Efficiency of activated carbon to transform ozone into *OH radicals: influence of operational parameters

Based on previous findings (Jans, U., Hoigné, J., 1998. Ozone Sci. Eng. 20, 67-87), the activity of activated carbon for the transformation of ozone into *OH radicals including the influence of operational parameters (carbon dose, ozone dose, carbon-type and carbon treatment time) was quantified. The ozone decomposition constant (k(D)) was increased by the presence of activated carbon in the system and depending on the type of activated carbon added, the ratio of the concentrations of *OH radicals and ozone, the R(ct) value ([*OH]/[O3]), was increased by a factor 3-5. The results obtained show that the surface chemical and textural characteristics of the activated carbon determines its activity for the transformation of ozone into *OH radicals. The most efficient carbons in this process are those with high basicity and large surface area. The obtained results show that the interaction between ozone and pyrrol groups present on the surface of activated carbon increase the concentration of O2*- radicals in the system, enhancing ozone transformation into *OH radicals. The activity of activated carbon decreases for extended ozone exposures. This may indicate that activated carbon does not really act as a catalyst but rather as a conventional initiator or promoter for the ozone transformation into *OH radicals. Ozonation of Lake Zurich water ([O3] = 1 mg/L) in presence of activated carbon (0.5 g/L) lead to an increase in the k(D) and R(ct) value by a factor of 10 and 39, respectively, thereby favouring the removal of ozone-resistant contaminants. Moreover, the presence of activated carbon during ozonation of Lake Zurich water led to a 40% reduction in the content of dissolved organic carbon during the first 60 min of treatment. The adsorption of low concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on activated carbon surfaces did not modify its capacity to initiate/promote ozone transformation into *OH radicals.     

By-products formation during drinking water disinfection: a tool to assess disinfection efficiency?

In drinking water treatment, the inactivation of microorganisms increases with increasing disinfectant exposure (product of concentration and contact time, CT). Also, the formation of undesired (toxic) disinfection by-products increases with CT. The present study proposes a new concept that uses this undesired side effect of chemical water disinfection for a fast and reliable test of treatment efficiency. In laboratory systems, bromate formation during ozonation and the formation of trihalomethanes during chlorination were used to calculate the disinfectant exposure, which is a measure for the achieved degree of disinfection.     

Bessere Auswertung der Profilmeßdaten von Geradführungen von Werkzeugmaschinen

Forschung im Ingenieurwesen - Nach einer kurzen Übersicht über die bestehenden Toleranzdefinitionen und Meßmethoden von Geradheitsführungen werden zwei neue Methoden...     

Micro-RNA and Proteomic Profiles of Plasma-Derived Exosomes from Irradiated Mice Reveal Molecular Changes Preventing Apoptosis in Neonatal Cerebellum

Cell communication via exosomes is capable of influencing cell fate in stress situations such as exposure to ionizing radiation. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that exosomes might play a role in out-of-target radiation effects by carrying molecular signaling mediators of radiation damage, as well as opposite protective functions resulting in resistance to radiotherapy. However, a global understanding of exosomes and their radiation-induced regulation, especially within the context of an intact mammalian organism, has been lacking. In this in vivo study, we demonstrate that, compared to sham-irradiated (SI) mice, a distinct pattern of proteins and miRNAs is found packaged into circulating plasma exosomes after whole-body and partial-body irradiation (WBI and PBI) with 2 Gy X-rays. A high number of deregulated proteins (59% of WBI and 67% of PBI) was found in the exosomes of irradiated mice. In total, 57 and 13 miRNAs were deregulated in WBI and PBI groups, respectively, suggesting that the miRNA cargo is influenced by the tissue volume exposed to radiation. In addition, five miRNAs (miR-99b-3p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200a, miR-182-5p, miR-182) were commonly overexpressed in the exosomes from the WBI and PBI groups. In this study, particular emphasis was also given to the determination of the in vivo effect of exosome transfer by intracranial injection in the highly radiosensitive neonatal cerebellum at postnatal day 3. In accordance with a major overall anti-apoptotic function of the commonly deregulated miRNAs, here, we report that exosomes from the plasma of irradiated mice, especially in the case of WBI, prevent radiation-induced apoptosis, thus holding promise for exosome-based future therapeutic applications against radiation injury.     

Anti-Inflammatory Characteristics of Local Anesthetics: Inhibition of TNF-α Secretion of Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Leucocytes in Human Blood Samples

Background. Local anesthetics (LAs) have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammatory down-regulation is crucial in diseases with overactive immune reactions, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and chronic inflammation. We investigated the influence of four LAs, procaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine, and bupivacaine, on the reduction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) secretion in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated human leucocytes. Methods. Blood samples of 28 individuals were stimulated with LPS. The reduction of TNF-α production by each of the four LAs added (0.5 mg/mL) was measured and correlated with biometric variables. A response was defined as reduction to <85% of initial levels. Results. All four LAs down-regulated the TNF-α secretion in 44–61%: Bupivacaine (44.4%), lidocaine (61.5%), mepivacaine (44.4%), and procaine (50% of the individuals, “responders”). The TNF-α secretion was reduced to 67.4, 68.0, 63.6, and 67.1% of the initial values in responders. The effects in both patients and healthy persons were the same. Interindividual responses to LAs were not correlated with the duration or type of complaints, basal TNF-α serum level, sex, BMI, or age of responders. Conclusions. Four clinically relevant LAs (amid-LA and ester-LA) attenuate the inflammatory response provoked by LPS. They are potential candidates for drug repositioning in treating overactive immune reactions and chronic inflammation.     

Design,development, construction and operation of a novel metal hydride compressor

Metal Hydride Compressors (MHC) is a promising technology for thermal compression of hydrogen. Besides the absence of a necessity for significant mechanical or electrical energy input, this type of compressor has the advantage that no moving parts are involved. A brief review on the reported experimental set ups of metal hydride compressors is carried out and compared to the metal hydride compressor developed and constructed by HYSTORE Technologies Ltd in Cyprus. The compressor built by HYSTORE consists of 6 stages using AB₂ and AB₅ – type metal hydride alloys. The MHC is operated between 10 C and 80 °C, which is a temperature range that can be supplied by solar thermal collectors. Furthermore, the experimental results showed, that even lower temperatures of 17 C are sufficient thus reducing the demand for cooling capacity. During the operation, the compressor achieved stable compression of hydrogen from 7 bar more than 220 bar. The specific productivity of the compressor achieved values up to 67.2 l_H2 kg^?1 h^?1.     

Managing inter-firm projects: A systematic review and directions for future research

Although the management of inter-firm projects is increasingly being researched in a wide range of academic fields (project management, alliances and networks, organization studies), the findings of these studies rarely cross theoretical boundaries. In the present study, a systematic literature review of 219 contributions from 26 years of academic research on managing inter-firm projects identifies 22 key management issues underlying its contributions. Based on a two-dimensional framework (project stage and analytical sphere), a structured and integrative synthesis of relevant studies is outlined. Based on these findings, future investigations are proposed to focus on dynamic, contextual and structural aspects of the management of inter-firm projects.