Cornet‐Like Phosphotriazine/Diamine Polymers as Reductant and Matrix for the Synthesis of Silver Nanocomposites with Antimicrobial Activity

The synthesis of silver nanoparticles attached on the surface of a hollow cornet‐like polymer matrix which served as a reductant and host matrix is described. This hybrid organic/inorganic macromolecular matrix is exhibiting anion‐exchange properties, porous structure and hollow morphologies, and absorptions in the visible light region. Due to the anion‐exchange property and the 3D orientation of the macromolecular chains the material is defining a new functional organic/inorganic hybrid. For the synthesis of nanoparticles, no other reducing agents were used and silver nanoparticles with a mean diameter of less than 20 nm were attached on the surface of the polymer, thus inheriting the composite with high antibacterial activity tested in bacterial strains and yeasts.

     

Systemic Inflammation and the Breakdown of Intestinal Homeostasis Are Key Events in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Our aim was to investigate the subset distribution and function of circulating monocytes, proinflammatory cytokine levels, gut barrier damage, and bacterial translocation in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Thus, 56 SCI patients and 28 healthy donors were studied. The levels of circulating CD14^+highCD16⁻, CD14^+highCD16⁺, and CD14^+lowCD16⁺ monocytes, membrane TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9, phagocytic activity, ROS generation, and intracytoplasmic TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10 after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation were analyzed by polychromatic flow cytometry. Serum TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10 levels were measured by Luminex and LPS-binding protein (LBP), intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) and zonulin by ELISA. SCI patients had normal monocyte counts and subset distribution. CD14^+highCD16⁻ and CD14^+highCD16⁺ monocytes exhibited decreased TLR4, normal TLR2 and increased TLR9 expression. CD14^+highCD16⁻ monocytes had increased LPS-induced TNF-α but normal IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10 production. Monocytes exhibited defective phagocytosis but normal ROS production. Patients had enhanced serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels, normal IL-1 and IL-10 levels, and increased circulating LBP, I-FABP, and zonulin levels. Chronic SCI patients displayed impaired circulating monocyte function. These patients exhibited a systemic proinflammatory state characterized by enhanced serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels. These patients also had increased bacterial translocation and gut barrier damage.     

Interlayer bonding between thermoplastic composites and metals by in-situ polymerization technique

Fiber-metal laminates (FMLs) offer the superior characteristics of polymer composites (i.e., light weight, high strength and stiffness) with the ductility and fracture strength of metals. The bond strength between the two dissimilar materials, composite and metal, dictates the properties and performance of the FMLs. The bonding becomes more critical when the polymer matrix is thermoplastic and hydrophobic in nature. This work employed a novel bonding technique between thermoplastic composites and a metal layer using six different combinations of organic coatings. The flexural, and interlaminar shear strength of the thermoplastic fiber metal laminates (TP-FMLs) were examined to investigate the bond strengths in the different cases along with fracture characteristics revealed from the tested samples using scanning electron microscopy. The viscoelastic performance of the fabricated TP-FMLs were also investigated using the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis method.     

The Neglected Water Rebound Effect of Income and Employment Growth

Water Resources Management - The water footprint assessment, particularly for the agricultural sector, is often a valuable input to water policy formation globally. Efforts on reducing it focus on...     

Antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds in commercially grown native Australian herbs and spices

The antioxidant capacities and phenolic composition in six native, commercially grown, Australian herbs and spices were investigated. Tasmannia pepper leaf, followed by anise myrtle and lemon myrtle contained the highest levels of total phenolics (TP; 102.1; 55.9 and 31.4 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight (DW), respectively). Tasmannia pepper leaf exhibited the highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC assay) followed by lemon myrtle and anise myrtle. Anise myrtle exhibited the highest total reducing capacity [TRC; Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay], followed by Tasmannia pepper leaf and lemon myrtle. Australian bush tomato, with TP content of 12.4 ± 0.9 mg GAE/gDW and TRC of 206.2 μMol Fe⁺²/gDW, resembled the Chinese Barbary Wolfberry fruit. The TP content of Tasmannia pepper berry (16.86 mg GAE/gDW) was similar to that of black pepper, but it’s TRC was 25% lower. Cinnamic acids and flavonoids, tentatively identified by mass spectrometry, were identified as the main sources of antioxidant activities.     

Turbulent Sprays Evaporating Under “Stabilized Cool Flame” Conditions: Assessment of two CFD Approaches

An “in-house” computational fluid dynamics code implementing a Euler-Lagrange approach is extended by incorporating the Euler-Euler (two-fluid model) approach, to improve prediction capabilities of flow and thermal characteristics of turbulent evaporating sprays. The performance of both approaches is assessed by comparing predictions with experimental data for a variety of evaporating-spray test cases. The applicability of the Euler-Lagrange and Euler-Euler approach is established in an isopropyl alcohol–air turbulent flow, in which characteristic droplet quantity predictions are in satisfactory overall agreement with measurements. The evaporating spray characteristics are then predicted under “stabilized cool flame” conditions and the computational results are compared to experimental data for a nonreactive case and a reactive case. In both cases, the velocity and thermal fields are successfully captured by both approaches. Overall, the article demonstrates an approach toward the development of performance-based computational tools.     

Moisture sorption isotherms and isosteric heat of sorption of leaves and stems of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) established by dynamic vapor sorption

The equilibrium moisture contents (MC) of leaves and stems of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) were determined separately at temperatures of 25, 35 and 45 °C over a stepwise increase of relative humidity (RH) ranging from 3 to 90% by an automatic, gravimetric analyzer (DVS system). Equilibrium was achieved within 6 h for most of the target values of relative humidity. The equilibrium moisture content of leaves was significantly higher than that of stems (p < 0.05). Differences in moisture sorption capacity between the leaves and stems can be attributed to chemical composition and structure of the tissues. Five three-parameter moisture sorption models (modifications of Chung–Pfost, GAB, Halsey, Henderson and Oswin) were tested for their effectiveness to fit the experimental sorption data. The modified Oswin equation was found to be the best model to describe the adsorption isotherms of both leaves and stems of lemon balm. The recommended MC values of leaves and stems for microbial safe storage at 25 °C were 0.124 and 0.113 kg water per kg dry solids, respectively. The net isosteric heat of sorption was computed from the predicted sorption data by applying the integrated form of the Clausius–Clapeyron equation.     

Inhibitory effect of organic acid salts on spoilage flora in culture medium and cured cooked meat products under commercial manufacturing conditions

Lactobacillus curvatus, isolated from a spoiled vacuum-packaged 'pariza' type meat product, was used to inoculate modified MRS broth containing sodium lactate, sodium acetate and potassium sorbate in different concentrations, alone or in inter se combinations. Two commercial preparations (MIX 1 and MIX 2) were also used containing combinations of the above antimicrobials. Results from the preservatives addition to the culture medium showed highest antimicrobial activity in the case of the sodium lactate (2%, 3% or 4%), sodium acetate (0.5%) and potassium sorbate (0.15%) combination. Results from the preservatives addition to two types of thermally processed meats showed that sodium lactate and the combination of sodium lactate, sodium acetate and potassium sorbate were the most effective; extending the products shelf life an additional 10 days. Finally, MIX 1 and MIX 2 suppressed the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) growth in the culture medium but not in the final product.     

Effect of durum flour enrichment with chickpea flour on the characteristics of dough and lasagne

The ability of chickpea flour to enrich pasta products (e.g. lasagne) was studied. In addition, the influence of protein and other components upon the rheological properties of the dough and the cooking quality of the wheat–chickpea blends was determined. Supplementing lasagne with 5–20% w/w chickpea flour improves the physical characteristics of dough, which achieves optimum strength and extensible properties thus allowing the lasagne to maintain a firm and elastic form. Organoleptic properties (colour, flavour and overall acceptability) improved with a low proportion of chickpea flour, especially for 5% w/w substitution. For supplementation ≥ 30%, while the content of the total protein increased along with the level of fortification, lasagne processing, handling and cooking characteristics deteriorated proportionally. This could be attributed primarily to the gluten fraction, which decreases upon being diluted by the added chickpea protein. The rheological properties of high supplemented dough products (30–50% w/w) have low extensograph values and the lasagne obtained has a brown colour and a soft mushy taste that is unacceptable to consumers. So, durum wheat flour can carry 5–10% (w/w) of chickpea flour and still meet the specification of pasta products in terms of firmness, cooking quality and sensory evaluation. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Solar and geothermal heating and cooling of the European Centre for Public Law building in Greece

The European Centre for Public Law in Legraina near Athens in Greece is heated and cooled by a combined solar and geothermal system. The main components of the system are a saline groundwater supplying well, water storage tank for 6 h autonomy, inverter for regulating geothermal flow, heat exchanger, two electrical water source heat pumps placed in cascade, fan coils, air handling units, as well as solar air collectors for air preheating in winter. In addition, hot water is supplied to the building hostel by solar water heaters. Monitoring of the energy system during heating showed excellent energy efficiency and performance.