Thermal decomposition behavior,characterization and evaluation of pyrolysis products of agricultural wastes

Thermal decomposition behavior during pyrolysis, the composition and the physicochemical characteristics of the pyrolysis products were studied for four agricultural wastes from Southern Greece. These wastes are produced in abundance in the Mediterranean Region but still remain relatively unexploited, while there is also lack or little relevant scientific information. Pyrolysis process for the examined samples was studied using a TGA analyzer and a properly tested and calibrated TG/MS setup, at a heating rate of 10 °C/min up to 850 °C. Determination of important quantitative parameters of pyrolysis as a function of temperature, on an instantaneous or integral basis, and correlation of the evolved gas results with the degradation of pseudocomponents of raw biomass was made possible. The average higher heating value of the pyrolysis light gases was found to be in a satisfactory for energy purposes range of 11.2–14.4 MJ/Nm³. Furthermore, biochars produced at 450, 550 and 650 °C in a fixed bed reactor were found to exhibit calorific value ranging from 20.1 to 28.7 MJ/kg and structural stability. They were also found to have a high nutrients content and below limits or negligible heavy metals content for soils applications, regardless of production temperature.     

Influence of electrochemical copolymerization conditions of 3‐methylthiophene and biphenyl on the morphology and nanomechanical properties of the films

The aim of this work is to synthesize novel 3‐methylthiophene (3MTh)/biphenyl (Biph) copolymer films by electropolymerization and study their mechanical properties through nanoindentation. The morphology, the chemical structure as well as the electrical conductivity of the copolymer films depended strongly on the electropolymerization conditions. It was found that the polymer deposition follow an instantaneous, two‐dimensional nucleation and growth mechanism leading to homogenous films. The copolymer films had higher Young modulus and nanohardness than poly(3‐methylthiophene) (3PMTh), indicating that the incorporation of Biph units within the P3MTh chain leads to a more densely packed structure and a more brittle polymer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42575.     

The Cardioprotective PKA-Mediated Hsp20 Phosphorylation Modulates Protein Associations Regulating Cytoskeletal Dynamics

The cytoskeleton has a primary role in cardiomyocyte function, including the response to mechanical stimuli and injury. The small heat shock protein 20 (Hsp20) conveys protective effects in cardiac muscle that are linked to serine-16 (Ser16) Hsp20 phosphorylation by stress-induced PKA, but the link between Hsp20 and the cytoskeleton remains poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrate a physical and functional interaction of Hsp20 with the cytoskeletal protein 14-3-3. We show that, upon phosphorylation at Ser16, Hsp20 translocates from the cytosol to the cytoskeleton where it binds to 14-3-3. This leads to dissociation of 14-3-3 from the F-actin depolymerization regulator cofilin-2 (CFL2) and enhanced F-actin depolymerization. Importantly, we demonstrate that the P20L Hsp20 mutation associated with dilated cardiomyopathy exhibits reduced physical interaction with 14-3-3 due to diminished Ser16 phosphorylation, with subsequent failure to translocate to the cytoskeleton and inability to disassemble the 14-3-3/CFL2 complex. The topological sequestration of Hsp20 P20L ultimately results in impaired regulation of F-actin dynamics, an effect implicated in loss of cytoskeletal integrity and amelioration of the cardioprotective functions of Hsp20. These findings underscore the significance of Hsp20 phosphorylation in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics, with important implications in cardiac muscle physiology and pathophysiology.     

Interface-Me: Pursuing Sociability Through Personal Devices

In this paper we describe the fundamental principles that guide our work process at 5050 Ltd, in developing concepts and prototypes for personal technology devices. We maintain that in designing personal devices it is critical to address the social interaction elements of the user experience. We introduce the term “social functionality” to refer to those aspects of a device that are specifically designed to elicit sociability and serendipity. It also refers to those aspects which enable users to communicate or represent individuating characteristics through the use of their device. Social functionality is seen as a critical success factor in the design of future personal devices. Introducing social functionality in personal technology devices requires a multidisciplinary approach. Design and technology are seen as inseparable elements of the development process. The mbracelet¹, a wearable prototype we developed for, and in association with, NCR’s The Knowledge Lab, is used as a case in point.     

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Residential Water Efficiency Initiatives in England: Influencing Factors and Policy Implications

Water Resources Management - Providers of municipal water supply services worldwide are facing pressure from climate change and increasing water demand due to growing populations and lifestyle...     

Pheophytin α degradation products as useful indices in the quality control of virgin olive oil

In previous studies we reported the presence of compounds with spectral characteristics similar to pheophytin α (Pheo α), which often accompany the Pheo α peak in the chromatographic profile of virgin olive oils (VOO) at 410 nm under normal-phase HPLC conditions. The occurrence and levels of these compounds were found to be affected by storage conditions of the oil samples. In the present study we investigated whether the major Pheo a degradation products, identified as pyropheophytin α (coeluting with the respective epimer) and 13²-OH-pheophytin α, could be used as estimates of VOO history. The content of Pheo α and its degradation products was determined for a great number of authentic olive oil samples of unknown history. Results are discussed in comparison with other quality indices (e.g., antioxidant content) when necessary. High amounts of the pyro form (20–30% of total pheophytins) were related to thermal abuse or lengthy storage. The presence of allomers indicated oxygen availability. The levels of these products, 0–20% of the total pheophytin content for 62% of the samples, seemed to be influenced by the presence of pro- and antioxidants. When low levels of Pheo α are not accompanied by other degradation products, light exposure for a certain period of storage can be assumed.     

Impact of distracted driving on safety and traffic flow

Studies have documented a link between distracted driving and diminished safety; however, an association between distracted driving and traffic congestion has not been investigated in depth. The present study examined the behavior of teens and young adults operating a driving simulator while engaged in various distractions (i.e., cell phone, texting, and undistracted) and driving conditions (i.e., free flow, stable flow, and oversaturation). Seventy five participants 16–25 years of age (split into 2 groups: novice drivers and young adults) drove a STISIM simulator three times, each time with one of three randomly presented distractions. Each drive was designed to represent daytime scenery on a 4 lane divided roadway and included three equal roadway portions representing Levels of Service (LOS) A, C, and E as defined in the 2000 Highway Capacity Manual. Participants also completed questionnaires documenting demographics and driving history. Both safety and traffic flow related driving outcomes were considered. A Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Variance was employed to analyze continuous outcome variables and a Generalized Estimate Equation (GEE) Poisson model was used to analyze count variables. Results revealed that, in general more lane deviations and crashes occurred during texting. Distraction (in most cases, text messaging) had a significantly negative impact on traffic flow, such that participants exhibited greater fluctuation in speed, changed lanes significantly fewer times, and took longer to complete the scenario. In turn, more simulated vehicles passed the participant drivers while they were texting or talking on a cell phone than while undistracted. The results indicate that distracted driving, particularly texting, may lead to reduced safety and traffic flow, thus having a negative impact on traffic operations. No significant differences were detected between age groups, suggesting that all drivers, regardless of age, may drive in a manner that impacts safety and traffic flow negatively when distracted.     

Electrochemical synthesis and characterization of conducting copolymers of biphenyl with pyrrole

Copolymer films of biphenyl and pyrrole were synthesized by electrochemical polymerization. The influence of the applied potential used for the electropolymerization on the structure, morphology, electrical conductivity, and stability of the films was examined. From the analysis of the current–time curves, it was found that the growth of the copolymer films starts immediately. The films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, and scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and their electrical conductivity (σ), energy gap (E_g), and electrochemical stability were also determined. Based on the results, the copolymers were classified into three groups. The first includes the (PP-PPy)_0.80 copolymer synthesized at the lowest potential E_ox (0.80 V), having the highest ratio R (R = 0.35) of quinoid to benzenoid rings (calculated from FTIR), the highest value of σ (σ = 0.9 S/cm), the lowest E_g (E_g = 1.20 eV), and has compact morphology. The second group concerns the copolymers synthesized at higher potential (0.82 up to 0.86 V), having lower R (∼ 0.20), lower σ (below 0.4 S/cm), higher E_g (∼ 1.35 eV), and they are less compact with many pores. The third group includes the copolymers synthesized at even higher applied potential (0.88 and 0.90 V), having even lower R values (∼ 0.10), significantly lower σ (∼ 10⁻³ S/cm), even higher E_g (∼ 1.70 eV), and they are very porous. The applied potential during electropolymerization strongly affects the properties of the synthesized copolymers. Because of the combination of high conductivity, low energy gap, and partial solubility with significant electrochemical stability, these new copolymers are attractive candidates for many applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Current mass spectrometry strategies for the analysis of pesticides and their metabolites in food and water matrices

Analysis of pesticides and their metabolites in food and water matrices continues to be an active research area closely related to food safety and environmental issues. This review discusses the most widely applied mass spectrometric (MS) approaches to pesticide residues analysis over the last few years. The main techniques for sample preparation remain solvent extraction and solid‐phase extraction. The QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) approach is being increasingly used for the development of multi‐class pesticide residues methods in various sample matrices. MS detectors—triple quadrupole (QqQ), ion‐trap (IT), quadrupole linear ion trap (QqLIT), time‐of‐flight (TOF), and quadrupole time‐of‐flight (QqTOF)—have been established as powerful analytical tools sharing a primary role in the detection/quantification and/or identification/confirmation of pesticides and their metabolites. Recent developments in analytical instrumentation have enabled coupling of ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and fast gas chromatography (GC) with MS detectors, and faster analysis for a greater number of pesticides. The newly developed “ambient‐ionization” MS techniques (e.g., desorption electrospray ionization, DESI, and direct analysis in real time, DART) hyphenated with high‐resolution MS platforms without liquid chromatography separation, and sometimes with minimum pre‐treatment, have shown potential for pesticide residue screening. The recently introduced Orbitrap mass spectrometers can provide high resolving power and mass accuracy, to tackle complex analytical problems involved in pesticide residue analysis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 30:907–939, 2011     

Synthesis and characterization of electrically conducting copolymers based on biphenyl and thiophene

New electrically conducting copolymers based on biphenyl and thiophene in a form of film were synthesized by electropolymerization using potentiostatic conditions and the corresponding homopolymers, polyphenylenes, and polythiophenes, for comparison reasons. Different values of applied potential were used, to study its effect on the structure, morphology, and electrical conductivity of the films. From the analysis of the current‐time curves, it was found that the growth of the films follows layer by layer (2D) mechanism. The films were studied by FTIR, TGA, XRD, SEM‐EDAX and their electrical conductivity was determined, as well as their energy gap (E_g) by cyclic voltammetry. The copolymers had higher conductivity (appr. 1 S/cm) and lower E_g (appr. 1.2 eV) than that of the corresponding homopolymers. These materials due to their high conductivity, high stability under repetitive potential cycling, and partial solubility are candidates for electronic applications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010