Decomplexation of Cu-1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid by a three-dimensional electrolysis system with activated biochar as particle electrodes

The feasibility of decomplexation removal of typical contaminants in electroplating wastewater, complexed Cu(II) with 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (Cu-HEDP), was first performed by a three-dimensional electric reactor with activated biochar as particle electrodes. For the case of 50 mg/L Cu-HEDP, Cu(II) removal (90.7%) and PO initial pH 7, acid-treated almond shell biochar (AASB) addition 20 g/L, and reaction time 180 min, with second-order rate constants of 1.10 × 10⁻³ and 1.94 × 10⁻⁵ min⁻¹respectively. The growing chelating effect between Cu(II) and HEDP and the comprehensive actions of adsorptive accumulation, direct and indirect oxidation given by particle electrodes accounted for the enhanced removal of Cu-HEDP, even though the mineralization of HEDP was mainly dependent on anode oxidation. The performance attenuation of AASB particle electrodes was ascribed to the excessive consumption of oxygen-containing functionalities during the reaction, especially acidic carboxylic groups and quinones on particle electrodes, which decreased from 446.74 to 291.48 µmol/g, and 377.55 to 247.71 µmol/g, respectively. Based on the determination of adsorption behavior and indirect electrochemical oxidation mediated by in situ electrogenerated H₂O₂ and reactive oxygen species (e.g., •OH), a possible removal mechanism of Cu-HEDP by three-dimensional electrolysis was further proposed.     

Initial Homotypic Cell Pair Adhesion in Regenerating Hydra Facilitates Subsequent Adhesion of Homotypic Cells

 In Hydra vulgaris at the level of dissociated single cells endodermal cells adhere to each other more readily than to ectodermal cells at the initial adhesion. The time required for adhesion to occur between two adjacent cells is shorter for both endodermal and ectodermal homotypic cell adhesions once the initial adhesion of the first pair of cells has been established. It is confirmed that contact of an aggregated pair with additional homotypic cells facilitates the occurrence of homotypic adhesions; heterotypic adhesions are discouraged. This suggests that adhesion of homotypic cells contributes to an increased readiness for subsequent homotypic cells to adhere. Received: 25 August 1999 / Accepted in revised form: 11 January 2000     

Synaptic plasticity

Synaptic plasticity is manifested by long-lasting changes in synaptic potency. Increased potency is of special importance in relation to the neural basis of memory. Even mild repetitive stimulation evokes large and prolonged potentiations of hippocampal synapses, as is revealed by electrical recording either in vivo or in vitro. More importantly there is a matching hypertrophy of the synaptic spines on the dendrites of hippocampal granule cells, as is shown by most convincing electronmicrographs. The increase is to about 40% some 2 h after a mild stimulation (900 impulses) and there was relatively little decline by 23 h. There is brief reference to the metabolic processes that could be involved in this plastic response.     

A fetus with a parvovirus B19 infection and congenital anomalies

A fetus with multiple structural defects was seen at prenatal ultrasound examination. After termination of the pregnancy a bilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate; micrognathia; and webbed joints were seen. Fetal tissues showed indications of infection, intranuclear inclusion bodies, chronic stress, haemolysis, arterial wall damage, and profuse haemorrhage. Parvovirus B19 DNA was detected in fetal tissues by dot hybridization after polymerase chain reaction. The possibility of parvovirus B19 infection leading to congenital malformations is discussed.