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In this study, a developed wheat flour blend (F), consisting of a high content of non-starch polysaccharides, was fortified with cellulase (C) and a cellulase–xylanase complex (CX) and then processed via conventional and hybrid treatment methods. Dry heating (T), hydrothermal treatment (H) and extrusion processing (E) were applied without or with enzyme addition as hybrid treatments. Proximate composition and polysaccharide profiles selected techno-functional and structural properties of modified wheat flours, were analyzed. Conventional and hybrid treatments induced changes in polysaccharide fraction compositions (especially the arabinoxylans) and the rheology of modified flour. Dry heating caused an inconsiderable effect on flour composition but reduced its baking value, mainly by reducing the elasticity of the dough and worsening the strain hardening index, from 49.27% (F) to 44.83% (TF) and from 1.66 (F) to 1.48 (TF), respectively. The enzymes added improved the rheological properties and baking strength, enhancing the quality of gluten proteins. Hydrothermal enzyme-assisted treatment increased flour viscosity by 14–26% and improved the dough stability by 12–21%; however, the use of steam negatively affected the protein structure, weakening dough stretchiness and elasticity. Extrusion, especially enzyme-assisted, significantly increased the hydration properties by 55–67% but lowered dough stability, fat content and initial gelatinization temperature due to the changes in the starch, mostly induced by the hybrid enzymatic–extrusion treatment. The structure of extruded flours was different from that obtained for other treatments where the peak intensity at 20° was the highest, suggesting the presence of amorphous phases of amylose and lipids. The results can be helpful in the selection of processing conditions so as to obtain flour products with specific techno-functional properties.

In this study, we explore the synthesis and solid-state characterization of four coumarin-3-carboxylic acid esters, each modified at the C-3 position with different cycloalkyl groups: cyclohexyl, menthyl, and iso-pulegyl. We conducted a detailed analysis of these compounds utilizing a variety of techniques such as a single-crystal X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Additionally, we calculated the dipole moments for these molecules. Our findings include a thorough structural assessment, highlighting the role of noncovalent interactions through Full Interaction Maps and Hirshfeld surface analysis. This study reveals the critical influence of the weak C-H…O hydrogen bonds in determining the solid-state architecture of these esters, whereas π-π stacking interactions appear to be negligible among the studied derivatives.

The endoplasmic reticulum is a subcellular organelle key in the control of synthesis, folding, and sorting of proteins. Under endoplasmic reticulum stress, an adaptative unfolded protein response is activated; however, if this activation is prolonged, cells can undergo cell death, in part due to oxidative stress and mitochondrial fragmentation. Here, we report that endoplasmic reticulum stress activates c-Abl tyrosine kinase, inducing its translocation to mitochondria. We found that endoplasmic reticulum stress-activated c-Abl interacts with and phosphorylates the mitochondrial fusion protein MFN2, resulting in mitochondrial fragmentation and apoptosis. Moreover, the pharmacological or genetic inhibition of c-Abl prevents MFN2 phosphorylation, mitochondrial fragmentation, and apoptosis in cells under endoplasmic reticulum stress. Finally, in the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mouse model, where endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress has been linked to neuronal cell death, we demonstrated that the administration of c-Abl inhibitor neurotinib delays the onset of symptoms. Our results uncovered a function of c-Abl in the crosstalk between endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dynamics via MFN2 phosphorylation.

The main aim of this work is a computational nonlinear analysis of a high strength steel corrugated-web plate girder with a very detailed and realistic mesh including vertical ribs, all the fillet welds and supporting areas. The analysis is carried out to verify mechanical structural response under transient fire temperature conditions accounting for an efficiency and accuracy of three various transient coupled thermo-elastic models. All the resulting stress distributions, deformation modes and their time variations, critical loads and eigenfrequencies as well as failure times are compared in all these models. Nonlinearities include material, geometrical and contact phenomena up to the temperature fluctuations together with temperature-dependent constitutive relations for high strength steel. They result partially from steady state and transient experimental tests or from the additional designing rules included in Eurocodes. A fire scenario includes an application of the normative fire gas temperature curve on the bottom flange of the entire girder for a period of 180 minutes. It is computed using sequentially coupled thermo-elastic Finite Element Method analyses. These account for heat conductivity, radiation and convection. The FEM model consists of a combination of 3D hexahedral and tetrahedral solid finite elements and uses temperature-dependent material and physical parameters, whose values are taken after the experiments presented in Eurocodes. Numerical results presented here demonstrate a fundamental role of the lower flange in carrying fire loads according to this scenario and show a contribution of the ribs and of the welds to the strength of the entire structure.

An efficiency of the generalized tenth order stochastic perturbation technique in determination of the basic probabilistic characteristics of up to the fourth order of dynamic response of Euler-Bernoulli beams with Gaussian uncertain damping is verified in this work. This is done on civil engineering application of a two-bay reinforced concrete beam using the Stochastic Finite Element Method implementation and its contrast with traditional Monte-Carlo simulation based Finite Element Method study and also with the semi-analytical probabilistic approach. The special purpose numerical implementation of the entire Stochastic perturbation-based Finite Element Method has been entirely programmed in computer algebra system MAPLE 2019 using Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg method. Further usage of the proposed technique to analyze stochastic reliability of the given structure subjected to dynamic oscillatory excitation is also included and discussed here because of a complete lack of the additional detailed demands in the current European designing codes.

The article presents Józef Korycki, called Janosik Podlaski, described in the accounts of his three friends. The source material was developed with the biographical method and subjected to critical analysis. The accounts revealed the axiological ambiguity of Korycki’s activities, as well as the differences in opinions about his activities. In the eyes of the communist propaganda, Janosik Podlaski was a common criminal. However, in the memory of friends he remained a good man, loyal to his homeland and devoted to the Podlasie community. In addition to presenting the recollections of Korycki, the article offers a clear interpretation of activities of this outstanding man. Artykuł prezentuje postać Józefa Koryckiego, zwanego Janosikiem Podlaskim, opisaną na podstawie relacji trójki jego przyjaciół. Pozyskany w ten sposób materiał został opracowany w oparciu o metodę biograficzną i poddany krytycznej analizie. Relacje uwidoczniły niejednoznaczność aksjologiczną działalności Koryckiego, a także wynikającą z tego rozbieżność ocen prowadzonych przezeń działań. Ukazały zależność dotyczących jego osoby i czynów sądów wartościujących od perspektywy postrzegania. W ujęciu propagandy komunistycznych władz, Janosik Podlaski przedstawiany był, jako pospolity kryminalista. Natomiast w pamięci przyjaciół pozostał dobrym człowiekiem, wiernym ojczyźnie i oddanym podlaskiej społeczności. Artykuł ma na celu, oprócz prezentacji wspomnień o Koryckim, także przybliżenie rozstrzygnięcia dylematu w historycznej ocenie tej nieprzeciętnej postaci.

Cd1−xBexTe, a new material with potential for X-ray and γ-ray detectors, was analyzed by photothermal piezoelectric spectroscopy. The samples were tested depending on beryllium content and surface preparation. The main aim of the measurements was to extract the energy gap values, which were found for x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.1. It was shown that mechanical (polishing) and chemical (etching) treatment strongly influenced the amplitude and phase spectra of CdBeTe crystals. Piezoelectric spectroscopy allowed for comparing the quality of preparation of both surfaces for a single sample. The sub-surface damaged layer that was created as a result of surface processing had different thermal parameters than the bulk part of the sample. It was responsible for the additional peaks in the amplitude spectrum and changes in the phase spectrum of the photothermal signal. Two different methods of sample etching were analyzed. One completely quenched the signal, and the other did not eliminate the defects present on the surface after the cutting process. The article presents the preliminary interpretation of experimental data using the modified Blonskij model.

In most cancers, mutations that lead to oncogene activation and tumor suppressor inactivation synergize to promote tumorigenesis. However, in neuroblastomas, MYCN amplification and ATRX mutations are mutually exclusive and incompatible.

In the present study, a focused combinatorial chemistry approach was applied to merge structural fragments of well-known TRPV1 antagonists with a potent anticonvulsant lead compound, KA-104, that was previously discovered by our group. Consequently, a series of 22 original compounds has been designed, synthesized, and characterized in the in vivo and in vitro assays. The obtained compounds showed robust in vivo antiseizure activity in the maximal electroshock (MES) test and in the 6 Hz seizure model (using both 32 and 44 mA current intensities). The most potent compounds 53 and 60 displayed the following pharmacological profile: ED50 = 89.7 mg/kg (MES), ED50 = 29.9 mg/kg (6 Hz, 32 mA), ED50 = 68.0 mg/kg (6 Hz, 44 mA), and ED50 = 73.6 mg/kg (MES), ED50 = 24.6 mg/kg (6 Hz, 32 mA), and ED50 = 56.3 mg/kg (6 Hz, 44 mA), respectively. Additionally, 53 and 60 were effective in the ivPTZ seizure threshold and had no influence on the grip strength and body temperature in mice. The in vitro binding and functional assays indicated a multimodal mechanism of action for 53 and 60. These molecules, beyond TRPV1 antagonism, inhibited calcium currents and fast sodium currents in patch-clamp assays. Further studies proved beneficial in vitro ADME-Tox properties for 53 and 60 (i.e., high metabolic stability, weak influence on CYPs, no neurotoxicity, etc.). Overall, 53 and 60 seem to be interesting candidates for future preclinical development in epilepsy and pain indications due to their interaction with the TRPV1 channel.

The main aim of this work is to verify an influence of the response function type in direct symbolic derivation of the probabilistic moments and coefficients of the structural state variables of axisymmetric spherical steel dome structures. The second purpose is to compare four various types of domes (ribbed, Schwedler, geodesic as well as diamatic) in the context of time-independent reliability assessment in the presence of an uncertainty in the structural steel Young modulus. We have considered various analytical response functions to approximate fundamental eigenfrequencies, critical load multiplier, global extreme vertical and horizontal displacements as well as local deformations. Particular values of the reliability indices calculated here can be of further assistance in the reliability assessment by comparing the minimal one with its counterpart given in the Eurocode depending upon the durability class, reference period and the given limit state type.

The main goal of this paper is to present coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics and structural analysis for the precise determination of wind impact on internal forces and deformations of structural elements of a longspan roof structure. The Finite Volume Method (FVM) serves for a solution of the fluid flow problem to model the air flow around the structure, whose results are applied in turn as the boundary tractions in the Finite Element Method problem structural solution for the linear elastostatics with small deformations. The first part is carried out with the use of ANSYS 15.0 computer system, whereas the FEM system Robot supports stress analysis in particular roof members. A comparison of the wind pressure distribution throughout the roof surface shows some differences with respect to that available in the engineering designing codes like Eurocode, which deserves separate further numerical studies. Coupling of these two separate numerical techniques appears to be promising in view of future computational models of stochastic nature in large scale structural systems due to the stochastic perturbation method.

Bacterial strains become resistant to almost all classes of antibiotics, which makes it necessary to look for new substitutes. The non-absorbable ciprofloxacin–biguanide bismuth complex, used locally, may be a good alternative to a conventional therapy. The purpose of this study was to study the structure of the proposed ciprofloxacin (CIP) -bismuth(III)—chlorhexidine (CHX) composite (CIP-Bi-CHX). The spectroscopic techniques such as UV-VIS (ultraviolet-visible) spectroscopy, FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared) spectroscopy and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy were used for structure characterization of the hybrid compound. The performed analysis confirmed the presence of the two active components—CIP and CHX and revealed the possible coordination sites of the ligands with bismuth ion in the metallo-organic structure. Spectroscopic study showed that the complexation between Bi(III) and CIP occurs through the carboxylate and ketone groups of the quinolone ring, while CHX combines with the central ion via the biguanide moieties.

The main aim of this paper is to present a Stochastic Finite Element Method analysis with reference to principal design parameters of bridges for pedestrians: eigenfrequency and deflection of bridge span. They are considered with respect to random thickness of plates in boxed-section bridge platform, Young modulus of structural steel and static load resulting from crowd of pedestrians. The influence of the quality of the numerical model in the context of traditional FEM is shown also on the example of a simple steel shield. Steel structures with random parameters are discretized in exactly the same way as for the needs of traditional Finite Element Method. Its probabilistic version is provided thanks to the Response Function Method, where several numerical tests with random parameter values varying around its mean value enable the determination of the structural response and, thanks to the Least Squares Method, its final probabilistic moments.

Podhale is a region in southern Poland, which is the northernmost part of the Central Carpathian Mountains. It is characterized by the presence of a large number of landslides that threaten the local infrastructure. In an article presents application of LiDAR data and geostatistical methods to assess landslides susceptibility map. Landslide inventory map were performed using LiDAR data and field work. The Weights of Evidence method was applied to assess landslides susceptibility map. Used factors for modeling: slope gradient, slope aspect, elevation, drainage density, faults density, lithology and curvature. All maps were subdivided into different classes. Then were converted to grid format in the ArcGIS 10.0. The conditional independence test was carried out to determine factors that are conditionally independent of each other with landslides. As a result, chi-square test for further GIS analysis used only five factors: slope gradient, slope aspect, elevation, drainage density and lithology. The final prediction results, it is concluded that the susceptibility map gives useful information both on present instability of the area and its possible future evolution in agreement with the morphological evolution of the area.

The main purpose is to present the stochastic perturbation-based Finite Element Method analysis of the stability in the issues related to the influence of high temperature resulting from a fire directly connected with the reliability analysis of such structures. The thin-walled beam structures with constant cross-sectional thickness are uploaded with typical constant loads, variable loads and, additionally, a temperature increase and we look for the first critical value equivalent to the global stability loss. Such an analysis is carried out in the probabilistic context to determine as precisely as possible the safety margins according to the civil engineering Eurocode statements. To achieve this goal we employ the additional design-oriented Finite Element Method program and computer algebra system to get the analytical polynomial functions relating the critical pressure (or force) and several random design parameters; all the models are state-dependent as we consider an additional reduction of the strength parameters due to the temperature increase. The first four probabilistic moments of the critical forces are computed assuming that the input random parameters have all Gaussian probability functions truncated to the positive values only. Finally, the reliability index is calculated according to the First Order Reliability Method (FORM) by an application of the limit function as a difference in-between critical pressure and maximum compression stress determined in the given structures to verify their durability according to the demands of EU engineering designing codes related to the fire situation.

HMBG1 is a protein expressed in natural killer cells and is important in immunosurveillance. In this study, the authors show that HMGB1 binds to and inhibits PKM2, resulting in a block in aerobic glycolysis and ultimately cell death.

This is the first study of the crystal structure of cardamonin (CA) confirmed using single-crystal XRD analysis. In the crystal lattice of CA, two symmetry independent molecules are linked by hydrogen bonds within the layers and by the π···π stacking interactions in the columns which lead to the occurrence of two types of conformations among the CA molecules in the crystal structure. To better understand the stability of these arrangements in both crystals and the gaseous phase, seven different CA dimers were theoretically calculated. The molecular structures were optimized using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6–311G+(d,p) level and the spectroscopic results were compared. It was found that the calculated configurations of dimer I and III were almost identical to the ones found in the CA crystal lattice. The calculated UV-Vis spectra for the CA monomer and dimer I were perfectly consistent with the experimental spectroscopic data. Furthermore, enhanced emissions induced by aggregated CA molecules were registered in the aqueous solution with the increase of water fractions. The obtained results will help to further understand the relation between a variety of conformations and the biological properties of CA, and the results are also promising in terms of the applicability of CA as a bioimaging probe to monitor biological processes.

It is widely known that lateral-torsional buckling of a member under bending and warping restraints of its cross-sections in the steel structures are crucial for estimation of their safety and durability. Although engineering codes for steel and aluminum structures support the designer with the additional analytical expressions depending even on the boundary conditions and internal forces diagrams, one may apply alternatively the traditional Finite Element or Finite Difference Methods (FEM, FDM) to determine the so-called critical moment representing this phenomenon. The principal purpose of this work is to compare three different ways of determination of critical moment, also in the context of structural sensitivity analysis with respect to the structural element length. Sensitivity gradients are determined by the use of both analytical and the central finite difference scheme here and contrasted also for analytical, FEM as well as FDM approaches. Computational study is provided for the entire family of the steel I- and H - beams available for the practitioners in this area, and is a basis for further stochastic reliability analysis as well as durability prediction including possible corrosion progress.

The main purpose of this work is to verify the influence of the weighting procedure in the Least Squares Method on the probabilistic moments resulting from the stability analysis of steel skeletal structures. We discuss this issue also in the context of the geometrical nonlinearity appearing in the Stochastic Finite Element Method equations for the stability analysis and preservation of the Gaussian probability density function employed to model the Young modulus of a structural steel in this problem. The weighting procedure itself (with both triangular and Dirac-type) shows rather marginal influence on all probabilistic coefficients under consideration. This hybrid stochastic computational technique consisting of the FEM and computer algebra systems (ROBOT and MAPLE packages) may be used for analogous nonlinear analyses in structural reliability assessment.

Four novel xanthohumol (XN) cocrystals with pharmaceutically acceptable coformers, such as nicotinamide (NIC), glutarimide (GA), acetamide (AC), and caffeine (CF) in the 1:1 stoichiometry were obtained by the slow evaporation solution growth technique. The structure of the cocrystals was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The analysis of packing and interactions in the crystal lattice revealed that molecules in the target cocrystals were packed into almost flat layers, formed by the O−HO, O−HN, and N−HO-type contacts between the xanthohumol and coformer molecules. The results provided details about synthons responsible for crystal net stabilization and all hydrogen bonds observed in the crystal lattice. The main synthon was formed via the hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl group in the B ring of XN and coformers. The three-dimensional crystal lattice was stabilized by the hydrogen XN−XN interactions whereas the π−π stacking interactions played an additional role in layer binding, with the exception of low quality cocrystals formed with caffeine. Application of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy confirmed that the crystalline phase of obtained cocrystals was not a simple combination of individual components and completely different crystal phases resulted from the effect of intermolecular interactions. The multivariate analysis showed the changes in the spectra, and this technique can be applied in a combination with vibrational spectroscopy for fast screening of new crystal phases. Additionally, the solubility studies of pure XN and its cocrystals exhibited a 2.6-fold enhancement in XN solubility in aqueous solution for XN−AC and, to a lesser extent, for other cocrystals.

Mitochondria-originating reactive oxygen species (ROS) control T cell receptor (TCR)-induced gene expression. Here, we show that TCR-triggered activation of ADP-dependent glucokinase (ADPGK), an alternative, glycolytic enzyme typical for Archaea, mediates generation of the oxidative signal. We also show that ADPGK is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and suggest that its active site protrudes toward the cytosol. The ADPGK-driven increase in glycolytic metabolism coincides with TCR-induced glucose uptake, downregulation of mitochondrial respiration, and deviation of glycolysis toward mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) shuttle; i.e., a metabolic shift to aerobic glycolysis similar to the Warburg effect. The activation of respiratory-chain-associated GPD2 results in hyperreduction of ubiquinone and ROS release from mitochondria. In parallel, mitochondrial bioenergetics and ultrastructure are altered. Downregulation of ADPGK or GPD2 abundance inhibits oxidative signal generation and induction of NF-κB-dependent gene expression, whereas overexpression of ADPGK potentiates them.