Resource utilization in the sub-sectors of the textile industry: opportunities for sustainability.

It was aimed to determine the specific resource use and reduction potential profiles in various textile sub-sectors (cotton woven fabric dyeing-finishing, wool woven fabric dyeing-finishing, synthetic woven fabric dyeing-finishing, cotton knitted fabric, synthetic knit fabric dyeing-finishing, non-woven fabric, dyeing-finishing of knitted fabric). The main focus was to elucidate opportunities for sustainability in terms of decreasing resource utilization in the textile sector. On-site surveys and detailed data collection studies were carried out at 150 textile facilities. Average specific values for water, auxiliary chemicals, dyestuff, electricity, and steam consumptions, and related reduction potentials were calculated and compared within facilities and sub-sectors. The minimum specific resource consumption values reported in the Best Available Techniques Reference Document (BREF) for the textile industry and data of similar facilities from the literature were evaluated and used. A detailed environmental performance profile of the Turkish textile sector in terms of resource usage and reduction potential was generated. The highest specific water consumption was found in the wool-woven fabric sub-sector (345 ± 262 L/kg product). Although the specific auxiliary chemical consumption shows similarities within sub-sectors, the highest specific auxiliary chemical consumption (397 ± 237 g/kg product) was found in the synthetic woven fabric sub-sector. The sub-sector with the highest specific dyestuff consumption (30 ± 13 g/kg product) was the cotton knitted fabric sub-sector. The wool woven fabric industry had the highest specific electricity (7 ± 5.3 kWh/kg product) and steam (20 ± 11 kg steam/kg product) consumption. In addition, for all the studied sub-sectors country-wide, the lowest and highest reduction potentials in resource uses were 18 ± 15% and 73 ± 13%, respectively, suggesting a need for major full-scale implementations of cleaner production for enhancing sustainability in the textile industry.

Double Flip Technique for Graft Transfer in Autograft Pterygium Surgery.

A 50-year-old man with recurrent pterygium and a 46-year-old woman with primary pterygium underwent surgery using a novel autograft transfer technique that facilitates autograft suturing and ensures correct graft orientation. After removing the pterygium, three edges of the autograft were cut. The autograft was flipped first over the uncut edge and secured to the superior margin of the recipient bed with two sutures. Afterward, the fourth side of the graft was cut and the second flip was done over the sutured edge. Thus, the autograft was in correct surface and side orientation and was sutured to the recipient bed. This simple technique provides both easy transfer and correct orientation of the graft in autograft pterygium surgery.

Inferior oblique anterior transposition according to a different grading scale for hyperdeviation with inferior oblique overaction.

OBJECTIVE: To define an inferior oblique anterior transposition (IOAT) grading scale in patients with hyperdeviation and inferior oblique overaction (IOOA), which we planned based on the data we obtained in our previous retrospective study. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight patients who underwent graded IOAT. METHODS: The patients were divided into 5 groups according to the amount of hyperdeviation in the primary position (PPHD). The inferior oblique muscle was transposed 2 mm posterior, 1 mm posterior parallel, 1 mm anterior, and 2 mm anterior to the inferior rectus insertion, respectively. Surgical success was defined as success (PPHD ≤3 PD), partial success (PPHD >3 and ≤6 PD), and nonsuccess (PPHD >6 PD). RESULTS: The mean amount of hyperdeviation correction in groups after IOAT was 9.50 ± 0.9 PD (range, 8-10 PD), 12.43 ± 1.5 PD (range, 11-14 PD), 16.67 ± 1.4 PD (range, 15-18 PD), 19.57 ± 1.7 PD (range, 16-21 PD), and 22.57 ± 5.8 PD (range, 14-30 PD), respectively. Surgical success was achieved in 34 patients (89.5%) after surgery, partial success was achieved in 3 patients (7.9%), and nonsuccess was observed in 1 patient (2.6%). All patients in our study had unilateral IOOA preoperatively, and IOOA developed in the contralateral eye of 9 patients (23.7%) during postoperative follow-up. In group 5, 4 patients (57.1%) developed -2 upgaze limitation, but surgery was not required. CONCLUSIONS: A high success rate can be achieved with this grading of IOAT in primary and secondary IOOA cases accompanying hyperdeviation in the primary position.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Conjunctival Flora.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on conjunctival flora in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.Methods: This prospective, controlled study was conducted between June 2020 and December 2020. The study group consisted of 45 confirmed COVID-19 patients and 43 control subjects. The collected samples were inoculated into the Thioglycollate broth media without delay. The samples with growth were then passed on eosin methylene blue agar, sabouraud dextrose agar, chocolate agar, and 5% sheep blood agar solid media.Results: The mean age of the COVID-19 patients was 64.24 ± 15.4 years, and the control subjects were 59.72 ± 11.4 years. The culture positivity of conjunctiva samples in COVID-19 patients (95.6%) was statistically significantly higher than control subjects (76.7%) (p = .024). Coagulase-negative staphylococcus and Staphylococcus aureus' positivity was significantly higher in COVID-19 patients than control subjects (p < .05).Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 demonstrate significantly higher culture positivity on conjunctival flora than the control subjects.

Correlation between intraocular pressure obtained with water drinking test versus modified diurnal tension curve measurement in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper was to study the correlation and agreement between the intraocular pressure (IOP) peak value and fluctuations detected with the modified diurnal tension curve (mDTC) and the water drinking test (WDT) in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG) patients. METHODS: This prospective observational study enrolled 42 eyes of 42 XFG patients. The IOPs were measured at 2-h intervals from 8 am to 4 pm with a Goldmann applanation tonometer by a single observer to establish the mDTC. The WDT was then performed between 4 and 5 pm on the same day and the IOP was measured 4 times at 15-min intervals after water ingestion. The IOPpeak, IOPmean, IO min, and IOPfluctuation were measured with both the mDTC and WDT. The paired sample t test, Spearman's correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the 42 patients consisting of 24 females and 18 males was 66.9 ± 6.8 years, and the mean central corneal thickness was 517.7 ± 29.1 µm. The mean values with the mDTC and WDT measurements were 15.05 ± 2.75 mmHg and 17.17 ± 3.25 mmHg (p ≤ 0.0001, r = 0.884) for IOPmean, 16.76 ± 3.45 mmHg and 18.92 ± 3.94 mmHg (p ≤ 0.0001, r=0.787) for IOPpeak, and 13.61 ± 2.56 mmHg and 15.11 ± 2.84 mmHg (p ≤ 0.0001, r=0.824) for IOPmin, respectively, and a positive correlation was present between these values. CONCLUSION: There was a positive correlation between the peak, minimum, and mean IOP values determined using the mDTC and WDT in treated XFG patients. WDT can be used as an alternative in the assessment of the IOP in these patients as a more practical method.

Optimal timing of capsular tension ring implantation in pseudoexfoliation syndrome / Momento ideal para implante de anel de tensão capsular na síndrome pseudoesfoliativa

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriate timing of capsular tension ring implantation in cases of zonular weakness due to pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Methods: This prospective, comparative study was performed at the Ophthalmology Department of Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. There were 43 patients included in the study. Group 1 (16 patients) had early capsular tension ring implantation, and group 2 (27 patients) had late capsular tension ring implantation. Patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome who underwent phacoemulsification surgery, posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation, and capsular tension ring implantation were included in the study. Intraoperative complications and difficulties with either capsular tension ring implantation or cortex removal were evaluated in each eye. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in the difficulty of capsular tension ring implantation (p=0.124). The difficulty of cortex removal differed significantly between the groups (p=0.003). Intraoperative complications were observed in 3 patients in group 1 and 11 patients in group 2; the difference between the groups was not significant (p=0.18). Posterior capsule fluctuations were observed in 8 patients (29.5%) in group 2, which resulted in posterior capsule rupture in 2 patients. Conclusions: Cortex removal is more difficult with early capsular tension ring implantation, and posterior capsule fluctuations may cause problems with late capsular tension ring implantation. The surgeon must consider the risk-to-benefit ratio of early versus late insertion for the optimal timing of capsular tension ring implantation.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o momento apropriado para implante de anel de tensão capsular em casos de fraqueza zonular devida à síndrome pseudoesfoliativa. Métodos: Este foi um estudo prospectivo e comparativo realizado no Departamento de Oftalmologia da Universidade İnönü. Foram incluídos 43 pacientes, sendo 16 no grupo 1 e 27 no grupo 2. O grupo 1 era composto de pacientes que se submeteram ao implante precoce do anel de tensão capsular, enquanto no grupo 2 os pacientes tiveram implante tardio. Foram incluídos pacientes com síndrome pseudoesfoliativa submetidos à cirurgia de facoemulsificação e ao implante de lente intraocular na câmara posterior e anel de tensão capsular. Em cada olho, foram avaliadas as complicações intraoperatórias e as dificuldades tanto com a implantação do anel de tensão capsular quanto com a remoção do córtex. Resultados: Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos quanto à dificuldade de implante do anel de tensão capsular (p=0,124). Ao se comparar as remoções do córtex, observou-se diferença significativa entre os grupos (p=0,003). Complicações intraoperatórias foram observadas em 3 pacientes do grupo 1 e 11 pacientes do grupo 2; porém, não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos (p=0,18). No grupo 2, observaram-se flutuações da cápsula posterior em 8 pacientes (29,5%), com ruptura da cápsula posterior em dois deles. Conclusões: A remoção do córtex é mais difícil no implante precoce do anel de tensão capsular e flutuações da cápsula posterior podem causar problemas no implante tardio do anel de tensão capsular. O cirurgião deve ponderar a relação risco/benefício do implante precoce e tardio ao avaliar o momento ideal para implante de anel de tensão capsular.

Chorioretinal dystrophy, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and cerebellar ataxia: Boucher-Neuhauser syndrome due to a homozygous (c.3524C>G (p.Ser1175Cys)) variant in PNPLA6 gene.

Purpose: The current study aims to raise awareness of Boucher - Neuhauser syndrome (BNHS) that occurs as a rare phenotype due to biallelic pathogenic variants in the PNPLA6 gene.Methods: Detailed family histories and clinical data were recorded. Whole exome sequencing was performed and co-segregation analysis of the family was done by sanger sequencing. Also, review of 28 molecularly confirmed patients with BNHS from the literature was evaluated.Results: We identified a missense homozygous variant (c.3524 C > G (p.Ser1175Cys)) in the PNPLA6 gene, which explains the phenotype of the patient and neurologic, ophthalmologic, endocrine, and genetic evaluations established a diagnosis of BNHS. Symptoms, ethnicity, clinical and genetic findings of 28 molecularly confirmed patients with BNHS from the literature were also presented.Conclusion: We present the main findings of a Turkish family with BNHS together with detailed clinical and genetic profiles of patients diagnosed as BNHS that have been molecularly confirmed in the literature so far.

Optimal timing of capsular tension ring implantation in pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriate timing of capsular tension ring implantation in cases of zonular weakness due to pseudoexfoliation syndrome. METHODS: This prospective, comparative study was performed at the Ophthalmology Department of Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. There were 43 patients included in the study. Group 1 (16 patients) had early capsular tension ring implantation, and group 2 (27 patients) had late capsular tension ring implantation. Patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome who underwent phacoemulsification surgery, posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation, and capsular tension ring implantation were included in the study. Intraoperative complications and difficulties with either capsular tension ring implantation or cortex removal were evaluated in each eye. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in the difficulty of capsular tension ring implantation (p=0.124). The difficulty of cortex removal differed significantly between the groups (p=0.003). Intraoperative complications were observed in 3 patients in group 1 and 11 patients in group 2; the difference between the groups was not significant (p=0.18). Posterior capsule fluctuations were observed in 8 patients (29.5%) in group 2, which resulted in posterior capsule rupture in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cortex removal is more difficult with early capsular tension ring implantation, and posterior capsule fluctuations may cause problems with late capsular tension ring implantation. The surgeon must consider the risk-to-benefit ratio of early versus late insertion for the optimal timing of capsular tension ring implantation.

Green textile production: a chemical minimization and substitution study in a woolen fabric production.

This study aimed to decrease chemical costs and increase productivity and environmental performance by applying various practices for chemical minimization and substitution in an integrated textile mill producing woolen textile fabric. Detailed on-site process investigations and data collection studies were carried out in the mill. Process-based specific auxiliary chemical and dyestuff consumptions were calculated. Process and composite wastewater samples were collected at different periods and analyzed. The chemical loads of wastewaters were also calculated. The specific dyestuff and auxiliary chemical consumptions of the mill were compared with the data of a similar textile mill in the literature and the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC), Textile Best Available Techniques Reference (BREF) document. Thus, the chemical saving potential of the mill was evaluated. A detailed chemical inventory study was also carried out in the mill. The material safety data sheets (MSDSs) of 371 chemicals were examined in terms of biodegradation ratio, toxicity, and micropollutant content. As a result, 23 chemicals were proposed to be replaced with environmentally friendly substitutes. A total of 10 minimization and substitution practices were identified for the mill according to the investigation and analysis results. After the implementation of the suggested practices, reductions of 15-32 and 13-37% are estimated to be achieved in total chemical consumption and chemical oxygen demand (COD) load of wastewater, respectively. The potential payback periods of the suggested practices were calculated to range between 4 and 36 months. The employed methodology and the findings of this study may be useful for similar textile mills, stakeholders, and regulators. This study may also provide a road map to the textile industry for their sustainable and green production applications.

Effect of Vitamin D Deficiency on Contrast Sensitivity Function.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of vitamin D (vit D) deficiency on contrast sensitivity (CS) function and retinal layers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group 1 consisted of 42 patients aged between 18 and 50 years with vit D deficiency and Group 2 consisted of sex- and age-matched 34 healthy subjects with normal vit D levels. Functional acuity contrast testing (FACT) was performed using the Optec 6500 vision testing system. The average retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and macular thickness (MT) obtained from nine macular areas in the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study were evaluated using SD-OCT (RS-3000; Nidek Inc., Fremont, CA, USA) following a detailed ophthalmologic examination. Measurements were performed on both eyes. RESULTS: A lower CS was found in Group 1 compared to Group 2 in all spatial frequencies. A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in 6, 12 and 18 cpd spatial frequencies, respectively. (p = .004, p = .001, p = .042, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of RNFL thicknesses (p = .200). There was an increase in MT in Group 1. However, this increase was statistically significant in the inferior inner area in the right eye, and in the inferior inner, temporal inner and outer macular areas in the left eye (p = .018, p = .003, p = .033, p = .040, respectively). CONCLUSION: It was observed that vit D deficiency had negative effects on CS function and also caused thickness difference in certain segments of retinal layers.

Surgical Management of Primary Inferior Oblique Muscle Overaction: A Subgroup-Specific Surgical Approach.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to assess the surgical results of recession and myectomy procedures in a subgroup of patients who had primary inferior oblique muscle overaction. METHODS: The records of 94 patients who had been treated due to primary inferior oblique muscle overaction were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were classified into 2 groups according to the severity of the inferior oblique hyperfunction. Recession was performed for patients with a low grade (+1 or +2) inferior oblique hyperfunction, and patients with high grade (+3 or +4) hyperfunction underwent myectomy surgery. Patients demonstrating a horizontal misalignment underwent conventional horizontal muscle surgery along with an inferior oblique weakening procedure. RESULTS: A total of 134 eyes fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Recession was performed in 95 eyes and myectomy in 39. Surgical success was obtained in 96.8% of the eyes that underwent recession and 97.4% of the eyes that underwent myectomy. Residual inferior oblique hyperfunction was observed in 3 eyes after recession and in 1 eye after myectomy. After surgery, about one-quarter of the patients with unilateral inferior oblique overaction subsequently developed a contralateral inferior oblique overaction. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that both recession and myectomy procedures are effective for treating primary inferior oblique hyperfunction with minimal complications when applied in the appropriate patient.

Canalicular Incisional Approach for Recanalization of Punctum: A Modified Surgical Treatment for Acquired Complete Upper and Lower Punctum Occlusions as an Alternative to Bypass Methods.

PURPOSE: To define the success of surgical technique used in the treatment of epiphora that is caused by bi-canalicular acquired complete punctum occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a retrospective consecutive case series, who underwent canalicular incisional approach for recanalization (CIAFOR) for acquired bi-canalicular punctum occlusions. The authors have used this technique in the cases not possible to perform a punctum dilatation and not possible to determine the punctum location exactly due to severe fibrosis. Functional and anatomical success was evaluated by the absence of epiphora and with lavage at post-operative 6th months. RESULTS: Seven eyes of 5 patients (3 males and 2 females) were included in the study. The ages of the patients were 70, 65, 45, 64, and 70 years, respectively. Current follow-up periods vary between 6 and 23 months. Although functional and anatomical success achieved in all eyes, complication such as accessory punctum observed. CONCLUSIONS: CIAFOR seems to be a successful and simple surgical technique to treat acquired total punctum occlusion.

Inferior Oblique Muscle Overaction: Clinical Features and Surgical Management.

PURPOSE: To further define the clinical features of patients with inferior oblique muscle overaction (IOOA) and evaluate the surgical results in a subgroup of these patients. METHODS: The medical records of 173 patients who underwent inferior oblique muscle (IO) weakening surgery due to primary or secondary IOOA were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were assigned a surgical group based on severity of IOOA and presence of dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) or hypertropia. Patients with +1 or +2 IOOA underwent recession, patients with +3 or +4 IOOA underwent myectomy, and patients with any grade of IOOA and DVD or hypertropia underwent anterior transposition (AT) surgery. RESULTS: A total of 286 eyes of 173 patients who underwent surgery due to IOOA were included in the study. IOOA was accompanied by esotropia, exotropia, abnormal head posture (AHP), pattern strabismus, convergence insufficiency, DVD, facial asymmetry, and nystagmus. The most common comorbid disorder was esotropia. The recession was used in 173 eyes, myectomy in 64, and AT in 49. Surgical success was obtained in 96.0% of eyes that underwent recession, in 98.4% of eyes that underwent myectomy, and in 93.9% of eyes that underwent AT. In the follow-up, IOOA occurred in the fellow eye in 36.1% of patients who underwent unilateral surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study is a comprehensive report on the concomitants of the IOOA. Also, it showed that all of the three surgical procedures including recession, myectomy, and AT are effective in the surgical management of IOOA when performed in select patient groups.

Corrigendum to: The Association of Serum Vitamin D Levels with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma/Syndrome.

In the Original Article by Dikci et al. "The Association of Serum Vitamin D Levels with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma/ Syndrome" (Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2019; 19(2):166-170) after publication of the article it has come to the corresponding author's attention that there were some errors in the article. In the introduction section, reference 3 should be changed as reference 2 (paragraph 1, line 4) and references 4-6 should be changed as references 3-6 (paragraph 1, lines 6,7). Reference numbers in the references section should be as follows. References 25-28 should be changed as references 7-10 respectively. References 7-24 should be changed as references 11-28 respectively.

Measurement of Contrast Sensitivity in Patients with Behçet's Disease without Ocular Involvement.

PURPOSE: To evaluate contrast sensitivity in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) without ocular involvement. METHODS: The study group was composed of 47 BD patients (20 to 50 years of age) who did not have ocular involvement. The control group was composed of 47 normal volunteers who were similar to the study group in terms of age and gender. No participants in this study had any ocular or systemic pathologies except for BD. The contrast sensitivity measurements were performed using the Functional Acuity Contrast Test under photopic conditions, and the results were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the BD patients and control subjects was 34.5 ± 9.7 and 33.2 ± 7.6 years, respectively. The mean disease duration of the BD patients was 5.5 ± 6.4 years. There was a statistically significant decrease at five spatial frequencies (A, 1.5; B, 3; C, 6; D, 2; and E, 18 cycles per degree) in patients with BD compared with control subjects (p < 0.001, p = 0.004, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The contrast sensitivity of BD patients without ocular involvement was lower than that of the control group. Further studies seem mandatory to confirm our results.

The Association of Serum Vitamin D Levels with Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma/Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether serum vitamin D levels have an effect on pseudoexfoliation (PEX) glaucoma/syndrome development and on the control of glaucoma in these cases. METHOD: A total of 31 cases with PEX glaucoma, 34 cases with the PEX syndrome and 43 control subjects of similar age and sex were included in the study. Vitamin D levels were compared between the groups and also between the cases where glaucoma surgery was performed or not. RESULTS: PEX glaucoma group consisted of 17 males and 14 females, PEX syndrome group of 27 males and 7 females, and the control group of 27 males and 16 females. The mean age was 70.9±8.9 years, 72.1±7.3 years, and 67.9±9.1 years in PEX glaucoma, syndrome and control group, respectively. Mean vitamin D levels were 9.4±7.7 ng/mL, 7.9±6,1 ng/mL, 11.5±14.2 ng/mL in PEX glaucoma, syndrome and control group, respectively (p>0.05). The mean serum vitamin D level was 8.04±4.7 ng/mL in those who underwent glaucoma surgery and 10.1±8.7 ng/mL in those who didn't undergo glaucoma surgery in PEX glaucoma group (p>0.05). No difference was found between the PEX glaucoma sub- groups in terms of the mean deviation when classified according to vitamin D levels (<10 ng/mL, ≥10 ng/mL) (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Although we found no statistically significant difference between the PEX syndrome/glaucoma, and control group in terms of serum vitamin D levels, serum vitamin D levels were lower in PEX syndrome and glaucoma group than control group. Our results indicate that serum vitamin D levels have no effect on the development of PEX glaucoma/syndrome or the control of the disorder in cases with PEX glaucoma. However, these results need to be supported with further studies on a larger number of patients and with longer follow-up.

Applying analytical decision methods for determination of the best treatment alternative to remove emerging micropollutants from drinking water and wastewater: triclosan example.

Increasing human activities have not only substantially altered the natural material cycle but also created new synthetic chemicals flows. Some of these chemicals, which are described as micropollutants (MPs), may result in adverse effects on human health, aquatic organisms, and ecosystems. MPs can be transported to the environment and water resources in a variety ways including domestic and industrial wastewater. Unfortunately, most MPs are only partially removed in existing conventional treatment plants. Therefore, conventional treatment plants should be modernized by advanced treatment technologies to protect the environment and human health. However, there are various mysteries about best treatment techniques, evaluation criteria, and decision-making methods. In this study, it was aimed to determine the best treatment alternatives for triclosan (TCS) which is one of the priority MPs. A total of 18 evaluation criteria were identified and prioritized by employing analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy methods. Treatment alternatives were identified and their performance was assessed through a comprehensive literature investigation. In decision-making processes of determining these alternatives, "technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS)," "preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE)," and "Visekriterijumsko kompromisno rangiranje (VIKOR)" analytical decision-making methods were employed, and priority rankings were determined according to each decision method. The final priority ranking was found as adsorption > membrane filtration > hybrid processes > advanced oxidation processes > constructed wetlands > conventional treatment processes > biological treatment > other treatment processes. Although the obtained results are specific to TCS, the employed analytical decision methods can be also used to decide the best treatment alternatives for other MPs.

Evaluation of ammonia-nitrogen removal efficiency from aqueous solutions by ultrasonic irradiation in short sonication periods.

In this study, mechanisms and efficiency of ammonia-nitrogen removal from aqueous solutions by ultrasonic irradiation were investigated. Depending on the factors affecting the sonication (initial concentration, initial pH, ultrasonic power density and sonication period), sonication tests were carried out and ammonium-nitrogen removal efficiency by ultrasonic irradiation was determined. In these experiments, ammonia-nitrogen removal efficiency was achieved in the range of 8-64%. In short sonication periods, the best ammonia-nitrogen removal efficiency was achieved at pH 8.2-11. Lower ammonia-nitrogen removal efficiency was observed in high initial ammonia-nitrogen concentration of solutions. It was observed that high initial ammonia-nitrogen concentrations may led to decreased ammonia-nitrogen removal efficiency however quantity of ammonia-nitrogen removal was higher. Because high initial concentration had a negative impact on the sonochemical reactions the heat of cavitation bubbles was reduced. Ammonia-nitrogen removal efficiency was increased with ultrasonic density and sonication period. This study showed that effective ammonia-nitrogen removal could be achieved by the ultrasonic irradiation in short sonication periods (as 60-600 s). Specific cost of ammonia-nitrogen removal by the ultrasonic irradiation from simulated ground water, surface water, wastewater and landfill leachate was also calculated. The specific removal cost was varied between 0.01 and 0.25$/g ammonia-nitrogen.