Dispersive Approach Research Articles

An Ultra-Broadband Conductor-Backed Coplanar Waveguide with Sine Edges

In this paper, a conductor-backed coplanar waveguide with sine edges (CBCPW-SE), consisting of a conductor-backed coplanar with periodic sine edges supported by a dielectric substrate, is proposed as a promising new transmission line (TL) at millimeter-wave and terahertz frequencies. This configuration offers a distinct advantage by maintaining a constant input impedance of 50 Ω across a broad frequency spectrum, eliminating the necessity for any additional impedance matching transitions, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and simplicity of the transmission system. To verify the design, the CBCPW-SE was fabricated and measured. The measurement results demonstrate that, from 10 MHz to 100 GHz, the insertion loss is less than 0.1 dB/mm and the reflection coefficient is better than −10 dB. The measured S21 (dB) for a 50 mm-long CBCPW-SE section is less than −5 dB from 10 MHz to 100 GHz. The measured group delay per unit length of the trace is 3.4–5 ps, ranging from 10 MHz to 100 GHz. Moreover, the measured group velocity dispersion (GVD) approaches zero, signifying the minimal temporal spreading of the signal components, a crucial aspect for maintaining signal integrity and facilitating high-speed data transmission.

Doxorubicin and 4-nitrochalcone loaded in beeswax-based nanostructured lipid carriers: In vitro antitumoral screening and evaluation of synergistic effect on HepG-2 cells

Cancer is the second most deadly disease worldwide, and the most traditional approaches such as chemotherapy still face limitations associated to drug dosage and off-target side effects. To address these issues, we propose the simultaneous administration of 4-Nitrochalcone (4NC) and Doxorubicin (DOX) using beeswax based nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The co-encapsulation of 4NC and DOX in the beeswax based NLCs was performed using the water/oil/water double emulsion technique in association with the melt dispersion approach. The system composed by semi-spherical NLCs with an average diameter around 200 nm and narrow size distribution, displayed colloidal stability before and after redispersion, keeping the zeta potential below −30 mV. The antitumor activity of the nanoparticles was screened on different tumor cell lines, and the induced cellular death and internal ROS levels were analyzed on hepatocarcinoma cells, which were found to be more affected by the combination of 4NC and DOX. The results indicated that 4NC + DOX-NCLs could promote cytotoxicity and oxidative damage-mediated apoptosis in a HepG-2 cell line.

New BABAR studies for the data-driven predictions of the muon g − 2

Using the full BABAR data sample, a dedicated measurement of additional radiation in e+e−→μ+μ−γ and e+e−→π+π−γ initial-state-radiation events is presented. Results are obtained at next-to-leading and next-to-next-to-leading order, with one and two additional photons, respectively, for radiation from the initial and final states. The comparison with predictions from Phokhara and AfkQed Monte Carlo generators reveals discrepancies for the former in the one-photon rates and angular distributions. While this disagreement has a negligible effect on the e+e−→π+π−(γ) cross section measured by BABAR, the impact on other cross-section measurements may be larger than uncertainties assigned. The findings shed a new light on the long-standing deviation between the muon g−2 measurement and the Standard Model prediction using the data-driven dispersive approach.

Surface Solid Dispersion of Ketoconazole on Trehalose Dihydrate using Spray Drying to Achieve Enhanced Dissolution Rate.

Ketoconazole (K) is a poorly water-soluble drug that faces significant challenges in achieving therapeutic efficacy. This study aimed to enhance the dissolution rate of ketoconazole by depositing spray-dried ketoconazole (SK) onto the surface of ground trehalose dihydrate (T) using spray drying. Ketoconazole-trehalose surface solid dispersions (SKTs) were prepared in ratios of 1:1 (SK1T1), 1:4 (SK1T4), and 1:10 (SK1T10), and characterized them using particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and in vitro dissolution studies. Results showed that the dissolution rates of the dispersions were significantly higher than those of pure ketoconazole, with the 1:10 ratio showing the highest dissolution rate. The improved dissolution was attributed to the formation of a new crystalline phase and better dispersion of ketoconazole particles. These findings suggest that the surface solid dispersion approach could be a valuable method for enhancing the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.

Formulation and evaluation of novel orodispersible tablet by drug-drug solid dispersion of metoprolol tartrate and hydrochlorothiazide

This study investigates the effect of a novel drug-drug solid dispersion approach on the dissolution of hydrochlorothiazide in a fixed-dose combination with metoprolol tartrate. Solid dispersions of hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol tartrate (12.5 mg: 25 mg) were prepared using the solvent evaporation technique. These dispersions were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The prepared solid dispersions, along with selected excipients, were compressed into orodispersible tablets and evaluated for precompression and post compression parameters. The solubility of hydrochlorothiazide was observed to increase with the concentration of metoprolol tartrate, as demonstrated by phase solubility studies and comparative solubility studies. Stability studies on the tablets indicated no significant changes in disintegration time, dissolution profile, or overall stability. The findings of this study suggest that the novel drug-drug solid dispersion approach is promising for enhancing the dissolution of poorly soluble drugs, when combined with soluble drugs in fixed-dose combinations.

The detector for the MUonE experiment at CERN

The comparison between the measurement and the Standard Model prediction of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon (aμ) is a way to search for physics beyond the Standard Model. Recently, the Fermilab Muon g−2 experiment measured aμ with a precision of 200 parts per billion (ppb), while the theoretical prediction of aμ is limited by the uncertainty in the leading-order hadronic vacuum-polarization contribution (aμHLO) as the two calculation methods, namely the dispersive approach and the lattice QCD, yield different results. The MUonE experiment proposes an alternative and independent way to precisely measure aμHLO through a unique direct measurement, which can be used to cross-check the theoretical value.

Enhancement of Dissolution Rate of Piperine Using Solid Dispersion Approach and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant Activity

Enhancement of Dissolution Rate of Piperine Using Solid Dispersion Approach and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant Activity

Treatment for the Singularity Problem in the Phase Segregation

In the Eulerian–Eulerian two-fluid model, comprising air and droplets, singularities often arise as the phase fraction of dispersed droplets approaches zero. The nonconservative momentum equations can address this issue, but it will lead to inaccurate solutions when encountering discontinuities. To tackle the singularity problem and ensure accurate solutions for the droplet field, a novel adaptive form of momentum equations is proposed. The adaptive form defaults to the conservative form and smoothly transitions to the phase-intensive form when the phase fraction falls below a critical value, specifically 1/1000 of the inlet. The LU-SGS algorithm, enhanced with the inner iteration step method, is employed for numerical solutions of the droplet field. Comparative analysis reveals that the discrepancy between the results obtained from the adaptive form and the conservative form is negligible, under 0.5‰. Notably, with larger Courant numbers, the conservative form diverges from waterless regions despite imposing the minimum phase fraction constraint. Conversely, the adaptive form consistently maintains a Courant number of five times or more, potentially exceeding a hundredfold in complex flows. Although the adaptive form moderately increases complexity and computational time for a single time step, the improvement of the maximum Courant number will bring significant computational efficiency advantages. Moreover, the adaptive form holds promise for application in various other multiphase flow scenarios.

Tensions in e+e-→π+π-(γ)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$e^+e^-\\rightarrow \\pi ^+\\pi ^-(\\gamma )$$\\end{document} measurements: the new landscape of data-driven hadronic vacuum polarization predictions for the muon g-2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$g - 2$$\\end{document}

The situation of the experimental data used in the dispersive evaluation of the hadronic vacuum polarization contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon is assessed in view of two recent measurements: e+e-→π+π-\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$e^+e^- \\rightarrow \\pi ^+\\pi ^-$$\\end{document} cross sections in the ρ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\rho $$\\end{document} resonance region by CMD-3 and a study of higher-order radiative effects in the initial-state-radiation processes e+e-→μ+μ-γ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$e^+e^- \\rightarrow \\mu ^+\\mu ^-\\gamma $$\\end{document} and e+e-→π+π-γ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$e^+e^- \\rightarrow \\pi ^+\\pi ^-\\gamma $$\\end{document} by BABAR. The impact of the latter study on the KLOE and BESIII cross-section measurements is evaluated and found to be indicative of larger systematic effects than uncertainties assigned. The new situation also warrants a reappraisal of the independent information provided by hadronic τ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\ au $$\\end{document} decays, including state-of-the-art isospin-breaking corrections. The findings cast a new light on the longstanding deviation between the muon g – 2 measurement and the Standard Model prediction using the data-driven dispersive approach, and the comparison with lattice QCD calculations.

Benchmarking Periodic Density Functional Theory Calculations for Spin-State Energies in Spin-Crossover Systems.

Spin energetics is one of the biggest challenges associated with energy calculations for electronic structure methods. The energy differences of the spin states in spin-crossover compounds are very small, making them one of the most difficult systems to calculate. Few methods provide accurate results for calculating these energy differences. In addition, studies have usually focused on calculating energetics of single molecules, while spin-crossover properties are usually experimentally studied in the solid phase. In this paper, we have used periodic boundary conditions employing methods based on density functional theory to calculate the high- and low-spin energy differences for a test case of 20 extended systems. Compounds with different metals and ligands have been selected, and the results indicate that a semiquantitative description of the energy differences can be obtained with the combination of geometry optimization using the PBE functional including many-body dispersion approach and the use of meta-GGA functionals, such as r2SCAN but especially KTBM24, for the energy calculation. Other hybrid functionals, such as TPSSh, give generally good results, but the calculation of the exact exchange with periodic boundary conditions involves a huge increase in computer time and computational resources. It makes the proposed nonhybrid functional approach (KTBM24//PBE+MB) a great advantage for the study of periodic systems.

Understanding interfacial dynamics: Hydrostatic pressure-induced sono-dispersion of carbon nanotubes

Homogeneously dispersing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is crucial for minimizing agglomeration issues commonly encountered in commercially available CNTs samples, thereby enhancing their unique mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. In this study, we propose an alternative hydrostatic pressure-driven dispersion approach to effectively disperse CNTs and assess the impact of hydrostatic pressure on CNTs dispersion in deionized water (DIW). Our results demonstrate that ultrasonic treatment under a hydrostatic pressure of 0.1 MPa enables the achievement of a high concentration of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at approximately 4.23 mg/ml, significantly surpassing concentrations reported in recent studies (∼1.9 mg/ml). Thin buckypaper generated from these solutions exhibit exceptional electrical conductivity (∼4938 S/m). Numerical modeling demonstrates that the shock wave induced by bubble implosion is significantly enhanced, reaching 80 MPa under hydrostatic pressure, markedly higher than atmospheric pressure in previous studies (∼1.6 MPa). This enhancement leads to a twofold improvement in dispersion efficiency. For the first time, we reveal the underlying mechanism of nanobubbles (NBs) in dispersion stability. Our experimental results show a significant increase in the generation of NBs resulting from ultrasonic bubble collapse under hydrostatic pressure. This phenomenon plays a crucial role in the long-term stabilization of dispersion, which we observed over several months. The presence of negatively charged hydroxyl groups on the interface of the NBs is identified as a key factor in this stabilization process. The hydrostatic pressure-driven dispersion approach presented is essential for the large-scale dispersion of CNTs and other nanomaterials.

Numerical and experimental approach for dust dispersion and deposition behavior for safe decommissioning activities

ABSTRACT The use of high-fidelity modeling is a promising technique for studying the mechanisms of dust dispersion and deposition in safe decommissioning operations. Detailed multiphysics models for poly-dispersed turbulent flow, particle-laden flow, and particle surface interaction were coupled with a Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes method for numerical simulation of dust dispersion and deposition. A model that considered the critical viscosity was utilized to estimate the interaction between particles and substrate. The deposition behavior of particles was a result of the competition between adhesion and rebound probabilities during the impact process, and only when the critical viscosity exceeded that of the impacting particles could they attach to the surfaces. To validate the accuracy of the simulation results, deposition experiments using zirconia particles were conducted. The experimental setup included a 3.2 m polycarbonate pipe, a fan regulated by an inverter to control the flow, an ultra-low penetration air filter capable of capturing particles with a minimum diameter of 120 nanometers. An air pump connected to a particle tank and a mixing tank was used for homogenizing the injection of particles. Particle concentration was measured during the experiments using a light scattering spectrometer system, WELASⓇ 2000, from the manufacturer PalasⓇ. This optical measurement technique functioned with a white light source and scattered light detection. The scattered light was collected via optical fibers, which led to the control and evaluation point, and results were displayed through special software. The numerical simulation results were compared with the experimental data and used to validate the numerical approach for flow with zirconia particles deposited on various material surfaces, including iron, titanium, stainless steel 304, and stainless steel 316, for airflow rates ranging from 54 L/min to 124 L/min.

Versatile DNA extraction from diverse plant taxa using ionic liquids and magnetic ionic liquids: a methodological breakthrough for enhanced sample utility

BackgroundThere is a growing demand for fast and reliable plant biomolecular analyses. DNA extraction is the major bottleneck in plant nucleic acid-based applications especially due to the complexity of tissues in different plant species. Conventional methods for plant cell lysis and DNA extraction typically require extensive sample preparation processes and large quantities of sample and chemicals, elevated temperatures, and multiple sample transfer steps which pose challenges for high throughput applications.ResultsIn a prior investigation, an ionic liquid (IL)-based modified vortex-assisted matrix solid phase dispersion approach was developed using the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Building upon this foundational study, the present study established a simple, rapid and efficient protocol for DNA extraction from milligram fragments of plant tissue representing a diverse range of taxa from the plant Tree of Life including 13 dicots and 4 monocots. Notably, the approach was successful in extracting DNA from a century old herbarium sample. The isolated DNA was of sufficient quality and quantity for sensitive molecular analyses such as qPCR. Two plant DNA barcoding markers, the plastid rbcL and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) regions were selected for DNA amplification and Sanger sequencing was conducted on PCR products of a representative dicot and monocot species. Successful qPCR amplification of the extracted DNA up to 3 weeks demonstrated that the DNA extracted using this approach remains stable at room temperature for an extended time period prior to downstream analysis.ConclusionsThe method presented here is a rapid and simple approach enabling cell lysis and DNA extraction from 1.5 mg of plant tissue across a broad range of plant taxa. Additional purification prior to DNA amplification is not required due to the compatibility of the extraction solvents with qPCR. The method has tremendous potential for applications in plant biology that require DNA, including barcoding methods for agriculture, conservation, ecology, evolution, and forensics.

Short- vs. long-distance physics in B→K(∗)ℓ+ℓ-\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$B\\rightarrow K^{(*)} \\ell ^+\\ell ^-$$\\end{document}: a data-driven analysis

We analyze data on B→Kμ+μ-\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$B\\rightarrow K\\mu ^+\\mu ^-$$\\end{document} and B→K∗μ+μ-\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$B\\rightarrow K^*\\mu ^+\\mu ^-$$\\end{document} decays in the whole dilepton invariant mass spectrum with the aim of disentangling short- vs. long-distance contributions. The sizable long-distance amplitudes from cc¯\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$c \\overline{c}$$\\end{document} narrow resonances are taken into account by employing a dispersive approach. For each available q2=mμμ2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$q^2=m^2_{\\mu \\mu }$$\\end{document} bin and each helicity amplitude an independent determination of the Wilson coefficient C9\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$C_9$$\\end{document}, describing b→sℓ+ℓ-\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$b\\rightarrow s\\ell ^+\\ell ^-$$\\end{document} transitions at short distances, is obtained. The consistency of the C9\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$C_9$$\\end{document} values thus obtained provides an a posteriori check of the absence of additional, sizable, long-distance contributions. The systematic difference of these values from the Standard Model expectation supports the hypothesis of a non-standard b→sμ+μ-\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$b\\rightarrow s \\mu ^+\\mu ^-$$\\end{document} amplitude of short-distance origin.

Effect of dual dispersion of carbon fiber and silica nanoparticles on recovery performance of shape memory epoxy

Shape memory polymers are utilized in diverse fields, including deployable structures and components, owing to their advantageous properties like low density, cost-effectiveness, and ease of processing. The current study investigates the effect of dual dispersion of carbon fibers (CF) and silica nanoparticles (SN) on the recovery performance of shape memory epoxy composites. CF (0.25 wt.%) reinforced epoxy composite, SN (0.25 wt.%) reinforced epoxy composite, and dual (CF and SN 0.25 wt.% each) dispersed epoxy composite were developed using magnetic stirring and ultrasonic mixing to study the mechanical properties and shape memory behaviour. Flexural strength, tensile strength and fracture toughness of pristine epoxy was found to be 134.38, 52.15 MPa and 1.91 MPa∙m1/2, respectively. The addition of CF resulted in a flexural strength of 135.70 MPa and a tensile strength of 53.01 MPa, while the incorporation of SN led to a flexural and tensile strength of 138.40 and 53.69 MPa, respectively. The fracture toughness of composites after adding CF and SN was found to be 2.22 and 2.39 MPa∙m1/2, respectively. With dual dispersion, the flexural strength of 139.82 MPa, tensile strength of 54.64 MPa, and fracture toughness of 2.75 MPa∙m1/2 were achieved. Dual dispersion has shown improved mechanical properties compared to single dispersion. The introduction of CF slightly decreased the shape fixity ratio (Rf ) and shape recovery ratio (Rr ) of the pristine epoxy from 98.67% and 96.62% to 96.67% and 95.15%, respectively. Similarly, the addition of SN further reduced these ratios to 98.00% and 91.83%, respectively. With a dual dispersion approach Rf and Rr were observed to be about 97.33% and 93.83%, respectively. The addition of fillers led to a reduction in Rf and Rr due to inhibition of polymeric chains, resulting in partial shape recovery. However, recovery time improved from 28 to 23 and 26 s with addition of CF and SN, respectively, in epoxy. With dual dispersion, a speedy recovery was achieved with a recovery time of 21 s. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential of dual dispersed fillers to improve the mechanical and shape memory properties of epoxy, which could find applications in the smart materials and structural engineering.

Innovative dispersion techniques of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) through mechanical stirring and ultrasonication: Impact on morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) have attracted tremendous interest due to their unique properties and bonding capabilities. This study focuses on the effect of GNP dispersion on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological behavior of GNP/epoxy nanocomposites. This study aims to understand how the dispersion of GNPs affects the properties of epoxy nanocomposite and to identify the best dispersion approach for improving mechanical performance. A solvent mixing technique that includes mechanical stirring and ultrasonication was used for producing the nanocomposites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the interaction between GNPs and the epoxy matrix. The measurements of density and moisture content were used to confirm that GNPs were successfully incorporated into the nanocomposite. The findings showed that GNPs are successfully dispersed in the epoxy matrix by combining mechanical stirring and ultrasonication in a single step, producing well-dispersed nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties. Particularly, the nanocomposites at a low GNP loading of 0.1 wt%, demonstrate superior mechanical strength, as shown by increased tensile properties, including improved Young's modulus (1.86 GPa), strength (57.31 MPa), and elongation at break (4.98). The nanocomposite with 0.25 wt% GNP loading performs better, according to the viscoelastic analysis and flexural properties (113.18 MPa). Except for the nanocomposite with a 0.5 wt% GNP loading, which has a higher thermal breakdown temperature, the thermal characteristics do not significantly alter. The effective dispersion of GNPs in the epoxy matrix and low agglomeration is confirmed by the morphological characterization. The findings help with filler selection and identifying the best dispersion approach, which improves mechanical performance. The effective integration of GNPs and their interaction with the epoxy matrix provides the doorway for additional investigation and the development of sophisticated nanocomposites. In fields like aerospace, automotive, and electronics where higher mechanical performance and functionality are required, GNPs' improved mechanical properties and successful dispersion present exciting potential.

Engineered polymer nanoparticles as artificial chaperones facilitating the selective refolding of denatured enzymes

Molecular chaperones assist in protein refolding by selectively binding to proteins in their nonnative states. Despite progress in creating artificial chaperones, these designs often have a limited range of substrates they can work with. In this paper, we present molecularly imprinted flexible polymer nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) designed as customizable biomimetic chaperones. We used model proteins such as cytochrome c, laccase, and lipase to screen polymeric monomers and identify the most effective formulations, offering tunable charge and hydrophobic properties. Utilizing a dispersed phase imprinting approach, we employed magnetic beads modified with destabilized whole-protein as solid-phase templates. This process involves medium exchange facilitated by magnetic pulldowns, resulting in the synthesis of nanoMIPs featuring imprinted sites that effectively mimic chaperone cavities. These nanoMIPs were able to selectively refold denatured enzymes, achieving up to 86.7% recovery of their activity, significantly outperforming control samples. Mechanistic studies confirmed that nanoMIPs preferentially bind denatured rather than native enzymes, mimicking natural chaperone interactions. Multifaceted analyses support the functionality of nanoMIPs, which emulate the protective roles of chaperones by selectively engaging with denatured proteins to inhibit aggregation and facilitate refolding. This approach shows promise for widespread use in protein recovery within biocatalysis and biomedicine.

Habitat heterogeneity diversity: A simple animal biodiversity surrogate in Spain

The lack of wall-to-wall biotic inventories poses a significant challenge for conservation biology. Therefore, a primary goal in conserving the unknown (species and their distribution) is finding biodiversity surrogates. This study uses remote sensing techniques and animal distribution in Spain to propose a new surrogate - habitat heterogeneity diversity (HHD). HHD was defined using measures of NDVI (Normalized difference vegetation index) and maximum dispersion approach to identify areas that spam habitat heterogeneity among sites. The efficacy of HHD in selecting sites to represent species was compared to the biotic surrogate rarity-weighted richness (RWR), a single NDVI measure, and a null solution. This study also investigated the spatial patterns of RWR and whether the methodology used to estimate HHD influences its efficiency as a surrogate. RWR patterns generally show high values in the north. While the correlations among RWR values were generally moderate, HHD successfully represented species compared to NDVI and null solutions and, in some cases, RWR. HHD is a robust alternative for complementarity-based solutions for solving problems that require the representation of at least one occurrence per species. Since HHD could be calculated using NDVI variables, the cost of conservation planning could be reduced since remote sensing variables are widely available and accessible most of the time. When validated, HHD could be incorporated into spatial conservation prioritization plans alongside other abiotic-based solutions at the same scale that conservation is practiced.

Dispersion and Dosimetric Challenges of Hydrophobic Carbon-Based Nanoparticles in In Vitro Cellular Studies.

Methodologies across the dispersion preparation, characterization, and cellular dosimetry of hydrophilic nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed and used extensively in the field of nanotoxicology. However, hydrophobic NPs pose a challenge for dispersion in aqueous culture media using conventional methods that include sonication followed by mixing in the culture medium of interest and cellular dosimetry. In this study, a robust methodology for the preparation of stable dispersions of hydrophobic NPs for cellular studies is developed by introducing continuous energy over time via stirring in the culture medium followed by dispersion characterization and cellular dosimetry. The stirring energy and the presence of proteins in the culture medium result in the formation of a protein corona around the NPs, stabilizing their dispersion, which can be used for in vitro cellular studies. The identification of the optimal stirring time is crucial for achieving dispersion and stability. This is assessed through a comprehensive stability testing protocol employing dynamic light scattering to evaluate the particle size distribution stability and polydispersity. Additionally, the effective density of the NPs is obtained for the stable NP dispersions using the volumetric centrifugation method, while cellular dosimetry calculations are done using available cellular computational modeling, mirroring approaches used for hydrophilic NPs. The robustness of the proposed dispersion approach is showcased using a highly hydrophobic NP model (black carbon NPs) and two culture media, RPMI medium and SABM, that are widely used in cellular studies. The proposed approach for the dispersion of hydrophobic NPs results in stable dispersions in both culture media used here. The NP effective density of 1.03-1.07 g/cm3 measured here for black carbon NPs is close to the culture media density, resulting in slow deposition on the cells over time. So, the present methodology for dispersion and dosimetry of hydrophobic NPs is essential for the design of dose-response studies and overcoming the challenges imposed by slow particle deposition.

Supersaturable diacyl phospholipid dispersion for improving oral bioavailability of brick dust molecule: A case study of Aprepitant

This study aims to investigate the potential use of polymer inclusion in the phospholipid-based solid dispersion approach for augmenting the biopharmaceutical performance of Aprepitant (APT). Initially, different polymers were screened using the microarray plate method to assess their ability to inhibit drug precipitation in the supersaturated solution and HPMCAS outperformed the others. Later, the binary (BD) and ternary (TD) phospholipid dispersions were prepared using the co-solvent evaporation method. Solid-state characterization was performed using SEM and PXRD to examine the physical properties, while molecular interactions were probed through FTIR and NMR analysis. In vitro dissolution studies were performed in both fasted and fed state biorelevant media. The results demonstrated a substantial increase in drug release from BD and TD, approximately 4.8 and 9.9 times higher compared to crystalline APT in FaSSIF. Notably, TD also showed a lowered dissolution difference between fed and fasted states in comparison to crystalline APT, indicating a reduction in the positive food effect of APT. Moreover, we assessed the impact of polymer inclusion on permeation under in vitro biomimetic conditions. In comparison with the crystalline APT suspension, both BD and TD demonstrated approximately 3.3 times and 14 times higher steady-state flux (Jss values), respectively. This can be ascribed to the supersaturation and presence of drug-rich submicron particles (nanodroplets) along with the multiple aggregates of drug with phospholipids and polymer in the donor compartment, consequently resulting in a more substantial driving force for passive diffusion. Lastly, in vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation demonstrated the enhanced absorption of both TD and BD over the free drug suspension in the fasted state. This enhancement was evident through a 2.1-fold and 1.3-fold increase in Cmax and a 2.3-fold and 1.4-fold increase in AUC0-t, respectively. Overall, these findings emphasize the potential of polymer-based phospholipid dispersion in enhancing the overall biopharmaceutical performance of APT.