Abstract functions with continuous differences and Namioka spaces

Let be a semigroup and a topological space. Let be an Abelian topological group. The right differences of a function are defined by for . Let be continuous at the identity of for all in a neighbourhood of . We give conditions on or range under which is continuous for any topological space . We also seek conditions on under which we conclude that is continuous at for arbitrary . This led us to introduce new classes of semigroups containing all complete metric and locally countably compact quasitopological groups. In this paper we study these classes and explore their relation with Namioka spaces.

     

Facile large-scale fabrication of proton conducting channels

A new approach to the facile large-scale fabrication of robust silicon membranes with artificial proton conducting channels is presented. Ordered two-dimensional macroporous silicon was rendered proton conducting by growing a thick uniform polyelectrolyte brush using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization throughout the porous matrix. The fabricated silicon-poly(sulfopropyl methacrylate) hybrid membranes were evaluated for their proton conductivity, ion exchange capacity, and water uptake. With proton conductivities in the range of 10(-2) S/cm, these proof-of-concept experiments highlight a promising alternative for producing tailorable proton conducting membranes. This approach constitutes a benchmark for the preparation and study of model systems and, in addition, for the large-scale fabrication of membranes suitable for a wide range of technological applications.     

Proton and calcium-gated ionic mesochannels: phosphate-bearing polymer brushes hosted in mesoporous thin films as biomimetic interfacial architectures

Rational construction of interfaces based on multicomponent responsive systems in which molecular transport is mediated by structures of nanoscale dimensions has become a very fertile research area in biomimetic supramolecular chemistry. Herein, we describe the creation of hybrid mesostructured interfaces with reversible gate-like transport properties that can be controlled by chemical inputs, such as protons or calcium ions. This was accomplished by taking advantage of the surface-initiated polymerization of 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphate (MEP) monomer units into and onto mesoporous silica thin films. In this way, phosphate-bearing polymer brushes were used as "gatekeepers" located not only on the outer surface of mesoporous thin films but also in the inner environment of the porous scaffold. Pore-confined PMEP brushes respond to the external triggering chemical signals not only by altering their physicochemical properties but also by switching the transport properties of the mesoporous film. The ion-gate response/operation was based on the protonation and/or chelation of phosphate monomer units in which the polymer brush works as an off-on switch in response to the presence of protons or Ca(2+) ions. The hybrid meso-architectured interface and their functional features were studied by a combination of experimental techniques including ellipso-porosimetry, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray reflectivity, grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and in situ atomic force microscopy. In this context, we believe that the integration of stimuli-responsive polymer brushes into nanoscopic supramolecular architectures would provide new routes toward multifunctional biomimetic nanosystems displaying transport properties similar to those encountered in biological ligand-gated ion channels.     

Green Extraction Techniques as Advanced Sample Preparation Approaches in Biological,Food, and Environmental Matrices: A Review

Green extraction techniques (GreETs) emerged in the last decade as greener and sustainable alternatives to classical sample preparation procedures aiming to improve the selectivity and sensitivity of analytical methods, simultaneously reducing the deleterious side effects of classical extraction techniques (CETs) for both the operator and the environment. The implementation of improved processes that overcome the main constraints of classical methods in terms of efficiency and ability to minimize or eliminate the use and generation of harmful substances will promote more efficient use of energy and resources in close association with the principles supporting the concept of green chemistry. The current review aims to update the state of the art of some cutting-edge GreETs developed and implemented in recent years focusing on the improvement of the main analytical features, practical aspects, and relevant applications in the biological, food, and environmental fields. Approaches to improve and accelerate the extraction efficiency and to lower solvent consumption, including sorbent-based techniques, such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and fabric-phase sorbent extraction (FPSE), and solvent-based techniques (μQuEChERS; micro quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), in addition to supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and pressurized solvent extraction (PSE), are highlighted.     

Harmonic analysis and asymptotic behavior of solutions to the abstract cauchy problem

LetC _ub ( $\mathbb{J}$ , X) denote the Banach space of all uniformly continuous bounded functions defined on $\mathbb{J}$ 2 ε {?⁺, ?} with values in a Banach spaceX. Let ? be a class fromC _ub( $\mathbb{J}$ ,X). We introduce a spectrumsp?(φ) of a functionφ εC _ub (?,X) with respect to ?. This notion of spectrum enables us to investigate all twice differentiable bounded uniformly continuous solutions on ? to the abstract Cauchy problem (*)ω′(t) =Aω(t) +φ(t),φ(0) =x,φ ε ?, whereA is the generator of aC ₀-semigroupT(t) of bounded operators. Ifφ = 0 andσ(A) ∩i? is countable, all bounded uniformly continuous mild solutions on ?⁺ to (*) are studied. We prove the bound-edness and uniform continuity of all mild solutions on ?⁺ in the cases (i)T(t) is a uniformly exponentially stableC ₀-semigroup andφ εC _ub(?,X); (ii)T(t) is a uniformly bounded analyticC ₀-semigroup,φ εC _ub (?,X) andσ(A) ∩i sp(φ) = Ø. Under the condition (i) if the restriction ofφ to ?⁺ belongs to ? = ?(?⁺,X), then the solutions belong to ?. In case (ii) if the restriction ofφ to ?⁺ belongs to ? = ?(?⁺,X), andT(t) is almost periodic, then the solutions belong to ?. The existence of mild solutions on ? to (*) is also discussed.     

Colonic drug delivery using amylose films: the role of aqueous ethylcellulose dispersions in controlling drug release

Amylose, a plant polysaccharide from starch, can be combined with ethylcellulose to produce a film coating capable of effecting colon specific drug release from a dosage form through bacterial fermentation of the amylose component. Ethylcellulose is present in the system as a structuring agent in the form of the aqueous dispersion Surelease^® grade EA-7100. There are, however, two other grades of Surelease^® (E-7-7050 and E-7-19010), which vary slightly in terms of their composition. The aim of the study was to establish whether these grades differ in their drug release profiles, when used as a film coat, either as one-component coatings, or in combination with amylose. The dissolution profiles of Surelease^® coated pellets were investigated and it was found that there was no difference between the grades when used as coating materials on their own. However, when used in combination with amylose, it was found that grade EA-7100 showed retardation of drug release in simulated upper gastro-intestinal (GI) conditions, whereas grades E-7-7050 and E-7-19010 did not limit the release to the same extent. E-7-19010 showed very poor controlled release properties when combined with amylose. These differences could not be attributed to the minimum film forming temperature (MFT) of the coating formulation, which was found to be independent of the grade of Surelease^®. It was also confirmed that the film coated pellets prepared from amylose and EA-7100 showed good release in human faecal slurry, i.e. simulated colonic conditions. It was concluded that the grades of Surelease^®, when combined with amylose, are not interchangeable.     

Comparative Analysis of Microbial Consortiums and Nanoparticles for Rehabilitating Petroleum Waste Contaminated Soils

Nano-bioremediation application is an ecologically and environmentally friendly technique to overcome the catastrophic situation in soil because of petroleum waste contamination. We evaluated the efficiency of oil-degrading bacterial consortium and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with or without fertilizer to remediate soils collected from petroleum waste contaminated oil fields. Physicochemical characteristics of control soil and petroleum contaminated soils were assessed. Four oil-degrading strains, namely Bacillus pumilus ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"KY010576","term_id":"1248281175"}}KY010576), Exiguobacteriaum aurantiacum ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"KY010578","term_id":"1248281177"}}KY010578), Lysinibacillus fusiformis ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"KY010586","term_id":"1248281185"}}KY010586), and Pseudomonas putida ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"KX580766","term_id":"1159332275"}}KX580766), were selected based on their in vitrohydrocarbon-degrading efficiency. In a lab experiment, contaminated soils were treated alone and with combined amendments of the bacterial consortium, AgNPs, and fertilizers (ammonium nitrate and diammonium phosphate). We detected the degradation rate of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) of the soil samples with GC-FID at different intervals of the incubation period (0, 5, 20, 60, 240 days). The bacterial population (CFU/g) was also monitored during the entire period of incubation. The results showed that 70% more TPH was degraded with a consortium with their sole application in 20 days of incubation. There was a positive correlation between TPH degradation and the 100-fold increase in bacterial population in contaminated soils. This study revealed that bacterial consortiums alone showed the maximum increase in the degradation of TPHs at 20 days. The application of nanoparticles and fertilizer has non-significant effects on the consortium degradation potential. Moreover, fertilizer alone or in combination with AgNPs and consortium slows the rate of degradation of TPHs over a short period. Still, it subsequently accelerates the rate of degradation of TPHs, and a negligible amount remains at the end of the incubation period.