Fabrication and characterization of polyamide thin-film composite membrane via interfacial polycondensation for pervaporation separation of salt and arsenic from water

Pervaporation, mainly utilized to separate azeotropic mixtures, has been paid much attention for desalination in recent years due to its numerous advantages. The membranes based on thin-film composite structure have gained great interest in pervaporation due to their thin thickness, controllable hydrophilicity, and crosslinking density which affects the permeation flux and selectivity of the membranes. In this study, a polyamide thin-film composite (PA-TFC) membrane was fabricated through interfacial polymerization between amine monomers and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) on a polysulfone porous substrate (PSf). Four different diamine monomers, including ethylenediamine (EDA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), m-phenylenediamine (MPD), and piperazine (PIP) were used to investigate the effect of the monomers on the pervaporation performance of the resulting membrane for separation of sodium chloride (NaCl) and arsenate (As(v)) aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties of the membrane were characterized using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and pure water contact angle measurement. Furthermore, the performance of the fabricated membranes was studied by pervaporation separation of 0.15 mg L⁻¹ As(v) and 5 g L⁻¹ NaCl aqueous solution at 40 °C, respectively. The results show that the rejections of the membrane are insignificantly affected by the chemical structures of the amines, and both the As(v) rejection and NaCl rejection are higher than 99.9%. However, the permeation flux decreases in the order of PIP-TMC membrane > TETA-TMC membrane ∼ EDA-TMC membrane > MPD-TMC membrane. Furthermore, the operating conditions are found to affect the separation performance of the PIP-TMC membrane significantly. In particular, the elevating operation temperature profoundly increases the permeation flux, while the increase in high salt concentration leads to a slight decrease in rejection but a significant decline in permeation flux. The derived membrane shows a reasonable permeation flux of 16.1 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ and ca. 99.9% rejection for 1.5 mg L⁻¹ As(v) removal, as well as 13 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ and 99.3% rejection for 30 g L⁻¹ NaCl separation at 60 °C. The sufficient permeation flux and good rejection of As(v) and NaCl of the membrane suggested the promising application of PA-TFC membrane for pervaporation removal of toxic arsenic from water and desalination of seawater.

Pervaporation, mainly utilized to separate azeotropic mixtures, has been paid much attention for desalination in recent years due to its numerous advantages.     

Design and fabrication of photoactive imidazole-based poly(ether-imide)s and a polyimide/HBP-modified SiO2 composite: toward high heat-resistance,antimicrobial activity and removal of heavy metal ions

This article describes the synthesis and properties of novel imidazole-based aromatic polyimides (PIs) containing bulky groups from direct polycondensation of two diamines with 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and (hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA). The structure–property relationship of the prepared samples was fully determined via FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis (CHN) techniques. The inherent viscosity values of the polyimides ranged from 0.51 to 0.73 dL g⁻¹. These PIs showed glass transition temperatures ranging from 273 to 306 °C, and 10% mass loss temperatures within the range of 478–504 °C in a N₂ atmosphere. High transparency with a UV-visible absorption cut-off wavelength was found to range between 285 and 300 nm. Good antimicrobial activity can be correlated with the presence of xanthene and imidazole units into the main structure of PIs. Next, SiO₂ nanoparticles as inorganic nanoparticles were added to one of the synthesized polyimides (BTDA-PIb), causing changes in the attributes of both the nanoparticles and PI. The data obtained from examining the properties of the prepared BTDA-PIb/HBP@SiO₂ demonstrated increased heat resistance, photoluminescence intensity, and antimicrobial inhibition compared to pure PI. Also, in this article, the polymeric samples as adsorbents were evaluated for extraction of heavy metal ions (Hg²⁺ and Co²⁺) from water sources.

Novel thermostable, photoactive, and solvable poly(ether-imide)s containing imidazole-based pendant groups and a BTDA-PIb/HBP@SiO₂ composite were synthesized and used due to their antimicrobial activity and as an adsorbent to remove heavy metal ions.     

Fabrication of Tween-20 coated PVDF membranes for wastewater treatment: optimization of preparation parameters,removal and membrane fouling control performance

In the present study, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween-20) was employed as a surface coating agent for hydrophilic modification of poly(vinylidene fluoride) microfiltration membranes. The optimized parameters for membrane preparation (i.e., coating temperature, coating concentration, coating time and drying time) were systematically investigated. Contact angle and transmembrane pressure were employed to evaluate the efficiency of the modified membranes, and the optimized parameters were proposed. The removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and suspended solids (SS), as well as fouling control performance, was further evaluated. The results showed that the optimized parameters were 40 °C, 4.5 mmol L⁻¹, 45 min and 45 min for coating temperature, coating concentration, coating time and drying time, respectively. Under these conditions, a hydration layer on the surface was formed, resulting in a more hydrophilic membrane surface. During domestic wastewater treatment in membrane bioreactor (MBR), the Tween-20 modified membrane exhibited better performance with rejection efficiencies of 94.56% and 97.53% for COD and SS, respectively. Tween-20 coating could mitigate the increase of transmembrane pressure and reduce the concentration of proteins accumulated on the membrane surface, which was effective for membrane fouling control. Simultaneously, the operation time of MBR was extended from 25 to 46 days. Furthermore, the stability of Tween-20 coated PVDF membrane was also verified. The results indicated that surface coating with Tween-20 is efficient and easy to be carried out, showing a great potential for application in MBR during wastewater treatment.

In the present study, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween-20) was employed as a surface coating agent for hydrophilic modification of poly(vinylidene fluoride) microfiltration membranes.     

Pilot study on the effects of operating parameters on membrane fouling during ultrafiltration of alkali/surfactant/polymer flooding wastewater: optimization and modeling

Alkali/surfactant/polymer (ASP) flooding wastewater is commonly produced in enhanced oil extraction processes and needs to be properly treated prior to reuse due to the potential threat of formation damage. Ultrafiltration (UF) is an effective technique for treating ASP flooding wastewater to meet the requirements for reinjection water. Membrane fouling is the major challenge to UF application. In this study, the operating parameters were modified to research their effects on membrane fouling in a UF pilot study in Daqing, China. The effects of trans-membrane pressure (TMP), cross-flow velocity (CFV), concentration factor (CF) and temperature on membrane flux were systematically investigated, and optimal operating conditions were established by an orthogonal experiment. A temperature of 22 °C, TMP of 2.12 bar, CFV of 3.00 m s⁻¹ and CF of 5 were the most feasible operating conditions for the membrane types and raw water quality parameters in the study. The quality of the permeate met the water quality standards for injection to oilfield low-permeability layers. The results could provide a reference and guidance for practical operations. To learn more about the influences of the operating parameters, a model including external and internal pollution factors was developed based on the Hagen–Poiseuille equation and classical membrane fouling theory. The operating parameters had a more significant effect on external pollution than on internal pollution. The fouling on the membrane surface was much affected by TMP and CFV.

Ultrafiltration (UF) is an effective technique for treating ASP flooding wastewater to meet the requirements for reinjection water.     

Analysis and optimization of process parameters for in vitro biomineralization of CaCO3 by Klebsiella pneumoniae,isolated from a stalactite from the Sahastradhara cave

Stalactite is a speleothem which is usually made up of calcium carbonate crystals. In the present study the bacterial isolates, recovered from a stalactite from the Sahastradhara cave, were screened for their ability to precipitate calcium carbonate in order to understand whether mineralization in caves is a biogenic process or not. Five bacterial isolates were found to precipitate calcium carbonate via urease. The most potent bacterial isolate was identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae (accession number {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"MG946801","term_id":"1578806359","term_text":"MG946801"}}MG946801) based on 16S rDNA sequencing. The optimized conditions, for calcium carbonate precipitation, determined by response surface methodology using CCD were found to be: 1.5625% urea, 19.98% inoculum level, 6.98 pH and 38 h 24 min. The morphology and crystalline structure of the precipitated mineral were revealed by SEM. EDX analysis confirmed the presence of carbon, oxygen and calcium in a precipitated crystal. XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline structure of a mineral with rhombohedral shape and 166 Å crystal size. This bacterium can serve as a promising candidate for producing bioconcrete.

Stalactite is a speleothem which is usually made up of calcium carbonate crystals.     

Tissue factor generation by human mononuclear cells: effects of endotoxin and dissociation of tissue factor generation from mitogenic response.

The effects of the presence of endotoxin in a mononuclear cell culture system have been assessed. Endotoxin was shown to be mitogenic for human peripheral blood lymphocytes and capable of stimulating the generation of tissue factor. Concentrations of endotoxin, found to contaminate many commercial mitogens and antigens, activated mononuclear cells in a time-dependent manner. Generation of tissue factor was detected in cultures harvested from 2 to 72 hours following stimulation with endotoxin. Dose-response curves relating concentrations of endotoxin to mononuclear cell stimulation were determined; as little as 0.001 microng/ml. of E. coli endotoxin was capable of stimulating the generation of tissue factor in the cell cultures. The mitogenic effect of endotoxin was modest, however, and appeared to be unrelated to the ability of endotoxin to active tissue factor. Inhibition of DNA synthesis in the cell cultures by cytosine arabinoside or nonlethal irradiation failed to impair the generation of tissue factor. Endotoxin contamination of various reagents used in cell culture was evaluated with the Limulus assay, which detected as little as 1 X 10(-4) microng/ml. of endotoxin. Endotoxin was detected in preparations of phytohemagglutinin, purified protein derivative of the tubercle bacillus, mumps vaccine, tetanus toxoid, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen. Because of the broad implications of contamination by endotoxin of various reagents, we assessed the specificity of the Limulus assay for the detection of endotoxin in the lectin, concanavalin A, and determined that the reaction was specific for endotoxin. Contamination by endotoxin of mononuclear cell culture systems should be considered as a possible factor in the production of various biological effects attributed to some commonly used mitogens and antigens.     

Recovery of monosaccharides from dilute acid corncob hydrolysate by nanofiltration: modeling and optimization

In this work nanofiltration technology has been employed for removal of inhibitors and recovery of monosaccharides from dilute acid lignocellulose hydrolysates. The influences of feed solution pH, permeate flux, and Na₂SO₄ concentration on the rejection of monosaccharides and inhibitors were investigated. The results showed that the pH for the separation of carboxylic acids and furans from monosaccharides should be as low as possible. With increase of Na₂SO₄ concentration carboxylic acid and furan rejection decreased. Subsequently, the Donnan steric pore and dielectric exclusion model coupled with mass balance was used to predict the rejection of solutes at different permeate fluxes. In order to select a suitable permeate flux and operating time, multi-objective optimization was carried out to obtain the maximum total inhibitor removal efficiency, the maximum monosaccharide recovery rate, and the minimum water consumption. The optimal operating conditions were then verified using the real hydrolysate as feed solutions. More specifically, for the treatment of 6 L of a hydrolysate solution, 13 L of water and a treatment time of 35 min were required. This process allowed the removal of 90% inhibitors, while 93.55% glucose, 90.75% xylose, and 90.53% arabinose were recovered. Finally, a batch column equipped with a strong acid cation exchange resin was employed to recover the monosaccharides from the hydrolysate. Using water as an eluent, 95.37% of the sulfuric acid and 94.87% of the monosaccharides were recovered. In all, we demonstrated that the combination of nanofiltration with electrolyte exclusion chromatography is a promising integrated process for the recovery of monosaccharides and inorganic acids from dilute acid corncob hydrolysates.

In this work Multi-objective optimization has been employed to obtain the optimal permeate flux (j_v) and operating time (t) during the diananofiltration detoxification of dilute acid corncob hydrolysate process.     

家猪体外胰蛋白酶消化关节软骨:7.0TMR T1p加权成像与量化分析

背景:T1 P驰豫时间是探测软骨生化改变的最具吸引力的新的磁共振参数.早期骨关节炎主要表现为蛋白多糖的丢失以及胶原的轻微改变.目的:应用T1P成像技术与弛豫时间图量化分析方法,评价体外胰蛋白酶消化与未消化家猪髌骨软骨T1P驰豫时间的改变.设计、时间及地点:同体对照观察,于2007-02/2008-01在丹麦奥胡斯大学医院骨科与磁共振研究中心完成.材料:丹麦雌性长白猪10头,左右侧髌骨共20个.方法:选择10头家猪,取右侧髌骨10个为对照组,浸泡于PBS中4 h后取出.取左侧髌骨10个为消化组,浸泡于含有胰蛋白酶的PBS溶液中,4 h后取出.利用7.0T磁共振机,分别采用自旋锁定自动补偿脉冲簇的三维SE序列进行扫描,获得关节软骨的T1P加权图像.重构T1P弛豫时间图,测定关节软骨T1P值.取两组髌骨软骨标本行番红○/固绿染色进行组织学观察.主要观察指标:①T1 P弛豫时间图量化分析结果.②两组软骨标本组织学结果.结果:经酶诱导消化的体外家猪髌骨关节软骨T1 P加权图像成像清晰,呈分层状表现,对比度好,无异常伪影.大体观察两组关节软骨T1P加权图像,见局部的信号异常改变.重构T1P弛豫时间图并量化测定分析显示,消化组软骨表层T1P值高于对照组,差异具有显著性意义(P<0.05),其全层、深层与钙化层之间的比较差异无显著性意义(P>0.05).结论:经胰蛋白酶诱导消化可引起退变软骨T1P驰豫时间改变,特别是在软骨的表层变化明显,提示T1P驰豫时间是较敏感、特异性的检测指标,可进一步应用于关节软骨退变的早期诊断.     

Evaluation of PPI-0903M (T91825), a novel cephalosporin: bactericidal activity, effects of modifying in vitro testing parameters and optimization of disc diffusion tests

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate bactericidal activity of PPI-0903M and in vitro testing parameters for this compound. METHODS: A total of 110 strains were tested to determine MIC and MBC values of PPI-0903M. MIC values were determined by reference broth microdilution whereas MBC was assessed by plating the broth from the MIC well and from those wells above the MIC for each organism onto appropriate drug-free growth media. Seventeen strains were tested by the kill-curve methodology to again evaluate the bactericidal activity of PPI-0903M. Broth microdilution results for 15 strains (in triplicate) were compared with the standard, reference method after modifying several testing parameters. Optimal disc content was assessed by testing seven reference strains with five PPI-0903M disc concentrations (5, 10, 30, 50 and 100 microg). RESULTS: PPI-0903MMBC/MIC ratios were < or = 4 in 90% of strains tested. Kill-curve studies showed >99.9% killing at concentrations < or = 4x MIC within 8 to 24 h against staphylococci and Enterobacteriaceae tested. PPI-0903M MIC results were rarely influenced by the test or medium changes evaluated [high inoculum, low calcium or reduced pH (5.0)]. Human serum had no effect on in vitro antimicrobial activity of PPI-0903M. The 10 microg disc content would be recommended for optimal correlation of MIC breakpoints of < or = 1-4 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS: PPI-0903M was generally bactericidal against tested species, and the MIC results were stable across numerous susceptibility test condition changes.     

Extraction of oil from high-moisture tuna liver by subcritical dimethyl ether: feasibility and optimization by the response surface method

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of subcritical dimethyl ether extraction (SDME) of oil from tuna liver with high-moisture content. The results showed that the oil and water were successfully co-extracted from the liver, and could be easily separated by centrifugation. In addition, the response surface method was employed to optimize the process parameters of SDME, including temperature/pressure, time and stirring speed. It was predicted that a temperature/pressure of 42/0.80 °C/MPa, time of 50 min and stirring speed of 925 rpm were the optimum within the experimental ranges, with an oil yield of 17.46 ± 0.23%. Furthermore, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SC-CO₂) was studied comparatively. Only minor differences were observed between the oils extracted by SDME and SC-CO₂, which indicated the high-quality of the SDME-oil. With no freeze-drying procedure and the relatively low pressure used in SDME, SDME could be a promising technique for extraction of marine fish liver oil.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibilities of subcritical dimethyl ether extraction (SDME) of oil from tuna liver with high-moisture content.     

Efficiency of transgenic T cell generation from gene-marked cultured human CD34+ cord blood cells is determined by their maturity and the cytokines present in the culture medium

Success of gene therapy for diseases affecting the T cell lineage depends on the thymic repopulation by genetically engineered hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC). Although it has been shown that retrovirally transduced HPC can repopulate the thymus, little information is available on the effect of the culture protocol. Moreover, for expansion of the number of HPC, cytokine supplemented culture is needed. Here, we transduced purified human umbilical cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells in cultures supplemented with various combinations of the cytokines thrombopoietin (TPO), stem cell factor (SCF), flt3/flk-2 ligand (FL), interleukin-3 (IL-3) and IL-6, and investigated thymus-repopulating ability of gene-marked HPC in vitro. Irrespective of the cytokine cocktail used, transduced CD34+CD38- CB cells, expressing the marker green fluorescent protein (GFP) encoded by the MFG-GFP retrovirus, have both superior proliferative and thymus-repopulating potential compared with transduced CD34+CD38+ CB cells. Effectively transduced GFP+CD34+CD38- HPC, cultured for 3 or 17 days, more readily generated T cells than GFP- HPC from the same culture. The reverse was true in the case of CD34+CD38+ HPC cultures. Finally, our results indicate that the number of GFP+ T cell progenitors actually increased during culture of CD34+CD38- HPC, in a magnitude that is determined by the cytokine cocktail used during culture.     

Removal of mercury from polluted water by a novel composite of polymer carbon nanofiber: kinetic,isotherm, and thermodynamic studies

This work aims at the synthesis of a polymer of poly-trimesoyl chloride and polyethyleneimine grafted on carbon fibers (PCF) derived from palm. The obtained PCF was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) for its structural properties. The obtained PCF was then evaluated for the removal of mercury (Hg(ii)) from aqueous solutions using batch adsorption studies at four different temperatures (298, 308, 318, and 328 K). The experimental parameters such as initial concentration, pH, dosage, and contact time were optimized on the mercury adsorption. The percentage removal was 100% with an adsorbent dosage of 100 mg L⁻¹ at a pH between 5 and 7 and temperature of 298 K and thus kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic studies were performed under these conditions. By the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, the maximum adsorption capacity of Hg(ii) by PCF was 19.2 mg g⁻¹. In addition, results fit the pseudo-second-order model, with R² > 0.99, to describe the adsorption kinetic mechanism. The adsorption process is spontaneous with an endothermic nature under the studied conditions.

This work aims at the synthesis of a polymer of poly-trimesoyl chloride and polyethyleneimine grafted on carbon fibers (PCF) derived from palm to remove mercury (ii) from aqueous solutions using batch adsorption studies at different temperatures.     

Expression of the serpin serine protease inhibitor 6 protects dendritic cells from cytotoxic T lymphocyte-induced apoptosis: differential modulation by T helper type 1 and type 2 cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in the immune system as they drive activation of T lymphocytes by cognate interactions. However, as DCs express high levels of major histocompatibility complex class I, this intimate contact may also result in elimination of DCs by activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and thereby limit induction of immunity. We show here that immature DCs are indeed susceptible to CTL-induced killing, but become resistant upon maturation with anti-CD40 or lipopolysaccharide. Protection is achieved by expression of serine protease inhibitor (SPI)-6, a member of the serpin family that specifically inactivates granzyme B and thereby blocks CTL-induced apoptosis. Anti-CD40 and LPS-induced SPI-6 expression is sustained for long periods of time, suggesting a role for SPI-6 in the longevity of DCs. Importantly, T helper 1 cells, which mature DCs and boost CTL immunity, induce SPI-6 expression and subsequent DC resistance. In contrast, T helper 2 cells neither induce SPI-6 nor convey protection, despite the fact that they trigger DC maturation with comparable efficiency. Our data identify SPI-6 as a novel marker for DC function, which protects DCs against CTL-induced apoptosis.     

Uptake of heavy metal ions from aqueous media by hydrogels and their conversion to nanoparticles for generation of a catalyst system: two-fold application study

Poly(methacrylic acid) (P(MAA)), poly(acrylamide) (P(AAm)) and poly(3-acrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride) (P(APTMACl)) were synthesized as anionic, neutral and cationic hydrogels, respectively. The synthesized hydrogels have the ability to be used as absorbents for the removal of selected heavy metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ from aqueous media. Absorption studies revealed that the absorption of metal ions by the hydrogels followed the order Cu²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Zn²⁺. For the mechanism of absorption, both Freundlich and Langmuir absorption isotherms were applied. Metal ion entrapped hydrogels were treated using an in situ chemical reduction method in order to convert the metal ions into metal nanoparticles for the synthesis of hybrid hydrogels. The synthesis and morphology were confirmed using FT-IR and SEM, while the absorbed metal amounts were measured using TGA and AAS. The hybrid hydrogels were further used as catalysts for the reduction of macro (methylene blue, methyl orange and congo red) and micro (4-nitrophenol and nitrobenzene) pollutants from the aqueous environment. The catalytic performance and re-usability of the hybrid hydrogels were successfully investigated.

Poly(methacrylic acid) (P(MAA)), poly(acrylamide) (P(AAm)) and poly(3-acrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride) (P(APTMACl)) were synthesized as anionic, neutral and cationic hydrogels respectively.     

Separation of helper T cells from suppressor T cells expressing different Ly components. II. Activation by antigen: after immunization, antigen-specific suppressor and helper activities are mediated by distinct T-cell subclasses.

Cells of the Lyl subclass generate helper activity in both primary and secondary responses to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC). In contrast, after priming with SRBC, cells of the Ly-2+ subclasses, in particular Ly23 cells, have suppressive activity. The degree of Ly23-mediated suppression is directly proportional to the amount of antigen (SRBC) used for priming. Suppression by Ly23 cells is specific, because Ly23 cells from SRBC-primed animals do not suppress the response to horse erythrocytes, and vice versa. Thus, both cytotoxic and specific suppressor functions are mediated by T cells of a subclass, provisionally designated TCS, which can be distinguished from helper T cells (TH), by their Ly phenotypes. It remains to be determined whether killing and suppression are functionally interrelated properties of a single Ly23 subclass, or whether the Ly23 population comprises two subclasses whose surface phenotypes are not yet distinguishable by immunogenetic criteria.