Characterization of natural Yemeni zeolites as powder sorbents for ammonium valorization from domestic waste water streams using high rate activated sludge processes

BACKGROUND In this study three natural Yemeni zeolites (NZ1, NZ2 and NZ3) having major minerals such as clinoptilolite and mordenite, were evaluated as low cost sorbents for the removal and recovery of ammonium ions. RESULTS The zeolite samples, with pHPZC =¿9.1¿±¿0.2, 7.9¿±¿0.2 and 7.4¿±¿0.2 for NZ1, NZ2 and NZ3, respectively, showed high ammonium sorption capacities. At pH¿8, for treated waste waters: (i) with low NH4+ levels (from 25 to 100 mgNH4/L); and (ii) for concentrated NH4+ side streams generated from the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge (from 400 up to 1500¿mg L-1), maximum loading capacities of 27 to 51 mgNH4 g-1 were measured for the studied zeolites. Measured sorption isotherms, in the concentration range 0.05 to 5¿g L-1, were well described by the Langmuir isotherm. The ammonium sorption kinetics was controlled by particle diffusion and was well described by both the homogeneous diffusion (HPDM) and shell progressive (SPM) models. CONCLUSION Comparison of the equilibrium data with results for natural and synthetic zeolites demonstrate the higher performance of the studied zeolites providing low residual ammonium values <1 mgNH4 g-1 and <10 mgNH4 g-1 when treating both diluted and concentrated-NH4+ streams, respectively.Preprin

Morphological Analysis of White Cement Clinker Minerals: Discussion on the Crystallization-Related Defects

The paper deals with a formation of artificial rock (clinker). Temperature plays the capital role in the manufacturing process. So, it is useful to analyze a poor clinker to identify the different phases and defects associated with their crystallization. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to determine the clinker’s chemical composition. The amounts of the mineralogical phases are measured by quantitative XRD analysis (Rietveld). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the main phases of white Portland cement clinker and the defects associated with the formation of clinker mineral elements. The results of a study which focused on the identification of white clinker minerals and defects detected in these noncomplying clinkers such as fluctuation of the amount of the main phases (alite (C3S) and belite (C2S)), excess of the free lime, occurrence of C3S polymorphs, and occurrence of moderately-crystallized structures are presented in this paper

Vascular network expansion, integrity of blood–brain interfaces, and cerebrospinal fluid cytokine concentration during postnatal development in the normal and jaundiced rat

Background: Severe neonatal jaundice resulting from elevated levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood induces dramatic neurological impairment. Central oxidative stress and an inflammatory response have been associated with the pathophysiological mechanism. Cells forming the blood–brain barrier and the choroidal blood–CSF barrier are the first CNS cells exposed to increased plasma levels of unconjugated bilirubin. These barriers are key regulators of brain homeostasis and require active oxidative metabolism to fulfill their protective functions. The choroid plexus-CSF system is involved in neuroinflammatory processes. In this paper, we address the impact of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia on some aspects of brain barriers. We describe physiological changes in the neurovascular network, blood–brain/CSF barriers integrities, and CSF cytokine levels during the postnatal period in normobilirubinemic animals, and analyze these parameters in parallel in Gunn rats that are deficient in bilirubin catabolism and develop postnatal hyperbilirubinemia.// Methods: Gunn rats bearing a mutation in UGT1a genes were used. The neurovascular network was analyzed by immunofluorescence stereomicroscopy. The integrity of the barriers was evaluated by [14C]-sucrose permeability measurement. CSF cytokine levels were measured by multiplex immunoassay. The choroid plexus-CSF system response to an inflammatory challenge was assessed by enumerating CSF leukocytes.// Results: In normobilirubinemic animals, the neurovascular network expands postnatally and displays stage-specific regional variations in its complexity. Network expansion is not affected by hyperbilirubinemia. Permeability of the blood–brain and blood–CSF barriers to sucrose decreases between one- and 9-day-old animals, and does not differ between normobilirubinemic and hyperbilirubinemic rats. Cytokine profiles differ between CSF and plasma in all 1-, 9-, and 18-day-old animals. The CSF cytokine profile in 1-day-old animals is markedly different from that established in older animals. Hyperbilirubinemia perturbs these cytokine profiles only to a very limited extent, and reduces CSF immune cell infiltration triggered by systemic exposure to a bacterial lipopeptide.// Conclusion: The data highlight developmental specificities of the blood–brain barrier organization and of CSF cytokine content. They also indicate that a direct effect of bilirubin on the vascular system organization, brain barriers morphological integrity, and inflammatory response of the choroid plexus-CSF system is not involved in the alteration of brain functions induced by severe neonatal jaundice./

Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure and Investment Decisions: Evidence from Saudi Indexed Companies

This study investigated the investment decisions of Saudi corporations in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) context and examined the moderated role of corporate governance quality. The panel dataset consisted of 82 firms and 328 Saudi firm-year observations listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange over the period of 2018&ndash;2021, and feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) regression was used for model estimation. The empirical findings indicated that companies with higher levels of CSR reporting invested more effectively than companies with lower CSR reporting levels. The empirical analysis suggested two main findings: (i) corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting has a significant effect on investment decisions and (ii) this relationship depends on corporate governance practices. This research presents new evidence that improves the discussion around CSR involvement and corporate investment decision making in the emerging market of Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, it presents practical and managerial implications for policymakers and standard setters who are interested in ameliorating sustainable development in Saudi Arabia under the Kingdom Vision of 2030. Additionally, this work provides suggestions for firm management regarding the importance of CSR commitment and corporate governance mechanisms in enhancing corporate investment decisions. Finally, the outcomes of this research are beneficial for investors, as they represent the factors to be considered before making investment decisions

Cadre réglementaire REACH, son impact dans les industries chimiques et un exemple d'application dans le développement pharmaceutique

PARIS-BIUP (751062107) / SudocSudocFranceF

Nanostructured Fe,Co-Codoped MoO₃ Thin Films

Molybdenum oxide (MoO3) and Fe,Co-codoped MoO3 thin films obtained by spray pyrolysis have been in-depth investigated to understand the effect of Co and Fe codoping on MoO3 thin films. The effect of Fe and Co on the structural, morphological and optical properties of MoO3 thin films have been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), optical and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and electropyroelectric methods. The XRD patterns demonstrated the formation of orthorhombic &#945;-MoO3 by spray pyrolysis. SEM characterization has shown an increase in roughness of MoO3 thin films by Fe and Co doping. Optical reflectance and transmittance measurements have shown an increase in optical band gap with the increase in Fe and Co contents. Thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of Fe,Co-doped MoO3 were 24.10&#8315;25.86 Wm&#8722;1K&#8722;1 and 3.80 &#215; 10&#8722;6&#8315;5.15 &#215; 10&#8722;6 m2s&#8722;1, respectively. MoO3 thin films have shown PL emission. Doping MoO3 with Fe and Co increases emission in the visible range due to an increase number of chemisorbed oxygen atoms. The photodegradation of an aqueous solution of methylene blue (MB) depended on the content of the codoping elements (Fe,Co). The results showed that a degradation efficiency of 90% was observed after 60 min for MoO3: Fe 2%-Co 1%, while the degradation efficiency was about 35% for the undoped MoO3 thin film

Characterization of natural Yemeni zeolites as powder sorbents for ammonium valorization from domestic waste water streams using high rate activated sludge processes

BACKGROUND In this study three natural Yemeni zeolites (NZ1, NZ2 and NZ3) having major minerals such as clinoptilolite and mordenite, were evaluated as low cost sorbents for the removal and recovery of ammonium ions. RESULTS The zeolite samples, with pHPZC =¿9.1¿±¿0.2, 7.9¿±¿0.2 and 7.4¿±¿0.2 for NZ1, NZ2 and NZ3, respectively, showed high ammonium sorption capacities. At pH¿8, for treated waste waters: (i) with low NH4+ levels (from 25 to 100 mgNH4/L); and (ii) for concentrated NH4+ side streams generated from the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge (from 400 up to 1500¿mg L-1), maximum loading capacities of 27 to 51 mgNH4 g-1 were measured for the studied zeolites. Measured sorption isotherms, in the concentration range 0.05 to 5¿g L-1, were well described by the Langmuir isotherm. The ammonium sorption kinetics was controlled by particle diffusion and was well described by both the homogeneous diffusion (HPDM) and shell progressive (SPM) models. CONCLUSION Comparison of the equilibrium data with results for natural and synthetic zeolites demonstrate the higher performance of the studied zeolites providing low residual ammonium values <1 mgNH4 g-1 and <10 mgNH4 g-1 when treating both diluted and concentrated-NH4+ streams, respectively

Case of Massive Hydatid Pulmonary Embolism Incidentally Discovered in a 56-Year-Old Woman with Posttraumatic Abdominal Pain

Hydatid pulmonary embolism rarely occurs. It arises from the rupture of a hydatid heart cyst or the opening of a visceral hydatid cyst into the venous circulation. We report a case with pulmonary hydatidosis resulting in a massive bilateral pulmonary embolism in a 56-year-old woman with history of hepatic echinococcosis. A brief overview of clinical features and radiologic findings is presented

Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Properties of a Crude Polysaccharide Derived from Green Seaweed <i>Halimeda tuna</i>: Computational and Experimental Evidences

In this study, we investigated for the first time the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of crude polysaccharide (PSHT) extracted from green marine algae Halimeda tuna. PSHT exhibited anti-oxidant activity in vitro through scavenging 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydroxyl free radical, reducing Fe3+/ferricyanide complex, and inhibiting nitric oxide. PSHT maintained the erythrocyte membrane integrity and prevented hemolysis. Our results also showed that PSHT exerted a significant anti-edematic effect in vivo by decreasing advanced oxidation protein products and malondialdehyde levels and increasing the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in rat’s paw model and erythrocytes. Interestingly, PSHT increased the viability of murine RAW264.7 macrophages and exerted an anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells by decreasing pro-inflammatory molecule levels, including nitric oxide, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Our findings indicate that PSHT could be used as a potential immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-hemolytic, and anti-oxidant agent. These results could be explained by the computational findings showing that polysaccharide building blocks bound both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and TNF-α with acceptable affinities

Screening in Planarians Identifies MORN2 as a Key Component in LC3-Associated Phagocytosis and Resistance to Bacterial Infection

International audienceDugesia japonica planarian flatworms are naturally exposed to various microbes but typically survive this challenge. We show that planarians eliminate bacteria pathogenic to Homo sapiens, Caenorhabditis elegans, and/or Drosophila melanogaster and thus represent a model to identify innate resistance mechanisms. Whole-transcriptome analysis coupled with RNAi screening of worms infected with Staphylococcus aureus or Legionella pneumophila identified 18 resistance genes with nine human orthologs, of which we examined the function of MORN2. Human MORN2 facilitates phagocytosis-mediated restriction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, L. pneumophila, and S. aureus in macrophages. MORN2 promotes the recruitment of LC3, an autophagy protein also involved in phagocytosis, to M. tuberculosis-containing phagosomes and subsequent maturation to degradative phagolysosomes. MORN2-driven trafficking of M. tuberculosis to single-membrane, LC3-positive compartments requires autophagy-related proteins Atg5 and Beclin-1, but not Ulk-1 and Atg13, highlighting the importance of MORN2 in LC3-associated phagocytosis. These findings underscore the value of studying planarian defenses to identify immune factors