Experimental study on mitigating wind erosion of calcareous desert sand using spray method for microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation

Wind erosion is one of the significant natural calamities worldwide, which degrades around one-third of global land. The eroded and suspended soil particles in the environment may cause health hazards, i.e. allergies and respiratory diseases, due to the presence of harmful contaminants, bacteria, and pollens. The present study evaluates the feasibility of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technique to mitigate wind-induced erosion of calcareous desert sand (Thar desert of Rajasthan province in India). The temperature during biotreatment was kept at 36 °C to stimulate the average temperature of the Thar desert. The spray method was used for bioaugmentation of Sporosarcina (S.) pasteurii and further treatment using chemical solutions. The chemical solution of 0.25 pore volume was sprayed continuously up to 5 d, 10 d, 15 d, and 20 d, using two different concentration ratios of urea and calcium chloride dihydrate viz 2:1 and 1:1. The biotreated samples were subjected to erosion testing (in the wind tunnel) at different wind speeds of 10 m/s, 20 m/s, and 30 m/s. The unconfined compressive strength of the biocemented crust was measured using a pocket penetrometer. The variation in calcite precipitation and microstructure (including the presence of crystalline minerals) of untreated as well as biotreated sand samples were determined through calcimeter, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDX). The results demonstrated that the erosion of untreated sand increases with an increase in wind speeds. When compared to untreated sand, a lower erosion was observed in all biocemented sand samples, irrespective of treatment condition and wind speed. It was observed that the sample treated with 1:1 cementation solution for up to 5 d, was found to effectively resist erosion at a wind speed of 10 m/s. Moreover, a significant erosion resistance was ascertained in 15 d and 20 d treated samples at higher wind speeds. The calcite content percentage, thickness of crust, bulk density, and surface strength of biocemented sand were enhanced with the increase in treatment duration. The 1:1 concentration ratio of cementation solution was found effective in improving crust thickness and surface strength as compared to 2:1 concentration ratio of cementation solution. The calcite crystals formation was observed in SEM analysis and calcium peaks were observed in EDX analysis for biotreated sand.     

Extraction and characterization of hydroxyapatite-based materials from grey triggerfish skin and black scabbardfish bones

The conversion of food industry by-products to compounds with high added value is nowadays a significant topic, for social, environmental, and economic reasons. In this paper, calcium phosphate-based materials were obtained from black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo) bones and grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) skin, which are two of the most abundant fish by-products of Madeira Island. Different calcination temperatures between 400 and 1000°C were employed. Materials obtained from calcination of bones of black scabbard fish were composed by homogeneous mixtures of hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO4)₆(OH)₂, HAp) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-Ca₃(PO₄)₂, β-TCP). Because of the high biocompatibility of HAp and the good resorbability of β-TCP, these natural biphasic materials could be very relevant in the field of biomaterials, as bone grafts. The ratio between HAp and β-TCP in the biphasic compound was dependent on the calcination temperature. Differently, the material obtained from skin of grey triggerfish contained HAp as the main phase, together with small amounts of other mineral phases, such as halite and rhenanite, which are known to enhance osteogenesis when used as bone substitutes. In both cases, the increase of calcination temperature led to an increase in the particles size with a consequent decrease in their specific surface area. These results demonstrate that from the fish by-products of the most consumed fishes in Madeira Island it is possible to obtain bioceramic materials with tunable composition and particle morphology, which could be promising materials for the biomedical field.     

Thermal transport and chemical conversion in single reacting sorbent particles

The effects of particle size and carbon dioxide concentration on chemical conversion in engineered spherical particles undergoing calcium oxide looping are investigated. Particles are thermochemically cycled in a furnace under different carbon dioxide concentrations. Changes in composition due to chemical reactions are measured using thermogravimetric analysis. Gas composition at the furnace exit is evaluated with mass spectroscopy. A numerical model of thermal transport phenomena developed previously is adapted to match the physical system investigated in the present study. The model is used to elucidate effects of reacting medium characteristics on particle temperature and reaction extent. Experimental and numerical results show that (1) an increase in particle size results in a decrease in carbonation extent, and (2) the carbonation step consists of fast and slow reaction regimes. The reaction rates in the fast and slow carbonation regimes increase with increasing carbon dioxide concentration. The effect of carbon dioxide concentration and the distinction between the fast and slow regimes become more pronounced with increasing particle size.     

Structural Basis for the Function of the C-Terminal Proton Release Pathway in the Calcium Pump

The calcium pump (sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase, SERCA) plays a major role in calcium homeostasis in muscle cells by clearing cytosolic Ca²⁺ during muscle relaxation. Active Ca²⁺ transport by SERCA involves the structural transition from a low-Ca²⁺ affinity E2 state toward a high-Ca²⁺ affinity E1 state of the pump. This structural transition is accompanied by the countertransport of protons to stabilize the negative charge and maintain the structural integrity of the transport sites and partially compensate for the positive charges of the two Ca²⁺ ions passing through the membrane. X-ray crystallography studies have suggested that a hydrated pore located at the C-terminal domain of SERCA serves as a conduit for proton countertransport, but the existence and function of this pathway have not yet been fully characterized. We used atomistic simulations to demonstrate that in the protonated E2 state and the absence of initially bound water molecules, the C-terminal pore becomes hydrated in the nanosecond timescale. Hydration of the C-terminal pore is accompanied by the formation of water wires that connect the transport sites with the cytosol. Water wires are known as ubiquitous proton-transport devices in biological systems, thus supporting the notion that the C-terminal domain serves as a conduit for proton release. Additional simulations showed that the release of a single proton from the transport sites induces bending of transmembrane helix M5 and the interaction between residues Arg762 and Ser915. These structural changes create a physical barrier against full hydration of the pore and prevent the formation of hydrogen-bonded water wires once proton transport has occurred through this pore. Together, these findings support the notion that the C-terminal proton release pathway is a functional element of SERCA and also provide a mechanistic model for its operation in the catalytic cycle of the pump.     

Impact of gypsum on flotation of scheelite and fluorite using sodium oleate as collector

ABSTRACT

In this study, effect of calcium and gypsum on scheelite and fluorite was investigated using sodium oleate as collector. Micro-flotation and contact angle results showed that the adsorption of calcium could inhibit the hydrophobicity of scheelite and fluorite. Moreover, sulfate could enhance the inhibition. FT-IR results showed that calcium could be priori precipitated into calcium oleate and adsorb on mineral surface. The adsorption of calcium could increase the scheelite potential to IEP, while it showed limited effect on fluorite potential. However, the interaction of calcium on scheelite and fluorite in gypsum solution was more complex than that in calcium solution.     

Experimental study of crystal anisotropy based on ultra-precision cylindrical turning of single-crystal calcium fluoride

To realize ultimately efficient signal processing, it is necessary to replace electrical signal processing circuits with optical ones. The optical micro-resonator, which localizes light at a certain spot, is an essential component in optical signal processing. Single-crystal calcium fluoride (CaF₂) is the most suitable material for a highly efficient optical micro-resonator. The CaF₂ resonator can only be manufactured by ultra-precision machining processes, because its crystal anisotropy does not allow the application of chemical etching. However, the optical micro-resonator's performance depends definitely on the surface integrity.This study investigated the relationship between surface quality after ultra-precision machining and crystal anisotropy. Firstly, crack initiation was investigated on the (1 0 0), (1 1 0), and (1 1 1) planes using the micro-Vickers hardness test. Secondly, brittle-ductile transition was investigated by orthogonal cutting tests. Finally, cutting performance of cylindrical turning was evaluated, which could be a suitable method for manufacturing the CaF₂ resonator. The most difficult point in cylindrical turning of CaF₂ is that the crystalline plane and cutting direction vary continuously. In order to manufacture the CaF₂ optical micro-resonator more efficiently, analysis was conducted on crack initiation and surface quality of all crystallographic orientations from the perspective of slip system and cleavage.     

UPLC法同时测定阿托伐他汀钙中15个杂质含量

目的建立超高效液相色谱法(UPLC)同时测定阿托伐他汀钙原料药中15个杂质含量的方法。方法采用岛津Shim-pack Velox PFPP(2.1 mm×100 mm,1.8μm)色谱柱,以3.9 g/L醋酸铵缓冲液(pH 5.0):乙腈:甲醇:四氢呋喃(无稳定剂)=67:21:6:6为流动相A,3.9 g/L醋酸铵缓冲液(pH 5.0):乙腈:甲醇:四氢呋喃(无稳定剂)=27:61:6:6为流动相B;梯度洗脱,流速0.43 ml/min,检测波长244 nm,柱温35℃,样品室温度10℃;进样量1.8μl。结果阿托伐他汀钙及各杂质峰间分离良好,在0.3~3μg/ml范围内15个杂质均呈良好的线性关系(r均>0.999,n=6),各杂质平均回收率分别为96.3%,99.1%,99.9%,102.4%,96.4%,99.8%,99.4%,104.9%,106.4%,105.4%,100.1%,98.9%,94.7%,94.4%,101.4%,且不同浓度间平行性良好。15个杂质重复性、进样精密度、中间精密度均良好,48 h内均较稳定。此法除对色谱柱要求较高外,耐用性良好。结论本方法简便、快速、分离度好、专属性强,经方法学验证可用于阿托伐他汀钙原料药杂质质量控制。     

锂辉石-氧化钙烧结法提锂的物相重构与动力学

对锂辉石-氧化钙烧结过程进行热力学分析，绘制了各反应Gibbs自由能与温度的关系图。结果表明，Al₂O₃会优先和Na₂O、Li₂O、K₂O反应，然后与CaO反应生成CaO·Al₂O₃，而且烧结温度需高于1060℃以保证LiAlSi₂O₆能够完成晶形转变。并探讨了锂辉石-氧化钙烧结法提锂的反应机理。考察了不同烧结条件对锂浸出率的影响并对熟料进行X射线衍射（XRD）分析表征。实验结果表明，在配料比为1∶1.25、烧结温度1150℃、烧结时间60min时，锂的浸出率达到92.14%，熟料中的主要物相为Ca₂SiO₄与LiAlO₂。利用XRD和扫描电镜-能谱联用仪（SEM-EDS）对熟料与浸出渣的物相、显微形貌及元素分布情况进行了分析表征。为了确定烧结反应的控制性步骤，在最优烧结条件的基础上对烧结过程进行动力学分析，结果表明，锂辉石-氧化钙烧结体系属于球形颗粒三维界面化学反应控制，烧结过程的动力学拟合方程为\mathrm{1}-{(\mathrm{1}-x)}^{\mathrm{1}/\mathrm{3}}=\mathrm{0.00677}t。     

稀土石膏常压酸化法制备硫酸钙晶须的研究

以含稀土的石膏为原料运用常压酸化法合成硫酸钙晶须,探讨了不同工艺条件对生成的硫酸钙晶须形貌的影响,同时还考察了晶型助长剂的种类和晶型助长剂的含量对硫酸钙晶须生长的影响,利用SEM和XRD分别对硫酸钙晶须的表面形貌、物相特征做了表征分析。实验得到制备硫酸钙晶须的最佳的反应条件：稀土石膏质量浓度为0.22 g/mL、反应时间为25 min、盐酸浓度为2.8 mol/L、反应温度为70 ℃、陈化时间为4 h,在此条件下合成的硫酸钙晶须平均长度为61 μm,平均长径比为30.5;通过对比实验选出了CuCl₂作为促进硫酸钙晶须生长的助长剂,在添加5%（质量分数）的CuCl₂的情况下可使硫酸钙晶须长径比从30.5增至41,长度从61 μm增至81 μm。     

不同粒径改性粉煤灰对磷酸根吸附性能的影响

废水排放过量的磷导致水体污染日益严重，将粉煤灰通过化学改性制备成了水化硅酸钙吸附剂，研究了改性吸附剂对磷酸根的吸附效果。利用XRD, SEM及BET比表面积等手段对粒度分级前后的吸附剂进行表征，研究不同粒级吸附剂对磷酸根的吸附性能，并考察其吸附机理。结果表明，不同粒级的吸附剂其化学成分出现了明显的偏析现象，孔隙结构也差异显著。相比其他粒径下的吸附剂颗粒，颗粒粒径在50?75 μm时，吸附剂中钙和硅含量较多，铝、铁和镁含量较低，水化硅酸钙组分含量最高，且伴有含铝的托贝莫来石晶体出现，钙离子的增加使其可以与更多的磷酸根结合形成沉淀。同时此粒径下具有较高的比表面积及孔隙度，疏松多孔的结构为钙离子提供更多活性位点。当使用粒径在50?75 μm的吸附剂吸附磷酸根时，磷的饱和吸附量可达到17.1 mg/g，比未分级的吸附剂高19.58%。