Comprehensive Characterization of Kukui Nuts as Feedstock for Energy Production in Hawaii.

Fuel properties of oil-bearing kukui () nuts, a commonly found crop in Hawaii and tropical Pacific regions, were comprehensively studied to evaluate their potential for bioenergy production. Proximate and ultimate analyses, heating value, and elemental composition of the seed, shell, and de-oiled seed cake were determined across five sampling locations in Hawaii. The aged and freshly harvested kukui seeds were found to have similar oil contents, ranging from 61 to 64%wt.

LncRNA MALAT1 induced by hyperglycemia promotes microvascular endothelial cell apoptosis through activation of the miR-7641/TPR axis to exacerbate neurologic damage caused by cerebral small vessel disease.

Background: This study aimed to explore the effect of hyperglycemia-induced long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis-associated lung carcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) on microvascular endothelial cell activity. In addition, we investigated the possible downstream molecular regulatory mechanism in order to provide an adjunctive therapeutic target for the prognostic nerve recovery of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).

Methods: A rat model of diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection in combination with a high-energy diet.

Designing FeO@graphite@C Nanocomposites Based on Humins as Efficient Catalysts for Reverse Water-Gas Shift.

Acid-catalyzed conversion of biomass into bio-based platform chemicals such as levulinic acid and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural is an important route in biorefineries, which has attracted much attention in recent years. Such a route however unavoidably yields massive recalcitrant byproducts called humins, which are now broadly considered as waste and are limited to combustion, causing unfavorable energy and environmental processes. Therefore, the development of a value-added utilization approach for such humin byproducts is crucial for making the biorefineries economical and environmentally viable.

Investigation of Biochar Production from Copyrolysis of Rice Husk and Plastic.

Biomass renewable energy has become a major target of the Thailand Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP) since the country's economy is largely based on agricultural production. Rice husk (RH) is one of the most common agricultural residues in Thailand. This research aims to investigate yields and properties of biochar produced from copyrolysis of RH and plastic (high-density polyethylene (HDPE)) at different ratios, temperatures, and holding times.

Fuel Properties of Pongamia () Seeds and Pods Grown in Hawaii.

Pongamia, a leguminous, oilseed-bearing tree, is a potential resource for renewable fuels in general and sustainable aviation fuel in particular. The present work characterizes physicochemical properties of reproductive materials (seeds and pods) from pongamia trees grown in different environments at five locations on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, USA. Proximate and ultimate analyses, heating value, and elemental composition of the seeds, pods, and de-oiled seed cake were determined.

Effects of vegetation and climate on the changes of soil erosion in the Loess Plateau of China.

Soil erosion is simultaneously driven by multiple factors. Identifying the dominant controlling factors and quantifying the contribution of each factor would be helpful to sustain water and soil resources. China's Loess Plateau was taken as an example area to investigate the above issues since it is the most eroded region in the world, and its soil loss is being controlled by a large-scale revegetation program.

Differences in Distribution of Potassium-Solubilizing Bacteria in Forest and Plantation Soils in Myanmar.

Potassium (K) has been recognized as an essential element in intensive agricultural production systems, and deficiency of K usually results in a decrease in crop yields. The utilization of potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB) to increase the soluble K content in soil has been regarded as a desirable pathway to increase plant yields. Following the inoculation of KSB in the soil, potassium can be released (in the form of K⁺) and consumed by plants.

Synthesis of Humin-Phenol-Formaldehyde Adhesive.

Humins are low-value-added byproducts from the biomass acid hydrolysis process. In the present work, humins were first employed as a phenol replacement for synthesis of modified phenol-formaldehyde adhesives through a two-step process. In this process, humins were first utilized to obtain alkaline soluble products, mainly consisting of phenolics, through a hydrothermal process.

Thermodynamic study of (anthracene + phenanthrene) solid state mixtures.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are common components of many materials, such as petroleum and various types of tars. They are generally present in mixtures, occurring both naturally and as byproducts of fuel processing operations. It is important to understand the thermodynamic properties of such mixtures in order to understand better and predict their behavior (, fate and transport) in the environment and in industrial operations.

Thermochemical and Vapor Pressure Behavior of Anthracene and Brominated Anthracene Mixtures.

The present work concerns the thermochemical and vapor pressure behavior of the anthracene (1) + 2-bromoanthracene (2) and anthracene (1) + 9-bromoanthracene (3) systems. Solid-liquid equilibrium temperature and differential scanning calorimetry studies indicate the existence of a minimum melting solid state near an equilibrium temperature of 477.65 K at = 0.

Vapor pressure of three brominated flame retardants determined by using the Knudsen effusion method.

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been used in a variety of consumer products in the past four decades. The vapor pressures for three widely used BFRs, that is, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), and octabromodiphenyl ethers (octaBDEs) mixtures, were determined using the Knudsen effusion method and compared with those of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE209). The values measured extrapolated to 298.

Thermochemical properties and phase behavior of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Knowledge of vapor pressure of organic pollutants is essential in predicting their fate and transport in the environment. In the present study, the vapor pressures of 12 halogenated polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), 9-chlorofluorene, 2,7-dichlorofluorene, 2-bromofluorene, 9-bromofluorene, 2,7-dibromofluorene, 2-bromoanthracene, 9-chlorophenanthrene, 9-bromophenanthrene, 9,10-dibromophenanthrene, 1-chloropyrene, 7-bromobenz[a]anthracene, and 6,12-dibromochrysene, were measured using the Knudsen effusion method over the temperature range of 301 to 464 K. Enthalpies and entropies of sublimation of these compounds were determined via application of the Clausius-Clapeyron equation.

Solid vapor pressure for five heavy PAHs via the Knudsen effusion method.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are compounds resulting from incomplete combustion and many fuel processing operations, and they are commonly found as subsurface environmental contaminants at sites of former manufactured gas plants. Knowledge of their vapor pressures is the key to predict their fate and transport in the environment. The present study involves five heavy PAHs, i.

Vapor pressure of solid polybrominated diphenyl ethers determined via Knudsen effusion method.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants used in a variety of consumer products. The solid vapor pressures of BDE 15 and BDE 209 were determined by using the Knudsen effusion method, and the values measured extrapolated to 298.15 K are 3.

Thermodynamics of Multicomponent PAH Mixtures and Development of Tar-Like Behavior.

This study explores the solid/liquid phase behavior of mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), exploring the transition from non-ideal solid mixtures to a relatively ideal liquid behavior characteristic of "tars". PAH mixtures have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry, melting point analysis and Knudsen effusion. Mixtures of anthracene, pyrene and fluoranthene show behavior that is consistent with other binary PAH mixtures; that is, the initially solid mixture exhibits a significant melting point depression, relative to the pure components, and in a certain range of composition, solid azeotrope behavior on vaporization.

Anthracene + Pyrene Solid Mixtures: Eutectic and Azeotropic Character.

To better characterize the thermodynamic behavior of a binary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixture, thermochemical and vapor pressure experiments were used to examine the phase behavior of the anthracene (1) + pyrene (2) system. A solid-liquid phase diagram was mapped for the mixture. A eutectic point occurs at 404 K at x(1) = 0.

Phase Behavior and Vapor Pressures of the Pyrene + 9,10-Dibromoanthracene System.

The present work concerns the thermochemical and vapor pressure behavior of the pyrene + 9,10-dibromoanthracene system. The phase diagram of the system has been studied using the thaw melt method and the results show the formation of non-eutectic multiphase mixtures. The temperatures of crystallization, and enthalpies of fusion and crystallization of the system were determined by differential scanning calorimetry.