Removal of hexavalent chromium from contaminated waters by ultrasound-assisted aqueous solution ball milling

Batch mode experiments were conducted to study the removal of hexavalent chromium(Cr(Ⅵ)) from aqueous solutions using ultrasound-assisted aqueous solution ball milling.The results show that the reduction rate of Cr(Ⅵ) by ultrasound-assisted aqueous solution ball milling was significantly faster than that by ball milling or ultrasound treatment alone,and an initial Cr(Ⅵ) concentration of 166 mg/L could be decreased to 0.35 mg/L at 120 min.The decisive factors, including initial concentration of Cr(Ⅵ), p H value, ultrasonic frequency and filling gas, were studied. It was found that the optimal ultrasonic frequency for ultrasound-assisted aqueous solution ball milling device was 20 k Hz, and the rate of Cr(Ⅵ)reduction as a function of filling gas followed the order: Ar air N_2 O_2. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, fluorescence measurements, atomic absorption and the diphenylcarbazide colorimetric method. The Cr(Ⅵ) transformed into a precipitate that could be removed from the contaminated water, after which the water could be reused.     

Insights on the solubilization products after combined alkaline and ultrasonic pre-treatment of sewage sludge

This work provides insights on the solubilization products after a simultaneous combination of alkaline and ultrasonic(ALK + ULS) pre-treatment of sewage sludge.Soluble chemical oxygen demand(SCOD) increased from 1200 to 11,000 mg/L after such treatment. Organics with molecular weight around 5.6 k Da were solubilized because of the synergistic effect of ultrasound and alkali. Organics with molecular weight larger than300 k Da increased from 7.8% to 60%, 16% and 42.3% after ULS, ALK and ALK + ULS treatment, respectively. Excitation emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy analysis identified soluble microbial product-like and humic acid-like matters as the main solubilization products. Sludge anaerobic biodegradability was significantly enhanced with the simultaneous application of ALK + ULS pre-treatment. ALK + ULS pre-treatment resulted in 37.8% biodegradability increase compared to the untreated sludge. This value was higher compared to the biodegradability increase induced by individual ALK pre-treatment(5.7%) or individual ULS pre-treatment(20.7%) under the same conditions applied.     

Effects of different sludge disintegration methods on sludge moisture distribution and dewatering performance

A key step in sludge treatment is sludge dewatering. However, activated sludge is generally very difficult to be dewatered. Sludge dewatering performance is largely affected by the sludge moisture distribution. Sludge disintegration can destroy the sludge structure and cell wall, so as change the sludge floc structure and moisture distribution, thus affecting the dewatering performance of sludge. In this article, the disintegration methods were ultrasound treatment, K₂FeO₄ oxidation and KMnO₄ oxidation. The degree of disintegration (DDCOD), sludge moisture distribution and the final water content of sludge cake after centrifuging were measured. Results showed that three disintegration methods were all effective, and K₂FeO₄ oxidation was more efficient than KMnO₄ oxidation. The content of free water increased obviously with K₂FeO₄ and KMnO₄ oxidations, while it decreased with ultrasound treatment. The changes of free water and interstitial water were in the opposite trend. The content of bounding water decreased with K₂FeO₄ oxidation, and increased slightly with KMnO₄ oxidation, while it increased obviously with ultrasound treatment. The water content of sludge cake after centrifuging decreased with K₂FeO₄ oxidation, and did not changed with KMnO₄ oxidation, but increased obviously with ultrasound treatment. In summary, ultrasound treatment deteriorated the sludge dewaterability, while K₂FeO₄ and KMnO₄ oxidation improved the sludge dewaterability.     

Cardiotocographic and sonographic findings in two cases of antenatally diagnosed intrauterine fetal brain death

Intrauterine fetal brain death is a rare cause of a fixed fetal heart rate pattern. Seven cases have been previously reported in the literature, but only two of them were diagnosed prenatally and all the newborns died soon after delivery. Two additional cases of antepartum diagnosis of intrauterine fetal brain death, managed expectantly, are reported. We had the unique opportunity to document progressive sonographic cerebral changes during the follow-up period, following the neurological event, while the fetus continued life and growth in utero. The cardiographic and sonographic findings suggesting intrauterine fetal brain death were a prolonged fixed fetal heart rate, even following a vibroacoustic and contraction stress test; an atonic fetus without breathing and body movement; and the appearance of hydramnios and the development of ventriculomegaly.     

Can fetal gastroschisis always be diagnosed prenatally?

Fetal gastroschisis is regarded as a relatively straightforward ultrasound diagnosis. We report two cases of infants born with undiagnosed gastroschisis despite several detailed prenatal assessments following raised serum alphafetoprotein measurements. In both cases, the bowel was healthy with no evidence of long-term herniation through the abdominal wall and primary surgical correction was successful. Gastroschisis has previously been classified as ‘antenatal’ and ‘perinatal’, and we conclude that the latter type is not always possible to diagnose prenatally.     

超声处理对污泥厌氧消化的影响——消化效率对比

为研究超声处理对污泥消化效率的影响，笔者在大坦沙污水处理厂做了现场对比试验。所用的污泥分别为经过和未经过超声处理的污泥。试验结果显示，超声处理可以显著缩短消化罐的调试周期并提高消化效率，不同的混合比例可以使产气率提高30％～60％。     

含酚废水的超声降解研究进展

超声处理污水技术是一项新兴的颇有发展前途的水处理技术，本文论述了超声降解含酚废水的反应机理，特点和影响因素，并对该技术在处理含酚类废水治理中存在的问题和今后的发展趋势进行了讨论。     

Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome in two male siblings

Two male sibs with severe congenital megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) are presented. Both had enlarged bladder and hydronephrosis due to reduced bladder emptying, decreased bowel motility, and malrotation of the colon. Repeated careful ultrasound examination of the urinary tract in the second sib failed to show significant bladder enlargement prior to 25 weeks' gestation, which has been considered to be a reliable prenatal diagnostic sign for MMIHS. Slight bilateral enlargement of the renal pelves was noted at 21 weeks' gestation, and this may represent the earliest prenatally-detectable observation in this disease. Although more females than males with this condition have been reported, our cases provide support for an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance with a similar recurrence risk for both sexes.     

Sister chromatid exchanges in first-trimester chorionic villi after in vivo and in vitro exposure to diagnostic ultrasound

A study was done to evaluate the effects of diagnostic ultrasound on sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in first-trimester chorionic villi under controlled technical conditions. Chromosome analysis was performed by the direct method using spontaneous mitoses from the cytotrophoblast layer, and SCE visualization was accomplished by a 72 h treatment with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) at a concentration of 10μg/ml. The slides were stained with ac ridine orange. Immediately before first-trimester chorionic villus sampling, a group of ten pregnant women was exposed to diagnostic ultrasound for 20min (in vivo exposure). This group of patients was compared with a control group who were not exposed. A mean value of SCE/cell frequency of 4·2 ± 0·2 was found in the exposed pregnancies, while a value of 3·7 ± 0·2 was observed in the control group. After in vitro exposure of chorionic villi obtained from elective abortions, the frequency of SCE/cell did not differ significantly among samples with different exposures (1,2, and 3 h) and controls. The positive control (mitomycin C) yielded a significant increase in SCE frequency.