Bis[μ-2,2′-dimethyl-1,1′-(oxydiethyl­ene)bis­(1H-benzimidazole)-κ2 N 3:N 3′]bis­[bis­(4-methoxy­benzoato-κ2 O,O′)cadmium(II)]

The title complex, [Cd2(C8H7O3)4(C20H22N4O)2], forms a dimer of the paddle-wheel type, located on a crystallographic inversion centre. The CdII ion is hexa­coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms [Cd⋯O = 2.280 (2)–2.404 (2) Å] from two chelating 4-methoxy­benzoate anions, and two N atoms [Cd⋯N = 2.313 (2) and 2.332 (2) Å] from one chelating 2,2′-dimethyl-3,3′-(oxydiethyl­ene)bis­(1H-benzimidazole) ligand. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by a weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond and an inter­molecular C—H⋯π inter­action

Hunting for a scalar glueball in exclusive B decays

Using flavor SU(3) symmetry for the light quarks validated by the available experimental data, we propose an intuitive way to hunt for a scalar glueball in B decays. In the presence of mixing between the glueball and ordinary scalar mesons, we explore the extraction of the mixing parameters. In particular, we discuss the implication from the recently available experimental data and show the sensitivities of B decays as a probe to the scalar structures. The future Super KEKB factory would allow access to establishing the mixing pattern among the scalars, and possibly allow one to disentangle the long-standing puzzle concerning the existence and mixings of the scalar glueball predicted by QCD.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur

Curcumin-Loaded Mixed Micelles: Preparation, Characterization, and In Vitro

The objective of this study was to prepare curcumin-loaded mixed Soluplus/TPGS micelles (Cur-TPGS-PMs) for oral administration. The Cur-TPGS-PMs showed a mean size of 65.54 ± 2.57 nm, drug encapsulation efficiency over 85%, and drug loading of 8.17%. The Cur-TPGS-PMs were found to be stable in various pH media (pH 1.2 for 2 h, pH 6.8 for 2 h, and pH 7.4 for 6 h). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns illustrated that curcumin was in the amorphous or molecular state within PMs. The In vitro release test indicated that Cur-TPGS-PMs possessed a significant sustained-release property. The cell viability in MCF-7 cells was found to be relatively lower in Cur-TPGS-PM-treated cells as compared to free Cur-treated cells. CLSM imaging revealed that mixed micelles were efficiently absorbed into the cytoplasm region of MCF-7 cells. Therefore, Cur-TPGS-PMs could have the significant value for the chronic breast cancer therapy

Effect of longitudinal joints on seismic response of the large shield tunnel in liquefiable soils

In view of the damages to shield tunnels in recent strong earthquakes, this paper focuses on the effect of longitudinal joints on the seismic response of the shield tunnel in liquefiable soils. First, the normal and shear behaviors of high-strength concrete interface at the joint were studied through direct shear tests under monotonic and cyclic loadings. The results show that the flatness rather than the roughness is the dominant factor influencing the behavior of the interface. As the confining stress and cyclic number increase, the total contact area increases, thus resulting in the increases of the normal stiffness and the friction coefficient. Based on the testing results, the seismic response of a shield tunnel in liquefiable soils was studied using numerical analysis. According to the results, the longitudinal joints have a significant effect on the seismic response of the shield tunnel. When neglecting the joints, the tensile stresses in concrete, the tunnel uplift and the surface deformation remarkably decrease, and the shield tunnel becomes less vulnerable to earthquakes. Due to the soil liquefaction, the joints located near the waist are more likely to get opened and corresponding bolts bear large tensile forces, which are the main reasons for the common damages to shield tunnels. Based on this experimental and numerical study, the effect of the joints and the seismic damages of the large shield tunnel are better understood, consisting an important step in the development of appropriate specifications for the seismic design of the large shield tunnel