Absolute optimal solution for a compact and convex game

This paper investigates the existence of absolute optimal solutions for a partition P in continuous and quasiconcave games. We show that the P-consistency property introduced in the paper, together with the quasiconcavity and continuity of payoffs, permits the existence of P-absolute optimal solutions in games with compact and convex strategy spaces. The P-consistency property is a general condition that cannot be dispensed with for the existence of P-absolute optimal solutions. We also characterize the existence of P-absolute optimal solutions by providing necessary and sufficient conditions. Moreover, we suggest an algorithm for efficiently computing P-absolute optimal solutions.     

In Vivo Assessment of the Ameliorative Impact of Some Medicinal Plant Extracts on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Multiple Sclerosis in Wistar Rats

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that leads to the demyelination of nerve fibers, which is the major cause of non-traumatic disability all around the world. Herbal plants Nepeta hindustana L., Vitex negundo L., and Argemone albiflora L., in addition to anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, have shown great potential as neuroprotective agents. The study was aimed to develop a neuroprotective model to study the effectiveness of herbal plants (N. hindustana, V. negundo, and A. albiflora) against multiple sclerosis. The in vivo neuroprotective effects of ethanolic extracts isolated from N. hindustana, V. negundo, and A. albiflora were evaluated in lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced multiple sclerosis Wistar rat model. The rat models were categorized into seven groups including group A as normal, B as LPS induced diseased group, while C, D, E, F, and G were designed as treatment groups. Histopathological evaluation and biochemical markers including stress and inflammatory (MMP-6, MDA, TNF-α, AOPPs, AGEs, NO, IL-17 and IL-2), antioxidant (SOD, GSH, CAT, GPx), DNA damage (Isop-2α, 8OHdG) as well as molecular biomarkers (RAGE, Caspase-8, p38) along with glutamate, homocysteine, acetylcholinesterase, and myelin binding protein (MBP) were investigated. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 and GraphPad Prism 8.0. The different extract treated groups (C, D, E, F, G) displayed a substantial neuroprotective effect regarding remyelination of axonal terminals and oligodendrocytes migration, reduced lymphocytic infiltrations, and reduced necrosis of Purkinje cells. The levels of stress, inflammatory, and DNA damage markers were observed high in the diseased group B, which were reduced after treatments with plant extracts. The antioxidant activity was significantly reduced in diseased induced group B, however, their levels were raised after treatment with plant extract. Group F (a mélange of all the extracts) showed the most significant change among all other treatment groups (C, D, E, G). The communal dose of selected plant extracts regulates neurodegeneration at the cellular level resulting in restoration and remyelination of axonal neurons. Moreover, 400 mg/kg dose of three plants in conjugation (Group F) were found to be more effective in restoring the normal activities of all measured parameters than independent doses (Group C, D, E) and is comparable with standard drug nimodipine (Group G) clinically used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The present study, for the first time, reported the clinical evidence of N. hindustana, V. negundo, and A. albiflora against multiple sclerosis and concludes that all three plants showed remyelination as well neuroprotective effects which may be used as a potential natural neurotherapeutic agent against multiple sclerosis.     

Phytochemicals Mediated Synthesis of AuNPs from Citrullus colocynthis and Their Characterization

Engineered nanoparticles that have distinctive targeted characteristics with high potency are modernistic technological innovations. In the modern era of research, nanotechnology has assumed critical importance due to its vast applications in all fields of science. Biologically synthesized nanoparticles using plants are an alternative to conventional methods. In the present study, Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) was used for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). UV-Vis’s spectroscopy, XRD, SEM and FTIR were performed to confirm the formation of AuNPs. UV-Vis’s spectra showed a characteristic peak at the range of 531.5–541.5 nm. XRD peaks at 2 θ = 38°, 44°, 64° and 77°, corresponding to 111, 200, 220 and 311 planes, confirmed the crystalline nature of AuNPs. Spherical AuNPs ranged mostly between 7 and 33 nm, and were measured using SEM. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of phytochemicals on the surface of AuNPs. Successful synthesis of AuNPs by seed extract of Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) as a capping and reducing agent represents the novelty of the present study.     

Formulation and Optimization of Alogliptin-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles: In Vitro to In Vivo Assessment

The nano-drug delivery system has gained greater acceptability for poorly soluble drugs. Alogliptin (ALG) is a FDA-approved oral anti-hyperglycemic drug that inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase-4. The present study is designed to prepare polymeric ALG nanoparticles (NPs) for the management of diabetes. ALG-NPs were prepared using the nanoprecipitation method and further optimized by Box–Behnken experimental design (BBD). The formulation was optimized by varying the independent variables Eudragit RSPO (A), Tween 20 (B), and sonication time (C), and the effects on the hydrodynamic diameter (Y1) and entrapment efficiency (Y2) were evaluated. The optimized ALG-NPs were further evaluated for in vitro release, intestinal permeation, and pharmacokinetic and anti-diabetic activity. The prepared ALG-NPs show a hydrodynamic diameter of between 272.34 nm and 482.87 nm, and an entrapment efficiency of between 64.43 and 95.21%. The in vitro release data of ALG-NPs reveals a prolonged release pattern (84.52 ± 4.1%) in 24 h. The permeation study results show a 2.35-fold higher permeation flux than pure ALG. ALG-NPs exhibit a significantly (p < 0.05) higher pharmacokinetic profile than pure ALG. They also significantly (p < 0.05) reduce the blood sugar levels as compared to pure ALG. The findings of the study support the application of ALG-entrapped Eudragit RSPO nanoparticles as an alternative carrier for the improvement of therapeutic activity.     

In Vitro Antimelanoma Properties of Verbena officinalis Fractions

Verbena officinalis is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat many ailments. Extracts of this plant are therapeutic agents for the potential treatment of different diseases, including colorectal and liver cancers, but have not been explored for their anti-melanoma potential so far. The goal of the current work was to prepare a methanolic extract and fractionate it using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and acetone to get semi-purified products. These semi-purified fractions were studied for their potency against melanoma cell lines. The three potent fractions (HA, VO79, and EA3) demonstrated 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) values as low as 2.85 µg/mL against the LOX IMVI cell line. All three fractions showed similar potency in inhibiting the growth of the B16 cells, a murine melanoma cell line. Based on high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) data, for the first time, we report on lupulone A from this plant. LC-MS data also indicated the presence of hedergonic acid, serjanic acid, and other compounds in V. officinalis extracts.     

Ion Conducting Polyethylene Oxide-Based Polymer Electrolyte Dopped with Ionic Liquid-Trifluoromethanesulfonic Chloride

In last few decades, polymer electrolyte is the most promising candidate for the fabrication of electrochemical devices. In current work, the influence of adding the room-temperature ionic liquid (trifluoromethanesulfonic chloride – CClF3O2S) in polyethylene oxide (PEO): ammonium iodide (NH4I) polymer electrolyte has been studied. The IL-doped polymer electrolyte films are synthesized by solution casting method with varying stoichiometric ratios. Several experimental techniques including optical polarizing microscope, impedance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Linear sweep voltammetry, Ionic transference number thermal analysis, and electrical conductivity measurements at room temperature have been studied in detail. The complex material's maximum conductivity has been determined to be 3.3 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature. The POM images show the increase in amorphous region which further confirm the improvement in ionic conductivity. Ionic transference number 0.96 shows the system is purely ionic in nature. The ESW of the IL doped polymer electrolyte is also sawed to be 3.32 V which is suitable for the fabrication of electrochemical devices.     

Study of cesium phospho(vanado)molybdates active in the oxidative dehydrogenation of cyclohexane

Cs₂.₅M_0.08H_0.26PMo₁₂O₄₀and Cs₂.₅M_0.08H_1.26PMo₁₁VO₄₀(M: Ni, Fe) heteopolyanions were selectively prepared, characterized by IR, Raman, ³¹P NMR, XPS and XRD and tested in the ODH of cyclohexane. The salt structure, and reaction mechanism and kinetics are discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Certification of standard reference material (SRM) 1941a, organics in marine sediment

SRM 1941a, Organics in Marine Sediment, has been recently issued with certified concentrations for 23 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 21 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners, 6 chlorinated pesticides, and sulfur. Noncertified concentrations have been also reported for additional PAHs, PCB congeners, and chlorinated pesticides and for percent total organic carbon (TOC), aliphatic hydrocarbons, and trace elements. SRM 1941a is the most extensively characterized natural matrix SRM issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).     

Thermal degradation pathways of nickel(II) bipyridine complexes to size-controlled nickel nanoparticles

Tris(bipyridine)nickel(II) chloride (1) and bis(bipyridine)nickel(II) chloride (2) pyrolize at heating rate of 50 °C/min to a maximum of 450 °C for 24 h under an inert atmosphere of flowing argon gas, to yield size-controlled nickel nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric studies of the complexes (1) and (2) and GC–MS analysis of the trapped volatile matter evolved during thermal degradation of the complexes indicate their clean decomposition pathway to zero-valent nickel. Both heating rate and argon gas flow rate affect purity, particle size, and shape of the particles. X-ray powder diffractometry and atomic force microscopy showed the formation of face-centered cubic (fcc) structured nickel particles having particle size in the range of 3.5–5.0 nm. Magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest nickel nanoparticles to be ferromagnetic in nature characterized by particle size–dependent Curie temperature and high coercivity that is comparable to the bulk iron.