An approach to torque and temperature thread by thread on tapping

During internal threading, small alterations in cutting parameters, tool geometry, or process characteristics produce considerable effects on torque and te     

Towards (dis)continuity of agricultural wetlands: Latvia’s polder landscapes after Soviet productivism

The concepts of agricultural regimes in advanced economies, such as productivism or non/neo/post-productivism, have been critically debated over the last decades to understand the transition and diversity of modern agriculture. We explore these concepts to understand the environmentally vulnerable landscape of agricultural wetlands in Latvia that, during the era of Soviet high modernism (productivist agricultural regime), have been converted into polders as part of a mass drainage movement. Today, these post-Soviet agro-polders can be characterised as antipodes in relation to integrity of heritage, ecology and the socio-economics of agricultural concerns. Building on case studies, wider political contexts and current debates on agricultural transitions, the paper traces the transition of wetlands through agricultural regimes and unfolds the various pathways for current polder landscapes. This paper concludes with critical notes on the contemporary co-existence of different agro-polder use of which the most incoherent are the non-productivist actions producing landscapes of mere agricultural appearance.     

Components for high speed atomic force microscopy

Many applications in materials science, life science and process control would benefit from atomic force microscopes (AFM) with higher scan speeds. To achieve this, the performance of many of the AFM components has to be increased. In this work, we focus on the cantilever sensor, the scanning unit and the data acquisition. We manufactured 10 microm wide cantilevers which combine high resonance frequencies with low spring constants (160-360 kHz with spring constants of 1-5 pN/nm). For the scanning unit, we developed a new scanner principle, based on stack piezos, which allows the construction of a scanner with 15 microm scan range while retaining high resonance frequencies (>10 kHz). To drive the AFM at high scan speeds and record the height and error signal, we implemented a fast Data Acquisition (DAQ) system based on a commercial DAQ card and a LabView user interface capable of recording 30 frames per second at 150 x 150 pixels.     

On total internal reflection investigation of nanoparticles by integrated micro-fluidic system

We report on a novel sensor for characterization of nanoparticles colloidal suspensions. We employ a diffraction grating under total internal reflection for investigation of nanodisperse fluids passing through an integrated microfluidic channel. Dispersions containing polymeric, metallic, and ferromagnetic nanoparticles are studied. Using this device, we can accurately determine in real-time the specific refractive index for the nanoparticle suspension and the nanoparticle concentration. The nanoparticle concentrations can be calculated with a resolution of 0.3-0.5 wt% for polymeric nanoparticles, 0.03-0.05 wt% for metallic nanoparticles, and 0.05-0.1 wt% for ferromagnetic nanoparticles. This translates to an effective refractive index that can be determined with an accuracy of 7 x 10(-4) for the polymeric and 2 x 10(-4) for the metallic and ferromagnetic dispersions.     

Novel catalytic membranes for selective reactions

A survey is given of the potentials of a new kind of catalytic membranes consisting of a catalyst that is immobilised in a dense polymer matrix. When homogeneous, catalytically active complexes are occluded, these membranes constitute a new way of heterogenation. In the case of solid state catalysts, these composite membranes can improve the activity of the catalyst by changing sorption or by allowing experimental set-ups in which solvents become redundant. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An In Situ FTIR Study of DBD Plasma Parameters for Accelerated Germination of Arabidopsis thaliana Seeds

Current agricultural practices are not sustainable; however, the non-thermal plasma treatment of seeds may be an eco-friendly alternative to alter macroscopic plant growth parameters. Despite numerous successful results of plasma-seed treatments reported in the literature, the plasma-treatment parameters required to improve plant growth remain elusive due to the plethora of physical, chemical, and biological variables. In this study, we investigate the optimal conditions in our surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) setup, using a parametric study, and attempt to understand relevant species in the plasma treatment using in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectroscopy. Our results suggest that treatment time and voltage are key parameters for accelerated germination; however, no clear conclusion on causative agents can be drawn.     

Tepotinib Inhibits Several Drug Efflux Transporters and Biotransformation Enzymes: The Role in Drug-Drug Interactions and Targeting Cytostatic Resistance In Vitro and Ex Vivo

Tepotinib is a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor recently approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we evaluated the tepotinib’s potential to perpetrate pharmacokinetic drug interactions and modulate multidrug resistance (MDR). Accumulation studies showed that tepotinib potently inhibits ABCB1 and ABCG2 efflux transporters, which was confirmed by molecular docking. In addition, tepotinib inhibited several recombinant cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms with varying potency. In subsequent drug combination experiments, tepotinib synergistically reversed daunorubicin and mitoxantrone resistance in cells with ABCB1 and ABCG2 overexpression, respectively. Remarkably, MDR-modulatory properties were confirmed in ex vivo explants derived from NSCLC patients. Furthermore, we demonstrated that anticancer effect of tepotinib is not influenced by the presence of ABC transporters associated with MDR, although monolayer transport assays designated it as ABCB1 substrate. Finally, tested drug was observed to have negligible effect on the expression of clinically relevant drug efflux transporters and CYP enzymes. In conclusion, our findings provide complex overview on the tepotinib’s drug interaction profile and suggest a promising novel therapeutic strategy for future clinical investigations.