Decolorisation of real textile waste using electrochemical techniques: effect of the chloride concentration

The present paper presents the study of the decolorisation of real textile effluent by constant current electrolysis in a flow-cell using a Ti/Ru(0.3)Ti(0.7)O(2) DSA((R)) type electrode. The effect of increasing the chloride ion concentration on the efficiency of colour removal is discussed. Attempts to perform galvanostatic oxidation (40 and 60mAcm(-2)) on the as-received effluent demonstrate that colour removal and total organic carbon (TOC) removal are limited. If the conductivity of the effluent is increased by adding 0.033molL(-1) Na(2)SO(4), little increase in the extent of colour/TOC removal is observed. However, when Na(2)SO(4) is substituted, stepwise, with NaCl (while maintaining the ionic strength constant) appreciable colour/TOC removal is observed. The study of the effect of increasing the current density demonstrates that total colour removal is possible at high currents. The efficiencies of colour and TOC removal are discussed in terms of the Energy per order (E(EO)/kWhm(-3)order(-1)) and Energy consumption (E(C)/kWhkg(-1)TOC), respectively. Finally, the extent of colour removal is compared to consent levels presented in the literature.     

Antimicrobial and Anticancer Properties of Synthetic Peptides Derived from the Wasp Parachartergus fraternus

Agelaia-MPI and protonectin are antimicrobial peptides isolated from the wasp Parachartergus fraternus that show antimicrobial and neuroactive activities. Previously, two analogues of these peptides, neuroVAL and protonectin-F, were designed to reduce nonspecific toxicity and improve potency. Here, the three-dimensional structures of neuroVAL, protonectin and protonectin-F were determined by using circular dichroism and NMR spectroscopy. Antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic and hemolytic activities were tested for the parent peptides and analogues. All peptides showed moderate antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, with agelaia-MPI being the most active. Protonectin and protonectin-F were found to be toxic to cancerous and noncancerous cell lines. Internalization experiments revealed that these peptides accumulate inside both cell types. By contrast, neuroVAL was nontoxic to all tested cells and was able to enter cells without accumulating. In summary, neuroVAL has potential as a nontoxic cell-penetrating peptide, while protonectin-F needs further modification to realize its potential as an antitumor peptide.     

3D Bioprinted In Vitro Metastatic Models via Reconstruction of Tumor Microenvironments

The development of 3D in vitro models capable of recapitulating native tumor microenvironments could improve the translatability of potential anticancer drugs and treatments. Here, 3D bioprinting techniques are used to build tumor constructs via precise placement of living cells, functional biomaterials, and programmable release capsules. This enables the spatiotemporal control of signaling molecular gradients, thereby dynamically modulating cellular behaviors at a local level. Vascularized tumor models are created to mimic key steps of cancer dissemination (invasion, intravasation, and angiogenesis), based on guided migration of tumor cells and endothelial cells in the context of stromal cells and growth factors. The utility of the metastatic models for drug screening is demonstrated by evaluating the anticancer efficacy of immunotoxins. These 3D vascularized tumor tissues provide a proof‐of‐concept platform to i) fundamentally explore the molecular mechanisms of tumor progression and metastasis, and ii) preclinically identify therapeutic agents and screen anticancer drugs.     

Ecofriendly synthesis of MWCNTs by electric arc in aqueous medium: Comparative study of 6B pencil and mineral graphite

The production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by electric arc discharge (EA) usually applies pure mineral graphite (PMG) as the precursor electrode due to its high-purity and conductivity. This work investigated the versatility of EA in aqueous medium for the production of CNTs by varying the electrodes purity degree. In this way, a variety of domestic and industrial graphite waste can be recycled into high-quality CNTs by adjusting the EA parameters. CNTs were synthesized using 6B pencil (6BP, ~57% graphite) and their quality and quantity were compared to the PMG (99.995%) production. PMG led to short CNTs (I_D/I_G 0.266), while the synthesis with 6BP led to long CNTs (I_D/I_G 0.428). The 6BP CNTs showed elevated quality for application in the electronic, biomedical, and optical fields.     

First Operation of the CERN UA1 Central Detector

The Central Detector of the UA1 experiment at the CERN pp? Collider underwent a first physics run at the end of 1981. The detector consists of a large drift chamber assembly (25 m3, ~ 6000 sense wires). An electronics readout with multi-hit capability simultaneously digitizes the time and the analog information used for charge division and energy measurement. The initial performance of the readout and control system will also be presented. The detector was tested in two cosmic-ray runs, and is now fully operational for the second physics run; this started at the beginning of October 1982.     

Satellite constellation design for telecommunication in Antarctica

This paper addresses the problem of designing a small satellite constellation suitable for communications in Antarctica. This study has been motivated by the increasing international interests in having permanent bases in Antarctica to perform experiments in physics, atmospheric sciences, geology, and biology to name a few key areas. The existing and planned scientific expeditions in Antarctica require continuous and reliable communication services, especially during emergencies. Geostationary Earth orbit satellites do not cover this high latitude adequately, and constellations using circular orbits would require too many satellites to provide continuous regional coverage, thus increasing cost prohibitively. A three‐satellite constellation using elliptical orbits is proposed to address this issue. The critical inclination has been selected to predominantly keep the satellites over Antarctica, where the satellites will dwell most of the time. This configuration has been obtained by using the two‐dimensional lattice flower constellation design theory: a minimum parameter design methodology that enforces all three satellites in the same trajectory as seen from the Earth rotating frame. This aspect provides the continuous coverage necessary for reliable communications using only a small number of satellites. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Further studies on a DTBX prototype for the CMS muon detector at LHC

The performance of a small prototype chamber of the baseline project for the muon barrel detector for CMS has been studied in a muon beam. Its efficiency with different gases and wire diameters, the trigger possibilities and the response in presence of a large number of electromagnetic secondaries associated to the muon are evaluated. The results are compared with a full Monte Carlo simulation.     

Assessment of biocompatibility of ureasil-polyether hybrid membranes for future use in implantodontology

The biocompatibility of ureasil-polyether hybrid materials has been tested for future application as membrane barrier. The authors evaluated ureasil-polyether hybrids membranes with different swollen behaviors: more swellable ureasil-poliethylene oxide (ureasil-PEO) of molecular wheigth 1900 g.mol^?1 and less swellable ureasil-polypropilene oxide (ureasil-PPO) of molecular wheigth 400 g.mol^?1. The swollen behavior was monitored by SAXS measurements and in vivo assays using Rattus Norvegicus were used to study their biocompatibility. The results obtained were compared with the same treatment made with collagen commercial membranes. It was observed that for commercial collagen membranes, inflammatory levels declined after seven days. The ureasil-PEO induced a greater influx of inflammatory cells during 30 days which could be associated with the higher degree of swelling. The ureasil-PPO membranes exhibited a smaller level of inflammatory cells and are good candidates for application as biomaterial, considering their low cost, ability to deliver active molecules, and biocompatibility.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Biological Activity Evaluation of Magnetite-Functionalized Eugenol

This work reports the magnetite-functionalization and biological evaluation of eugenol by the co-precipitation method employed only Fe²⁺ under mild conditions and control from the amount of the incorporated magnetite. Magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), hydrodynamic size distribution (Zetasizer), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). SEM images showed that EUG·Fe₃O₄ similar in shape to a nanoflower. The FTIR spectrum confirmed the presence of characteristic EUG and Fe₃O₄ bands in the EUG·Fe₃O₄ sample, the XRD analysis showed that the magnetite functionalization with eugenol slightly affected the Fe₃O₄ crystal structure, while the VSM measurements demonstrate that EUG·Fe₃O₄ 1:1 shows a superparamagnetic behavior, suggesting small non-interacting particles. The in vitro safety profile and cytotoxicity of free eugenol, magnetite pristine, EUG·Fe₃O₄ 1:1, EUG·Fe₃O₄ 1:5, and EUG·Fe₃O₄ 1:10 was investigated using human cell lines (keratinocytes and melanoma). The results demonstrate the high biocompatibility of EUG·Fe₃O₄ in HaCat cells and the greater specificity for the A375 cell line. Furthermore, the magnetite-functionalization with eugenol decreased the toxic effects of free eugenol on healthy cells. Antibacterial tests were performed in different bacterial strains. The experimental data showed that among the magnetic compounds, the microorganisms were only sensitive to treatment with EUG·Fe₃O₄ 1:1. Regarding the antibiofilm activity assay, it can be observed that only the EUG·Fe₃O₄ caused a significant decrease in biomass when compared to the positive control. Finally, it can be concluded that EUG·Fe₃O₄ proves to be a potential candidate for future studies for drug delivery of cancer and bacterial infections treatments.

Graphical Abstract