Hazardous Waste Reduction Continuation

A silicone manufacturing process yields two-phase wastewater, of which the aqueous phase flashes at 2°C primarily due to hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO). To be classified as non-hazardous and immediately disposable, it must flash above 60°C. Project objectives entailed identifying a method and then designing a prototype for on-site aqueous phase treatment, removing enough HMDSO for non-hazardous disposal. The previous team’s proposal was gravity separation, NaCl extraction, and feeding through an activated carbon packed bed. Extraction proved ineffective, packed bed outlet samples flashed at 52°C, and HMDSO quantification methodology was incorrect. From titration, wastewater was determined to be 3.3 ± 0.2 wt.% aqueous ammonia. This ammonia concentration was used to spike water samples prepared with variable HMDSO concentrations with the target of determining HMDSO concentrations in the treated water that would flash above 60°C. Without ammonia, 36 ppm HMDSO passed the flash point test. Adding ammonia expanded the tolerance to \u3e50 ppm HMDSO. Waste was subjected to various treatment method combinations: adsorption on activated carbon, reaction with bleach, and semi-batch gas stripping with nitrogen in column packed with ceramic saddles. Flash point results are given below. The process very nearly satisfies the 60°C flash point goal, with some variation. To correctly quantify HMDSO, standard addition was used with GC. Consequently, the proposed treatment process is gravity phase separation, activated carbon packed bed treatment, and then semi-batch stripping with nitrogen. Recommendations for future work are to explore amendments to the proposed procedure, including time-dependent mass transfer analysis, counter-current gas stripping through a packed bed, and implementation of automated sample preparation and testing.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1154/thumbnail.jp

Aqueous extract effects of sorne common weed species against certain plant pathogenic fungi

Antifungal effects of 64 common weed species belonging to 29 plant families against Penicillium digitatum Sacc., Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) De Hary, and Verticillium dahliae Kleb were investigated under laboratory conditions. Aqueous extracts ofmany weed species were toxic to growth and/or sporulation of one more of the tested fungi, while ceitain weed extracts showed stimulatory effects. Extracts were varied in their antifungal activities and in the persistence oftheir effects. Antifungal effects differ from species to species and from family to another. Among an species tested, the most toxic extracts were those of Chenopodium murale, Crepis aspera and Ranunculus asiaticus to P. digitatum. Erodium cruciatum, Euphorbia helioscopia and R. asiaticus to S. sclerotiorum and E. helioscopia, Galium tricornutum, Sisymbrium irio and R. asiaticus to V dahliae. The extract from R. asiaticus was the most toxic to the three fungal species, and completely prevented their growth and sporulation at an periods of incubation

Influence of different dynamic sporting disciplines on right ventricular Structure and function in elite male athletes.

Our objective was to assess the influence of different levels of exposure to dynamic training on right ventricular (RV) structure, function and mechanics in elite male athletes. We recruited 492 male elite athletes aged between 18 and 30 years old. Athletes were grouped according to their sporting discipline using the Mitchell Classification as Low Dynamic (LD), Moderate Dynamic (MD) or High Dynamic (HD). All participants underwent 2D, Doppler, tissue Doppler and strain (ε) echocardiography with a focused and comprehensive assessment of the right heart. Athletes involved in MD sports had the largest absolute RV chamber size and when scaled to body size RVOT PLAX, RVOT2, RVD1 and RVD3 were larger in HD compared to MD and LD athletes. There were no between group differences in conventional RV functional indices as well as global RV ε (LD: - 23.4 ± 3.1 vs. MD: - 22.7 ± 2.7 vs. HD: - 23.5 ± 2.6, %) and strain rate (P > 0.01). The base to apex ε gradient in the RV septum was lower in the MD athletes compared to HD and LD due to a lower apical septal ε which significantly correlated with absolute RV chamber size. After scaling for body size there was evidence of larger RV cavities in both MD and HD athletes compared to LD athletes. Global RV function, ε and strain rate were not different between groups. MD athletes had lower apical septal ε that contributed to a smaller base-to-apex ε gradient that is partially associated with larger absolute RV chamber dimensions

Use of Novel Drying Technologies to Improve the Retention of Infused Olive Leaf Polyphenols

The infusion of phenolic extracts in dried fruits constitutes an interesting means of improving their nutritional content. However, drying can affect the further process of impregnation. In this work, different drying treatments (air temperature and ultrasound application) were applied to apple samples and impregnated with olive leaf extract. The application of ultrasound during drying did not significantly (p<0.05) affect the infusion capacity of samples, but the ultrasonically assisted dried samples showed a greater antioxidant capacity than those conventionally dried. The highest content of oleuropein and verbascoside was found in samples dried at low temperature using ultrasound.The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) and FEDER, and the Generalitat Valenciana (from the projects DPI2012-37466-CO3-03, PROMETEO/2010/062, and the FPI fellowship granted to J.V. Santacatalina).Santacatalina Bonet, JV.; Ahmad-Qasem Mateo, MH.; Barrajón-Catalán, E.; Micol, V.; García Pérez, JV.; Cárcel Carrión, JA. (2015). Use of Novel Drying Technologies to Improve the Retention of Infused Olive Leaf Polyphenols. Drying Technology. 33(9):1051-1060. https://doi.org/10.1080/07373937.2014.982251S1051106033

Constraints on f(RijklRijkl)f(R_{ijkl}R^{ijkl}) gravity: An evidence against the covariant resolution of the Pioneer anomaly

We consider corrections in the form of $\Delta L(R_{ijkl}R^{ijkl})$ to the Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian. Then we compute the corrections to the Schwarszchild geometry due to the inclusion of this general term to the Lagrangian. We show that $\Delta L_3=\alpha_{{1/3}}(R_{ijkl}R^{ijkl})^{{1/3}}$ gives rise to a constant anomalous acceleration for objects orbiting the Sun onward the Sun. This leads to the conclusion that $\alpha_{{1/3}}=(13.91\pm 2.11) \times 10^{-26}(\frac{1}{\text{meters}})^{{2/3}}$ would have covariantly resolved the Pioneer anomaly if this value of $\alpha_{{1/3}}$ had not contradicted other observations. We notice that the experimental bounds on $\Delta L_3$ grows stronger in case we examine the deformation of the space-time geometry around objects lighter than the Sun. We therefore use the high precision measurements around the Earth (LAGEOS and LLR) and obtain a very strong constraint on the corrections in the form of $\Delta L(R_{ijkl}R^{ijkl})$ and in particular $\Delta L=\alpha_n(R_{ijkl}R^{ijkl})^n$. This bound requires $\alpha_{{1/3}}\leq6.12\times 10^{-29}(\frac{1}{\text{meters}})^{{2/3}}$. Therefore it refutes the covariant resolution of the Pioneer anomaly.Comment: ...v5: references added, new discussions adde

HEMATOLOGICAL CHANGES IN PRISONERS WITH HIGHER BLOOD LEAD LEVELS COMPARED WITH GENERAL POPULATION

Lead (Pb) is one of the major environmental health hazards. From a biological point of view, lead is considered as anon-essential trace element and has no any biological function. The aims of the present study were to study blood lead levels among prisoners in the Northern of Jordan. Two prisons in the northern of Jordan were visited. Blood samples were collected and evaluated for hematological parameters and blood lead level. The study included 73 participants (46 prisoners and 27 participants as control). Study findings revealed low exposure of lead among study participants. The mean blood lead level among prisoners was 0.924 μg/dl, and 0.57μg/dl among control group. Hematological parameters under study were less in prisoners compared control group. Study findings revealed significant relationships between blood lead level and hematological parameters among prisoners. Taken together, the present study evaluated the effects of lead exposure on prisoners through studying these effects on some hematological parameters. The findings of the present study indicated that even prisoners had more blood lead levels compared with control group; the exposure variations were not statistically significant, but able to induce changes on studied hematological parameters

A pilot study of road lighting, cycle lighting and obstacle detection

This article investigates cyclists’ detection of an obstacle on the surface of the road ahead, observed in peripheral vision, and how this is affected by variations in light level from road and cycle lighting. The data analysed were the height at which a rising obstacle was detected, this simulating an approaching irregularity in the road surface. The results suggest that when cycling on a lit road, cycle lighting frequently offers no benefit for peripheral detection and may make it worse. It was demonstrated that position matters: at low illuminances a hub-mounted lamp improved detection over a handlebar-mounted lamp. This benefit was sufficient to offset the reduction in detection found when decreasing road lighting from 2.0 to 0.2 lux

Anticancer property of hexane extract of Suaeda fruticose plant leaves against different cancer cell lines

Purpose: To evaluate the bioactivity of hexane extract of S. fruticosa leaves against the cancer cell lines HepG2, MCF-7, and HCT-116, and to determine the chemical composition-function relationship. Methods: Using the liquid-liquid extraction method, the nonpolarL constituent compounds were isolated from the leaves. The cytotoxicity of the hexane extract was evaluated using an SRB assay. Mechanism of action was verified by observing the appearance of apoptotic bodies using fluorescence microscopy, while anti-proliferative activity was assayed via flow cytometry. Results: The results revealed that secondary metabolites in the hexane extract demonstrated the highest cytotoxicity, and thus anticancer activity, against HCT-116 cells, with an IC50 of 17.15 ± 0.78 mg/mL. The presence of apoptotic bodies indicate an ability to induce apoptosis. Flow cytometry results suggest that the secondary metabolites stalled the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. Conclusion: The results indicate that S. fruticosa hexane extract may be considered a potential new source of the anti-cancer compound, momilactone B. Keywords: Anticancer, Apoptosis, Colon Cancer, Liver cancer, Breast cancer, Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, Suaeda fruticose, Momilactone

A meta-analysis for echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular structure and function in ARVC.

INTRODUCTION: Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited pathology that can increase the risk of sudden death. Current Task Force Criteria for echocardiographic diagnosis do not include new, regional assessment tools which may be relevant in a phenotypically diverse disease. We adopted a systematic review and meta-analysis approach to highlight echocardiographic indices that differentiated ARVC patients and healthy controls. METHODS: Data was extracted and analysed from prospective trials that employed a case-control design meeting strict inclusion and exclusion as well as a-priori quality criteria. Structural indices included proximal RV outflow tract(RVOT1) and RV diastolic area(RVDarea). Functional indices included RV fractional area change (RVFAC), Tricuspid Annular Systolic Excursion(TAPSE), peak systolic and early diastolic myocardial velocities (S' and E' respectively) and myocardial strain. RESULTS: Patients with ARVC had larger RVOT1 (mean SD; 34 vs. 28 mm P<0.001) and RVDarea (23 vs. 18 cm2 P<0.001) compared to healthy controls. ARVC patients also had lower RVFAC (38 vs. 46 % P<0.001), TAPSE(17 vs. 23 mm P<0.001), S' (9 vs. 12 cm.s-1 P<0.001), E' (9 vs. 13 cm.s-1 P<0.001) and myocardial strain (-17 vs. -30% P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The data from this meta-analysis support current Task Force criteria for the diagnosis of ARVC. In addition, other RV measures that reflect the complex geometry and function in ARVC clearly differentiated between ARVC and healthy controls and may provide additional diagnostic and management value. We recommend that future working groups consider this data when proposing new / revised criteria for the echocardiographic diagnosis of ARVC

Right ventricular function in elite male athletes meeting the structural echocardiographic task force criteria for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Athlete pre-participation screening is focused on detecting pathological conditions like arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). The diagnosis of ARVC is established by applying the revised 2010 ARVC Task Force Criteria (TFC) that assesses RV structure and function. Some athletes may meet structural TFC without having ARVC but we do not know the consequences for RV function. This study compared RV structural and functional indices in male athletes that meet the structural TFC (MTFC) for ARVC and those that do not (NMTFC). We recruited 214 male elite athletes. All participants underwent 2D, Doppler, tissue Doppler and strain (ε) echocardiography with a focused and comprehensive assessment of the right heart. Athletes were grouped on RV structural data: MTFC n = 34; NMTFC n = 180. Functional data were compared between groups. By selection, MTFC had larger absolute and scaled RV outflow tract (RVOT) diameter compared to NMTFC (P ˂0.05) but these athletes did not develop a proportional increase in the RV inflow dimensions. There was no difference in global conventional RV systolic function between both groups however, there was significantly lower global RV ε in athletes that MTFC which can be explained, in part, by the RVOT dimension