Direct N2O decomposition over La2NiO4-based perovskite-type oxides

Direct decomposition of N₂O by perovskite-structure catalysts including La₂NiO₄, LaSrNiO₄, and La_0.7Ce_0.3SrNiO₄ was investigated. The catalysts were prepared by the Pechini method and characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), BET, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and O₂-TPD. Experimental results indicate that the properties of La₂NiO₄ are significantly improved by partially substituting La with Sr and Ce. N₂O decomposition efficiencies achieved with LaSrNiO₄ and La_0.7Ce_0.3SrNiO₄ are 44 and 36%, respectively, at 400ºC. As the temperature was increased to 600ºC, N₂O decomposition efficiency achieved with LaSrNiO₄ and La_0.7Ce_0.3SrNiO₄ reached 100% at an inlet N₂O concentration of 1,000 ppm, while the space velocity was fixed at 8,000 hr^?1. In addition, effects of various parameters including oxygen, water vapor, and space velocity were also explored. The results indicate that N₂O decomposition efficiencies achieved with LaSrNiO₄ and La_0.7Ce_0.3SrNiO₄ are not significantly affected as space velocity is increased from 8,000 to 20,000 hr^?1, while La_0.7Ce_0.3SrNiO₄ shows better tolerance for O₂ and H₂O_(g). On the other hand, N₂ yield with LaSrNiO₄ as catalyst can be significantly improved by doping Ce. At a gas hour space velocity of 8,000 hr^?1, and a temperature of 600ºC, high N₂O decomposition efficiency and N₂ yield were maintained throughout the durability test of 60 hr, indicating the long-term stability of La_0.7Ce_0.3SrNiO₄ for N₂O decomposition.

Implications:Nitrous oxide (N₂O) not only has a high global warming potential (GWP₁₀₀ = 310), but also potentially destroys ozone in the stratosphere. Pervoskite-type catalysts including La₂NiO₄, LaSrNiO₄, and La_0.7Ce_0.3SrNiO₄ are applied for direct N₂O decomposition. The results show that N₂O decomposition can be enhanced as Sr and Ce are doped into La₂NiO₄. At 600ºC, N₂O decomposition efficiencies achieved with LaSrNiO₄ and La_0.7Ce_0.3SrNiO₄ reach 100%, demonstrating high activity and good potential for direct N₂O decomposition. Effects of O₂ and H₂O_(g) contents on catalytic activities are also evaluated and discussed.     

Activity of biotin-dependent and gaba metabolizing enzymes in chorionic villus samples: Potential for 1st trimester prenatal diagnosis

We have documented the presence of five mitochondrial enzymes in samples of chorionic villus tissue and measured the levels of activity. Three of the enzymes catalyse biotindependent reactions. These are propionyl-CoA carboxylase, 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase and pyruvate carboxylase. the other enzymes. 4-aminobutyric acid aminotransferase and succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, are involved inthe degradation of the central inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Distinct diseases in whichthere is deficiency of each of these enzymes have been documented in man. Significant levels of activity were observed for all five enzymes in chorionic villus tissue. This methodology should permit early prenatal diagnosis of deficiencies of these enzymes by chorionic villus biopsy in the first trimester.     

Arsenic compounds in the haemolymph of the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister, as determined by using HPLC on-line with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Arsenobetaine, two arsenosugars, dimethylarsinate and several unidentified arsenic species were detected in extracts of the haemolymph of the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister, by using HPLC-ICP-MS. This is the first report of the presence of arsenosugars in the haemolymph/blood of marine animals. Total, extractable and residual arsenic concentrations were determined by ICP-MS. The concentration of total arsenic was in the range of 1.4-3.8 [micro sign]g ml(-1). Nearly all (98%) the arsenic was found to be extractable, and accounted for primarily by arsenobetaine, two arsenosugars and dimethylarsinate. The results demonstrate that arsenic compounds present in the diet of crabs are not fully metabolized in the gut. They are, at least partly, taken up into the haemolymph. The concurrence of arsenobetaine and arsenosugars suggests that the use of repeated haemolymph sampling in crustaceans could facilitate investigations into the kinetics of the biotransformation pathways of arsenic compounds. Finally, the present study clearly demonstrates the unique capabilities of HPLC-ICP-MS for the detection and identification of minor arsenic components amongst the predominant arsenobetaine.     

24 h diffusive sampling of toxic VOCs in air onto Carbopack X solid adsorbent followed by thermal desorption/GC/MS analysis-laboratory studies

Diffusive sampling of a mixture of 42 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in humidified, purified air onto the solid adsorbent Carbopack X was evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions. The evaluation included variations in sample air temperature, relative humidity and ozone concentration. Linearity of samples with loading was examined both for a constant concentration with time varied up to 24 h and for different concentrations over 24 h. Reverse diffusion and its increase with accumulation of sample were determined for all compounds. Tubes were examined for blank levels, change of blanks with storage time, and variability of blanks. Method detection limits were determined based on seven replicate samples. Based on this evaluation, 27 VOCs were selected for quantitative monitoring in the concentration range from approximately 0.1 to 4 ppbv. Comparison results of active and diffusive samples taken over 24 h and under the same simulated ambient conditions at a constant 2 ppbv were interpreted to estimate the effective diffusive sampling rates (ml min(-1)) and their uncertainties and to calculate the corresponding diffusive uptake rates (ng ppmv(-1) min(-1)).     

高职院校实验室资源优化配置与科学管理简

实验室资源优化配置和科学管理是高职院校提高教学、科研水平和人才培养质量的重要途径。当前高职院校实验室资源配置与管理中普遍存在实验室分散封闭管理、资源配置缺乏计划、实验室没有充分利用以及设备缺乏维护保养四个方面问题,针对这些问题应从管理体制改革、设备申报采购制度、实验室潜力开发以及开展培训、提高管理人员水平四个方面来实现实验室合理配置资源、科学规范管理。     

Creating False Images: Stream Restoration in an Urban Setting

Stream restoration has become a multibillion dollar business with mixed results as to its efficacy. This case study utilizes pre‐ and post‐monitoring data from restoration projects on an urban stream to assess how well stream conditions, publicly stated project goals, and project implementation align. Our research confirms previous studies showing little communication among academic researchers and restoration practitioners as well as provides further evidence that restoration efforts tend to focus on small‐scale, specific sites without considering broader land use patterns. This study advances our understanding of restoration by documenting that although improving ecological conditions is a stated goal for restoration projects, the implemented measures are not always focused on those issues that are the most ecologically salient. What these projects have accomplished is to protect the built environment and promote positive public perception. We argue that these disconnects among publicized goals for restoration, the implemented features, and actual stream conditions may create a false image of what an ecologically stable stream looks like and therefore perpetuate a false sense of optimism about the feasibility of restoring urban streams.     

用HPLC 分离和鉴定大气中的羰基化合物

大气中的挥发性羰基化合物可以通过2,4-二硝基苯肼(DNPH)原位衍生化而被捕集.采用反相HPLC 可以洗脱和分析这些羰基衍生物.本文采用该方法监测了美国佛蒙特州大气样品中的痕量甲醛、乙醛和丙酮.     

An Approach for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Various Ozone Air Quality Standards for Protecting Trees

We demonstrate an approach for evaluating the level of protection attained using a variety of forms and levels of past, current, and proposed Air Quality Standards (AQSs). The U.S. Clean Air Act requires the establishment of ambient air quality standards to protect health and public welfare. However, determination of attainment of these standards is based on ambient pollutant concentrations rather than prevention of adverse effects. To determine if a given AQS protected against adverse effects on vegetation, hourly ozone concentrations were adjusted to create exposure levels that “just attain” a given standard. These exposures were used in combination with a physiologically-based tree growth model to account for the interactions of climate and ozone. In the evaluation, we used ozone concentrations from two 6-year time periods from the San Bernardino Mountains in California. There were clear differences in the level of vegetation protection achieved with the various AQSs. Based on modeled plant growth, the most effective standards were the California 8-hr average maximum of 70 ppb and a seasonal, cumulative, concentration-weighted index (SUM06), which if attained, resulted in annual growth reductions of 1% or less. Least effective was the 1-hr maximum of 120 ppb which resulted in a 7% annual reduction. We conclude that combining climate, exposure scenarios, and a process-based plant growth simulator was a useful approach for evaluating effectiveness of current or proposed air quality standards, or evaluating the form and/or level of a standard based on preventing adverse growth effects.     

New measurements of cyanobacterial toxins in natural waters using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

The presence and levels of the cyanobacterial toxins microcystin-LR, anatoxin-a, and cylindrospermopsin were measured in various Wisconsin waters where algal nuisance or bloom conditions were noted. Out of 74 samples analyzed, 36 had detectable levels of microcystin-LR (49%), and four had detectable levels of anatoxin-a (5%). Cylindrospermopsin, the toxin produced by Cylindrospermopsis (a warm water species that has been moving its range northward, including to Wisconsin), was not detected in the field samples tested. Concentrations of microcystin-LR ranged from 1.2 to 7600 microg L(-1). Anatoxin-a ranged from 0.68 to 1750 microg L(-1), which is the highest concentration reported from around the world. Cyanobacterial toxins, because of their high potency, deserve continued scrutiny by resource managers and public health officials responsible for recreational waters.     

The effect of river pulsing on sedimentation and nutrients in created riparian wetlands

Sedimentation under pulsed and steady-flow conditions was investigated in two created flow-through riparian wetlands in central Ohio over 2 yr. Hydrologic pulses of river water lasting for 6 to 8 d were imposed on each wetland from January through June during 2004. Mean inflow rates during pulses averaged 52 and 7 cm d(-1) between pulses. In 2005, the wetlands received a steady-flow regime of 11 cm d(-1) with no major hydrologic fluctuations. Thirty-two sediment traps were deployed and sampled once per month in April, May, June, and July for two consecutive years in each wetland. January through March were not sampled in either year due to frozen water surfaces in the wetlands. Gross sedimentation (sedimentation without normalizing for differences between years) was significantly greater in the pulsing study period (90 kg m(-2)) than in the steady-flow study period (64 kg m(-2)). When normalized for different hydrologic and total suspended solid inputs between years, sedimentation for April through July was not significantly different between pulsing and steady-flow study periods. Sedimentation for the 3 mo that received hydrologic pulses (April, May, and June) was significantly lower during pulsing months than in the corresponding steady-flow months. Large fractions of inorganic matter in collected sediments indicated that allochthonous inputs were the main contributor to sedimentation in these wetlands. Organic matter fractions of collected sediments were consistently greater in the steady-flow study period (1.8 g kg(-1)) than in the pulsed study period (1.5 g kg(-1)), consistent with greater primary productivity in the water column during steady-flow conditions.