Bioleaching of Lateritic Nickel Ore using Chemolithotrophic Micro Organisms(Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans)

In this study, the recovery of nickel from a low grade ore was attempted employing a chemolithotrophic micro organism, a bacteria, named Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. The factors studies were pulp density of the ore for leaching and the effect of residence time on leaching of nickel from the ore at a constant total iron. The entire experiment was carried out at room temperature. The objective of the study was thus to calculate the amount of nickel leached or extracted from a low grade ore by bio leaching methods at different pulp densities of the ore as well as at different residence times. The first step in the procedure was the collection and activation of the bacterial strains of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. The bacteria were raised in a culture of 9K+ media supplied with adequate calculated amount of nutrients and were shaken continuously in a shaker cum incubator to fully activate them. The activity and fully active conditions were determined by Ferrous Iron and Total Iron estimations. Pulp densities of 2%, 5%, 10% and 20% were prepared. For each residence time, 5 conical flasks were allocated for testing samples at 0 hour, 5 days, 10 days and 15 day and a control flask were prepared. Then the samples were analyzed by an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer at Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar for the percentage of nickel extracted from each sample of residence time and different pulp densities. The pH was maintained at around 1.5-2 for each sample for the optimum activity of the bacteria. The data obtained was tabulated and the required graphs were drawn to get the final result. The graphs were plotted between percentage of nickel extracted vs. residence time at various pulp densities and nickel extracted vs. pulp densities at various residence times. From the graphs, it was observed that the maximum nickel extraction was observed for a pulp density of 2% at 15 days. The percentage of nickel extraction decreases with increase in pulp densities for a particular residence time. The percentage of nickel extracted increases with the increase in residence time for a particular pulp density. The percentage of nickel extracted also depends a lot on the type of ore used, modifications made on the ore as well as on the activity of the bacteria. Higher is the activity of the bacteria, more is the extraction of nickel

A comparative study on drying of basil leaves

Basil is a popular aromatic and annual herb growing in many regions of the world.  Immediately after its harvesting, the highly perishable raw material, i.e. leaves, have to be preserved against deterioration and spoilage.  More often, during peak period, most of the crop is lost/wasted due to lack of proper post-harvest processing techniques.  Drying is by far the most widely used treatment, which needs to be performed very carefully and preciously so as to preserve the aroma and color of the leaves.  Various drying treatments and experimental methods viz., solar drying, tray drying, vacuum drying and fluidized bed drying were carried out at the temperatures of45°C,55°Cand65°Cto find and suggest the optimum drying condition for acquiring quality dried basil leaves.  Results have revealed that ‘total drying time’ is considerably reduced with the increase in drying air temperatures from45°Cto65°C.  It could be recommended that for the best drying of basil leaves, the drying operation needs to be carried out in the fluidized bed dryer at 45ºC for 30 s steam blanched sample ensuring the best results in quality of basil leaves as compared to other methods and treatments whatever considered during present study

Acute otitis externa: Consensus definition, diagnostic criteria and core outcome set development.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence for the management of acute otitis externa (AOE) is limited, with unclear diagnostic criteria and variably reported outcome measures that may not reflect key stakeholder priorities. We aimed to develop 1) a definition, 2) diagnostic criteria and 3) a core outcome set (COS) for AOE. STUDY DESIGN: COS development according to Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) methodology and parallel consensus selection of diagnostic criteria/definition. SETTING: Stakeholders from the United Kingdom. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Comprehensive literature review identified candidate items for the COS, definition and diagnostic criteria. Nine individuals with past AOE generated further patient-centred candidate items. Candidate items were rated for importance by patient and professional (ENT doctors, general practitioners, microbiologists, nurses, audiologists) stakeholders in a three-round online Delphi exercise. Consensus items were grouped to form the COS, diagnostic criteria, and definition. RESULTS: Candidate COS items from patients (n = 28) and literature (n = 25) were deduplicated and amalgamated to a final candidate list (n = 46). Patients emphasised quality-of-life and the impact on daily activities/work. Via the Delphi process, stakeholders agreed on 31 candidate items. The final COS covered six outcomes: pain; disease severity; impact on quality-of-life and daily activities; patient satisfaction; treatment-related outcome; and microbiology. 14 candidate diagnostic criteria were identified, 8 reaching inclusion consensus. The final definition for AOE was 'diffuse inflammation of the ear canal skin of less than 6 weeks duration'. CONCLUSION: The development and adoption of a consensus definition, diagnostic criteria and a COS will help to standardise future research in AOE, facilitating meta-analysis. Consulting former patients throughout development highlighted deficiencies in the outcomes adopted previously, in particular concerning the impact of AOE on daily life

An Economic Development Practitioner’s Guide to Childcare

Childcare is a critical infrastructure that supports working families, businesses, and the economy in addition to providing important care and development opportunities for infants and young children. In the United States, infant and toddler childcare is largely delivered through the private market and is subject to heavy regulations at federal, state and local levels to ensure the safety and well-being of young children. Unlike other critical infrastructures such as public schools and roads, considerations for childcare provisions are not permanently embedded into long-term city plans in most American municipalities. Support systems to reduce the numerous supply and demand side challenges are insufficient. Funds available to support families and providers are limited and resources to help them navigate the complex processes are sparse. With limited external support, families and childcare business owners both bear the consequences. Families are faced with limited access to and supply of care as well as high fees. Childcare business owners struggle with high business costs, complex processes, and regulatory burden. Economic development organizations can play a central role in redressing the challenges faced by the childcare industry by leveraging their physical assets and extending their industry and workforce development initiatives to include providers. This thesis focuses on the case of New York City where the newly elected mayor has listed childcare reform as a key city priority. It considers the pathways through which its major economic development organization, the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) can work to permanently integrate childcare considerations into its internal planning and programming along with ways in which it can collaborate with other agencies to advocate for its integration in the city’s broader, longer-term strategic plan. It offers several opportunities that the EDC can consider and case studies it can reference to understand how cities and counties across the United States have worked to support and strengthen local childcare systems.M.C.P

Glue ear management & deprivation - a retrospective study of 89 patients.

In accordance with National Guidelines, intervention for otitis media with effusion (OME) is considered when there is evidence of persistence over a 3-month period and hearing loss is judged to have a significant impact on the child's development. Deprivation is officially measured by the UK government and can be used to compare neighbourhoods and relative changes over time. There is a delay in the diagnosis of persistent OME with the majority of patients being seen well beyond the recommended 3-month active observation period. A higher deprivation score was associated with a significantly longer waiting time for diagnosis of persistent bilateral OME (p= 0.037) Universal healthcare does not guarantee fair and equal access to services for all. It is not always clear why such differences exist; however, clinicians must remain vigilant to the inequalities that may affect patient care