A solution procedure for the discrete time, cost and quality tradeoff problem using electromagnetic scatter search

Decisions concerning a project’s expedition, traditionally involved considerations regarding time and cost tradeoff. It was recently suggested that the quality of a project should also be taken into considerations. In this paper, we propose a meta-heuristic solution procedure for the discrete time, cost and quality tradeoff problem. This problem involves the scheduling of project activities in order to minimize the total cost of the project while maximizing the quality of the project and also meeting a given deadline. We apply a so called electromagnetic scatter search to solve this problem. In this process, we initially generate a population of feasible solutions. In so doing, we use frequency memory to well sample the feasible region. A number of these solutions are then selected and improved locally. The improved solutions are then combined to generate new set of solutions. The combination process utilizes attraction–repulsion mechanisms borrowed from the electromagnetism theory. The whole process is stopped when no significant improvement in the set of solutions are observed. The validity of the proposed solution procedure is demonstrated, and its applicability is tested on a randomly generated large and complex problem having 19,900 activities.     

An Efficient and Facile Synthesis of Quinoxaline Derivatives Catalyzed by KHSO4 at Room Temperature

Summary. A facile synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives catalyzed by KHSO₄ in very high yields at room temperature is reported.     

Pyrrole studies part 41. Reactivity of 3,4-diformyl-2,5-dimethylpyrrole with diaminoalkanes. An unusual formation of 2-azafulvenes

3,4-Diformyl-2,5-dimethylpyrrole (1) reacts with ,ω-diamino-alkanes, NH₂(CH₂)_nNH₂t' to form either the potentially tautomeric 2:2 macrocyclic adduct (7a) (8), when N = 2, or the potentially tautomeric 1:1 bicyclic adduct (18) (19), when N = 4, 5, 6, and 12. ¹H and ¹³C N.m.r. spectral data indicate that the 2-azafulvene structures predominate for both types of cycloadducts. Only polymeric material was obtained when N = 3.     

Flow injection chemiluminescence determination of hydrazine by oxidation with chlorinated isocyanurates

A rapid and sensitive flow injection chemiluminescence (CL) method is described for the determination of hydrazine based on the CL generated during its reaction with either sodium dichloroisocyanurate (SDCC) or trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) in alkaline medium. The emission intensity is greatly enhanced if dichlorofluorescein (DCF) as sensitizer is present in the reaction medium. The presence of citrate prevents the precipitation of some cations in the reaction medium and also causes an enhancement in emission intensity. The effect of analytical and flow injection variables on these CL systems and determination of hydrazine are discussed. The optimum parameters for the determination of hydrazine were studied and were found to be the following: SDCC and TCCA both 1x10(-3) M; NaOH, 2x10(-1) M; DCF, 5x10(-6) M; citrate, 1x10(-3) M and flow rate, 3.8 ml min(-1). The optimized method yielded 3sigma detection limits of 2x10(-7) and 3x10(-7) M for hydrazine with SDCC and TCCA oxidants, respectively. The method is simple, fast, sensitive, and precise and was applied to the determination of hydrazine in water samples.     

The effect of block copolymer structure on the internalization of polymeric micelles by human breast cancer cells

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of hydrophilic/hydrophobic block chain lengths on the internalization of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(varepsilon-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) micelles by cancer cells. PEO-b-PCL block copolymers with varied PEO and PCL chain lengths were synthesized, assembled to polymeric micelles and loaded with a hydrophobic fluorescent probe (DiI) through a co-solvent evaporation method of physical encapsulation. The slow release of the fluorescent probe from the micellar structure was evidenced following DiI transfer to lipid vesicles. The extent of micellar uptake by cancer cells was investigated through their incubation with MCF-7 cells followed by measurement of the fluorescent emission intensity of DiI (lambda=550 nm) in separated lysed cells. Cellular internalization of polymeric micelles was confirmed by laser scanning microscopy. The mechanism of micellar uptake was investigated by pretreatment of MCF-7 cells with chlorpromazine and cytochalasin B. Encapsulation of DiI in PEO-b-PCL micelles lowered the extent and rate of hydrophobic probe internalization by cancer cells. For polymeric micelles with 5000 gmol(-1) of PCL and varied PEO molecular weights of 2000, 5000 and 13,000 gmol(-1), maximum uptake was observed at a PEO molecular weight of 5000 gmol(-1). For polymeric micelles with 5000 gmol(-1) of PEO and varied PCL molecular weights of 5000, 13,000 and 24,000 gmol(-1), maximum uptake was observed at 13,000 gmol(-1) of PCL. Chlorpromazine reduced the cellular uptake of PEO-b-PCL micelles independent from the block copolymer structure, pointing to the involvement of clathrin mediated endocytosis mechanisms in the uptake of polymeric micelles by cancer cells. Inhibition of cellular uptake of PEO-b-PCL micelles by cytochalasin B, on the other hand, was found to be dependent on the chemical structure of the core/shell forming blocks.     

Ionic Liquids Modify the Performance of Carbon Based Potentiometric Sensors

A new type of potentiometric sensor based on a recently constructed carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE) is described. Two kinds of ionic liquids, i.e., N‐octylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate (OPFP) and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazoluim hexafluorophosphate (BMFP) were tested as binder for construction of the carbon composite electrode. The characteristics of these electrodes as potentiometric sensors were evaluated and compared with those of the traditional carbon paste electrode (CPE). The results indicate that potentiometric sensors constructed with ionic liquid show an increase in performance in terms of Nernstian slope, selectivity, response time, and response stability compared to CPE.     

One-pot synthesis of 4,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-(NH)-triazoles by silica supported-zinc bromide in the aerobic condition

An efficient one-pot cross-coupling/1,3-dipolar cycloaddition sequence was developed for a convenient synthesis of 4,5-disubstituted-1,2,3-(NH)-triazoles, starting from various acid chlorides, terminal alkynes and sodium azide in the presence of silica supported-zinc bromide under aerobic conditions.     

An active and selective heterogeneous catalytic system for Michael addition

Potassium fluoride doped natural zeolite was found to be an efficient and selective solid base catalyst for 1,4-Michael addition. The catalyst is easily prepared and the workup procedure simplified by simple filtration.All products were obtained in high yields as well as short reaction times.     

One-pot three-component reaction: Synthesis of substituted β-cyanocarbonyls in aqueous media

An environmentally friendly and simple method for the synthesis of alkyl nitriles or β-cyanocarbonyls via a one-pot three-component reaction of Meldrum's acid, aldehydes and sodium cyanide in water, without using any catalyst or activation at room temperature is reported.