Autothermal two-stage gasification of low-density waste-derived fuels

In order to increase the efficiency of waste utilization in thermal conversion processes, pre-treatment is advantageous. With the Herhof Stabilat^® process, residual domestic waste is upgraded to waste-derived fuel by means of biological drying and mechanical separation of inerts and metals. The dried and homogenized waste-derived Stabilat^® fuel has a relatively high calorific value and contains high volatile matter which makes it suitable for gasification. As a result of extensive mechanical treatment, the Stabilat^® produced is of a fluffy appearance with a low density. A two-stage gasifier, based on a parallel-arranged bubbling fluidized bed and a fixed bed reactor, has been developed to convert Stabilat^® into hydrogen-rich product gas. This paper focuses on the design and construction of the configured laboratory-scale gasifier and experience with its operation. The processing of low-density fluffy waste-derived fuel using small-scale equipment demands special technical solutions for the core components as well as for the peripheral equipment. These are discussed here. The operating results of Stabilat^® gasification are also presented.     

The reliability of a new 12-channel ECG with telephone transmission

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Different from the situation in the USA, Canada, Israel, Italy and Great Britain transmission of electrocardiograms (ECG) by telephone plays an unimportant part in Germany because existing technology is at best adequate for the diagnosis of arrhythmias. A new simple system, the size of a mobile phone (P12, Aerotel, Israel), was tested: for the first time in Europe it allows patients themselves to obtain a 12-lead ECG and transmit it via any telephone to a centre for analysis. This system was evaluated for its reliability when used by lay persons. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative parameters of a conventional 12-lead ECG obtained in 217 patients (86 women, 131 men) were compared with those of 12-lead ECGs recorded and stored by lay persons, transmitted via telephone to a computer and then printed out. RESULTS: All ECGs transmitted with the P12 were analysable: quality was good or very good in 86%. Heart rate, transmission time and the various durations agreed with the conventional leads, while P12 underregistered amplitudes by about 15%. This difference was correctable by a constant or by adjusting the ECG machine. Atrial fibrillation (in eight of eight cases), infarct changes (40 of 40), ST elevations or depressions (15 of 15) and T negativities (80 of 82) were also reliably recognized. CONCLUSIONS: The described method proved simple and reliable. Clinically significant information in the ECG can be transmitted within minutes and with high diagnostic reliability to a central station via any telephone. P12 is thus suitable for self-recording of ECGs by patients with potentially dangerous cardiac conditions. However a centre with cardiologically trained personnel should be available where telephone transmission of the ECGs and dialogue with the patients is possible around the clock.     

Energy Metabolites as Biomarkers in Ischemic and Dilated Cardiomyopathy

With more than 25 million people affected, heart failure (HF) is a global threat. As energy production pathways are known to play a pivotal role in HF, we sought here to identify key metabolic changes in ischemic- and non-ischemic HF by using a multi-OMICS approach. Serum metabolites and mRNAseq and epigenetic DNA methylation profiles were analyzed from blood and left ventricular heart biopsy specimens of the same individuals. In total we collected serum from n = 82 patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and n = 51 controls in the screening stage. We identified several metabolites involved in glycolysis and citric acid cycle to be elevated up to 5.7-fold in DCM (p = 1.7 × 10⁻⁶). Interestingly, cardiac mRNA and epigenetic changes of genes encoding rate-limiting enzymes of these pathways could also be found and validated in our second stage of metabolite assessment in n = 52 DCM, n = 39 ischemic HF and n = 57 controls. In conclusion, we identified a new set of metabolomic biomarkers for HF. We were able to identify underlying biological cascades that potentially represent suitable intervention targets.     

Structure-Activity Relationships of Benzamides and Isoindolines Designed as SARS-CoV Protease Inhibitors Effective against SARS-CoV-2

Inhibition of coronavirus (CoV)-encoded papain-like cysteine proteases (PL^pro) represents an attractive strategy to treat infections by these important human pathogens. Herein we report on structure-activity relationships (SAR) of the noncovalent active-site directed inhibitor (R)-5-amino-2-methyl-N-(1-(naphthalen-1-yl)ethyl) benzamide ( 2 b ), which is known to bind into the S3 and S4 pockets of the SARS-CoV PL^pro. Moreover, we report the discovery of isoindolines as a new class of potent PL^pro inhibitors. The studies also provide a deeper understanding of the binding modes of this inhibitor class. Importantly, the inhibitors were also confirmed to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell culture suggesting that, due to the high structural similarities of the target proteases, inhibitors identified against SARS-CoV PL^pro are valuable starting points for the development of new pan-coronaviral inhibitors.     

Polyhydric alcohol esters of α-sulfo fatty acids

Direct esterification of α-sulfopalmitic and α-sulfostearic acids with excess ethylene glycol, glycerol, pentaerythritol and 2-methoxyethanol was carried out in carbon tetrachloride to give products containing essentially monoesters. Surface active properties of these compounds were measured with emphasis on washing ability in combination with soap. The detergency of these esters was compared with those of hexitol and sucrose α-sulfo fatty acid esters. Although the esters had moderate lime soap dispersing ability, their detergency showed synergism when combined with soap. Deceased. East. Market. Nutr. Res. Div., ARS, USDA.     

Long chain alkanesulfonates and 1-hydroxy-2-alkanesulfonates: Structure and property relations

Even chain sodium alkanesulfonates from the Strecker reaction, odd chain sodium alkanesulfonates from the alkaline decarboxylation of α-sulfo acids, and sodium 1-hydroxy-2-alkanesulfonates from the reduction of esters of α-sulfo acids were compared with respect to Krafft point, critical micelle concentration, detergency and foam height. Sodium alkanesulfonates and crude fusion products from the α-sulfo acids (mixtures of alkanesulfonates of one less carbon atom with a lesser amount of a soap of two less carbon atoms) are more soluble and have better detergent and foaming properties. Sodium 1-hydroxy-2-alkanesulfonates resemble monosodium salts of α-sulfo acids. Alkanesulfonic acids and 1-hydroxy-2-alkane-sulfonic acids obtained from the sodium salts by ion exchange have lower Krafft points and are more readily soluble. The critical micelle concentrations of 1-hydroxy-2-alkanesulfonic acids and α-sulfo acids are nearly the same and about equal to those of alkanesulfonic acids of one less carbon atom. Presented at the AOCS meeting in Toronto, Canada, 1962. A laboratory of the E. Utiliz. Res. & Dev. Div., ARS, U.S.D.A.     

Soap-based detergent formulations: X. Nature of detergent deposits

The cumulative deposition of detergent residue on unsoiled cotton and polyester-cotton permanent press finish cloth was determined for a variety of detergent formulations after washing 25 consecutive times in 300 ppm hard water in a laboratory Tergotometer. Included in this study were: a phosphate-built laundry detergent, two carbonate-built detergents, tallow soap and various tallow soap formulations with anionic and amphoteric lime soap dispersing agents, and a glassy sodium silicate. Sample swatches washed with each formulation were analyzed for calcium, magnesium, and organic acid content. Fabric washed with the carbonate detergents showed the highest calcium and magnesium content, while those washed with the phosphate detergent and the soap-lime soap dispersant-builder formulations had the lowest. Fabric washed with soap alone had a much higher fatty acid residue than those washed with the other detergent formulations. However, the amount of organic acids left on the fabric after washing with a soap-lime soap dispersing agent formulation was no greater than that produced by phosphate- and carbonate-built detergents. The presence or absence of deposits also was verified visually with a scanning electron microscope. Each formulation also was tested for detergency by measuring the soil buildup in a multiwash procedure. Generally, the buildup of soil paralleled the deposit of detergent residue on the unsoiled cloths.     

Empirische Methodologien und Methoden der angewandten und der empirischen Ethik

Definition of the problem This paper deals with the question of adequate methodologies and methods to conduct empirical research and integrate empirical knowledge in the field of biomedical ethics. Arguments It starts with reflections about the main subject matter of ethics, the human being as a bio-psycho-social creature and its morals, and argues that social sciences are the adequate basic empirical science in the field of ethics in general. The next paragraph considers theory of science perspectives of the relationship of ethics, empirical findings, methodologies and theories and examples of the integration of empirical findings into ethical deliberations. Reasons for the tension between social science and ethics are scrutinized which are different in the yet to be defined field of empirical ethics compared to traditional applied ethics. Conclusion How a bio-psycho-social ethics that incorporates these criteria into its own body of work could look like is finally depicted.