A novel mechanical plant compression system for biomass fuel and acquisition of squeezed liquid with water-soluble lignin as anti-virus materials

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Plant biomass could be a viable alternative renewable resource, but the moisture content must be reduced to use it as fuel. Mechanical compression...     

Characterization of food waste generators: a Hawaii case study

Information on food waste disposal and on recycling methods and recycled amounts is reported. Data were obtained from a mail and phone survey of all licensed food establishments in Hawaii conducted in 2004 and 2005. Of 8253 licensed food establishments, 5033 completed surveys. It was found that relationships exist between food establishment size (measured by the number of meals served per day or the number of employees) and the amount of food an establishment recycled; establishment type and recycling behavior; and establishment type and amount recycled. The amount of food waste recycled in the state of Hawaii was estimated to be 264,000 L/day and annual food waste generation was estimated to be 336,000 tonnes.     

Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose/Polypropylene Composite Using an Oxidatively Degraded Polypropylene

In this work, an oxidatively degraded polypropylene (DgPP) was studied as a novel coupling agent for fibrous cellulose (FC)/polypropylene (PP) composite. An optimal preparation time of PP thermal oxidative degradation was 18 h at 130 °C, and the DgPP had functional groups such as γ-lactone and acid groups. The spherulite observation of the DgPP suggested miscibility for the undegraded PP. The addition of the DgPP presented the transparency improvement of FC/PP composite, and this behavior was found to be originated from the grafted DgPP, which was produced by the esterification reaction between the of FC and the DgPP. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation showed that the grafted DgPP coated the FC surface, and the tensile strength of the FC/PP composite increased by an appropriate amount of the DgPP addition. These results suggested that the DgPP was suitable for the coupling agent of FC/PP composite.     

Mitigation of peroxidative stress for barley exposed to cadmium in the presence of water-extractable organic matter from compost-like materials

The effects of water-extractable organic matter (WEOM) from compost-like materials on peroxidative stress were investigated for hydroponic culture of barley exposed to Cd. In the presence of WEOM, lipoxygenase activity and malondialdehyde, indices of peroxidative stress in barley, were significantly reduced, compared to those with Cd alone (5 μM) for a 30-d culture (p < 0.05). In addition, Cd uptake in the presence of WEOM samples was significantly lower than that in their absence (p < 0.05). These results indicate that the addition of WEOM can be effective in mitigating the peroxidative stress in barley exposed to Cd. Of the total Cd in the solution, 7–8% was complexed with WEOM, indicating that the complexation of Cd with WEOM is a minor factor in reducing Cd-induced stress in barley. The WEOM sample was purified by cation-exchange column and ultrafiltration to remove the nutrient minerals, such as Ca, Mg and Fe. When the purified WEOM was employed for hydroponic culture in the presence of Cd, significant decreases in peroxidative stress and Cd uptake were observed (p < 0.05). These results show that the organic components in WEOM contribute to the mitigation of peroxidative stress in barley exposed to Cd.     

Application of lean flammability limit study and large eddy simulation to burner development for an oxy-fuel combustion system

Previously, we developed a model to predict lean flammability limit L and flame propagation velocity Sb for pulverized coal. In the present paper, we have extended the model to apply it in development of oxy-fuel combustion systems. The basic model consists of two particles. One of the two particles burns first, then, the other particle is ignited by the heat of combustion of the one burning particle. We analyzed at what distance the first burning particle could ignite the next particle, and how fast the first burning particle could ignite the next particle. The model was verified both for air and oxy-fuel combustion conditions. Next, a method to support burner development was examined by using the model. Local Sb and L near the ignition points of the burner could be analyzed from the concentration and temperature profiles of CFD results. Flame stability was judged by the calculated Sb and L profiles, and past results of blow-off limits obtained with actual- and pilot-scale experiments. A DS^®T-burner was developed by Hitachi Power Europe, and installed at the Schwarze Pumpe pilot plant. Combination of the technique and large eddy simulation was applied to confirmation of the system.     

Depuration of twelve trace metals in tissues of the oysters Crassostrea gigas and C. virginica

The depuration of 12 trace metals in the mantle, gill, digestive gland, and kidney of Crassostrea gigas and C. virginica was investigated under natural field conditions; oysters from a relatively contaminated environment (Redwood Creek in south San Francisco Bay) were transplanted to a relatively clean environment (Tomales Bay). In the transplanted oysters, the digestive gland and kidney depurated Cd, Cu, Hg, Ag, and Zn more readily than the mantle and gill. Other trace metals As, Fe, Mn, Ni and Se showed varying depuration patterns. The results for Cr and Pb were inconclusive, since initial concentrations were too low to follow any losses. Interspecific differences in trace metal depuration were observed. Biological half-lives for most trace metals were on the order of 23 to 60 d for C. gigas and on the order of 70 to 180 d for C. virginica.     

Boundary between the north and south Atlantic populations of the swordfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Xiphias gladius</Emphasis>) inferred by a single nucleotide polymorphism at calmodulin gene intron

Genetic differentiation of the Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius) was investigated by a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the calmodulin gene (CAM) intron locus. Clearly distinct allele and genotype frequencies were observed between the north (20–41°N) and mid-south (10°N–33°S) Atlantic samples. Much lower frequency of A allele (37.5–57.1%) was observed in the north samples (n = 160 in total) than in the mid-south samples (83.3–92.6%; n=354), and homozygote BB was common in the north samples (23.4–31.3%) but very rare or absent (0–3.9%) in the mid-south samples. Very strong population subdivision was observed between the two groups (F _ST = 0.34, P < 0.001), while the allele and genotype frequencies within each ocean basin persisted over time (1990–2002 in the north, and 1994–2002 in the mid-south). Of two samples from the presumed boundary zone, one (n = 18) (14°N, 48°W) presented intermediate frequencies of the A allele (66.7%) and BB homozygote (11.1%), while the other (n = 23) (10–17°N, 28–37°W) shared similar frequencies of the A allele (89.1%) and BB homozygote (4.3%) with those of the mid-south Atlantic samples. These results indicate that the gene flow and individual migration between the north and mid-south Atlantic populations are considerably restricted and that the current management boundary between the north and south Atlantic swordfish stocks of 5°N should be reconsidered.     

Relationship between the growth and survival of larval Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis

We tested the hypothesis that a large body size and rapid growth rate affect the survival of larval Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis (PBT), and analyzed larval growth in relation to environmental conditions. Seven high density larval patches of PBT were tracked with reference buoys in the northwestern Pacific Ocean for 28–171 h in May–June from 2004 to 2008. The otolith radii and daily growth rates of the survivor larvae (collected on later tracking days of each tracking session) tended to be larger and more rapid, respectively, than those of original larvae (collected on earlier tracking days). A large body size was found to positively affect the survival of larval PBT, as did a rapid growth rate, even at an early larval stage (7 days after hatching). Generalized linear modeling showed that the otolith radius was influenced positively by the sea temperature, stratification parameter and food density, while the growth rate was influenced positively by the sea temperature and food density.     

An exploratory study on perceptions of seismic risk and mitigation in two districts of Istanbul

Istanbul is one of the world's cities most vulnerable to seismic events. According to seismologists, the probability of a severe earthquake in the next 30 years is approximately 40 per cent. Following an outline of the seismicity of this vital Turkish city and a summary of current seismic risks and mitigation studies, this paper presents the results of a survey conducted in two districts of Istanbul, Avcilar and Bakirkoy. The survey comprised some 60 questions on the seismic risk perceptions of individuals and requested basic personal data, such as on age, education level, employment type, financial income, and gender. Despite various differences among the survey population, such as academic background and level of financial income, responses were surprisingly similar, especially in terms of having no plan for a safer house. The data may help those planning mitigation programmes and public awareness campaigns on preparedness and particularly mitigation in highly vulnerable regions.