Carbonic Acid Research Articles

Curcumin-mediated enhancement of lung barrier function in rats with high-altitude-associated acute lung injury via inhibition of inflammatory response

BackgroundExposure to a hypobaric hypoxic environment at high altitudes can lead to lung injury. In this study, we aimed to determine whether curcumin (Cur) could improve lung barrier function and protect against high-altitude-associated acute lung injury.MethodsTwo hundred healthy rats were randomly divided into standard control, high-altitude control (HC), salidroside (40 mg/kg, positive control), and Cur (200 mg/kg) groups. Each group was further divided into five subgroups. Basic vital signs, lung injury histopathology, routine blood parameters, plasma lactate level, and arterial blood gas indicators were evaluated. Protein and inflammatory factor (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and IL-10) concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined using the bicinchoninic acid method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Inflammation-related and lung barrier function-related proteins were analyzed using immunoblotting.ResultsCur improved blood routine indicators such as hemoglobin and hematocrit and reduced the BALF protein content and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels compared with those in the HC group. It increased IL-10 levels and reduced pulmonary capillary congestion, alveolar hemorrhage, and the degree of pulmonary interstitial edema. It increased oxygen partial pressure, oxygen saturation, carbonic acid hydrogen radical, and base excess levels, and the expression of zonula occludens 1, occludin, claudin-4, and reduced carbon dioxide partial pressure, plasma lactic acid, and the expression of phospho-nuclear factor kappa.ConclusionsExposure to a high-altitude environment for 48 h resulted in severe lung injury in rats. Cur improved lung barrier function and alleviated acute lung injury in rats at high altitudes.

Beyond the surface: microbiological and biochemical attributes as indicators of soil quality in Atlantic Forest ecosystem

The objective of this study was to determine the biochemical and microbiological attributes in areas with different vegetation covers (mature forest, secondary forest, and sugar cane monoculture) and seasonal changes, and to compare the sensitivity of these attributes types (mycorrhizal, enzymatic, and carbon attributes) in response to changes in vegetation cover and season. Soil samplings were conducted over two years (one per semester, during the dry and wet periods of 2007 and 2008) in three types of areas: (I) mature forest; (II) secondary forest; and (III) sugar cane crop. The enzymatic activity of fluorescein diacetate, dehydrogenase, saccharase, basal carbon respiration, the carbon content of microbial biomass, the microbial coefficient, total and easily extracted glomalin soil-related proteins, mycorrhizal colonization, the number of glomerospores, total organic carbon, fulvic and humic acid content, and the fulvic/humic acid ratio were analyzed. In general, mycorrhizal parameters were more sensitive in distinguishing areas with different types of vegetation cover. Additionally, carbon stocks in areas of mature and secondary forest were higher compared to areas cultivated with sugar cane. The study reveals that mycorrhizal properties, such as root colonization and GRSP fractions, are more sensitive indicators of soil health than soil C attributes, providing a cost-effective alternative for evaluating soil health in the Atlantic Forest. The confirmed hypothesis supports the effectiveness of microbiological activity and C dynamics in discerning significant changes between sugar cane cultivation and forested areas. The study underscores the vital role of conserving forested areas, serving as crucial carbon reservoirs, and emphasizes the potential for enhanced sustainability through conservation practices and rapid soil function recovery in secondary forests within the Atlantic Forest.

Fabrication of modified laser-induced graphene using activated carbon and polyamic acid coating for flexible and high-performance microsupercapacitors

In this study, we developed a method to combine polyamic acid (PAA) and activated carbon (AC), which were then coated on laser-induced graphene (LIG). The material was heated to facilitate the conversion of PAA–AC into polyimide (PI)–AC. Then, the resulting material was subjected to a second laser irradiation process to obtain AC–LIG composite materials. The resulting material features a robust and flexible electrode architecture with a high surface area, improved ion accessibility, and enhanced charge transfer kinetics. In tests conducted with a three-electrode setup, the AC–LIG configuration exhibited a considerably high specific capacitance, reaching 97.2 mF cm−2 at 0.2 mA cm−2, which is approximately fourteen times larger than that of pristine LIG (7.1 mF cm−2). When integrated into a flexible microsupercapacitor using a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) gel-type electrolyte, AC–LIG exhibited a higher specific capacitance (68.4 mF cm−2 at 0.3 mA cm−2) than d-LIG (17.1 mF cm−2 at 0.3 mA cm−2). Furthermore, AC–LIG showed good Coulombic efficiency (98.5 %) and capacitance retention (90.0 %) after 10,000 cycles. These results highlight the potential of AC–LIG as a viable alternative for advanced supercapacitor (SC) applications, providing improved energy storage capacities and a reliable performance.

Impact of thermal hydrolysis on VFA-based carbon source production from fermentation of sludge and digestate for denitrification: experimentation and upscaling implications

Stricter nutrient discharge limits at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are increasing the demand for external carbon sources for denitrification, especially at cold temperatures. Production of carbon sources at WWTP by fermentation of sewage sludge often results in low yields of soluble carbon and volatile fatty acids (VFA) and high biogas losses, limiting its feasibility for full-scale application. This study investigated the overall impact of thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment (THP) on the production of VFA for denitrification through the fermentation of municipal sludge and digestate. Fermentation products and yields, denitrification efficiency and potential impacts on methane yield in the downstream process after carbon source separation were evaluated. Fermentation of THP substrates resulted in 37–70 % higher soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) concentrations than fermentation of untreated substrates but did not significantly affect VFA yield after fermentation. Nevertheless, THP had a positive impact on the denitrification rates and on the methane yields of the residual solid fraction in all experiments. Among the different carbon sources tested, the one produced from the fermentation of THP-digestate showed an overall better potential as a carbon source than other substrates (e.g. sludge). It obtained a relatively high carbon solubilisation degree (39 %) and higher concentrations of sCOD (19 g sCOD/L) and VFA (9.8 g VFACOD/L), which resulted in a higher denitrification rate (8.77 mg NOx-N/g VSS∙h). After the separation of the carbon source, the solid phase from this sample produced a methane yield of 101 mL CH4/g VS. Furthermore, fermentation of a 50:50 mixture of THP-substrate and raw sludge produced also resulted in a high VFA yield (283 g VFACOD/kg VSin) and denitrification rate of 8.74 mg NOx-N/g VSS∙h, indicating a potential for reduced treatment volumes. Calculations based on a full-scale WWTP (Käppala, Stockholm) demonstrated that the carbon sources produced could replace fossil-based methanol and meet the nitrogen effluent limit (6 mg/L) despite their ammonium content. Fermentation of 50–63 % of the available sludge at Käppala WWTP in 2028 could produce enough carbon source to replace methanol, with only an 8–20 % reduction in methane production, depending on the production process. Additionally, digestate production would be sufficient to generate 81 % of the required carbon source while also increasing methane production by 5 % if a portion of the solid residues were recirculated to the digester.

Effects of storage period and season on the microecological characteristics of Jiangxiangxing high-temperature Daqu

Metagenomics, non-targeted metabolomics, and metaproteomics were employed to analyze the microecological succession of high-temperature Daqu during storage, elucidate the adaptation mechanism of the microbial community of Daqu to storage environments, and clarify the microecological characteristics of Daqu during different seasons. During storage, the relative abundances of Bacillus, Oceanobacillus, Staphylococcus, and Aspergillus in Daqu had significantly increased, while those of Kroppenstedtia, Saccharopolyspora, Thermoascus, and Thermomyces had significantly decreased. During the first 3 months of storage, compound metabolism of Daqu was primarily dominated by generation of small molecular substances and then shifted to metabolism of amino sugars. During the storage process, homogeneous selection (15.57 %) and homogeneous diffusion (14.86 %) of the microbial communities of Daqu were much larger than during the fermentation process, while the variable selection assembly (29.43 %) was smaller than during the fermentation process. Among the 2509 proteins identified in the four-season Daqu, bacterial protein expression was 1.46-fold greater than that of fungi. Seasonal factors influenced the function of Daqu by alterations to Bacillus subtilis, Oceanobacillus iheyensis, and Aspergillus nidulans and other microbial functions. Carbon and benzoic acid metabolism of Daqu was relatively increased during the spring, while metabolism of alkaloids and tyrosine was upregulated during the summer, amino acid synthesis and starch metabolism were enriched during the autumn, and peptidoglycan synthesis was relatively greater during the winter. Adjusting the moisture content of Daqu during the storage period was shown to reduce microecological differentiation caused by seasonal temperature variations.

Enhanced CO2 capture by functionalization of SBA-15 with APTES and l-lysine

In this study, amine-based CO2 sorbents were synthesized after functionalizing SBA-15 mesoporous materials. Mesoporous SBA-15 was characterized and functionalized by APTES as an alkanolamine, L-lysine as an amino acid and a combination of both. CO2 adsorption tests were performed at 1.6 and 2 bar to estimate the carbon dioxide (CO2) uptake on the sorbents. As expected, CO2 adsorption capacity (mmol/g) increases with pressure. Based on the elemental analysis of the sorbents and the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), a proposal was made of the possible chemical reactions that may occur in order to describe the experimental results. It is important to mention that the pretreatment prior to the CO2 adsorption tests plays a key role for the application of amine-functionalized mesoporous silica. The presence of water conditions the formation of carbonic acid and carbonate adsorbed on the surface and, consequently, the CO2 adsorption capacity of the sorbent. APTES and l-lysine loaded onto mesoporous SBA-15 exhibited the highest CO2 adsorption capacity (4.53 mmol/g) at 2 bar and room temperature. After reloading the sorbents with APTES and Lysine, no improvements in the CO2 absorption capacity were observed.

Antimicrobial Chitosan/Hyaluronic Acid/Genipin/Nano Silver Sponges Obtained in Solutions of Carbonic Acid: a Study of Structure and Properties

Antimicrobial Chitosan/Hyaluronic Acid/Genipin/Nano Silver Sponges Obtained in Solutions of Carbonic Acid: a Study of Structure and Properties

Effects of functional groups in polymers on rate of acid–rock reaction in reservoir stimulation

The focus of research on acid stimulation is to reduce the rate of the acid–rock reaction, which involves the infiltration of acid into deep formations. Gelled acids with high viscosity can decelerate the diffusion of hydrogen ions to decrease the rate of the acid–rock reaction. However, there have been few reports on the interactions between functional groups in polymers and rocks. In this study, three polymers (AA7, AA24, and AAS) with different functional groups were synthesized, and their effects on the acid–rock reaction were investigated. The results showed that the order of the abilities of the three polymers to delay the acid–rock reaction was as follows: AA24 > AA7 > AAS. The retardation rate for AA24, AA7, and AAS was 79.31%, 66.67%, and 40.23%, respectively. Adsorption experiments illustrated that AA7 and AA24 were adsorbed on the surface of calcite via hydrogen bonds formed by ethoxy groups, whereas AAS relied on the hydrophobic effect of the benzene ring. The anionic polymer AAS was subjected to a strong electrostatic effect in an acid solution, which caused the molecular chains to curl and impaired the retarding performance. This was proved by the fact that the viscosity dramatically decreased from 66.00 mPa s in an aqueous solution to 7.50 mPa s in an acid solution and the effective diameter decreased from 322.2 nm in an aqueous solution to 102.2 nm in an acid solution. In the cases of the nonionic polymers AA7 and AA24, there was little change in viscosity or effective diameter, whether in an acid solution or an aqueous solution. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the film formed by the adsorption of AA24 on the surface of calcite was denser than that formed by AA7 because more ethoxy groups were present in AA24, but the film exhibited some narrow cracks in the case of AAS. Atomic force microscopy demonstrated that the surface roughness of calcite etched by a retarding acid solution of AA24 was only 78 nm, whereas it was as high as 130 nm in the case of AAS, which was consistent with the retarding performance with regard to the acid–rock reaction. This research could contribute to improvements in carbonate acidizing for reservoir stimulation.

Characteristics and nontargeted metabolomics analysis of anammox granular sludge under short-term exposure to polypropylene and polylactic acid microplastics

A significant quantity of microplastics (MPs) is concealed within biological sludge. Current research predominantly examines the effects of non-biodegradable MPs on traditional sludge. However, the influence of biodegradable MPs on the functional microbial activity of anaerobic ammonium oxidation granular sludge (AnGS) remains inadequately explored. This study specifically investigated the effects of non-biodegradable polypropylene (PP) MPs and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) MPs on AnGS under short-term stress. The study found that PP MPs inhibited nitrogen removal performance, reducing nitrogen removal efficiency by 1.14% (100 mesh) and 5.77% (1000 mesh) respectively, along with decreased hydrazine dehydrogenase (HDH) activity. Conversely, PLA promoted denitrification performance, increasing efficiency by 8.21% (100 mesh) and 6.54% (1000 mesh). In response to MPs-induced environmental stress, the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) increased in all experimental groups. Additionally, non-targeted metabolomic analysis revealed a decrease in the abundance of KEGG pathways related to carbon and amino acid metabolism in the experimental groups, while the enrichment of terephthalate and benzamide in the PLA groups significantly impacted its process. These findings offered valuable insights into the impact of MPs on anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) and could potentially enhance its application.

Immunometabolic interplay in Edwardsiella tarda-infected crucian carp (Carassius auratus) and in vitro identification of the antimicrobial activity of apolipoprotein D (ApoD) by utilization of multiomics analyses

Edwardsiella tarda is an intracellular pathogenic bacteria that can imperil the health of farmed fish. However, the interactive networks of immune regulation and metabolic response in E. tarda-infected fish are still unclear. In this investigation, we aimed to explore immunometabolic interplay in crucian carp after E. tarda infection by utilizing multiomics analyses. Crucian carp (Carassius auratus) receiving E. tarda infection showed increased levels of tissue damage and oxidative injury in liver. Multiomics analyses suggested that carbon and amino acid metabolism may be considered as crucial metabolic pathways in liver of crucian carp following E. tarda infection, while spaglumic acid, isocitric acid and tetrahydrocortisone were the crucial liver biomarkers. After that, a potential antimicrobial peptide (AMP) sequence called apolipoprotein D (ApoD) was identified from omics study. Then, tissue-specific analysis indicated that liver CaApoD showed the highest expression among isolated tissues. After Aeromonas hydrophila stimulated, CaApoD expressions increased sharply in immune-related tissues. Moreover, CaApoD fusion protein could mediate the in vitro binding to A. hydrophila and E. tarda, attenuate bacterial growth as well as diminish bacterial biofilm forming activity. These findings may have a comprehensive implication for understanding immunometabolic response in crucian carp upon infection.

Corrosion resistance of polymer-modified hardened cement paste and phosphoric acid-activated metakaolin geopolymer in carbonic acid solution

Corrosion resistance of hardened Portland cement paste (HCP), polymer-modified hardened cement paste (PHCP) and phosphoric acid-activated metakaolin (PMK) geopolymers in carbonic acid solution was comparatively evaluated by multiple techniques of thermogravimetry (TG), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometer (ICP), microindentation and compressive tests. The incorporated polymer kinetically slows down the corrosion process of Portland cement paste as the carbonation depth of PHCP is lower than those of HCP characterized by all techniques. Meanwhile, the addition of polymer slightly hinders leaching of substances from HCP by blocking the pores. Despite the increase of elastic modulus, decreases of compressive strength of both HCP and PHCP samples caused by carbonation are observed probably due to the generation of microcracks and uneven brittleness across the section. PHCP presents less mechanical loss after carbonation treatment than HCP. PMK geopolymer samples soaked in deionized water and carbonic acid solution have comparatively identical results of TG, EDS, FTIR and mechanical measurements, indicating that the PMK geopolymer is highly resistant to carbonic acid, thanks to its inherent acidic nature. In addition, the leaching amount of PMK geopolymer in carbonic acid solution is also much less than the HCP and PHCP.

Coating based on chitosan/vancomycin nanoparticles: Patterns of formation in a water-carbon dioxide biphase system and in vivo stability

The patterns of formation of chitosan nanoparticles doped with vancomycin and coatings based on them in carbonate solutions have been investigated for the first time in this study. Using a technique of radioactive indicators, it was found that at a CO2 pressure of 30 MPa, the yield of the nanoparticles was ∼85 %, and a maximum antibiotic encapsulation efficiency of ∼30 % was achieved. By spectrophotometric and high-resolution microscopy, it was found that the coating of stabilized xenopericardial tissue of bioprosthetic heart valve, based on chitosan nanoparticles doped with vancomycin with a zeta potential |ζ| ∼20 mV completely covers collagen fibers by depositing about 60 nm nanoparticles onto them under direct deposition from carbonic acid at a pressure of 30 MPa CO2. The coating preserves the mechanical strength characteristics of collagen tissue and completely suppresses the growth of S. aureus pathogenic biofilm. This is consistent with the observed increase in antibiotic release of 15 % when the medium was acidified. Histological study demonstrated that the structure of pericardial tissues was not significantly altered by the deposition nanoparticles from carbonic acid. It was found that the rate of biodegradation of polymers and vancomycin in the coating differs by half (16 weeks for the rat model). A significantly lower degradation rate of antibiotics (∼50 % of vancomycin total remaining mass and ∼25 % of chitosan) was associated with its reliable encapsulation into nanoparticles.

Comparison of Pore Structure Characteristics of Shale-Oil and Tight-Oil Reservoirs in the Fengcheng Formation in Mahu Sag

Despite the abundance of shale-oil and tight-oil reserves in the Fengcheng Formation within the Mahu Sag, exploration and development efforts for both types of reservoir are still in their early stages. A comprehensive examination and comparison of the pore structures of these reservoirs can establish rational classification and evaluation criteria. However, there is a dearth of comparative analyses focusing on the pore structures of shale-oil and tight-oil reservoirs within the Fengcheng Formation. This study addresses this gap by systematically analyzing and comparing the pore structures of these reservoirs using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, and mercury intrusion capillary pressure experiments (MICP). The results show that the shale oil within the Fengcheng Formation exhibits a higher content of carbonic acid compared to the tight-oil samples. Furthermore, it demonstrates smaller displacement pressure and median pressure, a larger sorting coefficient, and superior permeability in contrast to tight oil. Notably, the shale oil within the Fengcheng Formation is characterized by abundant striated layer structures and micro-fractures, which significantly contribute to the microstructural disparities between shale-oil and tight-oil reservoirs. These differences in microstructures between shale oil and tight oil within the Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu Sag region delineate distinct criteria for evaluating sweet spots in shale-oil and tight-oil reservoirs.

(Invited) Carbon Sulfonation Using Plasma: Trial to Enlarge Treatment Capacity

Heterogeneous catalysis is a promising technology in conversion of biomass to biofuels because of its high reactivity, easy post-separation, and great recyclability compared to homogeneous catalysis. Various functionalized catalytic materials have emerged as promising alternatives to the homogeneous liquid acid catalyst, such as carbon materials, metal–organic frameworks, and metal nanoparticles. Among them, carbon materials such as carbon nanotube, graphene oxide, carbon black, and so on have been investigated as catalysts for cellulose hydrolysis to produce glucose.Carbon materials show considerable catalytic activity by functionalization with active acidic groups including hydroxyl groups (-OH), carboxyl groups (-COOH), and sulfonic groups (-SO3H). Hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the carbon catalysts act as connection center to access cellulose, where sulfonic group serves as the active site to cut off the linkage between glucose units in cellulose. So, the surface modification of carbon materials with these functional groups, namely, carbon sulfonation process, becomes the determining step to producing efficient carbon acid catalysts. Conventional methods for the carbon sulfonation are the hydrothermal and reflux method, in which hazardous chemicals are necessary, such as concentrated sulfuric acid (95–98%), chlorosulfonic acid, fuming sulfuric acid, or 4-benzenediazoniumsulfonate under elevated temperature for dozens of hours.As a green and effective carbon sulfonation process, we have utilized plasma generated in contact with dilute sulfuric acid. Recently, we have investigated the mechanism of carbon sulfonation in GLIP processes. Active species produced near the gas–liquid interface such as •OH, SO3, and HOSO2• probably play important roles in carbon sulfonation. We are currently trying to enlarge the treatment capacity of carbon sulfonation by two methods, namely parallel plasma generation with ballast capacitors and large-area plasma generation by a dielectric barrier discharge. Also, effects of gases used for plasma generation such as air and Ar on the carbon sulfonation are investigated.This work was partially supported by the Environment Research and Technology Development Fund (JPMEERF20223R01) of the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan.

Proposing a new sustainable approach for sand improvement using biologically-derived calcium phosphate cement

Bio-mediated soil improvement methods keep on gaining the attention of geotechnical engineers and researchers globally due to their nature-based elegance and eco-friendliness. Most prevalent bio-mediated soil improvement methods include microbial induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP). During their processes, the bacteria/ free urease hydrolyzes the urea into ammonium and carbonic acid, which is accompanied by a considerable increase of alkalinity (about pH 9.0). The major problem associated with the above techniques is the release of gaseous ammonia that is extremely detrimental. Therefore, this study aims to propose a new sustainable approach involving lactic acid bacteria to facilitate the calcium phosphate mineralization for the strengthening of sand matrix. The major objectives of this investigation are (i) to evaluate the urease activity of the lactic acid bacteria under different temperatures, pH conditions and additions of metal ions, (ii) to assess the treated sand matrix, (iii) to perform cost analysis. The outcomes indicated that Limosilactobacillus sp. could effectively facilitate the urea hydrolysis, hence increase in pH from acidic to neutral, and provided a desirable environment for the calcium phosphate to mineralize within the voids of the sand. The addition of 0.01% Ni2+ in culture media was found to enhance the urease activity by 38.8% and compressive strength over 40%. A combined formation of amorphous- and whisker-like precipitates could bridge a larger area at particle-particle contact points, facilitated a strong force-network in sand matrix. The mineralized calcium phosphate compound was found to be brushite. The cost herein for producing 1L treatment solution was estimated to be about 2.5-folds and 11.8-folds lower compared to that of MICP and EICP treatment solutions, respectively. Moreover, since the treatment pH could potentially be regulated between acidic – neural range, it would greatly control the release of gaseous ammonia. With several environmental and economical benefits, the study has disclosed a new sustainable direction for sand improvement via the use of lactic acid bacteria.

Leakage monitoring of carbon dioxide injection well string using distributed optical fiber sensor

Whether the oil and gas fields in the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) project use underground storage or energy supplementation to enhance oil recovery, they must be injected or monitored through the wellbore. Thus, the foundation and requirement for the safety of carbon dioxide (CO2) storage is the wellbore's integrity. When CO2 is dissolved in water, carbonic acid is created, and this acid strongly corrodes underground pipes. Therefore, the integrity issue with CO2 injection wells is more noticeable than with other wellbores. An annular pressure during gas injection is the primary symptom of gas injection string leakage in CO2 injection wells. This study aims to provide real-time pipe string monitoring using a distributed optical fiber temperature sensing system (DTS) and a distributed optical fiber acoustic sensing system (DAS). Variations in temperature and vibration are caused by annulus pressure relief or gas injection. Optical fiber logging, in contrast to traditional logging, has better performance indicators for optical fiber sensing apparatus. To adapt to complex wellbore conditions, it is necessary to enhance the temperature accuracy of DTS and the sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio of DAS in CO2 drive injection wells based on the features of the gas injection string. To differentiate the leakage signal from the regular fluid flow signal, the energy calculation in the frequency band is done for DAS based on noise reduction, and the signal processing in the frequency band is done by the spectrum characteristics of the CO2 wellbore signal. The translation invariant wavelet algorithm is the primary denoising method for DTS, overcoming the shortcomings of traditional wavelet threshold algorithms such as excessive smoothing and the pseudo-Gibbs phenomenon. Furthermore, the depth correction during the optical cable lowering process is also examined in this paper. A CO2 gas injection well field experiment was conducted using this technology. A 1671m well was dug, and 1631m of optical cable were installed in the tubing. The tubing leakage position was successfully identified through gas injection, annulus pressure relief, and a comparison of DAS and DTS data. The field results demonstrate the accuracy with which the gas injection string integrity can be accurately monitored in real-time using distributed optical fiber sensing technology for CO2 injection wells.

Evaluating carbonation resistance and microstructural behaviors of calcium sulfoaluminate cement concrete incorporating fly ash and limestone powder

This study investigates the effects of accelerated carbonation on calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement concrete, focusing on mixtures enhanced with 20 % fly ash (FA), 20 % remediated fly ash (RF), 15 % limestone powder (LP), and a combination of 20 % FA with 15 % LP (35 %). The study further evaluates the mechanical properties including compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, elastic modulus, along with drying shrinkage and bulk resistivity. To delve into the microstructural characteristics of moist curing versus carbonation exposure on the CSA cement system, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed, particularly analyzing phase assemblage changes. The results show that the addition of FA reduced the carbonation depth in concrete mixtures over time (105 days). However, LP and the combination of FA and LP presented mixed effects. The microstructural analysis highlighted ettringite as the predominant phase in samples moist cured for 3 days. In contrast, carbonation-cured samples were characterized by different calcium carbonate (CaCO3) polymorphs alongside aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3) and residual ye'elimite, with the formation of low-pH carbonic acid facilitating the conversion of ettringite into CaCO3. This study highlights the impact of different SCMs on the durability and microstructural characteristics of CSA cement concrete, underscoring the interplay between curing methods, effects of SCM, and carbonation processes.

Exploring Favorable Supramolecular Interactions of Multifluorinated Aromatics in Dendronized Push-Pull Chromophores for Electro-Optics.

Multifluorinated aromatics serve as supramolecular synthons in the research of organic electro-optic (EO) materials by exploiting π-π stacking interaction between the aromatic hydrocarbon and multifluorinated aromatic groups for performance improvement. However, non-classical hydrogen bonding remains largely unexplored in fluorinated EO dendrimers. In this study, three Fréchet-type generation 1 benzyl ether co-dendrons were synthesized by replacing one benzyl group with 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzyl (p-HF4Bz), pentafluorobenzyl (C6F5Bz), and 2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzyl (o-HF4Bz) groups, to afford the benzoic acid derivatives D1, D2, and D3, which were further bonded to the donor and π-bridge moieties to afford three co-dendronized push-pull phenyltetraene chromophores EOD1, EOD2, and EOD3, respectively. The weak C-H⋅⋅⋅X (X=O, F) interactions in the crystal structure of D1 cumulatively add to the benzoic acid dimers to form an extended hydrogen-bonded network, while D2 is crystallized into a centric one-dimensional chain with strong intermolecular interactions. The poled films of EOD1 with PMMA exhibited the largest and most stable EO activity with optical homogeneity among the series. The results identify the effectiveness of weak but favorable hydrogen bonds enabled by the enhanced carbon acidity of p-HF4Bz synthon in D1, over the interactions in D2 and D3, for the rational design of supramolecular EO dendrimers.

Understanding the reaction dynamics of glycerol conversion into glycerol carbonate by transesterification of carbonic acid esters over CaO

The conversion of glycerol into value-added products is crucial for reducing waste generation in the biodiesel industry. In this context, glycerol carbonate has emerged as a promising molecule, capable of being produced through various processes, with glycerol transesterification being considered the most environmentally friendly method. In order to investigate the transesterification process comprehensively, this work focused on reactions between glycerol and different carbonic acid esters (dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, ethylene carbonate, and propylene carbonate), utilizing calcium oxide (CaO) as a basic catalyst. The catalyst was obtained commercially and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The catalyst characterizations showed that it consisted of nano and micrometric particles with high purity, making it suitable for use without prior pretreatment. The reactions were conducted in a batch reactor using dimethylformamide as a solvent, and the products were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC-FID and GC-MS). Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of different reaction parameters on the formation process of glycerol carbonate and potential co-products. CaO showed moderate catalytic activity in glycerol conversion, which occurred in three steps, forming glycerol carbonate with high selectivity, along with small amounts of co-products, glycidol and glycerol tricarbonate. Thus, considering the results obtained in this and other studies, it was possible to identify that moderately strong basic catalysts favor simple reaction mechanisms, predominantly yielding glycerol carbonate. Conversely, highly basic catalysts induce more complex reaction mechanisms, resulting in significant formation of co-products.

Translational insights into the hormetic potential of carbon dioxide: from physiological mechanisms to innovative adjunct therapeutic potential for cancer.

Carbon dioxide (CO2), traditionally viewed as a mere byproduct of cellular respiration, plays a multifaceted role in human physiology beyond simple elimination through respiration. CO2 may regulate the tumor microenvironment by significantly affecting the release of oxygen (O2) to tissues through the Bohr effect and by modulating blood pH and vasodilation. Previous studies suggest hypercapnia (elevated CO2 levels) might trigger optimized cellular mechanisms with potential therapeutic benefits. The role of CO2 in cellular stress conditions within tumor environments and its impact on O2 utilization offers a new investigative area in oncology. This study aims to explore CO2's role in the tumor environment, particularly how its physiological properties and adaptive responses can influence therapeutic strategies. By applying a structured translational approach using the Work Breakdown Structure method, the study divided the analysis into six interconnected work packages to comprehensively analyze the interactions between carbon dioxide and the tumor microenvironment. Methods included systematic literature reviews, data analyses, data integration for identifying critical success factors and exploring extracellular environment modulation. The research used SMART criteria for assessing innovation and the applicability of results. The research revealed that the human body's adaptability to hypercapnic conditions could potentially inform innovative strategies for manipulating the tumor microenvironment. This could enhance O2 utilization efficiency and manage adaptive responses to cellular stress. The study proposed that carbon dioxide's hormetic potential could induce beneficial responses in the tumor microenvironment, prompting clinical protocols for experimental validation. The research underscored the importance of pH regulation, emphasizing CO2 and carbonic acid's role in modulating metabolic and signaling pathways related to cancer. The study underscores CO2 as vital to our physiology and suggests potential therapeutic uses within the tumor microenvironment. pH modulation and cellular oxygenation optimization via CO2 manipulation could offer innovative strategies to enhance existing cancer therapies. These findings encourage further exploration of CO2's therapeutic potential. Future research should focus on experimental validation and exploration of clinical applications, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to tackle current challenges in cancer treatment.