Relative value of selective group A streptococcal agar incubated under different atmospheres

A commercially available selective group A streptococcal agar (ssA) was evaluated for the recovery of group A streptococci (GAS) in comparison with recovery from simultaneous cultures on conventional sheep blood agar (SBA). Both sets of plates were incubated in air, 5% CO2, and anaerobically for 48 h, with a first reading taken at 24 h. A total of 402 (67.0%) GAS were isolated from the 600 specimens that were submitted. Recovery of GAS was significantly greater after 48 h of incubation than after 24 h of incubation for each medium-atmosphere combination. After 48 h of incubation, the sensitivities of GAS detection obtained by each culture technique were as follows: ssA-anaerobic atmosphere, 98.5%; SBA-anaerobic atmosphere, 89.5%; ssA-CO2 atmosphere, 88.0%; SBA-air, 86.5%; SBA-CO2 atmosphere, 82.0%; and ssA-air, 74.6%. There were no cultures positive in air or CO2 which were not positive anaerobically on either medium. The increased sensitivity of detecting positive GAS cultures when incubation was done in an ssA-anaerobic atmosphere for 48 h uncovered patients truly infected with the organisms.     

High-Pressure (up to 140 MPa) Dynamic Viscosity of the Methane and Toluene System: Measurements and Comparative Study of Some Representative Models

The dynamic viscosity of toluene and methane mixtures containing 25.03, 37.19, 49.95, 64.11, and 95.00 mol% methane has been measured using a falling-body viscometer. The measurements (280 data points) have been performed in the temperature range 293.15 to 373.15 K and at pressures up to 140 MPa. The data have been discussed in the framework of recent representative models (hard-sphere scheme, friction theory, and free-volume model) as well as with simple mixing laws and empirical models (particularly the LBC model and the self-referencing model) used in the literature. This comparative study shows that the average absolute deviation of the models is between 4.9 and 26.8%, and the maximum deviation is between 11.6 and 49.5%.     

Fluidised pellet bed bioreactor: a promising technology for onsite wastewater treatment and reuse.

A pilot-scale fluidised pellet bed (FPB) bioreactor, which combines chemical coagulation, biological degradation, particle pelletisation and separation in one unit, was applied for onsite wastewater treatment and reuse. As a result of rational use of inorganic coagulant and organic polymer and moderate mechanical agitation, spherical particles were generated in the upflow column and a well-fluidised bed was formed. With a continuous supply of dissolved oxygen through a recycling loop, an aerobic condition was kept in the bottom section of the FPB column. Under such conditions the pellets in the FPB column showed the following characteristics: (1) compact structure and high density; (2) rich in microorganisms; and (3) high MLSS and MLVSS concentrations. Therefore, the FPB bioreactor achieved more than 90% removal of SS, COD, BOD and TP from raw domestic wastewater within a total hydraulic retention time (HRT) of only about 30 minutes. It also showed nitrification and denitrification ability and the TN removal could be about 50% as the recycling ratio was increased to 1:1. The treated water quality is generally competitive with the secondary effluent from a conventional activated sludge process. With these advantages the FPB bioreactor is recommendable as a compact system for onsite wastewater treatment and reuse.     

Self-aligned diffusion technique for n-InP JFETs

A self-aligned diffusion process has been demonstrated in the fabrication of n-InP JFETs on semi-insulating InP. This process utilises the anisotropic and selective etching properties of InP/GaInAs materials. Using this technique, sub-micrometre gate lengths can be achieved even with conventional photolithography. Devices with trans-conductance of >35mS/mm, leakage current of < 10nA/mm and gate capacitance of <0.7pF/mm have been fabricated with a cutoff frequency of 7 GHz.     

A strain hardening failure assessment diagram derived from carbon-manganese steel compact tension specimens

A failure assessment diagram is derived from carbon-manganese steel compact tension specimens. The diagram has been determined from an elastic-plastic finite element analysis of a compact tension specimen geometry. The diagram has been validated by using experimental fracture toughness data obtained on the same steel and specimen geometry modelled in the finite element analysis. The plastic collapse load has been determined empirically for this geometry.It is shown that a non-work-hardening failure assessment diagram is not a good representation of the experimental data and that the computed failure assessment diagram is more appropriate for describing the behaviour of the carbon-manganese steel specimens.     

Integrated modelling under uncertainty in watershed-level assessment and management.

Uncertainty in water quality model predictions is inevitably high due to natural stochasticity, model uncertainty, and parameter uncertainty. An integrated modelling system (modified-BASINS) under uncertainty is described and demonstrated for use in receiving-water quality prediction and watershed management. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to investigate the effect of various uncertainty types on output prediction. Without pollution control measures in the watershed, the concentrations of total nitrogen (T-N) and total phosphorus (T-P) in the Hwaong Reservoir, considering three uncertainty types, would be less than about 4.4 and 0.23 mg L(-1), respectively, in 2012, with 90% confidence. The effects of two watershed management practices, wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and constructed wetlands (WETLAND), were evaluated. The combined scenario (WWTP + WETLAND) was the most effective at improving reservoir water quality, bringing concentrations of T-N and T-P in the Hwaong Reservoir to less than 3.4 and 0.14 mg L(-1), 24 and 41% improvements, respectively, with 90% confidence. Overall, the Monte Carlo simulation in the integrated modelling system was practical for estimating uncertainty and reliable in water quality prediction. The approach described here may allow decisions to be made based on the probability and level of risk, and its application is recommended.     

Characterisation and biological treatment of greywater.

Characterisation of greywater was conducted in two different greywater streams in the Netherlands (Groningen and Sneek). The concentrations of macropollutants and nutrients measured were very different in both streams; in particular the COD was 425 mg/L in Groningen's water whereas in Sneek it was 1,583 mg/L. The aerobic treatment of greywater in a fed-batch reactor led to a 90% removal of COD at different organic loading rates. Anaerobically, the removal reached 40% COD removal on average, the possible reason being the high amount of surfactants present in the influent.     

Analysis of the effect of polypyrrole synthesis conditions on its capacity to reduce hexavalent chromium

This paper reports the capacity of polypyrrole to reduce toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The influence of using different electrolytes during the polymer's synthesis has been studied. To improve the reduction of Cr(VI), the parameters considered were the polypyrrole morphology and the amount of conducting polymer. Polypyrrole obtained by cyclic voltammetry at a low sweep rate using KBr as supporting electrolyte showed better performance for Cr(VI) reduction compared to coatings obtained by constant potential or cyclic voltammetry at high sweep rates.     

N-phenyl piprazine-polyester derivative as curing activator of unsaturated resins

An oligomeric compound (Pol-2A) has been synthesized by a Michael-type addition of N-phenyl piperazine to double bonds of the maleic units of a polyester resin. This compound was used as activator (with benzoyl peroxide) in the curing of unsaturated polyester resins and compared in its efficiency with N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA). Pol-2A showed actiator characteristics comparable to those of DMA, with a wider range of gel times, and similar mechanical properties of the end products, with the advantage of a severe lowering of diffusibility and related environmental toxicity.