Schrödinger equations with unique positive isolated singularities

We investigate the class of nonnegative potentialsV(x) for which the Schrödinger equation ?Δu+V u=0 admits a unique type of singular solution such thatu(x)→∞ asx→0. This class includes the potentials with inverse-square growth at 0, i.e. 0≤V(x)≤C|x|^?2. If for instance we fix boundary datau=g at |x|=1 then the singular solution is unique up to a multiplicative factor.     

真空Einstein方程所容许的群及方程的局部不变解

该文提出李变换群延拓群的概念,并运用纤维丛方法解决了延拓群算子中的系数问题.在此基础上,作者着重求出了真空Einstein方程所容许的群,同时还提出求方程局部不变解的一种可能方案.     

Vertical phase separation in spin-coated films of a low bandgap polyfluorene/PCBM blend—Effects of specific substrate interaction

We report on the effect of the substrate on the vertical phase separation in spin-coated thin films of poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-co-5,5-4′,7′-di-2-thienyl-2′,1′,3′-benzothiadiazole] (APFO-3) blended with [6,6]-phenyl-C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). Compositional depth profiles of the films are measured by dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). We found that changing the substrate from silicon to gold affects the composition profile near the substrate interface. This is caused by a specific interaction between the polymer (APFO-3) and the gold surface, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The composition profile in the area away from the substrate interface, as well as the enrichment of the free surface with APFO-3, remain however unaffected by the choice of substrate. The vertical composition was also analysed for APFO-3:PCBM films spin-coated on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated with a thin layer of (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS).     

Development of a Third Generation Snack of Rice Starch Enriched with Nopal Flour (Opuntia ficus indica)

This study aimed to obtain a third-generation snack from native rice starch (NS), rice starch modified by extrusion (MS), nopal flour (NF) and xanthan gum (XG). These raw materials were characterized by proximal analysis, pH, particle size distribution, water absorption index (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI), degree of substitution (DS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheology, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The analysis of the response variables in the nine formulations of the snack: expansion index (EI), apparent density (AD), hardness (H), luminosity (L*) and tendency to green-red (a*), was performed through a composite central design (CCD), the selected formulations were characterized by SEM. Results showed an increase in WAI, 4.69 ± 0.04, and WSI, 12.61 ± 0.10, for MS, higher than NS values due to chemical modification. According to the color analysis the NF obtained a value of 60.73 ± 0.008 in L* and −6.51 ± 0.004 in a* with green tendency. The DS value obtained was 0.09 ± 0.005, being within the FDA’s permissible range for food use. By FTIR analysis, the acetyl group was corroborated. Finally, employing microwave cooking, snacks made from NS with concentrations of NF (5%) and XG (0%) obtained the highest EI value, 4.47, as well the low Dap and D value (0.37 g/cm³, 2.25 N, respectively), corroborated by SEM analysis.     

Purification of clenbuterol-like beta2-agonist drugs of new generation from bovine urine and hair by alpha1-acid glycoprotein affinity chromatography and determination by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The control of illegal use of clenbuterol and other β₂-agonist drugs as growth promoters in the European Union countries has led to outlaw practices for synthesizing new concept molecules, showing similar biological activity but not detectable by test methods usually employed to perform the official monitoring programmes. The synthesis schemes of some β₂-agonist compounds, formally derived from clenbuterol, were found out by Italian detective authorities. These compounds were synthesised ex novo in our laboratories: then, both their molecular structures and biological activities were characterised. In this paper, we describe different strategies for purifying some β₂-agonist drugs of new concept, more hydrophobic than clenbuterol. A two-step clean up procedure, prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, was developed for the multi-residue determination of these β₂-agonists from bovine hair and urine. The purification strategy we chose was based on adsorption solid phase extraction and, subsequently, on specific molecular recognition by affinity chromatography. The affinity columns were homemade by coupling bovine α₁-acid glycoprotein, a plasmatic acceptor for basic drugs, to a chromatographic support; their effectiveness for purifying new β₂-agonists was discussed. The data about method recoveries and repeatability were also reported.     

Identification of a probable new adrenergic agonist by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry

In animal production, it is consolidated the synthesis and the illegal use of growth promoters of new generation, able to skip routine screening and confirmatory analysis. In this work it is reported the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and the mass spectrometry identification of a probable new adrenergic drug found in a feed premix. The substance was selectively purified on alpha 1 acid glycoprotein affinity columns; then its structure was first achieved by recording the 13C NMR spectrum that gave the total number of carbons of the molecule, successively sorted by DEPT experiments into quaternary, CH, CH2, and CH3 groups. However, the complete assignments of all resonances were derived from the bi-dimensional analysis and the crucial indications from the 1H-13C reverse experiments. Further characterisation was performed by atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation both in positive and negative ion mode, matching the molecular ion and the fragmentation pattern with those of most recently described new adrenergic agonists. After the loss of a ter-butylic group, the structure shows an internal symmetry along with the presence of Chlorine clusters. The proposed formula of the compound, the 8,8'-diamino-9,9'-dichloro-1-terbutyl-1,1',4,4-tetrahydro-5H,5'H-2,2'-bi-1-benzazepine-5,5'-dione, partially resembles that of Zilpaterol for the presence of a heterocyclic ring; Further work is in progress to characterise the structure-activity relationship.     

Glutathione reductase-catalyzed cascade of redox reactions to bioactivate potent antimalarial 1,4-naphthoquinones--a new strategy to combat malarial parasites

Our work on targeting redox equilibria of malarial parasites propagating in red blood cells has led to the selection of six 1,4-naphthoquinones, which are active at nanomolar concentrations against the human pathogen Plasmodium falciparum in culture and against Plasmodium berghei in infected mice. With respect to safety, the compounds do not trigger hemolysis or other signs of toxicity in mice. Concerning the antimalarial mode of action, we propose that the lead benzyl naphthoquinones are initially oxidized at the benzylic chain to benzoyl naphthoquinones in a heme-catalyzed reaction within the digestive acidic vesicles of the parasite. The major putative benzoyl metabolites were then found to function as redox cyclers: (i) in their oxidized form, the benzoyl metabolites are reduced by NADPH in glutathione reductase-catalyzed reactions within the cytosols of infected red blood cells; (ii) in their reduced forms, these benzoyl metabolites can convert methemoglobin, the major nutrient of the parasite, to indigestible hemoglobin. Studies on a fluorinated suicide-substrate indicate as well that the glutathione reductase-catalyzed bioactivation of naphthoquinones is essential for the observed antimalarial activity. In conclusion, the antimalarial naphthoquinones are suggested to perturb the major redox equilibria of the targeted infected red blood cells, which might be removed by macrophages. This results in development arrest and death of the malaria parasite at the trophozoite stage.     

Leaf essential oil of Manekia naranjoana (Piperaceae) from Costa Rica and its cytotoxic activity

The chemical composition of the leaf oil of Manekia naranjoana (C. DC.) Callejas (Piperaceae) from Costa Rica was analyzed by capillary GC/FID and GC/MS. Fifty-five compounds were identified. Major compounds from the leaf oil were beta-pinene (30.6%), alpha-pinene (18.8%), limonene (13.7%), and beta-caryophyllene (6.1%). The oil presented very low toxicity to tumor and non-tumor cell lines, even though it contains components, such as alpha- and beta-pinene, limonene and others, which have been shown to be cytotoxic. This is the first report of the chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from this species.