Evaluation of Ultrasonic Pretreatment on Anaerobic Digestion of Different Animal Manures

This article addresses the effect of ultrasonication as a pretreatment to anaerobic digestion of four types of animal manure, including swine slurry, beef feedlot manure, dairy manure slurry, and separated dairy manure effluent. The effect of ultrasonication on soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) and biochemical methane potential (BMP) were determined, and the energy efficiency of ultrasonic pretreatment was evaluated. Ultrasonic pretreatment was applied at two amplitudes (80 and 160 µmpp) and at two time settings (15 and 30 s) to each of the four manure types. The SCOD of each manure sample was determined before and after ultrasonic pretreatment. In addition, BMP trials were run on each waste with and without ultrasonic pretreatment. As part of the BMP, biogas production was measured and analyzed for methane content and cumulative methane production. Ultrasonic pretreatment of swine slurry, beef feedlot manure, dairy manure slurry, and separated dairy manure effluent increased the average SCOD up to 23%, 92%, 59%, and 33%, respectively, and the average methane yield up to 56%, 43%, 62%, and 20%, respectively. Increasing the ultrasonic amplitude and treatment time resulted in an increase in manure SCOD and methane production; the greatest methane production was obtained using the ultrasonic pretreatment at the highest power and longest treatment time. The observed greatest methane production from swine slurry, beef feedlot manure, dairy manure slurry, and separated dairy manure effluent were 394, 230, 226, and 340 mL CH4 g-1 VS, respectively. In contrast, the greatest energy efficiency was obtained with the lowest ultrasonic amplitude combined with the shortest treatment time

Ultrasonic Pretreatment of Corn Slurry in Batch and Continuous Systems

The effects of ultrasonication of corn slurry, on particle size distribution and enzymatic hydrolysis was studied for the dry-grind mill ethanol industry. Two independent ultrasonic experiments were conducted at a frequency of 20 kHz; in batch and continuous systems. The ground corn slurry (33% m/v) was pumped at flow rates 10-28 L/min in continuous flow experiments, and sonicated at constant amplitude (20µmpeak-to-peak(p-p)). Ultrasonic batch experiments were conducted at varying amplitudes of 192-320µmp-p. After ultrasonication, StargenTM001 enzyme was added to the samples and a short 3h hydrolysis followed. The treated samples were found to yield 2-3 times more reducing sugar compared to the control (untreated) samples. In terms of energy density, the batch ultrasonic system was found to deliver 25-times more energy than the continuous flow systems. Although the experiments conducted in continuous system released less reducing sugar than the batch system, the continuous system was more energy efficient. The particle size of the sonicated corn slurry (both batch and continuous) was reduced relative to the controls (without treatment). The reduction of particle size was directly proportional to the energy input during sonication. The study suggests that both batch and continuous flow ultrasonic systems enhances enzymatic hydrolysis yield, reduces particle size of corn slurry and could be a potential effective pretreatment for corn slurry

Some Like It Hot: Maternal-Switching With Climate Change Modifies Formation of Invasive Spartina Hybrids

Climate change can induce temporary, spatial or behavioral changes in species, so that only some species can adapt to the new climatic conditions. In the case of invasive species, it is expected that they will be promoted in a context of global change, given their high tolerance to environmental factors and phenotypic plasticity. Once in the invaded range, these species can hybridize with native species thus introducing their genotype in the native biota. However, the effects that climate change will have on this process of invasion by hybridization remain unclear. We evaluated the historical establishment of the reciprocal hybrids between the native Spartina maritima and the invasive S. densiflora in the Gulf of Cadiz (SW Iberian Peninsula) and we related it to climatic changes during the period 1955–2017. Our results showed that, according to their dating based on their rate of lateral expansion rates, the establishment of S. maritima × densiflora and S. densiflora × maritima in the Gulf of Cadiz has occurred in the last two centuries and has been related to changes in air temperature and rainfall during the flowering periods of their parental species, with antagonist impacts on both hybrids. Thus, the hybrid S. densiflora × maritima has been established in years with mild ends of spring and beginning of summer when the flowering of S. maritima lengthened and its pollen production was higher, and it coincided with the beginning of the flowering period of S. densiflora. Moreover, the establishment of this hybrid was related to higher spring/summer rainfalls, probably due to the reduction in salinity in middle marshes. However, the hybrid S. maritima × densiflora, was established mainly in warmer spring/summers in which the proportion of pollen:ovule of S. maritima was reduced favoring its pollination by S. densiflora. As a consequence of the promotion of S. maritima × densiflora with climate change, the native and endangered species S. maritima would be threatened, as both taxa share the same habitat and the hybrid shows a remarkably higher competitive potential

A functional trait perspective on plant invasion

Global environmental change will affect non-native plant invasions, with profound potential impacts on native plant populations, communities and ecosystems. In this context, we review plant functional traits, particularly those that drive invader abundance (invasiveness) and impacts, as well as the integration of these traitsacross multiple ecological scales, and as a basis for restoration and management.We review the concepts and terminology surrounding functional traits and how functional traits influence processes at the individual level. We explore how phenotypic plasticity may lead to rapid evolution of novel traits facilitating invasiveness in changing environments and then oscale up\u27 to evaluate the relative importance of demographic traits and their links to invasion rates. We then suggest a functional trait framework for assessing per capita effects and, ultimately, impacts of invasive plants on plant communities and ecosystems. Lastly, we focus on the role of functional trait-based approaches in invasive species management and restoration in the context of rapid, global environmental change.To understand how the abundance and impacts of invasive plants will respond to rapid environmental changes it is essential to link trait-based responses of invaders to changes in community and ecosystem properties. To do so requires a comprehensive effort that considers dynamic environmental controls and a targeted approach to understand key functional traits driving both invader abundance and impacts. If we are to predict future invasions, manage those at hand and use restoration technology to mitigate invasive species impacts, future research must focus on functional traits that promote invasiveness and invader impacts under changing conditions, and integrate major factors driving invasions from individual to ecosystem levels

High-power ultrasonication-assisted extraction of soybean isoflavones and effect of toasting

The effect of high-power ultrasonication (HPU) on extraction of soybean isoflavones and components, including total phenolic and DPPH radical scavenging activities (RSA) were evaluated. Isoflavones from defatted soybean flakes were extracted using a bench scale HPU system at 20 kHz and varying amplitudes (18–54 μm) for 1 and 3 min. Aqueous acetonitrile, and aqueous ethanol based solvents were evaluated for extraction at samples-to-solvent ratios of 0.1:1 and 0.2:1. The non-sonication control extraction was with mixing with magnetic stirrer for 2 h. Preliminary data indicated 1.2–1.5 times more genistein recovery at 1, and 3 min sonication compared to control, however, total phenolic decreased. The genistein recovery was lower at higher sonication levels. RSA also decreased to 40% for HPU-assisted extractions. Total isoflavones recovery in HPU-assisted extractions increased from 600 to 5813 μg/g. The concentration of major isoflavone components, genistein, daidzein, and glycitein also increased by 10-fold. HPU for 3 min reduced the average particle size of treated soy flakes from 530 μm to 60 μm. Toasting at 150 °C of defatted soy flake for longer period of time led to higher aglycone concentration in extract; however, 2 h toasting was sufficient prior to HPU-assisted extraction.This article is published as Pananun, T., Montalbo-Lomboy, M., Noomhorm, A., Grewell, D., and Lamsal, B.P*. 2012. High power ultrasonication-assisted extraction of soybean isoflavones and effect of toasting, LWT - Food Science and Technology, 47(1): 199-207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2011.12.003 This article is under a Created Commons License: CC By-NC-ND 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0

Тенденции в изменении энергетического баланса в электроэнергетических системах будующего

Recent advances in compression molding of glass optical elements for mass production offer the potential of extending this technology to elements with micro and nano scale features. In this research, glass diffractive optical elements (DOEs) with lateral features in the order of 10 mu m and vertical height of 330 nm were fabricated using a fused silica glass mold and a special low T-g (glass transition temperature) glass material K-PG325. Molded DOEs were studied using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) to evaluate the glass molding process capability. Optical testing of the molded DOEs was a further demonstration of the effectiveness of the molding process for high volume micro and diffractive optical component fabrication. The combination of two high-precision, high-volume processes, i.e., semiconductor batch process for optical mold making and glass molding for DOE replication, is an effective alternative manufacturing method for high-quality, low-cost optical components. The reported experiment is a detailed illustration of the glass molding process capability. With further process optimization a robust manufacturing process can be developed for mass production of diffractive and micro glass optical elements

Functional trait responses of emergent and free-floating Alternanthera philoxeroides to increasing salinity with sea level rise: stress tolerance, avoidance, and escape strategies

Sea level rise is having major impacts on estuaries due to salinity intrusion. These changes in stress profiles have ripple effects in ecosystems, including altering the invasibility of these wetlands depending on the salt tolerance of the invading species. Alternanthera philoxeroides Mart. (Griseb.) (alligator weed), native to South America and long recognized as one of the world’s worst freshwater aquatic weeds, recently invaded tidal wetlands in California’s San Francisco Bay–Delta Estuary. Generally considered a freshwater-limited glycophyte, observations suggested this invasive macrophyte may have some degree of salinity tolerance, though its degree of tolerance and capacity to spread with increased salinity intrusion were unknown. In two full-factorial greenhouse experiments, we assessed responses of emergent (soil-rooted) and free-floating growth forms of A. philoxeroides to four salinity concentrations (freshwater to euhaline) at the whole-plant (growth, biomass production and allocation, fitness), physiological, and biochemical levels. We also conducted a third experiment exploring the recovery potential of free-floating A. philoxeroides in freshwater following extended exposure to mesohaline to euhaline aqueous salinity. Although sensitivity of A. philoxeroides to increasing salinity was documented, the survival of both growth forms in the full range of salinity treatments was notable and unexpected. Our results indicate A. philoxeroides is a facultative halophyte well adapted to oligohaline–mesohaline salinity levels. Results also revealed the invasive weed’s multiple strategies to survive salinity-induced physiological stress, supporting its survival even at elevated polyhaline to euhaline conditions. The macrophyte expressed functional trait responses spanning stress tolerance, avoidance, and escape strategies that may sustain its spread as estuarine salinity intrusion increases with sea level rise

Some Like It Hot: Maternal-Switching With Climate Change Modifies Formation of Invasive Spartina Hybrids

Climate change can induce temporary, spatial or behavioral changes in species, so that only some species can adapt to the new climatic conditions. In the case of invasive species, it is expected that they will be promoted in a context of global change, given their high tolerance to environmental factors and phenotypic plasticity. Once in the invaded range, these species can hybridize with native species thus introducing their genotype in the native biota. However, the effects that climate change will have on this process of invasion by hybridization remain unclear. We evaluated the historical establishment of the reciprocal hybrids between the native Spartina maritima and the invasive S. densiflora in the Gulf of Cadiz (SW Iberian Peninsula) and we related it to climatic changes during the period 1955–2017. Our results showed that, according to their dating based on their rate of lateral expansion rates, the establishment of S. maritima × densiflora and S. densiflora × maritima in the Gulf of Cadiz has occurred in the last two centuries and has been related to changes in air temperature and rainfall during the flowering periods of their parental species, with antagonist impacts on both hybrids. Thus, the hybrid S. densiflora × maritima has been established in years with mild ends of spring and beginning of summer when the flowering of S. maritima lengthened and its pollen production was higher, and it coincided with the beginning of the flowering period of S. densiflora. Moreover, the establishment of this hybrid was related to higher spring/summer rainfalls, probably due to the reduction in salinity in middle marshes. However, the hybrid S. maritima × densiflora, was established mainly in warmer spring/summers in which the proportion of pollen:ovule of S. maritima was reduced favoring its pollination by S. densiflora. As a consequence of the promotion of S. maritima × densiflora with climate change, the native and endangered species S. maritima would be threatened, as both taxa share the same habitat and the hybrid shows a remarkably higher competitive potential