Early-lactating dairy cows mobilize body protein, primarily from skeletal muscle, to provide amino acids which are directed towards gluconeogenesis and milk protein synthesis. Propylene glycol (PG) is a precursor of ruminal propionate, and our hypothesis was that its dietary inclusion could attenuate skeletal muscle wasting by reducing amino acid-driven gluconeogenesis. The major objectives of this study were to delineate the effects of pre- and post-partum PG supplementation in transition dairy cows on whole-body nitrogen (N) balance, urinary 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) excretion, body composition, and gene expression profiles for the major protein degradation pathways in skeletal muscle. Sixteen pregnant cows (7 primiparous and 9 multiparous) were paired based on expected calving dates and then randomly assigned within each pair to either a basal diet (control) or basal diet plus 600 mL/d of PG (PG). Diets were fed twice daily for ad libitum intake, and PG was fed in equal amounts as a top dress. All measurements were conducted at 3 time intervals starting at d -14 ± 5, d 15 and d 38 relative to calving. Propylene glycol had no effect (P > 0.05) on whole-body N balance, urinary 3-MH excretion, and body composition. However, N balance was lower (P < 0.001) at d 15 and d 38, compared to d -14. Urinary excretion of 3-MH was lower at d -14 than at d 15 (P = 0.01) and d 38 (P = 0.001). Supplemental PG had no effect (P > 0.05) on body weight (BW), and all components of empty BW. On average, cows fed both diets mobilized 19 kg of body fat and 14 kg of body protein between d -14 and d 38. Supplemental PG had no effect on mRNA abundance in skeletal muscle for m-calpain (P = 0.96) and 14-kDa ubiquitin-carrier protein E2 (14-kDa E2) (P = 0.54); however, PG supplementation down-regulated mRNA expression for µ-calpain at d 15 (P = 0.02), and tended to down-regulate mRNA expression for ubiquitin at d 15 (P = 0.07) and proteasome 26S subunit-ATPase at d 38 (P = 0.097). Relative to calving, mRNA abundance for m-calpain (P = 0.02) and µ-calpain (P = 0.005) were higher at d 15 compared to d -14 and d 38. Messenger RNA abundance for ubiquitin (P = 0.07) and 14-kDa E2 (P = 0.005) were lower at d 38 compared to d 15. In summary, these results demonstrate that up-regulation of the Ca2+-dependent and ubiquitin-mediated proteolytic pathways are the mechanisms by which skeletal muscle wasting occurs in early-lactating cows. In addition, dietary supplementation with PG may down-regulate some of these proteolytic pathways, thereby potentially attenuating undesirable skeletal muscle wasting.

Early-lactating dairy cows mobilize body protein, primarily from skeletal muscle, to provide amino acids which are directed towards gluconeogenesis and milk protein synthesis. Propylene glycol (PG) is a precursor of ruminal propionate, and our hypothesis was that its dietary inclusion could attenuate skeletal muscle wasting by reducing amino acid-driven gluconeogenesis. The major objectives of this study were to delineate the effects of pre- and post-partum PG supplementation in transition dairy cows on whole-body nitrogen (N) balance, urinary 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) excretion, body composition, and gene expression profiles for the major protein degradation pathways in skeletal muscle. Sixteen pregnant cows (7 primiparous and 9 multiparous) were paired based on expected calving dates and then randomly assigned within each pair to either a basal diet (control) or basal diet plus 600 mL/d of PG (PG). Diets were fed twice daily for ad libitum intake, and PG was fed in equal amounts as a top dress. All measurements were conducted at 3 time intervals starting at d -14 ± 5, d 15 and d 38 relative to calving. Propylene glycol had no effect (P > 0.05) on whole-body N balance, urinary 3-MH excretion, and body composition. However, N balance was lower (P < 0.001) at d 15 and d 38, compared to d -14. Urinary excretion of 3-MH was lower at d -14 than at d 15 (P = 0.01) and d 38 (P = 0.001). Supplemental PG had no effect (P > 0.05) on body weight (BW), and all components of empty BW. On average, cows fed both diets mobilized 19 kg of body fat and 14 kg of body protein between d -14 and d 38. Supplemental PG had no effect on mRNA abundance in skeletal muscle for m-calpain (P = 0.96) and 14-kDa ubiquitin-carrier protein E2 (14-kDa E2) (P = 0.54); however, PG supplementation down-regulated mRNA expression for µ-calpain at d 15 (P = 0.02), and tended to down-regulate mRNA expression for ubiquitin at d 15 (P = 0.07) and proteasome 26S subunit-ATPase at d 38 (P = 0.097). Relative to calving, mRNA abundance for m-calpain (P = 0.02) and µ-calpain (P = 0.005) were higher at d 15 compared to d -14 and d 38. Messenger RNA abundance for ubiquitin (P = 0.07) and 14-kDa E2 (P = 0.005) were lower at d 38 compared to d 15. In summary, these results demonstrate that up-regulation of the Ca2+-dependent and ubiquitin-mediated proteolytic pathways are the mechanisms by which skeletal muscle wasting occurs in early-lactating cows. In addition, dietary supplementation with PG may down-regulate some of these proteolytic pathways, thereby potentially attenuating undesirable skeletal muscle wasting.

Electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) are a class of tobacco products that use a heating element to aerosolize a liquid, typically containing nicotine, allowing for user inhalation. Despite their rapid growth in popularity, little is known about ECIGs including how certain device and liquid factors influence nicotine delivery, user physiological and subjective responses, and puffing behavior (puff topography). Limited pre-clinical research has demonstrated that the ratio of two solvents commonly found in ECIG liquids, propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG), may have an influence on the nicotine content of ECIG aerosols. However, the extent to which PG:VG ratio in ECIG liquids influences acute effects experienced by ECIG users is unknown. The primary purpose of this clinical laboratory study was to examine the influence of PG:VG ratio on plasma nicotine concentration, heart rate (HR), subjective effects, and puff topography in experienced ECIG users. Thirty ECIG-experienced individuals participated in four independent laboratory conditions that differed only by the PG:VG ratio in the ECIG liquid (100:0, 55:45, 20:80, and 2:98). In each condition, participants used a 3.3 volt “eGo” ECIG battery attached to a 1.5 Ohm dual coil “cartomizer” loaded with 1 ml of ECIG liquid (nicotine concentration: 18 mg/ml). Participants completed two ECIG use bouts (10 puffs with 30 sec inter-puff-interval) in each study condition. ECIG PG:VG ratio had a direct influence on nicotine delivery, subjective effects, and puff topography. Nicotine delivery and overall nicotine intake were highest following the use of the liquids containing mostly PG, despite participants taking significantly shorter and smaller puffs in these conditions, suggesting PG may be a more efficient nicotine-delivery vehicle than VG. Abstinence symptoms were suppressed similarly across all PG:VG ratios, and HR also increased in a similar fashion in all conditions following ECIG use. Participants reported significantly lower scores on items assessing sensory ECIG effects following use of the 100PG:0VG liquid, indicating a lower overall satisfaction with this liquid. Further evaluating the influence of PG and VG and other ECIG device and liquid characteristics on ECIG acute effects using clinical laboratory methodologies could inform regulations of these products.

This study armed to develop a biofilter packed only with fern chips for the removal of air-borne propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA). The fern chip biofilters could avoid the shortcomings of traditional media, such as compaction, drying, and breakdown, which lead to the performance failure of the biofilters. In the present study, a three stage down-flow biofilter (2.18 m in height and 0.4 m¡Ñ0.4 m in cross-sectional area) was constructed for the performance test. The first stage serviced as a humidifier for the incoming gas and the following two stages, both packed with fern chips of 0.30 m ¡Ñ 0.40 m ¡Ñ0.40 m, as trickling bed biofilters for the VOC removal. The experiment was divided into four phases. Operation conditions of an empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 1.60min and influent PGMEA concentrations of 9.33-329 (average 78.4) mg/m3 were used in the Phase I experiment which lasted for 99 days. An average PGMEA removal of only 68% was obtained in this phase. For improving the PGMEA removal in the following phases, a fixed dosage of milk powder of 1.0 g/(m3 media. day) added as aqueous milk suspension was added to the media for nutrition of the biofilms on the fern chip surfaces. After an additional operation time of 20 days (the 127th day from the startup time), a stable PGMEA removal of 91% was achieved. Following Phase II, PGMEA removals of 93 and 94% were obtained with EBRTs of 0.40 and 0.27 min, respectively, in Phases III and IV experiments. The results indicate that EBRT was not a key influencing factor to the PGMEA removal as long as the media had a high ability for the VOC degradation. Experimental data obtained from Phases II-IV reveal that with volumetric loadings (L) of less than 250 g PGMEA/(m3.h) to the up-streaming half of the whole media, 90% of the influent PGMEA could be removed in this half media. An additional 80% of the influent PGMEA to the following half media could be removed with L < 100 g PGMEA/(m3.h) to the half media. The PGMEA elimination capacities were proportional to the volumetric loadings of less than 250 g PGMEA/(m3.h). From the results, it could be proposed that for achieving over 93% of the PGMEA removal, appropriate operation conditions are media moisture content = 52-65%, media pH = 7.2-7.4, influent PGMEA concentration = 100-400 mg/Am3, EBRT = 0.27-0.40 min, and L to the whole media = 45-180 g PGMEA/(m3.h).

The Deepwater Horizon blowout in 2010 released an estimated 4.9 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico in the 83 days between the initial explosion and the capping of the well. Response included extensive use of Corexit© oil dispersant. Although South Florida was spared exposure by currents, this event highlights the need for effective bioassay organisms for coral reefs. Amphistegina spp. are benthic foraminifers that host diatom symbionts in a relationship similar to that of coral and their zooxanthellae. Amphistegina spp. occur abundantly in reef communities nearly worldwide, are easily collected and maintained in culture, and are a key component of the FoRAM Index, a indicator of water and sediment quality in coastal waters. The major goals of this project were to develop protocols to test the acute and chronic responses of A. gibbosa to potentially toxic organic chemicals. Initial objectives were to determine lethal concentrations and effects ranges, as defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency, of two components of the Corexit© dispersants. Preliminary experiments indicated that many specimens exposed to propylene glycol (v/v) at concentrations of 2% or higher appeared to be dead following 48-hour exposure, resulting in apparent LC50 of 3% and an initial effects range of 2-4%. When placed in filtered seawater, after 72-hours the observed LC50 was 6%. All parameters assessed, including sub-lethal chronic effects (differences in growth and visible responses after 40 days), revealed an effects range of 0.5% to 12%, above which there was 100% mortality. For 2-butoxyethanol, the apparent LC50 after 48-hour exposure was 0.2%; after 72-hour recovery the LC50 was 1%. In all experiments, a 72-hour recovery period was sufficient to determine acute effects. A key discovery was the observation of inactivity during exposure to toxic substances, followed by recovery when placed in filtered seawater. This observation indicates the potential for dormancy in adult foraminifers exposed to toxic substances that has not previously been reported.

113 f. / Submitted by Ana Hilda Fonseca (anahilda@ufba.br) on 2013-04-05T17:38:46Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Raildo Alves Fiuza Junior.pdf: 4123130 bytes, checksum: 5d64b18d9c873984e7609ecb4496b552 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Hilda Fonseca(anahilda@ufba.br) on 2013-06-06T15:04:38Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Raildo Alves Fiuza Junior.pdf: 4123130 bytes, checksum: 5d64b18d9c873984e7609ecb4496b552 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-06-06T15:04:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_Raildo Alves Fiuza Junior.pdf: 4123130 bytes, checksum: 5d64b18d9c873984e7609ecb4496b552 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / CAPES / A conversão catalítica do glicerol em insumos químicos de maior valor agregado é desejável para valorizar a cadeia de produção do biodiesel. O glicerol é obtido principalmente como co-produto do biodiesel, com rendimento de 10% em massa. Uma das vias mais promissoras na valorização do glicerol está na hidrogenólise do glicerol a propilenoglicol (1,2-PD), que é empregado como agente anti-congelante, na produção de polímeros, na indústria de alimentos e cosméticos. Muitos estudos têm relatado a hidrogenólise em fase líquida, que requer altas pressões de hidrogênio e demanda altos custos operacionais. Recentes estudos têm relatado a hidrogenólise do glicerol a 1,2-PDO em fase vapor, utilizando principalmente catalisadores a base de cobre. O principal catalisador empregado na hidrogenólise do glicerol tanto na fase liquida como vapor é a cromita de cobre, CuCr2O4. Neste trabalho, a atividade catalítica da cromita de cobre foi avaliada em fase vapor, estudando três fatores: a estruturação da cromita de cobre por diferentes temperaturas de calcinação (500-800°C); mudanças es truturais provocadas por diferentes métodos de síntese (Combustão e Pechini); e a modificação da estrutura da cromita pela introdução do alumínio em substituição do cromo. Todos os catalisadores foram caracterizados por DRX, FTIR, EDX, BET, TPR-H2 e área metálica do cobre. A hidrogenólise do glicerol em fase vapor se mostrou promissora e os resultados obtidos indicaram que a fase cromita de cobre propicia uma maior estabilidade para a fase ativa o cobre metálico. O aumento da área metálica do cobre é influenciado diretamente pelo método de síntese, maximizando a hidrogenólise. A introdução do alumínio provocou o aumento da seletividade ao propanodiol pela melhora nas propriedades texturais. / Salvador

Orientadores: Vivaldo Silveira Junior, Flavio Vasconcelos da Silva / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T23:32:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fiori_JulianoJose_M.pdf: 6880493 bytes, checksum: d6458b990115262a0934b2886b8c7fb0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: A utilização racional da energia é, atualmente, uma preocupação mundial. As questões ambientais referentes à degradação da camada de ozônio e ao aquecimento global caminham concomitante ao bom uso energético. A refrigeração destaca-se como sendo grande consumidora de energia elétrica, devido principalmente aos compressores. Focar um estudo no funcionamento desses componentes mostra-se coerente e vantajoso economicamente. Durante o horário de ponta, que corresponde a três horas do dia (das 18:00 as 21:00), há a possibilidade dos sistemas de refrigeração serem desligados, utilizando a energia a baixa temperatura que foi termoacumulada durante o período fora de ponta, com a diferença entre capacidade nominal e a necessária nas outras 21 horas do dia, podendo resultar em investimento fixo e custo variável menores, justificando o objetivo principal deste estudo. Apesar do coeficiente de performance (COP) de um sistema com fluido primário ser maior, a economia que ocorre em um sistema termoacumulado está no deslocamento da carga para horários em que a tarifa elétrica é menor. Estudando-se uma curva típica de carga térmica para uma câmara de estocagem pode-se verificar a aplicabilidade e economia de energia vinculada à utilização de um sistema com fluido secundário e termoacumulação. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo na carga térmica de uma câmara de estocagem de produtos resfriados com unidade frigorífica monobloco e localização interna a um prédio, avaliando-se diversas perturbações na mesma. Também foi construída uma instalação de fluido secundário (solução de propileno glicol) de um sistema de refrigeração (chiller) à câmara, adequandose trocadores de calor, tanques, isolamento térmico e instrumentação necessária. A estratégia de termoacumulação privilegiou o calor sensível, isto é, sem mudança de fase. Os ensaios realizados com o sistema construído e a estratégia de calor sensível mostraram que são eficientes para manter a temperatura da câmara abaixo de 5 ºC durante três horas no horário de ponta, racionalizando as curvas de demanda elétrica e térmica / Abstract: El uso racional de la energía es, en la actualidad, una preocupación mundial. Las cuestiones ambientales relativas a la degradación de la capa de ozono y el calentamiento global van conjuntamente al buen uso energético. La refrigeración se destaca como grande consumidora de energía eléctrica, debido principalmente al uso de los compresores. Hacer un estudio sobre el funcionamiento de estos componentes es coherente y económicamente ventajoso. Durante las horas punta, lo que corresponde a tres horas al día (de las 18:00 hasta las 21:00), existe la posibilidad de que no sea necesario el uso de los sistemas de refrigeración, utilizando la energía que se termoacumuló durante las horas fuera de punta, pudiendo resultar en la inversión fija y el costo variable inferiores, justificando el objetivo principal de este estudio. A pesar de que el coeficiente de performance (COP) de un sistema refrigerante primario sea superior, la economía que se produce en un sistema termoacumulado está en el desplazamiento de la carga durante horas en que la tarifa eléctrica es más baja. Estudiándose una típica curva de carga de calor para una cámara fría, se puede verificar la aplicabilidad y el ahorro de energía vinculado a la utilización de un sistema de fluido secundario y termoacumulación. Para ello, se realizó un estudio en la carga de calor de una cámara de almacenamiento en frío de productos alimenticios localizada interiormente a un edificio. También se construyó una instalación secundaria a la cámara del líquido utilizado (solución de propilenglicol) por el sistema de refrigeración (chiller), adecuándose intercambiadores de calor, tanques, aislamiento e instrumentación necesaria. La estrategia se concentró en la termoacumulación sensible, es decir, sin cambio de fase. Los ensayos realizados con el prototipo construido junto con la estrategia de calor sensible demostraron que son eficaces para mantener la temperatura de la cámara por debajo de 5 grados centígrados durante tres horas en el horario de punta, racionalizando las curvas de demanda eléctrica y térmica / Mestrado / Mestre em Engenharia de Alimentos

No description available.

Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae), also known as the ham mite, may infest dry cured hams during the aging process. The fumigant methyl bromide is currently used to control mite infestations, but eventually will not be available for use since it contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. The use of ham nets treated with xanthan gum, carrageenan, propylene glycol alginate, propylene glycol (PG), and lard were evaluated for their impact on mite orientation to or oviposition on treated or untreated ham cubes, mite reproduction and population growth over a 10-week period. When nets were infused with gum and PG, behavioral tests indicated that greater than 95% of the mites oriented to the ham cubes that were wrapped in untreated nets when compared to treated nets and no eggs were laid on the latter. The reproduction assays indicated that there were fewer (P < 0.05) T. putrescentiae produced over a two-week period on ham cubes covered with both gum and PG treated nets when compared to the untreated or gum-only treated nets over the 10-week storage period of the experiment. Medium and high concentrations of PG treatments had the lowest mite reproduction rates. No more than four mites could be found on each of these treatments in comparison to 200-300 mites that were on the untreated ham cubes. When nets were infused with gum, PG, and lard, behavioral tests indicated that fewer mites oriented to the ham cubes that were wrapped with gum, lard, and medium PG than those with untreated nets. The oviposition assays revealed that on average less than three eggs were laid on the ham cubes with treated nets in comparison to 69-165 eggs on the untreated ham cubes. Reproduction assays demonstrated that fewer T. putrescentiae (P < 0.05) were on ham cubes with treated nets containing PG when compared to the number of mites on ham cubes with untreated nets over 10 weeks of storage. Lard infused nets without PG did not decrease the mite population (P > 0.05). The net without coating slowed the growth and reproduction of T. putrescentiae since net controls had fewer mites (P < 0.05) than controls without nets. With a few exceptions, fungi were not present on ham cubes that were treated with PG-containing nets over 10 weeks of storage. This research demonstrated the efficacy of using nets treated with food-grade ingredients during ham aging to control mite infestations on a laboratory scale. Further research will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the same treated nets on whole hams in commercial aging rooms.

Climate change and its effects on our society is a steadily growing problem. In 2010, the industry sector accounted for more than 30% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. The chemical industry is one of the industrial subsectors responsible for the highest emissions of greenhouse gas. To reach the climate goals it is therefore urgent to find more sustainable options for production of chemicals in general. Synthetic biology and microbial cell factories are growing fields that have received much attention for inferring promising sustainable alternative production routes for various compounds. When it comes to microbial cell factories, cyanobacteria infer many advantages over heterotrophs. Cyanobacteria can for instance convert atmospheric CO2 into valuable compounds through photosynthesis using the light reaction and the Calvin-Benson cycle. In the present work, the freshwater cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is metabolically engineered to produce 1,2-propanediol; an important chemical feedstock for which there is a great interest in finding a sustainable production route as an alternative to the current petrochemical one. Seven different constructs are designed for introduction and expression of a three-step heterologous metabolic pathway for 1,2-propanediol production. Two strains of Synechocystis are successfully engineered, with the heterologous pathway chromosomally integrated at the Neutral Site I through homologous recombination with an integrative plasmid targeting this genomic site. One of the three heterologous genes (mgsA) of the pathway was successfully translated as shown in a Western immunoblot. In a SDS-PAGE a band of 40 kDa was detected, corresponding to the size of both the sADH and YqhD enzymes.