A unique behavior of sub-critical hydrocarbon permeability in activated carbon at low pressures

In our study on sub-critical hydrocarbon permeation in activated carbon, a minimum in the total permeability (B-T) at low pressure has been observed for only long-chain hydrocarbons such as n-hexane and n-heptane. Such an observation suggests that the minimum appearance depends on the properties of permeating vapors as well as the porous medium. In this paper a permeation model is presented to explain the minimum behavior with the allowance of the collision-reflection factor in the Knudsen diffusivity to be a function of surface loading. Surface diffusion was found to be very significant compared to other transport mechanisms such as Knudsen diffusion and gaseous viscous flow at low pressures. Since the gaseous viscous flow contributes negligibly to the B, at low pressures, the minimum appearance in the B, is mainly attributed to the interplay between Knudsen diffusion and surface diffusion. Also, the molecular structure of adsorbates plays an important role in the minimum appearance.

Permeability studies of alkylamides and caffeic acid conjugates from echinacea using a Caco-2 cell monolayer model

Background: Echinacea is composed of three major groups of compounds that are thought to be responsible for stimulation of the immune system-the caffeic acid conjugates, alkylamides and polysaccharides. This study has focussed on the former two classes, as these are the constituents found in ethanolic liquid extracts. Objective: To investigate the absorption of these two groups of compounds using Caco-2 monolayers, which are a model of the intestinal epithelial barrier. Results: The caffeic acid conjugates (caftaric acid, echinacoside and cichoric acid) permeated poorly through the Caco-2 monolayers although one potential metabolite, cinnamic acid, diffused readily with an apparent permeability (P-app) of 1x10(-4) cm/s. Alkylamides were found to diffuse through Caco-2 monolayers with P-app ranging from 3x10(-6) to 3x10(-4) cm/s. This diversity in P-app for the different alkylamides correlates to structural variations, with saturation and N-terminal methylation contributing to decreases in P-app. The transport of the alkylamides is not affected by the presence of other constituents and the results for synthetic alkylamides were in line with those for the alkylamides in the echinacea preparation. Conclusion: Alkylamides but not caffeic acid conjugates are likely to cross the intestinal barrier.

Permeability of subcritical hydrocarbons in activated carbon

A new diffusion and flow model is presented to describe the behavior of hydrocarbon vapors in activated carbon. The micro/mesopore size distribution (PSD) is obtained according to Do's method which consists of two sequential processes of pore layering and pore filling. This model uses the micro/meso PSD obtained from each adsorbate equilibrium isotherm, which reflects the dynamics behavior of adsorbing molecules through the solid. The initial rise in total permeability is mainly attributed to adsorbed-phase diffusion (that is, surface diffusion), whereas the decrease over reduced pressure of about 0.9 is attributed to the reduction of pore space available for gas phase diffusion and flow. A functional form of surface diffusivity is proposed and validated with experimental data. This model predicts well the permeability of condensable hydrocarbon vapors in activated carbon. (C) 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Predictors of cultural adjustment: Intergroup status relations and boundary permeability

We examined intergroup predictors of cultural adjustment among Asian international students in Australia. Sociostructural beliefs (status, legitimacy, and permeability) and initial adjustment were assessed (N = 113) at Time 1, and measures of adjustment were obtained (N = 80) at Time 2 eight weeks later. International students who perceived their cultural group to be relatively low in status experienced lower levels of psychological adjustment. Also, as expected, the effects of status were moderated by perceptions of both the permeability of intergroup boundaries and the legitimacy of the status differential. At high levels of legitimacy, perceptions of permeable group boundaries were associated with better psychological, sociocultural, and academic adjustment among international students perceiving their group to be low in status, but lower levels of adjustment among students who perceived their group to be high in status. At low levels of legitimacy, irrespective of group status position, perceived permeability was not related to adjustment.

Percutaneous absorption of steroids: Determination of in vitro permeability and tissue reservoir characteristics in human skin layers

The skin localization of steroids following topical application is largely unknown. We determined the distribution of five steroids in human skin using excised epidermal, dermal, and full-thickness membranes in vitro. There was no significant difference in steroid maximum flux through epidermal and full-thickness membranes, other than significantly lower fluxes for the most polar steroid, aldosterone. Hydrocortisone had the highest dermal diffusivity and dermal penetration, and the accumulation of hydrocortisone and corticosterone was higher than that of the other steroids. Slower penetration and higher accumulation in the viable epidermis of progesterone in full-thickness skin were consistent with dermal penetration limitation effects associated with high lipophilicity. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

Changes in the properties of a Vertisol and responses of wheat after compaction with harvester traffic

Soil compaction has been recognised as the greatest problem in terms of damage to Australia's soil resource. Compaction by tractor and harvester tyres, related to trafficking of wet soil, is one source of the problem. In this paper an array of soil properties was measured before and immediately after the application of a known compaction force to a wet Vertisol, A local grain harvester was used on soil that was just trafficable; a common scenario at harvest. The primary aim was to determine the changes in various soil properties in order to provide a benchmark against which the effectiveness of future remedial treatments could be evaluated. A secondary aim was a comparison of the measurements' efficiency to assess a soil's structural degradation status. Also assessed was the subsequent effect of the applied compaction on wheat growth and yield in the following cropping season. Nine of the soil properties measured gave statistically significant differences as a result of the soil compaction. Differences were mostly restricted to the top 0.2 m of the soil. The greatest measured depth of effect was decreased soil porosity to 0.4 m measured from intact soil clods. There was 72% emergence of the wheat crop planted into the compact soil and 93% in the uncompact soil. Wheat yield, however, was not affected by the compaction. This may demonstrate that wheat, growing on a full profile of stored soil water as did the current crop, may be little affected by compaction, Also, wheat may have potential to facilitate rapid repair of the damage in a Vertisol such as the current soil by drying the topsoil between rainfall events so increasing shrinking and swelling cycles. If this is true, then sowing a suitable crop species in a Vertisol may be a better option than tillage for repairing compaction damage by agricultural traffic. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.