Positive solutions for nonlinear singular superlinear elliptic equations

Positivity - We consider a nonlinear nonparametric elliptic Dirichlet problem driven by the p-Laplacian and reaction containing a singular term and a $$(p-1)$$ -superlinear perturbation. Using...     

Application of Blue Honeysuckle Powder Obtained by an Innovative Method of Low-Temperature Drying in Skincare Face Masks

Traditional technologies applied for obtaining plant raw materials for cosmetic production are based primarily on high-level processing, which is reflected in the qualitative composition of the resulting materials. By using low-temperature drying, it is possible to retain in the raw materials a range of valuable ingredients. In this study, blue honeysuckle powder was used as an ingredient of cosmetic face masks. The stability of the masks was evaluated. Dynamic viscosity, yield point and texture analysis of the cosmetics was performed. The color of the emulsions and the level of skin hydration after face mask application was determined. Emulsions were found to be stable. A decrease in dynamic viscosity of the emulsions as a function of increasing concentrations of the additive and under the conditions of rising rotational speed were observed. Similarly, an increase in the concentration of blue honeysuckle in the emulsions resulted in a decrease in the value of the yield point. Based on the results, it can be stated that the addition of blue honeysuckle caused a decrease in hardness of the masks, while the opposite trend was observed for adhesive force. It was found that an increase in the concentration of blue honeysuckle gave a reddish-yellow color to the samples. Corneometric assessment confirmed proper skin hydration after the application of the emulsions.     

GSH Protects the Escherichia coli Cells from High Concentrations of Thymoquinone

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of glutathione (GSH) on Escherichia coli cells grown in a high concentration of thymoquinone (TQ). This quinone, as the main active compound of Nigella sativa seed oil, exhibits a wide range of biological activities. At low concentrations, it acts as an antioxidant, and at high concentrations, an antimicrobial agent. Therefore, any interactions between thymoquinone and glutathione are crucial for cellular defense against oxidative stress. In this study, we found that GSH can conjugate with thymoquinone and its derivatives in vitro, and only fivefold excess of GSH was sufficient to completely deplete TQ and its derivatives. We also carried out studies on cultures of GSH-deficient Escherichia coli strains grown on a minimal medium in the presence of different concentrations of TQ. The strains harboring mutations in gene ΔgshA and ΔgshB were about two- and fourfold more sensitive (256 and 128 µg/mL, respectively) than the wild type. It was also revealed that TQ concentration has an influence on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in E. coli strains—at the same thymoquinone concentration, the level of ROS was higher in GSH-deficient E. coli strains than in wild type.     

Orientational relaxation times of worm-like chains

A semi-empirical formula for orientational relaxation times of worm-like chains in dilute solutions is proposed where τ_rod = τ₀N³ is the relaxation time of a rigid rod composed of N segments, and x = 2a/L is the chain rigidity, i.e. the ratio of the double persistence length to the chain contour length, L. The formula, which can be used in the entire range of molecular rigidities and chain lengths, has been tested against segment relaxation times for semi-rigid chains calculated from the optimized Rouse-Zimm model.     

Monte-Carlo Simulation of Energy Migration in Uniaxially Oriented Polymer Films

Nonradiative electronic energy migration between identical fluorophores is studied numerically in uniaxially oriented polymer films. The reorientation effect of dipole moments induced by film stretching leads to extremely different concentration- and time-courses of emission anisotropy compared to those in disordered system. In particular, the effect of a much weaker concentration depolarization of fluorescence is due to the fact that not only primarily excited molecules contribute to emission anisotropy in oriented films.