Comparative study of lithium fluoride and graphite by atomic force microscopy (AFM)

The atomic force microscope (AFM) offers the possibility to image the topography of insulating as well as conductive surfaces. Highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) was chosen as an example for a layered material and compared to single crystalline lithium fluoride (LiF). Both materials are easily prepared and inert at ambient pressure. Furthermore they are well characterized by Helium atom scattering experiments and other techniques. On HOPG atomic resolution has been achieved. Distortions can be observed which we interpret as a frictional effect. In addition we performed large area scans where we seldomly observed dislocations. For the first time we present measurements on LiF, showing steps of one unit cell height. On larger areas the surface of LiF showed terraces, separated by steps of variable heights, ranging from a few ångströms to 100 Å. We used a static method to get information about the distance dependence of the force between lever and sample. By slowly expanding and retracting the sample piezo and simultaneous measurement of the lever deflection, plots were recorded, showing the force as a function of sample position. The results were compared with theoretical calculations. We could determine the tip radius and found differences between LiF and HOPG being characteristic for the samples.     

Approximation Algorithms for 3D Orthogonal Knapsack

We study non-overlapping axis-parallel packings of 3D boxes with profits into a dedicated bigger box where rotation is either forbidden or permitted, and we wish to maximize the total profit. Since this optimization problem is NP-hard, we focus on approximation algorithms. We obtain fast and simple algorithms for the non-rotational scenario with approximation ratios 9 ε and 8 ε , as well as an algorithm with approximation ratio 7 ε that uses more sophisticated techniques; these are the smallest approximation ratios known for this problem. Furthermore, we show how the used techniques can be adapted to the case where rotation by 90° either around the z-axis or around all axes is permitted, where we obtain algorithms with approximation ratios 6 ε and 5 ε , respectively. Finally our methods yield a 3D generalization of a packability criterion and a strip packing algorithm with absolute approximation ratio 29/4, improving the previously best known result of 45/4.     

Hybrid PV/fuel cell system design and simulation

In this paper, a hybrid Photovoltaic (PV)-fuel cell generation system employing an electrolyzer for hydrogen generation is designed and simulated. The system is applicable for remote areas or isolated loads. Fuzzy regression model (FRM) is applied for maximum power point tracking to extract maximum available solar power from PV arrays under variable insolation conditions. The system incorporates a controller designed to achieve permanent power supply to the load via the PV array or the fuel cell, or both according to the power available from the sun. Also, to prevent corrosion of the electrolyzer electrodes after sunset, i.e. when its current drops to zero, the electric storage device is designed so as to isolate the electrolyte from the electrolysis cell.     

Optimal design and placement of serpentine heat exchangers for indirect heat withdrawal,inside flat plate integrated collector storage solar water heaters (ICSSWH)

Parameters that affect the temperature at which service hot water (SHW) is offered by an immersed tube heat exchanger (HX), inside a flat plate Integrated Collector Storage Solar Water Heater (ICSSWH), are examined numerically, by means of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. The storage water is not refreshed and serves for heat accumulation. Service hot water is drawn off indirectly, through an immersed serpentine heat exchanger. For the intensification of the heat transfer process, the storage water is agitated by recirculation through a pump, which goes on only when service water flows inside the heat exchanger. Three main factors, which influence the performance, are optimized: The position of the HX relative to tank walls, the HX length and the tube diameter. All three factors are explored so that to maximize the service water outlet temperature. The settling time of the optimum configuration is also computed. Various 3-D CFD models were developed using the FLUENT package. The heat transfer rate between the two circuits of the optimum configuration is maintained at high levels, leading to service water outlet temperatures by 1–7 °C lower than tank water temperatures, for the examined SHW flow rates. The settling time is retained at sufficient law values, such as 20 s. The optimal position was found to lay the HX in contact with the front and back walls of the tank, with an optimum inner tube diameter of 16 mm, while an acceptable HX length was found to be about 21.5 m.     

Effect of production systems on phenolic composition and oxygen radical absorbance capacity of ‘Orléans’ strawberry

The effect of two production systems, plastic mulch (PM) and plastic mulch with row covers (PMRC) versus the commonly used matted-row system (MRS) was evaluated on phenolic composition and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of ‘Orléans’ strawberry at three different harvest times during growing season. Six major groups of phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, kaempferol, flavonols, ellagic and benzoic acids, were assessed in strawberry. Production systems significantly affect the antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of strawberry. PMRC generally enhanced the phenolic content and total antioxidant capacity compared to MRS and PM, but the effects varied during the harvest season. Therefore, PMRC could be a recommended production system to improve the nutraceutical value of strawberry fruits especially in cooler climates.     

Anti-proliferative effect of curcumin on melanoma cells is mediated by PDE1A inhibition that regulates the epigenetic integrator UHRF1

Scope: Curcumin inhibits proliferation of many cancer cells. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), by hydrolyzing intracellular cyclic adenosine‐3′,5′‐monophosphate (cAMP) and/or cyclic guanosine‐3′,5′‐monophosphate (cGMP), play a pivotal role in signalling pathways involved in cell proliferation. Therefore, this study investigated PDE1–5 participations in the anti‐proliferative properties of curcumin in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. Methods and results: We report that curcumin inhibits PDE1–5 activities (IC₅₀?10^?5 M), indicating that curcumin acts as a non‐selective PDE inhibitor. In melanoma cells, PDE4 and PDE1 represent the major cAMP‐PDEs and cGMP‐PDEs activities, respectively. Curcumin treatment decreased PDE1 and PDE4 activities and dose dependently increased intracellular cGMP levels, whereas cAMP levels were unchanged. Curcumin inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle progression by accumulating cells in the S‐ and G2/M‐phases with enhanced expressions of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors. In contrast, expressions of PDE1A, cyclin A and the epigenetic integrator ubiquitin‐like containing PHD and Ring Finger domains 1 (UHRF1) and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) were decreased by curcumin. Interestingly, PDE1A overexpression increased UHRF1 and DNMT1 expressions and rescued the B16F10 cells from curcumin anti‐proliferative effects. Nimodipine, a PDE1 inhibitor, mimicked the curcumin effects. Conclusion : Curcumin exerts its anti‐cancer property by targeting PDE1 that inhibits melanoma cell proliferation via UHRF1, DNMT1, cyclin A, p21 and p27 regulations. This suggests that natural PDE1 inhibitors present in food might be effective in preventing cancer.     

Sorption of Eu(III) on humic acid or fulvic acid bound to hydrous alumina studied by SEM-EDS, XPS, TRLFS, and batch techniques

To identify the effect of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) on the sorption mechanism of Eu(III) on organic--inorganic colloids in the environment at a molecular level, surface adsorbed/ complexed Eu(III) on hydrous alumina, HA-, and FA-hydrous alumina hybrids were characterized by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The experiments were performed in 0.1 mol/L KNO3 or 0.1 mol/L NaClO4 under ambient conditions. The pH values were varied between 2 and 11 at a fixed Eu(III) concentration of 6.0 x 10(-7) mol/L and 4.3 x 10(-5) mol/L. The different Eu(III)/FA(HA)/hydrous alumina complexes were characterized by their fluorescence emission spectra ((5D0-F1)/ (5D0 --> 7F2)) and binding energy of Eu(III). Inner-sphere surface complexation may contribute mainly to Eu(III) sorption on hydrous alumina, and a ternary surface complex is formed at the HA/ FA-hydrous alumina hybrid surfaces. The sorption and species of Eu(III) in ternary Eu-HA/FA-hydrous alumina systems are not dominated by either HA/FA or hydrous alumina, but are dominated by both HA/FA and hydrous alumina. The results are important for understanding the sorption mechanisms and the nature of surface adsorbed Eu(III) species and trivalent chemical homologues of Eu(III) in the natural environment.     

Analysis of pork adulteration in commercial meatballs targeting porcine-specific mitochondrial cytochrome b gene by TaqMan probe real-time polymerase chain reaction

A test for assessing pork adulteration in meatballs, using TaqMan probe real-time polymerase chain reaction, was developed. The assay combined porcine-specific primers and TaqMan probe for the detection of a 109 bp fragment of porcine cytochrome b gene. Specificity test with 10 ng DNA of eleven different species yielded a threshold cycle (Ct) of 15.5 ± 0.20 for the pork and negative results for the others. Analysis of beef meatballs with spiked pork showed the assay can determine 100-0.01% contaminated pork with 102% PCR efficiency, high linear regression (r(2) = 0.994) and ≤ 6% relative errors. Residuals analysis revealed a high precision in all determinations. Random analysis of commercial meatballs from pork, beef, chicken, mutton and goat, yielded a Ct between 15.89 ± 0.16 and 16.37 ± 0.22 from pork meatballs and negative results from the others, showing the suitability of the assay to determine pork in commercial meatballs with a high accuracy and precision.     

Variation in the composition of selected milk fraction samples from healthy and mastitic quarters, and its significance for mastitis diagnosis

Seven variables--electrical conductivity (EC), somatic cell count (SCC), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase), lactose, protein, fat and pH--were compared in four quarter milk fractions (MF1: strict foremilk; MF2: first 12-15 ml foremilk; MF3: subsequent 40-45 ml milk; MF4: strippings) and in one cow composite milk sample (CC) per cow. The study used 142 quarters from 37 lactating cows of the German Black Pied breed. To rule out any possible effect due to management, animal physiology and analytical procedures, the collection and processing of milk samples from each cow was repeated for three consecutive days, and the means of 3-d values were used. All variables were affected significantly by milk fraction and udder health. Compared with foremilk, EC, lactose and protein levels in strippings decreased, while SCC, NAGase and fat increased. The pH of foremilk and strippings did not differ significantly in healthy or in mastitic quarters. The difference between MF1 and MF2 was significant for EC in mastitic quarters, and for SCC in healthy quarters only. In general, mastitis resulted in a significant increase in EC, SCC, NAGase and protein but in a decrease in lactose and fat contents of milk in one or more of the milk fractions studied. Comparison of cow composite milk samples from healthy and mastitic cows revealed the significance (P < 0.01) of udder health for EC, SCC and lactose. Of the different parameters that can distinguish between healthy and mastitic quarters or cows, EC could be used to classify 76% of quarters and 73% of cows correctly, while the lactose content permitted correct identification of 81% of quarters and 76% of cows. NAGase and pH could be used to determine the status of 73% and 61% of quarters, respectively. In general, the correlation observed in strippings was higher than in foremilk for almost all the variables studied. Surprisingly, EC, SCC, NAGase and lactose in milk from healthy quarters of mastitic cows (with at least one mastitic quarter) differed significantly (P < 0.05) from those from healthy quarters of cows with all four healthy quarters, indicating an inconsistent effect of mastitic quarters on neighbouring healthy quarters (quarter interdependence).     

Corrosion of yttria-fully stabilized zirconias in molten fluorides

Yttria-fully stabilized zirconia ceramics were manufactured from home-made and commercially available powders and were sintered under different conditions. The ceramics were immersed in the corrosive environment of molten LiF, NaF, KF (FLINAK) eutectic for up to 360 h from 700–900 °C. The changes caused in the crystal structure were probed with laser Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The degree of corrosion (phase transformation) depends on immersion period, FLINAK temperature, and ceramics microstructure. From the tested ceramics, ZrO₂-8 mol % Y₂O₃ with a grain size larger than 8 μm and having zero open porosity, exhibits the best resistance to the corrosive influence of FLINAK.