Δπ=0 reverse osmosis enriches a high osmotic pressure solution from a low-titre fermentation broth to a saturated solution or salt form using RO and NF membranes

Diverse biotechnology products are produced by microbial or eukaryotic cell fermentations in aqueous solutions. Removal of water is inevitable to enrich the product into a concentrated solution or into solid forms (such as crystals). The theoretical minimum energy required to remove 1 m3 of water is 716 kWh for thermal methods and 1 kWh for reverse osmosis (RO). In practice, the thermal methods equipped with heat energy recycling needs about 25 kWh to remove 1 m3 of water, and the RO methods needs about 4 kWh since extra energy (3 kWh) is required to operate pumps and other facilities in a plant. In general, membrane processes need less energy than thermal processes since there is no phase change in the separation processes and do not damage heat-sensitive biotechnology products. While both RO and NF membranes are permeable to water, RO membrane retains NaCl molecules and NF membrane is permeable to NaCl molecules, which is useful to remove inorganic salts from the products. Unlike thermal processes, the application of the membrane processes is limited by high osmotic pressure as the product solution is enriched by removing water. Chang et al. (2013) proposed a concept of osmotic pressure-free reverse osmosis (Δπ=0 RO) that overcomes this limitation and allows concentration of any solution with high osmotic pressure to its saturation point and further to crystal form. Δπ=0 RO, a two-component system, is distinct from 3-component forward osmosis and does not require the third component (draw component or extraction solvent) that must be separated from the aqueous solution at the end. This presentation will compare (1) ways of Δπ=0 RO technologies in desalination, and, furthermore (2) dewatering and desalination of high osmotic solutions of NaCl (343 bar), volatile fatty acids (400 – 600 bar), and fuel ethanol (6000 bar) with thermal separation methods in terms of energy consumption and potential of Δπ=0 RO technology. Chang et al. (2017), US patent 14,764,975(2015, 07,30), registration in progres

The Characteristics of Action Potentials in Primo Vessels and the Effects of Acetylcholine Injection to the Action Potentials

In a previous study, we found that Primo vessels generate different action potentials in smooth muscles, but this study compared the pulse shape to distinguish the two tissues. Thus, a more sophisticated extracellular experiment was performed in this study using an acetylcholine injection; we then observed changes in the amplitude, FWHM (full width at half maximum), and period to explore Primo vessel function. A third type of pulse was recorded for Primo vessels. We observed fast depolarizing and repolarizing phases for this pulse. Further, its FWHM was 30 ms between smooth muscles and neurons. Acetylcholine affected only the period. The amplitude and FWHM were consistent after injection. Primo-vessels generated action potentials at twice the frequency after injection. From the results, we speculate that Primo-vessels perform a role in transferring signals in a different manner, which may be relevant for acupuncture treatment

Phase delaying the human circadian clock with a single light pulse and moderate delay of the sleep/dark episode: no influence of iris color

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Light exposure in the late evening and nighttime and a delay of the sleep/dark episode can phase delay the circadian clock. This study assessed the size of the phase delay produced by a single light pulse combined with a moderate delay of the sleep/dark episode for one day. Because iris color or race has been reported to influence light-induced melatonin suppression, and we have recently reported racial differences in free-running circadian period and circadian phase shifting in response to light pulses, we also tested for differences in the magnitude of the phase delay in subjects with blue and brown irises.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Subjects (blue-eyed n = 7; brown eyed n = 6) maintained a regular sleep schedule for 1 week before coming to the laboratory for a baseline phase assessment, during which saliva was collected every 30 minutes to determine the time of the dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). Immediately following the baseline phase assessment, which ended 2 hours after baseline bedtime, subjects received a 2-hour bright light pulse (~4,000 lux). An 8-hour sleep episode followed the light pulse (i.e. was delayed 4 hours from baseline). A final phase assessment was conducted the subsequent night to determine the phase shift of the DLMO from the baseline to final phase assessment.</p> <p>Phase delays of the DLMO were compared in subjects with blue and brown irises. Iris color was also quantified from photographs using the three dimensions of red-green-blue color axes, as well as a lightness scale. These variables were correlated with phase shift of the DLMO, with the hypothesis that subjects with lighter irises would have larger phase delays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The average phase delay of the DLMO was -1.3 ± 0.6 h, with a maximum delay of ~2 hours, and was similar for subjects with blue and brown irises. There were no significant correlations between any of the iris color variables and the magnitude of the phase delay.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A single 2-hour bright light pulse combined with a moderate delay of the sleep/dark episode delayed the circadian clock an average of ~1.5 hours. There was no evidence that iris color influenced the magnitude of the phase shift. Future studies are needed to replicate our findings that iris color does not impact the magnitude of light-induced circadian phase shifts, and that the previously reported differences may be due to race.</p