Thermoluminescence characteristics of minerals from irradiated potatoes of different origins of production

Thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics were investigated for minerals, which were separated from potatoes irradiated at 0–1 kGy of different origins of production in Korea. The polyminerals analyzed by X-ray diffractometer were mainly composed of quartz and feldspar, and showed varied contents with producing origins, that contributed to typical TL responses to irradiation. The glow curve of irradiated samples at 0.05–1 kGy peaked at approximately 200°C with high intensity, but that of non-irradiated potatoes was observed at approximately 300°C with low intensity. Discrimination between irradiated (more than 0.05 kGy) and non-irradiated samples was possible just on the basis of the first glow curve, however, normalization of results through a re-irradiation step greatly improved their reliability. The signal intensity of TL decreased with the lapse of post-irradiation time under different storage conditions (0±0.5°C/dark room, 25±5°C/dark room and 25±5°C/naturally lighted room) but was still distinguishable from that of the non-irradiated sample even after one year.     

Stability of carotenoid diets during feed processing and under different storage conditions

The stability of formulated carotenoid diets during feed processing and under different storage conditions were studied. All carotenoid diets were split into two groups with one group containing BHT (acting as an antioxidant) at 250 ppm and the other without BHT. The experiment was divided into two parts. First, all diets were evaluated in total carotenoid (TC) loss during feed processing, in dry mixed feeds after being processed and dried. In the final part, the completed dietary carotenoids were stored in an aluminum foil bag, the top of which was sealed with a bag sealer and kept under different storage conditions at 26-28 °C and 4 °C. The stability of the TC was observed during an 8-week trial period. The results showed that the diet pelleting process did not affect the carotenoid content of the diets, and the best storage temperature for the formulated carotenoid diet was at 4 °C. However, an antioxidant was added to assist in energy saving before feed processing. Thus, the addition of BHT at 250 ppm can be done at normal room temperature in order to reduce oxidation that might cause a loss of TC quantities in diets.     

不同液化条件下生物质残渣的燃烧特性研究

对锯屑在不同液化条件（溶剂、气氛、温度、催化剂）下所得液化残渣在热天平上进行了燃烧特性研究,通过比较液化残渣燃烧的三个特征温度,着火点ti、燃烧峰温tp和燃烬温度tb,分析了液化条件对残渣燃烧特性的影响。同时通过热重曲线所得数据探讨了液化残渣燃烧过程的动力学,并计算了活化能和频率因子 。结果表明,不同溶剂下所得液化残渣的燃烧特性显著不同,以四氢萘为溶剂所得液化残渣具有较好的燃烧特性;不同气氛下所得残渣的燃烧特性没有明显的不同;350℃下所得液化残渣的燃烧特性要好于300℃下所得液化残渣的燃烧特性;由于催化剂的影响,加入1%Mo后降低了所得液化残渣的燃烧特性;液化残渣的燃烧反应符合两段一级反应动力学。     

Characterization of asphaltenes precipitated with three light alkanes under different experimental conditions

Asphaltene precipitation plays an important role in both oil production and refining processes. In this paper, asphaltenes are precipitated from a heavy oil sample under different experimental conditions by using three different light alkanes, i.e., propane, n-pentane, and n-heptane. A variety of analytical techniques are applied to characterize the precipitated asphaltenes and deasphalted heavy oil (i.e., maltenes), such as the density and viscosity measurements, vapour-pressure osmometry, freezing-point osmometry, scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement, and simulated distillation for compositional analysis. It is found that the yields and properties of the precipitated asphaltenes and remaining maltenes strongly depend on the specific precipitant tested and the liquid precipitant-to-oil volume ratio used. The asphaltene yield decreases as the carbon number of an alkane increases, while it increases monotonically and finally reaches a plateau if the liquid precipitant-to-oil volume ratio increases up to 20–40 for n-pentane and n-heptane, respectively. As a result, n-heptane-precipitated asphaltenes (C₇-asphaltenes) have the highest molecular weight and aromaticity among the three kinds of precipitated asphaltenes. C₇-asphaltenes are bright and black particles, whereas n-pentane-precipitated asphaltenes (C₅-asphaltenes) are dull and brown powders. Propane-precipitated asphaltenes (C₃-asphaltenes) together with some amount of co-precipitated resins are found to be highly viscous and semi-solid like immediately after the flashed-off process but become more and more liquid-like afterward. Compositional analysis results of the original heavy crude oil and three different maltenes indicate that the carbon numbers of most precipitated asphaltenes are higher than C₅₀.     

Electrochemical characteristics of PdCoPt/C catalysts synthesized under different conditions

Kinetics of oxygen reduction is studied on PdCoPt/C catalysts with different platinum contents in the metal phase. Catalytic systems are synthesized by the high-temperature method. According to XRD analysis, as the contents of metallic Pd and Co in the catalysts increase, the degree of formation of the alloy between them also increase, which however is accompanied by a considerable growth of metal phase particles. To minimize this adverse effect, a method of sequential metal deposition is put forward. This approach makes it possible to considerably decrease the catalyst grain size as compared the single-step deposition for high metal phase contents in the catalytic system. The kinetics of oxygen reduction on the PdCoPt/C catalysts is studied on the rotating disk electrode. Under model conditions (0.5 M H₂SO₄, 60°C, O₂), the 20Pd13Co5Pt/C catalyst exhibited the highest activity per mass unit (0.5 M H₂SO₄, 60°C, O₂), namely, 9 A/g_{Pd + Pt} at 0.9 V.     

Stabilities of some silicate minerals under approximate venusian surface conditions

Stability field diagrams have been constructed for forsterite, enstatite, wollastonite, and their precursors and reaction products under 90 atm CO₂ at 427°C, approximating the environment on Venus. The compounds were also studied experimentally under similar conditions. The results show that forsterite and enstatite are stable but that wollastonite is not. Periclase and magnesite undergo reaction, the former to magnesite and the latter to synthetic forsterite. Calcite is stable.     

Biological activity of 5-aminolevulinic acid and its methyl ester after storage under different conditions

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a natural precursor of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and heme in cells. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes a metabolic imbalance in cancer cells, leading to increased PpIX generation from exogenous ALA. Due to chemical instability of ALA in therapeutic concentrations at pH values larger than 5.0 and at high temperatures, it looses its activity by spontaneous dimerization to 2,5-dicarboxyethyl-3,6-dihydropyrazine (DHPY). ALA esters are now supplementing ALA in PDT, but little is known about their stability. We have studied the stability of ALA and its methyl ester (MAL) stored under different conditions (temperatures, pH values) by measuring their ability to generate PpIX. 100mM solutions of both compounds were found to be stable at pH 4 and at 4 degrees C. However, at pH 5.5 they lost almost 10% of the initial activity during 5days of storage at 4 degrees C. The fastest decay of ALA and MAL was seen at pH 7.4 and at 37 degrees C, and followed first order kinetics. At pH 7.4 and at 4 degrees C MAL lost its PpIX producing ability more slowly than at 37 degrees C. Our work shows that solutions should be prepared immediately before use and stored at low temperatures. The pH of stock solutions should not exceed 5.     

Selective oxidation of light alkanes under mild conditions

Methanotrophs mediate the conversion of methane (CH₄) into methanol selectively and efficiently near ambient conditions so we can learn from microbes to develop biomimetic catalysts capable of performing this difficult chemistry. This review highlights the development of a tricopper cluster catalyst that functions similar to the particulate methane monooxygenase enzyme in methanotrophic bacteria. The performance of this catalytic system formulated for quasi-heterogeneous catalysis is compared with other heterogeneous catalysts derived from Cu- and Fe-based zeolites and Cu mordenites known to activate CH₄ stoichiometrically near 200 °C. We also highlight a unique catalytic system, in which the oxidizing power of both O atoms of the O₂ molecule can be harnessed for oxidation of toluene to yield benzaldehyde at room temperature.     

Intrinsic oxidation kinetics of sulfite catalyzed by peracetic acid under different water quality and light conditions

Oxidation of sulfite is an important process in wet flue gas desulfurization. Using highly purified water or distilled water as a reaction medium and a transparent or an opaque intermittent reaction apparatus, the intrinsic oxidation kinetics of sulfite catalyzed by peracetic acid was investigated under four different conditions. The reaction order of the reagents and the activation energy were obtained. The results indicate that water quality and light have no obvious effects on the reaction order and activation energy, but have an influence on the reaction rate constant. The mechanism of the intrinsic reaction is proposed. The results derived with this mechanism are in good agreement with the experimental results. Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. JK00020), the Doctor Research Fund from North China Electric Power University (Grant No. 200612008), and the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2007AA061703)     

Changes in content and composition of dietary fiber in yellow onions and red delicious apples during commercial storage

Changes in pectin composition and solubility are part of the softening process in apples during ripening and postharvest storage. Lignification may also occur with long-term storage. In the United States, apples and onions are harvested once yearly and then stored and marketed for the next 12 months. The changes that occur in the dietary fiber content and composition in Red Delicious apples and yellow Spanish onions during storage were studied, and the loss of fiber in peeled apples was determined. Dietary fiber was extracted by the enzymatic-chemical method of Theander and Westerlund. Storage had no effect on total or insoluble fiber content of apples; Klason lignin concentration was greater in samples stored for 12 months than in those stored for 0, 4, or 8 months. Peeling reduced apple fiber concentration about 25% by decreasing neutral and acidic sugars and Klason lignin in the insoluble fraction. The total fiber content of onions increased with storage, primarily by increasing the insoluble fiber content of uronic acids. The results suggest that the standardized, environmentally controlled storage of apples, as used in Washington State, has little effect on dietary fiber content. In contrast, the less rigorously controlled storage conditions for yellow Spanish onions increases the insoluble fiber fraction and uronic acid content.     

Morphology of polyaniline nanofibers synthesized under different conditions

Polyaniline nanofibers are readily synthesized by bulk polymerization; ammonium per sulphate (APS) is used as oxidizing agent and hydrochloric acid as dopant without any hard or soft templates. A detailed study was conducted on the effect of a variety of synthetic conditions on the size and morphology of the polyaniline nanostructure. These conditions include the concentration of dopant, and the APS-to-aniline and acid-to-aniline molar ratios. The morphology of the nanofibers was confirmed by SEM and TEM. XRD and FT-IR and UV–visible spectroscopy were used for structural characterization of nanofibers. The results showed that not only the microstructure of the polyaniline product, but also other characteristics, for example conductivity, crystallinity, and, more importantly, the efficiency of the process are strongly affected by the synthetic conditions.     

Sorption characteristics ofN-alkylimidazoles under conditions of capillary chromatography

The retention indices forN-n-alkyl (C₁-C₅) substituted imidazoles with Me, Et, Pr, and Bu groups in different positions of the cycle were determined. Two capillary columns with OV-101/KF and PEG-40M/KF were used. The two nitrogen atoms of the imidazole molecule were shown to have different effects on the contributions of the alkyl groups to the retention indices. The maximum and minimum contributions are observed for the substituents at the 5 and 4 positions of the imidazole cycle, respectively. An increase in a size of the C _m H_2m+1 substituent attached to the N(1) atom has a notable effect only on the contributions of the alkyl groups at the 2 and 5 positions. The retention indices values for a homologous series with ann-alkyl group attached to the N or C(2) atom were described by a universal type equation. The obtained equations can be used for predicting the retention indices of new homologs and identification ofN-alkylimidazoles in complex mixtures.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 309–313, February, 1995.     

Transformations of manganese oxides under different thermal conditions

Thermal decomposition of various synthetic manganese oxides (MnO, Mn₃O₄, Mn₂O₃, MnOOH) and a natural manganese dioxide (MnO₂) from Gabon was studied with the help of termogravimetry in inert, oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The compounds were characterized by XRD and electrochemical activity was tested by cyclic voltammetry using a carbon paste electrode. The natural manganese dioxide showed the best oxidizing and reducing capacity, confirmed by the lower temperatures of the transitions, the extent of the reactions and electrochemical performance in cyclic voltammograms.     

Modifications of the 1H NMR metabolite profile of processed mullet (Mugil cephalus) roes under different storage conditions

¹H NMR spectroscopy was employed to study the modifications over time of the water‐soluble low molecular weight metabolites extracted from samples of salted and dried mullet (Mugil cephalus) roes (mullet bottarga) stored at different conditions. Samples of grated mullet bottarga were stored for 7 months at ?20 °C, at 3 °C, and at room temperature in the presence and in the absence of light and then timely extracted and analyzed by NMR. Principal component multivariate data analysis applied to the spectral data indicated that samples stored at ?20 °C maintained similar features over time whereas, along PC1, samples stored at room temperature in the presence and in the absence of light showed, over time, marked metabolite modifications. The comparative analysis of the integrated areas of the selected regions of the ¹H NMR spectra indicated that the major compositional changes due to storage conditions were (i) the increase of the derivatives of the breakdown of phosphatidylcholine (choline, phosphorylcholine, and glycerol), (ii) the breakdown of nucleosides, (iii) the decrease of methionine, tryptophan, and tyrosine, and (iv) the cyclization of creatine. These changes were observed at different storage conditions, with more pronounced trends in the samples stored at room temperature. The role of metabolites in food aging is discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of gamma irradiation on flavonoïds content during storage of irradiated clementina

The influence of Gamma irradiation on content of some important flavonoïds (flavonones glycosides and polymethoxylated flavones) was evaluated during storage of Moroccan clementina treated at a mean dose of 0.3 kGy and stored three months at 3′C. Results shows that at day one, gamma irradiation induced degradation of small quantities of these flavonoïds, however after 14 days of storage, the content of these compounds was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in irradiated samples. Irradiation stimulated biosynthesis of flavonoïds after 14 days of storage. Hesperidin was the major flavanones compounds in clementines. Nobiletin and Heptamethoxyflavone were the major polymethoxylated flavones in clementines. Our study demonstrated that the content of these compounds was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in irradiated samples.     

Compression set of thermoplastic polyurethane under different thermal-mechanical-moisture conditions

Elastomeric materials are used in the manufacture of structural dampeners due to their high damping coefficient and ease of production. However, elastomers, and in particular thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), are susceptible to degradation from environmental conditions. Samples of TPU were investigated, in terms of their mechanical properties, under the influence of four factors; time (up to 10 weeks thermal exposure), temperature (20-80 °C), strain (10% and 25%) and moisture (pre-soak/testing in water). Compression, hardness and compression set tests were used to determine the major contributors to the degradation process. It was found that pure thermal loading at 70 °C for 10 weeks did not result in any changes in material properties, other than an initial drying phase causing an increase in hardness of 2-3 Shore D. The compression set values were found to be heavily dependent on the test temperature, with a significant increase in compression set being seen between 70 and 80 °C. The presence of water (introduced by testing in water) acted as a plasticiser and resulted in a larger amount of compression set, than testing in the absence of water. The level of compression set was shown to be insensitive to the strain level. Overall, it was found, for the conditions tested, that temperature was the major driving force behind the compression set of the TPU material.     

Fragmentation behavior of DOTA complexes under different activation conditions

We have investigated the fragmentation behavior of a number of DOTA‐metal complexes under collision‐induced dissociation, infrared‐multiphoton dissociation and higher‐energy collisional dissociation activation conditions. Both, positive and negative ion mode electrospray ionization was applied. The results show that characteristic fragmentations were obtained for the metal‐complexes under the investigated conditions. All elemental compositions of fragment ions have been unambiguously identified by high resolution‐accurate mass measurements. Certain trends, for instance eliminations of carbon dioxide, alkyl and amine residues, were observed that coincide with the size of the metal and its location within the periodic table. Additionally, lanthanide, aluminium and indium species with even oxidation state or containing a radical have been detected. To further investigate the observed water capture during activation, deuterium labeling experiments have also been carried out. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metabolic profiling of Lactococcus lactis under different culture conditions

Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS/GC-MS) were used to study metabolites produced by Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris MG1363 grown at a temperature of 30 °C with and without agitation at 150 rpm, and at 37 °C without agitation. It was observed that L. lactis produced more organic acids under agitation. Primary alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and polyols were identified as the corresponding trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives, whereas amino acids and organic acids, including fatty acids, were detected through methyl chloroformate derivatization. HS analysis indicated that branched-chain methyl aldehydes, including 2-methylbutanal, 3-methylbutanal, and 2-methylpropanal are degdradation products of isoleucine, leucine or valine. Multivariate analysis (MVA) using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) revealed the major differences between treatments were due to changes of amino acids and fermentation products.     

Response of air-pollution biomonitors under three different meteorological conditions

Samples of Flavoparmelia caperata (L.) Hale thalli, from a clean area in northern Portugal (Baião), were transplanted into exposure locations at the western Atlantic coast (north, center and south) impacted by urban-industrial emissions and meteorologically different, for a ten-month long experiment split into five terms of assessment (two months each). Through the experiment, the sites were also monitored for atmospheric bulk deposition. Analytical techniques for determinations in lichens and bulk deposition were instrumental neutron activation analysis, atomic absorption spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results indicate that: (1) the biological signals of detached lichens are compatible with sources in the area; (2) there is an appreciable number of airborne elements significantly enriched in (exposed) lichen samples, including some of great environmental interest; and (3) the cumulative contents per unit area of detached-lichen material are likely to provide an acceptable estimate of the atmospheric availability of enriched elements, as measured by their cumulative contents in the dry residues of bulk deposition.