Magnesium-solution phase catholyte seawater electrochemical system

A magnesium-solution phase catholyte semi-fuel cell (Mg-SFC) system was investigated as an energetic electrochemical system for low rate, long endurance undersea vehicle applications. This electrochemical system consisted of a magnesium anode and a solution phase catholyte of hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorite, in a seawater electrolyte. Polarization profiles of the Mg-SFC were performed to determine the corresponding voltages at applied current densities ranging from 10 to 50 mA cm⁻². Voltages of 1.0 V to 1.8 V were observed at these current densities. Constant current-density tests at 25 mA cm⁻² for 60 min were also performed to determine voltage stability with time. These tests showed voltages of 1.3 V when a magnesium anode and an electrocatalyst of nickel foil catalyzed with palladium and iridium were utilized. When an electrocatalyst of planar carbon catalyzed with palladium and iridium was tested, the corresponding voltage was 1.5 V.     

Human Gammaherpesvirus 8 Oncogenes Associated with Kaposi’s Sarcoma

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human gammaherpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), contains oncogenes and proteins that modulate various cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis, and is integral to KSHV infection and oncogenicity. In this review, we describe the most important KSHV genes [ORF 73 (LANA), ORF 72 (vCyclin), ORF 71 or ORFK13 (vFLIP), ORF 74 (vGPCR), ORF 16 (vBcl-2), ORF K2 (vIL-6), ORF K9 (vIRF 1)/ORF K10.5, ORF K10.6 (vIRF 3), ORF K1 (K1), ORF K15 (K15), and ORF 36 (vPK)] that have the potential to induce malignant phenotypic characteristics of Kaposi’s sarcoma. These oncogenes can be explored in prospective studies as future therapeutic targets of Kaposi’s sarcoma.     

Removal of Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions using tururi fibers as an adsorbent

This work investigates the removal of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Pb²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions using tururi fibers as an adsorbent under both batchwise and fixed‐bed conditions. It was found that modification of the tururi fibers with sodium hydroxide increased the adsorption efficiencies of all metal ions studied. The fractional factorial design showed that pH, adsorbent mass, agitation rate, and initial metal concentration influenced each metal adsorption differently. The kinetics showed that multi‐element adsorption equilibria were reached after 15 min following pseudo‐second‐order kinetics. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich–Peterson models were used to evaluate the adsorption capacities by tururi fibers. The Langmuir model was found to be suitable for all metal ions. Breakthrough curves revealed that saturation of the bed was reached in 160.0 mL with Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺, and 52.0 mL with Ni²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The Thomas model was applied to the experimental data of breakthrough curves and represented the data well. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40883.     

Different cell disruption methods for obtaining carotenoids by Sporodiobolus pararoseus and Rhodothorula mucilaginosa

Food Science and Biotechnology - Since carotenoids are synthesized inside the cell, it is desirable to find an efficient method to extract carotegenic pigments. This study aimed at comparing the...     

Study of the reactivity by pulse of CH4 over NiO/Fe-doped MgAl2O4 oxygen carriers for hydrogen production

The reactivity of Ni-based oxygen carrier (OC) was studied by CH₄ pulse test. The MgAl₂O₄ spinel was synthesized by microwave assisted combustion method and Ni and Fe were added by wet impregnation method. The results of CH₄ pulse test revealed that the OCs were more reactive for partial oxidation reaction. The XRD analysis of OCs after the test confirms the presence of NiO and MgAl₂O₄ without the secondary phases like NiAl₂O₄ and FeAl₂O₄. Among the OCs, Ni15Fe2MA was the most reactive producing the highest amounts of H₂ and exhibiting good re-oxidation capacity, illustrating its potential for use in Chemical Looping Reforming (CLR). The high reactivity is associated to a change on the NiO-support interaction.     

Use of polyester/glass‐fiber residues as fillers for composites

In this work, the performance of polyester (P)/glass fiber mats (G) and P/G/calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) composites was compared with that of P/G/fiberglass waste composites. The residues used were conventional P/G postconsumer light resin‐transfer‐molding parts, obtained via knife or ball milling. Composites with up to 50 wt % reinforcement were prepared by hot compression molding and characterized via physical (density and water sorption), thermal (thermogravimetry and burnout), and mechanical (impact, Barcol hardness, and tensile) testing. The results show that the simple grinding and reincorporation of the composite residues yielded new composites with generally worse characteristics than the ones with calcium carbonate. Then, the waste was sorted by removing most of the pure resin particles from it. This yielded a resin‐rich fraction, which could be better used for energy recovery and resin‐covered fibers. The use of the latter as a filler yielded composites with better overall properties than those with calcium carbonate for a controlled amount of W; thus showing potential use as a replacement for the commonly used inorganic filler, maintaining the mechanical properties, decreasing the raw material cost, and reducing the amount of composite waste discarded in the environment. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Chronic alcohol consumption promotes alterations on salivary gland regeneration process

The aim of this study is to investigate the histological effect of alcohol ingestion on the regeneration of the submandibular gland (SMG) in rats. Twelve 60‐day‐old male Wistar rats were randomized into two experimental groups. Test group (TG) animals ingested 40° GL of alcohol for 45 days before surgery, being its concentration gradually increased 10° GL/week for 4 weeks to achieve the final concentration of 40° GL. The control group (CG) received water during the whole experimental period. One‐third of the left SMG lobe was removed. Three and seven days after, the whole gland was excised and analyzed. In the TG, the inflammatory process was pronounced when comparing the CG on day 3. The inverse aspect was observed on day 7, associated with an advanced parenchyma development. Changes in laminin expression and glycoproteins production were observed in the TG, causing advanced morphogenesis and delay in cytodifferentiation during the salivary gland regeneration, probably due to alcohol effects. Animals who received ethanol showed alterations in the pattern of glandular regeneration. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:1125–1130, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Advanced oxidation of bleached eucalypt kraft pulp mill effluent.

In this study a poorly biodegradable (BOD/COD = 0.3) industrial alkaline ECF bleaching filtrate was treated using different advanced oxidation processes to evaluate their use in combined chemical-biological treatment aimed at increasing recalcitrant COD removal and improving final effluent quality. Oxidative treatments included ozonation combined with hydrogen peroxide (2, 5, 10, 20 mmol L(-1) O3/0.7, 2, 5, 10 mmol L(-1) H2O2) and photocatalysis with hydrogen peroxide (UV/2, 4 and 8 mmolL(-1) H2O2) and with TiO2 (UV/TiO2/0.7 and 4 mmol L(-1) H2O2). The O3/H2O2 process increased effluent biodegradability by up to 68% as a result of increasing BOD and decreasing COD. Increasing the O3 dose had a greater effect on biodegradability improvement and lignin and colour removal efficiencies than increasing the H2O2 dose. A combined oxidant dose of 5 mmol L(-1) O3 and 2 mmol L(-1) H2O2 resulted in 75% lignin removal, 40% colour removal and 6% carbohydrate loss without mineralizing the organic carbon. The photocatalytic processes led to a decrease in effluent biodegradability through combined decrease in BOD and increase in COD and did not result in efficient lignin or colour removal. Photocatalytic oxidation was apparently inhibited by the high chloride and COD levels in the alkaline filtrate, and may be more efficient in recalcitrant COD removal if performed after biological.     

Polysaccharide/Protein Nanomultilayer Coatings: Construction,Characterization and Evaluation of Their Effect on ‘Rocha’ Pear (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrus communis</Emphasis> L.) Shelf-Life

Nanolayered coatings of κ-carrageenan, a polysaccharide with good gas barrier properties, and lysozyme, a protein with antimicrobial action, were in a first stage assembled on aminolysed/charged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) pieces, which acted as a support, by alternate five-layer deposition. This was performed to allow the characterization of the nanomultilayer system. PET aminolysis was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and contact angle, and the subsequent layer adsorption on aminolysed PET surface was confirmed by absorbance, contact angle and SEM images. The water vapour permeability and the oxygen permeability (O₂P) of the five layers were found to be 0.013 ± 0.003 × 10⁻¹¹ and 0.1 ± 0.01 × 10⁻¹⁴ g m⁻¹ s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹, respectively. The nanomultilayer system was subsequently applied (without PET support) directly on ‘Rocha’ (Pyrus communis L.) fresh-cut pears and whole pears. Uncoated fresh-cut pears and whole pears presented higher mass loss, higher total soluble solids (TSS) and lower titratable acidity when compared with coated fresh-cut pears and whole pears. Uncoated fresh-cut pears also presented a darker colour. These results showed that the nanolayered coating assembled on the fruits’ surface has a positive effect on fruit quality and contributed to extend the shelf-life.