Wet and Dry Forms of Bacterial Cellulose Synthetized by Different Strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gluconacetobacter xylinus</Emphasis> as Carriers for Yeast Immobilization

The present study aimed to explore and describe the properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes obtained from three different strains of Gluconacetobacter xylinus for 72, 120, and 168 h, used as a carrier support for the immobilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The experiments also included the analysis of glucose consumption and alcohol production during the fermentation process displayed by yeasts immobilized on the BC surface. The results of the present study demonstrate that the number of immobilized yeast cells is dependent on the type of cellulose-synthesizing strain, cellulose form, and duration of its synthesis. The BC in the form of wet membranes obtained after 3 days of synthesis displayed the most favorable properties as a carrier for yeast immobilization. The immobilization of yeast cells on BC, regardless of its form, increased the amount of the produced alcohol as compared to free cells. The yeast cells immobilized in BC were able to multiply on its surface during the fermentation process.     

Do proficiency tests always verify laboratories’ performance? The case of FAPAS PT 0270

In this paper, the case of FAPAS PT 0270 “Doramectin and Oxfendazole in Sheep Liver” is discussed. During evaluation of the data received from participants (determination of total, oxidised oxfendazole residue and calculation of the sum of oxfendazole and oxfendazole sulfone residues), significant differences were observed between the results obtained by use of two analytical approaches. This phenomenon can be explained by the route of oxfendazole metabolism, which results in the presence of fenbendazole in the sample. This was not predicted by the provider; consequently, not all the necessary tests on the material were conducted. Due to the high uncertainty of the z-scores in this test, the results of the PT cannot be used for purposes of evaluation, and the benefits of participation in PT 0270 are questionable.     

Multi-component PZT ceramics obtained by mechanochemical activation and conventional ceramic technology

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Numerical predictions of flow boiling in a square tube rotating in vertical direction at a uniform rotating speed are presented. There-dimensional...     

Improvement in the synthesis of metallophthalocyanines using microwave irradiation

A successful application of microwave irradiation, in which phthalocyanines were synthesized under solventless conditions from 1,2-phthalonitrile or phthalic anhydride and urea in the presence of metal templates is described. It was found that in comparison with conventional heating, the microwave process is a very useful alternative for cyclotetramerization processes because of reduction of the reaction time, better yield, and easy-to-perform procedure.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of tetrahydrofurans via reaction of gamma,delta-epoxycarbanions with aldehydes

[reaction: see text] Hydroxymethyl-substituted tetrahydrofurans were prepared with high diastereoselectivity by reaction of the carbanion derived from 3,4-epoxybutyl phenyl sulfone with aldehydes in the presence of a mixture of lithium and potassium tert-butoxides. Initial formation of aldol-type adducts is a nondiastereoselective but reversible process; thus, subsequent formation of one main diastereoisomer is controlled by the relative rates of cyclization. The configuration of the carbon stereocenter at the oxirane ring is inverted in the course of the S(N)2 process, and two new centers are created diastereoselectively.     

Highly stereoselective synthesis, structure, and application of (E)-9-[2-(silyl)ethenyl]-9H-carbazoles

(E)-N-(Silyl)vinylcarbazole has been easily prepared via a new catalytic route, silylative coupling (SC) of vinylcarbazole with vinyltrisubstituted silanes catalyzed by [RuH(Cl)(CO)(PCy3)2]. X-ray structures of two silylvinylcarbazoles as first N-vinylcarbazole derivatives have been resolved. The Pd-catalyzed Hiyama coupling reaction (also as the tandem reaction with SC) of synthesized (E)-N-(triethoxysilyl)vinylcarbazole with iodobenzene has been performed to afford (E)-N-(phenylvinyl)carbazole with high yield and stereoselectivity.     

New evidence on the structure of potassium salts of 12-tungstophosphoric acid, KxH3-xPW12O40

Physicochemical properties and compositions of KxH(3-x)PW12O40 salts, where 2 < or = x < or = 3, have been investigated. It has been found that freshly prepared K2HPW12O40 salt (drying at 313 K) contains particles of heteropolyacid and particles of the neutral potassium salt, the sample being in 78.6% amorphous. On aging at room temperature, the heteropolyacid spreads to form a surface layer covering the neutral potassium salt particles K3PW12O40. Heat treatment of KxH(3-x)PW12O40 salts, where 2 < or = x < 3, from 313 K to higher temperatures induces the transformation of the heteropolyacid-covering K(3) core into a well-dispersed, amorphous surface layer. On further heating of the acidic potassium salts, the surface layer decomposes between 855 and 915 K with the formation of a PW8O26-type bronze as a new phase, the K3PW12O40 salt remaining unchanged. The latter starts to decompose at 1093 K, and in the case of all samples, the process is completed at about 1183 K. Rietveld structure refinement, XPS, and 31P NMR measurements of acidic potassium salts indicate that the core of these salts is always formed by the K3PW12O40 salt, which is covered by a heteropolyacid. Comparison of lattice parameters of the K3 salt and HPW leads to the conclusion that the layer is composed of partially or completely dehydrated heteropolyacid molecules. The coverage of the core by HPW in the K2 sample was estimated to be equal to one monolayer.     

On formal Laurent series

Several kinds of formal Laurent series have been introduced with some restrictions so far. This paper systematically sets up a natural definition and structure of formal Laurent series without those restrictions, including introducing a multiplication between formal Laurent series. This paper also provides some results on the algebraic structure of the space of formal Laurent series, denoted by \mathbbL\mathbb{L}. By means of the results of the generalized composition of formal power series, we define a composition of a Laurent series with a formal power series and provide a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of such compositions. The calculus about formal Laurent series is also introduced.     

Ultrasonic system for accurate distance measurement in the air

This paper presents a system that accurately measures the distance travelled by ultrasound waves through the air. The simple design of the system and its obtained accuracy provide a tool for non-contact distance measurements required in the laser’s optical system that investigates the surface of the eyeball.