Function computation via subspace coding

This paper considers function computation in a network where intermediate nodes perform randomized network coding, through appropriate choice of the subspace codebooks at the source nodes. Unlike traditional network coding for computing functions, that requires intermediate nodes to be aware of the function to be computed, our designs are transparent to the intermediate node operations.     

Integrability of 3-dim polynomial systems with three invariant planes

We investigate the problem of integrability for a family of three-dimensional autonomous polynomial systems of ODEs. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of two independent analytic first integrals for systems of the family are given. The linearizability of the systems is studied as well.     

Development and validation of dried blood spots technique for quantitative determination of topiramate using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

An LC‐MS/MS method for determination of the anti‐epileptic drug topiramate (TPM) in dried blood spot (DBS) samples was developed and validated. DBS samples were prepared by spotting 30 μL of spiked whole blood onto FTA^TM DMPK‐C cards and drying for at least 3 h. Six‐millimetre punched spots were then extracted by using a mixture of methanol and water (90:10, v/v) with deuterated internal standard (topiramate‐d₁₂). The extracted samples were injected into a liquid chromatograph equipped with a tandem mass spectrometric detector. Negative ions were monitored in the selected reaction monitoring mode and transitions m/z 338.2 → 78.1 and m/z 350.3 → 78.1 were used for the quantitative evaluation of TPM and internal standard, respectively. The results obtained from validation were statistically evaluated according to the requirements of the European Medicines Agency and US Food and Drug Administration regulatory guidelines. The linearity of the method was checked within a concentration range from 10 to 2000 ng/mL. The validation results indicate that the method is accurate, precise, sensitive, selective and reproducible. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Programmed Self‐Assembly of a Quadruplex DNA Nanowire

The ability to produce, reproducibly and systematically, well‐defined quadruplex DNA nanowires through controlled rational design is poorly understood despite potential utility in structural nanotechnology. The programmed hierarchical self‐assembly of a long four‐stranded DNA nanowire through cohesive self‐assembly of GpC and CpG “sticky” ends is reported. The encoding of bases within the quadruplex stem allows for an uninterrupted π‐stacking system with rectilinear propagation for hundreds of nanometers in length. The wire is mechanically stable and features superior nuclease resistance to double‐stranded DNA. The study indicates the feasibility for programmed assembly of uninterrupted quadruplex DNA nanowires. This is fundamental to the systematic investigation of well‐defined DNA nanostructures for uses in optoelectronic and electronic devices as well as other structural nanotechnology applications.     

Determination of Oleanolic, Betulinic and Ursolic Acid in Lamiaceae and Mass Spectral Fragmentation of Their Trimethylsilylated Derivatives

Phytochemical investigations of different species of Lamiaceae family (rosemary-Rosmarinus officinalis L., sage-Salvia officinalis L., winter savory-Satureja montana L., clary sage-Salvia sclarea L. and sticky sage-Salvia glutinosa L.), using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were performed. The studies were focused on oleanolic, betulinic and ursolic acid. Since oleanolic and ursolic acid are position isomers with very similar structures, the difficulties in their separation and identification have been reported by several authors. However, both compounds can be well distinguished by order of elution during gas chromatography and by intensities of the fragment ion signals in their mass spectra, where the retro-Diels-Alder reaction was primarily observed. A combination of ultrasonic extraction, solid phase extraction, size exclusion chromatography, trimethylsilylation, and GC-MS resulted in simultaneous separation, identification and quantification of the mentioned compounds. The compounds have been identified by retention time and comparison of mass spectra with those of pure standards. The mass spectral fragmentation behavior of all three derivatised acids was investigated. The obtained characteristic fragment patterns are discussed in the presented work. Good linearity over the concentration range 1–50 mg L⁻¹ for all three compounds was confirmed. The correlation coefficients (r ² ) were in the range of 0.9980–0.9983. Quantitative analyses of different Lamiaceae extracts showed that the oleanolic acid content ranged from 0.09 to 0.9% dry weight, content of betulinic acid ranged from traces to 0.6%, and that of ursolic acid varied from 0.09 to 1.6% dry weight.     

Morphological patterns of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) derivatives synthesized with EGDMA, DEGDMA, and TEGDMA crosslinkers for application as thermosensitive drug carriers

A number of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (polyNIPAM) microgels were prepared with dimethacrylate cross-linking agents of various lengths, ether and ester groups in the backbone, and pendant vinylidine functionality. These materials were characterized by examining their morphological patterns using optical and scanning electron microscopy. When ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was used as a cross-linking agent, microspheres of approximately 1 μm in diameter were obtained. Diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (DEGDMA) cross-linking resulted in relatively large spherical structures (1–5 μm) as well as spherical nanostructures (200 nm). Using triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) resulted in spheres with diameters between 1 μm and 3 μm. The hydrodynamic particle diameter decreased with the increasing chain length of the dimethacrylate cross-linking agents. The turbidity increased with the temperature of transition points occurring at approximately 31–32°C confirming the thermosensitivity of the obtained polymeric structures.     

Adsorption of whitening agents on cellulose fibers — Monitored by streaming potential measurements,calorimetry and fluorescence

Fluorescent whitening agents (FWA) are used to improve the whiteness of cellulose fabrics. It is well known but not completely understood that the fluorescence decreases (chemical and physical mechanisms of distinguishing) above a certain FWA concentrationc _crit. This reduction of fluorescence correlates very well with the alteration of the adsorption process studied by calorimetry and zeta potential measurements. The results obtained by these methods indicate that the adsorption mechanism is different at concentrations below and abovec _crit. The reduction of the intensity of fluorescence, the degree of whiteness and the zeta potential are caused by the adsorption of a second layer of fluorescent whitening agents. This second layer reduces the zeta potential due to a shielding effect and reduces the whiteness and fluorescence by a bathochromic shift of the reflection curves. The final effect is a reduction of the total reflection.     

His6-OPH enzyme-based bio-hybrid material for organophosphate detection

In this work, we report on the development of a bio-sensing film for the detection of organophosphorous compounds using sol–gel technology. A novel sol–gel immobilization method employing tetraethoxysilane/3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane/water hybrid material was developed and used to immobilize the hexahistidine-tagged organophosphorous hydrolase enzyme (His₆-OPH). Bio-sensing layers with encapsulated His₆-OPH of various structures (water/silane, precursor ratios) have been prepared. The optimal (P = 5:1, R = 188) bio-sensing layers retained 90% of the initial enzyme activity. Furthermore, the bio-sensing layer prepared by this method was able to maintain its activity at or above 80% of its initial activity for 2 weeks. The bio-hybrid film also showed excellent reusability and improved activity at neutral pH in comparison to the same enzyme in solution.     

PEG modified poly(amide-b-ethylene oxide) membranes for CO2 separation

In the present work, membranes from commercially available Pebax^® MH 1657 and its blends with low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) PEG were prepared by using a simple binary solvent (ethanol/water). Dense film membranes show excellent compatibility with PEG system up to 50 wt.% of content. Gas transport properties have been determined for four gases (H₂, N₂, CH₄, CO₂) and the obtained permeabilities were correlated with polymer properties and morphology of the membranes. The permeability of CO₂ in Pebax^®/PEG membrane (50 wt.% of PEG) was increased two fold regarding to the pristine Pebax^®. Although CO₂/N₂ and CO₂/CH₄ selectivity remained constant, an enhancement of CO₂/H₂ selectivity (∼11) was observed. These results were attributed to the presence of EO units which increases CO₂ permeability, and to a probable increase of fractional free-volume. Furthermore, for free-volume discussion and permeability of gases, additive and Maxwell models were used.