Modeling of kinetics for the enzymatic hydrolysis of sunflower oil in a high-pressure reactor

This study presents a mathematical model for characterizing the Michaelis-Menten type of sunflower oil hydrolysis, catalyzed by the lipase preparation Lipolase 100T (Novozymes Ays, Bagsvaerd, Denmark). Supercritical carbon dioxide was used as a solvent for this reaction. Computer modeling of the kinetics was done for the enzymatic hydrolysis of sunflower oil in a high-pressure reactor using the MicroMath Scientist^® program (Micro-Math Research, St. Louis, MO). On the basis of the experimental results, we presumed the reaction was reversible. The suitability of the model was confirmed statistically with Student's t-test. Good agreement was found between the experimental and calculated values for the concentrations of oleic and linoleic acids.     

Micro-PIXE study of Ag in digestive glands of a nano-Ag fed arthropod (Porcellio scaber, Isopoda, Crustacea)

Micro-proton induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) method was applied to study the micro-localization of silver (Ag) in digestive glands of a terrestrial arthropod (Porcellio scaber) after feeding on silver nanoparticles (nano-Ag) dosed food. The aim of our work was to assess whether feeding on nano-Ag results in the assimilation of silver (Ag) in digestive gland cells. To study micro-localization and elemental distribution of Ag, the animals were fed on food dosed with nanoparticles for 14 days under controlled laboratory conditions. At the end of the feeding exposure, the animals were dissected and digestive glands prepared for micro-PIXE analyses and TEM investigation. The results obtained by micro-PIXE documented high amounts of Ag inside S-cells of the digestive gland epithelium; however, TEM investigation did not show particle aggregates inside digestive gland cells. Also no adverse effect on feeding behavior was recorded what is a measure of toxic effects. We explain the presence of Ag inside the cells as a result of the assimilation of dissoluted Ag ions from ingested nano-Ag particles. Assimilation of excessive amounts of ingested metal ions in S-cells is a well known metal detoxification mechanism in isopods. We discuss the advantages of using micro-PIXE for the micro-localization of elements in biological tissue in studies of interactions between nanoparticles and biological systems.     

Optimal design of pad footing based on MINLP optimization

The paper presents an optimal design of pad footing, based on multi-parametric mixed-integer non-linear programming (MINLP) optimization. For this purpose, the MINLP optimization model PADFOOT was developed. The model comprises an accurate objective function of the structure production costs, subjected to design, resistance, rotation and settlement constraints in order to satisfy the requirements of the ultimate and serviceability limit states according to Eurocode specifications. In order to interpret the applicability of the optimization model, the paper presents an example of determining the cheapest possible pad footing and the optimal design for the given design parameters. As the model was developed in a general form, the optimization of the pad footing can be performed for different economic conditions and different design parameters. The optimal design of pad footing was investigated for a typical industrial concrete building.     

Investigation of high strength steel connections with several bolts in double shear

A series of 26 tests on tension splices with three or four bolts positioned in the direction of bearing force are presented. Steel grade S690 was used for the fabrication of connection plates. The tests were also numerically simulated to obtain the distribution of forces between bolts. Tests on similar connections made of high strength steel were gathered from the literature. These tests were also numerically simulated. The numerical results agreed with experimental data very well, and were used to evaluate the bearing resistance formula according to EN 1993-1-8.     

Ewing’s Sarcoma: An Analysis of miRNA Expression Profiles and Target Genes in Paraffin-Embedded Primary Tumor Tissue

The molecular mechanism responsible for Ewing’s Sarcoma (ES) remains largely unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs able to regulate gene expression, are deregulated in tumors and may serve as a tool for diagnosis and prediction. However, the status of miRNAs in ES has not yet been thoroughly investigated. This study compared global miRNAs expression in paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples from 20 ES patients, affected by primary untreated tumors, with miRNAs expressed in normal human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) by microarray analysis. A miRTarBase database was used to identify the predicted target genes for differentially expressed miRNAs. The miRNAs microarray analysis revealed distinct patterns of miRNAs expression between ES samples and normal MSCs. 58 of the 954 analyzed miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in ES samples compared to MSCs. Moreover, the qRT-PCR analysis carried out on three selected miRNAs showed that miR-181b, miR-1915 and miR-1275 were significantly aberrantly regulated, confirming the microarray results. Bio-database analysis identified BCL-2 as a bona fide target gene of the miR-21, miR-181a, miR-181b, miR-29a, miR-29b, miR-497, miR-195, miR-let-7a, miR-34a and miR-1915. Using paraffin-embedded tissues from ES patients, this study has identified several potential target miRNAs and one gene that might be considered a novel critical biomarker for ES pathogenesis.     

Unprecedented Selective Oxidation of Styrene Derivatives using a Supported Iron Oxide Nanocatalyst in Aqueous Medium

Iron oxide nanoparticles supported on mesoporous silica‐type materials have been successfully utilized in the aqueous selective oxidation of alkenes under mild conditions using hydrogen peroxide as green oxidant. The supported catalyst could be easily recovered after completion of the reaction and reused several times without any loss in activity (no metal leaching observed during the reaction), constituting a facile and straightforward example of aqueous oxidation chemistry promoted by iron‐based heterogeneous systems.     

Two-layer synchronized ternary quantum-dot cellular automata wire crossings

ABSTRACT: : Quantum-dot cellular automata are an interesting nanoscale computing paradigm. The introduction of the ternary quantum-dot cell enabled ternary computing, and with the recent development of a ternary functionally complete set of elementary logic primitives and the ternary memorizing cell design of complex processing structures is becoming feasible. The specific nature of the ternary quantum-dot cell makes wire crossings one of the most problematic areas of ternary quantum-dot cellular automata circuit design. We hereby present a two-layer wire crossing that uses a specific clocking scheme, which ensures the crossed wires have the same effective delay.     

Dairy maturation of milk used in the manufacture of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese: effects on physico-chemical characteristics, rennet-coagulation aptitude and rheological properties

The aim of this research was to study the effects of dairy maturation on the physico-chemical characteristics and technological properties of milk used for Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese manufacture. Three different operating conditions (CF1, CF2 and CF3) were considered. Full cream milk from the evening milking was stored on the farm and delivered to the cheese factory in churns (CF1) or in thermoregulated tanks at a temperature not lower than 18 degrees C (CF2 and CF3). The natural creaming (10-12 h overnight) was performed in a traditional large flat vat containing 10-12 hl (CF1 and CF2) or in thermoregulated large flat vats containing 60 hl at about 15 degrees C (CF3). Twenty-four, 24 and 22 maturation trials were performed in CF1, CF2, and CF3, respectively, during 2 consecutive years. A significant increase (P相似文献