Phonolite Material as Catalyst Support for the Hydrotreatment of Gas Oil and Vegetable Oil Type Feedstocks

Phonolite material has shown to be promising catalyst support for the deoxygenation of triglycerides. In this work, we continue with our previous research by synthesising and testing three acid-treated phonolite-supported Co-Mo, Ni-Mo and Ni-W catalysts for the hydrotreating of atmospheric gas oil and co-processing with rapeseed oil at industrial operating conditions (350–370 °C, WHSV 1–2 h−1, 5.5 MPa) in the continuous regime for more than 270 h. The phonolite-supported catalysts showed hydrotreating activity comparable with commercial catalysts, together with a complete conversion of triglycerides into n-alkanes. During co-processing, the Ni-promoted catalyst showed strong stability, with similar activity previous to the rapeseed oil addition. Our results enable us to evaluate the suitability of phonolite as catalyst support for the development of plausible alternatives to conventional hydrotreating catalysts for the co-processing of middle distillates with vegetable oils.

Study on Oil Absorption Properties of Magnetic Chitosan Stearic Acid Compound

The magnetic chitosan-stearic acid compound was prepared for using chitosan and stearic acid. The morphology, structure and hydrophobic property of the magnetic chitosan-stearic acid compound were characterized. The influences of oil type and temperature on its oil absorption performance were determined. The results shows that the magnetic chitosan-stearic acid compound has a fluffy structure with a contact angle of 133.65°, indicating that the compound has a good hydrophobic property. Different oils have various impact on the oil absorption performance of the magnetic chitosan-stearic acid compound. The magnetic chitosan-stearic acid compound has the best oil absorption to crude oil, with an oil absorption rate of 4.12 g/g. With the increase of temperature, the oil absorption rate first increases and then decreases. There is an optimal temperature for oil absorption, with a temperature of 40°C.

Comparative Efficacy of Jaungo, A Traditional Herbal Ointment, and the Water-in-Oil Type Non-Steroidal Moisturizer for Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Study Protocol for a Prospective, Randomized, Single-Blinded, Pilot Study

Background: Radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) is a common complication of radiation therapy (RT). Although it has a high prevalence and can even trigger the premature end of conventional cancer therapies, there is no standard management. This study aims to evaluate whether topical use of Jaungo (Shiunko), a traditional herbal ointment mainly composed of Lithospermi radix and Angelica sinensis, could reduce RID compared to the water-in-oil type non-steroidal moisturizer in patients with breast cancer.Methods: This is a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled pilot trial that investigates the effect of topical application of Jaungo for the prevention of RID in postoperative breast cancer patients scheduled for RT, in comparison with the non-steroidal moisturizer, with a random distribution of 50 patients across the two groups. RT will be administered for 5–7 weeks with a biological equivalent dose (BED10) of 60 Gy or more, and the interventions will be applied 3 times a day during RT duration. Participants will be assessed a total of nine times, including eight visits during the period of RT and one visit at a 2-week follow-up period after the end of treatment. The incidence and severity of RID, quality of life, skin reaction symptoms, and maximum pain related to RID will be measured. The incidence rate of grade 2 or higher RID using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) in the two groups will be statistically compared as the primary outcome. The types and frequencies of adverse events will be also collected and evaluated. All assessments will be performed by independent radiology oncologists.Discussion: This trial is currently ongoing and is recruiting. This study will determine the preventive efficacy of Jaungo in RID with postoperative breast cancer patients and provide evidence in traditional Korean medicine clinical practice.

Rotary Fatigue Testing Device for Determining Drilling Fluid Compatibility in A Pdm Stator

The purpose of this study was to evolve the understanding between mud motor power section reliability and oil-based drilling fluid chemistry, using novel laboratory data recorded from a proprietary test apparatus and instrumentation. The underlying objective is driven by operator's desire to maximize drilling performance by extending the operating envelope of the PDM/drilling fluid system, beyond what is possible using legacy ASTM immersion testing. This paper describes a new test method and machine, intended to complement currently existing test methodologies, that incorporates multiple interplaying downhole conditions. Twelve fluids were analyzed using the novel test machine and the results compared to data obtained from conventional ASTM immersion testing; The fluids varied with respect to base oil type, as well as concentrations of emulsifier, and wetting agent. The goal of testing was to determine if positive displacement motor (PDMs) elastomer failure mechanisms (abrasion, cracking, chunking) could be replicated in a controlled environment, and if doing so could improve the data and understanding of its lifespan in a PDM. The result of testing provided evidence of two and three body abrasion, compression set, chunking, and chemical swell. It was found that concentrations of additives, as well as base oil type significantly affect runtime in the novel test machine, even if the differences in conventional testing were inconclusive. The novel test machine demonstrated that concentrations of key additives, as well as base oil type significantly affect elastomer runtime, even if conventional testing showed inconclusive results.

EFFECT OF REPEATED DEEP-FAT FRYING OF FRENCH FRIES IN SUNFLOWER AND PALM OILS ON THE ACRYLAMIDE CONTENT

The study aimed to investigate the influence of repeated frying processes of potatoes in a fryer on the acrylamide content of French fries. For deep-frying, potatoes of the Asinaria variety, sunflower and palm oils were used. For each oil type, five frying cycles at 170°C, for 6 min were performed and the acrylamide content of the final product was analyzed using the solid phase extraction (SPE) technique and the GC-MS/MS method. The acrylamide content increased in the case of sunflower oil in the first three frying cycles, while for palm oil it increased in the fourth frying cycles, then a decrease was recorded. The mean acrylamide content of French fries samples fried in sunflower oil (1477.07 μg/kg) was higher than the one of French fries fried in palm oil (1258.95 μg/kg). For all samples analyzed, the acrylamide content exceeded the benchmark level of 500 μg/kg settled by the EU 2017/2158. The acrylamide content of French fries was correlated with the color parameter L*.

Optimization of Skin Moisturizer Formula Based on Fixed Oil (VCO, Olive Oil, and Jojoba Oil)

Currently, formulations of skin moisturizers are derived from natural compounds. Fixed oils are known to have compounds that potential to be developed as skin moisturizers based on emollient mechanism. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of oil type on the physical characteristics of skin moisturizer creams. In this study, a skin moisturizer cream was formulated using three types of fixed oils: VCO (F1), Olive Oil (F2), and Jojoba Oil (F3). All formulas were tested for physical characteristics of pH, cream type, viscosity, spreadability, and homogeneity. The test results show that all formulas appropriate to the skin pH range, have o/w type creams and homogeneous texture. In the results of the viscosity test, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) with the highest value of viscosity for F2 (16750 ± 250 cP) > F3 (14200 ± 346cP) > F1 (5833 ± 58 cP), while for spreadability test there were also significant differences (p<0.05) with the highest diameter for F1 (5.8 ± 0.1 cm) = F3 (5.7 ± 0.2 cm) > F2 (4.3 ± 0.2 cm). Based on the results, it can be concluded that the type of oil can affect the physical characteristics of the moisturizer formula. F1 and F3 have better physical characteristics than F2.

Immunological evaluation of inactivated Newcastle disease vaccine depending on adjuvant composition

Newcastle disease is a global problem that is being recorded in most countries and also a serious obstacle to exchange of genetic material of poultry in various countries of the world. Control of the Newcastle disease comprises correct injection of efficacious vaccines so as to decrease or eliminate the clinical disease. Our goal was to perform comparative studies of the vaccines against Newcastle disease of water in oil type, the adjuvant being mineral oil mixed with emulsifiers (Span-80 and Tween-80) and ready-to-use adjuvant system (Montanide ISA 70), and study the impact of composition of adjuvant constituent on physical-chemical and immunogenic properties of inactivated vaccines. To reproduce virus-containing material and carried out titration of the viruses, we used chicken embryos free of pathogenic microflora. Aqueous phase for the preparation of emulsion-based vaccines of water in oil type consisted of antigen to Newcastle disease of La-Sota strain, manufactured by Biotestlab Ltd, and phosphate-saline buffer. To evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine and induce immune response, we used 1-day old pathogen-free chickens, which were obtained from chicken embryos free of pathogenic microflora. As the positive control in the experiment, we used commercial vaccine. One-day chickens were divided into 3 groups (I, II, III) comprising 12 individuals each and one group (IV) consisting of 8 individuals as the control group with individual numeration. Chickens in groups I, II and III were divided into two subgroups (n = 8 and n = 4) to determine immunogenic efficiency and safety of the vaccine. Immunization was carried out through single subcutaneous injections in the region of the neck. To study immunogenic efficiency, the chickens were immunized with the dose of 0.1 mL (1 dose), and 0.2 mL (2 doses) to determine safety. After the immunization of 1-day old pathogen-free chickens with 0.1 mL dose, the obtained level of antibodies in the serum of vaccinated chickens on days 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 after the vaccination indicated the ability of provoking the immune response to Newcastle disease at high level and safety of the vaccination for chickens. All the recipes of the examined series of the vaccines and the commercial vaccine produced appropriate level of viscosity according to the criterion equaling ≤ 200 mm2/s at Р <0.05, promoting fluidity of the vaccine and providing easier passage through the needle during the application. Both of the studied vaccines may be used in poultry farming for prophylaxis of Newcastle disease among chickens.