Hydrothermal Synthesized and Alkaline Activated Carbons Prepared from Glucose and Fructose—Detailed Characterization and Testing in Heavy Metals and Methylene Blue Removal

In the presented paper, activated carbons were prepared from fructose and glucose, and activating agents (KOH, NaOH, LiOH) by hydrothermal treatment (HTC) treatment. After preparation, samples were characterized in details. Different techniques were used: x-ray powder diffraction analysis, Raman spectral analysis, elemental analysis, and determination of textural and morphological properties. Obtained results showed dependence of investigated properties and the nature of precursors (glucose or fructose) as well as the type of hydroxides used as activating agents. After characterization, samples were tested as materials for heavy metals (Pb2+, Cd2+and Zn2+) and methylene blue removal. Also, adsorption experiments were performed on wastewaters taken from tailings of the lead and zinc mine and kinetic of the methylene blue removal was studied. The factors which distinguished the KOH activated samples were high yield (~14%), content of organic carbon (63–74%), porosity and specific surface area (SBET~700–1360 m2/g), a low degree of the crystal phase, indications that potassium ions may be included in heavy metals removal, good removal of the heavy metal ions (~47–59 mg/g for Pb2+, ~21–27 mg/g for Cd2+and ~6–10 mg/g for Zn2+) and fast (~10–30 min) and good methylene blue (~60–200 mg/g) removal

Method for the assessment of road vehicles' annual distance travelled and related harmful gas emissions

У овој дисертацији се истражује утицај годишњег и укупног пређеног пута друмских моторних возила у различитим експлоатационим условима на емисију загађујућих материја (штетних гасова и гасова са ефектом стаклене баште). Постављена је основа за унапређење систематизације и обухватности базе података, тј. дат је предлог унапређења базе возила увођењем нових података од значаја за квалитетну оцену емисије (као што су алтернативна горива/погони, технологија контроле емисије – Еуро стандард, пређени пут и др.) и нове националне класификације возног парка усаглашене са захтевима модела COPERT 4 за оцену емисије друмских моторних возила. На бази релевантних светских искустава формулисана је методологија истраживања пређеног пута на националном и регионалном нивоу. Истраживање се заснива на анкети возача у станицама техничких прегледа и упитницима који су попуњавани у транспортним предузећима. Одређене су релевантне вредности пређеног пута по класама возила (категоријама, подкатегоријама и технологијама контроле емисије). Дат је и предлог методологије истраживања у циљу утврђивања меродавног пређеног пута иностраних возила на националној територији и националних возила у иностранству. На емисију загађујућих материја утиче и понашање возача. Испитан је утицај техничког стања и старости возила на количину и састав емисије загађујућих материја, са посебним освртом на стање у Србији: старост, техничко стање возила и систем контроле емисије загађујућих материја (тј. састава и количине штетних гасова) на техничком прегледу возила...This dissertation researches the impact of the annual and total distance travelled of motor vehicles in different operating conditions on the emission of pollutants (harmful and greenhouse gases). The basis for improvement of the comprehensiveness and systematisation of the motor vehicles’ database with regard to their technical and operation characteristics has been set, i.e. a database enhancement is proposed by introducing new significant data for quality emission assessment (e.g. alternative fuels / drives, emission control technology - Euro standards, distance travelled, etc.) and a new national fleet classification compliant with the requirements of the model COPERT 4 for motor vehicles’ emission assessment. On the basis of relevant international experience, the research methodology of the distance travelled (mileage) on national and regional levels has been formulated. The research is based on a survey of drivers at vehicle inspection stations and questionnaires filled by transport companies. Relevant values of distance travelled for different vehicle classes (categories, subcategories and emission control technologies) have been determined. The methodology of research for identifying the relevant distance travelled of foreign vehicles on national territory and national vehicles overseas is also proposed. The emission of pollutants is additionally affected by driver behaviour. The influence of vehicle age and technical condition on the quantity and composition of pollutants’ emissions, particularly bearing in mind the situation in Serbia: vehicle fleet age, technical vehicle condition and pollutant emissions’ monitoring system (i.e. composition and quantities of harmful gases) at vehicle inspection stations..

Analysis of pollutant emissions of a lorry for different EURO standards and operating conditions

Environmental pollution is becoming an increasingly important problem that needs to be solved, and road vehicles contribution in that pollution is significant. In that sense, in this paper, a brief overview of models used to determine pollutant emissions is given, and then the environmental pollution of an actual lorry with a maximum permissible mass of up to 7.5 t is specifically considered. While determining pollutant emissions different Euro standards, average vehicle speeds, payload utilizations and longitudinal road slopes were taken into account. Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) were observed in detail in this paper

A hybrid multi-criteria decision making model for the vehicle service center selection with the aim to increase the vehicle fleet energy efficiency

In this paper is researched how to achieve an effective fleet maintenance planning in transport companies, which contributes in increasing the fleet energy efficiency and in achieving the companies’ goal. Within the fleet maintenance planning, managers have to make the right decisions on the selection of vehicle service centers in the region where the maintenance work will be realized. The mentioned decision is affected by a number of different interdependent factors (criteria). Based on a survey, relevant factors (criteria) were defined. As defined factors are interdependent and differently influence the mentioned decision, an approach of decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL)-based analytic network process called DANP was applied. In this respect, authors propose a hybrid multi-criteria decision making model. The proposed model was applied in the companies to demonstrate how effective their managers are in the maintenance planning and how this effectiveness influences the fleet energy efficiency and fulfilment of companies’ goal. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 36027: Software development and national database for strategic management and development of transportation means and infrastructure in road, rail, air and inland waterways transport using the European transport network models

Analyze of effects of modified EFQM model

The paper represents research analyzes of the mutual influence of variables of leadership, people, strategies and partnership over resources through modified EFQM excellence model. The analysis of mutual influence of variables in the first level of impact EFQM model has been carried out. The results of this research can be applied in real conditions to improve business of organizations through raising awareness of the existence and the importance of the mutual influence of variables of leadership, people, strategies and partnership and resources, that can be called the basic tools of success of a business organization

[Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3], a novel platinum(IV) compound with anticancer properties

There has been a continuing effort for the discovery of novel platinum(IV)-based antitumor compounds with better therapeutic performances than cisplatin. In the present work, the anticancer action of recently synthesized Pt(IV)-based complex [Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3] was investigated using rat and human astrocytoma cell lines C6 and U251. [Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3] markedly reduced the number of cultured astrocytoma Cells (IC50, 80 mu M), as determined by crystal violet assay. The Pt(IV) complex induced apoptotic death of tumor cells, as flow cytometry analysis of the propidium iodide-stained cellular DNA revealed approx. 30% of hypodiploid cells in [Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3]-treated astrocytoma cell cultures. On the other hand, [Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3] at 200 mu M did not affect the viability of rat primary astrocytes, unlike the established anticancer drug cisplatin, which displayed high toxicity toward both astrocytoma cells (IC50, 15 mu M) and primary astrocytes (IC50, 20 mu M). Moreover, [Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3] at 100 mu M did not interfere with the ability of rat peritoneal macrophages to produce important antitumor molecules nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-a. Finally, we assessed the ability of [Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3] to restrain growth of some bacterial and yeast strains, but it showed rather limited antimicrobial activity. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Novel ruthenium complex K-2[Ru(dmgly)Cl-4] center dot 2H(2)O is toxic to C6 astrocytoma cell line, but not to primary rat astrocytes

A novel class of ruthenium (111) complexes of formulas K[Ru(sar)(2)Cl-2] - 1/2HO and K-2[Ru(dmgly)Cl-4] . 1/2H(2)O, containing biden2 tate chelates N-methylglycine (sarcosine, sar) or N,N-dimethylglycine (dnigly) and additional chloro ligands were synthesized. The complexes have been obtained by direct reaction of ruthenium(III) chloride with corresponding bidentate ligand followed by addition of base (KOH). These new complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and electronic absorption spectroscopy. As astrocytomas, the most common of all brain tumors, are still very difficult to treat, we examined the influence of newly synthesized ruthenium-based complexes, as well as the earlier synthesized analogue platinum(IV) complexes [Pt(dmglY)(2)Cl-2], [Pt(sar)(2)Br-2] and [Pt(dmgly)(2)Br-2] on rat astrocytoma C6 cells in vitro. Among these complexes only K-2[Ru(dmglY)Cl-4].2H(2)O and [Pt(dMgIY)(2)Br-2] markedly inhibited the viability of non-confluent C6 cells. Furthermore, only complex K-2[Ru(dmgly)Cl4] .2H20 was able to reduce viability in confluent C6 cultures. Importantly, this complex was not toxic to primary rat astrocytes or macrophages. Having in mind that appropriate chemotherapy should be effective against tumor cells without harming normal tissues, complex K,[Ru(dmglY)Cl-4] - 2H(2)O could be a promising agent for developing therapeutics against astrocytomas. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.nul

[Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3], a novel platinum(IV) compound with anticancer properties

There has been a continuing effort for the discovery of novel platinum(IV)-based antitumor compounds with better therapeutic performances than cisplatin. In the present work, the anticancer action of recently synthesized Pt(IV)-based complex [Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3] was investigated using rat and human astrocytoma cell lines C6 and U251. [Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3] markedly reduced the number of cultured astrocytoma Cells (IC50, 80 mu M), as determined by crystal violet assay. The Pt(IV) complex induced apoptotic death of tumor cells, as flow cytometry analysis of the propidium iodide-stained cellular DNA revealed approx. 30% of hypodiploid cells in [Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3]-treated astrocytoma cell cultures. On the other hand, [Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3] at 200 mu M did not affect the viability of rat primary astrocytes, unlike the established anticancer drug cisplatin, which displayed high toxicity toward both astrocytoma cells (IC50, 15 mu M) and primary astrocytes (IC50, 20 mu M). Moreover, [Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3] at 100 mu M did not interfere with the ability of rat peritoneal macrophages to produce important antitumor molecules nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-a. Finally, we assessed the ability of [Pt(HPxSC)Cl-3] to restrain growth of some bacterial and yeast strains, but it showed rather limited antimicrobial activity. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.nul