Alex De Visscher

Bio: Alex De Visscher is an academic researcher from Concordia University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Anaerobic oxidation of methane & Methane. The author has an hindex of 23, co-authored 78 publications receiving 2164 citations. Previous affiliations of Alex De Visscher include University of Calgary & Concordia University Wisconsin.

Kinetic Model for the Sonochemical Degradation of Monocyclic Aromatic Compounds in Aqueous Solution

Abstract: The breakdown of benzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, and o-chlorotoluene in aqueous solution by 520 kHz ultrasonic waves was studied at various initial concentrations in the millimolar range. First-order reaction rates depend upon both initial concentration and sonication time. These variations can be explained by a model that combines some physical and chemical aspects of sonochemistry. The basic assumptions of the model are first-order pyrolysis in the cavitations yielding both reactive/volatile and inert/nonvolatile products, and lowering of the maximum cavitation temperature due to the presence of the organic compounds in the bubble phase. Despite the necessary assumptions and approximations in order to limit the number of adjustable parameters, the lack of fit standard deviation after regression was as low as 4−9.2%.

Clinical course and risk factors for mortality of adult inpatients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract: Summary Background Since December, 2019, Wuhan, China, has experienced an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 have been reported but risk factors for mortality and a detailed clinical course of illness, including viral shedding, have not been well described. Methods In this retrospective, multicentre cohort study, we included all adult inpatients (≥18 years old) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from Jinyintan Hospital and Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital (Wuhan, China) who had been discharged or had died by Jan 31, 2020. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and laboratory data, including serial samples for viral RNA detection, were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between survivors and non-survivors. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression methods to explore the risk factors associated with in-hospital death. Findings 191 patients (135 from Jinyintan Hospital and 56 from Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital) were included in this study, of whom 137 were discharged and 54 died in hospital. 91 (48%) patients had a comorbidity, with hypertension being the most common (58 [30%] patients), followed by diabetes (36 [19%] patients) and coronary heart disease (15 [8%] patients). Multivariable regression showed increasing odds of in-hospital death associated with older age (odds ratio 1·10, 95% CI 1·03–1·17, per year increase; p=0·0043), higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (5·65, 2·61–12·23; p Interpretation The potential risk factors of older age, high SOFA score, and d-dimer greater than 1 μg/mL could help clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis at an early stage. Prolonged viral shedding provides the rationale for a strategy of isolation of infected patients and optimal antiviral interventions in the future. Funding Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences; National Science Grant for Distinguished Young Scholars; National Key Research and Development Program of China; The Beijing Science and Technology Project; and Major Projects of National Science and Technology on New Drug Creation and Development.

Heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants over titanium dioxide : A review of fundamentals, progress and problems

Abstract: Even though heterogeneous photocatalysis appeared in many forms, photodegradation of organic pollutants has recently been the most widely investigated. By far, titania has played a much larger role in this scenario compared to other semiconductor photocatalysts due to its cost effectiveness, inert nature and photostability. Extensive literature analysis has shown many possibilities of improving the efficiency of photodecomposition over titania by combining the photoprocess with either physical or chemical operations. The resulting combined processes revealed a flexible line of action for wastewater treatment technologies. The choice of treatment method usually depends upon the composition of the wastewater. However, a lot more is needed from engineering design and modelling for successful application of the laboratory scale techniques to large-scale operation. The present review paper seeks to offer an overview of the dramatic trend in the use of the TiO 2 photocatalyst for remediation and decontamination of wastewater, report the recent work done, important achievements and problems.

Microencapsulation: industrial appraisal of existing technologies and trends

Abstract: Controlled release of food ingredients at the right place and the right time is a key functionality that can be provided by microencapsulation A timely and targeted release improves the effectiveness of food additives, broadens the application range of food ingredients and ensures optimal dosage, thereby improving cost-effectiveness for the food manufacturer Reactive, sensitive or volatile additives (vitamins, cultures, flavors, etc) can be turned into stable ingredients through microencapsulation With carefully fine-tuned controlled release properties, microencapsulation is no longer just an added value technique, but the source of totally new ingredients with matchless properties

Soils, a sink for N2O? A review

Abstract: Soils are the main sources of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). The N2O emission at the soil surface is the result of production and consumption processes. So far, research has concentrated on net N2O production. However, in the literature, there are numerous reports of net negative fluxes of N2O, (i.e. fluxes from the atmosphere to the soil). Such fluxes are frequent and substantial and cannot simply be dismissed as experimental noise. Net N2O consumption has been measured under various conditions from the tropics to temperate areas, in natural and agricultural systems. Low mineral N and large moisture contents have sometimes been found to favour N2O consumption. This fits in with denitrification as the responsible process, reducing N2O to N2. However, it has also been reported that nitrifiers consume N2O in nitrifier denitrification. A contribution of various processes could explain the wide range of conditions found to allow N2O consumption, ranging from low to high temperatures, wet to dry soils, and fertilized to unfertilized plots. Generally, conditions interfering with N2O diffusion in the soil seem to enhance N2O consumption. However, the factors regulating N2O consumption are not yet well understood and merit further study. Frequent literature reports of net N2O consumption suggest that a soil sink could help account for the current imbalance in estimated global budgets of N2O. Therefore, a systematic investigation into N2O consumption is necessary. This should concentrate on the organisms, reactions, and environmental factors involved.

Sonochemistry: Science and Engineering

Abstract: Sonochemistry is the use of ultrasound to enhance or alter chemical reactions. Sonochemistry in the true sense of the term occurs when ultrasound induces “true” chemical effects on the reaction system, such as forming free radicals which accelerate the reaction. However, ultrasound may have other mechanical effects on the reaction, such as increasing the surface area between the reactants, accelerating dissolution, and/or renewing the surface of a solid reactant or catalyst. This comprehensive review summarizes several topics of study in the sonochemical literature, including bubble dynamics, factors affecting cavitation, the effects of ultrasound on a variety of chemical systems, modeling of kinetic and mass-transfer effects, the methods used to produce ultrasound, proposed cavitation reactors, and the problems of scaleup. The objective of this paper is to present a critical review of information available in the literature so as to facilitate and inspire future research in the field of sonochemistry.