SO3 decomposition over silica-modified ß-SiC supported CuFe2O4 catalyst: characterization, performance, and atomistic insights.

The sulfur-iodine (S-I) thermochemical water-splitting cycle is one of the potential ways to produce hydrogen on a large scale. CuFe2O4 was dispersed over modified silica or treated ß-SiC and untreated ß-SiC using the wet impregnation method for SO3 decomposition, which is the most endothermic reaction of the S-I cycle. Various state-of-the-art techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, BET, XPS, TEM, HR-TEM, FESEM-EDS and elemental mapping were employed to characterize both the synthesized catalysts. CuFe2O4 catalyst supported on silica-modified ß-SiC resulted in enhanced catalytic activity and stability due to better metal-support interaction. In order to get a better insight into the reaction mechanism over this bimetallic catalyst, the first principles based simulation under the framework of density functional theory was performed. We have found that the presence of Cu gives rise to an improved charge localization at the O-vacancy site alongside favourable reaction kinetics, which results in an enhanced catalytic activity for the CuFe2O4 nano-cluster compared to that of a single metallic catalyst containing Fe2O3 nano-cluster.

Simultaneous biodegradation of pyridine, indole, and ammonium along with phenol and thiocyanate by aerobic granular sludge.

Aerobic granular sludge potential for concurrent biodegradation of two nitrogenous heterocyclic compounds (NHCs), i.e., pyridine and indole, and ammonia nitrogen along with phenol and thiocyanate was investigated in three sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) (R1, R2, and R3). Pyridine and indole were provided, respectively, in R1 and R2, whereas R3 was operated with a mixture of equimolar concentrations of pyridine and indole. Three concentrations of NHCs (1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mM) were investigated to observe the impact on aerobic granules. Pyridine did not exhibit any adverse effect on the granular characteristics (volatile suspended solids of 6.00 ± 0.08 g L-1 and sludge volume index of 37.98 ± 0.84 mL gTSS-1) up to a concentration of 5.0 mM (402.93 ± 6.29 mg L-1) (R1) with around 74% and >98% removal for pyridine and other pollutants (phenol, thiocyanate, and ammonia nitrogen), respectively. However, indole had a substantial adverse impact on the granular characteristics and other contaminants removal with a concentration of more than 1.0 mM (120.65 ± 4.84 mg L-1) (R2). The current research work provides an experimental treatment methodology for the wastewater in which pyridine, indole, ammonium, phenol, and thiocyanate coexist.

Impact of high phenol loading on aerobic granules from two different kinds of industrial sludge along with thiocyanate and ammonium.

Two sequencing batch reactors inoculated with two different kinds of industrial sludge; refinery sludge (R1) and brewery sludge (R2), were operated to observe the impact of high phenol loading (5.71 kg COD m-3 day-1) along with 100 mg L-1 of ammonia-nitrogen and thiocyanate on the granular stability and performance. R2 granules were stable and degraded all the pollutants up to an organic loading of 5.71 kg COD m-3 day-1 with the large size and high extracellular polymeric substances of 2769.94 ± 62.26 µm and 114.83 ± 1.33 mg gVSS-1, respectively, whereas R1 granules disintegrated at an organic loading of more than 3.32 kg COD m-3 day-1. At higher phenol loading, granular biomass activity was 3.43 and 16.35 mg COD removed mgVSS-1 day-1 in R1 and R2, respectively, from the initial sludge activities of 8.01 (refinery sludge) and 6.56 (brewery sludge) mg COD removed mgVSS-1 day-1.

Study of Fatigue and Associated Factors in Traumatic Brain Injury and Its Correlation with Insomnia and Depression.

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue has been cited as a common problem associated with traumatic brain injury. A positive association of fatigue has been suggested with insomnia and depression which are also considered to be significantly associated with traumatic brain injury. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The present study in post-traumatic brain injury patients is planned to assess the prevalence of fatigue, depression and insomnia, the correlation of fatigue with depression and insomnia and the risk factors associated with fatigue. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: Total 100 patients were recruited in the present study. Interview was focused on assessment of severity of traumatic brain injury, fatigue, insomnia and depression using Glasgow Coma Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Insomnia Severity Index and Patients Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9) respectively. RESULTS: Prevalence of depression was found 84% while that of fatigue and insomnia was 50% and 49% respectively. All patients with fatigue had depression whereas those patients without fatigue were also found to have depression (68%) and this correlation was found statistically significant. Similarly, insomnia was reported in 70% of patients who were fatigued against 28% of patients with no fatigue. This was also found statistically significant (P <0.0002). CONCLUSION: Fatigue in common in post TBI patients. Insomnia and depression are closely associated with fatigue. Clinical and research investigations of fatigue in post-traumatic brain injury should include concomitant screening for treatable depressive symptoms and sleep disorders.

Delayed Paraplegia in an Adult Patient With Spinal Cord Injury without Radiographic Abnormality of Dorsal Spine: A Lesson Learned.

Noncompressive myelopathy of lower dorsal spine secondary to trauma is a rare event. We report a case of delayed paraplegia in a patient with a history of road traffic accident. The X-ray of dorsolumbar spine did not show any abnormality. Magnetic resonance imaging of dorsolumbar spine was performed which showed the presence of central T2-weighted hyperintensities from D10-D11 to D12-L1 level. No associated bony injury was documented, and the integrity of the spinal canal was maintained. The patient was managed conservatively with bed rest, and steroids were given. However, the patient did not show any signs of improvement after 1 month of follow-up.

Effect of air flow rate on development of aerobic granules, biomass activity and nitrification efficiency for treating phenol, thiocyanate and ammonium.

The impact of air flow rate on aerobic granulation was evaluated for treating toxic multiple pollutants; phenol (400 mg L-1), thiocyanate (100 mg L-1) and ammonia nitrogen (100 mg L-1) by using three lab scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) (R1, R2 and R3). Larger granules (2938.67 ±â€¯64.91 µm) with higher biomass concentration (volatile solids of 4.17 ±â€¯0.09 g L-1), higher granule settling velocity (55.56 ±â€¯1.36 m h-1) and lower sludge volume index (35.25 ±â€¯1.71 mL gTSS-1) were observed at optimal air flow rate of 2.5 L min-1 (R2). Confocal laser scanning microscopic images illustrated the extended fluorescence for extracellular polymeric substances in R2. In R2, partial nitrification was achieved. Phenol was completely removed in all the reactors while partial removal of SCN- and no nitrification were observed with a decrease (1.5 L min-1) and an increase (3.5 L min-1) in air flow rates (R1 and R3, respectively). This study provides an experimental contribution to examine the effect of optimal combination of aeration and toxic multiple pollutants, governing characteristics and nitrification efficiency of granules along with SBR performance in an economic way in terms of optimal air supply.