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• Two-component ionogels containing clay minerals and ionic liquids were prepared. • The thermal behavior of the synthesized ionogels and pristine ILs was investigated using DSC and TG techniques. • A confinement effect was revealed in the studied materials. • The glass-transition temperature shifted towards higher temperatures with the introduction of aluminosilicate. • The characteristic temperatures of thermal decomposition of ionogels were lower than those for the pristine ILs. Two-component ionogels containing clay minerals such as montmorillonite K 10 (Mnt- K 10), bentonite (Bent), and halloysite (Hly), as well as imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) were prepared in present work. The ILs that were used in the synthesis included a bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide anion (TFSI-) and various cations: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (EMIm+), 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium (PMIm+), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (BMIm+), and 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium (BDMIm+). The thermal behavior of the synthesized ionogels and neat ILs was investigated using differential scanning spectroscopy (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). It was found that the thermograms of PMImTFSI, BMImTFSI, and BDMImTFSI showed inflections corresponding to glass-transition, which shifted towards higher temperatures with the introduction of aluminosilicate. The largest shifts compared to the neat ILs were observed for IL/Bent ionogels. It was assumed that the identified differences in the thermal behavior between the neat and clay-entrapped ILs (confinement effect) are associated with an increased role of ion-wall interactions compared to ion-ion interactions. When studying the thermal stability of the materials under consideration, two opposite trends were noted. On the one hand, the characteristic temperatures of thermal decomposition of the synthesized ionogels were lower than those for the neat ILs. But on the other hand, when introducing aluminosilicate into any IL, a decrease in the maximum rate of thermal decomposition was observed in accordance with series of IL > IL/Mnt- K 10 > IL/Hly > IL/Bent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, specific features of scientific research work at the particular period of time are described. Specific examples of successful implementation of the results of higher education institution science in production are cited and causes of failures are analyzed. The problems of interaction that remain unresolved are listed, and objective difficulties emerging during performance of scientific research work on certain topics are identified. Methods and forms of interaction management have been studied using the case of the Master contract of creative cooperation and mutual assistance being made and exercised in practice between a higher education institution and the backbone enterprise. The authors give grounds for it being necessary to organize the interaction of science, education and production in order to solve the scientific and technical, social and economic problems of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organobentonite powder was synthesized and characterized using laser diffraction, X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption-desorption technique, and dynamic light scattering. Obtained powder was found as material with mesopores. The organobentonite particles were larger than pure bentonite one. Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) was filled with organobentonite particles by mechanical dispersion, and produced composite films were researched by the number of methods. New data relating to structure, tensile properties, and antimicrobial activity of HEC/organobentonite composites were obtained. Using results of X-ray diffraction, the reflections assigned to crystal filler in polymer material were proved. Concentration effect of the filling agent on tensile properties of composite film was revealed. Data of infrared (IR) spectrometry indicated a decrease in the density of hydrogen-bond net in HEC/organobentonite composite as compared with pristine HEC. Using microbiological tests, it was found that the HEC/organobentonite films exhibited bacteriostatic action against S. aureus and fungistatic action against molds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an ionic liquid (IL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, was used to prepare ionogels with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and halloysite (Hal). SEM, XRD, TG, DSC, FTIR spectroscopy, conductometry and mechanical tests were used to study the morphology, structure, thermal behaviour and electrophysical and mechanical characteristics of synthesised ionogels. XRD analysis showed a slight decrease in the interlayer space of halloysite in ionogels containing MCC, which may have been associated with the removal of residual water molecules resulting from hydrophilic IL anions and polymer macromolecules. A change in conductivity and glass-transition temperature of the ionic liquid was revealed due to intercalation into halloysite (a confinement effect) and modification with cellulose. For triple IL/Hal/MCC ionogels, the characteristic thermal degradation temperatures were higher than the corresponding values for IL/Hal composites. This indicates that the synthesised IL/Hal/MCC ionogels are characterised by a greater thermal stability than those of IL/Hal systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Polystyrene/montmorillonite composite films were prepared via solution cast technique. • Plasma treatment of the produced films was carried out in low-pressure air plasma. • The water contact angle on the composite surface decreased after plasma treatment. • Plasma treatment of the composite led to an increase in MB adsorption efficiency. Polystyrene/montmorillonite (PS/MMT) composite films with high adsorption activity were prepared via solution intercalation technique followed by treatment of composite films in low-pressure air plasma. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the impact of plasma on the elemental composition and morphology of the composite surface. It was revealed that plasma treatment of the PS/MMT composite led to an increase in wettability and adsorption performance. The removal kinetics of methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions was experimentally studied. It was determined that plasma processing of the composite resulted in a significant improvement of the MB adsorption process: the initial rate of the process increased by 4 times (from 1.2 × 10−8 to 4.8 × 10−8 mol/(g•min)). Adsorption kinetic curves are obeyed the pseudo-second order reaction equation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that blood lipoproteins (LPs) are multimolecular complexes of lipids and proteins that play a crucial role in lipid transport. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are a class of blood plasma LPs that mediate reverse cholesterol transport (RCT)—cholesterol transport from the peripheral tissues to the liver. Due to this ability to promote cholesterol uptake from cell membranes, HDL possess antiatherogenic properties. This function was first observed at the end of the 1970s to the beginning of the 1980s, resulting in high interest in this class of LPs. It was shown that HDL are the prevalent class of LPs in several types of living organisms (from fishes to monkeys) with high resistance to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders. Lately, understanding of the mechanisms of the antiatherogenic properties of HDL has significantly expanded. Besides the contribution to RCT, HDL have been shown to modulate inflammatory processes, blood clotting, and vasomotor responses. These particles also possess antioxidant properties and contribute to immune reactions and intercellular signaling. Herein, we review data on the structure and mechanisms of the pleiotropic biological functions of HDL from the point of view of their evolutionary role and complex dynamic nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites of montmorillonite K10 (MMT K10) and ionic liquid (IL) containing a 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium cation ([BMIm]+) and various anions, such as bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide ([NTf2]−), trifluoromethanesulfonate ([OTf]−), and dicyanamide ([DCA]−) have been obtained in this work. A number of methods, such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption have been used to characterize clay, and to study the structure and thermal behaviour of the composites. It has been found that the MMT K10 powder has a narrow particle size distribution with a peak at 246 nm and a mesoporous structure (SBET=195 m2/g). According to the FTIR spectra, MMT K10/IL interaction depends on the IL type. It has been identified that confined ionic liquid interacts with both clay and adsorbed water in accordance with the hydrophilicity and size of the anion, in the following order: [DCA]− > [OTf]− > [NTf2]−. Characteristic temperatures of glass transition, crystallization, and melting have been determined for the ionic liquids under study and their MMT K10 composites. It has been revealed that when IL is adsorbed on the surface of clay, the phase transitions in IL change. The greatest changes are observed in the case of BMImNTf2. By applying the method of thermogravimetric analysis, it is shown that composite formation is accompanied by a decrease in the IL thermal stability. Apparently, the highly developed surface of montmorillonite K10, obtained by acid treatment, plays a major role in the decrease in the IL's thermal stability. The influence of the IL anion on the thermal and spectral characteristics of an MMT K10/IL composite was studied for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is devoted to further development of magnetron sputtering technology for catalysts and catalysts layer production for fuel cells and other electrochemical devices. Platinum-carbon films with Pt content up to 95–97 wt % were deposited using different sputtering regimes—DC (direct current) sputtering with and without application of a pulse negative bias voltage to the titanium substrate and also bipolar pulse sputtering with frequency of 10 kHz and 100 kHz. Composite platinum carbon targets were used for sputtering. Characteristics of platinum-carbon films were compared with those of platinum films deposited using the same regimes. The main methods of investigation were scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy; potentiostatic and potentiodynamic methods. The catalytic activity of platinum-carbon films increased with platinum content and at a platinum concentration of 95–97 wt % became higher than that of platinum films sputtered in the same regimes. It was proposed that carbon atoms deposited on the substrate limited the mobility of the deposited platinum species and inhibited Pt cluster growth. Platinum-carbon films produced by pulsed DC magnetron sputtering with pulsed frequency 100 kHz consisted of narrow Pt columns with dome nanotops forming a well-developed surface. The porosity and specific surface of these columnar nanopillar films were higher compared with those of pure platinum films deposited under the same conditions. Moreover, the platinum-carbon films deposited using a bipolar pulse regime with a frequency of 100 kHz had the highest specific surface, porosity (30%) and catalytic activity in hydrogen and oxygen evolution due to a high ion current density and reduced pulse duration which inhibited the growth of large platinum globules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examined the effect of synanthropic house mouse (Mus musculus) urine odor on catching probability of small mammals to live traps. We conducted a series of field experiments in August 2016 and 2017 in a natural forests of the northwestern Moscow Region (Russia). Small mammals were trapped at two 4-ha fields using capture-mark-recapture technique by setting 200 live traps (100 points, 2 traps per point) within each field. One trap in each pair was odorless (control) with bait only, whereas the other one was odor-baited with 20 μL of the urine of a synanthropic house mouse. Further analysis was based on the data collected from 2 rodent species (bank vole Myodes glareolus , herb field mouse Apodemus uralensis) and 3 shrew species (common shrew Sorex araneus , Laxmann's shrew Sorex caecutiens , and Eurasian pygmy shrew Sorex minutus). As a result, only bank voles significantly avoided odor-baited live traps. Using generalized linear mixed models, we showed that the choice of a trap by bank voles depended on their age, whereas the probability of repeated capture to a certain live trap was related to their prior experience. We discuss the possible role of components of synanthropic house mouse urine in the population management of exoanthropic small mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important problems in the development of proton exchange membrane fuel cells remains the selection of an efficient electrocatalyst support capable of providing a low loading of active metal with minimal changes in the electrochemical surface, electronic conductivity, and activity. In this work, carbon nanotube arrays (CNTAs) grown directly on commercial gas diffusion layers (GDLs) are used to form electrodes of a new type. The CNTAs are used in the electrode as a microporous layer. The catalytic layer is formed in the microporous layer by a method that does not destroy the carbon support structure and consists of the controlled impregnation of CNTAs with the Pt-precursor with subsequent reduction in platinum particles in the surface volume of the layer. The resulting electrode was studied by scanning/transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. This electrode provides increased electrical conductivity of the layer and can also improve stability and longer service life due to the enhanced adhesion of carbon materials to the GDL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fast catalytic pyrolysis of polystyrene in the hydrocarbon medium (light and heavy cycle oil) over zeolite catalysts at 450–550 °C was investigated. The influence of reaction conditions (medium, temperature, vapor residence time, polystyrene concentration) on polymer conversion and product distribution was studied. It was found that the polymer conversion is close to 100%, while ethylbenzene, benzene, and toluene are the main products of its transformation. The maximum yield of ethylbenzene (80%) was achieved at 550 °C, vapor residence time 1–2 s, polystyrene concentration 10%, and heavy cycle oil as the medium. The influence of zeolite topology on product distribution was explored. The possible mechanism of polystyrene pyrolysis was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Living mulch is the most natural soil cover in the orchard; however, competition with grasses creates stressful conditions for fruit crops. The reaction of plants to stress can be determined by the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the content of lipid peroxidation products in plant tissues. The reaction of trees to coexistence with living mulch (natural grasses that were mowed four times during the growing season) was studied in an organic sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) orchard with chestnut, sandy soil in the warm and arid conditions of Southern Steppe of Ukraine. The aim of the research was to determine how the living mulch (compared to bare fallow) affects the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in sweet cherry fruits at different stages of fruit development. It was determined that living mulch significantly increased the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (by 21-52%), polyphenol oxidase (by 22-42%), and peroxidase (26-34%) in the tissues of sweet cherry fruits. The MDA content was significantly higher in sweet cherry fruits produced under living mulch (compared to the fruits of a bare fallow management system) only at the stage of partial reddening in 2018 (by 41%) and at the stage of stone hardening in 2019 (by 58%). At the picking maturity stage, no significant difference between the treatments of the experiment was found, which indicates the successful overcoming of oxidative stress caused by competition with natural grasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Oncolytic viruses infect tumor cells and trigger their death and elimination by the immune system. Several viral strains have been introduced into clinical practice. However, their therapeutic efficacy remains controversial. Here, we show that Coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5) causes the death of glioblastoma cells. Interestingly, 2-deoxyglucose, an inhibitor of glycolysis augments the oncolytic effect induced by CVB5. This synergism occurs in cells with a high respiratory phenotype and increased glycolytic capacity. Thus, 2-deoxyglucose or its analogs can be evaluated further as drugs to potentiate the oncolytic effects of enteroviruses against glioblastoma multiforme. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common types of brain tumor. Despite intensive research, patients with GBM have a poor prognosis due to a very high rate of relapse and significant side effects of the treatment, with a median survival of 14.6 months. Oncolytic viruses are considered a promising strategy to eliminate GBM and other types of cancer, and several viruses have already been introduced into clinical practice. However, identification of the factors that underly the sensitivity of tumor species to oncolytic viruses or that modulate their clinical efficacy remains an important target. Here, we show that Coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5) demonstrates high oncolytic potential towards GBM primary cell species and cell lines. Moreover, 2-deoxyglucose (2DG), an inhibitor of glycolysis, potentiates the cytopathic effects of CVB5 in most of the cancer cell lines tested. The cells in which the inhibition of glycolysis enhanced oncolysis are characterized by high mitochondrial respiratory activity and glycolytic capacity, as determined by Seahorse analysis. Thus, 2-deoxyglucose and other analogs should be considered as adjuvants for oncolytic therapy of glioblastoma multiforme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer cell lines responded differentially to type I interferon treatment in models of oncolytic therapy using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Two opposite cases were considered in this study, glioblastoma DBTRG-05MG and osteosarcoma HOS cell lines exhibiting resistance and sensitivity to VSV after the treatment, respectively. Type I interferon responses were compared for these cell lines by integrative analysis of the transcriptome, proteome, and RNA editome to identify molecular factors determining differential effects observed. Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing was equally induced in both cell lines. However, transcriptome analysis showed that the number of differentially expressed genes was much higher in DBTRG-05MG with a specific enrichment in inflammatory proteins. Further, it was found that two genes, EGFR and HER2, were overexpressed in HOS cells compared with DBTRG-05MG, supporting recent reports that EGF receptor signaling attenuates interferon responses via HER2 co-receptor activity. Accordingly, combined treatment of cells with EGF receptor inhibitors such as gefitinib and type I interferon increases the resistance of sensitive cell lines to VSV. Moreover, sensitive cell lines had increased levels of HER2 protein compared with non-sensitive DBTRG-05MG. Presumably, the level of this protein expression in tumor cells might be a predictive biomarker of their resistance to oncolytic viral therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Thermal depolymerization of polystyrene in the hydrocarbon medium was studied. • Maximum styrene yield was 84.4% in LCO at 500 °C and the vapor residence time 2.61 s. • Formation of a styrene dimer in the hydrocarbon medium is inhibited. • Depolymerization products seem suitable for further styrene monomer production. Data from the thermal depolymerization of polystyrene in a highly aromatic hydrocarbon medium (light and heavy cycle oil) have been obtained. The influences of the reaction conditions on the conversion and selectivity have been studied. The maximum yield of styrene obtained in the present work is 84.4% at a polymer conversion of 93.8% in light cycle oil under the following conditions: temperature: 500 °C, vapor residence time: 2.61 s, polymer concentration: 15%. The styrene yield obtained is higher than has been previously reported in the scientific literature. The high selectivity of styrene in the depolymerization reaction can be explained by the fact that under the reaction conditions studied, the formation of styrene dimers in the hydrocarbon medium is inhibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystals with the La18W10O57‐type structure (6H and 5H polytypes) were obtained by a self‐flux method from high‐temperature solutions. Some of the crystal samples were studied by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. The diffraction patterns indicated that two phases co‐exist in each sample. The hexagonal lattices have a common period of a ≈ 9.0 Å and are non‐equal in length but have equally oriented superstructure periods 6c (phase I) and 5c (phase II), c ≈ 5.4 Å. The structures of phases I and II were solved in the symmetry groups P2c and P321, respectively, based on the X‐ray data for crystals I and II, with predominant content of the first and second phase. The motif of isolated WO6 prisms with W atoms on the cell edges is common to both phases. WO6 octahedra, both isolated and joined by faces, are distributed along the c axis within the unit cells. Phase I contains extra layers of isolated WO6 octahedra compared to phase II. Tungsten sites in joined octahedra are disordered and partially occupied. Disordering is more expressed in phase II, which in return contains rather more W and O per atom of La. The refined chemical compositions are La18W10O57 for I and La15W8.5O48 for II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1 Marijuana's appetite-increasing effects have long been known. Recent research suggests that the CB(1) cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR141716A may suppress appetite. This study represents a further, systematic investigation of the role of CB(1) cannabinoid receptors in the pharmacological effects of cannabinoids on food intake. 2 Mice were food-restricted for 24 h and then allowed access to their regular rodent chow for 1 h. Whereas the CB(1) antagonist SR141716A dose-dependently decreased food consumption at doses that did not affect motor activity, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) increased food consumption at doses that had no effect on motor activity. O-3259 and O-3257, structural analogs of SR141716A, produced effects similar to those of the parent compound. 3 Amphetamine (a known anorectic) and diazepam (a benzodiazepine and CNS depressant) decreased food consumption, but only at doses that also increased or decreased motor activity, respectively. The CB(2) cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR144528 and the nonpsychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol did not affect food intake nor activity. 4 SR141716A decreased feeding in wild-type mice, but lacked pharmacological activity in CB(1) knockout mice; however, basal food intake was lower in CB(1) knockout mice. Amphetamine decreased feeding in both mouse genotypes. 5 These results suggest that SR141716A may affect the actions of endogenous cannabinoids in regulating appetite or that it may have effects of its own aside from antagonism of cannabinoid effects (e.g., decreased feeding behavior and locomotor stimulation). In either case, these results strongly suggest that CB(1) receptors may play a role in regulation of feeding behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]