Advantages of Preozonation in the Upgrading of the Mont Valérien Plant in France

The Mont Valérien plant supplies water to the western suburbs of Paris. Raw water comes from the River Seine downstream from the city. The old plant comprised two treatment lines: a slow sand filtration line built 80 years ago and a rapid settling and filtration line built in 1960. The process for the upgraded plant was determined after an in-depth study including industrial-scale experiments and laboratory tests.

The new treatment line includes the following: preozonation, oagulationflocculation and settling in a sludge-blanket type settling tank (PULSATOR), rapid gravity sand filtration, ozonation, and granular activated carbon filtration.

Results from laboratory tests used for the design are presented: ozonation rate, advantages for the quality of the treated water, expected reagejit savings, etc.     

Role of the Initial Formation of the Iron Nano-Particles in the Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Growth Process

Careful preparation of the iron nano-particle catalyst for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) fabrication has crucial importance for initial growth of multi-wall carbon-nanotubes (MWCNTs). Thin iron layer was thermally deposited in a high vacuum onto the surface of the SiO2/Si wafer at about 300 K. The sample was heated up to 700℃ in a hydrogen atmosphere, and then the sample was heated once again at750℃ in ethylene atmosphere. After hydrogen treatment continuous Fe layer was changed into many well separated Fe nano-peaks. AFM, SEM and HR-TEM studies of deposited MWCNTs allow us to propose a growth mechanism for long, straight MWCNTs.     

Analysis on the Causes of Death in Elderly Population in Xiamen During the Period of 2002～ 2009

目的 了解厦门市老年人口死亡特征,评价老年人口主要死因的影响程度及变化趋势.方法 应用死亡率、标化死亡率、死因构成及死因顺位、老年保健效益指数(GEI)等统计指标,对2002-2009年厦门市60岁以上老年人口死因资料进行分析.结果 2002-2009年间老年人口死亡总数为42 435人,占全部死亡人数的72.43%,平均死亡率为31.11‰.死亡率男性高于女性,城乡差异无统计学意义.主要死因为恶性肿瘤、脑血管病、心脏病、呼吸系统疾病、损伤与中毒等,前五位死因占总死亡的84.68%,全死因中慢性非传染性疾病的死亡占总死亡的90.59%.主要疾病的GEI顺位为恶性肿瘤、意外伤害、传染病、呼吸系统疾病和心脑血管疾病,大多数死因的GEI高于0.5,女性普遍高于男性.与1987-1997年统计结果比较,死亡率呈下降趋势,各主要疾病的GEI也有所下降.结论 厦门市老年人口主要死因是恶性肿瘤、心脑血管疾病和呼吸系统疾病等慢性疾病,是影响老年人寿命的最主要原因,应当作为老年医疗卫生工作的重点,并引起全社会的关注.     

Dynamics of Phase Transitions in the SHS of a 3Cu–Al Powder Mixture in the Regime of Thermal Explosion

The paper reports results of dynamic xray photography of selfpropagating hightemperature synthesis of a 3Cu–Al powder mixture in the regime of thermal explosion. The stages of formation of the final product are considered, beginning with the heating of the starting mixture and interaction of its components and ending with phase transitions during cooling of the product — intermetallides Cu₉Al₄ and Cu₃Al, which are the main components of Cu based tribotechnical materials. It is shown that upon heating in the temperature range of 550 – 590°C, the intensity of diffraction lines of Al drops to the background level. The exothermicreaction of synthesis of the intermetallide is initiated at a temperature of 610 – 630°C. In the period of sharp increase in temperature to 1040°C, the presence of the starting copper and the newly formed hightemperature phase with the Cu₉Al₄ tructure are detected simultaneously in the combustion wave. When cooled to 300$°C, the material contains two cubic phases — Cu₉Al₄ and an solid solution of Al in Cu. Further cooling is accompanied by formation and increase of peaks of the Cu₃Al phase with an orthorhombic lattice. The phase composition of aluminum bronze produced by SHS with combustion in the regime of thermal explosion is not in equilibrium.     

Identification of the pathway of α-oxidation of cerebronic acid in peroxisomes

Cerebronic acid (2-hydroxytetracosanoic acid), an α-hydroxy very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) and a component of cerebrosides and sulfatides, is unique to nervous tissues. Studies were carried out to identify the pathway and the subcellular site involved in the oxidation of cerebronic acid. The results from these studies revealed that cerebronic acid was catabolized by α-oxidation to CO₂ and tricosanoic acid (23:0). Studies with subcellular fractions indicated that cerebronic acid was α-oxidized in fractions having particulate bound catalase and enzyme systems for the β-oxidation of VLCFA (e.g., lignoceric acid), suggesting peroxisomes as the subcellular organelle responsible for α-oxidation of cerebronic acid. Etomoxir, an inhibitor of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, had no effect on cerebronic acid α-oxidation. Further, cerebronic acid oxidation was found to be dependent on the presence of NAD⁺ but not FAD, NADPH, ATP, Mg²⁺, or CoASH. Intraorganellar localization studies indicated that the enzyme system for the α-oxidation of cerebronic acid was associated with the peroxisomal limiting membranes. Studies on cultured fibroblasts from normal subjects and patients with peroxisomal disorders indicated an impairment of α-oxidation of cerebronic acid in cell lines that lack peroxisomes [e.g., Zellweger syndrome (ZS)]. On the other hand, α-oxidation of cerebronic acid was found to be normal in cell lines from X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, adult Refsum disease, and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata. Our results clearly demonstrate that α-oxidation of α-hydroxy VLCFA (cerebronic acid) is a peroxisomal function and that this oxidation is impaired in ZS. Furthermore, this α-oxidation enzyme system is distinct from the one for the α-oxidation of β-carbon branched-chain fatty acids (e.g., phytanic acid).     

Influence of Cesium in Pt/NaCsβ on the Physico-Chemical and Catalytic Properties of the Pt Clusters in the Aromatization ofn-Hexane

Various Pt/NaCsβ catalysts with decreasing Na/Cs ratios and a Pt/KL sample taken as a reference catalyst for aromatization ofn-hexane, have been prepared by exchange of NaCsβ and KL zeolites in a Pt tetraammine solution then calcination and reduction. The increase of the Cs content in the NaCsβ zeolitic support results in a decrease of the cyclohexane adsorption and Pt exchange capacities. The Pt/Csβ and Pt/KL samples show similar behaviors which strongly differ from those of the Na-containing Pt/NaCsβ samples in terms of (i) reducibility of the Pt ions after calcination, (ii) shape of the FTIR spectra of CO adsorbed on the Pt clusters after reduction, and (iii) catalytic activity of these clusters in the conversion ofn-hexane. In particular, the selectivity to aromatization is much higher on the Pt/Csβ and Pt/KL catalysts than on the Na-containing Pt/NaCsβ ones. The reasons for the specific behaviors of the Pt/Csβ and Pt/KL samples are discussed.     

Stereochemistry of the hydroperoxides formed during autoxidation of CLA methyl ester in the presence of α-tocopherol

The initial steps in the autoxidation of CLA methyl ester are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the stereochemistry of the hydroperoxides formed during autoxidation of CLA methyl ester in the presence of a good hydrogen atom donor. For this purpose, 9-cis, 11-trans CLA methyl ester was autoxidized in the presence of α-tocopherol under atmospheric oxygen at 40°C in the dark. The CLA methyl ester hydroperoxides were isolated, reduced to the corresponding hydroxy derivatives, and separated by HPLC. The stereochemistry of seven hydroxy-CLA methyl esters was investigated. The position of the hydroxy group was determined by GC-MS. The geometry as well as the position of the double bonds in the alkyl chain was determined by NMR. In addition, the ¹³C NMR spectra of six hydroxy-CLA methyl esters were assigned using COSY, gradient heteronuclear multiple bond correlation, gradient heteronuclear single quantum correlation, and total correlation spectroscopy experiments. The autoxidation of 9-cis, 11-trans CLA methyl ester in the presence of a good hydrogen atom donor is stereoselective in favor of one geometric isomer, namely the 13-(R,S)-hydroperoxy-9-cis, 11-trans-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester. Three types of conjugated diene hydroperoxides are formed as primary hydroperoxides: trans,trans hydroperoxides (12-OOH-8t,10t and 9-OOH-10t,12t), a cis,trans hydroperoxide with the trans double bond adjacent to the hydroperoxide-bearing carbon atom (13-OOH-9c,11t), and a new type of cis,trans lipid hydroperoxide with the cis double bond adjacent to the hydroperoxide-bearing carbon atom (8-OOH-9c,11t). In addition, three nonkinetic hydroperoxides (13-OOH-9t,11t, 8-OOH-9t,11t, and 9-OOH-10t,12c) are formed. This study supports the theory that CLA methyl ester autoxidizes at least partly through an autocatalytic free radical reaction. The complexity of the hydroperoxide mixture is due to formation of two different pentadienyl radicals. Moreover, the stereoslectivity in favor of one geometric isomer can be explained by the selectivity of the two previous steps: the preferential formation of a W-conformer of the pentadienyl radical over the Z-conformer, and regioselectivity of the oxygen addition to the pentadienyl radical.     

Effects of the structure of CeCu catalysts on the catalytic combustion of toluene in air

CeCu composite oxide catalysts were prepared by a hard-template method (CeCu-HT) and a complex method (CeCu-CA). The prepared CeCu composite oxide catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyses. The catalytic properties of the prepared CeCu composite oxide catalysts were also investigated by the catalytic combustion of toluene in air. XRD results showed that the synthesized CeCu composite oxide catalysts had different phase components and crystallinities but similar CeO₂CuO solid solution phases. Low-angle XRD, TEM, and BET results indicated that the prepared CeCu-HT catalyst had a developed ordered mesoporous structure and a large specific surface area of 206.1 m² g^?1. Toluene catalytic combustion results indicated that the CeCu-HT catalyst had higher toluene catalytic combustion activity in air than the CeCu-CA catalyst. The minimum reaction temperature at which toluene conversion exceeded 90% for toluene catalytic combustion on the CeCu-HT catalyst was 225 °C. The toluene catalytic combustion conversion on the CeCu-HT catalyst at 240 °C exceeded 99.3% with decreased toluene concentration in air to below 70 ppm. On the other hand, the toluene catalytic combustion conversion on the CeCu-CA catalyst was only 92% even when the reaction temperature reached 280 °C. The differences between the toluene catalytic combustion performances of the CeCu composite oxide catalysts prepared by different methods can be attributed to their discrepant compositions and structures.     

Mathematical Modeling of Gas Flow in the Separation Zone of a Cocurrent Vortex Apparatus in Terms of the kT–ε Turbulence Model

A mathematical model of the gas flow in vortex apparatuses is proposed, which is based on numerically solving a set of Navier–Stokes and continuity differential equations for the k _T– turbulence model. The model enables one to reveal specific features of the aerodynamic interaction of two flows swirling in the same direction. Gas streamlines, turbulent kinetic energy isolines, and turbulent viscosity isolines are determined at various operating and design parameters. The parameters that ensure a high separation efficiency of an apparatus are found.     

Increase in the Economic Performance of Shandong Haihua

The new project that makes use of thefunds raised by issuing bonds has in-creased the economic performance ofShandong Haihua Co.,Ltd.(ShandongHaihua).The annual report that the com-pany recently disclosed states that its     

Could the Epigenetics of Eosinophils in Asthma and Allergy Solve Parts of the Puzzle?

Epigenetics is a field of study investigating changes in gene expression that do not alter the DNA sequence. These changes are often influenced by environmental or social factors and are reversible. Epigenetic mechanisms include DNA methylation, histone modification, and noncoding RNA. Understanding the role of these epigenetic mechanisms in human diseases provides useful information with regard to disease severity and development. Several studies have searched for the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate allergies and asthma; however, only few studies have used samples of eosinophil, a proinflammatory cell type known to be largely recruited during allergic or asthmatic inflammation. Such studies would enable us to better understand the factors that influence the massive recruitment of eosinophils during allergic and asthmatic symptoms. In this review, we sought to summarize different studies that aimed to discover differential patterns of histone modifications, DNA methylation, and noncoding RNAs in eosinophil samples of individuals with certain diseases, with a particular focus on those with asthma or allergic diseases.     

Modernization of oil refineries as the basis for the development of the Russian oil refining industry in the period of 2010–2020

Ways of developing and modernizing Russian oil refineries are considered on the basis of an analysis of the presentations of Russian and foreign companies at the 10th Russian and CIS Refining Technology Conference (RRTC) held by Euro Petroleum Consultants in Moscow on September 23–24, 2010. It is shown that the main trends in the development of the Russian oil refining industry with the purpose of overcoming the current economic crisis are the rational use of production facilities, the modernization of existing plants to increase the depth of processing and the profitability of production, satisfying the growing demand for motor fuels (especially diesel) and improving their quality to meet the parameters of eurostandards, increasing the conversion of the processing of oil at oil refineries, reducing the consumption of energy, and improving the process control and optimization systems at existing plants to increase their efficiency and minimize the environmental risks in operating plants. The development of hydrogenation processes that allow the synthesis of high-quality products from cheap sour crude oil or the qualified preparation of raw materials for the process of catalytic cracking must now become the main direction of oil refining in Russia and CIS countries. Oil residue processing technologies (e.g., hydrogenation processes, catalytic cracking, new and improved catalysts for hydrocracking, catalytic cracking, hydrotreatment of heavy oil residues; and hydrogen synthesis technologies) are discussed.     

The Use of Ultrasonics in the Treatment of Waste Activated Sludge

1 INTRODUCTION Waste activated sludge (WAS) processes are key technologies to treat wastewater. Through their micro-bial activity, these biological processes produce how-ever huge amounts of WAS as an inevitable drawback of the WAS-process. Various techniques have been studied to further reduce the amount of excess sludge through (1) the maximum use of biological phospho-rus removal instead of chemical precipitation[1,2]; (2) the use of advanced treatment techniques such as per-oxidati…     

Effects of Cα -Oxidation in the Fungal Metabolism of Lignin

C_α-Oxidation (benzyl alcohol oxidation) is a prominent reaction in the degradation of lignin by white-rot fungi. This study showed that such oxidation markedly retards metabolism of a nonphenolic β-O-4 model compound, 1-(3-methoxy-4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-(o-methoxyphenoxy)propane-1,3-diol, by cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium Burds. Surprisingly, however, selective chemical C_α -oxidation of spruce lignins enhanced their depolymerization by the cultures. Thus the decrease in intrinsic degradability of substructures is more than compensated by another effect of C_α-oxidation in lignin. One possibility is that the oxidation increases the accessibility of the lignin to enzymes by decreasing its steric complexity. This study also revealed that the β-O-4 model, like lignin in wood, is degraded in part via C_α-oxidation by P. chrysosporium. Reduction of the α-carbonyl groups thus formed does not occur. Addition of L-glutamate to ligninolytic cultures completely suppresses their competence to degrade the model compound, as it does their ability to oxidize lignin to CO₂. This result strengthens past evidence indicating that substructure models are metabolized by the same enzyme system as lignin.