The application of copper and zinc containing ion-exchanged synthesised zeolite in agricultural plant rowing

Foliar application of copper and zinc containing ion exchanged synthesised „zeolon-P4A” type zeolite was used in experiments. Foliar application in winter wheat experiments proved that plants had a better uptake and utilisation of copper and zinc bound on zeolite. As a result of the treatments yields and four quality parameters increased.

Indirect cytotoxicity evaluations of antibacterial raw silk fabric doped with calcium, copper and zinc on fibroblasts and osteoblasts

Antibacterial materials are widely used to prevent hospital-acquired infections. In our previous report, metal (calcium, copper or zinc)-doped raw silk fabrics were shown to possess strong antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli. However, antibacterial materials may occasionally be harmful to the human body; thus, in this study, we investigated the cytotoxicities of extracts from metal-doped raw silk fabrics with respect to fibroblasts and osteoblasts indirectly. Calcium-doped raw silk fabric demonstrated cytocompatibility with fibroblasts. Contrarily, copper- and zinc-doped raw silk fabrics remarkably decreased the cell densities of fibroblasts, indicating their cytotoxic effects. This observation could be attributed to the high concentrations of the released copper or zinc ions. However, calcium-, copper- and zinc-doped raw silk fabrics did not demonstrate any cytotoxic effects on osteoblasts because a high concentration of the serum alleviated the effects of these metal ions released from the fabrics. Thus, calcium-doped raw silk fabric is a promising antibacterial material that does not induce strong cytotoxicity. This study will facilitate the design of materials that are both antibacterial and safe.

Relationship between blood superoxide dismutase activity and zinc, copper, glutathione and metallothioneines concentrations in calves

RedOx processes determine the resistance of the organism to pollutants. The aim of the study was to establish a possible relationship between copper and zinc concentration in the blood of calves and the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase. The study was conducted in 2019 on 50 calves with a weight of 201-250 kg. The samples of venous blood were taken to estimate the level of hemoglobin, glutathione, metallothioneins, as well as zinc, copper, and superoxide dismutase activity. The obtained average values of these substances concentration were compared between each other. A positive correlation between the activity of superoxide dismutase and the concentration of zinc (r = 0.64) and copper (r = 0.87) in the blood of calves has been established. It may be because both metals are obligatory components of superoxide dismutase. There is also a positive relationship between the levels of copper and zinc (r = 0.68). For the other parameters, no reliable relationship was found. The data obtained indicate a positive relationship between the activity of superoxide dismutase and metal concentrations of copper and zinc in the blood of calves. At the same time, a more significant positive relationship is established for copper.

Impact of Environmental Pollution in the Sustainability of Architectural Heritage: Case Study from Cartagena of India, Colombia

Limited studies have been carried out in emerging nations on the correlation among the environmental pollution, economic factors, and architectural heritage. For this reason, this research presents an assessment of environmental parameter values on materials deterioration used in architectural heritage in Cartagena de Indias; furthermore, it depicts the effect of heritage degradation on socioeconomic aspects of people whose livelihood depends on trade, tourism, and service activities. Dose-response functions were used for estimating of deterioration of carbon steel, copper, and zinc caused by relative humidity (RH), temperature (T), sulphur dioxide deposition (DSO2), and chloride deposition (DCl−). In addition, socioeconomic impact on architectural heritage was studied using a Socioeconomic Impact Survey (SEIS), with the sample of 174 individuals who work in areas of great architectural value in the city. The results show a corrosion rate (Vcorr) in the range of 80 < Vcorr < 200, 2.8 < Vcorr < 5.6 and 4.2 < Vcorr < 8.4 μm/year for carbon steel, copper, and zinc, respectively, due to the high level of pollutants. The high deterioration jointly with the lack of citizen culture affect the architectural heritage monuments causing a negative impact in several economic aspects. The establishment of public programs is essential for the conservation of the heritage monuments of the city.

EFFECT OF THE ORDER OF APPLICATION OF COPPER AND ZINC COMPOUNDS ON CATALYTIC ACTIVITY IN CO-OXIDATION REACTION

На основе алюмохромового носителя экстракционно-пиролитическим методом (ЭПМ) синтезирована серия медь-цинк-содержащих катализаторов, проанализировано влияние порядка внесения активных компонентов (меди и цинка) на качественный и количественный состав формирующихся фаз, а также глубину размещения в гранулах носителя, структурно-прочностные и каталитические свойства образцов в процессе окисления СО кислородом воздуха.Рассчитанные значения энергии активации и предэкспоненциального множителя показали, что порядок внесения активных компонентов оказывает влияние на кинетические параметры: наилучшие результаты наблюдаются в образцах, полученных совместной пропиткой алюмохромового носителя. Константы скорости реакции окисления СО (k), рассчитанные во всем температурном диапазоне более, чем в 2 раза выше, чем при совместном внесении компонентов.С помощью электронно-зондового микроанализа изучена текстура поверхности катализаторов ЭПМ, установлено, что не смотря на порядок внесения, технология ЭПМ позволяет получать однородную текстуру - поверхность катализаторов характеризуется слоистостью с частицами чешуйчатой структуры с минимальным размером частиц во всех случаях 0,4 мкм, максимальным 3-4 мкм. Совместное внесение Zn и Cu обеспечивает равномерное распределение компонентов по сечению гранул катализаторов.Результаты работы могут быть применимы для построения технологии эффективных медь-цинковых катализаторов для процессов окисления. Область применения катализаторов – комплексная очистка многокомпонентных газовых смесей. A series of copper-zinc-containing catalysts was synthesized on the aluminum - chromium oxides base by the extraction -pyrolytic method (EPM), the effect of the order application active components (copper and zinc) on the qualitative and quantitative composition of the formed phases, as well as the depth of placement in the granules of the baser, structural strength and catalytic properties of samples during oxidation with air oxygen was analyzed.The calculated values of the activation energy and the pre-exponential multiplier showed that the order of application active components has an effect on the kinetic parameters: the best results are observed in samples obtained by joint impregnation of an alumochrome carrier. The rate constants oxidation CO (k) calculated over the entire temperature range are more than 2 times higher when the components added together.Using electron probe microanalysis, the surface texture of the EPM catalysts was studied, it was found that, despite the order of application, the EPM technology allows to obtain a homogeneous texture - the surface of the catalysts is characterized by layering with particles of a scaly structure with a minimum particle size of 0.4 microns in all cases, and maximum 3-4 microns. The joint application of Zn and Cu ensures an even distribution of the components over the cross section of the catalyst granules.The results of the work can be applied to build a technology of effective copper-zinc catalysts for oxidation processes. The scope of application of catalysts is complex purification of multicomponent gas mixtures.