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Sample records for mg liter-1 caco3

  1. Antibacterial characteristics of CaCO3-MgO composites

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yamamoto, Osamu; Ohira, Toshiaki; Alvarez, Kelly; Fukuda, Masayuki

    2010-01-01

    Dentifrices, such as tooth-paste, are pastes containing insoluble abrasives that aid in the removal of plaque from the teeth and help to polish them. Composite powders contributing to oral hygiene application, i.e., nano-scale MgO crystallite dispersed in CaCO 3 grain, were fabricated by the thermal decomposition of dolomite. The composite obtained by heating at 800 deg. C consisted of CaCO 3 grains including 20 nm MgO fine crystallite, being the purpose powder in this study. The antibacterial activity of these powders related to gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was evaluated in vitro. The thermal decomposition above 800 deg. C resulted in the mixture of CaO and MgO. Antibacterial activity of the composite enhanced with increasing powder concentration. Though antibacterial action toward Staphylococcus aureus was greater than towards Escherichia coli, the death rate constant was identical in both bacteria. It can be concluded that the obtained composite possesses two functions able to improve the oral hygiene: as a tooth abrasive and as an antibacterial agent.

  2. CaCO3-III and CaCO3-VI, high-pressure polymorphs of calcite: Possible host structures for carbon in the Earth's mantle

    Science.gov (United States)

    Merlini, M.; Hanfland, M.; Crichton, W. A.

    2012-06-01

    Calcite, CaCO3, undergoes several high pressure phase transitions. We report here the crystal structure determination of the CaCO3-III and CaCO3-VI high-pressure polymorphs obtained by single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction. This new technical development at synchrotron beamlines currently affords the possibility of collecting single-crystal data suitable for structure determination in-situ at non-ambient conditions, even after multiphase transitions. CaCO3-III, observed in the pressure range 2.5-15 GPa, is triclinic, and it presents two closely related structural modifications, one, CaCO3-III, with 50 atoms in the unit cell [a=6.281(1) Å, b=7.507(2) Å, c=12.516(3) Å, α=93.76(2)°, β=98.95(2)°, γ=106.49(2)°, V=555.26(20) Å3 at 2.8 GPa], the second, CaCO3-IIIb, with 20 atoms [a=6.144(3) Å, b=6.3715(14) Å, c=6.3759(15) Å, α= 93.84(2)°, β=107.34(3)°, γ=107.16(3)°, V=224.33(13) Å3 at 3.1 GPa]. Different pressure-time experimental paths can stabilise one or the other polymorph. Both structures are characterised by the presence of non-coplanar CO3 groups. The densities of CaCO3-III (2.99 g/cm3 at 2.8 GPa) and CaCO3-IIIb (2.96 g/cm3 at 3.1 GPa) are lower than aragonite, in agreement with the currently accepted view of aragonite as the thermodynamically stable Ca-carbonate phase at these pressures. The presence of different cation sites, with variable volume and coordination number (7-9), suggests however that these structures have the potential to accommodate cations with different sizes without introducing major structural strain. Indeed, this structure can be adopted by natural Ca-rich carbonates, which often exhibit compositions deviating from pure calcite. Mg-calcites are found both in nature (Frezzotti et al., 2011) and in experimental syntheses at conditions corresponding to deep subduction environments (Poli et al., 2009). At these conditions, the low pressure rhombohedral calcite structure is most unlikely to be stable, and, at the same

  3. Preparation of core-shell structured CaCO3 microspheres as rapid and recyclable adsorbent for anionic dyes

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhao, Mengen; Chen, Zhenhua; Lv, Xinyan; Zhou, Kang; Zhang, Jie; Tian, Xiaohan; Ren, Xiuli; Mei, Xifan

    2017-09-01

    Core-shell structured CaCO3 microspheres (MSs) were prepared by a facile, one-pot method at room temperature. The adsorbent dosage and adsorption time of the obtained CaCO3 MSs were investigated. The results suggest that these CaCO3 MSs can rapidly and efficiently remove 99-100% of anionic dyes within the first 2 min. The obtained CaCO3 MSs have a high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area (211.77 m2 g-1). In addition, the maximum adsorption capacity of the obtained CaCO3 MSs towards Congo red was 99.6 mg g-1. We also found that the core-shell structured CaCO3 MSs have a high recycling capability for removing dyes from water. Our results demonstrate that the prepared core-shell structured CaCO3 MSs can be used as an ideal, rapid, efficient and recyclable adsorbent to remove dyes from aqueous solution.

  4. Bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) extract reduces cultured Hep-G2, Caco-2, and 3T3-L1 cell viability, affects cell cycle progression, and has variable effects on membrane permeability.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Jia; Zhang, Wei; Jing, Hao; Popovich, David G

    2010-04-01

    Bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) is a blue-pigmented edible berry related to bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and the common blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a bog bilberry anthocyanin extract (BBAE) on cell growth, membrane permeability, and cell cycle of 2 malignant cancer cell lines, Caco-2 and Hep-G2, and a nonmalignant murine 3T3-L1 cell line. BBAE contained 3 identified anthocyanins. The most abundant anthocyanin was cyanidin-3-glucoside (140.9 +/- 2.6 microg/mg of dry weight), followed by malvidin-3-glucoside (10.3 +/- 0.3 microg/mg) and malvidin-3-galactoside (8.1 +/- 0.4 microg/mg). Hep-G2 LC50 was calculated to be 0.563 +/- 0.04 mg/mL, Caco-2 LC50 was 0.390 +/- 0.30 mg/mL and 0.214 +/- 0.02 mg/mL for 3T3-L1 cells. LDH release, a marker of membrane permeability, was significantly increased in Hep-G2 cells and Caco-2 cells after 48 and 72 h compared to 24 h. The increase was 21% at 48 h and 57% at 72 h in Caco-2 cells and 66% and 139% in Hep-G2 cells compared to 24 h. However, 3T3-L1 cells showed an unexpected significant lower LDH activity (P < or = 0.05) after 72 h of exposure corresponding to a 21% reduction in LDH release. BBAE treatment increased sub-G1 in all 3 cell lines without influencing cells in the G2/M phase. BBAE treatment reduced the growth and increased the accumulation of sub-G1 cells in 2 malignant and 1 nonmalignant cell line; however, the effect on membrane permeability differs considerably between the malignant and nonmalignant cells and may in part be due to differences in cellular membrane composition.

  5. Thermoluminescence of CaCO3:Dy and CaCO3:Mn

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bapat, V.N.; Nambi, K.S.V.

    1976-01-01

    CaCO 3 samples doped with Dy and Mn were prepared in the laboratory by co-precipitation techniques. Thermoluminescence and emission spectra of these phosphors were studied and were compared with those of the naturally occuring calcite and undoped CaCO 3 samples. Dy-doping seems to give a more efficient phosphor and indicates a possibility of getting a better phosphor by a judicious choice of a rare earth doping of CaCO 3 . Interesting result have been obtained on the TL glow curve variations of these phosphors with different temperature treatments prior to irradiation. (author)

  6. New High Pressure Phase of CaCO3: Implication for the Deep Diamond Formation

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mao, Z.; Li, X.; Zhang, Z.; Lin, J. F.; Ni, H.; Prakapenka, V.

    2017-12-01

    Surface carbon can be transported to the Earth's deep interior through sinking subduction slabs. Carbonates, including CaCO3, MgCO3 and MgCa(CO3)2, are important carbon carriers for the deep carbon cycle. Experimental studies on the phase stability of carbonates with coexisting mantle minerals at relevant pressure and temperature conditions are thus important for understanding the deep carbon cycle. In particular, recent petrological studies have revealed the evidence for the transportation of CaCO3 to the depth at least of the top lower mantle by analyzing the diamond inclusions. Yet the phase stability of CaCO3 at relevant pressure and temperature conditions of the top lower mantle is still unclear. Previous single-crystal study has shown that CaCO3 transforms from the CaCO3-III structure to CaCO3-VI at 15 GPa and 300 K. The CaCO3-VI is stable at least up to 40 GPa at 300 K. At high temperatures, CaCO3 in the aragonite structure will directly transform into the post-aragonite structure at 40 GPa. However, a recent theoretical study predicted a new phase of CaCO3 with a space group of P21/c between 32 and 48 GPa which is different from previous experimental results. In this study, we have investigated the phase stability of CaCO3 at high pressure-temperature conditions using synchrotron X-ray diffraction in laser-heated diamond anvil cells. We report the discovery of a new phase of CaCO3 at relevant pressure-temperature conditions of the top lower mantle which is consistent with previous theoretical predictions. This new phase is an important carrier for the transportation of carbon to the Earth's lower mantle and crucial for growing deep diamonds in the region.

  7. Effect of CaCO3(S) nucleation modes on algae removal from alkaline water.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Choi, Jin Yong; Kinney, Kerry A; Katz, Lynn E

    2016-02-29

    The role of calcite heterogeneous nucleation was studied in a particle coagulation treatment process for removing microalgae from water. Batch experiments were conducted with Scenedesmus sp. and Chlorella sp. in the presence and absence of carbonate and in the presence and absence of Mg to delineate the role of CaCO 3(S) nucleation on microalgae removal. The results indicate that effective algae coagulation (e.g., up to 81 % algae removal efficiency) can be achieved via heterogeneous nucleation with CaCO 3(S) ; however, supersaturation ratios between 120 and 200 are required to achieve at least 50% algae removal, depending on ion concentrations. Algae removal was attributed to adsorption of Ca 2+ onto the cell surface which provides nucleation sites for CaCO 3(S) precipitation. Bridging of calcite particles between the algal cells led to rapid aggregation and formation of larger flocs. However, at higher supersaturation conditions, algae removal was diminished due to the dominance of homogeneous nucleation of CaCO 3(S) . Removal of algae in the presence of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ required higher supersaturation values; however, the shift from heteronucleation to homonucleation with increasing supersaturation was still evident. The results suggest that water chemistry, pH, ionic strength, alkalinity and Ca 2+ concentration can be optimized for algae removal via coagulation-sedimentation.

  8. Characterization of Corn Starch Films Reinforced with CaCO3 Nanoparticles

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sun, Qingjie; Xi, Tingting; Li, Ying; Xiong, Liu

    2014-01-01

    The characterization of corn starch (CS) films impregnated with CaCO3 nanoparticles was investigated. Criteria such as morphology, crystallinity, water vapor permeability (WVP), opacity, and mechanical properties were the focus of the investigation. It was found that the CaCO3 contents had significant effects on the tensile properties of the nanocomposite films. The addition of CaCO3 nanoparticles to the CS films significantly increased tensile strength from 1.40 to 2.24 MPa, elongation from 79.21 to 118.98%, and Young’s modulus from 1.82 to 2.41 MPa. The incorporation of CaCO3 nanoparticles increased the opacity of films, lowered the degree of WVP and film solubility value compared to those of the CS films. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that with the increase of CaCO3 nanoparticles content in starch films, the roughness of the films increased, and pores or cavities were found on the surface of the films, while small cracks were observed in the structures of the fractured surfaces. X-ray diffraction showed that the addition of nanoparticles increased the peaks in the intensity of films. PMID:25188503

  9. PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN CaCO3 DAN WAKTU PENYIMPANAN TERHADAP KADAR VITAMIN C PADA PROSES PENGHAMBATAN PEMATANGAN BUAH TOMAT (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Rudi Kartika

    2016-02-01

    Full Text Available The aim of this research is to know the influence of CaCO3 addition and storage duration to vitamine C concentrate in ripe obstruction process of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. Calcium carbonate(CaCO3 which is added 0; 0.2; 0.4; 0.6 and 0.8 percent of weight and storage duration were 0; 2; 4; 6; 8; 10 and 12 days. Vitamine C was determined by using iodometric titration method. The data obtained were then analized by ANOVA test and LSD test. The result showed that CaCO3 addition could influence vitamine C concentrate in ripe obstruction process of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill on standard 5% and 1% with  Ftest > Ftabel (5% and 1% or F(7.6667 > F(2.50 and 3.60 and storage duration could influence vitamine C concentrate in ripe obstruction process of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill on standard 5% and 1% with Ftest > Ftabel (5% and 1% or F(1204.2222 > F(2.32 and 3.07. Based on the result LSD test on significant standard 5% (0.0143 and 1% (0.0190, optimum vitamine C concentrate were 0.8589 mg/10 g on 0.2% of calcium carbonate (CaCO3 addition and 10 days of storage duration. Keywords : ANOVA, CaCO3, LSD, tomato, vitamine C, storage duration

  10. Changes in CaCO3 Burial Trump the Biological Pump

    Science.gov (United States)

    Toggweiler, J.; Dunne, J. P.

    2008-12-01

    The dramatic increases in atmospheric CO2 at the ends of ice ages are usually attributed to a one-two punch coming from the ocean. First, a weakened biological pump vents organically cycled CO2 from the deep ocean via changes in the ventilation of the deep ocean around Antarctica. The initial CO2 increase is then augmented by an enhancement of CaCO3 burial due to a process called CaCO3 compensation (after Broecker, W. S and T.-H. Peng, Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 1, 15-29, 1987). Here, we argue that the importance of the biological pump has been exaggerated. The main effect comes from circulation-induced changes in the burial of CaCO3. As shown in a recent paper by Andreas Schmittner and co-authors (Schmittner, A., E. Brook and J. Ahn, Impact of the ocean's overturning circulation on atmospheric CO2, in Ocean Circulation: Mechanisms and Impacts, Geophys. Monogr. 173, A. Schmittner, J. Chiang, and S. Hemming, eds., pp. 209-246, AGU, 2007) changes in the ventilation of the deep ocean around Antarctica gave rise to 20-30 ppm increases in atmospheric CO2 every 5,000-7,000 years during isotope stages 3 and 4 (30,000 to 70,000 years ago). None of these venting events gave rise to a compensation response. Meanwhile, Jaccard et al. (Science, 308, 1003-1006, 2005) show that all the big CO2 increases during terminations through stage 11 were accompanied by huge increases in CaCO3 burial. This suggests that the enhanced burial of CaCO3 is obligatory rather than compensatory with respect to the dramatic CO2 increases. Broecker and Peng's compensation idea is based on an assumption that the rain of CaCO3 to the sea floor is the same everywhere. More specifically, it assumes that there is no spatial correlation between the production of CaCO3 at the surface and the burial on the sea floor. We find instead that the production and burial of CaCO3 tend to be co-located in regional "hot spots" and that burial in the hot spots balances the input of Ca++ and HCO3- ions in rivers. The

  11. Adsorption and Desorption Characteristics of Cd2+ and Pb2+ by Micro and Nano-sized Biogenic CaCO3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Renlu; Guan, Yong; Chen, Liang; Lian, Bin

    2018-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to elucidate the characteristics and mechanisms of adsorption and desorption for heavy metals by micro and nano-sized biogenic CaCO3 induced by Bacillus subtilis, and the pH effect on adsorption was investigated. The results showed that the adsorption characteristics of Cd2+ and Pb2+ are well described by the Langmuir adsorption isothermal equation, and the maximum adsorption amounts for Cd2+ and Pb2+ were 94.340 and 416.667 mg/g, respectively. The maximum removal efficiencies were 97% for Cd2+, 100% for Pb2+, and the desorption rate was smaller than 3%. Further experiments revealed that the biogenic CaCO3 could maintain its high adsorption capability for heavy metals within wide pH ranges (3–8). The FTIR and XRD results showed that, after the biogenic CaCO3 adsorbed Cd2+ or Pb2+, it did not produce a new phase, which indicated that biogenic CaCO3 and heavy metal ions were governed by a physical adsorption process, and the high adsorptive capacity of biogenic CaCO3 for Cd2+ and Pb2+ were mainly attributed to its large total specific surface area. The findings could improve the state of knowledge about biogenic CaCO3 formation in the environment and its potential roles in the biogeochemical cycles of heavy metals. PMID:29434577

  12. Effects of Calcium Source on Biochemical Properties of Microbial CaCO3 Precipitation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Xu, Jing; Du, Yali; Jiang, Zhengwu; She, Anming

    2015-01-01

    The biochemical properties of CaCO3 precipitation induced by Sporosarcina pasteurii, an ureolytic type microorganism, were investigated. Effects of calcium source on the precipitation process were examined, since calcium source plays a key role in microbiologically induced mineralization. Regardless of the calcium source type, three distinct stages in the precipitation process were identified by Ca(2+), NH4 (+), pH and cell density monitoring. Compared with stage 1 and 3, stage 2 was considered as the most critical part since biotic CaCO3 precipitation occurs during this stage. Kinetics studies showed that the microbial CaCO3 precipitation rate for calcium lactate was over twice of that for calcium nitrate, indicating that calcium lactate is more beneficial for the cell activity, which in turn determines urease production and CaCO3 precipitation. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the CaCO3 crystal as calcite, although scanning electron microscopy revealed a difference in crystal size and morphology if calcium source was different. The findings of this paper further suggest a promising application of microbiologically induced CaCO3 precipitation in remediation of surface and cracks of porous media, e.g., cement-based composites, particularly by using organic source of calcium lactate.

  13. Effect of ball-milling to the surface morphology of CaCO3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sulimai, N. H.; Rani, Rozina Abdul; Khusaimi, Z.; Abdullah, S.; Salifairus, M. J.; Alrokayan, Salman; Khan, Haseeb; Rusop, M.

    2018-05-01

    Calcium Carbonate can be synthesized in many approaches. This work studied on the physical changes to Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) by ball-milling activity in different parameters; number of ball; collision duration; revolution per minute (RPM). Zirconia balls were used in the work because it has the best durability to withstand ball-milling conditions set. Industrial grade CaCO3 particles that were run in aforementioned parameters were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) to study the physical changes on the size and surface of the CaCO3. They were also characterized with Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR) were fingerprint of CaCO3 regions were identified and any changes in the band position and intensity were discussed. Number of Zirconia balls and collision duration is directly proportional to the absorbance intensity whereas it is inversely proportional for the rpm. The best number of parameters producing the highest Absorbance is 100 Zirconia balls in duration of 1 hour and 100rpm.

  14. Preparation and characterization of coating sodium trisilicate (Na2O.nSiO2) at calcium carbonate (CaCO3) for blowing agent in Mg alloy foam

    Science.gov (United States)

    Erryani, Aprilia; Lestari, Franciska Pramuji; Annur, Dhyah; Kartika, Ika

    2018-05-01

    The role of blowing agent in the manufacture of porous metal alloys is very important to produce the desired pore. The thermal stability and speed of foam formation have an effect on the resulting pore structure. In porous metal alloys, uniformity of size and pore deployment are the main determinants of the resulting alloys. The coating process of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) has been done using Sodium trisilicate solution by sol-gel method. Foaming agent was pretreated by coating SiO2 passive layer on the surface of CaCO3. This coating aims to produce a more stable blowing agent so that the foaming process can produce a more uniform pore size. The microstructure of the SiO2 passive was observed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer (EDS) mapping. The results showed coating CaCO3 using sodium trisilicate was successfully done creating a passive layer of SiO2 on the surface of CaCO3. By the coating process, the thermal stability of coated CaCO3 increased compared to uncoated CaCO3.

  15. Absorption and metabolism of the food contaminant 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) and its fatty acid esters by human intestinal Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Buhrke, Thorsten; Weisshaar, Rüdiger; Lampen, Alfonso

    2011-10-01

    3-Chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) fatty acid esters are formed upon thermal processing of fat-containing foods in the presence of chloride ions. Upon hydrolytic cleavage, these substances could release free 3-MCPD. This compound is toxicologically well characterised and displayed cancerogenic potential in rodent models. Recently, serious contaminations of different food products with 3-MCPD fatty acid esters have been reported. In regard to a risk assessment, the key question is to which degree these 3-MCPD fatty acid esters are hydrolysed in the human gut. Therefore, the aim of the present project was to examine the hydrolysis of 3-MCPD fatty acid esters and the resulting release of free 3-MCPD by using differentiated Caco-2 cells, a cellular in vitro model for the human intestinal barrier. Here, we show that 3-MCPD fatty acid esters at a concentration of 100 μM were neither absorbed by the cells nor the esters were transported via a Caco-2 monolayer. 3-MCPD-1-monoesters were hydrolysed in the presence of Caco-2 cells. In contrast, a 3-MCPD-1,2-diester used in this study was obviously absorbed and metabolised by the cells. Free 3-MCPD was not absorbed by the cells, but the substance migrated through a Caco-2 monolayer by paracellular diffusion. From these in vitro studies, we conclude that 3-MCPD-1-monoesters are likely to be hydrolysed in the human intestine, thereby increasing the burden with free 3-MCPD. In contrast, intestinal cells seem to have the capacity to metabolise 3-MCPD diesters, thereby detoxifying the 3-MCPD moiety.

  16. Alternative solution model for the ternary carbonate system CaCO3 - MgCO3 - FeCO3 - I. A ternary Bragg-Williams ordering model

    Science.gov (United States)

    McSwiggen, P.L.

    1993-01-01

    The minerals of the ternary carbonate system CaCO3 - MgCO3 - FeCO3 represent a complex series of solid solutions and ordering states. An understanding of those complexities requires a solution model that can both duplicate the subsolidus phase relationships and generate correct values for the activities. Such a solution model must account for the changes in the total energy of the system resulting from a change in the ordering state of the individual constituents. Various ordering models have been applied to binary carbonate systems, but no attempts have previously been made to model the ordering in the ternary system. This study derives a new set of equations that allow for the equilibrium degree of order to be calculated for a system involving three cations mixing on two sites, as in the case of the ternary carbonates. The method is based on the Bragg-Williams approach. From the degree of order, the mole fractions of the three cations in each of the two sites can be determined. Once the site occupancies have been established, a Margules-type mixing model can be used to determine the free energy of mixing in the solid solution and therefore the activities of the various components. ?? 1993 Springer-Verlag.

  17. Pengaruh Kombinasi Senyawa Humik dan CaCO3 terhadap Alumunium dan Fosfat Typic Paleudult Kentrong Banten

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    Sugeng Winarso

    2009-05-01

    Full Text Available Decomposition of organic matter releases humic compounds, that can chelate metals include Al in acidic soils. This chelation of Al is important for decreasing of Al activity and P fixation in acidic soils. This study was aimed to test the effect of humic compounds extracted from rice-straw compost and CaCO3 combination on aluminium activity and phosphate (available P on an Ultisol (Typic Paleudult collected from Kentrong Banten. A laboratory study was conducted by series consentration of CaCO3 (0, 500, 1.000, 2.000, dan 3.000 ppm in 8 grams of acidic soil. The acidic soil had previously been subjected to continuously addition of humic compounds and none. Then, these mix of soil and CaCO3 were added 40 ml contained 5.000 ppm humic compounds to obtain 1:5 soil:suspension ratio and control was made by using aquadest. They were shaked for 2 hours every day and pH was measured. At 11st days incubation Alexch (N KCl and soluble of P (PB and PC were measured. The results showed that liming or addition of CaCO3 to the acidic soils decreased Alexch (precipitated to be Al(OH3 linearly with formula y = -0.778x + 6.108; y = Alexch (Cmol kg-1, x = CaCO3 (M; R² = 0,916. Combination addition of humic compounds and CaCO3 was able to increase pH and Alexch up to not detected. The increased of P-soluble or desorption P untill 384% took place at addition of 0.0016 M CaCO3 and 5000 ppm humic compounds. More desorption of P was observed if the acidic soils has previously been subjected to continuously addition of humic compounds, such us the increased of soluble P up to 739% at addition of CaCO3 0.0008 M.

  18. Cation exchange and CaCO 3 dissolution during artificial recharge of effluent to a calcareous sandstone aquifer

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    Goren, Orly; Gavrieli, Ittai; Burg, Avihu; Lazar, Boaz

    2011-03-01

    SummaryThis research describes a field study and laboratory simulations of the geochemical evolution of groundwater following a recharge of effluent into aquifers. The study was conducted in the soil aquifer treatment (SAT) system of the Shafdan sewage reclamation plant, Israel. The SAT system recharges secondary effluent into the calcareous sandstone sediments of the Israeli Coastal Aquifer as a tertiary treatment. The reclaimed effluent is recovered ca. 500 m off the recharge basin and is used for unlimited irrigation. The laboratory simulations in which effluent was pumped through experimental columns packed with pristine Shafdan sediment showed that the chemical composition of the outflowing water was controlled mainly by cation exchange and CaCO 3 dissolution. Na +, K + and Mg 2+ were adsorbed and Ca 2+ was desorbed during the initial stage of recharge. The equilibrium distribution of the adsorbed cations was: Ca 2+ ˜ 60%, Mg 2+ ˜ 20%, and Na + and K + ˜ 10% each. The Ca 2+ in the Shafdan production wells and in the experimental columns outflow (˜5 meq L -1) was always higher than the Ca 2+ in the recharged effluent (˜3.5 meq L -1), indicating continuous CaCO 3 dissolution. This study demonstrates that besides mixing, a suite of geochemical processes should be considered when assessing groundwater quality following artificial recharge of aquifers.

  19. Z-contrast imaging of ordered structures in Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 and Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yan, Y.; Pennycook, S.J.; Xu, Z.; Viehland, D.

    1998-02-01

    Lead-based cubic perovskites such as Pb(B 1/3 2+ B 2/3 5+ )O 3 (B 2+ Mg, Co, Ni, Zn; B 5+ = Nb, Ta) are relaxor ferroelectrics. Localized order and disorder often occur in materials of this type. In the Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 (PMN) family, previous studies have proposed two models, space-charge and charge-balance models. In the first model, the ordered regions carry a net negative charge [Pb(Mg 1/2 Nb 1/2 )O 3 ], while in the second model it does not carry a net charge [Pb((Mg 2/3 Nb 1/3 ) 1/2 Nb 1/2 )O 3 ]. However, no direct evidence for these two models has appeared in the literature yet. In this paper the authors report the first direct observations of local ordering in undoped and La-doped Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 , using high-resolution Z-contrast imaging. Because the ordered structure in Ba(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 is well known, the Z-contrast image from an ordered domain is used as a reference for this study

  20. Synthesis and luminescent properties of CaCO3:Eu3+@SiO2 phosphors with core-shell structure

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Min; Kang, Ming; Chen, Kexu; Mou, Yongren; Sun, Rong

    2018-03-01

    Integrating the processes of preparation of CaCO3:Eu3+ and its surface-coating, core-shell structured CaCO3:Eu3+@SiO2 phosphors with red emission were synthesized by the carbonation method and surface precipitation procedure using sodium silicate as silica source. The phase structure, thermal stability, morphology and luminescent property of the as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, thermal analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope and photoluminescence spectra. The experimental results show that Eu3+ ions as the luminescence center are divided into two types: one is at the surface of the CaCO3 and the other inhabits the site of Ca2+. For CaCO3:Eu3+@SiO2 phosphors, the SiO2 layers are continuously coated on the surface of CaCO3:Eu3+ and show a typical core-shell structure. After coated with SiO2 layer, the luminous intensity and the compatibility with the rubber matrix increase greatly. Additionally, the luminous intensity increases with the increasing of Eu3+ ions concentration in CaCO3 core and concentration quenching occurs when Eu3+ ions concentration exceeds 7.0 mol%, while it is 5.0 mol% for CaCO3:Eu3+ phosphors. Therefore, preparation of CaCO3:Eu3+@SiO2 phosphors can not only simplify the experimental process through integrating the preparation of CaCO3:Eu3+ and SiO2 layer, but also effectively increase the luminous intensities of CaCO3:Eu3+ phosphors. The as-obtained phosphors may have potential applications in the fields of optical materials and functional polymer composite materials, such as plastics and rubbers.

  1. Long-term sustainability of microbial-induced CaCO3 precipitation in aqueous media.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gat, Daniella; Ronen, Zeev; Tsesarsky, Michael

    2017-10-01

    Microbially induced CaCO 3 precipitation (MICP) via urea hydrolysis is an emerging technique for soil amelioration, building materials rehabilitation and pollutants sequestration amongst other various environmental applications. The successful application of MICP requires the sustainability of the precipitated CaCO 3 ; to which the fate of ammonia, the main by-product of ureolysis, is potentially significante. Ammonia volatilization and biological ammonia oxidation both induce a pH decrease, which, in turn, might cause CaCO 3 dissolution. To examine the potential effect of accumulated ammonia on precipitated CaCO 3 , we conducted a long-term MICP batch experiment, using environmental enrichment cultures of ureolytic bacteria. Here we show that CaCO 3 precipitation was completed within 15-27 days, along with a rise in ammonium concentration. Following completion of ureolysis and precipitation, ammonium concentrations decreased, leading to a pH decrease. About 30 days after precipitation was completed, as much as 30% CaCO 3 dissolution, was observed. A two-step model, describing urea hydrolysis followed by the removal of ammonia from the precipitation solution, predicted CaCO 3 dissolution due to ammonia volatilization. We suggest that ureolytic MICP might result in ammonia volatilization, leading to significant CaCO 3 dissolution. These results provide basic insights into the sustainability of ureolytic MICP and should further encourage removal of the accumulated ammonia from the treated site. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Why Do Organisms in the Atlantic Ocean Produce So Much CaCO3?

    Science.gov (United States)

    Toggweiler, J. R.

    2010-12-01

    Sediments in the Atlantic are richer in CaCO3 than sediments in the other oceans. Sediment trap observations show that sinking particles in the Atlantic also tend to have more CaCO3 in relation to organic carbon than sinking particles elsewhere. The reason for the extra production of CaCO3 has never been very clear. The Atlantic is unusual because it receives much more than its share of the global input of river water. River water adds alkalinity to the surface ocean while the production of CaCO3 takes it away. In this presentation a new tracer, called Alk*, is derived from the surface alkalinity distribution to highlight the impact of river inputs and the production of CaCO3. If the production of CaCO3 were evenly distributed across the ocean one would expect the Atlantic to have a higher level of Alk* becaused of its river inputs. We find instead that Alk* is lower in the middle of the Atlantic than almost any place else. This, of course, is consistent with the fact that organisms in the Atlantic produce a lot of CaCO3. Comparison with other areas with especially low values of Alk* (Red Sea and northern Arabian Sea) shows that the production of CaCO3 is highly correlated across the ocean with the surface salinity. Hence, we argue that organisms in the Atlantic produce a lot of CaCO3 simply because the Atlantic is so salty. Salty waters, by definition, have more CO3= ions, which increase the supersaturation with respect to calcite and aragonite. This finding, while extremely simple, has major implifications for the impact of ocean acidification on calcifying organisms.

  3. The Density and Compressibility of BaCO3-SrCO3-CaCO3-K2CO3-Na2CO3-Li2CO3 Liquids: New Measurements and a Systematic Trend with Cation Field Strength

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hurt, S. M.; Lange, R. A.; Ai, Y.

    2015-12-01

    The volumetric properties of multi-component carbonate liquids are required to extend thermodynamic models that describe partial melting of the deep mantle (e.g. pMELTS; Ghiorso et al., 2003) to carbonate-bearing lithologies. Carbonate in the mantle is an important reservoir of carbon, which is released to the atmosphere as CO2 through volcanism, and thus contributes to the carbon cycle. Although MgCO3 is the most important carbonate component in the mantle, it is not possible to directly measure the 1-bar density and compressibility of MgCO3 liquid because, like other alkaline-earth carbonates, it decomposes at a temperature lower than its melting temperature. Despite this challenge, Liu and Lange (2003) and O'Leary et al. (2015) showed that the one bar molar volume, thermal expansion and compressibility of the CaCO3 liquid component could be obtained by measuring the density and sound speeds of stable liquids in the CaCO3-Li2CO3-Na2CO3-K2CO3 quaternary system at one bar. In this study, this same strategy is employed on SrCO3- and BaCO3-bearing alkali carbonate liquids. The density and sound speed of seven liquids in the SrCO3-Li2CO3-Na2CO3-K2CO3 quaternary and three liquids in the BaCO3-Li2CO3-Na2CO3-K2CO3 quaternary were measured from 739-1367K, with SrCO3 and BaCO3 concentrations ranging from 10-50 mol%. The density measurements were made using the double-bob Archimedean method and sound speeds were obtained with a frequency-sweep acoustic interferometer. The molar volume and sound speed measurements were used to calculate the isothermal compressibility of each liquid, and the results show the volumetric properties mix ideally with composition. The partial molar volume and compressibility of the SrCO3 and BaCO3 components are compared to those obtained for the CaCO3 component as a function of cation field strength. The results reveal a systematic trend that allows the partial molar volume and compressibility of the MgCO3 liquid component to be estimated.

  4. Long-term effects of intravenous 1 alpha (OH)D3 combined with CaCO3 and low-calcium dialysis on secondary hyperparathyroidism and biochemical bone markers in patients on chronic hemodialysis

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Brandi, L; Daugaard, H; Nielsen, P K

    1996-01-01

    doses of CaCO3 and to reduce the doses of an aluminium-containing oral phosphate binder. A decrease in p-Ca2+ during dialysis was induced, and special care had to focus on the compliance to CaCO3, in order not to aggravate the secondary hyperparathyroidism. (2) The combination of 'low......The effects of intravenous administration of 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol [1 alpha (OH)D3] in combination with CaCO3 and 'low-calcium dialysis' (1.25 mmol/l) on plasma (p) parathyroid hormone (PTH) and biochemical bone markers (osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, procollagen type 1 c......-terminal extension peptide) were examined in 54 patients on chronic hemodialysis with either normal or elevated PTH. Increasing doses of 1 alpha (OH)D3 were administered intravenously under careful control of p-Ca2+ and inorganic phosphate. Blood samples were obtained 1 week before the start of treatment...

  5. CaCO3 supplementation alleviates the inhibition of formic acid on acetone/butanol/ethanol fermentation by Clostridium acetobutylicum.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Qi, Gaoxiang; Xiong, Lian; Lin, Xiaoqing; Huang, Chao; Li, Hailong; Chen, Xuefang; Chen, Xinde

    2017-01-01

    To investigate the inhibiting effect of formic acid on acetone/butanol/ethanol (ABE) fermentation and explain the mechanism of the alleviation in the inhibiting effect under CaCO 3 supplementation condition. From the medium containing 50 g sugars l -1 and 0.5 g formic acid l -1 , only 0.75 g ABE l -1 was produced when pH was adjusted by KOH and fermentation ended prematurely before the transformation from acidogenesis to solventogenesis. In contrast, 11.4 g ABE l -1 was produced when pH was adjusted by 4 g CaCO 3 l -1 . The beneficial effect can be ascribed to the buffering capacity of CaCO 3 . Comparative analysis results showed that the undissociated formic acid concentration and acid production coupled with ATP and NADH was affected by the pH buffering capacity of CaCO 3 . Four millimole undissociated formic acid was the threshold at which the transformation to solventogenesis occurred. The inhibiting effect of formic acid on ABE fermentation can be alleviated by CaCO 3 supplementation due to its buffering capacity.

  6. Potential influence of sea cucumbers on coral reef CaCO3 budget: A case study at One Tree Reef

    Science.gov (United States)

    Schneider, Kenneth; Silverman, Jacob; Woolsey, Erika; Eriksson, Hampus; Byrne, Maria; Caldeira, Ken

    2011-12-01

    To endure, coral reefs must accumulate CaCO3 at a rate greater or equal than the sum of mechanically, biologically, and chemically mediated erosion rates. We investigated the potential role of holothurians on the CaCO3 balance of a coral reef. These deposit feeders process carbonate sand and rubble through their digestive tract and dissolve CaCO3 as part of their digestive process. In aquarium incubations with Stichopus herrmanni and Holothuria leucospilota total alkalinity increased by 97 ± 13 and 47 ± 7 μmol kg-1, respectively. This increase was due to CaCO3 dissolution, 81 ± 13 and 34 ± 6 μmol kg-1 and ammonia secretion, 16 ± 2 and 14 ± 2μmol kg-1, respectively, for these species. Surveys conducted at a long-term monitoring site of community calcification (DK13) on One Tree Reef indicated that the density of sea cucumbers was approximately 1 individual m-2. We used these data and data from surveys at Shark Alley to estimate the dissolution of CaCO3 by the sea cucumbers at both sites. At DK13 the sea cucumber population was estimated to be responsible for nearly 50% of the nighttime CaCO3 dissolution, while in Shark Alley for most of the nighttime dissolution. Thus, in a healthy reef, bioeroders dissolution of CaCO3 sediment appears to be an important component of the natural CaCO3 turnover and a substantial source of alkalinity as well. This additional alkalinity could partially buffer changes in seawater pH associated with increasing atmospheric CO2 locally, thus reducing the impact of ocean acidification on coral growth.

  7. CaCO3 dissolution by holothurians (sea cucumber): a case study from One Tree Reef, Great Barrier Reef

    Science.gov (United States)

    Schneider, K.; Silverman, J.; Kravitz, B.; Woolsey, E.; Eriksson, H.; Schneider-Mor, A.; Barbosa, S.; Rivlin, T.; Byrne, M.; Caldeira, K.

    2012-12-01

    Holothurians (sea cucumbers) are among the largest and most important deposit feeder in coral reefs. They play a role in nutrient and CaCO3 cycling within the reef structure. As a result of their digestive process they secrete alkalinity due to CaCO3 dissolution and organic matter degradation forming CO2 and ammonium. In a survey at station DK13 on One Three Reef we found that the population density of holothurians was > 1 individual m-2. The dominant sea cucumber species Holothuria leucospilota was collected from DK13. The increase in alkalinity due to CaCO3 dissolution in aquaria incubations was measured to be 47±7 μmol kg-1 in average per individual. Combining this dissolution rate with the sea cucumbers concentrations at DK13 suggest that they may account for a dissolution rate of 34.9±17.8 mmol m-2 day-1, which is equivalent to about half of night time community dissolution measured in DK13. This indicates that in reefs where the sea cucumber population is healthy and protected from fishing they can be locally important in the CaCO3 cycle. Preliminary result suggests that the CaCO3 dissolution rates are not affected by the chemistry of the sea water they are incubated in. Measurements of the empty digestive track volume of two sea cucumbers H. atra and Stichopus herrmanni were 36 ± 4 ml and 151 ± 14 ml, respectively. Based on these measurements it is estimated that these species process 19 ± 2kg and 80 ± 7kg CaCO3 sand yr-1 per individual, respectively. The annual dissolution rates of H. atra and S. herrmanni are 6.5±1.9g and 9.6±1.4g, respectively, suggest that 0.05±0.02% and 0.1±0.02% of the CaCO3 processed through their gut annually is dissolved. During the incubations the CaCO3 dissolution was 0.07±0.01%, 0.04±0.01% and 0.21±0.05% of the fecal casts for H. atra, H. leucospilota and S. herrmanni, respectively. Our result that the primary parameter determining the CaCO3 dissolution by sea cucumber is the amount of carbonate send in their gut

  8. Magnetic Field Effects on CaCO3 Precipitation Process in Hard Water

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Nelson Saksono

    2010-10-01

    Full Text Available Magnetic treatment is applied as physical water treatment for scale prevention especially CaCO3, from hard water in piping equipment by reducing its hardness.Na2CO3 and CaCl2 solution sample was used in to investigate the magnetic fields influence on the formation of particle of CaCO3. By changing the strength of magnetic fields, exposure time and concentration of samples solution, this study presents quantitative results of total scale deposit, total precipitated CaCO3 and morphology of the deposit. This research was run by comparing magnetically and non-magnetically treated  samples. The results showed an increase of deposits formation rate and total number of precipitated CaCO3 of magnetically treated samples. The increase of concentration solution sample will also raised the deposit under magnetic  field. Microscope images showed a greater number but smaller size of CaCO3 deposits form in magnetically treated samples, and aggregation during the processes. X-ray diffraction (XRD analysis showed that magnetically samples were dominated by calcite. But, there was a significant decrease of calcite’s peak intensities from magnetized  samples that indicated the decrease of the amount of calcite and an increase of total amorphous of deposits. This result  showed that magnetization of hard water leaded to the decreasing of ion Ca2+ due to the increasing of total CaCO3 precipitation process.

  9. Heterogeneous microchemistry between CdSO4 and CaCO3 particles under humidity and liquid water

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Falgayrac, Guillaume; Sobanska, Sophie; Brémard, Claude

    2013-01-01

    Highlights: ► Raman analysis of chemical reactions between CdSO 4 and CaCO 3 particles. ► Under humid air no changes of morphology and chemical composition were observed. ► Condensation of liquid water generates an insoluble CdCO 3 layer on CaCO 3 surface. ► Addition of water previously equilibrated with CaCO 3 generates CdCO 3 and CaSO 4 . -- Abstract: Laboratory experiments using in situ Raman imaging combined with ex situ TOF-S-SIMS demonstrate the behavior of CdSO 4 ·8/3H 2 O microparticles in contact with {101 ¯ 4} CaCO 3 (calcite) surface under three different experimental conditions representative of unpolluted atmosphere. The contact of CdSO 4 ·8/3H 2 O particles with CaCO 3 surface in humid air (RH ∼ 40–80%) does not induce any chemical reaction. In contrast, the condensation of a water drop on CdSO 4 ·8/3H 2 O/CaCO 3 interface causes the free dissolution of CdSO 4 ·8/3H 2 O particle in the drop. A CdSO 4 ·8/3H 2 O microcrystal is reformed after gentle drying with a CdSO 4 ·H 2 O coating of the CaCO 3 surface. The TOF-S-SIMS image of the CaCO 3 surface provides evidence of a thin layer corresponding probably to insoluble coating of CdCO 3 (otavite) or Cd x Ca 1−x CO 3 solid solution at the liquid–solid interface. This layer armours the CaCO 3 from further dissolution and stops the reaction. The deposition of CdSO 4 ·8/3H 2 O particle in water drop previously in contact with CaCO 3 for a long time generates CdCO 3 small rhombohedral crystals while gentle drying provokes the crystallization of bar shape crystals of CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O (gypsum). These laboratory results provide valuable chemical prediction for a possible fate of cadmium rich particles emitted in the atmosphere and thus, can contribute to realistic assessment of human exposure to Cd hazard

  10. The fate of pelagic CaCO3 production in a high CO2 ocean: a model study

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    C. Ethe

    2007-07-01

    Full Text Available This model study addresses the change in pelagic calcium carbonate production (CaCO3, as calcite in the model and dissolution in response to rising atmospheric CO2. The parameterization of CaCO3 production includes a dependency on the saturation state of seawater with respect to calcite. It was derived from laboratory and mesocosm studies on particulate organic and inorganic carbon production in Emiliania huxleyi as a function of pCO2. The model predicts values of CaCO3 production and dissolution in line with recent estimates. The effect of rising pCO2 on CaCO3 production and dissolution was quantified by means of model simulations forced with atmospheric CO2 increasing at a rate of 1% per year from 286 ppm to 1144 ppm over a 140 year time-period. The simulation predicts a decrease of CaCO3 production by 27%. The combined change in production and dissolution of CaCO3 yields an excess uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere by the ocean of 5.9 GtC over the period of 140 years.

  11. Mg and Ca isotope fractionation during CaCO3 biomineralisation

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chang, Veronica T.-C.; Williams, R.J.P.; Makishima, Akio; Belshawl, Nick S.; O'Nions, R. Keith

    2004-01-01

    The natural variation of Mg and Ca stable isotopes of carbonates has been determined in carbonate skeletons of perforate foraminifera and reef coral together with Mg/Ca ratios to assess the influence of biomineralisation processes. The results for coral aragonite suggest its formation, in terms of stable isotope behaviour, approximates to inorganic precipitation from a seawater reservoir. In contrast, results for foraminifera calcite suggest a marked biological control on Mg isotope ratios presumably related to its low Mg content compared with seawater. The bearing of these observations on the use of Mg and Ca isotopes as proxies in paleoceanography is considered

  12. Effects of CaCO3 treatment on the morphology, crystallinity, rheology and hydrolysis of gelatinized maize starch dispersions.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Garcia-Diaz, S; Hernandez-Jaimes, C; Escalona-Buendia, H B; Bello-Perez, L A; Vernon-Carter, E J; Alvarez-Ramirez, J

    2016-09-15

    Using calcium salts instead of lime allows for an ecological nixtamalization of maize grains, where the negative contamination impact of the traditional lime nixtamalization is reduced. This work assessed the effects of calcium carbonate (0.0-2.0%w/w CaCO3) on the morphology, crystallinity, rheology and hydrolysis of gelatinized maize starch dispersions (GMSD). Microscopy analysis showed that CaCO3 changed the morphology of insoluble remnants (ghosts) and decreased the degree of syneresis. Analysis of particle size distribution showed a slight shift to smaller sizes as the CaCO3 was increased. Also, X-ray patterns indicated that crystallinity achieved a minimum value at CaCO3 concentration in the range of 1%w/w. GMSD with higher CaCO3 concentrations exhibited higher thixotropy area and complex viscoelastic behavior that was frequency dependent. A possible mechanism involved in the starch chain modification by CaCO3 is that starch may act as a weak acid ion exchanger capable of exchanging alcoholic group protons for cations (Ca(+2)). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Enzyme-assisted growth of nacreous CaCO3/polymer hybrid nanolaminates via the formation of mineral bridges

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yeom, Bongjun; Char, Kookheon

    2016-06-01

    Laminated nanostructures in nacre have been adopted as models in the fabrication of strong, tough synthetic nanocomposites. However, the utilization of CaCO3 biominerals in these composites is limited by the complexity of the synthesis method for nanosized biominerals. In this study, we use the enzymatic reaction of urease to generate a nanoscale CaCO3 thin film to prepare CaCO3/polymer hybrid nanolaminates. Additional layers of CaCO3 thin film are consecutively grown over the base CaCO3 layer with the intercalation of organic layers. The morphology and crystallinity of the added CaCO3 layers depend strongly on the thickness of the organic layer coated on the underlying CaCO3 layer. When the organic layer is less than 20 nm thick, the amorphous CaCO3 layer is spontaneously transformed into crystalline calcite layer during the growth process. We also observe crystalline continuity between adjacent CaCO3 layers through interconnecting mineral bridges. The formation of these mineral bridges is crucial to the epitaxial growth of CaCO3 layers, similar to the formation of natural nacre.

  14. Cisplatin-Induced Renal Salt Wasting Requiring over 12 Liters of 3% Saline Replacement

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Phuong-Chi Pham

    2017-01-01

    Full Text Available Cisplatin is known to induce Fanconi syndrome and renal salt wasting (RSW. RSW typically only requires transient normal saline (NS support. We report a severe RSW case that required 12 liters of 3% saline. A 57-year-old woman with limited stage small cell cancer was admitted for cisplatin (80 mg/m2 and etoposide (100 mg/m2 therapy. Patient’s serum sodium (SNa decreased from 138 to 133 and 125 mEq/L within 24 and 48 hours of cisplatin therapy, respectively. A diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH was initially made. Despite free water restriction, patient’s SNa continued to decrease in association with acute onset of headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Three percent saline (3%S infusion with rates up to 1400 mL/day was required to correct and maintain SNa at 135 mEq/L. Studies to evaluate Fanconi syndrome revealed hypophosphatemia and glucosuria in the absence of serum hyperglycemia. The natriuresis slowed down by 2.5 weeks, but 3%S support was continued for a total volume of 12 liters over 3.5 weeks. Attempts of questionable benefits to slow down glomerular filtration included the administration of ibuprofen and benazepril. To our knowledge, this is the most severe case of RSW ever reported with cisplatin.

  15. Combination of adsorption by porous CaCO3 microparticles and encapsulation by polyelectrolyte multilayer films for sustained drug delivery.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Chaoyang; He, Chengyi; Tong, Zhen; Liu, Xinxing; Ren, Biye; Zeng, Fang

    2006-02-03

    Combination of adsorption by porous CaCO(3) microparticles and encapsulation by polyelectrolyte multilayers via the layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly was proposed for sustained drug release. Firstly, porous calcium carbonate microparticles with an average diameter of 5 microm were prepared for loading a model drug, ibuprofen (IBU). Adsorption of IBU into the pores was characterized by ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) experiment and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The adsorbed IBU amount Gamma was 45.1mg/g for one-time adsorption and increased with increasing adsorption times. Finally, multilayer films of protamine sulfate (PRO) and sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) were formed on the IBU-loaded CaCO(3) microparticles by the layer-by-layer self-assembly. Amorphous IBU loaded in the pores of the CaCO(3) microparticles had a rapider release in the gastric fluid and a slower release in the intestinal fluid, compared with the bare IBU crystals. Polyelectrolyte multilayers assembled on the drug-loaded particles by the LbL reduced the release rate in both fluids. In this work, polymer/inorganic hybrid core-shell microcapsules were fabricated for controlled release of poorly water-soluble drugs. The porous inorganic particles are useful to load drugs in amorphous state and the polyelectrolyte multilayer films coated on the particle assuage the initial burst release.

  16. Assembly of multilayer microcapsules on CacO3 particles from biocompatible polysaccharides.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhao, Qinghe; Mao, Zhengwei; Gao, Changyou; Shen, Jiacong

    2006-01-01

    Multilayer microcapsules were fabricated by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of natural polysaccharides onto CaCO3 particles, following with core removal. The micron-sized CaCO3 particles were synthesized by reaction between Ca(NO3)2 and Na2CO3 solutions in the existence of carboxylmethyl cellulose (CMC). The incorporated amount of CMC in the CaCO3 particles was found to be 5.3 wt% by thermogravimetric analysis. Two biocompatible polysaccharides, chitosan and sodium alginate were alternately deposited onto the CaCO3(CMC) templates to obtain hollow microcapsules. Regular oscillation of surface charge as detected by zeta potential demonstrated that the assembly proceeded surely in a LbL manner. The stability of the microcapsules was effectively improved by cross-linking of chitosan with glutaraldehyde. The chemical reaction was verified by infrared spectroscopy. The microcapsules thus fabricated could be spontaneously filled with positively charged low molecular weight substances such as rhodamine 6G and showed good biocompatibility, as detected by in vitro cell culture.

  17. Synthesis and characterization of nano-sized CaCO3 in purified diet

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mulyaningsih, N. N.; Tresnasari, D. R.; Ramahwati, M. R.; Juwono, A. L.; Soejoko, D. S.; Astuti, D. A.

    2017-07-01

    The growth and development of animals depend strongly on the balanced nutrition in the diet. This research aims is to characterize the weight variations of nano-sized calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in purified diet that to be fed to animal model of rat. The nano-sized CaCO3 was prepared by milling the calcium carbonate particles for 20 hours at a rotation speed of 1000 rpm and resulting particle size in a range of 2-50 nm. Nano-sized CaCO3 added to purified diet to the four formulas that were identified as normal diet (N), deficiency calcium (DC), rich in calcium (RC), and poor calcium (PC) with containing in nano-sized CaCO3 much as 0.50 %, 0.00 %, 0.75 % and 0.25 % respectively. The nutritional content of the purified diet was proximate analyzed, it resulted as followed moisture, ash, fat, protein, crude fiber. The quantities of chemical element were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), it resulted iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium. The results showed that N diet (Ca: 16,914.29 ppm) were suggested for healthy rats and RC diet (Ca: 33,696.13 ppm) for conditioned osteoporosis rats. The crystalline phases of the samples that were examined by X-ray diffraction showed that crystalline phase increased with the increasing concentration of CaCO3.

  18. SULT1A3-Mediated Regiospecific 7-O-Sulfation of Flavonoids in Caco-2 Cells Can Be Explained by the Relevant Molecular Docking Studies

    Science.gov (United States)

    Meng, Shengnan; Wu, Baojian; Singh, Rashim; Yin, Taijun; Morrow, John Kenneth; Zhang, Shuxing; Hu, Ming

    2012-01-01

    Flavonoids are the polyphenolic compounds with various claimed health benefits, but the extensive metabolism by uridine-5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) and sulfotransferases (SULTs) in liver and intestine led to poor oral bioavailabilities. The effects of structural changes on the sulfonation of flavonoids have not been systemically determined, although relevant effects of structural changes on the glucuronidation of flavonoids had. We performed the regiospecific sulfonation of sixteen flavonoids from five different subclasses of flavonoids, which are represented by apigenin (flavone), genistein (isoflavone), naringenin (flavanone), kaempherol (flavonol), and phloretin (chalcone). Additional studies were performed using 4 mono-hydroxyl flavonoids with –OH group at 3, 4’, 5 or 7 position, followed by 5 di-hydroxyl-flavonoids, and 2 tri-hydroxyl flavonoids by using expressed human SULT1A3 and Caco-2 cell lysates. We found that these compounds were exclusively sulfated at the 7-OH position by SULT1A3 and primarily sulfated at 7-OH position in Caco-2 cell lysates with minor amounts of 4’-O-sulfates formed as well. Sulfonation rates measured using SULT1A3 and Caco-2 cell lysates were highly correlated at substrate concentrations of 2.5 and 10 µM. Molecular docking studies provided structural explanations as to why sulfonation only occurred at the 7-OH position of flavones, flavonols and flavanones. In conclusion, molecular docking studies explain why SULT1A3 exclusively mediates sulfonation at the 7-OH position of flavones/flavonols, and correlation studies indicate that SULT1A3 is the main isoform responsible for flavonoid sulfonation in the Caco-2 cells. PMID:22352375

  19. Efeitos de relações CaSO4/CaCO3 na mobilidade de nutrientes no solo e no crescimento do algodoeiro

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    A. A. Silva

    1998-09-01

    Full Text Available O experimento, realizado em casa de vegetação no Departamento de Ciência do Solo da Universidade Federal de Lavras, teve por objetivo estudar o efeito de diferentes relações de CaSO4/CaCO3, que simulam o uso de gesso e calcário, na movimentação de nutrientes no solo e no crescimento do algodoeiro, cultivar IAC-20. As proporções de CaSO4/CaCO3 utilizadas foram: 0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25 e 100/0, com base em peso equivalente, além de um tratamento-testemunha, sem aplicação de CaSO4 e CaCO3. Observou-se acentuada movimentação de cálcio e de sulfato em profundidade, como íons acompanhantes, com o aumento da relação CaSO4/CaCO3. Para o N-NO3- e Mg2+, ao contrário do N-NH4+ e K+, observou-se um acúmulo em profundidade, com a elevação da relação CaSO4/CaCO3. Neste estudo, o gesso teve pouco ou nenhum efeito sobre a acidez e Al trocável presentes nas camadas subsuperficiais. A produção de matéria seca do algodoeiro foi reduzida com o aumento da relação CaSO4/CaCO3, porém, quando comparada à do tratamento-testemunha, a aplicação de gesso aumentou-a significativamente, atestando o potencial de uso do gesso agrícola.

  20. First-principles calculation of adsorption of shale gas on CaCO3 (100) surfaces.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Luo, Qiang; Pan, Yikun; Guo, Ping; Wang, Zhouhua; Wei, Na; Sun, Pengfei; Liu, Yuxiao

    2017-06-16

    To demonstrate the adsorption strength of shale gas to calcium carbonate in shale matrix, the adsorption of shale gas on CaCO3 (100) surfaces was studied using the first-principles method, which is based on the density functional theory (DFT). The structures and electronic properties of CH4, C2H6, CO2 and N2 molecules were calculated by the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), for a coverage of 1 monolayer (ML). Under the same conditions, the density of states (DOS) of CaCO3 (100) surfaces before and after the adsorption of shale gas molecules at high-symmetry adsorption sites were compared. The results showed that the adsorption energies of CH4, C2H6, CO2 and N2 on CaCO3 (100) surfaces were between 0.2683 eV and -0.7388 eV. When a CH4 molecule was adsorbed at a hollow site and its 2 hydrogen atoms were parallel to the long diagonal (H3) on the CaCO3 (100) surface, it had the most stable adsorption, and the adsorption energy was only -0.4160 eV. The change of adsorption energy of CH4 was no more than 0.0535 eV. Compared with the DOS distribution of CH4 before adsorption, it shifted to the left overall after adsorption. At the same time, the partial density of states (PDOS) curves of CaCO3 (100) surfaces before and after adsorption basically overlapped. This work showed that the adsorption effect of shale gas on calcium carbonate is very weak, and the adsorption is physisorption at the molecular level.

  1. Surface morphology and molecular bonding of CaCO3 nanocrystallites by gas diffusion method

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sulimai, N. H.; Rani, Rozina Abdul; Khusaimi, Z.; Abdullah, S.; Salifairus, M. J.; Alrokayan, Salman; Khan, Haseeb; Rusop, M.

    2018-05-01

    Calcium carbonate with the chemical formula of (CaCO3) is the most abundant element in the world. Its usage on certain applications is largely affected by its properties. The best means to control its properties is through controlled preparation of CaCO3. This study uses diffusion method between the precursors Calcium Chloride and Ammonium Carbonate. Instead of using water, ethanol was used to prepare the salt. Reaction was done in room temperature (RT) for 6h-24h. Smallest average crystallite size measured by FESEM micrograph is 500nm produced by synthesis of CaCO3 reacted for 168 hours. From energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum also indicated the smallest particle size is by CaCO3 reacted for 168 hours. Changes was seen for element Ca at 3.7keV.

  2. Protein encapsulation via porous CaCO3 microparticles templating.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Volodkin, Dmitry V; Larionova, Natalia I; Sukhorukov, Gleb B

    2004-01-01

    Porous microparticles of calcium carbonate with an average diameter of 4.75 microm were prepared and used for protein encapsulation in polymer-filled microcapsules by means of electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly (ELbL). Loading of macromolecules in porous CaCO3 particles is affected by their molecular weight due to diffusion-limited permeation inside the particles and also by the affinity to the carbonate surface. Adsorption of various proteins and dextran was examined as a function of pH and was found to be dependent both on the charge of the microparticles and macromolecules. The electrostatic effect was shown to govern this interaction. This paper discusses the factors which can influence the adsorption capacity of proteins. A new way of protein encapsulation in polyelectrolyte microcapsules is proposed exploiting the porous, biocompatible, and decomposable microparticles from CaCO3. It consists of protein adsorption in the pores of the microparticles followed by ELbL of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes and further core dissolution. This resulted in formation of polyelectrolyte-filled capsules with protein incorporated in interpenetrating polyelectrolyte network. The properties of CaCO3 microparticles and capsules prepared were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, microelectrophoresis, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Lactalbumin was encapsulated by means of the proposed technique yielding a content of 0.6 pg protein per microcapsule. Horseradish peroxidase saves 37% of activity after encapsulation. However, the thermostability of the enzyme was improved by encapsulation. The results demonstrate that porous CaCO3 microparticles can be applied as microtemplates for encapsulation of proteins into polyelectrolyte capsules at neutral pH as an optimal medium for a variety of bioactive material, which can also be encapsulated by the proposed method. Microcapsules filled with encapsulated material may find applications in the field of

  3. Long-term effects of intravenous 1 alpha (OH)D3 combined with CaCO3 and low-calcium dialysis on secondary hyperparathyroidism and biochemical bone markers in patients on chronic hemodialysis

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Brandi, L; Daugaard, H; Nielsen, P K

    1996-01-01

    doses of CaCO3 and to reduce the doses of an aluminium-containing oral phosphate binder. A decrease in p-Ca2+ during dialysis was induced, and special care had to focus on the compliance to CaCO3, in order not to aggravate the secondary hyperparathyroidism. (2) The combination of 'low......-terminal extension peptide) were examined in 54 patients on chronic hemodialysis with either normal or elevated PTH. Increasing doses of 1 alpha (OH)D3 were administered intravenously under careful control of p-Ca2+ and inorganic phosphate. Blood samples were obtained 1 week before the start of treatment...

  4. 2-Chloro-1,3-propanediol (2-MCPD) and its fatty acid esters: cytotoxicity, metabolism, and transport by human intestinal Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Buhrke, Thorsten; Frenzel, Falko; Kuhlmann, Jan; Lampen, Alfonso

    2015-12-01

    The food contaminants 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters have attracted considerable attention in the past few years due to their toxic properties and their occurrence in numerous foods. Recently, significant amounts of the isomeric compounds 2-chloro-1,3-propanediol (2-MCPD) fatty acid esters have been detected in refined oils. Beside the interrogation which toxic effects might be related to the core compound 2-MCPD, the key question from the risk assessment perspective is again-as it was discussed for 3-MCPD fatty acid esters before-to which degree these esters are hydrolyzed in the gut, thereby releasing free 2-MCPD. Here, we show that free 2-MCPD but not 2-MCPD fatty acid esters were able to cross a monolayer of differentiated Caco-2 cells as an in vitro model for the human intestinal barrier. Instead, the esters were hydrolyzed by the cells, thereby releasing free 2-MCPD which was neither absorbed nor metabolized by the cells. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that free 2-MCPD as well as free 3-MCPD was not toxic to Caco-2 cells up to a level of 1 mM, whereas cellular viability was slightly decreased in the presence of a few 2-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters at concentrations above 10 µM. The observed cytotoxic effects correlated well with the induction of caspase activity and might be attributed to the induction of apoptosis by free fatty acids which were released from the esters in the presence of Caco-2 cells.

  5. De-phosphorylation of TRα-1 by p44/42 MAPK inhibition enhances T3-mediated GLUT5 gene expression in the intestinal cell line Caco-2 cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mochizuki, Kazuki; Sakaguchi, Naomi; Takabe, Satsuki; Goda, Toshinao

    2007-01-01

    Thyroid hormone and p44/42 MAPK inactivation are important in intestinal differentiation. We demonstrated not only that treatment with p44/42 MAPK inhibitor U0126 in intestinal cell line Caco-2 cells reduced the phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues of TRα-1, but also that T 3 and U0126 synergistically induced GLUT5 gene expression. EMSA demonstrated that the binding activity of TRα-1-RXR heterodimer on GLUT5-TRE in nuclear proteins of Caco-2 cells was synergistically enhanced by co-incubation in vitro with T 3 and CIAP, which strongly de-phosphorylates proteins. ChIP and transfection assays revealed that co-treatment of T 3 and U0126 induces TRα-1-RXR binding to GLUT5-TRE on the human GLUT5 enhancer region, and recruitment of the transcriptional complex in cells. These results suggest that inactivation of p44/42 MAPK enhances T 3 -induced GLUT5 gene expression in Caco-2 cells through increasing TRα-1 transactivity and binding activity to the GLUT5-TRE, probably due to de-phosphorylation of TRα-1

  6. ESR studies on CaCO3 of deep-sea sediments

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mangini, A.; Segl, M.; Schmitz, W.

    1983-01-01

    We have measured depth profiles of the ESR signals on the calcite fraction in 3 deep-sea sediments with a well-established age stratigraphy and CaCO 3 contents around 50 percent. In the ESR spectra of the foraminifera we observe 3 lines (A, B and C, following Ikeya's notation) two of which (A and C) were analysed as depth profiles. The A signal displays a continuous increase with depth over the time periods covered by the sediment cores of 400,000 and 800,000 a B.P. This suggests that a) the lifetime of the electron traps is long compared to these time intervals and b) the traps as yet unsaturated with electrons. Despite our present ignorance of the nature of the traps, these results might indicate the possible future applicability of ESR as a tool for dating sediment cores over time periods up to 1 Ma. The more prominent C signal displays a linear increase over time periods of 100,000 to 200,000 a. Beyond this age we find an overall increase, on which is superimposed short-term noise of similar amplitude that is unrelated to the 232 Th and CaCO 3 contents. (author)

  7. Influence of CaCO3 and SiO2 additives on magnetic properties of M-type Sr ferrites

    Science.gov (United States)

    Huang, Ching-Chien; Jiang, Ai-Hua; Hung, Yung-Hsiung; Liou, Ching-Hsuan; Wang, Yi-Chen; Lee, Chi-Ping; Hung, Tong-Yin; Shaw, Chun-Chung; Kuo, Ming-Feng; Cheng, Chun-Hu

    2018-04-01

    An experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of CaCO3 and SiO2 additives on the magnetic and physical properties of M-type Sr ferrites by changing experimental parameters such as the additive composition and Ca/Si ratio. Specimens were prepared by conventional ceramic techniques. It was found that the magnetic properties (Br = 4.42 kG, iHc = 3.32 kOe and (BH)max = 4.863 MGOe) were considerably improved upon adding CaCO3 = 1.1% and SiO2 = 0.4 wt% together with Co3O4, and the mechanical properties thereof were acceptable for motor applications. It was revealed that CaCO3 and SiO2 additives led to an upswing in the magnetic properties via the enhancement of uniform grain growth, particle alignment, and the densification of Sr ferrite.

  8. A new crystal growth form of vaterite, CaCO3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Shaikh, A.M.

    1990-01-01

    Microcrystalline vaterite, CaCO 3 , has been synthesized by decomposition of ikaite, CaCO 3 .6H 2 O, crystals at room temperature. Scanning electron micrographs show that vaterite occurs as arborescent aggregates ≅30 to 40 μm in size. This growth form has not been described before. It is of interest that the overall morphology of the vaterite is reminiscent of some dendritic calcite tufas, although on a smaller scale. This similarity opens up the possibility that the calcitic tufas such as that associated with the Quaternary Lake Lahonton, Nevada, may have been deposited as vaterite that changed to calcite, while preserving the original growth form. (orig.)

  9. HNF1 alpha activates the aminopeptidase N promoter in intestinal (Caco-2) cells

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Olsen, Jørgen; Laustsen, Lotte; Troelsen, J

    1994-01-01

    The importance of HNF1 binding proteins for intestinal aminopeptidase N expression was investigated using the Caco-2 cell-line. Aminopeptidase N promoter activity in Caco-2 cells depends on the HNF1 element (positions -85 to -58) and co-transfection with an HNF1 alpha expression vector demonstrates...... a direct activation of the promoter by HNF1 alpha through this element. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays using nuclear extracts from Caco-2 cells show the presence of high amounts of HNF1 binding proteins irrespective of their state of differentiation....

  10. Design of 3D printed insert for hanging culture of Caco-2 cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Shen, Chong; Meng, Qin; Zhang, Guoliang

    2015-01-01

    A Caco-2 cell culture on Transwell, an alternative testing to animal or human testing used in evaluating drug intestinal permeability, incorrectly estimated the absorption of actively transported drugs due to the low expression of membrane transporters. Similarly, three-dimensional (3D) cultures of Caco-2 cells, which have been recommended to be more physiological relevant, were not superior to the Transwell culture in either accuracy or convenience in drug permeability testing. Using rapid 3D printing prototyping techniques, this study proposed a hanging culture of Caco-2 cells that performed with high accuracy in predicting drug permeability in humans. As found, hanging cultured Caco-2 cells formed a confluent monolayer and maintained high cell viability on the 3D printed insert. Compared with the normal culture on Transwell, the Caco-2 cells on the 3D printed insert presented ∼30–100% higher brush border enzyme activity and ∼2–7 folds higher activity of P-glycoprotein/multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 during 21 days of incubation. For the eight membrane transporter substrates, the predictive curve of the 3D printing culture exhibited better linearity (R 2  = 0.92) to the human oral adsorption than that of the Transwell culture (R 2  = 0.84), indicating better prediction by the 3D printing culture. In this regard, the 3D printed insert for hanging culture could be potentially developed as a convenient and low-cost tool for testing drug oral absorption. (paper)

  11. Protein-assisted synthesis of double-shelled CaCO3 microcapsules and their mineralization with heavy metal ions.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, Xuan Qi; Feng, Zhiwei; Xia, Yinyan; Zeng, Hua Chun

    2012-02-13

    Calcium carbonate (CaCO(3)) is one of the most abundant and important biominerals in nature. Due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability and nontoxicity, CaCO(3) has been investigated extensively in recent years for various fundamental properties and technological applications. Inspired by basic wall structures of cells, we report a protein-assisted approach to synthesize CaCO(3) into a double-shelled structural configuration. Due to varying reactivities of outer and inner shells, the CaCO(3) microcapsules exhibit different sorption capacities and various resultant structures toward different kinds of heavy metal ions, analogical to biologically controlled mineralization (BCM) processes. Surprisingly, three mineralization modes resembling those found in BCM were found with these bacterium-like "CaCO(3) cells". Our investigation of the cytotoxicity (MTT assay protocol) also indicates that the CaCO(3) microcapsules have almost no cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells, and they might be useful for future application of detoxifying heavy metal ions after further study. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  12. Effect of CaCO_3 addition on ash sintering behaviour during K_2CO_3 catalysed steam gasification of a Chinese lignite

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang, Jiguang; Li, Jianbo; Mao, Yandong; Bi, Jicheng; Zhu, Mingming; Zhang, Zhezi; Zhang, Li; Zhang, Dongke

    2017-01-01

    Highlights: • K_2CO_3 decreased ash sintering temperature and enhanced ash melting in gasification. • CaCO_3 addition enhanced ash melting and lowered ash sintering temperatures. • CaCO_3 reacted with SiO_2 to form fluxing phases and amorphous materials. • CaCO_3 addition inhibited the potassium aluminium silicate formation. • CaCO_3 addition preserved the catalytic activity of potassium. - Abstract: The ash sintering behaviour of a Chinese lignite (LLI) with different amounts of CaCO_3 addition during K_2CO_3-catalysed gasification was investigated. 0–10 wt% K_2CO_3 was doped into the lignite for catalytic gasification, and CaCO_3 was added into the K_2CO_3-doped samples, varying in the range of 0–20 wt% relative to the lignite, for understanding its impact on ash sintering and catalytic gasification activity. Ash samples were prepared by completely gasifying the lignite samples with steam in a fixed-bed catalytic gasification system operating at 1073 K and atmospheric pressure. Sintering temperature, mineralogy and morphology of the ash samples thus obtained were determined using a pressure-drop sintering device, XRD and SEM-EDS, respectively. The results showed that the ash sintering temperature decreased as the K_2CO_3 addition increased, indicating that K_2CO_3 as the catalyst for gasification would promote ash sintering. SEM imaging analysis showed that all the ash samples from LLI with K_2CO_3 addition were composed of agglomerated particles with smooth surfaces, indicating the ashes had incurred partial melting. The degree of melting became more apparent as the K_2CO_3 addition ratio increased. These molten phases were identified as K-bearing arcanite and kaliophilite, which contributed to the formation of liquid phases at lower temperatures, resulting in lowered ash sintering temperatures. It was also revealed that the addition of CaCO_3 decreased the sintering temperatures of ash samples, indicating that the ash sintering was further

  13. Evaluation of the CaCO3 dissolution proxies in sediment cores from above the lysocline

    Digital Repository Service at National Institute of Oceanography (India)

    Naik, S.S.; Naidu, P.D.

    and the total CaCO sub(3) content shows that the total carbonate variations are controlled by the finer fraction composed of juvenile foraminifera, foraminifera fragments and coccolithophores. This further confirms the observed variations of CaCO sub(3) content...

  14. Comparative study on the adsorption of Co2+ on CaCO3 compounds used as adsorbents

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    De Jesus V, S.

    2014-01-01

    The calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) was synthesized by methods of precipitation, calcination, sol-gel and trigonal/sol-gel. These materials were characterized by the techniques of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and N 2 physisorption measurements in order to identify their textural, surface and structural properties. The results show that the material synthesized by sol-gel had the highest surface area of 39.5230 m 2 /g, and a total pore volume of 0.0484 m 3 /g and a pore diameter of 4.9050 nm. The synthesized materials were used to comparatively study their adsorption capacity of Co 2+ ions present in aqueous solutions, by experiments batch or batch type at an ambient temperature (25 grades C) and to 4 hours, balance time established previously under an adsorption kinetic study. They found as maximum adsorption capacities of Co 2+ in materials of 1.8582 mg/g for the calcium carbonate obtained by precipitation, of 0.8586 mg/g for the material obtained by calcining, of 3.1895 mg/g for the material obtained by sol-gel and finally of 2.5783 mg/g for the material obtained by the trigonal/sol-gel method, therefore it follows that the material having the highest adsorption capacity of Co 2+ ions was synthesized by the sol-gel method, because it showed better surface, textural and structural properties compared to other materials studied. (Author)

  15. Net Loss of CaCO3 from a subtropical calcifying community due to seawater acidification: mesocosm-scale experimental evidence

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    K. S. Rodgers

    2009-08-01

    Full Text Available Acidification of seawater owing to oceanic uptake of atmospheric CO2 originating from human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and land-use changes has raised serious concerns regarding its adverse effects on corals and calcifying communities. Here we demonstrate a net loss of calcium carbonate (CaCO3 material as a result of decreased calcification and increased carbonate dissolution from replicated subtropical coral reef communities (n=3 incubated in continuous-flow mesocosms subject to future seawater conditions. The calcifying community was dominated by the coral Montipora capitata. Daily average community calcification or Net Ecosystem Calcification (NEC=CaCO3 production – dissolution was positive at 3.3 mmol CaCO3 m−2 h−1 under ambient seawater pCO2 conditions as opposed to negative at −0.04 mmol CaCO3 m−2 h−1 under seawater conditions of double the ambient pCO2. These experimental results provide support for the conclusion that some net calcifying communities could become subject to net dissolution in response to anthropogenic ocean acidification within this century. Nevertheless, individual corals remained healthy, actively calcified (albeit slower than at present rates, and deposited significant amounts of CaCO3 under the prevailing experimental seawater conditions of elevated pCO2.

  16. 40 CFR 797.1600 - Fish early life stage toxicity test.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-07-01

    ... expressed as calcium carbonate (mg CaCO3/liter). (10) “Loading” the ratio of biomass (grams of fish, wet..., empty shells, opaque embryos, and embryos with fungus or partial shells attached shall be removed and...

  17. The proton-coupled amino acid transporter hPAT1 is the main transporter involved in vigabatrin uptake in intestinal Caco-2 cells

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Nøhr, Martha Kampp; Hansen, Steen Honore'; Brodin, Birger

    2012-01-01

    transporter hPAT1. The aim of the project was to identify if transporters are involved in cellular uptake of vigabatrin in Caco-2 cells. Methods: The uptake rate of vigabatrin was measured in Caco-2 cells at pH 6.0 or 7.4 for 15 min after application of 0.1 – 25.0 mM vigabatrin. The inhibitory effect...... of selected amino acids and -derivatives on the apical vigabatrin uptake in Caco-2 cells was investigated. Vigabatrin samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to a mass selective detector (MSD). Results: The uptake rate of vigabatrin in Caco-2 cells was pH-dependent. The uptake...... of vigabatrin was saturable at pH 6.0 with a Michaelis constant, Km of 12.7 ± 3.7 mM and a maximal flux, Jmax of 3.7 ± 0.5 nmol•min-1•cm-2. The presences of hPAT1 ligands significantly inhibited the uptake of vigabatrin in Caco-2 cells at pH 6.0, whereas hPAT1 non-ligands did not. Discussion: The saturability...

  18. An alternative model for CaCO3 over-shooting during the PETM : Biological carbonate compensation

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Luo, Yiming; Boudreau, Bernard P.; Dickens, Gerald R.; Sluijs, Appy; Middelburg, Jack J.

    2016-01-01

    Decreased CaCO3 content of deep-sea sediments argues for rapid and massive acidification of the oceans during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM, ∼56 Ma BP). In the course of the subsequent recovery from this acidification, sediment CaCO3 content came to exceed pre-PETM levels, known as

  19. Fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces via CaCO3 mineralization mediated by poly(glutamic acid)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cao, Heng; Yao, Jinrong; Shao, Zhengzhong

    2013-03-01

    Surfaces with micrometer and nanometer sized hierarchical structures were fabricated by an one-step in situ additive controlled CaCO3 mineralization method. After chemical modification, the surfaces with various morphologies showed superhydrophobicity in different states, which could be easily adjusted by the initial supersaturation of the mineralization solution (concentration of calcium ion and poly(glutamic acid)). Generally, the "lotus state" surface which was covered by a thick layer of tetrahedron-shaped CaCO3 particles to exhibit a contact angle (CA) of 157±1° and a very low contact angle hysteresis (CAH) (roll-off angle=1°) was produced under high supersaturation. On the other hands, the petal-like surface with flower-shaped calcite spherulites was obtained in a relative low supersaturation, which showed both high CA (156±2°) and CAH (180°) in a "Cassie impregnating wetting state".

  20. Novel method of generation of Ca(HCO32 and CaCO3 aerosols and first determination of hygroscopic and cloud condensation nuclei activation properties

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    A. Trimborn

    2010-09-01

    Full Text Available Atmospheric mineral aerosols contain CaCO3 as a reactive component. A novel method to produce CaCO3 aerosol was developed by spraying Ca(HCO32 solution, which was generated from a CaCO3 suspension and CO2. By aerosol mass spectrometry the freshly sprayed and dried aerosol was characterized to consist of pure Ca(HCO32 which under annealing in a tube furnace transformed into CaCO3. Transmission Electron Microscopy demonstrated that the particles produced were spherical. The method was able to generate aerosol of sufficient concentration and proper size for the study of physiochemical properties and investigations of heterogeneous reactions of mineral aerosol. The dried Ca(HCO32 particles were somewhat more hygroscopic than CaCO3 particles. However, during humidification a restructuring took place and ∼2/3 of the Ca(HCO32 was transformed to CaCO3. The mixed Ca(HCO32/CaCO3(s particles were insoluble with a growth factor of 1.03 at 95% (hygroscopicity parameter κ=0.011±0.007 relative humidity. This compares to a corresponding growth factor of 1.01 for CaCO3(s (κ=0.0016±0.0004. Mass spectrometric composition analysis, restructuring, and insolubility of the mixed particles suggested that solid Ca(HCO32(s was observed. This would be in contrast to the current belief that Ca(HCO32(s is thermodynamically instable. The CCN activity of Ca(HCO32(s aerosol (κ≈0.15 is remarkably higher than that of CaCO3 aerosol (κ=0.0019±0.0007 and less than that of Ca(NO32. The noticeable but limited solubility of Ca(HCO32 of ≈0.01 mol/l explains limited hygroscopic growth and good CCN activity. Experiments in the Large Jülich Aerosol Chamber indicated that Ca(HCO32(s could exist for several hours under dry atmospheric conditions. However, it was likely buried in a protective layer of CaCO3(s. We conclude that Ca(HCO32 may be formed in the atmosphere in cloud droplets of activated mineral dust by reaction of CaCO3 with CO2 and H2O. The presence of Ca(HCO32 and

  1. SGLT1-mediated transport in Caco-2 cells is highly dependent on cell bank origin

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Steffansen, B; Pedersen, Maria; Laghmoch, A M

    2017-01-01

    The Caco-2 cell line is a well-established in vitro model for studying transport phenomena for prediction of intestinal nutrient and drug absorption. However, for substances depending on transporters such predictions are complicated due to variable transporter expression and limited knowledge about...... transporter function during multiple cell passaging and cell thawings. In the case of SGLT1, a key transporter of oral absorption of D-glucose, one reason for compromised prediction could be inadequate expression of SGLT1 in Caco-2 cells and thereby limited sensitivity in the determination of SGLT1-mediated...... permeability (PSGLT1). Here, the objective was to characterize and compare SGLT1-mediated uptake in Caco-2 cells obtained from different cell banks. SGLT1-mediated uptake of the standard SGLT1 substrate, α-MDG, in Caco-2 cells was shown to be highly dependent on cell bank origin. The most robust and reliable...

  2. Acute toxicity of fire control chemicals to Daphnia magna(Straus) and Selenastrum capricornutum(Printz)

    Science.gov (United States)

    McDonald, Susan F.; Hamilton, Steven J.; Buhl, Kevin J.; Heisinger, James F.

    1996-01-01

    Acute toxicity tests were conducted exposingDaphnia magnaStraus (daphnid) in soft and hard reconstituted waters (hardness 42 and 162 mg/liter as CaCO3, respectively), andSelenastrum capricornutumPrintz (algae) in ASTM algal assay medium (hardness 15 mg/liter as CaCO3) to fire retardants Fire-Trol GTS-R, Fire-Trol LCG-R, and Phos-Chek D75-F, and foam suppressants Phos-Chek WD-881 and Silv-Ex. The chemicals were slightly toxic to practically harmless to daphnids and moderately toxic to algae. Water quality did not consistently alter the toxicity of the test chemicals to daphnids. The most toxic chemical to daphnids was Silv-Ex (48-hr EC507 mg/liter in soft and hard waters), whereas the least toxic chemical to daphnids was Fire-Trol LCG-R (48-hr EC50848 mg/liter in soft water, 813 mg/liter in hard water). The most toxic chemical to algae was Fire-Trol LCG-R (96-hr IC5010 mg/liter), and the least toxic chemical was Phos-Chek D75-F (96-hr IC5079 mg/liter). Un-ionized ammonia concentrations near the EC50or IC50value in tests with the Fire-Trol compounds were frequently equal to or above reported LC50un-ionized ammonia concentrations. Un-ionized ammonia concentrations in tests with Phos-Chek D75-F were low, thus other toxic components present in the compounds probably contributed to the toxicity. When compared to the daphnids tested in ASTM soft water, the Fire-Trol compounds were most toxic to algae, whereas Phos-Chek D75-F and the foam suppressants were most toxic to daphnids. The results of these tests are comparable to those obtained from research conducted in other laboratories with the same species and similar chemicals. Accidental entry of fire-fighting chemicals into aquatic environments could adversely affect algae and aquatic invertebrates, thus disrupting ecosystem function.

  3. The Effects of CaCO3 Coated Wood Free Paper Usage as Filler on Water Absorption, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Cellulose-High Density Polyethylene Composites

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Emrah PEŞMAN

    2016-11-01

    Full Text Available In this study some physical, mechanical and thermal characteristics of high density polyethylene (HDPE and CaCO3 coated/pigmented wood free paper fiber composites were investigated. The fillers used in this study were uncoated cellulose, 5.8 %, 11.5 %, 16.5 % and 23.1 % CaCO3 coated wood free paper fibers. Each filler type was mixed with HDPE at 40% by weight fiber loading. In this case, the ratio of CaCO3 in plastic composites were calculated as 0 %, 2.3 %, 4.6 %, 6.6 % and 9.2 % respectively. Increased CaCO3 ratio improved the moisture resistant, flexural and tensile strength of cellulose-HDPE composites. However, the density of the cellulose-HDPE composites increased with CaCO3 addition. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy on Scanning Electron Microscope analysis demonstrated the uniform distribution of CaCO3 and cellulose fiber in plastic matrix. In addition, the thermal properties of fiber plastic composites were investigated. The results of Differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed that the crystallinity of the samples decreased with increasing CaCO3 content. Consequently, this work showed that CaCO3 coated waste paper fibers could be used as reinforcing filler against water absorption in thermoplastic matrix.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.22.4.14222

  4. Physicochemical Properties of Whey-Protein-Stabilized Astaxanthin Nanodispersion and Its Transport via a Caco-2 Monolayer.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shen, Xue; Zhao, Changhui; Lu, Jing; Guo, Mingruo

    2018-02-14

    Astaxanthin nanodispersion was prepared using whey protein isolate (WPI) and polymerized whey protein (PWP) through an emulsification-evaporation technique. The physicochemical properties of the astaxanthin nanodispersion were evaluated, and the transport of astaxanthin was assessed using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model. The astaxanthin nanodispersions stabilized by WPI and PWP (2.5%, w/w) had a small particle size (121 ± 4.9 and 80.4 ± 5.9 nm, respectively), negative ζ potential (-19.3 ± 1.5 and -35.0 ± 2.2 mV, respectively), and high encapsulation efficiency (92.1 ± 2.9 and 93.5 ± 2.4%, respectively). Differential scanning calorimetry curves indicated that amorphous astaxanthin existed in both astaxanthin nanodispersions. Whey-protein-stabilized astaxanthin nanodispersion showed resistance to pepsin digestion but readily released astaxanthin after trypsin digestion. The nanodispersions showed no cytotoxicity to Caco-2 cells at a protein concentration below 10 mg/mL. WPI- and PWP-stabilized nanodispersions improved the apparent permeability coefficient (P app ) of Caco-2 cells to astaxanthin by 10.3- and 16.1-fold, respectively. The results indicated that whey-protein-stabilized nanodispersion is a good vehicle to deliver lipophilic bioactive compounds, such as astaxanthin, and to improve their bioavailability.

  5. Structurally characterized 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine solvated magnesium aryloxide complexes: [Mg(mu-OEt)(DBP)(H-TMG)]2, [Mg(mu-OBc)(DBP)(H-TMG)]2, [Mg(mu-TMBA)(DBP)(H-TMG)]2, [Mg(mu-DPP)(DBP)(H-TMG)]2, [Mg(BMP)2(H-TMG)2], [Mg(O-2,6-Ph2C6H3)2 (H-TMG)2].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Monegan, Jessie D; Bunge, Scott D

    2009-04-06

    The synthesis and structural characterization of several 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (H-TMG) solvated magnesium aryloxide complexes are reported. Bu(2)Mg was successfully reacted with H-TMG, HOC(6)H(3)(CMe(3))(2)-2,6 (H-DBP), and either ethanol, a carboxylic acid, or diphenyl phosphate in a 1:1 ratio to yield the corresponding [Mg(mu-L)(DBP)(H-TMG)](2) where L = OCH(2)CH(3) (OEt, 1), O(2)CC(CH(3))(3) (OBc, 2), O(2)C(C(6)H(2)-2,4,6-(CH(3))(3)) (TMBA, 3), or O(2)P(OC(6)H(5))(2) (DPP, 4). Bu(2)Mg was also reacted with two equivalents of H-TMG and HOC(6)H(3)(CMe(3))-2-(CH(3))-6 (BMP) or HO-2,6-Ph(2)C(6)H(3) to yield [Mg(BMP)(2)(H-TMG)(2)] (5) and [Mg(O-2,6-Ph(2)C(6)H(3))(2)(H-TMG)(2)] (6). Compounds 1-6 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Polymerization of l- and rac-lactide with 1 was found to generate polylactide (PLA). A discussion concerning the relevance of compounds 2 - 4 to the structure of Mg-activated phosphatase enzymes is also provided. The bulk powders for all complexes were found to be in agreement with the crystal structures based on elemental analyses, FT-IR spectroscopy, and (1)H, (13)C and (31)P NMR studies.

  6. Biogenic CaCO3 and Opal Depositions and Their Latitudinal Comparison During the Past 600 ka in the Central Equatorial Pacific

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Boo-Keun Khim

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available The orbital-scale variations in biogenic CaCO3 and opal abundance in two piston cores collected in the central equatorial Pacific (core PC5101 from a southern site at _ and core PC5103 from a northern site at _ were compared to assess latitudinal differences. The correlation between the oxygen isotope stratigraphy of planktonic foraminifera (Globigerinoides sacculifer of PC5103 with the LR04 stacks provides the age of PC5103 to be approximately 950 ka. The age of PC5103 was further refined by correlating the CaCO3 content with the well-dated core RC11-210. The age of PC5101 was also constrained by the same CaCO3 chronostratigraphic correlation with RC11-210, resulting in an age of approximately 650 ka. Distinct orbital-scale series of CaCO3 and opal variations appear to be parallel between the two cores during the past 600 ka, which are controlled mainly by eccentricity with an approximate periodicity of 100 ka. It is worth noting that the biogenic CaCO3 and opal deposition patterns in the two cores differ between interglacial and glacial periods. During interglacial periods the biogenic opal content is higher in the southern core than in the northern core, which corresponds with the present-day condition. In contrast the CaCO3 content is higher in the northern core, which is contradictory to the present-day northward decreasing CaCO3 deposition pattern from the Equator. The collection site of PC5101 is approximately 350 m deeper than that of PC5103, which significantly promotes CaCO3 dissolution and causes unexpectedly high CaCO3 content at the northern site in contrast to the biogenic opal content.

  7. Microstructure and corrosion study of porous Mg-Zn-Ca alloy in simulated body fluid

    Science.gov (United States)

    Annur, Dhyah; Erryani, Aprilia; Lestari, Franciska P.; Nyoman Putrayasa, I.; Gede, P. A.; Kartika, Ika

    2017-03-01

    Magnesium alloys had been considered as promising biomedical devices due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this present work, microstructure and corrosion properties of Mg-Zn-Ca-CaCO3 porous magnesium alloy were examined. Porous metals were fabricated through powder metallurgy process with CaCO3 addition as a foaming agent. CaCO3 content was varied (1, 5, and 10%wt) followed by sintering process in 650 °C in Argon atmosphere for 10 and 15 h. The microstructure of the resulted alloys was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectrometry data (EDS). Further, to examine corrosion properties, electrochemical test were conducted using G750 Gamry Instrument in accordance with ASTM standard G5-94 in simulated body fluid (Hank’s solution). As it was predicted, increasing content of foaming agent was in line with the increasing of pore formation. The electrochemical testing indicated corrosion rate would increase along with the increasing of foaming agent. The porous Mg-Zn-Ca alloy which has more porosity and connecting area will corrode much faster because it can transport the solution containing chloride ion which accelerated the chemical reaction. Highest corrosion resistance was given by Mg-Zn-Ca-1CaCO3-10 h sintering with potential corrosion of  -1.59 VSCE and corrosion rate of 1.01 mmpy. From the microstructure after electrochemical testing, it was revealed that volcano shaped structure and crack would occur after exposure to Hank’s solution

  8. Morphology and Kinetics of Growth of CaCO3 Precipitates Formed in Saline Water at 30°C

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sui, Xin; Wang, Baohui; Wu, Haiming

    2018-02-01

    The crystallization kinetics and morphology of CaCO3 crystals precipitated from the high salinity oilfield water were studied. The crystallization kinetics measurements show that nucleation and nuclei growth obey the first order reaction kinetics. The induction period of precipitation is extended in the high salinity solutions. Morphological studies show that impurity ions remain mostly in the solution phase instead of filling the CaCO3 crystal lattice. The morphology of CaCO3 precipitates can be changed from a smooth surface (calcite) to rough spheres (vaterite), and spindle rod bundles, or spherical, ellipsoid, flowers, plates and other shapes (aragonite).

  9. Estrone-1-sulphate (E1S) has impact on the kinetics parameters of transporter mediated taurine and glutamate influx in Caco-2 cells

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Steffansen, Bente; El-Sayed, F

    Previously, we have suggested estrone-1-sulfate (E1S) to be intercalated into the phospholipid membrane 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-choline (DPPC). The overall hypothesis of the present study was that E1S intercalation in the cell membrane of Caco-2 cells may changes the functionality...... of membrane transporters. The aim was therefore to investigate if addition of E1S to the growth medium of Caco-2 cells before but not during the influx study, change the kinetic parameters of transporter-mediated influx of taurine and glutamate by respective TAUT and EAAT transporters. The results show that 4...

  10. Blood Cockle Shells Waste as Renewable Source for the Production of Biogenic CaCO3 and Its Characterisation

    Science.gov (United States)

    Asmi, D.; Zulfia, A.

    2017-11-01

    The prowess to reuse and recycle of blood cockle shells for raw material in bio-ceramics applications is an attractive component of integrated waste management program. In this paper an attempt is made to introduce a simple process to manufacture biogenic CaCO3 powder from blood cockle shells waste. The biogenic CaCO3 powder was produced from rinsing of blood cockle shells waste using deionised water and oxalic acid for cleaning the dirt and stain on the shells, then drying and grinding followed by heat treatment at 500 and 800 °C for 5 h. The powder obtained was characterised by XRF, DTA/TG, SEM, FTIR, and XRD analysis. The amount of 97.1 % CaO was obtained from XRF result. The thermal decomposition of CaCO3 become CaO due to mass loss was observed in the TG curve. The SEM result shows the needle-like aragonite morphology of blood cockle shells powder transformed to cubic-like calcite after heat treated at 500 °C. These results were consistent with FTIR and XRD results.

  11. Tropical Cyclones Cause CaCO3 Undersaturation of Coral Reef Seawater in a High-CO2 World

    Science.gov (United States)

    Manzello, D.; Enochs, I.; Carlton, R.; Musielewicz, S.; Gledhill, D. K.

    2013-12-01

    Ocean acidification is the global decline in seawater pH and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) saturation state (Ω) due to the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 by the world's oceans. Acidification impairs CaCO3 shell and skeleton construction by marine organisms. Coral reefs are particularly vulnerable, as they are constructed by the CaCO3 skeletons of corals and other calcifiers. We understand relatively little about how coral reefs will respond to ocean acidification in combination with other disturbances, such as tropical cyclones. Seawater carbonate chemistry data collected from two reefs in the Florida Keys before, during, and after Tropical Storm Isaac provide the most thorough data to-date on how tropical cyclones affect the seawater CO2-system of coral reefs. Tropical Storm Isaac caused both an immediate and prolonged decline in seawater pH. Aragonite saturation state was depressed by 1.0 for a full week after the storm impact. Based on current 'business-as-usual' CO2 emissions scenarios, we show that tropical cyclones with high rainfall and runoff can cause periods of undersaturation (Ω negatively impact the structural persistence of coral reefs over this century.

  12. CYP1A1 induction and CYP3A4 inhibition by the fungicide imazalil in the human intestinal Caco-2 cells-comparison with other conazole pesticides.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sergent, Thérèse; Dupont, Isabelle; Jassogne, Coralie; Ribonnet, Laurence; van der Heiden, Edwige; Scippo, Marie-Louise; Muller, Marc; McAlister, Dan; Pussemier, Luc; Larondelle, Yvan; Schneider, Yves-Jacques

    2009-02-10

    Imazalil (IMA) is a widely used imidazole-antifungal pesticide and, therefore, a food contaminant. This compound is also used as a drug (enilconazole). As intestine is the first site of exposure to ingested drugs and pollutants, we have investigated the effects of IMA, at realistic intestinal concentrations, on xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and efflux pumps by using Caco-2 cells, as a validated in vitro model of the human intestinal absorptive epithelium. For comparison, other conazole fungicides, i.e. ketoconazole, propiconazole and tebuconazole, were also studied. IMA induced cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 activity to the same extent as benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell-free aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) binding assay and reporter gene assay suggested that IMA is not an AhR-ligand, implying that IMA-mediated induction should involve an AhR-independent pathway. Moreover, IMA strongly inhibited the CYP3A4 activity in 1,25-vitamin D(3)-induced Caco-2 cells. The other fungicides had weak or nil effects on CYP activities. Study of the apical efflux pump activities revealed that ketoconazole inhibited both P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP-2) or breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), whereas IMA and other fungicides did not. Our results imply that coingestion of IMA-contaminated food and CYP3A4- or CYP1A1-metabolizable drugs or chemicals could lead to drug bioavailability modulation or toxicological interactions, with possible adverse effects for human health.

  13. Hierarchical CaCO3 chromatography: a stationary phase based on biominerals.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sato, Kosuke; Oaki, Yuya; Takahashi, Daisuke; Toshima, Kazunobu; Imai, Hiroaki

    2015-03-23

    In biomineralization, acidic macromolecules play important roles for the growth control of crystals through a specific interaction. Inspired by this interaction, we report on an application of the hierarchical structures in CaCO3 biominerals to a stationary phase of chromatography. The separation and purification of acidic small organic molecules are achieved by thin-layer chromatography and flash chromatography using the powder of biominerals as the stationary phase. The unit nanocrystals and their oriented assembly, the hierarchical structure, are suitable for the adsorption site of the target organic molecules and the flow path of the elution solvents, respectively. The separation mode is ascribed to the specific adsorption of the acidic molecules on the crystal face and the coordination of the functional groups to the calcium ions. The results imply that a new family of stationary phase of chromatography can be developed by the fine tuning of hierarchical structures in CaCO3 materials. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  14. Degradation pattern of porous CaCO3 and hydroxyapatite microspheres in vitro and in vivo for potential application in bone tissue engineering.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhong, Qiwei; Li, Wenhua; Su, Xiuping; Li, Geng; Zhou, Ying; Kundu, Subhas C; Yao, Juming; Cai, Yurong

    2016-07-01

    Despite superior clinical handling, excellent biocompatibility, biodegradation property of calcium phosphate needs to be improved to coincide with the rate of new bone formation. In this study, spherical CaCO3 are fabricated in the presence of the silk sericin and then transformed into porous hydroxyapatite (HAP) microspheres via hydrothermal method. The degradation behavior of obtained CaCO3, HAP and their mixture is first investigated in vitro. The result demonstrates that the weight loss of HAP microspheres are almost 24.3% after immersing in pH 7.40 Tris-HCl buffer solution for 12 weeks, which is far slower than that of spherical CaCO3 (97.5%). The degradation speed of the mixtures depends on the proportion of CaCO3 and HAP. The mixture with higher content of CaCO3 possesses a quicker degradation speed. The obtained CaCO3 and HAP microspheres are injected into subcutaneous tissue of ICR mice with the assistance of sodium alginate. The result in vivo also shows an obvious difference of degradation speed between the obtained CaCO3 and HAP microspheres, implying it is feasible to modulate the degradation property of the mixture through changing the proportion of CaCO3 and HAP The good cytocompatibility of the two kinds of microspheres is proved and a mild inflammation response is observed only at early stage of implantation. The job offers a simple method to modify the degradation properties of biomaterial for potential use in bone tissue engineering. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Filling the holes in the CaFe4As3 structure: Synthesis and magnetism of CaCo5As3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rosa, P. F. S.; Scott, B. L.; Ronning, F.; Bauer, E. D.; Thompson, J. D.

    2017-07-01

    Here, we investigate single crystals of CaCo5As3 by means of single-crystal x-ray diffraction, microprobe, magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, and pressure-dependent transport measurements. CaCo5As3 shares the same structure of CaFe4As3 with an additional Co atom filling a lattice vacancy and undergoes a magnetic transition at TM=16 K associated with a frustrated magnetic order. CaCo5As3 displays metallic behavior and its Sommerfeld coefficient (γ =70 mJ/mol K2) indicates a moderate enhancement of electron-electron correlations. Transport data under pressures to 2.5 GPa reveal a suppression of TM at a rate of -0.008 K/GPa. First-principles electronic structure calculations show a complex three-dimensional band structure and magnetic moments that depend on the local environment at each Co site. Our results are compared with previous data on CaFe4As3 and provide a scenario for a magnetically frustrated ground state in this family of compounds.

  16. Oxygen isotope fractionation in the CaCO3-DIC-H2O system

    Science.gov (United States)

    Devriendt, Laurent S.; Watkins, James M.; McGregor, Helen V.

    2017-10-01

    The oxygen isotope ratio (δ18O) of inorganic and biogenic carbonates is widely used to reconstruct past environments. However, the oxygen isotope exchange between CaCO3 and H2O rarely reaches equilibrium and kinetic isotope effects (KIE) commonly complicate paleoclimate reconstructions. We present a comprehensive model of kinetic and equilibrium oxygen isotope fractionation between CaCO3 and water (αc/w) that accounts for fractionation between both (a) CaCO3 and the CO32- pool (α c / CO32-) , and (b) CO32- and water (α CO32- / w) , as a function of temperature, pH, salinity, calcite saturation state (Ω), the residence time of the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in solution, and the activity of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. The model results suggest that: (1) The equilibrium αc/w is only approached in solutions with low Ω (i.e. close to 1) and low ionic strength such as in the cave system of Devils Hole, Nevada. (2) The sensitivity of αc/w to the solution pH and/or the mineral growth rate depends on the level of isotopic equilibration between the CO32- pool and water. When the CO32- pool approaches isotopic equilibrium with water, small negative pH and/or growth rate effects on αc/w of about 1-2‰ occur where these parameters covary with Ω. In contrast, isotopic disequilibrium between CO32- and water leads to strong (>2‰) positive or negative pH and growth rate effects on α CO32-/ w (and αc/w) due to the isotopic imprint of oxygen atoms derived from HCO3-, CO2, H2O and/or OH-. (3) The temperature sensitivity of αc/w originates from the negative effect of temperature on α CO32-/ w and is expected to deviate from the commonly accepted value (-0.22 ± 0.02‰/°C between 0 and 30 °C; Kim and O'Neil, 1997) when the CO32- pool is not in isotopic equilibrium with water. (4) The model suggests that the δ18O of planktic and benthic foraminifers reflects a quantitative precipitation of DIC in isotopic equilibrium with a high-pH calcifying fluid, leading

  17. Comparative effects of commercial lime (CaCO 3 ) and ground ...

    African Journals Online (AJOL)

    Greenhouse study was carried out to investigate the comparative effect of commercial lime (CaCO3) and ground eggshell on the uptake of calcium and dry matter yield of maize in an ultisol of Southeastern Nigeria using maize (variety Oba supper 92) as the test crop. The soil was acidic and deficient in N, O.C., K, Ca and ...

  18. The Research on Thermal Properties and Hydrophobility of the Native Starch/hydrolysis Starch Blends with Treated CaCO3 Powder

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Chia-I.; Huang, Chi-Yuan

    2008-08-01

    In this research, hydrolysis starch was added into the starch blends to study the thermal properties. The enthalpy of blends had a significant decrease to 109J/g as content of treated CaCO3 increased to 5wt%. The modified starch was degraded slightly to produce glucose in the hydrolysis treatment. The amount of glucose in native starch and hydrolysis starch was 0.09 μmol and 0.14 μmol by the DNS measurement. Moreover, CaCO3 treated with titanium coupling agent was also added to improve miscibility and hydrophobility in the starch blends. The contact angle of the blends increased from 60° to 95° when 15wt% treated CaCO3 was added. Treated CaCO3 was confirmed to improve the hydrophobility of starch blends effectively.

  19. THE RESEARCH ON THERMAL PROPERTIES AND HYDROPHOBILITY OF THE NATIVE STARCH/HYDROLYSIS STARCH BLENDS WITH TREATED CaCO3 POWDER

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu, C.-I; Huang, C.-Y.

    2008-01-01

    In this research, hydrolysis starch was added into the starch blends to study the thermal properties. The enthalpy of blends had a significant decrease to 109J/g as content of treated CaCO 3 increased to 5wt%. The modified starch was degraded slightly to produce glucose in the hydrolysis treatment. The amount of glucose in native starch and hydrolysis starch was 0.09 μmol and 0.14 μmol by the DNS measurement. Moreover, CaCO 3 treated with titanium coupling agent was also added to improve miscibility and hydrophobility in the starch blends. The contact angle of the blends increased from 60 deg. to 95 deg. when 15wt% treated CaCO 3 was added. Treated CaCO 3 was confirmed to improve the hydrophobility of starch blends effectively

  20. Preparation of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 by simultaneous precipitations

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Juiz, S.A.; Varela, J.A.; Santilli, C.V.; Pulcinelli, S.H.; Longo, E.

    1990-01-01

    Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 was obtained by simultaneous precipitation of Pb(NO 3 ) 2' Mg(NO 3 ) 2 . 6H 2 O and NH 4 H 2 /NbO(C 2 O 4 ) 3 ./3H 2 O in alkaline medium. DTA of the precipitates show the PMN formation between 700 and 750 0 C. XRD on powder calcined at 750 0 C indicates on other phases basiders PMN. Measurements of dielectric constants shows a Curie temperature shifted to -80 0 C. (author) [pt

  1. Evaluation of options relative to the fixation and disposal of 14C-contaminated CO2 as CaCO3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Croff, A.G.

    1976-04-01

    A paper study was conducted to determine the best method for fixing the 14 C-contaminated CO 2 resulting from an HTGR fuel block burner as CaCO 3 , and to determine the best methods for disposing of the CaCO 3 thus produced. The fixation method selected was the direct reaction of a Ca(OH) 2 slurry with the CO 2 . The least expensive disposal options which are likely to be acceptable appear to be the shallow-land burial of either drummed CaCO 3 solid (total cost = $18.47/kg heavy metal) or drummed CaCO 3 concreted with cement (total cost = $43.33/kg heavy metal). Neither placing the CO 2 fixation process before the Kr removal process nor separating the bulk of the graphite fuel block from the fuel particles is attractive on both technical and economic grounds. However, reduction of the HTGR fuel nitrogen content appears to be a more attractive method of reducing the 14 C release rate

  2. Influence of elemental diffusion on low temperature formation of MgH2 in TiMn1.3T0.2-Mg (T = 3d-transition elements)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yamamoto, K.; Tanioka, S.; Tsushio, Y.; Shimizu, T.; Morishita, T.; Orimo, S.; Fujii, H.

    1996-01-01

    In order to examine the influence of the elemental diffusion from the host compound into the Mg region on low temperature formation of MgH 2 , we have investigated the hydriding properties and the microstructures of the composite materials TiMn 1.3 T 0.2 -Mg (T = V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu). MgH 2 is formed at 353 K in all composite materials. Of all the substitutions, the amount of MgH 2 is the largest in the case of the Cu substitution, which originates from the existence of the Mg-Mg 2 Cu eutectic formed by Cu diffusion from the host compound TiMn 1.3 Cu 0.2 into the Mg region during the liquid phase sintering. In addition, the hydrogen capacity of TiMn 1.3 Cu 0.2 -Mg (that is TiMn 1.3 Cu 0.1 -(Mg+Mg 2 Cu) after the sintering) easily saturates in comparison with TiMn 1.5 -(Mg+Mg 2 Cu) without Cu diffusion. It is concluded that Cu diffusion promotes the mobility of hydrogen atoms at the complex interface between the host compound and the Mg region. (orig.)

  3. Selenium is critical for cancer-signaling gene expression but not cell proliferation in human colon Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zeng, Huawei; Botnen, James H

    2007-01-01

    Selenium (Se) is a potential anticarcinogenic nutrient, and the essential role of Se in cell growth is well recognized but certain cancer cells appear to have acquired a survival advantage under conditions of Se-deficiency. To understand the molecular basis of Se-anticancer effects at nutritional doses (nmol/L) for cultured cells, we generated Se-deficient colon Caco-2 cells by gradually reducing serum in media because serum contains a trace amount of Se. The glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity of Se-deficient Caco-2 cells was 10.8 mU/mg protein compared to 133.6 approximately 146.3 mU/mg protein in Caco-2 cells supplemented with 500 nmol/L selenite, SeMSC or SeMet (three tested Se-chemical forms) after 7-d culture in serum free media. Interestingly, there were no detectable differences in cell growth, cell cycle progression between Se-deficient cells and cells supplemented with 500 nmol/L Se. To examine differential cancer signaling-gene expression between Se-deficient and Se-supplemented cells, we employed a cancer signal pathway-specific array assay coupled with the real time PCR analysis. Our data demonstrate that although Caco-2 cells are resistant to Se deprivation, Se may exert its anticancer property through increasing the expression of humoral defense gene (A2M) and tumor suppressor-related genes (IGFBP3, HHIP) while decreasing pro-inflammatory gene (CXC L9, HSPB2) expression.

  4. Crystal growth of carbonate apatite using a CaCO3 flux.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Suetsugu, Y; Tanaka, J

    1999-09-01

    Single crystals of carbonate apatite were grown using a CaCO3 flux under an Ar gas pressure of 55 MPa. The crystals obtained were observed by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Electron probe microanalyses and thermal analyses were performed. CO3 ions in planar triangle form replaced both OH sites and PO4 tetrahedral sites in the apatite structure: in particular, the OH sites were perfectly substituted by CO3 ions using this method.

  5. Studying the formation of CaCO3 polymorphs during the carbonation of nano-lime suspension in ethanol

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sevcik, R.; Perez-Estebanez, M.; Macova, P.

    2015-01-01

    The paper is devoted to studying nano-lime and the formation of CaCO 3 polymorphs during this process. Nano-lime means a suspension of Ca(OH) 2 in alcohol, in this case ethanol (CaLoSil(R) E25). Carbonation reaction of nano-lime suspension having a concentration of 25 g l -1 and 5 ml was studied in a climatic chamber at a constant temperature and humidity conditions (T = 20 (1) DEG C., 65 (5), RH). At regular intervals (7, 14, 21 and 28 days), the samples were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Quantitative determination was performed by Rietvelde's smoothing from XPRD data. It was found that the samples contained three crystalline forms of CaCO 3 - calcite, aragonite and vaterite, the percentage of their time was variable. These results will be used in further research on the application of nano-lime on calcareous materials. (Authors)

  6. Compound effect of CaCO3 and CaSO4·2H2O on the strength of steel slag: cement binding materials

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Qi, Liqian; Liu, Jiaxiang; Liu, Qian

    2016-01-01

    In this study, we replaced 30% of the cement with steel slag to prepare binding material; additionally, small amounts of CaCO 3 and CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O were added. This was done to study the compound effect of CaCO 3 and CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O on the strength of steel slag-cement binding materials. The hydration degree of the steel slag cementitious material was analyzed by XRD, TG and SEM. The results showed that the optimum proportions of CaCO 3 and CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O were 3% and 2%, respectively. Compared with the steel slag-cement binders without adding CaCO 3 and CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O, the compressive strength increased by 59.9% at 3 days and by 17.8% at 28 days. Acting as the nucleation matrix, CaCO 3 could accelerate the hydration of C 3 S. In addition, CaCO 3 was involved in the hydration reaction, generating a new hydration product, which could stably exist in a slurry. Meanwhile, CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O could increase the number of AFt. The compound effect of CaCO 3 and CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O enhanced the intensity of steel slag-cement binding materials and improved the whole hydration behavior. (author)

  7. Literally better : Analyzing and improving the quality of literals

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Beek, Wouter; Ilievski, Filip; Debattista, Jeremy; Schlobach, Stefan; Wielemaker, Jan

    2018-01-01

    Quality is a complicated and multifarious topic in contemporary Linked Data research. The aspect of literal quality in particular has not yet been rigorously studied. Nevertheless, analyzing and improving the quality of literals is important since literals form a substantial (one in seven

  8. Biscuits with No Added Sugar Containing Stevia, Coffee Fibre and Fructooligosaccharides Modifies α-Glucosidase Activity and the Release of GLP-1 from HuTu-80 Cells and Serotonin from Caco-2 Cells after In Vitro Digestion.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Martinez-Saez, Nuria; Hochkogler, Christina Maria; Somoza, Veronika; Del Castillo, Maria Dolores

    2017-07-04

    This study assessed the in vitro effects of the bioaccessible food components released during the simulated human digestion of a coffee fibre-containing biscuit (CFB) on α-glucosidase activity, antioxidant capacity and satiety hormones. Digest of CFB presented a significantly ( p < 0.05) lower amount of sugar (68.6 mg/g) and a higher antioxidant capacity (15.1 mg chlorogenic acid eq./g) than that of a sucrose-containing biscuit (SCB). The CFB significantly reduced ( p < 0.05) α-glucosidase activity (IC50 = 3.3 mg/mL) compared to the SCB (IC50 = 6.2 mg/mL). Serotonin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) release by differentiated Caco-2 and HuTu-80 cells, respectively, was stimulated by the CFB (355% at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL and 278% at a concentration of 0.05 mg/mL) to the same order of magnitude as those of the SCB. To summarize, the CFB was demonstrated to reduce monosaccharide bioaccessibility, to inhibit a diabetes-related digestive enzyme, and to improve the release of satiety hormones.

  9. CaCO3 nanoparticle synthesis by carbonation of lime solution in microemulsion systems

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Sugih, A.K.; Shukla, D.; Heeres, H.J.; Mehra, A.

    2007-01-01

    Various aspects of nanoparticle precipitation in gas-reverse micellar systems have been studied. The experimental system chosen for investigation deals with the precipitation of CaCO3 nanoparticles. The effect of operating variables, such as water-to-surfactant molar ratio, different continuous

  10. Enhancing the Durability of Calcareous Stone Monuments of Ancient Egypt Using CaCO3 Nanoparticles

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Mohammad A. Aldoasri

    2017-08-01

    Full Text Available The unwanted changes in valuable historic calcareous stone monuments due to exposure to many physical and chemical effects may lead to its deterioration. The growing interest in the field of conservation of stone monuments encourages the development of consolidation and water-repellent materials. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of CaCO3 nanoparticles as a consolidation and protection material for calcareous stone monuments, when those nanoparticles used are dispersed in acrylic copolymer; polyethylmethacrylate (EMA/methylacrylate (MA (70/30, respectively. Samples were subjected to artificial aging by relative humidity/temperature to show the optimum conditions of durability and the effectiveness of the nano-mixture in improving the physical and mechanical properties of the stone material. The synthesis process of CaCO3 nanoparticles/polymer nanocomposite has been prepared by in situ emulsion polymerization system. The prepared nanocomposites with 0.15 g CaCO3 nanoparticles showed obvious transparency features and represent nanocomposites coating technology with hydrophobic, consolidating and good protection properties. Some tests were performed in order to estimate the superficial consolidating and protective effect of the treatment. The obtained nanocomposites have been characterized by TEM, while the surface morphology before and after treatment and homogeneous distribution of used consolidation materials on stone surface were examined by SEM. Improvement of stone mechanical properties was evaluated by compressive strength tests. Change in water-interaction properties was evaluated by water absorption capillarity measurements, and colorimetric measurements were used to evaluate the optical appearance. Taken together, the results indicate that CaCO3/polymer nanocomposite is a completely compatible, efficient material for the consolidation of artistic and architectural limestone monuments capable of enhancing the

  11. Studium tvorby polymorfů CaCO3 během karbonatace suspenze nanovápna v ethanolu

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Ševčík, Radek; Pérez-Estébanez, Marta; Mácová, Petra

    2015-01-01

    Roč. 11, č. 1 (2015) ISSN 1336-7242. [Zjazd chemikov /67./. 07.09.2015-11.09.2015, Starý Smokovec] R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GP14-20374P; GA MŠk(CZ) LO1219 Keywords : polymorphs * CaCO3 * nanolime * carbonation Subject RIV: AL - Art, Architecture, Cultural Heritage

  12. Mg/Ca partitioning between aqueous solution and aragonite mineral: a molecular dynamics study

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Ruiz-Hernandez, S.E.; Grau-Crespo, R.; Almora-Barrios, N.; Wolthers, M.; Ruiz-Salvador, A.R.; Fernandez, N.; Leeuw, N.H. de

    2012-01-01

    We have calculated the concentrations of Mg in the bulk and surfaces of aragonite CaCO3 in equilibrium with aqueous solution, based on molecular dynamics simulations and grand-canonical statistical mechanics. Mg is incorporated in the surfaces, in particular in the (001) terraces,

  13. Treatment of central precocious puberty by subcutaneous injections of leuprorelin 3-month depot (11.25 mg).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Carel, Jean-Claude; Lahlou, Najiba; Jaramillo, Orlando; Montauban, Vincent; Teinturier, Cécile; Colle, Michel; Lucas, Christel; Chaussain, Jean Louis

    2002-09-01

    Depot GnRH agonists are widely used for the treatment of precocious puberty. Leuprorelin 3-month depot is currently used in adults but has not been evaluated in children. We evaluated the efficacy of this new formulation (11.25 mg every 3 months), for the suppression of gonadotropic activation and pubertal signs in children with central precocious puberty. We included 44 children (40 girls) with early-onset pubertal development in a 6-month open trial. The inclusion criteria were clinical pubertal development before the age of 8 (girls) or 10 (boys), advanced bone age, enlarged uterus (>36 mm), testosterone more than 1.7 nmol/liter (boys), and pubertal response of LH to GnRH (peak >5 IU/liter). The principal criterion for efficacy assessment, GnRH-stimulated LH peak less than 3 IU/liter, was met in 81 of 85 (95%) of the tests performed at months 3 and 6. The remaining four values were slightly above the threshold. The levels of sex steroids were also significantly reduced and clinical pubertal development was arrested. Plasma leuprorelin levels, measured every 30 d, were essentially stable after d 60. Local intolerance was noted after 10 of 86 injections (12%), and was mild in four cases, moderate in five cases, and severe in one. Among these 10 events, 4 consisted in local pain at injection's site. In conclusion, leuprorelin 3-month depot efficiently inhibits the gonadotropic axis in 95% of children with central precocious puberty studied for a 6-month period. This regimen allows the reduction of the number of yearly injections from 12 to 4.

  14. Thermal, Morphological and Physic-Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber - CaCO3 Composites Using Jatropha Oil as Softener.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Nasruddin

    2018-01-01

    Full Text Available The urgency of green technology in rubber compounding has become a critical issue recently. In this research, the effect of using renewable resources in rubber compounding has been studied. Commercial Calcium Carbonate, Silica and Jatropha Oil were used in natural rubber composite. The research was designed by varying the types of commercial filler namely CaCO3 (47-51 phr, silica (47-51 phr and Jatropha Oil (4-6 phr in natural rubber composites (SIR-20. The formulas were intentionally designed for rubber tips vulcanizates. The samples were characterized by the determination of physic-mechanical, thermal (TGA and morphological (SEM properties. From the measured results, there is no significant effect on the tensile strength, specific gravity, and hardness on the loading of commercial CaCO3 and Silica in natural rubber composites using Jatropha Oil. However, a slight difference in elongation at break and abrasion resistance could be detected. Compared to the commercial rubber tips, the rubber tips produced in this research have higher tensile strength, elongation at break and abrasion resistance. Due to the usage of commercial CaCO3 and Silica, the SEM micrographs show rough surface because of the agglomeration. The thermogram shows clearly the compositional analysis of the rubber tips vulcanizates consist of Jatropha Oil and natural rubber, CaCO3, ash and other filler residues such as Silica.

  15. Microstructure and properties of hot extruded Mg-3Zn-Y-xCu (x = 0, 1, 3, 5) alloys

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu, Bao-sheng; Kuang, Ya-fei; Fang, Da-qing; Chai, Yue-sheng [Taiyuan Univ. of Science and Technology (China). College of Materials Science and Engineering; Taiyuan Univ. of Science and Technology (China). Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys of Shanxi Province; Zhang, Yue-zhong [Taiyuan Univ. of Science and Technology (China). Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys of Shanxi Province; Taiyuan Univ. of Science and Technology (China). College of Chemical and Biological Engineering

    2017-04-15

    In petroleum drilling engineering, materials with high strength and rapid degradation are required for degradable fracturing ball applications. In this work, the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior of extruded Mg-3Zn-Y-xCu (x = 0, 1, 3, 5 weight percent) alloys are investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electronic microscopy, compression tests, electrochemical measurements, and hydrogen evolution tests, to explore their potential as excellent candidate alloys for degradable fracturing ball applications. It is found that the Mg-3Zn-Y alloy is mainly composed of α-Mg, Mg{sub 3}Zn{sub 3}Y{sub 2}, and Mg{sub 3}Zn{sub 6}Y phases. After Cu addition, a new MgZnCu phase is formed, while the Mg{sub 3}Zn{sub 3}Y{sub 2} phase disappears. The Mg-3Zn-Y-3Cu alloy shows the highest compressive strength (473 MPa) and yield strength (402 MPa), mainly attributed to the combined effect of the fine-grain and dispersed precipitation of Mg{sub 3}Zn{sub 6}Y and MgZnCu. The corrosion rate of Mg-3Zn-Y-3Cu reaches 0.41 mm day{sup -1} in 3.5 wt.% KCl solution. Consequently, Mg-3Zn-Y-3Cu alloy is a suitable degradable fracturing ball-seat material.

  16. First estimates of the contribution of CaCO3 precipitation to the release of CO2 to the atmosphere during young sea ice growth

    Science.gov (United States)

    Geilfus, N.-X.; Carnat, G.; Dieckmann, G. S.; Halden, N.; Nehrke, G.; Papakyriakou, T.; Tison, J.-L.; Delille, B.

    2013-01-01

    report measurements of pH, total alkalinity, air-ice CO2 fluxes (chamber method), and CaCO3 content of frost flowers (FF) and thin landfast sea ice. As the temperature decreases, concentration of solutes in the brine skim increases. Along this gradual concentration process, some salts reach their solubility threshold and start precipitating. The precipitation of ikaite (CaCO3.6H2O) was confirmed in the FF and throughout the ice by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray analysis. The amount of ikaite precipitated was estimated to be 25 µmol kg-1 melted FF, in the FF and is shown to decrease from 19 to 15 µmol kg-1 melted ice in the upper part and at the bottom of the ice, respectively. CO2 release due to precipitation of CaCO3 is estimated to be 50 µmol kg-1 melted samples. The dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) normalized to a salinity of 10 exhibits significant depletion in the upper layer of the ice and in the FF. This DIC loss is estimated to be 2069 µmol kg-1 melted sample and corresponds to a CO2 release from the ice to the atmosphere ranging from 20 to 40 mmol m-2 d-1. This estimate is consistent with flux measurements of air-ice CO2 exchange. Our measurements confirm previous laboratory findings that growing young sea ice acts as a source of CO2 to the atmosphere. CaCO3 precipitation during early ice growth appears to promote the release of CO2 to the atmosphere; however, its contribution to the overall release by newly formed ice is most likely minor.

  17. Effect of carbonation temperature on CO_2 adsorption capacity of CaO derived from micro/nanostructured aragonite CaCO_3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hlaing, Nwe Ni; Sreekantan, Srimala; Hinode, Hirofumi; Kurniawan, Winarto; Thant, Aye Aye; Othman, Radzali; Mohamed, Abdul Rahman; Salime, Chris

    2016-01-01

    Recent years, CaO-based synthetic materials have been attracted attention as potential adsorbents for CO_2 capture mainly due to their high CO_2 adsorption capacity. In this study, micro/nanostructured aragonite CaCO_3 was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method with using polyacrylamide (PAM). The structural, morphological and thermal properties of the synthesized sample were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and thermogravimetry analysis (TG-DTA). The XRD and FESEM results showed that the obtained sample was aragonite CaCO_3 with aggregated nanorods and microspheres composed of nanorods. A TG-DTA apparatus with Thermoplus 2 software was used to investigate the effect of carbonation temperature on the CO_2 adsorption capacity of CaO derived from aragonite CaCO_3 sample. At 300 °C, the sample reached the CO_2 adsorption capacity of 0.098 g-CO_2/g-adsorbent, whereas the sample achieved the highest capacity of 0.682 g-CO_2/g-adsorbent at 700 °C. The results showed that the carbonation temperature significantly influenced on the CO_2 adsorption capacity of the CaO derived from aragonite CaCO_3.

  18. New fluorescent bile acids: synthesis, chemical characterization, and disastereoselective uptake by Caco-2 cells of 3-deoxy 3-NBD-amino deoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acid.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Májer, Ferenc; Salomon, Johanna J; Sharma, Ruchika; Etzbach, Simona V; Najib, Mohd Nadzri Mohd; Keaveny, Ray; Long, Aideen; Wang, Jun; Ehrhardt, Carsten; Gilmer, John F

    2012-03-01

    Deoxycholic acid (DCA), a secondary bile acid (BA), and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a tertiary BA, cause opposing effects in vivo and in cell suspensions. Fluorescent analogues of DCA and UDCA could help investigate important questions about their cellular interactions and distribution. We have prepared a set of isomeric 3α- and 3β-amino analogues of UDCA and DCA and derivatised these with the discrete fluorophore, 4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol (NBD), forming the corresponding four fluorescent adducts. These absorb in the range 465-470 nm and fluoresce at approx. 535 nm. In order to determine the ability of the new fluorescent bile acids to mimic the parents, their uptake was studied using monolayers of Caco-2 cells, which are known to express multiple proteins of the organic anion-transporting peptide (OATP) subfamily of transporters. Cellular uptake was monitored over time at 4 and 37°C to distinguish between passive and active transport. All four BA analogues were taken up but in a strikingly stereo- and structure-specific manner, suggesting highly discriminatory interactions with transporter protein(s). The α-analogues of DCA and to a lesser extent UDCA were actively transported, whereas the β-analogues were not. The active transport process was saturable, with Michaelis-Menten constants for 3α-NBD DCA (5) being K(m)=42.27±12.98 μM and V(max)=2.8 ± 0.4 nmol/(mg protein*min) and for 3α-NBD UDCA (3) K(m)=28.20 ± 7.45 μM and V(max)=1.8 ± 0.2 nmol/(mg protein*min). These fluorescent bile acids are promising agents for investigating questions of bile acid biology and for detection of bile acids and related organic anion transport processes. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Lycium barbarum L. Polysaccharide (LBP Reduces Glucose Uptake via Down-Regulation of SGLT-1 in Caco2 Cell

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Huizhen Cai

    2017-02-01

    Full Text Available Lycium barbarum L. polysaccharide (LBP is prepared from Lycium barbarum L. (L. barbarum, which is a traditional Chinese medicine. LPB has been shown to have hypoglycemic effects. In order to gain some mechanistic insights on the hypoglycemic effects of LBP, we investigated the uptake of LBP and its effect on glucose absorption in the human intestinal epithelial cell line Caco2 cell. The uptake of LBP through Caco2 cell monolayer was time-dependent and was inhibited by phloridzin, a competitive inhibitor of SGLT-1. LPB decreased the absorption of glucose in Caco2 cell, and down-regulated the expression of SGLT-1. These results suggest that LBP might be transported across the human intestinal epithelium through SGLT-1 and it inhibits glucose uptake via down-regulating SGLT-1.

  20. Fine scale distributions of porosity and particulate excess 210Pb, organic carbon and CaCO3 in surface sediments of the deep equatorial Pacific

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Jahnke, R.A.; Emerson, S.R.; Cochran, J.K.; Hirschberg, D.J.

    1986-01-01

    Sediment samples were recovered from the central equatorial Pacific Ocean, sectioned at 1-mm intervals, and analyzed for porosity, organic carbon, excess 210 Pb and CaCO 3 . Steep porosity gradients were measured in the upper 1 cm of the sediment column with extremely high values observed near the sediment surface. Similarly, particulate organic carbon contents are highest at the sediment surface, decrease sharply in the upper 1 cm, and are relatively constant between 1 and 5 cm. CaCO 3 values, on the other hand, are lowest at the sediment surface and increase to a constant value below 5-10 mm depth. At the carbonate ooze sites, excess 210 Pb is present throughout the upper 5 cm of the sediments suggesting relatively rapid particle mixing rates. However, extremely high excess 210 Pb activities (> 100 dpm/g) are observed at the sediment surface with sharp gradients present in the upper 1 cm which would suggest slow rates of mixing. This apparent contradiction along with the major features of the CaCO 3 and particulate organic carbon profiles can be explained by a particle-selective feeding mechanism in which organic carbon, excess 210 Pb-enriched particles are preferentially maintained at the sediment surface via ingestion and defecation by benthic organisms. (orig.)

  1. Milk peptides increase iron solubility in water but do not affect DMT-1 expression in Caco-2 cells

    Science.gov (United States)

    In vitro digestion of milk produces peptide fractions that enhance iron uptake by Caco-2 cells. Our objectives were to investigate whether these fractions a) exert their effect by increasing relative gene expression of DMT-1 in Caco-2 cells b) enhance iron dialyzability when added in meals. Peptid...

  2. Growth and survival of silver catfish larvae, Rhamdia quelen (Heptapteridae, at different calcium and magnesium concentrations

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Lenise Vargas Flores da Silva

    Full Text Available Since the relative ratios of Ca2+ and Mg2+ can vary greatly from one water body to another, and lime used for the increase of water hardness or pH can have different ratios of Ca2+ and Mg2+ in its composition, the objective of this study was to analyze the growth and survival of silver catfish, Rhamdia quelen, larvae at different calcium and magnesium concentrations. After fertilization, eggs were randomly divided into 4 treatments (three replicates per treatment with different concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ at hardness values of 70 mg.L-1 CaCO3 (mg.L-1 : 5.2 Ca2+ and 14.12 Mg2+; 13.11 Ca2+ and 7.11 Mg2+; 20.26 Ca2+ and 2.86 Mg2+; 24.95 Ca2+ and 0.95 Mg2+ and 150 mg.L-1 CaCO3 (mg.L-1 : 5.2 Ca2+ and 32.70 Mg2+; 28.63 Ca2+ and 16.44 Mg2+; 44.68 Ca2+and 6.44 Mg2+; 62.78 Ca2+ and 0.95 Mg2+. There was also another group exposed to water hardness of 20 mg.L-1 CaCO3 (Ca2+ 5.2 mg.L-1 and Mg2+ 0.95 mg.L-1 at both experiments. The post-hatch larvae were transferred to continuously aerated 40 L polyethylene aquaria (400 larvae/tank containing the same water as used for incubation. Samples of larvae were collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 21, and the length, weight, and specific growth rate were determined for each collection. Survival and biomass were calculated on day 21. At water hardness of 70 mg.L-1 CaCO3, the best survival and growth of silver catfish larvae was observed at water with 20.26 mg.L-1 Ca2+ and 2.89 mg.L-1 Mg2+, with similar results to the group exposed to water hardness of 20 mg.L-1 CaCO3. However, compared to the group exposed to water hardness of 20 mg.L-1 CaCO3, survival and growth were lower at 150 mg.L-1 CaCO3. Therefore, a hardness range of 20 to 70 mg.L-1 CaCO3 is recommended for silver catfish larviculture, but with 20.26 mg.L-1 Ca2+ and 2.89 mg.L-1 Mg2+ at 70 mg.L-1 CaCO3. Water hardness of 150 mg.L-1 CaCO3 is not recommended for this species.

  3. Experimental examination of the Mg-silicate-carbonate system at ambient temperature: Implications for alkaline chemical sedimentation and lacustrine carbonate formation

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tutolo, Benjamin M.; Tosca, Nicholas J.

    2018-03-01

    Despite their clear economic significance, Cretaceous presalt carbonates of the South Atlantic continental margins are not well-described by published facies models. This knowledge gap arises, in part, because the chemical processes that generate distinctive sedimentary products in alkaline, non-marine environments are poorly understood. Here, we use constraints inferred from reported mineralogical and geochemical features of presalt carbonate rocks to design and perform a suite of laboratory experiments to quantify the processes of alkaline chemical sedimentation. Using real-time observations of in-situ fluid chemistry, post-experiment analysis of precipitated solids, and geochemical modeling tools, we illustrate that spherulitic carbonates and Mg-silicate clays observed in presalt carbonates were likely precipitated from elevated pH (∼10-10.5) waters with high concentrations of silica and alkali cations typical of intermediate to felsic rocks, such as Na+ and K+. Charge balance constraints require that these cations were not counterbalanced to any significant degree by anions typical of seawater, such as Cl- and SO4-, which implies minimal seawater involvement in presalt deposition. Experimental data suggest that, at this alkaline pH, only modest concentrations (i.e., ∼0.5-1 mmol/kg) of Ca++ would have been required to precipitate spheroidal CaCO3. Given the rapid rates of CaCO3 nucleation and growth under such conditions, it is unlikely that Ca++ concentrations in lake waters ever exceeded these values, and sustained chemical fluxes are therefore required for extensive sediment accumulation. Moreover, our experiments indicate that the original mineralogy of presalt CaCO3 could have been calcite or aragonite, but the differing time scales of precipitation between CaCO3 and Mg-silicates would have tended to skew the Mg/Ca ratio in solution towards elevated values which favor aragonite. Mg-silicate nucleation and growth rates measured during our experiments

  4. Measuring Translation Literality

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Carl, Michael; Schaeffer, Moritz

    2017-01-01

    Tirkkonen-Condit (2005: 407–408) argues that “It looks as if literal translation is [the result of] a default rendering procedure”. As a corollary, more literal translations should be easier to process, and less literal ones should be associated with more cognitive effort. In order to assess this...

  5. Cell-Penetrating CaCO3 Nanocrystals for Improved Transport of NVP-BEZ235 across Membrane Barrier in T-Cell Lymphoma

    Science.gov (United States)

    Civallero, Monica; Citti, Cinzia; Cosenza, Maria; Baldassarre, Francesca; Cannazza, Giuseppe; Pozzi, Samantha; Sacchi, Stefano

    2018-01-01

    Owing to their nano-sized porous structure, CaCO3 nanocrystals (CaCO3NCs) hold the promise to be utilized as desired materials for encapsulating molecules which demonstrate wide promise in drug delivery. We evaluate the possibility to encapsulate and release NVP-BEZ235, a novel and potent dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor that is currently in phase I/II clinical trials for advanced solid tumors, from the CaCO3NCs. Its chemical nature shows some intrinsic limitations which induce to administer high doses leading to toxicity; to overcome these problems, here we proposed a strategy to enhance its intracellular penetration and its biological activity. Pristine CaCO3 NCs biocompatibility, cell interactions and internalization in in vitro experiments on T-cell lymphoma line, were studied. Confocal microscopy was used to monitor NCs-cell interactions and cellular uptake. We have further investigated the interaction nature and release mechanism of drug loaded/released within/from the NCs using an alternative approach based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Our approach provides a good loading efficiency, therefore this drug delivery system was validated for biological activity in T-cell lymphoma: the anti-proliferative test and western blot results are very interesting because the proposed nano-formulation has an efficiency higher than free drug at the same nominal concentration. PMID:29370086

  6. Different nature of glacial CaCO3 constituents between MIS 2 and MIS 12 in the East Sea/Japan Sea and its paleoceanographic implication

    Science.gov (United States)

    Khim, Boo-Keun; Tada, Ryuji; Itaki, Takuya

    2014-05-01

    Two piston cores (PC-05 and PC-08) were collected on the Yamato Rise in the East Sea/Japan Sea during the KR07-12 cruise. A composite core was achieved with the successful replacement of almost half of the upper part of core PC-05 by the entirety of core PC-08 based on the co-equivalence of L* values and the dark layers, because an interval (170 cm to 410 cm) of core PC-05 was considerably disturbed due to fluidization during the core execution. Chronostratigraphy of the composite core was constructed by the direct comparison of L* values to the well-dated core MD01-2407 that was obtained in the Oki Ridge. The lower-bottom of the composite core reached back to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 14, based on the age estimate by LR04 stacks. Downcore opal variation of the composite core exhibited the distinct orbital-scale cyclic changes; high during the interglacial and low during the glacial periods. However, downcore CaCO3 variation showed no corresponding orbital-scale cyclic change between glacial and interglacial periods. Some intervals of both periods were high in CaCO3 content. Frequent and large fluctuations in CaCO3 content seemed to be more related to the presence of dark layers containing thin lamination (TL) within the glacial and interglacial intervals. It is worthy to note that MIS 2 and MIS 12 are characterized by distinctly high CaCO3 content, showing up to 18% and 73%, respectively, among the glacial periods. Furthermore, in terms of lithology, MIS 2 was characterized by a thick dark layer (low L* values) with TL, whereas MIS 12 preserved the distinctly light layer (high L* values) with parallel laminations. Another remarkable dissimilarity between MIS 2 and MIS 12 was the nature of their CaCO3 constituent; the CaCO3 constituent of MIS 2 consisted of mostly planktonic foraminifera, whereas that of MIS 12 was mostly dump of coccolithophorids, regardless the presence of planktonic foraminifera. The distinctness of the CaCO3 constituents between MIS 2 and MIS

  7. Gasification catalysts prepared by the reaction of CaCO3 and coal. Tansan karushiumu to sekitan no ion kokan hanno ni yori choseishita kokassei gas ka shokubai

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Otsuka, Y.; Asami, K. (Tohoku University, Sendai (Japan). Institute for Chemical Reaction Science)

    1991-11-07

    Properties of the active gasification catalysts prepared by ion exchange reaction of CaCO3 and coal were studied. Several kinds of Ca-loaded coal specimens were prepared to compare their properties among them by physically mixing coal particles with CaCO3 ones in air, by kneading both materials in pure water while crashing and by impregnating CaCO3 into coal while agitating them in pure water. Although Ca-loading onto the impregnated specimen was nearly one-half that of the kneaded one, its catalysis was equal to the kneaded one. CaCO3 greatly accelerated steam gasification only by mixing it with low rank coal in water, and such a high catalytic activity was caused by ion-exchanged Ca produced by the reaction between CaCO3 and COOH radical in coal. Aragonite of seashells yielded more Ca-loading than calcite of limestone, suggesting one of the useful treatment of seashell waste. 3 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.

  8. Impact of location of CaCO3 precipitation on the development of intact anaerobic sludge

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Langerak, van E.P.A.; Ramaekers, H.; Wiechers, J.; Veeken, A.H.M.; Hamelers, H.V.M.; Lettinga, G.

    2000-01-01

    The development of intact anaerobic granular sludge was studied in UASB reactors under varying conditions of CaCO3 precipitation and biomass yield. Varying precipitating quantities were obtained using different calcium concentrations in the influent and different biomass yields were obtained by

  9. Structural and physical properties of Mg3-xZnxSb2 (x=0-1.34)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ahmadpour, Faraz; Kolodiazhnyi, Taras; Mozharivskyj, Yurij

    2007-01-01

    The Mg 3-x Zn x Sb 2 phases with x=0-1.34 were prepared by direct reactions of the elements in tantalum tubes. According to the X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction, the Mg 3-x Zn x Sb 2 phases crystallize in the same P3-bar m1 space group as the parent Mg 3 Sb 2 phase. The Mg 3-x Zn x Sb 2 structure is different from the other substituted structures of Mg 3 Sb 2 , such as (Ca, Sr, Ba) Mg 2 Sb 2 or Mg 5.23 Sm 0.77 Sb 4 , in a way that in Mg 3-x Zn x Sb 2 the Mg atoms on the tetrahedral sites are replaced, while in the other structures Mg on the octahedral sites is replaced. Thermoelectric performance for the two members of the series, Mg 3 Sb 2 and Mg 2.36 Zn 0.64 Sb 2 , was evaluated from low to room temperatures through resistivity, Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity measurements. In contrast to Mg 3 Sb 2 which is a semiconductor, Mg 2.36 Zn 0.64 Sb 2 is metallic and exhibits an 18-times larger dimensionless figure-of-merit, ZT, at room temperature. However, thermoelectric performance of Mg 2.36 Zn 0.64 Sb 2 is still poor and it is mostly due to its large electrical resistivity. - Graphical abstract: The Mg atoms in Mg 3 Sb 2 were successfully substituted with Zn, with Zn going exclusively into the tetrahedral sites. Zn substitution increases the electrical conductivity in Mg 2.36 Zn 0.64 Sb 2 by closing the band gap. This change combined with a decrease in the thermal conductivity improves the ZT value

  10. On the densification and hydration of CaCO3 particles by Q-switched laser pulses in water

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lin, Peng-Wen; Wu, Chao-Hsien; Zheng, Yuyuan; Chen, Shuei-Yuan; Shen, Pouyan

    2013-09-01

    Calcite powders subjected to Q-switched laser pulses in water were characterized by X-ray/electron diffraction and optical spectroscopy to have a significant internal compressive stress (up to ca. 1.5 GPa) with accompanied transformation into defective calcite II and hydrates. The defective calcite II particles were (0 1 0), (0 0 1), (0 1¯ 1), (0 1 3) and (0 1¯ 3) faceted with 2×(0 2 0)II commensurate superstructure and tended to hydrate epitaxially as monohydrocalcite co-existing with ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O) with extensive cleavages and amorphous calcium carbonate with porous structure. The colloidal suspension containing the densified calcite polymorphs and hydrates showed two UV-visible absorptions corresponding to a minimum band gap of ca. 5 and 3 eV, respectively.

  11. Synthesis and characterization of Nitrogen-doped &CaCO3-decorated reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for electrochemical supercapacitors

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ghouri, Zafar Khan; Barakat, Nasser A.M.; Alam, Al-Mahmnur; Alsoufi, Mohammad S.; Bawazeer, Tahani M.; Mohamed, Ahmed F.; Kim, Hak Yong

    2015-01-01

    Alone, it is expected, and also was experimentally proved, that calcium carbonate and reduced graphene oxide do have negligible specific capacitance due to the chemical composition of both materials. However, synthesis of CaCO 3 on the form of very thin sporadic layer attaching rGO results in dramatic increase in the specific capacitance of the obtained composite due to formation of the electrochemical double layer at the interfacial area. Moreover, the specific capacitance could be further enhanced by nitrogen-doping of the rGO sheets. Typically, a novel N-rGO/CaCO 3 composite has been successfully synthesized by heat reflux strategy with graphite powder, calcium acetate and urea as raw materials.The composite was characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), coupled with rapid EDAX (energy dispersive analysis of X-Ray) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The utilized physiochemical characterizations indicated that the final prepared composite can be demonstrated as N-doped rGO decorated by very thin discrete layer from calcium carbonate. Supercapacitive performance of N-rGO/CaCO 3 composite has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 1 M KOH solution. The results reveal that the N-rGO/CaCO 3 composite delivers a large specific capacitance of as high as 214 Fg −1 and 188 Fg −1 at 5 mV s −1 and 1.0 Ag −1 , according to CV and galvanostatic charge-discharge tests, respectively; while the CaCO 3 , rGO, rGO/CaCO 3 , N-rGO based electrodes has a poor electrochemical performance at the same conditions. Moreover, the as-prepared composite exhibited excellent long cycle stability with about 88.7% specific capacitance retained after 10,000 cycles.

  12. Interaction of cruciferin-based nanoparticles with Caco-2 cells and Caco-2/HT29-MTX co-cultures.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Akbari, Ali; Lavasanifar, Afsaneh; Wu, Jianping

    2017-12-01

    The objective of this work was to assess the potential of Cruciferin/Calcium (Cru/Ca) and Cruciferin/Chitosan (Cru/Cs) nanoparticles for oral drug delivery. For this purpose, Cru/Ca and Cru/Cs nanoparticles were developed through cold gelation of Cruciferin, a major canola protein, and in interaction with calcium and chitosan, respectively. The extent and rate of particle uptake in Caco-2 cells and Caco-2/HT29 co-culture was then evaluated by fluorescence spectroscopy as well as flow cytometry. Through pre-incubation of Caco-2 cell monolayer with specific endocytosis inhibitors, the mechanism of cell uptake was investigated. Our results showed that the uptake of negatively-charged Cru/Ca particles to be ∼3 times higher than positively-charged Cru/Cs ones by Caco-2 cells. Presence of mucus secreted by HT29 cells in their co-culture with Caco-2 had negligible influence on the uptake and transport of both particles. In contrast to Cru/Ca particles which were dissociated in the simulated gastrointestinal conditions, digestion of Cru/Cs particles resulted in 6- and 2-fold increase in the cellular uptake and transport of encapsulated coumarin in the latter particles, respectively. While the presence of mucus in Caco-2/HT29 co-culture caused 40-50% decrease of cellular uptake and transport for coumarin encapsulated in digested Cru/Cs particles, it had no significant effect on the cell uptake and transport of coumarin associated with Cru/Ca particles after digestion. Energy-dependent mechanisms were the dominant mechanism for uptake of both undigested and digested particles. Therefore, in Caco-2/HT29 co-culture which closely simulated intestinal epithelial cells, undigested Cru/Ca and Cru/Cs particles had the ability to penetrate mucus layers, while digested Cru/Cs particles showed mucoadhesive property, and digested Cru/Ca particles were dissociated. Our results points to a potential for cruciferin based nanoparticles for oral drug delivery. The long-term objective of

  13. Influence of charge on FITC-BSA-loaded chondroitin sulfate-chitosan nanoparticles upon cell uptake in human Caco-2 cell monolayers

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Hu CS

    2012-09-01

    Full Text Available Chieh-shen Hu,1 Chiao-hsi Chiang,2 Po-da Hong,1,4,* Ming-kung Yeh13,*1Biomedical Engineering Program, Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology; 2School of Pharmacy, National Defence Medical Center; 3Bureau of Pharmaceutical Affairs, Ministry of National Defence Medical Affairs Bureau; 4Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workBackground and methods: Chondroitin sulfate-chitosan (ChS-CS nanoparticles and positively and negatively charged fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated bovine serum albumin (FITC-BSA-loaded ChS-CS nanoparticles were prepared and characterized. The properties of ChS-CS nanoparticles, including cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and transepithelial transport, as well as findings on field emission-scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy were evaluated in human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2 fibroblasts. ChS-CS nanoparticles with a mean particle size of 250 nm and zeta potentials ranging from –30 to +18 mV were prepared using an ionic gelation method.Results: Standard cell viability assays demonstrated that cells incubated with ChS-CS and FITC-BSA-loaded ChS-CS nanoparticles remained more than 95% viable at particle concentrations up to 0.1 mg/mL. Endocytosis of nanoparticles was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and measured by flow cytometry. Ex vivo transepithelial transport studies using Caco-2 cells indicated that the nanoparticles were effectively transported into Caco-2 cells via endocytosis. The uptake of positively charged FITC-BSA-loaded ChS-CS nanoparticles across the epithelial membrane was more efficient than that of the negatively charged nanoparticles.Conclusion: The ChS-CS nanoparticles fabricated in this study were

  14. Reversing multidrug resistance in Caco-2 by silencing MDR1, MRP1, MRP2, and BCL-2/BCL-xL using liposomal antisense oligonucleotides.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yu-Li Lo

    Full Text Available Multidrug resistance (MDR is a major impediment to chemotherapy. In the present study, we designed antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs against MDR1, MDR-associated protein (MRP1, MRP2, and/or BCL-2/BCL-xL to reverse MDR transporters and induce apoptosis, respectively. The cationic liposomes (100 nm composed of N-[1-(2,3-dioleyloxypropyl]-n,n,n-trimethylammonium chloride and dioleoyl phosphotidylethanolamine core surrounded by a polyethylene glycol (PEG shell were prepared to carry ASOs and/or epirubicin, an antineoplastic agent. We aimed to simultaneously suppress efflux pumps, provoke apoptosis, and enhance the chemosensitivity of human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells to epirubicin. We evaluated encapsulation efficiency, particle size, cytotoxicity, intracellular accumulation, mRNA levels, cell cycle distribution, and caspase activity of these formulations. We found that PEGylated liposomal ASOs significantly reduced Caco-2 cell viability and thus intensified epirubicin-mediated apoptosis. These formulations also decreased the MDR1 promoter activity levels and enhanced the intracellular retention of epirubicin in Caco-2 cells. Epirubicin and ASOs in PEGylated liposomes remarkably decreased mRNA expression levels of human MDR1, MRP1, MRP2, and BCL-2. The combined treatments all significantly increased the mRNA expressions of p53 and BAX, and activity levels of caspase-3, -8, and -9. The formulation of epirubicin and ASOs targeting both pump resistance of MDR1, MRP1, and MRP2 and nonpump resistance of BCL-2/BCL-xL demonstrated more superior effect to all the other formulations used in this study. Our results provide a novel insight into the mechanisms by which PEGylated liposomal ASOs against both resistance types act as activators to epirubicin-induced apoptosis through suppressing MDR1, MRP1, and MRP2, as well as triggering intrinsic mitochondrial and extrinsic death receptor pathways. The complicated regulation of MDR highlights the necessity

  15. An unaccounted fraction of marine biogenic CaCO3 particles.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Mikal Heldal

    Full Text Available Biogenic production and sedimentation of calcium carbonate in the ocean, referred to as the carbonate pump, has profound implications for the ocean carbon cycle, and relate both to global climate, ocean acidification and the geological past. In marine pelagic environments coccolithophores, foraminifera and pteropods have been considered the main calcifying organisms. Here, we document the presence of an abundant, previously unaccounted fraction of marine calcium carbonate particles in seawater, presumably formed by bacteria or in relation to extracellular polymeric substances. The particles occur in a variety of different morphologies, in a size range from 100 µm, and in a typical concentration of 10(4-10(5 particles L(-1 (size range counted 1-100 µm. Quantitative estimates of annual averages suggests that the pure calcium particles we counted in the 1-100 µm size range account for 2-4 times more CaCO(3 than the dominating coccolithophoride Emiliania huxleyi and for 21% of the total concentration of particulate calcium. Due to their high density, we hypothesize that the particles sediment rapidly, and therefore contribute significantly to the export of carbon and alkalinity from surface waters. The biological and environmental factors affecting the formation of these particles and possible impact of this process on global atmospheric CO(2 remains to be investigated.

  16. Curcumin inhibits cholesterol uptake in Caco-2 cells by down-regulation of NPC1L1 expression

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Duan Rui-Dong

    2010-04-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background Curcumin is a polyphenol and the one of the principle curcuminoids of the spice turmeric. Its antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects have been intensively studied. Previous in vivo studies showed that administration of curcumin also decreased cholesterol levels in the blood, and the effects were considered to be related to upregulation of LDL receptor. However, since plasma cholesterol levels are also influenced by the uptake of cholesterol in the gut, which is mediated by a specific transporter Niemann-Pick Cl-like 1 (NPC1L1 protein, the present study is to investigate whether curcumin affects cholesterol uptake in the intestinal Caco-2 cells. Methods Caco-2 cells were cultured to confluence. The micelles composed of bile salt, monoolein, and 14C-cholesterol were prepared. We first incubated the cells with the micelles in the presence and absence of ezetimibe, the specific inhibitor of NPC1L1, to see whether the uptake of the cholesterol in the cells was mediated by NPC1L1. We then pretreated the cells with curcumin at different concentrations for 24 h followed by examination of the changes of cholesterol uptake in these curcumin-treated cells. Finally we determined whether curcumin affects the expression of NPC1L1 by both Western blot analysis and qPCR quantification. Results We found that the uptake of radioactive cholesterol in Caco-2 cells was inhibited by ezetimibe in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that the uptake of cholesterol in this study was mediated by NPC1L1. We then pretreated the cells with 25-100 μM curcumin for 24 h and found that such a treatment dose-dependently inhibited cholesterol uptake with 40% inhibition obtained by 100 μM curcumin. In addition, we found that the curcumin-induced inhibition of cholesterol uptake was associated with significant decrease in the levels of NPC1L1 protein and NPC1L1 mRNA, as analyzed by Western blot and qPCR, respectively. Conclusion

  17. Curcumin inhibits cholesterol uptake in Caco-2 cells by down-regulation of NPC1L1 expression.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Feng, Dan; Ohlsson, Lena; Duan, Rui-Dong

    2010-04-19

    Curcumin is a polyphenol and the one of the principle curcuminoids of the spice turmeric. Its antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects have been intensively studied. Previous in vivo studies showed that administration of curcumin also decreased cholesterol levels in the blood, and the effects were considered to be related to upregulation of LDL receptor. However, since plasma cholesterol levels are also influenced by the uptake of cholesterol in the gut, which is mediated by a specific transporter Niemann-Pick Cl-like 1 (NPC1L1) protein, the present study is to investigate whether curcumin affects cholesterol uptake in the intestinal Caco-2 cells. Caco-2 cells were cultured to confluence. The micelles composed of bile salt, monoolein, and 14C-cholesterol were prepared. We first incubated the cells with the micelles in the presence and absence of ezetimibe, the specific inhibitor of NPC1L1, to see whether the uptake of the cholesterol in the cells was mediated by NPC1L1. We then pretreated the cells with curcumin at different concentrations for 24 h followed by examination of the changes of cholesterol uptake in these curcumin-treated cells. Finally we determined whether curcumin affects the expression of NPC1L1 by both Western blot analysis and qPCR quantification. We found that the uptake of radioactive cholesterol in Caco-2 cells was inhibited by ezetimibe in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that the uptake of cholesterol in this study was mediated by NPC1L1. We then pretreated the cells with 25-100 muM curcumin for 24 h and found that such a treatment dose-dependently inhibited cholesterol uptake with 40% inhibition obtained by 100 muM curcumin. In addition, we found that the curcumin-induced inhibition of cholesterol uptake was associated with significant decrease in the levels of NPC1L1 protein and NPC1L1 mRNA, as analyzed by Western blot and qPCR, respectively. Curcumin inhibits cholesterol uptake through suppression of NPC1L1

  18. Experimental Study Of Precipitation Competition Of Ca(OH)2 And Mg(OH)2 On MSF Desalination Condition

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sumijanto

    2001-01-01

    Competition study has been carried out by using sea water simulation containing of 142 on deposit ppm of bicarbonate ion, 400 ppm of calcium ion and 1272 ppm of magnesium ion. Experiment was performed by heating sample at temperature 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 C for 30 minutes. Precipitation competition of Ca(OHh and Mg(OHh was analyzed by reduction of calcium and magnesium ion. Experiment data showed information that at the temperature bellow 800 o C CaCO 3 precipitation was more dominant, meanwhile above than 80 o C precipitation Mg(OH) 2 was more dominant. This competition occurred because at temperature more than 80 o C rate of hydroxyl ion formation and Mg(OH) 2 recipitation was greater than CaCO 3 precipitation and at temperature bellow 80 o C rate of hydrolysis carbonate ion was less than thermal decomposition bicarbonates ion

  19. [Comparison of 1 mg/body and 3 mg/body of intravenous granisetron for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and adverse events in hematological malignancy patients].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Motohashi, Shinya; Hori, Katsuhito; Ono, Takaaki; Ohnishi, Kazunori; Kawakami, Junichi

    2012-01-01

    Granisetron is a selective 5-hydroxy tryptamine3 receptor antagonist and widely used for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Recommended dose of intravenous granisetron in the USA and Europe has been set at 0.01 mg/kg (1 mg/body) in the antiemetic treatment guidelines established by the American Society of Clinical Oncology and National Comprehension Cancer Network. In contrast, the approved dose in Japan is 0.04 mg/kg (3 mg/body). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared 1 mg/body with 3 mg/body of intravenous granisetron for CINV had been reported in Japan. In these RCTs, however, hematological malignancy patients were excluded. We performed observational retrospective study to compare 1 mg/body with 3 mg/body of intravenous granisetron for the prevention of CINV and adverse events in hematological malignancy patients. Number of the patients and chemotherapy courses were 15 and 30 in the 1 mg/body group, and 15 and 27 in the 3 mg/body group, respectively. No nausea rates in the 1 and 3 mg/body group were 83% and 89% of courses, respectively. No vomiting rates in the 1 and 3 mg/body group were 97% and 100% of courses, respectively. The incidences of constipation in the 1 and 3 mg/body group were 34% and 45% of courses, respectively. Anaphylaxis and headache did not occur in both groups. Our findings suggested that 1 mg/body of intravenous granisetron can prevent from CINV in hematological malignancy patients, as well as 3 mg/body.

  20. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of NO2 reactions on CaCO3 (1014) surfaces in humid environments.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Baltrusaitis, Jonas; Grassian, Vicki H

    2012-09-13

    In this study, alternating current (AC) mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) combined with phase imaging and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate the effect of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) adsorption on calcium carbonate (CaCO3) (101̅4) surfaces at 296 K in the presence of relative humidity (RH). At 70% RH, CaCO3 (101̅4) surfaces undergo rapid formation of a metastable amorphous calcium carbonate layer, which in turn serves as a substrate for recrystallization of a nonhydrated calcite phase, presumably vaterite. The adsorption of nitrogen dioxide changes the surface properties of CaCO3 (101̅4) and the mechanism for formation of new phases. In particular, the first calcite nucleation layer serves as a source of material for further island growth; when it is depleted, there is no change in total volume of nitrocalcite, Ca(NO3)2, particles formed whereas the total number of particles decreases. This indicates that these particles are mobile and coalesce. Phase imaging combined with force curve measurements reveals areas of inhomogeneous energy dissipation during the process of water adsorption in relative humidity experiments, as well as during nitrocalcite particle formation. Potential origins of the different energy dissipation modes within the sample are discussed. Finally, XPS analysis confirms that NO2 adsorbs on CaCO3 (101̅4) in the form of nitrate (NO3(-)) regardless of environmental conditions or the pretreatment of the calcite surface at different relative humidity.

  1. Motor activation in literal and non literal sentences: does time matter?

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Cristina eCacciari

    2013-05-01

    Full Text Available Despite the impressive amount of evidence showing involvement of the sensorimotor systems in language processing, important questions remain unsolved among which the relationship between non literal uses of language and sensorimotor activation. The literature did not yet provide a univocal answer on whether the comprehension of non literal, abstract motion sentences engages the same neural networks recruited for literal sentences. A previous TMS study using the same experimental materials of the present study showed activation for literal, fictive and metaphoric motion sentences but not for idiomatic ones. To evaluate whether this may depend on insufficient time for elaborating the idiomatic meaning, we conducted a behavioural experiment that used a sensibility judgment task performed by pressing a button either with a hand finger or with a foot. Motor activation is known to be sensitive to the action-congruency of the effector used for responding. Therefore, all other things being equal, significant differences between response emitted with an action-congruent or incongruent effector (foot vs. hand may be attributed to motor activation. Foot-related action verbs were embedded in sentences conveying literal motion, fictive motion, metaphoric motion or idiomatic motion. Mental sentences were employed as a control condition. Foot responses were significantly faster than finger responses but only in literal motion sentences. We hypothesize that motor activation may arise in early phases of comprehension processes (i.e. upon reading the verb for then decaying as a function of the strength of the semantic motion component of the verb.

  2. Engineered Nanoparticles as Potential Food Contaminants and Their Toxicity to Caco-2 Cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mao, Xiaomo; Nguyen, Trang H D; Lin, Mengshi; Mustapha, Azlin

    2016-08-01

    Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), such as metallic or metallic oxide nanoparticles (NPs), have gained much attention in recent years. Increasing use of ENPs in various areas may lead to the release of ENPs into the environment and cause the contamination of agricultural and food products by ENPs. In this study, we selected two important ENPs (zinc oxide [ZnO] and silver [Ag] NPs) as potential food contaminants and investigated their toxicity via an in vitro model using Caco-2 cells. The physical properties of ENPs and their effects on Caco-2 cells were characterized by electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic (EDS) techniques. Results demonstrate that a significant inhibition of cell viability was observed after a 24-h of exposure of Caco-2 cells to 3-, 6-, and 12-mM ZnO NPs or 0.5-, 1.5-, and 3-mM Ag NPs. The noticeable changes of cells include the alteration in cell shape, abnormal nuclear structure, membrane blebbing, and cytoplasmic deterioration. The toxicity of ZnO NPs, but not that of Ag NPs after exposure to simulated gastric fluid, significantly decreased. Scanning transmission electron microscopy shows that ZnO and Ag NPs penetrated the membrane of Caco-2 cells. EDS results also confirm the presence of NPs in the cytoplasm of the cells. This study demonstrates that ZnO and Ag NPs have cytotoxic effects and can inhibit the growth of Caco-2 cells. © 2016 Institute of Food Technologists®

  3. Anodic behavior of Mg in acidic AlCl31-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride ionic liquid

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Xu, Bajin; Qu, Rui; Ling, Guoping

    2014-01-01

    Highlights: • A viscous layer formed at Mg/ionic liquid interface after the dissolution of Mg. • As direct evidence, photo of viscous layer at the interface was presented. • Viscous layer was resulted from accumulation of dissolved Mg(II) at interface. • Formation of viscous layer resulted in a homogenous etched Mg surface. • Dissolution model of Mg and formation mechanism of viscous layer was discussed. - Abstract: In this paper, anodic behavior of Mg in acidic AlCl 31-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (AlCl 3 –EMIC) ionic liquid was investigated by conducting linear sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry and chonopotentiometry. The viscosity of Mg dissolved ionic liquid and the surface morphologies of Mg were characterized using an Ostwald viscometer and a scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results showed that the oxide film on the surface of Mg had great effects on the anodic behavior. The dissolution of Mg under anodic polarization occurred after the breakdown of oxide film. A viscous layer was observed forming at the interface of Mg/ionic liquid during the dissolution process. The formation of viscous layer was attributed to the accumulation of Mg dissolved AlCl 3 –EMIC ionic liquid at the interface, which was of high viscosity. With a viscous layer formed in the anodic process, the etched surface of Mg anode was homogeneous and flat without any etching pits. Otherwise, the Mg showed a morphology of pitting on the surface

  4. Novel synthesis strategy for composite hydrogel of collagen/hydroxyapatite-microsphere originating from conversion of CaCO3 templates.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wei, Qingrong; Lu, Jian; Wang, Qiaoying; Fan, Hongsong; Zhang, Xingdong

    2015-03-20

    Inspired by coralline-derived hydroxyapatite, we designed a methodological route to synthesize carbonated-hydroxyapatite microspheres from the conversion of CaCO3 spherulite templates within a collagen matrix under mild conditions and thus constructed the composite hydrogel of collagen/hydroxyapatite-microspheres. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to confirm the successful generation of the carbonated hydroxyapatite phase originating from CaCO3, and the ratios of calcium to phosphate were tracked over time. Variations in the weight portion of the components in the hybrid gels before and after the phase transformation of the CaCO3 templates were identified via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows these composite hydrogels have a unique multiscale microstructure consisting of a collagen nanofibril network and hydroxyapatite microspheres. The relationship between the hydroxyapatite nanocrystals and the collagen fibrils was revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in detail, and the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern further confirmed the results of the XRD analyses which show the typical low crystallinity of the generated hydroxyapatite. This smart synthesis strategy achieved the simultaneous construction of microscale hydroxyapatite particles and collagen fibrillar hydrogel, and appears to provide a novel route to explore an advanced functional hydrogel materials with promising potentials for applications in bone tissue engineering and reconstruction medicine.

  5. Electrical transport in low-lead (1-x)BaTiO3–xPbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 ceramics

    Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)

    J. SUCHANICZ; K. KONIECZNY; K. ŚWIERCZEK; M. LIPIŃSKI; M. KARPIERZ; D. SITKO; H. CZTERNASTEK; K. KLUCZEWSKA

    2017-01-01

    Low-lead (1-x)BaTiO3–xPbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 ceramics (x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, and 0.15) were prepared by the conventional oxide mixed sintering process, and their optical band gap, Seebeck coefficient, ac ( σac ) and dc ( σdc ) conductivities as a function of temperature were investigated for the first time. It was found that all samples have p-type conductivity. The low-frequency (20 Hz–2 MHz) ac conductivity obeys a power law σac ~ ωs , which is characteristic for disordered materials. The frequency exponent s is a decreasing function of temperature and tends to zero at high temperature. σac is proportional to ω0.07 – ω0.31 in the low-frequency region and to ω0.51 – ω0.98 in the high-temperature region. The temperature dependence of the dc conductivity showed a change in slope around the temperature at which the phase transition appeared. Both ac and dc conductivities showed a thermally activated character and possessed linear parts with different activation energies and some irregular changes. It was found that the hopping charge carriers dominate at low temperature and small polarons and oxygen vacancies dominate at higher temperature. (1-x)BaTiO3–xPbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 ceramics are expected to be promising new candidate for low-lead electronic materials.

  6. Utilization of Encapsulated CaCO_3 in Liquid Core Capsules for Improving Lactic Acid Fermentation

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Boon-Beng, Lee; Nurul Ainina Zulkifli

    2016-01-01

    Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been used for food fermentation due to its fermentative ability to improve and enhance the quality of the end food products. However, the performance of LAB is affected as fermentation time elapsed because the microbial growth is inhibited by its end product, for example lactic acid. In this study, a new approach was introduced to reduce the product inhibition effect using CaCO_3 which is encapsulated in spherical liquid core capsules of diameter 3.5 mm and 3.6 mm produced through extrusion dripping method. The results showed that the pH and lactic acid concentration of LAB fermentation was well maintained by the capsules. The results of the fermentation conducted to control pH and lactic acid concentration using the capsules were better than those of the control set and comparable with that of the free CaCO_3 set. In addition, the viable cell concentration of L. casei shirota was high at the end of fermentation when the fermentation was conducted using the capsules. The results of this study suggested that the capsules have high potential to be applied for pH and lactic acid level control in LAB fermentation for various productions. (author)

  7. The effect of folate status on the uptake of physiologically relevant compounds by Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tavares, Sandra; Sousa, Joana; Gonçalves, Pedro; Araújo, João R; Martel, Fátima

    2010-08-25

    The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of folate status on the uptake of several physiologically relevant substances by Caco-2 cells. For this, Caco-2 cells cultured in high-folate conditions (HF) and low-folate conditions (LF) were compared. Growth rates of HF and LF Caco-2 cells were similar. However, proliferation rate of LF cells was greater than that of HF cells during the first 2days of culture and slightly smaller thereafter, viability of LF cells was greater than that of HF cells, and apoptosis index was similar in both cell cultures. We verified that in LF cells, comparatively to HF cells: (1) uptake of [3H]folic acid is upregulated, via an increase in the Vmax of uptake; (2) uptake of [3H]deoxy-glucose, [3H]O-methyl-glucose and [3H]1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) is downregulated, via a decrease in the Vmax of uptake; additionally, a reduction in Km was observed for [3H]O-methyl-glucose; (3) uptake of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine and [14C]butyrate is not changed; and (4) the steady-state mRNA levels of the folic acid transporters RFC (reduced folate carrier), PCFT (proton-coupled folate transporter) and FRalpha (folate receptor alpha), of the organic cation transporter OCT1 (organic cation transporter type 1), of the glucose transporter GLUT2 (facilitative glucose transporter type 2) and of the butyrate transporter MCT1 (monocarboxylate transporter type 1) were decreased. In conclusion, folate deficiency produces substrate-specific changes in the uptake of bioactive compounds by Caco-2 cells. Moreover, these changes are associated with alterations in the mRNA levels of specific transporters for these compounds. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Epitaxial Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 thin films synthesized by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bai, G. R.; Streiffer, S. K.; Baumann, P. K.; Auciello, O.; Ghosh, K.; Stemmer, S.; Munkholm, A.; Thompson, Carol; Rao, R. A.; Eom, C. B.

    2000-01-01

    Metal-organic chemical vapor deposition was used to prepare Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 (PMN) thin films on (001) SrTiO 3 and SrRuO 3 /SrTiO 3 substrates, using solid Mg β-diketonate as the Mg precursor. Parameters including the precursor ratio in the vapor phase, growth temperature, growth rate, and reaction pressure in the reactor chamber were varied in order to determine suitable growth conditions for producing phase-pure, epitaxial PMN films. A cube-on-cube orientation relationship between the thin film and the SrTiO 3 substrate was found, with a (001) rocking curve width of 0.1 degree sign , and in-plane rocking-curve width of 0.8 degree sign . The root-mean-square surface roughness of a 200-nm-thick film on SrTiO 3 was 2 to 3 nm as measured by scanning probe microscopy. The zero-bias dielectric constant and loss measured at room temperature and 10 kHz for a 200-nm-thick film on SrRuO 3 /SrTiO 3 were approximately 1100 and 2%, respectively. The remnant polarization for this film was 16 μC/cm 2 . (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics

  9. Influence of CaCO3, Al2O3, and TiO2 microfillers on physico-mechanical properties of Luffa cylindrica/polyester composites

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Vinay Kumar Patel

    2016-06-01

    Full Text Available The development of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites has gained popularity in many applications due to their environment friendly characteristics over the synthetic fibre based polymer composites. This paper describes the fabrication and physical, mechanical, three-body abrasive wear and water absorption behaviour of Luffa fibre reinforced polyester composites with and without addition of micro-fillers of Al2O3, CaCO3 and TiO2. The ranking of the composite materials has been made by using Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS method with output parameters of their physical, mechanical and abrasive wear and water absorption attributes. The addition of microfillers has enhanced greatly the physical and mechanical properties of Luffa-fibre based composites. The addition of microfillers has influenced the physico-mechanical properties of Luffa-fibre based polyester composites in descending order of CaCO3, Al2O3, and TiO2.

  10. Low molecular weight procyanidins from grape seeds enhance the impact of 5-Fluorouracil chemotherapy on Caco-2 human colon cancer cells.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ker Y Cheah

    Full Text Available OBJECTIVE: Grape seed procyanidins (PC are flavan-3-ol oligomers and polymers known for their biological activity in the gut. Grape seed extract (GSE have been reported to reduce intestinal injury in a rat model of mucositis. We sought to investigate effects of purified PC fractions differing in mean degree of polymerization (mDP combined with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU chemotherapy on the viability of colon cancer cells (Caco-2. DESIGN: SixPC fractions (F1-F6 were isolated from Cabernet Sauvignon seeds at two ripeness stages: pre-veraison unripe (immature and ripe (mature, utilizing step gradient, low-pressure chromatography on a Sephadex LH-20 resin. Fractions were tested on Caco-2 cells, alone and in combination with 5-FU. Eluted fractions were characterized by phloroglucinolysis and gel permeation chromatography. Cell viability was determined by the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2yl-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT assay. RESULTS: All isolated fractions significantly reduced Caco-2 cell viability compared to the control (P<0.05, but F2 and F3 (mDP 2-6 were the most active fractions (immature F2 = 32% mDP 2.4, F3 = 35% mDP 5.8 and mature F2 = 13% mDP 3.6 and F3 = 17% mDP 5.9; percentage of viable cells remaining on Caco-2 cells. When combined with 5-FU, immature fractions F1-F3 enhanced the cell toxicity effects of 5-FU by 27-73% (P<0.05. Mature seed PC fractions (F1-F4 significantly enhanced the toxicity of 5-FU by 60-83% against Caco-2 cells (P<0.05. Moreover, some fractions alone were more potent at decreasing viability in Caco-2 cells (P<0.05; immature fractions = 65-68% and mature fractions = 83-87% compared to 5-FU alone (37%. CONCLUSIONS: PCs of mDP 2-6 (immature F1-F3 and mature F1 and F4not only enhanced the impact of 5-FU in killing Caco-2 cells, but also surpassed standard 5-FU chemotherapy as an anti-cancer agent.The bioactivity of PC is therefore attributed primarily to lower molecular weight PCs.

  11. Effect of coccolith polysaccharides isolated from the coccolithophorid, Emiliania huxleyi, on calcite crystal formation in in vitro CaCO3 crystallization.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kayano, Keisuke; Saruwatari, Kazuko; Kogure, Toshihiro; Shiraiwa, Yoshihiro

    2011-02-01

    Marine coccolithophorids (Haptophyceae) produce calcified scales "coccoliths" which are composed of CaCO(3) and coccolith polysaccharides (CP) in the coccolith vesicles. CP was previously reported to be composed of uronic acids and sulfated residues, etc. attached to the polymannose main chain. Although anionic polymers are generally known to play key roles in biomineralization process, there is no experimental data how CP contributes to calcite crystal formation in the coccolithophorids. CP used was isolated from the most abundant coccolithophorid, Emiliania huxleyi. CaCO(3) crystallization experiment was performed on agar template layered onto a plastic plate that was dipped in the CaCO(3) crystallization solution. The typical rhombohedral calcite crystals were formed in the absence of CP. CaCO(3) crystals formed on the naked plastic plate were obviously changed to stick-like shapes when CP was present in the solution. EBSD analysis proved that the crystal is calcite of which c-axis was elongated. CP in the solution stimulated the formation of tabular crystals with flat edge in the agarose gel. SEM and FIB-TEM observations showed that the calcite crystals were formed in the gel. The formation of crystals without flat edge was stimulated when CP was preliminarily added in the gel. These observations suggest that CP has two functions: namely, one is to elongate the calcite crystal along c-axis and another is to induce tabular calcite crystal formation in the agarose gel. Thus, CP may function for the formation of highly elaborate species-specific structures of coccoliths in coccolithophorids.

  12. Intact penetratin metabolite permeates across Caco-2 monolayers

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Birch, Ditlev; Christensen, Malene Vinther; Stærk, Dan

    . Previous studies have demonstrated that cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) may be used as carriers in order to improve the bioavailability of a therapeutic cargo like insulin after oral administration. Penetratin, a commonly used CPP, has been shown to increase the uptake of insulin across Caco-2 cell......-2 cells cultured on permeable filter inserts and in cell lysates, respectively. The epithelial permeation of penetratin and the formed metabolites was assessed by using Caco-2 monolayers cultured on permeable filter inserts. Results Preliminary data revealed that at least one specific metabolite...... is formed upon both intracellular and extracellular degradation of penetratin (figure 1A). Following incubation with epithelium for 4 hours, the metabolite permeated the Caco-2 monolayer and the concentration increased approximately 10-fold when compared to a sample collected following 15 minutes...

  13. Human rotavirus strain Wa downregulates NHE1 and NHE6 expressions in rotavirus-infected Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chen, Honglang; Song, Lijun; Li, Guixian; Chen, Wenfeng; Zhao, Shumin; Zhou, Ruoxia; Shi, Xiaoying; Peng, Zhenying; Zhao, Wenchang

    2017-06-01

    Rotavirus (RV) is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis and fatal dehydration in human infants and neonates of different species. However, the pathogenesis of rotavirus-induced diarrhea is poorly understood. Secretory diarrhea caused by rotavirus may lead to a combination of excessive secretion of fluid and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen. Fluid absorption in the small intestine is driven by Na + -coupled transport mechanisms at the luminal membrane, including Na + /H + exchanger (NHE). Here, we performed qRT-PCR to detect the transcription of NHEs. Western blotting was employed for protein detection. Furthermore, immunocytochemistry was used to validate the NHE's protein expression. Finally, intracellular Ca 2+ concentration was detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results demonstrated that the NHE6 mRNA and protein expressed in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco-2). Furthermore, RV-Wa induced decreased expression of the NHE1 and NHE6 in Caco-2 cell in a time-dependent manner. In addition, intracellular Ca 2+ concentration in RV-Wa-infected Caco-2 cells was higher than that in the mock-infected cells. Furthermore, RV-Wa also can downregulate the expression of calmodulin (CaM) and calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) in Caco-2 cells. These findings provides important insights into the mechanisms of rotavirus-induced diarrhea. Further studies on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that downregulate NHEs in RV-induced diarrhea are required.

  14. Study of chromites YbMIICr2O5,5 (MII - Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba by X-ray diffraction

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    B. Kasenov

    2012-03-01

    Full Text Available Compounds of composition YbMeMnFeO5,5 (Me – Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba are synthesized from Yb2O3, , Cr2O3 and MgCO3, CaCO3, SrCO3, BaCO3 by solid phase method. X-ray powder diffraction showed that the compound YbMgCr2O5,5, YbCaCr2O5,5, YbSrCr2O5,5, YbBaCr2O5,5 crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system.

  15. Nanospheres of alginate prepared through w/o emulsification and internal gelation with nanoparticles of CaCO3

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Paques, J.P.; Sagis, L.M.C.; Rijn, van C.J.M.; Linden, van der E.

    2014-01-01

    Gelled nanospheres of alginate are prepared through a single step technique involving emulsification and gelation. CaCO3 nanoparticles, together with glucono delta-lactone (GDL), are dispersed in an alginate solution, which is subsequently dispersed in an oil phase and followed by gelation of the

  16. Different regulation of P-glycoprotein function between Caco-2 and Caki-1 cells by ezrin, radixin and moesin proteins.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yano, Kentaro; Otsuka, Kyoma; Kato, Yuko; Kawabata, Hideaki; Ohmori, Shinya; Arakawa, Hiroshi; Ogihara, Takuo

    2016-03-01

    P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediates efflux of many xenobiotics, including therapeutic drugs, from normal and tumour tissues, and its functional localization on the plasma membrane of cells is regulated by scaffold proteins, such as ezrin, radixin and moesin (ERM proteins). We previously reported that radixin is involved in post-translational regulation of P-gp in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and mouse small intestine, but not in mouse kidney. Here, we investigated whether the role of ERM proteins in regulation of P-gp transport activity in cancers is the same as that in the corresponding normal tissues, using human colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells and renal carcinoma (Caki-1) cells. In Caco-2 cells, radixin silencing alone reduced the P-gp-mediated intracellular accumulation of rhodamine123 (Rho123), while the mRNA level of P-gp was unchanged. Thus, it appears that only radixin among the ERMs regulates P-gp activity in Caco-2 cells. On the other hand, none of the ERM proteins influenced P-gp activity in Caki-1 cells. The regulation of P-gp by ERM proteins is different between Caco-2 and Caki-1 cells. Moreover, these regulatory properties are the same as those of the corresponding normal tissues, and suggest that tissue-specific differences in the regulation of P-gp by ERM proteins are retained in cancerous tissues. © 2016 Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.

  17. Evaluation of the inflammatory response to Kudoa septempunctata genotype ST3 isolated from olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus in Caco-2 cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ahn Meejung

    2018-01-01

    Full Text Available Kudoa septempunctata (Myxosporea, Multivalvulida is a parasite of the trunk muscle of cultured olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus. We investigated whether K. septempunctata genotype ST3 spores induce cell damage and the secretion of inflammatory mediators in Caco-2 cells, which exhibit characteristics similar to human intestinal epithelial cells. Purified K. septempunctata spores were heated at 95 °C for 5 min. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH release was measured to determine the efficacy of denaturation. Naïve and heated spores, lipopolysaccharide (positive control and vehicle (negative control were added to Caco-2 cells. Cells were subjected to the cytotoxic LDH assay and western blot analysis to examine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS and cyclooxygenase (COX-2. Supernatants were collected to measure nitric oxide (NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2. Most spores were denaturated by heating, and the spore morphology was found to be wrinkled with shell valves and polar capsules. In addition, cytotoxicity and inflammatory mediators, such as NO, PGE2, iNOS, and COX-2, remained unchanged in Caco-2 cells following exposure to naïve and heated spores compared with the positive controls. Collectively, the findings of this study imply that spores of K. septempunctata genotype ST3 do not cause inflammation in Caco-2 cells.

  18. Remediation of acid mine drainage at the friendship hill national historic site with a pulsed limestone bed process

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sibrell, P.L.; Watten, B.; Boone, T.; ,

    2003-01-01

    A new process utilizing pulsed fluidized limestone beds was tested for the remediation of acid mine drainage at the Friendship Hill National Historic Site, in southwestern Pennsylvania. A 230 liter-per-minute treatment system was constructed and operated over a fourteen-month period from June 2000 through September 2001. Over this period of time, 50,000 metric tons of limestone were used to treat 50 million liters of water. The influent water pH was 2.5 and acidity was 1000 mg/L as CaCO3. Despite the high potential for armoring at the site, effluent pH during normal plant operation ranged from 5.7 to 7.8 and averaged 6.8. As a result of the high influent acidity, sufficient CO2 was generated and recycled to provide a net alkaline discharge with about 50 mg/L as CaCO3 alkalinity. Additions of commercial CO2 increased effluent alkalinity to as high as 300 mg/L, and could be a useful process management tool for transient high flows or acidities. Metal removal rates were 95% for aluminum (60 mg/L in influent), 50 to 90% for iron (Fe), depending on the ratio of ferrous to ferric iron, which varied seasonally (200 mg/L in influent), and treatment passive settling/oxidation pond. Metal hydroxide sludges were settled in settling tanks, and then hauled from the site for aesthetic purposes. Over 450 metric tons of sludge were removed from the water over the life of the project. The dried sludge was tested by the Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Protocol (TCLP) and was found to be non-hazardous. Treatment costs were $43,000 per year and $1.08 per m 3, but could be decreased to $22,000 and $0.51 per m3 by decreasing labor use and by onsite sludge handling. These results confirm the utility of the new process in treatment of acid impaired waters that were previously not amenable to low cost limestone treatment.

  19. Lycopene reduces cholesterol absorption through the downregulation of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 in Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zou, Jun; Feng, Dan

    2015-11-01

    Elevated blood cholesterol is an important risk factor associated with atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Tomato lycopene has been found to have a hypocholesterolemic effect, and the effect was considered to be related to inhibition of cholesterol synthesis. However, since plasma cholesterol levels are also influenced by the absorption of cholesterol in the gut, the present study is to investigate whether lycopene affects cholesterol absorption in the intestinal Caco-2 cells. The Caco-2 cells were pretreated with lycopene at different concentrations for 24 h and then incubated with radioactive micellar cholesterol for 2 h. The absorption of radioactive cholesterol was quantified by liquid scintillation. The expression of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) and liver X receptor α (LXRα) was analyzed by Western blot and qPCR. We found that lycopene dose dependently inhibited cholesterol absorption and the expression of NPC1L1 protein and NPC1L1 mRNA. The inhibitory effects of lycopene on cholesterol absorption and NPC1L1 expression could be prevented by blockade of the LXRα pathway. This study provides the first evidence that lycopene inhibits cholesterol absorption in the intestinal cells and this inhibitory effect of lycopene is mediated, at least in part, by LXRα-NPC1L1 signaling pathway. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  20. PLGA encapsulation and radioiodination of indole-3-carbinol: investigation of anticancerogenic effects against MCF7, Caco2 and PC3 cells by in vitro assays

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gorkem Yildiz; Ayfer Yurt Kilcar; Medine, E.I.; Volkan Tekin; Ozge Kozgus Guldu; Zumrut Biber Muftuler, F.

    2017-01-01

    Encapsulation with PLGA of I3C and radioiodination have been performed. Anticancerogenic effects of I3C and I3C-PLGA have been investigated utilizing in vitro methods on breast adenocarcinoma epithelial (MCF7), colon adenocarcinoma epithelial (Caco2), prostate carcinoma epithelial (PC3) cells. Characterization of I3C-PLGA have been performed with DLS method and SEM analysis. I3C and I3C-PLGA compounds have been radiolabeled in high yields with "1"3"1I which is widely used for diagnosis and treatment in Nuclear Medicine. All experimental results demonstrated that radioiodinated compounds are promising in order to be used in Nuclear Medicine as well as present study contributed previously reported studies. (author)

  1. Uptake and metabolism of structured triglyceride by Caco-2 cells: reversal of essential fatty acid deficiency.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Spalinger, J H; Seidman, E G; Lepage, G; Ménard, D; Gavino, V; Levy, E

    1998-10-01

    Structured lipids have been proposed as efficient vehicles for the supplementation of essential fatty acids (EFA) to patients with malabsorption. We investigated how a novel structured triglyceride (STG), containing purely octanoic acid in the sn-1/sn-3 and [14C]linoleic acid in the sn-2 positions, was incorporated into different lipid classes in Caco-2 cells. We also evaluated the contribution of gastric lipase in the uptake and metabolism of [14C]linoleic acid from the STG. We furthermore determined the potential of the STG to correct EFA deficiency induced in Caco-2 cells. The absorption of STG by Caco-2 cells was significantly greater compared with that of triolein. The addition of human gastric lipase significantly enhanced cellular uptake of the labeled substrate, reflecting the stereoselectivity of gastric lipase to hydrolyze medium chain FA. Analysis of the intracellular lipids synthesized revealed a predominance of phospholipids-monoglycerides. Most of the radioactivity in the lipoproteins isolated from Caco-2 cells was recovered in TG-rich lipoproteins (45%) and to a lesser extent in the high-density lipoprotein (36%) and low-density lipoprotein (17%) fractions. The administration of STG to Caco-2 cells rendered EFA deficient produced a marked increase of the cellular level of linoleic and arachidonic acids. This resulted in a lower ratio of 20:3(n-9) to 20:4(n-6), reflecting the correction of EFA deficiency in Caco-2 cells. Our data demonstrate that STG, in the presence of gastric lipase, have beneficial effects on lipid incorporation, lipoprotein production, and EFA status, utilizing Caco-2 cells as a model of EFA deficiency.

  2. Glutathione S-transferase expression and isoenzyme composition during cell differentiation of Caco-2 cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Scharmach, E.; Hessel, S.; Niemann, B.; Lampen, A.

    2009-01-01

    The human colon adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2 is frequently used to study human intestinal metabolism and transport of xenobiotica. Previous studies have shown that both Caco-2 cells and human colon cells constitutively express the multigene family of detoxifying enzymes glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), particularly GST alpha and GST pi. GSTs may play a fundamental role in the molecular interplay between phase I, II enzymes and ABC-transporters. The gut fermentation product, butyrate, can modulate the potential for detoxification. The aim of this study was to investigate the basal expression of further cytosolic GSTs in Caco-2 cells during cell differentiation. In addition, a comparison was made with expression levels in MCF-7 and HepG2, two other cell types with barrier functions. Finally, the butyrate-mediated modulation of gene and protein expression was determined by real time PCR and western blot analysis. In Caco-2, gene and protein expression levels of GST alpha increased during cell differentiation. High levels of GSTO1 and GSTP1 were constantly expressed. No expression of GSTM5 and GSTT1 was detected. HepG2 expressed GSTO1 and MCF-7 GSTZ1 most intensively. No expression of GSTA5, GSTM5, or GSTP1 was detected in either cell. Incubation of Caco-2 cells with butyrate (5 mM) significantly induced GSTA1 and GSTM2 in proliferating Caco-2 cells. In differentiated cells, butyrate tended to increase GSTO1 and GSTP1. The results of this study show that a differentiation-dependent expression of GSTs in Caco-2 cells may reflect the in vivo situation and indicate the potential of butyrate to modify intestinal metabolism. GSTA1-A4 have been identified as good markers for cell differentiation. The Caco-2 cell line is a useful model for assessing the potential of food-related substances to modulate the GST expression pattern.

  3. Glutathione S-transferase expression and isoenzyme composition during cell differentiation of Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Scharmach, E; Hessel, S; Niemann, B; Lampen, A

    2009-11-30

    The human colon adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2 is frequently used to study human intestinal metabolism and transport of xenobiotica. Previous studies have shown that both Caco-2 cells and human colon cells constitutively express the multigene family of detoxifying enzymes glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), particularly GST alpha and GST pi. GSTs may play a fundamental role in the molecular interplay between phase I, II enzymes and ABC-transporters. The gut fermentation product, butyrate, can modulate the potential for detoxification. The aim of this study was to investigate the basal expression of further cytosolic GSTs in Caco-2 cells during cell differentiation. In addition, a comparison was made with expression levels in MCF-7 and HepG2, two other cell types with barrier functions. Finally, the butyrate-mediated modulation of gene and protein expression was determined by real time PCR and western blot analysis. In Caco-2, gene and protein expression levels of GST alpha increased during cell differentiation. High levels of GSTO1 and GSTP1 were constantly expressed. No expression of GSTM5 and GSTT1 was detected. HepG2 expressed GSTO1 and MCF-7 GSTZ1 most intensively. No expression of GSTA5, GSTM5, or GSTP1 was detected in either cell. Incubation of Caco-2 cells with butyrate (5 mM) significantly induced GSTA1 and GSTM2 in proliferating Caco-2 cells. In differentiated cells, butyrate tended to increase GSTO1 and GSTP1. The results of this study show that a differentiation-dependent expression of GSTs in Caco-2 cells may reflect the in vivo situation and indicate the potential of butyrate to modify intestinal metabolism. GSTA1-A4 have been identified as good markers for cell differentiation. The Caco-2 cell line is a useful model for assessing the potential of food-related substances to modulate the GST expression pattern.

  4. SOFT MODE ANOMALIES IN THE PEROVSKITE RELAXOR Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    GEHRING, P.M.; VAKRUSHEV, S.B.; SHIRANE, G.

    2000-01-01

    Neutron inelastic scattering measurements of the polar TO phonon mode in the cubic relaxor Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 , at room temperature, reveal anomalous behavior similar to that recently observed in Pb(Zn 1/3 Nb 2/3 ) 0.92 Ti 0.08 O 3 in which the optic branch appears to drop precipitously into the acoustic branch at a finite value of the momentum transfer q = 0.2 angstrom -1 , measured from the zone center. By contrast, a recent neutron study indicates that PMN exhibits a normal TO phonon dispersion at 800 K. The authors speculate this behavior is common to all relaxor materials, and is the result of the presence of nanometer-scale polarized domains in the crystal that form below a temperature T d , which effectively prevent the propagation of long wavelength (q = 0) phonons

  5. In vitro degradation and cytotoxicity of Mg/Ca composites produced by powder metallurgy.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zheng, Y F; Gu, X N; Xi, Y L; Chai, D L

    2010-05-01

    Mg/Ca (1 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 10 wt.% Ca) composites were prepared from pure magnesium and calcium powders using the powder metallurgy method, aiming to enlarge the addition of Ca content without the formation of Mg(2)Ca. The microstructures, mechanical properties and cytotoxicities of Mg/Ca composite samples were investigated. The corrosion of Mg/Ca composites in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) for various immersion intervals was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements and environmental scanning electron microscope, with the concentrations of released Mg and Ca ions in DMEM for various immersion time intervals being measured. It was shown that the main constitutional phases were Mg and Ca, which were uniformly distributed in the Mg matrix. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation of experimental composites decreased with increasing Ca content, and the UTS of Mg/1Ca composite was comparable with that of as-extruded Mg-1Ca alloy. The corrosion potential increased with increasing Ca content, whereas the current density and the impedance decreased. It was found that the protective surface film formed quickly at the initial immersion stage. With increasing immersion time, the surface film became compact, and the corrosion rate of Mg/Ca composites slowed down. The surface film consisted mainly of CaCO(3), MgCO(3)x3H(2)O, HA and Mg(OH)(2) after 72 h immersion in DMEM. Mg/1Ca and Mg/5Ca composite extracts had no significant toxicity (p>0.05) to L-929 cells, whereas Mg/10Ca composite extract induced approximately 40% reduced cell viability. Copyright (c) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Synthesis and superstructure of La sub(2/3) (Mg sub(1/2)W sub(1/2))O/sub 3/

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Torii, Y [Government Industrial Research Inst., Nagoya (Japan)

    1979-10-01

    A new perovskite La sub(2/3)(Mg sub(1/2)W sub(1/2))O/sub 3/ having an orthorhombic multiple-cell was synthesized. The lattice constants were a = 7.8157(5) A, b = 7.8344(6) A and c = 2 x 7.9067(6) A. The superstructure was found to be due to a NaCl-type ordering of B ions as well as an ordering of A-site vacancies.

  7. Control of colloidal CaCO3 suspension by using biodegradable polymers during fabrication

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Nemany Abdelhamid Nemany Hanafy

    2015-03-01

    The aim of this work was to investigate the synthesis process of CaCO3 particles in different experimental conditions: calcium carbonate was produced in presence and in absence of water and with addition of appropriate polymers. In particular, chitosan (CHI and poly acrylic acid (PAA were chosen as biodegradable polymers whereas PSS and PAH were chosen as non-biodegradable polymers. Shape and diameter of particles were investigated by using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, elemental composition was inferred by energy dispersive X-ray analyses whereas their charges were explored by using zeta potential.

  8. Transport of trans-tiliroside (kaempferol-3-β-D-(6"-p-coumaroyl-glucopyranoside) and related flavonoids across Caco-2 cells, as a model of absorption and metabolism in the small intestine.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Luo, Zijun; Morgan, Michael R A; Day, Andrea J

    2015-01-01

    1. Absorption and metabolism of tiliroside (kaempferol 3-β-D-(6"-p-coumaroyl)-glucopyranoside) and its related compounds kaempferol, kaempferol-3-glucoside and p-coumaric acid were investigated in the small intestinal Caco-2 cell model. Apparent permeation (Papp) was determined as 0.62 × 10(-6) cm/s, 3.1 × 10(-6) cm/s, 0 and 22.8 × 10(-6) cm/s, respectively. 2. Mechanistic study showed that the transportation of tiliroside, kaempferol-3-glucoside and p-coumaric acid in Caco-2 model were transporter(s) involved, while transportation of kaempferol was solely by passive diffusion mechanism. 3. Efflux transporters, multi-drug-resistance-associated protein-2 (MRP2), were shown to play a role in limiting the uptake of tiliroside. Inhibitors of MRP2, (MK571 and rifampicin) and co-incubation with kaempferol (10 μM), increased transfer from the apical to the basolateral side by three to five fold. 4. Metabolites of kaempferol-3-glucoside and p-coumaric acid were not detected in the current Caco-2 model, while tiliroside was metabolised to a limited extent, with two tiliroside mono-glucuronides identified; and kaempferol was metabolised to a higher extent, with three mono-glucuronides and two mono-sulfates identified. 5. In conclusion, tiliroside was metabolised and transported across Caco-2 cell membrane to a limited extent. Transportation could be increased by applying MRP2 inhibitors or co-incubation with kaempferol. It is proposed that tiliroside can be absorbed by human; future pharmacokinetics studies are warranted in order to determine the usefulness of tiliroside as a bioactive agent.

  9. The Description Of 1 Liter Of Tears Written By Aya Kito

    OpenAIRE

    Yendie, Rizka

    2011-01-01

    Tulisan ini membahas arti dari judul novel 1 liter of Tears. Novel ini dibuat berdasarkan diary sang penulis Aya Kito dalam berjuang melawan penyakit yang tidak ada obatnya yaitu Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA), penyakit yang menyerang sel-sel penopang sel saraf. Awalnya penderita merasakan tubuhnya melemah. Berangsur-angsur kemampuan motorik penderita menurun. Sampai-sampai Aya-chan mengalami kesulitan menelan makanan, berbicara dan bahkan tersenyum. Aya-chan mulai merasakan gejala penyakit...

  10. Adhesion of some probiotic and dairy Lactobacillus strains to Caco-2 cell cultures.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tuomola, E M; Salminen, S J

    1998-05-05

    The adhesion of 12 different Lactobacillus strains was studied using Caco-2 cell line as an in vitro model for intestinal epithelium. Some of the strains tested have been used as probiotics, and most of them are used in the dairy and food industry. Human and bovine enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains were used as positive and negative control, respectively. Bacterial adhesion to Caco-2 cell cultures was quantitated using radiolabelled bacteria. The adherence of bacteria was also observed microscopically after Gram staining. Viability of bacteria prior to adhesion was verified using flow cytometry. Among the tested strains, L. casei (Fyos) was the most adhesive strain and L. casei var. rhamnosus (Lactophilus) was the least adhesive strain, approximately 14 and 3% of the added bacteria adhered to Caco-2 cell cultures, respectively. The corresponding values for positive and negative control E. coli strains were 14 and 4%, respectively. The Lactobacillus strains tested could not be divided into distinctly adhesive or non-adhesive strains, since there was a continuation of adhesion rates. The four most adhesive strains were L. casei (Fyos), L. acidophilus 1 (LC1), L. rhamnosus LC-705 and Lactobacillus GG (ATCC 53103). No significant differences in the percentage adhesion were observed between these strains. Adhesion of all the strains was dependent on the number of bacteria used, since an approximately constant number of Caco-2 cells was used, indicating that the Caco-2 cell binding sites were not saturated. Viability of bacteria was high since approximately 90% of the bacteria were viable with the exception of L. acidophilus 1 which was 74% viable. Microscopic evaluations agreed with the radiolabelled binding as evidenced by observing more bacteria in Gram-stained preparations of good adhering strains compared to poorly adhering strains.

  11. The Effect Of Gamma Irradiation And CaCO3 On The Physical And Mechanical Properties Of Natural Rubber (NR) Compound

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Iskandar, Sudrajat; Marliyanti, Isni; Kadariyah; Kardha, Made Sumarti

    2000-01-01

    The characterization of the effect of gamma irradiation and CaCO 3 on the physical and mechanical properties of NR compound (NRC) have been started. The NRC was made by blending of NR and low density polyethylene (LDPE), carbon black, additives (stearic acid, ZnO, irganox 1076, paraffin wax and minarex B oil) in certain amount and CaCO 3 with various composition of 33,67 and 100 phr (part per hundred ratio of rubber) using hot roll mill at 120 deg C and 100 deg C of front and back roll respectively. For making film, film, the NRC was then pressed by hot and cold press machine at 135 deg C and at room temperature respectively for about 3 minutes. The film was then irradiated with gamma rays at 150, 300, and 500 kGy. Characterization was done according to the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) The experimental results showed that by increasing the irradiation dose, the aging resistance, tensile strength, elongation at break, solvent xylene resistance, tear strength and hardness of natural rubber compound increased. While by increasing the CaCO 3 content, the hardness and specific gravity of irradiated NRC. Were increased. But the tensile strength, elongation at break and tear strength of irradiated NRC decreased According to SNI no 12-1000-1989 and SII 0944-84 that the experiment results may possible to used for making shoe sole and rubber carpet

  12. Structural and electrical properties of (1-x)(Na1/2Bi1/2)TiO3-xPb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 solid solution

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lee, J.-K.; Yi, J.Y.; Hong, K.S.

    2004-01-01

    Structural, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of (1-x)(Na 1/2 Bi 1/2 )TiO 3 -xPb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 (NBT-xPMN) solid solution have been investigated. An addition of PMN into NBT transformed the structure of sintered samples from rhombohedral to pseudocubic phase where x is larger than 0.1. In calcined powders, however, the intermediate structure were observed between rhombohedral and cubic phases near x=0.1. The formation of solid solution between NBT and PMN modified the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of NBT to be suitable for high temperature dielectric and piezoelectric material. With increasing the content of PMN, the temperature-stability of ε r (T) increased and the high temperature dielectric loss decreased. In addition, the piezoelectric property of NBT-xPMN was enhanced, for the decrease of coercive field and conductivity promoted the domain reversal under the high electric field of the poling process

  13. Architecture of the organic matrix in the sternal CaCO3 deposits of Porcellio scaber (Crustacea, Isopoda).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Fabritius, Helge; Walther, Paul; Ziegler, Andreas

    2005-05-01

    Before the molt terrestrial isopods resorb calcium from the posterior cuticle and store it in large deposits within the first four anterior sternites. In Porcellio scaber the deposits consist of three structurally distinct layers consisting of amorphous CaCO3 (ACC) and an organic matrix that consists of concentric and radial elements. It is thought that the organic matrix plays a role in the structural organization of deposits and in the stabilization of ACC, which is unstable in vitro. In this paper, we present a thorough analysis of the ultrastructure of the organic matrix in the CaCO3 deposits using high-resolution field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The spherules and the homogeneous layer contain an elaborate organic matrix with similar structural organization consisting of concentric reticules and radial strands. The decalcification experiments reveal an inhomogeneous solubility of ACC within the spherules probably caused by variations in the stabilizing properties of matrix components. The transition between the three layers can be explained by changes in the number of spherule nucleation sites.

  14. Corrosion behaviour of Mg-Cu and Mg-Mo composites in 3.5% NaCl

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Budruk Abhijeet, S.; Balasubramaniam, R.; Gupta, M.

    2008-01-01

    The corrosion behaviour of pure magnesium, Mg-Cu (0.3, 0.6, and 1 vol.%) and Mg-Mo (0.1, 0.3, and 0.6 vol.%) composites has been studied in 3.5% NaCl solution by weight loss and polarisation methods. Corrosion rates determined by weight loss method were considerably higher than that determined by polarisation method. The corrosion rate increased with increasing volume fraction of reinforcement in Mg-Cu and Mg-Mo composites. At the same volume fraction of reinforcement, molybdenum reinforced composite corroded faster than copper reinforced composite. The galvanic current density between Mg-Cu and Mg-Mo couples has been experimentally measured using zero resistance ammeter technique. The experimentally observed galvanic current densities were in close agreement with those obtained using mixed potential theory analysis. SEM observation of corroded samples confirmed microgalvanic activity at the matrix/reinforcement interfaces. The poor corrosion resistance of composites has been attributed to microgalvanic effects between the matrix and reinforcements and inferior quality of surface films

  15. Fatigue properties of piezoelectric-electrostrictive Pb(Mg1/3,Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 monolithic bilayer composites

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hall, A.; Akdogan, E. K.; Safari, A.

    2006-11-01

    The fatigue response of monolithic piezoelectric 0.65Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.35PbTiO3-electrostrictive 0.90Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.10PbTiO3 bilayer composites was investigated experimentally. The monomorph bilayers were cosintered at 1150°C, and the polarization hysteresis, relative permittivity, displacement, and cyclic fatigue (107cycles) were measured as a function of piezoelectric-electrostrictive volume fraction (PEVF) ratio. The highest tip displacement of bilayers was found in the 3:1 PEVF monolith, reaching 40μm at 5kV/cm applied field strength. By minimizing the electrostrictive layer thickness, tip displacement substantially increased, while maintaining a lower hysteresis than the purely piezoelectric counterpart. Fatigue measurements indicated a 31% decrease in displacement after 107cycles in 3:1 monoliths, whereas the 1:3 PEVF only showed a 12% decrease under the same conditions. There is a 30% increase in polarization after 107cycles for 1:1 PEVF bilayers, which is attributed to self-poling due to a diffuse transition layer in the vicinity of the interface. It was found that partial 90° domain switching occurred prior to poling because of the residual stresses in the composite, imposed by the electrostrictive layer and the spontaneous strain associated with the cubic-tetragonal transition in the ferroelectric layer. The results indicate that the electrostrictive layer, which is electrically in series with the piezoelectric one, enhances the fatigue resistance of the monolithic bilayer composites in addition to the increase in tip displacement.

  16. In vitro cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles to human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Song, Yijuan; Guan, Rongfa; Lyu, Fei; Kang, Tianshu; Wu, Yihang; Chen, Xiaoqiang

    2014-01-01

    Highlights: • The characterization of Ag NPs and ZnO NPs. • The various morphologies of Caco-2 cells stained with AO/EB. • The viability of Caco-2 cells after Ag NPs and ZnO NPs exposure. • The cytotoxicity of Ag NPs and ZnO NPs on Caco-2 cells by oxidative stress assays. - Abstract: With the increasing applications of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in foods and cosmetics, the concerns about the potential toxicities to human have been raised. The aims of this study are to observe the cytotoxicity of Ag NPs and ZnO NPs to human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells in vitro, and to discover the toxicity mechanism of nanoparticles on Caco-2 cells. Caco-2 cells were exposed to 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 μg/mL of Ag NPs and ZnO NPs (90 nm). AO/EB double staining was used to characterize the morphology of the treated cells. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the proliferation of the cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) assay were used to explore the oxidative damage of Caco-2 cells. The results showed that Ag NPs and ZnO NPs (0–200 μg/mL) had highly significant effect on the Caco-2 cells activity. ZnO NPs exerted higher cytotoxicity than Ag NPs in the same concentration range. ZnO NPs have dose-depended toxicity. The LD 50 of ZnO NPs in Caco-2 cells is 0.431 mg/L. Significant depletion of SOD level, variation in GSH level and release of ROS in cells treated by ZnO NPs were observed, which suggests that cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs in intestine cells might be mediated through cellular oxidative stress. While Caco-2 cells treated with Ag NPs at all experimental concentrations showed no cellular oxidative damage. Moreover, the cells’ antioxidant capacity increased, and reached the highest level when the concentration of Ag NPs was 50 μg/mL. Therefore, it can be concluded that Ag NPs are safer antibacterial material in food packaging materials than

  17. In vitro cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles to human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Song, Yijuan [Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018 (China); Guan, Rongfa, E-mail: rongfaguan@163.com [Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018 (China); Lyu, Fei [Department of Food Science and Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014 (China); Kang, Tianshu; Wu, Yihang [Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Biometrology and Inspection and Quarantine, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018 (China); Chen, Xiaoqiang [Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068 (China)

    2014-11-15

    Highlights: • The characterization of Ag NPs and ZnO NPs. • The various morphologies of Caco-2 cells stained with AO/EB. • The viability of Caco-2 cells after Ag NPs and ZnO NPs exposure. • The cytotoxicity of Ag NPs and ZnO NPs on Caco-2 cells by oxidative stress assays. - Abstract: With the increasing applications of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in foods and cosmetics, the concerns about the potential toxicities to human have been raised. The aims of this study are to observe the cytotoxicity of Ag NPs and ZnO NPs to human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells in vitro, and to discover the toxicity mechanism of nanoparticles on Caco-2 cells. Caco-2 cells were exposed to 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 μg/mL of Ag NPs and ZnO NPs (90 nm). AO/EB double staining was used to characterize the morphology of the treated cells. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the proliferation of the cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) assay were used to explore the oxidative damage of Caco-2 cells. The results showed that Ag NPs and ZnO NPs (0–200 μg/mL) had highly significant effect on the Caco-2 cells activity. ZnO NPs exerted higher cytotoxicity than Ag NPs in the same concentration range. ZnO NPs have dose-depended toxicity. The LD{sub 50} of ZnO NPs in Caco-2 cells is 0.431 mg/L. Significant depletion of SOD level, variation in GSH level and release of ROS in cells treated by ZnO NPs were observed, which suggests that cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs in intestine cells might be mediated through cellular oxidative stress. While Caco-2 cells treated with Ag NPs at all experimental concentrations showed no cellular oxidative damage. Moreover, the cells’ antioxidant capacity increased, and reached the highest level when the concentration of Ag NPs was 50 μg/mL. Therefore, it can be concluded that Ag NPs are safer antibacterial material in food packaging materials

  18. Effect of temperature on the reaction pathway of calcium carbonate formation via precursor phases

    Science.gov (United States)

    Purgstaller, Bettina; Mavromatis, Vasileios; Konrad, Florian; Dietzel, Martin

    2016-04-01

    It has been earlier postulated that some biogenic and sedimentary calcium carbonate (CaCO3) minerals (e.g. calcite and aragonite) are secondary in origin and have originally formed via a metastable calcium carbonate precursor phase (e.g. amorphous CaCO3, [1-2]). Such formation pathways are likely affected by various physicochemical parameters including aqueous Mg and temperature. In an effort to improve our understanding on the formation mechanism of CaCO3 minerals, precipitation experiments were carried out by the addition of a 0.6 M (Ca,Mg)Cl2 solution at distinct Mg/Ca ratios (1/4 and 1/8) into a 1 M NaHCO3 solution under constant pH conditions(8.3 ±0.1). The formation of CaCO3 was systematically examined as a function of temperature (6, 12, 18 and 25 ±0.3° C). During the experimental runs mineral precipitation was monitored by in situ Raman spectroscopy as well as by continuous sampling and analyzing of precipitates and reactive solutions. The results revealed two pathways of CaCO3 formation depending on the initial Mg/Ca ratio and temperature: (i) In experiments with a Mg/Ca ratio of 1/4 at ≤ 12° C as well as in experiments with a Mg/Ca ratio of 1/8 at ≤ 18° C, ikaite (CaCO3 6H2O) acts as a precursor phase for aragonite formation. (ii) In contrast higher temperatures induced the formation of Mg-rich amorphous CaCO3 (Mg-ACC) which was subsequently transformed to Mg-rich calcite. In situ Raman spectra showed that the transformation of Mg-ACC to Mg-calcite occurs at a higher rate (˜ 8 min) compared to that of ikaite to aragonite (> 2 h). Thus, the formation of aragonite rather than of Mg-calcite occurs due to the slower release of Ca2+and CO32- ions into the Mg-rich reactive solution during retarded ikaite dissolution. This behavior is generally consistent with the observation that calcite precipitation is inhibited at elevated aqueous Mg/Ca ratios. [1] Addadi L., Raz S. and Weiner S. (2003) Advanced Materials 15, 959-970. [2] Rodriguez-Blanco J. D

  19. Addendum 1 to CSERs 94-007 and 94-008: Use of 2.2 liter boats in muffle furnace operations at PFP

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hess, A.L.

    1996-01-01

    This criticality safety review justifies raising the container size limit in CPS-Z-165-80621 and CPS-165-80622 to 2.3 liters, thereby allowing the use of 2.2-liter furnace boats in the Pu stabilization activities covered by these specifications

  20. Electromechanical behavior of [001]-textured Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 ceramics

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yan, Yongke; Wang, Yu. U.; Priya, Shashank

    2012-05-01

    [001]-textured Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) ceramics were synthesized by using templated grain growth method. Significantly high [001] texture degree corresponding to 0.98 Lotgering factor was achieved at 1 vol. % BaTiO3 template. Electromechanical properties for [001]-textured PMN-PT ceramics with 1 vol. % BaTiO3 were found to be d33 = 1000 pC/N, d31 = 371 pC/N, ɛr = 2591, and tanδ = ˜0.6%. Elastoelectric composite based modeling results showed that higher volume fraction of template reduces the overall dielectric constant and thus has adverse effect on the piezoelectric response. Clamping effect was modeled by deriving the changes in free energy as a function of applied electric field and microstructural boundary condition.

  1. Transport of curcumin derivatives in Caco-2 cell monolayers.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zeng, Zhen; Shen, Zhe L; Zhai, Shuo; Xu, Jia L; Liang, Hui; Shen, Qin; Li, Qing Y

    2017-08-01

    Curcumin (Cur) is a strong natural antioxidant, who can prevent multiple diseases such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, have a resistance to alzheimer's disease and various malignant diseases. But it has poor oral bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility, as well as instability. While its novel derivatives (CB and FE), showed better anti-tumor activity, better anti-oxidant activity and better stability than the original drug (Cur). The aim of this study was to study the intestinal transport of Cur, CB and FE using an in vitro Caco-2 cell monolayer model. The results showed that Cur had a lower permeability coefficient (1.13×10 -6 ±0.11×10 -6 cm/s) for apical-to-basolated (AP-BL) transport at 25μM, while the transport rate for AP to BL flux of CB (3.18×10 -6 ±0.31×10 -6 cm/s) and FE (5.28×10 -6 ±0.83×10 -6 cm/s) were significantly greater than that of Cur. The efflux ratio (ER) value at the concentration of 25μM was 1.31 for Cur, 1.26 for CB and 1.33 for FE, suggesting there was no active efflux involved in the translocation across the Caco-2 cell monolayers for the three compounds. Furthermore, the transport flux of CB and FE was in a concentration dependent manner, suggesting the intestinal transport mechanism in them was passive transport. In summary, the results demonstrated that both the intestinal permeability of CB and FE across Caco-2 cell monolayers was significantly improved compare to Cur. Thus they might show a higher oral bioavailability in vivo, and show the potential application in clinic or nutraceutical. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Fusobacterium nucleatum-Induced Impairment of Autophagic Flux Enhances the Expression of Proinflammatory Cytokines via ROS in Caco-2 Cells.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Bin Tang

    Full Text Available Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum plays a critical role in gastrointestinal inflammation. However, the exact mechanism by which F. nucleatum contributes to inflammation is unclear. In the present study, it was revealed that F. nucleatum could induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α and reactive oxygen species (ROS in Caco-2 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. Furthermore, ROS scavengers (NAC or Tiron could decrease the production of proinflammatory cytokines during F. nucleatum infection. In addition, we observed that autophagy is impaired in Caco-2 cells after F. nucleatum infection. The production of proinflammatory cytokines and ROS induced by F. nucleatum was enhanced with either autophagy pharmacologic inhibitors (3-methyladenine, bafilomycin A1 or RNA interference in essential autophagy genes (ATG5 or ATG12 in Caco-2 cells. Taken together, these results indicate that F. nucleatum-induced impairment of autophagic flux enhances the expression of proinflammatory cytokines via ROS in Caco-2 Cells.

  3. Effects of Bi(Zn2/3Nb1/3)O3 Modification on the Relaxor Behavior and Piezoelectricity of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 Ceramics.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Zenghui; Wu, Hua; Paterson, Alisa; Ren, Wei; Ye, Zuo-Guang

    2017-10-01

    Relaxor lead magnesium niobate (PMN)-based materials exhibit complex structures and unusual properties that have been puzzling researchers for decades. In this paper, a new ternary solid solution of Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 -PbTiO 3 -Bi(Zn 2/3 Nb 1/3 )O 3 (PMN-PT-BZN) is prepared in the form of ceramics, and the effects of the incorporation of BZN into the PMN-PT binary system are investigated. The crystal structure favors a pseudocubic symmetry and the relaxor properties are enhanced as the concentration of BZN increases. The relaxor behavior and the related phase transformations are studied by dielectric spectroscopy. A phase diagram mapping out the characteristic temperatures and various states is established. Interestingly, the piezoelectricity of the PMN-PT ceramics is significantly enhanced by the BZN substitution, with an optimal value of d 33 reaching 826 pC/N for 0.96[0.7Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 -0.3PbTiO 3 ]-0.04Bi(Zn 2/3 Nb 1/3 )O 3 . This paper provides a better understanding of the relaxor ferroelectric behavior, and unveils a new relaxor-based ternary system as piezoelectric materials potentially useful for electromechanical transducer applications.

  4. EMMPRIN reduction via scFv-M6-1B9 intrabody affects α3β1-integrin and MCT1 functions and results in suppression of progressive phenotype in the colorectal cancer cell line Caco-2.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sangboonruang, S; Thammasit, P; Intasai, N; Kasinrerk, W; Tayapiwatana, C; Tragoolpua, K

    2014-06-01

    Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) exhibits overexpression in various cancers and promotes cancer progression and metastasis via the interaction with its associated molecules. The scFv-M6-1B9 intrabody has a potential ability to reduce EMMPRIN cell surface expression. However, the subsequent effect of scFv-M6-1B9 intrabody-mediated EMMPRIN abatement on its related molecules, α3β1-integrin, MCT1, MMP-2 and MMP-9, is undefined. Our results demonstrated that the scFv-M6-1B9 intrabody efficiently decreased α3β1-integrin cell surface expression levels. In addition, intracellular accumulation of MCT1 and lactate were increased. These results lead to suppression of features characteristic for tumor progression, including cell migration, proliferation and invasion, in a colorectal cancer cell line (Caco-2) although there was no difference in MMP expression. Thus, EMMPRIN represents an attractive target molecule for the disruption of cancer proliferation and metastasis. An scFv-M6-1B9 intrabody-based approach could be relevant for cancer gene therapy.

  5. In-depth evaluation of Gly-Sar transport parameters as a function of culture time in the Caco-2 cell model

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Bravo, Silvina A.; Nielsen, Carsten Uhd; Amstrup, Jan

    2004-01-01

    The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of culture time on hPEPT1-mediated transport in Caco-2 cell monolayers. Peptide transport activity in Caco-2 cells grown in standard media and in a "rapid" 4-day model was first compared. The rapid 4-day Caco-2 cell model, cultured using...... a cocktail of growth factors and agonists, displayed lower peptide uptake capacity than Caco-2 cells grown for 4 days in conventional media, and was judged to be unsuitable for peptide transport studies. Peptide transport activity as well as monolayer integrity and tissue morphology were evaluated...... in the standard >21 days model as a function of the culture time. Peptide transport activity was studied using [14C]-glycylsarcosine ([ 14C]-Gly-Sar). Monolayer integrity was evaluated by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements and [3H]-mannitol permeabilities. Tissue morphology and hPEPT1...

  6. Synthesis and performance of Li{sub 3}(V{sub 1-x}Mg{sub x}){sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} cathode materials

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Dai, Changsong; Chen, Zhenyu; Jin, Haizu; Hu, Xinguo [School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China)

    2010-09-01

    In order to search for cathode materials with better performance, Li{sub 3}(V{sub 1-x}Mg{sub x}){sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} (0, 0.04, 0.07, 0.10 and 0.13) is prepared via a carbothermal reduction (CTR) process with LiOH.H{sub 2}O, V{sub 2}O{sub 5}, Mg(CH{sub 3}COO){sub 2}.4H{sub 2}O, NH{sub 4}H{sub 2}PO{sub 4}, and sucrose as raw materials and investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS). XRD shows that Li{sub 3}(V{sub 1-x}Mg{sub x}){sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} (x = 0.04, 0.07, 0.10 and 0.13) has the same monoclinic structure as undoped Li{sub 3}V{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} while the particle size of Li{sub 3}(V{sub 1-x}Mg{sub x}){sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} is smaller than that of Li{sub 3}V{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} according to SEM images. EIS reveals that the charge transfer resistance of as-prepared materials is reduced and its reversibility is enhanced proved by the cyclic votammograms. The Mg{sup 2+}-doped Li{sub 3}V{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} has a better high rate discharge performance. At a discharge rate of 20 C, the discharge capacity of Li{sub 3}(V{sub 0.9}Mg{sub 0.1}){sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3} is 107 mAh g{sup -1} and the capacity retention is 98% after 80 cycles. Li{sub 3}(V{sub 0.9}Mg{sub 0.1}){sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}//graphite full cells (085580-type) have good discharge performance and the modified cathode material has very good compatibility with graphite. (author)

  7. Dipeptide model prodrugs for the intestinal oligopeptide transporter. Affinity for and transport via hPepT1 in the human intestinal Caco-2 cell line

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Nielsen, C U; Andersen, R; Brodin, Birger

    2001-01-01

    -moieties for benzyl alcohol have been shown to maintain affinity for hPepT1. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate if modifications of the benzyl alcohol model drug influence the corresponding D-Glu-Ala and D-Asp-Ala model prodrugs' affinity for hPepT1 in Caco-2 cells. A second aim...... was to investigate the transepithelial transport and hydrolysis parameters for D-Asp(BnO)-Ala and D-Glu(BnO)-Ala across Caco-2 cell monolayers. In the present study, all investigated D-Asp-Ala and D-Glu-Ala model prodrugs retained various degrees of affinity for hPepT1 in Caco-2 cells. These affinities are used....... Transepithelial transport studies performed using Caco-2 cells of D-Asp(BnO)-Ala and D-Glu(BnO)-Ala showed that the K(m) for transepithelial transport was not significantly different for the two compounds. The maximal transport rate of the carrier-mediated flux component does not differ between the two model...

  8. Low-Temperature Sintering Li3Mg1.8Ca0.2NbO6 Microwave Dielectric Ceramics with LMZBS Glass

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Gang; Zhang, Huaiwu; Liu, Cheng; Su, Hua; Jia, Lijun; Li, Jie; Huang, Xin; Gan, Gongwen

    2018-05-01

    Li3Mg1.8Ca0.2NbO6 ceramics doped with Li2O-MgO-ZnO-B2O3-SiO2 glass (LMZBS) were prepared via a solid-state route. The LMZBS glass effectively reduced the sintering temperature of Li3Mg1.8Ca0.2NbO6 ceramics to 950°C. The effects of the LMZBS glass on the sintering behavior, microstructures and microwave dielectric properties of Li3Mg1.8Ca0.2NbO6 ceramics are discussed in detail. Among all the LMZBS doped Li3Mg1.8Ca0.2NbO6 ceramics, the sample with 1 wt.% of LMZBS glass sintered at 950°C for 4 h exhibited good dielectric properties: ɛ r = 16.7, Q × f = 31,000 GHz (9.92 GHz), τ f = - 1.3 ppm/°C. The Li3Mg1.8Ca0.2NbO6 ceramics possessed excellent chemical compatibility with Ag electrodes, and could be applied in low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) applications.

  9. Metaphors are Embodied, and so are Their Literal Counterparts.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Santana, Eduardo; de Vega, Manuel

    2011-01-01

    This study investigates whether understanding up/down metaphors as well as semantically homologous literal sentences activates embodied representations online. Participants read orientational literal sentences (e.g., she climbed up the hill), metaphors (e.g., she climbed up in the company), and abstract sentences with similar meaning to the metaphors (e.g., she succeeded in the company). In Experiments 1 and 2, participants were asked to perform a speeded upward or downward hand motion while they were reading the sentence verb. The hand motion either matched or mismatched the direction connoted by the sentence. The results showed a meaning-action effect for metaphors and literals, that is, faster hand motion responses in the matching conditions. Notably, the matching advantage was also found for homologous abstract sentences, indicating that some abstract ideas are conceptually organized in the vertical dimension, even when they are expressed by means of literal sentences. In Experiment 3, participants responded to an upward or downward visual motion associated with the sentence verb by pressing a single key. In this case, the facilitation effect for matching visual motion-sentence meaning faded, indicating that the visual motion component is less important than the action component in conceptual metaphors. Most up and down metaphors convey emotionally positive and negative information, respectively. We suggest that metaphorical meaning elicits upward/downward movements because they are grounded on the bodily expression of the corresponding emotions.

  10. Control of temperature and aqueous Mg2+/Ca2+ ratio on the (trans-)formation of ikaite

    Science.gov (United States)

    Purgstaller, B.; Dietzel, M.; Baldermann, A.; Mavromatis, V.

    2017-11-01

    The calcium carbonate hexahydrate mineral ikaite (CaCO3 ṡ 6 H2O) has been documented in aquatic environments at near-freezing temperatures. An increase of the prevailing temperature in the depositional environment, results in the transformation of natural ikaite into less soluble calcium carbonate phases occasionally leaving calcite pseudomorphs in the sediments, which are considered as an indicator for primary cold water temperatures. Detailed understanding on the physicochemical parameters controlling ikaite (trans-)formation however, such as temperature and reactive solution chemical composition, are still under debate. In order to study the formation of ikaite, we conducted precipitation experiments under controlled physicochemical conditions (pH = 8.3 ± 0.1; T = 6, 12, and 18 ± 0.1 °C) at defined aqueous molar Mg/Ca ratios. The transformation of ikaite into anhydrous calcium carbonate polymorphs was investigated in solution and at air exposure. The obtained results reveal the formation of ikaite at temperatures up to 12 °C, whereas Mg-rich amorphous calcium carbonate precipitated at 18 °C. In contact with the reactive solution ikaite transformed into aragonite at aqueous molar Mg2+/Ca2+ ratios of ≥14. In contrast, ikaite separated from the Mg-rich solution and exposed to air transformed in all cases into calcite/vaterite. The herein obtained temperature limit of ≤12 for ikaite formation is significantly higher than formerly expected and most probably caused by (i) the high saturation degree of the solution with respect to ikaite and (ii) the slow dehydration of the aqueous Ca2+ ion at low temperatures. This result questions the suitability of calcite pseudomorphs (i.e. glendonites) as a proxy for near-freezing temperatures. Moreover, our findings show that the CaCO3 polymorph formed from ikaite is strongly controlled by the physicochemical conditions, such as aqueous molar Mg2+/Ca2+ ratio of the reactive fluid and H2O availability throughout the

  11. Musical metaphors: evidence for a spatial grounding of non-literal sentences describing auditory events.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wolter, Sibylla; Dudschig, Carolin; de la Vega, Irmgard; Kaup, Barbara

    2015-03-01

    This study investigated whether the spatial terms high and low, when used in sentence contexts implying a non-literal interpretation, trigger similar spatial associations as would have been expected from the literal meaning of the words. In three experiments, participants read sentences describing either a high or a low auditory event (e.g., The soprano sings a high aria vs. The pianist plays a low note). In all Experiments, participants were asked to judge (yes/no) whether the sentences were meaningful by means of up/down (Experiments 1 and 2) or left/right (Experiment 3) key press responses. Contrary to previous studies reporting that metaphorical language understanding differs from literal language understanding with regard to simulation effects, the results show compatibility effects between sentence implied pitch height and response location. The results are in line with grounded models of language comprehension proposing that sensory motor experiences are being elicited when processing literal as well as non-literal sentences. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Solid-state epitaxial effects in structurally diphasic xerogel of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ravindranathan, P.; Komarneni, S.; Roy, R.

    1990-01-01

    Lead magnesium niobate (PMN), Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 , with perovskite structure has been prepared using structurally diphasic PMN gels. The diphasic gels were made using various concentrations of perovskite PMN seeds. The unseeded gel calcined at 775 degrees C for 2 h gave ∼ 98% of perovskite PMN phase. The use of 1% PMN perovskite seed not only led to a pure perovskite phase but also lowered the crystallization temperature of these gels by about 75 degrees C. These results show that isostructural seeding helps to lower the crystallization temperature of perovskite PMN phase

  13. Transesterification of palm oil on K{sub y}Mg{sub 1} {sub -} {sub x}Zn{sub 1} {sub +} {sub x}O{sub 3} catalyst: Effect of Mg-Zn interaction

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Olutoye, M.A.; Hameed, B.H. [School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang (Malaysia)

    2010-06-15

    The Mg-Zn interaction effect of K{sub y}Mg{sub 1} {sub -} {sub x}Zn{sub 1} {sub +} {sub x}O{sub 3} heterogeneous type catalyst and its performance on transesterification of palm oil have been studied using the response surface methodology and the factorial design of experiments. The catalyst was synthesized using the co-precipitation method and the activity was assessed by transesterification of palm oil into fatty acid methyl esters. The ratio of the Mg/Zn metal interaction, temperature and time of calcination were found to have positive influence on the conversion of palm oil to fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) with the effect of metal to metal ratio and temperature of calcination being more significant. The catalytic activity was found to decrease at higher calcination temperature and the catalyst type K{sub 2}Mg{sub 0.34}Zn{sub 1.66}O{sub 3} with Mg/Zn ratio of 4.81 gave FAME content of 73% at a catalyst loading of 1.404 wt.% of oil with molar ratio of methanol to oil being 6:1 at temperature of 150 C in 6 h. A regression model was obtained to predict conversions to methyl esters as a function of metal interaction ratio, temperature of calcination and time. The observed activity of the synthesized catalyst was due to its synergetic structure and composition. (author)

  14. Far-infrared spectroscopy in ordered and disordered BaMg1/3Nb2/3O3 microwave ceramics

    Science.gov (United States)

    Dias, Anderson; Moreira, Roberto Luiz

    2003-09-01

    Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics with suitable microwave dielectric properties for application in wireless communications and information access technologies were studied by far-infrared spectroscopy. Samples with different B-site ordering degrees, obtained by hydrothermal synthesis followed by sintering at various temperatures, were employed in this investigation. The sixteen infrared modes predicted by factor-group analysis were observed and adjusted according to a four-parameter semiquantum model. The dispersion parameters were determined in order to calculate the real part of the dielectric permittivity and the quality factors associated with the dielectric losses in the microwave region. The materials exhibited increasing ɛ0 and Q values up to 1100 °C, increasing more substantially when the temperature attained 1300 °C. The B-site ordering played an important role on this behavior along with the microstructural evolution above 1100 °C (grain growth), which also increased the phonon lifetime and contributed to the Q improvement. Kramers-Kronig analyses were carried out in all experimental data and the contributions of the main optical polar modes to the dielectric and microwave properties were carefully analyzed in order to identify and attribute the Ba-BO3 external mode, the inner modes related to the O-Mg-O and O-Nb-O bending vibrations, and the stretching modes of each MgO6 and NbO6 octahedron.

  15. Biochemical process of ureolysis-based microbial CaCO3 precipitation and its application in self-healing concrete.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Xu, Jing; Wang, Xianzhi; Wang, Binbin

    2018-04-01

    Urea hydrolysis has already been considered as the most effective pathway for microbially induced CaCO 3 precipitation (MICP). The present work first studied the combination of several key factors including initial pH, temperature, and dosage of urea, which contribute to the biochemical process of MICP. Under an amiable condition of pH and temperature, the dosage of urea has a significant impact on the rate of urea degradation and CaCO 3 precipitation. A bacteria-based self-healing system was developed by loading healing agents on ceramsite carriers. The self-healing efficiency was evaluated by visual inspection on crack closure, compressive strength regain, and capillary water absorption. A preferable healing effectiveness was obtained when the bacteria and organic nutrients were co-immobilized in carriers. Image analysis showed that cracks up to 273 μm could be healed with a crack closure ratio of 86% in 28 days. The compressive strength regain increased 24% and the water absorption coefficient decreased 27% compared to the reference. The findings indicated a promising application of ureolysis-based MICP in restoring the mechanical properties and enhancing the durability of concrete.

  16. Compound Method to Disperse CaCO3 Nanoparticles to Nano-Size in Water.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gu, Sui; Cai, Jihua; Wang, Jijun; Yuan, Ye; Chang, Dewu; Chikhotkin, Viktor F

    2015-12-01

    The invalidation of CaCO3 nanoparticles (nCaCO3) is often caused by the fact of agglomeration and inhomogeneous dispersion which limits its application into water-based drilling muds for low permeability reservoirs such as coalbed methane reservoir and shale gas/oil reservoir. Effective methods to disperse nCaCO3 to nano-size (≤ 100 nm) in water have seldom been reported. Here we developed a compound method containing mechanical stirring, ultrasonic treatment, the use of surfactant and stabilizer to disperse nCaCO3 in water. It comprises the steps adding 2% nCaCO3, 1% sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS), 2% cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), 2% OP-10, 3% to 4% biopolymer (XC) in water successively, stirring it at a shear rate of 6000 to 8000 r/min for 15 minutes and treating it with ultrasonic at a frequency of 28 KHz for 30 to 40 minutes. The dispersed nCaCO3 was characterized with scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and particle size distribution (PSD) tests. We found that nCaCO3 could be dispersed to below 100 nm in water and the medium value of nCaCO3 was below 50 nm. This method paved the way for the utilization of nCaCO3 in drilling fluid and completion fluid for low permeability reservoirs such as coal seams and shale gas/oil formations.

  17. Synergistic Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Fatty Acids on Toxicity to Caco-2 Cells

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Cao, Yi; Roursgaard, Martin; Kermanizadeh, Ali

    2015-01-01

    epithelial (Caco-2) cells. The ZnO NPs exposure concentration dependently induced cytotoxicity to Caco-2 cells showing as reduced proliferation and activity measured by 3 different assays. PA exposure induced cytotoxicity, and coexposure to ZnO NPs and PA showed the largest cytotoxic effects. The presence......Fatty acids exposure may increase sensitivity of intestinal epithelial cells to cytotoxic effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). This study evaluated the synergistic effects of ZnO NPs and palmitic acid (PA) or free fatty acids (FFAs) mixture (oleic/PA 2:1) on toxicity to human colon...

  18. Simulating kinetic parameters in transporter mediated permeability across Caco-2 cells. A case study on estrange-3-sulphate

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Rolsted, Kamilla; Rapin, Nicolas; Steffansen, Bente

    2011-01-01

    Substances that compete for the same saturable intestinal transporters may when dosed together lead to altered permeability and hence influence bioavailability. The aim was to simulate kinetic parameters, i.e. K(m) and J(max), for transporter mediated E(1)S permeability across Caco-2 cells...

  19. DAFS study of local structure of ordered nanodomains in PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Frenkel, A.I.; Robinson, I.K.; Robinson, I.K.; Adler, D.L.; Cross, J.O.

    1998-01-01

    We have performed a Diffraction Anomalous Fine Structure (DAFS) study of a single crystal of the relaxor ferroelectric PbMg 1/3 Nb 2/3 O 3 . DAFS measurements were performed at the Nb K edge on a half-order Bragg reflection originating from the 1:1 ordered nanodomains. DAFS data analysis provided us with the local structure around Nb atoms in the ordered nanodomains. The Nb-O distance in the ordered region was determined to be 0.052(10) Angstrom shorter than half the lattice parameter of the bulk crystal, in good agreement with one model of the ferroelectric phase transition broadening [JETP 84, 994 (1997)]. copyright 1998 American Institute of Physics

  20. Metaphors are embodied, and so are their literal counterparts

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Eduardo eSantana

    2011-05-01

    Full Text Available This study investigates whether understanding up/down metaphors as well as semantically homologous literal sentences activates embodied representations online. Participants read orientational literal sentences (e.g. she climbed up the hill, metaphors (e.g. she climbed up in the company, and abstract sentences with similar meaning to the metaphors (e.g. she succeeded in the company. In Experiments 1 and 2, participants were asked to perform a speeded upward or downward hand motion while they were reading the sentence verb. The hand motion either matched or mismatched the direction connoted by the sentence. The results showed a meaning-action effect for metaphors and literals, that is faster hand motion responses in the matching conditions. Notably, the matching advantage was also found for homologous abstract sentences, indicating that some abstract ideas are conceptually organized in the vertical dimension, even when they are expressed by means of literal sentences. In Experiment 3, participants responded to an upward or downward visual motion associated with the sentence verb by pressing a single key. In this case, the facilitation effect for matching visual motion-sentence meaning faded, indicating that the visual motion component is less important than the action component in conceptual metaphors. Most up and down metaphors convey emotionally positive and negative information, respectively. We suggest that metaphorical meaning elicits upward/downward movements because they are grounded on the bodily expression of the corresponding emotions.

  1. Effect of Polyelectrolyte and Fatty Acid Soap on the Formation of CaCO3 in the Bulk and the Deposit on Hard Surfaces.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Hao; Alfredsson, Viveka; Tropsch, Juergen; Ettl, Roland; Nylander, Tommy

    2015-09-30

    The effects of sodium polyacrylate (NaPAA) as well as potassium oleate on the nucleation and calcium carbonate crystal growth on hard surfaces, i.e., stainless steel and silica, have been investigated at different temperatures. The relation between the surface deposition and the corresponding bulk processes has been revealed by combining dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and ellipsometry. The aim was to further our understanding of the crystal deposition/growth mechanism and how it can be controlled by the presence of polyelectrolytes (NaPAA) or soap (potassium oleate). The addition of polyelectrolytes (NaPAA) or soap (potassium oleate) decreases the size of CaCO3 particles in bulk solution and affects both crystal structure and morphology in the bulk as well as on hard surfaces. The amount of particles on hard surfaces decreases significantly in the presence of both potassium oleate and NaPAA. This was found to be a consequence of potassium oleate or NaPAA adsorption on the hard surface as well as on the CaCO3 crystal surfaces. Here, the polymer NaPAA exhibited a stronger inhibition effect on the formation and growth of CaCO3 particles than potassium oleate.

  2. Remediation of acid mine drainage at the friendship hill national historic site with a pulsed limestone bed process

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sibrell, P.L.; Watten, B.; Boone, T.; ,

    2003-01-01

    A new process utilizing pulsed fluidized limestone beds was tested for the remediation of acid mine drainage at the Friendship Hill National Historic Site, in southwestern Pennsylvania. A 230 liter-per-minute treatment system was constructed and operated over a fourteen-month period from June 2000 through September 2001. Over this period of time, 50,000 metric tons of limestone were used to treat 50 million liters of water. The influent water pH was 2.5 and acidity was 1000 mg/L as CaCO3. Despite the high potential for armoring at the site, effluent pH during normal plant operation ranged from 5.7 to 7.8 and averaged 6.8. As a result of the high influent acidity, sufficient CO2 was generated and recycled to provide a net alkaline discharge with about 50 mg/L as CaCO3 alkalinity. Additions of commercial CO2 increased effluent alkalinity to as high as 300 mg/L, and could be a useful process management tool for transient high flows or acidities. Metal removal rates were 95% for aluminum (60 mg/L in influent), 50 to 90% for iron (Fe), depending on the ratio of ferrous to ferric iron, which varied seasonally (200 mg/L in influent), and iron and Mn removal was incomplete because of the high pH required for precipitation of these species. Iron removal could be improved by increased aeration following neutralization, and Mn removal could be effected by a post treatment passive settling/oxidation pond. Metal hydroxide sludges were settled in settling tanks, and then hauled from the site for aesthetic purposes. Over 450 metric tons of sludge were removed from the water over the life of the project. The dried sludge was tested by the Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Protocol (TCLP) and was found to be non-hazardous. Treatment costs were $43,000 per year and $1.08 per m 3, but could be decreased to $22,000 and $0.51 per m3 by decreasing labor use and by onsite sludge handling. These results confirm the utility of the new process in treatment of acid impaired waters that were

  3. Application of Al-2La-1B Grain Refiner to Al-10Si-0.3Mg Casting Alloy

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jing, Lijun; Pan, Ye; Lu, Tao; Li, Chenlin; Pi, Jinhong; Sheng, Ningyue

    2018-05-01

    This paper reports the application and microstructure refining effect of an Al-2La-1B grain refiner in Al-10Si-0.3Mg casting alloy. Compared with the traditional Al-5Ti-1B refiner, Al-2La-1B refiner shows better performances on the grain refinement of Al-10Si-0.3Mg alloy. Transmission electron microscopy analysis suggests that the crystallite structure features of LaB6 are beneficial to the heterogeneous nucleation of α-Al grains. Regarding the mechanical performances, tensile properties of Al-10Si-0.3Mg casting alloy are prominently improved, due to the refined microstructures.

  4. The novel oral imatinib microemulsions: physical properties, cytotoxicity activities and improved Caco-2 cell permeability.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gundogdu, Evren; Karasulu, Hatice Yesim; Koksal, Cinel; Karasulu, Ercüment

    2013-01-01

    The objective of this study was to formulate imatinib (IM) loaded to water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsions as an alternative formulation for cancer therapy and to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of microemulsions Caco-2 and MCF-7. Moreover, permeability studies were also performed with Caco-2 cells. W/o microemulsion systems were developed by using pseudo-ternary phase diagram. According to cytotoxicity studies, all formulations did not exert a cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, all formulations had a significant cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells and the cytotoxic effect of M3IM was significantly more than that of other microemulsions and IM solution (p < 0.05). The permeability studies of IM across Caco-2 cells showed that permeability value from apical to basolateral was higher than permeability value of other formulations. In conclusion, the microemulsion formulations as a drug carrier, especially M3IM formulation, may be used as an effective alternative breast cancer therapy for oral delivery of IM.

  5. MC3T3-E1 proliferation and differentiation on biphasic mixtures of Mg substituted β-tricalcium phosphate and amorphous calcium phosphate

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Singh, Satish S.; Roy, Abhijit; Lee, Boeun E.; Banerjee, Ipsita; Kumta, Prashant N.

    2014-01-01

    A low temperature aqueous approach was used to synthesize nanocrystalline, high surface area Mg 2+ substituted β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCMP) to assess its potential use as a synthetic bone graft substitute. X-ray diffraction indicated that β-TCMP was the predominant crystalline phase formed. However, thermal analysis revealed the presence of a secondary amorphous phase which increased with increasing Mg 2+ concentration. Further analysis by Rietveld refinement indicated that the level of ionic substitution of Ca 2+ by Mg 2+ was significantly lower than the amount of Mg 2+ measured using elemental analysis, confirming the formation of a Mg 2+ rich secondary amorphous phase. MC3T3-E1 proliferation on substrates prepared using β-TCMP was assessed using the MTT assay. In comparison to commercially available β-TCP, increased proliferation was observed on samples prepared with 50% Mg, despite elevated Mg 2+ and PO 4 3− concentrations in culture media. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and qRT-PCR were used to study the effect of varying Mg 2+ substitution on osteogenic differentiation. Cells cultured on β-TCMP substrates prepared with increased Mg 2+ concentrations expressed significantly increased levels of ALP activity and osteogenic genes such as, osteocalcin, collagen-1, and Runx2, in comparison to those cultured on commercially available β-TCP

  6. The microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-3Al-3RE alloys

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tian, X.; Wang, L.M.; Wang, J.L.; Liu, Y.B.; An, J.; Cao, Z.Y.

    2008-01-01

    The Mg-3Al-3RE alloys (RE, the cerium-rich or the yttrium-rich misch metal) were smelted in a resistance furnace under the protective flux from the Mg-RE master alloys and pure magnesium ingots. The microstructure and mechanical properties of samples prepared by steel mould casting method were investigated. Results show that the main phases of the alloys are α-Mg, Mg 17 Al 12 and Al-RE compounds, and the grain size reduced with the increasing content of the cerium-rich misch metal. Mg-3Al-2Ymm-1Cemm (Ymm, the yttrium-rich misch metal; Cemm, the Cerium-rich misch metal) exhibited the highest mechanical properties, that is UTS = 201 MPa and YS = 75 MPa, and ε = 8.2% at room temperature; UTS = 146 MPa, and YS = 70 MPa, ε = 18.2% at the temperature of 150 deg. C, respectively. Fracture surface analysis revealed that the Mg-3Al-2Ymm-1Cemm alloy has a mixed fracture feature at room temperature but ductile fracture at elevated temperature (150 deg. C)

  7. Language-mediated visual orienting behavior in low and high literates

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Falk eHuettig

    2011-10-01

    Full Text Available The influence of formal literacy on spoken language-mediated visual orienting was investigated by using a simple look and listen task (cf. Huettig & Altmann, 2005 which resembles every day behavior. In Experiment 1, high and low literates listened to spoken sentences containing a target word (e.g., 'magar', crocodile while at the same time looking at a visual display of four objects (a phonological competitor of the target word, e.g., 'matar', peas; a semantic competitor, e.g., 'kachuwa', turtle, and two unrelated distractors. In Experiment 2 the semantic competitor was replaced with another unrelated distractor. Both groups of participants shifted their eye gaze to the semantic competitors (Experiment 1. In both experiments high literates shifted their eye gaze towards phonological competitors as soon as phonological information became available and moved their eyes away as soon as the acoustic information mismatched. Low literates in contrast only used phonological information when semantic matches between spoken word and visual referent were impossible (Experiment 2 but in contrast to high literates these phonologically-mediated shifts in eye gaze were not closely time-locked to the speech input. We conclude that in high literates language-mediated shifts in overt attention are co-determined by the type of information in the visual environment, the timing of cascaded processing in the word- and object-recognition systems, and the temporal unfolding of the spoken language. Our findings indicate that low literates exhibit a similar cognitive behavior but instead of participating in a tug-of-war among multiple types of cognitive representations, word-object mapping is achieved primarily at the semantic level. If forced, for instance by a situation in which semantic matches are not present (Experiment 2, low literates may on occasion have to rely on phonological information but do so in a much less proficient manner than their highly literate

  8. A laboratory study of ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O) precipitation as a function of pH, salinity, temperature and phosphate concentration

    OpenAIRE

    Hu, Yu-Bin; Wolf-Gladrow, Dieter A.; Dieckmann, Gerhard S.; Völker, Christoph; Nehrke, Gernot

    2014-01-01

    Ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O) has only recently been discovered in sea ice, in a study that also provided first direct evidence of CaCO3 precipitation in sea ice. However, little is as yet known about the impact of physico-chemical processes on ikaite precipitation in sea ice. Our study focused on how the changes in pH, salinity, temperature and phosphate (PO4) concentration affect the precipitation of ikaite. Experiments were set up at pH from 8.5 to 10.0, salinities from 0 to 105 (in both artificial ...

  9. Comparison of the usefulness of the CACO-2 cell line with standard substrates for isolation of swine influenza A viruses.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chiapponi, Chiara; Zanni, Irene; Garbarino, Chiara; Barigazzi, Giuseppe; Foni, Emanuela

    2010-01-01

    Influenza A virus isolation is undertaken routinely in embryonated chicken eggs, but to improve virus detection various cell lines can be used. The CACO-2 cell line was compared to the MDCK cell line and embryonated chicken eggs for the isolation of H1N1, H1N2, H3N2 swine influenza A virus subtypes from clinical specimens. From 2006 to 2008, 104 influenza A samples found positive by PCR from 42 respiratory outbreaks in Italian swine farms were examined by virus isolation. Sixty swine influenza A viruses were isolated (16 H1N1, 28 H1N2 and 16 H3N2) and their growth behaviour on the different substrates was examined. 16/16 H1N1, 28/28 H1N2 and 8/16 of H3N2 viruses were isolated from the CACO-2 cell line, while 7/16 H1N1, 3/28 H1N2 and 16/16 H3N2 viruses were isolated using embryonated chicken eggs. Only 9/16 H1N1, 1/28 H1N2 and 6/16 H3N2 viruses replicated in MDCK cells. A link was found between viral hemagglutinin and the isolation rate on the various substrates. The CACO-2 line was statistically more sensitive (Fisher's exact test, pH1N2 subtypes. In contrast influenza A H3N2 virus was isolated more readily in embryonated chicken eggs than in cultured cells (Fisher's exact test, p<0.01).

  10. Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone Protects against Cytokine-Induced Barrier Damage in Caco-2 Intestinal Epithelial Monolayers.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Judit Váradi

    Full Text Available Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH is a potent anti-inflammatory peptide with cytoprotective effect in various tissues. The present investigation demonstrates the ability of α-MSH to interact with intestinal epithelial cell monolayers and mitigate inflammatory processes of the epithelial barrier. The protective effect of α-MSH was studied on Caco-2 human intestinal epithelial monolayers, which were disrupted by exposure to tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β. The barrier integrity was assessed by measuring transepithelial electric resistance (TEER and permeability for marker molecules. Caco-2 monolayers were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for expression of melanocortin-1 receptor and tight junction proteins ZO-1 and claudin-4. The activation of nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB was detected by fluorescence microscopy and inflammatory cytokine expression was assessed by flow cytometric bead array cytokine assay. Exposure of Caco-2 monolayers to proinflammatory cytokines lowered TEER and increased permeability for fluorescein and albumin, which was accompanied by changes in ZO-1 and claudin-4 immunostaining. α-MSH was able to prevent inflammation-associated decrease of TEER in a dose-dependent manner and reduce the increased permeability for paracellular marker fluorescein. Further immunohistochemistry analysis revealed proinflammatory cytokine induced translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit into Caco-2 cell nuclei, which was inhibited by α-MSH. As a result the IL-6 and IL-8 production of Caco-2 monolayers were also decreased with different patterns by the addition of α-MSH to the culture medium. In conclusion, Caco-2 cells showed a positive immunostaining for melanocortin-1 receptor and α-MSH protected Caco-2 cells against inflammatory barrier dysfunction and inflammatory activation induced by tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β cytokines.

  11. Brief communication: ikaite (CaCO3*6H2O) discovered in Arctic sea ice

    Science.gov (United States)

    Dieckmann, G. S.; Nehrke, G.; Uhlig, C.; Göttlicher, J.; Gerland, S.; Granskog, M. A.; Thomas, D. N.

    2010-02-01

    We report for the first time on the discovery of calcium carbonate crystals as ikaite (CaCO3*6H2O) in sea ice from the Arctic (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard). This finding demonstrates that the precipitation of calcium carbonate during the freezing of sea ice is not restricted to the Antarctic, where it was observed for the first time in 2008. This finding is an important step in the quest to quantify its impact on the sea ice driven carbon cycle and should in the future enable improvement parametrization sea ice carbon models.

  12. Calcite Wettability in the Presence of Dissolved Mg2+ and SO42-

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Generosi, Johanna; Ceccato, Marcel; Andersson, Martin Peter

    2017-01-01

    that potential determining ions in seawater, Mg2+, Ca2+, and SO42–, are responsible for altering the wettability of calcite surfaces. In favorable conditions, e.g., elevated temperature, calcium at the calcite surface can be replaced by magnesium, making organic molecules bind more weakly and water molecules...... bind more strongly, rendering the surface more hydrophilic. We used atomic force microscopy in chemical force mapping mode to probe the adhesion forces between a hydrophobic CH3-terminated AFM tip and a freshly cleaved calcite {10.4} surface to investigate wettability change in the presence of Mg2...... with calcite even after rinsing with CaCO3-saturated deionized water, suggesting sorption on or in calcite. When the calcite-saturated solution of MgSO4 was replaced by calcite-saturated NaCl at the same ionic strength, adhesion force increased again, indicating that the effect is reversible and suggesting Mg...

  13. Bending strength of glass-ceramics based on 3CaO.P2O5-SiO2-MgO glass system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Daguano, J.K.M.F.; Suzuki, P.A.; Santos, C.; Fernandes, M.H.V.; Elias, C.N.

    2009-01-01

    In this work, the Modulus of Rupture of bioactive glass-ceramic based on 3CaO.P 2 O 5 -SiO 2 -MgO system was investigated, aiming its use in bone-restorations. The mechanical property was correlated with microstructural and crystallographic features of this material. High-purity starting-powders, CaCO 3 , SiO 2 , MgO, Ca (H 2 PO 4 ).H 2 O, were used in this study. The powders were mixed in a stoichiometric ratio, using planetary ball-mill. The suspensions were dried, sieved and melted at 1600 deg C, for 4h. The casting ones were cooled quickly until annealing temperature 700 deg C, in which remained for 2h, with controlled cooling-rate until ambient temperature. Bulks of glass were heat-treated with temperatures varying between 700 deg C and 1100 deg C, for 4h, being after that, cooled at 3 deg C/min. Bioactive glass and glass-ceramic were characterized by HRXRD (high resolution X-ray diffraction), where whitlockite was main phase. The microstructure was analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy. Modulus of Rupture was determined by four-point bending testing using specimens of 1.5 x 2 x 25 mm and glasses presented strength near to 70MPa, while glass ceramics treated at 975 deg C-4h, presented bending strength of 120MPa. (author)

  14. Corrosion study of resorbable Ca60Mg15Zn25 bulk metallic glasses in physiological fluids

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Rafał Babilas

    2017-10-01

    Full Text Available The corrosion activity of amorphous plates of Ca60Mg15Zn25 alloy was investigated. The biocompatible elements were selected for the alloy composition. The electrochemical corrosion and immersion tests were carried out in a multi-electrolyte fluid and Ringer's solution. Better corrosion behavior was observed for the samples tested in a multi-electrolyte fluid despite the active dissolution of Ca and Mg in Ringer's solution. The experimental results indicated that reducing concentration of NaCl from 8.6 g/dm3 for Ringer's solution to 5.75 g/dm3 caused the decrease of the corrosion rate. The volume of the hydrogen evolved after 480 min in Ringer's solution (40.1 ml/cm2 was higher in comparison with that obtained in a multi-electrolyte fluid (24.4 ml/cm2. The values of open-circuit potential (EOCP for the Ca60Mg15Zn25 glass after 1 h incubation in Ringer's solution and a multi-electrolyte fluid were determined to be −1553 and −1536 mV vs. a saturated calomel electrode (SCE. The electrochemical measurements indicated a shift of the corrosion current density (jcorr from 1062 μA/cm2 for the sample tested in Ringer's solution to 788 μA/cm2 for the specimen immersed in a multi-electrolyte fluid. The corrosion products analysis was conducted by using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS. The corrosion products were identified to be CaCO3, Mg(OH2, CaO, MgO and ZnO. The mechanism of corrosion process was proposed and described based on the microscopic observations. The X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR also indicated that Ca(OH2, CaCO3, Zn(OH2 and Ca(Zn(OH32·2H2O mainly formed on the surface of the studied alloy. Keywords: Ca-based metallic glasses, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Corrosion resistance, Hydrogen evaluation

  15. Rosa canina Extracts Have Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Effects on Caco-2 Human Colon Cancer.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Sandra Jiménez

    Full Text Available The in vitro antiproliferative and antioxidant effects of different fractions of Rosa canina hips on human colon cancer cell lines (Caco-2 was studied. The compounds tested were total extract (fraction 1, vitamin C (fraction 2, neutral polyphenols (fraction 3 and acidic polyphenols (fraction 4. All the extracts showed high cytotoxicity after 72 h, both low and high concentrations. The flow cytometric analysis revealed that all the fractions produce disturbances in the cell cycle resulting in a concomitant cell death by an apoptotic pathway. Changes in the redox status of Caco-2 cells in response to Rosa canina hips were determined. Cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide in presence of plant fractions and the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS was significantly decreased. Therefore, our data demonstrate that rosehip extracts are a powerful antioxidant that produces an antiproliferative effect in Caco-2 cells. Therefore, these results predict a promising future for Rosa canina as a therapeutic agent. Thus, this natural plant could be an effective component of functional foods addressed towards colorectal carcinoma.

  16. Pharmacokinetics of Second-Line Antituberculosis Drugs after Multiple Administrations in Healthy Volunteers.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Park, Sang-In; Oh, Jaeseong; Jang, Kyungho; Yoon, Jangsoo; Moon, Seol Ju; Park, Jong Sun; Lee, Jae Ho; Song, Junghan; Jang, In-Jin; Yu, Kyung-Sang; Chung, Jae-Yong

    2015-08-01

    Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of second-line antituberculosis drugs would allow for optimal individualized dosage adjustments and improve drug safety and therapeutic outcomes. To evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of clinically relevant, multidrug treatment regimens and to improve the feasibility of TDM, we conducted an open-label, multiple-dosing study with 16 healthy subjects who were divided into two groups. Cycloserine (250 mg), p-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) (5.28 g), and prothionamide (250 mg) twice daily and pyrazinamide (1,500 mg) once daily were administered to both groups. Additionally, levofloxacin (750 mg) and streptomycin (1 g) once daily were administered to group 1 and moxifloxacin (400 mg) and kanamycin (1 g) once daily were administered to group 2. Blood samples for PK analysis were collected up to 24 h following the 5 days of drug administration. The PK parameters, including the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve during a dosing interval at steady state (AUCτ), were evaluated. The correlations between the PK parameters and the concentrations at each time point were analyzed. The mean Cmax and AUCτ, respectively, for each drug were as follows: cycloserine, 24.9 mg/liter and 242.3 mg · h/liter; PAS, 65.9 mg/liter and 326.5 mg · h/liter; prothionamide, 5.3 mg/liter and 22.1 mg · h/liter; levofloxacin, 6.6 mg/liter and 64.4 mg · h/liter; moxifloxacin, 4.7 mg/liter and 54.2 mg · h/liter; streptomycin, 42.0 mg/liter and 196.7 mg · h/liter; kanamycin, 34.5 mg/liter and 153.5 mg · h/liter. The results indicated that sampling at 1, 2.5, and 6 h postdosing is needed for TDM when all seven drugs are administered concomitantly. This study indicates that PK characteristics must be considered when prescribing optimal treatments for patients. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT02128308.). Copyright © 2015, American Society for

  17. Random poly(amino acid)s synthesized by ring opening polymerization as additives in the biomimetic mineralization of CaCO3

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Dmitrovic, V.; Habraken, G.J.M.; Hendrix, M.M.R.M.; Habraken, W.J.E.M.; Heise, A.; With, de G.; Sommerdijk, N.A.J.M.

    2012-01-01

    Biominerals such as bones, teeth and seashells, very often have advanced material properties and are a source of inspiration for material chemists. As in biological systems acidic proteins play an important role in regulating the formation of CaCO3 biominerals, we employ poly(amino acid)s to mimic

  18. Thermoelectric power of PrMg3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Isikawa, Yosikazu; Somiya, Kazuya; Koyanagi, Huruto; Mizushima, Toshio; Kuwai, Tomohiko; Tayama, Takashi

    2010-01-01

    PrMg3 is supposed to be one of the strongly correlated electron systems originated from the hybridization between the Pr 4f and conduction electrons, because the gigantic electronic specific heat coefficient C/T was observed at low temperatures. However, a typical behaviour of - ln T dependence was not observed in the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity. The thermoelectric power S is a powerful tool to investigate the density of states at the Fermi energy. We measured carefully the thermoelectric power of PrMg3 in the temperature range between 2 and 300 K. S is extremely small, ranged within ±1 μV/K over the whole temperature. The value of S/T at low temperature limit was also significantly smaller than expected from the specific heat results. We therefore conclude that the density of state at the Fermi level is not enhanced in PrMg3.

  19. Thermoelectric power of PrMg3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Isikawa, Yosikazu; Somiya, Kazuya; Koyanagi, Huruto; Mizushima, Toshio; Kuwai, Tomohiko; Tayama, Takashi

    2010-01-01

    PrMg 3 is supposed to be one of the strongly correlated electron systems originated from the hybridization between the Pr 4f and conduction electrons, because the gigantic electronic specific heat coefficient C/T was observed at low temperatures. However, a typical behaviour of - ln T dependence was not observed in the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity. The thermoelectric power S is a powerful tool to investigate the density of states at the Fermi energy. We measured carefully the thermoelectric power of PrMg 3 in the temperature range between 2 and 300 K. S is extremely small, ranged within ±1 μV/K over the whole temperature. The value of S/T at low temperature limit was also significantly smaller than expected from the specific heat results. We therefore conclude that the density of state at the Fermi level is not enhanced in PrMg 3 .

  20. Decadal changes in the CaCO3 saturation state along 179°E in the Pacific Ocean

    Science.gov (United States)

    Murata, Akihiko; Saito, Shu

    2012-06-01

    To assess degrees of ocean acidification, we mainly investigated decadal changes in the saturation state of seawater with respect to aragonite (Ωarg), which is a more vulnerable mineral form of CaCO3, along the 179°E meridian (WOCE P14N) in the Pacific Ocean. We found a maximum decrease of Ωarg of -0.48 (-0.034 a-1) at 200-300 dbar (isopycnal surfaces of 24.0-25.8 kg m-3) at 20°N. Between 1993 and 2007, the saturation horizon rose by 17 dbar (1.2 dbar a-1) at latitudes 10°N-50°N. Although ΔΩarg mostly reflected changes in normalized dissolved inorganic carbon (ΔnCT), it was larger than could be explained by anthropogenic CO2 storage alone. Decomposition of ΔnCT revealed that ΔΩarg was enhanced by approximately 50% by a non-anthropogenic CO2 contribution represented by changes in apparent oxygen utilization. Our results suggest that ocean acidification can be temporarily accelerated by temporal changes in oceanic conditions.

  1. Frequency metrology on the Mg 3s21S→3s4p 1P line for comparison with quasar data

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hannemann, S.; Salumbides, E. J.; Witte, S.; Zinkstok, R. Th.; Duijn, E.-J. van; Eikema, K. S. E.; Ubachs, W.

    2006-01-01

    We report a frequency metrology study on the Mg 3s 2 1 S→3s4p 1 P transition near 202.5 nm. For this purpose, the fourth harmonic of the output from an injection-seeded Ti:sapphire pulsed laser is employed in a Mg atomic beam experiment with laser-induced fluorescence detection. Absolute frequency calibration with a frequency comb laser is performed on the cw seeding radiation, while the chirp-induced frequency shift between the pulsed output and the seed light is monitored on line. The resulting transition frequency for the main isotope 24 Mg is determined at 49 346.756 809(35) m -1 . This value is three orders of magnitude more precise than the best value in the literature. The line positions of the other isotopes 25 Mg and 26 Mg are also measured at comparable accuracy, giving rise to very exact values for the isotopic shifts. The achieved precision for the transition frequency at the 7x10 -10 level makes this second resonance line of Mg I an additional candidate for inclusion in many-multiplet methods, aimed at detecting a possible temporal variation of the fine-structure constant α from comparison with quasar spectra. The isotopic shifts obtained are also important to correct for possible systematic shifts due to evolution of isotopic abundances, which may mimic α-variation effects

  2. The Effect of Increasing Sn Content on High-Temperature Mechanical Deformation of an Mg-3%Cu-1%Ca Alloy

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Georgios S.E. Antipas

    2013-11-01

    Full Text Available Chill casting of magnesium alloy samples with secondary alloying elements of Cu, Ca and Sn at % w.t. concentrations in the range 1–5, 0.1–5 and 0.13 respectively, gave rise to appreciably enhanced resistance to high-temperature creep, while maintaining good heat conductivity. The latter was considered to be driven by Cu and Mg-Cu intermetallics while it was clear that Sn mediated the high-temperature performance, mainly via networks of Mg2Sn and MgCaSn precipitates along the Mg matrix grain boundaries. It was postulated that Sn formed intermetallics by preferential substitution of Ca atoms and, thus, did not degrade the heat conductivity by retaining Cu. The % w.t. stoichiometry with the optimum combination of heat conductivity and resistance to high-temperature creep was found to be Mg-3Cu-1Ca-0.1Sn.

  3. Three dimensional reconstruction of activity profiles in 220 liters radioactive waste packages containing super-compacted 100 liters drums

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Van Velzen, L.P.M.; Maes, J.

    2007-01-01

    The 3DRedact project's main objective is the development of a non-destructive assay (NDA) system that can replace emission computer tomography (ECT) and transmission computer tomography (TCT) for the routine characterization of decayed radioactive waste 220 liters drums. The existing fast NDA scan system has been extended with a transmission system that fulfils the requirements of fast scan measurements. The design parameters and engineering are described. As a consequence of this extension the analyze program HOLIS had to be updated, so that HOLIS can make full advantage of the transmission data generated by the analysis of a 220 liters waste drum, containing different super compacted drums. The achievements of the new HOLIS version are presented. As a first assessment, based on the presented tests results, the accuracy of the calculated coordinates of hotspots can be assessed for all coordinates ± 1 cm and for the activity of the hot-spot ± 5 %. These accuracies are within the predefined requirements e.g. coordinates uncertainty ± 2 cm and activity less than 10 %. Further, additional safety systems have been installed to improve a healthy and save working environment. (authors)

  4. Identification of New Anti-inflammatory Peptides from Zein Hydrolysate after Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion and Transport in Caco-2 Cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liang, Qiufang; Chalamaiah, Meram; Ren, Xiaofeng; Ma, Haile; Wu, Jianping

    2018-02-07

    Chronic inflammation is an underlying contributor to various chronic diseases. The objectives of this study were to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of zein hydrolysate after simulated gastrointestinal digestion and Caco-2 cell absorption and to identify novel anti-inflammatory peptides after transport across Caco-2 cells. Three zein hydrolysates were prepared and further digested using gastrointestinal proteases; their transports were studied in Caco-2 cells. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied in endothelial EA.hy926 cells. Three zein hydrolysates and their digests significantly decreased the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced pro-inflammatory vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) by 37.3-66.0%. Eleven novel peptides with 5-9 amino acid residues were sequenced; three peptides showed strong anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the VCAM-1 by 54-38.9% and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) by 36.5-28.6% at 0.2 mM. A new approach to identify novel anti-inflammatory peptides that could survive gastrointestinal digestion and absorption was developed.

  5. Synthesis and electrochemical study of Mg{sub 1.5}MnO{sub 3}: A defect spinel cathode for rechargeable magnesium battery

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Saha, Partha [Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261 (United States); US Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Morgantown, WV 26507 (United States); Jampani, Prashanth H., E-mail: pjampani@pitt.edu [Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261 (United States); Hong, DaeHo [Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261 (United States); Gattu, Bharat [Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261 (United States); Poston, James A.; Manivannan, Ayyakkannu [US Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Morgantown, WV 26507 (United States); Datta, Moni Kanchan [Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261 (United States); US Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Morgantown, WV 26507 (United States); Kumta, Prashant N., E-mail: pkumta@pitt.edu [Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261 (United States); US Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Morgantown, WV 26507 (United States); Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261 (United States); Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261 (United States); School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261 (United States); Center for Complex Engineered Multifunctional Materials, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 (United States)

    2015-12-15

    Graphical abstract: Mg{sub 1.5}MnO{sub 3}, a defect oxide spinel derived by the Pechini route, was tested as cathode for rechargeable magnesium battery. TEM and XRD analyses of Mg{sub 1.5}MnO{sub 3} shows the formation of ∼100 nm sized nano particles in the cubic defect spinel structure (space group: Fd3m; unit cell: 0.833294 nm). Cyclic voltammetry illustrates a reversible reaction occurring between 0.3 and 1.5 V versus magnesium. Galvanostatic cycling of the Mg{sub 1.5}MnO{sub 3} cathode exhibits a low capacity of ∼12.4 mAh/g up to 20 cycle with ∼99.9% Coulombic efficiency when cycled at a current rate of ∼C/27. XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) surface probe of magnesiated/de-magnesiated electrodes confirm a change in the redox center of Mn-ions during intercalation/de-intercalation of Mg-ion from the Mg{sub 1.5}MnO{sub 3} electrode. The low capacity of Mg{sub 1.5}MnO{sub 3} electrode mainly stem from the kinetic limitation of Mg-ion removal from the defect oxide spinel as the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results of electrodes after 1st and 2nd cycle show that charge transfer resistance, R{sub e}, increases post charge state whereas interfacial resistance, R{sub i}, increases after discharge state, respectively. - Highlights: • Pechini process yields 100 nm sized particles of the defect cubic spinel Mg{sub 1.5}MnO{sub 3}. • Stable capacity of ∼12.4 mAh/g obtained at C/27 rate and 99.9% Coulombic efficiency. • XPS shows change in valence state of Mn{sup 3+}/Mn{sup 4+} center with cycling. • Low capacity stems from increase in charge-transfer and interfacial resistances with cycling. - Abstract: Mg{sub 1.5}MnO{sub 3}, a defect oxide spinel (space group: Fd3m; unit cell: 0.833294 nm) of particle size ∼100 nm derived by the Pechini route was tested as a cathode for rechargeable magnesium battery. Cyclic voltammetry illustrates a reversible reaction occurring in the 0.3–2.0 V potential window versus magnesium. The spinel however

  6. Interactions between organic anions on multiple transporters in Caco-2 cells

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Grandvuinet, Anne Sophie; Steffansen, Bente

    2011-01-01

    Caco-2 cell line may be used as an overall model to predict interactions on multiple membrane transporters in the intestine. Taurocholic acid (TCA) and estrone-3-sulfate (E1S) were used as model substrates. Possible inhibitors studied were TCA, E1S, taurolithocholic acid, fluvastatin, and glipizide......-dependent bile acid transporter and the organic solute transporter α/β, and to less extent by the organic anion transporting polypeptide 2B1. However, interactions on efflux transporters were not detected, although they were expected from the literature on the investigated compounds. Biosimulation methods may...

  7. Inhibition of Glucose Transport by Tomatoside A, a Tomato Seed Steroidal Saponin, through the Suppression of GLUT2 Expression in Caco-2 Cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, Baorui; Terazono, Yusuke; Hirasaki, Naoto; Tatemichi, Yuki; Kinoshita, Emiko; Obata, Akio; Matsui, Toshiro

    2018-02-14

    We investigated whether tomatoside A (5α-furostane-3β,22,26-triol-3-[O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1→4)-β-d-galactopyranoside] 26-O-β-d-glucopyranoside), a tomato seed saponin, may play a role in the regulation of intestinal glucose transport in human intestinal Caco-2 cells. Tomatoside A could not penetrate through Caco-2 cell monolayers, as observed in the transport experiments using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The treatment of cells with 10 μM tomatoside A for 3 h resulted in a 46.0% reduction in glucose transport as compared to untreated cells. Western blotting analyses revealed that tomatoside A significantly (p transporter 2 (GLUT2) in Caco-2 cells, while no change in the expression of sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 was observed. In glucose transport experiments, the reduced glucose transport by tomatoside A was ameliorated by a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor and a multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) inhibitor. The tomatoside A-induced reduction in glucose transport was restored in cells treated with apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) siRNA or an ASBT antagonist. These findings demonstrated for the first time that the nontransportable tomato seed steroidal saponin, tomatoside A, suppressed GLUT2 expression via PKC signaling pathway during the ASBT-influx/MRP2-efflux process in Caco-2 cells.

  8. Trio of terror (pregnancy, menstruation, and breastfeeding): an existential function of literal self-objectification among women.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Morris, Kasey Lynn; Goldenberg, Jamie L; Heflick, Nathan A

    2014-07-01

    Research and theorizing suggest that objectification entails perceiving a person not as a human being but, quite literally, as an object. However, the motive to regard the self as an object is not well understood. The current research tested the hypothesis that literal self-objectification can serve a terror management function. From this perspective, the female body poses a unique existential threat on account of its role in reproduction, and regarding the self as an object is posited to shield women from this threat because objects, in contrast to humans, are not mortal. Across 5 studies, 3 operationalizations of literal self-objectification were employed (a denial of essentially human traits to the self, overlap in the explicit assignment of traits to the self and objects, and implicit associations between self and objects using an implicit association test) in response to 3 aspects of women's bodies involved in reproduction (pregnancy, menstruation, and breastfeeding). In each study, priming mortality led women (but not men, included in Studies 1, 3, 4, and 5) to literally self-objectify in conditions where women's reproductive features were salient. In addition, literal self-objectification was found to mediate subsequent responsiveness to death-related stimuli (Study 4). Together, these findings are the first to demonstrate a direct link between mortality salience, women's role in reproduction, and their self-objectification, supporting an existential function of self-objectification in women.

  9. Damped soft phonons and diffuse scattering in 40%Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-60%PbTiO3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Stock, C.; Ellis, D.; Swainson, I. P.; Xu, Guangyong; Hiraka, H.; Shirane, G.; Zhong, Z.; Luo, H.; Zhao, X.; Viehland, D.; Birgeneau, R. J.

    2006-01-01

    Using neutron elastic and inelastic scattering and high-energy x-ray diffraction, we present a comparison of 40% Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 -60% PbTiO 3 (PMN-60PT) with pure Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 (PMN) and PbTiO 3 (PT). We measure the structural properties of PMN-60PT to be identical to pure PT, however, the lattice dynamics are exactly that previously found in relaxors PMN and Pb(Zn 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 (PZN). PMN-60PT displays a well-defined macroscopic structural transition from a cubic to tetragonal unit cell at 550 K. The diffuse scattering is shown to be weak indicating that the structural distortion is long-range in PMN-60PT and short-range polar correlations (polar nanoregions) are not present. Even though polar nanoregions are absent, the soft optic mode is short-lived for wave vectors near the zone center. Therefore PMN-60PT displays the same waterfall effect as prototypical relaxors PMN and PZN. We conclude that it is random fields resulting from the intrinsic chemical disorder which is the reason for the broad transverse optic mode observed in PMN and PMN-60PT near the zone center and not due to the formation of short-ranged polar correlations. Through our comparison of PMN, PMN-60PT, and pure PT, we interpret the dynamic and static properties of the PMN-xPT system in terms of a random field model in which the cubic anisotropy term dominates with increasing doping of PbTiO 3

  10. Note: High-power piezoelectric transformer fabricated with ternary relaxor ferroelectric Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))O3-Pb(In(1/2)Nb(1/2))O3-PbTiO3 single crystal.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Qing; Ma, Chuanguo; Wang, Feifei; Liu, Bao; Chen, Jianwei; Luo, Haosu; Wang, Tao; Shi, Wangzhou

    2016-03-01

    A plate-shaped piezoelectric transformer was designed and fabricated using ternary relaxor ferroelectric single crystal Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))O3-Pb(In(1/2)Nb(1/2))O3-PbTiO3. Both the input and output sections utilized the transverse-extensional vibration mode. The frequency and load dependences of the electrical properties for the proposed transformer were systematically studied. Results indicated that under a matching load resistance of 14.9 kΩ, a maximum output power of 2.56 W was obtained with the temperature rise less than 5 °C. The corresponding power density reached up to 50 W/cm(3). This ternary single-crystal transformer had potential applications in compact-size converters requiring high power density.

  11. Enhancement of Mechanical Properties of Extruded Mg-9Al-1Zn-1MM-0.7CaO-0.3Mn Alloy Through Pre-aging Treatment

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jeong, Seok Hoan; Kim, Yong Joo; Kong, Kyung Ho; Cho, Tae Hee; Kim, Young Kyun; Lim, Hyun Kyu; Kim, Won Tae; Kim, Do Hyang

    2018-03-01

    The effect of pre-aging treatment before extrusion has been investigated in Mg-9.0Al-1.0Zn-1MM-0.7CaO-0.3Mn alloy. The as-cast microstructure consists of α-Mg dendrite with secondary solidification phase particles, (Mg, Al)2Ca, β-Mg17Al12 and Al11RE3 at the inter-dendritic region. After extrusion, β-Mg17Al12 precipitates are present, but higher density and more homogeneous distribution in pre-aged alloy. In addition, μm-scale banded bulk β-Mg17Al12 particles are generated during extrusion. Al11RE3 particles are broken into small particles, and are aligned along the extrusion direction. (Mg, Al)2Ca particles are only slightly elongated along the extrusion direction, providing stronger particle stimulated nucleation (PSN) effect by severe deformation during extrusion. The mechanical properties can be significantly enhanced by introducing pre-aging treatment, i.e. β-Mg17Al12 precipitates provide grain refining and strengthening effects and (Mg, Al)2Ca particles provide PSN effect.

  12. Half-liter supernatant sampler system engineering work plan

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ritter, G.A.

    1995-01-01

    The Tank Waste Remediation System (TWRS) pretreatment facility project W-236B, known as the Initial Pretreatment Module (IPM), requires samples of supernatants and sludges from 200 Area tank farms for planned hot testing work in support of IPM design. The IPM project has proposed the development of several new sampler systems. These systems include a 0.5-l supernatant sampler, 3-l and 25-l supernatant and sludge samplers, and a 4,000-l sampler system. The 0.5-l sampler will support IPM sampling needs in the 1 to 3 l range starting in late fiscal year 1995. This sampler is intended to be used in conjunction with the existing 100 ml bottle-on-a-string. The 3-l and 25-l systems will be based on the Savannah River Site's sampler system and will support IPM sampling needs in the 3 to 100 liter range. Most of the hot testing required for design of the IPM must be accomplished in the next 3 years. This work plan defines the tasks associated with the development of a 0.5-l sampler system. This system will be referred to as the Half-Liter Supernatant Sampler System (HLSSS). Specifically, this work plan will define the scope of work, identify organizational responsibilities, identify major technical requirements, describe configuration control and verification requirements, and provide estimated costs and schedule. The sampler system will be fully operational, including trained staff and operating procedures, upon completion of this task

  13. Detecting the progression of ocean acidification from the saturation state of CaCO3 in the subtropical South Pacific

    Science.gov (United States)

    Murata, Akihiko; Hayashi, Kazuhiko; Kumamoto, Yuichiro; Sasaki, Ken-ichi

    2015-04-01

    Progression of ocean acidification in the subtropical South Pacific was investigated by using high-quality data from trans-Pacific zonal section at 17°S (World Ocean Circulation Experiment section P21) collected in 1994 and 2009. During this 15 year period, the CaCO3 saturation state of seawater with respect to calcite (Ωcal) and aragonite (Ωarg) in the upper water column (Pacific Ocean.

  14. O letramento literário na Prova Brasil

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Débora Sodré Ésper

    2014-04-01

    Full Text Available http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-795X.2014v32n3p1101 Este artigo apoia-se nos Novos Estudos sobre Letramento (STREET, 2003, 2010 segundo os quais letramento é compreendido como um conjunto de práticas sociais de uso da escrita Ao mesmo tempo, leva em conta o conceito de leitura literária (CÂNDIDO, 1981; AGUIAR, 2000; HANSEN, 2005, como uma dentre as muitas práticas letradas das quais os indivíduos participam. A partir de tais conceitos, este artigo tem como objetivos caracterizar a prática de letramento literário proposto na Prova Brasil e analisar como a proposta se aproxima dos conceitos de leitura literária. O corpus da investigação é constituído por exemplos de atividades da disciplina de língua portuguesa da Prova Brasil, destinadas ao 9o ano, disponibilizadas no site do Inep. Os resultados mostraram que na prova há um apagamento da literatura enquanto arte, uma vez que o gênero ficcional é utilizado, na maioria das vezes, para a análise gramatical ou como objeto para leitura na qual a especi# cidade do texto literário não é contemplada.

  15. Effect of Chum Salmon Egg Lectin on Tight Junctions in Caco-2 Cell Monolayers

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ryo Nemoto

    2015-05-01

    Full Text Available The effect of a chum salmon egg lectin (CSL3 on tight junction (TJ of Caco-2 cell monolayers was investigated. The lectin opened TJ as indicated by the decrease of the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER value and the increase of the permeation of lucifer yellow, which is transported via the TJ-mediated paracellular pathway. The effects of CSL3 were inhibited by the addition of 10 mM L-rhamnose or D-galactose which were specific sugars for CSL3. The lectin increased the intracellular Ca2+ of Caco-2 cell monolayers, that could be inhibited by the addition of L-rhamnose. The fluorescence immunostaining of β-actin in Caco-2 cell monolayers revealed that the cytoskeleton was changed by the CSL3 treatment, suggesting that CSL3 depolymerized β-actin to cause reversible TJ structural and functional disruption. Although Japanese jack bean lectin and wheat germ lectin showed similar effects in the decrease of the TER values and the increase of the intracellular Ca2+, they could not be inhibited by the same concentrations of simple sugars, such as D-glucose and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine.

  16. Effects of Historical Coal Mining and Drainage from Abandoned Mines on Streamflow and Water Quality in Newport and Nanticoke Creeks, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, 1999-2000

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chaplin, Jeffrey J.; Cravotta,, Charles A.; Weitzel, Jeffrey B.; Klemow, Kenneth M.

    2007-01-01

    alkaline (net alkalinity range was 2.0 to 25.0 mg/L CaCO3), with relatively low concentrations of sulfate (6.40 to 24.0 mg/L) and dissolved metals (less than 500 ug/L [micrograms per liter] of iron, manganese, and aluminum). In contrast, the AMD discharges and downstream waters were characterized by elevated concentrations of sulfate and dissolved metals that exceeded Federal and State regulatory limits. The largest AMD sources were the Susquehanna Number 7 Mine discharge entering Newport Creek near its mouth (flow range was 4.7 to 19 ft3/s [cubic feet per second]), the Truesdale Mine Discharge (Dundee Outfall) entering Nanticoke Creek about 0.5 mile upstream of Loomis Park (flow range was 0.00 to 38 ft3/s), and a mine-pit overflow entering near the midpoint of Newport Creek (flow range was 4.0 to 6.9 ft3/s). The three large discharges were poorly oxygenated (dissolved oxygen concentration range was <0.05 to 6.4 mg/L) and had elevated concentrations of sulfate (range was 710 to 890 mg/L) and low concentrations of dissolved aluminum (less than 25 ug/L), but they had distinctive concentrations of net alkalinity and dissolved iron and manganese. Effluent from the Susquehanna Number 7 Mine was near-neutral (pH range was 5.9 to 6.6) and net alkaline (net alkalinity range was 12.0 to 42.0 mg/L CaCO3) with elevated concentrations of sulfate (718 to 1,170 mg/L), dissolved iron (52,500 to 77,400 ug/L), and manganese (5,200 to 5,300 ug/L). Effluent from the Truesdale Mine also was near-neutral (pH range was 5.9 to 6.3) but had variable net alkalinity (-19.0 to 57.0 mg/L CaCO3) with elevated concentrations of sulfate (571 to 740 mg/L), dissolved iron (30,500 to 43,000 ug/L), and manganese (3,600 to 5,200 ug/L). Effluent from the mine-pit overflow in Newport Creek Basin was acidic (pH range was 4.3 to 5.0; net alkalinity range was -42 to -38 mg/L CaCO3) with elevated concentrations of sulfate (800 to 840 mg/L), iron (13,000 to 16,000 ug/L), and manganese (6,800 to 7,000 ug

  17. Titanium Dioxide Particle Type and Concentration Influence the Inflammatory Response in Caco-2 Cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tada-Oikawa, Saeko; Ichihara, Gaku; Fukatsu, Hitomi; Shimanuki, Yuka; Tanaka, Natsuki; Watanabe, Eri; Suzuki, Yuka; Murakami, Masahiko; Izuoka, Kiyora; Chang, Jie; Wu, Wenting; Yamada, Yoshiji; Ichihara, Sahoko

    2016-04-16

    Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles are widely used in cosmetics, sunscreens, biomedicine, and food products. When used as a food additive, TiO₂ nanoparticles are used in significant amounts as white food-coloring agents. However, the effects of TiO₂ nanoparticles on the gastrointestinal tract remain unclear. The present study was designed to determine the effects of five TiO₂ particles of different crystal structures and sizes in human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells and THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages. Twenty-four-hour exposure to anatase (primary particle size: 50 and 100 nm) and rutile (50 nm) TiO₂ particles reduced cellular viability in a dose-dependent manner in THP-1 macrophages, but in not Caco-2 cells. However, 72-h exposure of Caco-2 cells to anatase (50 nm) TiO₂ particles reduced cellular viability in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dose (50 µg/mL) of anatase (100 nm), rutile (50 nm), and P25 TiO₂ particles also reduced cellular viability in Caco-2 cells. The production of reactive oxygen species tended to increase in both types of cells, irrespective of the type of TiO₂ particle. Exposure of THP-1 macrophages to 50 µg/mL of anatase (50 nm) TiO₂ particles increased interleukin (IL)-1β expression level, and exposure of Caco-2 cells to 50 µg/mL of anatase (50 nm) TiO₂ particles also increased IL-8 expression. The results indicated that anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles induced inflammatory responses compared with other TiO₂ particles. Further studies are required to determine the in vivo relevance of these findings to avoid the hazards of ingested particles.

  18. So to Speak: A Computational and Empirical Investigation of Lexical Cohesion of Non-Literal and Literal Expressions in Text

    OpenAIRE

    Palmer, Alexis; Sporleder, Caroline; Li, Linlin

    2013-01-01

    Lexical cohesion is an important device for signaling text organization. In this paper, we investigate to what extent a particular class of expressions which can have a non-literal interpretation participates in the cohesive structure of a text. Specifically, we look at five expressions headed by a verb which – depending on the context – can have either a literal or a non-literal meaning: bounce off the wall (“to be excited and full of n...

  19. Local and average structures of 0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 - 0.3PbZrO3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Krishna, P.S.R.; Shinde, A.B.; Narasimhan, S.L.; Tiwari, V.S.; Singh, G.

    2005-01-01

    The local and average structure of 0.7Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 - 0.3PbZrO 3 (PMN-PZ) was studied by neutron diffraction. The Rietveld refinement was carried out to determine the average, long-range crystallographic structure, while the pair density function (PDF) analysis was used in studying the local atomic structure. The local atomic structure determined by the PDF analysis, was found to be significantly different from the average crystallographic structure determined by the Rietveld analysis. These results show that the conflict between the local structural preference and the average structure is not limited to relax or ferroelectric oxides, but may be widely prevalent in mixed-ion ferroelectrics. (author)

  20. Thermodynamic properties of multiferroic Mg doped YbMnO{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sattibabu, Bhumireddi, E-mail: bsb.satti@gmail.com [School of Engineering Sciences and Technology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046 (India); Bhatnagar, A.K., E-mail: anilb42@gmail.com [School of Engineering Sciences and Technology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046 (India); School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046 (India); Samatham, S. Shanmukharao; Singh, D. [Low Temperature Laboratory, UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, University Campus, Khandwa Road, Indore 452001, M.P. (India); Rayaprol, S. [UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, Mumbai Centre, BARC Campus, Mumbai 400085 (India); Das, D. [School of Engineering Sciences and Technology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046 (India); Siruguri, V. [UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, Mumbai Centre, BARC Campus, Mumbai 400085 (India); Ganesan, V. [Low Temperature Laboratory, UGC-DAE Consortium for Scientific Research, University Campus, Khandwa Road, Indore 452001, M.P. (India)

    2015-09-25

    Highlights: • Specific heat data shows that T{sub N} increases for Mg doped YbMnO{sub 3} from 83 K to 86 K. • Yb{sub 1−x}Mg{sub x}MnO{sub 3} (x = 0.0 and 0.05) shows multiple magnetic transitions. • RCP are found to be 26.1 J/mol and 27.2 J/mol for YbMnO{sub 3} and Yb{sub 0.95}Mg{sub 0.05}MnO{sub 3}. - Abstract: Calorimetric studies of polycrystalline samples Yb{sub 1−x}Mg{sub x}MnO{sub 3} with x = 0.0 and 0.05 are reported. It is revealed that the Mg doping raises the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature, T{sub N,} from 83 K for x = 0.0 to 86 K for x = 0.05. A ferromagnetic ordering is also observed around 3 K. The broad feature in the specific heat data just above ferromagnetic ordering, is attributed to the Schottky anomaly. The estimated effective molecular fields from the Schottky analysis are H{sub mf} = 3.0 and 3.5 T for YbMnO{sub 3} and Yb{sub 0.95}Mg{sub 0.05}MnO{sub 3}, respectively. High temperature shift of Schottky anomaly with Mg doping indicates increase in effective molecular field of Mn at the Yb 4b site. The data supports that the idea that although molecular field is mainly responsible for the Schottky anomaly in Yb{sub 1−x}Mg{sub x}MnO{sub 3} and Mn{sup 3+} spin ordering also affects it. Magnetic part of the specific heat is obtained by subtracting the lattice contribution estimated using two Debye temperatures. The magnetic entropy change (ΔS{sub mag}) for pure and doped samples are 2.0 J mol{sup −1} K{sup −1} and 2.1 J mol{sup −1} K{sup −1} respectively, while the relative cooling power (RCP) calculate 26.1 J/mol, 27.2 J/mol for a field change of 10 T.

  1. Ab initio study of single-crystalline and polycrystalline elastic properties of Mg-substituted calcite crystals.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhu, L-F; Friák, M; Lymperakis, L; Titrian, H; Aydin, U; Janus, A M; Fabritius, H-O; Ziegler, A; Nikolov, S; Hemzalová, P; Raabe, D; Neugebauer, J

    2013-04-01

    We employ ab initio calculations and investigate the single-crystalline elastic properties of (Ca,Mg)CO3 crystals covering the whole range of concentrations from pure calcite CaCO3 to pure magnesite MgCO3. Studying different distributions of Ca and Mg atoms within 30-atom supercells, our theoretical results show that the energetically most favorable configurations are characterized by elastic constants that nearly monotonously increase with the Mg content. Based on the first principles-derived single-crystalline elastic anisotropy, the integral elastic response of (Ca,Mg)CO3 polycrystals is determined employing a mean-field self-consistent homogenization method. As in case of single-crystalline elastic properties, the computed polycrystalline elastic parameters sensitively depend on the chemical composition and show a significant stiffening impact of Mg atoms on calcite crystals in agreement with the experimental findings. Our analysis also shows that it is not advantageous to use a higher-scale two-phase mix of stoichiometric calcite and magnesite instead of substituting Ca atoms by Mg ones on the atomic scale. Such two-phase composites are not significantly thermodynamically favorable and do not provide any strong additional stiffening effect. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Evaluation and characterization of β -tricalcium phosphate powder prepared by CaCO3/H3PO4 system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Shah Rizal Kasim; Yeong Meng Yee; Hazizan Md Akil; Zainal Arifin Ahmad

    2007-01-01

    Many attempts have been focused in the past on preparing of synthetic β-tricalcium (β-TCP), which being employed as bone substitute due to its biocompatibility and resorbability. Low temperature synthesize such as sol-gel method become popular due to the high product purity and homogenous composition. Sol-gel method is less economical towards commercialization because the cost of raw materials and the yield of the product that can be achieved. This paper describes the synthesis of β-TCP via mixing of CaCO 3 and H 3 PO 4 followed by calcinations process at 750 degree C - 1050 degree C. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), fourier transformation infra-red (FTIR) were used for characterization and evaluation of the phase composition, morphology, particle size and thermal behavior of the product. β-TCP phase start to occur after calcinations at 750 degree C. (Author)

  3. Formation, stability and structural characterization of ternary MgUO{sub 2}(CO{sub 3}){sub 3}{sup 2-} and Mg{sub 2}UO{sub 2}(CO{sub 3}){sub 3}(aq) complexes

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Lee, Jun-Yeop; Yun, Jong-Il [KAIST, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of). Dept. of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering; Vespa, Marika; Gaona, Xavier; Dardenne, Kathy; Rothe, Joerg; Rabung, Thomas; Altmaier, Marcus [Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe (Germany). Inst. for Nuclear Waste Disposal

    2017-06-01

    The formation of ternary Mg-UO{sub 2}-CO{sub 3} complexes under weakly alkaline pH conditions was investigated by time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and compared to Ca-UO{sub 2}-CO{sub 3} complexes. The presence of two different Mg-UO{sub 2}-C{sub 3} complexes was identified by means of two distinct fluorescence lifetimes of 17±2 ns and 51±2 ns derived from the multi-exponential decay of the fluorescence signal. Slope analysis in terms of fluorescence intensity coupled with fluorescence intensity factor as a function of log [Mg(II)] was conducted for the identification of the Mg-UO{sub 2}-CO{sub 3} complexes forming. For the first time, the formation of both MgUO{sub 2}(CO{sub 3}){sub 3}{sup 2-} and Mg{sub 2}UO{sub 2}(CO{sub 3}){sub 3}(aq) species was confirmed and the corresponding equilibrium constants were determined as log β {sub 113}=25.8±0.3 and β {sub 213}=27.1±0.6, respectively. Complementarily, fundamental structural information for both Ca-UO{sub 2}-CO{sub 3} and Mg-UO{sub 2}-CO{sub 3} complexes was gained by extended EXAFS revealing very similar structures between these two species, except for the clearly shorter U-Mg distance (3.83 Aa) compared with U-Ca distance (4.15 Aa). These results confirmed the inner-sphere character of the Ca/Mg-UO{sub 2}-CO{sub 3} complexes. The formation constants determined for MgUO{sub 2}(CO{sub 3}){sub 3}{sup 2-} and Mg{sub 2}UO{sub 2}(CO{sub 3}){sub 3}(aq) species indicate that ternary Mg-UO{sub 2}-CO{sub 3} complexes contribute to the relevant uranium species in carbonate saturated solutions under neutral to weakly alkaline pH conditions in the presence of Mg(II) ions, which will induce notable influences on the U(VI) chemical species under seawater conditions.

  4. Brief Communication: Ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O) discovered in Arctic sea ice

    Science.gov (United States)

    Dieckmann, G. S.; Nehrke, G.; Uhlig, C.; Göttlicher, J.; Gerland, S.; Granskog, M. A.; Thomas, D. N.

    2010-05-01

    We report for the first time on the discovery of calcium carbonate crystals as ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O) in sea ice from the Arctic (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard) as confirmed by morphology and indirectly by X-ray diffraction as well as XANES spectroscopy of its amorophous decomposition product. This finding demonstrates that the precipitation of calcium carbonate during the freezing of sea ice is not restricted to the Antarctic, where it was observed for the first time in 2008. This observation is an important step in the quest to quantify its impact on the sea ice driven carbon cycle.

  5. Titanium Dioxide Particle Type and Concentration Influence the Inflammatory Response in Caco-2 Cells

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tada-Oikawa, Saeko; Ichihara, Gaku; Fukatsu, Hitomi; Shimanuki, Yuka; Tanaka, Natsuki; Watanabe, Eri; Suzuki, Yuka; Murakami, Masahiko; Izuoka, Kiyora; Chang, Jie; Wu, Wenting; Yamada, Yoshiji; Ichihara, Sahoko

    2016-01-01

    Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are widely used in cosmetics, sunscreens, biomedicine, and food products. When used as a food additive, TiO2 nanoparticles are used in significant amounts as white food-coloring agents. However, the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on the gastrointestinal tract remain unclear. The present study was designed to determine the effects of five TiO2 particles of different crystal structures and sizes in human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells and THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages. Twenty-four-hour exposure to anatase (primary particle size: 50 and 100 nm) and rutile (50 nm) TiO2 particles reduced cellular viability in a dose-dependent manner in THP-1 macrophages, but in not Caco-2 cells. However, 72-h exposure of Caco-2 cells to anatase (50 nm) TiO2 particles reduced cellular viability in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dose (50 µg/mL) of anatase (100 nm), rutile (50 nm), and P25 TiO2 particles also reduced cellular viability in Caco-2 cells. The production of reactive oxygen species tended to increase in both types of cells, irrespective of the type of TiO2 particle. Exposure of THP-1 macrophages to 50 µg/mL of anatase (50 nm) TiO2 particles increased interleukin (IL)-1β expression level, and exposure of Caco-2 cells to 50 µg/mL of anatase (50 nm) TiO2 particles also increased IL-8 expression. The results indicated that anatase TiO2 nanoparticles induced inflammatory responses compared with other TiO2 particles. Further studies are required to determine the in vivo relevance of these findings to avoid the hazards of ingested particles. PMID:27092499

  6. Titanium Dioxide Particle Type and Concentration Influence the Inflammatory Response in Caco-2 Cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Saeko Tada-Oikawa

    2016-04-01

    Full Text Available Titanium dioxide (TiO2 nanoparticles are widely used in cosmetics, sunscreens, biomedicine, and food products. When used as a food additive, TiO2 nanoparticles are used in significant amounts as white food-coloring agents. However, the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles on the gastrointestinal tract remain unclear. The present study was designed to determine the effects of five TiO2 particles of different crystal structures and sizes in human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2 cells and THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages. Twenty-four-hour exposure to anatase (primary particle size: 50 and 100 nm and rutile (50 nm TiO2 particles reduced cellular viability in a dose-dependent manner in THP-1 macrophages, but in not Caco-2 cells. However, 72-h exposure of Caco-2 cells to anatase (50 nm TiO2 particles reduced cellular viability in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dose (50 µg/mL of anatase (100 nm, rutile (50 nm, and P25 TiO2 particles also reduced cellular viability in Caco-2 cells. The production of reactive oxygen species tended to increase in both types of cells, irrespective of the type of TiO2 particle. Exposure of THP-1 macrophages to 50 µg/mL of anatase (50 nm TiO2 particles increased interleukin (IL-1β expression level, and exposure of Caco-2 cells to 50 µg/mL of anatase (50 nm TiO2 particles also increased IL-8 expression. The results indicated that anatase TiO2 nanoparticles induced inflammatory responses compared with other TiO2 particles. Further studies are required to determine the in vivo relevance of these findings to avoid the hazards of ingested particles.

  7. Contrasting Impact of Future CO2 Emission Scenarios on the Extent of CaCO3 Mineral Undersaturation in the Humboldt Current System

    Science.gov (United States)

    Franco, A. C.; Gruber, N.; Frölicher, T. L.; Kropuenske Artman, L.

    2018-03-01

    The eastern boundary upwelling systems are among those regions that are most vulnerable to an ocean acidification-induced transition toward undersaturated conditions with respect to mineral CaCO3, but no assessment exists yet for the Humboldt Current System. Here we use a high-resolution (˜7.5 km) regional ocean model to investigate past and future changes in ocean pH and CaCO3 saturation state in this system. We find that within the next few decades, the nearshore waters off Peru are projected to become corrosive year round with regard to aragonite, the more soluble form of CaCO3. The volume of aragonite undersaturated water off Peru will continue to increase in the future irrespective of the amount of CO2 emitted to the atmosphere. In contrast, the development of the saturation state with regard to calcite, a less soluble form of carbonate, depends strongly on the scenario followed. By 2050, calcite undersaturation appears in the nearshore waters off Peru occasionally, but by 2090 in a high-emission scenario (RCP8.5), ˜60% of the water in the euphotic zone will become permanently calcite undersaturated. Most of this calcite undersaturation off Peru can likely be avoided if a low emission scenario (RCP2.6) consistent with the Paris Agreement is followed. The progression of ocean acidification off Chile follows a similar pattern, except that the saturation states are overall higher. But also here, calcite undersaturated waters will become common in the subsurface waters under the RCP8.5 scenario by the end of this century, while this can be avoided under the RCP2.6 scenario.

  8. Hydrochemical controls on aragonite versus calcite precipitation in cave dripwaters

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rossi, Carlos; Lozano, Rafael P.

    2016-11-01

    Despite the paleoclimatic relevance of primary calcite to aragonite transitions in stalagmites, the relative role of fluid Mg/Ca ratio, supersaturation and CO32- concentration in controlling such transitions is still incompletely understood. Accordingly, we have monitored the hydrochemistry of 50 drips and 8 pools that are currently precipitating calcite and/or aragonite in El Soplao and Torca Ancha Caves (N. Spain), investigating the mineralogy and geochemistry of the CaCO3 precipitates on the corresponding natural speleothem surfaces. The data reveal that, apart from possible substrate effects, dripwater Mg/Ca is the only obvious control on CaCO3 polymorphism in the studied stalagmites and pools, where calcite- and aragonite-precipitating dripwaters are separated by an initial (i.e. at stalactite tips) Mg/Ca threshold at ≈1.1 mol/mol. Within the analyzed ranges of pH (8.2-8.6), CO32- concentration (1-6 mg/L), supersaturation (SIaragonite: 0.08-1.08; SIcalcite: 0.23-1.24), drip rate (0.2-81 drops/min) and dissolved Zn (6-90 μg/L), we observe no unequivocal influence of these parameters on CaCO3 mineralogy. Despite the almost complete overlapping supersaturations of calcite- and aragonite-precipitating waters, the latter are on average less supersaturated because the waters having Mg/Ca above ∼1.1 have mostly achieved such high ratios by previously precipitating calcite. Both calcite and aragonite precipitated at or near oxygen isotopic equilibrium, and Mg incorporation into calcite was consistent with literature-based predictions, indicating that in the studied cases CaCO3 precipitation was not significantly influenced by strong kinetic effects. In the studied cases, the calcites that precipitate at ∼11 °C from dripwaters with initial Mg/Ca approaching ∼1.1 incorporate ∼5 mol% MgCO3, close to the published value above which calcite solubility exceeds aragonite solubility, suggesting that aragonite precipitation in high-relative-humidity caves is

  9. Binding, uptake, and transport of hypericin by Caco-2 cell monolayers.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sattler, S; Schaefer, U; Schneider, W; Hoelzl, J; Lehr, C M

    1997-10-01

    The biological evaluation of hypericin in various test models is hampered by its very poor water solubility. In the present study cyclodextrin formulations and liposomal preparations were investigated for improved delivery and solubility of hypericin in aqueous buffer systems. Caco-2 cells, grown to tight monolayers on 96-well tissue culture plates as well as on Transwell polycarbonate filters, were used to study the membrane binding and the epithelial transport of hypericin. Cumulative transport of hypericin, which could not be measured without the use of cyclodextrins, in apical-to-basolateral direction from cyclodextrin-hypericin buffer solutions was 3-5% at 37 degrees C and approximately 0.12% at 4 degrees C after 5 h. After an incubation time of 1 h at 37 and 4 degrees C, 12.7% +/- 2.6% and 6.5% +/- 0.8%, respectively, of hypericin were found to be bound to or taken up by Caco-2 cells. Liposomal formulations markedly increased the solubility of hypericin in Krebs-Ringer buffer, but there was no effect observed on the binding and transport of hypericin delivered by liposomes in the Caco-2 cell model. Due to the fluorescence properties of hypericin, its interaction with the cells could be visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results indicate that a significant accumulation of the drug in the cell membrane and the cell nucleus membrane takes place. We conclude that hypericin is absorbed through the intestinal epithelium by passive transcellular diffusion and that increasing its solubility by cyclodextrin appears as a promising approach to increase its oral bioavailability for pharmaceutical formulations.

  10. Concurrent removal of elemental mercury and SO2 from flue gas using a thiol-impregnated CaCO3-based adsorbent: a full factorial design study.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Balasundaram, Karthik; Sharma, Mukesh

    2018-03-22

    Mercury (Hg) emitted from coal-based thermal power plants (CTPPs) can accumulate and bio-magnify in the food chain, thereby posing a risk to humans and wildlife. The central idea of this study was to develop an adsorbent which can concurrently remove elemental mercury (Hg 0 ) and SO 2 emitted from coal-based thermal power plants (CTPPs) in a single unit operation. Specifically, a composite adsorbent of CaCO 3 impregnated with 2-mercaptobenimidazole (2-MBI) (referred to as modified calcium carbonate (MCC)) was developed. While 2-MBI having sulfur functional group could selectively adsorb Hg 0 , CaCO 3 could remove SO 2 . Performance of the adsorbent was evaluated in terms of (i) removal (%) of Hg 0 and SO 2 , (ii) adsorption mechanism, (iii) adsorption kinetics, and (iv) leaching potential of mercury from spent adsorbent. The adsorption studies were performed using a 2 2 full factorial design of experiments with 15 ppbV of Hg 0 and 600 ppmV of SO 2 . Two factors, (i) reaction temperature (80 and 120 °C; temperature range in flue gas) and (ii) mass of 2-MBI (10 and 15 wt%), were investigated for the removal of Hg 0 and SO 2 (as %). The maximum Hg 0 and SO 2 removal was 86 and 93%, respectively. The results of XPS characterization showed that chemisorption is the predominant mechanism of Hg 0 and SO 2 adsorption on MCC. The Hg 0 adsorption on MCC followed Elovich kinetic model which is also indicative of chemisorption on heterogeneous surface. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP) leached mercury from the spent adsorbent were within the acceptable levels defined in these tests. The engineering significance of this study is that the 2-MBI-modified CaCO 3 -based adsorbent has potential for concurrent removal of Hg 0 and SO 2 in a single unit operation. With only minor process modifications, the newly developed adsorbent can replace CaCO 3 in the flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) system.

  11. Acamprosate permeability across Caco-2 cell monolayer is predominantly paracellular

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Antonescu, Irina-Elena; Steffansen, Bente

    support area, thickness, and porosity). Results. The mean (± SD) Papp, exp of acamprosate and [14C]-mannitol across Caco-2 cell monolayers was measured as 0.19 ± 0.07 x 10-6 cm/s (n = 2, N = 3) and 0.35 ± 0.17 x 10-6 cm/s (n = 3, N = 4), respectively. Acamprosate PUBL and Pf were estimated as 200 - 3150 x...... role in acamprosate permeability, as only a very low fraction of acamprosate is in the neutral form at pH 7.4. The estimated acamprosate Ppara accounts for nearly 100% of the mathematically determined acamprosate Papp, calc (0.20 ± 0.10 x 10-6 cm/s), which matches well with the experimentally...... to the overall acamprosate apparent permeability. Methods. Acamprosate apparent permeability (Papp, exp) was determined across Caco-2 monolayers in the apical-to-basolateral transport direction using a buffer pH of 7.4 and several cell passages (N). Acamprosate concentrations were quantified by LC...

  12. Long-term effects of intermittent oral alphacalcidol, calcium carbonate and low-calcium dialysis (1.25 mmol L-1) on secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Brandi, L; Nielsen, P K; Bro, S

    1998-01-01

    of the secondary hyperparathyroidism was seen. CONCLUSIONS: A calcium concentration of 1.25 mmol L-1 in the CAPD dialysate made it possible to reduce the amount of aluminium-containing phosphate binder, to increase the doses of CaCO3 and to use pulse oral 1 alpha(OH)D3 without causing severe hyper...... L-1 to 1.25 mmol L-1. Increasing doses of oral 1 alpha(OH)D3 were then administered under careful control of p-ionized calcium (p-Ca2+) and p-inorganic phosphate (p-P1). Blood samples were obtained every 2-4 weeks for 52 weeks. PET was performed using standard dialysis fluid and 1 week later using...... low-calcium dialysis fluid after a preceding overnight dwell. Two litres of glucose 22.7 mg mL-1 were used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), p-Ca2+, p-P1, doses of CaCO3, doses of 1 alpha(OH)D3, peritoneal mass transfer for calcium, inorganic phosphate, magnesium, lactate...

  13. CHARACTERIZATION AND ALUMINUM DISSOLUTION DEMONSTRATION WITH A 3 LITER TANK 51H SAMPLE

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hay, M; John Pareizs, J; Cj Bannochie, C; Michael Stone, M; Damon Click, D; Daniel McCabe, D

    2008-01-01

    A 3-liter sludge slurry sample was sent to SRNL for demonstration of a low temperature aluminum dissolution process. The sludge was characterized before and after the aluminum dissolution. Post aluminum dissolution sludge settling and the stability of the decanted supernate were also observed. The characterization of the as-received 3-liter sample of Tank 51H sludge slurry shows a typical high aluminum HM sludge. The XRD analysis of the dried solids indicates Boehmite is the predominant crystalline form of aluminum in the sludge solids. However, amorphous phases of aluminum present in the sludge would not be identified using this analytical technique. The low temperature (55 C) aluminum dissolution process was effective at dissolving aluminum from the sludge. Over the three week test, ∼42% of the aluminum was dissolved out of the sludge solids. The process appears to be selective for aluminum with no other metals dissolving to any appreciable extent. At the termination of the three week test, the aluminum concentration in the supernate had not leveled off indicating more aluminum could be dissolved from the sludge with longer contact times or higher temperatures. The slow aluminum dissolution rate in the test may indicate the dissolution of the Boehmite form of aluminum however; insufficient kinetic data exists to confirm this hypothesis. The aluminum dissolution process appears to have minimal impact on the settling rate of the post aluminum dissolution sludge. However, limited settling data were generated during the test to quantify the effects. The sludge settling was complete after approximately twelve days. The supernate decanted from the settled sludge after aluminum dissolution appears stable and did not precipitate aluminum over the course of several months. A mixture of the decanted supernate with Tank 11 simulated supernate was also stable with respect to precipitation

  14. Electrical properties of Sb and Cr-doped PbZrO3-PbTiO3-PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 ceramics

    OpenAIRE

    Whatmore, Roger W.; Molter, O.; Shaw, Christopher P.

    2003-01-01

    The pyroelectric, dielectric and DC resistive properties of Sb and Cr-doped ceramics with a base composition of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.025(Zr0.825Ti0.175)0.975O3 have been studied. Sb doping has been shown to produce a linear reduction in Curie temperature (TC=−22z+294 °C) with concentration (z) and to give an increase in pyroelectric coefficient from 250 to 310 μCm−2 K−1 for z increasing from 0 to 3 at.%. It also produces first a reduction and then an increase in both dielectric constant and loss, ...

  15. Beam-Mode Piezoelectric Properties of Ternary Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 Single Crystals for Medical Linear Array Applications

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, Wei; Wang, Sheng; Zhang, Yaoyao; Zhao, Xiangyong; Luo, Haosu

    2011-11-01

    In this work, the dielectric and beam-mode piezoelectric properties of ternary 0.35Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-0.35Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.30PbTiO3 (PIMNT35/35/30) piezoelectric single crystals were investigated. The Curie temperature ( T C) and rhombohedral-to-tetragonal phase-transition temperature ( T rt) are 187°C and 127°C, about 30°C higher than those of PMNT crystals. The beam-mode coupling coefficient k {33/ w } was found to be 90.3%. Furthermore, 3.5-MHz linear arrays based on PIMNT35/35/30 crystals and Pb(Zr1- x Ti x )O3 ceramic (PZT-5H) were simulated using PiezoCAD software. The results indicate that the sensitivity and -6 dB bandwidth of a PIMNT35/35/30 transducer would be approximately 4 dB and 20% higher, respectively, compared with a traditional PZT transducer.

  16. Surface charge-specific interactions between polymer nanoparticles and ABC transporters in Caco-2 cells

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Bhattacharjee, Sourav, E-mail: sourav.bhattacharjee@wur.nl [Wageningen University, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry (Netherlands); Opstal, Edward J. van; Alink, Gerrit M. [Wageningen University, Division of Toxicology (Netherlands); Marcelis, Antonius T. M.; Zuilhof, Han [Wageningen University, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry (Netherlands); Rietjens, Ivonne M. C. M. [Wageningen University, Division of Toxicology (Netherlands)

    2013-06-15

    The surface charge-dependent transport of polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) across Caco-2 monolayers grown on transwell culture systems as an in vitro model for intestinal transport was tested. The transport of well-characterized, monodisperse, and fluorescent tri-block copolymer nanoparticles (TCNPs/size {approx}45 nm) and polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs/size {approx}50 nm), with different surface charges (positive and negative), was quantified. The positive PNPs showed a higher intracellular uptake and flux across the Caco-2 monolayers than the negative PNPs. Multidrug resistance/P-glycoprotein (MDR1/P-gp), a specific ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, was found to play a major role in the cellular efflux of positive PNPs, whereas the multidrug resistance protein 1 took part in the efflux of negative PNPs from Caco-2 cells. The positive PNPs also caused an increased cellular uptake and apical to basolateral transport of the carcinogen PhIP across the Caco-2 monolayer. The flavonoid quercetin, which is known to interact with ABC transporters, promoted the intracellular uptake of different PNPs and interfered with the normal distribution patterns of PNPs in the transwell system. These results indicate that PNPs display surface charge-specific interactions with ABC transporters and can even affect the bioavailability of toxic food-borne compounds (like pro-carcinogens).

  17. Surface charge-specific interactions between polymer nanoparticles and ABC transporters in Caco-2 cells

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bhattacharjee, Sourav; van Opstal, Edward J.; Alink, Gerrit M.; Marcelis, Antonius T. M.; Zuilhof, Han; Rietjens, Ivonne M. C. M.

    2013-06-01

    The surface charge-dependent transport of polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) across Caco-2 monolayers grown on transwell culture systems as an in vitro model for intestinal transport was tested. The transport of well-characterized, monodisperse, and fluorescent tri-block copolymer nanoparticles (TCNPs/size 45 nm) and polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs/size 50 nm), with different surface charges (positive and negative), was quantified. The positive PNPs showed a higher intracellular uptake and flux across the Caco-2 monolayers than the negative PNPs. Multidrug resistance/P-glycoprotein (MDR1/P-gp), a specific ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, was found to play a major role in the cellular efflux of positive PNPs, whereas the multidrug resistance protein 1 took part in the efflux of negative PNPs from Caco-2 cells. The positive PNPs also caused an increased cellular uptake and apical to basolateral transport of the carcinogen PhIP across the Caco-2 monolayer. The flavonoid quercetin, which is known to interact with ABC transporters, promoted the intracellular uptake of different PNPs and interfered with the normal distribution patterns of PNPs in the transwell system. These results indicate that PNPs display surface charge-specific interactions with ABC transporters and can even affect the bioavailability of toxic food-borne compounds (like pro-carcinogens).

  18. Surface charge-specific interactions between polymer nanoparticles and ABC transporters in Caco-2 cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bhattacharjee, Sourav; Opstal, Edward J. van; Alink, Gerrit M.; Marcelis, Antonius T. M.; Zuilhof, Han; Rietjens, Ivonne M. C. M.

    2013-01-01

    The surface charge-dependent transport of polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) across Caco-2 monolayers grown on transwell culture systems as an in vitro model for intestinal transport was tested. The transport of well-characterized, monodisperse, and fluorescent tri-block copolymer nanoparticles (TCNPs/size ∼45 nm) and polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs/size ∼50 nm), with different surface charges (positive and negative), was quantified. The positive PNPs showed a higher intracellular uptake and flux across the Caco-2 monolayers than the negative PNPs. Multidrug resistance/P-glycoprotein (MDR1/P-gp), a specific ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, was found to play a major role in the cellular efflux of positive PNPs, whereas the multidrug resistance protein 1 took part in the efflux of negative PNPs from Caco-2 cells. The positive PNPs also caused an increased cellular uptake and apical to basolateral transport of the carcinogen PhIP across the Caco-2 monolayer. The flavonoid quercetin, which is known to interact with ABC transporters, promoted the intracellular uptake of different PNPs and interfered with the normal distribution patterns of PNPs in the transwell system. These results indicate that PNPs display surface charge-specific interactions with ABC transporters and can even affect the bioavailability of toxic food-borne compounds (like pro-carcinogens).

  19. Lycopene Modulates THP1 and Caco2 Cells Inflammatory State through Transcriptional and Nontranscriptional Processes

    Science.gov (United States)

    Makon-Sébastien, Njock; Francis, Fouchier; Eric, Seree; Henri, Villard Pierre; François, Landrier Jean; Laurent, Pechere; Yves, Barra; Serge, Champion

    2014-01-01

    We revisited the action of a carotenoid, the lycopene, on the expression of proinflammatory genes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and metalloprotease (MMP9) activity. THP1 and Caco2 cell lines were used as in vitro models for the two main cell types found in intestine tissue, that is, monocytes and epithelial cells. Proinflammatory condition was induced using either phorbol ester acetate (PMA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF). In THP1 cells, short term pretreatment (2 h) with a low concentration (2 μM) of lycopene reinforce proinflammatory gene expression. The extent of the effect of lycopene is dependent on the proinflammtory stimulus (PMA, LPS or TNF) used. Lycopene enhanced MMP9 secretion via a c-AMP-dependent process, and reduced ROS production at higher concentrations than 2 μM. Cell culture media, conditioned by PMA-treated monocytes and then transferred on CaCo-2 epithelial cells, induced a proinflammatory state in these cells. The extent of this inflammatory effect was reduced when cells has been pretreated (12 h) with lycopene. At low concentration (2 μM or less), lycopene appeared to promote an inflammatory state not correlated with ROS modulation. At higher concentration (5 μM–20 μM), an anti-inflammatory effect takes place as a decrease of ROS production was detected. So, both concentration and time have to be considered in order to define the exact issue of the effect of carotenoids present in meals. PMID:24891766

  20. Microwave dielectric properties of La{sub (1-2x/3)}Ba{sub x}(Mg{sub 0.5}Sn{sub 0.5})O{sub 3} ceramics

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chen, Yih-Chien; Chen, Kuei-Chien; Hsu, Wei-Yu [Department of Electrical Engineering, Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, Gueishan Shiang, Taoyuan County (China)

    2010-11-15

    This study examined the potential applications of microwave dielectric properties of La{sub (1-2x/3)}Ba{sub x}(Mg{sub 0.5}Sn{sub 0.5})O{sub 3} ceramics in rectenna. The La{sub (1-2x/3)}Ba{sub x}(Mg{sub 0.5}Sn{sub 0.5})O{sub 3} ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid-state method with various sintering temperatures. An apparent density of 6.62 g/cm{sup 3}, a dielectric constant of 20.3, a quality factor of 51,700 GHz, and a temperature coefficient of resonant frequency of -78.2 ppm/K were obtained for La{sub 2.98/3}Ba{sub 0.01}(Mg{sub 0.5}Sn{sub 0.5})O{sub 3} ceramics that were sintered at 1550 C for 4 h. (copyright 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

  1. Optical evidences for an intermediate phase in relaxor ferroelectric Pb(In1/2Nb1/2O3-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3O3-PbTiO3 single crystals

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Xiaolong Zhang

    2016-02-01

    Full Text Available The mechanism of low-temperature structural transformation and evolution of polar nano-structures in relaxor ferroelectric Pb(In1/2Nb1/2O3-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3O3-xPbTiO3 (x = 0.33, 0.35, and 0.42 single crystals have been investigated with the aid of temperature dependent low-wavenumber Raman scattering (LWRS and photoluminescence (PL spectra. The E(TO1 phonon mode reveals the characteristic relaxational polarization fluctuations associated with the reorientation of either polar nano-regions or polar nano-domains. It was found that these mechanisms are not independent and they can be ascribed to the phonon localization. In addition, a short-range monoclinic phase (Mc can be found below 250 K in the tetragonal phase region by LWRS, which is always associated with the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB and excellent electromechanical properties. It is interesting that PL spectra confirm these results. The present work indicates that external field modulation and change of composition can result in the monoclinic phase and co-existence of multi-phase.

  2. Brief Communication: Ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O discovered in Arctic sea ice

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    M. A. Granskog

    2010-05-01

    Full Text Available We report for the first time on the discovery of calcium carbonate crystals as ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O in sea ice from the Arctic (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard as confirmed by morphology and indirectly by X-ray diffraction as well as XANES spectroscopy of its amorophous decomposition product. This finding demonstrates that the precipitation of calcium carbonate during the freezing of sea ice is not restricted to the Antarctic, where it was observed for the first time in 2008. This observation is an important step in the quest to quantify its impact on the sea ice driven carbon cycle.

  3. Competition of Lactobacillus paracasei with Salmonella enterica for Adhesion to Caco-2 Cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Alicja Jankowska

    2008-01-01

    Full Text Available Competition of commensal and probiotic bacteria with pathogens for adhesion and colonization is one of the important protective mechanisms of gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we examined the ability of Lactobacillus paracasei to inhibit the adhesion of pathogenic Salmonella enterica to human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells. Caco-2 cells were grown for 6 or 21 days to obtain nondifferentiated or well-differentiated cells, respectively. In adhesion experiments, bacteria were added to the cells for 2 or 4 hours. The number of attached bacteria was expressed as colony-forming units (CFUs, Caco-2 cells were counted in hematocytometer. Both bacterial strains used adhered better to well-differentiated than to nondifferentiated Caco-2 cells, however, the amount of Salmonella adhered to Caco-2 after 2 hours of contact was 12-fold higher in comparison to . paracasei and almost 27-fold higher after 4 hours of contact. Two types of experiments were done: coincubation (both bacteria were added to Caco-2 cells simultaneously, and preincubation (. paracasei was incubated with Caco-2 cells first, and then . enterica was added. In coincubation experiment, the presence of . paracasei decreased . enterica adhesion by 4-fold and in preincubation experiment even 7-fold. Generally, Lactobacillus spent culture supernatants (SCSs acted weaker as inhibitors of Salmonella adhesion in comparison to the whole . paracasei culture in coincubation experiment. In conclusion, the displacement of pathogens by lactic acid bacteria and its secretions showed here depends on the time of bacteria-epithelial cell contact, and also on the stage of Caco-2 differentiation.

  4. Effect of Carbonate Matrix on δ15N Analysis Tested for Simple Bulk Combustion on Coupled Elemental Analyzer-GC-IRMS

    Science.gov (United States)

    Saxena, D.; Grossman, E. L.; Maupin, C. R.; Roark, B.; O'Dea, A.

    2016-12-01

    Nitrogen isotopes (15N/14N) have been extensively used to reconstruct trophic structure, anthropogenic nutrient loading, ecosystem dynamics, and nutrient cycling in terrestrial and marine systems. Extending similar efforts to deep time is critical to investigate sources and fluxes of nutrients in past oceans, and explore causes of biotic turnover. To test the fidelity of N-isotope analyses of biogenic carbonate samples by simple bulk combustion, we performed two sets of experiments involving varying proportions of reagent CaCO3 (0, 2, 35 mg) and three organic standards (3.7-47.2 µg) viz. USGS40 (δ15NAir = -4.52‰), USGS41 (δ15NAir = +47.57‰), and in-house standard Rice (δ15NAir = +1.18‰). At high N contents (15-47.2 µg), δ15N values for CaCO3-amended samples are consistently either 0.5‰ higher (USGS40, -4.5‰), equivalent (Rice, 1.2‰), or 0.5‰ lower (USGS41, 47.6‰) relative to unamended samples. The difference thus depends on the δ15N of the standard relative to air. With decreasing N content (10-15 µg), δ15N values for CaCO3-amended samples diverge from expected values, with 35 mg CaCO3 samples diverging at the highest N content and 0 mg CaCO3 samples at the lowest (10 µg). The latter matches the lower sample-size limit for accurate measurement under the experimental conditions. At very low sample size (3.7-10 µg), all unamended standards show decreasing δ15N with decreasing N content, presumably because of non-linearity in instrument electronics and ion source behavior. The δ15N values of amended USGS41 also decrease with decreasing N content, but those of amended USGS40 and Rice samples increase, with samples containing more CaCO3 (35 versus 2 mg) showing greater deviation from expected values. Potential causes for deviation in δ15N values with CaCO3 amendments include N2 contamination from tin capsules and reagent CaCO3, and incomplete combustion due to energy consumption during CaCO3 decomposition. While tin capsules and reagent CaCO

  5. Processing and properties of Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))O3--PbTiO3 thin films by pulsed laser deposition

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tantigate, C.; Lee, J.; Safari, A.

    1995-03-01

    The objectives of this study were to prepare in situ Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))O3 (PMN) and PMN-PT thin films by pulsed laser deposition and to investigate the electrical features of thin films for possible dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and microactuator applications. The impact of processing parameters such compositions, substrate temperature, and oxygen pressure on perovskite phase formation and dielectric characteristics were reported. It was found that the highest dielectric constant, measured at room temperature and 10 kHz, was attained from the PMN with 99% perovskite.

  6. Conductivity, XRD, and FTIR studies of New Mg2+-ion-conducting solid polymer electrolytes: [PEG: Mg(CH3COO)2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Polu, Anji Reddy; Kumar, Ranveer; Causin, Valerio; Neppalli, Ramesh

    2011-01-01

    Solid polymer electrolytes based on poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) doped with Mg(CH 3 COO) 2 have been prepared by using the solution-casting method. The X-ray diffraction patterns of PEG with Mg(CH 3 COO) 2 salt indicated a decrease in the degree of crystallinity with increasing concentration of the salt. The complexation of Mg(CH 3 COO) 2 salt with the polymer was confirmed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies. The ionic conductivity was measured for the [PEG: Mg(CH 3 COO) 2 ] system in the frequency range 50 Hz - 1 MHz. The addition of Mg salt was found to improve the ionic conductivity significantly. The 15-wt-% Mg(CH 3 COO) 2 -doped system had a maximum conductivity of 1.07 x 10 -6 S/cm at 303 K. The conductance spectrum shows two distinct regions: a dc plateau and a dispersive region. The temperature dependence of the ionic conductivity reveals the conduction mechanism to be an Arrhenius-type thermally activated process.

  7. Effect of Adding Elements on Microstructure of Mg-3Si Alloy

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    CUI Bin

    2017-03-01

    Full Text Available The microstructure of alloy Mg-3Si(mass fraction/%, same as below after successive additions with different elements of Zn, Nd, Gd and Y was observed and the microstructure evolution was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results show the primary Mg2Si particles co-exist with eutectic Mg2Si particles in binary alloy Mg-Si. With minor addition of Zn element, only primary Mg2Si can be found in ternary Mg-3Si-3Zn system while eutectic Mg2Si particles disappear. In quaternary alloy Mg-2.0Nd-3.0Zn-3.0Si, the addition of Nd element can effectively refine the primary Mg2Si particles and form some Mg41Nd5 particles. After continuous adding of Gd and Y elements into quaternary system, Gd5Si3 and YSi particles increase significantly in the alloy Mg-8.0Gd-4.0Y-2.0Nd-3.0Zn-3.0Si, while volume fraction of primary Mg2Si decrease significantly. Thermo-Calc calculation predicts that the Gibbs free energy for primary particles Gd5Si3, YSi is lower, and therefore Gd, Y atom and Si are more likely to form compounds. In Mg-8Gd-4Y-2Nd-3Zn-3Si alloy, room temperature Gibbs free energy for primary particles Mg2Si, Gd5Si3, YSi is -9.56×104, -8.72×104, -2.83×104J/mol, respectively, and the mass fraction of these particles is 8.07%, 5.27%, 1.40% respectively.

  8. Local hysteresis and grain size effect in Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3- PbTiO3 thin films

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shvartsman, V. V.; Emelyanov, A. Yu.; Kholkin, A. L.; Safari, A.

    2002-07-01

    The local piezoelectric properties of relaxor ferroelectric films of solid solutions 0.9Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3- 0.1PbTiO3 were investigated by scanning force microscopy (SFM) in a piezoelectric contact mode. The piezoelectric hysteresis loops were acquired in the interior of grains of different sizes. A clear correlation between the values of the effective piezoelectric coefficients, deff, and the size of the respective grains is observed. Small grains exhibit slim piezoelectric hysteresis loops with low remanent deff, whereas relatively strong piezoelectric activity is characteristic of larger grains. Part of the grains (approx20-25%) is strongly polarized without application of a dc field. The nature of both phenomena is discussed in terms of the internal bias field and grain size effects on the dynamics of nanopolar clusters.

  9. Mechanism of formation of perovskite phase and dielectric properties of Pb(Zn,Mg)1/3Nb2/3O3 ceramics prepared by columbite precursor routes

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Jang, H.M.; Cho, S.R.; Lee, K.M.

    1995-01-01

    The mechanism of formation of the perovskite phase and the dielectric properties of Pb(Zn,Mg) 1/3 Nb 2/3 O 3 (PZMN) ceramics were examined using two different types of columbite precursors, (Mg,Zn)Nb 2 O 6 (MZN) and MgNb 2 O 6 + ZnNb 2 O 6 (MN + ZN). The formation of perovskite phase in the PbO + MN + ZN system is characterized by an initial rapid formation of Mg-rich perovskite phase, followed by a sluggish formation of Zn-rich perovskite phase. On the other hand, due to the formation of pyrochlore phase of mixed divalent cations Pb 2-x (Zn,Mg) y Nb 2-y O 7-x-3y/2 , the pyrochlore/perovskite transformation in the PbO + MZN system proceeded uniformly with a spatial homogeneity. Further analysis suggested that the formation of perovskite phase is a diffusion-controlled process. The degree of diffuseness of the rhombohedral/cubic phase transition (DPT) is higher in the PbO + MN + ZN system than in the PbO + MZN specimen for T > T max (temperature of the dielectric permittivity maximum), indicating a broadened compositional distribution of the B-site cations in the PbO + MN + ZN system

  10. Polyphenols from evening primrose ( Oenothera paradoxa ) defatted seeds induce apoptosis in human colon cancer Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gorlach, Sylwia; Wagner, Waldemar; Podsedek, Anna; Sosnowska, Dorota; Dastych, Jarosław; Koziołkiewicz, Maria

    2011-07-13

    Polyphenols extracted from evening primrose seeds (industrial waste product) were studied as apoptosis inducers in human colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 and HT-29 cell lines and in rat normal intestinal IEC-6 cells. The extract dose-dependently inhibited the growth of Caco-2, HT-29, and IEC-6 cells. However, nuclear DNA fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis was observed only in Caco-2. After 72 h of incubation with the extract at 150 μM gallic acid equivalents (44.1 μg extract/mL), Caco-2 cell numbers decreased to 19% of control and 48.8% of the cells were identified by flow cytometry as apoptotic. Under the same conditions only 8% of HT-29 cells and 12.6% of IEC-6 cells exhibited hypodiploid DNA content. The effects of the extract and its fractions on phosphatidylserine exposure and cell membrane integrity were assessed by high content screening image cytometry. The fractions strongly and dose-dependently reduced Caco-2 cell numbers, whereas HT-29 and IEC-6 cells were affected to lesser extents.

  11. Bilingual and Monolingual Idiom Processing Is Cut from the Same Cloth: The Role of the L1 in Literal and Figurative Meaning Activation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Beck, Sara D; Weber, Andrea

    2016-01-01

    The present study examines non-native (L2) and native (L1) listeners' access to figurative idiomatic meaning and literal constituent meaning in two cross-modal priming experiments. Proficient German learners of English (L2) and native speakers of American English (L1) responded to English target words preceded by English idioms embedded in non-biasing prime sentences in a lexical decision task. English idioms differed in levels of translatability: Lexical level idioms had word-for-word translation equivalents in German, while post-lexical level idioms had matching idiomatic concepts in German but could not be translated word for word. Target words either related to the figurative meaning of the idiom or related to the literal meaning of the final constituent word of the idiom (e.g., to pull someone's leg, literal target: walk, figurative target: joke). Both L1 and L2 listeners showed facilitatory priming for literally- and figuratively-related target words compared to unrelated control target words, with only marginal differences between the listener groups. No effect of translatability was found; that is, the existence of word-for-word translation equivalents in German neither facilitated nor hindered meaning activation for German L2 listeners. The results are interpreted in the context of L1 and L2 models of idiom processing as well as further relevant translation studies.

  12. Bilingual and monolingual idiom processing is cut from the same cloth: The role of the L1 in literal and figurative meaning activation

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Sara Donnell Beck

    2016-09-01

    Full Text Available The present study examines non-native (L2 and native (L1 listeners’ access to figurative idiomatic meaning and literal constituent meaning in two cross-modal priming experiments. Proficient German learners of English (L2 and native speakers of American English (L1 responded to English target words preceded by English idioms embedded in non-biasing prime sentences in a lexical decision task. English idioms differed in levels of translatability: Lexical level idioms had word-for-word translation equivalents in German, while post-lexical level idioms had matching idiomatic concepts in German but could not be translated word for word. Target words either related to the figurative meaning of the idiom or related to the literal meaning of the final constituent word of the idiom (e.g., to pull someone’s leg, literal target: walk, figurative target: joke. Both L1 and L2 listeners showed facilitatory priming for literally- and figuratively-related target words compared to unrelated control target words, with only marginal differences between the listener groups. No effect of translatability was found; that is, the existence of word-for-word translation equivalents in German neither facilitated nor hindered meaning activation for German L2 listeners. The results are interpreted in the context of L1 and L2 models of idiom processing as well as further relevant translation studies.

  13. Performance of Mg-14Li-1Al-0.1Ce as anode for Mg-air battery

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ma, Yibin; Li, Deyu [School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, West Street No. 92, Harbin 150001 (China); Li, Ning [School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, West Street No. 92, Harbin 150001 (China); Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology, Ministry of Education, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001 (China); Zhang, Milin; Huang, Xiaomei [Key Laboratory of Superlight Materials and Surface Technology, Ministry of Education, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001 (China)

    2011-02-15

    In this research, a new Mg-air battery based on Mg-14Li-1Al-0.1Ce was prepared and the battery performance was investigated by constant current discharge test. The corrosion behavior of Mg, AZ31 and Mg-Li-Al-Ce were studied by self-corrosion rate measurement and potentiodynamic polarization measurement. The characteristics of Mg-Li-Al-Ce after discharge were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that Mg-Li-Al-Ce is more active than Mg and AZ31. The self-corrosion rate is found to be in the order: Mg-Li-Al-Ce < Mg < AZ31. It has been observed that the Mg-air battery based on Mg-Li-Al-Ce offers higher operating voltage, anodic efficiency and capacity than those with Mg and AZ31. SEM and EIS results show that the discharge product of Mg-Li-Al-Ce is loosely adhered to the alloy surface, and thus Mg-Li-Al-Ce could keep high discharge activity during discharge. (author)

  14. Structure refinement, far infrared spectroscopy, and dielectric characterization of (1-x)La(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3-xLa2/3TiO3 solid solutions

    Science.gov (United States)

    Salak, Andrei N.; Khalyavin, Dmitry D.; Ferreira, Victor M.; Ribeiro, José L.; Vieira, Luís G.

    2006-05-01

    Dielectric properties of (1-x)La(Mg1/2Ti1/2)O3-xLa2/3TiO3 [(1-x)LMT-xLT] ceramics (0infrared (FIR) frequency ranges. The crystal structure sequence in (1-x)LMT-xLT reported by different authors has been analyzed and revised. FIR spectroscopy was used to characterize the lattice contribution to the dielectric response at microwave frequencies. The complex dielectric function was evaluated from the reflectivity data and extrapolated down to a gigahertz range. Compositional variations of the fundamental microwave dielectric parameters estimated by different methods are compared and discussed. The dependence of the quality factor on the composition in LMT-LT is interpreted in terms of the reduction of spatial phonon correlations originated from the increasing amount of La vacancies. This approach could account for the compositional behavior of the dielectric loss commonly observed in a number of microwave mixed systems.

  15. Comparative trial of two intravenous doses of granisetron (1 versus 3 mg) in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced acute emesis: a double-blind, randomized, non-inferiority trial.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tsuji, Daiki; Kim, Yong-Il; Taku, Keisei; Nakagaki, Shigeru; Ikematsu, Yoshito; Tsubota, Hiromi; Maeda, Masato; Hashimoto, Naoya; Kimura, Masayuki; Daimon, Takashi

    2012-05-01

    A single 3 mg or 40 μg/kg intravenous dose of granisetron combined with dexamethasone is routinely used in several countries, although the antiemetic guidelines have recommended granisetron at the dose of 1 mg or 10 μg/kg. A randomized, multicenter trial was conducted to determine the optimal intravenous granisetron dose, 1 or 3 mg, in cancer patients receiving emetogenic chemotherapy. We enrolled 365 patients and randomly assigned them to receive intravenous granisetron 3 mg (3-mg group) or 1 mg (1-mg group), combined with dexamethasone at an adequate dose fixed as per the emetic risk category. The primary end point was the proportion of patients with a complete response during the first 24 h after chemotherapy. The study demonstrated that 1 mg of granisetron was not inferior in effect to 3 mg. For the primary end point, 359 patients were evaluable according to the modified intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Complete protection was achieved in the modified ITT population, 90.6% and 88.8% for the 3- and 1-mg groups, respectively (p granisetron is not inferior to 3 mg when both doses are combined with dexamethasone. Therefore, 1-mg dose of intravenous granisetron should be the recommended prophylactic regimen for the prevention of acute emesis.

  16. Pyroelectric Study on Dipolar Alignment in 0.69Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.31PbTiO3 Single Crystals

    Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)

    ZHAO Liang; SHEN Ming-Rong; CAO Wen-Wu

    2012-01-01

    Pyroelectric measurements are conducted during zero-Geld heating in [001], [110] and [111] poled 0.69Pb(Mg1/3 Nb2/3)O3-0.31PbTiO3 single crystals. Compared to the room-temperature-poled samples, the crystals poled by using the Rield cooling method show broad but well recognizable pyroelectric current peaks near 190℃, which is much higher than the Curie point (126℃) of the crystal. We propose that this peak of the crystals poled by field-cooling above the Curie point is ascribed to the order-disorder transition of the dipoles in polar nano-regions formed at the Burns temperature.%Pyroelectric measurements are conducted during zero-field heating in [001],[110] and [111] poled 0.69Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.31PbTiO3 single crystals.Compared to the room-temperature-poled samples,the crystals poled by using the field cooling method show broad but well recognizable pyroelectric current peaks near 190℃,which is much higher than the Curie point (126℃) of the crystal.We propose that this peak of the crystals poled by field-cooling above the Curie point is ascribed to the order-disorder transition of the dipoles in polar nano-regions formed at the Burns temperature.

  17. Formation of a Hydroxymethylfurfural-Cysteine Adduct and Its Absorption and Cytotoxicity in Caco-2 Cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhao, Qianzhu; Zou, Yueyu; Huang, Caihuan; Lan, Ping; Zheng, Jie; Ou, Shiyi

    2017-11-15

    Adducts of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)-amino acids are formed during food processing and digestion; the elimination capacity of in vitro intestinal digests of biscuits, instant noodles, and potato crisps for HMF is 652, 727, and 540 μg/g, respectively. However, the safety of these adducts is unknown. In this study, an HMF-cysteine adduct named 1-dicysteinethioacetal-5-hydroxymehtylfurfural (DCH), which was found to be produced in the gastrointestinal tract after HMF intake, was prepared to test its effect toward Caco-2 cells. Compared with HMF, the adduct displayed lower cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cells with an IC 50 value of 31.26 mM versus 14.95 mM (HMF). The DCH did not induce cell apoptosis, whereas HMF significantly increased the apoptosis rate after incubation at concentrations of 16, 32, and 48 mM for 72 h. DCH showed an absorption rate considerably lower than that of HMF by Caco-2 cells. Lower absorption of DCH may result in lower toxicity compared with HMF against Caco-2 cells. Intracellular transformation of DCH has been observed.

  18. Magnesium doped gallium phosphonates Ga{sub 1-x}Mg{sub x}[H{sub 3+x}(O{sub 3}PCH{sub 2}){sub 3}N] (x = 0, 0.20) and the influence on proton conductivity

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Homburg, Thomas; Reinsch, Helge; Stock, Norbert [Institut fuer Anorganische Chemie, Christian-Albrechts-Universitaet, Kiel (Germany); Tschense, Carsten B.L.; Senker, Juergen [Dept. of Inorganic Chemistry III, University of Bayreuth (Germany); Wolkersdoerfer, Konrad; Wark, Michael [Institut fuer Chemie, Carl von Ossietzky Universitaet Oldenburg (Germany); Toebbens, Daniel; Zander, Stefan [Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin fuer Materialien und Energie GmbH, Berlin (Germany)

    2018-02-01

    In our contribution to the development of new proton conductive coordination polymers (CPs) we focus on the impact of a partial replacement of Ga{sup 3+} by Mg{sup 2+}. This approach should come along with the introduction of additional protons due to charge balances. In a first step we have synthesized an isostructural compound to the literature known compound AlH{sub 3}P3N [H{sub 6}P3N = nitrilotris(methylene)triphosphonic acid], where Al{sup 3+} is replaced by Ga{sup 3+}, since all attempts to incorporate Mg{sup 2+} ions directly into AlH{sub 3}P3N were not successful. The relative amount of Mg{sup 2+} and Ga{sup 3+} was established by EDX analysis. Rietveld refinement of the synchrotron data located the Ga{sup 3+} and Mg{sup 2+} ions on a split position, proving the disordered incorporation of the Mg{sup 2+} ions. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy confirms a disordered protonation of the phosphonate groups as well and shows that all amine groups are protonated. In order to investigate the effect on the proton conductivity the compounds Ga[H{sub 3}(O{sub 3}PCH{sub 2}){sub 3}N], denoted GaH{sub 3}P3N as well as Ga{sub 0.80}Mg{sub 0.20}[H{sub 3.20}(O{sub 3}PCH{sub 2}){sub 3}N], denoted GaMgH{sub 3.20}P3N, were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Arrhenius behavior in the investigated temperature range (70-130 C) was found for both compounds (activation energies of E{sub a} = 0.15 eV for GaH{sub 3}P3N and 0.17 eV for GaMgH{sub 3.20}P3N). The GaMgH{sub 3.20}P3N sample shows a reduced proton mobility (σ = 1.2 x 10{sup -4} S.cm{sup -1}) of about one order of magnitude in comparison to GaH{sub 3}P3N (σ = 1.0 x 10{sup -3} S.cm{sup -1}). (copyright 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

  19. Language-Agnostic Reproducible Data Analysis Using Literate Programming.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Vassilev, Boris; Louhimo, Riku; Ikonen, Elina; Hautaniemi, Sampsa

    2016-01-01

    A modern biomedical research project can easily contain hundreds of analysis steps and lack of reproducibility of the analyses has been recognized as a severe issue. While thorough documentation enables reproducibility, the number of analysis programs used can be so large that in reality reproducibility cannot be easily achieved. Literate programming is an approach to present computer programs to human readers. The code is rearranged to follow the logic of the program, and to explain that logic in a natural language. The code executed by the computer is extracted from the literate source code. As such, literate programming is an ideal formalism for systematizing analysis steps in biomedical research. We have developed the reproducible computing tool Lir (literate, reproducible computing) that allows a tool-agnostic approach to biomedical data analysis. We demonstrate the utility of Lir by applying it to a case study. Our aim was to investigate the role of endosomal trafficking regulators to the progression of breast cancer. In this analysis, a variety of tools were combined to interpret the available data: a relational database, standard command-line tools, and a statistical computing environment. The analysis revealed that the lipid transport related genes LAPTM4B and NDRG1 are coamplified in breast cancer patients, and identified genes potentially cooperating with LAPTM4B in breast cancer progression. Our case study demonstrates that with Lir, an array of tools can be combined in the same data analysis to improve efficiency, reproducibility, and ease of understanding. Lir is an open-source software available at github.com/borisvassilev/lir.

  20. Four experimental stimulants found in sports and weight loss supplements: 2-amino-6-methylheptane (octodrine), 1,4-dimethylamylamine (1,4-DMAA), 1,3-dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA) and 1,3-dimethylbutylamine (1,3-DMBA).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cohen, Pieter A; Travis, John C; Keizers, Peter H J; Deuster, Patricia; Venhuis, Bastiaan J

    2017-11-08

    The United States Food and Drug Administration banned the stimulant 1,3-dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA) from dietary supplements and warned consumers that the stimulant can pose cardiovascular risks ranging from high blood pressure to heart attacks. We designed our study to determine if a new stimulant similar in structure to 1,3-DMAA has been introduced as an ingredient in supplements sold in the United States (US). We analyzed six brands of supplements that listed an ingredient on the label (e.g., Aconitum kusnezoffii, DMHA or 2-amino-isoheptane) that might refer to an analog of 1,3-DMAA. Supplements were analyzed by two separate laboratories using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and reference standards. Two previously unidentified 1,3-DMAA analogs (2-amino-6-methylheptane [octodrine] and 1,4-dimethylamylamine [1,4-DMAA]) and two banned stimulants (1,3-DMAA and 1,3-dimethylbutylamine [1,3-DMBA]) were identified. Octodrine was found at a dose (±95% CI) of 72 ± 7.5 mg per serving. In Europe, octodrine was previously sold as a pharmaceutical in multi-ingredient medications at dosages from 8 to 33 mg. The quantity of octodrine found in our study was more than twice the largest pharmaceutical dose. The other new stimulant, 1,4-DMAA, has not previously been approved for human consumption, and its safety in humans is unknown. 1,4-DMAA was found at dosages between 21 ± 11 mg to 94 ± 48 mg per serving. In addition, two banned stimulants - 1,3-DMAA and 1,3-DMBA - were also identified: 24 ± 7.6 mg to 35 ± 11 mg of 1,3-DMAA and 51 ± 16 mg of 1,3-DMBA. In one product, 24 ± 7.6 mg of 1,3-DMAA was combined with 21 ± 11 mg of 1,4-DMAA. 1,3-DMAA has been investigated as potentially contributing to hemorrhagic strokes and sudden death, whereas the safety of 1,3-DMBA in humans is unknown. Two banned stimulants (1,3-DMAA and 1,3-DMBA) and two previously unidentified stimulants (1,4-DMAA and

  1. A cellular uptake and cytotoxicity properties study of gallic acid-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles on Caco-2 cells

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rashidi, Ladan; Vasheghani-Farahani, Ebrahim; Soleimani, Masoud; Atashi, Amir; Rostami, Khosrow; Gangi, Fariba; Fallahpour, Masoud; Tahouri, Mohammad Taher

    2014-03-01

    In this study, the effects of intracellular delivery of various concentrations of gallic acid (GA) as a semistable antioxidant, gallic acid-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs-GA), and cellular uptake of nanoparticles into Caco-2 cells were investigated. MSNs were synthesized and loaded with GA, then characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The cytotoxicity of MSNs and MSNs-GA at low and high concentrations were studied by means of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test and flow cytometry. MSNs did not show significant toxicity in various concentrations (0-500 μg/ml) on Caco-2 cells. For MSNs-GA, cell viability was reduced as a function of incubation time and different concentrations of nanoparticles. The in vitro GA release from MSNs-GA exhibited the same antitumor properties as free GA on Caco-2 cells. Flow cytometry results confirmed those obtained using MTT assay. TEM and fluorescent microscopy confirmed the internalization of MSNs by Caco-2 cells through nonspecific cellular uptake. MSNs can easily internalize into Caco-2 cells without deleterious effects on cell viability. The cell viability of Caco-2 cells was affected during MSNs-GA uptake. MSNs could be designed as suitable nanocarriers for antioxidants delivery.

  2. Thermodynamic investigation of the CaO-Al2O3-CaCO3-H2O closed system at 25 C and the influence of Na2O

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Damidot, D.; Stronach, S.; Kindness, A.; Atkins, M.; Glasser, F.P.

    1994-01-01

    The solubilities of calcium hemicarboaluminate, calcium monocarboaluminate and calcium tricarboaluminate have been determined and the equilibrium phase diagram for the CaO-Al 2 O 3 -CaCO 3 -H 2 O closed system at 25 C has been calculated. Six isothermally invariant points have been located involving six stable hydrates: CH, C 3 AH 6 , AH 3 , calcium hemicarboaluminate, calcium monocarboaluminate and calcite. Calcium tricarboaluminate, the carbonate analogue of ettringite, does not appear to be stable at 25 C. This study was part of a larger study on radioactive waste solidification

  3. Direct observation of the near-surface layer in Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 using neutron diffraction

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Conlon, K.H.; Whan, T.; Fox, J.H.; Luo, H.; Viehland, D.; Li, J.F.; Stock, C.; Shirane, G.

    2004-01-01

    Spatially resolved neutron diffraction as a function of crystal depth in Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 reveals the presence of a distinct near-surface region where a strong distortion in the lattice exists. A dramatic change in both the lattice constant and the Bragg peak intensity as a function of crystal depth is observed to occur in this region over a length scale ∼100 μm. This confirms a previous assertion, based on a comparison between high-energy x rays and neutrons, that such a near surface region exists in the relaxors. Consequences to both single crystal and powder diffraction measurements and previous bulk neutron diffraction measurements on large single crystals are discussed

  4. Altered global gene expression profiles in human gastrointestinal epithelial Caco2 cells exposed to nanosilver

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Saura C. Sahu

    Full Text Available Extensive consumer exposure to food- and cosmetics-related consumer products containing nanosilver is of public safety concern. Therefore, there is a need for suitable in vitro models and sensitive predictive rapid screening methods to assess their toxicity. Toxicogenomic profile showing subtle changes in gene expressions following nanosilver exposure is a sensitive toxicological endpoint for this purpose. We evaluated the Caco2 cells and global gene expression profiles as tools for predictive rapid toxicity screening of nanosilver. We evaluated and compared the gene expression profiles of Caco-2 cells exposed to 20 nm and 50 nm nanosilver at a concentration 2.5 μg/ml. The global gene expression analysis of Caco2 cells exposed to 20 nm nanosilver showed that a total of 93 genes were altered at 4 h exposure, out of which 90 genes were up-regulated and 3 genes were down-regulated. The 24 h exposure of 20 nm silver altered 15 genes in Caco2 cells, out of which 14 were up-regulated and one was down-regulated. The most pronounced changes in gene expression were detected at 4 h. The greater size (50 nm nanosilver at 4 h exposure altered more genes by more different pathways than the smaller (20 nm one. Metallothioneins and heat shock proteins were highly up-regulated as a result of exposure to both the nanosilvers. The cellular pathways affected by the nanosilver exposure is likely to lead to increased toxicity. The results of our study presented here suggest that the toxicogenomic characterization of Caco2 cells is a valuable in vitro tool for assessing toxicity of nanomaterials such as nanosilver. Keywords: Nanosilver, Silver nanoparticles, Nanoparticles, Toxicogenomics, DNA microarray, Global gene expression profiles, Caco2 cells

  5. Multiorganelle Localization of Metallated Phthalocyanine Photosensitizer in Colorectal Cancer Cells (DLD-1 and CaCo-2 Enhances Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Palesa Rose Sekhejane

    2014-01-01

    Full Text Available Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer. Amongst treatments that have been explored, photodynamic therapy (PDT is a treatment that is of interest as it poses ideal advantages such as affinity for cancer cells. This study aimed to determine the correlation between the localization site of a sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPcSmix photosensitizer (PS and its associated cell death pathway in vitro in colorectal cancer cell lines (DLD-1 and CaCo-2. Visible morphological changes were observed in PDT treated cells after 24 h. Reactive oxygen species (ROS were detected and visualized 1 h after PDT. ZnPcSmix was predominantly localized in lysosomes and partially in the mitochondria. FITC Annexin V staining showed a significant decrease in the percentage of viable DLD-1 and CaCo-2 cells 24 h after PDT, with an increase in apoptotic cell population. Moreover, there was a significant increase in both cathepsin D and cytochrome C at 1 and 24 h. In conclusion, ZnPcSmix showed the ability of inducing apoptotic cell death features in PDT treated cells.

  6. Properties of morphotropic phase boundary Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3PbTiO3 films with submicrometre range thickness on Si-based substrates

    OpenAIRE

    Algueró , M; Stewart , M; Cain , M G; Ramos , P; Ricote , J; Calzada , M L

    2010-01-01

    Abstract The electrical properties of (1-x)Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3)O 3 -xPbTiO 3 films with composition in the morphotropic phase boundary region around x=0.35, submicron thickness and columnar microstructure, prepared on Si based substrates by chemical solution deposition are presented and discussed in relation to the properties of coarse and fine grained ceramics. The films show relaxor characteristics that are proposed to result from a grain size effect on the kinetics of the relaxor to ferroe...

  7. Seasonality and variability of coccolithophore fluxes in response to diverse oceanographic regimes in the Bay of Bengal: Sediment trap results

    Digital Repository Service at National Institute of Oceanography (India)

    Mergulhao, L.P.; Guptha, M.V.S.; Unger, D.; Murty, V.S.N.

    carbonate and diatom opal fluxes continued to increase. Tanaka and Kawahata (2001) reported that the calculated coccolith- CaCO3 fluxes ranged between 6.8 and 49.6 mg m-2day-1 and contributed 23.3% of total CaCO3 flux in the west Caroline Basin...

  8. Synthesis of the hydride mixtures (1 - x)AlH3/xMgH2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) by ball milling and their hydrogen storage properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Iosub, V.; Matsunaga, T.; Tange, K.; Ishikiriyama, M.; Miwa, K.

    2009-01-01

    In an effort to thermodynamically stabilize the alane (i.e., to increase the desorption enthalpy), partial substitution of Mg for Al was investigated by ball milling the mixtures (1 - x)AlH 3 /xMgH 2 (x = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3). Rietveld analysis of the XRD profiles showed that the cell volume of α-AlH 3 increased with the Mg substitution rate, and thereby formation of solid solutions was assumed (x ≤ 0.05). In agreement with the experimental results, theoretical calculations indicated that a hypothetical supercell structure (MgAl 15 )H 47 (x = 0.0625), which contained a hydrogen vacancy, was at least metastable. However, the effect of alane stabilization by Mg substitution for Al was not observed, either by experiment or by simulation, and only an increase in the activation energy was measured.

  9. Effect of Mg and Si co-substitution on microstructure and strength of tricalcium phosphate ceramics.

    Science.gov (United States)

    García-Páez, Ismael H; Carrodeguas, Raúl García; De Aza, Antonio H; Baudín, Carmen; Pena, Pilar

    2014-02-01

    Magnesium and silicon co-doped tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramics with compositions corresponding to 0, 5 and 10wt% CaMg(SiO3)2 in the system Ca3(PO4)2-CaMg(SiO3)2 were obtained by conventional sintering of compacted mixtures of Ca3(PO4)2, MgO, SiO2 and CaCO3 powders at temperatures between 1100 and 1450°C. Microstructural analyses were performed by X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. Major phases in the obtained ceramics were β- or α+β-tricalcium phosphate containing Mg and Si in solid solution. Certain amounts of liquid were formed during sintering depending on composition and temperature. There were found significant differences in distributions of strength determined by the diametral compression of disc tests (DCDT). Failure strengths were controlled by microstructural defects associated with phase development. Mg and Si additions were found to be effective to improve densification and associated strength of TCP bioceramics due to the enhancement of sintering by the low viscosity liquids formed. The highest density and strength were obtained for the TCP ceramic containing 5wt% CaMg(SiO3)2 sintered at 1300°C. Cracking and porosity increased at higher temperatures due to grain growth and swelling. © 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  10. The effect of calcium and magnesium supplementation on performance and bone strength of broiler chickens

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Filip Karásek

    2017-01-01

    Full Text Available Aim of the experiment was evaluation of the effect of reduced calcium and magnesium content in the broiler chickens diet on its parameters of fattening, bone strength and calcium and magnesium content in liver. The trial was performed with cockerels of Ross 308 hybrid (n = 160 which were fattened in cage batteries from day 11th to 36th day of age. Cockerels were divided into 4 groups (differ in various intake levels of calcium and magnesium in four replications. The maize-wheat-soybean basal diet contained 2.33 g Ca and 1.58 g Mg per kilogram. Calcium was added by CaCO3 and magnesium by MgSO4. Control group (C received feed mixture with added CaCO3 in dose of 19.49 g.kg-1 and 0.41 g.kg-1 of MgSO4. Three experimental groups contain added CaCO3 in dose of 11.83 g.kg-1 and 0 g.kg-1 MgSO4 (group Exp1; CaCO3 11.83 g.kg-1 and 0.41 g.kg-1 MgSO4 (group Exp2; CaCO3 19.49 g.kg-1 and 0 g.kg-1 MgSO4 (group Exp3, respectively. The feed consumption was daily monitored and the cockerels were weighed twice a week. At the end of the study the experimental animals were weighted and slaughtered by decapitation. The weight of carcasses, liver and proportion of breast and thigh muscle was determined in the selected chickens (n = 24. The atomic absorption spectrometry was used for Ca and Mg evaluation in liver tissues. Bone strength parameter was measured at the femur bone. The statistically significant differences (p >0.05 were not detected between control and experimental groups in the case of studied parameters of fattening, bone strength and calcium and magnesium content in the chicken´s liver. Based on the obtained results it could be concluded the reduction of determined elements in the chicken diet did not deteriorate parameters of yield, elements content in liver tissue as well as the bone strength of broiler chickens. Normal 0 21 false false false CS X-NONE X-NONE

  11. Effect of Mg"2"+ ions co-doping on timing performance and radiation tolerance of Cerium doped Gd_3Al_2Ga_3O_1_2 crystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lucchini, M.T.; Babin, V.; Bohacek, P.; Gundacker, S.; Kamada, K.; Nikl, M.; Petrosyan, A.; Yoshikawa, A.; Auffray, E.

    2016-01-01

    Inorganic scintillators with high density and high light yield are of major interest for applications in medical imaging and high energy physics detectors. In this work, the optical and scintillation properties of Mg co-doped Ce:Gd_3Al_2Ga_3O_1_2 crystals, grown using Czochralski technique, have been investigated and compared with Ce:Gd_3Al_2Ga_3O_1_2 ones prepared with identical technology. Improvements in the timing performance of the Mg co-doped samples with respect to Ce:Gd_3Al_2Ga_3O_1_2 ones have been measured, namely a substantial shortening of the rise time and scintillation decay components and lower afterglow were achieved. In particular, a significantly better coincidence time resolution of 233 ps FWHM, being a fundamental parameter for TOF-PET devices, has been observed in Mg co-doped crystals. The samples have also shown a good radiation tolerance under high doses of γ-rays, making them suitable candidates for applications in harsh radiation environments, such as detectors at future collider experiments.

  12. Influence of silver addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of squeeze cast Mg-6Al-1Sn-0.3Mn-0.3Ti

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Acikgoez, Sehzat; Sevik, Hueseyin; Kurnaz, S.Can

    2011-01-01

    Graphical abstract: Highlights: → X-ray diffractometry reveals that the main phases are α-Mg, α-Ti, β-Mg 17 Al 12 and Al 8 Mn 5 in the base alloy. → With addition of silver, Al 81 Mn 19 phase was found. → The mechanical properties of the base alloy are improved with addition of silver. → The fracture surface of base alloy shows relatively deeper and more amount of dimples than that of alloys containing silver. - Abstract: In this study, the effect of silver (0, 0.2, 0.5, and 1 wt.%) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a magnesium-based alloy (Mg-Al 6 wt.%-Sn 1 wt.%-Mn 0.3 wt.%-Ti 0.3 wt.%) were investigated. The alloys were produced under a controlled atmosphere by a squeeze-casting process. X-ray diffractometry revealed that the main phases are α-Mg, α-Ti, β-Mg 17 Al 12 and Al 8 Mn 5 in the all of alloys. In addition to, Al 81 Mn 19 phase was found with Ag additive. Besides, the amount of β-Mg 17 Al 12 phase was decreased with increasing the amount of Ag. The strength of the base alloy was increased by solid solution mechanism and decreasing the amount of β-Mg 17 Al 12 phase with addition of Ag. Furthermore, existence of Al 81 Mn 19 phase can be acted an important role in the increase on the mechanical properties of the alloys.

  13. Water quality criteria for hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Etnier, E.L.

    1989-04-01

    The occurrence of the munitions compound hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in groundwater surrounding Army ammunition plants may result in contamination of local drinking water supplies. RDX exerts its primary toxic effect in humans on the central nervous system, but also involves gastrointestinal and renal effects. Symptomatic effects following acute exposure include hyperirritability, nausea, vomiting, generalized epileptiform seizures, and prolonged postictal confusion and amnesia. Health effects data were analyzed for RDX, and although no controlled human studies exist concerning the acute or chronic toxic effects of exposure to RDX, sufficient animal toxicity data are available to derive an ambient water quality criterion for the protection of human health. This paper summarizes the available literature on metabolism of RDX and human and animal toxicity. Based on noncarcinogenic mammalian toxicity data, and following the methodologies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an ambient water quality criterion for the protection of human health of 103 micrograms/liter is proposed for ingestion of drinking water and aquatic foodstuffs. A criterion of 105 micrograms/liter is proposed for ingestion of drinking water alone.54 references.

  14. So to Speak: A Computational and Empirical Investigation of Lexical Cohesion of Non-Literal and Literal Expressions in Text

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Alexis Palmer

    2012-12-01

    Full Text Available Lexical cohesion is an important device for signaling text organization. In this paper, we investigate to what extent a particular class of expressions which can have a non-literal interpretation participates in the cohesive structure of a text. Specifically, we look at five expressions headed by a verb which – depending on the context – can have either a literal or a non-literal meaning: bounce off the wall (“to be excited and full of nervous energy”, get one’s feet wet (“to start a new activity or job”, rock the boat (“to disturb the balance or routine of a situation”, break the ice (“to start to get to know people, to overcome initial shyness”, and play with fire (“to take part in a dangerous or risky undertaking”. We look at the problem both from an empirical and a computational perspective. The results from our empirical study suggest that both literal and non-literal expressions exhibit cohesion with their textual context, but that the latter appear to do so to a lesser extent. We also show that an automatically computable semantic relatedness measure based on search engine page counts correlates well with human intuitions about the cohesive structure of a text and can therefore be used to determine the cohesive structure of a text automatically with a reasonable degree of accuracy. This investigation is undertaken from the perspective of computational linguistics. We aim both to model this cohesion computationally and to support our approach to computational modeling with empirical data.

  15. Assessment of mutagenic damage by monofunctional alkylating agents and gamma radiation in haploid and diploid frogs, Xenopus laevis

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hart, D.R.; Armstrong, J.B.

    1984-01-01

    Adult male South African clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis, were mutagenized by 3-day immersion in aqueous solutions of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), diethyl nitrosamine (DEN), or ethyl nitrosourea (ENU), or by acute exposure to gamma radiation. They were then spawned repeatedly at 2-week intervals with untreated females, and embryonic survival of the progeny was used to assess genetic damage. Recessive lethal effects were assessed from reduced survival of androgenetic haploid progeny. Neither recessive nor dominant lethal effects were obtained after exposure to 100 mg/liter EMS or 2 g/liter DEN. At 250 mg/liter EMS, peak dominant lethality occurred 3-5 weeks after treatment. Most embryos hatched, but many were abnormal and died shortly after hatching. Haploid survival was significantly reduced over a broader period, from 1 to 13 weeks after mutagenesis. Treatment with 75 mg/liter ENU produced effects similar to the 250-mg/liter EMS mutagenesis. At 400 mg/liter EMS, the frequency and severity of the effects on both diploid and haploid embryos were increased over the lower dose. Gamma irradiation at 1500 R produced effects similar to the 400-mg/liter mutagenesis, except that peak dominant lethality extended from 1 to 7 weeks

  16. Optical properties of Mg2+, Yb3+, and Ho3+ tri-doped LiNbO3 crystals

    Science.gov (United States)

    Dai, Li; Liu, Chun-Rui; Tan, Chao; Yan, Zhe-Hua; Xu, Yu-Heng

    2017-04-01

    A series of LiNbO3 crystals tri-doped with Mg{}2+, Yb{}3+, and Ho{}3+ are grown by the conventional Czochraski technique. The concentrations of Mg{}2+, Yb{}3+, and Ho{}3+ ions in Mg:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystals are measured by using an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The x-ray diffraction is proposed to determine the lattice constant and analyze the internal structure of the crystal. The light-induced scattering of Mg:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystal is quantitatively described via the threshold effect of incident exposure energy flux. The exposure energy ({E}{{r}}) is calculated to discuss the optical damage resistance ability. The exposure energy of Mg(7 mol):Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystal is 709.17 J/cm2, approximately 425 times higher than that of the Mg(1 mol):Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystal in magnitude. The blue, red, and very intense green bands of Mg:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystal are observed under the 980-nm laser excitation to evaluate the up-conversion emission properties. The dependence of the emission intensity on pumping power indicates that the up-conversion emission is a two-photon process. The up-conversion emission mechanism is discussed in detail. This study indicates that Mg:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystal can be applied to the fabrication of new multifunctional photoluminescence devices. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51301055), the Youth Science Fund of Heilongjiang Province, China (Grant No. QC2015061), the Special Funds of Harbin Innovation Talents in Science and Technology Research, China (Grant No. 2015RQQXJ045 ), and the Science Funds for the Young Innovative Talents of Harbin University of Science and Technology, China (Grant No. 201501).

  17. Piezoelectric properties and temperature stability of Mn-doped Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)-PbZrO3-PbTiO3 textured ceramics

    OpenAIRE

    Yan, Yongke; Cho, Kyung-Hoon; Priya, Shashank

    2012-01-01

    In this letter, we report the electromechanical properties of textured 0.4Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3) O-3-0.25PbZrO(3)-0.35PbTiO(3) (PMN-PZT) composition which has relatively high rhombohedral to tetragonal (R-T) transition temperature (TR-T of 160 degrees C) and Curie temperature (T-C of 234 degrees C) and explore the effect of Mn-doping on this composition. It was found that MnO2-doped textured PMN-PZT ceramics with 5 vol.% BaTiO3 template (T-5BT) exhibited inferior temperature stability. The coupling f...

  18. Dual effects exerted in vitro by micromolar concentrations of deoxynivalenol on undifferentiated caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Manda, Gina; Mocanu, Mihaela Andreea; Marin, Daniela Eliza; Taranu, Ionelia

    2015-02-16

    Contamination of crops used for food and feed production with Fusarium mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON), raise important health and economic issues all along the food chain. Acute exposure to high DON concentrations can alter the intestinal barrier, while chronic exposure to lower doses may exert more subtle effects on signal transduction pathways, leading to disturbances in cellular homeostasis. Using real-time cellular impedance measurements, we studied the effects exerted in vitro by low concentrations of DON (0.37-1.50 μM), relevant for mycotoxin-contaminated food, on the proliferation of undifferentiated Caco-2 cells presenting a tumorigenic phenotype. A 1.5 μM concentration of DON maintained cell adherence of non-proliferating Caco-2 cells, whilst arresting the growth of actively proliferating cells compared with control Caco-2 cells in vitro. At 0.37 μM, DON enhanced Caco-2 cell metabolism, thereby triggering a moderate increase in cell proliferation. The results of the current study suggested that low concentrations of DON commonly detected in food may either limit or sustain the proliferation of colon cancer cells, depending on their proliferation status and on DON concentration. Soluble factors released by Lactobacillus strains can partially counteract the inhibitory action of DON on actively proliferating colon cancer cells. The study also emphasized that real-time cellular impedance measurements were a valuable tool for investigating the dynamics of cellular responses to xenobiotics.

  19. Dextran Sulfate Sodium Inhibits Alanine Synthesis in Caco-2 Cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Carolyn M. Slupsky

    2011-04-01

    Full Text Available To understand and characterize the pathogenic mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS has been used to induce acute and chronic colitis in animal models by causing intestinal epithelium damage. The mechanism of action of DSS in producing this outcome is not well understood. In an effort to understand how DSS might impact epithelial cell metabolism, we studied the intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2 incubated with 1% DSS over 56 hours using 1H NMR spectroscopy. We observed no difference in cell viability as compared to control cultures, and an approximately 1.5-fold increase in IL-6 production upon incubation with 1% DSS. The effect on Caco-2 cell metabolism as measured through changes in the concentration of metabolites in the cell supernatant included a three-fold decrease in the concentration of alanine. Given that the concentrations of other amino acids in the cell culture supernatant were not different between treated and control cultures over 56 hours suggest that DSS inhibits alanine synthesis, specifically alanine aminotransferase, without affecting other key metabolic pathways. The importance of alanine aminotransferase in inflammatory bowel disease is discussed.

  20. Study on adsorption of O{sub 2} on LaFe{sub 1-x}Mg{sub x}O{sub 3} (0 1 0) surface by density function theory calculation

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu, Xing, E-mail: liuxing0108@mail.sdu.edu.cn [Civil Engineer Department, Qingdao Technological University (Linyi), Easter Outer Ring Road 1, Linyi, 273400 (China); Cheng, Bin [Civil Engineer Department, Qingdao Technological University (Linyi), Easter Outer Ring Road 1, Linyi, 273400 (China); Hu, Jifan; Qin, Hongwei [State Key Laboratory of Crystal Material, Department of Physics, Shandong University, Hongjialou 5, Jinan, 250100 (China)

    2012-09-01

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Mg-doping can change the electronic properties of LaFeO{sub 3} (0 1 0) surface by decreasing the band gap. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The position and content of Mg-doping can both affect the ability to adsorb O{sub 2}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The strong hybridization between O{sub 2} p and Fe d orbital is the origin of binding mechanism. - Abstract: The adsorption of O{sub 2} on the clean and Mg doped LaFeO{sub 3} (0 1 0) surface has been investigated using the density functional theory (DFT) method. Calculation results show that Mg-doping can change the electronic properties of LaFeO{sub 3} (0 1 0) surface by decreasing the band gap. When Mg ions were not on the first layer of the surface, with increasing Mg content the adsorption of O{sub 2} was enhanced. When Mg ions were on the first layer, the adsorption of O{sub 2} was weakened with the increase of Mg content. The analysis results of the DOS indicated that the Mg ion and adsorbed O{sub 2} had no strong hybridization, and the bonding mechanism was originated from the strong hybridization between the O p and Fe d orbital. Referring to all the calculation results, it was found that except for the increase of stability of oxygen adsorption, the Mg doping could not improve the sensitivity to O{sub 2}.

  1. Multilevel Resistance Switching Memory in La2/3Ba1/3MnO3/0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3 (011) Heterostructure by Combined Straintronics-Spintronics.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhou, Weiping; Xiong, Yuanqiang; Zhang, Zhengming; Wang, Dunhui; Tan, Weishi; Cao, Qingqi; Qian, Zhenghong; Du, Youwei

    2016-03-02

    We demonstrate a memory device with multifield switchable multilevel states at room temperature based on the integration of straintronics and spintronics in a La2/3Ba1/3MnO3/0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) (011) heterostructure. By precisely controlling the electric field applied on the PMN-PT substrate, multiple nonvolatile resistance states can be generated in La2/3Ba1/3MnO3 films, which can be ascribed to the strain-modulated metal-insulator transition and phase separation of Manganite. Furthermore, because of the strong coupling between spin and charge degrees of freedom, the resistance of the La2/3Ba1/3MnO3 film can be readily modulated by magnetic field over a broad temperature range. Therefore, by combining electroresistance and magnetoresistance effects, multilevel resistance states with excellent retention and endurance properties can be achieved at room temperature with the coactions of electric and magnetic fields. The incorporation of ferroelastic strain and magnetic and resistive properties in memory cells suggests a promising approach for multistate, high-density, and low-power consumption electronic memory devices.

  2. Melting relations in the MgO-MgSiO3 system up to 70 GPa

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ohnishi, Satoka; Kuwayama, Yasuhiro; Inoue, Toru

    2017-06-01

    Melting experiments in a binary system MgO-MgSiO3 were performed up to 70 GPa using a CO2 laser heated diamond anvil cell. The quenched samples were polished and analyzed by a dualbeam focused ion beam (FIB) and a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), respectively. The liquidus phase and the eutectic composition were determined on the basis of textual and chemical analyses of sample cross sections. Our experimental results show that the eutectic composition is the Si/Mg molar ratio of 0.76 at 35 GPa and it decreases with increasing pressure. Above 45 GPa, it becomes relatively constant at about 0.64-0.65 Si/Mg molar ratio. Using our experimental data collected at a wide pressure range up to 70 GPa together with previous experimental data, we have constructed a thermodynamic model of the eutectic composition of the MgO-MgSiO3 system. The eutectic composition extrapolated to the pressure and temperature conditions at the base of the mantle is about 0.64 Si/Mg molar ratio. The modeled eutectic composition is quite consistent with a previous prediction from ab initio calculations (de Koker et al. in Earth Planet Sci Lett 361:58-63, 2013), suggesting that the simple assumption of a non-ideal regular solution model can well describe the melting relation of the MgO-MgSiO3 system at high pressure. Our results show that the liquidus phase changes from MgO-periclase to MgSiO3-bridgmanite at 35 GPa for the simplified pyrolite composition ( 0.7 Si/Mg molar ratio), while MgSiO3-bridgmanite is the liquidus phase at the entire lower mantle conditions for the chondritic composition ( 0.84 Si/Mg molar ratio).

  3. The stability and Raman spectra of ikaite, CaCO3·6H2O, at high pressure and temperature

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shahar, Anat; Bassett, William A.; Mao, Ho-kwang; Chou, I-Ming; Mao, Wendy

    2005-01-01

    Raman analyses of single crystals of ikaite, CaCO3·6H2O, synthesized in a diamond-anvil cell at ambient temperature yield spectra from 0.14 to 4.08 GPa; the most intense peaks are at 228 and 1081 cm−1 corresponding to Eg(external) and A1g (internal) modes of vibrations in CO2− 3 ions, respectively. These are in good agreement with Raman spectra previously published for ikaite in powder form at ambient temperature and pressure. Visual observations of a sample consisting initially of a mixture of calcite + water in a hydrothermal diamond-anvil cell yielded a P-T phase diagram up to 2 GPa and 120 °C; the boundary for the reaction ikaite ↔ aragonite + water has a positive slope and is curved convexly toward the aragonite + water field similar to typical melt curves. This curvature can be explained in terms of the Clapeyron equation for a boundary between a solid phase and a more compressible liquid phase or largely liquid phase assemblage.

  4. Twitteratura: aproximando letramento literário e letramento digital

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Vinicius Carvalho Pereira

    2017-07-01

    Full Text Available As práticas de letramento literário da escola brasileira voltam-se majoritariamente para textos em suporte impresso, embora parte significativa da produção literária contemporânea em língua portuguesa venha sendo feita em suporte eletrônico ou digital. Tal disjunção se deve, entre outros fatores, à predominância de obras canônicas no currículo escolar, à natureza impressa do livro didático e a um entendimento restrito do que seja o texto literário. Por outro lado, assistimos ao uso crescente de aparelhos celulares e smartphones em sala de aula, raramente articulado ao processo de ensino-aprendizagem, ainda que esses dispositivos possam integrar práticas de letramento literário na esfera digital. No presente artigo, discutem-se questões teórico-metodológicas acerca do uso, em sala de aula, de celulares e smartphones para o trabalho com um gênero literário emergente: a Twitteratura. Da página à tela, do ponto ao pixel, novos entendimentos do literário podem ser introduzidos no currículo escolar, propiciando uma compreensão mais ampla sobre as relações sobredeterminantes entre linguagem, sociedade e tecnologia.

  5. NO2-initiated multiphase oxidation of SO2 by O2 on CaCO3 particles

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yu, Ting; Zhao, Defeng; Song, Xiaojuan; Zhu, Tong

    2018-05-01

    The reaction of SO2 with NO2 on the surface of aerosol particles has been suggested to be important in sulfate formation during severe air pollution episodes in China. However, we found that the direct oxidation of SO2 by NO2 was slow and might not be the main reason for sulfate formation in ambient air. In this study, we investigated the multiphase reaction of SO2 with an O2 / NO2 mixture on single CaCO3 particles using Micro-Raman spectroscopy. The reaction converted the CaCO3 particle to a Ca(NO3)2 droplet, with CaSO4 ⚫ 2H2O solid particles embedded in it, which constituted a significant fraction of the droplet volume at the end of the reaction. The reactive uptake coefficient of SO2 for sulfate formation was on the order of 10-5, which was higher than that for the multiphase reaction of SO2 directly with NO2 by 2-3 orders of magnitude. According to our observations and the literature, we found that in the multiphase reaction of SO2 with the O2 / NO2 mixture, O2 was the main oxidant of SO2 and was necessary for radical chain propagation. NO2 acted as the initiator of radical formation, but not as the main oxidant. The synergy of NO2 and O2 resulted in much faster sulfate formation than the sum of the reaction rates with NO2 and with O2 alone. We estimated that the multiphase oxidation of SO2 by O2 initiated by NO2 could be an important source of sulfate and a sink of SO2, based on the calculated lifetime of SO2 regarding the loss through the multiphase reaction versus the loss through the gas-phase reaction with OH radicals. Parameterization of the reactive uptake coefficient of the reaction observed in our laboratory for further model simulation is needed, as well as an integrated assessment based on field observations, laboratory study results, and model simulations to evaluate the importance of the reaction in ambient air during severe air pollution episodes, especially in China.

  6. Magnesium Aminoclay-Fe3O4 (MgAC-Fe3O4 Hybrid Composites for Harvesting of Mixed Microalgae

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Bohwa Kim

    2018-05-01

    Full Text Available In this paper, we describe the synthesis of magnesium aminoclay-iron oxide (MgAC-Fe3O4 hybrid composites for microalgae-harvesting application. MgAC-templated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs were synthesized in different ratios of MgAC and Fe3O4 NPs. The uniform distribution of Fe3O4 NPs in the MgAC matrix was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM. According to obtained X-ray diffraction (XRD patterns, increased MgAC loading leads to decreased intensity of the composites’ (311 plane of Fe3O4 NPs. For harvesting of Chlorella sp. KR-1, Scenedesmus obliquus and mixed microalgae (Chlorella sp. KR-1/ Scenedesmus obliquus, the optimal pH was 4.0. At higher pHs, the microalgae-harvesting efficiencies fell. Sample #1, which had the highest MgAC concentration, showed the most stability: the harvesting efficiencies for Chlorella sp. KR-1, Scenedesmus obliquus, and mixed microalgae were reduced only to ~50% at pH = 10.0. The electrostatic interaction between MgAC and the Fe3O4 NPs in the hybrid samples by microalgae, as confirmed by zeta potential measurements, were attributed to the harvesting mechanisms. Moreover, the zeta potentials of the MgAC-Fe3O4 hybrid composites were reduced as pH was increased, thus diminishing the microalgae-harvesting efficiencies.

  7. Exposure-response analyses of liraglutide 3.0 mg for weight management.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wilding, J P H; Overgaard, R V; Jacobsen, L V; Jensen, C B; le Roux, C W

    2016-05-01

    Liraglutide 3.0 mg, an acylated GLP-1 analogue approved for weight management, lowers body weight through decreased energy intake. We conducted exposure-response analyses to provide important information on individual responses to given drug doses, reflecting inter-individual variations in drug metabolism, absorption and excretion. We report efficacy and safety responses across a wide range of exposure levels, using data from one phase II (liraglutide doses 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 mg), and two phase IIIa [SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (3.0 mg); SCALE Diabetes (1.8; 3.0 mg)] randomized, placebo-controlled trials (n = 4372). There was a clear exposure-weight loss response. Weight loss increased with greater exposure and appeared to level off at the highest exposures associated with liraglutide 3.0 mg in most individuals, but did not fully plateau in men. In individuals with overweight/obesity and comorbid type 2 diabetes, there was a clear exposure-glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) relationship. HbA1c reduction increased with higher plasma liraglutide concentration (plateauing at ∼21 nM); however, for individuals with baseline HbA1c >8.5%, HbA1c reduction did not fully plateau. No exposure-response relationship was identified for any safety outcome, with the exception of gastrointestinal adverse events (AEs). Individuals with gallbladder AEs, acute pancreatitis or malignant/breast/benign colorectal neoplasms did not have higher liraglutide exposure compared with the overall population. These analyses support the use of liraglutide 3.0 mg for weight management in all subgroups investigated; weight loss increased with higher drug exposure, with no concomitant deterioration in safety/tolerability besides previously known gastrointestinal side effects. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  8. Exposure–response analyses of liraglutide 3.0 mg for weight management

    Science.gov (United States)

    Overgaard, R. V.; Jacobsen, L. V.; Jensen, C. B.; le Roux, C. W.

    2016-01-01

    Aims Liraglutide 3.0 mg, an acylated GLP‐1 analogue approved for weight management, lowers body weight through decreased energy intake. We conducted exposure‐response analyses to provide important information on individual responses to given drug doses, reflecting inter‐individual variations in drug metabolism, absorption and excretion. Methods We report efficacy and safety responses across a wide range of exposure levels, using data from one phase II (liraglutide doses 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 mg), and two phase IIIa [SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (3.0 mg); SCALE Diabetes (1.8; 3.0 mg)] randomized, placebo‐controlled trials (n = 4372). Results There was a clear exposure–weight loss response. Weight loss increased with greater exposure and appeared to level off at the highest exposures associated with liraglutide 3.0 mg in most individuals, but did not fully plateau in men. In individuals with overweight/obesity and comorbid type 2 diabetes, there was a clear exposure–glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) relationship. HbA1c reduction increased with higher plasma liraglutide concentration (plateauing at ∼21 nM); however, for individuals with baseline HbA1c >8.5%, HbA1c reduction did not fully plateau. No exposure–response relationship was identified for any safety outcome, with the exception of gastrointestinal adverse events (AEs). Individuals with gallbladder AEs, acute pancreatitis or malignant/breast/benign colorectal neoplasms did not have higher liraglutide exposure compared with the overall population. Conclusions These analyses support the use of liraglutide 3.0 mg for weight management in all subgroups investigated; weight loss increased with higher drug exposure, with no concomitant deterioration in safety/tolerability besides previously known gastrointestinal side effects. PMID:26833744

  9. Microbial safety assessment of recreation water at Lake Nabugabo ...

    African Journals Online (AJOL)

    ... alkalinity (29.3 mg/l), hardness (CaCO3) (32.5 mg/l), total nitrogen (1.3 mg/l), ammonium-N (0.6 mg/l), nitrate (0.05 mg/l), total phosphorus (0.8 mg/l), orthophosphates (0.02 mg/l), iron (0.2-0.3 mg/l), calcium (1.2-1.8 mg/l), magnesium (0.4-0.6 mg/l), sodium (1.2-2 mg/l), potassium (1.8-2.6 mg/l), all not significantly different ...

  10. Antacid activity of Laportea aestuans (L.) Chew

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Christensen, Charlotte Bremer; Soelberg, Jens; Jäger, Anna K

    2015-01-01

    to mimic the movements of the stomach. A titration was carried out with an artificial gastric acid to the end point of pH 3. The acid secretion rate was approximately 3mL and pH was monitored with a pH meter. Concentrations of 666 and 1332mg dried plant material were tested, both with and without addition...... of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). RESULTS: Both CaCO3 and L. aestuans had a significant better ability than water to neutralise an artificial stomach acid. 666mg plant material together with CaCO3 compared to CaCO3 alone showed approximately the same neutralisation time. When mixing 1332mg plant material with Ca...

  11. Solidão, fascismo e literalidade Solitude, fascism and literality

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Peter Pál Pelbart

    2005-12-01

    Full Text Available Discuto algumas questões levantadas por François Zourabichvili em "Deleuze e a questão da literalidade", publicado neste mesmo dossiê. Pergunto, primeiramente, por possíveis equivalências entre a literalidade e a potência do falso que Nietzsche apresenta já em "Sobre verdade e mentira no sentido extramoral". Em segundo lugar, pergunto em que medida um exercício filosófico da literalidade nos libera de uma assertividade e de uma gregariedade crescentes. Em terceiro lugar, pergunto: "O que numa aula é a face atual, e qual é a face virtual?", ou, em outros termos, "qual é a relação entre a pedagogia interna à filosofia e a pedagogia não-filosófica?". Finalmente, pergunto se devemos tomar literalmente a tese de Zourabichvili de que todos os que falam de ontologia a propósito de Deleuze ou cometem um contra-senso completo ou não sabem o que significa ontologia.I discuss some of the questions raised by François Zourabichvili in his "Deleuze and the question of literality", also in this collection. I thus ask three questions: 1 Can we find equivalences between the notion of "literality" and the idea of "power of the false" which Nietzsche develops earlier in his "On Truth and Lie in an Extra-Moral Sense"? 2 To what extent would a philosophical exercise of literality liberate us from increasing assertiveness and gregariousness? 3 In a class, what would be the actual face and what would be the virtual one? In other words, what is the relationship between a pedagogy internal to philosophy and a non-philosophical pedagogy? I Finally ask whether we should take literally the thesis of Zourabichvili that whoever mentions the notion of ontology when talking about the work of Deleuze either talks utter nonsense or does not know what ontology means.

  12. Grain refinement of Ca addition in a twin-roll-cast Mg-3Al-1Zn alloy

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Jiang Bin, E-mail: jiangbinrong@cqu.edu.cn [National Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030 (China); College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030 (China); Liu Wenjun [College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030 (China); Qiu Dong; Zhang Mingxing [Division of Materials, School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072 (Australia); Pan Fusheng [National Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030 (China)

    2012-04-16

    Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Grain refinement of Ca addition in a twin-roll-cast Mg-3Al-1Zn alloy was investigated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Addition of 0.08 wt% Ca into Mg melts can significantly reduce the grain size to 30 {mu}m from 100 {mu}m. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Al{sub 2}Ca intermetallic particles have high potency to act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for {alpha}-Mg. - Abstract: Addition of 0.08 wt% Ca into AZ31 melts significantly reduces the average grain size of thin strips produced by twin-roll-cast to 30 {mu}m from 100 {mu}m. Like Zr, due to the high chemical activity, the Ca added into the melts reacts with Al and forms Al{sub 2}Ca intermetallic compound. X-ray diffraction result approves the existence of Al{sub 2}Ca in the thin strips, which formed in the melts. Crystallographic examination of relationship between Al{sub 2}Ca and Mg using the edge-to-edge matching model indicates that Al{sub 2}Ca particles are effective inoculants for heterogeneous nucleation of Mg. It is considered that Al{sub 2}Ca is a potential and effective grain refiner for Mg alloys and the grain refinement through addition of Ca in the AZ31 alloy is attributed to the inoculation effect of Al{sub 2}Ca particles formed in the melts.

  13. Synthesis of MgO nanoparticle loaded mesoporous Al2O3 and its defluoridation study

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Dayananda, Desagani; Sarva, Venkateswara R.; Prasad, Sivankutty V.; Arunachalam, Jayaraman; Parameswaran, Padmanabhan; Ghosh, Narendra N.

    2015-01-01

    Highlights: • Simple and cost effective preparation of MgO nanoparticles loaded mesoporous Al 2 O 3 . • Adsorbents possess high surface area and mesoporous structure. • Higher fluoride removal capacity of MgO loaded Al 2 O 3 than that of pure Al 2 O 3 . • Faster fluoride adsorption kinetics of MgO loaded Al 2 O 3 from water. - Abstract: MgO nanoparticle loaded mesoporous alumina has been synthesized using a simple aqueous solution based cost effective method for removal of fluoride from water. Wide angle powder X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption desorption analysis, transmission electron microscopy techniques and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the synthesized adsorbents. Synthesized adsorbents possess high surface area with mesoporous structure. The adsorbents have been thoroughly investigated for the adsorption of F − using batch adsorption method. MgO nanoparticle loading on mesoporous Al 2 O 3 enhances the F − adsorption capacity of Al 2 O 3 from 56% to 90% (initial F − concentration = 10 mg L −1 ). Kinetic study revealed that adsorption kinetics follows the pseudo-second order model, suggesting the chemisorption mechanism. The F − adsorption isotherm data was explained by both Langmuir and Freundlich model. The maximum adsorption capacity of 40MgO@Al 2 O 3 was 37.35 mg g −1 . It was also observed that, when the solutions having F − concentration of 5 mg L −1 and 10 mg L −1 was treated with 40MgO@Al 2 O 3 , the F − concentration in treated water became <1 mg L −1 , which is well below the recommendation of WHO

  14. In vitro metabolism and stability of the actinide chelating agent 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Choi, Taylor A; Furimsky, Anna M; Swezey, Robert; Bunin, Deborah I; Byrge, Patricia; Iyer, Lalitha V; Chang, Polly Y; Abergel, Rebecca J

    2015-05-01

    The hydroxypyridinonate ligand 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) is currently under development for radionuclide chelation therapy. The preclinical characterization of this highly promising ligand comprised the evaluation of its in vitro properties, including microsomal, plasma, and gastrointestinal fluid stability, cytochrome P450 inhibition, plasma protein binding, and intestinal absorption using the Caco-2 cell line. When mixed with active human liver microsomes, no loss of parent compound was observed after 60 min, indicating compound stability in the presence of liver microsomal P450. At the tested concentrations, 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) did not significantly influence the activities of any of the cytochromal isoforms screened. Thus, 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) is unlikely to cause drug-drug interactions by inhibiting the metabolic clearance of coadministered drugs metabolized by these enzymes. Plasma protein-binding assays revealed that the compound is protein-bound in dogs and less extensively in rats and humans. In the plasma stability study, the compound was stable after 1 h at 37°C in mouse, rat, dog, and human plasma samples. Finally, a bidirectional permeability assay demonstrated that 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) is not permeable across the Caco-2 monolayer, highlighting the need to further evaluate the effects of various compounds with known permeability enhancement properties on the permeability of the ligand in future studies. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.

  15. The cytotoxic effect of palytoxin on Caco-2 cells hinders their use for in vitro absorption studies.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Pelin, M; Sosa, S; Della Loggia, R; Poli, M; Tubaro, A; Decorti, G; Florio, C

    2012-02-01

    Palytoxin (PLTX), found in Palythoa zoanthids and Ostreopsis dinoflagellates, has also been detected in crabs and fish, through which it can enter into the food chain. Indeed, PLTX is considered the causative agent of several cases of human seafood poisoning resulting in systemic symptoms. Available epidemiological data on PLTX human toxicity suggest that the intestinal tract may be one of its in vivo targets and its potential site of access into the bloodstream. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of the human intestinal Caco-2 cell line for evaluating PLTX oral absorption. A detailed analysis of PLTX cytotoxicity revealed a high sensitivity of Caco-2 cells: 4h toxin exposure reduced mitochondrial activity (MTT assay, EC(50) of 8.9±3.7×10(-12)M), cell density (SRB assay, EC(50) of 2.0±0.6×10(-11)M) and membrane integrity (LDH release, EC(50) of 4.5±1.4×10(-9)M and PI uptake, EC(50) of 1.0±0.8×10(-8)M). After low PLTX concentration (1.0×10(-11)M) exposure for 1-8h, followed by 24h recovery time in toxin-free medium, cell density reduction was only partially reversible. These results indicate that, due to the high susceptibility to PLTX cytotoxic effects, Caco-2 cells do not represent an appropriate and reliable model for investigating intestinal barrier permeation by this toxin. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Acoustic Monitoring of Gravity-Driven Controls on CaCO3 Precipitates in a Fracture

    Science.gov (United States)

    Xu, Z.; Sheets, J.; Zhang, L.; Kim, D.; Kneafsey, T. J.; Cole, D. R.; Jun, Y. S.; Pyrak-Nolte, L. J.

    2017-12-01

    Sealing fractures by mineral precipitation is an important process for improving caprock integrity in subsurface reservoirs. In this study, the ability to monitor precipitate distribution in fractures with buoyant fluids was examined. Fractures with uniform aperture distributions of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mm were created from acrylic plates to enable direct imaging of precipitate formation over time. CaCO3 precipitation was induced in a fracture from invasion of 1M CaCl2 and 0.3M Na2CO3 solutions. During chemical invasion, a fracture plane was oriented either parallel or perpendicular to gravity. Acoustic (P) wave transmission ( 1 MHz) and optical imaging were used to monitor the sample prior to, during and after fluid injection. Complementary X-ray computed tomography was performed throughout the experiments on vertical fractures and post injection for the horizontal fractures. Precipitate particle sizes during formation were determined using SAXS and WAXS. In both horizontal and vertical fractures, the density contrast between the two solutions affected the spatial distribution of precipitation. In vertical fractures, the denser CaCl2 solution almost completely displaced the NaCO3 solution, causing strong localization of precipitates. However, in the horizontal fractures, flow stratification occurred in the 2 mm aperture fractures, with the less dense Na2CO3 flowing over the CaCl2 solution, resulting in a more even distribution of precipitates cross the fracture plane. P-wave amplitudes increased up to 8% and the arrival time decreased with precipitate accumulation in the horizontal fracture. This is consistent with a three-layered approach as the seismic impedance inside the fracture increases. The initial contact between the two was observed as a decrease in the P-wave amplitude. As precipitates accumulated, the amplitude recovered and increased, with greater increases observed along the mixing flow path. Fractures in the subsurface may seal differently depending on

  17. Phosphorylated intermediate of (Ca2+ + K+)-stimulated Mg2+-dependent transport ATPase in endoplasmic reticulum from rat pancreatic acinar cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Imamura, K.; Schulz, I.

    1985-01-01

    Formation and decomposition of the phosphorylated intermediate of endoplasmic reticulum (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ )-ATPase from pancreatic acinar cells have been studied using lithium dodecyl sulfate- and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Incorporation of 32 P from [gamma- 32 P]ATP is Ca 2+ -dependent (approximate Km for free [Ca 2+ ] = 2-3 x 10(-8) mol/liter). Formation of the 100-kDa phosphoprotein is rapid, reaching maximal 32 P incorporation within 1 s at room temperature. At 4 degrees C, phosphorylation is slower and dephosphorylation is drastically decreased. For dephosphorylation, Mg 2+ and monovalent cations such as K + or Na + are necessary. Vanadate inhibits both 32 P incorporation and 32 P liberation dose dependently (Km = 3 x 10(-6) mol/liter), whereas mitochondrial inhibitors and ouabain have no effect. The phosphoprotein is stable at pH 2 and destabilizes with increasing pH being completely decomposed at pH 9. Reduction of 32 P incorporation in the presence of high concentrations of cold ATP and hydroxylamine suggests formation of acylphosphate present in the ATPase intermediate. The characteristics of Ca 2+ , cation, and pH dependencies of the ATPase activity are similar to those previously described for MgATP-dependent Ca 2+ transport into rough endoplasmic reticulum from pancreatic acinar cells. The data suggest that the 100-kDa phosphoprotein as described in this study is the intermediate of this Ca2+ transport ATPase

  18. A study on preparation and hydriding of β-Mg2Al3 and γ-Mg17Al12

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hadi Suwarno

    2009-01-01

    The mechanism of the synthetic formation of β-Mg 2 Al 3 and γ-Mg 17 Al 12 has been studied. Mechanical alloying of Mg and Al powders with the atomic ratio of Mg:Al = 2:3 in toluene solution yields β-Mg 2 Al 3 compound after milling for 30 h. The γ-Mg 17 Al 12 can be formed by heating the β-Mg 2 Al 3 at 430°C under high vacuum. The measured hydrogen capacities of β-Mg 2 Al 3 and γ-Mg 17 Al 12 as hydride at 300°C are 3.2 and 4.9 wt%, respectively. Microstructure of the Mg-Al specimen shows that on hydriding at 300°C the polygonal shape of the γ-Mg 17 Al 12 changes into irregular shapes which are composed of γ-MgH 2 and Al. (author)

  19. Índice de Literal

    OpenAIRE

    Rubí, Eduardo

    2012-01-01

    Chronological index of Literal journal, which appeared only three numbers, irregular frequency, published in Buenos Aires, between 1973 and 1977. The intersections between literature, psychoanalysis, politics and culture, made ​​this publication was transformed into an element of unavoidable reference in the analysis of the complex society of the seventies Argentina.

  20. Heterogeneous nucleation of Mg2Si on Sr11Sb10 nucleus in Mg–x(3.5, 5 wt.%)Si–1Al alloys

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wang, Hui-Yuan; Chen, Lei; Liu, Bo; Li, Xiao-Ran; Wang, Jin-Guo; Jiang, Qi-Chuan

    2012-01-01

    After combined additions of Sr and Sb, most primary Mg 2 Si crystals in Mg–3.5Si–1Al and Mg–5Si–1Al alloys transformed from equiaxed-dendritic shapes to octahedral morphologies; while eutectic phases also changed from Chinese script to short rod-shapes. The mechanisms of complex modification of Sr and Sb were attributed to the heterogeneous nucleation of primary Mg 2 Si on Sr 11 Sb 10 nucleus, together with change in growth manners caused by incorporation of Sb in Mg 2 Si crystals. -- Highlights: ► The Sr 11 Sb 10 is the heterogeneous nucleation of primary Mg 2 Si in Mg–3.5Si–1Al alloys. ► Some Sb atoms were incorporated by substituting Si which changed growth manners of primary Mg 2 Si. ► Primary Mg 2 Si transformed from equiaxed-dendritic to octahedral after modification. ► Eutectic phases changed from Chinese script to short rod-shapes after modification.

  1. Crystal orientation of monoclinic β-Ga2O3 thin films formed on cubic MgO substrates with a γ-Ga2O3 interfacial layer

    Science.gov (United States)

    Nakagomi, Shinji; Kokubun, Yoshihiro

    2017-12-01

    The crystal orientation relationship between β-Ga2O3 and MgO in β-Ga2O3 thin films prepared on (1 0 0), (1 1 1), and (1 1 0) MgO substrates was investigated by X-ray diffraction measurements and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy images. The γ-Ga2O3 interfacial layer was present between β-Ga2O3 and MgO acted as a buffer to connect β-Ga2O3 on MgO. The following conditions were satisfied under each case: β-Ga2O3 (1 0 0)||MgO (1 0 0) and β-Ga2O3 [0 0 1]||MgO 〈0 1 1〉 for the formation of β-Ga2O3 on (1 0 0) MgO, and β-Ga2O3 (2 bar 0 1)||MgO (1 1 1) for the formation of β-Ga2O3 on (1 1 1) MgO, as well as each condition of β-Ga2O3 [0 1 0] (1 0 0)||MgO [ 1 bar 1 0 ] (0 0 1), β-Ga2O3 [0 1 0] (1 0 0)||MgO [ 0 1 bar 1 ] (1 0 0), and β-Ga2O3 [0 1 0] (1 0 0)||MgO [ 1 0 1 bar ] (0 1 0). β-Ga2O3 (1 bar 0 2)||MgO(1 1 0) and β-Ga2O3 [0 1 0] ⊥ MgO [0 0 1] for β-Ga2O3 formed on (1 1 0) MgO. The β-Ga2O3 formed on (1 1 1) MgO at 800 °C exhibited a threefold structure. The β-Ga2O3 formed on (1 1 0) MgO had a twofold structure but different by 90° from the result reported previously.

  2. Hydrothermal replacement of calcite by Mg-carbonates

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jonas, Laura; Mueller, Thomas; Dohmen, Ralf

    2014-05-01

    The transport of heat and mass through the Earth's crust is coupled to mineral reactions and the exchange of isotopes and elements between different phases. Carbonate minerals are a major constituent of the Earth's crust and play an important role in different physical, chemical and even biological processes. In this experimental study, the element exchange reaction between calcite (CaCO3) and a Mg-rich fluid phase is investigated under hydrothermal conditions. Single crystals of calcite (2x2x2 mm) react with 1 ml of a 1 M MgCl2 solution at 200° C in a Teflon-lined steel autoclave for different times between one day and four weeks. The reaction leads to the formation of a porous reaction front and the pseudomorphic replacement of calcite by dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2] and magnesite (MgCO3). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the reaction rim consists of small Mg-carbonate rhombs closely attached to each other, suggesting that the replacement reaction takes place by a dissolution-precipitation mechanism. Typically, the observed reaction front can be divided into two different domains. The outer part of the reaction rim, i.e. from the mineral surface in contact to the fluid inwards, consists of magnesite, whereas the inner part of the rim surrounding the unreacted calcite core consists of Ca-rich dolomite. The formation of a porous microstructure that varies in different parts of the reaction rim is a direct result of the large molar volume change induced by the replacement of calcite by magnesite and dolomite. The developing porosity therefore creates fluid pathways that promote the progress of the reaction front towards the unreacted core of the single crystal. Compositional profiles measured perpendicular to the mineral surface across the reactions rims using electron microprobe (EMPA) further revealed a compositional gradient within the reaction rim with regard to the structure-forming elements Mg and Ca. Here, the amount of Mg incorporated in both product

  3. Dual Effects Exerted in Vitro by Micromolar Concentrations of Deoxynivalenol on Undifferentiated Caco-2 Cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Gina Manda

    2015-02-01

    Full Text Available Contamination of crops used for food and feed production with Fusarium mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON, raise important health and economic issues all along the food chain. Acute exposure to high DON concentrations can alter the intestinal barrier, while chronic exposure to lower doses may exert more subtle effects on signal transduction pathways, leading to disturbances in cellular homeostasis. Using real-time cellular impedance measurements, we studied the effects exerted in vitro by low concentrations of DON (0.37–1.50 μM, relevant for mycotoxin-contaminated food, on the proliferation of undifferentiated Caco-2 cells presenting a tumorigenic phenotype. A 1.5 μM concentration of DON maintained cell adherence of non-proliferating Caco-2 cells, whilst arresting the growth of actively proliferating cells compared with control Caco-2 cells in vitro. At 0.37 μM, DON enhanced Caco-2 cell metabolism, thereby triggering a moderate increase in cell proliferation. The results of the current study suggested that low concentrations of DON commonly detected in food may either limit or sustain the proliferation of colon cancer cells, depending on their proliferation status and on DON concentration. Soluble factors released by Lactobacillus strains can partially counteract the inhibitory action of DON on actively proliferating colon cancer cells. The study also emphasized that real-time cellular impedance measurements were a valuable tool for investigating the dynamics of cellular responses to xenobiotics.

  4. Use of diluted Ca(OH)2 suspensions and their transformation into nanostructured CaCO3 coatings: A case study in strengthening heritage materials (stucco, adobe and stone)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lanzón, Marcos; Madrid, Juan Antonio; Martínez-Arredondo, Ana; Mónaco, Soledad

    2017-12-01

    In the conservation of heritage materials, the effectiveness of diluted nanolime suspensions in consolidating surfaces is scarcely explored. This paper aims to examine the surface modification of stucco, adobe and stone by deposition of Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were applied in five consecutive coats and transformed into CaCO3 by atmospheric CO2 creating a compatible coating with the surface. The coatings were studied by erosion tests (pull-off tests) and examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. The tests confirmed the surface resistance was clearly improved due to formation of nanostructured cementing CaCO3 coatings. In addition, the coatings did not practically alter the surface colour due to the diluted nature of the suspensions. To conclude, Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles-based coatings are appropriate solutions to extend the durability of traditional heritage materials, such as stucco, adobe or stone.

  5. Tuning structure in epitaxial Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}–PbTiO{sub 3} thin films by using miscut substrates

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Mietschke, M., E-mail: m.mietschke@ifw-dresden.de [IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden (Germany); Dresden University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering, D-01062 Dresden (Germany); Oswald, S.; Fähler, S. [IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden (Germany); Schultz, L. [IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden (Germany); Dresden University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering, D-01062 Dresden (Germany); Hühne, R. [IFW Dresden, P.O. Box 270116, D-01171 Dresden (Germany)

    2015-08-31

    Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}–PbTiO{sub 3} (PMN–PT) is one of the most promising ferroelectric material for actuator, dielectric and electrocaloric applications. However, oriented and phase pure thin films are essential to use the outstanding properties of these compounds. In this work it is demonstrated that the use of miscut substrates influences the growth mechanism leading to a significantly broader deposition window to achieve the required film quality. Therefore, epitaxial 0.68Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}–0.32PbTiO{sub 3} films were grown by pulsed laser deposition on (001)-oriented single crystalline SrTiO{sub 3} (STO) substrates with a miscut angle between 0 and 15° towards the [100] direction using a conducting La{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}CoO{sub 3} buffer layer. The influence of the vicinal angle on the PMN–PT structure was studied by high resolution X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. A nearly pure perovskite phase growth with a cube-on-cube epitaxial relationship was obtained on all miscut STO substrates, whereas a significant volume fraction of the pyrochlore phase was present on the standard substrate. Reciprocal space measurements revealed a peak split of the perovskite reflections indicating structural variants of PMN–PT with different c/a ratios. An additional tilting of the PMN–PT planes with respect to the buffer layer was observed on some samples, which might be explained with the incorporation of dislocations according to the Nagai model. Polarization loops were measured in a temperature range between room temperature and 150 °C showing a sharp drop of the remanent polarization above 65 °C on vicinal substrates. - Highlights: • Epitaxial growth of pure perovskite Pb (Mg{sub 1}/{sub 3}Nb{sub 2}/{sub 3})O{sub 3}–PbTiO{sub 3} on miscut SrTiO{sub 3}. • Significant broadening of the deposition window for pyrochlore-free films. • Dependence of the structural parameters

  6. MgB2 and Mg1-xAlxB2 single crystals: high pressure growth and physical properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Karpinski, J.; Kazakov, S.M.; Jun, J.; Zhigadlo, N.D.; Angst, M.; Puzniak, R.; Wisniewski, A.

    2004-01-01

    Single crystals of MgB 2 have been grown with a high pressure cubic anvil technique. They grow via the peritectic decomposition of the MgNB 9 ternary nitride. The crystals are of a size up to 2 x 1 x 0.1 mm 3 with a weight up to 230 μg. Typically they have transition temperatures between 38 and 38.6 K with a width of 0.3-0.5 K. Investigations of the P-T phase diagram prove that the MgB 2 phase is stable at least up to 2190 deg. C at high hydrostatic pressure in the presence of Mg vapor under high pressure. Substitution of aluminum for magnesium in single crystals leads to stepwise decrease of T c . This indicates a possible appearance of superstructures or phases with different T c 's. The upper critical field decreases with Al doping

  7. Electric field induced lattice strain in pseudocubic Bi(Mg{sub 1/2}Ti{sub 1/2})O{sub 3}-modified BaTiO{sub 3}-BiFeO{sub 3} piezoelectric ceramics

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Fujii, Ichiro, E-mail: ifujii@rins.ryukoku.ac.jp [Department of Materials Chemistry, Ryukoku University, Otsu, Shiga 520-2194 (Japan); Iizuka, Ryo; Ueno, Shintaro; Nakashima, Kouichi; Wada, Satoshi [Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medical and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8510 (Japan); Nakahira, Yuki; Sunada, Yuya; Magome, Eisuke; Moriyoshi, Chikako; Kuroiwa, Yoshihiro [Department of Physical Science, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526 (Japan)

    2016-04-25

    Contributions to the piezoelectric response in pseudocubic 0.3BaTiO{sub 3}-0.1Bi(Mg{sub 1/2}Ti{sub 1/2})O{sub 3}-0.6BiFeO{sub 3} ceramics were investigated by synchrotron X-ray diffraction under electric fields. All of the lattice strain determined from the 110, 111, and 200 pseudocubic diffraction peaks showed similar lattice strain hysteresis that was comparable to the bulk butterfly-like strain curve. It was suggested that the hysteresis of the lattice strain and the lack of anisotropy were related to the complex domain structure and the phase boundary composition.

  8. An Analysis of Non-literal Meaning Used in Reader Digest Magazines

    OpenAIRE

    Simanjuntak, Lenni

    2015-01-01

    The object of this study is the Non-literal meaning found in the Reader’s Digest Magazines Advertisements. The objective of the study is to describe the types of non-literal meaning and to expose the meanings of the non-literal meaning in the Reader’s Digest Magazines Advertisement published on July-August 2012, October 2012 and February 2013. The data were analyzed based on the theoretical concept by Leech (1981) and Palmer (1979) which concerned about types and the meanings of non-literal m...

  9. A Negative Thermal Expansion Material of ZrMgMo3O12

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Song Wen-Bo; Liang Er-Jun; Liu Xian-Sheng; Li Zhi-Yuan; Yuan Bao-He; Wang Jun-Qiao

    2013-01-01

    A material with the formula ZrMgMo 3 O 12 having negative thermal expansion is presented and characterized. It is shown that ZrMgMo 3 O 12 crystallizes in an orthorhombic symmetry with space group Pnma(62) or Pna2 1 (33) and exhibits negative thermal expansion in a large temperature range (α l = −3.8 × 10 −6 K −1 from 300K to 1000K by x-ray diffraction and α l = −3.73 × 10 −6 K −1 from 295K to 775K by dilatometer). ZrMgMo 3 O 12 remains the orthorhombic structure without phase transition or decomposition at least from 123K to 1200K and is not hygroscopic. These properties make it an excellent material with negative thermal expansion for a variety of applications

  10. The effects of microalloying with Cd on precipitation processes in Al-1.7 Cu-0.3 mg (At. %) alloys

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sofyan, Bondan T.

    2002-01-01

    The present work investigates the effects of microalloying with Cd on precipitation processes in Al-1.7 Cu-0.3 mg (At. %) alloys. Analytical STEM (Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope) revealed the presence of clusters rich in Cd and Mg at early stages of ageing, which is believed to be responsible in promoting the nucleation of θ (Al,Cu) in the alloy on its (001) planes. The Cd-Mg clusters then grow as Cd-Mg-rich particles when ageing is continued beyond the peak hardness. The presence of Cd-Mg-rich clusters is thought to play an important role on the nucleation of θ phase by accommodating the misfit strain on the non-coherent rim of the phase. The accommodation of misfit strain is made available by the presence of large amount of vacancies, which is trapped by Cd and Mg atoms during quenching, around θ platelet nuclei

  11. Strain and Ferroelectric-Field Effects Co-mediated Magnetism in (011)-CoFe2O4/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.7Ti0.3O3Multiferroic Heterostructures

    KAUST Repository

    Wang, Ping; Jin, Chao; Zheng, Dongxing; Li, Dong; Gong, Junlu; Li, Peng; Bai, Haili

    2016-01-01

    Electric-field mediated magnetism was investigated in CoFe2O4 (CFO, deposited by reactive cosputtering under different Oxygen flow rates) films fabricated on (011)-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)(0.7)Ti0.3O3 (PMN-PT) substrates. Ascribed to the volatile strain

  12. Template Adaptability is Key in the Oriented Crystallization of CaCO3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Popescu, D.; Smulders, M.; Pichon, B.; Chebotareva, N.; Kwak, S.; van Asselen, O.; Sijbesma, R.; DiMasi, E.; Sommerdijk, N.

    2007-01-01

    In CaCO3, biomineralization nucleation and growth of the crystals are related to the presence of carboxylate-rich proteins within a macromolecular matrix, often with organized β-sheet domains. To understand the interplay between the organic template and the mineral crystal it is important to explicitly address the issue of structural adaptation of the template during mineralization. To this end we have developed a series of self-organizing surfactants (1-4) consisting of a dodecyl chain connected via a bisureido-heptylene unit to an amino acid head group. In Langmuir monolayers the spacing of these molecules in one direction is predetermined by the hydrogen-bonding distances between the bis-urea units. In the other direction, the intermolecular distance is determined by steric interactions introduced by the side groups (-R) of the amino acid moiety. Thus, by the choice of the amino acid we can systematically alter the density of the surfactant molecules in a monolayer and their ability to respond to the presence of calcium ions. The monolayer films are characterized by surface pressure-surface area (p-A) isotherms, Brewster angle microscopy, in-situ synchrotron X-ray scattering at fixed surface area, and also infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) of films transferred to solid substrates. The developing crystals are studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and crystal modeling. The results demonstrate that although all compounds are active in the nucleation of calcium carbonate, habit modification is only observed when the size of the side group allows the molecules to rearrange and adapt their organization in response to the mineral phase.

  13. Administration of Protein kinase D1 induce an immunomodulatory effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal inflammation in a co-culture model of intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Nielsen, Ditte Søvsø Gundelund; Fredborg, Marlene; Andersen, Vibeke

    2017-01-01

    the effects of human PKD1 in relation to intestinal inflammation, using a co-culture model of intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells and RAW264.7 macrophages. An inflammatory response was induced in the macrophages by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), upregulating the expression of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF......-α), interleukin- (IL-) 1β, and IL-6 besides increasing the secretion of TNF-α protein. The effect of administering PKD1 to Caco-2 was evaluated in relation to both amelioration of inflammation and the ability to suppress inflammation initiation. Administration of PKD1 (10–100 ng/ml) following induction...

  14. Indicaxanthin inhibits NADPH oxidase (NOX)-1 activation and NF-κB-dependent release of inflammatory mediators and prevents the increase of epithelial permeability in IL-1β-exposed Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tesoriere, L; Attanzio, A; Allegra, M; Gentile, C; Livrea, M A

    2014-02-01

    Dietary redox-active/antioxidant phytochemicals may help control or mitigate the inflammatory response in chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the present study, the anti-inflammatory activity of indicaxanthin (Ind), a pigment from the edible fruit of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica, L.), was shown in an IBD model consisting of a human intestinal epithelial cell line (Caco-2 cells) stimulated by IL-1β, a cytokine known to play a major role in the initiation and amplification of inflammatory activity in IBD. The exposure of Caco-2 cells to IL-1β brought about the activation of NADPH oxidase (NOX-1) and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to activate intracellular signalling leading to the activation of NF-κB, with the over-expression of inflammatory enzymes and release of pro-inflammatory mediators. The co-incubation of the cells with Ind, at a nutritionally relevant concentration (5-25 μM), and IL-1β prevented the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, PGE2 and NO, the formation of ROS and the loss of thiols in a dose-dependent manner. The co-incubation of the cells with Ind and IL-1β also prevented the IL-1β-induced increase of epithelial permeability. It was also shown that the activation of NOX-1 and NF-κB was prevented by Ind and the expression of COX-2 and inducible NO synthase was reduced. The uptake of Ind in Caco-2 cell monolayers appeared to be unaffected by the inflamed state of the cells. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the dietary pigment Ind may have the potential to modulate inflammatory processes at the intestinal level.

  15. Raman and NMR study in MgO-doped LiNbO3 crystal

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hu, L.J.; Chang, Y.H.; Chang, C.S.; Yang, S.J.; Hu, M.L.; Tse, W.S.

    1991-01-01

    This paper reports on the MgO-doped LiNbO 3 crystal grown and studied by NMR and Raman techniques. The solubility of MgO in the LiNbO 3 crystal is as much as 30 mole %. It is shown in NMR spectra that the number of Nb 5+ cations at A-site (Li-site) decrease as Mg concentration increased when the Mg content is lower than 5 mole %. The vibration of (NbO 6 ) octahedron and translations involving Li + and Mg 2+ cations motion can be identified by replacing Nb 5+ and Li + cations with Ta 5+ and Mg 2+ cations through Raman spectra. The 115 cm -1 and 151 cm -1 peaks are due to the translational modes of Mg 2+ and Li + cations. The doping mechanisms of MgO are proposed

  16. Climatological Distributions of pH, pCO2, Total CO2, Alkalinity, and CaCO3 Saturation in the Global Surface Ocean (NCEI accession 01645680) (NCEI Accession 0164568)

    Data.gov (United States)

    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce — Climatological mean monthly distributions of pH in the total H+ scale, total CO2 concentration (TCO2), and the degree of CaCO3 saturation for the global surface...

  17. Theoretical study on guided wave propagation in (1 - x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 (x = 0.29 and 0.33) single crystal plates

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chen Chuanwen; Zhang Rui; Cao Wenwu

    2009-01-01

    The propagation of guided waves in free standing (1 - x)Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 -xPbTiO 3 [PMN-xPT] (x = 0.29 or 0.33) single crystal plates has been studied theoretically. The polar directions are in the (111) family directions of the cubic reference coordinates but the crystals are being polarized along [0 0 1] c , [0 1 1] c and [1 1 1] c of the cubic reference directions so that the effective microscopic symmetries are 4mm, mm2 and 3m, respectively. Multiple mode couplings appear in the dispersion curves for both the symmetric and the antisymmetric Lamb and shear horizontal modes. The velocities of most guided waves decrease rapidly with frequency. Then, after passing a minimum, they begin to increase with frequency and eventually saturate to the shear wave velocity v sz (or v 1 = 3507 m s -1 for [1 1 1] c polarized sample). For a [1 1 1] c polarized single domain PMN-0.33PT sample, the S 1 mode instead of the S 0 mode approaches the Rayleigh velocity v R at high frequencies.

  18. A simple coculture system shows mutualism between anaerobic faecalibacteria and epithelial Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sadaghian Sadabad, Mehdi; von Martels, Julius Z H; Khan, Muhammed Tanweer; Blokzijl, Tjasso; Paglia, Giuseppe; Dijkstra, Gerard; Harmsen, Hermie J M; Faber, Klaas Nico

    2015-12-15

    Most gut bacteria are obligate anaerobes and are important for human health. However, little mechanistic insight is available on the health benefits of specific anaerobic gut bacteria. A main obstacle in generating such knowledge is the lack of simple and robust coculturing methods for anaerobic bacteria and oxygen-requiring human cells. Here, we describe the development of a coculture system for intestinal Caco-2 cells and an anaerobic symbiont, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, making use of 50 mL culture tubes. F. prausnitzii was grown in 40 mL YCFAG-agar with glass-adhered Caco-2 cells placed on top in 10 mL DMEM medium. Grown for 18-36 h in a humidified incubator at 37 °C and 5% CO2, coverslip-attached Caco-2 cells promoted growth and metabolism of F. prausnitzii, while F. prausnitzii suppressed inflammation and oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells. F. prausnitzii did not compromise Caco-2 cell viability. Exogenously added porcine mucin also promoted growth of F. prausnitzii, suggesting that it may be part of the mechanism of Caco-2-stimulated growth of F. prausnitzii. This 'Human oxygen-Bacteria anaerobic' (HoxBan) coculturing system uniquely establishes host-microbe mutualism of a beneficial anaerobic gut microbe in vitro and principally allows the analysis of host-microbe interactions of pure and mixed cultures of bacteria and human cells.

  19. Bilinguals' Plausibility Judgments for Phrases with a Literal vs. Non-literal Meaning: The Influence of Language Brokering Experience

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Belem G. López

    2017-09-01

    Full Text Available Previous work has shown that prior experience in language brokering (informal translation may facilitate the processing of meaning within and across language boundaries. The present investigation examined the influence of brokering on bilinguals' processing of two word collocations with either a literal or a figurative meaning in each language. Proficient Spanish-English bilinguals classified as brokers or non-brokers were asked to judge if adjective+noun phrases presented in each language made sense or not. Phrases with a literal meaning (e.g., stinging insect were interspersed with phrases with a figurative meaning (e.g., stinging insult and non-sensical phrases (e.g., stinging picnic. It was hypothesized that plausibility judgments would be facilitated for literal relative to figurative meanings in each language but that experience in language brokering would be associated with a more equivalent pattern of responding across languages. These predictions were confirmed. The findings add to the body of empirical work on individual differences in language processing in bilinguals associated with prior language brokering experience.

  20. Effects of Icon Design and Styles On Human-Mobile Interaction: Case Study on e-Literate vs. Non e-Literate user

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Zulfiqar A. Memon

    2017-12-01

    Full Text Available Cell phones have turn out to be the most central communication gadget in our daily life. This results in an enormously intense competition between almost all the mobile phone vendors. Despite of manufacturer’s diverse types of advertising strategies such as exceptional price cut offers or modern attractive functions, what really matter is whether this everyday communication gadget has been designed according to the preference and requirements of all types of users. The miniature type screen interface design is one of the recent research themes of the Human-Computer Interaction domain. Because of the restricted screen size, “icons” have been considered as the prevailing style in the functional course of action of a cell phone. This article investigates the effects of icon designs and styles employed by different vendors on the perception of both the e-literate users and non e-literate users. We have explored various articles from the literature, summarizing their results of experimental validations and a comparative analysis is described at the end. It was found that designers of mobile phone icons have to balance a trade-off between the need, requirements and understanding of both e-literate and non e-literate users.

  1. Solid-solid interactions in Co3O4-MoO3/MgO system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Radwan, Nagi R.E.; Ghozza, Ahmed M.; El-Shobaky, Gamil A.

    2003-01-01

    Cobalt/magnesium mixed oxide solids and cobalt-molybdenum/magnesium mixed oxide solids were prepared by thermal decomposition of basic magnesium carbonate pretreated with different proportions of cobalt nitrate and then with calculated amounts of ammonium molybdate. The proportions of cobalt expressed as Co 3 O 4 were 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mol while the concentrations of molybdenum expressed as mol% MoO 3 were 2.5 and 5.0. The prepared mixed solid specimens were calcined in air at 400-1000 deg. C. The solid-solid interactions in Co 3 O 4 -MoO 3 were investigated using DTA, TG and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) techniques. The results obtained revealed that MgO dissolved cobalt oxide in its lattice forming CoO-MgO solid solution. The amount of cobalt dissolved increases by increasing the temperature in the range 800-1000 deg. C. This finding was confirmed by X-ray diffractograms in which all the diffraction lines of cobalt oxide disappeared at 1000 deg. C. MoO 3 present interacted readily with MgO and cobalt oxide by heat treatment at temperature starting from 400 deg. C producing MgMoO 4 and CoMoO 4 which remained stable by heating at 1000 deg. C. The impregnation of basic magnesium carbonate with cobalt nitrate much enhanced its thermal decomposition yielding MgO, which decomposed completely at 395.5 deg. C instead of 525 deg. C. The formation of magnesium cobaltite (MgCo 2 O 4 ) has been ruled out via XRD investigation at relatively high diffraction angles

  2. Microstructure, biocorrosion and cytotoxicity evaluations of rapid solidified Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons as a biodegradable material

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gu, X N; Zhou, W R; Zheng, Y F; Li, X L; Cheng, Y

    2010-01-01

    Rapidly solidified (RS) Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons were prepared by the melt-spinning technique at different wheel rotating speeds (15 m s -1 , 30 m s -1 and 45 m s -1 ) with the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot as a raw material. The RS45 Mg-3Ca alloy ribbon showed a much more fine grain size feature (approximately 200-500 nm) in comparison to the coarse grain size (50-100 μm) of the original as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot. The corrosion electrochemical tests in simulated body fluid indicated that the corrosion rate of the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy was strongly reduced by the RS procedure and tended to be further decreased with increasing wheel rotating speeds (1.43 mm yr -1 for RS15, 0.94 mm yr -1 for RS30 and 0.36 mm yr -1 for RS45). The RS Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons showed more uniform corrosion morphology compared with the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy after polarization. The cytotoxicity evaluation revealed that the three experimental as-spun Mg-3Ca alloy ribbon extracts did not induce toxicity to the L-929 cells, whereas the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot extract did. The L-929 cells showed more improved adhesion on the surfaces of the three as-spun Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons than that of the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot.

  3. Crystal orientation dependence of the optical bandgap of (1 - x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 single crystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wan Xinming; Zhao Xiangyong; Chan, H.L.W.; Choy, C.L.; Luo Haosu

    2005-01-01

    The transmission spectra of rhombohedral 0.71Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 -0.29PbTiO 3 (PMN-0.29PT) and tetragonal PMN-0.38PT single crystals were obtained in the main crystallographic directions , and . The absorption coefficients were computed and the optical bandgaps were calculated in both direct and indirect transitions. The energy of phonons contributing in the indirect transition was also calculated. For PMN-0.38PT single crystal in all the three directions, the values of direct bandgaps E gd are all slightly lower than those of PMN-0.29PT single crystal, while the indirect bandgaps E gi are all higher. For different crystallographic directions, the values of E gi for -direction are lower compared with and directions, both for PMN-0.29PT and PMN-0.38PT single crystals. Some discussions about the B-site cation d-orbits and the O-anion 2p orbits that determine the basic energy level of the single crystals are presented. The optical transition mechanism was also discussed

  4. CaCO3-N İlişkileri 4.Değişik Reaksiyonlu Toprakların Karşılaştırılması

    OpenAIRE

    BROHI, A.Raşit; Aydeniz, A.

    1990-01-01

    Kireç - azot bitkilerini açıklayabilmek için, değişik reaksiyonlu 3örnek (Rize-asit, Siverek nötr - hafif alkali, Aligör - alkali) alınarak bunların : % 0-0.5-1-1.5-2-3-4-5-10 oranlarında CaCO3 ve 0-1-5-20:50- 100-200 500 veya 1000 ppm düzeylerinde N katmak sureti ile hazırlanan topraklarda büyütme odasında, mini-biyolojik yöntemle domates yetiştirmek ve 65 gün (alkali topraktakileri 87. gün sonra) sonra hasat etmek suretiyle yapılan araştırma sonuçları şu şekilde özetlenebilir. 1.Asit top...

  5. Electric Field Tuning Non-volatile Magnetism in Half-Metallic Alloys Co2FeAl/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 Heterostructure

    Science.gov (United States)

    Dunzhu, Gesang; Wang, Fenglong; Zhou, Cai; Jiang, Changjun

    2018-03-01

    We reported the non-volatile electric field-mediated magnetic properties in the half-metallic Heusler alloy Co2FeAl/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 heterostructure at room temperature. The remanent magnetization with different applied electric field along [100] and [01-1] directions was achieved, which showed the non-volatile remanent magnetization driven by an electric field. The two giant reversible and stable remanent magnetization states were obtained by applying pulsed electric field. This can be attributed to the piezostrain effect originating from the piezoelectric substrate, which can be used for magnetoelectric-based memory devices.

  6. Impact Test Size and Type of Echinometra mathaei as Agent of Bioerosion on Reef Flat (Pengaruh Ukuran dan Tipe Echinometra mathaei pada Bioerosi Karang

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Cristiana Manullang

    2014-06-01

    Full Text Available Bioerosi adalah aktivitas berbagai organisme yang menyebabkan terjadinya erosi dan kerusakan misalnya pada kalsium karbonat karang. Aktivitas ini merupakan faktor utama yang mempengaruhi morfologi terumbu karang. Bioerosi dipengaruhi oleh tiga variabel yakni jenis spesies, ukuran dan kelimpahan spesies tersebut. Tujuh puluh lima persen dari bioerosi disebabkan oleh landak laut. Perbedaan pada ukuran dan jenis landak laut memberikan dampak signifikan terhadap daerah yang terjadi bioerosi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh ukuran dan jenis landak laut E. mathaei (tipe A dan B pada komposisi CaCO3 dalam isi usus dan tinja organisme tersebut sebagai agen bioersi. Landak laut yang digunakan diperoleh dari ekosistem karang di pantai Minatogawa, Okinawa-Jepang. Masing-masing tipe landak laut dibedakan berdasarkan ukuran ≥30 mm dan <30mm. Penelitian dilakukan dengan tiga ulangan. Pemeliharaan ini dilakukan di laboratorium dengan analisis komposisi CaCO3 pada tinja dan konten usus. Hasil penelitian membuktikan bahwa komposisi CaCO3 disebabkan karena aktivitas bioerosi harian dari E. mathaei. Landak laut dengan ukuran diameter ≥30 mm terbukti lebih aktif dibandingkan dengan diameter <30mm. Disamping itu landak laut tipe B lebih aktif dibandingkan tipe A dengan ukuran yang sama. Persentase CaCO3 dalam usus selama pemeliharaan di laboratorium adalah 73% dan sisa 27% berupa bahan organik dan anorganik. Bierosion harian E. mathaei tipe A ≥ 30 mm 166,70 mg.hari-1, tipe A <30 mm 77.78 mg.hari-1, tipe B ≥ 30 mm 126,30 mg.hari-1, tipe B <30 mm 116,17 mg.hari-1. Tingkat bioerosion harian E. mathaei dipengaruhi oleh jenis, spesies, kecepatan menggiling, dan ukuran landak laut. Kata kunci: ukuran; Echinometra mathaei; bioerosi; karang Bioerosion is an activity of various organisms such as erosion and destruction of coral calcium carbonate and become a major factor influencing coral reefs morphology. Bioerosion is influenced by three variables

  7. Microstructure of epitaxial SrRuO 3 thin films on MgO substrates

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ai, Wan Yong; Zhu, Jun; Zhang, Ying; Li, Yan Rong; Liu, Xing Zhao; Wei, Xian Hua; Li, Jin Long; Zheng, Liang; Qin, Wen Feng; Liang, Zhu

    2006-09-01

    SrRuO 3 thin films have been grown on singular (1 0 0) MgO substrates using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) in 30 Pa oxygen ambient and at a temperature of 400-700 °C. Ex situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) as well as X-ray diffraction (XRD) θ/2 θ scan indicated that the films deposited above 650 °C were well crystallized though they had a rough surface as shown by atom force microscopy (AFM). XRD Φ scans revealed that these films were composed of all three different types of orientation domains, which was further confirmed by the RHEED patterns. The heteroepitaxial relationship between SrRuO 3 and MgO was found to be [1 1 0] SRO//[1 0 0] MgO and 45°-rotated cube-on-cube [0 0 1] SRO//[1 0 0] MgO. These domain structures and surface morphology are similar to that of ever-reported SrRuO 3 thin films deposited on the (0 0 1) LaAlO 3 substrates, and different from those deposited on (0 0 1) SrTiO 3 substrates that have an atomically flat surface and are composed of only the [1 1 0]-type domains. The reason for this difference was ascribed to the effect of lattice mismatch across the film/substrate interface. The room temperature resistivity of SrRuO 3 films fabricated at 700 °C was 300 μΩ cm. Therefore, epitaxial SrRuO 3 films on MgO substrate could serve as a promising candidate of electrode materials for the fabrication of ferroelectric or dielectric films.

  8. Study on anisotropy of n-type Mg3Sb2-based thermoelectric materials

    Science.gov (United States)

    Song, Shaowei; Mao, Jun; Shuai, Jing; Zhu, Hangtian; Ren, Zhensong; Saparamadu, Udara; Tang, Zhongjia; Wang, Bo; Ren, Zhifeng

    2018-02-01

    The recent discovery of a high thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) in an n-type Mg3Sb2-based Zintl phase triggered an intense research effort to pursue even higher ZT. Based on our previous report on Mg3.1Nb0.1Sb1.5Bi0.49Te0.01, we report here that partial texturing in the (001) plane is achieved by double hot pressing, which is further confirmed by the rocking curves of the (002) plane. The textured samples of Mg3.1Nb0.1Sb1.5Bi0.49Te0.01 show a much better average performance in the (00l) plane. Hall mobility is significantly improved to ˜105 cm2 V-1 s-1 at room temperature in the (00l) plane due to texturing, resulting in higher electrical conductivity, a higher power factor of ˜18 μW cm-1 K-2 at room temperature, and also higher average ZT. This work shows that texturing is good for higher thermoelectric performance, suggesting that single crystals of n-type Mg3Sb2-based Zintl compounds are worth pursuing.

  9. Liraglutide 3.0 mg for Weight Management: A Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Overgaard, Rune V; Petri, Kristin C; Jacobsen, Lisbeth V; Jensen, Christine B

    2016-11-01

    This analysis used a population pharmacokinetic approach to identify covariates that influence plasma exposure of liraglutide 3.0 mg, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist approved for weight management in overweight and obese individuals. Samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were drawn at weeks 2, 12 and 28 of the phase IIIa SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (N = 2339) and SCALE Diabetes (N = 584) trials. Dose proportionality of liraglutide in obese subjects was investigated using data from a phase II dose-finding study (N = 331). Dose-proportional exposure of liraglutide up to and including 3.0 mg was confirmed. Body weight and sex influenced exposure of liraglutide 3.0 mg, while age ≥70 years, race, ethnicity and baseline glycaemic status did not. Compared with a reference subject weighing 100 kg, exposure of liraglutide 3.0 mg was 44 % lower for a subject weighing 234 kg (90 % CI 41-47), 41 % higher for a subject weighing 60 kg (90 % CI 37-46), and 32 % higher (90 % CI 28-35) in females than males with the same body weight. Neither injection site nor renal function significantly influenced exposure of liraglutide 3.0 mg (post hoc analysis). Population pharmacokinetics of liraglutide up to and including 3.0 mg daily in overweight and obese adults demonstrated dose-proportional exposure, and limited effect of covariates other than sex and body weight. These findings were similar to those previously observed with liraglutide up to 1.8 mg in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further analysis of exposure-response relationship and its effect on dose requirements is addressed in a separate publication.

  10. Effects of Ursolic Acid Derivatives on Caco-2 Cells and Their Alleviating Role in Streptozocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Panpan Wu

    2014-08-01

    Full Text Available In this study, the effect and mechanism of a series of ursolic acid (UA derivatives on glucose uptake were investigated in a Caco-2 cells model. Their effect on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress were also demonstrated in streptozocin (STZ-induced diabetic rats. 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-ylamino]-2-deoxy-glucose (2-NBDG was used as a fluorescein in Caco-2 cells model to screen UA derivatives by glucose uptake and expression of glucose transporter protein (SGLT-1, GLUT-2. Moreover, STZ-induced diabetic rats were administered with these derivatives for 4 weeks of treatment. The fasting blood glucose (FBG, insulin levels, biochemical parameters, lipid levels, and oxidative stress markers were finally evaluated. The results of this study indicated that compounds 10 and 11 significantly inhibited 2-NBDG uptake under both Na+-dependent and Na+-independent conditions by decreasing SGLT-1 and GLUT-2 expression in the Caco-2 cells model. Further in vivo studies revealed that compound 10 significantly reduced hyperglycemia by increasing levels of serum insulin, total protein, and albumin, while the fasting blood glucose, body weight and food intake were restored much closer to those of normal rats. Compounds 10 and 11 showed hypolipidemic activity by decreasing the total amounts of cholesterol (TC and triglycerides (TG. Furthermore, compound 10 showed antioxidant potential which was confirmed by elevation of glutathione (GSH and superoxide dismutase (SOD and reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA levels in the liver and kidney of diabetic rats. It was concluded that compound 10 caused an apparent inhibition of intestinal glucose uptake in Caco-2 cells and hypoglycemia, hypolipidemia and augmented oxidative stress in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Thus, compound 10 could be developed as a potentially complementary therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diabetics mellitus and its complications.

  11. Investigation of structural and optical properties of CaTiO3 powders doped with Mg2+ and Eu3+ ions

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Oliveira, Larissa H.; Savioli, Julia; Moura, Ana P. de; Nogueira, Içamira C.; Li, Maximo S.; Longo, Elson; Varela, José A.; Rosa, Ieda L.V.

    2015-01-01

    In this work, CaTiO 3 powders doped with Mg 2+ ions and CaTiO 3 powders co-doped with Mg 2+ and Eu 3+ ions were prepared by the polymeric precursor method (PPM). These powders were characterized by different characterization techniques to study the influence of Mg 2+ doping as well as Mg 2+ and Eu 3+ co-doping in structural and optical properties of CaTiO 3 perovskite-type structure. The Rietveld refinement and Micro-Raman analyses suggested the substitution Mg 2+ and Eu 3+ ions in the A-site of CaTiO 3 perovskite. The influence of Mg 2+ doping can be detected by the displacement of calcium and oxygen atomic positions when compared to the non-doped CaTiO 3 powder. When Eu 3+ ions are added to the A-site of this perovskite the excess of positive charge can be compensated by the formation of calcium vacancies. Luminescence data showed that Ca 1-x Mg x TiO 3 and Ca 1x Mg x/2 Eu 2y/3 TiO 3 powders are potential materials for fabrication of lighting devices based on near-UV and blue LED using an excitation wavelength of 397 and/or 450 nm. - Highlights: • CaTiO 3 co-doped with Mg 2+ and Eu 3+ were obtained by the Polymeric Precursor Method. • Incorporation of Mg 2+ and Eu 3+ ions in the CaTiO 3 lattice. • Enhancement of the Eu 3+ photoluminescence

  12. An HPLC-UV method for the measurement of permeability of marker drugs in the Caco-2 cell assay

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    J.M. Kratz

    2011-06-01

    Full Text Available The Caco-2 cell line has been used as a model to predict the in vitro permeability of the human intestinal barrier. The predictive potential of the assay relies on an appropriate in-house validation of the method. The objective of the present study was to develop a single HPLC-UV method for the identification and quantitation of marker drugs and to determine the suitability of the Caco-2 cell permeability assay. A simple chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of both passively (propranolol, carbamazepine, acyclovir, and hydrochlorothiazide and actively transported drugs (vinblastine and verapamil. Separation was achieved on a C18 column with step-gradient elution (acetonitrile and aqueous solution of ammonium acetate, pH 3.0 at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and UV detection at 275 nm during the total run time of 35 min. The method was validated and found to be specific, linear, precise, and accurate. This chromatographic system can be readily used on a routine basis and its utilization can be extended to other permeability models. The results obtained in the Caco-2 bi-directional transport experiments confirmed the validity of the assay, given that high and low permeability profiles were identified, and P-glycoprotein functionality was established.

  13. Microstructure, biocorrosion and cytotoxicity evaluations of rapid solidified Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons as a biodegradable material

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Gu, X N; Zhou, W R; Zheng, Y F [State Key Laboratory for Turbulence and Complex System and Department of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China); Li, X L [Center for Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001 (China); Cheng, Y, E-mail: yfzheng@pku.edu.c [Center for Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871 (China)

    2010-06-01

    Rapidly solidified (RS) Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons were prepared by the melt-spinning technique at different wheel rotating speeds (15 m s{sup -1}, 30 m s{sup -1} and 45 m s{sup -1}) with the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot as a raw material. The RS45 Mg-3Ca alloy ribbon showed a much more fine grain size feature (approximately 200-500 nm) in comparison to the coarse grain size (50-100 {mu}m) of the original as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot. The corrosion electrochemical tests in simulated body fluid indicated that the corrosion rate of the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy was strongly reduced by the RS procedure and tended to be further decreased with increasing wheel rotating speeds (1.43 mm yr{sup -1} for RS15, 0.94 mm yr{sup -1} for RS30 and 0.36 mm yr{sup -1} for RS45). The RS Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons showed more uniform corrosion morphology compared with the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy after polarization. The cytotoxicity evaluation revealed that the three experimental as-spun Mg-3Ca alloy ribbon extracts did not induce toxicity to the L-929 cells, whereas the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot extract did. The L-929 cells showed more improved adhesion on the surfaces of the three as-spun Mg-3Ca alloy ribbons than that of the as-cast Mg-3Ca alloy ingot.

  14. Characterization of ikaite (CaCO3•6H2O) crystals in first year Arctic sea ice north of Svalbard

    OpenAIRE

    Nomura, Daiki; Assmy, Philipp; Nehrke, Gernot; Granskog, Mats A.; Fischer, Michael; Dieckmann, Gerhard; Fransson, Agneta; Hu, Yubin; Schnetger, Bernhard

    2013-01-01

    We identified ikaite crystals (CaCO3·6H2O) and examined their shape and size distribution in first-year Arctic pack ice, overlying snow and slush layers during the spring melt onset north of Svalbard. Additional measurements of total alkalinity (TA) were made for melted snow and sea-ice samples. Ikaite crystals were mainly found in the bottom of the snowpack, in slush and the surface layers of the sea ice where the temperature was generally lower and salinity higher than in the ic...

  15. An environment-friendly phosphate chemical conversion coating on novel Mg-9Li-7Al-1Sn and Mg-9Li-5Al-3Sn-1Zn alloys with remarkable corrosion protection

    Science.gov (United States)

    Maurya, Rita; Siddiqui, Abdul Rahim; Balani, Kantesh

    2018-06-01

    An environment-friendly phosphate chemical conversion (PCC) coating has been deposited on novel LAT971 (Mg-9 wt%Li-7 wt%Al-1 wt%Sn) and LATZ9531 (Mg-9 wt%Li-5 wt%Al-3 wt%Sn-1 wt%Zn) alloys for improving their corrosion resistance. A dense and homogeneous flower like morphology (∼30 μm thick) was observed on the PCC coated Mg-Li based alloys. The presence of calcium hydrogen phosphate hydrate, tricalcium phosphate and trimagnesium phosphate were confirmed from the X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. A lower corrosion current density of 6.74 × 10-7 mA/cm2 and 5.39 × 10-7 mA/cm2 was obtained for PCC coated alloys in 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution than that of uncoated LAT971 (0.82 mA/cm2) and LATZ9531 (0.34 mA/cm2) alloys, respectively, which offers corrosion protection efficiency of >99%. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has revealed that the inner PCC coating (at coating/substrate interface) delay the direct contact between electrolyte and substrate, which offered higher charge transfer resistance (>4 orders of magnitude) than that of uncoated alloys. Thus, the PCC coating provides an effective corrosion protection to the ultra-lightweight LAT971 and LATZ9531 alloys surface and may be helpful in proving good anchoring with the top organic coatings or paints.

  16. Effects of minor Zr and Sr on as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-3Ce-1.2Mn-0.9Sc (wt.%) magnesium alloy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Pan Fusheng; Yang Mingbo; Shen Jia; Wu Lu

    2011-01-01

    Research highlights: → Minor Zr and/or Sr additions can effectively refine the grains of the Mg-3Ce-1.2Mn-0.9Sc alloy. → Minor Zr and/or Sr additions can improve the tensile properties of the Mg-3Ce-1.2Mn-0.9Sc alloy. → Minor Zr and/or Sr additions can improve the creep properties of the Mg-3Ce-1.2Mn-0.9Sc alloy. - Abstract: The effects of minor Zr and Sr on the as-cast microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg-3Ce-1.2Mn-0.9Sc (wt.%) alloy were investigated by using optical and electron microscopies, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, and tensile and creep tests. The results indicate that adding minor Zr and/or Sr to the Mg-3Ce-1.2Mn-0.9Sc alloy does not cause an obvious change in the morphology and distribution of the Mg 12 Ce phase. However, the grains of the Zr and/or Sr-containing alloys are effectively refined. Among the Zr and/or Sr-containing alloys, the grains of the alloy with the addition of 0.5 wt.%Zr + 0.1 wt.%Sr are the finest, followed by the alloys with the additions of 0.5 wt.%Zr and 0.1 wt.%Sr, respectively. In addition, small additions of Zr and/or Sr can improve the tensile and creep properties of the Mg-3Ce-1.2Mn-0.9Sc alloy. Among the Zr and/or Sr-containing alloys, the alloy with the addition of 0.5 wt.%Zr + 0.1 wt.%Sr obtains the optimum tensile and creep properties.

  17. Phase formation in the Ag2O - MgO - MoO3 system and the crystal structure of new double molybdate Ag2Mg2(MoO4)3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tsyrenova, G.D.; Khajkina, E.G.; Khobrakova, Eh.T.; Solodovnikov, S.F.

    2001-01-01

    The phase correlations in subsolidus area of the Ag 2 O - MgO - MoO 3 system were studied, the Ag 2 MoO 4 - MgMoO 4 polythermal cross-section was investigated and its T-x diagram was constructed. X-ray diffraction and thermal analytic researches were conducted. The formation of the new double Ag 2 Mg 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 molybdates relating to the structural group Na 2 Mg 5 (MoO 4 ) 6 was established, and its structure (a=6.978(1), b=8.715(2), c=10.294(2) A, α=107.56(3) Deg, β=105.11(3) Deg, γ=103.68(3) Deg, Z=2, sp. gr. P 1-bar, R=0.038) was determined. The mixed carcass from the twin MgO 6 -octahedrons and MoO 4 -tetrahedrons, in which blankness the Ag atoms are arranged, stand out in the structure.The character of disordering in the part of Ag + is analogous to previously found one in the Ag 2 Zn 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 structure. The possible limits in the fields of homogeneity of silver-magnesium molybdate and its analogs, as well as the differences their structure from the structure of isotopic sodium-containing phases, are discussed [ru

  18. Thermoelectric properties and microstructure of Mg3Sb2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Condron, Cathie L.; Kauzlarich, Susan M.; Gascoin, Franck; Snyder, G. Jeffrey

    2006-01-01

    Mg 3 Sb 2 has been prepared by direct reaction of the elements. Powder X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric, differential scanning calorimetery, and microprobe data were obtained on hot pressed samples. Single phase samples of Mg 3 Sb 2 were prepared and found to contain oxygen at the grain boundaries and to lose Mg and oxidize at temperatures above 900 K. Thermoelectric properties were characterized by Seebeck, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity measurements from 300 to 1023 K, and the maximum zT was found to be 0.21 at ∼875 K. - Graphical abstract: Dimensionless figure of merit for Mg 3 Sb 2 hot pressed and sintered at 873 K. The inset illustrates the crystal structure of Mg 3 Sb 2 along the [100] direction (white=Mg, black=Sb)

  19. Chemical synthesis, docking studies and biological effects of functionalized 1,3-diaryl-2-propen-1-ones on human colon cancer cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Guo-Min Zhu

    2015-03-01

    Full Text Available A series of 1, 3-diaryl-2-propen-1-ones was synthesised in order to obtain a new type of anticancer drug, designed with hybrid features to inhibit colon cancer activated receptor. Based on computational modelling and docking studies, potential inhibitors were synthesised and their biological activity evaluated. The structures of newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by 1HNMR, 13CNMR and Mass spectrometry. All analogues were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against human colon (caco-2 cancer cell lines. Compounds 1b, 1f-1h, and 2i showed significant cytotoxicity. Chalcones 1b, 1f and 1g were identified as the most potent and selective anticancer agents with IC50 values <1 µg/mL and 1.5 µg/mL, against caco-2 cell line, respectively. In conclusion, this finding confirms the suitability of indolyl chalcone analogues as candidates for further investigation towards the management of colon cancer related diseases.

  20. Magnesium replacement in formaldehyde: Theoretical rovibrational analysis of X ∼ 3B1 MgCH2

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bassett, Matthew K.; Fortenberry, Ryan C.

    2018-02-01

    A full, anharmonic set of fundamental vibrational frequencies as well as spectrosocpic constants are provided at high-level for X ∼ 3B1 MgCH2 for the first time. The present data are in line with previous computational and Ar-matrix results, but the anharmonic data show that two brightest frequencies, ν4 and ν5 , are nearly coincident with one another at 560 cm-1. Hence, this area is the best spectral region to search for signatures of this molecule. The rotational constants are also provided indicating a near-prolate rotational progression which should aid in microwave/millimeter-wave analysis of this molecule. Magnesium is known to be a significant component of the Earth, and molecules containing it may be more common in the interstellar medium/circumstellar media than previously thought. More spectral characterization of such molecules like MgCH2 should be undertaken, and this work is a step in that direction.

  1. Calcioferrite with composition (Ca3.94Sr0.06Mg1.01(Fe2.93Al1.07(PO46(OH4·12H2O

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Barbara Lafuente

    2014-03-01

    Full Text Available Calcioferrite, ideally Ca4MgFe3+4(PO46(OH4·12H2O (tetracalcium magnesium tetrairon(III hexakis-phosphate tetrahydroxide dodecahydrate, is a member of the calcioferrite group of hydrated calcium phosphate minerals with the general formula Ca4AB4(PO46(OH4·12H2O, where A = Mg, Fe2+, Mn2+ and B = Al, Fe3+. Calcioferrite and the other three known members of the group, montgomeryite (A = Mg, B = Al, kingsmountite (A = Fe2+, B = Al, and zodacite (A = Mn2+, B = Fe3+, usually occur as very small crystals, making their structure refinements by conventional single-crystal X-ray diffraction challenging. This study presents the first structure determination of calcioferrite with composition (Ca3.94Sr0.06Mg1.01(Fe2.93Al1.07(PO46(OH4·12H2O based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collected from a natural sample from the Moculta quarry in Angaston, Australia. Calcioferrite is isostructural with montgomeryite, the only member of the group with a reported structure. The calcioferrite structure is characterized by (Fe/AlO6 octahedra (site symmetries 2 and -1 sharing corners (OH to form chains running parallel to [101]. These chains are linked together by PO4 tetrahedra (site symmetries 2 and 1, forming [(Fe/Al3(PO43(OH2] layers stacking along [010], which are connected by (Ca/Sr2+ cations (site symmetry 2 and Mg2+ cations (site symmetry 2; half-occupation. Hydrogen-bonding interactions involving the water molecules (one of which is equally disordered over two positions and OH function are also present between these layers. The relatively weaker bonds between the layers account for the cleavage of the mineral parallel to (010.

  2. In Vitro Metabolism and Stability of the Actinide Chelating Agent 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO)

    OpenAIRE

    Choi, Taylor A.; Furimsky, Anna M.; Swezey, Robert; Bunin, Deborah I.; Byrge, Patricia; Iyer, Lalitha V.; Chang, Polly Y.; Abergel, Rebecca J.

    2015-01-01

    The hydroxypyridinonate ligand 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) is currently under development for radionuclide chelation therapy. The preclinical characterization of this highly promising ligand comprised the evaluation of its in vitro properties, including microsomal, plasma, and gastrointestinal fluid stability, cytochrome P450 inhibition, plasma protein binding, and intestinal absorption using the Caco-2 cell line. When mixed with active human liver microsomes, no loss of parent compound was observed a...

  3. Evaluation of the properties of the CaCO3CaO system for metallurgical use

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tapia, O.; Grijalva, M.; Rodriguez, A.; Formoso, A.

    1999-01-01

    The principal goal of this work, is to make a preliminary and comparative study on the physical chemistry, structural and thermal properties of the metallurgical lime production using experimental, and in some cases industrial measurements. This is important, because the characterization of the CaCO 3 CaO system, predicts the dissolution grade of the lime on the slag solution in the steel making. The mineral is located on the border of Michoacan (Lazaro Cardenas)and the Guerrero states (La Union) Mexico. This study evidences limited properties of this lime, which is due to the thermal and physical chemistry behaviour of the obtained results of this material. However, it is necessary to make a study in the future about the kinetic behavior during decomposition. This is necessary because it is important to obtain an increase in the basic oxides concentration and a decrease in the loss of ignition, which is important for the competitive lime production. (Author) 25 refs

  4. Correlation between oral drug absorption in humans and apparent drug permeability coefficients in human intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) cells

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Artursson, P.; Karlsson, J.

    1991-01-01

    Monolayers of a well differentiated human intestinal epithelial cell line, Caco-2, were used as a model to study passive drug absorption across the intestinal epithelium. Absorption rate constants (expressed as apparent permeability coefficients) were determined for 20 drugs and peptides with different structural properties. The permeability coefficients ranged from approximately 5 x 10 - 8 to 5 x 10 - 5 cm/s. A good correlation was obtained between data on oral absorption in humans and the results in the Caco-2 model. Drugs that are completely absorbed in humans had permeability coefficients greater than 1 x 10 - 6 cm/s. Drugs that are absorbed to greater than 1% but less than 100% had permeability coefficients of 0.1-1.0 x 10 - 6 cm/s while drugs and peptides that are absorbed to less than 1% had permeability coefficients of less than or equal to 1 x 10 - 7 cm/s. The results indicate that Caco-2 monolayers can be used as a model for studies on intestinal drug absorption

  5. The absorptive flux of the anti-epileptic drug substance vigabatrin is carrier-mediated across Caco-2 cell monolayers

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Nøhr, Martha Kampp; Hansen, Steen Honoré; Brodin, Birger

    2014-01-01

    of vigabatrin in Caco-2 cells, a cell culture model of the small intestinal epithelium. The uptake and transepithelial flux of vigabatrin was measured using an LC-MS method for quantification. Transepithelial transport of vigabatrin was shown to be proton-dependent and polarized in the apical-to-basolateral (A...... of the human proton-coupled amino acid transporter (hPAT1) to the apical solution. The present study indicates that the transepithelial A-B flux of vigabatrin is mainly mediated by hPAT1 in Caco-2 cells at dose-relevant concentrations....

  6. Suitability of the alkalistable carbonic anhydrase from a polyextremophilic bacterium Aeribacillus pallidus TSHB1 in biomimetic carbon sequestration.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bose, Himadri; Satyanarayana, T

    2016-10-01

    Carbonic anhydrase (CA) was produced from the polyextremophilic (halotolerant, moderately thermophilic and alkaliphilic) bacterium Aeribacillus pallidus TSHB1 isolated from water and sediment samples of Choti Anhoni hot spring of Pipariya, Madhya Pradesh (India), is being reported to be suitable for carbon sequestration. Growth and CA production were inhibited at higher CO2 concentration (5-10 %). Under optimized culture variables (tryptone 0.8 %, yeast extract 0.08 %, glucose 1 %, micronutrient solution 1 %, inoculums size 1.10 %, agitation 200 at pH 8, and temperature 55 °C), 3.7-fold higher CA production was attained than that under unoptimized conditions. The zymogram analysis of the partially purified CA revealed an activity band corresponding to 32 kDa. The enzyme is stable in the pH range between 8.0 and 11.0 with T 1/2 of 40, 15, and 8 min at 60, 70, and 80 °C, respectively. The CA of A. pallidus displayed a marked enhancement in the rate of CaCO3 precipitation from aqueous CO2. The CA-aided formation of CaCO3 was 42.5 mg mg(-1) protein. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of rhomboid calcite crystals. This is the first report on the production and applicability of CA from the polyextremophilic A. pallidus in carbon sequestration.

  7. Investigations on FCAM-III (Ca2.38Mg2.09Fe3+10.61Fe2+1.59Al9.33O36): A new homologue of the aenigmatite structure-type in the system CaO-MgO-Fe2O3-Al2O3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zöll, Klaus; Kahlenberg, Volker; Krüger, Hannes; Tropper, Peter

    2018-02-01

    In the course of a systematic study of a part of the quaternary system Fe2O3-CaO-Al2O3-MgO (FCAM) the previously unknown compound Ca2.38Mg2.09Fe3+10.61Fe2+1.59Al9.33O36 (FCAM-III) has been synthesized. By analogy with the so-called SFCA series [1-5], our investigation in the system of FCAM shows the existence of a stoichiometric homologous series M14+6nO20+8n, where M = Fe, Ca, Al, Mg and n = 1 or 2. In air, we can prove the formation of coexisting FCAM-III and FCAM-I solid solutions at 1400 °C. By increasing the temperature up to 1425 °C FCAM-I disappears completely and FCAM-III co-exists with magnesiumferrite and a variety of calcium iron oxides. At 1450 °C FCAM-III breaks down to a mixture of FCAM-I again as well as magnesioferrite and melt. Small single-crystals of FCAM-III up to 35 μm in size could be retrieved from the 1425 °C experiment and were subsequently characterized using electron microprobe analysis and synchroton X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Finally the Fe2+/Fetot ratio was calculated from the total iron content based on the crystal-chemical formula obtained from EMPA measurements and charge balance considerations. FCAM-III or Ca2.38Mg2.09Fe3+10.61Fe2+1.59Al9.33O36 has a triclinic crystal structure (space group P 1 ̅). The basic crystallographic data are: a = 10.223(22) Å, b = 10.316(21) Å, c = 14.203(15) Å, α = 93.473(50)°, β = 107.418(67)°, γ = 109.646(60)°, V = 1323.85(2) ų, Z = 1. Using Schreinemaker's technique to analyze the phase relations in the system Fe2O3-CaO-Al2O3-MgO it was possible to obtain the semi-quantitative stability relations between the participating phases and construct a topologically correct phase sequence as a function of T and fO2. The analysis shows that Ca2Al0.5Fe1.5O5 (C2A0.25F0.75) and CaAl1.5Fe2.5O7 (CA0.75F1.25) with higher calculated Fe2+ contents are preferably formed at lower oxygen fugacity and react to CaAl0.5Fe1.5O4 (CA0.25F0.75) by increasing fO2. Spinel-type magnesium

  8. Optimized orientation of 0.71Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.29PbTiO3 single crystal for applications in medical ultrasonic arrays

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhou, Dan; Chen, Jing; Luo, Laihui; Zhao, Xiangyong; Luo, Haosu

    2008-08-01

    In order to extend the potential applications of medical ultrasonic array transducers, two optimized directions with the maximal electromechanical coefficient k33' and minimal k31 are determined for [001] and [110] poled 0.71Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.29PbTiO3 single crystals using the experimental method. The maximum values of k33' can reach 92.8% and 93.3%, respectively, corresponding to [001]W/[110]L and [110]W/[1-11]L cuts. Furthermore, we simulate the performances of three 3.5 MHz linear array transducers based on the determined directions by PIEZOCAD. Results indicate that under the [001]W/[110]L direction, 25% broader bandwidth, 40% shorter pulse length, and 3 dB higher sensitivity can be obtained compared to the traditional Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3 transducers.

  9. Structural features of AgCaCdMg2(PO4)3 and AgCd2Mg2(PO4)3, two new compounds with the alluaudite-type structure, and their catalytic activity in butan-2-ol conversion

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kacimi, Mohammed; Ziyad, Mahfoud; Hatert, Frederic

    2005-01-01

    AgCaCdMg 2 (PO 4 ) 3 and AgCd 2 Mg 2 (PO 4 ) 3 , two new compounds with the alluaudite-type structure, were synthesized by a solid state reaction in air at 750 deg. C. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern of AgCaCdMg 2 (PO 4 ) 3 indicates the presence of small amounts of (Ca, Mg) 3 (PO 4 ) 2 with the whitlockite structure, as impurity, whereas AgCd 2 Mg 2 (PO 4 ) 3 is constituted by pure alluaudite. The Rietveld refinements of the X-ray powder diffraction patterns indicate an ordered cationic distribution for AgCd 2 Mg 2 (PO 4 ) 3 , with Ag on A(2)', Cd on A(1) and M(1), and Mg on M(2), whereas a disordered distribution of Cd and Ca between the A(1) and M(1) sites is observed for AgCaCdMg 2 (PO 4 ) 3 . The catalytic properties of these compounds has been measured in reaction of butan-2-ol dehydrogenation. In the absence of oxygen, both samples exhibit poor dehydrogenation activity. All samples displayed no dehydration activity. Introduction of oxygen into the feed changed totally the catalytic behavior of the catalysts. The production of methyl ethyl ketone increases with time on stream and the reaction temperature. AgCaCdMg 2 (PO 4 ) 3 is more efficient than AgCd 2 Mg 2 (PO 4 ) 3

  10. Paleoenvironmental implications of early diagenetic siderites of the Paraíba do Sul Deltaic Complex, eastern Brazil

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rodrigues, Amanda Goulart; De Ros, Luiz Fernando; Neumann, Reiner; Borghi, Leonardo

    2015-06-01

    Abundant early diagenetic siderites occur as spherulites and rhombohedral microcrystalline and macrocrystalline crystals in the cores of the 2-MU-1-RJ well, drilled in the Paraíba do Sul Deltaic Complex, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The host sediments of the siderites are siliciclastic, hybrid, and carbonate deposits. Intense pedogenetic processes affected the siliciclastic sediments immediately after deposition, comprising clay illuviation, plants bioturbation, feldspar dissolution, and iron oxide/hydroxide precipitation. Siderite and pyrite are the main diagenetic constituents. The other diagenetic products are kaolinite, smectite, argillaceous and carbonate pseudomatrix, quartz overgrowths, diagenetic titanium minerals, jarosite, and iron oxides/hydroxides. Early diagenetic siderites were separated into four groups based on their elemental and stable isotopic composition, as well as on their paragenetic relationships with the other constituents and with the host sediments. Spherulitic to macrocrystalline siderites from group 1 are almost pure (average: 94.7 mol% FeCO3; 1.2 mol% MgCO3; 2.3 mol% CaCO3; 1.8 mol% MnCO3) and precipitated from meteoric porewaters in continental siliciclastic rocks under suboxic conditions (δ18Ovpdb values range in - 10.28 to - 5.57‰ and the δ13Cvpdb values in - 12.68 to - 4.33‰). Microcrystalline rhombohedral siderites from group 2 have zonation due to substantial Ca and Mg substitution (core average: 78.5 mol% FeCO3; 4.2 mol% MgCO3; 15.7 mol% CaCO3; 1.6 mol% MnCO3; edge average: 74.0 mol% FeCO3; 9.2 mol% MgCO3; 15.6 mol% CaCO3; 1.1 mol% MnCO3), and δ13Cvpdb and δ18Ovpdb values of + 0.17‰ and - 1.96‰, precipitated from marine porewaters in packstones/wackestones under methanogenic conditions. The group 3 is represented by irregular spherulitic siderites with moderate Ca and Mg substitutions (average: 80.2 mol% FeCO3; 7.9 mol% MgCO3; 11.3 mol% CaCO3; 0.6 mol% MnCO3), with δ18Ovpdb values ranging from - 5.96 to - 7.61‰ and

  11. Growth rate and calcium carbonate accumulation of Halimeda macrolobaDecaisne (Chlorophyta: Halimedaceae in Thai waters

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jaruwan Mayakun

    2014-08-01

    Full Text Available Halimeda macroloba Decaisne can utilize the CO2 used for carbon fixation in photosynthesis and use bicarbonate as the main carbon source for calcification. Although Halimeda has been recognized as a carbon sink species, the calcium accumulation of Halimeda species in Thai waters remain poorly understood. In this study, the highest density of H. macroloba was 26 thalli/m2 and Halimeda quickly produced 1-2 new segments/thallus/day or 20.1 mg dry weight/thallus/day. Its calcium carbonate accumulation rate was 16.6 mg CaCO3 /thallus/day, or 82.46 % per thallus. In Thailand, however, only three scientific papers of growth rate and CaCO3 accumulation rate of H. macroloba have been found and collected. Of these records, the mean density was 26-104 thalli/m2 . The growth rate of H. macroloba was around 1-2 mg dry weight/day and the CaCO3 accumulation rate varied around 41-91%. Thus, Halimeda has a great potential to decrease the carbon dioxide concentration in the ocean.

  12. In-situ observation of domain wall motion in Pb(In{sub 1/2}Nb{sub 1/2})O{sub 3}-Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}-PbTiO{sub 3} crystals

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Lin, Dabin; Cai, Changlong [Laboratory of Thin Film Techniques and Optical Test, Xi' an Technological University, Xi' an 710032 (China); Li, Zhenrong, E-mail: zhrli@mail.xjtu.edu.cn; Li, Fei; Xu, Zhuo [Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry and International Center for Dielectric Research, Xi' an Jiaotong University, Xi' an 710049 (China); Zhang, Shujun, E-mail: soz1@psu.edu [Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 (United States); Cheng, Yaojin [Science and Technology on Low-Light-Level Night Vision Laboratory, Xi' an 710065 (China)

    2014-07-21

    Various domain structures, including wave-like domains, mixed needle-like and laminar domains, typical embedded 90° and 180° domains, have been observed in unpoled rhombohedral, monoclinic, and tetragonal Pb(In{sub 1/2}Nb{sub 1/2})O{sub 3}-Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}-PbTiO{sub 3} (PIN-PMN-PT) crystals by polarizing light microscope; while in poled tetragonal crystals, the parallel 180° domains were reversed and only vertical 90° domain walls were observed. For 0.24PIN-0.42PMN-0.34PT crystals with morphotropic phase boundary composition, the domain wall motion was in-situ observed as a function of applied electric field along crystallographic [100] direction. With increasing the electric field from 0 to 12 kV/cm, the rhombohedral (R) domains were found to change to monoclinic (M) domains and then to tetragonal (T) domains. The electric field-induced phase transition was also confirmed by X-ray diffraction and the temperature-dependent dielectric behavior.

  13. Dissolution and storage stability of nanostructured calcium carbonates and phosphates for nutrition

    Science.gov (United States)

    Posavec, Lidija; Knijnenburg, Jesper T. N.; Hilty, Florentine M.; Krumeich, Frank; Pratsinis, Sotiris E.; Zimmermann, Michael B.

    2016-10-01

    Rapid calcium (Ca) dissolution from nanostructured Ca phosphate and carbonate (CaCO3) powders may allow them to be absorbed in much higher fraction in humans. Nanosized Ca phosphate and CaCO3 made by flame-assisted spray pyrolysis were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. As-prepared nanopowders contained both CaCO3 and CaO, but storing them under ambient conditions over 130 days resulted in a complete transformation into CaCO3, with an increase in both crystal and particle sizes. The small particle size could be stabilized against such aging by cation (Mg, Zn, Sr) and anion (P) doping, with P and Mg being most effective. Calcium phosphate nanopowders made at Ca:P ≤ 1.5 were XRD amorphous and contained γ-Ca2P2O7 with increasing hydroxyapatite content at higher Ca:P. Aging of powders with Ca:P = 1.0 and 1.5 for over 500 days gradually increased particle size (but less than for CaCO3) without a change in phase composition or crystallinity. In 0.01 M H3PO4 calcium phosphate nanopowders dissolved ≈4 times more Ca than micronsized compounds and about twice more Ca than CaCO3 nanopowders, confirming that nanosizing and/or amorphous structuring sharply increases Ca powder dissolution. Because higher Ca solubility in vitro generally leads to greater absorption in vivo, these novel FASP-made Ca nanostructured compounds may prove useful for nutrition applications, including supplementation and/or food fortification.

  14. Dissolution and storage stability of nanostructured calcium carbonates and phosphates for nutrition

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Posavec, Lidija; Knijnenburg, Jesper T. N.; Hilty, Florentine M.; Krumeich, Frank; Pratsinis, Sotiris E.; Zimmermann, Michael B.

    2016-01-01

    Rapid calcium (Ca) dissolution from nanostructured Ca phosphate and carbonate (CaCO 3 ) powders may allow them to be absorbed in much higher fraction in humans. Nanosized Ca phosphate and CaCO 3 made by flame-assisted spray pyrolysis were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. As-prepared nanopowders contained both CaCO 3 and CaO, but storing them under ambient conditions over 130 days resulted in a complete transformation into CaCO 3 , with an increase in both crystal and particle sizes. The small particle size could be stabilized against such aging by cation (Mg, Zn, Sr) and anion (P) doping, with P and Mg being most effective. Calcium phosphate nanopowders made at Ca:P ≤ 1.5 were XRD amorphous and contained γ-Ca 2 P 2 O 7 with increasing hydroxyapatite content at higher Ca:P. Aging of powders with Ca:P = 1.0 and 1.5 for over 500 days gradually increased particle size (but less than for CaCO 3 ) without a change in phase composition or crystallinity. In 0.01 M H 3 PO 4 calcium phosphate nanopowders dissolved ≈4 times more Ca than micronsized compounds and about twice more Ca than CaCO 3 nanopowders, confirming that nanosizing and/or amorphous structuring sharply increases Ca powder dissolution. Because higher Ca solubility in vitro generally leads to greater absorption in vivo, these novel FASP-made Ca nanostructured compounds may prove useful for nutrition applications, including supplementation and/or food fortification.

  15. Different Grade Students' Use and Interpretation of Literal Symbols

    Science.gov (United States)

    Celik, Derya; Gunes, Gonul

    2013-01-01

    The aim of the study was to determine and compare 7th, 8th, and 9th grades students' level of use and interpret the literal symbols. In addition, students' responses to questions that require use of different roles of literal symbol were examined to identify the errors. For this purpose, Chelsea Diagnostics Algebra test developed by The Concepts…

  16. Controlled release of β-carotene in β-lactoglobulin-dextran-conjugated nanoparticles' in vitro digestion and transport with Caco-2 monolayers.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yi, Jiang; Lam, Tina I; Yokoyama, Wallace; Cheng, Luisa W; Zhong, Fang

    2014-09-03

    Undesirable aggregation of nanoparticles stabilized by proteins may occur at the protein's isoelectric point when the particle has zero net charge. Stability against aggregation of nanoparticles may be improved by reacting free amino groups with reducing sugars by the Maillard reaction. β-Lactoglobulin (BLG)-dextran conjugates were characterized by SDS-PAGE and CD. Nanoparticles (60-70 nm diameter) of β-carotene (BC) encapsulated by BLG or BLG-dextran were prepared by the homogenization-evaporation method. Both BLG and BLG-dextran nanoparticles appeared to be spherically shaped and uniformly dispersed by TEM. The stability and release of BC from the nanoparticles under simulated gastrointestinal conditions were evaluated. Dextran conjugation prevented the flocculation or aggregation of BLG-dextran particles at pH ∼4-5 compared to very large sized aggregates of BLG nanoparticles. The released contents of BC from BLG and BLG-dextran nanoparticles under acidic gastric conditions were 6.2 ± 0.9 and 5.4 ± 0.3%, respectively. The release of BC from BLG-dextran nanoparticles by trypsin digestion was 51.8 ± 4.3% of total encapsulated BC, and that from BLG nanoparticles was 60.9 ± 2.9%. Neither BLG-BC nanoparticles nor the Maillard-reacted BLG-dextran conjugates were cytotoxic to Caco-2 cells, even at 10 mg/mL. The apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) of Caco-2 cells to BC was improved by nanoencapsulation, compared to free BC suspension. The results indicate that BC-encapsulated β-lactoglobulin-dextran-conjugated nanoparticles are more stable to aggregation under gastric pH conditions with good release and permeability properties.

  17. An Analysis Of Non-Literal Meaning Used In Reader Digest Magazines Advertisement

    OpenAIRE

    Simanjuntak, Lenni

    2015-01-01

    The object of this study is the Non-literal meaning found in the Reader’s Digest Magazines Advertisements. The objective of the study is to describe the types of non-literal meaning and to expose the meanings of the non-literal meaning in the Reader’s Digest Magazines Advertisement published on July-August 2012, October 2012 and February 2013. The data were analyzed based on the theoretical concept by Leech (1981) and Palmer (1979) which concerned about types and the meanings of non-literal m...

  18. Characterizing 3-D flow velocity in evolving pore networks driven by CaCO3 precipitation and dissolution

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chojnicki, K. N.; Yoon, H.; Martinez, M. J.

    2015-12-01

    Understanding reactive flow in geomaterials is important for optimizing geologic carbon storage practices, such as using pore space efficiently. Flow paths can be complex in large degrees of geologic heterogeneities across scales. In addition, local heterogeneity can evolve as reactive transport processes alter the pore-scale morphology. For example, dissolved carbon dioxide may react with minerals in fractured rocks, confined aquifers, or faults, resulting in heterogeneous cementation (and/or dissolution) and evolving flow conditions. Both path and flow complexities are important and poorly characterized, making it difficult to determine their evolution with traditional 2-D transport models. Here we characterize the development of 3-D pore-scale flow with an evolving pore configuration due to calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation and dissolution. A simple pattern of a microfluidic pore network is used initially and pore structures will become more complex due to precipitation and dissolution processes. At several stages of precipitation and dissolution, we directly visualize 3-D velocity vectors using micro particle image velocimetry and a laser scanning confocal microscope. Measured 3-D velocity vectors are then compared to 3-D simulated flow fields which will be used to simulate reactive transport. Our findings will highlight the importance of the 3-D flow dynamics and its impact on estimating reactive surface area over time. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000. This material is based upon work supported as part of the Center for Frontiers of Subsurface Energy Security, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences under Award Number DE-SC0001114.

  19. Dielectric properties of BaMg1/3Nb2/3O3 doped Ba0.45Sr0.55Tio3 thin films for tunable microwave applications

    Science.gov (United States)

    Alema, Fikadu; Pokhodnya, Konstantin

    2015-11-01

    Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (BMN) doped and undoped Ba0.45Sr0.55TiO3 (BST) thin films were deposited via radio frequency magnetron sputtering on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Al2O3 substrates. The surface morphology and chemical state analyses of the films have shown that the BMN doped BST film has a smoother surface with reduced oxygen vacancy, resulting in an improved insulating properties of the BST film. Dielectric tunability, loss, and leakage current (LC) of the undoped and BMN doped BST thin films were studied. The BMN dopant has remarkably reduced the dielectric loss (˜38%) with no significant effect on the tunability of the BST film, leading to an increase in figure of merit (FOM). This is attributed to the opposing behavior of large Mg2+ whose detrimental effect on tunability is partially compensated by small Nb5+ as the two substitute Ti4+ in the BST. The coupling between MgTi″ and VO•• charged defects suppresses the dielectric loss in the film by cutting electrons from hopping between Ti ions. The LC of the films was investigated in the temperature range of 300-450K. A reduced LC measured for the BMN doped BST film was correlated to the formation of defect dipoles from MgTi″, VO•• and NbTi• charged defects. The carrier transport properties of the films were analyzed in light of Schottky thermionic emission (SE) and Poole-Frenkel (PF) emission mechanisms. The result indicated that while the carrier transport mechanism in the undoped film is interface limited (SE), the conduction in the BMN doped film was dominated by bulk processes (PF). The change of the conduction mechanism from SE to PF as a result of BMN doping is attributed to the presence of uncoupled NbTi• sitting as a positive trap center at the shallow donor level of the BST.

  20. Modeling defects and plasticity in MgSiO3 post-perovskite: Part 1-generalized stacking faults.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Goryaeva, Alexandra M; Carrez, Philippe; Cordier, Patrick

    In this work, we examine the transferability of a pairwise potential model (derived for MgSiO 3 perovskite) to accurately compute the excess energies of the generalized stacking faults (GSF, also called γ -surfaces) in MgSiO 3 post-perovskite. All calculations have been performed at 120 GPa, a pressure relevant to the D″ layer. Taking into account an important aspect of crystal chemistry for complex materials, we consider in detail all possible locations of slip planes in the post-perovskite structure. The γ -surface calculations emphasize the easiness of glide of slip systems with the smallest shear vector [100] and of the [001](010) slip system. Our results are in agreement with previous ab initio calculations. This validates the use the chosen potential model for further full atomistic modeling of dislocations in MgSiO 3 post-perovskite.

  1. Micro-Raman study of the microheterogeneity in the MA-MC phase transition in 0.67PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3-0.33PbTiO3 single crystal

    KAUST Repository

    Yang, Y.; Zhang, L. Y.; Zhu, K.; Liu, Y. L.

    2011-01-01

    Polarized Raman spectroscopy has been employed to investigate the evolution of the microstructure of 0.67PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3-0.33PbTiO3 (PMN-33%PT) single crystal in the temperature range from −195 to 300 °C. The M A-M C-cubic transition sequence

  2. Structural characteristics of Mg-doped (1-x)(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-xLiSbO3 lead-free ceramics as revealed by Raman spectroscopy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhu, W L; Meng, Y; Pezzotti, G; Zhu, J L; Wang, M S; Zhu, B; Zhu, X H; Zhu, J G; Xiao, D Q

    2011-01-01

    This paper presents a Raman spectroscopic study of compositional-change-induced structure variation and of the related mechanism of Mg doping in LiSbO 3 (LS)-modified (K 0.5 Na 0.5 )NbO 3 (KNN) ceramics. With increasing LS content from 0 to 0.06, a discontinuous shift towards higher wavenumbers was found for the band position of the A 1g (v 1 ) stretching mode of KNN, accompanied by a clearly nonlinear broadening of this band and a decrease in its intensity. Such morphological changes in the Raman spectrum result from two factors: (i) changes in polarizability/binding strength of the O-Nb-O vibration upon incorporation of Li ions in the KNN perovskitic structure and (ii) a polymorphic phase transition (PPT) from orthorhombic to tetragonal (O → T) phase at x > 0.04. Upon increasing the amount, w, of Mg dopant incorporated into the (1-x)KNN-xLS ceramic structure, the intensity of the Raman bands are enhanced, while the peak position and the full width at half maximum of the A 1g (v 1 ) mode was found to experience a clear dependence on both w and x. Raman characterization revealed that the mechanism of Mg doping is strongly correlated with the concentration of Li in the perovskite structure: Mg 2+ ions will preferentially replace Li + ions for low Mg doping while replace K/Na ions for higher doping of Mg. The PPT O → T was also found to be altered by the introduction of Mg and the critical value of LS concentration, x O-T , for incipient O → T transition in the KNN-xLS-wMT system was strongly dependent on Mg content, with x O→T being roughly equal to 0.04 + 2w, for the case of dilute Mg alloying. (paper)

  3. Sp1/Sp3 and DNA-methylation contribute to basal transcriptional activation of human podoplanin in MG63 versus Saos-2 osteoblastic cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Puri Christina

    2007-03-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background Podoplanin is a membrane mucin that, among a series of tissues, is expressed on late osteoblasts and osteocytes. Since recent findings have focussed on podoplanin's potential role as a tumour progression factor, we aimed at identifying regulatory elements conferring PDPN promoter activity. Here, we characterized the molecular mechanism controlling basal PDPN transcription in human osteoblast-like MG63 versus Saos-2 cells. Results We cloned and sequenced 2056 nucleotides from the 5'-flanking region of the PDPN gene and a computational search revealed that the TATA and CAAT box-lacking promoter possesses features of a growth-related gene, such as a GC-rich 5' region and the presence of multiple putative Sp1, AP-4 and NF-1 sites. Reporter gene assays demonstrated a functional promoter in MG63 cells exhibiting 30-fold more activity than in Saos-2 cells. In vitro DNase I footprinting revealed eight protected regions flanked by DNaseI hypersensitive sites within the region bp -728 to -39 present in MG63, but not in Saos-2 cells. Among these regions, mutation and supershift electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA identified four Sp1/Sp3 binding sites and two binding sites for yet unknown transcription factors. Deletion studies demonstrated the functional importance of two Sp1/Sp3 sites for PDPN promoter activity. Overexpression of Sp1 and Sp3 independently increased the stimulatory effect of the promoter and podoplanin mRNA levels in MG63 and Saos-2 cells. In SL2 cells, Sp3 functioned as a repressor, while Sp1 and Sp3 acted positively synergistic. Weak PDPN promoter activity of Saos-2 cells correlated with low Sp1/Sp3 nuclear levels, which was confirmed by Sp1/Sp3 chromatin immunoprecipitations in vivo. Moreover, methylation-sensitive Southern blot analyses and bisulfite sequencing detected strong methylation of CpG sites upstream of bp -464 in MG63 cells, but hypomethylation of these sites in Saos-2 cells. Concomitantly

  4. Just how literal is the King James Version?

    OpenAIRE

    Jan (JH) Kroeze; Manie (CM) van den Heever; Bertus (AJ) van Rooy

    2010-01-01

    Many scholars have the perception that the King James Version (KJV) is a literal translation. However, it is not so easy to define the concept of "literal translation". The simplest definition may be to regard it as word-for-word translation. However, when one compares the KJV carefully with the original Hebrew Bible, there are numerous instances where lexical items are changed to adapt the idiom to that of the target language. In this article, a measuring instrument will be proposed and u...

  5. The electric field manipulation of magnetization in La{sub 1−x}Sr{sub x}CoO{sub 3}/Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}-PbTiO{sub 3} heterostructures

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhang, Q. M.; Li, Q.; Zhou, W. P.; Wang, L. Y.; Yang, Y. T.; Wang, D. H., E-mail: wangdh@nju.edu.cn; Lv, L. Y.; Du, Y. W. [Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Nano Technology and National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Gao, R. L. [School of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing 401331 (China)

    2014-04-07

    La{sub 1−x}Sr{sub x}CoO{sub 3} (x = 0.18, 0.33, and 0.5) films were grown epitaxially on piezoelectric Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}-PbTiO{sub 3} substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The magnetization of these films varies with the external electric field, showing the magnetoelectric effect. With different doping content of Sr{sup 2+} ions, the change of magnetization for these films show different behaviors with increasing temperature, which can be attributed to the competition between electric-field-induced changes of spin state and double exchange interaction. This work presents an alternative mechanism to investigate the electric field control of magnetism in magnetoelectric heterostructure by tuning the spin state.

  6. Comparative evaluation of nano-CuO crossing Caco-2 cell monolayers and cellular uptake

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chen, Gao; Lianqin, Zhu; Fenghua, Zhu; Fang, Zheng; Mingming, Song; Kai, Huang

    2015-01-01

    Different concentrations of CuSO 4 , micro-CuO, and nano-CuO were added to Caco-2 cell monolayers to study the absorption and transport characteristics in this epithelial cell model. Nano-CuO nanoparticles had a diameter of 10–20 nm. Inhibitors of endocytosis were used to explore whether nano-CuO could enter the Caco-2 cell in the form of nanoparticles, and to ascertain the endocytotic pathway that is involved in the transport process. The apparent permeability coefficient (P app ) of CuSO 4 and nano-CuO increased with the Cu concentration in the culture medium (p < 0.05). The micro-CuO of different concentrations had no significant impact on the P app value of Caco-2 cells (p > 0.05). When the Cu concentration in the culture medium was in the range 31.25–500 μM, the P app value of Caco-2 cells incubated with nano-CuO was significantly higher than that obtained with CuSO 4 . The latter was also significantly higher than that when cells were incubated with micro-CuO (p < 0.05). The amount of Cu transport increased with the increase of CuSO 4 concentration in the culture medium. After 90 min, the amount of transport began to saturate, and the transport rate of Cu declined with the increase of CuSO 4 concentration. For the cells incubated with nano-CuO, the amount of Cu transport increased with the increase of nano-CuO concentration, but did not show an obvious saturation with the extension of transport time. Nano-CuO could enter the Caco-2 cell in the form of nanoparticles, and were found in the cytoplasm, vesicles, lysosomes, and cell nuclei. Several inhibitors of endocytosis effectively prevented the entry of nano-CuO into the Caco-2 cells. It was concluded that nano-CuO particles can enter the Caco-2 cells through several cellular endocytotic pathways

  7. Intestinal Transportations of Main Chemical Compositions of Polygoni Multiflori Radix in Caco-2 Cell Model

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jie Yu

    2014-01-01

    Full Text Available Context. Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR is originated from the root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. and used in oriental countries for centuries. However, little researches pay close attention to the absorption of its major constituents. Objective. Transepithelial transport of TSG, RL, PL, and four anthraquinones is carried out. Materials and Methods. Caco-2 cell monolayer, which represented a well-established model for the study of intestinal transport of nutrients and xenobiotics, was used in this paper. Results. The apparent permeability coefficients (Papp in the Caco-2 cell monolayers were TSG (2.372 × 10−9 < EG (2.391 × 10−9 < EN (2.483 × 10−9 < PL (4.917 × 10−9 < RN (1.707 × 10−8 < RL (1.778 × 10−8 < AE (1.952 × 10−8. Thus, RN, RL, and AE were considered partly absorbed, while other constituents were hardly absorbed. Discussion and Conclusion. Glycosides showed poor permeabilities than aglycones. In the meantime, TSG and EN gave out poor recovery rates in this assay, which indicated that TSG and EN may accumulate or metabolise in the Caco-2 cells. In silico prediction indicated that Gibbs energy (r=0.751, p<0.05 and heat of form (r=0.701, p<0.05 were strongly positively correlated with Papp.

  8. Nanoemulsion for improving solubility and permeability of Vitex agnus-castus extract: formulation and in vitro evaluation using PAMPA and Caco-2 approaches.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Piazzini, Vieri; Monteforte, Elena; Luceri, Cristina; Bigagli, Elisabetta; Bilia, Anna Rita; Bergonzi, Maria Camilla

    2017-11-01

    The purpose of this study was to develop new formulation for an improved oral delivery of Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) extract. After the optimization and validation of analytical method for quali-quantitative characterization of extract, nanoemulsion (NE) was selected as lipid-based nanocarrier. The composition of extract-loaded NE resulted in triacetin as oil phase, labrasol as surfactant, cremophor EL as co-surfactant and water. NE contains until 60 mg/mL of extract. It was characterized by DLS and TEM analyses and its droplets appear dark with an average diameter of 11.82 ± 0.125 nm and a polydispersity index (PdI) of 0.117 ± 0.019. The aqueous solubility of the extract was improved about 10 times: the extract is completely soluble in the NE at the concentration of 60 mg/mL, while its solubility in water results less than 6 mg. The passive intestinal permeation was tested by using parallel artificial membrane permeation assay (PAMPA) and the permeation across Caco-2 cells after preliminary cytotoxicity studies were also evaluated. NE shows a good solubilizing effect of the constituents of the extract, compared with aqueous solution. The total amount of constituents permeated from NE to acceptor compartment is greater than that permeated from saturated aqueous solution. Caco-2 test confirmed PAMPA results and they revealed that NE was successful in increasing the permeation of VAC extract. This formulation could improve oral bioavailability of extract due to enhanced solubility and permeability of phytocomplex.

  9. miRNAs modified by dietary lipids in Caco-2 cells. A microarray screening

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Lidia Daimiel

    2015-09-01

    Full Text Available We performed a screening of miRNAs regulated by dietary lipids in a cellular model of enterocytes, Caco-2 cells. Our aim was to describe new lipid-modified miRNAs with an implication in lipid homeostasis and cardiovascular disease [1,2]. For that purpose, we treated differentiated Caco-2 cells with micelles containing the assayed lipids (cholesterol, conjugated linoleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid and the screening of miRNAs was carried out by microarray using the μParaflo®Microfluidic Biochip Technology of LC Sciences (Huston, TX, USA. Experimental design, microarray description and raw data have been made available in the GEO database with the reference number of GSE59153. Here we described in detail the experimental design and methods used to obtain the relative expression data.

  10. Ionic Conductivity of the Perovskites, NaMgF3MgF3 and KZnF3 at High Temperatures

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Andersen, N. H.; Kjems, Jørgen; Hayes, W.

    1985-01-01

    We have carried out a study of the ionic conductivity of NaMgF3, KMgF3 and KZnF3 up to temperatures close to the melting point. Our results, in contrast to previous reports in the literature, show no abnormal ionic conductivity at high temperatures. Care in interpretation of results is required...... because of surface electronic conduction....

  11. Effect of the La/Mg ratio on the structure and electrochemical properties of La xMg 3- xNi 9 ( x=1.6-2.2) hydrogen storage electrode alloys for nickel-metal hydride batteries

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liao, B.; Lei, Y. Q.; Chen, L. X.; Lu, G. L.; Pan, H. G.; Wang, Q. D.

    Effect of La/Mg ratio on the structure and electrochemical properties of La xMg 3- xNi 9 ( x=1.6-2.2) ternary alloys was investigated. All alloys are consisted of a main phase with hexagonal PuNi 3-type structure and a few impurity phases (mainly LaNi 5 and MgNi 2). The increase of La/Mg ratio in the alloys leads to an increase in both the cell volume and the hydride stability. The discharge capacity of the alloys at 100 mA/g increases with the increase of La/Mg ratio and passes though a maximum of 397.5 mAh/g at x=2.0. As the La/Mg ratio increases, the high-rate dischargeability of the alloy electrodes at 1200 mA/g HRD 1200 decreases from 66.7% ( x=1.6) to 26.5% ( x=2.2). The slower decrease of HRD 1200 (from 66.7 to 52.7%) of the alloys with x=1.6-2.0 is mainly attributed to the decrease of electrocatalytic activity of the alloys for charge-transfer reaction, the more rapid decrease of HRD 1200 of the alloys with x>2.0 is mainly attributed to the lowering of the hydrogen diffusion rate in the bulk of alloy. The cycling capacity degradation of the alloys is rather fast for practical application due to the corrosion of La and Mg and the large VH in the hydride phase.

  12. First-principles studies of the local structure and relaxor behavior of Pb(Mg 1 /3Nb2 /3) O3-PbTiO3 -derived ferroelectric perovskite solid solutions

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tan, Hengxin; Takenaka, Hiroyuki; Xu, Changsong; Duan, Wenhui; Grinberg, Ilya; Rappe, Andrew M.

    2018-05-01

    We have investigated the effect of transition-metal dopants on the local structure of the prototypical 0.75 Pb (Mg1 /3Nb2 /3) O3-0.25 PbTiO3 relaxor ferroelectric. We find that these dopants give rise to very different local structure and other physical properties. For example, when Mg is partially substituted by Cu or Zn, the displacement of Cu or Zn is much larger than that of Mg and is even comparable to that of Nb. The polarization of these systems is also increased, especially for the Cu-doped solution, due to the large polarizability of Cu and Zn. As a result, the predicted maximum dielectric constant temperatures Tm are increased. On the other hand, the replacement of a Ti atom with a Mo or Tc atom dramatically decreases the displacements of the cations and the polarization, and thus, the Tm values are also substantially decreased. The higher Tm cannot be explained by the conventional argument based on the ionic radii of the cations. Furthermore, we find that Cu, Mo, or Tc doping increases the cation displacement disorder. The effect of the dopants on the temperature dispersion Δ Tm , which is the change in Tm for different frequencies, is also discussed. Our findings lay the foundation for further investigations of unexplored dopants.

  13. New Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-PbZrO3-PbTiO3 Quaternary Ceramics: Morphotropic Phase Boundary Design and Electrical Properties.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Luo, Nengneng; Zhang, Shujun; Li, Qiang; Xu, Chao; Yang, Zhanlue; Yan, Qingfeng; Zhang, Yiling; Shrout, Thomas R

    2016-06-22

    Four series of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-PbZrO3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PIN-PZ-PT) quaternary ceramics with compositions located at the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) regions were prepared. The MPBs of the multicomponent system were predicted using a linear combination rule and experimentally confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction and electrical measurement. The positions of MPBs in multicomponent systems were found in linear correlation with the tolerance factor and ionic radii of non-PT end-members. The phase structure, piezoelectric coefficient, electromechanical coupling coefficient, unipolar strains, and dielectric properties of as-prepared ceramics were systematically investigated. The largest d33s were obtained at S36.8, L37.4, M39.6, and N35.8, with the corresponding values of 580, 450, 420, and 530 pC/N, respectively, while the largest kps were found at S34.8, L37.4, M39.6, and N35.8, with the respective values of 0.54, 0.50, 0.47, and 0.53. The largest unipolar strain Smax and high-field piezoelectric strain coefficients d33* were also observed around the respective MPB regions. The rhombohedral-to-tetragonal phase transition temperature Trt increased with increasing PIN and PZ contents. Of particular importance is that high Trt of 140-197 °C was achieved in the M series with PZ and PIN contents being around 0.208 and 0.158, which will broaden the temperature usage range.

  14. The influence of thermal stresses on the phase composition of 0.65Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.35PbTiO3 thick films

    Science.gov (United States)

    Uršič, Hana; Zarnik, Marina Santo; Tellier, Jenny; Hrovat, Marko; Holc, Janez; Kosec, Marija

    2011-01-01

    The influence of thermal stresses versus the phase composition for 0.65Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.35PbTiO3 (0.65PMN-0.35PT) thick films is being reported. The thermal residual stresses in the films have been calculated using the finite-element method. It has been observed that in 0.65PMN-0.35PT films a compressive stress enhances the thermodynamic stability of the tetragonal phase with the space group P4mm.

  15. Formation of Al3Ti/Mg composite by powder metallurgy of Mg-Al-Ti system.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yang, Zi R; Qi Wang, Shu; Cui, Xiang H; Zhao, Yu T; Gao, Ming J; Wei, Min X

    2008-07-01

    An in situ titanium trialuminide (Al 3 Ti)-particle-reinforced magnesium matrix composite has been successfully fabricated by the powder metallurgy of a Mg-Al-Ti system. The reaction processes and formation mechanism for synthesizing the composite were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Al 3 Ti particles are found to be synthesized in situ in the Mg alloy matrix. During the reaction sintering of the Mg-Al-Ti system, Al 3 Ti particles are formed through the reaction of liquid Al with as-dissolved Ti around the Ti particles. The formed intermetallic particles accumulate at the original sites of the Ti particles. As sintering time increases, the accumulated intermetallic particles disperse and reach a relatively homogeneous distribution in the matrix. It is found that the reaction process of the Mg-Al-Ti system is almost the same as that of the Al-Ti system. Mg also acts as a catalytic agent and a diluent in the reactions and shifts the reactions of Al and Ti to lower temperatures. An additional amount of Al is required for eliminating residual Ti and solid-solution strengthening of the Mg matrix.

  16. Pharmaceutical characterization of novel tenofovir liposomal formulations for enhanced oral drug delivery: in vitro pharmaceutics and Caco-2 permeability investigations

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Spinks CB

    2017-02-01

    Full Text Available Crystal B Spinks,1 Ahmed S Zidan,2,3 Mansoor A Khan,4 Muhammad J Habib,1 Patrick J Faustino2 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Howard University, Washington, DC, 2Division of Product Quality Research, Office of Pharmaceutical Quality, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA; 3Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt; 4Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX, USA Abstract: Tenofovir, currently marketed as the prodrug tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, is used clinically to treat patients with HIV/AIDS. The oral bioavailability of tenofovir is relatively low, limiting its clinical effectiveness. Encapsulation of tenofovir within modified long-circulating liposomes would deliver this hydrophilic anti-HIV drug to the reticuloendothelial system for better therapeutic efficacy. The objectives of the current study were to prepare and pharmaceutically characterize model liposomal tenofovir formulations in an attempt to improve their bioavailability. The entrapment process was performed using film hydration method, and the formulations were characterized in terms of encapsulation efficiency and Caco-2 permeability. An efficient reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for tenofovir quantitation in both in vitro liposomal formulations and Caco-2 permeability samples. Separation was achieved isocratically on a Waters Symmetry C8 column using 10 mM Na2PO4/acetonitrile pH 7.4 (95:5 v/v. The flow rate was 1 mL/min with a 12 min elution time. Injection volume was 10 µL with ultraviolet detection at 270 nm. The method was validated according to United States Pharmacopeial Convention category I requirements. The obtained result showed that tenofovir encapsulation within the prepared liposomes was dependent on the employed amount of the positive charge-imparting agent. The obtained results indicated that

  17. Neuropsychiatric safety with liraglutide 3.0 mg for weight management

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    O'Neil, Patrick M; Aroda, V R; Astrup, Arne

    2017-01-01

    with liraglutide 3.0 mg were evaluated post hoc. METHODS: Data from the liraglutide weight-management programme were pooled. Across trials, individuals with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2) or ≥27 kg/m(2) with weight-related comorbidities were randomized to once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide 3.0 mg (n = 3384......) or placebo (n = 1941), both with a 500 kcal/day deficit diet plus exercise. Adverse events related to neuropsychiatric safety were collected in all trials. Additionally, in the phase 3a trials, validated mental-health questionnaires were prospectively and systematically administered. RESULTS: In the pooled...... analysis of 5325 randomized and exposed individuals, rates of depression (2.1 versus 2.1 events/100 person-years) and anxiety (1.9 versus 1.7 events/100 person-years) through adverse event reporting were similarly low in the liraglutide group and the placebo group. Nine (0.3%) individuals on liraglutide...

  18. Dynamics of absorption, metabolism, and excretion of 5-aminolevulinic acid in human intestinal Caco-2 cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Kei Saito

    2017-09-01

    Full Text Available 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA is a precursor for the biosynthesis of porphyrins and heme. Although the oral administration of ALA has been widely applied in clinical settings, the dynamics of its absorption, metabolism, and excretion within enterocytes remain unknown. In this study, after enterocytic differentiation, Caco-2 cells were incubated with 200 µM ALA and/or 100 µM sodium ferrous citrate (SFC for up to 72 h. Both ALA and the combination of ALA and SFC promoted the synthesis of heme, without affecting the expression of genes involved in intestinal iron transport, such as DMT1 and FPN. The enhanced heme synthesis in Caco-2 cells was more pronounced under the effect of the combination of ALA and SFC than under the effect of ALA alone, as reflected by the induced expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1, as well as a reduced protein level of the transcriptional corepressor Bach1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed Bach1 chromatin occupancy at the enhancer regions of HO-1, which were significantly decreased by the addition of ALA and SFC. Finally, Transwell culture of Caco-2 cells suggested that the administered ALA to the intestinal lumen was partially transported into vasolateral space. These findings enhance our understanding of the absorption and metabolism of ALA in enterocytes, which could aid in the development of a treatment strategy for various conditions such as anemia.

  19. Formation of Mg2C3 phase in N220 nanocarbon containing low ...

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    2017-08-18

    Aug 18, 2017 ... Chinese supplier, Magus Marketing, India) with size fractions. 3.0–1.0 mm ... Total mixing time was 45 min, ... by taking the oxygen from the MgO and leaving the Mg (g) .... [1] Mohoamed E and Ewais M 2004 J. Ceram. Soc.

  20. The effect of Mg doping on the Raman spectra of LiNbO3 crystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lengyel, K.; Kovacs, L.; Peter, A.; Polgar, K.; Corradi, G.; Bourson, P.

    2007-01-01

    LiNbO 3 :Mg crystals doped with 0-8 mol% Mg with stoichiometric, intermediate and congruent compositions were systematically investigated by Raman spectroscopy in backscattering y(zx)y and y(zz)y geometries. The halfwidths of E(TO 3 ) - E(TO 9 ) and A 1 (TO 1 ) - A 1 (TO 4 ) bands, which have a significant composition dependence for undoped LiNbO 3 crystals, show only weak Mg-concentration dependence below the photorefractive threshold. This is a consequence of the counteracting effect of the decreasing amount of Nb ions at Li-ion sites (Nb Li ) and increasing amount of Mg ions at Li-ion sites (Mg Li ). The halfwidths of these bands, however, increase linearly with growing Mg content for samples above the threshold, irrespective of the Li/Nb ratio. The same effect was observed in the Mg dependence of the position and halfwidth of the two-phonon band at about 689 - 705 cm -1 . The change in the Mg concentration dependence of these parameters at a given Li/Nb ratio determines the same threshold value as that concluded from IR and UV spectroscopic measurements. (copyright 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

  1. Microstructure and mechanical properties of an extruded Mg-8Bi-1Al-1Zn (wt%) alloy

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Meng, Shuaiju [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130 (China); Yu, Hui, E-mail: yuhuidavid@gmail.com [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130 (China); Materials Commercialization Center, Korea Institute of Materials Science, Changwon 51508 (Korea, Republic of); Zhang, Huixing [Mechanical and Material School, Tianjin Sino-German University of Applied Sciences, Tianjin 300350 (China); Cui, Hongwei [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shangdong University of Technology, Zibo 255049 (China); Park, Sung Hyuk [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702701 (Korea, Republic of); Zhao, Weiming [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130 (China); You, Bong Sun [Materials Commercialization Center, Korea Institute of Materials Science, Changwon 51508 (Korea, Republic of)

    2017-04-06

    In this study, the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of a newly developed rare earth free Mg-8Bi-1Al-1Zn (BAZ811, in wt%) alloy were investigated and compared with those of a commercial AZ31 alloy. The as-extruded BAZ811 alloy with much finer grain size shows more homogeneous dynamical recrystallized (DRXed) microstructure and weaker basal texture than those of AZ31 alloy. In addition, compared with bimodal structure AZ31 alloy containing only relatively coarse and sparse Al{sub 8}Mn{sub 5} phases, the coexistence of strip-like fragmented Mg{sub 3}Bi{sub 2} precipitate and nano-size Mg{sub 3}Bi{sub 2} particles in the microstructure was observed in BAZ811 alloy. Moreover, the BAZ811 alloy exhibits a tensile yield stress of 291 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 331 MPa, an elongation to failure of 14.6% as well as a reduction in yield asymmetry, which is mainly attributed to the combined effects of grain refinement and micro-scale broken Mg{sub 3}Bi{sub 2} particles together with nano-scale spherical Mg{sub 3}Bi{sub 2} precipitates. The strain hardening behavior of both BAZ811 and AZ31 alloys were also discussed in terms of microstructure variation.

  2. Alternative solution model for the ternary carbonate system CaCO3 - MgCO3 - FeCO3 - II. Calibration of a combined ordering model and mixing model

    Science.gov (United States)

    McSwiggen, P.L.

    1993-01-01

    Earlier attempts at solution models for the ternary carbonate system have been unable to adequately accommodate the cation ordering which occurs in some of the carbonate phases. The carbonate solution model of this study combines a Margules type of interaction model with a Bragg-Williams type of ordering model. The ordering model determines the equilibrium state of order for a crystal, from which the cation distribution within the lattice can be obtained. The interaction model addresses the effect that mixing different cation species within a given cation layer has on the total free energy of the system. An ordering model was derived, based on the Bragg-Williams approach; it is applicable to ternary systems involving three cations substituting on two sites, and contains three ordering energy parameters (WCaMg, WCaFe, and WCaMgFe). The solution model of this study involves six Margules-type interaction parameters (W12, W21, W13, W31, W23, and W32). Values for the two sets of energy parameters were calculated from experimental data and from compositional relationships in natural assemblages. ?? 1993 Springer-Verlag.

  3. Growth and characterization of Pb(Lu{sub 1/2}Nb{sub 1/2})O{sub 3}-Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}-PbTiO{sub 3} ternary piezo-/ferroelectric crystals

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu, Ying [Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and Physics, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002 (China); College of Physics and Energy, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350117 (China); He, Chao [Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and Physics, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002 (China); Yang, Xiaoming [Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and Physics, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002 (China); College of Physics and Energy, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350117 (China); Li, Xiuzhi; Wang, Zujian [Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and Physics, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002 (China); Huang, Zhigao; Lai, Fachun [College of Physics and Energy, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350117 (China); Long, Xifa, E-mail: lxf@fjirsm.ac.cn [Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and Physics, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002 (China)

    2016-08-05

    Piezo-/ferroelectric crystals of Pb(Lu{sub 1/2}Nb{sub 1/2})O{sub 3}-Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}-PbTiO{sub 3} ternary solid solution system with high Curie temperature, in the vicinity of morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) region, are grown by the top-seeded solution growth (TSSG) method for the first time. The compositions and structures of the crystals are analyzed, all the structures are found to have pure perovskite structure using X-ray diffraction analysis. Di-/piezo-/ferroelectric properties of the crystals are also characterized systematically. The Curie temperature T{sub c} and coercive field E{sub c}, increase gradually with increasing PbTiO{sub 3} content. In particular, the crystal with composition 0.34PLN-0.31PMN-0.35PT possesses excellent electric properties including the Curie temperature, the rhombohedral–tetragonal phase transition temperature, the piezoelectric coefficient, the remnant polarization and the coercive field, which are T{sub c} = 228 °C, T{sub RT} = 156 °C, d{sub 33} = 2092 pC N{sup −1}, Pr = 35.5 μC cm{sup −2} and E{sub c} = 8.1 kV cm{sup −1}, respectively, making it a promising material for transducers or detectors in a wide temperature range. - Highlights: • PLN-PMN-PT Piezo-/ferroelectric crystals are grown by TSSG method. • The Curie temperature and coercive field increase gradually with increasing PT. • The crystal of 0.34PLN-0.31PMN-0.35PT possesses excellent electric properties.

  4. Parallel screening of drug-like natural compounds using Caco-2 cell permeability QSAR model with applicability domain, lipophilic ligand efficiency index and shape property: A case study of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors

    Science.gov (United States)

    Patel, Rikin D.; Kumar, Sivakumar Prasanth; Patel, Chirag N.; Shankar, Shetty Shilpa; Pandya, Himanshu A.; Solanki, Hitesh A.

    2017-10-01

    The traditional drug design strategy centrally focuses on optimizing binding affinity with the receptor target and evaluates pharmacokinetic properties at a later stage which causes high rate of attrition in clinical trials. Alternatively, parallel screening allows evaluation of these properties and affinity simultaneously. In a case study to identify leads from natural compounds with experimental HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibition, we integrated various computational approaches including Caco-2 cell permeability QSAR model with applicability domain (AD) to recognize drug-like natural compounds, molecular docking to study HIV-1 RT interactions and shape similarity analysis with known crystal inhibitors having characteristic butterfly-like model. Further, the lipophilic properties of the compounds refined from the process with best scores were examined using lipophilic ligand efficiency (LLE) index. Seven natural compound hits viz. baicalien, (+)-calanolide A, mniopetal F, fagaronine chloride, 3,5,8-trihydroxy-4-quinolone methyl ether derivative, nitidine chloride and palmatine, were prioritized based on LLE score which demonstrated Caco-2 well absorption labeling, encompassment in AD structural coverage, better receptor affinity, shape adaptation and permissible AlogP value. We showed that this integrative approach is successful in lead exploration of natural compounds targeted against HIV-1 RT enzyme.

  5. Effects of alkalinity sources on the stability of anaerobic digestion from food waste.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chen, Shujun; Zhang, Jishi; Wang, Xikui

    2015-11-01

    This study investigated the effects of some alkalinity sources on the stability of anaerobic digestion (AD) from food waste (FW). Four alkalinity sources, namely lime mud from papermaking (LMP), waste eggshell (WES), CaCO3 and NaHCO3, were applied as buffer materials and their stability effects were evaluated in batch AD. The results showed that LMP and CaCO3 had more remarkable effects than NaHCO3 and WES on FW stabilization. The methane yields were 120.2, 197.0, 156.2, 251.0 and 194.8 ml g(-1) VS for the control and synergistic digestions of CaCO3, NaHCO3, LMP and WES added into FW, respectively. The corresponding final alkalinity reached 5906, 7307, 9504, 7820 and 6782 mg l(-1), while the final acidities were determined to be 501, 200, 50, 350 and 250 mg l(-1), respectively. This indicated that the synergism between alkalinity and inorganic micronutrients from different alkalinity sources played an important role in the process stability of AD from FW. © The Author(s) 2015.

  6. Enhancing hydrogen storage performances of MgH2 by Ni nano-particles over mesoporous carbon CMK-3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chen, Gang; Zhang, Yao; Chen, Jian; Guo, Xinli; Zhu, Yunfeng; Li, Liquan

    2018-06-01

    Nano-dispersed Ni particles over mesoporous carbon material CMK-3 (Ni/CMK-3) was fabricated by means of impregnation-reduction strategy using precursor NiCl2 · 6H2O, which is beneficial to improving the de/rehydrogenation performances of MgH2. The dehydrogenation onset temperature of MgH2–Ni/CMK-3 is significantly lowered by 170 K from that of pristine MgH2 (around 603 K). Totally 5.9 wt% of hydrogen absorption capacity is liberated within 1 h at a temperature of 423 K under a pressure of 3 MPa. This composite can absorb 3.9 wt% hydrogen even at a temperature of 328 K under 3 MPa H2. Activation energy values of both dehydrogenation (43.4 kJ mol‑1) and rehydrogenation (37.4 kJ mol‑1) for MgH2–Ni/CMK-3 are greatly enhanced from those of as-milled MgH2. Ni/CMK-3 also slightly destabilizes the dehydrogenation of MgH2 by 1.5 kJ mol {{{{H}}}2}-1. The enhanced performances can be attributed to the synergistic effects of both destabilization and activation from nano-dispersed Ni particles.

  7. Reversal of rocuronium-induced (1.2 mg kg-1) profound neuromuscular block by accidental high dose of sugammadex (40 mg kg-1).

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Molina, A.L.; Boer, H.D. de; Klimek, M.; Heeringa, M.; Klein, J.

    2007-01-01

    Sugammadex is the first selective relaxant binding agent and reverses rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block. A case is reported in which a patient accidentally received a high dose of sugammadex (40 mg kg-1) to reverse a rocuronium-induced (1.2 mg kg-1) profound neuromuscular block. A fast and

  8. Cannabidiol restores intestinal barrier dysfunction and inhibits the apoptotic process induced by Clostridium difficile toxin A in Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gigli, Stefano; Seguella, Luisa; Pesce, Marcella; Bruzzese, Eugenia; D'Alessandro, Alessandra; Cuomo, Rosario; Steardo, Luca; Sarnelli, Giovanni; Esposito, Giuseppe

    2017-12-01

    Clostridium difficile toxin A is responsible for colonic damage observed in infected patients. Drugs able to restore Clostridium difficile toxin A-induced toxicity have the potential to improve the recovery of infected patients. Cannabidiol is a non-psychotropic component of Cannabis sativa, which has been demonstrated to protect enterocytes against chemical and/or inflammatory damage and to restore intestinal mucosa integrity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate (a) the anti-apoptotic effect and (b) the mechanisms by which cannabidiol protects mucosal integrity in Caco-2 cells exposed to Clostridium difficile toxin A. Caco-2 cells were exposed to Clostridium difficile toxin A (30 ng/ml), with or without cannabidiol (10 -7 -10 -9  M), in the presence of the specific antagonist AM251 (10 -7  M). Cytotoxicity assay, transepithelial electrical resistence measurements, immunofluorescence analysis and immunoblot analysis were performed in the different experimental conditions. Clostridium difficile toxin A significantly decreased Caco-2 cells' viability and reduced transepithelial electrical resistence values and RhoA guanosine triphosphate (GTP), bax, zonula occludens-1 and occludin protein expression, respectively. All these effects were significantly and concentration-dependently inhibited by cannabidiol, whose effects were completely abolished in the presence of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) antagonist, AM251. Cannabidiol improved Clostridium difficile toxin A-induced damage in Caco-2 cells, by inhibiting the apoptotic process and restoring the intestinal barrier integrity, through the involvement of the CB1 receptor.

  9. The dietary hydrolysable tannin punicalagin releases ellagic acid that induces apoptosis in human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells by using the mitochondrial pathway.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Larrosa, Mar; Tomás-Barberán, Francisco A; Espín, Juan Carlos

    2006-09-01

    Polyphenol-rich dietary foodstuffs have attracted attention due to their cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties. Ellagitannins (ETs) belong to the so-called hydrolysable tannins found in strawberries, raspberries, walnuts, pomegranate, oak-aged red wine, etc. Both ETs and their hydrolysis product, ellagic acid (EA), have been reported to induce apoptosis in tumour cells. Ellagitannins are not absorbed in vivo but reach the colon and release EA that is metabolised by the human microflora. Our aim was to investigate the effect of a dietary ET [pomegranate punicalagin (PUNI)] and EA on human colon cancer Caco-2 and colon normal CCD-112CoN cells. Both PUNI and EA provoked the same effects on Caco-2 cells: down-regulation of cyclins A and B1 and upregulation of cyclin E, cell-cycle arrest in S phase, induction of apoptosis via intrinsic pathway (FAS-independent, caspase 8-independent) through bcl-XL down-regulation with mitochondrial release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, activation of initiator caspase 9 and effector caspase 3. Neither EA nor PUNI induced apoptosis in normal colon CCD-112CoN cells (no chromatin condensation and no activation of caspases 3 and 9 were detected). In the case of Caco-2 cells, no specific effect can be attributed to PUNI since it was hydrolysed in the medium to yield EA, which entered into the cells and was metabolised to produce dimethyl-EA derivatives. Our study suggests that the anticarcinogenic effect of dietary ETs could be mainly due to their hydrolysis product, EA, which induced apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway in colon cancer Caco-2 cells but not in normal colon cells.

  10. Structural and magnetic properties of Mg-Zn ferrites (Mg1−xZnxFe2O4) prepared by sol-gel method

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Reyes-Rodríguez, Pamela Yajaira; Cortés-Hernández, Dora Alicia; Escobedo-Bocardo, José Concepción; Almanza-Robles, José Manuel; Sánchez-Fuentes, Héctor Javier; Jasso-Terán, Argentina; De León-Prado, Laura Elena; Méndez-Nonell, Juan; Hurtado-López, Gilberto Francisco

    2017-01-01

    In this study, the Mg 1−x Zn x Fe 2 O 4 nanoparticles (x=0–0.9) were prepared by sol-gel method. These ferrites exhibit an inverse spinel structure and the lattice parameter increases as the substitution of Zn 2+ ions is increased. At lower Zn content (0.1≤x≤0.5), saturation magnetization (Ms) increases, while it decreases at higher Zn content (x≥6). The remnant magnetization (0.17–2.0 emu/g) and coercive field (6.0–60 Oe) indicate a ferrimagnetic behavior. The average core diameter of selected ferrites is around 15 nm and the nanoparticles morphology is quasi spherical. The heating ability of some Mg 0.9 Zn 0.1 Fe 2 O 4 and Mg 0.7 Zn 0.3 Fe 2 O 4 aqueous suspensions indicates that the magnetic nanoparticles can increase the medium temperature up to 42 °C in a time less than 10 min - Highlights: • Magnetic nanoparticles of Mg 1−x Zn x Fe 2 O 4 were synthesized by sol-gel method. • Nanoparticles showing a single spinel crystalline structure were obtained. • Aqueous suspensions of Mg 0.7 Zn 0.3 Fe 2 O 4 and Mg 0.9 Zn 0.1 Fe 2 O 4 show heating ability.

  11. CYP24A1 inhibition facilitates the anti-tumor effect of vitamin D3 on colorectal cancer cells

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kósa, János P; Horváth, Péter; Wölfling, János; Kovács, Dóra; Balla, Bernadett; Mátyus, Péter; Horváth, Evelin; Speer, Gábor; Takács, István; Nagy, Zsolt; Horváth, Henrik; Lakatos, Péter

    2013-01-01

    AIM: The effects of vitamin D3 have been investigated on various tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3-24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1), the enzyme that inactivates the active vitamin D3 metabolite 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-D3), is considered to be the main enzyme determining the biological half-life of 1,25-D3. During colorectal carcinogenesis, the expression and concentration of CYP24A1 increases significantly, suggesting that this phenomenon could be responsible for the proposed efficacy of 1,25-D3 in the treatment of CRC. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-tumor effects of vitamin D3 on the human CRC cell line Caco-2 after inhibition of the cytochrome P450 component of CYP24A1 activity. METHODS: We examined the expression of CYP24A1 mRNA and the effects of 1,25-D3 on the cell line Caco-2 after inhibition of CYP24A1. Cell viability and proliferation were determined by means of sulforhodamine-B staining and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, respectively, while cytotoxicity was estimated via the lactate dehydrogenase content of the cell culture supernatant. CYP24A1 expression was measured by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A number of tetralone compounds were synthesized to investigate their CP24A1 inhibitory activity. RESULTS: In response to 1,25-D3, CYP24A1 mRNA expression was enhanced significantly, in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Caco-2 cell viability and proliferation were not influenced by the administration of 1,25-D3 alone, but were markedly reduced by co-administration of 1,25-D3 and KD-35, a CYP24A1-inhibiting tetralone. Our data suggest that the mechanism of action of co-administered KD-35 and 1,25-D3 does not involve a direct cytotoxic effect, but rather the inhibition of cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that the selective inhibition of CYP24A1 by compounds such as KD-35 may be a new approach for enhancement of the anti-tumor effect of 1,25-D3 on CRC. PMID

  12. Comparative evaluation of nano-CuO crossing Caco-2 cell monolayers and cellular uptake

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chen, Gao; Lianqin, Zhu, E-mail: lianqinz1963@163.com; Fenghua, Zhu [Qingdao Agricultural University, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine (China); Fang, Zheng [Dezhou University, College of Agriculture (China); Mingming, Song; Kai, Huang [Qingdao Agricultural University, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine (China)

    2015-04-15

    Different concentrations of CuSO{sub 4}, micro-CuO, and nano-CuO were added to Caco-2 cell monolayers to study the absorption and transport characteristics in this epithelial cell model. Nano-CuO nanoparticles had a diameter of 10–20 nm. Inhibitors of endocytosis were used to explore whether nano-CuO could enter the Caco-2 cell in the form of nanoparticles, and to ascertain the endocytotic pathway that is involved in the transport process. The apparent permeability coefficient (P{sub app}) of CuSO{sub 4} and nano-CuO increased with the Cu concentration in the culture medium (p < 0.05). The micro-CuO of different concentrations had no significant impact on the P{sub app} value of Caco-2 cells (p > 0.05). When the Cu concentration in the culture medium was in the range 31.25–500 μM, the P{sub app} value of Caco-2 cells incubated with nano-CuO was significantly higher than that obtained with CuSO{sub 4}. The latter was also significantly higher than that when cells were incubated with micro-CuO (p < 0.05). The amount of Cu transport increased with the increase of CuSO{sub 4} concentration in the culture medium. After 90 min, the amount of transport began to saturate, and the transport rate of Cu declined with the increase of CuSO{sub 4} concentration. For the cells incubated with nano-CuO, the amount of Cu transport increased with the increase of nano-CuO concentration, but did not show an obvious saturation with the extension of transport time. Nano-CuO could enter the Caco-2 cell in the form of nanoparticles, and were found in the cytoplasm, vesicles, lysosomes, and cell nuclei. Several inhibitors of endocytosis effectively prevented the entry of nano-CuO into the Caco-2 cells. It was concluded that nano-CuO particles can enter the Caco-2 cells through several cellular endocytotic pathways.

  13. Thermal, Spectral and Laser Properties of Er3+:Yb3+:GdMgB₅O10: A New Crystal for 1.5 μm Lasers.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Huang, Yisheng; Yuan, Feifei; Sun, Shijia; Lin, Zhoubin; Zhang, Lizhen

    2017-12-25

    A novel laser crystal of Er 3+ :Yb 3+ :GdMgB₅O 10 with dimension of 26 × 16 × 12 mm³ was grown successfully from K₂Mo₃O 10 flux by the top seeded solution growth method. The thermal diffusivity and specific heat capacity were measured to calculate the thermal conductivity of the crystal. The absorption and fluorescence properties of the crystal at room temperature were investigated in detail. The Judd-Ofelt method was used to analyze the polarized absorption spectra. The emission cross-section of the ⁴I 13/2 →⁴I 15/2 transition was calculated by the Füchtbauer-Ladenburg formula and the relevant gain cross-sections were estimated. Continuous-wave laser output of 140 mW at 1569 nm with the slope efficiency of 17.8% was demonstrated in a plano-concave resonator. The results reveal that Er 3+ :Yb 3+ :GdMgB₅O 10 crystal is a promising material for 1.5 μm lasers.

  14. In vitro toxicity of different-sized ZnO nanoparticles in Caco-2 cells

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kang, Tianshu; Guan, Rongfa; Chen, Xiaoqiang; Song, Yijuan; Jiang, Han; Zhao, Jin

    2013-11-01

    There has been rapid growth in nanotechnology in both the public and private sectors worldwide, but concern about nanosafety exists. To assess size-dependent cytotoxicity on human cancer cells, we studied the cytotoxic effect of three kinds of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells. Nanoparticles were first characterized by size, distribution, and intensity. Multiple assays have been adopted to measure the cell activity and oxidative stress. The cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs was time dependent and dose dependent. The 24-h exposure was chosen to confirm the viability and accessibility of the cells and taken as the appropriate time for the following test system. The IC50 value was found at a low concentration. The oxidative stress elicited a significant reduction in glutathione with increase in reactive oxygen species and lactate dehydrogenase. The toxicity resulted in a deletion of cells in the G1 phase and an accumulation of cells in the S and G2/M phases. One type of metallic oxide (ZnO) exerted different cytotoxic effects according to different particle sizes. Data from the previous experiments showed that 26-nm ZnO NPs appeared to have the highest toxicity to Caco-2 cells. The study demonstrated the toxicity of ZnO NPs to Caco-2 cells and the impact of particle size, which could be useful in the medical applications.

  15. Oseltamivir Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Experience in Neonates and Infants during an Outbreak of H1N1 Influenza A Virus Infection in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

    Science.gov (United States)

    Nika, Angela; Tsagris, Vasileios; Kapetanakis, Ioannis; Maltezou, Helena C.; Kafetzis, Dimitris A.; Tsolia, Maria N.

    2012-01-01

    Detailed oseltamivir pharmacokinetics have yet to be reported in neonates and infants; this group is at high risk of serious influenza-associated complications. Extrapolation of doses from older patients is complicated by rapid organ and drug-metabolizing enzyme maturation. A pharmacokinetic study has been conducted during an influenza A(H1N1) outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit. Each included patient provided 4 samples for oseltamivir and 4 samples for its active metabolite oseltamivir carboxylate. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed with NONMEM. Allometric weight scaling and maturation functions were added a priori to scale for size and age based on literature values. Nine neonates and infants were recruited. A physiologically parameterized pharmacokinetic model predicted typical day 1 area under the curve (AUC0-12) values of 1,966 and 2,484 μg · h/liter for neonates and infants of ≤37 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) and >37 weeks of PMA treated with 1 mg/kg of body weight and 2 mg/kg, respectively. The corresponding steady-state AUC0-12 values were 3,670 and 4,559 μg · h/liter. Premature neonates treated with 1 mg/kg and term babies treated with 2 mg/kg should have average oseltamivir carboxylate concentrations in a range similar to that for adults treated with 75 mg, corresponding to >200-fold above the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for influenza A(H1N1) from the start of therapy. PMID:22564835

  16. Inhibitory Effect of Flavonoids on the Efflux of -Acetyl 5-Aminosalicylic Acid Intracellularly Formed in Caco-2 Cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Shin Yoshimura

    2009-01-01

    Full Text Available -acetyl 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-AcASA that was intracellularly formed from 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA at 200 M was discharged 5.3, 7.1, and 8.1-fold higher into the apical site than into the basolateral site during 1, 2, and 4-hour incubations, respectively, in Caco-2 cells grown in Transwells. The addition of flavonols (100 M such as fisetin and quercetin with 5-ASA remarkably decreased the apically directed efflux of 5-AcASA. When 5-ASA (200 M was added to Caco-2 cells grown in tissue culture dishes, the formation of 5-AcASA decreased, and, in addition, the formed 5-AcASA was found to be accumulated within the cells in the presence of such flavonols. Thus, the decrease in 5-AcASA efflux by such flavonols was attributed not only to the inhibition of -acetyl-conjugation of 5-ASA but to the predominant cellular accumulation of 5-AcASA. Various flavonoids also had both of the effects with potencies that depend on their specific structures. The essential structure of flavonoids was an absence of a hydroxyl substitution at the C5 position on the A-ring of flavone structure for the inhibitory effect on the -acetyl-conjugation of 5-ASA, and a presence of hydroxyl substitutions at the C3 or C4 position on the B-ring of flavone structure for the promoting effect on the cellular accumulation of 5-AcASA. Both the decrease in 5-AcASA apical efflux and the increase in 5-AcASA cellular accumulation were also caused by MK571 and indomethacin, inhibitors of MRPs, but not by quinidine, cyclosporin A, P-glycoprotein inhibitors, and mitoxantrone, a BCRP substrate. These results suggest that certain flavonoids suppress the apical efflux of 5-AcASA possibly by inhibiting MRPs pumps located on apical membranes in Caco-2 cells.

  17. Conceptual designs of conduction cooled MgB2 magnets for 1.5 and 3.0T full body MRI systems

    Science.gov (United States)

    Baig, Tanvir; Al Amin, Abdullah; Deissler, Robert J; Sabri, Laith; Poole, Charles; Brown, Robert W; Tomsic, Michael; Doll, David; Rindfleisch, Matthew; Peng, Xuan; Mendris, Robert; Akkus, Ozan; Sumption, Michael; Martens, Michael

    2017-01-01

    Conceptual designs of 1.5 and 3.0 T full-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnets using conduction cooled MgB2 superconductor are presented. The sizes, locations, and number of turns in the eight coil bundles are determined using optimization methods that minimize the amount of superconducting wire and produce magnetic fields with an inhomogeneity of less than 10 ppm over a 45 cm diameter spherical volume. MgB2 superconducting wire is assessed in terms of the transport, thermal, and mechanical properties for these magnet designs. Careful calculations of the normal zone propagation velocity and minimum quench energies provide support for the necessity of active quench protection instead of passive protection for medium temperature superconductors such as MgB2. A new ‘active’ protection scheme for medium Tc based MRI magnets is presented and simulations demonstrate that the magnet can be protected. Recent progress on persistent joints for multifilamentary MgB2 wire is presented. Finite difference calculations of the quench propagation and temperature rise during a quench conclude that active intervention is needed to reduce the temperature rise in the coil bundles and prevent damage to the superconductor. Comprehensive multiphysics and multiscale analytical and finite element analysis of the mechanical stress and strain in the MgB2 wire and epoxy for these designs are presented for the first time. From mechanical and thermal analysis of our designs we conclude there would be no damage to such a magnet during the manufacturing or operating stages, and that the magnet would survive various quench scenarios. This comprehensive set of magnet design considerations and analyses demonstrate the overall viability of 1.5 and 3.0 T MgB2 magnet designs. PMID:29170604

  18. Experimental Evaluation of the Transport Mechanisms of PoIFN-α in Caco-2 Cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Xin Liu

    2017-11-01

    Full Text Available For the development of an efficient intestinal delivery system for Porcine interferon-α (PoIFN-α, the understanding of transport mechanisms of which in the intestinal cell is essential. In this study, we investigated the absorption mechanisms of PoIFN-α in intestine cells. Caco-2 cells and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled (FITC-PoIFN-α were used to explore the whole transport process, including endocytosis, intracellular trafficking, exocytosis, and transcytosis. Via various techniques, the transport pathways of PoIFN-α in Caco-2 cells and the mechanisms were clarified. Firstly, the endocytosis of PoIFN-α by Caco-2 cells was time, concentration and temperature dependence. And the lipid raft/caveolae endocytosis was the most likely endocytic pathway for PoIFN-α. Secondly, both Golgi apparatus and lysosome were involved in the intracellular trafficking of PoIFN-α. Thirdly, the treatment of indomethacin resulted in a significant decrease of exocytosis of PoIFN-α, indicating the participation of cyclooxygenase. Finally, to evaluate the efficiency of PoIFN-α transport, the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER value was measured to investigate the tight junctional integrity of the cell monolayers. The fluorescence microscope results revealed that the transport of PoIFN-α across the Caco-2 cell monolayers was restricted. In conclusion, this study depicts a probable picture of PoIFN-α transport in Caco-2 cells characterized by non-specificity, partial energy-dependency and low transcytosis.

  19. Effect of molar ratios of MgO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} on the sintering behavior and thermal shock resistance of MgOAl{sub 2}O{sub 3}SiO{sub 2} composite ceramics

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Feng, Dong, E-mail: 1078155409@qq.com [School of High Temperature Materials and Magnesium Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan 114051 (China); Luo, Xudong, E-mail: luoxudongs@aliyun.com [School of High Temperature Materials and Magnesium Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan 114051 (China); Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China); Zhang, Guodong [School of High Temperature Materials and Magnesium Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan 114051 (China); Xie, Zhipeng [Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China)

    2017-01-01

    In order to determine the relationship between the property of MgOAl{sub 2}O{sub 3}SiO{sub 2} composite ceramics and molar ratios of MgO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, especially the sintering behavior and thermal shock resistance, the MgOAl{sub 2}O{sub 3}SiO{sub 2} composite ceramics were fabricated with micro-size MgO, Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} powder and nano-size SiO{sub 2} as main raw materials. The sample was characterized by phase analysis, densification and thermal shock times. Moreover, field emission scanning electron microscope was also conducted to study microstructure of the samples before and after thermal shock. Effect of different molar ratios of MgO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} on the sintering behavior and thermal shock resistance of composite ceramics were investigated. The results showed that the sample possess better sintering behavior and thermal shock resistance with the molar ratio of MgO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} equal to 2/1. Grains of periclase and spinel were directly bonded together, resulting in a dense and compact microstructure, and the bulk density of obtained sample reached 3.4 g/cm{sup 3}. The microstructure of sample after thermal shock revealed that the crack propagation path was deflected and bifurcated, the main-crack propagation was restricted and more fracture energy was consumed, the thermal shock resistance of composite ceramics was greatly improved. - Highlights: • Effect of MgO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} on the composite ceramic was firstly researched with 1 mol% SiO{sub 2}. • Microcracks for a short distance by interlinking can eliminate the crack propagation. • The composite ceramic have optimal synthetic property with MgO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} was 2/1.

  20. Studies on SO/sub 2/, NO/sub 2/ and NH/sub 3/: effect on ciliary activity in rabbit trachea of single in vitro exposure and resorption in rabbit nasal cavity

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Dalhamm, T; Sjoeholm, J

    1963-01-01

    Absorption in nasal cavity was tested by drawing gas through tracheal cannula at 1 liter/min for 45 min (...simple and is not intended to give accurate quantitative results.). Both SO/sub 2/ and NH/sub 3/ were strongly absorbed, even at high concentrations, whereas NO/sub 2/ was not. Required concentration to arrest ciliary activity after 5 min was 500 to 1000 mg/liter for NH/sub 3/, 150 to 200 for NO/sub 2/, and 20 to 30 for SO/sub 2/. Some evidence of dose-time-effect for this action was observed.

  1. Caco-2 accumulation of lutein is greater from human milk than from infant formula despite similar bioaccessibility.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lipkie, Tristan E; Banavara, Dattatreya; Shah, Bhavini; Morrow, Ardythe L; McMahon, Robert J; Jouni, Zeina E; Ferruzzi, Mario G

    2014-10-01

    Clinical evidence suggests that the bioavailability of lutein is lower from infant formula than from human milk. The purpose of this study was to assess characteristics of human milk and lutein-fortified infant formula that may impact carotenoid delivery. Carotenoid bioaccessibility and intestinal absorption were modeled by in vitro digestion coupled with Caco-2 human intestinal cell culture. Twelve human milk samples were assessed from 1-6 months postpartum, and 10 lutein-fortified infant formula samples from three lutein sources in both ready-to-use and reconstituted powder forms. The relative bioaccessibility of lutein was not different (p > 0.05) between human milk (29 ± 2%) and infant formula (36 ± 4%). However, lutein delivery was 4.5 times greater from human milk than infant formula when including Caco-2 accumulation efficiency. Caco-2 accumulation of lutein was increasingly efficient with decreasing concentration of lutein from milk. Carotenoid bioaccessibility and Caco-2 accumulation were not affected by lactation stage, total lipid content, lutein source, or form of infant formula (powder vs. liquid). These data suggest that the bioavailability of carotenoids is greater from human milk than infant formula primarily due to intestinal absorptive processes, and that absorption of lutein is potentiated by factors from human milk especially at low lutein concentration. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  2. Mössbauer and magnetic studies of Mg{sub 1+2x}Sb{sub x}Fe{sub 2−3x}O{sub 4} spinel ferrites

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Widatallah, H.M., E-mail: hishammw@squ.edu.om [Department of Physics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, 123 Muscat (Oman); Al-Mamari, F.A.S.; Al-Saqri, N.A.M.; Gismelseed, A.M.; Al-Omari, I.A.; Al-Shahumi, T.M.H. [Department of Physics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, 123 Muscat (Oman); Alhaj, A.F. [Department of Physics, Qasim University, Al-Qasim (Saudi Arabia); Abo El Ata, A.M. [Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta (Egypt); Elzain, M.E. [Department of Physics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, 123 Muscat (Oman)

    2013-06-15

    Spinel-related Mg{sub 1+2x}Sb{sub x}Fe{sub 2−3x}O{sub 4} samples (x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.30) prepared using the conventional double sintering technique were investigated using {sup 57}Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. Mössbauer spectra favor a cationic distribution of the form (Mg{sub δ}Fe{sub 1−δ}){sup A}[Mg{sub 1+2x−δ}Sb{sub x}Fe{sub 1+δ−3x}]{sup B}O{sub 4} among the tetrahedral-A and octahedral-B sites of the spinel structure. The cation distribution parameter (δ) was found to vary with the Sb{sup 5+} concentration (x). The Mössbauer hyperfine magnetic fields at both sites and the Curie temperatures of the ferrites decrease as x increases. This was attributed to gradual weakening in the magnetic exchange interaction as more Fe{sup 3+} ions are substituted by diamagnetic Sb{sup 5+} and Mg{sup 2+} ones. The sample with x = 0.30 exhibits short range magnetic order due to cationic clustering and/or superparamagnetism. The magnetization of all samples was found to be temperature-dependent implying that δ depends on temperature in addition to x. At low temperatures the substituted ferrites (x ≠ 0.0) unexpectedly exhibit higher magnetization values relative to that of the pure ferrite MgFe{sub 2}O{sub 4}. This behavior, while at variance with the Néel's model for ferrimagnetism, is explicable in terms of the spin canting mechanism proposed in the Yafet–Kittel model. - Highlights: ► A Mössbauer and magnetic study of Sb{sup 5+} and Mg{sup 2+} co-substituted ferrites of the composition Mg{sub 1+2x}Sb{sub x}Fe{sub 2−3x}O{sub 4} is reported. ► The cation distribution in Mg{sub 1+2x}Sb{sub x}Fe{sub 2−3x}O{sub 4} is shown to depend on both the Sb{sup 5+} ionic concentration and the temperature. ► The A–B magnetic exchange interaction and Mössbauer hyperfine fields weaken with increasing Sb{sup 5+} and Mg{sup 2+} concentrations. ► The magnetization of the substituted samples with x ≠ 0.00 increases

  3. Transport of the Glucosamine-Derived Browning Product Fructosazine (Polyhydroxyalkylpyrazine) Across the Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cell Monolayer: Role of the Hexose Transporters.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bhattacherjee, Abhishek; Hrynets, Yuliya; Betti, Mirko

    2017-06-14

    The transport mechanism of fructosazine, a glucosamine self-condensation product, was investigated using a Caco-2 cell model. Fructosazine transport was assessed by measuring the bidirectional permeability coefficient across Caco-2 cells. The mechanism of transport was evaluated using phlorizin, an inhibitor of sodium-dependent glucose cotransporters (SGLT) 1 and 2, phloretin and quercetin, inhibitors of glucose transporters (GLUT) 1 and 2, transcytosis inhibitor wortmannin, and gap junction disruptor cytochalasin D. The role of hexose transporters was further studied using downregulated or overexpressed cell lines. The apparent permeability (P a,b ) of fructosazine was 1.30 ± 0.02 × 10 -6 cm/s. No significant (p > 0.05) effect was observed in fructosazine transport by adding wortmannin and cytochalasin D. The presence of phlorizin, phloretin, and quercetin decreased fructosazine transport. The downregulated GLUT cells line was unable to transport fructosazine. In human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells, GLUT1 or GLUT2 and SGLT are mainly responsible for fructosazine transport.

  4. Ipilimumab 10 mg/kg versus ipilimumab 3 mg/kg in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Ascierto, Paolo A; Del Vecchio, Michele; Robert, Caroline

    2017-01-01

    of ipilimumab 10 mg/kg versus 3 mg/kg. METHODS: This randomised, double-blind, multicentre, phase 3 trial was done in 87 centres in 21 countries worldwide. Patients with untreated or previously treated unresectable stage III or IV melanoma, without previous treatment with BRAF inhibitors or immune checkpoint...

  5. Effect of graphenenano-platelets on the mechanical properties of Mg/3wt%Al alloy-nanocomposite

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kumar, Pravir; Kujur, MilliSuchita; Mallick, Ashis; Sandar Tun, Khin; Gupta, Manoj

    2018-04-01

    The bulk Mg/3%Al/0.1%GNP alloy-nano composite was fabricated using powder metallurgy route assisted with microwave sintering and followed by hot extrusion. The microstructural and Raman spectroscopy studies were performed to characterize the graphene nano-platelet(GNP).EDX tests confirmed the presence and the homogeneous distribution of Al and graphene nano-platelets in the magnesium alloy-nanocomposite. The addition of 3 wt% Al and 0.1wt%GNP to the Mg changed Vicker hardness, ultimate tensile strength and failure strain by +46.15%,+17.6% and -5% respectively. The fabricated composite offers higher resistance to the local deformation than monolithic Mg and Mg/3%Al alloy, revealed by the load/unload-indentation depth curve.

  6. Continuum modeling of {10Ῑ2} twinning in a Mg-3%Al-1%Zn rolled sheet

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Pérez-Prado, M. T.

    2010-12-01

    Full Text Available Acrystal plasticity continuum model with differentiated self- and cross- hardeningmechanisms for twin and slip systems has been utilized to predict the slip/twin activities and texture evolution in a rolled and annealed Mg-3%Al-1%Zn sheet compressed along the rolling direction (RD and tensile tested along the normal direction (ND. The contribution of twinning is significantly larger during tension along ND, leading to a significant texture change with strain. A good correlation is found between simulations and recent experimental results.

    Un modelo continuo de plasticidad cristalina, que contempla los mecanismos de auto-endurecimiento y endurecimiento cruzado para los sistemas de maclado y deslizamiento, se ha utilizado para predecir las actividades de deslizamiento y del maclado, así como la evolución de la textura, de una chapa laminada y recocida de la aleación de magnesio Mg-3%Al-1%Zn ensayada en compresión, a lo largo de la dirección de laminación (DL y en tensión, a lo largo de la dirección normal (DN. Se encontró que la contribución del maclado es mucho más importante cuando la muestra se tensiona a lo lago de DN, lo que da lugar a un cambio fuerte de textura. Se observó una buena correspondencia entre las simulaciones y resultados experimentales recientes.

  7. Ethylbenzene dehydrogenation over Mg3Fe0.5−xCoxAl0.5 catalysts derived from hydrotalcites: Comparison with Mg3Fe0.5−yNiyAl0.5 catalysts

    KAUST Repository

    Atanda, Luqman A.

    2011-04-01

    A series of Mg3Fe0.5-xCoxAl0.5 (x = 0-0.5) catalysts were prepared from hydrotalcite precursors and their activities in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene were compared with those of a series of Mg3Fe0.5-yNiyAl0.5 (y = 0-0.5) catalysts also derived from hydrotalcite. The hydrotalcites prepared by co-precipitation were calcined at 550 °C to the mixed oxides with a high surface area of 150-240m2gcat-1; they were composed of Mg(Fe,Me,Al)O periclase and Mg(Me)(Fe,Al)2O4 spinel (Me = Co or Ni). Bimetallic Fe3+-Co2+ system showed a synergy, i.e., an increase in the activity, whereas Fe3+-Ni2+ bimetallic system showed no synergy. The high styrene yield was obtained on Mg 3Fe0.1Co0.4Al0.5; however, a large substitution of Fe3+ with Co2+ caused a decrease in styrene selectivity along with coking on the catalysts, due to an isolation of CoOx on the catalyst surface. The highest yield as well as the highest selectivity for styrene production was obtained at x = 0.25 at time on stream of 30 min. The coprecipitation at pH = 10.0 and the composition of Mg3Fe0.25Co0.25Al0.5 were the best for preparing the active catalyst. This is partly due to the formation of a good hydrotalcite structure. On this catalyst, the active Fe3+ species was reduced at a low temperature by the Fe3+-Co2+ bimetal formation, leading to a high activity. Simultaneously, the amount of reducible Fe3+ was the smallest, resulting in a high stability of the active Fe3+ species. It is likely that the dehydrogenation was catalyzed by the reduction-oxidation between Fe3+ and Fe2+ and that Co2+ assisted the reduction-oxidation by forming Fe 3+-Co2+ (1/1) bimetallic active species. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Phase constitution in Sr and Mg doped LaGaO3 system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zheng Feng; Bordia, Rajendra K.; Pederson, Larry R.

    2004-01-01

    Sr and Mg doped lanthanum gallate perovskites (La 1-x Sr x Ga 1-y Mg y O 3-δ , shortened as LSGM-XY where X and Y are the doping levels in mole percentage (mol%) at the La- or A-site and the Ga- or B-site, respectively) are promising electrolyte materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In this study, we have investigated the primary perovskites as well as the secondary phases formed in terms of doping content changes and A/B ratio variations in these materials. Fifteen powder compositions (three doping levels, X=Y=0, 0.1, and 0.2 mol; and five A/B ratios 0.95, 0.98, 1.00, 1.02, and 1.05) were synthesized by the glycine-nitrate combustion process (GNP). These powders were equilibrated by calcining at 1500 deg. C for 9 h prior to crystalline phase characterization by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). From the results of this study and the available phase diagrams in the literature on constituent binary oxide systems, we propose a crystalline phase diagram of the La 2 O 3 -SrO-Ga 2 O 3 -MgO quaternary system at elevated temperature (1500 deg. C)

  9. Conditioned medium from LS 174T goblet cells treated with oxyresveratrol strengthens tight junctions in Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hwang, Dahyun; Jo, HyunA; Hwang, Seonwook; Kim, Jeong-Keun; Kim, In-Ho; Lim, Young-Hee

    2017-01-01

    Strengthening of intestinal tight junctions provides an effective barrier from the external environment. Goblet cell-derived trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) increases transepithelial resistance by upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins. Oxyresveratrol (OXY) is a hydroxyl-substituted stilbene found in the roots, leaves, stems, and fruit of many plants and known to have various biological activities. In this study, we investigated the strengthening effect of OXY on intestinal tight junctions through stimulation of TFF production in goblet cells. We prepared conditioned medium from LS 174T goblet cells treated with OXY (GCO-CM) and investigated the effect of GCO-CM on strengthening tight junctions of Caco-2 cells. The mRNA and protein expression levels of major tight junction components (claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1) were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting, respectively. Transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) was measured using an ohm/V meter. Monolayer permeability was evaluated by paracellular transport of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran. OXY showed a strong antioxidant activity. It significantly increased the expression level of TFF3 in LS 174T goblet cells. GCO-CM prepared by treatment with 2.5, 5, and 10μg/ml OXY did not show cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells. GCO-CM increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1. It also significantly increased tight junction integrity and reduced permeability in a dose-dependent manner. OXY stimulates the expression of TFF3 in goblet cells, which might increase the integrity of the intestinal tight junction barrier. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  10. Mucus interactions with liposomes encapsulating bioactives: Interfacial tensiometry and cellular uptake on Caco-2 and cocultures of Caco-2/HT29-MTX.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, Yang; Arranz, Elena; Guri, Anilda; Corredig, Milena

    2017-02-01

    Structuring of delivery matrices in foods aquires careful designing for optimal delivery and subsiquent absorption of the beneficial compounds in the gut. There has been quite improvement in mimicking digestion and absorption in vitro but as of yet little is understood on mucus interference in nutrient absorption Therefore in this study interactions of human intestinal mucus with milk and soy phospholipids liposomes carring hydrophilic (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) or hydrophobic (β-carotene) bioactive molecules were investigated. Liposomes of about 100nm were obtained using microfluidization and their behaviour with the human intestinal mucus were evaluated using drop shape tensiometry. The chemistry of the liposomes (milk or soy) and the encapsulated bioactive structure can affect the viscoelastic behaviour of the complex itself. Empty or loaded liposomes were differently interacting with the mucus at the interface. Mucus-liposomes interactions were also studied using cell cultures, Caco-2 (without mucus) and cocultures Caco-2/HT29-MTX (mucus producing). The interaction of mucus layer with liposomes was at some extent aligned with rheological studies. This work demonstrated that delivery systems may interact with the mucosal surface of intestinal cells, and in vitro approaches allow for screening of such interactions. These highlights could help us in carefully designing the delivery systems and moreover choosing the right carrier and/or bioactive that does not jeopardize the optimal delivery of the bioactive structure. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Comparison of Efficiencies and Mechanisms of Catalytic Ozonation of Recalcitrant Petroleum Refinery Wastewater by Ce, Mg, and Ce-Mg Oxides Loaded Al2O3

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Chunmao Chen

    2017-02-01

    Full Text Available The use of catalytic ozonation processes (COPs for the advanced treatment of recalcitrant petroleum refinery wastewater (RPRW is rapidly expanding. In this study, magnesium (Mg, cerium (Ce, and Mg-Ce oxide-loaded alumina (Al2O3 were developed as cost efficient catalysts for ozonation treatment of RPRW, having performance metrics that meet new discharge standards. Interactions between the metal oxides and the Al2O3 support influence the catalytic properties, as well as the efficiency and mechanism. Mg-Ce/Al2O3 (Mg-Ce/Al2O3-COP reduced the chemical oxygen demand by 4.7%, 4.1%, 6.0%, and 17.5% relative to Mg/Al2O3-COP, Ce/Al2O3-COP, Al2O3-COP, and single ozonation, respectively. The loaded composite metal oxides significantly increased the hydroxyl radical-mediated oxidation. Surface hydroxyl groups (–OHs are the dominant catalytic active sites on Al2O3. These active surface –OHs along with the deposited metal oxides (Mg2+ and/or Ce4+ increased the catalytic activity. The Mg-Ce/Al2O3 catalyst can be economically produced, has high efficiency, and is stable under acidic and alkaline conditions.

  12. Multiple matching scheme for broadband 0.72Pb(Mg13Nb2∕3)O3−0.28PbTiO3 single crystal phased-array transducer

    OpenAIRE

    Lau, S. T.; Li, H.; Wong, K. S.; Zhou, Q. F.; Zhou, D.; Li, Y. C.; Luo, H. S.; Shung, K. K.; Dai, J. Y.

    2009-01-01

    Lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate single crystal 0.72Pb(Mg13Nb2∕3)O3−0.28PbTiO3 (abbreviated as PMN-PT) was used to fabricate high performance ultrasonic phased-array transducer as it exhibited excellent piezoelectric properties. In this paper, we focus on the design and fabrication of a low-loss and wide-band transducer for medical imaging applications. A KLM model based simulation software PiezoCAD was used for acoustic design of the transducer including the front-face matching and back...

  13. Randomized, double-blind, crossover study comparing DFN-11 injection (3 mg subcutaneous sumatriptan) with 6 mg subcutaneous sumatriptan for the treatment of rapidly-escalating attacks of episodic migraine.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cady, Roger K; Munjal, Sagar; Cady, Ryan J; Manley, Heather R; Brand-Schieber, Elimor

    2017-12-01

    A 6-mg dose of SC sumatriptan is the most efficacious and fast-acting acute treatment for migraine, but a 3-mg dose of SC sumatriptan may improve tolerability while maintaining efficacy. This randomized, double-blind, crossover study compared the efficacy and tolerability of 3 mg subcutaneous (SC) sumatriptan (DFN-11) with 6 mg SC sumatriptan in 20 adults with rapidly-escalating migraine attacks. Eligible subjects were randomized (1:1) to treat 1 attack with DFN-11 and matching placebo autoinjector consecutively or 2 DFN-11 autoinjectors consecutively and a second attack similarly but with the alternative dose (3 mg or 6 mg). The proportions of subjects who were pain-free at 60 min postdose, the primary endpoint, were similar following treatment with 3 mg SC sumatriptan and 6 mg SC sumatriptan (50% vs 52.6%, P  =  .87). The proportions of subjects experiencing pain relief (P  ≥  .48); reductions in migraine pain intensity (P  ≥  .78); and relief from nausea, photophobia, or phonophobia (P  ≥  .88) with 3 mg SC sumatriptan and 6 mg SC sumatriptan were similar, as were the mean scores for satisfaction with treatment (M  =  2.6 vs M  =  2.4, P  =  .81) and the mean number of rescue medications used (M  =  .11 vs M  =  .26, P  =  .32). The most common adverse events with the 3- and 6-mg doses were triptan sensations - paresthesia, neck pain, flushing, and involuntary muscle contractions of the neck - and the incidence of adverse events with both doses was similar (32 events total: 3 mg, n  =  14 [44%]; 6 mg, n  =  18 [56%], P  =  .60). Triptan sensations affected 4 subjects with the 6-mg dose only, 1 subject with the 3-mg dose only, and 7 subjects with both sumatriptan doses. Chest pain affected 2 subjects (10%) treated with the 6-mg dose and no subjects (0%) treated with the 3-mg dose of DFN-11. There were no serious adverse events. The 3-mg SC dose

  14. Thermoluminescence property of LiMgF{sub 3} erbium activated phosphor

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Munoz, I.C. [Departamento de Ciencias Quimico Biologicas, Universidad de Sonora, A.P. 130, Hermosillo, Sonora 83000 (Mexico); Cruz-Zaragoza, E., E-mail: ecruz@nucleares.unam.mx [Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, A.P. 70-543, Mexico 04510 D.F. (Mexico); Favalli, A. [Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545 (United States); Furetta, C. [Touro University Rome, Division of Touro College New York, Circne Gianicolense 15-17, 00153 Rome (Italy)

    2012-05-15

    The perovskite-like LiMgF{sub 3}:ErF{sub 3} pellets were obtained from the melt formed by LiF and MgF{sub 2} mixed salts in the stoichiometric ratio. The perovskite material was doped with 1, 2 and 4 mol% of ErF{sub 3} impurity. The pellets samples were {sup 60}Co gamma irradiated and their thermoluminescence (TL) properties were analyzed, i.e., dose-response, fading at RT and under UV irradiation, TL signal reproducibility, and kinetic parameters. The intensity of the TL response against irradiation dose was increased remarkably by the high concentration of impurity, and a linear dose-response was observed in the range of 1-10 Gy. The fading observed at RT was about 10-30% after 24 h from irradiation. All samples were exposed from 1 to 200 Gy gamma dose range. The TL glow peaks were found around 367-376, 438-447, 509-521, and 594-611 K, when the doped samples were 1, 2 and 4 mol% of the erbium impurity concentration. The thermoluminescence kinetics parameters of the glow curves have been analyzed using the Computerized Glow Curve Deconvolution (CGCD) method. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Perovskite-like LiMgF{sub 3} pellets were doped with 1, 2, and 4 mol% of ErF{sub 3} impurity. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Thermoluminescence properties and kinetics parameters were analyzed. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Dose-response, fading at RT and under UV irradiation and reproducibility are reported. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Four TL glow peaks were observed between 367 and 611 K, for all samples. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Glow curves have been analyzed using the CGCD method.

  15. Strong piezoelectric anisotropy d15/d33 in ⟨111⟩ textured Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 ceramics

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yan, Yongke; Priya, Shashank

    2015-08-01

    The shear mode piezoelectric properties of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PMN-PZT) ceramic with 72% ⟨111⟩ texture were investigated. The piezoelectric anisotropic factor d15/d33 was as high as 8.5 in ⟨111⟩ textured ceramic as compared to 2.0 in random counterpart. The high d15/d33 indicates the "rotator" ferroelectric characteristics of PMN-PZT system and suggests that the large shear piezoelectric response contributes towards the high longitudinal piezoelectric response (d33) in non-polar direction (d33 = 1100 pC/N in ⟨001⟩ textured ceramic vs. d33 = 112 pC/N in ⟨111⟩ textured ceramic).

  16. Effects of historical coal mining and drainage from abandoned mines on streamflow and water quality in Bear Creek, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania-March 1999-December 2002

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chaplin, Jeffrey J.

    2005-01-01

    downstream owing to sustained mine water drainage from the Lykens Water-Level Tunnel (range = 0.41 to 3.7 ft3/s), Lykens Drift (range = 0.40 to 6.1 ft3/s), and diffuse zones of seepage. Collectively, mine water inputs contributed about 84 percent of base flow and 53 percent of stormflow measured in the downstream reach. An option under consideration by the Dauphin County Conservation District for treatment of the discharge from the LWLT requires the source of the discharge to be captured and rerouted downstream, bypassing approximately 1,000 feet of stream channel. Because streamwater loss upstream of the tunnel was commonly 100 percent, rerouting the discharge from the LWLT may extend the reach of Bear Creek that is subject to dryness. Differences in the chemistry of water discharging from the LWLT compared to the LD suggest that the flow path through the Lykens-Williamstown Mine Pool to each mine discharge is unique. The LWLT is marginally alkaline (median net acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) = 9 mg/L (milligrams per liter) as CaCO3; median pH = 5.9), commonly becomes acidic (minimum net ANC = -74 mg/L as CaCO3) at low flow, and may benefit from alkaline amendments prior to passive treatment. Water discharging from the LD provides excess ANC (median net ANC = 123 mg/L as CaCO3; median pH = 6.5) to the downstream reach and is nearly anoxic at its source (median dissolved oxygen = 0.5 mg/L). Low dissolved oxygen water with relatively high ANC and metals concentrations discharging from the LD is characteristic of a deeper flow path and longer residence time within the mine pool than the more acidic, oxygenated water discharging from the LWLT. TMDLs for iron have been developed for dissolved species only. Consequently, distinguishing between dissolved and suspended iron in Bear Creek is important for evaluating water-quality improvement through TMDL attainment. Median total iron concentration increased from 550 mg/L (micrograms per liter) at site BC-UM

  17. Modulation of Intestinal Epithelial Permeability in Differentiated Caco-2 Cells Exposed to Aflatoxin M1 and Ochratoxin A Individually or Collectively

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yanan Gao

    2017-12-01

    Full Text Available Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1 and ochratoxin A (OTA are mycotoxins commonly found in milk; however, their effects on intestinal epithelial cells have not been reported. In the present study, we show that AFM1 (0.12 and 12 μM and OTA (0.2 and 20 μM individually or collectively increased the paracellular flux of lucifer yellow and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-dextrans (4 and 40 kDa and decreased transepithelial electrical resistance values in differentiated Caco-2 cells after 48 h of exposure, indicating increased epithelial permeability. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescent analysis revealed that AFM1, OTA, and their combination decreased the expression levels of tight junction (TJ proteins and disrupted their structures, namely, claudin-3, claudin-4, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1, and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK partially involved in the mycotoxins-induced disruption of intestinal barrier. The effects of a combination of AFM1 and OTA on intestinal barrier function were more significant (p < 0.05 than those of AFM1 and OTA alone, yielding additive or synergistic effects. The additive or synergistic effects of AFM1 and OTA on intestinal barrier function might affect human health, especially in children, and toxin risks should be considered.

  18. Adhesion of Two Lactobacillus gasseri Probiotic Strains on Caco-2 Cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Mojca Narat

    2003-01-01

    Full Text Available Previous in vitro and in vivo studies showed that two human isolates of Lactobacillus gasseri, LF221 and K7 are able to survive the passage through the gastrointestinal tract and to colonise intestines of pigs at least temporarily. The aim of this study was to examine the adhesion ability of LF221 and K7 strains to Caco-2 cells. Adhesion of lactobacilli from early stationary growth phase was examined at two pH values of DMEM buffer (4.5 and 7. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, a widely used strain with clinical evidences of its efficiency, served as a positive control. The number of lactobacilli added to each well was found to be crucial in the adhesion assay. When added, lactobacilli were in range of 2.5 · 106 to 2.5 · 108 cfu/well, the linear correlation between the number of adhered cells (log cfu and the number of added cells (log cfu was found for all three strains (R2 > 0.99 at both pH values (4.5 and 7. At the highest concentration of added K7 and GG cells tested (app. 109 cfu/well, the efficiency of adhesion was reduced. pH value of the medium strongly affected the adhesion, which was promoted in acidic conditions (pH=4.5. The adhesion of K7 strain was slightly weaker compared to GG strain at both pH values, while at pH=4.5 the adhesion of LF221 strain was even better than GG adhesion, at least at lower concentration of lactobacilli. The direct comparison of these strains was possible by regression analysis. At lower concentration of lactobacilli (2.5 · 106, the best efficiency of adhesion (% of adhered bacteria was observed for the strain LF221, reaching the values of 7.8 and 1.9 % at pH=4.5 and 7, respectively, while at higher lactobacilli concentration the ration of adhesion was higher for GG strain (3.3 % at pH=4.5. In conclusion, strains LF221 and K7 were demonstrated to be adhesive, especially in acidic conditions. The level of adhesion of K7 and GG strains positively correlates with the number of added lactobacilli only up to the

  19. Vibrational spectra of the hydrated carbonate minerals ikaite, monohydrocalcite, lansfordite and nesquehonite

    Science.gov (United States)

    Coleyshaw, Esther E.; Crump, Gregory; Griffith, William P.

    2003-08-01

    The Raman (200-4000 cm -1) and infrared (600-4000 cm -1) spectra of four rare carbonate hydrate minerals are reported. These are naturally occurring and synthetic ikaite CaCO 3 · 6H 2O, and nesquehonite MgCO 3 · 3H 2O; natural monohydrocalcite CaCO 3 · H 2O, and synthetic lansfordite MgCO 3 · 5H 2O. The spectra of synthetic ikaite partially substituted with 2H 2O and also with 13C were measured, as were those of synthetic deuteriated nesquehonite. Spectra of ikaite and lansfordite, both of which decompose at room temperatures, were measured below 0 °C. Assignments of fundamental modes are proposed.

  20. Toxicity of graphene oxide on intestinal bacteria and Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Nguyen, Trang H D; Lin, Mengshi; Mustapha, Azlin

    2015-05-01

    In recent years, novel nanomaterials have received much attention due to their great potential for applications in agriculture, food safety, and food packaging. Among them, graphene and graphene oxide (GO) are emerging as promising nanomaterials that may have a profound impact on food packaging. However, there are some concerns from consumers and the scientific community about the potential toxicity and biocompatibility of nanomaterials. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial properties of GO against human intestinal bacteria. The cytotoxicity of GO was also studied in vitro using the Caco-2 cell line derived from a colon carcinoma. Electron microscopy was used to investigate the morphology of GO and the interaction between GO flakes and Caco-2 cells. GO at different concentrations (10 to 500 μg/ml) exhibited no toxicity against the selected bacteria and a mild cytotoxic action on Caco-2 cells after 24 h of exposure. The results show that weak adsorption of medium nutrients may contribute to GO's low toxicity. This study suggests that GO is biocompatible and has a potential to be used in agriculture and food science, indicating that more studies are needed to exploit its potential applications.

  1. Formation process of micro arc oxidation coatings obtained in a sodium phytate containing solution with and without CaCO{sub 3} on binary Mg-1.0Ca alloy

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhang, R.F. [School of Material and Electromechanics, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang 330013 (China); Zhang, Y.Q. [Zhejiang DunAn Light Alloy Technology CO,.LTD, Zhuji 311835 (China); Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201 (China); Zhang, S.F.; Qu, B. [School of Material and Electromechanics, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang 330013 (China); Guo, S.B. [Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201 (China); Xiang, J.H., E-mail: xiangjunhuai@163.com [School of Material and Electromechanics, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang 330013 (China)

    2015-01-15

    Highlights: • Compared to the Mg phase, the area of Mg{sub 2}Ca phase is much smaller. • The coatings are preferentially developed on the area adjacent to Mg{sub 2}Ca phase. • During MAO process, some sodium phytate molecules are hydrolyzed. • Anodic coatings are developed from uneven to uniform. - Abstract: Micro arc oxidation (MAO) is an effective method to improve the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys. In order to reveal the influence of alloying element Ca and CaCO{sub 3} electrolyte on the formation process and chemical compositions of MAO coatings on binary Mg-1.0Ca alloy, anodic coatings after different anodizing times were prepared on binary Mg-1.0Ca alloy in a base solution containing 3 g/L sodium hydroxide and 15 g/L sodium phytate with and without addition of CaCO{sub 3}. The coating formation was studied by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that Mg-1.0Ca alloy is composed of two phases, the Mg phase and Mg{sub 2}Ca phase. After treating for 5 s, the coating began to develop and was preferentially formed on the area nearby Mg{sub 2}Ca phase, which may be resulted from the intrinsic electronegative potential of the Mg phase than that of Mg{sub 2}Ca phase. Anodic coatings unevenly covered the total surface after 20 s. After 80 s, the coatings were uniformly developed on Mg-1.0Ca alloy with micro pores. During MAO process, some sodium phytate molecules are hydrolyzed into inorganic phosphate. CaCO{sub 3} has minor influence on the calcium content of the obtained MAO coatings.

  2. On Literal Translation of English Idioms

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chen, Linli

    2009-01-01

    There are six translation tactics in translating English idioms into Chinese: literal translation, compensatory translation, free translation, explanational translation, borrowing, integrated approach. Each tactic should be reasonably employed in the process of translating, so as to keep the flavor of the original English idioms as well as to…

  3. The effect of substrate temperature upon the compositions of Mg and Se in Zn{sub 1-x}Mg{sub x}Se{sub y}Te{sub 1-y} layer grown by MOVPE

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Nishio, M.; Ito, R.; Tanaka, K.; Urata, K.; Nakamura, Y.; Tanaka, T. [Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saga University, 1 Honjo, Saga 840-8502 (Japan); Saito, K.; Guo, Q.X. [Synchrotron Light Application Center, Saga University, 1 Honjo, Saga 840-8502 (Japan)

    2014-07-15

    The growth of Zn{sub 1-x}Mg{sub x}Se{sub y}Te{sub 1-y} layers was performed on (100) ZnTe substrate by metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy using dimethylzinc, bis-methylcyclopentadienyl-magnesium, diethyltelluride and diethylselenide. The effects of substrate temperature upon the compositions of Mg and Se have been investigated. The Mg composition in Zn{sub 1-x}Mg{sub x}Se{sub y}Te{sub 1-y} layer is significantly enhanced at low substrate temperature. Although the Se composition decreases with decreasing the substrate temperature, Zn{sub 1-x}Mg{sub x}Se{sub y}Te{sub 1-y} layer with a relatively high Se composition of 0.3 is obtainable at a low substrate temperature as low as 380 C. For all the layers, a two-mode behaviour with ZnTe- and MgTe-like longitudinal optical phonon modes is confirmed by Raman scattering. (copyright 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

  4. Interplay Between Structure and Conductivity in 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate/(δ-MgCl2)f Electrolytes for Magnesium Batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bertasi, Federico; Vezzù, Keti; Nawn, Graeme; Pagot, Gioele; Di Noto, Vito

    2016-01-01

    The synthesis, physicochemical properties and conductivity mechanism of a family of ionic liquid-based electrolytes for use in secondary Mg batteries are reported. The electrolytes are obtained by dissolving controlled amounts of δ-MgCl 2 salt into the ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMImBF 4 ) which acts as a solvent. δ-MgCl 2 consists of an inorganic ribbon of Mg atoms covalently bonded together through bridging chlorine atoms. Due to this peculiar structural motif, with respect to the electrolytes based on conventional Mg salts, it is possible to achieve electrolytes of higher Mg concentration. Thus, concatenated anionic complexes bridged via halogen atoms are formed, improving the electrochemical performance of these materials. Electrolytes with a general formula EMImBF 4 /(δ-MgCl 2 ) f with f ranging from 0 to 0.117 are obtained. The composition of the obtained materials is determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The properties of these systems are investigated by means of Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and vibrational spectroscopy in both medium (MIR) and far infrared (FIR). Finally, Broadband Electrical Spectroscopy (BES) is carried out with the aim to elucidate the electrical response of the electrolytes in terms of their polarization and relaxation phenomena and to propose a conductivity mechanism. At 20 °C the highest conductivity (0.007 S/cm) is observed for the electrolyte with c Mg = 0.00454 mol Mg /kg IL .

  5. A new reversible Mg3Ag–H2 system for hydrogen storage

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Si, T.Z.; Zhang, J.B.; Liu, D.M.; Zhang, Q.A.

    2013-01-01

    Highlights: •Mg 3 Ag compound with high-purity was prepared by hydrogen metallurgy. •Mg 3 Ag is first employed for reversible hydrogen storage with altered thermodynamics. •The enhanced cyclic stability is due to the prevention of MgH 2 sintering by MgAg. -- Abstract: For the first time, the compound Mg 3 Ag was employed as a medium for hydrogen storage. It has been demonstrated that the hydriding/dehydriding process of Mg 3 Ag is reversible through the reaction Mg 3 Ag + 2H 2 ↔ 2MgH 2 + MgAg with obtaining altered thermodynamics. An enhanced cycling stability is also achieved by the capacity retention of 95% after 30 cycles, much higher than 70% for the pure Mg sample, which can be explained that the agglomeration and sintering of the resulting MgH 2 are efficiently prevented by the formation of hard and brittle MgAg phase upon multi-cycling

  6. Homogenized electromechanical properties of crystalline and ceramic relaxor ferroelectric 0.58Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 0.42PbTiO3

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jayachandran, K. P.; Guedes, J. M.; Rodrigues, H. C.

    2007-10-01

    A modelling framework that incorporates the peculiarities of microstructural features, such as the spatial correlation of crystallographic orientations and morphological texture in piezoelectrics, is established. The mathematical homogenization theory of a piezoelectric medium is implemented using the finite element method by solving the coupled equilibrium electrical and mechanical fields. The dependence of the domain orientation on the macroscopic electromechanical properties of crystalline as well as polycrystalline ceramic relaxor ferroelectric 0.58Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.42PbTiO3 (PMN-42% PT) is studied based on this model. The material shows large anisotropy in the piezoelectric coefficient ejK in its crystalline form. The homogenized electromechanical moduli of polycrystalline ceramic also exhibit significantly anisotropic behaviours. An optimum texture at which the piezoceramic exhibits its maximum longitudinal piezoelectric response is identified.

  7. A systematic evaluation of solubility enhancing excipients to enable the generation of permeability data for poorly soluble compounds in Caco-2 model.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Shah, Devang; Paruchury, Sundeep; Matta, Muralikrishna; Chowan, Gajendra; Subramanian, Murali; Saxena, Ajay; Soars, Matthew G; Herbst, John; Haskell, Roy; Marathe, Punit; Mandlekar, Sandhya

    2014-01-01

    The study presented here identified and utilized a panel of solubility enhancing excipients to enable the generation of flux data in the Human colon carcinoma (Caco-2) system for compounds with poor solubility. Solubility enhancing excipients Dimethyl acetamide (DMA) 1 % v/v, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 1% v/v, povidone 1% w/v, poloxamer 188 2.5% w/v and bovine serum albumin (BSA) 4% w/v did not compromise Caco-2 monolayer integrity as assessed by trans-epithelial resistance measurement (TEER) and Lucifer yellow (LY) permeation. Further, these excipients did not affect P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated bidirectional transport of digoxin, permeabilities of high (propranolol) or low permeability (atenolol) compounds, and were found to be inert to Breast cancer resistant protein (BCRP) mediated transport of cladribine. This approach was validated further using poorly soluble tool compounds, atazanavir (poloxamer 188 2.5% w/v) and cyclosporine A (BSA 4% w/v) and also applied to new chemical entity (NCE) BMS-A in BSA 4% w/v, for which Caco-2 data could not be generated using the traditional methodology due to poor solubility (solubility of atazanavir by >8 fold whereas BSA 4% w/v increased the solubility of cyclosporine A and BMS-A by >2-4 fold thereby enabling permeability as well as efflux liability estimation in the Caco-2 model with reasonable recovery values. To conclude, addition of excipients such as poloxamer 188 2.5% w/v and BSA 4% w/v to HBSS leads to a significant improvement in the solubility of the poorly soluble compounds resulting in enhanced recoveries without modulating transporter-mediated efflux, expanding the applicability of Caco-2 assays to poorly soluble compounds.

  8. Single or paired increase of total alkalinity and hardness of water for cultivation of Nile tilapia juveniles, Oreochromis niloticus - doi: 10.4025/actascitechnol.v34i2.12003

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Davi de Holanda Cavalcante

    2012-03-01

    Full Text Available The present work aimed at evaluating the effects of single or paired increase of water’s total alkalinity (TA and total hardness (TH on the performance of Nile tilapia juveniles’ growth and culture water quality. Twenty five 25-L outdoor polyethylene aquaria were used to hold experimental fish (0.82 ± 0.06 g; 10 fish per aquarium for 6 weeks. There were two conditions of TA (low or high and of TH (moderate or high in the culture water, obtained by the application of different salts (CaCO3, Na2CO3 and CaSO4 upon a previously acidified water, all at the same rate. Water quality and growth performance variables were observed in each replicate. The acidification of the supply water with HCl has resulted in significantly lower final body weight (p < 0.05. Except for the Na2CO3, growth performance of tilapia has improved significantly after CaCO3 liming or CaSO4 application (p < 0.05 and no significant difference was detected between these last two fish groups (p > 0.05. It was concluded that beyond a minimum level of TA (≥ 20 mg L-1 CaCO3 and TH (≥ 20 mg L-1 CaCO3, it is also important that fish culture waters have a TH/TA ratio higher than 1.

  9. Antioxidant potential of buffalo and cow milk Cheddar cheeses to tackle human colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2 cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Nuzhat Huma

    2018-02-01

    Full Text Available Objective The aim of present study was to assess the anti-oxidant potential of water-soluble peptides (WSPs extract derived from buffalo and cow milk Cheddar cheeses at different stages of ripening. Methods The antioxidant potential of WSPs extract was assessed through 2,2’-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6sulfonic acid (ABTS-radical scavenging activity. In addition, impact of WSPs extract on cell viability and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS in human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2 (tert-butylhydroperoxide-induced cell lines was also evaluated. Results The ABTS-radical scavenging activity increased progressively with ripening period and dose-dependently in both cheeses. However, peptide extract from buffalo milk Cheddar cheese demonstrated relatively higher activity due to higher contents of water-soluble nitrogen. Intracellular ROS production in Caco-2 cells decreased significantly (p<0.05 till 150th day of cheese ripening and remained constant thereafter. Additionally, dose-dependent response of WSPs extract on antioxidant activity was noticed in the Caco-2 cell line. Conclusion On the basis of current in vitro study, the Cheddar cheese WSPs extract can protect intestinal epithelium against oxidative stress due to their antioxidant activity.

  10. Modulatory effects of quercetin on proliferation and differentiation of the human colorectal cell line Caco-2

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Dihal, A.A.; Woutersen, R.A.; Ommen, B.v.; Rietjens, I.M.C.M.; Stierum, R.H.

    2006-01-01

    The effect of the dietary flavonoid quercetin was investigated on proliferation and differentiation of the human colon cancer cell line Caco-2. Confluent Caco-2 monolayers exposed to quercetin showed a biphasic effect on cell proliferation and a decrease in cell differentiation (0.001

  11. Caco-2 cell monolayer integrity and effect of probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 components

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Štětinová, V.; Smetanová, L.; Květina, J.; Svoboda, Z.; Zídek, Zdeněk; Tlaskalová-Hogenová, Helena

    2010-01-01

    Roč. 31, - (2010), s. 51-56 ISSN 0172-780X R&D Projects: GA ČR GA305/08/0535; GA MZd NS9775 Institutional support: RVO:68378041 ; RVO:61388971 Keywords : probiotics * lipopolysaccharide (LPS) * Caco -2 cells Subject RIV: FR - Pharmacology ; Medidal Chemistry Impact factor: 1.621, year: 2010

  12. Role of 3d-ions for radiation defect production in MgO and MgAl2O4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mironova, N.A.; Grinvald, G.A.; Skvortsova, V.N.

    1985-01-01

    Optical properties of MgO and MgAl 2 O 4 crystals containing chromium and manganese impurity ions were studied by exposure to but all types of radiation. Complicated defects of the ''impurity-intrinsic matrix defect'' type were preferably considered. It has been shown that different symmetry center forming chromium ions in MgO:Crsup(3+) change their valency with various efficiency being exposed to external action. Besides, the compensating vacancy does not participate in the hole center formation. For MgOxAl 2 O 3 single crystals the presence of octahedrally coordinated manganese ions suppresses the hole center creation by gamma-irradiation. Studying luminescence spectra of Crsup(3+) ions in MgAl 2 O 4 it has been states that neutron irradiation increases the degree of inversion for the magnesium-aluminium spinel

  13. Luminescent properties of Mg3Ca3(PO4)4: Eu2+ blue-emitting phosphor for white light emitting diodes

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li Yinqun; Deng Degang; Wang Qian; Li Gaofeng; Hua Youjie; Jia Guohua; Huang Lihui; Zhao Shilong; Wang Huanping; Li Chenxia; Xu Shiqing

    2012-01-01

    A blue-emitting phosphor, Eu 2+ -activated Mg 3 Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 4 phosphor was synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the phase formation. Photoluminescence (PL) results showed that Mg 3 Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 4 : Eu 2+ could be efficiently excited by UV–visible light from 250 to 430 nm, which matched well with the emission wavelengths of near-UV and UV LED chips. The effects of the doped-Eu 2+ concentration in Mg 3 Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 4 : Eu 2+ on the PL were also investigated. The result reveals that Mg 3 Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 4 : Eu 2+ is a potential blue-emitting phosphor for white LEDs. - Graphical Abstract: The excitation spectra show a broad peak from 250 to 430 nm, which means Mg 3 Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 4 : Eu 2+ phosphor can be suitable for application in white LEDs excited by the near-UV and UV LEDs. The emission spectrum peaked at 456 nm with the full-width half-maximum (FWHM) of 102 nm is attributed to the 4f 6 5d 1 –4f 7 transition of the Eu 2+ ion. The asymmetric emission spectra show that Eu 2+ has more one emission center in Mg 3 Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 4 , which can be deconvoluted into at least four Gaussian components peaked at 423, 446, 483 and 510 nm. Highlights: ► Mg 3 Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 4 : Eu 2+ phosphor could be effectively excited by UV chips (360–430 nm). ► Mg 3 Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 4 : Eu 2+ phosphor is a potential blue-emitting phosphor for white LEDs. ► Mg 3 Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 4 : Eu 2+ phosphor shows a broadband emission.

  14. Lecithin in mixed micelles attenuates the cytotoxicity of bile salts in Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tan, Ya'nan; Qi, Jianping; Lu, Yi; Hu, Fuqiang; Yin, Zongning; Wu, Wei

    2013-03-01

    This study was designed to investigate the cytotoxicity of bile salt-lecithin mixed micelles on the Caco-2 cell model. Cell viability and proliferation after mixed micelles treatments were evaluated with the MTT assay, and the integrity of Caco-2 cell monolayer was determined by quantitating the transepithelial electrical resistance and the flux of tracer, FITC-dextran 4400. The apoptosis induced by mixed micelles treatments was investigated with the annexin V/PI protocol. The particle size of mixed micelles was all smaller than 100 nm. The mixed micelles with lower than 0.2mM sodium deoxycholate (SDC) had no significant effects on cell viability and proliferation. When the level of SDC was higher than 0.4mM and the lecithin/SDC ratio was lower than 2:1, the mixed micelles caused significant changes in cell viability and proliferation. Furthermore, the mixed micelles affected tight junctions in a composition-dependent manner. Specifically, the tight junctions were transiently opened rather than damaged by the mixed micelles with SDC of between 0.2 and 0.6mM. The mixed micelles with more lecithin also induced less apoptosis. These results demonstrate that relatively higher concentrations of mixed micelles are toxic to Caco-2 cells, while phospholipids can attenuate the toxicity of the bile salts. Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Spectroscopic information from (3He, 7Be) reaction on 12C and 24Mg

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Rahman, Md.A.; Sen Gupta, H.M.

    1986-01-01

    The reaction ( 3 He, 7 Be) on 12 C and 24 Mg has been analysed using four discrete potential families for 7 Be channel and one discrete potential family for 3 He channel to extract alpha spectroscopic factors. It is shown that the relative spectroscopic factors are reliable if they are calculated staying within one potential family (S( 24 Mg/ 12 C) approx. 0.12). But, changing the potential family between 12 C and 24 Mg, one obtains the extreme cases, such as S( 24 Mg/ 12 C) = 0.025 and 0.51, i.e. 1:20

  16. Magnesium sulphate’s influence on calcium carbonate minerals

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Nielsen, Mia Rohde

    The purpose of this PhD thesis was to explore the influence of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4 (aq)) on calcium carbonate (CaCO3) minerals and what role the MgSO40 ion pair had. CaCO3 minerals are abundant and widespread on Earth, particularly in marine environments, and have been so throughout Earth...

  17. Effect of β-cyclodextrin derivatives on the diosgenin absorption in Caco-2 cell monolayer and rats.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Okawara, Masaki; Tokudome, Yoshihiro; Todo, Hiroaki; Sugibayashi, Kenji; Hashimoto, Fumie

    2014-01-01

    Orally administrated diosgenin, a steroidal saponin found in the roots of Dioscorea villosa, improves reduced skin thickness in ovariectomized mice, and plays an important role in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Diosgenin has been noticed as an active element in cosmeceutical and dietary supplements. We have already elucidated that the absolute oral bioavailability of diosgenin is very low; however, a high skin distribution of diosgenin was also observed. The aim of the present study was to examine and compare the effects of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and 3 kinds of its derivatives such as hydroxypropyl β-CD on the diosgenin permeability using a Caco-2 model and rat jejunal perfusion. These derivatives of β-CD greatly improved the low solubility of diosgenin. No significant increase was observed in the lactate dehydrogenase leakage from Caco-2 cell, while a slight decrease was found on the transepithelial electrical resistance by diosgenin and β-CD derivatives. However, β-CD derivatives, especially hydroxyethyl β-CD and hydroxypropyl β-CD, markedly enhanced diosgenin permeability across the Caco-2 monolayer and rat jejunum. The bioavailability of diosgenin in the presence of β-CD derivatives were about 4 to 11 fold higher than diosgenin suspension. The mechanisms of these enhancement effects may be due to improvements in solubility and tight junction opening.

  18. 3D-fibroblast tissues constructed by a cell-coat technology enhance tight-junction formation of human colon epithelial cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Matsusaki, Michiya; Hikimoto, Daichi; Nishiguchi, Akihiro; Kadowaki, Koji; Ohura, Kayoko; Imai, Teruko; Akashi, Mitsuru

    2015-02-13

    Caco-2, human colon carcinoma cell line, has been widely used as a model system for intestinal epithelial permeability because Caco-2 cells express tight-junctions, microvilli, and a number of enzymes and transporters characteristic of enterocytes. However, the functional differentiation and polarization of Caco-2 cells to express sufficient tight-junctions (a barrier) usually takes over 21 days in culture. This may be due to the cell culture environment, for example inflammation induced by plastic petri dishes. Three-dimensional (3D) sufficient cell microenvironments similar to in vivo natural conditions (proteins and cells), will promote rapid differentiation and higher functional expression of tight junctions. Herein we report for the first time an enhancement in tight-junction formation by 3D-cultures of Caco-2 cells on monolayered (1L) and eight layered (8L) normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF). Trans epithelial electric resistance (TEER) of Caco-2 cells was enhanced in the 3D-cultures, especially 8L-NHDF tissues, depending on culture times and only 10 days was enough to reach the same TEER value of Caco-2 monolayers after a 21 day incubation. Relative mRNA expression of tight-junction proteins of Caco-2 cells on 3D-cultures showed higher values than those in monolayer structures. Transporter gene expression patterns of Caco-2 cells on 3D-constructs were almost the same as those of Caco-2 monolayers, suggesting that there was no effect of 3D-cultures on transporter protein expression. The expression correlation between carboxylesterase 1 and 2 in 3D-cultures represented similar trends with human small intestines. The results of this study clearly represent a valuable application of 3D-Caco-2 tissues for pharmaceutical applications. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Synthesis and microstructural characterization of Sr- and Mg-substituted LaGaO3 solid electrolyte

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Datta, Pradyot; Majewski, Peter; Aldinger, Fritz

    2007-01-01

    Sr and Mg substituted LaGaO 3 is a solid electrolyte for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell. Phase purity of this material is a concern for the researchers for a long time. In this contribution the secondary phases that are evolved during the synthesis of Sr and Mg doped LaGaO 3 are reported. For that purpose, a series of La 1-x Sr x Ga 1-y Mg y O 3-δ (LSGM) was prepared by solid state synthesis route. Scanning electron microscopic photographs showed secondary phases namely La 4 Ga 2 O 9 , LaSrGa 3 O 7 , LaSrGaO 4 along with the parent perovskite LSGM depending upon the amount of dopant. Amount of secondary phases was estimated from the peak positions of room temperature X-ray diffraction. It was observed that for a fixed amount of Mg dopant increasing the amount of Sr content also increased the amount of secondary phases whereas the reverse was found to be true when Sr content was fixed and Mg content was increased. This behaviour was attributed to the increase in solid solubility of Sr in presence of Mg

  20. Polarity of fatty acid uptake and metabolism in a human intestinal cell line (CACO-2)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Trotter, P.J.; Storch, J.

    1990-01-01

    Free fatty acids (ffa) can enter the intestinal cell via the apical (AP) or basolateral (BL) membrane. The authors are using the Caco-2 intestinal cell line to examine the polarity of ffa uptake and metabolism in the enterocyte. Cells are grown on permeable polycarbonate Transwell filters in order to obtain access to both AP and BL compartments. Differentiated Caco-2 cells form tight polarized monolayers which express small intestine-specific enzymes and are impermeable to the fluid phase marker Lucifer Yellow. Submicellar concentrations of 3 H-palmitic acid (2uM) were added to AP or BL sides of Caco-2 monolayers at 37 degrees C and cells were incubated for various times between 2 and 120 minutes. Total AP and BL uptake is similar; however, when relative membrane surface areas are accounted for, AP uptake is about 2-fold higher. The metabolism of AP and BL ffa is not significantly different: triacylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine account for most of the metabolites (32±4 and 24±2% respectively at 5 minutes). Little ffa oxidation is observed. Preincubation with albumin-bound 2-monoolein (100uM) and palmitate (50uM) increases the level of TG metabolites. The results suggest that in this cell line the uptake of AP ffa may be greater than BL ffa, but that AP (dietary) ffa and BL (plasma) ffa are metabolized similarly

  1. Changes in energetic metabolism of Biomphalaria glabrata (Mollusca, Planorbidae in response to exogenous calcium

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    L. D. Silva

    Full Text Available Abstract Calcium is considered an essential element for the metabolism of aquatic snail Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818, intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907 in Brazil, and represents a limiting factor to its distribution and adaptation to the environment. This study investigated the effect of different concentrations of exogenous CaCO3 on the energetic metabolism of B. glabrata for better understanding the physiological interference of chemical elements dissolved in the environment with the physiology of this species. Sixty-day-old snails were distributed into six groups, five exposed to different concentrations of CaCO3 (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/L and a control group. The exposure to CaCO3 was assessed over time, with analysis of 15 snails of each group in the following intervals: 1, 14, 21 or 30 days for hemolymph extraction. Concentrations of calcium and glucose in the hemolymph were determined by commercial kits, and organic acids were extracted using an ion exchange column and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Concentration of calcium in the hemolymph showed no significant difference (p>0.05 from the control group and between the concentrations tested. Concentration of glucose decreased (p<0.05 in the treatments of exposure to 20 and 40 mg/L and increased when exposed to 80 and 100 mg/L CaCO3 compared to control and to other concentrations tested over 30 days. The organic acids pyruvate, oxaloacetate, citrate, succinate, fumarate, beta-hydroxybutyrate and lactate presented increased concentrations, while propionate and acetoacetate, decreased concentrations, when exposed to CaCO3 compared to control. Considering the influence of different periods of exposure to CaCO3, on the 14th day, there were stronger alterations in the metabolism of B. glabrata. In conclusion, exposure to CaCO3 reduced the concentration of glucose, which is metabolized into pyruvate, the final product of glycolysis, and also

  2. Interaction of GABA-mimetics with the taurine transporter (TauT, Slc6a6) in hyperosmotic treated caco-2, LLC-PK1 and rat renal SKPT cells

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Rasmussen, Rune Nørgaard; Lagunas, Candela; Plum, Jakob Munk

    2016-01-01

    The aim of the present study was to investigate if basic GABA-mimetics interact with the taurine transporter (TauT, Slc6a6), and to find a suitable cell based model that is robust towards extracellular changes in osmolality during uptake studies. Taurine uptake was measured in human Caco-2 cells....... Uptake of the GABA-mimetics gaboxadol and vigabatrin was investigated in SKPT cells, and quantified by liquid scintillation or HPLC-MS/MS analysis, respectively. The uptake rate of [(3)H]-taurine was Na(+) and Cl(-) and concentration dependent with taurine with an apparent Vmax of 6.3±1.6pmolcm(-2)min(-1......) and a Km of 24.9±15.0μM. β-alanine, nipecotic acid, gaboxadol, GABA, vigabatrin, δ-ALA and guvacine inhibited the taurine uptake rate in a concentration dependent manner. The order of affinity for TauT was β-alanine>GABA>nipecotic acid>guvacine>δ-ALA>vigabatrin>gaboxadol with IC50-values of 0.04, 1.07, 2...

  3. Phase formation in Na2MoO4 - MgMoO4 - Cr2(MoO4)3 system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kotova, I.Yu.; Kozhevnikova, N.M.

    1998-01-01

    Interaction within Na 2 MoO 4 - MgMoO 4 - Cr 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 ternary system is studied by X ray phase and DTA methods. State diagram of NaCr(MoO 4 ) 2 - MgMoO 4 section is plotted. Production of ternary molybdates of Na 1-x Mg 1-x Cr 1+x (MoO 4 ) 3 , where 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3, and NaMg 3 Cr(MoO 4 ) 5 composition is ascertained [ru

  4. A randomized, controlled trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in weight management

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Pi-Sunyer, Xavier; Astrup, Arne; Fujioka, Ken

    2015-01-01

    Background Obesity is a chronic disease with serious health consequences, but weight loss is difficult to maintain through lifestyle intervention alone. Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue, has been shown to have potential benefit for weight management at a once-daily dose of 3.0 mg...... or untreated dyslipidemia or hypertension. We randomly assigned patients in a 2:1 ratio to receive once-daily subcutaneous injections of liraglutide at a dose of 3.0 mg (2487 patients) or placebo (1244 patients); both groups received counseling on lifestyle modification. The coprimary end points were...... with liraglutide were mild or moderate nausea and diarrhea. Serious events occurred in 6.2% of the patients in the liraglutide group and in 5.0% of the patients in the placebo group. Conclusions In this study, 3.0 mg of liraglutide, as an adjunct to diet and exercise, was associated with reduced body weight...

  5. The hot deformation behavior and microstructure evolution of HA/Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr composites for biomedical application.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Debao; Liu, Yichi; Zhao, Yue; Huang, Y; Chen, Minfang

    2017-08-01

    The hot deformation behavior of nano-sized hydroxylapatite (HA) reinforced Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr composites were performed by means of Gleeble-1500D thermal simulation machine in a temperature range of 523-673K and a strain rate range of 0.001-1s -1 , and the microstructure evolution during hot compression deformation were also investigated. The results show that the flow stress increases increasing strain rates at a constant temperature, and decreases with increasing deforming temperatures at a constant strain rate. Under the same processing conditions, the flow stresses of the 1HA/Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr specimens are higher than those of the Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr alloy specimens, and the difference is getting closer with increasing deformation temperature. The hot deformation behaviors of Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr and 1HA/Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr can be described by constitutive equation of hyperbolic sine function with the hot deformation activation energy being 124.6kJ/mol and 125.3kJ/mol, respectively. Comparing with Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr alloy, the instability region in the process map of 1HA/Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr expanded to a bigger extent at the same conditions. The optimum process conditions of 1HA/Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr composite is concluded as between the temperature window of 573-623K with a strain rate range of 0.001-0.1s -1 . A higher volume fraction and smaller grain size of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) grains was observed in 1HA/Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr specimens after the hot compression deformation compared with Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr alloy, which was ascribed to the presence of the HA particles that play an important role in particle-stimulated nucleation (PSN) mechanism and can effectively hinder the migration of interfaces. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. 40 CFR 141.135 - Treatment technique for control of disinfection byproduct (DBP) precursors.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-07-01

    ...), is less than 4.0 mg/L, calculated quarterly as a running annual average; the source water alkalinity... treated water alkalinity to less than 60 mg/L (as CaCO3), measured monthly according to § 141.131(d)(1... Step 1 TOC reductions in the far-right column (Source water alkalinity >120 mg/L) for the specified...

  7. The Microstructure and Tensile Properties of a Newly Developed Mg-Al/Mg3Sb2 In Situ Composite in As-Cast and Extruded Conditions

    Science.gov (United States)

    Montajabnia, A.; Pourbahari, B.; Emamy, M.

    2018-04-01

    The microstructures and tensile properties of Mg-x wt%Al-y wt%Sb alloys have been studied where x/y ratio was 1 and Sb(Al) contents were 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%, respectively. The results indicated that by increasing Sb(Al) content, not only the crystals of primary Mg3Sb2 alter from small flake-like particles to polygonal or needle-like morphology, but also the eutectic structure changes from semi-continuous network in Mg-5Al-5Sb to continuous network in Mg-20Sb-20Al alloy. The results obtained from thermal analysis revealed different peaks related to the formation of Mg3Sb2 as primary phase and eutectic structure containing Mg17Al12 + Al3Mg2 intermetallic phases. Further results also revealed that Sb(Al) additions change the solidification performance of the material by depressing the Mg3Sb2 nucleation temperature, reducing solidification range and widening eutectic area. Tensile testing results showed that with the increase in Sb (Al) content, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation values of the alloys are decreased in as-cast condition. But, significant improvement in the UTS and elongation values of the extruded specimens was attributed to the severe fragmentation of intermetallic phases and well distributed fine particles in the matrix which provided proper obstacles for dislocation motion. It was interesting to note that the fracture behavior of intermetallic particles was found to be different, while Mg3Sb2 was ductile, intermetallic compounds in eutectic regions were brittle.

  8. Effectiveness of Neutral Electrolyzed Water on Incidence of Fungal Rot on Tomato Fruits ( Solanum lycopersicum L.).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Vásquez-López, Alfonso; Villarreal-Barajas, Tania; Rodríguez-Ortiz, Gerardo

    2016-10-01

    We assessed the effect of neutral electrolyzed water (NEW) on the incidence of rot on tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum , Galactomyces geotrichum , and Alternaria sp. at sites with lesions. The inoculated fruits were treated with NEW at 10, 30, and 60 mg liter -1 active chlorine, with copper oxychloride fungicide, and with sterile distilled water (control) for 3, 5, and 10 min. In the experiment with F. oxysporum , 50 to 80% of the control fruits and 50 to 60% of the fruits treated with the fungicide exhibited symptoms of rot at the inoculated sites. The lowest incidence recorded was 30% for fruits treated with NEW at 60 mg liter -1 active chlorine with an immersion time of 5 min. In the experiment with G. geotrichum , incidence of rot on control fruits was 70 to 90%, and for treatment with fungicide rot incidence was 50 to 90%. NEW at 60 mg liter -1 active chlorine significantly reduced incidence of symptomatic fruit: only 30% of the inoculated fruits washed for 5 min had damage from rot. In the experiment with Alternaria sp., 60 to 90% of the fruits in the control group and 60 to 70% of the fruits in the fungicide group were symptomatic. The lowest incidence was recorded for the treatment in which the fruits were submerged in NEW with 60 mg liter -1 active chlorine for 3 min. In this group, 40 to 50% of the fruits exhibited symptoms of rot. These results were obtained 8 days after inoculation. NEW, with 60 mg liter -1 active chlorine, significantly reduced incidence of rot symptoms on fruits inoculated with one of the experimental fungi relative to the control (P ≤ 0.05). NEW at 60 mg liter -1 is effective in the control of fungal rot in tomatoes.

  9. Interaction of peridotite with Ca-rich carbonatite melt at 3.1 and 6.5 GPa: Implication for merwinite formation in upper mantle, and for the metasomatic origin of sublithospheric diamonds with Ca-rich suite of inclusions

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sharygin, Igor S.; Shatskiy, Anton; Litasov, Konstantin D.; Golovin, Alexander V.; Ohtani, Eiji; Pokhilenko, Nikolay P.

    2018-03-01

    We performed an experimental study, designed to reproduce the formation of an unusual merwinite + olivine-bearing mantle assemblage recently described as a part of a Ca-rich suite of inclusions in sublithospheric diamonds, through the interaction of peridotite with an alkali-rich Ca-carbonatite melt, derived from deeply subducted oceanic crust. In the first set of experiments, we studied the reaction between powdered Mg-silicates, olivine and orthopyroxene, and a model Ca-carbonate melt (molar Na:K:Ca = 1:1:2), in a homogeneous mixture, at 3.1 and 6.5 GPa. In these equilibration experiments, we observed the formation of a merwinite + olivine-bearing assemblage at 3.1 GPa and 1200 °C and at 6.5 GPa and 1300-1400 °C. The melts coexisting with this assemblage have a low Si and high Ca content (Ca# = molar 100 × Ca/(Ca + Mg) > 0.57). In the second set of experiments, we investigated reaction rims produced by interaction of the same Ca-carbonate melt (molar Na:K:Ca = 1:1:2) with Mg-silicate, olivine and orthopyroxene, single crystals at 3.1 GPa and 1300 °C and at 6.5 GPa and 1400 °C. The interaction of the Ca-carbonate melt with olivine leads to merwinite formation through the expected reaction: 2Mg2SiO4 (olivine) + 6CaCO3 (liquid) = Ca3MgSi2O8 (merwinite) + 3CaMg(CO3)2 (liquid). Thus, our experiments confirm the idea that merwinite in the upper mantle may originate via interaction of peridotite with Ca-rich carbonatite melt, and that diamonds hosting merwinite may have a metasomatic origin. It is remarkable that the interaction of the Ca-carbonate melt with orthopyroxene crystals does not produce merwinite both at 3.1 and 6.5 GPa. This indicates that olivine grain boundaries are preferable for merwinite formation in the upper mantle.

  10. Theme--Achieving 2020. Goal 3: All Students Are Conversationally Literate in Agriculture, Food, Fiber, and Natural Resource Systems.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Trexler, Cary, Ed.

    2000-01-01

    Nine theme articles focus on the need for students to be conversationally literate about agriculture, food, fiber, and natural resources systems. Discusses the definition of conversational literacy, the human and institutional resources needed, and exemplary models for promoting literacy. (JOW)

  11. Coffee induces breast cancer resistance protein expression in Caco-2 cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Isshiki, Marina; Umezawa, Kazuo; Tamura, Hiroomi

    2011-01-01

    Coffee is a beverage that is consumed world-wide on a daily basis and is known to induce a series of metabolic and pharmacological effects, especially in the digestive tract. However, little is known concerning the effects of coffee on transporters in the gastrointestinal tract. To elucidate the effect of coffee on intestinal transporters, we investigated its effect on expression of the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) in a human colorectal cancer cell line, Caco-2. Coffee induced BCRP gene expression in Caco-2 cells in a coffee-dose dependent manner. Coffee treatment of Caco-2 cells also increased the level of BCRP protein, which corresponded to induction of gene expression, and also increased cellular efflux activity, as judged by Hoechst33342 accumulation. None of the major constituents of coffee tested could induce BCRP gene expression. The constituent of coffee that mediated this induction was extractable with ethyl acetate and was produced during the roasting process. Dehydromethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ), an inhibitor of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, inhibited coffee-mediated induction of BCRP gene expression, suggesting involvement of NF-κB in this induction. Our data suggest that daily consumption of coffee might induce BCRP expression in the gastrointestinal tract and may affect the bioavailability of BCRP substrates.

  12. Superconductivity near ferromagnetism in MgCNi3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Rosner, H.; Weht, R.; Johannes, M.; Pickett, W.E.; Tosatti, E.

    2001-06-01

    Superconductivity and ferromagnetism have been believed to be incompatible over any extended temperature range until certain specific examples - RuSr 2 GdCu 2 O 8 and UGe 2 - have arisen in the past 2-3 years. The discovery of superconductivity above 8 K in MgCNi 3 , which is primarily the ferromagnetic element Ni and is strongly exchange-enhanced, provides a probable new and different example. This compound is shown here to be near ferromagnetism, requiring only hole-doping by 12% substitution of Mg by Na or Li. This system will provide the means to probe coupling, and possible coexistence, of these two forms of collective behavior without the requirement of pressure. (author)

  13. Early Weight Loss with Liraglutide 3.0 mg Predicts 1-Year Weight Loss and is Associated with Improvements in Clinical Markers.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Fujioka, Ken; O'Neil, Patrick M; Davies, Melanie; Greenway, Frank; C W Lau, David; Claudius, Birgitte; Skjøth, Trine Vang; Bjørn Jensen, Christine; P H Wilding, John

    2016-11-01

    To identify an early response criterion for predicting ≥5% weight loss with liraglutide 3.0 mg at week 56 and to compare efficacy outcomes in early responders (ERs) and early nonresponders (ENRs). Using pooled data from the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes and SCALE Diabetes trials, weight loss of ≥4% at 16 weeks best predicted ≥5% weight loss after 56 weeks. Weight loss and changes in cardiometabolic risk factors and health-related quality of life were evaluated in ERs (≥4% weight loss at week 16) and ENRs (3.0 mg were 77.3%/22.7% (individuals without type 2 diabetes, T2D) and 62.7%/37.3% (those with T2D). Greater mean weight loss was observed in ERs versus ENRs: 10.8% versus 3.0% (without T2D) and 8.5% versus 3.1% (T2D). In both trials, greater proportions of ERs versus ENRs achieved ≥5%, >10%, and >15% weight loss at week 56 with liraglutide 3.0 mg. Greater improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors and health-related quality of life scores were observed in ERs versus ENRs. The early response criterion was clinically useful to identify individuals who would achieve clinically meaningful weight loss at 56 weeks. © 2016 The Authors Obesity published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Obesity Society (TOS).

  14. Raman spectra of MgSiO3 . 10% Al2O3-perovskite at various pressures and temperatures

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu Lingun; Irifune, T.

    1995-01-01

    Variations of Raman spectra of MgSiO 3 . 10% Al 2 O 3 -perovskite were investigated up to about 270 kbar at room temperature and in the range 108-425 K at atmospheric pressure. Like MgSiO 3 -perovskite, the Raman frequencies of MgSiO 3 . 10% Al 2 O 3 -perovskite increase nonlinearly with increasing pressure and decrease linearly with increasing temperature within the experimental uncertainties and the range investigated. A comparison of these data with those of MgSiO 3 -perovskite suggests that MgSiO 3 . 10% Al 2 O 3 -perovskite is slightly more compressible than MgSiO 3 -perovskite, and that the volume thermal expansion for MgSiO 3 . 10% Al 2 O 3 -perovskite is also slightly greater than that for MgSiO 3 -perovskite. (orig.)

  15. Diamine Oxidase from White Pea (Lathyrus sativus) Combined with Catalase Protects the Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cell Line from Histamine Damage.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jumarie, Catherine; Séïde, Marilyne; Marcocci, Lucia; Pietrangeli, Paola; Mateescu, Mircea Alexandru

    2017-07-01

    Diamine oxidase (DAO) administration has been proposed to treat certain gastrointestinal dysfunctions induced by histamine, an immunomodulator, signaling, and pro-inflammatory factor. However, H 2 O 2 resulting from the oxidative deamination of histamine by DAO may be toxic. The purpose of this study was to investigate to which extent DAO from white pea (Lathyrus sativus), alone or in combination with catalase, may modulate histamine toxicity in the human intestinal Caco-2 cell line. The results show that histamine at concentrations higher than 1 mM is toxic to the Caco-2 cells, independently of the cell differentiation status, with a LC 50 of ≅ 10 mM following a 24-h exposure. Depending on its concentration, DAO increased histamine toxicity to a greater extent in differentiated cells compared to undifferentiated cultures. In the presence of catalase, the DAO-induced increase in histamine toxicity was completely abolished in the undifferentiated cells and only partially decreased in differentiated cells, showing differences in the sensitivity of Caco-2 cells to the products resulting from histamine degradation by DAO (H 2 O 2 , NH 3 , or imidazole aldehyde). It appears that treatment of food histaminosis using a combination of vegetal DAO and catalase would protect against histamine toxicity and prevent H 2 O 2 -induced damage that may occur during histamine oxidative deamination.

  16. The Whiteside Run restoration project: Wetlands and stream mitigation and restoration of a previously polluted stream

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bigatel, A.; Hellier, W.W.; Forman, J.G.; Kepler, S.

    1998-01-01

    An 841,000 m 3 coal refuse pile from the operation of a now abandoned Lower Kitanning (B) coal deep mine had been the source of over 95% of the mine drainage pollution in Whiteside Run, a tributary of Moshannon Creek in Gulich and Woodward Townships, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. Representative water quality upstream of the refuse pile was: pH = 6.9; alkalinity = 31 and acidity = 0 mg/L as CaCO 3 equivalent; [Fe] = 0.85 mg/L; [Mn] = 0.31 mg/L; and [Al] = 0.25 mg/L. Representative water quality downstream of the refuse pile before th project was: pH = 3.0; alkalinity = 0 and acidity = 358 mg/L as CaCO 3 equivalent; [Fe] = 7.08 mg/L; [Mn] = 0.81 mg/L; and [Al] = 46.86 mg/L. Present downstream water quality is: pH = 5.9; alkalinity = 14.3 and acidity = 8.1 mg/L as CaCO 3 equivalent; [Fe] = 1.57 mg/L; [Mn] = 0.92 mg/L; and [Al] = 0.97 mg/L. There has been a significant improvement in the diversity of aquatic life since the project was undertaken. Power Operating Co., Inc., a local coal mining company, applied for authorization to conduct coal mining activities which would affect a wetland with an area of 1.7 ha and 790 m of an unnamed tributary of Moshannon Creek. Although part of this wetland was anthropogenic, having developed because earlier mining activities by others had affected the channel of the unnamed tributary of Moshannon Creek, the major portion of the area was a natural wetland. Power Operating developed 2.6 ha (6.5 ac) of constructed wetlands to replace the wetland disturbed by mining. The refuse pile was removed and placed in the backfilled area of Power's adjacent surface mine permit, and the mitigation wetland was constructed on the area formerly occupied by the refuse pile. As a result, 6.4 km (4 mi) of formerly polluted stream are now capable of supporting fish

  17. The study of ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O) formation and its impact on biogeochemical processes in artificial sea ice brine

    OpenAIRE

    Hu, Yubin

    2014-01-01

    Calcium carbonate precipitation in polar sea ice has been proposed as one of the driving forces for the carbon pump in sea ice covered regions. After decades of controversial discussion on whether calcium carbonate can be precipitated in sea ice, the mineral ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O) was for the first time discovered in Antarctic sea ice (Dieckmann et al., 2008) and later also found in Arctic sea ice (Dieckmann et al., 2010). However, the mechanism of ikaite precipitation in sea ice is not well kno...

  18. Energetic prediction on the stability of A2Mg12Si7, A2Mg4Si3, and AMgSi in the A2Si–Mg2Si system (A = Ca, Sr and Ba) and their calculated electronic structures

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Imai, Yoji; Mori, Yoshihisa; Nakamura, Shigeyuki; Takarabe, Ken-ichi

    2014-01-01

    Highlights: • Formation energies of A 2 Mg 4 Si 3 , A 2 Mg 12 Si 7 , and AMgSi (A = Ca,Sr,Ba) were calculated. • All AMgSi are quite stable compared to mixture of A 2 Si and Mg 2 Si. • Ba 2 Mg 4 Si 3 and Sr 2 Mg 4 Si 3 are predicted to be stable, but Ca 2 Mg 4 Si 3 is not. • Ca 2 Mg 12 Si 7 and Sr 2 Mg 12 Si 7 are energetically unstable. • Stability of Ba 2 Mg 12 Si 7 is a tender subject. -- Abstract: In order to evaluate the relative stability of A 2 Mg 4 Si 3 , A 2 Mg 12 Si 7 , and AMgSi (A = Ca, Sr, and Ba) in the A 2 Si–Mg 2 Si system, electronic energy changes in the formation of these compounds were calculated using a density-functional theory with the Perdew–Wang generalized gradient approximations. It was found that (1) AMgSi’s are quite stable compared to equi-molar mixture of A 2 Si and Mg 2 Si, (2) Ba 2 Mg 4 Si 3 and Sr 2 Mg 4 Si 3 are also stable, (3) Ca 2 Mg 4 Si 3 and Ca 2 Mg 12 Si 7 are less stable than the mixture of CaMgSi and Mg 2 Si, and (4) Stability of Ba 2 Mg 12 Si 7 is a tender subject and Sr 2 Mg 12 Si 7 is energetically unstable compared to the mixture of Sr 2 Mg 4 Si 3 (or, SrMgSi) and Mg 2 Si. The presence of Sr 2 Mg 12 Si 7 may be due to the vibrational and/or configurational entropy, which are not treated in the present study. From the calculated electronic densities of state, complex compounds of SrMgSi and Mg 2 Si have both p-type and n-type character, depending on the ratio of SrMgSi and Mg 2 Si in that compound

  19. Suppression of Literal Meanings in L2 Idiom Processing: Does Context Help?

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cieslicka, Anna B.

    2011-01-01

    Most current idiom processing models acknowledge, after Gernsbacher and Robertson (1999) that deriving an idiomatic meaning entails suppression of contextually inappropriate, literal meanings of idiom constituent words. While embedding idioms in the rich disambiguating context can promote earlier suppression of incompatible literal meanings,…

  20. Modulation of cytokine release by differentiated CACO-2 cells in a compartmentalized coculture model with mononuclear leucocytes and nonpathogenic bacteria

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Parlesak, Alexandr; Haller, D.; Brinz, S.

    2004-01-01

    To further investigate the interaction between human mononuclear leucocytes [peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)] and enterocytes, the effect of a confluent layer of differentiated CACO-2 cells on cytokine kinetics during challenge with bacteria in a compartmentalized coculture model...... cells when leucocytes were stimulated directly with bacteria. This suppression was not paralleled by changes in the production of IL-10, IL-6 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. When the bacteria were applied apically to the CACO-2 cell layer, the production of TNF-alpha, IL-12, IL-1beta, IL-8......, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-beta and interferon-gamma was pronouncedly lower as compared to the bacterial stimulation of leucocytes beneath the CACO-2 cells. In the latter experiments, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha were the cytokines being mostly induced by apical addition of E. coli. Quantitative mRNA expression...

  1. Risk factors for fractures in the elderly.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jacqmin-Gadda, H; Fourrier, A; Commenges, D; Dartigues, J F

    1998-07-01

    We report the results of a 5-year prospective cohort study of risk factors for fractures, including drinking fluoridated water, in a cohort of 3,216 men and women aged 65 years and older. We studied risk factors for hip fracture and fractures at other locations separately. We found a higher risk of hip fractures for subjects exposed to fluorine concentrations over 0.11 mg per liter but without a dose-effect relation (odds ratio (OR) = 3.25 for a concentration of 0.11-0.25 mg per liter; OR = 2.43 for > or = 0.25 mg per liter]. For higher thresholds (0.7 and 1 mg per liter), however, the OR was less than 1. We found no association between fluorine and non-hip fractures. Non-hip fractures were associated with polymedication rather than with specific drug use, whereas fracture was associated with polymedication and use of anxiolytic and antidepressive drugs. Subjects drinking spirits every day were more likely to have hip fractures. Tobacco consumption increased the risk for non-hip fractures.

  2. Improvement for enhanced xylanase production by Cellulosimicrobium cellulans CKMX1 using central composite design of response surface methodology.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Walia, Abhishek; Mehta, Preeti; Guleria, Shiwani; Shirkot, Chand Karan

    2015-12-01

    The effects of yeast extract (X 1 ), NH 4 NO 3 (X 2 ), peptone (X 3 ), urea (X 4 ), CMC (X 5 ), Tween 20 (X 6 ), MgSO 4 (X 7 ), and CaCO 3 (X 8 ) on production of xylanase from Cellulosimicrobium cellulans CKMX1 were optimized by statistical analysis using response surface methodology (RSM). The RSM was used to optimize xylanase production by implementing the Central composite design. Statistical analysis of the results showed that the linear, interaction and quadric terms of these variables had significant effects. However, only the linear effect of X 4 , X 5 , interaction effect of X 1 X 7 , X 1 X 8 , X 2 X 3 , X 2 X 8 , X 3 X 6 , X 3 X 8 , X 4 X 6 , X 4 X 7 , X 5 X 7 , X 5 X 8 and quadratic effect of X 3 2 , X 5 2 and X 7 2 found to be insignificant terms in the quadratic model and had no response at significant level. The minimum and maximum xylanase production obtained was 331.50 U/g DBP and 1027.65 U/g DBP, respectively. The highest xylanase activity was obtained from Run No. 30, which consisted of yeast extract (X 1 ), 1.00 g (%); NH 4 NO 3 (X 2 ), 0.20 g (%); peptone (X 3 ), 1.00 g (%); urea (X 4 ), 10 mg (%); CMC (X 5 ), 1.00 g (%); Tween 20 (X 6 ), 0.02 mL (%); CaCO 3 (X 7 ), 0.50 g (%) and MgSO 4 (X 8 ), 9.0 g (%). The optimization resulted in 3.1-fold increase of xylanase production, compared with the lowest xylanase production of 331.50 U/g DBP after 72 h of incubation in stationary flask experiment. Application of cellulase-free xylanase in pulp biobleaching from C. cellulans CKMX1 under C-E P -D sequence has been shown to bring about a 12.5 % reduction of chlorine, decrease of 0.8 kappa points (40 %), and gain in brightness was 1.42 % ISO points in 0.5 % enzyme treated pulp as compared to control.

  3. Oral perfomances in a (post-) literate society

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Sanfratello, Giuseppe

    2016-01-01

    The attempt of the present paper is to introduce the following question: How is it possible to still talk about “oral performances” in a literate, indeed “postliterate” society? In order to stress the relevance of such a topic, I will examine some achievements in research fields both dealing...... with literary studies and musicological enquiry. Taking into account some instances of oral musical traditions gathered during ethnomusicological fieldwork, e.g. the singing of mandinàdhes (couplets of improvised rhymed verses) from Crete and the Byzantine liturgical chant of the Albanians of Sicily, I...... will analyse the process both of (re)writing a poetic-formulaic tradition by adapting itself to the modern multimedia technology (i.e. the “media literate poets” case on Crete) and developing techniques of oral safeguarding without the usage of musical notation (i.e. the case of the Sicilian-Albanian community...

  4. Cellular Response to Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Intestinal Epithelial Caco-2 Cells is Dependent on Endocytosis-Associated Structures and Mediated by EGFR

    Science.gov (United States)

    Krüger, Kristin; Schrader, Katrin; Klempt, Martin

    2017-01-01

    Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most applied nanomaterials and widely used in food and non-food industries as an additive or coating material (E171). It has been shown that E171 contains up to 37% particles which are smaller than 100 nm and that TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) induce cytotoxicity and inflammation. Using a nuclear factor Kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) reporter cell line (Caco-2nfkb-RE), Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and inhibition of dynamin and clathrin, it was shown that cellular responses induced by 5 nm and 10 nm TiO2 NPs (nominal size) depends on endocytic processes. As endocytosis is often dependent on the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), further investigations focused on the involvement of EGFR in the uptake of TiO2 NPs: (1) inhibition of EGFR reduced inflammatory markers of the cell (i.e., nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity, mRNA of IL8, CCL20, and CXCL10); and (2) exposure of Caco-2 cells to TiO2 NPs activated the intracellular EGFR cascade beginning with EGFR-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2, and including transcription factor ELK1. This was followed by the expression of ERK1/2 target genes CCL2 and CXCL3. We concluded that TiO2 NPs enter the cell via EGFR-associated endocytosis, followed by activation of the EGFR/ERK/ELK signaling pathway, which finally induces NF-κB. No changes in inflammatory response are observed in Caco-2 cells exposed to 32 nm and 490 nm TiO2 particles. PMID:28387727

  5. Cellular Response to Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Intestinal Epithelial Caco-2 Cells is Dependent on Endocytosis-Associated Structures and Mediated by EGFR.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Krüger, Kristin; Schrader, Katrin; Klempt, Martin

    2017-04-07

    Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is one of the most applied nanomaterials and widely used in food and non-food industries as an additive or coating material (E171). It has been shown that E171 contains up to 37% particles which are smaller than 100 nm and that TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) induce cytotoxicity and inflammation. Using a nuclear factor Kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) reporter cell line (Caco-2 nfkb-RE ), Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and inhibition of dynamin and clathrin, it was shown that cellular responses induced by 5 nm and 10 nm TiO₂ NPs (nominal size) depends on endocytic processes. As endocytosis is often dependent on the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), further investigations focused on the involvement of EGFR in the uptake of TiO₂ NPs: (1) inhibition of EGFR reduced inflammatory markers of the cell (i.e., nuclear factor (NF)-κB activity, mRNA of IL8, CCL20, and CXCL10); and (2) exposure of Caco-2 cells to TiO₂ NPs activated the intracellular EGFR cascade beginning with EGFR-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2, and including transcription factor ELK1. This was followed by the expression of ERK1/2 target genes CCL2 and CXCL3. We concluded that TiO₂ NPs enter the cell via EGFR-associated endocytosis, followed by activation of the EGFR/ERK/ELK signaling pathway, which finally induces NF-κB. No changes in inflammatory response are observed in Caco-2 cells exposed to 32 nm and 490 nm TiO₂ particles.

  6. Structural and magnetic properties of Mg doped YbMnO{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sattibabu, Bhumireddi, E-mail: bsb.satti@gmail.com [School of Engineering Sciences and Technology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046 (India); Bhatnagar, Anil K., E-mail: anilb42@gmail.com [School of Engineering Sciences and Technology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046 (India); School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046 (India); Rayaprol, Sudhindra [UGC-DAE CSR, Mumbai Centre, R-5 Shed, BARC, Mumbai 400085 (India); Mohan, Dasari; Das, Dibakar; Sundararaman, Mahadevan [School of Engineering Sciences and Technology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046 (India); Siruguri, Vasudeva [UGC-DAE CSR, Mumbai Centre, R-5 Shed, BARC, Mumbai 400085 (India)

    2014-09-01

    We have studied the effect of Mg doping on structure and magnetism of multiferroic YbMnO{sub 3}. Room temperature neutron diffraction studies were carried out on polycrystalline Yb{sub 1−x}Mg{sub x}MnO{sub 3} (x=0.00 and 0.05) samples to determine phase formation as well as cation distribution and structural properties such as bond length and bond angles. The structural analysis shows that with Mg substitution, there is a marginal change in a and c parameters of the hexagonal unit cell, c/a ratio remains constant for x=0 and 0.05 samples. Due to changes in bond angle and bond lengths on substituting Mg, there is a slight decrease in the distortion of MnO{sub 5} polyhedra. Magnetic measurements show that the Néel temperature (T{sub N}) increases marginally from 85 K for x=0.00 to 89 K for x=0.05 sample.

  7. The effect of novel surfactants and Solutol HS 15 on paclitaxel aqueous solubility and permeability across a Caco-2 monolayer.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Alani, Adam W G; Rao, Deepa A; Seidel, Ron; Wang, Jian; Jiao, Jim; Kwon, Glen S

    2010-08-01

    The effect of novel surfactants on the aqueous solubility and the permeability of paclitaxel across a Caco-2 cell monolayer were examined in this work. The solubility and permeability of paclitaxel was evaluated in the presence of four soft surfactants (SS) KXN441, KXN424, KXN437, and KXN 337 and Solutol HS15. All surfactants increased the aqueous solubility of paclitaxel. Caco-2 cell membrane integrity in the presence of SS and Solutol HS15 was assessed by mannitol permeability and LDH release. All surfactants were tested at 0.5x CMC, 5x CMC and 1.5 mM concentrations. The effect of SSs on paclitaxel permeability was concentration dependent. At all concentrations tested, KXN 441 and Solutol HS 15 showed partially inhibition of drug efflux with no discernable change in mannitol permeability or cytotoxicity as observed with LDH release. At these concentrations, other SSs exhibited some partial efflux inhibition along with compromised membrane integrity and increasing mannitol permeability. In conclusion, all SSs were able to increase the aqueous solubility and permeability of paclitaxel across Caco-2 cells monolayer. However, KXN441 and Solutol HS15 were able to enhance paclitaxel permeability across Caco-2 monolayer without cytotoxicity. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association

  8. Studies of diluted antiferromagnets MnxMg1-xTiO3 with x=0.55 and 0.70 by muon spin relaxation method

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Fukaya, A.; Ito, A.; Torikai, E.; Nishiyama, K.; Nagamine, K.

    1997-01-01

    Longitudinal fields μSR measurements have been performed in order to probe the spin dynamics in the diluted antiferromagnets Mn x Mg 1-x TiO 3 with x=0.70 and 0.55. In the x=0.70 sample which forms the antiferromagnetic long-range order, the static and fluctuating fields coexist at the muon stopping site below T N . On the other hand, in the x=0.55 sample which shows the spin-glass behavior, the local fields fluctuate rather fast even below T SG . We infer that this drastic change occurs when Mn x Mg 1-x TiO 3 transforms from an antiferromagnetic system to a spin-glass system by dilution

  9. Stress corrosion cracking and corrosion fatigue characterisation of MgZn1Ca0.3 (ZX10) in a simulated physiological environment.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jafari, Sajjad; Raman, R K Singh; Davies, Chris H J; Hofstetter, Joelle; Uggowitzer, Peter J; Löffler, Jörg F

    2017-01-01

    Magnesium (Mg) alloys have attracted great attention as potential materials for biodegradable implants. It is essential that an implant material possesses adequate resistance to cracking/fracture under the simultaneous actions of corrosion and mechanical stresses, i.e., stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and/or corrosion fatigue (CF). This study investigates the deformation behaviour of a newly developed high-strength low-alloy Mg alloy, MgZn1Ca0.3 (ZX10), processed at two different extrusion temperatures of 325 and 400°C (named E325 and E400, respectively), under slow strain tensile and cyclic tension-compression loadings in air and modified simulated body fluid (m-SBF). Extrusion resulted in a bimodal grain size distribution with recrystallised grain sizes of 1.2 μm ± 0.8 μm and 7 ± 5 μm for E325 and E400, respectively. E325 possessed superior tensile and fatigue properties to E400 when tested in air. This is mainly attributed to a grain-boundary strengthening mechanism. However, both E325 and E400 were found to be susceptible to SCC at a strain rate of 3.1×10 -7 s -1 in m-SBF. Moreover, both E325 and E400 showed similar fatigue strength when tested in m-SBF. This is explained on the basis of crack initiation from localised corrosion following tests in m-SBF. Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Efficient removal of copper from wastewater by using mechanically activated calcium carbonate.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hu, Huimin; Li, Xuewei; Huang, Pengwu; Zhang, Qiwu; Yuan, Wenyi

    2017-12-01

    Copper removal from aqueous solution is necessary from the stances of both environmental protection and copper resource recycling. It is important to develop a new chemical precipitation method suitable for removing copper particularly at low concentration as the case of waste mine water, with regards to the various problems related to the current precipitation methods by using strong alkalis or soluble sulfides. In this research, we studied a possible chemical precipitation of copper ions at concentration around 60 mg/L or lower by cogrinding copper sulfate in water with calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) using wet stirred ball milling. With the aid of ball milling, copper precipitation as a basic sulfate (posnjakite: Cu 4 (SO 4 ) (OH) 6 ·H 2 O) occurred at a very high copper removal rate of 99.76%, to reduce the residual copper concentration in the solution less than 0.5 mg/L, reaching the discharge limit, even with the addition amount of CaCO 3 as a stoichiometric ratio of CaCO 3 /Cu 2+ at 1:1. It is more interesting to notice that, at the same conditions, other heavy metals such as Ni, Mn, Zn and Cd do not precipitate obviously just with CaCO 3 addition at CaCO 3 /M 2+ at 1:1 so that the precipitate without the impurities can be processed as good source to recover copper. This newly proposed concept can be further developed to treat wastewaters with other metals to serve both purposes of environmental purification and resource recovery in a similar way. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus B-30892 can inhibit cytotoxic effects and adhesion of pathogenic Clostridium difficile to Caco-2 cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Banerjee Pratik

    2009-04-01

    Full Text Available Abstract Background Probiotic microorganisms are receiving increasing interest for use in the prevention, treatment, or dietary management of certain diseases, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD. Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of AAD and the resulting C. difficile – mediated infection (CDI, is potentially deadly. C. difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD is manifested by severe inflammation and colitis, mostly due to the release of two exotoxins by C. difficile causing destruction of epithelial cells in the intestine. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus B-30892 (LDB B-30892 on C. difficile-mediated cytotoxicity using Caco-2 cells as a model. Methods Experiments were carried out to test if the cytotoxicity induced by C. difficile-conditioned-medium on Caco-2 cells can be altered by cell-free supernatant (CFS from LDB B-30892 in different dilutions (1:2 to 1:2048. In a similar experimental setup, comparative evaluations of other probiotic strains were made by contrasting the results from these strains with the results from LDB B-30892, specifically the ability to affect C. difficile induced cytotoxicity on Caco-2 monolayers. Adhesion assays followed by quantitative analysis by Giemsa staining were conducted to test if the CFSs from LDB B-30892 and other probiotic test strains have the capability to alter the adhesion of C. difficile to the Caco-2 monolayer. Experiments were also performed to evaluate if LDB B-30892 or its released components have any bactericidal effect on C. difficile. Results and discussion Co-culturing of LDB B-30892 with C. difficile inhibited the C. difficile-mediated cytotoxicity on Caco-2 cells. When CFS from LDB B-30892-C. difficile co-culture was administered (up to a dilution of 1:16 on Caco-2 monolayer, there were no signs of cytotoxicity. When CFS from separately grown LDB B-30892 was mixed with the cell-free toxin

  12. Early Weight Loss with Liraglutide 3.0 mg Predicts 1‐Year Weight Loss and is Associated with Improvements in Clinical Markers

    Science.gov (United States)

    O'Neil, Patrick M.; Davies, Melanie; Greenway, Frank; C.W. Lau, David; Claudius, Birgitte; Skjøth, Trine Vang; Bjørn Jensen, Christine; P.H. Wilding, John

    2016-01-01

    Objective To identify an early response criterion for predicting ≥5% weight loss with liraglutide 3.0 mg at week 56 and to compare efficacy outcomes in early responders (ERs) and early nonresponders (ENRs). Methods Using pooled data from the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes and SCALE Diabetes trials, weight loss of ≥4% at 16 weeks best predicted ≥5% weight loss after 56 weeks. Weight loss and changes in cardiometabolic risk factors and health‐related quality of life were evaluated in ERs (≥4% weight loss at week 16) and ENRs (3.0 mg were 77.3%/22.7% (individuals without type 2 diabetes, T2D) and 62.7%/37.3% (those with T2D). Greater mean weight loss was observed in ERs versus ENRs: 10.8% versus 3.0% (without T2D) and 8.5% versus 3.1% (T2D). In both trials, greater proportions of ERs versus ENRs achieved ≥5%, >10%, and >15% weight loss at week 56 with liraglutide 3.0 mg. Greater improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors and health‐related quality of life scores were observed in ERs versus ENRs. Conclusions The early response criterion was clinically useful to identify individuals who would achieve clinically meaningful weight loss at 56 weeks. PMID:27804269

  13. One-liter Hg ion clock for space and ground applications

    Science.gov (United States)

    Prestage, John D.; Chung, Sang; Le, Thanh; Beach, Maggie; Maleki, Lute; Tjoelker, Robert L.

    2003-01-01

    We describe the development of a small Hg ion clock suitable for space use. A small clock occupying 1-2 liters volume and producing stability of 10 to the power negative twelve, divided by square root pi would significantly advance the state of space-qualified atomic clocks. Based on recent measurements, this technology should produce long-term stability as good as 10 to the power negative fifteen.

  14. O espaço político aberto pela leitura literária

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Leonardo Pinto de Almeida

    2013-01-01

    Full Text Available O presente artigo se propõe questionar sobre o espaço político aberto pela leitura literária. Especificando a literatura como uma tentativa de compreensão de problemas relacionados à existência, sublinhamos como a leitura literária coloca em questão nossas convicções e verdades defendidas cotidianamente. Para tanto, compreendemos as relações tecidas entre a linguagem, o poder e a resistência no seio da experiência literária. Concluímos que a leitura literária é atravessada por formas de resistência às palavras de ordem que circulam de forma hegemônica em nossa sociedade, disponibilizando assim uma transformação em nossa rede afetiva e cognitiva.

  15. TEM analysis of the microstructure in TiF3-catalyzed and pure MgH2 during the hydrogen storage cycling

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Danaie, Mohsen; Mitlin, David

    2012-01-01

    We utilized transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, with a cryogenically cooled sample stage, to detail the microstructure of partially transformed pure and titanium fluoride-catalyzed magnesium hydride powder during hydrogenation cycling. The TiF 3 -catalyzed MgH 2 powder demonstrated excellent hydrogen storage kinetics at various temperatures, whereas the uncatalyzed MgH 2 showed significant degradation in both kinetics and capacity. TEM analysis on the partially hydrogen absorbed and partially desorbed pure Mg(MgH 2 ) revealed a large fraction of particles that were either not transformed at all or were completely transformed. On the other hand, in the MgH 2 +TiF 3 system it was much easier to identify regions with both the hydride and the metal phase coexisting in the same particle. This enabled us to establish the metal hydride orientation relationship (OR) during hydrogen absorption. The OR was determined to be (1 1 0)MgH 2 || (−1 1 0 −1)Mg and [−1 1 1]MgH 2 || [0 11 1]Mg. During absorption the number density of the hydride nuclei does not show a dramatic increase due the presence of TiF 3 . Conversely, during desorption the TiF 3 catalyst substantially increases the number of the newly formed Mg crystallites, which display a strong texture correlation with respect to the parent MgH 2 phase. Titanium fluoride also promotes extensive twinning in the hydride phase.

  16. Convergent Synthesis of the Potent P2Y Receptor Antagonist MG 50-3-1 Based on a Regioselective Ullmann Coupling Reaction

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Christa E. Müller

    2012-03-01

    Full Text Available MG 50-3-1 (3, trisodium 1-amino-4-{4-[4-chloro-6-(2-sulfophenylamino-1,3,5-triazin-2-ylamino]-2-sulfophenylamino}-9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracene 2-sulfonate is the most potent and selective antagonist (IC50 4.6 nM for “P2Y1-like” nucleotide-activated membrane receptors in guinea-pig taenia coli responsible for smooth muscle relaxation. Full characterization of the compound, however, e.g., at the human P2Y1 receptor, which is a novel potential target for antithrombotic drugs, as well as other P2 receptor subtypes, has been hampered due to difficulties in synthesizing the compound in sufficient quantity. MG 50-3-1 would be highly useful as a biological tool for detailed investigation of signal transduction in the gut. We have now developed a convenient, fast, mild, and efficient convergent synthesis of 3 based on retrosynthetic analysis. A new, regioselective Ullmann coupling reaction under microwave irradiation was successfully developed to obtain 1-amino-4-(4-amino-2-sulfophenylamino-9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydro­anthracene 2-sulfonate (8. Four different copper catalysts (Cu, CuCl, CuCl2, and CuSO4 were investigated at different pH values of sodium phosphate buffer, and in water in the absence or presence of base. Results showed that CuSO4 in water in the presence of triethylamine provided the best conditions for the regioselective Ullmann coupling reaction yielding the key intermediate compound 8. A new synthon (sodium 2-(4,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazin-2-ylaminobenzenesulfonate, 13 which can easily be obtained on a gram scale was prepared, and 13 was successfully coupled with 8 yielding the target compound 3.

  17. In silico modelling of permeation enhancement potency in Caco-2 monolayers based on molecular descriptors and random forest

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Welling, Søren Havelund; Clemmensen, Line Katrine Harder; Buckley, Stephen T.

    2015-01-01

    has been developed.The random forest-QSAR model was based upon Caco-2 data for 41 surfactant-like permeation enhancers from Whitehead et al. (2008) and molecular descriptors calculated from their structure.The QSAR model was validated by two test-sets: (i) an eleven compound experimental set with Caco......-2 data and (ii) nine compounds with Caco-2 data from literature. Feature contributions, a recent developed diagnostic tool, was applied to elucidate the contribution of individual molecular descriptors to the predicted potency. Feature contributions provided easy interpretable suggestions...

  18. Formation mechanism and control of MgO·Al2O3 inclusions in non-oriented silicon steel

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sun, Yan-hui; Zeng, Ya-nan; Xu, Rui; Cai, Kai-ke

    2014-11-01

    On the basis of the practical production of non-oriented silicon steel, the formation of MgO·Al2O3 inclusions was analyzed in the process of "basic oxygen furnace (BOF) → RH → compact strip production (CSP)". The thermodynamic and kinetic conditions of the formation of MgO·Al2O3 inclusions were discussed, and the behavior of slag entrapment in molten steel during RH refining was simulated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. The results showed that the MgO/Al2O3 mass ratio was in the range from 0.005 to 0.017 and that MgO·Al2O3 inclusions were not observed before the RH refining process. In contrast, the MgO/Al2O3 mass ratio was in the range from 0.30 to 0.50, and the percentage of MgO·Al2O3 spinel inclusions reached 58.4% of the total inclusions after the RH refining process. The compositions of the slag were similar to those of the inclusions; furthermore, the critical velocity of slag entrapment was calculated to be 0.45 m·s-1 at an argon flow rate of 698 L·min-1, as simulated using CFD software. When the test steel was in equilibrium with the slag, [Mg] was 0.00024wt%-0.00028wt% and [Al]s was 0.31wt%-0.37wt%; these concentrations were theoretically calculated to fall within the MgO·Al2O3 formation zone, thereby leading to the formation of MgO·Al2O3 inclusions in the steel. Thus, the formation of MgO·Al2O3 inclusions would be inhibited by reducing the quantity of slag entrapment, controlling the roughing slag during casting, and controlling the composition of the slag and the MgO content in the ladle refractory.

  19. Anti-inflammatory activity of the basolateral fraction of Caco-2 cells exposed to a rosemary supercritical extract

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Arranz, E.; Mes, J.J.; Wichers, H.J.; Jaime, L.; Reglero, G.; Santoyo, S.

    2015-01-01

    The anti-inflammatory activity of the basolateral fraction of Caco-2 cells exposed to a rosemary supercritical extract was examined. Uptake of rosemary extract fractions was tested on Caco-2 cell monolayers (2–12 h incubation times) and the quantification of carnosic acid and carnosol was performed

  20. Effect of softening precipitate composition and surface characteristics on natural organic matter adsorption.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Russell, Caroline G; Lawler, Desmond F; Speitel, Gerald E; Katz, Lynn E

    2009-10-15

    Natural organic matter (NOM) removal during water softening is thought to occur through adsorption onto or coprecipitation with calcium and magnesium solids. However, details of precipitate composition and surface chemistry and subsequent interactions with NOM are relatively unknown. In this study, zeta potentiometry analyses of precipitates formed from inorganic solutions under varying conditions (e.g., Ca-only, Mg-only, Ca + Mg, increasing lime or NaOH dose) indicated that both CaCO3 and Mg(OH)2 were positively charged at higher lime (Ca(OH)2) and NaOH doses (associated with pH values above 11.5), potentially yielding a greater affinity for adsorbing negatively charged organic molecules. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) images of CaCO3 solids illustrated the rhombohedral shape characteristic of calcite. In the presence of increasing concentrations of magnesium, the CaCO3 rhombs shifted to more elongated crystals. The CaCO3 solids also exhibited increasingly positive surface charge from Mg incorporation into the crystal lattice, potentially creating more favorable conditions for adsorption of organic matter. NOM adsorption experiments using humic substances extracted from Lake Austin and Missouri River water elucidated the role of surface charge and surface area on adsorption.

  1. Chip-Oriented Fluorimeter Design and Detection System Development for DNA Quantification in Nano-Liter Volumes

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Da-Sheng Lee

    2009-12-01

    Full Text Available The chip-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR system has been developed in recent years to achieve DNA quantification. Using a microstructure and miniature chip, the volume consumption for a PCR can be reduced to a nano-liter. With high speed cycling and a low reaction volume, the time consumption of one PCR cycle performed on a chip can be reduced. However, most of the presented prototypes employ commercial fluorimeters which are not optimized for fluorescence detection of such a small quantity sample. This limits the performance of DNA quantification, especially low experiment reproducibility. This study discusses the concept of a chip-oriented fluorimeter design. Using the analytical model, the current study analyzes the sensitivity and dynamic range of the fluorimeter to fit the requirements for detecting fluorescence in nano-liter volumes. Through the optimized processes, a real-time PCR on a chip system with only one nano-liter volume test sample is as sensitive as the commercial real-time PCR machine using the sample with twenty micro-liter volumes. The signal to noise (S/N ratio of a chip system for DNA quantification with hepatitis B virus (HBV plasmid samples is 3 dB higher. DNA quantification by the miniature chip shows higher reproducibility compared to the commercial machine with respect to samples of initial concentrations from 103 to 105 copies per reaction.

  2. A mucus adhesion promoting protein, MapA, mediates the adhesion of Lactobacillus reuteri to Caco-2 human intestinal epithelial cells.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Miyoshi, Yukihiro; Okada, Sanae; Uchimura, Tai; Satoh, Eiichi

    2006-07-01

    Lactobacillus reuteri is one of the dominant lactobacilli found in the gastrointestinal tract of various animals. A surface protein of L. reuteri 104R, mucus adhesion promoting protein (MapA), is considered to be an adhesion factor of this strain. We investigated the relation between MapA and adhesion of L. reuteri to human intestinal (Caco-2) cells. Quantitative analysis of the adhesion of L. reuteri strains to Caco-2 cells showed that various L. reuteri strains bind not only to mucus but also to intestinal epithelial cells. In addition, purified MapA bound to Caco-2 cells, and this binding inhibited the adhesion of L. reuteri in a concentration-dependent manner. Based on these observations, the adhesion of L. reuteri appears due to the binding of MapA to receptor-like molecules on Caco-2 cells. Further, far-western analysis indicated the existence of multiple receptor-like molecules in Caco-2 cells.

  3. Comparison of 200-liter and 40-milliliter leach tests

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Westsik, J.H. Jr.; Harvey, C.O.; Roberts, F.P.; Ross, W.A.; Thornhill, R.E.

    1982-01-01

    During the past year we have conducted a modified MCC-1 leach test on a 145 kg block of a cast cement waste form. The leach vessel was a 200 liter Teflon-lined drum and contained 97.5 liters of deionized water. The results of this large-scale leach test were compared with the results of standard MC-1 tests (40 ml) on smaller samples of the same waste form. The ratio of leachate volumes between the large and small scale tests was 2500 and the ratio of sample masses was 150,000. The cast cement samples for both tests contained plutonium-doped incinerator ash. The leachates from these tests were analyzed for both plutonium and the matrix elements. Evaluation of plutonium plateout in the large-scale test indicated that the majority of the plutonium leached from the samples deposits onto vessel walls and little ( -12 /sub M/) remains in solution. Comparison of elemental concentrations in the leachates indicates some differences up to 5X in the concentration in the large- and small-scale tests. The differences are attributed to differences in the solubilities of Ca, Si, and Fe at pH 11.5 and at pH 12.5. The higher pH observed for the large-scale test is a result of the larger quantities of sodium in the large block of cement

  4. Literality and Cognitive Effort

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Lacruz, Isabel; Carl, Michael; Yamada, Masaru

    2018-01-01

    We introduce a notion of pause-word ratio computed using ranges of pause lengths rather than lower cutoffs for pause lengths. Standard pause-word ratios are indicators of cognitive effort during different translation modalities.The pause range version allows for the study of how different types...... remoteness. We use data from the CRITT TPR database, comparing translation and post-editing from English to Japanese and from English to Spanish, and study the interaction of pause-word ratio for short pauses ranging between 300 and 500ms with syntactic remoteness, measured by the CrossS feature, semantic...... remoteness, measured by HTra, and syntactic and semantic remoteness, measured by Literality....

  5. Acamprosate has no impact on the permeability of paracellular markers across Caco-2 cells

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Antonescu, Irina; Steffansen, Bente; Neuhoff, Sibylle

    of the paracellular markers, mannitol and Lucifer Yellow (LY), was investigated. Methods: Ppara of LY and [14C]-mannitol was investigated across filter grown human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cell monolayers. Changes in the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) across the monolayers were...... the [14C]-mannitol, Papp values of 0.71±0.2x10-6 and 0.51±0.17x10-6 cm/s were obtained. TEER values at the end of all experiments were in the range of 426-444 ohm*cm2. Summary/Conclusion: Acamprosate has no impact on the paracellular pathway across Caco-2 cell monolayers of LY and mannitol, or on the TEER......Backgrounds: The oral bioavailability of poorly permeable and non-metabolised acamprosate (BCS III) is 11%. It is controversial whether the intestinal effective permeability of the fully an-ionized acamprosate (pKa 1.83; MW 181.2 g/mol) is predominantly paracellular (Ppara) or transcellular...

  6. Anti-inflammatory effects of a casein hydrolysate and its peptide-enriched fractions on TNFα-challenged Caco-2 cells and LPS-challenged porcine colonic explants

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mukhopadhya, Anindya; Noronha, Nessa; Bahar, Bojlul; Ryan, Marion T; Murray, Brian A; Kelly, Phil M; O'Loughlin, Ian B; O'Doherty, John V; Sweeney, Torres

    2014-01-01

    Bioactive milk peptides are reported to illicit a range of physiological benefits and have been proposed as potential functional food ingredients. The objective of this study was to characterize the anti-inflammatory properties of sodium caseinate (NaCAS), its enzyme hydrolysate (EH) and peptide-enriched fractions (5 kDa retentate [R], 1 kDaR and 1 kDa permeate [P]), both in vitro using a Caco-2 cell line, and also ex vivo using a porcine colonic tissue explant system. Caco-2 cells were stimulated with tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and co-treated with casein hydrolysates for 24 h. Following this, interleukin (IL)-8 concentrations in the supernatant were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Porcine colonic tissue was stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and co-treated with casein hydrolysates for 3 h. The expression of a panel of inflammatory cytokines was measured using qPCR. While dexamethasone reduced the IL-8 concentration by 41.6%, the 1 kDaR and 1 kDaP fractions reduced IL-8 by 68.7% and 66.1%, respectively, relative to TNFα-stimulated Caco-2 cells (P < 0.05). In the ex vivo system, only the 1 kDaR fraction elicited a decrease inIL1-α,IL1-β,IL-8,TGF-β andIL-10 expression (P < 0.05). This study provides evidence that the bioactive peptides present in the 1 kDaR fraction of the NaCAS hydrolysate possess anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and ex vivo. Further in vivo analysis of the anti-inflammatory properties of the 1 kDaR is proposed. PMID:25493190

  7. Carbonate mineral solubility at low temperatures in the Na-K-Mg-Ca-H-Cl-SO 4-OH-HCO 3-CO 3-CO 2-H 2O system

    Science.gov (United States)

    Marion, Giles M.

    2001-06-01

    Carbonate minerals have played an important role in the geochemical evolution of Earth, and may have also played an important role in the geochemical evolution of Mars and Europa. Several models have been published in recent years that describe chloride and sulfate mineral solubilities in concentrated brines using the Pitzer equations. Few of these models are parameterized for subzero temperatures, and those that are do not include carbonate chemistry. The objectives of this work are to estimate Pitzer-equation bicarbonate-carbonate parameters and carbonate mineral solubility products and to incorporate them into the FREZCHEM model to predict carbonate mineral solubilities in the Na-K-Mg-Ca-H-Cl-SO 4-OH-HCO 3-CO 3-CO 2-H 2O system at low temperatures (≤25°C) with a special focus on subzero temperatures. Most of the Pitzer-equation parameters and equilibrium constants are taken from the literature and extrapolated into the subzero temperature range. Solubility products for 14 sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium bicarbonate and carbonate minerals are included in the model. Most of the experimental data are at temperatures ≥ -8°C; only for the NaHCO 3-NaCl-H 2O and Na 2CO 3-NaCl-H 2O systems are there bicarbonate and carbonate data to temperatures as low as -21.6°C. In general, the fit of the model to the experimental data is good. For example, calculated eutectic temperatures and compositions for NaHCO 3, Na 2CO 3, and their mixtures with NaCl and Na 2SO 4 salts are in good agreement with experimental data to temperatures as low as -21.6°C. Application of the model to eight saline, alkaline carbonate waters give predicted pHs ranging from 9.2 to 10.2, in comparison with measured pHs that range from 8.7 to 10.2. The model suggests that the CaCO 3 mineral that precipitates during seawater freezing is probably calcite and not ikaite. The model demonstrates that a proposed salt assemblage for the icy surface of Europa consisting of highly hydrated MgSO 4

  8. Utilization of Agricultural Information Among Literate Women in ...

    African Journals Online (AJOL)

    The study x-rayed the utilization of agricultural information among women in Ihiagwa ... The findings revealed that literate women in Ihiagwa autonomous community ..... reduce the constraints of travelling far to ... perception and utilization of.

  9. The dynamic ocean biological pump: Insights from a global compilation of particulate organic carbon, CaCO3, and opal concentration profiles from the mesopelagic

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lam, Phoebe J.; Doney, Scott C.; Bishop, James K. B.

    2011-09-01

    We have compiled a global data set of 62 open ocean profiles of particulate organic carbon (POC), CaCO3, and opal concentrations collected by large volume in situ filtration in the upper 1000 m over the last 30 years. We define concentration-based metrics for the strength (POC concentration at depth) and efficiency (attenuation of POC with depth in the mesopelagic) of the biological pump. We show that the strength and efficiency of the biological pump are dynamic and are characterized by a regime of constant and high transfer efficiency at low to moderate surface POC and a bloom regime where the height of the bloom is characterized by a weak deep biological pump and low transfer efficiency. The variability in POC attenuation length scale manifests in a clear decoupling between the strength of the shallow biological pump (e.g., POC at the export depth) and the strength of the deep biological pump (POC at 500 m). We suggest that the paradigm of diatom-driven export production is driven by a too restrictive perspective on upper mesopelagic dynamics. Indeed, our full mesopelagic analysis suggests that large, blooming diatoms have low transfer efficiency and thus may not export substantially to depth; rather, our analysis suggests that ecosystems characterized by smaller cells and moderately high %CaCO3 have a high mesopelagic transfer efficiency and can have higher POC concentrations in the deep mesopelagic even with relatively low surface or near-surface POC. This has negative implications for the carbon sequestration prospects of deliberate iron fertilization.

  10. Calcium:magnesium ratio in amendments of soil acidity: nutrition and initial development of corn plants in a Humic Alic Cambisol / Relação cálcio:magnésio do corretivo da acidez do solo na nutrição e no desenvolvimento inicial de plantas de milho em um Cambissolo Húmico Álico

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Luciano Colpo Gatiboni

    2008-07-01

    Full Text Available The variation in the Ca:Mg ratio in amendments used to neutralize soil acidity is one way of altering the availability of those nutrients to the plants in acid soils. The objective of the work was to evaluate the effect of different proportions of calcium and magnesium in the form of CaCO3 and MgCO3 on the nutrient uptake, and initial production of dry matter by corn plants. The study was carried out in greenhouse conditions, in Lages, SC, with a completely randomized experimental design, with three replications. The treatments were the application of equivalent to 21.0 t ha-1 of lime, using mixtures of CaCO3 and MgCO3 in several proportions to obtain different Ca:Mg ratios (1:1, 2:1, 4:1, 8:1, 16:1 and 32:1, on a Humic Alic Cambisol, with 310 g kg-1 of clay. The application of treatments caused the following Ca:Mg ratios in the CEC: 1.1:1, 2.1:1, 4.0:1, 8.1:1, 16.4:1 and 31.8:1. The high concentrations of exchangeable Ca in soil caused by addition of lime with high Ca content inhibited the uptake of Mg and K by the corn plants. The increase in the soil Ca:Mg ratio reduced the dry matter production and height of plants in the initial stage of developmentA variação na relação Ca:Mg em corretivos da acidez do solo é uma das principais formas de alterar a disponibilidade desses nutrientes às plantas em solos ácidos. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes proporções entre cálcio e magnésio na forma de CaCO3 e MgCO3 sobre a absorção de nutrientes e produção inicial de matéria seca de plantas de milho. O estudo o foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetação, em Lages-SC, com delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado e três repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram na aplicação de dose equivalente a 21,0 t ha-1 de calcário, usando misturas de CaCO3 e MgCO3 em diversas proporções até atingir relações Ca:Mg de 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, 8:1, 16:1 e 32:1, aplicadas num Cambissolo Húmico Álico, com 310 g kg-1 de argila

  11. 1.083 μm laser operation in Nd,Mg:LiTaO3 crystal

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hu, P. C.; Hang, Y.; Li, R.; Gong, J.; Yin, J. G.; Zhao, C. C.; He, X. M.; Yu, T.; Zhang, L. H.; Chen, W. B.; Zhu, Y. Y.

    2011-10-01

    Nd,Mg:LiTaO3 single crystal with high optical quality was grown by Czochralski technique. Absorption and fluorescence spectra were investigated. The peak absorption cross section at 806.5 nm and peak emission cross section at 1091 nm are 6.81×10-20 and 3.28×10-20 cm2, respectively. The fluorescence lifetime was measured to be 129 μs. With a laser-diode as the pump source, a maximum 375 mW continuous-wave laser output at 1083 nm has been obtained with a slope efficiency of 7.2% with respect to the pump power.

  12. 1.083 μm laser operation in Nd,Mg:LiTaO3 crystal

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hu, P C; Hang, Y; Li, R; Gong, J; Yin, J G; Zhao, C C; He, X M; Yu, T; Zhang, L H; Chen, W B; Zhu, Y Y

    2011-01-01

    Nd,Mg:LiTaO 3 single crystal with high optical quality was grown by Czochralski technique. Absorption and fluorescence spectra were investigated. The peak absorption cross section at 806.5 nm and peak emission cross section at 1091 nm are 6.81×10 -20 and 3.28×10 -20 cm 2 , respectively. The fluorescence lifetime was measured to be 129 μs. With a laser-diode as the pump source, a maximum 375 mW continuous-wave laser output at 1083 nm has been obtained with a slope efficiency of 7.2% with respect to the pump power

  13. Thermal treatment to improve the hydrophobicity of ground CaCO3 particles modified with sodium stearate

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liang, Yong; Yu, Keyi; Zheng, Qinzhong; Xie, Jiuren; Wang, Ting-Jie

    2018-04-01

    The surface modification of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) particles, which is used as a filler, significantly affects the properties of the composed materials. The effects of thermal treatment on ground calcium carbonate (GCC) particles subjected to hydrophobic modification using sodium stearate (RCOONa) were studied. The contact angle of the modified GCC particles increased from 24.7° to 118.9° when the amount of RCOONa added was increased from 0% to 5% and then decreased to 97.5° when the RCOONa content was further increased to 10%. When a large amount of RCOONa was added, RCOO- reacts with Ca2+ and generates (RCOO)2Ca nuclei, which are adsorbed on the surface of the GCC particles, forming a discontinuous (RCOO)2Ca modified layer. After thermal treatment under sealed conditions, the contact angle of the GCC particles modified using 1.5% RCOONa/GCC increased from 112.8° to 139.6°. The thermal stability of the (RCOO)2Ca modified layer was increased, with the temperature increase of the mass-loss peak from 358.0 to 463.0 °C. It is confirmed that the spreading of melted (RCOO)2Ca nuclei on the surface of the GCC particles during the thermal treatment increased the continuity of the modified layer, converting the physical adsorption of the (RCOO)2Ca nuclei into chemisorption. The grafting density of RCOO- on the GCC particle surface after thermal treatment approximates to 5.00/nm2, which is close to the single-molecular-layer grafting density of RCOO-, indicating that excellent modification was achieved.

  14. Role of dopants in LiF:Mg,Cu, LiF:Mg,P and LiF:Mg,Cu,P detectors

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mohammadi, Kh.; Moussavi Zarandi, A.; Afarideh, H.; Shahmaleki, S.

    2013-01-01

    In this study, electronic structure of LiF crystal doped with Mg,Cu,P impurities was studied with WIEN2k code on the basis of FPLAPW+lo method. Results show that in Mg-doped LiF composition, an electronic trap was created with impurity concentration of 1.56% and 3.125%. In this condition, the electronic trap with increasing the percentage of the impurities up to 4.687% is annihilated. It was found, that by doping of Mg and Cu or P simultaneously, a hole-trap is created in valence band. It was realized that in LiF:Mg,Cu, LiF:Mg,P and LiF:Mg,Cu,P, Cu impurity and Li atom, have a key role in creation of levels which lead to create electronic and hole traps. Mg impurity and F atom, only have a role in creation of electronic traps. In addition, P impurity has a main role in creation of the electronic and hole traps in LiF:Mg,Cu,P. The activation energy of electronic and hole trap in LiF:Mg,Cu, LiF:Mg,P and LiF:Mg,Cu,P crystalline lattice were obtained as 0.3 and 5.5 eV, 0.92 and 3.4 eV and 0.75 and 3.1 eV, respectively. - Graphical abstract: Figure (a) and (b) shows changes in electronic structure and band gap energy of LiF crystal due to presence of Mg and Cu, Mg and P ions respectively. - Highlights: • Electronic structure of LiF, LiF:Mg,Cu, LiF:Mg,P and LiF:Mg,Cu,P materials were studied with WIEN2K code. • In LiF:Mg,Cu and LiF:Mg,Cu,P, Li atom and Cu impurity have a key role in creation of levels. • F atom and Mg impurity only have a role in creation of electronic traps. • In LiF:Mg,Cu,P, P impurity has a main role in creation of electronic and hole traps

  15. Structural characteristics and corrosion behavior of biodegradable Mg-Zn, Mg-Zn-Gd alloys.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kubásek, J; Vojtěch, D

    2013-07-01

    In this research, binary Mg-Zn (up to 3 wt% Zn) and ternary Mg-Zn-Gd (up to 3 wt% Gd, 3 wt% Zn) alloys were prepared by induction melting in an argon atmosphere. The structures of these alloys were characterized using light and scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. In addition, Brinell hardness measurements were taken to supplement these studies. Corrosion behavior was evaluated by immersion tests and potentiodynamic measurements in a physiological solution (9 g/l NaCl). Depending on the composition, structures of the as-cast alloys contained α-Mg dendrites, MgZn, Mg5Gd and Mg3Gd2Zn3 phases. Compared to pure Mg, zinc improved the corrosion resistance of binary Mg-Zn. Gadolinium also improved the corrosion resistance in the case of Mg-1Zn-3Gd alloy. The highest corrosion rate was observed for Mg-3Zn-3Gd alloy. Our results improve the understanding of the relationships between the structure and corrosion behavior of our studied alloy systems.

  16. Uniformly Porous Nanocrystalline CaMgFe1.33Ti3O12 Ceramic Derived Electro-Ceramic Nanocomposite for Impedance Type Humidity Sensor

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tripathy, Ashis; Pramanik, Sumit; Manna, Ayan; Shasmin, Hanie Nadia; Radzi, Zamri; Abu Osman, Noor Azuan

    2016-01-01

    Since humidity sensors have been widely used in many sectors, a suitable humidity sensing material with improved sensitivity, faster response and recovery times, better stability and low hysteresis is necessary to be developed. Here, we fabricate a uniformly porous humidity sensor using Ca, Ti substituted Mg ferrites with chemical formula of CaMgFe1.33Ti3O12 as humidity sensing materials by solid-sate step-sintering technique. This synthesis technique is useful to control the grain size with increased porosity to enhance the hydrophilic characteristics of the CaMgFe1.33Ti3O12 nanoceramic based sintered electro-ceramic nanocomposites. The highest porosity, lowest density and excellent surface-hydrophilicity properties were obtained at 1050 °C sintered ceramic. The performance of this impedance type humidity sensor was evaluated by electrical characterizations using alternating current (AC) in the 33%–95% relative humidity (RH) range at 25 °C. Compared with existing conventional resistive humidity sensors, the present sintered electro-ceramic nanocomposite based humidity sensor showed faster response time (20 s) and recovery time (40 s). This newly developed sensor showed extremely high sensitivity (%S) and small hysteresis of humidity sensors. PMID:27916913

  17. Color-tunable and highly thermal stable Sr_2MgAl_2_2O_3_6:Tb"3"+ phosphors

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang, Haiming; Zhang, Haoran; Liu, Yingliang; Lei, Bingfu; Deng, Jiankun; Liu, Wei-Ren; Zeng, Yuan; Zheng, Lingling; Zhao, Minyi

    2017-01-01

    Tb"3"+ activated Sr_2MgAl_2_2O_3_6 phosphor was prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction route. The X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy were used to characterize the as-prepared samples. The Sr_2MgAl_2_2O_3_6:Tb"3"+ phosphors show intense green light emission under UV excitation. The phosphor exhibit two groups of emission lines from about 370 to 700 nm, which originating from the characteristic "5D_3-"7F_J and "5D_4-"7F_J transitions of the Tb"3"+ ion, respectively. The cross-relaxation mechanism between the "5D_3 and "5D_4 emission was investigated and discussed. The emission colors of these phosphors can be tuned from bluish-green to green by adjusting the Tb"3"+ doping concentration. Furthermore, the thermal quenching temperature (T_1_/_2) is higher than 500 K. The excellent thermal stability and color-tunable luminescent properties suggest that the developed material is a promising green-emitting phosphor candidate for optical devices. - Highlights: • A Color-tunable emitting phosphor Sr_2MgAl_2_2O_3_6:Tb"3"+ was prepared successfully via high-temperature solid-state reaction. • The photoluminescence of Sr_2MgAl_2_2O_3_6:Tb"3"+ shows highly thermal stable. • The cross-relaxation mechanism between the "5D_3 and "5D_4 emission was investigated and discussed.

  18. Neuropsychiatric safety with liraglutide 3.0 mg for weight management: Results from randomized controlled phase 2 and 3a trials.

    Science.gov (United States)

    O'Neil, Patrick M; Aroda, Vanita R; Astrup, Arne; Kushner, Robert; Lau, David C W; Wadden, Thomas A; Brett, Jason; Cancino, Ana-Paula; Wilding, John P H

    2017-11-01

    Liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, regulates appetite via receptors in the brain. Because of concerns regarding the potential of centrally-acting anti-obesity medications to affect mental health, pooled neuropsychiatric safety data from all phase 2 and 3a randomized, double-blind trials with liraglutide 3.0 mg were evaluated post hoc. Data from the liraglutide weight-management programme were pooled. Across trials, individuals with a body mass index ≥30 or ≥27 kg/m 2 with weight-related comorbidities were randomized to once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide 3.0 mg (n = 3384) or placebo (n = 1941), both with a 500 kcal/d deficit diet, plus exercise. Adverse events related to neuropsychiatric safety were collected in all trials. Additionally, in the phase 3a trials, validated mental-health questionnaires were prospectively and systematically administered. In the pooled analysis of 5325 randomized and exposed individuals, rates of depression (2.1 vs 2.1 events/100 person-years) and anxiety (1.9 vs 1.7 events/100 person-years) through adverse event reporting were similarly low in liraglutide and placebo groups. Nine (0.3%) individuals receiving liraglutide and 2 (0.1%) receiving placebo reported adverse events of suicidal ideation or behaviour. In phase 3a trials, mean baseline Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores of 2.8 ± 3.0 vs 2.9 ± 3.1 for liraglutide vs placebo improved to 1.8 ± 2.7 vs 1.9 ± 2.7, respectively, at treatment end; 34/3291 individuals (1.0%) receiving liraglutide 3.0 mg vs 19/1843 (1.0%) receiving placebo reported suicidal ideation on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Results of this exploratory pooled analysis provide no cause for concern regarding the neuropsychiatric safety of treatment with liraglutide 3.0 mg in patients similar to those included in the examined trials. Although there was a small numerical imbalance in suicidal ideation with liraglutide through adverse event reporting, no

  19. Co-hydrothermal synthesis of LiMn_2_3_/_2_4Mg_1_/_2_4PO_4·LiAlO_2/C nano-hybrid cathode material with enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang, Jun; Luo, Shaohua; Chang, Longjiao; Hao, Aimin; Wang, Zhiyuan; Liu, Yanguo; Xu, Qian; Wang, Qing; Zhang, Yahui

    2017-01-01

    Highlights: • A co-hydrothermal approach to synthesize LiMn_2_3_/_2_4Mg_1_/_2_4PO_4·LiAlO_2/C composite material in water/PEG system is present. • The Mn_1_-_xMg_xPO_4 precursor is prepared by precipitation reaction. • Co-modified with Mg"2"+ doping and LiAlO_2 compositing strategies play an important role in improving the electronic conductivity and facilitating the diffusion of lithium ion. • LiMn_2_3_/_2_4Mg_1_/_2_4PO_4·LiAlO_2/C composite material exhibits a high specific discharge capacity of 151.8 mAh/g at 0.05C. - Abstract: LiMn_2_3_/_2_4Mg_1_/_2_4PO_4·LiAlO_2/C is synthesized by a co-hydrothermal method in water/PEG system using Li_2CO_3, AAO and Mn_1_-_xMg_xPO_4 as raw material. The electronic structure and micromorphology of multi-component compound LiMn_1_-_xMg_xPO_4/C (x = 0, 1/24, 1/12, 1/6) and nano-hybrid LiMn_2_3_/_2_4Mg_1_/_2_4PO_4·LiAlO_2/C cathode materials are studied by first-principles calculation and experimental research including XRD, SEM, TEM. The calculated band gap of LiMn_2_3_/_2_4Mg_1_/_2_4PO_4/C is 2.296 eV, which is lower than other percentages Mg"2"+ doping samples. Electrochemical tests exhibit LiMn_2_3_/_2_4Mg_1_/_2_4PO_4/C has better cycling performance and rate capability than other contents Mg"2"+ doping samples with the discharge capacity of 143.5 mAh/g, 141.5 mAh/g, 139.2 mAh/g and 136.3 mAh/g at 0.05C, 0.1C, 0.5C and 1C in order. After compositing and preparation of LiMn_2_3_/_2_4Mg_1_/_2_4PO_4·LiAlO_2/C composite material by co-hydrothermal route, the initial discharge capacity reaches up to 151.8 mAh/g, which suggests that co-modified with Mg"2"+ doping and LiAlO_2 compositing material can improve the electronic conductivity of LiMnPO_4/C by facilitating the lithium ion diffusion rate in the interior of the materials.

  20. Large non-volatile tuning of magnetism mediated by electric field in Fe–Al/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 heterostructure

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chen, Zhendong; Gao, Cunxu; Wei, Yanping; Zhang, Peng; Wang, Yutian; Zhang, Chao; Ma, Zhikun

    2017-01-01

    Electric-field control of magnetism is now an attractive trend to approach a new kind of fast, low-power-cost memory device. In this work, we report a strong non-volatile electric control of magnetism in an Fe–Al/Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 –PbTiO 3 heterostructure. In this system, a 90° rotation of the in-plane uniaxial magnetic anisotropy is exhibited during the increase of the external electric field, which means the easy axis turns into a hard axis and the hard axis turns into an easy one. Additionally, a non-volatile switch of the remanence is observed after a sweeping of the electric field from 0 kV cm −1 to  ±  10 kV cm −1 , then back to 0 kV cm −1 . More interestingly, a 20% non-volatile magnetic state tuning driven by individual pulse electric fields is shown in contrast to large tuning up to 120% caused by pulse electric fields with small assistant pulse magnetic fields, which means a 180° reverse of the magnetization. These remarkable behaviors demonstrated in this heterostructure reveal a promising potential application in magnetic memory devices mediated by electric fields. (paper)