Experimental verification of the efficiency of selective non-catalytic reduction in a bubbling fluidized bed combustor

Controlling nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions is still a challenge as increasingly stringent emission limits are introduced. Strict regulations will lead to the need to introduce secondary measures even for boilers with bubbling fluidized bed (BFB), which are generally characterized by low NOX emissions. Selective non-catalytic reduction has lower investment costs compared to other secondary measures for NOX reduction, but the temperatures for its efficient utilization are difficult to achieve in BFBs. This paper studies the possibility of an effective application of selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) of nitrogen oxides in a pilot-scale facility with a bubbling fluidized bed. The effect of temperatures between 880 and 950 °C in the reagent injection zone on NOX reduction was investigated. For the selected temperature, the effect of the amount of injected reagent, urea solution with concentration 32.5%wt., was studied. The experiments were carried out using 500 kWth pilot scale BFB unit combusting lignite. In addition, an experiment was performed with the combustion of wooden pellets. With reagent injection, all experiments led to the reduction of nitrogen oxides and the highest NOX reduction of 58% was achieved

Strength values of shoulder internal and external rotators in junior tennis players

Character of modern tennis game in the last decade has become significantly more dynamic, fast and powerful, which brings high strain to joint and muscular system. The aim of this research was to establish strength level of external and internal shoulder rotators, and to compare the competitive tennis players group of boys (TEN, n=10, aged 12-14 years) and boys who did not perform any sport activity at competitive level (CS, n=10, aged 12-14 years) as well as to assess lateral differences in both groups. Using isokinetic dynamometry method (Humac Norm CSMI Stoughton, MA, USA), we tested strength level of external and internal shoulder rotators (180°/s, 300°/s). The TEN and CS group are comparable from the aspects of age, body height and body weight. Comparison of isokinetic strength values in TEN and CS groups proved significantly higher strength level of external and internal rotators in both (dominant and non-dominant) extremities for the TEN group. The lateral difference assessment proved the insignificant difference in external and significant difference in internal rotators in the TEN group, and the insignificant difference in both the external and internal rotators in the CS group. A lower strength level was found in the internal rotators in comparison with the external rotators in both groups (for both the dominant and non-dominant extremity), whereas in the TEN group lower differences between the external and internal rotators of the dominant extremity were proved. Although researches on adult highly skilled tennis players refer to a higher strength level of the upper extremity internal rotators, this fact has not been pronounced in the TEN group. An ideal external/internal rotators̕ ratio in adult players is considered within the interval of 66 75%. Significantly higher values obtained in the TEN group might be attributed to lower age and also lower performance level. It can be said that the level of isokinetic strength in the TEN the group is significantly higher than in the CS group, due to the influence of long-term game and training load

The Relationship Of Body Composition And Functional Parameters In Recreational Triathletes

Cílem studie bylo zhodnotit parametry tělesného složení a jejich vztah k funkčním parametrům u rekreačních triatlonistů. Soubor tvořilo celkem 16 mužů ve věkovém rozmezí 29–47 let (průměrný věk 34,7 ± 5,4 let, výška 181,2 ± 4,7 cm, hmotnost 79,3 ± 5,6 kg, BMI 24,4 ± 2,0 kg.m-2, tělesný tuk 15,5 ± 3,6 %, FFM 67,0 ± 3,9 kg, VO2 max 57,4 ± 7,1 ml.kg-1.min-1, Vmax 15,4 ± 1,3 km.h-1, SFmax 184,1 ± 7,4 min-1). Šetření se zaměřilo na analýzu tělesného složení (BIA In Body 3.0) a aerobní zdatnost (VO2 max, Vmax, SF max). Nalezli jsme významný vztah VO2 max a procenta tělesného tuku (r = - 0,78, p < 0,05), Vmax a procenta tělesného tuku (r = - 0,534, p < 0,05).The aim of this study was to evaluate the body composition parameters and their relationship to functional parameters in recreational triathletes. The group consisted of 16 men ranging in age from 29 – 47 years (mean age - 34,7 ± 5,4 years, height - 181,2 ± 4,7 cm, weight – 79,3 ± 5,6 kg, BMI – 24,4 ± 2,0 kg.m-2, body fat - 15,5 ± 3,6 %, FFM – 67,0 ± 3,9 kg, VO2 max - 57,4 ± 7,1 ml.kg-1.min-1, Vmax - 15,4 ± 1,3 km.h-1, HRmax - 184,1 ± 7,4 min-1). The investigation was focused on the analysis of body body composition (BIA, In Body 3.0) and aerobic capacity (VO2 max, Vmax, SF max). We found a significant relationship between VO2 max and percent of body fat (r = - 0,78, p < 0,05), Vmax and percent of body fat (r = - 0,534, p < 0,05)

Experimental verification of the impact of the air staging on the NOx production and on the temperature profile in a BFB

The results of an experimental research on air staging in a bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) combustor are presented within this paper. Air staging is known as an effective primary measure to reduce NOX formation. However, in the case of a number of industrial BFB units, it does not have to be sufficient to meet the emission standards. Then selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) can be a cost-effective option for further reduction of the already formed NOX. The required temperature range at the place of the reducing agent injection for an effective application of the SNCR without excessive ammonia slip is above the temperatures normally attained in BFBs. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of staged air injection on the formation of NOX in BFB combustors and to examine the possibility of increasing the freeboard temperature. Several experiments with various secondary/primary air ratios were performed with a constant oxygen concentration in the flue gas. The experiments were carried out using wooden biomass and lignite as fuel in a 30 kWth laboratory scale BFB combustor. Furthermore, the results were verified using a 500 kWth pilot scale BFB unit. The results confirmed that the air staging can effectively move the dominant combustion zone from the dense bed to the freeboard section, and thus the temperatures for an effective application of the SNCR can be obtained

Experimental verification of the efficiency of selective non-catalytic reduction in a bubbling fluidized bed combustor

Controlling nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions is still a challenge as increasingly stringent emission limits are introduced. Strict regulations will lead to the need to introduce secondary measures even for boilers with bubbling fluidized bed (BFB), which are generally characterized by low NOX emissions. Selective non-catalytic reduction has lower investment costs compared to other secondary measures for NOX reduction, but the temperatures for its efficient utilization are difficult to achieve in BFBs. This paper studies the possibility of an effective application of selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) of nitrogen oxides in a pilot-scale facility with a bubbling fluidized bed. The effect of temperatures between 880 and 950 °C in the reagent injection zone on NOX reduction was investigated. For the selected temperature, the effect of the amount of injected reagent, urea solution with concentration 32.5%wt., was studied. The experiments were carried out using 500 kWth pilot scale BFB unit combusting lignite. In addition, an experiment was performed with the combustion of wooden pellets. With reagent injection, all experiments led to the reduction of nitrogen oxides and the highest NOX reduction of 58% was achieved

Analysis Of The Level Of Anthropometric And Strength Characteristics Of Male And Female Players Aged 11–12

Problematikou významu silových schopností ve sportu a v tenisu se zabývá mnoho autorů, v tenisu se síla projevuje především v razanci úderů, rychlosti podání a lokomoci pohybu. Cílem příspěvku je analýza úrovně základních antropometrických a silových charakteristik tenistů a tenistek, posouzení intersexuálních rozdílů a zjištění míry závislosti mezi antropometrickými a silovými charakteristikami. Výzkumný soubor je tvořen českými tenisty (n = 221) a tenistkami (n = 193) ve věku 11,0-12,9 let. Výzkumná data byla získána v letech 200-2010 pomocí testové baterie TENDIAG 1. Analýza výzkumných dat prokázala, že pocházejí z normálního rozložení. Úroveň základních antropometrických a silových proměnných je vyjádřena pomocí základních statistických charakteristik pro jednotlivé proměnné: soubor tenistů (n = 221, tělesná výška: V = 155,10 ± 7,62, hmotnost: H = 43,50 ± 6,68, maximální síla herní ruky: MS = 25,14 ± 4,59, relativní síla herní ruky: RS = 0,58 ± 0,09), soubor tenistek (n = 193, tělesná výška: V = 154,60 ± 6,94, hmotnost: H = 43,49 ± 7,17, maximální síla herní ruky: MS = 23,08 ± 4,61, relativní síla herní ruky: RS = 0,53 ± 0,09). Věcná významnost intersexuálních rozdílů byla posouzena pomocí Cohenova d, věcně významné rozdíly byly prokázány pouze v případě RS (d = 0,56, střední efekt) a MS (d = 0,45, nízký efekt). Věcně významná závislost byla u souboru tenistů prokázána mezi V a H (r = 0,71, r2 = 0,50; střední efekt), dále mezi V a MS (r = 0,59, r2 = 0,35; střední efekt) a mezi H a MS (r = 0,59, r2 = 0,35, střední efekt). U souboru tenistek byla prokázána věcně významná závislost mezi V a H (r = 0,75, r2 = 0,56; střední efekt), dále mezi H a MS (r = 0,64, r2 = 0,41, střední efekt) a rovněž mezi maximální a relativní silou (r = 0,58, r2 = 0,34; střední efekt).The issues of the significance of strength capabilities in sport and tennis are dealt with by many authors. In tennis, the strength of the playing arm primarily manifests in the speed of strokes, serve and locomotion movement. The goal of this paper is the analysis of basic anthropometric and strength levels of male and female players and to compare and evaluate inter-gender differences of anthropometric and strength characteristics. The research sample consisted of Czech junior male tennis players (n = 221) and female players (n = 193) in the ages between 11.0 and 12.9 years. The data for this research was gathered during 2000-2010 period by regular testing using a test battery TENDIAG 1. Analysis of acquired data showed normal distribution characteristics. The values measured were; anthropometric and strength levels statistic characteristic variables in the set of male tennis players (n = 221, body height: H = 155.10 ± 7.62, body weight: W = 43.50 ± 6.68, strength of playing hand: SH = 25.14 ± 4.59, relative strength of playing hand: RS = 0.58 ± 0.09) and female tennis players (n = 193, body height: H = 154.60 ± 6.94, body weight: W = 43.49 ± 7.71, maximum strength of playing hand: SH = 23.08 ± 4.61, relative strength of playing hand RS = 0.53 ± 0.09). Inter-gender differences between male and female tennis players were assessed using Cohen’s d values, substantial significant differences in mean values between male and female players were detected but only in the relative strength of gaming hand (d = 0.56, mean effect) and maximum strength level of game hand (d = 0.45, low effect). The size of effect was significant in the sample tennis players demonstrated between H and W (r = 0.71, r2  = 0.50; mean effect), among H and MS (r = 0.59, r 2  = 0.35; mean effect) and between MS and W (r = 0.59, r 2  = 0.35, mean effect). In a group of female tennis players has been demonstrated size of effect relation between H and W (r = 0.75, r 2  = 0.56; mean effect), among W and MS (r = 0.64, r 2  = 0.41, mean effect) and also between the maximum and the relative strength (r = 0.58, r 2  = 0.34; mean effect)

Applicability of Secondary Denitrification Measures on a Fluidized Bed Boiler

This article compares performance of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) applied on the same pilot unit, a 500 kW fluidized bed boiler burning Czech lignite. Correlation of the denitrification efficiency on the normalized stoichiometric ratio (NSR) is investigated. The fundamental principle of the SCR and SNCR is similar with the same reaction scheme. The difference is in the use of the catalyst that lowers the activation energy of the key reaction. As a result, the reduction is performed in the SCR method at lower temperatures. During experiments, the NSR was up to 1.6 for the SCR method. For the SNCR method, which has a higher reducing agent consumption, maximum denitrification efficiency was reached for NSR about 2.5. The efficiency of both secondary methods was investigated. The denitrification efficiency during experiments exceeded 98 % for the SCR method, and the SNCR method, together with the primary measures, reached an efficiency of 58 %

Comparison of chromosomal aberrations frequency and polymorphism of GSTs genes in workers occupationally exposed to cytostatics or anaesthetics

Authors compared the incidence of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) of workers occupationally exposed to cytostatics (group EXP1) or anaesthetics (group EXP2) in relationship to polymorphism of GSTM1, GSTP1 and GSTT1 genes. The cytogenetic analysis for chromosomal aberrations frequency and for polymorphisms of genes the PCR and PCR-RFLP method were used. Statistically higher frequency of total CAs was detected in both exposed groups: group EXP1 1.90±1.34%; Mann-Whitney U-test, p=0.001; group EXP2 2.53±1.46%, p=0.0008) as compared to control (1.26±0.93%). In group EXP2 was detected statistically higher frequency of aberrations CSA-type as compared to CTA-type. In xenobiotic metabolizing genes for GST higher frequency of total CAs and constituent types chromatid-type aberrations (CTAs) and chromosome-type aberrations (CSAs) of genes GSTM1 and GSTT1 with null genotype was detected. Statistically significant difference was detected only in CSA-type of aberrations in GSTT1 gene. In gene GSTP1 was not detected any difference in frequency of aberrations in presence of the variant allele. Presented results point out importance of individual susceptibility in evaluation of genotoxic agents of anaesthetics or cytostatics

Polymorphisms within autophagy-related genes influence the risk of developing colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of four large cohorts

The role of genetic variation in autophagy-related genes in modulating autophagy and cancer is poorly understood. Here, we comprehensively investigated the association of autophagy-related variants with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and provide new insights about the molecular mechanisms underlying the associations. After meta-analysis of the genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from four independent European cohorts (8006 CRC cases and 7070 controls), two loci, DAPK2 (p = 2.19 × 10−5) and ATG5 (p = 6.28 × 10−4) were associated with the risk of CRC. Mechanistically, the DAPK2rs11631973G allele was associated with IL1 β levels after the stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with Staphylococcus aureus (p = 0.002), CD24 + CD38 + CD27 + IgM + B cell levels in blood (p = 0.0038) and serum levels of en-RAGE (p = 0.0068). ATG5rs546456T allele was associated with TNF α and IL1 β levels after the stimulation of PBMCs with LPS (p = 0.0088 and p = 0.0076, respectively), CD14+CD16− cell levels in blood (p = 0.0068) and serum levels of CCL19 and cortisol (p = 0.0052 and p = 0.0074, respectively). Interestingly, no association with autophagy flux was observed. These results suggested an effect of the DAPK2 and ATG5 loci in the pathogenesis of CRC, likely through the modulation of host immune responses.This work was partially supported by grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Madrid, Spain; PI12/02688 and PI17/02256). CORSA was funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) BRIDGE grant (no. 829675, to Andrea Gsur), the “Herzfelder’sche Familienstiftung” (grant to Andrea Gsur). Czech Republic CCS was funded by GACR grants (18–09709S, 19–10543S and 20–03997S), ProgresQ28/1.LF and UNCE/MED/006 grants. This article is based upon work from COST Action CA17118, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). A.K. is a recipient of a Ramalingaswami Re-Retry Faculty Fellowship (Grant; BT/RLF/Re-entry/38/2017) from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India (GOI). V.M. received funding from the Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR) of the Catalan Government grant 2017SGR723, the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, co-funded by FEDER funds–a way to build Europe–grants PI14-00613, PI17-00092 and the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) Scientific Foundation grant GCTRA18022MORE. K.H. was supported by European Union Horizon 2020 grant No. 856620. We thank the CERCA Programme, Generalitat de Catalunya for institutional support

Effect of occupational exposure to cytostatics and nucleotide excision repair polymorphism on chromosomal aberrations frequency

Authors evaluated the incidence of total chromosomal aberrations (CA) and their types – chromatid-type (CTA) and chromosome-type (CSA) in peripheral blood lymphocytes from 72 oncologic unit's workers occupationally exposed to cytostatics in relationship to polymorphisms of DNA repair genes XPD, XPG and XPC. The cytogenetic analysis was used for determination of chromosomal aberrations frequency and PCR-RFLP method for polymorphisms of genes. Statistically higher frequency of total CA was detected in exposed group as compared to control (1.90±1.34% vs. 1.26±0.93%; Mann-Whitney U-test, p=0.001). There was not detected any difference between CTA and CSA (0.92±1.04% vs. 0.98±1.17%). Similarly, in genes XPD exon 23 and XPC exon 15 wasn't detected any difference neither in total chromosomal aberrations nor in CTA and CSA types. Statistically significant decrease of total chromosomal aberrations and CTA-type with presence of variant allele C was detected in gene XPG exon 15. Authors pointed out the importance of individual susceptibility factors in evaluation of effects of genotoxic agents, in that event, when the concentration does not meet the occupational exposure limit