A review on performance of constructed wetlands in tropical and cold climate: Insights of mechanism, role of influencing factors, and system modification in low temperature.

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are one of the most promising and sustainable alternatives for wastewater treatment that are being successfully implemented in several countries, especially in tropical and sub-tropical regions. The predominant mechanisms of removal of contaminants in CWs are microbial degradation, phytodegradation, phytoextraction, filtration, sedimentation, and adsorption, etc. Vertical flow subsurface CWs and hybrid CWs demonstrated promising results in terms of TN, BOD, and COD removal, while horizontal flow subsurface CWs were proficient in removal of TP. The performance of the CWs depends upon a various factors, such as hydraulic loading rate, pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, etc. Among these, low temperature had the most antagonistic effect on the performance of the CWs because freezing ambient temperature lead to ice formation, hydraulic imperfections, malfunctioning of biotic and abiotic components, etc. Over the past three decades, thousands of studies have been conducted involving treatment of wastewater using CWs, among which only few have addressed the issues and concerns of cold climate representing a significant research gap in this field. Furthermore, the performance of CWs in terms of TN, TP, and COD removal was significantly lower in cold climates than that in tropical and sub-tropical climates. In order to find suitable remedies to overcome the challenges faced in cold climate various modifications, such as incorporating greenhouse structure, providing insulating materials, bio-augmentation, identification of suitable macrophytes, etc., in around 20 different scenarios have been studied. Greenhouse construction led to 20% increase in removal of TN and COD, while plant collocation accounted for up to 18% increase in the removal of COD. Artificial aeration, insulation and bio-augmentation also enhanced the performance of the CWs in low temperatures.

A review on hospital wastewater treatment: A special emphasis on occurrence and removal of pharmaceutically active compounds, resistant microorganisms, and SARS-CoV-2.

The hospital wastewater imposes a potent threat to the security of human health concerning its high vulnerability towards the outbreak of several diseases. Furthermore, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic demanded a global attention towards monitoring viruses and other infectious pathogens in hospital wastewater and their removal. Apart from that, the presence of various recalcitrant organics, pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), etc. imparts a complex pollution load to water resources and ecosystem. In this review, an insight into the occurrence, persistence and removal of drug-resistant microorganisms and infectious viruses as well as other micro-pollutants have been documented. The performance of various pilot/full-scale studies have been evaluated in terms of removal of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), PhACs, pathogens, etc. It was found that many biological processes, such as membrane bioreactor, activated sludge process, constructed wetlands, etc. provided more than 80% removal of BOD, COD, TSS, etc. However, the removal of several recalcitrant organic pollutants are less responsive to those processes and demands the application of tertiary treatments, such as adsorption, ozone treatment, UV treatment, etc. Antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, viruses were found to be persistent even after the treatment of hospital wastewater, and high dose of chlorination or UV treatment was required to inactivate them. This article circumscribes the various emerging technologies, which have been used to treat PhACs and pathogens. The present review also emphasized the global concern of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in hospital wastewater and its removal by the existing treatment facilities.

Ultrasound assisted two-stage biodiesel synthesis from non-edible Schleichera triguga oil using heterogeneous catalyst: Kinetics and thermodynamic analysis.

Present work deals with the ultrasound-assisted biodiesel production from low cost, substantial acid value kusum (Schleichera triguga) oil using a two-step method of esterification in presence of acid (H2SO4) catalyst followed by transesterification using a basic heterogeneous barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)2) catalyst. The initial acid value of kusum oil was reduced from 21.65 to 0.84 mg of KOH/g of oil, by acid catalyzed esterification with 4:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, catalyst concentration 1% (v/v), ultrasonic irradiation time 20 min at 40 °C. Then, Ba(OH)2 concentration of 3% (w/w), methanol to oil molar ratio of 9:1, ultrasonic irradiation time of 80 min, and temperature of 50 °C was found to be the optimum conditions for transesterification step and triglyceride conversion of 96.8% (wt) was achieved. This paper also examined the kinetics as well as the evaluation of thermodynamic parameters for both esterification and transesterification reactions. The lower value of activation energy and higher values of kinetic constants indicated a fast rate of reaction, which could be attributed to the physical effect of emulsification, in which the microturbulence generated due to radial motion of bubbles, creates an intimate mixing of the immiscible reactants causing the increase in the interfacial area, giving faster reaction kinetics. The positive values of Gibbs-free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH) and negative value of entropy (ΔS) revealed that both the esterification and transesterification were non-spontaneous, endothermic and endergonic reactions. Therefore, the present work has not only established the escalation obtained due to ultrasonication but also exemplified the two-step approach for synthesis of biodiesel from non-edible kusum oil based on the use of heterogeneous catalyst for the transesterification step.

Synthesis, characterization, and application of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate for extractive desulfurization of liquid fuel.

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate [BMIM]SCN has been presented on extractive desulfurization of liquid fuel. The FTIR, (1)H-NMR, and C-NMR have been discussed for the molecular confirmation of synthesized [BMIM]SCN. Further, thermal, conductivity, moisture content, viscosity, and solubility analyses of [BMIM]SCN were carried out. The effects of time, temperature, sulfur compounds, ultrasonication, and recycling of [BMIM]SCN on removal of dibenzothiophene from liquid fuel were also investigated. In extractive desulfurization, removal of dibenzothiophene in n-dodecane was 86.5 % for mass ratio of 1:1 in 30 min at 30 °C under the mild process conditions. [BMIM]SCN could be reused five times without a significant decrease in activity. Also, in the desulfurization of real fuels, multistage extraction was examined. The data and results provided in the present paper explore the significant insights of imidazolium-based ionic liquids as novel extractant for extractive desulfurization of liquid fuels.

Optimization and Kinetic Studies on Biodiesel Production from Kusum (Schleichera triguga) Oil Using Response Surface Methodology.

In the present study, the low-cost non-edible kusum (Schleichera triguga) oil with a substantial amount of free fatty acid (FFA) was utilized for biodiesel synthesis. In pretreatment step, FFA was reduced by the acid catalyzed esterification method. Then, response surface method (RSM) in conjunction with centre composite design (CCD) containing 30 experimental runs were statistically employed for process optimization and kinetic study for the base catalyzed transesterification process. A statistical model predicted highest fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) yield of 97.37% at the optimal values of process parameters as follows: sodium methoxide concentration 0.9 wt% of oil, Methanol to oil molar ratio 9:1, temperature 58.9 ℃ and reaction time 58.5 min. Using these optimal parameters under experimental conditions in three independent replicates an actual FAME content of 98.14% was obtained which was in reasonable agreement with predicted one. The developed kinetic model suggested a 1.8(th) order reaction with activation energy of 31.42 kcal mol(-1) and frequency factor of 5.53×10(19) L mol(-1)min(-1). Furthermore, Important fuel properties of kusum oil biodiesel (KOB) was compared with ASTM 6751 and DIN EN 14214. The viscosity was found to be 5.34 Cst at 40 °C and the flash point was 152°C.

Ultrasound assisted biodiesel production from sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) oil using barium hydroxide as a heterogeneous catalyst: Comparative assessment of prediction abilities between response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN).

The present study estimates the prediction capability of response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) models for biodiesel synthesis from sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) oil under ultrasonication (20 kHz and 1.2 kW) using barium hydroxide as a basic heterogeneous catalyst. RSM based on a five level, four factor central composite design, was employed to obtain the best possible combination of catalyst concentration, methanol to oil molar ratio, temperature and reaction time for maximum FAME content. Experimental data were evaluated by applying RSM integrating with desirability function approach. The importance of each independent variable on the response was investigated by using sensitivity analysis. The optimum conditions were found to be catalyst concentration (1.79 wt%), methanol to oil molar ratio (6.69:1), temperature (31.92°C), and reaction time (40.30 min). For these conditions, experimental FAME content of 98.6% was obtained, which was in reasonable agreement with predicted one. The sensitivity analysis confirmed that catalyst concentration was the main factors affecting the FAME content with the relative importance of 36.93%. The lower values of correlation coefficient (R(2)=0.781), root mean square error (RMSE=4.81), standard error of prediction (SEP=6.03) and relative percent deviation (RPD=4.92) for ANN compared to those R(2) (0.596), RMSE (6.79), SEP (8.54) and RPD (6.48) for RSM proved better prediction capability of ANN in predicting the FAME content.

Bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase and platelet count score: a novel score for differentiating patients with chronic hepatitis B with acute flare from acute hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: Early therapy improves the outcome in patients with chronic hepatitis B with acute flare (CHB-AF). However in mesoendemic countries, it is difficult to differentiate CHBAF from acute hepatitis B (AHB). The aim of this study was to formulate a clinical score to differentiate CHB-AF from AHB in patients presenting with an acute hepatitis-like picture. METHODS: Patients with a protracted clinical course of >2 months with elevated liver enzymes and positive hepatitis B virus DNA, who had undergone liver biopsy were included in this study. The clinical and laboratory profiles were compared between patients with biopsy suggestive of CHB-AF and AHB. RESULTS: Of the 75 patients included, 32 patients had a liver biopsy suggestive of CHB-AF. At 6 months, HBsAg clearance was lower in the CHB-AF group (9.4 vs. 76.7%). Presence of prodrome, platelet count, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase and bilirubin levels and presence of anti-core antibody (IgM anti HBc) were lower in CHB-AF group (P<0.01). Using the receiver operating characteristic curve, peak bilirubin level, peak AST levels and least platelet count within the first 8 weeks had the highest predictive power. Optimal values of platelet <2.4×105/µL, peak bilirubin <4.5 mg/dL and AST <550 IU/L were given a point each. On internal validation a score of 2 had 86% specificity, 70.1% sensitivity and 82.7% diagnostic accuracy in predicting CHB-AF. CONCLUSION: Bilirubin, AST and platelet count (BAP) score may be helpful in differentiating CHB-AF from AHB. A score of >2 could strongly suggest CHB-AF. However the score requires further validation.

Synthesis, characterization and application of 1-butyl-3 methylimidazolium chloride as green material for extractive desulfurization of liquid fuel.

The possible application of imidazolium ionic liquids as energy-efficient green material for extractive deep desulfurization of liquid fuel has been investigated. 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [BMIM]Cl was synthesized by nucleophilic substitution reaction of n-methylimidazolium and 1-chlorobutane. Molecular structures of the ILs were confirmed by FTIR, (1)H-NMR, and (13)C-NMR. The thermal properties, conductivity, solubility, water content and viscosity analysis of [BMIM]Cl were carried out. The effects of reaction time, reaction temperature, sulfur compounds, and recycling of IL without regeneration on dibenzothiophene removal of liquid fuel were presented. In the extractive desulfurization process, the removal of dibenzothiophene in n-dodecane using [BMIM]Cl was 81% with mass ratio of 1 : 1, in 30 min at 30°C under the mild reaction conditions. Also, desulfurization of real fuels with IL and multistage extraction were studied. The results of this work might offer significant insights in the perceptive use of imidazoled ILs as energy-efficient green material for extractive deep desulfurization of liquid fuels as it can be reused without regeneration with considerable extraction efficiency.

Imatinib-induced pancreatitis.

Drug-induced pancreatitis is a rare but serious complication of many drugs, some of which have been well documented. Here we present a case of a middle-aged man with chronic myeloid leukemia who developed acute pancreatitis after being initiated on imatinib mesylate. The case history, the pharmacodynamics, uses, and adverse effects of imatinib mesylate are discussed in detail.

Effect of chain length of alcohol on the lipase-catalyzed esterification of propionic acid in supercritical carbon dioxide.

The esterification of propionic acid was investigated using three different alcohols, namely, isopropyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, and isoamyl alcohol. The variation of conversion with time for the synthesis of isoamyl propionate was investigated in the presence of five enzymes. Novozym 435 showed the highest activity, and this was used as the enzyme for investigating the various parameters that influence the esterification reaction. The Ping-Pong Bi-Bi model with inhibition by both acid and alcohol was used to model the experimental data and determine the kinetics of the esterification reaction.

Effect of chain length on enzymatic hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl esters in supercritical carbon dioxide.

The effect of chain length on the enzymatic hydrolysis of various p-nitrophenyl esters was investigated. Specifically, the hydrolysis of various esters p-nitrophenyl butyrate (PNPB), p-nitrophenyl caprylate (PNPC), p-nitrophenyl laurate (PNPL), p-nitrophenyl myristate (PNPM) and p-nitrophenyl palmitate (PNPP) was studied in supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO2) with lipase (Novozym 435). This indicates that the conversion of nitrophenyl esters decreases with increasing chain length. The effect of various parameters such as amount of water added, temperature, and enzyme loading was studied. The optimum temperature for the hydrolysis of PNPB and PNPC was 50 degrees C but was 55 degrees C for PNPL, PNPM, and PNPP in ScCO2. The reactions were also conducted in acetonitrile as the solvent, and it was found that the reactions reach equilibrium much faster in ScCO2 than in acetonitrile. The kinetics of the hydrolysis reactions were modeled using a Ping Pong Bi Bi model.

Synthesis of isoamyl laurate and isoamyl stearate in supercritical carbon dioxide.

The synthesis of isoamyl laurate and isoamyl stearate was studied in supercritical carbon dioxide with three lipases, Novozym 435, Lipolase 100T, and Candida rugosa. The maximum conversion of 37% and 53%, respectively for isoamyl laurate and isoamyl stearate was obtained when Novozym 435 was used. The effect of various parameters such as molar ratio of alcohol to acid, presence of water, time and temperature was investigated. An optimum temperature of 40-45 degrees C was observed for all reactions. The kinetics of reactions was fast and equilibrium was achieved in 2-3 h. Although the presence of excess alcohol did not reduce conversion, excess water reduced conversion significantly.