Dynamic Viscosity Modeling of Methane n-Decane and Methane Toluene Mixtures : Comparative Study of Some Representative Models

Viscosity measurements of well-defined mixtures are useful in order to evaluate existing viscosity models. Recently, an extensive experimental study of the viscosity at pressures up to 140 MPa has been carried out for the binary systems methane + n-decane and methane + toluene, between 293.15 and 373.15 K and for several methane compositions. Although very far from real petroleum fluids, these mixtures are interesting in order to study the potential of extending various models to the simulation of complex fluids with asymmetrical components (light/heavy hydrocarbon). These data (575 data points) have been discussed in the framework of recent representative models (hard sphere scheme, friction theory, and free volume model) and with mixing laws and two empirical models (particularly the LBC model which is commonly used in petroleum engineering, and the self-referencing model). This comparative study shows that the average absolute deviation of the models is between 3.8 and 49.8%, and the maximum deviation is between 11.6 and 78.4%, depending on the considered model.     

Microwave-specific heating of crystalline species in nuclear waste glass

The microwave heating of a crystal-free and a partially trevorite-crystallized nuclear waste glass simulant was evaluated. Our results show that a 500-mg monolith of partially crystallized waste glass can be heated from room temperature to above 1600°C within 2 minutes using a single-mode, highly focused, 2.45-GHz microwave, operating at 300 W. Using X-ray diffraction measurements, we show that trevorite is no longer detectable after irradiation and thermal quenching. When a crystal-free analog of the same waste glass simulant composition was exposed to the same microwave radiation, it could not be heated above 450°C regardless of the heating time. The reduction in crystalline content achieved by selectively heating spinels in the presence of glass suggests that microwave-specific heating should be further explored as a technique for remediating crystal accumulation in a glass melt.     

Electricity System Reliability Issues During Energy System Transformation

Energy system transformation in the electric energy industry encompasses a broad range of changes in how primary energy is produced, transported, converted, priced, and delivered to consumers. Minnesota Power (ALLETE) is responding to these changes by implementing strategies like our EnergyForward resource strategy. EnergyForward describes the transition to a diverse and balanced generation portfolio that meets customers' desires for clean, safe, flexible, and affordable electricity.     

Large‐Scale Diffusion Barriers from CVD Grown Graphene

Graphene has been long thought of as a perfect barrier material due to its impermeability to all gases as well as mechanical and chemical durability. Moreover, graphene layers are transparent and conductive, significantly widening the field of potential applications beyond simple barrier coatings. However, it is very challenging to realize such barriers on a macro­scopic scale as immaculate large area films are not available. In this work, a highly effective oxygen gas barrier made from multiple layers of chemical vapor deposited graphene is presented. The individual graphene layers are stacked using a modified polymer‐assisted transfer method, avoiding polymer residue yielding an oxygen‐tight arrangement. A stack of three layers of graphene transmitted 6.9 cm³ m⁻² d⁻¹ of O₂ which corresponds to 1.10 × 10⁻¹⁷ cm³ cm/cm² s (cm Hg) when normalized to thickness and pressure. This is several orders of magnitude better than any macroscale graphene coating reported to date and performs on a level that can compete with most modern coatings while being much thinner and conductive.     

Endogenous Nitric-Oxide Synthase Inhibitor ADMA after Acute Brain Injury

Previous results on nitric oxide (NO) metabolism after traumatic brain injury (TBI) show variations in NO availability and controversial effects of exogenous nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-inhibitors. Furthermore, elevated levels of the endogenous NOS inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) were reported in cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) after traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Therefore, we examined whether ADMA and the enzymes involved in NO- and ADMA-metabolism are expressed in brain tissue after TBI and if time-dependent changes occur. TBI was induced by controlled cortical impact injury (CCII) and neurological performance was monitored. Expression of NOS, ADMA, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolases (DDAH) and protein-arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) was determined by immunostaining in different brain regions and at various time-points after CCII. ADMA and PRMT1 expression decreased in all animals after TBI compared to the control group, while DDAH1 and DDAH2 expression increased in comparison to controls. Furthermore, perilesionally ADMA is positively correlated with neuroscore performance, while DDAH1 and DDAH2 are negatively correlated. ADMA and its metabolizing enzymes show significant temporal changes after TBI and may be new targets in TBI treatment.     

Cellular Scent of Influenza Virus Infection.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emanating from humans have the potential to revolutionize non‐invasive diagnostics. Yet, little is known about how these compounds are generated by complex biological systems, and even less is known about how these compounds are reflective of a particular physiological state. In this proof‐of‐concept study, we examined VOCs produced directly at the cellular level from B lymphoblastoid cells upon infection with three live influenza virus subtypes: H9N2 (avian), H6N2 (avian), and H1N1 (human). Using a single cell line helped to alleviate some of the complexity and variability when studying VOC production by an entire organism, and it allowed us to discern marked differences in VOC production upon infection of the cells. The patterns of VOCs produced in response to infection were unique for each virus subtype, while several other non‐specific VOCs were produced after infections with all three strains. Also, there was a specific time course of VOC release post infection. Among emitted VOCs, production of esters and other oxygenated compounds was particularly notable, and these may be attributed to increased oxidative stress resulting from infection. Elucidating VOC signatures that result from the host cells response to infection may yield an avenue for non‐invasive diagnostics and therapy of influenza and other viral infections.     

Toward the Development of Dual‐Targeted Glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate Dehydrogenase/Trypanothione Reductase Inhibitors against Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi

A significant improvement in the treatment of trypanosomiases has been achieved with the recent development of nifurtimox–eflornithine combination therapy (NECT). As an alternative to drug combinations and as a means to overcome most of the antitrypanosomatid drug discovery challenges, a multitarget drug design strategy has been envisaged. To begin testing this hypothesis, we designed and developed a series of quinone–coumarin hybrids against glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase/trypanothione reductase (GAPDH/TR). These enzymes belong to metabolic pathways that are vital to Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, and have thus been considered promising drug targets. The synthesized molecules were characterized for their dual‐target antitrypanosomal profile, both in enzyme assays and in in vitro parasite cultures. The merged derivative 2‐{[3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropoxy)‐2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐7‐yl]oxy}anthracene‐1,4‐dione ( 10 ) showed an IC₅₀ value of 5.4 μM against TbGAPDH and a concomitant K_i value of 2.32 μM against TcTR. Notably, 2‐{4‐[6‐(2‐dimethylaminoethoxy)‐2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐3‐yl]phenoxy}anthracene‐1,4‐dione (compound 6 ) displayed a remarkable EC₅₀ value for T. brucei parasites (0.026 μM ) combined with a very low cytotoxicity toward mammalian L6 cells (7.95 μM ). This promising low toxicity of compound 6 might be at least partially due to the fact that it does not interfere with human glutathione reductase.     

Efficiently Detecting Metallodrug–Protein Adducts: Ion Trap versus Time‐of‐Flight Mass Analyzers

Modern mass spectrometry techniques have increasingly found use in studies on the binding of anticancer metallodrugs to potential cellular targets. In this context, investigations on the detection efficiency of adduct formation between antiproliferative Ru(arene) complexes and proteins in dependence of the mass analyzer used in the electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometer are presented. The potential in detecting adducts between the metal center and the protein was found to be dependent on the mass analyzer and the denticity of the metal–protein interaction. This might be related to the design of the mass analyzers with different conditions in the ion travelling pathways, which affects adducts when the protein acts as a monodentate ligand more highly than in cases when the protein is a multidentate ligand. This could also impact the biological activity and indicate different pathways of metabolism of biomolecule adducts.