Toxicity of mono-, di- and tri-chlorophenols to lux marked terrestrial bacteria, Burkholderia species Rasc c2 and Pseudomonas fluorescens

Burkholderia species RASC and Pseudomonas fluorescens were marked with lux genes, encoding for bioluminescence and used to assess the toxicity of mono-, di- and tri-chlorophenols by determining the decline in bioluminescence following exposure to the compounds in aqueous solution. Toxicity was expressed as a 50% effective concentration value (EC50, equating to the concentration of compound which caused a 50% decline in bioluminescence. Comparing the toxicity values of the compounds showed that, in general, increasing the degree of chlorination, increased toxicity. By carrying out forward multiple linear regressions with log10 EC50 values and physio-chemical descriptors, it was shown that molecular parameters describing the hydrogen bonding nature of a chlorophenol provided a better fit than regressions between toxicity data and log10 Kow alone. Utilising these descriptor variables in equations, it was shown that the toxicity of chlorophenols to the lux marked bacteria could be predicted from the compounds physio-chemical characteristics. By correlating lux marked RASC c2 and P. fluorescens EC50 values with toxicity values using Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow), Tetrahymena pyriformis (ciliate) and marine bacterium Vibriofischeri, it was apparent that lux marked RASC c2 correlated well with the freshwater aquatic species (P. promelas and T. pyriformis). This implied that for predictions of toxicity of organic xenobiotic compounds to higher organisms, lux marked RASC c2 could be utilised as a rapid surrogate.

Le origini di Gubbio (Gubbio, Italy):The origins of Gubbio

6 month exhibition in Palazzo dei Consoli, Gubbio consisting of major archaeological discoveries and c.250 objects+ text and photographs.

Il Neolitico di Umbria - gallery, San Marco Gubbio.:Neolithic text and selection of material for display and interpretation

2009-10 Perugia – provision of material and data for gallery and information panels in Perugia Museo dei Provincia

Nota preliminare sui nuovi scavi a Monte Ingino - La Rocca Posteriore sul Monte Ingino di Gubbio. (Campagne di scavo 1975-77):"La Nuova Italia

Flavell, P., C.A.T. Malone, and S.K.F. Stoddart, (eds.)..( ed.). G. Meloni. 1987," Editrice - Regione dell'Umbria, : Firenze - Perugia.

Whole-Vehicle modelling of exhaust energy recovery on a diesel-electric hybrid bus

Hybrid vehicles can use energy storage systems to disconnect the engine from the driving wheels of the vehicle. This enables the engine to be run closer to its optimum operating condition, but fuel energy is still wasted through the exhaust system as heat. The use of a turbogenerator on the exhaust line addresses this problem by capturing some of the otherwise wasted heat and converting it into useful electrical energy.

This paper outlines the work undertaken to model the engine of a diesel-electric hybrid bus, coupled with a hybrid powertrain model which analysed the performance of a hybrid vehicle over a drive-cycle. The distribution of the turbogenerator power was analysed along with the effect on the fuel consumption of the bus. This showed that including the turbogenerator produced a 2.4% reduction in fuel consumption over a typical drive-cycle.

The hybrid bus generator was then optimised to improve the performance of the combined vehicle/engine package and the turbogenerator was then shown to offer a 3.0% reduction in fuel consumption. The financial benefits of using the turbogenerator were also considered in terms of fuel savings for operators. For an average bus, a turbogenerator could reduce fuel costs by around £1200 per year.

An investigation of the role of surface nitrate species in the oxidation of propene on a Pt-based diesel oxidation catalyst

Enhancing the low temperature activity of diesel oxidation catalysts is important for cold-start conditions and the possible importance of nitrate species in oxidation reactions has been proposed although definitive evidence has not been reported. To investigate the possible role of surface nitrates, their adsorption and reactivity on a Pt-based diesel oxidation catalyst have been investigated using the Short Time on Stream (STOS) transient kinetic technique. The results provide for the first time definitive evidence for the oxidation of propene by some of these nitrate-type species. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013.

Critical role of water in the direct oxidation of CO and hydrocarbons in diesel exhaust after treatment catalysis

CO and C3H6 oxidation have been carried out in the absence and presence of water over a Pd/Al2O3catalyst. It is clear that water promotes CO and, as a consequence, C3H6oxidation takes place at muchlower temperatures compared with the dry feed. The significant increase in the catalyst’s activity withrespect to CO oxidation is not simply associated with changes in surface concentration as a result ofcompetitive adsorption effects. Utilising18O2as the reactant allows the pathways whereby the oxidationdue to gaseous dioxygen and where the water activates the CO and C3H6to be distinguished. In thepresence of water, the predominant pathway is via water activation with C16O2and C16O18O being themajor species formed and oxidation with dioxygen plays a secondary role. The importance of wateractivation is further supported by the significant decrease in its effect when using D2O versus H2O.