On relations of vector optimization results with C 1,1 data

In this article we prove that some of the sufficient and necessary optimality conditions obtained by Ginchev, Guerraggio, Luc [Appl. Math., 51, 5-36 （2006）] generalize （strictly） those presented by Guerraggio, Luc [J. Optim. Theory Appl., 109, 615-629 （2001）]. While the former paper shows examples for which the conditions given there are effective but the ones from the latter paper fail, it does not prove that generally the conditions it proposes are stronger. In the present note we complete this comparison with the lacking proof.     

The Auslander conjecture for NIL-affine crystallographic groups

Let N be a simply connected, connected real nilpotent Lie group of finite dimension n. We study subgroups in Aff(N)=NAut(N) acting properly discontinuously and cocompactly on N. This situation is a natural generalization of the so-called affine crystallographic groups. We prove that for all dimensions 1n5 the generalized Auslander conjecture holds, i.e., that such subgroups are virtually polycyclic.     

Premixed Turbulent Combustion Modelling Using Level Set Approach

The paper deals with a level set approach application to SI engine combustion modelling, which is based on solving an additional transport equation to determine the flame front propagation. The presented work is an extension of the paper [6]. The influence of engine speed, air excess, swirl number, engine load as well as application of different turbulence model, in.uence of mesh coarseness and model fine-tuning constants are investigated and the results are presented. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Interaction of cells with polymers

This paper summarizes the results of our experiments studying the effect of functional chemical groups of synthetic hydrophilic polymers on the recognition of these materials by macrophages in in vivo experiments. The interaction of keratinocytes with synthetic hydrophilic polymers in vitro is also demonstrated. The implants containing anionic groups (carboxylates) were shown to be better tolerated by nonspecific immunity. The keratinocytes are able to grow on hydrophilic polymer supports and migrate to surfaces with improved adhesivity (in vitro). The clinical applications of these experiments are demonstrated.     

Prion Strains Differ in Susceptibility to Photodynamic Oxidation

Prion disorders, or transmissible spongiform encephalophaties (TSE), are fatal neurodegenerative diseases affecting mammals. Prion-infectious particles comprise of misfolded pathological prion proteins (PrP^TSE). Different TSEs are associated with distinct PrP^TSE folds called prion strains. The high resistance of prions to conventional sterilization increases the risk of prion transmission in medical, veterinary and food industry practices. Recently, we have demonstrated the ability of disulfonated hydroxyaluminum phthalocyanine to photodynamically inactivate mouse RML prions by generated singlet oxygen. Herein, we studied the efficiency of three phthalocyanine derivatives in photodynamic treatment of seven mouse adapted prion strains originating from sheep, human, and cow species. We report the different susceptibilities of the strains to photodynamic oxidative elimination of PrP^TSE epitopes: RML, A139, Fu-1 > mBSE, mvCJD > ME7, 22L. The efficiency of the phthalocyanine derivatives in the epitope elimination also differed (AlPcOH(SO₃)₂ > ZnPc(SO₃)_1-3 > SiPc(OH)₂(SO₃)_1-3) and was not correlated to the yields of generated singlet oxygen. Our data suggest that the structural properties of both the phthalocyanine and the PrP^TSE strain may affect the effectiveness of the photodynamic prion inactivation. Our finding provides a new option for the discrimination of prion strains and highlights the necessity of utilizing range of prion strains when validating the photodynamic prion decontamination procedures.     

Synthesis of HPMA Copolymers Containing Doxorubicin Bound via a Hydrazone Linkage. Effect of Spacer on Drug Release and in vitro Cytotoxicity

The aim of this study was the synthesis, physico‐chemical characterization and preliminary evaluation of biological activity of novel polymer drugs based on conjugates of anti‐cancer drug doxorubicin (Dox) with water‐soluble polymer drug carriers based on N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers. In the conjugates, Dox is attached to the polymer via a pH‐sensitive linkage susceptible to hydrolysis at pH ≈ 5–6, thus enabling intracellular Dox release. Seven Dox‐containing polymer conjugates differing in the length and structure of the single‐amino‐acid or oligopeptide spacer were synthesized (Gly, β‐Ala, 6‐aminohexanoyl, 4‐aminobenzoyl, GlyGly, GlyLeuGly, Gly‐DL ‐PheLeuGly) and the relationship between the spacer structure and the rate of in vitro Dox release was studied at various pH. The rate of Dox release at pH 5 (close to lysosomal pH) ranged from 70 to 96% of total Dox/48 h, depending on the spacer structure and being the highest for the conjugate containing the 6‐aminohexanoyl spacer. The rate of Dox release from most conjugates incubated at pH 7.4 (blood pH) was more than 10 times slower, ca. 4–10% of total Dox/48 h. Molecular weight of the polymer (25 000–115 000 g/mol) did not significantly influence the rate. The presence of lysosomal enzyme cathepsin B in incubation media increased the rate of Dox release from the conjugates with oligopeptide GlyLeuGly and Gly‐DL ‐PheLeuGly spacers by 15–30%, whereas the release from conjugates with other spacers remained unchanged. Cytotoxicity of all hydrazone conjugates for mouse EL‐4 T cell lymphoma cells was much higher and close to that of free Dox (IC₅₀ ≈ 0.1–0.34 μg Dox/mL), in contrast to cytotoxicity of similar classic conjugates bearing Dox attached via an amide bond (IC₅₀ ≈ 19 μg Dox/mL).     

Amperometric sensing of hydrogen peroxide vapor for security screening

Rapid detection of the hydrogen peroxide precursor of peroxide explosives is required in numerous security screening applications. We describe a highly sensitive and selective amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide vapor at an agarose-coated Prussian-blue (PB) modified thick-film carbon transducer. The sensor responds rapidly and reversibly to dynamic changes in the level of the peroxide vapor, with no apparent carry over and with a detection limit of 6 ppbv. The remarkable selectivity of the PB-based screen-printed electrode towards hydrogen peroxide leads to effective discrimination against common beverage samples. For example, blind tests have demonstrated the ability to selectively and non-invasively identify concealed hydrogen peroxide in drinking cups and bottles. The attractive performance of the new microfabricated PB-based amperometric peroxide vapor sensor indicates great potential for addressing a wide range of security screening and surveillance applications. Figure Experimental setup (left) with three electrode electrochemical Hydrogen Peroxide sensor hanging above container of “unknown” liquid. Schematic (right) demonstrating fundamental principles of operation of the sensor.     

Measurement and computation of zinc binding to natural dissolved organic matter in European surface waters

The zinc binding characteristics of natural dissolved organic matter (DOM) from five representative European surface freshwater sources were studied by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) and model simulation. Water samples were titrated with zinc and free zinc ion activity {Zn²⁺}, was calculated from the measurement of labile zinc by SWASV and other system conditions. Measured values of {Zn²⁺}, which were in the range 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁵ M, were compared with those simulated using Humic Ion-Binding Models V and VI. It was assumed that zinc speciation was controlled by the organic matter, represented by fulvic acid (FA), together with inorganic solution complexation. The models were calibrated by adjusting the parameter DOMFA, the proportion of DOM considered to behave as FA. Two modeling scenarios were used to obtain DOMFA values, both considering and not considering the competitive effects of Al, Fe(II) and Fe(III). The default Zn-DOM binding strength in Model VI (log K_MA = 1.6) was not able to provide realistic values of DOMFA and a log K_MA of 1.8 was tentatively proposed as a more plausible value in these waters. Models V and VI gave very similar fits to the data after optimization of DOMFA, in contrast to recent findings for copper. This may be due to the fact that the additional strong binding sites provided by Model VI are not important in complexing Zn in the Zn concentration range investigated in this study. Computed free Zn activities from both modeling scenarios were very similar; however, the consideration of Al and Fe competition is more realistic for natural waters.     

LO-phonon overheating in quantum dots

Longitudinal optical phonons have been used to interpret the electronic energy relaxation in quantum dots and at the same time they served as a reservoir, with which the electronic subsystem is in contact. Such a phonon subsystem is expected to be passive, namely, in a long-time limit the whole system should be able to achieve such a stationary state, in which statistical distributions of both subsystems do not change in time. We pay attention to this property of the LO phonon bath. We show the passivity property of the so far used approximations to electronic transport in quantum dots. Also we show a way how to improve the passivity of LO phonon bath using canonical Lang-Firsov transformation. Presented at the X-th Symposium on Suface Physics, Prague, Czech Republic, July 11–15, 2005.