Integrating particle swarm optimization with genetic algorithms for solving nonlinear optimization problems

Heuristic optimization provides a robust and efficient approach for solving complex real-world problems. The aim of this paper is to introduce a hybrid approach combining two heuristic optimization techniques, particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithms (GA). Our approach integrates the merits of both GA and PSO and it has two characteristic features. Firstly, the algorithm is initialized by a set of random particles which travel through the search space. During this travel an evolution of these particles is performed by integrating PSO and GA. Secondly, to restrict velocity of the particles and control it, we introduce a modified constriction factor. Finally, the results of various experimental studies using a suite of multimodal test functions taken from the literature have demonstrated the superiority of the proposed approach to finding the global optimal solution.     

Organosoluble and thermally stable polyimides derived from a new diamine containing bulky-flexible triaryl pyridine pendent group

A novel kind of aromatic diamine,N-(4-(4-(2,6-diphenyl pyridine-4-yl)phenoxy)phenyl)-3,5-diaminobezamide (DPDAB),was synthesized via aromatic nucleophilic substitution of 3,5-dinitrobenzoylchloride with 4-(4-(2,6- diphenylpyridine-4-yl)phenoxy)aniline(DPPA),followed by palladium-catalyzed hydrazine reduction.This monomer was used to prepare polyimides(PIs)based on reaction with several commerically avaiable tetracarboxylic dianhydrides such as pyromellatic dianhydride(PMDA),benzophenone tetracarboxylic acide dianhydride(BTDA)and bicycle[2.2.2]oct-7-enc- 2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic dianhydride(BCDA).These PIs had inherent viscosity in the range of 0.34-0.76 dL/g and showed good solubility in various aprotic polar solvents.The glass-transition tempratures(T_gs)of the PIs were in the range of 184-302℃,and showed high thermal stability with 10%weight loss in the temperature range of 360-500℃under nitrogen atmosphere.     

Synthesis and characterization of Schiff-base-containing polyamides

A series of new Schiff base polyamides（PAs） were synthesized by polycondensation of benzilbisthiosemicarbazone diamine（LH₆） with different commercially available aliphatic and aromatic diacid chlorides. The monomer and all the PAs were characterized by FTIR,¹H-NMR,and elemental analysis.The prepared polyamides showed inherent viscosities in the range of 0.30-0.36 dL/g in DMF at 25℃,indicating their moderate molecular weight.The PAs were completely soluble in aprotic polar solvents such as dimethylformamide（DMF）,N-methylpyrolidone（NMP）, tetrachloroethane（TCE）,dimthylsulfoxide（DMSO） and also in H₂SO₄ and partially soluble in THF,acetone and chloroform at room temperature.Thermal analysis showed that these PAs were practically amorphous and exhibited 10%weight loss above 220℃.     

The ligational behavior of a phenolic quinolyl hydrazone towards copper(II)- ions

Background  

The heterocyclic hydrazones constitute an important class of biologically active drug molecules. The hydrazones have also been used as herbicides, insecticides, nematocides, redenticides, and plant growth regulators as well as plasticizers and stabilizers for polymers. The importance of the phenolic quinolyl hydrazones arises from incorporating the quinoline ring with the phenolic compound; 2,4-dihydroxy benzaldehyde. Quinoline ring has therapeutic and biological activities whereas, phenols have antiseptic and disinfectants activities and are used in the preparation of dyes, bakelite and drugs. The present study is planned to check the effect of the counter anions on the type and geometry of the isolated copper(II)- complexes as well as the ligational behavior of the phenolic hydrazone; 4-[(2-(4,8-dimethylquinolin-2-yl)hydrazono)methyl] benzene-1,3-diol; (H₂L).     

Synthesis and characterization of polyamides derived from (4-(4-(2, 6-diphenylpyridin-4yl)phenoxy)phenyl)-3, 5-diaminobezamide

New types of polyamides containing pendent triaryl pyridine groups were successfully synthesized by direct polycondensation of a symmetry diamine,（4-（4-（2,6-diphenylpyridin-4yl）phenoxy）phenyl）-3,5-diaminobezamide（DPDAB）, and various aromatic and aliphatic dicarboxylic diacids in NMP using triphenyl phosphate（TPP） and pyridine as catalyst. The diamine and all the prepared polyamides were fully characterized by using FT-IR,¹H-NMR,UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorimetry and elemental analysis.The inherent viscosity of polyamides ranged from 0.45 dL/g to 0.68 dL/g.All the polymers exhibited solubility in common polar aprotic solvents such as NMP,DMAc,DMF,DMSO,pyridine,HMPA,and even in less polar solvents such as THF and m-cresol at room temperature.Thermal properties of polyamides were evaluated by means of DSC,DMTA and TGA.These polymers showed glass transition temperatures（T_g） in the range of 138-210℃. Their initial decomposition temperature（T_i） varied from 265℃to 310℃under N₂.The dilute solution（0.2 g/dL） of polyamides in DMF exhibited fluorescence emission withλ_max in the range of 470-550 nm.     

Cytochrome c embraced in sodium dodecyl sulfate nano-micelle as a homogeneous nanostructured peroxidase

A homogeneous nanostructured enzyme (artificial peroxidase, AP) with suitable catalytic efficiency was generated using bovine heart cytochrome c (Cyt c) and sodium dodecyl sulfate nano-micelles in 50?mM phosphate buffer pH 10.5 at 25?°C. The Michaelis?CMenten (K _m) and catalytic rate (k _cat) of the AP were determined to be 21.6?±?1.2???M and 0.474?±?0.013?s^?1, respectively. The catalytic efficiency of the AP was 0.0219?±?0.002???M^?1s^?1, which was 30?±?1.5?% as efficient as the native horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The mean diameter of AP was measured to be 6.4?nm using dynamic light scattering technique. The UV?CVis spectrometry, circular dichroism, surface tension, isothermal titration calorimetric and electrochemistry methods were utilized for additional characterization of the AP. Together our results suggest that the AP generated here can be used in place of HRP in industrial and commercial fields under some extreme conditions.     

Numerical study of melting inside concentric and eccentric horizontal annulus

This paper presents numerical investigations on melting of phase change material using N-eicosane inside a cylindrical container. Numerical simulations are performed for symmetric melting of phase change material between two cylinders in concentric and eccentric arrays using the FLUENT software which is sub-cooled initially to 1 °C. Inner cylindrical tube is considered hot wall while outer tube is insulated. Predicted result shows that melting rate is the same approximately for concentric and eccentric array before time of 15 min. After this time, melting rate decreases in concentric array. It is due to the pure conduction between hot tube and cold solid phase change material.     

Separation of <Superscript>139</Superscript>Ce using solvent extraction technique from La<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> target irradiated by 14.7 MeV protons

The radiochemical separation of no-carrier-added cerium from proton irradiated lanthanum was studied by solvent extraction using DEE, TBP and TPPO, the latter reagent being employed for the first time for separation of radiocerium from bulk of lanthanum. Distribution coefficients of cerium and lanthanum were investigated as a function of equilibrium time and concentration of HNO₃. A mixture of 0.05M K₂Cr₂O₇ and 0.1M H₂SO₄ was used as an oxidizing agent to improve the separation efficiency of cerium. A comparative study of the three extractants released that DEE is the best for separation of cerium from bulk of lanthanum oxide. The target was prepared by pressing. The production of ¹³⁹Ce of high radionuclidic purity and chemical purity via irradiation of lanthanum oxide target at MGC-20 cyclotron with protons of energy 14.5 MeV is described. The experimental yield was found to be 153 kBq/μA·h.