Characterization of pyrolysis bio-oil derived from intermediate pyrolysis of Aegle marmelos de-oiled cake: study on performance and emission characteristics of C.I. engine fueled with Aegle marmelos pyrolysis oil-blends

Abstract

The present research focuses on the analyzing the characteristics of bio-oil derived from intermediate pyrolysis of Aegle marmelos (AM) seed cake and its suitability for C.I. engine adaptation. Owing to the high volatile matter content of 73.69%, Aegle marmelos biomass was selected as the feedstock for this research. The intermediate pyrolysis was carried out at 600 °C in a 2-kg fixed bed type pyrolysis reactor at a heating rate of 10 °C/min and the obtained bio-oil was characterized by different analytical methods. As per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, physicochemical properties of the bio-oil were tested and it was observed that bio-oil is a highly viscous fluid with low calorific value. Analysis of bio-oil through FT-IR and GC-MS examination confirmed the presence of phenol, esters, alkyl, and oxygenated compounds. The performance and emission testing of direct injection diesel engine were conducted with various bio-oil blends and the results were compared with baseline diesel fuel. The experimental results showed that the addition of bio-oil decreased BTE (%) while increasing the BSEC (MJ/kW-h). At the same time, increasing the bio-oil ratio with diesel decreases dangerous emissions such as carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen emissions in the engine exhaust. According to engine test result, it was suggested that up to 20% of AM bio-oil (F20) can be employed as engine fuel for better engine operating characteristics.

Metals in a northern Nile Delta lake: water, suspended particulates, sediments, and biota

Abstract

Lake Edku is one of the important fishing areas in the Nile Delta. It is exposed to different quantities of serious pollutants in particular metals. To overall appraise the risk and status of metals in the lake, a comprehensive study of total concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) in sediments and spatial-temporal variations of these metals in the dissolved and suspended particulates, and some tissues of Tilapias niloticus, was conducted from ten sampling sites during 2016. Results showed that none of the investigated metals exceeded the limits considered as hazardous for aquatic life in water. The highest concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn were observed in suspended particulate matter, which may precipitate on the surface of the sediments. Potential ecological risk analysis of the majority of the investigated metals in the sediment indicated that Lake Edku posed a low ecological risk. The estimated values of all metals in tissues of Tilapia niloticus were below the international permissible limits. Moreover, the potential risk of metals to human via the consumption of Tilapia niloticus was estimated using the weekly intake levels, which was lower than the WHO's safe provisional tolerant weekly intake levels. These results prove the importance of performing measurements of contaminants in various compartments of Lake Ecosystem including sediment, biota, and suspended particulate matter for proper management.

Accumulation of heavy metals in native Andean plants: potential tools for soil phytoremediation in Ancash (Peru)

Abstract

Metal contamination is a recurring problem in Peru, caused mainly by mine tailings from a past active mining activity. The Ancash region has the largest number of environmental liabilities, which mobilizes high levels of metals and acid drainages into soils and freshwater sources, posing a standing risk on human and environmental health. Native plant species spontaneously growing on naturally acidified soils and acid mine tailings show a unique tolerance to high metal concentrations and are thus potential candidates for soil phytoremediation. However, little is known about their propagation capacity and metal accumulation under controlled conditions. In this study, we aimed at characterizing nine native plant species, previously identified as potential hyperaccumulators, from areas impacted by mine tailings in the Ancash region. Plants were grown on mine soils under greenhouse conditions during 5 months, after which the concentration of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn was analyzed in roots, shoots, and soils. The bioaccumulation (BAF) and translocation factor (TF) were calculated to determine the amount of each metal accumulated in the roots and shoots and to identify which species could be better suited for phytoremediation purposes. Soil samples contained high Cd (6.50–49.80 mg/kg), Cu (159.50–1187.00 mg/kg), Ni (3.50–8.70 mg/kg), Pb (1707.00–4243.00 mg/kg), and Zn (909.00–7100.00 mg/kg) concentrations exceeding national environmental quality standards. After exposure to mine tailings, concentrations of metals in shoots were highest in Werneria nubigena (Cd, 16.68 mg/kg; Cu, 41.36 mg/kg; Ni, 26.85 mg/kg; Zn, 1691.03 mg/kg), Pennisetum clandestinum (Pb, 236.86 mg/kg), and Medicago lupulina (Zn, 1078.10 mg/kg). Metal concentrations in the roots were highest in Juncus bufonius (Cd, 34.34 mg/kg; Cu, 251.07 mg/kg; Ni, 6.60 mg/kg; Pb, 718.44 mg/kg) and M. lupulina (Zn, 2415.73 mg/kg). The greatest BAF was calculated for W. nubigena (Cd, 1.92; Cu, 1.20; Ni, 6.50; Zn, 3.50) and J. bufonius (Ni, 3.02; Zn, 1.30); BCF for Calamagrostis recta (Cd, 1.09; Cu, 1.80; Ni, 1.09), J. bufonius (Cd, 3.91; Cu, 1.79; Ni, 18.36), and Achyrocline alata (Ni, 137; Zn, 1.85); and TF for W. nubigena (Cd, 2.36; Cu, 1.70; Ni, 2.42; Pb, 1.17; Zn, 1.43), A. alata (Cd, 1.14; Pb, 1.94), J. bufonius (Ni, 2.72; Zn, 1.63), and P. clandestinum (Zn, 1.14). Our results suggest that these plant species have a great potential for soil phytoremediation, given their capability to accumulate and transfer metals and their tolerance to highly metal-polluted environments in the Andean region.

Sulfate supply enhances cadmium tolerance in Vicia faba L. plants

Abstract

Sulfur deficiency and cadmium (Cd) pollution are two ubiquitous constraints affecting plant growth in agricultural soils. However, facing the situation of sulfur deficiency, whether surplus sulfate supply can affect Cd toxicity in plants is still unclear. Therefore, in the present study, experiments with deficient, sufficient, and excess sulfate levels under Cd stress were conducted in faba bean plants hydroponically. We found that sulfate supply significantly increased biomass of Cd-stressed plants when compared with deficient sulfate treatment. Intriguingly, sulfate application also increased Cd concentrations in leaves. Based on increased Cd concentrations without retarding plant growth, we conclude that sulfate supply enhances Cd tolerance in faba bean plants. Sulfate application increased CdSO₄⁰ proportion in the growth medium which is partially related to the increase of Cd in plants because the diffusion of CdSO₄⁰ is faster than Cd²⁺ in plants. Further study on Cd localization showed that this heavy metal was prone to accumulate in the epidermis of leaves as affected by sulfate which might contribute to enhancement of Cd tolerance. Oxidative stress induced by Cd toxicity was alleviated by surplus sulfate supply compared with deficient sulfate. Although capacities of total antioxidants were increased by sulfate in Cd-stressed plants, phenolic compounds as one kind of important antioxidants were unchanged, suggesting that sulfate has no effect on phenolic compounds for scavenging ROS under Cd stress. Taken together, sulfate accelerates Cd accumulation in the epidermis of leaves in faba bean giving rise to higher Cd tolerance.

PAR2 Pepducin-Based Suppression of Inflammation and Itch in Atopic Dermatitis Models

Characteristics and source apportionment of winter black carbon aerosols in two Chinese megacities of Xi’an and Hong Kong

Abstract

Black carbon (BC) aerosols were observed over Xi'an (XA) and Hong Kong (HK) to better compare its properties and sources in two geographically separate regions in China. High-BC (7.9 ± 3.3 μg·m⁻³) and -PM_2.5 (182 ± 80.5 μg·m⁻³) concentrations were observed in XA, and these were much higher than those in HK (BC, 3.2 ± 0.9 μg·m⁻³; PM_2.5, 34.5 ± 9.3 μg·m⁻³). The contribution of BC to PM_2.5 in HK reached 10.7%, which was ~ 1.5 times than that in XA (7.6%). The results emphasized that BC played an important role in HK PM_2.5. The diurnal distribution of HK BC was highly correlated with vehicle emissions during the daytime; it peaked during heavy traffic times. Whereas XA BC exhibited flat distribution owing to stable BC sources. It is not markedly driven by traffic patterns. Additionally, the potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis showed that XA BC mainly originated from local emissions while nearly half of the HK BC originated from distant sources, such as industrial emissions from northeastern regions and ship emissions from marine regions. These anthropogenic BC sources were found to be regional in nature based on multilinear engine (ME-2) analysis. Specifically, the XA BC sources were dominated by three factors: 22.5% from coal burning, 19.6% from biomass burning, and 32.9% from vehicle emissions. In HK, the majority of BC contributions originated from vehicle and ship emissions (78.9%), while only 14.5% and 1.5% originated from coal and biomass burning from residential combustion, as well as industrial and power plants in inland China.

Trends in the Incidence and Survival of Eccrine Malignancies in the United States: A SEER Population-Based Study

More than keratitis, ichthyosis, and deafness: multisystem effects of lethal GJB2 mutations

Infant death in KID syndrome is recognized; its association with specific genotypes and pathophysiology is inadequately understood.

Lower Socioeconomic Status is Associated with Delayed Access to Care for Infantile Hemangioma, a Cohort Study

What is already known on this topic: Children with Medicaid face greater barriers of access-to-care. Delayed management of complicated infantile hemangiomas compromises outcomes. What this article adds to our knowledge. Lower socioeconomic status is associated with delayed care for infantile hemangioma, but not among children with institutional care-management services. How this information impacts clinical practice and/or changes patient care. Institution-facilitated managed-care programs may moderate socioeconomic disparities in accessing timely specialty care and improve outcomes.

Overall and Subgroup Prevalence of Acne Vulgaris Among Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa

This analysis augments the significantly literature establishing the link between acne vulgaris and hidradenitis suppurativa. Understanding the burden of acne vulgaris among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa may support evaluation and optimization of management for both conditions.

Association between atopic dermatitis and autoimmune disorders in US adults and children: A cross-sectional study

•The present study found increased risk of autoimmune disorders of the skin, endocrine, gastrointestinal, hematologic and musculoskeletal systems in both adults and children, with a predilection for females, young age, Asian race/ethnicity and those without asthma.•Clinicians should consider increased screening for autoimmune disorders in atopic dermatitis patients.

Trends in utilization of topical medications for treatment of rosacea in the United States (2005-2014) – a cohort analysis

Bullae for You: The Increasing Importance and Implications of Drug-induced Bullous Pemphigoid

Correction

Acne Disparities in Native Americans

Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of teldermatology

Cost Analysis of a Store and Forward Teledermatology Consult System in Philadelphia

When conducted appropriately, store and forward teledermatology can be cost saving by reducing unnecessary office-based dermatology clinic and emergency room visits. With engagement of stakeholders and proper planning, patients can obtain improved access to high-quality sustainable dermatologic care, in the setting of teledermatology reimbursement.

Guideline-Based Medicine Grading based upon the Guidelines of Care for Ambulatory Atopic Dermatitis Treatment in the United States

Although atopic dermatitis practice guidelines are published, how doctors adhere to these guidelines is unknown. Using a grading system analogous to the United States A to F system, healthcare providers receive a grade of B or C in their atopic dermatitis management, suggesting that physicians may benefit from reviewing guidelines of care

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the regional and age-related differences of atopic dermatitis clinical characteristics

•This study identified considerable heterogeneity of atopic dermatitis, with seventy eight different signs and symptoms identified, and notable differences by study region and age-group.•These phenotypical differences should be incorporated into the diagnosis and severity assessment of atopic dermatitis patients.

Prognostic value of the Breslow/diameter ratio in cutaneous melanoma