Assessing Biofiltration without Ozonation for Removal of Trihalomethane Precursors in Drinking Water at the Beaver Water District Drinking Water Treatment Plant

Biofiltration without pre-ozonation has the capability to remove natural organic matter (NOM) fractions that serve as precursors of disinfection byproducts (DBPs), which include the four regulated trihalomethanes (THMs) and dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN). Rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCTs) and Pilot Plant filters operated at empty-bed contact times (EBCTs) of 4, 8, and 16 minutes were used to evaluate the performance of nutrient-amended (free ammonia and phosphorus) biofiltration for THM and DCAN precursor removal, as measured using formation potential (FP) tests. NOM surrogates – which include dissolved organic carbon (DOC), specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA254) and fluorescence-PARAFAC components – were measured weekly throughout the 30-week study to assess their suitability to track DBP precursor removal. RSSCTs containing DOC-exhausted granular activated carbon (GAC) removed up to 25% of the DOC with removal increasing (=0.01) with EBCT between 4 and 16 mins. During the 11-week period of active nitrification in the RSSCTs, average removals of total THMFP and DCANFP were 21% and 44%, respectively. However, statistically similar removals (=0.01) were observed at 8 and 16 mins EBCT, indicating that EBCTs in excess of 8 mins would not be helpful unless additional pretreatment steps such as pre-ozonation or a higher chlorine dioxide dose were added prior to the biofilters to increase the amount of biodegradable NOM. Relative to the RSSCTs, the Pilot filters achieved higher average removals of DOC, SUVA254, TTHMFP and DCANFP because their GAC media was not exhausted with respect to DOC and thus NOM was sorbed by physical-chemical mechanisms. Weak linear correlations observed between NOM surrogates and TTHMFP (R2 \u3c 0.27) during the active nitrification period in the RSSCTs indicate that these surrogates are not useful for monitoring THM precursor removal in nutrient-enhanced biofilters and therefore DBPFP tests are required to assess biofiltration performance

A Simple and Cost-Effective EPON-Based Next Generation Mobile Backhaul RAN Architecture

This study proposes a novel, simple and cost-effective PON-based next generation mobile backhaul RAN architecture that enables redistribution of some of the intelligence currently centralized in the Mobile Packet Core (MPC) platform out into the access nodes of the RAN. Specifically, this work proposes a fully distributed ring-based EPON architecture that enables the support of a converged PON-4G/5G mobile WiMAX/LTE access networking transport infrastructure to seamlessly backhaul both mobile and wireline multimedia traffic and services

Technological Challenges and Innovations in Cybersecurity and Networking Technology Program

This era is posing a unique challenge to the Cybersecurity and related Engineering Technology areas, stimulated by the multifaceted technological boom expressed in accelerated globalization, digital transformation, the cloud, mobile access apps, and the Internet of Things (IoT)—where more and more devices are connected to the Internet every day. As the use of new Internet-based technologies increase; so does the risk of theft and misuse of sensitive information. This demands the awareness of cyber-criminality and the need for cyber hygiene in corporations, small businesses, and the government. As the need for experienced cybersecurity specialists has skyrocketed in recent years and employment for positions such as that of an information security analyst are projected to grow exponentially, there is a growing trend of cybersecurity training and certificate courses throughout the nation. Henceforth, this paper discusses the importance of designing a cybersecurity technology program, key challenges faced by it, and the use of advanced and innovative technologies to be employed. We will discuss various approaches to use technological innovation especially for advanced courses like Ethical Hacking and Network Penetration Testing and Computer Cybersecurity that include using cloud space to deploy virtual machines and labs; using VMware and the possibility of deploying Dell advanced VxR Hyperconverged System. This Software-defined architecture combines computing, storage, virtualization, management and has full-stack integration with VMware Technologies. This work is funded by the U.S Department of Education and CapitalOne Foundation grants and also includes consultation with National Cyberwatch and our key partner companies in this endeavor

Theories in Spin Dynamics of Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

This short review article presents theories used in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Main theories used in NMR include the average Hamiltonian theory, the Floquet theory and the developing theories are the Fer expansion or the Floquet-Magnus expansion. These approaches provide solutions to the time-dependent Schrodinger equation which is a central problem in quantum physics in general and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance in particular. Methods of these expansion schemes used as numerical integrators for solving the time dependent Schrodinger equation are presented. The action of their propagator operators is also presented. We highlight potential future theoretical and numerical directions such as the time propagation calculated by Chebychev expansion of the time evolution operators and an interesting transformation called the Cayley method

Long non-coding RNAs modulate tumor microenvironment to promote metastasis: novel avenue for therapeutic intervention

Cancer is a devastating disease and the primary cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with cancer metastasis responsible for 90% of cancer-related deaths. Cancer metastasis is a multistep process characterized by spreading of cancer cells from the primary tumor and acquiring molecular and phenotypic changes that enable them to expand and colonize in distant organs. Despite recent advancements, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) of cancer metastasis is limited and requires further exploration. In addition to genetic alterations, epigenetic changes have been demonstrated to play an important role in the development of cancer metastasis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are considered one of the most critical epigenetic regulators. By regulating signaling pathways and acting as decoys, guides, and scaffolds, they modulate key molecules in every step of cancer metastasis such as dissemination of carcinoma cells, intravascular transit, and metastatic colonization. Gaining a good knowledge of the detailed molecular basis underlying lncRNAs regulating cancer metastasis may provide previously unknown therapeutic and diagnostic lncRNAs for patients with metastatic disease. In this review, we concentrate on the molecular mechanisms underlying lncRNAs in the regulation of cancer metastasis, the cross-talk with metabolic reprogramming, modulating cancer cell anoikis resistance, influencing metastatic microenvironment, and the interaction with pre-metastatic niche formation. In addition, we also discuss the clinical utility and therapeutic potential of lncRNAs for cancer treatment. Finally, we also represent areas for future research in this rapidly developing field

Combined experimental and computational approach toward biological, physicochemical and quantum chemical aspects of substituted 1-[5-phenyl-3-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-4,5-dihydro-pyrazol-1-yl]-ethanone

In current work, three N-acetyl pyrazoline derivatives (1–3) have been prepared via 1,4-addition reaction of hydrazine on chalcones, followed by cyclization of the adduct in the presence of acetic acid. The structural interpretation of synthesized compounds was accomplished using various characterization techniques like FT-IR, Ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for antioxidant, Urease inhibitory and Lipoxygenase inhibitory activities and results revealed that compound 2 showed promising antioxidant, Urease inhibitory and Lipoxygenase inhibitory activity with IC50 values 33.2 ± 0.45, 32.7 ± 0.11 and 42.2 ± 0.77, respectively. Moreover, DNA binding interactions of the N-acetyl pyrazoline derivatives have also been carried out with SS-DNA (Salmon Sperm DNA) using absorption spectroscopy. Furthermore, molecular docking was conducted for a ready comparison with the experimental data and to determine the interactions involved. ADMET profiling of pyrazoline derivatives was also done using Admet SAR. Besides that, quantum chemical calculations using DFT (density functional theory) were carried out to explore optimized geometries, FMOs (Frontier molecular orbitals), NBOs (Nonbonding orbitals) of synthesized compounds and to predict their NLO (Nonlinear optical) properties. The synthesized compounds showed much better NLO behavior than standard Urea along with a strong agreement between computed and empirically recorded spectral data

Cytotoxic Activity of Phytoconstituents Isolated from Monotheca buxifolia against Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line HepG2: In Vitro and Molecular Docking Studies

Natural products and conventional chemotherapeutic drugs are believed to enhance anticancer treatment efficacy while lowering toxicity. The current study investigates the cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects of Monotheca buxifolia bioactive compounds on HepG2 cell lines. MTT assay was used to assess the effect on the viability of HepG2 cells. Morphological changes were investigated. Annexin-V-FITC/PI was used to demonstrate apoptotic activity. A molecular dynamics simulation study was carried out to investigate the compound binding pattern in the active site of the PPRAδ protein. MTT and annexin V-FITC/PI assays revealed that the isolated compounds lauric acid, oleanolic acid, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate inhibited the growth of hepatocellular cancer cells. The IC50 value for lauric acid was 56.46 ± 1.20 μg/mL, 31.94 ± 1.03 μg/mL for oleanolic acid, and 83.80 ± 2.18 μg/mL for bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Apoptosis was observed in 29.5, 52.1 and 22.4% of HepG2 cells treated with lauric acid, oleanolic acid, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, respectively, after 24 h of treatment. Morphological assays and Hoechst staining microscopy revealed that the treatment caused morphological changes in the cell membrane and nuclear condensation. The high fluctuation indicates that various interactions were highly potent and widely adopted, and vice versa. Oleanolic acid displayed high residue fluctuation, remaining stable in the active site of the PPRAδ protein and involved in various interactions while remaining locally fluctuating in the binding sites of the other two compounds. These findings concluded that lauric acid, oleanolic acid, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate have a significant apoptogenic effect against HepG2 cells in inducing apoptosis. Our findings suggest that these bioactive compounds could be used as adjuvant therapies

Fabrication of novel oxochalcogens halides of manganese and tin nanocomposites as highly efficient photocatalysts for dye degradation and excellent antimicrobial activity

The dark brown and white crystals of manganese and tin (Mn2Se3Cl2O7 and SnSe3O4Cl) have been synthesized by solid-state reaction at 450 C. The morphology and the elemental analysis of newly synthesized compounds were studied by SEM and EDX Analysis. SEM analysis reveals that the particle size for Mn2Se3Cl2O7 was found to be 0.2–2.5 μm and for SnSe3O4Cl 2.0–6.0 μm. The EDX studies showed the presence of Mn, Se, O, Cl, and Sn elements. Powdered XRD confirmed the presence of a new phase present in these compounds. Under UV-vis irradiation, the kinetics of methylene blue (MB) degradation catalyzed by produced nanoparticles were monitored. The dye degradation efficiency was estimated, and results reveals that after 150 min of irradiation, almost 75% of the dye was degraded in the presence of Mn compound while 71% degradation was shown by Sn compound. Both composites display antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with a maximum value of 34.5 mm. The maximum antimicrobial activity shown by Mn-incorporated nanocomposites estimated at 32.5 mm was against Gram-positive bacteria and 26.4 mm against Gram-negative bacteria. Similarly, the maximum antifungal activity shown by Sn incorporated estimated at 33.9 mm was compared to Gram-positive bacteria and 27.8 mm against Gram-negative bacteria

Designing of Te-doped ZnO and S-g-C3N4 /Te-ZnO nano-composites as excellent photocatalytic and antimicrobial agents

Today, it is crucial but challenging to develop a narrow bandgap photo-catalyst that can eliminate contaminants when exposed to visible light. In this work, we synthesized the ZnO, Te-doped ZnO, and s-g- C3N4 assisted Te-doped ZnO nanoparticles by a susceptible and economical co-precipitation method. Different techniques were employed to characterize the compounds like XRD confirms the formation of pure wurtzite phase present within ZnO nanoparticles. The morphology of produced nanoparticles was studied using FESEM, which reveals that ZnO nanoparticles develop into spherical particles whereas doped particles take the form of nano-sheets with a regular hexagonal pattern. The FT-IR and UV visible spectrum was used to measure the functional groups and optical properties of compounds. The doped compound shows the maximum efficiency of degradation against methylene blue dye under sunlight exposure. Furthermore, E. coli and S. aureus were used as test subjects for the antibacterial activity of these synthetic compounds. On the other hand, the greatest antifungal activity of S-g-C3N4/Te-ZnO against C. albicans was calculated to be 44.6 mm, and 26.5 mm against E. salmonicolor. Te-doped ZnO nanoparticles with the aid of S-g-C3N4 showed remarkable photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities

Design of a highly efficient heterostructure of transition metal tellurides with outstanding photocatalytic and antimicrobial potential

This work aimed to synthesize an effective material having greater potential to reduce water pollution caused by industrial waste and exhibit efficient antibacterial potential. The transition metals (Manganese-Mn, Zinc-Zn) and post transition metal (Tin-Sn) reacted with TeO2 in a stoichiometric ratio by adopting a solid-state reaction. The crystallite size of the synthesized compounds MnTeO3 (D1), ZnTeO3 (D2), and SnTe3O8 (D3) was measured by the Debye-Scherrer formula by extracting data from the FWHM. D1 and D2 exhibit the orthorhombic structure whereas D3 has a simple cubic structure and crystalline size was measured by FWHM i.e., 221 nm, 458 nm, and 153 nm. Catalytic degradation efficiency for the removal of MB dye was found to be in the range of 66%-73%. Additionally, these substances have strong antimicrobial action alongside both bacteria and fungi, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus with maximal zone inhibitions of 35.0 mm and 12.5 mm for each kind of bacterium. The highest antifungal activity of Mn integrated was estimated to be 37.2 mm versus Aspergillus niger and 15.1 mm alongside Coccidioides. According to the findings, the manufactured material has effective photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities