Distribution of gasification products and emission of heavy metals and dioxins from municipal solid waste at the low temperature pyrolysis stage

Gasification is widely regarded as one of the most practical, economical, and environmentally friendly waste disposal technologies for municipal solid waste (MSW). The pyrolysis stage (300-500 °C) is crucial for weight loss during MSW gasification, as a considerable amount of organic matter breaks down, producing high-value synthesis gas. This study investigated the product distribution and pollutant emission characteristics within this temperature range and its influencing factors during MSW gasification using a self-designed MSW gasification device. Results indicated that MSW underwent approximately 70% weight loss within this temperature range, yielding low amounts of inorganic and short-chain organic products, with mainly long-chain organic compounds of C16-C34. The atmosphere variation had minimal effect on the elemental composition and content of solid phase products. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses showed that Mn and Zn were the primary components of heavy metal leaching toxicity in solid phase products, with their contents increasing as temperature increased. Synthesis gas showed the highest content of heavy metal As element, reaching a peak at 400 °C. Higher gasification temperature and lower oxygen flow rate significantly reduced the dioxin content and I-TEQ values, with highly chlorinated isomers being the predominant dioxin isomers. Nonetheless, low-chlorinated dioxins accounted for more than 50% of the I-TEQ. This study improves our understanding of the gasification process of MSW.

Influence of inherent minerals on metalworking fluids sludge pyrolysis: Products characterization and heavy metals behavior

Safely and appropriately disposing of metalworking fluids sludge (MFS) remains a challenge owing to its highly hazardous properties, this work investigated MFS pyrolysis at various temperatures (500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 °C) for energy recovery and safety treatment of MFS. The experimental results indicated that inherent minerals at higher temperatures could enhance the gas yields and promote the qualities of oil and gas from MFS pyrolysis. The highest pyrolysis gas yield was achieved at 18.86 wt% after MFS pyrolysis at 900 °C. GC-MS analysis revealed that the inherent minerals facilitated a decrease in oxygenated and nitrogenated compounds within the oil, while simultaneously leading to a substantial increase in hydrocarbon contents. Notably, the highest content of aromatics (61.16%) was attained during pyrolysis at 900 °C. Moreover, inherent minerals improved carbon sequestration and the characteristics of biochar during the MFS pyrolysis. The leaching contents of heavy metals in biochars were reduced, thereby reducing the heavy metals associated environmental risk. This research suggests that the pyrolysis process was a promising approach for simultaneous energy recovery and MFS disposal with low environmental risk.

Factors in consumers' purchase intention for Gejia batik

In China's vigorous development and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, the sustainability and acceptability of intangible cultural heritage products have become a controversial subject. This study aims to explore the relationship between batik product qualia factors and the purchase intention for batik products and exammine the mediating role of consumer attitude in the relationship. We adopted quantitative research methods and used SPSS 26 and Process 2.15 software to test our hypotheses. We conducted extensive surveys of consumers of different ages, genders, income levels, and educational backgrounds, and finally, a total of 381 valid questionnaires were collected. The results showed that batik products' creativity, delicacy, beauty, and eco-friendliness were significantly and positively related to consumers' attitudes. In addition, creativity, beauty, and eco-friendliness, but not delicacy, were significantly and positively associated with consumers' purchase intention. Consumer attitude plays an intermediary role between qualia factors and purchase intention. This study analyzes Gejia batik from the perspective of qualia factors, breaking through the limitations of previous studies on the aspects of heritage protection and environmental protection. The study's results can inspire batik manufacturers or designers to enhance the competitiveness of batik design products in the tourism market.

First principles molecular dynamics simulation and thermal decomposition kinetics study of CL-20

CONTEXT

2,4,6,8,10, 12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10, 12-hexazepane (CL-20) is a new energetic material with high performance and low sensitivity. In-depth study of the thermal decomposition mechanism of CL-20 is a necessary condition to improve its performance, ensure its safety, and optimize its application. On the basis of a large number of empirical force fields used in molecular dynamics simulation in the past, the machine learning augmented first-principles molecular dynamics method was used for the first time to simulate the thermal decomposition reaction of CL-20 at 2200 K, 2500 K, 2800 K, and 3000 K isothermal temperature. The main stable resulting compounds are N2, CO2, CO, H2O, andH2, where CO2 and H2O continue to decompose at higher temperatures. The initial decomposition pathways are denitration by N-N fracture, ring-opening by C-N bond fracture, and redox reaction involving NO2 and CL-20. After ring opening, two main compounds, fused tricyclic pyrazine and azadicyclic, were formed, which were decomposed continuously to form monocyclic pyrazine and pyrazole ring structures. The most common fragments formed during decomposition are those containing two, three, four, and six carbons. The formation rule and quantity of main small molecule intermediates and resulting stable products under different simulated temperatures were analyzed.

METHODS

Based on ab initio Bayesian active learning algorithm, efficient and accurate prediction of CL-20 is made using the dynamic machine learning function of Vienna Ab-Initio Simulation Package (VASP), which constructs the energy potential surface by learning a large number of data based on AIMD calculations. The result is a machine learning force field (MLFF). Then the molecular dynamics of CL-20 was simulated using the trained MLFF model. PAW pseudopotentials and generalized gradient approximation (GGA), namely, Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) functional, are used in the calculation. The plane wave truncation energy (ENCUT) is set to 550 eV, and using the Gaussian broadening, the thermal broadening size of the single-electron orbital is 0.05 eV. A van der Waals revision of the system with Grimme Version 3. The energy convergence accuracy (EDIFF) of electron self-consistent iteration is set to 1E-5 eV and 1E-6 eV, respectively. The two-step structure optimization is carried out using 1'1'1 k point grid and conjugate gradient method. The ENCUT was changed to 500 eV and EDIFF to 1E-5 eV, and NVT integration (ISIF = 2) of Langevin thermostat was used for machine learning force field training and AIMD simulation of the system.

Commentary: Patient Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence; What have We Learned and How Should We Move Forward?

Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has now begun to make its contributions to real-world patient care with varying degrees of both public and clinical acceptability around it. The heavy investment from governments, industry and academia needed to reach this point has helped to surface different perspectives on AI. As clinical AI applications become a reality, however, there is an increasing need to harness and integrate patient perspectives, which address the distinct needs of different populations, healthcare systems and clinical problems more closely. Despite this need, patient perspectives on AI implementation have little presence in academic literature and within implementation science and are not sufficiently considered throughout the MedTech and eHealthtech product development cycle, which brings its own challenges and opportunities. This joint patient expert/clinician commentary aims to briefly summarise views on AI. It reflects upon recommendations on how stakeholders such as clinicians and Health & MedTech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can make practical usage of these views. The recommendations of the authors centre around how to work better with patients to enable both product centric and patient centric innovation and person-centred care.

Production practice, microbial quality and consumer acceptability test of traditionally produced butter in North Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

'The study was conducted to evaluate the production practices and microbial quality of butter produced in North Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. The result of the study revealed that the educational status of households in the study area was 53.3% illiterate, 33.9% in elementary school, and 12.8% in high school. In the study area, 76.7% of the farmers dip their fingers into the milk during milking. Butter was taken to market by packing with plant leaves (30.6%), plastic sheet (11.1%), or plant and plastic sheet alternatively (58.3%). About 12.2% of the farmers do not treat the water. The practise of treating underground water with chlorine accounts for 82.9% of the study area. A total of 180 respondents were randomly selected for the survey from six purposefully selected kebeles in the Wachale district. A total of 34 butter samples (thirty from three open markets, equally ten from each, two butter samples from cooperatives, and two laboratory made butter samples) were collected and analyzed. The aerobic mesophilic bacteria count was significantly (P < 0.05) higher (6.48 log cfu/g) in butter samples from Muke Turi than Wabari (6.36 log cfu/g). The coliform count was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in laboratory made butter (2.96 log cfu/g) than others. The Escherichia coli count was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in butter sample collected from Muke Turi (3.46 log cfu/g) than Wabari (3.29 log cfu/g). Staphylococcus aureus was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Gimbichu butter (5.46 log cfu/g) samples. Listeria monocytogenes was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Gimbichu butter, whereas no count of this colony was found in the cooperative and prototype butter samples. The color and aroma of butter made in laboratory have a significantly (P < 0.05) higher score than butter collected from open market. The microbial qualities of butter from three open markets except Gimbichu were substandard. The butter sample from the prototype was relatively compliant with the microbial quality standard, an indication of possibilities for improvement.

Recent advancements in machine vision methods for product code recognition: A systematic review

Background: Manufacturing markings printed on products play an important role in the handling and use of pharmaceuticals and perishable foods. Currently, optical character recognition, neural networks, deep learning-based methods, and combinations of these methods are used to recognize these codes. Methods: This systematic review was performed to find papers that can answer the following research questions: How have machine vision methods that can recognize product texts evolved over the past eight years? What are the most common difficulties in recognizing product texts? Articles published between 2012 and 2020 were systematically searched from Science Direct/SCOPUS, and Google Scholar in November-December 2020. Ten studies were eligible, with inclusion criteria: details about the recognition method used, performance analysis result, imaging method, product and the text printed on it. Results: Product text recognition methods have evolved significantly over the last two years to tolerate the most common difficulties in the field. This is due to the ability of the deep learning neural network (DNN) architectures such as convolutional neural networks (CNN) to extract and learn salient character features straight from packaging surface images. Four of the most recent methods use two consecutive deep learning networks, one detecting the text area based on an image captured from the product package's surface and the other recognizing the characters within. Furthermore, this paper presents solutions to the most common product text recognition difficulties. Conclusions: There were a limited number of studies that met the eligibility criteria for this systematic review. The study's aim was to evaluate the development of machine vision methods for recognizing manufacturing marking texts printed on the surface of products. The study results demonstrated how methods have evolved over time, beginning with optical character recognition, and advancing to methods which can recognize texts despite the field's most common problems.

Modelling of environmental impacts of printed self-healing products

Products utilising self-healing materials have the potential to restore some of their function following damage, thereby extending the product lifespan and contributing to waste prevention and increased product safety. Despite the growing interest in these products, there a lack of comprehensive studies on the environmental implications of self-healing products and the parameters that influence impacts. The study presented in this paper combined life cycle assessment combined with a Taguchi experimental design and analysis of variance to investigate the effect of various parameters across the life stages of a self-healing composite product manufactured by 3D printing using poly-lactic acid (PLA) and self-healing polyurethane (PU). The results of this study suggests that impacts are primarily affected by avoided production due to the increased service of the product, followed by electricity requirements and material deposition rate (efficiency) of 3D printing. In the case of water consumption raw material manufacturing of PLA and PU are the highest and hence should be a target for research on reducing their water footprint. When comparing self-healing vs. regular products it is evident that most of the impacts are dominated by the electricity consumption of the manufacturing process. These results suggest that maximising avoided production can play a major role in reducing impacts of 3D printed products. The results are important for maximising the circularity of additive manufacturing products while minimising their life cycle impact.

Probing the potentiality of the defoliator Cricula trifenestrata Helfer silk: a revisit

BACKGROUND

Transformation of pest to valuable product is considered to be a noteworthy innovation. This article explores the potentiality of wild silkworm Cricula trifenestrata Helfer for sustainable development towards human livelihoods.

RESULTS

The innate characteristics of this silkworm with robust rearing capacity have bestowed various aspects of biomaterials with special context to diversification of wild silk products. Views on challenges, prospects and the enigma of converting a pest to beneficial product are also unraveled. Exploration on utmost utilization of raw silk, scope for varied byproduct from silk waste may contribute a ray of hope for income generation to the rural population.

CONCLUSION

With suitable plantation and congenial climatic conditions for rearing Cricula trifenestrata may serve as an alternative wild silk in contributing to the country's wild raw silk production.

Trauma quality indicators: internationally approved core factors for trauma management quality evaluation

INTRODUCTION

Quality in medical care must be measured in order to be improved. Trauma management is part of health care, and by definition, it must be checked constantly. The only way to measure quality and outcomes is to systematically accrue data and analyze them.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic revision of the literature about quality indicators in trauma associated to an international consensus conference RESULTS: An internationally approved base core set of 82 trauma quality indicators was obtained: Indicators were divided into 6 fields: prevention, structure, process, outcome, post-traumatic management, and society integrational effects.

CONCLUSION

Present trauma quality indicator core set represents the result of an international effort aiming to provide a useful tool in quality evaluation and improvement. Further improvement may only be possible through international trauma registry development. This will allow for huge international data accrual permitting to evaluate results and compare outcomes.

Promoting Competition in Drug Pricing: A Review of Recent Congressional Legislation

Brand-name prescription drug manufacturers use various strategies to extend their market exclusivity periods by delaying generic or biosimilar competition. Recent Congressional legislation has targeted four such tactics. We analyze these proposals and assess their likely effect on competition in the U.S. drug market.

Product-Specific Impact of Viscosity Modulating Formulation Excipients During Ultra-High Concentration Biotherapeutics Drug Product Development

Developing ultra-high concentration biotherapeutics drug products can be challenging due to increased viscosity, processing, and stability issues. Excipients used to alleviate these concerns are traditionally evaluated at lower protein concentrations. This study investigates whether classically known modulators of stability and viscosity at low (<50 mg/mL) to high (>50 - 150 mg/mL) protein concentrations are beneficial in ultra-high (>150 mg/mL) concentration protein formulations and drug products. This study evaluates the effect of arginine monohydrochloride, proline, and lysine monohydrochloride on viscosity and concentratability at different high and ultra-high protein concentrations using a monoclonal antibody, mAbN, formulation as a candidate protein system. The effect of excipients on the viscosity and concentratability (rate and extent) was different at high versus ultra-high protein concentrations. These results highlight that classical excipients in literature known to modulate protein interactions at low protein concentrations and reduce viscosity at high protein concentrations may need to be evaluated at target protein concentrations in a product-specific manner while developing ultra-high concentration biologics drug products.

Transformation of adenine and cytosine in chlorination - An ESI-tqMS investigation

The interaction of chlorine with nitrogenous constituents in water is being concerned due to the formation of relatively toxic nitrogenous disinfection byproducts during chlorine disinfection. In this study, the transformation pathways of the chlorination of adenine and cytosine are proposed based on the products analysis using a collision-energy-dependent method on triple quadrupole mass spectrometry coupled with electrospray ionization. Products with multiple chlorine addition on the heterocyclic ring and on the aliphatic amine were observed during the chlorination of adenine and cytosine. The primary amine functional group in adenine and cytosine can undergo chlorine substitution to form N-chloramine and undergo hydrolysis of the C-N bond to form carbonyl derivative. The transformation of adenine and cytosine depends on pH and the chlorine to precursor (Cl/P) ratio. An 8-chloro derivative of adenine was observed at pH 4, but not at pH 7. Substitution of 1-2 chlorine atoms for the hydrogen atoms in the N-heterocyclic ring was observed during adenine chlorination compared to substitution of 1-4 chlorine atoms during cytosine chlorination. Chlorination of adenine also led to ring cleavage products. Both 5-chlorocytosine and 4-N-chlorocytosine were identified as cytosine transformation products. At pH 7 and a Cl/P molar ratio of 2, the major products of chlorination of cytosine were found to be aromatic chloro-compounds, not aliphatic N-chloramine. The results of this study are significant for understanding the transformation mechanisms of compounds containing both N-heterocyclic and primary amines due to chlorination.

Development and Innovation of Ganoderma Industry and Products in China

Ganoderma (Lingzhi) has been used as a medicinal mushroom to promote health in China for more than 2000 years. The modern research and development of Ganoderma industry started from the 1950s, in which the successful cultivation of Ganoderma fruiting body and submerged fermentation of Ganoderma mycelium lay the critical foundation for the industry development. Recent decades have witnessed the rapid development of Ganoderma industry, which is boosted through various efforts made by the government, the academia, and the industry. In this chapter, the development of Ganoderma industry in China is reviewed in terms of gross output, standards, scientific articles, patents, and associations. In addition, development of Ganoderma products and manufacturing technologies are also overviewed and summarized. In the last section, several innovation trends are suggested for the further development of Ganoderma industry.

Oxidation of β-blockers by birnessite: Kinetics, mechanism and effect of metal ions

Manganese dioxides are ubiquitous in natural waters, soils, and sediments and play an important role in oxidative transformation of organic pollutants. This work presents the kinetics of the oxidation of selected β-blockers, betaxolol, metoprolol, and atenolol by birnessite (δ-MnO₂) as a function of concentration of the β-blocker, dosage of δ-MnO₂, and solution pH. The values of pseudo-first-order rate constants (k_obs) of β-blockers decreased in the order betaxolol > atenolol > metoprolol, which was positively correlated with their acid dissociation constants (K_a). Effect of series of metal ions (Fe³⁺, Cr³⁺, Al³⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺) on the degradation of β-blockers by δ-MnO₂ was systematically examined. All of these metal ions inhibited the oxidation reaction under the same constant ionic strength. The inhibition efficiency was positively correlated with the logarithm of stability constant of metal ions in aqueous solution (logK_MeOH). By LC-ESI-MS/MS analyses, the oxidation of β-blockers primarily involved hydroxylation and cleavage of the parent molecules to the short branched chain compounds. An electron transfer mechanism for the oxidation of β-blockers by δ-MnO₂ was proposed. The oxidation was initiated by the electron transfer from the nonbonding electrons on nitrogen (N-electrons) of β-blockers to δ-MnO₂, followed by transformation of radical intermediates. These findings will help to understand the oxidation processes of β-blockers and predict the effect of metal ions on the removal of pollutants by δ-MnO₂ in the environment.

From the EU Legislation to the Application of the Single European Code: Support to the Implementation

The Italian National Transplant Centre (CNT) is coordinating with the Italian National Blood Centre (CNS) the Joint Action '!' (www.eurocet128.eu), already built the European Tissue Establishment and Tissue and Cell Product Compendia between 2011 and 2014 in order to provide European Member States with a tool which would grant traceability of tissues and cells at human transplant purpose across the European Union. The two compendia are available on an online platform hosted and managed by the European Commission.

Herbal products containing Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Crataegus spp., and Panax spp.: Labeling and safety concerns

Herbs have been used from ancient times for infusion preparation based on their potential health effects. In particular, the consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Crataegus spp. and Panax spp. has been largely associated to cardiovascular benefits. In this work, the label information of 52 herbal products for infusion preparation containing the referred herbs was analyzed and discussed, taking into consideration the European Union regulation for herbal products, which intends to protect public health and harmonize the legal framework in Member States. Details about the cardiovascular-related statements and warning notifications about consumption were considered. Also, regulatory issues and possible herb-drug interactions were explored and discussed. A total of 14 of the 52 herbal products selected presented health claims/statements on the label. Hibiscus was present in the majority of the products and, in some cases, it was mentioned only in the ingredients list and not on the product front-of-pack. Despite the promising outcomes of these plants to modulate cardiovascular risk markers, consumers with some sort of cardiovascular dysfunction and/or under medication treatments should be aware to carefully analyze the labels and consult additional information related to these herbal products. Manufacturers have also a huge responsibility to inform consumers by presenting awareness statements. Lastly, health professionals must advise and alert their patients about possible interactions that could occur between the concomitant consumption of drugs and herbs. Overall, there is still a real need of additional studies and clinical trials to better understand herbs effects and establish a science-based guidance to assess their safety.

Pyrolysis of corn stalk biomass briquettes in a scaled-up microwave technology

Pyrolysis of corn stalk biomass briquettes was carried out in a developed microwave (MW) reactor supplied with 2.45GHz frequency using 3kW power generator. MW power and biomass loading were the key parameters investigated in this study. Highest bio-oil, biochar, and gas yield of 19.6%, 41.1%, and 54.0% was achieved at different process condition. In terms of quality, biochar exhibited good heating value (32MJ/kg) than bio-oil (2.47MJ/kg). Bio-oil was also characterised chemically using FTIR and GC-MS method. This work may open new dimension towards development of large-scale MW pyrolysis technology.

Social Marketing as a Framework for Youth Physical Activity Initiatives: a 10-Year Retrospective on the Legacy of CDC's VERB Campaign

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In 2002, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the VERB. It's what you do! campaign to increase physical activity among tweens and concomitantly respond to the rise in childhood obesity. This retrospective study summarizes the history of the VERB campaign's social marketing approach and its effectiveness in promoting behavior change in the targeted population.

RECENT FINDINGS

The legacy of VERB, which ended in 2006, is discussed, with an emphasis on examining initiatives over the last decade and the degree to which they followed (or did not follow) the structural and thematic lead of the campaign. The article ends with suggestions for how VERB still has the potential to inform other social marketing campaigns going forward.

Chlorination of oxybenzone: Kinetics, transformation, disinfection byproducts formation, and genotoxicity changes

UV filters are a kind of emerging contaminant, and their transformation behavior in water treatment processes has aroused great concern. In particular, toxic products might be produced during reaction with disinfectants during the disinfection process. As one of the most widely used UV filters, oxybenzone has received significant attention, because its transformation and toxicity changes during chlorine oxidation are a concern. In our study, the reaction between oxybenzone and chlorine followed pseudo-first-order and second-order kinetics. Three transformation products were detected by LC-MS/MS, and the stability of products followed the order of tri-chloro-methoxyphenoyl > di-chlorinated oxybenzone > mono-chlorinated oxybenzone. Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) including chloroform, trichloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid and chloral hydrate were quickly formed, and increased at a slower rate until their concentrations remained constant. The maximum DBP/oxybenzone molar yields for the four compounds were 12.02%, 6.28%, 0.90% and 0.23%, respectively. SOS/umu genotoxicity test indicated that genotoxicity was highly elevated after chlorination, and genotoxicity showed a significantly positive correlation with the response of tri-chloro-methoxyphenoyl. Our results indicated that more genotoxic transformation products were produced in spite of the elimination of oxybenzone, posing potential threats to drinking water safety. This study shed light on the formation of DBPs and toxicity changes during the chlorination process of oxybenzone.

What matters to infrequent customers: a pragmatic approach to understanding perceived value and intention to revisit trendy coffee café

Notwithstanding the rise of trendy coffee café, little is done to investigate revisit intention towards the café in the context of developing markets. In particular, there is a lack of study which provides theoretical and practical explanation to the perceptions and behaviours of infrequent customers. Hence, the study aims to look into the subject matter by using the theory of reasoned action and social exchange theory as the underpinning basis. The framework proposed by Pine and Gilmore (Strat Leadersh 28:18–23, 2000), which asserts the importance of product quality, service quality and experience quality in a progressive manner, is used to decompose perceived value in the model so as to determine their effects on intention to revisit the café. Given the importance to gain practical insights into revisit intention of infrequent customers, pragmatism stance is assumed. Explanatory sequential mixed-method design is thus adopted whereby qualitative approach is used to confirm and complement quantitative findings. Self-administered questionnaire-based survey is first administered before personal interview is carried out at various cafés. Partial least squares structural equation modelling and content analysis are appropriated successively. In the quantitative findings, although product quality, service quality and experience quality are found to have positive effect on perceived value and revisit intention towards trendy coffee café, experience quality is found to have the greater effect than the others among the infrequent customers. The qualitative findings not only confirm their importance, but most importantly explain the favourable impressions they have at trendy coffee café based on their last in-store experience. While product and service quality might not necessary stimulate them to revisit trendy coffee café, experience quality driven by purposes of visit would likely affect their intention to revisit. As retaining customers is of utmost importance to businesses, and infrequent customers more than often make up the majority of the customers, the study provides meaningful and practical understanding of revisit intention.

Evaluation of the oxidation of enrofloxacin by permanganate and the antimicrobial activity of the products

Permanganate [Mn(VII)] oxidation of the fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotic enrofloxacin (ENR) was investigated with respect to kinetics and mechanisms, and the products were evaluated for residual antibacterial activity. The degradation of ENR by Mn(VII) obeyed second-order kinetics. A modern liquid chromatography coupled to a hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LC-Q-TOF) was used to determine the accurate mass of the measured degradation products. The structures of nine oxidation products were identified at a neutral pH, one of which was an N-oxide product formed from the oxidation of tertiary amines. One proposed plausible reaction pathway was that the oxidation occurred on the piperazine ring; the C-H adjacent to the amine group was attacked by Mn(VII). The identified products from ENR arose through four pathways involving two mechanisms of N-dealkylation, C-hydroxylation and the reactions of amine oxides. The quinolone core remained intact for all of the products. The residual antibacterial activity of the oxidative reaction byproducts against the nonresistant Escherichia coli (G(-)) reference strain DH5ɑ was evaluated by quantifying the bacterial colonies. The oxidation products exhibited reduced antibacterial activity compared with their parent compound.

Reprint of: Pyrolysis technologies for municipal solid waste: a review

Pyrolysis has been examined as an attractive alternative to incineration for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal that allows energy and resource recovery; however, it has seldom been applied independently with the output of pyrolysis products as end products. This review addresses the state-of-the-art of MSW pyrolysis in regards to its technologies and reactors, products and environmental impacts. In this review, first, the influence of important operating parameters such as final temperature, heating rate (HR) and residence time in the reaction zone on the pyrolysis behaviours and products is reviewed; then the pyrolysis technologies and reactors adopted in literatures and scale-up plants are evaluated. Third, the yields and main properties of the pyrolytic products from individual MSW components, refuse-derived fuel (RDF) made from MSW, and MSW are summarised. In the fourth section, in addition to emissions from pyrolysis processes, such as HCl, SO2 and NH3, contaminants in the products, including PCDD/F and heavy metals, are also reviewed, and available measures for improving the environmental impacts of pyrolysis are surveyed. It can be concluded that the single pyrolysis process is an effective waste-to-energy convertor but is not a guaranteed clean solution for MSW disposal. Based on this information, the prospects of applying pyrolysis technologies to dealing with MSW are evaluated and suggested.

Pyrolysis technologies for municipal solid waste: a review

Pyrolysis has been examined as an attractive alternative to incineration for municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal that allows energy and resource recovery; however, it has seldom been applied independently with the output of pyrolysis products as end products. This review addresses the state-of-the-art of MSW pyrolysis in regards to its technologies and reactors, products and environmental impacts. In this review, first, the influence of important operating parameters such as final temperature, heating rate (HR) and residence time in the reaction zone on the pyrolysis behaviours and products is reviewed; then the pyrolysis technologies and reactors adopted in literatures and scale-up plants are evaluated. Third, the yields and main properties of the pyrolytic products from individual MSW components, refuse-derived fuel (RDF) made from MSW, and MSW are summarised. In the fourth section, in addition to emissions from pyrolysis processes, such as HCl, SO2 and NH3, contaminants in the products, including PCDD/F and heavy metals, are also reviewed, and available measures for improving the environmental impacts of pyrolysis are surveyed. It can be concluded that the single pyrolysis process is an effective waste-to-energy convertor but is not a guaranteed clean solution for MSW disposal. Based on this information, the prospects of applying pyrolysis technologies to dealing with MSW are evaluated and suggested.

Mushroom as a product and their role in mycoremediation

Mushroom has been used for consumption as product for a long time due to their flavor and richness in protein. Mushrooms are also known as mycoremediation tool because of their use in remediation of different types of pollutants. Mycoremediation relies on the efficient enzymes, produced by mushroom, for the degradation of various types of substrate and pollutants. Besides waste degradation, mushroom produced a vendible product for consumption. However, sometimes they absorb the pollutant in their mycelium (biosorption process) and cannot be consumed due to absorbed toxicants. This article reviews the achievement and current status of mycoremediation technology based on mushroom cultivation for the remediation of waste and also emphasizes on the importance of mushroom as product. This critical review is also focused on the safety aspects of mushroom cultivation on waste.