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Item Recent Progress in Terrestrial Biota-Derived Anti-Biofilm Agents for Medical Applications(2024-09-01) Vladkova T.G.; Smani Y.; Martinov B.L.; Gospodinova D.N.The terrestrial biota is a rich source of biologically active substances whose anti-biofilm potential is not studied enough. The aim of this review is to outline a variety of terrestrial sources of antimicrobial agents with the ability to inhibit different stages of biofilm development, expecting to give some ideas for their utilization in improved anti-biofilm treatments. It provides an update for the last 5 years on anti-biofilm plant products and derivatives, essential oils, antimicrobial peptides, biosurfactants, etc., that are promising candidates for providing novel alternative approaches to combating multidrug-resistant biofilm-associated infections. Based on the reduction in bacterial adhesion to material and cell surfaces, the anti-adhesion strategy appears interesting for the prevention of bacterial attachment in combating a broad range of mono- and multispecies bacterial biofilms. So far, few studies have been carried out in this direction. Anti-biofilm coatings made by or containing biologically active products from terrestrial biota have scarcely been studied although they are of significant interest for a reduction in infections associated with medical devices. Combination therapy with commercial antibiotics and natural products is accepted now as a promising base for future advances in anti-biofilm treatment. In vivo testing and clinical trials are necessary for clinical application.Item Continuous Dependence on the Initial Condition of the Solution of a System of Differential Equations with Variable Structure and with Impulses(1987-01-01) Dishliev A.; Bainov D.Item Effect of InP/ZnS quantum dots aggregation on the kinetics of birefringence recorded in thin azopolymer composite films(2024-09-01) Stoilova A.; Dimov D.; Trifonova Y.; Mateev G.; Lilova V.; Nazarova D.; Nedelchev L.The article describes the preparation of new thin film composite materials based on the azopolymer (poly[1-[4-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzenesulfonamido]-1,2-ethanediyl, sodium salt]) doped with three different concentration of InP/ZnS quantum dots with size of 7.5 nm. Clusters of aggregated InP/ZnS were microscopically observed in the fabricated composite samples. Birefringence (Δn) was induced in the films at two different wavelengths of the pump laser (355 nm and 444 nm) and the obtained higher values of Δnmax for the samples doped with quantum dots up to 2 wt% in comparison to the non-doped film and the sample with the highest nanocrystals concentration are discussed, based on the measured fluorescence spectra, in terms of possible local energy transfer between the azobenzene chromophores and the InP/ZnS quantum dots.Item Probing Slipids Force Field for Phase Transitions in SOPC Lipid Bilayers with Various Cholesterol Concentrations(2024-08-01) Ivanova N.; Chamati H.We explore the phase behavior of lipid bilayers containing SOPC (1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) with various molar concentrations (0 mol%, 10 mol% and 30 mol%) of cholesterol. To this end, we performed extensive atomistic molecular dynamics simulations in conjunction with the Slipids force field with optimized parameters for the headgroups of phospholipids. We computed thermodynamic and structural quantities describing the ordering of the tails, the mobility of the heads and the arrangement of the lipids in the bilayers. We analyzed the behavior of the named quantities over the temperature range between 271 K and 283 K, where the experimentally determined melting temperature, (Formula presented.) K, lies, as well as at 400 K, which is used as a reference temperature. The obtained results are compared to available experimental data along with the outcome from molecular dynamics simulations of similar phospholipids containing different amounts of cholesterol. In the temperature interval of interest, we found evidence of the occurrence of a thermal-driven phase transition (melting) in both the pure system and the one with the lower concentration of cholesterol, while in the remaining system, the higher amount of cholesterol in the bilayer smears out the transitional behavior. Thus, we demonstrate the ability of the Slipids force field to predict the phase behavior of bilayers of SOPC and SOPC mixed with cholesterol.Item Optimization of the hot-pressing regime in the production of eco-friendly fibreboards bonded with hydrolysis lignin(2022-11-26) Valchev I.; Yordanov Y.; Savov V.; Antov P.This research was aimed at studying the potential of using residual lignin from acid hydrolysis as a binder in manufacturing eco-friendly, dry-process fibreboards. For that purpose, a modification of the adhesive system and hot-pressing regime was conducted. The adhesive system applied was composed of 2 % phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin and 10 % hydrolysis lignin (based on the dry fibres). The PF resin does not only act as a binder but generally contributes to the even distribution and good retention of the main binder – hydrolysis lignin. A specific hot-pressing cycle was used. In the first stage, the pressure was 1.0 MPa, followed by an increased pressure of 4.0 MPa, and subsequent cooling. The purpose of the initial lower pressure was softening the lignin and reduction of the material moisture content. The effect of the second stage of hot-pressing on the properties of eco-friendly fibreboards was investigated. It was determined that the fibreboards produced with 2 % PF resin and 10 % hydrolysis lignin have similar physical and mechanical properties to those of the control panels, produced with 10 % PF resin at a standard hot-pressing cycle. The findings of this work demonstrate that residual hydrolysis lignin can be effectively utilized as a binder in the production of eco-friendly, dry-process fibreboards with acceptable physical and mechanical properties.Item Influence of carbon black structure and specific surface area on the mechanical and dielectric properties of filled rubber composites(2011-01-01) Al-Hartomy O.A.; Al-Solamy F.; Al-Ghamdi A.; Dishovsky N.; Ivanov M.; Mihaylov M.; El-Tantawy F.Natural rubber based composites have been prepared using various amounts of two fillers: conventional Corax N220 carbon black or electrically conductive carbon black Printex XE-2B which has a very high specific surface area. The composites have been studied by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, dielectric thermal analysis and SEM. It has been established that all vulcanizates investigated are in the glass state in the -80°C to -40°C interval. The storage modulus increases with the increasing filler content in the -40°C to +80°C interval when the vulcanizates are in the highly elastic state. DETA shows that the increase in filler content leads to an increase in the dielectric permittivity (ε′). ε′ also increases with temperature increasing. Higher frequency causes a decrease of ε′ values which becomes more pronounced with the increasing filler content. Obviously, when the content of Printex XE-2B carbon black in the vulcanizates is higher than 7.5 phr, the percolation threshold is reached and the ε′ values increase up to 102-104. The ε′ values for the vulcanizates comprising 20 and 50 phr Corax N220 carbon black are measurable with those for the vulcanizates comprising 5 and 10 phr Printex XE-2B carbon black respectively. The results obtained could be explained by the difference in the structure and specific surface area of the two types of carbon black - Printex XE-2B and Corax N220. Copyright © 2011 Omar A. Al-Hartomy et al.Item Growing Oriented Layers of Bi4Ti3O12 in Bi2O3/TiO2/SiO2/Nd2O3/Al2O3 Glass-Ceramics by Melt Quenching(2018-12-01) Wisniewski W.; Slavov S.; Rüssel C.; Dimitriev Y.A glass melt with the composition 24Bi2O3/40TiO2/10SiO2/10Nd2O3/16 Al2O3 was prepared and rapidly quenched between two copper blocks (sample A). A part of this glass was subsequently crystallised at 800 °C for 8 h (sample B). For the preparation of another two samples, the melt was slowly cooled on a cooper plate (sample C) or cast into a graphite mould and subsequently thermally treated at 300 °C for 3 h (sample D). As shown by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) including energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements, the rapidly cooled samples contained notable amounts of uncrystallised glassy phase next to the Aurivillius phase Bi4Ti3O12. The latter occurred in higher concentrations in all other samples and formed oriented layers. Minor concentrations of Bi2Al4O9 and Al2O3 were also detected in the microstructure.Item Chemical and mechanistic modelling of green solvent extraction of metallic species with 4-acylpyrazolones(2024-12-01) Atanassova M.; Kukeva R.; Kurteva V.Solvent extraction chemistry of metals needs the use of suitable organic ligands like 4-acylpyrazolones to coordinate the studied cation, to make it soluble in an organic phase and then allow its phase transfer from the aqueous phase. The competitive solvent extraction test of almost 25 metal ions by one powerful ligand, i.e. 3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-(4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)-pyrazol-5-one diluted in one ionic liquid ([C1Cnim+][Tf2N−]) has been conducted to get a snapshot of its efficacy. Effect of diluents on the liquid–liquid extraction of 4f-ions with a series of chelating ligands of 4-acylpyrazolones family (∼5) is presented comparing ionic liquids and typical organic diluents: 14 in number. In addition, the solvent extraction of 12 refractory metals with a series of chelating extractants is investigated in five diluents: four 4-acylpyrazolones with different radicals. The solvent extraction stoichiometry of MoO42− and Zr4+ is studied in detail using molecular and ionic diluent for comparative purposes through slope analysis method. Ethylene glycol is used to develop a non-aqueous process for Gd3+ switchable extraction, i.e. boost of two immiscible organic phases. Furthermore, EPR, NMR, IR and DTA-TG-MS spectroscopies have been used to study the extracted d- and f-species in the obtained organic extracts in ionic liquid solutions.Item EXPLORING THE STRUCTURAL AND ELECTRONIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AMORPHOUS Ge – Te - In MATERIAL THROUGH AB INITIO METHODS(2024-01-01) Zaidan A.; Ivanova V.; Petkov P.; Bancheva-Koleva P.This study employs density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics to meticulously investigate the structural and electronic properties of ternary chalcogenide compounds, specifically (GeTe4)1-x Inx, and (GeTe5)1-x Inx across a range of compositions ( x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 at %). Utilizing the local density approximation within the framework of first-principles calculations, we comprehensively analyze the pair correlation function, static structural factor, electronic density of states, and electronic band gap energy. Our results reveal a notable decrease in the energy band gap of Germanium-Tellurium with the incorporation of Indium atoms. The structural changes observed in the Ge-Te matrix with Indium doping, as evidenced by the changes in the pair correlation function and static structure factor, are consistent with and supportive of the observed decrease in the band gap energy. This phenomenon is primarily attributed to the significant contribution of Indium atoms to the conduction band edge, offering new insights into the material’s electronic behaviour.Item Measuring the Equilibrium Spreading Pressure—A Tale of Three Amphiphiles(2024-09-01) Peychev B.; Arabadzhieva D.; Minkov I.L.; Dimitrova I.M.; Mileva E.; Smoukov S.K.; Slavchov R.I.A surfactant’s equilibrium spreading pressure (ESP) is the maximum decrease in surface tension achievable at equilibrium below the Krafft point. Difficulties in measuring the ESP have been noted previously but no well-established experimental protocols to overcome them exist. We present a case study of three solid amphiphiles with different propensities to spread on the air–water interface. Starting with the partially water soluble n-dodecanol (C12H25OH), which spreads instantaneously. The strong Marangoni flows associated with the spreading result in the dislocating of the Wilhelmy plate or crystals attaching to it. A temporary mechanical barrier in front of the spreading crystals mitigates the flows disturbing the plate. Presaturating the subphase with the amphiphile prevents the establishment of dynamic steady states, reduces the standard error by a factor of three and causes faster equilibration. The perfluoroalkylated analog of dodecanol (11:1 fluorotelomer alcohol, C11F23CH2OH) is slow spreading. With surfactant crystals on the interface, the surface pressure reaches a pre-equilibrium plateau within an hour, followed by equilibration on day-long timescales. We show that it is better to estimate the ESP by averaging the values of multiple pre-equilibrium plateaus rather than waiting for equilibrium to be established. Finally, the nonspreading amphiphile DPPC exhibits a large barrier for the mass transfer from the DPPC crystal to the aqueous surface. This was overcome by introducing a volatile, water-immiscible solvent deposited on the surface next to the crystals to facilitate the spreading process and leave behind a monolayer.Item Effect of the Adhesive System on the Properties of Fiberboard Panels Bonded with Hydrolysis Lignin and Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin(2022-05-01) Savov V.; Valchev I.; Antov P.; Yordanov I.; Popski Z.This study aimed to propose an alternative technological solution for manufacturing fiberboard panels using a modified hot-pressing regime and hydrolysis lignin as the main binder. The main novelty of the research is the optimized adhesive system composed of unmodified hydrolysis lignin and reduced phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resin content. The fiberboard panels were fabricated in the laboratory with a very low PF resin content, varying from 1% to 3.6%, and hydrolysis lignin addition levels varying from 7% to 10.8% (based on the dry wood fibers). A specific two-stage hot-pressing regime, including initial low pressure of 1.2 MPa and subsequent high pressure of 4 MPa, was applied. The effect of binder content and PF resin content in the adhesive system on the main properties of fiberboards (water absorption, thickness swelling, bending strength, modulus of elasticity, and internal bond strength) was investigated, and appropriate optimization was performed to define the optimal content of PF resin and hydrolysis lignin for complying with European standards. It was concluded that the proposed technology is suitable for manufacturing fiberboard panels fulfilling the strictest EN standard. Markedly, it was shown that for the production of this type of panels, the minimum total content of binders should be 10.6%, and the PF resin content should be at least 14% of the adhesive system.Item SONOCHEMICAL SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FOR GAS-DIFFUSION ELECTRODES APPLICATION(2024-01-01) Mladenova B.; Stankulov T.; Stankov S.; Karsheva M.; Hinkov I.; Momchilov A.; Boukoureshtlieva R.The aim of the current study is to explore the application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a catalyst in air gas-diffusion electrodes (AGDE). AgNPs have been successfully synthesized through an original sonochemical method. The effects of reagent concentrations, temperature and reaction time were studied as well. Composites of AgNPs and activated carbon (Norit NK) were prepared by using two adsorption methods to demonstrate the catalytic activity. Method 1 involves homogenizing preliminary prepared AgNPs colloid solution and Norit NK followed by evaporation of the suspension. One-step route was used for Method 2, i.e. all components were mixed altogether and sonicated, resulting in the AgNPs formation directly on the surface and inside the pores of Norit NK. Additionally, some of the samples were thermally treated at 300°C for 1h under air and argon. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (SEM/EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The catalytic activity of the obtained composites regarding oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was investigated in AGDE using an aqueous 4M NaCl electrolyte. The thermally treated composite obtained via Method 2 appears to show improved electrochemical catalytic activity regarding ORR in comparison to the Method 1 samples.Item STUDY OF ADHESION-COHESION INTERACTIONS BETWEEN POLYMERS IN ADHESIVE COMPOSITIONS ÉTUDE DES INTERACTIONS D’ADHÉSION ET D’COHÉSION ENTRE LES POLYMÈRES DANS LES COMPOSITIONS ADHÉSIVES STUDIUL INTERACȚIUNILOR DE ADERENȚĂ-COEZIUNE DINTRE POLIMERI ÎN COMPOZIȚIILE ADEZIVE(2023-01-01) Zheleva D.; Dimitrov R.The results of the research prove that adhesives based on chloroprene rubber can be obtained not only in combination with phenol-formaldehyde resins, but also with other polymers. Selected chlorobutyl rubber (CIIR) and high styrene rubber (KER) proved to be substitutes for phenolic resins, which were used to obtain adhesive compositions with good properties. Despite the existing opinion on the same polarity of the components of the adhesive composition, guaranteeing the most favorable properties, it was shown that compositions with different polarity have all the parameters of quality adhesives. Components with different polarity also show the effect of mutual reinforcement, which determines the alignment, orientation ability of macromolecular chains and occurrence of cohesion and adhesion interactions. The observed textures obtained after mechanical impact proved this claim. Adhesives with more developed textures have better adhesive properties. The selected research methods successfully predict the properties of the components and facilitate their selection and amount.Item Antioxidant activity of membrane-fractionated coffee extracts in dependence of the storage conditions(2016-11-15) Mitev D.; Peshev D.; Peev G.; Peeva L.Present paper aims at one of the important aspects of the application of products with antioxidant activity: namely the preservation and change of their properties during the storage in different conditions, as well as their reliable characterisation. The tests of antioxidant properties were conducted with membrane-separated coffee extracts, isolated using a ``Microdyn Nadir NP030P`` type of commercial nanofiltration membrane (30% retention of NaCl; MWCO∼400). Prepared coffee permeates and retentates were stored 0/10 days in cool/warm conditions, with/without air access and at different illumination conditions. The kinetics of content changes was evaluated according to Folin-Ciocalteu method of total phenolic/reducing content determination.Item Physical Vapor Deposition of Indium-Doped GeTe: Analyzing the Evaporation Process and Kinetics(2024-08-01) Zaidan A.; Ivanova V.; Petkov P.Chalcogenide glasses have broad applications in the mid-infrared optoelectronics field and as phase-change materials (PCMs) due to their unique properties. Chalcogenide glasses can have crystalline and amorphous phases, making them suitable as PCMs for reversible optical or electrical recording. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the evaporation kinetics of indium-doped chalcogenides, GeTe4 and GeTe5, using the physical vapor deposition technique on glass substrates. Our approach involved a detailed examination of the evaporation process under controlled temperature conditions, allowing precise measurement of rate changes and energy dynamics. This study revealed a significant and exponential increase in the evaporation rate of GeTe4 and GeTe5 with the introduction of indium, which was particularly noticeable at higher temperatures. This increase in evaporation rate with indium doping suggests a more complex interplay of materials at the molecular level than previously understood. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the addition of indium affects the evaporation rate and elevates the energy requirements for the evaporation process, providing new insights into the thermal dynamics of these materials. This study’s outcomes contribute significantly to understanding deposition processes, paving the way for optimized manufacturing techniques that could lead to more efficient and higher-performing optoelectronic devices and memory storage solutions.Item Effects of mechanical activation on structure and photocatalytic properties of ZnO powders(2013-11-01) Gancheva M.N.; Iordanova R.S.; Dimitriev Y.B.; Avdeev G.V.; Iliev T.C.Zinc oxide (ZnO) was mechanically activated in air using a planetary ball mill using varying milling speeds and time. The obtained samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-Vis diffusion reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the mechanically treated ZnO powders were investigated in the reaction of Malachite Green (MG) degradation in aqueous solution under UV-light irradiation. A decrease in the crystallite size (from 90 to 10 nm) accompanied by an increase of microstrains and lattice parameters were established applying different milling speeds. The agglomeration of the particles was observed by SEM analysis. The absorption spectra of the initial and mechanically activated ZnO samples show shifting of the band position from 360 to 330 nm, which can be related to decrease in the crystalline size. The ZnO powders activated at lower milling speeds (for shorter time intervals) exhibit highest photocatalytic activity. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2013 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Wien.Item Depot effect of bioactive components in experimental membrane filtrations(2017-02-06) Mitev D.; Peshev D.; Peev G.; Peeva L.Depot effects were found to be accompanying phenomena of membrane separation processes. Accumulation of target species in the membrane matrix during feasibility tests can hamper proper conclusions or compromise the filtration results. Therefore, we investigated the effects of delayed membrane release of chlorogenic acid and caffeine, considered as key compounds of interest in spent coffee products' recovery treatment. Permeate fluxes and key components release were studied in course of 24 hours via nanofiltration of pure solvent, both immediately after the mock solution filtration and after idle stay. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations advised for proper analysis of experimental data on membrane screening.Item Decomposition products of oxygen scavengers and their effect on corrosion of steam generator materials – I. Diethyl-hydroxylamine and carbohydrazide(2024-11-01) Sipilä K.; Ferreirós P.; Ikäläinen T.; Mikkelson A.; Betova I.; Bojinov M.Hydrazine used as oxygen scavenger in the secondary circuit of pressurized water reactors is hazardous to the environment and potentially carcinogenic, thus, suitable replacement chemicals for it are actively sought. In the present paper, decomposition products of two potential replacements – carbohydrazide and diethyl-hydroxylamine – are analyzed, and their effect on secondary water chemistry and corrosion of the main steam generator materials – carbon steel 22 K, stainless steel 0X18H10T and Alloy 690 – is studied by in-situ electrochemical techniques complemented by ex-situ analyses of the formed oxides by spectroscopic and microscopic methods. Quantitative interpretation of the electrochemical impedance data with the Mixed-Conduction Model allowed for the estimation of oxidation and corrosion release rates depending on scavenger formulation, alloy type and temperature. Conclusions on the extent of interaction of decomposition products with construction materials are drawn based on the experimental and calculational results.Item Characterization of anodized Al 1050 with electrochemically deposited Cu, Ni and Cu/Ni and their behavior in a model corrosive medium(2021-01-01) Girginov C.; Kozhukharov S.; Tsanev A.; Dishliev A.The specific benefits of the modified films formed on preliminary anodized aluminum, including the versatility of their potential applications impose the need for evaluation of the exploitation reliability of these films. In this aspect, the dura-bility of Cu and Ni modified anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) films on the low-doped AA1050 alloy was assessed through extended exposure to a 3.5% NaCl model corrosive medium. The electrochemical measurements by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic scanning (PDS) after 24 and 720 hours of exposure have revealed that the obtained films do not change their obvious barrier properties. In addition, supplemental analyses of the coatings were performed, in order to elucidate the impact of the AC-deposition of Cu and Ni inside the pores. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images have shown that the surface topology is not affected and resembles the typical surface of an etched metal. The subsequent energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) tests have revealed a predominance of Cu in the combined AAO-Cu/Ni layers, whereas additional X-ray photoelectron (XPS) analyses showed that both metals form oxides with different oxidation states due to alterations in the deposition conditions, promoted by the application of AC-polarization of the samples.Item Unified Modelling Language Application for Laparoscopic Instrument Design(2024-01-01) Ivanova V.; Boneva A.; Vasilev P.Laparoscopic surgery is a very popular medical intervention for the diagnosis and treatment of some abdominal problems and diseases. Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic procedures reduce patient trauma and recovery time. Still, at the same time, the surgeon’s dexterity is reduced as a result of the operation specificity and instrument construction. Correct behaviour of every device and instrument during its activities is an important condition for the proper operation of the whole system. The main purpose of this work is to model the operating behaviour of an instrument-organ interaction in an environment which is similar to the real one. The ultimate target of this study is focused on the development of a functionally operating model of a laparoscopic executive instrument for robots with improved engineering characteristics. To achieve the goals, the following main tasks are decided: i) Unified Modelling Language is applied to demonstrate the operating behaviour of a device in real-time. UseCase diagram and 3 Activity diagrams have been developed; ii) an original model of an instrument with 4 degrees of freedom for robot-assisted surgery is designed. In contrast to EndoWrist technology created by Intuitive Surgical Incorporation, USA for DaVinci instruments (with 3 orthogonal rotations), we offered other construction decisions. The designed instrument provides a kinematic structure with a combination of perpendicular and parallel rotations ((Formula presented)) which avoids additional rolls and allows obtaining the optimal working area of this instrument. This study is a continuation of previous work in the surgical robotics area.