Effect of the presence of strong and weak electrolytes on the existence of uniaxial and biaxial nematic phases in lyotropic mixtures

The lyotropic mixture of potassium laurate/decanol/water presenting only the uniaxial nematic calamitic phase was doped with one strong (potassium chloride, KCl) and 11 weak electrolytes with phenyl-rings (DL-mandelic acid, benzoic acid, DL-phenyllactic acid, phenylacetic acid, phenol and phenylmethanol) and with cyclohexyl-ring (RS-hexahydromandelic acid, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, cyclohexaneacetic acid, cyclohexanol and cyclohexylmethanol), separately. We also chose two nonpolar dopant molecules, benzene and cyclohexane, for the comparison of them with weak electrolytes, since they are located in the hydrocarbon core of the micelle. The nematic phase sequences, in particular the presence of the biaxial nematic phase, were investigated as a function of the dopant molar concentration and temperature. The laser conoscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques were used to characterise the different nematic phases. Weak electrolytes having –COOH group as polar part were found to be very effective in stabilising the three nematic phases (two uniaxial and a biaxial). Guest molecules with only the –OH group did not show any effect on the stabilisation of other nematic phases. The experimental results are interpreted considering the screening effect of the hydrophilic parts of the dopants on the repulsion between the polar heads of the main amphiphilic molecules at micelle surfaces. This process favours the increase of the more flat micellar surfaces of micelles, which triggers the orientational fluctuations responsible for the biaxial and discotic nematic phases.     

A mathematical model for personalized advertisement in virtual reality environments

We consider a personalized advertisement assignment problem faced by the manager of a virtual reality environment. In this online environment, users log in/out, and they spend time in different virtual locations while they are online. Every time a user visits a new virtual location, the site manager can show the ad of an advertiser. At the end of a fixed time horizon, the manager collects revenues from all of the advertisers, and the total revenue depends on the number of ads of different advertisers she displays to different users. In this setup, the objective of the manager is to find an optimal dynamic ad display policy in order to maximize her expected revenue. In the current paper, we formulate this problem as a continuous time stochastic optimization problem in which the actions of users are represented with two-state Markov processes and the manager makes display decisions at the transition times of these processes. To our best knowledge, no formal stochastic model and rigorous analysis has been given for this practical problem. Such a model and its analysis are the major contributions of this paper along with an optimal solution.     

Essential oil composition of five collections of Achillea biebersteinii from central Turkey and their antifungal and insecticidal activity

The composition of the essential oils hydrodistilled from the aerial parts of five Achillea biebersteinii Afan samples, collected in central Turkey from Konya, Isparta and Ankara, were analyzed both by gas chromatography (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Eighty-four components were identified, representing 87 to 99% of the total oil composition. The identified major components were 1,8-cineole (9-37%), camphor (16-30%) and p-cymene (1-27%). Two samples differed in piperitone (11%) and ascaridol (4%) content. The five A. biebersteinii essential oils were subsequently evaluated for their antifungal activity against the strawberry anthracnose-causing fungal plant pathogens Colletotrichum acutatum, C. fragariae and C. gloeosporioides using the direct overlay bioautography assay. The essential oils showed no antifungal activity at 80 and 160 microg/spot. In addition, A. biebersteinii oils and their major compounds were subsequently investigated against Aedes aegypti first instar larvae in a high throughput bioassay. Among the oils, only one sample from Ankara showed a notable larvacidal effect on Ae. aegypti larvae. The major compounds, 1,8-cineole, camphor and p-cymene, exhibited low mosquito larval activity, and thus the minor compounds are probably responsible for the observed activity against Ae. aegypti larvae. The oils showed weak activity against adult Ae. aegypti.     

Solution of counter diffusion problem with position dependent diffusion coefficent by using variational methods

Unsteady state counter diffusion problem with position dependent diffusion coefficient can be modeled using Fick’s second law. A mathematical model was constructed and solved to quantitatively describe the dynamic behavior of solute diffusion through non-homogeneous materials where diffusion coefficient is a function of position. The eigenfunction expansion approach was utilized to solve the model. The eigenvalues and eigenfunction of the system were obtained using a variational method. It has been shown that position dependency of the material can be neglected if the thickness of the material is relatively small. Mathematical models were solved for different thicknesses and different diffusion coefficient functions.     

Radiation-stimulated processes of Destruction and polycondensation of coals

The regularities of destructive and polycondensation processes in lignites of the Soma coal field, Turkey, were investigated by the methods of EPR, IR spectroscopy, derivatography and chromatography. It was shown that on lignite irradiation by -rays the character of the processes changes, depending on the absorbed dose and temperature. At room temperature and doses up to 200 kGy irradiation leads to the accumulation of radiation defects, which stimulate destructive reactions. At higher doses, due to the recombination of radiation defects, there is radiation lacing of the organic mass of coals. On the conjugate action of heat and irradiation on coals, destrution processes predominate. The mechanism of radiation effect upon coals is explained within the scope of the conception of self-associated multimer structure of coals.     

Cu(II), Ni(II) and Fe(II) complexes with a new substituted [1,2,4] triazole Schiff base derived from 4-amino-5-(thien-2-yl ethyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde: synthesis,characterization and a comparison of theoretical and experimental results by Ab inito calculation

The synthesis and structural properties of two novel compounds, 4-amino-5-(thien-2-yl ethyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one and 4-{[(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)methyl-ene]amino}-5-(thien-2-ylmethyl) − 2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one have been described. 4-Amino-5-(thien-2-ylmethyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one was synthesized by treating N-propionyl-2-thien-2-ylethane-hydrazonoate with hydrazine hydrate and the Schiff base was obtained from condensation of substituted amine with 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde. The Cu(II), Ni(II) and Fe(II) complexes were prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, magnetic moment, UV–Vis, mass spectral data and ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR IR spectra. The Schiff base is coordinated to the metal ions in a tridentate manner with OON donors of the phenolic O, carbonyl O and triazolic N. From the magnetic and UV spectral data, it was found the geometrical structure of Cu(II) and Fe(II) ions are octahedral while Ni(II) ion is square planar.Ab-inito 6-31 G* level calculations provided structural information and IR data that were in good agreement with experimental results.     

Photochemical Targeting of Mitochondria to Overcome Chemoresistance in Ovarian Cancer †

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy with a stubborn mortality rate of ~65%. The persistent failure of multiline chemotherapy, and significant tumor heterogeneity, has made it challenging to improve outcomes. A target of increasing interest is the mitochondrion because of its essential role in critical cellular functions, and the significance of metabolic adaptation in chemoresistance. This review describes mitochondrial processes, including metabolic reprogramming, mitochondrial transfer and mitochondrial dynamics in ovarian cancer progression and chemoresistance. The effect of malignant ascites, or excess peritoneal fluid, on mitochondrial function is discussed. The role of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in overcoming mitochondria-mediated resistance is presented. PDT, a photochemistry-based modality, involves the light-based activation of a photosensitizer leading to the production of short-lived reactive molecular species and spatiotemporally confined photodamage to nearby organelles and biological targets. The consequential effects range from subcytotoxic priming of target cells for increased sensitivity to subsequent treatments, such as chemotherapy, to direct cell killing. This review discusses how PDT-based approaches can address key limitations of current treatments. Specifically, an overview of the mechanisms by which PDT alters mitochondrial function, and a summary of preclinical advancements and clinical PDT experience in ovarian cancer are provided.     

Experimental investigation of impinging jet arrays

We report on measurements of the velocity field and turbulence fluctuations in a hexagonal array of circular jets, impinging normally on a plane wall, using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Results for mean velocity and turbulent stresses are presented in various horizontal and vertical planes. From the measurements, we have identified some major features of impinging jet arrays and we discuss their mutual interaction, collision on the plate, and consequent backwash, which generate recirculating motion between the jets. The length of the jet core, the production of turbulence kinetic energy, and the model of the exhaust mechanisms for spent fluid are also discussed. The measurements indicated that the interaction between the self-induced cross flow and the wall jets resulted in the formation of a system of horseshoe-type vortices that circumscribe the outer jets of the array. The instantaneous snapshots of the velocity field reveal some interesting features of the flow dynamics, indicating a breakdown of some of the jets before reaching the plate, which may have consequences on the distribution of the instantaneous heat transfer.List of symbols D_m Nozzle diameter in multiple jet array nozzle plate (m) - D_s Pipe diameter in single jet rig (m) - H Distance between nozzle and impingement plate (m) - k Turbulent kinetic energy (m²/s²) - L Pipe length (m) - P_k Production of turbulent kinetic energy (m²/s³) - P_uu , P_vv Normal components of P_k (m²/s³) - P_uv Shear component of P_k (m²/s³) - s Pitch (m) - U_bulk Surface-averaged exit velocity (single jet) (m/s) - U_CL Center line jet exit velocity (jet array), m/s - u, v Mean velocity components in x and y directions (m/s) - u, v, w Instantaneous velocity in x, y, and z directions (m/s) - u, v, w Velocity fluctuation in x, y, and z directions (m/s) - u², v², w² Reynolds normal stress components (m²/s²) - uv Reynolds shear stress component (m²/s²) - x, z Coordinates parallel to impingement plate (m) - y Coordinate perpendicular to impingement plate (m)