Photocatalytic Denitrification of Nitrate Using Fe-TiO2-Coated Clay Filters

In this work, 3D-structured clay filters were prepared and coated with iron-doped tita- nium dioxide (Fe-TiO2) using 3D printing and sol–gel soaking and calcination techniques. Three- dimensional printing was employed to mold and shape the clay filters before annealing. The coated and uncoated filters were characterized for different properties, i.e., morphology, optical properties, and crystalline structure, using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), UV/Vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The FESEM images show uniform coatings of round-shaped Fe-TiO2 on the tiny pore of the clay filter. The optical energy band gap of the obtained coating was around 2.8 eV, estimated by Tauc’s plot, compared with 3.2 eV of pristine anatase TiO2. The XRD spectra data processed through XRD software revealed the coatings of TiO2 on the filter surface with the obtained phase of anatase. The photocatalytic performance of bare and coated filters was initially tested for the degradation of indigo carmine (IC) dye and the obtained results suggested the photocatalytic degradation of IC dye by the Fe-TiO2 clay filter compared with the bare filter. Afterward, the deni- trification of nitrate NO3 at various concentrations was performed using Fe-TiO2-coated clay filters and analyzing the total nitrogen (TN) analysis and reduction of NO3 to nitrite (NO2−), nitrogen monoxide (NO), and nitrogen gas (N2). The TN analysis revealed up to 81% denitrification efficiency of the 30 ppm NO3 solution with the photocatalytic response of the Fe-TiO2-coated filter. The results revealed that the Fe-TiO2-coated clay filter has a high potential for denitrification applications under natural sunlight

Insight on the Properties of Pumice Mineral for the Combined Adsorption Distillation of Membrane Reject Water

The current study evaluated the use of pumice, a volcanic mineral and common sand, in treating reverse osmosis membrane reject water (ROR) using a novel combined adsorption distillation (CAD) method. The CAD method is developed to separate the dissolved solids through adsorption distillation, i.e., leaving the vaporized distillate as freshwater and concentrated brine. The adsorption potential of pumice and sand was investigated at different adsorbent doses, i.e., 2, 5, and 10 g, and consecutive CAD adsorbent backwashing cycles. The improved results were achieved at a 10 g pumice dose. However, its adsorption efficiency declined in longer CAD cycles, i.e., due to the separated deposition of solids. After backwashing, the adsorbed and accumulated salts were slightly removed, and pumice adsorption capacity was maintained for up to 20 cycles of CAD. The properties of the pumice, i.e., before and after five CAD cycles and after backwashing, were characterized with scanning electron microscopic (SEM), elemental disruptive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), which revealed that the porous structure of the pumice was completely accumulated with deposits of ionic salts, which were slightly washed away after backwashing, but accumulation remained continued in post-CAD cycles. The explored method revealed a high potential of pumice in water filtration

Structural and thermal investigation of lignocellulosic biomass conversion for enhancing sustainable imperative in progressive organic refinery paradigm for waste-to-energy applications

The depletion of finite fossil fuel reserves and the severe environmental degradation resulting from human activities have compelled the expeditious development and application of sustainable waste to energy technologies. To encapsulate energy and environment in sustainability paradigm, bio waste based energy production is need to be forged in organic bio refinery setup. According to world bioenergy association, biomass can cover 50 % of the primary energy demand of the world. Therefore, the present study focuses on reforming the energy mix for a clean energy generation, where, sample composition of cotton stalk was acidified in dilute (5% wt.) hydrochloric acid (HCL) for analyzing material burnout patterns in biomass conversion systems utilized in organic bio refinery sector. Advanced thermochemical burning technique, which includes pyrolysis and combustion was applied at four different leaching times from 0 to 180 min under nitrogen environment from 0 °C to 500 °C and air from 500 °C to 900 °C, respectively. Different analyses including proximate, ultimate, gross calorific value (GCV), thermos-gravimetric, kinetic, XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDS were used for analyzing the degradation of demineralized cotton stalk at different treatment rates. Proximate study demonstrated that cotton stalk leaching for 180 min has efficiently infused HCL, leading in a significant increase in fixed carbon and higher heating value of 20.23 % and 12.48%, respectively, as well as a reduction in carbon footprint of around 54.80%. The findings of proximate was validated by GCV analysis and CHNS analysis as value of carbon and hydrogen has shown increasing behavior with the time delay in demineralization Thermo-gravimetric and derivative thermo-gravimetric data analyses shows an increasing trend of conversion efficiency, with the maximum increase of 98 % reported for sample 3H.TT.DEM. XRD characterization has reported 23° to 25° angle for all the observed peaks. Sample 3H.TT.DEM has shown maximum angle inclination along with matured crystalline peak. The latter observations has been validated by FTIR spectroscopy as sample 3H.TT.DEM has reported maximum O–H group formation. Sample 3H.TT.DEM has reported lowest activation energy of 139.51 kJ*mole-1 and lowest reactivity of 0.000293649%*min 0C, due to moderate and stable reactiveness. In SEM examination, increment in pore size and number of pores within the structural matrix of cotton stalk was observed with the enhancement in acidulation process. Furthermore, in EDS analysis, 3H.TT.DEM has shown most balanced distribution of the elements. In this research, sustainable transformation of biomass is envisioned to improve the waste bio refinery system, significantly contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 7, 12 and 13

Strategies to manage hepatitis C virus infection disease burden - volume 3.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink at the bottom of the pageThe hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic was forecasted through 2030 for 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and the relative impact of two scenarios was considered: increased treatment efficacy while holding the annual number of treated patients constant and increased treatment efficacy and an increased annual number of treated patients. Increasing levels of diagnosis and treatment, in combination with improved treatment efficacy, were critical for achieving substantial reductions in disease burden. A 90% reduction in total HCV infections within 15 years is feasible in most countries studied, but it required a coordinated effort to introduce harm reduction programmes to reduce new infections, screening to identify those already infected and treatment with high cure rate therapies. This suggests that increased capacity for screening and treatment will be critical in many countries. Birth cohort screening is a helpful tool for maximizing resources. Among European countries, the majority of patients were born between 1940 and 1985. A wider range of birth cohorts was seen in the Middle East and Asia (between 1925 and 1995).Gilead Sciences Center for Disease Analysi

Borislav Runanine as the Friend of the Prince (centre), Tamara Toumanova as the Queen of the Swans (centre), Paul Petroff as the Prince (centre right), and artists of the company, in Le lac des cygnes, the Original Ballet Russe, Australian tour, His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, 1940 [picture] /

From: Le lac des cygnes (Swan lake) : choreographic poem in one act / music by Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky; Part of the collection: Hugh P. Hall collection of photographs, 1938-1940.; Performed March and April 1940. No number on front. 3P/9 on reverse.; Choreography after M. Petipa ; scenery and costumes by C. Korovine ; scenery executed by O. Allegri.; Also available in an electronic version via the internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn4175672. One of a collection of photographs taken by Hugh P. Hall of 28 ballet productions performed by the Covent Garden Russian Ballet (toured Australia 1938-1939) and the Original Ballet Russe (toured Australia 1939-1940). These are the second and third of the three Ballets Russes companies which toured Australasia between 1936 and 1940. The photographs were taken from the auditorium during a live performance in His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne and mounted on cardboard for display purposes. For conservation and storage, the photographs have been demounted. The original arrangement of the photographs has been recorded, and details are available from the Pictures Branch of the National Library

Historical epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in select countries - volume 3.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink at the bottom of the pageDetailed, country-specific epidemiological data are needed to characterize the burden of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection around the world. With new treatment options available, policy makers and public health officials must reconsider national strategies for infection control. In this study of 15 countries, published and unpublished data on HCV prevalence, viraemia, genotype, age and gender distribution, liver transplants and diagnosis and treatment rates were gathered from the literature and validated by expert consensus in each country. Viraemic prevalence in this study ranged from 0.2% in Iran and Lebanon to 4.2% in Pakistan. The largest viraemic populations were in Pakistan (7 001 000 cases) and Indonesia (3 187 000 cases). Injection drug use (IDU) and a historically unsafe blood supply were major risk factors in most countries. Diagnosis, treatment and liver transplant rates varied widely between countries. However, comparison across countries was difficult as the number of cases changes over time. Access to reliable data on measures such as these is critical for the development of future strategies to manage the disease burden.Gilead Sciences Center for Disease Analysi