Decolorization and mineralization of yellow 5 (E102) by UV/Fe2+/H2O2 process. Optimization of the operational conditions by response surface methodology

In this study, the optimization and implementation of a homogeneous photo-Fenton process for the decolorization and mineralization of a wastewater containing highly concentrated yellow 5 (E102) dye, resulting from an industry placed in the suburbs of Medellin (Colombia), is presented. Response surface methodology was applied as a tool for the optimization of operational conditions such as initial dyestuff concentration, H₂O₂ concentration, and UV-radiation power (number of lamps). The decolorization, degradation and mineralization efficiencies were used as response variables. The following conditions were found to be optimal for decolorization and mineralization of yellow 5: UV radiation of 365 nm (4 W, one lamp), dye concentration of 200 mg/L, Fe²⁺ concentration of 1.0 mM, H₂O₂ concentration of 1.75 mL/L, treatment time of 180 min, Fe²⁺ concentration of 1 mM and pH = 3. Under these conditions (180 min), the photo-Fenton process allowed us to reach ca. 100% of color dye degradation, 99% of COD degradation, and 85% of mineralization (TOC). The scavenging effect of the Cl^– anion on the photodegradation process was also confirmed.     

Two new tetrahydrofuran derivatives from the fungus Mucor spp. SNB-VECD11D isolated from the Chrysomelidae Acalymma bivittula

Two new tetrahydrofuran derivatives, mucorinic acids A (1) and B (2) as well as the three known secondary metabolites dehydroabietic acid (3), Δ8-dihydroabietic acid (4) and 8-pimarenic acid (5) were isolated from a solid culture of the fungus Mucor spp. isolated on insect Acalymma bivittula. The structure of these compounds was elucidated by analysis of NMR and MS spectroscopic data. Compounds were tested in antimicrobial and insecticidal assays. Dehydroabietic acid exhibited moderate larvicidal activity on Aedes aegypti larvae with 65% mortality at 10 ppm. Both new compounds 1 and 2 showed interesting antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant S. aureus with MIC values in the 8–16 μg/ml.     

黄河下游堤防地质险段研究

由地质作用影响形成的易出险堤段称为地质险段 ,主要包括活断层作用影响形成的堤基易渗漏段、强地震高发区段和地基稳定性差段等。构造节点是识别地质险段的重要的河流地貌标志之一。根据成因 ,本文将黄河下游的地质险段分为三类 ,即新构造险段、沉降险段、断裂复活险段。针对黄河下游堤防地质特征 ,圈定出东坝头、大刘屯—董口黄河南岸和路那里—十里堡黄河南岸地质险段 ,提出了治理的有关措施     

西气东输管道工程中卫黄河穿越隧道场地工程地质条件评价

西气东输工程中卫黄河穿越隧道长1197.77m,高4.3m,宽5.6m。隧道入口高于黄河水位28m,出口高于黄河水位45m。隧道顶板高程为1130m。位于黄河水下100m。隧道场地围岩为寒武系磨盘井组灰绿色、银灰色浅变质中厚层细粒长石石英砂岩、千枚状板岩、绢云母化千枚岩。围岩为弱风化Ⅲ～Ⅳ类岩石。透水率为4～67Lu,纵波波速为500～3300m.s^-1。BQ为300～400。变形模量为6.11～9.22GPa。泊松比（μ）0.14～0.24。内摩擦角（ψ）为42.1°～44.7°。地下水为基岩裂隙水。含水层为寒武系浅变质岩,受大气降水渗入补给,单井涌水量为1.0～50m³.d^-1。隧道轴线穿越区岩体较完整—较破碎,未有全新活动断层。隧道位置选择和开挖深度设计是可行的。施工和长期运营是安全的。     

Ultrasound irradiation alters the spatial structure and improves the antioxidant activity of the yellow tea polysaccharide

In this study, the impact of ultrasound irradiation on the structural characteristics and antioxidant properties of yellow tea polysaccharides with different molecular weights (Mw) were investigated. Native yellow tea polysaccharide containing YTPS-3N, YTPS-5N and YTPS-7N were prepared through precipitation with ethanol at various concentrations of 30%, 50%, and 70%, respectively, and irradiated with high intensity ultrasound (20 kHz) for 55 min to yield yellow tea polysaccharide including YTPS-3U, YTPS-5U and YTPS-7U. The molecular weight (Mw) of YTPS-3N (from 37.7 to 15.1 kDa) and YTPS-5N (from 14.6 to 5.2 kDa) sharply decreased upon ultrasound irradiation, coincidentally particle size (Zavg) was also significantly reduced for YTPS-3N (40%), YTPS-5N (48%) and YTPS-7N (54%). The high-performance liquid chromatography and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed a partial degradation of native yellow tea polysaccharide treated with ultrasound, though the monosaccharide composition was not altered. Furthermore, changes in morphology and the breakdown of native yellow tea polysaccharide upon irradiation was confirmed with the circular dichroism spectrum, atomic force and scanning electron microscopy. As a consequence, irradiation of yellow tea polysaccharide increased free radical scavenging activity with YTPS-7U exhibiting the highest levels of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals scavenging activity. These results suggest that the alteration of the spatial structure of yellow tea polysaccharide can enhance its antioxidant activity which is an important property for functional foods or medicines.     

华南沿海黄色粉土沉积的激光粒度分析及其成因讨论

在华南沿海地区的低矮丘陵及台地上，广泛发育一套黄色粉土堆积。对该区7个典型剖面进行系统的激光粒度分析，并与典型黄土以及研究区常见的海、河相沉积进行对比。结果表明，华南沿海各黄色粉土剖面均以10～50 μm的粗粉砂为众数粒组，<5 μm的粘粒为次众粒组，分别对应风成黄土的“基本粒组”和“挟持粒组”，岩性均属于粘土质粉砂。样品的粒度参数、粒度散点图、频率分布曲线、粒度指数特征均显示为典型的风成成因。粒度判别分析结果为负值，同样证实了黄色粉土的风成特性。华南沿海黄色粉土的各项粒度特征指标及其所反映的沉积类型、沉积环境均与我国典型黄土具有较好的可比性，而与研究区的海、河相沉积截然不同。     

Advances in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) combine light and photosensitizers to treat cancers and microbial infections, respectively. In PACT, the excitation of a photosensitizer drug with appropriate light generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that kill pathogens in the proximity of the drug. PACT has considerably advanced with new light sources, biocompatible photosensitizers, bioconjugate methods, and efficient ROS production. The PACT technology has evolved to compete with or replace antibiotics, reducing the burden of antibiotic resistance. This review updates recent advances in PACT, with special references to light sources, photosensitizers, and emerging applications to microbial infestations. We also discuss PACT applied to COVID-19 causing SARS-CoV-2 treatment and disinfecting food materials and water. Finally, we discuss the pathogen selectivity and efficiency of PACT.     

Analysis of the Chemical Composition of Red Pigments and Inks for the Characterization and Differentiation of Contemporary Prints

Prints are one of the most popular artistic forms. They consist of an original matrix that is printed on a paper support. The stamps are part of a series, and each series is composed of a particular number of prints. Many contemporary prints are made using oil inks and synthetic pigments (reds and yellows). Inks are mainly composed of pigments (organic or inorganic) and a binding medium. The analysis of inks has the potential to facilitate and complement the identification of stamps of different origins.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) are techniques that are typically available in museums and centers related to the study of works of art. Both can be classified as micro-destructive and provide complementary information about the organic and some inorganic compounds (FTIR), and the elemental composition (SEM-EDX). In this article, the two techniques were used to analyze the composition of red ink in prints. As a result of these analyses, it was possible to distinguish among nearly all of the pigments and inks, indicating that the composition of the red ink can be reliably used to differentiate between stamps of different origins in a series of prints.     

The use of different dispersive Raman spectrometers for the analysis of uranium compounds

The performances of three different Raman spectrometers were compared and evaluated as a suitable tool for the analysis of a range of uranium compounds with a view to application in nuclear forensics. These included uranium ore concentrates of different chemical composition and uranium dioxide in the form of powder and sintered fuel pellet. The three spectrometers are termed as ‘portable’ or ‘hand-held’ from Ahura Scientific (785 nm), ‘Senterra’ from Bruker (532 and 785 nm), ‘T64000′ from HORIBA Jobin Yvon (488.0, 514.5, 647.1 and 752.5 nm). Figures of merit such as sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio and detection capability were compared. The portable Raman displayed fairly good sensitivity and process related impurities could be detected despite the miniaturisation but it was unable to measure darkly coloured powders such as calcined ore concentrates or uranium dioxide powder. The bench-top spectrometer Senterra had the best sensitivity for all the seven measured uranium compounds and the best signal-to-noise ratio for six of the compounds. Laboratory T64000 had the best resolution and at the same time resulting in the poorest sensitivity among the three spectrometers for all compounds measured. However, T64000 has very low level of noise therefore leading to better signal-to-noise that were comparable, if not better than the portable or Senterra. All industrial compounds measured in this study could not be measured with higher frequency laser thus impeding the observation of N–H or O–H vibration bands, of which the latter could be observed with laboratory synthesized material.     

Novel electrochemical biosensor based on functional composite nanofibers for sensitive detection of p53 tumor suppressor gene

A novel electrochemical biosensor based on functional composite nanofibers for sensitive hybridization detection of p53 tumor suppressor using methylene blue (MB) as an electrochemical indicator is developed. The carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) doped nylon 6 (PA6) composite nanofibers (MWNTs–PA6) was prepared using electrospinning, which served as the nanosized backbone for pyrrole (Py) electropolymerization. The functional composite nanofibers (MWNTs–PA6–PPy) used as supporting scaffolds for ssDNA immobilization can dramatically increase the amount of DNA attachment and the hybridization sensitivity. The biosensor displayed good sensitivity and specificity. The target wild type p53 sequence (wtp53) can be detected as low as 50 fM and the discrimination is up to 57.5% between the wtp53 and the mutant type p53 sequence (mtp53). It holds promise for the early diagnosis of cancer development and monitoring of patient therapy.