Effect of Bimetallic Soybean Oil Based Polymer on Growth and Plasma Membrane H+-ATPase Activity Among Fungi

In view of bio-inorganic importance, iron and zinc incorporated soybean oil based polymer was prepared by condensation polymerization of oil based fatty amide polyole, sebacic acid, zinc acetate and ferric chloride in a process initiated by sodium ethoxide. Microwave assisted synthesis was used throughout the reaction as it is ecofriendly and requires minimal usage of solvents. Physical techniques such as FT-IR and ¹HNMR have been used to establish the structure of the polymers. Standard laboratory methods like acid value, saponification value, iodine value, specific gravity and viscosity were used to study the chemical diversity of each product. Thermo gravimetry/differential thermal analyzer was used to analyse the thermal behavior of polymer. The synthesized compounds were subjected to biological study. The observed fungicidal characteristics of synthesized compounds indicate that these compounds might be promising antifungal agents defining a new class of antimycotics. The polymers were used in preparation of films which can be used as protective packaging material of edible items.     

Determination of nickel in blood and serum samples of oropharyngeal cancer patients consumed smokeless tobacco products by cloud point extraction coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Oropharyngeal cancer is a significant public health issue in the world. The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer has been increased among people who have habit of chewing smokeless tobacco (SLT) in Pakistan. The aim of present study was to evaluate the concentration of nickel (Ni) in biological samples (whole blood, serum) of oral (n?=?95) and pharyngeal (n?=?84) male cancer patients. For comparison purposes, the biological samples of healthy age-matched referents (n?=?150), who consumed and did not consumed SLT products, were also analyzed for Ni levels. As the Ni level is very low in biological samples, a preconcentration procedure has been developed, prior to analysis of analyte by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The Ni in acid-digested biological samples was complexed with ammonium pyrrolidinedithio carbamate (APDC), and a resulted complex was extracted in a surfactant Triton X-114. Acidic ethanol was added to the surfactant-rich phase prior to its analysis by FAAS. The chemical variables, such as pH, amounts of reagents (APDC, Triton X-114), temperature, incubation time, and sample volume were optimized. The resulted data indicated that concentration of Ni was higher in blood and serum samples of cancer patients as compared to that of referents who have or have not consumed different SLT products (p?=?0.012–0.001). It was also observed that healthy referents who consumed SLT products have two to threefold higher levels of Ni in both biological samples as compared to those who were not chewing SLT products (p? Figure

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81st APCA Annual Meeting & Exhibition

Abstract

This study introduces a two-stage interval-stochastic programming (TISP) model for the planning of solid-waste management systems under uncertainty. The model is derived by incorporating the concept of two-stage stochastic programming within an interval-parameter optimization framework. The approach has the advantage that policy determined by the authorities, and uncertain information expressed as intervals and probability distributions, can be effectively communicated into the optimization processes and resulting solutions. In the modeling formulation, penalties are imposed when policies expressed as allowable waste-loading levels are violated. In its solution algorithm, the TISP model is converted into two deterministic submodels, which correspond to the lower and upper bounds for the desired objective-function value. Interval solutions, which are stable in the given decision space with associated levels of system-failure risk, can then be obtained by solving the two submodels sequentially. Two special characteristics of the proposed approach make it unique compared with other optimization techniques that deal with uncertainties. First, the TISP model provides a linkage to prede?ned policies determined by authorities that have to be respected when a modeling effort is undertaken; second, it furnishes the reflection of uncertainties presented as both probabilities and intervals. The developed model is applied to a hypothetical case study of regional solid-waste management. The results indicate that reasonable solutions have been generated. They provide desired waste-flow patterns with minimized system costs and maximized system feasibility. The solutions present as stable interval solutions with different risk levels in violating the waste-loading criterion and can be used for generating decision alternatives.     

Chromium removal from water by activated carbon developed from waste rubber tires

Because of the continuous production of large amount of waste tires, the disposal of waste tires represents a major environmental issue throughout the world. This paper reports the utilization of waste tires (hard-to-dispose waste) as a precursor in the production of activated carbons (pollution-cleaning adsorbent). In the preparation of activated carbon (AC), waste rubber tire (WRT) was thermally treated and activated. The tire-derived activated carbon was characterized by means of scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, FTIR spectrophotometer, and X-ray diffraction. In the IR spectrum, a number of bands centred at about 3409, 2350, 1710, 1650, and 1300–1000 cm^?1 prove the present of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the surface of AC in addition to C═C double bonds. The developed AC was tested and evaluated as potential adsorbent removal of chromium (III). Experimental parameters, such as contact time, initial concentration, adsorbent dosage and pH were optimized. A rapid uptake of chromium ions was observed and the equilibrium is achieved in 1 h. It was also found that the adsorption process is pH dependent. This work adds to the global discussion of the cost-effective utilization of waste rubber tires for waste water treatment.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of As(V) removal from water by zirconium oxide-coated marine sand

Arsenic contamination of groundwater is a major threat to human beings globally. Among various methods available for arsenic removal, adsorption is fast, inexpensive, selective, accurate, reproducible and eco-friendly in nature. The present paper describes removal of arsenate from water on zirconium oxide-coated sand (novel adsorbent). In the present work, zirconium oxide-coated sand was prepared and characterised by infrared and X-ray diffraction techniques. Batch experiments were performed to optimise different adsorption parameters such as initial arsenate concentration (100–1,000 μg/L), dose (1–8 g/L), pH of the solution (2–14), contact time (15–150 min.), and temperature (20, 30, 35 and 40 °C). The experimental data were analysed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models. Furthermore, thermodynamic and kinetic parameters were evaluated to know the mode of adsorption between ZrOCMS and As(V). The maximum removal of arsenic, 97 %, was achieved at initial arsenic concentration of 200 μg/L, after 75 min at dosage of 5.0 g/L, pH?7.0 and 27?±?2 °C. For 600 μg/L concentration, the maximum Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity was found to be 270 μg/g at 35 °C. Kinetic modelling data indicated that adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The mechanism is controlled by liquid film diffusion model. Thermodynamic parameter, ΔH°, was ?57.782, while the values of ΔG° were ?9.460, ?12.183, ?13.343 and ?13.905 kJ/mol at 20, 30, 35 and 40 °C, respectively, suggesting exothermic and spontaneous nature of the process. The change in entropy, ΔS°?=??0.23 kJ/mol indicated that the entropy decreased due to adsorption of arsenate ion onto the solid adsorbent. The results indicated that the reported zirconium oxide-coated marine sand (ZrOCMS) was good adsorbent with 97 % removal capacity at 200 μg/L concentration. It is interesting to note that the permissible limit of arsenic as per World Health Organization is 10 μg/L, and in real situation, this low concentration can be achieved through this adsorbent. Besides, the adsorption capacity showed that this adsorbent may be used for the removal of arsenic from any natural water resource.     

Trace metals in Ganges soft-shell turtle (Aspideretes gangeticus) from two barrage: Baloki and Rasul, Pakistan

The concentration of nine metals was measured in liver, kidney, heart, muscle, plastron, and carapace of Aspideretes gangeticus from Rasul and Baloki barrages, Pakistan. The results indicated that metal concentration were significant different among tissues of Ganges soft-shell turtles. However, higher concentrations of Co (5.12 μg/g) and Ni (1.67 μg/g) in liver, Cd (0.41 μg/g) in heart, Fe (267.45 μg/g), Cd (2.12 μg/g) and Mn (2.47 μg/g) in kidney, Cd (0.23 μg/g), Cu (2.57 μg/g), Fe (370.25 μg/g), Mn (5.56 μg/g), and Pb (8.23 μg/g) in muscle of A. gangeticus were recorded at Baloki barrage than Rasul barrage. Whereas mean concentrations of Pb (3.33 μg/g) in liver, Co (1.63 μg/g), Cu (11.32 μg/g), Pb (4.8 μg/g) and Zn (144.69 μg/g) in heart, Co (4.12 μg/g) in muscle, Ni (1.31 μg/g), Pb (2.18 μg/g), and Zn (9.78 μg/g) in carapace were recorded higher at Rasul barrage than Baloki barrage. The metals followed the trend Fe > Zn > Ni > Cu > Mn > Pb > Cr > Co > Cd. Metals of toxicological concern such as Cr, Pb, and Cd were at that level which can cause harmful effects to turtles. The results provide baseline data of heavy metals on freshwater turtle species of Pakistan.     

Monitoring health implications of pesticide exposure in factory workers in Pakistan

The study aimed to determine the hazardous health effects of pesticides exposure in the factory workers by measuring plasma cholinesterase (PChE), pesticides residues, and renal and hepatic biochemical markers. In addition, we also assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and safety practices adopted by the industrial workers. The study was conducted in three different sizes of factories located in Lahore (large), Multan (medium), and Karachi (small) in Pakistan. Total 238 adult males consisting of 184 pesticide industrial workers (exposed group) from large-sized (67), medium-sized (61), small-sized (56) industrial formulation factories, and 54 controls (unexposed) were included in the study. All the participants were male of aged 18 to 58 years. PChE levels were estimated by Ellmann’s method. Plasma pesticides residue analysis was performed by using reverse phase C-18 on high-performance liquid chromatograph and GC with NPD detector. Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, urea, and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) were measured on Selectra E auto analyzer. Plasma and C-reactive protein was analyzed by Immulite 1000. The results revealed a significant decrease in plasma post exposure PChE levels (<30%) as compared to baseline in the workers of small (29%) and medium (8%) industrial units (p?< 0.001). Plasma cypermethrin, endosulfan, imidacloprid, thiodicarb, carbofuran, and methamidophos levels were found to be higher than allowable daily intake. Serum AST, ALT, creatinine GGT, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant, and CRP were significantly raised among the workers of small and medium pesticide formulation factories as compared to large industrial unit and controls (p?< 0.001). The study demonstrated that unsafe practices among small- and medium-sized pesticides industrial workers cause significant increase in pesticide exposure, oxidative stress, and derangement of hepatic and renal function.     

Development of geomorphologic instantaneous unit hydrograph for a large watershed

Hill torrents cause a lot of environmental and property damage in Pakistan every year. Proper assessment of direct runoff in the form of hill torrents is essential for protection of environment, property, and human life. In this paper, direct surface runoff hydrograph (DSRH) was derived for a large catchment using the geomorphologic instantaneous unit hydrograph concept. The catchment with hill torrent flows in semi-arid region of Pakistan was selected for this study. It was divided into series of linear cascades and hydrologic parameters required for Nash's conceptual model, and were estimated using geomorphology of the basin. Geomorphologic parameters were derived from satellite images of the basin and ERDAS and ArcGIS were used for data processing. Computer program was developed to systematically estimate the dynamic velocity, its related parameters by optimization and thereby to simulate the DSRH. The data regarding rainfall-runoff and satellite images were collected from Punjab Irrigation and Power Department, Pakistan. Model calibration and validation was made for 15 rainfall-runoff events. Ten events were used for calibration and five for validation. Model efficiency was found to be more than 90% and root mean square error to be about 5%. Impact of variation in model parameters (shape parameter and storage coefficient) on DSRH was investigated. For shape parameter, the number of linear cascades varied from 1 to 3 and it was found that the shaper parameter value of 3 produced the best DSRH. Various values of storage coefficient were used and it was observed that the value determined from geomorphology and the dynamic velocity produced the best results.     

Analysis of cadmium, nickel, and lead in commercial moist and dry snuff used in Pakistan

The extent to which smokeless tobacco endangers human health is an ongoing subject of debate. In this study, concentrations of toxic metals, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni), were measured in different snuff products (dry brown and black and moist green and brown), available and consumed in Pakistan. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Ni were determined in 23 samples of various brands of snuff by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, after microwave-assisted acid digestion. The reliability of methodology was assured by analyzing certified reference material. The resulted data of toxic metals in different snuff products are comparable to the existing information with limited exceptions. It was estimated that 10 g intake of different types of snuff could contribute 14–68, 17–47, and 20–73 % of the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake for Cd, Ni, and Pb, respectively.     

Removal of heavy metals through adsorption using sand

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