403 research outputs found
Connected to Give: Faith Communities
This is the third report in the "Connected to Give" series, and compares the relationship between the charitable giving behavior of American's from a variety of backgrounds, including their key demographics; an examination their motivations for giving; and the types of organizations to which they contribute
FROM "MODELS" TO "REALITY", AND RETURN.SOME REFLECTIONS ON THE INTERACTION BETWEEN SURVEYAND INTERPRETATIVE METHODS FOR BUILT HERITAGE CONSERVATION
It's well known that more and more accurate methodologies and automatic tools are now available in the field of geometric survey and image processing and they constitute a fundamental instrument for cultural heritage knowledge and preservation; on the other side, very smart and precise numerical models are continuously improved and used in order to simulate the mechanical behaviour of masonry structures: both instruments and technologies are important part of a global process of knowledge which is at the base of any conservation project of cultural heritage. Despite the high accuracy and automation level reached by both technologies and programs, the transfer of data between them is not an easy task and defining the most reliable way to translate and exchange information without data loosing is still an open issue. The goal of the present paper is to analyse the complex process of translation from the very precise (and sometimes redundant) information obtainable by the modern survey methodologies for historic buildings (as laser scanner), into the very simplified (may be too much) schemes used to understand their real structural behaviour, with the final aim to contribute to the discussion on reliable methods for cultural heritage knowledge improvement, through empiricism
White rot fungi capable of decolourising textile dyes under alkaline conditions
Four different white rot fungi were screened to
study the decolourisation of the textile dyes Reactive
Black 5 (RB5) and Poly R-478 on plates under alkaline
condition. Three strains of Trametes versicolor (MUM
94.04 MUM 04.100 MUM 04.101) and one strain of
Phanerochaete chrysosporium (MUM 94.15), showed
better decolourisation results. The strains were used for
decolourisation study in liquid culture medium (LCM).
All four strains presented more efficient
decolourisation on dye RB5, but they differed in
decolourisation capacity depending on the analised pH
value. In LCM the decolouration of dye reached 100%
for the two strains of WRF studied
Utilization of white rot fungi for textile dye decolourisation under alkaline condition and high salt concentration in solid medium
A large amount of azo dyes are used for
dyeing textiles. However, the dyes contaminate
wastewaters and need to be treated. This is important
because of the aesthetic, toxic and carcinogenic effects
of the affected waters. Recently there has been an
increase in interest in using white rot fungi (wrf) which
degrade xenobiotic compounds including azo dyes.
Wrf degrade lignin and others recalcitrant molecules
using nonspecific extracellular enzymes. Four white rot
fungi obtained from the Micoteca da Universidade do
Minho (MUM) culture collection were used to screen
for degradability capabilities. Reactice Black 5 (RB5)
was selected in the present work because these dyes are
most commonly used in the textile dyeing. Screening
for RB5 decolourisation was carried out on solid
medium in plates. Two wrf showed good growth and
decolourisation abilities. These are now under study to
determine which ligninolytic enzymes are produced
Use of filamentous fungi for improving electricity production and textile dye treatment in a microbial fuel cell
Urban and industrial wastewaters have received an increased interest towards energy harvesting using microbial fuel cells (MFC). The combined use of microbial anode oxidizing organic substrates and enzymatic cathode reducing oxygen is a promising new approach for the simultaneous treatment of wastewater and generation of electricity. In this context, our study evaluated the performance of a two-chambered MFC operated with three laccase producing strains of filamentous fungi (Ff), immobilized on the cathodic compartment and filled up with simulated textile dye effluent (TDE) and urban wastewater in the anodic compartment. The result indicated a rapid TDE decolourisation (>86 % within 72 h). Electrochemical monitoring of the MFC during TDE decolourisation indicated power density (>35 mW m2, control 3,61) and laccase activity (989.6 U l–1) in the presence of Pleurotus ostreatus on the cathodic compartment. Considering the initial COD value of 464 ± 20 mg.l-1, the organic removal in the anodic compartment after 20 days of MFC operation was 90.2%. Final toxicity measurements in the TDE treated indicated a much lower impact when compared to the original TDE. These are the initial studies to select Ff as models for MFC application and further adaptation for wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generatio
Descoloração de corantes têxteis por fungos ligninolíticos em condições de pH e salinidade elevada
Tese de doutoramento em Engenharia Quimica e BiológicaO principal objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em selecionar e avaliar diferentes estirpes
de fungos da podridão branca da madeira (Fpb) quanto à capacidade de descoloração,
em condições similares às apresentadas na indústria têxtil, utilizando o corante azo
Reativo Preto 5 (RP5). O corante Poly R-478 (PR478) foi utilizado como parâmetro
comparativo por ser considerado um indicador da atividade de enzimas existentes no
sistema ligninolítico dos Fpb. O trabalho inicial foi realizado com doze estirpes de Fbp
em meio de cultura sólido e permitiu a seleção das estirpes aptas em descolorir estes
corantes em condições restritivas. A extensão da descoloração dos dois corantes e a
atividade das enzimas ligninolíticas envolvidas neste processo foram avaliadas,
utilizando-se as estirpes Trametes versicolor MUM 94.04, 04.100 e 04.101 para além da
estirpe modelo de estudo Phanerochaete chrysoporium MUM 94.15 (ATCC 24725), em
meio de cultura líquido (MCL) alcalino sob agitação. As estirpes T. versicolor
MUM 94.04 e MUM 04.100 apresentaram uma taxa de descoloração de 100 % em
MCL na presença do corante RP5. Definido o valor de pH, foram realizados novos
ensaios com diferentes concentrações de NaCl adicionado à composição do MCL com o
corante RP5. Os melhores resultados de descoloração e atividade enzimática foram
obtidos em MCL contendo 15 g·l-1 de NaCl na sua composição, onde a estirpe
T. versicolor MUM 04.100 foi a única que apresentou uma taxa de descoloração de
100 %. Esta estirpe apresentou atividade de lacase (Lcc) e lignina-peroxidase (LiP) em
valores superiores aos obtidos nas melhores condições de alcalinidade. Em MCL
agitado e com os parâmetros pH e concentração de NaCl otimizados, comparou-se a
capacidade da estirpe T. versicolor imobilizada em dois suportes sintéticos: espuma de
poliuretano (EPO) e esponja de “nylon” (EN), com os resultados obtidos com células
livres. Esta estirpe imobilizada em EPO e EN manteve uma taxa de descoloração do
corante RP5 igual ou superior a 85 % por 18 (6 ciclos) e 21 (7 ciclos) dias. A ampliação
da escala neste estudo foi feita em dois tipos de reatores: de leito fixo e de bancada. O
conjunto de experimentos realizados no reator de leito fixo com células livres e
imobilizadas proporcionou uma taxa de descoloração de 100 %. A adição de glicerol ao
meio de cultivo promoveu uma maior atividade da enzima lacase. Em contrapartida, o
controle rígido do pH nos ensaios com reator de bancada denotou a inibição do
microrganismo, necessitando-se assim uma maior investigação dos parâmetros de operação. Além disso, verificou-se que indução da expressão genética da lacase foi
superior quando o MCL possuía glicerol como co-substrato.
Em conclusão, os excelentes resultados obtidos com a estirpe T. versicolor
MUM 04.100, proporcionará boas perspectivas futuras quanto a estudos de avaliação
dos mecanismos metabólicos e de compostos intermediários que são formados a partir
deste corante. Do mesmo modo, o aprofundamento do estudo do processo degradativo
do corante com esta estirpe poderá ser avaliado com fontes alternativas de carbono, que
poderão potencializar a síntese e consequente aumento da atividade enzimática Lcc.The main goal of this work was to select and evaluate different strains of white rot
fungi (Wrf) to the capability to decolourise azo dyes in similar conditions to those
presented in the textile industry, using the Reactive Black 5 (RB5). The dye Poly R-478
(PR478) was used as a comparative parameter for being considered as an indicator of
the activity of the ligninolytic system of the Wrf. The initial assays were performed with
twelve strains of Wrf in solid medium which allowed the selection of strains able to
decolourise these dyes in restringent conditions.
The extension of the decolourisation for both dyes and the activity of the ligninolytic
enzymes involved in this process were evaluated, using the strains Trametes versicolor
MUM 94.04, 04.100 and 04.101, and the Phanerochaete chrysoporium MUM 94.15
(ATCC 24725) as reference strain, in alkaline liquid culture medium (LCM) under
stirring conditions. The strains T. versicolor MUM 94.04 and MUM 04.100 showed a
decolourising rate of 100 % in LCM with the presence of RB5. A optimal value of pH
was defined and new assays were made with different concentrations of NaCl added to
the composition of the MCL with the dye RB5. The best decolourising results and the
enzymatic activity were obtained in MCL containing 15g·l-1 of NaCl in its composition,
where the strain T. versicolor MUM 04.100 presented a decolourising rate of 100 %.
This strain presented higher values of laccase (Lcc) and lignin-peroxidase (LiP) activity
when compared to those obtained in the best alkaline conditions. In stirred MCL with
RB5 and under optimised parameters of pH and NaCl, the capacity of the immobilised
strain in two synthetic carriers, polyurethane foam (EPO) and nylon sponge (EN), to
decolourise the dye was studied and compared with the results obtained for the free cell
cultures. This strain, immobilized in EPO and EN maintained a decolourising rate, for
the dye RB5, equal or higher than 85 % for 18 (6 cycles) and 21 (7 cycles) days. The
scale-up of this assay was performed using two types of reactors: fixed bed and stirred
tank. The set of assays performed in the fixed bed reactor with free and immobilized
cells provided a decolourising rate of 100 %. The addition of glycerol to the medium
promoted a higher activity of laccase. However, the pH control on the assays with the
stirred tank denoted the inhibition of the microorganism, thus requiring further research
of the operation parameters. Moreover, it was found that the induction of the genic expression of the laccase was higher when using MCL with glycerol as a co-substrate. In conclusion, the excellent results obtained with strain T. versicolor MUM 04.100
will provide future prospects for studies of metabolic pathways and intermediates
meatabolites that are formed from this dye under biodegradation conditions.
Additionally, further study of degradation process of the dye with this strain can be
assessed with alternative sources of carbon, which may stimulate the synthesis and
consequent increase the Lcc activity
Effect of different carbon sources on decolourisation of an industrial textile dye under alkaline-saline conditions
White-rot fungal strains of Trametes versicolor
and Phanerochaete chrysosporium were selected to study
the decolourisation of the textile dye, Reactive Black 5,
under alkaline–saline conditions. Free and immobilised T.
versicolor cells showed 100 % decolourisation in the
growth medium supplemented with 15 g l-1 NaCl, pH 9.5
at 30 C in liquid batch culture. Continuous culture
experiments were performed in a fixed-bed reactor using
free and immobilised T. versicolor cells and allowed
85–100 % dye decolourisation. The immobilisation conditions
for the biomass and the additional supply of carbon
sources improved the decolourisation performance during a
long-term trial of 40 days. Lignin peroxidase, laccase and
glyoxal oxidase activities were detected during the experiments.
The laccase activity varied depending on carbon
source utilized and glycerol-enhanced laccase activity
compared to sucrose during extended growth
- …