A quantum isomonodromy equation and its application to N=2 SU(N) gauge theories

We give an explicit differential equation which is expected to determine the instanton partition function in the presence of the full surface operator in N=2 SU(N) gauge theory. The differential equation arises as a quantization of a certain Hamiltonian system of isomonodromy type discovered by Fuji, Suzuki and Tsuda.Comment: 15 pages, v2: typos corrected and references added, v3: discussion, appendix and references adde

Robust rapid-setting antibacterial liquid bandages

Abstract: Bandaging is a steadfast but time-consuming component of wound care with limited technical advancements to date. Bandages must be changed and infection risk managed. Rapid-set liquid bandages are efficient alternatives but lack durability or inherent infection control. We show here that antibacterial zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) species greatly enhance the barrier properties of the natural, waterproof, bio-adhesive polymer, shellac. The material demonstrated marked antibacterial contact properties and, in ex-vivo studies, effectively locked-in pre-applied therapeutics. When challenged in vivo with the polybacterial bovine wound infection ‘digital dermatitis’, Zn/Cu-shellac adhered rapidly and robustly over pre-applied antibiotic. The bandage self-degraded, appropriately, over 7 days despite extreme conditions (faecal slurry). Treatment was well-tolerated and clinical improvement was observed in animal mobility. This new class of bandage has promise for challenging topical situations in humans and other animals, especially away from controlled, sterile clinical settings where wounds urgently require protection from environmental and bacterial contamination

Radiation processing for cultural heritage preservation : Romanian experience

Radiation sterilization has been considered a mass decontamination technique for biodegradable cultural heritage (CH) since its widespread application in the medical field. Initial experiments have revealed advantages, for example, efficiency and effectiveness, but also disadvantages, namely “side effects” concerning CH materials. More than 50 years later, the adequacy of ionizing radiation for some CH artefacts is still the subject of discussion. The main reason why is that science and industry are not yet able to provide a more efficient technique for treating mass decontamination. For wooden items, there is general agreement that the irradiation dose required for insect eradication is not damaging, even in the case of polychromed wood. For cellulose pulp (paper), there is a reduction in polymerization degree (DP) at the high doses necessary to stop the attack of fungi, but this should be considered taking into account the purpose of the treatment. Emergency or rescue treatments are necessary to mitigate the consequences of accidents or improper storage conditions. In some cases (archives), the value of written information is greater than the historical value of the paper support. For other materials, namely textiles, leather and parchment, less research has been published on the effect of ionizing radiation treatment. As a general rule, irradiation is not necessary when only a few CH elements are present that are affected by biological contamination since restorers can solve the problem by classical means. The need for radiation treatment arises when large collections (hundreds, thousands or even more elements) are heavily affected by the biological attack. In Romania, the IRASM gamma irradiator of IFIN-HH is receiving an increasing number of requests for CH treatment, mainly due to an intensive research programme concerning this topic and close liaison with CH owners or administrators. Besides reviewing the scientific results obtained in Romania and abroad, this paper presents some examples from experiences in Romania

Effects of nanosecond laser pulses at 248 nm wavelength on multilayer CrN/(Cr,V)N coatings

The effects of UV nanosecond laser pulses on multilayer CrN/(Cr,V)N coatings were studied. In the experiment laser irradiation was performed in air at 248 nm wavelength and pulse duration of 25 ns. The surface composition and microstructure was analyzed depending on the initial content of vanadium in the coatings and number of accumulated laser pulses at a fluence of 0.17 Jcm-2 . Most of the absorbed laser energy was rapidly transformed into heat, producing intensive modifications of the composition and morphology of the multilayer structure.The result has shown that concentration of metallic components was homogeneously distributed inside the coatings. However, on the surface and in the sub-surface regions the contents of Cr and V were decreased due to oxidation. The composition and thickness of created mixture of oxides Cr2O3 and V2O5 depend on the number of laser pulses and initial V content. Laser induced surface morphology changes of the multilayer CrN/(Cr,V)N coatingswere registered at the irradiation areas: (i) grainy structures at peripheries, (ii) cracks and (iii) irregular closed shapes in the center.VI International School and Conference on Photonics and COST actions: MP1406 and MP1402 : PHOTONICA2017 : program and the book of abstracts; August 23 - September 1, 2017; Belgrad

Antimicrobial thin films based on ayurvedic plants extracts embedded in a bioactive glass matrix

Ayurvedic medicine is one of the oldest medical systems. It is an example of a coherent traditional system which has a time-tested and precise algorithm for medicinal plant selection, based on several ethnopharmacophore descriptors which knowledge endows the user to adequately choose the optimal plant for the treatment of certain pathology. This work aims for linking traditional knowledge with biomedical science by using traditional ayurvedic plants extracts with antimicrobial effect in form of thin films for implant protection. We report on the transfer of novel composites from bioactive glass mixed with antimicrobial plants extracts and polymer by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation into uniform thin layers onto stainless steel implant-like surfaces. The comprehensive characterization of the deposited films was performed by complementary analyses: Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy and antimicrobial tests. The results emphasize upon the multifunctionality of these coatings which allow to halt the leakage of metal and metal oxides into the biological fluids and eventually to inner organs (by polymer use), to speed up the osseointegration (due to the bioactive glass use), to exert antimicrobial effects (by ayurvedic plants extracts use) and to decrease the implant price (by cheaper stainless steel use)

Influence of gamma and electron radiation on perfluorinated optical fiber material composition

This letter presents a material analysis of the cyclic transparent optical polymer (CYTOP) fiber when exposed to gamma and electron radiation. In this case, the influence of the radiations in the CYTOP material composition is analyzed using the FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, where the latter is applied on two regions of the optical fiber, the core and overcladding. Furthermore, a CYTOP fiber without been exposed to radiation is also tested. Results show that the electron radiation leads to 60% higher variation in the material composition when compared with the gamma radiation in FTIR tests. The Raman spectroscopy indicates that both radiation conditions lead to compositional changes in the CYTOP fiber core, where peaks related − CH3 and aromatic C − H bonds appeared in these conditions. Such effect is not only related to molecular rearrangement, but also thermal effects when the fibers are subjected to gamma and electron radiations