Targeted delivery of polyoxometalate nanocomposites

Polyoxometalate/carboxymethyl chitosan nanocomposites with an average diameter of 130 nm are synthesized and labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) for a combined drug-carrier and cellular-monitoring approach. [Eu(β(2) -SiW(11) O(39) )(2) ](13-) /CMC nanospheres as a representative example do not display cytotoxicity for POM concentrations up to 2 mg mL(-1) . Cellular uptake of fluoresecently labelled {EuSiW(11) O(39) }/FITC-CMC nanoparticles is monitored with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Nanoparticle uptake occurs after incubation times of around 1 h and no cyctotoxic effects are observed upon prolonged treatment. The preferential location of the POM/CMC nanocomposites in the perinuclear region is furthermore verified with transmission electron microscopy investigations on unlabeled nanoparticles. Therefore, this approach is a promising dual strategy for the safe cellular transfer and monitoring of bioactive POMs.     

Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of Hot Isostatically Pressed–Produced Stainless Steel/High Alloy Tool Steel Compound Materials

Consolidation of tool steel powders and simultaneous joining to a stainless 316L steel are performed by hot isostatic pressing (HIP). Two tool steel grades are considered: a high vanadium alloyed carbon tool steel, and a high vanadium and chromium alloyed nitrogen tool steel. The boundary layer arising during diffusion bonding is in focus and, in particular, the diffusion of carbon and nitrogen over the joint. Measurements of the elemental concentration profiles and corrosion tests by the double loop–electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (DL-EPR) method are performed. Comparative calculations with the DICTRA software are performed and are found to be in agreement with the experimental results. It is found that the carbon tool steel grade has a more critical influence on the corrosion resistance of the stainless 316L steel in comparison to the nitrogen tool steel grade.     

Use of inductors in the control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizopus stolonifer</Emphasis> isolated from soursop fruits: in vitro tests

Soursop (Annona muricata) is a tropical fruit that can be infected by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Rhizopus stolonifer. Traditional methods used for postharvest disease control include the application of fungicides, however due to their excessive use, as well as their persistence in the environment, the development of new strategies that control pathogens are required. The application of chitosan (Chi), salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MJ) is an environmentally-friendly alternative with antimicrobial properties and also induces defense mechanisms in plant tissues. In this study, Colletotrichum was reactivated and Rhizopus was identified using morphological features and molecular tools. In vitro, the application of 0.5 and 1.0% of Chi alone or in combination with SA and MJ decreased mycelial growth and sporulation, a complete inhibition of spore germination was obtained. Thus, the application of Chi in combination with SA and MJ could be a smart strategy to inhibit the development of pathogens that attack soursop fruit.     

Financial ratings with scarce information: A neural network approach

On a wake of Basel II Accord in 2004, banks and financial institutions can build an internal rating system. This work focuses on Italian small firms that are more hard to judge because quite often financial data are not simply available. The aim of this paper is to propose a simulation model for assigning rating judgements to these firms, using poor financial information.The proposed model produces a simulated counterpart of Bureau van Dijk-K Finance (BvD) rating judgements. It is clear that there are problems when small firms must be judged because it is difficult to obtain financial data; indeed in Italy these enterprises must deposit the balance-sheet in reduced form. Suggested methodology is a three-layer process where each of them is formed by, respectively, one, two and four feed-forward artificial neural networks with back-propagation algorithm. The proposed model is a good solution for evaluating small firms with poor financial information but not only: the research underlines and supports the ability of artificial neural networks of learning and reproducing some aspects or some features or behaviours of reality.     

The effect of freeze-drying,pasteurisation and high-intensity ultrasound on gastrointestinal stability and antioxidant activity of blueberry phenolics

The influence of freeze-drying, pasteurisation and high-intensity ultrasound on gastrointestinal stability and antioxidant activity of cultivated blueberry phenolics was investigated. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were done before and after a two-phase in vitro digestion by human digestive enzymes. Antioxidant capacity of blueberry phenolics before and after simulated digestion was evaluated using DPPH and the FRAP assays. After the simulated gastric digestion phase, high stability of phenolics was determined, especially after freeze-drying. During the simulated duodenal digestion, the most affected compounds were anthocyanins. The average loss of quercetin derivatives was 60%, while in all ultrasound-treated samples, a 3-fold increase in the concentration of phenolic acids was observed. The highest antioxidant activity after in vitro gastric and duodenal digestion was determined in a freeze-dried sample. The results after in vitro digestion demonstrated that the use of freeze-drying and high-intensity ultrasound can ensure better gastrointestinal stability and higher antioxidant activity of blueberry phenolics.     

Children's sensitivity to social contexts at 18 months of age.

Investigated whether, in an unfamiliar, semipublic place, children as young as 18 mo of age would be sensitive to variations in the nature of social encounters between their mothers and an unfamiliar adult (E). Measures of the child's distance from the mother at the beginning of each 10-sec interval of the encounter, the percentage of 10-sec intervals spent by the child on the stranger's side of the room, frequency of child vocalizations to the mother, times child made physical contact with the mother, and frequency of smiling show that 18-mo-old children are already sensitive to background contexts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex stereotypes and preferences in the toy choices of 20-month-old boys and girls.

Examined the toy preferences of 20-mo-old Ss under free play and modeling conditions. The relationship between toy familiarity and preference was also studied. The interaction between sex of child and sex-type of toy was significant. The hypothesis that toy contacts or imitation would be associated with toy familiarity was not supported. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of processing on nutritional composition and quality evaluation of candied celeriac

In this work, a new candying procedure with partial re-use of sugar syrup is proposed. Physicochemical analysis, together with sensory evaluation, of candied celeriac samples was done. Candying was performed in a pilot unit at 65‡C, through three cycles of 5 hours duration each. Sugar syrups of 75‡ Brix were used. Effects of 1 % (m/v) citric and 1 % (m/v) ascorbic acid addition, as well as the drying of candied celeriac (60‡C for 8 h) were studied. Sugar syrup deterioration was estimated by the concentration of hydroxymethylfurfural. The results obtained showed that there were no significant(P < 0.01) differences in total dry matter and total sugar content between samples, while the increases after drying were significant(P > 0.01). Differences were observed in sugar compositions between samples. After three cycles, samples turned lighter, with decreasedL* values after drying. The celeriac from the first cycle of the ascorbic acid addition procedure was adjudged best with respect to all quality parameters. The decreased concentration of hydroxymethylfurfural confirmed that re-use of sugar syrup is possible.