Sunday, 21 August 2016

A Review on the Valorization of Macroalgal Wastes for Biomethane Production.

Published Date
2016 Jun 21;14(6). pii: E120. doi: 10.3390/md14060120.

Title
A Review on the Valorization of Macroalgal Wastes for Biomethane Production.

Author

Barbot YN1, Al-Ghaili H2, Benz R3.

Author information

1Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, Bremen 28759, Germany. yannnbarbot@googlemail.com.
2Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, Bremen 28759, Germany. hashem_alghaili@yahoo.com.
3Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, Bremen 28759, Germany. r.benz@jacobs-university.de.

Abstract

The increased use of terrestrial crops for biofuel production and the associated environmental, social and ethical issues have led to a search for alternative biomass materials. Terrestrial crops offer excellent biogas recovery, but compete directly with food production, requiring farmland, fresh water and fertilizers. Using marine macroalgae for the production of biogas circumvents these problems. Their potential lies in their chemical composition, their global abundance and knowledge of their growth requirements and occurrence patterns. Such a biomass industry should focus on the use of residual and waste biomass to avoid competition with the biomass requirements of the seaweed food industry, which has occurred in the case of terrestrial biomass. Overabundant seaweeds represent unutilized biomass in shallow water, beach and coastal areas. These eutrophication processes damage marine ecosystems and impair local tourism; this biomass could serve as biogas feedstock material. Residues from biomass processing in the seaweed industry are also of interest. This is a rapidly growing industry with algae now used in the comestible, pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. The simultaneous production of combustible biomethane and disposal of undesirable biomass in a synergistic waste management system is a concept with environmental and resource-conserving advantages.

For further details log on website :
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27338422

Cyanobacteria and microalgae: a positive prospect for biofuels

Published Date
2011 Nov;102(22):10163-72. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.08.030. Epub 2011 Aug 22.

Title

Cyanobacteria and microalgae: a positive prospect for biofuels.

Parmar A1, Singh NK, Pandey A, Gnansounou E, Madamwar D

Author information

1BRD School of Biosciences, Sardar Patel Maidan, Vadtal Road, Satellite Campus, Post Box No. 39, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar 388120, Gujarat, India. parmar.asha@gmail.com

Abstract

Biofuel-bioenergy production has generated intensive interest due to increased concern regarding limited petroleum-based fuel supplies and their contribution to atmospheric CO2 levels. Biofuel research is not just a matter of finding the right type of biomass and converting it to fuel, but it must also be economically sustainable on large-scale. Several aspects of cyanobacteria and microalgae such as oxygenic photosynthesis, high per-acre productivity, non-food based feedstock, growth on non-productive and non-arable land, utilization of wide variety of water sources (fresh, brackish, seawater and wastewater) and production of valuable co-products along with biofuels have combined to capture the interest of researchers and entrepreneurs. Currently, worldwide biofuels mainly in focus include biohydrogen, bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas. This review focuses on cultivation and harvesting of cyanobacteria and microalgae, possible biofuels and co-products, challenges for cyanobacterial and microalgal biofuels and the approaches of genetic engineering and modifications to increase biofuel production.

For further details log on website :
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21924898

When I Exercise My Heart Rate Is Above 130 at Age 71

Your age and the heart rate at which you exercise are connected. As you grow older, your resting heart rate slows down. Your maximum heart rate -- the top speed at which your heart pumps during physical activity -- is lower at age 71 than it was when you were 51. To make sure you're exercising within safe parameters, it's helpful to make sure that your heart rate in beats per minute is within what fitness experts call your "target zone."

Calculating your maximum heart rate, or MHR, defers to a specific formula: your age subtracted from the number 220. For example, if you're 71, your MHR is 149. However, your MHR isn't always a concrete number. According to the Cleveland Clinic, certain medications used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease can affect your MHR. If you take medications, talk to your doctor first to see if they affect your MHR. If they do, your treating physician or a fitness expert can tell you how to adjust your fitness program accordingly.

You'll get the best health benefits from your exercise program when you work out at a specific intensity. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this is between 60 and 80 percent of your MHR, although in some cases, it may be only 50 percent of your MHR. The American Council on Exercise takes a slightly more conservative approach, recommending that you exercise at between 50 and 80 percent of your MHR -- beginners in particular may benefit from starting out at the lower end of this range. Using the 50 to 80 percent range, a 71-year-old person's target heart rate should be anywhere between 75 and 119. A heart rate of more than 130 bpm suggests that you may be exercising too vigorously -- at 90 percent of your MHR or even more.

The Cleveland Clinic advises you to avoid working out at 85 percent of your MHR or above. Not only do you not get the added benefits you might think; exercising at such a high intensity makes cardiovascular and orthopedic complications more likely. A heart rate monitor can help you make sure you stay within your target heart rate, as can simply checking your pulse for 10 seconds and multiplying it by six. However, don't rely on heart rate alone. ACE strongly suggests paying attention to what your body is telling you. Your breaths should be deeper and more rapid, but you shouldn't have to gasp for air. You should also be able to speak in simple sentences for 20 to 30 seconds at a time.

Exercise can be a benefit to your health, no matter what your age. The AARP says that if you take a brisk walk three times a week for a year, you may even stave off Alzheimer's disease and other memory problems associated with the aging process. However, if you're in your golden years and especially if you have a health condition that may make physical activity risky to your health, make sure to get your doctor's consent before you start a new exercise program.

www.livestrong.com

What Is the Target Heart Rate for a 40 Year Old Man Who Exercises?

Knowing your target heart rate every year is important because this rate changes as you get older. The rate for a 40-year-old man or woman at the beginning of middle age is lower than for younger adults and higher than older adults. Exercising within your target rate helps you get the most from your workout while limiting your chance of overtraining.

Cardiovascular exercise, also known as endurance, cardio or aerobic exercise, raises your heart rate. In this form of exercise, you rhythmically use your large muscles for a sustained time. Aerobic exercise includes brisk walking, running, biking or active sports such as basketball. If the activity raises your heart rate to its target level and you can keep it up for 20 to 30 minutes, it counts as aerobic. Adults of any age should engage in at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week -- and more is better.

For any age, the complete zone for a target heart rate begins at about 55 percent of your maximum heart rate, or MHR, and ends at about 85 percent. The numbers can vary by about 5 percent on either side. To find your MHR, subtract your age from 220. For a 40-year-old person, this number is 180. Next, multiply that number by both the low and the high percentages. For example, 180 x 0.55 gives you a starting rate of 99 beats per minute, or bpm. The ending rate of your range, 180 x 0.85, is 153 bpm. If you exercise regularly and are fit, work at the upper end of the zone. Otherwise, begin at the lower end and increase your intensity as your stamina increases.

You can adjust your heart rate for fat burning or cardiovascular fitness. Treadmills often have a chart that indicates target heart rates for each. The fat-burning zone is between 55 and 70 percent of MHR. A 40-year-old who wants to emphasize burning fat would exercise to achieve a heart rate between 99 bpm and 126 bpm. The aerobic zone is between 70 and 85 percent of MHR -- for cardio fitness, a 40-year-old man would aim for a heart rate between 126 bpm and 153 bpm.

A study published in the October 2009 issue of the “Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research” found the fat-burning zone between 67.6 and 87.1 percent of MHR and the aerobic zone between 58.9 and 76.2 percent of MHR. The study concluded that because of the significant overlap between the two zones, you can both burn fat and increase aerobic fitness by keeping your heart rate in the overlap range. For a 40-year-old, the range is between 122 bpm and 137 bpm.

www.livestrong.com

Can You Get Body Aches With Pollen Allergies?

Allergies can produce a variety of symptoms, but one thing everyone affected with allergies experiences is discomfort. People can be allergic to pollen, pet dander, dust, foods and plants. Pollen allergies most commonly cause nasal congestion, a runny nose, sore throat and itchy eyes. Less frequent symptoms include hives, itchy skin, cough, mood changes and body aches.

Histamine is a substance that causes inflammation in the body. It is the source of most allergic reactions, including pollen allergies. After exposure to pollen, the body reacts to it as a foreign invader by releasing antibodies and natural chemicals called histamines. This histamine response produces the symptoms normally associated with allergies, including stuffy and runny nose and watery eyes.

Hay fever is another name for the reaction that occurs after exposure to allergens such as pollens, grasses or flowers. Because hay fever is associated with plants, you may be affected more strongly by allergy symptoms at different seasonal times. Seasonal allergies usually begin during childhood, but you can develop them as an adult, as well, especially if you move to a new area where you are not accustomed to the environment.

Allergies can make you feel miserable, and the symptoms often are similar to those of a common cold. However, some characteristics more often distinguish allergies from colds. Allergies are more likely to cause runny nose, scratchy throat and itchy or watery eyes, while colds are more likely to cause body aches and fever. However, it is possible to have body aches with allergies. Onset and duration of the symptoms are good ways to identify whether you have a cold or allergies. The onset of allergies is nearly immediate after exposure to pollen and continues for as long as you are around the allergen. Colds come on more gradually and end within five to seven days.

Pollen allergies can be treated with antihistamine allergy medications, which can be found over the counter or by prescription. These medicines work by blocking histamines but may cause drowsiness and dry mouth. Corticosteroid pills and nasal sprays are available by prescription only and reduce the swelling in your nasal passages. A natural treatment is use of a neti pot, which irrigates the sinuses with salt water and flushes out histamines in the nose.

www.livestrong.com

How to Stop Constant Coughing From Allergies

Indoor or outdoor, seasonal or year-round, all types of allergies can potentially cause constant coughing. Along with a runny nose, sneezing and watery and itchy eyes, allergic cough can be disruptive and annoying. Coughing associated with allergies is often caused by postnasal drip, when mucus from your nose runs down the back of the throat. Allergic asthma may also cause persistent coughing. With this type of asthma, symptoms are triggered by exposure to allergens, such as pollen, dust mites and mold spores.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you’re experiencing persistent coughing that you suspect may be related to allergies. Your doctor will perform a physical examination, ask questions about your medical history and may recommend allergy testing to determine what substances are triggering your cough.

Take the medications your doctor prescribes. Your treatment plan may include an antihistamine to reduce stuffiness, a decongestant to help dry up mucus and possibly a prescription or over-the-counter cough medicine. If you have allergic asthma, take your asthma medicines as prescribed.

Follow up with your doctor if she recommends immunotherapy, commonly called allergy shots. This treatment decreases your sensitivity to allergy triggers and, over time, can reduce your symptoms, including persistent coughing.

Avoid exposure to substances you know you are allergic to -- a strategy known as allergen avoidance. Whether you have a cough related to seasonal allergies or allergic asthma, this is an important part of managing allergy symptoms.

Stay away from cigarette and wood smoke, which irritate the airways and may trigger bouts of coughing. Also avoid exposure to strong, irritating fumes, such as those from cleaning products, fragrances or industrial chemicals.

Avoid being outdoors when pollen and mold counts are high if you have seasonal allergies. Keep allergens out of your home by keeping windows closed. Minimizing your time outdoors when the air quality is poor and during periods of high humidity or very cold weather may also help reduce allergy-related coughing.

Clean your home thoroughly to reduce allergens in the home. Dust and vacuum regularly, and wear a mask when cleaning to prevent breathing in allergens. Using an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filter may also trap allergens and keep the air in your home cleaner.

If you experience trouble breathing, dizziness, lightheadedness or wheezing, seek immediate medical attention.

If you continue to experience persistent coughing, visit your doctor to determine whether your treatment plan requires revision.

Prescribed medications
Cleaning supplies
Air purifier

www.livestrong.com

Does Taking Cinnamon Help the Kidneys?

by CHRIS DINESEN ROGERS

Cinnamon has a long history of culinary and medicinal use. Its distinctive and exotic taste has made it a common ingredient in a wide array of both savory and sweet foods and beverages. From a medical perspective, it may also provide health benefits for kidney health in terms of your risk of developing kidney disease. Cinnamon may act on some of the health conditions that can heighten your chances of kidney disease and renal failure. Despite what evidence exists, you should always consult your doctor before taking dietary supplements, especially if you have a pre-existing condition.

Several factors can influence your risk of kidney disease. Some, like genetics, cannot be controlled. With others, lifestyle choices can prevent some of the health conditions that can increase your risk for kidney disease. These conditions include obesity, smoking and cholesterol. High blood pressure and diabetes may also increase your risk. It is through the latter health disorder that cinnamon may have an effect on kidney health.

Having diabetes places great strains on your kidneys because of your elevated blood sugar, explains the American Diabetes Association. Over time, your kidneys can become damaged because of the added workload. Protein will be lost in the urine as the kidneys' ability to filter blood properly diminishes. Left untreated, it can progress to kidney failure. Healthy management of your blood sugar and blood pressure is imperative in order to prevent kidney disease. Cinnamon may offer health benefits for managing your blood sugar.

Scientific research has shown that cinnamon may have a positive effect on blood glucose levels. A study by the Joseph Fourier University in France, published in the September 2010 issue of the “Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics,” found that cinnamon improved insulin sensitivity in experiments done with rats. The pancreas releases insulin to restore normal blood sugar levels. These findings support a study by the USDA Agricultural Research Service, published in the February 2009 issue of the “Journal of American Clinical Nutrition.” Researchers found that water-soluble cinnamon improved risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The evidence suggests that cinnamon can address two of the major risk factors for kidney disease, diabetes and heart disease, explains a study by the USDA Agricultural Research Service, published in the May 2010 issue of the “Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology.” However, if you have diabetes, you should consult your doctor before taking cinnamon. Taking this supplement may affect the dosage of your diabetes medication. Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia carries health risks just as high blood sugar does. You and your doctor can decide the best management plan for your condition.

www.livestrong.com

Cinnamon Bark & Pregnancy

by JUNIPER RUSSO

The richly fragrant bark of the cinnamon tree has been used for centuries as a culinary seasoning and botanical medicine. Cinnamon's spicy-sweet flavor makes it a popular ingredient in desserts and beverages, and some naturopathic health care providers recommend cinnamon bark supplements for use in complementary and alternative medicine. Although pregnant women can eat foods containing cinnamon with little risk of adverse effects, most health care providers recommend against the use of cinnamon bark supplements during pregnancy.

Cinnamon's benefits aren't specific to pregnancy. Like most plant-based foods, cinnamon bark is an excellent source of naturally occurring antioxidants. It's low in sugar but very flavorful, so it can be a tasty substitute for less healthy foods during pregnancy. The American Cancer Society recommends homemade teas containing cinnamon and fruit as a caffeine-free alternative to conventional teas and coffee.

Cinnamon bark may provide support to women with gestational diabetes, a condition that causes unstable blood sugar levels during pregnancy. The Mayo Clinic says diet and exercise are sufficient treatments for most cases of gestational diabetes, but other treatments are sometimes necessary. According to the Mayo Clinic, cinnamon may help reduce blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes--a similar condition--although its efficacy is still a topic of debate. Until further studies have validated cinnamon's use as a complementary treatment for gestational diabetes, most practitioners recommend against its routine use.

No studies have established a safe dose of cinnamon bark for pregnant women. The medical information website Drugs.com says most general studies have involved adults taking 1g to 1.5g cinnamon bark per day. People who aren't pregnant generally tolerate this dose with few side effects. Despite a lack of conclusive safety evidence, Drugs.com and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration consider cinnamon to be safe during pregnancy when used in the amount found in food. Don't take isolated cinnamon supplements unless your obstetrician or midwife recommends them.

Most of cinnamon's side effects are relatively mild. Drugs.com says large doses of cinnamon can trigger skin rashes. People who are allergic to cinnamon may develop severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, after exposure to a cinnamon supplement. Avoid cinnamon supplements entirely if you have a known allergy to cinnamon bark or to the plant Peru Balsam. You may also develop heartburn or indigestion after drinking cinnamon tea or taking cinnamon supplements.

Because studies have not evaluated cinnamon's safety during pregnancy, most of its risks remain theoretical. Fetuses do not have well-developed detoxification systems, so their bodies are sensitive to damage from everyday toxins in foods and medicine. In theory, cinnamon may damage the developing organs of a fetus or contribute to the formation of birth defects. Cinnamon's effects on the uterus are also under-researched; no one knows whether it may trigger contractions or stimulate preterm labor. Although practitioners don't believe that these problems exist when cinnamon is used in food, avoid cinnamon supplements unless directed otherwise by your health care provider.

www.livestrong.com

Problems Encountered with Conventional Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Published Date

Volume 3 of the series NATO Conference Series pp 149-166

Title

Problems Encountered with Conventional Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Author

Robert F. Landel

Abstract

The problems encountered in dealing with composites can be usefully classified as preparational, computational and operational. That is, we first ask how it is made and the effects of process variables, including the resultant chemistry, on the initial properties.* Then, knowing (or presuming) the component properties and attributes, one may try to calculate the properties of any given composite structure made from these and at the same time estimate its ability to withstand some generalized stress field, i.e., some combination of mechanical, thermal or environmental loads for some stated period of time. Finally, we can ask what problems are encountered under use conditions.

References

1.

For example, Jones, R. M., “Mechanics of Composite Materials,” McGraw-Hill, New York, 1975 and Christensen, R, M., same title, Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1979.
2.

Tsai, S. W. and Hahn, H. T., “Introduction to Composite Materials,” AFML-TR-78–201, Air Force Materials Lab, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH.
3.

Wu, E. M. and Ruhman, D. C., “Stress Rupture of Glass-Epoxy Composites: Environmental and Stress Effects,” in “Composite Reliability,” ASTM STP580, ASTM, Philadelphia, PA, p. 263.
4.

Schapery, R. W., “Deformation and Failure Analysis of Viscoelastic Composite Materials,” From an Elastic Behavior of Composite Materials, ASME Publication, AMD-Vol. 13, Chapter 5, ASME, New York, New York (1975).
5.

Tsai, S. W. and Hahn, H. T., “T1 59 Magnetic Card Calculator Solution to Composite Materials,” March 1979, Air Force Materials Lab, Wright-Patterson Air force Base, Dayton, OH.

For further details log on website :
http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4684-8983-5_8

Evaluation of Fiber Adhesion in Composites

Published Date

Volume 3 of the series NATO Conference Series pp 113-125

Title

Evaluation of Fiber Adhesion in Composites

A. T. DiBenedetto

Abstract

Over the last few decades there has been a continuing interest in the development of composite materials of plastics reinforced with high strength fibers, such as glass and graphite. Among the many reasons for this interest is the possibility of fabricating materials for use as primary and secondary structures that, on the basis of weight, are stronger and more rigid than conventional materials of construction.

References

1.

W. P. Erickson, E. P. Plueddemann, Chapter 1, Volume 6 Composite Materials Eds. L. J. Broutman and R. H. Krock, Academic Press, New York, (1974).
2.

E. P. Plueddemann, Modern Plastics, Vol. 47, 92. (1970).
3.

L. Ongchin, W. K. Ölender and F. H. Ancker, Proc. 27th Conf. SPI Reinforced Plastics Div., Sec. 11-A (1972).
4.

W. A. Eraser, E. H. Ancker, A. T. DiBenedetto, Proc. 30th Conf. SPI Reinforced Plastics Div., Section 22-A, 1–13, (1975).
5.

A.Kelly, W. R. Tyson, J. Mech. Phys. Solids Vol. 13, 329 (1965).ADSCrossRef
6.

N. J. Wadsworth, I. Spilling, Brit. J. Appl. Phys. (J. Phys. D.) Ser. 2, Vol. 1, 1049 (1968).ADS
7.

W. Rosen “Mechanics of Composite Strengthening”, Chapter 3 in “Fiber Composite Materials”, ASM, Metals Park, Ohio (1965).
8.

W. Weibull, “A Statistical Theory of the Strength Materials” Proc. Roy. Swedish Inst. Engr. Res., Ing. Vetenshaps Acad. Handl. Vol. 151, (1939).

For further details log on website :
http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4684-8983-5_6

Blog List

Sunday, 21 August 2016

Abstract

Abstract

Defining Your Max

Target Heart Rate

Working Within Your Target

Other Tips

Aerobic Exercise

Calculating Heart Rate

Fat-Burning and Aerobic Zones

Zone Overlap

Histamine Reactions

Hay Fever

Colds Versus Allergies

Treatments

Get Your Allergies Under Control

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Avoid Exposure to Allergy Triggers

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Warnings

Tips

Things You'll Need

Kidney Disease Risk Factors

Diabetes and Kidney Disease

Blood Glucose

Guidelines for Use

Potential Benefits

Use in Gestational Diabetes

Dose

Side Effects

Unknown Factors

Title

Problems Encountered with Conventional Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Title

Evaluation of Fiber Adhesion in Composites