Vitamin C elevates red blood cell glutathione in healthy adults

Pre-transplant nephrectomy was done in a 25-year-old man for calculous pyelonephritis using a retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach with a newly devised ligature applicator-dissector- kidney retractor.     

Thermal,mechanical and γ-ray shielding properties of micro- and nano-Ta2O5 loaded DGEBA epoxy resin composites

In this work, we have investigated the synergistic effect of micro- and nano-Ta₂O₅ fillers in the epoxy matrix on the thermal, mechanical, and radioprotective properties of the composites. Morphological analysis revealed uniform dispersion of fillers in the matrix. Both the thermal stability and tensile properties of matrices have enhanced in the presence of fillers. Although the nanocomposites showed significantly higher tensile strength and Youngs modulus compared to micro-composites, the enhancement in these properties was predominant at low loadings. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated good interfacial adhesion and positive reinforcing effect on the matrix even at higher loading (30 wt%) of nano-Ta₂O₅. γ-Ray attenuation studies performed in the energy range of 0.356–1.332 MeV revealed better γ-ray shielding ability of nanocomposites compared to microcomposites at same weight fraction of fillers. In particular, γ-ray attenuation at 0.356 MeV for 30 wt% nano-Ta₂O₅ loaded epoxy composite was enhanced by around 13% compared to the microcomposite at the same loading. Increased surface-to-volume ratio of nanofillers and consequent increase in matrix-filler adhesion and radiation-matter interaction have manifested in an overall enhancement in the thermal, mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and radiation shielding characteristics of nano-Ta₂O₅/epoxy composites, proving them as promising γ-ray shields.     

Correlation between central receiver size and solar field using flat heliostats

In Central Receiver Systems (CRSs), thousands of heliostats track the sunrays and reflect beam radiation on to a receiver surface. The size of the reflected image and the extent of reflection from the heliostats are one of the important criteria that need to be taken into account while designing a receiver, since spillage losses may vary from 2 to 16% of the total losses. The present study aims to determine the size of an external cylindrical receiver, such that the rays reflected from all the heliostats in the field are intercepted. A dimensionless correlation with respect to tower height and receiver size (diameter and height) as a function of heliostat size and its position is discussed in the paper. This correlation could be used as a first-order approximation to estimate the receiver dimensions. When applied to the Ivanpah Solar Electricity Generating Station (ISEGS) plant, the correlation yields satisfactory estimation of receiver dimensions.     

Ammoxidation activity of in situ synthesized ammonium salt of molybdophosphoric acid on VOPO4 catalysts

Two isomorphous VOPO₄ samples were synthesized by means of well-known aqueous and organic preparation methods. These materials are further used for the in situ generation of ammonium salt of 12-molybdophosphoric acid (AMPA) from their solid phase phosphate components. Formation of AMPA was confirmed by XRD, FTIR, Raman and XPS analyses. The activity of the catalysts was tested in a fixed bed tubular glass reactor at atmospheric pressure for the selective ammoxidation of 2-methylpyrazine (MP) to 2-cyanopyrazine (CP). The reaction was carried out in the temperature range of 360–420 °C. Between the two mono-phosphates tested, the α-VOPO₄ is observed to show somewhat better activity compared to β-VOPO₄. Interestingly, in situ synthesized AMPA catalysts displayed significantly better performance compared to their corresponding parent VOPO₄ solids. Among all catalysts tested, AMPA-α-VOPO₄ exhibited the best performance (conversion (MP) = ca. 90%, selectivity (CP) = 65% at T = 420 °C). The differences in catalytic performance of the tested catalysts are ascribed to the structural differences of the used VOPO₄ solids.     

Antimicrobial Microwebs of DNA–Histone Inspired from Neutrophil Extracellular Traps

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are decondensed chromatin networks released by neutrophils that can trap and kill pathogens but can also paradoxically promote biofilms. The mechanism of NET functions remains ambiguous, at least in part, due to their complex and variable compositions. To unravel the antimicrobial performance of NETs, a minimalistic NET‐like synthetic structure, termed “microwebs,” is produced by the sonochemical complexation of DNA and histone. The prepared microwebs have structural similarity to NETs at the nanometer to micrometer dimensions but with well‐defined molecular compositions. Microwebs prepared with different DNA to histone ratios show that microwebs trap pathogenic Escherichia coli in a manner similar to NETs when the zeta potential of the microwebs is positive. The DNA nanofiber networks and the bactericidal histone constituting the microwebs inhibit the growth of E. coli. Moreover, microwebs work synergistically with colistin sulfate, a common and a last‐resort antibiotic, by targeting the cell envelope of pathogenic bacteria. The synthesis of microwebs enables mechanistic studies not possible with NETs, and it opens new possibilities for constructing biomimetic bacterial microenvironments to better understand and predict physiological pathogen responses.     

DRIFTS Study on the Decomposition Mechanism of Mn Acetylacetonates Supported on SBA-15

Manganese oxides supported on mesoporous SBA-15 catalysts have been prepared by molecularly designed dispersion method, using Mn(II) and Mn(III) acetylacetonate organic precursors. XRD and in situ Raman studies demonstrate the formation of highly dispersed Mn₂O₃ and Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles on SBA-15 for the calcined samples. The detailed decomposition mechanism was studied by using in situ DRIFTS. Acetylacetonate ligands are stable up to 573 K and can only be completely removed by oxygen treatment.     

Studies on Preparation, Characterization and Ammoxidation Functionality of Zirconium Phosphate-Supported V2O5 Catalysts

Zirconium pyrophosphate (ZrP₂O₇) was synthesized from zirconyl chloride and phosphoric acid. A series of ZrP₂O₇-supported V₂O₅ catalysts, with the oxide loading ranging from 2 to 8 wt.%, was prepared by wet impregnation method. These catalysts were characterized by various techniques like X-ray diffraction, BET surface area, pore size distribution, FT-IR spectroscopy, acidity measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Their catalytic functionality was evaluated in the ammoxidation of 2-methyl pyrazine (MP) to 2-cyano pyrazine (CP). The V₂O₅/ZrP₂O₇ catalysts are found to be highly active and selective. FT-IR profiles of used catalysts indicate the interaction of ammonia with vanadia. The physico-chemical properties of the catalysts are correlated with their activity and nitrile selectivity. IICT Communication No. 050602.     

Effect of P/Fe ratio on the structure and ammoxidation functionality of Fe-P-O catalysts

Bulk FePO₄ catalysts, with varying P/Fe atomic ratio in the range of 1–1.6, were prepared and characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TPR, Potentiometric titration, Laser Raman, TEM, XPS and TG/DTA techniques in order to study the influence of P/Fe atomic ratio on the nature and extent of the active phase formation. The data obtained from XRD and Laser Raman techniques suggested predominant formation of the quartz type iron phosphate at close to stoichiometric P/Fe ratio, but as the ratio increased beyond 1.4 a progressive transformation of monomeric phosphate into its polymeric form was observed. XPS spectra reflected the presence of iron in its 3+ state when P/Fe ≤ 1.2 and exists as Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ when P/Fe ≥ 1.4. The catalytic properties of these iron phosphates were studied in the vapor phase ammoxidation, taking 2-methylpyrazine (MP) to 2-cyanopyrazine (CP) as an example. The ammoxidation activity of the catalysts was found to be proportional to the extent of quartz phase formed which in turn was proportional to the redox property, as observed by the oxidation functionality of the catalysts in benzyl alcohol transformation. However, the selectivity to nitrile was found to be dependent on the acid strength of the catalysts.     

Hydroisomerization of n-heptane on Pt promoted phosphomolybdate catalysts

Phospbomolybdate （PMo） with varying Mo loadings ranging from 5-30 wt% on alumina were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method. 0.5 wt% of Pt was further loaded in order to prepare the bifunctional （metal-acid） Pt-PMo/Al2O3 catalysts. Thus prepared catalysts showed very high catalytic activities for n-heptane hydroisomerization compared with Pt impregnated MoO3 catalysts supported either on Al2O3 or on AIPO4. The conversion of n-heptane increased with Mo loading up to 20 wt% and slightly decreased with further Mo loading. However, the selectivity towards isomers showed an increasing trend up to 30 wt% of Mo in the catalyst. A relationship between catalytic activity and acidic strength was established in the present study.