An arc-exchange decomposition method for multistage dynamic networks with random arc capacities

Multistage dynamic networks with random arc capacities (MDNRAC) have been successfully used for modeling various resource allocation problems in the transportation area. However, solving these problems is generally computationally intensive, and there is still a need to develop more efficient solution approaches. In this paper, we propose a new heuristic approach that solves the MDNRAC problem by decomposing the network at each stage into a series of subproblems with tree structures. Each subproblem can be solved efficiently. The main advantage is that this approach provides an efficient computational device to handle the large-scale problem instances with fairly good solution quality. We show that the objective value obtained from this decomposition approach is an upper bound for that of the MDNRAC problem. Numerical results demonstrate that our proposed approach works very well.     

Baryonic Z' explanation for the CDF Wjj excess

The latest CDF anomaly, the excess of dijet events in the invariant-mass window 120-160 GeV in associated production with a W boson, can be explained by a baryonic Z' model in which the Z' boson has negligible couplings to leptons. Although this Z' model is hardly subject to the Drell-Yan constraint from Tevatron, it is constrained by the dijet data from UA2 (√s=630 GeV), and the precision measurements at LEP through the mixing with the SM Z boson. We show that under these constraints this model can still explain the excess in the M(jj)～120-160 GeV window, as well as the claimed cross section σ(WZ')～4 pb. Implications at the Tevatron would be the associated production of γZ', ZZ', and Z'Z' with the Z'→jj. We show that with tightened jet cuts and improved systematic uncertainties both γZ'→γjj and ZZ'→?(+)?(-) jj channels could be useful to probe this model at the Tevatron.     

“Stainomics”: Identification of mitotracker labeled proteins in mammalian cells

Organelle‐specific cell‐permeable fluorescent dyes are invaluable tools in cell biology as they reveal intracellular dynamics in living cells. Mitrotracker is a family of dyes that strongly label the mitochondrion, a key organelle associated with many crucial cellular functions. Despite the popularity of these dyes, little is known about the molecular mechanism behind their staining specificity. Here, we aimed to identify the protein targets of one member of this dye family, mitotracker red (MTR), by 2DE and MS. MTR bound to cellular proteins covalently, and its fluorescence persisted even after cell lysis, protein solubilization, denaturation, and electrophoresis. This enabled us to display MTR‐labeled proteins by 2DE. The MTR‐specific fluorescent signals on the gel revealed the spots that contained MTR‐conjugated proteins. These spots were analyzed by MS, resulting into the identification of ten proteins. We discovered that one major target is the mitochondrial protein HSP60 and that MTR staining could induce production of HSP60, predisposing cells to heat shock‐like responses. The identification of the molecular targets of biological dyes, or “stainomics,” can help correlate their intracellular staining properties with biochemical affinities. We believe this approach can be applied to a wide range of fluorescent probes.     

A Remarkable cis‐ and trans‐Spanning Dibenzylidene Acetone Diphosphine Chelating Ligand (dbaphos)

A multidentate and flexible diolefin–diphosphine ligand, based on the dibenzylidene acetone core, namely dbaphos ( 1 ), is reported herein. The ligand adopts an array of different geometries at Pt, Pd and Rh. At Pt^II the dbaphos ligand forms cis‐ and trans‐diphosphine complexes and can be defined as a wide‐angle spanning ligand. ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis shows that the β‐hydrogen of one olefin moiety interacts with the Pt^II centre (an anagostic interaction), which is supported by DFT calculations. At Pd⁰ and Rh^I, the dbaphos ligand exhibits both olefin and phosphine interactions with the metal centres. The Pd⁰ complex of dbaphos is dinuclear, with bridging diphosphines. The complex exhibits the coordination of one olefin moiety, which is in dynamic exchange (intramolecular) with the other “free” olefin. The Pd⁰ complex of dbaphos reacts with iodobenzene to afford trans‐[Pd^II(dbaphos)I(Ph)]. In the case of Rh^I, dbaphos coordinates to form a structure in which the phosphine and olefin moieties occupy both axial and equatorial sites, which stands in contrast to a related bidentate olefin, phosphine ligand (“Lei” ligand), in which the olefins occupy the equatorial sites and phosphines the axial sites, exclusively.     

Operation strategy for multi-stage pyrolysis

Pyrolysis has been extensively studied in past decades as its potential to convert organic wastes into bio-fuels. Pyrolysis is an overall endothermic process but preformed exothermically at its early stage. The overall energy consumption as well as the product quality and yield are affected by the heating rate and the operation temperature. In order to reach its full potential to produce bio-fuels, the energy consumption of the process has to be minimised. An idea to reduce the pyrolysis energy consumption is observed, which suggests trapping the exothermic heat released in the beginning of the pyrolysis process and using it to fulfil the energy requirement of the endothermic reactions at the end of the process. To achieve this, the pyrolysis has to be performed in multiple stages. The operation strategy of the multi-stage pyrolysis, including the number of stages, the operating conditions (e.g. process temperature, heating rate) and residence times of each stages, have to be carefully designed to obtain the most energy saving and the best product yield. The operating strategy of a pyrolysis process therefore greatly depends on the pyrolysis kinetics and the control of heat transfers. Waste tire pyrolysis is chosen as the study example in this paper. The corresponding reaction kinetics at different heating rates are investigated via experiments. Based on the experimental results, a mathematical model integrating kinetics and heat transfers is then developed. The objective of the model is to design a suitable operation strategy for the multi-stage pyrolysis process. A four-stage strategy is finally proposed for the tire pyrolysis, which has the sequence of heating, adiabatic, heating and adiabatic. The strategy is verified by the model, and it is capable to save about 22.5% energy consumption compared to the conventional strategy.     

Dewetting-induced membrane formation by adhesion of amphiphile-laden interfaces

We introduce an approach for forming bilayer polymer membranes by adhesion of amphiphile-laden interfaces. This adhesion is induced by a reduction of solvent quality for the amphiphilic diblock copolymers through selective evaporation of good solvent in the solvent mixture. By combining this membrane formation mechanism with a double-emulsion-templated approach for vesicle formation, we fabricate monodisperse polymersomes that exhibit excellent membrane uniformity, and structural stability, using a method that has high encapsulation efficiency. Moreover, we also show that the technique is versatile and can be applied to different block copolymers. The ability to direct the assembly of amphiphiles into a membrane creates new opportunities to engineer the structures of vesicles on the level of the individual bilayer leaflets.     

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy discriminates a spectral signature of endometriosis independent of inter-individual variation

Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. Its aetiology remains obscure, and it is difficult to diagnose ranging from asymptomatic to debilitating disease. Mid-infrared (IR) spectroscopy has become recognised as a potential clinical diagnostic tool. Biomolecules absorb mid-IR (4000 cm(-1) to 400 cm(-1)) and from this, a biochemical-cell fingerprint in the form of an absorbance spectrum can be derived. We set out to determine if IR spectroscopy could be used to identify underlying biochemical differences between endometrial tissues growing outside of the uterus (ectopic) from endometrial tissue of the uterus (eutopic). For comparative purposes, endometrial tissues from endometriosis-free women were also obtained (benign eutopic). Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform IR (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy or transmission FTIR microspectroscopy was employed for spectral acquisition. Principal component analysis (PCA)-linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used for chemometric analysis. A clear segregation was exhibited between the three categories independent of inter-individual confounding differences. Importantly, there was a marked difference between eutopic endometrial tissue from patients with or without endometriosis. This indicates that IR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis (e.g., PCA-LDA) may provide a non-invasive diagnostic tool for endometriosis. By analysing the underlying biochemistry of these endometrial tissues, this approach may facilitate a better understanding of this pathology.     

Synthesis of Ca-P nanoparticles and fabrication of Ca-P/PHBV nanocomposite microspheres for bone tissue engineering applications

As the first step in producing totally bioresorbable osteoconductive composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering using the selective laser sintering technology, bioresorbable nanoparticles of calcium phosphate (Ca-P) similar in composition to β-tricalcium phosphate were synthesized and Ca-P nanoparticle filled poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) microspheres were fabricated. The pH of the chemical reaction for Ca-P particle synthesis was found to have significant effects on the morphology and chemical composition of Ca-P precipitated. Ca-P particles produced at the pH of 10.0-11.0 were amorphous, had a Ca:P molar ratio of about 1.5, were spherical in shape and had sizes in the range of 10-30 nm. The Ca-P particles were used to form Ca-P nanocomposite microspheres through a solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion solvent evaporation process. Ca-P nanoparticles were mostly encapsulated inside the microspheres and some Ca-P nanoparticles were superficially embedded on the microspheres. The Ca-P/PHBV microspheres had an average diameter of about 48 μm which is suitable for selective laser sintering for constructing osteoconductive composite scaffolds.