Characteristics of Polypeptide/Phospholipid Monolayers on Water and the Plasma-Activated Polyetheretherketone Support

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a highly biocompatible polymer widely used in medicine as an implant production material. In this article, the PEEK surface was characterized in terms of its wettabillity properties after the physicochemical modifications by treatment with the low-temperature air plasma and covering with the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) monolayers of polypeptide (cyclosporine A, CsA) and/or phospholipid (1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, DPPC). The LB deposition was preceded by the analysis of miscibility and morphology of monolayers at the air/water interface by means of the Langmuir technique and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). Then, wettability of the polymer-supported films was evaluated by the contact angle measurements of three probe liquids of different characters (two polar—water and formamide, one apolar—diiodomethane). The measured contact angles allowed for determination of the surface free energy and its components based on the Lifshitz-van der Waals/acid–base (LWAB) approach. Some relations between the kind and magnitude of interactions within the model membranes on the water subphase and those of the PEEK-supported membranes with the liquids were found out. The results allowed obtaining the interesting models of biological coatings with potential applications.     

Toughening of syndiotactic polypropylene with chalk

We hypothesized that polymer crystal anisotropy is advantageous for toughening of polymer composites involving easy slip network of oriented crystalline layers around filler particles. To this end, composites of syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) with high concentration of submicrometer calcium carbonate particles were prepared and examined because usual sPP crystals exhibit high packing anisotropy. The specific orientation of sPP lamellae around chalk grains was found, which is supposed to facilitate the plastic deformation of polymer matrices. The compression molded bars of the composite exhibited markedly higher Izod impact strength than those of neat sPP. Toughening was even enhanced in the injection molded composite, for which 4.5‐fold increase in the impact strength was achieved. Injection‐induced orientation of the disordered form I sPP crystals was enhanced in the composite. The injection molded tensile specimens exhibited also a good drawability. Debonding at chalk–sPP interface occurred both during the impact and tensile tests facilitating the plastic deformation of sPP matrix. Chalk did not have any significant influence on the thermal properties of the composites but it affected the rheological behavior, increasing the loss and storage moduli, and the viscosity. Highly filled sPP composite exhibited solid‐like behavior in a molten state with the storage modulus exceeding the loss modulus in the entire frequency range. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43651.     

Learning-based algorithms in scheduling

The aim of the paper is to present a conception of intelligent learning-based algorithms for scheduling. A general knowledge based model of a vast class of discrete deterministic processes is given. The model is a basis for the method of the synthesis of intelligent, learning-based algorithms, that is described in the paper. The designing simulation experiments that use learning is also described. To illustrate the presented ideas, the scheduling algorithm for a special NP-hard problem is given. The significant feature of the problem is that the retooling time depends not only on a pair of jobs to be processed directly one after the other, but also on the subset of jobs already performed. The proof of the NP-hardness of the problem is also given in the paper.     

PHYSIOLOGICAL TESTING OF CARBON NANOTUBES: ARE THEY ASBESTOS-LIKE?

To determine whether carbon nanotubes can induce any significant health hazards we applied methods routinely used in the pathophysiological testing of asbestos-induced disease to show that the soot with a high content of CNTs does not induce any abnormalities of pulmonary function or measurable inflammation in guinea pigs treated with carbon nanotubes.     

Effects of some technological processes on glucosinolate contents in cruciferous vegetables

Effects of blanching, boiling and freezing of selected cruciferous vegetables (Brussels sprouts, white and green cauliflower, broccoli, and curly cale) on their glucosinolate (GLS) contents were determined. It was found that blanching and cooking of the vegetables led to considerable (P < 0.05) losses of total GLS, from 2.7 to 30.0% and from 35.3 to 72.4%, respectively. No systematic changes in total GLS were found in the vegetables that were blanched and frozen for 48 h. In addition, the highest concentration of cancer-protective compounds, such as aliphatic and indole GLS, were found in Brussels sprouts (sinigrin and glucobrassicin) and in broccoli (glucoraphanin).     

Electrodeposition and heat treatment of nickel/silicon carbide composites

Electrodeposited Ni/SiC composite coatings were obtained in a Watts-type bath. The effect of fine SiC particles on polarization curves of the cathodic reduction of nickel ions was discussed. The incorporation of the particles into the deposit with respect to current density and SiC concentration in the bath was tested. Cathodic current efficiencies were also calculated. Structure of as-plated and heat-treated Ni/SiC composites were examined by means of metallography observations as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy methods. Two phase transformations in the temperatures range of 20-700 °C were found. For annealed samples, Ni₂Si and Ni₃Si₂ phases were identified. Hardening of the Ni/SiC composites as a function of the particle content in the deposit and annealing temperature was determined by means of the microhardness testing method.     

Effect of the compatibilizing agent on the structure,mechanical and thermal properties of polylactide filled with modified and unmodified montmorillonite

Polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites were prepared by an extrusion technique using a twin‐screw extruder. Nanofil2 (N) and montmorillonite (MMT) K10 (S) were used as nanoclays. To improve the nanoclay dispersion in the PLA matrix, a compatibilizer was introduced [poly(ε‐caprolactone) (K)]. The structure and morphology of obtained materials were determined using X‐ray diffraction technique and transmission electron microscopy. Thermal properties of nanocomposites were reviewed based on differential scanning calorimetry and differential thermogravimetry. Mechanical properties such as tensile stress and tensile strength were also studied. The introduction of layered silicates without a compatibilizer into PLA matrix did not improve the mechanical properties of the obtained nanocomposites. This research indicated that the compatibilizing agent can be used to improve the dispersion of Nanofil2 nanofiller, which resulted in the improvement of mechanical properties and at the same time did not affect the dispersion of the unmodified MMT. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1330–1337, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Retention of nitrogen from ground barley grain supplemented with lucerne or barley leaf juice in long-term balance experiments conducted with rats

The biological value (BV) and true digestibility of lucerne and barley juice protein mixed with ground barley grain were estimated using the Thomas-Mitchell balance method with rats. The BV with forage barley juice protein was similar to that of barley grain protein alone and was not improved by any of the applied treatments. The BV with lucerne juice protein was lower and was improved by separating the ‘brown juice’ after heat coagulation. Better results were obtained in a group fed diets with lowered levels of potassium and calcium which suggested an imbalance in the mineral content of lucerne juice; there was no difference in water consumption. The haemoglobin content of the blood of rats fed lucerne or barley juice alone was lower than that of animals fed plant juice/barley grain mixtures. No pathological lesions were observed in the guts, kidneys and livers of the rats.     

TET3- and OGT-Dependent Expression of Genes Involved in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Endometrial Cancer

TET3 is a member of the TET (ten-eleven translocation) proteins family that catalyzes the conversion of the 5-methylcytosine into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. TET proteins can also affect chromatin modifications and gene expression independently of their enzymatic activity via interactions with other proteins. O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), the enzyme responsible for modification of proteins via binding of N-acetylglucosamine residues, is one of the proteins whose action may be dependent on TET3. Here, we demonstrated that in endometrial cancer cells both TET3 and OGT affected the expression of genes involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), i.e., FOXC1, TWIST1, and ZEB1. OGT overexpression was caused by an increase in TWIST1 and ZEB1 levels in HEC-1A and Ishikawa cells, which was associated with increased O-GlcNAcylation of histone H2B and trimethylation of H3K4. The TET3 had the opposite effect on gene expressions and histone modifications. OGT and TET3 differently affected FOXC1 expression and the migratory potential of HEC-1A and Ishikawa cells. Analysis of gene expressions in cancer tissue samples from endometrial cancer patients confirmed the association between OGT or TET3 and EMT genes. Our results contribute to the knowledge of the role of the TET3/OGT relationship in the complex mechanism supporting endometrial cancer progression.