pH sensitive phosphate crosslinked films of starch-carboxymethyl cellulose

This work aims to develop hydrogel films of starch and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) crosslinked with sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) and to characterize some of their properties. Starch and STMP (S/T), starch and CMC (S/C), and mixed (S/T/C) films were prepared by casting. The degree of substitution, morphology, swelling degree, FTIR, mechanical properties, and sorption isotherms were studied. Reticulated samples (S/T and S/T/C) showed the same degree of substitution (0.050 ± 0.001). All films presented homogeneous morphology, but the mixed film showed greater roughness. Crosslinking increased the swelling capacity of the mixed hydrogel at pH 7, although it remained decreased concerning the S/T hydrogel. However, this property was sensitive to pH variations. The mixed film (S/T/C) showed greater mechanical resistance. The casting process was efficient to produce hydrogel films of starch/CMC crosslinked with STMP and the general results demonstrated the advantages of the mixed hydrogel.     

Influence of nucleation and growth mechanisms on the heat deflection temperature of a reactively processed polypropylene nanocomposite

The development of a reactively processed polypropylene nanocomposite (PPNC) with consequential improvements in the heat deflection temperature (HDT), Vicat softening temperature (VST), and crystallization peak temperature (T_c) is reported herein. Neat PP without nanoclay was also reactively processed to elucidate the effects of fillers on the improvement in physical properties. The results show a considerable improvement in the HDT of PPNC (77.9 °C) compared to those of neat PP (62.6 °C) and reactively processed branched PP (BPP; 69.2 °C). Moreover, the T_c of PP in PPNC improved by ~14% compared to that of neat PP. Various models of nonisothermal crystallization kinetics were employed to elucidate the nucleation and crystal growth mechanisms, and to correlate them with the observed HDT improvement in PPNC. Thermal transitions investigated by modulated differential scanning calorimetry explained the changes observed in the VSTs of all the samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a significant improvement in HDT along with a marked increase in Tc. Such simultaneous improvements in HDT, VST, and T_c are highly desirable for applications involving the use of PP-based materials in rigid packaging.     

Multicomponent Bioluminescence Imaging with Naphthylamino Luciferins

Bioluminescent tools have been used for decades to image processes in complex tissues and preclinical models. However, few distinct probes are available to probe multicellular interactions. We and others are addressing this limitation by engineering new luciferases that can selectively process synthetic luciferin analogues. In this work, we explored naphthylamino luciferins as orthogonal bioluminescent probes. Three analogues were prepared using an optimized synthetic route. The luciferins were found to be robust emitters with native luciferase in vitro and in cellulo. We further screened the analogues against libraries of luciferase mutants to identify unique enzyme-substrate pairs. The new probes can be used in conjunction with existing bioluminescent tools for multi-component imaging.     

Hemi- and Homozygous Loss-of-Function Mutations in DSG2 (Desmoglein-2) Cause Recessive Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy with an Early Onset

About 50% of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) carry a pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutation in the desmosomal genes. However, there is a significant number of patients without positive familial anamnesis. Therefore, the molecular reasons for ACM in these patients are frequently unknown and a genetic contribution might be underestimated. Here, we used a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach and in addition single nucleotide polymor-phism (SNP) arrays for the genetic analysis of two independent index patients without familial medical history. Of note, this genetic strategy revealed a homozygous splice site mutation (DSG2–c.378+1G>T) in the first patient and a nonsense mutation (DSG2–p.L772X) in combination with a large deletion in DSG2 in the second one. In conclusion, a recessive inheritance pattern is likely for both cases, which might contribute to the hidden medical history in both families. This is the first report about these novel loss-of-function mutations in DSG2 that have not been previously identi-fied. Therefore, we suggest performing deep genetic analyses using NGS in combination with SNP arrays also for ACM index patients without obvious familial medical history. In the future, this finding might has relevance for the genetic counseling of similar cases.     

Fabrication of BSCF-based mixed oxide ionic-electronic conducting multi-layered membrane by sequential electrophoretic deposition process

The Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ (BSCF)-based multi-layered oxygen separation membrane was fabricated by the sequential electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process. A thin porous/dense bi-layer of BSCF was formed on a thick porous support of BSCF. The porous support prepared by a sacrificial template method using BSCF powder mixed with wheat starch (30 wt%) as a pore-forming agent, followed by uniaxial pressing and low-temperature sintering, was directly used as an EPD electrode. A thin BSCF layer was first formed on the porous support, and then a thin BSCF + PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) layer was sequentially formed on the thin BSCF layer using a bimodal suspension of BSCF and PMMA. A 30-μm thin porous/dense bi-layer of BSCF of which the total thickness was obtained by optimizing the processes of EPD and subsequent co-sintering. The oxygen separation performance of 3.7 ml (STP) min^?1 cm^?2 at 860 °C was achieved for the BSCF-based multi-layered oxygen separation membrane.     

Sediment distribution and accumulation in Lake Naivasha,Kenya over the past 50 years

Although surface waterbodies are water sources for socio‐economic activities and ecosystems, their functions are threatened by sedimentation. Sedimentation of lakes and reservoirs can result in a loss of storage capacity and altered water quality. The present study assessed the sedimentation status of Lake Naivasha, Kenya, based on sediment distribution and accumulation over the past 50 years, using a Bathymetric Survey System (BSS). The BSS uses multi‐frequency Acoustic Profiling System (APS) to map recently deposited sediments. Sediment core samples were collected with a vibe‐ coring device and dated. Sediment layers corresponding to a period of the past 20 and 50 years were identified. Sediment cores and acoustic images were subsequently used to determine sediment thickness within the lake. The collected depth data from multi‐frequency APS, and dated cores were processed in DepthPic and Surfer software. The sediment depth was extracted in DepthPic, while the sediment volume and distribution were generated from Surfer software. The results from present study indicated that sediment distribution varied from one part of the lake to another for the past 20 and 50 years. High sediment thickness observed in the south‐west and eastern parts of the lake. Between 1996–2016 and 1966–2016 periods, the maximum accumulated sediment thickness was found to be about 0.55 and 1.9 m, with an average sediment thickness of 0.25 and 0.56 m, respectively. The mean sediment load corresponding to the 1966–1996 and 1996–2016 periods was 2.78 × 10⁵ and 4.61 × 10⁵ t/year, respectively. It was found that sediment load into Lake Naivasha has been increasing in the recent past. Based on the present the study, it was found that combined use of BSS, sediment cores and dating can be adopted in many lakes and reservoirs to determine sediment thicknesses even where no prior bathymetric surveys exist for comparison.     

Federal reserved rights and California's Groundwater Management Act: resolving groundwater rights tensions in California and the western United States

California introduced its first comprehensive groundwater legislation (the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act) in 2014 to address the overuse of the state’s groundwater resources and to establish a pathway for sustainable groundwater use. However, a recent decision by the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit declaring the existence of federal reserved rights to groundwater could complicate the future implementation of California’s new groundwater legislation. This article explores the impact of the case and offers recommendations on how the tensions between the court’s decision and the existing legal framework for groundwater management in California could be reduced.     

Contemporary orthokeratology.

Orthokeratology is the temporary reduction or elimination of myopia and astigmatism with rigid contact lenses having a tetra-curve reverse geometry back surface design are currently utilised for this purpose. The essential features of this construction are described. Those clinical characteristics which are favourable, and those which are unfavourable, for the technique of orthokeratology are listed. Reverse geometry lenses can either be fitted empirically or by the use of diagnostic lenses. Videokeratoscopy is of value in identifying corneal distortion induced by problems such as poor centration.     

Meteorological wind energy potential in the Alps using ERA40 and wind measurement sites in the Tyrolean Alps

The peculiarities of meteorological wind potential in alpine settings compared to flatland and offshore sites are studied. Four data sources are used: Global reanalysis ERA40 from ECMWF, long‐term stations in the Tyrolean Alps, spatially dense measurements near the best site and Doppler sodar wind profiles. Due to the decrease of density with height, alpine sites suffer from a nearly linear decrease of harvestable power with altitude, which is more than offset by the increase of wind speed at altitudes above 1.5 km MSL. ERA40 data show higher potential on the northern than on the southern side of the Alps. The best locations are not isolated peaks but ridges within wide orographic channels. The best potential sites in the Tyrolean part of the Alps have median wind speeds of up to 7.1 m s^?1 and extractable potentials between 2900 and 1600 kWh per year and per square meter of rotor area. The profile of horizontal wind speed at ridge sites is often not logarithmic but approximately constant within the height of a wind turbine due to a (nearly) complete absence of upwind fetch. Also, the turbulence intensity is independent of height. Icing can cause considerable downtimes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.