Combinations of Piperine with Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin as a Multifunctional System

Piperine is an alkaloid that has extensive pharmacological activity and impacts other active substances bioavailability due to inhibition of CYP450 enzymes, stimulation of amino acid transporters and P-glycoprotein inhibition. Low solubility and the associated low bioavailability of piperine limit its potential. The combination of piperine with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) causes a significant increase in its solubility and, consequently, an increase in permeability through gastrointestinal tract membranes and the blood–brain barrier. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to characterize interactions between piperine and HP-β-CD. The observed physicochemical changes should be combined with the process of piperine and CD system formation. Importantly, with an increase in solubility and permeability of piperine as a result of interaction with CD, it was proven to maintain its biological activity concerning the antioxidant potential (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate assay), inhibition of enzymes essential for the inflammatory process and for neurodegenerative changes (hyaluronidase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase).     

Empathy and Modern Technology: A Neuroergonomics Perspective

The primary purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of empathy in the design of advanced systems in manufacturing and service industries in order to ensure suitable working conditions for employees from the social and technological point of view. The origins and components of empathy are briefly reviewed. The neural underpinnings of three components of empathy, including cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects, are considered in the context of human–human and human–machine interactions, as well as design of working environments. Finally, the potential advantages of applying empathy‐related knowledge to the design and development of human‐centered technology are discussed.     

Polythiophene nanoparticles in aqueous media

The article presents the data concerning the synthesis of polythiophene (PTh) nanoparticles in aqueous medium applying emulsion polymerization. The synthetic method was studied in variety of combinations of initiator and surfactant. It was found that application of potassium peroxydisulfate (KPS) as initiator and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as the surfactant gives the best product yields. The structure, morphology, and physicochemical properties have been analyzed showing that the resulting latex have conducting film forming properties. Resulting polymers were characterized via fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetry‐differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and electrochemical methods [e.g. current–voltage characteristics (I–V), activation energy of electric conductivity, and doping processes]. A mechanism of the polymerization reaction is also discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43495.     

Modified friction factor correlation for CICC’s based on a porous media analogy

The first cool-down of the EDIPO (European DIPOle) test facility is foreseen to take place in 2011 by means of the existing 1.2 kW cryoplant at EPFL-CRPP Villigen. In this work, the thermo-hydraulic analysis of the EDIPO cool-down is performed in order both to assess the its duration and to optimize the procedure. The cool-down is driven by the helium flowing in both the outer cooling channel and in the windings connected hydraulically in parallel. We take into account limitations due to the pressure drop in the cooling circuit and the refrigerator capacity as well as heat conduction in the iron yoke. Two schemes of the hydraulic cooling circuit in the EDIPO windings are studied (coils connected in series and coils connected in parallel). The analysis is performed by means of an analytical model complemented by and numerical model. The results indicate that the cool-down to 5 K can be achieved in about 12 days.     

High resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR STEM) analysis of re-deposited layer on ASDEX Upgrade tile

Erosion and re-deposition of plasma-facing components (PFCs) is one of the most important issues in fusion devices and as such it is an area of interest for many research groups. However, the structure and composition of re-deposited layers as well as the mechanism and condition of their formation are not yet fully described and understood.In the present study, the structure and the composition of co-deposited layers, which developed at the outer divertor strike point tiles in ASDEX Upgrade during the 2009 campaign were examined. High resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HRSTEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) have been used to identify deposits composition and morphology. Tungsten foam like structure and co-deposits rich in tungsten, oxygen, carbon, boron and nitrogen were observed.     

Novel Furin Inhibitors with Potent Anti‐infectious Activity

New peptidomimetic furin inhibitors with unnatural amino acid residues in the P3 position were synthesized. The most potent compound 4‐guanidinomethyl‐phenylacteyl‐Arg‐Tle‐Arg‐4‐amidinobenzylamide (MI‐1148) inhibits furin with a K_i value of 5.5 pM . The derivatives also strongly inhibit PC1/3, whereas PC2 is less affected. Selected inhibitors were tested in cell culture for antibacterial and antiviral activity against infectious agents known to be dependent on furin activity. A significant protective effect against anthrax and diphtheria toxin was observed in the presence of the furin inhibitors. Furthermore, the spread of the highly pathogenic H5N1 and H7N1 avian influenza viruses and propagation of canine distemper virus was strongly inhibited. Inhibitor MI‐1148 was crystallized in complex with human furin. Its N‐terminal guanidinomethyl group in the para position of the P5 phenyl ring occupies the same position as that found previously for a structurally related inhibitor containing this substitution in the meta position, thereby maintaining all of the important P5 interactions. Our results confirm that the inhibition of furin is a promising strategy for a short‐term treatment of acute infectious diseases.     

Evolution of strength and structure during SPD processing of Ti–45Nb alloys: experiments and simulations

A β-phase Ti–45Nb alloy was processed by several severe plastic deformation (SPD) methods as high-pressure torsion, cold rolling and folding, and hydrostatic extrusion to enhance its strength by achieving an ultrafine grained structure without affecting the Young’s modulus being close to that of bone material. Mechanical properties during processing were monitored by direct torque and Vickers hardness measurements, while the micro-/nano-structural evolution was investigated by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray line profile analysis. Simulations of both mechanical and micro-/nano-structural data were performed on the basis of the SPD work-hardening model by Zehetbauer. The simulations not only found a good agreement with the deformation-specific evolution of strength and density of individual dislocations but also well reflected mesoscopic structural quantities such as the sizes of cell/grain interiors and walls without introducing additional fitting parameters.     

Influence of hot rolling and high speed hydrostatic extrusion on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an ODS RAF steel

An argon gas atomized, pre-alloyed Fe-14Cr-2W-0.3Ti (wt.%) reduced activation ferritic (RAF) steel powder was mechanically alloyed with 0.3wt.% Y₂O₃ nano-particles in an attritor ball mill and consolidated by hot isostatic pressing at 1150 °C under a pressure of 200 MPa for 3 h. In the aim to improve its mechanical properties the ODS steel was then submitted to a thermo-mechanical treatment (TMT): hot rolling (HR) at 850 °C or high speed hydrostatic extrusion (HSHE) at 900 °C, followed by heat treatment (HT).Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of the ODS alloys after TMT and heat treatment revealed the presence of elongated grains in the longitudinal direction, with an average width of 8 μm and an average length of 75 μm, and equiaxed grains, a few microns in diameter, in the transverse direction. Two populations of oxide particles were observed by TEM: large Ti-Al-O particles, up to 250 nm in diameter, usually located at the grain boundaries and small Y-Ti-O nanoclusters, about 2.5 nm in diameter, uniformly distributed in the matrix. Charpy impact tests revealed that the HSHE material exhibits a larger upper shelf energy (5.8 J) than the HR material (2.9 J). The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature of both alloys is relatively high, in the range of 55-72 °C. Tensile mechanical properties of both ODS alloys were found satisfactory over the full range of investigated temperatures (23-750 °C). The HSHE material exhibits better tensile strength and ductility than the HR material. These results indicate that HSHE can be considered as a promising TMT method for improving the mechanical properties of ODS RAF steels.