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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Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella by Combinations of Oriental Mustard,Malic Acid,and EDTA

The antimicrobial activities of oriental mustard extract alone or combined with malic acid and EDTA were investigated against Salmonella spp. or Listeria monocytogenes at different temperatures. Five strain Salmonella or L. monocytogenes cocktails were separately inoculated in Brain Heart Infusion broth containing 0.5% (w/v) aqueous oriental mustard extract and incubated at 4 °C to 21 °C for 21 d. For inhibitor combination tests, Salmonella Typhimurium 02:8423 and L. monocytogenes 2–243 were individually inoculated in Mueller Hinton broth containing the mustard extract with either or both 0.2% (w/v) malic acid and 0.2% (w/v) EDTA and incubated at 10 °C or 21 °C for 10 to 14 d. Mustard extract inhibited growth of the L. monocytogenes cocktail at 4 °C up to 21 d (2.3 log₁₀ CFU/mL inhibition) or at 10 °C for 7 d (2.4 log₁₀ CFU/mL inhibition). Salmonella spp. viability was slightly, but significantly reduced by mustard extract at 4 °C by 21 d. Although hydrolysis of sinigrin in mustard extract by both pathogens was 2 to 6 times higher at 21 °C than at 4 °C to 10 °C, mustard was not inhibitory at 21 °C, perhaps because of the instability of its hydrolysis product (allyl isothiocyanate). At 21 °C, additive inhibitory effects of mustard extract with EDTA or malic acid led to undetectable levels of S. Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes by 7 d and 10 d, respectively. At 10 °C, S. Typhimurium was similarly susceptible, but combinations of antimicrobials were not more inhibitory to L. monocytogenes than the individual agents.     

Biosorption of thorium from aqueous solution by Ca-pretreated brown algae Cystoseira indica

The potential use of a biosorbent, Cystoseira indica, obtained from the Persian Gulf was investigated for the removal of Th (IV) ions from aqueous solutions by considering equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic aspects. The FT-IR spectra of unloaded and Th-loaded biomass indicated various functionalities on the biomass surface including hydroxyl, amide and carboxyl groups, which are responsible for the binding of thorium ions. Th (IV) uptake by C. indica was pH dependent. An increase in biosorbent dosage up to 1 g/L caused an increase in the Th (IV) percentage removal. Biosorption process at all studied initial Th (IV) ion concentrations follows the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The biosorption data could be well described by Redlich-Peterson isotherm in comparison to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The maximum sorption capacity of Th (IV) by Langmuir isotherm was estimated to be 169.49 mg/g at 45 °C with pH of 3. The thermodynamic parameters indicated the biosorption of Th on the biomass was a feasible, spontaneous and endothermic process. Th sorption capacity remained unaffected or slightly affected (<10% inhibition) in the presence of several interfering ions such as uranium (VI), nickel (II) and copper (II). The reusability of the biomass was also determined after five sorption-desorption cycles.     

Spectral Fourier–Galerkin benchmark solution for natural convection in an inclined saturated porous medium

This paper presents some novel problems associated with the steady natural convection flow in an inclined square cavity filled with a saturated porous medium. The proposed method is a high-accurate spectral method based on the Fourier–Galerkin technique. The numerical results have demonstrated the advantage for the following reasons. (a) The high-accurate method deals with inclined geometries successfully. (b) The streamlines, isotherms, and the average Nusselt numbers are affected significantly by the inclination of the cavity for high values of Rayleigh number. (c) In contrast with the finite element method a highly accurate and efficient solution with less computational effort is obtained.     

A new mathematical model for integrating all incidence matrices in multi-dimensional cellular manufacturing system

In the past several years, many studies have been carried out on cellular manufacturing based on a two-dimensional machine–part incidence matrix. Since workers have important role in doing jobs on machines, assignment of workers to cells becomes a crucial factor for fully utilization of cellular manufacturing systems. In this paper, an attempt is made to solve cell formation problem and minimize the number of voids and exceptional elements in a three dimensional (cubic) machine–part–worker incidence matrix. The proposed mathematical model captures the capability of workers in doing different jobs. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model, the solution of some test problems is compared with the literature method.     

Polybutadiene/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanohybrid: investigation of various reactants in polyesterification reaction

Nano‐sized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) diol or ethylene glycol (EG) as diol monomer was incorporated into hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPBD) chain in the presence of fumaryl or thionyl chloride as extenders. Using these polyesterification reactions, two fumarate‐based polyesters and two polyester sulfites were synthesized. Each couple of polyesters and polyester sulfites includes a linear (diol:EG) and a nanohybrid macromer (diol:POSS). Full structural characterization was performed using Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Gel permeation chromatography was undertaken to study polyesterification mechanisms by deconvolution of the obtained traces. Finally, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and cell culture were performed to evaluate the structure–property relationship for the synthesized macromers in comparison with unreacted HTPBD. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Application of LS-SVM strategy to estimate H2S loading capacity in different ionic liquids and alkanolamines

Favorable properties of aqueous solutions are improved with the addition of different materials for separation of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). Also, equilibrium data and available equations for solubility estimation of this gas are only valid for specific solutions and limited ranges of temperature and pressure. In this regard, a machine learning model based on Support vector machine (SVM) algorithm is proposed and developed with mixtures containing different amines and ionic liquids to predict H₂S solubility over wide ranges of temperature (298–434.5 K), pressure (13–9319 kPa), overall mass concentration (3.82–100%) and mixture's apparent molecular weight (18.39–556.17 g/mol). The accuracy of the performance of this network was evaluated by regression analysis on calculated and experimental data, which had not been used in network training.     

Development of an experimentally validated semi-empirical fully-coupled performance model of a PEM electrolysis cell with a 3-D structured porous transport layer

A semi-empirical non-isothermal model incorporating coupled momentum, heat and mass transport phenomena for predicting the performance of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis cell operating without flow channels is presented. Model input parameters such as electro-kinetics properties and mean pore size of the porous transport layer (PTL) were determined by rotating disc electrode and capillary flow porometry, respectively. This is the first report of a semi-empirical fully coupled model which allows one to quantify and investigate the effect of the gas phase and bubble coverage on PEM cell performance up to very high current densities of about 5 A/cm². The mass transport effects are discussed in terms of the operating conditions, design parameters and the microstructure of the PTL. The results show that, the operating temperature and pressure, and the inlet water flowrate and thickness of the PTL are the critical parameters for mitigating mass transport limitation at high current densities. The model presented here can serve as a tool for further development and scale-up effort in the area of PEM water electrolysis, and provide insight during the design stage.     

The impact of gate misalignment on the analog performance of a dual-material double gate junctionless transistor

The analog performance of gate misaligned dual material double gate junctionless transistor is demonstrated for the first time. The cases considered are where misalignment occurs towards source side and towards drain side. The analog performance parameters analyzed are: transconductance, output conductance, intrinsic gain and cut-off frequency. These figures of merits (FOMs) are compared with a dual material double gate inversion mode transistor under same gate misalignment condition. The impacts of different length of control gate (L₁) for a given gate length (L) are also studied and the optimum lengths L₁ under misalignment condition to have better analog FOMs and high tolerance to misalignment are presented.