Synthesis of amphoteric nanocomposite hydrogels with ultrahigh tensibility

Amphoteric nanocomposite hydrogels (NC gels) were synthesized by in situ copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and N[‐3(dimethylamino)propyl] methacrylamide (DMAPMA) in an aqueous dispersion of laponite XLG. Mechanical analyses demonstrated that this type of hydrogels had a combination of high tensile strength and excellent stretchability. The tensile strength was increased by 5 times up to 316 kPa when the laponite content was increased from 0.1 wt% to 20 wt%, and a maximum fracture strain of 2,317% was achieved for hydrogels containing 3 wt% laponite. Additionally, the marked improvements in strength were achieved with minimal sacrifice of the tensibility. This work provided a continuation to previous efforts of the preparation and properties of ionic NC gels. POLYM. COMPOS. 36:538–544, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Maximum power point tracker based on maximum power point resistance modeling

This paper presents a new, simple, accurate, and inexpensive practical methodology and experimental solution for the modeling of conventional (domestic and commercial facilities) photovoltaic generators (PVG), so that they can work at their maximum power point (MPP). The PVG may be a panel, an array of panels, or a photovoltaic field. As a starting restriction (actual) it has to be assumed that it is not possible to isolate the PVG variables dependence (mainly current, voltage, and hence power) with solar radiation and temperature, because they are highly correlated. This methodology proposes the modeling facility on its MPP by its MPP resistance (R_MPP = V_MPP/I_MPP), being V_MPP and I_MPP the voltage and current of the PVG, respectively, at its MPP. The analysis shows, by simulation first and then experimentally, that R_MPP does not present significant temperature dependencies, at least in the usual range. This important result allows us to model the PVG only in terms of solar radiation. From a set of experimental data, different models to estimate R_MPP are proposed. The obtained results are very accurate. These models allow an immediate practical application that it is also developed in the paper: MPP tracker (MPPT) design by the calculation of the DC/DC converter duty cycle which places the PVG at its MPP directly and continuously. This new methodology and experimental system has been registered in the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office with the number P201530352. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A process for the complete fractionation of baker's yeast

A process for the preparation of yeast-derived food additives was developed. The four products obtained, yeast protein concentrate (YPC), cell-wall protein (CWP), semi-pure glucomannan (SPG) and yeast extract, compared well with similar products, present in the current market, with respect to functional properties. YPC and CWP exhibited improved water-holding and oil-binding properties over those of soy-protein isolate (SPI). The emulsifying capacity was very close to that observed in commercial samples. A one-step alkaline extraction enhanced the functional properties of primary yeast glycan to match traditional food hydrocolloid sources. SPG showed oil-binding properties significantly greater than commercial glucomannan.     

Dielectric relaxation studies on polymeric salts: Poly(methylmethacrylate-co-N,N-dimethylaminopropyl-acrylamide) benzoic acid systems

A series of polymeric salts of p-substituted benzoic acids in poly(methylmethacrylate-co-N,N-dimethylaminopropylacrylamide) were prepared and AC impedance studies of film-attached electrodes were carried out. The impedance curves and conductivity variation with temperature were analysed. The parameter which describes the shape of the circular arcs in the impedance curves was temperature independent, and the distribution of relaxation times remained constant during the test on the material. Furthermore, the ionic conductivity was highly dependent on the chemical structure produced by the substituted benzoic group.     

混和型屏蔽酚组成的气相色谱分析

讨论了用气相色谱法测定混合型屏蔽酚的组成,用理论预测的方法计算出屏蔽酚的校正因子进行归一化定量,方法精密度和准确度均取得令人满意的结果。     

一种高性能定量控制系统

本文设计了一种以MCS51单片机为核心的高性能定量控制系统,分别从硬件和软件两个方面介绍了该系统的结构与原理,并给出了程序的部分框图。用此系统对水流量实验装置进行控制取得了很好的效果。     

基于PI荧光图像计数的乳制品荧光性质分析

为分析添加PI染料时乳制品中不同的荧光成分如酪蛋白、黄油、维生素B1、维生素B2、维生素C等对荧光图像观察的影响,探究了不同乳制品及其成分在PI染色观察条件下的荧光性质,并以酿酒酵母为目标菌,研究了10种乳制品中酿酒酵母PI荧光图像计数结果。结果表明,酪蛋白、黄油、维生素B1、维生素B2、维生素C等成分及10种乳制品在发射光615 nm均可产生荧光,但不影响PI染色的酿酒酵母荧光计数的观察结果。使用荧光显微镜对添加105~107 CFU/mL酿酒酵母菌液的10种乳制品进行PI染色计数,并将荧光图像计数结果与平板计数结果进行比较。其中经荧光图像计数后得到的菌液浓度对数值分别在5.69~5.93、6.18~6.28、7.13~7.21之间,对应平板计数结果的对数值分别5.49~5.63、6.02~6.06、7.02~7.06之间,二者结果一致。使用 PI 进行荧光图像计数时,乳制品荧光虽然存在但不会对酿酒酵母荧光图像观察与计数造成影响。     

Biological Implications of a Stroke Therapy Based in Neuroglobin Hyaluronate Nanoparticles. Neuroprotective Role and Molecular Bases

Exogenous neuroprotective protein neuroglobin (Ngb) cannot cross the blood–brain barrier. To overcome this difficulty, we synthesized hyaluronate nanoparticles (NPs), able to deliver Ngb into the brain in an animal model of stroke (MCAO). These NPs effectively reached neurons, and were microscopically identified after 24 h of reperfusion. Compared to MCAO non-treated animals, those treated with Ngb-NPs showed survival rates up to 50% higher, and better neurological scores. Tissue damage improved with the treatment, but no changes in the infarct volume or in the oxidative/nitrosative values were detected. A proteomics approach (p-value < 0.02; fold change = 0.05) in the infarcted areas showed a total of 219 proteins that significantly changed their expression after stroke and treatment with Ngb-NPs. Of special interest, are proteins such as FBXO7 and NTRK2, which were downexpressed in stroke, but overexpressed after treatment with Ngb-NPs; and ATX2L, which was overexpressed only under the effect of Ngb. Interestingly, the proteins affected by the treatment with Ngb were involved in mitochondrial function and cell death, endocytosis, protein metabolism, cytoskeletal remodeling, or synaptic function, and in regenerative processes, such as dendritogenesis, neuritogenesis, or sinaptogenesis. Consequently, our pharmaceutical preparation may open new therapeutic scopes for stroke and possibly for other neurodegenerative pathologies.     

Covalently Immobilized Regenerable Immunoaffinity Layer with Orientation-Controlled Antibodies Based on Z-Domain Autodisplay

A regenerable immunoaffinity layer comprising covalently immobilized orientation-controlled antibodies was developed for use in a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor. For antibody orientation control, antibody-binding Z-domain-autodisplaying Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells and their outer membrane (OM) were utilized, and a disuccinimidyl crosslinker was employed for covalent antibody binding. To fabricate the regenerable immunoaffinity layer, capture antibodies were bound to autodisplayed Z-domains, and then treated with the crosslinker for chemical fixation to the Z-domains. Various crosslinkers, namely disuccinimidyl glutarate (DSG), disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS) and poly (ethylene glycol)-ylated bis (sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate (BS(PEG)₅), were evaluated, and DSS at a concentration of 500 μM was confirmed to be optimal. The E. coli-cell-based regenerable HRP immunoassay was evaluated employing three sequential HRP treatment and regeneration steps. Then, the Oms of E. coli cells were isolated and layered on a microplate and regenerable OM-based HRP immunoassaying was evaluated. Five HRP immunoassays with four regeneration steps were found to be feasible. This regenerable, covalently immobilized, orientation-controlled OM-based immunoaffinity layer was applied to an SPR biosensor, which was capable of quantifying C-reactive protein (CRP). Five regeneration cycles were repeated using the demonstrated immunoaffinity layer with a signal difference of <10%.     

Cysteine–Cysteine Motif Chemokine Receptor 5 Expression in Letrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mice

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which affects 5–10% of women of reproductive age, is associated with reproductive and metabolic disorders, such as chronic anovulation, infertility, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanism of PCOS is still unknown. Therefore, this study used a letrozole-exposed mouse model in which mice were orally fed letrozole for 20 weeks to investigate the effects of letrozole on the severity of reproductive and metabolic consequences and the expression of cysteine–cysteine motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) in letrozole-induced PCOS mice. The letrozole-treated mice showed a disrupted estrous cycle and were arrested in the diestrus phase. Letrozole treatment also increased plasma testosterone levels, decreased estradiol levels, and caused multicystic follicle formation. Furthermore, histological analysis of the perigonadal white adipose tissue (pgWAT) showed no significant difference in the size and number of adipocytes between the letrozole-treated mice and the control group. Further, the letrozole-treated mice demonstrated glucose intolerance and insulin resistance during oral glucose and insulin tolerance testing. Additionally, the expression of CCR5 and cysteine-cysteine motif ligand 5 (CCL5) were significantly higher in the pgWAT of the letrozole-treated mice compared with the control group. CCR5 and CCL5 were also significantly correlated with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Finally, the mechanisms of insulin resistance in PCOS may be caused by an increase in serine phosphorylation and a decrease in Akt phosphorylation.