Influence of biodegradable materials in the recycled polystyrene

Polystyrene (PS) is one of the commonly used polymer in food packaging, that is why it generates a large amount of residual PS: because of the need of reduce environmental damage that occurs, it is common to recycle this polymer. Recycling of PS may be affected by the introduction of biodegradable polymer in industrial food. For this reason we have studied the influence that generates small amounts of biodegradable polymer (PLA, PHB, and TPS) in the recycled PS properties. The recycled PS and biodegradable polymers blends were evaluated by measuring the Vicat softening temperature, melt flow index, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, and mechanical properties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41161.     

The mechanical properties of a nanocrystalline Al2O3/a-Al2O3 composite coating measured by nanoindentation and Brillouin spectroscopy

In this work, ellipsometry, Brillouin spectroscopy and nanoindentation are combined to assess the mechanical properties of a nanocrystalline Al₂O₃/a-Al₂O₃ composite coating with high accuracy and precision. The nanocomposite is grown by pulsed laser deposition at either room temperature or 600 °C. The adhesive strength is evaluated by nanoscratch tests. In the room temperature process the coating attains an unusual combination of compactness, strong interfacial bonding, moderate stiffness (E = 195 ± 9 GPa and ν = 0.29 ± 0.02) and significant hardness (H = 10 ± 1 GPa), resulting in superior plastic behavior and a relatively high ratio of hardness to elastic modulus (H/E = 0.049). These features are correlated to the nanostructure of the coating, which comprises a regular dispersion of ultrafine crystalline Al₂O₃ nanodomains (2–5 nm) in a dense and amorphous alumina matrix, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. For the coating grown at 600 °C, strong adhesion is also observed, with an increase of stiffness and a significant enhancement of hardness (E = 277 ± 9 GPa, ν = 0.27 ± 0.02 and H = 25 ± 1 GPa), suggesting an outstanding resistance to wear (H/E = 0.091).     

Meat quality and lipid profiles in crossbred lambs finished on clover-rich pastures

Meat quality traits were compared in Texel x Polwarth and Texel x Corriedale ram lambs, with live weight of 25 kg, finished on pastures rich in white clover. The two crossbred groups showed similar results (P > 0.05) for pH, moisture, protein, meat color, individual SFA and total SFA. Fat content was higher and cholesterol lower in Texel x Polwarth lambs (P < 0.05), which also had higher amounts of MUFA (P < 0.05) and lower levels of total PUFA and n− 6 PUFA (P < 0.01). Differences in meat quality among the two crossbred groups were minor, and possibly not perceptible from the consumer standpoint. However, both groups of lambs produced lean meat with high amounts of PUFA (> 16%), possibly due to the ingestion of white clover in the finishing period. Overall, these results indicate that a differentiated product can be obtained in these conditions, with higher nutritional value than conventional lamb meat.     

Structural tuning of photoluminescence in nanoporous anodic alumina by hard anodization in oxalic and malonic acids

ABSTRACT: We report on an exhaustive and systematic study about the photoluminescent properties of nanoporous anodic alumina membranes fabricated by the one-step anodization process under hard conditions in oxalic and malonic acids. This optical property is analysed as a function of several parameters (i.e. hard anodization voltage, pore diameter, membrane thickness, annealing temperature and acid electrolyte). This analysis makes it possible to tune the photoluminescent behaviour at will simply by modifying the structural characteristics of these membranes. This structural tuning ability is of special interest in such fields as optoelectronics, in which an accurate design of the basic nanostructures (e.g. microcavities, resonators, filters, supports, etc.) yields the control over their optical properties and, thus, upon the performance of the nanodevices derived from them (biosensors, interferometers, selective filters, etc.).     

Multicentre evaluation of the Boehringer Mannheim/Hitachi 917 analysis system

The new selective access analysis system BM/Hitachi 917 was evaluated in an international multicentre study, mainly according to the ECCLS protocol for the evaluation of analysers in clinical chemistry. Forty-three different analytes, covering 56 different methods enzymes, substrates, electrolytes, specific proteins, drugs and urine applications were tested in seven European clinical chemistry laboratories. Additionally, the practicability of the BM/ Hitachi 917 was tested according to a standardized questionnaire. Within-run CVs (median of 3 days) for enzymes, substrates and electrolytes were <2% except for creatine-kinase MB isoform and lipase at low concentration. For proteins, drugs and urine analytes the within-run CVs were < 4% except for digoxin and albumin in urine. Between-day median CVs were generally < 3% for enzymes, substrates and electrolytes, and < 6% for proteins, drugs and urine analytes, except for lipase, creatine kinase and MB isoform, D-dimer, glycosylated haemoglobin, rheumatoid factors, digoxin, digitoxin, theophylline and albumin in urine in some materials. Linearity was found according to the test specifications or better and there were no relevant effects seen in drift and carry-over testing. The interference results clearly show that also for the BM/Hitachi 917 interference exists sometimes, as could be expected because of the chemistries applied. It is a situation that can be found in equivalent analysers as well. The accuracy is acceptable regarding a 95-105% recovery in standard reference material, with the exception of the creatinine Jaffé method. Most of the 160 method comparisons showed acceptable agreement according to our criteria: enzymes, substrates, urine analytes deviation of slope +/- 5%, electrolytes +/- 3%, and proteins and drugs +/- 10%. The assessment of practicability for 14 groups of attributes resulted in a grading of one-three scores better for the BM/Hitachi 917 than the present laboratory situation. In conclusion, the results of the study showed good analytical performance and confirmed the usefulness of the system as a consolidated workstation in medium-sized to large clinical chemistry laboratories.     

IL-6 and IL-8 levels in plasma during hematopoietic progenitor transplantation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The relationship between cytokine concentrations and transplant-related complications has been studied in bone marrow transplant patients. The changes in TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6 concentrations after transplantation are well documented in the literature but this is not the case for IL-8. The purpose of the present study was to investigate prospectively the plasma concentration of these cytokines and their relationship to transplant-related complications. DESIGN AND METHODS: Pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8) levels in plasma were determined in a group of 53 patients undergoing hematopoietic progenitor transplantation. Plasma samples were collected weekly from day -7 to day +35 and stored at -70 degrees C until assayed by ELISA. The major transplant-related toxicities registered were: veno-occlusive disease (VOD), acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), infectious episodes, renal failure and mucositis. RESULTS: In spite of the great variability of plasma cytokine profiles between the different patients, we came to various conclusions. Patients' TNF-alpha and IL-1 concentrations correlated well over time. IL-6 and IL-8 profiles were similar and correlated well with febrile episodes. In some cases, an increase in IL-6 preceded hematologic recovery. In our study, increased levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and especially IL-8 correlated with hepatic or renal dysfunction as evaluated by increased bilirubin and creatinine in plasma, while pulmonary complications correlated only with increased IL-6 levels. Allogeneic transplant patients had a tendency to have higher TNF-alpha concentrations than autologous transplant patients, probably because an allogeneic transplant is associated with more transplant-related toxicity. Basal disease usually had no effect on cytokine profiles. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: IL-6 and IL-8 were the only cytokines studied whose increase correlated with febrile episodes. High IL-8 values may be a useful predictor of renal dysfunction and pulmonary disease and seems to trigger off high IL-6 levels. Plasma TNF-alpha and IL-1 concentrations during the posttransplant period have not been shown to be predictive of the development of transplant-related complications, and none of the profiles was recognized to be specific for a particular complication in this study.     

Nursing diagnosis of risks. Analysis of cost effectiveness

BACKGROUND: Today, there is a discussion on the importance of the utilization of the nursing diagnosis: This makes convenient to evaluate the principal two existing methodological alternatives, that they are: 1) the problems identification, 2) the diagnoses statement of the NANDA within process nursing. The study is centered on the risk diagnoses. OBJECT: 1) To know which the two work methodologies is more effective. 2) To know if exist economic differences. METHODS: It is accomplished a cohorts study, in a population of user included in Program of Handicapped. These were studied during a year. RESULTS: In the group of patients without diagnoses the incidence rate was of 0.64 conversions/person-year), in the group with diagnoses was of 0.22 (p < 0.001). The mean of visits after that the is made real, in the group with diagnoses was of 0.35, in the group without diagnoses of 1.69 (p = 0.012). DISCUSSION: The analysis cost-efficiency of the two work methodologies is clearly more favorable for the methodology than states nursing diagnosis of the taxonomy of the NANDA.     

Depletion of cytosolic GSH decreases the ATP levels and viability of synaptosomes from aged mice but not from young mice

The effect of glutathione depletion on the viability of freshly isolated synaptosomes from whole brain was investigated in young and aged mice. Aging did not influence the GSH and ATP levels and the viability of these synaptosomes. However depletion of glutathione caused by the cytosolic glutathione inhibitor diethyl maleate (1 mM) resulted in a significant decline, after 60 min of incubation, in ATP levels and viability in the synaptosomes from aged mice but not in those from young mice. When synaptosomes were incubated in the presence of the mitochondrial glutathione inhibitor ethacrynic acid (0.2 mM) there was a similar decline in glutathione, ATP levels and synaptosomal viability, both in young and aged mice. These results emphasize the relative importance of the cytosolic glutathione pool for the maintenance of the plasma membrane integrity in synaptosomes from aged mice.