Dodecatungstocobaltate supported over ZSM-5 zeolite as novel solid catalyst in selective sulfide oxidation

The catalytic behavior of a Keggin type potassium dodecatungstocobaltate (II) salt supported on ZSM-5 zeolite for wet peroxide oxidation of 2-(methylthio)benzothiazole, as a model organic sulfide, was thoroughly studied. Microporous ZSM-5 zeolite was obtained by the hydrothermal crystallization method. The Keggin salt was incorporated in the MFI zeolite matrix by the wet impregnation method followed by calcination at 350 °C. Catalysts were further characterized by X ray diffraction, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy-EDAX techniques. Supported and bulk Keggin dodecatungstocobaltate (II) were compared with pure H-ZSM-5 zeolite as catalysts for the sulfide oxidation. When the reaction was not catalyzed, just a 9 mol% of sulfide conversion was obtained. Reaction parameters, such as nature of the solvent, hydrogen peroxide concentration, reaction time, catalyst mass, substrate initial concentration and reaction temperature, were evaluated to reach the optimum reaction conditions, considering substrate conversion and sulfoxide and sulfone selectivities. Catalyst stability in several oxidation cycles was also examined.     

Porosity‐dependent properties of Nb‐doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 ceramics

In the present work, it is shown how the controlled porosity can be exploited to obtain a compromise between a reduced permittivity down to a few hundreds and maintaining a high tunability level as in the dense material, to fulfill requirements for tunable applications. Nb‐doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ ceramics with porosity in the range 5%‐30% have been prepared by direct sintering method. X‐ray diffraction analysis and Rietveld refinement indicated a co‐existence of tetragonal and monoclinic phases in the porous ceramics. Dielectric properties revealed a gradual reduction in permittivity when increasing the porosity level, while maintaining low dielectric losses below 3%. The ferroelectric switching behavior is also influenced by the porosity level: a continuous reduction in the saturation and remnant polarization is observed with increasing porosity. The nonlinear dielectric properties of all the investigated ceramics preserve a high level of tunability in comparison with one of the dense material, irrespective of the porosity level, while zero field permittivity was decreased below 1000. An optimum behavior is found for the ceramic sample with 25% porosity, which shows a high tunability, smaller losses, and moderate dielectric constant (ε ~600).     

Effect of zirconia tape porosity on fluorapatite surface film formation by dip coating

Thin fluorapatite (FA) layers on porous 3 mol% yttria-partially stabilized zirconia (Y-PSZ) substrates have been fabricated by dipping porous zirconia tapes into aqueous 27.4 vol% fluorapatite slurries. Two porous Y-PSZ tapes with different volume fraction of porosity were developed using an acrylic latex binder: tapes with 31.4 vol% porosity were prepared using 16.6 vol% starch as fugitive additive and those with 12.7 vol% porosity were fabricated without starch. The influence of the porous structure of the tape surfaces, top and bottom, on the casting rate and consequently on the layer thickness formed on each surface was studied. Layers formed on the top and bottom surfaces of the tapes with 12.7 and 31.4 vol% porosity were compared. The formation of a thin layer on the surface of the tape was governed by both liquid entrainment and slip casting mechanisms. The data for the FA layer formation were in good agreement with the slip casting model for immersion times>0. The casting rate at the top surface of both tapes was greater than that at the bottom surface. This difference was attributed to a greater porosity of the top surface with respect to that of the bottom one and was more pronounced for the tapes prepared with starch. Layers formed on the top surface were found to be about 55 and 32% thicker than those formed on the bottom surface for the tapes fabricated with and without starch, respectively. For the tapes prepared with starch, the greater porosity and number of smaller pores in the matrix of the top surface increased the casting rate and produced the thickest dip coated layers     

Rancidity development during the chilled storage of farmed Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is a fatty fish species whose farming production has greatly increased in recent years. Lipid damage produced during Coho salmon chilled storage was studied for up to 24 d. Lipid hydrolysis (free fatty acids, FFA) and oxidation (conjugated dienes; peroxide value, PV; thiobarbituric acid index, TBA‐i; fluorescent compounds formation, FR; browning development) were determined and compared to lipid composition (polyene index, PI; astaxanthin, AX) changes and sensory assessment (rancid odour development) results. Most lipid damage indices developed slowly during storage; thus, values obtained for FFA, PV, TBA‐i and FR were in all cases under 1.5 g/100 g, 4.0 meq oxygen/kg lipid, 0.40 mg malondialdehyde/kg muscle and 0.40, respectively. Odour assessment showed a significant (p <0.05) rancidity development at day 10, when compared to starting fish material; then, non‐acceptable values were obtained at days 19 and 24. The PI analysis showed not many differences during the storage time, with the lowest mean value at day 19. AX analysis indicated a relatively high content in the white muscle, which was maintained till the end of the experiment. A low oxidation development is concluded for Coho salmon lipids when compared to other fatty fish species under the same chilling conditions. AX was found to contribute to the oxidation stability of Coho salmon lipids, due to its free radical scavenger properties.     

Nucleation behavior of blended high‐melting fractions of milk fat as affected by emulsifiers

The effect of highly hydrophobic emulsifiers, the palmitic sucrose ester P‐170 (hydrophilic/lipophilic balance (HLB) = 1.0), the stearic sucrose ester S‐170 (HLB = 1.0), the polyglycerol ester decaglycerol decastearate DAS 7S (HLB = 3.7) and the polyglycerol ester decaglycerol dodecabehenate DDB 750 (HLB = 2.6), on the nucleation of a high melting point milk fat fraction (HMF) and its blends with sunflower oil (SFO) was investigated by polarized laser light turbidimetry, X‐ray diffractometry and polarized light microscopy (PLM). Addition of polyglycerol esters accelerated nucleation, giving shorter induction times for the same supercooling. On the contrary, sucrose esters inhibited nucleation since induction times were elongated in all conditions selected. Addition of emulsifiers modified the polymorphic behavior in the blends with SFO. The β' form was promoted especially with the addition of S‐170. DAS 7S and DDB 750 promoted crystallization. PLM images showed many small crystals that did not appear in HMF images. Addition of P‐170 and S‐170 delayed nucleation and inhibited crystal growth. Crystals were notoriously smaller than the ones that appeared in HMF images. The Fisher–Turnbull model was used to calculate activation free energies of nucleation. In all cases, sucrose esters elevated the energy barrier for nucleation. Polyglycerol esters, however, if they had an effect on the energy barrier, lowered the values.     

Technological Implications of Modifying the Extent of Cell Wall-Proanthocyanidin Interactions Using Enzymes

The transference and reactivity of proanthocyanidins is an important issue that affects the technological processing of some fruits, such as grapes and apples. These processes are affected by proanthocyanidins bound to cell wall polysaccharides, which are present in high concentrations during the processing of the fruits. Therefore, the effective extraction of proanthocyanidins from fruits to their juices or derived products will depend on the ability to manage these associations, and, in this respect, enzymes that degrade these polysaccharides could play an important role. The main objective of this work was to test the role of pure hydrolytic enzymes (polygalacturonase and cellulose) and a commercial enzyme containing these two activities on the extent of proanthocyanidin-cell wall interactions. The results showed that the modification promoted by enzymes reduced the amount of proanthocyanidins adsorbed to cell walls since they contributed to the degradation and release of the cell wall polysaccharides, which diffused into the model solution. Some of these released polysaccharides also presented some reactivity towards the proanthocyanidins present in a model solution.     

A double-layered carbon nanotube array with super-hydrophobicity

The growth of double-layered vertical-aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays by a single step chemical vapor deposition is reported. The deactivation and reactivation of catalyst particles may be the cause of such a growth process. An interesting morphology difference between the top and the bottom CNT layers was observed. In contrast to the smooth surface of the top CNT layer, the surface of the bottom layer shows hierarchical structures. The surface structures of the bottom CNT layer allow this surface to exhibit super-hydrophobic properties and excellent self-cleaning abilities.     

Color determinants of surface stratification

Although color plays a crucial role in the demarcation of surfaces in the visual field, its role in depth perception is not well understood. Certain special effects of color on depth perception that arise from optical factors such as chromatic aberration (chromostereopsis) have been studied, but less is known about the role of perceptual factors of color in determining depth relations. The present study explores the role that the different attributes of color such as hue, chroma, and lightness play in the stratification of surfaces in depth. In two experiments, subjects manipulated specific dimensions of colors (hue, chroma, lightness, and whiteness) while making judgments of coplanarity of either two or more abutting surfaces. The results demonstrate that for surfaces to appear coplanar, their lightness has to be proportional to the natural (intrinsic) lightness of the hues. No meaningful effects of chroma, whiteness, or blackness were found in depth stratification. The results suggest a primary role of the natural lightness of hues in depth perception.     

Stereoselective Synthesis and Antiallodynic Activity of 3-Hydroxylated Paroxetines

The design, stereoselective synthesis and in vivo antiallodynic activity of four novel paroxetine analogs, named 3-hydroxy paroxetines (3HPXs), is reported herein. Among the novel synthesized compounds, three showed an antiallodynic effect, while (R,R)-3HPX was found to be 2.5 times more bioactive than (-)-paroxetine itself in neuropathic rats. Consequently, the current investigation not only discloses a novel promising analgesic drug, but also reveals that functionalization at the C3 position of paroxetine could be as effective as the common functionalization at either C4 or within the sesamol group.