The reuse of dried activated sludge for adsorption of reactive dye

Adsorption processes are alternative effective methods for removal of textile dyes from aqueous solutions. The adsorption ability of adsorbent affects by physico-chemical environment for this reason in this paper effect of initial pH, dye concentrations, temperature and dye hydrolyzation were determined in a batch system for removal of reactive dye by dried activated sludge. The Langmuir isotherm model was well described of adsorption reactive dye and maximum monolayer adsorption capacity (at pH 2) of activated sludge was determined as 116, 93 and 71mgg(-1) for 20 degrees , 35 degrees and 50 degrees C, respectively. Initial pH 2, 20 degrees C and 30min contact time are suitable for removal of reactive dyes from aqueous solutions. Activated sludge was characterized by FT-IR analysis and results showed that active sludge has different functional groups and functional groups of activated sludge are able to react with dye molecules in aqueous solution. The pseudo first-order, second-order and intraparticle diffusion kinetics were used to describe the kinetic data. The pseudo second-order kinetic model was fit well over the range of contact times and also an intra particle diffusion kinetic model was fit well but in the first 30min. The dye hydrolyzation was affected adsorption capacity of biomass and adsorption capacity of biomass decreased with dye hydrolyzation from 74 to 38mgg(-1).     

Wideband patch antennas for mobile communications

This paper describes a new technique for bandwidth enhancement of microstrip patch antennas. An electromagnetically coupled (EMC) feeding structure was employed to increase the bandwidth. L-strip feeding rectangular and triangular patches were simulated and tested. The obtained bandwidth (SWR2) is about 1200 MHz (52%) for the rectangular patch, while that of the triangular one is around 1300 MHz (56%). These results provide evidence that the proposed designs can be used in the DCS, PCS, UMTS, WLAN and IMT-2000 service frequency bands.     

Sensitivity of three pathogenic bacteria to Turkish cemen paste and its ingredients

Pastirma is a dry cured meat product which is pasted with cemen. This paste is prepared from ground fenugreek, garlic and red hot pepper (RHPP). In this study, the cemen mix/paste and all its ingredients were tested for their inhibitory effects on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Yersinia enterocolitica. All samples had a varying inhibitory effect against all the bacteria tested during 4 days of storage. Complete cemen paste showed the strongest inhibitory effect on the three pathogens compared to ingredients alone. Fenugreek and RHPP had a bacteriostatic effect while the cemen paste and garlic had a bactericidal effect. S. aureus was the most sensitive bacterium while Y. enterocolitica was the most resistant. The results of this study confirmed the protective effect of cemen paste and garlic in food preservation especially against E. coli, S. aureus and Y. enterocolitica proving safety for public health. Hence it might be concluded that cemen paste is the first hurdle to prevent bacterial contamination, and a low pH (～4.83) value would also add an additional barrier to secure safety of the product. Finally, it can be suggested that similar studies should be conducted on actual meat systems to confirm these findings.     

Prediction of cutting forces along Pythagorean-hodograph curves

This paper proposes a new approach to predicting cutting forces in milling operations. The approach attempts to find the analytic relationship between cutting forces and the tangential direction of the tool path when a tool moves along an analytical curve, i.e., a Pythagorean-hodograph curve that describes a group of analytic curves with special properties, in a milling operation. In conventional methods for the prediction of cutting forces in milling operations, cutting forces are estimated by considering such cutting parameters as feed rate, depth of cut, and tool geometry. However, the change in the moving direction of the cutter, which has a major effect on cutting forces, is often neglected by previous researchers. This work aims to establish the theoretical basis to show how cutting forces along a curve can be predicted. Two case studies are used to illustrate the proposed cutting force prediction strategy.     

Fixed-quantity dynamic lot sizing using simulated annealing

In this paper, simulated annealing (SA) is applied to the deterministic dynamic lot-sizing problem with batch ordering and backorders. Batch ordering requires orders that are integer multiples of a fixed quantity that is larger than 1. The performance of the developed SA heuristic is compared to that of a genetic algorithm (GA) and a modified silver-meal (MSM) heuristic developed in the literature, based on the frequency of obtaining the optimum solution and the percentage average deviation from the optimum solution. In addition, the effects of three factors on the performance of the SA, GA, and the MSM are investigated in a 2³ factorial experiment. The investigated factors are the demand pattern, the batch size, and the length of the planning horizon. Results indicate that the SA heuristic has the best performance, followed by GA, in terms of the frequency of obtaining the optimum solution and the average deviation from the optimum solution. SA is also the most robust of the investigated heuristics as its performance is only affected by the length of the planning horizon.     

Yield and quality of early potato cultivars in relation to the use of glufosinate‐ammonium as desiccant

BACKGROUND: Glufosinate‐ammonium (GA) is used for chemical vine killing of potato crop before harvest. Over two years we tested the effect of GA, applied at 0.48 kg ha^?1 of active ingredient, on desiccation of haulms, yield and some qualitative traits of tubers of three cultivars of early potatoes, a typical crop of southern Italy and large areas of the Mediterranean countries. RESULTS: Seven days after treatment desiccation reached 90% of leaves for all cultivars. At harvest, the highest desiccation percentage of haulms was 85% in Spunta. The desiccant did not affect yield in either year during which the analysis was carried out, but it increased the percentage of tubers in the range of 35–70 mm in diameter. In the first year, the treatment decreased dry matter and vitamin C content and increased free sugar concentration in tubers. In the second year, no negative effects on the nutritional traits were observed. Strong differences were found on yield and quality between the two years as a result of the different climatic conditions. CONCLUSION: In the two experiments GA had no influence on yield, but increased the percentage of potato tubers in the 35–70 mm range. From a qualitative standpoint in 2004 the chemical vine‐killing treatment had some negative effects (decreased dry matter and vitamin C content, increased free sugar concentrations), whereas no such negative effects were observed in 2005. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

马齿苋子中多糖的提取分离及抑菌活性研究

采用苯酚-硫酸法,以葡萄糖作为标准品,分光光度计于490nm波长处测定其吸收度,对马齿苋子中多糖进行提取和含量分析并作抑菌活性试验.结果表明:多糖的线性范围为0.010 g/L～0.080 g/L,A=0.012 7C-0.003 2,r=0.999 0,平均加样回收率为98.01%,RSD=1.42%.多糖的提取率可达8.94%.抑菌活性试验结果表明,马齿苋子多糖除绿脓杆菌外其它三种对病菌有明显抑菌作用.     

In vitro and in situ antimicrobial action and mechanism of glycinin and its basic subunit

Glycinin, basic subunit and β-conglycinin were isolated from soybean protein isolate and tested for their antimicrobial action against pathogenic and spoilage bacteria as compared to penicillin. The three fractions exhibited antibacterial activities equivalent to or higher than penicillin in the next order; basic subunit>glycinin>β-conglycinin with MIC of 50, 100 and 1000 μg/mL, respectively. The IC(50%) values of the basic subunit, glycinin and β-conglycinin against Listeria\monocytogenes were 15, 16 and 695 μg/mL, against Bacillussubtilis were 17, 20, and 612 μg/mL, and against S. Enteritidis were 18, 21 and 526 μg/mL, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images of L. monocytogenes and S. Enteritidis exhibited bigger sizes and separation of cell wall from cell membrane when treated with glycinin or basic subunit. Scanning electron microscopy of B. subtilis indicated signs of irregular wrinkled outer surface, fragmentation, adhesion and aggregation of damaged cells or cellular debris when treated with glycinin or the basic subunits but not with penicillin. All tested substances particularly the basic subunit showed increased concentration-dependent cell permeation assessed by crystal violet uptake. The antimicrobial action of glycinin and basic subunit was swifter than that of penicillin. The cell killing efficiency was in the following descending order; basic subunit>glycinin>penicillin>β-conglycinin and the susceptibility of the bacteria to the antimicrobial agents was in the next order: L. monocytogenes>B. Subtilis>S. Enteritidis. Adding glycinin and the basic subunit to pasteurized milk inoculated with the three bacteria; L. monocytogenes, B. Subtilis and S. Enteritidis (ca. 5 log CFU/mL) could inhibit their propagation after 16-20 days storage at 4 °C by 2.42-2.98, 4.25-4.77 and 2.57-3.01 log and by 3.22-3.78, 5.65-6.27 and 3.35-3.72 log CFU/mL, respectively.     

Effects of plant extracts on lipid oxidation in fish croquette during frozen storage

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tomato and garlic extracts on lipid oxidation in fish croquette during frozen storage. The fish for croquette was purchased from the main fish market in Antalya, Turkey. Commercial tomato and garlic extracts were added into the croquette formulation. Lipid quality of frozen croquettes was analyzed at monthly intervals. There was no difference in free fatty acids and UV absorbance values of treatment groups. Treatment of tomato and garlic extracts kept oxidation at low levels. The results for thiobarbutiric acid, para-anisidine, and conjugated-diene values showed that tomato extract was the most effective in delaying lipid oxidation than garlic extract.     

Ovarian VEGF(165)b expression regulates follicular development, corpus luteum function and fertility

Angiogenesis and vascular regression are critical for the female ovulatory cycle. They enable progression and regression of follicular development, and corpora lutea formation and regression. Angiogenesis in the ovary occurs under the control of the vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) family of proteins, which are generated as both pro-(VEGF(165)) and anti(VEGF(165)b)-angiogenic isoforms by alternative splicing. To determine the role of the VEGF(165)b isoforms in the ovulatory cycle, we measured VEGF(165)b expression in marmoset ovaries by immunohistochemistry and ELISA, and used transgenic mice over-expressing VEGF(165)b in the ovary. VEGF(165)b was expressed in the marmoset ovaries in granulosa cells and theca, and the balance of VEGF(165)b:VEGF(165) was regulated during luteogenesis. Mice over-expressing VEGF(165)b in the ovary were less fertile than wild-type littermates, had reduced secondary and tertiary follicles after mating, increased atretic follicles, fewer corpora lutea and generated fewer embryos in the oviduct after mating, and these were more likely not to retain the corona radiata. These results indicate that the balance of VEGFA isoforms controls follicle progression and luteogenesis, and that control of isoform expression may regulate fertility in mammals, including in primates.