An accelerator-based neutron source design with a thermal neutron port and an epithermal neutron port for boron neutron capture therapy.

This study presents a compact accelerator-driven neutron source design with a thermal neutron port and an epithermal neutron port for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), based on 10 mA 2.5 MeV protons bombarding on a 100 μm thick disc-shaped Li target with a diameter of 10 cm. The moderator consists of 2 parts, the epithermal neutron moderator and the thermal neutron moderator.

Utilization of desilication products as efficient adsorbents for the removal of basic fuchsine.

Desilication products (DSPs) are one of the main components of bauxite residue, which is currently discharged without further usage. The present study reports on the use of DSPs as adsorbents for basic fuchsine dye. Using artificial spent liquor, we synthesized not only neat DSP but also solids in the presence of various organics, to account for their likely occurrence during the Bayer process.

The bacterial and yeast microbiota in livestock forages in Hungary.

Background: Along bacteria, yeasts are common in forages and forage fermentations as spoilage microbes or as additives, yet few studies exist with species-level data on these fungi's occurrence in feedstuff. Active dry yeast and other yeast-based products are also common feed additives in animal husbandry. Here, we aimed to characterize both fermented and non-fermented milking cow feedstuff samples from Hungary to assess their microbial diversity in the first such study from Central Europe.

Nickel-based perovskite-catalysed direct phenol-to-aniline liquid-phase transformations.

Liquid phase direct amination of phenols to primary anilines with hydrazine was achieved using commercial NiLa-perovskite catalysts as bifunctional Lewis acid/redox-active catalysts without adding any external hydride sources. The amination strategy took place efficiently in the absence of any amount of reducing gasses (H/NH) and noble metals under mild conditions.

Physiological potential of different varieties depending on their bioactive characteristics and antioxidant potential as well as different extraction methods.

A comprehensive study of sorghum bran and flour was performed to explore the secondary metabolite profiles of differently coloured genotypes and to evaluate the variability in the antioxidant properties based on differences in polarity and solubility. This research included one red variety and one white variety. Among the samples, the red variety contained significantly greater amounts of secondary metabolites than did the white variety, with total polyphenol contents of 808.

Application of Alcohols to Inhibit the Formation of Ca(II) Dodecyl Sulfate Precipitate in Aqueous Solutions.

The presence of alkaline earth cations, in particular, Ca and Mg ions in brine, causes undesired effects in solutions containing anionic surfactants because of precipitate formation. In the present study, an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), was investigated, focusing on the determination of various properties (surface tension, critical micelle concentration, micelle size, turbidity) in the presence of alcohols and, in particular, the inhibition of the precipitation of SDS with calcium ions. The calcium ions were added to the surfactant in increasing concentrations (3.

Binding of Ca Ions to Alkylbenzene Sulfonates: Micelle Formation, Second Critical Concentration and Precipitation.

Anionic surfactants, such as sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (NaLAS), are utilized in various fields, including industry, household, and agriculture. The efficiency of their use in aqueous environments is significantly affected by the presence of cations, Ca and Mg in particular, as they can decrease the concentration of the surfactant due to precipitation. To understand cation-sulfonate interactions better, we study both NaLAS colloidal solutions in the presence of CaCl and precipitates forming at higher salt concentrations.

Probabilistic modeling and risk characterization of the chronic aflatoxin M1 exposure of Hungarian consumers.

Aflatoxin contamination can appear in various points of the food chain. If animals are fed with contaminated feed, AFB1 is transformed-among others-to aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) metabolite. AFM1 is less toxic than AFB1, but it is still genotoxic and carcinogenic and it is present in raw and processed milk and all kinds of milk products.

Biocompatible poly(ethylene succinate) polyester with molecular weight dependent drug release properties.

In the present study, we demonstrate that well-known molecular weight-dependent solubility properties of a polymer can also be used in the field of controlled drug delivery. To prove this, poly(ethylene succinate) (PES) polyesters with polycondensation time regulated molecular weights were synthesized via catalyst-free direct polymerization in an equimolar ratio of ethylene glycol and succinic acid monomers at 185 °C. DSC and contact angle measurements revealed that increasing the molecular weight (M, 4.

M(II)Al Type Layered Double Hydroxides-Preparation Using Mechanochemical Route, Structural Characterization and Catalytic Application.

The synthesis of the copper-poor and aluminum-rich layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of the CuAl type was optimized in detail in this work, by applying an intense mechanochemical treatment to activate the gibbsite starting reagent. The phase-pure forms of these LDHs were prepared for the first time; using copper nitrate and perchlorate salts during the syntheses turned out to be the key to avoiding the formation of copper hydroxide sideproducts. Based on the use of the optimized syntheses parameters, the preparation of layered triple and multiple hydroxides was also attempted using Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and even Mg(II) ions.

The Effect of Molecular Weight on the Solubility Properties of Biocompatible Poly(ethylene succinate) Polyester.

Poly(ethylene succinate) (PES) is one of the most promising biodegradable and biocompatible polyesters and is widely used in different biomedical applications. However, little information is available on its solubility and precipitation properties, despite that these solution behavior properties affect its applicability. In order to systematically study these effects, biodegradable and biocompatible poly(ethylene succinate) (PES) was synthesized using ethylene glycol and succinic acid monomers with an equimolar ratio.

Physical and Chemical Methods for Reduction in Aflatoxin Content of Feed and Food.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are among the most harmful fungal secondary metabolites imposing serious health risks on both household animals and humans. The more frequent occurrence of aflatoxins in the feed and food chain is clearly foreseeable as a consequence of the extreme weather conditions recorded most recently worldwide. Furthermore, production parameters, such as unadjusted variety use and improper cultural practices, can also increase the incidence of contamination.

Oxidation of Cysteinate Anions Immobilized in the Interlamellar Space of CaAl-Layered Double Hydroxide.

L-Cysteinate-intercalated CaAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH) was prepared by the co-precipitation method producing highly crystalline hydrocalumite phase with a well-pillared interlayer gallery. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, IR as well as Raman spectroscopies. By performing interlamellar oxidation reactions with peracetic acid as oxidant, oxidation of cysteinate to cystinate in aqueous and cysteinate sulfenic acid in acetonic suspensions occurred.

Biological Control and Mitigation of Aflatoxin Contamination in Commodities.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are toxic secondary metabolites produced mostly by species. AF contamination entering the feed and food chain has been a crucial long-term issue for veterinarians, medicals, agroindustry experts, and researchers working in this field. Although different (physical, chemical, and biological) technologies have been developed, tested, and employed to mitigate the detrimental effects of mycotoxins, including AFs, universal methods are still not available to reduce AF levels in feed and food in the last decades.

Differential Precipitation of Mg(OH) from CaSO·2HO Using Citrate as Inhibitor-A Promising Concept for Reagent Recovery from MgSO Waste Streams.

In hydrometallurgical processing and acidic wastewater treatment, one of the neutralizing agents employed is MgO or Mg(OH). At the end of this process, the resulting solution, which is rich in SO and Mg is treated with lime to remove (or minimize the amount) of these ions via the precipitation of Mg(OH) and CaSO·2HO (gypsum). In our work, an attempt was made to separate the two solids by increasing the induction time of the gypsum precipitation, thus regenerating relatively pure Mg(OH) which could be reused in wastewater treatments or hydrometallurgical processing circuits, and in this way, significantly enhancing the economic viability of the process.

Equilibria and Dynamics of Sodium Citrate Aqueous Solutions: The Hydration of Citrate and Formation of the NaCit Ion Aggregate.

Sodium citrate (NaCit) has a crucial role in many biological and industrial processes. Yet, quantitative information on its hydration and the ion association between Na and Cit ions in a broad range of salt concentrations is still lacking. In this work, we study both ion association equilibria and relaxation dynamics of sodium citrate solutions by combining potentiometry, spectrophotometry, and dielectric spectroscopy.

The Structure and Thermal Properties of Solid Ternary Compounds Forming with Ca, Al and Heptagluconate Ions.

In the present work, the structure and thermal stability of Ca-Al mixed-metal compounds, relevant in the Bayer process as intermediates, have been investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements revealed the amorphous morphology of the compounds, which was corroborated by SEM-EDX measurements. The results of ICP-OES and UV-Vis experiments suggested the formation of three possible ternary calcium aluminum heptagluconate (Ca-Al-Hpgl) compounds, with the formulae of CaAlHpgl(OH), CaAlHpgl(OH) and CaAlHpgl(OH).

[Fat rich diet-induced steatosis and changes in the gut–liver axis].

Introduction: Fatty liver can develop as a result of diseases, surgical procedures, medicaments, malnutrition or excessive alcohol consumption, however, fat and poor fiber feeding can be attributed as the primary cause. Non-alcoholic fatty liver can be found in 20-30% of the population. Generally, alimentary-induced fatty liver in early state is described as uncomplicated liver injury.

Ultrasound-Assisted Hydrazine Reduction Method for the Preparation of Nickel Nanoparticles, Physicochemical Characterization and Catalytic Application in Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reaction.

In the experimental work leading to this contribution, the parameters of the ultrasound treatment (temperature, output power, emission periodicity) were varied to learn about the effects of the sonication on the crystallization of Ni nanoparticles during the hydrazine reduction technique. The solids were studied in detail by X-ray diffractometry, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetry, specific surface area, pore size analysis, temperature-programmed CO/NH desorption and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the thermal behaviour, specific surface area, total pore volume and the acid-base character of the solids were mainly determined by the amount of the nickel hydroxide residues.

Adverse Effects, Transformation and Channeling of Aflatoxins Into Food Raw Materials in Livestock.

Aflatoxins are wide-spread harmful carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced by species, which cause serious feed and food contaminations and affect farm animals deleteriously with acute or chronic manifestations of mycotoxicoses. On farm, both pre-harvest and post-harvest strategies are applied to minimize the risk of aflatoxin contaminations in feeds. The great economic losses attributable to mycotoxin contaminations have initiated a plethora of research projects to develop new, effective technologies to prevent the highly toxic effects of these secondary metabolites on domestic animals and also to block the carry-over of these mycotoxins to humans through the food chain.

Magnesium(II) d-Gluconate Complexes Relevant to Radioactive Waste Disposals: Metal-Ion-Induced Ligand Deprotonation or Ligand-Promoted Metal-Ion Hydrolysis?

The complexation equilibria between Mg and d-gluconate (Gluc) ions are of particular importance in modeling the chemical speciation in low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste repositories. NMR measurements and potentiometric titrations conducted at 25 °C and 4 M ionic strength revealed the formation of the MgGluc, MgGlucOH, MgGluc(OH), and MgGluc(OH) complexes. The trinuclear species provides indirect evidence for the existence of multinuclear magnesium(II) hydroxido complexes, whose formation was proposed earlier but has not been confirmed yet.

Effects of ultrasonic irradiation on the synthesis, crystallization, thermal and dissolution behaviour of chloride-intercalated, co-precipitated CaFe-layered double hydroxide.

The output power (30-150 W) and the periodicity (20-100%) of ultrasound emission were varied in a wide range to regulate and improve the crystallization process in the commonly used co-precipitation technique of chloride-intercalated CaFe-layered double hydroxides. The influence of ultrasound irradiation on the as-prepared materials was studied by X-ray diffractometry, dynamic light scattering, UV-Vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, specific surface area measurement, pore size analysis, ion-selective electrode potentiometric investigations and thermogravimetry. Additionally, structural alterations due to heat treatment at various temperatures were followed in detail by Fourier-transform infrared and X-ray absorption spectroscopies as well as scanning electron microscopy.