Non-parametric identification of the non-homogeneous stress in high strain-rate uni-axial experiments

Stress and strain homogeneity, in tested samples, is a crucial assumption during a dynamic test. Whenever this assumption is true, the conventional recovery of the mean strain and stress is valid. However, when the stress and strain fields in the sample are not homogeneous, more sophisticated treatment must be considered. Inverse problem techniques are then proposed. Nevertheless, they may yield a non-physical result. In this paper, a non-parametric solution to the problem of non-homogeneity in dynamic tests is presented. The stress field is deduced from the displacement field measured via a Digital Speckle Photography (DSP) technique and a force boundary condition.     

Ternary complexes in agarose gels prepared from binary solvents

The thermoreversible gelation of agarose has been investigated in four different aqueous binary solvents: Water/dimethyl sulfoxide, water/N,N-dimethylformamide, water/N-methylformamide, and water/formamide. The phase diagrams have been subsequently established as a function of agarose concentration and solvent composition. These diagrams suggest the formation of ternary complexes agarose/water/cosolvent.     

Preface: Regression methods based on OR techniques and computational aspects in management,economics and finance

Annals of Operations Research -     

The Nutritional and Antioxidant Potential of Artisanal and Industrial Apple Vinegars and Their Ability to Inhibit Key Enzymes Related to Type 2 Diabetes In Vitro

The main objective of the current study was to determine the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, and α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition of apple vinegar produced by artisanal and industrial methods. Apple vinegar samples were analyzed to identify their electrical conductivity, pH, titratable acidity, total dry matter, Brix, density, mineral elements, polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. The antioxidant activity of apple vinegar samples was evaluated using two tests, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Finally, we determined α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of artisanal and industrial apple vinegar. The results showed the following values: pH (3.69–3.19); electrical conductivity (2.81–2.79 mS/cm); titratable acidity (3.6–5.4); ash (4.61–2.90); °Brix (6.37–5.2); density (1.02476–1.02012), respectively, for artisanal apple vinegar and industrial apple vinegar. Concerning mineral elements, potassium was the most predominant element followed by sodium, magnesium, and calcium. Concerning bioactive compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C), the apple vinegar produced by the artisanal method was the richest sample in terms of bioactive compounds and had the highest α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition. The findings of this study showed that the quality and biological activities of artisanal apple vinegar were more important than industrial apple vinegar.     

发光玻璃在X射线实时成像系统中的应用

介绍了以铽（Ｔｂ）激活的高密度发光玻璃和光导纤维发光玻璃的特性。它应用在Ｘ射线实时成像系统中,可大大改善空间分辨能力。用它做的转换屏比一般晶粒状荧光物质做的厚得多,特别适合用于高能Ｘ射线实时成像系统     

Organocatalytic asymmetric syntheses of functionalized tetrahydropyridazines

Four tetrahydropyridazines, respectively, substituted at the C-3 position with hydroxymethyl, a silyloxymethyl, a carboxylic acid, and a methyl ester have been prepared in good yields and high enantiomeric purities using organocatalytic α-amination of aldehydes as the key step. These compounds have then been tested as organocatalysts for the same reaction.     

Soft Polymer Janus Nanoparticles at Liquid–Liquid Interfaces

Soft polymeric Janus nanoparticles (JNPs), made from polystyrene-b-poly(butadiene)-b-poly(methylmethacrylate), PS-PB-PMMA, triblock terpolymers, assemble into a monolayer at the water–oil interface to reduce interfacial tension. The extent to which the polymer chains can deform influences the packing density of the JNPs at the interface. The longer the polymer chains are relative to the core, the softer are the JNPs, resulting in a JNPs assembly with a lower initial lateral packing density. The interfacial activity of JNPs can be further tuned by complexation of the PMMA chains with lithium ions that are introduced into the water phase. This work provides a fundamental understanding of soft JNPs packing at the water–oil interface and provides a strategy to tailor the areal density of soft JNPs at liquid–liquid interface, enabling the design of smart responsive structured-liquid systems.     

Molecular dynamics and continuum electrostatics studies of inactivation in the HERG potassium channel

Fast inactivation of the HERG potassium channel plays a critical role in normal cardiac function. Malfunction of these channels due to either genetic mutations or blockade by drugs leads to cardiac arrhythmias. An unusually long S5-P linker in the outer mouth of HERG is implicated in the fast inactivation mechanism. To examine the role of the S5-P linker in this inactivation mechanism, we study the permeation properties of the open and inactive states of a recent homology model of HERG. This model was constructed using the KcsA potassium channel as a template and contains specific conformations of the S5-P linker in the open and inactive states. We perform molecular dynamics simulations on the HERG model, followed by free energy, structural, and continuum electrostatics calculations. Our free energy calculations lead to selectivity results of the model channel (K+ over Na+) that are different in some respects from those of other potassium channels but consistent with experimental observations. Our structural results show that, in the inactive state, the S5-P linkers move closer to the channel axis, possibly causing a steric hindrance to permeating K+ ions. Our electrostatics calculations reveal, in the inactive state, an electrostatic potential energy barrier of approximately 14 kT at the extracellular pore entrance, again sufficient to stop K+ ion permeation through the pore. These results suggest that a steric and/or electrostatic plug mechanism contributes to inactivation in the HERG homology model.