Local {W^{2,m(\cdot)}_{loc}}regularity for p(.)-Laplace equations

We study ${W^{2,m(\cdot)}_{loc}}$ regularity for local weak solutions of p(·)-Laplace equations where ${p\in C^1(\Omega) \cap C(\overline{\Omega})}$ and ${\min_{x\in \overline{\Omega}} p(x) > 1}$ .     

Detection of pathogenic microorganisms using biosensor based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes dispersed in DNA solution

The present paper introduces a facile and cost-effective route for the direct dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in DNA solution. Their application in detecting Escherichia coli O157:H7 using DNA biosensor was demonstrated. The dispersion state of the MWCNTs was characterized via UV–Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The interaction between DNA sequence and the MWCNTs was investigated using Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. As-obtained MWCNT solution was used in the preparation of DNA sensor. Results revealed that the developed DNA sensor can detect a DNA target as low as 1 nM in a buffer solution. The sensitivity of the DNA sensor reached approximately 0.19 nM/mV. The effect of dispersion parameters, including pH values, DNA concentration, ion strength, and sonication time, on sensor response was also studied. The DNA sensor can respond well to 120 min of sonication time, a pH value of 9, and 20 μM of DNA sequence concentration. The results of the present study showed a potential application of the DNA sensor in the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7.     

Total synthesis of 8-oxypseudopalmatine and 8-oxypseudoberberine via ring-closing metathesis

Concise synthesis of 8-oxypseudopalmatine and 8-oxypseudoberberine has been achieved using ruthenium-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis (RCM) as the key step, in which the RCM substrates, 3-arylisoquinolinones, were prepared by lithiated cycloaddition reaction with o-toluamides and benzonitriles.     

Anti-inflammatory constituents from Psychotria prainii H. Lév

One new and three known compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of Psychotria prainii aerial parts. By means of spectroscopic methods, their structures were elucidated to be deacetylasperulosidic acid 6-ethyl ether (1), asperulosidic acid (2), asperuloside (3) and obtucarbamates C (4). The isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Among them, compounds 2 and 4 exhibited strong effect with the IC₅₀ values of 5.75 ± 0.85 and 6.92 ± 0.43 μM, respectively. This is the first report for the chemical composition and biological activity of P. prainii.     

A Photo‐responsive Small‐Molecule Approach for the Opto‐epigenetic Modulation of DNA Methylation

Controlling the functional dynamics of DNA within living cells is essential in biomedical research. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation play a key role in this endeavour. DNA methylation can be controlled by genetic means. Yet there are few chemical tools available for the spatial and temporal modulation of this modification. Herein, we present a small‐molecule approach to modulate DNA methylation with light. The strategy uses a photo‐tuneable version of a clinically used drug (5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine) to alter the catalytic activity of DNA methyltransferases, the enzymes that methylate DNA. After uptake by cells, the photo‐regulated molecule can be light‐controlled to reduce genome‐wide DNA methylation levels in proliferating cells. The chemical tool complements genetic, biochemical, and pharmacological approaches to study the role of DNA methylation in biology and medicine.     

Plasmon modes in MLG-2DEG heterostructures: Temperature effects

We calculate the plasmon frequency and damping rate in a double-layer system made of monolayer graphene and GaAs quantum well at finite temperature using the random-phase-approximation dielectric function and taking into account the inhomogeneity of the dielectric background of the system. We show that the temperature, interlayer correlation parameters and dielectric background inhomogeneity affect significantly the plasmon frequencies and damping rates of the system. At low temperatures, acoustic (optical) plasmon frequency increases (decreases) with the increase of temperature. We also find that damping rates of both plasmon modes increase remarkably compared to the zero-temperature case.     

Investigation of elastic moduli and constants of zinc-blende Al<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>Ga<Subscript>1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>As alloy by statistical moment method

The elastic moduli and elastic constants of the ternary semiconductor alloy Al _y Ga_1-yAs at finite temperature have been investigated using the statistical moment method. The Young, shear, bulk moduli and elastic constants C₁₁, C₁₂, C₄₄ of the zinc-blende Al _y Ga_1?yAs crystal are calculated as functions of Al composition and temperature. Numerical calculations have been performed and compared with those of the experimental and other theoretical results showing the reasonable agreements. Our study shows that elastic moduli and C₁₁, C₁₂ constants of zinc-blende Al _y Ga_1?yAs alloy are decreasing functions of the temperature and Al composition; C₄₄ constant is a decreasing function of the Al composition.     

The effect of thickness and annealing condition on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe/Pt multilayer thin films

[Fe(0.5 nm)/Pt(0.5 nm)]₄₀, [Fe(1 nm)/Pt(1.5 nm)]₂₀ and [Fe(3 nm)/Pt(3 nm)]₁₀ multilayer were prepared by DC magnetron sputtering. By conventional furnace annealing (CA) at 270–600 °C for various time, all of the films still remained the disordered structure with the soft magnetic phase. By rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at 500 °C for various time, we obtained the [Fe(1 nm)/Pt(1.5 nm)]₂₀ and [Fe(3 nm)/Pt(3 nm)]₁₀ films with L1₂ ordered FePt₃ phase which was almost ferromagnetic at room temperature. However, the [Fe(0.5 nm)/Pt(0.5 nm)]₄₀ films was still disordered state even under RTA. Compared with CA, RTA exposed an outstanding effect on accelerating the phase transition when the film thickness is over [Fe(0.5 nm)/Pt(0.5 nm)]₄₀.     

Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Propolis from Tetragonula,Lepidotrigona, Lisotrigona and Homotrigona Stingless Bee Species in Vietnam

The present study aimed to analyze and compare the chemical profile and antioxidant capacity of propolis from different bee species and different regions. The chemical profiles of propolis from six stingless bee species (Tetragonula iridipennis, T. laeviceps, Lepidotrigona terminata, L. ventralis, Lisotrigona carpenteri and Homotrigona apicalis) collected from a total of eight locations in Vietnam were investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). More than 70 compounds were identified, amongst which phenolic lipids (cardanols, resorcinols and anacardic acids), aromatic acids, triterpenes and xanthones. Taxonomic markers for Mangifera indica (phenolic lipids and cycloartane triterpenes) were detected in propolis from bees of the genera Tetragonula and Lepidotrigona, although in different amounts, whereas propolis from H. apicalis was characterized by triterpenes of the amyrine type, typical of dipterocarp trees. A clear discrimination between both groups was observed by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Propolis from Tetragonula and Lepidotrigona spp. and from Lisotrigona carpenteri, which is rich in xanthones, possesses higher radical scavenging and ferric-reducing capacity than that from H. apicalis. Propolis produced by all six stingless bee species in Vietnam was analyzed for the first time. In addition, this is the first report on L. carpenteri propolis.