Systems of Variational Inequalities and Multiple-Set Split Equality Fixed-Point Problems for Countable Families of Multivalued Type-One Mappings of the Demicontractive Type

Ukrainian Mathematical Journal - Our main aim is to introduce an iterative algorithm for the approximation of a common solution to a splitequality problem for finite families of variational...     

Diboraanthracene-Doped Polymer Systems for Colour-Tuneable Room-Temperature Organic Afterglow

Organic ultralong room temperature phosphorescence (RTP), or organic afterglow, is a unique phenomenon, gaining widespread attention due to its far-reaching application potential and fundamental interest. Here, two laterally expanded 9,10-dimesityl-dihydro-9,10-diboraanthracene (DBA) derivatives are demonstrated as excellent afterglow materials for red and blue-green light emission, which is traced back to persistent thermally activated delayed fluorescence and RTP. The lateral substitution of polycyclic DBA scaffold, together with weak transversal electron-donating mesityl groups, ensures the optimal molecular properties for (reverse) intersystem crossing and long-lived triplet states in a rigid poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix. The achieved afterglow emission quantum yields of up to 3 % and 15 %, afterglow lifetimes up to 0.8 s and 3.2 s and afterglow durations up to 5 s and 25 s (for red and blue-green emitters, respectively) are attributed to the properties of single molecules.     

Characterization of a Defined Cellulolytic and Xylanolytic Bacterial Consortium for Bioprocessing of Cellulose and Hemicelluloses

Diminishing fossil fuel reserve and increasing cost of fossil hydrocarbon products have rekindled worldwide effort on conversion of lignocellloloses (plant biomass) to renewable fuel. Inedible plant materials such as grass, agricultural, and logging residues are abundant renewable natural resources that can be converted to biofuel. In an effort to mimic natural cellulolytic–xylanolytic microbial community in bioprocessing of lignocelluloses, we enriched cellulolytic–xylanolytic microorganisms, purified 19 monocultures and evaluated their cellulolytic–xylanolytic potential. Five selected isolates (DB1, DB2, DB7, DB8, and DB13) were used to compose a defined consortium and characterized by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence analysis. Nucleotide sequence blast analysis revealed that DB1, DB2, DB7, DB8, and DB13 were respectively similar to Pseudoxanthomonas byssovorax (99%), Microbacterium oxydans (99%), Bacillus sp. (99%), Ochrobactrum anthropi (98%), and Klebsiella trevisanii (99%). The isolates produced an array of cellulolytic–xylanolytic enzymes (filter paper cellulase, β-glucosidase, xylanase, and β-xylosidase), and significant activities were recorded in 30 min. Isolates DB1 and DB2 displayed the highest filter paper cellulase: 27.83 and 31.22 U mg⁻¹, respectively. The highest β-glucosidase activity (18.07 U mg⁻¹) was detected in the culture of isolate DB1. Isolate DB2 produced the highest xylanase activity (103.05 U mg⁻¹), while the highest β-xylosidase activity (7.72 U mg⁻¹) was observed with DB13. Use of microbial consortium in bioprocessing of lignocelluloses could reduce problems such as incomplete synergistic enzymes, end-product inhibition, adsorption, and requirement for high amounts of enzymes in direct use of enzymes.     

Plasma-chemical decomposition of methane during diamond synthesis

Using a mass spectrometric sampling method, we have observed the decomposition of CH₄ in an rf plasma usedfor diamond deposition. The gas samples were extracted through an orifice located downstream of the plasma zone and analyzed online. For the experiments a dilute mixture of H₂ and CH₄ containing 0.1–3% CH₄ has been used. CH₄ is converted to C₂H₂ and C₂H₄ quantitatively. Small amounts of heavier hydrocarbons are formed. A comparison of the experimental results with a recent kinetic model treating a purely thermal environment is made and the differences between our experiment and the model are explained. The role of acetylene as a species formed in an atmosphere rich in atomic hydrogen is proposed. The electron impact dissociation process is suggested as the rare-determining step in the plasma-chemical decomposition of methane.     

Self-organized ZnAl2O4 nanostructures grown on -sapphire

Self-organized ZnAl₂O₄ nanostructures with the appearance (in SEM) of high aspect ratio horizontal nanowires are grown on uncatalysed c-sapphire by vapour phase transport. The nanostructures grow as three equivalent crystallographic variants on c-sapphire. Raman and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy confirm that the nanostructures are not ZnO and TEM shows that they are the cubic spinel, zinc aluminate, ZnAl₂O₄, formed by the reaction of Zn and O with the sapphire substrate.     

Algebraic constraints for higgs multiplets

The phenomenon of spontaneous breaking of a gauge symmetry group, provides a number of algebraic constraints which Scalar Higgs mesons have to satisfy. We discuss these constraints and give details for the cases ofSU(2),SU(2) ×U(1) andSU(3).     

Imaging of uranium on rat brain sections using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: a new tool for the study of critical substructures affined to heavy metals in tissues

The specific toxicity of trace metals and compounds largely depends on their bioavailability in different organs or compartments of the organism considered. Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) with a spatial resolution in the 100 microm range was developed and employed to study heavy metal distribution in brain tissues for toxicological screening. Rat brain post-mortem tissues were stained in an aqueous solution of either uranium or neodymium (metal concentration 100 microg g(-1)) for 3 h. The incubation of heavy metal in thin slices of brain tissue is followed by an imaging mass spectrometric LA-ICP-MS technique. Stained rat brain tissue (thickness 30 microm) were scanned with a focused laser beam (wavelength 266 nm, diameter of laser crater 100 microm and laser power density 3 x 10(9) W cm(-2)). The ion intensities of (235)U(+), (238)U(+), (145)Nd(+) and (146)Nd(+) were measured by LA-ICP-MS within the ablated area. For quantification purposes, matrix-matched laboratory standards were prepared by dosing each analyte to the pieces of homogenized brain tissue. Imaging LA-ICP-MS allows structures of interest to be identified and the relevant dose range to be estimated. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the linearized shallow-water waves over a sloping bottom

Summary This paper presents an investigation concerning long waves on sloping beaches. On the other hand, an attempt is made to broaden the class of the realistic forms of bottom topography,h(x), with which an exact solution of the related eigenvalue problem is possible. Under the linearizing assumption, the investigation confirms thath ^−1/2 is a factor associated with the bottom topography which is involved in wave breaking along the shoreline (Green's law). Further, the bottom topography in the neighbourhood of the shoreline is approximated byh(x)=K ₀ x ^j. There-from it is deduced that all positive real values ofj are associated with the possible structure of the bottom profile. Consequently, each can be employed in the construction of possible wave forms. Finally, an attempt is made to obtain a closed form of solution associated with the governing linear differential equation whenh(x) is arbitrary. The comparison of the results with those obtained by using the refraction diagram suggests close agreement over the beach considered.

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Riassunto In questo lavoro si presenta una ricerca che riguarda onde lunghe su spiagge in pendenza. Inoltre si fa un tentativo di ampliare la classe delle forme realistiche della topografia del fondo,h(x), con cui è possibile una soluzione esatta del problema correlato dell'autovalore. Nell'ipotesi di linearizzazione la ricerca conferma cheh ^−1/2 è un fattore associato con la topografia del fondo che è implicata nella rottura dell'onda lungo la linea di costa (legge di Green). Inoltre, la topografia del fondo in prossimità della linea di costa si approssima conh(x)=K ₀ x ^j. Da questo si deduce che tutti i valori reali positivi dij sono associati con la struttura possibile del profilo del fondo. Di conseguenza, ognuno di questi può essere utilizzato nella costruzione di possibili forme d'onda. Infine, si tenta di ottenere una forma chiusa della soluzione associata con l'equazione principale lineare differenziale quandoh(x) è arbitrario. Il confronto dei risultati con quelli ottenuti usando diagrammi di rifrazione suggerisce un accordo stretto per tutta la spiaggia considerata.

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Резюме В этой работе исследуются длинные волны на наклонных берегах. С другой стороны делается попытка расширить класс реалистических форм топографии дна,h(x), для которых возможно точное решение проблемы собственных значений. Предполагая линеаризацию, исследование подтверждает, чтоh ^−1/2 представляет фактор, связанный с топографией дна, который входит в разрушение волн вдоль береговой линии. Топографиа дна в окрестности береговой линии аппроксимируется выражениемh(x)=K ₀ x ^j. Отсюда следует, что все положительные значенияj связаны с возможной структурой профиля дна. Следовательно, каждое значение может быть использовано при конструровании возможных волновых форм. В заключение, предпринимается попытка получить замкнутую форму решения, связанного с определяющим дифференциальным уравнением, когдаh(x) является произвольной функцией. Сравнение результатов с результатами, полученными, используя диаграмму рефракции, свидетельствует о согласии вдоль всего рассмотренного берега.

     

Selective targeting of antibody conjugated multifunctional nanoclusters (nanoroses) to epidermal growth factor receptors in cancer cells

The ability of smaller than 100 nm antibody (Ab) nanoparticle conjugates to target and modulate the biology of specific cell types may enable major advancements in cellular imaging and therapy in cancer. A key challenge is to load a high degree of targeting, imaging, and therapeutic functionality into small, yet stable particles. A versatile method called thin autocatalytic growth on substrate (TAGs) has been developed in our previous study to form ultrathin and asymmetric gold coatings on iron oxide nanocluster cores producing exceptional near-infrared (NIR) absorbance. AlexaFluor 488 labeled Abs were used to correlate the number of Abs conjugated to iron oxide/gold nanoclusters (nanoroses) with the hydrodynamic size. A transition from submonolayer to multilayer aggregates of Abs on the nanorose surface was observed for 54 Abs and an overall particle diameter of ～60-65 nm. The hydrodynamic diameter indicated coverage of a monolayer of 54 Abs, in agreement with the prediction of a geometric model, by assuming a circular footprint of 16.9 nm diameter per Ab molecule. The targeting efficacy of nanoclusters conjugated with monoclonal Abs specific for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was evaluated in A431 cancer cells using dark field microscopy and atomic absorbance spectrometry (AAS) analysis. Intense NIR scattering was achieved from both high uptake of nanoclusters in cells and high intrinsic NIR absorbance of individual nanoclusters. Dual mode imaging with dark field reflectance microscopy and fluorescence microscopy indicates the Abs remained attached to the Au surfaces upon the uptake by the cancer cells. The ability to load intense multifunctionality, specifically strong NIR absorbance, conjugation of an Ab monolayer in addition to a strong r2 MRI contrast that was previously demonstrated in a total particle size of only 63 nm, is an important step forward in development of theranostic agents for combined molecular specific imaging and therapy.     

Aerosol source (biomass,traffic and coal emission) apportionment in Lithuania using stable carbon and radiocarbon analysis*

In the present study, a combination of the stable carbon isotope ratio (¹³C/¹²C) with radiocarbon data (¹⁴C) allowed us to perform the aerosol source apportionment. Filter samples of PM₁ were collected during the warm and cold periods in rural and urban sites in Lithuania. The ¹⁴C/¹²C ratio of total carbon (TC) was measured using the single stage accelerator mass spectrometer quantifying of fossil and non-fossil derived aerosol emissions. The δ¹³C value was measured using an elemental analyser interfaced with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. We have found that the highest fraction of contemporary carbon (f_c?=?0.82) was measured during a warm period in a rural location. A higher fraction of fossil fuel-derived carbon was observed for air masses transported from highly industrialized Western European regions during both seasons. Isotope mass balance calculations revealed that the traffic emissions composed 15 and 25?% in rural and urban sites, respectively, and did not change during either season. Input from coal-derived aerosol particles was estimated to be 15?% at an urban site during the cold period. The combination of the stable carbon isotope ratio with the radiocarbon data allowed us to distinguish coal, liquid fossil fuel combustion, and non-fossil derived aerosol particle emissions.