Candlenut oil (CNO) is a potentially new feedstock for biodiesel (BDF) production. In this paper, a two-step co-solvent method for BDF production from CNO was examined. Firstly, esterification of free fatty acids (FFAs) (7 wt%) present in CNO was carried out using a co-solvent of acetonitrile (30 wt%) and HSO as a catalyst. The content of FFAs was reduced to 0.8 wt% in 1 h at 65°C. Subsequent transesterification of the crude oil produced was carried out using a co-solvent of acetone (20 wt%) and 1 wt% potassium hydroxide (KOH). Ester content of 99.3% was obtained at 40°C in 45 min. The water content in BDF was 0.023% upon purification using vacuum distillation at 5 kPa. The components of CNO BDF were characterized using a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. The physicochemical properties of BDF satisfied the ASTM D6751-02 standard. The gaseous exhaust emissions from the diesel engine upon combustion of the BDF blends (B0-B100) with petrodiesel were examined. The emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons were clearly lower, but that of nitrogen oxides was higher in comparison to those from petro-diesel.

Ferulic acid (FA) is widely used as an antioxidant, e.g., as a Ultraviolet (UV) protectant in cosmetics and in various medical applications. It has been produced by the hydrolysis of γ-oryzanol found in rice bran oil soapstock. In this study, the base-catalyzed, homogenous hydrolysis of γ-oryzanol was conducted using various ratios of potassium hydroxide (KOH) to γ-oryzanol, initial concentrations of γ-oryzanol in the reaction mixture, and ratios of ethanol (EtOH) (as cosolvent)/ethyl acetate (EtOAc) (γ-oryzanol solution). Acceleration of the reaction using a planar type of ultrasound sonicator (78 and 130 kHz) at different reaction temperatures was explored. By using a heating method, the 80% yield of FA was attained at 75 • C in 4 h under homogeneous conditions (initial concentration of γ-oryzanol 12 mg/mL, the KOH/γ-oryzanol ratio (wt/wt) 10/1, and EtOH/EtOAc ratio (v/v) 5/1). With the assistance of 78 and 130 kHz irradiation, the yields reached 90%. The heating method was applied for the γ-oryzanol-containing extract prepared from rice bran oil soapstock. From soapstock, the 74.3% yield of FA was obtained, but 20% of the trans-FA in the reaction mixture was transformed into cis-form within one month.

Objectives: Evaluating the morphology of the upper urinary tract of renal living-related donors with 64 Multi - Detectors Computed Tomography (MDCT). Subjects and methods: From 01/2017 to 10/2018, when carrying out a prospective study at Cardiovascular Centre of Hue Central hospital, we have performed 64 MDCT of the upper urinary tract (MDCT-UUT) on 312 renal living-related donors among which, there are 265 males and 47 females aged from 20 to 60. Results: 100% of donors experience no contrast-induced artifacts in renal parenchyme. 71.47% of visualization of contrast media (CM) of entire upper urinary tract filling and 100% of visualization of CM of top half upper urinary tract filling in both of kidney. The majority of donors have single collecting system (99.04% in right kidney and 99.68% in left kidney). The rest has partial or complete duplex collecting system. 64 MDCT has high value in detecting stone of the upper urinary tract (8.01%) in comparison with KUB Radiograph (0%) and abdominal Ultrasonography (0.32%). 100% of donors have normal renal function in the excretory phase at 5 minute after CM and NaCL 0.9% injection bolus. This allows reducing examination time and radiation exposure with the highest effective dose 5.88mSv in unenhanced and excretory phases. Conclusions: 64 MDCT-UUT contributes into more accurate diagnosis of the morphology of the upper urinary tract of renal living-related donors, helps surgeons make appropriate planning in the operation of chosen kidneys of living-related donors and transplanting into patients. Key words: Upper urinary tract - 64 MDCT - MDCT-UUT