Holographic Mutual Information for Singular Surfaces

We study corner contributions to holographic mutual information for entangling regions composed of a set of disjoint sectors of a single infinite circle in three-dimensional conformal field theories. In spite of the UV divergence of holographic mutual information, it exhibits a first order phase transition. We show that tripartite information is also divergent for disjoint sectors, which is in contrast with the well-known feature of tripartite information being finite even when entangling regions share boundaries. We also verify the locality of corner effects by studying mutual information between regions separated by a sharp annular region. Possible extensions to higher dimensions and hyperscaling violating geometries is also considered for disjoint sectors.Comment: 35 pages, 25 Figures, v2: presentation improved, v3: matches published version in JHE

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) germination indices and physiological properties affected by priming and genotype under salinity stress

Seed priming has proved to be an effective method in imparting stress tolerance to plants using natural and/or synthetic compounds to treat the seeds before germination. The present study was designed to investigate the physiological mechanism of seed priming with ZnSO4 (osmopriming) and distilled water (hydropriming) on sugar beet genotypes (‘Shokofa’, ‘Sina’, ‘Paya’, ‘Turbata’, and ‘Aria’) germination indices, seedling growth parameters, and biochemical properties under salinity stress (0, 2, 5, and 12 dS/m NaCl). A significant reduction in germination percentage (33.23%), germination rate (77.2%), chlorophyll a, b, and total contents (43.9, 31.9, and 39.9%, respectively) while, a significant increase in radical, plumule, and seedling length (57.1, 44.4, and 51.2%, respectively), seedling vigour index (48.9%), superoxide dismutase activity (61.3%), proline (54.0%) and sugar (56.3%) contents were achieved at 12 dS/m NaCl in compared to the control treatment. Seed hydropriming and osmopriming caused significant improvements in photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzyme activity, and proline content reflected in high germination percentage and rate as well as seedling vigour index and reduced mean germination time under salinity. ‘Paya’ and ‘Aria’ genotypes had a superiority according to the germination percentage and seedling vigour index, respectively. The hydropriming of ‘Paya’ genotype resulted in the highest germination percentage (95%) under high level of salinity (12 dS/m) which 11.84% increase compared to the control treatment. Hydropriming of ‘Sina’ seeds showed the highest chlorophyll a and total, and carotenoids under non-stress conditions (22.89, 31.65, and 2116.6 µg/g FW). Also, hydropriming by increases chlorophyll b content led to the modulation of the negative effects of high salinity stress (12 dS/m). In conclusion, different seed priming treatments in sugar beet seeds improved the salinity tolerance by physiological characteristics nonetheless hydropriming was the most effective treatment to get higher germination indices in ‘Paya’ and ‘Aria’ genotypes

Deconstruction of Dictatorship in Jorge Mario Pedro Vargas Llosa’s Works

Latin America's literature does not merely represent the creation of literary masterpieces for artistic enjoyment; instead, it is inspired by real-world events. Latin American authors attempt to depict the pains, sufferings, and problems they have always grappled with. Taking a descriptive-analytic approach by applying sociological criticism, the present study attempted to examine Jorge Mario Pedro Vargas Llosa’s most essential works on dictatorship rule, including Conversación en La Catedral, La guerra del fin del mundo, La ciudad y los perrosand La fiesta del chivo. One of the Latin America’s political typical features was fascism and dictatorship, which was reflected in different authors' works, including Llosa. The findings of the present study revealed that the dictatorial system raised in Llosa’s works is characterized by violence, political and economic corruption, intervention by foreign powers, the emergence of Communism as the sole savior of the third world, and the elites’ disenchantment with improvement in the status of the society. He put forward this sober idea that dictators are not natural catastrophes, but they are constructed as dictators by their victims

China-India counterbalancing measures through international corridors and ports: the focus on Chabahar and Gwadar ports

Beijing and New Delhi, as new world emerging powers, despite border skirmishes, have not considered themselves arch-rivals. Still, the necessities of real politics have forced India to take counter-measures towards China's grand connectivity strategy in the framework of BRI and the Maritime Silk Road. This article assumes that China's grand connectivity strategy has not targeted India in particular, but unavoidably it has affected India's strategic interests in the Indian Ocean and Eurasia. In a qualitative and case study methodology, this research explains China's grand connectivity strategy and how it affects Indian strategic interests. It also elaborates on India's counter-measures vis-à-vis China policy. It concluded that the Chinese connectivity strategy has affected Indian strategic interests in the Indian Ocean and Eurasia. Therefore, Chabahar, Gwadar ports, and Malacca Strait are centers of gravity in these great connectivity rivalries

The effects of myricitrin and vitamin E against reproductive changes induced by D-galactose as an aging model in female mice: An experimental study

Background: Aging is accompanied by decreasing general function in the cells and tissues. D-galactose (D-gal) induces aging and plays a role in the pathogenesis of it. Myricitrin is a plant-derived antioxidant. Objective: The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of myricitrin on antioxidant defense, sex hormone levels, uterus, and ovarian histology in D-galinduced aging female mouse model. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 72 female adult NMRI mice, weighing 30-35 gr, 3-4 months old, were randomly divided into six groups (n = 12/each): (I) Control (vehicle; normal saline), (II) D-gal at 500 mg/kg/d for 45 days, (III-V) D-gal + myricitrin-treated groups (these groups received myricitrin at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/d, and (VI) D-gal + 100 mg/kg/d vitamin E orally for the last 28 days. The antioxidant indices were done on the basis of colorimetric method, and sex hormone levels were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Histological assessment of the uterus and ovaries were also evaluated. Results: D-gal impaired the estrous cycle, also degenerative changes occur in the ovarian follicles and damage to the uterus and ovarian tissue occurrs. In D-gal group, the level of sex hormones (p = 0.03) and the total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.002) decreased, while the level of malondialdehyde and gonadotropins increased (p = 0.03). Myricitrin at lower doses and vitamin E ameliorated the D-gal effects. Conclusion: These findings suggest that myricitrin can effectively prevent D-galinduced oxidation and aging in mice. The effect of myricitrin was equivalent and sometimes better than vitamin E. Key words: Aging, D-galactose, Mice, Myricitrin, Vitamin E

Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Composite Corrugated Cores in Lightweight Sandwich Panels under Planar Impact Loading

Lightweight sandwich structural components have been widely used in different industries as highly effective energy absorbers. This research aims to provide a comparative study on the role of the composite corrugated sheet as a core in sandwich panels under low velocity impact loading. To reach this goal, the crashworthiness characteristics of three sandwich panels with different corrugated cores, which consist of identical mass and mechanical properties, are evaluated under vertical and transverse loading. The finite element computation is done using LS-DYNA under planar loading conditions. To validate the numerical process, first, the dynamic compression behavior of the square corrugated core sandwich panel made of aluminum alloys in comparison to existing experimental data is analyzed and the appropriate compliance has been observed. Then the effect of composite material and core shape on the crashworthy behavior of sandwich panels is explored. The research results reveal that the material type and geometric configuration of corrugated core have a considerable effect on the mean crushing load and the energy absorption of sandwich panels. It is found that the triangular configuration has a higher capability in load carrying and energy absorption than the square and/or the sinusoidal configuration. The failure modes of the crushed corrugated sandwich panels also significantly influenced by the type of corrugation cores. The present results supply valuable information on low velocity impact response that can be helpful for increasing crashworthy performance and development of such lightweight structures

Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Composite Corrugated Cores in Lightweight Sandwich Panels under Planar Impact Loading

Lightweight sandwich structural components have been widely used in different industries as highly effective energy absorbers. This research aims to provide a comparative study on the role of the composite corrugated sheet as a core in sandwich panels under low velocity impact loading. To reach this goal, the crashworthiness characteristics of three sandwich panels with different corrugated cores, which consist of identical mass and mechanical properties, are evaluated under vertical and transverse loading. The finite element computation is done using LS-DYNA under planar loading conditions. To validate the numerical process, first, the dynamic compression behavior of the square corrugated core sandwich panel made of aluminum alloys in comparison to existing experimental data is analyzed and the appropriate compliance has been observed. Then the effect of composite material and core shape on the crashworthy behavior of sandwich panels is explored. The research results reveal that the material type and geometric configuration of corrugated core have a considerable effect on the mean crushing load and the energy absorption of sandwich panels. It is found that the triangular configuration has a higher capability in load carrying and energy absorption than the square and/or the sinusoidal configuration. The failure modes of the crushed corrugated sandwich panels also significantly influenced by the type of corrugation cores. The present results supply valuable information on low velocity impact response that can be helpful for increasing crashworthy performance and development of such lightweight structures

Layer-By-Layer Assembly of Graphene Oxide on Thermosensitive Liposomes for Photo-Chemotherapy

Stimuli responsive polyelectrolyte nanoparticles have been developed for chemo-photothermal destruction of breast cancer cells. This novel system, called layer by layer Lipo-graph (LBL Lipo-graph), is composed of alternate layers of graphene oxide (GO) and graphene oxide conjugated poly (l-lysine) (GO-PLL) deposited on cationic liposomesencapsulating doxorubicin. Various concentrations of GO and GO-PLL were examined and the optimal LBL Lipo-graph was found to have a particle size of 267.9 ± 13 nm, zeta potentialof +43.9 ± 6.9 mV and encapsulation efficiency of 86.4 ± 4.7%. The morphology of LBL Lipo-graph was examined by cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM), atomic force microcopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The buildup of LBL Lipo-graph was confirmed via ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Infra-red (IR) response suggests that four layers are sufficient to induce a gel-to-liquid phase transition in response to near infra-red (NIR) laser irradiation. Light-matter interaction of LBL Lipo-graph was studied by calculating the absorption cross section in the frequency domain by utilizing Fourier analysis. Drug release assay indicates that the LBL Lipo-graph releases much faster in an acidic environment than a liposome control. A cytotoxicity assay was conducted to prove the efficacy of LBL Lipo-graph to destroy MD-MB-231 cells in response to NIR laser emission. Also, image stream flow cytometry and two photon microcopy provide supportive data for the potential application of LBL Lipo-graph for photothermal therapy. Study results suggest the novel dual-sensitive nanoparticles allow intracellular doxorubin delivery and respond to either acidic environments or NIR excitation. Statement of Significance Stimuli sensitive hybrid nanoparticles have been synthesized using a layer-by-layer technique and demonstrated for dual chemo-photothermal destruction of breast cancer cells. The hybrid nanoparticles are composed of alternating layers of graphene oxide and graphene oxide conjugated poly-l-lysine coating the surface of a thermosensitive cationic liposome containing doxorubicin as a core. Data suggests that the hybrid nanoparticles may offer many advantages for chemo-photothermal therapy. Advantages include a decrease of the initial burst release which may result in the reduction in systemic toxicity, increase in pH responsivity around the tumor environment and improved NIR light absorption

Kinetic analysis of drug release from nanoparticles

PURPOSE. Comparative drug release kinetics from nanoparticles was carried out using conventional and our novel models with the aim of finding a general model applicable to multi mechanistic release. Theoretical justification for the two best general models was also provided for the first time. METHODS. Ten conventional models and three models developed in our laboratory were applied to release data of 32 drugs from 106 nanoparticle formulations collected from literature. The accuracy of the models was assessed employing mean percent error (E) of each data set, overall mean percent error (OE) and number of Es less than 10 percent. RESULTS. Among the models the novel reciprocal powered time (RPT), Weibull (W) and log-probability (LP) ones produced OE values of 6.47, 6.39 and 6.77, respectively. The OEs of other models were higher than 10%. Also the number of errors less than 10% for the models was 84.9, 80.2 and 78.3 percents of total number of data sets. CONCLUSIONS. Considering the accuracy criteria the reciprocal powered time model could be suggested as a general model for analysis of multi mechanistic drug release from nanoparticles. Also W and LP models were the closest to the suggested model RPT