Manipulating the degradation rate of PVA nanoparticles by a novel chemical‐free method

The high water solubility of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is one of the challenging problems in its application. In order to rectify this problem, PVA needs to be crosslinked. Freeze‐thawing in solid state as a novel physical crosslinking method was employed for enhancement the stability of PVA nanoparticles in aqueous solutions during this study. PVA nanoparticles were successfully prepared by electrospraying and electrospray conditions were optimized in the view points of polymer concentration and solvent system. The morphology of nanoparticles was tailored from collapsed particles and mixture of particles/fibers to spherical particle by manipulating of polymer solution concentration and solvent system. After preparation of PVA nanoparticles in optimum condition, they were frozen at ?20°C and subsequently thawed at 25°C for different cycles of 1, 2, and 3. Field‐emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and biodegradation were used to evaluate the effect of freeze‐thawing on properties of PVA nanoparticles. FE‐SEM showed the spherical morphology of the PVA nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 200 to 300 nm. The FTIR spectroscopy indicated that the crystallinity of PVA nanoparticles increases after freeze‐thawing process. Moreover, by increasing the number of cycles, degree of crystallinity of nanoparticles increases. The XRD and DSC analysis of PVA nanoparticles again demonstrated the increasing of crystallinity of nanoparticles after freeze‐thawing process. The biodegradation behavior of PVA nanoparticles after freeze‐thawing exhibited the decreasing of degradation rate by increasing the number of cycles. Our overall results present a solvent‐less and safe method for crosslinking of PVA nanoparticles in solid state, which make it suitable for biomedical applications.     

Compartmentalized Encapsulation of Two Antibiotics in Porous Nanoparticles: an Efficient Strategy to Treat Intracellular Infections

Combinatorial drug therapies emerge among the most promising strategies to treat complex pathologies such as cancer and severe infections. Biocompatible nanoparticles of mesoporous iron carboxylate metal–organic framework (nanoMOFs) are used here to address the challenging aspects related to the coincorporation of two antibiotics. Amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate, a typical example of drugs used in tandem, are efficiently coincorporated with payloads up to 36 wt%. Due to the occurrence of two distinct pore sizes/apertures within the MOF architecture, each drug is able to infiltrate the porous framework and localize within separate compartments. Molecular simulations predict drug loadings and locations consistent with experimental findings. Drug loaded nanoMOFs that are internalized by Staphylococcus aureus infected macrophages are able to colocalize with the pathogen, which in turn leads to an alleviation of bacterial infection. The data also reveal potential antibacterial properties of nanoMOFs alone as well as their ability to deliver a high payload of drugs to fight intracellular bacteria. These results pave the way toward the design of engineered “all‐in‐one” nanocarriers in which both the loaded drugs and their carrier play a role in fighting intracellular infections.     

Analyze and calculation of coupling coefficient based on evanescence field for plasmonic directional coupler structure

We obtain the calculation of coupling coefficient of plasmonic directional coupler made up of two monolayer waveguides separated in the range of 200 nm for TM mode and we assume each waveguides acts as a perturbation to other waveguide but does not affect the waveguide mode. We simulation the transfer distance respect to normalized frequency in two directions, x and z, values transfer distance a limitation of a bandwidth is suitable for designing of integrated optical circuits and construction of couplers and switches.     

Optical Toffoli and Feynman reversible gates designing using DNA transmission lines

Optical gates based on switchable material have become a focus of investigation. The present study designs an optical gate that uses DNA transmission lines and developed for Feynman and Toffoli reversible gates. It is shown that the implementation of a transmission line such as Ag/DNA/Ag produces a structure with high-quality switching. The switching characteristics of DNA were considered when designing the basic transmission line. The “On” mode is assumed for DNA with low conductivity. As conductivity increases, the line switches to the “Off” mode. A conceptual design is proposed in the present study for Feynman and Toffoli reversible gates for an optical regime at 300 THz based on DNA switching. A conceptual model is developed with an Ag/DNA/Ag transmission line controlled by changing the DNA bias. This transmission line provides a “Yes” gate, which is necessary for a reversible gate. The full wave time domain method was used to model the optical gates. The current work discusses how a DNA memristor can be used to design a compact reversible gate having a simple structure and high switching quality for use in optical systems.     

Hydroelastic analysis of water impact of flexible asymmetric wedge with an oblique speed

Current paper deals with hydroelastic impact of asymmetric and symmetric wedge sections with oblique speed into calm water. It is aimed to provide a better insight regarding fluid–structure interaction of the wedge sections of a high-speed craft into water in more realistic condition, in the presence of heel angle and oblique speeds. The defined problem is numerically investigated by coupled Finite Volume Method and Finite Element Method under two-way approach consideration. Accuracy of the proposed model is assessed in different steps. The results of current method are compared against previous experimental, numerical and theoretical methods and good agreement is displayed in these comparisons. Subsequently, the method is used in order to examine the fluid and structure behavior during the elastic impact of the wedge into water. Accordingly, four different physical situations are simulated. In the first part, symmetric impact with no oblique speed is simulated. The results of this part show fluctuations in vertical force and pressure of the midpoint during the impact time. Also, the relation of deadrise with deflection and pressure is observed in this part. In the second part, heel angle is also taken into consideration. It is concluded that the pressure and deflections at the right side of the wedge reduce, but these parameters increase at the left side. Moreover, it is observed that, the pressure at the midpoint of the left side of the wedge with deadrise angle of 10°, becomes negative, when the wall of the flexible wedge reaches its largest deflection. It is also observed that, the pressure at left side of the wedge with deadrise angle of 20°, reaches zero. Such behavior does not occur for the wedges of 30° and 45° deadrise angles. In the third part of simulations, oblique water entry of a flexible wedge of 20° deadrise angle is simulated, and no heel angle is considered. Harmonic behavior is observed for the vertical force, horizontal force, pressure of the midpoint and its deflection. First peaks of all of these variables are larger than the second peak. The obtained results lead us to conclude that an increase in oblique speed yields larger deflection and pressure at the right side. Meanwhile, no significant effect is observed for the left side of the wedge. Also, larger oblique speed is found to yield larger forces and angular moment. Final part of simulations involves the oblique water entry of a flexible wedge of 5° heel angle. Comparison of the results in the final part with that of third part, show that heel angle affects the pressure and deflection at both sides of the wedge. It is also observed that pressure and deflections of the left side increase, while those of right side increase. It is also seen that, similar as in the case of no heel angle, an increase in oblique speed leads to an increase of pressure and deflection at the starboard. It also leads to an increase in frequency of the vibration at right side.     

Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Immunosensor for Detection of Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α Based on Functionalized MWCNT‐Gold Nanoparticle/Ionic Liquid Nanocomposite

A novel and highly sensitive electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the detection of protein biomarker tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) based on immobilization of TNF‐α‐antibody (anti‐TNF‐α) onto robust nanocomposite containing gold nanoparticles (AuNP), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and ionic liquid (1‐buthyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethyl sulfonyl)imide). Functionalized MWCNT‐gold nanoparticle was produced by one‐step synthesis based on the direct redox reaction. The electrochemical properties of nanocomposite were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The anti‐TNF‐α was immobilized or entrapped in the nanocomposite and used in a sandwich type complex immunoassay with anti‐TNF‐α labeled with horseradish peroxidase as secondary antibody. Under optimum conditions, the immunosensor could detect TNF‐α in a linear range from 6.0 to 100 pg mL^?1 with a low detection limit of 2.0 pg mL^?1. The simple fabrication method, high sensitivity, good reproducibility, stability, as well as acceptable accuracy for TNF‐α detection in human serum samples are the main advantages of this immunosensor, which might have broad applications in protein diagnostics and bioassay.     

Mechanisms of antioxidant action: Formation of antioxidant adducts with rubbers through sulphur by a mechanochemical procedure

It is shown that antioxidants containing a thiol group can be mechanochemically reacted with both natural rubber (NR) and styrene-butadiene-rubber (SBR). Oxygen inhibits the reaction and the optimum temperature is in the region of 70°C. Increase in the antioxidant concentration in the rubber leads to increasing levels of adduct formation. Evidence is presented to show that although a substantial part of the adduct is formed during mechanochemical treatment, about 20% of the total binding occurs during the vulcanisation reaction.     

Liquid-liquid-liquid microextraction followed by HPLC with UV detection for quantitation of ephedrine in urine

Liquid-liquid-liquid microextraction (LLLME) in combination with HPLC and UV detection has been used as a sensitive method for the determination of ephedrine in urine samples. Extraction process was performed in a homemade total glass vial without using a Teflon ring, usually employed. Ephedrine was first extracted from 3.5 mL of urine sample (pH 12) into a microfilm of toluene/benzene (50:50). The analyte was subsequently back extracted into an acidic microdrop solution (pH 2) suspended in the organic phase. The extract was then injected into the HPLC system directly. An enrichment factor of 137 along with a good sample clean-up was obtained under the optimized conditions. The calibration curve showed linearity in the range of 0.01-50 mg/L with regression coefficient corresponding to 0.998. The LODs and LOQs, based on a S/N of 3 and 10, were 5 and 10 microg/L, respectively. The method was eventually applied for the determination of ephedrine in urine sample after oral administration of 5 mg single dose of drug.