The increasing global population and urbanization have led to significant challenges in waste management, particularly concerning vacuum blackwater (VBW), which is the wastewater generated from vacuum toilets. Traditional treatment methods, such as landfilling and composting, often fall short in terms of efficiency and sustainability. Anaerobic digestion (AD) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering benefits such as biogas production and digestate generation. However, the performance of AD can be influenced by various factors, including the composition of the feedstock, pH levels, and the presence of inhibitors. This review investigates the effects of calcium oxide (CaO)-modified biochar (BC) as an additive in AD of VBW. Modifying BC with CaO enhances its alkalinity, nutrient retention, and adsorption capacity, creating a more favorable environment for microorganisms and promoting biogas production, which serves as a valuable source of heat, fuel and electricity. Additionally, the digestate can be processed through plasma pyrolysis to ensure the complete destruction of pathogens while promoting resource utilization. Plasma pyrolysis operates at extremely high temperatures, effectively sterilizing the digestate and eliminating both pathogens and harmful contaminants. This process not only guarantees the safety of the end products, but also transforms organic materials into valuable outputs such as syngas and slag. The syngas produced is a versatile energy carrier that can be utilized as a source of hydrogen, electricity, and heat, making it a valuable resource for various applications, including fuel cells and power generation. Furthermore, the slag has potential for reuse as an additive in the AD process or as a biofertilizer to enhance soil properties. This study aims to provide insights into the benefits of using modified BC as a co-substrate in AD systems. The findings will contribute to the development of more sustainable and efficient waste management strategies, addressing the challenges associated with VBW treatment while promoting renewable energy production.

• Klíčová slova
• anaerobic digestion, bioenergy recovery, calcium oxide-modified biochar, integrated methods, vacuum blackwater,
• MeSH
• anaerobióza MeSH
• biopaliva MeSH
• dřevěné a živočišné uhlí * chemie   MeSH
• odpadní voda * chemie   MeSH
• oxidy * chemie   MeSH
• sloučeniny vápníku * chemie   MeSH
• vakuum MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biochar MeSH Prohlížeč
• biopaliva MeSH
• dřevěné a živočišné uhlí * MeSH
• lime MeSH Prohlížeč
• odpadní voda * MeSH
• oxidy * MeSH
• sloučeniny vápníku * MeSH

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga/Hunga-Ha'apai eruption on January 15, 2022 sent off a plume of ash material up to the stratosphere and triggered a meteotsunami and barometric pressure pulse that rippled through the atmosphere and oceans all around the world. The nature of the volcanic event and its global impacts on the oceans, atmosphere, lithosphere and the cryosphere are a matter of debate. Here we present a first overview of the time travel of the sound atmospheric pressure wave through the Antarctic continent based on in situ measurements, which represented a unique event observed through the polar ice sheet during the instrumental meteorological era. In addition, we estimated the tsunami travel time of the Hunga-Tonga event from a first order model to infer its impact over the Antarctic Sea ice and ice shelves. One outcome from our observations and modeling is the detection of the meteotsunami in the Antarctic Peninsula and the impact of the continental relief over the atmospheric pressure wave dispersion.

• MeSH
• atmosféra MeSH
• atmosférický tlak * MeSH
• ledový příkrov MeSH
• sopečné erupce * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Antarktida MeSH

The jet stream is an important dynamic driver of climate variability in the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes1-3. Modern variability in the position of summer jet stream latitude in the North Atlantic-European sector (EU JSL) promotes dipole patterns in air pressure, temperature, precipitation and drought between northwestern and southeastern Europe. EU JSL variability and its impacts on regional climatic extremes and societal events are poorly understood, particularly before anthropogenic warming. Based on three temperature-sensitive European tree-ring records, we develop a reconstruction of interannual summer EU JSL variability over the period 1300-2004 CE (R2 = 38.5%) and compare it to independent historical documented climatic and societal records, such as grape harvest, grain prices, plagues and human mortality. Here we show contrasting summer climate extremes associated with EU JSL variability back to 1300 CE as well as biophysical, economic and human demographic impacts, including wildfires and epidemics. In light of projections for altered jet stream behaviour and intensified climate extremes, our findings underscore the importance of considering EU JSL variability when evaluating amplified future climate risk.

• MeSH
• atmosférický tlak MeSH
• dějiny 15. století MeSH
• dějiny 16. století MeSH
• dějiny 17. století MeSH
• dějiny 18. století MeSH
• dějiny 19. století MeSH
• dějiny 20. století MeSH
• dějiny 21. století MeSH
• dějiny středověku MeSH
• déšť MeSH
• epidemie dějiny   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• jedlá semena ekonomika   dějiny   zásobování a distribuce   MeSH
• klimatické změny statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mortalita dějiny   MeSH
• nadmořská výška * MeSH
• období sucha dějiny   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• pěstování plodin * dějiny   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• podnebí * MeSH
• požáry v divočině dějiny   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• stromy růst a vývoj   MeSH
• teplota MeSH
• Vitis MeSH
• vítr * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dějiny 15. století MeSH
• dějiny 16. století MeSH
• dějiny 17. století MeSH
• dějiny 18. století MeSH
• dějiny 19. století MeSH
• dějiny 20. století MeSH
• dějiny 21. století MeSH
• dějiny středověku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• historické články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

Aliphatic hydrocarbons (HCs) are usually analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. However, analyzing long-chain HCs by GC is difficult because of their low volatility and the risk of decomposition at high temperatures. MALDI cannot distinguish between isomeric HCs. An alternative approach based on silver ion high-performance liquid chromatography (Ag-HPLC) is shown here. The separation of HC standards and cuticular HCs was accomplished using two ChromSpher Lipids columns connected in series. A gradient elution of the analytes was optimized using mobile phases prepared from hexane (or isooctane) and acetonitrile, 2-propanol, or toluene. HCs were detected by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS). Good separation of the analytes according to the number of double bonds, cis/trans geometry, and position of double bonds was achieved. The retention times increased with the number of double bonds, and trans isomers eluted ahead of cis isomers. The mobile phase significantly affected the mass spectra of HCs. Depending on the mobile phase composition, deprotonated molecules, molecular ions, protonated molecules, and various solvent-related adducts of HCs were observed. The optimized Ag-HPLC/APCI-MS was applied for characterizing cuticular HCs from a flesh fly, Neobellieria bullata, and cockroach, Periplaneta americana. The method made it possible to detect a significantly higher number of HCs than previously reported for GC or MALDI-MS. Unsaturated HCs were frequently detected as isomers differing by double-bond position(s). Minor HCs with trans double bonds were found beside the prevailing cis isomers. Ag-HPLC/APCI-MS has great potential to become a new tool in chemical ecology for studying cuticular HCs.

• Klíčová slova
• Neobellieria bullata, Periplaneta americana, double bonds, hydrocarbons, mass spectrometry, semiochemicals,
• MeSH
• atmosférický tlak MeSH
• plynová chromatografie s hmotnostně spektrometrickou detekcí MeSH
• spektrometrie hmotnostní - ionizace laserem za účasti matrice MeSH
• stříbro * chemie   MeSH
• uhlovodíky * MeSH
• vysokoúčinná kapalinová chromatografie metody   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• stříbro * MeSH
• uhlovodíky * MeSH

A typical bottom-up proteomic workflow comprises sample digestion with trypsin, separation of the hydrolysate using reversed-phase HPLC, and detection of peptides via electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry. Despite the advantages and wide usage of protein identification and quantification, the procedure has limitations. Some domains or parts of the proteins may remain inadequately described due to inefficient detection of certain peptides. This study presents an alternative approach based on sample acetylation and mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). These ionizations allowed for improved detection of acetylated peptides obtained via chymotrypsin or glutamyl peptidase I (Glu-C) digestion. APCI and APPI spectra of acetylated peptides often provided sequence information already at the full scan level, while fragmentation spectra of protonated molecules and sodium adducts were easy to interpret. As demonstrated for bovine serum albumin, acetylation improved proteomic analysis. Compared to ESI, gas-phase ionizations APCI and APPI made it possible to detect more peptides and provide better sequence coverages in most cases. Importantly, APCI and APPI detected many peptides which passed unnoticed in the ESI source. Therefore, analytical methods based on chymotrypsin or Glu-C digestion, acetylation, and APPI or APCI provide data complementary to classical bottom-up proteomics.

• Klíčová slova
• acetylation, chemical ionization, photoionization, proteomics,
• MeSH
• acetylace MeSH
• atmosférický tlak MeSH
• chymotrypsin * MeSH
• hmotnostní spektrometrie s elektrosprejovou ionizací metody   MeSH
• peptidy MeSH
• proteomika * MeSH
• vysokoúčinná kapalinová chromatografie metody   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chymotrypsin * MeSH
• peptidy MeSH

Antibacterial coatings on biomedical instruments are of great interest because they can suppress bacterial colonization on these instruments. In this study, antibacterial polymeric thin coatings were deposited on teflon substrates using atmospheric pressure plasma polymerization from a propane-butane mixture. The plasma polymerization was performed by means of surface dielectric barrier discharge burning in nitrogen at atmospheric pressure. The chemical composition of plasma polymerized propane-butane films was studied by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and FTIR. The film surface properties were studied by SEM and by surface energy measurement. The EDX analysis showed that the films consisted of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen from ambient air. The FTIR analysis confirmed, in particular, the presence of alkyl, nitrile, acetylene, imide and amine groups. The deposited films were hydrophilic with a water contact angle in the range of 13-23°. The thin film deposited samples were highly active against both S. aureus and E. coli strains in general. On the other hand, the films were cytocompatible, reaching more than 80% of the cell viability threshold compared to reference polystyrene tissue.

• Klíčová slova
• antibacterial thin films, plasma polymer, propane–butane mixture,
• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky farmakologie   MeSH
• atmosférický tlak MeSH
• butany MeSH
• dusík MeSH
• Escherichia coli MeSH
• propan * MeSH
• Staphylococcus aureus * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antibakteriální látky MeSH
• butany MeSH
• dusík MeSH
• propan * MeSH

In the present study, we investigate arc plasma expansion in an industrial vacuum arc remelting (VAR) process using experimental and numerical tools. Stainless steel is the alloy of interest for the electrode (cathode) and ingot (anode). During the operation of the VAR process, behaviors of cathode spots and plasma arc were captured using the high-speed camera (Phantom v2512). We found that spots prefer to onset and remain within the partially melted surface at the center of the electrode tip. Existing spots outside the melting zone accelerate toward the edge of the electrode to extinguish. We observed a fairly symmetrical and centric plasma column during the operation. For further investigation of the observed arc column in our experiment, we used the two-fluid magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model of plasma proposed by Braginskii. Thus, we modeled the arc column as a mixture of two continuous interpenetrating compressible fluids involving ions and electrons. Through numerical simulations, we calculated plasma parameters such as number density of ions/electrons, electric current density, flow of ions/electrons, temperature of ions/electrons, and light intensity for the observed arc column in our experiment. The calculated light intensity of plasma was compared with images captured by the camera to verify the model. The distribution of electric current density along the surface of the anode, namely ingot, is a decisive parameter that impacts the quality of the final product (ingot) in VAR process. Herein, we confirm that the traditionally used Gaussian distribution of electric current density along the surface of the ingot is viable.

• MeSH
• elektřina MeSH
• elektrody MeSH
• krevní plazma * MeSH
• průmysl * MeSH
• vakuum MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

1. This study evaluated and compared the oxidation status of meat from conventionally-farmed, organic and wild ducks during chilled storage in air or vacuum packaging. In total, 48 carcases from each group of ducks were investigated, and 24 carcases from each type of production were stored under vacuum or in air at 3°C ± 1°C. Sample analyses were conducted after 1, 3, 6 and 9 d of storage.2. The antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl: DPPH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and free fatty acids in the breast, thigh and wing muscles were determined.3. The antioxidant capacity of meat from conventional ducks was higher than that from organic and wild ducks. The muscles of organic and wild ducks were more susceptible to secondary oxidation (particularly when stored in air) than conventionally-raised birds. The free fatty acid levels in samples of breast and thigh meat from wild ducks on the last day of storage were higher than in conventional and organic ducks.4. The results showed that the oxidation status of meat from conventional ducks was more stable during refrigerated storage than the meat of organic and wild ducks.

• Klíčová slova
• Meat oxidation, farmed duck, organic, storage, wild,
• MeSH
• antioxidancia analýza   MeSH
• atmosféra analýza   MeSH
• kachny * MeSH
• kur domácí MeSH
• maso analýza   MeSH
• obaly potravin * metody   MeSH
• vakuum MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antioxidancia MeSH

Metalloproteins, known to efficiently transfer electronic charge in biological systems, recently found their utilization in nanobiotechnological devices where the protein is placed into direct contact with metal surfaces. The feasibility of oxidation/reduction of the protein redox sites is affected by the reorganization free energies, one of the key parameters determining the transfer rates. While their values have been measured and computed for proteins in their native environments, i.e., in aqueous solution, the reorganization free energies of dry proteins or proteins adsorbed to metal surfaces remain unknown. Here, we investigate the redox properties of blue copper protein azurin, a prototypical redox-active metalloprotein previously probed by various experimental techniques both in solution and on metal/vacuum interfaces. We used a hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical computational technique based on density functional theory to explore protein dynamics, flexibility, and corresponding reorganization free energies in aqueous solution, vacuum, and on vacuum gold interfaces. Surprisingly, the reorganization free energy only slightly decreases when azurin is dried because the loss of the hydration shell leads to larger flexibility of the protein near its redox site. At the vacuum gold surfaces, the energetics of the structure relaxation depends on the adsorption geometry; however, significant reduction of the reorganization free energy was not observed. These findings have important consequences for the charge transport mechanism in vacuum devices, showing that the free energy barriers for protein oxidation remain significant even under ultra-high vacuum conditions.

• MeSH
• azurin * chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• měď chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• metaloproteiny * chemie   MeSH
• oxidace-redukce MeSH
• transport elektronů MeSH
• vakuum MeSH
• voda chemie   MeSH
• zlato MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• azurin * MeSH
• měď MeSH
• metaloproteiny * MeSH
• voda MeSH
• zlato MeSH

The applicability of ultrahigh-performance supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPSFC/MS) for the qualitative analysis of metabolites with a wide polarity range (log P: -3.89-18.95) was evaluated using a representative set of 78 standards belonging to nucleosides, biogenic amines, carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. The effects of the gradient shape and the percentage of water (1, 2, and 5%) were investigated on the Viridis BEH column. The screening of eight stationary phases was performed for columns with different interaction sites, such as hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic, π-π, or anionic exchange type interactions. The highest number of compounds (67) of the set studied was detected on the Torus Diol column, which provided a resolution parameter of 39. The DEA column had the second best performance with 58 detected standards and the resolution parameter of 54. The overall performance of other parameters, such as selectivity, peak height, peak area, retention time stability, asymmetry factor, and mass accuracy, led to the selection of the Diol column for the final method. The comparison of additives showed that ammonium acetate gave a superior sensitivity over ammonium formate. Moreover, the influence of the ion source on the ionization efficiency was studied by employing atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI). The results proved the complementarity of both ionization techniques, but also the superior ionization capacity of the ESI source in the negative ion mode, for which 53% of the analytes were detected compared to only 7% for the APCI source. Finally, optimized analytical conditions were applied to the analysis of a pooled human plasma sample. 44 compounds from the preselected set were detected in human plasma using ESI-UHPSFC/MS in MSE mode considering both ionization modes.

• Klíčová slova
• Amino acids, Human plasma, Mass spectrometry, Metabolites, Supercritical fluid chromatography,
• MeSH
• aminokyseliny MeSH
• atmosférický tlak MeSH
• chromatografie kapalinová MeSH
• hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• superkritická fluidní chromatografie * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• aminokyseliny MeSH