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Highlights • Off-axis parabolic mirror used to eliminating the astigmatism in folded resonator. • Without any astigmatically compensated elements. • Optical elements can be inserted into the off-axis parabolic mirror resonator easily. • The low sensitivity to misalignment kept for the off-axis parabolic mirror resonator. Abstract The astigmatism in a ring cavity has been eliminated based on the off-axis parabolic mirror, which was utilized as the folded mirror instead of the spherical mirror in the laser resonator. There are no astigmatism-compensated elements on the beam path of the laser resonator with very simple design. The experimentally measured results have shown that the ellipticity was more than 0.98 for this kind of design. The misalignment sensitivity for the ring cavity was equivalent to that of the spherical mirror ring cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cage-free housing systems have attracted considerable attention in the United States recently as they provide more space and other resources (such as litter area, perches, and nest boxes) for hens and are considered to be more favorable from the standpoint of hen welfare. This study was carried out to quantify emissions of aerial ammonia (NH 3 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) from cage-free layer houses in California and compare the values with those for other types of layer houses. Two commercial cage-free houses with 38,000 hens each were monitored from March 1, 2012 to April 1, 2013. Results show that NH 3 and CO 2 concentrations in the houses were affected by ventilation rate, which was largely influenced by ambient air temperature. The PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations in the houses depended on the activity of birds, ventilation rate and relative humidity of the ambient air. The average emission rates of NH 3 , CO 2 , PM 10 and PM 2.5 were 0.29, 89.9, 0.163 and 0.020 g d −1 hen −1 , respectively. The NH 3 emission rate determined in this study was higher than those of aviary houses. The PM 10 and PM 2.5 emission rates were higher than those reported for high-rise layer houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clear understanding of enzyme adsorption during enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is essential to enhance the cost-efficiency of hydrolysis. However, conclusions from literature often contradicted each other because enzyme adsorption is enzyme, biomass/pretreatment and experimental condition specific, which makes descriptions and modeling of enzyme-substrate interaction difficult and inconsistent from case to case. This study investigated adsorption kinetics and isotherm under actual hydrolysis conditions with commercial cellulase and β-glucosidase on Avicel, dilute acid pretreated Creeping Wild Ryegrass (pCWR) and lignin residue of pCWR after enzymatic hydrolysis. It was found that β-glucosidase has little affinity to Avicel, but significant affinity to dilute acid pCWR and lignin with maximum adsorption capacity ( E max ) of 161.57 and 173.50 mg protein/g-substrate, respectively. During hydrolysis, adsorption of cellulase on Avicel was productive and reversible ( E max = 22.86 mg protein/g-substrate); however, nonproductive and irreversible adsorption of cellulase on pCWR ( E max = 42.55 mg protein/g-substrate) and lignin ( E max = 86.07 mg protein/g-substrate) became significant and resulted in cellulase deactivation. Lignin is a key issue causing high cost of enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. The nonionic surfactant, Tween 20 was found to significantly overcome nonproductive adsorption of cellulase and β-glucosidase on lignin by reducing the adsorption affinity. All adsorption data including with and without Tween 20 were fit well to Langmuir isotherm. The results from this research will provide useful data for model development of enzymatic hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Getting over recalcitrance of lignocellulose is effective way to fuel production from lignocellulosic biomass. In current work, different pretreatments were applied to enhance the digestibility of corn stover (CS). Results showed that steam explosion (SE)-treated CS produced maximal methane yield (223.2 mL/g vs ) at 1.2 MPa for 10 min, which was 55.2% more than untreated (143.8 mL/g vs ). Whereas 1.5% KOH-treated CS produced maximum methane yield of 208.6 mL/g vs , and significantly ( α < 0.05) improved 45.1% with respect to untreated. Sequent pretreatment of potassium hydroxide and steam explosion (SPPE) (1.5% KOH-1.2 MPa, 10 min) achieved a very significant ( α < 0.01) improvement (80.0%) of methane yield (258.8 mL/g vs ) compared with untreated CS. Methane production could be well explained by the first-order and modified Gompertz models. Besides, SEM, FTIR, and XRD analyses validated structural changes of CS after SPPE. SPPE might be a promising method to pretreat CS in the future AD industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Co-digestion of CM and CS were investigated under batch and continuous conditions. [•] CSTR showed stable methane yield of 223±7mL/gVSadded at OLR of 4gVS/L/d. [•] Post-digestion of digestate gave extra energy yield up to 2.6MJ/kgVSadded. [•] Pyrolysis of digestate could produce valuable pyrolysis gas with LCV of 10.9MJ/m3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Methane production potential, BD, and kinetics of various substrates were compared. [•] Both of elemental and organic analysis could be used to calculate the TMY and BD. [•] 15% VS of lignin was a critical point in AD of lignocellulosic and manure wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Synergistic effects were found in CS:CM ratios of 3:1 and 1:1. [•] In W-AD and HSS-AD, highest methane yields were obtained at CS:CM ratio of 3:1. [•] Highest volumetric productivity of 14.2L/L was found in SS-AD at CS:CM of 1:1. [•] VFA/TA value of 0.4 was a more important criterion than NH3-N or FA concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The anaerobic digestion of onion residual from an onion processing plant was studied under batch-fed and continuously-fed mesophilic (35 ± 2 °C) conditions in an Anaerobic Phased Solids (APS) Digester. The batch digestion tests were performed at an initial loading of 2.8 gVS L−1 and retention time of 14 days. The biogas and methane yields, and volatile solids reduction from the onion residual were determined to be 0.69 ± 0.06 L gVS−1, 0.38 ± 0.05 L CH4 gVS−1, and 64 ± 17%, respectively. Continuous digestion tests were carried out at organic loading rates (OLRs) of 0.5–2.0 gVS L−1 d−1. Hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2) was added to the APS-Digester along with the onion residual at 16 mg Ca(OH)2 gVS−1 to control the pH of the biogasification reactor above 7.0. At steady state the average biogas yields were 0.51, 0.56, and 0.62 L gVS−1 for the OLRs of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 gVS L−1 d−1 respectively. The methane yields at steady state were 0.29, 0.32, and 0.31 L CH4 gVS−1 for the OLRs of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 gVS L−1 d−1 respectively. The study shows that the digestion of onion residual required proper alkalinity and pH control, which was possible through the use of caustic chemicals. However, such chemicals will begin to have an inhibitory effect on the microbial population at high loading rates, and therefore alternative operational parameters are needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A process model was developed to predict the mass and energy balance for a full-scale (115td−1) high-solids anaerobic digester using research data from lab and pilot scale (1–3000kgd−1 wet waste) systems. Costs and revenues were estimated in consultation with industry partners and the 20-year project cash flow, net present worth (NPW), simple payback, internal rate of return, and revenue requirements were calculated. The NPW was used to compare scenarios in order to determine the financial viability of using a generator for heat and electricity or a pressure swing adsorption unit for converting biogas to compressed natural gas (CNG). The full-scale digester consisted of five 786m3 reactors (one biogasification reactor and four hydrolysis reactors) treating a 50:50 mix (volatile solids basis) of food and green waste, of which 17% became biogas, 32% residual solids, and 51% wastewater. The NPW of the projects were similar whether producing electricity or CNG, as long as the parasitic energy demand was satisfied with the biogas produced. When producing electricity only, the power output was 1.2MW, 7% of which was consumed parasitically. When producing CNG, the system produced 2hm3 y−1 natural gas after converting 22% of the biogas to heat and electricity which supplied the parasitic energy demand. The digester system was financially viable whether producing electricity or CNG for discount rates of up to 13%y−1 without considering debt (all capital was considered equity), heat sales, feed-in tariffs or tax credits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This research was conducted to develop an integrated rotary drum reactor (RDR)-anaerobic-phased solids (APS) digester system for the treatment of municipal solid waste (MSW) to produce biogas energy and achieve waste reduction. A commercial RDR facility was used to provide a 3-d pretreatment and sufficient separation of the organics from MSW and then the organics were digested in a laboratory APS-digester system for biogas production. The organics generated from the RDR contained 50% total solids (TS) and 36% volatile solids (VS) on wet basis. The APS-digester was started at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 3.1gVSL−1 d−1 and operated at three higher OLRs of 4.6, 7.7 and 9.2gVSL−1 d−1. At the OLR of 9.2gVSL−1 d−1 the system biogas production rate was 3.5LL−1 d−1 and the biogas and methane yields were 0.38 and 0.19LgVS−1, respectively. Anaerobic digestion resulted in 38% TS reduction and 53% VS reduction in the organic solids. It was found that the total VFA concentration reached a peak value of 15,000mgL−1 as acetic acid in the first 3d of batch digestion and later decreased to about 500mgL−1. The APS-digester system remained stable at each OLRs for over 100d with the pH in the hydrolysis reactors in the range of 7.3–7.8 and the pH in the biogasification reactor in 7.9–8.1. The residual solids after the digestion had a high heating value of 14.7kJgTS−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of manure-screening on the biogas yield of dairy manure was evaluated in batch digesters under mesophilic conditions (35°C). Moreover, the study determined the biogas production potential of different mixtures of unscreened dairy manure and food waste and compared them with the yield from manure or food waste alone. A first-order kinetics model was developed to calculate the methane yield from different mixtures of food waste and unscreened dairy manure. The methane yields of fine and coarse fractions of screened manure and unscreened manure after 30days were 302, 228, and 241L/kgVS, respectively. Approximately 93%, 87%, and 90% of the biogas yields could be obtained, respectively, after 20days of digestion. Average methane content of the biogas was 69%, 57%, and 66%, respectively. Based on mass balance calculations, separation of the coarse fraction of manure would sacrifice about 32% of the energy potential. The methane yield of the food waste was 353L/kgVS after 30days of digestion. Two mixtures of unscreened manure and food waste, 68/32% and 52/48%, produced methane yields of 282 and 311L/kgVS, respectively after 30days of digestion. After 20days, approximately 90% and 95% of the final biogas yield could be obtained, respectively. Therefore, a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 20days could be recommended for a continuous digester. The average methane content was 62% and 59% for the first and second mixtures, respectively. The predicted results from the model showed that adding the food waste into a manure digester at levels up to 60% of the initial volatile solids significantly increased the methane yield for 20days of digestion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biogas and methane yields of food and green wastes and their mixture were determined using batch anaerobic digesters at mesophilic (35±2°C) and thermophilic (50±2°C) temperatures. The mixture was composed of 50% food waste and 50% green waste, based on the volatile solids (VS) initially added to the reactors. The thermophilic digestion tests were performed with four different feed to inoculum (F/I) ratios (i.e., 1.6, 3.1, 4.0 and 5.0) and the mesophilic digestion was conducted at one F/I (3.1). The results showed that the F/I significantly affected the biogas production rate. At four F/Is tested, after 25days of thermophilic digestion, the biogas yield was determined to be 778, 742, 784 and 396mL/g VS for food waste, respectively; 631, 529, 524 and 407mL/g VS for green waste, respectively; and 716, 613, 671 and 555mL/g VS for the mixture, respectively. About 80% of the biogas production was obtained during the first 10days of digestion. At the F/I of 3.1, the biogas and methane yields from mesophilic digestion of food waste, green waste and their mixture were lower than the yields obtained at thermophilic temperature. The biogas yields were 430, 372 and 358mL/g VS, respectively, and the methane yields were 245, 206, and 185mL/g VS, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of the addition of enzyme products containing cellulase, hemicellulase, and β-glucosidase to anaerobic digestion systems were studied using Jose Tall Wheat Grass (wheat grass) as a model substrate. Anaerobic digestion tests were performed using batch reactors operated at 50°C. The application of enzyme products in three digestion configurations were simulated and investigated: (1) enzyme addition to a single-stage digester, (2) pre-treatment of wheat grass with enzymes followed by a single-stage anaerobic digestion, and (3) enzyme addition to the first stage (hydrolysis and acidification) of a two-stage digestion system. The enzyme products showed positive effects on the solubilization of wheat grass when used alone to treat the wheat grass. However, no significant differences in biogas and methane yields, and volatile solids reduction resulted when the enzyme products were tested in the anaerobic digestion systems. This reveals that the microorganisms present in the inoculum were effective in carrying out the digestion of wheat grass. The types of microorganisms present in the inoculum were identified using 16S rRNA sequence analysis. A comparison of the sequences between the different inocula revealed that the prevalent operational taxonomic units were similar, but that the acidified inoculum contained a higher percentage of the species Thermotogae. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG) surface finish is widely used in electronic packaging. The ENIG induced Au embrittlement has been investigated in SnPb/ENIG/Cu solder joint since several years ago. However, in Sn-based lead-free solder joint, discrepancies still exist about the influence of Au finish on the reliability of the solder joint. This study investigated the effects of ENIG surface finish on the interfacial reaction and thus the mechanical property of Sn-based solder joints. Experimentally, two types of ENIG with different thickness of Au layer were fabricated. The results indicated that the Au layer dissolved into the solder matrix readily in the soldering stage, and then affected the shear strength of the solder joint significantly. The Au migration occurred in the solder joint during isothermal aging. The Au migration is more apparent when the Cu6Sn5 type compound formed at the interface. The embrittlement caused by the weak interface between the (Au1− x Ni x )Sn4 and Ni3Sn4 layers cannot be observed in this study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effect of different food to microorganism ratios (F/M) (1–10) on the hydrogen production from the anaerobic batch fermentation of mixed food waste was studied at two temperatures, 35±2°C and 50±2°C. Anaerobic sludge taken from anaerobic reactors was used as inoculum. It was found that hydrogen was produced mainly during the first 44h of fermentation. The F/M between 7 and 10 was found to be appropriate for hydrogen production via thermophilic fermentation with the highest yield of 57ml-H2/g VS at an F/M of 7. Under mesophilic conditions, hydrogen was produced at a lower level and in a narrower range of F/Ms, with the highest yield of 39ml-H2/g VS at the F/M of 6. A modified Gompertz equation adequately (R 2 >0.946) described the cumulative hydrogen production yields. This study provides a novel strategy for controlling the conditions for production of hydrogen from food waste via anaerobic fermentation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order to improve the network security and get the real-time situation of network security, the access control method of network security authentication information based on fuzzy reasoning algorithm is proposed. Firstly, a scheme of multi-data source analysis and situational perception assessment is proposed based on the factors of network physical security and service security. At the same time, on the basis of multi-source data fusion, fuzzy reasoning algorithm is used to mine and identify the network attack relevance, so as to achieve the perception control of network security situation. Then based on security situation mining control, role classification is introduced to realize network access control. Finally, the access control flow is designed by combining the physical structure, logical structure and use case diagram of access control. The multi-level security concept and role inheritance are used to control access, and the administrator role is used to restrict some users' operation of transferring access rights. The experimental results show that the method has good security situation perception effect, excellent performance and reliability of network access control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The co-digestion of onion juice and aerobic wastewater sludge produced from an onion processor using an anaerobic mixed biofilm reactor (AMBR) was investigated for biogas energy production potential and waste treatment. Two experiments were conducted to study the performance of an AMBR at different organic loading rates (OLRs) using different mixtures of onion juice and aerobic sludge. In the first experiment, the OLR was increased from 1.24 to 4.37gVS/L/d by increasing the amount of onion juice in the feed mixture while maintaining a constant amount of aerobic sludge. When the OLR reached 4.37gVS/L/d, the AMBR failed as indicated by decreased biogas production and pH. Increase of carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N) from 13.7 to 20.3 and lack of proper alkalinity were suspected to be the causes for the failure. In the second experiment, the C/N of the feed mixture was maintained at about 15 while the OLR was increased from 1.40 to 3.60gVS/L/d. The digester showed stable performance. The average biogas and methane yields of the two experiments were 0.62±0.05L/gVS and 0.37±0.08L/gVS, respectively. It was concluded that the C/N of about 15 was recommended for treating the mixture of onion juice and aerobic sludge. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of aeration rate, aeration method, moisture content, and manure age on the characteristics of dairy manure composting with rice straw in terms of composting temperature, oxygen consumption rate, emission of odorous gases, and final compost property. It was found that the aeration rate of 0.25L/min-kg VS was capable of achieving the highest composting temperature, longest retention time of high temperature, and less emission of odor gases. Except for the composting temperature reached, there was no significant difference between bottom-forced and top-diffusion aerations in terms of final compost property. The higher initial moisture content (65%) was more favorable for its higher temperature, longer retention time of high temperature, and more stable end compost obtained. Fresh manure showed better composting performance than the aged manure for its higher temperature reached in less time and less ammonia emission. Oxygen consumption rates were basically similar to those of temperatures. Most emissions of the odorous gases occurred during the first week of composting, therefore, special attention should be paid to this period of time for effective odor control. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hydrogen (H2) production from simulated cheese processing wastewater via anaerobic fermentation was conducted using mixed microbial communities under mesophilic conditions. In batch H2 fermentation experiments H2 yields of 8 and 10mM/gCOD fed were achieved at food-to-microorganism ratios of 1.0 and 1.5, respectively. Butyric, acetic, propionic, and valeric acids were the major volatile fatty acids (VFA) produced in the fermentation process. Continuous H2 fermentation experiments were also performed using a completely mixed reactor (CSTR). The pH of the bioreactor was controlled in a range of 4.0–5.0 by addition of carbonate in the feed material. Maximum H2 yields were between 1.8 and 2.3mM/gCOD fed for the loading rates (LRs) tested with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24h. Occasionally CH4 was produced in the biogas with concurrent reductions in H2 production; however, continuous H2 production was achieved for over 3 weeks at each LR. The 16S rDNA analysis of DNA extracted from the bioreactors during periods of high H2 production revealed that more than 50% of the bacteria present were members of the genus Lactobacillus and about 5% were Clostridia. When H2 production in the bioreactors decreased concurrent reductions in the genus Lactobacillus were also observed. Therefore, the microbial populations in the bioreactors were closely related to the conditions and performance of the bioreactors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Food waste collected in the City of San Francisco, California, was characterized for its potential for use as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion processes. The daily and weekly variations of food waste composition over a two-month period were measured. The anaerobic digestibility and biogas and methane yields of the food waste were evaluated using batch anaerobic digestion tests performed at 50°C. The daily average moisture content (MC) and the ratio of volatile solids to total solids (VS/TS) determined from a week-long sampling were 70% and 83%, respectively, while the weekly average MC and VS/TS were 74% and 87%, respectively. The nutrient content analysis showed that the food waste contained well balanced nutrients for anaerobic microorganisms. The methane yield was determined to be 348 and 435mL/gVS, respectively, after 10 and 28 days of digestion. The average methane content of biogas was 73%. The average VS destruction was 81% at the end of the 28-day digestion test. The results of this study indicate that the food waste is a highly desirable substrate for anaerobic digesters with regards to its high biodegradability and methane yield. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cultivation of the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus sajor-caju, on rice and wheat straw without nutrient supplementation was investigated. The effects of straw size reduction method and particle size, spawn inoculation level, and type of substrate (rice straw versus wheat straw) on mushroom yield, biological efficiency, bioconversion efficiency, and substrate degradation were determined. Two size reduction methods, grinding and chopping, were compared. The ground straw yielded higher mushroom growth rate and yield than the chopped straw. The growth cycles of mushrooms with the ground substrate were five days shorter than with the chopped straw for a similar particle size. However, it was found that when the straw was ground into particles that were too small, the mushroom yield decreased. With the three spawn levels tested (12%, 16% and 18%), the 12% level resulted in significantly lower mushroom yield than the other two levels. Comparing rice straw with wheat straw, rice straw yielded about 10% more mushrooms than wheat straw under the same cultivation conditions. The dry matter loss of the substrate after mushroom growth varied from 30.1% to 44.3%. The straw fiber remaining after fungal utilization was not as degradable as the original straw fiber, indicating that the fungal fermentation did not improve the feed value of the straw. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

From the first discovery of hydrotalcite in 1842 to the present, the researches of Layered Double Hydroxides(LDHs) have become increasingly mature. Due to its inherent advantages of chemical stability, low cost and non-toxic, it has attracted a great concern within the fields of materials, medicine, environmental treatment, etc. Recent developments of modification methods and composite materials have led to a renewed interest in LDH-based materials as high-performance adsorbents in the removal of the multiple types of pollutants. The paper systematically summarizes the research advance of LDHs and its resultant materials for removing radionuclides, heavy metal ions, anionic and organic pollutants in two aspects: experimental and theoretical calculation. Moreover, the characteristics and modification of LDHs, the adsorption kinetics and isotherm model, the underlying interaction mechanism during the adsorption process have also be elucidated. Compared to the primary LDHs, although the remarkable performance of its composite materials has been made, considering the cost and complexity, greater efforts are needed to ensure its large-scale application. Continued researches of methods are demanded to make LDH materials more accessible to be effective, easier to operate and lower cost, which is also the goal researchers persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the fast development of the nuclear industry, it is inevitable that a considerable amount of uranium (U) is discharged into the environment during mining, use, and disposal processes, which can result in serious radioactive contamination. In this study, the spherical β-cyclodextrin modified titanium dioxide (β-CD/TiO 2) was prepared by a simple hydrothermal method for the capture of U(VI). The removal of U(VI) on β-CD/TiO 2 was dependent on solution pH. The maximum adsorption capacity of β-CD/TiO 2 at pH 5.0 reached 129.8 mg/g for U(VI). The thermodynamic study confirmed that the capture of U(VI) was a spontaneous process. According to the XPS analysis, the hydroxyl groups of β-CD/TiO 2 were responsible for U(VI) removal, which was further demonstrated by DFT calculation at the molecular level. The findings presented in this study are important to the removal of radionuclides from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoperiod and temperature are two main factors in the growth of macroalgae, and changes in photoperiod and diurnal temperature difference exist in natural condition. In order to study the effects of photoperiod and diurnal temperature difference on the growth of green algae Ulva prolifera , we cultured this species under three light/dark cycles (light: dark = 10:14, 12:12 and 16:08) with constant (22 °C for light and dark period, noted as 22-22 °C) and diurnal temperature difference (22 °C and 16 °C for light and dark period, respectively, noted as 22-16 °C) conditions. The results showed that: 1) Compared with 10:14 light/dark cycle, the growth of U. prolifera under 12:12 light/dark cycle was significantly enhanced by 39% and 16% for 22-22 °C and 22-16 °C treatments, respectively, while the increase proportion decreased when the daylength increase from 12 h to 16 h. 2) The enhancement in growth induced by diurnal temperature difference was observed under 10:14 light/dark cycle, but not for 12:12 and 16:08 light/dark cycle treatments. 3) The Chl a content and photosynthetic rate increased under short light period and 22-22 °C conditions, while under 22-16 °C conditions, higher photosynthetic rate was observed under 12:12 light/dark cycle and no significant difference in Chl a content was observed. 4) Under 22-22 °C conditions, compared with 10:14 (L:D) treatment, the expression levels of proteins in light-harvesting complexes, PSII and carbon fixation were down regulated, while the photorespiration and pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) were up regulated by 16:08 light dark cycle. Then we speculate that the higher photosynthetic rate may be one compensation mechanism in short photoperiod, and under long light period condition the up regulations of photorespiration and PPP can be in charge of the decrease in enhancement growth induced by longer daylength. • The growth of U. prolifera was enhanced by diurnal temperature difference under short daylength, but not for long daylength. • With the increase of daylength, the growth of U. prolifera increased, but the proportion of this enhancement decreased. • The photosynthetic rate increased under short light period. • The photorespiration and pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) were up regulated by longer daylength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out in order to analyze characteristic and composition of crops, crop wastes, and residues including a variety of sugar beets and melons, tomato, Jose tall wheatgrass, wheat hay, and wheat straw in California. Ethanol potential was estimated from different scenarios in using carbon sources of feedstock during fermentation, including the new information of using pectin–derived galacturonic acid for ethanol production. Sugar beet appears more favorable than other feedstocks because of its high sugar content (67–75% dry basis, db) and the highest crop yield, resulting in the greatest ethanol potential of 591 m 3 Gg −1 db when all carbohydrates are used during fermentation, with the California area–based potential of 1273 m 3 km −2 . Fermentation of polygalacturonic acid can increase the ethanol potential of sugar beet leaves up to 30% over the fermentation of hexoses alone, increasing the theoretical ethanol potential to 340 m 3 Gg −1 and the area–based yield of 497 m 3 km −2 . Melons and tomato containing 42–69% by mass of soluble sugars showed ethanol potentials in a range of 448–545 m 3 Gg −1 db and the area–based yield of 25–53 m 3 km −2 . The theoretical ethanol yield from lignocellulosic feedstocks tested can be maximized up to 470–533 m 3 Gg −1 db and 291–300 m 3 km −2 when the primary components from cellulose (27–39% db) and hemicellulose (26–30% db) are utilized. The information on composition and ethanol potential is important for determining biofuel feedstock and developing technology for efficient use of bioresource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The support stress distribution of the printing sintering support pillars (PSSP), which became rounded due to the shrinkage that occurred in sintering formation, was different from that of the conventional cylindrical metal support pillars (CMSP). In this paper, ANSYS software was used to establish the mechanical simulation model of tempered vacuum glazing with PSSP. The influence of PSSP arrangement (spacing D , and three arrangement styles of square, regular triangle, and regular hexagon) on the mechanical properties of tempered vacuum glazing were analyzed, including the maximum stress σ 1max on tempered glass (T-glass) surface, the maximum deformation ω 1max of T-glass, and the maximum stress σ 2max on the PSSP. The simulation results showed that when the PSSP were arranged in a square with D of 50 mm, σ 1max , ω 1max , and σ 2max were 26.39 MPa, 7.82 μm, and 546.72 MPa, respectively, which met the requirements of the evaluation indexes of mechanical properties of tempered vacuum glazing, and had the least number of PSSP. The mechanical properties of tempered vacuum glazing with regular triangle arrangement of PSSP were better than those of square and regular hexagon arrangements, and the σ 1max , ω 1max and σ 2max of which were 16.24 MPa, 7.25 μm and 489.66 MPa respectively, but with a too large number of PSSP. Optimization of the triangle layout angle and side length could reduce PSSP numbers. When the PSSP were arranged in an isosceles triangle with a 65° base angle and 50 mm bottom length, the mechanical properties of tempered vacuum glazing were the best. The triangular arrangement of PSSP had an optimization effect on the surface stress redistribution of tempered vacuum glazing, and the number of stress peaks was twice that of the square arrangement. Meanwhile, tempered vacuum glazing samples were made and the surface stress, thermal conductivity tests were conducted. The results showed that the measured values of peak and valley stress had an error of ±2.8 MPa compared to the simulated values. The simulation results were reliable and the surface stress redistribution of tempered vacuum glazing was present. The measured heat transfer coefficient of tempered vacuum glazing with PSSP was 0.7402 W m−2 K−1, slightly higher than that of tempered vacuum glazing with CMSP. The difference between them was not significant. • Mechanical properties of tempered vacuum glazing were affected by pillar arrangement spacing and style. • Tempered vacuum glazing with regular triangle pillar arrangement had better mechanical properties than other arrangements. • The PSSP number could be reduced by optimizing the triangle layout angle and side length. • Triangular arrangement of PSSP had an optimization effect on the surface stress redistribution of tempered vacuum glazing. • The heat transfer coefficient of tempered vacuum glazing with PSSP was slightly higher than that with CMSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of vinegar residue was investigated in continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The influence of organic loading rate (OLR) and effluent recirculation on AD performance of vinegar residue was tested. Five OLRs, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 g vs L −1 d −1 , were used. The highest volumetric methane productivity of 581.88 mL L −1 was achieved at OLR of 2.5 g vs L −1 d −1 . Effluent reflux ratio was set as 50%, the results showed that effluent recirculation could effectively neutralize the acidity of vinegar residue, raise the pH of the feedstock, and enhance the buffering capacity of the AD system. Anaerobic digestion of vinegar residue could be a promising way not only for converting this waste into gas energy but also alleviating environmental pollution which might be useful for future industrial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been proven to be an effective green technology for producing biomethane while reducing environmental pollution. The interspecies electron transfer (IET) processes in AD are critical for acetogenesis and methanogenesis, and these IET processes are carried out via mediated interspecies electron transfer (MIET) and direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET). The latter has recently become a topic of significant interest, considering its potential to allow diffusion-free electron transfer during the AD process steps. To date, different multi-heme c-type cytochromes, electrically conductive pili (e-pili), and other relevant accessories during DIET between microorganisms of different natures have been reported. Additionally, several studies have been carried out on metagenomics and metatranscriptomics for better detection of DIET, the role of DIET's stimulation in alleviating stressed conditions, such as high organic loading rates (OLR) and low pH, and the stimulation mechanisms of DIET in mixed cultures and co-cultures by various conductive materials. Keeping in view this significant research progress, this study provides in-depth insights into the DIET-active microbial community, DIET mechanisms of different species, utilization of various approaches for stimulating DIET, characterization approaches for effectively detecting DIET, and potential future research directions. This study can help accelerate the field's research progress, enable a better understanding of DIET in complex microbial communities, and allow its utilization to alleviate various inhibitions in complex AD processes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Four saline crops [athel (Tamarix aphylla L), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), Jose Tall Wheatgrass (Agropyron elongatum), and Creeping Wild Ryegrass (Leymus triticoides)] that are used in farms for salt uptake from soil and drainage irrigation water have the potential for fuel ethanol production because they don’t take a large number of arable lands. Dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis were conducted to select the optimum pretreatment conditions and the best saline crop for further enzymatic hydrolysis research. The optimum dilute acid pretreatment conditions included T =165°C, t =8min, and sulfuric acid concentration=1.4% (w/w). Creeping Wild Ryegrass was decided to be the best saline crop. Solid loading, cellulase and β-glucosidase concentrations had significant effects on the enzymatic hydrolysis of dilute acid pretreated Creeping Wild Ryegrass. Glucose concentration increased by 36mg/mL and enzymatic digestibility decreased by 20% when the solid loading increased from 4 to 12%. With 8% solid loading, enzymatic digestibility increased by over 30% with the increase of cellulase concentration from 5 to 15FPU/g-cellulose. Under given cellulase concentration of 15FPU/g-cellulose, 60% increase of enzymatic digestibility of pretreated Creeping Wild Ryegrass was obtained with the increase of β-glucosidase concentration up to 15CBU/g-cellulose. With a high solid loading of 10%, fed-batch operation generated 12% and 18% higher enzymatic digestibility and glucose concentration, respectively, than batch process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]