Analysing the influence of operating conditions on the performance of algal–bacterial granular sludge processes for wastewater treatment: A review

This article discussed the effect of the main operating parameter involved in the operation of algal–bacterial granular sludge (ABGS) systems as promising biological processes for wastewater treatment. The focus was on the operational ranges reported in the literature capable of achieving better granule properties, good stability and high removal capacities. This review identified that hydraulic retention time (HRT), light intensity (LI) and light/dark periods were the most influential operating factors on the formation, stability, settleability and organic pollutant removal efficiency of ABGS. The discussion argued that ABGS systems enhance industrial and domestic wastewater treatment due to additional advantages that provide the symbiotic interactions to process performance, maintaining lesser operating costs concerning aerobic granular sludges (AGS) and microalgae consortia. This review will improve the understanding of the operation of ABGS systems and thus further expand possible operating combinations that help to enhance microbial interactions, microalgae growth and external aeration self-sufficiency in further research with a focus on its scaling up.     

Efficient Integration of IP-Based Terrestrial and Satellite Systems: ARQ Techniques and Inter-Segment Handover

A satellite communication system is an excellent candidate toprovide broadband integrated Internet services to globallyscattered users. The inter-operation between a satellite systemand the existing terrestrial Internet infrastructure introducesnew challenges at different layers. Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ)techniques have been introduced at radio link layer to improve theperformance of Transport Control Protocol (TCP)/IP over wirelessterrestrial links, but these techniques are usually dismissed inpresence of high latency links such as satellite links. In thispaper, we will show that a truncated power control can effectivelyimprove the trade-off delay-residual error after retransmissionsand makes ARQ techniques a feasible solution for error control insatellite links. Furthermore, mobility management issues inpresence of satellite diversity are addressed. Performance of anInter-Segment Hand-Over (ISHO) procedure, in terms of propagationdelay, will be carried out through simulation for different spacesegment configurations.     

Behavior of azo dyes dispersed in fluid polymeric matrices with different rheological properties. A kinetic study of the cis-trans isomerization of 3′-nitro-4-diethylamino azobenzene in polyethylenoxides

The thermal cis-trans isomerization of 3′-nitro-4-diethylaminoazobenzene in seven polyethyleneoxides at different molecular weight has been studied kinetically in the temperature range 35–70°C. The dependence of the reaction rate on the polymer polarity and viscosity is discussed. The kinetics of the isomerization of the dye dispersed in the fluid polymeric matrix was found to be a useful probe of the structural features of the polymer.     

A cost model to estimate the effort of data mining projects (DMCoMo)

CRISP-DM is the standard to develop Data Mining projects. CRISP-DM proposes processes and tasks that you have to carry out to develop a Data Mining project. A task proposed by CRISP-DM is the cost estimation of the Data Mining project.     

Thermal cis–trans isomerization of azo dye chrysophenine in cellulose matrices: Effect of morphology

Films obtained from native cellulose synthesized by Acetobacter xylinum and from cellulose obtained from cuproammoniacal solutions (cellulose II) were morphologically characterized by studying the cis-trans isomerization of azo dye Chrysophenine dispersed in their amorphous region. The kinetic measurements of the reaction showed that both films behave as glassy polymers in the temperature range explored (36–66°C). In going from native cellulose to cuproammoniacal cellulose, an increase of the isomerization rate was observed, revealing a more homogeneous distribution and likely larger extent of free volume in the amorphous phase of cellulose II.     

Foaming,gelling and rheological properties of egg albumen as affected by the housing system and the age of laying hens

The aim of this work was to study the foaming, gelling and rheological properties of albumen as simultaneously affected by the housing system (i.e. conventional cage, organic and barn) and the age of layers (27, 30, 35, 43, 53 and 68 weeks). Significant effects of the two considered factors and of their interactions were found for almost all the studied properties. In particular, with the increasing of the hen age, a loss in albumen consistency and a weakening of the albumen gel structure were observed. As regards the housing system, differences observed, even if statistically significant, were little and unlikely to have a real effect on technological performances of the eggs when used as food ingredients. Significant correlations amongst technological properties of albumen and its pH and protein content were also found.     

Characterization of Native Cellulose/Poly(ethylene glycol) Films

Water molecules retained in native cellulose gels obtained from Acetobacter xylinum (AX) were displaced by poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEG) of different molecular weight. The so obtained native cellulose/PEG material, characterized in film form by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and wide angle X‐ray scattering, revealed that strong interactions occur between PEG and cellulose and that the polymer mixture is in the rubbery state at ambient temperature. Moreover, it could be dyed in supercritical carbon dioxide by disperse dyes, thus exhibiting typically lipophilic properties and suitability to be employed as a biocompatible support for lipophilic active species.     

Systemic Administration of Recombinant Irisin Accelerates Fracture Healing in Mice

To date, pharmacological strategies designed to accelerate bone fracture healing are lacking. We subjected 8-week-old C57BL/6 male mice to closed, transverse, mid-diaphyseal tibial fractures and treated them with intraperitoneal injection of a vehicle or r-irisin (100 µg/kg/weekly) immediately following fracture for 10 days or 28 days. Histological analysis of the cartilaginous callus at 10 days showed a threefold increase in Collagen Type X (p = 0.0012) and a reduced content of proteoglycans (40%; p = 0.0018). Osteoclast count within the callus showed a 2.4-fold increase compared with untreated mice (p = 0.026), indicating a more advanced stage of endochondral ossification of the callus during the early stage of fracture repair. Further evidence that irisin induced the transition of cartilage callus into bony callus was provided by a twofold reduction in the expression of SOX9 (p = 0.0058) and a 2.2-fold increase in RUNX2 (p = 0.0137). Twenty-eight days post-fracture, microCT analyses showed that total callus volume and bone volume were increased by 68% (p = 0.0003) and 67% (p = 0.0093), respectively, and bone mineral content was 74% higher (p = 0.0012) in irisin-treated mice than in controls. Our findings suggest that irisin promotes bone formation in the bony callus and accelerates the fracture repair process, suggesting a possible use as a novel pharmacologic modulator of fracture healing.     

Thermal cis-trans isomerization and photofading of some azo dyes in poly(ethylene terephthalate) matrices: A kinetic study

The thermal cis-trans isomerization of azo dyes XC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄N(C₂H₅)₂ (where X is H, OCH₃, CN, and NO₂) in poly(ethylene terephthalate) matrices, below the glass transition temperature, and in dibutylphthalate solutions has been studied kinetically in the temperature range 20–60°C. Kinetic behavior in the polymer is characterized by two or three simultaneous first-order processes with similar activation enthalpies. These processes reflect an unequal distribution of “tie-molecules,” “folds,” and “cilia” in the amorphous region of the polymer. Lightfastness of the dyes in poly(ethylene terephthalate) films has been investigated. Polymer morphology strongly affected the photofading, but no significant influence was observed in the kinetic experiments.