Alumina-supported catalysts for propane oxidative dehydrogenation from mixed VXM(6−X)O19 (M=W, Mo) hexametalate precursors

γ-Al₂O₃ supported vanadium oxides were modified by tungsten and molybdenum oxides in order to improve dispersion and selectivity towards olefins in propane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Both vanadium–tungsten and vanadium–molybdenum catalysts were obtained by adsorption of mixed isopolyanions (VW₅O₁₉⁵⁻, V₂W₄O₁₉⁴⁻, VMo₅O₁₉⁵⁻ and V₂Mo₄O₁₉⁴⁻) from aqueous solutions. The isopolyanion solutions were characterized by UV-Vis and ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy. Vanadium, vanadium–tungsten and vanadium–molybdenum precursors and catalysts were also characterized by UV-Vis (diffuse reflectance) and solid state ⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy. An improved selectivity to propene in the presence of tungsten and molybdenum in VO_x/γ-Al₂O₃ was observed and attributed to dilution of vanadium by tungsten or molybdenum oxides on the γ-Al₂O₃ surface.     

Synthesis and characterization of an interpenetrating polymer network composed of poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(vinyl alcohol)

Temperature and pH‐responsive interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels, constructed with poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), by a sequential IPN method, were studied. The characterization of IPN hydrogels was investigated by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and swelling under various conditions. The IPN hydrogels exhibited relatively high swelling ratios, in the range 230–380 %, at 25 °C. The swelling ratios of the PMAA/PVA IPN hydrogels were pH and temperature dependent. DSC was used for the quantitative determination of the amounts of freezing and non‐freezing water. The amount of free water increased with increasing PMAA content in the IPN hydrogels. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Identification and analysis of genes from Streptomyces pristinaespiralis encoding enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of the 4-dimethylamino-L-phenylalanine precursor of pristinamycin I

Dextran has been used as a carrier molecule for the synthesis of monofunctional peptide-dextran conjugates. The immunodetection of such carrier immobilized peptides on ELISA plates was compared to that of peptides adsorbed directly to immunoplates. The main features observed with peptide-dextran conjugates were as follows: only small amounts of peptide (1-2 mg) were necessary for coupling via alpha- or epsilon-amino groups to NaIO4-activated dextran (4 mg); the coupling yield was up to 68%; an amino acid analysis of the conjugate enabled the amount of carrier immobilized peptide to be calculated; an estimated 15-17 peptides were bound per dextran molecule (MW 73,500); using a carbohydrate as carrier reduces the possibility of non-specific interactions because no hydrophobic or ionic sites and no protein-like epitopes exist on the carrier apart from the peptide ligand. It can be assumed that some peptide ligands provide the forces for an interaction with the plate surface whereas other remain free for the interaction with the antibody. Thus, the detection with monoclonal anti-peptide antibodies allowed peptide-dextran conjugates to be used at coating concentrations of 1-3 nM peptide, corresponding to 0.6-2.6 ng peptide-dextran per well. In contrast, concentrations of 150-500 nM were required for coating with peptides. The applicability of monofunctional peptide-dextran conjugates was demonstrated by investigating the titer and specificity of a polyclonal anti-peptide serum developed against human gastrointestinal glutathione peroxidase. The introduction of biotin as a second ligand of the dextran conjugate permitted its capture on streptavidin coated plates. This synthesis of bifunctional peptide-biotin-dextran conjugates opens up additional possibilities for applications.     

An Experimental Study of Fatigue Strength for Adhesively Bonded Tubular Single Lap Joints

In this paper, manufacturing technology of the tubular single lap adhesive joint was studied to obtain reliable and optimal joint quality. In addition, a surface preparation method and a bonding process for the joint were devised. The effect of the adhesive thickness and the adherend roughness on the fatigue strength of the joint was experimentally investigated. From experiments, it has been found that the fatigue strength of the joint increased as the adhesive thickness decreased and the optimal arithmetic surface roughness of the adherends was about 2 μm.     

Dynamic deformation behavior of ultrafine-grained low-carbon steels fabricated by equal-channel angular pressing

The dynamic deformation behavior of ultrafine-grained low-carbon steels fabricated by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) was investigated in this study. Dynamic torsional tests, using a torsional Kolsky bar, were conducted on four steel specimens, two of which were annealed at 480 °C after ECAP, and then the test data were compared in terms of microstructures, tensile properties, and adiabatic shear-band formation. The equal-channel angular pressed specimen consisted of very fine, equiaxed grains of 0.2 to 0.3 μm in size, which were slightly coarsened after annealing. The dynamic torsional test results indicated that maximum shear stress decreased with increasing annealing time, whereas fracture shear strain increased. Some adiabatic shear bands were observed at the gage center of the dynamically deformed torsional specimen. Their width was smaller in the equal-channel angular pressed specimen than in the 1-hour-annealed specimen, but they were not found in the 24-hour-annealed specimen. Ultrafine, equiaxed grains of 0.05 to 0.2 μm in size were formed inside the adiabatic shear band, and their boundaries had characteristics of high-angle grain boundaries. These phenomena were explained by dynamic recrystallization due to a highly localized plastic strain and temperature rise during dynamic deformation.     

CFD modeling of the in-cylinder flow in direct-injection Diesel engines

Three-dimensional flow calculations of the intake and compression stroke of a four-valve direct-injection Diesel engine have been carried out with different combustion chambers. A limited number of validation calculations of the compression stroke were first performed in order to explore the limits of CFD representation of the in-cylinder flow. The calculated flow field in three different combustion chambers was compared with laser Doppler velocimetry measurements; the comparison shows that the three-dimensional model is reasonably accurate for crank-angles around top dead center (TDC). In general, it performs better for low swirl combustion chambers while turbulence velocities are under-predicted when squish effects are important.In the main study, the flow characteristics inside the engine cylinder equipped with different piston configurations were compared. For this, complete calculations of the intake and compression strokes were performed under realistic operating conditions and the ensemble-averaged velocity and turbulence flow fields obtained in each combustion chamber analyzed in detail. The results confirmed that the piston geometry had little influence on the in-cylinder flow during the intake stroke and the first part of the compression stroke. However, the bowl shape plays a significant role near TDC and in the early stage of the expansion stroke by controlling both the ensemble-averaged mean and the turbulence velocity fields.     

Synthesis and applications of new left handed microstrip lines with complementary split-ring resonators etched on the signal strip

A new type of left handed microstrip lines implemented by means of complementary split-ring resonators (CSRRs) is proposed. The CSRRs are etched on the signal strip alternating with series gaps. Additionally, shunt connected stubs are introduced for the first time to the previous structure. The combination of these three elements, that is, the series gaps, the CSRR and the shunt inductance, enhances design flexibility. By this means, the ground plane is left unaltered and narrow band artificial transmission lines with good performance and compact dimensions can be synthesised. The lumped element equivalent circuit model of the structure is proposed and validated. To demonstrate the applicability of these new left handed transmission lines, two compact microwave components have been designed and fabricated: (i) a narrow band power divider and (ii) a band pass filter. The resulting power divider is 75% smaller than the conventional implementation and 50% smaller than previous power dividers implemented by means of CSRRs. The band pass filter performance is comparable to that of previous CSRR-based filters with ground plane etching, whereas its size is smaller. This work represents a significant progress on the design of microwave components based on CSRRs, that is, the approach is opened to those systems where the ground plane cannot be etched.     

Ion Channels in Multiple Myeloma: Pathogenic Role and Therapeutic Perspectives

Ion channels are pore-forming proteins that allow ions to flow across plasma membranes and intracellular organelles in both excitable and non-excitable cells. They are involved in the regulation of several biological processes (i.e., proliferation, cell volume and shape, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis). Recently, the aberrant expression of ion channels has emerged as an important step of malignant transformation, tumor progression, and drug resistance, leading to the idea of “onco-channelopathy”. Here, we review the contribution of ion channels and transporters in multiple myeloma (MM), a hematological neoplasia characterized by the expansion of tumor plasma cells (MM cells) in the bone marrow (BM). Deregulation of ion channels sustains MM progression by modulating intracellular pathways that promote MM cells’ survival, proliferation, and drug resistance. Finally, we focus on the promising role of ion channels as therapeutic targets for the treatment of MM patients in a combination strategy with currently used anti-MM drugs to improve their cytotoxic activity and reduce adverse effects.