Kinetic analysis of the thermal decomposition of Li4Ti5O12 pellets

A single dynamic kinetic analysis, describing the surface decomposition of Li4Ti5O12 pellets, has been performed. Samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The analyses were performed between 1000 and 1100°C and different times, perceiving the Li4Ti5O12 decomposition to Li2Ti3O7, with a loss of lithium. As expected, more rapid decomposition behaviour was found at higher temperatures. Finally, the activation energy for this decomposition of Li4Ti5O12 to Li2Ti3O7 was estimated to be equal to 383 kJ/mol

Trefoil Factor 1 (TFF1) Expression in E3 and EWD8 Breast Cancer Cell Lines

The ability to identify and treat cancer early can drastically improve patient survival outcomes. While much effort is placed on anti-cancer therapeutics, a developing area of interest is the identification of cancer biomarkers for the early detection of different types of cancer. Trefoil factors (TFFs) are a family of proteins whose known functions suggest that they may be major contributors to cancer; however, these proteins are understudied in a disease state like cancer. In this work, we identify expression of TFF1 among varying cancer types. We then investigate the correlation between varying levels of TFF1 expression and the aggressiveness of the cancer. Cell culture of seven different kinds of cancers was performed. Western blots were conducted, and the blots were probed for TFF1. After establishing TFF1 levels, we aimed to analyze cancer cell function through a series of cancer assays examining proliferation, viability, and migration. We hypothesized that there would be varying levels of TFF1 expression correlated to the functional characteristics of the cancer cells and that increased levels of TFF protein would support a more aggressive cancer. The breast cell lines tested were the only lines to express TFF1 and were less aggressive than the lines with no expression. Preliminary data suggest that TFF1 is also expressed by 4T1 cells, which we plan to further investigate by knocking down the proteins and observing for changes in aggressiveness of the cancer using migration, invasion, and proliferation assays in vitro as well as in vivo

Sunn Hemp as an Alternative Forage in the Texas High Plains Region

Forage production in the Texas High Plains, a semi-arid region, is critical to sustain the local cattle industry. However, the main source of water for irrigation is the highly depleted Ogallala Aquifer, making forage crop water productivity (CWP) of high importance. In this one-year study, three types of forages were cultivated under deficit irrigation treatments of 80% and 50% of full crop water use. The forages were: a non-brown midrib forage sorghum; a legume, sunn hemp; and a sorghum/sunn hemp mix. The experiment was conducted in Bushland, Texas in 2019. Treatment plots were arranged in a split plot design with four replications under a 6-span variable rate irrigation center pivot sprinkler. Above ground biomass samples were taken by hand from a 1 m2 quadrat in each of the 24 plots on Jul 23, Aug 6 for forage analysis, and on Aug 19 to assess biomass yield and CWP. Crude protein was significantly higher at the first and second cuttings in the sunn hemp monocrop, but not significantly different between irrigation levels. The final biomass yields and CWP were similar between the sorghum (23.6 Mg ha-1) and sorghum/sunn hemp (25.1 Mg ha-1) forages, irrespective of irrigation level. The sunn hemp monocrop produced significantly lower biomass (9.75 Mg ha-1), which reduced CWP

Low temperature water vapor pressure swing for the regeneration of adsorbents for CO₂ enrichment in greenhouses via direct air capture

CO2 enrichment in greenhouses can be achieved by extracting CO2 from the outside air. For this purpose, adsorbents based on Na2CO3 or K2CO3 are promising for trapping and releasing atmospheric CO2. Even though the CO2 capture by these adsorbents has been studied before, there is not much information about their regeneration at low temperatures and using air as flushing gas. In this work an experimental design study has been performed to understand the effect of temperature, water vapor pressure and air flow rate on CO2 desorption. The results show that K-based adsorbents are a more attractive option given their higher CO2 capture capacity and lower energy consumption compared to the Na-based ones. The estimated amount of K-based adsorbent with a capture capacity of 0.1 mmol CO2/gads and regenerated at 50 °C with 90 mbar H2O would occupy only 2% of the total volume contained in a closed greenhouse, fulfilling its daily CO2 demand

Recognition of speaking in a phone channel with a neural network backpropagation

In this paper we propose an algorithm for identification of speaking in the phone channel. The investigation is based on the behavior of the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Backpropagation. The analysed voice is captured with format *.wav. We introduce the procedure for the speaking identification in the phone channel which offered the best results in several tests that we carry out with our method

Recognition of speaking in a phone channel with a neural network backpropagation

In this paper we propose an algorithm for identification of speaking in the phone channel. The investigation is based on the behavior of the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Backpropagation. The analysed voice is captured with format *.wav. We introduce the procedure for the speaking identification in the phone channel which offered the best results in several tests that we carry out with our method

Fibroma desmoplásico, reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura

ResumenEl fibroma desmoplásico es una lesión neoplásica relativamente rara. Se considera un tumor primario de hueso, que se presenta comúnmente en la región mandibular. Se define como un tumor benigno caracterizado por la formación de abundante matriz y fibras colágenas. En marzo de 2004 se presenta el caso de un paciente de 15 años, varón, con aumento gradual en la región derecha de la mandíbula de 4 meses de evolución. Se manifiesta asintomático, con aumento de volumen, con una apariencia radiográfica y tomográfica bien delimitada radiolúcida. A la exploración se observa un infiltrado a través de la cortical lingual. La lesión es similar a las descritas en la literatura de fibroma desmoplásico.AbstractDesmoplastic fibroma (fibromatosis) is rarely seen a primary tumor of bone. Its occurrence as a central lesion in the jaws is even more uncommon. It is rare tumor of bone, especially in the mandibule. In march 2004, a 15 year-old boy presented, with a 4 month history of gradual enlargement of the right mandibule. Painless intraoral and extraoral swelling, the cortical plate of bone overlying the lesions is expanded with thinning, erosion, and infiltration into the surrounding tissues. The lesion is similar to the one described on the articule

Current Advances in Detection and Treatment of Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a disease with a world-wide distribution affecting many species of mammals principally cattle and man. The major impact occurs in the cattle industry where bovine babesiosis has had a huge economic effect due to loss of meat and beef production of infected animals and death. Nowadays to those costs there must be added the high cost of tick control, disease detection, prevention and treatment. In almost a century and a quarter since the first report of the disease, the truth is: there is no a safe and efficient vaccine available, there are limited chemotherapeutic choices and few low-cost, reliable and fast detection methods. Detection and treatment of babesiosis are important tools to control babesiosis. Microscopy detection methods are still the cheapest and fastest methods used to identify Babesia parasites although their sensitivity and specificity are limited. Newer immunological methods are being developed and they offer faster, more sensitive and more specific options to conventional methods, although the direct immunological diagnoses of parasite antigens in host tissues are still missing. Detection methods based on nucleic acid identification and their amplification are the most sensitive and reliable techniques available today; importantly, most of those methodologies were developed before the genomics and bioinformatics era, which leaves ample room for optimization. For years, babesiosis treatment has been based on the use of very few drugs like imidocarb or diminazene aceturate. Recently, several pharmacological compounds were developed and evaluated, offering new options to control the disease. With the complete sequence of the Babesia bovis genome and the B. bigemina genome project in progress, the post-genomic era brings a new light on the development of diagnosis methods and new chemotherapy targets. In this review, we will present the current advances in detection and treatment of babesiosis in cattle and other animals, with additional reference to several apicomplexan parasites

Proximity Effect in Crystalline Framework Materials: Stacking‐Induced Functionality in MOFs and COFs

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) consist of molecular building blocks being stitched together by strong bonds. They are well known for their porosity, large surface area, and related properties. The electronic properties of most MOFs and COFs are the superposition of those of their constituting building blocks. If crystalline, however, solid‐state phenomena can be observed, such as electrical conductivity, substantial dispersion of electronic bands, broadened absorption bands, formation of excimer states, mobile charge carriers, and indirect band gaps. These effects emerge often by the proximity effect caused by van der Waals interactions between stacked aromatic building blocks. Herein, it is shown how functionality is imposed by this proximity effect, that is, by stacking aromatic molecules in such a way that extraordinary properties emerge in MOFs and COFs. After discussing the proximity effect in graphene‐related materials, its importance for layered COFs and MOFs is shown. For MOFs with well‐defined structure, the stacks of aromatic building blocks can be controlled via varying MOF topology, lattice constant, and by attaching steric control units. Finally, an overview of theoretical methods to predict and analyze these effects is given, before the layer‐by‐layer growth technique for well‐ordered surface‐mounted MOFs is summarized