Carboxylated Polyurethanes Containing Hyperbranched Polyester Soft Segments

hyperbranched polyester soft segments (HB PU) with functional carboxylic groups in order to enable the preparation of stable HB PU dispersions. Carboxylated hyperbranched polyurethanes were synthesized using a hyperbranched polyester based on 2,2-bis(methylol)propionic acid of the fourth pseudo-generation (Boltorn H40) and hexamethylene (HDI) or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI). The reactivity of hyperbranched polyester with HDI was lower than expected, possibly due to the presence of less reactive hydroxyl groups in the linear repeat units. A gel was formed at mole ratios r_NCO/OH = 1:2 or 1:4. The synthesis of HB PU was performed with partly esterified hyperbranched polyester with lowered hydroxyl functionality. The carboxyl groups were incorporated in the HB PU backbone by reaction of residual hydroxyl groups with cis-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride. HB PU aqueous dispersions were stable at least for two months, although their films were brittle. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of blends of linear and HB PU decreased with increasing content of HB PU whereas elongation at break remained nearly constant, which was explained in terms of looser chain packing due to more open tree-like hyperbranched structures

On entropy of probability integral transformed time series

Abstract The goal of this paper is to investigate the changes of entropy estimates when the amplitude distribution of the time series is equalized using the probability integral transformation. The data we analyzed were with known properties—pseudo-random signals with known distributions, mutually coupled using statistical or deterministic methods that include generators of statistically dependent distributions, linear and non-linear transforms, and deterministic chaos. The signal pairs were coupled using a correlation coefficient ranging from zero to one. The dependence of the signal samples is achieved by moving average filter and non-linear equations. The applied coupling methods are checked using statistical tests for correlation. The changes in signal regularity are checked by a multifractal spectrum. The probability integral transformation is then applied to cardiovascular time series—systolic blood pressure and pulse interval—acquired from the laboratory animals and represented the results of entropy estimations. We derived an expression for the reference value of entropy in the probability integral transformed signals. We also experimentally evaluated the reliability of entropy estimates concerning the matching probabilities

Karboksilirani poliuretani s visoko razgranatim poliesterskim mekanim segmentima

hyperbranched polyester soft segments (HB PU) with functional carboxylic groups in order to enable the preparation of stable HB PU dispersions. Carboxylated hyperbranched polyurethanes were synthesized using a hyperbranched polyester based on 2,2-bis(methylol)propionic acid of the fourth pseudo-generation (BoltornŽ H40) and hexamethylene (HDI) or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI). The reactivity of hyperbranched polyester with HDI was lower than expected, possibly due to the presence of less reactive hydroxyl groups in the linear repeat units. A gel was formed at mole ratios rNCO/OH = 1:2 or 1:4. The synthesis of HB PU was performed with partly esterified hyperbranched polyester with lowered hydroxyl functionality. The carboxyl groups were incorporated in the HB PU backbone by reaction of residual hydroxyl groups with cis-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride. HB PU aqueous dispersions were stable at least for two months, although their films were brittle. The tensile strength and Young\u27s modulus of blends of linear and HB PU decreased with increasing content of HB PU whereas elongation at break remained nearly constant, which was explained in terms of looser chain packing due to more open tree-like hyperbranched structures.Rad prikazuje sintezu i karakterizaciju poliuretana s mekanim segmentima od visoko razgranatoga poliestera (HB PU) s funkcionalnim karboksilnim skupinama s namjenom pripreme stabilnih disperzija HB PU. Za sintezu karboksiliranih HB PU upotrijebili smo visoko razgranati poliester na osnovi 2,2-bis(metilol)propionske kiseline četvrte pseudo-generacije (Boltorn H40) i heksametilen-diizocijanat (HDI) ili izoforon-diizocijanat (IPDI). Reaktivnost visoko razgranatog poliestra s HDI-om bila je niža od očekivane, vjerojatno zbog postojećih manje reaktivnih hidroksilnih skupina u linearnim jedinicama. Reakcijske smjese gelirale su kod množinskog omjera rNCO/OH = 1:2 i 1:4. HB PU sintetizirali smo iz djelimično preostaloga visoko razgranatoga poliestera s nižom -OH funkcionalnosti. Karboksilne skupine smo u lanac HB PU uveli s esterifikacijom neizreagiranih hidroksilnih skupina s anhidridom cis-1,2-cikloheksandikarboksilne kiseline. Vodene disperzije HB PU bile su stabilne najmanje dva mjeseca, filmovi su bili krhki. Ispitivanja na vučnu čvrstoću i na Youngov modul elastičnosti su pokazali da su se iznosi kod smjesa linearnoga i HB PU s povećavajućim udjelom HB PU se smanjivali, dok je naprezanje na rastezanje do loma ostalo nepromijenjeno, što smo objasnili s manje gustim slaganjem lanaca zbog više otvorenih drvenastih visoko razgranatih struktura

The influence of artificial weathering and treatment with FE–DBD plasma in atmospheric conditions on wettability of wood surfaces

The treatment of wood surfaces with plasma in atmospheric conditions is a well–known and researched processing technique. In this study, we introduce a new approach of wood surface treatment using a floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge (FE–DBD) plasma. The main principle of this kind of plasma is that wood represents an object for charge storage and the potential of the electrodes is changing according to the surround-ings in the moment of voltage supply from high voltage source. The appearance of the discharge electric fields was firstly simulated with computer software and later analysed in real conditions. Additionally, plasma was characterised by optical emission spectros-copy as elemental analysis of the discharge. The designed FE–DBD technique was ap-plied to some extent artificially weathered common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Nor-way spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) wood surfaces, in order to their re–activation and improvement of their wettability by commercial water-based coating. The results showed that contact angles of the droplets of applied liquids and waterborne coating decreased with weathering time, as well as after performed plasma treatment process

Overexpression of oxytocin receptors in the hypothalamic PVN increases baroreceptor reflex sensitivity and buffers BP variability in conscious rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus is an important integrative site for neuroendocrine control of the circulation. We investigated the role of oxytocin receptors (OT receptors) in PVN in cardiovascular homeostasis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Experiments were performed in conscious male Wistar rats equipped with a radiotelemetric device. The PVN was unilaterally co-transfected with an adenoviral vector (Ad), engineered to overexpress OT receptors, and an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) tag. Control groups: PVN was transfected with an Ad expressing eGFP alone or untransfected, sham rats (Wt). Recordings were obtained without and with selective blockade of OT receptors (OTX), during both baseline and stressful conditions. Baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS) and cardiovascular short-term variability were evaluated using the sequence method and spectral methodology respectively. KEY RESULTS: Under baseline conditions, rats overexpressing OT receptors (OTR) exhibited enhanced BRS and reduced BP variability compared to control groups. Exposure to stress increased BP, BP variability and HR in all rats. In control groups, but not in OTR rats, BRS decreased during stress. Pretreatment of OTR rats with OTX reduced BRS and enhanced BP and HR variability under baseline and stressful conditions. Pretreatment of Wt rats with OTX, reduced BRS and increased BP variability under baseline and stressful conditions, but only increased HR variability during stress. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: OT receptors in PVN are involved in tonic neural control of BRS and cardiovascular short-term variability. The failure of this mechanism could critically contribute to the loss of autonomic control in cardiovascular disease

Evaluation of phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin antibody testing for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome: results of an international multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: A task force of scientists at the International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies recognized that phosphatidylserine-dependent antiprothrombin antibodies (aPS/PT) might contribute to a better identification of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Accordingly, initial and replication retrospective, cross-sectional multicentre studies were conducted to ascertain the value of aPS/PT for APS diagnosis. METHODS: In the initial study (eight centres, seven countries), clinical/laboratory data were retrospectively collected. Serum/plasma samples were tested for IgG aPS/PT at Inova Diagnostics (Inova) using two ELISA kits. A replication study (five centres, five countries) was carried out afterwards. RESULTS: In the initial study (n = 247), a moderate agreement between the IgG aPS/PT Inova and MBL ELISA kits was observed (k = 0.598). IgG aPS/PT were more prevalent in APS patients (51%) than in those without (9%), OR 10.8, 95% CI (4.0-29.3), p < 0.0001. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratio of IgG aPS/PT for APS diagnosis were 51%, 91%, 5.9 and 0.5, respectively. In the replication study (n = 214), a moderate/substantial agreement between the IgG aPS/PT results obtained with both ELISA kits was observed (k = 0.630). IgG aPS/PT were more prevalent in APS patients (47%) than in those without (12%), OR 6.4, 95% CI (2.6-16), p < 0.0001. Sensitivity, specificity, LR + and LR- for APS diagnosis were 47%, 88%, 3.9 and 0.6, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IgG aPS/PT detection is an easily performed laboratory parameter that might contribute to a better and more complete identification of patients with APS.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Clustering as a Support Technique in Phenotyping and Genotyping

Bajić, D., Mišić, N.Ž., Ostojić, M., Japundžić-Žigon, N. (2021) Clustering as a Support Technique in Phenotyping and Genotyping. Biologia Serbica 43(1): 68. ISSN 2334-6590 Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia Belgrade BioInformatics Conference 2021, 21-25 June 2021, Vinča, Serbia