RESUMEN
To improve the desulfurization efficiency of sorbents at low cost, modified semi-coke was used as the substrate for mixed metal oxides (ZFM; oxides of zinc [Zn], iron [Fe], and manganese [Mn]) in hot gas desulfurization. Performance of the prepared ZFM/modified semi-coke (MS) sorbents were evaluated in a fixed-bed reactor in the temperature range 400-550°C. Results showed that the molar ratio of Mn to Zn, effect of the substrate, the calcination temperature, and the sulfidation temperature influenced the performance of the sorbents. Optimum conditions for the preparation of the ZFM/MS sorbents were molar ratio of Mn(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O, Zn(NO(3))(2), and Fe(NO(3))(3), 0.6:1:2; mass ratio of ZFM0.6 to modified semi-coke support, 1:1; and calcination temperature, 600°C. The ZFM0.6/MS sorbent thus prepared exhibited the best sorption sulfur capacity of 27.46% at 450°C.
RESUMEN
Alcohol abuse and anxiety disorders often occur concurrently, but their underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors (NMDARs) have recently received attention from those interested in the neurobiology of anxiety. A chronic alcohol exposure rat model (28 consecutive days of 20% alcohol intake and 6 h of withdrawal) was established. Here, we investigated the NMDAR1 (NR1), Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) pathway in the modulation of anxiety-like behaviors in rats exposed to an open field and elevated plus maze (EPM) through systematic injections of memantine (a NMDAR inhibitor). We found that the NR1-CaMKII-ERK signaling pathway was activated after alcohol withdrawal in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) but not core (NAcC). Memantine treatment greatly ameliorated anxiety-like behavior in the rats experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Moreover, memantine uniformly suppressed the phosphorylation of NR1-CaMKII-ERK pathway induced by alcohol withdrawal. Our results suggest that activation of the NR1-CaMKII-ERK pathway in the mPFC and NAcSh is an important contributor to the molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety behaviors. NMDAR signaling pathway inhibitors are thus potential therapeutics for treating alcohol abuse.