In vitro cadmium removal from human serum by Cibacron Blue F3GA–thionein‐complex conjugated affinity membranes

A new membrane affinity biosorbent carrying thionein has been developed for selective removal of cadmium ions from human serum. Microporous poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) membranes were prepared by photopolymerization of HEMA. The pseudo dye ligand Cibacron Blue F3GA (CB) was covalently immobilized on the pHEMA membranes. Then, the cysteine‐rich metallopeptide thionein was conjugated onto the CB‐immobilized membrane. The maximum amounts of CB immobilized and thionein conjugated on the membranes were 1.07 µmol cm⁻² and 0.92 µmol cm⁻², respectively. The hydrophilic pHEMA membrane had a swelling ratio of 58% (w/w) with a contact angle of 45.8 °. CB‐immobilized and CB‐immobilized–thionein‐conjugated membranes were used in the Cd(II) removal studies. Cd(II) ion adsorption appeared to reach equilibrium within 30 min and to follow a typical Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The maximum capacity (q _m) of the CB‐immobilized membranes was 0.203 (µmol Cd(II)) cm⁻² membrane and increased to 1.48 (µmol Cd(II)) cm⁻² upon CB–thionein‐complex conjugation. The pHEMA membranes retained their cadmium adsorption capacity even after 10 cycles of repeated use. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Complex Regularized Zero Forcing Precoding for Massive MIMO Systems

Wireless Personal Communications - In this paper, an energy efficient precoding scheme is proposed for massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. The proposed precoding scheme...     

Occurrence of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) in herbal tea consumed in Turkey

Aflatoxin contents in 12 types of herbal teas were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detector using immunoaffinity column clean-up. Forty eight samples were collected from four local herbal shops in Manisa, Turkey. Of the 48 samples analyzed, 43 were aflatoxin positive. The highest concentration of aflatoxin (34.18 µg/kg) was determined in a sample of camomile tea. The occurrence of AFB1, B2, G1 and G2 was found in samples at levels of 54, 29, 71 and 46 %, respectively. Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 contamination levels varied from 0 to 14.2, 0 to 12.4, 0 to 13.5 and 0 to 28.7 µg/kg, respectively. Aflatoxin was not detected in five samples consisting of linseed, lime and fennel tea.     

Selective oxidation of cyclohexane over the bi-functional catalysts Co-MO-TUD-1 (MO = Al2O3, CeO2, NiO,or ZnO)

Journal of Porous Materials - The selective oxidation of cyclohexane was catalyzed by applying a new series of catalytic materials. The new catalytic series consists of two different active sites...     

Modifying the structure of red mud by simple treatments for high and stable performance in COx-free hydrogen production from ammonia

Red mud (RM) modified by various treatments was used as a catalyst for ammonia decomposition. Catalytic activity measurements performed at 500 °C and differential conversions illustrated that the rate increases with a decrease in the size of Fe₃N_y nanoparticles formed during activation in NH₃ flow. Measurements at 700 °C showed that a catalyst prepared by digesting RM in 6 M HCl followed by calcination at 900 °C provides a stable ammonia conversion of 98.8 ± 0.5% for more than 70 h at a space velocity of 120 000 cm³ NH₃ h^?1 g_cat^?1. This rate is premier among all iron-based catalysts in terms of both activity and stability and even on par with the performance of other non-noble metal catalysts. Detailed characterization indicated Fe₃N_y species readily available on the surface as the active species. Results provided here enable the utilization of RM as an environmentally-friendly, highly efficient, and almost cost-free catalyst for CO_x-free hydrogen production.     

Investigating 5-hydroxymethylfurfural formation kinetic and antioxidant activity in heat treated honey from different floral sources

The quality and biochemical properties of honey are affected by heating or during storage period. The most important biochemical reaction that occurs in this process is the Maillard reaction. HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) is one of the major intermediate products in the Maillard reaction that can lead to quality reduction in heated honey. In this study, the effect of heating on the antioxidant activity, and colour values as Maillard reaction indicators of three different botanical honeys were investigated; the HMF formation was also determined. Temperatures of 50, 70 and 80 °C were applied on the honeys between 0 and 48 h. Total phenolic content, ferric reducing/antioxidant power and scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical assays are used to determine the antioxidant capacity. Results showed that the formation of HMF and the antioxidant properties of honeys were significantly increased during the heating process. Pure HMF compound also showed lower antioxidant activity. The formation of HMF has higher degree of linearity in the fit of the zero order reaction and also it was the highest in the chestnut honey. Furthermore, it was found that as the biochemical value of the honeys increased, the HMF formation decelerated.     

Deep learning methods and applications for electrical power systems: A comprehensive review

Over the past decades, electric power systems (EPSs) have undergone an evolution from an ordinary bulk structure to intelligent flexible systems by way of advanced electronics and control technologies. Moreover, EPS has become a more complex, unstable and nonlinear structure with the integration of distributed energy resources in comparison with traditional power grids. Unlike classical approaches, physical methods, statistical approaches and computer calculation techniques are commonly used to solve EPS problems. Artificial intelligent (AI) techniques have especially been used recently in many fields. Deep neural networks have become increasingly attractive as an AI approach due to their robustness and flexibility in handling nonlinear complex relationships on large scale data sets. Major deep learning concepts addressing some problems in EPS have been reviewed in the present study by a comprehensive literature survey. The practices of deep learning and its combinations are well organized with up-to-date references in various fields such as load forecasting, wind and solar power forecasting, power quality disturbances detection and classifications, fault detection power system equipment, energy security, energy management and energy optimization. Furthermore, the difficulties encountered in implementation and the future trends of this method in EPS are discussed subject to the findings of current studies. It concludes that deep learning has a huge application potential on EPS, due to smart technologies integration that will increase considerably in the future.     

Sodium hexametaphosphate’s impact on hydrodynamic parameters of milk fat globule membrane

Being able to stabilise milk fat globule particles after pasteurisation over time and reduce the phase separation and migration rate of the cream layer would be of great interest. This study examined the prolonged destabilisation of MFGM emulsions after blending with sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) with respect to particle migration, fat globule size distribution, phase separation, variations in the raw signal and serum‐phase protein levels. Low SHMP levels in blended MFGM reduced the interactions between fat droplets during heating. Low SHMP concentrations are recommended for stabilising MFGM.