Stability, deactivation and regeneration study of a newly developed HZSM-5 and Ni-doped HZSM-5 zeolite catalysts for ethanol-to-hydrocarbon conversion

This work investigates the stability and regeneration of HZSM-5 and Ni/HZSM-5 catalysts in the ethanol-to-hydrocarbon conversion. The catalysts were characterised using different techniques and evaluated at 623 K and 7 h−1 for 96 h TOS with two regeneration cycles. HZSM-5 showed high stability with 100% ethanol conversion, while Ni/HZSM-5 catalysts maintained 100% stability for 48 h before dropping. Regenerated catalysts were comparable to the originals in terms of product distribution, stability, and performance. HZSM-5 preferred BTX, while Ni-doped catalysts favoured C5-C8, C9-C12, and C12+ synthesis. The regeneration process restored catalytic activity, especially for the Ni-doped catalysts, extending their life and reducing replacement costs

Effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa on cisplatin-induced memory impairment and brain oxidative stress status in male rats

Objective: Studies have shown the complications of chemotherapy on learning and memory. Empirical evidence suggests that Nigella sativa (NS) has neuroprotective activities. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of NS on cisplatin-induced memory impairment.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 40 male rats grouped as: control (saline: 2 ml/kg, intraperitoneally (IP), once weekly/2 weeks), cisplatin (Cis, 2 mg/kg, IP, once weekly/2 weeks), NS (200 mg/kg, IP, once weekly/2 weeks), Cis +NS 200 (2 mg/kg Cis + 200 mg/kg NS, IP, once weekly/2 weeks), and Cis +NS 400 (2 mg/kg Cis + 400 mg/kg NS, IP, once weekly/2 weeks). Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to assess spatial learning and memory. In addition, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and thiol and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated in the brain.Results: Cis significantly enhanced the traveled distance and time spent in the target quadrant in the MWM test. Additionally, MDA levels increased in the Cis group, while thiol and SOD decreased in this group. As a result of treatment with NS, behavioral results were reversed in the groups receiving NS compared to the Cis group. Also, NS reduced MDA level but improved SOD and thiol levels in brain tissue samples.Conclusion: NS could improve memory impairment and oxidative stress in animals receiving Cis. Therefore, NS could be used as a potential food supplement to prevent neurotoxicity in patients undergoing chemotherapy

Electrochromism-induced adaptive fresh air pre-handling system for building energy saving

Building fresh air supply needs to meet certain regulations and fit people's ever-growing indoor air quality demand. However, fresh air handling requires huge energy consumption that goes against the goal of net-zero energy buildings. Thus, in this work, an adaptive fresh air pre-handling system is designed to reduce the cooling and heating loads of HVAC system. The sky-facing surface of the system uses electrochromic mechanism to manipulate the optical properties and thus make full use of solar energy (solar heating) and deep space cold source (radiative cooling) by switching between heating and cooling modes. In the cooling mode, the sky-facing surface shows a transmittance of down to zero, while the reflectance is high at 0.89 on average. In the heating mode, the electrochromic glass is highly transparent, allowing the sunlight to reach the solar heat absorber. To obtain the energy-saving potential under different climates, six cities were selected from various climate regions in China. Results show that the adaptive fresh air pre-handling system can be effective in up to 55.4% time of a year. The maximum energy-saving ratios for medium office, warehouse, and single-family house can reach up to 11.52%, 26.62%, and 18.29%, respectively. In addition, the system shows multi-climate adaptability and broad application scenarios, making it a potential solution to building energy saving

Investigation and impact assessment of soybean biodiesel, methyl oleate, and diesel blends on CRDI performance and emissions

In the present study, a binary biofuel blend was prepared by blending soy methyl ester (SME100) and methyl oleate (MO) SME50-M50 with diesel. The physiochemical properties of blended fuels were also investigated. The performance and emissions characteristics of all fuel blends were estimated using a common-rail direct injection (CRDI) engine. The outcomes demonstrate a reduction in brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) when enriched biodiesel is used in comparison to SME100, nonetheless by the virtue of viscosity and heating value there is an increase in the BSFC value when compared to diesel. The average BSFC values were obtained as 5.3% (E25), 10.6% (E50), 17.5% (E75), 30% (SME100) and 14.9% (SME50-M50) higher than that of diesel. BTE was found to be highest for E25 and lowest for SME100 among all the blends. NOx emissions with blended biodiesel were slightly higher than diesel on account of MO being unsaturated, resulting in shorter ignition delay. The average NOx values obtained were higher than that of diesel and the corresponding values are 2.91% (E25), 4.1% (E50), 5.8% (E75), 8.3% (SME100) and 15.8% (SME50-M50). As a result of the increased oxygen content of the fuel, the concentrations of UHC and CO depreciated with the rise in concentration of soy methyl ester and MO (SME50-M50). Currently, Euro 6.2, which is the most recent emission regulation, uses 10% biofuel (B10); however, the results of this study establishes that E25, as an alternate fuel, complies with the contemporary engines without requiring any engine modifications

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of aminoalkyl resveratrol derivatives inspired by cationic peptides

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance is a global concern, far from being resolved. The need of new drugs against new targets is imminent. In this work, we present a family of aminoalkyl resveratrol derivatives with antibacterial activity inspired by the properties of cationic amphipathic antimicrobial peptides. Surprisingly, the newly designed molecules display modest activity against aerobically growing bacteria but show surprisingly good antimicrobial activity against anaerobic bacteria (Gram-negative and Gram-positive) suggesting specificity towards this bacterial group. Preliminary studies into the action mechanism suggest that activity takes place at the membrane level, while no cross-resistance with traditional antibiotics is observed. Actually, some good synergistic relations with existing antibiotics were found against Gram-negative pathogens. However, some cytotoxicity was observed, despite their low haemolytic activity. Our results show the importance of the balance between positively charged moieties and hydrophobicity to improve antimicrobial activity, setting the stage for the design of new drugs based on these molecules

Inhibition of Corrosion in Alkaline Silicon–Air Batteries with Polyethylene Glycol

Silicon–air batteries (SABs) are attracting significant attention for their potential as high‐energy‐density electrochemical storage devices. One of the main limitations for the commercial use of alkaline SABs is the high corrosion, which results in a low conversion efficiency. Herein, the aim is to examine the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the conversion efficiency of SABs, shedding light on key factors affecting their performance. SABs using KOH as electrolyte at two concentrations, 0.5 and 2.0 mol L−1, are investigated. The results show that replacing part of the water in the alkaline electrolyte with PEG changes the etching behavior from anisotropic to polishing and increases the specific energy density by 53% and 123% in 0.5 and 2 mol L−1 KOH electrolytes, respectively

THE APPLICATION OF REVERSE SHIFT PATTERN TO OPERATOR WORKERS IN THE POWERHOUSE

Introduction: Companies generally apply a shift system to keep production running. Implementing work shifts is not necessarily independent of the risks, especially for workers who carry it out. Aims: to analyze the impact felt by operator workers from the implementation of the shift work system that is currently being undertaken, in terms of its impact on physiological, performance, psychological, and social aspects. Method: This research used a qualitative approach. The research was conducted at the powerhouse and the informants in this study were management and employees of the powerhouse operator. Collecting the required data was done by interviewing and observation techniques. Meanwhile, the discussion used descriptive method. Result: The results showed that the backward shift pattern applied by the company did not have a break. It is known that there are several impacts felt by workers as a result of implementing backward work shifts, such as disturbed sleep patterns, experiencing digestive disorders such as bloating and diarrhea, feeling excessively depressed, and workers experiencing social interaction barriers outside of work. However, the shift pattern currently applied has no impact on the performance of the operator. Conclusion: The shift pattern implemented has an impact on operator workers, especially on physiological, psychological and social aspects. Therefore, there is still a need for improvement in the shift pattern applied

COMPLIANCE LEVEL ANALYSIS OF COVID-19 HEALTH PROTOCOL AMONG KARANG TARUNA MEMBERS AT PANDANLANDUNG VILLAGE, MALANG

Introduction: One of the keys to success in efforts to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic is to comply with health protocols. The COVID-19 health protocol compliance level is known to be low in the adolescent age group. The low level of compliance is related to the role of Karang Taruna as a village-level organization in providing education and examples to their peers, namely adolescents. Aims: This study was conducted to describe the level of compliance of Karang Taruna members in Pandanlandung Village, Wagir District, Malang Regency to the COVID-19 Health Protocol. Methods: The design used in this research is cross sectional with a quantitative descriptive method. This research was conducted in March-October 2021 with the number of respondents as many as 24 members of the Karang Taruna Pandanlandung Village who were selected using a total sampling technique. Results: This research study found that the compliance level of members of the Karang Taruna Pandanlandung Village was in the "Good" category, especially in the aspects of "Using Masks" 70.83%, "Washing Hands" 79.17%, "Avoiding Crowds" 50% and "Limiting Mobility" 50%. Conclusion: from this study is that, in general, the implementation of the COVID-19 health protocol is good, but the implementation of health protocols in daily life must still be improved by reminding fellow members of Karang Taruna to continue to carry out the health protocol because the pandemic is not over so as to reduce the transmission rate of COVID-19

Vertical characteristics of temperature and relative humidity during the spring continuous warming processes in Altay, Xinjiang of China

To understand the triggering conditions of snowmelt floods in northern Xinjiang, China, the diurnal evolution and altitude dependence characteristics of spring temperature and relative humidity (RH) are investigated, particularly placing emphasis on continuous warming process, mainly based on the data collected from the densely sounding experiment at Altay Station in spring 2021. The results show that the mean maximum and minimum temperature respectively occur at nightfall and sunrise, the mean RH below 2,000 m is the highest at sunrise and the lowest at nightfall, and the mean RH above 5,000 m is the highest at sunrise and the lowest at midday. The mean RH value climbs up first but goes down later, and the largest mean RH is within the height range of 2,500–5,000 m. The radiation inversion with the depth of 660 m tends to occur frequently at midnight and around sunrise, and it does not exist when the continuous warming process sets out but gradually develops with the advancing process. During the continuous warming processes, there exists an unsynchronized warming from the ground to the upper air. The upper-air warming lags behind that on the ground for 2–5 d, and then it continues the trend. Below 2,000 m, accompany with the advance of the warming processes, the RH keeps at relatively low level and changes small along height after the first 2–3 days, when the max RH drop swiftly from 80%–98% to less than 25% and tend to be consistent at the four observation times. The trough and ridge systems responsible for the continuous warming processes in early and middle spring are mainly the deep long-wave system, but in the middle and late spring, the adjustment speed of the trough and ridge systems are accelerated and more short-wave activities fuel the continuous warming