Adsorption of Lead Ions by a Green AC/HKUST-1 Nanocomposite

A new nanocomposite consisting of activated carbon (AC) from the Cortaderia selloana flower and copper-based metal-organic framework (HKUST-1) was synthesized through a single-step solvothermal method and applied for the removal of lead ions from aqueous solution through adsorption. The nanocomposite, AC/HKUST-1, was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) methods. The SEM images of both HKUST-1 and AC/HKUST-1 contain octahedral crystals. Different factors affecting adsorption processes, such as solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial metal pollution concentration, were studied. The adsorption isotherm was evaluated with Freundlich and Langmuir models, and the latter was fitted with the experimental data on adsorption of lead ion. The adsorption capacity was 249.4 mg g−1 for 15 min at pH 6.1, which is an excellent result rivalling previously reported lead adsorbents considering the conditions. These nanocomposites show considerable potential for use as a functional material in the ink formulation of lead sensors

AUGUSTUS at EGASP: using EST, protein and genomic alignments for improved gene prediction in the human genome

BACKGROUND: A large number of gene prediction programs for the human genome exist. These annotation tools use a variety of methods and data sources. In the recent ENCODE genome annotation assessment project (EGASP), some of the most commonly used and recently developed gene-prediction programs were systematically evaluated and compared on test data from the human genome. AUGUSTUS was among the tools that were tested in this project. RESULTS: AUGUSTUS can be used as an ab initio program, that is, as a program that uses only one single genomic sequence as input information. In addition, it is able to combine information from the genomic sequence under study with external hints from various sources of information. For EGASP, we used genomic sequence alignments as well as alignments to expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and protein sequences as additional sources of information. Within the category of ab initio programs AUGUSTUS predicted significantly more genes correctly than any other ab initio program. At the same time it predicted the smallest number of false positive genes and the smallest number of false positive exons among all ab initio programs. The accuracy of AUGUSTUS could be further improved when additional extrinsic data, such as alignments to EST, protein and/or genomic sequences, was taken into account. CONCLUSION: AUGUSTUS turned out to be the most accurate ab initio gene finder among the tested tools. Moreover it is very flexible because it can take information from several sources simultaneously into consideration

Structure fine de fibres de polyester destinées à divers usages

6 pages, 5 figures, 7 tables.[ESP] Cinco fibras de poliéster PET para textiles de diferentes usos finales y fabricadas por una misma productora han sido caracterizadas determinando su peso molecular, cristalinidad por calorimetría diferencial, solubilidad diferencial y sorción de yodo. Estas técnicas de caracterización se han aplicado también a un hilo continuo convencional, a otro teñible con colorantes catiónicos, ambos fabricados por la misma compañía, y a un hilo industrial cord.[ENG] Five PET polyester fibres for textiles with different end uses produced by the same manufacturer were characterized by determining their molecular weight, their degree of crystallinity using differential calorimetry, differential solubility and iodine sorption. These characterization techniques were also applied to a conventional continuous yarn, to another which can be dyed using cationic dyes (both of which were produced by the same company) and to an industrial cord.[FRA] Cinq fibres de polyester PET pour des textiles destinés à divers usages, fabriquées par le même producteur, ont été caractérisées en déterminant leur poids moléculaire, la cristallinité par calorimétrie différentielle, la solubilité différentielle et la sorption d’iode. Ces techniques de caractérisation ont été également appliquées à un fil continu conventionnel, à un autre admettant la teinture avec des colorants cationiques, tous deux fabriqués par la même entreprise, et à un fil industriel cord.Peer reviewe

La propagande politique

La politique étant un « produit » comparable à une marchandise, les logos ont suivi le même développement que les techniques de propagande politique. Ils font partie intégrante de l’idéologie en vigueur. C’est ce que tente de montrer l’auteur avec l’exemple de la Bulgarie, où ce n’est qu’à la fin des années 80 qu’une contestation s’exprime au moyen de noms de marques et d’un graphisme faisant allusion à des normes proscrites par le régime

Eye care – 3 O perspective: obstacles and opportunities

Aim The aim of the present study is to determine the realization of different eye care practitioners as part of the 3 O perspective in eye health care and to analyze the methodologies for their development.Methods Retrospective documentary analysis of the trends for the specialty of medical opticians. Comparative analysis of the profession with other elements of the 3 O perspective, including optometrists and ophthalmologists.Results The number of medical opticians graduated from the Medical University of Varna since 2016 is 69, the largest in 2016 – 16, and the lowest in 2018 – 10. On average 20% of medical opticians are realized in practice without further qualification, while all others continue with a master‘s degree in optometry. Medical opticians most often work in an optical store, with 60% developing their own business. The number of opticians realized in medical establishments is small. The number of masters in optometry, realized in medical institutions is significantly higher and reaches 30%. Ophthalmologists are realized in medical institutions at 100% up to 3 years after graduation. Over 80% of ophthalmologists work in optical centers during their training.Conclusions As a result of an in-depth analysis of the market and the demand for qualified eye care practitioners, Medical University of Varna closes the cycle of the 3 O perspective with the following specialties: ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians. The three categories of eye health professionals work in symbiosis to develop a comprehensive concept for prevention, prophylaxis, optical correction and treatment. Optical centers and medical institutions providing specialized care for eye diseases exchange staff, which is beneficial for the overall concept of the eye care

Caracterización de la estructura fina de las fibras de poliamida 6 mediante la técnica de solubilidad diferencial

Se describe la puesta a punto de la técnica de solubilidad diferencial en mezclas fenol/isopropanol como parámetro de la estructura fina de las fibras de poliamida 6.Este parámetro ha permitido detectar diferencias entre sustratos de poliamida 6 del mismo tipo producidos por diferentes compañías. También se han apreciado diferencias de solubilidad diferencial en sustratos de poliamida 6 fabricados con diferentes relaciones de estirado. Los diferentes sustratos se han caracterizado tambiénprocediendo a medidas de cristalinidad (densidad) y orientación(módulo sónico)

HPLC Determination of Amoxicillin, Tinidazole and Omeprazole in a Model Mixture

The present study examines the possibilities for the simultaneous determination of amoxicillin, tinidazole, and omeprazole in a model mixture by high-performance liquid chromatography. Chromatographic separation was performed in isocratic mode on a LiChrospher® 100 RP-18 column. The mobile phase consists of acetonitrile and phosphate buffer (0.001 M, pH 7.6) in a ratio of 40:60 v/v. The analysis was performed at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and a wavelength of 280 nm. The method was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, precision and accuracy, limit of detection, and limit of quantification. The resulting correlation coefficients R2 are higher than 0.999, and the relative standard deviation does not exceed 2%