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Synthesis, Characterisation, and Biological Assessment of Chromium Oxide Nanoparticles Coated with Chia Seed Mucilage Extract
No full textBackground/Objectives: Chromium (III) oxide nanoparticles possess unique chemical properties, making them increasingly valuable in pharmaceutical applications, which had been neglected until the last few years. However, their use requires stable dispersion and surface functionalization to ensure their biocompatibility. This study aimed to synthesise, characterise, and determine the biocompatibility and antioxidant properties of chromium oxide nanoparticles coated with a natural, plant-derived stabilising agent: chia seed mucilage extract. Methods: The synthesised nanoparticles were characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and laser diffraction scattering particle size analysis (LD-PSA). Biological and biochemical assessments were conducted by the DPPH and FRAP assays to quantify antioxidant scavenging abilities and the Artemia salina lethality test for preliminary biocompatibility evaluation. Results: XRD, FTIR, and EDS confirmed the successful synthesis of pure chromium oxide NPs (CrNPs) and their effective coating by the chia mucilage (CM) extract. SEM analysis determined that a 4:1 mass ratio (CrNPs to CM) produced the most consistent morphology and narrowest size distribution, yielding spherical particles approximately 50 nm in diameter. LD-PSA confirmed the coating and identified a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 0.110 µm. Biological and biochemical assays showed high antioxidant activity, with over 80% free radical scavenging at concentrations of 250 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL. Furthermore, the biocompatibility assessment showed survival rates above 90% across all tested concentrations. Conclusions: The findings confirm that chia seed mucilage extract can serve as an effective, biocompatible coating agent for chromium (III) oxide nanoparticles. The resulting functionalized particles exhibit exquisite biocompatibility and significant antioxidant potential, supporting their further development for pharmaceutical use
CLIC readiness report
No full textThe Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) is a TeV-scale high-luminosity linear e+e− collider studied by the international CLIC and CLICdp collaborations hosted by CERN. CLIC uses a two-beam acceleration scheme, in which normal-conducting high-gradient 12 GHz accelerating structures are powered via a high-current drive beam. For an optimal exploitation of its physics potential, CLIC is foreseen to be built and operated in stages. The initial stage will have a centre-of-mass energy of 380 GeV, with a site length of 11 km. The 380 GeV stage optimally combines the exploration of Higgs and top-quark physics, including a top threshold scan near 350 GeV. A higher-energy stage, still using the initial single drive-beam complex, can be optimised for any energy up to 2 TeV. Parameters are presented in detail for a 1.5 TeV stage, with a site length of 29 km. Since the 2018 ESPPU reporting, significant effort was invested in CLIC accelerator optimisation, technology developments and system tests, including collaboration with and gaining experience from new-generation light sources and free-electron lasers. CLIC implementation aspects at CERN have covered detailed studies of civil engineering, electrical networks, cooling and ventilation, scheduling, and costing. The CLIC baseline at 380 GeV is now 100 Hz operation, with a luminosity of 4.5×1034 cm−2s−1 and a power consumption of 166 MW. Compared to the 2018 design, this gives three times higher luminosity-per-power. The new baseline has two beam-delivery systems, allowing for two detectors operating in parallel, sharing the luminosity. The cost estimate of the 380 GeV baseline is approximately 7.2 billion CHF. The construction of the first CLIC energy stage could start as early as ∼2034-2035 and beam commissioning and first beams would follow a decade later, marking the beginning of a physics programme spanning 20-30 years and providing excellent sensitivity to Beyond Standard Model physics, through direct searches and via a broad set of precision measurements of Standard Model processes, particularly in the Higgs and top-quark sectors. This report summarises the CLIC project, its implementation and running scenarios, with emphasis on new developments and recent progress. It concludes with an update on the CLIC detector studies and on the physics potential in light of the improved accelerator performance. The physics potential includes results from the 3 TeV energy stage, which was studied in detail for the CLIC CDR in 2012 and the CLIC Project Implementation Plan of 2018
HER and OER Activity of Ti4O7@Ti Mesh—Fundamentals Behind Environmental Application
No full textTitanium suboxide (TSO) catalysts offer remarkable activity toward pollutant degradation due to their stability at positive potentials, which enables the formation of reactive oxygen species. Herein, TSOs are prepared directly on the surface of Ti mesh, which also serves as the current collector. The evolution of different TSO surface species during temperature treatment is monitored using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemically active surface area is determined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and shows a decrease from 9.3 cm2 to 1.1 cm2 upon increasing temperature, corresponding to the transformation of TSO as seen in micro-Raman spectroscopy. Impedance spectroscopy revealed nearly identical values (≈29 Ohm) for the charge transfer resistance during OER, indicating the presence of the same active centers on the surface. The electrode potential window toward water splitting is examined using oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions (OER and HER). The Tafel slopes are in the range 400–600 mV dec−1 for OER and 340–440 mV dec−1 for HER, with higher values being desirable in pollutant degradation applications. Onset potential shifted to slightly more negative values with increasing temperature treatment, with samples treated at 850 °C and 950 °C enabling almost tenfold higher currents at the same potential values. The hydrogen evolution potential lies within the optimal region for H* radical formation around −1.2 V vs. RHE. Surface-formed TSOs represent promising biofunctional materials for pollutant degradation
Effects of Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation on Behavior and NMDA Receptor Subunits in the Trimethyltin-Induced Alzheimer’s-like Disease Model
No full textBackground: Trimethyltin (TMT)-induced neurodegeneration leads to molecular and behavioral changes resembling those of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), making it a relevant model for investigating potential therapeutic interventions. Continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) has shown promise in psychiatric and neurological disorders but remains largely unexplored in AD models. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups: intact, TMT (8 mg/kg, ip) and TMT treated with cTBS or a sham protocol for three weeks. The open field test and novel object recognition test were used to assess anxiety-like behavior, memory, and learning, respectively. The extent of microgliosis in the hippocampus was assessed by immunohistochemistry, while protein expression was estimated by Western blot. Results: cTBS improved TMT-mediated changes in anxiety-like behavior, learning, and memory and reduced microgliosis in the CA1 hippocampal region. Both TMT and cTBS affected NMDAR subunits, with the most significant finding being a cTBS-mediated decrease in NR2B, which was previously increased by TMT. Conclusions: These are the first data on the beneficial effects of cTBS on behavioral and molecular changes in a model of neurodegeneration that mimics some of the key aspects of AD pathology. Further research is needed to clarify the therapeutic potential of cTBS in AD treatment
Tailoring TiO2 photocatalysis via interfacial charge transfer complexes with substituted salicylic acids: A combined theoretical and spectroscopic study
No full textThe modification of titanium dioxide (TiO2), taking advantage of the interfacial charge transfer (ICT) complex formation, represents a novel and effective strategy for bandgap engineering, leading to the formation of visible-light-responsive materials. In this study, TiO2-based ICT complexes were prepared using salicylic acid (SA) and its derivatives, substituted at the position 5 (–F, –SO3H, –NH2). Absorption of modified samples is red-shifted compared to pristine TiO2, as predicted by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations using cluster models in which ligands form bidentate binuclear complexes with surface Ti atoms. Low-temperature solid-state electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies demonstrated that LED@405 nm excitation of TiO2-based ICT complexes leads to generation of charge carriers more effectively than LED@365 nm excitation. In addition, photoinduced charge-carrier generation upon LED@405 nm was comparable to LED@365 nm exposure with notable variations in photocatalytic mechanisms, depending on the functional group. An electron-donating group enhanced the photoreduction capacity. On the other side, the presence of electron-withdrawing substituents slightly improved the oxidation activity. Overall, the ICT complex with SA displayed the better photocatalytic activity compared to those with substituted SA. The results show that substitution of SA at the position 5– does not significantly enhance the overall photocatalytic performance of the investigated ICT complexes; however, it influences the underlying photocatalytic pathway, shifting the balance between photoreduction and photooxidation processes. These findings emphasize the potential of ICT complexes to optimize TiO2 properties for specific light-driven applications
Photodynamic self-sterilizing polyurethane foils for highly touched objects, their preparation and use thereof
No full textPredmetna prijava opisuje hibridne polimerne nanokompozite sa antibakterijskim, antivirusnim i antigljivičnim osobinama, postupak njihove proizvodnje i njihovu primenu. Opisan je postupaka dobijanja polimernih nanokompozitnih jedinjenja sa poboljšanim antibakterijskim, antivirusnim i antigljivičnim osobinama i njihovu primenu, posebno na objekte koji se često dodiruju (OČD).UPT se mogu proizvesti iz različitih prekurzora odnosno organskih molekula i makromolekula korišćenjem solvotermalnog metoda i gama zračenja. Prekurzori u molekularnoj formi mogu biti odabrani od . potpuno netoksičnih molekula koji se koriste u industriji hrane ili za zaštitu zdravlja, ali ne ograničavajući se na: polifenole, aditive za hranu, organske boje, slabe organske kiseline iz voća, antrakinone iz čajeva, ili vitamine. Fotodinamičke samosterilišuće poliuretanske folije dobijene antimikrobnu predmetnim pronalaskom pokazuju aktivnost nakon sa komercijalnom LED sijalicom male snage koja emituje osvetljavanja plavu, zelenu, crvenu ili belu svetlost sa talasnim dužinama 460, 525 i 625 nm.The application in question describes hybrid polymer nanocomposites with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, the process of their production and their application. The procedures for obtaining polymer nanocomposite compounds with improved with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties and their application, especially to frequently touched objects (OChDs) are described. UPTs can be produced from various precursors, i.e. organic molecules and macromolecules using solvothermal methods and gamma radiation. Precursors in molecular form can be selected from . completely non-toxic molecules used in the food industry or for health protection, but not limited to: polyphenols, food additives, organic dyes, weak organic acids from fruits, anthraquinones from teas, or vitamins. Photodynamic self-sterilizing polyurethane films obtained by the invention show antimicrobial activity after illumination with a low-power commercial LED that emits blue, green, red or white light with wavelengths of 460, 525 and 625 nm.Broj prijave: P-2023/0944Podaci o nosiocu prava: INSTITUT ZA NUKLEARNE NAUKE "VINČA"INSTITUT OD NACIONALNOG ZNAČAJA ZA REPUBLIKU SRBIJU, UNIVERZITET U BEOGRADU, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, 11351 Beograd-Vinča , RSPriznati datum podnošenja prijave: 16.10.2023
Atto-localization in a one-dimensional lattice
No full textA simple tight-binding model with hopping to the nearest-neighbor sites in the field of attosecond pulse train is considered. A new form of localization, atto-localization, has been obtained. It is checked by simulating as realistically as possible the appropriate hopping in the lattice. This is a drastic change with respect to the Anderson localization. Examinations are performed on an ideal and a disordered lattice. Pair-correlations, density of states, inverse participation ratio and energy level statistics are calculated and verified. The condition under which atto-localization does not appear is also given.Peer-reviewed manuscript available at: [https://vinar.vin.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/16115]
Tauroursodeoxycholic acid alleviates depression-like behavior induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress through amelioration of catecholamine imbalance
No full textDepression is thought to emerge as a result of monoamine neuromodulators’ deficiency in a specific central nervous system site. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) has been found to have a protective role against diseases affecting the central nervous system. The potential effects of TUDCA on brain monoamine neurotransmitters in a stress-induced depression model have not been reported. We investigated the effects of TUCDA treatment on serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, catecholamine biosynthesis enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and degrading enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), NLRP3 and pro-inflammatory IL-1β in the hippocampus and mPFC of male rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Behavioral results demonstrated that TUDCA exhibits antidepressant and anxiolytic properties. TUDCA treatment markedly reduced the stress-increased the levels of IL-1β and NLRP3 in the hippocampus and mPFC of CUMS rats. Results showed that TUDCA treatment failed to alter serotonin levels in the hippocampus and mPFC, whereas it restored reduced dopamine and norepinephrine in the hippocampus and ameliorated dopamine imbalance in the mPFC of stressed rats. Further analysis showed that TUDCA treatment increases TH expression in the hippocampus and reduces the increased the protein levels of MAO-A in both brain areas. Our research suggests that TUDCA mitigated depressive-like behavior, and the mechanism appeared to be related to the regulation of catecholamine levels and their synthetic and degrading enzymes in both brain areas
First Exclusive Reconstruction of the *+, *0, and *0 Mesons and Precise Measurement of Their Masses
No full textUsing proton-proton collision data collected by the CMS experiment at (Formula presented) in 2016-2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of (Formula presented), the first full reconstruction of the three vector (Formula presented) meson states, (Formula presented), (Formula presented), and (Formula presented), is performed. The mass differences between the excited mesons and their corresponding ground states are measured to be (Formula presented), (Formula presented), and (Formula presented), where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. These results improve on the precision of previous measurements by an order of magnitude
Influence of induced excitation on the functionality of a finite-length segment of the molecular chain
No full textThis study investigates the possibility that an injected intramolecular excitation, which becomes self-trapped due to its interaction with thermal oscillations of the molecular chain, can influence the chain’s functionality in physiological processes in which it eventually participates. Quantum resonance effects may cause the excitation, initially induced at one structural element, to delocalize and reappear at a distant site. To explore this phenomenon, we developed and analyzed a theoretical model in which a single excitation is injected into a specific structural element of a finite-length segment of the molecular chain. It was assumed that the molecular chain consists of several segments connected in such a way that the excitation, which is excited within one segment, cannot pass to another one. Finally, it was assumed that the molecular chain is in thermal equilibrium with its environment. Differential equations for the correlation functions were derived and solved analytically, providing the probability of finding the excitation at each site. The obtained results indicate that injected excitation can affect the function of the biomolecule, especially at higher temperatures, when the excitation residence time on a molecular node becomes long enough to affect the functionality of the local segment of the biomolecule. In addition, the position of the initially excited node can lead to the emergence of an asymmetric probability distribution with respect to the initial site, resulting in an effective “directed” migration of the excitation