Density Based Problem Space Search for the Capacitated Clustering p-Median Problem

In the Capacitated Clustering Problem (CCP), a given set of n weighted points is to be partitioned into p clusters such that, the total weight of the points in each cluster does not exceed a given cluster capacity. The objective is to find a set of p centers that minimises total scatter of points allocated to them. In this paper a new constructive method, a general framework to improve the performance of greedy constructive heuristics, and a problem space search procedure for the CCP are proposed. The constructive heuristic finds patterns of natural subgrouping in the input data using concept of density of points. Elements of adaptive computation and periodic construction–deconstruction concepts are implemented within the constructive heuristic to develop a general framework for building efficient heuristics. The problem-space search procedure is based on perturbations of input data for which a controlled perturbation strategy, intensification and diversification strategies are developed. The implemented algorithms are compared with existing methods on a standard set of bench-marks and on new sets of large-sized instances. The results illustrate the strengths of our algorithms in terms of solution quality and computational efficiency.     

Phase switching and quantum interference in a 3-level Λ-shape bistable model

The steady state bistable behaviour of a three-level Λ-shape is examined in the presence of a control field $({\rm \Omega} +\chi \left( t\right) e^{i\varphi})$({\rm \Omega} +\chi \left( t\right) e^{i\varphi}) : Ω is the strong Rabi component, $\chi \left( t\right) $\chi \left( t\right) is the stochastic part with relative phase ϕ; with quantum interference between decay channels taken into account. One- and two-way phase switching effect for the transmitted field against the phase are predicted at fixed values for the incident input field. Also cooperative switching effect shows multistable/bistable behaviour. Quantum interference tends to diminish the dispersive effects responsible for multistable behaviour (in the input-output relation and the cooperative switching diagram) and asymmetry (in the phase switching diagram). Equivalence of the role of the stochastic part of the control field with that of the “classically” squeezed field is shown to occur only in the absence of quantum interference.     

Effect of substitution of blast-furnace slag by fired drinking water sludge on the properties of pozzolanic cement pastes

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The effect of fired drinking water sludge (FDWS) as a mineral admixture on the physico-mechanical properties and the fire resistance of pozzolanic...     

Product and Mechanism of Gas‐phase Pyrolysis of 2‐arylidinehydrazinopyrimidines: Interesting Route to Condensed Heterocycles[1]

Gas‐phase pyrolysis of N‐arylidine‐N′‐pyrimidin‐2‐yl‐hydrazine derivatives 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e gave the corresponding arylnitriles 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d , 2e , 2‐aminopyrimidine 3 , 3‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrimidines 4 , 2‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines 5 , 2,4,5‐triphenyl‐1H‐imidazole 6 , and 2,3‐diphenylquinoline 7 . The analyses of the reaction products are reported and used to elucidate the mechanism of the pyrolytic process.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)-α-chitin composites reinforced by oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber-derived nanocellulose

Poly(vinyl alcohol)-α-chitin composite films reinforced by oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber-derived nanocellulose were prepared by casting technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed partial miscibility between chitin and poly(vinyl alcohol) through hydrogen bonding, as supported by differential scanning calorimetry and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Tensile strength of the poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitin films increased with α-chitin content varied from 10 to 30?wt%, which was from 29.06 to 39.27?MPa. With the addition of 1?wt% nanocellulose, a maximum improvement of 57.64 and 50.66% in terms of tensile strength and Young’s modulus was achieved, respectively.     

Solvent,substituent, and dimerization effects on the ring-opening mechanisms of monosilacyclopropylidenoids: a theoretical study

Density functional theory and ab initio computations elucidated the ring-opening of substituted (R = –CF₃, –CN, –CH₃, –H, –NH₂, –OCH₃, –OH, –SiH₃) 1-bromo–1-lithiosilirane 1 and 2-bromo–2-lithiosilirane 2 to LiBr complexes of 2-silaallene and 1-silaallene, respectively. Formally, two competitive pathways can be considered. The ring-opening reaction can take place through a concerted manner via TS3. Alternatively, the reaction may proceed in a stepwise fashion with the intermediacy of a free silacyclopropylidene–LiBr complex 7. In both cases, the position of the substituents determines the kinetic of the reactions. The structures with an electron-donating group are generally unstable, whereas the silacyclopropylidenoids bearing electron-withdrawing substituents are particularly stable species. Here, we propose the ring-opening of 5a–h to corresponding LiBr complexes of 2-silaallenes can proceed in both concerted and stepwise mechanism except for –H, –CH₃, and –SiH₃. The obtained activation energies for the ring-openings of 5a–h to related 2-silaallenes are too high for a reaction at room temperature with up to 61.4 kcal/mol. In contrast, the activation energy barriers for the isomerization of 6a–h to the LiBr complexes of 1-silaallenes was determined to be relatively low at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p), M06/6-31+G(d,p), and MP2/6-31+G(d,p) levels. Moreover, we have also investigated the solvent effect on the unsubstituted models using both implicit and explicit solvation models. The energy barriers of the solvated models are found to be slightly higher than the results of gas phase calculations. Additionally, the ring-opening of dimer 6 (6–Dim) is also calculated for the ring-opening mechanism with the energy barrier of 3.7 kcal/mol at B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory.     

Probing phosphate ion via the europium(III)-modulated fluorescence of gold nanoclusters

Fluorescent gold nanoclusters (Au-NCs) were synthesized by a one-pot method using 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid as a reducing and capping reagent. It is found that the red fluorescence of the Au-NCs is quenched by the introduction of Eu(III) at pH 7.0, but that fluorescence is restored on addition of phosphate. The Au-NCs were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence photographs. The effect of pH on fluorescence was studied in the range from pH 6 to 10 and is found to be strong. Based on these findings, we have developed an assay for phosphate. Ions such as citrate, Fe(CN)₆ ^3?, SO₄ ^2?, S₂O₈ ^2?, Cl^?, HS^?, Br^?, AcO^?, NO₂ ^?, SCN^?, ClO₄ ^?, HCO₃ ^?, NO₃ ^?, Cd²⁺, Ba²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, and glutamate do not interfere, but ascorbate and Fe³⁺ can quench Au-NCs fluorescence. The fluorescent nanocluster probe responds to phosphate in the range from 0.18 to 250 μM, and the detection limit is 180 nM. The probe also responds to pyrophosphate and ATP. Figure

Off/on fluorescence sensor for phosphate based on Eu³⁺-modulated Au NCs thanks to the competition of oxygen-donor atoms from phosphate with those from the carboxylate groups was developed     

Use of alpha spectrometry for analysis of U-isotopes in some granite samples

The present study aims to use the ??-spectrometry, at NMA. A radiochemical technique [1, 2] for analysis of U-isotopes was carried out for some granite samples from Gabal Gattar and El Missikat localities and also for some reference soil samples of IAEA. Several steps of sample preparation, radiochemical separation, and source preparation were performed before analysis. The concerned sample was leached by HNO₃, HF and H₂O₂ acids after ashing. The ashed sample was spiked with uranium tracer (²³²U) for chemical yield and activity calculation. Then uranium was extracted from the matrix elements with trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and stripped with 1 M NH₄F/0.1 M HCl solution. The uranium fraction was purified by co-precipitation with LaF₃ to ensure complete removal of thorium and traces of resolution degrading elements. This was followed by a final clean-up step using an anion exchange. The pure uranium fraction was electrodeposited on a stainless steel disc from HCl/oxalate solution. The obtained results from the soil reference samples indicate general similarities between the techniques of ??-spectrometers of NMA, EAEA and IAEA for analysis of U-isotopes. The U-isotopes in the granite samples of high radioactivity levels need more attempts after dilution process to be in the limit detection of ??-spectrometry.