A memetic algorithm for the team orienteering problem

The team orienteering problem (TOP) is a generalization of the orienteering problem. A limited number of vehicles is available to visit customers from a potential set. Each vehicle has a predefined running-time limit, and each customer has a fixed associated profit. The aim of the TOP is to maximize the total collected profit. In this paper we propose a simple hybrid genetic algorithm using new algorithms dedicated to the specific scope of the TOP: an Optimal Split procedure for chromosome evaluation and local search techniques for mutation. We have called this hybrid method a memetic algorithm for the TOP. Computational experiments conducted on standard benchmark instances clearly show our method to be highly competitive with existing ones, yielding new improved solutions in at least 5 instances.     

Two regularization methods for backward heat problems with new error estimates

We introduce two new methods for solving a backward heat conduction problem. For these two methods, we give a stability analysis with new error estimates. Meanwhile, we investigate the roles of the regularization parameters in these two methods. Numerical results show that our algorithm is effective.     

Fabrication and Tribological Properties of Pb Nanoparticles

In this paper, we describe a surfactant-assisted solution dispersion method to obtain metal nanoparticles, which involves dispersing and stabilizing metal droplets in an appropriate solvent. This method has been successfully used to prepare Pb nanoparticles from bulk Pb. The X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy investigations show the formation of Pb nanoparticles possessing the same crystal structure as bulk metal and an average particle diameter of 40 nm. Thermal analysis indicates that Pb nanoparticles have organic shell, which is in agreement with the excellent oil-solubility. In addition, the tribological properties of Pb nanoparticles as additive in oil are discussed.     

Iterative method for solving a nonlinear boundary value problem

In this paper, a boundary value problem for a nonlinear second-order ordinary differential equation is studied. By means of the maximum principle we established the existence and the uniqueness of a solution of the problem. Then for finding the solution an iterative method is proposed. It is proved that this method converges much faster than the Picar successive approximations and in a particular case it gives two-sided monotone approximations to the exact solution of the problem. Finally, some illustrative examples are considered to confirm the efficiency of the method.     

One step Pd(0)-catalyzed synthesis, X-ray analysis, and photophysical properties of cyclopent[hi]aceanthrylene: fullerene-like properties in a nonalternant cyclopentafused aromatic hydrocarbon.

A simple procedure for the synthesis of cyclopentafused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (CP-PAH) with Pd(PPh(3))(2)Cl(2) catalyst has been applied to the one-pot palladium(0)-catalyzed coupling of 9,10-dibromoanthracene (1) with 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol. Reactions carried out in refluxing benzene in the presence of CuSO(4)/Al(2)O(3) yielded 9,10-dialkynylanthracene 2a, alkynyl aceanthrylene 2b, and 2,7-disubstituted cyclopent[hi]aceanthrylene 2c in 13%, 23%, and 19% purified yields, respectively, with total conversions of 80-90%. Sealed tube reactions without copper at 110 degrees C improved the yield of 2c up to >75%. Single-crystal X-ray analyses of 2a and 2c reveal a three-dimensional hydrogen bonding network, producing a unique crystal packing. The packing structure of 2b is dominated by pi-pi stacking interactions between two aceanthrylene molecules. CP-PAHs 2b and 2c have potentially interesting fullerene-like photophysics. While the UV-vis and fluorescence spectra of 2a (Phi(F) = 0.87) show the characteristic vibronic structure of anthracene, the UV-vis spectra of ruby-red aceanthrylene 2b and greenish-black cyclopent[hi]aceanthrylene 2c extend well into the visible range. Isomers 2b and 2c showed no detectable fluorescence emission. Unlike fullerenes, compounds 2b and 2c are poor singlet oxygen sensitizers with measured (1)O(2) quantum yields of 0.02 and 0.06, respectively. As expected from a simple Hückel analysis, 2c has relatively low two-electron reduction potentials as determined by cyclic voltammetry.     

Thorium in human blood serum,clot, and urine comparison with ICRP excretion model

Neutron activation followed by a simple radio-chemical separation procedure was employed to determine the concentrations of thorium (²³²Th) in human blood serum, clot, and urine of normal subjects and three groups of occupationally exposed persons. The thorium concentrations in the blood serum, clot, and urine samples of the exposed groups were distinctly higher than those of the other study groups and were found to increase with increasing occupational length of the persons. Daily urinary excretion is correlated with serum thorium burden and it is estimated that the daily excreted thorium is about 15% of the thorium in the serum pool.     

Anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects of Tetramethylpyrazine following spinal cord ischemia in rabbits

Background  

Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is one of the most important active ingredients of a Chinese herb Ligusticum wallichii Franchat, which is widely used in many ischemia disorders treatments. However, the exact mechanism by which TMP protects the spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is still unknown. For this purpose, rabbits were randomly divided into sham group, control group and TMP group. After the evaluation of neurologic function, the spinal cords were immediately removed for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Apoptosis was measured quantitatively by the terminal transferase UTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method and confirmed by electron microscopic examination, the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was immunohistochemically evaluated and quantified by Western blot analysis.     

A facile way for preparing tin nanoparticles from bulk tin via ultrasound dispersion

In this paper, we reported a facile and rapid process to prepare tin nanoparticles from bulk tin via ultrasound dispersion. The morphology and structure of synthesized tin nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that the morphology of tin nanoparticles is spherical and the structure of tin nanoparticles has the same crystal structure as the bulk tin. In addition, the tribological property of tin nanoparticles as additives in oil is evaluated on a four-ball tester and the results show that tin nanoparticles exhibit good performance in wear.