Continuous production of (S)-1-phenylethanol by immobilized cells of Rhodotorula glutinis with a specially designed process

A specially designed process for the continuous production of a chiral alcohol by immobilized Rhodotorula glutinis was prepared and is reported. The performance of the process with immobilized cells was also investigated. The run time of the immobilized cells, the flow rates of the substrate, and tris buffer containing 4% glucose in the process were optimized. The immobilized R. glutinis biocatalyst could be used for 15 days with maximum reaction activity. Under the optimized conditions, the continuous production process was operated for 30 days and resulted in 10.8 mL (S)-1-phenylethanol [(S)-1-PE]. The process has been demonstrated on a multigram scale in 75% overall yield with a purity of >99%.     

Dendronized polymers via Diels–Alder “click” reaction

A modular approach toward the synthesis of polymers containing dendron groups as side chains is developed using the Diels–Alder “click” reaction. For this purpose, a styrene‐based polymer appended with anthracene groups as reactive side chains was synthesized. First through third‐generation polyester dendrons containing furan‐protected maleimide groups at their focal point were synthesized. Facile, reagent‐free, thermal Diels–Alder cycloaddition between the anthracene‐containing polymer and latent‐reactive dendrons leads to quantitative functionalization of the polymer chains to afford dendronized polymers. The efficiency of this functionalization step was monitored using ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and FTIR and UV–vis spectrometry. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 410–416, 2010     

An Interactive Approach for Choosing the Best of a Set of Alternatives

In this paper we address the problem of choosing the most preferred alternative among a large number of alternatives where each alternative is defined by multiple criteria. We assume that the decision maker has a quasiconcave utility function. We develop an exact approach that combines the ideas that have appeared in the literature regarding the use of different types of dummy alternatives in conjunction with real alternatives. Our experimental results indicate that the new approach is comparable to leading existing approaches.     

Thermal Analysis of Micro- and Nano-Lignocellulosic Reinforced Styrene Maleic Anhydride Composite Foams

The aim of this study was to measure the thermal properties of foamed nano/macro filler–reinforced styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) composites. SMA (66%) as a polymer matrix (10% maleic anhydride content) and various fillers including wood flour, starch, α-cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and cellulose nanofibrils as reinforcing agents (30%) and lubricant (4%) were used to manufacture the composites in a twin-screw extruder. According to the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results, thermal degradation of all the foamed composites was found to be lower than that of SMA composites. The storage modulus values were negatively affected with a second time foaming (reprocessing [recycling] the initially processed composites a second time), as were loss modulus and T_g. As a result, second-time-foamed composite modulus values were lower than those of the foamed composites. According to the melt flow index (MFI) results, viscosity of the SMA was found to increase with the addition of fillers.     

Characterisation of α-chitin extracted from a lichenised fungus species Xanthoria parietina

Lichens are symbiotic associations formed mainly by ascomycete fungi and green algae or cyanobacteria. The presence of chitin in the fungal cell wall has been revealed by previous studies. Considering the presence of fungi in the lichens, this work determines the presence of chitin in a cosmopolitan lichen species Xanthoria parietina. In this study, chitin was derived from a lichen species for the first time and its physicochemical properties were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis. The dry weight chitin content of X. parietina was 4.23%, and this chitin was in the α-form. The crystalline index value of the lichen chitin was calculated as 70.1%. The chitin from X. parietina had a smooth surface.     

Poly(HEMA-co-AA) microparticles for removal of aluminum: The reason for Alzheimer's

Aluminum is one of the most toxic metals causing a variety of neurologic diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease. It is impossible to avoid contact with aluminum because of its existence in food to medications. Therefore, removal of aluminum from the blood or wastewater is urgently important. The cost-effective and easy-to-prepare adsorbents are needed to get efficient aluminum removal. For that purpose, the poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate-co-acrylic acid), poly(HEMA-co-AA), microparticles was synthesized to remove aluminum in a very short interaction time. The achievement of the desired polymeric structure was confirmed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), etc. Additionally, particle features such as swelling ratio, size, and surface area were determined. The microparticles synthesized in this study have been determined with very good adsorption capacity even in small aluminum concentrations.     

An ILP and simulation model to optimize search and rescue helicopter operations

Maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations, conducted for rendering aid to the victims in need of help at sea, play a crucial role in dropping the number of causalities. Therefore, it is of high importance to organize SAR operations properly. In this paper, we compose a hybrid methodology which combines optimization and simulation to allocate SAR helicopters. First, we build an integer linear programming (ILP) model to provide an effective deployment plan and use it as an input to a simulation model which includes constraints that the ILP model cannot tackle. Next, using a rule-based algorithm, we generate alternative solutions and seek better plans that exist in the vicinity of the ILP model solution. We perform our methodology on the historical incident data in the Aegean Sea region. Results show that the hybrid methodology we adopted leads to a more effective utilization of resources than the optimization model alone.     

Effects of timber skidding on chemical characteristics of herbaceous cover, forest floor and topsoil on skidroad in an oak (Quercus petrea L.) forest

This paper examines the effects of timber harvesting by skidding on some soil properties (sand, silt, clay, pH, organic carbon, bulk density and compaction), herbaceous cover (unit mass) and forest floor (unit weight) properties. Also N (%), P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn (ppm) were determined in all herbaceous cover, forest floor and two soil depth (0–5 cm and 5–10 cm) on skidroad of an oak (Quercus petrea L.) stand in Istanbul Belgrad Forest – Turkey. In this study, obtained results are; the forest floor and the herbaceous cover amount on the skidroad have been found considerably lower than undisturbed area. There were some crucial changes in the characteristics of the soil which has been investigated down to 10 cm depth. Soil bulk density was found quite high in the samples taken from the skidroad subject to compaction compared to the ones on the undisturbed area. Nevertheless, no important difference had been detected between the skidroad and the undisturbed area at both soil depths in terms of organic carbon contents. Moreover, the soil acidity (pH) values showed noteworthy differences in the analysis of soil samples taken from both soil depths on the skidroad and on the undisturbed area. Fe and Cu contents of herbaceous samples on skidroad were significantly higher than undisturbed area. Forest floor on skidroad had significantly higher K content, and significantly lower Zn, Mn and N content compared to undisturbed area. P, Fe, Zn and Mn contents were found significantly lower in 0–5 cm soil depth on skidroad than undisturbed area. In 5–10 cm soil depth, concentrations of N, P, Fe, Zn and Mn were significantly lower, while Mg and Cu contents were significantly higher than undisturbed area. Results indicate that long-term harvest using skidding techniques on these sites had adversely affected soil cation concentrations, physical soil conditions and mass of herbaceous cover and forest floor.