A Heuristic Decomposition Algorithm for Scheduling Problems on Mixed Graphs

We consider a scheduling problem where a set of n jobs has to be processed on a set of m machines and arbitrary precedence constraints between operations are given. Moreover, for any two operations i and j values a _ij >0 and a _ji >0 may be given where a _ij is the minimal difference between the starting times of operations i and j when operation i is processed first. Often, the objective is to minimize the makespan but we consider also arbitrary regular criteria. Even the special cases of the classical job shop problem J//C_max belong to the set of NP-hard problems. Therefore, approximation or heuristic algorithms are necessary to handle large-dimension problems. Based on the mixed graph model we give a heuristic decomposition algorithm for such a problem, i.e. the initial problem is partitioned into subproblems that can be solved exactly or approximately with a small error bound. These subproblems are obtained by a relaxation of a subset of the set of undirected edges of the mixed graph. The subproblems are successively solved and a proportion of the results obtained for one subproblem is kept for further subproblem definitions. Numerical results of the algorithm presented here are given.     

7-Deazaadenosine: Oligoribonucleotide building block synthesis and autocatalytic hydrolysis of base-modified hammerhead ribozymes

A 7-deazaadenosine ( = tubercidin; c⁷A; 1 ) building block for solid-phase oligoribonucleotide synthesis was prepared. The amino group of 1 was protected with the (dimethylamino)methylidene residue (→ 3 ), and the monomethoxytrityl group was introduced at OH? C(5′) (→ 4 ). Protection of OH? C(2′) was carried out by silylation, showing that use of the (i-Pr)₃Si group resulted in high 2′-O-selectivity (→ 5b , 80%). Reaction of 5b with PCl₃ afforded the phosphonate 7 which was used in solid-phase oligoribonucleotide synthesis. The autocatalytic hydrolysis of hammerhead ribozymes using pG-G-G-A-G-U-C-A-G-U-C-C-C-U-U-C-G-G-G-G-A-C-U-C-U-G-A-A-G-A-G-G-C-G-C as substrate strand (S) and modified G-C-G-C-C-G-A-A-A-C-U-C-C-C as enzyme strand (E) was studied. When c⁷A replaced A¹³ or A¹⁴, a small decrease of catalytic activity was observed, while modification in position A¹⁵ enhanced the autocatalytic hydrolysis. The results demonstrate, that the atom N(7) of adenosine in any of these positions is not crucial for ribozyme action.     

Syntheses and structures of magnesium pyridine thiolates--model compounds for magnesium binding in photosystem I

Novel magnesium pyridine-2-thiolates were prepared by using alkane elimination chemistry. The resulting complexes display a metal coordination environment composed of sulfur/nitrogen bonding from the intramolecularly stabilized mercaptopyridine ligand, in addition to coordination by the oxygen centers from two THF donors. The compounds are well-suited model compounds for the magnesium centers in Photosystem I, in which magnesium, situated in the central chlorophyll ligand, is bound to sulfur from a nearby methionine residue. All compounds were characterized by (1)H, (13)C NMR, and IR spectroscopy, in addition to Xray crystallography.     

ESCA-Analysis of tin compounds on the surface of hydroxyapatite

The formation of tin compounds on the surface of hydroxyapatite, the main crystalline component of teeth, is discussed controversially. SnF₂ is used as an anticaries agent in toothpaste preparations. Pure hydroxyapatite (HAP) is treated with extracts of commercially available toothpastes containing tin fluoride and analyzed by electron spectroscopy (ESCA). Survey spectra and depth profiles are recorded. The chemical shifts measured for the HAP samples are compared with those of standard tin compounds. It is concluded that on the surface of hydroxyapatite a mixture of two-valent fluoro-phosphato compounds is formed. SnO is not found in the mixture.     

Was ist „Molybdänsäure”︁ oder „Polymolybdänsäure”︁?

What is “Molybdic Acid” or “Polymolybdic Acid”? According to a comparative study of the literature, supplemented by well-aimed experimental investigations and equilibrium calculations, the terms “molybdic acid” or “polymolybdic acid”, used for many substances, species, or solutions in the literature, are applicable to a species, a solution, and two solids:

• a) The monomeric molybdic acid, most probably having the formula MoO₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₂(? H₂MoO₄, aq), exists in (aqueous) solution only and never exceeds a concentration of ≈ 10^?3 M since at higher concentrations it reacts with other monomemeric molybdenum (VI) species to give anionic or cationic polymers.
• b) A concentrated (>0.1 M Mo^VI) aqueous molybdate solution of degree of acidification P = 2 (realized, e. g., by a solution of one of the Mo^VI oxides; by any molybdate solutions whose cations have been exchanged by H₃O⁺ on a cation exchanger; by suitable acidification of a molybdate solution) contains 8 H₃O⁺ and the well-known polyanion Mo₃₆O₁₁₂(H₂O)₁₆^8? exactly in the stoichiometric proportions.
• c) A glassy substance, obtained from an alkali metal salt-free solution prepared according to (b), refers to the compound (H₃O)₈[Mo₃₆O₁₁₂(H₂O)₁₆]·xH₂O, x = 25—29.
• d) A solid having the ideal composition [(H₃O)Mo₅O₁₅(OH)H₂O·H₂O]∞ consists of a polymolybdate skeleton (the well-known ?decamolybdate”? structure), in the tunnels of which H₃O⁺ and H₂O are intercalate. The structure is very unstable if only H₃O⁺ cations are present, but it is enormously stabilized by a partial exchange of H₃O⁺ by certain alkali or alkaline earth metal cations.

For the compounds MoO₃, MoO₃·H₂O, and MoO₃·2H₂O the term ?molybdic acid”? is unjustified. The commercial product ?molybdic acid, ≈85% MoO₃”? is the well-known polymolybdate (NH₄)₂O·4 MoO₃ with a layer structure of the polyanion.     

Synthetic routes to trace constituents of algal pheromone bouqets and other information-imitating substances

Structural modifications of multifidene ( 1 ), viridiene ( 2 ) and ectocarpene ( 5 ) led to the synthesis of eleven new pheromone components or imitatin substances mostly by Grignard alkylation of cyclopentene and cycloheptadiene synthons. A new lactone α,ω dienol conversion is reported.     

A Review on the Potential and Limitations of Recyclable Thermosets for Structural Applications

Abstract

The outstanding performance of conventional thermosets arising from their covalently cross-linked networks directly results in a limited recyclability. The available commercial or close-to-commercial techniques facing this challenge can be divided into mechanical, thermal, and chemical processing. However, these methods typically require a high energy input and do not take the recycling of the thermoset matrix itself into account. Rather, they focus on retrieving the more valuable fibers, fillers, or substrates. To increase the circularity of thermoset products, many academic studies report potential solutions which require a reduced energy input by using degradable linkages or dynamic covalent bonds. However, the majority of these studies have limited potential for industrial implementation. This review aims to bridge the gap between the industrial and academic developments by focusing on those which are most relevant from a technological, sustainable and economic point of view. An overview is given of currently used approaches for the recycling of thermoset materials, the development of novel inherently recyclable thermosets and examples of possible applications that could reach the market in the near future.     

Polyelectrolyte capsules made of two biocompatible natural polymers

In this study the influence of the experimental conditions on the obtention of polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules was investigated. Two ways of the simple coacervation method was used to obtain spherical capsules involving chitosan and hyaluronan, chitosan being inside the particle covered by a hyaluronan layer to increase the biocompatibility. The ¹H-NMR spectroscopy confirmed a polyelectrolyte complex formation and the optical microscopy shows that the complexed capsules have good sphericity with average diameters ranging from 590 at 1550 μm in the experimental conditions adopted. One can observe that in the acid medium the complexed capsules are much stable than the chitosan beads. The structures described provide a starting point for the design and fabrication of complexed capsules made of two biocompatible natural polymers with potential applicability in medical or pharmaceutical applications. Few diffusion experiments demonstrated that the complexed layer controls the diffusion of dextran included in the chitosan inner domain.     

The determination of bromide in a local anaesthetic hydrochloride by capillary electrophoresis using direct UV detection

The determination of residual amounts of bromide in a local anaesthetic hydrochloride by capillary electrophoresis was developed. Direct UV detection at 200 nm was used for the determination of the bromide content. The separation capacity of the system must be sufficient when bromide is determined in the presence of a large excess of chloride since electromigration dispersion of the highly concentrated chloride peak may impair the resolution. The background electrolyte (BGE) contained both acetonitrile and methanesulphonic acid in order to improve the selectivity and minimise the electromigration dispersion. The system was optimised with respect to resolution of the chloride and the bromide peaks by statistical experimental design using a multivariate optimisation program. The developed method was validated in accordance with the ICH guidelines and proved to be suitable for its intended use.