University College Cork

About: University College Cork is a education organization based out in Cork, Ireland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 12056 authors who have published 28452 publications receiving 958414 citations. The organization is also known as: Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh & National University of Ireland, Cork.

Adsorption and desorption of methylene blue on porous carbon monoliths and nanocrystalline cellulose.

Abstract: The dynamic batch adsorption of methylene blue (MB), a widely used and toxic dye, onto nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and crushed powder of carbon monolith (CM) was investigated using the pseudo-first- and -second-order kinetics. CM outperformed NCC with a maximum capacity of 127 mg/g compared to 101 mg/g for NCC. The Langmuir isotherm model was applicable for describing the binding data for MB on CM and NCC, indicating the homogeneous surface of these two materials. The Gibbs free energy of −15.22 kJ/mol estimated for CM unravelled the spontaneous nature of this adsorbent for MB, appreciably faster than the use of NCC (−4.47 kJ/mol). Both pH and temperature exhibited only a modest effect on the adsorption of MB onto CM. The desorption of MB from CM using acetonitrile was very effective with more than 94 % of MB desorbed from CM within 10 min to allow the reusability of this porous carbon material. In contrast, acetonitrile was less effective than ethanol in desorbing MB from NCC. The two solvents were i...

WGM microresonators: sensing, lasing and fundamental optics with microspheres

Abstract: Glass microsphere resonators that support optical resonances known as whispering-gallery modes are unique tools for studying and exploiting optical effects under extremely well controlled conditions. In this paper, a review focusing mostly on glass microsphere resonators is presented. First, a brief historical background is given in which we see how the state-of-the-art has grown from novel optical resonators to the ultrahigh Q cavities used in cutting-edge experiments. After the basic properties of microsphere resonators are outlined we will discuss some of the recent experiments involving microsphere resonators, although some discussion involving polymeric microspheres is also included. The use of doped and undoped microspheres in optical signal processing, optical sensing and quantum optics is highlighted. Finally, there is a brief review of recent optomechanical experiments that use microspheres.

Hydrogen peroxide as a cell-survival signaling molecule.

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were seen as destructive molecules, but recently, they have been shown also to act as second messengers in varying intracellular signaling pathways. This review concentrates on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as it is a more stable ROS, and delineates its role as a survival molecule. In the first part, the production of H2O2 through the NADPH oxidase (Nox) family is investigated. Through careful examination of Nox proteins and their regulation, it is determined how they respond to stress and how this can be prosurvival rather than prodeath. The pathways on which H2O2 acts to enable its prosurvival function are then examined in greater detail. The main survival pathways are kinase driven, and oxidation of cysteines in the active sites of various phosphatases can thus regulate those survival pathways. Regulation of transcription factors such as p53, NF-κB, and AP-1 also are reviewed. Finally, prodeath proteins such as caspases could be directly inhibited through their cystei...