Nanostructuring and macroscopic behavior of type V deep eutectic solvents based on monoterpenoids.

Type V natural deep eutectic solvents based on monoterpenoids (cineole, carvone, menthol, and thymol) are studied using a combined experimental and molecular modeling approach. The reported physicochemical properties showed low viscous fluids whose properties were characterized as a function of temperature. The theoretical study combining quantum chemistry and classical molecular dynamics simulations provided a nanoscopic characterization of the fluids, particularly for the hydrogen bonding network and its relationship with the macroscopic properties.

Impact of antibiotic concentration gradients on nitrate reduction and antibiotic resistance in a microfluidic gradient chamber.

In order to explore the impact of antibiotics on the bacterial metabolic cycling of nitrate within contaminated soil and groundwater environments, we compared the effects of polymyxin B (PMB) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) concentration gradients on the distribution and activity of a wild type (WT) and a flagella deficient mutant (Δflag) of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 in a microfluidic gradient chamber (MGC). Complementary batch experiments were performed to measure bacteriostatic versus bactericidal concentrations of the two antibiotics, as well as their effect on nitrate reduction. Prior work demonstrated that PMB disrupts cell membranes while CIP inhibits DNA synthesis.

The role of chemotaxis and efflux pumps on nitrate reduction in the toxic regions of a ciprofloxacin concentration gradient.

Spatial concentration gradients of antibiotics are prevalent in the natural environment. Yet, the microbial response in these heterogeneous systems remains poorly understood. We used a microfluidic reactor to create an artificial microscopic ecosystem that generates diffusive gradients of solutes across interconnected microenvironments.

Advanced feature selection to study the internationalization strategy of enterprises.

Firms face an increasingly complex economic and financial environment in which the access to international networks and markets is crucial. To be successful, companies need to understand the role of internationalization determinants such as bilateral psychic distance, experience, etc. Cutting-edge feature selection methods are applied in the present paper and compared to previous results to gain deep knowledge about strategies for Foreign Direct Investment.