Culture of Selected Microalgae in Rubber and Palm Oil Mill Effluents and their Use in the Production of Enriched Rotifers

Three freshwater microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, Selellastrum gracile and Ankistrodesmus convolutlls showed high growth performances in terms of specific growth rate (SGR) of cell and chlorophyll a, total carotene and observed yield when grown in inorganic media with sodium acetate. Total protein of S. gracile was higher than A. convolutus followed by C. vulgaris, whereas reverse trend was observed in the case of total lipid. Among 11 essential amino acids (EAAs), phenylalanine, leucine and lysine were found to be higher in C. vulgaris, S. gracile and A. convolutus than other EAAS. All the evaluated polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of CIS, C20 and C22 were higher in C. vulgaris grown in Bold Basal Medium with sodium (Na) acetate (BBMAC) and Modified Medium with Na acetate (MMAC) than cultured in other media. In addition, S. gracile and A. convolutus grown in BBMAC and MMAC contained significantly (p<0.05) higher amount of PUFAs except linolenic acid ( 18:3n-3 ) and eicosatrienoic acid (20: 3n-6) than cultured in other media. All together 26 essential minerals were detected and 22 essential minerals were quantified where total bioaccumulated minerals was below the optimum level and significantly (p <0.01) correlated with these minerals available in media

Removal of Copper from Aqueous Solution Using Orange Pell, Sawdust and Bagasse

Orange peel, sawdust and bagasse have been used as adsorbents for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution. The effects of contact time, pH, concentration, dose and ionic strength on the removal of Cu(II) have been studied. Moreover, treated sawdust has been used as an adsorbent for the same. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of the adsorbents for Cu(II) was obtained by Langmuir isotherm. The ionic strength effect on the removal of Cu(II) from its aqueous solution indicated that the removal followed ion-exchange mechanism

A Dual Band Slotted Patch Antenna on Dielectric Material Substrate

A low profile, compact dual band slotted patch antenna has been designed using finite element method-based high frequency full-wave electromagnetic simulator. The proposed antenna fabricated using LPKF printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication machine on fiberglass reinforced epoxy polymer resin material substrate and the performance of the prototype has been measured in a standard far-field anechoic measurement chamber. The measured impedance bandwidths of (reflection coefficient <-10 dB) 12.26% (14.3–16.2 GHZ), 8.24% (17.4–18.9 GHz), and 3.08% (19.2–19.8) have been achieved through the proposed antenna prototype. 5.9 dBi, 3.37 dBi, and 3.32 dBi peak gains have been measured and simulated radiation efficiencies of 80.3%, 81.9%, and 82.5% have been achieved at three resonant frequencies of 15.15 GHz, 18.2 GHz, and 19.5 GHz, respectively. Minimum gain variation, symmetric, and almost steady measured radiation pattern shows that the proposed antenna is suitable for Ku and K band satellite applications

Nutritional values of chironomid larvae grown in palm oil mill effluent and algal culture

Chironomid larvae were grown in nine 70-1 tanks containing palm oil mill effluent (POME) and algol culture. The algol culture was obtained by inoculating 200 ml pure culture of Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck initially in 20-1 tap water containing inorganic fertilizer N:P:K (1:0.2:0.2). Each treatment was done in triplicate. Dissolved oxygen, pH, total nitrogen, total ammonia nitrogen, ortho-phosphate, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids and total dissolved solids of the media in each tank were analyzed. Protein, lipid ash, amino acids, fatty acids, total carotene and minerals were determined for POME, chironomid larvae, and algae. The culture was terminated after 25 days and chironomid production was determined. The production of chironomid larvae was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in POME tanks (580 g/20 1 POME) than in algal culture (35 g/20 1 algal culture). Raw palm oil mill effluents contained significantly higher (P < 0.05) arginine, methionine, isoleucine and phenylalanine than algae grown in fertilizer. The essential amino acids of chironomid larvae grown in POME such as histidine, arginine, methionine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and lysine were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in chironomid larvae grown on algal culture. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) with the exception of Υ-linolenic acid (18:3n - 6), were higher in chironomid larvae grown in POME than those grown on algal culture. Twenty seven minerals were detected by electron microscope but 23 minerals were analyzed and quantified in POME, algae, and chironomid larvae grown in POME and algol culture. The quantity of sulfur was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in POME than algae, which probably induced the synthesis of methionine, a S-containing essential amino acid in chironomid larvae cultured in POME. Experiments showed that POME did not only induce high production of chironomid larvae, but also produced high quality live food for the aquaculture industry

Clinical presentation of hypothyroidism: a study of 50 cases

Background: When the thyroid gland does not produce and release enough thyroid hormone into your circulation, it is known as hypothyroidism. Your metabolism becomes slower as a result. Hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid, can make you feel exhausted, put-on weight, and have trouble with cold weather. In utero, throughout infancy, during youth, or even during maturity, it may begin to develop. The frequency of unanticipated overt hypothyroidism varies from 1 to 18 cases per thousand persons when accompanied by biochemical and clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism. The aim of the study was to observe the various clinical presentations of hypothyroidismMethods: This cross-sectional observational case-based study was conducted at the institute of nuclear medicine, Dhaka medical college hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study duration was 6 months, from January 2005 to July 2005. A total of 50 patients attended at the study place during the study period who were biochemically hypothyroid were included in the study.Results: The age range of the patients was 13 months to 54 years with a mean age of 29.5 years in this series. The majority of the patients were between 20 to 49 years of age. Female comprises 80.0% in comparison to 20.0% of male cases of hypothyroidism. Spontaneous primary (idiopathic) hypothyroidism (90.0%), post-radioiodine therapy, and post-ablative hypothyroidism were the most important causes of hypothyroidism in this series. Most typical symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism were found in this study. The most common symptoms were generalized weakness, lethargy, slowness of activities, impairment of memory, loss of scalp hair, somnolence, dry skin, puffiness of the face, constipation, weight gain, hoarseness of voice, swelling of the body, decreased sweating and paraesthesia. Cases of idiopathic hypothyroidism and other types had similar symptoms. The mean duration of symptoms before medical consultation was 2.9 years. Dry and coarse skin topped the list of physical findings and was present in 60.0% of the cases. Other findings in order of frequency include goiter (56.0%), puffiness of the face (38.0%), cold and thick skin (44.0%), thick tongue (24.0%), peripheral edema (24.0%), Anemia (20.0%), pallor of the face (12.0%), bradycardia (08.0%), thick lips (4.0%), ascites (2.0%) and pericardial effusion (2.0%).Conclusions: Although in the present series a limited number of patients were included, it encompassed varieties of cases. Moreover, an attempt was made to evaluate the common presentation, age incidence, sex distribution, and laboratory status of hypothyroidism in our country, giving more emphasis on clinical findings

Analysis of a Compact Wideband Slotted Antenna for Ku Band Applications

The design procedure and physical module of a compact wideband patch antenna for Ku band application are presented in this paper. Finite element method based on 3D electromagnetic field solver has been utilized for the designing and analyzing process of proposed microstrip line fed modified E-H shaped electrically small patch antenna. After successful completion of the design process through various simulations, the proposed antenna has been fabricated on printed circuit board (PCB) and its characteristics have been studied. The parameters of the proposed antenna prototype have been measured in standard far-field rectangular shape anechoic measurement compartment. It is apparent from the measured antenna parameters that the proposed antenna achieved almost stable variation of radiation pattern over the entire operational band with 1380 MHz of -10 dB return loss bandwidth. The maximum gain of 7.8 dBi and 89.97% average efficiency within the operating band from 17.15 GHz to 18.53 GHz ensure the suitability of the proposed antenna for Ku band applications

Tuberose Sticks as an Adsorbent in the Removal of Methylene Bluefrom Aqueous Solution

Abstract The use of low-cost and ecofriendly adsorbents has been investigated as an ideal alternative to the current expensive methods of removing dyes from wastewater. Methylene Blue was used as model compound. The effects of contact time, initial dye concentration (20, 30, 40, 50 mg/L), pH and adsorbent dosages have been studied at 25 °C. The equilibrium time was found to be 30 min for all the dye concentrations. A maximum removal of 80% was obtained at pH 11.0 for an adsorbent dose 50 mg/50 mL of 40 mg/L dye concentration. Adsorption increased with increase in pH. Maximum desorption of 50% was achieved in water medium at pH 2.0.

Post-Harvest Processing, Packaging and Inspection of Frozen Shrimp: A Practical Guide

The book is a practical guide for the various steps in the post-harvest technology of frozen shrimps. Shrimps are one of the most common and popular types of seafood consumed globally. The book discusses some of the most sought-after shrimps such as Penaeus monodon, P. vannamei, and Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Good-quality shrimp is a prerequisite for the seafood business as it is used for human consumption. Lack of proper knowledge in raw materials handling and post-harvest processing is the main obstacle in quality shrimp production. Complex business policy, commitment break in both parties (buyers and sellers), competition with other seafood-producing countries, and fluctuation of currency in international seafood market are the factors affecting international seafood business. This book closes this gap in literature and facilitates the production of excellent-quality exportable frozen shrimp through informed practices from experts. The book includes information about packaging of frozen shrimp, inspection, and shipment. It also compiles different mathematical calculations which are in practiced in the processing industries. The book is essential reading for professionals in the shrimp producing and processing industries. It is also useful for researchers in fisheries science, aquaculture, food technology, and food microbiology

The Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium - A protocol for building a national environmental exposure data platform for integrated analyses of urban form and health

Background: Multiple external environmental exposures related to residential location and urban form including, air pollutants, noise, greenness, and walkability have been linked to health impacts or benefits. The Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE) was established to facilitate the linkage of extensive geospatial exposure data to existing Canadian cohorts and administrative health data holdings. We hypothesize that this linkage will enable investigators to test a variety of their own hypotheses related to the interdependent associations of built environment features with diverse health outcomes encompassed by the cohorts and administrative data. Methods: We developed a protocol for compiling measures of built environment features that quantify exposure; vary spatially on the urban and suburban scale; and can be modified through changes in policy or individual behaviour to benefit health. These measures fall into six domains: air quality, noise, greenness, weather/climate, and transportation and neighbourhood factors; and will be indexed to six-digit postal codes to facilitate merging with health databases. Initial efforts focus on existing data and include estimates of air pollutants, greenness, temperature extremes, and neighbourhood walkability and socioeconomic characteristics. Key gaps will be addressed for noise exposure, with a new national model being developed, and for transportation-related exposures, with detailed estimates of truck volumes and diesel emissions now underway in selected cities. Improvements to existing exposure estimates are planned, primarily by increasing temporal and/or spatial resolution given new satellite-based sensors and more detailed national air quality modelling. Novel metrics are also planned for walkability and food environments, green space access and function and life-long climate-related exposures based on local climate zones. Critical challenges exist, for example, the quantity and quality of input data to many of the models and metrics has changed over time, making it difficult to develop and validate historical exposures. Discussion: CANUE represents a unique effort to coordinate and leverage substantial research investments and will enable a more focused effort on filling gaps in exposure information, improving the range of exposures quantified, their precision and mechanistic relevance to health. Epidemiological studies may be better able to explore the common theme of urban form and health in an integrated manner, ultimately contributing new knowledge informing policies that enhance healthy urban living