Minimal time of controllability of two parabolic equations with disjoint control and coupling domains

We consider two parabolic equations coupled by a matrix A(x)=q(x)A₀$A(x)=q(x)A_0$, where A₀$A_0$ is a Jordan block of order 1, and controlled by a single localized function, or by a single boundary control. The support of the coupling coefficient, q  , and the control domain may be disjoint. We exhibit an explicit minimal time of null-controllability, T₀(q)∈[0,+∞]$T_0(q)\in [0,+\infty ]$.     

Synthesis of 2′-deoxyguanosine containing a N2-polyamine

The synthesis of benzylated N²-(4,7,10,13-tetraazatridec-1-yl)-2′-deoxyguanosines 4 was accomplished by a key nucleophilic reaction of the novel unsymmetrical polyamine 2 , with 3′,5′-O-(tetraisopropyldisiloxane-1,3-diyl)-2-chloro-2′-deoxyinosine ( 1 ).     

A new thermostable peroxidase from garlic Allium sativum

Analysis of peroxidase activity by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) from a garlic bulb (Allium sativum L) extract showed two major activities (designated POX1 and POX2). The POX2 isoenzyme was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and cation-exchange chromatography. The purified enzyme was found to be monomeric with a molecular mass of 36.5 kDa, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE. The optimum temperature ranged from 25 to 40 degrees C and optimum pH was about 5.0. The apparent Km values for guaiacol and H2O2 were 9.5 and 2 mM, respectively. POX2 appeared highly stable since 50% of its activity was conserved at 50 degrees C for 5 h. Moreover POX2 was stable over a pH range of 3.5-11.0. Immobilization of POX2 was achieved by covalent binding of the enzyme to an epoxy-Sepharose matrix. The immobilized enzyme showed great stability toward heat and storage when compared with soluble enzyme. These properties permit the use of this enzyme as a biosensor to detect H2O2 in some food components such as milk or its derivatives.     

Self‐Healing Polyester Urethane Supramolecular Elastomers Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals for Biomedical Applications

Stretchable self‐healing urethane‐based biomaterials have always been crucial for biomedical applications; however, the strength is the main constraint of utilization of these healable materials. Here, a series of novel, healable, elastomeric, supramolecular polyester urethane nanocomposites of poly(1,8‐octanediol citrate) and hexamethylene diisocyanate reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are introduced. Nanocomposites with various amounts of CNCs from 10 to 50 wt% are prepared using solvent casting technique followed by the evaluation of their microstructural features, mechanical properties, healability, and biocompatibility. The synthesized nanocomposites indicate significantly higher tensile modulus (approximately 36–500‐fold) in comparison to the supramolecular polymer alone. Upon exposure to heat, the materials can reheal, but nevertheless when the amount of CNC is greater than 10 wt%, the self‐healing ability of nanocomposites is deteriorated. These materials are capable of rebonding ruptured parts and fully restoring their mechanical properties. In vitro cytotoxicity test of the nanocomposites using human dermal fibroblasts confirms their good cytocompatibility. The optimized structure, self‐healing attributes, and noncytotoxicity make these nanocomposites highly promising for tissue engineering and other biomedical applications.     

Investigation of magnetic field effect on surface and finite-site free energy in one-dimensional Ising model of nanosystems

We investigate a one-dimensional (1-D) Ising model for finite-site systems. The finite-site free energy and the surface free energy are calculated via the transfer matrix method. We show that, at high magnetic fields, the surface free energy has an asymptotic limit. The absolute surface energy increases when the value of f (the ratio of magnetic field to nearest-neighbor interactions) increases, and for f?≥?10 approaches a constant value. For the values of f?≥?0.2, the finite-site free energy also increases, but slowly. The thermodynamic limit in which physical properties approach the bulk value is also explored.     

Radiation synthesis of starch-acrylic acid–vinyl sulfonic acid/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite for the removal of 134Cs and 152+154Eu from aqueous solutions

Starch-acrylic acid-co-vinyl sulfonic acid/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (starch-AA-VSA/f-MWCNTs) bionanocomposite was successfully synthesized using gamma radiation for initiate the grafting of AA/VSA on starch in the presence of f-MWCNTs by template polymerization technique. The structural characteristics were confirmed by FTIR, SEM, and TGA. The adsorption behaviors of bionanocomposite toward Eu(III) and Cs(I) were examined using the batch adsorption experiments. Langmuir and Freundlich’s models were used to fit the experimental data of the adsorption isotherms. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption data followed the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the reaction was favorable at high temperature and endothermic process.

     

Physicochemical properties and bio-interfacial interactions of surface modified PDLLA-PAMAM linear dendritic block copolymers

Here, we demonstrate the applicability of self-assembling linear-dendritic block copolymers (LDBCs) and their nanoaggregates possessing varied surfaces as therapeutic nanocarriers. These LDBCs are comprised of a hydrophobic, linear polyester chemically coupled to a hydrophilic dendron polyamidoamine (PAMAM)—the latter of which acts as the surface of the self-assembled nanoaggregate in aqueous media. To better understand how surface charge density affects the overall operability of these nanomaterials, we modified the nanoaggregate surface to yield cationic (NH₃⁺), neutral (OH), and anionic (COO⁻) surfaces. The effect of these modifications on the physicochemical properties (i.e., size, morphology, and surface charge density), colloidal stability, and cellular uptake mechanism of the polymeric nanocarrier were investigated. This comparative study demonstrates the viability of nanoaggregates formed from PDLLA-PAMAM LDBCs to serve as nanocarriers for applications in drug delivery.     

Structural determination by atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry of some compounds isolated from the SARA fractions obtained from bitumen

We have identified compounds obtained from the SARA fractions of bitumen by using atmospheric pressure photoionization mass spectrometry and low‐energy collision tandem mass spectrometric analyses with a QqToF‐MS/MS hybrid instrument. The identified compounds were isolated from the maltene saturated oil and the aromatic fractions of the SARA components of a bitumen. The QqToF instrument had sufficient mass resolution to provide accurate molecular weight information and to enhance the tandem mass spectrometry results. The APPI‐QqToF‐MS analysis of the separated compounds showed a series of protonated molecules [M + H]⁺ and molecular ions [M]^+? of the same mass but having different chemical structures, in the maltene saturated oil and the aromatic SARA fractions. These isobaric ions were a molecular ion [M₂]^+? at m/z 418.2787 and a protonated molecule [M₅ + H]⁺ at m/z 287.1625 in the saturated oil fraction, and molecular ions [M₆]^+? at m/z 418.1584 and [M₇]^+? at m/z 287.1285 in the aromatic fraction. The identification of this series of chemical compounds was achieved by performing CID‐MS/MS analyses of the molecular ions [M]^+? ([M₁]^+? at m/z 446. 2980, [M₂]^+? at m/z 418.2787, [M₃]^+? at m/z 360.3350 and [M₄]^+? at m/z 346.2095) in the saturated oil fraction and of the [M₅ + H]⁺ ion at m/z 287.1625 also in the saturated oil fraction. The observed CID‐MS/MS fragmentation differences were explained by proposed different breakdown processes of the precursor ions. The presented tandem mass spectrometric study shows the capability of MS/MS experiments to differentiate between different classes of chemical compounds of the SARA components of bitumen and to explain the reasons for the observed mass spectrometric differences. However, greater mass resolution than that provided by the QqToF‐MS/MS instrument would be required for the analysis of the asphaltene fraction of bitumen. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the response of LR-115 plastic track detector to 10 20 Ne-ion

The track etch rates of ₁₀ ²⁰ Ne-ion in cellulose nitrate (LR-115) have been measured for different temperatures and the activation energy is determined. The experimental results show that both the track etch rate and the normalized track etch rate depend on the energy loss as well as on etching temperature. The maximum etched track length of ₁₀ ²⁰ Ne-ion agrees with the theoretically computed range. The experimental results show that there is no sharp threshold, at least in CN(LR-115).