Sorption of lead from aqueous solutions by spent tea leaf

An adsorbent was prepared using spent tea leaf and was used to remove lead (Pb) from solution. The Pb removal by the spent tea leaf adsorbent depended on pretreatment of spent tea leaf, adsorption contact time and adsorbent dosage. The optimum pretreatment conditions were confirmed to be that tea leaf was ground to 0.28-0.45 mm in diameter and then drenched in 0.3 M NaOH for 12 h. Adsorption kinetic study showed that the adsorption of Pb onto the spent tea leaf followed the pseudo-secondordermodel. The adsorption was time dependent and adsorbent dosage dependent. The optimum contact time was 8 h

Phosphorus elimination from aqueous solution using 'zirconium loaded okara' as a biosorbent

This work deals with the capture of phosphorus from aqueous solutions by biosorption onto zirconium loaded okara (ZLO). The batch-mode experiments were conducted to examine the effect of pH, biosorbent dose, initial phosphorus concentration, contact time, and temperature on the process. It was found that, the adsorption was most favored in the pH range of 2-6. The optimal doses for the adsorption, at initial phosphorus concentrations of 5, 10, 25, 50mg/L were 2, 3, 7, 10g/L, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of ZLO was approximately 44.13mg PO4/g at 298K. The phosphate removal was rapid, reaching 95% in 30min. Freundlich model best fitted the equilibrium data, while Pseudo-second order model satisfactorily described the kinetic results. Thermodynamic analysis revealed feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic nature of the process. The research would be beneficial for developing a promising, eco-friendly phosphorus biosorbent from a plentiful AWB - okara. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd

Development of specific RAPD markers for identifying albino tea cultivars ‘Qiannianxue’ and ‘Xiaoxueya’

Albino tea cultivars grow white leaves at low temperature which are valuable materials for processing green tea, but they develop green leaves in summer and autumn seasons. It is difficult to discriminate albino tea cuttings from the normal tea cuttings by leaf colour and plant morphological characteristics.Specific RAPD markers for identifying albino tea cultivars ‘Qiannianxue’ and ‘Xiaoxueya’ were developed in the present paper and they can be used in the authentication of the two albino tea cultivars. An amplified fragment (about 1500 bp) from Primer (S 12 (Sangon Biological Engineering Technology and Services Co., Ltd.) was identified in the albino teas and not from the widely cultivated cultivar; Fudingdabai

L'evoluzione della nozione di "consumatore" fra tutela dei diritti della persona, economia collaborativa e futuro del mercato interno dell'Unione europea

Il saggio sescrive l'evoluzione della nozione di "consumatore" nel diritto dell'Unione europea. Il "consumatore" \ue8 stato definito giuridicamente in una prima fase del processo di integrazione economica dalla Corte di giustizia come soggetto mediamente informato e normalmente avveduto, onde superare gli ostacoli alla libera circolazione delle merci frapposti dagli Stati membri in ragione dell'esigenza imperativa di tutelare il "soggetto debole" nei rapporti commerciali di massa. In questa prima fase la nozione aveva quindi una funzione essenzialmente "dissuasiva" del protezionismo e non assumeva, quindi, connotati paternalistici. Con l'evoluzione dell'integrazione europea, l'accentuazione della sensibilit\ue0 giuridica dell'ordinamento UE per la "persona" ed i suoi diritti fondamentali, la nozione di "consumatore" ha iniziato a mutare, vedendosi affiancare quella di "soggetto vulnerabile" (direttiva 2005/29 CE) e, progressivamente, estendere caratteristiche di fragilit\ue0 individuale ed ingenuit\ue0 precedentemente sconosciute alla elaborazione giuridica della Corte. Il processo evolutivo in questione \ue8 ancora in corso, e rischia, soprattutto nei settori pi\uf9 sensibili (come, a titolo esemplificativo, quello alimentare) di creare ostacoli allo sviluppo economico, in totale controtendenza rispetto alle finalit\ue0 perseguite negli anni ottanta

Design and Testing of Cesium Atomic Concentration Detection System Based on TDLAS

In order to better build the Neutral Beam Injector with Negative Ion Source (NNBI), the pre-research on key technologies has been carried out for the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT). Cesium seeding into negative-ion sources is a prerequisite to obtain the required negative hydrogen ion. The performance of ion source largely depends on the cesium conditions in the source. It is very necessary to quantitatively measure the amount of cesium in the source during the plasma on and off periods (vacuum stage). This article uses the absorption peak of cesium atoms near 852.1nm to build a cesium atom concentration detection system based on Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) technology. The test experiment based on the cesium cell is carried out, obtained the variation curve of cesium concentration at different temperatures. The experimental results indicate that: the system detection range is within 5*10E6-2.5*10E7 pieces/cm3 and the system resolution better than 1*10E6 pieces/cm3.Comment: 8 pages,7 figures, the 20th International Symposium on Laser-Aided Plasma Diagnostic

Comparing the value of bioproducts from different stages of anaerobic membrane bioreactors

© 2016 Elsevier Ltd The anaerobic digestion process in anaerobic membrane bioreactors is an effective way for waste management, energy sustainability and pollution control in the environment. This digestion process basically involves the production of volatile fatty acids and biohydrogen as intermediate products and methane as a final product. This paper compares the value of bioproducts from different stages of anaerobic membrane bioreactors through a thorough assessment. The value was assessed in terms of technical feasibility, economic assessment, environmental impact and impact on society. Even though the current research objective is more inclined to optimize the production of methane, the intermediate products could also be considered as economically attractive and environment friendly options. Hence, this is the first review study to correlate the idea into an anaerobic membrane bioreactor which is expected to guide future research pathways regarding anaerobic process and its bioproducts

Aplicaciones del Laser Holmiun en Urología

Introducción: El laser es una tecnología de amplias aplicaciones industriales, biológicas y de investigación que se logra con grandes cantidades de energía transformada en radiación electromagnéti­ca que emite finalmente haces de luz produciendo un efecto fototérmico o fotoacústico. En el caso del láser Holmiun debido a su amplia longitud de onda (2120nm) permite realizar distintos procedimien­tos como la ablación y corte de tejidos, litotripsia y vapori­zación tisular. Objetivo: Presentar los tratamientos mínima­mente invasivos mediante laser Holmium (New Star®, 18W), en distintos padecimientos urológicos realizados hasta la fecha en el país. Material y Métodos: Se presentan los 10 primeros casos de cirugías endourológicas con el laser Holmium realizadas entre julio de 2011 y diciembre de 2012 en el Sanatorio Adventista de Asunción, principalmente litotripcias como nefrolitotripsia percutánea, ureterolitotripcia distal y proximal, nefrolitotripcia vía retrograda mediante uso de ureteroscopio flexible, cistolitotripsia y la cervicotomía vesical y uretrotomía interna, todos ellos em­pleando un equipo de laser Holmium de 18W. Resultados: Se realizaron un caso de nefrolitotripsia percutánea, dos litotripsias caliciales vía retrograda, seis uretero-litotripsias distales y una cistolitotripsia. En tres casos de uretero-litotripsia se requirió de uretrotomía por estrechez uretral bulbar y de anastomosis uretrovesical. Un caso de ureterolitotripsia fue reintervenido por los fragmentos residuales. No hubo perforaciones de mucosas y las retropulsiones fueron mínimas. Se efectuó uretrografía retrógrada de control y calibraciones uretrales en los casos de uretrotomía y de la cervicotomía con láser. Se ejecutaron radiografías simples de las vías urinarias en cistolitotripsia, ureterolitotripsia y nefrolitotripsia percutánea y retrograda, todos ellos mostrando  mejorías  anatómicas. Conclusiones: El laser Holmium es una herramienta que posee un excelente perfil de eficacia y seguridad. Se destaca su generalización en los últimos años para el manejo de las patologías obstructivas del tracto urinario y de la enferme­dad litiásica, de la cual actualmente se constituye como el “estándar de oro”. El campo de la endourología constituye un área primordial para el urólogo general, por lo cual el adiestramiento y empleo de la tecnología laser, constituye uno de los mayores retos en la forma­ción profesional del mismo ya que ha permitido incorporar el  endoscopio flexible  que abarca la totalidad del tracto urinario

Understanding and Optimizing Capacitance Performance in Reduced Graphene-Oxide Based Supercapacitors

Reduced graphene-oxide (RGO)-based electrodes in supercapacitors deliver high energy/power capacities compared to typical nanoporous carbon materials. However, extensive critical analysis of literature reveals enormous discrepancies (up to 250 F g-1 ) in the reported capacitance (variation of 100-350 F g-1 ) of RGO materials synthesized under seemingly similar methods, inhibiting an understanding of capacitance variation. Here, the key factors that control the capacitance performance of RGO electrodes are demonstrated by analyzing and optimizing various types of commonly applied electrode fabrication methods. Beyond usual data acquisition parameters and oxidation/reduction properties of RGO, a substantial difference of more than 100% in capacitance values (with change from 190 ± 20 to 340 ± 10 F g-1 ) is found depending on the electrode preparation method. For this demonstration, ≈40 RGO-based electrodes are fabricated from numerous distinctly different RGO materials via typically applied methods of solution (aqueous and organic) casting and compressed powders. The influence of data acquisition conditions and capacitance estimation practices are also discussed. Furthermore, by optimizing electrode processing method, a direct surface area governed capacitance relationship for RGO structures is revealed

Antifatigue Effect of Millettiae speciosae Champ (Leguminosae) Extract in Mice

Purpose: To evaluate whether Millettiae Speciosae Champ. (Leguminosae) can enhance exercise performance as well as ascertain if it a potential functional food material.Methods: The extract of Millettia speciosa Champ. (MSE) was orally administered to mice in 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg doses to investigate its anti-fatigue effect in both forced swimming and climbing tests. Glycogen, triglyceride (TG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels in plasma which can indicate alterations in energy utilization during exercise performance, were determined to analyze the operating exercise mechanisms.Results: The results showed that swimming time to exhaustion was longer in all treated groups (41.06 ± 1.92, 47.84 ± 1.60, 54.00 ± 2.45 min for 500, 10000 and 2000 mg/kg doses, respectively) than for control (19.45 ± 0.62 min, p < 0.05). The middle and high doses of MSE-treated groups significantly prolonged the climbing time compared with control (p < 0.05). Furthermore, MSE reduced the content of TG significantly by increasing fat utilization, delayed the accumulation of BUN and decreased the level of CK (p < 0.05). In addition, administration of MSE significantly protected the depletion of muscle glycogen when compared with control (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The results show for the first time that Millettia speciosa Champ. (Leguminosae) has significant anti-fatigue activity, and also suggest that it is a potential functional food material.Keywords: Radix millettiae speciosae, Anti-fatigue activity, Exercise performance, Serum urea nitrogen, Gastrocnemius muscle glycogen, Triglyceride, Functional foo