Chemical Looping Combustion Related Processes Using Solid Oxygen Carriers Oxidized in CO2 Atmosphere

Chemical-looping combustion (CLC) is an attractive process in CO2 capture, especially when solid oxygen carriers are used in it. The main requirements for oxygen-transporting materials include appropriate oxidation (in air) and reduction (in the presence of fuel) ability. In the paper a conceptual proposition for CLC-related processes with the application of solid oxygen carriers oxidized in both air and CO2 atmosphere has been presented. The possibility of the “looping” process on the same carriers using both CO2 and air atmosphere as an oxidizing agent allows us to enrich the concept of CLC and related processes by proposing a cyclic recirculation of the produced CO2 back to the installation. The oxidizing of solid oxygen carrier in a CO2 atmosphere is accompanied by CO emission from the plant. This toxic gas could be transformed into a useful product in any chemical process. It is possible to combine the looping processes with manufacturing of any appropriate morphological form of carbon in the cyclic CO disproportionation process. The combined process could lead to a lower CO2 emissions to the environment. SrTiO3 doped by Cr (STO:Cr) and a mixture of TiO2- and Ni-based compounds (TiO2-Ni) were investigated as oxygen transporting materials. The experiment methodology based on thermogravimetric, diffraction and spectroscopic studies was shown. Thermogravimetric (TGA) and Powder Diffraction (XRD) measurements were provided in-situ during a few cycles in a reducing (Ar+3 % H2) and oxidizing environment. Moreover, the STO:Cr powders were characterized ex-situ by the X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) method. It was found that in tested conditions the cyclic process of the investigated powders’ oxidation and reduction is possible. Satisfactory results considering the oxygen transport capacity was obtained for the TiO2-Ni sample

Cryo-EM structure of a functional monomeric Photosystem I from Thermosynechococcus elongatus reveals red chlorophyll cluster

A high-resolution structure of trimeric cyanobacterial Photosystem I (PSI) from Thermosynechococcus elongatus was reported as the first atomic model of PSI almost 20 years ago. However, the monomeric PSI structure has not yet been reported despite long-standing interest in its structure and extensive spectroscopic characterization of the loss of red chlorophylls upon monomerization. Here, we describe the structure of monomeric PSI from Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1. Comparison with the trimer structure gave detailed insights into monomerization-induced changes in both the central trimerization domain and the peripheral regions of the complex. Monomerization-induced loss of red chlorophylls is assigned to a cluster of chlorophylls adjacent to PsaX. Based on our findings, we propose a role of PsaX in the stabilization of red chlorophylls and that lipids of the surrounding membrane present a major source of thermal energy for uphill excitation energy transfer from red chlorophylls to P700

Report on an open dataset to constrain the Balmuccia peridotite body (Ivrea-Verbano Zone, Italy) through a participative gravity-modelling challenge

The Balmuccia peridotite exposes relatively fresh mantle rocks at the Earth’s surface, and as such it is of interest for geologists and geophysicists. The outcrop is a kilometre-scale feature, yet its extent at depth is insufficiently imaged. Our aim is to provide new constraints on the shape of the density anomaly this body represents, through 3D gravity modelling. In an effort to avoid personal or methodology bias, we hereby launch an invitation and call for participative modelling. We openly provide all the necessary input data: pre-processed gravity data, geological map, in situ rock densities, and digital elevation model. The expected inversion results will be compared and jointly analysed with all participants. This approach should allow us to conclude on the shape of the Balmuccia peridotite body and the associated uncertainty. This crowd effort will contribute to the site surveys preparing a scientific borehole in the area in frame of project DIVE

The cristae modulator Optic atrophy 1 requires mitochondrial ATP synthase oligomers to safeguard mitochondrial function

It is unclear how the mitochondrial fusion protein Optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), which inhibits cristae remodeling, protects from mitochondrial dysfunction. Here we identify the mitochondrial F1Fo-ATP synthase as the effector of OPA1 in mitochondrial protection. In OPA1 overexpressing cells, the loss of proton electrochemical gradient caused by respiratory chain complex III inhibition is blunted and this protection is abolished by the ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin. Mechanistically, OPA1 and ATP synthase can interact, but recombinant OPA1 fails to promote oligomerization of purified ATP synthase reconstituted in liposomes, suggesting that OPA1 favors ATP synthase oligomerization and reversal activity by modulating cristae shape. When ATP synthase oligomers are genetically destabilized by silencing the key dimerization subunit e, OPA1 is no longer able to preserve mitochondrial function and cell viability upon complex III inhibition. Thus, OPA1 protects mitochondria from respiratory chain inhibition by stabilizing cristae shape and favoring ATP synthase oligomerization

Production, characterization and application of oxide nanotubes on Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy as a potential drug carrier

This work concerns the development of a method of functionalization of the surface of the biomedical Ti–6Al–7Nb alloy by producing oxide nanotubes (ONTs) with drug-eluting properties. Shaping of the morphology, microstructure, and thickness of the oxide layer was carried out by anodization in an aqueous solution of 1 M ethylene glycol with the addition of 0.2 M NH4F in the voltage range 5–100 V for 15–60 min at room temperature. The characterization of the physicochemical properties of the obtained ONTs was performed using SEM, XPS, and EDAX methods. ONTs have been shown to be composed mainly of TiO2, Al2O3, and Nb2O5. Single-walled ONTs with the largest specific surface area of 600 cm2 cm−2 can be obtained by anodization at 50 V for 60 min. The mechanism of ONT formation on the Ti–6Al–7Nb alloy was studied in detail. Gentamicin sulfate loaded into ONTs was studied using FTIR, TG, DTA, and DTG methods. Drug release kinetics was determined by UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The obtained ONTs can be proposed for use in modern implantology as carriers for drugs delivered locally in inflammatory conditions

Lipid-Iron Nanoparticle with a Cell Stress Release Mechanism Combined with a Local Alternating Magnetic Field Enables Site-Activated Drug Release

Simple Summary A novel active release system magnetic sphingomyelin-containing liposome encapsulated with indocyanine green, fluorescent marker, or the anticancer drug cisplatin was evaluated. The liposomal sphingomyelin is a target for the sphingomyelinase enzyme, which is released by stressed cells. Thus, sphingomyelin containing liposomes behave as a sensitizer for biological stress situations. In addition, the liposomes were engineered by adding paramagnetic beads to act as a receiver of outside given magnetic energy. The enzymatic activity towards liposomes and destruction caused by the applied magnetic field caused the release of the content from the liposomes. By using these novel liposomes, we could improve the drug release feature of liposomes. The improved targeting and drug-release were shown in vitro and the orthotopic tongue cancer model in mice optical imaging. The increased delivery of cisplatin prolonged the survival of the targeted delivery group versus free cisplatin. Most available cancer chemotherapies are based on systemically administered small organic molecules, and only a tiny fraction of the drug reaches the disease site. The approach causes significant side effects and limits the outcome of the therapy. Targeted drug delivery provides an alternative to improve the situation. However, due to the poor release characteristics of the delivery systems, limitations remain. This report presents a new approach to address the challenges using two fundamentally different mechanisms to trigger the release from the liposomal carrier. We use an endogenous disease marker, an enzyme, combined with an externally applied magnetic field, to open the delivery system at the correct time only in the disease site. This site-activated release system is a novel two-switch nanomachine that can be regulated by a cell stress-induced enzyme at the cellular level and be remotely controlled using an applied magnetic field. We tested the concept using sphingomyelin-containing liposomes encapsulated with indocyanine green, fluorescent marker, or the anticancer drug cisplatin. We engineered the liposomes by adding paramagnetic beads to act as a receiver of outside magnetic energy. The developed multifunctional liposomes were characterized in vitro in leakage studies and cell internalization studies. The release system was further studied in vivo in imaging and therapy trials using a squamous cell carcinoma tumor in the mouse as a disease model. In vitro studies showed an increased release of loaded material when stress-related enzyme and magnetic field was applied to the carrier liposomes. The theranostic liposomes were found in tumors, and the improved therapeutic effect was shown in the survival studies.Peer reviewe

The Complexity of Nursing Outlying Patients

Bakgrund: Som ett resultat av en åldrande och mer multisjuk befolkning råder platsbrist inom slutenvården. Patienter förflyttas då till avdelningar med andra specialistområden. Utlokalisering leder till att sjuksköterskor tvingas vårda patienter med sjukdomstillstånd vilka sjuksköterskan kan ha bristande kunskap inom. Därmed är det rimligt att anta att utlokaliserade patienter inte erhåller samma högkvalitativa omvårdnad, i enlighet med aktuell evidens, som patienter vilka vårdas på anledningar med rätt specialistkunskap. Syftet med denna studie är att beskriva hur sjuksköterskans omvårdnadsarbete påverkas av utlokalisering av patienter inom slutenvården. Metod: En systematisk litteraturöversikt av kvalitativa och kvantitativa artiklar användes för att besvara syftet. Resultat: Utlokalisering har en negativ påverkan på både patientsäkerheten och sjuksköterskans omvårdnadsarbete. Studier visar att utlokaliserade patienter generellt har längre vårdtider och större sannolikhet att återinläggas. Studier visar också att kommunikationen, både med patienten, anhöriga och inom det multiprofessionella teamet försämras. Sjuksköterskor vilka vårdar de utlokaliserade patienterna upplever sig ha bristande kunskaper kring patienternas sjukdomstillstånd vilket leder till emotionell stress. Slutsats: Utlokalisering av patienter bör användas med försiktighet då samtliga studier visar att utlokalisering har negativ påverkan på både patienter och sjuksköterskor

Ambulanssjuksköterskans upplevelser av hur vårdandet av patienten påverkas under COVID-19 pandemin : En kvalitativ intervjustudie

Bakgrund och problemformulering: Första fallet av SARS-Co-2 rapporterades i Kina i slutet på år 2019 och tidigt år 2020 förklarades smittspridningen av viruset vara en pandemi. I frontlinjen av pandemin finns ambulanssjuksköterskan som dagligen möts av utmaningarna som pandemin innebär. Det går inte att med säkerhet fastställa vilka patienter som bär på viruset vilket innebär att samtliga patienter måste betraktas som potentiella smittbärare. Ambulanssjuksköterskan arbetar nära patienten och ofta i trånga utrymmen vilket innebär en ökad risk för smittspridning. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att beskriva ambulanssjuksköterskans upplevelser av hur vårdandet av patienten påverkas under COVID-19 pandemin. Metod: För att besvara syftet genomfördes en intervjustudie med induktiv innehållsanalys. Urvalet innefattade sex ambulanssjuksköterskor. Resultat: Ambulanssjuksköterskorna beskrev att skyddsutrustningen har påverkat vårdandet genom att vården fördröjs, kommunikationen försvåras samt att vårdarbetet försvåras. Hygienrutinerna har ändrats och vården av patienterna påverkas i dels bedömning och behandling, dels i handläggningen av patienterna. Okunskap gällande det nya viruset skapade en osäkerhet. Resultatet påvisar även en rädsla för att bli smittade hos ambulanssjuksköterskorna. Diskussion och slutsats: COVID-19 pandemin har påverkat det prehospitala vårdandet av patienten på flera sätt. Ambulanssjuksköterskorna upplevde att informationen och rutinerna gällande vården under pandemin var bristfällig vilket stämde överens med annan befintlig forskning. Upplevelsen av fysiska hinder och kommunikationssvårigheter som förekom under användning av skyddsutrustning var fynd som framkom även i tidigare forskning och slutsatsen gjordes att COVID-19 pandemin komplicerat vårdande av patienterna prehospitalt. Ökad beredskap inför framtida kriser och utveckling av skyddsutrustningen för att minska negativ påverkan på vårdarbetet är förslag på förbättringsarbete

Synthesis of Ye’elimite from Anthropogenic Waste

Calcium sulphoaluminate cement (CSA) is characterized by a different chemical and mineralogical composition than common cements based mainly on Portland clinker. Its main component is ye’elimite—Ca4(AlO2)6SO4. This cement is characterized by a shorter setting time and a dynamic increase in strength in the early aging process. Currently, CSA cements are gaining more and more popularity due to their favorable ecological aspects, including a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and negative impacts on the environment. The aim of the study was to determine the possibility of obtaining ye’elimite from waste materials of anthropogenic origin, which in this case were by-products from the aluminum anodizing process and cement–asbestos waste. The results of this preliminary research indicated the possibility of obtaining ye’elimite from secondary raw materials of anthropogenic origin. In each material, the phase of ye’elimite was identified to be the main mineral component, and the obtained materials displayed binding properties after mixing with water