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•HMF yield of 30.4 Cmol% (∼20 wt%) from bread waste was achieved at 180 °C in 20 min.•SBC loading, temperature, and reaction time controlled starch conversion route.•HMF yield was in ...line with the total acidity density (TAD) of SBC.•TAD of recovered biochar catalysts was inversely correlated with humins content.•With regeneration, SBC displayed comparable performance and excellent recyclability.
Sulfonated biochar derived from forestry wood waste was employed for the catalytic conversion of starch-rich food waste (e.g., bread) into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Chemical and physical properties of catalyst were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, and elemental analysis. The conversion of HMF was investigated via controlling the reaction parameters such as catalyst loading, temperature, and reaction time. Under the optimum reaction conditions the HMF yield of 30.4 Cmol% (i.e., 22 wt% of bread waste) was achieved in the mixture of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)/deionized-water (DIW) at 180 °C in 20 min. The effectiveness of sulfonated biochar catalyst was positively correlated to the density of strong/weak Brønsted acidity (SO3H, COOH, and OH groups) and inversely correlated to humins content on the surface. With regeneration process, sulfonated biochar catalyst displayed excellent recyclability for comparable HMF yield from bread waste over five cycles.
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•Theory of planned behaviour for waste recycling is built on interview and questionnaire.•Regulatory compliance and Economic incentives determine recycling intention.•Industry ...concerns Regulatory compliance while Public concerns Economic incentives.•Recognition of Accreditation scheme is needed to facilitate closed-loop material flow.
Changing individual’s recycling attitude and behaviour is of utmost importance in achieving sustainable construction and demolition (C&D) waste management, yet it has often been underachieved. To understand the motivations for recycling, this study identifies and prioritizes the key factors that affect C&D waste recycling behaviour of various stakeholders in Hong Kong (i.e., representatives from construction-waste-related organizations, environmental consultants and contractors, and government engineers) in a quantitative manner using statistical tools. Different from traditional C&D waste behavioural determinants studies, this paper utilizes an integrated analytical method through semi-structured interviews and survey questionnaire on the basis of Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Qualitative thematic analysis and quantitative frequency analysis were performed to analyse responses from semi-structured interviews and questionnaires, followed by correlation analysis to quantify the relationships between factors. Results indicated that four key factors: (i) regulatory compliance, (ii) economic incentives, (iii) accreditation scheme, and (iv) logistics and management incentives directly influenced recycling behaviour of individuals. Regulatory compliance was the most determining factor for consultants, contractors, experts, and government officials, whereas economic incentives were of great concern to the public. Under the factor of economic incentives, strong positive relationships were identified between disposal costs and collection and sorting costs, thus increasing waste disposal charging fee may promote recycling behaviour. In comparison, accreditation scheme deserved better recognition to facilitate a closed-loop material flow in the construction industry. These findings help to devise more effective and stakeholder-oriented policy tools to raise awareness and encourage behavioural change towards C&D waste recycling, and assist policy makers to establish regulations and practices for sustainable resource management.
Aluminium-biochar composites (Al biochars) were devised to serve as a novel heterogeneous catalyst for isomerisation of glucose to fructose to achieve sustainable biorefineries. A series of Al ...biochars were synthesised from waste wood biomass, by varying the Al loading (10 or 20 wt%), pyrolysis temperature (from 500 to 750 °C), and purge gas (N 2 or CO 2 ). Their physicochemical properties, e.g. , surface area, porosity, crystalline/amorphous structure, thermal stability, elemental composition, metal speciation, and acid/base site density, can be tuned by adjusting the pyrolysis conditions. As for their catalytic activity, 21.5 mol% fructose (selectivity 73.8 mol%) can be obtained from glucose conversion over Al biochar, after only 5 min heating at 160 °C in acetone/H 2 O as the medium. Such performance was comparable to those of costly advanced inorganic solid catalysts in the literature. Aluminium species in Al biochars were the major contributor of their catalytic activity, as fructose yield increased by 60% with increasing Al loading. In particular, active Al sites located on the biochar surface contributed to approximately 70% of the system activity, whilst the remainder was attributed to Al components leaching to the solution phase under hydrothermal conditions. The possible active species included Al 2 O 3 , Al(OH) 3 , AlO(OH), and Al–O–C moieties in amorphous phases, which may facilitate glucose isomerisation via the Lewis acid-driven mechanism ( i.e. , 1,2-hydride shift). This is the first study synthesising Al-biochar composites for catalytic glucose isomerisation, which demonstrates the high potential of biochar as a mesoporous and simple carbon support in emerging applications beyond environmental remediation.
The Annonaceae, the largest family in the early-divergent order Magnoliales, comprises 107 genera and c. 2,400 species. Previous molecular phylogenetic studies targeting different taxa have generated ...large quantities of partially overlapping DNA sequence data for many species, although a large-scale phylogeny based on the maximum number of representatives has never been reconstructed. We use a supermatrix of eight chloroplast markers (rbcL, matK, ndhF, psbA-trnH, trnL-F, atpB-rbcL, trnS-G and ycf1) to reconstruct the most comprehensive tree to date, including 705 species (29%) from 105 genera (98%). This provides novel insights into the relationships of five enigmatic genera (Bocagea, Boutiquea, Cardiopetalum, Duckeanthus and Phoenicanthus). Fifteen main clades are retrieved in subfamilies Annonoideae and Malmeoideae collectively, 14 of which correspond with currently recognised tribes. Phoenicanthus cannot be accommodated in any existing tribe, however: it is retrieved as sister to a clade comprising the tribes Dendrokingstonieae, Monocarpieae and Miliuseae, and we therefore validate a new tribe, Phoenicantheae. Our results provide strong support for many previously recognised groups, but also indicate non-monophyly of several genera (Desmopsis, Friesodielsia, Klarobelia, Oxandra, Piptostigma and Stenanona). The relationships of these non-monophyletic genera-and two other genera (Froesiodendron and Melodorum) not yet sampled-are discussed, with recommendations for future research.
Aim: African-Asian disjunctions are common in palaeotropical taxa, and are typically explained by reference to three competing hypotheses: (1) 'rafting' on the Indian tectonic plate, enabling ...Africa-to-Asia dispersal; (2) migration via Eocene boreotropical forests; and (3) transoceanic long-distance dispersal. These hypotheses are tested using Uvaria (Annonaceae), which is distributed in tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australasia. Recent phylogenetic reconstructions of the genus show a clear correlation with geographical provenance, indicating a probable origin in Africa and subsequent dispersal to Asia and then Australasia.Ancestral areas and migration routes are inferred and compared with estimates of divergence times in order to distinguish between the prevailing dispersal hypotheses. Location: Palaeotropics. Methods: Divergence times in Uvaria are estimated by analysing the sequences of four DNA regions (matK, psbA-trnH spacer, rbcL and trnL-F) from 59 Uvaria species and 11 outgroup species, using a Bayesian uncorrelated lognormal (UCLD) relaxed molecular clock. The ancestral area of Uvaria and subsequent dispersal routes are inferred using statistical dispersal-vicariance analysis (S-DIVA). Results: Uvaria is estimated to have originated in continental Africa 31.6 Ma 95% highest posterior density (HPD): 38.4-25.1 Ma between the Middle Eocene and Late Oligocene. Two main migration events during the Miocene are identified: dispersal into Madagascar around 17.0 Ma (95% HPD: 22.3-12.3 Ma); and dispersal into Asia between 21.4 Ma (95% HPD: 26.7-16.7 Ma) and 16.1 Ma (95% HPD: 20.1-12.1 Ma). Main conclusions: Uvaria fruits are widely reported to be consumed by primates, and are therefore unlikely candidates for successful long-distance transoceanic dispersal. The other biogeographical hypotheses, involving rafting on the Indian tectonic plate, and dispersal via the European boreotropical forests associated with the Eocene thermal maximum, can be discounted due to incongruence with the divergence time estimates. An alternative scenario is suggested, involving dispersal across Arabia and central Asia via the tropical forests that developed during the late Middle Miocene thermal maximum (17-15 Ma), associated with the ' out-of-Africa' dispersal of primates. The probable route and mechanism of overland dispersal between Africa and Asia for tropical plant groups during the Miocene climatic optimum are clarified based on the Uvaria data.
To close the carbon loop of biomass waste valorization, it is imperative to utilize the unavoidable by-products such as humins, a carbonaceous residue with complex and heterogeneous composition. In ...this study, starch-rich rice waste was effectively converted into value-added chemicals (e.g., 5-hydroxymethylfurfural) under microwave heating at 160 °C using AlCl3 as the catalyst. The solid by-products, i.e., humins, were then valorized as a raw material for fabricating biochar-supported Lewis acid catalysts. The humins were collected and pretreated by AlCl3 as the impregnation agent, followed by carbonization. Detailed characterization revealed several AlO species on the biochar surface plausibly in the amorphous state. The oxygen-containing functional groups of humins might serve as anchoring sites for the Al species during impregnation. The humins-derived biochars exhibited good catalytic activity toward glucose-to-fructose isomerization, a common biorefinery reaction catalyzed by Lewis acids. A fructose yield of up to 14 Cmol% could be achieved under microwave heating at 160 °C for 20 min in water as the greenest solvent. Such catalytic performance was comparable with the previously reported Al-based catalysts derived from wood waste and graphene/graphitic oxide. This study herein highlights humins as a low-cost alternative source of carbon for the preparation of renewable solid catalysts, proposing a novel practice for recycling by-products from food waste valorization to foster circular economy and sustainable development.
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•Valorization of rice waste for HMF production gave humins as a by-product.•Humins-derived biochar catalysts were fabricated via Al impregnation and carbonization.•Biochar catalysts presented AlO species for catalytic glucose-fructose isomerization.•Value-added recycling of humins facilitates a closed carbon loop in biorefineries.
OBJECTIVES:We describe the importance of interprofessional care in modern critical care medicine. This review highlights the essential roles played by specific members of the interprofessional care ...team, including patients and family members, and discusses quality improvement initiatives that require interprofessional collaboration for success.
DATA SOURCES:Studies were identified through MEDLINE search using a variety of search phrases related to interprofessional care, critical care provider types, and quality improvement initiatives. Additional articles were identified through a review of the reference lists of identified articles.
STUDY SELECTION:Original articles, review articles, and systematic reviews were considered.
DATA EXTRACTION:Manuscripts were selected for inclusion based on expert opinion of well-designed or key studies and review articles.
DATA SYNTHESIS:“Interprofessional care” refers to care provided by a team of healthcare professionals with overlapping expertise and an appreciation for the unique contribution of other team members as partners in achieving a common goal. A robust body of data supports improvement in patient-level outcomes when care is provided by an interprofessional team. Critical care nurses, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, respiratory care practitioners, rehabilitation specialists, dieticians, social workers, case managers, spiritual care providers, intensivists, and nonintensivist physicians each provide unique expertise and perspectives to patient care, and therefore play an important role in a team that must address the diverse needs of patients and families in the ICU. Engaging patients and families as partners in their healthcare is also critical. Many important ICU quality improvement initiatives require an interprofessional approach, including Awakening and Breathing Coordination, Delirium, Early Exercise/Mobility, and Family Empowerment bundle implementation, interprofessional rounding practices, unit-based quality improvement initiatives, Patient and Family Advisory Councils, end-of-life care, coordinated sedation awakening and spontaneous breathing trials, intrahospital transport, and transitions of care.
CONCLUSIONS:A robust body of evidence supports an interprofessional approach as a key component in the provision of high-quality critical care to patients of increasing complexity and with increasingly diverse needs.
The detection of silica-rich dust particles, as an indication for ongoing hydrothermal activity, and the presence of water and organic molecules in the plume of Enceladus, have made Saturn's icy moon ...a hot spot in the search for potential extraterrestrial life. Methanogenic archaea are among the organisms that could potentially thrive under the predicted conditions on Enceladus, considering that both molecular hydrogen (H
) and methane (CH
) have been detected in the plume. Here we show that a methanogenic archaeon, Methanothermococcus okinawensis, can produce CH
under physicochemical conditions extrapolated for Enceladus. Up to 72% carbon dioxide to CH
conversion is reached at 50 bar in the presence of potential inhibitors. Furthermore, kinetic and thermodynamic computations of low-temperature serpentinization indicate that there may be sufficient H
gas production to serve as a substrate for CH
production on Enceladus. We conclude that some of the CH
detected in the plume of Enceladus might, in principle, be produced by methanogens.
Cushing's disease requires accurate diagnosis, careful treatment selection, and long-term management to optimise patient outcomes. The Pituitary Society convened a consensus workshop comprising more ...than 50 academic researchers and clinical experts to discuss the application of recent evidence to clinical practice. In advance of the virtual meeting, data from 2015 to present about screening and diagnosis; surgery, medical, and radiation therapy; and disease-related and treatment-related complications of Cushing's disease summarised in recorded lectures were reviewed by all participants. During the meeting, concise summaries of the recorded lectures were presented, followed by small group breakout discussions. Consensus opinions from each group were collated into a draft document, which was reviewed and approved by all participants. Recommendations regarding use of laboratory tests, imaging, and treatment options are presented, along with algorithms for diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome and management of Cushing's disease. Topics considered most important to address in future research are also identified.
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