Anodic oxidation of parabens in acetic acid�Cacetonitrile solutions

The electrochemical properties of esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, called parabens, were investigated on a carbon fiber microelectrode and on a glassy carbon macroelectrode in glacial acetic acid containing 20?% acetonitrile (v/v) and sodium acetate as a supporting electrolyte. The anodic oxidation of parabens in this medium proceeds in a single stage giving well-shaped peaks or waves in the same potential region of above 1.0?V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The electrode process was characterized as being quasireversible, diffusion-controlled, and proceeds with the exchange of one electron and one proton. Phenoxyl radicals as products of the electrode process are chemically unstable and participate in the successive irreversible homogenous reactions resulting in electroinactive products (E _q C _i mechanism). Smaller oxidation potentials for parabens in comparison to such unsaturated fatty acids as oleic, linoleic, and linolenic ones indicate that these compounds can show antioxidative properties. Since parabens are often used as preservatives in many products, the results presented can be found useful in the determination of their total content in real samples.     

A multi‐point electrical resistance measurement system for characterization of foam drainage regime and stability

Foam drainage regimes are significantly associated with the nature of the hydrodynamic resistance in foam structure. A multi‐point electrical resistance measurement technique has been applied for characterization of the drainage regimes and quantifying stability within standing foams. The capacity of the technique was confirmed by the estimation of macroscopic drainage rates for aqueous foams stabilized with sodium dodecyl sulfate. The drainage of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, a commercial form of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate that is the most frequently used in household detergents was studied in detail by two complementary methods (forced and free drainage). The experimental data could be fitted using a power‐law with an exponent of 1/3 for forced drainage and of 1.0 for free drainage. These data indicate the following drainage behavior: mobile bubble surfaces, causing plug‐like flow within Plateau borders, thus dissipation mainly occurs inside the nodes. This research introduced an accurate method for quantifying foam stability that can be assessed by variations of real‐time measured foam heights that incorporate the evolution of the liquid content. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3143–3150, 2014     

Multiple output differential OTA with linearizing bulk‐driven active‐error feedback loop for continuous‐time filter applications

A CMOS circuit realization of a highly linear multiple‐output differential operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) has been proposed. The presented approach exploits a differential pair as an input stage with both the gate and the bulk terminals as signal ports. For the proposed OTA, improved linearity is obtained by means of the active‐error feedback loop operating at the bulk terminals of the input stage. SPICE simulations of the OTA show that, for 0.35 µm AMS process, total harmonic distortion at 1.36Vpp is less than 1% with dynamic range equal to 60.1 dB at power consumption of 276 μW from 3.3 V supply. As an example, both single output and dual differential OTAs are used to design third‐order elliptic low‐pass filters. The cut‐off frequency of the filters is 1 MHz. The power consumption of the OTA‐C filter utilizing the dual output differential OTA is reduced to 1.24 mW in comparison to 2.2 mW consumed by the single output differential OTA‐C filter counterpart. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exogenous Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) in Pathogenesis of Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Gastric Lesions: Interaction with Protective Nitric Oxide (NO) and Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP)

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibitor and pro-inflammatory factor. We investigated the role of ADMA in rat gastric mucosa compromised through 30 min of gastric ischemia (I) and 3 h of reperfusion (R). These I/R animals were pretreated with ADMA with or without the combination of l-arginine, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or a small dose of capsaicin, all of which are known to afford protection against gastric lesions, or with a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, GW 4064, to increase the metabolism of ADMA. In the second series, ADMA was administered to capsaicin-denervated rats. The area of gastric damage was measured with planimetry, gastric blood flow (GBF) was determined by H₂-gas clearance, and plasma ADMA and CGRP levels were determined using ELISA and RIA. ADMA significantly increased I/R-induced gastric injury while significantly decreasing GBF, the luminal NO content, and the plasma level of CGRP. This effect of ADMA was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with CGRP, l-arginine, capsaicin, or a PGE₂ analogue. In GW4064 pretreated animals, the I/R injury was significantly reduced and this effect was abolished by co-treatment with ADMA. I/R damage potentiated by ADMA was exacerbated in capsaicin-denervated animals with a further reduction of CGRP. Plasma levels of IL-10 were significantly decreased while malonylodialdehyde (MDA) and plasma TNF-α contents were significantly increased by ADMA. In conclusion, ADMA aggravates I/R-induced gastric lesions due to a decrease of GBF, which is mediated by a fall in NO and CGRP release, and the enhancement of lipid peroxidation and its pro-inflammatory properties.     

Temperature dependence of Bi4Ge3O12 photoluminescence spectra

Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ single crystals were obtained using Czochralski growth method. Photoluminescence spectra were analyzed versus temperature from 12 to 295 K. Besides the previously observed emission bands at 610 and 820 nm, the new emission band at 475 nm was found by a careful temperature dependence measurement in the present study. The influence of basic and defect structure on the shape and position of the spectra versus temperature was discussed.     

Photoluminescence and electrochemiluminescence studies of chosen rare earths systems

Eu（Ⅲ） complexes with chosen Keggin polyoxomatalates, POM, containing organic counter cations （tetrabutylarnmonium, tetrabutylphosphonium, triphenylethylphosphonium）, were synthesized, and their photophysical properties were studied. The synthesized complexes had the general formula of XnH5-n[EuSiW11O39], formulated based on the results of elemental and thermogravimetric analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. The photophysical properties of the obtained compounds were investigated using photoluminescence and electrochemiluminescence, ECL, methods in solutions and solids. The most intense luminescence of Eu（Ⅲ） was observed for the complexes with tetrabutylarnmonium cations. After the addition of phenanthroline to the XnH5-n[EuSiW11O39] solutions, a large increase in the Eu（Ⅲ） luminescence intensity and a lengthening of its luminescence lifetime were observed as a result of the formation of ternary complexes. Attempts to apply ECL as a method of light emission by generating species capable of forming excited states in Ln/POMs, i.e., Tb（Ⅲ） and Eu（Ⅲ） in the Na9EuW10O36 and Na9TbW10O36 complexes, were made. The influence of the POM complexes on the ECL was also tested using the Tb/EDDHA （EDDA=ethylenediamine di（o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid）） complex, which is effective in generating ECL.     

Tuning space mapping: The state of the art

The electromagnetic (EM)‐simulator‐based tuning process for rapid microwave design can combine EM accuracy with circuit‐design speed. Our own approach is based on the intuitive engineering idea of “space mapping.” In this article, we explain the art of microwave design optimization through “tuning space mapping” procedures. We list various appropriate types of models (called “surrogates”). We demonstrate the implementation of these surrogates through a simple bandstop filter. We provide application examples using commercial simulation software. Our purpose is to help microwave engineers understand the tuning space mapping methodology and to inspire new implementations and applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 22: 639–651, 2012.     

Novel Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)-Releasing BW-HS-101 and Its Non-H2S Releasing Derivative in Modulation of Microscopic and Molecular Parameters of Gastric Mucosal Barrier

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is an endogenously produced molecule with anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties. We aimed to investigate for the first time if a novel, esterase-sensitive H₂S-prodrug, BW-HS-101 with the ability to release H₂S in a controllable manner, prevents gastric mucosa against acetylsalicylic acid-induced gastropathy on microscopic and molecular levels. Wistar rats were pretreated intragastrically with vehicle, BW-HS-101 (0.5–50 μmol/kg) or its analogue without the ability to release H₂S, BW-iHS-101 prior to ASA administration (125 mg/kg, intragastrically). BW-HS-101 was administered alone or in combination with nitroarginine (L-NNA, 20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) or zinc protoporphyrin IX (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Gastroprotective effects of BW-HS-101 were additionally evaluated against necrotic damage induced by intragastrical administration of 75% ethanol. Gastric mucosal damage was assessed microscopically, and gastric blood flow was determined by laser flowmetry. Gastric mucosal DNA oxidation and PGE₂ concentration were assessed by ELISA. Serum and/or gastric protein concentrations of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, VEGF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and EGF were determined by a microbeads/fluorescent-based multiplex assay. Changes in gastric mucosal iNOS, HMOX-1, SOCS3, IL1-R1, IL1-R2, TNF-R2, COX-1, and COX-2 mRNA were assessed by real-time PCR. BW-HS-101 or BW-iHS-101 applied at a dose of 50 μmol/kg protected gastric mucosa against ASA-induced gastric damage and prevented a decrease in the gastric blood flow level. H₂S prodrug decreased DNA oxidation, systemic and gastric mucosal inflammation with accompanied upregulation of SOCS3, and EGF and HMOX-1 expression. Pharmacological inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase but not carbon monoxide (CO)/heme oxygenase (HMOX) activity by L-NNA or ZnPP, respectively, reversed the gastroprotective effect of BW-HS-101. BW-HS-101 also protected against ethanol-induced gastric injury formation. We conclude that BW-HS-101, due to its ability to release H₂S in a controllable manner, prevents gastric mucosa against drugs-induced gastropathy, inflammation and DNA oxidation, and upregulate gastric microcirculation. Gastroprotective effects of this H₂S prodrug involves endogenous NO but not CO activity and could be mediated by cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory SOCS3 and EGF pathways.     

The supermolecular structure of isotactic polypropylene/atactic polystyrene blends

The supermolecular structure of binary isotactic polypropylene/atactic polystyrene (iPP/PS) injection‐molded blends were studied by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and optical microscopy. The combination of different methods gives a possibility of analysis of relation between the phase transformation in polypropylene and crystallization parameters. Effect of compatibilization of poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene) grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS‐g‐MA) block copolymers in the iPP/PS blends on the structure, nucleation, crystal growth, solidification, and the phase morphology was analyzed. We found that the β‐crystallization tendency of polypropylene matrix can be enhanced by adding atactic polystyrene. However, the incorporation of SEBS‐g‐MA into iPP/PS blends resulted in an important decrease in β‐content of iPP. It is evident that the presence of compatibilizing agent caused a very significant reduction of the α‐spherulite growth rates and the crystal conversion as well as increases of half‐time crystallization in comparison with the iPP/PS systems. The relation between kinetic parameters of crystallization process and polymorphic structure of iPP in blend systems has been satisfactorily explained. Moreover, a strong effect of processing parameters on the β‐phase formation was observed. The results clearly show that at a higher temperature of mold and lower injection speed, the amount of β‐phase of iPP matrix slightly decreases. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Evaluation Of Ozone/Biological Treatment For Disinfection Byproducts Control And Biologically Stable Water

Impacts of ozonation followed by biological filtration on the formation of disinfection byproducts and the production of biologically stable water were studied on pilot plant and full-scale at two U.S. locations (Oakland, CA and Tampa, FL). Also evaluated is a method to estimate bacterial regrowth potential by comparing it to assimilable organic carbon (AOC) measurements. At both locations, settled plant water is diverted to the pilot plant where it is split into two parallel trains. One train is ozonated, then Filtered through anthracite/sand dual media followed by GAC or through a GAC/sand dual media filter. The other train (control) is identical except that the water is not ozonated. The full scale plants have sedimentation, ozonation, then GAC/sand filtration.