Removal of organic dyes and tannins by electrochemical techniques.

Removal of organic dyes, tannins and phenol based molecules from aqueous solutions and the amenability of electrochemical techniques for the treatment of dye bath and tannery effluents was discussed. In the case of electro-coagulation/flotation, aluminum and steel were used as electrodes whereas graphite and IrO2 / TaO2/RuO2 coated Ti electrodes were tried for electro-oxidation. The degradation of dyes such as CI reactive blue 221 and CI Acid orange 10, phenol based tannins and phenolics such as resorcinol, pyrogallol, catechol and phloroglucinol was studied both by electrocoagulation and electro-oxidation techniques. The decolourization and degradation of the dye molecules was monitored by UV-Visible spectrophotometer and the mineralization trend of all these compounds was followed by chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) measurements. The effect of operating parameters such as nature of the electrolyte, pH, and applied current density were discussed. The generation of chlorine based insitu oxidants has been confirmed by cyclic voltammetric technique. Electro-oxidation of the dyes and tannin molecules was evaluated and found that the graphite material was effective to achieve the complete mineralization. Although, IrO2 / TaO2/RuO2 coated Ti anode is chemically inert and structurally stable, it fails to generate more molecular oxygen and hydroxyl radicals. The purification of textile and tannery effluent was successfully achieved by electrochemical treatment

Treatment of pharmaceutically active compounds by electrooxidation using boron doped diamond and platinum anodes

Clean and hygiene water is a critical environmental issue that touches the life of every human being. In recent years, presence of some pharmaceutical compounds and their metabolites in surface and ground water has become a potential health risk to human beings. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are prescribed for muscle pain and inflammatory rheumatic disorders. Ketoprofen one of the NSAIOs, is categorized as a pharmaceutically active compound which resists both the abiotic and biotic degradation. Similarly, P-blockers are a class of drugs used for various indications particularly to control high blood pressure, anti-angina and cardiovascular diseases. One among the P-blockers, atenolol is most toxic to humans and aquatic organisms. The presence of both ketoprofen and atenolol in ground water has been reported at concentrations up to 10 figlL. A bench scale study was carried out to treat synthetically prepared pharmaceutical compounds (ketoprofen and atenolol) contaminated water in lower concentrations (fig/I) using boron doped diamond (BOD) and platinum anodes. The results were explained in terms of in situ generated of hydroxyl radical COH), peroxodisulfate (S20t), and active chlorine species (CI2, ocr and HOCI). The physisorbed 'OH on BOD was observed to trigger the combustion of pollutant molecules in to CO2 and H20. The BOD anode was found to be effective in the presence ofNa2S04 whereas Pt yields better removal in the presence of NaCI. The influence of electrolyte pH on the mineralization of ketoprofen molecules was found to be insignificant

Impact de l'interaction sol-structure sur la conception des fondations superficielles des cadres concentriques en acier

RÉSUMÉ Les études antérieures ayant démontré qu’il est possible de tirer profit du bercement des fondations superficielles lors de secousses sismiques sans mettre à risque l’intégrité structurale, une approche de conception visant un tel comportement est proposée par la norme CSA A23.3-14. Étant donné que la procédure de conception des fondations est régie par la norme de béton CSA A23.3-14, celle-ci est davantage adaptée aux systèmes de reprises de charges sismiques en béton tel que les murs de refend. La validation du comportement des fondations dimensionnées selon cette norme qui supportent des systèmes en acier tel que des cadres à contreventements concentriques est à réaliser.----------ABSTRACT Past studies have shown that it is possible to take advantage of the rocking of shallow foundations under earthquake events without hindering structural stability. Therefore, the CSA A23.3-14 standard proposes an approach that aims to design a foundation for a rocking behavior. Since the procedure for foundation design is governed by the concrete standard CSA A23.3-14, it is more adapted for concrete seismic force resisting systems such as shear walls. The validation of the behavior of shallow foundations designed with this standard which support steel seismic force resisting systems such as braced frames is to be made

Identification of scorpion species (arachnids: scorpions) collected from selected areas in the Jaffna Peninsula

Taxonomic record on scorpion (Arthropoda: Arachnids: Scorpions) is scarce in Sri Lanka. Several families of scorpions, namely Scorpionidae, Charitable and Buthidae were recorded in Yale national park, Kandy, Trincomalee and Mullaittivu in Sri Lanka, based on the collection of the Natural History Museum of the city of Geneva. It is reported that dangerous scorpions are not found in Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Recently identified scorpions of Family Buthidae in some parts of India. But to date no one has reported on scorpion species of Families Buthidae & Scorpionidae in the Jaffna peninsula. Field collection was carried out in selected areas including Vadamarachi, Atchuvelly, Thirunelveli, Kopay and Kondavil in the Nonhern Province from September 2010 to March 2011. Collected scorpions were identified with the help of descriptions and illustrations provided by Pocock (1900) and Bucherl (1971). Identification was performed with the aid of dissecting microscope (Kyowa, Photographs of life specimens were taken with a digital camera (Sony). Lined diagrams were drawn with the help of camera lucida stereo microscope (Olympus BX 51). Descriptive terms of Pocock were mostly followed. Two families, namely, Buthidae and Scorpionidae (Koch, 1837) were identified based on colouration, shape of the sternum, tarsal spur and pedal spur present on the leg. Further identification revealed the presence of two species, namely, Bu thus Dorian and Palamnaeus wrongdoing based on pectin teeth and keels on the caudal segment. The present preliminary survey should be continued in order to identify any other scorpion species in other parts of the Jaffna peninsula

Role of electrolyte on anodic mineralization of atenolol at boron doped diamond and Pt electrodes

Anodic oxidation of atenolol, known as -blocker, has been investigated using boron-doped diamond(BDD) and Pt electrodes. The mineralization trend of atenolol in the presence of NaCl, Na2SO4 and NaNO3 was followed using total organic carbon analyzer. The disappearance of chloride ions and generation of active chlorine (Cl2, HOCl, OCl−) were analysed by argentometric and iodometric methods, respectively. The BDD anode was found to be effective in the presence of Na2SO4 whereas Pt yields better removal in the presence of NaCl. The initial concentration of NaCl and applied current density on the mineralization of atenolol were found to be significant for both BDD and Pt anodes. These results are explained in terms of electrogenerated oxidants such as •OH, SO4•−, S2O8 2−, Cl2, HOCl and OCl−. The evolution of chlorine at BDD and Pt with respect to NaCl concentration was studied by means of cyclic voltammetric technique. Though the rate of mineralization was observed to be initially higher in the presence of Pt anode, the overall rate of mineralization is more or less similar beyond 15 h of electrooxidation. The slow degradation at the later stages of electrooxidation was attributed to the presence of residual chlorinated organic compounds which are very refractive. The complete mineralization was achieved in the presenceof Na2SO4 using BDD as anode

AN OVERVIEW OF MUCORMYCOSIS

Mucormycosis is an angioinvasive infection caused by Zygomycosis in the order of Mucorales. It is mainly affected in immunocompromised individuals followed by risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, stem cell transplantation, organ transplantation, hematological malignancy, and more intake of steroids. Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, pulmonary mucormycosis, cutaneous mucormycosis, gastrointestinal mucormycosis, and disseminated mucormycosis are the most common types. Moreover, it can be diagnosed to overcome this infection using the following methods such as histopathology cultures, computed axial tomography, and resonance imaging. Moreover, it can be treated with amphotericin B, the first-line drug, and posaconazole and isavuconazole are also used. The in vitro studies reveal the antifungal drugs which show the best activity against mucormycosis. The main aim of this review shows the detailed study of mucormycosis and the outcome of this infection

SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION OF PHTHALATE ANALOGUE OF DICLOFENAC AGAINST FREUND’S COMPLETE ADJUVANT INDUCED ARTHRITIS IN RAT

Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of Phthalate analogues of diclofenac in Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) induced Arthritis in the rat. Methods: Twenty four female albino wistar rats were enrolled in this study and are divided into 4 groups (six each). The groups were designed as follows: Group I: vehicle control, Group II: arthritic control, Group III: diclofenac treated, Group IV: phthalate analogue of diclofenac treated. Various assessments such as anti-arthritic activity, biochemical estimations, haematological parameters, ulcerogenesis, radiological and histopathological studies were evaluated. Results: Arthritic control group exhibited significant increase in the level of paw volume, arthritic score (p<0.0001), Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) (p<0.001), Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) p<0.01), rheumatoid arthritis factor, C-reactive protein (CRP), White Blood Cells (WBC), Creatinine and uric acid and a significant decrease in Red Blood Cells (RBC). Increased swelling of joints, bony destruction and profound ulceration were observed in the Arthritic control group. All these conditions were reversed in diclofenac and phthalate analogue of diclofenac groups. Conclusion: We conclude that phthalate analogue of diclofenac shows potent anti-arthritic activity with milder ulceration when compared to diclofenac treatment

Anodic oxidation of ketofrofen-an anti-inflammatory drug using boron doped diamond electrode

The mineralization of ketoprofen (KP) by anodic oxidation was studied by employing boron doped diamond (BDD) and Pt electrodes. The redox behavior of KP molecule, fouling of electrodes, generation of oxygen and active chlorine species were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The effect of electrolyte, pH of aqueous medium and applied current density on the mineralization behavior of KP was also investigated. The degradation and mineralization were monitored by UV–vis spectrophotometer and total organic carbon analyzer, respectively. The results were explained in terms of in situ generation of hydroxyl radical (•OH), peroxodisulfate (S2O8 2−), and active chlorine species (Cl2, HOCl, OCl−). The physisorbed •OH on BDD was observed to trigger the combustion of KP in to CO2 and H2O. The poor mineralization at both BDDand Pt anodes in the presence of NaCl as supporting electrolyte was ascribed to the formation of chlorinated organic compounds which are refractory. Complete mineralization of KP molecule was achieved using Na2SO4 as supporting electrolyte

Enhanced EEG classification using adaptive DWT and heuristic-ICA algorithm

Electroencephalography (EEG) signals contain important information about the inner functioning of the brain. Effective extraction of this information will help in the detection of brain-related health conditions and emotions of a person or it can also be used as a communication medium between humans and machines. In our proposed system, we introduced Adaptive DWT by combining the temporal resolution capability of DWT, with the special capability of Fourier transform to remove the artefacts in the signal. This is achieved by using an adaptive thresholding function rather than hard or soft thresholding to improve the quality parameters of the signal. The proposed filtering model has improved the Signal to Noise ratio when compared to traditional filtering techniques. EEG features are extracted with the help of Heuristic-Independent Component Analysis (ICA) by applying covariance to equalize or improve the data. The main drawback with the existing CNN algorithm is gradient vanishing during training, this reduces the overall performance of the algorithm during classification. Therefore, using the memory function to store the previous value of iteration improves the classification accuracy and reduces the gradient vanishing problem. The proposed technique is found to have better accuracy of about 98% in classifying autism and epilepsy datasets