Ni incorporation in MgFe2O4 for improved CO splitting activity during solar fuel production

Efficacy of the sol–gel derived Ni-doped Mg-ferrites for an enhanced CO2 splitting activity is investigated. The results allied with the characterization indicate the formation of nominally phase pure Ni-doped Mg-ferrites with a coarser particle morphology. Ni-doped Mg-ferrites are further tested for multiple thermal reduction as well as CO2 splitting steps by using a thermogravimetric analyzer. The results associated with the thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that most of the Ni-doped Mg-ferrites attained a steady TR aptitude after crossing the 5th or 6th cycle. Likewise, the CS capability of all the Ni-doped Mg-ferrites accomplished consistency after 4th cycle (except for Ni0.11Mg0.88Fe2.01O4.005). The Ni0.90Mg0.11Fe2.04O4.070 showed the highest amount of O2 release (117.1 μmol/g cycle) and CO production (210.3 μmol/g cycle) in ten consecutive thermochemical cycles. Besides, Ni0.29Mg0.72Fe1.98O3.980 indicated better re-oxidation aptitude (nCO/nO2 ratio = 1.89) when compared with other Ni-doped Mg-ferrites

Treatment of waste gas contaminated with dichloromethane using photocatalytic oxidation, biodegradation and their combinations

[Abstract] The treatment of waste gas (WG) containing dichloromethane (DCM) using advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) [UV and UV-TiO2], biological treatment (BT), and their combination (AOPs-BT) was tested. AOP tests were performed in an annular photo-reactor (APHR), while BT was conducted in a continuous stirred tank bioreactor (CSTBR). The effects of gas flow rate (Qgas), inlet DCM concentration ([DCM]i), residence time (τ), photocatalyst loading (PH-CL) and % relative humidity (% RH) on the AOPs performance and the removal of DCM (%DCMr) were studied and optimized. The UV process exhibited %DCMr ≤ 12.5 % for tests conducted at a [DCM]i ≤ 0.45 g/m3, Qgas of 0.12 m3/h and τ of 27.6 s, respectively, and < 4 % when the [DCM]i ≥ 4.2 g/m3. The UV-TiO2 achieved a %DCMr ≥ 71 ± 1.5 % at Qgas of 0.06 m3/h, [DCM]i of 0.45 g/m3, τ of 55.2 s, PH-CL of 10 g/m2, and %RH of 50, respectively. The BT process removed ∼97.6 % of DCM with an elimination capacity (EC) of 234.0 g/m3·h. Besides, the high %DCMr of ∼98.5 % in the UV-BT and 99.7 % in the UV-TiO2-BT processes confirms AOPs-BT as a promising technology for the treatment of recalcitrant compounds present in WG.Xunta de Galicia; ED431C 2017/6

Study of variation in price of various antidiabetic drugs available in Indian market

Background: Diabetes mellitus in early age is on the alarming rise in India, requiring lifelong treatment. There is a wide range of variation in the prices of antidiabetic drugs marketed in India. Hence, we decided to study price variations in the oral antidiabetic drugs available, either singly or in combination, and number of manufacturing companies for each, and to evaluate the difference in cost of different brands of same active drug by calculating percentage variation of cost.Methods: Cost of a particular drug being manufactured by different companies, in the same strength and dosage forms was obtained from “Current Index of Medical Specialties” July-October 2014 and “Indian Drug Review” July 2014. The difference in the maximum and minimum price of the same drug, manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies and percentage variation in price was calculated.Results: Percentage price variation among different group of drugs was found to be as follows: in sulfonylureas, it was highest in glimepiride 2 mg 836.44%, among biguanides - metformin 500 mg 245.55%, among thiazolidionediones-pioglitazone 15 mg 600%, among α glucosidase inhibitors - voglibose 284.61% and meglitinides - repaglinide 0.5 mg 181.40%. Among combination therapy glimepiride 1 mg + metformin 500 mg 366.66%, pioglitazone + metformin 207.51%, pioglitazone + glimepiride 268.42% showed maximum variation in price.Conclusion: The average percentage price variation of different brands of the same oral antidiabetic drug manufactured in India is very wide. The appropriate changes in the government policy, sensitizing the prescribers about cost of therapy and proper management of marketing drugs should be directed toward maximizing the benefits of therapy and minimizing negative economic consequences

The effect of intermediate ozonation process on improving biogas production from co-digestion of agricultural waste and manure

Anaerobic co-digestion of agricultural solid waste, wastewater, and manure was evaluated in batch reactor. The performance of anaerobic digestion (AD) was monitored by assessing the methane production potential, maximum methane production rate and methane production lag time. An intermediate advanced oxidation processes by ozone was used to increase in the amount of methane produced and reduce the AD time. The production of methane from pure substrate (cow manure and wheat straw) was found to be 325 and 130 L/kg VS, mixed substrate of wheat straw, cattle manure and wastewater generated more than 368 L/kg VS. An intermediate ozonation process between two AD processes increased the % methane recovery form the ultimate value 60-85%, and reduce the total AD time to 20 days.Scopu

Application of Li-, Mg-, Ba-, Sr-, Ca-, and Sn-doped ceria for solar-driven thermochemical conversion of carbon dioxide

The redox reactivity of the Li-, Mg-, Ca-, Sr-, Ba-, and Sn-doped ceria (Ce0.9A0.1O2−δ) toward thermochemical CO2 splitting is investigated. Proposed Ce0.9A0.1O2−δ materials are prepared via co-precipitation of the hydroxide technique. The composition, morphology, and the average particle size of the Ce0.9A0.1O2−δ materials are determined by using suitable characterization methods. By utilizing a thermogravimetric analyzer setup, the long-term redox performance of each Ce0.9A0.1O2−δ material is estimated. The results obtained indicate that all the Ce0.9A0.1O2−δ materials are able to produce steady amounts of O2 and CO from cycle 4 to cycle 10. Based on the average nO2 released and nCO produced, the Ce0.899Sn0.102O2.002 and Ce0.895Ca0.099O1.889 are observed to be the top and bottom-most choices. When compared with the CeO2 material, all Ce0.9A0.1O2−δ materials showed elevated levels of O2 release and CO production

End tidal CO2 level (PETCO2) during laparoscopic surgery: comparison between spinal anaesthesia and general anaesthesia

Background: Laparoscopy is a procedure which involves insufflations of the abdomen by a gas, so that endoscope can visualise intra abdominal content without being in direct contact with viscera or tissues. Its advantages are small incisions, less pain, less postoperative ileus, short hospital stay compared to traditional open method. Monitoring of end tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) and hemodynamics is very necessary during Laparoscopy surgery. This study is conducted to find out effects of CO2 insufflation on parameters like PETCO2, Mean arterial pulse pressure, SPO2 under spinal anaesthesia and general anaesthesia in ASA I and ASA II patients.Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of anaesthesiology from December 2014 to September 2015.This study was a prospective, randomized controlled, single blind. Each group consisted of 30 patients having Group A and Group B as patient undergoing laparoscopic surgery under Spinal anaesthesia and General anaesthesia respectively. Preoperatively patients in Group A (Spinal anaesthesia) given inj. Midazolam 0.3mg/kg IM 45 before surgery and Group B (General anaesthesia) inj. pentazocin 0.3mg/kg, inj. promethazine 0.5mg/kg, inj. Glycopyrrolate 0.004 mg/kg IM 45 before surgery. In operation theatre, intra operative pulseoximetre, ECG, SPO2, Heart rate (HR), Mean arterial pulse pressure and PETCO2 monitoring done. Amount of CO2 insufflated noted.Results: It was found from present study that in both group there was significant progressive rise in PETCO2 after CO2 insufflation, with peak at 30 min and thereafter plateau till the end of procedure (avg. duration 45-60 min). In group A i.e. laparoscopic surgery under spinal anaesthesia with (spontaneous respiration) the rise in PETCO2 was significant as compared to the group B i.e. laparoscopic surgery under general anaesthesia with controlled ventilation. The heart rate increased after CO2 insufflation in both the group, but it was significant in group A. The increase in SBP, DBP, MAP were less in group A as compared to group B. SPO2 showed no significant changes and it remained above 97% in all patients throughout surgery. All values come to baseline 15 min after insufflation.Conclusions: From the present study it can be concluded that balanced general anaesthesia using IPPV with moderate hyperventilation, as the preferred anaesthetic technique for laparoscopic surgery

Potential for green algae spirulina to capture carbon dioxide from gas stream

This study evaluated the use of green algae Spirulina microalgae as a C02 capturing technology at different temperatures. The growth of Spirulina at 25 and 30◦C were studied in synthetic wastewater and its performance in removing nutrient were determined. Significant differences between the growth patterns of Spirulina were observed at different C02 dosage rate and different operational temperature. Spirulina showed the highest growth at 30 C and with a C02 injection dosage of 10%. Limited growth was observed for the systems injected with 5 and 15 % of C02 with respect to blank solution. Ammonia and phosphorus removals for Spirulina were 69%, 75%, and 83%, and 20%, 45% and 75 % for the media injected with 0, 5 and 10% C02. The results of this study show that simple and cost-effective microalgae-based wastewater treatment systems can be successfully employed at different temperatures as a successful C02 capturing technology even with the small probability of inhibition at high temperatures.Scopu

Impact of CO2 concentration and ambient conditions on microalgal growth and nutrient removal from wastewater by a photobioreactor

The increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration and the release of nutrients from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are environmental issues linked to several impacts on ecosystems. Numerous technologies have been employed to resolves these issues, nonetheless, the cost and sustainability are still a concern. Recently, the use of microalgae appears as a cost-effective and sustainable solution because they can effectively uptake CO2 and nutrients resulting in biomass production that can be processed into valuable products. In this study single (Spirulina platensis (SP.PL) and mixed indigenous microalgae (MIMA) strains were employed, over a 20-month period, for simultaneous removal of CO2 from flue gases and nutrient from wastewater under ambient conditions of solar irradiation and temperature. The study was performed at a pilot scale photo-bioreactor and the effect of feed CO2 gas concentration in the range (2.5–20%) on microalgae growth and biomass production, carbon dioxide bio-fixation rate, and the removal of nutrients and organic matters from wastewater was assessed. The MIMA culture performed significantly better than the monoculture, especially with respect to growth and CO2 bio-fixation, during the mild season; against this, the performance was comparable during the hot season. Optimum performance was observed at 10% CO2 feed gas concentration, though MIMA was more temperature and CO2 concentration sensitive. MIMA also provided greater removal of COD and nutrients (~83% and >99%) than SP.PL under all conditions studied. The high biomass productivities and carbon bio-fixation rates (0.796–0.950 gdw·L−1·d−1 and 0.542–1.075 gC·L−1·d−1 contribute to the economic sustainability of microalgae as CO2 removal process. Consideration of operational energy revealed that there is a significant energy benefit from cooling to sustain the highest productivities on the basis of operating energy alone, particularly if the indigenous culture is used

Challenges facing sustainable protein production: Opportunities for cereals

Rising demands for protein across the world are likely to increase livestock production, as meat provides ∼40% of dietary protein. This will come at significant environmental expense; therefore, a shift towards plant-based protein sources would provide major benefits. While legumes provide substantial plant-based proteins, cereals are the major constituents of global foods with wheat alone accounting for 15–20% of the required protein intake. Improving protein content in wheat is limited by phenotyping challenges, lack of genetic potential of modern germplasms, negative yield trade-off, and the environmental cost of nitrogen fertilisers. Presenting wheat as a case study, we discuss how increasing protein content in cereals through a revised breeding strategy combined with robust phenotyping can ensure a sustainable protein supply while minimising the environmental impact of nitrogen fertiliser

Reviving grain quality in wheat through non-destructive phenotyping techniques like hyperspectral imaging

A long-term goal of breeders and researchers is to develop crop varieties that can resist environmental stressors and produce high yields. However, prioritising yield often compromises improvement of other key traits, including grain quality, which is tedious and time-consuming to measure because of the frequent involvement of destructive phenotyping methods. Recently, non-destructive methods such as hyperspectral imaging (HSI) have gained attention in the food industry for studying wheat grain quality. HSI can quantify variations in individual grains, helping to differentiate high-quality grains from those of low quality. In this review , we discuss the reduction of wheat genetic diversity underlying grain quality traits due to modern breeding, key traits for grain quality, traditional methods for studying grain quality and the application of HSI to study grain quality traits in wheat and its scope in breeding. Our critical review of literature on wheat domes-tication, grain quality traits and innovative technology introduces approaches that could help improve grain quality in wheat. K E Y W O R D S grain quality, hyperspectral imaging, plant breeding, whea