Physiochemical structure of semicoke derived from co-carbonization of coal and sawdust blends

The substitution of coal blending with sawdust had been widely investigated for metallurgical coke production. In this paper, the physiochemical structures of the semicoke derived from sawdust/coals blends co-coking were characterized by several analytical techniques including FTIR-ATR, XPS, NMR, OM, and SEM. Meanwhile, the influence of the sawdust on the physicochemical properties of the sawdust/coals blends were also investigated. Results indicated that partial substitution of coal blending with sawdust benefited from the formation of colloid and optical anisotropy due to the positive synergetic effect, whereas high proportion of sawdust (>10 wt%) inhibited the agglomeration of semi-coke. On the other hand, the semicoke consisted primarily of aromatic carbons replaced by the oxygen linked to carbons and aliphatic carbons when the coal blending was replaced by high proportion of sawdust, causing a less polyaromatic graphite-like structure formation in the semicoke.     

Adaptive response and tolerance to weak acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii: a metabolomics approach

Weak acids inhibit the growth of probiotics, such as Saccharomyces boulardii. We explored the tolerance of S. boulardii to different weak acids. S. boulardii had better fermentation ability under lactic acid conditions compared with acetic and butyric acid conditions; however, the budding of S. boulardii was significantly stronger than that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae under acetic acid conditions. Although the surface structure of S. boulardii was destroyed, it produced more daughter cells. S. boulardii metabolites were also significantly different from S. cerevisiae under acidic stress. The growth of S. boulardii under weak acid conditions differed significantly from that of S. cerevisiae. S. boulardii-mediated fingerprints under weak acid conditions were identified as latent biomarkers, related to fructose and mannose metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and the glycolysis pathway. Identified biomarkers will aid in the genetic engineering of S. boulardii and other Saccharomyces strains for improved acid resistance and biomass yield.     

The influence of white mud on the water absorption,surface wettability,mechanical, and dynamic thermomechanical properties of core–shell structured wood-plastic composites

European Journal of Wood and Wood Products - To obtain the optimum balance between performance and cost, white mud (lime mud) was incorporated into the shell layer of core–shell structured...     

Effects of Bacillus velezensis zk1 on the physiology and metabolism of peaches

Bacillus velezensis zk1 is the dominant bacterium that causing rot in peaches. However, the mechanisms through that this bacterium causes rot have not been elucidated. Here, we explored the mechanisms of peach decay caused by B. velezensis zk1. The invasion of B. velezensis zk1 in peaches resulted in an increase in glucose and arabinose contents in fruit tissues. Moreover, the relative conductivity of the fruit reached 84% after 4 days of culture with bacterial invasion. With the destruction of cells, the malondialdehyde content increased, whereas the vitamin C, dialdehyde, flavonoid and total phenol contents decreased. Polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and ammonia lyase activities also decreased. Overall, these findings demonstrated that B. velezensis zk1 infection damaged peach chloroplasts, mitochondria, respiratory chain activity and related free radical scavenging enzyme systems, thereby disrupting the normal physiological metabolism of peaches and causing rot.     

A hybrid damage model for simulating adiabatic shear bands

International Journal of Fracture - Adiabatic shear band (ASB) is one of the most important failure modes under high strain-rate deformation. In this work, we propose a hybrid damage model to...