Removal of manganese from solution using polyamide membrane

Abstract: The work demonstrates the performance of polyamide membrane in the removal of manganese ions from single salt aqueous solution simulating real acid mine drainage. The membrane was tested using a dead-end filtration cell with manganese sulphate was used to prepare a feed solution. The membrane flux and metal rejection was evaluated. Effect of operating parameters such as pH, initial feed concentration and pressure on membrane performance was investigated. The pressure was varied between 10 and 15 bar and it was observed that increasing the pressure increases the membrane flux. Acidic pH conditions contributed to the removal of the contaminate as Mn2+ ions are freely at low pH. The percentage rejection was found to be 63.5 to 77.6 % as concentration is increased from 290 ppm to 321 ppm for a feed solution. The membrane showed satisfactory results in removing metal ions from solution

Enchi Fumiko : an examination of political aspects in Enchi Fumiko's works

Writer Enchi Fumiko (1905-1986) is one of the most successful female writer in modem Japan. Having survived major surgical procedures and the Second World War, she subsequently made a late debut as a novelist. In her later years she received many literary awards and eventually, in 1985 was awarded Bunka Kunsho (the Order of Cultural Merit). Among various topics in her works, many critics have recognised her predominant themes of feminine psychology and sexuality. They, however, tend to neglect her political aspects and are reluctant to regard her as either a political or a feminist writer. Regarding feminist themes that Enchi deals with, there is a new perspective that writing about women themselves is political. On the basis of this theory, a re-examination is claimed for Enchi's works. Enchi actually depicts many accurate historical events and also deals with gender issues in the same context. En chi's fundamental challenges to Japanese politics are certainly viewed in her works. She dealt with political issues raised in the period mostly earlier than scholars and her intention to deal with them is praiseworthy. This review of Enchi's works will lead to a new interpretation

The Early Development of Passive Treatment Systems for Mining‑Influenced Water: A North American Perspective

This paper reviews the early history (first 20 years) of passive treatment of mine water, from its beginnings, when it was viewed as a possible way to treat small flows of circumneutral and mildly acidic coal mine drainage, to its use for much larger flows and more contaminated mine water from metal mines. The original concepts of passive treatment have since been modified and used successfully to treat a wide range of mine water quality and quantities, far more than we would have believed possible.Open Access fees paid for in whole or in part by the University of Oklahoma Libraries.Ye

Tapping into the influence of keratinocyte allografts and biocenosis on healing of chronic leg ulcers: split-ulcer controlled pilot study.

peer reviewedBACKGROUND: Cultured keratinocytes may represent an alternative therapy aiming at boosting leg ulcer healing. There is no evidence-based study comparing objectively the healing rate of split-ulcer portions covered or not covered by cultured keratinocytes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of cultured keratinocytes on the healing rate of leg ulcers. METHOD: Five applications of fresh (cela, XCELLentis, Ghent, Belgium) or frozen (CryoCeal, XCELLentis) cultured allogeneic keratinocytes were performed at weekly intervals to treat large leg ulcers (mean diameter > 5 cm) in four patients. A split-ulcer study was designed to secure a control area covered only by petrolatum gauze. Clinical, planimetric, bacteriologic, and immunohistologic assessments of the keratinocyte-treated and control parts of the ulcers were performed. RESULTS: Compared with controls, planimetry revealed a beneficial effect afforded by cryopreserved cultured keratinocytes on the ulcer healing rate of two of four ulcers (+12 and 81%). The healing effect was obtained on the ulcers associated with the lowest bacterial load. Cultured keratinocytes did not qualitatively and quantitatively modify the ulcer biocenosis. They did not affect the number of any type of inflammatory cells present in the granulation tissue (type I dermal dendrocytes, macrophages, T lymphocytes, granulocytes). No specific side effect of cultured keratinocytes was evidenced. CONCLUSION: In this small case series, it appears that cultured allogeneic keratinocytes may be helpful in the healing process of venous leg ulcers. However, a clean wound with reduced bacterial load seems to be the prerequisite condition for obtaining a beneficial effect

The desmosome and pemphigus

Desmosomes are patch-like intercellular adhering junctions (“maculae adherentes”), which, in concert with the related adherens junctions, provide the mechanical strength to intercellular adhesion. Therefore, it is not surprising that desmosomes are abundant in tissues subjected to significant mechanical stress such as stratified epithelia and myocardium. Desmosomal adhesion is based on the Ca2+-dependent, homo- and heterophilic transinteraction of cadherin-type adhesion molecules. Desmosomal cadherins are anchored to the intermediate filament cytoskeleton by adaptor proteins of the armadillo and plakin families. Desmosomes are dynamic structures subjected to regulation and are therefore targets of signalling pathways, which control their molecular composition and adhesive properties. Moreover, evidence is emerging that desmosomal components themselves take part in outside-in signalling under physiologic and pathologic conditions. Disturbed desmosomal adhesion contributes to the pathogenesis of a number of diseases such as pemphigus, which is caused by autoantibodies against desmosomal cadherins. Beside pemphigus, desmosome-associated diseases are caused by other mechanisms such as genetic defects or bacterial toxins. Because most of these diseases affect the skin, desmosomes are interesting not only for cell biologists who are inspired by their complex structure and molecular composition, but also for clinical physicians who are confronted with patients suffering from severe blistering skin diseases such as pemphigus. To develop disease-specific therapeutic approaches, more insights into the molecular composition and regulation of desmosomes are required

Die Kündigung ordentlich unkündbarer Arbeitnehmer

Gusek M. Die Kündigung ordentlich unkündbarer Arbeitnehmer. Europäische Hochschulschriften: Reihe 2, Rechtswissenschaft ; 4127. Frankfurt am Main: Lang; 2005