Mechanical properties and thermal shock in thin ZrO2–Y2O3–Al2O3 films obtained by the sol-gel method

Thin multilayer coatings of ZrO₂–Y₂O₃–Al₂O₃ were prepared using the sol-gel method and dip-coating technique in order to advance in the study of what influence the incorporation of Al₂O₃ has on films of Y₂O₃-doped ZrO₂, investigating its role in the synthesis of the solutions and in the characteristics and properties of the coatings. After the characterization of the solutions used in the process, the microstructure of the films was studied and their mechanical behaviour and resistance to thermal shock were determined so as to optimize the characteristics and functionality of these coatings. With increased alumina content, 3YSZ-Al₂O₃ (20 mol%), the cubic phase of the zirconia disappeared completely at the sintering temperature used (700 °C), resulting in the tetragonal phase with Al in solution. There was also a decrease in the coatings' hardness and Young's modulus, and an increase in toughness and resistance to thermal shock. These results allow guidelines to be established for the design of multilayer structures that are, tougher, more resistant, and have improved surface properties.     

Isolate-Specific Effect of Entomopathogenic Endophytic Fungi on Population Growth of Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) and Levels of Steroidal Glycoalkaloids in Tomato

Journal of Chemical Ecology - Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) can be experimentally established in several plant species as endophytes. Ecological effects of EPF inoculations on plant growth and...     

Design of a Web Based Underwater Acoustic Communication Testbed and Simulation Platform

Wireless Personal Communications - Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) are playing a vital role in exploring the unseen underwater (UW) natural resources. However, performance evaluation of...     

Unraveling the Lagged Effect of Hydro-meteorological Conditions On the Trophic State of a Reservoir By Applying Dynamic Regression

In this study we develop a novel approach to quantify the relative importance of hydro-meteorological (HM) conditions on the trophic state index (TSI) of a water reservoir (San Roque, Córdoba, Argentina). Seven HM variables measured at four reservoir sites and different depths over a time period of near 2 decades are used. We propose a dynamic regression model to predict the TSI from these variables aggregated over a range of time lags, which has not been applied in such a complex setting so far. By performing coefficient analysis, we quantify the relative importance of these variables on the TSI, as well as the time duration over which they have significant impact (lagged effect). Additionally, the analysis of the autoregressive and moving average (ARIMA) terms reveals the impact of the residual effects of previous trophic states on the current trophic state. We find that surface temperature and precipitation have the largest direct relationship to the TSI in the short-term, while the reservoir water level is inversely related to the TSI in the short- to mid-term. Also, the residual effects of the trophic state impact from 1 month (generally) up to 2 years (exceptionally). This approach can be applied to other water bodies affected by similar eutrophication phenomena.

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Phase plane analysis applied to non-explicit multibody vehicle models

Multibody System Dynamics - A new methodology for constructing stability maps (phase-plane analysis) is presented and validated for application to complex multibody vehicle models implemented in...     

Analysis of stepwise charging limits and its implementation for efficiency improvement in switched capacitor DC–DC converters

In this work we analysed the stepwise charging technique to find the limits from which it is beneficial in terms of load capacitance and charge–discharge frequency. We included in the analysis practical limitations such as the consumption of auxiliary logic needed to implement the technique and the minimum size of auxiliary switches imposed by the technology. We proposed an ultra-low-power logic block to push these limits and to obtain benefits from this technique in small capacitances. Finally, we proposed to use a stepwise driver in the driving of the gate capacitance of power switches in switched-capacitor (SC) DC–DC converters. We designed and manufactured, in a 130 nm process, a SC DC–DC converter and measured a 29% energy reduction in the gate-drive losses of the converter. This accounts for an improvement of 4% (from 69 to 73%) in the overall converter efficiency.

     

CNBP Binds and Unfolds In Vitro G-Quadruplexes Formed in the SARS-CoV-2 Positive and Negative Genome Strands

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a global health emergency with no effective medical treatment and with incipient vaccines. It is caused by a new positive-sense RNA virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). G-quadruplexes (G4s) are nucleic acid secondary structures involved in the control of a variety of biological processes including viral replication. Using several G4 prediction tools, we identified highly putative G4 sequences (PQSs) within the positive-sense (+gRNA) and negative-sense (−gRNA) RNA strands of SARS-CoV-2 conserved in related betacoronaviruses. By using multiple biophysical techniques, we confirmed the formation of two G4s in the +gRNA and provide the first evidence of G4 formation by two PQSs in the −gRNA of SARS-CoV-2. Finally, biophysical and molecular approaches were used to demonstrate for the first time that CNBP, the main human cellular protein bound to SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome, binds and promotes the unfolding of G4s formed by both strands of SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome. Our results suggest that G4s found in SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome and its negative-sense replicative intermediates, as well as the cellular proteins that interact with them, are relevant factors for viral genes expression and replication cycle, and may constitute interesting targets for antiviral drugs development.     

Compositional characteristics,texture, shelf-life and sensory quality of snack crackers produced from non-traditional ingredients

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of non-traditional and highly available and nutrient-dense ingredients in the production of value-added crackers. The crackers were prepared by combining partially defatted chia flour, wheat germ, quinoa, and oat. The antioxidant activity and the polyphenol content were 7.0–8.4 times higher in crackers produced with non-traditional ingredients compared to the control snack. The hydroperoxide value indicated a low oxidative deterioration of the oil. The sample with 10% of partially defatted chia flour was selected for shelf-life test under storage conditions and sensory evaluation. Modified atmosphere exerted a protective effect on the lipid stability regardless of the incorporation of BHT to the formulation. All the evaluated attributes scored highly during consumer acceptance. The formulated cracker presented a relevant content of protein, dietary fibre and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. Based on these results, the crackers containing non-traditional ingredients resulted in a product with a good potential for both consumer acceptance and outstanding nutritional benefits.     

“Laboratorio Q”, Seville: creative production of collective spaces before and after austerity

The creative city approach is going through a redefinition after the 2008 global financial crisis. In the specific case of South-European cities, in the context of austerity and cuts in public investment, creativity is becoming a strategy for achieving maximum social benefit and improvement of the built environment with minimum economic expenditure. This paper looks at this redefinition of creativity through the case study of Seville, in southern Spain. Through research methods that include video-recorded testimonies of the actors involved, mapping at the online platform “Laboratorio Q”, and public engagement activities, this paper explores how the civic society, professional, and public authorities have reinvented how to produce collective spaces. The paper concludes that bottom-up creative processes for producing collective spaces have become more visible since the 2008 crisis, when architects, planners, public authorities and policy-makers have been “learning” from them.