Detection and extraction of endosulfan by metal nanoparticles

One of the most common pesticides in the developing world, endosulfan, can be detected in ppm levels using gold nanoparticles. Endosulfan adsorbs on the nanoparticle surface and upon interaction for a long time, the nanoparticles precipitate from the solution. Interaction with silver is weak, yet adsorption occurs leading to removal of endosulfan from the solution. A multilayer assembly of gold nanoparticles prepared on a glass substrate shows excellent spectrophotometric response suggesting potential applications.     

Persistence and degradation of coumaphos in model cattle dipping vats

The stability of coumaphos [O,O-diethyl O-(3-chloro-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-7 yl)phosphorothioatel was studied in model dipping vats under field conditions using 14C-labelled and unlabelled coumaphos, with or without additives. The stability of coumaphos in model vats increased significantly by maintaining a pH of 5 by addition of superphosphate. Copper sulphate amendment did not seem to have any additional effect on stability. Potasan was the major metabolite in addition to chlorferon and 4-methylumbelliferone. Coumaphos concentration was doubled in the sediment of vat treated with copper sulphate as compared to the control vat as a result of emulsion breakdown. Chlorferon was the only metabolite detected in the sediment of the former vat indicating inhibition of the anaerobic degradation.     

DYNAMIC FLUID LOSS DURING VISCOUS FLOW THROUGH A POROUS VERTICAL SLOT1

ABSTRACT. An experimental study of two-dimensional viscous flow through a vertical slot with one highly resistant porous wall was made. The fluid loss area of the porous wall was divided into five sections. The fluid loss rate for the various subareas was measured as a function of the bulk flow rate through the slot and the viscosity of the fluid. Static flow tests through the porous media were also conducted for each fluid viscosity. The results indicate that the experimental data can be correlated in terms of the difference between the static flow rate and the dynamic fluid loss rate as a function of the bulk Reynold's number and the bulk flow rate. Stream function profiles were determined for each experimental run to visualize flow through the length of the slot. An empirical correlation was developed between the superficial entrance width, δ, and the ratio of bulk Reynold's number to the Reynold's number based on flow through the porous wall.     

Waste management policies for industrial symbiosis development: case studies in European countries

Industrial symbiosis (IS) emerged as a self-organizing business strategy among firms that are willing to cooperate to improve their economic and environmental performance. The adoption of such cooperative strategies relates to increasing costs of waste management, most of which are driven by policy and legislative requirements.Development of IS depends on an enabling context of social, informational, technological, economical and political factors. The power to influence this context varies among the agents involved such as the government, businesses or coordinating entities. Governmental intervention, as manifested through policies, could influence a wider range of factors; and we believe this is an area which is under-researched.This paper aims to critically appraise the waste policy interventions from supra-national to sub-national levels of government. A case study methodology has been applied to four European countries i.e. Denmark, the UK, Portugal and Switzerland, in which IS emerged or is being fostered.The findings suggest that there are commonalities in policy instruments that may have led to an IS enabling context. The paper concludes with lessons learnt and recommendations on shaping the policy context for IS development.     

Experimental investigation of turning AISI 1045 steel using cryogenic carbon dioxide as the cutting fluid

The intensive temperatures in high speed machining not only limit the tool life but also impair the machined surface by inducing tensile residual stresses, microcracks and thermal damage. This problem can be handled largely by reducing the cutting temperature. When the conventional coolant is applied to the cutting zone, it fails to remove the extent of the heat effectively. Hence, a cryogenic coolant is highly recommended for this purpose. In this paper, an attempt has been made to use cryogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) as the cutting fluid. Experimental investigations are carried out by turning AISI 1045 steel in which the efficiency of cryogenic CO₂ is compared to that of dry and wet machining with respect to cutting temperature, cutting forces, chip disposal and surface roughness. The experimental results show that the application of cryogenic CO₂ as the cutting fluid is an efficient coolant for the turning operation as it reduced the cutting temperature by 5%–22% when compared with conventional machining.It is also observed that the surface finish is improved to an appreciable amount in the finished work piece on the application of cryogenic CO₂. The surface finish is improved by 5%–25% in the cryogenic condition compared with wet machining.     

The OEIS complex: two case reports that illustrate the spectrum of abnormalities and a review of the literature

We present two cases of OEIS (omphalocele, exstrophy, imperforate anus, spinal defects) complex -MIM 258040 and a review of the literature. Case 1 was a 14-year-old girl who presented at 30 weeks' gestation. An ultrasound examination showed an omphalocele and spina bifida; the bladder was not visualised. She went into spontaneous labour two weeks later and the baby died shortly after birth. A full post-mortem examination was refused, but the mother did agree to an external examination, skin biopsy for fibroblast culture, X rays and MR imaging. The MR imaging showed a pelvic kidney, a large omphalocele containing the other kidney, liver, bowel and a fluid filled structure thought to represent an exstrophy of the bladder (EB). Case 2 was a 30-year-old woman who had an ultrasound examination at 20 weeks' gestation; this showed an omphalocele, but the bladder was not visualised. The pregnancy was subsequently terminated and a post-mortem examination showed a low set umbilical cord associated with a small omphalocele; there was an imperforate anus; a blind ending rectum terminated in the omphalocele. We conclude that these two cases illustrate the variability of the OEIS complex. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bacteriophage Therapy for Critical and High-Priority Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Phage Cocktail-Antibiotic Formulation Perspective

Food and Environmental Virology - Phage therapy is revolving to address the issues mainly dealing with antibiotic resistance in the pathogenic bacteria. Among the drug-resistant microbial...     

Channel Characteristics and Planform Dynamics in the Indian Terai, Sharda River

The Sharda River creates and maintains the ecologically diverse remnant patches of rare Terai ecosystem in northern India. This study used repeat satellite imagery and geographic information system analysis to assess the planform dynamics along a 60 km length of the Sharda River between 1977 and 2001 to understand the altered dynamics and its plausible causes in this data-poor region. Analyses revealed that the Sharda River has undergone significant change corresponding to enhanced instability in terms of increased number of neck cut-offs and consistent occurrence of avulsions in subsequent shorter assessment periods. An increased channel area (8 %), decreased sinuosity (15 %), increased braiding intensity, and abrupt migrations were also documented. The river has migrated toward the east with its west bankline being more unstable. The maximum shifts were 2.85 km in 13 years (1977–1990), 2.33 km in next 9 years (1990–1999), and a substantial shift of 2.39 km in just 2 years (1999–2001). The altered dynamics is making the future of critical wildlife habitats in Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and North Kheri Forest Division precarious and causing significant economic damage. Extensive deforestation and expansion of agriculture since the 1950s in the catchment area are presumed to have severely impacted the equilibrium of the river, which urgently needs a management plan including wildlife habitat conservation, control, and risk reduction. The present study provides a strong foundation for understanding channel changes in the Sharda River and the finding can serve as a valuable information base for effective management planning and ecological restoration.     

Ambient air quality during wheat and rice crop stubble burning episodes in Patiala

Open crop stubble burning events were observed in and around Patiala city, India. A ground level study was deliberated to analyze the contribution of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rice (Oriza sativa) crop stubble burning practices on concentration levels of aerosol, SO₂ and NO₂ in ambient air at five different sites in and around Patiala city covering agricultural, commercial and residential areas. Aerosols were collected on GMF/A and QMF/A (Whatman) sheets for a 24 h period throughout the year in 2007. Simultaneously, sampling of SO₂ and NO₂ was conducted and results obtained during stubble burning periods were compared to the non-stubble burning periods. Results clearly pointed out a distinct increase in aerosol, SO₂ and NO₂ levels during the crop stubble burning periods.     

Mutagenicity evaluation of industrial sludge from common effluent treatment plant

Sludge from common effluent treatment plant (CETP) receiving effluents from textile industries at Mandia Road, Pali, was analyzed to assess the level of mutagenicity. Mutagenicity assay using Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA 98 and TA 100 gave positive results, thus suggesting presence of genotoxic contaminants in the samples investigated. Further, mutagenic activity of chemical sludge was found to be lesser than that of biological sludge. This result is very surprising and unexpected as it is indicating that some mutagenic compounds are either being formed or certain promutagenic compounds are being converted into stable mutagenic metabolites during the biological treatment of the wastewater effluents. There have been no previous reports giving similar or contrary results. Most of the previous studies have reported effects of single combined sludge.