1,090 research outputs found
Performance evaluation of a common effluent treatment plant for tannery industries
Tannery is one of the oldest industries in the world and is one of the fastest developing industries in India. It is one of the problematic industries in India which generate high quantum of wastewater with high TDS and toxicity due to chromium. Hence, discharge of tannery effluent is a very serious issue. Many conventional treatment processes has been carried out in these industry before the discharge of effluent. One of the most common treatment process applied is biological treatment process by activated sludge process and upflow anaerobic sludge blanket process. Due to the high cost of installation for this treatment process, in many of the small scale tannery industries in India, the wastewater treatment is carried out in common effluent treatment plant (CETP). In the present study the performance of CETP for tannery effluent in terms of Biological oxygen demand (BOD), Chemical oxygen demand (COD), Total suspended solids (TSS), Total dissolved solids (TDS), and by water tracer studies using Rhodamine. ETP showed a removal efficiency of BOD-66%, COD- 21%, TSS-21% and TDS-5%. The study revealed that ETP has to be redesigned based on the characteristics of influent wastewater in order to meet the Pollution Control Board prescribed standard limits for ETP.  
Spectral Energy Distributions of Local Luminous And Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies
Luminous and ultraluminous infrared galaxies ((U)LIRGs) are the most extreme
star forming galaxies in the universe. The local (U)LIRGs provide a unique
opportunity to study their multi-wavelength properties in detail for comparison
to their more numerous counterparts at high redshifts. We present common large
aperture photometry at radio through X-ray wavelengths, and spectral energy
distributions (SEDs) for a sample of 53 nearby LIRGs and 11 ULIRGs spanning log
(LIR/Lsun) = 11.14-12.57 from the flux-limited Great Observatories All-sky LIRG
Survey (GOALS). The SEDs for all objects are similar in that they show a broad,
thermal stellar peak and a dominant FIR thermal dust peak, where nuLnu(60um) /
nuLnu(V) increases from ~2-30 with increasing LIR. When normalized at
IRAS-60um, the largest range in the luminosity ratio,
R(lambda)=log[nuLnu(lambda)/nuLnu(60um)] observed over the full sample is seen
in the Hard X-rays (HX=2-10 keV). A small range is found in the Radio (1.4GHz),
where the mean ratio is largest. Total infrared luminosities, LIR(8-1000um),
dust temperatures, and dust masses were computed from fitting thermal dust
emission modified blackbodies to the mid-infrared (MIR) through submillimeter
SEDs. The new results reflect an overall ~0.02 dex lower luminosity than the
original IRAS values. Total stellar masses were computed by fitting stellar
population synthesis models to the observed near-infrared (NIR) through
ultraviolet (UV) SEDs. Mean stellar masses are found to be log(M/Msun) =
10.79+/-0.40. Star formation rates have been determined from the infrared
(SFR_IR~45Msun/yr) and from the monochromatic UV luminosities
(SFR_UV~1.3Msun/yr), respectively. Multiwavelength AGN indicators have be used
to select putative AGN: about 60% of the ULIRGs would have been classified as
an AGN by at least one of the selection criteria.Comment: 39 pages, including 12 figures and 11 tables; accepted for
publication in ApJ
The Great Observatories All-Sky LIRG Survey: Comparison of Ultraviolet and Far-Infrared Properties
The Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey (GOALS) consists of a complete
sample of 202 Luminous Infrared Galaxies (LIRGs) selected from the IRAS Revised
Bright Galaxy Sample (RBGS). The galaxies span the full range of interaction
stages, from isolated galaxies to interacting pairs to late stage mergers. We
present a comparison of the UV and infrared properties of 135 galaxies in GOALS
observed by GALEX and Spitzer. For interacting galaxies with separations
greater than the resolution of GALEX and Spitzer (2-6"), we assess the UV and
IR properties of each galaxy individually. The contribution of the FUV to the
measured SFR ranges from 0.2% to 17.9%, with a median of 2.8% and a mean of 4.0
+/- 0.4%. The specific star formation rate of the GOALS sample is extremely
high, with a median value (3.9*10^{-10} yr^{-1}) that is comparable to the
highest specific star formation rates seen in the Spitzer Infrared Nearby
Galaxies Survey sample. We examine the position of each galaxy on the IR
excess-UV slope (IRX-beta) diagram as a function of galaxy properties,
including IR luminosity and interaction stage. The LIRGs on average have
greater IR excesses than would be expected based on their UV colors if they
obeyed the same relations as starbursts with L_IR < 10^{11}L_0 or normal
late-type galaxies. The ratio of L_IR to the value one would estimate from the
IRXg-beta relation published for lower luminosity starburst galaxies ranges
from 0.2 to 68, with a median value of 2.7. A minimum of 19% of the total IR
luminosity in the RBGS is produced in LIRGs and ULIRGs with red UV colors (beta
> 0). Among resolved interacting systems, 32% contain one galaxy which
dominates the IR emission while the companion dominates the UV emission. Only
21% of the resolved systems contain a single galaxy which dominates both
wavelengths.Comment: 37 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
Tracing PAHs and Warm Dust Emission in the Seyfert Galaxy NGC 1068
We present a study of the nearby Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 using mid- and far-
infrared data acquired with the IRAC, IRS, and MIPS instruments aboard the
Spitzer Space Telescope. The images show extensive 8 um and 24 um emission
coinciding with star formation in the inner spiral approximately 15" (1 kpc)
from the nucleus, and a bright complex of star formation 47" (3 kpc) SW of the
nucleus. The brightest 8 um PAH emission regions coincide remarkably well with
knots observed in an Halpha image. Strong PAH features at 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and
11.3 um are detected in IRS spectra measured at numerous locations inside,
within, and outside the inner spiral. The IRAC colors and IRS spectra of these
regions rule out dust heated by the AGN as the primary emission source; the
SEDs are dominated by starlight and PAH emission. The equivalent widths and
flux ratios of the PAH features in the inner spiral are generally consistent
with conditions in a typical spiral galaxy ISM. Interior to the inner spiral,
the influence of the AGN on the ISM is evident via PAH flux ratios indicative
of a higher ionization parameter and a significantly smaller mean equivalent
width than observed in the inner spiral. The brightest 8 and 24 um emission
peaks in the disk of the galaxy, even at distances beyond the inner spiral, are
located within the ionization cones traced by [O III]/Hbeta, and they are also
remarkably well aligned with the axis of the radio jets. Although it is
possible that radiation from the AGN may directly enhance PAH excitation or
trigger the formation of OB stars that subsequently excite PAH emission at
these locations in the inner spiral, the orientation of collimated radiation
from the AGN and star formation knots in the inner spiral could be
coincidental. (abridged)Comment: 20 pages, 11 figures; AJ, accepted; full resolution version available
at http://spider.ipac.caltech.edu/staff/jhhowell/astro/howelln1068.pd
Single Low-Dose Targeted Bevacizumab Infusion in Adult Patients with Steroid-Refractory Radiation Necrosis of the Brain: A Phase II Open-Label Prospective Clinical Trial
OBJECTIVE There is an unmet need for safe and rapidly effective therapies for refractory brain radiation necrosis (RN). The aim of this prospective single-arm phase II trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single low-dose targeted bevacizumab infusion after blood-brain barrier disruption (BBBD) in adult patients with steroid-refractory brain RN.
METHODS Ten adults with steroid-refractory, imaging-confirmed brain RN were enrolled between November 2016 and January 2018 and followed for 12 months after treatment. Bevacizumab 2.5 mg/kg was administered as a one-time targeted intra-arterial infusion immediately after BBBD. Primary outcomes included safety and \u3e 25% decrease in lesion volume. Images were analyzed by a board-certified neuroradiologist blinded to pretrial diagnosis and treatment status. Secondary outcomes included changes in headache, steroid use, and functional status and absence of neurocognitive sequelae. Comparisons were analyzed using the Fisher exact test, Mann-Whitney U-test, linear mixed models, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and repeated-measures 1-way ANOVA.
RESULTS Ten adults (mean ± SD [range] age 35 ± 15 [22-62] years) participated in this study. No patients died or exhibited serious adverse effects of systemic bevacizumab. At 3 months, 80% (95% CI 44%-98%) and 90% (95% CI 56%-100%) of patients demonstrated \u3e 25% decrease in RN and vasogenic edema volume, respectively. At 12 months, RN volume decreased by 74% (median [range] 76% [53%-96%], p = 0.012), edema volume decreased by 50% (median [range] 70% [-11% to 83%], p = 0.086), and headache decreased by 84% (median [range] 92% [58%-100%], p = 0.022) among the 8 patients without RN recurrence. Only 1 (10%) patient was steroid dependent at the end of the trial. Scores on 12 of 16 (75%) neurocognitive indices increased, thereby supporting a pattern of cerebral white matter recovery. Two (20%) patients exhibited RN recurrence that required further treatment at 10 and 11 months, respectively, after bevacizumab infusion.
CONCLUSIONS For the first time, to the authors\u27 knowledge, the authors demonstrated that a single low-dose targeted bevacizumab infusion resulted in durable clinical and imaging improvements in 80% of patients at 12 months after treatment without adverse events attributed to bevacizumab alone. These findings highlight that targeted bevacizumab may be an efficient one-time treatment for adults with brain RN. Further confirmation with a randomized controlled trial is needed to compare the intra-arterial approach with the conventional multicycle intravenous regimen
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Cost-utility of revisions for cervical deformity correction warrants minimization of reoperations.
Background: Cervical deformity (CD) surgery has become increasingly more common and complex, which has also led to reoperations for complications such as distal junctional kyphosis (DJK). Cost-utility analysis has yet to be used to analyze CD revision surgery in relation to the cost-utility of primary CD surgeries. The aim of this study was to determine the cost-utility of revision surgery for CD correction.
Methods: Retrospective review of a multicenter prospective CD database. CD was defined as at least one of the following: C2-C7 Cobb \u3e10°, cervical lordosis (CL) \u3e10°, cervical sagittal vertical axis (cSVA) \u3e4 cm, chin-brow vertical angle (CBVA) \u3e25°. Quality-adjusted life year (QALY) were calculated by EuroQol Five-Dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) mapped to SF-6D index and utilized a 3% discount rate to account for residual decline to life expectancy (men: 76.9 years, women: 81.6 years). Medicare reimbursement at 30 days assigned costs for index procedures (9+ level posterior fusion, 4-8 level posterior fusion with anterior fusion, 2-3 level posterior fusion with anterior fusion, 4-8 level anterior fusion) and revision fusions (2-3 level, 4-8 level, or 9+ level posterior refusion). Cost per QALY gained was calculated.
Results: Eighty-nine CD patients were included (61.6 years, 65.2% female). CD correction for these patients involved a mean 7.7±3.7 levels fused, with 34% combined approach surgeries, 49% posterior-only and 17% anterior-only, 19.1% three-column osteotomy. Costs for index surgeries ranged from 44,318 and cost per QALY of 41,510. Indications for revisions were DJK (5/11), neurologic impairment [4], infection [1], prominent/painful instrumentation [1]. Average QALYs gained was 1.62 per revision patient. Cost was 28,138 per QALY, in addition to the $27,267 per QALY for primary CD surgeries. For primary CD patients, CD surgery has the potential to be cost effective, with the caveats that a patient livelihood extends long enough to have the benefits and durability of the surgery is maintained. Efforts in research and surgical technique development should emphasize minimization of reoperation causes just as DJK that significantly affect cost utility of these surgeries to bring cost-utility to an acceptable range
Bronchial Secretory Immunoglobulin A Deficiency Correlates With Airway Inflammation and Progression of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Rationale: Although airway inflammation can persist for years after smoking cessation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the mechanisms of persistent inflammation are largely unknown
Resistance to autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease in an APOE3 Christchurch homozygote: a case report.
We identified a PSEN1 (presenilin 1) mutation carrier from the world's largest autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease kindred, who did not develop mild cognitive impairment until her seventies, three decades after the expected age of clinical onset. The individual had two copies of the APOE3 Christchurch (R136S) mutation, unusually high brain amyloid levels and limited tau and neurodegenerative measurements. Our findings have implications for the role of APOE in the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease
GOALS-JWST: Mid-infrared Spectroscopy of the Nucleus of NGC 7469
We present mid-infrared spectroscopic observations of the nucleus of the nearby Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469 taken with the MIRI instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) as part of Directors Discretionary Time Early Release Science program 1328. The high-resolution nuclear spectrum contains 19 emission lines covering a wide range of ionization. The high-ionization lines show broad, blueshifted emission reaching velocities up to 1700 km sâ1 and FWHM ranging from âŒ500 to 1100 km sâ1. The width of the broad emission and the broad-to-narrow line flux ratios correlate with ionization potential. The results suggest a decelerating, stratified, AGN-driven outflow emerging from the nucleus. The estimated mass outflow rate is 1-2 orders of magnitude larger than the current black hole accretion rate needed to power the AGN. Eight pure rotational H2 emission lines are detected with intrinsic widths ranging from FWHM âŒ125 to 330 km sâ1. We estimate a total mass of warm H2 gas of âŒ1.2
7 107 M â in the central 100 pc. The PAH features are extremely weak in the nuclear spectrum, but a 6.2 ÎŒm PAH feature with an equivalent width of âŒ0.07 ÎŒm and a flux of 2.7
7 10â17 W mâ2 is detected. The spectrum is steeply rising in the mid-infrared, with a silicate strength of âŒ0.02, significantly smaller than seen in most PG QSOs but comparable to other Seyfert 1s. These early MIRI mid-infrared IFU data highlight the power of JWST to probe the multiphase interstellar media surrounding actively accreting supermassive black holes
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