A supermartingale argument for characterizing the functional Hill process weak law for small parameters

The paper deals with the asymptotic laws of functionals of standard exponential random variables. These classes of statistics are closely related to estimators of the extreme value index when the underlying distribution function is in theWeibull domain of attraction.We use techniques based on martingales theory to describe the non-Gaussian asymptotic distribution of the aforementioned statistics.We provide results of a simulation study as well as statistical tests that may be of interest with the proposed results.     

On Existence of Solution, Oscillatory and Non-Oscillatory Properties of Delay Impulsive Differential Equations Containing ‘Maximum’

In this paper, we determined the criteria for the existence of solutions for delay impulsive differential equations containing ‘maximum’ (DIDEM) using the Morales’ fixed point theorem. An impulsive analogue of the Gronwall-Bellman’s inequality with deviating argument is also considered. Some results on the oscillation and non-oscillation of solutions of the (DIDEM) are also obtained. Applications of the oscillatory results obtained are made to four non-linear examples one of which is a military model and upper bounds found for the solutions of the impulsive Fitzhugh-Naguno model and an impulsive nonlinear control system.     

Characterization and source term assessments of radioactive particles from Marshall Islands using non-destructive analytical techniques

Six plutonium-containing particles stemming from Runit Island soil (Marshall Islands) were characterized by non-destructive analytical and microanalytical methods. Composition and elemental distribution in the particles were studied with synchrotron radiation based micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray detector and with wavelength dispersive system as well as a secondary ion mass spectrometer were used to examine particle surfaces. Based on the elemental composition the particles were divided into two groups: particles with pure Pu matrix, and particles where the plutonium is included in Si/O-rich matrix being more heterogenously distributed. All of the particles were identified as nuclear fuel fragments of exploded weapon components. As containing plutonium with low ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu atomic ratio, less than 0.065, which corresponds to weapons-grade plutonium or a detonation with low fission yield, the particles were identified to originate from the safety test and low-yield tests conducted in the history of Runit Island. The Si/O-rich particles contained traces of ¹³⁷Cs (^239 + 240Pu/¹³⁷Cs activity ratio higher than 2500), which indicated that a minor fission process occurred during the explosion. The average ²⁴¹Am/²³⁹Pu atomic ratio in the six particles was 3.7 × 10^− 3 ± 0.2 × 10^− 3 (February 2006), which indicated that plutonium in the different particles had similar age.     

Life-expectancy in a nonhomogeneous population

Mortality differentials exist even among people of the same age and environmental risks. These differences are due to individual frailty (risks due to biological or behavioural reasons) not considered in the computation of conventional life-tables (where populations are assumed to be homogeneous). This note seeks to show empirically that life-expectancies computed from homogeneous population models are overstated for ages less than the mean, and are understated for higher ages. It is also shown that life-expectancy curves for both homogeneous and nonhomogeneous populations intersect at the mean survival age (when the most frail would have all died off) and at the maximum age lived in the population (when the last members of the cohort would have died off).     

Photoluminescence spectra of MOCVD-grown P-doped GaAS/Al x Ga1−x As MQW

PhotoLuminescence (PL) measurement techniques have been used to investigate on MOCVD grown P-doped GaAs/Al _x Ga_1–x As(x = 0.3) Multiple Quantum Wells (MQW). The spectra reveal extrinsic luminescence characteristics of e-A⁰ transitions for interface and centre of well acceptors in addition to both bound and free exciton emissions.     

An unprecedented gedunin rearrangement reaction converts a methyl group into the methylene group of a cyclopropyl ring

Herein we describe an unprecedented formation of a cyclopropane ring through the conversion of a methyl group that was not functionalized for the purpose. In a one-step reaction, 7-deacetoxy-7α-hydroxygedunin (4) afforded two new gedunin derivatives, namely 7-deacetoxy-13,14,18-cyclopropyl-7α,15β, 17ξ-trihydroxy-gedu-16-oic acid (7) and 7-deacetoxy-9,11-en-7α,15β-dihydroxygedunin (8) along with the known 7-deacetoxy-7,9-diene-15β-hydroxygedunin (5).     

Highly scalable and low cost binder free electrode of Zinc modified NiO nanofoam for dual role of supercapacitor and its free radical scavenging activity

In this study, pristine nickel oxide (NiO) and Zinc modified NiO nanofoams were prepared by green approach using camellia sinensis leaves extract. Pristine nickel oxide and Zn²⁺ modified NiO nanofoam were characterized by XRD, FTIR, FL, UV and FESEM. FE-SEM micrographs were clearly shows that the synthesised porous nanofoam with spherical shaped were constant distribution. The as prepared foam electrodes showed excellent supercapacitive behaviour with increase in specific capacitance with decrease in scan rate. The maximum specific capacitance 1530, 1706 and 1847Fg^-1 was obtained at scan rate of 10 mVs^-1 for increasing the Zn concentrations. After 3,000 cycles at 1 A g⁻¹, the cyclic stability remains excellent at 88.1% of the initial capacitance. Moreover, the as-prepared asymmetric supercapacitor exhibits a high energy density of 30.6 W h·kg⁻¹ at power density of 398 W kg⁻¹. This study is expected to provide new insights into exploring the potential mechanism of catalyst action. These findings show that Zinc @ NiO nanofoam could be a potentially useful electrode material for energy storage devices.     

Lignin nanoparticles as a novel carrier for efficacious delivery of toll like receptor 7/8 agonist: Physicochemical and in-vitro evaluation

Imidazoquinolinone (IMDQ) derivatives are known TLR7/8 agonists and are approved by the FDA for antiviral and skin cancer treatment. Their use as innate immune system activating molecules has been limited by poor pharmacokinetic properties and toxicities associated with systemic administration. In the present study, an IMDQ derivative, 1-(3-(aminomethyl) benzyl)-2-butyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c] quinolin-4-amine (meta-aminomethyl BBIQ, 4), was encapsulated in biopolymer lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) to develop slow-release delivery system and to enhance its immune activating properties. A co-precipitation method was used to synthesize LNPs of alkali lignin. Characterization studies demonstrated the formation of spherical shaped nanoparticles of ∼150 nm size. The encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity for meta-aminomethyl BBIQ in LNPs was found to be 99% and 70%, respectively. In-vitro release studies showed 78% release over 24 h at pH 7.4 followed by sustained release. Kinetic modelling studies showed the release profile followed Weibull order kinetics with β value ≤ 0.75 corresponding to Fickian diffusion. Moreover, blank as well as meta-aminomethyl BBIQ-loaded LNPs were non-hemolytic and did not show significant cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 and MDA-MB-23 cells at all tested concentrations. This study confirms the potential to use LNPs as a drug delivery system for immune modulators or vaccine adjuvants.     

Iterative method for fixed point problem, variational inequality and generalized mixed equilibrium problems with applications

In this paper, we introduce a new iterative scheme for finding a common element of the set of fixed points of a nonexpansive mapping, the set of solution of generalized mixed equilibrium problem and the set of solutions of the variational inequality problem for a co-coercive mapping in a real Hilbert space. Then strong convergence of the scheme to a common element of the three sets is proved. Furthermore, new convergence results are deduced and finally we apply our results to solving optimization problems and present other applications.