DG Content Research Articles

Stabilization of dredged clays with ternary alkali-activated materials: Towards sustainable solid wastes recycling

The primary focus of this study is to reuse dredged clay (DC) with high water content as recycled construction material by stabilizing it with a ternary alkali-activated material (AAM) based on ground granulated blast-furnace slag, fly ash, desulfurization gypsum (GGBS-FA-DG). The mechanical properties of the stabilized DC using the ternary AAM were investigated through laboratory tests, and microstructure tests were performed to reveal the stabilization mechanism of the treated DC. The results revealed that the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the stabilized specimens was significantly affected by the initial water content of DC and decreased with the increasing initial water content. The UCS of the stabilized DC using the ternary AAM can be increased by 1.24–4.33 times compared to using the GGBS-FA binary AAM alone. The UCS of the stabilized DC first increased and then decreased as the DG content increased. The optimal DG content was 8% for the DC with an initial water content of 1.4–2.0 times the liquid limit (1.4–2.0wL). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests reveal that geopolymer gel produced by polymerization and C-(A)-S-H gel produced by hydration can contribute to cementation strength. Needle-like ettringite (AFt) generated by the activation FA by DG can promote a denser microstructure of the stabilized DC and thus further improve the strength.

Performance optimization and hydration mechanism of a clinker-free ultra-high performance concrete with solid waste based binder and steel slag aggregate

This study focuses on the feasibility of preparing clinker-free ultra-high performance concrete with solid waste based binder and steel slag aggregate. The influence of refining slag (RS) content, gypsum (DG) content, ground granulated blast furnace slag–hot stifle steel slag (GGBFS–HSSS) ratio and binder–sand ratio on the strength of UHPC were studied by orthogonal test, and then mainly discusses the reaction mechanism and hydration products of four solid wastes to further optimize the performance of clinker-free UHPC. The results showed the compressive and flexural strength of the Y1 samples could be increased to 108.39 MPa and 37.22 MPa respectively by optimizing RS content to 5%, DG content to 20%, GGBFS–HSSS ratio to 3:1, binder–sand ratio to 0.8. According to microanalyses (including XRD, semi-QXRD, FT-IR, TG-DSC, and SEM-EDS), the predominant hydration products of Z1 samples were ettringite and C–(A)–S–H gels, generated by the synergistic reaction of RS, GGBFS, HSSS and DG. In the first 2 days of curing, approximately 12.1% C12A7 and 1.3% gypsum was rapidly consumed, and 20.8% ettringite was simultaneously generated, which demonstrated the early strength was provided by the hydration of RS. During the 3–28 days curing, gypsum and Ca/(Si+Al) molar ratio of gels decreased by 10.9% and 0.61 respectively, and the weight loss rate was 3.85%, which indicated that gypsum reacted synergistically with HSSS and GGBFS during the process, resulting in the formation and growth of a large amount of C–(A)–S–H gels. The gels and ettringite intermingled together, making the structure more compact and the strength of UHPC increased.

Bituminous modifier selection and effects of dimethyl sulfoxide pretreated graphene contents on bituminous properties

To increase the graphene dispersity in bitumen, the dispersant solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) pretreated graphene (DG) and N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) pretreated graphene (NG) were first prepared, and were used as modifiers to prepare modified bitumen, respectively. After a comprehensive evaluation, it is found that DG is more uniformly dispersed in bitumen. DG modified bitumen shows better mechanical properties, and is selected to assess the impacts of DG contents on bituminous different properties after aging. Results indicate that DG effectively inhibits the formation of sulfoxide groups in the aging process of modified bitumen. The intercalation structure between DG and bitumen reduces the entry amount of oxygen, and slows down the transformation progress from micromolecular to macromolecular components in bitumen. Additionally, the modified bitumen with the DG content of 0.4 wt% has a weaker ultraviolet absorption ability and stronger ultraviolet reflection capacity, increasing the aging resistance of modified bitumen. Moreover, the ultraviolet absorption capacity of DG modified bitumen is decreased as the aging degree is increased. The DG content of 0.4 wt% is proposed to prepare modified bitumen, improving mechanical and anti-aging properties of bitumen.

Investigation of the Azorean Camellia sinensis Processing Conditions to Maximize the Theaflavin 3,3'-di-O-Gallate Content as a Potential Antiviral Compound.

The molecular constituents of Camellia sinensis, in particular epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) and, more remarkably, the galloylated theaflavins, mainly theaflavin-3,3′-di-O-gallate (TF-3,3′-DG), have been reported to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), an enzyme required for the cleavage of its polyproteins, to produce vital individual functional proteins for viral cell replication. Our results for total catechin content revealed the values of 174.72, 200.90, and 211.75 mg/g dry weight (DW) in spring, and the values of 183.59, 191.36, and 215.09 mg/g DW in summer, for tea plantation zones 1, 2, and 3, respectively. For the TF-3,3′-DG content, the values of 2.68, 1.13, and 3.72 mg/g DW were observed in spring, and the values of 3.78, 2.06, and 8.91 mg/g DW in summer for zones 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In the same zone, different contents of TF-3,3′-DG were observed across plucking months of April, June, and August, with values of 1.13, 2.77, and 4.18 mg/g DW, respectively, showing higher values in summer. Different values of TF-3,3′-DG contents were also observed in the same tea plantation zone but from different plant parts, revealing higher values in the bud and the first and second leaves (3.62 mg/g DW) and lower values in the third and fourth leaves (1.14 mg/g DW). The TF-3,3′-DG content increased from 3.31 to 4.98 mg/g DW with increased fermentation time from 1 to 3 h, respectively, and increased for lower temperature and longer fermentation time. The aim of this study was to investigate the processing conditions that lead to maximum TF-3,3′-DG content and, given its potential impact as an inhibitor of the 3CLpro enzyme, to create a novel antiviral Azorean black tea.

18.I. Workshop: Opportunities for EU funding in health

The session will outline the new stand-alone EU4Health Programme for 2021-27. The programme that will fill the gaps revealed by the COVID-19 crisis and ensure that EU's health systems are resilient enough to face future health threats through: more coordination between Member States,more capacity at EU level to prepare for and to fight health crises,more investment in health systems to face future challenges.Links to other important areas of EU funding will be included, such as: social inclusionregional developmentresearch and innovation.Presenters are European Commission staff covering areas: EU4 Health Programme, DG Health and Food SafetyEuropean Social Fund+; DG Employment, Social Affairs and InclusionHealth Research in Horizon Europe; DG Research and InnovationDigital Health in Horizon Europe; DG Communications Networks, Content and TechnologyEuropean Regional Development Fund; DG Regional and Urban Policy.Key messages Building on the lessons learned from COVID-19, EU4Health is an ambitious and dedicated funding programme for 2021-2027 to build resilient health systems in the EU to be better equip us for the future.Other important areas of EU funding for health include social inclusion, regional development, research and innovation.

Across the Globe: Connected Care, Big Data, Interoperability.

It is always gratifying to have one's thoughts and ideas confirmed by others, especially in an international setting. In early July, I was fortunate to attend the 13th International Congress in Nursing Informatics (NI2016-http://ni2016.org/). It was a marvelous experience, with opportunities to visit with old friends, make new friends, and learn about the latest research on Connected Care.The meetings took place under the purview of the International Medical Informatics Association's Nursing Informatics Special Interest Group (NI-SIG). IMIA is an association of associations from various countries and the world body for health and biomedical informatics. Congress typically takes place every few years and is held in various countries. In the early days, the intent was to jumpstart the discipline of informatics in the host country. I have attended since 1988.Once a country's membership is established, nursing informatics specialists are approached to beapartofthe NI-SIG, whosegoal isto foster collaboration among nurses and interested others to facilitate development in the field. overall aim is to share knowledge, experience, and ideas with nurses and health care providers worldwide about the practice of nursing informatics and the benefits of enhanced information management. NI-SIG has been in existence since 1982, and there are currently 29 member countries. For the past four years, I have served as the US country representative.eHEALTH FOR ALLThe theme of the 13th International Congress was for All: Every Level Collaboration From Project to Realization. Opening remarks were given by several dignitaries, including the Minister of Health Geneva, the CEO of the International Council of Nursing, World Health Organization representatives, and ehealth directors. Connected Health, Data, and Interoperability were common themes in nearly 400 paper's, poster, and panel presentations and six keynote addresses.Carmen Laplaza Santos, deputy head of unit health and wellbeing, DG Communications Networks, Content, and Technology, presented her keynote on deploying ehealth, with nurses as essential partners. She described the health ecosystem and the need for nurses to be part of ehealth initiatives. Santos showed a brief video (https://youtu.be/_i5yfhLeRoI), which introduced us to ENS4Care: Evidence-Based Guidelines for Nurses and Social Care Workers for the Deployment of eHealth Services (http:// www.ens4care.eu/).Another keynote address was delivered by Judy Murphy, chief nursing officer, IBM Global Healthcare, on behalf of Dr. Marilyn Chow, vice president, National Patient Care Services and Innovation, Kaiser Permanente, who was unable to attend. title was Reimagining Care Delivery: Power of Nursing Informatics. International Council of Nursing CEO Dr. Frances Hughes spoke on The Power of Data for Change. Dave deBronkart (aka e-Patient Dave), spoke on How e-Patients Are Changing Health Care. Christian Lovis, professor of clinical informatics at the University of Geneva and the Geneva University Hospitals, presented on Big Data and Health: Hopes and Challenges.My favorite keynote, e-Health: Global Nursing for Global Citizen, was presented by Heimar de Fatima Marin, director of the Graduate Program in Health Informatics at the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), who reminded us that caring for people will never be obsolete. Several of the keynote presentations are available on the NI2016 website (http://ni2016.org/power-point-presentations/). All congress proceedings are accessible at IOS Press (http://ebooks. iospress.nl/ISBN/978-1 -61499-658-3).CONTESTS AND COMPETITIONSTwo new events at the congress were the Wearable Fashion Show and the Student Design contest. fashion show demonstrated how far we have come in wearable devices as well as smart shirts and smart shoes. Internet of Things has opened the door to many products that promote health and wellness while monitoring and providing guidance. …

Evaluation of distillers grains as fillers for low density polyethylene: Mechanical, rheological and thermal characterization

Low density polyethylene/distillers grains (LDPE/DG) composites have been prepared by melt extrusion. The distillers grains fillers were characterized in terms of surface morphology and particle size distribution. The composite characteristics were investigated by melt flow index (MFI), mechanical tests (tensile properties and Izod impact strength), dynamic rheological measurements and thermal stability (TG). SEM analysis showed that NaOH-treated DG feature a huge potential as reinforcing agents of LDPE due to their rough surface morphology. The introduction of 40 wt% DG in the LDPE matrix increased the tensile modulus by a factor 3 compared to the pure LDPE, which is ascribed to the higher modulus of the DG compared with LDPE. Whereas tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites decreased with the increasing of DG content. Dynamic rheological analysis showed that the storage modulus increased for all composites compared to LDPE, indicating that the addition of DG fillers to LDPE might be beneficial in applications to improve stiffness. The TG results showed that the thermal stability of LDPE/DG composites decreased slightly by adding DG as the percentage of mass loss at DG’s decomposition peak temperature increased monotonically from 4.51% to 15.13% for 10 to 40 wt% addition of DG; however, their flame retardancy leveled up. The results showed that distillers grains, as renewable raw materials, hold great potential as fillers in thermoplastic composites.

Preliminary Results of a Study of the Platelet Dense Granule and Serotonin Storage Pool in Autistic Children and Their Families.

Abstract 4456The etiology of autism is thought to be neurobiological, but the mechanisms involved are not known. One possible clue into this disorder can be found in multiple clinical studies which have established that at least 30-40% of individuals diagnosed with autism have significantly elevated levels of serotonin (5HT) in their blood. Serotonin transport by platelets and 5HT plasma levels have been found to be altered in patients with multiple neurobiological disorders, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, aggression, autism, and migraine headache. Serotonin has numerous functions, including regulation of vasoconstriction, vasodilatation, and coagulation. A review of the literature reveals few studies of coagulopathy related to autism other than attempts to associate vaccination or infections with the etiology of autism. One recent study, of a limited number of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families, reported a significant incidence of thrombophilia. All children evaluated (10/10) and 15 of 16 family members in the study were found to be at risk for thrombophilia disorders. We have been evaluating patients for PL dysfunction for many years and recently, have included ELISA tests to determine the 5HT concentration in PLs of patients suffering from migraine headache or syncope. All of our investigations to date have evaluated patients for a deficiency of the PL storage pool (DG SPD) including a decrease of PL DGs and their stored biochemical constituents; we have never conducted a study related to potentially increased numbers of DGs or the concentration of biochemicals contained in these granules. As at least one report exists in the literature suggesting the potential for thrombophilia in patients diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and their families, we decided to assess the platelet storage pool in autistic patients and their families as a potential model of platelet dysfunction due to elevated DGs and/or 5HT levels and/or as a potential biomarker for autism. As the major storage pool of 5HT in the circulation is known to exist in platelet PL DGs, it is possible that a PL DG storage pool could be an important mediator of ASD. Our hypothesis is that autistic children may have elevated numbers of DGs and increased levels of PL 5HT. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from children diagnosed with autism as well as their parents and siblings. Platelets were obtained via centrifugation and DG content determined by electron microscopy and an ELISA assay was utilized to determine PL 5HT concentration for all subjects. A questionnaire was also used to evaluate family bleeding history and drug therapy for the autistic children. At present, 4 families have been recruited for the study. Autistic children (n = 5) have an average of 5.42 ± 0.69 DG/PL and a mean 5HT concentration of 447.6.4 ± 85.6 ng/109 PL (PL 5HT normal range = 215-850 ng/109 PL). Their parents have an average of 5.00 ± 0.54 DG/PL and a mean 5HT concentration of 427.6.4 ± 82.66 ng/109 PL and one five year old sibling was found to have 8.17 DG/PL and 2233 ng/109 PL. Control subjects (n=21) have an average of 4.16 ± 0.09 DG/PL and a 5HT concentration of 589.6 ± 56.25 ng/109. There is no statistically significant difference between controls, parents or autistic subjects by ANOVA. Our preliminary data does not support our hypothesis. However, with serotonin being the immediate precursor of melatonin, we do not discount the fact that all of our subjects were receiving drug therapies including melatonin supplementation (n=2) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (n=3) which diminish the PL 5HT concentration. Thus, the therapeutic regimens for these subjects could account for their normal 5HT levels. This project had been initiated just prior to the time of abstract submission; we are currently recruiting study participants and will present additional data at the meeting. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

High‐resolution NMR of irradiated almonds

AbstractElectron beam‐irradiated peeled almonds (dose rate <5kGy) were subjected to a sensory test, ESR, and solid state 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy using an improved magicangle probe. In the sensory test, changes were detected only for high radiation doses, and these were similar to those produced by aging. ESR detected significant differences between irradiated and nonirradiated samples, although these differences in free radical content tended to disappear with aging. Slightly higher DG content was detected in the irradiated sample by high‐resolution solid‐state NMR spectra.

The Murine Nucleolin Protein Is an Inducible DNA and ATP Binding Protein Which Is Readily Detected in Nuclear Extracts of Lipopolysaccharide-Treated Splenocytes

A 100-kDa DNA binding protein was found to be dramatically up-regulated upon the mitogenic stimulation of murine splenocytes with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The induced DNA binding protein was also found to exhibit moderate binding specificity for the immunoglobulin isotype switch DNA repeats. Furthermore, the induction of the 100-kDa protein by LPS was found to be mediated by both an increase in the protein's stability and an increase in the synthesis of the protein. In vitro phosphorylation experiments revealed that the 100-kDa DNA binding protein was one of the most heavily phosphorylated proteins in both lymphoid and nonlymphoid nuclear extracts. Although this in vitro phosphorylation initially appeared to be mediated by a potent nuclear kinase activity, it was later determined that a significant part of the detected labeling was due to the direct binding of ATP by the 100-kDa protein. Antibodies raised to the 100-kDa DNA binding protein were used to isolate cDNA clones from a lymphocyte cDNA λgt11 expression library. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that the cloned cDNAs were identical to the mouse nucleolin gene. The β-galactosidase fusion proteins (encoded by exons 3-14 of nucleolin) and a more severely truncated 45-kDa protein (encoded by exons 5-14 of nucleolin) were both found to bind strongly to DNA and ATP. Furthermore, the strength of DNA binding was found to be highly dependent on the overall dG content of the DNA probes. Our experiments also revealed that apart from binding ATP and G-rich DNA, nucleolin directly bound GTP, dATP, and dGTP, but not dCTP, dTTP, or dUTP. Computer analysis revealed that the putative ATP binding domains appear to fall within two of the phylogenetically conserved RNA binding domains of nucleolin.

Synthesis of deoxyglucose-1-phosphate, deoxyglucose-1,6-bisphosphate, and other metabolites of 2-deoxy-D-[14C]glucose in rat brain in vivo: influence of time and tissue glucose level.

When the kinetics of interconversion of deoxy[14C]glucose ([14C]DG) and [14C]DG-6-phosphate ([14C]DG-6-P) in brain in vivo are estimated by direct chemical measurement of precursor and products in acid extracts of brain, the predicted rate of product formation exceeds the experimentally measured rate. This discrepancy is due, in part, to the fact that acid extraction regenerates [14C]DG from unidentified labeled metabolites in vitro. In the present study, we have attempted to identify the 14C-labeled compounds in ethanol extracts of brains of rats given [14C]DG. Six 14C-labeled metabolites, in addition to [14C]DG-6-P, were detected and separated. The major acid-labile derivatives, DG-1-phosphate (DG-1-P) and DG-1,6-bisphosphate (DG-1,6-P2), comprised approximately 5 and approximately 10-15%, respectively, of the total 14C in the brain 45 min after a pulse or square-wave infusion of [14C]DG, and their levels were influenced by tissue glucose concentration. Both of these acid-labile compounds could be synthesized from DG-6-P by phosphoglucomutase in vitro. DG-6-P, DG-1-P, DG-1,6-P2, and ethanol-insoluble compounds were rapidly labeled after a pulse of [14C]DG, whereas there was a 10-30-min lag before there was significant labeling of minor labeled derivatives. During the time when there was net loss of [14C]DG-6-P from the brain (i.e., between 60 and 180 min after the pulse), there was also further metabolism of [14C]DG-6-P into other ethanol-soluble and ethanol-insoluble 14C-labeled compounds. These results demonstrate that DG is more extensively metabolized in rat brain than commonly recognized and that hydrolysis of [14C]DG-1-P can explain the overestimation of the [14C]DG content and underestimation of the metabolite pools of acid extracts of brain. Further metabolism of DG does not interfere with the autoradiographic DG method.

A rise and fall in 1,2-diacylglycerol content signal hexamethylene bisacetamide-induced erythropoiesis.

Previous studies have suggested a role for protein kinase C (PKC) during induction of murine erythroleukemia cell (MELC) differentiation by hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) (Melloni, E., Pontremoli, S., Viotti, P. L., Patrone, M., Marks, P. A., and Rifkind, R. A. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 18414-18418). The present studies assess the effect of HMBA on the content of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DG), the physiologic activator of PKC, in MELC variants. Exposure of parental Sc9 cells to HMBA induced a rapid rise and fall in DG content. The DG level increased within seconds from 225 pmol.10(6) cells-1 to a maximum of 305 pmol.10(6) cells-1 at 5 min. Thereafter, DG content fell reaching control levels at 30 min and 46% of control at 4 h. Similar DG elevations were detected in HMBA-resistant, phorbol ester-resistant, and vincristine-resistant MELC lines. Early DG elevation was followed by the characteristic rapid fall in both the phorbol ester-resistant and vincristine-resistant lines, both of which differentiate rapidly in response to HMBA. In contrast, in an HMBA-resistant MELC the DG level failed to fall for at least 10 h. Selection of HMBA-resistant cells for vincristine resistance restores both HMBA sensitivity and the rapid fall in DG content. Addition of a synthetic DG, 1-oleyl-2-acetyl glycerol (OAG), along with HMBA and every 2 h for the next 48 h blocked differentiation, as measured by accumulation of benzidine-reactive cells or by the commitment assay in methyl-cellulose. However, if addition of OAG was delayed for just a few minutes, until endogenous DG levels began to fall, differentiation was no longer inhibited. Rapid elevation of DG content is the earliest reported event during HMBA action and a subsequent fall in the DG content appears to be a critical step in the process of commitment to terminal differentiation.

Acid Lability of Metabolites of 2‐Deoxyglucose in Rat Brain: Implications for Estimates of Kinetic Parameters of Deoxyglucose Phosphorylation and Transport Between Blood and Brain

The steady-state brain/plasma distribution ratios of [14C]deoxyglucose ([14C]DG) for hypoglycemic rats previously determined by measurement of DG concentrations in neutralized acid extracts of freeze-blown brain and plasma exceeded those predicted by simulations of kinetics of the DG model. Overestimation of the true size of the precursor pool of [14C]DG for transport and phosphorylation could arise from sequestration of [14C]DG within brain compartments and/or instability of metabolites of [14C]DG and regeneration of free [14C]DG during the experimental period or extraction procedure. In the present study, the concentrations of [14C]DG and glucose were compared in samples of rat brain and plasma extracted in parallel with perchloric acid or 65% ethanol containing phosphate-buffered saline. The concentrations of both hexoses in acid extracts of brain were higher than those in ethanol, whereas hexose contents of plasma were not dependent on the extraction procedure. The magnitude of overestimation of DG content (about 1.2-to fourfold) varied with glucose level and was highest in extracts isolated from hypoglycemic rats; contamination of the [14C]DG fraction with 14C-labeled nonacidic metabolites also contributed to this overestimation. Glucose concentrations in acid extracts of brain exceeded those of the ethanol extracts by less than 40% for normal and hypoglycemic rats.

Disappearance of diacylglycerol kinase translocation in ras-transformed cells

Oncogenic transformation has been considered to be in part a consequence of the elevated levels of 1,2-diacylglycerol(DG), resulting in the permanent activation of protein kinase C. DG content in transformed cells with v-H-ras, c-K-ras and N-ras oncogene increased 1.5-fold compared to that in non-transformed NIH 3T3 cells. DG kinase activity of membrane fractions, which plays an important role in DG attenuation, was significantly lower in all ras-transformed cells. On the contrary, DG kinase activity in cytosol fractions in ras-transformed cells was found to be increased. DG kinase translocated very markedky from cytosol to membranes in non-transformed NIH 3T3 cells by the treatment of phospholipase C. On the other hand, translocation of DG kinase in ras-transformed cells was slight, though the formation of DG by the treatment of phospholipase C was almost same between ras-transformed and NIH 3T3 cells. These results strongly support the idea that the increased DG content in ras-transformed cells is, at least partly due to the defect of DG kinase translocation, which may lead to the sustained activation of protein kinase C.

The absence of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in the erythrocytes of goldfish ( Carassius auratus) acclimated to high temperatures

1. 1. DPG Dg content was measured in erythrocytes of goldfish ( Carassius auratus) acclimated at 22, 31 and 35°C. 2. 2. Erythrocytes were incubated with NaF to inhibit enolase activity and thereby increase DPG levels. 3. 3. DPG was not detected in the erythrocytes of any goldfish, nor in erythrocytes incubated with NaF.