Analysis of the Shrinkage Effect on Mass Transfer During Convective Drying of Sawdust/Sludge Mixtures

Convective drying of wastewater sludges and sawdust/sludge mixtures was studied. The first part of this work was an experimental study performed in a cross-flow convective dryer using 500 g of wet material extruded through a disk with circular dies of 12 mm. The results showed that the sawdust addition has a positive impact on the drying process from a mass ratio of 2/8, on a dry basis, with observed drying rates higher than the original sludge. The second part of this work consisted of developing a drying model in order to identify the internal diffusion coefficient and convective mass transfer coefficient from the experimental data. A comparison was made between fitted drying curves, well represented by the Newton's model, and the analytical solutions of the diffusion equation applied to a finite cylinder. Variations of dimensional characteristics, such as the volume and exchange surface of the sample bed, were obtained by X-ray tomography. This technique allowed us to confirm that shrinkage, which is an important phenomenon occurring during sludge and sawdust/sludge mixture drying, must be taken into account. The results showed that both the internal diffusion coefficient and convective mass transfer coefficient were affected by mixing and sawdust addition. The internal diffusion coefficient changed from 7.77 × 10^?9 m²/s for the original sludge to 7.01 × 10^?9 m²/s for the mixed sludge and then increased to 8.35 × 10^?9 m²/s for the mixture of a mass ratio of 4/6. The convective mass transfer coefficient changed from 9.70 × 10^?8 m/s for the original sludge to 8.67 × 10^?8 m/s for the mixed sludge and then increased to 12.09 × 10^?8 m/s for the mixture of a mass ratio of 4/6. These results confirmed that sawdust addition was beneficial to the sludge drying process as the mass transfer efficiency between the air and material increased. Reinforcing the texture of sludge by adding sawdust can increase the drying rate and decrease the drying time, and then the heat energy supply will be reduced significantly. The study also showed that neglecting shrinkage phenomenon resulted in an overestimation for the internal diffusion coefficient for the convective drying of sludges and sawdust/sludge mixtures.     

Syntheses of poly[N-(2,2 dimethoxyethyl)-N-methyl acrylamide] for the immobilization of oligonucleotides

Radical-initiated polymerization of N-(2,2 dimethoxyethyl)-N-methylacrylamide has been carried out either in chloroform or methanol using 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator, allowing us to prepare acetal containing water-soluble polymers. A kinetic study in both solvents showed that this monomer fairly homopolymerized (k_p · k_t^−1/2 = 1 mol^−1/2 L^1/2 s^−1/2). Static light scattering was used to characterize the molecular weight of these polymers. In addition, the Mark–Houwink–Sakurada relationship was established based on viscosity measurements performed at 25°C in water. Recovery of the aldehyde moieties on the polymer was achieved under mild conditions using a diluted inorganic solution. The analysis of the formation of aldehyde groups was performed by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR. The covalent binding of oligodeoxyribonucleotides was carried out in water/acetonitrile mixtures with subsequent NaBH₄ reduction of the imine bonds so as to stabilize the polymer/oligodeoxynucleotide conjugates. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Weighted least squares estimation of background in EELS imaging

In quantitative Electron Energy Loss Spectrometry, a weighted least squares estimation should theoretically be used to estimate the background law below core edge energy, since the variances of the data vary. However, it is found that proper weighting makes the above edge signal-to-noise ratio decrease rather than increase. This result is discussed, and the influence of the bias introduced by the logarithmic transformation of the data is quantified.     

Dichloroacetate Radiosensitizes Hypoxic Breast Cancer Cells

Mitochondrial metabolism is an attractive target for cancer therapy. Reprogramming metabolic pathways can potentially sensitize tumors with limited treatment options, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), to chemo- and/or radiotherapy. Dichloroacetate (DCA) is a specific inhibitor of the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), which leads to enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. ROS are the primary effector molecules of radiation and an increase hereof will enhance the radioresponse. In this study, we evaluated the effects of DCA and radiotherapy on two TNBC cell lines, namely EMT6 and 4T1, under aerobic and hypoxic conditions. As expected, DCA treatment decreased phosphorylated pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and lowered both extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and lactate production. Remarkably, DCA treatment led to a significant increase in ROS production (up to 15-fold) in hypoxic cancer cells but not in aerobic cells. Consistently, DCA radiosensitized hypoxic tumor cells and 3D spheroids while leaving the intrinsic radiosensitivity of the tumor cells unchanged. Our results suggest that although described as an oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS)-promoting drug, DCA can also increase hypoxic radioresponses. This study therefore paves the way for the targeting of mitochondrial metabolism of hypoxic cancer cells, in particular to combat radioresistance.     

Synthesis and Microstructural Characterization of Substoichiometric Ti2Al(CxNy) Solid Solutions and Related Ti2AlCx and Ti2AlN End‐Members

Ti, TiC, Al and AlN powders were mixed to synthesize Ti₂Al(C_xN_y) (x + y < 1) solid solutions, Ti₂AlC_x (x < 1) and Ti₂AlN‐related end‐members by hot isostatic pressing at 1400°C/80 MPa for 4 h. For the pure carbides, it is demonstrated that single‐phased samples can only be obtained when about 15% of substoichiometry on the carbon site is applied. Such a result likely implies that Ti₂AlC_x can only exist in a narrow range of carbon composition. Ti₂AlN nitride can be synthesized with y = 1. Assuming that vacancy content varies linearly from 0 to 0.15 going from Ti₂AlN to Ti₂AlC_0.85 in the solid solutions, element concentrations have been calculated to synthesize different solid solutions. Thus, it is demonstrated that single‐phased and fully dense Ti₂Al(C_0.23N_0.71), Ti₂Al(C_0.45N_0.45), and Ti₂Al(C_0.66N_0.22) carbonitrides can be synthesized.     

Biocomposite films based on poly(lactic acid) and chitosan nanoparticles: Elaboration,microstructural and thermal characterization

Structured and fully bio‐based polymer assemblies based on chitosan micro‐ and nano‐particles and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were developed using a continuous cast‐film extrusion process. The microstructure and thermal properties of the resulting biocomposite films are studied. Dispersion and size distribution of chitosan particles within the films were analyzed by optical microscopy and laser diffraction. Results show a homogeneous dispersion with no particles agglomeration, due to favorable physico–chemical interactions between chitosan particles and PLA and weak particle cohesion within the agglomerates. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments evidence a pronounced nucleating effect as well as an enhanced crystal growth rate, and a great increase in crystallinity of PLA in the presence of chitosan particles. Furthermore, in the case of chitosan nanoparticles, no reduction of PLA molecular weight occurred as revealed by gel permeation chromatography. The dispersion of nanosized chitosan particles in PLA thus appears to be an efficient way to control its crystallization behavior without degrading its molecular characteristics. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E350–E360, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical Properties of Dry-Pressed Ceramic Green Products: The Effect of the Binder

The strength of alumina green samples prepared by uniaxial pressing of powders spray-dried with two binders such as poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(vinyl alcohol) is discussed in terms of (i) the adhesive properties of the polymer-rich external layer of spray-dried granules and (ii) the mechanical properties of this layer. A transition from intra- to intergranular fracture is observed when the glass transition temperature of the binder increases. The influence of the binder on the defect size distribution in the green products is investigated using the classical Weibull statistics.     

Mixing of a self-assembled supramolecular polymer and a covalent polymer in organic solutions

We report on a neutron scattering study of the molecular structure of a self-assembled supramolecular polymer composed of a bicopper complex within a solution of a covalent polymer (atactic polystyrene/trans-decalin). The study is achieved by putting two binary phases in contact and allowing for diffusion of both components in either phase. It is shown that the one-dimensional bicopper filaments are compatible to a high extent with the atactic polymer. These results are discussed in the light of a recently devised encapsulation process of the bicopper filaments within the fibrils of a physical network of isotactic polystyrene.     

Ultra‐Performance Liquid Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Free and Esterified Oxygenated Derivatives from Docosahexaenoic Acid in Rat Brain

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a prominent long‐chain fatty acid of the omega‐3 family, is present at high amount in brain tissues, especially in membrane phospholipids. This polyunsaturated fatty acid is the precursor of various oxygenated lipid mediators involved in diverse physiological and pathophysiological processes. Characterization of DHA‐oxygenated metabolites is therefore crucial for better understanding the biological roles of DHA. In this study, we identified and measured, by ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, a number of oxygenated products derived from DHA in exsanguinated and nonexsanguinated brains. These metabolites were found both in free form and esterified in phospholipids. Interestingly, both (R)‐ and (S)‐monohydroxylated fatty acid stereoisomers were observed free and esterified in phospholipids. Monohydroxylated metabolites were the main derivatives; however, measurable amounts of dihydroxylated products such as protectin DX were detected. Moreover, exsanguination allowed discriminating brain oxygenated metabolites from those generated in blood. These results obtained in healthy rats allowed an overview on the brain oxygenated metabolism of DHA, which deserves further research in pathophysiological conditions, especially in neurodegenerative diseases.     

P2X7 Receptors and TMEM16 Channels Are Functionally Coupled with Implications for Macropore Formation and Current Facilitation

P2X7 receptors (P2X7) are cationic channels involved in many diseases. Following their activation by extracellular ATP, distinct signaling pathways are triggered, which lead to various physiological responses such as the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines or the modulation of cell death. P2X7 also exhibit unique behaviors, such as “macropore” formation, which corresponds to enhanced large molecule cell membrane permeability and current facilitation, which is caused by prolonged activation. These two phenomena have often been confounded but, thus far, no clear mechanisms have been resolved. Here, by combining different approaches including whole-cell and single-channel recordings, pharmacological and biochemical assays, CRISPR/Cas9 technology and cell imaging, we provide evidence that current facilitation and macropore formation involve functional complexes comprised of P2X7 and TMEM16, a family of Ca²⁺-activated ion channel/scramblases. We found that current facilitation results in an increase of functional complex-embedded P2X7 open probability, a result that is recapitulated by plasma membrane cholesterol depletion. We further show that macropore formation entails two distinct large molecule permeation components, one of which requires functional complexes featuring TMEM16F subtype, the other likely being direct permeation through the P2X7 pore itself. Such functional complexes can be considered to represent a regulatory hub that may orchestrate distinct P2X7 functionalities.