Transition metal nanoparticles doped carbon paper as a cost-effective anode in a microbial fuel cell powered by pure and mixed biocatalyst cultures

The poor wettability and high cost of the carbonaceous electrodes materials prohibited the practical applications of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) on large scale. Here, a novel nanoparticles of metal sheathed with metal oxide is electrodeposited on carbon paper (CP) to introduce as high-performance anodes of microbial fuel cell (MFC). This thin layer of metal/metal oxide significantly enhance the microbial adhesion, the wettability of the anode surface and decrease the electron transfer resistance. The investigation of the modified CP anodes in an air-cathode MFCs fed by various biocatalyst cultures shows a significant improving in the MFC performance. Where, the generated power and current density was 140% and 210% higher as compared to the pristine CP. Mixed culture of exoelectrogenic microorganism in wastewater exhibited good performance and generated higher power and current density compared to yeast as pure culture. The excellent capacitance with a distinctive nanostructure morphology of the modified-CP open an avenues for practical applications of MFCs.     

Lipid‐derived monomer and corresponding bio‐based nanocomposites

Fatty acid based monomer and corresponding hybrid polymer layered silicate nanocomposites have successfully been prepared by using in situ polymerizations. The hybrid materials were prepared by adding different ratios of nanoclay during free radical homopolymerization of 2‐(acryloyloxy)ethyl stearate (AOES) monomer and copolymerization of AOES with styrene. AOES monomer was synthesized by treating stearic acid with 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate. The formation of AOES monomer, homopolymer and copolymer was confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis. Further analysis and characterization of the nanocomposites were carried out by XRD, transmission electron microscopy, AFM and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. TGA of the polymer nanocomposites was also carried out to evaluate their thermal stability, while flammability tests were conducted to investigate the effect of layered silicate on flame retardancy. Nanofiller addition into the polymer matrix substantially improved the thermal properties and fire retardancy of the composites. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Tannin fraction from Ampelopsis grossedentata leaves tea (Tengcha) as an antioxidant and α‐glucosidase inhibitory nutraceutical

Leaf of Ampelopsis grossedentata is a new resource of functional foods with healthful properties. Antioxidant and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activities of water extract (made in the style of drinking), tannin fraction (TF) and dihydromyricetin (DMY) from A. grossedentata leaves were evaluated. The main component of TF was identified as gallotannins. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and reducing power of TF were superior to those of water extract, however, inferior to those of DMY. In no PBS wash protocol of cellular antioxidant activity assay, DMY and TF exhibited similarly, while in PBS wash protocol, the value of TF was higher than that of DMY. In addition, TF possessed the highest α‐glucosidase inhibitory activities (IC₅₀ = 1.94 μg mL^?1), followed by water extract (IC₅₀ = 23.10 μg mL^?1) and DMY (IC₅₀ = 72.21 μg mL^?1). The strong α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity of TF may attribute to the binding capacity to enzymes, as confirmed by fluorescence analysis.     

Solvent‐stable UV‐cured acrylic polysulfone membranes

A systematic investigation of the effect of the presence of acrylate resin on polysulfone‐based membranes was performed with the aim of obtaining chemically stable crosslinked membranes without affecting their flux performances. The membranes were prepared via UV curing of the polymer dope followed by a non‐solvent‐induced phase separation process. Two different acrylic monomers were investigated and their amount was varied in the polymer dope, to study the influence of concentration on final results. High crosslinking degrees were achieved by irradiating the solution for one minute. Morphological investigations of the active surface and of the cross‐sections of the fabricated membranes showed that the typical porosity of ultrafiltration membranes was obtained starting from solutions containing a low amount of crosslinker (10 wt%), which is consistent with the water flux values which were comparable to that of the pristine polysulfone membrane. High concentrations of crosslinker resin in the initial polymer dope produced denser membranes with lower permeability. High rejection of 27 nm particles (>90%) was measured for all samples having measurable flux. The addition of the crosslinker allowed one to obtain stability in various solvents without affecting the flux and rejection performance of the porous membranes. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure on the physicochemical and emulsifying properties of sweet potato protein

The influence of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment on the physicochemical and emulsifying properties of sweet potato protein (SPP) at various concentrations, e.g. 2%, 4% and 6% (w/v, SPP‐2, SPP‐4 and SPP‐6), was investigated. Significant differences in hydrophobicity, enthalpy of denaturation and solubility were observed (P < 0.05). Emulsifying activity indexes (EAI) of SPP‐2 and SPP‐6 increased at 400 MPa, whereas EAI of all SPP significantly decreased at 600 MPa (P < 0.05). Emulsion stability (ESI) was significantly decreased for SPP‐2 and SPP‐6, while increase in ESI was observed for SPP‐4 above 200 MPa (P < 0.05). SPP‐2 emulsions showed sharp decrease in apparent viscosity with pressure increase, while pseudo plastic flow behaviour was not changed for all of emulsions. Sporamins A and B were well‐adsorbed in pressurised emulsion without displacement. These results suggest that HHP treatment could be used to modify the physicochemical and emulsifying properties of SPP.     

A human-assisted knowledge extraction method for machining operations

This paper deals with a human-assisted knowledge extraction method to extract “if…then…” rules from a small set of machining data. The presented method utilizes both probabilistic reasoning and fuzzy logical reasoning to benefit from the machining data and from the judgment and preference of a machinist. Using the extracted rules, one can determine the values of operational parameters (feed, cutting velocity, etc.) to ensure the desired machining performance (keep surface roughness within the stipulated range (e.g., moderate)). Applying the presented method in a real-life machining knowledge extraction situation and comparing it with the inductive learning based knowledge extraction method (i.e., ID3), the usefulness of the method is demonstrated. As the concept of manufacturing automation is shifting toward “how to support humans by computers”, the presented method provides some valuable hints to the developers of futuristic computer integrated manufacturing systems.     

Modeling and simulation of intracellular dynamics: choosing an appropriate framework

Systems biology is a reemerging paradigm which, among other things, focuses on mathematical modeling and simulation of biochemical reaction networks in intracellular processes. For most simulation tools and publications, they are usually characterized by either preferring stochastic simulation or rate equation models. The use of stochastic simulation is occasionally accompanied with arguments against rate equations. Motivated by these arguments, we discuss in this paper the relationship between these two forms of representation. Toward this end, we provide a novel compact derivation for the stochastic rate constant that forms the basis of the popular Gillespie algorithm. Comparing the mathematical basis of the two popular conceptual frameworks of generalized mass action models and the chemical master equation, we argue that some of the arguments that have been put forward are ignoring subtle differences and similarities that are important for answering the question in which conceptual framework one should investigate intracellular dynamics.     

Asymmetric membrane fiber-based carbon dioxide removal devices for ion chromatography

The application of hollow and filament-filled single asymmetric membrane fibers, consisting of a thin silicone layer on a tubular microporous support, for removing CO(2) in suppressed ion chromatography effluents is described. With appropriate choice of the removal device and operating conditions, the CO(2) can be essentially quantitatively (99+%) removed. For carbonate-based eluents, the use of such devices greatly reduces or eliminates the water dip, permitting better quantitation of poorly retained anions that elute close to the dip, allows practical gradient chromatography, and improves noise levels and attainable detection limits. In hydroxide eluent chromatography, the device largely removes the response from CO(2) present in the samples; this greatly aids atmospheric trace gas analysis by IC. Device dimensions are such that the dispersion introduced by the device is small.