Effect of winemaking practices on color indexes and selected bioactive phenolics of Aglianico wine

ABSTRACT:  Phenolic compounds are responsible for the sensory properties of wine as well as the properties beneficial to human health. The objective of this study was to establish the effect of the use of SO₂ and pectolitic enzymes in the prefermentative phase, maceration time, and oak aging on color, anthocyanins, tannins, (+)-catechin, (–)-epicatechin, rutin, trans -resveratrol, and quercetin content of Aglianico wine. Color indexes and phenolics were analyzed by HPLC and spectrophotometric methods. The addition of SO₂ and pectolitic enzymes before fermentation caused an increase in color intensity, color stability, total phenolics, anthocyanins, (+)-catechin, (–)-epicatechin rutin, trans -resveratrol, and quercetin content in Aglianico wine. Longer maceration times gave wines richer in total phenolics and with better chromatic characteristics. Storage in oak caused a decrease in anthocyanins, (+)-catechin, (–)-epicatechin, trans -resveratrol, and quercetin content but an increase in total phenolic content, and a stabilizing effect on color also occurred.     

OPERA: a novel method to reduce ghost and aliasing artifacts

Objective

A method for Orthogonal Phase Encoding Reduction of Artifact (OPERA) was developed and tested.

Materials and methods

Because the position of ghosts and aliasing artifacts is predictable along columns or rows, OPERA combines the intensity values of two images acquired using the same parameters, but with swapped phase-encoding directions, to correct the artifacts. Simulations and phantom experiments were conducted to define the efficacy, robustness, and reproducibility. Clinical validation was performed on a total of 1003 images by comparing the OPERA-corrected images and the corresponding image standard in terms of Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR). The method efficacy was also rated using a Likert-type scale response by two experienced independent radiologists using a single-blinded procedure.

Results

Simulations and phantom experiments demonstrated the robustness and effectiveness of OPERA in reducing artifacts strength. OPERA application did not significantly change the SNR [+?4.16%; inter-quartile range (IQR): 2.72–5.01%] and CNR (+?4.30%; IQR: 2.86–6.04%) values. The two radiologists observed a total of 893 original images with artifacts (89.03% of the total images), a reduction in the perceived artifacts of 82.0% and 83.9% (p?<?0.0001), and an improvement in the perceived SNR (82.8% and 88.5%; K?=?0.714) and perceived CNR (86.9–88.9%; K?=?0.722).

Discussion

The study demonstrated that OPERA reduces MR artifacts and improves the perceived image quality.

     

Selective Laser Post-Treatment on Titanium Cold Spray Coatings

The aim of the present work is to investigate the feasibility and effects of a selective postdeposition laser treatment on titanium coatings. Commercially pure titanium grade 2 powders were deposited by means of a cold spray process on aluminum alloy AA2024-T3 sheets. The surface treatment of the coating was realized using a 220 W diode laser. The influence of heat input and dimensional features of coating layer and substrate was assessed by an experimental campaign conducted following a design of experiments approach. Optical and scanning electron microscopy analysis of the microstructure of the deposited and treated material as well as microhardness measurements showed the formation of a compact layer of titanium oxide on the coating surface and the preservation of the temper state of the aluminum substrate.     

Selective Laser Treatment on Cold-Sprayed Titanium Coatings: Numerical Modeling and Experimental Analysis

In this paper, a selective laser post-deposition on pure grade II titanium coatings, cold-sprayed on AA2024-T3 sheets, was experimentally and numerically investigated. Morphological features, microstructure, and chemical composition of the treated zone were assessed by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Microhardness measurements were also carried out to evaluate the mechanical properties of the coating. A numerical model of the laser treatment was implemented and solved to simulate the process and discuss the experimental outcomes. Obtained results highlighted the key role played by heat input and dimensional features on the effectiveness of the treatment.     

The Discovery of Potent Nonstructural Protein 5A (NS5A) Inhibitors with a Unique Resistance Profile—Part 2

In ongoing studies towards novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapeutics, inhibitors of nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) were evaluated. Specifically, starting from previously reported lead compounds, peripheral substitution patterns of a series of biaryl‐linked pyrrolidine NS5A replication complex inhibitors were probed and structure–activity relationships were elucidated. Using molecular modelling and a supercritical fluid chromatographic (SFC) technique, intramolecular H‐bonding and peripheral functional group topology were evaluated as key determinants of activity and membrane permeability. The novel compounds exhibited retained potency as compared with the lead compounds, and also showed promising results against a panel of resistance viruses. Together, the results of the study take us a step closer towards understanding the potency of daclatasvir, a clinical candidate upon which the compounds were based, and to designing improved analogues as second‐generation antiviral agents targeting NS5A.     

The Finely Coordinated Action of SSB and NurA/HerA Complex Strictly Regulates the DNA End Resection Process in Saccharolobus solfataricus

Generation of the 3′ overhang is a critical step during homologous recombination (HR) and replication fork rescue processes. This event is usually performed by a series of DNA nucleases and/or helicases. The nuclease NurA and the ATPase HerA, together with the highly conserved MRE11/RAD50 proteins, play an important role in generating 3′ single-stranded DNA during archaeal HR. Little is known, however, about HerA-NurA function and activation of this fundamental and complicated DNA repair process. Herein, we analyze the functional relationship among NurA, HerA and the single-strand binding protein SSB from Saccharolubus solfataricus. We demonstrate that SSB clearly inhibits NurA endonuclease activity and its exonuclease activities also when in combination with HerA. Moreover, we show that SSB binding to DNA is greatly stimulated by the presence of either NurA or NurA/HerA. In addition, if on the one hand NurA binding is not influenced, on the other hand, HerA binding is reduced when SSB is present in the reaction. In accordance with what has been observed, we have shown that HerA helicase activity is not stimulated by SSB. These data suggest that, in archaea, the DNA end resection process is governed by the strictly combined action of NurA, HerA and SSB.     

Wall effects for the pressure drop in fixed beds

A very simple model is presented for the effect of the container wall on the pressure drop in a fluid flowing through a bed of spheres. It is based on the application of the Ergun equation to the bulk region of the bed, unaffected by the wall. Pressure loss predictions are found to correspond well to the opposing trends reported in the literature for the viscous- and inertial-flow regimes.     

Verification Approach of Metropolis Design Framework for Embedded Systems

In this paper, we focus on the verification approach of Metropolis, an integrated design framework for heterogeneous embedded systems. The verification approach is based on the formal properties specified in Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) or Logic of Constraints (LOC). Designs may be refined due to synthesis or be abstracted for verification. An automatic abstraction propagation algorithm is used to simplify the design for specific properties. A user-defined starting point may also be used with automatic propagation. Two main verification techniques are implemented in Metropolis the formal verification utilizing the model checker Spin and the simulation trace checking with automatic generated checkers. Translation algorithms from specification models to verification models, as well as algorithms of generated checkers are discussed. We use several case studies to demonstrate our approach for verification of system level designs at multiple levels of abstraction.     

Effect of aging in new oak, one-year-used oak, chestnut barrels and bottle on color, phenolics and gustative profile of three monovarietal red wines

This study provides specific information about the influence of storage in bottle and in 225-L barrels made from oak (new and used for 1 year) and chestnut wood on color indexes, spectrophotometric evaluable polyphenols, anthocyanins, phenolic acids and gustative attributes of three monovarietal red wines (Piedirosso, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot). The results of the analysis of variance show that wood type has a significant influence on chromatic characteristics, on vanilline reactive flavans, on low molecular weight phenolics and on astringency of wines. The effect depends on the type of wine. Therefore, both traditional and alternative wood containers could be used as an instrument to regulate the polymerization, oxidation and copigmentation reaction of wine phenolics and the sensory properties of red wine. The maturation in chestnut wood could be an interesting challenge to widen the supply of red wines maturated in wood, but its use needs more care than oak.     

Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Heart Failure: From Pathophysiology to Clinical Effects

Heart failure (HF) affects up to over 20% of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), even more in the elderly. Although, in T2DM, both hyperglycemia and the proinflammatory status induced by insulin resistance are crucial in cardiac function impairment, SGLT2i cardioprotective mechanisms against HF are several. In particular, these beneficial effects seem attributable to the significant reduction of intracellular sodium levels, well-known to exert a cardioprotective role in the prevention of oxidative stress and consequent cardiomyocyte death. From a molecular perspective, patients’ exposure to gliflozins’ treatment mimics nutrient and oxygen deprivation, with consequent autophagy stimulation. This allows to maintain the cellular homeostasis through different degradative pathways. Thus, since their introduction in the clinical practice, the hypotheses on SGLT2i mechanisms of action have changed: from simple glycosuric drugs, with consequent glucose lowering, erythropoiesis enhancing and ketogenesis stimulating, to intracellular sodium-lowering molecules. This provides their consequent cardioprotective effect, which justifies its significant reduction in CV events, especially in populations at higher risk. Finally, the updated clinical evidence of SGLT2i benefits on HF was summarized. Thus, this review aimed to analyze the cardioprotective mechanisms of sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in patients with HF, as well as their clinical impact on cardiovascular events.