Multiagent cooperation for solving global optimization problems: an extendible framework with example cooperation strategies

This paper proposes the use of multiagent cooperation for solving global optimization problems through the introduction of a new multiagent environment, MANGO. The strength of the environment lays in its flexible structure based on communicating software agents that attempt to solve a problem cooperatively. This structure allows the execution of a wide range of global optimization algorithms described as a set of interacting operations. At one extreme, MANGO welcomes an individual non-cooperating agent, which is basically the traditional way of solving a global optimization problem. At the other extreme, autonomous agents existing in the environment cooperate as they see fit during run time. We explain the development and communication tools provided in the environment as well as examples of agent realizations and cooperation scenarios. We also show how the multiagent structure is more effective than having a single nonlinear optimization algorithm with randomly selected initial points.     

Tripeptides adopt stable structures in water. A combined polarized visible Raman,FTIR, and VCD spectroscopy study

We have measured the band profile of amide I in the infrared, isotropic, and anisotropic Raman spectra of L-alanyl-D-alanyl-L-alanine, acetyl-L-alanyl-L-alanine, L-vanyl-L-vanyl-L-valine, L-seryl-L-seryl-L-serine, and L-lysyl-L-lysyl-L-lysine at acid, neutral, and alkaline pD. The respective intensity ratios of the two amide I bands depend on the excitonic coupling between the amide I modes of the peptide group. These intensity ratios were obtained from a self-consistent spectral decomposition and then were used to determine the dihedral angles between the two peptide groups by means of a recently developed algorithm (Schweitzer-Stenner, R. Biophys. J. 2002, 83, 523-532). The validity of the obtained structures were checked by measuring and analyzing the vibrational circular dichroism of the two amide I bands. Thus, we found two solutions for all protonation states of trialanine. Assuming a single conformer, one obtains a very extended beta-helix-like structure. Alternatively, the data can be explained by the coexistence of a 3(1)(PII) and a beta-sheet-like structure. Acetyl-L-alanyl-L-alanine exhibits a structure which is very similar to that obtained for trialanine. The tripeptide with the central D-alanine adopts an extended structure with a negative psi and a positive phi angle. Trivaline and triserine adopt single beta(2)-like structures such as that identified in the energy landscape of the alanine dipeptide. Trilysine appears different from the other investigated homopeptides in that it adopts a left-handed helix which at acid pD is in part stabilized by hydrogen bonding between the protonated carboxylate (donor) and the N-terminal peptide carbonyl. Our result provides compelling evidence for the capability of short peptides to adopt stable structures in an aqueous solution, which at least to some extent reflect the intrinsic structural propensity of the respective amino acids in proteins. Furthermore, this paper convincingly demonstrates that the combination of different vibrational spectroscopies provides a powerful tool for the determination of the secondary structure of peptides in solution.     

A Nucleophilic Addition of Acetone Enolate to (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-Alkyloxindolylideneacetates

Summary. The reaction of (E)-(2-oxo-1,2-dihydroindol-3-ylidene)acetic acid esters with dry acetone at 70°C in presence of aluminum oxide as a catalyst led to the formation of an addition product as a mixture of two isomers. When the same reaction was carried out in presence of morpholine as a base, the unexpected spiro-product was obtained beside the two isomers. Methylation of the latter with methyl iodide in acetone in presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate yielded the corresponding methylated products, whereas methylation of the starting material by the same procedure gave an N-methylated product and the unexpected dispiro-compound. The reaction mechanisms are considered and the structural assignments of the new compounds are based on the chemical and spectroscopic evidences. The structure of the dispiro-product was derived by X-ray analysis.     

High-throughput prediction of blood-brain partitioning: a thermodynamic approach

A high-throughput in silico screening tool for potentially CNS active compounds was developed on the basis of the correlation of solvation free energies and blood-brain partitioning (log(cbrain/cblood) = log BB) data available from experimental sources. Utilizing a thermodynamic approach, solvation free energies were calculated by the fast and efficient generalized Born/surface area continuum solvation model, which enabled us to evaluate more than 10 compounds/min. Our training set involved a structurally diverse set of 55 compounds and yielded a function of log BB = 0.035Gsolv + 0.2592 (r = 0.85, standard error 0.37). Calculation of solvation free energies for 8700 CNS active compounds (CIPSLINE database) revealed that Gsolv is higher than -50 kJ/mol for the 96% of these compounds which can be used as suitable criteria for the identification of compounds preferable for CNS penetration.     

Role of cationic gemini surfactants toward enhanced ninhydrin–tryptophan reaction

In this paper we report the effect of dicationic ‘gemini’ surfactants (CH₃)₂C₁₆H₃₃N⁺? (CH₂)_m? N⁺C₁₆H₃₃(CH₃)₂, 2Br^? (where m = 4, 5, 6) on the reaction of ninhydrin with DL ‐tryptophan. The gemini surfactant micellar media are comparatively more effective than their conventional monomeric counterpart cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micelles. Also, whereas typical rate constant (k_ψ) increase and leveling‐off regions, just like CTAB, are observed with geminis, the latter produce a third region of increasing k_ψ at higher concentrations. These subsequent increases are ascribed to changes in micellar morphologies, consistent with changes in ¹H NMR line widths. Quantitative kinetic analysis of the rate constant–[surfactant] data has been performed on the basis of modified pseudophase model. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of New Spirodifuranose Derivatives by Reduction of Stable Spiro-Endoperoxides

Synthesis of three new stable spirodifuranose derivatives (3, 5, and 7), which cannot be obtained easily using ordinary synthetic methods, has been achieved by reduction of 3-O-acetyl and 3-O-methyl derivatives of (4R)-1,2-O-alkylidene-5-eno-4,7-epidioxy-5,6,8-trideoxy-α-D-threo-1,4-furano-4,7-diulo-octoses (1, 4, and 6).     

Standardized method comparison for ACS:180 plus and Immulite sensitive PSA (sPSA) measurement methods

The aim of this study was to compare two immunoassay measurement methods, the ACS:180 Plus (Chiron Diagnostics) kit and the Immulite sPSA (DPC) kit. Method comparison analysis was performed according to EP9-A; approved guideline of NCCLS 51. Serum samples having a wide range of total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations were evaluated in split-sample analysis. F-test, t-test analysis and regression statistics were performed. In Deming regression analysis the coefficients were as follows; the slope=0.967; y-intercept=-0.148, r=0.989. An acceptable bias was seen since the systematical error was calculated to have a value less than the total allowable error calculated from biological variations. Non-parametric evaluation of the area under ROC curves for ACS:180 Plus and Immulite sPSA were 0.997 and 0.987, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy was at the level of p= 0.000 and no statistical difference was found between the two assay methods.     

Specific interaction of jacalin with phycocyanin, a fluorescent phycobiliprotein

Recent research has shown that, like porphyrins, phycocyanin (PC) too can produce singlet oxygen upon excitation with the appropriate radiation and hence could be useful in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer. Unlike porphyrins, PC has the advantage of being a non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, soluble protein. However, the challenge would be to target the fluorescent phycobiliprotein to malignant cells. We report here that the tumor-specific lectin, jacalin, binds PC specifically in a carbohydrate-independent manner and with affinities better than that for porphyrins. Hence the lectin could prove to be a useful carrier for targeted delivery of PC. The interaction involves both ionic and hydrophobic interactions and more than one contact site.     

Homo‐ and heteropolynuclear copper(II) complexes containing a new diimine–dioxime ligand and 1,10‐phenanthroline: synthesis,characterization, solvent‐extraction studies,catalase‐like functions and DNA cleavage abilities

A series of homo‐, heterodinuclear and homotrinuclear copper(II) complexes containing a new Schiff base ligand and 1,10‐phenanthroline were synthesized. Based on results of elemental analyses, FTIR, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectra, conductivity measurements and magnetic susceptibility measurements, the complexes had general compositions {[Cu(L)(H₂O)M(phen)₂](ClO₄)₂ [M = Cu(II), Mn(II), Co(II)]} and {[Cu₃(L)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂}. The metal:L:phen ratio is 2:1:2 for the dinuclear copper(II) complexes and the metal:L ratio was 3:2 for the trinuclear copper(II) complex. The liquid–liquid extraction of various transition metal cations [Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Hg(II)] from the aqueous phase to the organic phase was carried out using the diimine–dioxime ligand. It was concluded that the ligand can effectively be used in solvent extraction of copper(II) from the aqueous phase to the organic phase. Furthermore, catalytic activitiy of the complexes for the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide was also investigated in the presence of imidazole. Dinuclear copper(II)–manganese(II) complex has some similarity to manganese catalase in structure and activity. The interaction between these complexes and DNA has also been investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis; we found that the homo‐ and heterodinuclear copper complexes can cleave supercoiled pBR322 DNA to nicked and linear forms in the presence of H₂O₂. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of Thiophenes,Azoles and Azines with Potential Biological Activity by Employing the Versatile Heterocyclic Precursor N‐Benzoycyanoacetylhydrazine

This research work is concerned with the use of N‐benzoyl cyanoacetylhydrazine ( 3 ) in synthesizing several new heterocyclic compounds with potential biological activity, via its reaction with various chemical reagents. The synthesized derivatives have actually exhibited, upon screening, antibacterial and antifungal activities.