A review of imperative technologies for wastewater treatment I: oxidation technologies at ambient conditions

Nowadays, due to the increasing presence of molecules, refractory to the microorganisms in the wastewater streams, the conventional biological methods cannot be used for complete treatment of the effluent and hence, introduction of newer technologies to degrade these refractory molecules into smaller molecules, which can be further oxidized by biological methods, has become imperative. The present work aims at highlighting five different oxidation processes operating at ambient conditions viz. cavitation, photocatalytic oxidation, Fenton's chemistry (belonging to the class of advanced oxidation processes) and ozonation, use of hydrogen peroxide (belonging to the class of chemical oxidation technologies). The work highlights the basics of these individual processes including the optimum operating parameters and the reactor design aspects with a complete overview of the various applications to wastewater treatment in the recent years. In the next article of this two article series on imperative technologies, hybrid methods (basically combination of the oxidation processes) will be discussed and the current work forms a useful foundation for the work focusing on hybrid technologies

Cavitation: a technology on the horizon

An overview of the application of cavitation phenomenon for the intensification of chemical/physical processing applications has been presented here, discussing the causes for the observed enhancement and highlighting some of the typical examples. The important considerations required for efficient scale-up of the cavitational reactors and subsequent industrial applications have been depicted based on the work carried out as a result of sponsored projects at the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. Overall, it appears that the combined efforts of physicists, chemists and chemical engineers are required to effectively use cavitational reactors for industrial applications. Some recommendations for further work to be carried out in this area have also been mentioned, which should allow the exploitation of this technology on an industrial scale

Efficacy of Ayurvedic multidimentional therapy in Darunaka - A Case Study

Ancient Acharyas have stated that ‘Shira’ is one among the ‘Dashapranayatana’ and it is very much important to protect the ‘Shira’ from any external and internal trauma as all sensory organs or Indriyas are located here. Darunaka is a condition affecting the Shirotwaka and hair and it is commonly encountered in a clinical practice. It affects almost everyone mostly in the adult life. Dryness, itching, scaling of the scalp along with hair-fall are the cardinal symptoms of this disease involving mainly vitiated Vata and Kapha Doshas. In modern dermatological practice, there is no any satisfactory remedy for this irritating disorder. Hence, many patients are looking with a hope towards Ayurveda. In the present case study, a 22 years old female patient having symptoms of Darunaka was treated with Ayurvedic Chikitsa. The combine effect of Shodhana Chikitsa and Shamana Aushadhis along with Sthanika Chikitsa in the form of Lepa and Dhavana were advocated and at the same time, Nidana Parivarjana was strictly followed. The assessment of symptoms of the disease was done with the help of gradation index of symptoms of Darunaka. There was significant relief in all the complaints of patient within a period of two months

Ultrasound intensification suppresses the need of methanol excess during the biodiesel production with Lipozyme TL-IM

The synthesis of biodiesel from sunflower oil and methanol based on transesterification using the immobilized lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (Lipozyme TL-IM) has been investigated under silent conditions and under an ultrasound field. Ultrasound assisted process led to reduced processing time and requirement of lower enzyme dosage. We found for the first time that ratio 1:3 (oil to methanol) was favoured for the ultrasound assisted enzymatic process which is lower as that favoured for the silent process (ratio of 1.4). Our results indicate that intensification provided by ultrasound suppresses the need of the excess of the methanol reactant during the enzymatic biodiesel production. Ultrasound assisted enzymatic biodiesel production is therefore a faster and a cleaner processes.The authors acknowledge Brenntag India Pvt. Ltd. for kindly providing gift sample of lipase enzyme Lipozyme TL IM to carry out the research work. All authors acknowledge the funding of Department of Science and Technology and Portuguese Science Foundation under the Indo-Portuguese collaborative program

Awareness regarding eye donation among stakeholders in Srikakulam district in South India

Background There is a huge need for the availability of transplantable donor corneas worldwide to reduce the burden of corneal blindness due to corneal opacity. Voluntary eye donation depends on the awareness levels of various stakeholders in the community. This study aimed to assess the awareness level regarding eye donation among various stakeholders in Srikakulam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods 355 subjects were selected from the district using multi stage random sampling. A pre tested semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding each individual’s awareness, knowledge, and perception regarding eye donation. Each response was scored individually and a total score was calculated. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with willingness towards eye donation and increased awareness levels. Results Of the 355 subjects interviewed, 192 (54%) were male and 163 (46%) were female. The mean age of the stakeholders was 35.9 years (SD ±16.1) and all the study subjects were literate. Ninety-three percent of subjects were aware of the concept of eye donation. Knowledge levels were similar among the teaching community and persons engaged in social service, but lower among students (p < 0.05). Among the stakeholders, there was considerable ambiguity regarding whether persons currently wearing spectacles or suffering from a chronic illnesses could donate their eyes. Older age group (p < 0.001), female gender (p < 0.001) and education (p < 0.001) were associated with increased knowledge levels. 82% of the subjects were willing to donate their eyes and this was unaffected by gender or geographical location (rural vs urban). Conclusions Awareness levels and willingness to donate eyes are high among the stakeholders in Srikakulam district in India. The services of stakeholders could be utilized, in conjunction with other community based eye donation counselors, to promote awareness regarding eye donation among the general population

BUDHIES IV:Deep 21-cm neutral Hydrogen, optical, and UV imaging data of Abell 963 and Abell 2192 at z ≃ 0.2

In this paper, we present data from the Blind Ultra-Deep H I Environmental Survey (BUDHIES), which is a blind 21-cm H I spectral line imaging survey undertaken with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope. Two volumes were surveyed, each with a single pointing and covering a redshift range of 0.164 < z < 0.224. Within these two volumes, this survey targeted the clusters Abell 963 and Abell 2192, which are dynamically different and offer unique environments to study the process of galaxy evolution within clusters. With an integration time of 117 × 12 h on Abell 963 and 72 × 12 h on Abell 2192, a total of 166 galaxies were detected and imaged in H I. While the clusters themselves occupy only 4 per cent of the 73 400 Mpc3 surveyed by BUDHIES, most of the volume consists of large-scale structures in which the clusters are embedded, including foreground and background overdensities and voids. We present the data processing and source detection techniques and counterpart identification based on a wide-field optical imaging survey using the Isaac Newton Telescope and deep ultraviolet (UV) Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) imaging. Finally, we present H I and optical catalogues of the detected sources as well as atlases of their global H I properties, which include integrated column density maps, position-velocity diagrams, global H I profiles, and optical and UV images of the H I sources

Variation of cataract surgery costs in four different graded providers of China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>China has the largest population of cataract patients in the world. However, the cataract surgery rate per million remains low in China. We carried out a survey on costs of cataract surgery from four different graded providers in China and analyzed differences in cost among these clinics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>1,189 patients were recruited for the study in four eye clinics, located in two provinces, Guangdong province in southern China and Hubei province in central China. The average cost of each cataract surgery episode was calculated including cost of intraocular lens, cost of drugs and facility cost. We also collected information on reimbursement and disposable annual income of local residents.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean total cost per cataract intervention of four different providers varied considerably, ranging from US$1,293 in Union Hospital to US$ 536 in Jingshan County Hospital. In all providers, except for Jingshan County Hospital, the cost exceeded annual disposable income of local rural residents. As to the proportion of patients with reimbursement, the figure for Union Hospital was only 36%, while for other three clinics it was more than 60%. There was a significant difference between mean reimbursement ratios, with the highest ratio in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center being 71%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Significant differences in costs of cataract surgery were found among the 4 different graded providers. A part of the cost was borne by patients. Proportion of patients with reimbursement and mean reimbursement ratios were higher in economically developed regions than in economically developing regions. Much more financial support should be directed into the rural New Cooperative Medical Scheme to raise the reimbursement ratio in rural China.</p

Cardiovascular Effects of Canagliflozin in Relation to Renal Function and Albuminuria

Background: People with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have elevated cardiovascular (CV) risk, including for hospitalization for heart failure (HHF). Canagliflozin reduced CV and kidney events in patients with T2DM and high CV risk or nephropathy in the CANVAS (CANagliflozin cardioVascular Assessment Study) Program and the CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes with Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation) trial. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of canagliflozin on CV outcomes according to baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR) in pooled patient-level data from the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE trial. Methods: Canagliflozin effects on CV death or HHF were assessed by baseline eGFR (60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and UACR (300 mg/g). HRs and 95% CIs were estimated by using Cox regression models overall and according to subgroups. Results: A total of 14,543 participants from the CANVAS Program (N = 10,142) and the CREDENCE (N = 4,401) trial were included, with a mean age of 63 years, 35% female, 75% White, 13.2% with baseline eGFR 300 mg/g. Rates of CV death or HHF increased as eGFR declined and/or UACR increased. Canagliflozin significantly reduced CV death or HHF compared with placebo (19.4 vs 28.0 events per 1,000 patient-years; HR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.62-0.79), with consistent results across eGFR and UACR categories (all P interaction >0.40). Conclusions: Risk of CV death or HHF was higher in those with lower baseline eGFR and/or higher UACR. Canagliflozin consistently reduced CV death or HHF in participants with T2DM and high CV risk or nephropathy regardless of baseline renal function or level of albuminuria. (Canagliflozin Cardiovascular Assessment Study [CANVAS], NCT01032629; A Study of the Effects of Canagliflozin [JNJ-24831754] on Renal Endpoints in Adult Participants With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus [CANVAS-R], NCT01989754; and Evaluation of the Effects of Canagliflozin on Renal and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Participants With Diabetic Nephropathy [CREDENCE], NCT02065791