High-efficiency production of xylene/trimethylbenzene from benzene/toluene with methanol is a potential way to promote the implementation on the coupled cycle development strategy of petrochemical and coal chemical industry and optimize the resource structure. At the same time, relying on the innovation of catalytic new materials, physical chemistry, intelligent capture technology, process engineering, and other principles and methods, p-xylene (PX) and trimethylbenzene (TMB) with higher added value were prepared by C6-8~arene methylation, which could elevate the level of methylation field and improve the competitiveness of the industry. This paper focuses on the one-step methylation reaction of benzene with methanol or toluene with methanol to obtain high-purity p-xylene (BM-PX/TM-PX), and the one-step methylation reaction of xylene with methanol to obtain mesitylene (XM-TMB). The methylation reaction mechanism and the preparation strategy of a high-performance catalyst were reviewed.... [more]

This study presents the development of a method for the washcoating of Ni/boehmite gels, prepared by the sol−gel process, onto the surface of a commercial ceramic monolith. Indeed, a cordierite monolith in a honeycomb shape was used as the substrate for the Ni/Al2O3 deposition. An experimental assembly was made in order to apply the coating on the cordierite surface. Different suspensions were used with various viscosities, and multiple coating parameters were tested as the withdrawal speed, or the number of impregnations. It was observed that the simple deposition of the Ni/boehmite gel led to the formation of coating. Different morphologies were observed, and defects were highlighted as cracks, coating-free areas or aggregates. Among the various parameters studied, the pH of the sol appeared to play a role even more important than the viscosity. Indeed, the sol acidified with nitric acid showed a coating which was almost free of cracks or of large aggregates. Moreover, the use of a s... [more]

Biotechnologies based on microbial species capable of destroying harmful pollutants are a successful way to solve some of the most important problems associated with a clean environment. The subject of investigation is the Antarctic fungal strain Aspergillus glaucus AL1. The culturing of the examined strain was performed with 70 mg of wet mycelium being inoculated in a Czapek Dox liquid medium containing naphthalene, anthracene, or phenanthrene (0.3 g/L) as the sole carbon source. Progressively decreasing naphthalene and anthracene concentrations were monitored in the culture medium until the 15th day of the cultivation of A. glaucus AL1. The degradation was determined through gas chromatography−mass spectrometry. Both decreased by 66% and 44%, respectively, for this period. The GC-MS analyses were applied to identify salicylic acid, catechol, and ketoadipic acid as intermediates in the naphthalene degradation. The intermediates identified in anthracene catabolism are 2-hydroxy-1-napht... [more]

(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of using Maackia amurensis branch extract as a cosmetic ingredient with skin-whitening and antiwrinkle effects. (2) Methods: The skin-whitening effect of M. amurensis branch extract was confirmed by investigating α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanin synthesis and melanogenic protein expression in B16F1 cells. The antiwrinkle effect of M. amurensis branch extract was verified by assessing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression and soluble collagen content in CCD-986sk cells. The major compounds in M. amurensis branch extract were identified through isolation and characterization and confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. (3) Results: M. amurensis branch extract significantly inhibited α-MSH-induced melanin synthesis by 49%, 42%, and 18% at 50, 37.5, and 25 μg/mL concentrations, respectively, compared with the negative control (NC). M. amurensis branch extract also significantl... [more]

Biosurfactants and bioemulsifiers (BS/BE) are naturally synthesized molecules, which can be used as alternatives to traditional detergents. These molecules are commonly produced by microorganisms isolated from hydrocarbon-rich environments. Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B was originally found in such an environment, however little was known about its abilities as a BS/BE producer. The goal of this work was to access the potential of strain 1B as a BS/BE producer and perform the initial characterization of the produced compounds. It was demonstrated that strain 1B was able to synthesize lipoglycoprotein compounds with BS/BE properties, both extracellularly and adhered to the cells, without the need for a hydrophobic inducer, producing emulsion in several different hydrophobic phases. Using a crude BS/BE powder, the critical micelle concentration was determined (CMC = 16.94 mg/L), and its capacity to reduce the surface tension to a minimum of 35.63 mN/m was demonstrated, surpassing many... [more]

Preparation of a novel TpBD (synthesized from phloroglucinol and benzidine) covalent organic framework (COF) immobilized open-tubular (OT) capillary is described by in situ growth strategy. The stationary phase in the column was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), nitrogen adsorption−desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS). Several families of compounds with different properties (alkylbenzenes, parabens, sulfonamides and benzoic acids) were selected to evaluate the performance of the TpBD COF immobilized capillary. The results showed that the stationary phase was uniform with about 6.0 μm thickness under the optimal preparation conditions, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were no more than 3.13% of alkylbenzenes on the TpBD COF immobilized capillary for 11 consecutive runs, which exhibited its e... [more]

The manufacturing industry faces the challenge of small and diversified customer orders. To meet this challenge, strong internal production capabilities are required. A lean manufacturing process that uses fewer resources and offers greater process improvement will help SMEs to continue to contribute to the global economy. Though SMEs provide most employment opportunities, previous studies have focused on large companies in auto-manufacturing-related industries. With the commitment and support of the management, and the application of a value stream map (VSM) and related improvement tools, we produced a practical process improvement model for a lean manufacturing system in an SME. With the commitment and support of the management and the joint efforts of the project improvement staff, the 10 improvement projects over a six-month period all achieved their goals: reduction in lead time from 26 days to 19.5 days, improvement of welding per people per hour (PPH) efficiency by 28.3%, improv... [more]

Large amounts of oil-containing sludge (OS) are produced in the energy, industry and services sectors. It is mainly composed of residual oil and particulate matter, thus posing an environmental threat and leading to resource depletion if it is improperly handled. In this work, the OS feedstock was thermally treated to produce porously magnetic carbon composites (CC) using a pyrolysis-activation process. Using the data on the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the OS feedstock, the thermal activation experiments were performed at 850 °C as a function of residence time (30, 60 and 90 min). The results of pore analysis for the resulting CC products showed that the Brunauer−Emmett−Teller (BET) surface area greatly decreased from 21.59 to 0.56 m2/g with increasing residence time from 30 to 90 min. This decline could be associated with continuous gasification by CO2, thus causing the removal of limited carbon on the surface of CC for a longer reaction time. Furthermore, the physical propert... [more]

The environmental problems caused by industrial waste are of a universal nature. In this sense, achieving an adequate management of construction and demolition waste has become one of the great challenges of today’s society. This work studies the possibility of recovering mineral wool thermal insulation waste for its reincorporation into the manufacturing process of masonry mortar. To this end, an experimental campaign has been conducted with mortars made with natural aggregate and two types of recycled aggregates: concrete and mixed ceramic, in which mineral wool fibers are incorporated as a partial replacement of sand in percentages of 0%, 10% and 20%. The results show that, although the traditional mortars offer better technical performance, the mortars made with recycled aggregate present adequate viability for use on-site. Furthermore, it has been concluded that the incorporation of recycled mineral wool fibers in the mortar matrix decreases the thermal conductivity and shrinkage... [more]

Tomatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are considered one of the most effective and nutritious foods in the human diet. Moreover, the fruit of a tomato is rich in phytochemical compounds such as carotenoids, vitamins, and phenolics which are beneficial to human health. The objective of this present research was to investigate the impact of biogenic Ag-containing nanoparticles on seed germination rate and germination speed index, the development of the stem and root system, and physio-biochemical parameters. Ag-containing nanoparticles were synthesized biologically using a silver nitrate solution and aqueous seed extract of Juniperus procera, which acted as a capping and reducing agent. The impact of different concentrations (0.0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 25 mg/L) of Ag-containing NPs on seed germination rate, biomass accumulation, phenolic compounds, total protein, enzymes activity, and total soluble sugar of tomatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) in vitro has been tested. The obtained result demonstrated th... [more]

Given consumer demand for foods with fewer artificial additives, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of reduced use of nitrites and phosphates on dry-fermented sausage quality. Four sausage formulations were prepared: (1) control (using standard procedure with 0.2% phosphates and 110 mg/kg sodium nitrite) and formulations with (2) 50% less sodium nitrite, (3) 50% less sodium nitrite and sodium ascorbate (225 mg/kg), and (4) with standard nitrite but no phosphates. Weight loss and pH evolution were monitored during processing. The color, physicochemical (including oxidation), rheological, and sensory properties were evaluated on the finished product, as well as mold growth and microbiological status. Compared to control, nitrite reduction was associated with increased surface mold growth, reduced (3.0−4.4%) processing loss, and slightly higher oxidation (1.7 μg/kg more malondialdehyde) but without affecting instrumental color. The simultaneous addition of ascorbat... [more]

Cadmium-contaminated soil poses a threat to the environment and human health. Biochar materials have received widespread attention as an in situ immobilizer for the efficient remediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soils. In this study, a modified biochar material (E−CBC) was developed for the immobilization of Cd in contaminated soil. E−CBC was characterized by XPS, SEM, BET, and FTIR. The effects of pristine biochar (BC) and E−CBC on soil physicochemical properties (pH and soil organic matter (SOM)), CaCl2-extractable Cd, total characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) Cd, and speciation distribution of Cd were studied by incubation experiments. The results showed that the application of BC and E−CBC increased soil pH slightly and SOM significantly. A 2% dosage BC and E−CBC treatment reduced CaCl2-extractable Cd by 14.62% and 91.79%, and reduced TCLP Cd by 9.81% and 99.8%, respectively. E−CBC was shown to effectively induce the transition of Cd in the soil to a stable state. The appl... [more]

The use of the phase change material (PCM) as a storage medium represents an important advance to store energy for the absorption cooling systems when solar energy is not available; however, the temperature of the storage tank is a key parameter for the adequate operation of the cooling system. This paper presents a parametric analysis of a flat and a commercial plate heat exchangers with MgCl2·6H2O as the PCM at absorption cooling conditions. The plate heat exchanger (PHE) is a chevron type with an angle of 45° and a plate area of 0.04 m2. The governing equation was solved using the method of finite difference. The results showed that the corrugated plate improved the heat transfer than the flat plate; however, the flat plate obtained a higher operation time than the corrugated plate for the absorption cooling condition in the discharge process because the output temperature of the PHE was much higher than the operating conditions. Finally, the decrement of the PCM thickness and the i... [more]

Saline water necessarily contained in crude oil forms complex and stable water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions with oil. Due to the negative impact of this emulsion on the oil’s transportation and refining, special materials are added to help break the emulsion and separate water. Herein, a comparative study of the demulsifying ability concerning w/o emulsion of the original and freshly milled quartz (FMQ) particles isolated from river sand was carried out. The effect of quartz with a mesh size of 75 μm on reducing emulsion stability was investigated using rheological measurements, interfacial tension measurements, demulsification tests, as well as routine methods for characterizing solid and liquid materials. With the addition of 3 wt% FMQ, 97% demulsification efficiency was achieved after 100 min of settling, against 140 min for the original quartz. The role of milling quartz is to increase the ability of water to adhere and thus locally increase the pH value; this results in a reduction in t... [more]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of different counterbodies against Cu/magnesium phosphate treated graphite (Cu-MgPG) composite materials to find the best material combination in terms of friction coefficient and specific wear amount. A Cu matrix composite reinforced with 10 vol% magnesium phosphate treated graphite and pure Cu powder were prepared by powder metallurgy techniques under the same consolidation processing condition. The friction and wear properties of the composites were investigated at 10 N using a pin-on-disc tribometer on Al2O3, SiC and SUJ2 bearing steel counterbodies. The Cu-MgPG/Al2O3 pair showed the lowest friction coefficient, but the specific wear rate tended to increase slightly when compared with Cu/Al2O3 pair. On the other hands, the Cu-MgPG/SUJ2 pair showed about the same specific wear rate as the Cu/SUJ2 pair, but the friction coefficient was significantly reduced. These phenomena are thought to be due to the fact that the added gra... [more]

The high therapeutic effect of targeted radioisotope/radionuclide therapy (TRT) using α-emitters, especially 225Ac, is attracting attention worldwide. However, the only 225Ac production method that has been put into practical use is extraction from a 229Th generator derived from the nuclear fuel 233U, and it is unlikely that this method alone is able to meet future global medical demand. Development towards new 225Ac production methods is in progress. These new 225Ac production methods require the irradiation of 232Th or 226Ra using an accelerator or a nuclear reactor. Global competition has already begun in the race to secure a reliable supply of 232Th and 226Ra, as well as 229Th for the conventional production method. Japan is a “resource-poor country” that depends on foreign countries for most of its needs. As such, it is difficult for Japan to secure raw materials such as 232Th and 226Ra for medical application. In this paper, we look back on our research at the National Institutes... [more]

Cotton is the most widely used natural fiber for textiles but its innate capacity to absorb moisture, retain oxygen, and high specific surface area make it more prone to microbial contamination, becoming an appropriate medium for the growth of bacteria and fungi. In recent years, the incorporation of silver nanoparticles in textile products has been widely used due to their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and low toxicity towards mammalian cells. The aim of the current study is to synthesize and characterize a nanocomposite based on silver nanoparticles and carboxymethyl chitosan (AgNPs-CMC), which was utilized to provide a functional finish to cotton fabric. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) to produce a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) image showed that the nanocomposite presents AgNPs with a 5−20 nm size. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the presence of silver nanoparticles. The concentration of silver in the functionalized fabric was evaluat... [more]

Amorphous alloy is an emerging metal material, and its unique atomic arrangement brings it the excellent properties of high strength and high hardness, and, therefore, have attracted extensive attention in the fields of electronic information and cutting-edge products. Their applications involve machining and forming, make the machining performance of amorphous alloys being a research hotspot. However, the present research on amorphous alloys and their machining performance is widely focused, especially for Fe-based amorphous alloys, and there lacks a systematic review. Therefore, in the present research, based on the properties of amorphous alloys and Fe-based amorphous alloys, the fundamental reason and improvement method of the difficult-to-machine properties of Fe-based amorphous alloys are reviewed and analyzed. Firstly, the properties of amorphous alloys are summarized, and it is found that crystallization and high temperature in machining are the main reasons for difficult-to-ma... [more]

Ruddlesden−Popper type electrodes with composition La2CuO4−δ are alternative cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs); however, the undoped compound exhibits low electrical conductivity for potential applications, which is usually increased by alkaline-earth doping. A promising alternative to alkaline-earth doping is the modification of the anionic framework by halogen doping. In this study, La2CuO4−0.5xAx (A = F, Cl, Br; x = 0−0.3) compounds are prepared by a freeze-drying precursor method, using an anion doping strategy. The composition, structure, morphology and electrical properties are studied to evaluate their potential use in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The halogen-doped materials show higher electrical conductivity and improved electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reactions when compared to the pristine material, with polarization resistance values 2.5 times lower, i.e., 0.20, 0.11 and 0.08 Ω cm2 for undoped, F- and Cl-doped samples, respectively, at 8... [more]

It is very important to study the influence of water content on the mechanical properties of coal rock to prevent rock burst and roadway instability under dynamic disturbance. In this study, the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test system was applied to conduct three-dimensional dynamic and static impact tests on natural and water-saturated coal samples at different strain rates to determine the dynamic mechanical properties of a series of water-bearing coal samples. Based on the new data, we discuss the strength, deformation, crushing energy dissipation, and fractal characteristics of natural and saturated coal rocks. We specifically focus on the different effects of hydraulic pressure on crack propagation under static and dynamic loads. Our results document a well-defined linear relationship between the peak stress and the strain rate of coal in the natural state and the water-saturated state. Once the impact rate reaches a certain value, a double peak phenomenon is observed, and... [more]

The good manufacturing practices (GMP) and process analytical technology (PAT) initiatives of the US Food and Drug Administration, in conjunction with International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) quality guidelines Q8, Q9, and Q10, ensure that manufacturing processes for parenteral formulations meet the requirements of increasingly strict regulations. This involves the selection of suitable process analytics for process integration and aseptic processing. In this article, we discuss the PAT requirements for the GMP-compliant manufacturing of parenteral lipid emulsions, which can be used for clinical nutrition or for the delivery of lipophilic active ingredients. There are risks associated with the manufacturing processes, including the potential for unstable emulsions and the formation of large droplets that can induce embolisms in the patient. Parenteral emulsions are currently monitored offline using a statistical approach. Inline analytics, supplemented by measurements of zeta pote... [more]

Currently, nanotechnology is considered a promising strategy to enhance drug solubility and other physicochemical properties. Albumin is a biopolymer that can be used in drug delivery systems due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize albumin nanoparticles with chlorambucil as a controlled drug delivery system. Different concentrations of chlorambucil were incubated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in order to prepare nanoparticles using the desolvation method. As a result, nanoparticles in sizes ranging from 199.6 to 382.6 nm exhibiting high encapsulation efficiency of chlorambucil were obtained. A spectroscopic study revealed concentration-dependent changes in secondary structure of the albumin chain and in the hydrophobicity of chlorambucil. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that the investigated structures may be used in the development of a drug delivery system.

This paper presents a low-cost, high-temperature-resistant and high-strength polyacrylamide gel system formed by secondary cross-linking. The gel system (named JM186) used phenolic resin and organic zirconium as cross-linking agents, and the performance of the gel system was systematically evaluated under high temperature. The gel properties studied include: gel formation time, gel strength, thermal stability, sand-filled pipe sealing efficiency, and its microstructure. The concentration of polyacrylamide in JM186 gel system was as low as 0.3%, which can control the gelling time in a range of 1−9 h by adjusting the ratio of two cross-linking agents. It can resist temperature up to 120 °C without dehydration, and its highest gel strength can reach H grade. The modulus of elasticity (G’) and viscosity (G”) can reach 32.33 Pa and 3.25 Pa, respectively. DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) test indicated that the temperature of structural failure for this composite gel is 310.5 °C. The... [more]

Ready-made Chinese herbal medicine (RMCHM) is one of the most common types of synergistic herbal medicine used worldwide. It is based on composite herbal formulae (CHF), which makes quality control of this kind of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) difficult, let alone distinguishing the good from the bad. Taking Niuhuang Qingwei Pills (NHQWP) as an example, this study reported the development of a novel principle of analysis of multiple components in RMCHM. Experimental procedures involved the selection of high-quality Chinese materia medica (CMM, individual medicinal plant parts used in the NHQWP) to prepare three batches of TCM reference drugs (TCMRD). Pure compounds of the active ingredients identified in the herbal formula including berberine hydrochloride, geniposide, forsythiaside A, 3,5-O-dicaffeoyl quinic acid, hesperidin, baicalin, glycyrrhizic acid, and chrysophanol in the three TCMRDs were analyzed as well as those in 49 batches of commercial products from 18 manufacturers... [more]

The influence of the multi-stage electrostatic separation (ESS) of mechanically treated and magnetically separated waste electronic material and the pyrolysis of the selected ESS fraction on the distribution of metal elements (MEs), elements contained in refractory oxides (EROs), bromine (Br), and rare-earth elements (REEs) contained in waste electronic material was studied. The concentration of MEs, Br, and EROs in the tested samples was determined by X-ray fluorescence analysis, and the concentration of REEs and uranium was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The analysis of the distribution of elements during the multi-stage ESS showed that MEs were predominantly distributed in the conductive fraction and Br, EROs, and REEs were distributed in the nonconductive fraction. The nonconductive fraction (NC2) of the two-stage ESS was subjected to a low-temperature vacuum pyrolysis (T = 550 °C, p = 10 mbar). The distribution of pyrolysis products of the NC2... [more]