1,1′,5,5′-Tetra­methyl-2,2′-diphenyl-4,4′-[p-phenyl­enebis(methyl­idynenitrilo)]di-1H-pyrazol-3(2H)-one

In the centrosymmetric title compound, C30H28N6O2, the dihedral angles between the anti­pyrine ring and the terminal phenyl and central benzene rings are 50.55 (10) and 14.62 (9)°, respectively. Some short inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions may help to establish the packing. An intramolecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond is also present

Initial Solution Heuristic for Portfolio Optimization of Electricity Markets Participation

Meta-heuristic search methods are used to find near optimal global solutions for difficult optimization problems. These meta-heuristic processes usually require some kind of knowledge to overcome the local optimum locations. One way to achieve diversification is to start the search procedure from a solution already obtained through another method. Since this solution is already validated the algorithm will converge easily to a greater global solution. In this work, several well-known meta-heuristics are used to solve the problem of electricity markets participation portfolio optimization. Their search performance is compared to the performance of a proposed hybrid method (ad-hoc heuristic to generate the initial solution, which is combined with the search method). The addressed problem is the portfolio optimization for energy markets participation, where there are different markets where it is possible to negotiate. In this way the result will be the optimal allocation of electricity in the different markets in order to obtain the maximum return quantified through the objective function.This work has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 641794 (project DREAM-GO) and from FEDER Funds through COMPETE program and from National Funds through FCT under the project UID/EEA/00760/2013.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Initial Solution Heuristic for Portfolio Optimization of Electricity Markets Participation

Meta-heuristic search methods are used to find near optimal global solutions for difficult optimization problems. These meta-heuristic processes usually require some kind of knowledge to overcome the local optimum locations. One way to achieve diversification is to start the search procedure from a solution already obtained through another method. Since this solution is already validated the algorithm will converge easily to a greater global solution. In this work, several well-known meta-heuristics are used to solve the problem of electricity markets participation portfolio optimization. Their search performance is compared to the performance of a proposed hybrid method (ad-hoc heuristic to generate the initial solution, which is combined with the search method). The addressed problem is the portfolio optimization for energy markets participation, where there are different markets where it is possible to negotiate. In this way the result will be the optimal allocation of electricity in the different markets in order to obtain the maximum return quantified through the objective function.This work has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 641794 (project DREAM-GO) and from FEDER Funds through COMPETE program and from National Funds through FCT under the project UID/EEA/00760/2013.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The use of nano/micro-layers, self-healing and slow release coatings to prevent corrosion and biofouling

The mitigation of corrosion and biofouling is a challenge. Through application of chemicals and special techniques can slow these undesired processes, an effective resolution requires a multidisciplinary approach involving scientists, engineers, and metallurgists. In order to understand the importance of the use of nano- and microlayers as well as self-healing coatings, the basic concepts of corrosion, corrosion mechanisms, corrosion inhibition and the microbiologically influenced corrosion will be summarised. The preparation, characterization and application of Langmuir-Blodgett and self assembled nanolayers in corrosive and microbial environment will be discussed. Preparation and characterization of microcapsules/ microspheres and their application in coatings will be demonstrated by a number of examples

Engineering and exploiting synthetic allostery of NanoLuc luciferase

Allostery enables proteins to interconvert different biochemical signals and form complex metabolic and signaling networks. We hypothesize that circular permutation of proteins increases the probability of functional coupling of new N- and C- termini with the protein’s active center through increased local structural disorder. To test this we construct a synthetically allosteric version of circular permutated NanoLuc luciferase that can be activated through ligand-induced intramolecular non-covalent cyclisation. This switch module is tolerant of the structure of binding domains and their ligands, and can be used to create biosensors of proteins and small molecules. The developed biosensors covers a range of emission wavelengths and displays sensitivity as low as 50pM and dynamic range as high as 16-fold and could quantify their cognate ligand in human fluids. We apply hydrogen exchange kinetic mass spectroscopy to analyze time resolved structural changes in the developed biosensors and observe ligand-mediated folding of newly created termini.</p

Fig. 3: Heat map plot showing the quantification of UHPLC polyphenolic metabolites of raw brown rice and fermented rice varieties

There is a substantial rise in the global incidence of obesity. Brown rice contains metabolic substances that can help minimize the prevalence of obesity. This study evaluated nine brown rice varieties using probiotic fermentation using Pediococcus acidilacti MNL5 to enhance bioactive metabolites and their efficacy. Among the nine varieties, FBR-1741 had the highest pancreatic lipase inhibitory efficacy (87.6 ± 1.51%), DPPH assay (358.5 ± 2.80 mg Trolox equiv./100 g, DW), and ABTS assay (362.5 ± 2.32 mg Trolox equiv./100 g, DW). Compared to other fermented brown rice and FBR-1741 varieties, UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS demonstrated significant untargeted metabolite alterations. The 17 most abundant polyphenolic metabolites in the FBR-1741 variety and 132 putative targets were assessed for obesity-related target proteins, and protein interaction networks were constructed using the Cystoscope software. Network pharmacology analysis validated FBR-1741 with active metabolites in the C. elegans obesity-induced model. Administration of FBR-1741 with ferulic acid improved lifespan decreased triglycerides and suppressed the expression of fat-related genes. The enhanced anti-obesity properties of FBR-1741 suggest its implementation in obesity-functional food.</p

SUPPLEMENTARY TABLES

There is a substantial rise in the global incidence of obesity. Brown rice contains metabolic substances that can help minimize the prevalence of obesity. This study evaluated nine brown rice varieties using probiotic fermentation using Pediococcus acidilacti MNL5 to enhance bioactive metabolites and their efficacy. Among the nine varieties, FBR-1741 had the highest pancreatic lipase inhibitory efficacy (87.6 ± 1.51%), DPPH assay (358.5 ± 2.80 mg Trolox equiv./100 g, DW), and ABTS assay (362.5 ± 2.32 mg Trolox equiv./100 g, DW). Compared to other fermented brown rice and FBR-1741 varieties, UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS demonstrated significant untargeted metabolite alterations. The 17 most abundant polyphenolic metabolites in the FBR-1741 variety and 132 putative targets were assessed for obesity-related target proteins, and protein interaction networks were constructed using the Cystoscope software. Network pharmacology analysis validated FBR-1741 with active metabolites in the C. elegans obesity-induced model. Administration of FBR-1741 with ferulic acid improved lifespan decreased triglycerides and suppressed the expression of fat-related genes. The enhanced anti-obesity properties of FBR-1741 suggest its implementation in obesity-functional food.</p

SUPPLEMENTARY FIGURES

There is a substantial rise in the global incidence of obesity. Brown rice contains metabolic substances that can help minimize the prevalence of obesity. This study evaluated nine brown rice varieties using probiotic fermentation using Pediococcus acidilacti MNL5 to enhance bioactive metabolites and their efficacy. Among the nine varieties, FBR-1741 had the highest pancreatic lipase inhibitory efficacy (87.6 ± 1.51%), DPPH assay (358.5 ± 2.80 mg Trolox equiv./100 g, DW), and ABTS assay (362.5 ± 2.32 mg Trolox equiv./100 g, DW). Compared to other fermented brown rice and FBR-1741 varieties, UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS demonstrated significant untargeted metabolite alterations. The 17 most abundant polyphenolic metabolites in the FBR-1741 variety and 132 putative targets were assessed for obesity-related target proteins, and protein interaction networks were constructed using the Cystoscope software. Network pharmacology analysis validated FBR-1741 with active metabolites in the C. elegans obesity-induced model. Administration of FBR-1741 with ferulic acid improved lifespan decreased triglycerides and suppressed the expression of fat-related genes. The enhanced anti-obesity properties of FBR-1741 suggest its implementation in obesity-functional food.</p

Fig. 1: Anti-obesity in vitro pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of fermented brown rice varieties

There is a substantial rise in the global incidence of obesity. Brown rice contains metabolic substances that can help minimize the prevalence of obesity. This study evaluated nine brown rice varieties using probiotic fermentation using Pediococcus acidilacti MNL5 to enhance bioactive metabolites and their efficacy. Among the nine varieties, FBR-1741 had the highest pancreatic lipase inhibitory efficacy (87.6 ± 1.51%), DPPH assay (358.5 ± 2.80 mg Trolox equiv./100 g, DW), and ABTS assay (362.5 ± 2.32 mg Trolox equiv./100 g, DW). Compared to other fermented brown rice and FBR-1741 varieties, UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS demonstrated significant untargeted metabolite alterations. The 17 most abundant polyphenolic metabolites in the FBR-1741 variety and 132 putative targets were assessed for obesity-related target proteins, and protein interaction networks were constructed using the Cystoscope software. Network pharmacology analysis validated FBR-1741 with active metabolites in the C. elegans obesity-induced model. Administration of FBR-1741 with ferulic acid improved lifespan decreased triglycerides and suppressed the expression of fat-related genes. The enhanced anti-obesity properties of FBR-1741 suggest its implementation in obesity-functional food.</p