Operation of Biofilter with Mixed Agricultural Residue as Filter Material: Effects of Humidification and Inlet Hydrogen Sulfide Volume fraction on the Performance

Mixed agricultural residue, inoculated with aerobic sulfide oxidizing microbial consortium, was used as biofilter media to study the removal efficiency (,R) of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The effect of humidification and inlet H2S volume fraction on the performance of biofilter was also investigated. A 3.9 l bench scale biofilter was continuously operated to treat air containing H2S gas in the range of = 275 to 2833 · 10–6 for 150 days. ,R of 99 % was obtained at = 2020 · 10–6 of inlet H2S volume fraction during continuous operation with humidification. However, ,R dropped to 51 % when the inlet H2S fraction increased beyond = 2020 · 10–6. A maximum elimination productivity of 91 g m–3 H2S of filter bed h-1 and inlet mass loading rate of 91 g m-3 H2S of filter bed h-1 was achieved when the tEBRT was in the range of 15 – 155 s. The filter was operated without the humidifier at the inlet H2S fraction of = 2020 · 10–6 and observed that ,R dropped to 51 % due to the drop in moisture of the filter material. However, R could be recovered up to 83 % upon reintroduction of humidifier into the circuit of biofiltration process indicating, that humidification of the waste gas was essential to achieve the highest possible ,R at particular inlet H2S fraction. The filter recorded ,R above 99 % even in the acidic phase at = 2020 ·10–6 of inlet H2S fraction without intermittent washing. The gas dispersion characteristics were comparable to the previously tested bed materials, offering low-pressure drop across the biofilter in the range of 21 – 74mm of H2O per meter height of packing material

Xylanase Production by Isolated Fungal Strain, Aspergillus fumigatus RSP-8 (MTCC 12039): Impact of Agro-industrial Material as Substrate

In the present investigation, the imperative role of agro-industrial biomass for improved xylanase production was evaluated using isolated fungal strain. This isolate was identified as Aspergillus fumigatus RSP-8 (MTCC 12039) based on morphological and 18S rRNA ribotyping and the organism was deposited in MTCC, IMTECH Chandigarh with accession number 12039. The isolated fungal strain is mesophilic in nature and produced maximum xylanase at 30 °C, at pH 7 and agitation speed of 150 rpm. Xylanase complex production titers differed with the nature and complexity of carbon source and other physiological growth parameters including aeration, growth temperature, physiological medium pH, initial inoculum levels, etc. Highest xylanase titers (73 U/mL) noticed with hemicellulose isolated from sorghum straw and least with ground nut cake as carbon source among tested agro materials such as rice bran, green gram husk, sorghum straw, groundnut cake and wheat bran. A variation of three fold enzyme titers was observed with different tested carbon sources. Supplementation of glucose as carbon source did not produce any xylanase with this fungal strain revealing the xylanase in this isolate is induced by the carbon source. Variation of hemicellulose concentration as carbon source during the fermentation altered the production xylanase titers. The study suggested that, in xylanase production by A. fumigatus RSP-8, one of the major limiting factors is substrate chemical complexity

SULFIDE OXIDATION IN A BATCH FLUIDIZED BED BIOREACTOR USING IMMOBILIZED CELLS OF ISOLATED THIOBACILLUS SP. (IICT-SOB-DAIRY-201) AS BIOCATALYST

A study is conducted to test the biological conversion of sulfides using immobilized cells of Thiobacillus sp. in fluidized bed bioreactor. The Thiobacillus sp are isolated from aerobic sludge of distillery and dairy effluent treatment plant using standard methods of isolation and enrichment. Experiments were conducted in a batch fluidized bed bioreactor using calcium alginate immobilized cells of isolated Thiobacillus sp. The batch fluidized bed bioreactor is operated for 168 hours with an initial sulfide concentration of 150 mg/l, at the end of 168 hours 100% sulfide oxidation is achieved by the continuous supply of sterile air as oxidant. During the operational period, biomass concentration, pH, sulfate formation is recorded

Effect of antifibrinolytic drugs on transfusion requirement and blood loss during orthotopic liver transplantation: Results from a single center

<b>Background:</b> During orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), activation of the fibrinolytic system can contribute significantly to perioperative bleeding. Prophylactic administration of antifibrinolytic agents has been shown to reduce blood loss and the need for allogenic transfusion. <b> Objective:</b> To study the effect of antifibrinolytics on requirement of blood components, blood loss and operative time during OLT in patients with end stage liver disease, reporting to a single centre. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> Consecutive patients who underwent OLT at this centre during the period February 2003-October 2007 were the subjects of this study. Based on the individual anesthesiologist&#x2032;s preference, patients were assigned to receive either two million units of aprotinin (AP) as a bolus followed by 5,00,000 units/hour or 10 mg/kg tranexamic acid (TA)as a bolus followed by 10 mg/kg every six to eight hours, administered from the induction till the end of the surgery. Transfusion policy was standardized in all patients. Intraoperative red cell salvage was done wherever possible. The effect of these two antifibrinolytic drugs on transfusion requirement was evaluated as a whole and in a sub group of patients from each treatment group and compared with a concurrent control group that did not receive antifibrinolytic drugs. <b> Results:</b> Fifty patients (40 M / 10 F, 44 adults, 6 pediatric patients) underwent OLT in the study period. Fourteen patients were given AP, 25 patients were given TA and 11 patients did not receive any of the agents(control group). The median volume of total blood components transfused in antifibrinolytic group (n=39) was 4540 ml(0-19,200ml), blood loss 5 l(0.7-35l) and operative time 9h (4.5-17h) and that of control group(n=11) was 5700 ml(0-15,500ml), 10 l(0.6-25 l) and 9h (6.4-15.8h) respectively.<b> </b> The median volume of blood transfusions, blood loss and operative time was lesser in AP group(n=14) than that of TA group(n=25).<b> Conclusion:</b> There is definite decrease in transfusion requirement, blood loss and operative time in the patients who received antifibrinolytic drugs than that of patients who did not receive. Because of the small sample size, comparisons carried between different groups did not show statistical significance. Prophylactic use of antifibrinolytics during OLT, possibly helps in blood conservation

Performance of Model Gabion Type Retaining Walls Built Using Cylindrical Cells: A Laboratory Study

Behavior of gabion walls built using scrap tyres/scrap metal drums in the field, was simulated in the laboratory by constructing gabion type retaining walls using PVC cells. Experimental work was carried out in the laboratory in a steel tank. Gabion type walls were constructed using PVC cells made by cutting 6″ PVC pipe into cells of 5.0 cm in height. The total PVC cells wall is 1.0 m in length, 0.33 m in width and 1.0 m height ‘H’. Dial gauges to measure horizontal deformations were located at the top, one-third, 0.59 and 0.79 m from bottom of the wall. Lateral deformations of PVC cell walls were measured during and at the end of the construction, and with uniform surcharge loading for wall inclinations of 2.5°, 5.0° and 7.5° from the vertical. Horizontal deformations with surcharge loads were more at normalized heights between 0.6H and 0.7H. Face deformations of flexible walls constructed using PVC cells were within the limits as per the guidelines specified by AASHTO, FHWA and EN

CLINICO-HEMATOLOGICAL PROFILE OF NUTRITIONAL ANEMIA IN HOSPITALISED INFANTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: Anemia is a serious global public health problem that particularly affects young children. As many as 67.1% children aged 6-59 mo surveyed suffered from anemia in 2019 and 65.5% in Karnataka, according to NFHS-5. Nutritional anemia is most common but preventable cause for anemia in children in developing countries. This is due to improper feeding habits, especially during the initiation of complementary foods. Hence the present study is to know the pattern of anemia in infants of age group between 6 mo to 12 mo and to assess the nutritional and other associated risk factors contributing to Anemia. Methods: This study was carried out in 193 children aged 6 mo to 12 mo admitted in our hospital. Detailed clinical evaluation and relevant laboratory investigations were done as per proforma. Results: In our study majority were of age group 6 to 9 mo (52.8%). 40.4% of mothers of our study infants were anemic during pregnancy and 9.3% were blood transfused. Majority (53.4%) were exclusively breastfed. 45.6% were started on complementary feeding at 4 to 6 mo age.17.6% were moderately wasted and 9.3% of infants were severely wasted. There was a significant association between severity of anemia and mother’s anemia, inclusion of cow’s milk in diet, adequacy of complementary feeding, and inclusion of formula feeds (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Nutritional anemia is most common cause of anemia in childhood, especially in developing countries like India. Parents and caregiver need awareness regarding the effect, causes of anemia and how to prevent it

A dynamic unit cell model for the all-vanadium flow battery

In this paper, a mathematical model for the all-vanadium battery is presented and analytical solutions are derived. The model is based on the principles of mass and charge conservation, incorporating the major resistances, the electrochemical reactions and recirculation of the electrolyte through external reservoirs. Comparisons between the model results and experimental data show good agreement over practical ranges of the vanadium concentrations and the flow rate. The model is designed to provide accurate, rapid solutions at the unit-cell scale, which can be used for control and monitoring purposes. Crucially, the model relates the process time and process conditions to the state of charge via vanadium concentrations

Transformation of the oxygen-deficient 123 cuprates, LnBa<SUB>2</SUB>Cu<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>7-δ</SUB> (Ln = Nd, Gd,Dy, Er; 0.3 ≤ δ ≤ 0.4), to a 124-type structure on low-temperature annealing

X-ray diffraction patterns of superconducting LnBa<SUB>2</SUB>Cu<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>7-δ</SUB> (Ln = Nd, Gd, Dy or Er) compositions (0.3 ≤ d ≤ 0.4; T<SUB>c</SUB> 45-60K) show a significant change on annealing bulk samples at 473K for 48-60 hrs. The diffraction patterns of the annealed samples are very simple, with a low angle reflection corresponding to a c parameter of ~ 27Å, similar to that of 124 cuprates. The annealed product has a highly disordered structure, but contains lamellae of the 124 structure, as confirmed by electron microscopy