Lot Streaming in a Two-stage Flow Shop with Set-up,Processing and Removal Times Separated

This paper considers the job (lot) scheduling problem for two-stage flow shops in which the movement of transfer batches (sublots) from the first stage to the next are allowed. Set-up, processing and removal times are considered as separable and independent of the order in which jobs are processed at any of two stages. An optimal transfer batch sizing and scheduling algorithm which has an objective of minimizing the maximum flow time (makespan) is developed and demonstrated by a numerical example.     

Natural Melanin Nanoparticle‐decorated Screen‐printed Carbon Electrode: Performance Test for Amperometric Determination of Hexavalent Chromium as Model Trace

A biosensor was prepared with natural melanin nanoparticles (MNP) decorated on a screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE). Hexavalent chromium was selected as a well‐known heavy metal ion to be detected for testing the performance of novel biosensor. Natural MNP was extracted from cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) ink. Surface decoration of SPCEs with MNP was performed by two different methods. The first one was layer‐by‐layer assembly (LBL‐A) for different cycle times(n). In the second one, plasma treatment of SPCE incorporated with evaporation‐induced self‐assembly (EI‐SA) techniques including different incubation times in MNP solutions. The performance of both modified SPCEs were tested for amperometric detection of Cr(VI) in various water samples, and peak reduction of Cr(VI) was determined at 0.33 V. Amperometric results showed wide linear ranges of 0.1–2 μM and 0.1–5 μM of Cr(VI) for SPCEs modified with 14n‐LBL‐A and 12h‐EI‐SA, respectively. The sensitivities of SPCEs modified with 14n‐LBL‐A and 12h‐EI‐SA techniques were 0.27 μA μM^?1 and 0.52 μA μM^?1, respectively. In addition, both modified SPCEs selectively detected Cr(VI) in a model aqueous system composed of certain other heavy metals and minerals, and tap and lake water samples. The LOD and LOQ values for 12h‐EI‐SA were 0.03 μM and 0.1 μM, respectively. This showed that MNP‐modified‐SPCEs generated via EI‐SA techniques have the potential to be an alternative to conventional detection methods such as ICP‐MS.     

Synthesis,structural, spectral,thermal and comparative biological activity studies of [V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>6</Subscript>]

The hydrothermal reaction of a mixture of V₂O₅, VCl₃, 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and diluted H₂SO₄ for 68 h at 180°C gives a blue colored solution which yields prismatic blue crystals of IV ₂ ^IV O₂(SO₄)₂(H₂O)₆] (1) in 32% yield (based on V). Complex 1 was investigated by means of elemental analysis (C, H and S), TGA, FT-IR, manganometric titration, Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction Methods and also comparative antimicrobial activities. Crystal data for the compound: monoclinic space group P2₁/c and unit cell parameters are a = 7.3850(12) Å, b = 7.3990(7) Å, c = 12.229(2) Å, β = 108.976(12)° and Z = 2. Although structure of 1 as a natural mineral has been previously determined, this work covers new preparation method and full characterization of 1 along with comparison of antibacterial activity between 1 and the commercial vanadium(IV) oxide sulfate hydrate compounds, VOSO₄ · xH₂O (Riedel-de Haën and Alfa Aesar brand names). 1 was evaluated for the antimicrobial activity against gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and mould compared with the commercial VOSO₄ · xH₂O compounds. 1 showed weak activity against bacteria Bacillus cereus, Nocardia asteroides and yeast Candida albicans. A good antimicrobial activity was recorded against Cirtobacter freundii (15 mm). There are only a few reproducible well-defined vanadium(IV) starting materials to use for exploring the synthesis of new materials. VCl₄, VO(acac)₂, VOSO₄ · xH₂O and [V(IV)OSO₄(H₂O)₄] · SO₄ · [H₂N(C₂H₄)₂NH₂] are common starting materials for such applications. In addition to these compounds, 1 can be used as an oxovanadium precursor.     

Structural and vibrational investigation of 1, 2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">bis</Emphasis>(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl) ethane-1, 2-dione (Veratril): experimental and theoretical studies

The molecular and crystal structures of 1,2-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethane-1,2-dione (TMBZ = tetramethoxybenzil) were determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction, ¹H NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopy. The compound TMBZ (C₁₈H₁₈O₆, M _r = 330.32) crystallized in the orthorhombic Fdd2 space group wherein: a = 39.145(4), b = 18.167(2), c = 4.3139(5) Å and β = 90°, Z = 8. The packing of the molecules in the crystal lattice is stabilized by intermolecular C–H?O contacts in the herringbone arrangement. The molecular geometry and harmonic frequencies of TMBZ in the ground state were calculated utilizing density functional (B3LYP) method with the 6-311++G(d, p)-basis set. The density functional theory optimized the geometric structure, and vibrational wave numbers of TMBZ in gas phase were compared with the experimental data. A complete assignment of the fundamentals was proposed based on the total energy distribution calculation.     

Two-dimensional supramolecular networks generated from weak AgCpy interactions: Synthesis, structural, thermal and fluorescence studies of silver(I) complexes of 5,5-diethylbarbiturato with pyridine-2-ylmethanol and 2,6-dimethoxypyridine

Two new silver(I) complexes [Ag(barb)(pym)]·H₂O (1) and [Ag(barb)(dmpy)]·1.5H₂O (2) (barb = 5,5-diethylbarbiturate, pym = pyridine-2-ylmethanol and dmpy = 2,6-dimethoxypyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In both complexes, the silver(I) ions are linearly coordinated by the N atoms of a barb anion and a pym or a dmpy ligand, forming mononuclear species. The molecules of 1 and 2 are doubly bridged by N–HO hydrogen bonds involving the barb moieties and these hydrogen-bonded dimers are assembled into two-dimensional layered networks through weak AgC_py (η¹) interactions of ca. 3.3 Å. Additionally, the thermal and fluorescent properties of these complexes are also investigated.     

Applicability of alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria) extract for the histological staining of liver tissue

Staining of tissue is a significant process in histotechnology and staining techniques are used in the examination and diagnosis of diseases. The increase of international awareness for the environment, ecology, and health directed people to reduce toxic effluents and stop usage of dangerous chemical dyes. The present trend throughout the world is shifting towards to use of natural products over their synthetic alternatives. Therefore, in this study, the dyeing ability of alkanet plant on the cells of unstained sections taken from Wistar rat liver was investigated. The extract of Alkanna tinctoria contain naphthaquinone group of dyestuff. Chemical characterization of A. tinctoria extract was performed with HPLC-TOF/MS and UV spectra analysis, respectively. Different metal salts were used in the staining processes in order to obtain different colors. In the staining of without adding mordant (metal salt) to the extract, pale brown staining was obtained in the cytoplasm. Light pink color was obtained with the addition of CuSO₄ mordant. Dark pink-red color was achieved by adding alum, and also NiSO₄ was added for light purple staining. The staining of cytoplasm of different cells in liver tissue was achieved successfully with the extract of A. tinctoria and different colors were obtained using various mordants.     

Experimental and Semi-Empirical and DFT Calculational Studies on (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-2-[(2,4-Dichlorophenylimino) methyl]-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-cresol

Abstract  

The molecular and crystal structure of the title compound, C₁₄H₁₁Cl₂NO, has been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction technique. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic, space group Pbca with unit cell dimensions a = 7.5537(10) ?, b = 11.5518(13) ?, c = 29.760(4) ?, M _r  = 280.14, V = 2596.8(6) ?³, Z = 8, R ₁ = 0.065 and wR ₂ = 0.191. The title compound exists in the enol–imine tautomeric form with a strong intramolecular O–H···N hydrogen bond. The dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 37.66(15)°. The asymmetric unit in the crystal structure contains only one neutral molecule. Calculational studies were performed by using AM1, PM3, PM6 semi-empirical and DFT methods. Geometry optimizations of compound have been carried out by using three semi-empirical methods and DFT method and bond lengths, bond and torsion angles of title compound have been determined. Dipole moments (Debye) and the energy parameters of compound (kcal/mol) were calculated by using above mentioned calculation methods. Atomic charge distribution has been obtained from AM1, PM3, PM6 and DFT. In order to determine conformational flexibility on the molecule, molecular energy profile of the title compound was obtained with respect to the selected torsion angle T(N1–C7–C1–C2), which is varied from −180° to +180° in every 10 via PM3 semi-empirical method.     

New metal complexes with diclofenac containing 2-pyridineethanol or 2-pyridinepropanol: synthesis,structural, spectroscopic,thermal properties,catechol oxidase and carbonic anhydrase activities

Four new neutral diclofenac-based complexes, [Co(dicl)2(2-pyet)2] 1, [Ni(dicl)2(2-pyet)2] 2, [Cu2(dicl)2(2-pyet)2] 3, and [Cu2(dicl)2(2-pypr)2] 4 have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, thermal analysis. Complexes 1, 3, and 4 have also been characterized by X-ray single-crystal structural analysis. The compounds of Co(II) and Ni(II) have octahedral geometry with two diclofenac and two 2-pyridineethanol ligands in the coordination sphere. The compounds of Cu(II) have square-pyramidal geometry and Cu(II) ions are linked via oxygens to the bridging 2-pyridineethanol or 2-pyridinepropanol ligands. The Δν values acquired by FT-IR are in agreement with the single XRD data. Studies on the thermal properties are reported and the complexes are stable to 196, 216, 215, and 201 °C in air, respectively. Two dinuclear Cu(II) complexes have demonstrated catalytic activity on oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol to 3,5-di-tert-butylquinone showing saturation kinetics at high substrate concentrations. The diclofenac complexes are investigated as inhibitors of the human cytosolic isoforms hCA I and II. The complexes are good as hCA I inhibitors (Kis of 1.52–55.06 μM) but only moderately efficient as hCA II inhibitors (Kis of 0.23–5.61 μM).