Polymorphism in Gd2Ge2O7 ceramics: Structural,vibrational, and optical features

In this work, Gd₂Ge₂O₇ polymorphs were obtained by solid-state reactions at 1100–1300 °C. Structural and vibrational features were investigated by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. For the triclinic (space group P1) polymorph, all the predicted phonons were discerned in perfect agreement with the group theory calculations, while for the tetragonal polymorph (space group P4₁2₁2), 53 bands of the 81 predicted modes could be identified and characterized. The Gd³⁺ 4f-4f electronic transitions were investigated by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the range 200–340 nm. By applying the Kubelka-Munk function, it was possible to determine the bandgap values for all ceramics studied. The tetragonal polymorph exhibited higher bandgap values (5.88 eV) than the triclinic one (5.59 eV), which are both more energetic than other pyrochlore polymorphs reported in the literature. The results indicate that the presence of polymorphism in Gd₂Ge₂O₇ ceramics can be used to produce tailor-made materials since their crystal structures have a strong influence on their optical properties. Consequently, these properties could be used to tuning the optical properties of Gd-containing materials to sensitize and transfer energy to other luminescent lanthanide ions, aiming for innovative applications.     

高效灵活的长材直轧WINLINK技术

阐述了长材轧制中WinLink技术的概念,比较了其在投资成本、运营成本和环境方面的优势,并详细介绍了其在连铸机、感应加热炉、轧机、精轧设备、淬火及回火过程、电气及自动化方面的应用。WinLink瞄准基于产品成本的市场,通过紧凑的产线结构,利用先进的高科技技术方案,将资金和运营成本大幅度地降低,同时也显著地减少能源消耗和CO_2排放,兼具产能高效性、利润最优性和环境友好性等特点。WinLink工艺作为优异的解决方案,有望取代现有生产线,进入迅速发展的市场领域。     

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.     

Kinetics of Soybean Oil Hydrolysis on Niobium Catalysts

The catalytic hydrolysis of soybean oil was used as an alternative for the production of monoglycerides (MG) and diglycerides (DG). The reactions were conducted in a stainless-steel tubular reactor in the temperature range of 240–290 °C, on niobium phosphate (NBP) and niobium oxide (NBO) as catalysts. In the hydrolysis reactions at 270 °C, the maximum selectivities of the products of interest were obtained at 22 % MG and 48 % DG for the reaction with NBP, and 7 % MG and 33 % DG with NBO, for 59 % and 36 % of triglyceride conversion in 10 min, respectively. The proposed kinetic model presented a good fit of the theoretical model with the experimental data, showing that the previous hypotheses considered for the mechanism development are suitable for describing the kinetics of soybean oil hydrolysis.     

Grape stalk fibers as reinforcing filler for polymer composites with a polystyrene matrix

Lignocellulosic fibers have been one of the most used reinforcements for different types of composites. In this context, grape stalks—often discarded in landfills—can be a potential reinforcement for composites. The present study aimed to incorporate in natura and alkali treated grape stalks into the polystyrene (PS) matrix. Initially, the grape stalks were treated with NaOH and 10, 20, and 30 wt % of stalks were added into the PS matrix. The alkaline treatment of the grape stalk fibers promoted the removal of hemicellulose and the partial removal of lignin, thus increasing the surface roughness and crystallinity index of the fibers. An improvement in the mechanical and dynamic-mechanical properties and an increase in the maximum degradation temperature of the composites were observed. In conclusion, the use of grape stalks is a promising alternative for reinforcing composites, and, in addition, a more proper destination can be given to this type of residue. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47427.     

High-intensity ultrasound processed acerola juice containing oligosaccharides and dextran promotes Lacticaseibacillus casei NRRL B-442 growth

In the present study, a prebiotic acerola juice containing gluco-oligosaccharides and dextran was produced and processed by high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS). After a simulated in vitro digestion, the gluco-oligosaccharides and dextran maintained 90% and 80% of their initial concentration in all prebiotic’s juices. At the same time, Vitamin C and phenolic compounds concentration increased significantly by 19% and 7% (P < 0.05). After the in vitro digestion, the prebiotic juice HIUS processed by 10 min showed the highest increase in gluco-oligosaccharides and bioactive compound concentrations. The HIUS processing imparted some dextran hydrolysis and improved its fermentability by Lacticaseibacillus casei. Gluco-oligosaccharides were extensively consumed as substrate in simulated intestinal conditions, promoting the L. casei NRRL B-442 growth and production of organic acids and short-chain organic acids. The prebiotic juice HIUS processed for 6 min showed the best responses regarding the metabolism of L. casei NRRL B-442. The results showed high-intensity ultrasound processed acerola juices containing gluco-oligosaccharides and dextran as a prebiotic food.     

Knowledge Acquisition and Design Using Semantics and Perception: A Case Study for Autonomous Robots

Neural Processing Letters - The pervasive use of artificial intelligence and neural networks in several different research fields has noticeably improved multiple aspects of human life. The...     

意大利高层建筑应急处理的新观点

为了促进高层办公建筑安全的发展，介绍了建筑物的结构和结构特点及应急处理所采取的措施。Pirellil摩天大楼事故提醒我们，需要考虑大厦的整体安全，尤其是应对恐怖分子袭击的防御系统。     

Multidrug Idebenone/Naproxen Co-loaded Aspasomes for Significant in vivo Anti-inflammatory Activity

The use of proper nanocarriers for dermal and transdermal delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs recently gained several attentions in the scientific community because they pass intact and accumulate payloads in the deepest layers of skin tissue. Ascorbyl palmitate-based vesicles (aspasomes) can be considered a promising nanocarrier for dermal and transdermal delivery due to their skin whitening properties and suitable delivery of payloads through the skin. The aim of this study was the synthesis of multidrug Idebenone/naproxen co-loaded aspasomes for the development of an effective anti-inflammatory nanomedicine. Aspasomes had suitable physicochemical properties and were safe in vivo if topically applied on human healthy volunteers. Idebenone/naproxen co-loaded aspasomes demonstrated an increased therapeutic efficacy of payloads compared to the commercially available Naprosyn® gel, with a rapid decrease of chemical-induced erythema on human volunteers. These promising results strongly suggested a potential application of Idebenone/naproxen multidrug aspasomes for the development of an effective skin anti-inflammatory therapy.