Structural Disorder Research Articles

Study on the Evolution of Physicochemical Properties of Carbon Black at Different Regeneration Stages of Diesel Particulate Filters Regenerated by Non-Thermal Plasma

As a new type of aftertreatment technology, non-thermal plasma (NTP) can effectively decompose the particulate matter (PM) deposited in diesel particulate filters (DPFs). In this paper, a regeneration test of a DPF loaded with carbon black was carried out using an NTP injection system, and the changes of oxidative activity, elemental content, and occurrence state, microstructure and graphitization degree of carbon black were analyzed to reveal the evolution of the physicochemical properties of carbon black at different regeneration stages of the DPF regenerated by NTP. As the regeneration stage of the DPF advanced, Ti, Tmax, and Te of the carbon black at the bottom of the DPF decreased, which were higher than those at the regeneration interface. After the NTP reaction, the proportion of C element decreased to less than 80%, while the proportion of O element increased to more than 20%; C-O was converted to C=O and the relative content of C=O increased. The average microcrystalline length and average spacing decreased, while the average microcrystalline curvature increased. The ID1/IG (relative peak intensities) of carbon black samples decreased from 3.31 to 3.10, and the R3 (relative peak intensities, R3 = ID3/(IG + ID2 + ID3)) increased from 0.41 to 0.58. The content of carbon clusters had a great influence on the disorder of the microcrystalline structure, so the graphitization degree of carbon black decreased and the oxidation activity increased.

Anatomical factors influencing temporomandibular joint clicking in young adults: temporomandibular joint structure disorder or lateral pterygoid muscle dysfunction?

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the selected anatomical factors that can potentially influence temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking in young adults by assessing TMJ structures and lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) function using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: The patients were divided into four groups: the healthy control group; the clicking on mouth opening group; the clicking on mouth closing group; and the clicking on mouth opening and closing group. Additionally, we used clinical palpation to evaluate the masticatory muscles' functional state and employed MRI using the OCOR-T1WI-FSE-CLOSED, OSAG-PDW-FSE-CLOSED, and OSAG-PDW-FSE-OPEN sequences to analyze the texture of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM). Results: The proportion of any articular disc or condylar morphology class did not differ significantly between the TMJ clicking and HC groups. The articular disc position did not differ significantly between the TMJ clicking and HC groups. In the TMJ clicking group, the presence of masticatory muscle dysfunction differed significantly between the clicking and non-clicking sides. Moreover, the LPM accounted for the highest proportion among masticatory muscles with tenderness in all TMJ clicking subgroups (77.78%-100%). Therefore, in the TMJ clicking group, the LPM texture was less defined, more uniform in gray scale, and more similar to local texture (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The occurrence of TMJ clicking in young adults is unrelated to the TMJ structure but related to the function of masticatory muscles, particularly the LPM.

Correction of metabolic and structural disorders in bull spermatozoids during cryopreservation using molecular hydrogen

The influence of molecular hydrogen on the fertility parameters and energy metabolism of spermatozoids of black-and-white Holstein bulls was studied. Sperm was diluted with sterile BioXcell medium (France), diluted in hydrogen water. We studied native sperm diluted with BioXcell and BioXcell with molecular hydrogen, as well as after deep freezing with and without pre-treatment with molecular hydrogen. The addition of molecular hydrogen to the medium for diluting sperm and subsequent freezing changed the functional status of cells after thawing, leading to an increase in their motility, an increase in the number of motile and fast sperm, and a decrease in the number of slow cells relative to the analyzed indicators of regenerative cells after cryopreservation that were not exposed to molecular hydrogen. Sperm motility after thawing was 12% higher (p ≤ 0.05), the average movement speed was 9% (p≤0.05), and the ATP content was two times higher than in sperm samples not treated with molecular hydrogen. The results of the experiment showed that the addition of molecular hydrogen to the semen extender improves the biological indicators of the quality of bull sperm, its fertility, and increases the energy metabolism of spermatozoids.

Local Structure, Structural, Vibrational, and Optical Properties of Natural Zircon

Structural properties of Indian metamict single zircon crystals are studied by comparing their properties with those of synthetic zircon synthesized via solid‐state reaction method, which serves as the standard. X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) data reveal changes in lattice parameters and the presence of strain, metamictization, etc. It is found that the degree of crystallinity is ≈63.8% indicating the simultaneous presence of crystalline and disordered regions. These changes are likely due to the presence of several radioactive/nonradioactive elements. The presence of such elements is observed and the sample composition is analyzed through total reflection X‐Ray fluorescence. XRD crystallographic data are further utilized as input for analyzing X‐Ray absorption spectroscopy data recorded around Zr central absorbing atom. X‐Ray absorption near‐edge structure shows slight modification in the white line feature and some disorder compared to the synthetic one. Reduced coordination number observed from extended X‐Ray absorption fine structure suggests the presence of disorder in local structure. Micro‐Raman spectroscopy indicates that crystalline behavior varies across different locations, suggesting that the sample has undergone varying degrees of metamictization, confirming a nonuniform distribution of elements. The work documents and analyses structural evolution within isolated silica tetrahedron network in association of Zr4+ cation as a function of self‐irradiation and recovery over millions of years and correlating the same with optical properties.

Glass Disorder Modulated Luminescence in Zero-Dimensional Antimony-Chloride Coplanar Dimers for Optical Anti-counterfeiting.

Zero-dimensional metal halides have received wide attention due to their structural diversity, strong quantum confinement, and associated excellent photoluminescence properties. A reversible and tunable luminescence would be desirable for applications such as anti-counterfeiting, information encryption, and artificial intelligence. Yet, these materials are underexplored, with little known about their luminescence tuning mechanisms. Here we report a pyramidal coplanar dimer, (TBA)Sb2Cl7 (TBA = tetrabutylammonium), showing broadband emission wavelength tuning (585-650 nm) by simple thermal treatment. We attribute the broad color change to structural disorder induced by varying the heat treatment temperatures. Increasing the heating temperature transitions the material from long-range ordered crystalline phase to highly disordered glassy phase. The latter exhibits stronger electron-phonon coupling, enhancing the self-trapped exciton emission efficiency. The work provides a new material platform for manifold optical anti-counterfeiting applications and sheds light on the emission color tuning mechanisms for further design of stimuli-responsive materials.

#1755 Cardio-protective effect of soy proteins during long-term consumption of Cynomolgus Monkeys high-saline diet

Abstract Background and Aims High salt intake is accompanied by the development of cardiovascular disorders, not always associated with an increase in blood pressure (BP). Recently, it has been found that the introduction of soy protein into the diet can have some nephroprotective and cardioprotective effects in chronic kidney disease. Considering the cardioprotective effect of soy proteins in chronic kidney disease, the question arose about the possibility of using soy proteins to neutralize the damaging effect of a high-salt diet on the cardiovascular system. This work aims to study the effect of long-term use of a diet high in NaCl and soy protein on myocardial remodeling in monkeys. Method The study was performed on male Macaca fascicularis. The animals were divided into three groups (6 animals each), comparable in weight and age (6-8 years, body weight - 5.15-9.7 kg). The control group received a standard diet (2 g NaCl/kg feed). The second was a high salt diet (8 g NaCl/kg feed), and the third was a high salt diet and SUPRO760 soy protein (200 g/kg feed). Echocardiography (EchoCG), registration of BP and heart rate were performed at baseline, after 4 and 12 months. EchoCG was performed with a sector transducer with a frequency of 3–5 MHz on the Chison SonoTouch 60 ultrasound system (China). EchoCG was performed in B_mode (two-dimensional scanning), M_mode (one-dimensional scanning), as well as in pulse and tissue Doppler modes. Statistical analysis was performed using parametric statistics: mixed ANOVA in comparing data from 3 study groups (with post hoc analysis using Tukey criterion) and single factor variance analysis for related samples in studying the dynamics of one or another index in each group during the 12-month follow-up. Differences were considered significant at p &amp;lt; 0.05. Results In animals of all three groups for 12 months, blood pressure (BPsis-109±10.09, BPdias – 60 ± 7.42 mm Hg) and heart rate (77 ± 12.61 min-1) did not change significantly (p&amp;gt;0. 05). However, in macaques on a high-salt diet, deterioration in left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function was noted by the end of the study. Macaques of this group had a decrease in the LV shortening fraction (27.9±2.69%) and an increase in the thickness of the posterior wall of the LV in systole (0.69±0.039 cm), LV mass (19.60±2.83 g), compared with animals additionally receiving soy proteins (34.9±6.57%; 0.57 0.0559 cm; 14.86±2.94 g, respectively; all p &amp;lt; 0.05). In addition, the monkeys receiving soy isolate did not differ from the control in these parameters. By the time the study was completed, the animals in this group had significantly increased the magnitude of systolic excursion of the mitral annulus plane, and signs of improvement in LV diastolic function appeared in the form of an increase in the maximum rate of excursion of the mitral valve fibrous annulus in early diastole, as well as a decrease in the E/e' ratio. The thickness of the interventricular septum also decreased (0.42±0.04 cm; in the high-salt group - 0.51±0.08 cm), which can be interpreted as a sign of positive myocardial remodeling. Conclusion Thus, high salt intake leads to adverse structural and functional disorders of the heart in cynomolgus monkeys, not associated with an increase in blood pressure. The inclusion of soy isolate in the diet reduces the negative effects of a high-salt diet on the cardiovascular system.

Spraying double-stranded RNA targets UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase in the control of Nilaparvata lugens

The rice pest Nilaparvata lugens (the brown planthopper, BPH) has developed different levels of resistance to at least 11 chemical pesticides. RNAi technology has contributed to the development of environmentally friendly RNA biopesticides designed to reduce chemical use. Consequently, more precise targets need to be identified and characterized, and efficient dsRNA delivery methods are necessary for effective field pest control. In this study, a low off-target risk dsNlUAP fragment (166 bp) was designed in silico to minimize the potential adverse effects on non-target organisms. Knockdown of NlUAP via microinjection significantly decreased the content of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and chitin, causing chitinous structural disorder and abnormal phenotypes in wing and body wall, reduced fertility, and resulted in pest mortality up to 100 %. Furthermore, dsNlUAP was loaded with ROPE@C, a chitosan-modified nanomaterial for spray application, which significantly downregulated the expression of NlUAP, led to 48.9 % pest mortality, and was confirmed to have no adverse effects on Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, an important natural enemy of BPH. These findings will contribute to the development of safer biopesticides for the control of N. lugens.

Physicochemical Characterization of Hydroxyapatite Hybrids with Meloxicam for Dissolution Rate Improvement.

Organic-inorganic hybrids represent a good solution to improve the solubility and dissolution rates of poorly soluble drugs whose number has been increasing in the last few years. One of the most diffused inorganic matrices is hydroxyapatite (HAP), which is a biocompatible and osteoconductive material. However, the understanding of the hybrids' functioning mechanisms is in many cases limited; thus, thorough physicochemical characterizations are needed. In the present paper, we prepared hybrids of pure and Mg-doped hydroxyapatite with meloxicam, a drug pertaining to the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) class II, i.e., drugs with low solubility and high permeability. The hybrids' formation was demonstrated by FT-IR, which suggested electrostatic interactions between HAP and drug. The substitution of Mg in the HAP structure mainly produced a structural disorder and a reduction in crystallite sizes. The surface area of HAP increased after Mg doping from 82 to 103 m2g-1 as well as the pore volume, justifying the slightly high drug amount adsorbed by the Mg hybrid. Notwithstanding the low drug loading on the hybrids, the solubility, dissolution profiles and wettability markedly improved with respect to the drug alone, particularly for the Mg doped one, which was probably due to the main distribution of the drug on the HAP surface.

Pleasurable and problematic receptive anal intercourse and diseases of the colon, rectum and anus.

The ability to experience pleasurable sexual activity is important for human health. Receptive anal intercourse (RAI) is a common, though frequently stigmatized, pleasurable sexual activity. Little is known about how diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus and their treatments affect RAI. Engaging in RAI with gastrointestinal disease can be difficult due to the unpredictability of symptoms and treatment-related toxic effects. Patients might experience sphincter hypertonicity, gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety, altered pelvic blood flow from structural disorders, decreased sensation from cancer-directed therapies or body image issues from stoma creation. These can result in problematic RAI - encompassing anodyspareunia (painful RAI), arousal dysfunction, orgasm dysfunction and decreased sexual desire. Therapeutic strategies for problematic RAI in patients living with gastrointestinal diseases and/or treatment-related dysfunction include pelvic floor muscle strengthening and stretching, psychological interventions, and restorative devices. Providing health-care professionals with a framework to discuss pleasurable RAI and diagnose problematic RAI can help improve patient outcomes. Normalizing RAI, affirming pleasure from RAI and acknowledging that the gastrointestinal system is involved in sexual pleasure, sexual function and sexual health will help transform the scientific paradigm of sexual health to one that is more just and equitable.

Structural impact, ligand–protein interactions, and molecular phenotypic effects of TGF-β1 gene variants: In silico analysis with implications for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BackgroundIdiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease resulting in progressively deteriorating lung function. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) belongs to the TGF superfamily and exerts a profibrotic role in promoting lung fibrosis by facilitating fibroblast infiltration and activity, extracellular matrix deposition, and inhibition of collagen breakdown, thus promoting tissue remodelling and IPF. Materials and MethodsWe evaluated the link between pathogenic TGF-β1 SNPs and IPF pathogenesis and the structure–activity functional consequences of those SNPs on the TGF-β1 protein. Several computational algorithms were merged to address the functional consequences of TGF-β1 gene mutations to protein stability, putative post-translational modification sites, ligand–protein interactions, and molecular phenotypic effects. These included FATHMM, POLYPHEN2, PROVEAN, and SIFT tools (identifying deleterious nsSNPs in the TGF-β1 gene), along with Pmut, PhD-SNP, SNAP, MutPred and the related TMHMM, MARCOIL, and DisProt algorithms (predicting structural disorders). INPS-MD was also used to evaluate the mutation-induced TGF-β1 protein’s stability and MODPRED for recognition of post-translational TGF-β1 modification. ResultsIn total, 14 major pathogenic variants markedly impact the destabilization of the TGF-β1 protein, with most of these high-risk mutations associated with decreased stability of the TGF-β1 protein as per the I-Mutant, MUpro, and INPS-MD tools. R205W, R185W, R180Q, D86Y, and I300T variants were proposed to participate in the post-translational modifications, thus affecting affect protein–ligand interactions. Furthermore, at-risk genetic variants appear to target conserved regions in the alpha helices, random coils, and extracellular loops, resulting in a varied composition of amino acids, charge, hydrophobicity, and spatial architecture. ConclusionsThis study manuscript comprehensively analyzes gene variants within the TGF-β1 gene, offering novel insights into their structural and functional implications in interacting with target sites. This study is significant for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies and personalized treatment approaches for patients with inflammatory lung diseases such as IPF.

Reasonable design a high-entropy garnet-type solid electrolyte for all-solid-state lithium batteries

Traditional garnet solid electrolyte (Li7La3Zr2O12) suffers from low room temperature ionic conductivity, poor air stability, high sintering temperature and energy consumption. Considering the development prospects of high-entropy materials with high structural disorder and strong component controllability in the field of electrochemical energy storage, herein, a novel high-entropy garnet-type oxide solid electrolyte, Li5.75Ga0.25La3Zr0.5Ti0.5Sn0.5Nb0.5O12 (LGLZTSNO) was constructed by partially replacing the Li and Zr sites in Li7La3Zr2O12 with Ga and Ti/Sn/Nb elements, respectively. The experimental and density functional theory (DFT) calculation results show that the high-entropy LGLZTSNO electrolyte has preferable room temperature ion conductivity, air stability, interface contact performance with lithium anode, and the ability to suppress lithium dendrites. Thanks to the improvement of electrolyte performance, the critical current density of Li/Ag@LGLZTSNO/Li symmetric cell was increased from 0.42 to 1.57 mA cm−2, and the interface area specific impedance (IASR) was reduced from 765.2 to 42.3 Ω cm2. Meanwhile, the Li/Ag@LGLZTSNO/LFP full cell also exhibits excellent rate performance and cycling performance (148 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C and 124 mA h g−1 at 0.5 C, capacity retention up to 84.8% after 100 cycles at 0.1 C), showing the application prospects of high-entropy LGLZTSNO solid electrolyte in high-performance all solid state lithium batteries.

Insensitivity of Tc to the residual resistivity in high-Tc cuprates and the tale of two domes

One of the few undisputed facts about hole-doped high-Tc cuprates is that their superconducting gap Δ has d-wave symmetry. According to ‘dirty’ d-wave BCS theory, even structural (non-magnetic) disorder can suppress Δ, the transition temperature Tc and the superfluid density ρs. The degree to which the latter is affected by disorder depends on the nature of the scattering. By contrast, Tc is only sensitive to the total elastic scattering rate (as estimated from the residual resistivity ρ0) and should follow the Abrikosov-Gor’kov pair-breaking formula. Here, we report a remarkable robustness of Tc in a set of Bi2201 single crystals to large variations in ρ0. We also survey an extended body of data, both recent and historical, on the LSCO family which challenge key predictions from dirty d-wave theory. We discuss the possible causes of these discrepancies, and argue that either we do not understand the nature of disorder in cuprates, or that the dirty d-wave scenario is not an appropriate framework. Finally, we present an alternative (non-BCS) scenario that may account for the fact that the superconducting dome in Tl2201 extends beyond that seen in Bi2201 and LSCO and suggest ways to test the validity of such a scenario.

Dopant-induced Morphology of Organic Semiconductors Resulting in High Doping Performance.

Doping plays a crucial role in modulating and enhancing the performance of organic semiconductor (OSC) devices. In this study, the critical role of dopants is underscored in shaping the morphology and structure of OSC films, which in turn profoundly influences their properties. Two dopants, trityl tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) (TrTPFB) and N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate (DMA-TPFB), are examined for their doping effects on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and PBBT-2T host OSCs. It is found that although TrTPFB exhibits higher doping efficiency, OSCs doped with DMA-TPFB achieve comparable or even enhanced electrical conductivity. Indeed, the electrical conductivity of DMA-TPFB-doped P3HT reaches over 67 S cm-1, which is a record-high value for mixed-solution-doped P3HT. This can be attributed to DMA-TPFB inducing a higher degree of crystallinity and reduced structural disorder. Moreover, the beneficial impact of DMA-TPFB on the OSC films' morphology and structure results in superior thermoelectric performance in the doped OSCs. These findings highlight the significance of dopant-induced morphological and structural considerations in enhancing the film characteristics of OSCs, opening up a new avenue for optimization of dopant performance.

Adverse effects of Microcystis aeruginosa exudates on the filtration, digestion, and reproduction organs of benthic bivalve Corbicula fluminea

Cyanobacteria bloom and the secondary metabolites released by the microorganism are extremely harmful to aquatic animals, yet study on their adverse effects in zoobenthos is rare. Corbicula fluminea widely distributed in freshwater environment with algal blooms. It is a typical filter feeding zoobenthos that may be affected by the secondary metabolites of cyanobacteria due to its high filtering rate. In this study, C. fluminea was exposed to Microcystis aeruginosa exudates (MaE) for 96 h, which was obtained from 5 × 105 cells/mL and 2.5 × 106 cells/mL exponential stage M. aeruginosa culture solution that represented cyanobacteria cell density needs environmental risk precaution control and emergent control, respectively. The responses of C. fluminea critical organs to MaE were analyzed and evaluated based on histopathological sections, antitoxicity biomarkers, and organ function biomarkers. The results showed that all the organs underwent structural disorders, cell vacuolization, apoptosis, and necrosis, and the damage levels increased as MaE concentration increased. The detoxification and antioxidant defense systems biomarkers in each organ response to MaE exposure differently and the level of reaction improved when MaE concentration increased. The siphon rate and acetylcholinesterase activity showed that the filtration function decreased significantly as the MaE concentration increased. Increased activity of glutathione S-transferase and amylase in the digestive gland indicate that it is the major detoxification organ of C. fluminea. Increased vitellogenin concentration and enlarged oocytes in the gonad indicate that MaE may have an estrogenic effect on C. fluminea. This study demonstrates that cyanobacteria threat benthic bivalves by inducing oxidative stress, inhibiting filtering feeding system, and disturbing digestion system and reproduction potential of C. fluminea.

Phase Composition of HiVac-VPE Lithium Niobate Optical Waveguides Identified by Spectroscopic Investigations.

High-index contrast lithium niobate waveguides, fabricated by the High Vacuum Vapor-phase Proton Exchange (HiVac-VPE) technique, are very promising for increasing both the optical nonlinear and electro-optical efficiencies of photonic integrated devices. So as to play this role effectively, it is mandatory to know the crystallographic phase composition of waveguides and the position of protonated layers for appropriate tailoring and optimization based on the intended applications. In addition, the estimation of structural disorder and electro-optical properties of the waveguides are also of high interest. Benefiting from Raman spectroscopy, IR reflection, IR absorption, and UV-VIS absorption, the HxLi1-xNbO3 phase compositions, as well as the structural disorder in waveguides, were determined. Based on experimental data on the shift of the fundamental absorption edge, we have quantitatively estimated the electro-optic coefficient r13 in as-exchanged waveguides. The electro-optical properties of the waveguides have been found to be depending on the phase composition. The obtained results allow for reconsidering the proton exchange fabricating process of photonic nonlinear devices and electro-optic modulators based on high-index contrast channel waveguides on the LiNbO3 platform.

High-Resolution 17O Solid-State NMR as a Unique Probe for Investigating Oxalate Binding Modes in Materials: The Case Study of Calcium Oxalate Biominerals.

Oxalate ligands are found in many classes of materials, including energy storage materials and biominerals. Determining their local environments at the atomic scale is thus paramount to establishing the structure and properties of numerous phases. Here, we show that high-resolution 17O solid-state NMR is a valuable asset for investigating the structure of crystalline oxalate systems. First, an efficient 17O-enrichment procedure of oxalate ligands is demonstrated using mechanochemistry. Then, 17O-enriched oxalates were used for the synthesis of the biologically relevant calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) phase, enabling the analysis of its structure and heat-induced phase transitions by high-resolution 17O NMR. Studies of the low-temperature COM form (LT-COM), using magnetic fields from 9.4 to 35.2 T, as well as 13C-17O MQ/D-RINEPT and 17O{1H} MQ/REDOR experiments, enabled the 8 inequivalent oxygen sites of the oxalates to be resolved, and tentatively assigned. The structural changes upon heat treatment of COM were also followed by high-resolution 17O NMR, providing new insight into the structures of the high-temperature form (HT-COM) and anhydrous calcium oxalate α-phase (α-COA), including the presence of structural disorder in the latter case. Overall, this work highlights the ease associated with 17O-enrichment of oxalate oxygens, and how it enables high-resolution solid-state NMR, for "NMR crystallography" investigations.

Structural Properties of Amorphous Vanadium Pentoxide Under Compression

Structural properties of amorphous vanadium pentoxide (V2O­5) under compression investigated by molecular dynamics simulation. The simulated amorphous V2O5 is composed of basic structural units of type VO5, VO6 at low-pressure and VO6, VO7 at high-pressure. These basic structural units connected by vertex-, edge- and face- shared links to form a structural network. The random distribution of atom and void clusters leading to a high degree of disorder in the V2O5 structure. Under compression, the fraction of average vertex-, edge- and face- shared links increased strongly. The number of VCs and VTs also increases as the large voids are divided into smaller voids. Our results also elucidated the decreasing of cross-section and increasing of length in VTs are main causes for increasing ion conductivity of the amorphous V2O5.

INFLUENCE OF LOPHANTHUS CHINENSIS DRY EXTRACT ON THE MORPHOFUNCTIONAL STATE OF WISTAR RATS THE BRAIN DURING LONG-TERM ALCOHOLIZATION

The study purpose – to evaluate the effect of the Lophanthus chinensis dry extract on the Wistar rats brain morphofunctional state against the back-ground of long-term alcoholization. Material and methods. Alcohol intoxication was induced by long-term administration (6 weeks) of 40% ethanol in rats. Lophanthus chinensis dry ex-tract at a dose of 100 mg/kg was administered from the 3rd week of the experiment. On days 42-45, the animals were tested in an "open field", an el-evated plus maze, and they developed a conditioned passive avoidance reaction. After which a neurons pathomorphological study in the cerebral cor-tex was carried out. Results. It has been established that L. chinensis dry extract exhibits a neuroprotective effect during long-term alcohol intoxication, preventing the de-velopment of structural disorders in the cerebral cortex, thereby reducing anxiety and emotionality in animals, enhancing orientation-exploratory activity and normalizing mnestic functions. Conclusion. L. chinensis dry extract has a neuroprotective effect during long-term alcohol intoxication.

Associations of the variable site rs2010963 of the VEGF-A gene with multifocal atherosclerosis in aluminum industry workers with chronic occupational intoxication with fluoride compounds

Introduction. The aluminum industry occupies a leading position among non-ferrous metallurgy industries in revealing somatic pathologies in workers that occur against the background of chronic fluoride intoxication. Long-term exposure to fluorides on the body has a cardiovasotoxic effect, leads to structural and functional disorders of the myocardium and the development of comorbid cardiovascular pathology. This dictates the need for a risk-oriented approach to its diagnosis, including one based on molecular genetic analysis, for the timely identification of risk groups for the development of atherosclerosis and the elaboration of preventive measures aimed at preserving the health and maintaining working longevity of the studied occupational cohort. Materials and methods. There were examined ninety seven metallurgists with a previously proven diagnosis of chronic occupational intoxication with fluoride compounds, engaged in aluminum production. The comparison group consisted of 33 workers of this enterprise without a proven occupational disease. All respondents underwent ultrasound investigation of the main arteries. Genotyping of the rs2010963 polymorphic locus of the VEGF-A gene was carried out in a 96-well format using TaqMan technology (allele-specific real-time PCR). Results. The associative connection of the G/G VEGF-A genotype is determined in metallurgists with the risk of developing chronic occupational intoxication with fluoride compounds and heterozygous G/C genotype in subjects with multifocal atherosclerosis. The high level of predictive value of the polymorphism -634 G/C (rs2010963) of the VEGF-A gene allows considering it a marker of the risk for the developing atherosclerosis in workers exposed to long-term impact to fluoride compounds on the body. Limitations. The study was limited to the number of long-term work experienced subjects undergoing periodic medical examinations and undergoing inpatient treatment at the Research Institute for Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases. Conclusion. It is recommended to conduct a screening molecular and genetic analysis in a clinical hospital setting for timely assessment of the prognostic significance of risk markers for the development of atherosclerosis and its complications in workers of basic occupations engaged in aluminum production.

Insight into annealing-induced hardening and softening behaviors in a laser powder-bed fusion printed in-situ composite eutectic high-entropy alloy

Laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF) printed AlCoCrFeNi2.1 eutectic high-entropy alloy (EHEA) typically exhibits an in-situ composite structure with an out-of-equilibrium character. Its distinctive hierarchical microstructure implies the potential challenges and opportunities in engineering advanced materials with high performances. Here, an informative overview of the microstructure evolution across various scales and its effect on tensile properties in LPBFed AlCoCrFeNi2.1 subjected to annealing treatments over a wide temperature range is discussed. Microstructural observations indicate that spinodal decomposition within the B2 lamellae becomes evident after annealing at 500 °C, marked by a pronounced compositional fluctuation of Cr. Annealing the sample at 600 °C leads to the precipitation of BCC nanoparticles through structural disordering of Cr-rich regions within the modulated nanostructure. Tensile tests and strengthening models reveal that the annealing-induced hardening responses are largely associated with precipitation strengthening resulting from the ordering strengthening of L12 nanoprecipitates and the coherency and modulus strengthening of BCC nanoprecipitates, as well as the spinodal hardening from modulated nanostructure. Notably, BCC precipitation strengthening plays a crucial role in enhancing the strength of the annealed alloys. A strong precipitation strengthening effect is realized due to the coarsening of the BCC and L12 nanoprecipitates at 600 °C, and the strengthening effect from BCC precipitates gradually weakens as their dissolution at 650 °C, resulting in abnormal hardening behavior. Upon annealing at higher temperatures (700–1000 °C), phase decomposition, precipitation dissolution, even recrystallization occur sequentially, resulting in varying degrees of softening behaviors.