Formation of Nanocrystalline Transition-Metal Ferrites inside a Silica Matrix

Nanocrystalline transition-metal ferrites were synthesized inside an amorphous silica matrix by the sol–gel method. The formation of spinel ferrites began above 400°C, giving fine particles of about 10 nm at 800°C. This is associated with a specific role of the silica matrix, which facilitates the diffusion of the reacting cations, enhancing the ferrite formation. Above 1000°C the MnFe₂O₄ and CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles lost their fine nature. The dried gels and crystalline materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal, FTIR, and BET analyses as well as by high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy.     

Comparison of various modeling methods for analysis of powder compaction in roller press

Recently used models relating basic properties of the feed material, roller press design and its operating parameters are reviewed. In particular, we discuss the rolling theory for granular solids proposed by J.R. Johanson in the 1960s, later trials utilizing slab method and newly developed final element models. These methods are compared in terms of efficiency and accuracy of predicting the course of basic process variables like nip angle, pressure distribution in roll nip region, neutral angle, roll torque and roll force.

The finite element method offers the most versatile approach because it incorporates adequate information about powder behavior, geometry and frictional conditions. This enables to perform realistic computer experiments minimizing costs, time and resources needed for process and equipment optimization.     

Chemical hydrodynamics of a downward microbubble flow for intensification of gas‐fed bioreactors

Bioreactors are of interest for value‐upgrading of stranded or waste industrial gases. Reactor intensification requires development of low cost bioreactors with fast gas–liquid mass transfer rate. Here we assess published reactor technology in comparison with a novel downward bubble flow created by a micro‐jet array. Compared to known technology, the advanced design achieves higher volumetric gas transfer efficiency (k_La per power density) and can operate at higher k_La. We measure the effect of four reactor heights (height‐to‐diameter ratios of 12, 9, 6, and 3) on the gas transfer coefficient k_L, total interfacial area a, liquid residence time distribution, energy consumption, and turbulent hydrodynamics. Leading models for predicting k_L and a are appraised with experimental data. The results show k_L is governed by “entrance effects” due to Higbie penetration dominate at short distances below the micro‐jet array, while turbulence dominates at intermediate distances, and finally terminal rise velocity dominates at large distances. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 1399–1411, 2018     

Thioether Analogues of Disulfide‐Bridged Cyclic Peptides Targeting Death Receptor 5: Conformational Analysis,Dimerisation and Consequences for Receptor Activation

Cyclic peptides containing redox‐stable thioether bridges might provide a useful alternative to disulfide‐bridged bioactive peptides. We report the effect of replacing the disulfide bridge with a lanthionine linkage in a 16‐mer cyclic peptide that binds to death receptor 5 (DR5, TRAIL‐R2). Upon covalent oligomerisation, the disulfide‐bridged peptide has previously shown similar behaviour to that of TNF‐related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL), by selectively triggering the DR5 cell death pathway. The structural and biological properties of the DR5‐binding peptide and its desulfurised analogue were compared. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) data suggest that these peptides bind DR5 with comparable affinities. The same holds true for dimeric versions of these peptides: the thioether is able to induce DR5‐mediated apoptosis of BJAB lymphoma and tumorigenic BJELR cells, albeit to a slightly lower extent compared to its disulfide homologue. NMR analysis revealed subtle variation in the conformations of the two peptides and suggests that the thioether peptide is slightly less folded than its disulfide homologue. These observations could account for the different capability of the two dimers to cluster DR5 receptors on the cell surface and to trigger apoptosis. Nevertheless, our results suggest that the thioether peptide is a potential candidate for evaluation in animal models.     

Ketonization of fatty methyl esters over Sn−Ce−Rh−O catalyst

A mixture of methyl esters of fatty acids obtained by transterification of nonerucic rape oil was ketonized. The starting material, diluted with methanol, was converted at atmospheric pressure over a catalyst that contained Sn, Ce, and Rh oxides in a molar ratio of 90:9:1. At a temperature of 385°C ketones were obtained with a total yield of 63% at the 96% conversion of starting material. The reported experiments prove that catalysts other than iron that are active in ketonization of primary alcohols can be successfully used in ketonization of esters of fatty acids. The kind of diluent used plays a crucial role in the conversion.     

Pulsatile Jet Cleaning of Filter Cloths Contaminated with Yeast Cells

The cleaning of filter cloths is necessary to avoid prolonged system downtime and strong fouling. Reliable cleaning concepts are central to the removal of residues from the complex surface of filter cloths. Particle residues, in particular, play a decisive role in the sufficiency of the cleaning performance. Consequently, enhanced particle‐removal cleaning concepts based on pulsatile jets for filter cloths have been developed. By varying the cleaning parameters, it has been demonstrated that increased pulse numbers and velocities improve the cleaning performance. Furthermore, this promising cleaning concept cleaned more effectively than conventional methods. The reduction in the amount of detergent needed is an ecological and economic advantage of pulsatile cleaning.     

Iterative Antimicrobial Candidate Selection from Informed D‐/L‐Peptide Dimer Libraries

Growing resistance to antibiotics, as well as newly emerging pathogens, stimulate the investigation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as therapeutic agents. Here, we report a new library design concept based on a stochastic distribution of natural AMP amino acid sequences onto half‐length synthetic peptides. For these compounds, a non‐natural motif of alternating D ‐ and L ‐backbone stereochemistry of the peptide chain predisposed for β‐helix formation was explored. Synthetic D ‐/L ‐peptides with permuted half‐length sequences were delineated from a full‐length starter sequence and covalently recombined to create two‐dimensional compound arrays for antibacterial screening. Using the natural AMP magainin as a seed sequence, we identified and iteratively optimized hit compounds showing high antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria with low hemolytic activity. Cryo‐electron microscopy characterized the membrane‐associated mechanism of action of the new D ‐/L ‐peptide antibiotics.     

Toll-Like Receptor and Accessory Molecule mRNA Expression in Humans and Mice as Well as in Murine Autoimmunity,Transient Inflammation,and Progressive Fibrosis

The cell type-, organ-, and species-specific expression of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are well described, but little is known about the respective expression profiles of their accessory molecules. We therefore determined the mRNA expression levels of LBP, MD2, CD36, CD14, granulin, HMGB1, LL37, GRP94, UNC93b1, TRIL, PRAT4A, AP3B1, AEP and the respective TLRs in human and mouse solid organs. Humans and mice displayed significant differences between their respective mRNA expression patterns of these factors. In addition, the expression profiles in transient tissue inflammation upon renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, in spleens and kidneys from mice with lupus-like systemic autoimmunity, and in progressive tissue fibrosis upon unilateral ureteral obstruction were studied. Several TLR co-factors were specifically regulated during the different phases of these disease entities, suggesting a functional involvement in the disease process. Thus, the organ- and species-specific expression patterns need to be considered in the design and interpretation of studies related to TLR-mediated innate immunity, which seems to be involved in the tissue injury phase, in the phase of tissue regeneration, and in progressive tissue remodelling.     

Furfural Oxidation with Hydrogen Peroxide Over ZSM-5 Based Micro-Mesoporous Aluminosilicates

Micro-mesoporous aluminosilicates based on ZSM-5 zeolite, obtained by a dual template method, as well as in the presence of a dual-functional template (i.e. a Gemini-type surfactant), were tested in the oxidation of furfural with hydrogen peroxide. Even substantial changes in acidity and porosity of the catalysts result in minor variations of selectivity towards the desired products. Application of the synthesized zeolite-based materials in the oxidation of furfural with hydrogen peroxide leads to formation of 2(5H)-furanone (yield up to 28.5%) and succinic acid (up to 19.5%) as the main C4 reaction products. The kinetic model developed previously to treat the results for oxidation of furfural over sulfated zirconia was able to describe the data also for micro-mesoporous aluminosilicates.

Graphical Abstract