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We report results on the structural and microwave properties and magnetic phase transitions in polycrystalline Sr3Co2Fe24O41 hexaferrite synthesized by sol-gel auto-combustion and acting as a filler in a composite microwave absorbing material. The zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) magnetization curves revealed a change in the magnetization behavior at 293 K. The reflection losses in the 1-20 GHz range of the Sr3Co2Fe24O41 powder dispersed homogeneously in a polymer matrix of silicon rubber were investigated in both the absence and presence of a magnetic field. In the latter case, a dramatic rise in the attenuation was observed. The microwave reflection losses reached the maximum value of 32.63 dB at 17.29 GHz in the Ku-band. The sensitivity of the microwave properties of the composite material to the external magnetic field was manifested by the appearance of new reflection losses maxima. At a fixed thickness tm of the composite, the attenuation peak frequency can be adjusted to a certain value either by changing the filling density or by applying an external magnetic field.In this study, the carrier effect of zeolite sands in reducing the autogenous shrinkage and optimizing the microstructure of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is studied. Pre-wetted calcined zeolite sand (CZ), calcined at 500 °C for 30 min, and natural zeolite sand (NZ), with 15 wt.% and 30 wt.% in UHPC, are used to partially replace standard sands. On that basis, a series of experiments are executed on the developed UHPC, including compressive strength, autogenous shrinkage, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and isothermal calorimetry experiments. RIN1 purchase With the increase of the zeolite sand content, the autogenous shrinkage of UHPC decreases gradually. Moreover, when the added CZ content is 30 wt.% (CZ30 specimen), it is effective in reducing autogenous shrinkage. Meanwhile, at the age of 28 days, the compressive strength of CZ30 is 97% of the control group. In summary, it is possible to effectively reduce the autogenous shrinkage of UHPC containing 30 wt.% CZ, without sacrificing its mechanical properties.Prodrugs are designed to improve pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical characteristics, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties, site-specificity, and more. A crucial step in successful prodrug is its activation, which releases the active parent drug, exerting a therapeutic effect. Prodrug activation can be based on oxidation/reduction processes, or through enzyme-mediated hydrolysis, from oxidoreductases (i.e., Cytochrome P450) to hydrolytic enzymes (i.e., carboxylesterase). This study provides an overview of the novel in silico methods for the optimization of enzyme-mediated prodrug activation. Computational methods simulating enzyme-substrate binding can be simpler like molecular docking, or more complex, such as quantum mechanics (QM), molecular mechanics (MM), and free energy perturbation (FEP) methods such as molecular dynamics (MD). Examples for MD simulations used for elucidating the mechanism of prodrug (losartan, paclitaxel derivatives) metabolism via CYP450 enzyme are presented, as well as an MD simulation for optimizing linker length in phospholipid-based prodrugs. Molecular docking investigating quinazolinone prodrugs as substrates for alkaline phosphatase is also presented, as well as QM and MD simulations used for optimal fit of different prodrugs within the human carboxylesterase 1 catalytical site. Overall, high quality computational simulations may show good agreement with experimental results, and should be used early in the prodrug development process.Patatinrelated phospholipases (pPLAs) are acylhydrolyzing enzymes implicated in various processes, including lipid metabolism, signal transduction, plant growth and stress responses, but the function for many specific pPLAs in plants remains unknown. Here we determine the effect of patatinrelated phospholipase A pPLAIIIγ on Arabidopsis response to abiotic stress. Knockout of pPLAIIIγ rendered plants more sensitive whereas overexpression of pPLAIIIγ enhanced plant tolerance to NaCl and drought in seed germination and seedling growth. The pPLAIIIγknockout and overexpressing seedlings displayed a lower and higher level of lysolipids and free fatty acids than that of wildtype plants in response to NaCl stress, respectively. These results indicate that pPLAIIIγ acts a positive regulator of salt and osmatic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis.Novel interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were synthesized from N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and polysiloxanes containing a urea or thiourea side group, in addition to the silanol residue, through two reactions, such as the radical gelation of NIPAM and the condensation of silanols to form a siloxane linkage. The obtained IPNs showed a typical temperature-responsive volume change in water based on the constructed poly-NIPAM gel component. In addition, the characteristic color and volume changes responding to chemical stimuli, such as acetate and/or fluoride ions, based on the introduced urea and thiourea groups onto the polysiloxane gel were observed in N,N-dimethylformamide.Termite mound soils are reportedly utilized as an alternative to NPK fertilizers by cashconstrained smallholder farmers in some parts of Southern Africa. However, there is limitedknowledge regarding their mineral nutritional value. The intention of this work was therefore toinvestigate the macro and micronutrient composition of different sections of the termite mounds;top, base and neighboring areas. The study approach involved physical and chemical analysis of 36sites across Pemba and Choma districts in Southern Zambia through collection of soil samples intriplicate at 0-20 cm depth, using a soil auger. Findings revealed that the soil pH had elevatedlevels in the base segments of the termite mounds compared with the top and the neighbouringsoils. However, elevated N, P and K levels were recorded in the top sections with significantdifferences (P less then 0.05) in clay and silt composition observed. Additionally, metallic micronutrients,Cu and Zn were also found to be elevated in termite mounds in contrast to surrounding soils.