An overview of the role of goethite surfaces in the environment

Goethite, one of the most thermodynamically stable iron oxides, has been extensively researched especially the structure (including surface structure), the adsorption capacity to anions, organic/organic acid (especially for the soil organic carbon) and cations in the natural environment and its potential application in environmental protection. For example, the adsorption of heavy metals by goethite can decrease the concentration of heavy metals in aqueous solution and immobilize; the adsorption to soil organic carbon can decrease the release of carbon and fix carbon. In this present overview, the possible physicochemical properties of the goethite surface contributing to the strong affinity of goethite to nutrients and contaminants in natural environment are reported. Moreover, these chemicals adsorbed by goethite were also summarized and the suggested adsorption mechanism for these adsorbates was elucidated, which will help us understand the role of goethite in natural environment and provide some information about goethite as an absorbent. In addition, the feasibility of goethite used as catalyst carrier and the precursor of NZVI was proposed for removal of environmental pollution.

Incontinence-associated dermatitis: A cross-sectional prevalence study in the Australian acute care hospital setting

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to identify the prevalence of incontinence and incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) in Australian acute care patients and to describe the products worn to manage incontinence, and those provided at the bedside for perineal skin care. Data on 376 inpatients were collected over 2 days at a major Australian teaching hospital. The mean age of the sample group was 62 years and 52% of the patients were male. The prevalence rate of incontinence was 24% (91/376). Urinary incontinence was significantly more prevalent in females (10%) than males (6%) (χ2  = 4·458, df = 1, P = 0·035). IAD occurred in 10% (38/376) of the sample group, with 42% (38/91) of incontinent patients having IAD. Semi-formed and liquid stool were associated with IAD (χ2  = 5·520, df = 1, P = 0·027). Clinical indication of fungal infection was present in 32% (12/38) of patients with IAD. Absorbent disposable briefs were the most common incontinence aids used (80%, 70/91), with soap/water and disposable washcloths being the clean-up products most commonly available (60%, 55/91) at the bedside. Further data are needed to validate this high prevalence. Studies that address prevention of IAD and the effectiveness of management strategies are also needed.

Superhydrophobic fabrics for oil-water separation based on the metal organic charge transfer complex CuTCNAQ

This work reports on the fabrication of a superhydrophobic nylon textile based on the organic charge transfer complex CuTCNAQ (TCNAQ = 11,11,12,12-tetracyanoanthraquinodimethane). The nylon fabric that is metallized with copper undergoes a spontaneous chemical reaction with TCNAQ dissolved in acetonitrile to form nanorods of CuTCNAQ that are intertwined over the entire surface of the fabric. This creates the necessary micro and nanoscale roughness that is required for the Cassie-Baxter state thereby achieving a superhydrophobic/superoleophilic surface without the need for a fluorinated surface. The material is characterised with SEM, FT-IR and XPS spectroscopy and investigated for its ability to separate oil and water in two modes, namely under gravity and as an absorbent. It is found that the fabric can separate dichloromethane, olive oil and crude oil from water and in fact reduce the water content of the oil during the separation process. The fabric is reusable and tolerant to conditions such as seawater, hydrochloric acid and extensive time periods on the shelf. Given that CuTCNAQ is a copper based semiconductor may also open up the possibility of other applications in areas such as photocatalysis and antibacterial applications.

Comparative study of lead-acid batteries for photovoltaic stand-alone lighting systems

The lead-acid battery is often the weakest link in photovoltaic (PV) installations. Accordingly, various versions of lead-acid batteries, namely flooded, gelled, absorbent glass-mat and hybrid, have been assembled and performance tested for a PV stand-alone lighting system. The study suggests the hybrid VRLA batteries, which exhibit both the high power density of absorbent glass-mat design and the improved thermal properties of the gel design, to be appropriate for such an application. Among the VRLA-type batteries studied here water loss for the hybrid VRLA batteries is minimal and charge-acceptance during the service at high temperatures is better in relation to their AGM counterparts.

Studies on 12 V substrate-integrated lead-carbon hybrid ultracapacitors

A cost-effective 12 V substrate-integrated lead-carbon hybrid ultracapacitor is developed and performance tested. These hybrid ultracapacitors employ flexible-graphite sheets as negative plate current-collectors that are coated amperometrically with a thin layer of conducting polymer, namely poly-aniline to provide good adhesivity to activated-carbon layer. The positive plate of the hybrid ultracapacitors comprise conventional lead-sheet that is converted electrochemically into a substrate-integrated lead-dioxide electrode. 12 V substrate-integrated lead-carbon hybrid ultracapacitors both in absorbent-glass-mat and polymeric silica-gel electrolyte configurations are fabricated and characterized. It is possible to realize 12 V configurations with capacitance values of similar to 200 F and similar to 300 F, energy densities of similar to 1.9 Wh kg(-1) and similar to 2.5 Wh kg(-1) and power densities of similar to 2 kW kg(-1) and similar to 0.8 kW kg(-1), respectively, having faradaic-efficiency values of similar to 90 % with cycle-life in excess of 100,000 cycles. The effective cost of the mentioned hybrid ultracapacitors is estimated to be about similar to 4 US$/Wh as compared to similar to 20 US$/Wh for commercially available ultracapacitors.

Experimental study of gaseous detonation propagation over acoustically absorbing walls

The paper presents results front an experimental investigation of the propagation of gaseous detonation waves over tube sections lined with acoustically absorbent materials. The measurements were compared with results from control tests in a smooth wall section. The results show the increasing effectiveness of a perforated steel plate, wire mesh and steel wool in attenuating detonation.

Utilização de biópsias gengivais minimamente invasivas para o estudo da expressão de mediadores inflamatórios e sua correlação com a expressão do fluido gengival em pacientes com periodontite severa

O objetivo deste estudo foi utilizar biópsias minimamente invasivas para avaliar a expressão de mediadores inflamatórios e sua correlação com o fluido gengival em pacientes com periodontite severa. O grupo teste compreendeu 22 pacientes com periodontite severa (idade média 45,5  DP 8,9 anos), analisados por sítios rasos e profundos, e o grupo controle por 14 pacientes periodontalmente saudáveis (idade média 39,35  DP 16,5 anos). As amostras do fluido gengival foram coletadas com papel absorvente, nos mesmos sítios de onde foram realizadas as biópsias, e quantificadas, por Luminex, para IFN- γ, IL 1-β, IL-6, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-25, IL-31, IL-33, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-17F, sCD40L e TNFα. Foram coletadas biópsias, com um punch de 2mm de diâmetro nos grupos teste e controle. A avaliação imuno-histoquímica foi semiquantitativa, nas células epiteliais, plasmócitos, macrófagos, fibroblastos e células endoteliais, para a IL1-β, IFN-γ, IL-6 e IL-17. Foram observadas marcações imuno-histoquímicas, em todos os grupos celulares analisados, tanto nos pacientes com periodontite como nos controles, sem diferenças significativas entre eles. O fluido gengival apresentou maiores quantidades para os marcadores IL-1β e IL-23 nos sítios profundos. Não foram encontradas correlações significativas entre as marcações imuno-histoquímicas e o fluido gengival para os subgrupos analisados. Na análise comparativa entre as biópsias e o fluido gengival, a IL1-β mostrou alta concordância nos sítios rasos e profundos. Concluindo, a utilização padronizada de um punch de 2mm de diâmetro para biópsias em tecido periodontal mostrou- se viável, para estudos com imuno-histoquímica. O fluido gengival pode não expressar todos os marcadores do tecido correspondente, com variações dependendo do marcador analisado e das condições inflamatórias locais.

High contrast holograms using nanotube forest

Nanotube forest behaves as highly absorbent material when they are randomly placed in sub-wavelength scales. Furthermore, it is possible to create diffractive structures when these bulks are patterned in a substrate. Here, we introduce an alternative to fabricate intensity holograms by patterning fringes of nanotube forest on a substrate. The result is an efficient intensity hologram that is not restricted to sub-wavelength patterning. Both the theoretical and experimental analysis was performed with good agreement. The produced holograms show a uniform behaviour throughout the visible spectra. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.

滴灌条件下不同保水剂在枣林坡地的应用效果研究

利用野外试验方法,在滴灌条件下研究了保水剂在坡地枣林中的使用效果。试验结果证明:施用保水剂的土壤含水量较对照提高了15.3%~39.2%,使10~70 cm土层有较高贮存水量,在年生育期平均降雨量为395 mm情况下,确定红枣整个生育期(为210 d)共灌水4次,按大约每55 d灌溉一次计算,可减少灌溉2次,节约用水264 m3/hm2;0~60 cm土壤平均容重降低0.05~0.16 g/cm3,改善了土壤的通气透水的土壤物理性质,促进了枣树的生长发育,与对照株产5.6 kg相比,四年生红枣单株最高可增产2.85 kg/株;就不同保水剂综合来说,Hs和Hm表现出良好的适宜性。

保水剂对宁南山区马铃薯产量及土壤水分利用的影响

在宁南半干旱黄土丘陵区探讨大田施用PAM、沃特保水剂对马铃薯产量和土壤水分利用的影响。结果表明:PAM、沃特均可促进马铃薯生长、提高块茎产量,其中PAM 9.0 kg/hm2(P3)和沃特15 kg/hm2(W1)、沃特30kg/hm2(W2)、沃特60 kg/hm2(W3)处理马铃薯生物量和块茎产量显著高于CK(P<0.05),增产效果最明显。幼苗期、块茎形成期和块茎生长期各处理耗水量无显著差异,淀粉积累期CK耗水量极显著高于施用保水剂处理(P>0.01)。保水剂处理耗水量随着马铃薯生物量的增加而增大,降雨对土壤水分的补充随生物量的增大而减少。利用有序聚类分析得出,淀粉积累期降雨对土壤0~60 cm的水分储量有明显的补充,施用PAM和沃特两种保水剂,0~140 cm各层土壤储水量恢复相近,而140 cm以下土层沃特的恢复能力优于PAM,平均每20 cm土层储水量较PAM高6.2 mm。随着PAM施用量的增加水分利用效率提高,沃特保水剂则相反。沃特15 kg/hm2和PAM 9 kg/hm2处理水分利用效率、水分产出效率最高。通过对马铃薯产量和水分利用特征得出,PAM的用量为9 kg/hm2、沃特15kg/h...

两种高分子保水材料对盆栽甘蓝影响研究

采用盆栽试验,研究了两种高分子化合物聚丙烯酸钠(sodium polyacrylate,SP)与聚丙烯酰胺(Polyacrylamide,PAM)对甘蓝生长的影响。结果表明:在土壤中施入2/1000的两种高分子材料均能抑制土壤蒸发,砂土、粘土蒸发强度分别较对照降低35.5%、22.8%;甘蓝叶绿素受两种材料的影响不显著,受肥料影响较大;两种高分子材料施入土壤中增加了甘蓝产量、降低了根冠比,地上、地下生物量砂土较对照分别增加了61.1%、16.1%,粘土分别增加了55.2%、28.7%,根冠比砂土较对照平均降低了26.9%,粘土降低16%;PAM与SP使砂土容重较对照降低了13.9%,而粘土仅降低了4.1%;单施高分子处理水分利用效率平均较对照增加59.1%,与肥料混合使用时增加77.1%。总体来看,PAM与SP作用效果相近。

沃特和PAM施用方式对土壤水分及玉米生长的影响

为了鉴别沃特保水剂和PAM不同施用方式的施用效果,在陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区开展了撒施、沟施、穴施对土壤水含量和玉米生长影响的田间试验。结果表明不同施用方式提高了0～10cm土层土壤水含量,而30～40cm土层土壤水含量则随降水量的多少呈现出不同的规律性。随着玉米的生长,不同施用方式影响的土层深度逐渐加深,从三叶期0～50cm土层增加到成熟期的0～200cm土层,土壤水含量表现为沟施、穴施高于撒施,撒施高于对照。3种施用方式对玉米出苗无显著影响,但均提高了玉米生物量、籽粒产量、水分利用效率,降低了玉米的耗水量,其中沟施、穴施的效果强于撒施。沃特、PAM相同施用方式对土壤水含量和玉米生长无显著影响,且沟施和穴施之间无显著性差异,但沃特单位施用量单位面积的增产量高于PAM。玉米生产中,沃特、PAM应以沟施或穴施为主。

保水剂对土壤中氮运移和转化的影响

从在田间试验中表现良好增产作用的四种土壤保水剂中选出两种不同类型的保水剂，利用室内一维垂直土柱研究了保水剂的保水保肥机理及其对土壤氮运移和转化的影响。 溶液的离子强度、保水剂类型以及剂型是影响保水剂吸水率的关键因素。不同类型的保水剂在水溶液和土壤中的持水能力不同，聚丙烯酸盐类保水剂比聚丙烯酰胺/无机矿物复合型保水剂对土壤水运动的影响更为显著。保水剂的保水性能不仅与保水剂自身组成有关，同时也与剂型粒度关系密切。保水剂用量对土壤水运动有影响，其施用量存在最佳值。保水剂的施用能够明显改善土柱中的水分运移，影响土壤的导水性能，从而减缓水分的蒸发和渗漏，但对土壤深层的水分运动影响不明显。 保水剂可释放和吸附氮肥，其释放和吸附氮肥的能力，受粒级与生产过程中所添加复合成分的影响较大，且释放和吸收铵态氮量高于硝态氮量。保水剂与氮肥的互作效应主要受保水剂自身组成和结构及氮肥水溶液离子强度制约。保水剂可吸收土壤中的尿素，阻滞浅层土壤氮向下运移，有较好的保肥效果。聚丙烯酸盐类保水剂对土壤氮的渗漏有更好的抑制作用。保水剂对氮的转化有显著影响。离子态氮可明显降低保水剂的保水保肥性能，在田间施用中应综合考虑施肥灌溉等农业措施对保水剂保水保肥效果的影响。

应用负载型纳米铁去除饮用水中砷的研究

砷是毒性最强的元素之一，水体中砷的污染己经引起人们广泛的关注。我国的新疆、内蒙、山西和台湾等省和地区地下水砷含量严重超标。全球共有5,000多万人遭受高砷饮用水的威胁，其中中国有1,500多万，是饮用水砷污染最严重的国家之一。WHO推荐饮用水砷的最高允许浓度从原来的50 µg•L-1已降至10 µg•L-1。更为严格的砷卫生标准的颁布，对作为饮用水源的地下水中的砷去除工艺提出了更高的要求。吸附法除砷比膜法、混凝法和离子交换法更安全、简便，是砷去除工艺中最有效的方法之一。 首先，本研究通过优化制备条件（包括炭种类的选择、炭的粒径大小、还原剂的浓度及滴定速率、反应温度、铁盐的种类及浓度、分散剂的比例及浓度），制备了负载型纳米铁。考虑到砷的去除效率、工程应用的可行性以及经济性，最优的制备条件如下：选用粒径为20~40目煤质炭，在室温、一定的分散剂比例及浓度，0.2 M KBH4滴速为20 d•min-1时所制备的Fe/炭为82.0 mg•g-1；纳米铁在活性炭孔内呈针状，其直径为30~500 nm，长度为1,000~2,000 nm。绝大多数的铁都负载到活性炭内部，这在处理水时铁不流失很重要。 其次，利用制备的负载型纳米铁作吸附载体，进行了饮用水中As(Ⅴ)的吸附去除实验。研究了该吸附剂对As(Ⅴ)的吸附等温线、动力学以及影响动力学的各种因素（包括As(Ⅴ)的不同初始浓度、吸附剂用量、pH值、共存离子和不同温度）、pH值、共存离子等环境条件对As(Ⅴ)去除的影响；以及吸附剂的再生及再生后的吸附效率等。研究发现在前12 h内吸附较快，72 h时达到了平衡。用Langmuir 吸附等温式估算出As(Ⅴ)的吸附量为12.0 mg•g-1。该吸附剂在pH 6.5， (25±2)℃， As(Ⅴ)初始浓度为2 mg•L-1，吸附剂用量为1.0 g•L-1时，As(Ⅴ)的去除率为75.2%；当把吸附剂的用量增加到1.5 g•L-1时，As(Ⅴ)的去除率可达99.9%以上。吸附剂可以用0.1M的NaOH浸泡12 h后即可再生，再生效率较高。常见的阴离子中PO43-、SiO32-对As(Ⅲ)的去除抑制较大，而SO42-、CO32-、C2O42-等离子对砷的去除影响较小。Fe2+对As(Ⅲ)的吸附抑制作用较大而其它阳离子影响不大。吸附剂可用0.1 M NaOH 有效再生，并且具有良好的机械性能。实验室初步实验数据表明，该吸附剂对饮用水除砷具有较好的应用前景。 第三，利用实验室制备的负载型纳米铁对饮用水中As(Ⅲ)的吸附去除也进行了研究。考察了吸附等温线、动力学以及影响动力学的各种因素、pH值、共存离子等环境条件对As(Ⅲ)去除的影响；以及吸附剂的再生及再生后的吸附效率等。研究发现，该吸附剂在pH 6.5， (25±2)℃， As(Ⅲ)初始浓度为2 mg•L-1，吸附剂用量为1.0 g•L-1时， 对As(Ⅲ)的去除率为99.8%；其吸附容量为1.996mg•g-1。吸附过程中部分As(Ⅲ)被氧化。与As(Ⅴ)的吸附相比，该吸附剂对As(Ⅲ)的效率比较高-而常见的其它除砷吸附剂如载铁纤维棉等，对As(Ⅴ)的效率比As(Ⅲ)高，为有效去除As(Ⅲ)，常常需要专门加上氧化这一过程。 最后，利用负载型纳米铁对饮用水中As(Ⅲ) 的氧化性能进行考察，发现该吸附剂不但能够有效吸附去除饮用水中的砷，而且还能把As(Ⅲ)有效地氧化为As(Ⅴ)。经过对吸附剂的构成组分分析发现，活性炭表面因富含多种官能团而对三价砷的氧化作用最大；其次是纳米铁也能把As(Ⅲ)氧化为As(Ⅴ)。

新型农用保水剂研制及其作用机理研究

保水剂是一种化学节水材料，它的应用是农林业生产中抗旱节水的一项高新技术。但是保水剂的成本一直据高不下，生产工艺复杂，性能不理想。本文通过水溶液聚合法采用简化工艺对单体与接枝聚合母体材料进行接枝聚合，研制新型高吸水树脂。 通过试验设计，利用水溶液共聚法合成了五种吸水树脂，并利用正交试验优化了相应的最佳反应条件，改进工艺，降低了成本。根据以上的实验结果，确定了接枝聚合反应的最有反应条件为：接枝母体与单体的质量比为8:1；交联剂用量为单体质量的0.15%；引发剂用量为单体用量的0.03%；单体中和度为90%；反应系统温度为65℃。因此，5个因素对于吸水率的作用大小顺序为：B>E>C>A>D，即引发剂用量与反应温度对高吸水树脂在接枝聚合过程中具有较大影响，其次是单体与接枝母体质量比和交联剂的用量，最后是单体的中和度。 通过对凝胶红外光谱的比较，可以得出单体和母体材料成功发生了聚合聚合；对新型保水剂进行高倍电镜扫描，吸水能力较好的保水剂具有较好的微孔状表面形态，这种微孔状结构，有利于保水剂胶体水分进入和水分的保持；通过热重分析，比较新研制的保水剂与对照相比，采取最佳研制工艺研制的保水剂，不但吸水性能突出，而且具有较好的热稳定性。 同时，与对照相比，几种新型保水剂在施入土壤后都能显著改善土壤的理化性状，具有良好的防止土壤蒸发，提高土壤持水性能，降低土壤入渗，并且改善了土壤的孔隙度和土壤团聚体。几种保水剂具有一定的保肥能力，增加了土壤的持肥性。