Production and utilization of biochar: A review Cha, Jin Sun; Park, Sung Hoon; Jung, Sang-Chul ...
Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry (Seoul, Korea),
08/2016, Volume:
40
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Display omitted
Biochar produced during the thermochemical decomposition of biomass not only reduces the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere, but it is also an environment-friendly ...replacement for activated carbon and other carbon materials. In this review paper, researches on biochar are discussed in terms of production method and application. Different processes for biochar production, such as pyrolysis, gasification, hydrothermal carbonization, etc., are compared. Physical and chemical activation methods used to improve the physicochemical properties of biochar and their effects are also compared. Various environmental application fields of biochar including adsorption (for water pollutants and for air pollutants), catalysis (for syngas upgrading, for biodiesel production, and for air pollutant treatment), and soil conditioning are discussed. Recent research trend of biochar in other applications, such as fuel cell, supercapacitor, and hydrogen storage, is also reviewed.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
In 21 consecutive patients with confirmed Covid-19, the median times from symptom onset to negative viral culture and negative real-time RT-PCR were 7 days and 34 days, respectively. The longest ...interval from symptom onset and from resolution of fever to positive culture was 12 days and 3 days, respectively.
Microplastic pollution causes a major concern in the marine environment due to their worldwide distribution, persistence, and adverse effects of these pollutants in the marine ecosystem. Despite its ...global presence, there is still a lack of information on the effect of microplastics on marine organisms at the molecular level. Herein we demonstrated ingestion and egestion of nano- (0.05 μm) and micro-sized (0.5 and 6 μm) polystyrene microbeads in the marine copepod Paracyclopina nana, and examined molecular responses to exposure to microbeads with in vivo endpoints such as growth rate and fecundity. Also, we proposed an adverse outcome pathway for microplastic exposure that covers molecular and individual levels. This study provides the first insight into the mode of action in terms of microplastic-induced oxidative stress and related signaling pathways in P. nana.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Cerebral ischemia resulting from transient or permanent cerebral artery occlusion leads to neuronal cell death, and eventually causes neurological impairments. Tadalafil (Cialis
®) is a long-acting ...phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction. The therapeutic effects of PDE-5 inhibitors on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, prostate hyperplasia, hypertension, and coronary heart disease have been reported. The present study investigated the effects of tadalafil on short-term memory, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) level, apoptotic neuronal cell death, and cell proliferation in the hippocampus following transient global ischemia in gerbils. For this study, a step-down avoidance task, cGMP assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay, and immunohistochemistry for caspase-3 and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine were performed. The results revealed that ischemic injury increased apoptotic neuronal cell death in the hippocampal CA1 region, impaired short-term memory, and decreased cGMP level. Ischemic injury enhanced cell proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Tadalafil treatment improved short-term memory by suppressing ischemia-induced apoptotic neuronal cell death in the hippocampal CA1 region, and decreased cGMP level. Also, tadalafil suppressed the ischemia-induced increase in cell proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. We showed that tadalafil can overcome ischemia-induced apoptotic neuronal cell death, thus facilitates recovery following ischemic cerebral injury.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The rambling and trembling analysis separates the center of pressure (COP) fluctuations into two components: rambling (supraspinal contribution) and trembling (muscle stiffness / reflexive properties ...contribution). We examined whether the trembling component is correlated to the contractile properties (muscle stiffness and contraction time) of lower limb superficial skeletal muscles to experimentally test the rambling and trembling hypothesis. We hypothesized that muscle stiffness and contraction time, would be: (a) more correlated with; and (b) have a greater impact on the trembling component compared to the rambling component. Thirty-two healthy young adults were recruited for the study and tensiomyography was used to assess mechanical muscle responses to a single electrical stimulus to calculate muscle stiffness and contraction time based on radial muscle belly displacement measurements of lower limb muscles unilaterally. Moreover, upright postural control was assessed using a force plate to record ground reaction forces and moments and calculate the COP fluctuations during two 30 seconds trials. From the COP fluctuations, rambling and trembling time series were extracted, and all fluctuation time series were described using a number of different time-domain and frequency-domain parameters in both the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions. Our results demonstrated that both muscle stiffness and contraction time were moderately correlated with time-domain and frequency-domain parameters of the trembling component, as compared with those of the rambling component which was not as well correlated. Moreover, they also predicted the trembling component better. Overall, these results imply that postural control during quiet stance is, in part, related to intrinsic muscle stiffness in the lower extremities. Moreover, we showed that the rambling and trembling hypothesis is effective in separating postural sway fluctuations during upright posture to extract the contributions of muscle stiffness / reflexive properties (trembling), and likely the supraspinal contribution (rambling).
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Recent advances in flexible and stretchable electronics have led to a surge of electronic skin (e-skin)–based health monitoring platforms. Conventional wireless e-skins rely on rigid integrated ...circuit chips that compromise the overall flexibility and consume considerable power. Chip-less wireless e-skins based on inductor-capacitor resonators are limited to mechanical sensors with low sensitivities. We report a chip-less wireless e-skin based on surface acoustic wave sensors made of freestanding ultrathin single-crystalline piezoelectric gallium nitride membranes. Surface acoustic wave–based e-skin offers highly sensitive, low-power, and long-term sensing of strain, ultraviolet light, and ion concentrations in sweat. We demonstrate weeklong monitoring of pulse. These results present routes to inexpensive and versatile low-power, high-sensitivity platforms for wireless health monitoring devices.
Chip-less electronic skin
Flexible electronic materials, or e-skins, can be limited by the need to include rigid components. A range of techniques have emerged to bypass this problem, including approaches for wireless communication and charging based on silicon, carbon nanotubes, or conducting polymers. Kim
et al
. show that epitaxially grown, single-crystalline gallium nitride films on flexible substrates can be used for chip-less, flexible e-skins. The main advantage is that the material is flexible and breathable, thus providing better comfort. The devices convert electrical energy into surface acoustic waves using a piezoelectric resonator. The resonator is sensitive to changes in strain, mass changes due to the absorption or loss of ions, and ultraviolet light, all of which can be used for different sensing measurements. —MSL
Single-crystalline gallium nitride nanomembranes enable high-sensitivity surface acoustic wave sensors for wireless electronic skin.
To examine the interrelationship of aging extension and modification of lipid metabolism under chronic caloric restriction (CCR; reduced concentration of the green algae Tetraselmis suecica) in the ...monogonont rotifer Brachionus koreanus, we assessed life cycle parameters, fatty acid composition, and expression of sirtuin and genes related to lipid metabolism. B. koreanus in the 5% T. suecica group showed an increased life span but decreased reproduction. Based on this finding, we chose 5% T. suecica for further experiments and compared the data with those for 100% T. suecica. Upregulation of sirtuin gene expression was observed under CCR. In addition, despite the reduction in the amount of total fatty acid (FA) and the area of triacylglycerol, increases in the ratios of saturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) to total FA in 5%-exposed B. koreanus were observed. Furthermore, mRNA expression analysis confirmed that CCR promoted the synthesis of MUFA through Δ9 desaturase. Moreover, expression of the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) synthesizing gene Δ4 desaturase was also upregulated, together with DHA content. These data suggest that CCR modified protein acetylation and lipid metabolism, leading to a decrease in reproduction and consequently resulting in life span extension.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Key points
Xenon (Xe) non‐competitively inhibited whole‐cell excitatory glutamatergic current (IGlu) and whole‐cell currents gated by ionotropic glutamate receptors (IAMPA, IKA, INMDA), but had no ...effect on inhibitory GABAergic whole‐cell current (IGABA).
Xe decreased only the frequency of glutamatergic spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents without changing the amplitude or decay times of these synaptic responses.
Xe decreased the amplitude of both the action potential‐evoked excitatory and the action potential‐evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs and eIPSCs, respectively) via a presynaptic inhibition in transmitter release.
We conclude that the main site of action of Xe is presynaptic in both excitatory and inhibitory synapses, and that the Xe inhibition is much greater for eEPSCs than for eIPSCs.
To clarify how xenon (Xe) modulates excitatory and inhibitory whole‐cell and synaptic responses, we conducted an electrophysiological experiment using the ‘synapse bouton preparation’ dissociated mechanically from the rat hippocampal CA3 region. This technique can evaluate pure single‐ or multi‐synapse responses and enabled us to accurately quantify how Xe influences pre‐ and postsynaptic aspects of synaptic transmission. Xe inhibited whole‐cell glutamatergic current (IGlu) and whole‐cell currents gated by the three subtypes of glutamate receptor (IAMPA, IKA and INMDA). Inhibition of these ionotropic currents occurred in a concentration‐dependent, non‐competitive and voltage‐independent manner. Xe markedly depressed the slow steady current component of IAMPA almost without altering the fast phasic IAMPA component non‐desensitized by cyclothiazide. It decreased current frequency without affecting the amplitude and current kinetics of glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. It decreased the amplitude, increasing the failure rate (Rf) and paired‐pulse rate (PPR) without altering the current kinetics of glutamatergic action potential‐evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents. Thus, Xe has a clear presynaptic effect on excitatory synaptic transmission. Xe did not alter the GABA‐induced whole‐cell current (IGABA). It decreased the frequency of GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents without changing the amplitude and current kinetics. It decreased the amplitude and increased the PPR and Rf of the GABAergic action potential‐evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents without altering the current kinetics. Thus, Xe acts exclusively at presynaptic sites at the GABAergic synapse. In conclusion, our data indicate that a presynaptic decrease of excitatory transmission is likely to be the major mechanism by which Xe induces anaesthesia, with little contribution of effects on GABAergic synapses.
Key points
Xenon (Xe) non‐competitively inhibited whole‐cell excitatory glutamatergic current (IGlu) and whole‐cell currents gated by ionotropic glutamate receptors (IAMPA, IKA, INMDA), but had no effect on inhibitory GABAergic whole‐cell current (IGABA).
Xe decreased only the frequency of glutamatergic spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents without changing the amplitude or decay times of these synaptic responses.
Xe decreased the amplitude of both the action potential‐evoked excitatory and the action potential‐evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs and eIPSCs, respectively) via a presynaptic inhibition in transmitter release.
We conclude that the main site of action of Xe is presynaptic in both excitatory and inhibitory synapses, and that the Xe inhibition is much greater for eEPSCs than for eIPSCs.
Full text
Available for:
FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Beam steering with solid-state devices represents the cutting-edge technology for next-generation LiDARs and free-space communication transceivers. Here we demonstrate a platform based on a metalens ...on a 2D array of switchable silicon microring emitters. This platform enables scalable, efficient, and compact devices that steer in two dimensions using a single wavelength. We show a field of view of 12.4° × 26.8° using an electrical power of less than 83 mW, offering a solution for practical miniature beam steerers.
Cigarette smoke (CS) substances are known to induce diverse ailments such as cancer, decreased immunity, and lung diseases. Although some studies have been actively conducted to evaluate cigarette ...toxicity, the current animal exposure methods, that is, exposure of 28‐ or 90‐days, require considerable research cost and lead to obscure results of the CS effects. In a previous study, we compared the effects of CS in a rat model of bleomycin (BLM) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced lung disease. We determined that compared to the LPS‐induced rat model, the BLM‐induced rat model was more sensitive to alterations in secreting cytokines and total cell number. In the current study, we further confirmed the time‐point of effective inhalation exposure by CS in the BLM‐induced lung injury rat model. Using an automatic video instillator, rats were administered a single dose of 2.5 mg/kg BLM (day 1), and subsequently exposed to CS via inhalation (nose‐only) 4 h/day, for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained from the right lung lobes, total cell numbers were counted, and chemokine and cytokine expressions were evaluated using Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay. For the 1‐week exposure, we observed a greater increase of neutrophils in the BLM + CS 300 μg/L group than in the BLM or CS 300 μg/L groups. Exposure of CS in the BLM‐induced lung injury rat model enhanced the secretions of chemokines and cytokines, such as CCL2/MCP‐1, CXCL2/MIP‐2 and TNF‐α, at 1 week. Immunohistochemistry and Hematoxylin and Eosin staining of lungs at 1–2 weeks after exposure clearly confirmed this tendency in the increased levels of CCL2/MCP‐1 and TNF‐α. Taken together, these results indicate that the rat model of BLM‐induced lung injury is more sensitive to CS exposure than other rat models, and may be an appropriate model to evaluate the effect of CS exposure at 1–2 weeks.
Full text
Available for:
FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
PDF
