Microwave hybrid fast sintering of red clay ceramics

This work aimed to examine the performance of the hybrid sintering of clay ceramic in a microwave furnace, compared to the sintering process in a conventional furnace. The raw materials were subjected to X-ray fluorescence, loss on ignition (LOI), X-ray diffraction, particle size distribution, real specific mass, and thermogravimetric analyses. The red clay ceramic mass was prepared, extruded, pre-sintered in a conventional furnace at 600°C/60 min, and sintered at temperatures between 700 °C and 1100 °C. The sintering conventional (resistive oven) was carried out for 60 min with a heating rate of 10°C/min. In the microwave furnace, the sintering times were 5, 10, and 15 min, with a heating rate of 50°C/min, with a sintering chamber coated with silicon carbide (susceptor). The sintered specimens were characterized according to linear shrinkage, water absorption, apparent porosity, apparent specific mass, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy analysis, spectroscopy analysis in the ultraviolet and visible regions, microhardness, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that microwave sintering promoted an increase in the microhardness and apparent specific mass, and reduction in water absorption and apparent porosity values, due to greater densification in the microstructure. The best results occurred for specimens sintered at 1100°C.     

2-Phenyloxazole-4-carboxamide as a Scaffold for Selective Inhibition of Human Monoamine Oxidase B

A series of 2-phenyloxazoles bearing an amide group at position 4 were designed and synthesized for evaluation as potential inhibitors of human recombinant monoamine oxidases (hrMAOs). Results of kinetics experiments demonstrated that all compounds behave as competitive MAO inhibitors, with good selectivity toward the MAO-B isoform. The most potent and selective derivatives are characterized by inhibition constant (K_i) values in the sub-micromolar range and a good selectivity index (K_{i MAO-A}/K_{i MAO-B}>50). Some derivatives were also found to be able to inhibit MAO activity in nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells, taken as a model of neuronal cells. In particular, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-N-phenyloxazole-4-carboxamide (compound 4 a ) may be a promising new scaffold, exerting the highest selectivity and inhibitory effect toward MAOs in NGF-differentiated PC12 cell lysates, without compromising cell viability. Molecular docking analysis allowed a rationalization of the experimentally observed binding affinity and selectivity.     

A Dual Inhibitor of DYRK1A and GSK3β for β-Cell Proliferation: Aminopyrazine Derivative GNF4877

Loss of β-cell mass and function can lead to insufficient insulin levels and ultimately to hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. The mainstream treatment approach involves regulation of insulin levels; however, approaches intended to increase β-cell mass are less developed. Promoting β-cell proliferation with low-molecular-weight inhibitors of dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) offers the potential to treat diabetes with oral therapies by restoring β-cell mass, insulin content and glycemic control. GNF4877, a potent dual inhibitor of DYRK1A and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) was previously reported to induce primary human β-cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Herein, we describe the lead optimization that lead to the identification of GNF4877 from an aminopyrazine hit identified in a phenotypic high-throughput screening campaign measuring β-cell proliferation.     

Charge Transport Calculation along Two-Dimensional Metal/Semiconductor/Metal Systems

Two-dimensional transistors are promising candidates for the next generation of nanoscale devices. Like the other alternatives, they also encounter problems such as instability under standard condition (STP), low channel mobility, small band gaps, and difficulty to integrate metal contacts. The latter poses a great challenge since metal/semiconductor interface significantly affects the transistor‘s performance. Some of these obstacles can be solved by using two-dimensional transition metal di-chalcogenides (TMDC) materials. In this study, we performed charge transport calculation based on density functional theory (DFT) followed by wave dynamics to evaluate the performance of six two-dimensional TMDC metal/semiconductor/metal systems. Each semiconductor monolayer was laterally connected, at both ends to metal contacts consisting of VS₂ or FeS₂ monolayers. We found that charge transport was more efficient in systems containing a CrS₂ semiconductor monolayer compared to systems with MoS₂ or WS₂ as the semiconductor monolayer. The electronic characterization of the monolayer TMDC materials by DFT estimates well the trend in charge transport efficiency calculated using wave packet dynamics.     

Cooperation between memory systems: Acetylcholine release in the amygdala correlates positively with performance on a hippocampus-dependent task.

The present experiment examined the relationship between release of acetylcholine (ACh) in the amygdala and performance on a hippocampus-dependent spatial working memory task. Using in vivo microdialysis, the authors measured ACh release in rats during testing on a spontaneous alternation task. Amygdala ACh release was positively correlated with performance on the hippocampus-dependent task. These findings suggest that activation of the amygdala promotes processing in other neural systems important for learning and memory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

From the Editors.

We could not imagine a more appropriate inauguration of the Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts (PACA) going to four issues per year than with a special issue honoring the life and work of the great aesthetician and psychologist, Rudolf Arnheim. PACA is off to a great start. With this move to four issues per year, we are restarting our numbering system, so this special issue is Volume 1, Issue 1. As you read the articles in this issue, we hope that you enjoy reflecting on how much Rudolf Arnheim has contributed to the field of psychology of aesthetics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Emotional and behavioral responses to aversive interpersonal behaviors.

In a conceptual replication of A. Biglan et al (see record 1989-39898-001), 288 Ss rated their emotional and behavioral responses to aggressive, distressed, and neutral behaviors. The stimulus behaviors occurred in the context of casual relationships and were portrayed by male and female actors. Consistent with Biglan et al, it was found that aggressive behaviors evoked angry emotions and negative behavioral responses; distressed behaviors evoked both angry and concerned emotions and supportive behavioral responses. However, in contrast to the original results, evidence was also found of negative (primarily avoidant) behavioral responses to distressed behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)