Improvement of Thermal Processes for Using Residues from Bioethanol and Sugar Production in Brazil: Experiments and Proposed Optimization Measures

Within a national funded Brazilian-German cooperation project ASHES, the thermal utilization of bagasse and other residuals from the sugar processing industry was examined. The characterization of the ashes was also performed but it is not in the focus of this paper. To determine the relevant combustion parameters, tests were carried out in a laboratory-scale, fixed bed reactor (KLEAA) at KIT-ITC. Subsequently, Fraunhofer UMSICHT carried out tests in continuously operated combustion plants with different plant sizes of 30 kW, 100 kW, and 440 kW. All relevant compositions were analyzed by CUTEC. The primary objective was to gain knowledge regarding the combustion and emission behavior of the fuels. These findings were used to identify optimization potentials at various points and elaborate concepts for their improvement. In the next steps of the project, optimization of these concepts will be the focus. In cooperation with the Brazilian project partners, several of them should be implemented into practice after the project

Plasma cadmium is associated with increased risk of long-term kidney graft failure

The kidney is one of the most sensitive organs to cadmium-induced toxicity, particularly in conditions of long-term oxidative stress. We hypothesized that, in kidney transplant recipients, nephrotoxic exposure to cadmium represents an overlooked hazard for optimal graft function. To test this, we performed a prospective cohort study and included 672 outpatient kidney transplant recipients with a functioning graft of beyond one year. The median plasma cadmium was 58 ng/L. During a median 4.9 years of follow-up, 78 kidney transplant recipients developed graft failure with a significantly different distribution across tertiles of plasma cadmium (13, 26, and 39 events, respectively). Plasma cadmium was associated with an increased risk of graft failure (hazard ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.56-2.47 per log(2) ng/L). Similarly, a dose-response relationship was observed over increasing tertiles of plasma cadmium, after adjustments for potential confounders (donor, recipient, transplant and lifestyle characteristics), robust in both competing risk and sensitivity analyses. These findings were also consistent for kidney function decline (graft failure or doubling of serum creatinine). Thus, plasma cadmium is independently associated with an increased risk of long-term kidney graft failure and decline in kidney function. Further studies are needed to investigate whether exposure to cadmium represents an otherwise overlooked modifiable risk factor for adverse long-term graft outcomes in different populations

Enhanced diagnostic immunofluorescence using biopsies transported in saline

BACKGROUND: The demonstration of tissue-bound immunoreactants by direct immunofluorescence microscopy (DIF) is a valuable parameter in the diagnosis of various autoimmune and immunecomplex-mediated skin diseases. For preservation of tissue-bound immunoreactants, biopsies are usually fresh-frozen in liquid nitrogen or transported in Michel's fixative. But even optimally preserved tissue specimens are no guarantee for the correct diagnosis by DIF, especially when weak to moderate IgG fluorescence of the epidermal basement membrane zone is involved. In such cases false negative results are easily obtained due to the relatively high dermal "background" fluorescence produced by polyclonal anti-human IgG fluorescein conjugates. METHODS: In the present study we have compared the use of normal saline (0.9% NaCl) with liquid nitrogen and Michel's fixative as transport medium for skin biopsies. From 25 patients with an autoimmune skin disease (pemphigus, pemphigoid, lupus erythematosus and vasculitis) four matched skin biopsies were obtained and transported in either saline for 24 and 48 hours, liquid nitrogen, or Michel's fixative for 48 hours. RESULTS: Direct IF microscopy showed significant reduction of background fluorescence (p < 0.01) and relatively enhanced desired specific (IgG, IgA) staining in biopsies transported in saline. A conclusive or tentative IF diagnosis was reached in 92% after 24 h saline, 83% after 48 h saline, 68% after freezing in liquid nitrogen, and 62% after 48 h Michel's medium (n = 25). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that transporting biopsies without freezing in normal saline for 24 hours is an adequate and attractive method for routine IF diagnosis in autoimmune and immune complex-mediated dermatoses. The superior results with saline incubation are explained by washing away of IgG background in dermis and epidermis

H₂ vibrational CARS thermometry.

TheQ-branch spectra of molecular hydrogen have been used to determine rotational temperatures bycoherentanti-StokesRamanscattering (CARS). A supersonic jet expansion through a constant flow nozzle of adjustable temperature served as hydrogen source in the temperature range 300 to 2500 K. The analysis of the high-temperature data reveals details of the internal energy transfer in jet expansion

Hydrogen vibrational CARS thermometry

The Q-branch spectra of mol. H was used to det. rotational temps. by CARS. A supersonic jet expansion through a const. flow nozzle of adjustable temp. served as the H source in the temp. range 300 to 2500 K. The anal. of the high-temp. data reveals details of the internal energy transfer in jet expansion

UvA Webklas Informatica: Wat is een programma?

De Webklas Informatica 'Wat is een programma?' is een korte cursus voor scholieren uit 5 en 6-vwo met een Wiskunde B-profiel. Deze webklas wordt sinds 2004 online aangeboden. De deelnemer leert een eenvoudige, imperatieve programmeertaal (programmeerervaring is niet nodig). Het inleveren van opgaven en de bespreking van resultaten en problemen gaat per e-mail. Bij sommige opgaven wordt een tooikit gebruikt, andere zijn theoretisch. De studielast is 10 uur en na succesvolle afronding volgt een certificaat

Improvement of Thermal Processes for Using Residues from Bioethanol and Sugar Production in Brazil: Experiments and Proposed Optimization Measures

Within a national funded Brazilian-German cooperation project ASHES, the thermal utilization of bagasse and other residuals from the sugar processing industry was examined. The characterization of the ashes was also performed but it is not in the focus of this paper. To determine the relevant combustion parameters, tests were carried out in a laboratory-scale, fixed bed reactor (KLEAA) at KIT-ITC. Subsequently, Fraunhofer UMSICHT carried out tests in continuously operated combustion plants with different plant sizes of 30 kW, 100 kW, and 440 kW. All relevant compositions were analyzed by CUTEC. The primary objective was to gain knowledge regarding the combustion and emission behavior of the fuels. These findings were used to identify optimization potentials at various points and elaborate concepts for their improvement. In the next steps of the project, optimization of these concepts will be the focus. In cooperation with the Brazilian project partners, several of them should be implemented into practice after the project

Vergleich von thermischen Verfahren zur Nutzung von Rückständen aus der Bioethanolerzeugung und Zuckerherstellung in Brasilien

Within the BMBF-funded Brazilian-German cooperation project ASHES, the thermal utilization of bagasse and other residuals from the sugar processing industry was examined. In the laboratory scale, tests were carried out on the KLEAA system of the KIT-ITC to determine relevant fuel parameters. Subsequently, Fraunhofer UMSICHT carried out tests on combustion plants on a technical scale with different plant sizes of 30 kW, 100 kW and 440 kW. The primary objective was to gain knowledge regardimg the combustion and emission behavior of these fuels. Experiments were also carried out at the CUTEC's ArtFuel facility, a gasification unit in the pilot plant scale, and thus gained information regarding the gasification behavior of bagasse and other residuals from sugar cane processing industry. These findings were used to identify optimization potentials at various points and elaborate concepts for their improvement. Within in the next steps of the project future development of these concepts will be focused. In cooperation with the Brazilian project partners several of these concepts should be implemented into practice after the project