Sorption Studies of AgI, CdII and PbII Ions on Sulphydryl Hemp Fibers

Results of a systematic study on the AgI, CdII and PbII ions sorption characteristics and kinetic properties of an unconventional material produced by introducing sulphydryl functional groups into natural hemp fibers are presented and discussed. The equilibrium data are analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The monolayer sorption capacity of modified hemp is 10.75, 14.05 and 23.00 mg g-1 for silver, cadmium and lead ions, respectively, at 18 °C. The constant of sorption rates calculated by the Lagergren equation is 5.806 × 10-2 min-1 for AgI, 1.632 × 10-2 min-1 for CdII and 4.078 × 10-2 min-1 for PbII ions. The systems under study offer some new attractive possibilities of selective sorption of various pollutants from aqueous effluents

Valorization of Rapeseed Waste Biomass in Sorption Processes for Wastewater Treatment

Circular economy provides an efficient framework for effective biomass valorization, through strategic use and processing of resources and waste reuse. Being the second largest energetic crop, rapeseed (RS) presents a high potential in this sense. However, good management of the large quantity of generated wastes from agro-industrial activities is required. The most common management strategies in this sense refer to the reuse of RS wastes (mainly stems and press-cake) for animal feed, compost, soil amendment and fertilizer. Valorization of RS wastes as adsorbent for wastewater treatment is attractive. Despite the fact that only few articles on this subject exist in literature, they are sufficient to reflect the potential of this adsorbent to remove both inorganic and organic compounds from aqueous phase. The rapeseed wastes were used in native form (for diluted effluents) or modified by chemical or thermal treatment (for concentrated effluents or large molecule contaminants). This chapter will provide a review on the RS wastes management strategies, highlighting the applications for removing contaminants from wastewater in single and multi-component systems, in static or continuous operation mode

Spectrophotometric Determination of Os(VIII) with Nitroso R Salt as Chromogenic Reagent

Several methods have been reported for the spectrophotometric determination of osmium with various chromogenic reagents. Some of these reagents react slowly with osmium and the conditions for obtaining reproductibile colours are usually empirical. In this context, a simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace amounts of osmium(VIII) using disodium-1-nitroso-2-hydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulphonate (Nitroso R salt) is described. The method is based on the formation of an Os–Nitroso R salt complex which exhibits two different colours as function of pH. Linear calibration graphs are obtained up to 60 μg/mL of the analyte at pH = 4.8. The stoichiometry of the complex is found to be 1: 4 by mole ratio method. The method is optimized and different analytical parameters were evaluated. For instance, the calculated values for the molar absorptivity are of 3.645.103 L/mol.cm (pH = 0; λ = 550 nm) and 1.695.103 L/mol.cm (pH = 4.8; λ = 510 nm), respectively. The proposed method should be valuable for the determination of osmium(VIII) with good accuracy and precision

Effect of the Lights4Violence intervention on the sexism of adolescents in European countries

Background: Sexism results in a number of attitudes and behaviors that contribute to gender inequalities in social structure and interpersonal relationships. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Lights4Violence, an intervention program based on promoting health assets to reduce sexist attitudes in young European people. Methods: We carried out a quasi-experimental study in a non-probabilistic population of 1146 students, aged 12–17 years. The dependent variables were the difference in the wave 1 and wave 2 values in the subscales of the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory: benevolent sexism (BS) and hostile sexism (HS). The effect of the intervention was evaluated through linear regression analyses stratified by sex. The models were adjusted by baseline subscales scores, socio-demographic and psychological variables. Results: In girls, we observed a decrease in BS in the intervention group compared to the control group (β = − 0.101; p = 0.006). In the wave2,, BS decreased more in the intervention group compared to the control group in girls with mothers with a low level of education (β = − 0.338; p = 0.001), with a high level of social support (β = − 0.251; p < 0.001), with greater capacity for conflict resolution (β = − 0.201; p < 0.001) and lower levels of aggressiveness (β = − 0.232, p < 0.001). In boys, the mean levels of HS and BH decreased in wave 2 in both the control and intervention groups. The changes observed after the wave 2 were the same in the control group and in the intervention group. No significant differences were identified between both groups. Conclusions: The implementation of the Lights4Violence was associated with a significant reduction in BS in girls, which highlights the potential of interventions aimed at supporting the personal competencies and social support. It is necessary to reinforce the inclusion of educational contents that promote reflection among boys about the role of gender and the meaning of the attributes of masculinity. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov : NCT03411564. Unique Protocol ID: 776905. Date registered: 26-01-2018.The project “Lights, Camera and Action against Dating Violence” (Ligts4Violence) was funded by the European Commission Directorate-General Justice and Consumers Rights, Equality and Citizen Violence Against Women Program 2016 for the period 2017–2019 to promote healthy dating relationship assets among secondary school students from different European countries, under grant agreement No. 776905. It was also co-supported by the CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health of Spain for its aid to the Gender-based Violence and Youth Research Program

SORPTION OF Ga (III) ON FLEXIBLE OPEN CELL POLYURETHANE FOAM OF POLYETHER TYPE IMPREGNATED WITH TRI-N-BUTHYL PHOSPATE

The obtained results concerning the Ga (III) ion retention on flexible open cell polyurethane foam of polyether type pretreated with tri-n-butyl phosphate are presented. The influence of solution acidity, phases contact time, Ga (III) concentration and solution temperature have been investigated. The parameters of Ga (III) batch sorption have been optimized. On the basis of Langmuir isotherms, the sorption constants and the thermodynamic parameters, ∆G, ∆Η and ∆S have been calculated

VEGETARIAN DIET IN CHILDREN

Vegetarianism may have implications on the growth of children and adolescents. There are different types of vegetarian diets: some may be suitable for children, other defi cient in essential nutrients. If a vegetarian diet is done properly and includes fortifi ed foods it can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases. Restriction or exclusion of products of animal nature can lead to low intake of essential nutrients

POLYMORPHISM OF THE CLINICAL SIGNS OF CELIAC DISEASE IN CHILDREN

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune systemic condition caused by sensitivity to gluten in genetically predisposed patients. The clinical signs of CD are extremely diverse, ranging from the typical intestinal malabsorption syndrome (characterized by chronic diarrhea, abdominal distension and malnutrition) to atypical symptoms that may involve any system or organ: chronic constipation, increased level of liver enzymes, iron deficiency anemia, recurrent abdominal pain, neurological conditions, tooth enamel erosion. The authors report four pediatric cases diagnosed with various atypical forms of celiac disease: the form associated with recurrent abdominal pain and increased level of liver enzymes, and the form associated with chronic constipation, all accompanied by failure to thrive and one case of type I diabetes mellitus associated with celiac disease. To conclude with, pediatricians, gastroenterologists and general practitioners should be familiar with all the clinical forms of coeliac disease in order to be able to diagnose this childhood disease and thus prevent long-term complications like osteoporosis, infertility and intestinal lymphoma

CYSTIC FIBROSIS-RELATED DIABETES

Cystic fi brosis-related diabetes is an entity distinct from diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2, but with symptoms characteristic to them. Along with the extension of the life expectancy, the prevalence of diabetes increased in association with a more severe decline of the lung function and a poorer nutritional status in comparison to that of people with cystic fi brosis but without diabetes. The authors present current data regarding the prevalence and physiopathology of the disease, the clinical picture, and the useful examinations in establishing the diagnosis, the therapeutic possibilities and disease prognostic. We conclude that the early diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic interventions may diminish the negative impact of diabetes on the lung function and the nutritional status in cystic fi brosis

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CYTOLYSIS SYNDROME IN CHILDREN

The measurement of aminotransferases levels has become part of the routine biochemical tests done in children regardless of their clinical symptoms. Aminotransferases (ALT, AST) are tissue necrosis markers which change in both hepatic and extra-hepatic conditions. The aim of this study was to establish the etiology and clinical signifi cance of the cytolysis syndrome without cholestasis in children hospitalized for various pediatric conditions. The study group consisted of 394 children (aged between 1.5 months and 16 years)with elevated values of ALT, AST. The investigation protocol applied included history, full physical examination, complete biological investigations, viral markers and liver ultrasounds.Depending on the aminotransferases values as compared to the normal value (NV), the patients were included in 3 study subgroups: 222 patients with slightlyelevated transaminases values (< 2xNV) (subgroup I), 164 patients with ALT and AST values between 2-3xNV (subgroup II) and 8 patients with TGP, TGO values > 3 x NV (subgroup III). The ALT and AST values were determined monthly during the fi rst 3 months, and then every 2 to 6 months. In all groups the etiology was dominated by acute bacterial (respiratory, urinary, digestive) and viral (Epstein Barr, Citomegalovirus infection) conditions. Other causes of cytolysis syndrome were nutritional and metabolic diseases (obesity, mellitus diabetes, phenylketonuria, cystic fi brosis, congenital hypotiroidism). The etiology remained unclear in 20.31% of the cases, yet the transaminase values returned to normal after 6 months with diet and hepatoprotective therapy. Slightly elevated ALT andASTvalues do not require thorough investigations, as they usually return to normal within the first three months. On the other hand, mildly and severe increases, which persist after three months therapy require further investigation to determine the etiology (viral infections, autoimmune, nutritional and metabolic diseases)