Experiences from the implementation of a urine separation system: Goals,planning, reality

Over the last decade it has been ever increasing interest in developing alternative sanitary systems, which would be more sustainable than a conventional one is. In Sweden urine separation has been considered a promising approach towards increasing recycling of wastewater nutrients. Full scale trials are carried out and examined. This paper presents a study on implementation of urine separation system in urban environment. Technical and non-technical aspects of system performance are evaluated; system's interference with existing infrastructure is examined. Benefits and losses connected to urine separation system are analysed not only from environmental perspective but also system's owner point of view.     

Thermal stripping of supramolecular structures: C60 nanorods

The investigated ionic C60 derivative self-assembles into nanorods. When the functional side groups are removed by heating the nanorods to 623 K, they retain their shape. Utilization of lithographic markers allows the study of identical nanostructures before and after heat treatment by dynamic mode atomic force microscopy. Various independent techniques, including Raman spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy demonstrate that the shape-preserving mechanism is a thermal-stripping process, stabilizing the original supramolecular morphology. The latter implies two coherent sub-processes: detachment of the side groups and oligopolymerization running in parallel, eventually yielding rod-shaped C60 polymers. Synthesizing fullerenic polymers in this way can lead to several applications.     

Kinetic behavior of polymer-coated long-period-grating fiber-optic sensors

A new method of analysis employing the time-dependent response of long-period-grating (LPG) fiber-optic sensors is introduced. The current kinetic approach allows analysis of the time-dependent wavelength shift of the sensor, in contrast to previous studies, in which the LPG sensing element has been operated in an equilibrium mode and modeled with Langmuir adsorption behavior. A detailed kinetic model presented is based on diffusion of the analyte through the outer protective membrane coating into the affinity coating, which is bound to the fiber cladding. A simpler phenomenological approach presented is based on measurement of the slope of the time-dependent response of the LPG sensor. We demonstrate the principles of the kinetic methods by employing a commercial Cu+2 sensor with a carboxymethylcellulose sensing element. The detailed mathematical model fits the time-dependent behavior well and provides a means of calibrating the concentration-dependent time response. In the current approach, copper concentrations below parts per 10(6) are reliably analyzed. The kinetic model allows early-time measurement for low concentrations of the analyte, where equilibration times are long. This kinetic model should be generally applicable to other affinity-coated LPG fiber-optic sensors.     

Effect of gamma-radiation and microwave heating of wheat grain on some starch properties in irradiated grain as well as in grain of the next generation crops

Grains of the Polish winter wheat variety Begra were subjected to gamma-radiation (grain harvested in 1996) within the dose range of 0.05-10 kGy and microwave heating (grain harvested in 1997) from 28 degrees C to 98 degrees C. Later the grains were divided into two parts, the first was used for direct analyses after treatment. The second part was sown on the experimental fields. The obtained crop was described as the first generation and divided into two parts. One part was destined to determination of starch properties and the second part was sown in order to obtain the second generation crop. The same pattern was conducted in order to achieve the third generation crop. gamma-Irradiation directly applied on the wheat grain reduced statistically significant falling number values and gelatinisation enthalpy (deltaH) of the grain treated by 5 and 10 kGy. Calculated linear regression correlation coefficient between the falling number values and the gelatinisation enthalpy was equal to 0.94 (p < or = 0.001) and showed that these two starch characteristics are well correlated in the case of directly irradiated wheat grain. The falling number values, peak temperatures (Tp) and gelatinisation enthalpy (deltaH), in three generations of wheat grain crop studied, did not show any statistically significant differences as a result of indirect effect of gamma-irradiation. Microwave direct heating of wheat grain to 98 degrees C caused a statistically significant increase in the falling number value and decrease in starch gelatinisation power expressed by the enthalpy of gelatinisation (deltaH). The statistically significant changes in the falling number values, slight changes in the peak temperatures (Tp) and enthalpy of gelatinisation (deltaH) were found in all three generation crops as an indirect effect of microwave heating.     

Genome Mining and Evaluation of the Biocontrol Potential of Pseudomonas fluorescens BRZ63, a New Endophyte of Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) against Fungal Pathogens

Endophytic bacteria hold tremendous potential for use as biocontrol agents. Our study aimed to investigate the biocontrol activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens BRZ63, a new endophyte of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) against Rhizoctonia solani W70, Colletotrichum dematium K, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum K2291, and Fusarium avenaceum. In addition, features crucial for biocontrol, plant growth promotion, and colonization were assessed and linked with the genome sequences. The in vitro tests showed that BRZ63 significantly inhibited the mycelium growth of all tested pathogens and stimulated germination and growth of oilseed rape seedlings treated with fungal pathogens. The BRZ63 strain can benefit plants by producing biosurfactants, siderophores, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, and ammonia as well as phosphate solubilization. The abilities of exopolysaccharide production, autoaggregation, and biofilm formation additionally underline its potential to plant colonization and hence biocontrol. The effective colonization properties of the BRZ63 strain were confirmed by microscopy observations of EGFP-expressing cells colonizing the root surface and epidermal cells of Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0. Genome mining identified many genes related to the biocontrol process, such as transporters, siderophores, and other secondary metabolites. All analyses revealed that the BRZ63 strain is an excellent endophytic candidate for biocontrol of various plant pathogens and plant growth promotion.     

Mechanical properties and thermal stability of tungsten boride films deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering

Tungsten and boron compounds belong to the group of superhard materials since their hardness could exceed 40?GPa. In this study, the properties of the tungsten boride WB_x coatings deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering were investigated. The sputtering was performed from specially prepared targets that were composed of boron and tungsten mixed in a molar ratio of 2.5 and sintered in Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) process. WB films were deposited on silicon (100) and stainless steel 304 substrates at temperatures of 23 ÷ 770?°C. Microstructure, chemical and phase composition were investigated by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), respectively. The mechanical properties like Vickers hardness and Young's modulus were obtained by using nanoindentation test at a load of 5 ÷ 100 mN. The friction coefficient and wear resistance of αWB coatings were investigated in scratch test and reciprocal sliding wear instrumentation. Moreover, in order to investigate thermal properties, the αWB films were annealed at 1000?°C in argon/air for 1?h and at 250?°C for 2?h in air atmosphere. Results of our research confirm that αWB coatings can be considered as an alternative to superhard materials in the production of wear resistant, long-lasting tools.     

Microwave- and ultrasound-assisted convective drying of raspberries: Drying kinetics and microstructural changes

The drying kinetics, microstructural alteration, and rehydration properties of raspberry samples were studied experimentally in this work. Five different drying programs with the application of microwaves (MW) and ultrasound (US) were used, including convective drying (CV) as a reference test. The drying experiments were performed using a hybrid chamber dryer equipped with airborne ultrasound and microwave generators. The modified Page model was successfully used to describe the drying kinetics of raspberry fruits. Next, microstructural properties (porosity and total pore volume) of the dried samples were determined from the postprocessing of the images which were acquired using a lab-scale X-ray microtomograph. The results show a significantly shorter drying time by 54–64% for CVUS, 69% for CVMW, and 79% for CVMWUS; and a lower energy consumption resulting in energy saving of 14–23% for CVUS, 54% for CVMW, and 59% for CVMWUS as compared to CV. It is also shown that the average drying rate of raspberry samples increases by maximum fourfold with the application of both ultrasound and microwave radiations in CV. In addition, a higher porosity, total pore volume, and a better rehydration property were found for the raspberry samples dried with US than with MW assistance.     

Determination of Terpene Profiles in Potential Superfruits

The aim of this work was to characterize and compare the profiles of volatile terpenes in four potential superfruits. These profiles were determined using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography linked to time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The proposed technique allowed the separation and identification of 79 terpenes present in cape gooseberry, crabapple, cherry silver berry, and scarlet hawthorn. The preliminary compound identification was based on the analysis of deconvoluted mass spectra and a comparison of the calculated linear retention indices with their values reported in the scientific literature. The compound identification was performed using the available standards. Also, a semi-quantitative total ion chromatogram-based analysis was performed. The richest terpene profile was identified in cape gooseberry (62 terpenes), where the terpene fraction constituted about 14% of total volatile fraction.     

3-MCPD: A Worldwide Problem of Food Chemistry

3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) is a heat-induced food contaminant that has been widely investigated for decades. This paper presents an overview of current knowledge about 3-MCPD, including its formation routes, occurrence in various foodstuffs, analytical approach, toxicological aspects, and future research perspectives. So far, 3-MCPD was determined in its free and bound form in thermally treated foods, edible oils and fats, and infant foods including human breast milk. Contaminants in infant foods and human breast milk were highlighted in this paper as a serious problem as they can pose a potential hazard for infants. The analytical approach of 3-MCPD determination has been modified for over a decade. Nowadays, the method based on determining the derivative of this compound by using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry is widely used. However, there is still a big need for developing new methods that would produce repeatable results. Some of the toxicologic aspects associated with 3-MCPD still remain unknown. A number of studies on the carcinogenicity and genotoxicity of 3-MCPD were carried out on rodents; however, no clinical studies on humans have been reported so far. Moreover, both detrimental effect on kidneys and antifertility activity have been widely reported. The knowledge of 3-MCPD absorption into body fluids and tissues and its metabolic pathways is based on sometimes conflicting data derived from different studies. In conclusion, although a lot of research has been carried out on 3-MCPD, there is still a need for further research in this area.