Luminescence properties of the Ca-alpha-sialon:Eu solid solution

The Ca,Eu-α-sialon powders with the mixed solid solution composition have been manufactured via the solid-state reaction process in flowing nitrogen in a graphite furnace at a relatively low temperature of 1650 °C without an external overpressure. XRD data with Rielveld refinement and XPS measurements were used for characterization of the lattice constants and the surface chemical composition. The monophase Ca-Eu-α-sialon was obtained with the nominal composition of Eu_0.048Ca_0.702Si_7.75Al_2.25O_0.75N_15.25. The highest emission intensity in a yellow-orange region at 590 nm and quantum efficiency of 66% was found for this pure Ca,Eu-α-sialon. Estimation of m,n values from the lattice constant and EDS results showed a small deviation from the nominal composition of designed α-sialon. XPS results demonstrated significant changes of the chemical composition in the oxidized surface of phosphor particles. Possible reasons of emission redshift and relationship between the actual solid solution composition and luminescence properties are discussed in terms of simultaneous presence of Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions in the sialon crystal lattice and residual oxynitride glass.     

Potential risk indicators of retained placenta and other diseases in multiparous cows

Retained placenta (RP), defined as fetal membranes not being expelled within 24 h after calving, is a costly disease in multiparous dairy cows that has been linked to immune suppression, infections, elevated lipid mobilization, and depleted status of antioxidants including α-tocopherol, and that increases the risk of other diseases (OD) in early lactation. Early detection of cows at increased risk of developing RP, OD, or both in early lactation could improve treatment success and result in improved milk production and reproductive performance. To identify risk indicators of RP, OD, or both, we used a nested case-control design and compared multiparous dairy cows that developed RP (n = 32) with cows that remained healthy (H; n = 32) or cows that developed OD (n = 32) in early lactation. We compared peripartal body condition score (BCS) as well as serum concentrations of α-tocopherol, metabolites [β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), cholesterol, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and urea N], haptoglobin, and macrominerals (i.e., calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus) on d −21, −14, −7, −3, −1, 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 postpartum. In addition, average serum concentrations were calculated for each cow for the last 3 wk prepartum, for 3 and 2 wk prepartum combined, for the last week prepartum, and for the morning after calving and compared between groups. The RP cows had lower BCS than the H or OD cows until 2 wk postpartum. During the prepartal periods, RP and OD cows had lower α-tocopherol concentrations (corrected or not for cholesterol concentration) and higher NEFA and BHBA concentrations than H cows. Thus, lower prepartal BCS could be an early predictor for RP risk, and lower α-tocopherol concentrations and higher NEFA and BHBA concentrations could be early predictors for disease.     

Intensification of Freeze-Drying Rate of Bacillus subtilis MTCC 2396 Using Tungsten Halogen Radiation: Optimization of Moisture Content and α-Amylase Activity

A novel freeze-drying protocol has been explored to render fast and cost-effective freeze drying of hyperamylase producing Bacillus subtilis MTCC2396 employing a tungsten halogen lamp radiator (THLR) as a heat source. Response surface methodology assessed the maximum reduction in moisture content (96.07%) and minimum reduction in α-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) activity (1.02%) in 4 h drying time at 42.5°C radiation temperature. α-amylase activity (0.046 U) and final moisture content (3.93%) of the optimally freeze-dried bacterial strain appeared satisfactory. The freeze-drying time using THLR (4 h) is remarkably lower compared to that under a conventional conductive plate heater (CPH) (10 h) at otherwise identical conditions. The higher effective moisture diffusivity of 0.0052 to 0.0078 m ²/s under THLR compared to 0.00084 to 0.0015 m ²/s under CPH (corresponding to 20–50°C) advocated the superiority of the THLR heating protocol. The higher efficacy of THLR was also evidenced through lower activation energy (8.42 kJ/mol) of moisture diffusion compared to that (12.051 kJ/mol) of CPH. The optimally freeze-dried bacteria demonstrated the same growth rate in addition to exhibiting excellent retention of bioremedial (Hg²⁺ removal) activity to that of the control.     

Theoretical study of the zero-gap organic conductor α-(BEDT-TTF)2I3

Abstract

The quasi-two-dimensional molecular conductor α-(BEDT-TTF)₂I₃ exhibits anomalous transport phenomena where the temperature dependence of resistivity is weak but the ratio of the Hall coefficient at 10 K to that at room temperature is of the order of 10⁴. These puzzling phenomena were solved by predicting massless Dirac fermions, whose motions are described using the tilted Weyl equation with anisotropic velocity. α-(BEDT-TTF)₂I₃ is a unique material among several materials with Dirac fermions, i.e. graphene, bismuth, and quantum wells such as HgTe, from the view-points of both the structure and electronic states described as follows. α-(BEDT-TTF)₂I₃ has the layered structure with highly two-dimensional massless Dirac fermions. The anisotropic velocity and incommensurate momenta of the contact points, ±k₀, originate from the inequivalency of the BEDT-TTF sites in the unit cell, where ±k₀ moves in the first Brillouin zone with increasing pressure. The massless Dirac fermions exist in the presence of the charge disproportionation and are robust against the increase in pressure. The electron densities on those inequivalent BEDT-TTF sites exhibit anomalous momentum distributions, reflecting the angular dependences of the wave functions around the contact points. Those unique electronic properties affect the spatial oscillations of the electron densities in the vicinity of an impurity. A marked behavior of the Hall coefficient, where the sign of the Hall coefficient reverses sharply but continuously at low temperatures around 5 K, is investigated by treating the interband effects of the magnetic field exactly. It is shown that such behavior is possible by assuming the existence of the extremely small amount of electron doping. The enhancement of the orbital diamagnetism is also expected. The results of the present research shed light on a new aspect of Dirac fermion physics, i.e. the emergence of unique electronic properties owing to the structure of the material.     

狼毒多糖对TNF-α诱导的内皮细胞P-selectin表达的影响

目的:探讨狼毒多糖(EFP-AW1)对TNF-α诱导的内皮细胞P-selectin表达的影响。方法:以TNF-α诱导HUVECs建立内皮细胞分泌P-selectin模型,流式细胞术检测EFP-AW1对TNF-α诱导的HUVECs细胞P-selectin蛋白表达的影响;Real-time PCR检测EFP-AW1对TNF-α诱导的HUVECs细胞P-selectin m RNA表达的影响。结果:HUVECs经TNF-α刺激后P-selectin表达较空白对照组明显增强(P<0.05),而经过EFP-AW1预处理的HUVECs P-selectin m RNA和蛋白表达水平与TNF-α刺激组比较明显降低(P<0.05),并具有一定的剂量依赖性。结论:EFP-AW1能够降低TNF-α诱导的内皮细胞黏附分子P-selectin表达,从而抑制P-selectin介导的肿瘤细胞与内皮细胞的黏附。     

微小RNA调控干扰素-α在系统性红斑狼疮发病机制中的作用

系统性红斑狼疮是一种多系统受累的自身免疫病。干扰素-α作为系统性红斑狼疮免疫紊乱的关键因素,对其作用机制及信号通路的研究可进一步揭示系统性红斑狼疮的发病机制,并为该病的临床治疗提供新策略。近年研究发现,微小RNA在系统性红斑狼疮发病机制中具有重要作用,且微小RNA异常表达参与Ⅰ型干扰素通路的调节。本文综述了微小RNA对Ⅰ型干扰素通路的调节及其在系统性红斑狼疮发病机制中的作用,对进一步认识系统性红斑狼疮的发病机制具有重要意义。     

Facile Synthesis and Proposed Mechanism of α,ω‐Oxetanyl-Telechelic Poly(3-nitratomethyl-3-methyl oxetane) by an SN2(i) Nitrato Displacement Method in Basic Media

The synthesis of a novel heterocyclic–telechelic polymer, α,ω-oxetanyl-telechelic poly(3-nitratomethyl-3-methyl oxetane), is described. Infrared spectroscopy (IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy have been used to confirm the successful synthesis, demonstrating the presence of the telechelic-oxetanyl moieties. Synthesis of the terminal functionalities has been achieved via displacement of nitrato groups, in a manner similar to that employed with other leaving groups such as azido, bromo, and nitro, initiated by nucleophiles. In the present case, displacement occurs on the ends of a nitrato-functionalized polymer driven by the formation of sodium nitrate, which is supported by the polar aprotic solvent N,N-dimethyl formamide. The formation of an alkoxide at the polymer chain ends is favored and allows internal back-biting to the nearest carbon bearing the nitrato group, intrinsically in an S_N2(i) reaction, leading to α,ω-oxetanyl functionalization. The telechelic-oxetanyl moieties have the potential to be cross-linked by chemical (e.g., acidic) or radiative (e.g., ultraviolet) curing methods without the use of high temperatures, usually below 100°C. This type of material was designed for future use as a contraband simulant, whereby it would form the predominant constituent of elastomeric composites comprising rubbery polymer with small quantities of solids, typically crystals of contraband substances, such as explosives or narcotics. This method also provides an alternative approach to ring closure and synthesis of heterocycles.     

Functional display of amylase on yeast surface from Rhizopus oryzae as a novel enzyme delivery method

Fungal amylase has great importance in fermentation industry such as brewing, food fermentation, starch hydrolysis and for improving microbial populations in chicken intestine through feed applications. In the present investigation, alpha amylase cDNA from Rhizopus oryzae was cloned, sequenced, and successfully surface anchored in functional form using Saccharomyces cerevisiae EBY100 as host, yielding enzyme activity of 4.35 (±0.5) U/ml. The surface displayed yeast expressed amylase activity using plate assay, produced glucose and maltose as hydrolysis products using starch as substrate. The targeted and armed yeast with displayed enzyme was evaluated for its characterization at various pH and temperatures. The engineered yeast showed optimal activity at neutral pH and at 50°C incubation temperature. Reducing sugars produced by displayed enzyme were visualized by paper chromatography. The data suggested successful heterologous expression and display of amylase enzyme on yeast cell surface. The displayed system could further be utilized in fermentation industry for improving cost-effectiveness of the process.     

Characterization and selection of suitable grades of lactose as functional fillers for capsule filling: part 1

The purpose of this work is to characterize thermal, physical and mechanical properties of different grades of lactose and better understand the relationships between these properties and capsule filling performance. Eight grades of commercially available lactose were evaluated: Pharmatose 110?M, 125?M, 150?M, 200?M, 350?M (α-lactose monohydrate), AL (anhydrous lactose containing ～80% β-AL), DCL11 (spray dried α-lactose monohydrate containing ～15% amorphous lactose) and DCL15 (granulated α-lactose monohydrate containing ～12% β-AL). In this study, different lactose grades were characterized by thermal, solid state, physical and mechanical properties and later evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA) to assess the inter-relationships among some of these properties. The lactose grades were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), moisture sorption/desorption isotherms, particle size distribution; the flow was characterized by Carr Index (CI), critical orifice diameter (COD) and angle of friction. Plug mechanical strength was estimated from its diametric crushing strength. The first and second principal components (PC) captured 47.6% and 27.4% of variation in the physical and mechanical property data, respectively. The PCA plot grouped together 110?M, AL, DCL11 and DCL15 on the one side of plot which possessed superior properties for capsule formulation and these grades were selected for future formulation development studies (part II of this work).     

Interpolymer radical coupling: A toolbox complementary to controlled radical polymerization

The current review focuses on the relevance and practical benefit of interpolymer radical coupling methods. The latter are developing rapidly and constitute a perfectly complementary macromolecular engineering toolbox to the controlled radical polymerization techniques (CRP). Indeed, all structures formed by CRP are likely to be prone to radical coupling reactions, which multiply the available synthetic possibilities. Basically, the coupling systems can be divided in two main categories. The first one, including the atom transfer radical coupling (ATRC), silane radical atom abstraction (SRAA) and cobalt-mediated radical coupling (CMRC), relies on the recombination of macroradicals produced from a dormant species. The second one, including atom transfer nitroxide radical coupling (ATNRC), single electron transfer nitroxide radical coupling (SETNRC), enhanced spin capturing polymerization (ESCP) and nitrone/nitroso mediated radical coupling (NMRC), makes use of a radical scavenger in order to promote the conjugation of the polymer chains. More than a compilation of macromolecular engineering achievements, the present review additionally aims to emphasize the particularities, synthetic potential and present limitations of each system.