Spectrogoniometric determination of refractive indices of GaSe

A simple interference spectroscopy technique of determining real parts of refractive indices in thin isotropic or anisotropic films is presented. This method is based on the evaluation of the orders of extrema in interference spectra of optical transmittance and/or reflectance measured for various angles of light incidence. It also makes possible to determine thickness of the investigated sample. This method of investigations was used to determine the parameters of gallium selenide (GaSe). The determined spectral characteristics of ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices of GaSe are compared with the data presented in literature by other authors.     

The Influence of Interaction between Cadmium with 17β-Estradiol, 2-Methoxyestradiol and 16α-Hydroxyestrone on Viability and p-Glycoprotein in Ovarian Cancer Cell Line

Occupational and environmental exposure to xenoestrogens, a subgroup of endocrine disruptors (EDCs), can affect the endocrine system and increase the risk of cancer, primarily the hormone-dependent kind. This type of cancer includes ovarian cancer, which is the leading cause of death from gynecological tumors. The aim of this study was to assess the role of 17β-estradiol and its metabolites: 2-MeOE2, 16α-OHE1 in exposure to the metalloestrogen cadmium. The effect of interactions of cadmium with estrogens on the viability of cells in malignant ovarian cancer cells SKOV-3 was investigated, both in simultaneous action and in the pre-incubation model. There are no known interactions between estrogens and cadmium in ovarian cancer cells. Due to the frequent occurrence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in ovarian cancer, the effects of estrogens and cadmium on MDR in SKOV-3, measured as P-glycoprotein (P-gp), were assessed. An interaction study showed that E2 had an antagonistic effect on cadmium-induced cell damage, while 2-MeOE2 showed less of a protective effect in combination with CdCl₂ than E2. There were two types of interaction: toxic synergism and beneficial antagonism. E2 and cadmium increased P-gp expression in SKOV-3 cells, while 2-MeOE2 decreased P-gp expression to a potentially beneficial effect on MDR prevention. The obtained results constitute an interesting starting point for further research in the field of interactions between estrogens and xenoestrogens in ovarian cancer.     

Discovery of New 3,3-Diethylazetidine-2,4-dione Based Thiazoles as Nanomolar Human Neutrophil Elastase Inhibitors with Broad-Spectrum Antiproliferative Activity

A series of 3,3-diethylazetidine-2,4-dione based thiazoles 3a–3j were designed and synthesized as new human neutrophil elastase (HNE) inhibitors in nanomolar range. The representative compounds 3c, 3e, and 3h exhibit high HNE inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 35.02–44.59 nM, with mixed mechanism of action. Additionally, the most active compounds 3c and 3e demonstrate high stability under physiological conditions. The molecular docking study showed good correlation of the binding energies with the IC₅₀ values, suggesting that the inhibition properties are largely dependent on the stage of ligand alignment in the binding cavity. The inhibition properties are correlated with the energy level of substrates of the reaction of ligand with Ser195. Moreover, most compounds showed high and broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity against human leukemia (MV4-11), human lung carcinoma (A549), human breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231), and urinary bladder carcinoma (UMUC-3), with IC₅₀ values of 4.59–9.86 μM. Additionally, compounds 3c and 3e can induce cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and apoptosis via caspase-3 activation, leading to inhibition of A549 cell proliferation. These findings suggest that these new types of drugs could be used to treat cancer and other diseases in which immunoreactive HNE is produced.     

Building a new supply chain position: an exploratory study of companies in the timber housing industry

Innovation is an important source of growth for many companies. It is also challenging, as it may require that the companies build a new position in the supply chain. The literature is devoid of analysis of different ways to build such positions in the construction industry. The purpose here is to explore the challenges involved in implementing innovations that require companies to establish new positions in a construction supply chain. Three in‐depth case studies in the Swedish timber housing industry illustrate different challenges that arise with the different modes of repositioning of organic growth, collaboration and acquisition, and with moving either backward or forward in the supply chain. Organic growth is a slow process that prevents companies from taking a first‐mover advantage. Acquisitions can involve difficulties with exploiting acquired competences. Collaboration brings the risks of diversity of interests and transient solutions. Furthermore, and as shown in the cases studied, challenges are associated with pre‐existing competencies and relationships, with technology‐oriented companies facing customer‐related difficulties and market‐oriented companies mainly facing ones involving technological solutions. The construction industry’s idiosyncrasies amplify these challenges, as its fragmentation makes it difficult to connect with external companies at new positions. Stronger ties with business partners are likely to enable construction companies to exploit more easily innovations that require repositioning in the supply chain.     

The effect of wheat grain composition, cuticular lipids and kernel surface microstructure on feeding, egg-laying, and the development of the granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius (L.)

Adult feeding intensity, oviposition, and larval development of Sitophilus granarius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) were observed on grain from three Polish wheat varieties (Begra, Korweta, and LGR 896/64a) washed with petroleum ether to remove cuticular lipids. Extraction of lipids did not cause any statistically significant changes in the physicochemical, biochemical and technological (milling, rheological and baking) properties of the wheat grain studied. Wheat grain washed with petroleum ether did not show any visible changes in the surface and morphology of the outer layer of the wheat grain. However, differences were noted in the microstructure of the kernel surface. Grain with a thicker seed coat (LGR 896/64a) was infested at a lower rate than the other varieties. Of the 18 hydrocarbons extracted from the grain surface, three compounds - n-heptacosane (C₂₇), n-nonacosane (C₂₉) and n-hentriacontane (C₃₁) - were found in significant amounts. In general, beetles produced 64-95% less dust and laid 7-16% fewer eggs in kernels from which cuticular lipids had been removed. This implies that these compounds have a major role in food selection and the search for an oviposition site prior to grain infestation.     

Research-informed evidence and support for road safety legislation: Findings from a national survey

Public opinion is influential in the policymaking process, making it important to understand the factors that influence popular support or opposition to public health policies. Researchers and policymakers tend to agree that scientific evidence can inform decision-making, but this influence has not been explored sufficiently, especially in the area of injury prevention. This paper considers the potential for the communication of evidence-based research and public health data to influence opinion about legislation that could reduce road-related injury. We conducted a nationally-representative online survey to assess public attitudes toward four road-safety laws; ignition interlock, school zone red-light cameras, restrictions on infotainment systems, and children's bicycle helmets. For each law, we assessed initial support and then provided a research-informed statistic on either the injury risk posed or the law's efficacy reducing risk and re-examined the law's support or opposition. The survey was completed by 2397 U.S. adults. Each law was initially supported by a majority of respondents, with greatest support for ignition interlock (74.4%) and children's bicycle helmets (74.8%). Exposure to research-informed statements increased legislative support for 20–30% of respondents. Paired analyses demonstrate significant increases toward supportive opinions when comparing responses to the initial and research-informed statements. The study demonstrates considerable public support for evidence-based road-related laws. Overall support was augmented by exposure to research data. Injury prevention practitioners can capitalize on this support in efforts to build support for legislation that would prevent injury. Researchers should be encouraged to expand their efforts to share research results with both the public and policymakers.     

Aromagrams – Aromatic profiles in the appreciation of food quality

In this review a new approach to the food aroma analysis using various instrumental techniques is described. In the last decade extensive studies have been performed concerning aroma profiles (called in this article ‘aromagrams’) of food products and beverages. Aromagram is characteristic or even individual fingerprint of the odour, obtained usually by chromatographic methods or electronic nose. Basing on the fact that each product has its own unique pattern of volatile components, it is possible to get desired information about organoleptic quality and health safety of the product by qualitative and quantitative comparison of aromagrams of different foodstuffs. Appearance of aromagrams and their usefulness depend on the assay method, particularly on the extraction step. The paper reviews the methods developed to analyse volatiles in food products basing upon their aroma profiles.     

High Sensitive Method for Determination of the Toxic Bisphenol A in Food/Beverage Packaging and Thermal Paper Using Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Carbon Black Nanoparticles

A voltammetric method for fast and high sensitive determination of Bisphenol A (BPA) using glassy carbon electrode (GC) modified with carbon black nanoparticles (CB) was developed. Cyclic voltammetry study in the 0.1 M phosphates of pH = 7.0 gave single anodic peak at 578 mV. Adsorption-controlled oxidation of BPA was found to be irreversible with the participation of two electrons and two protons. The proposed CB/GC electrode significantly improved the oxidation peak current of BPA compared to the bare electrode. Under the optimum conditions, calibration curve was linear in the concentration of BPA from 0.01 to 3 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 with the detection limit of 3.4 × 10^?9 mol L^?1. Moreover, the proposed method was successfully validated by studying the recovery of BPA in commonly available samples: thermal paper (receipt, ticket) and food/beverages packaging. This paper introduces carbon black as a new, perspective material for electrode modification used in voltammetry.