Effects of cold plasma on the color parameters of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) using color imaging instrumentation and spectrophotometer

This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of cold atmospheric plasma treatment on the color of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) and also to compare the usage of the spectrophotometer vs the color imaging instrumentation for the evaluation of the treatment on the color parameters. The experiments were investigated at different treatment times of 1, 5, and 10 minutes and the voltage values of 17, 20, and 23 kV. Possible changes of color were evaluated by using CIE L*a*b* values obtained with HunterLab colorimeter and CIE L*a*b* values obtained with a digital still camera (DSC) using digital image processing (MATLAB software). The values of L*, a*, and b* of the samples were obtained using both the methods. The results revealed that the L*, a*, and b* values of the treated Hyssop samples changed with increasing the treatment time and the voltage applied. Evaluating the interaction effects revealed that there was a significant difference in the (−a^*/b^* ) ratio. In addition, the results showed that the effects of all variables on the color parameters were significantly different in the case of the DSC using digital image processing. However, these effects were not significantly different using HunterLab colorimeter except for time variable and interaction effects of a* and (−a^*/b^* ) ratio. The lightest green color and the maximum chlorophyll content loss were observed for 23 kV applied over 10 minutes. Based on the results, the digital image processing can be used as a practical tool to study the variations at the color of dried Hyssop leaves after cold plasma treatment.     

Peanut FAD2 Genotype and Growing Location Interactions Significantly Affect the Level of Oleic Acid in Seeds

The level of oleic acid is an important parameter in determining seed nutritional quality and oil stability. The level of oleic acid in peanut is genetically controlled by a pair of fatty acid desaturase genes (FAD2A and FAD2B), but the environmental conditions of the production sites can also have a significant effect. To investigate the effect of gene and environment interaction, 45 accessions were grown at three locations for 2 years. Environmental data were collected; individual plants were genotyped with functional SNP markers from FAD2A and FAD2B; and seed level of oleic acid was determined by gas chromatography. Three FAD2A/FAD2B genotypes (448G/no insertion 442A, 448A/no insertion 442A, and 448A/insertion 442A) were identified and designated as G/W, A/W, and A/A, respectively. A/A genotype averaged the highest level of oleic acid (80.0%), followed by A/W (56.0%), and then G/W (40.7%). Analysis of gene and environment interaction revealed that oleic acid phenotype plasticity could be explained by the interaction of FAD2 genotype and photothermal time, which quantified environmental conditions. The A/W genotype was the most sensitive to photothermal time changes. The oleic acid plasticity revealed in this study would be useful for breeders, farmers, and product processors.     

Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate Induced Toxicity Study and the Role of Tangeretin in Abrogating HIF-1α-NF-κB Crosstalk In Vitro and In Vivo

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) is a potent tumor promoter and highly inflammatory in nature. Here, we investigated the toxic effects of PMA on different model system. PMA (10 μg) caused chromosomal aberrations on the Allium cepa root tip and induced mitotic dysfunction. Similarly, PMA caused embryonic and larval deformities and a plummeted survivability rate on zebrafish embryo in a dose-dependent manner. Persistently, PMA treatment on immortalized human keratinocyte human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells caused massive inflammatory rush at 4 h and a drop in cell survivability at 24 h. Concomitantly, we replicated a cutaneous inflammation similar to human psoriasis induced by PMA. Herein, we used tangeretin (TAN), as an antagonist to counteract the inflammatory response. Results from an in vivo experiment indicated that TAN (10 and 30 mg/kg) significantly inhibited PMA stimulated epidermal hyperplasia and intra-epidermal neutrophilic abscesses. In addition, its treatment effectively neutralized PMA induced elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation on in vitro and in vivo systems, promoting antioxidant response. The association of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α)-nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated b cells (NF-κB) crosstalk triggered by PMA enhanced PKCα-ERK1/2-NF-κB pathway; its activation was also significantly counteracted after TAN treatment. Conclusively, we demonstrated TAN inhibited the nuclear translocation of HIF-1α and NF-κB p65. Collectively, TAN treatment ameliorated PMA incited malignant inflammatory response by remodeling the cutaneous microenvironment.     

Evaluation of anticorrosion and contact resistance behavior of poly(orthophenylenediamine)- coated 316L SS bipolar plate for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

The present work was focused on the corrosion properties and contact resistance behavior of poly(orthophenlyenediamine) (PoPD) coating on 316L SS bipolar plates. To reduce the corrosion rate and increase the interfacial conductivity of 316L SS bipolar plates, PoPD coating was deposited using an electropolymerization technique by the various monomer concentration of orthophenlyenediamine (oPD) on its surface. The presence of 1, 2, 4, 5- tetra substituted benzene nuclei of phenazine units in the polymer coating was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis has confirmed the (%) of chemical composition in PoPD coating. The results of scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the uniform and compact coating with complete cover on 316L SS. The corrosion properties were investigated in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 2 ppm HF solution at 80 °C. The polarization test results showed that the PoPD coating reduced the corrosion current density both in the PEMFC anode and cathode environments. The charge transfer resistance values were in the order of 316L SS ? 0.02 M PoPD ? 0.06 M PoPD ? 0.04 M PoPD. A very low interfacial contact resistance and good adhesion strength was observed for 0.04 M PoPD coating. The higher contact angle of 0.04 M PoPD coating explained the hydrophobic property and more benefit of water management in the PEMFC environment. The results of the analysis of total metal ion releases clearly explained that the low level of metal ions released for 0.04 M PoPD coating. The overall studies revealed the PoPD coating with optimized 0.04 M oPD concentration showed best performance and provided more anodic protection to 316L SS bipolar plates.     

Dyeing of Wool and Cotton with Extract of the Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) Leaves

The aim of the study is to investigate the optimum dyeing conditions for wool and cotton fabrics with the nettle (Urtica dioica L.) extract. For this purpose, the leaves of the nettle were extracted with distilled water by using Soxhlet apparatus. Wool and cotton fabrics were pretreated with artificial animal urine system (AAUS) including NH₃ (3%, v/v), CaC₂O₄ (3%, m/v), and urea (3%, m/v) before dyeing processes in order to improve the fastness properties of the dyed samples. The best dyeing conditions were evaluated in terms of color strength. The results reveal that the nettle leaves shall probably be an important raw material especially for dyeing of wool fibers.     

基于PID算法在喷绘机小车控制系统的应用

选取STM32系列的STM32F103RBT6作为主控系统,以L6203作为直流电机的驱动;根据小车的位置通过PID算法调节小车的速度,对主控中高级定时器进行设计,通过UART显示数据;观测小车运行过程中能否消除惯性带来的影响并立刻转向,及PID算法是否可以应用在喷绘机小车的控制系统中。经过理论分析和软硬件结合测试表明,该设计不但解决了直流电机中由于惯性大难以刹车的问题,并验证了PID算法在喷绘机控制系统中的可行性和实用性。     

Peptidyl Vinyl Ketone Irreversible Inhibitors of Rhodesain: Modifications of the P2 Fragment

In this paper, we report the design, synthesis and biological investigation of a series of peptidyl vinyl ketones obtained by modifying the P2 fragment of previously reported highly potent inhibitors of rhodesain, the main cysteine protease of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Investigation of the structure–activity relationship led us to identify new rhodesain inhibitors endowed with an improved selectivity profile (a selectivity index of up to 22 000 towards the target enzyme), and/or an improved antitrypanosomal activity in the sub-micromolar range.     

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Magnetic Circular Dichroism Spectra of the Nitrogenase M Cluster Precursor Suggest Sulfur Migration upon Oxidation: A Proposal for Substrate and Inhibitor Binding

The active site of the nitrogen-fixing enzyme Mo-nitrogenase is the M cluster ([MoFe₇S₉C ⋅ R-homocitrate]), also known as the FeMo cofactor or FeMoco. The biosynthesis of this highly complex metallocluster involves a series of proteins. Among them, NifB, a radical-SAM enzyme, is instrumental in the assembly of the L cluster ([Fe₈S₉C]), a precursor and all-iron core of the M cluster. In the absence of sulfite, NifB assembles a precursor form of the L cluster called the L* cluster ([Fe₈S₈C]), which lacks the final ninth sulfur. EPR and MCD spectroscopies are used to probe the electronic structures of the paramagnetic, oxidized forms of both the L and L* clusters, labeled L^Ox and [ L* ] ^Ox . This study shows that both L^Ox and [ L* ] ^Ox have nearly identical EPR and MCD spectra, thus suggesting that the two clusters have identical structures upon oxidation; in other words, a sulfur migrates away from L^Ox following oxidation, thereby rendering the cluster identical to [ L* ] ^Ox . It is proposed that a similar migration could occur to the M cluster upon oxidation, and that this is an instrumental part of both M cluster formation and nitrogenase substrate/inhibitor binding.