A waste characterisation procedure for ADM1 implementation based on degradation kinetics

In this study, a procedure accounting for degradation kinetics was developed to split the total COD of a substrate into each input state variable required for Anaerobic Digestion Model n°1. The procedure is based on the combination of batch experimental degradation tests (“anaerobic respirometry”) and numerical interpretation of the results obtained (optimisation of the ADM1 input state variable set). The effects of the main operating parameters, such as the substrate to inoculum ratio in batch experiments and the origin of the inoculum, were investigated. Combined with biochemical fractionation of the total COD of substrates, this method enabled determination of an ADM1-consistent input state variable set for each substrate with affordable identifiability. The substrate to inoculum ratio in the batch experiments and the origin of the inoculum influenced input state variables. However, based on results modelled for a CSTR fed with the substrate concerned, these effects were not significant. Indeed, if the optimal ranges of these operational parameters are respected, uncertainty in COD fractionation is mainly limited to temporal variability of the properties of the substrates. As the method is based on kinetics and is easy to implement for a wide range of substrates, it is a very promising way to numerically predict the effect of design parameters on the efficiency of an anaerobic CSTR. This method thus promotes the use of modelling for the design and optimisation of anaerobic processes.     

Detection methodology based on target molecule-induced sequence-specific binding to a single-stranded oligonucleotide

We have recently developed a mix-and-read format homogeneous antigen peptide based assay for detection of the antibodies (Tian, L.; Heyduk, T. Anal. Chem. 2009, 81, 5218-5225) that employed for target detection a simple biophysical mechanism of target antibody induced annealing between two complementary oligonucleotides attached to the antigen peptide. In this work, we propose and experimentally validate an alternative variant of this assay format in which target antibody binding to antigen peptide-oligonucleotide conjugate produces a complex with high sequence-specific binding affinity to a single-stranded capture oligonucleotide. This new assay format can be used for preparing various solid-surface based assays by immobilizing the capture oligonucleotide. This assay design is not limited to antibody detection. We demonstrate that it can also be employed for detecting proteins or pathogenic bacteria using oligonucleotide-labeled antibodies as target recognition elements. Preparation of these solid-surface based assays is simplified because all interactions with the solid surfaces are mediated by well-understood oligonucleotide-oligonucleotide interactions and because of the relative ease of immobilizing oligonucleotides on various solid surfaces. These unique aspects of the assay design also allow microarray-style multiplexing that could be most useful for multiplexed antibody profiling for diagnosis and analysis of cancer, autoimmune, and infectious diseases.     

Thermal Properties and Wetting Behavior of High Temperature Zn-Al-In Solders

Solders for ultrahigh-temperature applications were defined by Vianco as those able to sustain working conditions with temperatures as high as 573 K, with momentary temperature rise up to 623 K. Zn-Al eutectic alloy (12 at.% Al) fits such defined criteria with respect to its melting temperature. It was found that small additions of indium to Zn-Al eutectic lower its melting temperature. The aim of this work is to assess if and to what extent thermal properties and wetting behavior are affected. It was found that addition of In increases electrical resistivity and coefficient of thermal expansion value. Wetting angles on Cu and Al substrates of liquid Zn-Al eutectic-based alloys containing up to 1.5 at.% of In were studied with the sessile drop method, after wetting at 773 K in the presence of flux. A decrease of apparent wetting angle was observed with increasing concentration of In. After wetting tests solidified alloy-substrate couples were cross-sectioned and examined with scanning electron microscopy coupled with electron dispersive X-ray analysis.     

Modeling the starting performance of high power solid rotor salient pole synchronous motors

A computer model, including analytical and FEM formulations, was developed to calculate the starting performance of synchronous motors with solid rotor salient poles. Using quasi-steady state equations, the average and the envelope of the oscillating electromagnetic torque as well as the stator rms current are calculated. With the stator current, the rotor pole losses are evaluated by FEM. The complete simulation process is performed by self-contained software composed by several computational modules properly tiled to simplify the work of a design engineer. The calculated starting performance was compared to experimental results showing satisfactory consistency.     

Interactions of acetone with MoO3

Interactions of acetone and acetone/oxygen mixtures with MoO₃ were studied at 215–300 °C by pulse method. It has been shown that acetone is deoxygenated to propylene or oxidized to acetic acid, CO, and CO₂. Moreover a part of acetone is reversibly adsorbed and several minutes are necessary for acetone to be removed with a flow of carrier gas. As the surface is endowed with deoxygenating and oxidizing sites the desorbing acetone leaves the reactor mainly in the form of CO. These results agree with theoretical predictions based on the bond-strength model of active sites, according to which the sites of the first type (conversion of acetone) are localized on (100) face of MoO₃ and those of the second type (adsorption) on (001) and (101) planes. Both types of sites consist of surface anion vacancies and differ in the strength of bonding of oxygen. On the (100) face the bond strength is sufficiently large to break CO bond in acetone. On the other faces the interactions between acetone and surface are much weaker. In this context the application of acetone as poison of other reactions (e.g., conversion of methanol) is discussed.     

Bimetallic Pd–Cu/ZnO–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and Pd–Cu/ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts for methanol synthesis

Monometallic copper and bimetallic palladium-copper catalysts supported on ZnO–Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ were prepared by conventional impregnation method and tested in methanol synthesis reaction under elevated pressure (3.5 MPa) in gradientless reactor at 220°C. The physicochemical properties of prepared catalytic systems were studied using BET, X-ray, TPR-H₂, TPD-NH₃ techniques. The promotion effect of palladium on catalytic activity and selectivity of copper supported catalyst in methanol synthesis reaction was proven. The highest activity of this system is explained by the Pd–Cu alloy formation.     

CO2 adsorption and activation over γ-Al2O3-supported transition metal dimers: A density functional study

Catalytic conversion of CO₂ to liquid fuels has the benefit of reducing CO₂ emission. Adsorption and activation of CO₂ on the catalyst surface are key steps of the conversion. Herein, we used density functional theory (DFT) slab calculations to study CO₂ adsorption and activation over the γ-Al₂O₃-supported 3d transition metal dimers (M₂/γ-Al₂O₃, M = Sc–Cu). CO₂ was found to adsorb on M₂/γ-Al₂O₃ negatively charged and in a bent configuration, indicating partial activation of CO₂. Our results showed that both the metal dimer and the γ-Al₂O₃ support contribute to the activation of the adsorbed CO₂. The presence of a metal dimer enhances the interaction of CO₂ with the substrate. Consequently, the adsorption energy of CO₂ on M₂/γ-Al₂O₃ is significantly higher than that on the γ-Al₂O₃ surface without the metal dimer. The decreasing binding strength of CO₂ on M₂/γ-Al₂O₃ as M₂ changes from Sc₂ to Cu₂ was attributed to decreasing electron-donation by the supported metal dimers. Hydroxylation of the support surface reduces the amount of charge transferred to CO₂ for the same metal dimer and weakens the CO₂ chemisorption bonds. Highly dispersed metal particles maintained at a small size are expected to exhibit good activity toward CO₂ adsorption and activation.     

Application Properties of Bath Liquids for Children Based on Sodium Laureth Sulfate with Addition of Different Molecular Weight Collagens Derived from Marine Sources

This article investigates the influence of marine collagen of various molecular weights (Collagen Amino Acids—150 Da, Hydrolyzed Collagen—12,000 Da and Soluble Collagen—300,000 Da) on the functional properties of bath liquids for children based on anionic surfactants—sodium laureth sulfate. In addition to the aspects related to safety-in-use, which were presented in the authors' first work about marine collagen, consumers also expect bath cosmetics for children to have specific functional characteristics including viscosity or foaming properties. An increase in the molecular mass of marine collagen was found to be accompanied by an increase in dynamic viscosity and foaming ability and a decrease in the ability to emulsify fatty soil in the formulations under study. It can, therefore, be concluded that the addition of the highest molecular weight of marine collagen (300,000 Da) to bath liquids for children contributes not only to reducing the irritant effect caused by anionic surfactants, but also improves the usable properties of these types of cosmetics.     

Pillared smectite modified with carbon and manganese as catalyst for SCR of NOx with NH3. Part I. General characterization and catalyst screening

Carbon- and manganese-modified zirconia-pillared smectites were prepared, characterized (XRD, BET and pore analysis, XPS) and tested in selective catalytic reduction of NO_x with NH₃. Both untreated and acidic pretreated smectites were used. The acid pretreatment increased NO conversion and influenced the extent of carbon introduction into the porous system. The carbon deposit improved selectivity of the catalytic reduction to N₂. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin as Potential Drugs in Genitourinary Cancer Treatment—The Effect of Dose–Response on 2D and 3D Cell Cultures

Introduction: Introducing new drugs for clinical application is a very difficult, long, drawn-out, and costly process, which is why drug repositioning is increasingly gaining in importance. The aim of this study was to analyze the cytotoxic properties of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin on bladder and prostate cell lines in vitro. Methods: Bladder and prostate cancer cell lines together with their non-malignant counterparts were used in this study. In order to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of both drugs on tested cell lines, MTT assay, real-time cell growth analysis, apoptosis detection, cell cycle changes, molecular analysis, and 3D cultures were examined. Results: Both fluoroquinolones exhibited a toxic effect on all of the tested cell lines. In the case of non-malignant cell lines, the cytotoxic effect was weaker, which was especially pronounced in the bladder cell line. A comparison of both fluoroquinolones showed the advantage of ciprofloxacin (lower doses of drug caused a stronger cytotoxic effect). Both fluoroquinolones led to an increase in late apoptotic cells and an inhibition of cell cycle mainly in the S phase. Molecular analysis showed changes in BAX, BCL2, TP53, and CDKN1 expression in tested cell lines following incubation with ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. The downregulation of topoisomerase II genes (TOP2A and TOP2B) was noticed. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture analysis confirmed the higher cytotoxic effect of tested fluoroquinolone against cancer cell lines. Conclusions: Our results suggest that both ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin may have great potential, especially in the supportive therapy of bladder cancer treatment. Taking into account the low costs of such therapy, fluoroquinolones seem to be ideal candidates for repositioning into bladder cancer therapeutics.