Solvent resistant electrochromic polymer based on methylene-bridged arylamines

We here report the synthesis and the electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical and FT-IR characterization of a novel arylamine electrochromic film. The electron-donating fragments are isolated tetraphenylbenzidine (TPB) groups. The special configuration that perpendicularly binds the triphenylamine units by a tetrahedral carbon prevents orbital interactions between redox fragments and localizes the generated radicals, rendering an efficient electropolymerization process. The polymer film obtained showed reversible electrochemical oxidation accompanied by strong and long-lasting color changes and high insolubility in most solvents once electrodeposited on the electrode surface. We propose a plausible electropolymerization mechanism on the basis of the FT-IR spectra.     

Granulomatous prostatitis as a complication of BCG intravesical instillation. Report of a case

OBJECTIVES: Herein we describe a case of granulomatous prostatitis following intravesical instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for superficial bladder cancer. METHODS: Patient evaluation included DRE, urine culture, urinary cytology, cystoscopy, PSA determination and transrectal US-guided needle biopsy. RESULTS: On control evaluation two months after intravesical BCG therapy had concluded, the patient referred an episode of suprapubic pain. DRE disclosed an area of increased hardness in one of the prostatic lobes. Urine staining for Mycobacterium was negative and PSA value was 3.5 ng/dl. During transrectal US evaluation, a hypoechoic lesion was detected and biopsied. Analysis of the biopsy specimen disclosed granulomatous prostatitis with caseous necrosis. The patient received antituberculous therapy which achieved clinically good results. CONCLUSIONS: Granulomatous prostatitis is a relatively common complication after intravesical BCG instillation (0.9% of treated patients) and its management includes discontinuation of the instillation and the administration of isoniazid and rifampin. US-guided needle biopsy is warranted to rule out adenocarcinoma of the prostate. BCG instillations are well tolerated in more than 95% of the patients and antituberculous therapy has been proven effective in the management of complications.     

Predicting mycotoxins in foods: A review

The need to ensure the microbiological quality and safety of food products has stimulated interest in the use of mathematical models for quantifying and predicting microbial behaviour. For 20 years, predictive microbiology has been developed for predicting the occurrence of food-borne pathogens, although these tools are dedicated to bacteria. Recently, the situation has changed and a growing number of studies are available in the literature dealing with the predictive modelling approach of fungi. To our knowledge the present one is the first review focussed on predictive mycology and food safety, including mycotoxins; existing kinetic and probability models applied to mycotoxigenic fungi germination and growth, and mycotoxin production are reviewed.     

Basic slag corrosion of alumina–magnesia–carbon refractory bricks containing Al and Si antioxidants

The slag-corrosion behavior of two alumina–magnesia–carbon refractories (AMC) with different antioxidants (Si and Al) has been comparatively studied by means of thermodynamic simulation and laboratory tests. A cup test (static) at 1723 K and 1873 K and dipping test (dynamic) at 1873 K were carried out using a steelmaking ladle slag. An iterative method that considers the change of the liquid's composition while it penetrates the refractory was employed for the thermodynamic calculation. The simulation as well as the static tests showed similar performance between both refractories (5% of wear at 1723 K and 6% at 1873 K). In spite of the type of antioxidant, the material with smaller particles of magnesia exhibited better performance in the dynamic test, with 55% less wear than the other AMC brick. This behavior was attributed to the faster MgAl₂O₄ spinel formation, which increased the material's cohesion, especially the matrix, during the heating stage. The Si antioxidant improved oxidation resistance, although it did not have a positive effect on the corrosion resistance of the material in any of the performed tests.     

Bridging the accessibility gap in Open Educational Resources

Open Educational Resources (OER) are being fostered as a global movement for providing educational opportunities to all. However, people with disabilities are still excluded from full participation because of the lack of accessibility of OER websites, as well as of the resources themselves. This work presents a proposal for the design of OER websites that would enable equitable access for all users. This design aims to bridge the accessibility gap through the personalization of the whole OER environment to facilitate an accessible User Experience (UX) based on a user profile that includes the self-identification of disability status. This profile configures not only the “look and feel” of the interface but also the delivery of educational resources suitable for this user profile. To achieve this purpose, the design goes beyond compliance with the ISO/IEC 40500 W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, since it includes the personalization of the accessible experience through usability considerations and adaptations of educational resources. The delivery of educational resources matches the user’s profile with regard to their sensory abilities, cognitive faculties and their requirements of functionality control, display layout and language. As a proof of concept, we have developed an OER website based on this design and have conducted a set of UX tests that include users with different disabilities. The test results confirm the feasibility and suitability of our design regarding accessible UX. Finally, the contribution of this document arises from the explicit recognition of the particular needs associated with the disability profiles to establish the response of the entire OER system which enables a truly inclusive experience by exempting the user from performing configuration tasks.     

Hydrolytic Stability of l-(+)-Ascorbic Acid in Low Methoxyl Pectin Films with Potential Antioxidant Activity at Food Interfaces

l-(+)-Ascorbic acid (AA) was compartmentalized into a low methoxyl pectin (LMP) film in view of localized antioxidant activity at food interfaces. The AA hydrolysis was specifically studied in the present work in order to determine the ability of the formulated LMP film to stabilize AA. Hence, films were stored at controlled relative humidity (RH) in the absence of air. A commercial LMP characterized by a 40% degree of methylesterification (DM) was used. Since sucrose is normally added for its standardization, films were also made with the dialyzed LMP in order to determine the sucrose effect. Glycerol was used for plasticization. Kinetics of AA loss and subsequent browning development were determined, which are dependent on the RH. Considerable AA retention (t _1/2?=?744, 727, and 185 days) was achieved at 33.3%, 57.7%, or 75.2% RH, respectively, at 25 °C. Browning rate constants decreased in one order of magnitude with respect to kinetic constants determined from films previously developed with high methoxyl pectin (HMP; DM of 73%). Absence of sucrose in the LMP network only affected the browning kinetics at 75.2% RH. The glass transition temperature (T _g) decreased with the increment of moisture content of the films and in a similar degree (T _g?≈??90 °C) to that observed for the HMP films, indicating the contribution of water to the network plasticization. However, water was more confined in the LMP network as inferred from the water availability determined by the ¹H-NMR and DSC. This was attributed to the water interaction at the Ca²⁺ junction zones. Sucrose seemed to hinder the retention of water molecules by the polymeric network at 75.2% RH.     

Production of a high‐protein meal and fermentable sugars from defatted soybean meal,a co‐product of the soybean oil industry

The goal of this research was to produce a high‐protein meal by treating defatted soybean meal, a by‐product of soybean oil production, with dilute acid. Treatments were a mild hydrolysis at 80 °C with sulphuric acid at concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 2.0% (w/v) and times varying from 1 to 16 h that were arranged according to a central composite rotatable experimental design. The end products were an enhanced‐protein meal and a carbohydrate concentrate of fermentable and nonfermentable sugars. The highest protein content rise, from 48% to 58%, was for treatments with concentrations of acid ranging between 1.2% and 1.7% and times between 1.0 and 2.6 h. The maximum yield of fermentable sugar was 21.0% d.b. at 2.0% H₂SO₄ and treatments of at least 6 h. The conditions that provide a highest protein and sugar contents were the treatments with concentrations of sulphuric acid ranging from 0.9 to 1.9% H₂SO₄ for 1–4 h.