A Kalman rank condition for the localized distributed controllability of a class of linear parabolic systems

We present a generalization of the Kalman rank condition to the case of n × n linear parabolic systems with constant coefficients and diagonalizable diffusion matrix. To reach the result, we are led to prove a global Carleman estimate for the solutions of a scalar 2n-order parabolic equation and deduce from it an observability inequality for our adjoint system. G.-B. Manuel was supported by D.G.E.S. (Spain), grant MTM2006-07932.     

Effect of electron phonon interaction on the optical conductivity of zigzag carbon nanotubes

Optical conductivity of a zigzag carbon nanotube is investigated in the context of the Holstein model. Green??s function approach is applied to calculate the optical conductivity as a function of photon frequency, temperature, and electron?Cphonon coupling strength. Based on our results, optical conductivity decreases with electron?Cphonon coupling constant for both metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes. Our results show that temperature yields shortening the height of peaks of zigzag CNT optical absorption.     

Electronic and optical properties of Full-Heusler alloy Fe3?xMnxSi

The electronic and optical properties of the nonstoicheiometric Heusler alloys Fe_3−x Mn _x Si with (x = 0,0.75,1,1.25,2) have been studied by the first principles study in the framework of the density functional theory (DFT). Optical properties including the dielectric function, refractive index, energy-loss spectra, absorption spectra, optical conductivity and reflectivity were also calculated. Results show that the electronic structure of Fe_3−x Mn _x Si alloys have half-metallic property for (x = 0.75,1,1.25). The real part of dielectric function has two main peaks in high energies. From absorption spectra it can be seen that absorption curves in low energy are broadened with respect to higher energies. The refractive index has a nonlinear dispersion in the energy range of 45–55 eV. The energy of plasmon peaks obtained from electron energy loss function (ELF) are about 25 eV.     

Formulation and Characterization of Chitosan-Decorated Multiple Nanoemulsion for Topical Delivery In Vitro and Ex Vivo

In the present study, chitosan-decorated multiple nanoemulsion (MNE) was formulated using a two-step emulsification process. The formulated multiple nanoemuslion was evaluated physiochemically for its size and zeta potential, surface morphology, creaming and cracking, viscosity and pH. A Franz diffusion cell apparatus was used to carry out in vitro drug-release and permeation studies. The formulated nanoemulsion showed uniform droplet size and zeta potential. The pH and viscosity of the formulated emulsion were in the range of and suitable for topical delivery. The drug contents of the simple nanoemulsion (SNE), the chitosan-decorated nanoemulsion (CNE) and the MNE were 71 ± 2%, 82 ± 2% and 90 ± 2%, respectively. The formulated MNE showed controlled release of itraconazole as compared with that of the SNE and CNE. This was attributed to the chitosan decoration as well as to formulating multiple emulsions. The significant permeation and skin drug retention profile of the MNE were attributed to using the surfactants tween 80 and span 20 and the co-surfactant PEG 400. ATR-FTIR analysis confirmed that the MNE mainly affects the lipids and proteins of the skin, particularly the stratum corneum, which results in significantly higher permeation and retention of the drug. It was concluded that the proposed MNE formulation delivers drug to the target site of the skin and can be therapeutically used for various cutaneous fungal infections.     

Combination of Passive and Active Solar Heating with Thermal Energy Storage

This study investigated the impact of individual and combination of different sources of heating (passive solar heating, electric oil-heater, and solar air heater) in a pilot-scale building containing phase change material (PCM) for a potential reduction in energy consumption while maintaining thermal comfort. Unlike most of the recent simulations and modelling studies, this impact was tested experimentally using two identical control and test huts located at the University of Auckland. The control hut was equipped with standard gypsum boards while the test hut had gypsum boards containing PCM (PureTemp 20, PT20). The study found that combining both active and passive solar heating with a temperature-controlled electric oil heater demonstrated the ability to provide significant energy savings and maintain thermal comfort in the test hut, most notably overnight. The suggested combination was tested over different weather conditions and with different temperature constraints to maintain thermal comfort and achieve energy savings ranging from 33% to 87.5%.     

Intra Q-body: an antibody-based fluorogenic probe for intracellular proteins that allows live cell imaging and sorting

Although intracellular biomarkers can be imaged with fluorescent dye(s)-labeled antibodies, the use of such probes for precise imaging of intracellular biomarkers in living cells remains challenging due to background noise from unbound probes. Herein, we describe the development of a conditionally active Fab-type Quenchbody (Q-body) probe derived from a monoclonal antibody (DO-1) with the ability to both target and spatiotemporally visualize intracellular p53 in living cells with low background signal. p53 is a key tumor suppressor and validated biomarker for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. The Q-body displayed up to 27-fold p53 level-dependent fluorescence enhancement in vitro with a limit of detection of 0.72 nM. In fixed and live cells, 8.3- and 8.4-fold enhancement was respectively observed. Furthermore, we demonstrate live-cell sorting based on p53 expression. This study provides the first evidence of the feasibility and applicability of Q-body probes for the live-cell imaging of intrinsically intracellular proteins and opens a novel avenue for research and diagnostic applications on intracellular target-based live-cell sorting.

A fluorescent immunosensor that lights up tumor biomarker p53 in living cells was developed based on the Q-body technology. The technology was further applied to the live cell monitoring of p53 levels, and live cell sorting based on p53 expression.     

In Vitro Effect of 445 nm Blue Laser and 660 nm Low-Level Laser on the Quantity and Quality of Human Gingival Fibroblasts

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has several benefits in dentistry, including anti-inflammatory effects and increased proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 445 nm blue laser and 660 nm low-power laser on the quantity and quality of human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. In this in vitro experimental study, 445 nm and 660 nm lasers were irradiated on the samples six times. After examining the cells on the 7^th and 14^th days, the data were analyzed using ANOVA PASS11 and the post hoc Tukey test. The results showed the positive effect of the 660 nm laser on fibroblast proliferation. The viability on the 7^th day was the highest in the control group, lowest in the 445 nm laser group and highest in the 660 nm laser group on the 14^th day. In the morphological examination, the cells were spherical with narrow appendages in the control group, spindle-shaped with lamellipodia appendages in the 660 nm laser group and spherical with no cytoplasmic appendages in the 445 nm laser group. Evidence of necrosis and granulation phenomenon was observed in the 445 nm laser group. The use of the 660 nm low-power laser, compared with the 445 nm laser, has a positive effect on the quantity and quality of gingival fibroblasts.     

Numerical Simulation of Electrochemical Systems by Coupling Analytical Calculation of the Diffuse Double Layer and Finite Element Description of Solution Bulk

Numerical modelling of electrochemical systems covers length scales from the nanometers up to the macroscopic scale. With finite element methods, the mesh must be extremely fine to describe the diffuse double layer, thus increasing the needed computational resources. We propose a method to describe the diffuse double layer by analytical equations, expressed as boundary conditions for the partial differential equations describing the solution bulk. We apply the method to a one-dimensional system, i. e. to a cell with plane parallel electrodes, in the presence of a redox couple and a supporting electrolyte. We provide evidence of the precision of the method.