Adsorption Studies of Coconut Shell Carbons Prepared by KOH Activation for Removal of Lead(II) From Aqueous Solutions

Removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solutions using coconut shell carbons produced by KOH activation is performed in this paper. Morphology and pore structure characteristic of coconut shell carbons are analyzed by SEM and nitrogen adsorption techniques. Effects of adsorbent concentration, agitation time and initial ion concentration on the adsorption behavior are investigated, and adsorption isotherm and kinetics on coconut shell carbons are also studied. The results show that high weight ratio of KOH/sample is favorable to produce rich porous structure. The resultant coconut shell carbons with a high specific surface area of 1135 m2/g is obtained and demonstrates good adsorption potential on removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solutions. Adsorption data fit well with Freundlich and Halsey isotherms. The kinetic studies indicate that adsorption behavior can be described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model, which also follows external diffusion and intra-particle diffusion in the adsorption process

Family aggregation and prevalence of other autoimmune diseases in SAPHO syndrome

Objective: SAPHO (Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis and Osteitis) syndrome is a heterogeneous disease that clinically manifests as chronic inflammatory osteoarticular and dermatological lesions. Few reports have described familial clustering of SAPHO syndrome cases. This research aimed to illustrate the family aggregation of SAPHO syndrome and investigate the prevalence of autoimmune disorders among SAPHO syndrome patients and first-degree relatives in a large cohort. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 233 SAPHO patients diagnosed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Direct phone calls were made to each first-degree relatives. All relatives of the patients who reported SAPHO syndrome were asked for a detailed outpatient evaluation. Results: A total of 233 patients and 1227 first-degree relatives were recruited. Six (2.6 %) patients had positive SAPHO family history, including four mother-daughter pairs and two sister pairs. Twenty-one (9.0 %) patients presented at least one kind of autoimmune disease, including 12 rheumatoid arthritis and 4 ulcerative colitis cases. Fifty-eight (24.9 %) SAPHO syndrome patients had 68 (5.5 %) first-degree relatives with at least one autoimmune disorder. The palmoplantar pustulosis, psoriasis vulgaris, and rheumatoid arthritis prevalence in our subjects were each higher than reference rates. Conclusion: This is the first evaluation of familial aggregation for SAPHO syndrome in a large cohort. SAPHO syndrome has a weak familial aggregation. There is a relatively high prevalence of coexisting autoimmune disease among patients with SAPHO syndrome and their first-degree relatives. These results would prompt physicians to screen SAPHO syndrome patients and their family members for concomitant autoimmune diseases. Keypoints: This study suggesting a potential genetic component in the pathogenesis of SAPHO syndrome. This study is the first to evaluate the family aggregation of SAPHO syndrome in a large cohort

Determination of the number of ψ(3686)\psi(3686) events at BESIII

The numbers of ψ(3686) events accumulated by the BESIII detector for the data taken during 2009 and 2012 are determined to be and , respectively, by counting inclusive hadronic events, where the uncertainties are systematic and the statistical uncertainties are negligible. The number of events for the sample taken in 2009 is consistent with that of the previous measurement. The total number of ψ(3686) events for the two data taking periods is