Modeling of Intercritical Heat Treatment of DP and TRIP Steels

The final microstructure of DP and TRIP assisted steels can evolve after hot working (hot rolling) or during post heat treatment process. In the formation of the final structure a number of different technological parameters have important roles, e.g. end temperature of rolling, cooling rates, temperature of intercritical annealing, etc. As a result of the individual factors and their combinations a lot of product technology routes are feasible. The effect of the different combinations of these technological parameters on the microstructure can be mapped by the special Jominy end-quench test (so called intercritical Jominy end-quench test) described in this paper. Unlike the traditional Jominy test, in this case there is a partial anstenizing between A1 and A3 temperatures which results in a given amount of ferrite in the microstructure before quenching. The method developed can be applied for mapping DP and TRIP assisted steels' microstructure in a wide range of technological parameters. The analysis of measured and calculated data can help us find the technological parameters optimal from the microstructural point of view.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces rapid prourokinase (pro-uPA) activation on the surface of endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the pivotal angiogenic growth factor activating endothelial cells to migrate, proliferate, and form capillary tubes. For an ordered endothelial cell migration, tissue invasion, and degradation of the extracellular matrix, proteolytic machinery is indispensable. Such machinery, suitable for localized proteolysis, is provided by the prourokinase-urokinase-plasmin system. Prourokinase (pro-uPA), the initial component of this system, is, however, synthesized in its inactive precursor form and as such bound to its cellular receptor uPAR. Here we identify a mechanism via which VEGF(165) interacting with its receptor VEGFR-2 rapidly induces prourokinase activation that is dependent on a change in integrin affinity, activation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and pro-uPA being bound to its surface receptor uPAR. This VEGF-induced pro-uPA activation on endothelial cells is responsible for VEGF-dependent local fibrinolytic activity and might be one of the initial steps in the angiogenic process.     

A new method for mapping macromolecular topography

A new method, using circular variance, is introduced for mapping macromolecular topography. Circular variance, generally used to measures angular spread, can be used to characterize of molecular structures based on a simple idea. It will be shown that the circular variance of vectors drawn from some origin to a set of points is well correlated with the degree to which that origin is inside/outside the chosen points. In addition, it has continuous derivatives that are also easy to compute. This concept will be shown to be useful for: (i) distinguishing between atoms near the surface of a macromolecule and those in either the deep interior or remote exterior; (ii) identifying invaginations (even shallow ones); and (iii) detecting linker regions that interconnect two domains.     

Optical spectroscopy on monomeric and polymeric 1:1 fulleride salts

We compare infrared spectra of the C ₆₀ ^– monoanion in different solid-state structures with each other as well with that of the neutral molecule. We relate the shift and splitting of theT _c infrared modes to the strength and anisotropy of electron-phonon coupling in those environments.     

Relations between identity in young adulthood and intimacy at midlife.

A longitudinal study with 67 males and 75 females examined the relation between the development of ego identity by young adulthood and the establishment and maintenance of stable and enduring intimate interpersonal relationships by midlife. This relation was investigated further to discover how it might differ between men and women. As undergraduates, Ss completed measures of their demographic and psychometric characteristics, in addition to an identity scale, in 1963; in 1981, these Ss completed a follow-up questionnaire containing questions regarding their marital status (the measure of intimacy) and their personal, family, and professional life. The identity scale was initially cross-validated with other personality measures, such as the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF), before being related to subsequent intimacy patterns. The achievement of ego identity was found to be important for the establishment (for men) and stability (for women) of marital relationships. Additional sex differences in happiness and spheres of life satisfaction were also found. These differences suggest differing developmental courses for young men and women as they establish themselves in the adult world. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Speciation analysis of selenium metabolites in yeast-based food supplements by ICPMS-assisted hydrophilic interaction HPLC-hybrid linear ion trap/Orbitrap MS(n)

A new method was proposed for speciation analysis for selenium metabolites in Se-rich yeast. The coupling of a normal bore (4.6 mm) hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column with a hybrid linear ion trap/orbital ion trap mass spectrometer allowed the detection of the selenium-isotopic pattern in mass spectra down to the intrascan abundance of 0.001 with the low- and sub-part per million (ppm) mass accuracy regardless of the concentration. The quantitative elution recovery was verified by online ICPMS. The confirmation that all the species present were found was achieved by the parallel use of anion-exchange HPLC-ICPMS optimized for the maximum resolution. The species with intrascan abundance of at least 0.005 produced a cascade of product ion mass spectra to at least MS (4) with the preservation of the selenium isotopic pattern and the sub-ppm mass accuracy, which largely facilitated the structure elucidation. The approach was successfully applied to the characterization of nine (all which were present in the analyzed sample) selenium species in one chromatographic run.     

Impact of packaging properties on the physical-chemical-microbiological-sensory characteristics of Ricotta cheese during storage

Ricotta is a highly perishable cheese of which shelf-life is strongly influenced by the properties of packages in which it is stored. Four plastic packages currently in use in Italy (IT), Romania (RO), Slovenia (SLO), and Spain (SP) are characterized in term of structure, barrier, and antimicrobial properties, and their efficiency in the ricotta storage at 4°C is assessed. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicate that the IT and SP packages are made of low-density polyethylene and the RO and SLO packages consist of polyethylene and polyamide 6. Permeability to the water vapour and oxygen transmission rate vary as follows: IT>SLO > RO > SP and SP > IT>RO > SLO, respectively. The SP package expressed the highest antimicrobial inhibition whilst the IT package the lowest. The maximum amounts of volatile compounds in cheese were reached after 3 days in the IT and SP packages and after 6 days in the SLO and RO packages. The score 2.8 for cheese overall acceptability was exceeded after 7 days in the IT, RO, and SP packages and 6 days in the SLO package. Barrier properties of packages significantly influence the shelf-life of ricotta. Low barrier properties resulted in high level of oxygen and water vapours inside the headspace of packages ultimately favour the microbial development. The simultaneous compliance of microbiological safety level and overall acceptability score gives ricotta a shelf-life of 3 days in the IT, RO, and SP packages and 1 day in the SLO package.