Total Weight Ratio Research Articles

Causation analysis of fire explosion in the port's hazardous chemicals storage area based on FTA‐AHP

AbstractAt 22:51 on August 12, 2015, a fire explosion accident occurred in the hazardous cargo warehouse of the Ruihai Company, which is located in Tianjin Port, Binhai New Area, Tianjin. This accident killed 165 people and caused direct economic losses of 6.866 billion yuan. In order to reduce the occurrence and harm of fire explosion accidents in the port's hazardous chemicals storage area, the main influencing factors were analyzed using the fault tree analysis‐analytic hierarchy process (FTA‐AHP) method, and each factor was quantitatively analyzed. Taking a hazardous chemicals storage yard in Shanghai as an example, the cause of fire explosion in a hazardous chemicals storage area was obtained by establishing a fault tree analysis (FTA) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Then, the AHP model was established to calculate the weight of each influencing factor, and finally, the total weight ratio of each influencing factor was obtained. The results showed that human factors were the main and direct factors, equipment and facilities factors were the secondary factors, and management factors were the fundamental factors in fire explosion accidents in the port's hazardous chemicals storage areas. According to the evaluation results, a prevention and control strategy for fire explosion accidents in hazardous chemicals storage areas is proposed, which has reference value for relevant management departments.

Preparation and evaluation of vancomycin spray-dried powders for pulmonary delivery

The aim of the current study was to achieve a dry powder formulation of vancomycin by spray drying whilst evaluating the effect of pH and excipient type and percentage used in formulation on particle characteristics and aerosolization performance. A D-optimal design was applied to optimize the formulation comprising vancomycin and two main excipient groups; a carbohydrate bulking agent (lactose, mannitol or trehalose) and a second excipient (hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin or L-leucine) at pH 4 and 7. The physicochemical properties of particles (size, morphology, crystallinity state, residual moisture content), stability, and aerosolization characteristics were investigated. Using the combination of two excipients increased the fine particle fraction of powder emitted from an Aerolizer® device at a flow rate of 60 L/min. Hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin showed more potential than L-leucine in aerosolization capabilities. Stability studies over 3 months of storage in 40 °C and 75% relative humidity suggested a good physical stability of the optimized formulation containing 17.39% hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin along with 29.61% trehalose relative to the amount of drug at pH 4. Use of two excipients including trehalose and hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin with a total weight ratio of 47% relative to the amount of drug is appropriate for the preparation of vancomycin dry powder formulation for inhalation.

Effects of terrestrial isopods on soil nutrients during litter decomposition

Soil fauna are important biological factors that affect litter decomposition and play an important role in the release of nutrients, such as carbon and nitrogen. This study focused on the role of soil fauna in litter decomposition. Field microcosm experiments were conducted to assess the influence of isopods (Porcellionidae and Armadillidiidae) on soil nutrients during the litter decomposition of Catalpa bungei (CL), Platanus acerifolia (PL), and Aesculus chinensis (AL). The litter mass loss and nutrients in different soil layers treated with various isopods were determined in three-month microcosm incubations. Results showed that the presence of isopods significantly increased (P < 0.05) the litter decomposition rates compared with the control treatment (CK). The average weight (2.56 g) and total weight ratio (85.47%) of the isopod-decomposed litter were much larger than those of the CK treatment (0.43 g and 14.31%, respectively). In the different litter types collected, CL showed the highest decomposition rate among the different isopod treatments. Isopods increased the contents of organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), total potassium (TP), Olsen phosphorus (OP), available potassium (AK), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+–N), and nitrate nitrogen (NO3––N) in the surface soil by 59.19%, 27.36%, 2.72%, 29.30%, 5.85%, 13.10%, and 14.60%, respectively, relative to CK. The profile distribution of soil nutrients and the soil quality index under different isopod treatments were significantly (P < 0.05) greater in the 0–1 cm soil layer than in the 1–2, 2–4, and 4–6 cm soil layers. Further analysis showed that this significance was affected by decomposition time, isopod species, soil depth, and the interactions of these factors. The findings demonstrate that the isopods could accelerate litter decomposition and improve soil nutrients. This work provides evidence demonstrating that soil fauna can improve surface soil quality by promoting litter decomposition.

Loading GO/ZnFe2O4/NiO nanocomposite as a hybrid dielectric/magnetic material into polyurethane foam for induction of radar absorbing properties

In this study, GO/ZnFe2O4/NiO nanocomposites (NCs) were successfully synthesized via two-step hummer, hydrothermal and calcination methods, consecutively. These nanocomposites were used as fillers to synthesis radar absorbing polyurethane (PU) foams. The prepared nanocomposites and foams were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, FTIR spectrometer, scanning electron microscope, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric (TGA–DTG) analyses, and vibrating sample magnetometer. PU foams were prepared at 5 mm thickness and the effects of diisocyanate and polyol role on dispersing of fillers, the total weight ratio of fillers in the polymeric nanocomposite, and the amount of dielectric, magnetic, and conductive components on radar absorbing properties were investigated. To study radar absorbing properties, a vector network analyzer was applied to measure the scattering parameters. By analyzing radar absorbing properties, one of the PU foams had the area under the curve of reflection loss equals to 184.667 GHz.dB in the X-band frequency range (8–12 GHz). This foam with 5 mm thickness containing the GO/ZnFe2O4/NiO NC with the weight ratio of components equal to 25%, 21%, and 52%, respectively, and the total weight ratio of the NC in the foam equal to 9%, was dissolved in diisocyanate. All the prepared foams had reflection loss values less than − 30 dB equals to 99.9% absorption over the X-band frequency range.

Weight optimization of fixed landing gear for medium range UAV

Weight reduction of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) components and systems is one of the most essential factors for aviation. Take-off gross weight can be divided into crew weight, payload, fuel, and empty weight. The empty weight is divided into the structure, engine/s, landing gear, avionics and fixed equipment. Engine/s, landing gear, avionics and fixed equipment are selective items. Weight optimization can be made for structure and landing gear to minimize aircraft total weight. The main objective of the present study is to optimize weight and reach safe landing for a medium range UAV landing gear. The reduced weight can be used to increase payload and/or fuel to increase range or endurance of the UAV. In the present study, ANSYS shape (Topology) optimization tool is used to get a proposed shape for the UAV landing gear. Then parametric size optimization of the shape proposed was done. Design of experiment (DOE) technique is used in order to get the minimum weight for the landing gear at a specified stress limit. Aluminum alloy 7075-T61 and bi-directional carbon fiber which are the most common used materials in UAVs landing gear were used, It was found that using topology weight optimization technique reduces Aluminum Alloy landing gear weight by (30.4 %) changing the material to be bi-directional carbon fiber without optimization reduce landing gear weight with additional value (27.9 %). Optimizing bi-directional carbon fiber landing gear reduces the weight with additional value (4 %) to be the total weight ratio by (62.3 %). The optimization technique for weight optimization is a guide to optimize any other type of landing / part to minimize the total weight for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

Combination of perovskite and magnetic inverse spinel structures to improve microwave absorption properties

In this work, nanocomposites were prepared by filling polyester matrix with SrTiO3 by using some spinel ferrites such as magnetite, cobalt ferrite, manganese ferrite, and polyaniline (PANi) as fillers. These nanocomposites were synthesized by the hydrothermal and co-precipitation and hydrothermal and interfacial polymerization. Radar absorption parameters were measured in the X-band range by the transmission line method by using a straight rectangular waveguide. X-ray diffraction analyzer, scanning electron microscope, and vector network analyzer were used to characterize the materials. The Taguchi method was used to optimize and study the effects of the weight ratios of fillers, type of spinel ferrite, and thickness on the radar absorption properties of nanocomposites by the total weight ratio of fillers of only 5%. The optimal conditions were a nanocomposite of manganese ferrite as the magnetic filler with a weight ratio of 2:1 for both spinel ferrite/SrTiO3 and spinel ferrite+SrTiO3/PANi at 1-mm thickness. All the prepared nanocomposites had a broadband reflection loss spectrum less than −20dB over the entire X-band.

Process highlights to enhance directed self-assembly contact patterning performances

We focus on the directed self-assembly (DSA) for contact hole (CH) patterning application using polystyrene-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) block copolymers (BCPs). By employing the DSA planarization process, we highlight the DSA advantages for CH shrink, repair, and multiplication, which are extremely needed to push forward the limits of currently used lithography. Meanwhile, we overcome the issue of pattern density-related defects that are encountered with the commonly used graphoepitaxy process flow. Our study also aims to evaluate the DSA performances as functions of material properties and process conditions by monitoring main key manufacturing process parameters: CD uniformity (CDU), placement error (PE), and defectivity [hole open yield (HOY)]. Concerning process, it is shown that the control of surface affinity and the optimization of self-assembly annealing conditions enable significant enhancement of CDU and PE. Regarding material properties, we show that the best BCP composition for CH patterning should be set at 70/30 of PS/PMMA total weight ratio. Moreover, it is found that increasing the PS homopolymer content from 0.2% to 1% has no impact on DSA performances. Using a C35 BCP (cylinder-forming BCP of natural period L0=35 nm), good DSA performances are achieved: CDU-3σ=1.2 nm, PE-3σ=1.2 nm, and HOY=100%. Finally, the stability of DSA process is also demonstrated through the process follow-up on both patterned and unpatterned surfaces over several weeks.

A low arm and leg muscle mass to total body weight ratio is associated with an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2011.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and arm and leg muscle mass to total weight ratios in Korean adults. This was a randomized, controlled, cross-sectional study. Data from 2,383 adults (1,030 men and 1,353 women) were collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2011. Blood lipid profiles, blood pressure, and anthropometric characteristics, including weight, height, waist circumference, and muscle mass on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), were evaluated in the participants. MetS was defined according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. The average mass of both arms and legs was determined using regional muscle analysis by DXA. Afterwards, the arm and leg muscle mass to total body weight ratio was determined and classified into 4 quartiles (i.e., quartile 1 [highest muscle ratio] to quartile 4 [lowest muscle ratio]). According to the arm muscle and leg muscle ratios, there was a higher prevalence of MetS in quartile 4 than in quartile 1 in both men and women. A low arm and leg muscle mass to body weight ratio was associated with a higher prevalence of MetS after adjusting for age, physical activity, frequency of smoking, and frequency of alcohol consumption. In conclusion, MetS patients demonstrated a lower arm and leg muscle mass to body weight ratio. Strength training for the lower and upper extremities is recommended because it can have a positive effect on MetS prevention.

Aspectos biológicos básicos de &lt;i&gt;Pinctada imbricata&lt;/i&gt; (Bivalvia: Pteriidae) en la laguna de La Restinga, isla de Margarita, Venezuela

Pearl oysters are abundant bivalves in the northeastern coast of South America that form dense shoals in the Caribbean Sea, where they are exploited for marketing, making them a valuable resource in northeastern Venezuela. In order to provide information on Pinctada imbricata in the La Restinga Lagoon, its growth, size structure, condition index and natural mortality were estimated from April 2012 to January 2013. A total of 40 random samples of pearl oysters were collected on a monthly basis by freediving in a linear transect of approximately 200 m. The total length and total weight ratio indicated a negative allometric growth. A multimodal distribution was shown in almost all sampling months, with sizes ranging between 21.56 and 54.61 mm of total length. The modal peak observed in most of the months was between 24 and 28 mm, indicating a continuous recruitment throughout the year. The maximum peak of the monthly condition index was in May 2012, while the minimum was in November 2012. Growth parameters were L∞ = 68.5 mm, K = 1.18/year and t0 = 0.37, reaching the regulatory market size of 50 mm at approximately 18 months, with an estimated 2.92 year maximum longevity. Total mortality, corresponding to natural mortality M, was calculated as Z = 1.40/year.

Active Phase of a NiSO4 Catalyst Supported on γ-Al2O3 during in Situ Self-Sulfidation for Selective Hydrodesulfurization

NiSO4/γ-Al2O3 catalysts with different Ni loadings were prepared by impregnation with an aqueous solution of nickel sulfate. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, X-ray fluorescence, NH3 temperature-programmed desorption, UV Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS showed that the nickel sulfate can be partly in situ self-sulfided to NiSx by H2 at an elevated temperature, especially when H2S is present in the reactor. The catalytic performances of NiSO4/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were evaluated with a mixture of 2-methyl-2-butene, cyclohexane (3:97, volume ratio), and thiophene (0.1%, ratio of total weight) as a model feedstock. The 5-NiSO4/γ-Al2O3 catalyst showed high activity in terms of high thiophene conversion (89%) and a high selectivity factor, 3.2. The kinetic study and Koros–Nowak test were carried out, and it was found that the pre-exponential factor (k0) and apparent activation energy (Ea) of thiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS) we...

Enhanced Methane Production from Pilot-Scale Anaerobic Digester Loaded with Rice Straw

A novel co-digestion approach was evaluated to determine if agricultural and industrial waste residues could efficiently degrade straw without pretreatment. Untreated rice straw was co-digested with pig wastewater and anaerobic sludge from the pulp and paper mill treatment process in a pilot-scale digester (1 m) operated in dry, mesophilic conditions. The total weight ratio of dry straw to pig wastewater to sludge was 1 to1.25 to 0.5. The experiment was performed for a total of 153 days, however, the optimum period to balance the maximum energy output with the minimum retention time was determined to be 93 days. The addition of paper mill sludge accelerated VFA formation and gas production when compared to another pilot-scale digester operated under the same conditions without the sludge material. The straw in the pilot-scale digester with the sludge yielded 231 LCH4/kg VS within a 93-day digestion cycle compared to 189 days without the sludge. Daily leachate recirculation (0.2m/m straw-day), however, was not adequate for internal mixing and homogenization of the digester material. With adequate mixing, this co-digestion approach could enhance methane production and reduce the digestion time for untreated rice straw in a farm-scale digester.

IN VITRO AND IN VIVO ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF PHOSPHITE AGAINST PHYTOPHTHORA PARASITICA IN TOMATO

Phosphite is an alkaline salt of phosphorous acid. Its antifungal properties against some phytopathogenic fungi are increasingly valued in the context of a growing concern about the detrimental environmental effects of the standard biocides used to protect plants against pests and diseases. The purpose of this work was to analyze the in vitro and in vivo effect of phosphite in the development and evolution of Phytophthora parasitica on a tomato crop. The phosphite potential to limit and control the fungus growth was first established through an in vitro assay. In a second assay, in the greenhouse, tomato plants were transplanted into pots, in a substrate previously inoculated or not inoculated with the fungus mycelium. Inoculated and non-inoculated plants were sprayed with a range of phosphite concentrations (0, 0.9, 1.4, and 1.9 mg ml-1). The in vitro growth of the fungus mycelium was progressively restricted as phosphite concentration increased in the medium, and no fungus growth was detected with a phosphite concentration of 0.9 mg/ml. In the greenhouse assay, the development of the inoculated plants improved during the culture time when treated with phosphite, as was acknowledged by their higher chlorophyll content and by the values of stress indicators when compared with untreated plants. Moreover, the dry weight of the infected plants increased as the phosphite concentration was higher, and their maximum growth was obtained at 1.4 mg ml-1 phosphite. It is also noteworthy that, when compared to healthy plants, the infected plants increased their root to total weight ratio by 31.6% when treated with the highest phosphite concentration.

Cultivation of Tanzanian &lt;i&gt;Coprinus cinereus&lt;/i&gt; (sisal compost mushroom) on three non-composted sisal waste substrates supplemented with chicken manure at various rates

Coprinus cinereus is a Tanzanian wild edible mushroom whose cultivation in the laboratory was performed in solid-state fermentation bioreactors using sisal decortication wastes namely; sisal dusts, sisal fibres and sisal leaves as basal substrates supplemented with chicken manure at various rates. Bioreactors containing 450 g wet weight of the three sisal wastes substrates each was supplemented with dry chicken manure at 0% (un-supplemented control), 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of substrate dry weight. The effect of the test sisal waste substrates and chicken manure of various supplementation rates were evaluated by mushroom yield, (g fresh mushroom/kg moist substrate) and its biological efficiency, B.E. (relationship between fresh mushroom weight and dry substrate weight as percentage) and mushroom size (a ratio of total weight of fresh mushroom and total number of mushrooms). Each, sisal waste substrate and chicken manure supplement at various rates showed variable impact on mushroom yield, productivity and size. The overall best results of mushroom production were obtained in sisal dust at 25% chicken manure in terms of mushroom yield 381 g fresh mushrooms/kg moist substrate weight and its B.E. of 112% while mushroom size best results of 1.64 was obtained at 15% manure. In conclusion, results suggest that chicken manure from free-range chicken may play an important role on increasing the yield and productivity of Coprinus cinereus on sisal waste substrates under the conditions investigated.

Synthesis of nano-crystalline ZrB2/ZrC/SiC ceramics by liquid precursors

ZrB2/ZrC/SiC precursors were prepared in a one-pot reaction of polyzirconoxanesal with boric acid and poly(methylsilylene)ethynylene. The pyrolysis of the precursors at 1400°C in argon led to formation of the nano-crystalline ZrB2/ZrC/SiC ceramics. The ceramics were characterized by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the ceramics were mainly composed of zirconium diboride, zirconium carbide and β-silicon carbide phases. The average size of the ZrB2, ZrC and SiC grains was approximately 100nm. Elemental analysis showed that the molar ratio of crystal phases was ZrB2/ZrC/SiC=2/1.35/1, and the total weight ratio of zirconium, boride and silicon was above 81% in the ceramics. The presence of SiC obviously restrained the oxidation of ZrC and ZrB2 at 1000°C.

A Highly Conductive Bimodal Isotropic Conductive Adhesive and Its Reliability

In this paper, micro silver flakes and micro spherical particles were incorporated into the matrix resin of isotropic conductive adhesives (ICAs). Their electrical properties were investigated. The total weight ratio of silver fillers was kept at 75 wt% for all samples. When the content of micro spherical particles was 8 wt%, the bulk resistivity of the bimodal ICAs reduced dramatically to as low as 1.26×10-4 Ω•cm and its viscosity was 24,289 cP under 5rpm at 25°. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) images of the bimodal ICAs showed silver fillers well distributed in the matrix resin. In addition, the lap shear strength of different metal surfaces, and the bulk resistivity shifts during aging time under85°/85% RH for more than 500 hours were also measured. The results showed that bulk resistivity shifts of bimodal ICAs remained stable after further cured and the bond strength on the copper surface was the greatest among the three metal surfaces tested.

In situ FT-IR spectroscopy investigations of carbon nanotubes supported Co-Mo catalysts for selective hydrodesulfurization of FCC gasoline

To better understand the nature of carbon nanotubes supported Co-Mo catalysts (Co-Mo/CNTs) for selective hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) gasoline, studies are carried out using in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The catalytic performances of Co-Mo/CNTs catalysts were evaluated with a mixture of cyclohexane, diisobutylene, cyclohexene, 1-octene (60:30:5:5, volume ratio) and thiophene (0.5%, ratio of total weight) as model compounds to simulate FCC gasoline. The HDS experimental results suggested that the HDS activity and selectivity of Co-Mo/CNTs catalysts were affected by Co/Mo ratio; the optimal Co/Mo atomic ratio is about 0.4, and the optimum reaction temperature is 260° C in situ FT-IR studies revealed that 1-octene can be completely saturated at 200° C. In the FT-IR spectra of diisobutylene, the characteristic absorption peak around 3081 cm −1 for the stretching vibration peak of =C-H bond was still clear at 320° C, indicating that diisobutylene is difficult to be hydrogenated. As for the thiophene, no characteristic absorption peak could be found around 3092 cm −1 and 835 cm −1 when the reaction temperature was raised to 280° C, indicating that thiophene had been completely hydrodesulfurized. On the basis of FT-IR results, it can be deduced that thiophene HDS reaction occurred mainly through direct hydrogenolysis route, whereas thiophene HDS and diisobutylene hydrogenation reaction over Co-Mo/CNTs catalysts might occur on two different kinds of active sites.

Provenance of organic matter and nutrient conditions on a river- and upwelling influenced shelf: A case study from the Portuguese Margin

Organic matter contained in surface sediments from four regions on the western Portuguese shelf, which are influenced by coastal upwelling and fluvial input, was analysed with respect to elemental organic carbon (C org) and nitrogen (N total) content and isotopic carbon and nitrogen ratios ( δ 13C org, δ 15N). C org/N total weight ratios and δ 13C org values are interpreted in terms of terrigenous or marine organic matter sources, supported by CaCO 3 content. Organic matter in the shelf sediments is mainly of marine origin, with increasing terrigenous components only close to rivers and estuaries. In the northern shelf region the data indicates significant terrigenous supply by the Douro River. North of the Nazaré Canyon organic matter composition implies a mainly marine origin, with a higher terrestrial influence close to the canyon head. Organic matter composition in the central shelf region, which is dominated by the Tagus Estuary and the Tagus prodelta, reveals a change from a continental-type signature within the estuary to a more marine-type signature further to the west and south of the estuary mouth. In the southern region near Cape Sines the geochemical properties clearly reflect the marine origin of sedimentary organic matter. Sedimentary δ 15N values are interpreted to reflect various degrees of assimilation of seasonally upwelled nitrate, in relation to the upwelling centres. In the estuarine environment, inputs of agriculturally influenced dissolved inorganic nitrogen are reflected in the sediments. No evidence for N 2-fixation or denitrification is found. On the central shelf north of the Nazaré canyon, sedimentary δ 15N values are close to marine δ 15NO 3 − and thus indicate a complete NO 3 − assimilation and N-limitation of marine production. Light δ 15N values in distal sediments off the Douro River mouth and in samples south of C. Sines reflect high NO 3 − supply and a close proximity to the seasonal upwelling centres. Particularly in sediments form the Sines region, light δ 15N values in southern samples reflect stronger upwelling further south.

Original position statistic distribution analysis study of low alloy steel continuous casting billet

The homogeneity of low alloy steels continuous casting billet obtained under different technological conditions has been investigated by original position statistic distribution analysis technique. On the basis of systematic analysis of ten thousands primary optical signals at the corresponding original positions, the quantitative statistic distribution information of each element was obtained. The biggest degrees of segregation of low alloy steel continuous casting billet were calculated accurately according to the quantitative distribution maps of the contents. It was suggested that the weight ratio in a certain content range was used to judge the homogeneity of the materials, and the two models—the total weight ratio of contents (the degree of statistic homogeneity, H) within the permissive content range (C0±R) and the median value confidence extension ratio (the degree of statistic segregation, S) at 95% of confidence limit of weight ratio—were put forward. The two models reflect the composition and state distribution regularity of the metal materials in a large region. The difference between the sample with high columnar crystal and the sample with high equiaxed crystal has been studied by using the two models.

906 Nutritional counselling vs commercial supplements vs ad lib: a prospective randomised controlled trial in head-neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy

To better understand the nature of carbon nanotubes supported Co-Mo catalysts (Co-Mo/CNTs) for selective hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) gasoline, studies are carried out using in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The catalytic performances of Co-Mo/CNTs catalysts were evaluated with a mixture of cyclohexane, diisobutylene, cyclohexene, 1-octene (60:30:5:5, volume ratio) and thiophene (0.5%, ratio of total weight) as model compounds to simulate FCC gasoline. The HDS experimental results suggested that the HDS activity and selectivity of Co-Mo/CNTs catalysts were affected by Co/Mo ratio; the optimal Co/Mo atomic ratio is about 0.4, and the optimum reaction temperature is 260° C in situ FT-IR studies revealed that 1-octene can be completely saturated at 200° C. In the FT-IR spectra of diisobutylene, the characteristic absorption peak around 3081 cm−1 for the stretching vibration peak of =C-H bond was still clear at 320° C, indicating that diisobutylene is difficult to be hydrogenated. As for the thiophene, no characteristic absorption peak could be found around 3092 cm−1 and 835 cm−1 when the reaction temperature was raised to 280° C, indicating that thiophene had been completely hydrodesulfurized. On the basis of FT-IR results, it can be deduced that thiophene HDS reaction occurred mainly through direct hydrogenolysis route, whereas thiophene HDS and diisobutylene hydrogenation reaction over Co-Mo/CNTs catalysts might occur on two different kinds of active sites.

International survey on the distribution of stranded and buried litter on beaches along the Sea of Japan

The distribution and abundance of marine litter on 26 beaches along the Sea of Japan were investigated from September to November 2000. The mean concentration of stranded litter in Japan and Russia was 2144 and 1344 g/100 m2, respectively. The mean number of pieces of stranded litter in Japan and Russia was 341 and 20.7/100 m2, respectively. The most abundant type of stranded litter was plastic, which accounted for 40–80 % of the total items in terms of weight and number. The mean concentration of buried litter in Japan and Russia was 9.03 and 2.70 g/m2, respectively. The total weight ratio of buried litter to stranded litter in the samples was 0.65, suggesting the significance of buried litter when evaluating the status of litter on beaches. Resin pellets were found on 12 Japanese beaches, but on none of the Russian beaches.