Functionalised Anodised Aluminium Oxide as a Biocidal Agent

In this article, we describe the antimicrobial properties of a new composite based on anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes containing propyl-copper-phosphonate units arranged at a predetermined density inside the AAO channels. The samples were prepared with four concentrations of copper ions and tested as antimicrobial drug on four different strains of Escherichia coli (K12, R2, R3 and R4). For comparison, the same strains were tested with three types of antibiotics using the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests. Moreover, DNA was isolated from the analysed bacteria which was additionally digested with formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg) protein from the group of repair glycosases. These enzymes are markers of modified oxidised bases in nucleic acids produced during oxidative stress in cells. Preliminary cellular studies, MIC and MBC tests and digestion with Fpg protein after modification of bacterial DNA suggest that these compounds may have greater potential as antibacterial agents than antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, bleomycin and cloxacillin. The described composites are highly specific for the analysed model Escherichia coli strains and may be used in the future as new substitutes for commonly used antibiotics in clinical and nosocomial infections in the progressing pandemic era. The results show much stronger antibacterial properties of the functionalised membranes on the action of bacterial membranes in comparison to the antibiotics in the Fpg digestion experiment. This is most likely due to the strong induction of oxidative stress in the cell through the breakdown of the analysed bacterial DNA. We have also observed that the intermolecular distances between the functional units play an important role for the antimicrobial properties of the used material. Hence, we utilised the idea of the 2D solvent to tailor them.     

Android智能求救系统的设计与实现

针对人们遇到突发事件得不到及时救助的难题,设计并实现一种基于Android的智能求救系统.该系统由穿戴式智能手环和Android客户端组成,融合蓝牙4.0和移动通信技术.通过智能手环激活手机应用程序,利用移动通信技术发送求救信息,使用百度地图进行定位、兴趣点搜索、路径规划.利用蓝牙4.0技术设计智能手环,降低了功耗和成本;基于百度地图API开发客户端,提供了准确、及时的位置服务.实验结果证明,该系统实时可靠,提供了求救和自救双重保障,可以有效减少突发事故造成的伤亡,对生命安全保障具有重要意义.     

基于改进核范数的2DPCA人脸识别算法研究

传统的二维主成分分析法广泛应用于图像特征提取,为了使此算法更加有效,提出了一种结构化二维算法,即核范数2DPCA算法(N-2-DPCA).该算法基于核范数重构误差准则,将核范数最优化问题转化为基于F范数的最优化问题,然后通过采用迭代方法寻找到最佳投影矩阵,最后运用最小欧氏距离规则识别出待识别人脸的身份.在此基础之上,将N-2-DPCA扩展到基于双边投影的算法(N-B2-DPCA),采用曲线搜索算法寻找到双边投影矩阵,继而进行识别.最后将提出的算法在FERET和Yale B人脸数据库中进行人脸识别评估,实验结果表明所提出的算法与L1-2DPCA相比,重建误差降低了2.19％,识别率提高了2.03％,性能更好.     

Biovalorization of brewers’ spent grain for the production of laccase and polyphenols

Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is the main solid by‐product of the brewing process and is typically disposed of as cattle feed. In this study, BSG was evaluated as a substrate for the production of polyphenols and the lignin‐degrading enzyme laccase using fungal solid‐state fermentation by Trametes versicolor. Laccases are finding increasing applications in the food industry and polyphenols have benefits for human health. After 14 days of fermentation with T. versicolor, there was a 3.4‐fold increase in the extraction of total polyphenols compared with untreated BSG. Using BSG as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen, maximum laccase activity was achieved after seven days of treatment with an activity of 560 U/L. Based on these results, BSG is suggested to be a good lignocellulose waste material to produce value‐added products such as the enzyme laccase and polyphenols. Copyright © 2018 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

亚共晶Al-Si合金熔体处理工艺研究

结合ZLD101A合金锭的生产工艺及试验方法,分析了细化、变质及熔体净化工艺对亚共晶Al-Si合金性能的影响,认为该工艺可有效地去除合金中的夹杂物,变质状态良好且具有重熔性,力学性能稳定,针孔度降低.     

MAX相Ti3SiC2管材在高温高压水和过热蒸汽中的腐蚀行为

MAX相材料有作为事故容错燃料(accident tolerant fuel,ATF)包壳材料的潜力,为了全面了解MAX相材料在模拟正常工况下的腐蚀行为,使用基体为Ti₃SiC₂的MAX相陶瓷管材于400℃/10.3 MPa过热蒸气,360℃/18.6 MPa去离子水、3.5μL/L Li+1000μL/L B溶液和70μL/L Li溶液4种不同的水化学条件中进行腐蚀试验,采用XRD、SEM和FIB/TEM观察分析腐蚀前后样品的显微组织、晶体结构和成分。结果表明,Ti₃SiC₂管材在4种条件下的腐蚀速率均远高于参比Zr-4合金,腐蚀后主要检测到腐蚀产物TiO₂,且其表面疏松多孔,未形成保护性的氧化膜。     

A Complex Evaluation of the In-Vivo Biocompatibility and Degradation of an Extruded ZnMgSr Absorbable Alloy Implanted into Rabbit Bones for 360 Days

The increasing incidence of trauma in medicine brings with it new demands on the materials used for the surgical treatment of bone fractures. Titanium, its alloys, and steel are used worldwide in the treatment of skeletal injuries. These metallic materials, although inert, are often removed after the injured bone has healed. The second-stage procedure—the removal of the plates and screws—can overwhelm patients and overload healthcare systems. The development of suitable absorbable metallic materials would help us to overcome these issues. In this experimental study, we analyzed an extruded Zn-0.8Mg-0.2Sr (wt.%) alloy on a rabbit model. From this alloy we developed screws which were implanted into the rabbit tibia. After 120, 240, and 360 days, we tested the toxicity at the site of implantation and also within the vital organs: the liver, kidneys, and brain. The results were compared with a control group, implanted with a Ti-based screw and sacrificed after 360 days. The samples were analyzed using X-ray, micro-CT, and a scanning electron microscope. Chemical analysis revealed only small concentrations of zinc, strontium, and magnesium in the liver, kidneys, and brain. Histologically, the alloy was verified to possess very good biocompatibility after 360 days, without any signs of toxicity at the site of implantation. We did not observe raised levels of Sr, Zn, or Mg in any of the vital organs when compared with the Ti group at 360 days. The material was found to slowly degrade in vivo, forming solid corrosion products on its surface.     

Differential Subcellular Distribution of Cytokinins: How Does Membrane Transport Fit into the Big Picture?

Cytokinins are a class of phytohormones, signalling molecules specific to plants. They act as regulators of diverse physiological processes in complex signalling pathways. It is necessary for plants to continuously regulate cytokinin distribution among different organs, tissues, cells, and compartments. Such regulatory mechanisms include cytokinin biosynthesis, metabolic conversions and degradation, as well as cytokinin membrane transport. In our review, we aim to provide a thorough picture of the latter. We begin by summarizing cytokinin structures and physicochemical properties. Then, we revise the elementary thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of cytokinin membrane transport. Next, we review which membrane-bound carrier proteins and protein families recognize cytokinins as their substrates. Namely, we discuss the families of “equilibrative nucleoside transporters” and “purine permeases”, which translocate diverse purine-related compounds, and proteins AtPUP14, AtABCG14, AtAZG1, and AtAZG2, which are specific to cytokinins. We also address long-distance cytokinin transport. Putting all these pieces together, we finally discuss cytokinin distribution as a net result of these processes, diverse in their physicochemical nature but acting together to promote plant fitness.     

SEPARATION OF METAL IONS AS CHELATES OF 1N2,7O3,6S IN THE PRESENCE OR ABSSENCE OF TBA+ BY CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS

Separation and determination of metal ions based on the formation of chelate anions with 1-Ni-troso-2, 7-dihydrexynaphthalene-3, 6-disulfonic acid (1N2, 7O3, 6S) was studied by using HPCE of the nine metal ions examined, the ions that can be detected sensitively -with 1-Nitroso-2, 7-dihydrexynaphthalene-3, 6-disul-fonic acid were Fe2 , Co2 .Cu2 . Ni2 ,Zn2 and Pd2 , The cobalt chelate could exist in two oxidation states of