Chemistry of Organophosphonate Scale Growth lnhibitors: 2. Structural Aspects of 2-Phosphonobutane-1,2,4-Tricarboxylic Acid Monohydrate (PBTC.H2O)

Industrial water systems often suffer from undesirable inorganic deposits, such as calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate(s), magnesium silicate, and others. Synthetic water additives such as phosphonates and phosphonocarboxylates are the most important and widely utilized scale inhibitors in a plethora of industrial applications. The design of efficient and cost-effective inhibitors, as well as the study of their structure and function at the molecular level are important areas of research. This study reports the crystal and molecular structure of PBTC (PBTC = 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid), one of the most widely used scale inhibitors in the cooling water treatment industry. Triclinic PBTC monohydrate crystallizes in the P 1 space group with cell dimesions, a =7.671(1) Å, b = 8.680(1) Å, c = 9.886(1) Å, α = 65.518(2) deg, β = 71.683(2) deg, γ = 76.173(2) deg, V = 564.20(11) Å3, and Z = 2. Bond distances in the -PO3 moiety are 1.4928(10) Å for the P=O double bond and 1.5294(10) Å and 1.5578(10) Å for the two -P-O(H) groups. P-C and C-O bond lengths fall in the normal range. A network of hydrogen bonds are formed between the water molecule of crystallization, the -P-OH and the -COOH groups

In vitro efficacy of fungal endophytes and silver pyrazolate against Raffaelea lauricola, causal agent of laurel wilt of avocado

The South Florida avocado industry is being severely impacted by laurel wilt disease. Laurel wilt disease of avocado is caused by the fungal pathogen, Raffaelea lauricola (RL) and is vectored by ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus. Treatments options are limited, economically not sustainable, and require reapplication fungicides every couple of years. There is a crucial need for developing multiple modes of control using novel biological and chemical agents. The ambrosia beetle associated pathogenic fungi are known to outcompete other microorganisms by taking advantage of ethanol produced by the pathogen and the stressed tree. Endophytes, which reside inside the host plant tissue are part of the plant microbiome represent source of new potential biological control agents. In this study, three ethanol tolerant endophytic fungal species, isolated from avocado bark, were evaluated using in vitro dual culture assay and colonization tube (packed with bark/sapwood shaving) against RL. The endophytic isolates Tricoderma crissum, Tricoderma simmonsii, Lasiodiplodia theobromae were found to be highly capable of suppressing the mycelial colony growth of RL. The results suggest that combined abilities of ethanol tolerance and competitive colonization can provide useful criteria for identifying potential biocontrol agents. In vitro anti-RL activity of silver pyrazolate compound was assessed in both agar and liquid medium. Silver pyrazolate at levels of 30 and 45 ppm were found to be highly effective against RL. Further in planta research is needed to study the effects of endophytic fungal isolates and silver pyrazolate to assess their potential as additional tools for management of laurel wilt

Nanoporous Materials in Atmosphere Revitalization

Atmospheric Revitalization (AR) is the term the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) uses to encompass the engineered systems that maintain a safe, breathable gaseous atmosphere inside a habitable space cabin. An AR subsystem is a key part of the Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) system for habitable space cabins. The ultimate goal for AR subsystem designers is to 'close the loop', that is, to capture gaseous human metabolic products, specifically water vapor (H2O) and Carbon dioxide (CO2), for maximal Oxygen (o2) recovery and to make other useful resources from these products. The AR subsystem also removes trace chemical contaminants from the cabin atmosphere to preserve cabin atmospheric quality, provides O2 and may include instrumentation to monitor cabin atmospheric quality. Long duration crewed space exploration missions require advancements in AR process technologies in order to reduce power consumption and mass and to increase reliability compared to those used for shorter duration missions that are typically limited to Low Earth Orbit. For example, current AR subsystems include separate processors and process air flow loops for removing metabolic CO2 and volatile organic tract contaminants (TCs). Physical adsorbents contained in fixed, packed beds are employed in these processors. Still, isolated pockets of high carbon dioxide have been suggested as a trigger for crew headaches and concern persists about future cabin ammonia (NH3) levels as compared with historical flights. Developers are already focused on certain potential advancements. ECLS systems engineers envision improving the AR subsystem by combining the functions of TC control and CO2 removal into a single regenerable process and moving toward structured sorbents - monoliths - instead of granular material. Monoliths present a lower pressure drop and eliminate particle attrition problems that result from bed containment. New materials and configurations offer promise for lowering cabin levels of CO2 and NH3 as well as reducing power requirements and increasing reliability. This chapter summarizes the challenges faced by ECLS system engineers in pursuing these goals, and the promising materials developments that may be part of the technical solution for challenges of crewed space exploration beyond LEO

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Intercalation of (5-substituted-tetrazolato)-pentaammine-cobalt(111) complexes on homoionic hectorites

Abstract not availabl

A [Cu3(μ3-O)]–pyrazolate metallacycle with terminal nitrate ligands exhibiting point group symmetry 3

The trinuclear triangular cuprate anion of the title compound, tris[bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ammonium] tris(μ2-4-chloropyrazolato-κ2N:N′)-μ3-oxido-tris[(nitrato-κ2O,O′)cuprate(II)] nitrate monohydrate, (C36H30P2N)[Cu3(C3H2ClN2)3(NO3)3O]NO3·H2O, has point group symmetry 3., with the μ3-O atom located on the threefold rotation axis. The distorted square-pyramidal coordination sphere of the CuII atom is completed by two N atoms of trans-bridging pyrazolate groups and a chelating nitrate anion. The complex anion is slightly bent, with the nitrate and pyrazolate groups occupying positions above and below the Cu3 plane, respectively. In the crystal, weak O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, as well as π–π interactions, are present