Blockchain for Collaborative Businesses

Mobile Networks and Applications - Blockchain applications have continuously improved ever since its first debut on cryptocurrency. From then on, its uses have branched out from the financial...     

Analyzing the Conditions for the Electrolytic Formation of Ensembles from Metal Nanowires in the Pores of Track Membranes

Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering - The effect of the electrolyte composition, mass-transfer conditions, pore diameter, interpore distance, and electric parameters on the formation of...     

Encephalomyeloradiculopathy associated with Epstein-Barr virus: primary infection or reactivation?

INTRODUCTION: Encephalomyeloradiculopathy (EMR) is a new syndrome, characterized by extensive involvement of the nervous system at different levels, including brain, medulla and spinal roots. We describe a patient presenting with prodromal febrile illness, followed by a wide infection of the nervous system with transverse myelitis and less severe meningitis, encephalitis and polyradiculopathy. The patient was treated with high-dose corticosteroids, antibiotics and acyclovir; in spite of therapy his condition improved very slowly, with severe neurological sequelae. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Antiviral antibodies were searched for in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by commercially available ELISA kits. Viral investigations were performed by cell culture isolation and search for viral antigens, and genomic nucleic acids were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Virological and serological studies evidenced a primary infection by cytomegalovirus (CMV), possibly responsible for the prodromal illness, persisting in the course of the disease. PCR performed in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), DNA collected early and in the CSF drawn 30 days after the onset of the disease showed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA. The serum panel of EBV antibodies was typical of an intercurrent virus reactivation, more than of a primary infection. CONCLUSION: EBV is known to be highly infectious for the nervous system, in this case of EMR the presence of DNA sequences in the PBMCs and CSF suggests that EBV plays a role in the development of this newly described syndrome.     

Magnetic Force Microscopy of Iron and Nickel Nanowires Fabricated by the Matrix Synthesis Technique

Iron and nickel nanowires are grown by the matrix synthesis technique in the pores of the track membrane fabricated based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are used to image the pores on the surface of the specimens and determine the 3d metal nanowires in a polymer bulk. The magnetization curves of the arrays of the nanowires are obtained. Magnetic properties of the nanowires are studied by the magnetic force microscopy (MFM) methods. The influence of the interposition and magnetostatic interaction of the nanowires of the magnetic metals in the polymer membrane, as well as the magnitudes and orientation of the applied external magnetic field, on the obtained MFM images is shown. The simulation results of the MFM images are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Biofiltration of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>S-rich biogas using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans</Emphasis>

Biogas has limited use in energy generation mainly due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). Currently, most of the techniques employed in the removal of H₂S from biogas have a chemical base, with high material costs and generating secondary pollutants. Biological processes for H₂S removal have become effective and economical alternative techniques to traditional gas-treatment systems based on physicochemical techniques. Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the performance of a bench-scale biofilter for the removal of H₂S present in synthetic biogas. In addition, CO₂ and CH₄ concentrations in the outlet biogas were evaluated. The inoculum used in the experiment was composed of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans fixed on a packing of wood chips. Synthetic biogas was supplied to the system with a composition of 60 % CH₄, 39 % CO₂ and 1 % H₂S. The biofilter operated continuously for 37 days with an average H₂S removal efficiency of 75 ± 13 % and maximum of 97 %. The elimination capacity of the system reached an average of 130 ± 23 g m^?3 h^?1 and a maximum of 169 g m³ h^?1. The biofiltration system showed an average reduction of only 6 % in CH₄ concentration from biogas. Thus, besides being efficient in the removal of H₂S, the system was able to maintain the biogas energy value.     

Template Synthesis of Iron Microstructures Based on Track Membranes

Iron nanowires (NWs) were obtained by template synthesis using polymer track membranes in the framework of development of a general method for the synthesis of regular metal nanostructures. The surface topography of NWs was studied by scanning electron microscopy, and the local state of iron atoms was determined by Mössbauer spectrometry.