Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting compound largely used in plastic and paper industry, ends up in aquatic systems via wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) among other sources. The ...identification and quantification of BPA in wastewater (WW) and wastewater sludge (WWS) is of major interest to assess the endocrine activity of treated effluent discharged into the environment. Many treatment technologies, including various pre-treatment methods, such as hydrolysis, Fenton oxidation, peroxidation, ultrasonication and ozonation have been developed in order to degrade BPA in WW and WWS and for the production of WWS based value-added products (VAPs). WWS based VAPs, such as biopesticides, bioherbicides, biofertilizers, bioplastics and enzymes are low cost biological alternatives that can compete with chemicals or other cost intensive biological products in the current markets. However, this field application is disputable due to the presence of these organic compounds which has been discussed with a perspective of simultaneous degradation. The pre-treatment produces an impact on rheology as well as value-addition which has been reviewed in this paper. Various analytical techniques available for the detection of BPA in WW and WWS are also discussed. Presence of heavy metals and possible thermodynamical behavior of the compound in WW and WWS can have major impact on BPA removal, which is also included in the review.
Non-dispersive solvent extraction (NDSX) of Nd(III) from nitric acid feed solutions was carried out for the first time employing a hollow fiber contactor which used a mixture of di-nonyl phenyl ...phosphoric acid (DNPPA) and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in petrofin as the carrier extractant. The transport efficiency was found to be reasonably good with quantitative metal ion recovery (>99.9%) in about 30min. The effect of feed acidity, extractant concentration, flow rates of feed and extractant solution on the transport of neodymium was investigated in recycling mode. For possible applications to different types of feed solutions, NDSX studies were also carried out at varying Nd concentrations and linear increase in Nd mass transfer was seen resulting in quantitative transport in about 40min for feeds containing as high as 1.6g/L of Nd. Various diffusional parameters for the mass transfer of neodymium in the extractant solution were calculated. A mathematical model was developed for prediction of the extraction behavior of Nd(III) in the extractant solution and mass transfer coefficients were calculated. The developed model was successfully validated with the experimental results under different feed conditions.
•Nd separation by NDSX was studied.•DNPPA and TOPO mixtures were used.•Transport data were modeled and agreed well with experiments.•The NDSX method can be used for Nd recovery from acidic feeds.
In advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma (aRCC), systemic therapy is the mainstay of treatment, with no or little role for surgery in these patients. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune-oncological ...(IOs) therapies, either alone or in combination, are recommended in these patients depending on patient and tumour factors. The sequencing of therapies is critical in RCC because the choice of subsequent line therapy is heavily dependent on the response and duration of the previous treatment. There are additional barriers to RCC treatment in India. Immunotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment in ccRCC, but it is prohibitively expensive and not always reimbursed, effectively putting it out of reach for the vast majority of eligible patients in India. Furthermore, in advanced RCC (particularly the clear cell variety), Indian oncologists consider the disease burden of the patients, which is particularly dependent on the quantum of the disease load, clinical symptoms, and performance status of the patient, before deciding on treatment. There are no India-specific guidelines for clear cell RCC (ccRCC) treatment or the positioning and sequencing of molecules in the management of advanced ccRCC that take these country-specific issues into account. The current consensus article provides expert recommendations and treatment algorithms based on existing clinical evidence, which will be useful to specialists managing advanced ccRCC.
•Permeation of Eu3+ ion across a supported liquid membrane containing n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-di-isobutylcarbamoyl methyl phosphine oxide (CMPO) was investigated.•A combination of 0.2M CMPO in 5% ...iso-decanol/n-dodecane was the best composition for the carrier solvent.•In the absence of TBP in the modified CMPO solvent, the co-transport of acid was significantly suppressed which gave encouraging Eu3+ transport results.•A mathematical model equation was derived and validated for predicting the transport behaviour of Eu3+ under different conditions.
The permeation of Eu3+ ion across a microporous polymeric membrane impregnated with n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-di-isobutylcarbamoyl methyl phosphine oxide (CMPO) was investigated from a nitric acid feed into a receiver phase of distilled water. A combination of 0.2M CMPO in 5% iso-decanol+95% n-dodecane was chosen as the carrier solvent. Here, iso-decanol has a dual role; acts as a phase modifier to avoid third phase formation, and minimizes the acid co-transport. The transport of Eu3+ was mainly driven by its distribution ratio by CMPO at the feed–membrane interface (extraction) and membrane–receiver interface (stripping). The effect of various experimental parameters such as feed acidity, nitrate ion concentration, and ligand concentration on permeation of Eu3+ was investigated. Effect of various stripping solutions was also studied to optimize the permeation efficiency of Eu3+ ions. A mathematical model was derived for predicting the mass transfer from feed phase to the receiver phase through the membrane. The results obtained by the calculations were subsequently validated through the experimental results.
Recent research on synthetic heterocyclic compounds and related complexes developed for use as antiamoebic agents is discussed. The synthesis and use of organic and metallic compounds in this ...category is explored.
Effects of the insecticides quinalphos, chlorfenvinphos, dimethoate and phorate on photosystem activity of Chlorella vulgaris were investigated by different chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. ...Exposure to each of the insecticides increased the proportion of inactivated PS II reaction center. Quinalphos and chlorfenvinphos caused OJIP fluorescence reduction at all levels by decreasing the proportion of QA-reducing PS II reaction centers (RCs). The other two insecticides affected OJIP fluorescence rise by hindering the electron transport beyond QA. Insecticide treatment resulted in decrease of the density of active RC and performance indices (PI) by enhanced dissipated energy flux per active RC. Antenna size was severely minimized by quinalphos and chlorfenvinphos treatment whereas other two insecticides had no such effect. Each insecticide treatment caused increase of photosystem antenna/core and PS II/PS I fluorescence ratios. Quinalphos and chlorfenvinphos affected the donor sides of photosystems whereas dimethoate and phorate inhibited electron transfer beyond QA (acceptor side).
► OP insecticides, quinalphos, chlorfenvinphos, dimethoate, and phorate altered OJIP fluorescence rise of Chlorella vulgaris. ► Quinalphos and chlorfenvinphos have the highest effect in J–I fluorescence rise. ► The stress indicating fluorescence parameters showed concentration dependent increase. ► Dimethoate and phorate have herbicide like action on PS II. ► Quinalphos and chlorfenvinphos inhibited PS fluorescence by dissociation of LHC.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are highly prevalent in the tribal populations; however, there are limited data regarding health system preparedness to tackle NCDs among these populations. We ...estimated the availability of human resources, equipment, drugs, services and knowledge of doctors for NCD management in the selected tribal districts in India.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 12 districts (one from each State) with at least 50 per cent tribal population in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and eight northeastern States. Primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs) and district/sub-district hospitals (DHs) were surveyed and data on screening and treatment services, human resources, equipment, drugs and information systems indicators were collected and analysed. The data were presented as proportions.
In the present study 177 facilities were surveyed, including 156 PHCs/CHCs and 21 DHs. DHs and the majority (82-96%) of the PHCs/CHCs provided outpatient treatment for diabetes and hypertension. Overall, 97 per cent of PHCs/CHCs had doctors, and 78 per cent had staff nurses. The availability of digital blood pressure monitors ranged from 35 to 43 per cent, and drugs were either not available or inadequate. Among 213 doctors, three-fourths knew the correct criteria for hypertension diagnosis, and a few correctly reported diabetes diagnosis criteria.
The results of this study suggest that the health system of the studied tribal districts was not adequately prepared to manage NCDs. The key challenges included inadequately trained workforce and a lack of equipment and drugs. It is suggested that capacity building and, procurement and distribution of equipment, drugs and information systems to track NCD patients should be the key focus areas of national programmes.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in India. Although studies have reported a high prevalence of NCD in tribal populations, there are limited data pertaining mortality ...due to NCDs. Therefore, in this study we estimated the proportion of deaths due to NCDs among 15 yr and older age group in tribal districts in India.
We conducted a community-based survey in 12 districts (one per State) with more than 50 per cent tribal population. Data were collected using a verbal autopsy tool from the family member of the deceased. The estimated sample size was 452 deaths per district. We obtained the list of deaths for the reference period of one year and updated it during the survey. The cause of death was assigned using the International Classification of Diseases-10 classification and analyzed the proportions of causes of death. The age-standardized death rate (ASRD) was also estimated.
We surveyed 5292 deaths among those above 15 years of age. Overall, NCDs accounted for 66 per cent of the deaths, followed by infectious diseases (15%) and injuries (11%). Cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of death in 10 of the 12 sites. In East Garo Hills (18%) and Lunglei (26%), neoplasms were the leading cause of death. ASRD due to NCD ranged from 426 in Kinnaur to 756 per 100,000 in East Garo Hills.
The findings of this community-based survey suggested that NCDs were the leading cause of death among the tribal populations in India. It is hence suggested that control of NCDs should be one of the public health priorities for tribal districts in India.
Conservation of habitats and flagship species, such as the Asian small-clawed otter, is one of the most effective ways to conserve aquatic biodiversity. The study was conducted at Karlapat wildlife ...sanctuary, Odisha, India, and aims to determine the habitat and diet preferences of Asian small-clawed otters. Presence-absence of Asian small-clawed otters and associated habitat variables were recorded along 1-km sections of streams and rivers. We used principal component analysis (PCA) and logistic regression to examine habitat variables influencing otter presence along streams and rivers. Diet analysis of Asian small-clawed otters was conducted to calculate the percent frequency of occurrence and score-bulk estimate of each food item in the study area. We found that the presence of Asian small-clawed otters was related to denser canopy, higher shrub cover, and rocky stretches. A logistic regression model showed that Asian small-clawed otters significantly selected for higher canopy cover. Crabs were found to be the most preferred food item (>80%) in the diet of Asian small-clawed otters. These findings shed light on the regional-scale habitat selection and diet of Asian small-clawed otters and indicate important species-habitat relationships, thus providing valuable information for conservation management and land-use planning. La conservation des habitats et des espèces clés, telles que la loutre cendrée, est un des moyens les plus efficaces pour préserver la biodiversité aquatique. L'étude a été menée dans le sanctuaire faunique de Karlapat (Odisha, Inde) et visait à déterminer les préférences d'habitat et de diète de loutres cendrées. La présence-absence de loutres cendrées et les variables d'habitat associées ont été enregistrées le long de sections de 1 km de ruisseaux et de rivières. Nous avons utilisé l'analyse en composantes principales et la régression logistique pour examiner les variables d'habitat influençant la présence de loutres le long de ruisseaux et rivières. L'analyse de la diète des loutres cendrées a permis de calculer la fréquence d'occurrence et l'estimation globale du score de chaque item alimentaire dans l'aire d'étude. Nous avons trouvé que la présence de loutre cendrée est liée aux couverts plus denses, au recouvrement arbustif plus élevé et à la présence d'affleurements rocheux. Un modèle de régression logistique a montré que les loutres cendrées sélectionnent significativement les couverts plus denses. Les crabes sont l'item alimentaire préféré (>80%) dans la diète des loutres cendrées. Ces résultats renseignent sur la sélection d'habitat régionale et sur la diète des loutres cendrées et pointent vers d'importantes relations espèce-habitat, fournissant ainsi de l'information utile à la conservation et à la planification de l'utilisation du territoire.
