Enhancing the electrical conductivity of carbon black/graphite nanoplatelets: Poly(ethylene‐butyl acrylate) composites by melt extrusion

The influence of processing parameters such as screw geometry, temperature profile, and screw speed on the electrical properties of hybrid composites consisting of graphite nanoplatelets and carbon black in ethyl butyl acrylate was studied. Two different screws were used to compound the hybrid composites at two different temperatures and two different screw speeds. A beneficial effect was noted with regard to the electrical properties when adding nanoplatelets to the filler system. The cause could be a synergistic effect due to the difference in particle shape of the two fillers. Lower percolation thresholds were obtained with the conventional screw due to less breakage of the graphite nanoplatelets compared to the barrier screw. No significant changes of the electrical properties were observed when changing the temperature profiles or the screw speeds. Furthermore, the melt viscosity of the compounds was not appreciably affected at the rather low filler contents used here. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42897.     

Tracking Protein S‐Fatty Acylation with Proteomics

Recently, Hang and co‐workers developed “acyl‐PEG exchange” (APE), which allows the investigation of protein S‐fatty acylation with mass‐tag labelling and gel electrophoresis, methods that are accessible to any biochemistry laboratory.     

The Fight against Cancer by Microgravity: The Multicellular Spheroid as a Metastasis Model

Cancer is a disease exhibiting uncontrollable cell growth and spreading to other parts of the organism. It is a heavy, worldwide burden for mankind with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, groundbreaking research and innovations are necessary. Research in space under microgravity (µg) conditions is a novel approach with the potential to fight cancer and develop future cancer therapies. Space travel is accompanied by adverse effects on our health, and there is a need to counteract these health problems. On the cellular level, studies have shown that real (r-) and simulated (s-) µg impact survival, apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and adhesion as well as the cytoskeleton, the extracellular matrix, focal adhesion, and growth factors in cancer cells. Moreover, the µg-environment induces in vitro 3D tumor models (multicellular spheroids and organoids) with a high potential for preclinical drug targeting, cancer drug development, and studying the processes of cancer progression and metastasis on a molecular level. This review focuses on the effects of r- and s-µg on different types of cells deriving from thyroid, breast, lung, skin, and prostate cancer, as well as tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, we summarize the current knowledge of the impact of µg on cancerous stem cells. The information demonstrates that µg has become an important new technology for increasing current knowledge of cancer biology.     

Developing conductive immiscible polystyrene/polypropylene blends with a percolated conducting polyaniline/polyamide filler by tuning its specific interactions with the styrene-based triblock compatibilizer grafted with maleic anhydride

An approach to induce conductivity in immiscible polystyrene/polypropylene (PS/PP) blends is described using a percolated conducting polyaniline/polyamide (PANI/PA) filler combined with a polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polystyrene-graft-maleic anhydride compatibilizer. The approach is based on the ability of the compatibilizer to concomitantly stabilize the cocontinuous morphology and to improve the state of dispersion of the PANI/PA filler. Selective localization of PANI/PA in the PS phase with improved filler dispersion is achieved with the optimal master batch (MB) preparation technique followed by its optimized sequence addition to the blend components. This results in an increase in the dc conductivity by six decades as compared with that of the neat compatibilized blend at an effective 4.8-wt % PANI concentration. An investigation of the effect of functionality and concentration of the filler and the compatibilizer on the filler connectivity in the blend is performed. The prevailing specific interactions are analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis of the MBs. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48433.     

Nutritional properties of medium-chain triglycerides

The biological effects of MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) differed from those of conventional fats, and certain of these suggested examination of the fatty acid composition and triglyceride structure of the adipose tissues and other organs of rats which were fed medium- or long-chain triglyceride mixtures with two levels of linoleic acid. Fatty acid compositions and TG patterns varied with the tissue, with the dietary fat, and with the level of linoleate in the diet. Increasing the latter resulted in the deposition of more linoleate at the expense of oleate and in the deposition of more of the dietary fatty acids. The percentage of completely saturated triglyc-erides (S₃), in adipose tissue with the higher linoleate supplement in the rats fed MCT, decreased in those fed LCT and was unchanged in the controls fed a fat-free diet. The increased deposition of the dietary fatty acids was more pronounced in the S₃ band. Supported by Grants U-1347 and U-1510 from the Health Research Council of the City of New York.     

Nanostructured supported palladium catalysts—Non-oxidative methane coupling

The Pd on α-Al₂O₃ catalysts with Pd particles in the low nanometer range have been prepared by a sonochemical reduction and a colloidal method, respectively. The two catalysts differ in their particle size, the widths of their particle size distributions and the amount of carbon incorporation in the Pd lattice.The adsorptive properties of the Pd/Al₂O₃ samples are different as a result of the different preparation methods. The methane adsorption capacity of that sample with smaller particles is lower than that of the catalyst with larger particles and the energy of activation is nearly doubled. DRIFTS and TPD results of CO adsorption supported by transmission electron microscopy data indicate that the PdSON catalyst with smaller and more homogeneous particles than PdCOL is highly dispersed which influences the coupling-hydrogenolysis process.The catalytic activity evidenced the formation of different adspecies during methane coupling and chemisorption on both catalysts. During the hydrogenation the carbon adspecies formed mainly methane at low adsorption temperatures. The significant amount of adsorbed methane at 773 K is governed by the highly active coordination unsaturated sites at the surface.     

Theophylline: Old Drug in a New Light,Application in COVID-19 through Computational Studies

Theophylline (3-methyxanthine) is a historically prominent drug used to treat respiratory diseases, alone or in combination with other drugs. The rapid onset of the COVID-19 pandemic urged the development of effective pharmacological treatments to directly attack the development of new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and possess a therapeutical battery of compounds that could improve the current management of the disease worldwide. In this context, theophylline, through bronchodilatory, immunomodulatory, and potentially antiviral mechanisms, is an interesting proposal as an adjuvant in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Nevertheless, it is essential to understand how this compound could behave against such a disease, not only at a pharmacodynamic but also at a pharmacokinetic level. In this sense, the quickest approach in drug discovery is through different computational methods, either from network pharmacology or from quantitative systems pharmacology approaches. In the present review, we explore the possibility of using theophylline in the treatment of COVID-19 patients since it seems to be a relevant candidate by aiming at several immunological targets involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. Theophylline down-regulates the inflammatory processes activated by SARS-CoV-2 through various mechanisms, and herein, they are discussed by reviewing computational simulation studies and their different applications and effects.     

330 GHz FMCW Image Sensor for Homeland Security Applications

A single-pixel imaging remote sensor operating at 330 GHz is described. It is based on a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) and aimed at detection of concealed objects for ranges up to 40 m. The system consists of 2 horn-lens antennas integrated with a homodyne transceiver. The synthesized linear FMCW signal at X-band is multiplied by a factor of 32 to generate the transmitted signal. An intermediate frequency (IF) signal obtained in the output port of the 2-nd harmonic mixer is employed for image processing. Distance measurements were made by performing data acquisition unit based on LabView interface and resulting in a range resolution about 1 cm. Examples of 2D and 3D images reconstructed with this sensor are presented.     

Development of a regional food composition table for West Africa

Knowledge of the nutrient content of foods is fundamental for virtually all nutrition-related projects, programmes and policies. Low quality compositional data may lead to inappropriate policies and funds spent unnecessarily. Existing food composition tables (FCT) for most West African countries date back to 1960 and 1970 and contain in general few foods and components without documentation. As a result of the recommendations by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Nutrition forum and other high level meetings, FAO/INFOODS, WAHO/ECOWAS and Bioversity International developed the West African FCT. It contains 472 foods and 28 components. Emphasis was given to include data on food biodiversity by incorporating cultivars/varieties and underutilized foods. The West African FCT enables users to address diet-related health problems, strengthen local development, enhance trade and promote biodiversity. In addition it contributes to poverty alleviation in both rural and urban areas. The FCT needs to be updated regularly and it is the most recent example of INFOODS for regional food composition activities.     

The association of anxiety and depressive symptoms with cognitive performance in community-dwelling older adults.

The authors examined the association of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and their co-occurrence on cognitive processes in 102 community-dwelling older adults. Participants completed anxiety and depression questionnaires as well as measures of episodic and semantic memory, word fluency, processing speed/shifting attention, and inhibition. Participants with only increased anxiety had poorer processing speed/shifting attention and inhibition, but depressive symptoms alone were not associated with any cognitive deficits. Although coexisting anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with deficits in 3 cognitive domains, reductions in inhibition were solely attributed to anxiety. Findings suggest an excess cognitive load on inhibitory ability in normal older adults reporting mild anxiety. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)