Bacterial cellulose (BC) is emerging as an attractive large-scale polymer due to its superior properties. The dominant static culture for BC fermentation by bacteria or microbial consortium results in low productivity. Agitated culture, as an industrially projected technique, has been widely investigated but exclusively for cellulose-producing bacterial strains. Addressing this concern and evaluating the potential of residues as feedstock, this study highlights the utilization of microbial consortium BA2 and seven agro-industrial wastes including cocoa husks, sugarcane bagasse and others. Remarkably, rice bran (RB) appears as a promising substrate, achieving 2.14 g/L (dry basis) and outperforming the traditional HS medium, evident from a 15-day fermentation. A complex interplay between oxygen availability, glucose consumption and BC yield was revealed; while orbital and magnetic stirring with forced air ventilation (AFV) showed low BC yields and early biomass saturation, 4.07 g/L (dry basis) was targeted by magnetic stirring at 100 rpm from the start using only headspace air. However, beyond controlled operating conditions, mechanical agitation and favorable cellulose adhesion to metal in the stirred tank bioreactor negatively affect BC yield. This pattern uncovers the need for a further approach to the design of bioreactors when the microbial consortium is considered.

An increasing number of developing countries are showing interest to become the emerging countries to nuclear energy. Most of these countries lack human resources and adequate infrastructures to enter such a venture. The principle objective of activities of FBNR Group is to train human resources for the countries that at the present lack the necessary conditions, but aim at the future clean and safe nuclear energy through the fourth generation and INPRO compatible nuclear reactors. The preparation for the future nuclear energy is done through development of innovative nuclear reactor that meets the INPRO philosophies and criteria. These countries may or may not have decided as yet to utilize nuclear energy, but are interested to gain a strong educational foundation for their future. The research and development of a small innovative nuclear reactor FBNR is used as the instrument for learning. The young scientists will learn how to be innovative with the vision of INPRO philosophy and criteria. Kurzfassung Eine zunehmende Zahl von Entwicklungsländern zeigt Interesse, Schwellenländer der Kernenergie zu werden. Jedoch fehlt es den meisten dieser Länder an Personal und ausreichender Infrastruktur für ein solches Unternehmen. Das Hauptziel der Aktivitäten der FNBR-Gruppe ist die Ausbildung der Humanressourcen für die Länder, denen in der Gegenwart die notwendigen Bedingungen fehlen, die aber auf eine Zukunft für saubere und sichere Kernenergie durch INPRO-kompatible Kernreaktoren zielen. Die Vorbereitung für die Zukunft der Kernenergie wird durch die Entwicklung von einem innovativen Kernreaktor, der die INPRO-Philosophien und Kriterien erfüllt. Diese Länder mögen oder noch nicht entschieden haben, Kernenergie zu nutzen, sind aber daran interessiert, eine starke Bildungsgrundlage für ihre Zukunft zu gewinnen. Forschung und Entwicklung von kleinen innovativen Kernreaktoren von der Art FBNR werden das Instrument für die Aus- und Weiterbildung in diesem Bereich und vermitteln jungen Wissenschaftlern, w...

Quito, recognized as the first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, holds a vast documentary legacy at constant risk of deterioration due to environmental, biological, and aging factors. Preserving these historical documents demands sustainable and non-invasive approaches. This study presents the first documented investigation in Ecuador on the use of ionizing radiation for the conservation of historical paper materials. Fifteen fragments, naturally detached from deteriorated documents housed in two major heritage repositories, the Biblioteca Nacional Eugenio Espejo and the Biblioteca Fray Ignacio de Quezada, were selected for analysis. Samples were irradiated with a Co-60 gamma source at doses of 4, 6, and 8 kGy at the “Francisco Salgado T.” Irradiation Center. To evaluate potential alterations, pre- and post-irradiation analyses were conducted using surface pH measurements, colorimetry (ΔE from CIELAB coordinates), and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. The results showed no statistically significant changes in the analyzed parameters, suggesting that gamma irradiation at these doses does not compromise the structural or visual integrity of the paper. This work represents a pioneering step in Ecuador toward integrating scientific methods into cultural heritage preservation, supporting the safe application of ionizing radiation in the conservation of historical documents.