The removal of dichloromethane from atmospheric pressure air streams using plasma-assisted catalysis

Plasma-assisted catalysis was used for the destruction of 500 ppm of dichloromethane, CH₂Cl₂ (DCM), in gas streams of air using a non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma utilising a dielectric packed bed. The combination of plasma and catalyst gave improved destruction of DCM. Eight catalysts which including alumina, TiO₂ and various zeolites were investigated with the finding that alumina in a one-stage reactor configuration and TiO₂ and HZSM-5 in two-stage configurations gave the best DCM destructions. The sodium zeolites are capable of reducing by 50% the unwanted NO_x by-products, formed by plasma processing in air. The nature of the catalyst is important in terms of the destruction efficiency, end-product selectivity and NO_x reduction.     

Copolymers of higher alkyl methacrylates with triallyl cyanurate

Copolymers of higher methacrylates (propyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, heptyl, octyl, and dodecyl) with triallyl cyanurate were synthesized by free-radical polymerization using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The properties of the copolymers such as thermal stability, T_g, Vicat softening temperature, hardness, refractive indices n_D, chemical stability, density, and shrinkage on polymerization were studied. The influence of the alcohol alkyl chain length in methacrylates and the content triallyl cyanurate in copolymers on their properties is discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Reduction of NOx by H2 on WOx-Promoted Pt/Al2O3/SiO2 Catalysts Under O2-Rich Conditions

This work addresses the reduction of NO_x by H₂ under O₂-rich conditions using Al₂O₃/SiO₂-supported Pt catalysts with different loads of WO_x promotor. The samples were thoroughly characterised by N₂ physisorption, temperature-programmed desorption of CO, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, laser raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform spectroscopy with probe molecule CO. The catalytic studies of the samples without WO_x showed pronounced NO_x conversion below 200 °C, whereas highest efficiency was related to small Pt particles. The introduction of WO_x provided increasing deNO_x activity as well as N₂ selectivity. This promoting effect was referred to an additional reaction path at the Pt-WO_x/Al₂O₃/SiO₂ interface, whereas an electronic activation of Pt by strong metal support interaction was excluded.

Graphic Abstract

     

Engineering of functional supramacromolecular complexes of proteins (enzymes) using reversed micelles as matrix microreactors

The size of the inner water cavity of reversed micelles formedin a triple system ‘water-surfactant-organic solvent’can be widely varied by changing the degree of surfactant hydration.This gives grounds to use reversed micelles as matrix microreactorsfor the design of supramolecular complexes of proteins. Usingultracentrifugation analysis, it has been demonstrated thatthe oligomeric composition of various enzymes (ketoglutaratedehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphatedehydrogenase) solubilized in reversed micelles of Aerosol OT[sodium bis(2-ethylehexyl)sulfosuccinate] in octane changesupon variation of the degree of hydration. An oligomeric complexforms under conditions when the radius of the micelle innercavity is big enough to incorporate this complex as a whole.At lower degrees of hydration the micelles ‘uncouple’such complexes to their components. The catalytic propertiesof various oligomeric complexes have been studied. Possibilitiesof using reversed micelles for the separation of subunits ofoligomeric enzymes under non-denaturating conditions have beendemonstrated. In particular, the isolated subunits of alkalinephosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase and glyceralde-hyde-3-phosphatedehydrogenase have been found to be active in Aerosol OT reversedmicelles. The dependences of the catalytic activity of oligomericenzymes represent saw-like curves. The maxima of the catalyticactivity observed at these curves relate to the functioningof various oligomeric forms of an enzyme. The radii of the micelleinner cavity under conditions when these maxima are observedcorrelate with the linear dimensions of the enzyme oligomericforms. Correlation of the position of a maximum with the shapeof an oligomeric complex is discussed.     

Selective separation of yttrium from rare earth elements by ion interaction chromatography. Analytical and larger scale applications

ABSTRACT

New ion interaction chromatographic (IIC) method employing Kromasil 100 C₁₈ column and tetra-n-butylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH) as an ion interaction reagent (IIR) is able to separate yttrium from Rare Earth Elements (REE) as anionic complexes with nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). New method for the chromatographic determination of Y in REE mixture was devised and validated by the analysis of the certified reference material (CRM). Potential possibilities of the new chromatographic system for larger scale applications including macro-micro events were demonstrated.     

In vivo and in vitro lipid accumulation inBorago officinalis L.

Seeds of 13 accessions of borage (Borago officinalis) varied in total fatty acid content from 28.6 to 35.1% seed weight, with linoleic, γ-linolenic, oleic and palmitic as the predominant fatty acids, averaging 38.1%, 22.8%, 16.3% and 11.3% of total fatty acids, respectively. There was an inverse relation between γ-linolenic acid (25.0 to 17.6%) and oleic acid (14.5 to 21.3%). Fatty acid content of leaf tissues was 9.1% dry weight, with α-linolenic acid 55.2% and γ-linolenic acid 4.4% of total fatty acids. Cotyledons were the major source of fatty acids in seeds. Seed fatty acid content increased from <1 mg at six days postanthesis to about seven mg at maturity (22 to 24 days). Individual fatty acid content of seed was relatively constant after day 8. When immature embryos from 6 to 16 days postanthesis were cultured in a liquid or semisolid basal medium, fatty acid composition was similar to that of in vivo-grown seeds. Growth of cultured embryos decreased as sucrose concentration was increased from 3 to 20% in the basal medium, and most embryos did not survive 30% sucrose; fatty acid as a percentage of dry weight was maximal at 6% sucrose.     

Polyesters containing sulfur. I. Products of melt polycondensation of diphenylmethane-4,4′-di(methylthioacetic acid) with some diols

Several new polyesters containing sulfur in the main chain were obtained by melt polycondensation of diphenylmethane-4,4′-di(methylthioacetic acid) with ethanediol, 1,3-propane diol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentenediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,2-propanediol, and 2,2′-oxydiethanol. The structure of all polyesters was determined from elemental analysis and infrared (IR) spectra. Yield, reduced viscosity, molecular weight, and softening temperature for reaction products have been found. Initial decomposition and initial intensive decomposition temperature were defined from the curves of thermogravimetric analysis.     

CR composites with improved processing safety crosslinked via Heck's reaction

The aim of this study was to optimize the composition of the chloroprene rubber (CR) composites crosslinked via the Heck-type reaction to ensure their safe processing at elevated temperature. The developed curing system consisting of iron (III) acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)) and triethanolamine (TEOA) demonstrates high activity and more eco-friendly composition in comparison with metal oxide system, commercially used for CR crosslinking. However, the high activity of Fe(acac)/TEOA system results in a short scorch time, which is the greatest disadvantage regarding the safe processing of CR rubber and thus, must be improved. Therefore, CR compounds with Fe(acac) in the presence of different additives were studied. The longest scorch times (t₀₂) were observed for rubber compounds with urotropine (U), N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazole sulfenamide (CBS) or salicylic acid. Moreover, vulcanizates containing these additives exhibited higher tensile strengths and elongation at breaks compared to CR crosslinked with Fe(acac)/TEOA system.     

Empathy and Modern Technology: A Neuroergonomics Perspective

The primary purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of empathy in the design of advanced systems in manufacturing and service industries in order to ensure suitable working conditions for employees from the social and technological point of view. The origins and components of empathy are briefly reviewed. The neural underpinnings of three components of empathy, including cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects, are considered in the context of human–human and human–machine interactions, as well as design of working environments. Finally, the potential advantages of applying empathy‐related knowledge to the design and development of human‐centered technology are discussed.