Contact dynamic modeling of a liquid droplet between two approaching porous materials

A computational fluid dynamics model based on a finite difference solution to mass and momentum conservation equations (Navier–Stokes equations) for a liquid droplet transport between two porous or nonporous contacting surfaces (CSs) is developed. The CS dynamic (equation of motion) and the spread of the incompressible liquid available on the primary surface for transfer are coupled with the Navier–Stokes equations. The topologies of the spread dynamic between and inside both surfaces (primary and CSs) are compared with experimental data. The amount of mass being transferred into the CS, predicted by the model, is also compared to the experimental measurements. The impact of the initial velocity on the spread topology and mass transfer into the pores is addressed. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 2346–2353, 2014     

An Oral Male Courtship Pheromone Terminates the Response of Nasonia vitripennis Females to the Male-Produced Sex Attractant

Sex pheromones are crucial for mate finding in many animals. Long-range attraction, mate recognition, and the elicitation of sexual receptiveness during courtship are typically mediated by different compounds. It is widely unknown, however, how the different components of a species’ pheromone system influence each other. Here, we demonstrated in the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis that females quickly cease to respond to the male sex attractant after they contact a male’s oral secretion during courtship. We used this behavioral switch to monitor the fractionation of head extracts from male wasps for identification of the bioactive compounds as a blend of ethyl oleate, ethyl linoleate, and ethyl α-linolenate. This is the first identification of a cephalic courtship pheromone in parasitic Hymenoptera. Plasticity in pheromone-mediated sexual behavior of female insects has hitherto been attributed to the transfer of bioactive proteinaceous molecules with the male ejaculate. The pheromone interaction reported here sheds new light on the sexual communication of insects by showing that the sex pheromone response of females can be terminated by males independent of sperm transfer.     

Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: What Do We Currently Know in 2020?

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common skin cancer that predominantly arises in chronically sun-damaged skin. Immunosuppression, genetic disorders such as xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), exposure to certain drugs and environmental noxae have been identified as major risk factors. Surgical removal of cSCC is the therapy of choice and mostly curative in early stages. However, a minority of patients develop locally advanced tumors or distant metastases that are still challenging to treat. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) targeting CTLA-4, PD-L1 and PD-1 has tremendously changed the field of oncological therapy and especially the treatment of skin cancers as tumors with a high mutational burden. In this review, we focus on the differences between cSCC and cutaneous melanoma (CM) and their implications on therapy, summarize the current evidence on ICB for the treatment of advanced cSCC and discuss the chances and pitfalls of this therapy option for this cancer entity. Furthermore, we focus on special subgroups of interest such as organ transplant recipients, patients with hematologic malignancies, XP and field cancerization.     

Printability of elastomer latex for additive manufacturing or 3D printing

Additive manufacturing, sometimes referred to as 3D printing is a new, rapidly developing technology which has the potential to revolutionize fabrication of certain high value, complex products. Until now conventional elastomers have not been widely used in the additive manufacturing process. The goal of our work was to determine the feasibility of additive manufacturing using ink jet printing of elastomeric latex materials. Particle size, viscosity, and surface tension were measured for five different latex materials—poly(2‐chloro‐1,3‐butadiene), carboxylated styrene‐butadiene rubber, carboxylated butadiene‐acrylonitrile copolymer, natural rubber, and prevulcanized natural rubber. The XSBR latex was predicted as the one most likely to be printable. Printing trials carried out with the XSBR as the ink proved it to be printable, although technical problems of agglomeration and print head clogging need to be addressed and both the material and process need to be optimized for consistent printing to be achieved. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42931.     

Photoreduction of Shewanella oneidensis Extracellular Cytochromes by Organic Chromophores and Dye‐Sensitized TiO2

The transfer of photoenergized electrons from extracellular photosensitizers across a bacterial cell envelope to drive intracellular chemical transformations represents an attractive way to harness nature's catalytic machinery for solar‐assisted chemical synthesis. In Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 (MR‐1), trans‐outer‐membrane electron transfer is performed by the extracellular cytochromes MtrC and OmcA acting together with the outer‐membrane‐spanning porin ? cytochrome complex (MtrAB). Here we demonstrate photoreduction of solutions of MtrC, OmcA, and the MtrCAB complex by soluble photosensitizers: namely, eosin Y, fluorescein, proflavine, flavin, and adenine dinucleotide, as well as by riboflavin and flavin mononucleotide, two compounds secreted by MR‐1. We show photoreduction of MtrC and OmcA adsorbed on Ru^II‐dye‐sensitized TiO₂ nanoparticles and that these protein‐coated particles perform photocatalytic reduction of solutions of MtrC, OmcA, and MtrCAB. These findings provide a framework for informed development of strategies for using the outer‐membrane‐associated cytochromes of MR‐1 for solar‐driven microbial synthesis in natural and engineered bacteria.     

Filtration in coal liquefaction: preparation of filter aid from filter cake

In this study the preparation of filter aid from filter cake is considered. Two methods of preparation, carbonization at 550–600 °C and combustion at 800–1000 °C, are used and the optimum conditions determined. The performance of the products is assessed as both a precoat and body feed by comparison with a commercial grade of diatomite. It is shown that efficient filter aids, with performances comparable to that of diatomite, may be produced from filter cake.     

Estimation of the concentration of donatable hydrogen in a coal solvent by n.m.r.

¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) spectroscopies have been used to study the changes in composition of a hydrogenated anthracene oil solvent that occur during extraction of a UK bituminous coal. It has been shown that the principal hydrogen donor groups in the solvent are hydroaromatic and naphthenic rings in hydroaromatic species. Good agreement was achieved between the concentration of donatable hydrogen estimated from n.m.r., and the amount of hydrogen transferred from the solvent during exhaustive extraction.     

Filtration in coal liquefaction. Influence of digestion conditions in the filtration of non-hydrogenated coal digests

A series of experiments has been carried out to study the way in which preparation conditions of coal digests influence filtration rate. It was shown that a relation exists between cake resistivity and digestion temperature and time, and therefore good control over digestion conditions is important for rapid filtration. Particular attention must be paid to the design of the reactor to ensure that all the material is given the same heat-treatment. The optimum residence time occurs when repolymerization of the dissolved coal commences.     

Piezo-Spectroscopic Coefficients of Tetragonal-Prime Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia

The Raman piezo-spectroscopic constants of tetragonal prime yttria-stabilized zirconia under uniaxial compression have been determined. Although the Raman band at 461 cm⁻¹ is not the most intense, it is the most appropriate peak for stress measurement because of its large stress-induced peak shift and the minimum overlap with the other Raman peaks. The peak separation between bands at 258 and 461 cm⁻¹ or 258 and 638 cm⁻¹ can also be used to measure stress.     

Organic nitrogen transformations in a 4-stage Bardenpho nitrogen removal plant and bioavailability/biodegradability of effluent DON

Nitrogen species, specifically, the fate and occurrence of organic nitrogen (ON) within a 4-stage Bardenpho process bioreactor producing low total nitrogen (TN) effluents were investigated in this study. The results showed release of ON in primary anoxic zone and no ON release in the first aerobic zone of the process. The research included investigation of biodegradability/bioavailability of wastewater-derived effluent dissolved ON (DON). The final-effluent DON utilization was evaluated by two different bioassay protocols in the presence and absence of nitrate. About 28–57% of the effluent DON was bioavailable/biodegradable. Bioavailable (to algae and bacteria) DON (ABDON) and biodegradable (to bacteria) DON (BDON) results did not show significant differences in terms of quantity, but DON utilization rates by ABDON (0.13 day⁻¹) protocol were higher than that of the BDON (0.04 day⁻¹) protocol in the nitrate-removal samples. As a result, ABDON requires a shorter time to exert the bioavailable fraction due to symbiotic relationship between algae and bacteria. In the nitrate-containing samples, it appears that nitrate competes with labile DON as a nitrogen source to microorganisms in both ABDON and BDON protocols. The first order decay rate of DON in the presence of nitrate was 0.11 day⁻¹ and 0.02 day⁻¹ for ABDON and BDON, respectively.