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• BRDF generated in biomass boiler was evaluated in terms of physicochemical properties and combustion behavior as a fuel in thermal power plants. • BRDF were analyzed and compared with RWP, TWP, and coal. • Higher heating value and grindability for BRDF become higher than those of RWP, TWP. • BRDF has maximum combustion reaction rate compared to others. Recently, a 125 MW biomass power plant in South Korea has been operating annually using 600,000 tons of wood pellets as fuel, producing approximately 6,000 tons of biomass refuse-derived fuel (BRDF) each year. Owing to challenges in pulverizing biomass, large particles are introduced into the boiler furnace during power generation. However, their size hinders complete combustion, and approximately 1.0 % of the fuel input to the boiler descends to the bottom and is subsequently collected in the ash hopper; it corresponds to BRDF. This study evaluated the recyclability and applicability of BRDF in boilers by comparing its fuel properties with those of raw wood pellets (RWP), torrefied wood pellets (TWP), and coal. Furthermore, we analyzed and assessed the physicochemical properties and fundamental combustion characteristics using the thermally treated biomass grindability index (TTBGI), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The fixed carbon content of BRDF increased, whereas the volatile matter content decreased compared with that of RWP. The H/C and O/C atomic ratios of BRDF were similar to those of coal, and the higher heating value (HHV) of BRDF was improved compared with the other samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirmed significant pore development in the BRDF, and BET analysis indicated an increase in the specific surface area. The TTBGI measurements indicated improved grindability of the BRDF and increased lignin content. In particular, C mean (%/min) and C max (%/min) increased compared with RWP, and the combustion characteristics of the BRDF improved. Therefore, this study suggests that BRDF has the potential to be utilized as a fuel in existing boilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects 50% EtOH extract of Maclura tricuspidata fruits (FME50) and isolated compounds, cudraisoflavone I (CFI), and cudraisoflavone H (CFH), on ischemic damage in in vitro model and in vivo model of cerebral ischemia. FME50, CFI, and CFH inhibited OGD/R + glucose-induced neuronal cell death, ROS generation, and Nox4 expression via induction of Nox4-targeting miRNA-25, miRNA-92a, and miRNA-146a in SH-SY5Y cells. Also, FME50 suppressed OGD/R + glucose-induced activation of ASK1-JNK1/p38 MAPK signal cascade. Furthermore, FME50 significantly reduced the MCAO/R-induced brain infarct, Nox4 expression via induction of Nox4-targeting three miRNAs. Additionally, FME50 suppressed MCAO/R-induced MAPK signal pathway. These results demonstrate that FME50, CFI, and CFH exert neuroprotective effects via Nox4 inhibition by the induction of Nox4-targeting miRNAs and inhibition of MAPK signal cascade, suggesting that they might be possible candidates for the treatment of cerebral ischemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The NiP 2 nanoparticles are synthesized via a high energy mechanical milling. • The NiP 2 electrode shows the conversion reaction mechanism for sodium storage. • The voltage drop effect and capacity activation at early cycles are demonstrated. • The NiP 2 /C composite electrode showed the excellent cycle retention. Nickel phosphide (NiP 2) nanoparticles were prepared via a high energy mechanical milling (HEMM), and their electrochemical properties as an anode for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) were studied. As-synthesized NiP 2 was highly agglomerated nanoparticles of 100∼200 nm, which were composed of ∼10 nm nanocrystallites. The NiP 2 electrode showed the reversible conversion reaction by forming the Na 3 P and Ni phases along with unreacted NiP 2 and delivered the discharge and charge capacities of 653 and 489 mAh g−1, respectively, with an initial Coulombic efficiency of 75% at a current density of 50 mA g−1. The low reaction potential between Na and NiP 2 inhibited the full conversion reaction, which required an activation process. In addition, NiP 2 /C nanocomposite was fabricated by HEMM using as-synthesized NiP 2 and acetylene carbon black. The high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) image indicated that the NiP 2 nanoparticles were completely covered with ∼10 nm thick carbon layer. The NiP 2 /C nanocomposite electrode exhibited the improved sodium storage performance and delivered a specific capacity of 428 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 50 mA g-1. The enhanced cycle performance of NiP 2 /C nanocomposite was attributed to high electrical conductivity, high Na+ ion mobility, and reduction of nanoparticle aggregation during cycling. Furthermore, NiP 2 /C nanocomposite was successfully operated even at the full cell configuration. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Electrochemical reaction mechanism of MnV 2 O 6 as an anode for SIBs is investigated. • Electrochemical performance of MnV 2 O 6 nanobelt and nanoparticle is compared. • MnV 2 O 6 nanobelt electrode shows better cycle retention and long-term cyclability. Manganese vanadate (MnV 2 O 6) nanobelts (MVO-NBs) and nanoparticles (MVO-NPs) with a brannerite structure are synthesized by hydrothermal and high energy mechanical milling methods, respectively, and their electrochemical properties as an anode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are investigated. Ex-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies indicate that MnV 2 O 6 is transformed to a low crystalline phase during the first sodiation without a further amorphization, which is different from MnV 2 O 6 /Li cell and results in a relatively low reversible capacity in MnV 2 O 6 /Na cell. The MVO-NB electrode exhibits the better electrochemical performance than MVO-NP electrode, possibly due to the fast diffusion kinetics resulting from the short diffusion length. The MVO-NB electrode shows a stable long-term cycle stability, delivering a reversible capacity of 110 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles at a high current density of 500 mA g−1. The MnV 2 O 6 nanobelt electrode is electrochemically active with sodium ion showing an excellent cycle retention with a high Coulombic efficiency. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aggregation of α-synuclein (ASYN) is considered a major determinant of neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease (PD). E6-associated protein (E6-AP), an E3 ubiquitin protein ligase, has been known to promote the degradation of α-synuclein. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the sesquiterpene lactone reynosin on dopamine (DA)-induced neuronal toxicity and regulation of E6-associated protein and α-synuclein proteins in both in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson's disease. Usi“ng flow cytometry and western blot analysis, we determined that reynosin significantly protected both against cell death from dopamine-induced toxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and against the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cells in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats (a rodent Parkinson's disease model system). In addition, reynosin made up-regulation of E6-associated protein expression and down-regulation of the over-expression of α-synuclein protein in both dopamine-treated SH-SY5Y cells and 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. These results suggest that the protective effect of reynosin against dopamine-induced neuronal cell death may be due to the reciprocal up-regulation of E6-associated protein and down-regulation of α-synuclein protein expression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Due to the prohibition of food waste landfilling in Korea from 2005 and the subsequent ban on the marine disposal of organic sludge, including leachate generated from food waste recycling facilities from 2012, it is urgent to develop an innovative and sustainable disposal strategy that is eco-friendly, yet economically beneficial. In this study, methane production from food waste leachate (FWL) in landfill sites with landfill gas recovery facilities was evaluated in simulated landfill reactors (lysimeters) for a period of 90d with four different inoculum–substrate ratios (ISRs) on volatile solid (VS) basis. Simultaneous biochemical methane potential batch experiments were also conducted at the same ISRs for 30d to compare CH4 yield obtained from lysimeter studies. Under the experimental conditions, a maximum CH4 yield of 0.272 and 0.294L/gVS was obtained in the batch and lysimeter studies, respectively, at ISR of 1:1. The biodegradability of FWL in batch and lysimeter experiments at ISR of 1:1 was 64% and 69%, respectively. The calculated data using the modified Gompertz equation for the cumulative CH4 production showed good agreement with the experimental result obtained from lysimeter study. Based on the results obtained from this study, field-scale pilot test is required to re-evaluate the existing sanitary landfills with efficient leachate collection and gas recovery facilities as engineered bioreactors to treat non-hazardous liquid organic wastes for energy recovery with optimum utilization of facilities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The cavitation erosion behavior of carbon steel dispersed with nano-sized TiC ceramic particles fabricated using the liquid metal casting process by ex-situ introduction of the particles was investigated in terms of the distribution of pearlite/ferrite regions and TiC reinforcing nanoparticles. In case of normal carbon steel, cavitation bubble-induced craters were preferentially formed inside the ductile ferrite region and thereafter they were easily detached through the grain boundary on a massive scale. When the nano-sized TiC particles were added, the incubation period and the erosion rate were 1.64 times longer and 1.42 times lower, respectively, compared to cast carbon steel without TiC nanoparticles, indicating a drastic increase in the cavitation erosion resistance due to the homogeneous distribution of TiC reinforcing nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The flowers of Inula britannica L. var. chinensis (Rupr.) Reg. (Compositae) are used in traditional medicine to treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, and acute pleurisy in China and Korea. However, the pharmacological actions of Inula britannica L. var. chinensis on endothelial cells and inflammatory monocytes are not clear. In this study, we investigated whether bigelovin, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from the flowers of Inula britannica L. var. chinensis, inhibits monocyte adhesion and adhesion molecule expression in brain endothelial cells. We measured tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-enhanced Raw264.7 monocyte binding to brain endothelial cells and the levels of cell adhesion molecules, including vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and endothelial-selectin (E-selectin) on the surface of brain endothelial cells. Bigelovin significantly inhibited these in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cell viability. Furthermore, bigelovin suppressed the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) promoter-driven luciferase activity, NF-κB activation, and degradation of NF-κB inhibitor protein alpha (IκBα). These results indicate that bigelovin inhibits inflammatory monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin by blocking IκBα degradation and NF-κB activation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in an alkaline medium is currently a challenging issue for the development of hydrogen production by electrochemical water splitting. In this work, a self-standing nickel phosphide nanosheet with a selected phase (Ni 2 P, Ni 5 P 4 , or NiP 2) is prepared by a hydrothermal process and a gas phase thermal phosphorization. The phase selection with different P content is simply achieved by the type and amount of P precursors. With increasing P content, the HER activity in alkaline media is enhanced, and the NiP 2 nanosheet array exhibits a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 178 mV with a Tafel slope of 85.5 mV dec−1. Furthermore, increasing the thickness of the NiP 2 nanosheet arrays decreases the overpotential to 109 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Image 1 • Synthesis of Nickel phosphide nanosheet arrays with different P contents on graphite substrate. • Evaluation of phase dependent HER activities in alkaline electrolyte. • Length control of nanosheet arrays for enhanced HER performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]