bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estatística espacial para avaliar a relação entre saneamento básico, IDH e remanescente de cobertura vegetal no estado de Goiás, Brasil
Authors: Souza Saulo Bruno Silveira e , Ferreira Nilson Clementino , Formiga Klebber Teodomiro Martins
Published: June 2016

Neste trabalho buscou-se estabelecer uma relação proveniente das análises espaciais de agrupamentos dos 246 municípios do estado de Goiás, Brasil, considerando os dados de saneamento básico, índice de desenvolvimento humano e cobertura vegetal. Os dados de E. coli, turbidez e cor aparente de 140 mananciais goianos também foram coletados mensalmente entre 2005 e 2009 e comparados com a cobertura vegetal e o regime de precipitação. Para a elaboração de análises espaciais de agrupamento, utilizou-se o índice de Getis-Ord, aplicado aos dados de saneamento, IDH e índice de cobertura vegetal (imagens Landsat7 ETM+ obtidas em 2002). Notou-se uma forte correlação (p<0,05) entre as áreas que possuem maior índice de saneamento com as regiões que tem maior IDH, e relação inversa com o índice de remanescente vegetal. Foi possível observar a alteração da qualidade da água dentre os municípios que possuem maior intervenção e modificação do meio ambiente, sendo que o Norte Goiano, que possui maior remanescente vegetal, apresentou um dos melhores valores para cor aparente, turbidez e E. coli, dentre os demais municípios. Ainda, foi observada elevação nas concentrações destes parâmetros, influenciada pela precipitação, que no estado de Goiás, Brasil, ocorrem primordialmente nos meses de novembro a abril.
Crise hídrica em publicações científicas: olhares da bioética ambiental
Authors: Fischer Marta Luciane , Da Cunha Thiago Rocha , Rosaneli Caroline Filla , Molinari Renata Bicudo , Sganzerla Anor
Published: June 2016

A crise hídrica afeta toda a biodiversidade e dela emergem questões éticas da relação humana com a água e seu impacto nas populações vulneráveis. Este artigo analisa do ponto de vista ético como o meio científico tem abordado a crise hídrica. Analisaram-se produções científicas sobre a crise da água de forma qualitativa pela análise de conteúdo. Identificou-se que o pouco interesse que o meio científico tem em discutir os problemas éticos relacionados à crise hídrica faz com que não se tenha um retrato real de quem são os vulneráveis desse processo. Para superar essa realidade propõe-se a bioética ambiental, com sua metodologia baseada no diálogo interdisciplinar, como a ferramenta capaz de considerar e unir os diferentes interesses sejam humanos ou da natureza, bem como para evidenciar as verdadeiras causas da crise hídrica.
Effectiveness of Using Screencast Feedback on EFL Students’ Writing and Perception
Authors: Ali Amira Desouky
Published: June 2016

This mixed-methods research was carried out to investigate the effect of screencast video feedback on the writing of freshmen, studying academic writing course at a university in Egypt, and explore their perception towards receiving screencast feedback. Two classes of 63 students were chosen to participate in this study and were assigned into two groups; an experimental group (33 students) and a control one (30 students). While the control group received written comments, the experimental group received video feedback to the higher order concerns of writing (content, organization and structure) and written feedback to the lower order concerns (accuracy) of their writings. Two writing tests were administered to the two groups before and after the experiment. To investigate the perception towards screencast feedback, an online questionnaire was applied to the experimental group after the experiment. Results showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in the higher order concerns of writing as well as the overall writing skill in the writing posttest. Findings also revealed that the majority of students in the experimental group perceived screencast feedback positively for being clear, personal, specific, supportive, multimodal, constructive, and engaging. However, they reported few challenges such as slow loading time and inability to download videos to their computers. The research concludes with implications for practitioners and researchers.
Comparing Suitable Habitat Models to Predict Rare and Endemic Plant Species Distributions: What are the Limits of the Niche of Cola lorougnonis (Malvaceae) in Cote d'Ivoire?
Authors: Vroh Bi Tra Aime , Yao Constant Yves Adou , Kpangui Kouassi Bruno , Gone Bi Zoro Bertin , Kouame Djaha , Koffi Kouao Jean , Koffi Bene Jean Claude , N Guessan Kouakou Edouard
Published: June 2016

Cola lorougnonis is an endemic, rare, and treated species. It was recently recorded in Dekpa forest near Agbaou (a village of Divo region, Cote d’Ivoire). In the same forest, 20 other rare and endemic plant species were recorded. Accurate modeling of geographical distributions of these species is crucial to various applications in ecology and biodiversity conservation. The present study analyzed suitable habitat models for the 21 species. The main objective was to test geographical predictions for the focused species: Cola lorougnonis. We used Maxent modelling method for predicting potential suitable habitats combining environmental variables and species records. We evaluated Maxent predictions using the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC). For each species, the map of distribution was engineered using DIVA-GIS. We compared the suitable habitat areas among species. Principal Canonical Analysis allowed the ordination of species according to environmental variables. AUC values allowed to get 11 species with excellent distribution models, 8 species with good distribution models, and 2 species with predictive models considered as acceptable. Cola lorougnonis (AUC = 0.99) and Drypetes singroboensis (AUC = 0.96) have the same focused area: moist semi-deciduous forest in Cote d’Ivoire. They are more sensitive to changes in rainfall of both warmest and coldest seasons. The State of Côte d’Ivoire has to undertake monitoring, assessment and reporting of conservation status facilitation for all habitats where these species could be found within the territory. Additional studies focusing on the investigation areas and niche models onto future conditions of climate could be considered.
Kinetic and Thermodynamics of Methylene Blue Adsorption onto Zero Valent Iron Supported on Mesoporous Silica
Authors: Hameed Atyaf Khalid , Dewayanto Nugroho , Dongyun Du , Nordin Mohd Ridzuan , Ab Rahim Mohd Hasbi
Published: June 2016

Zero valent iron supported on mesoporous silicanano particles (NZVI/MSNs) was prepared by the aqueous phase borohydride reduction methods. Prior to the reduction, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared through the activation of fumed silica with concentrated HCl by refluxing at 90 °C. FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX and BET were used to characterize theadsorbents prepared. BET surface areas of MSNs, NZVI, and NZVI/MSNs were 126, 41, and 72 m2/g for, respectively. The performance of NZVI/MSNs as adsorbent was examined by adsorption of methylene blue (MB), performed in series of batch experiments. In the kinetic studies, pseudo first order and pseudo second order kinetic models were examined. The pseudo second order equation provided the best fit with the experimental data. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption process is endothermic with ΔH° was 90.53 kJ/mol. Positive ΔS° (300 J/mol) and negative ΔG° (-6.42 kJ/mol) was recorded, indicating the spontaneous of the adsorption process and naturally favorable.
Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation of Fatty Acids for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Stepacheva Аntonina A. , Sapunov Valentin N. , Sulman Esther M. Sulman M. , Nikoshvili Linda Zh. , Sulman Mikhail G. , Sidorov Alexander I. , Demidenko Galina N. , Matveeva Valentina G. G.
Published: June 2016

This paper is devoted to the production of second generation biodiesel via catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of fatty acids. Pd/C catalysts with different metal loading were used. The palladium catalysts were characterized using low-temperature nitrogen physisorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was revealed that the most active and selective catalyst was 1%-Pd/C which allowed reaching up 97.5% of selectivity (regarding to n-heptadecane) at 100% conversion of substrate. Moreover, the chosen catalyst is more preferable according to lower metal content that leads the decrease of the process cost. The analysis of the catalysts showed that 1%-Pd/C had the highest specific surface area compared with 5%-Pd/C. Copyright © 2016 BCREC GROUP. All rights reservedReceived: 31st July 2015; Revised: 9th December 2015; Accepted: 30th December 2015How to Cite: Stepacheva, A.A., Sapunov, V.N., Sulman, E.M., Nikoshvili, L.Z., Sulman, M.G., Sidorov, A.I., Demidenko, G.N., Matveeva, V.G. (2016). Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation of Fatty Acids for Biodiesel Production. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 11 (2): 125-132 (doi:10.9767/bcrec.11.2.538.125-132)Permalink/DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.11.2.538.125-132Article Metrics: (click on the button below to see citations in Scopus)
The Composite of ZrO2-TiO2 Produced from Local Zircon Sand Used as A Photocatalyst for The Degradation of Methylene Blue in A Single Batik Dye Wastewater
Authors: Permadani Ita , Phasa Dhini A. , Pratiwi Andini W. , Rahmawati Fitria
Published: June 2016

In this research, a composite of ZrO2-TiO2 was used as a photocatalyst in the degradation of dye wastewater. The dye waste water is a single Methylene Blue, MB, wastewater from Batik industry. Meanwhile, the ZrO2 was prepared from zircon sand founded from Bangka Island, Indonesia. The composite was prepared at various weight ratio and heat treated at 500 oC. The result shows that the purity of ZrO2 from zircon sand is only 66.46 %. However, the addition of ZrO2 into TiO2 able to increase the photocatalytic activity proven by 88.75 % degradation of MB at a ZrO2-TiO2 weight ratio of 1:1. The result is higher than the degradation with anatase TiO2; that is only 62.67 %. The kinetics study found that the photocatalytic degradation of MB with single TiO2 has the rate constant of 1.85x10-2 minutes-1. Meanwhile, the rate constant of the MB degradation with the composite ZrO2-TiO2 is 16.73x10-2 minutes-1.
Formulation of SrO-MBCUS Agglomerates for Esterification and Transesterification of High FFA Vegetable Oil
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Sarma Anil Kumar , Bansal Ajay , Jha Mithilesh Kumar
Published: June 2016

Musa Balbisiana Colla Underground Stem (MBCUS) catalyst was treated thermally mixing with 5:1 w/w of Strontium Oxide (SrO) and the dynamic sites were reformed. The MBCUS-SrO showed sharper crystalline phases as evidence from XRD and TEM analysis. The composition and morphology were characterized from BET, SEM, EDX thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and XRF analysis. The optimization process for biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas L oil (JCO) having high percentage of free fatty acids was carried out using orthogonal arrays adopting the Taguchi method. The linear equation was obtained from the analysis and subsequent biodiesel production (96% FAME) was taken away from the JCO under optimal reaction conditions. The biodiesel so prepared had identical characteristics to that with MBCUS alone, but at a lower temperature (200˚C) and internal vapour pressure. Metal leaching was much lower while reusability of the catalyst was enhanced. It was also confirmed that the particle size has little impact upon the conversion efficacy, but the basic active sites are more important.
New Method for Nucleophilic Substitution on Hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene by Allylamine Using an Algerian Proton Exchanged Montmorillonite Clay (Maghnite-H+) as a Green Solid Catalyst
Authors: Medjdoub Lahouaria , Mohammed Belbachir
Published: June 2016

Nucleophilic substitution on hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCTP) with allylamine in order to give hexa(allylamino)cyclotriphosphazene (HACTP)  is performed for the first time under mild conditions by using diethylether as solvent to replace benzene which is very toxic. The reaction time is reduced to half and also performed at room temperature but especially in the presence of an eco-catalyst called Maghnite-H+. This catalyst has a significant role in the industrial scale. In fact, the use of Maghnite is preferred for its many advantages: a very low purchase price compared to other catalysts, the easy removal of the reaction mixture. Then, Maghnite-H+ is became an excellent catalyst for many chemical reactions. The structure of HACTP synthesized in the presence of Maghnite-H+ to 5% by weight is confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 31P-NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance) and FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy). MALDI-TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation-time-of-flight mass spectrometry) is used to establish the molecular weight of HACTP which is 471 g/mol. DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetery) and TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) show that HACTP is a crystalline product with a melting point of 88 °C. It is reactive after melting but is degraded from 230 °C.
Phy-chemical Attributes of Nano-scale V2O5/TiO2 Catalyst and Its’ Effect on Soot Oxidation
Authors: Mei Deqing , Li Lichang , Zhu Chen , Zhao Xiang , Yuan Yinnan
Published: June 2016

The V2O5 catalysts which supported on nano-scale TiO2 with variation of vanadium contents (5%, 10%, 20% and 40%) were prepared by an incipient-wetness impregnation method. The phase structures of nano-scale V2O5/TiO2 catalysts with different loading rates were characterized by Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. The oxidation activities of catalysts over diesel soot were performed in a themogravimetric analysis (TGA) system. The kinetics of the catalytic oxidation process were analyzed based on Flynn-Wall-Ozawa method. The characterization results showed that the phase structure of V2O5 supported on TiO2 depends heavily on the vanadium contents, which will put great effects on the catalytic performances for soot oxidation. At a low vanadium loading rates (V5-V20), active species exist as monomers and polymeric states. At a high loading rate (V40), the crystalline bulk V2O5 covers the surface of TiO2. The formed crystal structure occupied the active sites and led a decreasing in the catalytic effect. By comparing the characteristics temperatures of soot oxidation over V2O5 catalysts, the catalytic activities of catalysts with different loading rates for soot oxidation can be ranked as: V5 < V10 < V40 < V20. Via pyrolysis kinetics analysis, it is revealed that the activation energy of soot oxidation is minimum when the vanadium loading rates is 20%, which is fit well with the TG experimental results. The consistency of pyrolysis kinetics and TG experimental results confirm that the best activity catalyst is V20 in discussed catalysts of this paper, which is nearest to the monolayer dispersion saturated state of V2O5/TiO2 catalyst. Moreover, it convincingly demonstrate the obvious threshold effect in V2O5 catalysts.
Green Synthesis of Cationic Polyacrylamide Composite Catalyzed by An Ecologically Catalyst Clay Called Maghnite-H+ (Algerian MMT) Under Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Abdelkader Rahmouni , Mohammed Belbachir
Published: June 2016

In this study, a novel green cationic hydrogel of cationic polyacrylamide composite have been prepared and investigated. The synthesis of green cationic polyacrylamide composite was evaluated for its solubility in water. The reactions were performed using acrylamide monomer, solvent, catalyst (clay fin called maghnite) and solution of  H2SO4 (0.25 M), with the system under microwave irradiation (160 ºC) for 4 min. Major factors affecting the polymerization reaction were studied with a view to discover appropriate conditions for preparation of the composite. The cationic polyacrylamide obtained is the subject of future studies of modification and transformation. The resulting polymer has been characterized by a variety of characterization techniques, such as: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra and 1H NMR spectra.
Transesterification of Waste Cooking Oil using Calcium Loaded on Deoiled Spent Bleaching Clay as A Solid Base Catalyst
Authors: Abidin Rehan Zainol , Maniam Gaanty Pragas , Ab. Rahim Mohd. Hasbi
Published: June 2016

Waste cooking oil has a high potential as a raw material in biodiesel production due to its abundant availability and cheapest among other feedstock. Hence transesterification reaction is carried out using waste cooking oil in this research. The objective of this study is to synthesize and characterize the catalyst. On the other hand, deoiled spent bleaching clay impregnated with 40% CaO utilized as a catalyst. Optimization was carried out on methanol to oil molar ratio (6:1-24:1), catalyst loading (3-10 wt.%) and reaction duration (2-10 h). The catalyst of deoiled spent bleaching clay doped with 40% CaO was prepared by wet impregnation method and calcined at 500 °C for 4 hours. The catalyst shows high activity under optimum condition of 5 hours of reaction time, 12:1 of methanol to oil molar ratio with 7 wt.% of catalyst. The transesterification yields 84.7% methyl ester. Therefore, this catalyst has potential to be used in the transesterification of waste cooking oil in producing biodiesel due to its high activity.
A Preliminary Study: Esterification of Free Fatty Acids (FFA) in Artificially Modified Feedstock Using Ionic Liquids as Catalysts
Authors: Roslan Nurul Asmawati , Che Hasnan Mohammad Haniff , Abdullah Norhayati , Abdullah Syamsul Bahari , Abidin Sumaiya Zainal
Published: June 2016

The exploration of non-edible oils as a feedstock has been positively affect the economic viability of biodiesel production.  Due to the high level of free fatty acid (FFA) in non-edible oils, esterification is needed to remove the acidity to the minimum level before base-catalyzed transesterification.  In this study, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulphate (HMIMHSO4) was self-synthesized and compared with the commercialized ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulphate (BMIMHSO4). HMIMHSO4 and BMIMHSO4 were characterized by 1H NMR prior to use in the esterification reaction. The reaction was carried out in a batch reactor and variables such as types of alcohol, oil: alcohol molar ratio, temperature and types of stirring were investigated. The highest conversion for each catalyst was achieved using ethanol as a solvent at the condition of 343 K reaction temperature, 12:1 alcohol to oil ratio in 8 h reaction time. BMIMHSO4 showed higher conversion (98%) as compared to HMIMHSO4 with only 82% conversion. Clearly, BMIMHSO4 shows considerable potential to reduce the FFA in the feedstock as it is exhibit excellent catalytic activity due to lower alkyl chain of BMIMHSO4 compared to HMIMHSO4.
Thermo-Catalytic Methane Decomposition for Hydrogen Production: Effect of Palladium Promoter on Ni-based Catalysts
Authors: Mei Irene Lock Sow , Lock S.S.M. , Vo Dai-Viet N. , Abdullah Bawadi
Published: June 2016

Hydrogen production from the direct thermo-catalytic decomposition of methane is a promising alternative for clean fuel production. However, thermal decomposition of methane can hardly be of any practical and empirical interest in the industry unless highly efficient and effective catalysts, in terms of both catalytic activity and operational lifetime have been developed. In this study, the effect of palladium (Pd) as a promoter onto Ni supported on alumina catalyst has been investigated by using co-precipitation technique. The introduction of Pd promotes better catalytic activity, operational lifetime and thermal stability of the catalyst. As expected, highest methane conversion was achieved at reaction temperature of 800 °C while the bimetallic catalyst (1 wt.% Ni -1wt.% Pd/Al2O3) gave the highest methane conversion of 70% over 15 min of time-on-stream (TOS). Interestingly, the introduction of Pd as promoter onto Ni-based catalyst also has a positive effect on the operational lifetime and thermal stability of the catalyst as the methane conversion has improved significantly over 240 min of TOS.
Carbon Dioxide Dry Reforming of Glycerol for Hydrogen Production using Ni/ZrO2 and Ni/CaO as Catalysts
Authors: Mohd Arif Nur Nabillah , Vo Dai-Viet N. , Azizan Mohammad Tazli , Abidin Sumaiya Zainal
Published: June 2016

Glycerol, byproduct from the biodiesel production can be effectively utilized as the promising source of synthesis gas (syngas) through a dry reforming reaction. Combination of these waste materials with greenhouse gases which is carbon dioxide (CO2) will help to reduce environmental problem such as global warming. This dry reforming reaction has been carried out in a fixed bed batch reactor at 700 °C under the atmospheric pressure for 3 hours. In this experiment, reforming reaction was carried out using Nickel (Ni) as based catalyst and supported with zirconium (ZrO2) and calcium (CaO) oxides. The catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation method and characterized using Bruanaer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermo Gravimetric (TGA), and Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR) analysis. Reaction studies show that 15% Ni/CaO give the highest hydrogen yield and glycerol conversion that peaked at 24.59% and 30.32%, respectively. This result is verified by XRD analysis where this catalyst shows low crystallinity and fine dispersion of Ni species resulted in high specific surface area which gives 44.93 m2/g that is validated by BET.
Production of CO-rich Hydrogen Gas from Methane Dry Reforming over Co/CeO2 Catalyst
Authors: Ayodele Bamidele V. , Khan Maksudur R. , Cheng Chin Kui
Published: June 2016

Production of CO-rich hydrogen gas from methane dry reforming was investigated over CeO2-supported Co catalyst. The catalyst was synthesized by wet impregnation and subsequently characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), liquid N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for the structure, surface and thermal properties. The catalytic activity test of the Co/CeO2 was investigated between 923-1023 K under reaction conditions in a stainless steel fixed bed reactor. The composition of the products (CO2 and H2) from the methane dry reforming reaction was measured by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with thermal conductivity detector (TCD). The effects of feed ratios and reaction temperatures were investigated on the catalytic activity toward product selectivity, yield, and syngas ratio. Significantly, the selectivity and yield of both H2 and CO increases with feed ratio and temperature. However, the catalyst shows higher activity towards CO selectivity. The highest H2 and CO selectivity of 19.56% and 20.95% respectively were obtained at 1023 K while the highest yield of 41.98% and 38.05% were recorded for H2 and CO under the same condition.
Effect of Calcination Temperature on Performance of Photocatalytic Reactor System for Seawater Pretreatment
Authors: Kan Weerana Eh , Roslan Jamil , Isha Ruzinah
Published: June 2016

Conservative desalination technology including distillation requires high energy and cost to operate. Hence, pretreatment process can be done prior to desalination to overcome energy demand and cost reduction. Objective of this research is to study the effect of calcination temperature of hybrid catalyst in photocatalytic reactor system in the seawater desalination, i.e. salt removal in the seawater. The catalyst was synthesized via wet impregnation method with 1:1 weight ratio of TiO2 and activated oil palm fiber ash (Ti:Ash). The catalyst was calcined at different temperature, i.e. 500 oC and 800 oC. The study was carried out in a one liter Borosilicate photoreactor equipped with mercury light of 365 nanometers for two hours with 400 rpm mixing and catalyst to seawater sample weight ratio of 1:400. The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity and conductivity of the seawater were analyzed prior and after the testing. The fresh and spent catalysts were characterized via X-Ray Diffractogram (XRD and Nitrogen physisorption analysis. The calcination temperature significantly influenced the adsorption behaviour and photocatalytic activity. However, Ti:Ash which calcined at 800 oC has less photocatalytic activity. It might be because the surface of fiber ash was sintered after calcined at high temperature. The Ti:Ash catalyst that calcined at 500 oC was found to be the most effective catalyst in the desalination of seawater by reducing the salt concentration of more than 9 % compared to Ti:Ash calcined at 800 oC. It can be concluded that catalyst calcination at 500 °C has better character, performance and economically feasible catalyst for seawater desalination.
Samarium Promoted Ni/Al2O3 Catalysts for Syngas Production from Glycerol Pyrolysis
Authors: Nor Shahirah Mohd Nasir , Ayodele Bamidele V. , Gimbun Jolius , Cheng Chin Kui
Published: June 2016

The current paper reports on the kinetics of glycerol reforming over the alumina-supported Ni catalyst that was promoted with rare earth elements. The catalysts were synthesized via wet impregnation method with formulations of 3 wt% Sm-20 wt% Ni/77 wt% Al2O3. The characterizations of all the as-synthesized catalysts were carried out, viz.  BET specific surface area measurements, thermogravimetri analysis for temperature-programmed calcination studies, FESEM for surface imaging, XRD to obtain diffraction patterns, XRF for elemental analysis, etc.. Reaction studies were performed in a stainless steel fixed bed reactor with reaction temperatures set at 973, 1023 and 1073 K employing weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 4.5×104 mL g-1 h-1. Agilent GC with TCD capillary column was used to analyze gas compositions. Results gathered showed that the BET specific surface area was 2.09 m2.g-1 for the unpromoted Ni catalyst while for the promoted catalysts, was 2.68 m2.g-1. Significantly, the BET results were supported by the FESEM images which showed promoted catalysts exhibit smaller particle size compared to the unpromoted catalyst. It can be deduced that the promoter can increase metal dispersion on alumina support, hence decreasing the size of particles. The TGA analysis consistently showed four peaks which represent water removal at temperature 373-463 K, followed by decomposition of nickel nitrate to produce nickel oxide. From reaction results for Sm promotion showed glycerol conversion, XG of 27% which was 7% higher than unpromoted catalyst. The syngas productions were produced from glycerol decomposition and created H2:CO product ratio which always lower than 2.0. The H2:CO product ratio of 3 wt% Sm promoted Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was 1.70 at reaction temperature of 973 K and glycerol partial pressure of 18 kPa and suitable enough for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
Backmatter
Authors: Istadi Istadi
Published: June 2016

Backmatter, DOI: 10.9767/bcrec.11.2.561.App.6-App.9
Frontmatter
Authors: Istadi Istadi
Published: June 2016

Frontmatter, DOI: 10.9767/bcrec.11.2.562.i-iv
Preface of BCREC Volume 11 Issue 2 Year 2016
Authors: Istadi Istadi
Published: June 2016

Preface of BCREC Volume 11 Issue 2 Year 2016DOI: 10.9767/bcrec.11.2.565.v-vii
Empirical evaluation of the inverse Gaussian regression residuals for the assessment of influential points
Authors: Amin Muhammad , Amanullah Muhammad , Aslam Muhammad
Published: June 2016

Influential analysis is the main diagnostic process to obtain reliable regression results. Same is true for the generalized linear model. The present article empirically compares the performance of different residuals of the inverse Gaussian regression model to detect the influential points. The inverse Gaussian regression model residuals are further divided into two categories, that is, standardized and adjusted residuals. Cook's distance has been computed for both of the stated residuals, and then comparison of these residuals for the detection of influential point has been carried out with the help of simulation and a chemical related data set. The simulation results show that for small dispersion, the likelihood residuals are better than others and all the adjusted forms of residuals perform identically but not better than the standardized form. While for larger dispersion, all the standardized residuals perform in the same fashion, and they are better than the likelihood residuals for detection of influential points. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous quantification of major cannabinoids and metabolites in human urine and plasma by HPLC‐MS/MS and enzyme‐alkaline hydrolysis
Authors: Aizpurua‐Olaizola Oier , Zarandona Iratxe , Ortiz Laura , Navarro Patricia , Etxebarria Nestor , Usobiaga Aresatz
Published: June 2016

A high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS) method for simultaneous quantification of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), its two metabolites 11‐hydroxy‐Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (11‐OH‐THC) and 11‐nor‐9‐carboxy‐Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC‐COOH), and four additional cannabinoids (cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and cannabinol (CBN)) in 1 mL of human urine and plasma was developed and validated. The hydrolysis process was studied to ensure complete hydrolysis of glucuronide conjugates and the extraction of a total amount of analytes. Initially, urine and plasma blank samples were spiked with THC‐COOH‐glucuronide and THC‐glucuronide, and four different pretreatment methods were compared: hydrolysis‐free method, enzymatic hydrolysis with Escherichia Coli β‐glucuronidase, alkaline hydrolysis with 10 M NaOH, and enzyme‐alkaline tandem hydrolysis. The last approach assured the maximum efficiencies (close to 100%) for both urine and plasma matrices. Regarding the figures of merit, the limits of detection were below 1 ng/mL for all analytes, the accuracy ranged from 84% to 115%, and both within‐day and between‐day precision were lower than 12%. Finally, the method was successfully applied to real urine and plasma samples from cannabis users. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the proximate composition, antioxidant potential, and antimicrobial activity of mango seed kernel extracts
Authors: Mutua Jane K. , Imathiu Samuel , Owino Willis
Published: June 2016

After pulp extraction in fruit processing industry, a significant quantity of mango seed kernels are discarded as solid wastes. These seed kernels can be ideal raw materials for obtaining extracts rich in bioactive compounds with good antioxidant properties. The conversion of these wastes into utilizable food ingredients would help in reducing environmental problems associated with processing waste disposal. In order to determine their potential use, this study evaluated some of the biochemical characteristics and antimicrobial potential of mango seed kernel extracts on medically important human bacterial and fungal pathogens. Four mango varieties (Apple, Ngowe, Kent and Sabine) from Makueni and Embu counties in Kenya were used for this study. The analyzed mango seed kernel powders were found to contain on average, 6.74–9.20% protein content. Apple and Ngowe mango seed kernels had significantly higher fat content of 13.04 and 13.08, respectively, while Sabine from Makueni had the least fat content of 9.84%. The ash, fiber, and carbohydrate contents ranged from 1.78 to 2.87%, 2.64 to 3.71% and 72.86 to 75.92%, respectively. The mean percentage scavenging ability of mango kernel extracts at the concentration of 20 mg/mL was 92.22%. Apple and Sabine mango kernel extracts had significantly high inhibition zones of 1.93 and 1.73 compared to Kent and Ngowe with 1.13 and 1.10, respectively, against E. coli. For C. albicans, the inhibition of Kent mango kernel extract, 1.63, was significantly lower than that of Ngowe, Apple, and Sabine with 2.23, 2.13, and 1.83, respectively. This study demonstrates that mango seed powder is an abundant and cost‐effective potential natural antibiotic and antifungal that can be utilized in addressing the challenge of food poisoning and infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms in the food industry.
Generation of reactive astrocytes from NG2 cells is regulated by sonic hedgehog
Authors: Honsa Pavel , Valny Martin , Kriska Jan , Matuskova Hana , Harantova Lenka , Kirdajova Denisa , Valihrach Lukas , Androvic Peter , Kubista Mikael , Anderova Miroslava
Published: June 2016

NG2 cells, a fourth glial cell type in the adult mammalian central nervous system, produce oligodendrocytes in the healthy nervous tissue, and display wide differentiation potential under pathological conditions, where they could give rise to reactive astrocytes. The factors that control the differentiation of NG2 cells after focal cerebral ischemia (FCI) are largely unknown. Here, we used transgenic Cspg4‐cre/Esr1/ROSA26Sortm14(CAG‐tdTomato) mice, in which tamoxifen administration triggers the expression of red fluorescent protein (tomato) specifically in NG2 cells and cells derived therefrom. Differentiation potential (in vitro and in vivo) of tomato‐positive NG2 cells from control or postischemic brains was determined using the immunohistochemistry, single cell RT‐qPCR and patch–clamp method. The ischemic injury was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion, a model of FCI. Using genetic fate‐mapping method, we identified sonic hedgehog (Shh) as an important factor that influences differentiation of NG2 cells into astrocytes in vitro. We also manipulated Shh signaling in the adult mouse brain after FCI. Shh signaling activation significantly increased the number of astrocytes derived from NG2 cells in the glial scar around the ischemic lesion, while Shh signaling inhibition caused the opposite effect. Since Shh signaling modifications did not change the proliferation rate of NG2 cells, we can conclude that Shh has a direct influence on the differentiation of NG2 cells and therefore, on the formation and composition of a glial scar, which consequently affects the degree of the brain damage. GLIA 2016;64:1518–1531
Effects of ketamine on brain function during smooth pursuit eye movements
Authors: Steffens M. , Becker B. , Neumann C. , Kasparbauer A.M. , Meyhöfer I. , Weber B. , Mehta M.A. , Hurlemann R. , Ettinger U.
Published: June 2016

The uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine has been proposed to model symptoms of psychosis. Smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEM) are an established biomarker of schizophrenia. SPEM performance has been shown to be impaired in the schizophrenia spectrum and during ketamine administration in healthy volunteers. However, the neural mechanisms mediating SPEM impairments during ketamine administration are unknown. In a counter‐balanced, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, within‐subjects design, 27 healthy participants received intravenous racemic ketamine (100 ng/mL target plasma concentration) on one of two assessment days and placebo (intravenous saline) on the other. Participants performed a block‐design SPEM task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 3 Tesla field strength. Self‐ratings of psychosis‐like experiences were obtained using the Psychotomimetic States Inventory (PSI). Ketamine administration induced psychosis‐like symptoms, during ketamine infusion, participants showed increased ratings on the PSI dimensions cognitive disorganization, delusional thinking, perceptual distortion and mania. Ketamine led to robust deficits in SPEM performance, which were accompanied by reduced blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal in the SPEM network including primary visual cortex, area V5 and the right frontal eye field (FEF), compared to placebo. A measure of connectivity with V5 and FEF as seed regions, however, was not significantly affected by ketamine. These results are similar to the deviations found in schizophrenia patients. Our findings support the role of glutamate dysfunction in impaired smooth pursuit performance and the use of ketamine as a pharmacological model of psychosis, especially when combined with oculomotor biomarkers. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4047–4060, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Semiautomated confocal imaging of fungal pathogenesis on plants: Microscopic analysis of macroscopic specimens
Authors: Minker Katharine R. , Biedrzycki Meredith L. , Kolagunda Abhishek , Rhein Stephen , Perina Fabiano J. , Jacobs Samuel S. , Moore Michael , Jamann Tiffany M. , Yang Qin , Nelson Rebecca , Balint‐Kurti Peter , Kambhamettu Chandra , Wisser Randall J. , Caplan Jeffrey L.
Published: June 2016

The study of phenotypic variation in plant pathogenesis provides fundamental information about the nature of disease resistance. Cellular mechanisms that alter pathogenesis can be elucidated with confocal microscopy; however, systematic phenotyping platforms—from sample processing to image analysis—to investigate this do not exist. We have developed a platform for 3D phenotyping of cellular features underlying variation in disease development by fluorescence‐specific resolution of host and pathogen interactions across time (4D). A confocal microscopy phenotyping platform compatible with different maize–fungal pathosystems (fungi: Setosphaeria turcica, Cochliobolus heterostrophus, and Cercospora zeae‐maydis) was developed. Protocols and techniques were standardized for sample fixation, optical clearing, species‐specific combinatorial fluorescence staining, multisample imaging, and image processing for investigation at the macroscale. The sample preparation methods presented here overcome challenges to fluorescence imaging such as specimen thickness and topography as well as physiological characteristics of the samples such as tissue autofluorescence and presence of cuticle. The resulting imaging techniques provide interesting qualitative and quantitative information not possible with conventional light or electron 2D imaging. Microsc. Res. Tech., 81:141–152, 2018. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Imaging of surface nanobubbles by atomic force microscopy in liquids: Influence of drive frequency on the characterization of ultrasoft matter
Authors: Eslami Babak , Solares Santiago D.
Published: June 2016

Imaging of soft matter with atomic force microscopy (AFM) is challenging due to tip‐induced deformation, which convolutes with the measurement. The challenges are generally more serious in liquid environments due to a severe loss of sensitivity of the vibrating microcantilever to external forces, as well as due to the presence of undesirable mechanical resonances when piezoelectric excitation systems are used. Furthermore, the choice of imaging parameters can have a significant impact on the quality of the results, such that the customary practices used for tuning the cantilever are not always appropriate. Here we explore the influence of the chosen drive frequency on the imaging of ultrasoft matter, using surface gas nanobubbles on gold‐coated glass and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) as a test platform. We carry out single‐ and multifrequency AFM experiments using both the traditional amplitude‐peak method and the recently proposed phase‐slope‐peak method for tuning the cantilever, as well as piezoelectric and photothermal excitation, providing an extensive discussion on the factors governing the level of tip‐induced sample deformation and the quality of the phase contrast obtained for each of the methods. The general conclusion is that there is no “one‐size‐fits‐all” approach for tuning the cantilever for low‐impact tapping‐mode AFM, although rational optimization of the imaging process is generally possible, whereby the choice of the drive frequency plays a prominent role. The physical insight and guidelines provided here can be extremely useful for the gentle imaging of a wide range of biological and other soft materials in liquid environments. Microsc. Res. Tech. 80:41–49, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
StingerCam: A tool for ecologists and stakeholders to detect the presence of venomous tropical jellyfish
Authors: Llewellyn L. E. , Bainbridge S. , Page G. , O'Callaghan M. D. , Kingsford M. J.
Published: June 2016

A “StingerCam” camera system provided high temporal resolution image data on the presence of large cubozoan jellyfish over nearly five years on the tropical coast of northeastern Australia. There was strong seasonality in the occurrence of Chironex fleckeri and an unnamed species of the family Carybdeidae (Morbakka spp.). Jellyfish of both species were only found between December and May of each year; primarily in the wet season. It was estimated that jellyfish were released from polyps from September. From a sample of >1000 C. fleckeri and 493 Morbakka we determined the temperature and salinity range in which these taxa were detected being between 21.7°C–31.6°C and 25.2–34.9 PSU for C. fleckeri, and 20.2–30.2°C and 25.4–35.4 PSU for Morbakka sp. Daily wind speed influenced detection rates with less jellyfish observed in winds that exceeded 28 km h−1. Data reduction software greatly improved processing time by identifying images without jellyfish with an accuracy of 93–98% in the two case studies used here, an image series from a night when jellyfish were highly active and in winter when jellyfish were absent. The StingerCam not only provided strong ecological data and information of high utility to reduce the risk of envenomation to the public, but also detected boney fishes, sharks and marine reptiles. We conclude that StingerCams are an effective way of collecting data to determine the range of physical conditions that jellyfish can tolerate and this information can be used in predictive models; especially given a global focus on climate change.
Mikhail Budyko's (1920–2001) contributions to Global Climate Science: from heat balances to climate change and global ecology
Authors: Oldfield Jonathan D.
Published: June 2016

Mikhail Ivanovich Budyko (1920–2001) was a Soviet climatologist perhaps best known in the West for his contribution to understandings of climate change. He acted as director of the Main Geophysical Observatory (named after A.I. Voeikov) in Leningrad (St Petersburg) from 1954 and played an active role in advancing Soviet climate agendas within an international context. Three main stages in the development of Budyko's work related to climate systems and global ecology (late 1940s‐mid 1980s) are identified. The first period encompasses his early efforts devoted to understanding and quantifying the interrelationship between the lower atmosphere and the earth's surface. This stage of his career was also characterized by a growing interest in regional‐ and global‐scale processes, and was underpinned by collaborative work involving climatologists, physical geographers, and other cognate scientists. The second stage highlights the broadening of his global interest in order to engage more deeply with both natural and anthropogenic climatic and environmental change. The third stage reflects on the development of his expansive and evolutionary approach to the biosphere, and his insight into the formative role of climate with respect to the functioning of physical and biological processes. Furthermore, this later work also exhibited a strong belief in the ability of humankind to reflect wisely on its growing influence on the physical environment and respond appropriately. WIREs Clim Change 2016, 7:682–692. doi: 10.1002/wcc.412

This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Thought Leaders
The epistemic, ethical, and political dimensions of uncertainty in integrated assessment modeling
Authors: Beck Marisa , Krueger Tobias
Published: June 2016

Integrated assessment models (IAMs) of global climate change that combine representations of the economic and the climate system have become important tools to support policymakers in their responses to climate change. Yet,IAMsare built in the face of pervasive uncertainty, both scientific and ethical, which requires modelers to make numerous choices in model development. These modeling choices have epistemic, ethical, and political dimensions. First, modeling choices determine how well our current (lack of) knowledge about the elements and processes of the modeled system is represented. Second, modeling choices have ethical implications, for example, the choice of a social discount rate, which is well documented. For other modeling choices, the ethical assumptions and implications are more subtle. Third, climate‐economic models are not produced and used in a political vacuum; they shape and are shaped by the social relations they are embedded in. We review findings from various literatures to unpack the complex intersection of science, ethics, and politics thatIAMsare developed and used in. This leads us to suggest theoretical frameworks that may enable an integrated epistemic–ethical–political understanding ofIAMsand increase transparency about all three dimensions of model uncertainties.WIREs Clim Change2016, 7:627–645. doi: 10.1002/wcc.415

This article is categorized under:

Integrated Assessment of Climate Change > Integrated Assessment Modeling
Reconstructing Earth's surface temperature over the past 2000 years: the science behind the headlines
Authors: Smerdon Jason E. , Pollack Henry N.
Published: June 2016

The last quarter century spans the publication of the first assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 1990 and the latest report published in 2013–2014. The five assessment reports appearing over that interval reveal a marked increase in the number of paleoclimate studies addressing the climate of the last 2000 years (the Common Era). An important focus of this work has been on reconstruction of hemispheric and global temperatures. Several early studies in this area generated considerable scientific and public interest, and were followed by high‐profile and sometimes vitriolic debates about the magnitude of temperature changes over all or part of the Common Era and their comparison to 20th‐ and 21st‐century global temperature increases due to increasing levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases. Behind the more public debates, however, several consistent themes of scientific inquiry have developed to better characterize climate variability and change over the Common Era. These include attempts to collect more climate proxy archives and understand the signals they contain, improve the statistical methods used to estimate past temperature variability from proxies and their associated uncertainties, and to compare reconstructed temperature variability and change with climate model simulations. All of these efforts are driving a new age of research on the climate of the Common Era that is developing more cohesive and collaborative investigations into the dynamics of climate on time scales of decades to centuries, and an understanding of the implications for modeled climate projections of the future. WIREs Clim Change 2016, 7:746–771. doi: 10.1002/wcc.418

This article is categorized under:

Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Paleoclimate