Basal complex: a smart wing component for automatic shape morphing

Insect wings are adaptive structures that automatically respond to flight forces, surpassing even cutting-edge engineering shape-morphing systems. A widely accepted but not yet explicitly tested hypothesis is that a 3D component in the wing’s proximal region, known as basal complex, determines the quality of wing shape changes in flight. Through our study, we validate this hypothesis, demonstrating that the basal complex plays a crucial role in both the quality and quantity of wing deformations. Systematic variations of geometric parameters of the basal complex in a set of numerical models suggest that the wings have undergone adaptations to reach maximum camber under loading. Inspired by the design of the basal complex, we develop a shape-morphing mechanism that can facilitate the shape change of morphing blades for wind turbines. This research enhances our understanding of insect wing biomechanics and provides insights for the development of simplified engineering shape-morphing systems

QSAR analysis of the toxicity of nitroaromatics in Tetrahymena pyriformis : structural factors and possible modes of action

The Hierarchical Technology for Quantitative Structure - Activity Relationships (HiT QSAR) was applied to 95 diverse nitroaromatic compounds (including some widely known explosives) tested for their toxicity (50% inhibition growth concentration, IGC50) against the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis. The dataset was divided into subsets according to putative mechanisms of toxicity. Classification and Regression Trees (CART) approach implemented within HiT QSAR has been used for prediction of mechanism of toxicity for new compounds. The resulting models were shown to have ~80% accuracy for external datasets indicating that the mechanistic dataset division was sensible. Then, Partial Least Squares (PLS) statistical approach was used for the development of 2D QSAR models. Validated PLS models were explored to (i) elucidate the effects of different substituents in nitroaromatic compounds on toxicity; (ii) differentiate compounds by probable mechanisms of toxicity based on their structural descriptors; (iii) analyze the role of various physical-chemical factors responsible for compounds’ toxicity. Models were interpreted in terms of molecular fragments promoting or interfering with toxicity. It was also shown that mutual influence of substituents in benzene ring plays the determining role in toxicity variation. Although chemical mechanism based models were statistically significant and externally predictive (R2ext=0.64 for the external set of 63 nitroaromatics identified after all calculations have been completed), they were also shown to have limited coverage (57% for modeling and 76% for external set)

Comparative assessment of apple fruit storability during storage in different modes of the cooled medium

The article presents the research results of the effect of post-harvest treatment with Phytomag preparation of fruits of 21 apple tree varieties of domestic and foreign breeding on their storability and quality. The purpose of the research is to determine the effectiveness of the combined effect of such technological techniques as post-harvest fruit treatment with Phytomag preparation and their storage in conventional (CGD) and regulated (RGD) gas dynamics on the formation of quality and storability of apples grown in the Crimea. The data obtained showed that the treatment of fruits with an ethylene inhibitor Phytomag during storage in conventional and regulated gas dynamics reduces losses, depending on the variety, by 1.5-1.8 times. It is established that the processed fruits retain their original marketable appearance, have high quality components during the entire storage period and after opening the refrigerating chambers, selling the fruits and bringing them to the consumer. It is proved that in the conditions of the Crimea such varieties as Tavria, Krymskoye Zimnee, Krymskoye, Orion, Kimmeria, Brebern, Fuji, Idared, Pink Lady can be successfully stored in a conventional gas dynamic with post-harvest treatment with preparation inhibiting ethylene synthesis. The advantage of storage in regulated gas dynamic was shown by the varieties Aromat Kryma, Predgornoye, Golden Delicious, Crispin, Granny Smith, Glouster, Gala, Jonagold