Maria Curie-Skłodowska University

The key attribute of the thiol-Michael addition reaction that makes it a prized tool in materials science is its modular “click” nature, which allows for the implementation of this highly efficient, “green” reaction in applications that vary from small molecule synthesis to in situ polymer modifications in biological systems to the surface functionalization of material coatings. Over the past few decades, interest in the thiol-Michael addition reaction has increased dramatically, as is evidenced by the number of studies that have been dedicated to elucidating different aspects of the reaction that range from an in-depth analysis aimed at understanding the mechanistic pathways of the reaction to synthetic studies that have examined modifying molecular structures with the aim of yielding highly efficient thiol-Michael reaction monomers. This review examines the reaction mechanisms, the substrates and catalysts used in the reaction, and the subsequent implementation of the thiol-Michael reaction in materials science over the years, with particular emphasis on the recent developments in the arena over the past decade.

Extensive research efforts have been dedicated to describing degradation of wood, which is a complex process; hence, microorganisms have evolved different enzymatic and non-enzymatic strategies to utilize this plentiful plant material. This review describes a number of fungal and bacterial organisms which have developed both competitive and mutualistic strategies for the decomposition of wood and to thrive in different ecological niches. Through the analysis of the enzymatic machinery engaged in wood degradation, it was possible to elucidate different strategies of wood decomposition which often depend on ecological niches inhabited by given organism. Moreover, a detailed description of low molecular weight compounds is presented, which gives these organisms not only an advantage in wood degradation processes, but seems rather to be a new evolutionatory alternative to enzymatic combustion. Through analysis of genomics and secretomic data, it was possible to underline the probable importance of certain wood-degrading enzymes produced by different fungal organisms, potentially giving them advantage in their ecological niches. The paper highlights different fungal strategies of wood degradation, which possibly correlates to the number of genes coding for secretory enzymes. Furthermore, investigation of the evolution of wood-degrading organisms has been described.

Let <italic>K</italic> be a subset of a Banach space <italic>X</italic> . A mapping <inline-formula content-type="math/mathml"> <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper F colon upper K right-arrow upper K"> <mml:semantics> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>F</mml:mi> <mml:mo>:</mml:mo> <mml:mi>K</mml:mi> <mml:mo stretchy="false"> → </mml:mo> <mml:mi>K</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:annotation encoding="application/x-tex">F:K \to K</mml:annotation> </mml:semantics> </mml:math> </inline-formula> is said to be asymptotically nonexpansive if there exists a sequence <inline-formula content-type="math/mathml"> <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="left-brace k Subscript i Baseline right-brace"> <mml:semantics> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo fence="false" stretchy="false">{</mml:mo> <mml:mrow class="MJX-TeXAtom-ORD"> <mml:msub> <mml:mi>k</mml:mi> <mml:mi>i</mml:mi> </mml:msub> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo fence="false" stretchy="false">}</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> <mml:annotation encoding="application/x-tex">\{ {k_i}\}</mml:annotation> </mml:semantics> </mml:math> </inline-formula> of real numbers with <inline-formula content-type="math/mathml"> <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="k Subscript i Baseline right-arrow 1"> <mml:semantics> <mml:mrow> <mml:mrow class="MJX-TeXAtom-ORD"> <mml:msub> <mml:mi>k</mml:mi> <mml:mi>i</mml:mi> </mml:msub> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo stretchy="false"> → </mml:mo> <mml:mn>1</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> <mml:annotation encoding="application/x-tex">{k_i} \to 1</mml:annotation> </mml:semantics> </mml:math> </inline-formula> as <inline-formula content-type="math/mathml"> <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="i right-arrow normal infinity"> <mml:semantics> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>i</mml:mi> <mml:mo stretchy="false"> → </mml:mo> <mml:mi mathvariant="normal"> ∞ </mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:annotation encoding="application/x-tex">i \to \infty</mml:annotation> </mml:semantics> </mml:math> </inline-formula> such that <inline-formula content-type="math/mathml"> <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="double-vertical-bar upper F Superscript i Baseline x minus upper F Superscript i Baseline y double-vertical-bar less-than-over-equals k Subscript i Baseline double-vertical-bar x minus y double-vertical-bar comma x comma y element-of upper K"> <mml:semantics> <mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo symmetric="true">‖</mml:mo> <mml:mrow class="MJX-TeXAtom-ORD"> <mml:mrow class="MJX-TeXAtom-ORD"> <mml:msup> <mml:mi>F</mml:mi> <mml:mi>i</mml:mi> </mml:msup> </mml:mrow> <mml:mi>x</mml:mi> <mml:mo> − </mml:mo> <mml:mrow class="MJX-TeXAtom-ORD"> <mml:msup> <mml:mi>F</mml:mi> <mml:mi>i</mml:mi> </mml:msup> </mml:mrow> <mml:mi>y</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo symmetric="true">‖</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo> ≦ </mml:mo> <mml:mrow class="MJX-TeXAtom-ORD"> <mml:msub> <mml:mi>k</mml:mi> <mml:mi>i</mml:mi> </mml:msub> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo symmetric="true">‖</mml:mo> <mml:mrow class="MJX-TeXAtom-ORD"> <mml:mi>x</mml:mi> <mml:mo> − </mml:mo> <mml:mi>y</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo symmetric="true">‖</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo>,</mml:mo> <mml:mi>x</mml:mi> <mml:mo>,</mml:mo> <mml:mi>y</mml:mi> <mml:mo> ∈ </mml:mo> <mml:mi>K</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:annotation encoding="application/x-tex">\left \| {{F^i}x - {F^i}y} \right \| \leqq {k_i}\left \| {x - y} \right \|,x,y \in K</mml:annotation> </mml:semantics> </mml:math> </inline-formula> . It is proved that if <italic>K</italic> is a non-empty, closed, convex, and bounded subset of a uniformly convex Banach space, and if <inline-formula content-type="math/mathml"> <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper F colon upper K right-arrow upper K"> <mml:semantics> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>F</mml:mi> <mml:mo>:</mml:mo> <mml:mi>K</mml:mi> <mml:mo stretchy="false"> → </mml:mo> <mml:mi>K</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:annotation encoding="application/x-tex">F:K \to K</mml:annotation> </mml:semantics> </mml:math> </inline-formula> is asymptotically nonexpansive, then <italic>F</italic> has a fixed point. This result generalizes a fixed point theorem for nonexpansive mappings proved independently by F. E. Browder, D. Göhde, and W. A. Kirk.

The term superhydrophilicity is only 11–12 years old and was introduced just after the explosion of research on superhydrophobic surfaces, in response to the demand for surfaces and coatings with exceptionally strong affinity to water. The definition of superhydrophilic substrates has not been clarified yet, and unrestricted use of this term to hydrophilic surfaces has stirred controversy in the last few years in the surface chemistry community. In this review, we take a close look into major definitions of hydrophilic surfaces used in the past, before we review the physics behind the superhydrophilic phenomenon and make recommendation on defining superhydrophilic surfaces and coatings. We also review chemical and physical methods used in the fabrication of substrates on surfaces of which water spreads completely. Several applications of superhydrophilic surfaces, including examples from the authors' own research, conclude this review.

Emerging evidence indicates that the gut microbiota play a crucial role in the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain suggesting that the gut microbes may shape neural development, modulate neurotransmission and affect behavior, and thereby contribute to the pathogenesis and/or progression of many neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurological conditions. This review summarizes recent data on the role of microbiota-gut-brain axis in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson's disease, migraine, and epilepsy. Also, the involvement of microbiota in gut disorders co-existing with neuropsychiatric conditions is highlighted. We discuss data from both in vivo preclinical experiments and clinical reports including: (1) studies in germ-free animals, (2) studies exploring the gut microbiota composition in animal models of diseases or in humans, (3) studies evaluating the effects of probiotic, prebiotic or antibiotic treatment as well as (4) the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation.

Abstract The grand challenges of contemporary fundamental physics—dark matter, dark energy, vacuum energy, inflation and early universe cosmology, singularities and the hierarchy problem—all involve gravity as a key component. And of all gravitational phenomena, black holes stand out in their elegant simplicity, while harbouring some of the most remarkable predictions of General Relativity: event horizons, singularities and ergoregions. The hitherto invisible landscape of the gravitational Universe is being unveiled before our eyes: the historical direct detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration marks the dawn of a new era of scientific exploration. Gravitational-wave astronomy will allow us to test models of black hole formation, growth and evolution, as well as models of gravitational-wave generation and propagation. It will provide evidence for event horizons and ergoregions, test the theory of General Relativity itself, and may reveal the existence of new fundamental fields. The synthesis of these results has the potential to radically reshape our understanding of the cosmos and of the laws of Nature. The purpose of this work is to present a concise, yet comprehensive overview of the state of the art in the relevant fields of research, summarize important open problems, and lay out a roadmap for future progress. This write-up is an initiative taken within the framework of the European Action on ‘Black holes, Gravitational waves and Fundamental Physics’.

Specialized computational chemistry packages have permanently reshaped the landscape of chemical and materials science by providing tools to support and guide experimental efforts and for the prediction of atomistic and electronic properties. In this regard, electronic structure packages have played a special role by using first-principle-driven methodologies to model complex chemical and materials processes. Over the past few decades, the rapid development of computing technologies and the tremendous increase in computational power have offered a unique chance to study complex transformations using sophisticated and predictive many-body techniques that describe correlated behavior of electrons in molecular and condensed phase systems at different levels of theory. In enabling these simulations, novel parallel algorithms have been able to take advantage of computational resources to address the polynomial scaling of electronic structure methods. In this paper, we briefly review the NWChem computational chemistry suite, including its history, design principles, parallel tools, current capabilities, outreach, and outlook.

Discovered in 1883, laccase is one of the first enzymes ever described. Now, after almost 140 years of research, it seems that this copper-containing protein with a number of unique catalytic properties is widely distributed across all kingdoms of life. Laccase belongs to the superfamily of multicopper oxidases (MCOs)-a group of enzymes comprising many proteins with different substrate specificities and diverse biological functions. The presence of cupredoxin-like domains allows all MCOs to reduce oxygen to water without producing harmful byproducts. This review describes structural characteristics and plausible evolution of laccase in different taxonomic groups. The remarkable catalytic abilities and broad substrate specificity of laccases are described in relation to other copper-containing MCOs. Through an exhaustive analysis of laccase roles in different taxa, we find that this enzyme evolved to serve an important, common, and protective function in living systems.

Rhizosphere filamentous fungi of the genus Trichoderma, a dominant component of various soil ecosystem mycobiomes, are characterized by the ability to colonize plant roots. Detailed knowledge of the properties of Trichoderma, including metabolic activity and the type of interaction with plants and other microorganisms, can ensure its effective use in agriculture. The growing interest in the application of Trichoderma results from their direct and indirect biocontrol potential against a wide range of soil phytopathogens. They act through various complex mechanisms, such as mycoparasitism, the degradation of pathogen cell walls, competition for nutrients and space, and induction of plant resistance. With the constant exposure of plants to a variety of pathogens, especially filamentous fungi, and the increased resistance of pathogens to chemical pesticides, the main challenge is to develop biological protection alternatives. Among non-pathogenic microorganisms, Trichoderma seems to be the best candidate for use in green technologies due to its wide biofertilization and biostimulatory potential. Most of the species from the genus Trichoderma belong to the plant growth-promoting fungi that produce phytohormones and the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase enzyme. In the present review, the current status of Trichoderma is gathered, which is especially relevant in plant growth stimulation and the biocontrol of fungal phytopathogens.

The sources of ligninocellulose that occur in various forms in nature are so vast that they can only be compared to those of water. The results of several, more recent experiments showed that laccase probably possesses the big ability for "lignin-barrier" breakdown of ligninocellulose. The degradation of this compound is currently understood as an enzymatic process mediated by small molecules, therefore, this review will focus on the role of these mediators and radicals working in concert with enzymes. The fungi having a versatile machinery of enzymes are able to attack directly the "lignin-barrier" or can use a multienzyme system including "feed-back" type enzymes allowing for simultaneous transformation of lignin and carbohydrate compounds.

The programme of identification, cataloguing and evaluation of Polish landscapes, part of the implementation of the European Landscape Convention, has caused an increase in interest in physico-geographical regionalisation over recent years. The commonly accepted regionalisation of Poland developed by J. Kondracki (Kondracki & Richling 1994) is sufficient for work at an overview scale (e.g. 1:500,000), whereas its spatial accuracy is too low to make use of it for the purpose of Polish landscape cataloguing. The aim of this article is to present a more up-to-date and detailed division of Poland into mesoregions, adjusted to the 1:50,000 scale. In comparison with older work, the number of mesoregions has increased from 316 to 344. In many cases, somefar-reaching changes in meso- and macroregions were made. Nevertheless, in most cases the previous system of units was maintained, with more detailed adjustment of boundaries based on the latest geological andgeomorphological data and the use of GIS tools for the DEM analysis. The division presented here is a creatively developing new work aligning the proposals of the majority of Polish researchers. At the same time, it is a regionalisation maintaining the idea of the work developed by J. Kondracki as well as his theoretical assumptions and the criteria used to distinguish units, which makes it a logical continuation of his regional division.

We describe a relation between the symmetry energy coefficients c(sym)(rho) of nuclear matter and a(sym)(A) of finite nuclei that accommodates other correlations of nuclear properties with the low-density behavior of c(sym)(rho). Here, we take advantage of this relation to explore the prospects for constraining c(sym)(rho) of systematic measurements of neutron skin sizes across the mass table, using as example present data from antiprotonic atoms. The found constraints from neutron skins are in harmony with the recent determinations from reactions and giant resonances.

Covalent adaptable networks (CANs), unlike typical thermosets or other covalently crosslinked networks, possess a unique, often dormant ability to activate one or more forms of stimuli-responsive, dynamic covalent chemistries as a means to transition their behavior from that of a viscoelastic solid to a material with fluid-like plastic flow. Upon application of a stimulus, such as light or other irradiation, temperature, or even a distinct chemical signal, the CAN responds by transforming to a state of temporal plasticity through activation of either reversible addition or reversible bond exchange, either of which allows the material to essentially re-equilibrate to an altered set of conditions that are distinct from those in which the original covalently crosslinked network is formed, often simultaneously enabling a new and distinct shape, function, and characteristics. As such, CANs span the divide between thermosets and thermoplastics, thus offering unprecedented possibilities for innovation in polymer and materials science. Without attempting to comprehensively review the literature, recent developments in CANs are discussed here with an emphasis on the most effective dynamic chemistries that render these materials to be stimuli responsive, enabling features that make CANs more broadly applicable.

Recently, an increased interest in nanotechnology applications can be observed in various fields (medicine, materials science, pharmacy, environmental protection, agriculture etc.). Due to an increasing scope of applications, the exposure of humans to nanoparticles (NPs) is inevitable. A number of studies revealed that after inhalation or oral exposure, NPs accumulate in, among other places, the lungs, alimentary tract, liver, heart, spleen, kidneys and cardiac muscle. In addition, they disturb glucose and lipid homeostasis in mice and rats. In a wide group of nanoparticles currently used on an industrial scale, titanium dioxide nanoparticles-TiO 2 NPs-are particularly popular. Due to their white colour, TiO 2 NPs are commonly used as a food additive (E 171). The possible risk to health after consuming food containing nanoparticles has been poorly explored but it is supposed that the toxicity of nanoparticles depends on their size, morphology, rate of migration and amount consumed. Scientific databases inform that TiO 2 NPs can induce inflammation due to oxidative stress. They can also have a genotoxic effect leading to, among others, apoptosis or chromosomal instability. This paper gives a review of previous studies concerning the effects of exposure to TiO 2 NPs on a living organism (human, animal). This information is necessary in order to demonstrate potential toxicity of inorganic nanoparticles on human health.

The fundamental principle of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is based on the vibration and rotation of atoms, and it has become a universal and widely used spectral methodology for the detection of internal molecular structures in a diverse range of fields. A considerable number of review articles pertaining to the applications of FTIR spectroscopy have been published in recent years. Nevertheless, a comprehensive summary of the application of FTIR spectroscopy in nanoparticles' (NPs') green synthesis has yet to be presented. In the present paper, we propose a series of case studies that demonstrate the application of FTIR spectroscopy in the analysis of metal and metal oxide NPs that have been synthesized using green synthesis processes. Furthermore, a summary is presented of the position of functional group bands in FTIR spectra that are responsible for the reduction, capping and stabilization of NPs. In this review, we explore the advantages and limitations of FTIR and propose methodologies for overcoming these challenges. We also present potential solutions for the analysis of complex FTIR spectra. The present summary is intended to serve as a compendium of information for researchers engaged in the field of green synthesis of NPs, utilizing FTIR spectroscopy as a research tool.

Terpenes are naturally occurring substances produced by a wide variety of plants and animals. A broad range of the biological properties of terpenoids is described, including cancer chemopreventive effects, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antiparasitic activities. Terpenes are also presented as skin penetration enhancers and agents involved in the prevention and therapy of several inflammatory diseases. Moreover, a potential mechanism of their action against pathogens and their influence on skin permeability are discussed. The major conclusion is that larger-scale use of terpenoids in modern medicine should be taken into consideration.

In the most recent scientific reports based on the DNA or RNA-analyses a widespread presence of the filamentous fungi, Mortierella in various environments has been shown. Some strains of this genus belong to the plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) and are found in the bulk soil, rhizosphere and plants tissues. These microorganisms are also often found in the extremely hostile environments, responsible for improving access to the bioavailable forms of P and Fe in the soils, the synthesis of phytohormones and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, and last but not least the protection of agricultural plants from pathogens. Furthermore, earlier reports classified Mortierella spp. as the saprotrophic microorganisms isolated from the forest litter, and nowadays their status as a very valuable decomposers in the agricultural soils was confirmed. The key features like the ability to survive under very unfavorable environmental conditions and the utilization of carbon sources contained in polymers like cellulose, hemicellulose, chitin make these fungi efficient as the agricultural inoculants. The growing interest in the application of Mortierella spp. is mainly due to the potential use of this genus in the increase of the nutrient uptake efficiency, positive effect in crop protection against adverse conditions, and reduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides applied. Moreover, activities of Mortierella species selected from the wild or cultivated plants influence the soil microbiota and support the performance of the beneficial microorganisms enhancing significantly crop yield.

A precise determination of the neutron skin Δr(np) of a heavy nucleus sets a basic constraint on the nuclear symmetry energy (Δr(np) is the difference of the neutron and proton rms radii of the nucleus). The parity radius experiment (PREX) may achieve it by electroweak parity-violating electron scattering (PVES) on (208)Pb. We investigate PVES in nuclear mean field approach to allow the accurate extraction of Δr(np) of (208)Pb from the parity-violating asymmetry A(PV) probed in the experiment. We demonstrate a high linear correlation between A(PV) and Δr(np) in successful mean field forces as the best means to constrain the neutron skin of (208)Pb from PREX, without assumptions on the neutron density shape. Continuation of the experiment with higher precision in A(PV) is motivated since the present method can support it to constrain the density slope of the nuclear symmetry energy to new accuracy.

Various basidiomycetes, ascomycetes, and deuteromycetes, grown in a sugar-rich liquid medium, were compared for laccase-producing ability and for the inducing effect of 2,5-xylidine on laccase production. Clear stimulation of the extracellular enzyme formation by xylidine was obtained in the cultures of Fomes annosus, Pholiota mutabilis, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Trametes versicolor, whereas Rhizoctonia praticola and Botrytis cinerea were not affected by the xylidine, and in the case of Podospora anserina a decrease in laccase activity was observed. The laccases were purified, and electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels indicated a particular pattern for each laccase. The bands of the induced forms appeared only with basidiomycetes. The optimal pH of R. praticola laccase was in the neutral region, whereas the optima of all the other exolaccases were significantly lower (between pH 3.0 and 5.7). All laccases oxidized the methoxyphenolic acids under investigation, but there existed quantitative differences in oxidation efficiencies which depended on pH and on the nature (noninduced or induced) of the enzyme. The sensitivity of all enzymes to inhibitors did not differ considerably.

Nuclear liquid-drop model is revisited and an explicit introduction of the surface-curvature terms is presented. The corresponding parameters of the extended classical energy formula are adjusted to the contemporarily known nuclear binding energies and fission-barrier heights. Using 2766 binding energies of nuclei with $Z&gt;~8$ and $N&gt;~8$ it is shown that the performance of the new approach is improved by a factor of about 6, compared to the previously published liquid-drop model results, in terms of the masses (new rms deviation $〈\ensuremath{\delta}M〉=0.698\mathrm{MeV})$ and the fission barriers by a factor of about 3.5 (new rms deviation of the fission barriers of isotopes with $Z&gt;70$ is $〈\ensuremath{\delta}{V}_{B}〉=0.88\mathrm{MeV}).$ The role of the nuclear surface-curvature terms and their effects on the description of the experimental quantities are discussed in detail. For comparison, the parameters of the more ``traditional'' classical energy expressions are refitted, taking into account the nuclear masses known today and the performances of several variants of the model are compared. The isospin dependence in the new description of the barriers is in a good agreement with the extended Thomas-Fermi approach. It also demonstrates a good qualitative agreement with the fission lifetime systematics tested on the long chain of Fermium isotopes known experimentally. The new approach offers a very high stability in terms of the extrapolation from the narrower range of nuclides to a more extended one---a property of particular interest for the contemporary exotic beam projects: the corresponding properties are illustrated and discussed. The new description of the fission barriers being significantly improved, in particular, the new calculated barriers being lower, flatter, but stiffer against high-multipolarity deformations. The chances for ``extra'' stabilization of the hyperdeformed minima at high spin increase, thus calling for the new total energy Strutinsky-type calculations.