Producing clean diesel fuel by co-hydrogenation of vegetable oil with gas oil

The goal of our investigation was the production of partially bio-derived fuels in the gas oil boiling point range. Our aim was the production of diesel fuel blending components by co-hydrogenation of mixtures of high-sulphur gas oil (about 1.0%) and vegetable oil raw materials with different vegetable oil contents (0, 5, 15, 25 and 100%). The experiments were carried out on a NiMo/Al₂O₃ catalyst with a targeted composition (T = 300–380°C, P = 60–80 bar, LHSV = 1.0/h and H₂/HC = 600 Nm³/m³). We obtained that both the vegetable oil conversion reactions and the gas oil quality improvement reactions took place. Under the favourable operational conditions (360–380°C, P = 80 bar, LHSV = 1.0/h and H₂/HC = 600 Nm³/m³ and up to 15% vegetable oil content of the feed), the main properties of the high-yield (>90%) products except for the Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP) value satisfied the requirements of the standard of diesel fuels (EN 590:2009). The amount of vegetable oil higher than 15% reduced the desulphurization efficiency, because of the intake of large quantities of oxygen with the triglyceride molecules of the vegetable oil. The products—depending on the vegetable oil content of the feedstocks—have an increased n- and i-paraffin content, so their combustion properties are very favourable, and the emission of particles is lower.     

Profile of miR-23 Expression and Possible Role in Regulation of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase during Postnatal Retinal Development

As neurotransmitter, GABA is fundamental for physiological processes in the developing retina. Its synthesis enzymes are present during retinal development, although the molecular regulatory mechanisms behind the changes in expression are not entirely understood. In this study, we revealed the expression patterns of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67(GAD67) and its coding gene (GAD1) and its potential miRNA-dependent regulation during the first three postnatal weeks in rat retina. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms, miRNA-sequencing supported by RT-qPCR and in situ hybridization were carried out. GAD1 expression shows an increasing tendency, peaking at P15. From the in silico-predicted GAD1 targeting miRNAs, only miR-23 showed similar expression patterns, which is a known regulator of GAD1 expression. For further investigation, we made an in situ hybridization investigation where both GAD67 and miR-23 also showed lower expression before P7, with the intensity of expression gradually increasing until P21. Horizontal cells at P7, amacrine cells at P15 and P21, and some cells in the ganglion cell layer at several time points were double labelled with miR-23 and GAD67. Our results highlight the complexity of these regulatory networks and the possible role of miR-23 in the regulation of GABA synthesizing enzyme expression during postnatal retina development.     

Anti yeast activities of some essential oils in growth medium, fruit juices and milk

The anti-yeast activities of four essential oils (EOs) from clary sage, juniper, lemon and marjoram against wild-type isolates of the food-related yeasts Geotrichum candidum, Pichia anomala, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe in malt extract (ME) medium, apple juice and milk were investigated. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for the EOs and their main components were determined and the checkerboard method was used to calculate fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices for the combinations of EOs or components. The most sensitive yeast was S. pombe (MICs of 0.0625-0.125 μl/ml) while G. candidum proved to be the most insensitive (MICs of 0.5-2 μl/ml). In general, the lag phases were lengthened by increasing EO concentrations, while significant reduction of growth rates was obtained only at the highest EO concentrations. The anti-yeast effects of the EOs were good in the acidic pH range optimal for yeasts growth. Combinations of juniper and clary sage EOs resulted in additive effects in the case of S. cerevisiae and G. candidum, but all other combinations showed no interaction. The combination of α-pinene and limonene led to synergism, while the combination of α-pinene with linalool resulted in an additive effect. Cloudy apple juice protected the yeasts against the effect of lemon EO: the lag phases were shorter and the growth rates higher than in clear apple juice. Lemon EO decreased the growth rate of G. candidum in skimmed milk in a dose-independent manner. Our results show that by adding lemon EO to clear apple juice a new, harmonic taste can be achieved and open storage time could be prolonged.     

Tribological and electrical properties of ceramic matrix composites with carbon nanotubes

Tribological behaviur of carbon fibrous phases (nanofibers and nanotubes) containing composites with Si₃N₄, ZrO₂ and Al₂O₃ matrices was studied by pin-on-disk technique in conditions of dry sliding. Coefficients of friction and wear rates were measured, wear damage mechanisms were observed and identified. The resulting tribological behaviur was related to microstructure and mechanical properties of respective materials. Electrical conductivity was measured in wide range of frequencies by two-point method and effect of volume fraction and distribution of CNTs and CNFs on percolation threshold was evaluated. Both coefficient of friction and electrical resistivity decreased with increasing amount of carbon phases, in both cases the nanofibers were more efficient than the nanotubes. The wear resistance in most cases decreased but for Si₃N₄–CNT composite a certain optimum (～5 wt.% CNT) was found.     

Multidisciplinary analysis of Finnish esker sediment in radon source identification

In order to define the naturally-occurring radioactive materials that are the source of radon in natural environments, a comprehensive analytical (geochemical, physical and chemical) methodology was employed to study sand samples from the Hollola esker in the city of Hollola (Lahti area, Finland). Techniques such as gamma-spectrometry, emanation measurements, sequential chemical extraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalyses (EPMA) and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were used to determine the potential source of radon. Monazite and xenotime, uranium- and thorium-bearing minerals and potential radon sources, occurred in significant amounts in the samples and were also the main reason for the distribution of uranium and thereby radium in separate grain-size fractions. Following deposition, the esker sand has been exposed to no significant weathering, and radium has not therefore been much separated from uranium. However, considering its non-compatibility with crystal lattices, it was recognized rather in easily leachable species (44% of the total (226)Ra) than uranium (21% of the total (238)U) in our analyses. The smallest grain-size fraction of the esker sand had a higher emanation power (0.24) than the other fractions (around 0.17). Due to the small relative proportion of this fraction, however, it contributed only slightly to the total emanation (4%). The emanation power of the leachable species was about three times higher (ca. 0.20) than that of the species tightly bound to the crystal lattice (ca. 0.07).     

Nanomagnetic logic: compact modeling of field-coupled computing devices for system investigations

In this paper we investigate error rates of nanomagnetic logic devices with perpendicular magnetization by compact modeling. Two different types of nanomagnets for information propagation and logic computing are introduced. The switching behavior of field-coupled nanomagnets is measured and analyzed. A compact model is derived from physics and experimental results are applied to the magnetic compact model. General requirements for fabrication parameters and clocking fields for reliable operation are extracted. We perform simulations and measurements on single devices to demonstrate the accuracy of the macromodel. Simulations on complex systems show that the error rate of a field-coupled magnetic system strongly depends on the variation of the switching field and the strength of the coupling field between the nanomagnets. The error rate of a 1-bit full adder is investigated for varying dot parameters. The results demonstrate the importance of fast simulation tools for investigations on the design of nanomagnetic computing devices and systems.     

Novel High Affinity Sigma-1 Receptor Ligands from Minimal Ensemble Docking-Based Virtual Screening

Sigma-1 receptor (S1R) is an intracellular, multi-functional, ligand operated protein that also acts as a chaperone. It is considered as a pluripotent drug target in several pathologies. The publication of agonist and antagonist bound receptor structures has paved the way for receptor-based in silico drug design. However, recent studies on this subject payed no attention to the structural differences of agonist and antagonist binding. In this work, we have developed a new ensemble docking-based virtual screening protocol utilizing both agonist and antagonist bound S1R structures. This protocol was used to screen our in-house compound library. The S1R binding affinities of the 40 highest ranked compounds were measured in competitive radioligand binding assays and the sigma-2 receptor (S2R) affinities of the best S1R binders were also determined. This way three novel high affinity S1R ligands were identified and one of them exhibited a notable S1R/S2R selectivity.     

Targeting DNA Damage Response and Repair to Enhance Therapeutic Index in Cisplatin-Based Cancer Treatment

Platinum-based chemotherapies, such as cisplatin, play a large role in cancer treatment. The development of resistance and treatment toxicity creates substantial barriers to disease control, yet. To enhance the therapeutic index of cisplatin-based chemotherapy, it is imperative to circumvent resistance and toxicity while optimizing tumor sensitization. One of the primary mechanisms by which cancer cells develop resistance to cisplatin is through upregulation of DNA repair pathways. In this review, we discuss the DNA damage response in the context of cisplatin-induced DNA damage. We describe the proteins involved in the pathways and their roles in resistance development. Common biomarkers for cisplatin resistance and their utilization to improve patient risk stratification and treatment personalization are addressed. Finally, we discuss some of the current treatments and future strategies to circumvent the development of cisplatin resistance.     

The Impact of Mouse Preterm Birth Induction by RU-486 on Microglial Activation and Subsequent Hypomyelination

Preterm birth (PTB) represents 15 million births every year worldwide and is frequently associated with maternal/fetal infections and inflammation, inducing neuroinflammation. This neuroinflammation is mediated by microglial cells, which are brain-resident macrophages that release cytotoxic molecules that block oligodendrocyte differentiation, leading to hypomyelination. Some preterm survivors can face lifetime motor and/or cognitive disabilities linked to periventricular white matter injuries (PWMIs). There is currently no recommendation concerning the mode of delivery in the case of PTB and its impact on brain development. Many animal models of induced-PTB based on LPS injections exist, but with a low survival rate. There is a lack of information regarding clinically used pharmacological substances to induce PTB and their consequences on brain development. Mifepristone (RU-486) is a drug used clinically to induce preterm labor. This study aims to elaborate and characterize a new model of induced-PTB and PWMIs by the gestational injection of RU-486 and the perinatal injection of pups with IL-1beta. A RU-486 single subcutaneous (s.c.) injection at embryonic day (E)18.5 induced PTB at E19.5 in pregnant OF1 mice. All pups were born alive and were adopted directly after birth. IL-1beta was injected intraperitoneally from postnatal day (P)1 to P5. Animals exposed to both RU-486 and IL-1beta demonstrated microglial reactivity and subsequent PWMIs. In conclusion, the s.c. administration of RU-486 induced labor within 24 h with a high survival rate for pups. In the context of perinatal inflammation, RU-486 labor induction significantly decreases microglial reactivity in vivo but did not prevent subsequent PWMIs.     

Novel Polyurethane Scaffolds Containing Sucrose Crosslinker for Dental Application

In this paper, the synthesis, characterization, and properties of crosslinked poly(ε-caprolactone)-based polyurethanes as potential tissue replacement materials are reported. The polyurethane prepolymers were prepared from poly(ε-caprolactone)diol (PCD), polyethylene glycol (PEG)/polylactic acid diol (PLAD), and 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). In these segmented polyurethanes, the role of PEG/PLAD was to tune the hydrophobic/hydrophilic character of the resulting polymer while sucrose served as a crosslinking agent. PLAD was synthesized by the polycondensation reaction of D,L-lactic acid and investigated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The crosslinked polyurethane samples (SUPURs) obtained were characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (AT-FT-IR), swelling, and mechanical (uniaxial tensile tests) experiments. The thermo and thermomechanical behavior were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA). The viability of dental pulp stem cells was investigated in the case of polyurethanes composed of fully biocompatible elements. In our studies, none of our polymers showed toxicity to stem cells (DPSCs).