Optimization of an anode for arsenic(V) extraction

Electrochemical methods has led to the preparation of a poly(pyrrole)-modified steel electrode (SS/PPy) for testing and optimizing the polymer doping/undoping process for arsenic(V) removal. Potentiodynamic (cyclic voltammetry) electropolymerization optimal range was between −0.200 and 0.980 V vs SCE. On the other hand, the potentiostatic optimal working potential was 0.980 V. SS/PPy-modified electrode prepared under either of these optimum conditions displayed a doping/undoping process occurring at 0.700 and −0.200 V, respectively. Hence, As(V) extraction or removal was performed by incorporating the cation to SS/PPy applying a 0.700 V constant potential. Then, As(V) doped SS/PPy was transferred to another cell, in which the undoping potential (−0.200 V) was applied to remove the ion from the polymer matrix, completing thus the extraction cycle (EC). This way, for instance, with a SS of 10 cm² geometric area and potentiostatic deposition carried out for 10 min, arsenic removal rates over 77 % were attained for 10 EC of 60 s each. This outcome allows predicting a promising future for the method as As(V) extractor from aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the modified electrode exhibited acceptable conditions for developing a likely arsenic sensor, since a linear current vs As(V) concentration relationship exits, at least in the order of concentrations used herein (50–500 ppm).     

Evaluation of the sensory and physical properties of meat and fish derivatives containing grape pomace powders

The wine industry produces tons of pomace that, in a circular economy model, should be valorised. The phenols fraction of grape pomace represents a source of food colorants, but also of natural food preservatives. Furthermore, the pomace contains dietary fibre, unsaturated lipids, antioxidants and minerals that have been recognised as wholesome and technologically useful. The main drawback of using grape pomace is represented by its chemical and microbiological instability. Different authors proposed strategies to overcome these limitations, and different approaches for the use of grape pomace as an ingredient have been described. Here, we sum up the chemical and microbiological solutions for the stabilisation of grape pomace, describing the approaches used to transform this waste in a functional ingredient, and comparing the physiochemical characteristics of the resulting products. We further describe the studies concerning sensory aspects of the products by enriching animal fleshes with different pomace powder preparations.     

Parabolic Trough Collector and Central Receiver Coupled with Fresnel Lens: Experimental Tests

Machine Intelligence Research - Renewable energies have a high impact on power energy production and reduction of environmental pollution worldwide, so high efforts have been made to improve...     

A model for the devolatilization of EPDM rubber in a series of steam stripping vessels

A mathematical model was developed for the multitank stripping section of industrial ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber processes. Experiments were conducted to determine Henry's law coefficients and diffusivities for hexane solvent and 5‐ethylidene‐2‐norbornene (ENB) comonomer in EPDM particles. Equivalent radii for diffusion within the particles were also determined. A model was developed to predict solvent and comonomer concentrations in a single particle as it moves through a series of tanks with different operating conditions. A second, more‐complicated model was then developed to account for a continuous flow stirred tank residence time distribution for the particles in the tanks. Data from three industrial plants were used to estimate parameters and assess the models' predictive ability. Typical prediction errors are 0.90 wt % for residual hexane and 0.14 wt % for residual ENB. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 2596–2606, 2014     

Gate-induced fermi level tuning in InP nanowires at efficiency close to the thermal limit

As downscaling of semiconductor devices continues, one or a few randomly placed dopants may dominate the characteristics. Furthermore, due to the large surface-to-volume ratio of one-dimensional devices, the position of the Fermi level is often determined primarily by surface pinning, regardless of doping level. In this work, we investigate the possibility of tuning the Fermi level dynamically with wrap-around gates, instead of statically setting it using the impurity concentration. This is done using Ω-gated metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors with HfO(2)-capped InP nanowires as channel material. It is found that induced n-type devices exhibit an optimal inverse subthreshold slope of 68 mV/decade. By adjusting the growth and process parameters, it is possible to produce ambipolar devices, in which the Fermi level can be tuned across the entire band gap, making it possible to induce both n-type and p-type conduction.     

Polydimethyldiphenylsiloxanes/silica interconnected networks: preparation and properties evaluation

A series of copolymers, polydimethyldiphenylsiloxane-α,ω-diols, differing by compositions and molecular masses has been prepared by equilibrium anionic ring-opening copolymerization of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane with octaphenylcyclotetrasiloxane in presence of tetramethylammonium hydroxide as a catalyst. These copolymers were used as matrix for the in situ developing silica networks. The crosslinking of the copolymers concomitantly occurs by reaction between the ending silanol groups and tetraethoxysilane, thus the polydiorganosiloxane network interconnects with the silica one. The resulted materials processed as films (thickness 0.25–1.50 mm) were investigated by various techniques in order to evaluate morphology, optical properties, and thermal behavior. The results were compared with those obtained by model samples based on polydimethylsiloxanes/silica.     

Long-term immune reconstitution and outcome after HLA-nonidentical T-cell-depleted bone marrow transplantation for severe combined immunodeficiency: a European retrospective study of 116 patients

We have performed a retrospective analysis of the development of T- and B-cell functions after HLA-nonidentical T-cell-depleted bone marrow transplantation (BMT) performed in 193 patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) at 18 European centers between December 1982 and December 31, 1993. One hundred sixteen of 193 patients were alive with evidence of engraftment 6 months after BMT. Development of T-cell function occurred earlier than B-cell function and was achieved more frequently up to the time of last follow-up. The median time to achieve normal T-cell function was 8.7 months, whereas the median time to achieve normal B-cell function was 14.9 months. Twenty-four patients died later than 6 months post-BMT, mainly due to chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and/or viral infection. Absence of T-cell reconstitution 6 months after BMT, unlike absence of B-cell reconstitution, was associated with a poor outcome. Two additional factors were associated with a poor outcome: presence of cGVHD 6 months after BMT and B- SCID versus B+ SCID. However, two of these three factors remained as significant prognostic factors in a multivariate analysis: the absence of T-cell function and the presence of cGVHD 6 months after BMT. Analysis of the factors influencing the development of immune reconstitution showed that T- and B-cell functions occurred earlier and more frequently in B+ SCID versus B- SCID patients. Acute GVHD was associated with a slower development of T-cell function at 6 months, and cGVHD had a negative influence on the development of T-cell function afterwards, but neither acute nor chronic GVHD was found to influence the development of B-cell function. Once engraftment occurred, whether patients had or had not received Busulfan in the conditioning regimen did not influence the kinetics and quality of T-cell function development. In a multivariate study, two factors were found to influence the T-cell function 6 months after BMT: type of SCID and acute GVHD. The results of this retrospective analysis should lead to new protocols adapted to SCID disease, considering that disease-related as well as BMT-related parameters influence the development of immune function and thereby long-term outcome after HLA-nonidentical T-cell-depleted BMT.     

Families of microRNAs Expressed in Clusters Regulate Cell Signaling in Cervical Cancer

Tumor cells have developed advantages to acquire hallmarks of cancer like apoptosis resistance, increased proliferation, migration, and invasion through cell signaling pathway misregulation. The sequential activation of genes in a pathway is regulated by miRNAs. Loss or gain of miRNA expression could activate or repress a particular cell axis. It is well known that aberrant miRNA expression is well recognized as an important step in the development of cancer. Individual miRNA expression is reported without considering that miRNAs are grouped in clusters and may have similar functions, such as the case of clusters with anti-oncomiRs (23b~27b~24-1, miR-29a~29b-1, miR-29b-2~29c, miR-99a~125b-2, miR-99b~125a, miR-100~125b-1, miR-199a-2~214, and miR-302s) or oncomiRs activity (miR-1-1~133a-2, miR-1-2~133a-1, miR-133b~206, miR-17~92, miR-106a~363, miR183~96~182, miR-181a-1~181b-1, and miR-181a-2~181b-2), which regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K), NOTCH, proteasome-culling rings, and apoptosis cell signaling. In this work we point out the pathways regulated by families of miRNAs grouped in 20 clusters involved in cervical cancer. Reviewing how miRNA families expressed in cluster-regulated cell path signaling will increase the knowledge of cervical cancer progression, providing important information for therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic methodology design.