Many biomedical applications require a detailed understanding of the action of antimicrobial peptides on biological membranes. The cationic hemolytic peptide melittin, a major component of European honey bee (Apis mellifera) venom, is considered a model for elucidating lipid–protein interactions that are important for the function of biological systems. Here, we address the surface properties of human erythrocytes and rat liver mitochondrial membranes under in vitro melittin treatment. These membranes are negatively charged at neutral pH and represent primary targets of melittin’s effects in the onset of inflammatory diseases. The correlation between the functional activity of membrane systems and their surface electrical charge was assessed using microelectrophoresis, hemolysis assays, membrane transport measurements, lipid peroxidation analysis, and fluorescence microscopy. A mechanistic hypothesis for the divergent effects of sub-lytic, pre-pore doses of melittin on erythrocytes and mitochondria is discussed. At low concentrations, melittin interacts electrostatically with erythrocyte membranes, resulting in altered proton transport through the Band 3 protein. Melittin also induces changes in erythrocyte morphology and malondialdehyde content, as well as aggregation of mitochondrial vesicles. The electrokinetic mechanism of melittin action, associated with membrane stability, provides a novel perspective on its potential relevance to biomedical applications.

A new Hall microdevice with minimal complexity and orthogonal magnetic field activation is suggested. The microsensor contains a rectangular n-type silicon substrate. On the long sides, three ohmic contacts are formed symmetrically and opposite each other. The first two opposite electrodes are connected and the second two are fed in the same way, and third ones are the outputs. The increased sensitivity constituting 40 V/AT is due to the reduced parasitic surface currents. Furthermore, output electrodes are moved out of the area where the supply currents flow. The 80 × 135 μm² size of the sensor increases the resolution and provides detailed mapping of the magnetic field’s topology.

This paper reports a novel sensor effect in solid non-regular materials with the following formula: a previously unknown phenomenon in solid disordered structures, such as rocks and building concrete, has been experimentally established, which is expressed in the emission of micro-sized particles under the action of uniaxial pressures. The obtained results are an integrated technology indicator for pre-emergency and emergency conditions in mountain massifs and are applicable in seismically active regions.

This study proposes a novel physical effect arising in radioactive matter: initiation and control of a nuclear chain reaction through high hydrostatic pressure. We present the design of a compression-assisted reactor consisting of a titanium chamber with a cylindrical channel, which can be filled with Deuterium in which Uranium ₉₂U²³⁵ clusters are dissolved. External energy is introduced gradually via a hydraulic piston, which considerably simplifies the reactor mechanics. As hydrostatic pressure increases, the effective interatomic distance decreases due to the overlap of inner electron shells, significantly raising the probability that neutrons released from fissile nuclei will collide with neighboring atoms rather than escape the medium. The safety mechanism is intrinsic to the design: when pressure is reduced, the reactor shuts down autonomously without external intervention. The technical feasibility of the chamber was validated using a weakly compressible inert fluid mixture of kerosene and transformer oil, confirming that the required pressure regime of 200,000 atm is mechanically achievable. The principal anticipated advantage of this effect is the possibility for reduction in the critical mass required to sustain a chain reaction. It corresponds with diminution in the quantity of nuclear fuel needed. Future experiments with radioactive materials could be conducted to develop the proposed phenomenon.