Optimization of the technologycal properties of porcelain tile bodies containing rice straw ash using the deseign of experiments methodology

This study examines the effects of replacing fluxing and filler materials with rice straw ash (RSA) in manufacturing porcelain stoneware tile, using the design of experiments (DOE) methodology. The results of the characterization were used to obtain statistically significant, valid regression equations, relating the technological properties of the dried and fired test pieces to the raw materials content in the unfired mixtures. The regression models were analysed in relation to the X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results and used to determine the most appropriate combinations of traditional raw materials and RSA to produce porcelain stoneware tiles with specific technological properties. The studied range of tile body compositions: clay (40 wt%), feldspar (20–50 wt%), feldspathic sand (5–20 wt%), and RSA (0–25 wt%) was shown to be appropriate for porcelain stoneware tile manufacture.The authors would like to thank Universidad del Valle (Colombia), the Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica (ITC), Spain, and COLCIENCIAS for their support in the development of this project. In particular, in this paper, the authors present partial results from the research project “Triaxial ceramics based on rice straw ash”, code 110652128358, supported by COLCIENCIAS, Official Call 521 of 2010, contract RC. no. 325–2011

Large scale synthesis of nanostructured zirconia-based compounds from freeze-dried precursors

Nanocrystalline zirconia powders have been obtained at the multigram scale by thermal decomposition of precursors resulting from the freeze-drying of aqueous acetic solutions. This technique has equally made possible to synthesize a variety of nanostructured yttria or scandia doped zirconia compositions. SEM images, as well as the analysis of the XRD patterns, show the nanoparticulated character of those solids obtained at low temperature, with typical particle size in the 10–15 nm range when prepared at 673 K. The presence of the monoclinic, the tetragonal or both phases depends on the temperature of the thermal treatment, the doping concentration and the nature of the dopant. In addition, Rietveld refinement of the XRD profiles of selected samples allows detecting the coexistence of the tetragonal and the cubic phases for high doping concentration and high thermal treatment temperatures. Raman experiments suggest the presence of both phases also at relatively low treatment temperatures.This study has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology and EU FEDER Program (MAT2009-14144-C03-01, MAT2009-14144-C03-03, MAT2012-38364-C03-01, MAT2012-38364-C03-02). The SCSIE of the Universitat de València is gratefully thanked for the use of the X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and analytical facilities. R. Moreno and T. Molina, from Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio, CSIC, Madrid, are acknowledged by the realization of the agglomerate size measurements

Electrophoretic deposition of nanostructured-TiO2/chitosan composite coatings on stainless steel

Novel chitosan composite coatings containing titania nanoparticles (n-TiO2) for biomedical applications were developed by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) from ethanol–water suspensions. The optimal ethanol–water ratio was studied in order to avoid bubble formation during the EPD process and to ensure homogeneous coatings. Different n-TiO2 contents (0.5–10 g L−1) were studied for a fixed chitosan concentration (0.5 g L−1) and the properties of the electrophoretic coatings obtained were characterized. Coating composition was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to study both the surface and the cross section morphology of the coatings, and the thicknesses (2–6 μm) of the obtained coatings were correlated with the initial ceramic content. Contact angle measurements, as a preliminary study to predict hypothetic protein attachment on the coatings, were performed for different samples and the influence of a second chitosan layer on top of the coatings was also tested. Finally, the electrochemical behavior of the coatings, evaluated by polarization curves in DMEM at 37 °C, was studied in order to assess the corrosion resistance provided by the n-TiO2/chitosan coatings

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

4to. Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad. Memoria académica

Este volumen acoge la memoria académica de la Cuarta edición del Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad, CITIS 2017, desarrollado entre el 29 de noviembre y el 1 de diciembre de 2017 y organizado por la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS) en su sede de Guayaquil. El Congreso ofreció un espacio para la presentación, difusión e intercambio de importantes investigaciones nacionales e internacionales ante la comunidad universitaria que se dio cita en el encuentro. El uso de herramientas tecnológicas para la gestión de los trabajos de investigación como la plataforma Open Conference Systems y la web de presentación del Congreso http://citis.blog.ups.edu.ec/, hicieron de CITIS 2017 un verdadero referente entre los congresos que se desarrollaron en el país. La preocupación de nuestra Universidad, de presentar espacios que ayuden a generar nuevos y mejores cambios en la dimensión humana y social de nuestro entorno, hace que se persiga en cada edición del evento la presentación de trabajos con calidad creciente en cuanto a su producción científica. Quienes estuvimos al frente de la organización, dejamos plasmado en estas memorias académicas el intenso y prolífico trabajo de los días de realización del Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad al alcance de todos y todas

Structural study of tropane-3-spiro-4'-imidazol-5'-one

Tropane-3-spiro-4'-imidazol-5'-one has been synthesized and its crystal and molecular structures determined by X-ray diffraction, IR, Raman, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR methods. The tautomeric equilibrium between this structure and the corresponding conjugated form in different solvents is also studied from IR and UV data. The imidazoline ring, the spiranic C(3, 4'), the N(8) and the methyl C(9) atoms are situated in a plane. The piperidine ring adopts a distorted chair conformation in the crystalline form and in solution. The flattening of the C(1), C(2), C(3, 4'), C(4), C(5) part of the chair and the opposite puckering are noticeably large. In order to complete the results, some spectroscopic measurements have also been made for the tropane-3-spiro-4'-imidazol-5'-one hydrochloride. © 1981.The authors thank the Centro por Proceso de Datos del Ministerio de Educación, Madrid, Spain, for providing facilities for the use of the 1108 Univac computer.Peer Reviewe

Electrophoretic deposition of nanostructured TiO2/alginate and TiO2-bioactive glass/alginate composite coatings on stainless steel

Two alginate (Alg) based composite coatings on stainless steel AISI 316L substrates, one containing titania nanoparticles (n-TiO2) and another one a mixture (50/50 wt-%) of n-TiO2 and bioactive glass (BG), intended for biomedical applications, were developed by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) from ethanol/water suspensions. Different n-TiO2 (2–10 g L−1) and BG (1–5 g L−1) contents were studied for a fixed alginate concentration (2 g L−1), and the properties of the electrophoretically obtained coatings were characterised. Coatings with high ceramic content (up to 67 vol.-%) were obtained. The presence of BG particles improves the mechanical properties of the coatings by increasing the adhesion to the substrate and also accelerates the formation of hydroxyapatite after immersion of the coatings in simulated body fluid. The electrochemical behaviour of the coated substrates, evaluated by polarisation curves in Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium at 37°C, confirmed the corrosion protection function of the novel EPD coatings. The present polymer–ceramic composite coatings belong to an emerging family of bioactive, compliant coatings that are promising for a range of biomedical applications

Ecological low-cost ceramic membranes based on olive stones as pore former

They will address the obtained results so far regarding the manufacturing and validation of the REMEB ceramic membranesSe abordarán los resultados obtenidos hasta el momento con respecto a la fabricación y validación de las membranas cerámicas de REME

Electrophoretic deposition of ZnO/alginate and ZnO-bioactive glass/alginate composite coatings for antimicrobial applications

Two organic/inorganic composite coatings based on alginate, as organic matrix, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (n-ZnO) with and without bioactive glass (BG), as inorganic components, intended for biomedical applications, were developed by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). Different n-ZnO (1–10 g/L) and BG (1–1.5 g/L) contents were studied for a fixed alginate concentration (2 g/L). The presence of n-ZnO was confirmed to impart antibacterial properties to the coatings against gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, while the BG induced the formation of hydroxyapatite on coating surfaces thereby imparting bioactivity, making the coating suitable for bone replacement applications. Coating composition was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to study both the surface and the cross section morphology of the coatings. Polarization curves of the coated substrates made in cell culture media at 37 °C confirmed the corrosion protection function of the novel organic/inorganic composite coatings.L. Cordero-Arias thanks the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for a scholarship. Dr. S. Cabanas-Polo acknowledges the financial support from the EU ITN FP-7 project GlaCERCo. The authors acknowledge Anja Friedrich, Ulrike Marten-Jahns, Helga Hildebrand and Elias Palpanes for the experimental support and Intrinsiq Materials Ltd. (UK) for supplying the ZnO nanoparticles