Combined application of electrolysed water and ultrasound to improve the sanitation of knives in the meat industry

This study investigated the effect of the combination of basic electrolysed water (BEW) and slightly acid electrolysed water (SAEW) with ultrasound (US) for cleaning and sanitation of the knives used in slaughtering processes. The knives were sonicated in a US bath using two modes of operation (normal and sweep) in two steps: (i) 5 min with BEW and (ii) 10 min with SAEW at 35 °C. The microbiological counts and the possible changes in the physical structure of the knives were evaluated. The association BEW + SAEW + US, in the sweep mode, provided lower mesophilic, enterobacterial, Staphylococcus aureus and yeast counts when compared to the values recommended by the international legislation. In addition, these conditions removed all organic residues from the knife blades and promoted the highest migration rate of the residues to the US water bath (12.35 mg/L·min), without modifications in the knife blades. Thus, cleaning and sanitation of knives was feasible with the association of BEW + SAEW + US, which could be a useful alternative for the meat industry.     

Zika Virus Growth in Human Kidney Cells Is Restricted by an Elevated Glucose Level

Mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV) became a real threat to human health due to the lack of vaccine and effective antiviral treatment. The virus has recently been responsible for a global outbreak leading to millions of infected cases. ZIKV complications were highlighted in adults with Guillain–Barré syndrome and in newborns with increasing numbers of congenital disorders ranging from mild developmental delays to fatal conditions. The ability of ZIKV to establish a long-term infection in diverse organs including the kidneys has been recently documented but the consequences of such a viral infection are still debated. Our study aimed to determine whether the efficiency of ZIKV growth in kidney cells relates to glucose concentration. Human kidney HK-2 cells were infected with different ZIKV strains in presence of normal and high glucose concentrations. Virological assays showed a decrease in viral replication without modifying entry steps (viral binding, internalization, fusion) under high glucose conditions. This decrease replication was associated with a lower virus progeny and increased cell viability when compared to ZIKV-infected HK-2 cells in normal glucose concentration. In conclusion, we showed for the first time that an elevated glucose level influences ZIKV replication level with an effect on kidney cell survival.     

Quantitative risk assessment using a Japanese hydrogen refueling station model

Although hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs) are becoming widespread across Japan and are essential for the operation of fuel cell vehicles, they present potential hazards. A large number of accidents such as explosions or fires have been reported, rendering it necessary to conduct a number of qualitative and quantitative risk assessments for HRSs. Current safety codes and technical standards related to Japanese HRSs have been established based on the results of a qualitative risk assessment and quantitative effectiveness validation of safety measures over ten years ago. In the last decade, there has been much development in the technologies of the components or facilities used in domestic HRSs and much operational experience as well as knowledge to use hydrogen in HRSs safely have been gained through years of commercial operation. The purpose of the present study is to conduct a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) of the latest HRS model representing Japanese HRSs with the most current information and to identify the most significant scenarios that pose the greatest risks to the physical surroundings in the HRS model. The results of the QRA show that the risk contours of 10^?3 and 10^?4 per year were confined within the HRS boundaries, whereas the risk contours of 10^?5 and 10^?6 per year are still present outside the HRS. Comparing the breakdown of the individual risks (IRs) at the risk ranking points, we conclude that the risk of jet fire demonstrates the highest contribution to the risks at all of the risk ranking points and outside the station. To reduce these risks and confine the risk contour of 10^?6 per year within the HRS boundaries, it is necessary to consider risk mitigation measures for jet fires.     

Facing Losses of Telemetric Signal in Real Time Forecasting of Water Level using Artificial Neural Networks

Water Resources Management - Real-time forecasting plays a valuable role in the early warning system framework by reducing damage. However, signal loss in telemetric monitoring networks tends to...     

Single-phase and binary phase nanogranular ferrites for magnetic hyperthermia application

The study demonstrates the performance of heating efficiency in single-phase and binary phase spinel ferrite nanosystems. Ferrimagnetic cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) (CFO) and superparamagnetic copper ferrite/copper oxide (CuFe₂O₄/CuO) (CuF) nanosystems of different particle sizes were synthesized through a microwave-assisted coprecipitation method. The heating behavior was observed in range of both field amplitudes (8-24 kA/m at 516 kHz) and frequencies (325-973 kHz at 12 kA/m). The heating efficiency was analyzed and compared by means of particle size, magnetization, effective anisotropy constant, and Néel relaxation mechanism. Indeed, the heating rate was maximized in larger ferrite particles with low effective anisotropy constant. Moreover, though the magnetization and effective anisotropy constant of single-phase CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were higher, the binary phase CuFe₂O₄/CuO nanosystems of similar crystallite size (28 nm) exhibited superior heating efficiency (4.21°C/s). For a field amplitude and frequency of 24 kA/m and 516 kHz, the heating rate of CuF and CFO ferrites with different crystallite sizes decreased in the order of 4.21 > 2.14 > 0.58 > 0.52°C/s for 29 nm > 25 nm > 12 nm > 15 nm, respectively. The results emphasize that binary phase ferrite nanoparticles are better thermoseeds than the single-phase ferrites for the magnetic hyperthermia application.     

The use of recycled low-density polyethylene films from protective prepreg for the development of nanocomposites with bentonite clay

Prepreg is a pre-impregnated composite fiber where a thermoset polymer matrix material is present. Before being used, these materials are kept at low temperatures and have a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film for your protection. The increase in the use of structural composites based on prepregs causes an increase in the amount of protective LDPE film. This material is usually discarded or incinerated and can cause great damage to the environment. Thus, the present work aimed to study the feasibility of recycling up to 100% of protective LDPE (rLDPE) to develop blends-based nanocomposites with rLDPE/virgin LDPE (60/40, 70/30, 80/20, 90/10 and 100/0) with the addition of 5 wt% of compatibilizer agent (maleic anhydride grafted LDPE, LDPE-g-MA), and 1 wt% of bentonite (BNT) using a co-rotational twin-screw extruder, followed by hot pressing in a hydropneumatic press and die-cutting. Water absorption test, thermal aging resistance, morphological characterization by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical properties by Izod impact strength and tensile tests, and differential scanning calorimetry were performed. By the results, it was possible to verify the viability of 100% of the recycling of rLDPE. The results showed a good distribution of 1 wt% of BNT in the matrix, better mechanical properties when compared with virgin LDPE. Furthermore, the thermal properties, water absorption test, and thermal aging resistance showed no statistical differences between the samples. These results confirm the effectiveness and the environmental gain in the use of the recycled material.     

Cyclooxygenase Inhibition Alters Proliferative,Migratory, and Invasive Properties of Human Glioblastoma Cells In Vitro

Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) is known to increase glioblastoma (GBM) cell proliferation and migration while cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition decreases proliferation and migration. The present study investigated the effects of COX inhibitors and PGE₂ receptor antagonists on GBM cell biology. Cells were grown with inhibitors and dose response, viable cell counting, flow cytometry, cell migration, gene expression, Western blotting, and gelatin zymography studies were performed. The stimulatory effects of PGE₂ and the inhibitory effects of ibuprofen (IBP) were confirmed in GBM cells. The EP2 and EP4 receptors were identified as important mediators of the actions of PGE₂ in GBM cells. The concomitant inhibition of EP2 and EP4 caused a significant decrease in cell migration which was not reverted by exogenous PGE₂. In T98G cells exogenous PGE₂ increased latent MMP2 gelatinolytic activity. The inhibition of COX1 or COX2 caused significant alterations in MMP2 expression and gelatinolytic activity in GBM cells. These findings provide further evidence for the importance of PGE₂ signalling through the EP2 and the EP4 receptor in the control of GBM cell biology. They also support the hypothesis that a relationship exists between COX1 and MMP2 in GBM cells which merits further investigation as a novel therapeutic target for drug development.     

Design,Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Lysine Demethylase 5 C Degraders

Lysine demethylase 5 C (KDM5C) controls epigenetic gene expression and is attracting great interest in the field of chemical epigenetics. KDM5C has emerged as a therapeutic target for anti-prostate cancer agents, and recently we identified triazole 1 as an inhibitor of KDM5C. Compound 1 exhibited highly potent KDM5C-inhibitory activity in in vitro enzyme assays, but did not show strong anticancer effects. Therefore, a different approach is needed for the development of anticancer agents targeting KDM5C. Here, we attempted to identify KDM5C degraders by focusing on a protein-knockdown strategy. Compound 3 b , which was designed based on compound 1 , degraded KDM5C and inhibited the growth of prostate cancer PC-3 cells more strongly than compound 1 . These findings suggest that KDM5C degraders are more effective as anticancer agents than compounds that only inhibit the catalytic activity of KDM5C.     

Repeatable change in electrical resistance of Si surface by mechanical and electrical nanoprocessing

The properties of mechanically and electrically processed silicon surfaces were evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Silicon specimens were processed using an electrically conductive diamond tip with and without vibration. After the electrical processing, protuberances were generated and the electric current through the silicon surface decreased because of local anodic oxidation. Grooves were formed by mechanical processing without vibration, and the electric current increased. In contrast, mechanical processing with vibration caused the surface to protuberate and the electrical resistance increased similar to that observed for electrical processing. With sequential processing, the local oxide layer formed by electrical processing can be removed by mechanical processing using the same tip without vibration. Although the electrical resistance is decreased by the mechanical processing without vibration, additional electrical processing on the mechanically processed area further increases the electrical resistance of the surface.