Single step fabrication of polymer/silicate porous composite membranes via water-glass induced phase inversion

Water-glass, a low-cost silica precursor solution, is used to produce mostly skinned, polymer–silicate composite membranes with a porous bulk. We explore primarily Nylon 6-10/formic acid dopes where the polymer solvent is an acid, and polysulfone/DMF dope as an example of a polymer dope based on a non-acidic water-miscible solvent. Elemental distribution of silicon in cross sections suggests compositional uniformity of the formed membranes with in some cases 20 wt. % of silicate load. Membranes formed can be used either as separation media or as precursors for compact polymers reinforced with silicate particles.     

A Single Cysteine Residue in the Translocation Pathway of the Mitosomal ADP/ATP Carrier from Cryptosporidium parvum Confers a Broad Nucleotide Specificity

Cryptosporidiumparvum is a clinically important eukaryotic parasite that causes the disease cryptosporidiosis, which manifests with gastroenteritis-like symptoms. The protist has mitosomes, which are organelles of mitochondrial origin that have only been partially characterized. The genome encodes a highly reduced set of transport proteins of the SLC25 mitochondrial carrier family of unknown function. Here, we have studied the transport properties of one member of the C. parvum carrier family, demonstrating that it resembles the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier of eukaryotes. However, this carrier has a broader substrate specificity for nucleotides, transporting adenosine, thymidine, and uridine di- and triphosphates in contrast to its mitochondrial orthologues, which have a strict substrate specificity for ADP and ATP. Inspection of the putative translocation pathway highlights a cysteine residue, which is a serine in mitochondrial ADP/ATP carriers. When the serine residue is replaced by cysteine or larger hydrophobic residues in the yeast mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier, the substrate specificity becomes broad, showing that this residue is important for nucleotide base selectivity in ADP/ATP carriers.     

Study of the Emulsifying Ability of Olive Oil Endogenous Compounds in Co-surfactant Free Olive Oil w/o Nanoemulsions with Food Grade Non-ionic Surfactants

In the present work, the preparation of olive oil w/o nanoemulsions was studied using non-ionic surfactants (Tween 20, Span 20) without the addition of a co-surfactant. Different olive oil endogenous compounds with an amphiphilic character (gallic acid, apigenin, quercetin, and trans-cinnamic acid) were dispersed into the aqueous phase, and their impact on the nanoemulsions stability and properties ability was determined. The stable nanoemulsions were presented in pseudo-ternary phase diagrams (oil–aqueous phase–surfactant) for each surfactant and endogenous compound. The nanoemulsions properties were evaluated in relationship to compositional components. The results of this study concluded that stable w/o olive oil nanoemulsions without use of a co-surfactant were obtained and moreover, the most efficient type of emulsifier and its ratio of addition in the system were determined. The incorporation of olive oil endogenous compounds resulted into more stable emulsions. In particular, gallic acid was proven to be the most efficient compound since it enhanced the emulsion properties prolonging simultaneously the emulsions’ stability.     

Effect of the nature of the support on the catalytic performance of noble metal catalysts for the water–gas shift reaction

The catalytic activity of supported noble metal catalysts (Pt, Rh, Ru, and Pd) for the WGS reaction is investigated with respect to the physichochemical properties of the metallic phase and the support. It has been found that, for all metal-support combinations investigated, Pt is much more active than Pd, while Rh and Ru exhibit intermediate activity. The turnover frequency (TOF) of CO conversion does not depend on metal loading, dispersion or crystallite size, but depends strongly on the nature of the metal oxide carrier. In particular, catalytic activity of Pt and Ru catalysts, is 1-2 orders of magnitude higher when supported on “reducible” (TiO₂, CeO₂, La₂O₃, and YSZ) rather than on “irreducible” (Al₂O₃, MgO, and SiO₂) metal oxides. In contrast to what has been found in our previous study over Pt/TiO₂ catalysts, catalytic activity of dispersed Pt does not depend on the structural and morphological characteristics of CeO₂, such as specific surface area or primary crystallite size.     

Analysis and characterization of hydraulic mortars from ancient cisterns and baths in Greece

Structural mortars and plasters from cisterns and baths (thermes) from Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman period in Greece are analyzed in terms of their physico-mechanical, chemical, and microstructural characteristics, in order to find the key factors for their functionality. From the analysis it is found that their coherent and dense structure is due to the action of different mechanisms caused by the selection and combination of raw materials and the interaction with the special environment into which they served. The binding system is mixed, with the combination of hydrated lime and materials with pozzolanic properties. The aggregates are both siliceous and brick fragments of different granulometry, according to the mortar’s type (structural or plaster). The raw materials used as binders and aggregates and the technology practices during mortar application contribute to low porosity mortars with dense structure. Additionally, the environment of the cisterns and baths functioned on the benefit of the materials, as it favored the dilution of the calcite and the secondary phases formed in the mortars’ porous nature assisted towards the cohesiveness of their structure. The technology used for the production of mortars applied in baths and cisterns for a long period of time proves the high knowledge of materials’ behavior in order to produce durable constructions, resistant to highly deteriorating factors.     

Phase equilibria of mixtures containing CO2 and organic acids using the UMR-PRU model

The UMR-PRU model, which has been successfully tested in the past to the predictions of different type of phase equilibrium and thermodynamic properties in binary and multicomponent systems, is applied in this work to phase equilibria in mixtures containing CO₂ and organic acids. New interaction parameters are determined by fitting only binary vapor–liquid equilibrium data and then they are used to predict the vapor–liquid, solid–gas and solid–liquid–gas equilibria in CO₂/organic acid systems. Furthermore, the UMR-PRU model with the newly derived interaction parameters is applied to the prediction of the phase equilibrium in ternary mixtures consisting of CO₂, organic acids and water. Satisfactory results are obtained in all cases.     

Effect of fortified milk on lyso‐platelet‐activating factor acetyltranferase and lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 in hypercholesterolemic adults

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with subclinical inflammation, characterised by elevated proinflammatory mediators. Lyso‐platelet‐activating factor acetyltransferase (lyso‐PAF AT) and lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp‐PLA₂) are two key metabolic enzymes of platelet‐activating factor (PAF), a potent inflammatory lipid mediator. Little information is available concerning the efficacy of a dietary intervention on the metabolism of PAF. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of fortified milk on the activity of these enzymes. Forty‐three adults (mean age 49.8 ± 8.1 years) with body mass index <35 kg/m², and total cholesterol >200 but <310 mg/dL were randomised to two groups; (i) intervention group received 500 mL/day (two glasses) of a low‐fat milk fortified with phytosterols, linoleic and alpha linolenic acids, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, magnesium and selenium (n = 22), and (ii) placebo group received 500 mL/day of a conventional low‐fat milk (n = 21) for 3 months. Outcome measures were the activities of lyso‐PAF AT from leukocytes and serum Lp‐PLA₂ determined with established methods. None of the activities changed significantly during the study in the intervention group, lyso‐PAF AT (95% confidence interval: ?1.7, 2.3 nmol/min/mg; p = 0.246), and Lp‐PLA₂ (?7.8, 5.8 nmol/min/mL, p = 0.591). No difference was observed between the two groups. In conclusion, daily intake of two glasses of phytosterols, antioxidants, linoleic and linolenic acids via fortified milk for three months had no effect on the activity of either lyso‐PAF AT or Lp‐PLA₂. Practical applications: Platelet‐activating factor (PAF) was the first intact phospholipid known to have messenger functions in which the signaling results from the molecule binding to specific receptors on the plasma membrane or other membranes of the cell. It has a number of pro‐inflammatory properties, and affects several critical points of atherogenesis including thrombosis, inflammation, and oxidation. Fortification of milk with nutrients that possess anti‐inflammatory properties and administration to adults with elevated blood cholesterol could provide a means to controlling inflammatory process through the synthesis and degradation of PAF in a population group at risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.     

Identifying healthcare actors involved in the adoption of information systems

The adoption of information systems in healthcare is no less significant than in any other commercial or caring organisation. The literature on IS adoption in healthcare, makes it clear that the actors involved in the adoption process are almost universally seen as crucial, which matches our research results too. However, how such actors should be identified remains a topic for investigatory work since these are early days in achieving this. We derive and propose a structured method to model how actors might be identified: structured because such a rationale is explicable and such a method is more readily usable when transferred to others. Our structured method, named IGOHcaps, uses a static and then a dynamic step to pull out the individual, group, organisational and human determinants of the critical actors. In this process, the individual actors' differing views emerge which could enable decision-making bodies to produce more robust proposals if they incorporated some of the appropriate views. We discuss the application of IGOHcaps through a hospital case study. While a single case study cannot be a proof, the engagement of the actors was encouraging.     

Sensory, chemical and microbiological assessment of farm-raised European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) stored in melting ice

Farm raised European sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) were stored in melting ice for a period up to 22 days from the time of harvest, and sensory, chemical, and microbiological assessments were made at intervals. The storage life of the ungutted fish, determined by sensory evaluation of the cooked flesh, was 19 days. Of the chemical tests, only k ₁ value provided a useful means of monitoring early storage change. Trimethylamine, total volatile bases and pH showed practically no change during the first half of the edible storage life of the fish. Changes in free fatty acid (FFA) content and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value could not be used to determine loss of acceptability or end of storage life. Sulphide producing bacteria constituted a very low proportion of the total aerobic flora, suggesting that the common sulphide producer Shewanella putrefaciens was not a major spoiler of sea bass in this trial.