Solutions of vectorial Hamilton-Jacobi equations and minimizers of nonquasiconvex functionals

We provide a unified approach to prove existence results for the Dirichlet problem for Hamilton-Jacobi equations and for the minimum problem for nonquasiconvex functionals of the Calculus of Variations with affine boundary data. The idea relies on the definition of integro-extremal solutions introduced in the study of nonconvex scalar variational problem.     

Sets of type (0,n) in Steiner systems and in finite projective planes

In this paper we study the sets of type (0,n)₁ in a finite projective plane and the inclusion relations between them.     

Tuning oxygen packing in silica by nonhydrostatic pressure

The transformation of SiO2 from low pressure tetrahedral phases into denser octahedral phases takes place via the collapse of the oxygen sublattice into a close-packed arrangement. The transition paths and the resulting products are known to be affected by the presence of anisotropic stresses, which are difficult to control, so interpretation of the experimental results is problematic. Based on nonhydrostatic molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the collapse of the oxygen sublattice in the specific case of cristobalite is concomitant with the disappearance of tetrahedral units and that non hydrostatic stresses can be tuned to yield phases with different oxygen close-packed sublattices, including the alpha-PbO2-like phase, for which we provide a microscopic formation path, and phases with a cubic close packing, like anatase, not seen in experiments yet.     

Dynamic pressure and response factors for progressive gravity waves to third order approximation

Summary This paper proposes expressions of the dynamic pressure and of the transfer functions (response factors) between the dynamic pressure amplitude and the wave amplitude and between the dynamic pressure and the vertical displacement of the wave profile, for irrotational progressive gravity waves to third order approximation (non-linear theory).Some characteristic behaviours of the dynamic pressure and of the response factors are examined and compared with those of waves to first order approximation (linear theory).

---

Sommario Si ricavano le espressioni della pressione dinamica per onde irrotazionali progressive di gravità al terzo ordine di approssimazione (modello non lineare).Si individuano le funzioni di trasferimento (fattori di risposta) sia tra l'ampiezza della pressione dinamica e l'ampiezza d'onda, sia tra la pressione dinamica e lo spostamento verticale della superficie di ondulazione.Si esaminano comportamenti caratteristici della pressione dinamica e dei fattori di risposta e si confrontano tali comportamenti con quelli relativi alle onde al primo ordine di approssimazione (modello lineare).

---

     

Nitridosilicates and oxonitridosilicates: from ceramic materials to structural and functional diversity

Silicates are one of the most important classes of compounds on this planet, and more than 1000 silicates have been identified in the mineral kingdom. Additionally, several hundreds of artificial silicates have been synthesized. The substitution of oxygen by nitrogen leads to the structurally diverse and manifold class of nitridosilicates. Silicon nitride, one of the most important non-oxidic ceramic materials, is the binary parent compound of nitridosilicates, and it symbolizes the inherent material properties of these refractory compounds. However, prior to the last decades, a broad systematic investigation of nitridosilicates had not been accomplished. In the meantime, these and related compounds have reached a remarkable level of industrial application. This review illustrates recent progress in synthesis and structure-property relationships and also applications of nitridosilicates, oxonitridosilicates, and related SiAlONs.     

A molecular dynamics study of structure, stability and fragmentation patterns of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate positively charged aggregates in vacuo

Positively charged supramolecular aggregates formed in vacuo by n AOTNa (sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate) molecules and n(c) additional sodium ions, i.e. [AOT(n)Na(n+n(c))](n(c)), have been investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for n = 1-20 and n(c) = 0-5. Statistical analysis of physical quantities like gyration radii, atomic B-factors and moment of inertia tensors provides detailed information on their structural and dynamical properties. Even for n(c) = 5, all stable aggregates show a reverse micelle-like structure with an internal solid-like core including sodium counterions and surfactant polar heads surrounded by an external layer consisting of the surfactant alkyl chains. Moreover, the aggregate shapes may be approximated by rather flat and elongated ellipsoids whose longer axis increases with n and n(c). The fragmentation patterns of a number of these aggregates have also been examined and have been found to markedly depend on the aggregate charge state. In one particular case, for which experimental findings are available in the literature, a good agreement is found with the present fragmentation data.     

Evaluation of Genotoxicity and Toxicity of Annona muricata L. Seeds and In Silico Studies

Cancer is a multifactorial organic dysfunction for which great efforts are being devoted in searching for new treatments and therapeutic adjuvants. Annona muricata is a fruit that has promising activity against several types of cancer, as it contains acetogenins, the metabolite group associated with this action. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate, in experimental models, the toxic behavior of an extract and fraction rich in acetogenins from A. muricata seeds and study the acetogenin, Annonacin, in silico. Phytochemical characterization was made by thin layer chromatography, spectroscopy in the infrared region and nuclear magnetic resonance. Toxicity was evaluated by tests of Allium cepa and Artemia salina, and in silico studies using the SwissDock servers DockThor, PharmMapper, ADMETLab, PreADME, Osiris and ProTox. The extract and fraction showed genotoxic activity against meristematic cells of A. cepa, reducing the mitotic index; however, the extract produced great deleterious effects on the system, even causing cell necrosis. In A. Saline, the extract was more toxic than the fraction, but both samples were considered toxic. Annonacin was effectively linked to complex I, and presented different activities regarding toxicity. Thus, the results of this study are promising, highlighting the anticancer potential of acetogenins.