Gold nanoshell density variation with laser power for induced hyperthermia

The thermal profile effects of nanoshell density, laser power, and laser arrangement are presented for ideal cases of nanoshell-assisted photothermal therapy. A one-dimensional thermal model utilizing the P₁ approximation is used to simulate the penetration of laser radiation and subsequent heating of 1-cm slabs of nanoshell-embedded tissue exposed to a 633-nm collimated light source. It is shown that adding too many nanoshells or increasing power can cause overheating in the entry region while leaving the rear region heated only by conduction, producing an undesirable temperature differential. An opposing dual-laser approach is presented that mitigates this issue.     

Triple functionalisation of single-walled carbon nanotubes with doxorubicin, a monoclonal antibody, and a fluorescent marker for targeted cancer therapy

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been identified as a transporter for anti-cancer drugs, as they are capable of penetrating mammalian cell membranes and allow for a high drug loading due to their nanoscale dimensions and high aspect ratio. In addition, they can assist the targeting of therapeutic agents to the desired site of action by conjugation to antibodies or ligands of cancer cell surface receptors, which increases the effectiveness of the treatment and reduces side effects. In this work, we present a method for the triple functionalisation of oxidised SWCNTs with the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin, a monoclonal antibody, and a fluorescent marker at non-competing binding sites. The proposed methodology allows for the targeted delivery of the anti-cancer drug to cancer cells and the visualisation of the cellular uptake of SWCNTs by confocal microscopy. We show that the complex is efficiently taken up by cancer cells with subsequent intracellular release of doxorubicin, which then translocates to the nucleus while the nanotubes remain in the cytoplasm.     

Phase equilibria calculations for ill-defined mixtures using the prsv equation of state

A method for the calculation of vapor-liquid equilibria (VLE) for multicomponent systems using continuous thermodynamics is presented. The Extended Spline Fit Technique (ESFT) is used to represent the molar distribution curve of petroleum fluids. A continuous version of the Peng-Robinson-Stryjek-Vera (PRSV) equation of state (EOS) with Generalized Single Carbon Number Properties (GSCNP) is utilized. For continuously distributed components, following the suggestion of Hendriks (1987), the number of equations solved is reduced through integration over the range of the distributing variable using Legendre-Gauss quadrature. Integrated equations are solved using accelerated successive substitution. Flash, dew and bubble point calculations for an imaginary and a real system yield satisfactory results.     

Methodology for WEEE assessment in Algeria

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) generated in emerging countries is increasing. This study presents a methodology to improve assessment and monitoring WEEE in Algeria. The proposed methodology is a two-step approach. The first step is the collection and collation of existing data from different national and international sources. In the second step, different assessment and forecasting methods are applied. Forecasting methods were selected from those models which provided minimum error indices. The paper considers also the availability and reliability of data in order to provide a future reliable assessment of WEEE in Algeria. The study revealed that the forecasting methods do not have a big influence on the results contrary to the inputs of the model.     

Risk assessment of azo dyes as food additives: Revision and discussion of data gaps toward their improvement

The food industry uses dyes mainly to overcome color loss during the processing and storage of products, with the azo dyes currently being the most employed. Studies on the safety of using these dyes in foods started in the 1950s and have indicated the potential for concern. This review discusses the risk assessment of food intake containing artificial azo dyes. There are case reports and, subsequently, double-blind placebo-controlled trials in some individuals who may experience adverse effects from the intake of azo dyes, but it is unclear whether these adverse effects are restricted to specific populations or more generalized. In view of this, different toxicological endpoints are evaluated to verify toxic effects in in vitro and in vivo models and to establish the no observed adverse effect level. Exposure estimation studies have shown that human exposure to azo dyes via oral intake is mainly below the acceptable daily intake established by advisory bodies. However, most countries do not have studies that estimate the oral intake of azo dyes. In this case, local food diversity and racial–ethnic specificities are not considered when stating the exposure estimate is below the acceptable daily intake for the human population and thus may not represent actual intake. Concerning the scenario established above, this review discusses the most critical gaps to be overcome to contribute to the direction of future studies and the development of more effective public policies concerning the safety of the intake of artificial azo dyes.     

Evaluation of the adjusted amino acid score by digestibility for estimating the protein quality and protein available in food and diets

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the amino acid score adjusted by digestibility to estimate protein quality and utilizable protein in foods and diets, considering net protein utilization (NPU) as a biological reference method. Ten foods of vegetable origin and ten of animal origin, as well as eight mixtures of foods of vegetable and animal origin were studied. When all the foods were considered, a positive (r = 0.83) and highly significant correlation (p less than 0.001) between NPU and the amino acid score adjusted by digestibility was found. When the foods were separated according to their origin, this correlation was positive only for the foods of vegetable origin (r = 0.93) and statistically significant (p less than 0.001). Also, only in those foods were similar values found between NPU and amino acid score adjusted by digestibility, as well as in utilizable protein estimated considering both methods. Caution is required to interpret protein quality and utilizable protein values of foods of animal origin and mixtures of foods of vegetable and animal origin when the amino acid score method adjusted by digestibility, or NPU, are utilized.     

Genital sex pheromones of ixodid ticks: 1. Evidence of occurrence in anterior reproductive tract of American dog tick,Dermacentor variabilis (Say) (Acari: Ixodidae)

The occurrence of a genital sex pheromone in the anterior reproductive tract of partially fed femaleDermacentor variabilis was demonstrated by extraction and bioassay. A new type of bioassay, the neutered female assay, was developed to test the potency of extracts or chemically defined fractions to stimulate males to copulate. Electrophysiological tests confirmed the ability of males to detect the pheromone with sensilla on their cheliceral digits. Males of bothD. variabilis andD. andersoni exhibited neuronal excitation when stimulated with extracts of theD. variabilis reproductive tissues. The pheromone, which is soluble in methanol, was fractionated and found to contain at least two fractions that stimulated copulation by sexually excited males. Evidently, the pheromone is a mixture of two or more compounds. Histologic, ultrastructural, and histochemical studies suggest the vestibular vagina as the site of genital sex pheromone occurrence, presumably from secretions of the surrounding lobular accessory gland. The identity of the compounds that comprise the pheromone remains unknown.Supported by grants AI10986 and AI10987 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, U.S. Public Health Service, Bethesda, Maryland 20205.     

Cooking and texture properties of gluten‐free fettuccine processed from defatted flaxseed flour and rice flour

Nonconventional raw materials have been applied in gluten‐free pasta, to meet the demand of people with coeliac disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cooking properties and texture of pasta formulated with rice flour, defatted flaxseed flour and pregelatinised mixed flour of rice and flaxseed (80:20). For this experiment, simplex design was used. Cooking properties and texture were found within the quality limits established for this type of product. The pasta with the most desirable properties (short optimum cooking time (OCT), less solid loss (SL) and intermediate mass increase (MI)) was that one formulated with 43 g 100 g^?1 of pregelatinised flour, 47 g 100 g^?1 of rice flour and 10 g 100 g^?1 of defatted flaxseed flour. This formulation can be characterised as a food rich in dietary fibre and of high nutritional value.     

Sustainable recovery of grape skins for use in an apple beverage with antiglycation properties

An apple puree formulated with red grape skins was developed on pilot scale as a new beverage with antiglycation properties. The addition level of grape skins was selected by a liking test with 70 consumers. The selected formulation was a fibre‐rich source and delivered grape anthocyanins, flavonols and flavanols resulting in ~ twofold higher antiglycation activity than the apple puree. Pasteurisation (3‐D in the target microorganism Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris) did not affect the antiglycation activity, which decreased by 30% upon sterilisation. Storage for 1 month in the temperature range 15–35 °C affected the contents of anthocyanins, monomeric, dimeric and oligomeric flavanols, while chlorogenic acid, flavonols and dihydrochalcones were stable. About 90% antiglycation activity was retained after one‐month storage at 15 °C. The use of red grape skin as ingredient could represent an opportunity for the apple processing industry to develop a value‐added product.     

Physicochemical Investigation of the Reaction of Components of the Si — Al — O — N — Ti System in the Si3N4 — Al2O3 — AlN — SiO2 — TiN — TiO2 Region. Part 2. Subsystems Si3N4 — AlN,TiN — AlN,Al2O3 — AlN

The reaction of components of the Si — Al — O — N — Ti system in its elements Si ₃N₄ — AlN, TiN — AlN, and Al ₂O ₃ — AlN was investigated by differential thermal and x-ray diffraction analysis. It was established that upon hot pressing mixtures of Si₃N ₄ and AlN (up to 1950°C) free silicon is formed by the decomposition of Si ₃N₄, which reacts with oxygen present as an impurity to form SiO. When TiN reacts with AlN a phase with the spinel structure (Al₂₃O ₂₇N ₅), which can form only in the presence of excess oxygen, appears in addition to the initial components. Spinel is also produced by the reaction of Al ₂O₃ with AlN. In this case a eutectic between Al ₂₃O₂₇N₅ and Al₂O₃ is observed.