Continuous Newton-like Inertial Dynamics for Monotone Inclusions

Set-Valued and Variational Analysis - In a Hilbert framework ℌ, we study the convergence properties of a Newton-like inertial dynamical system governed by a general maximally monotone...     

Recent Developments in Synchrotron Mössbauer Reflectometry

Hyperfine Interactions - Synchrotron Mössbauer Reflectometry (SMR), the grazing incidence nuclear resonant scattering of synchrotron radiation, can be applied to perform depth-selective phase...     

Measurability implies continuity for solutions of functional equations - even with few variables

Summary. We prove that - under certain conditions - measurable solutions $f$ of the functional equation $f(x)=h(x,y,f(g_{1}(x,y)),\ldots,f(g_{n}(x,y))),\quad(x,y)\in D \subset \mathbb{R}^{s} \times \mathbb{R}^{l}$ are continuous, even if $1\le l\le s$. As a tool we introduce new classes of functions which - roughly speaking - interpolate between continuous and Lebesgue measurable functions. Connection between these classes are also investigated.     

Mimicking catalase and catecholase enzymes by copper(II)-containing complexes

An imidazolate-bridged copper(II)-zinc(II) complex (Cu(II)-diethylenetriamino-μ-imidazolato-Zn(II)-tris(2-aminoethyl)amine perchlorate (denoted as “Cu,Zn complex”) and a simple copper(II) complex (Cu(II)-tris(2-aminoethyl) amine chloride (“Cu-tren”) were prepared and immobilised on silica gel (by hydrogen or covalent bonds) and montmorillonite (by ion exchange). The immobilised substances were characterised by FT-IR spectroscopy and their thermal characteristics were also studied. The obtained materials were tested in two probe reactions: catalytic oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butyl catechol (DTBC) (catecholase activity) and the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (catalase activity). It was found that the catecholase activity of the Cu,Zn complex increased considerably upon immobilization on silica gel via hydrogen bonds and intercalation by ion exchange among the layers of montmorillonite. The imidazolate-bridged copper(II)-zinc(II) complex and its immobilised versions were inactive in hydrogen peroxide decomposition. The Cu(II)-tris(2-aminoethyl)amine chloride complex displayed good catalase activity; however, immobilisation could not improve it.     

Discussion on the method for the measurement of the flexural modulus of coupled materials and reasons of the shifts of theQ −1 maxima caused by coupling

Summary When measuringQ ^–1 and the flexural resonance frequency of bars clamped at one end, constituted by a viscoelastic polymeric material glued to a rigid support of modulusE ₁, it is possible to calculate the componentsE ₂ andE ₂ of the complex elastic modulus of the polymeric material examined. In this work the minimum (critical) value of the ratioa=E ₂ /E ₁=a _c and the values of the ratioQ ₂ ^–1/Q ^–1=F ₁ are evaluated beyond which no exact calculation ofE ₂ and ofQ ₂ ^–1 is possible.Within the confidence limits of the linear viscoelasticity theory, these values depend on the accuracy of measurement of both frequency and resonance curve, as well as on the instrument employed, on the operating temperature and on the ratio between the thicknesses of the two coupled materials.In order to keep outside the critical conditions, the most convenient method involves the use of measurements of coupled test-pieces having different ratiosz between their thicknesses and of supports having different modulusE ₁, depending on the field of temperature of the analysis ofE ₂ and tg ₂ concerning and E.P.R. elastomer and a vulcanized cis-1,4 polyisoprene in very wide ranges of temperature comprising the glass transition. Moreover, it is demonstrated by analysis the shift on the temperature axis of the tg maximum of the composite test-piece with respect to the position of the tg maximum of the polymeric material alone.With 11 figures and 1 table     

Assignment of the EPR spectrum of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) superoxide spin adduct

[structure: see text] Spin trapping consists of using a nitrone or a nitroso compound to "trap" an unstable free radical as a long-lived nitroxide that can be characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The formation of DMPO-OOH, the spin adduct resulting from trapping superoxide (O(2)(*)(-)) with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), has been exploited to detect the generation of superoxide in a wide variety of biological and chemical systems. The 12-line EPR spectrum of DMPO-OOH has been either reported or mentioned in more than a thousand papers. It has been interpreted as resulting from the following couplings: A(N) approximately 1.42 mT, A(H)beta approximately 1.134 mT, and A(H)gamma(1H) approximately 0.125 mT. However, the DMPO-OOH EPR spectrum has an asymmetry that cannot be reproduced when the spectrum is calculated considering a single species. Recently, it was proposed that the 0.125 mT splitting was misassigned and actually results from the superimposition of two individual EPR spectra associated with different conformers of DMPO-OOH. We have prepared 5,5-dimethyl-[3,3-(2)H(2)]-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO-d(2)), and we showed that the EPR spectrum of the corresponding superoxide spin adduct is composed of only six lines, in agreement with the assignment of the 0.125 mT splitting to a gamma-splitting from a hydrogen atom bonded to carbon 3 of DMPO. This result was supported by DFT calculations including water solvation, and the asymmetry of the DMPO-OOH EPR spectrum was nicely reproduced assuming a chemical exchange between two conformers.     

Evaluation of cyclodextrin polymer as a disintegrating agent

Cyclodextrin polymer was compared to other well known disintegrants concerning the swelling properties /water uptake, moisture uptake, hydration capacity, sedimentation volume in water/. Its high disintegrating effect was proved in directly compressed tablets as well as in tablets made by wet granulation. A remarkable improvement in tablet properties was observed. Not only the disintegration of tablets and the dissolution of the drug was accelerated but also the hardness increased when CDP was used as disintegrant.     

Particle-size analysis of latexes by classical and small-angle spectrodissymmetry

The spectral dependence of classical and small-angle dissymmetryZ in polydispersions containing spherical particles with lognormal distribution was theoretically studied. It has been found, for instance, for polystyrene latex that small-angle dissymmetry may be used for determining the distribution parameters in systems with particle medial radius 60–700 nm on the basis of measurements ofZ (10°/5°( at two wavelengths of radiation. For particles outside this interval and by use of working relationships of classical dissymmetry only the application of a wide range of wavelengths comes into consideration by distribution analysis.     

Coordination modes between copper(II) and N-acetylneuraminic (sialic) acid from a 2D-simulation analysis of EPR spectra. Implications for copper mediation of sialoglycoconjugate chemistry relevant to human biology

The equilibrium distribution of species formed between Cu(II) and N-acetylneuraminic (sialic) acid (I, LH) at 298 K has been determined using a two-dimensional (2D) simulation analysis of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. In acidic solutions (pH values < 4), the major species present are Cu(2+), [CuL]+ [logbeta = 1.64(4)], and [CuL2] [logbeta = 2.77(5)]. At intermediate pH values (4.0 < pH < 7.5), [CuL2H-1]- [logbeta = -2.72(7)] and two isomers of [CuLH-1] [logbeta (overall) = -3.37(2)] are present. At alkaline pH values (7.5 < pH < 11), the major species present is [CuL2H-2]2-, modeled as three isomers with unique giso and Aiso values [logbeta (overall) = -8.68(3)]. Two further species ([CuLH-3]2- and [CuL2H-3]3-) appear at pH values > 11. It is proposed that [CuL]+ most likely features I coordinated via the deprotonated carboxylic acid group (O1) and the endocyclic oxygen atom (OR) forming a five-membered chelate ring. Select Cu(II)-I species of the form [CuLH-1] may feature I acting as a dianionic tridentate chelate, via oxygen atoms derived from O1, OR, and one deprotonated hydroxy group (O7 or O8) from the glycerol tail. Alternatively, I may coordinate Cu(II) in a bidentate fashion as the tert-2-hydroxycarboxylato (O1,O2) dianion. Spectra predicted for Cu(II)-I complexes in which I is coordinated in either a O1,OR {I1-} or O1,O2 {I2-} bidentate fashion {e.g., [CuL]+ (O1,O R), [CuL2] (bis-O1,O R), [CuLH-1] (isomer: O1, O2), [CuL2H-1]- (O1, O R; O1, O2), and [CuL2H-2]2- (isomer: bis-O1, O2)} have "irregular" EPR spectra that are ascribed to the existence of Cu(II)-I(monomer) <==> Cu(II)-I(polymer) equilibria. The formation of polymeric Cu(II)-I species will be favored in these complexes because the glycerol-derived hydroxyl groups at the complex periphery (O, 7O, 8O9) are available for further Cu(II) binding. The presence of polymeric Cu(II)-I species is supported by EPR spectral data from solutions of Cu(II) and the homopolymer of I, colominic acid (Ipoly). Conversely, spectra predicted for Cu(II)-I complexes where I is coordinated in a {I2-} tridentate {e.g., [CuLH-1] (isomer: O1, O R, O7, or O8) and [CuL2H-2]2- (isomer: bis-O1,O R,O7, or O8)} or tetradentate fashion {I3-} {e.g., [CuLH-3]2- (O1, O R, O, 8O9)} are typical for mononuclear tetragonally elongated Cu(II) octahedra. In this latter series of complexes, the tendency toward the formation of polymeric Cu(II)-I analogues is small because the polydentate I effectively wraps up the mononuclear Cu(II) center. This work shows that Cu(II) could potentially mediate the chemistry of sialoglycoconjugate-containing proteins in human biology, such as the sialylated amyloid precursor protein of relevance to Alzheimer's disease.     

Encapsulation of magnetite in vesicles

The encapsulation of fine magnetite particles of 10 nm size and marker ANS within asolectin vesicles has been made by sonication of the mixture in water. For the proof of encapsulation of magnetite in vesicles the electron microscope and spectrofluoriphotometer technique were used. The theory for the calculation of the magnetic force acting on the system consisted of non-capsulated magnetic particles dispersed in water and magnetic vesicles was developed.This work was supported by the Slovak Academy of Sciences within the framework of Project GAV No. 1361.