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AbstractDiaphorina citri poses a serious threat to citrus. Here, the nymphicidal activity of mineral and soybean oils, organosilicon, and citrus-essential-oil-derived adjuvants was evaluated. Additionally, mineral and soybean oils were studied for antifeedant and repellent effects on adults. Residual effect on the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata was also assessed. Nymphicidal activity ranged between 65–83%, with Silwet enhancing mineral and soybean oil efficacy. Evaluated soybean and mineral oil exhibited comparable antifeedant and repellent effects on adults. All products caused <20% mortality in T. radiata, even 24 h after spraying. Overall, tested adjuvants and oils offer promising eco-friendly alternatives for sustainable D. citri management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lipidomic secretions of embryos provide a unique opportunity to examine the cellular processes of the early conceptus. In this study we profiled lipids released by the early equine conceptus, using high-resolution mass spectrometry to detect individual lipid species. This study examined the lipidomic profile in embryo-conditioned media from in vivo-produced, 8-9 day-old equine embryos (n = 3) cultured in vitro for 36 h, analyzed over 3 timepoints. A total of 1,077 lipid IDs were recorded across all samples, containing predominantly glycerolipids. Seventy-nine of these were significantly altered in embryo conditioned-media versus media only control (p < 0.05, fold-change >2 or < 0.5). Fifty-five lipids were found to be released into the embryo-conditioned media, of which 54.5% were triacylglycerols and 23.6% were ceramides. The sterol lipid, cholesterol, was also identified and secreted in significant amounts as embryos developed. Further, 24 lipids were found to be depleted from the media during culture, of which 70.8% were diacylglycerols, 16.7% were triacylglycerols and 12.5% were ceramides. As lipid-free media contained consistently detectable lipid peaks, a further profile analysis of the various components of non-embryo-conditioned media consistently showed the presence of 137 lipids. Lipid peaks in non-embryo-conditioned media increased in response to incubation under mineral oil, and contained ceramides, diacylglycerols and triacylglycerols. These results emphasize the importance of a defined embryo culture medium and a need to identify the lipid requirements of the embryo precisely. This study sheds light on early embryo lipid metabolism and the transfer of lipids during in vitro culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of microwave and oven systems on bioactive properties (total phenolic, total flavonoid, and antioxidant capacity), fatty acids, polyphenols, and mineral contents of raw and roasted “Sarışeker” and “Balyumru” tubers are investigated. Antioxidant activity values of “Sarışeker” tigernut tubers roasted in microwave and oven systems are defined to be between 1.56 (540 W) and 2.57 mmolTE kg−1 (720 W) to 1.57 (80 and 120 °C) and 1.68 mmolTE kg−1 (100 °C), respectively. Gallic acid results of the “Sarışeker” and “Balyumru” tigernut tubers roasted in microwave are specified to be between 5.49 (720 W) and 6.59 mg/100 g (540 W) to 15.83 (900 W) and 21.47 mg/100 g (720 W), respectively. In general, the phenolic component values of the “Sarışeker” tigernut tubers roasted at different temperatures are higher than the “Sarışeker” tigernut samples roasted in the microwave. The oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid values of the oils obtained from “Sarışeker” tubers roasted in both roasting systems increase compared to the control. The heat treatment has different effects on the contents of different elements of the tigernut tubers. It has been observed that there are significant fluctuations in the amounts of minerals in the structure of foods as a result of the heat treatment applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental concerns associated with mineral oil lubricants have led to the exploration of vegetable oil‐based lubricants as a more sustainable and benign alternative. Nanolubricants have emerged as one of the innovative solution for producing improved friction reduction as well as better thermal and tribological performances. This research investigates the potential of karanja oil as a base lubricant, improved with copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles as additives. Different amounts of CuO (ranging from 0.01% to 0.1% w/w) were introduced to karanja oil to form nanobiolubricants. These formulations were subsequently evaluated for their physiochemical and tribological properties, such as thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, pour point, and anti‐wear characteristics following ASTM standards. Remarkably, even at low nanoparticle loadings, significant improvements in anti‐wear performance were observed. The study aims to elucidate the lubricating behavior of karanja oil when combined with CuO nanoparticles, revealing that these nanobiolubricants exhibit enhanced physicochemical and tribological properties, as well as improved thermal stability. These results emphasize the key role of nanoparticle concentration in optimizing the effectiveness of formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines and compares the breakdown and aging properties of five insulating liquids. Additionally, the influence of different voltage polarities on these properties was analyzed to investigate the effect of aging on polarity behavior under lightning impulse voltage in a semi-uniform field. The results were compared to standardized AC breakdown tests. After 2330 h and 4350 h of aging, changes were observed in key aging indicators such as water content (both absolute and relative), total acid number, and color across all liquids. Viscosity increased by up to 10% in natural esters. Notably, the rise in water content due to aging was concerning only for mineral oil, exceeding 20%. The impact of aging on breakdown voltage varied depending on the voltage type and polarity. Aging had the least effect under negative lightning impulse voltage, while the synthetic ester MIDEL 7131 exhibited the most significant reduction in breakdown voltage under positive lightning impulse voltage, dropping by over 24%, from more than 560 kV to 428 kV. In contrast, mineral oil showed only a 3% decrease. For the other liquids, the most pronounced reduction in breakdown voltage due to aging occurred under AC voltage, with natural esters showing a 17% decline, synthetic esters 26%, and mineral oil experiencing a 38% reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent days, ester-based alternatives like natural and synthetic oils are preferred as an alternative to mineral oil by the power industry due to its higher bio-degradability, superior thermal conductivity, and fire resistance than mineral oil. In addition to this, blended oils are quite attractive because of its low dielectric loss and a low ratio of degradation. The present research deals with the experimental studies on different insulating oils like mineral oil, synthetic ester oil, coconut oil, blended oils, and nanofluids, which are developed from ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticle doped at 0.01 vol% in different insulating oils through ultrasonication process. In this experiment, the critical properties like electrical and physicochemical properties are examined according to International Electrotechnical Commission and American Society for Testing and Materials standards. Results show that ZnO and TiO2 nano-powder enhances the AC breakdown voltage (BDV), dielectric permittivity, and DC resistivity properties of different insulating oils with improved flash and fire resistance. Remarkably, it is found that mineral oil-based TiO2 nanofluid shows an enhancement of 55.8 % in AC BDV, 9.1 % in permittivity, and 15 % in flash resistance. Moreover, mineral oil based ZnO and TiO2 nanofluid results exhibit remarkable decrement in loss tangent with increased DC resistance property. Finally, it is observed that the influence of TiO2 nano-powder at 0.01 vol% remarkably enhances the electrical and physicochemical properties in different insulating oils compared to ZnO nanofluids. Hence, mineral oil and green insulating based synthetic ester oil (which is based on TiO2 nanofluids) have been considered as a potential candidate to make alternatives to traditional insulating oil for power transformer applications. The findings offer critical insights for the future of transformer insulation systems, guiding industry standards and fostering innovation in material science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The calligraphy on Xuan paper written by Cao Hongxun, who was a scholar at the end of the Qing Dynasty, was comprehensively characterized using various analytical techniques in order to provide support for further conservation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to identify the type of oil in the stains. The color difference, acidity, microstructure and elemental composition of the paper areas with and without the oil stains were analyzed and characterized using colorimetry, pH measurements, and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), respectively. Paper fibers were observed using SEM and an optical microscope after dying with Herzberg stain. The results demonstrate that the stain in this paper artifact is mineral oil and the paper was produced using softwood, paper mulberry and herb fibers. A large color difference, lower pH and changes in the carbon ratio were present in the oil stains. However, the stains did not affect the elemental composition of the paper. Overall, this study provides evidence for further conservation treatment, such as selecting proper paper and cleaning reagents for the stains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential valorization of blackberry seed oil cake (BBSOC), a by-product of cold-pressed blackberry seed oil (Rubus fruticosus L.), as a nutritionally valuable material with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) adsorption properties. The chemical and mineral composition, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity of BBSOC flour were assessed. BBSOC was found to be a significant source of fiber (62.09% dry weight) and essential minerals such as Fe (123.48 mg/kg), Mg (1281.40 mg/kg), K (3087.61 mg/kg), and Ca (1568.41 mg/kg). The high polyphenol content, especially ellagic acid, highlighted its biologically active potential. Moreover, BBSOC demonstrated effective biosorption of AFB1 under in vitro conditions at 37 °C, with adsorption efficiencies of 85.36% and 87.01% at pH 3 and 7, respectively. Characterization techniques including SEM, FTIR analysis, Boehm titration, and pH zero charge determination confirmed its AFB1 adsorbing properties. This valorization process reintroduces a secondary product into the food chain, supporting the circular economy and zero-waste concepts. Thus, BBSOC is nutritionally rich and effective in AFB1 biosorption, presenting potential applications as a food or feed additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the experimental findings on the effects of antioxidants on the corrosion of copper strips immersed in mineral oil (MO)-antioxidant samples. First, the uninhibited MO was mixed thoroughly with dibenzyl disulphide (DBDS) or 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol (DBPC) at different concentrations (5, 15, 25, 50, and 200 mg/kg) using a hot plate magnetic stirrer set at a temperature of 73 °C and stirring speed of 750 rpm for 15 min. Following this, the MO-antioxidant samples were poured into separate test vessels and copper strips were added into the vessels. Next, each MO-antioxidant sample was blanketed with nitrogen gas, sealed, and placed in a forced convection laboratory oven. The MO-antioxidant samples were then thermally aged at 150 °C for 48 h. The results showed that the acidity of the MO-antioxidant sample decreased with an increase in the antioxidant concentration, regardless whether the antioxidant was DBDS or DBPC. However, the corrosion of the copper strip worsened with an increase in the antioxidant concentration, where DBDS had a higher relative degree of corrositivity to copper compared with DBPC. In addition, the results showed that a DBPC concentration of 25 mg/kg reduced the the acidity of the MO-antioxidant sample and resulted in a moderate tarnish of the copper strip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) has been used for many years to induce autoimmune diseases in animal models, including experimental autoimmune encephalitis and collagen‐induced arthritis. However, it remains unclear why it is necessary to emulsify autoantigen and heat‐killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis (HKMtb) with IFA to induce experimental autoimmune diseases. Here, we found that immunization with self‐antigen and HKMtb was insufficient to induce autoimmune diseases in mice. Furthermore, IFA or one of its components, mineral oil, but not mannide monooleate, was required for the development of experimental autoimmune disease. Immunization with autoantigen and HKMtb emulsified in mineral oil facilitated innate immune activation and promoted the differentiation of pathogenic CD4+ T cells, followed by their accumulation in neuronal tissues. Several water‐soluble hydrocarbon compounds were identified in mineral oil. Of these, immunization with HKMtb and autoantigen emulsified with the same amount of hexadecane or tridecylcyclohexane as mineral oil induced the development of experimental autoimmune encephalitis. In contrast, immunization with HKMtb and autoantigen emulsified with tridecylcyclohexane, but not hexadecane, at doses equivalent to those found in mineral oil, resulted in neuronal dysfunction. These data indicate that tridecylcyclohexane in mineral oil is a critical component in the induction of experimental autoimmune disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the fact that doping nanoparticles into insulating transformer oil has proven to be an effective method of enhancing its dielectric and electrical properties, it remains unclear how different types and surface conditions of nanoparticles may affect their dielectric and electrical properties. Therefore, the effect of doping various types of BN nanoparticles (nanosphere, nanotube, and nanosheet) in insulating mineral oil (MO) on the diffusion properties of water molecules and electrical properties across the BN/MO interface was investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations. Our results show that different surface morphology and grafted functional groups in different types of BN nanoparticles have a significant impact both on the water diffusion behavior and the interfacial potential barrier across the interface between BN and MO. In the MO system directly doped by BN nanospheres, water diffusion behavior is not significantly restricted. However, grafting -NH2 polar groups onto the BN nanoparticle surface may significantly limit the diffusion behavior of water due to the strong attraction between the -NH2 polar groups and water molecules; the most significant effect is with nanospheres, followed by nanotubes and nanosheets. In terms of electrical properties across the interface between BN and MO, the h-BN surface (derived from BN nanosheets and nanotubes) acts as a trap for electrons in MO (−0.59 eV), while the c-BN surface (derived from BN nanospheres) acts as a potential barrier for electrons in MO (1.45 eV), and it is noteworthy that the presence of water molecules near the interface between BN and MO has little impact on the potential barriers. Advancing a fundamental understanding of the electrical and water diffusion properties of MO in correlation with the surface morphology of different types of nanoparticles is key to improving the insulation properties of oil-impregnated power transformers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transformers are crucial equipment in electrical distribution systems but have a significant potential for failure. Insulation materials, including transformer oil (TO), play a primary role in transformer failures. A fire involving the TO can lead to a large explosion, causing the main tank to rupture and resulting in extensive damage to the entire transformer and the surrounding area. Mineral oil (MO) is the most widely used type due to its availability and relatively low cost compared to other types of oil. However, MO has a critical disadvantage, which is its very low flash point. The low flash point makes MO highly flammable. When the oil fires in an enclosed space, such as a transformer tank, the pressure inside the tank increases, leading to a large explosion. Therefore, research on increasing the flash point of MO is highly necessary. The application of nanotechnology is a promising approach to increasing the flash point of base fluids. Research on the effect of nanoparticles (NPs) on flash points is very limited in the literature; thus, there is significant potential for further research in this field. The majority of studies indicate an increase in flash points with the addition of NPs to MO. There is only one study that shows a decrease in flash point, which is −1.33% compared to MO. From all the reviewed studies, it can be concluded that NPs are a potential solution to increase the flash point of MO. Despite their benefits, NPs require a thorough examination of health and environmental impacts, along with proper waste management, to ensure their advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable fats and oils are prone to contamination by mineral oil hydrocarbons due to the lipophilic and ubiquitous character of the latter. As the aromatic fraction of these hydrocarbons, MOAH, is associated with carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and detrimental effects on foetal development, finding strategies to limit or reduce their contamination is highly relevant. Deodorisation (i.e. a refining step) has shown the ability to remove MOAH < C25 in vegetable fats and oils, but there is little information about the structures removed. Therefore, the present study investigated the impact of deodorisation conditions on the removal of different structures of MOAH in spiked coconut oil. An inscribed central composite design was built with time and temperature as variables (0.5-4h, 150-240 °C), while pressure (3 mbar) and steam flow (1 g water/g oil per hour) were kept constant. The analysis of MOAH in the oil was performed using a fully automated liquid chromatography coupled with two parallel comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography systems with flame ionisation and time-of-flight mass spectrometric detection. Response surfaces plotting the MOAH loss according to time and temperature were built for different MOAH fractions. The latter were defined based on the number of aromatic rings (>3 or ≤3) and the number of carbon atoms present (C16-C20, C20-C24, C24-C35, C35-C40). It was found that at 200 °C, compounds < C24, including weakly alkylated triaromatics, could be reduced to below the limit of quantification, while at 230 °C, it was possible to remove >60% of the C24-C35 fraction, including pentaromatics of low alkylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stern tube lubricants are essential in maritime operations, safeguarding ship propeller shafts from wear and corrosion while ensuring efficient propulsion. Their role in reducing friction and maintaining system integrity is critical. With growing environmental concerns, the adoption of environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) for stern tubes has gained importance, balancing operational performance with environmental protection. This study investigates the rheological and tribological properties of EALs formulated for ship propeller stern tube applications. The primary focus is on comparing these EALs with conventional mineral oils to assess their suitability in marine environments. EALs are increasingly favored due to their biodegradability and reduced environmental impact. Key parameters such as shear stability, friction factor, and temperature dependency were evaluated using a range of experimental methods including rotational viscometry and tribological analysis. The results indicate that the newly formulated EALs based on synthetic esters exhibit the highest viscosity index, a higher range of shear stability, and lower friction factors, compared to commercially available mineral oils, especially under varying operational conditions. These findings contribute to the ongoing efforts to promote eco-friendly lubricants in maritime industries, aligning with global environmental protection initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of the influence of a range of process liquids on the formation of strengthened nanocrystalline structures in the surface layers of steel samples with different carbon content during thermo-deformation treatment are presented. The liquids were mineral oil; mineral oil with active additives containing polymers; water; and an aqueous solution of mineral salts based on magnesium and calcium chlorides. The thickness and hardness of the nanocrystalline layer increased with increasing steel carbon content. The thickness and microhardness of Steel C45 are 230–240 μm and 8.6 GPa, respectively, when using mineral oil with AAP, 110–120 μm and 7.2 GPa, respectively, when using mineral oil alone, and for steel CT80 when using mineral oil, they are 180–200 μm and 9.1 GPa, respectively (C45 and CT80 refers to engineering steels). The process liquid is decomposed into its component chemical elements by the high temperatures and pressures in the contact zone of the tool with the treated surface. It also gives off active hydrogen, which diffuses into the surface layer of the metal and significantly affects its formation. It was established that the greatest thickness and hardness of the layers were obtained after processing pre-hydrogenated samples. The choice of process fluid is critical during thermo-deformation treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of food authenticity from upstream in the supply chain is critical for the food industry. Environmental challenges and geo-political situations are causing shortages of raw materials resulting in a potential risk for food fraud. An example of this issue is the adulteration of edible oils by the addition of low-price oil, frying oil, or even non-edible grade oils mixtures threatening foods industries, consumer safety, and trust. Reliable screening tools to assess raw materials authenticity are therefore needed. Assessment of an improved alternative approach using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) is shown as a tool to evaluate edible oil authenticity and adulteration. Two methods were tested including an untargeted method based on fingerprints profiling for detection of adulteration with vegetable oil and a targeted method for mineral oil adulteration detection (e.g., paraffin wax). Statistical analysis was applied to determine acceptance criteria range to assess variability, limit of adulteration detection, and reproducibility. The robustness of the method was tested within an interlaboratory study using palm oil. Detection of adulteration with edible oils was achieved at levels from 5 to 25% while < 5% was predicted for mineral oils adulteration. Both methods showed promising results in terms of adulteration detection capability making this approach a reliable, and efficient tool to assess and monitor edible oils quality with added value in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the role of different roasting temperatures on oil amount, total phenolic contents, total flavonoid quantities, antioxidant capacity, polyphenol, fatty acid and mineral profiles of roasted-carob fruit powders was revealed. The oil and protein amounts of the carob powders were specified to be between 0.40 (90 °C) and 0.85% (control) to 8.40 (120 °C) and 10.27% (control), respectively. Total phenolic and flavonoid quantities of the raw (control—unroasted) and roasted carob powders were defined to be between 781.16 (control) and 903.07 mg GAE/100 g (150 °C) to 663.81 (control) and 1141.90 mg/100 g (150 °C), respectively. In addition, antioxidant activities of the carob powders were measured to be between 9.27 (150 °C) and 10.30 mmoL/kg (control). Gallic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid amounts of the carob powders were specified to be between 45.16 (control) and 120.66 (150 °C) to 7.06 (control) and 20.46 mg/100 g (150 °C), respectively. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids were the key fatty acids of carob oils. It is thought that the fatty acid compositions of carob powder oil, which is generally subjected to heat treatment, are negatively affected by high temperatures. Especially, the linoleic and linolenic acid amounts of the oil samples decreased significantly after 90 °C. The highest element was potassium, followed by Ca, P, Mg, S, Fe, Na, Pb, Cu, Zn B and Mn, in descending order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper-mineral oil interfaces are key components of oil-impregnated power transformers and are commonly believed to be one of their weak points. The formation of an electric double layer (EDL) at this interface as a result of charge accumulation and transfer is crucial to its insulating properties, but a molecular-level understanding of this phenomenon remains unclear. To understand this fundamental aspect, we have investigated the effect of different EDLs on the electric potential and interfacial potential barrier between copper and mineral oil by using first principle calculations. Based on the calculations, the EDL is shown to reduce the interfacial potential barrier and enhance the diffusion of oil molecules at the interface when the copper side is negatively charged and the mineral oil side is positively charged. In contrast, when the copper side is positively charged and the mineral oil side is negatively charged, the corresponding EDL can increase the interfacial potential barrier and reduce the diffusion of oil molecules at this interface. Our findings shed light on the relationship between the structure of EDLs and their electrical properties in oil-impregnated power transformers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformer mineral oil is generally hydrocarbon-based and is not environmentally friendly, so it holds a significant share in environmental pollution. As an alternative to conventional transformer oil, plant-based insulation oil has been investigated globally in the past few decades. Even though vegetable oils are considered an environmentally viable alternative to mineral oil, the extensive utilization of vegetable oils could create a threat to Indian food security. The present work focuses on using Pongamia Pinnata oil (PPO) as a significant alternative to conventional transformer oil (CTO) in distribution transformers. The effectiveness of the proposed PPO is experimentally verified using thermal studies and electrical studies through a low-level distribution transformer of 1 kVA. A comparative analysis was carried out between the proposed and conventional oil regarding physical, chemical, and thermal properties. Also, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis have been carried out for fibreglass cloth insulation material with PPO and CTO to ensure the intrinsic structural strength of the insulation material. The structural strength ensures the bonding and life span of the insulation in the transformer. The cost–benefit analysis is also favourable for the proposed oil as a better green liquid dielectric for transformers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transformers are among the most important components in the energy grid due to their missions and high costs. The challenging operating conditions deteriorate their components and shorten the life of the transformers. The health index approach is a critical and effective method for monitoring transformers in the operating environment, early diagnosis of possible malfunctions, and evaluation of their general condition. DGA, OQA, and PIF parameters, which represent the condition of the insulation materials, which mainly determine the life of transformers, constitute the basic inputs of the health index approach. In this study, a new method was proposed to determine the DGAF score based on the dissolved gases in mineral oil. With this method, in addition to the delta and rate values of the gases, the past DGA results of the transformer were also considered in determining the DGAF. In this way, faults experienced during operation are included in the health index calculation. The proposed method was tested using 36 DGA results obtained over a period of approximately 10 years from a transformer operating in the grid. The obtained results are presented in comparison with the traditional DGAF scoring method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, starch was obtained from rice wastes and the maximum extraction yield was 90.95 %. Chemical modification reactions were carried out by hydroxypropylation to obtain a modified starch extract, named 005A, soluble in synthetic injection brine. Extract 005A had a modified starch concentration of 1.24 %, with a pseudoplastic rheological profile and viscosities of 325.54 cP and 121.03 cP at temperatures of 25 and 60 °C, respectively. The application of extract 005A was evaluated by injectivity/filterability tests, which indicated a good filtration rate and viscosity loss of 3.81 % when passing the fluid through the filtering membrane. Stability tests indicated that the 005A extract had a viscosity loss of 21.35 %, at the temperature of 60 °C, after 60 days. The application of this extract enabled additional mineral oil recovery of 12.19 % in simulated core flooding tests. Therefore, the extract of hydroxypropyl starch is a promising viscosifying agent for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMineral oils, untreated or mildly treated, have been classified in group 1 as a potential source of cancer by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Although numerous studies have implicated metalworking fluids (MWFs) as human carcinogens, toxicology data regarding the mechanism of carcinogenicity are limited. This study is intended to examine the systemic effects of machining workers’ exposure to MWFs. The potential toxicity of mineral oils was investigated in 65 lathe workers compared to controls (66 men). The occupational exposure was measured by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 5026. The DNA damage has been examined by the comet assay method. According to the field assessments, the time-weighted average (TWA) exposure to mineral oil mist was 7.67 ± 3.21 mg/m3. A comet assay of peripheral blood cells showed that tail length (TL) and olive moment (OM) were significantly higher in the exposed group (p < 0.05). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that, within subjects with over 10 years of exposure, the odds ratio of worker with high TL, percent of DNA in tail, OM, and tail moment (TM) were 1.68, 1.41, 1.71, and 2.71, respectively. DNA strand break in exposed workers was associated with higher exposure time in years. Mineral oil toxicity could be altered in the presence of by-products and impurities. For a better understanding of genotoxicity, further studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvement of vapor-compression refrigeration systems taking into account ecological requirements will undoubtedly lead to the use of modern ozone-safe and non-greenhouse effect refrigerants. Increase of heat transfer and thermodynamic efficiency in general has raised the problem of selection of material and concentration of nanoparticles in the working mixture of refrigerant with mineral oil of compression refrigeration systems. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of TiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles on the energy efficiency of refrigeration systems. Research methods: The study of operational and energy characteristics of compressor operation on the investigated mixtures was carried out on the experimental unit. Isobutane R600a refrigerant was used for the study. Efficiency is determined by power consumption, cooling capacity and efficiency. The refrigerant flow rate and nanoparticle concentration are varied during the experiment. Results: The experimental results concluded that Al2O3 nanoparticles with a mass concentration of 0.5% maximized the performance of the compressor refrigeration system. The addition of nanoparticles resulted in a significant increase in the cooling capacity, especially when compared to the original refrigeration-oil mixture with the cooling capacity parameter of 70 W. This parameter is about 79 W with the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles regardless of their concentration. When Al2O3 nanoparticles are added at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5 wt.%, respectively, these parameters are 88 W and 102 W. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel multi-objective wind turbine gearbox (WTG) optimization problem is carried out using Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II). Weight of the gearbox and power loss are the two conflicting objective functions set to be minimized. Various design constraints that are related to the mechanical as well as tribological are considered in this study. Three different types of gear tooth involute profiles are considered, namely unmodified, smooth meshing, and high load capacity. These three profiles are tested with different synthetic-based ISO VG PAO (Polyalphaolefin) oils at the rated speed of 20 rpm. The results of WTG are compared with and without tribological constraint by using ISO VG PAO 320, 680, and 1000 oils. Also, the result of one helical gear pair is validated with commercial gear software KISSsoft using ISO VG 680 mineral oil. Pareto fronts obtained from various ISO VG PAO synthetic-based lubricants are compared for all three gear profiles. From the results, PAO 320 oil outperforms than other two grades (PAO 680 and 1000). Further for the chosen model, on comparing with and without tribological constraint, power loss is notably reduced with tribological constraint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the type of changes in the structure and mechanical properties of 3D printed shapes under the influence of mineral oil. The effects of a room (23 °C) and elevated temperature (70 °C) on 3D prints manufactured by the FDM method and stored in oil for 15, 30, and 60 days on the change of properties and structure were investigated. The samples were produced from ABS (poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene)), ASA (poly(acrylonitrile-co-styrene-co-acrylate), PLA (poly(lactic acid)), and HIPS (high-impact polystyrene). Tests related to the strength of the materials, such as the static tensile test and Charpy impact test, were carried out. The structure was evaluated using a scanning electron microscope, and changes in chemical structure were determined by conducting FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) tests. The analysis of the results provided important information about the impact of mineral oil on specific materials. This is critical for designing and manufacturing components that can withstand mineral oil exposure in real-world environments. The materials underwent varying changes. Strength increased for PLA by about 28%, remained unchanged for ABS and HIPS during exposure for 30 days, and decreased for ASA with extended exposure up to 14%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a highly contagious virus that manifests as a painful lesion and recurrences can be distressing to patients. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if the use of a 70% ethanol alcohol hand sanitizer alters the duration, size of the lesion, level of pain upon administering treatment, and overall daily discomfort during outbreak. Methods This study was a double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) using 70% ethanol alcohol hand sanitizer for the experiment and medical grade mineral oil for the control group. The treatment and the control were dispensed in lip gloss applicators for applying medicament. Data was collected through the initial examination, a daily journal, photographs, and a reexamination day. Descriptive statistics and the independent sample t-test were used to analyze data (p=0.05). Results A total of 20 individuals completed the research study: ten in the experimental group and ten in the control group. The mean duration of HSV-1 lesions for the control group was 10.3 days while the mean duration of the HSV-1 lesions for the experimental group was 7.6 days. The mean size of lesions for the control group was 4.87 mm; the mean size for the experimental group was 4.25 mm. The mean pain score for the control group was 1.08 and the mean pain score for the experimental group was 2.74. The mean discomfort score for the control group was 1.33 while the mean discomfort score for the experimental group was 1.72. There was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of duration, size of lesions, pain, and discomfort. Conclusion Based on the results of this pilot study, 70% ethanol alcohol hand sanitizer did not demonstrate statistical significance in the treatment and management of HSV-1 lesions. Additional research is needed with a larger sample size to determine if statistical differences can be measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing world population necessitates the implementation of appropriate processing technologies for edible insects. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of distinct drying techniques, including convective drying at 70 °C (70CD) and 90 °C (90CD) and freeze-drying (FD), on the drying kinetics, physical characteristics (water activity, color), chemical characteristics (chemical composition, amino acid profile, oil properties, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, mineral composition, FTIR), and presence of hazards (allergens, microorganisms) of blanched yellow mealworm larvae. The freeze-drying process results in greater lightness and reduced moisture content and water activity. The study demonstrated that the freeze-dried insects exhibited lower contents of protein and essential amino acids as compared to the convective-dried insects. The lowest content of total polyphenols was found in the freeze-dried yellow mealworm larvae; however, the highest antioxidant activity was determined for those insects. Although the oil isolated from the freeze-dried insects exhibited the lowest acid and peroxide values, it proved to have the lowest PUFA content and oxidative stability. All the samples met the microbiological criteria for dried insects. The results of the study demonstrate that a high temperature during the CD method does not result in the anticipated undesirable changes. It appears that freeze-drying is not the optimal method for preserving the nutritional value of insects, particularly with regard to the quality of protein and oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve fuel economy to meet the standard for passenger car oil, a new formulation with good viscosity–temperature performance for gasoline engine oil is required. In this study, coal-to-liquid (CTL) base oil, with a high viscosity index and good low-temperature performance, was selected as the base oil to develop the gasoline engine oil. A systematic study on the molecular interaction between the CTL base oil and the viscosity index improver (VII), including three kinds of hydrogenated styrene diene copolymers (HSD-type) and four kinds of ethylene propylene copolymers (OCP-type), was conducted. It was found that in general, in CTL base oil, the HSD-type VII exhibited a much higher viscosity index, a significantly lower shear stability index, a higher thickening ability, and a lower cold-cranking simulator (CCS) viscosity than that of OCP-type VII. Moreover, when comparing CTL base oil with mineral oil 150N, the combination of CTL base oil and the VII displayed a lower CCS viscosity than that of mineral oil, suggesting it had better low-temperature performance and was able to quickly form a protective oil film on the surface, which was beneficial for the cold start. The functional group distribution state of the VII in base oil was analyzed using synchrotron radiation micro-infrared microscope (SR Micro-IR) technology, which revealed that HSD-1 had a better molecular interaction with CTL6 than 150N because of the better uniformity of the C=C group distribution. Based on this, a SP 0W-20 gasoline engine oil was developed by the combination of CTL base oil and the HSD-1 viscosity index improver, together with an additive package, a polymethacrylate pour point depressant, and a non-silicone defoamer, which showed excellent low-temperature performance, thermal oxidation stability, and detergency performance compared to the reference oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work explores experimentally the effects of DC electrical currents on lubricant film thickness alteration in lubricated sliding steel contacts in the boundary and mixed regime as measured by ultrasound. The experiments were performed in a two-electrode cell-based pin-on-disk tester instrumented with ultrasonic transducers. Unelectrified and electrified tribological tests were conducted on steel flat-on-flat contacts under various speeds and loads using both a mineral base oil and a gear oil. Film thickness, coefficient of friction (CoF), and electrical contact resistance (ECR) were measured during short experiments (30 s) in unelectrified and electrified (1.5 and 3 A) conditions. The results suggest that film thickness, CoF, and all ECR are altered by passing DC currents through the contact. In particular, film thickness increased and decreased, respectively, by applying electricity at the different speeds and loads tested. These alterations were majorly ascribed to oil viscosity decrease by local heat and surface oxidation caused by electrical discharge and break down at the interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional cellulosic packaging materials lack the ability to resist the penetration of water, mineral oil, and harmful chemicals. These poor barrier properties of the conventional cardboard packaging materials make them ineffectual in various industrial applications. Hence, the present work focuses on the development of hydrophobic polybenzoxazine coated cellulose paper with improved tensile strength for the replacement of existing cardboard packaging materials. The trifunctional polybenzoxazines have been synthesized and coated on cellulose paper for the hydrophobic packaging material application. A new type of series of tri-functional polybenzoxazines were synthesized using leucoaurin with paraformaldehyde and separately with five different aliphatic amines of varying chain length (i.e.) butylamine (ba), hexylamine (ha), ethylhexylamine (eha), dodecylamine (dda) and octadecylamine (oda) through Mannich condensation. In the present work, the influencing effect of aliphatic chain length present in the skeleton of polybenzoxazines has been studied and the hydrophobic behavior was exploited for water-proof packaging application by coating polybenzoxazines on normal cellulosic printable paper-75 GSM (CP) and Wattman paper (WP) through spray coatings. The hydrophobic behavior of leucoaurin based benzoxazines coated cellulose paper was tested using goniometer and the coated cellulosic paper possesses good hydrophobic behavior with value of water contact angle above 125º. Among the polybenzoxazines synthesized, the leucoaurin with octadecylamine benzoxazine coated on cellulosic WP paper shows better water repellent property (water contact angle 136 ± 2º) than that of others. In addition to that, the value of tensile strength of leucoaurin based polybenzoxazines coated papers was tested using UTM and the results obtained were compared with that of non-coated papers. The tensile strength of the coated papers was found to be 2 to 3 times higher than that of non-coated paper with the value of 21 MPa and 18 MPa for LA-PBZ coated copier paper and Wattman paper respectively. The obtained results suggest that the leucoaurin based polybenzoxazines coated papers can be considered for effective utilization for water-proof packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper demonstrates the potential of waste turbine oil (WTBO) as a base oil to substitute for mineral oil, which is usually used in grease formulations. This study will analyze the characteristics of used turbine oil, including its chemical composition and physical characteristics, including kinematic viscosity, viscosity index, moisture content, contamination, and density. The presence of antioxidants (butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and amine or phenyl-a-naphthylamine (PANA), anti-wear, and corrosion-inhibiting additives that can improve the formulated lubricating grease performance and lengthen service life are just a few of the useful remaining WTBO characteristics that can be used wisely as the base oil. It is crucial to create more environmentally friendly, economically sensible, and thrifty grease formulations to adhere to Malaysia's Green Technology Master Plan, which has outlined the strategic plans for developing green technologies. The new inventions must establish a resource- and carbon- efficient economy. The abundance of WTBO in the aviation industry and the unique characteristics of WTBO itself promise a reliable supply of base oil for lubricating grease in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methyl ester is considered one of the alternative substitutes to mineral oil as an insulating liquid. This study investigates the dissolved gas analysis (DGA) of the methyl ester derived from palm oil, under low energy discharge faults. The aims are to understand the gas composition and evaluate the applicability of the well-established fault interpretation methods for mineral oil to the methyl ester. Experimental procedures were conducted based on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards. It involved simulating electrical breakdowns in laboratory conditions as per IEC-156 standard and analyzing gas samples using gas chromatography based on IEC-567. Results show that methyl ester oils produce similar types of gases as mineral oils but at higher concentrations. The interpretation of DGA results using fault identification methods such as Duval Triangle, Duval Pentagon, and IEC ratio indicates an overestimation of fault severity in methyl ester oils, and categorizing the faults as high energy discharge. However, the key gas method correctly identifies the discharge in both methyl ester and mineral oils. These findings suggest the need for adjustments in existing DGA methods to account for the higher gas concentrations in methyl ester oils, for effective condition monitoring and maintenance of transformers if it was filled with methyl ester oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of pressure on single crystals of Cr-doped gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3:Cr3+) and aluminum gallium oxide [(Al0.1Ga0.9)2O3] were examined by measuring the wavelength shift in the spectral R lines. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of these materials were collected from samples in diamond anvil cells at pressures up to 9 GPa. The β-Ga2O3:Cr3+R lines were found to shift linearly under hydrostatic pressure. The (Al0.1Ga0.9)2O3R lines also show a linear shift but the R1 line shifted less than for β-Ga2O3:Cr3+. The ratio of R2 to R1 peak areas vs pressure is dominated by nonradiative recombination. X-ray diffraction measurements of (Al0.1Ga0.9)2O3 indicate that its equation of state is similar to that of β-Ga2O3. β-Ga2O3:Cr3+ was examined under non-hydrostatic conditions by using mineral oil as a pressure transmitting medium. Similar to the case in ruby, the R1 line is much more sensitive to non-hydrostatic stress than R2. Spatially resolved PL of a sample at 8 GPa in mineral oil showed significant variations in the R1 emission wavelength. These results suggest that the R1 line can serve as a sensitive probe of alloy composition and non-hydrostatic stress, while the R2 line is insensitive to these perturbations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot-mix asphalts are composite materials with self-healing properties: cracks in pavements constructed with these asphalts can close without external help. However, this self-healing process is slow, and cracks may reopen quickly. To increase the self-healing ratio and accelerate the healing process, capsules containing two different types of waste oil (vegetable and mineral oil) were added to the mixture at four different proportions (0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.00% by weight of the mixture). This research evaluated the effect of the capsule addition on the strength of the mixture against cracking. Experiments using samples with added semicircular capsules and samples containing no added capsules were carried out according to the linear elastic and elastic–plastic fracture mechanical principles. The self-healing properties of the hot-mix asphalt were determined. The results showed that the highest strength against cracking at low temperature was found in the sample with a proportion of 0.25% capsules of both types (waste vegetable and mineral oil). In addition, the oil released from the capsules increased the self-healing properties of the hot-mix asphalt. Samples fractured at 0°C had better healing than the samples fractured at 25°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane distillation technology could utilize low-grade heat to desalinate brine, but the membrane material often suffers from disadvantages of low permeation flux and weak robustness to contaminants. To address these issues, the commercial polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane was modified by cost-effective chemicals of tannic acid and (3-Aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane (APTES) to construct hydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic nano-rough structures on the surface to enhance its flux and oil-fouling resistance in direct contact membrane distillation. The results show that a high underwater oil contact angle of 180° is observed to the membrane surface due to the rough nanostructures functionalized by abundant hydroxyl groups. Despite the additional mass transfer resistance provided by the rough nanostructures, the flux was increased noticeably. This is mainly attributed to the strong interactions between the abundant hydroxyl groups of hydrophilic layer surface and water molecules, leading to a part of free water staying at intermediate transition state (IW). The mass transfer resistance of the hydrophilic layer itself is reduced as a consequence of decreased evaporation enthalpy of water, thereby increasing the flux. Moreover, while the flux of the pristine membrane is reduced by 84.18%, the flux of Janus membrane remains the same when treating mineral oil brine emulsions with oil concentration up to 1500 ppm in comparison with the result for 35 g l−1 brine solution, indicating that the Janus membrane is safe from the oil contamination. Our work provides a fine guidance for membrane distillation to treat high oily brine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics have emerged as a crucial technology for emerging pathogen detections to enable rapid and on-site detection of infectious diseases. However, current POC devices often suffer from limited sensitivity with poor reliability to provide quantitative readouts. In this paper, we present a self-powered digital loop-mediated isothermal amplification (dLAMP) microfluidic chip (SP-dChip) for the rapid and quantitative detection of nucleic acids. The SP-dChip utilizes a vacuum lung design to passively digitize samples into individual nanoliter wells for high-throughput analysis. The superior digitization scheme is further combined with reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) to demonstrate dLAMP detection of Zika virus (ZIKV). Firstly, the LAMP assay is loaded into the chip and passively digitized into individual wells. Mineral oil is then pipetted through the chip to differentiate each well as an individual reactor. The chip did not require any external pumping or power input for rapid and reliable results to detect ZIKA RNA as low as 100 copies per μL within one hour. As such, this SP-dChip offers a new class of solutions for truly affordable, portable, and quantitative POC detections for emerging viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Counter-current spontaneous imbibition of water is a critical oil recovery mechanism. In the laboratory, the Amott test is a commonly used method to assess the efficacy of brine imbibition into oil-saturated core plugs. The classic Amott-cell experiment estimates ultimate oil recovery, but not the recovery dynamics that hold fundamental information about the imbibition mechanisms. Retention of oil droplets at the outer core surface and initial production delay are the two key artifacts of the classic Amott experiment. This retention, referred to here as the "external-surface oil holdup effect" or simply "oil holdup effect", often results in stepwise recovery curves that obscure the true dynamics of spontaneous imbibition. To address these holdup drawbacks of the classic Amott method, we modified the Amott cell and experimental procedure. For the first time, using water-wet Indiana limestone cores saturated with brine and mineral oil, we showed that our improvements of the Amott method enabled accurate and reproducible measurements of oil recovery dynamics. Also for the first time, we used the generalized extreme value (GEV) statistics to describe oil production histories from water-wet heterogeneous limestone cores with finite initial water saturations. We demonstrated that our four-parameter GEV model accurately described the recovery dynamics, and that optimal GEV parameter values systematically reflected the key characteristics of the oil–rock system, such as oil viscosity and rock permeability. These findings gave us a more fundamental understanding of spontaneous, counter-current imbibition mechanisms and insights into what constitutes a predictive model of counter-current water imbibition into oil-saturated rocks with finite initial water saturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable insulating oil, with advantages such as high safety and environmental friendliness, is a good substitute for traditional mineral oil. However, thermal failure is one of the important factors affecting the safe operation of oil-immersed electrical equipment. This study focuses on soybean vegetable oil as the research subject and establishes a simulation model for soybean insulating oil to investigate the influence of thermal stress at different temperatures ranging from 1000 K to 2000 K on system decomposition and gas generation characteristics. The results indicate that, under elevated temperatures, the decomposition of soybean vegetable insulating oil predominantly occurs through decarboxylation reactions, leading to the generation of CO2 and hydrocarbon radicals. The hydrocarbon radicals further decompose and react with other species, resulting in the formation of characteristic gases. It was observed that CO2 and C2H4 serve as stable thermal decomposition by-products. Increasing temperatures significantly enhance the generation rates of various characteristic products and broaden the variety of such products. For instance, H2 and CH4 are characteristic gases produced at different temperature ranges. Studying the decomposition and gas generation characteristics of vegetable insulating oil under thermal stress holds crucial significance for transformer design and operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cesium lead halide (CsPbX3) perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have attracted attention for use as absorber materials in photovoltaics as they show tuneable bandgap energy and high photoluminescence quantum yields together with the potential to demonstrate long-term stability and simple solution processability. Currently, the colloidal synthesis of PQDs relies to a large extent on the use of toxic and fossil derived solvents as the reaction medium. Alternative methods that partially or completely replace such solvents are anticipated as a step forward in meeting the sustainability criteria for the large-scale synthesis of PQDs. Herein, we report an eco-friendly sonochemical-assisted synthesis of CsPbBr3 PQDs using commercial vegetable oil solvents as the reaction medium. The effect of different vegetable oils on the synthesis and properties of PQDs was investigated in detail. The as-prepared CsPbBr3 colloids show similar photoluminescence (PL) spectra and crystalline structure to colloids obtained in mineral oil, which was used here for comparative purposes. Furthermore, a smaller amount of the optically inactive Cs4PbBr6 hexagonal crystalline phase was detected in the green synthesis compared to mineral oil-based synthesis. Finally, spin-coated thin films were produced, demonstrating the processability of the colloidal PQDs obtained via the green synthesis described here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The copolymer composed with acrylamide (AM) and N, N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) was prepared by using inverse emulsion polymerization with sorbitan monooleate (SPAN-80) as emulsifier, white mineral oil as oil phase, and ammonium persulfate (APS) and tetramethylenediamine (TEMED) as redox initiation systems. The product was characterized by hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Firstly, the relationship between polymerization rate (rp) and monomer feed molar ratio was studied in the range of n(DMAA)∶n(AM)= 1∶100 to 1∶25. The results showed that the polymerization rate increased with increasing the DMAA in feed molar ratio and the amount of DMAA structural unit in the resultant copolymer was higher than that in the recipe. By comparing with conventional emulsion polymerization, there was no constant rate period ( i.e., interval II) according to the behavior of polymerization rate versus time, suggesting that the mechanism for particle nucleation (i.e., formation of polymer particles) might be dominated by monomer droplet nucleation. Then a variety of hehaviors were studied for the polymerization rate versus monomer concentration (cM, 14.42—16.00 mol/L), initiator concentration (cI, 0.0043—0.0081 mol/L), and emulsifier concentration (cE, 0.200—0.234 mol/L) at 296.15 K. The polymerization rate equation was rp=kcM1.74cI0.82cE0.77, indicating that monomer concentration had the greatest effect on the polymerization rate among the behaviors investigated. Finally, the apparent activation energy of 20.53 kJ/mol for the inverse emulsion polymerization of AM and DMAA was obtained by Arrhenius formula in the range of 288.15—301.15 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out on benzyl alkoxycarbonyl methyl disulfides as multifunctional additives to lubricating oils. Results are given for testing the anticorrosion, anti-wear, anti-microbial action of previously synthesized benzyl alkoxycarbonyl methyl disulfides containing several functional groups. Efficiency was demonstrated for a series of benzyl alkoxycarbonyl methyl disulfides. Depending on their composition and structure, these disulfides improve the anticorrosion, anti-wear, and antimicrobial properties of oils. The antimicrobial properties of these compounds were studied as components of M-11 oil. The synthesized compounds in concentration 0.5-1.5 mass % enhance the resistance of mineral oil to biological damage and also display antimicrobial and antifungal activity. These compounds are more efficient than sodium pentachlorophenolate, which is a commonly used biocide. Testing in a four-ball friction machine indicates that these compounds possess anti-wear properties. Our derivatograph data on the thermal stability of these additives are in accord with the results of thermoanalytical testing of commercial additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the problem of poor flowability in the production and transportation of high-wax crude oil and high-viscosity crude oil, crude oil flow improvers are commonly used to reduce their viscosity and pour point. Although polymer-based crude oil flow improvers are highly effective in improving crude oil flowability, there are still problems such as high cost and the need for a large amount of solvent dilution when used. In this work, highly dispersed organic modified nano-montmorillonite was prepared by using Na-based montmorillonite and quaternary ammonium salts, and the influencing factors on the viscosity of the crude oil were investigated. The most effective modified nano-montmorillonite (B@MMT) can reduce the viscosity by 96.7% (21 °C) and depress the pour point by 15 °C. Furthermore, it has shown a high improvement in flowability in the other four different sources of crude oil, with viscosity reduction rates of 52.2, 93.4, 79.1 and 67.4%, respectively. B@MMT was characterized by FTIR, SEM, zeta potential and contact angle. Based on DSC and wax crystal structure analysis, the mechanism of the influence of B@MMT on crude oil viscosity and pour point was explored. Finally, the cost of B@MMT was estimated, and the result shows that, compared with the crude oil flow improver in use, B@MMT has considerable commercial competitive advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the use of iodine(III)-mediated ring-contraction reactions in both halogenated and non-halogenated solvents. The study compares the yields of ring-contraction reactions using different solvents and investigates the behavior of different derivatives of 1,2-dihydronaphthalene. The results show that using halogenated solvents leads to higher yields. The article also provides a detailed account of the synthesis and purification of various organic compounds, including their yields, physical properties, and spectroscopic data. Additionally, it provides information on the synthesis and characterization of three specific compounds, along with supporting information for further reference. [Extracted from the article]

Mineral oils are the most common adjuvants that are used in the production of poultry killed vaccine based on water-in-oil emulsion (W/O) to create high and long term antibody responses to vaccine antigens. The vaccine structural specifications, including particle size and formulation on stability and immunogenicity, have needed more clarification for vaccine producers so that they can produce their products based on highly efficient methods. This study assessed the effect of particle size on the stability and immunogenicity of a W/O vaccine. Different W/O emulsions were formulated by three different homogenization times by means of inactivated Avian Influenza Virus subtype H9N2 (AI H9N2) and Newcastle Disease Virus (V4) antigens and Montanide™ ISA 70 adjuvant. The three killed AI+ND vaccines were formulated and 2 commercial vaccines were evaluated for magnitude and duration of specific antibody response in SPF and broiler chickens. The vaccine dose for each bird was considered 0/2 ml. On days 7, 14 and 21 post vaccination, antibody titers of serum were evaluated by Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) test. The serum antibody titers (ND) of group B and C on days 7 and 21 were higher than the other groups (P<0.05), but the difference between the other groups was not significant on the same day. The serum antibody titers (ND) of broiler chickens in group B and C on day 7, 21 and also group E on day 21 were significantly higher than other groups. The serum antibody titers (AI) of SPF chickens on day 21, in group C, had significant difference with other groups. The antibody titers (AI) on days 7 and 14 showed no significant difference in all groups except group D. The immunogenicity of emulsions was higher in more homogenization time. In all, these results indicate that increases in homogenization time create a smaller size of droplets and are effective for the rapid onset of antibody production. The small size of droplets not only creates a fast and good response, but also promotes immunogenicity both in broilers and SPF chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]