A green approach for modification and functionalization of wool fabric using bio- and nano-technologies

In the present work, we propose a green and sustainable strategy for eco-friendly surface modification of wool structure using biosynthesized kerationlytic proteases, from C4-ITA-EGY, Streptomyces harbinensis S11-ITA-EGY and Streptomyces carpaticus S33-ITA-EGY, followed by subsequent environmentally sound functionalization of the bio-treated substrates using ZnONPs, ZrO₂NPs, ascorbic acid and vanillin, individually, to provide durable antibacterial as well as UV-protection properties. Both surface modification changes and the extent of functionalization of the final products were characterized by SEM, EDX, antibacterial efficacy, UV-blocking ability, loss in weight, nitrogen content and durability to washing analysis. The obtained data reveal that the developed green wool fabrics exhibit outstanding durable antibacterial activity and UV-blocking ability for fabricating multi-functional textile products that can be utilized in a wide range of sustainable protective textiles, irrespective of the used post-finishing formulation ingredients. The results also show that both modification and functionalization processes are governed by the type of enzyme and kind of active material respectively. Moreover, the biosynthesized kerationlytic proteases could be accessibly used to remove protein-based stains like blood and egg.

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The effect of promoters on the CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> reforming activity and coke formation of nanocrystalline Ni/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts prepared by microemulsion method

Mesoporous nanocrystalline nickel-alumina promoted catalysts with high surface area were prepared by microemulsion (ME) method and employed in dry reforming of methane reaction. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis (BET), temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) techniques. The results showed that the prepared catalysts had high porosity with great surface area and small crystallite size. Among the K₂O, MgO, CaO and BaO promoters, the MgO promoter showed considerable effect on catalytic performance and coke suppression of catalyst.     

A new application of giant reed waste material for ammonium removal

Excess nitrogen is one of the main causes of eutrophication in water bodies. In this study, the undesirable agricultural lignocellulosic material giant reed was used to remove ammonium ions from aqueous solutions. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of various parameters such as contact time, initial ammonium concentration, adsorbent dosage, pH, particle size, agitation rate and phosphate coexisting during the ammonium adsorption process. The ammonium sorption capacity of fibrous giant reed (FGR) at equilibrium was 12.49?mg?N/g with a maximum removal efficiency of 76% observed within 30?min at pH range of 6.5–9.5. Results revealed that the Freundlich isotherm model fitted better with the sorption process than the Langmuir model, and the adsorption process was well described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. FT-IR analyses indicated that complexation and ion exchange could be the main mechanisms for the ammonium removal by FGR. Results revealed that FGR has a sorption capacity comparable to that of other natural sorbents with the advantage of greater availability with no cost.     

Sex and acculturation differences in occupational values among Chinese-American children.

A study of sex and acculturation differences in occupational values among a group of Chinese-American children (5th and 6th graders) found that money and task satisfaction were very important values, whereas object orientation and solitude were quite unimportant. The high-acculturation children valued self-realization more than the low-acculturation children. Some sex differences in occupational values were also found among this group of children: boys valued object orientation, self-realization, and ideas–data more than did girls, and girls valued altruism more than did boys. The counseling and research implications of the findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

UNICORE 6 — Recent and Future Advancements

UNICORE is a European Grid Technology with more than 10 years of history. Originating from the Supercomputing domain, the latest version UNICORE 6 has turned into a general-purpose Grid technology that follows established standards and offers a rich set of features to its users. The paper starts with an architectural insight into UNICORE 6, highlighting the workflow features, standards and the different clients. Next, the current state of advancement is presented by describing recent developments. The paper closes with an outlook on future planned developments.     

Mass transfer of viscous gas flow over porous stretching/shrinking sheet in the presence of slip and mass transpiration

The effect of the mass transpiration parameter on the viscous gas flow past a porous stretching/shrinking sheet in the presence of Navier's slip is investigated, and also, the mass transfer characteristics are examined. The physical flow problem executes the Navier–Stokes and the mass equation, which forms the system of nonlinear partial differential equations. These are transformed via similarity variables into a system of ordinary differential equations. The slip flow model of the total mass transfer on the moving sheet is modeled by introducing gas slip velocity. The total mass transfer on the moving sheet is modeled by inducing slip models of first and second order. Further, the suction which induces the slip velocity as opposed to the surface movement is examined. The mass suction-induced slip forces the adjacent gases to flow in the reverse direction to sheet movement. Thus, the solution space expands with the slip-induced suction and sheet movement. In the mass injection case, the induced slip increases the effect of the fluid flow for sheet movement. Upon all previous flow models, the present investigation is significant due as it investigates the mass transfer of viscous gasses flow past a porous medium in the presence of slip and mass transpiration.     

Alternative Approaches to Modeling time Variation in the Case of the U.S. Real Interest Rate

This paper compares three approaches for modeling time variation in the U.S. real interest rate: a three-state Markov switching model as estimated by Garcia and Perron (1994), a random-walk model with two-state Markov switching variance, and a time-varying parameter model with two-state Markov switching variance. The findings are generally supportive of modeling continual change in the mean of the real rate process rather than employing a model that limits variation in the mean to a specified number of states.     

Role of ABCA7 in Human Health and in Alzheimer’s Disease

Several studies, including genome wide association studies (GWAS), have strongly suggested a central role for the ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily A member 7 (ABCA7) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This ABC transporter is now considered as an important genetic determinant for late onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD) by regulating several molecular processes such as cholesterol metabolism and amyloid processing and clearance. In this review we shed light on these new functions and their cross-talk, explaining its implication in brain functioning, and therefore in AD onset and development.     

Impacts of slip and mass transpiration on Newtonian liquid flow over a porous stretching sheet

This article focuses on analytic solutions for Newtonian fluid flow with slip and mass transpiration on a porous stretching sheet using the differential transform method and Pade approximants of an exceptionally nonlinear differential equation. The impacts of different parameters including mass transpiration (suction/injection), Navier's slip, and Darcy number parameters on the velocity of the liquid and tangential stress are discussed. A comprehensive comparison of our results with the previous one in the literature is made, and the results showed good agreement. An investigation is conducted of a combination of magnetic liquids that are conceivably pertinent for wound medicines, skin repair, and astute coatings for natural gadgets. It is found that there is a decrease in the velocity profiles and the boundary layer thickness for the case of suction.