On Local F-theory Geometries and Intersecting D7-branes

We discuss local F-theory geometries and theirs gauge theory dualities in terms of intersecting D7-branes wrapped four-cycles in Type IIB superstring. The manifolds are built as elliptic K3 surface fibrations over intersecting F_0=CP^1 \times CP^1 base geometry according to ADE Dynkin Diagrams. The base is obtained by blowing up the extended ADE hyper-Kahler singularities of eight dimensional manifolds considered as sigma model target spaces with eight supercharges. The resulting gauge theory of such local F-theory models are given in terms of Type IIB D7-branes wrapped intersecting F_0. The four dimensional N=1 anomaly cancelation requirement translates into a condition on the associated affine Lie algebras.Comment: 16 pages, 1 figure, Reference added, published in IJGMMP (2009

Corrosion inhibition of the EtOH extract of Zygophyllum Fabago for carbon steel in 1M HCl

Natural extracts have found wide application in preserving metallic materials against corrosion. They are readily available, non-toxic, environmentally friendly, naturally degradable, highly effective and renewable. In this study, we used the EtOH extract of Zygophyllum Fabago (ZF) as a corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in a molar hydrochloric acid solution. GC-MS analysis of the Zygophyllum Fabago oil extract revealed the presence of 18 compounds, of which vanillin (VN) was the main component at 27.78% by weight. The influence of ZF on corrosion inhibition was examined using electrochemical techniques such as open circuit potential (OCP), polarization curves (PC) and impedance spectroscopy (EIS), as well as scanning electron microscopy coupled to elemental analysis (SEM/EDX). The results show that ZF extract acts effectively as a mixed corrosion inhibitor, with cathodic activity predominating. Inhibition efficiency increased in proportion to inhibitor concentration and immersion time, reaching a rate of 87%. This protective effect can be explained by the formation of a protective layer on the steel surface. The adsorption of ZF on the steel surface follows the Langmuir isotherm, which is characterized by the formation of a protective layer on the steel surface. The adsorption of ZF on the steel surface follows the Langmuir isotherm, characterized by a physisorption mechanism. To confirm the experimental results, we carried out a theoretical study using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Molecular Electrostatic Surface Potential (MESP), In order to have a clear understanding of the inhibition and adsorption mechanisms of various constituents of ZF on steel

On ADE Quiver Models and F-Theory Compactification

Based on mirror symmetry, we discuss geometric engineering of N=1 ADE quiver models from F-theory compactifications on elliptic K3 surfaces fibered over certain four-dimensional base spaces. The latter are constructed as intersecting 4-cycles according to ADE Dynkin diagrams, thereby mimicking the construction of Calabi-Yau threefolds used in geometric engineering in type II superstring theory. Matter is incorporated by considering D7-branes wrapping these 4-cycles. Using a geometric procedure referred to as folding, we discuss how the corresponding physics can be converted into a scenario with D5-branes wrapping 2-cycles of ALE spaces.Comment: 21 pages, Latex, minor change

Investigating the Biological Activities of Moroccan Cannabis Sativa L Seed Extracts: Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, and Antioxidant Effects with Molecular Docking Analysis

The present study focuses on assessing the bioactive potential of Cannabis sativa L. seed extracts, specifically the organic and aqueous extracts derived from Ketama hemp seeds harvested in Morocco. We tested the antioxidant capacities of the extracts, specifically their ability to scavenge DPPH free radicals. The ethanolic Cannabis sativa L. seed extract was particularly effective, demonstrating the lowest IC50 value of 0.36mg/mL±0.01, outperforming the reference compound ascorbic acid, which had an IC50 value of 0.68mg/mL±0.02. This suggests a significantly high antioxidant potential of the ethanolic extract against the DPPH radical. The β-carotene bleaching test further supported these findings, with the ethanolic and hexanolic extracts showing substantial antioxidant activity, inhibiting the coupled oxidation of linoleic acid and β-carotene by 36%±0.12 and 33%±0.14, respectively. We also assessed the antimicrobial potency of the seed extracts using the Muller-Hinton Agar well diffusion method. The ethanolic extract demonstrated the highest inhibition zone diameter (IZ = 23 mm) against Penicillium sp., whereas the hexane extract had the smallest IZ (07 mm) against Listeria monocytogenes. Microdilution method in a 96-well microplate was employed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the extracts. All extracts showed inhibitory effects against all tested bacterial and fungal strains, with MIC, MBC, and MFC values ranging from 0.03 to 1.25 mg/mL. Lastly, the anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was tested using the RBC method. The findings indicated that all extracts significantly inhibited heat/hypotonia-induced erythrocyte haemolysis, further exploring their potential therapeutic value

Exploring the Pharmacological Potential of the Chemically Characterized Essential Oil from Clinopodium nepeta subsp. ascendens: A Combined In Vitro and In Silico Analysis

This thorough examination explores the various biological characteristics present in the essential oil derived from Clinopodium nepeta subsp. ascendens (CNEO), a subspecies previously unrecognized and indigenous to the eastern part of Morocco. This subspecies is distinguished from C. nepeta by the distinctive feature of having purple or pale pinkish-white flowers. The study initiates with a thorough scrutiny of the phytochemical composition of CNEO via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing a nuanced spectrum of 24 terpene compounds. Among these, noteworthy constituents such as linalyl acetate (23.28%), Trifluoroacetyl-α-terpineol (13.66%), camphor (13.28%), and menthol (9.22%) are identified. These compounds, acknowledged for their notable biological and pharmacological attributes, serve as focal points for subsequent analyses. Beyond compositional elucidation, the study systematically investigates the diverse biological activities of CNEO. The essential oil exhibits substantial antioxidant potential, as substantiated by robust total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of 315.07 μg AA/mg and effective inhibition of DPPH free radicals (IC50 = 112.97 ± 2.67 µg/ml). Demonstrating promising antibacterial efficacy against various strains, occasionally surpassing gentamicin, positions CNEO as a potential antibacterial agent. Equally notable antifungal efficacy, surpassing that of cycloheximide, with low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) is obtained, underscoring its potent antifungal properties. The antidiabetic potential of CNEO manifests through significant inhibition of xanthine oxidase (IC50 = 30.82 ± 0.78 µg/ml), α-amylase (IC50 = 40.13 ± 1.60 µg/ml), and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 45.30 ± 0.69 µg/ml) activities, suggesting therapeutic prospects in glycemic regulation. Furthermore, the essential oil showcases compelling anti-tyrosinase activity (IC50 = 29.78 ± 1.01 µg/ml), indicating potential dermatoprotective applications in melanin regulation. The implications of these findings provide a robust foundation for future investigations, unraveling the full therapeutic potential of CNEO within medical, cosmetic, and industrial contexts

On Local Calabi-Yau Supermanifolds and Their Mirrors

We use local mirror symmetry to study a class of local Calabi-Yau super-manifolds with bosonic sub-variety V_b having a vanishing first Chern class. Solving the usual super- CY condition, requiring the equality of the total U(1) gauge charges of bosons \Phi_{b} and the ghost like fields \Psi_{f} one \sum_{b}q_{b}=\sum_{f}Q_{f}, as \sum_{b}q_{b}=0 and \sum_{f}Q_{f}=0, several examples are studied and explicit results are given for local A_{r} super-geometries. A comment on purely fermionic super-CY manifolds corresponding to the special case where q_{b}=0, \forall b and \sum_{f}Q_{f}=0 is also made.\bigskipComment: 17 page

Prediction of Ideas Number During a Brainstorming Session

International audienceIn this paper, we present an approach allowing the prediction of ideas number during a brainstorming session. This prediction is based on two dynamic models of brainstorming, the non-cognitive and the cognitive models proposed by Brown and Paulus (Small Group Res 27(1):91–114, 1996). These models describe for each participant, the evolution of ideas number over time, and are formalized by differential equations. Through solution functions of these models, we propose to calculate the number of ideas of each participant on any time intervals and thus in the future (called prediction). To be able to compute solution functions, it is necessary to determine the parameters of these models. In our approach, we use optimization model for model parameters calculation in which solution functions are approximated by numerical methods. We developed two generic optimization models, one based on Euler’s and the other on the fourth order Runge–Kutta’s numerical methods for the solving of differential equations, and we apply them to the non-cognitive and respectively to the cognitive models. Through some feasibility tests, we show the adequacy of the proposed approach to our prediction context

Removal of Tannic Acid From Aqueous Solution by Cloud Point Extraction and Investigation of Surfactant Regeneration by Microemulsion Extraction

The aim of this work is the extraction of tannic acid (TA) with two commercial nonionic surfactants, separately: Lutensol ON 30 and Triton X-114 (TX-114).The experimental cloud point extraction results are expressed by four responses to surfactant concentration and temperature variations: extent of TA extraction (E), remaining solute (X s,w) and surfactant (X t,w) concentrations in dilute phase and volume fraction of coacervate (Φc) at equilibrium. An empirical smoothing method was used and the results are represented on three dimensional plots. In optimal conditions, the extraction extent of TA reaches 95 and 87 % using TX-114 and Lutensol ON 30, respectively. Sodium sulfate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) addition and pH effect are also studied. Finally, the possibility of recycling of the surfactant is proved

Bayes Inference for a Tractable New Class of Non-symmetric Distributions for 3-Dimensional Rotations

Both existing models for non-symmetric distributions on 3-dimensional rotations and their associated one-sample inference methods have serious limitations in terms of both interpretability and ease of use. Based on the intuitively appealing Uniform Axis- Random Spin (UARS) construction of Bingham, Nordman, and Vardeman (2009) for symmetric families of distributions, we propose new highly interpretable and tractable classes of non-symmetric distributions that are derived from mixing UARS distributions. These have an appealing Preferred Axis-Random Spin (PARS) construction and (unlike existing models) directly interpretable parameters. Non-informative one-sample Bayes inference in these models is a direct generalization of UARS methods introduced in Bingham, Vardeman, and Nordman (2009), where credible levels were found to be essentially equivalent to frequentist coverage probabilities. We apply the new models and inference methods to a problem in biomechanics, where comparison of model parameters provides meaningful comparisons for the nature of movement about the calcaneocuboid joint of three different primate subjects.The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13253-012-0107-9</p