Effect of mixture of surfactants and adsorbents on anaerobic digestion of water hyacinth-cattle dung

In an effort to improve the anaerobic digestion of water hyacinth-cattle dung with enriched methane content, the effects of mixtures of surfactant-surfactant, adsorbent-adsorbent and surfactant-adsorbent have been studied in various combinations. Among the combinations tested, bentonite and gelatin, gelatin and Tegoprens 43, sodium lauryl sulfate and Tegoprens 42, and Tegoprens 47 and Tegoprens 63 showed more than a 100% increase in gas production with higher methane yield.     

Determination of the antiplatelet agent. KB-3022, and its metabolite by high-performance liquid chromatography

A rapid, accurate and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of a new antiplatelet agent, ethyl 2-[4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl]pyrrol-1-ylacetate (KB-3022), and its main metabolite, 2-[4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl]pyrrol-1-ylacetic acid (desethyl KB-3022), in biological fluids has been developed. KB-3022 and desethyl KB-3022 in plasma or urine were extracted with a mixture of n-hexane and dichloromethane (1:1), separated on a reversed-phase C18 column with a mixture of 0.01 M (NH4)2HPO4 (pH 3.0), acetonitrile and isopropyl alcohol as a mobile phase, and quantitated by ultraviolet absorbance measurement at 340 nm. 4-[2-(4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl)pyrrol-1-yl]butyric acid was used as an internal standard. The detection limit of KB-3022 in plasma was 3 ng/ml, and that of KB-3022 in urine and desethyl KB-3022 in plasma or urine was 1 ng/ml. The coefficients of variation for the determination of KB-3022 or desethyl KB-3022 in plasma or urine were below 5.6%. This method was applied to the determination of the plasma concentration of KB-3022 and desethyl KB-3022 after intravenous administration to rats.     

Photo-stability of the new antiplatelet agent, KBT-3022 (ethyl 2-[4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazole-2-yl]pyrrol-1-ylacetate) in aqueous solutions containing acetonitrile.

The photo-stability of ethyl 2-[4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazole-2-yl]pyrrol-1-ylacetate, KBT-3022 in aqueous solutions containing acetonitrile was investigated under the light of a high pressure mercury lamp. Its main photo-degradation product was assumed to be ethyl 5-hydroxy-5-[4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazole-2-yl]-2-oxo-3-pyrrolin+ ++-1-ylacetate. KBT-3022 was also found to undergo ester hydrolysis by heat in both acidic and basic aqueous solutions, but its hydrolysis was confirmed to be negligible in the range of pH 3-9 at room temperature (25 degrees C). Further, its photo-stability with exposure to the high pressure mercury lamp was comparable to that with exposure to a fluorescent lamp. Therefore, it is considered feasible to simulate the photo-stability of KBT-3022 in aqueous solutions containing acetonitrile by exposure to all other light sources including diffuse daylight, if the cumulative number of photons of the light can be determined by actinometry.     

Effects of ionizing radiation on epoxy,graphite fiber and epoxy/graphite fiber composites. Part I: Surface energy changes

Surface energy changes of an epoxy based on tetraglycidyl diaminodiphenyl methane (TGDDM)/diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS), T-300 graphite fiber, and T-300/5208 (graphite fiber/epoxy) composites have been investigated after irradiation with 0.5 MeV electrons. The surface energy of TGDDM-DDS epoxy increases monotonically with radiation doses up to 1,000 Mrad mainly due to increased concentration of polar groups. IR and ESCA spectral evidence indicates that carbonyl groups are formed, probably from the tertiary hydrogen at the carbon where the ? OH group is attached in the cured epoxy. The polarity of the graphite fiber and the graphite fiber/epoxy interface also increases with radiation dose. These results and the roles of oxygen are discussed in connection with mechanical properties of epoxy/graphite fiber composites exposed to ionizing radiation.     

Effects of ionizing radiation on epoxy,graphite fiber,and epoxy/graphite fiber composites. Part II: Radical types and radical decay behavior

Electron spin resonance (ESR) investigations of line shapes and radical decay behavior have been made on an epoxy based on tetraglycidyl diaminodiphenyl methane (TGDDM)/diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS), T-300 graphite fiber, and T-300/5208 (graphite fiber/epoxy) composites after irradiation with Co₆₀ γ-radiation or 0.5 MeV electrons. Two kinetically distinct radical species are found in the irradiated epoxy as the temperature is raised beyond 120 K following irradiation of samples at 77 K with Co₆₀ γ. One has been termed a fast-decaying species and the other a slow-decaying species. The ratio of fast-decaying/slow-decaying radicals increases as the decay temperature rises. The fast-decaying radicals at room temperature are attributed largely to alkyl type radicals residing in regions of relatively low crosslink density, while the long-lived radicals are attributed to radicals residing in the highly crosslinked regions of the epoxy. A large concentration (ca. 10₂₀ to 10₂₁ spins/g) of unpaired electrons was found in unirradiated graphite fiber which masked the ESR spectral change in irradiated composites.     

T-2 Toxin—The Most Toxic Trichothecene Mycotoxin: Metabolism,Toxicity, and Decontamination Strategies

Among trichothecenes, T-2 toxin is the most toxic fungal secondary metabolite produced by different Fusarium species. Moreover, T-2 is the most common cause of poisoning that results from the consumption of contaminated cereal-based food and feed reported among humans and animals. The food and feed most contaminated with T-2 toxin is made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, and maize. After exposition or ingestion, T-2 is immediately absorbed from the alimentary tract or through the respiratory mucosal membranes and transported to the liver as a primary organ responsible for toxin''s metabolism. Depending on the age, way of exposure, and dosage, intoxication manifests by vomiting, feed refusal, stomach necrosis, and skin irritation, which is rarely observed in case of mycotoxins intoxication. In order to eliminate T-2 toxin, various decontamination techniques have been found to mitigate the concentration of T-2 toxin in agricultural commodities. However, it is believed that 100% degradation of this toxin could be not possible. In this review, T-2 toxin toxicity, metabolism, and decontamination strategies are presented and discussed.     

Quater-, quinque-, and sexithiophene organogelators: unique thermochromism and heating-free sol-gel phase transition

A series of quater-, quinque-, and sexithiophene derivatives bearing two cholesteryl groups at the alpha-position, which are abbreviated as 4 T-(chol)(2), 5 T-(chol)(2), and 6 T-(chol)(2), respectively, have been synthesized. It has been found that these oligothiophene derivatives act as excellent organogelators for various organic fluids and show the unique thermochromic behaviors through the sol-gel phase transition. It was shown on the basis of extensive investigations, performed with UV-visible spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), that these gelators self-assemble into the one-dimensional structures in the organogels, in which the pi-block moieties of the oligothiophenes are stacked in an H-aggregation mode. Surprisingly, an AFM image shows that 4 T-(chol)(2) forms unimolecular fibers in a left-handed helical sense, whereby one pitch of the helical fiber is constructed by 400-540 4 T-(chol)(2) molecules. Very interestingly, the conformational change in the oligothiophene moieties can be visually detected: for example, 6 T-(chol)(2) shows a specific absorption maximum in the gel (lambda(max) = 389 nm) and in the solution (lambda(max) = 439 nm). In addition, a sol-gel phase transition of the 6 T-(chol)(2) gel was implemented by addition of oxidizing and reducing reagents such as FeCl(3) and ascorbic acid, respectively. The stimuli-responsive functionality of the oligothiophene-based organogels makes them promising candidates for switchable opto- and electronic soft materials.     

5S, 8S-germacra-1E,6E-dien-5-ol from the oleoresin ofPicea ajanensis and its biomimetic cyclization

From the oleoresin of the Yeddo spruce we have isolated a new sesquiterpene alcohol for which, on the basis of spectral and chemical characteristics, the structure of 5S, 8S-germacra-1E,6E-dien-5-ol (I) is suggested. The photocyclization of the alcohol isolated has given bourbonol, and its reaction with formic acid has yielded -and -cadinenes, the formates of T-muurolol and of T- and -cadinols, and free T-muurolol and T- and -cadinols.Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 199–205, March–April, 1980.     

Metabolism of three trichothecene mycotoxins, T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol and deoxynivalenol, by bovine rumen microorganisms

The three trichothecene mycotoxins T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) and deoxynivalenol (DON) were incubated in vitro for 12, 24 and 48 h with rumen microorganisms obtained from a fistulated dairy cow. Gas chromatographic and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analyses of extracts indicated all three toxins were biotransformed to a variety of deepoxy and deacylated products. DON was partially converted to a product identified as deepoxy DON. DAS was rapidly converted to four products including 15-monoacetoxyscirpenol (MAS), scirpentriol and two new compounds identified as 15-acetoxy-3 alpha,4 beta-dihydroxytrichothec-9,12-diene (deepoxy MAS) and 3 alpha,4 beta,15-trihydroxytrichothec-9,12-diene (deepoxy scirpentriol). T-2 toxin was also completely biotransformed to the products HT-2, T-2 triol and two new metabolites identified as 15-acetoxy-3 alpha,4 beta-dihydroxy-8 alpha-(3-methylbutyryloxy) trichothec-9,12-diene (deepoxy HT-2) and 3 alpha,4 beta,15-trihydroxy-8 alpha-(3-methylbutyryloxy)trichothec-9,12-diene (deepoxy T-2 triol).     

NiO/SnO2-ZrO2催化剂的制备及甲烷燃烧催化性能的研究

利用正交分析，通过溶胶凝胶－超临界干燥及复合浸渍的方法制备了NiO/SnO2-ZrO2催化剂，进行了活性评价，考察了前驱物、NiO、SnO2含量及制备方法对催化剂活性及稳定性的影响，并采用XRD、TEM对催化剂进行了表征分析，结果表明：NiO/SnO2-ZrO2催化剂具有良好的甲烷燃烧催化性能（t100%=640 ℃），其活性、稳定性与制备参数密切相关，其中NiO含量是影响催化剂活性、稳定性的最主要参数，它对催化剂稳定性和活性的影响规律正相反； SnO2组分的添加使ZrO2单斜相稳定，对催化剂起到了良好的稳定化作用，发现当SnO2含量在6 mol％左右时，催化剂具有较好的稳定性；对于制备方法，在凝胶前加入活性组分有利于催化剂的高活性，而在凝胶后加入活性组分，则有利于催化剂保持较好的稳定性；活性组分前驱物对催化剂性能影响不大，采用Ni(NO3)2作为前驱物较为合适。     

超低浓度甲烷在Cu/γ-Al2O3催化颗粒流化床中的燃烧特性

采用流化床燃烧技术,使用自制Cu/γ-Al₂O₃颗粒作为催化剂床料,实验研究了超低浓度甲烷在流化床中催化燃烧时床层温度(450~700℃)、流化风速比ω(1.5~4)、进气甲烷体积分数(0.3%~2%)等对甲烷燃烧效率的影响。结果表明,床层温度是影响甲烷催化燃烧反应的关键因素,甲烷的转化率随着床层温度的升高而增加;床层温度达到650℃时,甲烷含量低于1%的超低浓度甲烷其转化率超过95%,继续提高床层温度至700℃且控制流化风速比ω≤2可以实现甲烷的完全转化;甲烷转化率随着流化风速和进气甲烷浓度的增加而降低,当ω>3.5时,温度对甲烷转化的影响减弱,未燃烧的甲烷含量增大。动力学实验发现,床层温度较低时,催化反应受动力学控制,测得催化反应的活化能E_a为1.26×10⁵J/mol,反应级数m为0.73,当温度t>450℃时,扩散作用影响显著,反应级数增大。     

Molecular dynamics study of structure H clathrate hydrates of methane and large guest molecules

Methane storage in structure H (sH) clathrate hydrates is attractive due to the relatively higher stability of sH as compared to structure I methane hydrate. The additional stability is gained without losing a significant amount of gas storage density as happens in the case of structure II (sII) methane clathrate. Our previous work has showed that the selection of a specific large molecule guest substance (LMGS) as the sH hydrate former is critical in obtaining the optimum conditions for crystallization kinetics, hydrate stability, and methane content. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations are employed to provide further insight regarding the dependence of methane occupancy on the type of the LMGS and pressure. Moreover, the preference of methane molecules to occupy the small (5(12)) or medium (4(3)5(6)6(3)) cages and the minimum cage occupancy required to maintain sH clathrate mechanical stability are examined. We found that thermodynamically, methane occupancy depends on pressure but not on the nature of the LMGS. The experimentally observed differences in methane occupancy for different LMGS may be attributed to the differences in crystallization kinetics and/or the nonequilibrium conditions during the formation. It is also predicted that full methane occupancies in both small and medium clathrate cages are preferred at higher pressures but these cages are not fully occupied at lower pressures. It was found that both small and medium cages are equally favored for occupancy by methane guests and at the same methane content, the system suffers a free energy penalty if only one type of cage is occupied. The simulations confirm the instability of the hydrate when the small and medium cages are empty. Hydrate decomposition was observed when less than 40% of the small and medium cages are occupied.     

New, sensitive thin-layer chromatographic-high-performance liquid chromatographic method for detection of trichothecene mycotoxins

Diphenylindenone sulphonyl (Dis) esters of trichothecene mycotoxins when sprayed with sodium methoxide showed fluorescent spots on a thin layer of silica gel when viewed under long-wavelength UV light. The detection limit for trichothecene esters in thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was 20-25 ng per spot for T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, T-2 triol, T-2 tetraol and iso-HT-2 toxin. A quantitative high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of Dis-trichothecene esters was also developed using UV detection at 278 nm. The detection limit for the above esters varied between 30 and 50 ng per injection. This sensitive TLC-HPLC method is very useful for in vivo pharmacokinetic analyses of trichothecenes.     

Self-preservation of methane hydrates produced in “dry water”

The first results of studying the possibility of self-preservation of methane hydrates produced in a “dry-water” dispersion were presented. It was shown for the first time that the anomalously low rates of dissociation of gas hydrates at a temperature below 273 K and a pressure of 0.1 MPa, which were previously known for methane hydrates, are also characteristic of methane hydrates forming in dry water. Methane hydrates obtained in dry water containing no more than 5 wt % stabilizer (hydrophobized silica nanoparticles) are primarily solids at a pressure of 0.1 MPa and a temperature below 273 K. At a stabilizer content of dry water of 10 or 15 wt %, a significant part of the hydrate sample looks like a free-flowing powder. The powder fraction increases with increasing stabilizer content, which reduces the efficiency of self-preservation of methane hydrates.     

Characterization, supramolecular assembly, and nanostructures of thiophene dendrimers

We report the synthesis and characterization of dendritic thiophene derivatives with their unique supramolecular assembly into 2-D crystals, nanowires, and nanoparticle aggregates. The structure and size of the dendrons and dendrimers have been confirmed with various techniques, such as NMR, SEC, and MALDI-TOF-MS. The mass values were consistent with the mass observed by MALDI-TOF-MS, whereas SEC measurements also gave useful information on the hydrodynamic volume of the individual dendrimers. The interesting electrooptical properties were highlighted by very broad absorption spectra and narrower fluorescence consistent with their electrochemical behavior. The self-organization of the dendrimers on the solid substrate is dependent on the nature of the substrate, preparation methods, and the molecule-molecule and molecule-substrate interactions. Thus, 14T-1 and 30T both formed globular aggregates on mica surface, while 14T-1 also formed nanowires on graphite surface. On the other hand, the larger 30T was observed to form 2-D crystalline structures. By varying the alkyl chain length attached to 14T-1, we were also able to obtain 2-D crystals on graphite. This showed that the different symmetry of packing for 30T and 14T-1 is also dependent on several factors, such as the molecular shape, size, and the presence of noncovalent intermolecular interactions. The results demonstrated the unique ability of thiophene dendrimers to form nanostructures on surfaces.     

Non-Oxidative Reforming of Methane in a Mini-Gliding Arc Discharge Reactor: Effects of Feed Methane Concentration, Feed Flow Rate, Electrode Gap Distance, Residence Time, and Catalyst Distance

In this work, a mini-gliding arc discharge reactor was employed for the reforming of methane under ambient temperature and pressure operation. Acetylene and hydrogen were produced dominantly with high selectivities of ~70?C90 and ~75%, respectively. The results showed that both methane conversion and product selectivities depended strongly on various operating parameters, including feed methane concentration, feed flow rate, electrode gap distance, residence time, and the presence of a reforming catalyst (as a function of catalyst distance). The Ni catalyst-loaded porous alumina-silica plate was used to study the catalytic effect on the process performance at various residence times. A considerable enhancement of methane conversion and product yields was achieved in the combined plasma-catalytic system, particularly at a longer residence time. The catalyst distance, or packing position of catalyst plate, was also found to be an important factor affecting the process performance of the combined plasma-catalytic methane reforming. The closer catalyst distance led to the greater methane conversion because of the greater possibility of adsorption?Cdesorption interactions of excited gaseous species on the catalyst surface to enhance subsequent reactions.     

Single-stage anaerobic codigestion for mixture wastes of simulated Korean food waste and waste activated sludge

Korean food waste was treated with a single-stage anaerobic codigester (SSAD) using waste activated sludge (WAS) generated from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The stability and performance of the system was analyzed. The C/N ratio was improved with increasing food waste fraction of feed mixture. The pH, alkalinity, and free ammonia nitrogen concentration were the parameters used to evaluate the digester’s stability. The experimentally determined values of the parameters indicated that there were no methane inhibitions in the digester. Digester performance was determined by measuring the total chemical oxygen demand TCOD), volate solids (VS) removal, methane content in biogas, methane production rate (MPR), and specific methane productivity. Methane content in biogas and MPR were significantly dependent on hydraulic retention time (HRT) and ratio of food waste to WAS. The methane content in biogas decreased at shorter HRT or higher organic loading rate (OLR) with increased food waste fraction. Concerning the performance of the codigester, the optimum operating condition of the SSAD was found to be at an HRT of 10 d with a feed mixture ratio of 50% food waste and 50% WAS. A TCOD removal efficiency of 53.6% and a VS removal efficiency of 53.7% were obtained at an OLR of 5.96 kg of TCOD/(m³·d) and 3.14 kg of VS/(m³·d), respectively. A maximum MPR of 1.15 m³ CH₄/(m³·d) and an SMP of 0.37 m³ CH₄/kg of VS_feed were obtained at an HRT of 10 d with a methane content of 63%.     

Thermophilic Dry Methane Fermentation of Distillation Residue Eluted from Ethanol Fermentation of Kitchen Waste and Dynamics of Microbial Communities

Thermophilic dry methane fermentation is advantageous for feedstock with high solid content. Distillation residue with 65.1 % moisture content was eluted from ethanol fermentation of kitchen waste and subjected to thermophilic dry methane fermentation, after adjusting the moisture content to 75 %. The effect of carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio on thermophilic dry methane fermentation was investigated. Results showed that thermophilic dry methane fermentation could not be stably performed for >10 weeks at a C/N ratio of 12.6 and a volatile total solid (VTS) loading rate of 1 g/kg sludge/d; however, it was stably performed at a C/N ratio of 19.8 and a VTS loading rate of 3 g/kg sludge/d with 83.4 % energy recovery efficiency. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the number of bacteria and archaea decreased by two orders of magnitude at a C/N ratio of 12.6, whereas they were not influenced at a C/N ratio of 19.8. Microbial community analysis revealed that the relative abundance of protein-degrading bacteria increased and that of organic acid-oxidizing bacteria and acetic acid-oxidizing bacteria decreased at a C/N ratio of 12.6. Therefore, there was accumulation of NH₄ ⁺ and acetic acid, which inhibited thermophilic dry methane fermentation.     

Optimization of equilibrium carbon dioxide methane reforming parameters by the Gibbs free energy minimization method

The thermodynamic equilibrium in the carbon dioxide conversion of methane is studied by Gibbs energy minimization. The curves that represent the dependences of the degree of coke formation, the content of methane and carbon dioxide in syngas, and the syngas module on the CO₂/CH₄ mole ratio in the initial mixture and on temperature at various pressures, are plotted. The regions in which the CO₂/CH₄ mole ratio is optimal for carbon dioxide conversion and no coke formation occurs, and which are characterized by a minimal content of methane and carbon dioxide in syngas, are revealed.     

Methane content and isotopic composition of shallow groundwater: implications for environmental monitoring related to shale gas exploitation

The baseline methane for shallow groundwater can provide an important evidence to interpret possible methane stray associated with shale gas exploration. This study investigated and traced methane content and its origin of shallow groundwater in a karst aquifer in the Fuling shale gas block, SW China. The results show that methane contents of shallow groundwater are all less than 0.01 mg L^?1 and volumetric content in dissolved gas ranges from not detected to 0.0064%. The δ¹³C-CH₄ ranges from ?74.4 to ?49.1‰, suggesting biogenic origin. For the first time, the δ¹³C-CH₄ and ³He/⁴He end-numbers were determined.