Competitive analysis of price online inventory problem with cost function

In this paper, a new price is given to the online decision maker at the beginning of each day. The trader must decide how many items to purchase according to the current price. We present three variants and an online algorithm based on cost function. The competitive ratio of the online algorithm is given for each variant, which is a performance measure of an online algorithm. More importantly, we show that the online algorithm is optimal.     

Palladium nanoparticles stabilized by phosphine ligand for aqueous phase room temperature suzuki-Miyaura coupling

Water soluble phosphine ligand triphenylphosphine-3,3′,3″-trisulfonic acid trisodium salt (TPPTS) was used as the stabilizer as well as the activator to the palladium nanoparticles, which showed a high catalytic performance for aqueous phase Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction at room temperature.     

Synthesis of SMND-309, a derivate of salvianolic acid B

(E)-2-(6-((E)-2-carboxyvinyl)-2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) acrylic acid, designated SMND-309, was synthesized starting from 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde in 12 steps and with an overall yield of 44%. The synthetic key features were the conversion of aryl aldehyde into aryl acetic acid for one-carbon extended, the Perkin condensation, and the Heck coupling for construction of α,β-unsaturated ester.     

Synthesis of 4,8-dimethoxy-1-naphthol via an acetyl migration

Based on acetyl migration, an efficient synthesis of 4,8-dimethoxy-1-naphthol (1) has been achieved with high overall yield. Compared with the reported method, there were several advantages. First, the reaction conditions were mild. Second, the workup of each step was much simpler. Third, juglone as the starting material in the synthesis was readily available. The solvent and reaction temperature greatly influenced the migration process.     

A highly selective HBT-based “turn-on” fluorescent probe for hydrazine detection and its application

As one of the important industrial chemicals, hydrazine (N₂H₄) can be inhaled through the skin, leading to many serious health issues. In this paper, we constructed a novel turn-on fluorescent probe HBTM for N₂H₄ detection based on ESIPT and ICT mechanism by incorporating the methyl dicyanvinyl group to 2-(2′-hydroxylphenyl) benzothiazole (HBT) fluorophore. The probe showed the following advantages: high sensitivity with detection limit of 2.9 × 10^?7 M, high selectivity over other related interfering species, wide linear range of 0–140 μM and pH value adaptation. Moreover, the probe could detect N₂H₄ on paper strips and image N₂H₄ in living cells.     

Development of a light-up fluorescent probe for HRAS G-quadruplex DNA

The development of small-molecule G-quadruplex DNA probes has attracted significant attention in recent years. However, G-quadruplexes can display a wide variety of topologies, which process different structures and functions. Therefore, selective discrimination one G-quadruplex structure over another is promising. Herein, we reported the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a long-chain fatty amine functionalized triphenylamine-quinolinium conjugate 1b. Significant enhancement of the fluorescence intensity (over 180 fold) was observed when 1b bound with HRAS G-quadruplex DNA, while much weaker enhancements were presented in the presence of other G-quadruplexes (45–90-fold) and single/double-stranded DNAs (less than 20-fold), indicating 1b had an excellent selectivity to HRAS. The details of the interactions were investigated by UV–Vis, FID and CD analysis. The results show 1b could interact and stabilize HRAS structure mainly by π-π stacking binding mode. The introduced amine chain of the structure core was found to be better in the terms of inducing selectivity toward G-quadruplex structure. In addition, the application of 1b as a fluorescent agent for living cell imaging was also demonstrated.     

Ultrasensitive amperometric determination of PSA based on a signal amplification strategy using nanoflowers composed of single-strand DNA modified fullerene and Methylene Blue,and an improved surface-initiated enzymatic polymerization

The authors describe a signal amplification strategy for highly sensitive detection of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA). This is accomplished by a combination of two methods, viz. (a) improved surface-initiated enzymatic polymerization (SIEP), and (b) the use of nanoflowers prepared from C₆₀ fullerene and Methylene Blue (C₆₀/MB) modified with a long single-strand DNA. C₆₀/MB acts as a novel electrochemical indicator. The C₆₀/MB nanoflowers improve the load of MB and promote the electron transfer. The integration of the SIEP technique and the C₆₀/MB nanomaterial also results in improved loading of MB on the nucleic acid. Ultimately, dual cascade signal amplification is accomplished. The biosensor was constructed as follows: (a) Gold nanospheres were modified with antibody 2 (Ab₂) and a thiolated oligonucleotide (referred to as S₀). (2) S₀ is then extended by the SIEP reaction. (3) The redox indicator C₆₀/MB is then connected to the extended guanine-rich ssDNA which then yields the amperometric signal. (4) A sandwich immunoassay is performed by capturing the nanoprobe oy type Ab₂-Au-S₀ on the gold electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and protein A. Current is measured by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The synergic effect of the biofunctional nanomaterial and the signal amplification strategy greatly improves the performance of this immunoassay. Under optimized conditions and at a working voltage of typically ?0.18 V (vs Ag/AgCl), the assay has a linear range that extends from 15 pg·mL^?1 to 8 ng·mL^?1 of PSA. The detection limit is as low as 1.7 pg·mL^?1 (at an S/N ratio of 3). In our perception, this dual amplification scheme has a wide scope in that it may become applicable to numerous other immunoassays.

Open image in new window

Graphical abstract C₆₀/Methylene blue nanoflowers, a novel electrochemical indicator, connect with the long single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) extended by the improved surface-initiated enzymatic polymerization method. This amplification strategy is utilized to construct a sandwich prostate-specific antigen (PSA) immunosensor.

     

Bienzyme-based visual and spectrophotometric aptamer assay for quantitation of nanomolar levels of mercury(II)

The article describes a bienzyme visual system for aptamer-based assay of Hg(II) at nanomolar levels. The detection scheme is based on the finding that Hg(II) ions captured by aptamer-functionalized magnetic beads are capable of inhibiting the enzymatic activity of uricase and thus affect the formation of H₂O₂ and the blue product, i.e., oxidized tetramethylbenzidine. This strategy allows for a visual detection of Hg(II) at nanomolar levels without additional amplification procedure. Measuring the absorbance at 650 nm, the logarithmic calibration plot is linear in the concentration range of 0.5–50 nM and the limit of detection (LOD) is 0.15 nM. This is as low as the LOD obtained by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). The ions K⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Al³⁺, Co²⁺, AsO₂ ^?, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ do not have a significant effect on color formation. The method was applied to the analysis of (spiked) river water, lake water, mineral water, tap water and certified reference water samples, and the results agreed well with those obtained by AFS or certified values, with recoveries ranging from 97% to 109%. The relative standard deviation for five parallel detections at a 10 nM Hg(II) level is 5.2%.

Open image in new window

Graphical abstract A bienzyme-based visual aptasensor was fabricated for label-free detection of nanomolar Hg²⁺ in water samples without any amplification or enrichment procedure.

     

Photometric determination of free cholesterol via cholesterol oxidase and carbon nanotube supported Prussian blue as a peroxidase mimic

Microchimica Acta - The authors describe a photometric method for the determination of free cholesterol based on the oxidation of cholesterol by the catalytic action of the enzyme...     

Growth mechanism of amorphous carbon by liquid plasma electrolytic deposition

The growth mechanism of amorphous carbon film by the liquid deposition process is still unclear. In this study, the influence of applied voltages on the surface morphology and microstructure of amorphous carbon films was investigated as well as the bonding probability at the film/substrate interface, and a new mechanism of film growth was proposed from the electrochemistry and non‐equilibrium thermodynamics viewpoints. The results showed that growth of amorphous carbon film involved the island groove morphology; more graphitic carbons are present within the film as the applied voltage increased. A coupling model of the growth mechanism including the ionization–absorption–dehydrogenation process and the chemical volume polymerization is highlighted. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.