Switching ion binding selectivity of thiacalix[4]arene monocrowns at liquid–liquid and 2D-confined interfaces

Understanding the interaction of ions with organic receptors in confined space is of fundamental importance and could advance nanoelectronics and sensor design. In this work, metal ion complexation of conformationally varied thiacalix[4]monocrowns bearing lower-rim hydroxy (type I), dodecyloxy (type II), or methoxy (type III) fragments was evaluated. At the liquid–liquid interface, alkylated thiacalixcrowns-5(6) selectively extract alkali metal ions according to the induced-fit concept, whereas crown-4 receptors were ineffective due to distortion of the crown-ether cavity, as predicted by quantum-chemical calculations. In type-I ligands, alkali-metal ion extraction by the solvent-accessible crown-ether cavity was prevented, which resulted in competitive Ag+ extraction by sulfide bridges. Surprisingly, amphiphilic type-I/II conjugates moderately extracted other metal ions, which was attributed to calixarene aggregation in salt aqueous phase and supported by dynamic light scattering measurements. Cation–monolayer interactions at the air–water interface were monitored by surface pressure/potential measurements and UV/visible reflection–absorption spectroscopy. Topology-varied selectivity was evidenced, towards Sr2+ (crown-4), K+ (crown-5), and Ag+ (crown-6) in type-I receptors and Na+ (crown-4), Ca2+ (crown-5), and Cs+ (crown-6) in type-II receptors. Nuclear magnetic resonance and electronic absorption spectroscopy revealed exocyclic coordination in type-I ligands and cation–π interactions in type-II ligands

Microfluidic Synthesis and Analysis of Bioinspired Structures Based on CaCO₃ for Potential Applications as Drug Delivery Carriers

Naturally inspired biomaterials such as calcium carbonate, produced in biological systems under specific conditions, exhibit superior properties that are difficult to reproduce in a laboratory. The emergence of microfluidic technologies provides an effective approach for the synthesis of such materials, which increases the interest of researchers in the creation and investigation of crystallization processes. Besides accurate tuning of the synthesis parameters, microfluidic technologies also enable an analysis of the process in situ with a range of methods. Understanding the mechanisms behind the microfluidic biomineralization processes could open a venue for new strategies in the development of advanced materials. In this review, we summarize recent advances in microfluidic synthesis and analysis of CaCO3-based bioinspired nano- and microparticles as well as core-shell structures on its basis. Particular attention is given to the application of calcium carbonate particles for drug delivery

Proposal of an Algorithm for Choice of a Development System for Operational and Environmental Safety in Mining

In this paper, a method of mathematical modeling for solving the problem of reusing man-made waste from mining and the processing of ores is proposed. The use of intermediate products (man-made waste: tailings of processing plants, rocks from sinking operations and the technical water of mine drainage) in cyclic production presupposes their use as fill material components and placement in the mined-out voids of underground mines. The influence of mining factors on the fill material composition and the parameters of the created fill mass is justified. The results of a practical implementation of the proposed mathematical model are presented, and an algorithm is compiled. Deformation changes and stress concentration are key criteria in the proposed mathematical model. The proposed algorithm allows for the determination of the preferred system of deposit development, and the selection of its parameters and the fill material composition

Proposal of an Algorithm for Choice of a Development System for Operational and Environmental Safety in Mining

In this paper, a method of mathematical modeling for solving the problem of reusing man-made waste from mining and the processing of ores is proposed. The use of intermediate products (man-made waste: tailings of processing plants, rocks from sinking operations and the technical water of mine drainage) in cyclic production presupposes their use as fill material components and placement in the mined-out voids of underground mines. The influence of mining factors on the fill material composition and the parameters of the created fill mass is justified. The results of a practical implementation of the proposed mathematical model are presented, and an algorithm is compiled. Deformation changes and stress concentration are key criteria in the proposed mathematical model. The proposed algorithm allows for the determination of the preferred system of deposit development, and the selection of its parameters and the fill material composition

Anticancer Nanotherapeutics in Clinical Trials: The Work behind Clinical Translation of Nanomedicine

The ultimate goal of nanomedicine has always been the generation of translational technologies that can ameliorate current therapies. Cancer disease represented the primary target of nanotechnology applied to medicine, since its clinical management is characterized by very toxic therapeutics. In this effort, nanomedicine showed the potential to improve the targeting of different drugs by improving their pharmacokinetics properties and to provide the means to generate new concept of treatments based on physical treatments and biologics. In this review, we considered different platforms that reached the clinical trial investigation, providing an objective analysis about their physical and chemical properties and the working mechanism at the basis of their tumoritr opic properties. With this review, we aim to help other scientists in the field in conceiving their delivering platforms for clinical translation by providing solid examples of technologies that eventually were tested and sometimes approved for human therapy

Жизненные ценности и субъективное благополучие у коренных малочисленных народов Арктической зоны (на примере ненцев)

The article presents the results of a study of life values and their relationship with the subjective well-being of indigenous small-numbered peoples based on the example of the Nenets. The relevance of this study is due to the fact that globalization transformations determine the change in human living conditions in the Arctic zone. This process often takes place painfully: representatives of indigenous small-numbered minorities cannot find their place in the new economic and multicultural system, which leads to the loss of vital meanings and subjective ill-being. The article notes that the solution to this problem may be to take into account life values during the transformation of the economic behaviour of the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the Russian Arctic. The materials presented in the article demonstrate a strong relationship between the level of satisfaction with life and the subjective level of income (subjective economic wellbeing). The most important life values for the Nenets (security, kindness, independence) turned out to be connected both with the level of satisfaction with life in general and with the level of subjective economic well-being. In conclusion, it is noted that the results obtained make it possible to formulate recommendations for various entities on the effective transformation of the economic behaviour of the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the Russian Arctic, in particular the creation of conditions for stability, social security, community and collectivism, as well as the ability to independently make economic decisionsВ статье представлены итоги исследования жизненных ценностей и их связи с субъективным благополучием коренных малочисленных народов на примере ненцев. Актуальность данного исследования обусловлена тем, что глобализационные трансформации детерминируют изменение условий жизни человека в Арктической зоне. Данный процесс часто проходит болезненно: представители коренных малочисленных народов не могут найти свое место в новой для них экономической и поликультурной системе, что приводит к утрате жизненных смыслов и субъективному неблагополучию. В статье отмечается, что решением данной проблемы может стать учет жизненных ценностей в ходе трансформации экономического поведения коренных малочисленных народов Российской Арктики. Представленные в статье материалы демонстрируют наличие сильной взаимосвязи между уровнем удовлетворенности жизнью и субъективным уровнем дохода (субъективного экономического благополучия). Наиболее важные для ненцев жизненные ценности (безопасность, доброта, самостоятельность) оказались связаны как с уровнем удовлетворенности жизнью в целом, так и с уровнем субъективного экономического благополучия. В заключение отмечается, что полученные результаты позволяют сформулировать рекомендации для различных субъектов по эффективной трансформации экономического поведения коренных малочисленных народов Российской Арктики, в частности, создания условий стабильности, социальной защищенности, общности и коллективизма, а также возможности самостоятельно принимать экономические решени

Digitization and validation of a chemical synthesis literature database in the ChemPU

Despite huge potential, automation of synthetic chemistry has only made incremental progress over the past few decades. We present an automatically executable chemical reaction database of 100 molecules representative of the range of reactions found in contemporary organic synthesis. These reactions include transition metal–catalyzed coupling reactions, heterocycle formations, functional group interconversions, and multicomponent reactions. The chemical reaction codes or χDLs for the reactions have been stored in a database for version control, validation, collaboration, and data mining. Of these syntheses, more than 50 entries from the database have been downloaded and robotically run in seven modular chemputers with yields and purities comparable to those achieved by an expert chemist. We also demonstrate the automatic purification of a range of compounds using a chromatography module seamlessly coupled to the platform and programmed with the same language

Структура экономических аттитюдов молодежи — представителей коренных малочисленных народов Арктической зоны Российской Федерации: результаты пилотного исследования

The article presents the results of a pilot study of economic attitudes of young people — representatives of indigenous peoples of the Arctic zone (hereinafter — youth). The authors of the article used a multivariate questionnaire developed by O. S. Deineka and E. V. Zabelina as the main methodological tool to carry out the express diagnostics of economic attitudes. As a result, the article presents the structure of economic attitudes of youth. In addition, using a factor analysis, the authors found four fundamental factors that should be considered as types of economic consciousness, but only one of them is financially confident and literate. The other three types are experiencing difficulties with knowledge in the field of economics, which can lead to dissatisfaction and disappointment of young people in this field in the future. In conclusion, there are general conclusions and trends characterizing the tendency of young people from the indigenous peoples of the Arctic zone to passive, safe, and non-risky financial strategiesВ статье представлены результаты пилотного исследования экономических аттитюдов молодежи — представителей коренных малочисленных народов Арктической зоны (далее — молодежь). В качестве основного методологического инструмента в статье использовался шкальный многофакторный опросник для экспресс-диагностики экономических аттитюдов, разработанный О. С. Дейнека и Е. В. Забелиной. В результате в статье представлена структура экономических аттитюдов молодежи. Кроме того, с помощью факторного анализа обнаружено четыре фундаментальных фактора, которые необходимо рассматривать в качестве типов экономического со‑ знания, однако только один из них является финансово уверенным и грамотным. Другие три типа испытывают трудности со знаниями в области экономики, что может привести к неудовлетворенности и разочарованию молодежи в данной сфере в будущем. В заключение обозначены общие выводы и тенденции, характеризующие склонность молодых людей из числа коренных малочисленных народов Арктической зоны к пассивным, безопасным, не рисковым финансовым стратегия

Proteolytic Resistance Determines Albumin Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Properties and Increases Cathepsin B, D, and G Expression

Proteolytic activity is pivotal in maintaining cell homeostasis and function. In pathological conditions such as cancer, it covers a key role in tumor cell viability, spreading to distant organs, and response to the treatment. Endosomes represent one of the major sites of cellular proteolytic activity and very often represent the final destination of internalized nanoformulations. However, little information about nanoparticle impact on the biology of these organelles is available even though they represent the major location of drug release. In this work, we generated albumin nanoparticles with a different resistance to proteolysis by finely tuning the amount of cross-linker used to stabilize the carriers. After careful characterization of the particles and measurement of their degradation in proteolytic conditions, we determined a relationship between their sensitivity to proteases and their drug delivery properties. These phenomena were characterized by an overall increase in the expression of cathepsin proteases regardless of the different sensitivity of the particles to proteolytic degradation