Moduli spaces of arrangements of 10 projective lines with quadruple points

We classify moduli spaces of arrangements of 10 lines with quadruple points. We show that moduli spaces of arrangements of 10 lines with quadruple points may consist of more than 2 disconnected components, namely 3 or 4 distinct points. We also present defining equations to those arrangements whose moduli spaces are still reducible after taking quotients of complex conjugations.     

A competitive model in a chemostat with nutrient recycling and antibiotic treatment

A model for competition between antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant bacteria with nutrient recycling and antibiotic treatment in a chemostat is considered. The sufficient and necessary conditions for boundedness of the solution and existence of non-negative equilibria are derived. The extinction and uniform persistence of antibiotic-sensitive and antibiotic-resistant bacteria are also carried out. Numerical simulations are then given to illustrate our main results.     

Reversible fixation and release of carbon dioxide with a binary system consisting of polyethylene glycol and polystyrene‐bearing cyclic amidine pendant group

In this study, we investigated the CO₂‐capture/release behavior of the polystyrene‐bearing cyclic amidine pendant groups, which was synthesized via free radical polymerization of HCl salt of the corresponding styrene monomer followed by neutralization. For comparison, we also prepared the polystyrene bearing N‐formyl‐1,3‐propanediamine pendant groups through the hydrolysis of the cyclic amidine group by treatment with an alkaline solution. First, we examined the CO₂‐capture/release behaviors of the amidine and amine monomers in aqueous solution in terms of conductivity. The conductivity of a wet DMSO solution of the amidine monomer increased upon CO₂ bubbling at 25 °C and reached a stationary value of about 11 mS/m, which indicated the formation of the bicarbonate salt. Conversely, the conductivity decreased to its original value upon N₂ bubbling at 50 °C, reflecting the complete release of the trapped CO₂ molecules. Both solutions showed the changes in the conductivity with quick responses, and no appreciable difference was observed between them. We then investigated the CO₂‐capture/release behaviors of the amidine and amine polymers, by taking advantage of the binary system with polyethylene glycol, and found that the binary system with the amidine polymer captured and released CO₂ more efficiently than that with the amine polymer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2025–2031     

Investigation of surface plasmon resonance using cylindrical dielectric-metal-dielectric (C-DMD) plasmonic configuration

In this paper we have proposed a technique based on image analysis of the surface plasmon excitation at the metal-dielectric interface of inside silver coated fused silica capillary glass tube. Chemical deposition technique has been used for the deposition of silver. Angular interrogation in Kretschmann-like configuration is realized by non-radial transverse illumination of this cylindrical dielectric-metal-dielectric (C-DMD) structure with a He–Ne laser source. Here the uniform film deposition of the inside surface of the capillary is not that crucial except within the transversely illuminated working area concerned. Moreover, the proposed technique has been validated experimentally for sensing different aqueous dielectric samples inserted inside the tube.     

Thermogravimetric analysis of carbide slag

Potential of carbide slag as transesterification catalyst is validated. Combined with X-ray fluorescence for ingredient determination, X-ray diffraction for textural phase analysis, scanning electron microscope for surface morphology observation and Hammett indicator for basic strength mensuration, thermal event of carbide slag is investigated through thermogravimetric analysis to estimate the potential of this calcium-based industrial waste as transesterification catalyst. Further, kinetic parameters are calculated through model-free method, where the experiments are conducted at temperature heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 K min^?1. As for activation energy and reaction order, Vyazovkin method and Avrami theory are respectively mentioned. Meanwhile, catalytic performance of carbide slag is labeled by transesterification efficiency and calcium hydroxide is conditionally mentioned for comparison. In conclusion, potential of carbide slag as transesterification catalyst is adequately validated.     

Photo-responsive nanoparticles for β-lapachone delivery in vitro

We reported a one-step encapsulation of indocyanine green (ICG) in ZIF-8 nanoparticles (NPs). The as-prepared ICG@ZIF-8 NPs possess an absorption band in the near infrared region and have the good photothermal conversion efficiency.     

Brush macro‐RAFT agent mediated dispersion polymerization of styrene in the alcohol/water mixture

Dispersion RAFT polymerization of styrene in the alcohol/water mixture mediated with the brush macro‐RAFT agent of poly[poly(ethylene oxide) methyl ether vinylphenyl‐co‐styrene] trithiocarbonate [P(mPEGV‐co‐St)‐TTC] with similar molecular weight but different chemical composition is investigated. Well‐controlled RAFT polymerization including an initial slow homogeneous polymerization and a subsequent fast heterogeneous polymerization at almost complete monomer conversion is achieved. The molecular weight of the synthesized block copolymer increases linearly with the monomer conversion, and the polydispersity is relatively narrow (PDI < 1.3). The RAFT polymerization kinetics is dependent on the chemical composition in the brush macro‐RAFT agents, and those with high content of hydrophobic segment lead to fast RAFT polymerization. The growth of the block copolymer nano‐objects during the RAFT polymerization is explored, and various block copolymer nano‐objects such as nanospheres, worms, vesicles and large‐compound‐micelle‐like particles are prepared. The parameters such as the chemical composition in the brush macro‐RAFT agent, the chain length of the solvatophobic block, the concentration of the feeding monomer and the solvent character affecting the size and morphology of the block copolymer nano‐objects are investigated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3177–3190