Kinetics of nitrate and perchlorate removal and biofilm stratification in an ion exchange membrane bioreactor

The biological degradation of nitrate and perchlorate was investigated in an ion exchange membrane bioreactor (IEMB) using a mixed anoxic microbial culture and ethanol as the carbon source. In this process, a membrane-supported biofilm reduces nitrate and perchlorate delivered through an anion exchange membrane from a polluted water stream, containing 60 mg/L of NO₃⁻ and 100 μg/L of ClO₄⁻. Under ammonia limiting conditions, the perchlorate reduction rate decreased by 10%, whereas the nitrate reduction rate was unaffected. Though nitrate and perchlorate accumulated in the bioreactor, their concentrations in the treated water (2.8 ± 0.5 mg/L of NO₃⁻ and 7.0 ± 0.8 μg/L of ClO₄⁻, respectively) were always below the drinking water regulatory levels, due to Donnan dialysis control of the ionic transport in the system.Kinetic parameters determined for the mixed microbial culture in suspension showed that the nitrate reduction rate was 35 times higher than the maximum perchlorate reduction rate. It was found that perchlorate reduction was inhibited by nitrate, since after nitrate depletion perchlorate reduction rate increased by 77%. The biofilm developed in the IEMB was cryosectioned and the microbial population was analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The results obtained seem to indicate that the kinetic advantage of nitrate reduction favored accumulation of denitrifiers near the membrane, whereas per(chlorate) reducing bacteria were mainly positioned at the biofilm outer surface, contacting the biomedium. As a consequence of the biofilm stratification, the reduction of perchlorate and nitrate occur sequentially in space allowing for the removal of both ions in the IEMB.     

Benzimidazole resistance in cyathostomes in horses in the Ukraine

The efficacy of treatment with cambendazole was tested in 1-year-old horses on a farm in Dubrovka, Ukraine. Thirty-five horses were treated. Their egg output was compared on the day of treatment and 14 days later with that of 33 untreated horses. Before treatment the mean number of eggs g-1 faeces was 614 in the controls and 766 in horses that had been treated. After 14 days the mean egg output in the controls was 580 and in the treated horses 369. This means a reduction of 54.5%. Only cyathostome larvae could be cultured from faeces collected after treatment. It can be concluded that benzimidazole resistance in cyathostomes is present in the Ukraine.     

Residues of different gel formulations on dentinal walls: A SEM/EDS analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of residues of sodium hypochlorite gel, chlorhexidine gel, and EDTA gel on dentinal walls after canal preparation through chemical SEM‐ elemental chemical microanalysis (EDS) analysis. Forty‐eight single‐rooted teeth were selected. They had their crowns sectioned and were instrumented with a reciprocating system. The canals were irrigated with 5 mL of saline solution during root canal preparation. After instrumentation, the root canals were irrigated with 3 mL 17% EDTA followed by 1 min of ultrasonic passive activation (3× 20 sec) to remove the smear layer, and then irrigated with 3 mL of saline solution. The specimens were randomized into three groups (n = 12) according to the chemical substance that filled the root canal for 30 min: GI: 5.5% sodium hypochlorite gel; GII: 2% chlorhexidine gel; GIII: 24% EDTA gel; Negative control group: no substance was used. Then, the root canals were irrigated with 6 mL of saline solution followed by 1 min of ultrasonic passive activation (3× 20 sec). After ultrasonic activation, the canals were irrigated with 2 mL saline. The roots were sectioned, and the percentage of each chemical element present in the samples was analyzed through chemical SEM‐EDS microanalysis. All experimental groups showed a significantly higher percentage of chemical elements (Na and/or Cl) than the control group (P < 0.03). This in vitro study has shown that, regardless of chemical solutions used even after the final irrigation protocol, chemical residues of different substances remained attached to the root canal walls. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:495–499, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Multi-Residue Determination of Pesticides in Açai Tropical Fruit (Euterpe oleracea) by Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion Combined with Liquid Chromatography

An extraction method based on matrix solid phase dispersion was developed to determine bromuconazole, fenbuconazole, parathion-methyl, kresoxim-methyl, and teflubenzuron in açai using liquid chromatography with ultraviolet diode array detector. The best results were obtained using 1.0 g of açai, 3.0 g of neutral alumina as the dispersant sorbent, and cyclohexane/ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v, 20 mL) as an eluting solvent. The method was validated using açai samples fortified with pesticides at three concentration levels (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg kg^?1). Average recoveries (seven replicates) ranged from 66 to 119 %, with relative standard deviations between 1.4 and 20 %. The detection and quantification limits for açai ranged from 0.02 to 0.05 mg kg^?1 and from 0.05 to 0.1 mg kg^?1, respectively.     

Failure analysis of a gear wheel of a marine azimuth thruster

A failure analysis of two helical gear wheels of a ducted azimuth thruster is presented. The research work consisted of a fracture examination of the material in order to determine the damage root causes. The samples for the failure analysis were obtained from two broken teeth of two helical gear wheels. An analysis through the scanning electron microscope (SEM) was carried out close to the crack initiation. It was found that the damage in the bevel gears were by the fatigue fracture mode. The SEM analysis showed that the gear teeth were under severe contact stress during the operation aggravated by an inappropriate lubricating. A possible misalignment between the pinions and the gear wheels teeth could also contribute for the premature failure.     

Effect of the root canal final rinse protocols on the debris and smear layer removal and on the push‐out strength of an epoxy‐based sealer

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of QMiX, SmearClear, and 17% EDTA for the debris and smear layer removal from the root canal and its effects on the push‐out bond strength of an epoxy‐based sealer by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Forty extracted human canines (n = 10) were assigned to the following final rinse protocols: G1‐distilled water (control), G2–17% EDTA, G3‐SmearClear, and G4‐QMiX. The specimens were submitted to a SEM analysis to evaluate the presence of debris and smear layer, respectively, in the apical or cervical segments. In sequence, forty extracted human maxillary canines with the root canals instrumented were divided into four groups (n = 10) similar to the SEM analysis study. After the filling with AH Plus, the roots were transversally sectioned to obtain dentinal slices. The specimens were submitted to a push‐out bond strength test using an electromechanical testing machine. The statistical analysis for the SEM and push‐out bond strength studies were performed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests (α = 5%). There was no difference among the G2, G3, and G4 efficacy in removing the debris and smear layer (P > 0.05). The efficacy of these groups was superior to the control group. The push‐out bond strength values of G2, G3, and G4 were superior to the control group. The ability to remove the debris and smear layer by SmearClear and QMiX was as effective as the 17% EDTA. The final rinse with these solutions promoted similar push‐out bond strength values. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:533–537, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Long-term stability of hydrogen and organic acids production in an anaerobic fluidized-bed reactor using heat treated anaerobic sludge inoculum

This study evaluates the stability of hydrogen and organic acids production in an anaerobic fluidized-bed reactor (AFBR) that contains expanded clay (2.8–3.35 mm in diameter) as a support medium and is operated on a long-term basis. The reactor was inoculated with thermally pre-treated anaerobic sludge and operated with decreasing hydraulic retention time (HRT), from 8 h to 1 h, at a controlled temperature of 30 °C and a pH of about 3.8. Glucose (2000 mg L^?1) was used as the substrate, generating conversion rates of 92–98%. Decreasing the HRT from 8 h to 1 h led to an increase in average hydrogen-production rates, with a maximum value of 1.28 L h^?1 L^?1 for an HRT of 1 h. In general, hydrogen yield production increased as HRT decreased, reaching 2.29 mol of H₂/mol glucose at an HRT of 2 h and yielding a maximum hydrogen content of 37% in the biogas. No methane was detected in the biogas throughout the period of operation. The main soluble metabolites (SMP) were acetic acid (46.94–53.84% of SMP) and butyric acid (34.51–42.16% of SMP), with less than 15.49% ethanol. The steady performance of the AFBR may be attributed to adequate thermal treatment of the inoculum, the selection of a suitable support medium for microbial adhesion, and the choice of satisfactory environmental conditions imposed on the system. The results show that stable hydrogen production and organic acids production were maintained in the AFBR over a period of 178 days.     

Bone tumors of the coracoid process of the scapula

Bone tumors of the coracoid process of the scapula are rare, and diagnosis and treatment often are delayed. The records of 18 patients with bone tumors of the coracoid process were reviewed. Histologic types included eight cases of ordinary chondrosarcoma, three cases of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma, two cases of osteoid osteoma, and one case each of osteosarcoma, plasmacytoma, lymphoma, giant cell tumor, and aneurysmal bone cyst. All 18 patients had shoulder pain, and eight of them had been treated with steroid injections for nonneoplastic conditions. Radiologically, chondrosarcoma did not always show clear cortical destruction, and one giant cell tumor had features mimicking those of chondrosarcoma. Five patients (three with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma, one with chondrosarcoma, one with plasmacytoma) died of disease. The coracoid process was the site with a markedly high proportion of chondrosarcomas. Bone tumors of the coracoid process may be difficult to detect on plain radiographs. In the patient with persistent shoulder pain unresponsive to the selected treatment, additional imaging studies should be considered to eliminate the possibility of a bone lesion.