Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on anchored Co/Nb2O5/Al2O3 catalysts: the nature of the surface and the effect on chain growth

A series of Co/x%Nb2O5/Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by anchoring niobia on an Al2O3 support at different niobia concentrations. Characterization of the structure and nature of surface active sites was attempted in order to correlate the CO hydrogenation activity of these systems with those of the Co/Al2O3 and Co/Nb2O5 catalysts. The effect of the reduction temperature on the CO hydrogenation activity and selectivity was studied, showing that interaction of cobalt and niobia surface species favored the selectivity for hydrocarbon chain growth. However, this effect is less pronounced on the niobia-promoted Co/Al2O3 compared to Co/Nb2O5 catalysts. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) results on Co/x%Nb2O5/Al2O3 showed prevailing amounts of Co2+ and Co3+ after calcination and reduction at 573 K, while, after reduction at 773 K, besides metallic cobalt, the Co2+ species still remains in contact with alumina, even for higher niobia loading. It seems that during this process formation and destruction of new interfaces involving Co0-NbOx sites takes place. Results suggest that Co0, Co0-Co2+, and Co0-NbOx are the active sites at the surface. The relative abundance of Co2+ species affects greatly the performance of the catalysts. DRIFTS and selectivity results suggest that these sites might be responsible for the reaction chain growth and therefore for the drastic change in the selectivity of CH4 and C5+ hydrocarbons mainly on the Co/Nb2O5 catalyst. DRIFTS results on Co/Nb2O5/Al2O3 showed the formation of -C=C- and -CH3- besides CHxO species. With increasing reduction temperature, the -C=C- species disappear while -CH3- fragments increased markedly, suggesting the formation of increasing amounts of hydrocarbons with higher chain length.     

Molecular modeling and experimental studies of the thermodynamic and transport properties of pyridinium-based ionic liquids

A combined experimental and molecular dynamics study has been performed on the following pyridinium-based ionic liquids: 1-n-hexyl-3-methylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([hmpy][Tf(2)N]), 1-n-octyl-3-methylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([ompy][Tf(2)N]), and 1-n-hexyl-3,5-dimethylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([hdmpy][Tf(2)N]). Pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to determine the self-diffusivities of the individual cations and anions as a function of temperature. Experimental self-diffusivities range from 10(-11) to 10(-10) m(2)/s. Activation energies for diffusion are 44-49 kJ/mol. A classical force field was developed for these compounds, and molecular dynamics simulations were performed to compute dynamic as well as thermodynamic properties. Evidence of glassy dynamics was found, preventing accurate determination of self-diffusivities over molecular dynamics time scales. Volumetric properties such as density, isothermal compressibility, and volumetric expansivity agree well with experiment. Simulated heat capacities are within 2% of experimental values.     

Study of mass consistency LES/FDF techniques for chemically reacting flows

A hybrid large eddy simulation/filtered density function (LES/FDF) approach is used for studying chemically reacting flows with detailed chemistry. In particular, techniques utilised for ensuring a mass consistent coupling between LES and FDF are discussed. The purpose of these techniques is to maintain a correct spatial distribution of the computational particles representing specified amounts of fluid. A particular mass consistency technique due to Y.Z. Zhang and D.C. Haworth (A general mass consistency algorithm for hybrid particle/finite-volume PDF methods, J. Comput. Phys. 194 (2004), pp. 156–193) and their associated algorithms are implemented in a pressure-based computational fluid dynamics code suitable for the simulation of variable density flows, representative of those encountered in actual combustion applications. To assess the effectiveness of the referenced technique for enforcing LES/FDF mass consistency, two- and three-dimensional simulations of a temporal mixing layer using detailed and reduced chemistry mechanisms are carried out. The parametric analysis performed focuses on determining the influence on the level of mass consistency errors of parameters such as the initial number of particles per cell and the initial density ratio of the mixing layers. Particular emphasis is put on the computational burden that represents the use of such a mass consistency technique. The results show the suitability of this type of technique for ensuring the mass consistency required when utilising hybrid LES/FDF approaches. The level of agreement of the computed results with experimental data is also illustrated.     

Zero‐valent Iron Nanoparticles Modified Screen‐printed Electrode for FIA or HPLC Amperometric Detection of Metronidazole in Pharmaceutical Formulations

A zero‐valent iron nanoparticles modified electrode was employed as an amperometric detector in flow conditions to determine metronidazole and 2‐methyl‐5‐nitroimidazole in pharmaceutical formulations. Flow injection analysis at ?0.6 V (vs. Ag) achieved limits of detection of 2 and 6 μM for metronidazole and 2‐methyl‐5‐nitroimidazole, respectively, but the analysis was not discriminative between the two compounds. When reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography was applied previous to the electrochemical detection both analytes could be analysed simultaneously. However, the limits of detection slightly increased (10 μM) as a consequence of the use of an organic solvent and a lower sample volume. The relative standard deviation of analytical repeatability was <4.0 % in both techniques. The methods were validated by comparing the results obtained from the analysis of commercial samples with those provided by HPLC‐DAD and no significant differences were detected. Results probed that the modified electrode was a successful tool in the FIA and HPLC analysis of nitro compounds.     

A conserved karyotype of Sternopygus macrurus (Sternopygidae, Gymnotiformes) in the Amazon region: differences from other hydrographic basins suggest cryptic speciation

We studied the karyotypes of 35 Sternopygus macrurus fishes of four localities from rivers of the Eastern Amazon basin. In these four places the karyotypes have 2n = 46 chromosomes, NF = 92, where 30 are metacentric (M) and 16 submetacentric (SM). The constitutive heterochromatin (CH) is found in the centromeric region of most chromosomes and in the pericentromeric region of pairs 5, 17 and 19. Pair 1 has a large and not common heterochromatic block in the short arm, useful as a marker for this species if not found in other Sternopygus taxa. The NOR is located in the distal region of the short arm of pair 1, showing a size heteromorphism in some specimens. The CMA₃ and DAPI fluorochrome bandings and the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), using pantelomeric human probes techniques are described for the first time for this species. DAPI has banding coincident with the C-banded regions, which suggests that the CH is AT base-pair-rich. CMA₃ banding is coincident with the NOR, meaning that this region is GC base-pair-rich. The FISH showed that the probes hybridized only with the telomeric regions, without any sign of interstitial telomeric regions. The karyotype of the samples from different places in the Amazon basin is quite conserved, probably because of the gene flow among the populations. The karyotype differences among the Sternopygus macrurus from the Amazon basin and the São Francisco and Paraná rivers suggest that these taxa may be different species.     

Physical chromosome mapping of repetitive DNA sequences in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus: evidences for a differential distribution of repetitive elements in the sex chromosomes

Repetitive DNAs have been extensively applied as physical chromosome markers on comparative studies, identification of chromosome rearrangements and sex chromosomes, chromosome evolution analysis, and applied genetics. Here we report the characterization of repetitive DNA sequences from the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) genome by construction and screening of plasmid library enriched with repetitive DNAs, analysis of a BAC-based physical map, and hybridization to chromosomes. The physical mapping of BACs enriched with repetitive sequences and C(o)t-1 DNA (DNA enriched for highly and moderately repetitive DNA sequences) to chromosomes using FISH showed a predominant distribution of repetitive elements in the centromeric and telomeric regions and along the entire length of the largest chromosome pair (X and Y sex chromosomes) of the species. The distribution of repetitive DNAs differed significantly between the p arm of X and Y chromosomes. These findings suggest that repetitive DNAs have had an important role in the differentiation of sex chromosomes.     

New palladium (II) complexes containing phosphine‐nitrogen ligands and their use as catalysts in aminocarbonylation reaction

Aminocarbonylation of aryl halides, homogeneously catalysed by palladium, is an efficient method that can be employed for obtaining amides for pharmaceutical and synthetic applications. In this work, palladium (II) complexes containing P^N ligands were studied as catalysts in the aminocarbonylation of iodobenzene in the presence of diethylamine. Two types of systems were used: a palladium (II) complex formed in situ; and one prepared prior to the catalytic reaction. In general, the palladium complexes studied achieved high conversions in an average reaction time of less than 2 hr, which is less than that for the standard system (Pd (II)/PPh₃) used. The pre‐synthesized complexes were faster than their in situ counterparts, as the latter require an induction time to form the Pd/P^N species. The structure and electronic properties of the ligand P^N can influence both the activity and the selectivity of the reaction, stabilizing the acyl‐palladium intermediates formed in a better manner.     

Ultrafast gas chromatography coupled to electronic nose to identify volatile biomarkers in exhaled breath from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A pilot study

An analytical method to identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the exhaled breath from patients with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using a ultrafast gas chromatography system equipped with an electronic nose detector (FGC eNose) has been developed. A prospective study was performed in 23 COPD patients and 33 healthy volunteers; exhalation breathing tests were performed with Tedlar bags. Each sample was analyzed by FCG eNose and the identification of VOCs was based on the Kovats index. Raw data were reduced by principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis [canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP)]. The FCG eNose technology was able to identify 17 VOCs that distinguish COPD patients from healthy volunteers. At all stages of PCA and CAP the discrimination between groups was obvious. Chemical prints were correctly classified up to 82.2%, and were matched with 78.9% of the VOCs detected in the exhaled breath samples. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated the sensitivity and specificity to be 96% and 91%, respectively. This pilot study demonstrates that FGC eNose is a useful tool to identify VOCs as biomarkers in exhaled breath from COPD patients. Further studies should be performed to enhance the clinical relevance of this quick and ease methodology for COPD diagnosis.