21. High spatial heterogeneity of water stress levels in Refošk grapevines cultivated in Classical KarstFrancesco Petruzzellis, Sara Natale, Luca Bariviera, Alberto Calderan, Alenka Mihelčič, Jan Reščič, Paolo Sivilotti, Katja Šuklje, Klemen Lisjak, Andreja Vanzo, Andrea Nardini, 2022, original scientific article Keywords: Classical Karst, water status, drought stress, grape quality, phenolic profile, vitis vinifera Published in RUNG: 11.11.2021; Views: 2152; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
22. In vitro toxicity of arsenic rich waters from an abandoned gold mine in northeast PortugalMaria do Rosário Costa, Doroteja Gošar, Marika Pinti, Adelaide Ferreira, Martina Bergant Marušič, 2021, original scientific article Keywords: arsenic, water contamination, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, Caco-2 cells Published in RUNG: 23.07.2021; Views: 2078; Downloads: 10 Link to full text This document has many files! More... |
23. Implicit water model within the Zimm-Bragg approach to analyze experimental data for heat and cold denaturation of proteinsArtem Badasyan, Sh. A. Tonoyan, Matjaž Valant, Jože Grdadolnik, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Studies of biopolymer conformations essentially rely on theoretical models that are routinely
used to process and analyze experimental data. While modern experiments allow study of
single molecules in vivo, corresponding theories date back to the early 1950s and require an
essential update to include the recent significant progress in the description of water. The
Hamiltonian formulation of the Zimm-Bragg model we propose includes a simplified, yet
explicit model of water-polypeptide interactions that transforms into the equivalent implicit
description after performing the summation of solvent degrees of freedom in the partition
function. Here we show that our model fits very well to the circular dichroism experimental
data for both heat and cold denaturation and provides the energies of inter- and intra-
molecular H-bonds, unavailable with other processing methods. The revealed delicate
balance between these energies determines the conditions for the existence of cold dena-
turation and thus clarifies its absence in some proteins. Keywords: protein folding, cold denaturation, water, Zimm-Bragg model Published in RUNG: 06.05.2021; Views: 2242; Downloads: 15 Link to full text This document has many files! More... |
24. Porous polycalix[n]arenes as environmental pollutant removersSalma Abubakar, Tina Škorjanc, Dinesh Shetty, Ali Trabolsi, 2021, review article Abstract: A new and innovative class of calixarene-based polymers emerged as adsorbents for a variety of compounds and ions in solution and vapor media. These materials take advantage of the modifiable rims and hydrophobic cavities of the calixarene monomers, in addition to the porous nature of the polymeric matrix. With main-chain calixarenes’ function as supramolecular hosts and the polymers’ high surface areas, polycalixarenes can effectively encapsulate target analytes. This feature is particularly useful for environmental remediation as dangerous and toxic molecules reversibly bind to the macrocyclic cavity, which facilitates their removal and enables repeated use of the polymeric sorbent. This Spotlight touches on the unique characteristics of the calixarene monomers and discusses the synthetic methods of our reported calixarene-based porous polymers, including Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling, and diazo and imine bond formation. It then discusses the promising applications of these materials in adsorbing dyes, micropollutants, iodine, mercury, paraquat, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water. In most cases, these reports cover materials that outperform others in terms of recyclability, rates of adsorption, or uptake capacities of specific pollutants. Finally, this Spotlight addresses the current challenges and future aspects of utilizing porous polymers in pollution treatment. Keywords: calixarene, polycalixarenes, porous polymers, pollutant removal, water purification Published in RUNG: 09.04.2021; Views: 2431; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
25. Atomic layer deposition for the photoelectrochemical applicationsNadiia Pastukhova, Andraž Mavrič, Yanbo Li, 2021, review article Abstract: Substantial progress has been made in the photoelectrochemical (PEC) field to understand the photoelectrode behavior, semiconductor‐electrolyte interface, and photocorrosion, enabling new photoelectrode architectures with higher photocurrent, reduced photovoltage losses, and longer lifetime. Nevertheless, for practical PEC applications additional efforts are still needed to optimize all components of the photoelectrodes, including the light absorbing semiconductors, the layers for charge extraction, charge transfer, corrosion protection, and catalysis. In this regard, atomic layer deposition (ALD) offers new opportunities due to the monolayer‐by‐monolayer deposition approach, allowing preparation of conformal films with precisely controlled thickness and composition. As the ALD instruments are becoming widely accessible, this review aims to make an overview of the applications for photoelectrodes fabrication. The deposition of semiconductors onto flat and nano‐textured substrates, the deposition of ultrathin interlayers to ease charge transport by energy band alignment and surface states passivation, the deposition of corrosion protection layers, and finally, the possibilities for high catalyst dispersion is presented. Keywords: atomic layer deposition, charge recombination, charge transfer, photocorrosion, photoelectrochemical water splitting Published in RUNG: 25.02.2021; Views: 2392; Downloads: 139 Link to full text This document has many files! More... |
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27. Analysis of Data from Surface Detector Stations of the AugerPrime UpgradeÁlvaro Taboada, Andrej Filipčič, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Samo Stanič, Marta Trini, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, Lukas Zehrer, 2019, published scientific conference contribution Keywords: Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO), ultra-high energy cosmic rays, AugerPrime upgrade of the PAO, Scintillator Surface Detector (SSD), Water-Cherenkov Detectors (WCDs), AugerPrime data analysis Published in RUNG: 21.12.2020; Views: 2539; Downloads: 64 Full text (2,56 MB) |
28. Polysaccharide-based films and coatings for food packaging: A review.Patricia Cazón, Gonzalo Velazquez, Jose A. Ramirez, Manuel Vazquez, 2017, review article Abstract: The accumulation of synthetic plastics, mainly from food packaging, is causing a serious environmental problem. It is driving research efforts to the development of biodegradable films and coatings. The biopolymers used as raw material to prepare biodegradable films should be renewable, abundant and low-cost. In some cases, they can be obtained from wastes. This review summarizes the advances in polysaccharide-based films and coatings for food packaging. Among the materials studied to develop biodegradable packaging films and coatings are polysaccharides such as cellulose, chitosan, starch, pectin and alginate. These polysaccharides are able to form films and coatings with good barrier properties against the transport of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. On the other hand, tensile strength and percentage of elongation are important mechanical properties. Desirable values of them are required to maintain the integrity of the packed food. The tensile strength values showed by polysaccharide-based films vary from each other, but some of them exhibit similar values to those observed in synthetic polymers values. For example, tensile strength values of films based on high amylose starch or chitosan are comparable to those values found in high-density polyethylene films. The values of percentage of elongation are the main concern, which are far from the desirable values found for synthetic polymers. Researchers are studying combinations of polysaccharides with other materials to improve the barrier and mechanical properties in order to obtain biopolymers that could replace synthetic polymers. Functional polymers with antimicrobial properties, as that the case of chitosan, are also being studied. Keywords: Cellulose, Chitosan, Starch, Water vapour permeability, Tensile strength, Percentage of elongation at break Published in RUNG: 14.12.2020; Views: 2498; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
29. Novel composite films based on cellulose reinforced with chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol: Effect on mechanical properties and water vapour permeabilityPatricia Cazón, Manuel Vazquez, Gonzalo Velazquez, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: Novel composite films were prepared by dissolving microcrystalline cellulose (3–5% w/w) in NaOH/urea solution, followed by coagulation in acetic acid solution. The regenerated cellulose films were immersed in chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol solutions at concentrations of 0–1% w/w and 0–4% w/w, respectively. Tensile strength, percentage of elongation at break, Young's modulus and water vapour permeability were measured to assess the effect of each compound on the mechanical and barrier properties. Polynomial models were obtained to evaluate the effect of the formulation on the measured properties. The microstructure was analysed by scanning electron microscopy. Results showed tensile strength values in the range 27.75–78.48 MPa, similar to usual synthetic polymer films. Percentage of elongation at break ranged from 0.98 to 12.82%, increasing when polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan increased. Young's modulus ranged from 2727.04 to 4217.25 MPa, showing higher values than pure chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol films. The highest value was reached combining cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol without chitosan. The water vapour permeability (1.78·10−11-4.24·10−11 g/m s Pa) showed 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of synthetic polymers, but lower than pure chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol films. Results showed that it is feasible to obtain cellulose-chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol composite films with improved mechanical properties and water vapour permeability. Keywords: Regenerated cellulose, Tensile strength, Elongation at break, Young's modulus, Water vapour permeability Published in RUNG: 14.12.2020; Views: 2504; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |
30. Composite films of regenerate cellulose with chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol: Evaluation of water adsorption, mechanical and optical propertiesPatricia Cazón, Manuel Vazquez, Gonzalo Velazquez, 2018, original scientific article Abstract: The aimof this study was to develop composite films from cellulose, chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol to obtain environmentally friendly materials. Toughness, burst strength, distance to burst and water adsorption properties weremeasured and analysed as a function ofcellulose (3–5%), chitosan (0–1%) andpolyvinyl alcohol (0–4%) con- tents. Polynomial modelswere obtained. Light-barrier properties, transparency, morphology, structural and ther- mal analyses were assessed. Results showed that chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol enhanced the mechanical properties of cellulose-based films. Toughness values ranged from 0.47 to 8.01 MJ/m3, burst strength values ranged from 929 to 6291 g, distance to burst ranged from 1.25 to 2.52 mm and water adsorption values ranged from52.30 to 143.56%. Cellulose and chitosan improved the UV light protection effect ofthe films. However, PVA increased the transmittance meanwhile improved the film transparency. FT-IR and DSC showed an interaction between the components ofthe films. Results showed that it is feasible to obtain cellulose-chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol composite films with improvedmechanical properties, high capacity to adsorbwater, good barrier properties against UV radiations and adequate transparency value. These properties could be useful for potential packaging applications in the food industry or as a partial alternative to synthetic films Keywords: Regenerated cellulose, Puncture test, Water adsorption Published in RUNG: 14.12.2020; Views: 2274; Downloads: 0 This document has many files! More... |