Li–S batteries: effect of uniaxial compression on the electrical conductivity and electrochemical performance of graphene aerogel cathodes

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Porous cathodes are preferred to be used in lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries for better impregnation of the active material. On the other hand, the...     

Rapid MALDI-MS Assays for Drug Quantification in Biological Matrices: Lessons Learned,New Developments,and Future Perspectives

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) has rarely been used in the field of therapeutic drug monitoring, partly because of the complexity of the ionization processes between the compounds to be quantified and the many MALDI matrices available. The development of a viable MALDI-MS method that meets regulatory guidelines for bioanalytical method validation requires prior knowledge of the suitability of (i) the MALDI matrix with the analyte class and properties for ionization, (ii) the crystallization properties of the MALDI matrix with automation features, and (iii) the MS instrumentation used to achieve sensitive and specific measurements in order to determine low pharmacological drug concentrations in biological matrices. In the present hybrid article/white paper, we review the developments required for the establishment of MALDI-MS assays for the quantification of drugs in tissues and plasma, illustrated with concrete results for the different steps. We summarize the necessary parameters that need to be controlled for the successful development of fully validated MALDI-MS methods according to regulatory authorities, as well as currently unsolved problems and promising ways to address them. Finally, we propose an expert opinion on future perspectives and needs in order to establish MALDI-MS as a universal method for therapeutic drug monitoring.     

Study on Photophysical Properties of Novel Fluorescent Phenanthroimidazole-Thiadiazole Hybrid Derivatives

Journal of Fluorescence - Phenanthroimidazole-thiadiazole hybrid derivatives, which are new heterocyclic compounds with fluorescence properties, were synthesized by designing a two-step reaction...     

Backaction of a detector on the field it measures

In this work, the backaction of a detector on light reflected from a dielectric medium is theoretically studied in the far-field region by considering every order of light scattering both within the medium and between the detector and the medium. It is found that, as a result of the backaction, the light actually measured by the detector is different from that when the detector is absent, and that the strength of the backaction depends on several factors, such as the separation between the detector and the medium, the medium’s density, and the light wavelength. Also presented is a method that allows the reflected light in the absence of the detector to be derived from the reflected light measured by the detector.     

Printable optical sensors based on H-bonded supramolecular cholesteric liquid crystal networks

A printable H-bonded cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polymer film has been fabricated that, after conversion to a hygroscopic polymer salt film, responds to temperature and humidity by changing its reflection color. Fast-responding humidity sensors have been made in which the reflection color changes between green and yellow depending on the relative humidity. The change in reflection band is a result of a change in helix pitch in the film due to absorption and desorption of water, resulting in swelling/deswelling of the film material. When the polymer salt was saturated with water, a red-reflecting film was obtained that can potentially act as a time/temperature integrator. Finally, the films were printed on a foil, showing the potential application of supramolecular CLC materials as low-cost, printable, battery-free optical sensors.     

Affine model of inflation-indexed derivatives and inflation risk premium

This paper proposes an affine-based approach which jointly captures the nominal interest rate, the real interest rate, and the inflation risk premium to price inflation-indexed derivatives, including zero-coupon inflation-indexed swaps, year-on-year inflation-indexed swaps, inflation-indexed swaptions, and inflation-indexed caps and floors. We provide an example and explain how to use traded zero-coupon inflation-indexed swap rates to estimate inflation risk premiums.     

Design of meloxicam and lornoxicam transdermal patches: Preparation, physical characterization, ex vivo and in vivo studies

Transdermal patches of meloxicam (MX) and lornoxicam (LX) were aimed to be prepared in order to overcome their side effects by oral application. The strategy was formulation of optimized films to prepare transdermal patches by determination of physical properties and investigation of drug-excipient compatibility. As the next step, in vitro drug release, assesment of anti-inflammatory effect on Wistar Albino rats, ex vivo skin penetration and investigation of factors on drug release from transdermal patches were studied. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) was concluded to be suitable polymer for formulation of MX and LX transdermal films indicating pharmaceutical quality required. MX and LX transdermal patches gave satisfactory results regarding to the edema inhibition in the assessment of anti-inflammatory effect. MX was found out to be more effective compared to LX on relieving of edema and swelling. These results were supported by data obtained from ex vivo penetration experiments of drug through rat skin. Indicative parameters like log P, molecular weight and solubility constraint on penetration rate of drugs also indicated good skin penetration. Transdermal patches of MX and LX can be suggested to be used especially for the immediate treatment of inflammated area since it displays anti-inflammatory effect, soon.     

Convergence theorems for common fixed points of asymptotically quasi-nonexpansive mappings in convex metric spaces

In this paper, we consider an implicit iteration process to approximate the common fixed points of two finite families of asymptotically quasi-nonexpansive mappings in convex metric spaces. As a consequence of our result, we obtain some related convergence theorems. Our results generalize some recent results of Khan and Ahmed [4], Khan et al. [6], Sun [12], Wittmann [14] and Xu and Ori [15].