Treatment of wastewater from a low-temperature carbonization process industry through biological and chemical oxidation processes for recycle/reuse: a case study

Low-temperature carbonization (LTC) of coal generates highly complex wastewater warranting stringent treatment. Developing a techno-economically viable treatment facility for such wastewaters is a challenging task. The paper discusses a case study pertaining to an existing non-performing effluent treatment plant (ETP). The existing ETP comprising an ammonia stripper followed by a single stage biological oxidation was unable to treat 1,050 m(3)/d of effluent as per the stipulated discharge norms. The treated effluent from the existing ETP was characterized with high concentrations of ammonia (75-345 mg N/l), COD (313-1,422 mg/l) and cyanide (0.5-4 mg/l). Studies were undertaken to facilitate recycling/reuse of the treated effluent within the plant. A second stage biooxidation process was investigated at pilot scale for the treatment of the effluent from the ETP. This was further subjected to tertiary treatment with 0.5% dose of 4% hypochlorite which resulted in effluent with pH: 6.6-6.8, COD: 73-121 mg/l, and BOD(5):<10 mg/l. Phenol, cyanide and ammonia were below detectable limits and the colourless effluent was suitable for recycle and reuse. Thus, a modified treatment scheme comprising ammonia pre-stripping followed by two-stage biooxidation process and a chemical oxidation step with hypochlorite at tertiary stage was proposed for recycle/reuse of LTC wastewater.

Role of health sector contingency plan in emergency preparedness and response: Orissa experiences

A study was organized to orient the district level health sector disaster managers to review, revise and update the health sector contingency plan (HSCP) against common natural calamities, followed by its execution and evaluation. An inter-state 3 days workshop was organized at Kolkata during the month of October 2004 to review the district level HSCP and its execution in 5 (five) worst affected districts. The District Health Officers, in consultation with the investigators, revised and updated the HSCP. Thereafter, status survey was conducted to examine the implementation of the contingency plan. During flood, the HSCP was found to be followed in the districts. Control room, construction/identification of flood shelter, sanitation and other preventive measures were taken care of, with an exception of Kendra Para, where lack of man power was noted. Technical support, trained manpower, relief materials, ambulance, Communication and information system were present in all the 5 (five) districts.

All-sky LIGO search for periodic gravitational waves in the early fifth-science-run data

We report on an all-sky search with the LIGO detectors for periodic gravitational waves in the frequency range 50-1100 Hz and with the frequency's time derivative in the range -5 x 10{-9}-0 Hz s{-1}. Data from the first eight months of the fifth LIGO science run (S5) have been used in this search, which is based on a semicoherent method (PowerFlux) of summing strain power. Observing no evidence of periodic gravitational radiation, we report 95% confidence-level upper limits on radiation emitted by any unknown isolated rotating neutron stars within the search range. Strain limits below 10{-24} are obtained over a 200-Hz band, and the sensitivity improvement over previous searches increases the spatial volume sampled by an average factor of about 100 over the entire search band. For a neutron star with nominal equatorial ellipticity of 10{-6}, the search is sensitive to distances as great as 500 pc.

All-sky LIGO search for periodic gravitational waves in the early fifth-science-run data

We report on an all-sky search with the LIGO detectors for periodic gravitational waves in the frequency range 50-1100 Hz and with the frequency's time derivative in the range -5 x 10{-9}-0 Hz s{-1}. Data from the first eight months of the fifth LIGO science run (S5) have been used in this search, which is based on a semicoherent method (PowerFlux) of summing strain power. Observing no evidence of periodic gravitational radiation, we report 95% confidence-level upper limits on radiation emitted by any unknown isolated rotating neutron stars within the search range. Strain limits below 10{-24} are obtained over a 200-Hz band, and the sensitivity improvement over previous searches increases the spatial volume sampled by an average factor of about 100 over the entire search band. For a neutron star with nominal equatorial ellipticity of 10{-6}, the search is sensitive to distances as great as 500 pc.

All-sky LIGO search for periodic gravitational waves in the early fifth-science-run data

We report on an all-sky search with the LIGO detectors for periodic gravitational waves in the frequency range 50-1100 Hz and with the frequency's time derivative in the range -5 x 10{-9}-0 Hz s{-1}. Data from the first eight months of the fifth LIGO science run (S5) have been used in this search, which is based on a semicoherent method (PowerFlux) of summing strain power. Observing no evidence of periodic gravitational radiation, we report 95% confidence-level upper limits on radiation emitted by any unknown isolated rotating neutron stars within the search range. Strain limits below 10{-24} are obtained over a 200-Hz band, and the sensitivity improvement over previous searches increases the spatial volume sampled by an average factor of about 100 over the entire search band. For a neutron star with nominal equatorial ellipticity of 10{-6}, the search is sensitive to distances as great as 500 pc.

All-sky LIGO search for periodic gravitational waves in the early fifth-science-run data

We report on an all-sky search with the LIGO detectors for periodic gravitational waves in the frequency range 50-1100 Hz and with the frequency's time derivative in the range -5 x 10{-9}-0 Hz s{-1}. Data from the first eight months of the fifth LIGO science run (S5) have been used in this search, which is based on a semicoherent method (PowerFlux) of summing strain power. Observing no evidence of periodic gravitational radiation, we report 95% confidence-level upper limits on radiation emitted by any unknown isolated rotating neutron stars within the search range. Strain limits below 10{-24} are obtained over a 200-Hz band, and the sensitivity improvement over previous searches increases the spatial volume sampled by an average factor of about 100 over the entire search band. For a neutron star with nominal equatorial ellipticity of 10{-6}, the search is sensitive to distances as great as 500 pc.

Search for gravitational-wave bursts from soft gamma repeaters

We present a LIGO search for short-duration gravitational waves (GWs) associated with soft gamma ray repeater (SGR) bursts. This is the first search sensitive to neutron star f modes, usually considered the most efficient GW emitting modes. We find no evidence of GWs associated with any SGR burst in a sample consisting of the 27 Dec. 2004 giant flare from SGR 1806-20 and 190 lesser events from SGR 1806-20 and SGR 1900+14. The unprecedented sensitivity of the detectors allows us to set the most stringent limits on transient GW amplitudes published to date. We find upper limit estimates on the model-dependent isotropic GW emission energies (at a nominal distance of 10 kpc) between 3x10;{45} and 9x10;{52} erg depending on waveform type, detector antenna factors and noise characteristics at the time of the burst. These upper limits are within the theoretically predicted range of some SGR models.

Current density in generalized Fibonacci superlattices under a uniform electric field

We present an exhaustive study on tunneling and electrical conduction in an electrically biased GaAs-Al(y)Ga(1-y)As generalized Fibonacci superlattice. The study is based on transfer matrix formalism using an Airy function approach and provides an exact calculation of the current density in the case of quasi-periodic multibarrier systems. The results suggest the use of such quasi-periodic systems in perfect band-pass or band-eliminator (of extremely low width) circuitry. We have clearly demonstrated the resonance-type peaks and negative differential conductivity regimes in such systems. It has also been found that quasi-periodicity favors sharp negative differential conductivity peaks compared to those in periodic superlattices and thus have profound importance in device applications.

Analysis of T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion in the individuals exposed to arsenic

Over six million people in nine districts of West Bengal, India are exposed to very high levels of arsenic primarily through their drinking water. More than 300,000 people showed arsenic-induced skin lesions in these districts. This is regarded as the greatest arsenic calamity in the world. Chronic arsenicosis causes varied dermatological signs ranging from pigmentation changes, hyperkeratosis to non-melanocytic cancer of skin, and also malignancies in different internal organs. Higher incidences of opportunistic infections are found in the arsenic-exposed individuals, indicating that their immune systems may be impaired somehow. We have thus investigated the effect of arsenic on T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion in 20 individuals with arsenic-induced skin lesions and compared the results with 18 arsenic-unexposed individuals. A marked dose-dependent suppression of Concanavalin A (Con A) induced T-cell proliferation was observed in the arsenic-exposed individuals compared with the unexposed ( P < 0.001) individuals. This correlated with a significant decrease in the levels of secreted cytokines by the T cells (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL2, IL10, IL5, and IL4) in the exposed individuals ( P < 0.001). Thus it can be inferred that arsenic exposure can cause immunosuppression in humans.

An epidemiological study of low birth weight newborns in the district of Puruliya, West Bengal

BACKGROUND

A community-based epidemiological study on birth weight of newborns was undertaken in the rural domain of a backward district of West Bengal.

OBJECTIVES

To find out the magnitude of low birth weight (< 2.5 kg.) newborns and to highlight association, if any, of the socio-demographic, maternal and obstetric factors with birth weight of newborns.

METHODS

The study was undertaken in 30 sub-centre areas (cluster), selected by '30 clusters sampling technique', in the rural area of Puruliya district. An adequate sample of 512 newborns (466 plus 10% extra allowance) delivered in those selected clusters (17 consecutive deliveries in each cluster) were to be studied. But, due to inability to record birth weight within 48 hours (in home deliveries) and other reasons, 487 newborns were included in assessing magnitude of the LBW problem. In-depth information on several variables was obtained from 439 mothers of the newborns. Health Workers (F), Anganwadi Workers, Trained dais and Health Supervisors -(F), specially trained for the survey, collected information by using pre-designed and pre-tested proforma.

RESULTS & CONCLUSION

The incidence of LBW was 31.3%. Among different variables studied, statistically significant association was found in case of educational level of mothers and also place of delivery of newborns. More such community-based studies should be conducted

Impact of zinc supplementation on subsequent morbidity and growth in Bangladeshi children with persistent diarrhoea

This study was conducted to explore whether supplementation of zinc to children during persistent diarrhoea has any subsequent effect on morbidity and growth. A prospective follow-up study was conducted among children, aged 3-24 months, with persistent diarrhoea, who participated earlier in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. During persistent diarrhoea, children were randomly allocated to receive either zinc in multivitamin syrup or only multivitamin syrup for two weeks. After recovering from diarrhoea, 76 children in the multi-vitamin syrup and 78 children in the zinc plus multivitamin syrup group were followed up for subsequent morbidity and growth. Weekly morbidity and two-weekly anthropometric data were collected for the subsequent 12 weeks. Data showed that episodes and duration of diarrhoea were reduced by 38% and 44% respectively with supplementation of zinc. There was no significant difference in the incidence or duration of respiratory tract infection between the zinc-supplemented and the non-supplemented group. Improved linear growth was observed in underweight children (weight-for-age <70% of the National Center for Health Statistics standard) who received zinc compared to those who did not receive.

A novel subfamily of mouse cytosolic carboxypeptidases

Nna1 is a recently described gene product that has sequence similarity with metallocarboxypeptidases. In the present study, five additional Nna1-like genes were identified in the mouse genome and named cytosolic carboxypeptidase (CCP) 2 through 6. Modeling suggests that the carboxypeptidase domain folds into a structure that resembles metallocarboxypeptidases of the M14 family, with all necessary residues for catalytic activity and broad substrate specificity. All CCPs are abundant in testis and also expressed in brain, pituitary, eye, and other mouse tissues. In brain, Nna1/CCP1, CCP5, and CCP6 are broadly distributed, whereas CCP2 and 3 exhibit restricted patterns of expression. Nna1/CCP1, CCP2, CCP5, and CCP6 were found to exhibit a cytosolic distribution, with a slight accumulation of CCP5 in the nucleus. Based on the above results, we hypothesized that Nna1/CCP1 and CCP2-6 function in the processing of cytosolic proteins such as alpha-tubulin, which is known to be modified by the removal of a C-terminal tyrosine. Analysis of the forms of alpha tubulin in the olfactory bulb of mice lacking Nna1/CCP1 showed the absence of the detyrosinylated form in the mitral cells. Taken together, these results are consistent with a role for Nna1/CCP1 and the related CCPs in the processing of tubulin.

A study on drug use in a district hospital of West Bengal

A cross-sectional study at Howrah General Hospital, West Bengal for prescription analysis and assessment of drug dispensing in 341 patients revealed that the average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 2.98 +/- 1.69, 38.2% drugs were in generic name and majority were from essential drugs list. 18.6% and 5.2% encounters used antibiotics and injections respectively. Average consultation and dispensing time were short. Majority of drugs were dispensed but unlabeled. 46.8% patients knew correct dosage of drugs. Only 4.7% patients were treated without drugs. Average drug cost per encounter was Rs. 31.32+30.89 where antibiotics and injections shared 36.5% and 4.6% respectively.

Altered neuropeptide processing in prefrontal cortex of Cpefat/fat mice: implications for neuropeptide discovery

The biosynthesis of most neuropeptides and peptide hormones requires a carboxypeptidase such as carboxypeptidase E, which is inactive in Cpe(fat/fat) mice due to a naturally occurring point mutation. To assess the role of carboxypeptidase E in the processing of peptides in the prefrontal cortex, we used a quantitative peptidomics approach to examine the relative levels of peptides in Cpe(fat/fat) versus wild-type mice. Peptides representing internal fragments of prohormones and other secretory pathway proteins were decreased two- to 10-fold in the Cpe(fat/fat) mouse prefrontal cortex compared with wild-type tissue. Degradation fragments of cytosolic proteins showed no major differences between Cpe(fat/fat) and wild-type mice. Based on this observation, a search strategy for neuropeptides was performed by screening for peptides that decreased in the Cpe(fat/fat) mouse. Altogether, 32 peptides were identified, of which seven have not been previously reported. The novel peptides include fragments of VGF, procholecystokinin and prohormone convertase 2. Interestingly, several of the peptides do not fit with the consensus sites for prohormone convertase 1 and 2, raising the possibility that another endopeptidase is involved with their biosynthesis. Taken together, these findings support the proposal that carboxypeptidase E is the major, but not the only, peptide-processing carboxypeptidase and also demonstrate the feasibility of searching for novel peptides based on their decrease in Cpe(fat/fat) mice.