Combining Swaps and Node Weights in an Adaptive Greedy Approach for the Maximum Clique Problem

In this work, the NP-hard maximum clique problem on graphs is considered. Starting from basic greedy heuristics, modifications and improvements are proposed and combined in a two-phase heuristic procedure. In the first phase an improved greedy procedure is applied starting from each node of the graph; on the basis of the results of this phase a reduced subset of nodes is selected and an adaptive greedy algorithm is repeatedly started to build cliques around such nodes. In each restart the selection of nodes is biased by the maximal clique generated in the previous execution. Computational results are reported on the DIMACS benchmarks suite. Remarkably, the two-phase procedure successfully solves the difficult Brockington-Culberson instances, and is generally competitive with state-of-the-art much more complex heuristics.     

An experimental analysis of a population based approach for global optimization

In this paper we perform a computational analysis of a population based approach for global optimization, Population Basin Hopping (PBH), which was proven to be very efficient on very challenging global optimization problems by the authors (see ). The experimental analysis aims at understanding more deeply how the approach works and why it is successful on challenging problems.     

Sample-path optimization of convex stochastic performance functions

In this paper we propose a method for optimizing convex performance functions in stochastic systems. These functions can include expected performance in static systems and steady-state performance in discrete-event dynamic systems; they may be nonsmooth. The method is closely related to retrospective simulation optimization; it appears to overcome some limitations of stochastic approximation, which is often applied to such problems. We explain the method and give computational results for two classes of problems: tandem production lines with up to 50 machines, and stochastic PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) problems with up to 70 nodes and 110 arcs. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under grant number CCR-9109345, by the Air Force Systems Command, USAF, under grant numbers F49620-93-1-0068 and F49620-95-1-0222, by the U.S. Army Research Office under grant number DAAL03-92-G-0408, and by the U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command under contract number DASG60-91-C-0144. The U.S. Government has certain rights in this material, and is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation thereon. Sponsored by a Wisconsin/Hilldale Research Award, by the U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command under contract number DASG60-91-C-0144, and the Air Force Systems Command, USAF, under grant number F49620-93-1-0068. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation under grant number DDM-9201813.     

Total synthesis of lucilactaene, a cell cycle inhibitor active in p53-inactive cells

Hetero-bis-metalated 1,3-butadiene is employed in the lynchpin coupling of synthetic fragments of the side chain of the antitumor agent, lucilactaene. Sequential Stille and Suzuki-Miyaura couplings interpolate this unique boron/tin diene into the pentaene chain. The total synthesis of lucilactaene was accomplished efficiently, in just eight linear steps.     

Microgravimetric study of electrochemically controlled nucleophilic addition of sulfite to polyaniline

The sulfonation of polyaniline (PANI) films by nucleophilic addition of sulfite ion has been controlled through the polymer oxidation state under electrochemical control. The process was monitored by in situ electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), and the polymer oxidation was accomplished by electrode potential steps in sulfite aqueous solutions. The nucleophilic addition of sulfite to PANI only takes place on the oxidized polymer. From the ratio of added mass to the injected charge, the degree of sulfonation has been obtained with a yield as high as 50%. It has been observed that the ion-exchange mechanism during the oxidation-reduction process in the resulting sulfonated polymer is analogous to the polymer produced by electrophilic sulfonation of polyaniline or by copolymerization of aniline with aminosulfonic acids, unlike the ionic exchange observed for unmodified PANI.     

Cathodic and anodic stripping voltammetry: simultaneous determination of As-Se and Cu-Pb-Cd-Zn in the case of very high concentration ratios

Arsenic(III), selenium(IV), copper(II), lead(II), cadmium(II) and zinc(II) are determined in environmental matrices. The voltammetric measurements were carried out using a conventional three-electrode cell and the ammonia-ammonium chloride buffer pH 9.3 as supporting electrolyte. The analytical procedure was verified by the analysis of the standard reference materials Estuarine Sediment BCR-CRM 277 and River Sediment BCR-CRM 320. The precision, expressed as relative standard deviation (s(r)), and the accuracy, expressed as relative error, were, in all cases, less than 5%; the detection limits, for each element and in the experimental conditions employed, were around 10(-9) M. The standard addition technique significantly improved the resolution of the voltammetric method, even in the case of very high metal concentration ratios.     

Unusual and unexpected reactivity of t-butyl dicarbonate (Boc2O) with alcohols in the presence of magnesium perchlorate. A new and general route to t-butyl ethers

[reaction: see text] A new mild method for protecting alcohols as t-butyl ethers is reported. The reaction proceeds with Mg(ClO4)2 and Boc2O and shows general applicability. The deprotection of t-butyl ethers has also been revisited. Preliminary results indicate the CeCl3 x 7H2O/NaI system is a very suitable catalyst for their removal.     

Trace level voltammetric determination of manganese, iron and chromium in real samples in the presence of each other

The determination of manganese in the presence of iron and chromium by differential pulse voltammetry and fundamental harmonic alternating current voltammetry was compared, including the case of very high element concentration ratios. The voltammetric measurements were carried out using a stationary mercury electrode in ammonia-ammonium chloride buffer (pH 9.6). The analytical procedure was verified by the analysis of the standard reference materials Portland Cement BCS 372, Spectrographic Zinc Spelter NBS-SRM 631, Stainless Steel (AISI 321) NBS-SRM 121d and Highly Alloyed Steel Eurostandard 281-1. Precision and accuracy, expressed as relative standard deviation and relative error respectively, were of the order of 3-5%, while the detection limit for each element was around 1 x 10(-9) M. The standard addition technique improved the resolution of the voltammetric methods, within a maximum experimental error of 5%, even in the case of very high concentration ratios, that is outside the non-interference concentration ratios 69:1 >c(Fe):c(Mn) > 1:74; 35:1 > c(Fe):c(Cr) > 1:30 and 63:1 > c(Fe):c(Mn) > 1:65; 32:1 > c(Fe):c(Cr) > 1:31 for the differential pulse and alternating current techniques respectively, extrapolating the linear section of the i(p) vs. concentration analytical calibration function for the element present at the lowest concentration. In contrast, the element with the greatest concentration was determined by the relevant calibration curve.