Hydrogenases, accessory genes and the regulation of [NiFe] hydrogenase biosynthesis in Thiocapsa roseopersicina

The purple (Sulphur) phototrophic bacterium, Thiocapsa roseopersicina BBS contains several [NiFe] hydrogenases, of which two are membrane bound. Mutant T. roseopersicina cells, carrying deletions in both gene clusters showed hydrogenase activity. This activity was located in the cytoplasm. The structural gene cluster hoxEFUYH was identified and sequenced. In addition, genes homologous to hupUV/hoxBC, the hydrogen sensing hydrogenase have been identified and sequenced.Regulation of hydrogenase biosynthesis was studied in detail for HydSL (renamed HynSL). A random mutagenesis system was optimised for T. roseopersicina. One of the mutations was in a gene similar to that coding for the HypF proteins in other organisms. Inactivation of the hypF gene resulted in a 60-fold increase in hydrogen evolution under nitrogen fixing conditions. In addition to hypF, the following accessory genes were identified: hydD, hupK, hypC1, hypC2, hypDE. Characterisation of the corresponding gene products and search for additional accessory genes are in progress.     

Colour and COD removal from textile effluent by coagulation and advanced oxidation processes

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of coagulation, Fenton's oxidation (Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) and ozonation for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and colour from biologically pretreated textile wastewater. FeSO₄ and FeCl₃ were used as coagulants at varying doses and varying colour removal efficiency was measured. For the Fenton process, COD and colour removal efficiencies were found to be 78% and 95% for the Fenton process, and to be 64% and 71% for the Fenton-like process (Fe³⁺/H₂O₂), respectively. Ozonation experiments were conducted at different initial pH values and fixed ozone doses. Ozonation resulted in 43% COD and 97% colour removal whereas these rates increased to 54% and 99% when 5 mg/l hydrogen peroxide was added to the wastewater before ozonation at the same dose. The operating costs of all proposed treatment systems were also evaluated in this study.     

On Padé approximations, quadratic stability and discretization of switched linear systems

In this note we consider the stability preserving properties of diagonal Padé approximations to the matrix exponential. We show that while diagonal Padé approximations preserve quadratic stability when going from continuous-time to discrete-time, the converse is not true. We discuss the implications of this result for discretizing switched linear systems. We also show that for continuous-time switched systems which are exponentially stable, but not quadratically stable, a Padé approximation may not preserve stability.     

Gastroprotective effects of herbal medicines (roots)

Herbal medicines are now commonly used all over the world and this has increased global demand. Quality, safety, and efficacy of these drugs have become a serious concern. This review presents the medicinal plants cited in folklore that are used to treat gastrointestinal ulcers. Electronic databases, that is, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched to identify the gastroprotective effects of each plant. Ethnopharmacological studies have reported various botanical products with antiulcer activities, but there has been limited scientific research, presenting clinical data to validate the efficacy and safety of medicinal herbs as gastroprotective agents. Most studies centered on pharmacological properties of medicinal herbs as used animals models. This information has prompted us to compile a list of the medicinal herbs cited in folklore with gastroprotective activity.     

Efficient manganese decorated cobalt based catalysts for hydrogenation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) biofuel

2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) is a promising compound in the production of biofuel with high-quality properties. In this study, it is aimed to develop new efficient catalysts to synthesize DMF from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Co, Mn/Co, and Ru/Co catalysts were prepared using the NaBH₄ reduction method. The catalysts were subjected to activity tests for the hydrogenation of HMF to DMF by changing the reaction parameters, such as temperature and time. Mn/Co catalysts prepared from metal precursors at various molar ratios of Mn/Co were found to be effective in hydrogenation reactions of HMF to DMF. A 91.8% DMF yield was achieved in the presence of a Mn/Co (50/50) catalyst without noble metal at 180°C for 4 hours. The Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) method, x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and induction coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) techniques were used to characterize the efficient Mn/Co catalyst.     

Biodiesel Feedstock from Emulsions Produced by Aqueous Processing of Yellow Mustard

The multi-stage treatment of stable oil-in-water emulsions produced during non-enzymatic aqueous processing of dehulled yellow mustard flour with cyclic ethers [tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 1,4-dioxane] was investigated to produce a single-phase oil-solvent-water miscella suitable for biodiesel production. While the single-stage treatment of yellow mustard emulsion recovered 97 % and 95 % of the oil by using 4:1 THF:oil and 9:1 dioxane:oil weight ratios, respectively, miscella phases containing more than 7 % water formed, which made them unsuitable as biodiesel feedstock. Multi-stage treatments of the emulsion using lower THF:oil and dioxane:oil weight ratios were further developed to produce oil-solvent-water miscella phases with low water content. While three-stage extraction of emulsions using 0.5:1, 1:1, 1.5:1, and 2:1 dioxane:oil weight ratios did not destabilize the emulsion, three-stage extraction using 0.5:1 and 0.75:1 THF:oil weight ratios effectively recovered over 97 % of the oil, resulting in the production of oil-rich miscella phases containing only 1 % and 1.5 % water, respectively. These miscella phases were analyzed for free fatty acid and phosphorus contents and proved to be excellent feedstocks for the preparation of high-purity methyl esters through single-phase base-catalyzed transmethylation.     

A sight on the current nanoparticle-based gene delivery vectors

Nowadays, gene delivery for therapeutic objects is considered one of the most promising strategies to cure both the genetic and acquired diseases of human. The design of efficient gene delivery vectors possessing the high transfection efficiencies and low cytotoxicity is considered the major challenge for delivering a target gene to specific tissues or cells. On this base, the investigations on non-viral gene vectors with the ability to overcome physiological barriers are increasing. Among the non-viral vectors, nanoparticles showed remarkable properties regarding gene delivery such as the ability to target the specific tissue or cells, protect target gene against nuclease degradation, improve DNA stability, and increase the transformation efficiency or safety. This review attempts to represent a current nanoparticle based on its lipid, polymer, hybrid, and inorganic properties. Among them, hybrids, as efficient vectors, are utilized in gene delivery in terms of materials (synthetic or natural), design, and in vitro/in vivo transformation efficiency.     

Gold‐supported activated NiZn coatings: hydrogen evolution and corrosion studies

Gold‐supported Raney‐type NiZn coatings were prepared on a thin Ni film‐modified copper substrate (Cu/Ni/NiZn‐Au). The hydrogen evolution activity, time stability and corrosion behaviour of the electrode was investigated in 1 M KOH solution by electrochemical, microscopic and spectroscopic technique. It was found that Au‐modified activated coatings exhibits good hydrogen evolution activity, electrochemical and physical stability as well as corrosion resistance. The enhanced hydrogen evolution activity of the Au‐modified electrode was related to the larger available surface area and/or a possible synergistic effect between the metals. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhancement of hydrogen evolution at cobalt-zinc deposited graphite electrode in alkaline solution

Thin Co layers were electrochemically deposited on a graphite electrode at different deposition current densities and thicknesses. After determining the best deposition conditions for hydrogen evolution (deposition current density and thickness), co-deposits of Co with Zn were prepared on the graphite electrode. The binary coatings prepared on the graphite electrode (CoZn) were etched in a concentrated alkaline solution (30% NaOH) to produce a porous and electrocatalytic surface suitable for use in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). After the leaching process, a low amount of Pt was deposited onto the etched CoZn deposit in order to further improve the catalytic activity of the electrode for the HER. The HER activity is assessed by recording cathodic current-potential curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and electrolysis techniques. Chemical composition of layers after alkaline leaching was determined by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The surface morphologies of coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that, the HER activity of coatings depends on the metal ratio of Co and Zn, deposition current density and the thickness of coatings. The alkaline leached CoZn coating has a compact and porous structure as well as good electrocatalytic activity for the HER in alkaline media. Moreover, deposition of a low amount of Pt over the CoZn can further enhance its hydrogen evolution activity.     

The stability of hydrogen evolution activity and corrosion behavior of NiCu coatings with long-term electrolysis in alkaline solution

In this study, NiCu composite coating was electrochemically deposited on a copper electrode (Cu/NiCu) and tested for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 1 M KOH solution for long-term electrolysis with the help of cathodic current–potential curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The bulk and surface composition of the coating was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of electrolysis on the corrosion behavior of the Cu/NiCu electrode was also reported. It was found that the NiCu coating had a compact and porous structure with good time stability. The HER activity of the coating was stable over 120 h electrolysis and the HER mechanism was not modified during the operation. The corrosion tests showed that the corrosion resistance of the Cu/NiCu electrode changed when a cathodic current was applied to the electrolysis system.