Difference of Convex Functions Optimization Methods: Algorithm of Minimum Maximal Network Flow Problem with Time-Windows

In this paper, we consider the minimum maximal network flow problem, i.e., minimizing the flow value, minimizing the total time among maximal flow with time-windows, which is a combinatorial optimization and an NP-hard problem. After a mathematical modeling problem, we introduce some formulations of the problem and one of them is a minimization of a concave function over a convex set. The problem can also be cast into a difference of convex functions programming (nonconvex optimization). We propose in this work a new algorithm for solving the Minimum Maximal Network Flow Problem with Time-Windows (MMNFPTW)

Predicting the potential current and future distribution of the endangered endemic vascular plant primula boveana decne. ex duby in Egypt

Knowledge about population attributes, current geographic distribution, and changes over predicted climate change for many threatened endemic vascular plants is particularly limited in arid mountain environments. Primula boveana is one of the rarest and threatened plants worldwide, surviving exclusively in Saint Catherine Protectorate in the Sinaic biogeographic subsector of Egypt. This study aimed to define the current state of P. boveana populations, predict its current potential distribution, and use the best-model outputs to guide in field sampling and to forecast its future distribution under two climate change scenarios. The MaxEnt algorithm was used by relating 10 occurrence-points with different environmental predictors (27 bioclimatic, 3 topographic, and 8 edaphic factors). At the current knowledge level, the population size of P. boveana consists of 796 individuals, including 137 matures, distributed in only 250 m2. The Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCorA) displayed that population attributes (density, cover, size index, and plant vigor) were positively correlated with elevation, precipitation, and pH. Based on the best-fitting model, most predicted suitable central sites (69 km2) of P. boveana were located in the cool shaded high-elevated middle northern part of St. Catherine. Elevation, precipitation, temperature, and soil pH were the key contributors to P. boveana distribution in Egypt. After field trips in suitable predicted sites, we confirmed five extinct localities where P. boveana has been previously recorded and no new population was found. The projected map showed an upward range shift through the contraction of sites between 1800 and 2000 m and expansion towards high elevation (above 2000 m) at the southern parts of the St. Catherine area. To conserve P. boveana, it is recommended to initiate in situ conservation through reinforcement and reintroduction actions

Priprava derivata 4-aminofeniloctene kiseline s antimikrobnim djelovanjem

Condensation of 4-APAA with phthalic anhydride gave (dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)phenylacetic acid 1, which is employed as key intermediate in the synthesis of title compounds 2-8. The products have been characterized by analytical and spectral data (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectra). Antimicrobial activities were also studied and some of these compounds gave promising results.Kondenzacijom 4-APAA s anhidridom ftalne kiseline dobivena je (dioksoizoindolin-2-il)feniloctena kiselina 1, koja je upotrebljena kao ključni intermedijer u sintezi spojeva 2-8. Produkti su karakterizirani analitičkim i spektroskopskim metodama (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR i MS). Neki od sintetiziranih spojeva ima značajno antimikrobno djelovanje

Synthesis and antitumor testing of certain new fused triazolopyrimidine and triazoloquinazoline derivatives

AbstractNew series of 1,2,4-triazolopyrimidine and 1,2,4-triazoloquinazoline derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antitumor activity. Compounds 6, 11, 26, 29, 41, 44, 48, 49 and 58 were tested as antitumor agents by the use of DNA-binding assay on TLC-plates, colorimetric assay for the degree of DNA-binding (Methyl green-DNA displacement assay), evaluation of antineoplastic activity against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma in mice, and finally modulation of apoptosis. 5-Flurouracil, vitamin C and ethidium bromide were used as positive controls in these techniques. Compound 26 proved to be the most active member of these series as antitumor agent with IC50 value of 47±1. Several characteristic features were observed to be essential for activity such as the morpholine group and the phenylazo group, in addition the electron-withdrawing groups favor the activity than the electron-donating ones

Ste20-Related Proline/Alanine-Rich Kinase (SPAK) Regulated Transcriptionally by Hyperosmolarity Is Involved in Intestinal Barrier Function

The Ste20-related protein proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) plays important roles in cellular functions such as cell differentiation and regulation of chloride transport, but its roles in pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation remain largely unknown. Here we report significantly increased SPAK expression levels in hyperosmotic environments, such as mucosal biopsy samples from patients with Crohn's disease, as well as colon tissues of C57BL/6 mice and Caco2-BBE cells treated with hyperosmotic medium. NF-κB and Sp1-binding sites in the SPAK TATA-less promoter are essential for SPAK mRNA transcription. Hyperosmolarity increases the ability of NF-κB and Sp1 to bind to their binding sites. Knock-down of either NF-κB or Sp1 by siRNA reduces the hyperosmolarity-induced SPAK expression levels. Furthermore, expression of NF-κB, but not Sp1, was upregulated by hyperosmolarity in vivo and in vitro. Nuclear run-on assays showed that hyperosmolarity increases SPAK expression levels at the transcriptional level, without affecting SPAK mRNA stability. Knockdown of SPAK expression by siRNA or overexpression of SPAK in cells and transgenic mice shows that SPAK is involved in intestinal permeability in vitro and in vivo. Together, our data suggest that SPAK, the transcription of which is regulated by hyperosmolarity, plays an important role in epithelial barrier function

Effect of Vitex agnus castus L. Extract in Carp Fish Infected with Vibrio anguillarum

This work studied in vitro; the antibacterial activity of Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) extract against V. anguillarum, its minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) and detected its bioconstituents using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis besides evaluated its effect in vivo in carp either alone or combined with antibiotic to prevent or treat V. anguillarum infection. A total of 180 fish were divided into 6 groups; G1: negative-control, G2: V. anguillarum infected-control, G3: infected-(marbofloxacin (MAR) 10 mg/kg body weight), G4: infected-(VAC 1gm/kg ration), G5: infected-(VAC 1 gm/kg + MAR 10 mg/kg) all treatments lasted 7 days and G6: prophylactic treated-(VAC 1 gm/kg/30 day) then challenged. Results of scanning electron microscope revealed changes in bacterial morphology and loss of flagella by VAC where its MIC and MBC were 1.95 and 15.63 mg/ml respectively. Growth performance and survival rate improved in all treated groups in this descending order (G6, G4 then G5). All treatments significantly increased total protein, albumin, globulin, superoxide dismutase and decreased aspartate and alanine aminotransferases activities, malondialdehyde, urea and creatinine than G2 and mostly near to G1 in this ascending order (G3, G4 then G5). In G6, VAC protected carp from the infection and improved growth, survivability and most of blood parameters. MAR residue in fish musculature needed 4 days as a withdrawal period to be less than the maximum residue limits (MRL), while combination of VAC with MAR decreased it less than the MRL from the 1st day post treatment. Finally, VAC had a considerable antibacterial activity against V. anguillarum in both prevention and treatment assays. It can be used either alone or adding with MAR

Synthesis and in vitro antioxidant activity of some new fused pyridine analogs.

A new series of pyrano[3,2-c]pyridines, pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridines, and pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidines were synthesized and screened for their in vitro antioxidant activity. Compounds 13, 14, 15, 23, 29, 30, and 31 exhibited the most active oxygen free-radical scavenger activity with percentage inhibitions of 99.4, 99.6, 99.8, 97.3, 99.0, 99.3, and 99.5%; respectively, which is comparable to the curcumin potency. Most of the tested compounds proved to be safe towards peripheral multinuclear neutrophils (PMNs). The detailed synthesis and antioxidant activity data are reported

THE OPTIMAL SYSTEM FOR SERIES SYSTEMS WITH WARM STANDBY COMPONENTS AND A REPAIRABLE SERVICE STATION

This paper deals with the reliability and availability characteristics of three different series system configurations with warm standby components and a repairable service station. The failure time of the primary and warm standby are assumed to be exponentially distributed with parameters and respectively. The repair time distribution of each server is also exponentially distributed with parameter . The breakdown time and the repair time of the service station are also assumed exponentially distributed with parameters and respectively. We derive the reliability dependent on time, availability dependent on time, the mean time to failure, , and the steady-state availability for three configurations and perform comparisons. Comparisons are made for specific values of distribution parameters and of the cost of the components. The three configurations are ranked based on: , and where is either or

Structural and Chemical Adaptations of Artemisia monosperma Delile and Limbarda crithmoides (L.) Dumort. in Response to Arid Coastal Environments along the Mediterranean Coast of Egypt

Arid coastal habitats are stressful regions subjected to the effects of biotic and abiotic factors. Vascular plants in these habitats display different responses to cope with these environmental fluctuations. This work addressed the morpho-anatomical features and chemical responses of two medicinal vascular plant species Artemisia monosperma Delile and Limbarda crithmoides (L.) Dumort., growing naturally along the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. Soil properties (physical and chemical), morpho-anatomical features and chemical constituents (secondary metabolites, antioxidant activity and essential oils) for the two species were performed. Our results displayed that both species are surviving where soils are alkaline, high saline with low moisture and organic carbon. The morphology of both species appeared woody low shrub with fleshy leaves. The most marked anatomical attributes were the thick cuticle of the epidermal layer in leaves and stems, compact palisade cells and abundant idioblasts (secretory ducts, phenolic compounds and calcium oxalate). Also, sclerenchymatous pericycle fibers in stem and glandular trichomes on the leaf had appeared in A. monosperma. Both plants exhibited a considerable content of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and antioxidant activity with a higher level in A. monosperma than L. crithmoides. The leaf extracts of both plants showed higher values than the stem extracts. The sesquiterpenes group were the major identified compounds of the essential oils (EOs) in A. monosperma and L. crithmoides, and the majority were oxygenated sesquiterpenes with percentages of 42.63% and 51.49%, respectively. The second major group of EOs was monoterpenes, which were represented in A. monosperma in concentrations (34.04%) much higher than those recorded in L. crithmoides (4.97%). Exploring the local adaptation mechanism used by the target plants helps us to understand how these plants can acclimatize to harsh conditions, and this provides critical insights into the protection and survival strategy of species under extreme conditions