Coefficient rings of numerical semigroup algebras

Numerical semigroup rings are investigated from the relative viewpoint. It is known that algebraic properties such as singularities of a numerical semigroup ring are properties of a flat numerical semigroup algebra. In this paper, we show that arithmetic and set-theoretic properties of a numerical semigroup ring are properties of an equi-gcd numerical semigroup algebra.

     

Nickel(II) Schiff base complex supported on nano‐titanium dioxide: A novel straightforward route for preparation of supported Schiff base complexes applying 2,4‐toluenediisocyanate

For the first time, a novel, straightforward and inexpensive route for immobilization of metals in Schiff base complex form is reported applying 2,4‐toluenediisocyanate as a precursor of primary amine group. A nickel(II) Schiff base complex supported on nano‐TiO₂ was designed and synthesized as an effective heterogeneous nanocatalyst for organic reactions, and well characterized using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The catalytic efficiency of the complex was evaluated in selective oxidation of sulfide to sulfoxide by hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant under solvent‐free conditions at room temperature, which successfully resulted in high yield and high conversion of products. Effective factors including solvent type, oxidant and catalyst amount were also optimized. The catalyst shows outstanding reusability and could be impressively recovered for six consecutive cycles without significant change of its catalytic efficiency.     

Electron energy spectrum in the field-ionized plasma

In this article, the effect of ionization on the energy spectrum of electrons within the interaction of a laser pulse with hydrogen atoms is investigated using particle-in-cell simulation codes. The results show that the behaviour of electrons' energy distribution function in the field-ionized plasma, which occurred due to the field ionization, compared with that in the pre-plasma strongly depends on the pulse shape. For short rise-time pulses (here 30 fs), due to the rapid enhancement of laser electric field, ionization occurs quickly, and as a result, there is not much difference in the electron energy in both the media. However, for pulses with rise time of 40 fs, in the pre-plasma state, the electron population reaches higher energies compared with the field-ionized plasma state. The main reason for this difference is the nonlinear wave breaking that happens earlier due to density inhomogeneity in the field-ionized plasma. On the other hand, at longer rise-time pulses (here 60 and 70 fs), electrons achieve higher energies in the field-ionized plasma than those in the case of pre-plasma. In this case, because of density fluctuations in the field-ionized plasma, the Raman backscattered radiations are seeded by a strong initial noise at the earlier times and the Mendonca condition for chaos threshold is met sooner. Therefore, the electrons gain more energy through the stochastic mechanism that is in agreement with chaotic nature of the motion.     

Observation of chimera patterns in a network of symmetric chaotic finance systems

The economic and financial systems consist of many nonlinear factors that make them behave as the complex systems. Recently many chaotic finance systems have been proposed to study the complex dynamics of finance as a noticeable problem in economics. In fact, the intricate structure between financial institutions can be obtained by using a network of financial systems. Therefore, in this paper, we consider a ring network of coupled symmetric chaotic finance systems, and investigate its behavior by varying the coupling parameters. The results show that the coupling strength and range have significant effects on the behavior of the coupled systems, and various patterns such as the chimera and multi-chimera states are observed. Furthermore, changing the parameters' values, remarkably influences on the oscillators attractors. When several synchronous clusters are formed, the attractors of the synchronized oscillators are symmetric, but different from the single oscillator attractor.     

Special chaotic systems

The European Physical Journal Special Topics - This topical issue collects contributions related to recent achievements and scientific progress in special chaotic systems. The individual papers...     

Facile synthesis,characterization, and decolorization activity of Mn2+ and Al3+ co-doped hexagonal-like ZnO nanostructures as photocatalysts

A good photocatalyst with high efficiency can be synthesized easily using eco-friendly materials and processes. Our synthesized samples exhibit all of the aforementioned features. In this work, manganese co-doped ZnO at different weight percentages (3, 6, 9, and 15 wt.%) with and without 1.5 wt.% aluminum was synthesized by hydrothermal method, and their photocatalytic activity in aqueous solutions of methyl orange (MO) was investigated under visible light. The structural and optical properties of the samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. In this work, Mn²⁺ ions in the 9%Mn/ZnO sample and Mn²⁺, Al³⁺ ions in the (9%Mn, 1.5%Al)/ZnO sample calcined at 800 °C were replaced instead with some Zn²⁺ ions in hexagonal wurtzite structures of ZnO. These structures were found next to each other in the form of a hexagonal shape that created 3D-hexagonal-like ZnO nanostructures. Finally, nanoparticles (NPs) and nano hexagonal-like ZnO nanostructures were, respectively, dispersed on the surface of 3D-hexagonal-like structure of 9%Mn/ZnO and (9%Mn, 1.5%Al)/ZnO. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy analysis showed that the (9%Mn, 1.5%Al)/ZnO sample had more light absorption than 9%Mn/ZnO. However, contrary to our expectations, the 9%Mn/ZnO sample had better decolorization efficiency (94%) after 60 min under visible light, which could be attributed to a significant increase in the level of recombination by the aluminum ions.     

Magnetic solid-phase extraction of warfarin and gemfibrozil in biological samples using polydopamine-coated magnetic nanoparticles via core-shell nanostructure

Herein, polydopamine-coated Fe₃O₄ spheres were synthesized using a very simple, easy, cost-effective, efficient, and fast method. First, magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) were synthesized and were followed by accommodating polydopamine on the surface of the prepared Fe₃O₄. The prepared polydopamine-coated Fe₃O₄ spheres were utilized as a sorbent in magnetic solid phase extraction of gemfibrozil and warfarin (as the model analytes). The extracted model analytes were desorbed by a suitable organic solvent and were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Under optimized condition, the linearity of the method was in the range of 0.1–200.0 μg/L for the selected analytes in water. The limits of detection were calculated to be in the range of 0.026–0.055 μg/L for warfarin and gemfibrozil, respectively. The limits of quantification were calculated to be in the range of 0.089–0.185 μg/L. The inter-day and intra-day relative standard deviations were determined to be in the range of 1.4%–3.3% in three concentrations in order to calculate the method precision. Furthermore, the enrichment factors were found to be 78 and 81 for warfarin and gemfibrozil, respectively. Moreover, the calculated absolute recoveries were between 78% and 81%. The obtained recoveries indicated that the method was useful and applicable in complicated real samples.     

In situ forming PLGA implant for 90 days controlled release of leuprolide acetate for treatment of prostate cancer

In prostate cancer, hormone therapy via leuprolide acetate drug (LUP) is used to lower the level of testosterone down to castration level to effectively control the development of prostate cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effective parameters in degradation and controlled release of an injectable in situ formed polymeric implant, loaded with leuprolide acetate, in order to achieve an optimum formulation for sustained drug release for 90 days with minimum burst release. The main problem associating with such implants is their high burst release. Designing an injectable implant with sustained and minimum burst release has thus become an attractive challenge in drug delivery field. Effects of type of poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) 75:25 copolymers (RG752, RG756) and addition of nano‐hydroxyapatite (HA) particles on degradation rates of the implants and release profiles were examined in vitro and in vivo in a rabbit animal model. Results showed that implants containing polymers with higher molecular weights had significantly lower weight loss and molecular weight reduction. Adding nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite into poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) implants caused further reduction in degradation rates, leading to a more sustained drug release in vivo, with reduced burst release. Different conventional kinetic models were applied to drug release and degradation data. The degradation data fit well to the first‐order degradation model. Higuchi model was the best kinetic release model fitted to the experimental in vitro release data. This study led to an optimum formulation (RG756:RG752 3:1 + 5% HA) with sustained leuprolide release and testosterone suppression over a 90‐day period with significant decrease of burst release phase (50%, p < 0.001) compared with the conventional Eligard formulation. The histopathology test showed that the formulated implant had no effects of toxicity or tissue necrosis in organs of the animal model. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ZnBr2 catalyzed domino Knoevenagel-hetero-Diels–Alder reaction: An efficient route to polycyclic thiopyranoindol annulated [3,4-c]quinolone derivatives

Various novel polycyclic thiopyranoindol annulated [3,4-c]quinolone derivatives were synthesized via domino Knoevenagel-hetero-Diels–Alder reactions of indoline-2-thions and novel N-acrylated anthranilaldehydes in refluxing ethanol as a solvent in the presence of 20 mol% ZnBr₂ as a Lewis acid catalyst. All reactions proceed with high yields with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity.