A study of defects in ultra-thin transparent coatings on polymers

2 or more). Received: 1 September 1998/Accepted: 6 October 1998     

A transformation approach for finding first integrals of motion of dynamical systems

A method for finding a first integral of the motion of a system of equations written in Hamiltonian form, for the case in which no “classical integrals” exist, is introduced and derived in this paper. The present method is based on a canonical transformation applied to the state vector of the system with the objective of obtaining a new Hamiltonian that is time-separable in the new state vector.     

Unstructured Adaptive Grid Flow Simulations of Inert and Reactive Gas Mixtures

Unstructured adaptive grid flow simulation is applied to the calculation of high-speed compressible flows of inert and reactive gas mixtures. In the present case, the flowfield is simulated using the 2-D Euler equations, which are discretized in a cell-centered finite volume procedure on unstructured triangular meshes. Interface fluxes are calculated by a Liou flux vector splitting scheme which has been adapted to an unstructured grid context by the authors. Physicochemical properties are functions of the local mixture composition, temperature, and pressure, which are computed using the CHEMKIN-II subroutines. Computational results are presented for the case of premixed hydrogen–air supersonic flow over a 2-D wedge. In such a configuration, combustion may be triggered behind the oblique shock wave and transition to an oblique detonation wave is eventually obtained. It is shown that the solution adaptive procedure implemented is able to correctly define the important wave fronts. A parametric analysis of the influence of the adaptation parameters on the computed solution is performed.     

Small silicon memories: confinement, single-electron,. and interface state considerations

Memories that utilize single-electron effects are an attempt at combining the discreteness observable in transport of electrons on to very small capacitances (∼10^-18 F) and into three-dimensionally quantum-confined states, with the reproducibility, architecture and integration of the field-effect devices. We discuss the role size plays in the operation and its variability for such memories. In particular, we discuss the implications of size effects through barriers on speed; through electrostatics on variability, acceptability and reproducibility of properties desired; through random variations and of tunneling on limits in the use of the field-effect, and through interface-states on the time-domain operation. For device properties and their variations, using silicon-on-insulator substrates, silicon and back-insulator thicknesses matter through the linear variations introduced in the electrostatic potential and quadratic variations introduced in the subband energies, the quantum-dots and nano-crystals matter secondarily through the electrostatics and the linear dependence of capacitance on size and the quadratic dependence of the allowed eigen-energies on size. We also discuss the implications of tunneling on time constants of charging of the confined states and in between the source and the drain for the ultimate structure size limit. Received: 14 April 2000 / Accepted: 17 April 2000 / Published online: 6 September 2000     

Propanediol (and) Caprylic Acid (and) Xylitol as a New Single Topical Active Ingredient against Acne: In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy Assays

In addition to dermatological complications, acne can affect the quality of life of individuals in numerous ways, such as employment, social habits and body dissatisfaction. According to our expertise, caprylic acid and propanediol would not have a direct action on Cutibacterium acnes. Despite this, we investigated the existence of a synergistic effect among xylitol, caprylic acid and propanediol as a mixture of compounds representing a single topical active ingredient that could benefit the treatment against acne. In vitro and in vivo assays were performed to challenge and to prove the efficacy of propanediol, xylitol and caprylic acid (PXCA) against acne. PXCA had its MIC challenged against C. acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) and Staphylococcus aureus, resulting in concentrations of 0.125% and 0.25%, respectively, and it also developed antimicrobial activity against C. acnes (time-kill test). PXCA was able to reduce the 5-alpha reductase expression in 24% (p < 0.01) in comparison with the testosterone group. By the end of 28 days of treatment, the compound reduced the skin oiliness, porphyrin amount and the quantity of inflammatory lesions in participants. According to the dermatologist evaluation, PXCA improved the skin’s general appearance, acne presence and size.     

Dihydrofolate Reductase Inhibitors: The Pharmacophore as a Guide for Co-Crystal Screening

In this work, co-crystal screening was carried out for two important dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitors, trimethoprim (TMP) and pyrimethamine (PMA), and for 2,4-diaminopyrimidine (DAP), which is the pharmacophore of these active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). The isomeric pyridinecarboxamides and two xanthines, theophylline (THEO) and caffeine (CAF), were used as co-formers in the same experimental conditions, in order to evaluate the potential for the pharmacophore to be used as a guide in the screening process. In silico co-crystal screening was carried out using BIOVIA COSMOquick and experimental screening was performed by mechanochemistry and supported by (solid + liquid) binary phase diagrams, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The in silico prediction of low propensities for DAP, TMP and PMA to co-crystallize with pyridinecarboxamides was confirmed: a successful outcome was only observed for DAP + nicotinamide. Successful synthesis of multicomponent solid forms was achieved for all three target molecules with theophylline, with DAP co-crystals revealing a greater variety of stoichiometries. The crystalline structures of a (1:2) TMP:THEO co-crystal and of a (1:2:1) DAP:THEO:ethyl acetate solvate were solved. This work demonstrated the possible use of the pharmacophore of DHFR inhibitors as a guide for co-crystal screening, recognizing some similar trends in the outcome of association in the solid state and in the molecular aggregation in the co-crystals, characterized by the same supramolecular synthons.     

Dibenzofuran Derivatives Inspired from Cercosporamide as Dual Inhibitors of Pim and CLK1 Kinases

Pim kinases (proviral integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus kinases) are overexpressed in various types of hematological malignancies and solid carcinomas, and promote cell proliferation and survival. Thus, Pim kinases are validated as targets for antitumor therapy. In this context, our combined efforts in natural product-inspired library generation and screening furnished very promising dibenzo[b,d]furan derivatives derived from cercosporamide. Among them, lead compound 44 was highlighted as a potent Pim-1/2 kinases inhibitor with an additional nanomolar IC₅₀ value against CLK1 (cdc2-like kinases 1) and displayed a low micromolar anticancer potency towards the MV4-11 (AML) cell line, expressing high endogenous levels of Pim-1/2 kinases. The design, synthesis, structure–activity relationship, and docking studies are reported herein and supported by enzyme, cellular assays, and Galleria mellonella larvae testing for acute toxicity.     

Ab initio calculations for absorption and emission energies of alkali halide crystals doped with thallium

We calculate transition energies associated with optical properties of thallium doping in alkali halide crystals via an atomic cluster of minimal size where an sp‐valence‐shell impurity enters as a substitutional defect in the model crystal. Hartree–Fock (HF), density functional theory (DFT), and configuration interaction (CI) [CIS (CI with single excitation) and QCISD (single plus double and quadruple excitation)] calculations are performed to theoretically obtain the absorption and emission energies as vertical transitions evaluated at the ground and first excited‐state optimized geometries, respectively, where the optimization is carried out separately with the HF and DFT methods. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 77: 785–790, 2000