Structural and algorithmic properties for parametric minimum cuts

We consider the minimum s, t-cut problem in a network with parametrized arc capacities. Following the seminal work of Gallo et?al. (SIAM J. Comput. 18(1):30–55, 1989), classes of this parametric problem have been shown to enjoy the nice Structural Property that minimum cuts are nested, and the nice Algorithmic Property that all minimum cuts can be computed in the same asymptotic time as a single minimum cut by using a clever Flow Update step to move from one value of the parameter to the next. We present a general framework for parametric minimum cuts that extends and unifies such results. We define two conditions on parametrized arc capacities that are necessary and sufficient for (strictly) decreasing differences of the parametric cut function. Known results in parametric submodular optimization then imply the Structural Property. We show how to construct appropriate Flow Updates in linear time under the above conditions, implying that the Algorithmic Property also holds under these conditions. We then consider other classes of parametric minimum cut problems, without decreasing differences, for which we establish the Structural and/or the Algorithmic Property, as well as other cases where nested minimum cuts arise.     

The diffraction of elastic waves by an imperfect fusion bond

We consider diffraction by a semi-infinite crack located alonga fusion interface between two differing elastic media. Twotypes of crack, namely open and partially closed cracks, areinvestigated. An open crack is modelled by a stress-free contactboundary condition and a partially closed crack is modelledby a spring contact boundary condition. For the latter, thejump in the stress across the crack is assumed to be proportionalto the jump in the displacement across the crack. This situationarises in, for example, a K-weld where the fine grain of theparent material (for example, ferritic or forged austeniticsteel) is in stark contrast with the coarse-grained weld metal(for example, austenitic weld metal). In the metal weld thedirection of the grain axis varies through the metal. However,diffraction is a local phenomenon and so the austenitic steelis assumed to have a zonal axis so that it may be modelled bya transversely isotropic composite. The ferritic or forged austeniticsteel will be modelled as an isotropic material.     

Exact and heuristic approaches for the index tracking problem with UCITS constraints

Index tracking aims at determining an optimal portfolio that replicates the performance of an index or benchmark by investing in a smaller number of constituents or assets. The tracking portfolio should be cheap to maintain and update, i.e., invest in a smaller number of constituents than the index, have low turnover and low transaction costs, and should avoid large positions in few assets, as required by the European Union Directive UCITS (Undertaking for Collective Investments in Transferable Securities) rules. The UCITS rules make the problem hard to be satisfactorily modeled and solved to optimality: no exact methods but only heuristics have been proposed so far. The aim of this paper is twofold. First, we present the first Mixed Integer Quadratic Programming (MIQP) formulation for the constrained index tracking problem with the UCITS rules compliance. This allows us to obtain exact solutions for small- and medium-size problems based on real-world datasets. Second, we compare these solutions with the ones provided by the state-of-art heuristic Differential Evolution and Combinatorial Search for Index Tracking (DECS-IT), obtaining information about the heuristic performance and its reliability for the solution of large-size problems that cannot be solved with the exact approach. Empirical results show that DECS-IT is indeed appropriate to tackle the index tracking problem in such cases. Furthermore, we propose a method that combines the good characteristics of the exact and of the heuristic approaches.     

On the complexity of some subgraph problems

We study the complexity of the problem of deciding the existence of a spanning subgraph of a given graph, and of that of finding a maximum (weight) such subgraph. We establish some general relations between these problems, and we use these relations to obtain new NP-completeness results for maximum (weight) spanning subgraph problems from analogous results for existence problems and from results in extremal graph theory. On the positive side, we provide a decomposition method for the maximum (weight) spanning chordal subgraph problem that can be used, e.g., to obtain a linear (or O(nlogn)) time algorithm for such problems in graphs with vertex degree bounded by 3.     

Synthesis of Novel Chiral Diol Ligands for the Enantioselective Reactions

The chiral diols ((,(,((,((-Tetraaryl-1,3-dioxolane-4,5-dimethanols) have been used for the formation of cyclic titanates and similar derivatives of Mg, Al and Zr. These complexes of oxophilic metal centers were employed in catalytic and stiochiometric enantioselective reactions such as enantioselective addition reactions of carbon-centered nucleophiles to aldehydes1, [2+2] cycloadditions2, and Diels-Alder reactions3. So far, the two hydrogen atoms of all this type of diols are in trans form…     

Alpha-methylene-beta-amino ketone derivatives from beta-ketoallylsilanes

Beta-Ketoallylsilanes are synthesized by the Horner-Emmons reaction starting from novel silylated ketophosphonates and various aldehydes. The reactions of beta-ketoallylsilanes with NsONHCO2Et and CaO produce alpha-methylene-N-(ethoxycarbonyl)-beta-amino ketones through the ring opening of the intermediate aziridine, which is favored by the presence of the trimethylsilyl group. With chiral beta-ketoallylsilanes we obtained a stereoselective amination reaction with a 90% diastereomeric excess. alpha-Methylene-N-(ethoxycarbonyl)-beta-amino ketones are isolated in 39-60% yields and characterized.     

On the electric current from electrodes in a magnetized semiconductor film

The problem on the electric current from electrodes in a magnetizedsemiconductor film is reduced to the skew derivative problemfor the Laplace equation outside cuts in a plane. The problemfor the Laplace equation is studied under different conditionsat infinity, which have a certain physical meaning. With thehelp of potential theory, the skew derivative problem is reducedto a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind, which isuniquely solvable. The Neumann problem for the Laplace equationin the exterior of cuts in a plane is a particular case of ourproblem.     

One-pot synthesis of chiral multifunctionalized aziridines

A direct synthetic procedure to obtain chiral aziridines is reported, involving a diastereoselective aza-MIRC (Michael Initiated Ring Closure) reaction. Multifunctionalized aziridines are obtained in high overall yields (82-92%) and with a diastereomeric ratio up to 99:1. Further synthetic elaboration can lead to the formation of interesting biochemical molecules, such as amino glycosides. The diastereomeric induction seems to be strongly controlled both by the choice of chiral moiety and by the electron withdrawing groups (EWG) present on the starting alkenes.     

Reagent-controlled diastereoselective aminations with a new chiral nosyloxycarbamate

The synthesis of a new chiral nosyloxycarbamate derived from Helmchen's auxiliary is described. Reactions performed with this aminating reagent successfully give the formation of diastereomeric allylic carbamates or diastereomeric aziridines starting from different kinds of olefins.