Two-step method to deposit ZrO2 coating on carbon fiber: Preparation,characterization, and performance in SiC composites

Recently, ceramic matrix composites reinforced by short carbon fibers (CFs) attracted increasing attentions. To further improve mechanical properties and oxidation resistances, CFs were subjected to oxidation and acidification followed by sol-gel dip-coating to deposit ZrO₂ on their surfaces. ZrO₂-C_f/SiC composites were fabricated by joint hot compression molding and sintering, compared to C_f/SiC and SiC prepared by the same method. Microstructural analyses indicated that ZrO₂ coatings were successfully deposited on CF surfaces, formed strong bonding and interfaces between CF and the matrix. Meanwhile, CFs were found uniformly distributed in SiC matrix with random orientations. Flexural curves of ZrO₂-C_f/SiC and C_f/SiC revealed the presence of “false plasticity” regions after sharp drops, which were quite different from brittle flexural behavior of SiC ceramic. Compression strength of the three samples showed step-up growth. ZrO₂-C_f/SiC exhibited the highest value, indicating the introduction of CFs and ZrO₂ coatings do have great influence on mechanical performances. After heat treatment, ZrO₂-C_f/SiC exhibited better oxidation resistance than C_f/SiC, with weight loss ratios estimated to ??3.76% and ??6.43%, respectively. These improved properties indicated that ZrO₂-C_f/SiC would be excellent alternatives to other existence materials under ultra-high temperature environments.     

Effect of the cultivation mode on red pigments production from Monascus ruber

In submerged cultures performed in chemically defined fermentation medium containing glucose and glutamate, the growth and production of water‐soluble red pigments and citrinin by the filamentous fungus Monascus ruber were studied under various carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios. The specific production of the red pigments was optimal at a glucose/glutamate ratio of about 10 and then steadily decreased at higher C/N ratio. In contrast, the production of the mycotoxin increased with increased C/N with an optimum in the range of 30–45. In a fed‐batch mode, it was also found that the production of pigments was not favoured in fed‐batch mode by feeding the medium with glucose while keeping the C/N ratio lower than 10. This low production likely resulted from concurrent high accumulation of L‐malic acid that was reported to inhibit this production. In contrast, this mode of cultivation was rather favourable for the production of the mycotoxin.     

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of the Korean lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) condiment: volatile and nonvolatile metabolite profiling during fermentation

Recent studies have shown that lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaf has various pharmacological effects. However, there have been no scientific investigations into these leaves as a fermented crude liquid. This study compared the in vitro antioxidant capacity of lotus leaf‐fermented broth (LLFB) with that of 57° Brix sugar broth (SB) as a control over a period of 6 months based on 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, ferric ion reducing power, superoxide dismutase‐like activity, tyrosinase inhibition and nitrite scavenging activity. The dominant species during fermentation process were Leuconostoc lactis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for LLFB. A total of thirty‐six metabolites such as alkaloids, fatty acids, organic acids, phenolics, sugar and sugar derivatives, ethyl esters and monoterpenoids differed between SB and LLFB using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Meanwhile, nine volatile compounds in LLFB contributed pleasant, slightly sweetish and fruity odour of condiment and sensory evaluation score of 4.06 ± 1.52 in the proportion of 1:9 LLFB/water.     

Cost-minimization analysis of a working vacation queue with N-policy and server breakdowns

This paper investigates the N-policy M/M/1 queueing system with working vacation and server breakdowns. As soon as the system becomes empty, the server begins a working vacation. The server works at a lower service rate rather than completely stopping service during a vacation period. The server may break down with different breakdown rates during the idle, working vacation, and normal busy periods. It is assumed that service times, vacation times, and repair times are all exponentially distributed. We analyze this queueing model as a quasi-birth–death process. Furthermore, the equilibrium condition of the system is derived for the steady state. Using the matrix-geometric method, we find the matrix-form expressions for the stationary probability distribution of the number of customers in the system and system performance measures. The expected cost function per unit time is constructed to determine the optimal values of the system decision variables, including the threshold N and mean service rates. We employ the particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve the optimization problem. Finally, numerical results are provided, and an application example is given to demonstrate the applicability of the queueing model.     

The Emi2 Protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a Hexokinase Expressed under Glucose Limitation

Hexokinases catalyze glucose phosphorylation at the first step in glycolysis in eukaryotes. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae , three enzymes for glucose phosphorylation have long been known: Hxk1, Hxk2, and Glk1. In this study, we focus on Emi2, a previously uncharacterized hexokinase-like protein of S. cerevisiae . Our data show that the recombinant Emi2 protein (rEmi2), expressed in Escherichia coli , possesses glucose-phosphorylating activity in the presence of ATP and Mg ²⁺ . It was also found that rEmi2 phosphorylates not only glucose but also fructose, mannose and glucosamine in vitro . In addition, we examined changes in the level of endogenous Emi2 protein in S. cerevisiae in the presence or absence of glucose and a non-fermentable carbon source. We found that the expression of Emi2 protein is tightly suppressed during proliferation in high glucose, while it is strongly upregulated in response to glucose limitation and the presence of a non-fermentable carbon source. Our data suggest that the expression of the endogenous Emi2 protein in S. cerevisiae is regulated under the control of Hxk2 in response to glucose availability in the environment.     

Starch: a potential substrate for biohydrogen production

Hydrogen is a clean energy carrier with great potential to be an alternative fuel. Anaerobic hydrogen fermentation seems to be more favorable, since hydrogen is yielded at high rates and various organic waste and wastewater enriched with carbohydrates as substrate result in low cost for hydrogen production. Abundant biomass from various industries could be a source for biohydrogen production where combination of waste treatment and energy production would be an advantage. Carbohydrate‐rich nitrogen‐deficient solid wastes such as starch residues can be used for hydrogen production by using suitable bioprocess technologies. Alternatively, converting biomass into gaseous fuels, such as biohydrogen, is possibly the most efficient way to use these agroindustrial residues. This review summarizes the potential of starch agroindustrial residues as a substrate for biohydrogen production. Types of potential starch agroindustrial residues, recent developments and bio‐processing conditions for biohydrogen production will be discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Atomistic insight into the hydration and proton conducting mechanisms of the cobalt doped Ruddlesden-Popper structure Sr3Fe2O7-δ

Sr₃Fe₂O_7-δ (SFO) with two-layer Ruddlesden-Popper (R–P) structure has recently been proved to be a promising material for the single phase cathode in proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells (P–SOFCs). To investigate the hydration reactions and proton conducting mechanisms of SFO and cobalt doped SFO (SFCO), both bulk and surface properties were calculated. We conclude that R–P structures have advantages in P–SOFCs. The unique Sr–O–M layer can facilitate the hydration process. Although in Sr–O–F and Sr–O–N layers, it is difficult for the formation and migration of oxygen vacancies, protons are most stable. Furthermore, cobalt doping can not only improve the electronic conductivity but also enhance surface properties of SFCO. The easily exposed Co–Fe–O surface can also facilitate the hydration reactions on the surface. Our work could give an informative insight into the relationships among the doped elements, the R–P structures, the hydration process and the proton conducting properties.     

The influence of sonication time on the biogenic amines formation as a critical point in uncured dry-fermented beef manufacturing

In this study, the influence of sonication time on the biogenic amines formation as a critical point in uncured dry-fermented beef manufacturing was studied. Samples of musculus semimembranosus were sonicated at different times (5 and 10 min) using ultrasound cold bath (4 °C) in acid whey (US 40 kHz and acoustic power 480 W). The effect of sonication on biogenic amine (BA) formation was investigated during 93 days of ripening period. Other parameters (pH value, water activity, microbial counts) that might provide further information on the product under study were also determined. The use of ultrasound during beef marinating in acid whey has a positive effect on retarding histamine (HIS), cadaverine (CAD), tyramine (TYR) and putrescine (PUT) formation. Moreover, the sonication treatment did not inhibit the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in dry-fermented beef during the whole ripening period. The pathogen bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium sp., Listeria monocytogenes) were not detected in all samples neither after 31 nor after 93 days of ripening period.     

Comparative evaluation of the mesophilic and thermophilic biohydrogen production at optimized conditions using tequila vinasses as substrate

The objective of this work was to comparatively evaluate the production of biohydrogen (bio-H₂) from tequila vinasses at optimized mesophilic and thermophilic conditions and to elucidate the main metabolic routes involved. Optimal temperatures of 35 °C and 55 °C, and pH of 5.5 maximized the bio-H₂ production rates, 25.5 ± 0.01 NmL h⁻¹ and 169.9 ± 8.9 NmL h⁻¹ in the mesophilic and thermophilic regimens, respectively. During the operation of anaerobic sequencing batch reactors, the thermophilic process allowed a volumetric bio-H₂ production rate of 519 ± 13 NmL-H₂ L⁻¹ d⁻¹ equivalent to 750 ± 19 NmL-H₂ L_vinasse⁻¹, while the mesophilic one 448 ± 23 NmL-H₂ L⁻¹ d⁻¹ and 647 ± 33 NmL-H₂ L_vinasse⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, the gas produced under thermophilic conditions showed high hydrogen content (86.5%). Finally, formate degradation and glucose fermentation to acetic and butyric acids were the main metabolic routes involved in bio-H₂ production under thermophilic conditions, while at mesophilic conditions, the lactate and formate degradation pathways governed.