Improvement of copper–molybdenum ore beneficiation using a combined flotation and biohydrometallurgy method

The authors present the results of analysis of material composition and experimental investigations of acid and biohydrometallurgical leaching of middlings on grain size, pH level, leaching process duration, temperature and slurry density. The rational parameters of flotation and acid-bacterial leaching of middlings providing an efficient release of valuable components from mineral complexes and recovery to flotation concentrate and leaching solution have been determined. A combined flowsheet and a beneficiation process for bulk flotation middlings of copper–molybdenum ore have been suggested, which include middlings grinding, sulfide minerals flotation, bacterial leaching of sulfide flotation tailings, liquid-phase extraction of dissolved copper and electrolysis of re-extraction eluates. The suggested combined method of cleaning of middlings of copper–molybdenum ores beneficiation provides the total copper recovery increase by 0.8% with a reduction of the cost price of saleable material by 0.5%.     

Current Opinion in LAIV: A Matter of Parent Virus Choice

Influenza is still a frequent seasonal infection of the upper respiratory tract, which may have deadly consequences, especially for the elderly. This is in spite of the availability of vaccines suggested for persons above 65 years of age. Two types of conventional influenza vaccines are currently licensed for use—live attenuated and inactivated vaccines. Depending on local regulatory requirements, live attenuated vaccines are produced by the reverse genetics technique or by classical reassortment in embryonated chicken eggs. Sometimes, the efficiency of classical reassortment is complicated by certain properties of the wild-type parent virus. Cases of low efficacy of vaccines have been noted, which, among other reasons, may be associated with suboptimal properties of the wild-type parent virus that are not considered when recommendations for influenza vaccine composition are made. Unfortunately, knowledge surrounding the roles of properties of the circulating influenza virus and its impact on the efficacy of the reassortment process, vaccination efficiency, the infectivity of the vaccine candidates, etc., is now scattered in different publications. This review summarizes the main features of the influenza virus that may dramatically affect different aspects of the preparation of egg-derived live attenuated vaccine candidates and their effectiveness. The author expresses her personal view, which may not coincide with the opinion of other experts in the field of influenza vaccines.     

The Functional Characterization of GCaMP3.0 Variants Specifically Targeted to Subcellular Domains

Calcium (Ca²⁺) ions play a pivotal role in physiology and cellular signaling. The intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) is about three orders of magnitude lower than the extracellular concentration, resulting in a steep transmembrane concentration gradient. Thus, the spatial and the temporal dynamics of [Ca²⁺]_i are ideally suited to modulate Ca²⁺-mediated cellular responses to external signals. A variety of highly sophisticated methods have been developed to gain insight into cellular Ca²⁺ dynamics. In addition to electrophysiological measurements and the application of synthetic dyes that change their fluorescent properties upon interaction with Ca²⁺, the introduction and the ongoing development of genetically encoded Ca²⁺ indicators (GECI) opened a new era to study Ca²⁺-driven processes in living cells and organisms. Here, we have focused on one well-established GECI, i.e., GCaMP3.0. We have systematically modified the protein with sequence motifs, allowing localization of the sensor in the nucleus, in the mitochondrial matrix, at the mitochondrial outer membrane, and at the plasma membrane. The individual variants and a cytosolic version of GCaMP3.0 were overexpressed and purified from E. coli cells to study their biophysical properties in solution. All versions were examined to monitor Ca²⁺ signaling in stably transfected cell lines and in primary cortical neurons transduced with recombinant Adeno-associated viruses (rAAV). In this comparative study, we provide evidence for a robust approach to reliably trace Ca²⁺ signals at the (sub)-cellular level with pronounced temporal resolution.     

Sperm of Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster under Space Flight

Studies of reproductive function under long-term space flight conditions are of interest in planning the exploration of deep space. Motility, including the use of various inhibitors, cellular respiration, and the content of cytoskeletal proteins were studied, assessing the level of expression of the corresponding genes in spermatozoa of Drosophila melanogaster, which were in space flight conditions for 12 days. The experiment was carried out twice on board the Russian Segment of the International Space Station. Sperm motility speed after space flight, and subsequently 16 h after landing, is reduced relative to the control by 20% (p < 0.05). In comparison with the simulation experiment, we showed that this occurs as a result of the action of overloads and readaptation to the Earth’s gravity. At the same time, cellular respiration, the content of proteins of the respiratory chain, and the expression of their genes do not change. We used kinase inhibitor 6-(dimethylamino)purine (6-DMAP) and phosphatase inhibitors; 6-DMAP restored the reduced the speed of spermatozoa in the flight group to that of the control. These results can be useful in developing a strategy for protecting reproductive health during the development of other bodies in the solar system.     

Social Networks and Cultural Mediators: The Multiplexity of Personal Ties in Publishing

This study explores the relational and affective aspects of personal ties of cultural mediators by means of in-depth interviews with Dutch book publishers. Through examining the affective side of publishers' personal networks, we contribute to understanding the role of cultural mediators—those in-between artists and consumers—and how they deal with the tensions between and the integration of culture and commerce in increasingly concentrated markets. Informal networking is not primarily based on sociality ties and mutual exchange, as is often assumed; instead, publishers use informal contacts to keep an eye on each other, they share communalities with authors in more private settings and they exchange specific content in more formal ways. Personal ties involve different loyalties and motives which elevate or increase tensions between career and conglomerate and between culture and commerce. We critically employ Grabher's typology to get more understanding of how cultural mediators deal with these tensions and the integration of culture and commerce and the creation of value. By moving beyond dichotomies of emotion–business and culture–commerce, we aim to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the role of both networks and place in cultural industries.     

Preparation and bactericidal properties of silver nanoparticles in aqueous tea leaf extract

Ag nanoparticles 10 to 60 nm in size have been prepared by reducing silver ions in aqueous tea leaf extract. The properties of the nanoparticles have been studied by ultraviolet spectroscopy, atomic absorption, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. According to the Raman spectroscopy results, the equilibrium of the redox reaction is displaced to an antioxidant form of flavonoids. The presence of silver nanoparticles enhances the antioxidant and bactericidal properties of tea.     

Dot Size Thermal Objects Detection in Atmosphere of Infrared Range

The article deals with the experimental studies of atmosphere indistinct radiation structure. The information extraction background of dot size thermal object presence in atmosphere is reasonable. Indistinct generalization of experimental study regularities technique of space-time irregularity radiation structure in infrared wave range is offered. The approach to dot size thermal object detection in atmosphere is proved with a help of threshold method in the thermodynamic and turbulent process conditions, based on the indistinct statement return task solution.     

Network level bridges maintenance planning using Multi-Attribute Utility Theory

Bridge infrastructure managers are facing multiple challenges to improve the availability and serviceability of ageing infrastructure, while the maintenance planning is constrained by budget restrictions. Many research efforts are ongoing, for the last few decades, ranging from development of bridge management system, decision support tools, optimisation models, life cycle cost analysis, etc. Since transport infrastructures are deeply embedded in society, they are not only subject to technical requirements, but are required to meet the requirements of societal and economic developments. Therefore, bridge maintenance planning should accommodate multiple performance goals which need to be quantified by various performance indicators. In this paper, an application of Multi-Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT) for bridge maintenance planning is illustrated with a case study of bridges from the Netherlands road network. MAUT seeks to optimise multiple objectives by suggesting a trade-off among them and finally assigns a ranking to the considered bridges. Moreover, utility functions of MAUT appropriately account for the involved uncertainty and risk attitude of infrastructure managers. The main contribution of this study is in presenting a proof-of-concept on how MAUT provides a systematic approach to improve the decision-making of maintenance planning by making use of available data, accommodating multiple performance goals, their uncertainty, and preferences of infrastructure managers.     

Relative lengthening of ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in the temperature range of 1200–2700 K

Results from the experimental investigation of the relative lengthening and mean thermal coefficient of the linear expansion of zirconium dioxide in the 1200–2700 K range are presented.