Adsorbability of Mycobacterium phlei on hematite surface

The adsorption of microorganisms on the mineral surface is the base of microorganisms that are considered as mineral processing reagents. The principles of the use of a highly hydrophobic and negatively charged bacterium, Mycobacterium phlei, as a flocculating-flotating agent for finely divided hematite were investigated. The flocculating-floating recovery is strongly dependent on the pH and the dosage of the bacterium. Generally the pH should be controlled over the range of 5.5-7, and the dosage should be controlled about 16 mg/L. The infrared spectrometry analysis indicates that the six functional groups of M. phlei, substituted aromatic compound groups, -（CH2） n-groups, -CH2（-CH3） groups, carbonyl groups, aromatic hydrocarbon groups, and carboxyl groups, are on the hematite surface, among which the first five ones contribute physical adsorption and only the carboxyl groups provide chemisorption. Microscopic analysis reveals that the dimensions and tight aggregation degree of the flocs of hematite particles formed by M. phlei are also impacted by the pH and the content of M. phlei in flotation.

Characterization of Protein in Old Myocardial Infarction by FTIR Micro-spectroscopy

The aim of the present study was to assess whether Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) micro-spectroscopy could produce distinct spectral information on protein of old myocardial infarction (OMI) and to set them as molecular markers to diagnose atypical OMI. Paraffin-embedded heart samples were derived from victims dying of OMI. In combination with histological stain, FTIR and infrared micro-spectroscopy, the characteristics of OMI were analyzed morphologically and molecularly. The most relevant bands identified were the amide A, B, Ⅰ and Ⅱ, showing crucial spectral differences between apparent normal region and OMI region, including the peak position blue shift and the increased intensity of OMI, moreover relative increase in α-helix and decrease in β-sheet of protein secondary structures in OMI. Comparing to single spectral band, the I1650/I1550 ratio was increased and rationally used as a molecular marker for diagnosing OMI. These novel preliminary findings supported further exploration of FTIR molecular profiling in clinical or forensic study, and were in accordance with histopathology.

Effects of Solvents on Extraction of Effective Components from Cell Wall Tissues of Chinese Traditional Medicines

The effects of different Chinese traditional medicines were solvents on the extraction of effective studied by the histochemical methods, components from the cell wall tissues of such as the bare-handed section, swelling ratio, paraffin section, IR spectrum and cell wall component analysis. The results show that the ethanol-alkali solvent could increase the swelling ratio as well as the swelling speed. The effective components of cell wall tissues extracted by ethanol-alkali solvent become loose shown by the paraffin section. According to the IR spectrum analysis and the results of cell wall tissue component analysis, it was found that the ethanol-alkali solvent could decrease the contents of pectin and hemicellulose in the cell wall to make the wall broken, and therefore the effective components can be extracted easily by the solvent and the extraction rate is increased.

A quantum cascade laser infrared spectrometer for CO_2 stable isotope analysis：Field implementation at a hydrocarbon contaminated site under bio-remediation

Real-time methods to monitor stable isotope ratios of CO_2 are needed to identify biogeochemical origins of CO_2 emissions from the soil–air interface. An isotope ratio infra-red spectrometer（IRIS） has been developed to measure CO_2 mixing ratio with δ~13C isotopic signature, in addition to mixing ratios of other greenhouse gases（CH_4, N2_O）. The original aspects of the instrument as well as its precision and accuracy for the determination of the isotopic signature δ~13C of CO_2 are discussed. A first application to biodegradation of hydrocarbons is presented, tested on a hydrocarbon contaminated site under aerobic bio-treatment. CO_2 flux measurements using closed chamber method is combined with the determination of the isotopic signature δ~13C of the CO_2 emission to propose a non-intrusive method to monitor in situ biodegradation of hydrocarbons. In the contaminated area, high CO_2 emissions have been measured with an isotopic signature δ~13C suggesting that CO_2 comes from petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation.This first field implementation shows that rapid and accurate measurement of isotopic signature of CO_2 emissions is particularly useful in assessing the contribution of contaminant degradation to the measured CO_2 efflux and is promising as a monitoring tool for aerobic bio-treatment.

Processing of Calamine with Modern Analytical Techniques:Processed with Huanglian Decoction(黄连汤)and Sanhuang Decoction(三黄汤)

Objective： To determine the pyrolysis characteristics of calcined and processed calamine, qualitatively and quantitatively compare the contents of related elements, morphology and functional groups of the pyrolysis products dried at different heating temperatures and explore the critical temperature and the optimal drying temperature for the process of calamine with Huanglian Decoction（HLD, 黄连汤） and San Huang Decoction（SHD, 三黄汤）. Methods： Pyrolysis products were prepared by programmable and constantly heating the calcined and processed calamine to or at different heating temperatures. Thermogravimetry（TG） was used to test their pyrolysis characteristics. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopeenergy dispersive spectrometer were used to determine their morphology, functional groups and element contents. Page model was used to investigate the constant drying kinetics of processed calamine. Results： The adding of HLD or SHD to calcined calamine（CC） can slow its weight loss in drying pyrolysis process. The temperature ranges where HLD and SHD can affect its weight loss were 65–150 ℃ and 74–180 ℃, respectively. The drying temperature was optimized as 90 ℃. The drying kinetic for the processed calamine fits Page model shows good linearity. Conclusions： The critical temperature and the optimal drying temperature where HLD and SHD can affect the weight loss rate in the process of calamine were explored using the theories and methods of both biophysical chemistry and processing of Chinese materia medica. This work provides a good example for the study of the process of other Chinese medicines using modern analytical techniques.

Crosslinking of PVA Pervaporation Membrane by Maleic Acid

Maleic acid (MA) crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) membrane is prepared using a high temperature esterification reaction between PVA and MA in the presence of sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The crosslinking reaction mechanism is investigated using FT IR spectral analysis. The results indicate that maleic acid reacts with hydroxyl groups in PVA to form mono and bis ester in a two step process.

Reaction Mechanism of H2-Assisted C3H6-SCR over Ag-CexZr Catalyst as Investigated by In situ FTIR

A series of silver-doped cerium zirconium oxide(Ag-CevZr)samples was synthesized successfully for selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide(NO)with hydrogen and propene(H2/C3H6-SCR)under excess oxygen condition.The catalytic activity test proved that Ag-Ce0.4Zr exhibited the best C3H6-SCR activity.Hydrogen(H2)significantly enlianced NO conversion and widened the temperature window.Multi-technology characterizations were conducted to ascertain the properties of fabricated catalysts including X-ray diflraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectrometry(FTIR),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and H2 temperature programmed reduction(H2-TPR).In situ FTIR results demonstrated that various types of nitrates and chelating nitrite were generated on Ag-CexZr after introduction of NO.Besides,adding H2 could increase the concentration of bidentate nitrate and chelated bidentate nitrate dramatically,especially for Ce0.4Zr catalyst.Transient reaction between pre-adsorbing NO and C3H/C3H6+H2 illuminated that the most active intermediate was chelating nitrite,which was promoted significantly by H2 participation.Furthermore,adding H2 improved the formation of organo-nitro(R-N02),which was the key intennediate in C3H6-SCR.The reaction mechanism over Ag-CexZr catalysts was proposed at 200℃ as follows:nitric oxide(NO)+pr opene(C 3H6)+hy dr ogen(H2)+oxy gen(O2)→chelating nitrite (N O2-)+acry late-type species(CxHyOz)→organo-nitro(R-NO2)→isocyanate(-NCO)+cyanide(—CN)→nitrogen(N2).