Verification of the Conditions for Determination of Antioxidant Activity by ABTS and DPPH Assays—A Practical Approach

The ABTS and DPPH methods are among the most popular assays of antioxidant activity determination. Attempts to adapt them to different analytes and the search for the highest values of antioxidant activity has resulted in a large variety of assay conditions to be presented in the literature, including the way the measurement is made. This makes it difficult to relate the results to real oxidation systems, and often makes it impossible to compare them. Such a comparison is limited in advance by the use of stable radicals that do not exist in nature and that react differently from those generated in food or in vivo. Therefore, it is important to introduce measures aimed at standardizing the conditions of the activity assay, including reaction time and several reaction environments suitable for testing different groups of compounds. In this study, we used natural antioxidants of various structures: phenolic acids, flavonoids, peptides and corresponding amino acids, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol, and also synthetic analogues of selected compounds. The curves of dependence of the measured absorbance on the concentration of antioxidants were described, the ranges of linearity were determined, and the value of the error made when reading in various ranges of dependencies was estimated. We also determined and compared the activity values using two popular methods (IC50 and TEAC), taking into account different environments and reaction times. Based on the collected data, recommendations were formulated regarding the reaction conditions adapted to the studies of individual groups of antioxidants, and unified reaction times were proposed. Taking into account the state before reaching the equilibrium of antioxidants reacting in a complex manner, this approach may introduce a simplified reference to the competing reaction that occurs in reality.

The Application of Quaternions to Strap-Down MEMS Sensor Data

We describe the mathematical transformations required to convert the data recorded using typical 6-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor packages (3-axis rate gyroscopes and 3-axis accelerometers) when attached to an object undergoing a short duration loading event, such as blast loading, where inertial data alone are sufficient to track the object motion. By using the quaternion description, the complex object rotations and displacements that typically occur are translated into the more convenient earth frame of reference. An illustrative example is presented where a large and heavy object was thrown by the action of a very strong air blast in a complex manner. The data conversion process yielded an accurate animation of the object’s subsequent motion.

Study of elastic deformations in tapered nanowires

In this work, the calculation of the values of elastic deformations and stresses arising in tapered nanowires is carried out. It was found that in tapered nanowires the magnitude of deformations changes from the base of the nanowire to its tip not linearly (as would be the case in cylindrical nanowires), but in a more complex manner. The ranges of conicity angles at which an extended region of increased stresses can appear in tapered nanowires have been determined.

Sonoanatomy and Stepwise/Systematic Ultrasound Examination of the Extrinsic/Intrinsic Wrist Ligaments

Ultrasound has emerged as the most useful imaging tool for investigating wrist and hand disorders, with several published ultrasound protocols having demonstrated their practicality in scanning the wrist tendons and nerves. However, ligaments of the wrist are networked in a complex manner, deterring sonographers from examining them with an organized strategy. Furthermore, because of the non-parallel alignment between the radiocarpal, mid-carpal, and carpal–metacarpal joints, precise recognition of the carpal bones is challenging, although ultrasound is paramount for visualizing the wrist ligaments. In this regard, the current article for point of view aims to elaborate sonoanatomy of the carpal bones and to present a stepwise systematic approach for navigating the extrinsic and intrinsic wrist ligaments.

Factors influencing the willingness of Hungarian sour cherry growers to operate in a short supply chain

Although a number of studies have been conducted over the past decade to understand the factors influencing the willingness of producers to operate in a short supply chain (SSC), the intention to adapt can still be identified as an unexplored area. The main aim of the present study is to determine the extent to which Hungarian fresh sour cherry producers show a willingness to operate in a short supply chain and what investments they would make to do so. The sour cherry producers involved in the study clearly show a willingness to operate in a short supply chain. Some producers approach this in a “complex” manner, so they would even meet individual consumer needs and deliver orders to the consumer. Farmers opting for a “simpler” solution would prefer to sell their products to the consumer at their premises or at farmer’s markets. Further results support the fact that the more producers believe in the viability and future of SSCs and the higher their level of education is, the more willing they are to adapt in terms of resources or production processes in order to achieve complete transition. The results reflect the importance of examining the factors that determine farmers’ intentions to operate in the short supply chain, but it is also worthwhile and justified to explore how willing they are to “sacrifice” and invest in order to completely adapt.

Ocena zakresu treści baz danych oraz map średnioskalowych wybranych agencji kartograficznych

Topographic databases and general geographic maps are essential components of geographic information systems and the primary and rich spatial information source at general scales. The article presents qualitative and quantitative analyses based on the content of general geographic maps and topographic databases carried out on the example of products of selected national mapping agencies (NMAs). This research aims to verify whether the data contained in the analyzed databases and the information presented on general maps constitute the rich source of geographical and spatial information, as well as to examine how the analyzed General Geographic Objects Database (BDOO) developed in Poland differs from the selected databases of similar level of details. The results of qualitative and quantitative analyses are presented in comprehensive charts and tables, which show the obtained results in a synthetic and complex manner.

Examining the Influence of Transformational Leadership and Green Culture on Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Empirical Evidence From Florida City Governments

Despite growing interest in greening initiatives, the environmental performance of public organizations largely depends on the voluntary participation of public employees in undertaking pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs). Can organizations encourage better participation? What is the role of leadership and organizational culture in influencing these behaviors? This study investigates the influence of transformational leadership and organizational green culture on employees’ PEBs. Data were collected through a survey of public employees in two city governments in Florida. Confirmatory factor analysis followed by the multiple regression analysis were employed to test the proposed model. Findings reveal that organizational factors have the potential to influence the workplace PEBs, but in a complex manner. Certain barriers are found to significantly moderate the effects of organizational factors on employees’ PEBs

Bicameralism in a Unitary State

This chapter describes, explains, and analyses the Irish Senate (officially Seanad Éireann). It details the birth and evolution of the bicameral principle in Ireland and provides an account of its key features, including its vocational character and complex electoral arrangements. The chapter also outlines the role, powers, and functions of Seanad Éireann and identifies the key criticisms of this body. These include the institution’s subservience to the lower house, the complex manner in which members are elected and appointed, and the limited nature of vocational representation in the Seanad. Campaigns for reform and the 2013 abolition referendum are discussed with reference to the several reform proposals of varying depth and substance that appeared over the decades.

The March 2021 Damasi Earthquake Sequence, Central Greece: Reactivation Evidence across the Westward Propagating Tyrnavos Graben

On 3 March 2021, a strong shallow earthquake affected northern Thessaly, Greece, with an epicenter close to Damasi village causing significant destruction of many stone houses. In this contribution, we provide fieldwork observations, satellite radar interferometry, mapping of the active faults exposed in the epicentral area, liquefactions and coseismic surface ruptures, and preliminary geomorphological analyses of the epicentral area. The geomorphological analysis is based on air photographs, digital surface models analysis, Real-Time Kinematik (RTK) measurements with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers, and data from UAV flight campaigns. Although the seismotectonic setting of the area is complex and there is an apparent mismatch between field and interferometric data, the results of our investigations suggest that at least three fault segments were reactivated by the major shocks of the March seismic sequence. These tectonic structureslikely represent the westward propagation of the Tyrnavos Graben, where newly formed and inherited low-angle faults interplay in a complex manner.

Tunneling in Various Shapes Using Numerical Analysis

Tunnelling has gained popularity in the recent times due to lack of space and the rapidly increasing population. Thus, going underground is the only option to provide the infrastructure facilities which will meet the need of increasing population. The shape and dimensions of the tunnel cross section usually depends on certain parameters like purpose for which the tunnel is provided, drainage & maintenance requirements, requirement of escape route, etc. Geology plays an important role in deciding the shape of the tunnel. The ground behaves in a complex manner, when a tunnel is excavated in it as new stresses are developed. Based on the ground types, the shape is selected in such a way that the stresses developed in the ground should distribute properly around the tunnel periphery and should not cause convergence of the tunnel boundary. Also, requirement of support system should not be too heavy, as it will increase the cost. Apart from the above parameters, the availability of the equipment & the construction method also decides the shape of the tunnel. There are various shapes of tunnels like D-shape, Circular, Elliptical, Egg-shape, Box type, Horseshoe & Modified Horseshoe shape. In the present course of work three shapes of tunnels viz. Horseshoe Shape, Modified Horseshoe Shape & D-Shape tunnels are considered. By hypothetical assumption the geology and overburden are taken into account for the tunnels and the tunnels are simulated for roof collapse and shear failure case by using RS2 FEM based software.