Covalent Triazine Framework as an Efficient Photocatalyst for Regeneration of NAD(P)H and Selective Oxidation of Organic Sulfide.

Covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs), belonging to the super-family of covalent organic frameworks, have attracted significant attention as a new type of photosensitizer due to the superb light-harvesting ability and efficient charge transfer originating from the large surface area. However, the wide optical band gap in CTFs, which is larger than 3.0 eV, hinders the efficient light harvesting in the visible range. To overcome this limitation, we developed the new type CTFs photocatalyst based on the donor-acceptor conjugation scheme by using melamine (M) and 2,6-diaminoanthraquinone (AQ) as monomeric units. The melamine-2,6-diaminoanthraquinone-based covalent triazine frameworks (M-AQ-CTFs) photocatalyst shows the excellent light-harvesting capacity with high molar extinction coefficient, and the suitable optical band gap involving the internal charge transfer character. Combination of M-AQ-CTFs and artificial photosynthetic system including the organometallic rhodium complex, acting as an electron mediator, exhibited the excellent photocatalytic efficiency for the regeneration of the nicotinamide cofactors such as NAD(P)H. In addition, this photocatalyst showed the high photocatalytic efficiency for the metal-free aerobic oxidation of sulfide. This study demonstrates the high potential of CTFs photocatalyst with the donor-acceptor conjugated scheme can be actively used for artificial photosynthesis.

A Novel Approach to Recreate, Rehabilitate, and Restore the Facial Defect with a Partial Facial Mask - An Interesting Case Report.

Facial defects resulting from neoplasm, congenital malformation, or trauma can be restored with facial prosthesis using different materials and retention methods to achieve the life-like appearance and facilitate function. A facial prosthesis can re-establish esthetic form and anatomic contours for midfacial defects, often more effectively than by surgical reconstruction. For successful results, a lot of factors such as harmony, texture, color matching, and blending of tissue interface with the prosthesis are important. This case report describes a novel approach to rehabilitate a patient who had underwent partial rhinectomy as a result of hemangiopericytoma of the nose. This article explains the construction of partial facial mask, which restored the defect involving the left lateral aspect of the nose, medial aspect of the left eye, and the part of the cheek.

Reverse Janssen Effect in Narrow Granular Columns.

When grains are added to a cylinder, the weight at the bottom is smaller than the total weight of the column, which is partially supported by the lateral walls through frictional interactions with the grains. This is known as the Janssen effect. Via a combined experimental and numerical investigation, here we demonstrate a reverse Jansen effect whereby the fraction of the weight supported by the base overcomes one. We characterize the dependence of this phenomenon on the various control parameters involved, rationalize the physical process causing the emergence of the compressional frictional forces responsible for the anomaly, and introduce a model to reproduce our findings. Contrary to prior assumptions, our results demonstrate that the constitutive relation on a material element can depend on the applied stress.

Impacts of feed dilution and lower solids retention time on performance of thermal hydrolysis/anaerobic digestion.

The goal of this study was to evaluate using feed dilution/solids retention time (SRT) control to manage potential ammonia inhibition in highly loaded anaerobic digesters after thermal hydrolysis. The study compared three digesters operated at the same target volatile solids (VS) loading rate of 5.5 kg VS/d-m3 , but at different feed concentrations resulting in SRTs of 10, 15, and 18 days. Lowering the feed concentration decreased the digester total ammonia nitrogen concentrations which averaged 1,580, 2,610, and 3,080 mg NH 4 + -N/L for the 10-, 15-, and 18-day digesters. The VS reduction and methane yields were equivalent for the 15- and 18-day digesters and about 4% lower for the 10-day digester. Ammonia inhibition of the 18-day digester occurred early in the study, but the system acclimated over time. Feed dilution reduced the viscosity and the potential for volume expansion due to gas holdup and foaming. PRACTIONER POINTS: Feed dilution reduces digester ammonia concentrations and inhibition potential without sacrificing digester performance at lower SRTs. Feed dilution greatly reduces digester viscosity and associated issues with digester volume expansion due to gas holdup and foaming. Operating at the lower SRT does not impact cake solids after dewatering and substantially decreases polymer demand for conditioning.

Overcoming floc formation limitations in high-rate activated sludge systems.

High-rate activated sludge (HRAS) is an essential cornerstone of the pursuit towards energy positive sewage treatment through maximizing capture of organics. The capture efficiency heavily relies on the degree of solid separation achieved in the clarifiers. Limitations in the floc formation process commonly emerge in HRAS systems, with detrimental consequences for the capture of organics. This study pinpointed and overcame floc formation limitations present in full-scale HRAS reactors. Orthokinetic flocculation tests were performed with varying shear, sludge concentration, and coagulant or flocculant addition. These were analyzed with traditional and novel settling parameters and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) measurements. HRAS was limited by insufficient collision efficiency and occurred because the solids retention time (SRT) was short and colloid loading was high. The limitation was predominantly caused by impaired flocculation rather than coagulation. In addition, the collision efficiency limitation was driven by EPS composition (low protein over polysaccharide ratio) instead of total EPS amount. Collision efficiency limitation was successfully overcome by bio-augmenting sludge from a biological nutrient removal reactor operating at long SRT which did not show any floc formation limitations. However, this action brought up a floc strength limitation. The latter was not correlated with EPS composition, but rather EPS amount and hindered settling parameters, which determined floc morphology. With this, an analysis toolkit was proposed that will enable design engineers and operators to tackle activated solid separation challenges found in HRAS systems and maximize the recovery potential of the process.

Late postoperative bleeding after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: management and review of literature.

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a catastrophic complication of gastric bypass. Bleeding can occur during the early or late phase after the operation. Though bleeding after gastric bypass is infrequent, late bleeding is exceedingly rare. We present two patients with late bleeding following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The first patient, a 65-year-old woman, presented with life-threatening upper GI bleeding almost 5 years after laparoscopic RYGB. The second patient, a 62-year-old woman, presented with upper GI bleeding after almost 14 years following RYGB. Both, due to an eroding marginal ulcer. We discuss here the management of a rare and catastrophic complication of late GI bleeding and review the various reports in the literature describing the late bleeding as a complication of gastric bypass. Late GI bleeding after RYGB presents a diagnostic and interventional challenge. High index of suspicion and adequate management strategies may lessen morbidity and mortality.

Evaluation of accuracy of various impression techniques and impression materials in recording multiple implants placed unilaterally in a partially edentulous mandible- An in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Various factors like implant angulation, type of impression material and tray type affects the implant impression accuracy. To date limited in-vitro studies were carried out on the implant impression accuracy of unilateral partially edentulous arches. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of 0o, 15o and 25o implant angulations on impression accuracy in simulated master casts of unilateral partially edentulous situation using different impression materials and tray selections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 30 replicas (N = 30) of a resin matrix (control) containing four implant analogues placed unilaterally from the midline till the region of second molar at an angulation of 00, 00, 150 and 250 to the vertical axis of the ridge respectively were obtained by using three impression techniques (stock metal tray, closed custom tray, and open nonsplinted custom tray) and two different impression materials (Polyvinyl-siloxane and polyether). Specific dimensions of the resultant casts were measured using coordinated measuring microscope. Mean linear changes were calculated and statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc procedures (p< 0.05). RESULTS: The casts obtained from all three impression techniques had significant differences in dimensions (p<0.05) as compared to that of master model irrespective of impression materials. Comparing the techniques with regard to the parallel implants, no statistical significant difference (p<0.05) was observed with custom tray techniques (closed/open). Whereas while comparing parallel versus non parallel, open tray technique showed superior accuracy compared to closed tray technique as the angulation increased more than 15 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of material and technique appeared to be significant for highly non axial implant angulations (p< 0.05), and increased angulation tended to decrease impression accuracy. The open tray technique was more accurate with highly nonaxially oriented implants for the small sample size investigated. Key words:Implant impressions, partially edentulous arch, angulated implants.

Novel Stokesian Metrics that Quantify Collision Efficiency, Floc Strength, and Discrete Settling Behavior.

Novel parameters were developed to predict the effluent quality and settling behavior in clarifiers that cannot conventionally be achieved using either the conventional flux theory or overflow rates. Simple batch experiments based on the critical settling velocity (CSV) selection were used as the basis for the development of three novel parameters: intrinsic settling classes (ISC), threshold of flocculation/flocculation limitation (TOF/α), and floc strength. ISC was proven to accurately (±2%) determine the granule fraction and discrete particle distribution. TOF quantified the minimum solids concentration needed to form large flocs and was directly linked to collision efficiency. In hybrid systems, an exponential fitting on a CSV matrix was proposed to quantify the collision efficiency of flocs (α). Shear studies were conducted to quantify floc strength. The methods were applied to a wide spectrum of sludge types to show the broad applicability and sensitivity of the novel methods.

Pretreatment of a primary and secondary sludge blend at different thermal hydrolysis temperatures: Impacts on anaerobic digestion, dewatering and filtrate characteristics.

A study was performed to evaluate the effect of thermal hydrolysis pretreatment (THP) temperature on subsequent digestion performance and operation, as well as downstream parameters such as dewatering and cake quality. A blend of primary and secondary solids from the Blue Plains treatment plant in Washington, DC was dewatered to about 16% total solids (TS), and thermally hydrolyzed at five different temperatures 130, 140, 150, 160, 170 °C. The thermally hydrolyzed solids were then fed to five separate, 10 L laboratory digesters using the same feed concentration, 10.5% TS and a solids retention time (SRT) of 15 days. The digesters were operated over a six month period to achieve steady state conditions. The higher thermal hydrolysis temperatures generally improved the solids reduction and methane yields by about 5-6% over the temperature range. The increased temperature reduced viscosity of the solids and increased the cake solids after dewatering. The dissolved organic nitrogen and UV absorbance generally increased at the higher THP temperatures. Overall, operating at a higher temperature improved performance with a tradeoff of higher dissolved organic nitrogen and UV adsorbing materials in the return liquor.

Settling regimen transitions quantify solid separation limitations through correlation with floc size and shape.

This study monitored three different activated sludge systems from the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Plant for a 1 year period to explore the relationship between effluent quality and activated sludge settling and flocculation behavior. Hindered settling rates (ISV) and sludge volume index (SVI) measurements were collected weekly. Novel metrics based on the solids concentration at which the transition between settling regimens occurred were also collected weekly. The transitional metrics were Threshold of Flocculation (TOF), and Limit of Stokesian Settling (LOSS). They marked the transition from discreet to flocculant settling, and from flocculant to hindered settling, respectively. A pilot clarifier and settling column were run and filmed to determine floc morphological properties. SVI was found to lose sensitivity (r < 0.20) when characterizing ISV above a hindered settling rate of 3 m h-1. ISV and LOSS had a strong correlation (r = 0.71), but ISV was subject to change, depending on the solids concentration. Two sludge matrix limitations influencing effluent quality were characterized by transition concentrations; pinpoint floc formation, and loose floc formation. Pinpoint flocs had TOF values above 400 mg TSS L-1; loose floc formation sludge had TOF and LOSS values below 400 mg TSS L-1 and 900 mg TSS L-1, respectively. TOF was found to correlate with the particle size distribution while LOSS correlated to the settling velocity distribution. The use of both TOF and LOSS is a quick and effective way to characterize limitations effecting effluent quality.

Shock propagation in locally driven granular systems.

We study shock propagation in a system of initially stationary hard spheres that is driven by a continuous injection of particles at the origin. The disturbance created by the injection of energy spreads radially outward through collisions between particles. Using scaling arguments, we determine the exponent characterizing the power-law growth of this disturbance in all dimensions. The scaling functions describing the various physical quantities are determined using large-scale event-driven simulations in two and three dimensions for both elastic and inelastic systems. The results are shown to describe well the data from two different experiments on granular systems that are similarly driven.

Force percolation transition of jammed granular systems.

The mechanical and transport properties of jammed materials originate from an underlying percolating network of contact forces between the grains. Using extensive simulations we investigate the force-percolation transition of this network, where two particles are considered as linked if their interparticle force overcomes a threshold. We show that this transition belongs to the random percolation universality class, thus ruling out the existence of long-range correlations between the forces. Through a combined size and pressure scaling for the percolative quantities, we show that the continuous force percolation transition evolves into the discontinuous jamming transition in the zero pressure limit, as the size of the critical region scales with the pressure.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist prevents l-arginine induced immune dysfunction independent of gonadal steroids: Relates with a decline in elevated thymus and brain nitric oxide levels.

The present study was carried out to find out the effect of leuprolide, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor agonist, on l-arginine induced immunosuppression, and relates with brain and thymus levels of nitric oxide (NO). Further, the effect of leuprolide was studied in sham operated, ovariectomized and castrated mice to understand the role of sex steroids in l-arginine induced immunosuppression. Treatment with l-arginine (250, 500, 1000 mg/kg/i.p. for 7 days) increased brain and thymus levels of NO; measured by using 'NO Measuring Instrument' (Innovative Instruments Inc., USA) in dose dependent manner. It also decreased cellularity, relative weight of thymus, DNA fragmentation, humoral, and cell mediated immunity response to sheep RBC. Prior treatment of leuprolide (100µg/mouse, s.c. for 7 days) prevented l-arginine induced rise in brain and thymus tissue levels of NO as well as the changes in immunological parameters. The protective effect of leuprolide against l-arginine induced immunosuppression and rise in brain and tissue nitric oxide levels was even evident in ovariectomized and castrated mice, suggesting that the observed effect of leuprolide is independent of sex steroids, and correlated with its ability to prevent l-arginine induced rise in CNS and peripheral immune tissue levels of NO.

Limit of stokesian settling concentration characterizes sludge settling velocity.

Flocculent settling (stokesian) is predominant within ideally operating clarifiers, and the shift to 'slower' hindered settling (non-stokesian) causes both failure and poor effluent quality. Therefore, a new metric for settling characteristics was developed and classified as Limit of Stokesian Settling (LOSS). The technique consisted of determining the total suspended solids (TSS) concentration at which mixed liquor settling characteristics transition from stokesian to non-stokesian settling. An image analytical technique was developed with the aid of MATLAB(®) to identify this transition. The MATLAB tool analyzed RGB images from video, and identified the presence of an interface by a dramatic shift in the Red indices. LOSS data for Secondary activated-sludge systems were analyzed for a period of 60 days at the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. LOSS for secondary systems typically occurred between 600 and 700 mg TSS/L but reached 1000 mg TSS/L for a good settling secondary sludge and 500 mg TSS/L for a poor settling secondary sludge, settling quality was based on hindered settling rates. In addition, LOSS was collected for granular systems seeded with cyclone underflow from Strass Wastewater Treatment Plant, it was observed that LOSS was higher for granular systems ranging from 1600 to 5500 mg TSS/L for low and high levels of granulation, respectively. The monovalent to divalent cation ratio (M/D) was increased with the addition of sodium ions to deteriorate settling properties. Samples adjusted with higher M/D consistently had 100 mg TSS/L (15%) decrease in LOSS from the control. LOSS numbers collected experimentally were validated with the Takacs et al. (1991) settling model. When compared to flux curves with small changes in sludge matrix, LOSS was proven to be faster at characterizing hindered settling velocity and was less erratic. This is the first time a measurement method has been developed to characterize the transition from stokesian to non-stokesian settling. Additionally, this is the first step in developing new metrics to predict clarifier failure, and determine effluent quality through the development of flocculent settling metrics.

Traumatic Rupture of Posterior Tibial Tendon Following Closed Supination-Adduction Ankle Fracture: A Case Report.

CASE: A 25-year-old man with no known comorbidities presented with pain and swelling of the left ankle following a twisting injury that had occurred during a road traffic accident. On examination, a 1 × 1-cm abrasion was noted on the medial malleolus and tenderness was noted over the medial and lateral malleoli. A radiograph of the left ankle revealed a fracture of the medial malleolus and an infrasyndesmotic avulsion fracture of the lateral malleolus (a supination-adduction injury). Immediate surgery was performed for the treatment of the medial malleolar fracture. On exploration, the posterior tibial tendon was found to be severed and frayed 2 cm proximal to the medial malleolar fracture. The medial malleolus was fixed with 2 parallel malleolar screws. The ruptured tendon was explored proximally, and the ends were debrided and repaired. CONCLUSION: At 1 year of follow-up, the ankle had good union and function of the tendon was restored. Posterior tibial tendon ruptures, although rare, should be suspected in cases of closed ankle fracture, irrespective of the mechanism of injury.

Immunohistochemical evidence for the involvement of gonadotropin releasing hormone in neuroleptic and cataleptic effects of haloperidol in mice.

Blockade of dopamine D2 receptor by haloperidol is attributed for neuroleptic and cataleptic effects; and also for the release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. GnRH agonist is reported to exhibit similar behavioural effects as that of haloperidol, and pre-treatment with GnRH antagonist is shown to attenuate the effects of haloperidol, suggesting a possibility that GnRH might mediate the effects of haloperidol. To substantiate such possibility, the influence of haloperidol on GnRH immunoreactivity (GnRH-ir) in the brain was studied in vehicle/antide pre-treated mice by peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. Initially, an earlier reported antide-haloperidol interaction in rat was confirmed in mice, wherein haloperidol (250µg/kg, i.p.) exhibited suppression of conditioned avoidance response (CAR) on two-way shuttle box, and induced catalepsy in bar test; and pre-treatment with antide (50µg/kg, s.c., GnRH antagonist) attenuated both effects of haloperidol. Immunohistochemical study was carried out to identify GnRH-ir in the brain, isolated 1h after haloperidol treatment to mice pre-treated with vehicle/antide. The morphometric analysis of microphotographs of brain sections revealed that haloperidol treatment increased integrated density units of GnRH-ir in various regions of the limbic system. Considering basal GnRH-ir in vehicle treated group as 100%, the increase in GnRH-ir after haloperidol treatment was by 100.98% in the medial septum; 54.26% in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; 1152.85% in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus; 120.79% in the preoptic area-organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis and 138.82% in the arcuate nucleus. Antide did not influence basal and haloperidol induced increase in GnRH-ir in any of the regions. As significant increase in GnRH-ir after haloperidol treatment was observed in such regions of the brain which are reported to directly or indirectly communicate with the hippocampus and basal ganglia, the regions respectively responsible for neuroleptic and cataleptic effects; and as GnRH antagonist eliminated the effects of haloperidol without affecting GnRH-ir, it appears that GnRH released by haloperidol mediates its neuroleptic and cataleptic effects.

Digital Cephalometric Tracings by PRO-CEPH V3 Software for Comparative Analyses of Vertical Dimension in Edentulous Patients.

BACKGROUND: Several methods, some physiological, some radiographical and some merely based on experience are taken upon by the practitioner to get him/her close to VDO in the edentulous patients. No single method can however claim to be the perfect answer. Lateral cephalograms have been a standard mode of determining the vertical dimensions in dentate and edentulous patients since the past. Due to unavoidable manual errors, there are chances of variations in the radiographic method too. Advancement in the digital technology has made recording jaw relations faster, simpler and more precise. AIM: This study compared the vertical dimension of occlusion in edentulous patients recorded by using three different physiological methods with the aid of digital cephalometric tracings using indigenously developed PRO-CEPH V3 software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the present study a total of 50 dentulous and 25 edentulous patients were selected through inclusion and exclusion criteria. A lateral cephalometric radiograph was taken for all the 50 dentulous subjects at Maximum Intercuspation (VDO) whereas three lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained for all edentulous patients at the VDO following three different techniques- the Niswonger's method, Phonetics method and Swallowing threshold method. Cephalometric tracings were carried out using indigenously developed PRO-CEPH V3 software. Linear and angular measurement were made and analysed. CONCLUSION: The indigenously developed software PRO-CEPH V3 is capable of making both the linear and angular measurement and therefore provide with relative credibility information regarding the possible VDO in the edentulous patients through cephalometric radiography.

A possible role of endogenous central corticotrophin releasing factor in lipopolysaccharide induced thymic involution and cell apoptosis: effect of peripheral injection of corticotrophin releasing factor.

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of endogenous peripheral and central corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge on thymic involution and apoptosis. Administration of LPS (100 µg/mouse, ip) led to thymic involution, to a decrease of CD4+CD8+ thymocyte subset, and to fragmentation of thymic DNA. Pretreatment of LPS challenged mice with intracerebroventricular α-helical CRF (a CRF antagonist) attenuated the effect of LPS however, intraventricular administered α-helical CRF failed to affect LPS response on thymus. Moreover, the effects of LPS on thymus, examined on 1, 7 and 14 days were wholly abrogated by prior administration of intraventricular CRF (10 µg/animal). The plasma corticosterone levels were found to be decreased with single dose of peripheral CRF in LPS challenged mice. These findings indicate that central endogenous CRF involved in LPS induced thymic atrophy. However, peripheral CRF offers protective effect on LPS induced thymic involution and cell apoptosis.