Comparative Characterization and Identification of Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate Producing Bacteria with Subsequent Optimization of Polymer Yield

In this work, the strains Bacillus megaterium BM 1, Azotobacter chrocococcumAz 3, Bacillus araybhattay RA 5 were used as an effective producer of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate P(3HB). The purpose of the study was to isolate and obtain an effective producer of P(3HB) isolated from regional chestnut soils of northern Kazakhstan. This study demonstrates the possibility of combining the protective system of cells to physical stress as a way to optimize the synthesis of PHA by strains. Molecular identification of strains and amplification of the phbC gene, transmission electron microscope (TEM), extracted and dried PHB were subjected to Fourier infrared transmission spectroscopy (FTIR). The melting point of the isolated P(3HB) was determined. The optimal concentration of bean broth for the synthesis of P(3HB) for the modified type of Bacillus megaterium RAZ 3 was 20 g/L, at which the dry weight of cells was 25.7 g/L−1 and P(3HB) yield of 13.83 g/L−1, while the percentage yield of P(3HB) was 53.75%. The FTIR spectra of the extracted polymer showed noticeable peaks at long wavelengths. Based on a proof of concept, this study demonstrates encouraging results.

Comparison between Accelerated Tests and Natural Exposures for Organic Coating Protective Systems Based on EIS Parameters

The equivalent relationship between accelerated tests and natural exposures has been extensively studied over the past several years to estimate the service life of a barrier organic coating protective system. Herein, based on the probability density function (PDF) theory, a mathematical expression that describes the limit value of the low-frequency impedance (RL) of a barrier organic coating protective system as a function of the elapsed time is proposed in form of Arrhenius formula under certain assumptions, and the degradation coefficient is defined. This expression was consistent with the results of the accelerated tests. The equivalent relationship between accelerated tests and natural exposures, established based on the equivalence principle, was utilized to predict the service life of the coated Al alloy in an ocean atmospheric environment.

Antioxidants as a defence against reactive oxygen species

Reactive oxygen species are formed as a natural product of metabolic processes occurring in the organism or under the influence of external factors. Under homeostasis, they play an important role as a cellular signaling device. During oxidative stress, when they are produced in excess, they can cause damages to proteins, lipids, carbohydrates or nucleic acids. Exposure of cells and extracellular structures to free radicals activate natural mechanisms to eliminate free radicals and their derivatives. The aim of the article was to present what antioxidants are, and how they protect cells against the free radicals. The protective system against the free radicals consists of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidases, and reductase. Low-molecular antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, carotenoids, coenzyme Q10, flavonoids, glutathione and melatonin also play an important role.

Eye-tracking based quantification of the safety of human-machine interfaces of complementary protective system functions

Complementary protective measures are of increasing importance with rising degree of automation. As free robots become part of our daily life in industry, on shop floors and beyond, the overall safety of persons has to be ensured. However, assessing the reliability of complementary safety functions remains a challenge, particularly when humans are in the loop. The paper shows how to use the eye-tracking methodology to gain data for assessing the reliability of the human interaction with machine interfaces for complementary protective measures. The paper first identifies factors relevant for eye-tracking, then selects related eye tracking test parameters and finally provides a systematic procedure to assess both, in particular regarding visibility and susceptibility. The methodology is applied and the parameter selection is validated. It is found that in particular the identified and measured parameters fixation count for area of interest (AOI) and the associated average visit duration can be used to assess the factor perceptibility. The parameter deviation of fixation can thereby be used to assess usability. Based on this, a full-scale eye-tracking assessment is proposed for the reliability of the interaction of humans with the machine interfaces of supplementary protective measures. In summary, the preliminary test run execution shows that eye-tracking technology is a promising method for measuring and quantifying the human reliability when interacting with safety-related human-machine interfaces.

Evaluation of the Accident Rate of a Plant Equipped with an Aging Single Protective Channel by the Method of Supplementary Variables

This work calculates the reliability of protective systems of industrial facilities, such as nuclear, to analyze the case of equipment subject to aging, important in the extension of the qualified life of the facilities. By means of the method of supplementary variables, a system of partial and ordinary integral-differential equations was developed for the probabilities of a protective system of an aging channel. The system of equations was solved by finite differences. The method was validated by comparison with channel results with exponential failure times. The method of supplementary variables exhibits reasonable results for values of reliability attributes typical of industrial facilities.

In the Best Interest of the Child: the Norwegian Approach to Child Protection

In the present paper, we discuss three challenges with the Norwegian Child Protective System (CPS) that might have contributed to the recent criticism from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). First, how to balance the rights of the child with those of the parents. Second, the psychological field’s influence on the interpretation of what constitutes the best interest of the child, and third we describe several missing links in the CPS work. Throughout the paper, we find indications of a well-developed Act, but a less optional CPS practice. Likewise, we find evidence for a narrow interpretation of the best interest of the child related to CPS and expert psychologists’ application of attachment theory, and several organizational and educational shortcomings in the area of CPS. We conclude that the child is not fully seen as a legal subject in the eyes of the ECtHR, and that more research into CPS measures and organization are needed to better deliver adequate assistance to vulnerable families.

Development of sustainable solutions to sand encroachment on roads in Kuwait using numerical modeling

Site reconnaissance of the threat of sand encroachment in Kuwait outlined major roads that were closed or partially closed for long periods of the year. These roads are AlSubia, AlWafra–Mena Abdallah, and AlWafra-AlZoor. Site surveys of the affected roads were undertaken to investigate the types and thicknesses of accumulated sand layers that were exposed to wind erosion. Soil samples were also collected to assess the particle size distribution. Wind data over the past 35 years were analyzed, which indicated that the prevailing direction is northwest with an average speed of 6–8 m/s. A preliminary concept design based on a composite system of natural and artificial elements was developed to be a sustainable protective system, which included double porous fences and green belts as major elements. Testing of the concept design model was performed in a virtual wind tunnel with different fence porosities and afforestation systems with the aid of the Autodesk Flow numerical model. Virtual wind tunnel results revealed that adopting 50% porosity led to the optimum wind reduction (≈75%), no turbulence area, and maximum sheltered area with no sand accumulation over the fences. The final design adopted was a composite made of artificial fences, green-belt trees, and gravel-stabilized areas, accompanied by removing the street barriers, achieving the aerodynamics concept to provide a long-term sustainable solution for the sand encroachment in those areas.