A SVET investigation on the modification of zinc dust reactivity

Weldable primers are thin zinc-rich organic coatings that are weldable due to the electrical conductivity provided by the zinc dust. They are used in the automotive industry to provide corrosion protection in regions of difficult access. The zinc particles are highly susceptible to corrosion attack and, due to the small thickness, the protection conferred by these systems is limited.     

Development of ceramic floor tile compositions based on quartzite and granite sludges

In the present work, industrial sludges derived from cutting and polishing natural stones (granite and quartzite) were characterised in terms of particles size distribution, chemical and mineralogical composition, and thermal behaviour and their potential to be incorporated as main components in red-clay-based stoneware tiles was evaluated. High levels (60–70 wt.%) of incorporation were attempted aiming at designing new formulations intended to be less expensive and possess better final properties (lower water absorption and higher flexural strength) in comparison to an industrial reference body used in the production of rustic tiles by extrusion, characterised 8–9% water absorption and a flexural strength of 17–18 MPa. Extruded rods of different formulations were produced and fired at 1100 °C, 1125 °C, 1150 °C and 1200 °C. The experimental results showed that all the new formulations performed better with the most significant improvements being obtained with incorporation of granite sludge. Flexural strength values more than triplicate and water absorption decreased by more than one order of magnitude in comparison to the reference paste. The new products fulfil the requirements of the ISO 13006 standard, group BIa (porcelain tiles).     

Obtaining condensed milk from a mixture of hydrosoluble extract of soybean powder and cow's milk]

Three formulations of mix concentrated milk with hydrosolubles extract of soybean powder and cow's milk were prepared. The products were condensed up to 31% and 33.65% of solids in a vacuum evaporator at temperature of 45 degrees and 58 degrees C with a vacuum pressure of 540 mmHg. The products obtained were compared with standard concentrated milk through sensory evaluation showing satisfactory characteristics.     

The corrosion of mild steel in simulated SO2 containing atmospheres

Electrochemical tests were carried out on steel/steel multi-laminar cells under thin layers of sulphate solution simulating atmospheres with contents of 20, 50 and 75 μg m⁻³ of SO₂ and a relative humidity of 85%. Measurements of the current flowing between the two electrodes of the cell vs drying time and impedance measurements for different times were taken. Potentiodynamic cathodic polarization plots were also obtained for one concentration of contaminant at various drying times using three electrode multi-laminar cells. The results showed that the multi-laminar cells allowed the drying process of the thin electrolyte films to be followed. The use of electrochemical techniques gave information on the kinetics and mechanism of the corrosion process occurring during the drying period. Initially the process is controlled by oxygen diffusion through the liquid film, but for longer periods the control changes to the anodic reaction.     

Influence of the silica matrix on the formation of α-alumina in a mullite–alumina composite from a diphasic precursor

In mullite–alumina composite precursors, interaction between the silica matrix and the fine -alumina texture strongly influences the precursor phase transformation, the nucleation and the crystal geometry both of the mullite and of the -alumina. The mullite–alumina composite precursor calcined at 1000 °C has a layered structure probably derived from the layered texture of the -alumina. The phase transition of this layered texture is retarded by the presence of the silica matrix and a metastable mullite phase is formed before nucleation of -alumina. By leaching away the silica matrix, the remaining layered texture is readily transformed into very fine, thin -alumina platelets by calcination at 1000 °C. This seems to be one reason for the appearance of elongated mullite grains in a pure mullite matrix and the platelet shaped -alumina grains in the mullite–alumina composite prepared from diphasic precursors. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Dielectric spectroscopy of MgTiO3-based ceramics in the 109–1014Hz region

Magnesium titanate (MgTiO₃) powder was prepared by a chemical route (Pechini method) and different dopants were added to prepare several compositions. These pure and doped compositions were sintered in air and dense ceramics were obtained. The pure MgTiO₃ samples were also subjected to different heat treatments during sintering. Complex permittivity spectra of ceramic samples were determined by various techniques in the 10⁹–10¹⁴ Hz range. These techniques included infrared spectroscopy in transmission and reflectivity modes and microwave dielectric measurements. Extrapolation to microwave frequencies from infrared data, according to the proportionality (v) v, agrees quite well with the microwave data measured at 8 GHz and it is a useful procedure to estimate intrinsic microwave losses. Fast cooling from high temperatures of MgTiO₃ samples increased dielectric loss, probably due to a structural disorder. Dopants have two types of effect depending on whether they form a distinct second phase or a solid solution with MgTiO₃. In this last case intrinsic losses are strongly affected.     

A new laser Doppler flowmeter prototype for depth dependent monitoring of skin microcirculation

Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is now commonly used in clinical research to monitor microvascular blood flow. However, the dependence of the LDF signal on the microvascular architecture is still unknown. That is why we propose a new laser Doppler flowmeter for depth dependent monitoring of skin microvascular perfusion. This new laser Doppler flowmeter combines for the first time, in a device, several wavelengths and different spaced detection optical fibres. The calibration of the new apparatus is herein presented together with in vivo validation. Two in vivo validation tests are performed. In the first test, signals collected in the ventral side of the forearm are analyzed; in the second test, signals collected in the ventral side of the forearm are compared with signals collected in the hand palm. There are good indicators that show that different wavelengths and fibre distances probe different skin perfusion layers. However, multiple scattering may affect the results, namely the ones obtained with the larger fibre distance. To clearly understand the wavelength effect in LDF measurements, other tests have to be performed.     

Systematic Review: Drug Repositioning for Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG)

Advances in research have boosted therapy development for congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), a group of rare genetic disorders affecting protein and lipid glycosylation and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor biosynthesis. The (re)use of known drugs for novel medical purposes, known as drug repositioning, is growing for both common and rare disorders. The latest innovation concerns the rational search for repositioned molecules which also benefits from artificial intelligence (AI). Compared to traditional methods, drug repositioning accelerates the overall drug discovery process while saving costs. This is particularly valuable for rare diseases. AI tools have proven their worth in diagnosis, in disease classification and characterization, and ultimately in therapy discovery in rare diseases. The availability of biomarkers and reliable disease models is critical for research and development of new drugs, especially for rare and heterogeneous diseases such as CDG. This work reviews the literature related to repositioned drugs for CDG, discovered by serendipity or through a systemic approach. Recent advances in biomarkers and disease models are also outlined as well as stakeholders’ views on AI for therapy discovery in CDG.     

Bilayer Forming Phospholipids as Targets for Cancer Therapy

Phospholipids represent a crucial component for the structure of cell membranes. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine are two phospholipids that comprise the majority of cell membranes. De novo biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine occurs via the Kennedy pathway, and perturbations in the regulation of this pathway are linked to a variety of human diseases, including cancer. Altered phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine membrane content, phospholipid metabolite levels, and fatty acid profiles are frequently identified as hallmarks of cancer development and progression. This review summarizes the research on how phospholipid metabolism changes over oncogenic transformation, and how phospholipid profiling can differentiate between human cancer and healthy tissues, with a focus on colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. The potential for phospholipids to serve as biomarkers for diagnostics, or as anticancer therapy targets, is also discussed.