The liquid product obtained from biomass pyrolysis is very valuable that it could be used for extraction of chemicals as well as for liquid fuel. The desire goal is to obtain the most bio-oil with desired higher heating value (HHV), high physicochemical stability. The yields and chemical composition of products from biomass pyrolysis are closely related to the feedstock, pyrolysis parameters and catalysts. Current researches mainly concentrated on the co-pyrolysis of different biomass and introduce of novel catalysts as well as the combined effect of catalysts and pyrolysis parameters. This review starts with the chemical composition of biomass and the fundamental parameters and focuses on the influence of catalysts on bio-oil. What is more, the pyrolysis facilities at commercial scales were also involved. The classic researches and the current literature about the yield and composition of products (mainly liquid products) are summarized.
Background Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare condition associated with a GNAQ gene mutation, which affects neural crest cells. A pulsed dye laser (PDL) is a first-line therapy for SWS, but its outcomes are worse than those in patients with port-wine stains (PWS). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising therapeutic option for PWS. However, its use for PWS associated with SWS has rarely been studied. Aims To investigate the therapeutic and adverse effects of photodynamic therapy in treating SWS-associated PWS. Methods Patients with SWS and matched patients with large size facial PWS were included in this study. Both colorimetric assessment and visual evaluation were conducted to evaluate patients' responses to treatment. Results Colorimetric assessment (blanching rate) and visual evaluation (scores of colour improvement) showed that after two PDT treatments, the SWS and PWS groups had similar treatment responses (21.2% vs. 29.8%; 3.39 vs. 3.65; P = 0.18, P = 0.37). However, there was a significant difference in efficacy between patients with SWS with and without a treatment history (12.4 and 34.9%, respectively; P = 0.02), as well as between patients with lesions located on the central and lateral faces (18.5 and 36.8%, respectively; P = 0.01). Both the SWS and PWS groups experienced minor adverse effects, and the frequency of these effects was not significantly different between the two groups. Limitation The study was limited by a small sample size and the possibility of later onset of glaucoma. In addition, false-negative magnetic resonance imaging screening results for SWS could not be ruled out due to the young age of some participants. Conclusion Photodynamic therapy is a safe and effective therapeutic option for SWS-associated PWS. Patients without a treatment history, and lesions on the lateral face, responded well, demonstrating good efficacy.
Carbuncle, a collection of interconnected furuncles with multiple pustular openings, is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In this condition, both skin and subcutaneous tissue of the lesion show severe inflammation. It often occurs in immunocompromized patients such as those with diabetes, nephritis, malnutrition, heart failure, hypogammaglobulinemia, exfoliative dermatitis, or pemphigus or those using corticosteroids for long-term. Antibiotics and aggressive debridement are the primary recommended treatments for carbuncle. We report a case of carbuncle that received satisfactory response, in which the inflammation subsided and the wound healed after the administration of ALA photodynamic therapy for three times.
The influence of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) plasticizer on the mould and algal resistances of wood plastic composites (WPCs) was studied using artificial accelerated tests. The macro- and micro-morphology of the colonization of algae and mould on the surface and fracture morphology of the WPCs samples were observed by digital camera and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The water absorption and thickness swelling rates of different WPCs specimens with various addition amounts of ESO were also tested. The results indicated that as more of the ESO was added, the mould or algal resistance became weaker, especially on the surfaces of the specimens, which became harshly colonized when the addition amount of ESO was beyond 15 phr. The colonization speed and intensity of the mould were higher than the algae at the same addition level of ESO and the same testing time. The hyphae and spores of mould, but not algae, were found on the inner fracture layers.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is the most common sleep-disordered breathing medical condition and a potentialy life-threatening affliction. Upper airway defense is based on the secreted mucus. The primary factors involved in the airway surface liquid (ASL) are not completely understood. In this study, identification of ASL proteins was demonstrated by using proteomic approach. 30 OSAS patients and 15 normal subjects between the ag e s of 30 and 50 (males=23; females=22) underwent collection of ASL sample. Proteomic approach involving two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE) and mass spectrometry (MS). Querying the SWISSPROT database with the MS data yielded the identity of 10 proteins in the spots. Three of these proteins showing significant difference in abundance were identified to be Carbonic Anhydrase VI, immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain, and Calgranulin A. Overal, differential expression of proteins in the A S L proteome of OSAS patients suggests that the hypoxia associated with OSAS may lead to changes in catabolism of these proteins and their excretion in ASL.
This study investigates the influence of GeO2 on the nonlinear coefficient (α) and breakdown voltage (EB) of TiO2–Ta2O5–CaCO3 varistor ceramics doped with GeO2 and prepared according to a conventional ball milling–molding–sintering process. The electrical performance parameters, including the nonlinear coefficient (α), breakdown electric field (EB), and leakage current (JL), were assessed using a varistor direct-current instrument. The average barrier height ΦB of each sample was calculated using the relevant formula. Analyses conducted by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that GeO2 doping changed the microstructures of TiO2–Ta2O5–CaCO3 ceramics, resulting increased α and decreased EB values. Ceramics doped with 0.2 mol % Ta2O5, 0.2 mol % CaCO3 and 0.9 mol % GeO2 exhibited the maximum α value (α = 9.8) and the highest grain boundary barrier (ΦB = 0.92 eV) but a low EB value (EB = 17.2 V·mm−1).
'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(23.036 .093 25.536)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(45.87 1.273 16.18)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(69.945 .996 12.078)'/%3e%3cuse xlink:href='%23a' transform='rotate(20.66 -19.689 31.932)'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)