Characterization of Tagaran natural clay and its efficiency for removal of cadmium (II) from Sulaymaniyah industrial zone sewage

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The fine fraction of the Tagaran natural clay (TC) from the Kurdistan region of Iraq-Sulaimani was characterized and used to remove Cd ions from...     

Allelopathic potential of oil seed crops in production of crops: a review

Agricultural production enhancement has been realized by more consumption of fossil energy such as fertilizer and agrochemicals. However, the production provides the present human with sufficient and diversified commodities, but at the same time, deprives in some extent the resources from the future human as well. In the other hand, it is known that synthetic herbicides face worldwide threats to human’s health and environment as well. Therefore, it is a great challenge for agricultural sustainable development. The current review has been focussed on various oilseed crop species which launch efficient allelopathic intervention, either with weeds or other crops. Crop allelopathic properties can make one species more persistent to a native species. Therefore, these crops are potentially harmful to both naturalized as well as agricultural settings. On the other side, allelopathic crops provide strong potential for the development of cultivars that are more highly weed suppressive in managed settings. It is possible to utilize companion plants that have no deleterious effect on neighbor crops and can be included in intercropping system, thus, a mean of contributing to agricultural sustainable development. In mixed culture, replacement method, wherein differing densities of a neighbor species are planted, has been used to study phytotoxic/competitive effects. So, to use alternative ways for weed suppression has become very crucial. Allelochemicals have the ability to create eco-friendly products for weed management, which is beneficial for agricultural sustainable development. Our present study assessed the potential of four oilseed crops for allelopathy on other crops and associated weeds.     

Numerical investigation of geometrical defect in cold forging of an AUV blade pin head

The precision of cold forging parts becomes critical because the process depends on many factors such as the size and complexity of the parts. Defects negatively affect the assembly accuracy and the performance of the parts. Therefore, defects must be detected and prevented as soon as possible before the manufacturing process begins. The paper intends to investigate the geometrical defect of the cold embossing pin head, which may result in an inaccurate assembly of the blade. In this paper, defect formation was studied using DEFORM-2D based on material flow pattern and stress distribution. The defect was measured in terms of incomplete filling and geometries of the bulging. The effect of the distance to the edge (DTE) is significant to the formation of defects. The size of the bulge is reduced and the filling ability shows better performance as the DTE increases. The FE results are in good agreement with the experimental result.     

模拟废水中钯的微生物回收及其对亚甲基蓝的催化特性

以粪肠球菌(Enterococcus faecalis)Z5菌株(CCTCC M2012445)为菌种资源,探讨了其在外源电子供体条件下以纳米颗粒形式回收溶液中钯的可能性,研究了工业废液(IW)、废旧电路板(PCBS)和废汽车催化剂(SAC)3种模拟废水中钯的回收率,分析了废水中其它离子对钯回收率的影响.结果表明,粪肠球菌Z5菌株可以从3种模拟废水中回收钯纳米颗粒.X射线衍射和透射电镜分析表明,回收产物为10 nm左右粒径的钯纳米颗粒,主要分布于细胞周质.3种废水中钯的回收率依次为IWSACPCBS,其中吸附率依次为99.8%(6 h)、99.7%(8 h)、90.3%(12 h),还原率依次为99.9%(4 h)、99.9%(6 h)、80.4%(36 h).模拟废水中Pt(Ⅳ)、Ag(Ⅰ)、Cu(Ⅱ)、Au(Ⅲ)和Fe(Ⅱ)对钯的还原和吸附过程都存在影响.具体地,钯的还原效率受影响程度依次为Au(Ⅲ)Pt(Ⅳ)Cu(Ⅱ)Ag(Ⅰ)Fe(Ⅱ).进一步将回收所得的纳米钯掺杂四氧化三铁,可应用于非均相芬顿反应中染料亚甲基蓝降解,80 min内亚甲基蓝的降解率为96.7%,显示出良好的催化性能.     

渤海海冰作为淡水资源：脱盐机理与可利用价值

我国北部沿海地区缺水问题十分严重,但冬季在渤海及黄海北部形成较大范围的海冰。海冰因其成冰过程中盐分大量析出而盐度很低,可能成为解决这些地区缺水问题的重要淡水资源。论文根据实地观测和室内不同盐度海水的实验分析,阐述了渤海海冰盐度变化和海水成冰脱盐过程,并采用二次成冰脱盐和离心脱盐等方法,分析了海冰经进一步人工淡化的可能性,探讨了海冰作为淡水资源的可利用价值。     

The amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS): A rapid and direct prenatal diagnostic technique for β-thalassaemia in Singapore

β-Thalassaemia major patients have chronic anaemia and since 3–4 per cent of Singaporeans carry the β-gene, prenatal diagnosis is essential. We evaluated the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) technique as a routine test for prenatal diagnosis of β-major. Six mutations along the β-gene were studied—41–42 (-TCTT), IVSII #654 (C-T), 17β (A-T), – 28 TATA (A-G), IVSI #5 (G-C), and IVSI #1 (G-T). Our results indicate that prenatal diagnosis using these mutations can be offered to 90 per cent (35/39) of our Chinese couples and 54·6 per cent (12/22) of our Malay couples at risk. Confirmation of ARMS results was carried out using allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization. Prenatal diagnosis using ARMS was successfully carried out in nine cases which included a set of triplets and twins. The triplets were diagnosed with the β-trait carrying the 41–42 mutation. The couple with twins possessed the #654 mutation and one twin was diagnosed with the β-trait and the other with #654 homozygosity. Genomic sequencing of the undefined mutations in the Chinese couples revealed rarer mutations at − 29 and an ATG-AGG base substitution at the initiation codon for translation. In the Malay couples, genomic sequencing detected mutations at codon 15 (TGG-TAG) and codon 26 (GAG-AAG). We conclude that ARMS with its direct detection of amplified products by gel electrophoresis provides an accurate, rapid, and simpler method for our β-thalassaemia prenatal diagnosis programme in Singapore.     

Anaerobic co-digestion of fat,oil, and grease (FOG): A review of gas production and process limitations

The addition of readily available high strength organic wastes such as fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from restaurant grease abatement devices may substantially increase biogas production from anaerobic digesters at wastewater treatment facilities. This FOG addition may provide greater economic incentives for the use of excess biogas to generate electricity, thermal, or mechanical energy. Co-digestion of FOG with municipal biosolids at a rate of 10–30% FOG by volume of total digester feed caused a 30–80% increase in digester gas production in two full scale wastewater biosolids anaerobic digesters (Bailey, 2007, Muller et al., 2010). Laboratory and pilot scale anaerobic digesters have shown even larger increases in gas production. However, anaerobic digestion of high lipid wastes has been reported to cause inhibition of acetoclastic and methanogenic bacteria, substrate, and product transport limitation, sludge flotation, digester foaming, blockages of pipes and pumps, and clogging of gas collection and handling systems. This paper reviews the scientific literature on biogas production, inhibition, and optimal reactor configurations, and will highlight future research needed to improve the gas production and overall efficiency of anaerobic co-digestion of FOG with biosolids from municipal wastewater treatment.     

Minimizing human health effects of urban air pollution through quantification and control of motor vehicular carbon monoxide (CO) in Lahore

Impact of urban air pollution has variety of focuses such as urban ecology, human health, economy, etc. But human health is always given priority. Air pollution is threat to the lives of people living in big cities of Pakistan. In Lahore only there die 1,250 people annually because of air pollution. A strong correlation exists between urban air pollution and human health in Lahore. Growth of COPD is highest among other air pollution borne diseases. Existing mass transit system (one of driving forces behind motor vehicular emission) in Lahore due to frequent stoppages, entering and exit in flow of traffic causes excess discharge of motor vehicular carbon monoxide (CO) which is a hazardous to human health. Quantification and enumeration of this discharge is essential for environmental management. The paper is an attempt to highlight human health effects of urban air pollution through correlation and regression analysis. Further it is focused upon quantifying excess motor vehicular carbon monoxide through application of simplified mobile emission model. In light of results emission control measures are recommended.     

Erroneous mass transit system and its tended relationship with motor vehicular air pollution (An integrated approach for reduction of urban air pollution in Lahore)

Air pollution is threat to the lives of people living in big cities of Pakistan. In Lahore 1,250 people die annually because of air pollution.Mass transit system that can be put forth as solution to urban air pollution is contingent with right choice of system and its affiliation with motorized vehicles and nature of urban air pollution.Existing mass transit system in Lahore due to untrue operation causes surfeit discharge of motor vehicular carbon monoxide. Tended relationships of mass transit system with motorized vehicles and urban air pollution are quite noteworthy. The growing motor vehicles (a consequence of flawed public mass transit system) are potential source of urban air pollution. This paper attempts to highlight correlations and regression curves of existing mass transit system. Further it recommends a two facet approach for reduction of motor vehicular air pollution in Lahore.