Inorganic-organic phase arrangement as a factor affecting gas-phase desulfurization on catalytic carbonaceous adsorbents

Dried sewage sludge was physically mixed with waste paper (paper-to-sludge ratios from 25% to 75%). To increase the catalytic activity, from 1% to 6% calcium hydroxide was added to the mixtures. Then the precursors were carbonized at 950 degrees C. The performance of materials as H2S adsorbents was tested using a home-developed dynamic breakthrough test. The samples, before and after the adsorption process, were characterized by adsorption of nitrogen, potentiometric titration, thermal analysis, XRF, and SEM. Differences in the performance were linked to the surface properties. Itwas found that mixing paper with sludge increases the amount of H2S adsorbed/oxidized in comparison with that adsorbed/oxidized by the adsorbents obtained from pure precursors (sludge or waste paper) and the capacity is comparable to those of the best activated carbons existing on the market. Although both sewage sludge and waste paper provide the catalytic centers for hydrogen sulfide oxidation, the dispersion of the catalyst and its location within accessible pores is an important factor. The presence of cellulose in the precursor mixture leads to the formation of a light macroporous char whose particles physically separate the inorganic catalytic phase of the sewage sludge origin, decreasing the density of the adsorbent and thus providing more space for storage of oxidation products. This, along with calcium, contributes to a significant increase in the capacity of the materials as hydrogen sulfide adsorbents. On their surface about 30 wt % H2S can be adsorbed, mainly as elemental sulfur or sulfates. The results demonstrate the importance of the composition and arrangement of inorganic/ organic phases for the removal of hydrogen sulfide. The interesting finding is that although some microporosity is necessary to increase the storage area for oxidation products, the carbonaceous phase does not need to be highly microporous. It is important that it provides space for deposition of sulfur, which is formed on the inorganic-phase catalyst. That space can be in meso- and macropores as shown in the case of char derived from the waste paper.     

Chemical characterisation of CTC black tea of northeast India: correlation of quality parameters with tea tasters' evaluation

BACKGROUND: Consumers have different regional perceptions of tea quality. Objective evaluation based on biochemical data for different regions has been needed for a long time. Biochemical factors regulating this variation would help to remove regional disparities. This study was undertaken on CTC (crust, tear and curl) black tea to generate the biochemical data responsible for quality along with tea tasters' evaluation of three geographical regions of northeast India and to determine the reason for the variation. RESULTS: Brahmaputra valley teas had highest theaflavin (TF), thearubigin (TR), brightness (BR) and total colour (TC) and low crude fibre content (CFC) and total polyphenol (TPP). Brahmaputra valley and Dooars region teas showed high total soluble solid (TSS). Barak valley teas had highest CFC and low TSS, caffeine (CA), TF, TR and TC. Dooars region teas had high CA and TPP and low BR. Dooars region and Barak valley teas contained higher levels of residual catechin than Brahmaputra valley teas. CONCLUSION: Overall quality as evaluated by tea tasters was found to be highest for Brahmaputra valley teas followed by Dooars region and Barak valley teas. This high evaluation can be attributed to higher levels of TF, TR, BR and TSS. Barak valley and Dooars region teas contained high residual catechin, indicating limitation in oxidation during processing. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

可降解血管支架用Mg-4.0Zn-0.2Mn-0.2Ca微细管的体外降解行为

通过浸泡实验和电化学测试研究了Mg-4.0Zn-0.2Mn-0.2Ca（质量分数）微细管的体外降解行为与腐蚀机理。结果表明,退火处理可以提高微细管的耐腐蚀性。长期浸泡实验表明腐蚀过程相对均匀,退火微细管在Hank''s溶液中的腐蚀速率约为0.30 mm/a。在浸泡初期,退火管材表面生成Mg(OH)₂,形成保护膜,阻碍腐蚀进行。虽然Mg(OH)₂膜上形成的羟基磷灰石（HA）可以进一步降低腐蚀速率,但是镁基体中粗大的第二相会增强电偶腐蚀效应,并且生成的大量氢气,从而破坏HA膜,使腐蚀继续进行。     

传统发酵霉豆渣中微生物的分离及其作为豆渣发酵剂的应用

豆渣是大豆加工的副产品,具有产量大但应用不足的特点。为提高豆渣的利用率,开发新型豆渣产品。该实验对湖南邵阳霉豆渣进行微生物分离,旨在得到能利用豆渣营养物质的菌株。共分离33株菌,分别为乳酸菌13株,戊糖乳杆菌（Lactobacillus pentosus）、乳酸片球菌（Pediococcus lolii）、短乳酸杆菌（Lactobacillus brevis）、发酵乳杆菌（Lactobacillus fermentum）、融合魏斯氏（Weissella confusa）;芽孢杆菌7株,枯草芽孢杆菌（Bacillus subtilis）、贝莱斯芽孢杆菌（Bacillus velezensis）;葡萄球菌9株,松鼠葡萄球菌（Staphylococcus sciuri）、克氏葡萄球菌（Staphylococcus kloosii）、鸡葡萄球菌（Staphylococcus gallinarum）、缓慢葡萄球菌（Staphylococcus lentus）;2株酵母菌,库德毕赤酵母（Pichia kudriavzevii）、白地霉（Geotrichum candidum）;2株霉菌,总状横梗霉（Lichtheimia ramosa）和伞房横梗霉（Lichtheimia corymbifera）。用白地霉、总状横梗霉和伞房横梗霉固态发酵豆渣,结果表明,发酵豆渣总酚和抗氧化活性明显高于未发酵的豆渣（p<0.05）,发酵6 d,ABTS清除率和总酚含量达到最高,为92.67%和134.35 mg GAE/10 g,DPPH清除率为79.98%。证实发酵豆渣可提高豆渣营养价值,有助于豆渣在食品及其副产品的应用。     

Algal ecology and composition in the Garmat ali river,Iraq

Planktonic, epipelic and epiphytic algae were studied monthly, during the period from January to December 1985 in the Garmat ali river, a naturally regulated river draining to the al-Hammar marsh, Iraq. Chlorophyll-a, primary productivity and water quality variables were also measured. High light penetration was noticed during the winter and spring. The water is oligohaline, alkaline and very hard. Reactive nitrate was found in higher concentrations than nitrite, and there were low concentrations of reactive phosphate. Two peaks were noticed for chlorophyll-a concentrations during spring and autumn, whereas only one occurred during autumn for primary productivity. The study area may be characterized as typically mesotrophic. A total of 154 species of algae was identified, including 65, 89, 98 and 77 species of plankton, epipelic and epiphytic algae on Potamogeton lucens and on Ceratophyllum demersum, respectively. Only 25 species were common to all the different communities. Diatoms were the dominant group in the epipelic and epiphytic algae during the study period, as well as in the plankton during spring and autumn. Seasonal variations were clear in the total cell numbers of algae from different habitats.     

The Therapeutic Potential of Exosomes in Soft Tissue Repair and Regeneration

Soft tissue defects are common following trauma and tumor extirpation. These injuries can result in poor functional recovery and lead to a diminished quality of life. The healing of skin and muscle is a complex process that, at present, leads to incomplete recovery and scarring. Regenerative medicine may offer the opportunity to improve the healing process and functional outcomes. Barriers to regenerative strategies have included cost, regulatory hurdles, and the need for cell-based therapies. In recent years, exosomes, or extracellular vesicles, have gained tremendous attention in the field of soft tissue repair and regeneration. These nanosized extracellular particles (30–140 nm) can break the cellular boundaries, as well as facilitate intracellular signal delivery in various regenerative physiologic and pathologic processes. Existing studies have established the potential of exosomes in regenerating tendons, skeletal muscles, and peripheral nerves through different mechanisms, including promoting myogenesis, increasing tenocyte differentiation and enhancing neurite outgrowth, and the proliferation of Schwann cells. These exosomes can be stored for immediate use in the operating room, and can be produced cost efficiently. In this article, we critically review the current advances of exosomes in soft tissue (tendons, skeletal muscles, and peripheral nerves) healing. Additionally, new directions for clinical applications in the future will be discussed.     

A Novel Sprague-Dawley Rat Model Presents Improved NASH/NAFLD Symptoms with PEG Coated Vitexin Liposomes

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a global threat to the human population, with manifestations resulting from alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD, if not treated, may progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Furthermore, inflammation leads to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Vitexin, a natural flavonoid, has been recently reported for inhibiting NAFLD. It is a lipogenesis inhibitor and activates lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. In addition, owing to its antioxidant properties, it appeared as a hepatoprotective candidate. However, it exhibits low bioavailability and low efficacy due to its hydrophobic nature. A novel rat model for liver cirrhosis was developed by CCL4/Urethane co-administration. Vitexin encapsulated liposomes were synthesized by the ‘thin-film hydration’ method. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was coated on liposomes to enhance stability and stealth effect. The diseased rats were then treated with vitexin and PEGylated vitexin liposomes, administered intravenously and orally. Results ascertained the liposomal encapsulation of vitexin and subsequent PEG coating to be a substantial strategy for treating liver cirrhosis through oral drug delivery.     

Temperature-Invariant Scaling for Compressible Turbulent Boundary Layers with Wall Heat Transfer

In a recent paper by Zhang et al. in 2012, a Mach number-invariant scaling was proposed to account for the effect of variation of free-stream Mach number in supersonic turbulent boundary layers. The present work focuses on the effect of variation of wall temperature with strong heating and cooling at the wall. Direct numerical simulation is used to study scaling and turbulence structure of a spatially evolving Mach 2 supersonic boundary layer at a friction Reynolds number of 500. A new scaling law is proposed to account for temperature-dependent fluid-property variations. This universal scaling appears superior to the existing models with the novelty that it applies not only for the mean-velocity profile but also extends to the turbulent transport, production, and dissipation terms in the budget of the turbulent kinetic energy.