Photocatalytic Oxidation of Reactive Red 22 in Aqueous Solution Using La2Ti2O7 Photocatalyst

This study was focused on the application of a highly doped layered perovskite, La₂Ti₂O₇, as the photocatalyst for the photocatalytic decomposition of an azo dye, Reactive Red 22 (RR22). The temporal behavior of the photocatalytic decomposition of RR22 in aqueous solution by the UV/La₂Ti₂O₇ with a batch photoreactor operated in a recirculation mode was studied under various operating conditions including solution pH, light intensity, and La₂Ti₂O₇ loading. The decomposition of RR22 in aqueous solution by La₂Ti₂O₇ photocatalytic process was found to be feasible. An empirical kinetic equation was developed for modeling the photocatalytic decomposition of RR22 in aqueous solution using UV/La₂Ti₂O₇ photocatalytic processes.     

Milankovitch hypothesis supported by precise dating of coral reefs and deep-sea sediments

Barbados provides a possibly unique opportunity for reconstruction of the times and elevations of late-Pleistocene high stands of the sea. The island appears to be rising from the sea at a uniform rate that is fast enough to separate in elevation coral-reef tracts formed at successive high stands of the sea. Unaltered coral found in the lower terraces enables high-precision Th(230): U(234) and Pa(231): U(235) dating. Three distinct high stands of the sea are found about 122,000, 103,000, and 82,000 years ago. New Pa(231) and Th(230) dates from a deep-sea core also indicate that Ericson's W-X cold-to-warm climatic change occurred close to 126,000 years ago. These data show a parallelism over the last 150,000 years between changes in Earth's climate and changes in the summer insolation predicted from cycles in the tilt and precession of Earth's axis.     

High-Resolution X-ray Observations of the Orion Nebula

Observations of the Trapezium region in the Orion Nebula obtained with the high-resolution x-ray imaging instrument on board the Einstein Observatory reveal at least 58 sources of x-ray emission. All but two of the sources can be identified with visible stars. The strongest x-ray source is the star Theta(1)C, which excites the emission nebula. Its x-ray luminosity is 6 x 10(32) ergs per second. The rest of the x-ray sources may be identified with stars of all spectral types. Strong x-ray emission is not observed from members of the infrared cluster embedded within the Orion molecular cloud.     

Broken eggs decrease pH of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) ovarian fluid

Low pH of ovarian fluid is attributed to its inability to activate sperm motility. In the present study we sought if broken eggs are reason for the decrease of ovarian fluid pH. We examined if 1) there is relationship between turbidity of ovarian fluid (indicator of presence of broken eggs) and pH, and 2) there is a decrease in ovarian fluid pH after addition of broken eggs. We found a negative relationship between the turbidity and ovarian fluid pH. Addition of the content of broken eggs to ovarian fluid caused a decrease of pH and a decrease in ovarian fluid ability to activate sperm motility. Therefore it can be suggested that content of broken eggs decreases or negates the ability of ovarian fluid to activate sperm motility due to a decrease of pH.     

芹菜对铁的吸收及铁对其生长和品质的影响

通过调节水培营养液中铁浓度分别为0,0.7,1.4,2.8,5.6,8.4,11.2和14.0.mg/L的8个水平种植4个芹菜品种,研究了不同铁供应水平对芹菜生长和植株铁含量及其品质的影响。结果表明,0.7mg/L浓度下,芹菜生长良好,没有表现缺铁症状,1.4mg/L浓度时,叶片中的铁含量达最大值,2.8mg/L浓度下,芹菜产量,Vc、蛋白质、叶绿素含量较高,硝酸盐含量较低。在各铁供应水平下4个芹菜品种均未出现铁中毒现象。供铁以后,其供应量对芹菜叶中钙、镁含量影响不大;锌含量与营养液中铁浓度呈负相关,铁锌之间表现出离子竞争作用。     

The effect of the pretreatment print paste contents on colour yield of an ink-jet printed cotton fabric

Optimum condition concerning the content of pretreatment print paste and steaming time for ink-jet printing was newly developed through the orthogonal analysis. The cotton fabric treated under the newly developed optimum condition could achieve a high level of colour yield similar to that of the commercially pretreated cotton fabric available in the market for ink-jet printing. The results were discussed thoroughly in this paper.     

H3N2 canine influenza virus causes severe morbidity in dogs with induction of genes related to inflammation and apoptosis

Dogs are companion animals that live in close proximity with humans. Canine H3N2 influenza virus has been isolated from pet dogs that showed severe respiratory signs and other clinical symptoms such as fever, reduced body weight, and interstitial pneumonia. The canine H3N2 influenza virus can be highly transmissible among dogs via aerosols. When we analyzed global gene expression in the lungs of infected dogs, the genes associated with the immune response and cell death were greatly elevated. Taken together, our results suggest that canine H3N2 influenza virus can be easily transmitted among dogs, and that severe pneumonia in the infected dogs may be partially due to the elevated expression of genes related to inflammation and apoptosis.     

Polyester metallisation with electroless silver plating process

In this paper, electroless silver plating process for polyester was reported. The electroless silver plating is basically divided into four stages including pre-cleaning, sensitisation, electroless silver deposition and post-treatment. As the electroless silver plating stage is the key stage in affecting the brilliant appearance and various functional properties such as conductivity and ultra-violet protection, we will study the effect of process variables, i.e. amount of silver nitrate (AgNO₃), concentration of ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH), concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and process temperature, using increased amount of silver in fabric surface as an indicator, for optimising the electroless silver plating process for possible industrial application. Experimental results revealed that amount of silver nitrate (AgNO₃)=1.77×10^?3 mole; concentration of ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH)=6.25 %; concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH)=0.008 g/ml and process temperature=25 °C can give the best electroless silver plating for polyester fabric. The surface characteristics of the electroless silver-plated polyester fabric were evaluated by scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Meanwhile, the performance properties of the electroless silver-plated polyester fabric were measured by CIE L*, a* and b* values, conductivity as well as ultraviolet protection. The experimental results would be discussed thoroughly in this paper.     

Air-gap spinning of cellulose/ionic liquid solution and its characterization

In order to study the effects of the spinning conditions on the structure and the properties of the regenerated fiber, cellulose was dissolved in ionic liquid and then spun into fiber using an air-gap spinning process. The solution concentration, the take-up speed and the fixation of the fiber ends during coagulation improved the crystallinity and the tensile strength at the same time. The fiber surface became smooth by addition of DMF (dimethylformamide). However, it decreased the crystallinity and the tensile strength of the fibers. We revealed that the developed structure during coagulation determined the morphology and the properties of the fibers. The co-solvent resulted in smooth surface of the fiber and also changed the mechanical properties.     

Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Virus Entry by the Crude Polysaccharides of Seaweeds and Abalone Viscera In Vitro

Much attention is being devoted to the potential of marine sulfated polysaccharides as antiviral agents in preventing COVID-19. In this study, sulfated fucoidan and crude polysaccharides, extracted from six seaweed species (Undaria pinnatifida sporophyll, Laminaria japonica, Hizikia fusiforme, Sargassum horneri, Codium fragile, Porphyra tenera) and Haliotis discus hannai (abalone viscera), were screened for their inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 virus entry. Most of them showed significant antiviral activities at an IC50 of 12~289 μg/mL against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in HEK293/ACE2, except for P. tenera (IC50 > 1000 μg/mL). The crude polysaccharide of S. horneri showed the strongest antiviral activity, with an IC50 of 12 μg/mL, to prevent COVID-19 entry, and abalone viscera and H. fusiforme could also inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection with an IC50 of 33 μg/mL and 47 μg/mL, respectively. The common properties of these crude polysaccharides, which have strong antiviral activity, are high molecular weight (>800 kDa), high total carbohydrate (62.7~99.1%), high fucose content (37.3~66.2%), and highly branched polysaccharides. These results indicated that the crude polysaccharides from seaweeds and abalone viscera can effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry.