Genetic algorithms for the traveling salesman problem

This paper is a survey of genetic algorithms for the traveling salesman problem. Genetic algorithms are randomized search techniques that simulate some of the processes observed in natural evolution. In this paper, a simple genetic algorithm is introduced, and various extensions are presented to solve the traveling salesman problem. Computational results are also reported for both random and classical problems taken from the operations research literature.     

Sur le mouvement des particules d'un fluide parfait incompressible bidimensionnel

Sans résuméOblatum 9-I-1990 & 25-VI-1990     

Systèmes de racines sur un anneau commutatif totalement ordonné

A theory of root systems over a totally ordered commutative ring is developed. This theory includes, in particular, the usual finite root systems and the Kac-Moody real root systems. It is adapted to the construction of twisted Kac-Moody groups.

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Dédié à Jacques Tits à l'occasion de son soixantième anniversaire     

Pfaffian and Hafnian identities in shuffle algebras

Chen's lemma on iterated integrals implies that certain identities involving multiple integrals, such as the de Bruijn and Wick formulas, amount to combinatorial identities for Pfaffians and Hafnians in shuffle algebras. We provide direct algebraic proofs of such shuffle identities, and obtain various generalizations. We also discuss some Pfaffian identities due to Sundquist and Ishikawa–Wakayama, and a Cauchy formula for anticommutative symmetric functions. Finally, we extend some of the previous considerations to hyper-Pfaffians and hyper-Hafnians.     

Measurement of compound-nucleus lifetime by X-ray spectroscopy in the 106Cd(p,p')106Cd reaction

A new method for measuring compound-nucleus lifetimes in the range of 10^?18–10^?16 s is presented. The method is based on the comparison between the known lifetime of an atomic excited state used as a reference and the nuclear delay time to be measured. On-line coincidences performed between the nuclear reaction products and the emitted X-rays enable the selection of the atomic vacancies decaying during the compound stage of the nuclear interaction. The main characteristics of this technique are illustrated by measurements of lifetimes of the ¹⁰⁷In compound nucleus excited at 13.6 and 15.6 MeV in the ¹⁰⁶Cd(p, p')¹⁰⁶Cd reaction. They are found in agreement with statistical model calculations. The spurious effect associated with decay by internal conversion of final states populated by the competitive (p, n) reaction is emphasized.     

Development and optimisation of a single extraction procedure for the LC/MS/MS analysis of two pharmaceutical classes residues in sewage treatment plant

A unique extraction procedure leading to the separation of 2 different pharmaceutical classes molecules has been developed and optimised by chemometric tools. From only one sampling, this analytical method allows the determination of 21 pharmaceuticals from corticosteroids and β-blockers classes. Performing the SPE on Oasis MCX (mixed-mode cation exchange), the sequential elution of each pharmaceutical class is achievable, allowing a high purity level of extracts as well as high recovery rates. Performing a unique sample preparation results in an important save of time. The extracts were then analysed by LC/MS/MS, using a Hibar Purospher Star column for β-blockers and an X-Bridge column for corticosteroids with formate buffer (pH 3.8)/AcN and water/AcN mobile phases, respectively. This work also includes a study of the chromatographic and mass spectrometric parameters in order to increase the analyte signal. The optimised SPE-LC/MS/MS method was then applied to environmental samples from sewage treatment plant (STP). β-Blockers and corticosteroids were detected, respectively, in concentrations up to 318 ng L⁻¹ (sotalol) and 174 ng L⁻¹ (cortisone), in STP influents. Moreover, both pharmaceutical classes have also been detected in STP effluents. As far as we know, this is the first paper reporting the detection of corticosteroids in environmental waters. The developed analytical method can be used in further studies to investigate the environmental contamination by these drugs.     

Synthesis of large quantities of single-walled aluminogermanate nanotube

A simple aqueous synthesis yielded about 100 times more structurally well-organized single-walled aluminogermanate nanotubes than previously reported "standard" procedures. The structure analyses using XRD, IRTF, TEM, and XAS were greatly facilitated by the high concentrations available, and they ascertained the imogolite-like structure of the nanotubes. Simplicity and yield of the synthesis protocol are likely to favor commercial applications of theses materials as well as simplified syntheses of other nanophases.     

Ni(+) reactions with aminoacetonitrile, a potential prebiological precursor of glycine

The gas-phase reactions between Ni(+) ((2)D(5/2)) and aminoacetonitrile, a molecule of prebiological interest as possible precursor of glycine, have been investigated by means of mass spectrometry techniques. The mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectrum reveals that the adduct ions [NC--CH(2)--NH(2), Ni(+)] spontaneously decompose by loosing HCN, H(2), and H(2)CNH, the loss of hydrogen cyanide being clearly dominant. The structures and bonding characteristics of the aminoacetonitrile-Ni(+) complexes as well as the different stationary points of the corresponding potential energy surface (PES) have been theoretically studied by density functional theory (DFT) calculations carried out at B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level. A cyclic intermediate, in which Ni(+) is bisligated to the cyano and the amino group, plays an important role in the unimolecular reactivity of these ions, because it is the precursor for the observed losses of HCN and H(2)CNH. In all mechanisms associated with the loss of H(2), the metal acts as hydrogen carrier favoring the formation of the H(2) molecule. The estimated bond dissociation energy of aminoacetonitrile-Ni(+) complexes (291 kJ mol(-1)) is larger than those measured for other nitrogen bases such as pyridine or pyrimidine and only slightly smaller than that of adenine.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel oxophenylarcyriaflavins as potential anticancer agents

We report the synthesis and biological evaluation of new oxophenylarcyriaflavins designed as potential anticancer agents. An efficient synthesis involving palladium-catalyzed Suzuki and Stille reactions is presented, without any indolic protective group. The central ring closure of the scaffold was performed through an electrophilic reaction on the position C-2 of the indole ring. The use of indole and 5-benzyloxyindole, along with substituted phenyl rings, generated three different scaffolds, which were successively exploited to modulate the structure. The cytotoxicity of the newly designed compounds on four cancer cell lines and activities against three kinases (CDK1, CDK5 and GSK3) were evaluated. Several compounds showed a marked cytotoxicity with IC(50) values in the sub-micromolar range, and induced important cell cycle perturbations, with a G2/M arrest. Some compounds revealed DNA binding properties and were found to inhibit topoisomerase-mediated DNA relaxation of supercoiled DNA, but these properties are not mandatory for a cytotoxic action. A novel lead compound () has been identified and warrants further investigations.