Schwinger action principle via linear quantum canonical transformations

We have applied the Schwinger action principle to general one-dimensional (1D), time-dependent quadratic systems via linear quantum canonical transformations, which allowed us to simplify the problems to be solved by this method. We show that while using a suitable linear canonical transformation, we can considerably simplify the evaluation of the propagator of the studied system to that for a free particle. The efficiency and exactness of this method is verified in the case of the simple harmonic oscillator. This technique enables us to evaluate easily and immediately the propagator in some particular cases such as the damped harmonic oscillator, the harmonic oscillator with a time-dependent frequency, and the harmonic oscillator with time-dependent mass and frequency, and in this way the propagator of the forced damped harmonic oscillator is easily calculated without any approach. PACS 02.30.Xx, 03.65.-w, 03.65.Ca     

On the limit cycles for a class of generalized Kukles differential systems

In this paper, we consider the limit cycles of a class of polynomial differential systems of the form $\dot{x}=-y, \hspace{0.2cm} \dot{y}=x-f(x)-g(x)y-h(x)y^{2}-l(x)y^{3},$ where $f(x)=\epsilon f_{1}(x)+\epsilon^{2}f_{2}(x),$ $g(x)=\epsilon g_{1}(x)+\epsilon^{2}g_{2}(x),$ $h(x)=\epsilon h_{1}(x)+\epsilon^{2}h_{2}(x)$ and $l(x)=\epsilon l_{1}(x)+\epsilon^{2}l_{2}(x)$ where $f_{k}(x),$ $g_{k}(x),$ $h_{k}(x)$ and $l_{k}(x)$ have degree $n_{1},$ $n_{2},$ $n_{3}$ and $n_{4},$ respectively for each $k=1,2,$ and $\varepsilon$ is a small parameter. We obtain the maximum number of limit cycles that bifurcate from the periodic orbits of the linear center $\dot{x}=-y,$ $\dot{y}=x$ using the averaging theory of first and second order.     

Synthesis and characterization of titanium nitride, niobium nitride, and tantalum nitride nanocrystals via the RAPET (reaction under autogenic pressure at elevated temperature) technique

TiN, NbN, and TaN nanocrystals have been selectively prepared through a simple, solvent-free, and convenient reaction under autogenic pressure at moderate temperature (RAPET) process at 350 °C for 12 h, reacting transition metal chlorides and sodium azide. The nanostructures obtained are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A reaction mechanism is suggested based on the experimental results. These rapid reactions produce nanocrystals of TiN, NbN, and TaN with average sizes of approximately 30, 28, and 27 nm, respectively (as calculated from X-ray line broadening). An octahedral inorganic fullerene was detected among the various structures of the TiN.     

Influence of high-energy X-ray irradiation on the optical properties of tetraphenylporphyrin thin films

Tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) thermally evaporated films were irradiated by different doses (0.5–2.5 kGy) of X-ray with energy 6 MeV. The optical properties for TPP were investigated using spectrophotometric measurements of the transmittance and reflectance at normal incidence of light in the wavelength range from 200 to 1100 nm. The absorption spectra recorded in the UV-VIS region of spectra showed different absorption bands, namely four Q-bands in the visible region of the spectrum and a more intense band termed as the Soret band in the near-UV region of the spectrum. Two other bands labeled N and M appear in the UV region. The Soret band showed Davydov splitting. Increasing X-ray irradiation dose influences the optical properties of TPP films. All absorption bands show a continuous blue shift in position and a decrease in intensity with increasing X-ray dose. At 2.5 kGy the B, N, and M bands disappeared. The reduction in the absorbency was calculated as a function of X-ray dose. The energy gap was determined and the type of optical transition was found to be an indirect allowed transition.     

Formation of new metastable transition metal alloys by combination of mechanical alloying and chemical leaching

The leaching of Al atoms from B2 structures of mechanically alloyed Ni and Co aluminides led to the formation of metastable B2 Ni and Co. B2 Ni is strong paramagnet not stable above 470 K. The magnetic moment of Co atom in ferromagnetic B2 phase is smaller than in fcc one. B2 Ni demonstrates high catalytic activity in hydrogenation of organic compounds.     

Optimization of extraction process and characterization of water-soluble polysaccharide (Galactomannan) from Algerian biomass; Citrullus colocynthis seeds

In this work, the optimization of extraction of polysaccharides from Citrullus colocynthis curd polysaccharides (CCPs) is investigated by using the analysis of variance. For this aim, a chemical extraction method has been developed in order to be able to isolate CCPs at high level of purity. The extraction was performed by using boiling water at different extraction times (30, 60 and 120?min), extraction temperatures (50, 75 and 100°C), and a material ratio (30, 60 and 100?g/ml), for maximum polysaccharide extraction. The 3-D response surface plot and the contour plot derived from the mathematical models are used to determine the optimal conditions. The optimum extraction conditions are as follows: extraction temperature 100°C, extraction time 120?min and the ratio of water 30?ml/g. Under these conditions, the experimental final mass is 210.6?mg which is very close to the predicted value (209.46?mg) with a regression coefficient of 94.01%. In addition, the existence of the polysaccharide has been confirmed by the characterization of the galactomannan obtained from C. colocynthisis obtained by Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection, IR-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.     

Complexes of borane and N-heterocyclic carbenes: a new class of radical hydrogen atom donor

Calculations suggest that complexes of borane with N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) have B-H bond dissocation energies more then 20 kcal/mol less than free borane, diborane, borane-THF, and related complexes. Values are in the range of popular radical hydrogen atom donors like tin hydrides (70-80 kcal/mol). The resulting prediction that NHC borane complexes could be used as radical hydrogen atom donors was verified by radical deoxygenations of xanthates by using either AIBN or triethylborane as initiator.     

Nano Milk Protein-Mucilage Complexes: Characterization and Anticancer Effect

The anticancer activity of natural compounds has recently attracted multidisciplinary research. In this study, the complexation of milk proteins (MP) with Isabgol husk mucilage (IHM) and Ziziphus spina-christi mucilage (NabM) was investigated. In this context, the physicochemical properties of milk protein mucilage complexes (MPMC) including pH, Carr’s index, water solubility, and water absorption indices were measured, and the flow behavior was studied. In addition, the amino acid profile, protein digestibility, and phenolic and flavonoids content of MPMC were explored, and the microstructure of the complexes was visualized using transmission electron microscopy. The antioxidant and anticancer potencies of MPMC against two cancerous cell lines, human liver cancer HEPG-2 and breast cancer MCF-7, in comparison with two normal cell lines, namely, Bj-1 and MCF-12F, were tested using neutral red uptake assay. The results revealed that MPMC had scavenging activity against DPPH, ABTS, and HS radicals. Moreover, MPMC has the potential to prevent DNA damage induced by oxidative stress in Type-Fenton’s reaction. The results of the neutral red assay showed significant growth inhibition of both HEPG-2, MCF-7, whereas no significant cytotoxic effect was detected against Bj-1 and MCF-12F. RT-qPCR results indicated MPMC stimulated apoptosis as revealed by the upregulation of the pro-apoptosis gene markers Casepase-3, p53, Bax. Meanwhile, the anti-apoptosis Bcl-2 gene was downregulated. However, no significant difference was observed in normal cell lines treated with MPMC. In conclusion, MPMC can be considered as a promising anticancer entity that can be used in the development of novel cancer therapeutics with comparable activity and minimal side effects compared to conventional cancer chemotherapies.