Influence of size and volume share of WC particles on the properties of sintered metal matrix composites

Steel matrix composites are being increasingly investigated because of their wear and corrosion properties, allowing their wide application in various industrial sectors. The interaction of tungsten carbide (WC) with the steel matrix, including an analysis of its volume share and particle size, is crucial in determining the resistance to wear and corrosion of the metal matrix composite (MMC). However, there is little information in the literature about sintered MMCs based on low-alloy steels. This paper presents the results of an analysis of the influence of the volume share of WC (5?vol.% and 20?vol.%) and carbide particle size (0.7?µm and 5.0?µm) on the resistance to abrasion of a friction pair: sintered composite and bearing steel, analysed using two rotational speeds (0.02?m/s and 0.2?m/s). Moreover, the resistance to corrosion in 3.5% NaCl solution is also characterized. It is shown that both the volume share and the size of the WC particles used as reinforcement of the steel matrix have a significant impact on the densification behaviour as well as the resistance to abrasive wear and corrosion of sintered MMCs based on low-alloy steel.     

Biological Evaluation and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives of 4,6-Dimethyl-2-sulfanylpyridine-3-carboxamide

To date, chronic inflammation is involved in most main human pathologies such as cancer, and autoimmune, cardiovascular or neurodegenerative disorders. Studies suggest that different prostanoids, especially prostaglandin E₂, and their own synthase (cyclooxygenase enzyme-COX) can promote tumor growth by activating signaling pathways which control cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used, alongside corticosteroids, to treat inflammatory symptoms particularly in all chronic diseases. However, their toxicity from COX inhibition and the suppression of physiologically important prostaglandins limits their use. Therefore, in continuation of our efforts in the development of potent, safe, non-toxic chemopreventive compounds, we report herein the design, synthesis, biological evaluation of new series of Schiff base-type hybrid compounds containing differently substituted N-acyl hydrazone moieties, 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring, and 4,6-dimethylpyridine core. The anti-COX-1/COX-2, antioxidant and anticancer activities were studied. Schiff base 13, containing 2-bromobenzylidene residue inhibited the activity of both isoenzymes, COX-1 and COX-2 at a lower concentration than standard drugs, and its COX-2/COX-1 selectivity ratio was similar to meloxicam. Furthermore, the results of cytotoxicity assay indicated that all of the tested compounds exhibited potent anti-cancer activity against A549, MCF-7, LoVo, and LoVo/Dx cell lines, compared with piroxicam and meloxicam. Moreover, our experimental study was supported by density functional theory (DFT) and molecular docking to describe the binding mode of new structures to cyclooxygenase.     

Effect of 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin on Solubility of Sparingly Soluble Drug Derivatives of Anthranilic Acid

Guest-host complex formation of three drug derivatives of anthranilic acid, mefenamic acid, niflumic acid, and flufenamic acid with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (2HP-β-CD) in aqueous solutions was investigated using "Phase solubility study" with UV-vis spectrophotometry. Solubility of sparingly soluble drugs has been improved by addition of 2HP-β-CD at two temperatures 298.15 K and 310.15 K and two pH values 2 and 7. The influence of different 2HP-β-CD concentration on solubility of drugs at different pH and temperatures has been investigated. The 2HP-β-CD-drug complex stability constants (K(s)), and dissociations constants (K(d)), as well as the thermodynamic parameters of reaction, i.e., the free energy change (ΔG), the enthalpy change (ΔH) and the entropy change (ΔS), were determined. The experimental data indicated formation of 1:1 inclusion complexes, which were found effective binders increasing the solubility of drugs.     

Insights into the in vitro Anticancer Effects of Diruthenium‐1

The in vitro anticancer activity of the dinuclear trithiolato‐bridged arene ruthenium complex diruthenium‐1 (DiRu‐1) was evaluated against a panel of human cancer cell lines used as in vitro models for hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2 cells), estrogen‐responsive breast adenocarcinoma (MCF‐7 cells), and triple‐negative breast adenocarcinoma (MDA‐MB‐231 cells). DiRu‐1 is highly cytotoxic to these cell lines, demonstrating half‐maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) in the low‐nanomolar range (77±1.4 to 268.2±4.4 nm ). The main molecular mechanisms responsible for the high cytotoxicity of DiRu‐1 against the most responsive MCF‐7 cell line (IC₅₀=77±1.4 nm) were investigated on the basis of the capacity of DiRu‐1 to induce oxidative stress, apoptosis, and DNA damage, and to inhibit the cell cycle and proliferation. The results show that DiRu‐1 triggers caspase‐dependent apoptosis in MCF‐7 cells on both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Moreover, the Ru complex also causes necrosis, mitotic catastrophe, and autophagy. DiRu‐1 increases the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play a significant role in its cytotoxicity and pro‐apoptotic activity. An important mechanism of the anticancer activity of DiRu‐1 appears to be the induction of DNA lesions, mainly due to apoptotic DNA fragmentation and cell‐cycle arrest at the G₂/M checkpoint. These changes are correlated with the concentration of DiRu‐1, the duration of the cell treatment, and the post‐treatment time.     

Bioactive compounds vs. organoleptic assessment of ‘smoothies’‐type products prepared from selected fruit species

The aim of this study was to determine the usability of fruits of selected species growing in Europe for the smoothies production. The organoleptic assessment, analysis of polyphenols and vitamin C content and antioxidant activity of products were determined. The panellists were most in favour of the smoothies containing cranberry, black currant and bilberry purees as well as juice from dog rose. Polymerised proanthocyanidins were found to predominate in most of the products, except for the black currant smoothies (B3) where the main group of polyphenols were anthocyanins. The content of proanthocyanidins was higher in the smoothies containing dog rose juice. The analysed products differed significantly in the content of vitamin C, as the highest content of ascorbic acid was determined in black currant smoothies with dog rose juice and bilberry puree (168.98 mg/100 g).     

Measuring the efficiency of materials management based on data envelopment analysis approach: the case of Polish regions

This paper examines the applicability of DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) to measure and evaluate the efficiency of materials management at the regional level. The research has been conducted for Polish regions as a case study. The basis for the calculation of the efficiency scores was a statistically selected set of materials used in a given region and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The results of the analysis reveal that 4 (Łódzkie, Śląskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, and Zachodniopomorskie) out of 16 Polish regions are relatively efficient. The remaining regions consume too many material resources in the process of generating goods and services.     

Study on the electrodialytic nickel concentration from electroplating industry waste

ABSTRACT

Owing to the ability of electrodialysis to produce highly concentrated solutions from dilute stream, in this paper, the possibility of nickel recovery and concentration from real electroplating industrial waste was discussed. The results showed that the nickel content in solutions after electrodialysis was approximately two times higher than in the initial working solutions, and the nickel recovery exceeded 85%. The nickel electric current efficiency (CE_Ni) depended upon the type of electroplating bath and its acidic behaviour. The CE_Ni was in the range of 52.3–70.6%. Moreover, high boron and the total organic carbon retention coefficients equal to 88.92% and 93.93% respectively, were observed.