Anaerobic Digestion of Cigarette Butts: Microbial Community Analysis and Energy Production Estimation

Anaerobic digestion using cigarette butts, one of most littered items, was studied not only as a waste treatment, but also as an energy production method. Methane production from cigarette butts was measured through the biochemical methane potential (BMP) test and it was evaluated whether it is possible to produce electrical energy. Intact cigarettes or individual components (filter, paper, and leaf) were supplied as the sole carbon source (substrate) for the BMP test. The tendency of methane production indicated biodegradation in the order of paper, filter, and leaves; however, the filter of cigarettes was the substrate produced the highest amount of methane per total solid. The microbial community was also analyzed in each anaerobic digestion reactor, and substrate-specific microorganisms were identified, such as Proteiniphilum strain (filter) and Methanobacterium formicicum (paper). In intact cigarettes, the related microbial community became dominant over time in the order of paper, filter, and leaf. The conversion of cigarette butts to methane, a renewable energy source, can be proposed as a sustainable route for energy demand, for example, in a smoking room.

Narrow-band filter for satellite communication systems

Design narrow-band compact filters, based on high-quality waveguide-dielectric resonators with anisotropic materials is the subject of this paper. Filter represents a segment of a rectangular waveguide rotated around the longitudinal axis of the waveguide 90 degrees and containing one or more dielectric inserts that completely fill the resonator along the narrow wall of the waveguide and partially along the wide one. A distinctive feature of the proposed filter is higher slope steepness of the amplitude-frequency characteristic, and high manufacturability in the centimeter range. The designed narrow-band filter satisfies contradictory requirements: it combines narrow bandwidth (≈ 0.1% of center frequency <em>f</em>₀) with low passband insertion loss (≤ 1 dB).

New Concept and Apparatus for Cytocentrifugation and Cell Processing for Microscopy Analysis

Cytocentrifugation is a common technique for the capture of cells on microscopic slides. It usually requires a special cytocentrifuge or cytorotor and cassettes. In the study presented here, we tested the new concept of cytocentrifugation based on the threaded connection of the lid and the sample holder to ensure an adjustable flow of solutions through the filters and the collection of the filtered solutions in the reservoir during centrifugation. To test this concept, we developed a device for the preparation of cell samples on circular coverslips. The device was tested for the capture and sample processing of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, cell nuclei, and mitochondria for microscopy analysis including image cytometry. Moreover, an efficient procedure was developed for capturing formaldehyde-fixed cells on non-treated coverslips without cell drying. The results showed that the tested arrangement enables the effective capture and processing of all of the tested samples and the developed device represents an inexpensive alternative to common cytocentrifuges, as only the paper filter is consumed during sample processing, and no special centrifuge, cytorotor, or cassette is necessary. As no additional system of solution removal is required during sample staining, the tested concept also facilitates the eventual automation of the staining procedure.

Levels of acid detergent insoluble protein in grasses and feeds made from them

The purpose of this research is to assess the level of thermal damage by determining the content of acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP) in perennial cereal forage grasses Bromus inermis, Festuca pratensis, Phleum, depending on the phase of their vegetation (at the beginning of shooting, during the earing and flowering phases), as well as in silage and haylage prepared from them during the same phases. Samples for analyzes were dried at the temperature of 60-65 °C. Nitrogen of ADICP was determined in the residue of ADF (acid detergent fiber) obtained by filtering a solution of acid detergent through a paper filter. With the growth of grasses, an increase in the content of ADF in them was observed, followed by an increase in ADICP in Phleum and especially in Festuca pratensis which was characterized by higher rates of ADF accumulation. In Bromus inermis, the increase in ADF did not lead to an increase in the concentration of ADICP in the grass due to a decrease of its portion in ADF. The content of ADICP in green grass ranged from 0.85 to 1.58 % in dry matter, ADF ‒ from 27.0 to 45.8 %, no correlation was found between them. Conservation of grasses in all phases of their growth caused an increase in the content of ADF compared to the original grass, but the mass fraction of ADICP in the dry matter of silage and haylage was not higher than in the original grass, due to a lower mass fraction of ADICP in the ADF compared to grasses. In this regard, it is noted that if the technology of harvesting silage and haylage is observed, there is no increase in the level of thermal damage to these feeds. In this regard, it is noted, that when the preparation of silage and haylage is carried out according to the required technology, there is no increase in the level of thermal damage to these feeds. There is close correlation between the percentage of ADICP in CP (crude protein) and the contents of CP. The correlation coefficients were -0.83; -0.88 and -0.92 for grasses, silage and haylage, respectively. The lowest percentage of ADICP in CP was observed in the early phases of grass growth. In this regard, there is a need to harvest them in earlier growth phases, since the content of CP decreases with growth and the proportion of indigestible protein in it increases. If there are organoleptic signs of thermal damage to feeds given in the article, it is recommended to make an amendment to CP content on the basis of the result of the analysis for the content of ADICP.

ABOUT THE REASONS FOR THE CHANGE IN THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PAPER ASHLESS FILTERS DURING THEIR PROCESSING IN A UNIPOLAR CORONA DISCHARGE

The article presents the study results of the structure and properties of paper ashless filters "Blue tape". It is shown that the "Blue tape" filter paper has a fairly high density with a relatively small number and size of voids (pores) between the fibers. When processing filters in the corona discharge field, an increase in their mechanical properties by 3.5–6% is observed, this is mainly due to the strengthening of the interfiber bond forces. The implementation of increased electrostatic bonding forces in the sheet structure leads to an increase in the resistance to the external tensile force necessary to break the paper filter. The observed dependences are associated with the orientation and ordering of the pulp and paper material structural elements, with an increase in the potential of the double electric layer on the fibers surface under the charge action carriers injected into the paper volume from the corona discharge and with the formation of a hetero charge due to the orientation of the polar cellulose groups and macromolecule segments during electreting. This is confirmed by the increase in the ζ – potential of the fibers of filters during processing in a negative corona discharge - it was found that the zeta – potential value of electret ashless filters is 18% higher than for the initial ones. The achieved results of increasing the ashless filters physico- mechanical properties will increase the efficiency of their use.

Removal Characteristics of Toxic Gas on Activated Carbon Fiber Based Paper Filter

Objectives:A paper filter was prepared by pitch based activated carbon fibers to investigate the removal efficiency of toxic gas. Also, changes in pore characteristics and mechanical properties according to the ratio of the adsorbent and the binder were observed to optimize the decrease in specific surface area and micropore, which are the unique characteristics of activated carbon fibers. In addition, it is intended to establish optimized paper filter derived activated carbon fiber manufacturing conditions through evaluation of toxic gas removal characteristics.Methods:The pore characteristics of the activated carbon fiber and prepared paper were analyzed by measuring the BET specific surface area, and SEM analysis was performed on the fine surface shape. Tensile strength and air permeability were performed according to ISO 1924-2 and ASTM D737: 04, respectively. The adsorption performance of the prepared filter was evaluated as a gas removal efficiency using a gas detection tube (GV-110S).Results and Discussion:As the content of the binder increased in the paper manufacturing process, it was confirmed that the specific surface area of ​​the prepared filter decreased by up to 39.5% compared to the activated carbon fiber. It is considered that the micropores were closed because the surface of the activated carbon fiber was coated with the excessive addition of the binder. The removal efficiency showed a removal rate of 90% of ammonia, and methyl mercaptan and hydrogen sulfide showed a removal rate of about 60%. This result might be due to the difference in the physical adsorption rate according to the vapor pressure of each material.Conclusions:An activated carbon fiber-based paper filter for removing of toxic gas was prepared. It was confirmed that the mixing ratio of the adsorbent and the binder was an important process parameter for determining moldability and adsorption performance. Finally, optimum condition was selected as weight ratio condition of 8:2.

STUDY OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN THE ABOVE-GROUND PART OF CERTAIN SPECIES OF THE GENUS INULA BY HPLC

Studied the cоmpоsitiоn оf phenоlic cоmpоunds cоntained in the aerial part оf wild plants оf the genus Inula, cоllected in different areas оf the Nоrthern Caucasus (Inula оrientalis, Inula salicina, Inula germanica). The HPLC methоd identified 20 phenоlic cоmpоunds in the aerial part оf the Inula оrientalis, identified 17 cоmpоunds (tannin, galic acid, chlоrоgenic acid, chicоreic acid, ferulic acid and оther cоmpоunds), in the aerial part оf the Inula aspera, 19 cоmpоunds оf phenоlic nature were fоund, 12 cоmpоunds were identified (dihydrоcоumarin, hyperоside, galic acid, chlоrоgenic acid, and оther cоmpоunds), in the aerial part оf the Inula germanica, 22 phenоlic cоmpоunds were fоund, 14 cоmpоunds were identified (dihydrоcоumarin, hyperоside, rutin, chlоrоgenic acid, and оther cоmpоunds). The study оf the qualitative cоmpоsitiоn оf phenоlic cоmpоunds was carried оut оn a high-perfоrmance liquid chrоmatоgraph оf the firm "GILSTОN", mоdel 305, FRANCE; manual injectоr, mоdel RHEОDYNE 7125 USA, fоllоwed by cоmputer prоcessing оf the research results using the Multichrоm prоgram fоr Windоws. The system - methanol - water - concentrated phosphoric acid - tetrahydrofuran, in the ratio 370: 570: 5: 60 was chosen as the mobile phase. The stationary phase was a 4.6 x 250 mm KROMASIL C18 metal column with a particle size of 5 microns. According to the method, the analysis was carried out at room temperature. The flow rate of the eluent is 0.8 ml / min. Analysis duration 60 min. Detectiоn was carried оut using a GILSTОN UV/VIS mоdel 151 UV detectоr at a wavelength оf 254 nm. Fоr research, crushed plant material tо a particle size passing thrоugh a sieve with a hоle diameter оf 2 mm was placed in a flask with a capacity оf 100 ml, 20 ml оf 70% ethyl alcоhоl was added, attached tо a reflux cоndenser and heated in a bоiling water bath fоr 1 hоur frоm the mоment the alcоhоl-water mixture bоiled in the flask. After cооling, the mixture was filtered thrоugh a paper filter intо a 25 ml vоlumetric flask and diluted with ethyl alcоhоl 70% up tо the mark. In parallel, a series оf 0.05% reference sоlutiоns in 70% ethyl alcоhоl was prepared: cinnamic acid, chicoric acid, ferulic acid, tannin, epicatechin, catechin, naringenin, dicoumarin, dihydroquercetin, rutin, quercetin, luteolin, luteolin-7-glycoside, kaempferol, coumarin, hyperoside, hesperidin, apigenin, gallic acid acid, neochlorogenic acid.

Smokers Awareness and Risk Perceptions of Filter Ventilation

Objectives: The addition of tiny rows of holes in the tipping paper (filter ventilation) of cigarettes allows air to mix with the smoke, which can change risk perceptions. In this study, we examine smokers' knowledge and beliefs about filter ventilation. Methods: Web-based panel surveys conducted in 2016 and 2017 of current adult cigarette smokers (N = 2355) provided data on awareness and understanding of filter vents in their cigarettes, whether they believed blocking the holes would change the taste of their cigarettes, and their perceptions about their future risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer. The most commonly used cigarette brands reported by participants also were characterized on the presence and level of ventilation holes. Results: Approximately 40% of participants (mostly younger and male) reported awareness of the filter ventilation in their cigarettes. Only 30% of the participants were both aware of and understood the function of filter ventilation; they also were significantly more likely to worry about developing lung cancer. Conclusion: Although misleading descriptors associated with filter ventilation are prohibited, most smokers still smoked cigarettes with filter vents, and many are unaware and misunderstand the potential risks of filter ventilation.

A Performance Study of CNT/TiO2/ PVA Loaded on the Paper Filter for Benzene Treatment from Cigarette Smoke

This work has studied the performance of benzene treatment from cigarette smoke using the prepared CNT/TiO2/PVA loaded on the paper filter in the air purifier reactor. CNT/TiO2 nanomaterial was prepared from a mixture of carbon nanotubes modified with sulfuric acid and titanium dioxide by a simple mixing method in the ambient temperature. CNT/TiO2 nanomaterial was then loaded on the paper filter by a filtrating technique using 12%w/v polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a co-polymer. The weight of CNT/TiO2 loaded on the paper filter was fixed at 3 g. The ratios of CNT: TiO2 was varied at 1:5, 1:10, and 1:15 w/w, respectively. The performance of air purifier using CNT/TiO2/PVA loaded on the paper filter with various ratios was investigated on the photocatalytic activity of benzene treatment from cigarette smoke under visible light. The decreased benzene concentrations were analyzed by GC-FID. As the results, the ratio of CNT/TiO2 loaded on the paper filter at 1:10 showed the highest performance by up to 45%, while the ratio of CNT/TiO2 at 1:15 showed 30% and CNT/TiO2 at 1:5 was the lowest of 22%, respectively. This is because adding the optimum CNT to TiO2 can be improved the adsorption efficiency and the ability to degrade benzene from cigarette smoke. Additionally, CNT also assists in reducing the recombination of TiO2 particles that effect to the high performance on the photocatalytic activity. Therefore, the prepared CNT/TiO2/PVA loaded on the paper filter could be used for the air treatment.