An approach to improve the separation of solid-liquid suspensions in inclined plate settlers: CFD simulation and experimental validation.

The most important requirements for achieving effective separation conditions in inclined plate settler (IPS) are its hydraulic performance and the equal distribution of suspensions between settler channels, both of which depend on the inlet configuration. In this study, three different inlet structures were used to explore the effect of feeding a bench scale IPS via a nozzle distributor on its hydraulic performance and separation efficiency. Experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analyses were carried out to evaluate the hydraulic characteristics of the IPS. Comparing the experimental results with the predicted results by CFD simulation implies that the CFD software can play a useful role in studying the hydraulic performance of the IPS by employing residence time distribution (RTD) curves. The results also show that the use of a nozzle distributor can significantly enhance the hydraulic performance of the IPS, which contributes to the improvement of its separation efficiency.

Human fascioliasis: ultrastructural study on the liver before and after bithionol treatment.

The pathology of human fascioliasis was studied before and after bithionol treatment using light and transmission electron microscopy. Fine needle biopsies were taken from five patients, with established fascioliasis, before and after drug administration. By light microscope the pathology of human fascioliasis was similar to that reported in experimental fascioliasis. The ultrastructural picture revealed bile ductular hyperplasia, fibrosis of portal tracts, widening of the interhepatic spaces by many microvilli and dilated Disse space with collagen fibres. Bile ductular hyperplasia may be the initial factor to fibrinogenesis, which subsequently enhance the development of the microvilli on the surface of the hepatocytes. Both light and electron microscopic studies revealed regression of the picture of fascioliasis to normal after bithionol treatment with no sign of toxicity on the liver.

Studies on human fascioliasis in Egypt. 1--Seasonality of transmission.

The present study aimed at investigating the seasonality of human fascioliasis. The monthly distribution of acute infection was studied together with the monthly Lymnaea cailliaudi snail density and infection Infection was observed in both snail and human host through out the year. However maximal snail infection was observed during the months of June and July while the number of acute human infections peaked in August. It was concluded that summer was the highest transmission season. The clinical incubation period was considered one or two months.

Studies on Lymnaea snails and their trematode parasites in Abis II village, Alexandria.

Lymnaea snails in Abis II village were studied as regard their species, monthly distribution, density and infection rates in different water bodies. The trematode parasites in L. cailliaudi, the only species of Lymnaea in Abis II village were xiphidio in 40% of snails and Fasciola in 10%. Echinostome cercariae were detected from few snails outside Abis II village. The morphological characters of the different larval stages of the detected parasites were described.