Eu doped ZnAl layered double hydroxides as calibrationless, fluorescent sensors for carbonate.

The photoluminescence properties (PL) of Eu hosted in the hydroxide layers of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) enables calibrationless quantification of anions in the interlayers. The concept is demonstrated during the nitrate-to-carbonate ion exchange in Zn/Al/Eu LDHs and can be implemented as a remote optical sensor to detect intrusion of anions such as Cl or CO.

Reducing biopharmaceutical manufacturing costs through continuous processing in a flexible J.POD® facility.

In this work, process models were developed to capture the impact of biomanufacturing costs on a commercial scale and emphasize the way in which facility design and operation must balance meeting product demand while minimizing production costs. Using a scenario-based modeling approach, several facility design strategies were evaluated, including a traditional large stainless-steel facility and a small footprint, portable-on-demand (POD)-based facility. Bioprocessing platforms were compared by estimating their total production costs across different facility types and specifically illustrating how continuous bioprocessing has gained in popularity as a novel and cost-effective approach to manufacture high-quality biopharmaceuticals.

Mesostructuring layered materials: self-supported mesoporous layered double hydroxide nanotubes.

Synthesis of layered materials exhibiting hierarchical porosity remains challenging, but nevertheless worthwhile because it turns such solids into functional materials with high specific surface area. Using a soft-templating strategy in combination with the incorporation of 8-fold coordinated Eu3+, self-assembly of self-supported layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanotubes has been achieved. Heteromorphic equimolar substitution of Al3+ by Eu3+ in Zn2+/Al3+ LDH solids intercalated with 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate anions (BTC) assists precipitation of the double hydroxide layers onto the convex surface of Pluronic® P-123 worm-like micelles, yielding multilayer cylinders of BTC-intercalated LDHs.

Coordination of Eu Activators in ZnAlEu Layered Double Hydroxides Intercalated by Isophthalate and Nitrilotriacetate.

Luminescent layered double hydroxides (LDH) intercalated by isophthalate (ISO) and nitrilotriacetate (NTA) have been synthesized and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), elemental analysis (ICP-OES and CHN), and photoluminescence spectroscopy. While PXRD shows the successful formation of ZnAlEu LDHs, EXAFS reveals that the Eu activators are hosted in the hydroxide layers with an eightfold, oxygen-rich coordination, distinct from the sixfold coordination expected for the octahedral sites of metal cations in LDHs. This kind of coordination should locally distort the brucite-like layers.

Blood pressure variability in the elderly. Association between postprandial and sleeping periods.

Introduction: The variability of arterial blood pressure (BP) is considered an important cardiovascular risk factor.

Objective: To verify the possible associations between the postprandial and the sleeping blood pressure variability.

Methods: This study evaluated systolic, diastolic, mean, pulse pressures and heart variability in 69 elderly patients in preprandial, postprandial and sleeping periods.

Throughput Optimization of Continuous Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Facilities.

In order to operate profitably under different product demand scenarios, biopharmaceutical companies must design their facilities with mass output flexibility in mind. Traditional biologics manufacturing technologies pose operational challenges in this regard due to their high costs and slow equipment turnaround times, restricting the types of products and mass quantities that can be processed. Modern plant design, however, has facilitated the development of lean and efficient bioprocessing facilities through footprint reduction and adoption of disposable and continuous manufacturing technologies.

Evaluation of the Performance of Dual Polyelectrolyte Systems on the Re-Flocculation Ability of Calcium Carbonate Aggregates in Turbulent Environment.

Flocculation can be used in turbulent environments resulting in floc breakage due to shearing. The degree of re-flocculation relates directly to product quality and process efficiency. This study aimed at looking for alternatives to improve the re-flocculation ability of aggregates when polyelectrolytes (PEL) are used as flocculation agents.

Respect and Autonomy in Children's Observation and Participation in Adults' Activities.

This chapter examines Peruvian Quechua children's learning by observing and pitching in. The children concentrate attentively when they observe the activities of the adults and they exercise autonomy in the context of adults' encouragement of measured behaviors while always showing respectful silence in the presence of their elders.

Intracellular molecular signaling. Basis for specificity to glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory actions.

The molecular interaction between hormonal and cytokine signals is crucial for providing specificity to their actions and represents a key step for understanding, at the molecular level, the ultimate response of physiological neuroendocrine-immune interactions. In this article we will describe new insights into the mechanisms underlying glucocorticoid-mediated anti-inflammatory action, focused on the regulation of immune-cytokine pathways. There are different levels of interaction between intracellular signals elicited by glucocorticoids and cytokines, with the final outcome being regulation of gene expression.

Angiotensin II regulates extraneuronal dopamine uptake in the kidney.

Background/aims: Angiotensin II (ANG II) and dopamine (DA) are both important regulators of sodium and water transport across renal proximal tubules. Previous studies demonstrate that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) can regulate renal DA uptake and thereby Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in the external renal cortex. As ANG II counteracts most of the ANF biological effects, the aim of the present study was to evaluate ANG II effects on renal DA metabolism and identify the receptor involved.