Empowering the configuration-IP: new PTAS results for scheduling with setup times

Mathematical Programming - Integer linear programs of configurations, or configuration IPs, are a classical tool in the design of algorithms for scheduling and packing problems where a set of items...     

Forming the GaN Nanocrystals on the Graphene-Like g-AlN and g-Si3N3 Surface

Physics of the Solid State - The formation of GaN nanocrystals on the graphene-like AlN (g-AlN) modification and graphene-like (g-Si3N3) silicon nitride by ammonia molecular beam epitaxy has been...     

Phenolic Profile,Antioxidant Capacity and Antimicrobial Activity of Nettle Leaves Extracts Obtained by Advanced Extraction Techniques

Nettle is a widely known plant whose high biological activity and beneficial medicinal effects are attributed to various bioactive compounds, among which polyphenols play an important role. In order to isolate polyphenols and preserve their properties, advanced extraction techniques have been applied to overcome the drawbacks of conventional ones. Therefore, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) has been optimized for the isolation of nettle leaves polyphenols and it was compared to pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and conventional heat-reflux extraction (CE). The obtained extracts were analyzed for their individual phenolic profile by UPLC MS² and for their antioxidant capacity by ORAC assay. MAE proved to be the more specific technique for the isolation of individual phenolic compounds, while PLE produced extracts with higher amount of total phenols and higher antioxidant capacity. Both techniques were more effective compared to CE. PLE nettle extract showed antimicrobial activity against bacteria, especially against Gram-negative Pseudomonas fragi ATCC 4973 and Campylobacter jejuni NCTC 11168 strains. This suggests that PLE is suitable for obtaining a nettle extract with antioxidant and antimicrobial potential, which as such has great potential for use as a value-added ingredient in the food and pharmaceutical industry.     

Analysis of polyvinyl alcohol microbubbles in human blood plasma using capillary electrophoresis

Recently, a new type of ultrasound contrast agent that consists of air‐filled microbubbles stabilized with a shell of polyvinyl alcohol was developed. When superparamagnetic nanoparticles of iron oxide are incorporated in the polymer shell, a multimodal contrast agent can be obtained. The biodistribution and elimination pathways of the polyvinyl alcohol microbubbles are essential to investigate, which is limited with today's techniques. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to develop a method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of microbubbles in biological samples using capillary electrophoresis with ultraviolet detection. The analysis parameters were optimized to a wavelength at 260 nm and pH of the background electrolyte ranging between 11.9 and 12. Studies with high‐intensity ultrasonication degraded microbubbles in water showed that degraded products and intact microbubbles could be distinguished, thus it was possible to quantify the intact microbubbles solely. Analysis of human blood plasma spiked with either plain microbubbles or microbubbles with nanoparticles demonstrated that it is possible to separate them from biological components like proteins in these kinds of samples.     

New nonlinear estimates for surfaces in terms of their fundamental forms

We establish several estimates of the distance between two surfaces immersed in the three-dimensional Euclidean space in terms of the distance between their fundamental forms, measured in various Sobolev norms. These estimates, which can be seen as nonlinear versions of linear Korn inequalities on a surface appearing in the theory of linearly elastic shells, generalize in particular the nonlinear Korn inequality established in 2005 by P. G. Ciarlet, L. Gratie, and C. Mardare.     

On the anomalous temperature dependence of cellulose aqueous solubility

The solubility of cellulose in water-based media is promoted by low temperature, which may appear counter-intuitive. An explanation to this phenomenon has been proposed that is based on a temperature-dependent orientation of the hydroxymethyl group. In this paper, this hypothesis is investigated using molecular dynamics computer simulations and NMR spectroscopy, and is discussed in conjunction with alternative explanations based on solvent–solute and solvent–solvent hydrogen bond formation respectively. It is shown that neither simulations nor experiments lend support to the proposed mechanism based on the hydroxymethyl orientation, whereas the two alternative explanations give rise to two distinct contributions to the hydration free energy of cellooligomers.     

Synthesis of cysteine-functionalized water-soluble luminescent copper nanoclusters and their application to the determination of chromium(VI)

A facile, one-pot green method is presented for the preparation of water-soluble luminescent copper nanoclusters (Cu-NCs) from copper dichloride and cysteine as the precursor and stabilizer, respectively. The Cu-NCs are characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fluorescence, UV–Vis, and Raman spectroscopy. The Cu-NCs have an average size of 3.5 nm and are stable in aqueous solution at least for 2 weeks. Under photo excitation with 365 nm light, the Cu-NCs display strong green fluorescence with the maximum of emission at 490 nm and a quantum yield of 5.6 %. Fluorescence is quenched by Cr(VI) ion, and this effect was exploited to develop a highly selective method for the determination of Cr(VI). The detection limit of this probe is as low as 43 nM.

Open image in new window

Graphical Abstract A facile, one-pot, “green” synthetic route was developed for preparing water-soluble luminescent copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) by using copper chloride and cysteine as the precursor and stabilizer, respectively. Their fluorescence is quenched by Cr(VI) ion, and this is exploited in a sensitive assay for Cr(VI) ions.