The determination of zinc,copper and iron oxidation state in invasive ductal carcinoma of breast tissue and normal surrounding tissue using XANES

X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy was used to examine the oxidation state of Zn, Fe and Cu in 22 normal and 23 tumour regions spread over 30 formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue samples of human primary invasive breast cancer. A micro‐mapping analysis of the metal distribution in the tissue was performed prior to the XANES analysis to identify and localise the metals in the tumour and normal tissue regions. The aim of this study was to identify the oxidation state of Zn, Fe and Cu in normal and tumour tissues of the breast, in order to correlate the oxidation state of these elements with the carcinogenesis process. The position of the Zn K‐edge in normal and tumour tissues suggests that Zn exists in a bounded form. The shape of the Cu K‐edge XANES spectra and the first derivative spectra of normal and tumour tissues shows that a significant portion of the total copper is present as Cu (I). Nevertheless, the position of the edges in the normal and tumour tissue spectra does not exclude the presence of Cu (II). The shape and position of both normal and tumour regions of the tissue suggest that they contain mixtures of Fe (II) and Fe (III) ions with a significant fraction being Fe (III). However, normal tissue regions were found to have a higher fraction of Fe (II) compared to the tumour tissues. In order to estimate the best target for therapy, more information is required about the relative abundance of Zn, Fe and Cu binding proteins, their oxidation state and their localisation at the subcellular level. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroscopic characterization approach to study surfactants effect on ZnO2 nanoparticles synthesis by laser ablation process

Zinc peroxide nanoparticles having grain size less than 5 nm were synthesized using pulsed laser ablation in aqueous solution in the presence of different surfactants and solid zinc target in 3% H₂O₂. The effect of surfactants on the optical and structure of ZnO₂ was studied by applying different spectroscopic techniques. Structural properties and grain size of the synthesized nanoparticles were studied using XRD method. The presence of the cubic phase of zinc peroxide in all samples was confirmed with XRD, and the grain sizes were 4.7, 3.7, 3.3 and 2.8 nm in pure H₂O₂, and H₂O₂ mixed with SDS, CTAB and OGM respectively. For optical characterization, FTIR transmittance spectra of ZnO₂ nanoparticles prepared with and without surfactants show a characteristic ZnO₂ absorption at 435-445 cm⁻¹. FTIR spectrum revealed that the adsorbed surfactants on zinc peroxide disappeared in case of CTAB and OGM while it appears in case of SDS. This could be due to high critical micelles SDS concentration comparing with others which is attributed to the adsorption anionic nature of this surfactant. Both FTIR and UV-vis spectra show a red shift in the presence of SDS and blue shift in the presence of CTAB and OGM. The blue shift in the absorption edge indicates the quantum confinement property of nanoparticles. The zinc peroxide nanoparticles prepared in additives-free media was also characterized by Raman spectra which show the characteristic peaks at 830-840 and 420-440 cm⁻¹.     

New exact solutions of (3 + 1)-dimensional generalized Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation using a combination of lie symmetry and singular manifold methods

A new combination of Lie symmetry and Singular Manifold methods has been employed to study (3 + 1)-dimensional generalized Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP). Infinite-dimensional space of Lie vectors has been established. Single and dual linear combinations of Lie vectors are used after appropriate calculations of the arbitrary functions to reduce the equation to an ordinary differential equation (ODE). The resulting ODE is then analytically solved through the singular manifold method which resulted in a Bäcklund truncated series with seminal analysis leading to a Schwarzian differential equation in the Eigenfunction φ (η). Solving this differential equation leads to new analytical solutions.     

A new two-point scheme for multiple roots of nonlinear equations

In most of the earlier research for multiple zeros, in order to obtain a new iteration function from the existing scheme, the usual practice is to make no change at the first substep. In this paper, we explore the idea that what are the advantages if the flexibility of choice is also given at the first substep. Therefore, we present a new two-point sixth-order scheme for multiple roots (m>1). The main advantages of our scheme over the existing schemes are flexibility at both substeps, simple body structure, smaller residual error, smaller error difference between two consecutive iterations, and smaller asymptotic error constant. The development of the scheme is based on midpoint formula and weight functions of two variables. We compare our methods with the existing methods of the same order with real-life applications as well as standard test problems. From the numerical results, we find that our methods can be considered as better alternates for the existing methods of the same order. Finally, dynamical study of the proposed schemes is presented that confirms the theoretical results.     

On designing experiments for a dynamic response modeled by regression splines

Dynamic response systems are often found in science, engineering, and medical applications, but the discussion on experimental design for such a system is relatively rare in literature. For an experimenter, designing such experiments requires making decisions on (1) when or where to take response measurements along the dynamic variable and (2) how to choose the combination of experimental factors and their levels. The first consideration is unique for such experiments, especially when the measurement cost is high. In this paper, we present a design approach through the mixed‐effect linear model, which is based on a hierarchical B‐spline function for the dynamic response. We develop several theorems that can assist in finding a statistically efficient sampling plan and propose an algorithm for searching the D‐optimal design of a dynamic response system.     

Solving nonlinear ordinary differential equations using the NDM

In this research paper, we examine a novel method called the Natural Decomposition Method (NDM). We use the NDM to obtain exact solutions for three different types of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (NLODEs). The NDM is based on the Natural transform method (NTM) and the Adomian decomposition method (ADM). By using the new method, we successfully handle some class of nonlinear ordinary differential equations in a simple and elegant way. The proposed method gives exact solutions in the form of a rapid convergence series. Hence, the Natural Decomposition Method (NDM) is an excellent mathematical tool for solving linear and nonlinear differential equation. One can conclude that the NDM is efficient and easy to use.     

A comprehensive analytical approach for policy analysis of system dynamics models

Formal tools to link system dynamics model’s structure to the system modes of behavior have recently become available. In this paper, we aim to expand the use of these tools to perform the model’s policy analysis in a more structured and formal way than the exhaustive exploratory approaches used to date. We consider how a policy intervention (a parameter change) affects a particular behavior mode by affecting the gains of particular feedback loops as well as how it affects the presence of that mode in the variable of interest. The paper demonstrates the utility of considering both of these aspects since the analysis provides an assessment of the overall impact of a policy on a variable and explains why the impact occurs in terms of structural changes in the model. Particularly in the context of larger models, this method enables a much more efficient search for leverage policies, by ranking the influence of each model parameter without the need for multiple simulation experiments.     

Solitary wave solutions of the improved KdV equation by VIM

The variational iteration method (VIM) is applied to solve numerically the improved Korteweg-de Vries equation (IKdV). A correction function is constructed with a general Lagrange multiplier that can be identified optimally via the variational theory. This technique provides a sequence of functions with easily computable components that converge rapidly to the exact solution of the IKdV equation. Propagation of single, interaction of two, and three solitary waves, and also birth of solitons have been discussed. Three invariants of motion have been evaluated to determine the conservation properties of the problem. This procedure is promising for solving other nonlinear equations.     

Physical, structural, and luminescence studies of Nd3+ doped MgO-ZnO borate glass

A series of borate glass of the system xNd₂O₃-5MgO-20ZnO-(75 ? x)B₂O₃, where x = 0.5, 1.0,1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 was successfully fabricated using melt quench method. The properties of the glass were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), absorption and luminescence spectra. The upconversion properties of Nd³⁺ doped borate glass were observed by using 574 nm excitation wavelength corresponding to ⁴ I _15/2 → ² H _114/2 transition. The emission bands centered at 460, 500 and 620 nm which corresponding to the Nd³⁺ transitions, ⁴ F _7/2 → ⁴ I _15/2, ² H _11/2 → ⁴ I _15/2, and ⁴ F _9/2 → ⁴ I _15/2 respectively were observed at room temperature. The presence of Nd³⁺ in borate based glass could intensify the upconversion luminescence spectra as it can potentially be used as host materials for upconversion lasers.     

Assessment of health risk associated with natural gamma dose rate levels and isodose mapping of Jordan

ABSTRACT

As a pioneering study in Jordan, an extensive measurement for external gamma dose rate (GDR) was conducted. A portable gamma radiation detector was used to perform these measurements at 1?m above the soil surface. A geographical positioning system Garmin was used to record a total of 823 measured points. The GDRs’ measurement ranged from 35 to 470?nGy?h^?1 giving a mean value of 90?nGy?h^?1, which was found to be one and half times higher than the world average of 59?nGy?h^?1. The lowest mean GDR 72?nGy?h^?1 was found in the Albalqa governate, while the highest mean GDR 131?nGy?h^?1 was found to be for the Alkarak governate. The mean annual effective dose was found to be 0.551?mSv, which is higher than the world average value of 0.48?mSv. This is a pivotal study evaluating the risks associated with GDR levels in Jordan that were the relative excess lifetime cancer risk, the mean collective effective dose, the mean weighted GDR and the mean lifetime dose that are 2.24?×?10^?3, 5538manSv?y^?1, 0.531?mSv and 39?mSv, respectively. The cosmic rays mean GDR was determined to be 20?nGy?h^?1. This study focuses on constructing GDRs’ baseline data in Jordan, which will be used to determine the possible change in the natural radiation due to other human activities in the future. ArcGIS software was employed to generate an isodose map to characterise exposure rates caused by GDR in Jordan.