely accepted in various industries, with several applications. In this research, natural cassava starch granules were treated with standard sodium hypochlorite solution at 0.8, 2.0, and 5.0 g Cl/100 g starch. The native and modified starch samples were investigated by means of the following techniques: simultaneous thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, which allowed us to verify the thermal decomposition associated with endothermic or exothermic phenomena; and differential scanning calorimetry that was used to determine gelatinization enthalpy as well as the rapid viscoamylographic analysis that provided the pasting temperature and viscosity. By means of non-contact-atomic force microscopy method and X-ray powder patterns diffractometry, it was possible to observe the surface morphology, topography of starch granules, and alterations in the granules’ crystallinity.     

Thermal investigation of heavy crude oil by simultaneous TG–DSC–FTIR and EDXRF

Present study investigates thermal behavior of two heavy crude oils with different °API values by simultaneous thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry–fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG–DSC–FTIR), and an evaluation of the chemical element levels present in the oils’ ashes was done by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. TG and DSC curves were obtained for two samples in nitrogen atmosphere. Among all inorganic components evaluated, the highest concentration in the two oils was SO₃. Thus this study may contribute to a better understanding of the thermal behavior of heavy crude oils and their composition.     

The zwitterionic structure of 2‐hydroxy‐4‐[(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)amino]benzoic acid

The title compound, C₁₄H₁₁NO₄, exists in the solid phase in the zwitterionic form, 2‐{[(4‐carboxy‐3‐hydroxyphenyl)iminiumyl]methyl}phenolate, with the H atom from the phenol group on the 2‐hydroxybenzylidene ring transferred to the imine N atom, resulting in a strong intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond between the iminium H atom and the phenolate O atom, forming a six‐membered hydrogen‐bonded ring. In addition, there is an intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond between the carboxylic acid group and the adjacent hydroxy group of the other ring, and an intermolecular C—H...O contact involving the phenol group and the C—H group adjacent to the imine bond, connecting the molecules into a two‐dimensional network in the (10) plane. π–π stacking interactions result in a three‐dimensional network. This study is important because it provides crystallographic evidence, supported by IR data, for the iminium zwitterionic form of Schiff bases.<!?tpb=12pt>     

α,α-Dialkylglycines obtained by solid phase Ugi reaction performed over isocyanide functionalized resins

The multicomponent Ugi reaction is a straightforward method that can be used for the synthesis of highly hindered C-tetrasubstituted amino acids by reacting an amine, a ketone or aldehyde, a carboxylic acid and an isocyanide. In the present work, the synthesis of several α,α-dialkylglycines (α,α-diethylglycine, Deg; α,α-dipropylglycine, Dpg; 1-amino-1-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, Ac₆c) was achieved by solid phase Ugi reaction using resins functionalized with the isocyanide group. Since no resins with these features were available commercially, the functionalization of an aminomethylated resin started by the use of glycine (Gly), β-alanine (β-Ala) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as spacers. After spacer N-formylation, followed by dehydration, isocyanide functionalised resins were obtained. The resins were then used in solid phase Ugi reaction, using phenylacetic acid as the acid component, 4-methoxybenzylamine as the amine component and different ketones, to afford the desired N-acylated α,α-dialkylglycines in good overall yields (60–80%), after acidolytic cleavage from the resin, thus proving the feasibility of this approach.