Scaled constraint qualifications for generalized equation constrained problems and application to nonsmooth mathematical programs with equilibrium constraints

Positivity - In this paper, the notion of graphical derivatives is applied to define a new class of several well-known constraint qualifications for a nonconvex multifunction M at a point of its...     

Targeted Delivery of Anticancer Drug Loaded Charged PLGA Polymeric Nanoparticles Using Electrostatic Field

Pure positive electrostatic charges (PPECs) show suppressive effect on the proliferation and metabolism of invasive cancer cells without affecting normal tissues. PPECs are used for the delivery of drug-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (DLNs) capped with negatively charged poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and Poly(vinyl-alcohol) PVA into the tumor site of mouse models. The charged patch is installed on top of the skin in the mouse models' tumor region, and the controlled selective release of the drug is assayed by biochemical, radiological, and histological experiments on both tumorized models and normal rats' livers. It is found that DLNs synthesized by PLGA show great attraction to PPECs due to their stable negative charges, which would not degrade immediately in blood. The burst and drug release after less than 48h of this synthesized DLNs are 10% and 50%, respectively. These compounds can deliver the loaded-drug into the tumor site with the assistance of PPECs, and the targeted-retarded release will take place. Hence, local therapy can be achieved with much lower drug concentration (conventional chemotherapy [2 mg kg⁻¹] versus DLNs-based chemotherapy [0.75 mg kg⁻¹]) with negligible side effects in non-targeted organs. PPECs have many potential clinical applications for advanced-targeted chemotherapy with the lowest discernible side effects.     

A New Model for Prediction of One Electron Reduction Potential of Nitroaryl Compounds

This paper introduces a simple model for prediction of one electron reduction potential [E(RNO₂/R ^? NO₂^–)] of various nitroaryl compounds. The new method uses energy difference between highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) in gas phase at the B3LYP/6‐311++G** level (ΔE_HOMO‐LUMO) and some structural parameters. It was used for 35 nitroaryl compounds including nitrobenzenes, nitrofurans, 2‐nitroimidazoles, 4‐nitroimidazoles, 5‐ninuintidazoles, nitroazaindoles, nitroacridines, and miscellaneous nitroaryl compounds. The root mean square (rms) percent deviation and the average absolute error of predictions of E(RNO₂/R ^? NO₂^–) relative to experiment were decreased from 12.4 % and 0.42 V to 3.5 % and 0.11 V, respectively, upon consideration of several structural parameters. Increment of the value of ΔE_HOMO‐LUMO and inclusion of specific polar groups can increase thermodynamic stability of these compounds.     

On the orthogonality of the phase velocity and its feasibility for plane waves

Phase and group velocities of plane waves may have different directions in a linear and homogeneous medium. This difference may lead to interesting situations such as the phase reversal propagation and the orthogonal phase velocity. Although the former has been analyzed in depth and it has found many applications, the latter has been left as a hypothesis. Actually, due to our best knowledge there is no evidence of such media where the phase velocity is orthogonal to the group velocity. In this paper we discuss this situation thoroughly. We show that a plane wave with orthogonal phase velocity cannot possess linear momentum. Moreover, we show that a plane wave without the linear momentum cannot propagate at all, so the orthogonality of the phase velocity does not take place in reality for electromagnetic plane waves.     

Redundancy of Fusion Frames in Hilbert Spaces

Upon improving and extending the concept of redundancy of frames, we introduce the notion of redundancy of fusion frames, which is concerned with the properties of lower and upper redundancies. These properties are achieved by considering the minimum and maximum values of the redundancy function which is defined from the unit sphere of the Hilbert space into the positive real numbers. In addition, we study the relationship between redundancy of frames (fusion frames) and dual frames (dual fusion frames). Moreover, we indicate some results about excess of fusion frames. We state the relationship between redundancy of local frames and fusion frames in a particular case. Furthermore, some examples are also given.     

Evaluation of the cyclotron production of 165Er by different reactions

Erbium-165 with 10.3 h physical half-life decays completely by electron capture to the ground state of stable isotope ¹⁶⁵Ho and it is an ideal radio lanthanide for Auger electron therapy. Excitation function of ¹⁶⁵Er via ^natEr(p,x)¹⁶⁵Tm → ¹⁶⁵Er, ¹⁶⁶Er(p,2n)¹⁶⁵Tm → ¹⁶⁵Er, ¹⁶⁵Ho(p,n)¹⁶⁵Er and ¹⁶⁵Ho(d,2n)¹⁶⁵Er reactions were calculated using ALICE/ASH (Hybrid and GDH models) and EMPIRE 3.1 codes and then were compared with the reported measurement by experimental data and TENDL-2011. Physical yield and target thickness were evaluated with attention to excitation function, stopping power and SRIM code. ¹⁶⁵Er was produced using the sedimentation technique through the ^natEr (p,x)¹⁶⁵Tm → ¹⁶⁵Er reaction. The deposited target was irradiated with 15 MeV proton beams at 20 μA current for 1 h. The ¹⁶⁵Tm production yield was 26 MBq/μA h at the end of bombardment.     

Processing and Properties of Nanofibrous Bacterial Cellulose-Containing Polymer Composites: A Review of Recent Advances for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an extracellular natural polymer produced by many microorganisms and its properties could be tailored via specific fabrication methods and culture conditions. There is a growing interest in BC derived materials due to the main features of BC such as porous fibrous structure, high crystallinity, impressive physico-mechanical properties, and high water content. However, pristine BC lacks some features, limiting its practical use in varied applications. Thus, fabrication of BC composites has been attempted to overcome these constraints. This review article overviews most recent advance in the development of BC composites and their potential in biomedicine including wound dressing, tissue engineering scaffolds, and drug delivery. Special emphasis is placed on the fabrication and applications of BC-containing nanofibrous composites for biomedical usage. It summarizes electrospinning of BC-based nanofibers and their surface modification with an outline on challenges and future perspective.     

CuI-catalyzed thioarylation of active methylene compounds with in situ generated benzenethiols: Preparation of α-thioaryl-β-dicarbonyls and 4-thioaryl-5-pyrazolones

In this paper, a one-step copper-catalyzed procedure for oxidative coupling of active methylene compounds including cyclic β-diketones, cyclic β-ketoesters and 5-pyrazolone with benzenethiols is described. Benzenethiols are in situ generated in the reaction mixture from aryl halides and thiourea as sulfur transfer reagent. α-Thioaryl compounds are obtained in excellent yields and in short reaction time via the process which is free from the foul smell of thiols.