Multiple positive solutions for singular BVPs on the positive half-line

In this work, we are concerned with the existence of multiple positive solutions to a second-order nonlinear singular boundary value problem set on the positive half-line. We mainly use the Krasnozels’ki and Leggett–Williams fixed point theorems in cones to prove existence of one positive solution, two positive solutions and three positive solutions. The results complement, extend and correct some recent ones.     

Structure refinement, infrared and Raman spectra of KDyP4O12

Crystals of KDyP₄O₁₂ have been grown by the flux technique and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. KDyP₄O₁₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/c space group with lattice parameters: a=7.8158(3), b=12.3401(5), c=10.4382(3) Å, β=111.053°(2), V=939.6(4) Å³, Z=4. The crystal structure has been refined yielding a final R(F²)=0.034 and R_w(F²)=0.082 for 902 independent reflections (F_o²≥2σ(F_o²)). The structure of KDyP₄O₁₂ consists of DyO₈ polyhedra and cyclotetraphosphate P₄O₁₂ groups sharing oxygen atoms to form a three-dimensional framework, delimiting intersecting tunnels in which the potassium ion is located. Each K⁺ ion is bonded to 10 oxygen atoms. The energies of the vibrational modes of the crystal were obtained from measurements of the infrared and Raman spectra.     

Crystal structure and infrared spectrum of thallium holmium polyphosphate,TIHo（PO3）4

Crystals of thallium-holmium polyphosphate T1Ho（PO3）4 were grown by flux method technique and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Structure of T1Ho（PO3）4 was solved for the first time, and it crystallized in the monoclinic P21/n space group with the following unit-cell dimensions： a=1.02225（3） nm, b=0.88536（2） nm, c=1.09541（4） nm, β=105.888（1）°, V=0.95354（5） nm^3 and Z=4. The crystal structure was solved from 2174 independent reflections with final R1（F^2）=0.0442 and Rw（F^2）=0.0861 refined with 164 parameters. The atomic arrangement could be described as a long chain polyphosphate organization. Holmium atoms had eightfold coordination. The structure of T1Ho（PO3）4 consisted of HoO8 polyhedra sharing oxygen atoms with phosphoric group PO4. Infrared spectrum was investigated at room temperature in the frequencies range, 350--4000 cm^-1, showing some characteristic vibration bands of infinite chain structure of PO4 tetrahedra linked by bridging oxygen.     

The effect of water suppression on the hepatic lipid quantification,as assessed by the LCModel,in a preclinical and clinical scenario

Objective

To investigate the effect of water suppression on the hepatic lipid quantification, using the LCModel.

Materials and methods

MR spectra with and without water suppression were acquired in the liver of mice at 4.7 T and patients at 3 T, and processed with the LCModel. The Cramér–Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) values of the seven lipid resonances were determined to assess the impact of water suppression on hepatic lipid quantification. A paired t test was used for comparison between the CRLBs obtained with and without water suppression.

Results

For the preclinical data, in the high (low) fat fraction subset an overall impairment in hepatic lipid quantification, i.e. an increase of CRLBs (no significant change of CRLBs) was observed in spectra acquired with water suppression. For the clinical data, there were no substantial changes in the CRLB with water suppression. Because (1) the water suppression does not overall improve the quantification of the lipid resonances and (2) the MR spectrum without water suppression is always acquired for fat fraction calculation, the optimal data-acquisition strategy for liver MRS is to acquire only the MR spectrum without water suppression.

Conclusion

For quantification of hepatic lipid resonances, it is advantageous to perform MR spectroscopy without water suppression in a clinical and preclinical scenario (at moderate fields).

     

Polyphenolic Extract of Barbary-Fig (Opuntia ficus-indica) Syrup: RP–HPLC–ESI–MS Analysis and Determination of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cancer-Cells Cytotoxic Potentials

The traditionally derived syrup of Opuntia ficus-indica fruit is commonly used in homemade confectionery. Herein, the aqueous-acetone extract prepared from the Tunisian O. ficus-indica syrup was investigated. The qualitatively and quantitatively polyphenolic content was analysed using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (RP-HPLC–DAD) coupled to electrospray ionisation–mass spectrometry (ESI–MS). The extract contained 19.95?±?2.01 mg phenolics per gram of fresh starting material with isorhamnetin 3-O-robinobioside as the major compound (22.76%). The syrup extract showed strong antioxidant potentials as assessed by both ABTS and DPPH functional methods. It exhibited effective antimicrobial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis with a minimal bactericide concentration (MBC) of 1.3 mg phenolics/ml. Furthermore, at final concentrations in the range of 41.38–186.25 μg polyphenols/ml, the extract decreased human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and 3T3 fibroblast in vitro cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner compared to non-treated control cells. The observed effects were significantly (P?<?0.05) high against cancer lines. Extract concentrations higher than 106.43 μg/ml reduced cancer cells viability to 50–60% 1–3 h post-treatment. Further in vivo insight studies should emphasise and validate the herein obtained results.     

Antibacterial activity and chemical composition of 20 Eucalyptus species’ essential oils

The essential oils of twenty Eucalyptus species harvested from Zerniza and Souinet arboreta (North West and North of Tunisia), were screened for their antibacterial activities by the agar disc diffusion method. Eighteen major compounds, identified by GC and GC/MS, have been retained for the study of the chemical and biological activity variability. The main ones were 1,8-cineole followed by α-pinene, p-cymene, borneol, cryptone, spathulenol, viridiflorol and limonene. The chemical principal components analysis identified 10 chemotypes, however that of the inhibition zone diameter (izd) of growth bacteria separated 5 groups of Eucalyptus oils, characterised by their antibacterial inhibition ability. The most sensitive strain was the Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus with that of E. odorata oil (16.0 ± 1.0 mm izd), while the most resistant bacteria was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some correlation between the amount of 1,8-cineole, p-cymene, α-pinene, or of cryptone and the antibacterial activity were observed.     

Synthesis and Applications of Nano Binder Based on Plant Oils

The importance of using renewable feed stocks in the textile industry area are expected to increase in the next few decades due to the limited natural resources coupled with an increased environmental legislation for eco-friendly and sustainable technologies. This research work focuses on the possible future applications of microwave irradiation in this field. Alkyd resins with highly distinct characters and reactive properties, based entirely on commercially available renewable resources, including sunflower or soybean oil, are prepared and characterized. The rheological properties, apparent viscosity of prepared binders, and roughness of the prints were described. The study was extended to application of the prepared alkyd resins as a binder in pigment printing operations onto cotton fabric by using a flat screen technique. The optimum curing conditions as well as the color strength and fastness properties of pigment printed areas to light, washing, perspiration and crocking, were evaluated.     

Specificity of Infant Digestive Conditions: Some Clues for Developing Relevant In Vitro Models

Digestion of nutrients is an essential function of the newborn infant gut to allow growth and development and understanding infant digestive function is essential to optimize nutrition and oral drug delivery. Ethical considerations prohibit invasive in vivo trials and as a consequence in vitro assays are often conducted. However, the choice of in vitro model parameters are not supported by an exhaustive analysis of the literature and do not mimic precisely the digestive conditions of the infant. This review contains a compilation of the studies which characterized the gastroduodenal conditions in full-term or preterm infants of variable postnatal age from birth up to six months. Important data about healthy full-term infants are reported. The enzymatic (type of enzymes and level of activity) and nonenzymatic (milk-based diet, frequency of feeding, bile salt concentrations) conditions of digestion in infants are shown to differ significantly from those in adults. In addition, the interindividual and developmental variability of the digestive conditions in infants is also highlighted.