Rainbow refractrometry: On the validity domain of Airy’s and Nussenzveig’s theories

To measure the temperature of individual droplets or the average temperature in a section of a spray, the analysis of the light scattered around the rainbow angle provides an attractive approach. Up to now, the analysis of recorded rainbow signals has been carried out in the framework of the full Lorenz-Mie theory or of the Airy theory. In this paper, we consider four approaches (Lorenz-Mie, Debye, Airy and Nussenzveig approaches) to compute the light scattered around the rainbow angle, and we compare them in terms of accuracy and time-consumption. It is shown that the Complex Angular Momentum (CAM) theory proposed by Nussenzveig, modified by using empirical coefficients, allows one to accurately compute the light scattered around the rainbow angle in a large angular domain for particles with diameters as small as 10 μm.     

Rainbow refractrometry on particles with radial refractive index gradients

The rainbow refractrometry, under its different configurations (classical and global), is an attractive technique to extract information from droplets in evaporation such as diameter and temperature. Recently a new processing strategy has been developed which increases dramatically the size and refractive index measurements accuracy for homogeneous droplets. Nevertheless, for mono component as well as for multicomponent droplets, the presence of temperature and/or of concentration gradients induce the presence of a gradient of refractive index which affects the interpretation of the recorded signals. In this publication, the effect of radial gradient on rainbow measurements with a high accuracy never reached previously is quantified.     

全场彩虹技术测量喷雾浓度及粒径分布

喷雾颗粒的浓度、粒径等多参数的同时测量是研究喷雾的关键. 对应用全场彩虹技术测量双组分液滴的浓度及粒径分布进行了研究. 基于改进的Nussenzweig理论,对液滴折射率和粒径分布采用无分布函数算法进行最优化求解, 然后通过折射率与浓度的关系反推液滴浓度.用模拟全场彩虹信号对该算法进行了验证, 该算法可准确反演具有单峰分布、双峰分布粒径特征的液滴群的折射率与粒径分布. 并对体积分数从0%到100%的乙醇溶液喷雾进行了实验测量, 结果表明,所测得折射率与理论值符合,粒径分布稳定.该技术在喷雾浓度测量方面具有广阔的应用前景. 关键词： 全场彩虹技术 折射率 粒径 组分     

Crystal structure of an antiviral ankyrin targeting the HIV-1 capsid and molecular modeling of the ankyrin-capsid complex

Ankyrins are cellular repeat proteins, which can be genetically modified to randomize amino-acid residues located at defined positions in each repeat unit, and thus create a potential binding surface adaptable to macromolecular ligands. From a phage-display library of artificial ankyrins, we have isolated Ank^GAG1D4, a trimodular ankyrin which binds to the HIV-1 capsid protein N-terminal domain (NTD^CA) and has an antiviral effect at the late steps of the virus life cycle. In this study, the determinants of the Ank^GAG1D4-NTD^CA interaction were analyzed using peptide scanning in competition ELISA, capsid mutagenesis, ankyrin crystallography and molecular modeling. We determined the Ank^GAG1D4 structure at 2.2 Å resolution, and used the crystal structure in molecular docking with a homology model of HIV-1 capsid. Our results indicated that NTD^CA alpha-helices H1 and H7 could mediate the formation of the capsid-Ank^GAG1D4 binary complex, but the interaction involving H7 was predicted to be more stable than with H1. Arginine-18 (R18) in H1, and R132 and R143 in H7 were found to be the key players of the Ank^GAG1D4-NTD^CA interaction. This was confirmed by R-to-A mutagenesis of NTD^CA, and by sequence analysis of trimodular ankyrins negative for capsid binding. In Ank^GAG1D4, major interactors common to H1 and H7 were found to be S45, Y56, R89, K122 and K123. Collectively, our ankyrin-capsid binding analysis implied a significant degree of flexibility within the NTD^CA domain of the HIV-1 capsid protein, and provided some clues for the design of new antivirals targeting the capsid protein and viral assembly.     

Numerical study of global rainbow technique: sensitivity to non-sphericity of droplets

The measurement of droplet temperature and size distribution in sprays is a difficult task. To reach this aim, the global rainbow technique (GRT) has been developed on the assumption that the synthetic rainbow created by a large number of droplets is insensitive to the non-sphericity of droplets if the droplets’ orientations were sufficiently random. In order to test this assumption, numerical as well as experimental analyses of GRT are carried out by our team. As a companion to the work done in experiments, the objective of this work is to quantify the sensitivity of the GRT to the non-sphericity of droplets from a numerical aspect. Light scattering properties around the rainbow angle are investigated by using the Null-field method within a T-matrix formulation, both for a single spheroid in an arbitrary orientation and for an ensemble of spheroids in random orientations illuminated by a plane wave. Refractive index and size distribution of droplets are extracted from simulated global rainbow signals so as to quantify the sensitivity of the GRT to the non-sphericity. Exemplifying results are compiled and presented. Additionally, comparisons between the Null-field method and the generalized Lorenz-Mie theory for spheroids are also provided in this paper.     

Silver-nanoparticle-containing handsheets for antimicrobial applications

Development of self-sanitizing cellulose and cellulose paper-based products will increase human safety and hygiene. In the present work, a softwood bleached kraft pulp (SBKP) was oxidized by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation in water at pH 10 at two NaClO addition levels (3 and 5 mmol g^?1 based on the dry weight of SBKP). The fibrous TEMPO-oxidized SBKPs (TO-SBKPs) were subsequently incorporated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by soaking in aqueous silver nitrate (AgNO₃) solution and subsequent thermal reduction. The C=O absorption band in FTIR spectra of AgNP-containing TO-SBKPs increased with increasing Ag content, showing that the C2/C3 hydroxy groups in TO-SBKPs were oxidized to ketones by reduction of Ag⁺ ions to AgNPs during heating at 100 °C for 1 h. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the AgNPs were almost homogenously distributed on the surface of each TO-SBKP fiber with an average diameter of 32–40 nm regardless of different Ag contents. Handsheets were prepared from SBKP and the AgNP-containing TO-SBKP at various weight ratios. The handsheets showed sufficient antimicrobial activities against a Gram-negative Escherichia coli strain and a Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus strain. The tensile strength of the handsheets was significantly improved by mixing the AgNP-containing TO-SBKP with SBKP. The 20% TO-SBKP/Ag-containing SBKP sheets were optimal in terms of efficient antimicrobial activities and good mechanical properties. Thus, the AgNP-containing TO-SBKP sheets have potential for use as antimicrobial paper and related packaging materials produced using the conventional papermaking process.

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Co-Treatments of Edible Curcumin from Turmeric Rhizomes and Chemotherapeutic Drugs on Cytotoxicity and FLT3 Protein Expression in Leukemic Stem Cells

This study aims to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity of the combination treatment of a drug and curcumin (Cur) on leukemic stem cell and leukemic cell lines, including KG-1a and KG-1 (FLT3⁺ LSCs), EoL-1 (FLT3⁺ LCs), and U937 (FLT3⁻ LCs). The cytotoxicity of co-treatments of doxorubicin (Dox) or idarubicin (Ida) at concentrations of the IC₁₀–IC₈₀ values and each concentration of Cur at the IC₂₀, IC₃₀, IC₄₀, and IC₅₀ values (conditions 1, 2, 3, and 4) was determined by MTT assays. Dox–Cur increased cytotoxicity in leukemic cells. Dox–Cur co-treatment showed additive and synergistic effects in several conditions. The effect of this co-treatment on FLT3 expression in KG-1a, KG-1, and EoL-1 cells was examined by Western blotting. Dox–Cur decreased FLT3 protein levels and total cell numbers in all the cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, this study exhibits a novel report of Dox–Cur co-treatment in both enhancing cytotoxicity of Dox and inhibiting cell proliferation via FLT3 protein expression in leukemia stem cells and leukemic cells. This is the option of leukemia treatment with reducing side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs to leukemia patients.     

Holography and micro-holography of particle fields: A numerical standard

Holography is an ‘old’ technique for studying the behavior of clouds of droplets which finds a new interest with CCD cameras and real-time numerical reconstruction. Furthermore, the continued progress in camera characteristics (sensitivity, pixel number, digitalization level, and so on) opens the way to more accurate recording of the interference field. To gain a deep understanding of the technique, as well as an evaluation of the performance and limitations of digital holographic particle measurements under various conditions, standard holograms are required. In this paper, a general numerical standard of holograms of fields of particles based on rigorous near-field Lorenz–Mie scattering theory is presented. This theory makes possible the computation of holograms of fields of particles with an arbitrary number of particles of arbitrary size, arbitrary refractive index, arbitrary recording distance (near-field or far-field), and an arbitrary collecting angle (forward, off-axis, or backward scattering light). Several calculation examples are also given for the code validation and possible applications, including a new possible way to simultaneously measure the size, location, and refractive index of particles.     

Cytotoxic and Antiproliferative Effects of Diarylheptanoids Isolated from Curcuma comosa Rhizomes on Leukaemic Cells

Curcuma comosa belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. In this study, two natural compounds were isolated from C. comosa, and their structures were determined using nuclear magnetic resonance. The isolated compounds were identified as 7-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-1-phenyl-(1E)-1-heptene (1) and trans-1,7-diphenyl-5-hydroxy-1-heptene (2). Compound 1 showed the strongest cytotoxicity effect against HL-60 cells, while its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were stronger than those of compound 2. Compound 1 proved to be a potent antioxidant, compared to ascorbic acid. Neither compounds had any effect on red blood cell haemolysis. Furthermore, compound 1 significantly decreased Wilms’ tumour 1 protein expression and cell proliferation in KG-1a cells. Compound 1 decreased the WT1 protein levels in a time- and dose- dependent manner. Compound 1 suppressed cell cycle at the S phase. In conclusion, compound 1 has a promising chemotherapeutic potential against leukaemia.