Comparison of the Effects of Acarbose and TZQ-F, a New Kind of Traditional Chinese Medicine to Treat Diabetes, Chinese Healthy Volunteers

Ethnopharmacological Relevance. TZQ-F has been traditionally used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a formula for the treatment of diabetes. Aim of the Study. This study aims to compare the pharmacologic effects and gastrointestinal adverse events between TZQ-F and acarbose. Methods. The double-blind randomized placebo-controlled fivefold crossover study was performed in 20 healthy male volunteers. Plasma glucose, plasma IRI, and plasma C-peptide were measured to assess the pharmacologic effects. Flatus and bowel activity were measured to assess the adverse event of gastrointestinal effect. Results. 3 and 4 tablets of TZQ decreased the Cmax of plasma glucose compared with that of the previous day and with placebo. 3 tablets also decreased Cmax of plasma C-peptide compared with placebo. 4 tablets increased Cmax of plasma insulin after breakfast and the AUC of plasma C-peptide after breakfast and dinner. 2 tablets did not decrease plasma glucose and elevated the Cmax and AUC of C-peptide after breakfast and dinner, respectively. Acarbose 50 mg decreased the Cmax of plasma insulin and C-peptide after breakfast and the Cmax of plasma glucose and C-peptide after dinner. The subjects who received TZQ did not report any abdominal adverse events. Conclusions. 3 tablets of TZQ have the same effects as the acarbose

Comprehensive Characterization of Kukui Nuts as Feedstock for Energy Production in Hawaii

13-C-AJFE-UH-This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Please cite this article as: Jinxia Fu, Seren Weber, and Scott Q. Turn ACS Omega 2023 8 (25), 22567-22574. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c00860Fuel properties of oil-bearing kukui (Aleurites moluccana) nuts, a commonly found crop in Hawaii and tropical Pacific regions, were comprehensively studied to evaluate their potential for bioenergy production. Proximate and ultimate analyses, heating value, and elemental composition of the seed, shell, and de-oiled seed cake were determined across five sampling locations in Hawaii. The aged and freshly harvested kukui seeds were found to have similar oil contents, ranging from 61 to 64%wt. Aged seeds, however, have 2 orders of magnitude greater free fatty acids than those freshly harvested (50% vs 0.4%). The nitrogen content of the de-oiled kukui seed cake was found to be comparable to that of the soybean cake. Aging of kukui seeds can decrease the flashpoint temperature and increase the liquid 12solid phase transition temperatures of kukui oil obtained. Mg and Ca are the major ash-forming elements present in the kukui shells, >80%wt of all metal elements detected, which may reduce deposition problems for thermochemical conversion in comparison with hazelnut, walnut, and almond shells. The study also revealed that kukui oil has similar characteristics to canola, indicating that it is well-suited for biofuel production

Construction and Demolition Waste-Derived Feedstock: Fuel Characterization of a Potential Resource for Sustainable Aviation Fuels Production

13-C-AJFF-UH-11, 13This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Please cite this article as: Bach Q-V, Fu J and Turn S (2021) Construction and Demolition WasteDerived Feedstock: Fuel Characterization of a Potential Resource for Sustainable Aviation Fuels Production. Front. Energy Res. 9:711808. doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2021.711808Detailed characterization of physical and fuel properties of construction and demolition waste (CDW) can support research and commercial efforts to develop sustainable aviation fuels. The current study reports time-series data for bulk density, mineral composition, reactivity, and fuel properties (proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, heating value and ash fusibility) of the combustible material fraction of samples mined from an active CDW landfill on the island of O\u2bbahu, Hawai\u2bbi. The fuel properties are in ranges comparable to other reference solid wastes such as demolition wood, municipal solid wastes, and landfilled materials. Ash fusion temperatures (from initial deformation to fluid deformation) among the samples were found to lie in a narrow range from 1,117 to 1,247\ub0C. Despite higher ash contents, the CDW derived feedstock samples had comparable heating values to reference biomass and construction wood samples, indicating the presence of higher energy content materials (e.g., plastics, roofing material, etc.) in addition to wood. The waste samples show lower reactivity peaks in the devolatilization stage, but higher reactivity peaks (located at lower temperatures) in the gasification and combustion stage, compared with those of reference biomass and construction woods. Mineral elemental analysis revealed that materials from various sources (gypsum, plastic, rust, paint, paint additives, and soils) were present in the samples. Soil recovered from the landfill contained higher Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Pb, and Zn levels than soil samples from elsewhere on the island. Results from this study can provide insight on variations in the physical and fuel properties of the CDW derived feedstocks, and support the design of conversion systems

Construction and Demolition Waste-Derived Feedstock: Fuel Characterization of a Potential Resource for Sustainable Aviation Fuels Production

Detailed characterization of physical and fuel properties of construction and demolition waste (CDW) can support research and commercial efforts to develop sustainable aviation fuels. The current study reports time-series data for bulk density, mineral composition, reactivity, and fuel properties (proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, heating value and ash fusibility) of the combustible material fraction of samples mined from an active CDW landfill on the island of OModified Letter Turned Commaahu, HawaiModified Letter Turned Commai. The fuel properties are in ranges comparable to other reference solid wastes such as demolition wood, municipal solid wastes, and landfilled materials. Ash fusion temperatures (from initial deformation to fluid deformation) among the samples were found to lie in a narrow range from 1,117 to 1,247 degrees C. Despite higher ash contents, the CDW derived feedstock samples had comparable heating values to reference biomass and construction wood samples, indicating the presence of higher energy content materials (e.g., plastics, roofing material, etc.) in addition to wood. The waste samples show lower reactivity peaks in the devolatilization stage, but higher reactivity peaks (located at lower temperatures) in the gasification and combustion stage, compared with those of reference biomass and construction woods. Mineral elemental analysis revealed that materials from various sources (gypsum, plastic, rust, paint, paint additives, and soils) were present in the samples. Soil recovered from the landfill contained higher Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Pb, and Zn levels than soil samples from elsewhere on the island. Results from this study can provide insight on variations in the physical and fuel properties of the CDW derived feedstocks, and support the design of conversion systems

Comprehensive Characterization of Kukui Nuts as Feedstock for Energy Production in Hawaii

Fuel properties of oil-bearing kukui (Aleurites moluccana) nuts, a commonly found crop in Hawaii and tropical Pacific regions, were comprehensively studied to evaluate their potential for bioenergy production. Proximate and ultimate analyses, heating value, and elemental composition of the seed, shell, and de-oiled seed cake were determined across five sampling locations in Hawaii. The aged and freshly harvested kukui seeds were found to have similar oil contents, ranging from 61 to 64%wt. Aged seeds, however, have 2 orders of magnitude greater free fatty acids than those freshly harvested (50% vs 0.4%). The nitrogen content of the de-oiled kukui seed cake was found to be comparable to that of the soybean cake. Aging of kukui seeds can decrease the flashpoint temperature and increase the liquid−solid phase transition temperatures of kukui oil obtained. Mg and Ca are the major ash-forming elements present in the kukui shells, >80%wt of all metal elements detected, which may reduce deposition problems for thermochemical conversion in comparison with hazelnut, walnut, and almond shells. The study also revealed that kukui oil has similar characteristics to canola, indicating that it is well-suited for biofuel production

Characteristics and Stability of Neat and Blended Hydroprocessed Renewable Diesel

In this study, the physical properties and chemical composition of hydroprocessed renewable diesel derived from algae (HRD-76) were measured. Analysis of HRD-76 showed that the main components are C₁₅–C₁₈ <i>n</i>-alkanes and branched monomethyl hexadecanes and heptadecanes. Approximately 50% of HRD-76 is <i>n</i>- and iso-C₁₇. Long-term (ASTM D4625) and accelerated (ASTM D5304) tests were conducted to investigate the storage stability of HRD-76, F-76, and their blends and the effects of long-term storage on the fuel properties. In addition, the ASTM D2274 method was used to test the oxidation stabilities of the neat and blended fuels. HRD-76 has better storage and oxidation stabilities than F-76, and the post-test changes in the fuel properties are influenced by the F-76 fraction in the fuel blend. Extended ASTM D2274 tests were also conducted to investigate the influence of long-term oxidation on the physicochemical properties of the fuel

Effects of Biodiesel Contamination on Oxidation and Storage Stability of Neat and Blended Hydroprocessed Renewable Diesel

The present work investigates the effects of biodiesel contamination on conventional and renewable marine diesels, i.e., NATO F-76 and HRD-76. The physical properties and chemical composition of F-76, HRD-76, and biodiesel were measured, including viscosity, density, peroxide value, heat of combustion, and acid number. Long-term (ASTM D4625) and accelerated (ASTM D5304) test methods were used to investigate the influence of biodiesel contamination on storage stability of HRD-76, F-76, and their blends. The impact of biodiesel contamination on oxidation stability of neat and blended fuels was also studied by conducting test ASTM D2274. In addition, the influence of biodiesel contamination on physicochemical properties after stressing the fuel was investigated according to the ASTM methods. The presence of biodiesel at contaminant levels did not have significant effects on the fuel properties or storage and oxidation stability of neat and blended HRD-76 or F-76. Properties of contaminated samples were determined to meet MIL-DTL-16884N specifications. The storage stability of the HRD-76/B100 blends was also investigated on the basis of the ASTM D5304 method

Upgraded pongamia pod via torrefaction for the production of bioenergy

•The torrefaction of pongamia pods reaches the targeted outcome when processed at 220–230 °C.•The pods possess similar fuel qualities as bituminous coal when torrefied at 281 °C.•The macro-TGA is demonstrated as a fast screening tool for the torrefaction process.•Further preprocessing is required to employ the pods for energy production.Torrefaction can be used to reduce the oxygen content of biomass and improve the feedstock properties for thermochemical conversion. Pongamia (Millettia pinnata), a leguminous, oil-seed bearing tree, is a potential resource for sustainable aviation fuel production due to the high oil content of its seeds. The present work investigates thermochemical pretreatment of pongamia processing residues, i.e. pods. Torrefaction tests were performed with both a fixed bed reactor and a macro thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) under nitrogen atmospheres. The effects of process conditions on feedstock properties relevant to thermochemical conversion technologies, proximate and ultimate composition, heating value, and Hardgrove grindability index (HGI), were measured. The chemical structure, reactivity, and changes in elemental composition of the torrefied materials were also investigated. The mass and energy yields decreased 43% and 25%, respectively, from the mildest (165 °C) to the most severe (281 °C) torrefaction conditions, while the energy densification index increased from 1.15 to 1.68. The HGIs of pods torrefied at temperatures >215 °C were found to equal or exceed the HGI of a reference bituminous coal sample. A LECO model TGA801 macro-TGA with a sample loading capacity of ~95 g was also used to torrefy pongamia pods. Products from the LECO and the fixed bed reactor were comparable, and the macro-TGA was demonstrated to be a useful fast screening tool to study effects of process parameters