Synthesis of alkyloxy (di)alkylamino propanols, hydroxy alkyloxy (di)alkylamino propanols, and the dimer compounds for use as fuel additives

Alkyl glycidyl ethers and bis glycidyl ethers, synthesized in a heterogeneous weakly hydrous medium, were condensed with primary or secondary amines to obtain 3-alkyloxy propanolamines or bis alkyloxy propanolamines in a regioselective manner. The compounds were characterized by conventional spectroscopic methods, and complete nuclear magnetic resonance data are given. Their high-temperature stability, their good emulsifying power, their oxidation, and corrosion inhibition make these compounds suitable for solubilizing ethanol-diesel fuel blends.     

Offset printing inks based on rapeseed and sunflower oil. Part I: Synthesis and characterization of rapeseed oil-and sunflower oil-modified alkyd resins

Two sets of alkyd resins of variable oil lengths with the required properties for offset printing ink formulations, modified by sunflower and rapeseed oil, were synthetized according to the “monoglyceride” process. The influence of the acyl composition of the modifying vegetable oil and of the oil content on alkyds’ properties was determined by detailed chemical and rheological characterization. Molecular structure, size, and molecule size distribution appeared to be linked to these two factors. A comparative study with two usual linseed oil-modified alkyds led to determination of the more appropriate alkyds for applications in offset varnishes.     

On the Characterisation of Silver Species for SCR of NO x with Ethanol

Reducing of nitrogen oxides (NO _x ) in a lean exhaust gases has become one of the most important environmental concerns. Among the different active phases studied for NO _x reduction reaction, silver-based catalysts supported over alumina show good performances using, as reducing agents, either hydrocarbons or oxygenated compounds. Nevertheless, a good understanding of the mechanism reaction has not been reached yet. This comprehension requires a better characterisation of the silver-based catalysts system. In our study, Ag/Al₂O₃ catalysts showed high efficiency in NO _x reduction using ethanol as reducing agent. The conversion plots, in steady state conditions for the different samples Ag/Al₂O₃ (0.8–3.5% Ag wt), show a great dependance of the activity with the metal loading. The optimal silver loading has been established around 2 wt.% Increasing the silver loading, the temperature of maximal NO _x conversion shifted toward the lower temperatures. According to the literature, a reduced and an oxide phase of silver have been observed by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The ratio between the two phases is changing with the silver loading. However, temperature programmed reduction (TPR) measurements reveal the presence of two types of oxide phases. TPR reveal the coexistence of a silver oxide phase (Ag₂O), according to a production of water in the course of the reaction, and a non-oxygenated phase attributed to isolated Ag⁺ cation. Thus, an original way using TPR measurements has been developed to differentiate the various oxidized phases. The aim of this characterisation is to correlate the catalyst’s activity with the observed silver phases, in order to understand the nature of phase active for NO _x reduction at low temperatures.     

Role of Scaffolds,Subchondral, Intra-Articular Injections of Fresh Autologous Bone Marrow Concentrate Regenerative Cells in Treating Human Knee Cartilage Lesions: Different Approaches and Different Results

The value of bone marrow aspirate concentrates for treatment of human knee cartilage lesions is unclear. Most of the studies were performed with intra-articular injections. However, subchondral bone plays an important role in the progression of osteoarthritis. We investigated by a literature review whether joint, subchondral bone, or/and scaffolds implantation of fresh autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrated (BMAC) containing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) would improve osteoarthritis (OA). There is in vivo evidence that suggests that all these different approaches (intra-articular injections, subchondral implantation, scaffolds loaded with BMAC) can improve the patient. This review analyzes the evidence for each different approach to treat OA. We found that the use of intra-articular injections resulted in a significant relief of pain symptoms in the short term and was maintained in 12 months. However, the clinical trials indicate that the application of autologous bone marrow concentrates in combination with scaffolds or in injection in the subchondral bone was superior to intra-articular injection for long-term results. The tendency of MSCs to differentiate into fibrocartilage affecting the outcome was a common issue faced by all the studies when biopsies were performed, except for scaffolds implantation in which some hyaline cartilage was found. The review suggests also that both implantation of subchondral BMAC and scaffolds loaded with BMAC could reduce the need for further surgery.     

Three‐dimensional flow dynamics around deflectors

Many river rehabilitation projects to enhance the aquatic habitat focus on the creation of pool and riffle habitat by the implementation of flow deflectors, with various degrees of successes and failures. A more comprehensive understanding of the complex three‐dimensional flow dynamics that induces scour around instream structures is required for a more effective design. The objective of this study is to examine the three‐dimensional mean and turbulent flow characteristics around paired flow deflectors for various types of deflector design in a laboratory flume. Three deflector angles (45°, 90° and 135°) and two deflector heights (with flow under and over the deflector height) were tested over a smooth (plexiglas) bed and a sand bed. Three‐dimensional velocity measurements were taken with an acoustic Doppler velocimeter at several planform positions at two heights above the bed. Results show that the 90° deflectors create the most important disturbance in the mean flow field, in turbulence intensity and bed shear stress. There is, however, a marked difference in the spatial distribution of the mean and turbulent parameters over a mobile bed and over a smooth, fixed bed. This stresses the importance of understanding the feedback between bed topography and flow dynamics and limits the applicability of conclusions drawn from plane bed experiments to natural rivers. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High-sensitivity detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed onto soot particles using laser desorption/laser ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry: An approach to studying the soot inception process in low-pressure flames

Species adsorbed at the surfaces of soot particles sampled at different locations in a low-pressure methane flame have been analyzed. The analysis method is laser desorption/laser ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LD/LI/TOF-MS) applied to soot particles deposited on a filter after probe extraction in the flame. In order to fully characterize the experimental apparatus, a strategy of systematic investigations has been adopted, beginning with the study of less complex systems constituted by model soot (standard polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, adsorbed on black carbon), and then natural soot sampled from a literature reference ethylene flame. This characterization allowed a good understanding of the analytical response of PAHs to the desorption and ionization processes and the definition of the optimal experimental conditions. The soot PAH content was then investigated on a low-pressure methane/oxygen/nitrogen premixed flat flame (? = 2.32) as a function of the sampling height above the burner (HAB). The obtained mass spectra are reproducible, fragment-free, well resolved in the analyzed m/z range and they are characterized by an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. They all feature regular peak sequences, where each signal peak has been assigned to the most stable high-temperature-formed PAHs. The structure of the mass spectra depends on the sampling HAB into the flame, i.e., on the reaction time. An original contribution to the data interpretation comes from the development of a new sampling method that makes it possible to infer hypotheses about the PAH partition between the gas phase and the soot particles. This method highlights the presence of high-mass PAHs in the soot nucleation zone, and it suggests the importance of heterogeneous reactions occurring between flame PAHs and soot particles.     

Life cycle assessment of a community hydroelectric power system in rural Thailand

Rural electrification and the provision of low cost, low emission technology in developing countries require decision makers to be well informed on the costs, appropriateness and environmental credentials of all available options. While cost and appropriateness are often shaped by observable local considerations, environmental considerations are increasingly influenced by global concerns which are more difficult to identify and convey to all stakeholders.Life cycle assessment is an iterative process used to analyse a product or system. This study iteratively applies life cycle assessment (LCA) to a 3 kW community hydroelectric system located in Huai Kra Thing (HKT) village in rural Thailand. The cradle to grave analysis models the hydropower scheme’s construction, operation and end of life phases over a period of twenty years and includes all relevant equipment, materials and transportation.The study results in the enumeration of the environmental credentials of the HKT hydropower system and highlights the need to place environmental performance, and LCA itself, in a proper context. In the broadest sense, LCA results for the HKT hydropower system are found to reflect a common trend reported in hydropower LCA literature, namely that smaller hydropower systems have a greater environmentally impact per kWh – perform less well environmentally - than larger systems. Placed within a rural electrification context, however, the HKT hydropower system yields better environmental and financial outcomes than diesel generator and grid connection alternatives.     

Implication of scavenger receptors in the interactions between diesel exhaust particles and immature or mature dendritic cells

Background  

The exposure to pollutants such as diesel exhaust particles (DEP) is associated with an increased incidence of respiratory diseases. However, the mechanisms by which DEP have an effect on human health are not completely understood. In addition to their action on macrophages and airway epithelial cells, DEP also modulate the functions of dendritic cells (DC). These professional antigen-presenting cells are able to discriminate unmodified self from non-self thanks to pattern recognition receptors such as the Toll like Receptors (TLR) and Scavenger Receptors (SR). SR were originally identified by their ability to bind and internalize modified lipoproteins and microorganisms but also particles and TLR agonists. In this study, we assessed the implication of SR in the effects of DEP associated or not with TLR agonists on monocyte-derived DC (MDDC). For this, we studied the regulation of CD36, CXCL16, LOX-1, SR-A1 and SR-B1 expression on MDDC treated with DEP associated or not with TLR2, 3 and 4 ligands. Then, the capacity of SR ligands (dextran sulfate and maleylated-ovalbumin) to block the effects of DEP on the function of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated DC has been evaluated.     

Reservoir Management Using a Network Flow Optimization Model Considering Quadratic Convex Cost Functions on Arcs

The allocation of water resources between different users is a hard task for water managers because they must deal with conflicting objectives. The main objective is to obtain the most accurate distribution of the resource and the associated circulating flows through the system. This induces the need for a river basin optimization model that provides optimized results. This article presents a network flow optimization model to solve the water allocation problem in water resource systems. Managing a water system consists in providing water in the right proportion, at the right place and at the right time. Time expanded network allows to take into consideration the temporal dimension in the decision making. Since linear cost functions on arcs present many limitations and are not realistic, quadratic convex cost functions on arcs are considered here. The optimization algorithm developed herein extend the cycle canceling algorithm developed for linear cost functions. The methodology is applied to manage the three reservoirs of La Haute-Vilaine’s watershed located in the north west of France to protect a three vulnerable areas from flooding. The results obtained with the algorithm are compared to a reference scenario which consists in considering reservoirs transparent. The results show that the algorithm succeeds in managing the reservoir releases efficiently and keeps the flow rates below the vigilance flow in the vulnerable areas.