A generalized orthogonality relation via norm derivatives in real normed linear spaces

Aequationes mathematicae - We introduce a generalized orthogonality relation in real normed linear spaces via norm derivatives. The relation between this concept and other types of orthogonalities...     

Assessment of antioxidant,cytotoxicity, antibacterial,antifungal, and cutaneous wound healing activities of green synthesized manganese nanoparticles using Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam leaves under in vitro and in vivo condition

In recent decades, nanotechnology is growing rapidly owing to its widespread application in medical science. The aim of the experiment was the evaluation of cytotoxicity, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and cutaneous wound healing activities of green synthesized manganese nanoparticles using Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam leaves (MnNPs@ZC). The synthesized MnNPs@ZC were characterized using different techniques including UV–Vis., FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). According to the XRD analysis, 48.10 nm was measured for the crystal size of nanoparticles. SEM images exhibited a uniform spherical morphology and size in the range of 47.58 to 70.26 nm for the biosynthesized nanoparticles. MnNPs@ZC revealed excellent non-cytotoxicity effect against human umbilical vein endothelial cells, antioxidant activity against DPPH, antibacterial properties against Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli O157:H7) and Gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis), and antifungal potentials against Candida glabrata, Candida albicans, Candida guilliermondii, and Candida krusei. Also, use of MnNPs@ZC ointment decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.01) the wound area, total cells, neutrophil, and lymphocyte and raised significantly (p ≤ 0.01) the wound contracture, hydroxyl proline, hexosamine, hexuronic acid, fibrocyte, and fibrocytes/fibroblast rate compared to other groups in experimental animals. In conclusion, synthesized MnNPs@ZC indicated antibacterial, antifungal, non-cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and cutaneous wound healing effects in a dose-depended manner. After confirming in the clinical trials, these nanoparticles can be used in human for the treatment of cutaneous and infectious diseases.     

Investigation of the equality constraint effect on the reduction of the rotational ambiguity in three-component system using a novel grid search method

The obtained results by soft modeling multivariate curve resolution methods often are not unique and are questionable because of rotational ambiguity. It means a range of feasible solutions equally fit experimental data and fulfill the constraints. Regarding to chemometric literature, a survey of useful constraints for the reduction of the rotational ambiguity is a big challenge for chemometrician. It is worth to study the effects of applying constraints on the reduction of rotational ambiguity, since it can help us to choose the useful constraints in order to impose in multivariate curve resolution methods for analyzing data sets. In this work, we have investigated the effect of equality constraint on decreasing of the rotational ambiguity. For calculation of all feasible solutions corresponding with known spectrum, a novel systematic grid search method based on Species-based Particle Swarm Optimization is proposed in a three-component system.     

Calculation of optical and electronic properties of zinc sulfide produced thin layers under different deposition angles

Zinc sulfide nano layers were deposited on glass substrates at 300 K by physical vapor deposition method, under high vacuum conditions and different deposition angles. Thickness of the layers were measured 73 nm, by quartz crystal method. Optical reflectance and transmittance of the layers were measured in the wave length of 300?C1100 nm. Optical constants were calculated by Kramers-Kronig relations. The influence of deposition angle in optical properties of ZnS nano layers are investigated. By using Generalized Gradient Approximations in context of plane wave pseudo-potentials (norm conserving and Ultrasoft) and full-potential linearized augmented plane wave methods, Band structure calculated and compared with experimental results. Possible energy transitions are also reported.     

One-Pot Synthesis of 3,4-Dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones and Their Sulfur Derivatives with H2SO4 Supported on Silica Gel or Alumina

The one-pot condensation of aromatic aldehydes, β-dicarbonyl compounds, and urea or thiourea in the presence of H₂SO₄ supported on silica gel or alumina (80% m/m) in refluxing n-hexane produces 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones and their sulfur derivatives in high to excellent yields.     

Evaluating nonlinear variability of mental fatigue behavioral indices during long‐term attentive task

This study investigates the behavioral indices of attention. A simple repetitive attentive task that resulted in mental fatigue was used consecutively in four trials. In the first step, reaction time and error responses were recorded to evaluate differences among trials. During the task, subjects showed different responses to stimulations. In the second part, to recognize the strategies, multiple clustering methods such as k‐means and fuzzy c‐means were performed in which behavioral indices and nonlinear features were used. In the last section, mental behavior was identified as a result of the chaotic properties of variations in reaction time. Therefore, the Lyapunov exponent of reaction times was evaluated. Results revealed that behavioral indices could distinguish attention from the occurrence of mental fatigue in trials. In addition, the three strategies used by subjects during the test protocol were assessed. Finally, variation of indices extracted from nonlinear analysis, that is, decrease in degree of chaotic behavior determined the transition from attention to mental fatigue. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2012     

An investigation of Forex market efficiency based on detrended fluctuation analysis: A case study for Iran

The efficient market hypothesis (EMH) states that asset prices fully reflect all available information. As a result, speculators cannot predict the future behavior of asset prices and earn excess profits at least after adjusting for risk. Although initial tests of the EMH were performed on stock market data, the EMH was soon applied to other markets including foreign exchange (FX). This study uses the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) technique to test 01:12:2005–18:04:2010 Iranian Rial/US Dollar exchange rate time series data to see if it can be explained by the weak form of the EMH. Moreover, to determine changes in the degree of inefficiency over time, the whole period has been divided into four subperiods. The study shows that the Iranian Forex market (the Rial/Dollar case) is weak-form inefficient over the whole period and in each of the subperiods. However, the degree of inefficiency is not constant over time. The findings suggest that profitable risk-adjusted trades could be made using past data.     

Polyelectrolyte Nanocomposite Membranes Using Imidazole-Functionalized Nanosilica for Fuel Cell Applications

The preparation and characterization of a new type of nanocomposite polyelectrolyte membrane, based on DuPont Nafion/imidazole-modified nanosilica (Im-Si), for direct methanol fuel cell applications is described. Related to the interactions between the protonated imidazole groups, grafted on the surface of nanosilica, and negatively charged sulfonic acid groups of Nafion, new electrostatic interactions can be formed in the interface of Nafion and Im-Si which result in both lower methanol permeability and also higher proton conductivity. Physical characteristics of these manufactured nanocomposite membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water uptake, methanol permeability, and ion-exchange capacity, as well as proton conductivity. The Nafion/Im-Si membranes showed higher proton conductivity, lower methanol permeability and, as a consequence, higher selectivity parameter in comparison to the neat Nafion or Nafion/silica membranes. The obtained results indicated that the Nafion/Im-Si membranes could be utilized as promising polyelectrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cell applications.     

Kinetic Study of Radical Polymerization v. Determination of Reactivity Ratio in Copolymerization of Acrylonitrile and Itaconic Acid by 1H‐NMR

Many reports exist in the literature about the application of ¹H and ¹³C‐NMR techniques to analyze the copolymer structure and composition and also determination of reactivity ratios. In this work, on‐line ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy has been applied to identify reactivity ratios of itaconic acid and acrylonitrile in the solution phase (DMSO as the solvent) and in the presence of AIBN as the radical initiator. All the peaks corresponding to the existing protons were assigned quietly. Therefore, the kinetics of the copolymerization reaction was investigated by studying the variation of integral of two characteristic peaks regarding each monomer. The obtained data were used to find the reactivity ratios of acrylonitrile and itaconic acid by linear least‐squares methods such as Finemann‐Ross, inverted Finemann‐Ross, Mayo‐Lewis, Kelen‐Tudos, extended Kelen‐Tudos and Mao‐Huglin. In addition, a non‐linear least‐square method (Tidwell‐ Mortimer) was used at low conversions. Extended Kelen‐ Tudos and Mao‐Huglin were applied to determine reactivity ratio values at high conversions as well.     

Kinetic Study of Radical Polymerization VIII. A Comprehensive Study of Solution Copolymerization of Vinyl Acetate and Methyl Acrylate by 1H‐NMR Spectroscopy

Radical copolymerization reaction of vinyl acetate (VA) and methyl acrylate (MA) was performed in a solution of benzene‐d₆ using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as the initiator at 60°C. Kinetic studies of this copolymerization reaction were investigated by on‐line ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. Individual monomer conversions vs. reaction time, which was followed by this technique, were used to calculate the overall monomer conversion, as well as the monomer mixture and the copolymer compositions as a function of time. Monomer reactivity ratios were calculated by various linear and nonlinear terminal models and also by simplified penultimate model with r _2(VA)=0 at low and medium/high conversions. Overall rate coefficient of copolymerization was calculated from the overall monomer conversion vs. time data and k _p  . k _t ^?0.5 was then estimated. It was observed that k _p  . k _t ^?0.5 increases with increasing the mole fraction of MA in the initial feed, indicating the increase in the polymerization rate with increasing MA concentration in the initial monomer mixture. The effect of mole fraction of MA in the initial monomer mixture on the drifts in the monomer mixture and copolymer compositions with reaction progress was also evaluated experimentally and theoretically.