Improved tabu search algorithm for the handling of route duration constraints in vehicle routing problems with time windows

This note introduces a refinement to a previously proposed tabu search algorithm for vehicle routing problems with time windows. This refinement yields new best known solutions on a set of benchmark instances of the multi-depot, the periodic and the site-dependent vehicle routing problems with time windows.     

Reflection spectroscopy in microstructured light scattering materials

Summary A theoretical model is derived that describes the influence of lateral light diffusion in a scattering medium on the absorptivity of an absorber spot on top of the substrate. The model uses the lateral resolved reflectivity under point irradiation that has been analyzed experimentally with a scanning-micro-laser-reflectometer. The model allows quantification of the absorptivity by one single equation that contains only the mean radial diffusion length of light and the spot area. Experiment and theory are applied to typical substrates for thin layer chromatography (alumina, silica, cellulose). The diffusion lengths in these substrates are given and the absorptivities of the spots are calculated as a function of the spot area.     

Micelles of lipid-oligonucleotide conjugates: implications for membrane anchoring and base pairing

This report examines the organization properties of new fluorescent DNA-lipids, either alone in water or in interaction with 1-octyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside micelles or egg phosphatidylcholine vesicles. We first describe the design and the syntheses of the conjugates. Then, we use UV-Vis absorption, steady-state fluorescence emission, electron microscopy, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy after two-photon excitation to show that these DNA-lipids form spherical micelles in aqueous solution and incorporate much better in micelles than in vesicles. We also investigate the significance of the lipophilic chains of these DNA-lipids on the melting behavior of the double-stranded hybrids: in water melting curves are broadened whereas in amphiphilic assemblies duplexes melt as the unconjugated controls. This work is expected to be useful for improving the rational design of antisense medicines.     

PHOTODYNAMIC RELEASE OF PROTOPORPHYRIN FROM INTACT ERYTHROCYTES IN ERYTHROPOIETIC PROTOPORPHYRIA: THE EFFECT OF SMALL REPETITIVE LIGHT DOSES

Abstract— Erythrocytes from patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria contain large amounts of protoporphyrin bound to (hemo)globin. Irradiation of these cells causes a shift in fluorescence emission maximum and a decreased fluorescence intensity which is consistent with transfer of protoporphyrin from (hemo)globin to the cell membrane. When the erythrocytes were irradiated intermittently, nearly 70% of the protoporphyrin was released and the hemolysis was less than 3%. Giving the total light dose as a single pulse, resulted in 84% protoporphyrin release and 16% hemolysis.
In vivo the erythrocytes obtain small, repetitive light doses when circulating in the dermal capillaries. We suggest the possibility that in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria these small light pulses could be sufficient to photodamage the binding place of protoporphyrin on (hemo)globin. In the dark, protoporphyrin can then move from (hemo)globin through the cell membrane and bind to albumin in the serum. Our findings indicate that if protoporphyrin is not present in the cell membrane during irradiation, no photohemolysis will occur. This may explain why patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria have no abnormal hemolysis. The effect of intermittent light pulses may also contribute to the understanding of the protoporphyrin release from erythrocytes in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria.     

4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanone Derivatives with Antiplasmodial and Antitrypanosomal Activities

Summary. 4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanones were converted to their N-oxides and to 4-aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanes. Furthermore, the 6,7-bis-(4-methoxyphenyl) analogues were synthesized. All products were screened for their activities against Trypanosoma b. rhodesiense and Plasmodium falciparum. The pharmacological results were compared with those of formerly tested bicyclo[2.2.2]octanones and bicyclo[2.2.2]octanols. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.Received April 8, 2003; accepted April 14, 2003 Published online September 25, 2003     

4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanone Derivatives with Antiprotozoal Activities

Summary.  4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanones which were prepared in one-pot-reactions from benzylidene acetone and dialkylammonium rhodanides were reduced stereoselectively to their corresponding alcohols. The activities of the bicyclic compounds against causative organisms of tropical deseases were examined. The 4-aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ols were in general more active against Trypanosoma b. rhodesiense and Plasmodium falciparum than the corresponding keto compounds. Corresponding author. E-mail: robert.weis@uni-graz.at Received November 27, 2002; accepted December 2, 2002 Published online May 2, 2003     

Optical Alignment of Organic Dopants in a Solid Gel Matrix: Dispersed and Grafted Rhodamine B Molecules

We study herein the rotational mobility of organic dye molecules and their ability to align on a strong optical electric field when they are encaged in the pores of an inorganic silica xerogel matrix. We compare the case of dye molecules simply dispersed in the pores of the gel—and possibly held by hydrogen bonds—to the case of molecules chemically grafted on the inner surface of these pores through covalent bonds. The study is led on hybrid silicon-zirconium based inorganic matrices doped with organic rhodamine B molecules. The stronger holding of the dopants when these are grafted to the matrix enhances the molecular alignment—and thus the induced anisotropy—as well as the remanence of this alignment. Furthermore, we show that submitting the samples to a supplementary drying at higher temperature tends to increase both the alignment anisotropy and its stability. We explain these results in terms of mobility of the molecules, in relation to their immediate environment.     

Hydrazones and new Oximes of 4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanones and their Antiprotozoal Activities

Summary. 4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ones and -ols showed activity against the causative organisms of East African sleeping sickness and Malaria tropica. Several imino derivatives of the ketones were more active. Now hydrazono analogues and 3-hydroximino derivatives of the ketones and alcohols were synthesized. The structures of the obtained isomers were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. A single phenylhydrazone exhibited quite good antitrypanosomal activity in the range of already known imino analogues.     

Hydrazones and new Oximes of 4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanones and their Antiprotozoal Activities

4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ones and -ols showed activity against the causative organisms of East African sleeping sickness and Malaria tropica. Several imino derivatives of the ketones were more active. Now hydrazono analogues and 3-hydroximino derivatives of the ketones and alcohols were synthesized. The structures of the obtained isomers were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. A single phenylhydrazone exhibited quite good antitrypanosomal activity in the range of already known imino analogues.