Induced entanglement revival and entanglement protection in a two qubit system

A system of two initially entangled qubits interacting with a bosonic environment is considered. The interaction induces a loss of the initial entanglement of the two qubits, and for specific initial states it causes entanglement sudden death. An investigation of the modifications on the entanglement dynamics by a single pulse control field, performed in the two qubit system, shows that the control field can not only protect entangled states against sudden death but also induce a revival of entanglement in the two qubit system.     

Lifetime maximization in wireless directional sensor network

This paper addresses two versions of a lifetime maximization problem for target coverage with wireless directional sensor networks. The sensors used in these networks have a maximum sensing range and a limited sensing angle. In the first problem version, predefined sensing directions are assumed to be given, whereas sensing directions can be freely devised in the second problem version. In that case, a polynomial-time algorithm is provided for building sensing directions that allow to maximize the network lifetime. A column generation algorithm is proposed for both problem versions, the subproblem being addressed with a hybrid approach based on a genetic algorithm, and an integer linear programming formulation. Numerical results show that addressing the second problem version allows for significant improvements in terms of network lifetime while the computational effort is comparable for both problem versions.     

Structure and Properties of Electrochemically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solution by High-Resolution Techniques

The aim of this work was to deeply investigate the structure and properties of electrochemically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through high-resolution techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Zeta Potential measurements, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Strong brightness, tendency to generate nanoclusters containing an odd number of atoms, and absence of the free silver ions in solution were observed. The research also highlighted that the chemical and physical properties of the AgNPs seemed to be related to their peculiar oxidative state as suggested by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analyses. Finally, the MTT assay tested the low cytotoxicity of the investigated AgNPs.     

Therapeutic Potential of Highly Selective A3 Adenosine Receptor Ligands in the Central and Peripheral Nervous System

Ligands of the G_i protein-coupled adenosine A₃ receptor (A₃R) are receiving increasing interest as attractive therapeutic tools for the treatment of a number of pathological conditions of the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS, respectively). Their safe pharmacological profiles emerging from clinical trials on different pathologies (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and fatty liver diseases) confer a realistic translational potential to these compounds, thus encouraging the investigation of highly selective agonists and antagonists of A₃R. The present review summarizes information on the effect of latest-generation A₃R ligands, not yet available in commerce, obtained by using different in vitro and in vivo models of various PNS- or CNS-related disorders. This review places particular focus on brain ischemia insults and colitis, where the prototypical A₃R agonist, Cl-IB-MECA, and antagonist, MRS1523, have been used in research studies as reference compounds to explore the effects of latest-generation ligands on this receptor. The advantages and weaknesses of these compounds in terms of therapeutic potential are discussed.     

Spectroscopic alterations on enamel and dentin after nanosecond Nd:YAG laser irradiation

Laser irradiation on hard tissue has produced a resistant surface that is likely to prevent caries. In this study, human enamel and dentine were exposed to nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser with energy densities of 20-40 J/cm(2) and pulse width of 6 ns inducing chemical changes in these tissues. Infrared analysis of human dental enamel and dentine was performed using the KBr method (2mg sample/300 mg KBr). A correlation between non-lased and lased spectra was performed that gives an indication of the changes in organic and inorganic compounds after laser-tissue interaction. Spectra of teeth simultaneously show the inorganic and organic parts of the tissue. The principal bands: amide bands A, I, II, and III from the collagen-matrix, phosphate from the mineral content, and carbonate bands were identified. The normalized area of peak versus peak position was determined. Changes of the bands attributed to the collagen matrix were verified after Nd:YAG irradiation. The present results suggest a chemical modification of organic and mineral compounds by laser. The spectral results indicated an alteration in the absorption bands relative to, essentially, organic compounds.     

Divergent and solvent dependent reactions of 4-ethoxycarbonyl-3-methyl-1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-1,2-diaza-1,3-diene with enamines

Starting from 1-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-3-methyl-4-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2-diaza-1,3-diene and β,β,β and α,β-substituted enamines a careful choice of solvents and temperatures allows the divergent synthesis of 5,6-dihydro-4H-pyridazines, 2-(1-N-boc-hydrazono-ethyl)-4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-but-3-enoic acid ethyl ester, and 1-amino-pyrroles. Moreover, some interesting conclusions about the mechanism(s) of the reaction have been drawn by careful analysis of products' structure and distribution. Thus, the reaction may proceed through a stereospecific [4+2] cycloaddition mechanism giving rise to 5,6-dihydro-4H-pyridazines or by simple addition or domino addition/cyclization pathways affording, respectively, 2-(1-N-boc-hydrazono-ethyl)-4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-but-3-enoic acid ethyl ester and 1-amino-pyrroles (formally the [3+2] cycloaddition product).     

Protein structure prediction and biomolecular recognition: from protein sequence to peptidomimetic design with the human beta3 integrin

Computational tools can bridge the gap between sequence and protein 3D structure based on the notion that information is to be retrieved from the databases and that knowledge-based methods can help in approaching a solution of the protein-folding problem. To this aim our group has implemented neural network-based predictors capable of performing with some success in different tasks, including predictions of the secondary structure of globular and membrane proteins, the topology of membrane proteins and porins and stable alpha-helical segments suited for protein design. Moreover we have developed methods for predicting contact maps in proteins and the probability of finding a cysteine in a disulfide bridge, tools which can contribute to the goal of predicting the 3D structure starting from the sequence (the so called ab initio prediction). All our predictors take advantage of evolution information derived from the structural alignments of homologous (evolutionary related) proteins and taken from the sequence and structure databases. When it is necessary to build models for proteins of unknown spatial structure, which have very little homology with other proteins of known structure, non-standard techniques need to be developed and the tools for protein structure predictions may help in protein modeling. The results of a recent simulation performed in our lab highlights the role of high performing computing technology and of tools of computational biology in protein modeling and peptidomimetic design.     

A boundary condition for arbitrary shaped inlets in lattice–Boltzmann simulations

We introduce a mass‐flux‐based inlet boundary condition for the lattice‐Boltzmann method. The proposed boundary condition requires minimal amount of boundary data, it produces a steady‐state velocity field which is accurate close to the inlet even for arbitrary inlet geometries, and yet it is simple to implement. We demonstrate its capability for both simple and complex inlet geometries by numerical experiments. For simple inlet geometries, we show that the boundary condition provides very accurate inlet velocities when Re?1. Even with moderate Reynolds number, the inlet velocities are accurate for practical purposes. Furthermore, the potential of our boundary condition to produce inlet velocities which convincingly adapt to complex inlet geometries is highlighted with two specific examples. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Naphthalene Exchange in [Re(η6-napht)2]+ with Pharmaceuticals Leads to Highly Functionalized Sandwich Complexes [M(η6-pharm)2]+ (M=Re/99mTc)

Bis-arene sandwich complexes are generally prepared by the Fischer-Hafner reaction, which conditions are incompatible with most O- and N- functional groups. We report a new way for the synthesis of sandwich type complexes [Re(η⁶-arene)₂]⁺ and [Re(η⁶-arene)(η⁶-benzene)]⁺ from [Re(η⁶-napht)₂]⁺ and [Re(η⁶-napht)(η⁶-benzene)]⁺, with functionalized arenes and pharmaceuticals. N-methylpyrrolidine (NMP) facilitates the substitution of naphthalene with the incoming arene. A series of fully characterized rhenium sandwich complexes with simple arenes, such as aniline, as well as with active compounds like lidocaine and melatonin are presented. With these rhenium compounds in hand, the radioactive sandwich complexes [^99mTc(η⁶-pharm)₂]⁺ (pharm=pharmaceutical) can be unambiguously confirmed. The direct labelling of pharmaceuticals with ^99mTc through η⁶-coordination to phenyl rings and the confirmation of the structures with the rhenium homologues opens a path into molecular theranostics.     

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) as a green and efficient dipolar aprotic reaction medium

The great challenge for modern research is to define the most efficient tools to make more sustainable the industrial production and manufacturing. Among the different aspects that require attention the replacement of toxic and/or non-renewable solvents it is certainly playing a crucial role. Dealing with widely used dipolar aprotic solvents, among the different alternatives proposed in the literature γ-valerolactone (GVL) plays a pivotal role covering different application area. In this contribution, the benefits derived from the use of GVL as a circular, safe, biomass-derived reaction medium are highlighted covering most recent publications (2021). The presentation has been divided into three major sections: (i) biomass valorization, (ii) materials synthesis, manufacturing and recycle and (iii) new synthetic methodologies.