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  • Kinetic inflation in deformed phase space Brans-Dicke cosmology
    Publication . Rasouli, Seyed Meraj Mousavi; Marto, João; Moniz, Paulo
    In this paper, by establishing a Brans-Dicke (BD) cosmology by means of a deformed phase space, in the absence of any scalar potential, cosmological constant and ordinary matter, we show that it is feasible to overcome obstacles reported in the corresponding commutative (non-deformed) frameworks. More concretely, by applying the Hamiltonian formalism and introducing a dynamical deformation, between the momenta associated to the FLRW scale factor and the BD scalar field, we obtain the modified equations of motion. In particular, these equations reduce to their standard counterparts when the noncommutative (NC) parameter is switched off. By focusing on a specific branch of solutions, in contrast to standard frameworks (even with a varying BD coupling parameter), we show that we can obtain an adequate appropriate inflationary epoch possessing a suitable graceful exit. In other words, in the Jordan frame (JF), such branch of solutions properly satisfy the sufficient condition required for satisfactory inflation, which is equivalent to get an inflationary phase in the conformal Einstein frame (EF) without branch change. Concerning the cosmological dynamics, we further show that our NC framework bears close resemblance to the $R^2$ (Starobinsky) inflationary model.
    2019-01-16Journal article Restricted access Show more
  • Development of gold-core silica shell nanospheres coated with poly-2-ethyl-oxazoline and β-cyclodextrin aimed for cancer therapy
    Publication . Reis, Ana Catarina Almeida; Rodrigues, Ana Carolina Félix; Moreira, André; Jacinto, Telma A.; Ferreira, Paula; Correia, I.J.
    Cancer is one of the major world public health problems and the currently available treatments are nonspecific and ineffective. This reality highlights the importance of developing novel therapeutic approaches. In this field, multifunctional nanomedicines have the potential to revolutionize the currently available treatments. These unique nanodevices can simultaneously act as therapeutic and imaging agents allowing the real-time monitoring of the nanoparticles biodistribution and the treatment outcome. Among the different nanoparticles, the gold-core silica shell (AuMSS) nanoparticles advantageous physicochemical and biological properties make them promising nanoplatforms for cancer therapy. Nevertheless, their successful application as an effective cancer nanomedicine is limited by the unfavorable pharmacokinetics and uncontrolled release of the therapeutic payloads. Herein, a new polymeric coating for AuMSS nanospheres was developed by combining different ratios (25/75, 50/50 and 75/25) of two materials, Poly-2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (PEOZ) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The surface functionalization of AuMSS nanospheres led to a size increase and to the neutralization of the surface charge. On the other side, the nanoparticles biological performance was improved. The coated AuMSS nanospheres showed an increased cytocompatibility and internalization rate by the HeLa cancer cells. Overall, the obtained data confirm the successful modification of the AuMSS nanospheres with PEOZ and β-CD as well as their promising properties for being applied in cancer therapy.
    2019-01-16Journal article Restricted access Show more