The photochemical stability of oil from Evening Primrose seeds

Photochemical reactions taking place in oil to which was added chlorophyll a as well as β-carotene and subjected to illumination for different times, have been investigated by measuring the absorption, fluorescence emission and fluorescence excitation spectra. The addition of carotene was found to greatly lower chlorophyll degradation as a result of the quenching of chlorophyll triplet states; however, its presence also influence the generation of other oil photoproducts. A comparison of the photoreactions induced by the light absorbed predominantly by chlorophyll-like pigments with those induced by bright light covering practically the whole visible region implies that the majority of the photoreactions occur with the participation of excited chlorophyll molecules.

The singlet excitation energy of β-carotene is not transferred to chlorophyll. The quenching of photochemically active triplets of chlorophyll alters the extent of oil degradation imparted by this excitation. The absorption and emission spectra of the oil degradation products are superimposable and, therefore, the quantitative analysis of the products is not easy. The generation of malonic dialdehyde, which is the main product of oil degradation, is a little slower in the presence of carotenoids, which suggests that some components within the oil protect against photooxidation by the addition of carotenoids.     

Application of Ceramic Membranes for Regeneration of Detergent Cleaning Solutions

Pressure-driven membrane processes were investigated for the recovery of contaminated cleaning solutions （a single-phase detergent） emanating from a diary industry. The experiments were performed in a semi-pilot membrane installation in cross-flow regime. The filtration tests were carded out using tubular ceramic modules differing in cut-offvalue, with high resistance to chemical agents. The effect of long term filtration time and process conditions （transmembrane pressure, cross-flow velocity and temperature） on transport and separation properties of the modules was evaluated. The usefulness of ceramic modules for regeneration of a single-phase detergent for the purpose of its reuse in cleaning systems was revealed. The modules in a long-term filtration regime, due to their hydrophilic nature, were characterized by relatively low susceptibility to fouling. Rinsing modules with deionized water after filtration experiments helped significantly to restore their original permeability or cause even an increase of water flux in comparison with the stream of deionized water. The recovered spent detergent maintained its basic cleaning properties, i.e., high pH, high concentration of NaOH and low value of surface tension. Moreover, the ceramic modules showed high retention of specific milk components （protein and lactose） and organic matter expressed as chemical oxygen demand （COD）. It has been shown that the transport and separation properties of the modules were dependent on the process parameters, such as transmembrane pressure, cross-flow velocity and temperature.     

Congener-specific tissue distribution of aroclor 1254 and a highly chlorinated environmental PCB mixture in rats

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixtures were synthesized and marketed in Eastern European countries, but little is known abouttheir composition, distribution, ortoxicity. PCB-contaminated soil from the former production site of the Polish PCB mixture Chlorofen was collected, and the PCBs were extracted. An in vivo study was performed to investigate the PCB tissue distribution and biochemical effects of this soil extract in immature male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were administered 0.05 mmol/kg soil-extracted PCBs or Aroclor 1254 and sacrificed 7 days later, and congener-specific PCB profiles in selected tissues were determined. Distribution of SigmaPCBs (sum of 120 congeners) in tissues was primarily a function of lipid content of the tissues, except for the spleen, which retained more PCB than other tissues. Multivariate analysis of the PCB congener data showed that (a) congener profiles in tissues had changed, as compared to the parent mixture; (b) disposition and redistribution of individual congeners in vivo differed between both mixtures; and (c) more highly chlorinated congeners were retained in the spleens of both treatment groups. Differences in the induction of cytochrome P-450 1A and 2B subfamilies reflected the homologue composition of the respective mixtures and predict a different toxicity profile for Chlorofen than for Aroclor 1254.     

Gas chromatographic analysis with chiral cyclodextrin phases reveals the enantioselective formation of hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls by rat liver microsomes

Chiral PCB congeners are major components of PCB mixtures and undergo enantioselective biotransformation to hydroxylated (OH-)PCBs by cytochrome P450 enzymes. While it is known that biotransformation results in an enantiomeric enrichment of the parent PCB, it is currently unknown if OH-PCBs are formed enantioselectively. The present study screened seven commercial capillary gas chromatography columns containing modified β- or γ-cyclodextrins for their potential to separate the atropisomers of methylated derivatives of OH-PCB. The atropisomers of 3-, 4- and 5-methoxy derivatives were at least partially separated on one or more columns. A subsequent biotransformation study was performed with rat liver microsomes to assess if hydroxylated metabolites are formed enantioselectively from PCBs 91, 95, 132, and 149. The OH-PCBs were extracted from the microsomal incubations, derivatized with diazomethane and analyzed as the respective methoxylated (MeO-)PCB derivatives using selected columns. The 5-hydroxylated metabolites of PCBs 91, 95, 132, and 149 were the major metabolites, which is consistent with PCB's biotransformation by cytochrome P450 2B enzymes. All 5-hydroxylated metabolites displayed a clear, congener-specific enantiomeric enrichment. Overall, this study demonstrates for the first time that chiral PCBs, such as PCB 91, 95, 132, and 149, are enantioselectively metabolized to OH-PCBs by cytochrome P450 enzymes.     

Reduction and functionalization of graphene oxide sheets using biomimetic dopamine derivatives in one step

An easy and environmentally friendly chemical method for the simultaneous reduction and noncovalent functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) using dopamine derivatives is described. The reaction takes place at room temperature under ultrasonication of an aqueous suspension of GO and a dopamine derivative. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry characterizations revealed that the resulting material consists of graphene functionalized with the dopamine derivative. This one-step protocol is applied for simultaneous reduction and functionalization of graphene oxide with a dopamine derivative bearing an azide function. The chemical reactivity of the azide function was demonstrated by a postfunctionalization with ethynylferrocene using the Cu(I) catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cyloaddition.     

fGAAM: A fast and resizable genetic algorithm with aggressive mutation for feature selection

Pattern Analysis and Applications - The paper introduces a modified version of a genetic algorithm with aggressive mutation (GAAM) called fGAAM (fast GAAM) that significantly decreases the time...     

Biodegradable PLA based nanocomposites for packaging applications: The effects of organo-modified bentonite concentration

The effects of concentration and surface modification of two Brazilian bentonite clays on nanocomposites' properties based on polylactic acid – (PLA) were investigated. The samples were prepared by the extrusion/injection method to obtain biodegradable packaging plastics. The raw materials and their bionanocomposites were characterized by various techniques. Natural clay samples presented a size of around 2 μm while the modified ones' size was 5–6 μm, probably due to the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in the interlayer space. The particle size and the contact angle increased with the treatment and the clay's density decreased. The organoclays were homogeneously dispersed in PLA, which can be associated with the interactions between PLA chains' carbonyl groups and the organoclays. The bionanocomposites present modified clay particles axis aligned to the flow direction of the extruder/injector. Chocolate organoclay acts as a nucleating agent to PLA crystal growth, increasing the sample's crystallinity, while Bofe organoclay interferes with the amorphous chain's mobility and diminishes the sample's crystallization. The addition of both organoclays to PLA diminished the sample's elongation at break and strength, although the organoclays increased the sample's Young modulus, even though Bofe organoclay is more active in PLA amorphous phase and Chocolate organoclay on the crystalline one.     

Diagnostic Significance of Selected Serum Inflammatory Markers in Women with Advanced Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a gynecological disease, the pathogenesis of which seems to be directly associated with inflammatory processes. Serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, hs-CRP, IgG, YKL 40 and PRL, in comparison to the well-known CA 125 levels, were studied with the aim of identifying an additional noninvasive inflammatory marker or set of markers characteristic for endometriosis. The study group included 43 women with endometriosis (E), 35 women with benign gynecological disorders but without endometriosis (NE, non-endometriosis) as a comparative group, and a control group consisting of 18 healthy subjects (C). The serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, hs-CRP, YKL-40, PRL and CA 125 were significantly higher in the E group (median values: 0.41 pg/mL, 2.42 pg/mL, 2.33 mg/L, 79.30 ng/mL, 21.88 ng/mL and 68.00 U/mL, respectively) than in the control group (median values: 0.21 pg/mL, 0.98 pg/mL, 0.52 mg/L, 49.77 ng/mL, 12.08 ng/mL and 12.20 U/mL respectively), with the significance of p = 0.011, p < 0.001, p = 0.028, p = 0.005, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively. The IgG concentrations were significantly lower in the endometriosis group (median value: 1061.21 mg/dL) as compared to healthy women (median value: 1210.50 mg/dL; p = 0.025). Significant differences in concentrations of IL-6 (p = 0.040), hs-CRP (p = 0.007) and CA 125 (p < 0.001) were observed in stage III vs. stage IV of endometriosis. Significantly higher concentrations of IL-6 (p = 0.010), hs-CRP (p = 0.037) and PRL (p < 0.001) were observed in the NE group vs. the control group. Only CA 125 concentrations were significantly higher in endometriosis patients as compared to the non-endometriosis group (p < 0.001). The proposed panel of inflammatory markers, especially IL-6, PRL and CA 125, may become a useful tool to identify women with advanced endometriosis who could qualify for treatment.     

Statistical optimization of industrial textile wastewater treatment by electrochemical methods

In this work, the Box–Behnken experimental design and the surface response methodology were applied for the optimization of the operational conditions of the electro-catalytic degradation of wastewaters, resulting from a local textile industry. The experiments were carried out in a laboratory scale batch cell reactor, with monopolar configuration, and electrodes made of boron-doped diamond (anode) and titanium (cathode). The multifactorial experimental design included the following variables: current density (i: 5–10 mA/cm²), pH (3–7), and submerged cathode area (CA: 8–24 cm²). To determine the process efficiency, the degradation percentage of: the chemical oxygen demand (%DCOD), the total organic carbon (%DTOC) and the color (%DC) were defined as response variables. The following optimal conditions for the electro-oxidation (EO) process were obtained: i = 10 mA/cm², pH = 3 and CA = 16 cm², reaching ca. 92 % of DC, 37 % of DCOD and 31 % of DTOC. The electro-Fenton (EF) and photo-electro-Fenton (PEF) processes were also evaluated at EO optimal conditions. For the EF process, with addition of iron (0.3 mM), the %DC, %DCOD and %DTOC was enhanced to 95, 52 and 45 %, respectively. For the PEF process (UV = 365 nm), it was possible to reach 98 %DC, 56 %DCOD and 48 %DTOC.     

Microwave and conventional treatment of low-cement high-alumina castables with different water to cement ratios; Part I. Drying

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the microwave and conventional drying method on the strength, porosity and composition of low-cement alumina castables with various water to cement ratios (wcr). High-alumina low-cement castable samples were prepared with different w/c ratios: 0.64, 0.75, 0.82 and 1.13. Changes in wcr were effected through volumetric replacement of cement with 0–0,045-mm tabular alumina having a comparable particle size. Water content in all the composition was constant (4,5%). After curing, the samples were dried conventionally in a laboratory electric drier or in a laboratory microwave drier. After drying open porosity and modulus of rupture were determined. The pore size distribution, pore median and tortuosity of the samples were measured by the mercury porosimetry method. Phase composition was determined using X-ray diffraction. The Rietveld method was used for quantitative analysis. It was found that at low wcr (0.62) the main hydrate formed in the castable was C₃AH₆, which caused a release of a smaller amount of water during the drying process, mainly pore water, resulting in lower open porosity and lower pore size than in the castables with a high wcr (1.13). At a low wcr, the strenght of castable was higher due to a higher amount of hydrates, low porosity and small pore size. On the other hand, at a high wcr, the strength of castable was lower owing to a higher amount of water released in the drying process, which led to loosening the structure of castable. With an increased water-to-cement ratio the degree of CA₂ hydration decreased. The temperature rise due to cement hydration probably influenced the kinetics of this process.