Co and Ni supported on CeO2 as selective bimetallic catalyst for dry reforming of methane

Co/CeO₂ (Co 7.5 wt.%), Ni/CeO₂ (Ni 7.5 wt.%) and Co–Ni/CeO₂ (Co 3.75 wt.%, Ni 3.75 wt.%) catalysts were prepared by surfactant assisted co-precipitation method. Samples were characterized by X-Ray diffraction, BET surface areas measurements, temperature programmed reduction and tested for the dry reforming of methane CH₄ + CO₂ → 2CO + 2H₂ in the temperature range 600–800 °C with a CH₄:CO₂:Ar 20:20:60 vol.% feed mixture and a total flow rate of 50 cm³ min⁻¹ (GHSW = 30,000 mL g⁻¹ h⁻¹). The bimetallic Co–Ni/CeO₂ catalyst showed higher CH₄ conversion in comparison with monometallic systems in the whole temperature range, being 50% at 600 °C and 97% at 800 °C. H₂/CO selectivity decreased in the following order: Co–Ni/CeO₂ > Ni/CeO₂ > Co/CeO₂. Carbon deposition on spent catalysts was analyzed by thermal analysis (TG-DTA). After 20 h under stream at 750 °C, cobalt-containing catalysts, Co/CeO₂ and Co–Ni/CeO₂, showed a stable operation in presence of a deposited amorphous carbon of 6 wt.%, whereas Ni/CeO₂ showed an 8% decrease of catalytic activity due to a massive presence of amorphous and graphitic carbon (25 wt.%).     

Microwave remote sensing of plant water stress

The sensitivity of microwave (MW) emission to physical conditions of vegetation has been assessed by means of ground-based microwave and infrared radiometers. Measurements on corn and wheat have shown an inverse correlation between the normalized brightness temperature (T_N) from the Ka band (36 GHz) and the atmospheric water vapor pressure (VP) at the top of vegetation. From this observation, we show that a crop water stress index can be calculated by means of down-looking MW sensors, provided air temperature is known. A polarization index (PI) dependent only on microwave measurements was shown to be related to crop water stress.     

Primary structure of water buffalo alpha-lactalbumin variants A and B

A novel electrophoretic alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-la) variant was detected in the Italian water buffalo breed. The isoelectric point of the variant, labelled A, was lower than the most frequent variant B. It presented an allelic frequency of 0.5% compared with the 97.1% of the BB allele. From Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization/Mass spectrometry, the molecular mass of the two alpha-la A and B variants were measured as 14,235.1+/-0.8 and 14,236.1+/-0.9 Da, respectively. The two proteins were sequenced and differentiated from one another by a single amino acid substitution, Asn45(B)-->Asp45(A). As this amino acid substitution altered the N-glycosylation sequence consensus Asn45-X-Ser46 it may be deduced that the protein glycosylation level of the alpha-la A would decrease.     

Results of a 3D seismic survey at the Travale (Italy) test site

In the last 15 years geothermal exploration in Tuscany, Italy, has addressed deep reservoirs (depth ≥ 3000 m), hosted within complex geological systems, such as metamorphic formations and/or intrusive bodies. Reservoir productivity is linked to fractured and permeable zones that are rather confined and not uniformly distributed. In this context, the seismic methods represent one of the most reliable geophysical techniques for locating potential drilling targets. A 3D seismic survey has been acquired at the Travale test site, and its results have been used to develop a geological and structural model of the site, and to identify and characterize fractured zones inside the deep geothermal reservoir. A correlation between a high-amplitude reflector (H marker) and fractured contact-metamorphic rocks has been highlighted. More than 70% of the total geothermal fluid production at the Travale area comes from this seismic marker.     

Critical Review of the Evolution of Extracellular Vesicles’ Knowledge: From 1946 to Today

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a family of particles/vesicles present in blood and body fluids, composed of phospholipid bilayers that carry a variety of molecules that can mediate cell communication, modulating crucial cell processes such as homeostasis, induction/dampening of inflammation, and promotion of repair. Their existence, initially suspected in 1946 and confirmed in 1967, spurred a sharp increase in the number of scientific publications. Paradoxically, the increasing interest for EV content and function progressively reduced the relevance for a precise nomenclature in classifying EVs, therefore leading to a confusing scientific production. The aim of this review was to analyze the evolution of the progress in the knowledge and definition of EVs over the years, with an overview of the methodologies used for the identification of the vesicles, their cell of origin, and the detection of their cargo. The MISEV 2018 guidelines for the proper recognition nomenclature and ways to study EVs are summarized. The review finishes with a “more questions than answers” chapter, in which some of the problems we still face to fully understand the EV function and potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool are analyzed.     

Exposure to fine and ultrafine particles from secondhand smoke in public places before and after the smoking ban, Italy 2005

Background

A smoking ban in all indoor public places was enforced in Italy on 10 January 2005.

Methods

We compared indoor air quality before and after the smoking ban by monitoring the indoor concentrations of fine (<2.5 μm diameter, PM_2.5) and ultrafine particulate matter (<0.1 μm diameter, UFP). PM_2.5 and ultrafine particles were measured in 40 public places (14 bars, six fast food restaurants, eight restaurants, six game rooms, six pubs) in Rome, before and after the introduction of the law banning smoking (after 3 and 12 months). Measurements were taken using real time particle monitors (DustTRAK Mod. 8520 TSI; Ultra‐fine Particles Counter‐TRAK Model 8525 TSI). The PM_2.5 data were scaled using a correction equation derived from a comparison with the reference method (gravimetric measurement). The study was completed by measuring urinary cotinine, and pre‐law and post‐law enforcement among non‐smoking employees at these establishments

Results

In the post‐law period, PM_2.5 decreased significantly from a mean concentration of 119.3 μg/m³ to 38.2 μg/m³ after 3 months (p<0.005), and then to 43.3 μg/m³ a year later (p<0.01). The UFP concentrations also decreased significantly from 76 956 particles/cm³ to 38 079 particles/cm³ (p<0.0001) and then to 51 692 particles/cm³ (p<0.01). Similarly, the concentration of urinary cotinine among non‐smoking workers decreased from 17.8 ng/ml to 5.5 ng/ml (p<0.0001) and then to 3.7 ng/ml (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

The application of the smoking ban led to a considerable reduction in the exposure to indoor fine and ultrafine particles in hospitality venues, confirmed by a contemporaneous reduction of urinary cotinine.     

Rheological properties and baking quality of commercial durum wheat meals used to make flat crispy bread

Four commercial semolinas and four low-grade semolinas (LGS) samples were used in this study to make flat crispy bread (Carasau). The meals, doughs, and bread were compared with respect to a set of physical, chemical, and textural characteristics, and the bread evaluated by a trained sensory panel. LGSs had a higher extraction rate (higher ash content), finer granularity, and a higher damaged starch content than semolinas. The study revealed the key role of dry gluten content in determining hydration capacity of the dough, whereas damaged starch affected water absorption only in semolina samples. Gluten index and the ratio of gluten tenacity to extensibility (alveograph P/L) were significantly correlated with the weight of the dough discs following sheeting and molding. The panelists gave the highest quality score to the bread with the highest values of crackling and hardness. Textural and sensory attributes were both correlated with one another, and with gluten strength and tenacity, but not with the gluten content of the meal, which only affected final moisture content of the bread. Meal samples with a more tenacious and elastic gluten were more suited to produce flat crispy breads. The yellowness of durum wheat bread could not be predicted by measuring the color of the meal with a reflectance method.     

Target Hopping as a Useful Tool for the Identification of Novel EphA2 Protein–Protein Antagonists

Lithocholic acid (LCA), a physiological ligand for the nuclear receptor FXR and the G‐protein‐coupled receptor TGR5, has been recently described as an antagonist of the EphA2 receptor, a key member of the ephrin signalling system involved in tumour growth. Given the ability of LCA to recognize FXR, TGR5, and EphA2 receptors, we hypothesized that the structural requirements for a small molecule to bind each of these receptors might be similar. We therefore selected a set of commercially available FXR or TGR5 ligands and tested them for their ability to inhibit EphA2 by targeting the EphA2‐ephrin‐A1 interface. Among the selected compounds, the stilbene carboxylic acid GW4064 was identified as an effective antagonist of EphA2, being able to block EphA2 activation in prostate carcinoma cells, in the micromolar range. This finding proposes the “target hopping” approach as a new effective strategy to discover new protein–protein interaction inhibitors.