Al-modified yolk-shell silica particle-supported NiMo catalysts for ultradeep hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene:Efficient accessibility of active sites and suitable acidity

Yolk-shell SiO2 particles(YP)with center-radial meso-channels were fabricated through a simple and effective method.Al-containing YP-supported NiMo catalysts with different Al amounts(NiMo/AYP-x,x=Si/Al molar proportion)were prepared and dibenzothiophene(DBT)and 4,6-dimethyl-dibenzothiophene(4,6-DMDBT)were employed as the probes to evaluate the hydrodesulfurization(HDS)catalytic performance.The as-prepared AYP-x carriers and corresponding catalysts were characterized by some advanced characterizations to obtain deeper correlations between physicochemical properties and the HDS performance.The average pore sizes of series AYP-x supports are above 6.0 nm,which favors the mass transfer of organic sulfides.The cavity between the yolk and the shell is beneficial for the enrichment of S-containing compounds and the accessibility between reactants and active metals.Aluminum embedded into the silica framework could facilitate the formation of Lewis(L)and Brønsted(B)acid sites and adjust the metal-support interaction(MSI).Among all the as-synthesized catalysts,NiMo/AYP-20 catalyst shows the highest HDS activities.The improved HDS activity of NiMo/AYP-20 catalyst is attributed to the perfect combination of excellent structural properties of the yolk-shell mesoporous silica,enhanced acidity,moderate MSI,and good accessibility/dispersion of active components.

Effect of Saline Water on Soil Acidity, Alkalinity and Nutrients Leaching in Sandy Loamy Soil in Rwamagana Bella Flower Farm, Rwanda

The necessity to saline and sodic waters is sometimes used for irrigating agricultural activities under certain circumstances, but it is important to note that the use of these waters comes with specific considerations and limitations. One way to decrease undesirable effects of sodic waters on the physical and chemical properties of soils is to apply organic and chemical amendments within the soil. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of saline water on soil acidity, alkalinity and nutrients leaching in sandy loamy soil at Bella flower farm, in Rwamagana District, Rwanda. The water used was from the Muhazi Lake which is classified as Class I (Saline water quality). Column leaching experiments using treated soils were then conducted under saturated conditions. The soil under experimental was first analyzed for its textural classification, soil properties and is classified as sandy loamy soil. The t-test was taken at 1%, 5% and 10% levels of statistical significance compared to control soil. The results indicated that the application of saline water to soils caused an increase in some soil nutrients like increase of Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sulphur (S), CN ratio and Sodium (Na+) and decreased soil texture, physical and chemical properties and remained soil nutrients. Consequently, the intensive addition of saline water leachates to soil in PVC pipes led to decreased of soil EC through leaching and a raiser Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP). The rate of saline water application affected the increase accumulation of SAR and Na% in the top soil layers. The study indicated that saline water is an inefficient amendment for sandy soil with saline water irrigation. The study recommends further studies with similar topic with saline water irrigation, as it accentuated the alkalinity levels.

Sulfonated carbon materials with hydrophilic and lipophilic properties

Two acidic carbon materials （H-PRC and HS-C） were used as catalysts for the condensation reaction of methanol with formaldehyde to produce dimethoxymethane （DMM） in aqueous solution （hydrophilic system） and for the etherification of isopentene with methanol to produce tert amyl methyl ether （TAME） in toluene solution （lipophilic system）. Microcalorimetric adsorptions of water and benzene showed that the HS-C was highly hydrophilic without the lipophilicity, while the H-PRC exhibited both the hydrophilicity and lipophilicity. Thus, the HS-C was well dispersed in aqueous solution and difficult to separate from it. On the other hand, the H-PRC was highly active, more active than the acidic resin （D008） and sulfuric acid, for the synthesis of DMM in aqueous solution. The H-PRC was also highly active, more active than the HS-C, for the etherification of isopentene with methanol to produce TAME in toluene solution, probably owing to its amphiphilic surface property as well as its strong surface acidity as measured by the microcalorirnetric adsorption of NH3.

Coking kinetics and influence of reaction-regeneration on acidity, activity and deactivation of Zn/HZSM-5 catalyst during methanol aromatization

The coking kinetics and reaction-regeneration on Zn/HZSM-5 （Zn/HZ） catalyst in the conversion of methanol to aromatics were investigated. The highest initial benzene, toluene and xylene （BTX） yield of ca. 67.7% was obtained on fresh Zn/HZ catalyst, which showed the worst catalytic stability. The cycle of reaction-regeneration significantly modified the texture and acidity of Zn/HZ catalyst, which in turn affected its catalytic performance and coking behavior in methanol conversion to BTX. The residual carbon located on the surface of Zn/HZ catalyst led to the decrease of acid sites and the change on the acid sites distribution, which played an important roles on its activity and deactivation. It was found that the high B/L ratio and the low total acid sites concentration of the Zn/HZ catalyst favored to the high BTX yield and good catalytic stability in methanol conversion.

Effects of Light Rare Earth on Acidity and Catalytic Performance of HZSM-5 Zeolite for Catalytic Cracking of Butane to Light Olefins

The effects of rare earth（RE）on the structure,acidity,and catalytic performance of HZSM-5 zeolite were investigated.A series of RE/HZSM-5 catalysts,containing 7.54% RE（RE=La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm,Eu or Gd）,were prepared by the impregnation of the ZSM-5 type zeolites（Si/Al=64：1）with the corresponding RE nitrate aqueous solutions.The catalysts were characterized by means of FT-IR,UV-Vis,NH3-TPD,and IR spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine.The catalytic performances of the RE/HZSM-5 for the catalytic cracking of mixed butane to light olefins were also measured with a fixed bed microreactor.The results revealed that the addition of light rare earth metal on the HZSM-5 catalyst greatly enhanced the selectivity to olefins,especially to propylene,thus increasing the total yield of olefins in the catalytic cracking of butane.Among the RE-modified HZSM-5 samples,Ce/HZSM-5 gave the highest yield of total olefins,and Nd/HZSM-5 gave the highest yield of propene at a reaction temperature of 600℃.The presence of rare earth metal on the HZSM-5 sample,not only modified the acidic properties of HZSM-5 including the amount of acid sites and acid type,that is,the ratio of L/B（Lewis acid/Brnsted acid）,but also altered the basic properties of it,which in turn promoted the catalytic performance of HZSM-5 for the catalytic cracking of butane.

Theoretical and experimental study on lipophilicity and wound healing activity of ginger compounds

Objective:To correlate the chromatographic and computational method to calculate lipophilicity of selected ginger compounds and to observe the effects of log P on wound healing.Methods:Mixtures of acetonitrile and water with acetonitrile content between 95%and 50%v/v in 5%increments were kept separately in 10 different chromatographic chambers,saturated with solvent for 2 h.Spots were observed under UV light atλ=254 nm p-anisaldehyde used as a spraying reagent Theoretical calculation was done using the Alogps 2.1 online program at www.vcclab.org/lab/alogps.For percentage wound contraction,five groups of animal(mice)(25-30 g)of either sex were selected.Wound were created on dorsal surface of animals using toothed forceps,scalpel and pointed scissors.The wound areas were calculated using vernier caliper.After making wound mice were orally administered 35 mg/kg 6-shogoal,6-gingerol,8-gingerol and 10-gingerol respectively.Croup E as the control group received tap water.Results:The Iipophilicity values determined in thin layer chromatography were correlated with the theoretically calculated various log P by linear regression analysis.Significant correlations were found between log P values calculated by software program and the experimental reversedphase thin-layer chromatography data.Order of wound healing property of ginger compounds is directly dependent on lipophilieity i.e.more lipophilic compound has highest activity.Conclusions:Experimentally determined lipophilieity(R_(MO))values were correlated with log P determined by software's and found satisfactory.Lipophilieity(R_(MO)is a useful parameter for the determination and prediction of biological activity of ginger compounds.

Understanding the biochar’s role in ameliorating soil acidity

Extensive acidic soils,which suffer from accelerated soil acidification,are found in southern China.Soil acidity,aluminum toxicity,and nutrient deficiencies severely limited crop productivity in acidic soils.It has been widely reported that crop residue biochars can ameliorate acidic soils and increase crop productivity.Here,we summarized the positive effects and mechanisms involved in the correction of soil acidity,the alleviation of aluminum toxicity and the increase of soil pH buffering capacity by crop residue biochars.The carbonate,oxygen-containing functional groups and silicates in biochars are the major components responsible for their efficacy in amending acidic soils and resisting soil re-acidification.We conclude that application of crop residue biochars may be a better option than traditional liming to ameliorate acidic soils.Nonetheless,further researches into soil acidification are still required to address some issues that are controversial and poorly understood.

Lipophilic extractives of the inner and outer barks from six different Pinus species grown in Indonesia

The chemical compositions of the dichloromethane extracts of inner and outer barks from six Pinus species（P.elliotii,P.oocarpa,P.caribeae,P.merkusii,P.montezumae,and P.insularis） grown in Indonesia were investigated by GC and GC–MS.Generally,the amounts of extractive contents were higher in the inner bark than in the outer bark except for P.merksuii.Fatty acids,monoterpenes,sesquiterpenes,resin acids,triterpenoids,and steroids were detected and quantified.Inner and outer barks differed not only in content of these compounds but also in their composition.Fatty acids and alcohols were the major classes of lipophilic compounds in the outer bark of P.caribeae, P.insularis,and P.montezumae.Steroids and triterpenoids were the dominant compounds identified in the inner bark of P.elliotii,P.insularis,and P.merkusii.Resin acids were the most abundant group in the inner bark of P.oocarpa whereas monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were recorded in minor quantities in both bark layers of all species.

Surface Acidity of Amorphous Aluminum Hydroxide

The surface acidity of synthetic amorphous AI hydroxide was determined by acid/base titration with several complementary methods including solution analyses of the reacted solutions and XRD characterization of the reacted solids. The synthetic specimen was characterized to be the amorphous material showing four broad peaks in XRD pattern. XRD analyses of reacted solids after the titration experiments showed that amorphous AI hydroxide rapidly transformed to crystalline bayerite at the alkaline condition （pH〉10）. The solution analyses after and during the titration Ksp=^aAl^3＋/aH^＋^3 ,was 10^10.3. The amount of consumption of added acid or base during the titration experiment was attributed to both the protonation/deprotonation of dissolved AI species and surface hydroxyl group. The surface acidity constants, surface hydroxyl density and specific surface area were estimated by FITEQL 4.0.

Should peri-gastrectomy gastric acidity be our focus among gastric cancer patients?

AIM:To investigate the necessity and correctness of acid suppression pre-and post-gastrectomy among gastric carcinoma(GC)patients.METHODS:From June 2011 to April 2013,99 patients who were diagnosed with GC or adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction(typeⅡorⅢ)and needed surgical management were enrolled.They all underwent gastrectomy by the same operators[35undergoing total gastrectomy(TG)plus Roux-en-Y reconstruction,34 distal gastrectomy(DG)plus Billroth I reconstruction,and 30 proximal gastrectomy(PG)plus gastroesophagostomy].We collected and analyzed their gastrointestinal juice and tissues from the preoperational day to the 5th day post-operation,and 6 mo post-surgery.Gastric pH was detected with a precise acidity meter.Gastric juice contents including potassi-um,sodium and bicarbonate ions,urea nitrogen,direct and indirect bilirubin,and bile acid were detected using Automatic Biochemical Analyzer.Data regarding tumor size,histological type,tumor penetration and tumornode-metastasis(TNM)stage were obtained from the pathological records.Reflux symptoms pre-and 6 mo post-gastrectomy were evaluated by reflux disease questionnaire(RDQ)and gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire(GERD-Q).SPSS 16.0 was applied to analyze the data.RESULTS:Before surgery,gastric pH was higher than the threshold of hypoacidity(4.25±1.45 vs 3.5,P=0.000),and significantly affected by age,tumor size and differentiation grade,and potassium and bicarbonate ions;advanced malignancies were accompanied with higher pH compared with early ones(4.49±1.31vs 3.66±1.61,P=0.008).After operation,gastric pH in all groups was of weak-acidity and significantly higher than that pre-gastrectomy;on days 3-5,comparisons of gastric pH were similar between the 3 groups.Six months later,gastric pH was comparable to that on days 3-5;older patients were accompanied with higher total bilirubin level,indicating more serious reflux(r=0.238,P=0.018);the TG and PG groups had higher RDQ(TG vs DG:15.80±5.06 vs 12.26±2.14,P=0.000;PG vs DG:15.37±3.49 vs 12.26±2.14,P=0.000)and GERD-Q scores(TG vs DG:10.54±3.16 vs9.15±2.27,P=0.039;PG vs DG:11.00±2.07 vs 9.15±2.27,P=0.001)compared with the DG group;all gastric juice contents except potassium ion significantly rose;reflux symptom was significantly associated with patient’s body mass index,direct and indirect bilirubin,and total bile acid,while pH played no role.CONCLUSION:Acidity is not an important factor causing unfitness among GC patients.There is no need to further alkalify gastrointestinal juice both pre-and postgastrectomy.

Acidity effects of Hβ zeolite on olefin alkylation of thiophenic sulfur in gasoline

Olefin alkylation of thiophenic sulfur process was carried out in model gasoline, using Hβ zeolites with different Si/Al2 ratios as catalysts. In particular, the influence of acid properties of Hβ zeolites on its catalytic ability for the thiophene alkylation, xylene alkylation and hexene oligomerization was investigated. The results showed that the acidity of the Hβ zeolite was increased with the decrease of Si/Al2 ratio, but its catalytic ability was not always increased. In fact, it reached the maximal catalytic ability at Si/Al2 ratio of 66, and under the reaction conditions of 60 ℃, 1.5 MPa, WHSV 3.0 h^-1 and time on stream 2 h. At the ratio, the conversion of thiophene, xylene, and oligomerized hexene were 96.6%, 2.7% and 2.8%, respectively. An optimal Si/Al2 ratio exists for the catalytic performance of Hβ zeolite. By investigating the coke deposition of the used Hβ zeolite catalysts, it has been found that the optimal Si/Al2 ratio is attributed to the combined effect of the carbocation activation capability and the hydrogen transformation capability of the Hβ zeolite catalyst.

Gastric juice acidity in upper gastrointestinal diseases

AIM: To search the independent factors determining gastric juice acidity and to investigate the acidity of gastric juices in various benign and malignant upper gastrointestinal diseases. METHODS: Fasting gastric juice acidity of 165 healthysubjects and 346 patients with esophageal ulcer (n = 21), gastric ulcer (n = 136), duodenal ulcer (n = 100) or gastric cancer (n = 89) were measured and compared. Additionally, gastric specimens were taken from the antrum and body for rapid urease test and histological examination. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that bile stain of gastric juice, high acute inflammatory score of the corpus, and atrophy of the corpus were independent risk factors for the development of gastric hypoacidity with odds ratios of 3.1 (95% CI: 1.3-7.3), 3.1 (95% CI: 1.2-7.9) and 3.5 (95% CI: 1.3-9.2). Esophageal ulcer and duodenal ulcer patients had a lower pH level (1.9 and 2.1 vs 2.9, both P < 0.05) of gastric juices than healthy subjects. In contrast, gastric ulcer and gastric cancer patients had a higher pH level (3.4 and 6.6 vs 2.9, both P < 0.001) than healthy controls. Hypoacidity existed in 22%, 5%, 29%, 5% and 88% of healthy subjects, esophageal ulcer, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Bile reflux, atrophy and dense neutrophil infiltrate of the corpus are three independent factors determining the acidity of gastric juice.

Sorption of a triazol derivative by soils: importance of surface acidity

The sorption of a triazol derivative, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)- 4,4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)penten-3-ol with a common name of S3307D, on fifteen soils and three H_2O_2-treated soils was investigated. The sorption isotherm for each untreated and treated soil was non-linear, and was best fitted to Freundlich sorption equation. Soils containing high amount of clay content or organic matter or both sorbed much higher amounts of the chemical than soils that had low contents of these soil constituents. H_2O_2-treated soils showed considerable sorptive affinity for S3307D. It was concluded that both organic matter and mineral fraction in natural soils contributed to the sorption of the basic compound. Sorption by the H_2O_2 treated soils increased as suspension pH decreased, but all suspension pHs exceeded the pKa of the compound by more than two units. This implies that organic base protonation can occur on surfaces of soil components, and surface acidity (exchangeable acidity ) is important in sorption process of the organic base rather than suspension pH.

Determination of hydrophilic–lipophilic balance value and emulsion properties of sacha inchi oil

Objective: To determine hydrophilic–lipophilic balance(HLB) value, stability of formulate emulsion and properties of sacha inchi oil.Methods: The physiochemical characteristics of sacha inchi oil were first investigated.Free radical scavenging property was studied by DPPH assay. HLB value of sacha inchi oil was experimentally determined by preparing the emulsion using emulsifiers at different HLB value. Sacha inchi oil emulsion was prepared using the obtained HLB and its stability was conducted by centrifugation, temperature cycling, and accelerated stability test. The efficiency of the prepared emulsion was clinically investigated by 15 volunteers. The primary skin irritation was performed using closed patch test. Subjective sensory assessment was evaluated by using 5-point hedonic scale method.Results: Peroxide value of sacha inchi oil was 18.40 meq O2/kg oil and acid value was1.86 KOH/g oil. The major fatty acids are omega-3(44%), omega-6(35%) and omega-9(9%). The vitamin E content was 226 mg/100 g oil. Moreover, sacha inchi oil(167 ppm)and its emulsion showed 85% and 89% DPPH inhibition, respectively. The experimental HLB value of sacha inchi oil was 8.5. The sacha inchi oil emulsion exhibited good stability after stability test. The emulsion was classified as non-irritant after tested by primary skin irritation method. The skin hydration value significantly increased from38.59 to 45.21(P < 0.05) after applying sacha inchi oil emulsion for 1 month and the overall product satisfaction of volunteers after use was with score of 4.2.Conclusions: This work provides information on HLB value and emulsion properties of sacha inchi oil which is useful for cosmetic and pharmaceutical application.

The tuning of pore structures and acidity for Zn/Al layered double hydroxides:The application on selective hydrodesulfurization for FCC gasoline

Co–Mo catalysts applied on the hydrodesulfurization（HDS） for FCC gasoline were prepared with Zn–Al layered double hydroxides（LDHs） to improve their performances,and the effects of pore structures and acidity on HDS performances were studied in detail. A series of Zn–Al/LDHs samples with different pore structures and acidities are synthesized on the bases of co-precipitation of OH-,CO2-,Al3＋,and Zn2＋. The neutralization p H is a main factor to affect the pore structures and acidity of Zn–Al/LDHs,and a series of Zn–Al/LDHs with different pore structures and acidities are obtained. Based on the representative samples with different specific surface areas（SBET） and acidities,three Co Mo/LDHs catalysts were prepared,and their HDS performances were compared with traditional Co Mo/Al2O3 catalysts. The results indicated that catalysts prepared with high SBETpossessed high HDS activity,and Br？nsted acid sites could reduce the thiol content in the product to some extent. All the three catalysts prepared with LDHs displayed little lower HDS activity but higher selectivity than Co Mo/Al2O3,and could restrain the reactions of re-combination between olefin and H2 S which could be due to the existence of Br？nsted acid sites.

Acidity and conductivity of Pinus massoniana bark as indicators to atmospheric acid deposition in Guangdong, China

Barks of Pinus massoniana collected from two polluted sites, Qujiang and Xiqiaoshan, and from the relatively clean site Dinghushan were used to evaluate the pollution indication by the determination of their acidity and conductivity. The acidity of the inner and outer barks from the polluted sites was significantly higher than those from the clean site, suggesting that the acidity of the bark occurred in concurrent with the air pollution. The significant lower pH values of the outer bark than the inner bark collected from all sites indicated that the outer bark was more sensitive than the inner bark in response to acid pollution, implying that the outer bark is more preferable when used as indication of atmospheric acid pollution. The conductivities of the inner barks differed significantly among the three sites, with higher values at the clean site. However, the significant differences were not observed among these sites. Furthermore, the pH values for the inner and outer barks were not correlated with the conductivity, which did not coincide with some other studies.

Quantum Chemistry Prediction of Molecular Lipophilicity Using Semi-Empirical AM1 and <i>Ab Initio</i>HF/6-311++G Levels

Reliable prediction of lipophilicity in organic compounds involves molecular descriptors determination. In this work, the lipophilicity of a set of twenty-three molecules has been determined using up to eleven quantum various descriptors calculated by means of quantum chemistry methods. According to Quantitative Structure Property Relationship (QSPR) methods, a first set of fourteen molecules was used as training set whereas a second set of nine molecules was used as test set. Calculations made at AM1 and HF/6-311++G theories levels have led to establish a QSPR relation able to predict molecular lipophilicity with over 95% confidence.

Effects of Microencapsulated Compound Acidifier on Acidity and Development of Gastrointestinal Tract in Weaning Piglets

The effects of different types of compound acidifiers （encapsulated and non-encapsulated） in maize-soybean basic diets on acidity and development of the gastrointestinal tract in weaning piglets were investigated in this study. 64 28-day-old weaned Landrace x Yorkshire hybrid piglets with average weight of （7.00 ±0.10） kg were selected and grouped into four treatments with four pigs （ half boars and half sows） in each repeat of four repeats in each treatment based on single-factor test design principles, and the pre-test period was 3 days but the test period was 35 days. The results showed that compared with acid-free diet group, encapsulated compound acidifier could reduce pH of stomach and intestinal in weaning piglets significantly （P 〈 0.01 ）, while Test group 1 could also increase the relative weight of stomach and intestinal in piglets significantly （P 〈 0.05 ）. Compared with non-encapsulated acidifier, encapsulated compound acidifier could greatly decrease pH in jejunum and ileum of weaning piglets （ P 〈 0.05） or relative weight of stomach in piglets （ P〈0.05）, while Test group 1 could also enhance the relative weight of intestinal in piglets significantly （ P 〈0.01 ）. In addition, encapsulated compound acidifiers significantly increased the ratio between the villus height and crypt depth of jejunum （ P 〈0.01 ）. Accordingly, the microencapsulated compound acidifier in diets of weaning piglets can promote the development of gastrointestinal tracts for piglets by reducing pH of gastrointestinal tracts.

Hydrolysis of cellobiose catalyzed by zeolites—the role of acidity and micropore structure

The roles of acidity and micropore structure of zeolite were studied in the hydrolysis of the model oligosaccharide of cellulose–cellobiose. HZSM-5, HY, HMOR and Hβ zeolites were selected as model catalysts for the hydrolysis of cellobiose. The effect of acidity of zeolite, including the strength, type and location, on its catalytic activity was investigated. The strong Br？nsted acid sites located in micropores are the active sites for the hydrolysis of cellobiose to glucose. Meanwhile, the catalytic performance of zeolite is also dependent on the micropore size of zeolite.