Hazardous wastewater treatment by low-cost sorbent with in situ regeneration using hybrid solar energy-electrochemical system.

Hazardous industrial wastes negatively impact the environment by creating issues for aquatic as well as human's life. This study investigates the treatment of hazardous industrial wastewater using cost-effective graphite adsorbent along with electrochemical regeneration integrated with renewable solar energy. The synthetic industrial effluent containing crystal violet dye was treated using an adsorbent (Nyex™ 1000) having a surface area of 1.0 m2  g-1 . The efficiency of removing solute was found to be more than 90%. The adsorbent regeneration efficiency was achieved at 99.5% by passing a charge of 100 C g-1 at current density of 10 mA cm-2 for 1 h. Solar energy was integrated with electrochemical reactor for the regeneration of adsorbent to make the system cost-effective and self-sustainable. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Industrial hazardous wastewater treatment with a cost-effective graphite integrated adsorbent. Development of renewable solar energy-integrated with electrochemical system for regeneration. Regeneration efficiency of adsorbent Nyex™ 1000 was achieved around 99.5% with integrated system. Sustainable system was introduced to incorporate with renewable energy for waste water treatment.

Wind speed pattern data and wind energy potential in Pakistan: current status, challenging platforms and innovative prospects.

Energy is an essential parameter for the economic growth and sustainable development of any country. Due to the rapid increase in energy demand, depletion of fossil fuels and environmental concerns, many developing and developed countries are moving towards alternative renewable resources such as solar energy, wind energy and biomass. Wind energy as a renewable energy source is gaining a lot of significant attention. Wind energy is a sustainable solution to produce energy having potential benefits such as clean source, reduced toxic gases emission and environmental friendly protocol for operation. Pakistan is among the top countries facing the worst energy crisis due to different political and financial issues. Pakistan is blessed with a huge potential of wind energy having all the basic requirements such as windy regions and good wind speed for harnessing energy. Pakistan can utilize the potential of wind energy to reduce the problem of energy outrage in the country and also take steps towards green economy from conventional fuel economy. This critical review highlights the current status, potential and the steps taken in the past and present to overcome the energy shortage in Pakistan by employing wind energy. Outlook on wind speed data, deployment of wind energy, environmental effect of wind energy and its barriers in the adoption are discussed with recommendations and suggestions to utilize this clean energy in an effective way. Graphical abstract.

Pattern of firearm injuries in head and neck regions at a tertiary care hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of firearm injuries on head and neck in patients presenting to the Ear Nose and Throat Department of a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from June 2014 to May 2015, and comprised victims of firearm injuries. They were subjected to a thorough examination of the wounds specifically and the rest of the Ear, Nose and Throat, Head and Neck regions generally. Data was collected on a proforma. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Out of the 56 patients, 49(87.5%) were men. The overall mean age was 28.68±1.63 years (range: 6-80 years. Besides, 33(58.9%) patients were in the age range 20-40 years followed by 18(32.1%) below 20 years. Overall, 27(48.2%) patients were jobless and 24(42.9%) had education below grade ten. Pistol was the most commonly-used weapon in 28(50%).Hospital stay was 2-10 days with a mean of 4.37±1.74 days. Single-entry wound on the neck was common 21(37.5%), predominantly on the right side 24(42.9%), while there were 33(58.9%) single-exit wounds, affecting neck in 18(32.1%) cases and on the left side in 19(33.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Firearm injuries were common among young men who were illiterate and poor socioeconomically. Homicidal injuries mostly occurred during the daytime. Pistol was the most commonly-used weapon, while wounds on the neck were more common.