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Direct alcohol biomarkers are of growing interest for the assessment of alcohol consumption, with particular interest in phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in recent years. PEth is only formed when alcohol is present in the body. However, there is no statement about how much the PEth concentration increases after single moderate alcohol consumption. This study was conducted to determine the increase in PEth concentrations after a single drinking event. Additionally, a new volumetric sampling device (volumetric dried blood spot cards (DBSV)) was evaluated, which was designed to simplify further sampling processes and to allow for easy self-sampling. Dried blood samples from 31 volunteers were collected before and after single alcohol consumption with a mean maximum breath alcohol concentration of 0.4 mg/L (range: 0.30–0.55 mg/L). PEth concentrations were determined after automated extraction by liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry. PEth 16:0/18:1 and PEth 16:0/18:2 concentrations increased to an average of 45 ng/mL each in patients starting below 20 ng/mL (range: 25.0–57.0 ng/mL for PEth 16:0/18:1; range 26.8–62.3 ng/mL for PEth 16:0/18:2). PEth concentrations in patients starting above 20 ng/mL increased by a mean of 30 ng/mL (range: 6.2–71.3 ng/mL for PEth 16:0/18:1; range 8.8–65.3 ng/mL for PEth 16:0/18:2). In addition, the comparison of the new sampling device DBSV with a standard filter paper card (with volumetrically applied 20 µL of blood samples) yielded a close agreement for the determined PEth concentrations in 24 forensic samples and three external controls. Therefore, the sampling device DBSV proved to be suitable for the determination of PEth concentrations in blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromatogeny grafting is an efficient method to hydrophobize lignocellulosic materials. Grafted papers are good candidates to replace plastic products in several applications requiring water barrier properties such as food packaging. However, chromatogeny grafting tends to reduce the sealability which is currently limiting the development of these materials. In this context, this study aims to investigate on the ultrasonic welding as a processing method to assemble papers coated with poly(vinyl alcohol) and grafted by chromatogeny. To reach such a goal, grafted and non-grafted papers, presenting different poly(vinyl alcohol) coating weight, have been welded under controlled conditions and peeled to evaluate the strength of welded joints. Results indicate that grafted-papers can be assembled by ultrasonic welding. However, it requires more severe processing conditions and the resulting peeling strength is lower than for non-grafted papers. Nevertheless, mechanical performances are quite satisfying in regard of the requirements of most packaging applications. Chromatogeny grafting modifies the adhesion mechanisms involved in the formation of the welded joints. Joint strength also increases with the poly(vinyl alcohol) coating weight which can be used as an adjusting parameter to optimize the adhesion. Overall, ultrasonic welding has proven its efficiency to assemble chromatogeny grafted-papers which is promising regarding the development of paper-based water barrier packaging solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, effect of two chemical compounds (i.e., 1-octanol and hexanal) respectively from the alcohol and aldehyde groups on thermophilic (55±2 °C) anaerobic process digesting the waste produced at a paper industry was investigated. In this scope, possible inhibition was monitored by the cumulative methane (CH4) yields in the batch reactors digesting the paper waste as the feedstock at concentrations of 0.005%, 0.05%, and 0.5% for each compound. Comparing the effects of the two different groups with the control reactor having only the paper waste as the substrate, the results revealed that adding 1-octanol and hexanal up to 0.05% concentrations had some synergistic effect on biogas yield (i.e., from 3% to 12% enhancement). Accordingly, the highest methane yields were 550 and 567 mL/g-VSfed, respectively on average in the presence of 1-octanol and hexanal at a concentration of 0.05% while the cumulative methane yield was observed as 490 mL/g-VSfed for the control reactor. With the exception of 1-octanol at 0.5%, adding both compounds at each investigated concentration was beneficial for the digestion in the batch process. Therefore, the selected alcohol and aldehyde sources did not cause the expected detrimental effect on the methanogens even at the maximum amounts added in this study. Nevertheless, since the effect of the chemical compounds on methane generation has been generally concentration-dependent, the toxic effects of 1-octanol and hexanal would be better observed at higher concentrations (>0.5%), especially when their threshold levels are exceeded in anaerobic reactors digesting paper wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reported herein is an economical, plastic‐ and fluorine‐free coating approach for oil and water repellent paper substrates using blends of poly(vinyl alcohol) and chitosan‐graft‐polydimethylsiloxane copolymer. The obtained coated paper showed good water‐resistance, as evidenced by its low Cobb60 values of ~20 ± 2.1 g/m2 and high water contact angles of 119 ± 6.3 °. The kit rating of the coated paper was 7.6/12, indicating decent grease‐resistant properties as compared to the kit value of 0/12 for the uncoated paper. The coated paper is also repulpable as demonstrated by the complete washing off the coating from the coated paper. Giving the cost‐effective nature of the coating materials and good water and oil‐resistant properties of the coated paper, the approach developed here is commercially viable, and will offer a multitude of environmental benefits such as the elimination of microplastic‐ and PFAS problems associated with existing paper coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesThis article presents an overview of the current literature on biological markers for alcoholism, including markers associated with the pharmacological effects of alcohol and markers related to the clinical course and treatment of alcohol-related problems. Many of these studies are well known, while other studies cited are new and still being evaluated.MethodsIn this paper we first describe known biomarkers of alcohol-related disorders, review their features and the problems involved in their use. We then consider future developments on biomarkers and their possible impact on the field.ResultsMore recent findings cited include the work on type 7 adenylcyclase (AC) polymorphism and its lower expression levels in female alcoholics. Neuroimaging studies involving biomarkers have also reported brain volume reductions of gray and white matter, including amygdala and subcortical regions in alcoholic patients, while a high association between the copy number variations (CNVs) in 6q14.1/5q13.2 and alcohol dependence has more recently been identified in genetic studies.ConclusionsIn addition to their possible importance for diagnosis, biomarkers may have utility for predicting prognosis, progression of the disorder, the development of new treatments, and monitoring treatment effects. Although such findings should be verified in independent studies, the search for new biomarkers is continuing. Several potential candidate biomarkers have been found recently in blood, imaging, and genetic studies with encouraging results.

The COVID-19 pandemic is presenting significant challenges for health and social care systems globally. The implementation of unprecedented public health measures, alongside the augmentation of the treatment capacity for those severely affected by COVID-19, are compromising and limiting the delivery of essential care to people with severe substance use problems and, in some cases, widening extreme social inequities such as poverty and homelessness. This global pandemic is severely challenging current working practices. However, these challenges can provide a unique opportunity for a flexible and innovative learning approach, bringing certain interventions into the spotlight. Harm reduction responses are well-established evidenced approaches in the management of opioid dependence but not so well-known or implemented in relation to alcohol use disorders. In this position paper, we explore the potential for expanding harm reduction approaches during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond as part of substance use treatment services. We will examine alcohol use and related vulnerabilities during COVID-19, the impact of COVID-19 on substance use services, and the potential philosophical shift in orientation to harm reduction and outline a range of alcohol harm reduction approaches. We discuss relevant aspects of the Structured Preparation for Alcohol Detoxification (SPADe) treatment model, and Managed Alcohol Programs (MAPs), as part of a continuum of harm reduction and abstinence orientated treatment for alcohol use disorders. In conclusion, while COVID-19 has dramatically reduced and limited services, the pandemic has propelled the importance of alcohol harm reduction and created new opportunities for implementation of harm reduction philosophy and approaches, including programs that incorporate the provision of alcohol as medicine as part of the substance use treatment continuum.

This work investigates which acid can mainly lead to the reduction of alcohols contents in insulating oil during transformer oil-paper insulation aging. In terms of the activation free energy barrier theory, the microscopic mechanisms for the preferential reactions of methanol and ethanol with formic, acetic, naphthenic and stearic acids are analyzed. It is revealed that the decrease in alcohols concentrations in the middle and late stages of transformer oil-paper insulation aging is mainly caused by the reaction between alcohols and naphthenic acid. The results are cross-validated by utilizing the frontier molecular orbital theory and accelerated thermal aging experiments. Additionally, it is observed that methanol is more susceptible to the effect of acids than ethanol in the middle and late stages of aging. The obtained conclusions, in this paper, could provide a theoretical basis for using alcohols in oil as aging indicators to characterize the full-stage aging status of transformer paper insulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a method for quantification of methanol and ethanol integrated in the same gas-chromatographic run with a quantification of gases dissolved in mineral oil, making it an integrated tool in transformer diagnostics. The results of aging experiments at 120 °C and 60 °C of Kraft paper, copper, barrier, and pressboard immersed in mineral oil, as well as the aging of thermal upgrade paper in mineral and natural ester oil at 140 °C are presented, in order to investigate correlations between different aging markers and to evaluate their partitioning between oil and cellulose at defined conditions. The results of partitioning experiments at 60 °C showed that re-absorption of methanol from oil to the cellulose materials is faster than the re-absorption of furans. This means that methanol is a paper-degradation marker that can be used in diagnostics over shorter equilibrium times and for the detection of developing faults at broader temperature ranges. Furthermore, a statistical overview of methanol concentration from a database and two transformer fault diagnostic cases are presented. Therefore, in addition to an analysis of gases dissolved in oil, the use of methanol and ethanol in transformer fault and failure investigations should be explored and verified through transformer fault investigations and postmortem analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the photochemical stability of lignocellulosic and purely cellulosic paper deacidified with five dispersions of Ca(OH)2 and Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles in alcohols. Artificial aging with exposure to ultraviolet radiation at 280 nm at constant relative humidity of 50% and constant temperature of 25 degrees Celsius were employed in order to evaluate the protective effect of deacidification of paper with the five dispersions. Evaluating the physicochemical, optical and mechanical properties of the tested paper, results indicate that the deacidification method can ensure a quite satisfactory photochemical stability of paper.

Abstract: An unexpected product was detected during simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) of paper sludge using added commercial cellulase (Spezyme CP) by Saccharomyces cerevisiae RWB222, S. cerevisiae D5A, and Zymomonas mobilis 8b. Based on glycosyl composition analysis, linkage analysis and NMR analysis, the compound was identified as ethyl β-xylopyranoside (EXP). The carbon mass balance analysis showed up to 25% of xylan originally present in paper sludge was converted to EXP. EXP formation was found in simultaneous saccharification of beech wood xylan as well, and later proved to be produced by the Trichoderma reesei derived cellulase and hemicellulase mixture (Spezyme CP) during the course of xylan hydrolysis in the presence of ethanol, and its production increased with an increased concentration of ethanol, xylan, and T. reesei enzyme. Similar condensation reactions were also observed with other alcohols. These alcoholysis reactions were found to be reversible. Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum was found to be able to degrade EXP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article reports on the deacidification of archives. It has been discovered that in the process of deacidification with organic solvent solutions, the diethyl zinc treatment did not cause any decrease in the tensile strength of acidic mechanical paper. It is not just enough to bring some protection to the paper after a deacidification treatment, but its behavior upon ageing must also be taken into consideration. It has been discovered that the treatment of a paper with a solution of amino alkoxy silane in absolute ethanol brought about a significant improvement of the breaking length.

Nanolime dispersions for the deacidification of ancient paper constitute a valid alternative to the lime traditional ones. Their efficacy depends on particles size, polydispersity and agglomeration that can be controlled depending on the preparation method. In this work, nanolime preparation by insolubilisation-precipitation method is reported. Nanoparticles dispersed in a water-isopropanol mixture were obtained without any manipulation of the dispersion. The stability of the dispersion together with particle size and morphology were found to be dependent on water to isopropanol molar ratio and on the synthesis temperature. One of the dispersion was applied on a manuscript to assess its efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the use of ethanol as fungal sanitizer in the preservation of paper. Effects of fungal activity on paper; Description of the chemical and physical properties of ethanol; Working mechanisms of ethanol on fungi.

An investigation was undertaken to establish the concentration in paper products of dehydroabietic (DHA) and abietic (AA) resin acids, present in rosin, which are major toxicants of pulp- and paper-mill effluent. Their migration was studied from paper and paperboard products into various food-simulating solvents and the substitute fatty food simulant Tenax TA (modified polyphenylene oxide). DHA and AA were detected in five of 10 virgin paper products and in all 10 recycled paperboard products for food-contact use at concentrations of 14–500 and 110–1200  µg/g, respectively. In virgin paper products, the highest migration was into 95% ethanol or heptane, with negligible or no migration into other solvents. In recycled paperboard products, migration was highest into 95% ethanol, but was also observed into 20% ethanol, water and heptane. Migration to Tenax TA was also observed and the migration level increased with time. The maximum migration levels of DHA and AA into food simulants were 0.853 and 3.14  µg/g, respectively. The results suggest that, in the worst case, the daily intake of DHA and AA from paper and paperboard products was 50 times lower than the tolerable daily intake of rosin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Searching for a non-aqueous deacidification procedure for acidic books and other paper documents tests were performed using aminoalkoxysilanes, which can be bound to the paper network by self-cross-linking. Six different books from the beginning of the xxth century were used for tests with ethanolic solutions of five relevant compounds in increasing concentrations. Test parameters were pH and alkaline reserve. As a general result it is concluded that aminosilanes seem to provide a promising alternative to the actual mass deacidification methods using metal organic compounds some of which leave behind magnesium cations in the paper, which can provide problems on long term ageing.

Abstract This report describes the development of foldable paper-based analytical devices (PADs) to perform redox titrations. Paper devices were designed to contain three spot tests, which were wax printed and folded to create a three-layer structured platform and to promote the sample transport based on vertical flow. The proposed devices were explored for the visual determination of the alcoholic content in whiskey samples. For this purpose, a classical permanganometry reaction was employed to allow the indirect determination of ethanol based on the required amount of oxalic acid to react with the excess of permanganate in acidic medium. The endpoint of the redox titrations performed in different alcoholic concentrations was measured and revealed a good linear behavior for the ethanol concentration range between 0% and 50% (R2 = 0.992), achieving a limit of detection equal to 2.1%. The alcoholic content was determined in a total of 44 whiskey samples seized by the Brazilian Federal Police. When compared to genuine samples and using an established cut-off limit, 73% of the seized samples were correctly classified as whiskeys containing adulterated alcoholic content. The proposed method was compared to a reference protocol and no difference was observed at the confidence level of 95%. The instrumental simplicity, the low cost, the sample volume requirement, the short analysis time and mainly the inherent portability make these devices quite attractive for on-site forensic applications. Graphical abstract fx1 Highlights • Foldable paper-based devices were developed to perform redox titrations. • The alcoholic content was determined in whiskey samples by permanganometry. • The back-titration provided inversely linear response to the alcohol concentration increase. • The proposed method requires only 1 μL of sample and provides response within 60 s. • Foldable platforms allowed to screen the authenticity of seized whiskey samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been increasing interest in using of web-based surveys—rather than paper based surveys--for collecting data on alcohol and other drug use in middle and high schools in the US. However, prior research has indicated that respondent confidentiality is an underlying concern with online data collection especially when computer-assisted surveys are administered in group settings such as computer labs and classrooms. Using a sample of 341 high school students, we conducted a study comparing alcohol risk behavior prevalence rates from the web-based surveys with paper-form version of the same survey. The online surveys used in the study implemented several programming safeguards to enhance privacy. The goal of our study was to see if the risk-behavior items—when transitioned to an online format with these additional safeguards—would provide prevalence estimates that are comparable to its paper form version. Results showed that overall alcohol prevalence rates did not vary significantly between the two conditions. However, there was a significant interaction between gender and survey mode. Females reported lower mean risk indicator rates compared to males, possibly indicating stronger privacy concerns among the former group. The results suggest that online survey administration may require targeted efforts to help alleviate confidentiality concerns among adolescent girls.

Aging of transformer paper insulation is commonly investigated through indirect measurements conducted in the oil, e.g. furanic compounds. In addition to the conventional indicators, recent investigations showed that alcohols like methanol and ethanol in oil could be used as paper aging indicators. This paper focuses on the applicability of these new paper aging indicators in a novel, gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology based transformer oil through an accelerated laboratory aging experiment. The experiment was conducted at 120 °C for up to 280 days. A conventional mineral oil was also tested as a reference. Kraft paper aged in both oil types showed similar reductions in degree of polymerization (DP) and tensile strength (TS). Amount of methanol in oil is higher than that of 2-FAL in oil when DP is over 375, confirming the promise of using methanol as an early paper aging indicator. Both the new paper aging indicator, methanol and the conventional paper aging indicator, 2-FAL are applicable for the GTL oil without any modifications. In addition, oil only aging experiments showed that oil does produce methanol but it is negligible compared with oil paper aging experiment; however the amount of ethanol measured in the present oil paper aging experiment is believed to be originated from oil oxidation rather than from paper aging. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Excess tosyl chloride used in the tosylation of alcohols is quickly and easily removed by reacting it with cellulosic materials, e.g., filter paper, and filtering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Detection of cocaine on the level of a few ng/ml by the use of lab-on-a-paper test co-working with OLED light source as exciatation light source and CCD-based detection unit is described in this paper. The new method enables not only yes or now answer of drug presence in a tested sample but also concentration of the drug in the sample. Presented here results opens a new way toward portable instrumentation for point-of-care detection of cocaine (and in the future other drugs) in sweat of for example professional drivers. This device will be a drug-tester similar to widely now used alcohol testers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Shrub-like pt-rh catalysts with different metallic ratios on carbon paper were prepared by laser ablation. • The catalysts displayed higher tolerance to CO and higher catalytic activity towards ethanol oxidation. • Pt-Rh catalysts demonstrated long-term poisoning rates eight times lower than pt. Plasmas techniques are novel routes for the preparation of complex nanostructured materials for catalysis and clean hydrogen energy such as fuel cells. CBPLD technique allows enhanced interaction between the catalyst and the support and improved catalytic properties. Herein, a highly active and durable vertically aligned nanostructured shrub-like bimetallic Pt x Rh 100-x alloys with atomic ratios close to nominal values are grown on carbon paper substrate. The tolerance to CO poisoning and ethanol electrooxidation reactions are studied over these new types of shrub-like bimetallic Pt x Rh 100-x /CP catalysts, demonstrating that such structures effectively facilitate both processes and very low long-term poisoning rates. Such high catalytic activity accounts for two mechanisms: Rh a highly oxophilic transition metal activates water dissociation at lower potentials than Pt (bifunctional mechanism), and the ligand effect where Rh alters the electronic structure of the neighboring Pt suggesting a faster supply in OH ads. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) are promising fluorescent nanomaterials that have been employed in a wide range of areas. However, their applications in some specific fields, such as chem-/biosensing remain hampered due to their inherent instability to different external stimuli. Herein, we discover a novel mechanism that ethanol, a chemical that is generally thought to be detrimental to PNCs, could specifically initiate the in-situ crystallization of the precursor salts absorbed by paper fiber to yield standard CsPbBr 3 fluorescent PNCs. Based on systematical experimental verification, it is revealed that ethanol could mediate the interfacial interaction of the PNC precursor salts on the paper fiber to allow for this exceptional in-situ PNC crystallization process. Accordingly, a fluorescence turn-on mode paper sensor for rapid and high-sensitive expiratory alcohol detection is designed, which could fulfill the on-site visualized drink-driving screening requirement. Furthermore, the application of this new mechanism in multidimensional information encryption is also demonstrated. This work not only discovers a new mechanism for PNC crystallization but also expands the sensing application toolbox of PNCs. [Display omitted] • Ethanol can induce the crystallization of perovskite nanocrystals on paper fiber. • This is due to the on-paper interaction of the precursor salts induced by ethanol. • A paper sensor is developed for fluorescence turn-on expiratory alcohol sensing. • The sensor can reach the standard of drinking-driving screening. • This technique can also be used in information encryption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To determine the overall efficiency of processes designed to convert lignocellulosic polysaccharides to ethanol, it is first necessary to determine the composition of the lignocellulosic substrates. Three standard methods routinely referenced in the literature for this purpose are monoethanolamine, trifluoroacetic acid and concentrated sulphuric acid-based methods. However, in the course of our studies, the suitability of these standard methods for analysis of wastepaper and wheat straw came into question. This paper details our investigations in this area, together with recommendations for appropriate modifications to one of the standard methods for reproducible and representative lignocellulosic compositional analysis of waste paper and cereal straw. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To distil the main findings from published papers on mortality in three cohorts involving over 27,000 adults, recruited in Scotland between 1965 and 1976 and followed up ever since. Method: We read and summarized 48 peer-reviewed papers about all-cause and cause-specific mortality in these cohorts, published between 1978 and 2013. Results: Mortality rates were substantially higher among cigarette smokers in all social classes and both genders. Exposure to second-hand smoke was also damaging. Exposure to higher levels of black smoke pollution was associated with higher mortality. After smoking, diminished lung function was the risk factor most strongly related to higher mortality, even among never-smokers. On average, female mortality rates were much lower than male but the same risk factors were predictors of mortality. Mortality rates were highest among men whose paternal, own first and most recent jobs were manual. Specific causes of death were associated with different life stages. Upward and downward social mobility conferred intermediate mortality rates. Low childhood cognitive ability was strongly associated with low social class in adulthood and higher mortality before age 65 years. There was no evidence that daily stress contributed to higher mortality among people in lower social positions. Men in manual occupations with fathers in manual occupations, who smoked and drank >14 units of alcohol a week had cardiovascular disease mortality rates 4.5 times higher than non-manual men with non-manual fathers, who neither smoked nor drank >14 units. Men who were obese and drank >14 units of alcohol per day had a mortality rate due to liver disease 19 times that of normal or underweight non-drinkers. Among women who never smoked, mortality rates were highest in severely obese women in the lowest occupational classes. Conclusion: These studies highlight the cumulative effect of adverse exposures throughout life, the complex interplay between social circumstances, culture and individual capabilities, and the damaging effects of smoking, air pollution, alcohol and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Use of napkin paper for production of low-cost analytical devices is reported. • New stamping method for creation of paraffin hydrophobic barriers is described. • Novel method for colorimetric quantification of ethanol in beverages is presented. • Analytical application for analysis of real samples is successfully demonstrated. • Results showed great concordance when compared to UV–vis spectrophotometry. In this work we report for the first time the use of napkin paper as substrate for production of paper analytical devices (PADs). Napkin paper is a more accessible and cheaper option compared to the most commonly used chromatographic and filter papers. The PADs were easily fabricated by depositing hydrophobic paraffin barriers using a simple stamping contact method. The stamps used here were fabricated by 3D printing. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this stamping approach aiming production of paraffin barriers in PADs. The PADs proposed here were utilized for colorimetric determination of alcohol content in beverages. This method was based on the redox reaction between ethanol and dichromate in acidic medium. As far as we know, this is the first PAD-based method exploring this principle. The image-based method showed a linear range between 0 and 50 % (v/v) ethanol, with a limit of detection of 1.5 %. This concentration range allows the analysis of various alcoholic beverages. The results obtained during the analysis of real samples presented great concordance with the values found by UV–vis spectrophotometry, used for validation (relative error < 5 %). Thus, the new PAD-based colorimetric method reported here shows great potential for applications in areas such as food control and forensics. Moreover, the use of napkin paper for fabrication of PADs appears to be a promising, easier and less expensive option, being specially interesting for places with limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The hydrolytic kinetics of mixtures of cotton gin waste (CGW) and recycled paper sludge (RPS) at various initial enzyme concentrations of Spezyme™ AO3117 was investigated. The experiments showed that the concentrations of reducing sugars and the conversions of the mixtures increased with increasing initial enzyme concentration. The reducing sugar concentration and conversion of the mixture of 75% CGW and 25% RPS were higher than those of the mixture of 80% CGW and 20% RPS. The conversion of the former can reach 73.8% after a 72-h hydrolysis at the initial enzyme loading of 17.4 Filter Paper Unit (FPU)/g substrate. A three-parameter kinetic model based on enzyme deactivation and its analytical expression were derived. Using nonlinear regression, the parameters of the model were determined for the experimental data of hydrolytic kinetics of the mixtures. Based on this kinetic model of hydrolysis, two profit rate models, representing two kinds of operating modes with and without feedstock recycling, were developed. Using the profit rate models, the optimal enzyme loading and hydrolytic time can be predicted for the maximum profit rate in ethanol production according to the costs of enzyme and operation, enzyme loading, and ethanol market price. Simulated results from the models based on the experimental data of hydrolysis of the mixture of 75% CGW and 25% RPS showed that use of a high substrate concentration and an operating mode with feedstock recycle can greatly increase the profit rate in ethanol production. The results also demonstrated that the hydrolysis at a low enzyme loading is economically required for systematic optimization of ethanol production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Paper-structured catalysts were prepared using ceramic fibers by a wet papermaking technique, followed by the deposition of ruthenium hydroxide on the fiber-network microstructures. As-prepared flexible paper catalysts possessed large geometric surface areas with micrometer-size pores. The paper-structured catalysts exhibited high catalytic efficiency for selective aerobic oxidation of aromatic and aliphatic alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones, in a fixed bed multiphase reactor. Hydrodynamic behavior in the reactor filled with either paper or bead catalysts was evaluated by measuring the residence time distribution in a cold flow model. It was revealed that the paper composites exhibited good wettability and internal diffusion of liquid substances compared with ceramic beads, showing heterogeneous liquid flow. Efficient catalytic oxidation of various alcohols was achieved using the paper-structured catalysts because uniform fluid dynamic behavior formed a thin liquid layer on the catalyst surfaces, possibly resulting in favorable gas–liquid–solid interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]