Crystal violet dye sorption and transport in/through biobased PVA cryogel membranes

Cryogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) [PVA] and three types of bioinsertions such as scleroglucan, cellulose microfibers, and zein, respectively, have been prepared using capacity of PVA to crosslink by repeated freezing–thawing cycles. The effect of the incorporation of biopolymers on the properties of PVA cryogel has been studied by using several techniques such as: scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared studies. The obtained biobased cryogel membranes were subjected to sorption and to diffusion experiments using Crystal Violet (CV), a dye commonly used in the textile industry and in medicine. Image analysis with CIELAB system was used both to monitor the cryogels loading with CV and to gain insight in the dye state into the gel, in correlation with the bioinsertion type and gels morphology. Dye diffusion but also sorption capacity of the cryogels was found to be closely related to the type of biopolymer. In this article the equilibrium (sorption isotherms) and transport properties (diffusion and permeability coefficients) of CV, in/through physical cross‐linked PVA hydrogel membranes with bioinsertions has been reported. The highest efficiency for the CV removal from aqueous solutions was obtained for the PVA/Scl cryogels. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41838.     

Dual detection biosensor based on porous silicon substrate

Due to the high surface-to-volume ratio (hundreds of m²/cm³) porous silicon became during the last years a good candidate material as substrate for biosensor application. Moreover, the versatility of surface chemistry allows different functionalization approaches and large number of molecules to be captured on well-defined areas. This paper reports a dual detection method for protein recognition processes developed on different nanostructured porous silicon (PS) substrates, based on using two complementary spectroscopic techniques: fluorescence and electrochemical impedance. The structures were tested for biomolecular recognition – biotin–strepavidin couples – in order to achieve an optimum surface for protein's immobilizations. Comparative analyses of the attachment degree and preservation of the biomolecules activity on the porous silicon surfaces and silicon slides are also described.     

Automated maintenance of service compositions with SLA violation detection and dynamic binding

Web service compositions need to adapt to changes in their constituent web services, in order to maintain functionality and performance. Therefore, service compositions must be able to detect web service failure and performance degradation resulting in the violation of service-level agreements. Automated diagnosis and repair are equally important. However, existing standards and languages for service compositions, such as BPEL, lack constructs for web service monitoring and runtime adaptability, which are pre-requisites for diagnosis and repair. We present a solution for transparent runtime monitoring, as well as automated performance degradation detection, diagnosis, and repair for service compositions expressed as BPEL processes. Our solution uses lightweight monitoring techniques, supports customizable diagnosis and repair strategies, and is compatible with any standards-compliant BPEL engine.     

Electrodeposition of bismuth, tellurium, and bismuth telluride thin films from choline chloride–oxalic acid ionic liquid

This article presents a series of preliminary results regarding the electrodeposition of bismuth, tellurium, and bismuth telluride films at 60 °C from ionic liquids, containing a mixture of choline chloride and oxalic acid (ChCl–OxA). Ten millimolar concentration solutions of BiCl₃ and TeO₂ were used as precursors in this supporting electrolyte. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques were used to demonstrate the deposition processes on Pt and Cu electrodes. Long-time electrolyses (30–120 min) performed at 60 °C with potential control (between ?0.22 and ?0.37 V vs. Ag reference electrode) have resulted in films deposited on copper substrate. Film surfaces were studied by scanning electron microscopy and analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results of this study show that ChCl–OxA ionic liquid may be considered as a promising substitute of aqueous baths for Bi, Te or Bi₂Te₃ film plating.     

l-Lactic acid biosensor based on multi-layered graphene

Pristine graphene platelets and graphene oxide were used as electrode modifiers, aiming the investigation of their electrochemical efficacy towards β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The electrochemical detection of NADH is one of the most studied areas of bioelectroanalysis because of the ubiquity of NAD(P)H-based enzymatic reactions in nature. Commercially available graphene and laboratory prepared graphene oxide were used to modify glassy carbon electrodes and the behaviour of such modified electrodes against potassium ferricyanide (III) and NADH was reported. Relying on the graphene-modified transducer, l-lactic dehydrogenase (l-LDH) was successfully immobilised in a 1 % Nafion^® membrane. The developed biosensor, working at +250 mV versus Ag/AgCl reference electrode, was used to assess l-lactic acid in four different types of yogurts, revealing an l-lactic acid concentration ranging between 0.3 and 0.6 %.     

Heavy Metal Removal and Neutralization of Acid Mine Waste Water ‐ Kinetic Study

The influence of the apatite on the efficiency of neutralization and on heavy metal removal of acid mine waste water has been studied. The analysis of the treated waste water samples with apatite has shown an advanced purification, the concentration of the heavy metals after the treatment of the waste water with apatite being 25 to 1000 times less than the Maximum Concentration Limits admitted by European Norms (NTPA 001/2005). In order to establish the macro‐kinetic mechanism in the neutralization process, the activation energy, Ea, and the kinetic parameters, rate coefficient of reaction, k_r, and k_t were determined from the experimental results obtained in “ceramic ball‐mill” reactor. The obtained values of the activation energy Ea >> 42 kJ mol^?1 (e.g. Ea = 115.50 ± 7.50 kJ mol^?1 for a conversion of sulphuric acid η_H2SO4 = 0.05, Ea = 60.90 ± 9.50 kJ mol^?1 for η ^H2SO4 = 0.10 and Ea = 55.75 ± 10.45 kJ mol^‐1 for η ^H2SO4 = 0.15) suggest that up to a conversion of H2SO4 equal 0.15 the global process is controlled by the transformation process, adsorption followed by reaction, which means surface‐controlled reactions. At a conversion of sulphuric acid η ^H2SO4 > 0.15, the obtained values of activation energy Ea < 42 kJ mol^‐1 (e.g. Ea = 37.55 ± 4.05 kJ mol^‐1 for η ^H2SO4 = 0.2, Ea = 37.54 ± 2.54 kJ mol^‐1 for η ^H2SO4 = 0.3 and Ea = 37.44 ± 2.90 kJ mol^‐1 for η ^H2SO4 = 0.4) indicate diffusion‐controlled processes. This means a combined process model, which involves the transfer in the liquid phase followed by the chemical reaction at the surface of the solid. Kinetic parameters as rate coefficient of reaction, kr with values ranging from (5.02 ± 1.62) 10‐4 to (8.00 ± 1.55) 10‐4 (s^‐1) and transfer coefficient, kt, ranging from (8.40 ± 0.50) 10‐5 to (10.42 ± 0.65) 10‐5 (m s^‐1) were determined.     

Structure Formation of Integral Asymmetric Composite Membranes of Polystyrene‐block‐Poly(2‐vinylpyridine) on a Nonwoven

The formation of an integral asymmetric membrane composed of a cylinder‐forming polystyrene‐block‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) on a nonwoven by using solvent casting followed by solvent/nonsolvent exchange (phase inversion) is reported for the first time. The influence of parameters such as solvent composition, evaporation time of the solution‐cast block copolymer film before phase inversion, and immersion bath temperature is demonstrated. The optimized membranes are characterized in terms of stimuli‐responsive water flux properties. The morphologies of the membranes as well as of the bulk of the block copolymer are imaged by scanning force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.

     

Highly photoemissive polymer–transition metal complexes based on poly(2‐hydroxyethyl) methacrylate

The paper presents several new polymer complexes based on poly(2‐hydroxyethyl) methacrylate (P‐HEMA) and transition metals including Y³⁺, Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺ and Dy³⁺. Red‐, green‐, blue‐ and yellow‐emitting polymer complexes with remarkable photoluminescent (PL) properties, high degree of transparency and excellent processability both in bulk and in thin film were prepared and investigated. In the case of the prepared P‐HEMA–Eu³⁺ and P‐HEMA–Tb³⁺ polymer complexes, divinylbenzene was used as a crosslinker resulting a markedly enhanced PL emission, most probably due to the presence of the benzene rings which improve the efficiency of the energy transfer to the cation emissive centres. The prepared polymer complexes were structurally investigated through Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopies while atomic force microscopy was used to study the morphology of the prepared thin films. Steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy and absolute PL quantum yield were used for the investigation of the luminescent properties. The impressive PL emission and the convenience of preparation in bulk or thin films could be important arguments for a wide area of applications ranging from photonic conversion materials in optoelectronic devices (light‐emitting diodes, flat‐panel displays) to full‐colour watermarks on special‐purpose papers or PL inks and coatings. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Neuroimages as evidence in a mens rea defense: No impact.

Recent developments in the neuropsychology of criminal behavior have given rise to concerns that neuroimaging evidence (such as MRI and functional MRI [fMRI] images) could unduly influence jurors. Across four experiments, a nationally representative sample of 1,476 jury-eligible participants evaluated written summaries of criminal cases in which expert testimony was presented in support of a mental disorder as exculpatory. The evidence varied in the extent to which it presented neuroscientific explanations and neuroimages in support of the expert's conclusion. Despite suggestive findings from previous research, we found no evidence that neuroimagery affected jurors' judgments (verdicts, sentence recommendations, judgments of the defendant's culpability) over and above verbal neuroscience-based testimony. A meta-analysis of our four experiments confirmed these findings. In addition, we found that neuroscientific evidence was more effective than clinical psychological evidence in persuading jurors that the defendant's disorder reduced his capacity to control his actions, although this effect did not translate into differences in verdicts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)