Selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde using Pd catalysts supported on Mg/Al mixed oxides: Influence of the Pd incorporation method

A series of hydrotalcite‐like compounds was synthesized by varying Mg/Al molar ratio with values of 2, 3, and 4. After thermal treatment at 823 K, the corresponding mixed oxides were obtained and used as catalytic supports. The incorporation of a Pd metallic phase (0.5 g/g loading), was carried out by two methods: 1) in situ vapour phase thermal decomposition, and 2) impregnation by organic method. Fresh and calcined samples were characterized by XRD and N₂ sorption experiments. The basic and metal functions were analyzed by CO₂‐TPD and H₂‐TPR. The Pd‐support interaction was studied by FTIR spectroscopy using CO as a probe molecule while the morphology of Pd nanoparticles on the catalysts was studied by SEM, HRTEM, and theoretical simulation using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method. Finally, the catalytic activity results showed a higher conversion towards hydrocinnamaldehyde in the cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation reaction for the catalysts prepared by vapour phase thermal decomposition, compared with those prepared by organic method, showing the significant dependence on the catalytic activity and the Pd incorporation method.     

Methodology to evaluate variations in piezoelectric constants after aging process

ABSTRACT

Piezoelectric ceramic properties change with time. Detected aging effects for PZT ceramics are; the difference in the value of the dielectric constants diminishes, whereas dielectric losses and elastic stiffness increases. In this work, an optimisation technique based on adjusting a finite element model to reproduce the complex impedance curves of a resonant piezoceramic disk is analysed aiming to detect changes due to aging. This technique allows estimating all material parameters, both their real and imaginary parts. The optimisation uses the constitutive equations of the piezoelectric effect in the linear regime. The evolution of elastic, piezoelectric and dielectric constants is evaluated after 5 years of aging. To compute the ten complex parameters, the piezoelectric model is adjusted to minimise the difference between finite element simulations and the experimental data. Results presented here, show that the proposed technique is sensitive enough to detect changes in the individual parameters due to aging process.     

Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediator Resolvin E1 Mitigates the Progress of Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Sprague-Dawley Rats by Attenuating Fibrogenesis and Restricting Proliferation

Liver fibrosis is a complex process associated to most types of chronic liver disease, which is characterized by a disturbance of hepatic tissue architecture and the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. Resolvin E1 (RvE1) is a representative member of the eicosapentaenoic omega-3 lipid derivatives, and is a drug candidate of the growing family of endogenous resolvins. Considering the aforementioned, the main objective of this study was to analyze the hepatoprotective effect of RvE1 in a rat model of liver fibrosis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received diethylnitrosamine (DEN, 70 mg/mg body weight intraperitoneally (i.p)) as an inductor of liver fibrosis once weekly and RvE1(100 ng/body weight i.p) twice weekly for four weeks. RvE1 suppressed the alterations induced by DEN, normalizing the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and ameliorated DEN injury by decreasing the architecture distortion, inflammatory infiltration, necrotic areas, and microsteatosis. RvE1 also limited DEN-induced proliferation through a decrease in Ki67-positive cells and cyclin D1 protein expression, which is related to an increase of the levels of cleaved caspase-3. Interestingly, we found that RvE1 promotes higher nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)p65 than DEN. RvE1 also increased the levels of nuclear the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), but with no antioxidant effect, measured as an increase in glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and a decrease in the ratio of glutathione (GSH)/GSSG. Taken together, these results suggest that RvE1 modulates the fibrogenesis, steatosis, and cell proliferation in a model of DEN induced fibrosis.     

Characterization and thermal degradation kinetics of poly(l‐lactide) nanocomposites with carbon nanotubes

The purpose of this research was to study the thermal degradation kinetics of nanocomposites of poly(l ‐lactide) (PLLA) with carbon nanotubes (CNT) in order to provide further insight into their thermal stability. Nanocomposites were prepared by solvent casting with 1, 3, and 5% by weight of pristine CNT (P‐CNT) or functionalized CNT (F‐CNT), and were characterized using infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic‐mechanical‐thermal analysis. The kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition were determined employing Coats‐Redfern method to calculate the reaction order and E₂ function model to calculate the activation energy (Ea). We found no major changes in PLLA glass transition temperatures due to CNT presence, but melt‐crystallization temperature increased slightly in some composites. In general, composites consisting of 3% or 5% of F‐CNT had superior thermal stability than did pure polymer or P‐CNT composites. This improved thermal stability was revealed by slightly higher degradation and onset temperatures, and Ea obtained from kinetic analysis. In addition, 3% or 5% of F‐CNT in PLLA composites slightly enhanced the storage modulus above the glass transition. Therefore, functionalization promoted, in some extent, better morphology and dispersion of CNT into the matrix, which was responsible for improved thermal stability and thermomechanical performance of composites at higher temperatures relative to pure polymer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:710–718, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Molecular mechanisms of aging and immune system regulation in Drosophila

Aging is a complex process that involves the accumulation of deleterious changes resulting in overall decline in several vital functions, leading to the progressive deterioration in physiological condition of the organism and eventually causing disease and death. The immune system is the most important host-defense mechanism in humans and is also highly conserved in insects. Extensive research in vertebrates has concluded that aging of the immune function results in increased susceptibility to infectious disease and chronic inflammation. Over the years, interest has grown in studying the molecular interaction between aging and the immune response to pathogenic infections. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is an excellent model system for dissecting the genetic and genomic basis of important biological processes, such as aging and the innate immune system, and deciphering parallel mechanisms in vertebrate animals. Here, we review the recent advances in the identification of key players modulating the relationship between molecular aging networks and immune signal transduction pathways in the fly. Understanding the details of the molecular events involved in aging and immune system regulation will potentially lead to the development of strategies for decreasing the impact of age-related diseases, thus improving human health and life span.     

Carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus recovery from liquid swine wastes: a review

Due to the pollution characteristics of the wastewater generated in piggeries, these waste streams have to be treated before discharging into the environment. These wastes have a high content of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus that can be converted or recovered into valuable products. The valuation of swine waste by anaerobic digestion has already been assessed, but no systematic review on the technologies used for recovering nutrients from this waste has been reported to date. Therefore, the present work has the goal of presenting the most studied technologies to different scales of recovery of carbon (i.e. organic matter), nitrogen and phosphorus from swine waste. The main characteristics and parameters of the processes involved in these technologies (mainly air stripping, membrane, enhance biological phosphorus removal and struvite formation) are also highlighted, pointing out its advantages and disadvantages and posing some final feasibility considerations on the subject addressed. Experiments reported in the literature proved that technologies used for nutrient recovery from swine waste are mostly applied to the effluents previously treated by anaerobic digestion as a primary treatment, and greater effort is required for the future implementation of these technologies in large scale. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

Update on the pharmacology of Spirulina (Arthrospira), an unconventional food

Spirulina (Arthrospira), a filamentous, unicellular alga, is a cyanobacterium grown in certain countries as food for human and animal consumption. It is also used to derive additives in pharmaceuticals and foods. This alga is a rich source of proteins, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and other nutrients. Its main use, therefore, is as a food supplement. Over the last few years, however, it has been found to have many additional pharmacological properties. Thus, it has been experimentally proven, in vivo and in vitro that it is effective to treat certain allergies, anemia, cancer, hepatotoxicity, viral and cardiovascular diseases, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, immunodeficiency, and inflammatory processes, among others. Several of these activities are attributed to Spirulina itself or to some of its components including fatty acids omega-3 or omega-6, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, phycocyanin, phenol compounds, and a recently isolated complex, Ca-Spirulan (Ca-SP). This paper aims to update and critically review the results published over the last few years with regards to these properties. The conclusion is that even if this cyanobacterium has been one of the most extensively studied from the chemical, pharmacological and toxicological points of view, it is still necessary to expand the research in order to have more consistent data for its possible use in human beings.     

Preparation and characterization of electroconductive polypyrrole–thermoplastic composites

Polypyrrole–thermoplastic composite films were obtained by casting. Homogeneous films were prepared with dispersant poly(vinyl methyl ether) or poly(vinyl ethyl ether) by two methods. Electric conductivity, morphology, mechanical properties, and sensitivity to H₂O₂ in water were studied. Composites of polypyrrole with poly(vinyl chloride) carboxylated and poly(vinyl methyl ether) presented improved mechanical and electrical properties compared with other composites studied. These films were sensitive to H₂O₂ in water, showing a significant change in electric resistance. This change is discussed in relation to the H₂O₂ concentration and the exposure time. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1498–1506, 2001