Price of anarchy for supply chains with partial positive externalities

We consider the impact of partial positive externalities (imperfect complementarity) among downstream retailers on supply chain performance. We show that double marginalization may fail to exist in a decentralized setting when some retailers carry multiple imperfect complements. By giving a precise characterization on the degree of complementarity, we prove that a decentralized supply chain loses at least 25% of the optimal profit and that its performance degrades rapidly with the complementarity effect.     

Two new polymorphs of trans‐bis(hinokitiolato)copper(II)

The title complex [systematic name: trans‐bis(3‐iso­propyl‐7‐oxo­cyclo­hepta‐1,3,5‐trienolato)copper(II)], [Cu(C₁₀H₁₁O₂)₂],is a substance possessing antimicrobial activity. The compound crystallizes in a number of polymorphic forms, the structures for two of which are reported here. Stacks of square‐planar mol­ecules exhibiting weak intermolecular copper–olefin π interactions (not observed in earlier reports on this substance) are described. The mol­ecules have crystallographically imposed inversion symmetry, with stacking and copper–olefin π distances ranging from 3.226 (2) to 3.336 (1) Å.     

Effects of crosslink density on the behavior of VHB 4910 dielectric elastomer

Interpenetration of dielectric elastomers with fillers is an effective technique to improve requisite properties for voltage induced electromechanical performance. However, the requirement that the rigid frame has to maintain its pre-strained state, and time/temperature related phenomenon like stress relaxation/concentration, strain-induced crystallization and void propagation etc., limits this technology. To overcome these limitations, thermochemical and UV irradiation techniques of polymerization are used to modify the macromolecular structures of VHB 4910 elastomer with crosslink monomers. Both the methods are compared in terms of the modification in surface and molecular structure through optical microscope and infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Thermochemically modified samples are found flawless with regular surface reformation; crosslink density is evaluated and its influences on hysteresis, dielectric constant and material degradation at elevated temperature are characterized. Results from this study may contribute towards the complete understanding of space density for inclusion of filler, used for material development with user-defined properties.     

Anti-Cancer Activity and Phenolic Content of Extracts Derived from Cypriot Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Pods Using Different Solvents

Extracts derived from the Ceratonia siliqua L. (carob) tree have been widely studied for their ability to prevent many diseases mainly due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds. In this study, we explored, for the first time, the anti-cancer properties of Cypriot carobs. We produced extracts from ripe and unripe whole carobs, pulp and seeds using solvents with different polarities. We measured the ability of the extracts to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in cancer and normal immortalized breast cells, using the MTT assay, cell cycle analysis and Western Blotting. The extracts’ total polyphenol content and anti-oxidant action was evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and the DPPH assay. Finally, we used LC-MS analysis to identify and quantify polyphenols in the most effective extracts. Our results demonstrate that the anti-proliferative capacity of carob extracts varied with the stage of carob maturity and the extraction solvent. The Diethyl-ether and Ethyl acetate extracts derived from the ripe whole fruit had high Myricetin content and also displayed specific activity against cancer cells. Their mechanism of action involved caspase-dependent and independent apoptosis. Our results indicate that extracts from Cypriot carobs may have potential uses in the development of nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals.