Investigation of used cooking oil on the formation of FOG deposits in sewer line clogging.

Fat, oil, and grease (FOG) deposits, resulting from saponification reaction, have been identified as the primary source of blockage of sewer pipes. This mainly emanates from the adhesion of these deposits on pipe walls, culminating in the sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs). This undesired phenomenon poses several challenges for municipalities, including environmental issues, health-related hazards, and an increase in incurred costs. Unlike the previous literature, the present study, for the first time, attempts to characterize the effect of used cooking oils (a mixture of different oils) as a perceived crux, triggering the genesis of deposits. The experimental results revealed that there exists a host of physical and chemical disparities between fresh oil calcium soaps (FOCSs) and used oil calcium soaps (UOCSs). Notably, when mixed with water, FOCSs produced non-miscible layers, whereas a homogenous, sticky, and viscous solution observed for UOCSs. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis casts light on the fact that the heating process would greatly influence the oil chemical structure and its resultant calcium soaps. In comparison with calcium chloride, as time elapsed, the optical microscope images illustrated that the calcium sulfate clots formation proceeded at an accelerated rate, delivering particles with larger sizes. Viscosity and adhesion are two prominent distinctions between soaps. In sharp contrast to soap produced from oil with a higher palmitic acid content, it was discerned that the oil containing less palmitic acid generates UOCSs with higher viscosity and adhesion than FOCSs. It can therefore be inferred that the distinct chemical structures driven by high temperature during the cooking process produce soaps with different characteristics as compared with fresh oil. This phenomenon would have a profound impact on the formation of the deposits in sewer lines.

Very low frequency waves as selective probe for Cysticercus tenuicollis, Hydatid cyst and Coenurus cerebralis bio-analysis using single cell-signal recording.

Comparative electric behavior of Cysticercus tenuicollis, Hydatid cyst and Coenurus cerebralis at the Very Low Frequency (VLF) region has been studied in detail. This investigation could be significant, because of the economic and public health importance of these parasitic infections in domestic animals. In this report, a single cell signal recording technique has been adopted for comparison using a stainless steel (type: 316, diameter: ~ 300 µm, height: 2.00 cm) two identical electrode system, implanted on the surface of the tested cysts with inter electrode distance of 0.50 cm at a ~ 6.0 giga ohm (GΩ) sealed condition (based on the situation of the implanted electrode system). This process was achieved based on applying electrical interaction between the cysts and the VLF electrical signal. Relative to the measured time domain signal (Current-time diagram), the frequency domain (Current-frequency diagram) was estimated via applying a "Discrete Fast Fourier Transform" (DFFT) algorithm at a fixed time interval (5.0 min). Factors, having important influence on the sensitivity of the detection system including the type (waveform) of different alternating-current (AC) triggering stimulus signals (such as direct current, square wave, triangular, sin (t), etc.), the amplitude, as well as the frequency were optimized automatically through a written "Visual Basic 6" program by one-factor-at-a-time method. Direct applying this AC triggering VLF voltage to the cysts resulted in tracing an AC electrical current vs. time that considered as the time domain wave. However, this electrical current was decayed rapidly versus time during maximum 30.0 s time scale. Applying the DFFT algorithm to the measured time domain, resulted in accessing to the frequency domain at the selected frequency range between 2 and 5 kHz that was considered as the selected frequency for the selective differentiation of C. tenuicollis, Hydatid cyst and C. cerebralis. The related probable mechanism of this process may be attributed to the correlation between the triggering potential and the cyst's electrical surface charge (Zeta potential) as the current source under similar conditions. The results of this study may help to introduce a new detection system for in vivo recognition of the cysts in future.

Reusable Extractant and Direct Catalytic Mediation of Water/Oil/Chlorodifluoromethane Nano-Emulsion in Natural Gas Condensate for Efficient Conversion of Chloride Impurities Into the Dicopper Chloride Trihydroxide Nanoparticles.

This research introduces an oil-in-water (O/W) nano-emulsion (oil-water- CHClF 2 ) as the reusable extractant phase using liquid-liquid extraction methodology for the removal efficiency of Cl- and Hg(0) [between 90% and ∼100%, deepening on the nature of the natural gas condensate (NGC)] at a brief separation time (<3.0 min). The achieved safety of the NGC using this nano-emulsion results in efficient reduction in the corrosion rate during testing iron-based fragments (vs. the untreated ones as controls) and increase in the NGC economic value. Another advantage of the synthesized nano-emulsion is its capability and catalytic mediating behavior to efficiently separate and synthesize highly pure dicopper chloride trihydroxide nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by different analytical methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, and direct visualization by some electron microscopies. Direct synthesis, fast synthetic time (<3.0 min), high purity (>99%), and scalability are the main advantages of this synthetic method. This nanoparticle is not only safe but also is efficiently applicable in different industries, especially as an eco-friendly agricultural pesticide for different plants and tress such as pistachio. Consequently, this method is accepted as direct, simple, low-cost, and scalable conversion of some upstream industries with the downstream ones. All these possibilities are attributed to the intermediate transport properties of the introduced O/W nano-emulsion. At this condition, this reagent plays role as a recycled motor for the NGC purification and conversion of these impurities into the safe and usable products. To the best of knowledge, this research is considered as the first report that shows application of this O/W medium for both chloride and mercury removal from the NGC and its direct use as top element in the synthesis of eco-friendly nanoparticles. This system is applicable in some parts of the fuel and oil centers of the "Middle East."

Diode and Active Negative Resistance Behaviors of Helminth Eggs as a Novel Identification/Differentiation Probe.

Helminths have always been studied as one of the critically annoying pathogens of parasite classes due to their adverse effects on the ecosystem of human life. They have the potency to negatively affect their hosts as points of disease, infection, cancer, and death, but in this study, we found interesting electronic properties in Fasciola hepatica, Parascaris equorum (with and without larvae), Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Taenia multiceps, and Moniezia expansa eggs. This claim is attributed to some surprising characteristics such as significant diode behavior [forward bias, 5.36-11.17 (±0.01) V, versus the ground, GND] and backward bias (-45.0 to -125.0 (±7.0) V, versus the GND) and highly active negative resistance (-2.59 to -7.11) × 1015 (±1.5) Ω in the AC mode. These traits were measured by the "blind patch-clamp, single-unit recording" methodology using a three-microelectrode system, implanted onto each tested egg under giga ohm sealed conditions (6.28 ± 0.02 GΩ cm-1 and n = 4). All the characteristic parameters were simultaneously attributed to the helminth egg structure by acceptable reproducibility (percentage of relative standard deviation: > 5%) and high enough rectitude with enough differentiation in their magnitudes, relatively. The reliability of these results was further confirmed using multiple calibrated techniques such as alternative/direct current voltammetry. Also, the significant role of water molecules as the key medium in creating these properties is evaluated qualitatively. In addition, the study aims at introducing these interesting parameters as a new approach to the fabrication of bio-based electronic elements, which are considered as a novel class of helminth egg-detection and -identification probes.

Mechanism behind the neuronal ephaptic coupling during synchronizing by specific brain-triggered wave as neuronal motor toolkit.

Probable mechanism behind the neuronal ephaptic coupling is investigated based on the introduction of "Brain"-triggered potential excitation signal smartly with a specific very low frequency (VLF) waves as a neuronal motor toolkit. Detection of this electric motor toolkit is attributed to in-vitro precise analyses of a neural network of snail, along to the disconnected snail's neuronal network as a control. This is achieved via rapid (real-time) electrical signals acquisition by blind patch-clamp method during micro-electrode implanting in the neurons at the gigaseal conditions by the surgery operations. This process is based on its waveform (potential excitation signal) detection by mathematical curve fitting process. The characterized waveform of this electrical signal is "Saw Tooth" that is smartly stimulated, alternatively, by the brain during triggering the action potential's (AP's) hyperpolarization zone at a certain time interval at the several µs levels. Triggering the neuron cells results in (1) observing a positive shift (10.0%, depending on the intensity of the triggering wave), and (2) major promotion in the electrical current from sub nano (n) to micro (µ) amper (nA, µA) levels. Direct tracing the time domain (i.e., electrical signal vs. time) and estimation of the frequency domain (diagram of electrical response vs. the applied electrical frequencies) by the "Discrete Fast Fourier Transform" algorithm approve the presence of bilateral and reversible electrical currents between axon and dendrite. This mechanism therefore opens a novel view about the neuronal motor toolkit mechanism, versus the general knowledge about the unilateral electrical current flow from axon to dendrite operations in as neural network. The reliability of this mechanism is evaluated via (1) sequential modulation and demodulation of the snail's neuron network by a simulation electrical functions and sequentially evaluation of the neuronal current sensitivity between pA and nA (during the promotion of the signal-to-noise ratio, via averaging of 30 ± 1 (n = 15) and recycling the electrical cycles before any neuronal response); and (2) operation of the process on the differentiated stem cells. The interstice behavior is attributed to the effective role of Ca2+ channels (besides Na+ and K+ ionic pumping), during hyper/hypo calcium processes, evidenced by inductively coupled plasma as the selected analytical method. This phenomenon is also modeled during proposing quadrupole well potential levels in the neuron systems. This mechanism therefore points to the microprocessor behavior of neuron networks. Stimulation of the neuronal system based on this mechanism, not only controls the sensitivity of neuron electrical stimulation, but also would open a light window for more efficient operating the neuronal connectivity during providing interruptions by phenomena such as neurolysis as well as an efficient treatment of neuron-based disorders.

Selective ultrasonic assisted synthesis of iron oxide mesoporous structures based on sulfonated melamine formaldehyde and survey of nanorod/sphere, sphere and core/shell on their catalysts properties for the Biginelli reaction.

Sulfonated melamine-formaldehyde including iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by sulfonation of melamine-formaldehyde and then Fe3O4 nanoparticles were bounded onto the surface of sulfonated melamine-formaldehyde (SMF). Two different iron oxide nanostructures including nanorods/spheres and nanospheres on sulfonated melamine-formaldehyde (SMF/Fe3O4) were obtained only by modifying the time of radiation from 4 to 8 h in our synthetic method. Furthermore core/shell (Fe3O4@SMF) was prepared by entrapping Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles as the core and sulfonated melamine-formaldehyde as the outer shell. The prepared components were characterized via, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), titration, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, Barret-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) analysis, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). According to obtained results, the synthesized products had a thermal stability near 180 °C, particle-size distribution around of 20-140 nm and surface area between 6 and 10 m2/g. In this study, vapor was used as a heat source. These effective and magnetically recoverable catalysts were employed for the synthesis of numerous 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones by utilizing aldehydes, ethylacetoacetate and urea. Functional easiness, excellent yields, short reaction time, the simplicity of work-up or filter, and thermal stability of these catalysts created them as appropriate heterogeneous systems and acceptable alternative to different heterogeneous catalysts.

Synthesis of a novel nitrogen-doped carbon dot by microwave-assisted carbonization method and its applications as selective probes for optical pH (acidity) sensing in aqueous/nonaqueous media, determination of nitrate/nitrite, and optical recognition of NOX gas.

A novel nitrogen-doped carbon dot (N-CD) was synthesized via carbonization of citric acid in the presence of triethylenetetramine as a nitrogen source. The average size of the N-doped CDs and also the quantum yield of the synthesized N-doped CDs were both estimated to be 9 ± 2 nm and 39.5%, respectively. The applications of the synthesized carbon nanostructure as a high quantum yield fluorescence probe were initially adopted in the fabrication of a novel optical pH (acidity) sensor in both aqueous and nonaqueous environments. Two optimum dynamic intervals were obtained with the ranges of1.5-5.0 and 7.0-10.0. for the fabricated pH sensor with a standard deviation of 0.09 pH (n = 4). The quantity of HClO4 inside acetic acid was determined as the degree of acidity with a linear range between 1.0 and 4.0%. Determination of nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) based on the fluorescence quenching of N-CDs was also evaluated in detail. The linear ranges for NO2- and NO3- species were estimated to be from 1 × 10-7to 7.5 × 10-5 and from 2.5 × 10-6 to 7.5 × 10-4 mol L-1, respectively with RSD of 3.69% (n = 5) for NO2- and 3.54% (n = 5) for NO3-. The LODs (X+3Sb) for both NO2- and NO3- were estimated to be 2.5 × 10-8 and 7.5 × 10-7 mol L-1, respectively. The synthesized N-CDs were also applicable for NOX recognition in the gaseous form at part per thousand (ppt) levels with linear ranges of 3.77-36.51 and 27.67-43.77 ppt, LOD (X+3Sb) of 1.41 ppt (n = 4) and RSD of 4.37% (n = 5). The reliability of these methods was also evaluated via the analyses of different forms of gaseous, water and rumen samples.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes as stationary phase in gas chromatographic separation and determination of argon, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

A chromatographic technique is introduced based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as stationary phase for separation of Ar, CO(2) and H(2) at parts per million (ppm) levels. The efficiency of SWCNTs was compared with solid materials such as molecular sieve, charcoal, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers. The morphology of SWCNTs was optimized for maximum adsorption of H(2), CO(2) and Ar and minimum adsorption of gases such as N(2), O(2), CO and H(2)O vapour. To control temperature of the gas chromatography column, peltier cooler was used. Mixtures of Ar, CO(2) and H(2) were separated according to column temperature program. Relative standard deviation for nine replicate analyses of 0.2 mL H(2) containing 10 microL of each Ar or CO(2) was 2.5% for Ar, 2.8% for CO(2) and 3.6% for H(2). The interfering effects of CO, and O(2) were investigated. Working ranges were evaluated as 40-600 ppm for Ar, 30-850 ppm for CO(2) and 10-1200 ppm for H(2). Significant sensitivity, small relative standard deviation (RSD) and acceptable limit of detection (LOD) were obtained for each analyte, showing capability of SWCNTs for gas separation and determination processes. Finally, the method was used to evaluate the contents of CO(2) in air sample.

Determination of selenium in water and soil by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry using solid reagents.

A hydride generation method for the determination of traces of selenium at ngmL(-1) concentration ranges has been introduced using a solid mixture of tartaric acid and sodium tetrahydroborate. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) has been used as the detection system. Several parameters such as the ratio of tartaric acid to sodium tetrahydroborate, type and amount of acid, and the reaction temperature were optimized by using 640ngmL(-1) (16ng per 25muL) of Se(IV) standard solution. The calibration curve was linear from 20 to 1200ngmL(-1) (0.5-30ng Se(IV) per 25muL). The relative standard deviation (%R.S.D.) of the determination was 1.93% and the detection limit was 10.6ngmL(-1) (265pg per 25muL) of Se(IV). The reliability of the method was checked using different types of environmental samples, such as several types of water, a sample of soil and also in a kind of calcium phosphate sample by standard addition method. For conversion of Se(VI) present in real samples to Se(IV), l-cysteine was added to NaBH(4) and tartaric acid mixture. The results showed good agreement between this method and other hydride generation techniques.