A class of elliptic equations in anisotropic spaces

The equation Δu + V(x)u + b(x)u|u| ^{ρ -1} + h(x) = 0 in ${\mathbb{R}^{n}}$ is studied in anisotropic Lebesgue spaces. We assume ${\frac{n-\theta}{n-2} < \rho < \infty}$ , with n ≥ 3 and 0 ≤ θ < 2, which covers the supercritical range. Our approach relies on estimates of the Riesz potential and allows us to consider a wide class of potentials V, including anisotropic ones. The symmetry and antisymmetry of the solutions are also addressed.     

Separation of carbohydrates on electrophoresis microchips with controlled electrolysis

This study reports the separation of fructose, galactose, glucose, lactose and sucrose on glass microchip electrophoresis (ME) devices using a microfluidic platform adapted with external reservoirs for controlling the electrolysis phenomenon. The connections between external reservoirs and microfluidic platform were performed by saline bridges created using silicone tubing filled with BGE. The separation conditions were optimized and the best results were achieved using a BGE containing 75 mmol/L NaOH and 15 mmol/L trisodium phosphate. Electrophoretic separations were monitored using a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection system. The controlled electrolysis has successfully allowed the application of a higher voltage on the separation channel promoting the baseline separation of five carbohydrates within 180 s with great run‐to‐run repeatability (RSD < 1%). The achieved efficiencies ranged from 45 000 ± 6000 to 70 000 ± 3000 plates/m demonstrating a performance better than ME devices without controlled electrolysis. The proposed system offered good linearity from 1 to 10 mmol/L and LODs between 150 and 740 μmol/L. The use of external tubes for controlling the electrolysis phenomenon on ME devices has solved common problems associated to run‐to‐run repeatability and analytical reliability required for routine and quantitative analysis.     

Electroanalytical Determination of Morpholine as a Corrosion Inhibitor at a Cathodically Pretreated Boron-Doped Diamond Electrode

An electroanalytical method for the determination of morpholine, a corrosion inhibitor, was developed at a cathodically pretreated boron-doped diamond electrode (BDDE). The voltammetric response of morpholine at the BDDE in 0.1?mol L^?1 KCl (pH 10) shows an irreversible oxidation process at approximately 1.3?V vs. Ag/AgCl in 3.0?mol L^?1 KCl. Using cyclic voltammetry, the number of electrons involved in the morpholine electroxidation mechanism was found to be 1. The application of chronoamperometry showed that the apparent diffusion coefficient (D₀) was 2.99?×?10^?6 cm² s^?1. Using square wave voltammetry under the optimized conditions (frequency of 30.0?Hz, pulse amplitude of 100?mV and step potential of 20?mV at pH 10.0), the developed method provided limits of detection and quantification of 2.1 and 6.9?mg L^?1, respectively, with a linear range from 5.0 to 100.0?mg L^?1 (r?=?0.991). Intraday (n?=?10) and interday (two consecutive day) precision values assessed as the relative standard deviation for solutions containing 30.0, 60.0, and 90.0?mg L^?1 of morpholine were from 0.41 to 5.86% and 0.92 to 3.19%, respectively. The feasibility of the method for the interference-free determination of morpholine was verified by the analysis of synthetic boiler water samples containing CaCO₃, Na₂SO₃, Na₃PO_4, FeCl₃, and humic acid as organic matter. In addition, hydrazine was added as a possible interfering compound because of its widespread use in corrosion inhibition. Recovery values from 90.9 to 109.4% were obtained in the synthetic boiler water, thereby attesting to the accuracy of the method.     

A multi-reference CI study of the low-lying valence and Rydberg states of CF3 radical

Highly correlated calculations at the multi-reference configuration interaction levels including singles and doubles excitations (MR-CISD) and extensivity corrections (MR-CISD?+?Q) have been performed to study some low-lying valence and Rydberg states of the CF₃ radical. Our highest level results (at the MR-CISD?+?Q level) yield the following energy ordering: 3s (7.90?eV)?2A₂ (8.61?eV)?π (8.72?eV)?z (8.73?eV). MR-CISD results indicate transitions of similar intensities from the ground to the following three final states, in the following order: 3p_π?>?3p_z?>?3s. It has also been found that the aforementioned Rydberg states should be responsible for visible emissions and correspond to transitions between bound states. Therefore, it is suggested that the lack of vibrational structure in the visible band of parent systems (e.g. CF₃Cl) may be due to a transition from a bound to an unbound state of the parent molecule.     

Implications of exposure to dextran-coated and uncoated iron oxide nanoparticles to developmental toxicity in zebrafish

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPS) have been widely investigated as a platform for a new class of multifunctional theranostic agents. They are considered biocompatible, and some formulations are already available in the market for clinical use. However, contradictory results regarding toxicity of IONPs raise a concern about the potential harm of these nanoparticles. Changes in the nanoparticle (NP) physicochemical properties or exposure media can significantly alter their behavior and, as a consequence, their toxic effects. Here, behavior and two-step RT-qPCR were employed to access the potential toxicological effects of dextran-coated IONPs (CLIO-NH2) and uncoated IONPs (UCIO) in zebrafish larvae. Animals were exposed for 7 days to NP solutions ranging from 0.1–100 μg/mL directly mixed to the system water. UCIO showed high decantation and instability in solution, altering zebrafish mortality but showing no alterations in behavior and molecular expression analysis. CLIO-NH2 exposure did not cause significant mortality or changes in hatching rate of zebrafish larvae; however, behavior and expression profiles of the group exposed to lower concentration (1 μg/mL) presented a tendency to decrease the locomotor activity and apoptotic pathway activation.     

Realistic equations of state for the primeval universe

Equations of state for the early universe including realistic interactions between constituents are formulated. Under certain hypotheses, these equations are able to generate an inflationary regime prior to the period of the nucleosynthesis. The resulting accelerated expansion is intense enough to solve the flatness and horizon problems. In the cases of a curvature parameter κ equal to 0 or +1, the model is able to avoid the initial singularity and offers a natural explanation for why the universe is in expansion. All the results are valid only for a matter–antimatter symmetric universe.     

Molecular Dereplication and In Vitro and In Silico Pharmacological Evaluation of Coriandrum sativum against Neuroblastoma Cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic activity of the Coriandrum sativum (C. sativum) ethanolic extract (CSEE) in neuroblastoma cells, chemically characterize the compounds present in the CSEE, and predict the molecular interactions and properties of ADME. Thus, after obtaining the CSEE and performing its chemical characterization through dereplication methods using UPLC/DAD-ESI/HRMS/MS, PM6 methods and the SwissADME drug design platform were used in order to predict molecular interactions and ADME properties. The CSEE was tested for 24 h in neuroblastoma cells to the establishment of the IC50 dose. Then, the cell death was evaluated, using annexin-PI, as well as the activity of the effector caspase 3, and the protein and mRNA levels of Bax and Bcl-2 were analyzed by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. By UHPLC/DAD/HRMS-MS/MS analysis, the CSEE showed a high content of isocoumarins-dihydrocoriandrin, coriandrin, and coriandrones A and B, as well as nitrogenated compounds (adenine, adenosine, and tryptophan). Flavonoids (apigenin, hyperoside, and rutin), phospholipids (PAF C-16 and LysoPC (16:0)), and acylglicerol were also identified in lower amount as important compounds with antioxidant activity. The in silico approach results showed that the compounds 1 to 6, which are found mostly in the C. sativum extract, obey the “Five Rules” of Lipinski, suggesting a good pharmacokinetic activity of these compounds when administered orally. The IC50 dose of CSEE (20 µg/mL) inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell death by the accumulation of cleaved caspase-3 and the externalization of phosphatidylserine. Furthermore, CSEE decreased Bcl-2 and increased Bax, both protein and mRNA levels, suggesting an apoptotic mechanism. CSEE presents cytotoxic effects, promoting cell death. In addition to the promising results predicted through the in silico approach for all compounds, the compound 6 showed the best results in relation to stability due to its GAP value.     

Vibrations of Elastic Strings: Mathematical Aspects, Part One

This paper is divided into two parts. Part One Chapter 1 contains the deduction of the model for vertical vibrations of elastic strings with moving ends and its relations to the models of d'Alembert and Kirchhoff-Carrier. Chapter 2 contains the results of investigations related to Kirchhoff-Carrier model during the last twenty years and an almost complete bibliography.Part Two Chapter 3 of the paper is dedicated to the model with moving ends. It contains new results obtained by the authors during the last five years.     

(CH3)3NCH2CH2NH3]SnI4: a layered perovskite with quaternary/primary ammonium dications and short interlayer iodine-iodine contacts

The organic-inorganic hybrid [(CH(3))(3)NCH(2)CH(2)NH(3)]SnI(4) presents a layered perovskite structure, templated by an organic dication containing both a primary and a quaternary ammonium group. Due to the high charge density and small size of the organic cation, the separation of the perovskite layers is small and short iodine-iodine contacts of 4.19 A are formed between the layers. Optical thin-film measurements on this compound indicate a significant red shift of the exciton peak (630 nm) associated with the band gap, as compared with other SnI(4)(2)(-)-based layered perovskite structures.