Two-dimensional temperature distribution in FGM sectors with the power-law variation in radial and circumferential directions

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - This study aimed at presenting a steady-state analytical solution for the two-dimensional heat conduction in a cylindrical segment made of functionally...     

Optimization and Anti-Cancer Properties of Fluoromethylketones as Covalent Inhibitors for Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L1

The deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) UCHL1 is implicated in various disease states including neurodegenerative disease and cancer. However, there is a lack of quality probe molecules to gain a better understanding on UCHL1 biology. To this end a study was carried out to fully characterize and optimize the irreversible covalent UCHL1 inhibitor VAEFMK. Structure-activity relationship studies identified modifications to improve activity versus the target and a full cellular characterization was carried out for the first time with this scaffold. The studies produced a new inhibitor, 34, with an IC₅₀ value of 7.7 µM against UCHL1 and no observable activity versus the closest related DUB UCHL3. The molecule was also capable of selectively inhibiting UCHL1 in cells and did not demonstrate any discernible off-target toxicity. Finally, the molecule was used for initial probe studies to assess the role of UCHL1 role in proliferation of myeloma cells and migration behavior in small cell lung cancer cells making 34 a new tool to be used in the biological evaluation of UCHL1.     

Eugenol-Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles Modulate Virulence and Persistence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Strains

Efficient antibiotics to cure Pseudomonas aeruginosa persistent infections are currently insufficient and alternative options are needed. A promising lead is to design therapeutics able to modulate key phenotypes in microbial virulence and thus control the progression of the infectious process without selecting resistant mutants. In this study, we developed a nanostructured system based on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) and eugenol, a natural plant-compound which has been previously shown to interfere with microbial virulence when utilized in subinhibitory concentrations. The obtained functional NPs are crystalline, with a spherical shape and 10–15 nm in size. The subinhibitory concentrations (MIC 1/2) of the eugenol embedded magnetite NPs (Fe₃O₄@EUG) modulate key virulence phenotypes, such as attachment, biofilm formation, persister selection by ciprofloxacin, and the production of soluble enzymes. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the ability of functional magnetite NPs to modulate P. aeruginosa virulence and phenotypic resistance; our data highlights the potential of these bioactive nanostructures to be used as anti-pathogenic agents.     

Preparation of amidoxime-modified polyacrylonitrile (PAN-oxime) nanofibers and their applications to metal ions adsorption

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers were applied to metal adsorption. PAN nanofibers (prepared by an electrospinning technique) were chemically modified with amidoxime groups, which are suitable for metal adsorption due to their high adsorption affinity for metal ions. The adsorption of the amidoxime-modified PAN (PAN-oxime) (25% conversion) nanofibers followed Langmuir isotherm. The saturation adsorption capacities for Cu(II) and Pb(II) of 52.70 and 263.45 mg/g (0.83 and 1.27 mmol/g), respectively, indicating that the monolayer adsorption occurred on the nanofiber mats. In addition, over 90% of metals were recovered from the metal-loaded PAN-oxime nanofibers in a 1 mol/L HNO₃ solution after 1 h.     

Effects on RCS of a perfect electromagnetic conductor sphere in the presence of anisotropic plasma layer

Effects on RCS of perfect electromagnetic conductor (PEMC) sphere by coating with anisotropic plasma layer are studied in this paper. The incident, scattered and transmitted electromagnetic fields are expanded in term of spherical vector wave functions using extended classical theory of scattering. Co and cross-polarized scattered field coefficients are obtained at the interface of free space-anisotropic plasma and at anisotropic plasma-PEMC sphere core by scattering matrices method. The presented analytical expressions are general for any perfect conducting sphere (PMC, PEC, or PEMC) with general anisotropic/isotropic material coatings that include plasma and metamaterials. The behavior of the forward and backscattered radar cross section of PEMC sphere with the variation of the magnetic field strength, incident frequency, plasma density, and effective collision frequency for the co-polarized and the cross polarized fields are investigated. It is also observed from the obtained results that anisotropic layer on PEMC sphere shows reciprocal behavior as compared to isotopic plasma layer on PEMC sphere. The comparisons of the numerical results of the presented analytical expressions with available results of some special cases show the correctness of the analysis.     

Weak Polyelectrolytes as Nanoarchitectonic Design Tools for Functional Materials: A Review of Recent Achievements

The ionization degree, charge density, and conformation of weak polyelectrolytes can be adjusted through adjusting the pH and ionic strength stimuli. Such polymers thus offer a range of reversible interactions, including electrostatic complexation, H-bonding, and hydrophobic interactions, which position weak polyelectrolytes as key nano-units for the design of dynamic systems with precise structures, compositions, and responses to stimuli. The purpose of this review article is to discuss recent examples of nanoarchitectonic systems and applications that use weak polyelectrolytes as smart components. Surface platforms (electrodeposited films, brushes), multilayers (coatings and capsules), processed polyelectrolyte complexes (gels and membranes), and pharmaceutical vectors from both synthetic or natural-type weak polyelectrolytes are discussed. Finally, the increasing significance of block copolymers with weak polyion blocks is discussed with respect to the design of nanovectors by micellization and film/membrane nanopatterning via phase separation.     

Directed segregation in compartmentalized bi-disperse granular gas

A bi-disperse granular gas in an asymmetrical two-compartment system is studied experimentally. The presence of asymmetry within the range of our experimental parameters results in a directed segregated state and a directed clustering state. This deterministic system does not depend on the initial conditions. A modified flux model based on Lohse's flux model for bi-disperse granular gases is derived. The modified flux model explains qualitatively the experimental results.     

Telluride-Based Materials: A Promising Route for High Performance Supercapacitors

As supercapacitor (SC) technology continues to evolve, there is a growing need for electrode materials with high energy/power densities and cycling stability. However, research and development of electrode materials with such characteristics is essential for commercialization the SC. To meet this demand, the development of superior electrode materials has become an increasingly critical step. The electrochemical performance of SCs is greatly influenced by various factors such as the reaction mechanism, crystal structure, and kinetics of electron/ion transfer in the electrodes, which have been challenging to address using previously investigated electrode materials like carbon and metal oxides/sulfides. Recently, tellurium and telluride-based materials have garnered increasing interest in energy storage technology owing to their high electronic conductivity, favorable crystal structure, and excellent volumetric capacity. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental properties and energy storage performance of tellurium- and Te-based materials by introducing their physicochemical properties. First, we elaborate on the significance of tellurides. Next, the charge storage mechanism of functional telluride materials and important synthesis strategies are summarized. Then, research advancements in metal and carbon-based telluride materials, as well as the effectiveness of tellurides for SCs, were analyzed by emphasizing their essential properties and extensive advantages. Finally, the remaining challenges and prospects for improving the telluride-based supercapacitive performance are outlined.     

Design,Synthesis, Antimicrobial Evaluation,and Laccase Catalysis Effect of Novel Benzofuran–Oxadiazole and Benzofuran–Triazole Hybrids

Novel structural hybrids of benzofuran–oxadiazole and benzofuran–triazole have been synthesized and evaluated for their potential against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli. The excellent antibiotic activity was shown by compounds 5c and 9c against S. aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration values in 1.74–5.16 mg/mL range. The estimation of in vitro antifungal activity of synthetic compounds was performed against Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus niger, and Metarhizium anisopliae. Among compounds 5a – 5j , only 5h and 5i showed promising antifungal potential against T. harzianum and A. niger, whereas compound 5j showed enhanced antifungal effect only against A. niger when their activity values were compared with standard drug amphotericin. No pronounced antifungal activity was shown by synthesized compounds 9a–j , except for compound 9g , which was active against all fungal strains having minimum inhibitory concentration values in 1.90–2.03 mg/mL range. In addition to antimicrobial evaluation, the synthesized compounds were also analyzed to study their effects on the catalytic potential of laccase, and it was found that among all, compound 9b showed very strong activity with maximum relative reactivity of 145% at 0.03‐mM concentration.     

A Privacy Scheme for Digital Images Based on Quantum Particles

International Journal of Theoretical Physics - Quantum processing inspired every field of science and technology. Quantum digital content privacy schemes usually employs photons to communicate a...