Process intensification of anaerobically digested palm oil mill effluent (AAD-POME) treatment using combined chitosan coagulation, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Fenton’s oxidation

The present study investigates the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS) of anaerobically digested palm oil mill effluent in batch studies through the following 4 strategies: coagulation by chitosan, addition of ferrous sulphate (FeSO4), chitosan with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and chitosan with Fenton oxidation. The parameters tested were chitosan dosage (500–12,500 mg/L), FeSO4 dosage (500–12,500 mg/L), mixing time (15–60 min), sedimentation time (1–4 h) and initial pH (2–9) and H2O2 (500–7500 mg/L). Coagulation only by using chitosan (2500 mg/L) achieved the maximum COD and TSS removal of 70.22 ± 0.23 and 85.59 ± 0.13 %, respectively. An increase in the TSS removal (98.7 ± 0.06 %) but with a reduction in the COD removal (62.61 ± 2.41 %) was observed when FeSO4 (2500 mg/L) was added along with chitosan (2500 mg/L). Alternatively, an improvement in the COD (82.82 ± 1.71 %) and TSS (89.92 ± 0.48 %) removal efficiencies was observed when chitosan was coupled with H2O2 (500 mg/L). Finally, chitosan (2500 mg/L) integrated with Fenton oxidation (FeSO4 of 2500 mg/L and H2O2 of 500 mg/L) resulted in 100 % TSS and 73.08 ± 4.11 % COD removals. Overall chitosan with H2O2 proved to be the most promising alternative for POME treatment compared to chitosan with Fenton oxidation

Development of a novel cell encapsulation system based on natural origin polymers for tissue engineering applications

Cells microencapsulated in biocompatible semi-permeable polymeric membranes are effective as cell delivery systems while protecting the host against immune responses. In this study, cell encapsulation membranes were prepared based on carrageenan and alginate, two natural cationic polymers. Different formulations/conditions were explored to optimize the microcapsules which were characterized with respect to their morphology, mechanical stability, and cytotoxicity. Spherical-shaped microcapsules were obtained from all the polymeric systems. The iota-carrageenan/sodium alginate microcapsules exhibited the best stability and permeability, and therefore, these were selected for the cell encapsulation. These capsules provided an environment that supported cell proliferation and have the potential for tissue engineering as well as other cell-based therapy applications.One of the authors (SML) acknowledges the support of the Programme Alssan-the European Union Programme of High Level Scholarships for Latin America (scholarship no. E04M041362CO). This work was partially supported by the European STREP HIPPOCRATES (NMP3-CT-2003-505758) and by the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (project PTDC/QUI/68804/2006) and carried out under the scope of European NoE EXPERTISSUES (NMP3-CT-2004-500283)

The extremely red L dwarf ULAS J222711-004547-dominated by dust

We report the discovery of a peculiar L dwarf from the United Kingdom Infrared Deep Sky Survey Large Area Survey, ULAS J222711-004547. The very red infrared photometry (MKO J-K = 2.79 +/- 0.06, WISEW1-W2 = 0.65 +/- 0.05) of ULAS J222711-004547 makes it one of the reddest brown dwarfs discovered so far. We obtained a moderate resolution spectrum of this target using the XSHOOTER spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope, and we classify it as L7pec, confirming its very red nature. Comparison to theoretical models suggests that the object could be a low-gravity L dwarf with a solar or higher than solar metallicity. Nonetheless, the match of such fits to the spectral energy distribution is rather poor, and this and other less red peculiar L dwarfs pose new challenges for the modelling of ultracool atmospheres, especially to the understanding of the effects of condensates and their sensitivity to gravity and metallicity. We determined the proper motion of ULAS J222711-004547 using the data available in the literature, and we find that its kinematics do not suggest membership of any of the known young associations. We show that applying a simple de-reddening curve to its spectrum allows it to resemble the spectra of the L7 spectroscopic standards without any spectral features that distinguish it as a low-metallicity or low-gravity dwarf. Given the negligible interstellar reddening of the field containing our target, we conclude that the reddening of the spectrum is mostly due to an excess of dust in the photosphere of the target. De-reddening the spectrum using extinction curves for different dust species gives surprisingly good results and suggests a characteristic grain size of similar to 0.5 mu m. We show that by increasing the optical depth, the same extinction curves allow the spectrum of ULAS J222711-004547 to resemble the spectra of unusually blue L dwarfs and even slightly metal-poor L dwarfs. Grains of similar size also yield very good fits when de-reddening other unusually red L dwarfs in the L5-L7.5 range. These results suggest that the diversity in near-infrared colours and spectra seen in late L dwarfs could be due to differences in the optical thickness of the dust cloud deck.Peer reviewe

Comparison of response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN) towards efficient extraction of artemisinin from Artemisia annua

The solid-liquid extraction of Artemisia annua remains an important source of artemisinin, the precursor molecule to the most potent anti-malarial drugs available. Industrial manufacturers of artemisinin face many challenges in regards to volatile markets and sub-optimal extraction approaches. There is a need to improve current processing conditions, and one method is to model the processing options and identify the most appropriate process conditions to suit the market forces. This study examined the impact of extraction temperature, duration and solvent (petroleum ether) to leaf proportions on the recovery of artemisinin from leaf steeped in solvent, in a central composite design (CCD), and the results were used to generate both a response surface methodology (RSM) model and an artificial neural network (ANN) model. Appraisal of the models through the coefficient of determination (R2) and the absolute average deviation (AAD) showed that the ANN was superior (R2 = 0.991, AAD = 1.37%) to the RSM model (R2 = 0.903, AAD = 4.57%) in predicting artemisinin recovery. The ANN model was subsequently used to determine the optimal extraction conditions for the recovery of artemisinin, which were found to be an extraction duration of 8 h at a temperature of 45 ◦C and a leaf loading of 0.12 g/ml petroleum ether, from the conditions tested. An illustration is provided in how the results obtained from an ANN model may be used to determine optimal extraction conditions in response to market conditions. In addition, a co-solvency effect has been observed between extracted impurities and petroleum ether that substantially increases the solubility of artemisinin over that in petroleum ether alone, and which will require further investigation in the future. The impact of this co-solvency effect on the efficiency of artemisinin recovery in secondary extraction cycles was found to be significant

Ictiofauna De Riachos Da Bacia Do Baixo Rio Iguaçu, Estado Do Paraná, Brasil

The drainages of the Iguaçu River basin, as well as the main channel of the river, have peculiar characteristics resulting from geomorphological processes in this area, including the formation of the Iguaçu River Falls. This slope in the lower portion of the basin is a biogeographical barrier to many organisms. In this study was inventoried the fish fauna of streams of the lower Iguaçu River basin, evaluating possible differences in the species composition upstream and downstream of this biogeographical barrier. Sampling were conducted between 2004 and 2013, in five streams, three upstream and two downstream of the Iguaçu River Falls, using electrofishing. The nMDS analysis was run to investigate possible groupings of similar fauna between the streams sampled. The scores of this test were tested as to the significance of groupings with the Hotelling T2 test. The indicator value method (IndVal) was used to detect the distribution of species among the groups of the streams upstream and downstream of the Iguaçu River Falls. We collected 18,908 individuals of six orders, 11 families, and 40 species. Siluriformes and Characiformes had the highest species richness; Cyprinodontiformes presented the highest abundance. Considering the species recorded, 21 are considered natives to the Iguaçu River basin, including 15 endemic, wich were found only in streams upstream of the falls. Additional 18 species were verified only in the streams downstream of such barrier. Four species were common to both stretches. The axis 1 of the nMDS separated two groups: streams upstream (S1, S2 and S3) and streams downstream of the Iguaçu River Falls (S4 and S5). The indicator species analysis also indicated a distinction between the groups of streams, that were significantly different (Hotelling’s T2 = 234.36, p < 0.0001). The number of endemic species in the streams upstream of the Falls (15 spp.) evidences a significant effect of isolation promoted by the Iguaçu River Falls, and confirms the role of this barrier in the vicariant processes and endemism typical of this basin. These results emphasize the importance of conserving these ecosystems, once the extinction of species in this region means the irreversible loss of them. © 2016, Universidade Estadual de Campinas UNICAMP. All rights reserved.16311

Energy management for a net zero dairy supply chain under climate change

Background: The dairy industry requires substantial energy resources at all stages of production and supply to meet consumer needs in terms of quantity, quality and food safety. The expected future climate change effects will cause serious uncertainty to the dairy industry. Adapting to these upcoming conditions is a challenge and one that is compounded by the continuous increase in food demand, as a result of global population growth. Predictably, under current conditions, this situation might lead to a significant increase in the energy requirements of the dairy industry. Therefore, there is a clear need to mitigate energy use through enhanced energy conservation, waste reduction and waste management. Scope and approach: This review paper presents and discusses alternative dairy operations and mitigation strategies that have the potential to lead the dairy industry towards net-zero carbon emissions. Further, the focus of this work turns to supply chain energy modelling (SCEM) as means to mitigate energy use, while relevant work in the literature is reviewed. Key findings and conclusions: Supply chain energy models can provide a complete overview of the energy demand and the energy mix of a dairy supply chain. Additionally, they can highlight the most energy consuming processes and allow the evaluation of alternative energy-saving operations that can lead towards the net-zero carbon target. Overall, the development or use of computational tools for simulating the energy demand in the industry has strong potential for improving sustainability across the dairy supply chain

Cloud manufacturing as a sustainable process manufacturing route

Cloud Manufacturing (CM) is a service oriented business model to share manufacturing capabilities and resources on a cloud platform. Manufacturing is under pressure to achieve cost and environmental impact reductions, as manufacturing becomes more integrated and complex. Cloud manufacturing offers a solution, as it is capable of making intelligent decisions to provide the most sustainable and robust manufacturing route available. Although CM research has progressed, a consensus is still lacking on the concepts within CM as well as applications and scope beyond discrete manufacturing. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how CM offers a more sustainable manufacturing future to the industry as a whole, before focusing specifically on the application to process manufacturing (e.g. food, pharmaceuticals and chemicals). This paper details the definitions, characteristics, architectures and previous case studies on CM. From this, the fundamental aspects of the CM concept are identified, along with an analysis of how the concept has progressed. A new, comprehensive CM definition is formulated by combining key concepts drawn from previous definitions and emphasizes CM potential for sustainable manufacturing. Four key methods of how CM increases sustainability are identified: (1) collaborative design; (2) greater automation; (3) improved process resilience and (4) enhanced waste reduction, reuse and recovery. The first two key methods are common to both discrete and process manufacturing, however key methods (3) and (4) are more process manufacturing specific and application of CM for these has yet to be fully realised. Examples of how CM’s characteristics may be utilised to solve various process manufacturing problems are presented to demonstrate the applications of CM to process manufacturing. Waste is an important consideration in manufacturing, with strong sustainability implications. The current focus has been on using CM for waste minimisation; however, process manufacturing offers waste as a resource (valorisation opportunities from diversifying co-products, reuse, recycle and energy recovery). Exploring CM’s potential to characterise and evaluate alternative process routes for the valorisation of process manufacturing waste is considered for the first time. The specific limitations preventing CM adoption by process manufacturers are discussed. Finally, CM’s place in the future of manufacturing is explored, including how it will interact with, and complement other emerging manufacturing technologies to deliver a circular economy and personalised products

Discovery of a new Y dwarf: WISE J030449.03-270508.3

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society following peer review. The version of record [D. J. Pinfield, et al, Discovery of a new Y dwarf: WISE J030449.03−270508.3, MNRAS, Vol. 444 (2): 1931-1939, September 2014] is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stu1540.We present a new Y dwarf, WISE J030449.03−270508.3, confirmed from a candidate sample designed to pick out low-temperature objects from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) data base. The new object is typed Y0pec following a visual comparison with spectral standards, and lies at a likely distance of 10–17 pc. Its tangential velocity suggests thin disc membership, but it shows some spectral characteristics that suggest that it may be metal poor and/or older than previously identified Y0 dwarfs. Based on trends seen for warmer late-type T dwarfs, the Y-band flux peak morphology is indicative of sub-solar metallicity, and the enhanced red wing of the J-band flux peak offers evidence for high gravity and/or low metallicity (with associated model trends suggesting an age closer to ∼10 Gyr and mass in the range 0.02–0.03 Mȯ). This object may thus be extending the population parameter space of the known Y0 dwarfs.Peer reviewe