Structural Study of the Compound [(C10O8H2)2 (C4N2H6)].2H2O Synthesized by Hydrothermal Condition

A new metal–organic compound [(C10O8H2)2(C4N2H6)].2H2O(I) was hydrothermally synthesized from an aqueous solution of Fe (NO3)3 9H2O, (btec) (btec= 1, 2, 4, 5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid) and piperazine. Compound I crystallizes in the triclinic system with the P1 space group. The unit cell parameters are a = 8.271 Å, b = 8.500 Å, c = 9.660 Å, α = 87.12°, β = 89.53°, γ = 70.91°, Z= 2, V= 640.96(6) Å3 and Dx= 1.602g/cm3. The refinement converged into R= 0.047 and RW = 0.059. The structure, determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, consists of two carboxyl group, piperazine and two molecules of water

Numerical investigation of plastic flow and residual stresses generated in hydroformed tubes

During tube hydroforming process, the friction conditions between the tube and the die have a great importance on the material plastic flow and the distribution of residual stresses of the final component. Indeed, a three-dimensional finite element model of a tube hydroforming process in the case of square section die has been performed, using dynamic and static approaches, to study the effect of the friction conditions on both plastic flow and residual stresses induced by the process. First, a comparative study between numerical and experimental results has been carried out to validate the finite element model. After that, various coefficients of friction were considered to study their effect on the thinning phenomenon and the residual stresses distribution. Different points have been retained from this study. The thinning is located in the transition zone cited between the straight wall and the corner zones of hydroformed tube due to the die–tube contact conditions changes during the process. In addition, it is clear that both die–tube friction conditions and the tube bending effects, which occurs respectively in the tube straight wall and corner zones, are the principal causes of the obtained residual stresses distribution along the tube cross-section

Fermentación controlada de aceitunas verdes picholine marroquíes sometidas a choque térmico e inoculadas sin sal

The present work reports the controlled fermentation of heat-shocked, unsalted and inoculated green olives. The effects of heat-shock (60, 70 and 80 °C three times for 5 min), inoculation with the oleuropeinolytic strain of L. plantarum FSO175 (L.p-FSO175) and the addition of Cell-Free Supernatant of C. pelliculosa L18 (CFS of C.p-L18) on the fermentation process of unsalted green olives were examined. The results showed a drastic reduction in the initial indigenous Enterobacteria, and an improvement in the acidification of heat-shocked olives at 70 and 80 °C, when compared to 60 °C. The inoculation with L.p-FSO175 and addition of CFS of C.p-L18 enhanced the fermentation and preservation of unsalted green olives, indicated by a significant decrease in pH, increase in free acidity and total disappearance of Enterobacteria. The heat-shock treatment at high temperature (80 °C), inoculation with L.p-FSO175 and addition of CFS of C.p-L18 led to the best reduction in bitterness, and favorable color changes (L, a, and b) in fermented olives. This sequential method led to more appreciated sensory characteristics (mainly bitterness and color) of fermented olives, lower spoilage incidence in olives, and reduced fermentation time to 50 days, and therefore may be suitable to control the fermentation of unsalted green olives of the Moroccan picholine variety.El presente trabajo reporta la fermentación controlada de aceitunas verdes sometidas a choque térmico, sin salar e inoculadas. Se estudian los efectos del choque térmico (60 °C, 70 °C y 80 °C tres veces durante 5 min), la inoculación con cepa oleuropeinolítica de L. plantarum FSO175 (L.p-FSO175) y la adición de sobrenadante libre de células de C. pelliculosa L18 (CFS de C.p-L18), sobre el proceso de fermentación de aceitunas verdes sin salar. Los resultados mostraron la drástica reducción de las enterobacterias autóctonas iniciales, y la mejora de la acidificación de las aceitunas sometidas a choque térmico de 70 °C y 80 °C, en comparación con 60 °C. La inoculación con L.p-FSO175 y la adición de CFS de C.p-L18 mejoró la fermentación y conservación de las aceitunas verdes sin salar, indicada por una disminución significativa del pH, aumento de la acidez libre y desaparición total de enterobacterias. El choque térmico a alta temperatura (80 °C), la inoculación con L.p-FSO175 y la adición de CFS de C.p-L18 condujeron a una mejor reducción del amargor y cambios de color favorables (L, a y b) en aceitunas fermentadas. Este método secuencial, que permitió apreciar las características sensoriales (principalmente amargor y color) de las aceitunas fermentadas, y una menor incidencia de deterioro en las aceitunas, y redujo el tiempo de fermentación a 50 días, puede ser adecuado para controlar la fermentación de aceitunas verdes sin salar de Marruecos, variedad picholine

New Fisheries-related data from the Mediterranean Sea (April 2015)

In this second Collective Article with fisheries-related data from the Mediterranean Sea we present the evaluation of bony structures in aging of Barbus tauricus, otolith dimensions-body length relationships for two species (Trachinus draco and Synchiropus phaeton), information on the growth of juvenile Thunnus thynnus and of Ruvettus pretiosus, weight-length relationships for three species (Aulopus fiamentosus, Thunnus thynnus and Tylosurus acus imperialis) and data on feeding habits and reproduction of Aulopus fiamentosus

Quantitative localized proton-promoted dissolution kinetics of calcite using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM)

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) has been used to determine quantitatively the kinetics of proton-promoted dissolution of the calcite (101̅4) cleavage surface (from natural “Iceland Spar”) at the microscopic scale. By working under conditions where the probe size is much less than the characteristic dislocation spacing (as revealed from etching), it has been possible to measure kinetics mainly in regions of the surface which are free from dislocations, for the first time. To clearly reveal the locations of measurements, studies focused on cleaved “mirror” surfaces, where one of the two faces produced by cleavage was etched freely to reveal defects intersecting the surface, while the other (mirror) face was etched locally (and quantitatively) using SECM to generate high proton fluxes with a 25 μm diameter Pt disk ultramicroelectrode (UME) positioned at a defined (known) distance from a crystal surface. The etch pits formed at various etch times were measured using white light interferometry to ascertain pit dimensions. To determine quantitative dissolution kinetics, a moving boundary finite element model was formulated in which experimental time-dependent pit expansion data formed the input for simulations, from which solution and interfacial concentrations of key chemical species, and interfacial fluxes, could then be determined and visualized. This novel analysis allowed the rate constant for proton attack on calcite, and the order of the reaction with respect to the interfacial proton concentration, to be determined unambiguously. The process was found to be first order in terms of interfacial proton concentration with a rate constant k = 6.3 (± 1.3) × 10–4 m s–1. Significantly, this value is similar to previous macroscopic rate measurements of calcite dissolution which averaged over large areas and many dislocation sites, and where such sites provided a continuous source of steps for dissolution. Since the local measurements reported herein are mainly made in regions without dislocations, this study demonstrates that dislocations and steps that arise from such sites are not needed for fast proton-promoted calcite dissolution. Other sites, such as point defects, which are naturally abundant in calcite, are likely to be key reaction sites

Whole genome sequencing,molecular typing and in vivovirulence of OXA-48-producingEscherichia coli isolates includingST131 H30-Rx, H22 and H41subclones

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, including the increasingly reported OXA-48 Escherichia coli producers, are an emerging public health threat worldwide. Due to their alarming detection in our healthcare setting and their possible presence in the community, seven OXA-48-producing, extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli were analysed by whole genome sequencing as well as conventional tools, and tested for in vivo virulence. As a result, five E. coli OXA-48-producing subclones were detected (O25:H4-ST131/PST43-fimH30-virotype E; O25:H4-ST131/PST9-fimH22-virotype D5, O16:H5-ST131/ PST506-fimH41; O25:H5-ST83/PST207 and O9:H25-ST58/PST24). Four ST131 and one ST83 isolates satisfied the ExPEC status, and all except the O16:H5 ST131 isolate were UPEC. All isolates exhibited local inflammatory response with extensive subcutaneous necrosis but low lethality when tested in a mouse sepsis model. The blaOXA-48 gene was located in MOBP131/IncL plasmids (four isolates) or within the chromosome (three ST131 H30-Rx isolates), carried by Tn1999-like elements. All, except the ST83 isolate, were multidrug-resistant, with additional plasmids acting as vehicles for the spread of various resistance genes. This is the first study to analyse the whole genome sequences of blaOXA-48-positive ST131, ST58 and ST83 E. coli isolates in conjunction with experimental data, and to evaluate the in vivo virulence of blaOXA-48 isolates, which pose an important challenge to patient management

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of sulfated polysaccharides from five different edible seaweeds

In recent times, there has been a growing interest in the exploration of antioxidants and global trend toward the usage of seaweeds in the food industries. The low molecular weight up to 14 kDa sulfated polysaccharides of seaweeds (Portieria hornemannii, Spyridia hypnoides, Asparagopsis taxiformis, Centroceras clavulatum and Padina pavonica) were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activities and cytotoxic assay using HeLa cell line and also characterized by FTIR. The high yield (7.74% alga dry wt.) of sulfated polysaccharide was observed in P. hornemannii followed by S. hypnoides (0.69%), C. clavulaum (0.55%) and A. taxiformis (0.17%). In the brown seaweed P. pavonica, the sulfated polysaccharide yield was 2.07%. High amount of sulfate was recorded in the polysaccharide of A. taxiformis followed by C. clavulaum, P. pavonica, S. hypnoides and P. hornemannii as indicative for bioactivity. The FTIR spectroscopic analysis supports the sulfated polysaccharides of S. hypnoides, C. clavulatum and A. taxiformis are similar to agar polymer whereas the spectral characteristics of P. hornemannii have similarities to carrageenan. The higher DPPH activity and reducing power were recorded in the polysaccharide of brown seaweed P. pavonica than the red seaweeds as follows: DPPH activities: S. hypnoides > A. taxiformis > C. clavulatum > P. hornimanii; Reducing power: A. taxiformis > P. hornimanii > S. hypnoides > C. clavulatum. The polysaccharide fractions contain up to 14 kDa from red seaweeds P. hornemannii and S. hypnoides followed by brown seaweed P. pavonica exhibit cytotoxic activity in HeLa cancer cell line (and are similar to structural properties of carrageenan extracted from P. hornemannii). The low molecular weight agar like polymer of S. hypnoides and alginate like brown seaweed P. pavonica showing better in vitro antioxidant activities that are capable of exhibiting cytotoxicity against HeLa cell line can be taken up further in-depth investigation for nutraceutical study.University of Algarve: DL 57/2016info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Structural Study of a new Compound Based on Acid 1,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic (1,4-CDC)

One nickel 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate coordination polymers, Ni2 [(O10C6H4)(COO)2].2H2O  (I), was hydrothermally synthesized from an aqueous solution of Ni (NO3)2.6H2O, (1,4-CDC) (1,4-CDC = 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid) and tetramethylammonium nitrate. Compound (I) crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the C2/m space group. The unit cell parameters are a = 20.1160 (16) Å, b = 9.9387 (10) Å, c = 6.3672 (6) Å, β = 97.007 (3) (°), V= 1263.5 (2) (Å3) and Dx= 1.751g/cm3. The refinement converged into R= 0.036 and RW = 0.092. The structure, determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, consists of two nickel atoms Ni (1) and Ni (2). Lots of ways of which is surrounded by six oxygen atoms, a carboxyl group and two water molecules