A study on the classification of copper concentrates relevant to the copper refining industry is performed by means of reflectance hyperspectral images in the visible and near infrared (VIS-NIR) bands (400-1000 nm) and in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) (900-1700 nm) band. A total of 82 copper concentrate samples were press compacted into 13-mm-diameter pellets, and their mineralogical composition was characterized via quantitative evaluation of minerals and scanning electron microscopy. The most representative minerals contained in these pellets are bornite, chalcopyrite, covelline, enargite, and pyrite.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe development of real-time monitoring sensors for pyro-metallurgical processes is an analytical challenge, mainly due to adverse environmental conditions, high spectral interferences and multiphase (molten and gas) reactions. This work demonstrates the suitability of stand-off LIBS (ST-LIBS) for real time monitoring of the desulfurization of blister copper which is carried out in molten phase. Here sulfur is removed by the formation of SO by supplying oxygen in molten phase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDonepezil is used to treat symptomatically the Alzheimer's disease (AD). This drug is a specific inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), whose main physiological function is to hydrolyze the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The main objective of this work was to study the effect of donepezil on human erythrocytes as AChE is present in its membrane.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe human red blood cell (RBC) membrane has significant elastic capabilities which can be described measuring typical membrane edge fluctuations and mechanical properties by optical techniques. The RBC elastic properties can be affected by changes in the surrounding media. In an attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the interaction of resveratrol with the red cell membrane and of its antioxidant capacity the changes in mechanical properties of the RBC membrane were analyzed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGallic acid (GA) is a polyphenol present in many plants. This study was aimed to investigate the molecular interaction of GA with the human erythrocyte membrane and to determine its antioxidant capacity. The molecular interaction with the membrane of human red cells and the antioxidant property was assayed on both human red cells and molecular models of its membrane.
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