Approximating the independence number via theϑ-function

We describe an approximation algorithm for the independence number of a graph. If a graph onn vertices has an independence numbern/k + m for some fixed integerk 3 and somem > 0, the algorithm finds, in random polynomial time, an independent set of size , improving the best known previous algorithm of Boppana and Halldorsson that finds an independent set of size (m ^1/(k–1)) in such a graph. The algorithm is based on semi-definite programming, some properties of the Lovász-function of a graph and the recent algorithm of Karger, Motwani and Sudan for approximating the chromatic number of a graph. If the-function of ann vertex graph is at leastMn ^1–2/k for some absolute constantM, we describe another, related, efficient algorithm that finds an independent set of sizek. Several examples show the limitations of the approach and the analysis together with some related arguments supply new results on the problem of estimating the largest possible ratio between the-function and the independence number of a graph onn vertices. © 1998 The Mathematical Programming Society, Inc. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.Research supported in part by a USA—Israel BSF grant and by the Fund for Basic Research administered by the Israel Academy of Sciences and by the Minkowski Minerva Center for Geometry at Tel Aviv University.This work was partly done while the author was at XEROX PARC and partly at DIMACS.     

Inhibitory Effects of Tunisian Marine Algal Extracts on Digestive Lipases

The lipase inhibitory activity of ethanol extracts obtained from some marine algae collected on the Tunisian coast was evaluated. Caulerpa prolifera extract markedly reduced both dog gastric (DGL) and human pancreatic lipase (HPL) activities. Generally, the inhibition reached 100% after 40 to 60 min of incubation depending on lipase types and on substrates used. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of C. prolifera extract on lipases appeared to be accelerated by adding bile salts, which likely modified the interface and allowed the inhibitory compound to inactivate the lipase. The separation of C. prolifera extract by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) resulted in eight fractions showing efficient inhibition rate against DGL, compared to the crude extract. In the case of HPL, TLC fractionation reduced the inhibitory rates, suggesting that the effect of algal extract on lipases may be caused by a synergetic action of several compounds within the extract. High-performance liquid chromatograph separation resulted in isolation of a major compound displaying high inhibition capacity of HPL activity. Caulerpa prolifera extract may therefore be useful in developing antiobesity drugs.     

Vehicle routing problems with multiple trips

This paper presents a survey on the multi-trip vehicle routing problem (MTVRP) and on related routing problems where vehicles are allowed to perform multiple trips. The first part of the paper focuses on the MTVRP. It gives an unified view on mathematical formulations and surveys exact and heuristic approaches. The paper continues with variants of the MTVRP and other families of routing problems where multiple trips are sometimes allowed. For the latter, it specially insists on the motivations for having multiple trips and the algorithmic consequences. The expected contribution of the survey is to give a comprehensive overview on a structural property of routing problems that has seen a strongly growing interest in the last few years and that has been investigated in very different areas of the routing literature.     

A self-tuning guidance and control system for marine surface vessels

An integrated guidance and control system has been developed to enable underactuated marine surface vessels to operate autonomously and yield robust tracking performance in spite of significant external disturbances and modeling imprecision. A nonlinear ship model, accounting for all six degrees-of-freedom of the ship, has been used as a test bed to assess the performance of the proposed scheme. The controller combines the advantages of the variable structure systems (VSS) theory with the self-tuning fuzzy logic scheme. It does not require an accurate dynamic model of the ship or the construction of a rule-based expert system. Its asymptotic stability is ensured by knowing the upper bounds on modeling imprecision and external disturbances and by forcing the tuning parameters to satisfy the sliding conditions. The guidance system is based on the concepts of the variable radius line-of-sight (LOS) and the acceptance circle around the waypoints. The current system varies the LOS radius exponentially with the cross track error in order to achieve a fast convergence rate of the ship to its desired trajectory. The simulation results demonstrate the robust tracking characteristic of the integrated guidance and control system in spite of significant modeling uncertainties and environmental disturbances.     

Large eddy simulation of a slot jet impinging on a convex surface

A large eddy simulation is used to simulate flow and heat transfer in a turbulent plane jet with two distances from the jet-exit to impingement corresponding to twice and ten times the slot nozzle width. The resolved different unsteady vortex motions of the jet shear layers are studied and shown to have an important influence on heat transfer at the wall. They are used to explain existence of the second peak in Nusselt number for the case corresponding to twice the slot nozzle width. The predicted average surface Nusselt number profiles exhibit good agreement with experiments.     

Evaluation of Schiff bases of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole as photostabilizer for poly(methyl methacrylate)

The photostabilization of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films by Schiff bases of 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole compounds was investigated. The PMMA films containing concentration of complexes 0.5% by weight were produced by the casting method from chloroform solvent. The photostabilization activities of these compounds were determined by monitoring the hydroxyl index with irradiation time. The changes in viscosity average molecular weight of PMMA with irradiation time were also tracked (using benzene as a solvent). The quantum yield of the chain scission (Φ_cs) of these complexes in PMMA films was evaluated and found to range between 4.19 × 10^?5 and 8.75 × 10^?5. Results obtained showed that the rate of photostabilization of PMMA in the presence of the additive followed the trend:[1] > [2] > [3] > [4] > [5].According to the experimental results obtained, several mechanisms were suggested depending on the structure of the additive. Among them, UV absorption, peroxide decomposer, and radical scavenger for photostabilizer mechanisms were suggested.     

Shape-directing role of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in the preparation of silver nanoparticles

We report a simple chemical reduction method for the synthesis of different colored silver nanoparticles, AgNP, using tyrosine as a reducing agent. Effects of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB, and tyrosine concentrations are analyzed by UV-visible measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the mode of AgNP aggregation. The position and shape of the surface resonance plasmon absorption bands strongly depend on the reaction conditions, i.e., [CTAB], [tyrosine], and reaction time. Sub-, post-, and dilution-micellar effects are accountable for the fast and slow nucleation and growth processes. Spectrophotometric measurement also shows that the average size and the polydispersity of AgNP increase with [CTAB] in the solution. CTAB acted as a shape-directing agent.     

Energetics of anionic surfactant-additive systems at the cloud point

The energetics of clouding in anionic surfactant (SDBS) and tetrabutylammonium bromide system in the presence of additives, such as ureas, amino acids and sugars is reported. The change of standard Gibbs energy of solubilization (ΔG _s ^o) for all of the additives was found to be negative. The values of change of standard enthalpy (ΔH _s ^o) and that of standard entropy (TΔS _s ^o) values were found to depend on the type and chemistry of the additive. The results were explained on the basis including chemistry of additives, their effect on water structure, and solubilization of additives either in the micellar or in aqueous phases.     

Kinetics of the oxidation of iodide by copper(III)-imine-oxime complexes

Summary The copper(III)-imine-oxime complexes [Cu^III(Enio)]⁺ and [Cu^III(Pre)]⁺ {EnioH₂ =N,N-ethylene bis(isonitrosoacetylacetoneimine) and PreH₂ = N,N-propylene bis (isonitrosoacetylacetoneimine)} react very rapidly with iodide. The rate law under fixed conditions for the reaction is given by the equation: –d[Cu^III]/dt = (2k₂[I^–] + 2k₃[I^–]²)[Cu^III] The [Cu^III(Enio)]⁺ reaction was pH-independent whereas the [Cu (Pre)]⁺ reaction rate increased with increasing pH. Both the k₂ and the k₃ pathways are believed to involve one-electron transfer. An inner-sphere mechanism may operate in the pathway, first-order in [I^–].     

Synthesis and conductivity of poly acene quinone radical polymers

Polymers with conductivities from 8.6 × 10⁰ to 7.3 × 10^?6 (ω cm)^?1 at 2–12 kbar were prepared by zinc-chloride-catalyzed condensation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocycles, and quinones with pyromellitic dianhydride, tetrabromophthalic anhydride, and tetrachlorophthalic anhydride at 450°C. These materials are stable in air and exhibit strong electroactive character without addition of oxidizing or reducing agents (dopants).