Effect of CrB2 addition on densification, properties and oxidation resistance of TiB2

This paper presents the results of detailed studies carried out on the densification of TiB₂ with CrB₂ as sinter additive by hot pressing. The dense compacts were characterized by measurement of hardness, indentation fracture toughness, flexural strength, coefficient of thermal expansion and electrical resistivity. Oxidation characteristics were investigated between 600 °C and 1000 °C and isothermal oxidation kinetics at 850 °C. Phase identification and surface morphology analysis of hot pressed and oxidized samples were done using XRD and SEM. A high density of 96.61% Τ.D was obtained with the addition of 2.5% CrB₂ by hot pressing at 1750 °C under 35 MPa pressure. Hardness values of composites with 2.5–10% CrB₂ were close to 24 GPa and fracture toughness in the range of 3–5 MPa m^1/2. Coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite with 10% CrB₂ was measured in the range of 6.21–7.43 × 10⁻⁶/K from room temperature to 1000 °C. Electrical resistivity of TiB₂ + 10%CrB₂ was measured as 32.83, 75.97 and 120 μΩ cm at 25 °C, 500 °C and 900 °C, respectively. Observed nature of oxidation was parabolic for all composites. Formation of continuous and thick glassy film was observed with increased CrB₂ content in the composite. TiO₂ and CrBO₃ phases were identified on the oxidized surface which are responsible for the improved oxidation resistance of this composite.     

Effect of various sludge digestion conditions on sulfonamide, macrolide, and tetracycline resistance genes and class I integrons

Wastewater treatment processes are of growing interest as a potential means to limit the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. This study examines the response of nine representative antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) encoding resistance to sulfonamide (sulI, sulII), erythromycin (erm(B), erm(F)), and tetracycline (tet(O), tet(W), tet(C), tet(G), tet(X)) to various laboratory-scale sludge digestion processes. The class I integron gene (intI1) was also monitored as an indicator of horizontal gene transfer potential and multiple antibiotic resistance. Mesophilic anaerobic digestion at both 10 and 20 day solids retention times (SRTs) significantly reduced sulI, suII, tet(C), tet(G), and tet(X) with longer SRT exhibiting a greater extent of removal; however, tet(W), erm(B) and erm(F) genes increased relative to the feed. Thermophilic anaerobic digesters operating at 47 °C, 52 °C, and 59 °C performed similarly to each other and provided more effective reduction of erm(B), erm(F), tet(O), and tet(W) compared to mesophilic digestion. However, thermophilic digestion resulted in similar or poorer removal of all other ARGs and intI1. Thermal hydrolysis pretreatment drastically reduced all ARGs, but they generally rebounded during subsequent anaerobic and aerobic digestion treatments. To gain insight into potential mechanisms driving ARG behavior in the digesters, the dominant bacterial communities were compared by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The overall results suggest that bacterial community composition of the sludge digestion process, as controlled by the physical operating characteristics, drives the distribution of ARGs present in the produced biosolids, more so than the influent ARG composition.     

Essential oils of Lavandula bipinnata and their antimicrobial activities

The essential oils from dried leaves of Lavandula bipinnata (Roth) Kuntze (Lamiaceae), obtained by soxhlet extraction was analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and was evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial activity. The most common components usually found in lavender essential oils were present in the oil samples analysed, out of 43 peaks, 29 components, which constitute 72.38%, were identified in the essential oil. The major constituents were transcarveol (18.93%), pulegone (8.45%), camphor (7.09%) and menthol (5.89%). Other constituents present in fairly good amounts are pipertone (4.65%), caryophyllene oxide (3.68%), linalyl acetate (3.37%) and bicyclogermacrene (3.09%). The essential oil was screened for antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against bacteria and fungus. Results reveal that L. bipinnata essential oils are inhibitory against the tested bacteria and fungal strains.     

Studies on the Two Forms of Amyloglucosidase of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem

Two isoenzymes of amyloglucosidase, designated as AG-I and AG-II, elaborated exocellularly by a strain of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, were separated and purified to homogeneity. The enzymes, produced in a selective medium, were separated and purified on a column of DEAE-Sephadex A-50. The molecular weights of AG-I and AG-II were found to be 69, 810 and 89,130 respectively. The two enzymes were glycoproteins and differed in their carbohydrate contents, pH and temperature stabilities and optima for activity. Their activation energies and Km values also varied. AG-II, had a higher molecular weight, carbohydrate content, increased acid tolerance and was synthesized earlier to AG-I (when the pH of the medium was acidic). Hg and Ag salts caused partial inhibition of their activities.     

Quinone propionic acid‐based redox‐triggered polymer nanoparticles for drug delivery: Computational analysis and in vitro evaluation

Redox‐responsive polymers with pendant quinone propionic acid groups as a redox trigger were optimized by computational modeling to prepare efficient redox‐triggered polymer nanoparticles (NPs) for drug delivery. Lipophilicities at complete reduction of redox‐responsive polymers (<5000 Da) constructed with adipic acid and glutaric acid were remarkably reduced to range from ?6.29 to ?0.39 compared with nonreduced state (18.87–32.46), suggesting substantial polymer solubility reversal in water. Based on this hypothesis, redox‐responsive NPs were prepared from the synthesized polymers with paclitaxel as model cancer drug. The average size of paclitaxel‐loaded NPs was 249.8 nm and their reconstitutions were stable over eight weeks. In vitro drug release profiles demonstrated the NPs to release >80% of paclitaxel over 24 h at a simulated redox‐state compared with 26.5 to 41.2% release from the control. Cell viability studies revealed that the polymer was nontoxic and the NPs could release paclitaxel to suppress breast cancer cell growth. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40461.     

A DMFC stack operating with hydrocarbon blend membranes and Pt–Ru–Sn–Ce/C and Pd–Co/C electrocatalysts

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) stacks consisting of 5 cells and 20 cells were assembled with low-cost hydrocarbon blend membranes and new electrocatalysts with better methanol tolerance and stability. The hydrocarbon blend membranes consisting of an acidic polymer (sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone), SPEEK) and a basic polymer (polysulfone-2-amide-benzimidazole, PSf-ABIm) exhibited low methanol crossover, high conductivity, and good mechanical stability. The Pt–Ru–Sn–Ce/C anode catalyst exhibited better stability than the commercial PtRu/C catalyst, while the cathode catalyst Pd–Co/C showed better methanol tolerance than the commercial Pt/C catalyst. A maximum power of around 20 W was achieved with a DMFC stack consisting of 20 membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) fabricated with the above membranes and electrocatalysts. The results demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing these acid-base blend membranes and novel catalysts for DMFC applications.     

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)–poly(caprolactone) block copolymer. I. Synthesis,reactive extrusion,and fiber morphology

A novel poly(ethylene terephthalate)–poly(caprolactone) block copolymer (PET–PCL) is synthesized in a reactive twin‐screw extrusion process. In the presence of stannous octoate, ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone is initiated by the hydroxyl end groups of molten PET to form polycaprolactone blocks. A block copolymer with minimal transesterification is obtained in a twin‐screw extruder as a consequence of the fast distributive mixing of ϵ‐caprolactone into high melt viscosity PET and the short reaction time. The PET–PCL structure is characterized by IV, GPC, ¹H‐NMR, and DSC. Fully drawn and partially relaxed fibers spun from PET–PCL are characterized by WAXD and SAXS. A substantial decrease in the oriented amorphous fraction appears to be the major structural change in the relaxed fiber that provides the fiber with the desired stress–strain characteristics. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1858–1867, 1999     

Transient analysis of energy storage in a thermally stratified water tank

A one-dimensional transient heat conduction model to describe the decay of the thermocline in a stratified water tank is presented. The problem is formulated as an initial boundary value problem and the resulting governing equations in the fluid and in the storage wall are solved numerically to obtain the temperature profiles in the wall and the fluid. The formulation considers the axial conduction of heat, both in the fluid and in the solid wall. The mixing parameters introduced in the boundary conditions at the top and bottom of the tank in the fluid region account for mixing due to inlet and outlet streams with the stored fluid. The model is applicable to the storage of both hot and chilled water. The model is validated with experimental data from the literature. The parameters that influence the operation of a stratified thermal energy storage for both heat and cool storage are examined. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermodynamic studies on HFC134a–DMA double effect and cascaded absorption refrigeration systems

The double-effect vapour absorption refrigeration system working with HFC134a as refrigerant and dimethyl acetamide as absorbent is analysed. Cooling coefficients of performance in the range of 0·5–0·9 could be obtained depending on the operating conditions. However, sub-zero temperatures are difficult to obtain at typical heat source and heat rejection temperatures. Hence, cascaded systems are suggested for achieving low temperatures. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies on the Thermophilic Amylolytic Enzymes of a Strain of Aspergillus niger

A laboratory isolate of Aspergillus niger elaborated considerable quantities of exocellular amylolytic enzymes. The enzymes exhibited a highly thermophilic nature. The culture filtrate exhibited two pH optima for dextrinogenic and one for saccharifying activity. Electrophoretic studies of the culture filtrate revealed three major proteins, two exhibiting α-amylase and one amyloglucosidase activity.