Studies on the use of power ultrasound in solid–liquid myrobalan extraction process

Focus on eco-friendly processing techniques makes vegetable tanning a viable option in leather processing and establishes the subsequent need for the more efficient methods of extraction in tannin manufacture. Application of ultrasound has been tried in the extraction of tannins from myrobalan nuts in order to improve the extraction efficiency, to perform the extraction under milder process conditions and to reduce the process time. The influence of process parameters such as ultrasonic output power, time and temperature has been studied. Scale-up trials and the use of ultrasound in pulse mode have also been attempted. The results show that a three- to fivefold improvement is possible with ultrasonic output from 20 to 100 W. Extraction efficiency has been calculated from the maximum extractable materials from myrobalan nuts. Extraction efficiency is found to be 90% for ultrasound, 100 W without external heating as compared to 77% for control process at 70 °C for 4 h. Therefore, ultrasound could be employed even dispensing with provision for temperature controls. The use of ultrasound in pulse mode offered 70% extraction efficiency of continuous mode. Scale-up trials indicate that there exists an optimum ultrasonic output power depending on the amount of nuts used, to achieve better extraction efficiency. The effectiveness of ultrasonically extracted tannin solution has also been tested in the tanning process for its applicability. The degree of tanning efficacy has been assessed by shrinkage temperature measurement. The results indicate that ultrasonically extracted tannin solution is suitable for tanning process. Therefore, application of ultrasound in tannin extract manufacture is a viable option with added advantages.     

Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of Apert's syndrome

A mother affected with Apert's syndrome was diagnosed by ultrasound scan at 16–17 weeks to have a fetus similarly affected. The typical features of acrocephaly and symmetrical syndactyly were seen. This is probably the first time that this condition has been diagnosed at such a gestation by ultrasound scan. The patient decided to continue the pregnancy, and intrauterine death occurred at 34 weeks. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examination.     

TiO2–PANI/Cork composite: A new floating photocatalyst for the treatment of organic pollutants under sunlight irradiation

A novel photocatalyst based on TiO_2–PANI composite supported on small pieces of cork has been reported. It was prepared by simple impregnation method of the polyaniline(PANI)–modified TiO_2 on cork. The TiO_2–PANI/Cork catalyst shows the unique feature of floating on the water surface. The as-synthesized catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron micrograph(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), thermogravimetric analysis(TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra(UV–vis DRS) and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller(BET) surface area analysis. Characterization suggested the formation of anatase highly dispersed on the cork surface. The prepared floating photocatalyst showed high efficiency for the degradation of methyl orange dye and other organic pollutants under solar irradiation and constrained conditions, i.e., no-stirring and no-oxygenation. The TiO_2–PANI/Cork floating photocatalyst can be reused for at least four consecutive times without significant decrease of the degradation efficiency.     

Harnessing the climate commons: an agent-based modelling approach to making reducing emission from deforestation and degradation (REDD)+work

Humans have created a worldwide tragedy through free access to the global common atmosphere. The Conference of the Parties (COP) on climate change increased political commitment to reduce emission from deforestation and degradation and to enhance carbon stocks (REDD+). However, government sectors, political actors, business groups, civil societies, tree growers and other interest groups at different levels may support or reject REDD+. The paper used Arena-Actor-Institution concept to understand REDD+and provides agent-based modeling approach to harnessing its processes. The model explores: (a) how providers are likely to decrease or increase carbon stocks on their landscapes under ‘business as usual’ institutions; (b) how they are likely to negotiate with potential buyers with regards to the involvement of brokers (governments or nongovernmental organizations); and (c) how altruism and collaboration can affect the affectivity of REDD+. The model was developed as a spatially explicit model to consider the complexity of REDD+target landscapes. The simulation results are examined against the 3E+criteria, i.e. effectiveness in carbon emission reduction, cost efficiency and equity among involved stakeholders and co-benefit of other activities. This study took the Jambi landscape in Indonesia as a case. The results explain how REDD+agreement areas increase with higher carbon prices, e.g. US$25 or US$35. However, the simulation also shows that even with low carbon prices GHG emissions will decrease if the altruism degree and collective actions of the actors increases. The paper describes institutional arrangements which would help to harness the global commons of climate change.     

Assessing relatedness and redundancy of forest monitoring and change indicators

Information on changes in forest structure and composition is required for informed, adaptive management and conservation. As the collection of such information requires field studies that are expensive, difficult, and time consuming, the prioritization of metrics can be of significant value. This study evaluates a number of metrics used to assess changes in forest structure and composition for a set of 59 forests in five countries - Kenya, India, Nepal, Uganda and USA. Changes in tree density are significantly positively correlated with changes in species richness, and changes in sapling/shrub density are significantly positively correlated with changes in species richness. Thus, rapid assessments of tree density change can be used to prioritize locations where there may be rapid deterioration in tree diversity, where the collection of detailed information on changes in species composition may be prioritized. Changes in tree density do not reflect changes in shrub and sapling density. The shrub and sapling layer appears to respond differently to human or natural disturbances compared to the tree layer, and may require separate assessment. Changes in tree DBH and tree height are not completely congruent, indicating that measurements of DBH and height may be required to accurately estimate changes in above ground carbon storage over time, for programs such as REDD that provide payment for carbon sequestration services.     

Rotational application of bioinsecticide with deltamethrin-An antilarval measure for the control of filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus (Culicidae: Diptera)

A laboratory investigation was undertaken to study the cyclic usage of field recommended doses of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), Bacillus sphaericus (Bsp) and combination of Bti and Bsp (half the recommended dose of each) with deltamethrin 2.8 EC to attain better control of mosquito larvae. To understand the susceptibility status of the Culex quinquefasciatus larvae in the field, early fourth instar field collected larvae were exposed to the above treatments of biopesticides and were monitored for their persistency till 50% mortality was obtained. The larvae those survived in each treatment were transferred to the concentration of deltamethrin that gave 50% mortality. Observations on larval mortality after the treatment with deltamethrin were recorded after 24 h. The results revealed that Bti excels Bsp, as it recorded 54% mortality only on 17th day after application. The other salient finding of this study is LC50 of deltamethrin is sufficient to follow the biopesticides application for an effective control of Culex larvae.     

Biodegradation of mixture of VOC's in a biofilter

Volatile organic compounds(VOC‘s) in air have become major concern in recent years. Biodegradation of a mixture of ethanol and methanol vapor was evaluated in a laboratory biofilter with a bed of compost and polystyrene particles using an acclimated mixed culture. The continuous performance of the biofilter was studied with different proportion of ethanol and methanol at different initial concentration and flow rates. The result showed significant removal for both ethanol and methanol, which were composition dependent.The presence of either compound in the mixture inhibited the biodegradation of the other.     

Comparison of decolorization of reactive microorganisms isolated from various sources

Azo dyes are among the oldest man-made chemicals and they are still widely used in the textile, printing and the food industries.About 10% - 15% of the total dyes used in the industry is released into the environment during the manufacturing and usage. Some dyes and some of their N-substituted aromatic bio-transformation products are toxic and/or carcinogenic and therefore these dyes are considered to beenvironmental pollutants and health hazards. These azo dyes are degraded by physico-chemical and biological methods. Of these, biological methods are considered to be the most economical and efficient. In this work, attempts were made to degrade these dyes aerobically. Theorganisms which were efficient in degrading the following azo dyes-Red RB, Remazol Red, Remazol Blue, Remazol Violet, Remazol Yellow,Golden Yellow, Remazol Orange, Remazol Black- were isolated from three different sources viz., wastewater treatment plant, paper milleffluent treatment plant and tannery was tewater treatment plant. The efficiency of azo dye degradation by mixed cultures from each source wasanalyzed. It was found that mixed cultures from tannery treatment plant worked efficiently in decolorizing Remazol Red, Remazol Orange,Remazol Blue and Remazol Violet, while mixed cultures from the paper mill effluent worked efficiently in decolorizing Red RB, Golden Yellow and Remazol Yellow. The mixed cultures from wastewater treatment plant efficiently decolorized Remazol Black.