Use of photodegradable inhibitors in UV-curable compositions to form polymeric 2D-structures by visible light

The process of two-wave photopolymerization of a UV-curable composition with an optically degrading inhibitor is considered. By numerical simulation, it is shown that in the composition layer uniformly exposed to UV-radiation, such systems allow getting segments with different conversion under the action of inhomogeneous visible light. Based on the data on the photopolymerization kinetics of the compositions from triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and bisphenol-A glycidyl dimethacrylate (bis-GMA) with the UV-initiator 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA), it was shown that 3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone (35Q) with N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA, “Aldrich”, 99%) can serve as an inhibitor that degrades under action of visible radiation. Combining inhomogeneous visible light generated with a conventional DLP-projector and uniform UV-radiation of LED (365 nm) the two-wave lithographic process was implemented to create polymeric 2D-structures in 20 μm layer of the compositions from TEGDMA (70)/bis-GMA (30)/DMPA (0.05 wt%)/35Q (0.5 wt%)/DMA (1 wt%).     

Beyond Hemostasis: Platelet Innate Immune Interactions and Thromboinflammation

There is accumulating evidence that platelets play roles beyond their traditional functions in thrombosis and hemostasis, e.g., in inflammatory processes, infection and cancer, and that they interact, stimulate and regulate cells of the innate immune system such as neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages. In this review, we will focus on platelet activation in hemostatic and inflammatory processes, as well as platelet interactions with neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages. We take a closer look at the contributions of major platelet receptors GPIb, α_IIbβ₃, TLT-1, CLEC-2 and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) as well as secretions from platelet granules on platelet–neutrophil aggregate and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in atherosclerosis, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and COVID-19. Further, we will address platelet–monocyte and macrophage interactions during cancer metastasis, infection, sepsis and platelet clearance.     

Drosophila as a Model System for Studying of the Evolution and Functional Specialization of the Y Chromosome

The Y chromosome is one of the sex chromosomes found in males of animals of different taxa, including insects and mammals. Among all chromosomes, the Y chromosome is characterized by a unique chromatin landscape undergoing dynamic evolutionary change. Being entirely heterochromatic, the Y chromosome as a rule preserves few functional genes, but is enriched in tandem repeats and transposons. Due to difficulties in the assembly of the highly repetitive Y chromosome sequence, deep analyses of Y chromosome evolution, structure, and functions are limited to a few species, one of them being Drosophila melanogaster. Despite Y chromosomes exhibiting high structural divergence between even closely related species, Y-linked genes have evolved convergently and are mainly associated with spermatogenesis-related activities. This indicates that male-specific selection is a dominant force shaping evolution of Y chromosomes across species. This review presents our analysis of current knowledge concerning Y chromosome functions, focusing on recent findings in Drosophila. Here we dissect the experimental and bioinformatics data about the Y chromosome accumulated to date in Drosophila species, providing comparative analysis with mammals, and discussing the relevance of our analysis to a wide range of eukaryotic organisms, including humans.     

Remote monitoring systems for high-voltage substations and mining machines at open pit coal mines

The article presents the remote monitoring systems for operation of high-voltage substations and shovels, designed at the Karaganda State Technical University and introduced at Shubarkol-Komir open pit coal mine. The systems measure power consumption parameters and controls power consumers and electrical protection. The high-voltage substation monitoring systems transmit data via rf modem, the shovel operation monitoring systems use GPRS modems to transmit data via Internet to a central operator office. In the course of trial operation of the remote monitoring systems, it was succeeded to save power owing to elimination of idle operation of heavy-duty mining machines; moreover, the scope of the continuous control covered power consumption and electric protection at substations and on shovels.     

Monte Carlo uncertainty quantification of the effective delayed neutron fraction

The applicability of Monte Carlo techniques, namely the Monte Carlo sensitivity method and the random-sampling method, for uncertainty quantification of the effective delayed neutron fraction β_eff is investigated using the continuous-energy Monte Carlo transport code, MCNP, from the perspective of statistical convergence issues. This study focuses on the nuclear data as one of the major sources of β_eff uncertainty. For validation of the calculated β_eff, a critical configuration of the VENUS-F zero-power reactor was used. It is demonstrated that Chiba's modified k-ratio method is superior to Bretscher's prompt k-ratio method in terms of reducing the statistical uncertainty in calculating not only β_eff but also its sensitivities and the uncertainty due to nuclear data. From this result and a comparison of uncertainties obtained by the Monte Carlo sensitivity method and the random-sampling method, it is shown that the Monte Carlo sensitivity method using Chiba's modified k-ratio method is the most practical for uncertainty quantification of β_eff. Finally, total β_eff uncertainty due to nuclear data for the VENUS-F critical configuration is determined to be approximately 2.7% with JENDL-4.0u, which is dominated by the delayed neutron yield of ²³⁵U.     

Interferon-β Activity Is Affected by S100B Protein

Interferon-β (IFN-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine secreted in response to various pathological conditions and is clinically used for therapy of multiple sclerosis. Its application for treatment of cancer, infections and pulmonary diseases is limited by incomplete understanding of regulatory mechanisms of its functioning. Recently, we reported that IFN-β activity is affected by interactions with S100A1, S100A4, S100A6, and S100P proteins, which are members of the S100 protein family of multifunctional Ca²⁺-binding proteins possessing cytokine-like activities (Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(24):9473). Here we show that IFN-β interacts with one more representative of the S100 protein family, the S100B protein, involved in numerous oncological and neurological diseases. The use of chemical crosslinking, intrinsic fluorescence, and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy revealed IFN-β binding to Ca²⁺-loaded dimeric and monomeric forms of the S100B protein. Calcium depletion blocks the S100B–IFN-β interaction. S100B monomerization increases its affinity to IFN-β by 2.7 orders of magnitude (equilibrium dissociation constant of the complex reaches 47 pM). Crystal violet assay demonstrated that combined application of IFN-β and S100B (5–25 nM) eliminates their inhibitory effects on MCF-7 cell viability. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the direct modulation of IFN-β activity by the S100B protein described here could be relevant to progression of multiple oncological and neurological diseases.     

Pulsed laser reshaping and fragmentation of upconversion nanoparticles — from hexagonal prisms to 1D nanorods through “Medusa”-like structures

One dimensional (1D) nanostructures attract considerable attention, enabling a broad application owing to their unique properties. However, the precise mechanism of 1D morphology attainment remains a matter of debate. In this study, ultrafast picosecond (ps) laser-induced treatment on upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) is offered as a tool for 1D-nanostructures formation. Fragmentation, reshaping through recrystallization process and bioadaptation of initially hydrophobic (β-Na_1.5Y_1.5F₆: Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺/β-Na_1.5Y_1.5F₆) core/shell nanoparticles by means of one-step laser treatment in water are demonstrated. “True” 1D nanostructures through “Medusa”-like structures can be obtained, maintaining anti-Stokes luminescence functionalities. A matter of the one-dimensional UCNPs based on direction of energy migration processes is debated. The proposed laser treatment approach is suitable for fast UCNP surface modification and nano-to-nano transformation, that open unique opportunities to expand UCNP applications in industry and biomedicine.

     

Stagnating liquid biofuel developments in Russia: Present status andfuture perspectives

It is widely acknowledged that Russia possesses enormous biomass resources (Hoogwijk et al., 2005). Its vast areas devoted to agricultural production and plentiful timber resources suggest good prospects for the development of liquid biofuel production. However, no significant advances in this direction have been reported till now. None of the numerous investment projects announced at the heydays of biofuel excitement in Russia (2006−2008) are at the moment commercially operating. There are no specialised plants for the production of bioethanol and biodiesel in Russia. Little is known of the reasons for this discrepancy between biofuel potential and actual development. In investigating this discrepancy, this article analyses national developments and investigates local dynamics through a case-study in the Omsk region. It is found that the reasons for this discrepancy are not related to technological incapabilities, but are to be found in the low policy and institutional priority given to non-fossil fuel exploitation and lack of market opportunities. Sprouts of second generation liquid biofuel technologies can be identified within the state system, but it remains to be seen how strong and how long these will be supported by the Russian state.     

Use of biomimetic hexagonal surface texture in friction against lubricated skin

Smooth contact pads that evolved in insects, amphibians and mammals to enhance the attachment abilities of the animals'' feet are often dressed with surface micropatterns of different shapes that act in the presence of a fluid secretion. One of the most striking surface patterns observed in contact pads of these animals is based on a hexagonal texture, which is recognized as a friction-oriented feature capable of suppressing both stick–slip and hydroplaning while enabling friction tuning. Here, we compare this design of natural friction surfaces to textures developed for working in similar conditions in disposable safety razors. When slid against lubricated human skin, the hexagonal surface texture is capable of generating about twice the friction of its technical competitors, which is related to it being much more effective at channelling of the lubricant fluid out of the contact zone. The draining channel shape and contact area fraction are found to be the most important geometrical parameters governing the fluid drainage rate.     

Growth of all-carbon horizontally aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes nucleated from fullerene-based structures

All-carbon single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were successfully synthesized, nucleated using a fullerene derivative. A systematic investigation into the initial preparation of C₆₀ fullerenes as growth nucleators for the SWCNTs was conducted. Enhancement in the yield of the produced SWCNT has been achieved with exploring different dispersing media for the fullerenes, the period, and environment of the initial thermal treatment of the fullerenes in addition to the use of different fullerene-based structures. The systematic studies significantly advance our understanding of the growth of the all-carbon catalyst-free single-walled carbon nanotubes. Field-effect transistors were fabricated using the catalyst-free SWCNT and then electrically characterized, showing current capacity as high as the well-studied catalyst-assisted nanotubes.