Plants with genetically encoded autoluminescence

Autoluminescent plants engineered to express a bacterial bioluminescence gene cluster in plastids have not been widely adopted because of low light output. We engineered tobacco plants with a fungal bioluminescence system that converts caffeic acid (present in all plants) into luciferin and report self-sustained luminescence that is visible to the naked eye. Our findings could underpin development of a suite of imaging tools for plants

Computer Modeling of the Soderberg’s Cell with the Use of Anode’s Cooling Fins

На электролизерах с анодом Содерберга существует проблема перегрева анодной массы и увеличения конуса спекания в центре анода и низких температур (вплоть до смерзания в зимнее время) на периферии. Увеличение высоты конуса спекания в центральной части отрицательно влияет на формирование анода и, как следствие, на физико-механические свойства анода, увеличивая пористость, удельное электросопротивление и снижая механическую прочность. В данной статье представлены результаты моделирования температурных полей электролизеров С8-БМ с ребрами охлаждения в теле анодаSoderberg’s cell there is the problem of overheating of the anode paste and increasing mass of the bakedome in the center of the anode and low temperatures (down to freezing in winter) in the periphery. Increasing the height of the bakedome in the central part affects the formation of the anode and consequently on the physical and mechanical properties of the anode, increasing the porosity, electrical resistance and reducing mechanical strength [1]. This paper presents the simulation results of cell’s temperature fields (S8-BM) with anode’s cooling fin

Computer Modeling of the Soderberg’s Cell with the Use of Anode’s Cooling Fins

На электролизерах с анодом Содерберга существует проблема перегрева анодной массы и увеличения конуса спекания в центре анода и низких температур (вплоть до смерзания в зимнее время) на периферии. Увеличение высоты конуса спекания в центральной части отрицательно влияет на формирование анода и, как следствие, на физико-механические свойства анода, увеличивая пористость, удельное электросопротивление и снижая механическую прочность. В данной статье представлены результаты моделирования температурных полей электролизеров С8-БМ с ребрами охлаждения в теле анодаSoderberg’s cell there is the problem of overheating of the anode paste and increasing mass of the bakedome in the center of the anode and low temperatures (down to freezing in winter) in the periphery. Increasing the height of the bakedome in the central part affects the formation of the anode and consequently on the physical and mechanical properties of the anode, increasing the porosity, electrical resistance and reducing mechanical strength [1]. This paper presents the simulation results of cell’s temperature fields (S8-BM) with anode’s cooling fin

The Effect of Alcohol Precipitants on Structural and Morphological Features and Thermal Properties of Lyocell Fibers

This research examines the possibilities of regulating the structure of cellulose precursor fibers spun from solutions in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide when replacing aqueous coagulation baths with thermodynamically softer alcohol baths at different temperatures. The fibers were spun by the dry jet–wet method in isobutanol coagulation baths with a temperature of 25 °C and 70 °C. The study of the phase state of the solvent–coagulant system using viscometry and point cloud methods revealed the temperature-concentration regions of the single-phase and two-phase states of the system. Using elemental analysis, DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and XRD (X-ray diffraction) methods, it was shown that just spun fibers, due to the presence of a residual amount of solvent and coagulant in them, regardless of the temperature of the precipitator, have an amorphous structure. Additional washing with water completely washed away the solvent and coagulant as well, however, the structure of cellulose changes slightly, turning into a defective amorphous-crystalline one. A relationship was found between the phase composition, structure, and properties of just spun fibers and precursors washed with water. Thus, the loss of structural ordering of both just spun and washed cellulose fibers leads to a decrease in strength characteristics and an increase in deformation. The thermal behavior of the fibers is determined by their phase composition. Fibers just spun into hot alcohol containing a coagulant and traces of solvent acquire thermal stability up to 330 °C. During the pyrolysis of the obtained precursors up to 1000 °C, the value of the carbon yield doubles. The amorphized structure of the obtained fibers allows us to consider it as a model when analyzing the transformation of the structure of precursors during thermolysis

Composition and Textural Characteristics of Char Powders Produced by Thermomechanical Processing of Sunflower Seed Husks

The paper presents the results of experimental studies on the production of fine char powder from sunflower seed husks by a novel method of thermomechanical treatment with pulsed shock waves and supersonic jets of the mixture of ultra-superheated (above 2000 °C) steam and carbon dioxide, as well as the results of examination of the produced char powder in terms of its chemical, phase, and granulometric composition and structural, morphological, and texture characteristics. The objective of the research is to explore the possibility of using the resulting char powder as a sorption-active material for organic substances. It is shown that the obtained char particles and their agglomerates have an average size of 20–30 nm and 12–24 µm, respectively, have the shape of disks and ellipsoids, consist mainly of amorphous carbon (up to 56 wt%) and oxygen (up to 42 wt%), and have a specific surface area of 1.1–1.7 m2/g. It is concluded that such a char powder can be used as an absorbent for organic substances when dried and deagglomerated

A Novel Phenylpyrrolidine Derivative: Synthesis and Effect on Cognitive Functions in Rats with Experimental Ishemic Stroke

We performed an in silico, in vitro, and in vivo assessment of a potassium 2-[2-(2-oxo-4-phenylpyrrolidin-1-yl) acetamido]ethanesulfonate (compound 1) as a potential prodrug for cognitive function improvement in ischemic brain injury. Using in silico methods, we predicted the pharmacological efficacy and possible safety in rat models. In addition, in silico data showed neuroprotective features of compound 1, which were further supported by in vitro experiments in a glutamate excitotoxicity-induced model in newborn rat cortical neuron cultures. Next, we checked whether compound 1 is capable of crossing the blood–brain barrier in intact and ischemic animals. Compound 1 improved animal behavior both in intact and ischemic rats and, even though the concentration in intact brains was low, we still observed a significant anxiety reduction and activity escalation. We used molecular docking and molecular dynamics to support our hypothesis that compound 1 could affect the AMPA receptor function. In a rat model of acute focal cerebral ischemia, we studied the effects of compound 1 on the behavior and neurological deficit. An in vivo experiment demonstrated that compound 1 significantly reduced the neurological deficit and improved neurological symptom regression, exploratory behavior, and anxiety. Thus, here, for the first time, we show that compound 1 can be considered as an agent for restoring cognitive functions