Poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite films containing chemically exfoliated molybdenum disulfide

Molybdenum disulfide (2H-MoS₂) was exfoliated in water after reaction with n-butyl-lithium. Using either alkaline or neutral conditions, different amounts of the resulting single-layer suspension were employed as filler for the production of poly(vinyl alcohol) films containing distinct disulfide contents. These nanocomposite films were obtained by wet casting and were further characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies. The mechanical properties of the films were also evaluated. Characterization studies revealed the attainment of homogeneous nanocomposite films in both alkaline and neutral conditions, indicating good distribution and interaction of the hydrophilic filler with the polyhydroxylated polymer. Improved Young's (tensile) modulus (+57%) and tensile strength (+9%) as well as reduced elongation (−78%) were achieved only when the neutral suspension of single layers was utilized. Increased MoS₂ content diminished the crystallinity of the polymer, while enhanced mechanical properties were obtained in the presence of intermediate filler content (around 1 wt%).     

Orchestration Requirements for Modular Process Plants in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industries

The increased flexibility resulting from the modularization of process plants requires an advanced strategy to supervise the distributed control systems (DCSs). The connection and coordination of multiple process equipment assemblies (PEAs) into a modular plant (MP) is called orchestration and conducted in a so‐called process orchestration layer (POL). Standardized interfaces enable a seamless integration of PEAs into an MP. Current process control systems do not yet meet all required features regarding to interfaces and possibility of import/export of different data structures. Several aspects are presented which shall be taken into account when designing a POL. The POL's several layers are described in detail, resulting especially in flexibility and reusability of modular plants.     

Features and feedback: Enhancing metamnemonic knowledge at retrieval reduces source-monitoring errors.

Three experiments explored the issue of whether enhanced metamnemonic knowledge at retrieval can improve participants' ability to make difficult source discriminations in the context of the eyewitness suggestibility paradigm. The 1st experiment documented differences in phenomenal experience between veridical and false memories. Experiment 2 revealed that drawing participants' attention to these differences by pairing the ratings of the features with instructions about their utility was successful in reducing source misattributions of suggested items to the event. The results of Experiment 3 showed that participants can make online adjustments in the types of evidence used to make source judgments, as participants who received correct feedback during the training portion of the test reduced misattribution errors on the remainder of the test where feedback was not provided. Altogether, these studies suggest that people can discover and benefit from updated knowledge of the types of memorial evidence that discriminate between sources of information in memory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of the flaxseed oil on the fatty acid composition of tilapia heads

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding flaxseed oil (FO) to feed on the incorporation of n‐3 PUFA in tilapia heads. Tilapia were given diets with increasing levels of FO (0.00, 1.25, 2.50, 3.75 and 5.00% for treatments A, B, C, D and E, respectively), as a source of LNA for 150 days. The proximate composition of the heads indicated high nutritional value and 40 FA (fatty acids) common to all treatments were identified in total lipids. Intake of LNA caused storage of LNA and sequential desaturation‐elongation to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA. With increasing levels of FO in the diet, the content of LNA in tilapia heads increased (1.7 and 14.0% for diets A and E, respectively), as well as the contents of EPA (0.1 and 0.9% for diets A and E, respectively) and DHA (0.5 and 1.8% for diets A and E, respectively). Adding FO to tilapia feed markedly increased the total content of n‐3 PUFA (3.0 and 21.1% for diets A and E, respectively), decreased the total content of n‐6 PUFA (41.3 and 24.9% for diets A and E, respectively), and consequently resulted in a decrease in the n‐6/n‐3 ratio (13.8 and 1.2 for diets A and E, respectively). Therefore, feeding tilapia with FO is a good way of valorizing this part of the fish by creating a valuable nutritional food source.     

PBAT/PLA/cellulose nanocrystals biocomposites compatibilized with polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA)

The use of biodegradable polymers has grown exponentially due to their lower environmental impact when compared to conventional polymers. In this sense, biocomposites are an alternative due to their promising properties, maintaining biodegradability. For this purpose, in the present study, a biodegradable biocomposite of PBAT (poly [butylene adipate co-terephthalate]) and PLA (polylactide) blend containing cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were obtained, using polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) as a coupling agent. Seven formulations were produced by extrusion and had their structure, morphology, thermal, and rheological properties analyzed. The results showed a significant improvement of adhesion among the components using PE-g-MA as a coupling agent. Moreover, CNC and PE-g-MA increased the PLA crystallinity degree and reduced the complex viscosity. These results are unprecedented in the literature using these compositions and extrusion processing conditions. Therefore, these new insights provide a vast horizon for the use of biodegradable mixtures using PBAT/PLA and CNC.     

Overweight and obesity related factors in schoolchildren in Santa Catarina State, Brazil

The purpose of this study is to determine the correlation of socioeconomic, dietary, and anthropometric-nutritional variables of parents and their children to overweight (including obesity) in schoolchildren in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. This is a transversal study conducted on 4,964, 6 to 10-year-old schoolchildren registered in 345 Santa Catarina elementary schools. The following data were acquired: the children's current weight and height, birth weight and length, duration of breastfeeding, age at which water, herbal tea and other foods were introduced to their diet; parental income, education level, age, weight and height were also obtained. The prevalence of overweight and obese children were estimated by point and by interval with a 95% confidence; prevalence rates were obtained based on the Poisson model. An hierarchical approach was used, in which variables were adjusted within blocks and included in the model when they presented p < 0.05 at the outcome (overweight including obesity). The results indicate that 47.8% of the subjects were male. The prevalence of overweight and obese students was 15.4% (C195%: 14.4%-16.5%) and 6.1% (C195%: 5.4%-6.7%) respectively and were statistically similar among sexes and age ranges. BMI values were higher in males and among older children (p < 0.05). After adjustment within and among blocks, the variables per capita household income and parents' BMI values remained associated with overweight (including obesity). Overweight (including obesity) in schoolchildren is associated with a higher per capita household income and parental overweight and obesity.     

Effect of diet composition on the determination of ash and moisture content in solid cattle manure using visible and near-infrared spectroscopy

Visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR, 350-2500 nm) diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS) models built from "as-collected" samples of solid cattle manure accurately predict concentrations of moisture and crude ash. Because different organic molecules emit different spectral signatures, variations in livestock diet composition may affect the predictive accuracy of these models. This study investigates how differences in livestock diet composition affect Vis-NIR DRS prediction of moisture and crude ash. Spectral signatures of solid manure samples (n = 216) from eighteen groups of cattle on six different diets were used to calibrate and validate partial least squares (PLS) regression models. Seven groups of PLS models were created and validated. In the first group, two-thirds of all samples were randomly selected as the calibration set and the remaining one-third were used for the validation set. In the remaining six groups, samples were grouped by livestock diet (ration). Each ration in turn was held out of calibrations and then used as a validation set. When predicting crude ash, the fully random calibration model produced a root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 2.5% on a dry basis (db), ratio of standard error of prediction to the root mean squared deviation (RPD) of 3.1, bias of 0.14% (db), and correlation coefficient r(2) of 0.90., When predicting moisture, an RMSD of 1.5% on a wet basis (wb), RPD of 4.3, bias of -0.09% (wb), and r(2) of 0.95 was achieved. Model accuracy and precision were not impaired by exclusion of any single ration from model calibration.     

4D Printing of Hydrogels: A Review

3D printing permits the construction of objects by layer‐by‐layer deposition of material, resulting in precise control of the dimensions and properties of complex printed structures. Although 3D printing fabricates inanimate objects, the emerging technology of 4D printing allows for animated structures that change their shape, function, or properties over time when exposed to specific external stimuli after fabrication. Among the materials used in 4D printing, hydrogels have attracted growing interest due to the availability of various smart hydrogels. The reversible shape‐morphing in 4D printed hydrogel structures is driven by a stress mismatch arising from the different swelling degrees in the parts of the structure upon application of a stimulus. This review provides the state‐of‐the‐art of 4D printing of hydrogels from the materials perspective. First, the main 3D printing technologies employed are briefly depicted, and, for each one, the required physico‐chemical properties of the precursor material. Then, the hydrogels that have been printed are described, including stimuli‐responsive hydrogels, non‐responsive hydrogels that are sensitive to solvent absorption/desorption, and multimaterial structures that are totally hydrogel‐based. Finally, the current and future applications of this technology are presented, and the requisites and avenues of improvement in terms of material properties are discussed.     

Rev-erbα Knockout Reduces Ethanol Consumption and Preference in Male and Female Mice

Alcohol use is a contributor in the premature deaths of approximately 3 million people annually. Among the risk factors for alcohol misuse is circadian rhythm disruption; however, this connection remains poorly understood. Inhibition of the circadian nuclear receptor REV-ERBα is known to disrupt molecular feedback loops integral to daily oscillations, and impact diurnal fluctuations in the expression of proteins required for reward-related neurotransmission. However, the role of REV-ERBα in alcohol and substance use-related phenotypes is unknown. Herein, we used a Rev-erbα knockout mouse line and ethanol two-bottle choice preference testing to show that disruption of Rev-erbα reduces ethanol preference in male and female mice. Rev-erbα null mice showed the lowest ethanol preference in a two-bottle choice test across all genotypes, whereas there were no ethanol preference differences between heterozygotes and wildtypes. In a separate experiment, alcohol-consuming wildtype C57Bl/6N mice were administered the REV-ERBα/β inhibitor SR8278 (25 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg) for 7 days and alcohol preference was evaluated daily. No differences in alcohol preference were observed between the treatment and vehicle groups. Our data provides evidence that genetic variation in REV-ERBα may contribute to differences in alcohol drinking.