High Tan Research Articles

Simulated Transport of Silver Therapon (Leiopotherapon plumbeus) Fingerlings at Different Durations and Loading Densities: Effects on Survival and Water Quality

The silver therapon, Leiopotherapon plumbeus, is a new species for aquaculture. However, information on the optimal conditions for the transport of this species for grow-out culture needs to be established to avoid stress and unnecessary mortalities. This study examined the effects of duration of transport and loading density on survival and water quality during simulated transport of silver therapon. Hatchery-produced fingerlings [1.30 ± 0.34 g body weight (BW); 44.30 ± 3.77 mm total length (TL)] were held in double-layered oxygenated plastic bags at three transport durations (6 h, 9 h, and 12 h) and densities (40 fish bag-1, 80 fish bag-1, and 120 fish bag-1) in triplicates. Mean survival rates were not significantly affected by both duration of transport (P = 0.321) and loading density (P = 0.345). However, a highly significant effect of duration of transport on dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH (P = 0.000), and a significant effect on Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN; P = 0.039) and total bacterial count (TBC; P = 0.034) were evident. Similarly, water quality parameters were significantly influenced by loading density (P = 0.000), with lower DO and pH levels, and higher TAN and TBC recorded at 120 fish bag-1 density. Since a very high survival rate (> 99%) is achieved at the highest loading density of 120 fish bag-1 up to 12 h transport, this density can be recommended to transport silver therapon fingerlings. Chemical treatments using either salt, methylene blue, or tropical almond leaf extract in transport water may be used to reduce the high bacterial count during transport.

A systematic approach to improve printability and cell viability of methylcellulose-based bioinks

Printability in 3D extrusion bioprinting encompasses extrudability, filament formation, and shape fidelity. Rheological properties can predict the shape fidelity of printed hydrogels. In particular, tan(δ), the ratio between loss (G′′) and storage (G′) modulus (G′′/G′), is a powerful indicator of printability. This study explores the effect of different salt, sucrose, and MC concentrations on tan(δ), and therefore the printability of methylcellulose (MC) hydrogels. Salt and sucrose increased G′, lowering tan(δ) and enabling printing of scaffolds with high shape fidelity. Conversely, MC concentration increased G′′ and G′, having a lesser effect on tan(δ). Shape fidelity of three formulations with similar G′ but varying tan(δ) values were compared. Higher tan(δ) led to reduced height, while lower tan(δ) improved shape fidelity. Cell viability increased when reducing MC content, extrusion rate, and nozzle gauge. Higher MC concentration (G′ > 1.5 kPa) increased the influence of needle size and extrusion rate on cell viability. Hydrogels with G′ < 1 kPa could be extruded at high rates with small nozzles, minimally affecting cell viability. This work shows a direct relationship between tan(δ) and printability of MC-based hydrogels. Lowering the complex modulus of hydrogels, mitigates extrusion stress, thus improving cell survival.

Investigation of (g-2)_{mu } anomaly in the mu -specific 2HDM with vector like leptons and the phenomenological implications

The anomalous magnetic moment of muons has been a long-standing problem in SM. The current deviation of experimental value of the (g-2)_{mu } from the standard model prediction is exactly 4.2sigma . Two Higgs Doublet Models can accommodate this discrepancy but such type of model naturally generate flavor changing neutral current(FCNC). To prevent this it was postulated that 2HDM without FCNC required that all fermions of a given charge couple to the same Higgs boson but the rule breaks in Muon Specific Two Higgs Doublet Model where all fermions except muon couple to one Higgs doublet and muon with the other Higgs doublet. The muon specific 2HDM provides an explanation for muon anomaly for extremely large tan beta with a particular value of m_{12}^2. As a result, the parameter space of m_{12}^2 drastically decreased for the muon anomaly solution. To evade the limitation of this model we have extended this model with a vector like lepton generation which could explain the muon anomaly at low tan beta value with a heavy pseudo scalar Higgs boson under the shadow of current experimental and theoretical constraints. Moreover, with the help of the cut based analysis and multivariate analysis methods, we have also attempted to shed some light on the potential experimental signature of vector lepton decay to the heavy Higgs boson in the LHC experiment. We have showed that a multivariate analysis can increase the vector like leptons signal significance even in the high VLL mass and low tan beta region than that of a cut based analysis.

Analysis of reproduction-related transcriptomes on pineal-hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian tissues during estrus and anestrus in Tan sheep.

Seasonal estrus is an important factor limiting the fertility of some animals such as sheep. Promoting estrus in the anestrus season is one of the major ways in improving the fecundity of seasonally breeding animals. The pineal-hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary (PHPO) axis plays a decisive role in regulating animal reproduction. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the PHPO axis regulates seasonal reproduction in animals are not well understood, especially in Tan sheep. To this end, we collected pineal, hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary tissues from Tan sheep during estrus and anestrus for RNA-Sequencing, and performed bioinformatics analysis on the entire regulatory axis of the pineal-hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary (PHPO). The results showed that 940, 1,638, 750, and 971 DEGs (differentially expressed genes, DEGs) were identified in pineal, hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary, respectively. GO analysis showed that DEGs from PHPO axis-related tissues were mainly enriched in "biological processes" such as transmembrane transport, peptide and amide biosynthesis and DNA synthesis. Meanwhile, KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the bile acid secretion pathway and the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway were significantly enriched. Additionally, four potential candidate genes related to seasonal reproduction (VEGFA, CDC20, ASPM, and PLCG2) were identified by gene expression profiling and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. These findings will contribute to be better understanding of seasonal reproduction regulation in Tan sheep and will serve as a useful reference for molecular breeding of high fertility Tan sheep.

Low-energy ammonium recovery by a combined bio-electrochemical and electrochemical system

Bio-electrochemical systems (BESs) can recover ammonium at low specific energy inputs and can produce hydrogen gas. A reason hampering development of large-scale applications for ammonium recovery is the general instability of the bio-generated current and the thereby variable TAN (ammonia and ammonium) effluent concentrations. Electrochemical systems for ammonium recovery, such as the hydrogen recycling electrochemical system (HRES), can fine-tune the applied current, but require higher specific energy inputs than BES, and may require an additional external hydrogen supply in case of HRES. This research presents for the first time an integrated BES and HRES system for ammonium recovery to combine the advantages of both types of systems to achieve high TAN removal efficiency at low specific energy input. The HRES was able to partially compensate for BES instability, which resulted in an overall high TAN removal efficiency (89–95 %) at an increased energy demand of 5.2–10.2 MJ/kgN. When the BES was performing stably and efficiently, the HRES removed almost all of remaining TAN at up to 99.8 % overall TAN removal efficiency, requiring 9.2 MJ/kgN. The combined system can remove TAN down to much lower effluent concentrations at little to no additional energy input. These results indicate that combining BES and HRES in one system can result in TAN recovery that is more efficient than in each system separately, which could facilitate new application possibilities for (bio-)electrochemical ammonium recovery.

Alkali/Polymer Flooding of High-TAN Oil: Live Oil and Dead Oil Evaluation

Summary Alkali/polymer (AP) flooding of high-TAN oil is a promising enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method. Phase tests reveal that the generated emulsions are thermodynamically unstable macroemulsions rather than Winsor-type emulsions as observed in alkali/surfactant (AS) systems. We investigated the effect of gas on the phase behavior and displacement efficiency of AS systems. The reason is that the impact of gas in solution on the displacement efficiency in alkali projects is significant, neglecting the gas effects underestimates the incremental recovery factor by &amp;gt;15%. Experiments and analysis were performed to investigate the effects of alkali injection into a live and dead high-TAN oil. Viscosity measurements using a capillary rheometer and oscillating u-tube were done to ensure the same viscosity of the dead oil (adding cyclohexane) to live oil. Alkali phase behavior scans were used to determine the amount of emulsions formed initially and over time. The structure and characteristics of the emulsions were investigated using a high-resolution microscope. Micromodel experiments (dead oil only) were performed to elucidate the displacement efficiency effects on pore scale, while flooding experiments showed the displacement efficiency on core scale. Phase experiments showed that initially, a substantial amount of emulsions is formed. The volume of the emulsion is changing over time reaching zero for the live and dead oil. The microscope pictures show that in the initial stage, a “middle phase” macroemulsion is present. With time, the middle phase disappears supporting the results of thermodynamically unstable emulsions seen in the phase experiments. Micromodels show that oil is mobilized by AP injection on a local scale by elongating ganglia and reducing the size of trapped oil and only a limited amount of macroemulsions is formed at the oil/alkali/water interface. The increased oil recovery is thus an effect of the local capillary number and mobilization of ganglia. Here, no stable three-phase system consisting of oil/microemulsion/water as in AS system is generated. Live oil AP corefloods lead to recovery factors of 95% compared with 74% for dead oil. The gas in solution improves the local pore scale sweep efficiency and needs to be included in the evaluation of AP flooding to ensure that incremental oil production is not underestimated for high TAN number oils. The main findings are as follows: Phase experiments of alkali with dead and live high TAN oil show that initially a large amount of emulsions is generated. However, these emulsions are thermodynamically unstable macroemulsions. Micromodel investigations show that the local pore scale displacement efficiency is improved by injecting AP solutions. Gas in solution is substantially improving the local displacement efficiency and needs to be included to correctly determine incremental oil production from AP flooding.

Electrochemical removal and recovery of ammonia and phosphates from blackwater and wetland passed blackwater

Removal of nutrients from blackwater is essential before discharge into the water bodies to avoid harmful anthropological or environmental manifestations. In the present study, two membrane-divided electrochemical cells in series were employed for simultaneous removal of ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) and orthophosphates (TP) from blackwater and wetland-treated blackwater. The parameters optimized were hydraulic retention time, flowrate, and current density. The highest TAN and TP removal achieved for blackwater at 16 Am−2 was 63 ± 2% & 39 ± 2%. TAN and TP recovery was 88 ± 0.1% and 60 ± 10%. TAN and TP removal rates were 78.07 and 12.7 g m-2d-1, while the recovery rates were 68.44 and 7.56 g m−2 d-1. The energy consumption was 5.4 ± 0.1 WhL-1. The treatment and nutrient recovery process was demonstrated in the long-term (7 days) to estimate the scalability and field applicability. The recovery solution post long-term experiment showed a low concentration of nutrients. Simultaneously, the anionic membrane showed ion transferability losses and physical damage limiting the scale-up and field application.

Identification of optimal parameters for treatment of high-strength ammonium leachate by mixed communities of heterotrophic nitrifying/aerobic denitrifying bacteria

Heterotrophic nitrifying and aerobic denitrifying bacteria (HNADB) are important for partial nitrification treatment of high strength ammonium leachate. However, conditions for their optimal performance in mixed reactor systems have yet to be determined. In this study, optimal parameters were identified and included free ammonia (FA) concentrations below 40 mg/L, a dissolved oxygen concentration of 1.2 mg/L, a carbon to nitrogen ratio of 5 and a reflux ratio of 4. These conditions were applied to a continuous anoxic/oxic membrane moving biofilm reactor treating raw incineration leachate with high total ammonium nitrogen (TAN = 1400 mg/L). Ammonium conversion and nitrogen removal efficiencies of 99% and 86% were achieved. Autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria were inhibited at FA concentrations above 25 mg/L. HNADB, particularly Paracoccus species, contributed to ammonium conversion at high FA (25–40 mg/L). These results show that leachate with high TAN and FA can be treated using parameters that support the growth of HNADB.

Spatial distribution and activity patterns as welfare indicators in response to water quality changes in European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax

In aquaculture, fish are exposed to unavoidable stressors that can be detrimental for their health and welfare. However, welfare in farmed fish can be difficult to assess, and, so far, no standardized test has been universally accepted as a welfare indicator. This work contributes to the establishment of behavioural welfare indicators in a marine teleost in response to different water quality acute stressors. Groups of ten fish were exposed to high Total Ammonia Nitrogen concentration (High TAN, 18 mg.L-1), Hyperoxia (200 % O2 saturation), Hypoxia (20 % O2 saturation), or control water quality (100% O2 saturation and TAN < 2.5 mg.L-1) over 1 hour. Fish were then transferred in a novel environment for a group behaviour test under the same water quality conditions over 2 hours. Videos were recorded to assess thigmotaxis, activity and group cohesion. After this challenge, plasma cortisol concentration was measured in a subsample, while individual behavioural response was measured in the other fish using novel tank diving test. Prior to this study, the novel tank diving test was validated as a behavioural challenge indicative of anxiety state, by using nicotine as anxiolytic drug. Overall, all stress conditions induced a decrease in activity and thigmotaxis and changes in group cohesion while only fish exposed to Hypoxia and High TAN conditions displayed elevated plasma cortisol concentrations. In post-stress condition, activity was still affected but normal behaviour was recovered within the 25 minutes of the test duration. Our work suggests that the activity, thigmotaxis and group cohesion are good behavioural indicators of exposure to degraded water quality, and could be used as standardized measures to assess fish welfare.

Comparative study on phenoloxidase activity of biofloc-reared pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei and Indian white shrimp Penaeus indicus on graded protein diet

Shrimp aquaculture demands technological advancement that boosts production and environmental sustainability. This study evaluated and compared the growth performance and innate immunity of two species of shrimp (Pacific White shrimp Penaeus vannamei and India white shrimp Penaeus indicus) reared under biofloc technology with different dietary protein levels (Low-25%, Medium-30% and High-35%). As prophenoloxidase (proPO) activity is an important parameter in immune response of shrimp, we focused on the dynamics of prophenoloxidase induced by three different activators (Sodium dodecyle sulfate, (SDS, Trypsin & Laminarin). At the end of the experiment, the effect of activators on proPO activity in serum, plasma and hemocyte lysate (HLS) was evaluated in both the species under conventional and biofloc systems with graded proteins. This experiment lasted for a month as nursery rearing followed by 60 days of grow-out culture. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) in growth performances of both the species reared under biofloc, whereas control group exhibited lower growth. Significantly higher average body weight (ABW), survival and specific growth rate (SGR) were observed in medium protein groups reared under biofloc than the other biofloc groups and control. The medium protein groups also showed significantly lower (p < 0.01) TAN, NO2–N, and NO3–N levels compared to other treatments and the control exhibited considerably higher TAN, NO2–N and NO3–N levels. The proPO activity in serum of both the shrimps were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the control in which highest proPO activity was observed in SDS activated groups irrespective of the graded protein levels. A similar trend was observed in the plasma of P. indicus in which SDS activated group fed with high protein level showed highest proPO activity, whereas in plasma of P. vannamei trypsin activated groups fed with low protein level showed higher proPO activity than SDS and laminarin activated groups. The HLS of P. vannamei showed highest proPO functioning in trypsin activated group fed with high protein level, whereas in P. indicus, the highest proPO activity was observed in SDS activated group fed with high protein diet. Though in many cases, the groups fed with high protein diet showed highest proPO activity, the low protein and the medium protein groups also exhibited upregulation in the immune response parameter reared under biofloc irrespective of the species. SOD activity of the hemocytes were influenced by different dietary protein levels and better inhibition was observed in HP when compared to control and other treated groups. Thus the native non-SPF Indian white shrimp P. indicus has comparable potential as the SPF Pacific white shrimp P. vannamei in terms of innate immunity, immune response, and growth when reared under biofloc conditions.

Search for neutral Higgs bosons within type-I 2HDM at future linear colliders

In this study, we investigate observability of the neutral scalar (H) and pseudoscalar (A) Higgs bosons in the framework of the type-I 2HDM at SM-like scenario at a linear collider operating at sqrt{s}= 500 and 1000 GeV. The signal process is e^- e^+ rightarrow A H rightarrow ZHHrightarrow jj b{bar{b}}b{bar{b}} where jj is a di-jet resulting from the Z boson decay and b{bar{b}} is a b-jet pair from scalar Higgs boson decay. Several benchmark scenarios with different mass hypotheses are studied. The assumed signal process is mainly motivated by the large decay rate of Arightarrow ZH (at high tan beta and enough Higgs boson mass splitting) and Hrightarrow b{bar{b}} in the type-I. After event generation the detector response is simulated based on the SiD detector at the ILC. The ISR and beamstrahlung effects are also included for each center of mass energy assuming unpolarized beams. The simulated events are analyzed to obtain candidate mass distributions of the Higgs bosons. Among standard model backgrounds, the top quark pair production process is the main background but is under control. Results indicate that, in all considered scenarios, both Higgs bosons H and A are observable with signals exceeding 5sigma with possibility of mass measurement. Final results are shown as 5sigma contours in (m_H,m_A) or (m_A,tan beta ) space.

Enhancement of resistive switching performance by introducing a thin non-stoichiometric CeO2-x switching layer in TiO2-based resistive random access memory

By introducing a thin non-stoichiometric CeO2-x switching layer between the high oxygen affinity metal TaN top electrode and the TiO2 layer in a TaN/CeO2-x/TiO2/Pt bilayer (BL) device, it is possible to enhance the endurance characteristics and overcome the reliability issue. Compared with a single layer device, a BL device significantly enhances the number of direct current overswitching cycles to &amp;gt;1.2 × 104, non-destructive retention (&amp;gt;104 s), and switching uniformity. A TaON interface layer is formed which served as a reservoir of oxygen ions (O2−) in the SET-process and acts as an O2− supplier to refill the oxygen vacancies in the RESET-process and so plays a key role in the formation and rupture of conductive filaments. This study demonstrates that simply introducing a thin non-stoichiometric CeO2-x switching layer into TiO2-based devices can facilitate the enhancement of the endurance property for future nonvolatile memory applications.

Enhanced release of palladium and platinum from catalytic converter materials exposed to ammonia and chloride bearing solutions.

The environmental levels of platinum group elements (PGEs) are steadily rising, primarily due to exhaust emissions of vehicle catalytic converter (VCC) materials containing solid PGEs. Once these VCC materials reach soil and water, the PGEs may be transported in the form of nanoparticles (dimensions 1-100 nm) or they may be mobilized by forming coordination complexes with ligands in the environment. Chloride (Cl-) and ammonia (NH3) are two ligands of particular concern due to their ubiquity as well as their potential to form the chemotherapy drug cisplatin (Pt(NH3)2Cl2) or other potentially bioactive complexes. This initial study examines the release of Pd and Pt into solutions exposed to VCC materials at pH 8 and 25 °C, using elemental analysis of metal content in post-exposure extracts. The solutions had total ammonia nitrogen concentrations (TAN, [NH4+] + [NH3]) of 0 μM, 5.56 μM, 55.6 μM and 1.13 × 105 μM (0 ppm, 0.1 ppm, 1 ppm, and 2147 ppm). The former three represent background environmental levels had a minimal effect on release. However, when combined with 1.13 × 105 μM Cl- (4000 ppm Cl-), 55.6 μM TAN induced a marked increase in metal release (∼41× for Pd). High TAN solutions induced more Pd and Pt release than equimolar NaCl solutions. Materials characterization revealed that ∼4 nm palladium-containing nanoparticles were present, spatially associated with nanoparticles of γ-Al2O3; ceria-zirconia nanoparticles were also present but did not have any metal associated with them. Platinum-containing nanoparticles were not observed.

Microbial electrolysis followed by chemical precipitation for effective nutrients recovery from digested sludge centrate in WWTPs

A two-step sidestream process was investigated for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) recovery from digested sludge centrate. In the first step, a dual-chamber microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) was used for N recovery on the cathode. In the second step, P was recovered as solid precipitates by the addition of Ca2+ or Mg2+ salts in the anodic effluent. The operation of MEC with centrate indicate that N transport from the anode to the cathode chamber is primarily driven by anodic electron transport rather than diffusional transport. Low concentration of readily biodegradable organics in centrate significantly hindered current density (<0.15 A/m2) and led to trivial N recovery on the cathode chamber. The addition of primary sludge fermentation liquor (25 vol%) with centrate as an exogenous source of readily biodegradable organics substantially increased current density up to 6.4 A/m2, along with high TAN removal efficiency of 53 ± 5%. The energy requirement was calculated at 5.8 ± 0.1 kWh/kg-TAN; however, the recovered H2 gas from the cathode was adequate to offset this energy input completely. The addition of Ca2+ salt at a Ca:P molar ratio of 3:1 was optimum for P recovery from the anodic effluent; Mg:P molar ratio of 2:1 was found to be optimum for Mg2+ salt addition. However, optimum doses of both salts resulted in maximum P recovery efficiency of ∼85%, while Mg2+ addition provided an additional 38% TAN removal. These results demonstrate that microbial electrolysis followed by chemical precipitation can promote sustainable nutrients recovery from centrate at municipal wastewater treatment plants where sludge fermentation has already been adopted to provide readily biodegradable carbon source in the biological nutrient removal process.

The morbidity of myocardium infarction in the Russian Federation, the Siberian Federal District and the Omsk region

The study was organized to analyze myocardium infarction morbidity in the Russian Federation, the Siberian Federal District and the Omsk Region of the Russian Federation. In the Omsk Region, in 2014 myocardium infarction morbidity amounted to 175.6 cases per 100 000 of population that is 1.4 times higher tan in the Siberian Federal District and in the Russian Federation. The morbidity of recurrent myocardium infarction amounted to 56.9 cases per 100 000 of population. During thirteenth years period, in Russia, level of acute myocardium infarction morbidity decreased up to 12%, in the Siberian Federal District up to 10% and in the Omsk Region up to 25%. The morbidity of recurrent myocardium infarction in Russia increased up to 32%, in the Omsk Region up to 68%. The increasing of morbidity of recurrent myocardium infarction in Russia resulted in increasing of percentage of recurrent myocardium infarction up to 1.3 times, in the Siberian Federal District up to 1.4 times and in the Omsk Region up to 1.8 times. The high myocardium infarction morbidity in the Omsk Region is determined by high social and economic losses in the Region. The Regional health care has an important task of optimization of activities targeted to achievement of the all-Russian level of myocardium infarction morbidity.

Dynamic mechanical behavior of flocked layer composite materials

A custom designed dynamic mechanical apparatus was constructed to measure the tan(δ) (loss tangent) properties of Flocked (layer) Energy Absorbing Materials (FEAM). Flocked Impact Energy Absorbing (IEA) materials derive their dynamic mechanical impact absorbing properties from the compressional deformation (bending, buckling) and inter-fiber friction of nominally upright flocked fibers in the flock fiber composite assembly. The reported work summarizes the dynamic mechanical, low strain, linear viscoelastic tan(δ) properties of FEAM composite layer structures at frequencies from 25 to 100 Hz and a temperature range of 0 °C–50 °C. The effect of tan(δ) at various flock densities (fibers/mm2) was also measured. These studies were carried out to gain information and insight into the role that a material’s dynamic mechanical properties have on the overall IEA performance of sport (and military) apparel pad structures. Results show that the tan(δ) of FEAM materials increases as the measuring frequency and flocked layer’s flock density increase. Tan(δ)’s behavior at various temperatures (0 °C–50 °C) did not follow an expected trend; the highest tan(δ) value was observed to occur at room temperature. Nevertheless, the obtained tan(δ) information on these various FEAM configurations should provide some guidance in designing optimized FEAM sport (and military) pad IEA composites.

Energy-Efficient Versatile Memories With Ferroelectric Negative Capacitance by Gate-Strain Enhancement

In this brief, we reported a ferroelectric versatile memory with strained-gate engineering. The versatile memory with high-strain-gate showed a >40% improvement on ferroelectric hysteresis window, compared to low-strain case. The high compressive stress induced from high nitrogen-content TaN enhances monoclinic-to-orthorhombic phase transition to reach stronger ferrolectric polarization and lower depolarization field. The versatile memory featuring ferroelectric negative capacitance exhibited excellent transfer characteristics of the sub-60-mVdec subthreshold swing, ultralow off-state leakage of $\mu \text{m}$ and $> 10^{\mathsf {8}}$ on/off current ratio. Furthermore, the ferroelectric versatile memory can be switched by ±5 V under 20-ns speed for a long endurance cycling (~1012 cycles). The low-power operation can be ascribed to the amplification of the surface potential to reach the strong inversion and fast domain polarization at the correspondingly low program/erase voltages.

Interactive effect of ammonia and crowding stress on ion-regulation and expression of immune-related genes in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

The present study was to investigate the interactive effect of ammonia and crowding stress on ion-regulation and expression of immune-related genes in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). The fish were exposed to four total ammonia nitrogen (0, 5, 20, 40 mg/L TAN) and two stocking density. After 96 h of exposure, blood, gill, and liver samples were collected to measure biochemical parameters and mRNA levels of immune-related genes. The results showed that co-exposure to high TAN (20 and 40 mg/L) and high density significantly increased plasma sodium (Na+), gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity and mRNA levels. Following individual and combined exposure to high TAN and high density, the heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70), HSP 90, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) genes expression were obviously higher than their control. Conversely, the lysozyme (LZM) and hepcidin mRNA levels were down-regulated in liver of fish exposed to high TAN alone and combination of high TAN-density. Moreover, glutathione S-transferase (GST) mRNA levels significantly increased in treatments with individual high TAN and high density, but decreased in high TAN-density co-exposed fish. Overall, ion homeostasis and immune status were adversely influenced in high exposed turbot under high density.

Investigation into the Effects of Crude Oil on Foam Stability by using Different Low Salinity Water

Objectives: To find the surfactant aqueous solution that will ultimately reduce the IFT and form a more stable solution in presence of oil. Methods/Analysis: Each test was performed at 80oC. The Low Salinity Water (LSW) consisted of thirtyone samples with different ion compositions and concentrations ranging from 500 to 6500 ppm. The surfactant aqueous solutions were prepared by mixing proportions of surfactant with each of the LSW aqueous solutions. For Interfacial Tension (IFT) and Foam Stability Test (FST), two types of crude oil with different Total Acid Number and Total Base Number were used. Findings: The experimental results revealed that for both crude oils A and B, the surfactant solution with LSW composed of monovalent ions of sodium and potassium caused much changes in the IFT and were characterized with stable foam columns as compared to the divalent cations of magnesium, Calcium, as well as the mixture compositions. However, changes for crude oil B (lower TAN and higher TBN) were greater than for crude oil A (higher TAN and lower TBN). Similar results were observed for AST. The formation water presented poor results for all the tests. Novelty/Improvement: This paper is very important in a way that attempts to produce a foam formulation that will remain stable even in the presence of oil; a study never performed before. Moreover, the obtained results are valuable for further lying down the truth behind the effects of LSW on the IFT, AST, and FST. Furthermore, it applies a good approach when using two different types of light crude oils for the IFT and FST.

The use of rheology to elucidate the granulation mechanisms of a miscible and immiscible system during continuous twin-screw melt granulation

Twin-screw hot melt granulation (TS HMG) is a valuable, but still unexplored alternative to granulate temperature and moisture sensitive drugs in a continuous way. Recently, the material behavior of an immiscible drug–binder blend during TS HMG was unraveled by using a rheometer and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Additionally, vibrational spectroscopic techniques proved the link between TS HMG and rheology since equal interactions at molecular level did occur in both processes. This allowed to use a rheometer to gain knowledge of the material behavior during hot melt processing of an immiscible drug–binder blend. However, miscibility of a drug–binder formulation and drug–binder interactions appear to influence the rheological properties and, hence conceivably also the granulation mechanism. The aim of this research was to examine if the TS HMG process of a miscible formulation system is comparable with the mechanism of an immiscible system and to evaluate whether rheology still serves as a useful tool to understand and optimize the hot melt granulation (HMG) process. The executed research (thermal analysis, rheological parameters and spectroscopic data) demonstrated the occurrence of a high and broad tan(δ) curve without a loss peak during the rheological temperature ramp which implies a higher material deformability without movement of the softened single polymer chains. Spectroscopic analysis revealed drug–polymer interactions which constrain the polymer to flow independently. As a result, the binder distribution step, which generally follows the immersion step, was hindered. This insight assisted the understanding of the granule properties. Inhomogeneous granules were produced due to large initial nuclei or adhesion of multiple smaller nuclei. Consequently, a higher granulation temperature was required in order to get the binder more homogeneously distributed within the granules.