Search

We investigate the anisotropic frequency-dependent dielectric, THz and IR response of liquid water confined between two planar graphene sheets with force-field- and density-functional-theory-based molecular dynamics simulations. Using spatially resolved anisotropic spectra, we demonstrate the critical role of the volume over which the spectral response is integrated when reporting spatially averaged electric susceptibilities. To analyze the spectra, we introduce a unique decomposition into bulk, interfacial, and confinement contributions, which reveals that confinement effects on the spectra occur only for systems with graphene separation below 1.4 nm, for all frequencies. Based on this decomposition, we discuss the molecular origin of the main absorption features of nanoconfined water from the GHz to the IR regime. We show that, at low frequencies, the 15 GHz Debye peak of interfacial water is redshifted due to a slowdown of collective water reorientations. At high frequencies, the OH stretch at 100 THz blue shifts and a signature of free OH groups emerges, while the HOH bend mode at 50 THz is redshifted. Strikingly, in nanoconfinement, the 20 THz libration band shifts to below 15 THz and broadens drastically, spanning two orders of magnitude in frequency. These results are rationalized by the collective water motion and the structure of the hydrogen-bond network at the water–graphene interface and in two-dimensional water layers, which reveals the intricate behavior of nanoconfined water and its spectral properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water interfaces play a crucial role in regulating interactions and energy flow. Vibrational sum-frequency generation (vSFG) spectroscopy provides structural and dynamic information on water molecules at interfaces. It has revealed, for instance, the presence of the hydrogen-bonded and free OH groups at the air–water interface. Here, using temperature-dependent, time-resolved vSFG, we focus on the vibrational energy relaxation dynamics of interfacial heavy water (D2O). We reveal that while the relaxation timescale for hydrogen-bonded OD stretch modes is temperature-independent, the lifetime of the free OD stretch mode decreases with increasing temperature. Our data, supported by simulations, suggest that both intramolecular energy transfer and rotational reorientation mechanisms jointly contribute to the energy relaxation process of the free OD, with temperature influencing these mechanisms differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that the stable image of an endomorphism of a virtually free group is computable. For an endomorphism φ , an element x ∈ G and a subset K ⊆ G , we say that the φ -order of g relative to K , φ -ord K (g) , is the smallest nonnegative integer k such that g φ k ∈ K. We prove that the set of orders, which we call φ -spectrum, is computable in two extreme cases: when K is a finite subset and when K is a recognizable subset. The finite case is proved for virtually free groups and the recognizable case for finitely presented groups. The case of finitely generated virtually abelian groups and some variations of the problem are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A graph is said to be uniquely hamiltonian if it has a unique hamiltonian cycle. For a natural extension of this concept to infinite graphs, we find all uniquely hamiltonian vertex‐transitive graphs with finitely many ends, and also discuss some examples with infinitely many ends. In particular, we show each nonabelian free group Fn has a Cayley graph of degree 2n+2 that has a unique hamiltonian circle. (A weaker statement had been conjectured by Georgakopoulos.) Furthermore, we prove that these Cayley graphs of Fn are outerplanar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schur rings are subrings of the group ring of the group G afforded by a partition of G into finite sets. In this paper, Schur rings over a free abelian group of rank two are classified under the assumption that one of the direct factors is a union of some basic sets. There are eight different types, and all but one type of which are traditional. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides answers to several open problems about equational theories of idempotent semifields. In particular, it is proved that (i) no equational theory of a non‐trivial class of idempotent semifields has a finite basis; (ii) there are continuum‐many equational theories of classes of idempotent semifields; and (iii) the equational theory of the class of idempotent semifields is co‐NP‐complete. This last result is also used to determine the complexity of deciding the existence of a right order on a free group or free monoid satisfying finitely many given inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex number λ is said to be non-free if the subgroup of SL(2, ℂ) generated by X = 11 0 1 andYλ = 10 λ 1 is not a free group of rank 2. In this case, the number λ is called a relation number, and it has been a long standing problem to determine the relation numbers. In this paper, we characterize the relation numbers by establishing the equivalence between λ being a relation number and u := −λ being a root of a ‘generalized Chebyshev polynomial’. The generalized Chebyshev polynomials of degree k are given by a sequence of k integers (n1,n2,…,nk) using the usual recursive formula, and thereby can be studied systematically using continuants and continued fractions. Such formulation, then, enables us to prove that, the question whether a given number λ is a relation number of u-degree k can be answered by checking only finitely many generalized Chebyshev polynomials. Based on these theorems, we design an algorithm deciding any given number is a relation number with minimal degree k. With its computer implementation we provide a few sample examples, with a particular emphasis on the well-known conjecture that every rational number in the interval (−4, 4) is a relation number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapeutic agents always produce severe side effects in clinic settings. Although drug delivery systems have addressed the side effects of small-molecule drugs to some degree, the overdose of carrier, complicated preparation and low drug loading rate limit the development of novel nanomedicines. Herein, we prepared a polyprodrug nanomedicine with a fixed drug loading rate based on cytarabine (Ara-C) by a one-step radical polymerization method. This poly-cytarabine (Poly-Ara-C) nanomedicine was characterized using NMR and FT-IR. The fixed drug loading rate of Ara-C in Poly-Ara-C is 81.5%, and the average nanoparticle size of Poly-Ara-C is 116.8 nm, as measured using DLS. Cell viability results showed that viable A20 cells treated with Poly-Ara-C (30 μg mL−1) were 49% and 62.4% at 24 h, as evaluated using CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry experiments, respectively. Cellular uptake experiments proved that DID@Poly-Ara-C could be distributed into nuclei at 8 h. An in vivo tracking experiment demonstrated that DID@Poly-Ara-C could accumulate in tumor tissue and remain there for a longer time (4 days) compared to free DID. Moreover, the fluorescence imaging of sliced tissues demonstrated that the red fluorescence increased from 2 h to 76 h in tumor tissues. Meanwhile, tumor inhibition results indicated that the tumor volume of the Poly-Ara-C group (295 mm3) is significantly smaller than that of the free Ara-C group (472 mm3) and 0.9% saline group (1535 mm3). Furthermore, cell apoptosis of tumor tissues was observed in both the Poly-Ara-C and free Ara-C groups, as evaluated using TUNEL slices. Additionally, the side effects evaluated using H&E slices revealed that the side effects of the Poly-Ara-C group decreased compared to that of free Ara-C. In summary, this polyprodrug with a fixed drug loading rate based on Ara-C will probably be developed as a novel nanomedicine for cancer therapy and for clinical application in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isotretinoin is commonly used to treat acne, and its effects on sleep have been documented. However, its impact on chronotype features remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of isotretinoin on sleep duration and chronotype features, considering body mass index (BMI), anxiety, and depression levels as covariates. Among the 106 participants, 55 were systemic-medication-free for acne treatment, and 51 were in their sixth month of isotretinoin therapy. Acne severity was assessed using the Global Acne Grading System. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Reduced Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Sleep duration was significantly shorter in the isotretinoin-treated group compared to the systemic medication free group. A tendency toward an evening chronotype predicted the likelihood of being in the isotretinoin-treated group. In the follow-up of patients undergoing isotretinoin treatment, a psychodermatological perspective should include consideration of sleep duration and chronotype features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary The post‐synthetic modification of two‐dimensional sub‐stoichiometric covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for gas separation, particularly for the efficient removal of CO2 from CO2/N2 mixtures, is an area of growing interest yet remains relatively unexplored. In this study, we report the precise tuning of functional groups in sub‐stoichiometric COFs to enhance CO2 capture performance. A sub‐stoichiometric COF with free aldehyde groups (HPCOF) was designed and synthesized, followed by covalent modification via ethylenediamine (EDA) grafting, yielding HPCOF‐EDA. This post‐modification strategy significantly increased CO2 adsorption capacity (55.7 cm3·g–1 at 298 K and 1 bar) and CO2/N2 selectivity (58), primarily attributed to the formation of additional N—H···O interactions. These findings demonstrate the potential of functional engineering to broaden the application prospects of sub‐stoichiometric COFs in gas adsorption and separation technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we prove a pro- p version of the Rips-Sela's Theorems on splittings of a group as an amalgamated free product or HNN-extension over an infinite cyclic subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We introduce a condition on the monodromy of a free-by-cyclic group, G ϕ , called the chain flare condition, that implies that the L 2 –torsion, ρ (2) (G ϕ) , is nonzero. We conjecture that this condition holds whenever the monodromy is exponentially growing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we first develop a general theory of Johnson filtrations and Johnson homomorphisms for a group G acting on another group K equipped with a filtration indexed by a "good" ordered commutative monoid. Then, specializing it to the case where the monoid is the additive monoid ℕ 2 of pairs on non-negative integers, we obtain a theory of double Johnson filtrations and homomorphisms. We apply this theory to the mapping class group ℳ of a surface Σ g , 1 with one boundary component, equipped with the normal subgroups X ̄ , Ȳ of π 1 (Σ g , 1) associated to a standard Heegaard splitting of the 3 -sphere. We also consider the case where the group G is the automorphism group of a free group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that the set of subgroups of the automorphism group of a two-sided full shift is closed under countable graph products. We introduce the notion of a group action without A-cancellation (for an abelian group A), and show that when A is a finite abelian group and G is a group of cellular automata whose action does not have A-cancellation, the wreath product A ≀ G embeds in the automorphism group of a full shift. We show that all free abelian groups and free groups admit such cellular automata actions. In the one-sided case, we prove variants of these results with reasonable alphabet blow-ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a paper from 2011, Jiang, Wang and Zhang studied the fixed points and fixed subgroups of selfmaps on a connected finite graph or a connected compact hyperbolic surface 푋. In particular, for any selfmap f : X → X f\colon X\to X , they proved that a certain quantity defined in terms of the characteristic chr ⁡ ( f , F ) \operatorname{chr}(f,\mathbf{F}) and the index ind ⁡ ( f , F ) \operatorname{ind}(f,\mathbf{F}) of a fixed point class 퐅 of 푓 is bounded below by 2 ⁢ χ ⁢ ( X ) 2\chi(X) , where χ ⁢ ( X ) \chi(X) is the Euler characteristic of 푋. In this paper, we give a sufficient condition for when equality holds and hence we partially answer a question of Jiang. We do this by studying iwip outer endomorphisms of free groups acting on stable trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give a simple algorithm to solve the subgroup membership problem for virtually free groups given as a graph of finite groups. For a fixed virtually free group with a fixed generating set X, the subgroup membership problem is uniformly solvable in time O (N log ∗ (N)) where N is the sum of the word lengths of the inputs with respect to X. For practical purposes, this can be considered to be linear time. The algorithm is simple enough to work out small examples by hand and concrete examples are given to show how it can be used for computations in SL (2 , ℤ) and GL (2 , ℤ). We also give fast algorithm to decide whether a finitely generated subgroup of a virtually free group is free. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated the effectiveness of supercritical fluid extrusion (SCFX) to modify the functional and structural characteristics of pea protein concentrate (PPC) and pea flour (PF). The results indicate that the SCFX process favorably modified the hydration properties of PPC and PF needed for developments in the structural and textural qualities of the meat analogs and other similar products. The water‐holding capacity of extruded PPC and PF improved significantly. The SCFX‐extruded samples showed greater emulsifying activity and stability index compared to the unextruded samples. The reduced solubility of the extruded samples indicates changes in the native protein structure and further denaturation due to the SCFX process. Denaturation is a prerequisite for protein texturization to produce meat analogs. Enhanced exposure of sulfhydryl (SH) groups indicates the favorable modification of the protein structure after extrusion. Free SH groups participate in covalent intramolecular disulfide linkages during the solidification process, enhancing the fibrous degree and formation of anisotropic structures. Additionally, the increase in surface hydrophobicity observed in the extruded samples demonstrates the ability of the SCFX process to enhance hydrophobic interactions among protein molecules, resulting in a stronger network formation. Overall, these findings showed the potential of SCFX processing as an innovative technique to effectively modify the structural and functional properties of PPC and PF, thereby enhancing their potential utility in creating novel food products from pea proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. This study evaluated the effect of thermal, ultrasonication, and UV treatment on the structural and functional properties of whey proteins from donkey milk. Whey proteins exhibited notable stability in nonheat-treated environments, but their structural and functional characteristics were notably affected by excessive heat treatment. The application of high-temperature long-time thermal treatment resulted in a decrease in fluorescence intensity and foaming and emulsification stability, as well as considerable damage to the active components of the proteins. Specifically, the preservation of lysozyme activity was only 23%, and lactoferrin and IgG exhibited significant losses of 70% and 77%, respectively. Nonthermal treatment methods showed superior efficacy in preserving the active components in whey proteins compared with heat treatment. Ultrasonic treatment has demonstrated a notable capability in diminishing protein particle size and turbidity, and UV treatment has been observed to have the ability to oxidize internal disulfide bonds within proteins, consequently augmenting the presence of free sulfhydryl groups, which are beneficial to foaming and emulsification stability. This study not only offers a scientific basis for the processing and application of donkey milk whey proteins but also serves as a guide to produce dairy products, aiding in the development of dairy products tailored to specific health functions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to investigate and compare the effects of various protein or protein-based powders (WPC, SPI, BSA and hemoglobin) addition on transform of texture properties in egg white (EW)/egg yolk (EY) gels. Results showed that the highest hardness value (38.5 N) was detected in BSA-treated EW gels, while the lowest values (46.6 N) were obtained in hemoglobin-treated EY gels. Additionally, significantly increased value of free –SH groups was obtained in SPI/BSA/hemoglobin-treated EW/EY solutions, and increased value of protein solubility was obtained in EY solutions treated by WPC/SPI/BSA/hemoglobin relative to those of the control. The EW solutions treated by BSA/hemoglobin reached significantly higher H0 values than those of other groups. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the hemoglobin-treated EW solution had slightly intense bands of ovoinhibitor, ovotransferrin and ovalbumin, and the EY solutions treated by WPC/SPI/BSA had higher level of covalent crosslinking. The EW gels treated by WPC/hemoglobin exhibited relatively more ordered protein secondary structures (α-helix and β-sheet) than those of the SPI group. SEM results suggested that WPC/BSA-treated EW gels developed uniform, porous and fiber-like structure, while SPI/BSA-treated EY gels developed rougher structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We answer a question of Bardakov (Kourovka Notebook, Problem 19.8) which asks for the existence of a pair of natural numbers (c , m) with the property that every element in the free group on the two-element set { a , b } can be represented as a concatenation of c , or fewer, m -almost-palindromes in letters a ± 1 , b ± 1. Here, an m -almost-palindrome is a word which can be obtained from a palindrome by changing at most m letters. We show that no such pair (c , m) exists. In fact, we show that the analogous result holds for all non-abelian free groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Science & Technology of Food Industry is the property of Science & Technology of Food Industry Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study aimed to prepare complex gels of sonicated quinoa protein (QP) and polysaccharides, comparing the effects of different protein components and pH on gel properties. FTIR analysis demonstrated that the β-structure in protein at pH 7.0 was enhanced by ultrasonic treatment, which could promote the formation of a gel network. Moreover, XG-AG (gel prepared by xanthan gum and albumin) and XG-GG (gel prepared by xanthan gum and globulin) exhibited higher levels of disulfide bonds and free sulfhydryl groups in the gel, requiring more energy to break the intermolecular sulfide bonds during heating. Under the same heating conditions, the rheological properties and gel strength of XG-UQPG (gel prepared by xanthan gum and ultrasonically treated QP) were superior to those of XG-UGG (gel prepared by xanthan gum and ultrasonically treated globulin) and XG-UAG (gel prepared by xanthan gum and ultrasonically treated albumin). Additionally, XG-UGG (pH 7.0) demonstrated the highest water holding capacity (WHC) and oil holding capacity (OHC). This was attributed to the disulfide bonds created in the proteins by the ultrasound treatment, encouraging them to interact to form more uniform holes in gel that can hold more water/oil molecules. Conversely, at pH 4.5, the WHCs of the gels were reduced due to the presence of rougher protein structures. These findings shed light on the impact of protein composition on gel properties and offer insights into enhancing the quality of quinoa protein gel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Early Childhood is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A Sc(OTf)3‐catalyzed tandem cyclization reaction of o‐hydroxyphenyl enaminones with 1,3,5‐triazinanes has been developed to generate two distinct annulated products in moderate to good yields, which is dominated by the electronic characteristics of the 1,3,5‐triazinanes. The 1,3,5‐triaryl‐1,3,5‐triazinane reacted as C−N synthon to produce C3‐aminomethyl chromone, while the 1,3,5‐trialkyl‐1,3,5‐triazinane acted as C−N−C−N synthons to deliver N,N‐dialkyl tetrahydropyrimidine with a free hydroxyl group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we provide sufficient conditions for groups generated by two screw parabolic maps of PU (2 , 1) with distinct fixed points to be discrete and free. As an example, we apply our results to the classical group ⟨ g θ , f θ ⟩ constructed in Gusevskii, N., Parker, J.R.: Representations of free Fuchsian groups in complex hyperbolic space. Topology 39, 33–60 (2000). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bruceines A–L are among the quassinoid representatives found in the medicinal plant Brucea javanica (L.). An overview of their pharmacological activities is still unknown. The given research deals with highlights in their pharmacological result, molecular mechanism of action, synthetic progress, and pharmacokinetics. From previous evidence, bruceine derivatives are potential agents for anticancer treatments, as well as they are appropriate to treat inflammation, diabetes, and parasitic infections, and protect the neurons, kidneys, and lungs. Cytokine inhibitions, oxidative stress responses, and various signaling pathways, such as MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and NF-κB (nuclear factor-kappa B), have been proposed as the underlying mechanisms of action. Synthetic approaches to synthesize new derivatives with enhancement activities are based on free hydroxyl group modifications. Bruceines seem to be promptly absorbed by both oral and intravenous administrations, but their bioavailability is not high (less than 6%). Pre-clinical and clinical studies to prove their anticancer potential and other activities are urgent. Structural modifications, nano-combinations, and synergistic effects are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate fibrous attributes and prohibitive pricing are pivotal barriers to the broader market penetration of meat analogs (MAs). This research endeavors to address these impediments by formulating a blend of cost-effective soybean meal (SM) and pea protein isolate (PPI) across a spectrum of ratios (PPI:SM = 1:0, 8:2, 6:4, 4:6, 2:8, and 0:1). The analysis of textural properties elucidated that the integration of SM markedly diminished the textural rigidity and mastication resistance of MAs. Employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fibrillation degree metrics, it was ascertained that the most favorable fibrous architecture of MAs was attained at a PPI to SM ratio of 6:4. Further experimental evidence underscored that the synergistic interaction between SM and PPI catalyzed the conversion of free sulfhydryl groups into disulfide linkages, a pivotal mechanism in the augmentation of MAs' fibrous matrices. The conclusions drawn from this study provide substantive contributions to the formulation of superior-quality, economically viable MAs, and could potentially accelerate their market acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the synthesis of a series of oligo- α -(1→6)-D-galactopyranosides bearing β -D-galactofuranosyl residues at O-2 and/or O-3, which relate structurally to fragments of glucuronoxylomannogalactan (GXMGal) from the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans that causes severe diseases in immunocompromised patients. The preparation of target compounds is based on the use of a selectively O-protected N-phenyltrifluoroacetimidoyl galactopyranoside donor with an allyl group at O-2, levulinoyl group (Lev) at O-3, pentafluorobenzoyl (PFB) group at O-4, and fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group at O-6. The choice of protecting groups for this donor ensures the stereospecific formation of α- (1→6)-glycosidic bonds due to the stereodirecting effect of acyls at O-3, O-4, and O-6. At the same time, this combination of O-substituents permits the selective recovery of free OH groups at O-2, O-3, and O-6 for chain elongation via the introduction of β- D-galactofuranosyl and α- D-galactopyranosyl residues. The reported compounds are obtained as aminopropyl glycosides, which are transformed into biotinylated conjugates for further use as coating antigens in immunological studies. The obtained oligosaccharides were subjected to detailed 13C NMR analysis to show the spatial similarity of the obtained hexasaccharide with the corresponding fragment in the GXMGal chain, making this compound suitable for further immunological studies of C. neoformans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the simple and direct cationic ring opening polymerization (CROP) of a nitroxide bearing 2-oxazoline monomer to yield redox-active poly[1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-(2-oxazoline)] (PTOx) with no requirement for protecting group chemistries. The spin and redox activity of the polymer are quantitatively retained as confirmed by cyclic voltammetry and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, while yielding a comparable oxidation potential to that of PTMA in preliminary electrochemical characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let FG be the group algebra of a residually torsion free nilpotent group G over a field F of characteristic 0. If (x,y) is any pair of noncommuting elements of G, we show that for any rational number r with r≠0,±1, the subgroup 〈1 + rx, 1 + ry, 1 + rxy〉 is free of rank 3 in the Malcev–Neumann field of fractions of FG. This result comes from a method of producing free groups of rank three in rational quaternions. In general, if a division ring D has dimension d2 over its center Z, and if the transcendence degree of Z over its prime field 픽p is ≥ d2 + 3, we present a method to construct free subgroups of rank three. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to improve the stability of catechins and expand their applications in food processing. To achieve this, catechins were encapsulated at different mass fractions (0%, 0.4%, 0.8% ) in co-crystallized sucrose. Meanwhile, catechin co-crystallized microcapsules were mixed with chicken batter to prepare gels and investigate their effects on heat-induced gelling properties. The study found that the co-crystallization treatment significantly improved the water solubility and digestive stability of catechin. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analyses confirmed that catechin clusters adhered to the porous space of recrystallized sucrose and modified the melting properties of sucrose. Compared to the blank control and free catechin-added groups, the chicken batters added with encapsulated catechin significantly reduced cooking loss and increased gel hardness, chewiness, water-holding capacity, and whiteness values. The addition of encapsulated catechin reduced the drip channels and aggregated voids in the chicken batter compared to the control group. Furthermore, the incorporation of co-crystallized microcapsules containing 0.8% of catechin minimized the carbonyl content and maximized the free and total sulfhydryl content of chicken mince gels. In conclusion, the sucrose cocrystallization method can significantly enhance the environmental stability of catechins, and the co-crystallized catechins can effectively improve the texture and water retention of heat-induced chicken batters by improving the gel organization and reducing the degree of protein oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial biofilms and intracellular pathogens pose significant challenges in eradication, often leading to persistent infections that are difficult to treat. To address this issue, the hydrophobic biofilm dispersant D‐tyrosine is encapsulated within protein‐polycation nanoparticles, designed using a mannose‐terminated cationic polymer and concanavalin through electrostatic interactions. Thermodynamic studies reveal that free mannosyl groups on the nanoparticle surface promote spontaneous binding to receptor molecules mimicking those on bacterial biofilms and host cells. Under mildly acidic conditions, the nanoparticles reduce in size from 550 to ≈48 nm within 2 h, releasing 76% of encapsulated D‐tyrosine. The combination of mannose targeting, particle size reduction, and controlled D‐tyrosine release enable the nanoparticles to eliminate 70%–80% of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus biofilm biomass at minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and 2MBC while eradicating 8 log of bacteria embedded within the biofilm. In an intracellular Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection model using RAW 264.7 macrophages, the nanoparticles at 2MBC eliminate over 95% of the intracellular bacteria without inducing an increase in the inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐6. These protein‐polycation nanoparticles, which activate their antimicrobial properties under acidic conditions, efficiently penetrate bacterial biofilms and host cell barriers via their mannose‐rich surface, offering a promising strategy for the treatment of persistent infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic non-covalent interactions between polycarbonate soft segments have been proposed for explaining the intrinsic self-healing of polyurethanes synthesized with polycarbonate polyols (PUs) at 20 °C. However, these self-healing PUs showed insufficient mechanical properties, and their adhesion properties have not been explored yet. Different PUs with self-healing at 20 °C, acceptable mechanical properties, and high shear strengths (similar to the highest ones reported in the literature) were synthesized by using blends of polycarbonate polyols of molecular weights 1000 and 2000 Da (CD1000 + CD2000). Their structural, thermal, rheological, mechanical, and adhesion (single lap-shear tests) properties were assessed. PUs with higher CD1000 polyol contents exhibited shorter self-healing times and dominant viscous properties due to the higher amount of free carbonate groups, significant carbonate–carbonate interactions, and low micro-phase separation. As the CD2000 polyol content in the PUs increased, slower kinetics and longer self-healing times and higher mechanical and adhesion properties were obtained due to a dominant rheological elastic behavior, soft segments with higher crystallinities, and greater micro-phase separation. All PUs synthesized with CD1000 + CD2000 blends exhibited a mixed phase due to interactions between polycarbonate soft segments of different lengths which favored the self-healing and mobility of the polymer chains, resulting in increased mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractWilton classified when a prime three-manifold M has a residually free fundamental group π1M . We prove that the groups π1M×Zn are profinitely rigid within finitely generated residually free groups. We also establish other profinite invariants of the class of residually free groups such as coherence and subgroup separability. In the course of our proofs, we generalise a lemma of Wilton and Zalesskii on profinitely recognizing when a central extension of groups splits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that the Brinkmann Problems (BrP & BrCP) and the Twisted-Conjugacy Problem (TCP) are decidable for any endomorphism of a free-abelian times free (FATF) group 픽n × ℤm. Furthermore, we prove the decidability of the two-sided Brinkmann Conjugacy Problem (2BrCP) for monomorphisms of FATF groups (and combine it with TCP) to derive the decidability of the conjugacy problem for ascending HNN extensions of FATF groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1,2‐Diamination of alkenes represents an attractive way to generate differentiated vicinal diamines, which are prevalent motifs in biologically active compounds and catalysts. However, existing methods are usually limited in scope and produce diamines where one or both nitrogens are protected, adding synthetic steps for deprotection and further N‐functionalization to reach a desired target. Furthermore, the range of amino groups that can be introduced at the internal position is fairly limited. Here we describe a 1,2‐diamination of styrenes that directly installs a free amino group at the terminal position and a wide variety of unprotected nitrogen nucleophiles (primary or secondary alkyl or aromatic amines, sulfoximines, N‐heterocycles, and ammonia surrogate) at the internal position. Two complementary sets of conditions encompass electronically activated and deactivated styrenes with diverse substitution patterns and functional groups. Moreover, this strategy can be extended to the 1,2‐aminothiolation of styrenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysozymes, efficient alternative supplements to antibiotics, have several benefits in poultry production. In the present study, 120, one–day–old, Ross 308 broiler chickens of mixed sex, were allocated into 2 equal groups, lysozyme treated group (LTG) and lysozyme free group (LFG), to evaluate the efficacy of lysozyme (Lysonir®) usage via both drinking water (thrice) and spray (once). LTG had better (p = 0.042) FCR, and higher European production efficiency factor compared to LFG (p = 0.042). The intestinal integrity score of LTG was decreased (p = 0.242) compared to that of LFG; 0.2 vs. 0.7. Higher (p ≤ 0.001) intestinal Lactobacillus counts were detected in chickens of LTG. Decreased (p ≤ 0.001) IL-1β and CXCL8 values were reported in LTG. The cellular immune modulation showed higher (p ≤ 0.001) opsonic activity (MΦ and phagocytic index) in LTG vs. LFG at 25 and 35 days. Also, higher (p ≤ 0.001) local, IgA, and humoral, HI titers, for both Newcastle, and avian influenza H5 viruses were found in LTG compared to LFG. In conclusion, microbial lysozyme could improve feed efficiency, intestinal integrity, Lactobacillus counts, anti-inflammatory, and immune responses in broiler chickens. HIGHLIGHTS: Exogenous aqueous and spray microbial lysozyme enhanced growth in commercial broiler chickens The postbiotic effects of microbial lysozyme modulated intestinal integrity. Anti-inflammatory, as well as local, cellular, and humoral immune response were stimulated by lysozyme supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Denoting by F2$F_2$ the free group over a two‐element alphabet, we show in set‐theory without the axiom of choice ZF$\mathsf {ZF}$ that the existence of a (2, 2)‐paradoxical decomposition of free F2$F_2$‐sets follows from the conjunction of a weakened consequence of the Hahn‐Banach axiom and a weakened consequence of the axiom of choice for pairs. The existence in ZF$\mathsf {ZF}$ of a paradoxical decomposition with 4 pieces of the sphere in the 3‐dimensional euclidean space follows from the same two statements restricted to the set R$\mathbb {R}$ of real numbers. Our result is linked to the (m,n)$(m,n)$‐paradoxical decompositions of free F2$F_2$‐sets previously obtained by Pawlikowski (m=n=3$m=n=3$, cf. [11]) and then by Sato and Shioya (m=3$m=3$ and n=2$n=2$, cf. [13]) with the sole Hahn‐Banach axiom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absolute configuration of the title compound, C13H16O4, determined as 1S,2R,3S,4R based on the synthetic pathway, was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecule is a relevant intermediary for the synthesis of speciosins, epoxyquinoides or their analogues. The molecule contains fused fiveand six-membered rings with two free hydroxyl groups and two protected as an isopropylidenedioxo ring. The packing is directed by hydrogen bonds that define double planes of molecules laying along the ab plane and van der Waals interactions between aliphatic chains that point outwards of the planes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that the logarithmic Sobolev inequality holds for an arbitrary hypercontractive semigroup { e - t P } t ≥ 0 acting on a noncommutative probability space (M , τ) : ‖ x ‖ L p (log L) ps (M) ≤ c p , s ‖ P s (x) ‖ L p (M) , 1 < p < ∞ , for every mean zero x and 0 < s < ∞ . By selecting s = 1 / 2 , one can recover the p-logarithmic Sobolev inequality whenever the Riesz transform is bounded. Our inequality applies to numerous concrete cases, including Poisson semigroups for free groups, the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck semigroup for mixed Q-gaussian von Neumann algebras, the free product for Ornstein-Uhlenbeck semigroups etc. This provides a unified approach for functional analysis form of logarithmic Sobolev inequalities in general noncommutative setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poor nucleofugality of the amino group renders the C−N bond functionalization of primary aromatic amines highly challenging. Herein, we report a direct substitution reaction of 2‐aminotropones, bearing a unique non‐benzenoid seven‐membered aromatic ring that exists in some natural products and bioactive molecules, with potassium allyltrifluoroborates through C−N bond cleavage under transition‐metal‐free conditions. The amino group of 2‐aminotropones were directly substituted with potassium allyltrifluoroborates in the presence of sodium bicarbonate, delivering structurally diverse 2‐allyltropones in moderate to good yields. The reaction is free of directing groups, activating groups and transition metals, providing a convenient method to access substituted tropones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study outlines a method for preparing a complex involving glycoluril and melamine (GU-ME). The structure of the resultant complex was analyzed using IR and NMR spectroscopy. In the subsequent phase, the polymer GUMEFA was derived from the resultant complex, employing hydroxyethylidene diphosphonic acid (HEDP) as a sustainable plasticizer, with a proposed chemical mechanism for its formation. The molecular weight of the resulting GUMEFA was analyzed, and the formation chemistry was proposed. GUMEFA was characterized, and its free formaldehyde and methylol group contents were investigated. It was observed that GUMEFA prepared with HEDP contained approximately 1.15–1.34 wt.% free formaldehyde and 1.56–0.54 wt.% methylol groups. These findings provide valuable insights for developing resins of different compositions and applications, thereby paving the way for producing composite materials with tailored properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous beneficial effects of resveratrol were reported; however, its pharmacological profile is contradictious. Previously, we have demonstrated that resveratrol has a dose-dependent cytoprotective effect and the essential role of autophagy induction was demonstrated. Resveratrol suffers from unfavorable pharmacokinetics, hindering its clinical use. Our aim was to study the cytoprotective effect of resveratrol derivatives to better understand structure–activity relationships that may facilitate the development of compounds with better druglike characteristics. Serum-deprivation-induced caspase activation, free radical generation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and autophagy were detected in the presence of resveratrol analogs with different oxidation states on mouse embryonal fibroblasts. Distinct cytoprotective mechanisms of the examined compounds were revealed. Monomethyl resveratrol had similar potency to resveratrol (EC50: 85.3 vs. 84.2 μM); however, autophagy induction was not essential for its cytoprotective effect. Oxyresveratrol was found to be a strong antioxidant that can induce direct cytoprotection rather than autophagy. Trimethyl-resveratrol, lacking free hydroxyl groups, induced damage that was too significant and hardly compensated by the activation of cytoprotective machineries, and caspase activation was reduced by only 24.5%. Based on our results, methylation of resveratrol reduces its antioxidant activity, while autophagy induction can still contribute to its cytoprotective effect. The introduction of an additional hydroxyl group, however, augments the antioxidant properties, inducing cytoprotection without autophagy induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that if a group G acts geometrically by type-preserving automorphisms on a building, then G satisfies the weak Tits alternative, namely, that G is either virtually abelian or contains a non-abelian free group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that two-dimensional Artin groups satisfy a strengthening of the Tits alternative: their subgroups either contain a non-abelian free group or are virtually free abelian of rank at most 2. When in addition the associated Coxeter group is hyperbolic, we answer in the affirmative a question of Wise on the subgroups generated by large powers of two elements: given any two elements a , b of a two-dimensional Artin group of hyperbolic type, there exists an integer n ≥ 1 such that a n and b n either commute or generate a non-abelian free subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND RESULTS CONCLUSION In the present study, the optimization of ultrasound‐assisted alkaline extraction (UAAE) and isoelectric precipitation (IEP) was applied to white button (WBM) and oyster (OYM) mushroom flours to produce functional spray dried mushroom protein concentrates. Solid‐to‐liquid ratio (5–15% w/v), ultrasound power (0–900 W) and type of acid [HCl or acetic acid (AcOH)] were evaluated for their effect on the extraction and protein yields from mushroom flours submitted to UAAE‐IEP protein extraction.Prioritized conditions with maximized protein yield (5% w/v, 900 W, AcOH, for WBM; 5% w/v, 900 W, HCl for OYM) were used to produce spray dried protein concentrates from white button (WBM‐PC) and oyster (OYM‐PC) mushrooms with high solids recovery (62.3–65.8%). WBM‐PC and OYM‐PC had high protein content (5.19–5.81 g kg−1), in addition to remarkable foaming capacity (82.5–235.0%) and foam stability (7.0–162.5%), as well as antioxidant phenolics. Highly pH‐dependent behavior was observed for solubility (> 90%, at pH 10) and emulsifying properties (emulsification activity index: > 50 m2 g−1, emulsion stability index: > 65%, at pH 10). UAAE‐IEP followed by spray drying increased surface hydrophobicity and free sulfhydryl groups by up to 196.5% and 117.5%, respectively, which improved oil holding capacity (359.9–421.0%) and least gelation concentration (6.0–8.0%) of spray dried mushroom protein concentrates.Overall, the present study showed that optimized UAAE‐IEP coupled with spray drying is an efficient strategy to produce novel mushroom protein concentrates with enhanced functional attributes for multiple food applications. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that the infinite family of asymptotic mapping class groups of surfaces defined by Funar–Kapoudjian and Aramayona–Funar are of type F∞, thus answering a problem of Funar–Kapoudjian–Sergiescu and a question of Aramayona– Funar. This result is a specific case of a more general theorem which allows us to deduce that asymptotic mapping class groups of certain Cantor manifolds, also introduced in this paper, are of type F∞. As important examples, we obtain type F∞ asymptotic mapping class groups that contain, respectively, the mapping class group of every compact surface with non-empty boundary, the automorphism group of every free group of finite rank, or infinite families of arithmetic groups. In addition, for certain types of manifolds, the homology of our asymptotic mapping class groups coincides with the stable homology of the relevant mapping class groups, as studied by Harer and Hatcher–Wahl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we construct a free object in the variety of weakly k -nilpotent n-tuple semigroups and characterize the least weakly k -nilpotent congruence on a free n-tuple semigroup. Moreover, we present separately free weakly k -nilpotent n-tuple semigroups of rank 1, calculate the cardinality of the free weakly k -nilpotent n-tuple semigroup for the finite case, emphasize that the semigroups of the free weakly k -nilpotent n-tuple semigroup are isomorphic and the automorphism group of the free weakly k -nilpotent n-tuple semigroup is isomorphic to the symmetric group. We also describe all maximal n-tuple subsemigroups of the free weakly k -nilpotent n-tuple semigroup and all regular elements of the endomorphism semigroup of the free weakly k -nilpotent n-tuple semigroup, and provide a criterion for an isomorphism of endomorphism semigroups of free weakly k -nilpotent n-tuple semigroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sous‐vide technique is increasingly used to improve the quality of poultry meat; the study aimed to compare the quality of traditional and sous‐vide marinated (SVM) duck drumsticks by analyzing the sensory‐related, nutritional, storage‐related, and in vitro digestive‐related quality of duck meat. The results showed that the sensory quality scores of color, odor, and appearance, L* and a* values of duck drumsticks in SVM group were significantly increased compared with the traditional marinated (TM) group (t‐test, p < 0.05, the same below), and the b* values on the outside and inside of duck drumsticks were decreased by 22.47% and 38.04%, respectively. Compared with TM group, hardness, springiness, chewiness, adhesion, cohesion, and resilience of duck drumsticks in SVM group decreased by 43.32%, 29.52%, 65.08%, 62.35%, 20.23%, and 30.33%, respectively. The moisture content and total fat content of duck drumsticks in SVM group were significantly higher than those in TM group (p < 0.05), and the protein loss, total volatile basic nitrogen, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values were decreased by 61.4%, 25.86%, and 20.45%, respectively. The results of in vitro digestion experiments showed that the content of free sulfhydryl groups of duck drumsticks in SVM group was significantly increased (p < 0.05), and the contents of Schiff base and carbonyl groups were significantly decreased compared with the TM group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the SVM technology could significantly improve the sensory‐related qualities, reduce the loss of nutrients, and improve the storage‐related qualities of duck drumsticks. This study provided theoretical reference for the high‐value application of SVM technology in duck meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]