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Distinguishing human neural stem/progenitor cell (huNSPC) populations that will predominantly generate neurons from those that produce glia is currently hampered by a lack of sufficient cell type-specific surface markers predictive of fate potential. This limits investigation of lineage-biased progenitors and their potential use as therapeutic agents. A live-cell biophysical and label-free measure of fate potential would solve this problem by obviating the need for specific cell surface markers. We used dielectrophoresis (DEP) to analyze the biophysical, specifically electrophysiological, properties of cortical human and mouse NSPCs that vary in differentiation potential. Our data demonstrate that the electrophysiological property membrane capacitance inversely correlates with the neurogenic potential of NSPCs. Furthermore, as huNSPCs are continually passaged they decrease neuron generation and increase membrane capacitance, confirming that this parameter dynamically predicts and negatively correlates with neurogenic potential. In contrast, differences in membrane conductance between NSPCs do not consistently correlate with the ability of the cells to generate neurons. DEP crossover frequency, which is a quantitative measure of cell behavior in DEP, directly correlates with neuron generation of NSPCs, indicating a potential mechanism to separate stem cells biased to particular differentiated cell fates. We show here that whole cell membrane capacitance, but not membrane conductance, reflects and predicts the neurogenic potential of human and mouse NSPCs. Stem cell biophysical characteristics therefore provide a completely novel and quantitative measure of stem cell fate potential and a label-free means to identify neuron- or glial-biased progenitors.

Molecular structure and tribological properties of monolayers, formed by pure n -tetracosane (C 24 H 50 , hereafter C24), n -octatetracontane (C 48 H 98 , C48) and their binary mixture on highly oriented pyrolitic graphite (HOPG), were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and magnetic levitation tribometer (MLT) methods. It has been found that monolayers of pure C24 and C48 have typical smectic lamella-like packing with perpendicular orientation of molecules with respect to the lamella direction, while binary mixture C24 + C48 forms nematic phase with only orientational order. Comparative tribological MLT measurements reveal substantial lowering of friction coefficient μ for monolayers of C24 + C48 in contrast to pure C24 and C48. The lowering of friction is explained in terms of incommensurability between alkyl chain and graphite surface.

Purpose. Formation of theoretical and methodological approaches to the definition of effective tools for the commercialization of university startups based on taking into account the emotional aspect of interaction with consumers and investors. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study was the modern achievements obtained in the field of innovative theory and the conceptual foundations of the economy of impressions. The following methods of scientific research were used as specific research tools: a systematic approach, based on which the place of the concept of the economy of impressions in the process of commercialization of startups in the university environment was determined; generalization and systematization – when determining the benchmarks of consumer behavior in relation to innovations and motivational mechanisms of innovative activity in the business sector; comparative analysis – when distinguishing the peculiarities of startups of NTU “KhPI” and Stanford University; analysis and synthesis – when distinguishing the directions of using impression marketing at different stages of the startup’s development. Findings. The article proposes a new perspective on the commercialization process of university-based startups through the lens of the experience economy concept. Six key stages of startup development are identified: idea, incubation, prototype development, promotion, servicing, and scaling. The components of the university’s sustainable innovation ecosystem are characterized, including the Spark startup center, the research and development unit, the technology park, as well as external and internal events that facilitate the commercialization of innovative projects. The study highlights that digital marketing, with an emphasis on its emotional aspect, plays a crucial role in engaging both consumers and investors at every stage of commercialization. Specific digital marketing tools, such as social media platforms, webinars, interactive content, and personalized advertising campaigns, are explored for their ability to enhance audience engagement and foster an emotional connection with the product. Key sources of startup funding are identified, including consumer sales, investor contributions, and grant programs. Originality. An improved theoretical and methodological approach is formed to determining the directions of commercialization of university startups, which, unlike the existing ones, involves taking into account the emotional aspect of the interaction of the subjects of innovative activity and influencing their behavior through digital marketing tools. Practical value. The proposed recommendations for using the concept of economics of impressions in the commercialization of startups can be the basis for developing strategies for promoting new products and services. The use of emotional marketing at different stages of startup development, such as incubation and scaling, will provide competitive advantages, facilitating better adaptation of startups to market conditions and consumer requests. The results of the study can be used in the practice of universities to support startups, as well as in entrepreneurship training programs.

The potential of capillary forces to retain water in pores is an important property of snow and firn at glaciers. Meltwater suspended in pores does not contribute to runoff and may refreeze during winter, which can affect the climatic mass balance and the subsurface density and temperature. However, measurement of firn water content is challenging and few values have been reported in the literature. Here, we use subsurface temperature and density measured at the accumulation zone of Lomonosovfonna (1200 m a.s.l.), Svalbard, to derive water content of the firn profiles after the 2014 and 2015 melt seasons. We do this by comparing measured and simulated rates of freezing front propagation. The calculated volumetric water content of firn is ~1.0–2.5 vol.% above the depth of 5 m and <0.5 vol.% below. Results derived using different thermistor strings suggest a prominent lateral variability in firn water content. Reported values are considerably lower than those commonly used in snow/firn models. This is interpreted as a result of preferential water flow in firn leaving dry volumes within wetted firn. This suggests that the implementation of irreducible water content values below 0.5 vol.% within snow/firn models should be considered at the initial phase of water infiltration.

This article substantiates the possibilities of replacing commercial wood with raw materials made from industrial hemp hurd (hemp-woody core) for the production of unbleached and bleached paper pulps. A comparative analysis of the mechanical characteristics of sheets of paper prepared in the Rapid-Köthen apparatus and obtained from pulp obtained from commercial wood and hemp-woody core (HWC) was undertaken. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of mechanical refining of a pulp on the production of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from HWC. It was shown that an increase in the pulp refining degree from 15 °SR to 83 °SR led to a decrease in the degree of polymerisation of MCC from 272 to 75, the hydrochloric acid concentration from 73 to 45.63 g/L, and the hydrolysis time from 120 min to 60 min. With the addition of 5% MCC obtained from hemp-woody core, the mechanical properties of laboratory paper sheets from HWC were improved until they met ISO 12625-4-2017 (2017) requirements for NS-2. The results obtained support using hemp-woody core for the production of MCC.

This article presents data on the levels of Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Pb and Cd in the organs and tissues of the Pacific Redfin. For each metal, rows of its distribution within the organs of Pacific Redfin were built. An attempt was made to determine the nature of the accumulation of metals in the organs and tissues of fish, driven by the ecology and biology of the species.

The study is devoted to the influence of the choice of geometry and materials of wire contacts on the reflection coefficient and thermal characteristics of the photodetector and the quality of the device design. The process of diffusion of materials of wire contacts and contact pads on a photodetector crystal is investigated. The studies were carried out on samples that are rather small in size (250x250x400 um). During the experiment, 4 main types of loop geometry were selected (main loop, reverse loop, double reverse loop, long loop). The loops were formed using a gold wire 25 μm in diameter. The quality of microwelds was investigated in 3 ways: shear and pull-off tests, optical observation using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and contact resistance measurement. The aim of the work is to create a high-quality design of an IR photodetector, which allows achieving a high sensitivity (at least 0.5 A / W), a large dynamic range (at least 40 dB) and low indicators of dark current values. The developed technology ensures high quality of the photodetector design. Due to the low costs of this technological process (wire material, the number of operations required for installation), relative to other technologies, which allows maintaining high performance in the technical component of the photodetector, the installation method may be of practical interest in production.

Bio-damaged wood was studied as a potential raw material for the production of hydrolytic degradation cellulose products. Conditions for obtaining fine-dispersed microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) based on hydrolytic treatment of cellulose from bio-damaged wood were determined. A comparative analysis of the quantitative values of the degree of polymerization of default commercial cellulose and cellulose from damaged wood was performed. The objective of the work was to study the possibilities of obtaining MCC from bio-damaged wood possessing quantitative characteristics close to those obtained from the commercial wood, reducing the concentration of inorganic acid during the hydrolytic degradation. The experimental analysis showed that with an increase in the pulp refining degree from 15 °SR to 75 °SR, the time for the hydrolysis process decreased from 150 to 90 min, the temperature of chemical treatment decreased from 100 °C to 80 °C, and acid concentration by 0.5 N. The polymerisation degree of microcrystalline cellulose, regardless of the type of raw material, also decreased with an increase in the refining degree.

Based on the new design concept in VGT the commercial turbocharger with vaneless turbine volute and two gas inlet casings was converted to an adjustable one. Modification assumed the processing of turbine housing and installation of the specially designed mechanism of adjustment. Prototype of variable geometry turbocharger with two gas inlet casings can be installed on V-type engine in the way when each row of cylinders will deliver exhaust gases to one of the gas inlet casting. In the new design concept the elements of adjustment was profiled in a special way to ensure the adjustment with maximum effectiveness. Adjustable turbocharger was tested on a motorless test bench and characteristics of variable geometry turbine were analyzed in a wide range of the gas flow rates. Only small fluctuations in turbine efficiency during adjustment were detected that is evidence of high gas dynamics performance of VGT. Based on experimental data the possibility to improve engine indices that are most impacted when VGT is used was made. Improvement of torque and power characteristics of diesel engine when turbocharger adjustment with vaneless turbine volute is used also presented.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the efficiency of newly formulated drugs based on mech¬anochemical modification of two widely used anthelmintic substances in suspension formulations against the main classes of helminths and parasitic arthropods. Materials and Methods: Solid-phase co-grinding of two substances, i.e., ivermectin (IM) and niclosamide (NS), with licorice extract and sodium succinate was performed in liquid-phase processing to obtain suspension formulations. Drug preparations were administered to the sheep of the experimental groups (5 experimental groups of 8 heads) with different concentrations of active substances, i.e., 3.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg of body weight (BW) NS and 0.2-mg/kg BW IM. Aqueous suspensions of the original substances in dosages of 0.2-mg/kg BW IM, 10.0-mg/kg NS, and placebo were included as controls. Efficacy of the formulations against gastrointestinal stron¬gyles, Trichuris spp., Moniezia spp., and nasal bot larvae (Oestrus ovis) was assessed in naturally infected sheep by the number of surviving adult parasites post-treatment in the gastrointestinal tract, nasal passages, and sinuses. Results: Formulated suspensions showed an increased solubility of 5.5–13.1 times compared to the original substances. Treatment of sheep with the SusIN-10 drug containing 0.2-mg/kg BW IM and 10.0-mg/kg NS showed 100% efficiency against gastrointestinal strongyles, Moniezia, and nasal bot larvae. Formulations containing 0.2-mg/kg BW IM and 3.0- and 0.5-mg/kg NS could eliminate all of the Trichuris worms. Administration of original substances of IM and NS with rec¬ommended dosages did not result in the adult parasites’ complete elimination. Conclusion: Modification of the anthelmintic substances through mechanochemical methods made it possible to create formulations with a targeted spectrum of action, significantly higher water solubility, and optimal parasiticidal activity.