Complex inorganic/organic core-shell architectures via an inverse emulsion process

The preparation of complex inorganic/organic core-shell particles and their in situ hydrophobization via an inverse emulsion technique is described here. Typically, aqueous solutions of precursor salts are dispersed with the help of statistical copolymers in an organic phase and subsequently polymer-stabilized nanoparticles precipitate at room temperature (e.g., barium- or strontium-based perovskite nanoparticles). By this technique, core-multiple-shell ZnO–silica–polymer nanoparticles may also be obtained, whereby the polymer matrix is protected against the photocatalytically active ZnO by the silica shell. The particles are characterized by X-ray, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. In this approach, amphiphilic statistical copolymers act not only as stabilizers for inverse emulsions, but they also hydrophobize the remaining complex inorganic particles shelled on the surface after the precipitation. The preparation of hybrid nanoparticles is performed by a one-pot procedure, which makes this process attractive for industrial applications.     

Analyticity for Some Operator Functions from Statistical Quantum Mechanics

For rather general thermodynamic equilibrium distribution functions the density of a statistical ensemble of quantum mechanical particles depends analytically on the potential in the Schr?dinger operator describing the quantum system. A key to the proof is that the resolvent to a power less than one of an elliptic operator with non-smooth coefficients, and mixed Dirichlet/Neumann boundary conditions on a bounded up to three-dimensional Lipschitz domain boundedly maps the space of square integrable functions to the space of essentially bounded functions. Dedicated to Günter Albinus Submitted: November 21, 2008. Accepted: March 31, 2009.     

Zeros of linear combinations of Laguerre polynomials from different sequences

We study interlacing properties of the zeros of two types of linear combinations of Laguerre polynomials with different parameters, namely and . Proofs and numerical counterexamples are given in situations where the zeros of R_n, and S_n, respectively, interlace (or do not in general) with the zeros of , , k=n or n−1. The results we prove hold for continuous, as well as integral, shifts of the parameter α.     

Towards Non-Targeted Screening of Lipid Biomarkers for Improved Equine Anti-Doping

The current approach to equine anti-doping is focused on the targeted detection of prohibited substances. However, as new substances are rapidly being developed, the need for complimentary methods for monitoring is crucial to ensure the integrity of the racing industry is upheld. Lipidomics is a growing field involved in the characterisation of lipids, their function and metabolism in a biological system. Different lipids have various biological effects throughout the equine system including platelet aggregation and inflammation. A certain class of lipids that are being reviewed are the eicosanoids (inflammatory markers). The use of eicosanoids as a complementary method for monitoring has become increasingly popular with various studies completed to highlight their potential. Studies including various corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and cannabidiol have been reviewed to highlight the progress lipidomics has had in contributing to the equine anti-doping industry. This review has explored the techniques used to prepare and analyse samples for lipidomic investigations in addition to the statistical analysis and potential for lipidomics to be used for a longitudinal assessment in the equine anti-doping industry.