The electroreduction of alkyl iodides and polyiodides: The kinetic model of EC(C)E and ECE-EC(C)E mechanisms with included transfer coefficient variability

The cyclic voltammetry electroreduction of seven alkyl iodides was investigated in 0.3 M TBAP/DMF on glassy carbon electrode. The influence of carbon chain length and the number of iodine atoms in the molecule was examined. The two-electron reductive cleavage with iodine elimination was numerically resolved into one-electron consecutive steps. The mechanism of the process was discussed applying the mathematical EC(C)E and ECE-EC(C)E kinetic models with included transfer coefficient variability for one stage electroreduction of RI and two stage electroreduction of RI₂, respectively. For electroreduction of diiodomethane the discrimination of elementary alpha parameter between two reduction stages was determined.     

Enhancement of catalytic activity of platinum-based nanoparticles towards electrooxidation of ethanol through interfacial modification with heteropolymolybdates

As evidenced from the increase of electrocatalytic currents measured under voltammetric and chronoamperometric conditions, the activity of bimetallic Pt-Ru and Pt-Sn nanoparticles towards oxidation of ethanol is increased by modification of their surfaces with ultra-thin films of phosphododecamolybdic acid (H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀). The enhancement effect has been most pronounced in a case of heteropolymolybdate-modified carbon-supported Pt-Sn catalysts. Independent high-resolution XPS measurements indicate the ability of heteropolymolybdates to stabilize tin (in bimetallic Pt-Sn particles) at higher oxidation states (presumably as tin oxo species). The overall activation effect may also be ascribed to changes in the morphology of catalytic films following modification with heteropolymolybdates. Presence of the polyoxometallate is also likely to increase of the interfacial population of reactive oxo groups in the vicinity of platinum centers.     

Properties of Light MMCs Modified with Cordierite Synthesized from Fly Ash

This paper presents novel opportunities for management of fly ash by synthesizing the material into cordierite ceramics and using it as a reinforcing phase for light metal alloys. Metal matrix composites (based on magnesium alloy and aluminum alloy) were produced by squeeze casting. The magnesium matrix composites with a suitably selected reinforcing phase content (2 wt.%) exhibited much better strength properties than the unmodified alloy (AM60). It was also demonstrated that the wettability (or the lack thereof) in the metal-ceramic system is critical to successful production of the composites based on the AK7 alloy with cordierite. Light alloy matrix composites reinforced with cordierite ceramics particles are innovative materials that combine high strength with low weight, which may be a key factor of merit for numerous applications of the composite in various branches of industries.     

Fentanyl Structure as a Scaffold for Opioid/Non-Opioid Multitarget Analgesics

One of the strategies in the search for safe and effective analgesic drugs is the design of multitarget analgesics. Such compounds are intended to have high affinity and activity at more than one molecular target involved in pain modulation. In the present contribution we summarize the attempts in which fentanyl or its substructures were used as a μ-opioid receptor pharmacophoric fragment and a scaffold to which fragments related to non-opioid receptors were attached. The non-opioid ‘second’ targets included proteins as diverse as imidazoline I₂ binding sites, CB₁ cannabinoid receptor, NK₁ tachykinin receptor, D₂ dopamine receptor, cyclooxygenases, fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase and σ₁ receptor. Reviewing the individual attempts, we outline the chemistry, the obtained pharmacological properties and structure-activity relationships. Finally, we discuss the possible directions for future work.     

Causes and Effects of Uncontrolled Water Inrush into a Decommissioned Mine Shaft

Central Europe experienced catastrophic rainfalls and flooding in 2010. This paper discusses a decommissioned shaft that was flooded by surface water, which led to displacement of shaft backfill and an inrush of large amounts of water into an underground pumping station. The weather conditions for the period preceding the inrush, the hydrogeological conditions, the quantity of water that entered the mine dewatering systems, and the underground hydraulic connections are all described. Uncontrolled inflow of water as a cause of backfill saturation and the hazard for active underground infrastructure were analysed. A need to rebuild damaged infrastructure was identified. The case study highlights the need to improve underground mine closure requirements to ensure safe conditions above ground, particularly in densely populated areas.     

Estimation of heat transfer coefficient of forced-air cooling and its experimental validation in controlled processing of forgings

Estimation of the cooling efficiency of an accelerated air for the needs of cooling of die forgings is presented. Temperature dependence of heat transfer coefficient (HTC) was calculated for different cooling conditions varied by airflow velocity, covering the range from 18 to 48?m/s. Time–temperature measurements performed on a full-scale semi-industrial cooling line provided similarity to conditions typical of industrial conveyor, which gives the results utilitarian significance in design of controlled processing (of steel forged products). Acquired HTC values, ranging from 164.7 to 298?W/m²?·?K, were validated in numerical simulation of cooling complex-shape forgings and subject to experimental verification, indicating perfect agreement with physical measurements.     

Training neural networks on high-dimensional data using random projection

Pattern Analysis and Applications - Training deep neural networks (DNNs) on high-dimensional data with no spatial structure poses a major computational problem. It implies a network architecture...     

A Stochastic Petri Net-Based Model of the Involvement of Interleukin 18 in Atherosclerosis

Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory and proatherogenic cytokine with pleiotropic properties, which is involved in T and NK cell maturation and the synthesis of other inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules. It plays a significant role in orchestrating the cytokine cascade, accelerates atherosclerosis and influences plaque vulnerability. To investigate the influence of IL-18 cytokine on atherosclerosis development, a stochastic Petri net model was built and then analyzed. First, MCT-sets and t-clusters were generated, then knockout and simulation-based analysis was conducted. The application of systems approach that was used in this research enabled an in-depth analysis of the studied phenomenon. Our results gave us better insight into the studied phenomenon and allow revealing that activation of macrophages by the classical pathway and IL-18-MyD88 signaling axis is crucial for the modeled process.     

In Silico Study on Tumor-Size-Dependent Thermal Profiles inside an Anthropomorphic Female Breast Phantom Subjected to Multi-Dipole Antenna Array

Electromagnetic hyperthermia as a potent adjuvant for conventional cancer therapies can be considered valuable in modern oncology, as its task is to thermally destroy cancer cells exposed to high-frequency electromagnetic fields. Hyperthermia treatment planning based on computer in silico simulations has the potential to improve the localized heating of breast tissues through the use of the phased-array dipole applicators. Herein, we intended to improve our understanding of temperature estimation in an anatomically accurate female breast phantom embedded with a tumor, particularly when it is exposed to an eight-element dipole antenna matrix surrounding the breast tissues. The Maxwell equations coupled with the modified Pennes’ bioheat equation was solved in the modelled breast tissues using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) engine. The microwave (MW) applicators around the object were modelled with shortened half-wavelength dipole antennas operating at the same 1 GHz frequency, but with different input power and phases for the dipole sources. The total input power of an eight-dipole antenna matrix was set at 8 W so that the temperature in the breast tumor did not exceed 42 °C. Finding the optimal setting for each dipole antenna from the matrix was our primary objective. Such a procedure should form the basis of any successful hyperthermia treatment planning. We applied the algorithm of multi for multi-objective optimization for the power and phases for the dipole sources in terms of maximizing the specific absorption rate (SAR) parameter inside the breast tumor while minimizing this parameter in the healthy tissues. Electro-thermal simulations were performed for tumors of different radii to confirm the reliable operation of the given optimization procedure. In the next step, thermal profiles for tumors of various sizes were calculated for the optimal parameters of dipole sources. The computed results showed that larger tumors heated better than smaller tumors; however, the procedure worked well regardless of the tumor size. This verifies the effectiveness of the applied optimization method, regardless of the various stages of breast tumor development.