Extended filters in bounded commutative Rl-monoids

The notion of extended filter of a filter associated to a subset of Rl-monoids is defined and related properties are investigated. Rachunek and Salounova proved that positive implicative filters and Boolean filters in Rl-monoids coincide with a condition in Rachunek and Salounova (Acta Univ Palacki Olomuc Fac rer nat Math 48(1):93–107, 2009). In this paper, we prove that positive implicative filters and Boolean filters coincide without any condition and get some results on various types of filters.     

Lack of associative filters in lattice implication algebras

Jun et al. (Bull Korean Math Soc 35(1):53–61, 1998) introduced the notion of associative filters in lattice implication algebra and studied some of its properties. In this paper, we show that there is no associative filter in lattice implication algebra.     

Oxygen-Generating Cryogels Restore T Cell Mediated Cytotoxicity in Hypoxic Tumors

Solid tumors are protected from antitumor immune responses due to their hypoxic microenvironments. Weakening hypoxia-driven immunosuppression by hyperoxic breathing of 60% oxygen has shown to be effective in unleashing antitumor immune cells against solid tumors. However, efficacy of systemic oxygenation is limited against solid tumors outside of lungs and has been associated with unwanted side effects. As a result, it is essential to develop targeted oxygenation alternatives to weaken tumor hypoxia as novel approaches to restore immune responses against cancer. Herein, injectable oxygen-generating cryogels (O₂-cryogels) to reverse tumor-induced hypoxia are reported. These macroporous biomaterials are designed to locally deliver oxygen, inhibit the expression of hypoxia-inducible genes in hypoxic melanoma cells, and reduce the accumulation of immunosuppressive extracellular adenosine. The data show that O₂-cryogels enhance T cell-mediated secretion of cytotoxic proteins, restoring the killing ability of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, O₂-cryogels provide a unique and safe platform to supply oxygen as a coadjuvant in hypoxic tumors and have the potential to improve cancer immunotherapies.     

Effect of seed layers on low-temperature,chemical bath deposited ZnO nanorods-based near UV-OLED performance

Low-temperature wet chemical bath deposition (CBD) method is one of the most efficient and least hazardous solution-based techniques which is widely employed to grow ZnO NRs. In CBD method, a seed layer is usually deposited on the substrate. In this paper, high quality ZnO and aluminum doped ZnO (AZO) seed layers are sputtered on the indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass. In continue, aligned ZnO NRs are grown on the AZO and ZnO seed layers via CBD technique. The effect of the growth time and seed layer on the physical properties of as-grown ZnO NRs are investigated. According to the results, the seed layer plays an essential role on the growth orientation and growth rate of the ZnO NRs. The ZnO NRs grown on AZO seed layer are more aligned rather than ZnO seed layer due to their higher texture coefficients. The relative photoluminescence (PL) intensity ratio of near band emission (NBE) to deep level emission (DLE) (I_NBE/I_DLE) for the ZnO NRs grown on AZO and ZnO seed layers are calculated as 7.45 and 2.62, respectively. To investigate the performance of the as-grown ZnO NRs, near ultraviolet organic light-emitting diodes (UV-OLEDs) using ZnO NRs array as n-type material and poly [2-methoxy-5-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene-vinylene] (MEH-PPV) conjugated polymer as p-type material have been fabricated. The total concentration of traps ($N_t$), the characteristic energies ($E_t$) and the turn-on voltages for the devices with the structures of ITO/AZO/ZnO NRs/MEH-PPV/Al (device A) and ITO/ZnO/ZnO NRs/MEH-PPV/Al (device B) are attained 7.65 × 10¹⁶ and 7.75 × 10¹⁶ cm^?3, 0.232 and 0.206 eV, 23 and 21 V, respectively. Moreover, based on the electroluminescence (EL) spectra, the NBE peaks for device A and B are obtained nearly in the wavelengths of 382 and 388 nm, respectively. Finally, various charge carrier transportation processes of prepared UV-OLEDs have been studied, systematically.     

Nonlinear transient heat transfer and thermoelastic analysis of thick-walled FGM cylinder with temperature-dependent material properties using Hermitian transfinite element

Nonlinear transient heat transfer and thermoelastic stress analyses of a thick-walled FGM cylinder with temperature-dependent materials are performed by using the Hermitian transfinite element method. Temperature-dependency of the material properties has not been taken into account in transient thermoelastic analysis, so far. Due to the mentioned dependency, the resulting governing FEM equations of transient heat transfer are highly nonlinear. Furthermore, in all finite element analysis performed so far in the field, Lagrangian elements have been used. To avoid an artificial local heat source at the mutual boundaries of the elements, Hermitian elements are used instead in the present research. Another novelty of the present paper is simultaneous use of the transfinite element method and updating technique. Time variations of the temperature, displacements, and stresses are obtained through a numerical Laplace inversion. Finally, results obtained considering the temperature-dependency of the material properties are compared with those derived based on temperature independency assumption. Furthermore, the temperature distribution and the radial and circumferential stresses are investigated versus time, geometrical parameters and index of power law. Results reveal that the temperature-dependency effect is significant.     

Degradability Enhancement of Poly(Lactic Acid) by Stearate-Zn(3)Al LDH Nanolayers

Recent environmental problems and societal concerns associated with the disposal of petroleum based plastics throughout the world have triggered renewed efforts to develop new biodegradable products compatible with our environment. This article describes the preparation, characterization and biodegradation study of poly(lactic acid)/layered double hydroxide (PLA/LDH) nanocomposites from PLA and stearate-Zn₃Al LDH. A solution casting method was used to prepare PLA/stearate-Zn₃Al LDH nanocomposites. The anionic clay Zn₃Al LDH was firstly prepared by co-precipitation method from a nitrate salt solution at pH 7.0 and then modified by stearate anions through an ion exchange reaction. This modification increased the basal spacing of the synthetic clay from 8.83 Å to 40.10 Å. The morphology and properties of the prepared PLA/stearate-Zn₃Al LDH nanocomposites were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile tests as well as biodegradation studies. From the XRD analysis and TEM observation, the stearate-Zn₃Al LDH lost its ordered stacking-structure and was greatly exfoliated in the PLA matrix. Tensile test results of PLA/stearate-Zn₃Al LDH nanocomposites showed that the presence of around 1.0–3.0 wt % of the stearate-Zn₃Al LDH in the PLA drastically improved its elongation at break. The biodegradation studies demonstrated a significant biodegradation rate improvement of PLA in the presence of stearate-Zn₃Al LDH nanolayers. This effect can be caused by the catalytic role of the stearate groups in the biodegradation mechanism leading to much faster disintegration of nanocomposites than pure PLA.     

Antioxidant and Antihemolytic Activities of Ethanolic Extract of Flowers,Leaves, and Stems of Hyssopus officinalis L. Var. angustifolius

In this study, antioxidant and antihemolytic activities of ethanolic extract of flowers, leaves, and stems of Hyssopus officinalis L. Var. angustifolius were investigated employing different in vitro assay systems. Extracts showed good antioxidant activity. IC₅₀ for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical-scavenging activity were 148.8 ± 4.31 μg mL^?1 for flowers, 79.9 ± 2.63 μg mL^?1 for stems, and 208.2 ± 6.45 μg mL^?1 for leaves. All extracts showed moderate iron (II) chelating ability. Extracts exhibited good antioxidant activity in the hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid model and also they were capable of scavenging hydrogen peroxide in a concentration dependent manner. Extracts showed good antihemolytic activity againts hydrogen peroxide-induced hemolysis (IC₅₀ were 48.51 ± 2.27 μg mL^?1 for flowers, 19.47 ± 0.73 μg mL^?1 for leaves, and 63.1 ± 2.65 μg mL^?1 for stems). The total amount of phenolic compounds in the extracts was determined as gallic acid equivalents and total flavonoid content was calculated as quercetin equivalents from a calibration curve.     

Individual-based modelling of hydropeaking effects on brown trout and Atlantic salmon in a regulated river

We developed an individual-based model (IBM) to understand the effects of hydropeaking on growth, survival and distribution of age 0+ to 1+ juveniles for high-conservation value populations of native brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Atlantic salmon (S. salar) in river Gullspång, Sweden. We parameterized and applied inSTREAM (7.2-SD) and calibrated the model by comparing predicted versus observed growth under the current hydropeaking regime (n=>1,200 model fish for 365 days). Our objective was to model growth, survival and distribution under flow scenarios with and without hydropeaking. We observed that hydropeaking generally resulted in modest (~10%) negative effects on growth and survival of both species. Survival was more affected than was growth, smaller fish more affected than larger fish. On-peak (high) hydropeaking flows resulted in less profitable feeding conditions (less growth) and higher predation (lower survival). Thus, inSTREAM 7.2-SD appears to capture ecologically-relevant behavioral patterns under hydropeaking, for example, habitat selection, in response to rapid flow changes. Understanding such patterns for large rivers via manipulative field studies, even if possible, would be time-consuming and costly. Our study demonstrates the potential of IBMs as powerful tools for testing research questions and assessing and prioritizing alternative management strategies in regulated rivers.     

Electrodeposition of high Mo content amorphous/nanocrystalline Ni–Mo alloys using 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride ionic liquid as an additive

In the following research, adherent, compact and bright Ni–Mo alloy has been electrodeposited on mild steel in the presence of ionic liquid additive 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride in ammonia citrate solution using pulse plating technique. The textural components of the coatings were evaluated employing X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. Microstructure, morphology and chemical composition of the coatings were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The results revealed that in the presence of ionic liquid at pH of 8.5, Ni–Mo films containing more than 49 wt.% Mo have been carried out whilst no proper deposits have been conducted in additive free solution at the same condition. SEM micrographs showed different morphology of Ni–Mo deposits in the presence of ionic liquid additive. Also XRD patterns represented that present conditions lead to amorphous/nanocrystalline Ni–Mo coatings. Temperature and pH were varied for studying their effects on Ni–Mo characteristics. Moreover the effect of substrate preparation on morphology of coatings was also investigated.