Impact of backwashing procedures on deep bed filtration productivity in drinking water treatment

Backwash procedures for deep bed filters were evaluated and compared by means of a new integrated approach based on productivity. For this, different backwash procedures were experimentally evaluated by using a pilot plant for direct filtration. A standard backwash mode as applied in practice served as a reference and effluent turbidity was used as the criterion for filter run termination. The backwash water volumes needed, duration of the filter-to-waste period, time out of operation, total volume discharged and filter run-time were determined and used to calculate average filtration velocity and average productivity.     

Development and characterization of bionanocomposites based on poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) and cellulose nanocrystals for packaging applications

Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)‐based bionanocomposites were prepared using various percentages of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) by a solution casting method. CNCs were prepared from microcrystalline cellulose using sulfuric acid hydrolysis. The influence of CNCs on PHB properties was evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and tensile testing. Vapor permeation and light transmission of the materials were also measured. Differential scanning calorimetric tests demonstrated that CNCs were effective PHB nucleation agents. Tensile strength and Young's modulus of PHB increased with increasing CNC concentration. Moreover, the PHB/CNC bionanocomposites exhibited reduced water vapor permeation compared to neat PHB and had better UV barrier properties than commodity polymers such as polypropylene. It was found that nanocomposites with 6 wt% of CNCs had the optimum balance among thermal, mechanical and barrier properties. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Spatial Input for Temporal Navigation in Scientific Visualizations

Scientific-visualization tools can make time-varying simulations easier to understand. The growing efficiency of today's high-performance computers enables simulation of physical phenomena with a high temporal resolution. Consequently, visualization systems require efficient navigation in the temporal dimension. This 3D user interface employs direct-manipulation metaphors for temporal navigation in scientific visualizations. By interacting with objects using their 3D trajectory, users can navigate in time by specifying spatial inputs. This article is part of a special issue on 3D user interfaces.     

Multi‐phosphorylation of the Intrinsically Disordered Unique Domain of c‐Src Studied by In‐Cell and Real‐Time NMR Spectroscopy

Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are preferred sites for post‐translational modifications essential for regulating protein function. The enhanced local mobility of IDRs facilitates their observation by NMR spectroscopy in vivo. Phosphorylation events can occur at multiple sites and respond dynamically to changes in kinase–phosphatase networks. Here we used real‐time NMR spectroscopy to study the effect of kinases and phosphatases present in Xenopus oocytes and egg extracts on the phosphorylation state of the “unique domain” of c‐Src. We followed the phosphorylation of S17 in oocytes, and of S17, S69, and S75 in egg extracts by NMR spectroscopy, MS, and western blotting. Addition of specific kinase inhibitors showed that S75 and S69 are phosphorylated by CDKs (cyclin‐dependent kinases) differently from Cdk1. Moreover, although PKA (cAMP‐dependent protein kinase) can phosphorylate S17 in vitro, this was not the major S17 kinase in egg extracts. Changes in PKA activity affected the phosphorylation levels of CDK‐dependent sites, thus suggesting indirect effects of kinase–phosphatase networks. This study provides a proof‐of‐concept of the use of real‐time in vivo NMR spectroscopy to characterize kinase/phosphatase effects on intrinsically disordered regulatory domains.     

Molecular analysis of yeasts from Indonesian cassava and glutinous rice tapé

Tapé is a popular delicacy in Indonesia that is prepared by fermenting starch-rich material. Yeast plays an important role in the making of tapé especially in the aroma and taste of the product. In this study, yeasts were isolated from tapé and subjected to diversity analysis using the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique on 5.8S rRNA encoding gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS). A total of 21 yeast isolates were obtained from 3 different types of Indonesian tapé (cassava tapé, white-, and black-glutinous rice tapé). The identified yeast species from cassava tapé were Pichia jadinii, Candida glabrata, and Clavispora lusitaniae. P. fabianii, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, and Ogataea polymorpha were obtained from white glutinous rice tapé, while Saccharomycopsis fibuligera and Wickerhamomyces anomalus were obtained from black glutinous rice tapé.     

Solid‐phase extraction of phenolic compounds with poly[metalloprotoporphyrin IX]

A highly insoluble metalloporphyrin polymeric material was used as sorbent for the solid‐phase extraction of phenolic compounds. Substantial quantities of phenols (40 to 60 mg/g polymer) were absorbed from aqueous solution comparing satisfactorily with other extraction methods. The polymeric phase presented similar K_SPE values for the hydrophobic compounds tested such as p‐chlorophenol, BPA, p‐nitrophenol, and a significant lower value for the more hydrophilic p‐aminophenol and cresol. Several metallic complexes of protoporphyrin IX (Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Fe³⁺) have been tested. The analytes were extracted with high recoveries at acid and neutral pH values, whereas at pH 10 low recoveries were obtained. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 3038–3043, 2001     

Quantification of the Alternaria mycotoxin tenuazonic acid in beer

Tenuazonic acid (TA) is a major water soluble Alternaria mycotoxin. In the present work, a method for the quantification of TA in beer by liquid chromatography–ion-trap multistage mass spectrometry after derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine is described. The method is based on a rapid workup procedure and features a LOD of 2 μg/kg without preconcentration using 400 mg of sample. Validation was performed for a working range of 8–500 μg/kg.