The influence of nano-architectured CeOx supports in RhPd/CeO2 for the catalytic ethanol steam reforming reaction

The ethanol steam reforming (ESR) reaction has been tested over RhPd supported on polycrystalline ceria in comparison to structured supports composed of nanoshaped CeO2 cubes and CeO2 rods tailored toward the production of hydrogen. At 650-700 K the hydrogen yield follows the trend RhPd/CeO(2)cubes >RhPd/CeO2-rods >RhPd/CeO2-polycrystalline, whereas at temperatures higher than 800K the catalytic performance of all samples is similar and close to the thermodynamic equilibrium. The improved performance of RhPd/CeO2-cubes and RhPd/CeO2-rods for ESR at low temperature is mainly ascribed to higher water-gas shift activity and a strong interaction between the bimetallic-oxide support interaction. STEM analysis shows the existence of RhPd alloyed nanoparticles in all samples, with no apparent relationship between ESR performance and RhPd particle size. X-ray diffraction under operating conditions shows metal reorganization on {1 0 0} and {1 1 0} ceria crystallographic planes during catalyst activation and ESR, but not on {1 1 1} ceria crystallographic planes. The RhPd reconstructing and tuned activation over ceria nanocubes and nanorods is considered the main reason for better catalytic activity with respect to conventional catalysts based on polycrystalline ceria. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Postprint (author's final draft

‘Free’ inhibin α subunit is expressed by bovine ovarian theca cells and its knockdown suppresses androgen production

Inhibins are ovarian dimeric glycoprotein hormones that suppress pituitary FSH production. They are synthesised by follicular granulosa cells as α plus βA/βB subunits (encoded by INHA, INHBA, INHBB, respectively). Inhibin concentrations are high in follicular fluid (FF) which is also abundant in ‘free’ α subunit, presumed to be of granulosal origin, but its role(s) remains obscure. Here, we report the unexpected finding that bovine theca cells show abundant INHA expression and ‘free’ inhibin α production. Thus, theca cells may contribute significantly to the inhibin α content of FF and peripheral blood. In vitro, knockdown of thecal INHA inhibited INSL3 and CYP17A1 expression and androgen production while INSL3 knockdown reduced INHA and inhibin α secretion. These findings suggest a positive role of thecal inhibin α on androgen production. However, exogenous inhibin α did not raise androgen production. We hypothesised that inhibin α may modulate the opposing effects of BMP and inhibin on androgen production. However, this was not supported experimentally. Furthermore, neither circulating nor intrafollicular androgen concentrations differed between control and inhibin α-immunized heifers, casting further doubt on thecal inhibin α subunit having a significant role in modulating androgen production. Role(s), if any, played by thecal inhibin α remain elusive

Chemical Genetics Reveals Bacterial and Host Cell Functions Critical for Type IV Effector Translocation by Legionella pneumophila

Delivery of effector proteins is a process widely used by bacterial pathogens to subvert host cell functions and cause disease. Effector delivery is achieved by elaborate injection devices and can often be triggered by environmental stimuli. However, effector export by the L. pneumophila Icm/Dot Type IVB secretion system cannot be detected until the bacterium encounters a target host cell. We used chemical genetics, a perturbation strategy that utilizes small molecule inhibitors, to determine the mechanisms critical for L. pneumophila Icm/Dot activity. From a collection of more than 2,500 annotated molecules we identified specific inhibitors of effector translocation. We found that L. pneumophila effector translocation in macrophages requires host cell factors known to be involved in phagocytosis such as phosphoinositide 3-kinases, actin and tubulin. Moreover, we found that L. pneumophila phagocytosis and effector translocation also specifically require the receptor protein tyrosine phosphate phosphatases CD45 and CD148. We further show that phagocytosis is required to trigger effector delivery unless intimate contact between the bacteria and the host is artificially generated. In addition, real-time analysis of effector translocation suggests that effector export is rate-limited by phagocytosis. We propose a model in which L. pneumophila utilizes phagocytosis to initiate an intimate contact event required for the translocation of pre-synthesized effector molecules. We discuss the need for host cell participation in the initial step of the infection and its implications in the L. pneumophila lifestyle. Chemical genetic screening provides a novel approach to probe the host cell functions and factors involved in host–pathogen interactions

Determination of nutrient salts by automatic methods both in seawater and brackish water: the phosphate blank

9 páginas, 2 tablas, 2 figurasThe main inconvenience in determining nutrients in seawater by automatic methods is simply solved: the preparation of a suitable blank which corrects the effect of the refractive index change on the recorded signal. Two procedures are proposed, one physical (a simple equation to estimate the effect) and the other chemical (removal of the dissolved phosphorus with ferric hydroxide).Support for this work came from CICYT (MAR88-0245 project) and Conselleria de Pesca de la Xunta de GaliciaPeer reviewe

Recovery of brachial plexus lesions resulting from heavy backpack use: A follow-up case series

Peer reviewe

Biology and biotechnology of Trichoderma

Fungi of the genus Trichoderma are soilborne, green-spored ascomycetes that can be found all over the world. They have been studied with respect to various characteristics and applications and are known as successful colonizers of their habitats, efficiently fighting their competitors. Once established, they launch their potent degradative machinery for decomposition of the often heterogeneous substrate at hand. Therefore, distribution and phylogeny, defense mechanisms, beneficial as well as deleterious interaction with hosts, enzyme production and secretion, sexual development, and response to environmental conditions such as nutrients and light have been studied in great detail with many species of this genus, thus rendering Trichoderma one of the best studied fungi with the genome of three species currently available. Efficient biocontrol strains of the genus are being developed as promising biological fungicides, and their weaponry for this function also includes secondary metabolites with potential applications as novel antibiotics. The cellulases produced by Trichoderma reesei, the biotechnological workhorse of the genus, are important industrial products, especially with respect to production of second generation biofuels from cellulosic waste. Genetic engineering not only led to significant improvements in industrial processes but also to intriguing insights into the biology of these fungi and is now complemented by the availability of a sexual cycle in T. reesei/Hypocrea jecorina, which significantly facilitates both industrial and basic research. This review aims to give a broad overview on the qualities and versatility of the best studied Trichoderma species and to highlight intriguing findings as well as promising applications

Pedagogia Sperimentale

A partire dal dibattito teorico-epistemologico del Novecento, viene definito il temine Pedagogia Sperimentale e il suo specifico campo scientifico-disciplinare di riferimento, per quanto concerne oggetto e metodi della ricerca

The possibility of dairy wwtp load decreasing by using separate constructed wetland for effluents from sludge processing treatment

The paper presents author's experience related to reject water produced during aerobic sludge treatment in dairy waste water treatment plant. Problem of reject water relates to almost every biological sewage treatment plant that applies aerobic or anaerobic stabilization of sewage sludge. Reject water is a byproduct like sewage sludge. It is usually returned to the beginning of purification line. Dairy WWTP belonging to Bielmlek Bielsk Podlaski was modernized in 2011 after 30 years exploitation with “Promlecz” system. Flotation process was implemented as high efficiency biological treatment witch SBR system too. The main aim of investigation was to find out the quantity and quality of reject water and raw sewage after modernization. Author presents results obtained between September and November 2012. Mean pollution concentration in reject water and sewage from Bielmlek dairy W.W.T.P. after modernization were: BOD5 -114 mg O2/l in reject water and 1520 mg O2/l in sewage, COD-290 mg O2/l in reject water and 1890 mg O5 /l in sewage, TKN-2.4 mg N/l in reject water and 65,0 mg N/l in sewage, ammonia nitrogen 19.8 mg N-NH4/l in reject water and 1.8 mg N-NH4/l, in sewage and total phosphorus -7.5 mg P/l in reject water and 9.8 mg P/l in sewage. The mean quantity of reject water was 45 m3/day while raw sewage 780 m3/day. The share of reject water load in row dairy sewage load was counted and it was only 0.7% for BOD5, 8% for TKN and 38% for ammonia nitrogen. Due to high load of ammonia nitrogen in reject water it is justified to implement separate treatment to decrease it. In 2010 in Bielmlek dairy WWTP was started full scale installation to treat reject water with constructed wetland. It was implementation of his research project “Evaluation of constructed wetlands usefulness to purify reject water from sludge aerobic processing in dairy wastewater treatment plants”. Due to composition of reject water after modernization of dairy WWTP. It was counted that the share ammonia nitrogen load in row wastewater can be decreased from 38.6% without treatment to 12.4% after treatment with constructed wetland