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The ability to pattern highly conductive features on paper substrates is critically important for applications in radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, displays, sensors, printed electronics, and diagnostics. Ink-jet printing particle-free reactive silver inks is an additive, material efficient and versatile strategy for fabrication of highly conductive patterns; however, the intrinsic wetting properties of cellulose based papers are not suitable to serve as substrates for this process. This study reports one-step and practical modification of the surface of paper substrates using industrially available materials. The paper substrates were dip-coated with films of hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon based polymeric resins. Ink-jet printing particle-free reactive silver inks on the modified paper substrates followed by fast thermal annealing resulted in highly conductive patterns. The coatings improved the conductivity of the patterns and reduced the number of printing layers required to obtain conductivity. We finally demonstrated fabrication of a printed RFID tag on the coated paper substrates operating at the frequency range of 865–870 MHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in cellulose-based packaging is mainly due to the offset printing process where MOH are used as a ink pigments' solvent. The MOH migration from paper/paperboard to food is matter of concern for EFSA, members state authorities, consumers, and food industry. In this study, the feasibility to stabilize MOH by adding a sorbent into recycled paper obtained through a common washing process was investigated and the migration to wheat flour/Tenax assessed. Among several white/pale yellow porous materials, organo-modified powder silica MCM-41-Si(CH) showed the best combination between affinity for MOH (184% dw) and stability to thermal regeneration. A freshly issued newspaper with >3000 mg MOH kg was used to produce recycled paper at a laboratory-scale plant. MCM-41-Si(CH) was added at the pulping step (1% dw) and the sorbent-enriched pulp handled according to a washing paper production process with no effect on the paper optical brightness. The MOH content of the wheat flour in contact with the sorbent-enriched paper under accelerated migration conditions (15 days at 40 °C) resulted 20% of that contacted with control paper (4.3 ± 1.1 and 20.4 ± 5.5 mg kg, respectively), despite its contamination was 24% higher than the control. On the contrary, Tenax contamination resulted 56.0 ± 10.0 and 47 ± 14.0 mg kg when exposed to sorbent-enriched and control paper, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are information-rich signals in social insects that coordinate behaviors within nests. However, in some taxa, the precise information conveyed by CHCs is poorly understood. In particular, there is a debate over whether CHCs convey information about their bearer's dominance or fertility. Distinguishing between dominance and fertility signaling is difficult because fertility and rank are frequently correlated within social insect colonies. This study disentangles those relationships by examining CHCs of Polistes dominulus paper wasps during the early nest-founding stage before dominance and fertility become correlated. First, we confirm that dominance and fertility are not associated in early spring foundresses. Then we show that CHCs are more strongly associated with fertility than dominance. There was no relationship between cuticular hydrocarbon profiles and a wasp’s ability to dominate rivals through aggression, suggesting that CHCs are unlikely to provide information about dominance. However, there was a significant correlation between ovarian development and the CHC profile, suggesting that CHCs could convey valuable information about their bearer's fertility. Furthermore, our data provide a potential mechanism for chemical signaling of fecundity, as there is a relationship between endogenous juvenile hormone titer (a gonadotropin), degree of ovarian development, and the CHC profile. Hormonal regulation of CHC profile expression offers a physiological mechanism to coordinate behavior, physical state, and signal expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study (Izzo et al., Behav Ecol Sociobiol 64: 857–864, ) reported that cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) correlate with fertility, not dominance, in the paper wasp Polistes dominulus thus contradicting the results of recent investigations which concluded that social dominance is the main determinant for CHC signatures in this species. We suggest here that different forms of dominance in the pre-nesting and post-nesting phases caused the apparently contradictory results. Thus the assumption that dominance behaviour in the pre-nesting stage is synonymous with dominance after colony foundation is incorrect. We provide standardised definitions for forms of “dominance” observed in the P. dominulus life cycle to avoid apparent discrepancies in the future among studies dealing with the same topics in different annual stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overpressure is always considered as a severe problem in the oil industry. Besides creating life risks through serious accidents while drilling, failure to correctly identify high-pressure intervals causes a significant increase in costs and prolongs the drilling process. Kazhdumi Formation in the Abadan Plain is considered as a high-pressure formation in several wells. Various reasons can cause overpressure problem. Hydrocarbon generation is one cause of abnormal pressure in source rocks. Understanding hydrocarbon generation potential can be a helpful approach since the Kazhdumi Formation is considered as a probable source rock in this area. In this paper, in order to better understand the problem of abnormal pressure in Kazhdumi Formation, geochemical concepts and tools have been applied. To that way, 1D petroleum system modeling of five wells was done, and the thermal maturity level of Kazhdumi Formation was determined and then, compared with drilling records. The results indicate that in wells where this formation has sufficient organic matter and has reached an early mature level, there is an abnormal pressure problem. Otherwise, this formation does not show abnormal pressure. Also, geochemical data are not available in all drilled wells, which makes impossible the assessing of hydrocarbon generation role. Therefore, petrophysical well logs (sonic (DT), neutron (NPHI), density (RHOB), spectral gamma ray (SGR), and resistivity (RES)) as well as 137 sets of geochemical data belonging to 13 wells from 7 oilfields in the Abadan Plain were used to predict geochemical indicators. Using artificial neural networks, geochemical data of a well in Abadan Plain were predicted. This selected well has a high-pressure problem in Kazhdumi Formation, but no geochemical data are available in this well. The results of predicted geochemical data show that the high-pressure phenomenon in this well may also be due to hydrocarbon generation. The precise understanding of the abnormal pressure, resulting from hydrocarbons generation, requires comprehensive studies and a full investigation of the studied area. However, the results of this paper help to predict approximately the behavior of the source rocks before drilling. Acquiring this overview will aid in reducing drilling hazards and costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of covalently linked dimers, containing two resorcin[4]arene moieties connected over two 9,10-functionalized anthracene units, is reported. Besides the synthetic route, which involves for example the formation of anthracene-9,10-dialkanols (4and 5), and characterization of the compounds, the photochemical properties, introduced through the anthracene groups, were investigated by means of UV/VIS spectroscopy. Both resorcin[4]arene dimers (1and 2) were able to undergo an intramolecular [4 + 4] cycloaddition, therefore changing the size of the inner cavity. Unfortunately, the back reaction, which was expected to take place on irradiation below 300 nm or upon heating, was not observed yet and will be the focus of our future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the noncereal-producing areas, there is not enough straw to supply the amount required for animal bedding. However, pulp and paper mills produce tons of wood fiber wastes, including de-inking paper sludge (DPS), in which most toxic compounds are at their detection limit. Among the detected compounds in DPS, aluminum, copper, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are present and were selected as model molecules. In this context, broilers were submitted to a diet containing 0, 5, and 10% of their ration as DPS. In addition, broilers and pigs were grown on de-inking paper sludge and wood shavings beddings. The presence of aluminum and copper were evaluated in blood and bones, whereas the presence of PAHs was evaluated in fat, liver, meat, and urine or blood of broilers and pigs. Animal performances were also investigated. DPS bedding did not increase aluminum or copper contents of blood or bones or PAHs in animal tissues. Animal performances and health were similar on DPS and wood shaving beddings. Using DPS as bedding material provides an integrated source of disposal of DPS and animal manure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cauvery Basin is one of the prolific hydrocarbon-producing basins of southern India. The pericratonic basin has five sub-basins separated by five basement and structural highs formed by granitic and gneissic rocks of the Archaean Southern Granulite Terrane. The sub-basins have excellent Cretaceous source rocks and hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs of different geological ages. Commercial hydrocarbons are produced from the Archean basement highs, specifically from the Kumbakonam–Madanam palaeo-highs of the Cauvery basin. The paper addresses basement characterisation using conventional as well as advanced well logs for accurate characterisation of the basement reservoirs. Basement reservoirs are challenging in terms of sporadic porosity and permeability distribution. Most of the porosities and permeability are attributed to secondary generation by fracturing and weathering. The present work aims to understand and compare the petrophysical attributes of two kinds of basement reservoirs (fractured basement and weathered basement) on the Kumbakonam–Madanam High. Two wells from each type lying on either side of the Madanam High were selected. Well log data, including gamma-ray, resistivity, porosity (neutron and bulk density), acoustic logs and advanced logs, such as resistivity images and dipole acoustic and elemental capture spectroscopy logs, from these four wells were analysed for their petrophysical understanding. Furthermore, image and acoustic log data were integrated to characterise the fracture geometry and fracture permeability of the basement reservoirs. Conventional log suites showing low GR, low resistivity, high density, and high neutron porosity are indicative of intricate lithologies, possibly mafic rocks. A notable negative crossover in density and neutron log along with excess Si concentration indicates weathering. A higher fracture density with a crisscross fracture/mesh fracture pattern is indicated by the analysis of image logs, shear wave anisotropy, and Stoneley fractures. Thus, a comparison of the petrophysical attributes of both fields is attempted to understand the fractured and weathered basement reservoirs and their geological characteristics. In conclusion, the basement reservoirs of the Madanam High Field are of interest because of their hydrocarbon-producing ability, and proper synthesis of petrophysical attributes will help develop activities in the basement reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses cyclopropanation of olefins with heterogeneous catalysts. This catalyst is used in the cyclopropanation of styrene and other alkenes with ethyl diazoacetate and the results are compared with some of the first results published by the group with heterogeneous copper catalysts. However,when asymmetric heterogeneous catalysts are also taken into account,the number of papers devoted to cyclopropanation increases considerably. Most of these papers deal with chiral copper complexes immobilized by different strategies. Cationic exchange is a simple and efficient strategy,already used in the case of non-chiral catalysts.

Social behaviours in termites are regulated by sophisticated chemical communication systems. The majority of subterranean termites continuously forage for new wood resources to expand their nesting areas; an aggregation pheromone is presumed to regulate this process. However, the chemical components of this pheromone have never been determined. We identified the chemical properties of the aggregation pheromone that signals nestmate presence and induces arrest in the termite Reticulitermes speratus. The results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses and bioassays indicated that R. speratus worker release the pheromone to their nesting site. The pheromone consists of an aromatic compound (2-phenylundecane), cuticular hydrocarbons (pentacosane and heptacosane), fatty acids (palmitic acid and trans-vaccenic acid), and cholesterol; the pheromone induces long-term aggregation at new nesting and feeding sites. Although 2-phenylundecane alone attracted workers, the combination of all six compounds showed greater arrestant activity than 2-phenylundecane alone. This suggests that 2-phenylundecane functions as an attractant, whereas the remaining five components function as arrestants. Our results indicate that foraging worker termites produce a multi-component aggregation pheromone by combining a volatile hydrocarbon and non-volatile lipids with cuticular hydrocarbons. This pheromone enables rapid, long-lasting aggregation of termite workers, which contributes to efficient feeding and colonisation of new wood. Our work furthers the understanding of chemical communication systems underlying social assembly in social insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The standard treatment of patients with metastatic, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) currently consists of medical or surgical castration. The addition of a cytotoxic chemotherapy was unable to provide a survival benefit over castration alone in several clinical trials using different chemotherapy regimens.Results: Even a preliminary clinical trial using a docetaxel-based chemohormonal combination did not show a survival benefit. In contrast, two more recently published clinical trials (CHAARTED and STAMPEDE) using docetaxel in combination with castration provided evidence for a substantial improvement in overall survival. The survival benefit was 14 and 22 months in the two trials. In addition, the CHAARTED trial showed that patients with high volume disease may benefit most from chemohormonal treatment.Conclusion: According to the current available evidence, the new standard of treatment for patients therefore consists of castration in combination with docetaxel-based chemotherapy and should be offered to all patients who are fit to receive chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-doped polyaniline/cellulose fibers (SPANI/CF) hybrid was in situ prepared by copolymerization of aniline and metanilic acid in presence of cellulose fibers to improve its dedoping-resistant ability. The results indicated that the SPANI/CF hybrid was remarkably more resistant to dedoping by alkaline aqueous solution than the polyaniline/cellulose fibers (PANI/CF) hybrid. Self-doping did not increase the electrical conductivity of the hybrid, but increased its flame retardancy. Both the electrical conductivity and oxygen index of the SPANI/CF hybrid decreased after ammonia soaking treatment, and the color changed gradually from green to bluish violet with increase of the ammonia concentration. The original (non-dedoped) and dedoped SPANI/CF and PANI/CF hybrids were characterized by attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses, revealing the occurrence of deprotonation during ammonia soaking treatment. Compared with the PANI/CF hybrid, additional ring substitution with sulfo groups was probably responsible for the significantly better dedoping-resistant ability of the SPANI/CF hybrid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of energy crops as biomass resources for conversion into different fuels is increasingly becoming an issue of industrial interest for establishing a balance between energy security and hunger threats. In line with this perspective, the present review discussed a comprehensive analysis of wide literature on the process commercialization potentials from the catalysis point of view. Concise details on the major energy crops were initially provided together with highlights on current industrial status. Specifically, catalytic fast pyrolysis (including the ablative method) of energy crops feed and derived bio-oil upgrading were discussed. Catalytic strategies suitable for the production of high heating value bio-oil that is rich in hydrocarbons (i.e. both BTEX aromatics and aliphatic) were highlighted. For the interest of commercial advances, the paper discussed the role of different catalytic systems including low-cost oxides, natural zeolites and the catalyst materials derived from industrial wastes such as red mud and steel slags. Perspective areas for further investigations were subsequently highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventionally, volcanic margins have been considered devoid of hydrocarbon, but many discoveries and research in recent past have proved the presence of hydrocarbon prospects within them. However, hydrocarbon exploration within volcanic margin is constrained by seismic imaging. Further, identification of continent to oceanic boundary (COB) is critical to hydrocarbon search as hydrocarbon is found mostly over continental crust. Seaward dipping reflectors, associated with volcano-sedimentary sequences, located along rifted continental margins and represented by highly dipping strong amplitude seismic reflectors, play an important role to study volcanic margins. Keeping in view the problems of hydrocarbon exploration within volcanics, seaward dipping reflectors (SDRs) in Indian context have been studied in detail in this paper. It facilitates mapping of continent-oceanic boundary (COB). It has impact on hydrocarbon prospectivity in volcanic margins as it can provide formidable seal and secondary induced maturity. In India, several discoveries have been made in volcanic margins along west coast, from weathered, fractured basalt and sub-basalt sediments. In the present work, long offset regional seismic data (18 dip lines and 1 cross line), along east coast, have been interpreted. SDRs help in hydrocarbon prospectivity assessment for both discrimination of interbedded sediments and preferential accumulation of hydrocarbon. Mapping of linear features not only helped to demarcate COB but also their presence at 6–10 km depth. For the first time, such comprehensive study on SDRs has been done along Indian peninsular region with indications for hydrocarbon prospectivity at deeper levels along Indian peninsular region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that a research team in Canada is investigating an anaerobic microorganisms which can degrade oil hydrocarbons through fermentation. The study, which was funded by the oil industry and headed by Steve Larter of the University of Calgary, was able to produce methane as a byproduct. Methane was formed through the reaction with hydrocarbons in the oil to produce acetic acid, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. A combination of microbial studies, laboratory oil degradation experiments and case studies from various oilfields were used by the researchers. It was claimed that methane offers the same amount of energy as oil and gives off less carbon dioxide.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the primary cause of mortality among diabetic patients. With the increasing prevalence of diabetes, it has become a major concern around the world. The therapeutic effect of clinical use of drugs is far from expected, and therapy choices to slow the progression of DKD remain restricted. Therefore, research on new drugs and treatments for DKD has been a hot topic in the medical field. It has been found that rhein has the potential to target the pathogenesis of DKD and has a wide range of pharmacological effects on DKD, such as anti-nephritis, decreasing blood glucose, controlling blood lipids and renal protection. In recent years, the medical value of rhein in the treatment of diabetes, DKD and renal disease has gradually attracted worldwide attention, especially its potential in the treatment of DKD. Currently, DKD can only be treated with medications from a single symptom and are accompanied by adverse effects, while rhein improves DKD with a multi-pathway and multi-target approach. Therefore, this paper reviews the therapeutic effects of rhein on DKD, and proposes solutions to the limitations of rhein itself, in order to provide valuable references for the clinical application of rhein in DKD and the development of new drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the processes of oil-and-gas accumulation at the lower stages of salt basins, the authors of this paper substantiate the leading role of special, autoclave type of hydrocarbon systems (HCSs). According to the authors concept, autoclave hydrocarbon systems are multiscale, tectonically and lithologically screened fluid-saturated areas of the lithosphere, which are characterized by spatiotemporal conjugation of the processes of generation, primary migration, and accumulation of hydrocarbons (HC) in an environment of hydrodynamic stagnation, age identity of fluids and fluid host rocks. The paper discusses the place of autoclave hydrocarbon systems in the hierarchical series of oil and gas localizing objects of different ranks: uvosphere → oil-and-gas bearing level → hydrocarbon system → oil-and-gas complex → oil and gas bearing horizon. The main attention is paid to the kitchen (focal) autoclave hydrocarbon systems. The general conclusion of the authors is that under the conditions of autoclave kitchen hydrocarbon systems, the segregation of hydrocarbons (when the temperature-baric threshold of phase separation of oil, condensate, and gas is reached) from a single-phase fluid is confined to zones of low hydrodynamic potentials and the localization of free hydrocarbons mainly occurs in situ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unidirectional reinforced nanocomposite paper was fabricated from cellulose nanowhiskers and wood pulp under an externally applied magnetic field. A 1.2 Tesla magnetic field was applied in order to align the nanowhiskers in the pulp as it was being formed into a sheet of paper. The magnetic alignment was driven by the characteristic negative diamagnetic anisotropy of the cellulose nanowhiskers. ESEM micrographs demonstrated unidirectional alignment of the nanowhiskers in the all-cellulose composite paper. Comparing with control paper sheets made from wood pulp only, the storage modulus in the all-cellulose nanocomposites increased dramatically. The storage modulus along the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field was much stronger than that parallel to the magnetic field. This new nanocomposite, which contains preferentially oriented microstructures and has improved mechanical properties, demonstrates the possibility of expanding the functionality of paper products and constitutes a promising alternative to hydrocarbon based materials and fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study of the use of zeolitic catalysts and modified zeotypes for the reaction of transformation of methanol to hydrocarbons (MTH). Materials of the aluminophosphate type MeAPO-36 where Me is Zn, Mg and Co were prepared, in addition to modifying an acidic commercial zeolite with zinc ions by ion exchange. The physicochemical properties of the zeotypes were studied using XRD (X-ray diffraction), N2 adsorption–desorption, temperature programmed desorption of NH3 and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). The catalytic performance of these catalysts was studied in the MTO reaction at 400 °C and atmospheric pressure using a WHSV of 4.24 h−1 in a fixed bed reactor. The incorporation of Zn in the ZSM-5 zeolite induced a relevant effect on acidity, generating a higher density of acid sites. In this sense, Zn-modified ZSM-5 showed higher selectivity to the BTX fraction (benzene, toluene and xylenes). The commercial zeolite modified with Zn ions presented a complete conversion of methanol with a higher selectivity of aromatics compounds totals (34.9% mol) at 400 °C. On the other hand, the incorporation of metals (Zn, Co, Mg) in MeAPO-36 materials had an important effect on acidity and therefore on selectivity in the MTH process. The olefins and paraffins selectivity decreased in the order Zn < Co ≈ Mg, being the selectivity to olefins close to 71–73% mol with these two latter catalysts, probably due to their low acidity. On the other hand, the ZnAPO-36 material was selective for the formation of aromatic compounds, due to the presence of zinc, which is an aromatizing agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legacy sites used for petroleum storage and refining exist in various parts of the world, and many contain soils with very viscous petroleum hydrocarbons produced by poor historical practices and many decades of weathering, especially in tropical and subtropical climates. This contamination causes land-use restrictions and may threaten natural resources and living organisms. The possibility of re-valorization of such a weathered hydrocarbon residue (WHR) was investigated for road-base (dense asphaltic mixture), considering site restrictions (re-use only on-site, construction possibilities, volume of residue, sandy soil). Fifty different mixtures were prepared in an iterative process to (1) use the maximum amount of WHR possible, (2) use the minimum amount of gravel possible, (3) meet the main national construction criteria for medium-traffic roadways, and (4) avoid leachate contamination of subsoil and groundwater. The ideal asphaltic mixture achieved was composed of 16.7% hydrocarbon residue, 60.17% sand (from the site), 20.00% commercial gravel and 3.13% Portland cement (filler). It met construction criteria (≥ 700 Kgf, 2–4 mm flux, according to the Marshall protocol) and had 3.39 mg/L of total petroleum hydrocarbons in TCLP-leachates, which were also non-toxic (filter-paper earthworm bioassay). Thus, the exploitation of a very WHR was shown to be an alternative to replace conventional asphaltic mixtures (thus providing another option for revalorization instead of landfill disposal or alternative treatment). Also demonstrated was the value of very WHRs, which may be present in old refineries, for asphalt production without using additives to strengthen the binding characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Khurmala Dome is the northernmost of three domes forming the Kirkuk anticline which houses the giant Kirkuk oil field. It stretches some 100 km in length with an average width of 4 to 5 km, it has been discovered in the 1930s, and it ties together with the southward ensuing Avana and Baba domes. Khurmala Cretaceous reservoirs have been recently discovered for extracting the natural hydrocarbons available in the Lower Kometan, Upper Qmachuqa, and Lower Qmachuqa reservoirs. The Kometan Formation at the time being with the available limited data is not considered to be a potential reservoir over the Khurmala area compare with the other existing reservoirs. The analysis of the log data indicates that the formation has poor reservoir properties and very low or negligible hydrocarbon saturation. This paper aimed to develop a methodology for the application of discrete fracture network (DFN) to the characterisation of fracture and modelling in the Lower Kometan Formation for Khurmala Field in Kurdistan Region-Iraq. Consequently, bore-hole image logging (BHI) fracture characterisation and processed similarity attributed to that purpose. For this reason, geological, seismic, and bore hole image (BHI) data from five wells that penetrated the Lower Kometan Formation were used to characterise the fractures and construct a reliable discrete fracture network (DFN). According to the BHI and seismic analyses, Lower Kometan is fractured, with a strike direction of NW–SE and higher intensities on the middle part of the formation. In addition, the modelling result indicated that the Lower Kometan fracture network and its matrix have relatively little potential for storing hydrocarbons. Low fracture intensities on the bottom half of the Lower Kometan Formation along with the resulting low hydrocarbon quantities in the matrix and fractures clearly imply that there will be no or very little exchange with the underlying Upper Qmachuqa reservoir. To summarise, the potential of hydrocarbon storage in the Lower Kometan fracture network and its matrix is very limited around one billion standard cubic feet of gas (≈ 1BSCF). The resulting low hydrocarbon volumes in both matrix and fractures in the Lower KOMETAN Fm are between 1 and 3 million barrels of oil with the additional storage from the fracture contribution with the matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is of much interest to study the heavy hydrocarbon impact on the phase behavior of hydrocarbons. Using a method of the precision adiabatic calorimetry the phase equilibria in quaternary mixtures of methane, propane, octane, and nonane have been studied. The phase diagrams for investigated mixtures have been plotted based on the experimental data. The phase transitions were localized by the finite discontinuities in temperature derivatives of the thermodynamic potentials. The heat capacity, internal energy, pressure, and temperature derivative of pressure at constant volume were measured in the range 170–320 K, up to 40 MPa. Quaternary mixtures as quasi-binary mixtures are presented. The first quasi-component of the quasi-binary mixture is the binary mixture with the constant methane/propane ratio. The second quasi-component of the quasi-binary mixture is the binary mixture of octane and nonane. Investigated hydrocarbon system is the combination of the simple hydrocarbon mixtures for the low concentration of octane and nonane. In the earlier papers we presented the simple hydrocarbon mixtures for the low concentration of octane, nonane, and decane, and quaternary mixtures of methane, propane, octane, and decane for the low concentration of octane and decane, which are the combination of the simple hydrocarbon mixtures for the low concentration of octane and decane. Our investigations show that quaternary hydrocarbon mixture for the low concentration of octane and nonane as well as the simple hydrocarbon mixtures for the low concentration of octane, nonane, and decane split into three phases, the macrophase composed of methane, propane, octane, and nonane, and two microphases formed by octane and nonane. In this system octane and nonane dissolved in the macrophase partly. Besides, the heavy components provoke a split of the liquid part of the quaternary mixture into two liquid phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents experimental data on the ignition induction period of synthetic hydrocarbons at various temperatures and pressures obtained using a shock tube. The experimental results were used to determine the influence of the ignition induction period on the combustion efficiency of hydrocarbons in high-enthalpy flows for diffusion-kinetic regimes An integral mathematical model is presented that takes into account the influence of the kinetic factors of ignition and combustion on the efficiency of physicochemical processes in air flow. The results of calculating the combustion efficiency of synthetic hydrocarbons in flows with different parameters are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report the oil degradation genetic potential of six oil-degrading bacteria (ODB), previously used as a bioremediation consortium, isolated from the hydrocoral Millepora alcicornis and seawater. The strains were identified as Halomonas sp. (LC_1), Cobetia sp. (LC_6), Pseudoalteromonas shioyasakiensis (LC_2), Halopseudomonas aestusnigri (LC_3), Shewanella algae (LC_4), and Brucella intermedia (LC_5). The taxonomic identification differed from that of the original paper when we used whole genome gene markers instead of just 16S rRNA gene. Genes responsible for the degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons and n-alkanes were found in all genomes, although different (and complementary) steps of the metabolic pathways were unique to each strain. Genes for naphthalene and toluene degradation were found in various strains. We annotated quinate degradation genes in LC_6, while LC_3 and LC_5 presented genes for biosurfactant and rhamnolipid biosynthesis. We also annotated genes related to beneficial mechanisms for corals, such as genes involved in nitrogen and DMSP metabolism, cobalamin biosynthesis and antimicrobial compounds production. Our findings reinforce the importance of using bacterial consortia for bioremediation approaches instead of single strains, due to their complementary genomic arsenals. We also propose a genome-based framework to select complementary ODB that can provide additional benefits to coral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper briefly describes some of the problems solved at the Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, to illustrate the possibilities and limitations of the promoted physicochemical computer simulation method. The computer simulation results on the formation of hydrocarbons in the Earth's crust, acid drainage estimates, and other results of the method, obtained by researchers of the Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, and colleagues of Tomsk Scientific Polytechnic University, are reported in separate papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is forecast that in the future, alternative fuels derived from non-petroleum sources will become the basic propellant for turbine aircraft engines. Currently, five types of aviation turbine fuel containing synthesized hydrocarbons are certified and accepted, and allow adding a maximum of 50% of synthetic component to conventional fuel. The experimental performance and the emission characteristics of a turbojet engine were investigated in this paper. The studies were conducted with the use of a miniature turbojet engine, which is the main component of a laboratory test rig. The test rig is an interesting solution for engine research, due to the fact that studies concerning full-scale aircraft engines are very complex and expensive. The literature of the subject contains many papers using small-scale turbojet engines for testing alternative fuels. However, most of them concern components of fuels, e.g. biodiesel, butanol, which do not have direct application in aviation. Two different fuel samples, a conventional Jet A-1 fuel and a blend of 48% synthesized paraffinic kerosene from hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids process with Jet A-1 were tested. This process is one of the routes of producing alternative fuel for aviation, approved by ASTM standard. The test rig studies were performed according to a specific profile of engine test, which models different modes of a turbojet engine’s operation. The obtained results are compared in relation to the results for neat Jet A-1 fuel and then discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils have been among major concerns of geotechnical engineers due to its significant frequency of event and also its influential consequences on our surroundings from various environmental and engineering viewpoints. Heretofore, the effects of diverse kinds of hydrocarbon contaminants on majority of geotechnical properties of fine- and coarse-grained soils such as grain size, hydraulic conductivity, plasticity, compressibility, internal friction, cohesion, and shear strength have been investigated. However, there has not been a concentrated research study examining shear wave velocity ( $${\text{V}}_{\text{s}}$$ ) of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils as an important geotechnical property of soil due to this fact that, in small/very small strain levels, the maximum shear modulus of soils ( $${\text{G}}_{ \hbox{max} }$$ ) can be determined using shear wave velocity ( $${\text{G}}_{ \hbox{max} } =\uprho{\text{V}}_{\text{s}}^{2}$$ ). This paper aims to investigate effects of hydrocarbon contamination on shear wave velocity of sandy soils by comparing shear wave velocities in identically prepared clean and contaminated samples. To this aim, an Iranian light crude oil, a standard type of silica sand (Ottawa sand), and a bender element apparatus were used to minutely measure shear wave velocity of clean and crude oil contaminated sand samples. Moreover, dry and quasi-moist tamping methods were employed in order to provide comparable clean and contaminated specimens (containing 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 wt% of crude oil), respectively. Firstly, a comprehensive bender element (BE) and resonant column tests were conducted on the identically prepared clean sand samples at various amounts of frequency (2-20 kHz) and under various confining pressure (50-500 kPa) to find the best methods of accurately determining shear wave travel time in BE tests. Thereafter, BE tests were conducted to examine shear wave velocity in contaminated specimens. Based on the results, it was found that there was a critical value for crude oil content with the maximum shear wave velocity so that shear wave velocity of 4 wt% contaminated sand (V) was about 1.2 times higher than clean one (V), and contrastingly adding further crude oil up to 6 wt% made a significant reduction in value of shear wave velocity to some extent that V was slightly lower than V (V = 0.95-0.97V). Moreover, adding more contaminant (8-12 wt%) into sand had negligible influences on shear wave velocity. In this paper, the effects of crude oil contamination on sand microstructure were also evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes an investigation of lubricants synthesized by thickening a dispersion medium consisting of silicone oil (PES-5) and poly-α-olefin oil (PAOM-12) with diureas of different compositions. The study revealed the effects of the compositions both of the dispersion medium and urea thickener, as well as their ratio in the lubricating formulation, on the major physicochemical properties of resultant greases. Increasing the content of the hydrocarbon component of the grease was shown to improve the physicochemical properties. Finally, the optimum grease composition was identified: introducing a polyurea thickener that contained diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate resulted in the synthesis of greases that had adequate operating characteristics and an improved wear performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is dedicated to the development of the method of high-temperature two-dimensional gas chromatography (HT-GC × GC) using a flow modulator for the analysis of a number of complex high-boiling samples. A method has been developed that allows to analyze complex samples with a temperature up to 360 °C using a combination of non-polar and mid-polar columns. We have achieved separations of such complex mixtures as products of thermal cracking of slack wax, vacuum gas oil (VGO) and the products of its processing, a product of catalytic processing of sludge sediments pyrolysate and products of polyethylene pyrolysis. The method makes it possible to achieve good resolution in the previously listed samples between the groups of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. In addition, the group of aliphatic hydrocarbons was resolved into separate constituent classes: alkanes, alkenes, alkadienes, and cycloalkanes. A good resolution was reached for sludge pyrolysis samples between the groups of polar compounds and aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Comparisons with other standardized methods illustrate the high potential of high-temperature two-dimensional gas chromatography for the analysis of high-boiling mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the German market, 119 samples of dry food were analyzed for the migration of mineral oil. The products selected were packed in paperboard boxes and intended for storage for extended periods of time at ambient temperature. The 0.6 mg/kg limit for mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) derived from the WHO/JECFA evaluation was frequently exceeded by a factor of 10-100. Typically, 10-20% of the migrating mineral oil consisted of aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). Most samples were merely 2-3 months old and far from the end of their shelf life (usually 1-3 years). From the assumption that about 70% of the MOSH and MOAH which are eluted from GC up to the C n-alkane (

This paper demonstrates the basic feasibility of bifunctional Co/zeolite catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) to produce C18–C40 hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are intermediate between high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons (up to C100) produced by conventional FTS in the presence of Co/oxide catalysts and engine fuel components (up to C18) synthesized by FTS over Co/zeolite catalysts. The synthesis conditions that favor olefin-involving chain-growth reactions on zeolite acid sites are sensitive to zeolite type. The study findings can serve as a foundation for the development of a novel technology for the synthesis of C18–C40 hydrocarbons as valuable feedstocks for various oil applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents original results of comprehensive geochemical studies of samples of oils, condensates, gases, core, and cuttings from wells drilled in the north of Western Siberia. The studies involved chromatographic and mass spectrometric determinations of the molecular and isotopic composition of the oils, gases, condensates, and rock extracts. Analysis of the results, considered together with literature data, made it possible to draw conclusions regarding the source of the hydrocarbons and the mechanism of formation of their accumulations. Information on the molecular and isotopic composition of the fluids and the distribution of their accumulations and fields in the sedimentary cover shows that most of them are of polychronic and polygenic origin. Features of the molecular and isotopic composition of the fluids make it possible to evaluate the contribution of various sources to the formation of hydrocarbon accumulations. The composition of their liquid component was formed as a result of the generation of hydrocarbons by the organic matter of Jurassic source rocks. The Lower and Middle Jurassic rocks with non-marine organic matter also made a significant contribution to the formation of the gas component of deposits in the north of Western Siberia, whereas the Cretaceous rocks generated only dry gas and were likely the main source of gas for the giant fields, whose methane has a light carbon isotope composition. The use of the isotopic composition of carbon in combination with molecular parameters makes it possible to clarify the conditions under which a particular field was formed and to elucidate the migration pathways and distances of hydrocarbon fluids to their accumulation sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the environment-friendly mixture compositions of hydrocarbons (HC)– and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)–based ternary mixtures that can be better alternatives for R134a in domestic refrigeration units. Combustible refrigerant HCs (R290, R600, R600a) and HFCs (R152a and R161) are used along with the dilutants R13I1, R245fa, R134a, R227ea, and R125 and their flammability studies were carried out theoretically. Minimum inerting concentration (MIC) is used to classify the flammable and non-flammable zones of the ternary mixtures. MIC points estimated with modified thermal balance method (MTBM) are compared with 62 experimental data points available in the literature. It was calculated that MTBM predicted the MIC values with in ±9%, for most of the working fluids selected in this study. R13I1 is used along with all the refrigerant (HC and HFC) combinations (as the first dilutant) while the effect of other dilutants on the system performance is carried out theoretically. It is predicted from the flammability diagram (developed in this study) that the inert effect of R227ea is higher than of R245fa, R134a, and R125. It is also observed that the drop in coefficient of performance (COP) is significant with R290/R13I1/R245fa (with increase in R245fa) mixture when compared to other combinations. Finally, mixtures R600a/R13I1/R245fa, R600a/R13I1/R227ea, R600a/R13I1/R134a, R600a/R13I1/R125, R161/R13I1/R134a, R290/R13I1/R125, R161/R13I1/R227ea, and R161/R13I1/R125 are identified as the best environment-friendly mixture compositions as alternatives to R134a. It is also calculated that the mixture R600a/R13I1/R125 possesses COP greater than 10% to R134a at the same working conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fracture is one of the most important geological phenomena that affect the production of hydrocarbon compounds in broken carbonate reservoirs. However, fracture controlling factors must be combined with well data to achieve accurate fracture modeling. Therefore, structural data, drilling data, well flow diagrams, cores data, wells production data, and dynamic reservoir data have been considered here. Finally, by combining the above-mentioned information and through statistical and mathematical methods, the mechanism of fracture creation, general trends, and dominant fracture patterns are determined. These patterns are directly related to the tectonic regime and the stresses governing the region. For the first time, in this paper, we divided Zubair carbonate gas reservoir into 10 zones based on porosity and water saturation, and shale volume variation. We conclude that just four-zone of these are economic producible. Besides, the dominant lithology of this formation is more than limestone and a small number of thin shale layers. We defined types of cross-sectional petro-physical graphs and confirmed them by the geological graphic diagram prepared at the head. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzes methods currently used to evaluate the generation parameters of source rocks and suggests a new modified variant of the van Krevelen diagram and an original algorithm for evaluating the hydrocarbon generation properties of bitumen-bearing rocks of the Bazhenov Formation and its analogues. This is done with the application of an integrated approach that employs pyrolitic data on core samples and material-balance calculations. Data on the most probable values of the hydrogen index and the degree of transformations of the original organic matter into naphtides are suggested to use to formally subdivide the possible types of the organic matter into five groups. The paper presents processed analytical data on 340 samples from wells at 13 hydrocarbon fields and three areas in the Khanty–Mansi Autonomous Area and calculated original contents of organic matter in the rocks before naphtide generation was initiated in them, the original and current generation potential values, and the amounts of generated and migrated naphtides. The generation properties of the samples taken at minimum distances from one another (sampling sites spaced 1–3 cm apart) are demonstrated to broadly vary. The broad scatter of the generation properties of the samples cannot be explained only by that they contained organic matter of two types: terra- and aquagenetic. The broad variations in the generation characteristics of the rocks are thought to be likely explained by specifics of their microbial processing and variations in the redox parameters of sedimentation and diagenesis. The two probable reasons for the high S1/S2 ratios of the bitumen-bearing rocks are (1) the open porosity of the rocks and (2) active generation and sluggish migration of naphtides generated in these rocks. The very high contents of organic matter of the rocks (up to 40–50% and more) are explained by that they contain epigenetic thiobitumen, which were produced when these rocks were affected by high-enthalpy hydrothermal fluids. The minimum and maximum specific generation of naphtides in rocks of the Bazhenov Formation and its analogues are evaluated (per 1 km2, per 25 m rock thickness). The specific migration of naphtides generated in the Bazhenov Formation and its analogues are compared with the specific (per 1 km2) geological hydrocarbon reserves in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about several papers discussed at the 18th annual Saudi-Japan symposium "Catalysts in Petroleum Refining & Petrochemicals" is presented. Topics include a research on the hydroprocessing of heavy oil fractions, a study on mesoporous catalysts for acylation and alkylation, and a paper on new zeolites in aromatic hydrocarbon transformation. The symposium featured several speakers including Martin Evans, Ajayan Vinu and Akinobu Shiga.

This paper describes an alternative approach to reduction of cold-start hydrocarbon emissions that allows the engine to operate under rich conditions for stable operation, and makes use of that rich condition to reduce overall hydrocarbon emissions. The approach requires only the addition of a small catalyst with particular catalytic properties. No additional hardware is required, and secondary air pumps, hydrocarbon adsorbers, electrically heated catalysts, heat storage devices, etc. can be removed from the vehicle. Reductions of 30–40% in hydrocarbon emissions were realized over the US FTP-75 test, without changes in calibration, when compared to the base catalyst systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation discussed in this paper was motivated by the need for model which is able to simulate both permeability reduction of hydrocarbon formations due to the mud-component invasion during over-balance drilling, casing/cementing, workover operations, and dynamics of permeability repairing during well cleanup. The paper focuses on development and validation of model to describe internal mud cake (IMC) dynamics, placing special emphasis on dynamics of the IMC removing during well cleanup procedure. Set of laboratory experiments with clay slurry injection and subsequent brine water backflow in samples of Bentheimer sandstone is discussed. The specific of these experiments is that backflow was carried out with alternating rates (“multirate” backflow). It is shown that the conventional deep-bed filtration model is not able to reproduce the dynamics of multirate backflow. The stochastic model we suggest takes into account pore size distribution and describes the mobilization of trapped particles within individual groups of pores within a “pore ensemble.” We provide simulation results to show that the suggested model reasonably reproduces permeability dynamics during both clay slurry injection and brine water backflow stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents brief results of comprehensive studies of waters of the Tatar Strait and Sea of Japan, obtained on cruise 79 of the R/V Professor Gagarinsky in May–June 2022. The distribution of geophysical fields was obtained, the block's divisibility of the bottom of the water area was confirmed, and new data was obtained on the distribution of gases in the sedimentary sequence, bottom, and surface water. The electrokinetic parameters of microorganisms for evaluating their relationship with methane concentration was obtained, and micropalentological analysis of sedimentary deposits was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a theoretical method to calculate the minimum inerting concentration (MIC) of binary and ternary blends (refrigerants) that are used in small refrigeration systems. MIC is the concentration of the dilutant which makes the flammable mixture into just non-flammable (at non-zero quenching potential). In this study, the refrigerant safety parameters such as flammability, Global Warming Potential (GWP) and performance (COP) are analyzed for twelve binary and thirteen ternary blends containing one flammable and two nonflammable (dilutant) components. Flammability investigation was carried out with the hydrocarbon refrigerants R290, R600, R600a each mixed with dilutants R227ea, R125, R245fa, R13I1 and R134a at different concentrations respectively. Two methods, thermal balance method (TBM) and modified thermal balanced method (MTBM), are used to estimate the MIC (which decides the flammable zone). Thirteen ternary blends were identified based on the MIC values estimated using MTBM. In the case of ternary blends, it was observed that the non-flammable zone is high for the compositions of the Mixture G, Mixture H and Mixture I. It was also estimated that the COPs of the proposed mixtures M22, M24, M25 and M27 are 4% greater than the COP of R134a (for the same operating conditions). Further, it was also understood that the corresponding GWP value is reduced by 90% to 97% for the mixtures (M21, M22, M24, M25 and M27) when compared to R134a (GWP=1300). Therefore, out of the thirteen proposed ternary mixtures (M15 to M27), the mixtures (M21, M22, M24, M25 and M27) are safe in terms of flammability, GWP and possess reasonable COP which can be a potential alternative refrigerant mixture to R134a in small refrigeration systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the possibility of using narrow fractions of catalytically cracked hydrotreated gasoline with a relatively low octane number in catalytic reforming feedstock is examined. This problem is important in cases where the operation of an oil refinery is aimed more at the production of petrochemical products. Here the use of straight-run gasoline fractions as feedstock for pyrolysis plants can lead to a shortage of high-octane fuel components. The group composition of narrow fractions of catalytically cracked hydrorefined gasoline was investigated. It was shown that the octane characteristics of the narrow gasoline fractions vary nonlinearly with increase in the boiling point of the fraction. A relationship was established between the group hydrocarbon composition of catalytic-cracking gasoline narrow fractions and their octane characteristics. This can be estimated by using a characterizing coefficient that is the ratio of the sum of aromatic and olefinic hydrocarbons to the sum of paraffins and naphthenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of analysis and numerical modeling of the sedimentary basins of the riftogenic trough of the Tatar Strait, the Sea of Japan, which allowed the creation of its 3D structural model and determination of the conditions for the formation of its generation-accumulation hydrocarbon systems. To study the geodynamic evolution of the sedimentary basins in the Tatar Strait, the digital reconstruction of the history of subsidence and sedimentation was performed using the numerical basin modeling technologies. The chronothermobaric conditions of the occurrence and evolution of the sources of hydrocarbon generation and the formation of oil and gas accumulations in the sedimentary basins of the riftogenic trough were reconstructed by 3D modeling of the generation–accumulation hydrocarbon systems using PetroMod software (Schlumberger, Ltd., United States). Modeling of the hydrocarbon systems revealed the fundamental features of their structure in the Tatar Strait water area at the modern stage of their development, which are generally as follows: the sources of hydrocarbon generation are located in the depressions of the sedimentary basins, the rock maturity decreases from south to north with their occurrence depths, and hydrocarbons accumulate along the marginal zones of the basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to study the emptying barrier effect on the dangers caused by hydrocarbon liquids. For this work, the case study was a storage tank filled with benzene and the effect was studied by combination of event tree method ALOHA software and static analysis of SOLIDWORKS software. As a result, an increase in the safety ratio was observed with the event tree method. ALOHA modeling showed a decrease in the danger zones with each emptying rate. Finally, the static study showed that the danger applied to the tank decreased. This study presents the importance of the drain barrier in hydrocarbon plants on several levels: safety, environmental and goods (tank). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine Controlled-Source Electromagnetic as an established alternative method for offshore hydrocarbon prediction is a successful technique to detect the electrically resistive anomalies in deep waters. However, in shallow water, its certainty of hydrocarbon delineation is arguable due to airwave presence when using a conventional Horizontal Electric Dipole (HED). In this paper, we propose a structural alteration in the HED source that uses conduction current method. The modification is in the form of a synthetic incurvation of the source to focus the down-going wave and disperse the airwave. We examined modified sources of different incurvature factors, a, using synthetic data generated by 1D numerical solution based on integral equation and simulation models based on Finite Element Method. The numerical calculation and simulation's correlation coefficient that varies from 0.80 to 0.96 (depending on the incurvation factor) validate the agreement between the two methods. For a hydrocarbon target located at a depth of 1 km, we observed a contrast of 34% between with and without hydrocarbon models using modified source with curvature factor a = 0.4, whereas using the HED, the contrast was 22%. For a 4 km deep target, this modified source showed 19% contrast, whereas the delineation using the HED was almost negligible. In addition, we processed a shallow water (150 m) analysis with a deep target (4 km) in which the proposed design produced a maximum contrast of 11% compared to the HED that featured only 4% delineation. These remarkable responses using the synthetic incurvation of HED can be a breakthrough for the offshore hydrocarbon exploration industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the estimates made in this paper, neither hydropower and nuclear power engineering nor, the more so, other renewable power sources are capable in principle to ensure the commercial hydrogen production volumes required for noticeable reduction of the global carbon dioxide emission. Before mastering the thermonuclear synthesis energy, only the conversion of hydrocarbons can be the real source of hydrogen for commercial power generation. Therefore, making these processes more efficient is the best way to reduce the carbon footprint of the power generation. It should also be noted that hydrogen as a power carrier has serious drawbacks, the main of which is the low volumetric energy content. Transportation and storage of hydrogen, compared to natural gas, are considerably more money- and power-consuming. The most feasible way to overcome the yet unsolved problems of hydrogen storage and transportation is to set up decentralized low-tonnage production of hydrogen directly on the consumption sites. Such technologies have been already developed in Russia, and active efforts should be made to implement them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Vortioxetine an anti-depressant FDA-drug recently reported showing better in vitro efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. Methods: In this study, we have synthesized ten new derivatives having alkenes, alkynes, benzyl, aryl, and mixed carbamate at the N-terminal of vortioxetine. Then the binding energy and interactions with the crucial amino acid residues in the binding pocket of main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2, of reported and ten newly synthesized vortioxetine derivatives (total thirty-one) in comparison with remdesivir are analyzed and presented in this paper. Results: Based on the docking scores predicted by ADV and AD, most vortioxetine derivatives showed better binding efficiency towards Mpro of SARS-CoV-2 in comparison with remdesivir (an EUA approved drug against SARS-CoV-2 Mpro) and vortioxetine. Conclusion: This study shows that some vortioxetine derivatives can be developed into promising drugs for COVID-19 treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides an analysis of recent scientific and engineering literature on chemical methods for CO2 processing using heterogeneous catalysts. The following major uses of carbon dioxide are discussed: exhaustive hydrogenation; synthesis of hydrocarbons including light olefins; synthesis of oxygenates; and production of cyclic carbonates. Furthermore, the paper highlights the main design approaches for CO2 conversion catalysts and formulates priorities for decarbonization using heterogeneous catalytic reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of an analysis of the main pollutants (heavy metals, pesticides, detergents, hydrocarbons) in water, suspended particulate matter, and bottom sediments, as well as the hydrophysical fields in the Kerch Strait and adjacent Black Sea water area (2019–2020). In all seasons, the concentrations exceeded the maximum permissible values, often significantly, for a number of pollutants, such as hydrocarbons, certain metals, and pesticides. The highest pesticide concentrations were documented in summer, while those of other pollutants peaked in spring. It was observed that the maximum concentrations of most pollutants, as well as dissolved methane and mineral suspended matter, were generally confined to the plume of Sea of Azov waters entering the Black Sea; therefore, their distributions were largely controlled by currents and stratification in the strait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bubble point pressure is essential for planning and managing oil field development and production strategies. The conventional procedure of the determination of bubble point pressure and volume is a trial-and-error method. Consequently, this leads to the lack of uniqueness, accuracy, and repeatability of the solution. This paper describes a new technique that utilizes the pressure–volume (PV) data obtained from the constant-composition expansion (CCE) test to determine the bubble point pressure of hydrocarbon systems. This method is a derivative-based procedure where consecutive derivative ratios form peaks. The highest peak always exists at the inflection of PV data to traverse into a two-phase region. A new mathematical model based on the exponential-power function is introduced to accurately describe the PV data above and below the bubble point. The new model leads to the direct determination of both bubble point pressure and volume simultaneously. Uniqueness, accuracy, and repeatability in the new method are guaranteed regardless of who performs the calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]