Experimental drug development is time-consuming, expensive and limited to a relatively small number of targets. However, recent studies show that repositioning of existing drugs can function more efficiently than de novo experimental drug development to minimize costs and risks. Previous studies have proven that network analysis is a versatile platform for this purpose, as the biological networks are used to model interactions between many different biological concepts. The present study is an attempt to review network-based methods in predicting drug targets for drug repositioning. For each method, the preferred type of data set is described, and their advantages and limitations are discussed. For each method, we seek to provide a brief description, as well as an evaluation based on its performance metrics.We conclude that integrating distinct and complementary data should be used because each type of data set reveals a unique aspect of information about an organism. We also suggest that applying a standard set of evaluation metrics and data sets would be essential in this fast-growing research domain.

The influence of nanosilica and methyl methacrylate–butadiene–styrene (MBS) core–shell rubber particles on the physical-mechanical properties and cure kinetics of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A-based epoxy resin (EP)/dicyandiamide were investigated using tensile test, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry under dynamic conditions. The results indicated that inclusion of core–shell rubber particles and nanosilica (NS) into EP increased cure onset, peak and end temperatures of the modified EP relative to the neat EP. Studies on cure kinetics based on Kissinger and Ozawa method also showed that there was decrease in the values of Ea and A. Also, the order of the overall reaction was found to be approximately equal to 2. Differential scanning calorimetry graphs obtained by the experimental data had good agreement with that calculated theoretically. Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the EP increase with the inclusion of NS; however, the corresponding values decrease when the core–shell particles are included in the EP. The tensile strength and the modulus of the EP modified with NS and core–shell particles also decreased relative to the neat EP. On the other hand, by adding core–shell particles and NS, the glass transition temperature of the samples remained approximately constant as obtained from dynamic mechanical thermal analysis.

A diglycidyl ether bisphenol-A-based epoxy resin, cured using a dicyandiamide hardener, has been toughened by the addition of core-shell rubber particles, methyl methacrylate-butadiene styrene. Different amounts of core-shell particles (2.5, 3.75, and 5 wt%) were added to the epoxy resin and their effect on the fracture, mechanical-physical, and thermal properties of the epoxy resin was investigated. The fracture surfaces of the samples were studied using a scanning electron microscope. The results showed that increasing methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene particles in epoxy resin increased the fracture toughness (KIC) and fracture energy (GIC) of the modified epoxy resin compared with the unmodified epoxy resin. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the modified epoxy resin decreased slightly and the glass transition temperature, cure onset, peak and end temperatures remained approximately constant. Scanning electron microscope revealed that the unmodified epoxy resin fracture surface was smooth and brittle, but the modified epoxy resin showed significant plastic deformation.