Small-Molecule Inhibitors of METTL3, the Major Human Epitranscriptomic Writer

The RNA methylase METTL3 catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from the cofactor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to the N⁶ atom of adenine. We have screened a library of 4000 analogues and derivatives of the adenosine moiety of SAM by high-throughput docking into METTL3. Two series of adenine derivatives were identified in silico, and the binding mode of six of the predicted inhibitors was validated by protein crystallography. Two compounds, one for each series, show good ligand efficiency. We propose a route for their further development into potent and selective inhibitors of METTL3.     

The effect of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, Lactobacillus paracasei LPC-37, and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM) on the availability of minerals from Dutch-type cheese

The use of probiotic cultures in the production of Dutch-type cheeses did not lead to significant changes in their chemical composition but it lowered their acidity. The availability of calcium and magnesium analyzed by in vitro enzymatic hydrolysis was 19 and 35%, respectively; the availability of phosphorus was significantly higher, at >90%. The use of probiotic cultures significantly increased the availability of calcium (~2.5%), phosphorus (~6%), and magnesium (~18%). The in vitro method supports accurate determination of the effect of the Lactobacillus spp. cultures on the availability of mineral compounds ingested with Dutch-type cheese.     

Determination of Iron Species in Samples of Iron-Fortified Food

The paper presents the determination of iron forms in food products. The procedure of sample extraction was developed and optimized, preserving the content of particular forms of iron. The colorimetric method using 2,2′-bipirydyl (measurements at 520 nm) was applied in Fe(II) determinations, while in Fe(III) determinations, the colorimetric method with potassium thiocyanate (measurements at 470 nm) was applied. The total content of iron was determined by the technique of atomic absorption spectrometry, which allowed for the determination of iron content in organic and inorganic complex compounds. Detection limits of 1 mg kg^?1 were obtained for all determined iron forms, with the precision ranging between 0.7 % and 1.5 % for 10 mg kg^?1 concentration. The optimized analytical procedure was applied in the determinations of iron forms in iron-fortified food products.     

Transport, chemical and electrochemical processes in a planar solid oxide fuel cell: Detailed three-dimensional modeling

A detailed numerical three-dimensional (3D) model for a planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is developed in this paper. The 3D model takes into account detailed processes including transport, chemical and electrochemical processes taking place in the cell. Moreover, effects of the composite electrodes are taken into account by considering an electrochemically active layer of finite thickness in each of the electrodes. The developed model is applied to a repeating unit of an anode-supported SOFC working under direct internal reforming conditions. Detailed results for chemical species, temperature, current density and electric potential distribution are presented and discussed. It was found that the temperature distribution across the cell is more uniform in the interconnects than in the inner part of the cell. However, only small differences in the electric potential between the electrode and the corresponding interconnect are found. The current density in the electrodes is found to be high near the electrolyte and low deep into the electrochemically active layer. The current density is also low under the ribs of the interconnects.     

Sandwich structures with textile-reinforced composite foldcores under impact loads

The mechanical behaviour of composite sandwich structures with textile-reinforced composite foldcores, which are produced by folding prepreg sheets to three-dimensional zigzag structures, is evaluated under compression, shear and impact loads. While foldcores made of woven aramid fibres are characterised by a rather ductile behaviour, carbon foldcores with their brittle nature absorb energy by crushing, showing extremely high weight-specific stiffness and strength properties. The impact damage under low and high velocity impact loads tends to be very localised. In addition to regular single-core sandwich structures, a dual-core configuration with two foldcores is also investigated, showing the potential of a two-phase energy absorption behaviour. In addition to experimental testing, finite element models for impact simulations with LS-DYNA have been developed. Despite the high degree of complexity of the models due to the various skin and core failure modes that have to be covered, the results correlate well with test data, allowing for efficient parameter studies or detailed evaluations of damage patterns and energy absorption mechanisms.     

Effect of thermal and mechanical factors on rheological properties of high performance inulin gels and spreads

The aim of this study was analysis of a number of factors affecting the rheological properties of high performance inulin gels and spreads in comparison with commercial products. Inulin gels (20%, 25%, 30%), commercial and inulin model spread (20% canola oil, 20% inulin, 3% emulsifier) were analysed. Inulin particles in water environment absorbed water which caused an increase in viscosity of the inulin suspensions. Different temperatures of preparation, cooling rates and viscosity increase which appeared during the stirring of inulin suspensions did not significantly change the rheological parameters of the final gels in contrast to heating rates (p ? 0.05). In spite of rigid laboratory conditions high standard deviation for hardness and apparent viscosity showed how difficult the process of an inulin crystallization is to control. Rheological properties of inulin model spread exhibited thixotropic and shear thinning behaviour which made it similar to commercial spread. The applied structure destruction step in the manufacturing process should be applied to make inulin model spread comparable to commercial spreads.     

Experimentelle Simulation der Oberflächenrissbildung beim Stranggießprozess mit Hilfe des IMC-B Versuchs

Continuous casting of steel free of surface cracks is still one of the major quality challenges in the whole steel production. The key roles for the phenomenon of surface cracking are played by the critical strain and the temperature-dependent material’s phenomena. The new In-Situ Characterization Bending (IMC-B) method will enable the investigation of the critical strains with respect to the cracking under the main continuous casting boundaries. This publication presents potential and interesting results of the IMC-B experiment.     

Simulations for the Development of Thermoelectric Measurements

In thermoelectricity, continuum theoretical equations are usually used for the calculation of the characteristics and performance of thermoelectric elements, modules or devices as a function of external parameters (material, geometry, temperatures, current, flow, load, etc.). An increasing number of commercial software packages aimed at applications, such as COMSOL and ANSYS, contain vkernels using direct thermoelectric coupling. Application of these numerical tools also allows analysis of physical measurement conditions and can lead to specifically adapted methods for developing special test equipment required for the determination of TE material and module properties. System-theoretical and simulation-based considerations of favorable geometries are taken into account to create draft sketches in the development of such measurement systems. Particular consideration is given to the development of transient measurement methods, which have great advantages compared with the conventional static methods in terms of the measurement duration required. In this paper the benefits of using numerical tools in designing measurement facilities are shown using two examples. The first is the determination of geometric correction factors in four-point probe measurement of electrical conductivity, whereas the second example is focused on the so-called combined thermoelectric measurement (CTEM) system, where all thermoelectric material properties (Seebeck coefficient, electrical and thermal conductivity, and Harman measurement of zT) are measured in a combined way. Here, we want to highlight especially the measurement of thermal conductivity in a transient mode. Factors influencing the measurement results such as coupling to the environment due to radiation, heat losses via the mounting of the probe head, as well as contact resistance between the sample and sample holder are illustrated, analyzed, and discussed. By employing the results of the simulations, we have developed an improved sample head that allows for measurements over a larger temperature interval with enhanced accuracy.