Showing papers by "University of Maribor published in 2011"
University of Groningen1, Queen Mary University of London2, VU University Amsterdam3, University of Milan4, University of Pittsburgh5, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute6, University of Naples Federico II7, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre8, Sapienza University of Rome9, University of Maribor10, University of Cambridge11, University of Virginia12, University College London13, University of Delhi14, Hospital Clínico San Carlos15, University Medical Center Utrecht16, Leiden University17, University of Milano-Bicocca18
TL;DR: The complex genetic architecture of the risk regions of and refine the risk signals for celiac disease are defined, providing the next step toward uncovering the causal mechanisms of the disease.
Abstract: Using variants from the 1000 Genomes Project pilot European CEU dataset and data from additional resequencing studies, we densely genotyped 183 non-HLA risk loci previously associated with immune-mediated diseases in 12,041 individuals with celiac disease (cases) and 12,228 controls. We identified 13 new celiac disease risk loci reaching genome-wide significance, bringing the number of known loci (including the HLA locus) to 40. We found multiple independent association signals at over one-third of these loci, a finding that is attributable to a combination of common, low-frequency and rare genetic variants. Compared to previously available data such as those from HapMap3, our dense genotyping in a large sample collection provided a higher resolution of the pattern of linkage disequilibrium and suggested localization of many signals to finer scale regions. In particular, 29 of the 54 fine-mapped signals seemed to be localized to single genes and, in some instances, to gene regulatory elements. Altogether, we define the complex genetic architecture of the risk regions of and refine the risk signals for celiac disease, providing the next step toward uncovering the causal mechanisms of the disease.
715 citations
TL;DR: The obtained results are robust to the variations of the dynamics of individual neurons, the system size, and the neuronal firing type and can be used to characterize attractively or repulsively coupled scale-free neuronal networks with delays.
Abstract: This paper investigates the dependence of synchronization transitions of bursting oscillations on the information transmission delay over scale-free neuronal networks with attractive and repulsive coupling. It is shown that for both types of coupling, the delay always plays a subtle role in either promoting or impairing synchronization. In particular, depending on the inherent oscillation period of individual neurons, regions of irregular and regular propagating excitatory fronts appear intermittently as the delay increases. These delay-induced synchronization transitions are manifested as well-expressed minima in the measure for spatiotemporal synchrony. For attractive coupling, the minima appear at every integer multiple of the average oscillation period, while for the repulsive coupling, they appear at every odd multiple of the half of the average oscillation period. The obtained results are robust to the variations of the dynamics of individual neurons, the system size, and the neuronal firing type. Hence, they can be used to characterize attractively or repulsively coupled scale-free neuronal networks with delays.
461 citations
TL;DR: It is gathered proof that the perceived ease of use and the perceived usefulness tend to be the factors that can influence the attitudes of users toward using an e- learning technology in equal measure for different user types and types of e-learning technology settings.
443 citations
TL;DR: The efficiency of institutionalized punishment is studied by evaluating the stationary states in the spatial public goods game comprising unconditional defectors, cooperators, and cooperating pool punishers as the three competing strategies.
Abstract: The efficiency of institutionalized punishment is studied by evaluating the stationary states in the spatial public goods game comprising unconditional defectors, cooperators, and cooperating pool punishers as the three competing strategies. Fines and costs of pool punishment are considered as the two main parameters determining the stationary distributions of strategies on the square lattice. Each player collects a payoff from five five-person public goods games, and the evolution of strategies is subsequently governed by imitation based on pairwise comparisons at a low level of noise. The impact of pool punishment on the evolution of cooperation in structured populations is significantly different from that reported previously for peer punishment. Representative phase diagrams reveal remarkably rich behavior, depending also on the value of the synergy factor that characterizes the efficiency of investments payed into the common pool. Besides traditional single- and two-strategy stationary states, a rock-paper-scissors type of cyclic dominance can emerge in strikingly different ways.
317 citations
TL;DR: A review of solubility data for solid compounds in sub- and supercritical fluids published in the literature between 2005 and 2010 is given in tabular form along with the temperature and pressure ranges and the correlation methods applied by the authors for modeling the experimentally determined data as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A review of solubility data for solid compounds in sub- and supercritical fluids published in the literature between 2005 and 2010 is given in tabular form along with the temperature and pressure ranges and the correlation methods applied by the authors for modeling the experimentally determined data. Compounds are classified into groups on the basis of their chemical nature (inorganic, organometallic, aromatic, nonaromatic organic, polymer), except for biological and pharmaceutical compounds, which are considered as a separate group based on their functionality. For each group of compounds, new findings are reviewed and discussed. Supercritical CO2 was the preferred solvent for most of the applications, although an increasing interest in other solvents at elevated pressure has been observed, especially for fluorinated hydrocarbons, water, and propane.
216 citations
TL;DR: The present paper critically reviews the current knowledge of the impact of EDCs on reproductive disorders in humans and concludes that industrial waste water is the main source of these compounds.
Abstract: There is increasing concern about chemical pollutants that are able to mimic hormones, the so-called endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), because of their structural similarity to endogenous hormones, their ability to interact with hormone transport proteins or because of their potential to disrupt hormone metabolic pathways. Thus, the effects of endogenous hormones can be mimicked or, in some cases, completely blocked. A substantial number of environmental pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, bisphenol A, pesticides, alkylphenols and heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury), have been shown to disrupt endocrine function. These compounds can cause reproductive problems by decreasing sperm count and quality, increasing the number of testicular germ cells and causing male breast cancer, cryptorchidism, hypospadias, miscarriages, endometriosis, impaired fertility, irregularities of the menstrual cycle, and infertility. Although EDCs may be released into the environment in different ways, the main sources is industrial waste water. The present paper critically reviews the current knowledge of the impact of EDCs on reproductive disorders in humans.
189 citations
01 Nov 2011
TL;DR: The results show that the jDElscop algorithm can deal with large-scale continuous optimization effectively and behaves significantly better than other three algorithms used in the comparison, in most cases.
Abstract: Many real-world optimization problems are large-scale in nature. In order to solve these problems, an optimization algorithm is required that is able to apply a global search regardless of the problems’ particularities. This paper proposes a self-adaptive differential evolution algorithm, called jDElscop, for solving large-scale optimization problems with continuous variables. The proposed algorithm employs three strategies and a population size reduction mechanism. The performance of the jDElscop algorithm is evaluated on a set of benchmark problems provided for the Special Issue on the Scalability of Evolutionary Algorithms and other Metaheuristics for Large Scale Continuous Optimization Problems. Non-parametric statistical procedures were performed for multiple comparisons between the proposed algorithm and three well-known algorithms from literature. The results show that the jDElscop algorithm can deal with large-scale continuous optimization effectively. It also behaves significantly better than other three algorithms used in the comparison, in most cases.
186 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the physical and chemical properties of diesel fuel and ethanol-diesel fuel blends were measured according to requirements and test methods for diesel fuel (EN590, 2003), and the attention was focused on the properties which influence the injection and engine characteristics significantly.
179 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors support the hypothesis that the growth of credit and the amount of available finance might harm banking performance and deteriorate non-performing loans (NPL) dynamics, most probably due to the overheating of economies in the five NMSs.
Abstract: Rapid credit growth has been one of the most pervasive developments in recent years in Central and Eastern Europe. Our estimates support the hypothesis that the growth of credit and the amount of available finance might harm banking performance and deteriorate non-performing loans (NPL) dynamics, most probably due to the overheating of economies in the five NMSs. The procyclicality of banking sector performance and high economic activities growth is a signal of an economy overheating and therefore a slowdown in economic activity is likely to accelerate the growth of the NPL ratio.
168 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared three mass transfer models for the prediction of sheet cavitation around a hydrofoil, and found that the numerical predictions were very close to each other and in agreement with the experimental data.
165 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that the periodicity of the material properties is one of the dominant reasons for the high fracture resistance of these structures and their tolerance to short cracks.
Abstract: Many biological materials, such as bone, nacre, or certain deep-sea glass sponges, have a hierarchical structure that makes them stiff, tough, and damage tolerant. Different structural features contributing to these exceptional properties have been identified, but a common motif of these materials, the periodic arrangement of structural components with strongly varying stiffness, has not gained sufficient attention. Here we show that the periodicity of the material properties is one of the dominant reasons for the high fracture resistance of these structures and their tolerance to short cracks. If the composite architecture fulfills certain design rules, which are derived in this paper, the stiff structure becomes fracture resistant and, most of all, flaw tolerant. This architectural criterion inspired from nature provides useful guidelines for the design of defect-tolerant resistant man-made materials.
TL;DR: It is shown that the problem of determining @j"k(G) is NP-hard for each k>=2, while for trees the problem can be solved in linear time.
TL;DR: It is found that increasing the group size does not necessarily lead to mean-field behavior, as is traditionally observed for games governed by pairwise interactions, but rather that public cooperation may be additionally promoted by means of enhanced spatial reciprocity that sets in for very large groups.
Abstract: We study the evolution of cooperation in public goods games on the square lattice, focusing on the effects that are brought about by different sizes of groups where individuals collect their payoffs and search for potential strategy donors. We find that increasing the group size does not necessarily lead to mean-field behavior, as is traditionally observed for games governed by pairwise interactions, but rather that public cooperation may be additionally promoted by means of enhanced spatial reciprocity that sets in for very large groups. Our results highlight that the promotion of cooperation due to spatial interactions is not rooted solely in having restricted connections among players, but also in individuals having the opportunity to collect payoffs separately from their direct opponents. Moreover, in large groups the presence of a small number of defectors is bearable, which makes the mixed-phase region expand with increasing group size. Having a chance of exploiting distant players, however, offers defectors a different way to break the phalanx of cooperators and even to resurrect from small numbers to eventually completely invade the population.
University of Oklahoma1, Simon Fraser University2, University of Connecticut3, Radboud University Nijmegen4, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev5, Technische Universität München6, University of Valencia7, Yuan Ze University8, University of Maribor9, Victoria University of Wellington10, Johannes Kepler University of Linz11, University of Los Andes12, University of Auckland13, Lahore University of Management Sciences14, University of Technology, Sydney15, University of Hartford16, Florida Atlantic University17, National Economics University18, University of Dallas19, University of Milan20, VU University Amsterdam21, University of Porto22, Seoul National University23, Monash University24, University of Zagreb25, Chinese Academy of Sciences26, Georgia State University27, University of Eastern Finland28, University of Lethbridge29, George Washington University30, University of Calgary31, Hong Kong Institute of Education32, University of Tennessee33, University of Westminster34, Aalborg University35, University of New South Wales36, University of São Paulo37, Pennsylvania State University38, University of North Florida39, The Chinese University of Hong Kong40, Lingnan University41, National University of Singapore42
TL;DR: In this paper, the Schwartz Values Survey (SVS) data from samples of business managers and professionals across 50 societies that are culturally and socioeconomically diverse was used to identify the SVS dimensions that have cross-culturally internally reliable structures and withinsociety agreement for business professionals.
Abstract: This article provides current Schwartz Values Survey (SVS) data from samples of business managers and professionals across 50 societies that are culturally and socioeconomically diverse. We report the society scores for SVS values dimensions for both individual- and societal-level analyses. At the individual-level, we report on the ten circumplex values sub-dimensions and two sets of values dimensions (collectivism and individualism; openness to change, conservation, self-enhancement, and self-transcendence). At the societal-level, we report on the values dimensions of embeddedness, hierarchy, mastery, affective autonomy, intellectual autonomy, egalitarianism, and harmony. For each society, we report the Cronbach’s α statistics for each values dimension scale to assess their internal consistency (reliability) as well as report interrater agreement (IRA) analyses to assess the acceptability of using aggregated individual level values scores to represent country values. We also examined whether societal development level is related to systematic variation in the measurement and importance of values. Thus, the contributions of our evaluation of the SVS values dimensions are two-fold. First, we identify the SVS dimensions that have cross-culturally internally reliable structures and within-society agreement for business professionals. Second, we report the society cultural values scores developed from the twenty-first century data that can be used as macro-level predictors in multilevel and single-level international business research.
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of biodiesel on the engine combustion characteristics is discussed and the relationship among fuel properties, injection and combustion characteristics, harmful emissions, specific fuel consumption, and other engine performance is determined.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Perceived usefulness was found as the strongest and the most important predictor of attitudes toward using Moodle, and the actual use of Moodle depends on two main factors: behavioural intentions and attitudes towardUsing Moodle.
Abstract: Advancements in web technologies and the increased influence of the World Wide Web are leading to new and innovative ways of learning. New e-learning system technologies and services enable activities that allow users to be active learners, actively participating in the on-line learning process. When an elearning system with new technologies and services is presented, it needs to be adopted by its users. The acceptance and use of an e-learning system can be influenced by different factors. The objective of this research is to examine the factors that have an impact on students’ perceptions about the use and acceptance of Moodle an open source e-learning system. In this study, the technology acceptance model (TAM) was used as an underlying theory. The data, collected from 235 students, was used to test the hypothesized research model. A data analysis was performed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results of the analysis have revealed that the actual use of Moodle depends on two main factors: behavioural intentions and attitudes toward using Moodle. Perceived usefulness was found as the strongest and the most important predictor of attitudes toward using Moodle. Several practical and theoretical implications of the present study are discussed at the end of the paper.
TL;DR: The European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence (EPNOE) as mentioned in this paper is a research and education network connecting 16 academic and research institutions and a large number of companies with its focus on poly-charide expertise development and poly-related research for innovation in business and industry.
TL;DR: An ultrasound comet-tail sign alone or in combination with NT-proBNP has high diagnostic accuracy in differentiating acute HF-related from COPD/asthma-related causes of acute dyspnea in the prehospital emergency setting.
Abstract: We studied the diagnostic accuracy of bedside lung ultrasound (the presence of a comet-tail sign), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and clinical assessment (according to the modified Boston criteria) in differentiating heart failure (HF)-related acute dyspnea from pulmonary (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/asthma)-related acute dyspnea in the prehospital setting. Our prospective study was performed at the Center for Emergency Medicine, Maribor, Slovenia, between July 2007 and April 2010. Two groups of patients were compared: a HF-related acute dyspnea group (n = 129) and a pulmonary (asthma/COPD)-related acute dyspnea group (n = 89). All patients underwent lung ultrasound examinations, along with basic laboratory testing, rapid NT-proBNP testing and chest X-rays. The ultrasound comet-tail sign has 100% sensitivity, 95% specificity, 100% negative predictive value (NPV) and 96% positive predictive value (PPV) for the diagnosis of HF. NT-proBNP (cutoff point 1,000 pg/mL) has 92% sensitivity, 89% specificity, 86% NPV and 90% PPV. The Boston modified criteria have 85% sensitivity, 86% specificity, 80% NPV and 90% PPV. In comparing the three methods, we found significant differences between ultrasound sign and (1) NT-proBNP (P 1,000 pg/mL) and a history of HF. An ultrasound comet-tail sign alone or in combination with NT-proBNP has high diagnostic accuracy in differentiating acute HF-related from COPD/asthma-related causes of acute dyspnea in the prehospital emergency setting. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01235182
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TL;DR: In this paper, a study of B→(J/ψγ)K and B→ψ'γ'K decay modes using 772×10−B B events collected at the Υ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider is presented.
Abstract: We report a study of B→(J/ψγ)K and B→(ψ'γ)K decay modes using 772×10⁶ B B events collected at the Υ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider. We observe X(3872)→J/ψγ and report the first evidence for χ(c2)→J/ψγ in B→(X_{c cγ)K decays, while in a search for X(3872)→ψ'γ no significant signal is found. We measure the branching fractions, B(B(±)→X(3872)K(±))B(X(3872)→J/ψγ)=(1.78(-0.44)(+0.48)±0.12)×10(-6), B(B(±)→χ(c2)K(±))=(1.11(-0.34)(+0.36)±0.09)×10(-5), B(B(±)→X(3872)K(±))B(X(3872)→ψ'γ)<3.45×10⁶ (upper limit at 90% C.L.), and also provide upper limits for other searches.
TL;DR: In this article, a general method for achievable speed and accuracy evaluation of additive manufacturing (AM) machines and an objective comparison among them is established, which is used to test four different machines that are predominantly used in Slovenia at the moment.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish a general method for achievable speed and accuracy evaluation of additive manufacturing (AM) machines and an objective comparison among them.Design/methodology/approach – First, a general schematic is defined that enables description of all currently available AM machines. This schematic is used to define two influential factors describing certain parts' properties regarding the machines' yield during manufacturing. A test part is defined, that will enable testing the influence of these factors on the speed and accuracy of manufacturing. A method for implementing and adapting test parts is established for individual machine's testing. This method was used to test four different machines that are predominantly used in Slovenia at the moment.Findings – Research has proven that the machine's yield had a predominant influence on the achievable manufacturing speeds of all the tested machines. In addition, the results have shown different ranges of achievable ...
TL;DR: This review presents the applications of intestinal cell models of human and pig origin in food and nutritional sciences and highlights their potential as in vitro platforms for preclinical research.
Abstract: This review presents the applications of intestinal cell models of human and pig origin in food and nutritional sciences and highlights their potential as in vitro platforms for preclinical research Intestinal cell models are used in studies of bioavailability, adsorption and transport in nutritional or toxicological settings, allergic effects of food components, as well as probiotics and/or host-pathogen gut interactions In addition, this review discusses the advantages of using specialized and functional cell models over generic cancer-derived cell lines
TL;DR: A game theoretical model describing the evolution of cooperation on structured populations where the distribution of public goods is driven by the reproductive success of individuals reveals that cooperation is promoted irrespective of the uncertainty by strategy adoptions and the type of interaction graph, yet the complete dominance of cooperators is elusive.
Abstract: Established already in Biblical times, the Matthew effect refers to the fact that in societies the rich tend to get richer and the potent even more powerful. Here we investigate a game theoretical model describing the evolution of cooperation on structured populations where the distribution of public goods is driven by the reproductive success of individuals. Phase diagrams reveal that cooperation is promoted irrespective of the uncertainty by strategy adoptions and the type of interaction graph, yet the complete dominance of cooperators is elusive due to the spontaneous emergence of superpersistent defectors that owe their survival to extremely rare microscopic patterns. This indicates that success-driven mechanisms are crucial for effectively harvesting benefits from collective actions but that they may also account for the observed persistence of maladaptive behavior.
TL;DR: In this paper, a ring-opening linker elongation reaction of the surface amines at the functionalized nanoparticles with succinic anhydride (SA) in non-aqueous medium, and by reacting the APMS and SA first, followed by grafting of the carboxyl-terminated reagent onto the nanoparticle surfaces.
Abstract: General and versatile methods for the functionalization of superparamagnetic, silica-coated, maghemite nanoparticles by surface amino and/or carboxyl groups have been established. The nanoparticles were synthesized using co-precipitation from aqueous solutions and coated with a thin layer of silica using the hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). For the amino functionalization, 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propylmethyldimethoxysilane (APMS) was grafted onto the nanoparticle surfaces in their aqueous suspensions. The grafting process was followed by measurements of the ζ-potential and a determination of the concentration of the surface amino groups with conductometric titrations. The surface concentration of the amino groups could be varied by increasing the amount of APMS in the grafting process up to approximately 2.3 –NH2 groups per nm2. The carboxyl functionalization was obtained in two ways: (i) by a ring-opening linker elongation reaction of the surface amines at the functionalized nanoparticles with succinic anhydride (SA) in non-aqueous medium, and (ii) by reacting the APMS and SA first, followed by grafting of the carboxyl-terminated reagent onto the nanoparticle surfaces. Using the first method, the SA only reacted with the terminal primary amino groups (–NH2) of the surface-grafted APMS molecules. Infra-red spectroscopy (ATR FTIR) and mass spectrometry (HRMS) showed that the second method enables the bonding of up to two SA molecules per one APMS molecule, since the SA reacted with both the primary (–NH2) and secondary amino (–NH–) groups of the APMS molecule. When using both methods, the ratio between the surface amino and carboxyl groups can be controlled.
TL;DR: An alternative way of understanding the evolution of cooperative behavior and its ubiquitous presence in nature is presented, and it is suggested that swarming could be an important phenomenon by means of which cooperation can be sustained even under highly unfavorable conditions.
Abstract: We study the evolution of cooperation among selfish individuals in the stochastic strategy spatial prisoner's dilemma game. We equip players with the particle swarm optimization technique, and find that it may lead to highly cooperative states even if the temptations to defect are strong. The concept of particle swarm optimization was originally introduced within a simple model of social dynamics that can describe the formation of a swarm, i.e., analogous to a swarm of bees searching for a food source. Essentially, particle swarm optimization foresees changes in the velocity profile of each player, such that the best locations are targeted and eventually occupied. In our case, each player keeps track of the highest payoff attained within a local topological neighborhood and its individual highest payoff. Thus, players make use of their own memory that keeps score of the most profitable strategy in previous actions, as well as use of the knowledge gained by the swarm as a whole, to find the best available strategy for themselves and the society. Following extensive simulations of this setup, we find a significant increase in the level of cooperation for a wide range of parameters, and also a full resolution of the prisoner's dilemma. We also demonstrate extreme efficiency of the optimization algorithm when dealing with environments that strongly favor the proliferation of defection, which in turn suggests that swarming could be an important phenomenon by means of which cooperation can be sustained even under highly unfavorable conditions. We thus present an alternative way of understanding the evolution of cooperative behavior and its ubiquitous presence in nature, and we hope that this study will be inspirational for future efforts aimed in this direction.
TL;DR: Donor islet endothelial cells (DIECs) contributed to the revascularization of fresh, but not cultured, islets by participating in early processes of vessel formation and persisting in the vasculature over long periods of time, but did not increase the vascular density or improve the endocrine function of the grafts.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE Freshly isolated pancreatic islets contain, in contrast to cultured islets, intraislet endothelial cells (ECs), which can contribute to functional blood vessel formation after transplantation. We have characterized how donor islet endothelial cells (DIECs) may contribute to the revascularization rate, vascular density, and endocrine graft function after transplantation of freshly isolated and cultured islets. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Freshly isolated and cultured islets were transplanted under the kidney capsule and into the anterior chamber of the eye. Intravital laser-scanning microscopy was used to monitor the revascularization process and DIECs in intact grafts. The grafts’ metabolic function was examined by reversal of diabetes, and the ultrastructural morphology by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS DIECs significantly contributed to the vasculature of fresh islet grafts, assessed up to 5 months after transplantation, but were hardly detected in cultured islet grafts. Early participation of DIECs in the revascularization process correlated with a higher revascularization rate of freshly isolated islets compared with cultured islets. However, after complete revascularization, the vascular density was similar in the two groups, and host ECs gained morphological features resembling the endogenous islet vasculature. Surprisingly, grafts originating from cultured islets reversed diabetes more rapidly than those originating from fresh islets. CONCLUSIONS In summary, DIECs contributed to the revascularization of fresh, but not cultured, islets by participating in early processes of vessel formation and persisting in the vasculature over long periods of time. However, the DIECs did not increase the vascular density or improve the endocrine function of the grafts.
TL;DR: In this paper, a unique cellulose polymer-based hydrogel with specific dual-responsive absorption properties was prepared from carboxymethyl (CMC) and hydroxyethyl (HEC) cellulose in an aqueous solution employing citric acid (CA) as a crosslinking agent.
15 Jun 2011
TL;DR: It is assumed that volatile desilylation products tend to adsorb on partly regenerated films, which strongly influences their wettability, and this influences the SFE values and polarities of the films.
Abstract: The wettability and surface free energy (SFE) of partly and fully regenerated cellulose model surfaces from spin coated trimethylsilyl cellulose were determined by static contact angle (SCA) measurements. In order to gain detailed insight into the desilylation reaction of the surfaces the results from SCA measurements were compared with data from other surface analytical methods, namely thickness measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR). Additionally, the influence of ultra high vacuum treatment (UHV) during XPS measurements on the water wettability and surface morphology of regenerated cellulose thin films was investigated. The wetting of polar and non-polar liquids increased with prolonged regeneration time, which is reflected in the higher SFE values and polarities of the films. After UHV treatment the water SCA of partly regenerated films decreases, whereas fully regenerated cellulose shows a higher water SCA. Therefore it is assumed that volatile desilylation products tend to adsorb on partly regenerated films, which strongly influences their wettability.
TL;DR: In this paper, a new adsorbent, silica aerogel modified with mercapto (-HS) functional group, was synthesized by standard sol-gel synthesis, which exhibited very high adsorption potential for both heavy metal ions and more than 990% removal was achieved in the pH range 4-6.
TL;DR: The use of bioaccessible contaminant data strongly reduced the toxicological risks of MeHg, whereas less risk reduction occurred with Cd and inorganic As, and the importance of food matrix, elemental chemical properties and cooking practices in the bioaccessibility of Hg,Cd and As was pointed out.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors study the equilibrium configurations of nematic shells, thin films of liquid crystal deposited on the boundary of colloidal particles of arbitrary shape enforcing a degenerate tangential anchoring on the nematic molecules.
Abstract: Within a two-dimensional Landau–de Gennes tensorial formalism we study the equilibrium configurations of nematic shells, thin films of nematic liquid crystal deposited on the boundary of colloidal particles of arbitrary shape enforcing a degenerate tangential anchoring on the nematic molecules. In this formalism, defects appear wherever a scalar order parameter vanishes. Their total number is the colloidal valence, as this is the number of molecular bridges that can bind every colloid to its peers. We show how the defect organization on a colloidal particle is affected by the Gaussian curvature of the colloidal boundary, to the point of changing its valence.