Potential Achilles heels of SARS-CoV-2 are best displayed by the base order-dependent component of RNA folding energy

The base order-dependent component of folding energy has revealed a highly conserved region in HIV-1 genomes that associates with RNA structure. This corresponds to a packaging signal that is recognized by the nucleocapsid domain of the Gag polyprotein. Long viewed as a potential HIV-1 "Achilles heel," the signal can be targeted by a new antiviral compound. Although SARS-CoV-2 differs in many respects from HIV-1, the same technology displays regions with a high base order-dependent folding energy component, which are also highly conserved. This indicates structural invariance (SI) sustained by natural selection. While the regions are often also protein-encoding (e. g. NSP3, ORF3a), we suggest that their nucleic acid level functions can be considered potential "Achilles heels" for SARS-CoV-2, perhaps susceptible to therapies like those envisaged for AIDS. The ribosomal frameshifting element scored well, but higher SI scores were obtained in other regions, including those encoding NSP13 and the nucleocapsid (N) protein.     

Behaviour of organic pollutants in paper and board samples intended to be in contact with food

This paper deals with the study of volatile compounds present in a set of three paper and board (P&B) samples of different composition, surface treatment, grammage and thickness. The volatile compounds released by the packaging material (P&B) can be trapped on the food and may then affect the safety and health of consumers. To evaluate if the recycled P&B could be used as food packaging material, adsorption studies have been performed with a selection of chemical substances. The adsorption isotherms are provided. Partition coefficients between paper and air have been calculated for a series of volatile compounds used as model compounds to represent different families of contaminants commonly present in P&B. Values from 4 to 3243 were obtained at different temperatures. The analysis of volatile compounds have been carried out by automatic headspace coupled on-line with GC/MS in SIM mode. The results obtained are shown and discussed.     

Controlled peak wavelength shift of Ca1−xSrx(SySe1−y):Eu phosphor for LED application

The highly efficient red-orange-yellow-emitting phosphor (Ca_1−xSr_x)(S_1−ySe_y):Eu²⁺ in combination with commercial green phosphor SrGa₂S₄:Eu²⁺ and blue LED are proposed for a three-band white LED. The luminescence mechanism and optimization parameters are discussed on the basis of proposed peak wavelength diagram.     

CdCl2后处理的Mn掺杂钙钛矿纳米晶光学性能及其白光LED

Mn²⁺离子掺杂全无机钙钛矿(Mn²⁺∶CsPbX₃,X=Cl, Br)纳米晶(NCs)具有宽发射带、长斯托克斯位移和高量子产率等优势,在固态照明、光电探测和成像等领域有广阔应用前景。然而,目前Mn²⁺掺杂的钙钛矿晶体量子产率很难超过70%,如何改善发光效率,同时调控Mn离子发射中心成为构建高质量白光LED的关键。文章通过CdCl₂后处理技术,进行室温下阳离子交换,获得了高效发光的Cd²⁺和Mn²⁺共掺杂的CsPbCl₃纳米晶。Mn的发射波长可以从604 nm连续调控到624 nm,实现稳定的红光发射。Cd离子掺杂改善了Mn-Cl八面体的晶体场环境,使Mn衰减寿命提高到1.32 ms。此外,通过绿色CsPbBr₃纳米晶和蓝-橙双色Mn∶CsPb(ClBr)₃纳米晶构建了高显色指数的暖白光发光二极管(WLED),其流明效率达60 lm/W,显色指数超过85。     

基于积分宽度法测量发光二极管结温方法的研究

本文提出了一种基于光谱积分宽度法来测量发光二极管(light emitting diode, LED)结温的新方法,并进行了理论分析和实验研究。本方法主要分为光谱数据采集、定标函数的测定和结温测量三个过程。首先,为了测量成本的降低和精度的提高而采用在正常工作电流下采集LED光谱数据,并通过采用不同温度下的光谱积分宽度与选定的某一基准状态下的值逐差可得到线性度达0.99以上的定标函数,并通过此定标函数可实时测定任意状态下的结温。其次,为了比较本方法测量结温的精确性,分别对单色和白光LED采用本方法和业界主流的正向电压法,通过自行设计的基于积分宽度法结温测量系统和美国Mentor Graphics公司的T3Ster型仪器的测量结果进行比较,两种方法测出的结温最大偏差为2.1℃,在可接受的误差范围内。实验结果表明积分宽度法测结温具有高效便捷且低成本的的特点,具有一定的应用前景。     

碳化硅器件挑战现有封装技术

碳化硅(SiC)器件的新特性和移动应用的功率密度要求给功率器件的封装技术提出了新的挑战。现有功率器件的封装技术主要是在硅基的绝缘栅双极晶体管(Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor,IGBT)和金属氧化物半导体场效应晶体管(Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor,MOSFET)等基础上发展起来的,并一直都在演进,但这些渐进改良尚不足以充分发挥SiC器件的性能,因而封装技术需要革命性的进步。在简述现有封装技术及其演进的基础上,主要从功率模块的角度讨论了封装技术的发展方向。同时讨论了功率模块的新型叠层结构以及封装技术的离散化、高温化趋势,并对SiC器件封装技术的发展方向做出了综合评估。     

MgCl2 Enhances Cluster Formation by Nanoscale Toroidal DNA Condensates

Multivalent cations can cause DNA to condense from its extended state in solution into high-density toroid-shaped particles. Developing methods to control the size and size distribution of DNA toroids is an important goal for the development of artificial gene delivery systems. Here we demonstrate that changes in salt conditions, prior to condensation by multivalent cations, can significantly affect DNA condensation. Specifically, millimolar concentrations of MgCl₂ are shown to cause the formation of toroid clusters, whereas NaCl at the same ionic strength does not.     

Determination of triclosan in foodstuffs

A reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method coupled with an ultraviolet detector was developed to determine triclosan which had migrated into foodstuffs from packaging materials. The method includes extraction with hexane, followed by evaporation to dryness and residue re-dissolution in ACN 90%. Chromatographic separation was performed with a Kromasil 100 C18 column (15 cm x 0.4 cm ID, 5 microm particle size) at 30 degrees C and using ACN and water as mobile phases. Regarding recoveries, good results (higher than 83% and lower than 112%) were obtained for the three representative food matrixes selected (orange juice, chicken breast meat, and Gouda cheese).     

A downsized flow set up based on multicommutation for the sequential photometric determination of iron(II)/iron(III) and nitrite/nitrate in surface water

In this work, a downsized flow set up designed based on multicommutation concept for photometric determination of iron(II)/iron(III) and nitrite/nitrate is surface water is described. The flow system network comprised a set of three-way solenoid valves, reaction coil and a double-channel flow cell, which were nested in order to obtain a compact and small-size instrument. To accomplish the downsizing requirement light source (LED) and radiation detection (phototransistor) were coupled to the flow cell. In order to demonstrated the effectiveness of the system, the photometer methods based on Griess reaction and 1-10-phenantroline for nitrite and iron(II) determination, respectively, were selected. Under computer control the set up provided facilities to handle four reagent solutions employing a single pumping channel, thus permitting also the determination of nitrate and iron(III) after its reduction to nitrite and to iron(II), respectively. The overall system performance was demonstrated working several days running standard solution, no significant variation of base line, linear response range and slop (less than 1%) were observed. The usefulness of the downsized system was ascertained by analyzing a set of surface water. Aiming to access the accuracy sample were also analyzed employing reference procedures and no significant difference at 95% confidence level were observed for the four analytes. Other profitable features such as analytical throughput of 40 determination per hour; relative standard deviation of 1%; linear response range between 50 and 300 μg l⁻¹ for nitrite and nitrate, 0.5-6.0 mg l⁻¹ iron(II) and iron(III); low reagent consumption 75 μg for nitrate/nitrite and 0.6 mg for iron(II)/iron(III) per determination; and 2.4 ml waste generation per determination were also achieved.     

Determination of partition behavior of organic surrogates between paperboard packaging materials and air

The suitability of recycled paperboard packaging materials for direct food contact applications is a major area of investigation. Chemical contaminants (surrogates) partitioning between recycled paper packaging and foods may affect the safety and health of the consumer. The partition behavior of all possible organic compounds between cardboards and individual foodstuffs is difficult and too time consuming for being fully investigated. Therefore it may be more efficient to determine these partition coefficients indirectly through experimental determination of the partitioning behavior between cardboard samples and air. In this work, the behavior of organic pollutants present in a set of two paper and board samples intended to be in contact with foods was studied. Adsorption isotherms have been plotted and partition coefficients between paper and air have been calculated as a basis for the estimation of their migration potential into food. Values of partition coefficients (Kpaper/air) from 47 to 1207 were obtained at different temperatures. For the less volatile surrogates such as dibutyl phthalate and methyl stearate higher Kpaper/air values were obtained. The adsorption curves showed that the more volatile substances are partitioning mainly in air phase and increasing the temperature from 70 to 100 degrees C their concentrations in air (Cair) have almost doubled. The analysis of surrogates was performed with a method based on solvent extraction and gas chromatographic-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) quantification.