Showing papers by "Tallinn University of Technology published in 2017"
Washington State University1, University of Oregon2, University of Minnesota3, Rutgers University4, Illinois State University5, York University6, University of Wisconsin-Madison7, University of Saskatchewan8, University of Vermont9, Leibniz Association10, Uppsala University11, University of Helsinki12, University of Michigan13, Yale University14, Virginia Tech15, University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)16, University of Barcelona17, University of Potsdam18, Estonian University of Life Sciences19, University of New Brunswick20, International Institute for Sustainable Development21, United States Fish and Wildlife Service22, Tallinn University of Technology23, University of California, Santa Barbara24, University College London25, Bowling Green State University26, Brandenburg University of Technology27, Ontario Ministry of the Environment28, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi29, United States Geological Survey30, University of Nottingham31, University of California, Davis32, Irkutsk State University33, Colorado School of Public Health34, Clarkson University35, Trent University36, Environment Canada37, Loughborough University38
TL;DR: This is the first global quantitative synthesis on under-ice lake ecology, including 36 abiotic and biotic variables from 42 research groups and 101 lakes, examining seasonal differences and connections as well as how seasonal differences vary with geophysical factors.
Abstract: Winter conditions are rapidly changing in temperate ecosystems, particularly for those that experience periods of snow and ice cover. Relatively little is known of winter ecology in these systems, due to a historical research focus on summer ‘growing seasons’. We executed the first global quantitative synthesis on under-ice lake ecology, including 36 abiotic and biotic variables from 42 research groups and 101 lakes, examining seasonal differences and connections as well as how seasonal differences vary with geophysical factors. Plankton were more abundant under ice than expected; mean winter values were 43.2% of summer values for chlorophyll a, 15.8% of summer phytoplankton biovolume and 25.3% of summer zooplankton density. Dissolved nitrogen concentrations were typically higher during winter, and these differences were exaggerated in smaller lakes. Lake size also influenced winter-summer patterns for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), with higher winter DOC in smaller lakes. At coarse levels of taxonomic aggregation, phytoplankton and zooplankton community composition showed few systematic differences between seasons, although literature suggests that seasonal differences are frequently lake-specific, species-specific, or occur at the level of functional group. Within the subset of lakes that had longer time series, winter influenced the subsequent summer for some nutrient variables and zooplankton biomass.
296 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the potential of blockchain technology in enabling a new system of value that will better support the dynamics of social sharing and identify new modalities of value creation that better reflect the social relations of sharing.
254 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive attempt to globally map and analyse innovation labs (i-labs) in the public sector is made, which is based on a two-step approach: first, a comprehensive survey was carried out followed by an extensive in-depth interview with the managing figures of i-lab; eleven i-lab responded, finding support for the assumptions of external complexity, technological challenges, emulation, and legitimacy.
Abstract: This article is a first comprehensive attempt to globally map and analyse innovation labs (i-labs) in the public sector. The article analyzes theoretical reasons why i-labs are created in the public sector and tests these assumptions in practice. During the empirical study, thirty-five such organizations all over the world were identified. The research is based on a two-step approach: first, a comprehensive survey was carried out followed by an extensive in-depth interview with the managing figures of i-labs; eleven i-labs responded. The article finds support for the assumptions of external complexity, technological challenges, emulation, and legitimization as reasons behind the creation of i-labs.
128 citations
15 Sep 2017
TL;DR: This chapter describes how to isolate and identify Penicillium species and its diversity in various habitats as well as insight in its selectivity.
Abstract: Penicillium is a genus of ascomycetous fungi and has an important role in various natural processes. The wide and ubiquitous presence of the Penicillium species has been researched in several studies. According to a comprehensive literature analysis Penicillium is one of the most common fungi occurring in various environments such as soil, air, and extreme environments (temperature, salinity, water deficiency, and pH) and is also associated with plants and specific food products. Due to its huge diversity and existence in extreme environments there is great potential in using it for various environmental, biotechnological, and industrial applications. This chapter describes how to isolate and identify Penicillium species and its diversity in various habitats as well as insight in its selectivity.
118 citations
TL;DR: Although P2X4 remains poorly characterized, more studies are needed as it is likely to be a potential therapeutic target in these multiple pathologies, like post-ischemic inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, airways inflammation in asthma, neurodegenerative diseases and even metabolic syndrome.
Abstract: Extracellular nucleotides have been recognized as important mediators of activation, triggering multiple responses via plasma membrane receptors known as P2 receptors. P2 receptors comprise P2X ionotropic receptors and G protein-coupled P2Y receptors. P2X receptors are expressed in many tissues, where they are involved in a number of functions including synaptic transmission, muscle contraction, platelet aggregation, inflammation, macrophage activation, differentiation and proliferation, neuropathic and inflammatory pain. P2X4 is one of the most sensitive purinergic receptors (at nanomolar ATP concentrations), about one thousand times more than the archetypal P2X7. P2X4 is widely expressed in central and peripheral neurons, in microglia, and also found in various epithelial tissues and endothelial cells. It localizes on the plasma membrane, but also in intracellular compartments. P2X4 is preferentially localized in lysosomes, where it is protected from proteolysis by its glycosylation. High ATP concentration in the lysosomes does not activate P2X4 at low pH; P2X4 gets activated by intra-lysosomal ATP only in its fully dissociated tetra-anionic form, when the pH increases to 7.4. Thus, P2X4 is functioning as a Ca2+-channel after the fusion of late endosomes and lysosomes. P2X4 modulates major neurotransmitter systems and regulates alcohol-induced responses in microglia. P2X4 is one of the key receptors mediating neuropathic pain. However, injury-induced upregulation of P2X4 expression is gender dependent and plays a key role in pain difference between males and females. P2X4 is also involved in inflammation. Extracellular ATP being a pro-inflammatory molecule, P2X4 can trigger inflammation in response to high ATP release. It is therefore involved in multiple pathologies, like post-ischemic inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, airways inflammation in asthma, neurodegenerative diseases and even metabolic syndrome. Although P2X4 remains poorly characterized, more studies are needed as it is likely to be a potential therapeutic target in these multiple pathologies.
115 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the relationship between networking, organizational development, structural frame conditions and sustainability in the context of Industry 4.0 by using data samples from a business reengineering project in an internationally operating high-tech manufacturing enterprise located in Estonia.
Abstract: Re-industrialization enjoys a renaissance in Western economies due to the role of the industrial sector for innovation, productivity, and job creation. A very promising approach to bring back competitiveness in production seems to be the fusion of the virtual and the real world leading to smart manufacturing and logistics concepts. In Germany, the leading industrial country in the European Union this approach has been called " Industry 4.0 " aiming to develop cyber-physical systems (CPS) and dynamic production networks in order to achieve flexible and open value chains in manufacturing of complex mass customization products in small series. Currently, manufacturing companies gaining experiences in production in networks and smart logistics and develop new organisational structures and business models which better benefit from the new technologies and which adapt faster to the rapidly changing network environments. The modern manufacturing models embrace modular and fractal approaches as well as network-orientation, flexibility and responsiveness. The paper investigates the relationship between networking, organizational development, structural frame conditions and sustainability in the context of Industry 4.0. The research is empirically validated by using data samples from a business reengineering project in an internationally operating high-tech manufacturing enterprise located in Estonia. The empiric analysis is based on semi-structured expert interviews and secondary data together with a case study approach.
108 citations
TL;DR: This study provides a holistic picture, that endophytic actinobacteria are rich bacterial resource for bioactive natural products, which has a great prospective in agriculture and pharmaceutical industries.
Abstract: Endophytic actinobacteria play an important role in growth promotion and development of host plant by producing enormous quantities of novel bioactive natural products. In the present investigation, 169 endophytic actinobacteria were isolated from endospheric tissues of Rhynchotoechum ellipticum. Based on their antimicrobial potential, 81 strains were identified by 16rRNA gene analysis, which were taxonomically grouped into 15 genera. All identified strains were screened for their plant growth promoting attributes and, for the presence of modular polyketide synthases (PKSI, PKSII and nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) gene clusters to correlate the biosynthetic genes with their functional properties. Expression studies and antioxidant potential for four representative strains were evaluated using qRT-PCR and DPPH assay respectively. Additionally, six antibiotics (erythromycin, ketoconazole, fluconazole, chloramphenicol, rifampicin and miconazole) and nine phenolic compounds (catechin, kaempferol, chebulagic acid, chlorogenic acid, Asiatic acid, ferulic acid, arjunic acid, gallic acid and boswellic acid) were detected and quantified using UHPLC-QqQLIT-MS/MS. Furthermore, three strains (BPSAC77, 121 and 101) showed the presence of the anticancerous compound paclitaxel which was reported for the first time from endophytic actinobacteria. This study provides a holistic picture, that endophytic actinobacteria are rich bacterial resource for bioactive natural products, which has a great prospective in agriculture and pharmaceutical industries.
108 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors conducted a review of available scientific literature, design standards and guidelines on energy piles performance within the framework of the IEA-ECES Annex 31, covering typical plant solutions, configurations of energy piles and their thermal response test performance, available analytical and numerical models with their main features and application in commercial software and design manuals.
102 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a quasi-Z-source series resonant dc-dc converter is proposed for photovoltaic module-level power electronics applications, where the shoot-through pulse width modulation and phase shift modulation are combined in a single switching stage to realize the boost and buck operating modes.
Abstract: This paper presents the high-performance quasi-Z-source series resonant dc-dc converter as a candidate topology for the photovoltaic module-level power electronics applications. The converter features a wide input voltage and load regulation range thanks to the multimode operation, i.e., when the shoot-through pulse width modulation and phase-shift modulation are combined in a single switching stage to realize the boost and buck operating modes, respectively. Our experiments confirmed that the proposed converter is capable of ensuring ripple-free 400 V output voltage within the sixfold variation of the input voltage (from 10 to 60 V). The converter prototype assembled achieved a maximum efficiency of 97.4%, which includes the auxiliary power and control system losses.
101 citations
TL;DR: The paper highlights the impact of opt-in/opt-out approaches on citizen access and the lack of a structured approach to addressing differences in citizen health and e-health literacy.
Abstract: Most countries face an ageing population, increasing chronic diseased, and constrictions on budget for providing health services. Involving patients in their own care by allowing them access to their patient data is a trend seen in many places. Data on the type and level of access citizens have to their own health data in three countries was gathered from public sources. Data from each individual country is presented and the experiences of Denmark, Estonia and Australia are examined whilst similarities and differences explored. The discussion adopts a citizen-centred perspective to consider how the different e-portal systems support, protect and structure citizen interactions with their own health data in three key areas: Security, privacy and data protection; User support; and Citizen adoption and use. The paper highlights the impact of opt-in/opt-out approaches on citizen access and the lack of a structured approach to addressing differences in citizen health and e-health literacy. This research also confirms while current data provides detail on the availability and use of personal health data by citizens, questions still remain over the ultimate impact on patient outcomes of these initiatives. It is anticipated the insights generated from the three countries experiences, supporting citizen access to their health data will be useful to improve these initiatives and guide other countries aspiring to support similar initiatives.
98 citations
Stockholm School of Economics1, Karolinska Institutet2, Örebro University3, University of Amsterdam4, National Institutes of Health5, University Hospital of North Norway6, University of Michigan7, University of Turku8, University of New South Wales9, Tallinn University of Technology10, Cornell University11
TL;DR: Comparing policies and systems could allow countries to learn from each other to address global and nation-specific challenges, and countries may be able to develop improved policies by examining how other nations have solved common problems.
Abstract: Objectives Patient-accessible electronic health records (PAEHRs) are being implemented at international scale. Comparing policies and systems could allow countries to learn from each other to address global and nation-specific challenges. We compare national PAEHR policy (hard and soft regulation) and services in 10 countries. Methods PAEHR policy and system documentation was gathered from Australia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the United States. A basic analytic model for policy analysis was used to delimit our focus to policy content, followed by an inductive thematic analysis across countries, in which we clustered initial themes into a set of categories of PAEHR service “approaches” related to three specific content areas. Results Although all 10 countries ensured some patient rights to access medical records, policies and systems were highly variable, as were the technological processes arising from these. In particular, three policy areas showed great variability. Depending upon country of origin, a patient would encounter differences in: login procedures (security), access to own and other patients’ data during adolescence (user rights), and types of medical data made available to the patient (data sets). Conclusions Individuals encounter very different access rights to their medical data depending on where they live. Countries may be able to develop improved policies by examining how other nations have solved common problems. Harmonizing policies is also an initial step likely to be needed before cross-national PAEHRs could be possible.
TL;DR: In this paper, the degradation of NPX by citric acid (CA) chelated ferrous ion-activated hydrogen peroxide, persulfate and an innovative combined HP/persulfate system was evaluated.
TL;DR: Critical approaches to the smart city concept are used to begin highlighting the promises of makerspaces, that is to say, those emerging urban sites that promote sharing practices; exercise community-based forms of governance; and utilize local manufacturing technologies.
University of Toulouse1, Linnaeus University2, Tallinn University3, Tallinn University of Technology4, University of Plymouth5, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne6, University of Helsinki7, University of Turku8, University College London9, University of Bergen10, University of Göttingen11, Chinese Academy of Sciences12, University of Wollongong13, University of Cambridge14, University of Aberdeen15, University of Potsdam16, University of Gdańsk17, University of Stavanger18
TL;DR: In this paper, the relative impacts of land use and climate on Holocene vegetation at a sub-continental scale are quantified using redundancy analysis and variation partitioning to quantify the percentage of variation in vegetation composition explained by the climate and land-use variables, and Monte Carlo permutation tests to assess the statistical significance of each variable.
TL;DR: Insight is provided into such promising ways to harness biotechnology as ecofriendly methods for remediation and restoration and how to design plants with specific microbial partners.
Federal University of Piauí1, Flinders University2, Khulna University3, Broad Institute4, King Abdulaziz University5, Polish Academy of Sciences6, University of Vienna7, Tallinn University of Technology8, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy9, International Facility Management Association10, National Botanical Research Institute11, Central University, India12
TL;DR: A systematic review presents the current state of CIT research with emphasis on its bioactivity profile and reports that it is reported to possess a broad spectrum of bioactivities, including antibacterial, antifungal, and potential anticancer and neuro-protective effects in vitro.
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of wind waves on water level and currents during two storms in the North Sea is investigated using a high-resolution Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean (NEMO) model forced with fluxes and fields from a highresolution wave model.
Abstract: The effect of wind waves on water level and currents during two storms in the North Sea is investigated using a high-resolution Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean (NEMO) model forced with fluxes and fields from a high-resolution wave model. The additional terms accounting for wave-current interaction that are considered in this study are the Stokes-Coriolis force, the sea-state-dependent energy and momentum fluxes. The individual and collective role of these processes is quantified and the results are compared with a control run without wave effects as well as against current and water-level measurements from coastal stations. We find a better agreement with observations when the circulation model is forced by sea-state-dependent fluxes, especially in extreme events. The two extreme events, the storm Christian (25–27 October 2013), and about a month later, the storm Xaver (5–7 December 2013), induce different wave and surge conditions over the North Sea. Including the wave effects in the circulation model for the storm Xaver raises the modelled surge by more than 40 cm compared with the control run in the German Bight area. For the storm Christian, a difference of 20–30 cm in the surge level between the wave-forced and the stand-alone ocean model is found over the whole southern part of the North Sea. Moreover, the modelled vertical velocity profile fits the observations very well when the wave forcing is accounted for. The contribution of wave-induced forcing has been quantified indicating that this represents an important mechanism for improving water-level and current predictions.
TL;DR: Several recent works related to dq0 modeling and analysis are reviewed, considering the models of passive components, complete passive networks, synchronous machines, wind turbine systems, photovoltaic inverters, and others.
Abstract: With increasing the penetration of distributed and renewable sources into power grids, and with increasing the use of power electronics-based devices, the dynamic behavior of large-scale power systems is becoming increasingly complex. These recent developments have led to several models attempting to simplify the analysis of dynamic phenomena, among them are models based on the dq0 transformation. Many recent works present dq0-based models of various power system components, ranging from small renewable sources to complete networks. The purpose of this paper is to review and categorize these works, with an objective to promote a straightforward modeling and the analysis of complex systems, based on dq0 quantities. This paper opens by recalling basic concepts of the dq0 transformation and dq0-based models. We then review several recent works related to dq0 modeling and analysis, considering the models of passive components, complete passive networks, synchronous machines, wind turbine systems, photovoltaic inverters, and others.
Aalto University1, Stanford University2, University of Twente3, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences4, Masaryk University5, Ghent University6, Ruhr University Bochum7, Saint Petersburg State University8, fondazione bruno kessler9, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland10, Lam Research11, Seoul National University12, GlobalFoundries13, Åbo Akademi University14, Massachusetts Institute of Technology15, Ioffe Institute16, University of Helsinki17, STMicroelectronics18, Seagate Technology19, Saint Petersburg State Institute of Technology20, Chemnitz University of Technology21, Military University of Technology in Warsaw22, ASELSAN23, Linköping University24, Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives25, Tallinn University of Technology26, Eindhoven University of Technology27, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research28, University of Jyväskylä29, University of Maryland, College Park30, Fraunhofer Society31, Lund University32, Uppsala University33, Delft University of Technology34, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University35
TL;DR: The Virtual Project on the history of ALD (VPHA) is a volunteer-based effort with open participation, set up to make the early days of atomic layer deposition more transparent.
Abstract: Atomic layer deposition (ALD), a gas-phase thin film deposition technique based on repeated, self-terminating gas-solid reactions, has become the method of choice in semiconductor manufacturing and many other technological areas for depositing thin conformal inorganic material layers for various applications. ALD has been discovered and developed independently, at least twice, under different names: atomic layer epitaxy (ALE) and molecular layering. ALE, dating back to 1974 in Finland, has been commonly known as the origin of ALD, while work done since the 1960s in the Soviet Union under the name "molecular layering" (and sometimes other names) has remained much less known. The virtual project on the history of ALD (VPHA) is a volunteer-based effort with open participation, set up to make the early days of ALD more transparent. In VPHA, started in July 2013, the target is to list, read and comment on all early ALD academic and patent literature up to 1986. VPHA has resulted in two essays and several presentations at international conferences. This paper, based on a poster presentation at the 16th International Conference on Atomic Layer Deposition in Dublin, Ireland, 2016, presents a recommended reading list of early ALD publications, created collectively by the VPHA participants through voting. The list contains 22 publications from Finland, Japan, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and United States. Up to now, a balanced overview regarding the early history of ALD has been missing; the current list is an attempt to remedy this deficiency.
TL;DR: This paper presents a novel soft-switching galvanically isolated buck-boost dc–dc converter as a module-integrated converter for photovoltaic (PV) applications that features three major operating modes: boost, normal, and buck mode.
Abstract: This paper presents a novel soft-switching galvanically isolated buck-boost dc–dc converter as a module-integrated converter for photovoltaic (PV) applications. It features three major operating modes: boost, normal, and buck mode. Their proper distribution over the input voltage range enables wide voltage regulation capabilities, i.e., close to those of nonisolated power optimizers. The proposed control algorithm requires only one buck-boost switching stage that performs voltage regulation by means of the switching stage reconfiguration with smooth transition between the modes. The design guidelines and the digital control system for PV applications are provided. The module-integrated converter was verified experimentally with a solar array simulator. The converter showed good maximum power point tracking performance and a peak efficiency of nearly 97%.
TL;DR: In this article, it is shown that temperature evolution does not follow Fourier's law but is well explained by the Guyer-Krumhansl equation, and the observations confirm the ability of non-equilibrium thermodynamics to formulate universal constitutive relations for thermomechanical processes.
Abstract: Results of heat pulse experiments in various artificial and natural materials are reported in this paper. The experiments are performed at room temperature with macroscopic samples. It is shown that temperature evolution does not follow Fourier's law but is well explained by the Guyer-Krumhansl equation. The observations confirm the ability of non-equilibrium thermodynamics to formulate universal constitutive relations for thermomechanical processes.
TL;DR: The most notable difference among the samples was the appearance of phloretin in malolactic ciders in comparison to conventional ciders and the juices, and the apple cultivars were significantly different in their phenolic contents and compositions.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the analysis of single channel signal can provide high accuracy of differentiation depression EEG, and linear combination of SASI and DFA resulted in 91.2% classification accuracy.
TL;DR: Aspergillus clavatonanicus strain MJ31 has prolific antimicrobial potential against both plant and human pathogens and can be exploited for the discovery of new antimicrobial compounds and could be an alternate source for the production of secondary metabolites.
Abstract: Endophytic fungi associated with medicinal plants are reported as potent producers of diverse classes of secondary metabolites. In the present study, an endophytic fungi, Aspergillus clavatonanicus strain MJ31, exhibiting significant antimicrobial activity was isolated from roots of Mirabilis jalapa L., was identified by sequencing three nuclear genes i.e. internal transcribed spacers ribosomal RNA (ITS rRNA), 28S ribosomal RNA (28S rRNA) and translation elongation factor 1- alpha (EF 1α). Ethyl acetate extract of strain MJ31displayed significant antimicrobial potential against Bacillus subtilis, followed by Micrococccus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 0.078, 0.156 and 0.312 mg/ml respectively. In addition, the strain was evaluated for its ability to synthesize bioactive compounds by the amplification of polyketide synthase (PKS) and non ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) genes. Further, seven antibiotics (miconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, ampicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and rifampicin) were detected and quantified using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Additionally, thermal desorption-gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) analysis of strain MJ31 showed the presence of 28 volatile compounds. This is the first report on A. clavatonanicus as an endophyte obtained from M. jalapa. We conclude that A. clavatonanicus strain MJ31 has prolific antimicrobial potential against both plant and human pathogens and can be exploited for the discovery of new antimicrobial compounds and could be an alternate source for the production of secondary metabolites.
TL;DR: This article analyzed macrocharcoal morphologies and pollen of a sediment record from Lake Lielais Svētiņu (eastern Latvia) and in conjunction with fire traits analysis presented the first record of Holocene variability in fire regime, fuel sources and fire types in boreal forests of the Baltic region.
TL;DR: The efficiency of the process illustrates that using this hydrolyzate, Clostridium pasteurianum (MTCC116) could produce cumulative hydrogen of 2580ml/L in 144h with the maximum production rate of 23.96 ml/L/h in 96h.
TL;DR: In this article, activated carbon (AC) was derived from seed shells of Jatropha curcas and applied to decontaminate the zearalenone (ZEA) mycotoxin.
Abstract: In the present study, activated carbon (AC) was derived from seed shells of Jatropha curcas and applied to decontaminate the zearalenone (ZEA) mycotoxin. The AC of J. curcas (ACJC) was prepared by ZnCl2 chemical activation method and its crystalline structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystalline graphitic nature of ACJC was confirmed from the Raman spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscope showed the porous surface morphology of the ACJC surface with high pore density and presence of elemental carbon was identified from the energy dispersive X-ray analysis. From Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, SBET, micropore area, and average pore diameter of ACJC were calculated as 822.78 (m2/g), 255.36 (m2/g), and 8.5980 (A), respectively. The adsorption of ZEA by ACJC was accomplished with varying contact time, concentration of ZEA and ACJC, and pH of media. The ACJC has adsorbed the ZEA over a short period of time and adsorption of ZEA was dependent on the dose of ACJC. The effect of different pH on adsorption of ZEA by ACJC was not much effective. Desorption studies confirmed that adsorption of ZEA by ACJC was stable. The adsorption isotherm of ZEA by ACJC was well fitted with Langmuir model rather than Freundlich and concluded the homogeneous process of sorption. The maximum adsorption of ZEA by ACJC was detected as 23.14 μg/mg. Finally, adsorption property of ACJC was utilized to establish ACJC as an antidote against ZEA-induced toxicity under in vitro in neuro-2a cells. The percentage of live cells was high in cells treated together with a combination of ZEA and ACJC compared to ZEA treated cells. In a similar way, ΔΨM was not dropped in cells exposed to combination of ACJC and ZEA compared to ZEA treated cells. Furthermore, cells treated with a combination of ZEA and ACJC exhibited lower level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and caspase-3 compared to ZEA treated cells. These in vitro studies concluded that ACJC has successfully protected the cells from ZEA-induced toxicity by lowering the availability of ZEA in media as a result of adsorption of ZEA. The study concluded that ACJC was a potent decontaminating agent for ZEA and could be used as an antidote against ZEA-induced toxicity.
TL;DR: In this article, a uniform Sb2S3 absorbing shell is formed by chemical spray pyrolysis without structural degradation of the ZnO. This shell consists of a very thin, conformal layer together with homogeneously distributed small clusters from the bottom to the top of the core-shell nanowire arrays.
Abstract: Extremely thin absorber (ETA) solar cells integrating ZnO nanowires have been receiving increasing interest owing to efficient light-trapping phenomena and charge-carrier management, but the chemical instability of ZnO in acidic conditions limits its combination with a variety of absorbing semiconducting shells grown by chemical deposition techniques. By covering the ZnO nanowires grown by chemical bath deposition with a protective, passivating, conformal, thin, anatase-TiO2 layer by atomic layer deposition, we show that a uniform Sb2S3 absorbing shell is formed by chemical spray pyrolysis without structural degradation of the ZnO. The Sb2S3 absorbing shell consists of a very thin, conformal layer together with homogeneously distributed small clusters from the bottom to the top of the ZnO/TiO2 core–shell nanowire arrays. The resulting ETA solar cells integrating these ZnO/TiO2/Sb2S3 core–shell nanowire heterostructures with an Sb2S3 absorbing shell less than 10 nm-thick and P3HT as the hole-transporting m...
TL;DR: Results demonstrate that constant contact between microbial communities increases their similarity, and a majority of the operational taxonomic units in infant gut and Oral microbiota were also shared with the mothers’ gut and oral communities, respectively.
Abstract: Very few studies have analyzed how the composition of mother's microbiota affects the development of infant's gut and oral microbiota during the first months of life. Here, microbiota present in the mothers' gut, vagina, breast milk, oral cavity, and mammary areola were compared with the gut and oral microbiota of their infants over the first six months following birth. Samples were collected from the aforementioned body sites from seven mothers and nine infants at three different time points over a 6-month period. Each sample was analyzed with 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The gut microbiota of the infants harbored distinct microbial communities that had low similarity with the various maternal microbiota communities. In contrast, the oral microbiota of the infants exhibited high similarity with the microbiota of the mothers' breast milk, mammary areola and mouth. These results demonstrate that constant contact between microbial communities increases their similarity. A majority of the operational taxonomic units in infant gut and oral microbiota were also shared with the mothers' gut and oral communities, respectively. The disparity between the similarity and the proportion of the OTUs shared between infants' and mothers' gut microbiota might be related to lower diversity and therefore competition in infants' gut microbiota.
TL;DR: Recombinant EfcIBP can resist freezing without any conformational damage and is moderately heat stable, with a midpoint temperature of 66.4 °C, and is one of the best‐performing IBPs described to date in the inhibition of ice recrystallization, with effective concentrations in the nanomolar range.
Abstract: Cold environments are populated by organisms able to contravene deleterious effects of low temperature by diverse adaptive strategies, including the production of ice binding proteins (IBPs) that inhibit the growth of ice crystals inside and outside cells. We describe the properties of such a protein (EfcIBP) identified in the metagenome of an Antarctic biological consortium composed of the ciliate Euplotes focardii and psychrophilic non-cultured bacteria. Recombinant EfcIBP can resist freezing without any conformational damage and is moderately heat stable, with a midpoint temperature of 66.4 °C. Tested for its effects on ice, EfcIBP shows an unusual combination of properties not reported in other bacterial IBPs. First, it is one of the best-performing IBPs described to date in the inhibition of ice recrystallization, with effective concentrations in the nanomolar range. Moreover, EfcIBP has thermal hysteresis activity (0.53 °C at 50 μm) and it can stop a crystal from growing when held at a constant temperature within the thermal hysteresis gap. EfcIBP protects purified proteins and bacterial cells from freezing damage when exposed to challenging temperatures. EfcIBP also possesses a potential N-terminal signal sequence for protein transport and a DUF3494 domain that is common to secreted IBPs. These features lead us to hypothesize that the protein is either anchored at the outer cell surface or concentrated around cells to provide survival advantage to the whole cell consortium.