Experimental study of phase equilibria in the “FeO”-ZnO-(CaO + SiO2) system with CaO/SiO2 weight ratios of 0.33, 0.93, and 1.2 in equilibrium with metallic iron

The pseudoternary sections “FeO”-ZnO-(CaO + SiO₂) with CaO/SiO₂ weight ratios of 0.33, 0.93, and 1.2 in equilibrium with metallic iron have been experimentally investigated in the temperature range from 1000 °C to 1300 °C (1273 to 1573 K). The liquidus surfaces in these pseudoternary sections have been experimentally determined in the composition range from 0 to 33 wt pct ZnO and 30 to 70 wt pct (CaO + SiO₂). The sections contain primary-phase fields of wustite (Fe _x Zn_1−x O_1+y ), zincite (Zn _z Fe_1−z O), fayalite (Fe _w Zn_2−w SiO₄), melilite (Ca₂Zn _u Fe_1−u Si₂O₇), willemite (Zn _v Fe_2−v SiO₄), dicalcium silicate (Ca₂SiO₄), pseudowollastonite and wollastonite (CaSiO₃), and tridymite (SiO₂). The phase equilibria involving the liquid phase and the solid solutions have also been measured.     

Evaluation of a compact sensor for backscattering and absorption

Seawater inherent optical properties (IOPs) are key parameters in a wide range of applications in environmental studies and oceanographic research. In particular, the absorption coefficient (a) is the typical IOP used to obtain the concentration of chlorophyll-a in the water-a critical parameter in biological oceanography studies and the backscattering coefficient (b(b)) is used as a measure of turbidity. In this study, we test a novel instrument concept designed to obtain both the absorption and backscattering coefficients. The instrument would emit a collimated monochromatic light beam into the water retrieving the backscattered light intensity as a function of distance from the center of illumination. We use Monte Carlo modeling of light propagation to create an inversion algorithm that translates the signal from such an instrument into values of a and b(b). Our results, based on simulations spanning the bulk of natural values of seawater IOP combinations, indicate that a 6.2 cm diameter instrument with a radial resolution of 1 cm would be capable of predicting b(b) within less than 13.4% relative difference and a within less than 57% relative difference (for 90% of the inverted a values, the relative errors fall below 29.7%). Additionally, these errors could be further reduced by constraining the inversion algorithm with information from concurrent measurements of other IOPs. Such a compact and relatively simple device could have multiple applications for in situ optical measurements, including a and b(b) retrievals from instrumentation mounted on autonomous underwater vehicles. Furthermore, the same methodology could possibly be used for an out-of-water sensor.     

Iron Oxide‐Labeled Collagen Scaffolds for Non‐Invasive MR Imaging in Tissue Engineering

Non‐invasive imaging holds significant potential for implementation in tissue engineering. It can be used to monitor the localization and function of tissue‐engineered implants, as well as their resorption and remodelling. Thus far, however, the vast majority of effort in this area of research have focused on the use of ultrasmall super‐paramagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticle‐labeled cells, colonizing the scaffolds, to indirectly image the implant material. Reasoning that directly labeling scaffold materials might be more beneficial (enabling imaging also in the case of non‐cellularized implants), more informative (enabling the non‐invasive visualization and quantification of scaffold degradation), and easier to translate into the clinic (cell‐free materials are less complex from a regulatory point‐of‐view), three different types of USPIO nanoparticles are prepared and incorporated both passively and actively (via chemical conjugation; during collagen crosslinking) into collagen‐based scaffold materials. The amount of USPIO incorporated into the scaffolds is optimized, and correlated with MR signal intensity, showing that the labeled scaffolds are highly biocompatible, and that scaffold degradation can be visualized using MRI. This provides an initial proof‐of‐principle for the in vivo visualization of the scaffolds. Consequently, USPIO‐labeled scaffold materials seem to be highly suitable for image‐guided tissue engineering applications.     

Agonistic Onset Marks Emotional Changes and Dispersal Propensity in Wild House Mouse Males (Mus domesticus).

The authors investigated implications of agonistic onset for anxiety and dispersive motivation in maturing wild house mouse males (Mus domesticus). Laboratory-kept fraternal pairs either developed agonistic dominance or stayed amicable during their first 2 months of life, when the authors assessed open-field behavior and dispersal propensity. State anxiety was lower in amicable than agonistic males and higher in subordinate than dominant ones. During subsequent dispersal trials, 1 dominant and 1 amicable male from 2 fraternal pairs were concomitantly introduced into seminatural enclosures containing 3 females. One male invariably became territorial. The defeated males, if previously dominant, dispersed at significantly higher rates than if previously amicable. The authors conclude that agonistic onset during development represents an adaptive behavioral switch from a submissive-philopatric to agonistic-dispersive coping strategy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Another version of the relay feedback experiment

Process dynamic behaviour is a key for designing any control scheme. A simple method to determine a point on the frequency characteristics of the plant is the closed loop relay experiment. This paper proposes a new version for this method, presenting its possible advantages, simulation and real time experimental results.     

THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH IN A COATED SUBSTRATE

A surface crack penetrating the interface between a presstressd hard coating and a substrate is analysed in terms of linear fracture mechanics in order to assess the fatigue properties of such a composite. Assuming Paris law, fatigue crack growth rate allows the determination of safe regimes, where a crack always experiences closure.     

Simultaneous continuous,nonchromatographic monitoring and discrete chromatographic monitoring of polymerization reactions

Automatic continuous nonchromatographic monitoring and discrete chromatographic monitoring were coupled together for the first time and used to monitor free radical and controlled‐radical polymerization reactions. This was achieved by adding a multidetector Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) system (alternatively termed Gel Permeation Chromatography, GPC) to the ACOMP platform (Automatic Continuous Online Monitoring of Polymerization reactions). The fact that the reactor solution is already preconditioned in the ACOMP front‐end to the concentration levels used in SEC makes direct coupling possible. Kinetics from two different types of reactions, Reversible Addition Fragmentation Transfer (RAFT) and free radical polymerization of butyl acrylate were studied, including the production of a bimodal population. Complementary and contrasting features from the continuous and SEC approaches are highlighted. The main advantage of the SEC detection is to follow the evolution of full molecular weight distributions (MWD), especially in ‘living’ type reactions, where polydispersity decreases with monomer conversion, whereas the continuous detection provides a much more detailed characterization of the reaction. Interestingly, in the case where a bimodal molecular weight distribution was produced, the continuous method automatically detected the onset of the second mode in a model independent fashion, whereas SEC could only discern the bimodality by applying preconceived models. The SEC approach will have valuable niche applications, however, such as when reactions are relatively slow, monitoring narrow polydispersity is of primary importance, and also in copolymerization and terpolymerization reactions where complex mixtures of reagents (e.g., RAFT agents, copper ions, etc.) make unfractionated spectroscopic resolution of comonomers difficult. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

The Effect of Cucurbit[7]uril on the Antitumor and Immunomodulating Properties of Oxaliplatin and Carboplatin

Cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) is a molecular container that may form host–guest complexes with platinum(II) anticancer drugs and modulate their efficacy and safety. In this paper, we report our studies of the effect of CB[7]–oxaliplatin complex and the mixture of CB[7] and carboplatin (1:1) on viability and proliferation of a primary cell culture (peripheral blood mononuclear cells), two tumor cell lines (B16 and K562) and their activity in the animal model of melanoma. At the same time, we studied the impact of platinum (II) drugs with CB[7] on T cells and B cells in vitro. Although the stable CB[7]–carboplatin complex was not formed, the presence of cucurbit[7]uril affected the biological properties of carboplatin. In vivo, CB[7] increased the antitumor effect of carboplatin, but, at the same time, increased its acute toxicity. Compared to free oxaliplatin, its complex with CB[7] shows a greater cytotoxic effect on tumor cell lines B16 and K562, while in vivo, the effects of the free drug and encapsulated drug were comparable. However, in vivo studies also demonstrated that the encapsulation of oxaliplatin in CB[7] lowered the toxicity of the drug.     

The Role of TRPM2 in Endothelial Function and Dysfunction

The transient receptor potential (TRP) melastatin-like subfamily member 2 (TRPM2) is a non-selective calcium-permeable cation channel. It is expressed by many mammalian tissues, including bone marrow, spleen, lungs, heart, liver, neutrophils, and endothelial cells. The best-known mechanism of TRPM2 activation is related to the binding of ADP-ribose to the nudix-box sequence motif (NUDT9-H) in the C-terminal domain of the channel. In cells, the production of ADP-ribose is a result of increased oxidative stress. In the context of endothelial function, TRPM2-dependent calcium influx seems to be particularly interesting as it participates in the regulation of barrier function, cell death, cell migration, and angiogenesis. Any impairments of these functions may result in endothelial dysfunction observed in such conditions as atherosclerosis or hypertension. Thus, TRPM2 seems to be an attractive therapeutic target for the conditions connected with the increased production of reactive oxygen species. However, before the application of TRPM2 inhibitors will be possible, some issues need to be resolved. The main issues are the lack of specificity, poor membrane permeabilization, and low stability in in vivo conditions. The article aims to summarize the latest findings on a role of TRPM2 in endothelial cells. We also show some future perspectives for the application of TRPM2 inhibitors in cardiovascular system diseases.     

The Effect of the Ionizing Radiation on Hydroxyapatite–Polydimethylsiloxane Layers

The bio hydroxyapatite (HAp) was used from a long time in different medical and environmental applications. The HAp layers with a uniform surface were used for various medical applications such as orthopedic and dental metal implants. In this work, we reported on the influence of X‐ray radiation on the structural and morphological properties of composite layers based on HAp and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) deposited on titanium substrates. The HAp:PDMS layers were investigated by different complementary methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES). FTIR spectral analysis showed that the molecular structure of the coatings was not changed after their irradiation even though, the depth profile analysis performed by GDOES indicated a depletion of Ca and P elements from the HAp:PDMS irradiated samples. By SEM, we showed that the morphological features of the coatings were also changed, as the irradiated layers are delaminated. The biological assays confirmed that the antibacterial activity of HAp:PDMS composite layers increased after irradiation. The results obtained in this study highlighted that the biological properties of HAp:PDMS layers could be influenced by irradiation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2406–2412, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers