New mercury(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with (p-methylbenzoyl)methylene triphenylphosphorane: Synthesis,spectroscopic and structural characterization

Reaction of Ph₃PCHCOC₆H₄Me (L), with HgX₂ and CdCl₂·H₂O in methanol with equimolar ratios give binuclear complexes of the type [MX(μ-X){CH(PPh₃)C(O)C₆H₄Me}]₂ (M = Hg; X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (3), M = Cd; Cl(4)). The bridge-splitting reaction of binuclear complexes [MX(μ-X){CH(PPh₃)C(O)C₆H₄Me}]₂ by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) yields the mononuclear complexes [MX₂{CH(PPh₃)C(O)C₆H₄Me}(OSMe₂)] (M = Hg; X = Cl (5), Br (6), I (7), M = Cd; Cl (8)). The characterization of these complexes was carried out by elemental analysis and FT-IR, ¹H, ³¹P, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. C-coordination of ylide and O-coordination of DMSO are demonstrated by single-crystal X-ray analysis of mononuclear complex of [HgBr₂{CH(PPh₃)C(O)C₆H₄Me}(OSMe₂)] (6). Complex 6 is monomeric with tetrahedral geometry around the metal ion.     

Review of Long-Wavelength Optical and NIR Imaging Materials: Contrast Agents, Fluorophores and Multifunctional Nano Carriers

The importance of long wavelength and near infra-red (NIR) imaging has dramatically increased due to the desire to perform whole animal and deep tissue imaging. The adoption of NIR imaging is also growing rapidly due to the availability of targeted biological agents for diagnosis and basic medical research that can be imaged in vivo. The wavelength range of 650-1450 nm falls in the region of the spectrum with the lowest absorption in tissue and therefore enables the deepest tissue penetration. This is the wavelength range we focus on with this review. To operate effectively the imaging agents must both be excited and must emit in this long-wavelength window. We review the agents used both for imaging by absorption, scattering, and excitation (such as fluorescence). Imaging agents comprise both aqueous soluble and insoluble species, both organic and inorganic, and unimolecular and supramolecular constructs. The interest in multi-modal imaging, which involves delivery of actives, targeting, and imaging, requires nanocarriers or supramolecular assemblies. Nanoparticles for diagnostics also have advantages in increasing circulation time and increased imaging brightness relative to single molecule imaging agents. This has led to rapid advances in nanocarriers for long-wavelength, NIR imaging.     

Electrochemical detection of human papilloma virus (HPV) target DNA using MB on pencil graphite electrode

The present paper describes the use of methylene blue (MB) as an electroactive label on a pencil graphite (lead) electrode (PGE) to provide a well-defined recognition interface for the detection of HPV target DNA. In order to construct the sensor, a 20-mer single strand oligonucleotide probe related to human papilloma virus (HPV) major capsid protein L1 gene was immobilized on the PGE electrode. Hybridization event between the probe and its complementary sequence was studied by measurement of MB signal accumulated on the PGE using square wave voltammetry (SWV) method. Some hybridization experiments with noncomplementary oligonucleotides were carried out to examine the selectively of the sensor to the target DNA from other DNAs related to Hepatitis C virus (HCV), fungi, and bacterial genes. Moreover, some factors affecting the function of sensor including electrode activation and probe immobilization condition were also investigated. The data showed that the constructed electrode detects the target DNA with detection limit of 1.2 ng μl^?1 and discriminates it from various DNAs originated from a wide variety of organisms.     

A new Monte Carlo code for absorption simulation of laser-skin tissue interaction

In laser clinical applications, the process of photon absorption and thermal energy diffusion in the target tissue and its surrounding tissue during laser irradiation are crucial. Such information allows the selection of proper operating parameters such as laser power, and exposure time for optimal therapeutic. The Monte Carlo method is a useful tool for studying laser-tissue interaction and simulation of energy absorption in tissue during laser irradiation. We use the principles of this technique and write a new code with MATLAB 6.5, and then validate it against Monte Carlo multi layer (MCML) code. The new code is proved to be with good accuracy. It can be used to calculate the total power bsorbed in the region of interest. This can be combined for heat modelling with other computerized programs.     

Optimization of probabilistic multiple response surfaces

Response surface methodology (RSM) is a statistical-mathematical method used for analyzing and optimizing the experiments. In analysis process, experts usually face several input variables having effect on several outputs called response variables. Simultaneous optimization of the correlated response variables has become more important in complex systems. In this paper multi-response surfaces and their related stochastic nature have been modeled and optimized by Goal Programming (GP) in which the weights of response variables have been obtained through a Group Decision Making (GDM) process. Because of existing uncertainty in the stochastic model, some stochastic optimization methods have been applied to find robust optimum results. At the end, the proposed method is described numerically and analytically.     

On the Calculus of Limiting Subjets on Riemannian Manifolds

In this paper fuzzy calculus rules for subjets of order two on finite dimensional Riemannian manifolds are obtained. Then a second order singular subjet derived from a sequence of efficient subsets of symmetric matrices is introduced. Employing fuzzy calculus rules for subjets of order two and various qualification assumptions based on a second order singular subjet, calculus rules for limiting subjets on a finite dimensional Riemannian manifold are obtianed.     

Developing an electrochemical deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) biosensor on the basis of human interleukine-2 gene using an electroactive label

Development of an electrochemical DNA biosensor based on a human interleukine-2 (IL-2) gene probe, using a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) as transducer and methylene blue (MB) as electroactive label is described. The sensor relies on the immobilization of a 20-mer single stranded oligonucleotide probe (hIL-2) related to the IL-2 gene on the electrode. The hybridization between the probe and its complementary sequence (chIL-2) as the target was studied by square wave voltammetry (SWV) of MB accumulated on the PGE. In this approach the extent of hybridization is evaluated on the basis of the difference between SWV signals of MB accumulated on the probe-PGE and MB accumulated on the probe-target-PGE. Some hybridization experiments with non-complementary oligonucleotides were carried out to assess whether the suggested DNA sensor responds selectively to the target. Some experimental variables affecting the performance of the biosensor including: polishing of PGE, its electrochemical activation conditions (i.e., activation potential and activation time) and probe immobilization conditions on the electrodes (i.e., immobilization potential and time) were investigated and the optimum values of 1.80 V and 300 s for PGE activation, and −0.5 V and 400 s for the probe immobilization on the electrode were suggested.     

A multi-objective approach to simultaneous determination of spare part numbers and preventive replacement times

Different models have been proposed in the field of preventive maintenance planning for finding optimal age replacement policies. While previous studies have focused mainly on classical cost objectives, this paper presents a novel multi-objective model for preventive replacement of a part over a planning horizon. The proposed model considers different objectives and practical issues, such as corrective replacement and its consequences, residual lifetime objective, and kind of productivity index. Also, the model determines number of spare parts, required for replacement with the defected part, to be provided at the beginning of the planning horizon. The multi-objective model is applicable for machines or equipments which are repaired through replacing their defected part with new spare part.For solving the multi-objective model, regarding to ability of ε-constraint method to generate different pareto-optimal solutions, a procedure is developed based on this method. The procedure shows how the ε-constraint method can be used for finding preferred solution in situations where there is no access to decision maker. The model and solution procedure are illustrated by a numerical example.