Crucial Ignored Parameters on Nanotoxicology: The Importance of Toxicity Assay Modifications and “Cell Vision”

Until now, the results of nanotoxicology research have shown that the interactions between nanoparticles (NPs) and cells are remarkably complex. In order to get a deep understanding of the NP-cell interactions, scientists have focused on the physicochemical effects. However, there are still considerable debates about the regulation of nanomaterials and the reported results are usually in contradictions. Here, we are going to introduce the potential key reasons for these conflicts. In this case, modification of conventional in vitro toxicity assays, is one of the crucial ignored matter in nanotoxicological sciences. More specifically, the conventional methods neglect important factors such as the sedimentation of NPs and absorption of proteins and other essential biomolecules onto the surface of NPs. Another ignored matter in nanotoxicological sciences is the effect of cell “vision” (i.e., cell type). In order to show the effects of these ignored subjects, we probed the effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs (SPIONs), with various surface chemistries, on various cell lines. We found thatthe modification of conventional toxicity assays and the consideration of the “cell vision” concept are crucial matters to obtain reliable, and reproducible nanotoxicology data. These new concepts offer a suitable way to obtain a deep understanding on the cell-NP interactions. In addition, by consideration of these ignored factors, the conflict of future toxicological reports would be significantly decreased

Group velocity control in the ultraviolet domain via interacting dark-state resonances

The propagation of a weak probe field in a laser-driven four-level atomic system is investigated. We choose mercury as our model system, where the probe transition is in the ultraviolet region. A high-resolution peak appears in the optical spectra due to the presence of interacting dark resonances. We show that this narrow peak leads to superluminal light propagation with strong absorption, and thus by itself is only of limited interest. But if in addition a weak incoherent pump field is applied to the probe transition, then the peak structure can be changed such that both sub- and superluminal light propagation or a negative group velocity can be achieved without absorption, controlled by the incoherent pumping strength

Interactions between nation branding and corporate branding

The aim of this article is studying interactions between nation branding and corporate branding through reviewing the literature. Results show that both branding of a country and its corporates have influence to each other, either positive or negative effect that is called virtuous cycle or a vicious cycle. In fact, these two types of branding, act as a synergistic reinforcement tool to protect, improve or enhance the other one and therefore should be observed and maintained simustainasly.Keywords: National Reputation, CorporateBranding, Brand Positive Cycle, National Identit

Light propagation through closed-loop atomic media beyond the multiphoton resonance condition

The light propagation of a probe field pulse in a four-level double-lambda type system driven by laser fields that form a closed interaction loop is studied. Due to the finite frequency width of the probe pulse, a time-independent analysis relying on the multiphoton resonance assumption is insufficient. Thus we apply a Floquet decomposition of the equations of motion to solve the time-dependent problem beyond the multiphoton resonance condition. We find that the various Floquet components can be interpreted in terms of different scattering processes, and that the medium response oscillating in phase with the probe field in general is not phase-dependent. The phase dependence arises from a scattering of the coupling fields into the probe field mode at a frequency which in general differs from the probe field frequency. We thus conclude that in particular for short pulses with a large frequency width, inducing a closed loop interaction contour may not be advantageous, since otherwise the phase-dependent medium response may lead to a distortion of the pulse shape. Finally, using our time-dependent analysis, we demonstrate that both the closed-loop and the non-closed loop configuration allow for sub- and superluminal light propagation with small absorption or even gain. Further, we identify one of the coupling field Rabi frequencies as a control parameter that allows to conveniently switch between sub- and superluminal light propagation.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure

Nutritional value of freshwater mesozooplankton assemblages from Hanna Dam Lake, Iran, during a one-year study

Nutritional value of freshwater mesozooplankton, fatty acid (FA) and amino acid (AA) compositions were determined in the middle of each season for a one-year period from May 2009 to February 2010 in Hanna Dam Lake, Isfahan, Iran. FA and AA composition significantly (P<0.05) varied in relation to the seasonal changes of water quality, phytoplankton and zooplankton community. The content of saturated fatty acids (SAFA), mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ranged from 22.4-29.0%, 30.9-40.4%, 11.8-20.9% of dry weight (DW), respectively. The major SAFA were 16:0 (13.7-17.0 % DW) and 18:0 (4.9-7.0 % DW), whereas contents of MUFA were mainly 18:1n-9 (13.8-16.2 % DW), 16:1n-7 (6.9-13.6% DW), and 18:1n-7 (5.7-10.6% DW). The major PUFA were 18:2n-6 (2.6-11.7 % DW), 18:3n-3 (2.4-3.1% DW), 20:5n-3 (3.9-4.8% DW), 22:6n-3 (0.73-0.99% DW), and 20:4n-6 (0.56-0.73% DW). As for the ratios of n-3:n-6, the values were 0.70:1, 2.54:1, 2.10:1, and 1.73:1 in spring, summer, autumn and winter respectively. The mean essential amino acid (EAA) and non-essential amino acid (NEAA) were 28.7 and 71.3 %; 31.0 and 69.0 %; 31.63 and 68.4 %; 34.5 and 67.0 % of total amino acid in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. The amount of tyrosin, isolucine, lucine, arginine, cysteine, aspartic acid, glycine and proline were higher in mesozooplankton population at summer and autumn compared to winter and spring

Implications of LHC Searches on SUSY Particle Spectra: The pMSSM Parameter Space with Neutralino Dark Matter

We study the implications of LHC searches on SUSY particle spectra using flat scans of the 19-parameter pMSSM phase space. We apply constraints from flavour physics, g_mu-2, dark matter and earlier LEP and Tevatron searches. The sensitivity of the LHC SUSY searches with jets, leptons and missing energy is assessed by reproducing with fast simulation the recent CMS analyses after validation on benchmark points. We present results in terms of the fraction of pMSSM points compatible with all the constraints which are excluded by the LHC searches with 1 fb^{-1} and 15 fb^{-1} as a function of the mass of strongly and weakly interacting SUSY particles. We also discuss the suppression of Higgs production cross sections for the MSSM points not excluded and contrast the region of parameter space tested by the LHC data with the constraints from dark matter direct detection experiments.Comment: 14 pages, 13 figures. v2: increased statistics, to appear in EPJ

In-depth description of Electrohydrodynamic conduction pumping of dielectric liquids: physical model and regime analysis

In this work, we discuss the fundamental aspects of Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) conduction pumping of dielectric liquids. We build a mathematical model of conduction pumping that can be applied to all sizes, down to microsized pumps. In order to do this, we discuss the relevance of the Electrical Double Layer (EDL) that appears naturally on nonmetallic substrates. In the process, we identify a new dimensionless parameter related to the value of the zeta potential of the substrate-liquid pair, which quantifies the influence of these EDLs on the performance of the pump. This parameter also describes the transition from EHD conduction pumping to electro-osmosis. We also discuss in detail the two limiting working regimes in EHD conduction pumping: ohmic and saturation. We introduce a new dimensionless parameter, accounting for the electric field enhanced dissociation that, along with the conduction number, allows us to identify in which regime the pump operates.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades PGC2018-099217-B-I0

Development of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) Probiotic Lassi Using Lactobacillus fermentum Bacteria

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of Aloe vera gel on the quality of probiotic lassi. Probiotic lassi was prepared by adding 15% of Aloe vera gel and inoculating with probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum strain. Results showed that physicochemical properties of fortified probiotic lassi were not affected by these modifications during the storage period (P>0.05), however, antioxidant activities, texture and aroma sensory parameters differed significantly (P0.05) after 21 days of storage. Aloe vera probiotic lassi has a beneficial effect on human health

Salt effect on physiological, biochemical and anatomical structures of two Origanum majorana varieties (Tunisian and Canadian)

In this study, we evaluated the salt concentration effect on plant growth, mineral composition, antioxidant responses and anatomical structure of two varieties of Origanum majorana after exposure to NaCl treatment. Our results show an inclusive behaviour of the two varieties, since the majority of sodium was exported and accumulated in their aerial parts. The Canadian variety (CV) appeared relatively more tolerant to salt than the Tunisian one (TV). Transversal section of leaves showed a thickening of dorsal and ventral cuticle, more importantly in CV than in TV, in the presence and in absence of salt. This was accompanied by an increase in the length of palisade cells, and the width of spongy collenchyma lacuna. The stem had a subquadrangular shape in TV and quadrangular in the Canadian variety. At mature stage, the stem pit was reabsorbed in the TV and replaced by a large cavity, whereas it remained unchanged in CV. The relative salt tolerance of the CV was related to: (1) a good selectivity in favour of K+: (2) a strong peroxidase activity and (3) an increase in the lengthening of palisade cell accompanied with an increase of lacunae in spongy parenchyma in CV.Key words: Origanum majorana, salinity, growth, mineral nutrition, leaves, stems, anatomical, antioxidant

Development and characterisation of functional cultured buttermilk fortified with flaxseed

Abstract Cultured buttermilk is a dairy beverage with a high nutritive value. In the current study, functional cultured buttermilk was formulated using probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum and flaxseed fortification to improve the potential health benefits. The cultured buttermilk samples were analysed for pH, lactic acidity, colour, phase separation, viscosity, microbiology and sensory properties. The results showed non-significant changes in acidity and pH. However, flaxseed fortification decreased phase separation and increased viscosity of buttermilks. In addition, a significant difference in colour attributes was revealed between samples. Sensory characteristics of cultured buttermilks were acceptable to produce a functional food