A comparative study on phyllosilicate and tectosilicate mineral structural properties

Natural minerals are widely used in numerous environmental applications, mainly as sorbents in ion exchange and sorption processes. Minerals, such as zeolites and clays, can be found all over the world, but they are mined containing a variety of different impurities; this prevents their accurate characterization. The present study examines various methods used for the characterization of three common natural silicate minerals, one zeolite (clinoptilolite) and two clays (montmorillonite and vermiculite). Their characterization was performed through a series of analytical measurements so as to gather all the information needed regarding their structural properties. Therefore, “similar” minerals such as clinoptilolite vs. heulandite and vermiculite vs. hydrobiotite can be distinguished; revealing important properties when comes to their practical application. The methods used in the present study are X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, TG/DTG/DTA and N2-porosimetry (BET). An extensive literature review of the natural silicate minerals has been conducted and the relevant results and methods are comparatively reported. The analytical results enabled the distinguish of the examined minerals. XRD, FTIR, TG/DTG/DTA showed that all three minerals have characteristic bands that can be used to easily distinguish from others

Application of ion mobility spectrometry for the detection of human urine

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) for the detection of human urine as an indication of human presence during urban search and rescue operations in collapsed buildings. To this end, IMS with a radioactive ionization source and a multicapillary column was used to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from human urine. A study involving a group of 30 healthy volunteers resulted in the selection of seven volatile species, namely acetone, propanal, 3-methyl-2-butanone, 2-methylpropanal, 4-heptanone, 2-heptanone and octanal, which were detected in all samples. Additionally, a preliminary study on the permeation of urine volatiles through the materials surrounding the voids of collapsed buildings was performed. In this study, quartz sand was used as a representative imitating material. Four compounds, namely 3-methyl-2-butanone, octanal, acetone and 2-heptanone, were found to permeate through the sand layers during all experiments. Moreover, their permeation times were the shortest. Although IMS can be considered as a potential technique suitable for the detection, localization and monitoring of VOCs evolved from human urine, further investigation is necessary prior to selecting field chemical methods for the early location of trapped victims

Monitoring of selected skin- and breath-borne volatile organic compounds emitted from the human body using gas chromatography ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS)

ISSN:1873-376XISSN:1570-0232ISSN:1572-6495ISSN:1387-227

Use of FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics for the classification of carobs origin

Carob samples from seven different Mediterranean countries (Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Jordan and Palestine) were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Seed and flesh samples of indigenous and foreign cultivars, both authentic and commercial, were examined. The spectra were recorded in transmittance mode from KBr pellets. The data were compressed and further processed statistically using multivariate chemometric techniques, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Cluster Analysis (CA), Partial Least Squares (PLS) and Orthogonal Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA). Specifically, unsupervised PCA framed the importance of the variety of carobs, while supervised analysis highlighted the contribution of the geographical origin. Best classification models were achieved with PLS regression on first derivative spectra, giving an overall correct classification. Thus, the applied methodology enabled the differentiation of carobs flesh and seed per their origin. Our results appear to suggest that this method is a rapid and powerful tool for the successful discrimination of carobs origin and type

Design of a non standar 4 storey office building metal

113 σ.Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία έχει ως αντικείμενο το σχεδιασμό και την μελέτη ενός μεταλλικού κτιρίου γραφείων με κατακόρυφους συνδέσμους δυσκαμψίας, με τη χρήση των προγραμμάτων SOFISTIK και INSTANT 2000. Πιο συγκεκριμένα μέσω του SOFISTIK έγινε η εύρεση των εντατικών μεγεθών σχεδιασμού και με το INSTANT 2000 η μόρφωση και ο έλεγχος των συνδέσεων. Στο ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ 1 γίνεται μια σύντομη ιστορική αναδρομή στις μεταλλικές κατασκευές και στην χρήση του χάλυβα. Στο ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ 2 γίνεται η παρουσίαση του έργου μέσω του προγράμματος SOFISTIK όπως είναι η γεωμετρία του φορέα, τα είδη των διατομών, τα υλικά και ο σχεδιασμός. Ακόμη αναφέρεται στα φορτία που καταπονούν την κατασκευή και στους διάφορους συνδυασμούς φορτίσεων με τους οποίους έγινε η επίλυση. Στο ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ 3 πραγματοποιούνται όλοι οι έλεγχοι των μελών του φορέα σύμφωνα με τον Ευρωκώδικα 3, λαμβάνοντας τα αποτελέσματα της στατικής και δυναμικής ανάλυσης μέσω του SOFISTIK. Στο ΚΕΦΑΛΑΙΟ 4 περιγράφονται οι συνδέσεις των μελών του φορέα και τα αποτελέσματα των ελέγχων τους, όπως αυτά προέκυψαν μέσω του προγράμματος INSTANT 2000.The present diploma thesis is concerned with the design and research of a metal office building with vertical joints stiffness, using the programs SOFISTIK and INSTANT2000. Most notably through the SOFISTIK was finding the internal forces and design, with INSTANT 2000 the configuration and control connections. Chapter 1 gives a brief history on the steel structures and the use of steel. In Chapter 2 of the presentation of the project through the program SOFISTIK such as the geometry of the body, the types of sections, materials and design. Even states the loads to strain construction and the various load combinations with which they were solved. In Chapter 3 we made all the checks membership organization in accordance with Eurocode 3, taking the results of static and dynamic analysis through SOFISTIK. Chapter 4 describes the connections of the members of the body and the results of their audits, such as those obtained through the INSTANT 2000.Αγάπιος Ι. Αγαπίο

Oil biodesulfurization: A review of applied analytical techniques

The wide use of fossil fuels and their associated environmental concerns, highlighted the importance of affordable and clean energy (goal 7), as adopted by the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations for 2030. For years now, the detection of sulfur components in liquid fuels is performed mainly for environmental and health purposes in compliance with the respective legislations. Towards this, the aerobic and anaerobic biodesulfurization (BDS) process, which entails the use of microorganisms to limit the sulfur concentration is followed. To ensure effective BDS, several traditional analytical methods are utilized, although they require bench-top, bulky, costly, and time-consuming instruments along with skilled personnel. The currently employed analytical methods are mostly chromatographic techniques (e.g. liquid and gas) coupled with various detectors. To start with, high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV), as well as electrospray ionization-LC-mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS) were mostly reported. Additionally, many detectors were coupled to gas chromatography (CG) including atomic emission detector (GC-AED), flame ionization detector (GC-FID), flame photometric detector (GC-FPD), sulfur fluorescence detector (GC-SFD), mass selective detector (GC–MS), etc. The solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique provides extra capabilities when added to the separation techniques. Towards the continuous interest in oil supercomplex synthesis, other atmospheric and surface desorption ionization techniques, as well as the multidimensional 2D chromatographic systems (GC × GC and LC × LC) were also investigated, due to their unsurpassed resolution power. The current review ends with final remarks per applied methodology and the necessity to respect and protect the human environment and life

Measurements of Local Sources of Particulates with a Portable Monitor along the Coast of an Insular City

The air quality of modern cities is considered an important factor for the quality of life of humans and therefore is being safeguarded by various international organizations, concentrating on the mass concentration of particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10, 2.5 and 1 μm. However, the different physical and anthropogenic processes and activities within the city contribute to the rise of fine (<1 μm) and coarse (>1 μm) particles, directly impacting human health and the environment. In order to monitor certain natural and anthropogenic events, suspecting their significant contribution to PM concentrations, seven different events taking place on the coastal front of the city of Limassol (Cyprus) were on-site monitored using a portable PM instrument; these included both natural (e.g., dust event) and anthropogenic (e.g., cement factory, meat festival, tall building construction, tire factory, traffic jam, dust road) emissions taking place in spring and summer periods. The violations of the limits that were noticed were attributed mainly to the various anthropogenic activities taking place on-site, revealing once more the need for further research and continuous monitoring of air quality

Nutritional characterization of carobs and traditional carob products

Twenty traditional carob products were measured for their nutritional composition, and their results were compared with the pulp of Cypriot carob cultivars. Moisture, ash, fat, proteins, sugars, dietary fibers, minerals, caffeine‐theobromine, carbohydrates, and energy value were determined. Fluctuations of the nutritional composition values based on the ingredients’ chemical synthesis and product manufacturing process were noted. Only 60% of the products had a label indicating their nutritional value, and the majority of them (75%) were consistent with that of labeling. Chemometric analyses distinguished the carob products according to their type and the discriminator components highlighted their particular nutritional value. Carobs can be characterized as functional foods with low‐fat content, high content in dietary fibers, and high content and/or source of minerals; however, carob products partially satisfied those health and nutritional claims as expected. This pilot research contributes to the nutritional estimation of carob and highlights the traditional carob products

Use of Chemometrics for Correlating Carobs Nutritional Compositional Values with Geographic Origin

Carobs unique compositional and biological synthesis enables their characterization as functional foods. In the present study, 76 samples derived from fruit and seeds of carobs, with origin from the countries of the Mediterranean region (Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Jordan and Palestine) were analyzed for their nutritional composition, in order to identify potential markers for their provenance and address the carobs’ authenticity issue. Moisture, ash, fat, proteins, sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose), dietary fibers and minerals (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) were estimated following official methods. Due to the large number of data (76 samples × 17 parameters × 7 countries), chemometric techniques were employed to process them and extract conclusions. The samples of different geographical origin were discriminated with 79% success in total. The carobs from Cyprus, Italy and Spain were correctly classified without error. The main discriminators were found to be the dietary fibers, the carbohydrates and Cu, Zn and Mn, which emphasize their specific nutritional added value to the product and the country of origin impact. The results suggest that the proposed analytical approach is a powerful tool that enables the discrimination of carobs based on their country of origin. This research contributes to authenticity of carobs, adding value to local products