Computation of the random arrival rule for bankruptcy problems

Bankruptcy problems are a fundamental class of fair division problems in microeconomics. Among the various solution concepts proposed for the problem, the random arrival rule is one of the most prominent. In this paper, we conduct a computational analysis of the rule. It is shown that the allocation returned by the rule is #P-complete to compute. The general complexity result is complemented by a pseudo-polynomial-time dynamic programming algorithm for the random arrival rule.     

Novel monofunctional and bifunctional boronic acid‐functionalized squarylium dyes as precolumn and on‐column labels for protein analysis by capillary electrophoresis with laser‐induced fluorescence

This article presents a continuous capillary electrophoresis with laser‐induced fluorescence (CE‐LIF) following spectral studies of the noncovalent interactions between novel Squarylium Boronic Acid 4 (SQ‐BA4) & Squarylium Diboronic Acid 2 (SQ‐DBA2) squarylium dyes and human serum albumin (HSA). Two protocols were used wherein the on‐column‐labeling protocol was found to be more sensitive than the precolumn one by showing a better enhancement in the peak area of the HSA–dye complex besides lower limits of detection (LODs) for HSA. Also, stability studies were conducted with or without HSA using precolumn‐labeling mode over one week exhibiting the superiority of SQ‐BA4 to SQ‐DBA2. Then, a mixture containing three model proteins, HSA, β‐lactoglobulin B, and transferrin, was labeled on‐column with both dyes and completely resolved by CE‐LIF after optimization of several parameters. Both dyes provided lower LODs for HSA than those of β‐lactoglobulin B and transferrin with higher sensitivities. In addition, the SQ‐BA4 dye showed again greater sensitivities with all the three proteins than SQ‐DBA2.     

Determining the feasibility of H2O2 production at a graphite cathode using bond dissociation energy: comparing simple and nitrogen doped cathodes

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is commercially produced by catalytic oxidation of anthrahydroquinone, which is energy-intensive. Electrochemical production of...     

Effects of binary chemical reaction and Arrhenius activation energy in Darcy–Forchheimer three-dimensional flow of nanofluid subject to rotating frame

Darcy–Forchheimer three-dimensional rotating flow of nanoliquid in the presence of activation energy and heat generation/absorption is examined. Heat and mass transport via convective process is considered. Buongiorno model has been employed to illustrate thermophoresis and Brownian diffusion effects. Adequate transformation procedure gives rise to system in terms of nonlinear ODE’s. An efficient numerical technique namely NDsolve is used to tackle the governing nonlinear system. The graphical illustrations examine the outcomes of various sundry variables. Heat and mass transfer rates are also computed and examined. Our results indicate that the temperature and concentration distributions are enhanced for larger values of porosity parameter and Forchheimer number.

     

Green Synthesis of CeO2 Nanoparticles from the Abelmoschus esculentus Extract: Evaluation of Antioxidant,Anticancer, Antibacterial,and Wound-Healing Activities

Metal oxide nanoparticles synthesized by the biological method represent the most recent research in nanotechnology. This study reports the rapid and ecofriendly approach for the synthesis of CeO₂ nanoparticles mediated using the Abelmoschus esculentus extract. The medicinal plant extract acts as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. The characterization of CeO₂ NPs was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The in vitro cytotoxicity of green synthesized CeO₂ was assessed against cervical cancerous cells (HeLa). The exposure of CeO₂ to HeLa cells at 10–125 µg/mL caused a loss in cellular viability against cervical cancerous cells in a dose-dependent manner. The antibacterial activity of the CeO₂ was assessed against S. aureus and K. pneumonia. A significant improvement in wound-healing progression was observed when cerium oxide nanoparticles were incorporated into the chitosan hydrogel membrane as a wound dressing.     

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Combined with Electrochemical Sensors for Food Contaminants Analysis

Detection of relevant contaminants using screening approaches is a key issue to ensure food safety and respect for the regulatory limits established. Electrochemical sensors present several advantages such as rapidity; ease of use; possibility of on-site analysis and low cost. The lack of selectivity for electrochemical sensors working in complex samples as food may be overcome by coupling them with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). MIPs are synthetic materials that mimic biological receptors and are produced by the polymerization of functional monomers in presence of a target analyte. This paper critically reviews and discusses the recent progress in MIP-based electrochemical sensors for food safety. A brief introduction on MIPs and electrochemical sensors is given; followed by a discussion of the recent achievements for various MIPs-based electrochemical sensors for food contaminants analysis. Both electropolymerization and chemical synthesis of MIP-based electrochemical sensing are discussed as well as the relevant applications of MIPs used in sample preparation and then coupled to electrochemical analysis. Future perspectives and challenges have been eventually given.     

Correction to: The effect of e/a ratio on thermodynamic parameters and surface morphology of Cu–Al–Fe–X shape memory alloys

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In the original publication of the article, the second author’s family name was incorrectly published.     

Effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone on structural and optical properties of willemite semiconductor nanoparticles by polymer thermal treatment method

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Willemite is an inorganic semiconductor material used for optoelectronic applications. The present study purposes a new polymer thermal treatment...     

Microporous Hypercross-linked Conjugated Quinonoid Chromophores of Anthracene: Novel Polymers for CO2 Adsorption

Microporous hypercross-linked conjugated quinonoid chromophores represent a novel class of amorphous polymers, synthesized by the reaction of anthracene with dimethoxy methane in the presence of FeCl3 catalyst. Their N2 adsorption isotherms confirm their microporous nature. Diffuse reflectance UV-Visible(DRS UV-Vis) spectroscopy confirms their matrix built with the conjugated quinonoids by their broad light absorption characteristics extending from 1000 nm to 200 nm with the absorbance maximum close to 400 nm. The catalyst cross-linked anthracene with ―CH2― bridges and subsequently dehydrogenating them to form quinonoids. Their Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectra showed their characteristic quinonoid vibrations between 1600 and 1700 cm-1. The synthesis of polymers was carried out at 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 ℃, but the quinonoid content of the polymer obtained at 80 ℃ was higher than that of the others. Their scanning electron microscopy(SEM) images showed microspheres of 1 to 5 μm size built with tiny particles. Their surfaces were not smooth. The polymer synthesized at 80 ℃ showed 5.1 wt% CO2 sorption at 25 ℃ and 0.1 MPa, but when it was recross-linked, the CO2 sorption increased to 8 wt%. Hence, hypercross-linked conjugated quinonoid chromophores of anthracene are good for sorption of CO2.