Gold nanoparticles developed in sol–gel derived apatite—bioactive glass composites

The study is focussed on synthesis and characterisation of a new sol–gel derived composite system consisting of nanocrystalline apatite, bioactive glass and gold nanoparticles, which are of interest both for regenerative medicine and for specific medical applications of the releasable gold nanoparticles. Samples dried at 110°C and then heat treated for 30 min at 300 and 500°C were investigated by thermal analysis (DTA/TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–VIS–NIR, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron(XPS) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Gold nanoparticles and nanocrystalline apatite are developed already after heat treatment at 300°C. XPS analysis clearly revealed the presence of both metallic and ionic gold species. The development of gold nanoparticles was evidenced by UV–VIS–NIR and TEM analysis, and their size increased from few nanometers to 25 nm by increasing the treatment temperature from 300 to 500°C. The bioactivity of the samples immersed in simulated body fluid was demonstrated by XRD and SEM results.     

Superparamagnetic Unusual Behavior of Micrometric Magnetite Monodisperse Monocrystals Synthesized by Fe-EDTA Thermal Decomposition

We developed a new procedure for synthesizing micrometric magnetite by hydrothermal decomposition of the Fe-EDTA complex in the presence of urea, starting from Fe(III)-ferric ammonium sulfate and Na₄EDTA as main precursors. Microcrystals with superparamagnetic behavior with 25–45 μm in size were obtained (5 emu/g at 3.8 kOe magnetic field).     

Influence of Different Lasers Wavelengths on Nanoparticles Components of Human Fibroblasts

Although experimental studies in vitro and vivo have been numerous, the effects of laser irradiation on human fibroblast cells are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the influence on three different laser wavelengths on nanoparticles components of the human fibroblast cells from oral tumor. The cells were irradiated by 830, 920, and 2940 nm laser wavelength. The irradiated cells were incubated and their mitochondrial activity was assessed by the MTT assay at 24, 48, and 72 h. It can be concluded that the laser light with 830 nm wavelength stimulates mitochondrial activity compared to the other two wavelengths, which produce inhibition.     

Poisson parameters of antimicrobial activity: a quantitative structure-activity approach

A contingency of observed antimicrobial activities measured for several compounds vs. a series of bacteria was analyzed. A factor analysis revealed the existence of a certain probability distribution function of the antimicrobial activity. A quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis for the overall antimicrobial ability was conducted using the population statistics associated with identified probability distribution function. The antimicrobial activity proved to follow the Poisson distribution if just one factor varies (such as chemical compound or bacteria). The Poisson parameter estimating antimicrobial effect, giving both mean and variance of the antimicrobial activity, was used to develop structure-activity models describing the effect of compounds on bacteria and fungi species. Two approaches were employed to obtain the models, and for every approach, a model was selected, further investigated and found to be statistically significant. The best predictive model for antimicrobial effect on bacteria and fungi species was identified using graphical representation of observed vs. calculated values as well as several predictive power parameters.     

Secure neighbor discovery and wormhole localization in mobile ad hoc networks

Neighbor discovery is an important part of many protocols for wireless adhoc networks, including localization and routing. When neighbor discovery fails, communications and protocols performance deteriorate. In networks affected by relay attacks, also known as wormholes, the failure may be more subtle. The wormhole may selectively deny or degrade communications. In this article we present Mobile Secure Neighbor Discovery (MSND), which offers a measure of protection against wormholes by allowing participating mobile nodes to securely determine if they are neighbors, and a wormhole localization protocol, which allows nodes that detected the presence of a wormhole to determine wormhole’s location. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first to secure neighbor discovery in mobile adhoc networks and to localize a wormhole. MSND leverages concepts of graph rigidity for wormhole detection. We prove security properties of our protocols, and demonstrate their effectiveness through extensive simulations and a real system evaluation employing Epic motes and iRobot robots.     

Optimal design,dynamics and control of a reactive DWC for biodiesel production

Reactive separation technologies were proposed recently for fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) production, providing significant benefits such as minimal capital and operating cost savings. One approach is to use a reactive dividing-wall column (R-DWC) for the biodiesel production process. However, since the R-DWC is designed for a quaternary reactive system – two reactants (one in excess) and two products – more difficulties concerning the process control may be expected considering the high degree of integration of the process.     

l-Lactic acid biosensor based on multi-layered graphene

Pristine graphene platelets and graphene oxide were used as electrode modifiers, aiming the investigation of their electrochemical efficacy towards β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The electrochemical detection of NADH is one of the most studied areas of bioelectroanalysis because of the ubiquity of NAD(P)H-based enzymatic reactions in nature. Commercially available graphene and laboratory prepared graphene oxide were used to modify glassy carbon electrodes and the behaviour of such modified electrodes against potassium ferricyanide (III) and NADH was reported. Relying on the graphene-modified transducer, l-lactic dehydrogenase (l-LDH) was successfully immobilised in a 1 % Nafion^® membrane. The developed biosensor, working at +250 mV versus Ag/AgCl reference electrode, was used to assess l-lactic acid in four different types of yogurts, revealing an l-lactic acid concentration ranging between 0.3 and 0.6 %.     

Modeling Growth Rate and Assessing Aflatoxins Production by Aspergillus flavus as a Function of Water Activity and Temperature on Polished and Brown Rice

Abstract: The aim of this study was to model the radial growth rate and to assess aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus as a function of water activity (a_w 0.82 to 0.92) and temperature (12 to 42 °C) on polished and brown rice. The growth of the fungi, expressed as colony diameter (mm) was measured daily, and the aflatoxins were analyzed using HPLC with a fluorescence detector. The growth rates were estimated using the primary model of Baranyi, which describes the change in colony radius as a function of time. Total of 2 secondary models were used to describe the combined effects of a_w and temperature on the growth rates. The models were validated using independent experimental data. Linear Arrhenius–Davey model proved to be the best predictor of A. flavus growth rates on polished and brown rice followed by polynomial model. The estimated optimal growth temperature was around 30 °C. A. flavus growth and aflatoxins were not detected at 0.82 a_w on polished rice while growth and aflatoxins were detected at this a_w between 25 and 35 °C on brown rice. The highest amounts of toxins were formed at the highest a_w values (0.90 to 0.92) at a temperature of 20 °C after 21 d of incubation on both types of rice. Nevertheless, the consistencies of toxin production within a wider range of a_w values occurred between 25 to 30 °C. Brown rice seems to support A. flavus growth and aflatoxin production more than the polished rice. Practical Application: The developed models can be used to estimate to what extent the change in grain ecosystem conditions affect the storage stability and safety of grains without the need for running long‐standing storage study. By monitoring the intergranular relative humidity and temperature at different locations in the storage facility and inputting these data into the models, it is directly possible to assess either the conditions are conductive for the growth of A. flavus or aflatoxin production.     

Physico-Chemical Characterization of Oils Extracted from Noni,Spinach, Lady’s Finger,Bitter Gourd and Mustard Seeds,and Copra

The physico-chemical properties of solvent-extracted oil from the seeds of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), lady’s finger (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.), mustard (Brassica nigra (L.) Koch), and the dried kernel (copra) of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) were characterized. Among these sources, spinach seed had the lowest oil content (4.5 ± 0.4%) while coconut kernel had the highest oil content (63.1 ± 2.8%). Palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids were the major fatty acids for spinach, lady’s finger and noni seed oils, while erucic, eleostearic, and lauric acids were the major fatty acids for mustard seed oil, bitter gourd seed oil, and coconut kernel oil, respectively. All of the oils possessed at least three major peaks in their triacylglycerol profiles except for bitter gourd seed oil which had only one major peak (1-stearoyl, 2,3-dieleostearoyl). The last endothermic peaks were –12.4, –6.0, 6.8, 57.7, 2.7, and 24.3ºC for noni, spinach, lady’s finger, bitter gourd and mustard seed oils, and coconut oil, respectively. Initially, the solid fat content of bitter gourd seed oil decreased gradually, but became rapidly after 50 until 60ºC. Coconut oil had its solid fat content reduced rapidly around 14 to 28ºC.     

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Selected Spice Extracts

Tinctures of eleven plants used as spices (basil, celery, dill, horsetail, lovage, marjoram, milfoil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme) were tested for their antiradical properties by means of the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay over a two year period. Seven of these plants (basil, lovage, marjoram, milfoil, oregano, rosemary and thyme) were selected to obtain a mixture, which was tested in situ as antioxidant on vegetable and animal fats by an accelerated oxidation test at 110°C. The herbal extract also showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Streptococcus pyogenes (ATCC 49399), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Candida albicans (ATCC 24433).