Synthesis and characterization of nitrogen-doped carbon xerogels

Carbon xerogels were prepared from a nitrogen-containing polymer precursor, using melamine and urea as nitrogen sources incorporated into the polymer matrix using the sol-gel process. To investigate the effects of nitrogen on the texture, morphology and surface chemistry, the carbon xerogels were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and acid-base titrations. The results showed that nitrogen was incorporated onto the surface as pyridine, pyrrolic/pyridine, quaternary nitrogen, and pyridine-N-oxide. From the deconvolution of the XPS spectra, the pyrrolic/pyridine and quaternary nitrogen functionalities were found to dominate in the samples prepared from urea. All samples showed increased basicity after nitrogen incorporation.     

Co-gasification of coal and wastes in a pilot-scale installation. 2: Effect of catalysts in syngas treatment to achieve sulphur and nitrogen compounds abatement

Coal mixed with different types of wastes was co-gasified in a pilot-scale installation. The syngas produced was hot treated in two catalytic fixed-bed reactors. In the first one, dolomite was used and in the second reactor, a nickel-based catalyst was employed. Two different grade coals were tested, Puertollano and Colombian. Puertollano coal had high ash and sulphur contents, 42.5% and 2.4%, respectively, while ash and sulphur contents of Colombian coal were, respectively, 12.7% and 0.9%. Pine, bagasse, RDF and PE were the wastes mixed with both coals. After dolomite fixed-bed reactor, H₂S and NH₃ contents in syngas were much lower than those of the gas leaving the gasifier. For most coal and waste blends, NH₃ reductions changed between 30% and 50% depending on feedstock nitrogen content, while H₂S reductions achieved values from 68% to 74%, also depending on H₂S concentration in syngas. After syngas had gone through the nickel-based catalyst, it presented H₂S and NH₃ contents that allowed its use in boilers and gas engines for most coal and waste blends. The overall syngas treatment led to H₂S and NH₃ reductions higher than 97%. For most experiments, final H₂S and NH₃ concentration in syngas were below 20 ppmv and 30 ppmv, respectively.     

Characterization of blood samples using image processing techniques

This paper presents a methodology to determine human blood types in an emergency situation as well as a reliability study of the methodology proposed. The plate test is employed to determine blood types, allowing the macroscopic results observation. A CCD camera captures an image of the plate test results that will be processed through image processing techniques available in the IMAQ Vision software from National Instruments. The techniques used in this work are able to determine the occurrence of agglutination allowing the determination of blood types with an algorithm of classification. The reliability study based on statistical tests determines the level of confidence of the approach. The equipment developed is able to automatically perform the plate test and determine blood types.     

Safe controllers design for industrial automation systems

The design of safe industrial controllers is one of the most important domains related to Automation Systems research. To support it, synthesis and analysis techniques are available. Among the analysis techniques, two of the most important are Simulation and Formal Verification. In this paper these two techniques are used together in a complementary way. Understanding plant behaviour is essential for obtaining safe industrial systems controllers; hence, plant modelling is crucial to the success of these techniques. A two step approach is presented: first, the use of Simulation and, second, the use of Formal Verification of Industrial Systems Specifications. The specification and plant models used for each technique are described. Simulation and Formal Verification results are presented and discussed. The approach presented in the paper can be applied to real industrial systems, and obtain safe controllers for hybrid plants. The Modelica modelling language and Dymola simulation environment are used for Simulation purposes, and Timed Automata formalism and the UPPAAL real-time model-checker are used for Formal Verification purposes.     

Eruca sativa Might Influence the Growth,Survival under Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions and Some Biological Features of Lactobacillus acidophilus,Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Strains

The growth and viability of three Lactobacillus strains, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, after their passage through simulated gastric and pancreatic juices were studied as a function of their presence in the growth medium of rocket salad (Eruca sativa). The presence of E. sativa affected some of the biological properties of the strains. For example, L. acidophilus and L. plantarum worked more efficiently in the presence of E. sativa, increasing not only the antioxidant activity of the medium, but also their own antioxidant power and antimicrobial activity; L. rhamnosus was not affected in the same manner. Overall, the presence of vegetables might help to boost, in specific cases, some of the characteristics of lactobacilli, including antioxidant and antimicrobial power.     

Deep venous thrombosis in a patient with superficial thrombophlebitis. Apropos of 2 cases]

Many schools refer children who have sustained an injury, directly to the local Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. This prospective study monitored these referrals for one school term (08.01.96-31.03.96). During this time 200 children under the age of 14 years presented from school to the A&E department of the Royal Aberdeen Childrens Hospital (RACH). The majority presented with trivial or mild injuries and 45% of parents felt that attending A&E was inappropriate. Half the accidents happened to unsupervised children. Rural children and children of working parents were less likely to attend A&E. In Grampian Region school referrals to A&E generate a significant workload for the A&E department with resultant cost implications. It would appear that a large number of these attendances are medically unnecessary and result from a desire by the school to avoid any complaint or litigation.     

On the Utilization of Microalgae for Brewery Effluent Treatment and Possible Applications of the Produced Biomass

The effluent of a brewery, complete or diluted with deionised water or with normal culture medium, was used as the growth nutrient medium for Chlorella vulgaris and for a consortium obtained from the autochthonous flora of that effluent (microalgae, cyanobacteria and bacteria). The cultures were exposed to continuous light and aeration, at 25°C, and growth was evaluated by direct counting (C. vulgaris) or by chlorophyll determination (autochthonous flora). Total protein and lipid content, and amino acid and fatty acid profiles in the produced biomass were determined. The highest removal rate of nutrients present in the effluent was obtained when the complete effluent was used as the culture medium for the autochthonous flora — up to 5,855 g kg^?1 biomass d^?1 of nitrogen and up to 805 g kg^?1 biomass d^?1 of phosphate. A reduction of up to 27% in biological oxygen demand (BOD5, initial level of 2,172 mg O₂ L^?1) and up to 15% in chemical oxygen demand (COD, initial level of 1,340 mg O₂ L^?1) was observed in cultures of the autochthonous flora grown in different loads of effluent. A significant increase in aspartic acid, glutamic acid and valine content, and a higher level of the ramified fatty acids, of the 14:0isobr, 18:4ω3, and the eicosapentaenoic acid, were found in the final biomass obtained from cultures grown with different loads of effluent, compared with the results obtained for the cultures grown in normal nutrient medium. The final microalgae biomass obtained, considering its protein and fatty acid content and the absence of heavy metals in significant amount, can be appropriate for use as animal feed or for biofuel production.     

Functional properties of biscuits with whey protein concentrate and honey

The effects of honey, lemon juice, and two different whey protein concentrates (WPC) on the structural and functional properties of biscuits, were analysed. Firmness, elasticity, relaxation time, adhesiveness, consistency and cohesiveness of dough and colour, fracture stress and fracture strain of biscuits were also determined. The presence of WPC with a high protein content produced a decrease in the firmness and consistency and an increase in the cohesiveness of dough. Honey increased the adhesiveness of dough, mainly in samples with the WPC of lower protein content and lemon juice, and tended to decrease dough relaxation time. The fracture stress of biscuits decreased with the incorporation of WPC. Also, honey increased the red undertone and yellowness of biscuits and decreased their lightness; however, the addition of lemon juice reduced these effects.     

Polyphenolic composition in different parts of some cultivars of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori)

The analysis of polyphenols of leaves and different parts (outer, intermediate and inner bracts, and receptacle) of heads in five globe artichoke cultivars of Campania region (Italy) and one accession of cultivated cardoon was performed. Data obtained suggest that the edible parts (receptacles with inner and intermediate bracts) of these cultivars of artichoke could represent a good source of health-promoting polyphenols and therefore encourage a nutriceutical use of this species, as an alternative to the more traditional phytopharmaceutical applications of leaf extracts. Moreover, it was demonstrated that single polyphenols accumulate preferentially in specific parts of the heads and in specific genotypes.