2,4,6‐Trichlorophenol and phenol removal in methanogenic and partially‐aerated methanogenic conditions in a fluidized bed bioreactor

A fluidized bed bioreactor (FBBR) was operated for more than 575 days to remove 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (TCP) and phenol (Phe) from a synthetic toxic wastewater containing 80 mg L^?1 of TCP and 20 mg L^?1 of Phe under two regimes: Methanogenic (M) and Partially‐Aerated Methanogenic (PAM). The mesophilic, laboratory‐scale FBBR consisted of a glass column (3 L capacity) loaded with 1 L of 1 mm diameter granular activated carbon colonized by an anaerobic consortium. Sucrose (1 g COD L^?1) was used as co‐substrate in the two conditions. The hydraulic residence time was kept constant at 1 day. Both conditions showed similar TCP and Phe removal (99.9 + %); nevertheless, in the Methanogenic regime, the accumulation of 4‐chlorophenol (4CP) up to 16 mg L^?1 and phenol up to 4 mg L^?1 was observed, whereas in PAM conditions 4CP and other intermediates were not detected. The specific methanogenic activity of biomass decreased from 1.01 ± 0.14 in M conditions to 0.19 ± 0.06 mmolCH₄ h^?1 gTKN^?1 in PAM conditions whereas the specific oxygen uptake rate increased from 0.039 ± 0.008 in M conditions to 0.054 ± 0.012 mmolO₂ h^?1 gTKN^?1, which suggested the co‐existence of both methanogenic archaea and aerobic bacteria in the undefined consortium. The advantage of the PAM condition over the M regime is that it provides for the thorough removal of less‐substituted chlorophenols produced by the reductive dehalogenation of TCP rather than the removal of the parent compound itself. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Liquid–liquid extraction of a recombinant protein with reverse micelles

Recombinant cytochrome b₅ was extracted into the reversed micelle phase of an anionic surfactant (AOT) in octane and back-extracted to a final aqueous phase. The extraction of the protein was controlled by an electrostatic mechanism, since it was dependent on the global charge of the protein. This was directly demonstrated by experiments with native and mutant cytochromes obtained by site directed mutagenesis. The back-extraction of cytochrome b₅ to a fresh aqueous phase was decreased by factors that reduced the size of the water pool of the organic phase, such as high salt concentrations (1–2 mol dm^?3 NaCl) and low temperatures (4°C), probably because of an increase in a favourable interaction of this protein with the surfactant at closer distances.     

Neue Entwicklungen beim Hohlkatoden‐Gasflusssputtern. New Developments in Hollow Cathode Gas Flow Sputtering

The gas flow sputter technique was invented a few years ago particularly for the inexpensive fabrication of sophisticated ceramic layers. Meanwhile, it has matured and become increasingly powerful. Today it is on the verge of being applied in industrial fabrication processes. The present article gives an overview over the method, its characteristics and the numerous applications.     

Chromosome comparison between populations of the collared peccary, Tayassu tajacu, raised in captivity

The collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) is widely distributed over the American continent, being found from the south of the USA to the north of Argentina. In Brazil, it is spread all over the country, being one of the potential species to be raised in captivity. Therefore, the cytogenetic techniques could be a potential tool for reproductive monitoring of animals raised in captivity, mainly when destined for commercial purposes. This study had the objective of determining the chromosome number of two populations raised in captivity and characterizing them by GTG banding. For this purpose, an analysis was made of mitotic metaphases obtained from lymphocyte cultures made from blood samples of 11 animals, six of which from the Northeast and five from the North of Brazil. The results of this analysis showed the same karyotype pattern for the species (2n=30 chromosomes and NF=48), besides corresponding to the South American pattern of the species, i.e., without a translocation between autosomes 1 and 8, chromosome X acrocentric, and no differences were found between the two populations studied. However, chromosomal polymorphisms were observed compared to data from the literature on populations from North and South America.     

Fiber Coating Concepts for Brittle-Matrix Composites

The current interest in tough, high-temperature materials has motivated fiber coating development for brittle-matrix composites with brittle reinforcements. Such coatings are needed for controlled interface debonding and frictional sliding. The system investigated in this study was sapphire fiber-reinforced alumina. This system is thermochemically stable for severe use conditions, exhibits little thermal expansion mismatch, and utilizes the excellent strength and creep resistance of sapphire reinforcements. Porous oxide and refractory metal coatings which satisfy requirements for toughness improvement in these composites were identified by employing a variety of newly developed mechanical testing techniques for determining the interfacial fracture energies and sliding resistances.     

Catalyst fragmentation during propylene polymerization: Part I. The effects of grain size and structure

Fragmentation of support/catalyst particles during propylene polymerization in the gas phase is analyzed via a mathematical model including energy and mass transfer with chemical reaction processes. The rupture phenomenon is considered specifically by the model, and evaluated as it proceeds in time, Two different regions are recognized in the polymerizing particle at fragmentation time: an inner core resembling the original solid support/catalyst structure, and an external set of layers where most of the polymerization occurs. Model predictions concerning the effects of fragmentation on polymerization are discussed. The influence of different degrees of fragmentation on thermal runaways and monomer availability at active sites located inside the support/catalyst/polymer complex is shown. Monomer concentration profiles inside the growing particles are explained in terms of the combined fragmentation-polymerization interaction. Results show a strong influence of catalyst structure on critical phenomena during early polymerization stages, and suggest the possibility of controlling critical parameters via the definition of fragment structure at catalyst preparation time.     

Metabolic behavior in rats of a nonprotein microemulsion resembling low-density lipoprotein

A protein-free microemulsion (LDE) with a lipid composition resembling that of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was used in metabolic studies in rats to compare LDE with the native lipoprotein. LDE labeled with radioactive lipids was injected into the bloodstream of male Wistar rats, and plasma kinetics of the labeled lipids were followed on plasma samples collected at regular intervals for 12 h after injection. The 24-h LDE uptake by different tissues was also measured in tissue samples excised after the animals had been sacrificed. We found that LDE plasma kinetics were similar to those described for native LDL [fractional clearance rate (FCR) of cholesteryl ester, 0.42±0.11 h⁻¹]. The major site for LDE uptake was the liver, and the tissue distribution of the LDE injected radioactivity was as one would expect for LDL. To test whether LDE was taken up by the specific LDL receptors, the LDE emulsion was injected into rats treated with 17α-ethinylestradiol, which is known to increase the activity of these receptors; as expected, removal of LDE from the bloodstream increased (FCR=0.90±0.35 h⁻¹). On the other hand, saturation of the receptors that remove remnants by prior infusion of massive amounts of lymph chylomicrons did not change LDE plasma kinetics. These results indicate that LDE is cleared from plasma by B,E receptors and not by the E receptors that remove remnants. Incorporation of free cholesterol into LDE increased LDE plasma clearance. Incubation studies also showed that LDE incorporates a variety of apolipoproteins, including apo E, a ligand for recognition of lipoproteins by specific receptors. Our data suggest that LDE can be a useful tool to test LDL metabolism and B,E receptor function.     

X-ray crystal structure of the dye 2-cyano-4-bromo-4′-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene

The crystal structure and molecular conformation of 2-cyano-4-bromo-4′-N,N-diethylaminoazobenzene (C₁₇H₁₇N₄Br, mol. wt. = 357·2 a.m.u) has been determined from X-ray diffraction data; triclinic, P$\text{1}$ (No. 2), a = 10·132(11) Å, b = 12·216(16) Å, c = 6·966(11) Å, α = 104·21(9)°, β = 92·67(12)°, γ = 97·22(7)°, V = 826·5(9) ų, Z = 2, D_c = 1·436 g cm^?3, F(000) = 378, λ(MoKα) = 0·71069 Å, μ(MoKα) = 26·0 cm^?1. The structure was solved by the multiple solution direct method and refined by full-matrix least-squares to R = 0·059 for 1538 independent observed reflections. The azobenzene skeleton is planar to within 0·06 Å. Most significant bonding data are: NN, 1·290(8) Å; BrC, 1·866(6) Å; mean CN (azo) 1·380(8) Å; NNC, 113·6(4) and 115·3(4)°; NCC (cis relative to NN) 125·9(4)° and 126·7(4)°; NCC (trans) 116·8°(5)° and 116·1(4)°.     

Breaking Bad in Cyberspace: Understanding why and how Black Hat Hackers Manage their Nerves to Commit their Virtual Crimes

Information Systems Frontiers - What is happening in hacker’s minds when they are committing criminal activities? How black hat hackers manage nerves, which is about managing fear and...