Self-feed device behaviour evaluation designed for assessment of operability of coated electrodes

The objective of the present work is to evaluate the effectiveness of a self-feed device for coated electrodes. This device is able to eliminate disturbances from manual operation or the use of automatic control systems during the study of coated electrode behaviour. The conjugation of different methods such as short-circuit time statistical analysis and metallographic analysis (penetration, heat-affected zone, shape and mean distance between successive solidification fronts) together with the analysis of the electric arc and electrode melting parameters allows us to obtain relationships between arc behaviour, mass transfer processes and bead appearance. This permits the extraction of criteria to describe process stability and the behaviour of the feed device employed. An appropriate statistical methodology was obtained to process the ‘duration of the short-circuit’ parameter through an appropriate adjustment of empirical distributions to a log-normal model. The self-feed device for coated electrode welding allows the repeatable and reproducible execution of welding beads in the flat position, keeping the arc length based on physical and chemical characteristics of the electrode during welding trials using 125, 140 and 160 A.     

Surfactant-like Properties of Alkaline Extracts from Wastewater Biosolids

In order to assess the potential for utilizing wastewater biosolids as a source of useful substances, the surface activity of materials extracted from wastewater biosolids (activated sludge) by simple incubation with sodium hydroxide solutions at room temperature was assessed. The surface activity, measured by surface and interfacial tension methods, of the extracts was shown to be dependent on the extraction pH and the concentration of the organic matter solubilized in the alkaline solution. Increasing the extraction pH increased the surface activity of the extract (lower surface tensions), which is linked to the presence of more hydrophobic species in the extract. After adjusting the pH to more acidic values (e.g., pH = 4), the extracts retained their surface activity. The apparent CMC (critical micelle concentration) of pH 12.6 extracts was approximately 1,000 mg/L (based on total organic carbon or TOC), and the surface tension after CMC approximately 35 mN/m. While the CMC of the extract is significantly higher, when compared to a conventional surfactant, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS, CMC ~ 25 mg/L), its surface tension at CMC was comparable. Above its CMC, the pH 12.6 extract had similar interfacial tensions than SDBS against toluene, heptane and hexadecane. Furthermore, the extract and SDBS had similar detergency performance for the removal of hexadecane from cotton. Skin corrosivity tests of the neutralized extracts show that they have comparable toxicity to conventional anionic surfactants such as sodium dodecyl sulfate. The potential use of these extracts in commercial products is discussed.     

The Peculiar Structure of Acetobacter pasteurianus CIP103108 LPS Core Oligosaccharide

Acetobacter pasteurianus, a member of the Alphaproteobacteria, is an acetic acid-producing bacterium present on sugar-rich substrates such as such as fruits, flowers and vegetables and traditionally used in the production of fermented food. The preferred living habitat associated with acid conditions makes the structure of the bacterial cell wall interesting to study, due to expected uncommon features. We have used a combination of chemical, analytical and NMR spectroscopy approaches to define the complete structure of the core oligosaccharide from A. pasteurianus CIP103108 LPS. Interestingly, the core oligosaccharide displays a high concentration of negatively charged groups, structural features that might contribute to reinforcing the bacterial membrane.     

Microtubule Destabilizing Sulfonamides as an Alternative to Taxane-Based Chemotherapy

Pan-Gyn cancers entail 1 in 5 cancer cases worldwide, breast cancer being the most commonly diagnosed and responsible for most cancer deaths in women. The high incidence and mortality of these malignancies, together with the handicaps of taxanes—first-line treatments—turn the development of alternative therapeutics into an urgency. Taxanes exhibit low water solubility that require formulations that involve side effects. These drugs are often associated with dose-limiting toxicities and with the appearance of multi-drug resistance (MDR). Here, we propose targeting tubulin with compounds directed to the colchicine site, as their smaller size offer pharmacokinetic advantages and make them less prone to MDR efflux. We have prepared 52 new Microtubule Destabilizing Sulfonamides (MDS) that mostly avoid MDR-mediated resistance and with improved aqueous solubility. The most potent compounds, N-methyl-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-4-methylaminobenzenesulfonamide 38, N-methyl-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-4-methoxy-3-aminobenzenesulfonamide 42, and N-benzyl-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-4-methoxy-3-aminobenzenesulfonamide 45 show nanomolar antiproliferative potencies against ovarian, breast, and cervix carcinoma cells, similar or even better than paclitaxel. Compounds behave as tubulin-binding agents, causing an evident disruption of the microtubule network, in vitro Tubulin Polymerization Inhibition (TPI), and mitotic catastrophe followed by apoptosis. Our results suggest that these novel MDS may be promising alternatives to taxane-based chemotherapy in chemoresistant Pan-Gyn cancers.     

Environmental impact estimation of ceramic lightweight aggregates production starting from residues

Within a circular economy approach, this study investigates the environmental impact of lightweight aggregates (LWAs) produced starting from different mixes of different clays with brewery sludge and cattle bone flour ash (CBA), used as poring and fertilizing agents, respectively. The environmental impact was evaluated by means of release tests, insulation capacity, carbon footprint (CFP), and particulate matter emission during pellet firing. Release tests representative of LWAs realistic application showed very high release of phosphate and satisfactory release of potassium. The thermal insulation of the LWAs was tested by thermal imaging camera and resulted highly variable depending on the composition, with the mix containing CBA performing best. This latter composition leads also to the smallest CO₂ equivalent emission, due to the calorific power of CBA, allowing lower consumption of fossil fuels during the LWA production. Finally, total particulate emissions during the thermal treatment resulted similar in terms of mass for all mixes, while differences in terms of particle morphology and composition occurred. Samples containing residue resulted with a quite good release behavior, CFP, and insulation properties, but higher emission of particles, particularly when glass is added.     

Development and implementation of a hybrid scale up model for a batch high shear wet granulation operation

The high shear wet granulation (HSWG) operation consists of several rate processes influenced by the raw material properties, process operational parameters, and equipment design. Their combined effect determines the granule attributes. In literature, these rate processes have been modeled using different dimensionless numbers and their correlations. Each of these dimensionless numbers represent only certain rate processes. Since many of these rate processes occur at the same time, it is necessary to simultaneously model them to account for all the important degrees of freedom. Most of the HSWG scale up approaches in literature calculate scale up conditions based on a single rate process or operating parameter of interest that can lead to sub-optimal process design. We present the development of a hybrid HSWG scale up model accounting simultaneously for all the rate processes. The approach was successfully implemented to scale up the HSWG operation across laboratory, pilot, and commercial scales.     

Characterization of precipitates formed in X7R 0603 BME-MLCC during sintering

In the current study two different batches of X7R-0603 BME-MLCCs displayed dissimilar electrical performance, despite having the same chemical composition, tape casting, and sintering conditions; with the only difference between them being the ore deposits where the raw materials were extracted from to synthesize the BaTiO₃. Specifically, they presented different electrical response to highly accelerated life tests (HALT). Although the chemical analysis of each slip showed the same composition, the trace elements of the BaTiO₃ sources could have acted as dopants or produced different secondary phases. A search for precipitates in the two samples was conducted by means of Scanning (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques. SEM observations confirmed the presence of precipitates formed within the structure of the MLCCs exhibiting the greatest decrement in their electrical resistance results during the HALT. In order to further characterize the observed precipitates, samples were prepared by Focused Ion Beam (FIB) lift-out method, to make TEM characterization of specific precipitates feasible. TEM studies were performed on the precipitates to obtain electron diffraction patterns and complementary Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDXS) chemical analysis. Based on the crystal and chemical data obtained, it can be concluded that the precipitates are a hexagonal anhydrous silicate oxyapatite phase with a stoichiometry of Ca₃Y₁₆Si₁₀O₁₃, and lattice parameters of a = 0.9353 nm and c = 0.6970 nm; this phase was not found in the JCPDS data base. Differences in raw materials coming from different ore deposits can produce undesired precipitates that affect the electrical performance of MLCCs.     

Drivers of Plant Invasion at Broad and Fine Scale in Short Temperate Streams

Riparian ecosystems have been described as highly prone to alien plant invasions; thus, disentangling the contributing factors of the invasion process is of utmost importance to conserving and managing these valuable ecosystems. In this study we examined the drivers of riparian plant invasion in 16 Cantabrian river basins (northern Spain) ranging from 100 to ca. 1050 km². A complete flora was determined for five randomly selected sites within those basins. One hundred and thirty alien plant species were found across the 80 sampling sites, representing 21% of the recorded total flora. At site scale, the level of plant invasion, measured as alien richness (AR) and relative alien richness (RAR), was assessed in relation to a set of explanatory variables by means of Generalised Linear Mixed Models. This level of invasion was influenced by environmental variables such as the thermicity index, the average riverbed width and the number of plant communities and by human‐related variables such as the distance to the nearest town and the proportion of surrounding urban land. At basin scale, industrialised river basins were more heavily invaded than non‐industrialised basins, and they both differed in their alien plant composition. Given that some of the alien species occurring in Cantabrian streams are specially abundant (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora) and/or form very dense stands (Fallopia japonica, Paspalum distichum), future research should focus on the drivers that influence the presence and distribution of these species of special concern. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dry fermented sausages enriched with lycopene from tomato peel

Tomato industries yield a high amount of by-products mainly tomato peel and seeds. Since tomato peel is rich in lycopene, the direct addition of peel to food products could be a way to use this by-product to obtain a new products enriched in lycopene. This work describes experiments performed to develop dry fermented sausages (salchichón) containing this carotene. 0%, 0.6%, 0.9% and 1.2% (w/w) of dry tomato peel was added to the meat mixture used in sausage manufacture. A slight losts of lycopene was detected after 21 days ripening, however, levels remained between 0.26 and 0.58 mg of lycopene/100 g of sausage. The sensory and textural properties and overall acceptability of all sausages were good, indicating that tomato peel could be added to dry fermented sausages to produce a meat product enriched in lycopene.     

Effect of the packaging method and the storage time on lipid oxidation and colour stability on dry fermented sausage salchichón manufactured with raw material with a high level of mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids

The effects of fatty acid composition, two packaging methods (vacuum and 20% CO₂/80% N₂) and storage under refrigeration for 210 days were evaluated on a dry fermented sausage (salchichón), manufactured with raw material enriched in monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acid composition was determined on sausage mixtures and on ripened sausages and lipid oxidation and colour stability was determined on ripened sausage at different times during storage. The modification of fatty acid composition of the sausages raised the nutritional quality, slightly affecting the colour properties. Dry fermented sausages enriched in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids presented higher lipid oxidation values than the control ones. Both packaging methods (vacuum and 20% CO₂/80% N₂) during 210 days of chilled storage had minor effects on the colour and the lipid oxidation stability.