The inhibition effect of ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium thiocyanate (EMIM)+(SCN)− on the corrosion of API 5L X52 steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution at different temperatures were studied, ...using gravimetrical, electrochemical, spectroscopic and simulation methods. The highest efficiency and the optimal concentrations were 90.1% and 75 ppm of the IL, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy characterization reveals less surface damage in the corroded samples confirming the effectiveness of the IL, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis evidenced the formation of an interfacial protective layer, composed by the inhibitor molecules and corrosion products. Polarization measurements showed that the IL is a mixed-type inhibitor, retarding the dissolution of mild steel and hydrogen evolution reactions, enhancing its efficiency as a function of its concentration; besides a minor influence of the temperature in the inhibition efficiency is recorded by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. A competitive chemisorption process is observed on steel obeying a Langmuir isotherm. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy confirmed chemical interaction between IL and metal surface. The density functional theory and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation were used to correlate with the experimental results and determine the adsorption energy of the inhibitor in different substrate's crystallographic planes. Furthermore, from the results of the interaction between the inhibitor molecules in the presence of water on the steel surface using MD on seven most compact planes of BCC system, it was capable of establishing a correlation between adsorption energies of the inhibitor and the crystallographic texture and the surface roughness of the studied steel.
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•1-Ethyl-3methylimidazolium thiocyanate is a corrosion inhibitor of the API 5L X52.•Gravimetrical, electrochemical, and spectroscopic studies confirm the efficiency.•The IL is a mixed-type inhibitor and is adsorbed by chemisorption.•Adsorption energy on different crystallographic planes was calculated by DFT and MS.•The adsorption energies of the IL and the crystallographic texture are correlated.
Highlights ► OBX increases hyperlocomotion in the open field test. ► OBX induces immobility in the forced swim test. ► OBX disrupts spatial memory acquisition in the Morris water test. ► OBX ...rearranges neuronal arborization in the hippocampus and piriform cortex. ► OBX decreases the number of proliferative cells in the hippocampus.
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•TiO2–MWCNT composites were obtained using titanium butoxide by microwave synthesis.•Temperature control and pressure monitoring were used during the synthesis.•Composites were ...characterized by XRD, Raman, BET, SEM, TEM and UV–vis–DRS.•AB9 dye degradation in the order of 100% was reached with some composites.•The addition of 1 and 3wt% of MWCNT to the TiO2 were obtained as an optimum region.
Herein reported are the synthesis and the photocatalytic activity of MWCNT/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalysts obtained by microwave-assisted method using titanium butoxide as precursor. The obtained materials were characterized by XRD, Raman, SEM, TEM, UV–vis, FTIR, surface area (BET) and photoluminescence. The characterization results showed that the addition of MWCNT did not provide structural changes on TiO2. The photocatalytic activities of the synthesized materials were investigated using acid blue 9 dye as a model molecule. The results indicate an enhancement on photocatalytic activity by the addition of low amount of MWCNT (1 and 3wt%). The improvement is attained to the synergic effect between TiO2 and MWCNT which reduces the electron–hole pair recombination according with the photoluminescence study. In this way, a proposed schema for the enhanced photoactivity of the MWCNT/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst is discussed.
The giant reed (Arundo donax) is a fast-growing plant adapted to different climatic and soil conditions; although its origin is Asian, the species has spread throughout the world. During its ...development, it consumes three times more water than typical native vegetation and is responsible for changing the landscape of riparian areas; the high biomass productivity and the annual harvest period make this crop an alternative to produce and/or extract industrial bioproducts. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of using giant reed in a bioprocess that produces enzymes by a solid-state fermentation experiment, four fungal species were tested (Aspergillus niger GH1, Aspergillus niger PSH, Trichoderma harzianum, and Rhizopus oryzae); enzyme activities were performed using reported methodologies varying only reaction volumes. The A. niger GH1 and PSH strains were the best adapted to the plant material, A. niger GH1 was capable to produce 4 of the 5 evaluated enzymes (cellulase-endoglucanase (174.39 ± 19.62 U/L), xylanase (1313.31 ± 39.25 U/L), invertase (642.22 ± 23.55 U/L), and polyphenol oxidase (6094.01 ± 306.54) while A. niger PSH was able to produce 3 of the 5 evaluated enzymes (cellulase-endoglucanase (147.09 ± 13.88 U/L), xylanase (1307.76 ± 31.40 U/L), and invertase (603.92 ± 3.14 U/L).
The production of photosynthetic biofuels using microalgae is a promising strategy to combat the use of non-renewable energy sources. The microalgae residual biomass is a waste by-product of biofuel ...production; however, it could prove to have utility in the development of sustainable nutraceuticals and functional foods. In this study, a comprehensive characterisation of the under-utilised Phaeodactylum tricornutum microalgae residual biomass is presented. Proximal composition, antioxidant capacity (using three different antioxidant assays; oxygen radical absorbance capacity; radical cation activity, ABTS; and radical scavenging activity, DPPH), and total phenolic content of free and bound polyphenols were determined. Additionally, the physicochemical properties of water activity, pH, water absorption index, water solubility index, and dispersibility were evaluated. Results revealed that P. tricornutum microalgae residual biomass exhibits a relatively high protein and carbohydrate content, with values of 36.67% and 46.78%, respectively; and most carbohydrates were found as total dietary fibre (45.57%), of which insoluble dietary fibre was the most predominant (43.54%). Antioxidant capacity values for total phytochemicals of 106.22, 67.93, 9.54 µM TE g−1 dw were determined by oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ABTS, and DPPH assays, respectively. Total phenolic content was found to be 2.90 mg GAE g−1 dw. Interestingly, antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content were higher in bound than in free phytochemical extracts. The physicochemical analysis showed P. tricornutum microalgae residual biomass to have suitable properties for the generation of a beverage with Aw, pH, water absorption index, water solubility index, and dispersibility values of 0.45, 7.12, 3.40 g gel g−1 dw, 2.5 g solids 100 g−1 dw, and 90%, respectively. Hence, P. tricornutum microalgae residual biomass could be considered a potential source of bioactive compounds suitable for the production of functional food exhibiting antioxidant capacity and high dietary fibre content.
•Veterinary students consider the main risk in xenotransplant to be immunologic risk.•Most veterinary students are in favor of xenotransplant.•The risks perceived by veterinary students in ...xenotransplant do not seriously diminish the favorable attitude toward xenotransplant.
Understanding the perception of the risks associated with xenotransplant, especially among professionals who will contribute to the care of the animals, is important for xenotransplant to become a clinical reality. The objective of this study was to analyze opinions regarding the risks of organ xenotransplant among veterinary university students in Spain.
The study population was 2683 veterinary students from different courses and universities in Spain. Instrument valuation: Validated self-administered questionnaire completed anonymously (PCID-XENOTx-Ríos). Consent to collaborate in the study was requested. Variables for the study: attitude toward xenotransplant and risks (infectious, immunologic, ethical/moral, philosophical, religious, other unspecified risks). Statistics: descriptive analysis, Student t test, χ2 test, and Fisher exact test.
Of the total number of respondents, 2646 students answered this question, with a completion rate of 98.6%. They considered immunologic risk 78.4% (n = 2074), infectious risk 48.6% (n = 1286), ethical/moral risk 10.7% (n = 284), philosophical risk 5.2% (n = 137), religious risk 1.5% (n = 40), and other risks 3.9% (n = 104). Significant relationships were observed between immunologic risks (P < .001), ethical/moral risks (P < .001), and other risks (P = .002).
Despite the consideration of different types of risks, the favorable attitude toward xenotransplant among veterinary students at Spanish universities is highly prevalent, and evidence-based information campaigns on the different risks associated with xenotransplant are important.
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•Barley straw is an excellent support of conidiospores production.•The addition of mineral salts substantially improves of conidiospores production.•Pre-treating the barley straw with ...a water wash favors the conidiation process.•80 % humidity favors the conidiation of T. harzianum.
In this work was to evaluate the conidiospores production of Trichoderma harzianum using barley straw as substrate. Four growth conditions were used; washed and unwashed barley straw and washed and unwashed barley straw supplemented with mineral salts. The highest spore production was observed when washed barley straw supplemented with mineral salts with 1.56 × 1010 conidiospores/gram of dry matter (gdm) at 216 h of cultivation was used. The effect of substrate moisture on spore production was studied, three initial moisture levels of the substrate were tested and it was observed that a humidity of 80 % of the substrate improves the production of conidiospores reaching a concentration of 2.35 × 1010 conidiospores/gdm at 136 h. Finally, conidiospores viability was evaluated for 12 months by keeping them on the conidia and substrate, and viability of 71 % of the conidiospores was observed, so this maintenance method is an excellent means of conserving the conidiospores viability.
Highlights • We examined the effect of neonatal olfactory bulbectomy (nOBX) at pre-pubertal and post-pubertal age. • Behavior and Binding of NMDA receptors were assessed. • Alterations in the ...locomotion and exploratory behavior were observed in nOBX rats at pre-pubertal age. • At pre-pubertal age, rats with nOBX show increase in NMDA binding.
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