Mixture Samples Research Articles

CNSC-14. GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME TUMOR VOLUME AND PERSISTENCE OF CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTOR T CELLS FOLLOWING TREATMENT

Abstract Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common and aggressive high-grade primary brain tumors that arises from the glial cells of the central nervous system and occurs most often in the frontal and temporal lobes. Despite current treatment options, long-term prognosis of GBM remains low with no significant improvement rates. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cells target the B cell marker CD19 and have shown increased efficacy in B cell lymphomas, and lymphoblastic leukemias suggesting benefits in GBM. This study aims to quantify the persistence of CAR-T cells in the context of GBM tumor volume following neurosurgical debulking procedure. A radiology software known as the mint Lesion was utilized to provide Tumor Response Assessment by Criteria (TRAC) reports that consist of volumetric measurements of the tumor lesions (target enhancing lesions, non-target enhancing lesions, and non-target non-enhancing lesions). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis takes a sample mixture of cells and sorts them into different populations based on specific biomarkers and characteristics. B7-H3 CAR-T cell persistence was increased in patients with a larger post-surgical tumor volume (3.04% Subject 001 with 2438 mm² volume and 2.38% Subject 003 with 224 mm² tumor volume). However, the number of CAR-T cells per 1 mm² was significantly reduced in patients with a larger post-surgical tumor volume (0.0012 cells/mm² Subject 001 and 0.010 cells/mm² Subject 003). This study shows that although there is an overall increased CAR-T cell persistence for a larger tumor volume, the number of CAR-T cells per 1 mm² is significantly smaller for larger tumor volumes, while illustrating that a larger post-surgical tumor bulk volume is correlated with an increased CAR-T cell persistence within 1-week post-infusion. These findings provide novel information and complement other correlative studies as part of the Phase 1 interventional clinical trial for glioblastoma patients.

Three-Dimensional Micromechanical Simulation and Evaluation of High-Toughness Ultra-Thin Friction Course with X-Ray Computed Tomography

As a novel pavement wear layer material, the micromechanical mechanisms of High-toughness Ultra-thin Friction Course (HUFC) have not been fully elucidated. This paper presents a new method for the three-dimensional micromechanical simulation of high-toughness asphalt mixtures based on a viscoelastic parameter calibration model. X-ray Computerized Tomography (CT) was employed to scan samples of high-toughness asphalt mixtures to obtain detailed information on the internal structure (aggregate, fine aggregate matrix FAM and voids), and a three-dimensional micromechanical model was constructed based on the real-scale distribution of these components. Aggregates in the high-toughness asphalt mixture were modeled as elastic bodies, while FAM was treated as a viscoelastic material characterized by the Burgers model. Using the Boltzmann linear superposition principle and Laplace transform theory, the viscoelastic properties of FAM were converted into Prony parameters recognizable by finite element software, and the viscoelastic parameters were calibrated. Micromechanical simulations were conducted for three different gradings of high-toughness asphalt mixtures, and the results show that the predicted deformation closely matched the measured deformation. This method accurately reflects the deformation characteristics of different gradings of high-toughness asphalt mixtures, overcoming the limitations of traditional numerical simulations based on homogeneous material models. It represents an advancement and refinement of micromechanical simulation methods for high-toughness asphalt mixtures.

Quantitative Analysis of Amorphous Form in Indomethacin by Near Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Partial Least Squares Regression Analysis

Indomethacin (INDO) is a synthetic non-steroidal antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory drug that commonly exists in both amorphous and crystalline states. Its amorphous state (A-INDO) is utilized by pharmaceutical companies as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the production of INDO drugs due to its higher apparent solubility and bioavailability. The crystal state also encompasses various crystal forms such as the α-crystal form (α-INDO) and γ-crystal form (γ-INDO), with the highly crystalline and insoluble γ-INDO being commercially available. A-INDO, existing in a thermodynamically high-energy state, is susceptible to several factors during the preparation, storage, and transportation of API leading to its conversion into γ-INDO, thus impacting the bioavailability and efficacy of INDO drugs. Therefore, quantitative analysis of the A-INDO/γ-INDO content in INDO API becomes essential for controlling the production quality of INDO. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of NIR for the quantitative analysis of A-INDO in INDO API, and to further elucidate its quantitative analysis mechanism. The NIR spectral data were collected for A-INDO and γ-INDO binary mixture samples with different resolutions, and these spectra were then selected and reconstructed using the interval partial least square (iPLS) method. Different pretreatment methods were employed to enhance the reconstructed spectra by highlighting relevant eigen information while eliminating invalid information caused by environmental factors or physical characteristics of samples. The most suitable PLSR model for quantitative analysis of A-INDO within the range of 0.0000–100.0000% w/w% was established, screened, and validated. From various perspectives, including distribution of spectral effective information, impact of resolution on PLSR model performance, variance contribution/cumulative variance contribution of PLSR model principal components (PCs), PCI loadings, relationship between spectral scores, and A-INDO content, feasibility assessment was conducted for the quantitative analysis of A-INDO in INDO using NIR spectroscopy. Additionally, a detailed investigation on the quantitative analysis mechanism of the optimal PLSR model was undertaken including the correlation between the characteristic peaks of spectra and information regarding hydrogen groups or hydrogen bonds in A-INDO or γ-INDO molecules. This study aims to provide theoretical support for the quantitative analysis of A-INDO in INDO API as well as serve as a reliable reference method for API quantification and quality control in similar drugs.

Pesticide residues in tropical agricultural soils: distribution, seasonality, and earthworm ecological risk

Soil contamination by pesticide residues is associated with agricultural intensification in tropical regions and endangers human health and the environment. A mixture of pesticide residues and their degradation products persist in agricultural soils and represent a risk to soil organisms. In this study, we aimed to investigate the concentration and distribution of organochlorine (OC) and organophosphate (OP) pesticide residues in agricultural soils where the industrial cultivation of maize and soybeans is intensively carried out, at three depths (0-5, 5-15, and 15-30 cm) and during two seasons (rainy and dry). Likewise, we performed the ecological risk assessment of those found pesticide residues on two earthworm species, Eisena fetida, and Aporrectoda calagionsa. We calculated the Toxicity-Exposure Ratio (TER) using Predicted no Effect Concentrations (PNEC) and measured concentrations in soils, for identifying the risk of pesticide residues separately. The Risk Quotient (RQ) method was used to evaluate the ecological risk of pesticide residue mixtures in soils from each cropping system. Endrin ketone and dieldrin were the pesticide residues with the highest frequency of detection. The highest concentration in the study was found in a soil sample from maize crops in the dry season at 15-30 cm depth (2917 ng/g). The pesticide mixture from soil samples belonging to maize (0-5 cm) and soybean (5-15 cm) crops in dry season posed the highest ecological risk for A. caliginosa with 100 %, and a maximum RQ of 82.2. Endrin ketone is the OC that contributed most to the overall toxicity of the pesticide mixture in soil samples from maize crop and dieldrin in soil samples from soybean crop. Among OP, disulfoton contributed most to RQsite in soybean crop and methyl parathion in maize crop. Results pointed out the need to apply alternatives to remediate obsolete pesticide residues and restrict the use of methyl parathion and disulfoton in maize and soybean crops, to reduce the ecological risk that represent for earthworms.

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons of small reservoirs of the Tomsk region

Relevance. The assessment of the state of natural waters includes the determination of a number of physico-chemical indicators, on the basis of which various indices and classifications are developed. However, they do not take into account a number of pollutants that have a significant impact on the state of the reservoir, for example, polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The article considers some aspects of determining priority pollutants, which include polyaromatic hydrocarbons, according to environmental hazard criteria: toxicity, carcinogenicity, prevalence, frequency of occurrence, source of origin (anthropogenic or natural). Hydrochemical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen content, biological oxygen consumption (BPK5), and ion content are taken into account to determine water quality. An attempt was made to assess the impact of polyaromatic hydrocarbons on the ecological state of water bodies and to take into account their contribution to changes in the values of the water pollution index. All these data prove the relevance of the study. Aim. To establish the composition of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the surface waters of small reservoirs of the Tomsk region to assess anthropogenic load and to show the relationship with the indices of natural water quality. Methods. Extraction, liquid adsorption chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, amperometry, titrimetry. Results. Small lakes of the Tomsk region were studied for the content of 13 polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The authors have carried out the identification by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection. The total content of polyaromatic compounds in the studied surface water samples varies from 0.37 to 0.54 mcg/l. In the polyaromatic hydrocarbons mixture in aqueous samples, there is an increased content of light 2–3 nuclear polyarenes with better solubility (naphthalene, fluorene and phenanthrene), as well as benz[a]anthracene. The content of inorganic components represented by cations and anions does not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations. The water pollution index was calculated; all lakes are moderately polluted, closer to polluted. The paper demonstrates the dependence of the water pollution index coefficient on the content of high-molecular polyaromatic hydrocarbons and the ratio of high-molecular to low-molecular polyaromatic hydrocarbons. It is shown that the higher the value of the water pollution index coefficient, the higher the proportion of difficult-to-oxidize components in surface waters.

Application of Polydopamine-Based Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction for Highly Sensitive Determination of Aristolochic Acid I from Traditional Chinese Medicine Samples.

A low cost-effective and simple synthesis method combining magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) and high-pressure liquid chromatography was developed for the analysis of aristolochic acids I (AAI) in traditional Chinese medicine samples. A novel polydopamine (PDA) modified magnetic nanoparticles with one single carbon layer (Fe3O4@1C NPs) via one-pot hydrothermal approach was prepared and then successfully employed to extract AAI for the first time. Dopamine (DA) can form a PDA layer on Fe3O4@1C NPs surface through self-polymerization to form Fe3O4@1C@PDA. As a surface modifier of DA, PDA offered more adsorption sites to AAI due to π-π stacking, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The parameters of MSPE were optimized by univariate and multivariate methods (Box-Behnken design) in detail. High degree of linearity was obtained in the range of 0.05-200.0μg/mL. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) and quantification (S/N = 10) were 0.08 and 0.25μg/mL, respectively. The recoveries of AAI in spiked Xiaoqinglong mixture samples were in the range of 86.7 to 108.5% with the relative standard deviation of less than 5.2%. Thus, a fast, convenient, sensitive and eco-friendly method was successfully proposed and became a promising approach for the determination of AAI in herbal plants or its preparation in the manufacturing procedure.

Development of a forensic DNA research grade test material.

Advancements in forensic DNA typing technology and methods have increased sensitivity and, while beneficial, carry the weight of more challenging profile interpretation. In response, the forensic DNA community has often requested more complex reference materials to address commonly encountered measurement and interpretation issues such as complex DNA mixtures, DNA degradation, and PCR inhibition. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released Research Grade Test Material 10235: Forensic DNA Typing Resource Samples to support the forensic DNA community. Components include three single source samples, two degraded samples, and three mixture samples. As part of the Research Grade Test Material (RGTM) process, automated methods for bottling, alternative sample tube types, and the addition of carrier RNA for stabilizing low-quantity samples were investigated. Both internal and external testing demonstrate the stability of the material over time at 4°C through qPCR testing. In the development of a data portal, users have been allowed to anonymously upload results and compare their data with NIST and others. This report describes the preparation and stability of this material.

Effect of Fucoidan on Conformation of Xanthan Gum and Its Tribo-Rheological Properties.

This study sought to explore the rheological and tribological properties of fucoidan-xanthan gum (XG) mixtures at different fucoidan concentrations. A conformational transition of XG from disordered to ordered forms was observed with an increasing fucoidan concentration, as determined by intrinsic viscosity measurements and Fourier transform infrared analysis. All mixtures exhibited non-Newtonian flow behavior with the yield stress. The mixture sample with 0.5% fucoidan displayed higher apparent viscosity at 100 s-1, yield stress, and viscoelastic moduli values than XG alone, suggesting viscoelastic synergism between the two biopolymers. However, these values exhibited a decreasing trend with higher fucoidan concentrations (0.5-2.0%), indicating a nullification of synergism. While XG alone exhibited antithixotropic behavior, fucoidan-XG mixtures showed thixotropic behavior, most pronounced at 1.0% fucoidan. A decreasing trend was observed in the maximum friction coefficient as the fucoidan concentration increased, indicating better lubricant properties. Collectively, our findings may enable widespread adoption and application of fucoidan in various industries.

Experimental and statistical methods for microrheological characterization of heterogeneity in human respiratory mucus mimics of health and disease progression

Human respiratory mucus (HRM) is extremely soft, compelling passive microrheology for linear viscoelastic characterization. We focus this study on the use of passive microrheology to characterize HRM heterogeneity, a phenomenon in normal HRM that becomes extreme during cystic fibrosis (CF) disease. Specifically, a fraction of the mucin polymers comprising HRM phase-separate into insoluble structures, called flakes, dispersed in mucin-depleted solution. We first reconstitute HRM samples to the MUC5B:MUC5AC mucin ratios consistent with normal and CF clinical samples, which we show recapitulate progressive flake formation and heterogeneity. We then employ passive particle tracking with 200 nm and 1 μm diameter beads in each reconstituted sample. To robustly analyze the tracking data, we introduce statistical denoising methods for low signal-to-noise tracking data within flakes, tested and verified using model-generated synthetic data. These statistical methods provide a fractional Brownian motion classifier of all successfully denoised, tracked beads in flakes and the dilute solution. From the ensemble of classifier data, per bead diameter and mucus sample, we then employ clustering methods to learn and infer multiple levels of heterogeneity: (i) tracked bead data within vs. outside flakes and (ii) within-flake data buried within or distinguishable from the experimental noise floor. Simulated data consistent with experimental data (within and outside flakes) are used to explore form(s) of the generalized Stokes–Einstein relation (GSER) that recover the dynamic moduli of homogeneous and heterogeneous truth sets of purely flakelike, dilute solution, and mixture samples. The appropriate form of GSER is applied to experimental data to show (i) flakes are heterogeneous with gel and sol domains; (ii) dilute solutions are heterogeneous with only sol domains; and (iii) flake and dilute solution properties vary with probe diameter.

Particle tracking-aided digital volume correlation for clay–sand soil mixtures

In this study, a novel, interdisciplinary method is introduced that merges fundamental geomechanics with computer vision to develop an advanced hybrid feature-aided digital volume correlation (DVC) technique. This technique is specifically engineered to measure and compute the full-field strain distribution in fine-grained soil mixtures. A clay–sand mixture specimen composed of quartz sand particles and kaolinite was created. Its mechanical properties and deformation behaviour were then tested using a mini-triaxial apparatus, combined with micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (μCT). The CT slices underwent image processing for denoising, segmentation of distinct phases, reconstruction of sand particles and feature extraction within the soil specimen. The proposed approach incorporated a two-step particle tracking method, which initially uses particle volume and surface area features to establish a preliminary matching list for a reference particle and then use the iterative closest point method for precise target particle matching. The soil specimen's initial displacement field was then mapped onto the DVC method's grid, and further refined through sub-voxel registration by way of a three-dimensional inverse compositional Gauss–Newton algorithm. The proposed method's effectiveness and efficiency were validated by accurately calculating the displacement and strain fields of the soil mixture sample, and comparing the results with those from a traditional DVC method. Given the soil's compositional and microstructural characteristics, these image-matching techniques can be integrated to create a versatile, efficient, and robust DVC system, suitable for a variety of soil mixture types.

Sensor technology advancement enhancing exhaled breath portability: Device set up and pilot test in the longitudinal study of lung cancer

User-friendliness of exhaled breath sampling procedure and portability of the collected samples are strategic key-points for disease monitoring in unstructured environments. These issues have been addressed by collecting exhaled breath on adsorbing cartridges; many samplers on cartridge have been used in clinical experiments through exhalate collection, including our patented Pneumopipe (European patent 12425057.2). Increasing the operative functionality of the sampling device enhances collection effectiveness and the representativity of the specimen. These features become of paramount importance when a minimal amount of disease needs to be detected with preventive approach in screening and follow-up. The primary endpoint was aimed at achieving Pneumopipe optimization (Pneumopipe II). The secondary endpoint was to investigate through a pilot longitudinal study focused on monitoring recurrence after lung cancer surgical resection and the evolution of the breath fingerprint before and after surgery. A quartz crystal-based gas sensor array, named BIONOTE-V was used to measure the breath fingerprint. Cross-validated Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis and Principal component analysis were used to study the time evolution of the breath fingerprint before and after surgery. Thirty-five patients had the breath fingerprint collected before and after surgery, with fifteen having at least two more measurements for each timepoint (at least two before and two after surgery). (Primary endpoint) At isoprene lab tests, Pneumopipe has shown to preserve its effectiveness in collecting volatile mixture in a representative sample. (Secondary endpoint) Cancer recurrence was observed in 8 patients. Postoperative breath fingerprint detected lung cancer recurrence with an accuracy of 91 %, a sensitivity of 75 %, a specificity of 96 %, a PPV of 86 % and a NPV of 93 %. Effectiveness of exhalate collection and portability of the sampler are preserved with Pneumopipe II.

Microwave healing properties and moisture sensitivity of asphalt mixture containing iron powder filler

Through experimental tests, this paper investigated the effectiveness of microwave healing on asphalt mixtures containing iron powder (IP) filler to improve durability and enhance mechanical properties. The moisture sensitivity of the asphalt mixes with varying iron powder filler contents was measured using the modified Lottman test. For evaluating the asphalt mixture healing ability, two complementary methods were used: the fatigue-based method, derived from the ability of microwave healing of asphalt mixture samples damaged up to 50% level of indirect tensile fatigue (ITF), and the fracture-based method, obtained from the strength recovery rate of broken semi-circular samples by applying consecutive breaking-healing cycles. The results showed that the greater the quantity of iron powder filler in the asphalt sample, the greater the sample’s indirect tensile strength and TSR ratio, indicating that IP had a positive effect on moisture sensitivity. The findings also indicated that utilizing iron powder as a filler positively strengthens the fatigue life, increases the toughness, and increases the microwave healing indices (both fatigue and failure approaches). Finally, according to the study results, substituting 70% iron powder as the filler is the most suitable option for improving the mechanical and self-healing characteristics of asphalt mixes.

The investigation of micro-crack generation in cementitious mine seals via temperature and strain analysis

Mine seals are employed in underground coal mines to effectively isolate abandoned areas from active workings. The seals are engineered to prevent air movement and endure dynamic pressure events resulting from methane explosions. Mine seals are made from cementitious materials and undergo a curing process that involves an exothermic reaction known as hydration. The presence of moisture (hydration) may result in the mixture contracting, which could subsequently lead to cracking during the early phases of the curing process. Cracks in the seal can influence the performance and structural stability. This study examines the formation of micro-cracks in cementitious mine seals throughout the curing process by evaluating temperature and strain data collected from thermocouples and strain gauges that were installed during the pouring phase. The samples for the mine seal were prepared using two distinct mixtures: traditional concrete and pumpable products sourced from conventional suppliers. Heat evolution curves were produced for each sampling location corresponding to the three samples. The samples of Mixture A and B, prepared according to specifications, exhibited the anticipated heat evolution curves, with the maximum temperature occurring at the center of the samples. In contrast to the other mixtures, the samples of mixture C, which were prepared outside of the specified parameters, exhibited the highest temperature at the bottom of the sample. The strain measurements showed a correlation with temperature readings, indicating that mixtures A and B exhibited the highest strain at the center of the sample, while mixture C demonstrated the greatest strain at the bottom of the sample. The examination of the gathered data reveals a significant likelihood of micro-cracks forming in each of the samples.

Ultrafast continuous flow-dialysis for nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems via microfluidic-multiple buffer injector

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (NP-DDS) have emerged as promising carriers for bioactive organic molecules due to their potential in enhancing therapeutic effects. However, traditional purification methods like batch dialysis and diafiltration can alter NP-DDS bio-physicochemical properties due to the lengthy process, prolonged coexistence with organic solvents, and external forces. To address this challenge, we developed an ultrafast flow-dialysis microfluidic module with dual channels separated by a membrane layer. The module leverages multiple buffer injectors (MBIs) to accelerate dialysis by injecting fresh buffer into multiple dialysis zones of bottom channel, refreshing the concentration gradients over the mixture sample in the upper channel to maximize mass transfer efficiency. Using this method for a dual drug-loaded liposome sample containing doxorubicin and curcumin, impurities (such as ethanol and un-trapped drugs) removal and buffer exchange were rapidly terminated within 15 min, continuously operating for ∼ 6 hrs with sequential membrane regeneration process. Importantly, unlike traditional methods, the MBI process maintains the initial uniformity in the size and distribution of liposomes with no leakage of the encapsulated drugs. In vitro HeLa cell tests reveal that the liposomes purified by MBI exhibited significantly higher cellular uptake (1.13 ∼ 1.67 fold), presumably due to the small and uniform size of liposomes, leading to improved anti-tumor effects. Notably, the MBI platform’s versatility was further verified by purifying a mixture of laccase enzyme and by removing the used organic solvents from various carriers (e.g., lipid-based, polymeric, and protein nanoparticles). It is envisioned that the outstanding performance of ultrafast dialysis will enables a continuous-flow downstream process for diverse nano-carriers by intensifying with extra steps in the manufacturing of nanomedicnes, including targeted drug delivery and cancer therapy.

Detection of Lard in Animal Fat Mixtures Using ATR-FTIR Fingerprint and SPME-GC/MS-Based Volatilomics

This study aims to detect the presence of lard in several halal animal fats (beef, chicken, and goat fat) based on their infrared fingerprint and volatile compound profile (volatilomics). A mixture of fat samples obtained from halal animals and lard at different concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80%, v/v) were subjected to attenuated total reflection-Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) analysis, respectively. The data was processed using orthogonal projection to the least square–discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). The results showed that ATR-FTIR could only identify the presence of lard in chicken fat up to the lowest concentration used in this study (10%) but failed in other fat samples. SPME-GC/MS detected the presence of lard in all animal fats up to the lowest concentration added (10%). The results of this study revealed that the volatilomics technique had more potential to be developed as a basis for the rapid detection of halal and non-halal animal fat than the infrared fingerprint. This study also emphasized that markers of non-halal animal fats can be different when the same fats are added to different food products.

Effect of welding gas mixtures on weld material and bead geometry

Abstract Shielding gas is an essential parameter in welding processes, serves to shield the molten material from the atmosphere and external contaminations while providing a stable electric-arc pathway during the process, thus influencing the quality of the weld bead and several other aspects of the process. Therefore, any welding-based process, such as wire-arc additive manufacturing, could benefit from shielding gas mixture optimisation to selectively improve the processing and possibly the final mechanical properties of the welded material. In this study welding of EN AW 5183 aluminium (single weld bead and wire-arc additive manufacturing build-up) was conducted using several gas mixtures and their influence on final geometry defects, and microstructure measured. The gas mixtures used were a combination of varying amounts of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen. These were added to commercially available argon gas. It was observed that: CO2 additions led to an unfavourable bonding defect and increased mean grain size; nitrogen additions caused a decrease in mean grain size, decreased pore count while maintaining a similar pore volume fraction to the reference argon mixture samples; oxygen additions showed slight reduction of mean grain size, decreased pore count and decreased pore volume fraction. These results further showcase that varying shielding gas mixtures influence the final material properties and should be considered as an additional improvement route for conventional welding and additive manufacturing.

Measurement of fast neutron induced (n,γ) reaction cross-section of 68Zn, 96Zr, 121Sb and 123Sb in the energy range of 1 to 2 MeV

The (n,γ) reaction cross-section for the elements 68Zn, 96Zr, 121Sb and 123Sb, present in the reactor structural/shielding materials, was measured by neutron activation technique in the neutron energy region of 1–2 MeV as very limited data is available in this energy range. Further, the neutron spectrum peaks in this energy region for the fast breeder reactors and proposed accelerator driven sub-critical systems. The natural strontium (natSr) element was used as a neutron flux monitor by considering effective combined reaction cross-section for 86Sr(n,γ)87Srm and 87Sr(n,n′)87Srm reactions. The pellets of mixture of sample and monitor were irradiated by a quasi-mono energetic fast neutron beam, generated by 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction at FOTIA, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India. The activity of activation products was measured by off-line gamma-ray spectrometry using High Purity Germanium Detector (HPGe). The present data with improved uncertainty and covariance analysis enhance the cross-section data base for better constraining the evaluated data and theoretical models. The theoretical (n,γ) reaction cross-sections were calculated using TALYS 1.96, which could reasonably explain the present data with the Fermi gas level density prescription.

The effect of insect excretions/secretions and decomposition fluid on DNA quantity and quality in human bloodstains.

The larval excretions/secretions (ES) of blowflies contain proteolytic enzymes and bacteria that assist with tissue breakdown. Decomposition fluid (DF) contains organic and inorganic waste products from cell death. This study investigated if human DNA recovery from blood was impacted by exposure to ES and DF over time. Lucilia sericata ES were collected daily from 50 larvae, and all available DF was collected from two fetal piglets left to decompose for 2 weeks. Daily for 3-5 days, 28 μL-30 μL of ES, DF, or a 1:1 mixture of the fluids was added to 30 μL of blood on cotton. Three bloodstains per treatment were sampled every 12 h up to 3 days and at 1 and 2 weeks after initial addition of fluid. No PCR inhibition was detected, but DNA degradation increased over time, primarily in samples exposed to ES and ES/DF mixtures. The amount of DNA recovered decreased over time, but generally more DNA was recovered from DF samples than other samples. Full profiles, or partial profiles suitable for routine database searching (14-39 alleles), were generated from all DF and ES samples and at least one mixture sample at all timepoints. Partial profiles of between 1 and 13 alleles were obtained from all other mixture samples, except one mixture sample which generated no profile. These findings indicate bloodstain evidence recovered from maggot-infested and/or decomposing bodies may generate forensically useful DNA evidence and should be analyzed as quickly as possible after collection or stored appropriately to prevent further degradation.

Synthesis of titanium diboride by electric arc plasma in air

The paper reports data that demonstrate the feasibility of vacuum-free electric arc synthesis of titanium diboride. An optimal energy mode was found to synthesize submicron titanium diboride powder with the hexagonal lattice parameters a = 3.03 ± 0.04 Å, c = 3.23 ± 0.04 Å with no impurity crystal phases in its composition. A bulk ceramic sample with relative density of 99.1 % and hardness of 18 GPa was consolidated from the synthesized powder. The powder and bulk ceramic samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Structure of the synthesized material has a positive effect on the densification of the material. The sintered grains already formed in the process of synthesis under the influence of external pressure and heating from the current flow sinter each other, forming a single target structure with a minimum number of pores, of oxide impurities. Raman spectroscopy was employed to analyze the homogenized precursor mixture, synthesized powder, and TiB2-based bulk ceramic sample. The obtained Raman spectrum of sintering powder is characteristic of TiB2-based materials with a low concentration.

ПОЛУЧЕНИЕ КОРМОВОГО СМУЗИ ИЗ ОТХОДОВ ОВОЩЕЙ И ФРУКТОВ

Background. Currently, about 50-60% of vegetable and fruit waste is generated at fruit and vegetable storage facilities, retail stores, distribution centers of retail chains from the total volume of discarded products. One of the solutions to reduce waste is to propose a way of their processing: fodder smoothie production. Purpose. To select technological processing modes for obtaining a sample mixture of fodder smoothie from vegetables and fruits. Materials and methods. For obtaining a model mixture of fodder smoothie 30% of tomatoes, 10% of potatoes and 20% each of carrots, cabbage, apples were used. To work out the technological parameters of obtaining the sample mixture, the following were recorded: grinding time, grinding speed, appearance of the obtained model mixture, as well as pH and mass fraction of soluble solids were determined.Results. The pH of the sample mixture of fodder smoothie was 6.4, the value of the mass fraction of soluble solids ranged from 14.2% to 16% depending on the parameters of producing the mixture. The sample mixture was mushy of brown color. Conclusion. The technological parameters were selected for the investigated sample mixture. The pH of the crushed product does not change with the change of technological parameters. Mass fraction of soluble solids increases with increasing the amount of product grinding time and the grinding speed.