Da Vinci's yeast: Blastobotrys davincii f.a., sp. nov

A new species of the yeast genus Blastobotrys was discovered during a worldwide survey of culturable xerophilic fungi in house dust. Several culture-dependent and independent studies from around the world detected the same species from a wide range of substrates including indoor air, cave wall paintings, bats, mummies, and the iconic self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci from ca 1512. However, none of these studies identified their strains, clones, or OTUs as Blastobotrys. We introduce the new species as Blastobotrys davincii f.a., sp. nov. (holotype CBS H-24879) and delineate it from other species using morphological, phylogenetic, and physiological characters. The new species of asexually (anamorphic) budding yeast is classified in Trichomonascaceae and forms a clade along with its associated sexual state genus Trichomonascus. Despite the decade-old requirement to use a single generic name for fungi, both names are still used. Selection of the preferred name awaits a formal nomenclatural proposal. We present arguments for adopting Blastobotrys over Trichomonascus and introduce four new combinations as Blastobotrys allociferrii (≡ Candida allociferrii), B. fungorum (≡ Sporothrix fungorum), B. mucifer (≡ Candida mucifera), and Blastobotrys vanleenenianus (≡ Trichomonascus vanleenenianus). We provide a nomenclatural review and an accepted species list for the 37 accepted species in the Blastobotrys/Trichomonascus clade. Finally, we discuss the identity of the DNA clones detected on the da Vinci portrait, and the importance of using appropriate media to isolate xerophilic or halophilic fungi.     

Cross-linked electrospun polyvinyl alcohol/sodium caseinate nanofibers for antibacterial applications

In this study, the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium caseinate (SC) nanofibers were produced by a single-fluid electrospinning method from their blends. Afterward, the cross-linking process with two different methods was applied to the PVA/SC (70/30, v/v) ratio, which was selected according to the surface and mechanical properties of the electrospun mat. In the first method, different ratios (15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) of glutaraldehyde (GLA) cross-linking agents were added to the PVA/SC solution and then, PVA/SC/GLA nanofibers were obtained. In the second method (in-situ method), the nanofibers obtained from the PVA/SC solution were cross-linked by dipping into the cross-linking solution. After, PVA/SC/GLA/Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) mats were obtained by adding ZnO NP at different rates to the PVA/SC/GLA (7030-25GLA) solution, which was chosen according to the results of thermal, mechanical, and moisture test. In addition, performing tests, a cytotoxicity test for fibroblast cell line (L929), and in vitro antibacterial test for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were also applied to them. Therefore, the usability of PVA/SC/GLA/ZnO NP nanofibers as an antibacterial effective wound dressing was investigated. Due to the high toxic effect of GLA, it was found that PVA/SC/ZnO cross-linked nanofibers are not suitable for wound dressing use. However, it was determined that the PVA/SC nanofiber cross-linked by the in-situ method had high cell viability according to the cytotoxicity test result and thus could be used as a fibroblast tissue scaffold.     

Impacts of natural antioxidants on the fatty acid profiles of vacuum-packaged tuna-like muscles

The impacts of natural preservatives such as olive leaf (Olea europaea L.) and sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) extracts (OLE and SME) and cold storage on the fatty acid profiles of vacuum-packaged tuna-like muscles were evaluated. At the end of the storage time, the lowest content of the total saturated fatty acids (SFA) was observed in both ordinary and dark muscles of the treated samples (OLE and SME) whereas the highest content was found in their counterparts from the untreated samples (control). The total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) contents decreased markedly in both ordinary and dark muscles of the control samples. In contrast, treated samples remained relatively stable throughout the storage time since the employment of plant extracts had protective effects against lipid oxidation and help maintain MUFA and PUFA levels in frigate tuna muscles. In addition, the PUFA/SFA ratio and polyene index which are considered important dietetic parameters showed that the used plant extracts (OLE and SME) did not result in a reduction in the PUFA/SFA ratio and prevented PUFA damage in both frigate tuna muscles during storage. Thus, the use of plant extracts such as OLE and SME can be recommended as natural preservatives for the fish processing industry.     

Bearing strength of pin‐connected polymer composites subjected to dynamic loading

In this study, static load bearing strength of pin‐connected carbon fiber‐reinforced polyphenylenesulphide (PPS) composites that have [(0°/90°)]_3s stacking sequence was investigated. Firstly, the samples were loaded dynamically, and then the same samples were loaded statically. The results obtained from this sequential experiment were compared with the results obtained from samples that were loaded only statically. In addition, the fatigue life and failure mechanisms were investigated with respect to the selection of the geometrical parameters. Dynamic and static loading experiments were performed according to the ASTM STP 749 and ASTM D953 standards, respectively. To obtain optimum load bearing values, the ratio of distance between the edge and hole center to hole diameter (E/D) and ratio of sample width to hole diameter (W/D) has been systematically changed. According to the experimental results, maximum load bearing values have been obtained when E/D ratio was equal to 2. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Experimental evaluation of the influence of macro circumferential residual stress on the wear resistance of some metals

To investigate the effect of residual stress on the wear resistance of metals, macro circumferential residual stresses σ^I were modelled as externally applied stress, below the yield stress of the material because residual stress cannot exceed yield stress, with a special apparatus. In order to compare the effect of residual stress on wear resistance, three different stress levels were applied to each specimen, 0 R_e, 0.5 R_e, and 0.8 R_e. A full programme of testing under all combinations of factors would be very expensive and time consuming, so, in the present case, all the other factors were fixed at constant values, while the chosen factor was varied in a controlled way in a series of tests. There has been no universally accepted theory or law on the effect of residual stress on wear resistance. In this study, the wear results for dry wear tests in terms of residual stress applied mechanically to specimens were very difficult to interpret.