Formation of quasiperiodic and related periodic intermetallics in alloy systems of aluminum with transition metals

Quasiperiodic phases (quasicrystals) have been found in numerous alloy systems of aluminum with transition metals (TM) between about 60 and 85 at.% Al. In binary Al–TM systems only metastable quasicrystals were observed, while in several ternary systems containing Cu, Ni or Pd the quasicrystals are stable. Many stable and metastable periodic phases formed in these compositional ranges exhibit structural relations to quasicrystals. Studies of these phenomenona have stimulated extensive investigation or revision of the high-Al regions of the ternary alloy systems belonging to the Al–Cu–TM, Al–Ni–TM and Al–Pd–TM groups. These studies are reviewed here.     

Preparation and characterization of high-performance Ni-based core–shell catalyst for ethanol steam reforming

Journal of Materials Science - A core–shell catalyst, based on nickel nanoparticles supported on silica nanospheres and surrounded by ceria, was tested for ethanol steam reforming (ESR)...     

The Lactococcal dgkB (yecE) and dxsA Genes for Lipid Metabolism Are Involved in the Resistance to Cell Envelope-Acting Antimicrobials

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria led to an urgent need for next-generation antimicrobial agents with novel mechanisms of action. The use of positively charged antimicrobial peptides that target cytoplasmic membrane is an especially promising strategy since essential functions and the conserved structure of the membrane hinder the development of bacterial resistance. Aureocin A53- and enterocin L50-like bacteriocins are highly cationic, membrane-targeting antimicrobial peptides that have potential as next-generation antibiotics. However, the mechanisms of resistance to these bacteriocins and cross-resistance against antibiotics must be examined before application to ensure their safe use. Here, in the model bacterium Lactococcus lactis, we studied the development of resistance to selected aureocin A53- and enterocin L50-like bacteriocins and its correlation with antibiotics. First, to generate spontaneous resistant mutants, L. lactis was exposed to bacteriocin BHT-B. Sequencing of their genomes revealed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the dgkB (yecE) and dxsA genes encoding diacylglycerol kinase and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase, respectively. Then, selected mutants underwent susceptibility tests with a wide array of bacteriocins and antibiotics. The highest alterations in the sensitivity of studied mutants were seen in the presence of cytoplasmic membrane targeting bacteriocins (K411, Ent7, EntL50, WelM, SalC, nisin) and antibiotics (daptomycin and gramicidin) as well as lipid II cycle-blocking bacteriocins (nisin and Lcn972) and antibiotics (bacitracin). Interestingly, decreased via the SNPs accumulation sensitivity to membrane-active bacteriocins and antibiotics resulted in the concurrently increased vulnerability to bacitracin, carbenicillin, or chlortetracycline. It is suspected that SNPs may result in alterations to the efficiency of the nascent enzymes rather than a total loss of their function as neither deletion nor overexpression of dxsA restored the phenotype observed in spontaneous mutants.     

Labile Cd complexes increase Cd availability to plants

Dissolved trace metals are present in the environment as free ions and as complexes. Commonly used models to predict metal bioavailability consider the free ion as the major bioavailable species. However, increases in metal availability in the presence of metal complexes have repeatedly been found. We measured the uptake of cadmium (Cd) by spinach (Spinacia oleracea) from solution in absence or presence of synthetic ligands. At the same free ion concentration, the uptake of Cd ranged over almost 3 orders of magnitude and was largest in treatments with fast dissociating (i.e. labile) complexes. Similar results were found for the diffusional fluxes in these solutions, as measured with the DGT technique. The observed effect of Cd complexes on the plant uptake was in agreement with model calculations in which plant uptake was assumed to be governed by the diffusional flux. These results strongly suggest that Cd uptake is rate-limited by diffusion of the free ion to the root surface, even in stirred solutions. As a result, dissolved Cd complexes can increase Cd uptake, resulting in apparent exceptions from the free ion activity model. The magnitude of this increase depends both on the concentration and on the lability of the complexes. The free ion concept should therefore be reconsidered when transport limitations of the metal ion to the uptake site prevail.     

Effect of organic P forms and P present in inorganic colloids on the determination of dissolved P in environmental samples by the diffusive gradient in thin films technique, ion chromatography, and colorimetry

The speciation of P in environmental samples is operationally defined, since it depends on the analytical method used. In this study, we compared four methods to measure P in solution: ion chromatography (IC), the malachite green colorimetric method (CM), the diffusive gradient in thin films technique (DGT) and, for total dissolved P, optical inductively coupled plasma (ICP). These methods were compared on three sets of solutions (filtered over <0.45 μm): solutions with model organic P compounds, suspensions of synthesized inorganic Fe and Al colloids loaded with P, and environmental samples. The environmentally relevant organic P compounds were only marginally detected by CM and IC. Substantial fractions of certain organic P compounds contributed to the DGT measurement. Colorimetric analysis of DGT eluates detected in general less P than ICP analysis, indicating that these organic P compounds sorbed on the zero sink layer. Phosphorus associated with inorganic colloids was completely recovered by CM, but not by IC and least by DGT. Measurements on a wide set of 271 environmental samples (soil pore waters, groundwaters, and surface waters) suggest that surface water P is largely present as orthophosphate and phosphate sorbed onto inorganic colloids, whereas organic P contributes more in groundwaters.     

Periwinkle (Littorina littorea) as a sentinel species: a field study integrating chemical and biological analyses

The gastropod Littorina littorea (common periwinkle) is an abundant and widespread North Atlantic species. The characteristic development of Intersex in L. littorea has been widely applied as a biomarker for tributyltin (TBT) contamination. Here, we assess the potential of L. littorea as a novel sentinel species for evaluating the sublethal effects in wild populations of widely distributed contaminants. We collected animals from six sites across the South coast of England. Tissue concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organotin compounds (OTCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were measured and compared with biomarkers of damage to DNA (Comet assay), lysosomal stability (NRR assay), and endocrine disruption (Intersex development). There was a strong correlation between DNA damage and PAH bioaccumulation (n=6, r=0.84, p<0.05), as well as that between Intersex development and OTC pollution (n=6, r=0.91, p<0.05). The relationship between PAH bioaccumulation and DNA strand breaks was nonlinear, highlighting the need to consider the role of adaptive mechanisms in the interpretation of field results. These results illustrate the potential use of periwinkles for monitoring a wide range of priority pollutants.     

Experimental model identification and vibration control of a smart cantilever beam using piezoelectric actuators and sensors

Mechanical lightweight structures often tend to unwanted vibrations due to disturbances. Passive methods for increasing the structural damping are often inadequate for the vibration suppression, since they include additional mass in the form of damping materials, additional stiffening designs or mass damper. In this paper the concept of an active vibration control for piezoelectric light weight structures is introduced and presented through several subsequent steps: model identification, controller design, simulation, experimental verification and implementation on a particular object??piezoelectric smart cantilever beam. Special attention is paid to experimental testing and verification of the results obtained through simulations. The efficiency of the modeling procedure through the subspace-based system identification along with the efficiency of the designed optimal controller are proven based on the experimental verification, which results in vibration suppression to a very high extent not only in comparison with the uncontrolled case, but also in comparison with previously achieved results. The experimental work demonstrates a very good agreement between simulations and experimental results.     

Antioxidant effectiveness of coffee extracts and selected constituents in cell‐free systems and human colon cell lines

Scope: Epidemiological studies suggest that coffee can reduce the risk of degenerative diseases such as diabetes type 2, cardiovascular disease and cancer. These beneficial effects have partly been attributed to the antioxidant activity of coffee. We determined composition and antioxidant potential of differentially roasted coffee extracts and investigated the impact of selected original constituents and roast products. Methods and results: Parameters studied were direct antioxidant activity (trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity/oxygen radical absorbing capacity), cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, DNA damage and protein expression of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase, γ‐glutamylcysteine ligase and glutathione reductase in HT‐29/Caco‐2 cells at 24‐h incubation. All extracts showed distinct direct antioxidant activity: medium roasts>light roast AB1 (caffeoylquinic acid (CQA)‐rich Arabica Brazil extract); dark roast AB2 (N‐methylpyridinium (NMP)‐rich Arabica Brazil extract), and diminished t‐butylhydroperoxide‐induced ROS level in HT‐29 cells (AB2>medium roasts>AB1). NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 expression and γ‐glutamylcysteine ligase expression were distinctly induced by AB1 and 5‐CQA, but not by AB2 and NMP. 5‐CQA and caffeic acid exhibited highest trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity/oxygen radical absorbing capacity values (5‐CQA: 1.3/3.5 mM and caffeic acid: 1.3/3.9 mM trolox); ROS level was distinctly diminished by 5‐CQA (≥3 μM), catechol (30 μM) and trigonelline (≥30 μM), whereas menadione‐induced DNA damage in Caco‐2 cells was reduced by NMP compounds (1–30 μM). Conclusion: The results emphasize that both original constituents and roast products contribute to the cellular antioxidant effectiveness of coffee.     

Rheological,textural and sensory properties of gluten-free bread formulations based on rice and buckwheat flour

Mixolab, as the rheological instrument, was utilized to create gluten-free products. According to obtained Mixolab profiles, mixtures of rice flour and husked buckwheat and rice flour and unhusked buckwheat flour expressed rheological properties similar to wheat flour. In both types of mixtures the ratio of rice flour to buckwheat flour was 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30. According to the Mixolab profiles of the investigated systems, gluten-free products containing unhusked buckwheat flour had higher water absorption values, lower stability and weaker protein network structure, as well as lower peak viscosity than those consisted of husked buckwheat flour.Increasing the amount of husked buckwheat flour from 10% to 20% resulted in both G′ and yield stress value increase, but further increase of the husked buckwheat flour on 30% resulted in both G′ and yield stress value decrease. However, increasing the amount of unhusked buckwheat flour from 10% to 20% resulted in significant decrease of G′ and yield stress value having no significant impact with the addition of 30% of unhusked buckwheat flour.Hardness, expressed as a work of compression of the final product, increased with the amount of both types of buckwheat flour. Samples containing UBF expressed not significantly higher values of hardness than those prepared with HBF. According to obtained results of sensory evaluation of the final products it can be concluded that all six combinations of tested gluten-free breads were sensory acceptable.