Connectivity of the Hexagonal, Cubic, and Isotropic Phases of the C12EO6/H2O Lyotropic Mixture Investigated by Tracer Diffusion and X-ray Scattering

The connectivity of the hydrophobic medium in the nonionic binary system C12EO6/H2O is studied by monitoring the diffusion constants of tracer molecules at the transition between the hexagonal mesophase and the fluid isotropic phase. The increase in the transverse diffusion coefficient on approaching the isotropic phase reveals the proliferation of bridgelike defects connecting the surfactant cylinders. This suggests that the isotropic phase has a highly connected structure. Indeed, we find similar diffusion coefficients in the isotropic and cubic bicontinuous phases. The temperature dependence of the lattice parameter in the hexagonal phase confirms the change in connectivity close to the hexagonal-isotropic transition. Finally, an X-ray investigation of the isotropic phase shows that its structure is locally similar to that of the hexagonal phase

Când a apărut roata omnidirecțională?

In lucrare se prezintă un scurt istoric al realizărilor contemporane din domeniul roților omnidirecționale si câteva aplicații tehnice ale acestora. Funcționarea acestor roți poate fi mai bine înțeleasă dacă se accesează link-urile indicate la Bibliografie. Lucrarea este completată cu câteva opinii privind viziunea profetului Ezechiel, care par a sugera o roată omnidirecțională

miR-142: A Master Regulator in Hematological Malignancies and Therapeutic Opportunities

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a type of non-coding RNA whose dysregulation is frequently associated with the onset and progression of human cancers. miR-142, an ultra-conserved miRNA with both active -3p and -5p mature strands and wide-ranging physiological targets, has been the subject of countless studies over the years. Due to its preferential expression in hematopoietic cells, miR-142 has been found to be associated with numerous types of lymphomas and leukemias. This review elucidates the multifaceted role of miR-142 in human physiology, its influence on hematopoiesis and hematopoietic cells, and its intriguing involvement in exosome-mediated miR-142 transport. Moreover, we offer a comprehensive exploration of the genetic and molecular landscape of the miR-142 genomic locus, highlighting its mutations and dysregulation within hematological malignancies. Finally, we discuss potential avenues for harnessing the therapeutic potential of miR-142 in the context of hematological malignancies

Preliminary Results Concerning Marker Assisted Selection for Potato Resistance to Phytophthora Infestans

Phytophtora infestans, the causal organism of late blight, is the most important fungal pathogen of potato. Utilization of resistant variety is the most important strategy of potato late blight control. For creating new resistant varieties Marker Assisted Selection significantly increase the efficiency of this process. RAPD markers offer the advantage that it requires no preliminary information concerning the DNA sequence of the resistance genes or about expression product of these genes. But in this case molecular markers, defined by a certain polymorphism, have to be attributed to resistance genes by a genetic analysis. The simplest method, rely on co segregation or constantly presence of a polymorphic band in the resistant forms that is absent in the susceptible forms. To achieve that two groups of potato accessions originated from USA and Brasov, Romania, were used, represented of resistant differential lines with known R genes. From the seven primers used some gave amplification product only in resistant differential lines but no in sensitive one, amplification product that could be considered as candidate for molecular markers of resistant genes usable for Marker Assisted Selection of potato resistant to P. infestans

Disability-sensitive occupational risk assessment

This paper presents the findings of an ongoing National Institute for Research and Development in Occupational Safety “Alexandru Darabont” INCDPM project developed in collaborations with BAUM Engineering SRL that addresses the occupational safety issues related to workers with disabilities, with emphasis on disability-sensitive risk assessment. In our project we developed a method of occupational risk assessment that is disability-sensitive, in order to help employer and safety professionals. The disability-sensitive risk assessment method will identify all the risk factors in the system that can be the ultimate cause of injury and/or professional illness by means of predefined control lists and quantifying the risk based on the combination of gravity and probability of risk factor manifestation. The main steps in applying the method will be: establishment of the assessment team; description of the analysed system (workplace, installation); identification of risk factors in the system; assessment of the risks of occupational injury and illness; prioritizing risks and establishing prevention priorities; proposing prevention measures. Every step mentioned before will be disability-sensitive, taking account of individual workers’ differences and avoiding discrimination at the same time

Weaving the nest: extracellular matrix roles in pre-metastatic niche formation

The discovery that primary tumors condition distant organ sites of future metastasis for seeding by disseminating tumor cells through a process described as the pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation revolutionized our understanding of cancer progression and opened new avenues for therapeutic interventions. Given the inherent inefficiency of metastasis, PMN generation is crucial to ensure the survival of rare tumor cells in the otherwise hostile environments of metastatic organs. Early on, it was recognized that preparing the “soil” of the distal organ to support the outgrowth of metastatic cells is the initiating event in PMN development, achieved through the remodeling of the organ’s extracellular matrix (ECM). Remote restructuring of ECM at future sites of metastasis under the influence of primary tumor-secreted factors is an iterative process orchestrated through the crosstalk between resident stromal cells, such as fibroblasts, epithelial and endothelial cells, and recruited innate immune cells. In this review, we will explore the ECM changes, cellular effectors, and the mechanisms of ECM remodeling throughout PMN progression, as well as its impact on shaping the PMN and ultimately promoting metastasis. Moreover, we highlight the clinical and translational implications of PMN ECM changes and opportunities for therapeutically targeting the ECM to hinder PMN formation

Effects of Audio Frequency Electric Fields on the Esterification Reactions of Acetic Acid With C4-C8 Branched Alcohols

The esterification reactions, which lead to esters with a big diversity of uses across numerous industries, is one of the most important reactions in organic synthesis. Within these esterification reactions, a variety of strategies have been used to improve conversion, reaction rate, and equilibrium. This paper investigated the effects of the audio frequency electric fields on the esterification reactions of acetic acid with C4-C8 branched aliphatic alcohols. The aim of these studies was to synthesize a few acetic acid esters in an environmentally and friendly manner utilizing a new method. The only raw materials used were acetic acid, C4–C8 branched aliphatic alcohols and an audio frequency electric field acting as an accelerator. In order to determine the efficacy of the suggested approach, these esters were also synthesized without applying the audio frequency electric field. Analysis using gas chromatography technique revealed that the audio frequency electric field significantly increased esterification yields. The highest yields of ester were obtained for 2-octyl acetate, exhibiting a notable increase in comparison to the synthesis that did not employ the application of an audio frequency electric field as an enhancer of the reaction rate. The proposed new method, as well as the employing of raw materials of natural origin, allows the production of esters in an environmentally friendly manner and with reduced costs. These esters can be used without any restrictions in a variety of industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics

Frazil Ice in the Antarctic Marginal Ice Zone

Frazil ice, consisting of loose disc-shaped ice crystals, is the first ice that forms in the annual cycle in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) of the Antarctic. A sufficient number of frazil ice crystals form the surface “grease ice” layer, playing a fundamental role in the freezing processes in the MIZ. As soon as the ocean waves are sufficiently damped by a frazil ice cover, a closed ice cover can form. In this article, we investigate the rheological properties of frazil ice, which has a crucial influence on the growth of sea ice in the MIZ. An in situ test setup for measuring temperature and rheological properties was developed. Frazil ice shows shear thinning flow behavior. The presented measurements enable real-data-founded modelling of the annual ice cycle in the MIZ