A Maltol-Containing Ruthenium Polypyridyl Complex as a Potential Anticancer Agent

Cancer is one of the main causes of death worldwide. Chemotherapy, despite its severe side effects, is to date one of the leading strategies against cancer. Metal-based drugs present several potential advantages when compared to organic compounds and they have gained trust from the scientific community after the approval on the market of the drug cisplatin. Recently, we reported the ruthenium complex ([Ru(DIP)₂(sq)](PF₆) (where DIP is 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenantroline and sq is semiquinonate) with a remarkable potential as chemotherapeutic agent against cancer, both in vitro and in vivo. In this work, we analyse a structurally similar compound, namely [Ru(DIP)₂(mal)](PF₆), carrying the flavour-enhancing agent approved by the FDA, maltol (mal). To possess an FDA approved ligand is crucial for a complex, whose mechanism of action might include ligand exchange. Herein, we describe the synthesis and characterisation of [Ru(DIP)₂(mal)](PF₆), its stability in solutions and under conditions that resemble the physiological ones, and its in-depth biological investigation. Cytotoxicity tests on different cell lines in 2D model and on HeLa MultiCellular Tumour Spheroids (MCTS) demonstrated that our compound has higher activity than cisplatin, inspiring further tests. [Ru(DIP)₂(mal)](PF₆) was efficiently internalised by HeLa cells through a passive transport mechanism and severely affected the mitochondrial metabolism.     

Non parametric estimation of the diffusion coefficients of a diffusion with jumps

In this article, we consider a jump diffusion process ${\left(X_t\right)}_{t\ge 0}$, with drift function $b$, diffusion coefficient $\sigma$ and jump coefficient ${\xi }^2$. This process is observed at discrete times $t=0,\Delta ,\dots ,n\Delta$. The sampling interval $\Delta$ tends to 0 and the time interval $n\Delta$ tends to infinity. We assume that ${\left(X_t\right)}_{t\ge 0}$ is ergodic, strictly stationary and exponentially $\beta$-mixing. We use a penalized least-square approach to compute adaptive estimators of the functions ${\sigma }^2+{\xi }^2$ and ${\sigma }^2$. We provide bounds for the risks of the two estimators.     

Theoretical Design of Strong Neutral Radical–Boron Adducts: Trisubstituted Boranes as Potential Radical Scavengers

The conditions of formation of strong two‐center one‐electron bonds in neutral compounds are discussed. Both molecular orbital and valence bond analyses show that good candidates are adducts of radicals ^.AR₃ (A=C, Si, Ge) of low ionization energy (IE) with boranes BX₃ of high electron affinity (EA). This is confirmed by ab initio calculations. The bond energy of adducts of B(CF₃)₃ with various radicals ranges from 18 kcal mol^?1 for ^.CH₃ to approximately 40 kcal mol^?1 for Me₃Si^., and a clear correlation with IE–EA difference is found. This allows one to expect B(CF₃)₃, among other fluoroboranes, to be an efficient radical scavenger.     

Electromechanical effect in surface stabilized and unwound SC* liquid crystals

Applying an A.C. electric field to a planar oriented S_C* liquid crystal sample, a shear flow occurs parallel to the bounding plates and perpendicular to the helical axis. We have investigated this so-called electromechanical effect by applying different D.C. bias electric fields superposed on a constant A.C. field. The amplitude of the mechanical vibration was measured versus the bias field in different samples. From the results, structural models of the surface stabilized and unwound samples were tested.     

Effect of bulk density on flame resistance of rockwool in combined fire-resistant facings

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Fire protection of steel structures is playing an increasingly important role nowadays. The fire protection of steel structures can be solved with...     

AN INDIVIDUAL‐BASED MODEL FOR FERAL HOGS IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

The expansion of feral hog (Sus scrofa) populations in the United States has resulted in increased efforts to develop and implement control strategies designed to minimize the impacts done by this invasive species. We describe an individual‐based model for feral hogs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). The objectives of the model are to provide an understanding of the population dynamics of this feral hog population and to determine the efficacy of the annual harvest as a population control method. Results suggest that the dynamics of the population are driven by fall hard mast production and the GSMNP harvests currently limit growth of the population, but these control efforts have not reduced the population.