Generalized Assignment Type Goal Programming Problem: Application to Nurse Scheduling

The notion of the Generalized Assignment Type Goal Programming Problem is introduced to consider the additional side constraints of an Assignment Type problem as goal functions. A short term Tabu Search method together with diversification strategies are used to deal with this model. The methods are tested on real-world Nurse Scheduling Problems.     

Dittrichia viscosa L. Leaves: A Valuable Source of Bioactive Compounds with Multiple Pharmacological Effects

This work focused on the leaves of Dittrichia viscosa, a plant used in Mediterranean folk medicine. Compared to water extract, the methanolic extract had higher antioxidant effects. Moreover, this extract showed potent in vitro inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase and showed an interesting antiglycation effect. Additionally, the evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extract against two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468, was very promising, with no cytotoxicity towards normal cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The antibacterial effect was also assessed and showed potent inhibitory activity against Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus subtilis. On the other hand, Dittrichia viscosa leaves were rich in macro-elements containing appropriate micro-elements and high levels of phenolics and flavonoids such as caffeic acid derivatives. Taken together, the results obtained in this study indicate that Dittrichia viscosa could constitute a valuable source of bioactive molecules and could be used either on the preventive side or for therapeutic applications without toxicity.     

Molecular Determinant of DIDS Analogs Targeting RAD51 Activity

RAD51 is the central protein in DNA repair by homologous recombination (HR), involved in several steps of this process. It is shown that overexpression of the RAD51 protein is correlated with increased survival of cancer cells to cancer treatments. For the past decade, RAD51 overexpression-mediated resistance has justified the development of targeted inhibitors. One of the first molecules described to inhibit RAD51 was the 4,4′-diisothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS) molecule. This small molecule is effective in inhibiting different functions of RAD51, however its mode of action and the chemical functions involved in this inhibition have not been identified. In this work, we used several commercial molecules derived from DIDS to characterize the structural determinants involved in modulating the activity of RAD51. By combining biochemical and biophysical approaches, we have shown that DIDS and two analogs were able to inhibit the binding of RAD51 to ssDNA and prevent the formation of D-loop by RAD51. Both isothiocyanate substituents of DIDS appear to be essential in the inhibition of RAD51. These results open the way to the synthesis of new molecules derived from DIDS that should be greater modulators of RAD51 and more efficient for HR inhibition.     

Synthesis and proton NMR stereochemical study of 7,8,9-substituted-7,8-dihydro-4H,9H-furo[2′,3′,4′:4,4a,5]-naphth[2,1-e][1,3]oxazin-4-ones

7,8,9-Substituted-7,8-dihydro-4H,9H-furo[2′,3′,4′:4,4a,5]naphth[2,1-e][1,3]oxazin-4-ones were stereospecifically obtained as a single pair of enantiomers. Their relative trans configuration and the conformation of the dihydro oxazine ring were established by ¹H nmr 2D NOESY experiments.     

On the performance of Fe-Cu-ZSM-5 catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3: the influence of preparation method

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The selective catalytic reduction of NO with ammonia (NH3-SCR) in the presence of H2O was studied over a series of Fe-Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts prepared by solid-state...     

An Electrochemical Sensor Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide,Gold Nanoparticles and Molecular Imprinted Over‐oxidized Polypyrrole for Amoxicillin Determination

An electrochemical sensor for amoxicillin (AMX) detection based on reduced graphene oxide (RGO), molecular imprinted overoxidized polypyrrole (MIOPPy) modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is described in this work. The electrochemical behavior of the imprinted and non‐imprinted polymer (NIP) was carried out by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance spectroscopy (IS). The structure and morphology of the prepared MIP sensor were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV‐Visible, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and its experimental parameters such as monomer and template concentration, pH buffer solution, incubation time of AMX and AuNPs, scan rate as well as electropolymerization scan cycles were optimized to improve the performance of the sensor. The peak current obtained at the MIP electrode was proportional to the AMX concentration in the range from 10^?8 to 10^?3 mol L^?1 with a detection limit and sensitivity of 1.22 10^?6 mol L^?1 (Signal to noise ratio=3) and 2.52×10^?6 μAmol^?1 L, respectively. It was also found that this sensor exhibited reproducibility and excellent selectivity against molecules with similar chemical structures. Besides, the analytical application of the AMX sensor confirms the feasibility of AMX detection in milk and human serum.     

石化装置工业尺度管道爆轰传播实验研究

针对石化装置罐区大口径、长距离管道内火焰传播缺乏系统研究的问题,设计搭建了DN50～DN500工业尺度管道火焰传播实验装置,并开展了丙烷/空气、乙烯/空气等可燃气体在不同管径下的实验研究。实验结果表明:可燃气体积分数对火焰传播及爆轰有一定影响,当接近化学计量浓度时,爆轰加速距离更短,更易形成稳态爆轰,而当可燃气混合气为贫燃或富燃状况时,爆轰加速距离则会增长;火焰爆轰传播速度、爆轰压力与管道管径基本无关,受可燃气种类影响更大;对应体积分数为6.6%的乙烯/空气和体积分数为4.2%的丙烷/空气混合气体,爆轰压力分别是初始压力的15.17和14.47倍,DN150以下管径内的爆轰压力远高于ISO16852标准给出的参考值。罐区连通管道阻火器选型安装时,应结合安装位置选用合适的阻火器。     

Clay-Catalyzed Ozonation of Hydrotalcite-Extracted Lactic Acid Potential Application for Preventing Milk Fermentation Inhibition

An unprecedented route for mitigating the inhibitory effect of lactic acid (LA) on milk fermentation was achieved through lactate adsorption on hydrotalcite (Ht) from simulated lactate extracts. During its regeneration by ozonation, Ht displayed catalytic activity that appeared to increase by addition of montmorillonite (Mt). Changes in the pH, Zeta potential and catalyst particle size during LA ozonation were found to strongly influence LA–LA, LA–catalyst and catalyst–catalyst interactions. The latter determine lactate protonation–deprotonation and clay dispersion in aqueous media. The activity of Mt appears to involve hydrophobic adsorption of non-dissociated LA molecules on silica-rich areas at low pH, and Lewis acid–base and electrostatic interactions at higher pH than the pKa. Hydrotalcite promotes both hydrophobic interaction and anion exchange. Hydrotalcite–smectite mixture was found to enhance clay dispersion and catalytic activity. This research allowed demonstrating that natural clay minerals can act both as adsorbents for LA extract from fermentation broths and as catalysts for adsorbent regeneration. The results obtained herein provide valuable and useful findings for envisaging seed-free milk clotting in dairy technologies.     

From 2D Graphene Nanosheets to 3D Graphene‐based Macrostructures

The combination of exceptional functionalities offered by 3D graphene‐based macrostructures (GBMs) has attracted tremendous interest. 2D graphene nanosheets have a high chemical stability, high surface area and customizable porosity, which was extensively researched for a variety of applications including CO₂ adsorption, water treatment, batteries, sensors, catalysis, etc. Recently, 3D GBMs have been successfully achieved through few approaches, including direct and non‐direct self‐assembly methods. In this review, the possible routes used to prepare both 2D graphene and interconnected 3D GBMs are described and analyzed regarding the involved chemistry of each 2D/3D graphene system. Improvement of the accessible surface of 3D GBMs where the interface exchanges are occurring is of great importance. A better control of the chemical mechanisms involved in the self‐assembly mechanism itself at the nanometer scale is certainly the key for a future research breakthrough regarding 3D GBMs.     

In vitro cytotoxic and antiviral activities of Ficus carica latex extracts

The latex of fig fruit (Ficus carica) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of skin infections such as warts and also diseases of possible viral origin. Five extracts (methanolic, hexanic, ethyl acetate, hexane-ethyl acetate (v/v) and chloroformic) of this species were investigated in?vitro for their antiviral potential activity against herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1), echovirus type 11 (ECV-11) and adenovirus (ADV). To evaluate the capacity of the extracts to inhibit the replication of viruses, the following assays were performed: adsorption and penetration, intracellular inhibition and virucidal activity. Observation of cytopathic effects was used to determine the antiviral action. The hexanic and hexane-ethyl acetate (v/v) extracts inhibited multiplication of viruses by tested techniques at concentrations of 78 μg mL(-1). These two extracts were possible candidates as herbal medicines for herpes virus, echovirus and adenovirus infectious diseases. All extracts had no cytotoxic effect on Vero cells at all tested concentrations.