Equilibrium Moisture Characteristics of High Oleic Sunflower Seeds and Kernels

The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) characteristics of high oleic sunflower seeds and kernels between 10 and 55°C were determined by equilibrating the samples to known relative humidities (RH) above saturated salt solutions. EMC of the kernels was lower than that of seeds in the range of 11 to 96% ERH and at 25 and 40°C. Hysteresis effect was found for the EMC properties of seeds and kernels at 25°C. Four EMC-ERH models (modified Henderson, Chung-Pfost, Halsey, and Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer) and their estimated parameters were evaluated for goodness of fit. GAB and Halsey equations showed the best fitting of experimental data although GAB equation adjusted for temperature described the EMC data the best. Components of the seed as oil content or hull/kernel ratio did not explain the slight differences in EMC found between the varieties.     

HIF-1α and Pro-Inflammatory Signaling Improves the Immunomodulatory Activity of MSC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles

Despite the strong evidence for the immunomodulatory activity of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), clinical trials have so far failed to clearly show benefit, likely reflecting methodological shortcomings and lack of standardization. MSC-mediated tissue repair is commonly believed to occur in a paracrine manner, and it has been stated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by MSCs (EVMSC) are able to recapitulate the immunosuppressive properties of parental cells. As a next step, clinical trials to corroborate preclinical studies should be performed. However, effective dose in large mammals, including humans, is quite high and EVs industrial production is hindered by the proliferative senescence that affects MSCs during massive cell expansion. We generated a genetically modified MSC cell line overexpressing hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha and telomerase to increase the therapeutic potency of EVMSC and facilitate their large-scale production. We also developed a cytokine-based preconditioning culture medium to prime the immunomodulatory response of secreted EVs (EV_MSC-T-HIF^c). We tested the efficacy of this system in vitro and in a delayed-type hypersensitivity mouse model. MSC-T with an HIF-1α-GFP lentiviral vector (MSC-T-HIF) can be effectively expanded to obtain large amounts of EVs without major changes in cell phenotype and EVs composition. EV_MSC-T-HIF^c suppressed the proliferation of activated T-cells more effectively than did EVs from unmodified MSC in vitro, and significantly blunted the ear-swelling response in vivo by inhibiting cell infiltration and improving tissue integrity. We have developed a long-lived EV source that secretes high quantities of immunosuppressive EVs, facilitating a more standard and cost-effective therapeutic product.     

When a Tritrophic Interaction Goes Wrong to the Third Level: Xanthoxylin From Trees Causes the Honeybee Larval Mortality in Colonies Affected by the River Disease

The “River Disease” (RD), a disorder impacting honeybee colonies located close to waterways with abundant riparian vegetation (including Sebastiania schottiana, Euphorbiaceae), kills newly hatched larvae. Forager bees from RD-affected colonies collect honeydew excretions from Epormenis cestri (Hemiptera: Flatidae), a planthopper feeding on trees of S. schottiana. First-instar honeybee larvae fed with this honeydew died. Thus, we postulated that the nectars of RD-affected colonies had a natural toxin coming from either E. cestri or S. schottiana. An untargeted metabolomics characterization of fresh nectars extracts from colonies with and without RD allowed to pinpoint xanthoxylin as one of the chemicals present in higher amounts in nectar from RD-affected colonies than in nectars from healthy colonies. Besides, xanthoxylin was also found in the aerial parts of S. schottiana and the honeydew excreted by E. cestri feeding on this tree. A larva feeding assay where xanthoxylin-enriched diets were offered to 1^st instar larvae showed that larvae died in the same proportion as larvae did when offered enriched diets with nectars from RD-colonies. These findings demonstrate that a xenobiotic can mimic the RD syndrome in honeybee larvae and provide evidence of an interspecific flow of xanthoxylin among three trophic levels. Further, our results give information that can be considered when implementing measures to control this honeybee disease.

     

Controlled oxidation-reduction potential on dark fermentative hydrogen production from glycerol: Impacts on metabolic pathways and microbial diversity of an acidogenic sludge

The oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) is an important factor in H₂ production via dark fermentation however its effect over microbial diversity in an acidogenic sludge has not, been well studied. This work studies the effect of ORP controlled by hydrogen peroxide and potassium ferricyanide on continuous hydrogen production and microbial diversity in an acidogenic sludge fed (HRT 12 h and pH 5.5) with glycerol. Results show that the more oxidizing ORP control environment (?540 mV) improves H₂ yield by 50–70% (0.31–0.51 molH₂/mol glycerol) over non-ORP control conditions. Oxidizing ORP values were shown to enrich microorganisms of the genus Clostridium, which have been linked to high H₂ yields. Therefore, controlling ORP in an acidogenic sludge was shown to directly modify microbial diversity at the genus level, and could likely to indirectly regulate metabolic function. Additionally, metabolic pathways were regulated by the kind of agent used.     

Effect of welding procedure on wear behaviour of a modified martensitic tool steel hardfacing deposit

In the last years hardfacing became an issue of intense development related to wear resistant applications. Welding deposits can functionalize surfaces and reclaim components extending their service life. Tool steels are widely used in hardfacing deposits to provide improved wear properties. Nevertheless systematic studies of wear behaviour of new alloys deposited by hardfacing, under different service conditions are scarce. In this work the effects of shielding gas, heat input and post-weld heat treatment on the microstructural evolution and wear resistance of a modified AISI H13 martensitic tool steel deposited by semi-automatic gas shielded arc welding process using a tubular metal-cored wire, were studied. Four coupons were welded with different welding parameters. The shielding gases used were Ar–2% CO₂ and Ar–20% CO₂ mixtures and two levels of heat input were selected: 2 and 3 kJ/mm. The as welded and 550 °C–2 h post-weld heat treated conditions were considered. From these coupons, samples were extracted for testing metal–metal wear under condition of pure sliding with a load of 500 N. Chemical compositions were determined; microstructure and microhardness were assessed. It was found that content of retained austenite in the microstructure varied with the welding condition and that heat-treated samples showed secondary hardening, associated with precipitation phenomena. Nevertheless, as welded samples showed higher wear resistance than heat treated specimens. Under these test conditions post-weld heat treatment led to a reduction in wear resistance. The best wear behaviour was observed in samples welded with low heat input and under the lowest oxygen potential shielding gas used here, in the as welded condition. The intervening mechanism was mild oxidative. These results were explained in terms of the relative oxidation resistance stemming from different welding conditions.     

Copolymerization of aniline and m-chloroaniline. Chlorine addition and structure of the resulting material

The copolymerization of aniline (Ani) and m-chloroaniline (mClA) in variable ratios was performed by chemical oxidation in HCl medium. The resulting copolymer composition was determined by elemental analysis and XPS. The results show the incorporation of additional Cl substituents in the polymer backbone when m-chloroaniline is present in the polymerization medium with a high mClA:Ani ratio. IR and NMR characterization confirms that finding. Conductivity measurements of the copolymers in salt form were also performed. UV–vis spectra for high mClA:Ani ratios show a main band centred ca. 380 nm. PM3-ZINDO/S spectra calculations suggest that the Cl substituents stabilize spinless semiquinone structures in the polymer chain which are responsible for the 380 nm band. Photoluminescence spectra are recorded and analyzed. The addition of chlorine is attributed to the lower reaction rate in high mClA:Ani ratio. Copolymers with high mClA:Ani ratio appear as materials very different from polyaniline, thus these differences should be considered regarding possible applications.     

Infiltration Pond Design for Highway Runoff Treatment in Semiarid Climates

Highway runoff disposal without concern for its specific characteristics may be associated with high material and environmental costs. An understanding of storm water management has enlightened the importance of the impacts that nonpoint pollution may cause to both surface waters and groundwater. Several systems for highway runoff treatment exist, often based on detention and infiltration processes. This paper suggests a method for design and evaluation of the design of infiltration ponds for use in semiarid climates. The design principle is based on capture and infiltration of the most polluted runoff. It takes into account the rainfall and soil hydraulic characteristics for the determination of the design volume. Seasonal variations in rainfall and evaporation were considered. The soil characteristics—hydraulic conductivity, texture, pH, and cation exchange capacity—the volume of runoff which is infiltrated, and the infiltration area are used to calculate the movement of the most mobile heavy metal, Zn, in the soil. The method presented was based and applied to highway runoff but can be used for treatment of stormwater runoff from other sources.     

Alternative PWHT to Improve High-Temperature Mechanical Properties of Advanced 9Cr Steel Welds

Creep-resistant 9Cr steels are extremely important in thermal power generation industry due to their marked resistance to creep and corrosion. The weldability of these alloys is critical since they are used in welded construction equipment. The required mechanical properties are achieved after post-weld heat treatment. This study examined the effect of different post-weld heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of creep strength-enhanced 9Cr steel welding deposits. It was obtained with an experimental flux-cored arc welding wire used under protective gas (Ar-20% CO₂). The heat treatments used were: (1) tempering (760 °C?×?2 h), (2) solubilizing (1050 °C?×?1 h)?+?tempering (760 °C?×?2 h) and (3) solubilizing (1150 °C?×?1 h)?+?first tempering (660 °C?×?3 h)?+?second tempering (660 °C?×?3 h). All-weld metal chemical composition was analyzed, and hot tensile tests were carried out at different temperatures. Charpy-V impact tests and Vickers microhardness measurements were also performed. Microstructures were studied using x-ray diffraction and optical and scanning electron microscopy. In all cases, a martensitic matrix with intergranular and intra-granular precipitates was detected. In the as-welded condition, δ-ferrite was also found. Microhardness dropped, and the impact energy increased with post-weld heat treatments. The highest hot tensile strength result was achieved with samples submitted to austenization at 1150 °C and double tempering at 660 °C.     

In vitro and in vivo inhibition of Hass avocado polyphenol oxidase enzymatic browning by paeonol, β-cyclodextrin,and paeonol:β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex

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Comparison of the stability of palm olein and a palm olein/canola oil blend during deep‐fat frying of chicken nuggets and French fries

Stability of palm olein (PO) and a blend 50% palm olein/50% canola oil (POC) during deep‐fat frying at 180 °C of French fries (FF) or chicken nuggets (CN) was studied through the determination of physical and chemical parameters in the fresh and used oils. Degradation at the end of the study resulted in total polar compounds of 12–13.5% for PO and 11.5–14.5% for POC and viscosity of 65–123.3 cP for PO and 63–72.8 cP for POC. Lower peroxide values (5.33–6.32) were obtained for the blend (PO had 5.21–8.55). Food type affected colour parameters and p‐anisidine value of the oils. For CN, the lowest fat content and higher hardness were obtained when they were fried in PO. CN caused a faster deterioration in the oils, in comparison with FF, especially in POC. Gas chromatography allowed to observe differences in fatty acids composition for both used oils.