On second order degree of graphs

Given a vertex v of a graph G the second order degree of v denoted as d 2(v) is defined as the number of vertices at distance 2 from v.In this paper we address the following question:What are the sufficient conditions for a graph to have a vertex v such that d2(v) ≥ d(v),where d(v) denotes the degree of v? Among other results,every graph of minimum degree exactly 2,except four graphs,is shown to have a vertex of second order degree as large as its own degree.Moreover,every K-4-free graph or every maximal planar graph is shown to have a vertex v such that d2(v) ≥ d(v).Other sufficient conditions on graphs for guaranteeing this property are also proved.     

Solving the discrete-continuous project scheduling problem via its discretization

In this paper a discrete-continuous project scheduling problem is considered. In this problem activities simultaneously require discrete and continuous resources. The processing rate of each activity depends on the amount of the continuous resource allotted to this activity at a time. All the resources are renewable ones. The activities are nonpreemtable and the objective is to minimize the makespan. Discretization of this problem leading to a classical (i.e. discrete) project scheduling problem in the multi-mode version is presented. A simulated annealing (SA) approach to solving this problem is described and tested computationally in two versions: with and without finding an optimal continuous resource allocation for the final schedule. In the former case a nonlinear solver is used for solving a corresponding convex programming problem. The results are compared with the results obtained using SA for the discrete-continuous project scheduling problem where the nonlinear solver is used for exact solving the continuous part in each iteration. The results of a computational experiment are analyzed and some conclusions are included.     

Mixed-Valent Trinuclear CoIII-CoII-CoIII Complex with 1,3-Bis(5-chlorosalicylideneamino)-2-propanol

A mixed-valent trinuclear complex with 1,3-bis(5-chlorosalicylideneamino)-2-propanol (H₃clsalpr) was synthesized, and the crystal structure was determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method at 90 K. The molecule is a trinuclear Co^III-Co^II-Co^III complex with octahedral geometries, having a tetradentate chelate of the Schiff-base ligand, bridging acetate, monodentate acetate coordination to each terminal Co³⁺ ion and four bridging phenoxido-oxygen of two Schiff-base ligands, and two bridging acetate-oxygen atoms for the central Co²⁺ ion. The electronic spectral feature is consistent with the mixed valent Co^III-Co^II-Co^III. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data could be analyzed by consideration of the axial distortion of the central Co²⁺ ion with the parameters Δ = –254 cm⁻¹, λ = –58 cm⁻¹, κ = 0.93, tip = 0.00436 cm³ mol⁻¹, θ = –0.469 K, g_z = 6.90, and g_x = 2.64, in accordance with a large anisotropy. The cyclic voltammogram showed an irreversible reduction wave at approximately −1.2 V·vs. Fc/Fc⁺, assignable to the reduction of the terminal Co³⁺ ions.     

Radical cyclopolymerization of dimethacrylates bearing rigid adamantane-like core derived from naturally occurring myo-inositol

Dimethacrylates with rigid adamantane-like cores were synthesized from myo-inositol orthoester via a sequence of (a) acylation or silylation of the equatorially oriented hydroxyl group, followed by (b) attachment of methacrylate groups on the axially oriented hydroxyl groups. The radical homopolymerization of these compounds proceeded via cyclopolymerization without crosslinking, as the two axially oriented methacrylate groups were fixed in close proximity with each other. The dimethacrylates underwent radical copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) to afford the corresponding polymethacrylates, exhibiting high glass transition temperatures (T_g), due to the introduction of the rigid orthoester moieties originating from the monomers and the macrocyclic structures formed via intramolecular cyclization of the two methacrylate groups of the monomers. The polymers obtained by polymerization of the dimethacrylate bearing a silylated hydroxyl group served as precursors of hydroxyl-bearing polymers, which also exhibited high T_g due to the formation of a hydrogen bonding network between the hydroxyl groups.     

Halogen-free water-immiscible ionic liquids based on tetraoctylammonium cation and dodecylsulfate and dodecylbenzenesulfonate anions, and their application as chelate extraction solvent.

The tetraoctylammonium cation forms water-immiscible room temperature ionic liquids with dodecylsulfate and dodecylbenzenesulfonate anions. The ionic liquids are halogen-free and can be considered environmentally friendly solvents. At 25 degrees C, the solubilities of water in tetraoctylammonium dodecylsulfate and tetraoctylammonium dodecylbenzenesulfonate were 2.8 and 4.0%, respectively, and the densities were 0.92 and 0.93 g cm(-3). The ionic liquids formed stable interfaces with water at 25 degrees C. The possible use of tetraoctylammonium dodecylsulfate as chelate extraction solvent was evaluated by using 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione as extractant. Tetraoctylammonium dodecylsulfate showed high extraction performance for divalent transition metal cations.     

Regulated interaction between polypeptide chain elongation factor-1 complex with the 26S proteasome during <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenopus</Emphasis> oocyte maturation

Background  

During Xenopusoocyte maturation, the amount of a 48 kDa protein detected in the 26S proteasome fraction (p48) decreased markedly during oocyte maturation to the low levels seen in unfertilized eggs. The results indicate that the interaction of at least one protein with the 26S proteasome changes during oocyte maturation and early development. An alteration in proteasome function may be important for the regulation of developmental events, such as the rapid cell cycle, in the early embryo. In this study, we identified p48.     

Rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition of diynes with unfunctionalized alkenes

A chiral rhodium complex catalyzed an enantioselective [2+2+2] cycloaddition of unsymmetrical diynes with norbornene, and tetracyclic products were obtained in good to excellent ee. The cycloaddition of a symmetrical diyne with styrene derivatives as coupling partners gave bicyclic products in good ee.     

Sol-Gel Derived Binder for Inorganic Composites

A new low cost inorganic binder system for large volume products like fiber insulation, building materials, etc. has been developed based on sol-gel technology. The precursor for the binder system is an amorphous mineral raw material containing silica as the major component. The sol was prepared by dissolving the amorphous mineral material in formic acid and the mineral was dissolved in a few hours dependent on the molarity of the formic acid. The sol stability was dependent on the solids content and the pH. The gel formation was studied using light scattering and NMR. The results show a growing particle size of particles mainly consisting of silica while the other cations were dissolved in the pore liquid. During the drying of the wet gels, salts of these cations were crystallized in the pores and further decomposed during heating. The derived binder shows good wetting properties to mineral fiber surfaces and a good strength of paper-binder composites. The new binder system applicable to approximately 800°C has a great potential as a substitute for some traditional organic systems.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric assay for the quantitation of nucleoside HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors in biological matrices

Besides liquid chromatographic (LC)/UV methods adapted to therapeutic drug monitoring, there is still a need for more powerful techniques that can be used for pharmacological research and clinical purposes. We developed an LC method coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to separate, detect and quantify with high sensitivity the nucleoside analogues used in multitherapies (zidovudine, stavudine, zalcitabine, didanosine, lamivudine and abacavir) in plasma and in the intracellular medium. We worked on two essential issues: (i) the need to use two ionization modes in order to achieve the best sensitivity, which leads to the optimization of the chromatographic separation of drugs detected in the positive ionization mode and drugs detected in the negative ionization mode, and (ii) the need to optimize the extraction step in order to enhance sample recovery. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were lysed in Tris buffer-MeOH. A clean-up procedure was performed by solid-phase extraction only for plasma samples. The LC separation was carried out on a Zorbax Stable Bond C(18) column followed by MS/MS analysis after electrospray ionization in either the negative or positive mode. The positive ionization mode was applied at the beginning of the run to detect zalcitabine and lamivudine, then the ionization mode was changed to negative for the detection of didanosine, stavudine, internal standard and zidovudine. The calibration range for all the analytes was 0.5-200 ng ml(-1). The recoveries were between 64 and 90%, with coefficients of variation (CVs) lower than 15%. The inaccuracy (bias) was +/-15% with CVs always lower than 12%. The analytes were stable at room temperature and in the extraction solvent for at least 24 h, after storage at -80 degrees C for 3 months, after three freeze-thaw cycles and in the injection solvent after 48 h at 4 degrees C. Together with the measurement of intracellular triphosphorylated metabolites thanks to the powerful plasma and intracellular assay method for intact drugs, it is possible to describe the behaviour of nucleoside analogues against HIV through plasma pharmacokinetics, cell membrane diffusion including drug transport involvement, and also the intracellular metabolism.