Isolation and identification of beta-nitrostyrene from smoked chicken

Extraction and identification of beta-nitrostyrene from smoked chicken is described. Commercially obtained smoked chicken was homogenised and extracted with chloroform-methanol (2:1). The extracts were fractioned by silicic acid column chromatography. The purified extract using thin-layer chromatography was identified by a colour reaction (this qualitative method for some nitrated compounds is developed this time), high pressure liquid chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The concentration of beta-nitrostyrene in the smoked chicken was 94 ppb. The average recovery of added beta-nitrostyrene was 107%. However, the toxicity of this material was not tested in the present paper.     

Reduction of stream sediment concentration by a riparian buffer: filtering of road runoff in disturbed headwater basins of montane mainland southeast Asia

We determined the extent that a riparian buffer reduces stream suspended sediment concentrations by filtering road runoff during 18 rain events in a 2.5-ha, multi-use watershed in northern Thailand. The dominant buffer species was the perennial sedge Fimbristylis aphylla Zoll. ex Steud. (Cyperaceae). We monitored stream sediment concentration for situations where road runoff either flowed into the riparian buffer or was diverted directly into the stream (buffer and no buffer scenarios). These data were used to develop the following relationships between instantaneous stream sediment concentration (Ci) and discharge (Qi): Ci= 28.329Qi(0.851) (buffer scenario) and Ci= 22.265Qi(1.579) (no buffer scenario). Using these functions to calculate total event suspended concentrations, we determined that the buffer reduced suspended sediment concentration by 34 to 87%, for the range of events monitored. Removal of sediment from runoff generated on a 2.4-m-wide, 165-m-long unpaved road section was achieved principally via ponding, which reduced the transport capacity as flow entered the relatively flat, saturated buffer. Sediment deposition occurred primarily within the first 10 m of the buffer. Some sediment was also deposited on the fillslope leading to the buffer. Maximum road sediment concentration during the largest buffer event approached 100,000 mg L(-1). Meanwhile, the corresponding maximum stream suspended sediment concentration was <4000 mg L(-1). In contrast, maximum stream concentrations when flow bypassed the buffer during smaller events were commonly 4000 to 7000 mg L(-1). Naturally occurring buffers represent an economical means of mitigating road-related impacts in upland basins in Southeast Asia, particularly if combined with measures limiting sediment and runoff production on contributing road sections.     

Unexpected release of HNO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and related species from UV-illuminated TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> surface into air in photocatalytic oxidation of NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

We have discovered that HNO₃ and related species are released from the TiO₂ surface into air in the TiO₂ photocatalytic oxidation of NO₂ (1 ppm) under continuous UV light illumination (1 mW cm⁻²) by dehumidifying the outlet gas of the reaction and analyzing the recovered condensate liquid by ion chromatography. The origin of the HNO₃ recovered in the dehumidifier could not be explained by a simple desorption of HNO₃ overproduced on the TiO₂ surface. The produced HNO₃ must be activated on the TiO₂ surface and causing the unidentified reaction.     

Infectious waste management in Japan: assessment of current trends in waste measurement and reporting in general and psychiatric hospitals

Infectious waste (IW) may include waste contaminated with blood and other bodily fluids, cultures of infectious agents from laboratory work, or waste from patients with infections. Accurate and standardized measurement is an important aspect of waste management. In Japan, data on infectious waste generated by hospitals are limited. Therefore, we aimed to identify the current status of infectious waste management and disposal in hospitals. To this end, data on the amount of IW generated and IW disposal costs from 54 public hospitals—25 general hospitals and 29 psychiatric hospitals—between April 2015 and March 2016 were analyzed. The results revealed the absence of a standardized unit of IW measurement, with 33 hospitals reporting IW in kilograms and 21 hospitals reporting it in liters. As expected, the amount of IW generated at psychiatric hospitals was significantly lower than that generated at general hospitals. The amount of IW produced correlated positively with the number of in-patients. Disposal costs varied not only by hospital type and prefecture but also across hospitals of the same type within the same prefecture. A system that consolidates IW data management using standardized units is necessary.