Maximizing the xylitol production from sugar cane bagasse hydrolysate by controlling the aeration rate

Batch fermentations of sugar cane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate treated for removing the inhibitors of the fermentation were performed byCandida guilliermondii FTI20037 for xylitol production. The fermentative parameters agitation and aeration rate were studied aiming the maximization of xylitol production from this agroindustrial residue. The maximal xylitol volumetric productivity (0.87 g/L h) and yield (0.67 g/g) were attained at 400/min and 0.45 v.v.m. (K_La 27/h). According to the results, a suitable control of the oxygen input permitting the xylitol formation from sugar cane bagasse hydrolysate is required for the development of an efficient fermentation process for large-scale applications.     

New designs for inhibitors of the NF-κB: DNA binding

We present a series of new inhibitors of the association between nuclear factor kappa B (NF-B) and the corresponding B site in DNA. They were designed using the lead compound 15-deoxy-^12,14 -prostaglandin J₂ (PGJ2), which is a natural product with demonstrated inhibitory efficiency for this system. First, the binding mode of PGJ2 to NF-B was unraveled by GOLD docking calculation. Subsequently, substitutions were made to PGJ2 to optimize its association with NF-B. Care was taken not to strongly increase the reactivity of the new compounds, and to keep the overall shape, size and hydrophilicity of the lead compound, which should render them a similar bioavailability. Molecular mechanics calculations were performed to decide on the suitability of the substitutions, and to evaluate the energies of association with NF-B. Density functional theory calculations were performed also to study the overall reactivity of the substituted drugs towards NF-B. Important general conclusions were obtained, concerning the improvement of these natural inhibitors; namely, a set of rational methodologies were deduced to improve the association between the PGJ2 derivatives and NF-B, and their efficiency demonstrated by generating a set of substituted complexes, some of them with a very much increased affinity for NF-B, opening new doors to enlarge the therapeutic capabilities of this class of drugs.     

Polymer crystallization dynamics,as reflected by differential scanning calorimetry. Part 2: Numerical simulations

With the aid of a model for the kinetics of polymer crystallization, as put forward in previous publications, the shape of DSC-curves and their position on the temperature scale were simulated for various conditions of heat transfer in the apparatus. It turns out that the outcome is very dependent on the assumptions made with respect to these heat transfer conditions. For the ideal condition — no temperature differences between sample, pan and furnace — an invariable shape is predicted for the DSC-curves. They only shift to lower temperatures with increasing cooling rates. For more realistic conditions, the curves not only shift but become broader and their maxima decrease. They show a more familiar appearance. These calculations are very involved, however, A simple balance equation is shown to yield equivalent results, if a dimensionless characteristic number like the Nusselt number remains considerably smaller than one. This number contains an effective heat transfer coefficient between sample and furnace which, surprisingly, should not be too high. Apparently, the heat capacity of the pan does not play an important role under these conditions. This is investigated in Appendix II. Appendix I describes the procedure of the numerical simulations.     

Reversal of facial selectivity in complex Diels-Alder reactions

A complex Diels-Alder reaction between a semi-cyclic diene with allylic silyloxy substituents and a bromo enone presented an unusual diastereoselectivity: attack of the diene occured on its more hindered face, and this reversal of selectivity was shown to be induced by the presence of a bromo substituent in the dienophile.     

Electrocapillary at contact: potential-dependent adhesion between a gold electrode and a mica surface

Using the electrochemical surface forces apparatus, we investigated adhesion (from pull-off measurements) between gold and mica as the potential of the gold surface was changed externally. Measurements were performed at different concentrations of KClO(4) in a potential window where the gold electrode is ideally polarizable. At applied potentials where the gold-mica interactions are repulsive, we obtain double layer forces that are predictable by the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory of colloid stability but deviate from the theory at short range. At applied potentials where the gold-mica interactions are attractive, we observed a very strong dependence of adhesion on the applied potential, a result that cannot be directly related to DLVO theory. We show, however, that an approach based on electrocapillary thermodynamics can be employed to model the potential dependence of adhesion seen in our measurements. This electrocapillary approach presents evidence of charging at the gold-mica interface and stresses the relation between the charge within and outside of the contact area.     

Poly(9,9'-spirobifluorene-manganese porphyrin): a new catalytic material for oxidation of alkenes by iodobenzene diacetate and iodosylbenzene

Anodic oxidation of tetraspirobifluorene-manganese porphyrin lead to the coating of the working electrode by insoluble electroactive poly(9,9'-spirobifluorene-manganese porphyrin) films for which electrochemical behaviour and physicochemical properties are described; these polymeric materials are able to catalyze the heterogeneous epoxidation of styrene with iodobenzene diacetate and iodosylbenzene.     

Mononuclear and dinuclear copper(I) complexes with a particularly bulky phosphine ligand. Unusual synthesis and crystal structure characterizations

Summary The addition of NPm (diphenylaminodiphenylphosphinomethane) to CuI or the addition of KI to (NPm)₂CuNO₃ leads to the same P-bonded Cu^I complex, (NPm)₂CuI, presenting a trigonal geometry around the Cu atom. The reaction of this new complex (or of its chloro analogue) with a Cu^II salt yields dinuclear species of general formula [(NPm)Cu(-X)₂Cu(NPm)] (X = Cl or I). X-ray analysis of these complexes show that they are isostructural and retain the trigonal geometry around the metal atom. The Cu···Cu distances are 2.775(1)Å for X = Cl and 2.642(1) Å for X = I. The Cu-(-X)-Cu angle is more acute for the iodide [61.48(3)°] than for the chloride [74.17(8)°] complex. These values are discussed in terms of Cu···Cu interactions induced by the electron donor ability of X and the bulk of the phosphine L.     

Surface modification of γ-alumina membranes by silane coupling for CO2 separation

Top layers of γ-Al₂O₃ composite membranes have been modified by the silane coupling technique using phenyltriethoxysilane for improving the separation factor of CO₂ to N₂. The separation efficiency of the modified membranes was strongly dependent upon the hydroxylation tendency of the support materials and the amount of the special functional group (i.e. phenyl radical) which was coupled onto a top layer. The separation factor through the TiO₂ supported γ-Al₂O₃ membrane was found to be fairly enhanced by silane coupling, but in case of the -Al₂O₃ supported membrane was not. The CO₂/N₂ separation factor through the modified γ-Al₂O₃/TiO₂ composite membrane is 1.7 at 90°C and ΔP = 2 × 10⁵ Pa for the binary mixture containing 50 vol% CO₂. The separation factor is proportional to the CO₂ concentration in the gas mixture, and the modified membrane is stable up to 100°C. The main mechanism of the CO₂ transport through the modified γ-Al₂O₃ layer is known to be a surface diffusion.     

Crystallization kinetics of polyamide 6 containing pigments

In terms of the Avrami equation, the effects of selected organic pigments on the kinetic parameters of the isothermal crystallization of coloured polyamide 6 were examined in the temperature range 468–478 K. It was found that B Blue and BB Red are active nucleating agents, which is acribed to their crystalline structure. G Orange slightly accelerates the crystallization of PA 6 at lower temperatures and concentrations, whereas in other conditions its effect is the opposite.The isothermal data were confirmed by the results of non-isothermal crystallization. The degree of supercooling corresponding to the peak of the DSC curve was the measured feature in this case.It was found that B Blue and BB Red reduce the free energy of formation of criticalsize nuclei by 20 and 12%, respectively, which is reflected in the rates of crystallization.

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Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe der Avrami Gleichung wurde der Einfluß einiger ausgewählter organischer Pigmente auf die kinetischen Parameter der isothermen Kristallisation gefärbter Polyamide 6 im Temperaturbereich 468–478 K untersucht. B Blue und BB Red erwiesen sich als aktive Keimbilder, was mit Hilfe ihrer kristallinen Struktur erklärt werden kann. Bei niedrigeren Temperaturen und geringeren Konzentrationen wird die Kristallisation von PA 6 durch G Orange leicht beschleunigt, unter anderen Bedingungen kann das Gegenteil beobachtet werden. Die isothermen Daten wurden durch die Ergebnisse bei nichtisothermer Kristallisation bekräftigt. In diesem Falle wurde das dem DSC Peak entsprechende Maß an Unterkühlung untersucht. Es wurde gefunden, daß B Blue und BB Red die freie Energie zur Bildung von Keimen kritischer Größe um 20 bzw. 12% herabsetzen, was sich in den Kristallisationsgeschwindigkeiten widerspiegelt.

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, -6 468–478 . , , . , . . . , , , 20 12%, .

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This work was supported by the Polish Academy of Science, goal 01.14.