Interactions of Linearly Polarized and Unpolarized Light on Kiwifruit Using Aquaphotomics

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is an important tool for predicting the internal qualities of fruits. Using aquaphotomics, spectral changes between linearly polarized and unpolarized light were assessed on 200 commercially grown yellow-fleshed kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis ‘Zesy002’). Measurements were performed on different configurations of unpeeled (intact) and peeled (cut) kiwifruit using a commercial handheld NIR instrument. Absorbance after applying standard normal variate (SNV) and second derivative Savitzky–Golay filters produced different spectral features for all configurations. An aquagram depicting all configurations suggests that linearly polarized light activated more free water states and unpolarized light activated more bound water states. At depth (≥1 mm), after several scattering events, all radiation is expected to be fully depolarized and interactions for incident polarized or unpolarized light will be similar, so any observed differences are attributable to the surface layers of the fruit. Aquagrams generated in terms of the fruit soluble solids content (SSC) were similar for all configurations, suggesting the SSC in fruit is not a contributing factor here.

Self-Desiccation of a Vernacular CSA Binder

The fast precipitation of ettringite in conventional Calcium Sulfo Aluminate (CSA) cement causes rapid stiffening of the cement paste and is directly associated with short setting times and self-desiccation. To extend the time during which those types of cement remain workable, retarding admixtures can be used. However, retarders may affect the amounts and types of hydration products formed and as a consequence the ability of hydrated cement to chemically bind water. This work investigates the influence of two natural-based admixtures on the self-desiccation ability of a vernacular CSA ternary binder used as earth stabilization. Vicat measurements were used to study the efficiency of citric acid and sucrose as retarding admixtures on the setting time of stabilized earth. A quantitative study of the self-desiccation ability of the binder was performed on dried binder pastes using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results show that both admixtures have a significant impact on the setting time of the binder. Furthermore, TGA showed that the self-desiccation ability of this vernacular CSA binder is significantly reduced when citric acid at high dosages is used, both at early hydration and after 14 days. On the contrary, the use of sucrose does not affect the water chemically bound at an early age but can maximize bound water after 14 days of hydration.

Sweep imaging with Fourier transform as a tool with MRI for evaluating the effect of teriparatide on cortical bone formation in an ovariectomized rat model

Background Teriparatide (TPTD) is a drug for osteoporosis that promotes bone formation and improves bone quality. However, the effects of TPTD on cortical bone are not well understood. Sweep imaging with Fourier transform (SWIFT) has been reported as a useful tool for evaluating bound water of cortical bone, but it has yet to be used to investigate the effects of TPTD on cortical bone. This study aimed to evaluate the consequences of the effect of TPTD on cortical bone formation using SWIFT. Methods Twelve-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 36) were reared after ovariectomy to create a postmenopausal osteoporosis model. They were divided into two groups: the TPTD and non-TPTD groups. Rats were euthanized at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after initiating TPTD treatment. Tibial bones were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bone histomorphometry. In MRI, proton density-weighted imaging (PDWI) and SWIFT imaging were performed. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was calculated for each method. The same area evaluated by MRI was then used to calculate the bone formation rate by bone histomorphometry. Measurements were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test, and a P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results PDWI-SNR was not significantly different between the two groups at any time point (P = 0.589, 0.394, and 0.394 at 4, 12, and 24 weeks, respectively). Contrarily, SWIFT-SNR was significantly higher in the TPTD group than in the non-TPTD group at 4 weeks after initiating treatment, but it was not significantly different at 12 and 24 weeks (P = 0.009, 0.937, and 0.818 at 4, 12, and 24 weeks, respectively). The bone formation rate assessed by histomorphometry was significantly higher in the TPTD group than in the non-TPTD group at all timepoints (P < 0.05, all weeks). In particular, at 4 weeks, the bone formation rate was markedly higher in the TPTD group than in the non-TPTD group (P = 0.028, 1.98 ± 0.33 vs. 0.09 ± 0.05 μm3/μm2/day). Conclusions SWIFT could detect increased signals of bound water, reflecting the effect of TPTD on the cortical bone. The signal detected by SWIFT reflects a marked increase in the cortical bone formation rate.

Methane adsorption onto silicas with various degree of hydrophobicity

The methane adsorption onto a hydrated surface of hydrophobic silica AM1 alone and impregnated by arginine, and silica gel Si-100 has been studied using low-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy. It has been shown that the methane adsorption onto the AM1 surface depends on the degree of hydration and pretreatment type. The maximum adsorption (up to 80 mg/g) is observed for a sample hydrated after complete drying. It has been established that the adsorption is determined by a number of clusters of bound water of small radii. Based on a shape of the temperature dependence of the adsorption, it has been assumed that not only physical adsorption occurs, but also the quasi-solid methane hydrates are formed. It has been established that the amount of methane adsorbed onto a surface of a composite system AM1/arginine under isobaric conditions increases by tens of times (from 0.5 to 80 mg/g) in the presence of pre-adsorbed water pre-adsorbed at the surface. Probable mechanisms of the methane adsorption are physical adsorption on a surface, condensation in narrow voids between silica nanoparticles and nano-scaled (1-10 nm) water clusters, and the formation of solid (clathrate) methane hydrates. Water, adsorbed at a surface in a wide range of hydration, forms various clusters. This water is mainly strongly associated and characterized by chemical shifts in the range dH = 4-6 ppm. The hydrate structures with methane/water are quite stable and can exist even in the chloroform medium. However, in this case, a part of water transforms into a weakly associated state and it is observed at dH = 1.5-2 ppm.

Composite systems for medical purposes, created on the basis of hydrophobic silica

Composite systems with certain cytotoxic (AM1/lectin) and adsorption (AM1/gelatin) activity have been developed on the basis of methyl silica and protein molecules – lectin and gelatin. For both types of composites, mechanisms of water binding to the surface and methods of transferring of hydrophobic materials into the aquatic environment have been investigated. The state of interfacial water in air, organic and acid media was studied. It has been found that the presence of a hydrophobic component in composites stabilizes of surface water in a weakly associated state, when a significant part of water molecules does not form hydrogen bonds. Liquid hydrophobic medium enhances this effect, and the strong acid (trifluoroacetic), added to it, promotes the transition of water to a strongly associated state. It has been shown that the redistribution of water in the interparticle intervals of AM1 with protein molecules immobilized on their surface changes under the influence of mechanical loads. Mechanoactivated samples are characterized by the possibility of water penetration into the spaces between the primary particles of methyl silica. It has been shown that immobilization of lectin on the surface of AM1 is accompanied by an increase in the interfacial energy gS from 4.1 to 5.2 J/g. This is due to an increase in the concentration of strongly bound water. If we analyze the changes in the distributions of radii R of the clusters of adsorbed water, we can state that in the water adsorbed by native lectin molecules, there are two main maxima at R = 1 and 3 nm. In the immobilized state, the maximum at R = 1 nm is present in both types of water (of different order), but the second maximum is observed only for more ordered associates.

Recent developments in reactivity testing of supplementary cementitious materials

Identification and rapid characterization of novel supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) is a critical need, driven by shortfalls in conventional SCMs. In this study, we present a discussion of recently developed reactivity tests – the R3 test, the modified R3 test, the lime strength test, and the bulk resistivity index test. These tests measure reactivity parameters such as heat release, bound water, calcium hydroxide consumption, strength, and bulk resistivity. All tests can screen inert from reactive materials. To additionally differentiate pozzolanic and latent hydraulic materials, two parameters, for example, calcium hydroxide consumption and heat release, are needed. The influences of SCM bulk chemistry, amorphous content, and fineness on measured reactivity are outlined. Reactivity test outputs can predict strength and durability of cement paste/mortar/concrete; however, caution must be exercised as these properties are influenced by a variety of other factors independent of reactivity. Thoughts are provided on using reactivity tests to screen materials for concrete durability.

Thermal Behavior of Ceramic Bodies Based on Estonian Clay from the Arumetsa Deposit with Oil Shale Ash and Clinker Dust Additives

The thermal behavior of green clay samples from the Arumetsa and Füzérradvány deposits (Hungary) and the influence of two new types of Estonian oil shale (OS) ashes and cement bypass dust (clinker dust) additives on it were the objectives of this study. Thermal and thermo-dilatometric analysis methods were applied using a Setaram Setsys 1750 thermoanalyzer coupled with a Pfeiffer Omnistar spectrometer and a Setaram Setsys 1750 CS Evolution dilatometer. The kinetic parameters were calculated based on the differential isoconversional method of Friedman. The results of the thermal analysis of clays and blends indicated the emission of physically bound water at 200–250 °C. At temperatures from 200–250 °C to 550–600 °C the release of water is caused by oxidation of organic matter and dehydroxylation of different clay minerals like illite, illite-smectite, mica and kaolin. From blends, in addition, also from the decomposition of portlandite. The emission of CO2 at these temperatures was a result of the oxidation of organic matter contained in the clays. In the temperature range from 550–600 °C to 800–900 °C, the mass loss was caused by ongoing dehydroxylation processes in clay minerals but was mainly due to the decomposition of the carbonates contained in the OS ashes and clinker dust. These processes were accompanied by contraction and expansion of the ceramic bodies with the corresponding changes in the SSA and porosity values of the samples. Therefore, the decomposition of the clays took place in one step which blends in two steps. At first, dehydroxylation of the clay minerals occurs, followed by decomposition of the carbonates. The value of the conversion-dependent activation energy E along the reaction progress α varied for the Arumetsa and illitic clay between 75–182 and 9–206 kJ mol−1, respectively. For the blends based on Arumetsa and illitic clay, the activation energy of the first step varied between 14–193 and 5–205 kJ mol−1, and for the second step, it was between 15–390 and 135–235 kJ mol−1, respectively, indicating the complex mechanism of the processes.

Structured Waters Mediate Small Molecule Binding to G-Quadruplex Nucleic Acids

The role of G-quadruplexes in human cancers is increasingly well-defined. Accordingly, G-quadruplexes can be suitable drug targets and many small molecules have been identified to date as G-quadruplex binders, some using computer-based design methods and co-crystal structures. The role of bound water molecules in the crystal structures of G-quadruplex-small molecule complexes has been analyzed in this study, focusing on the water arrangements in several G-quadruplex ligand complexes. One is the complex between the tetrasubstituted naphthalene diimide compound MM41 and a human intramolecular telomeric DNA G-quadruplex, and the others are in substituted acridine bimolecular G-quadruplex complexes. Bridging water molecules form most of the hydrogen-bond contacts between ligands and DNA in the parallel G-quadruplex structures examined here. Clusters of structured water molecules play essential roles in mediating between ligand side chain groups/chromophore core and G-quadruplex. These clusters tend to be conserved between complex and native G-quadruplex structures, suggesting that they more generally serve as platforms for ligand binding, and should be taken into account in docking and in silico studies.