An improved max-flow-based lower bound for minimizing maximum lateness on identical parallel machines

In this paper, we introduce a new concept of semi-preemptive scheduling and we show how it can be used to derive a maximum-flow-based lower bound for the P|r_j|L_max which dominates the well-known preemptive lower bound. We show that, in some cases, the proposed bound strictly dominates the preemptive one while having the same complexity.     

WZW–Poisson manifolds

We observe that a term of the WZW-type can be added to the Lagrangian of the Poisson σ-model in such a way that the algebra of the first class constraints remains closed. This leads to a natural generalization of the concept of Poisson geometry. The resulting “WZW–Poisson” manifold M is characterized by a bivector Π and by a closed three-form H such that 1/2[Π,Π]_Schouten=H,ΠΠΠ.     

聚(酪氨酸酯对苯二甲酰胺)碳酸酯药物控制释放材料的研究

报道了一类生物可降解聚（酪氨酸酯对苯二甲酰胺）碳酸酯的合成和结构表征，研究了聚合物的性质和体外降解性能，并以５ 氟脲嘧啶和牛血清白蛋为模型，对它们作为药物控制释放材料的性能进行了初步评价．     

聚醋酸乙烯酯的光引发可控合成——介绍一个高分子化学综合实验

本实验开展了醋酸乙烯酯的可逆加成-断裂链转移自由基聚合(RAFT),分别运用偶氮二异丁腈(AIBN)引发和可见光引发两种方式进行了聚合反应,运用核磁共振和凝胶色谱等多种手段对所得聚合物结构进行了表征与分析。通过比较AIBN引发与光引发所获得聚合物端基结构的异同,加深了学生对RAFT聚合方法原理的理解。同时,运用该方法实现了聚合物两端端基结构的高度功能化,深入体会聚合物合成设计概念。本综合实验教学不仅通过对比法加深了学生对实验原理和专业知识的理解,提升了学生创新研究能力,而且训练了学生的实验操作技能、大型仪器使用能力和结果分析能力,提升了综合素质。     

温度及pH敏感的树枝状高分子衍生物合成及药物控制释放研究

对合成的系列聚酰胺-胺型(PAMAM)树枝状高分子进行端基的羟基化和氯乙酰化两步修饰,使PAMAM最外层接上烷基氯.以修饰产物为引发剂,通过原子转移自由基引发甲基丙烯酸N,N-二甲氨基乙酯(DMAEMA)聚合得到树枝状PAMAM高分子衍生物,并对其结构用FTIR、1H-NMR和粒径分析进行了表征.紫外可见分光光度仪测定证实此高分子具有温度及pH敏感性.通过对小分子药物控制释放研究表明,此树枝状高分子衍生物通过环境pH值可有效地控制小分子药物的释放.     

Preparation of spherical spinel LiMn2O4 cathode material for lithium ion batteries

A novel process is proposed for synthesis of spinel LiMn₂O₄ with spherical particles from the inexpensive materials MnSO₄, NH₄HCO₃, and NH₃H₂O. The successful preparation started with carefully controlled crystallization of MnCO₃, leading to particles of spherical shape and high tap density. Thermal decomposition of MnCO₃ was investigated by both DTA and TG analysis and XRD analysis of products. A precursor of product, spherical Mn₂O₃, was then obtained by heating MnCO₃. A mixture of Mn₂O₃ and Li₂CO₃ was then sintered to produce LiMn₂O₄ with retention of spherical particle shape. It was found that if lithium was in stoichiometric excess of 5% in the calcination of spinel LiMn₂O₄, the product had the largest initial specific capacity. In this way spherical particles of spinel LiMn₂O₄ were of excellent fluidity and dispersivity, and had a tap density as high as 1.9 g cm^–3 and an initial discharge capacity reaching 125 mAh g^–1. When surface-doped with cobalt in a 0.01 Co/Mn mole ratio, although the initial discharge capacity decreased to 118 mAh g^–1, the 100th cycle capacity retention reached 92.4% at 25°C. Even at 55°C the initial discharge capacity reached 113 mAh g^–1 and the 50th cycle capacity retention was in excess of 83.8%.     

Pectin in controlled drug delivery – a review

Controlled drug delivery remains a research focus for public health to enhance patient compliance, drug efficiency and reduce the side effects of drugs. Pectin, an edible plant polysaccharide, has been shown to be useful for the construction of drug delivery systems for specific drug delivery. Several pectin derived formulations have been developed in our laboratory and tested in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo for the ability to deliver bioactive substances for therapeutic purposes in the context of interactions with living tissues. Pectin derivatives carrying primary amine groups were more mucoadhesive and have shown potential in nasal drug delivery and other mucosal drug delivery. Pectin derivatives with highly esterified galacturonic acid residues are more hydrophobic and able to sustain the release of incorporated fragrances for a prolonged duration. Less esterified pectin derivatives are able to penetrate deeper into the skin and may be useful in aromatherapy formulations. Pectin, in combination with zein, a corn protein, forms hydrogel beads. The bound zein restricts bead swelling and retains the porosity of the beads; the pectin networks shield the zein from protease attack. The complex beads are ideal vehicles for colon-specific drug delivery. Studies presented in this paper indicate the flexibility and possibility to tailor pectin macromolecules into a variety of drug delivery systems to meet different clinical requirements. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture.     

Pulsed field gradient NMR on polybutylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules

The applicability of pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to nanocapsule systems is demonstrated on dispersed poly-n-butylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules as a model system. Spectroscopic data are presented that allow for the structural characterization of the inner cavities, the observation of Brownian motion of the capsules and the detection of rapid molecular exchange through the capsule walls. An analytical formula is proposed that yields equilibrium populations and average residence times of a given tracer molecule, thus leading to crucial information regarding the permeability of the capsule walls. Based on these analytical methods, two varieties of nanocapsules are compared that derive from two different preparation procedures. It is found that thinner capsule walls obtained under acidic conditions of the organic phase during interfacial polymerization lead to correspondingly higher exchange rates of benzene as a tracer molecule.     

Controlled alternating copolymerization of St with MAh in the presence of DBTTC

The copolymerization of styrene (St) with maleic anhydride (MAh) performed at 22 °C in the presence of dibenzyl trithiocarbonate exhibits controlled nature evidenced by: narrow molecular weight distribution, controlled molecular weight and first-order polymerization kinetics. The composition analysis of the copolymers obtained by ¹³C NMR spectra shows the molar fraction of St in obtained copolymers is almost equal to 0.5 throughout the copolymerization. The sequence structure of the copolymer was obtained from DEPT experiments by recording the spectra at π/4 and 3π/4, and then combining them together, the results showed that the copolymers obtained possessed well-defined alternating structure. The experiment shows that charge-transfer-complex formed from St and MAh participates in both initiation and chain growth throughout the copolymerization.     

Synthesis of zwitterionic block copolymers via RAFT polymerization

A series of poly [2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMA)-sodium acrylate (SA)] diblock copolymers were synthesized using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The polymerization exhibits controlled characters: well-controlled molecular weight, narrow molecular weight distribution, molecular weight increasing with polymerization time. The zwitterionic diblock copolymers show rich solution behaviors. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) indicated the formation of micelles and reverse micelles of copolymers is affected by net charge density of copolymers. Microcalorimetry studies showed that the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) increases with incorporation of hydrophilic segments in buffer.