20 Articles Published

1. SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL COMPOSITE PRE-POLYMERIZED COAGULANT FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Authors: TOLKOU ATHANASIA , ZOUBOULIS ANASTASIOS

Abstract: The main aim of this study was the synthesis and characterization of alternative composite inorganic coagulants, resulted from the incorporation of polysilicates and ferric salts in the structure of commonly applied polyaluminum chloride (PACl) in the coagulation–flocculation (C/F) process, in order to increase its efficiency for water and wastewater treatment. The new product is called polyaluminum ferric silicate chloride (PSiFAC) and is synthesized under various experimental conditions and two different preparation methods (copolymerization, or composite polymerization). The major typical properties of the prepared coagulants were examined, i.e. pH, turbidity, conductivity and Al species distribution (e.g. Keggin- Al13), employing the ferron technique. The composition, structure and morphology of the composite coagulants were studied in detail using (among others) the application of FT-IR and SEM techniques. The results show that the new composite materials have high Al13 content (5

Keywords: composite inorganic coagulants, poly-aluminumferric-silicate-chloride, wastewater treatment

Pages: 1 - 5 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-28

2. EFFECTIVE FAST RESPONSE SMART STICK FOR BLIND PEOPLE

Authors: AHMED F. SEDDIK , AYAT NADA , MAHMOUD A. FAKHR

Abstract: Visually impaired people find difficulties detecting obstacles in front of them, during walking in the street, which makes it dangerous. The smart stick comes as a proposed solution to enable them to identify the world around. In this paper we propose a solution, represented in a smart stick with infrared sensor to detect stair-cases and pair of ultrasonic sensor to detect any other obstacles in front of the user, within a range of four meters. Moreover, another sensor is placed at the bottom of the stick for the sake of avoiding puddles. Speech warning messages and the vibration motor are activated when any obstacle is detected. This proposed system uses the microcontroller 18F46K80 embedded system, vibration motor and ISD1932 flash memory. The stick is capable of detecting all obstacles in the range 4 meter during 39 ms and gives a suitable respect message empowering blind to move twice his normal speed because she/he feels safe. The smart stick is of low cost, fast response, low pow

Keywords: Infrared Sensor, Ultrasonic Sensor, Electronic Travel Aids (ETAs), Visually impaired, Blind Navigation.

Pages: 5 - 11 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-29

3. DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED METHODOLOGY FOR FOULING CONTROL IN MEMBRANE BIOREACTORS

Authors: A. TOLKOU , A. ZOUBOULIS , D. ZAMBOULIS , E. PELEKA , M. MITRAKAS , P. GKOTSIS

Abstract: The most serious drawback in wastewater treatment using membrane bioreactors (MBRs) is membrane fouling, which gradually leads to membrane permeability decrease and efficiency deterioration. This work is part of a research project that aims to develop an integrated methodology for membrane fouling control, using specific chemicals which enhance the coagulation and flocculation of compounds responsible for fouling, hence reducing biofilm formation on the membrane surface and limiting the fouling rate acting as a pre-treatment step. For this purpose, a pilotscale plant with fully automatic operation achieved by means of programmable logic controller (PLC) has been constructed and tested. The experimental set-up consists of four units: wastewater feed unit, bioreactor, membrane (side-stream) filtration unit and permeate collection unit. Synthetic wastewater (BOD=1000 mg/L) was fed as the substrate for the activated sludge (F/M=0.2 kg BOD/kg MLVSS∙d). The dissolved oxygen (DO) concentratio

Keywords: coagulation, membrane bioreactors, membrane fouling, pilot plant

Pages: 12 - 16 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-30

4. OPTIMIZATION OF CALCIUM CHLORIDE FOR EFFICIENT IN VITRO REGENERATION IN CUMINUM CYMINUM L: A SIGNIFICANT SEED SPICE

Authors: BOJANA BAJIC , JELENA DODIC , JOVANA GRAHOVAC , SINISA DODIC , UROS MILJIC

Abstract: Protecting our environment, while stabilizing the population and adequately feeding the people who will share the Earth in the next generation, is the largest challenge facing human kind today. The preservation of biodiversity can be accomplished only as part of an overall strategy to promote global stability. India is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of biodiversity. It is known worldwide for its rich repository of spices and thus popularly known as the "land of spices". Among various spices, seed spices play a major role in Indian history and commerce as they are cultivated in India since ancient times; also India enjoys the position of being the largest producer, consumer and exporter of seed spices in the world. Cuminum cyminum L. is an important seed spice belonging to family Apiaceae. Production of cumin is limited due to several biotic stresses of which wilt diseases are the most serious. Efforts to improve cumin are limited due to the unavailability of broad g

Keywords: Cumin, Calcium, Regeneration, peroxidase, proliferation.

Pages: 17 - 21 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-31

5. ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR THE TREATMENT OF WASTE EFFLUENTS FROM BIOFUELS PRODUCTION

Authors: ZORANA RONCEVIC , ALEKSANDAR JOKIC , DAMJAN VUCUROVIC , DINA SHALTYKOVA

Abstract: Bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas represent very significant alternatives to fossil fuels in order to reduce carbondioxide emissions, so there is a need to develop energy efficient technologies, equipment and waste management procedures to make production profitable by reducing production costs. One way to accomplish this is to solve the problem of waste effluents by using them to obtain high-value products. All biotechnological processes are energy intensive to some extent, so saving energy becomes one of the main goals of all biotechnological processes in addition to preserving the environment and the management or reuse of waste. The availability of waste effluents from the production of biofuels, such as distillery stillage and crude glycerol, will increase over the next few years due to the growth of the biofuel industry and will provide a great possibility for the biotechnological production of high-value products.

Keywords: environmental protection, biofuels, zero emissions, biotechnology, waste management

Pages: 26 - 30 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-33

6. THE THEORY OF THERMAL DESALINATION SYSTEMS BASED ON SEWED POLYMER NETWORKS

Authors: DINA SHALTYKOVA , GRIGORIY MUN , IBRAGIM SULEIMENOV , OLZHAS EREZHEEV , SERGEY PANCHENKO , SHERNIYAZ KABDUSHEV

Abstract: It is shown that it is possible to implement analog of a dialyzer based on sewed polymer networks, working on the basis of the temperature difference between two reservoirs containing low molecular weight salt. The result of such dialyzer using is enrichment of one those solutions by low molecular component and depletion of the other. It is shown that for providing the necessary temperature, it is possible to use energy of solar radiation.

Keywords: Dialysis, water deionization, polymeric hydrogels, green energy, contact potential difference.

Pages: 31 - 33 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-34

7. THE EFFECT OF AMOUNT OF ALKALINE SOLUTION ON FLY ASH AND METAKAOLIN BASED GEOPOLYMER MORTAR PROPERTIES

Authors: GOKHAN GORHAN , GOKHAN KURKLU

Abstract: This study investigated the effect of four different amounts of alkaline solution (240, 270, 390 and 435 ml) used in the production of metakaolin and fly ash-based geopolymer mortar on sample properties. In the preparation of geopolymer mortars, metakaolin obtained by the sintering at 1000 °C of kaolin clay and fly ash obtained from Kütahya Seyit Ömer (Turkey) thermal power plant was used. Geopolymer mortars were cast into 40x40x160 mm molds and cured for 5 h at 80 oC in a laboratory-type oven. The curing process of the samples was completed, and they were subjected to physical and mechanical tests at the end of the 7th day following their production. Consequently, it was determined that the ideal amount of alkali solution in the preparation of the geopolymer mortar samples was 270 ml. In addition, the flexural and compressive strength values of the geopolymer mortars produced using 270 ml alkaline solution were 4.9 MPa and 21.8 MPa, respectively.

Keywords: fly ash, metakaolin, alkaline solution, geopolymer, mortar.

Pages: 38 - 41 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-36

8. SENSING SMALL MOLECULES WITH OLIGONUCLEOTIDE APTAMERS

Authors: CORINNE RAVELET , ERIC DAUSSE , ERIC PEYRIN , GUILLAUME DURAND , JEAN-JACQUES TOULME

Abstract: We developed biosensors in which the detection element is an oligonucleotide -an aptamer- obtained through a combinatorial process. We characterized aptamers specific for different biomarkers. They can be integrated into different devices, allowing their use either in a grafted format or in solution. We developped a multiplex assay signaling the presence of nucleoside derivatives by either surface plasmon resonance or fluorescence anisotropy.

Keywords: biosensor, oligonucleotide, aptamer, SPR, fluorescence, pollutant

Pages: 42 - 43 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-80

9. SELF-ASSEMBLED COMPLEXES OF MULTIBRANCHED GOLD NANOPARTICLES WITH PORPHYRINS USED IN PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY SPECTRAL AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION

Authors: ALEJANDRO ZUNIGA , ARYANE TOFANELLO , CARLOS E. DE CASTRO , ERICA G. A. MIRANDA , FERNANDO C. GIACOMELLI , ISELI L. NANTES , JULIANA C. ARAUJO-CHAVES

Abstract: The size and form of gold nanoparticles are crucial for the material properties. Particularly, anisotropic nanostructures are of particular interest because the capacity to enhance electromagnetic field upon irradiation for application in Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering spectroscopy and imaging. In the present study, biocompatible multibranched gold nanoparticles (MGNP) were synthesized by the one pot method using the piperazine moiety of HEPES buffer as reducing and stabilizing agent. The synthesis of MGNP was carried out at pH 3, 7 and 10 by using 0.2, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 25.0 mM HEPES and phosphate buffer. The formation of stable MGNP in high yield was obtained using 2.5 mM HEPES buffer at pH values of 7.0 and 10.0 as evidenced by the deep blue color and the presence of red shifted resonance plasmon bands. The MGNP obtained in these conditions were used for association with cationic and anionic meso-tetrakis porphyrins, TMPyP (5, 10, 15, 20 tetrakis(1-metyl-4-pyridinio) porphyrin te

Keywords: multibranched gold nanoparticles, green synthesis, plasmonic band, HEPES buffer, zeta potential, fluorescence

Pages: 44 - 48 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-102

10. GREEN AND RAPID SYNTHESIS OF BIOCOMPATIBLE GOLD AND SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING FRUIT JUICES, GREEN TEA AND COFFEE A COMPARATIVE AND SYSTEMATIC STUDY

Authors: ALEJANDRO ZUNIGA , ARYANE TOFANELLO , CARLOS E. DE CASTRO , ERICA G. A. MIRANDA , FERNANDO C. GIACOMELLI , ISELI L. NANTES , JULIANA C. ARAUJO-CHAVES

Abstract: A facile, rapid and green synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles (GNPs and SNPs) using juice of different fruits as reducing and stabilizing agent is reported. Seven different fruits were used in the comparative study with green tea and coffee: lemon, melon, pineapple, banana, orange and tomato. The efficiency of the fruits for the synthesis and stabilization of metallic nanoparticles was compared at pH 3, 7 and 10. The effect of the buffer agent, phosphate and HEPES, was also studied. The early analysis of NP formation was done by observing the color change of the samples. Alkaline pH was favorable for the synthesis of metallic NPs at all the tested conditions. Green tea and coffee were the most efficient agents for the synthesis of GNPs and SNPs. The formation of the GNPs was evident only few seconds after the addition of gold salt solution in the extracts. The most efficient fruits for GNP synthesis were lemon, banana and orange. In the presence of these fruits the formation of

Keywords: metallic nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, fruit extracts, HEPES buffer, surface plasmon resonance, zeta potential

Pages: 49 - 53 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-103

11. REGENERATION PERFORMANCE AND CARBON CONSUMPTION OF SEMI-COKE AND ACTIVATED COKE FOR SO2 AND NO REMOVAL

Authors: FENG QI , SONG DING , TINGYU ZHU , YANGYANG GUO

Abstract: To decrease the operating cost of flue gas purification technologies based on carbon-based materials, the adsorption and desorption performances of low-price semi-coke and activated coke were compared for SO2 and NO removal in a simulated flue gas. The functional groups of two adsorbents before and after regeneration were determined by a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, and were quantitatively tested using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) coupled with FTIR and acid-base titration. The results show that semicoke has higher adsorption amounts (16.2% for SO2 and 38.6% for NO) than activated coke because of its richer basic functional groups and lactone. After regeneration, the adsorption performances of semi-coke decrease because the active functional groups decreased and the micropores increased. Semi-coke has a better regeneration performance than activated coke. Semi-coke has a larger SO2 recovery of 7.2% and a smaller carbon consumption of 12% than activated coke

Keywords: functional group; SO2 recovery; adsorption; carbon consumption

Pages: 54 - 56 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-104

12. STUDY OF DIOXIN REMOVAL FROM SINTERING FLUE GAS

Authors: FENG QI , TINGYU ZHU , YANGYANG GUO

Abstract: Dionxin is difinetly harmful to human body, and large part of dioxin is produced from sintering processes, the distribuition of dionxin with sintering temperature is shown in Figure 1, so the control for dioxin in sintering process is quite essential. One of the mosy common ways for dioxin removal is adsorption by activated carbon, while the real dioxin gas is much complicated and quite hard to generate in laboratory, so the researches for dioxin removal by activated carbon are mostly related to the plot scale test. The AC consumption and the dioxin removal efficencies can be got from these studies, while the mechanism for dioxin removal by activated carbon can not been analysed from these scale experiments. In order to inveatigate the mechnism of dioxin removal on carbon, our research work studied a series chlorohydrocarbon’s adsorption on activated carbon, the adsorption capacity of dioxin is caculated based on our experimental results and the desorption species are also deeply studi

Keywords: Study , dioxin, removal, sintering , flue gas

Pages: 57 - 57 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-105

13. THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT IRRIGATION FREQUENCIES AND LEVELS OF WATER QUALITY ON MAIZE YIELD AND GROWTH IRRIGATUIN FREQUENCY AND WATER QUALITY IMPACTS ON MAIZE CROP

Authors: A. A. ALAZBA , M. RIZWAN , M. T. AMIN

Abstract: The effects of different irrigation frequencies and levels of water quality on maize yield and growth parameters under raised bed and drip irrigation systems were examined. Three irrigation frequencies (every 2, 4 or 6 days) and three levels of irrigation water quality (good, marginal and poor) were applied using the high-efficiency drip irrigation system and raised bed systems. The parameters measured were germination rate, plant height, total dry matter (TDM), and grain yield (GY). The data were statistically investigated to assess the importance of irrigation frequency and water quality. The effects of irrigation frequency on plant height were observed to be statistically significant. Plant height reduced with an increase in irrigation frequency from every 2 to every 4 days, but increased with a further increase in irrigation frequency from every 4 to every 6 days. The raised bed irrigation system demonstrated better performance than the drip irrigation system; plant height, biologi

Keywords: Irrigation frequency and system, maize crop, water quality

Pages: 58 - 58 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-106

14. A BIOGAS PRODUCTION UNIT FOR USE IN RURAL AREAS

Authors: AGBETOYE , L.A.S

Abstract: A biogas production unit was designed, fabricated and tested. It consists of a 168-litres anaerobic digester and a 38-litres gas storage tank connected together with 19 mm PVC pipes and locks. The digester and the separator tanks were fabricated from a high torsional strength 20 mm x 20 mm x 4 mm mild steel sheet supported by 60 mm x 60 mm x 4 mm angle iron welded together. Filler paste was applied to the two tanks for air tightness. The digester has a 900 mm shaft with blades attached that stirs the substrate. The machine is powered by a 0.75 kW electric motor connected to the side of the digester tank. A rubber seal was attached to the top of the stirrer to prevent the escape of gas from the tank. A pressure gauge and a gas connecting hose were attached for the measurement of the amount of gas produced, stored and released to the cooker respectively. Air and water tightness tests were carried out to avoid unnecessary leakage at any point. Plant and animal wastes were utilized as feed

Keywords: biogas, digester, separator, tank, feedstock, methane

Pages: 84 - 89 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-128

15. SNVDMIR: ASSOCIATING THE GENOMIC PROXIMITY OF GENETIC VARIANTS WITH DEREGULATED MIRNAS AND DIFFERENTIALLY METHYLATED REGIONS

Authors: HAMED M , HELMS V , ZAPP A

Abstract: Although next generation sequencing of diseased traits has unraveled thousands of DNA alterations, the functional relevance of most of these mutations and how they relate to other epigenetic mechanisms are still poorly understood. Here, we present SnvDMiR as a freely–available R pipeline that conducts combinatorial proximity analysis between disease– associated SNVs, deregulated miRNAs, and differentially methylated regions (DMRs) to identify genomically adjacent SNV-miRNA pairs as well as SNV-DMR pairs. These variants could be further investigated as putative candidates for driving pathogenic processes in diseases. We demonstrated the usefulness of the SnvDMiR pipeline by applying it on a published set of breast cancer-related mutations, deregulated miRNAs, and DMRs. Our pipeline characterized potential driver mutations that are predicted to have damaging effects on related protein functions. Availability: http://gepard.bioinformatik.unisaarland. de/software

Keywords: Single, Nucleotide, Variant, (SNV), somatic, mutation, deregulated, miRNA, differentially, methylated, region, (DMR), genomic, proximity, epigenetics, data, integration, breast, cancer.

Pages: 79 - 83 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-127

16. EQUILIBRIUM AND KINETIC APPROACH OF BIOADSORBED METANIL YELLOW FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION ONTO CROSSLINKED MAGNETIC CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES

Authors: BILSEN TURAL , SERVET TURAL , TUBA TARHAN

Abstract: Glutaraldehyde cross-linked magnetic chitosan nanoparticles (GMCNs) were prepared through crosslinking modification of magnetic chitosan nanoparticles (MCNs) using glutaraldehyde as crosslinker that exhibited excellent Metanil Yellow (MY) adsorption performance. The characterization of synthesized GMCNs was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electronmicroscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) analyses. Adsorption characteristics of MY aqueous solutions on to GMCNs

Keywords: Biosorption, Crosslinked, Magnetic, Chitosan, Metanil, Yellow, Regeneration

Pages: 77 - 78 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-108

17. THE EFFECT OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND SURFACE WIND SPEED ON THE VOLUMETRIC WATER CONTENT OF THE SOIL FOR SELECTED STATIONS IN IRAQ

Authors: OSAMA TAREK AL-TAAI , THAER KADUM JAWAD

Abstract: Soil Water content plays an important role in global hydrological cycles and regional climate of development weather patterns, plus its take part on production of precipitation and climate change. The aim of this work is to determine the effect of some of meteorological elements on the volumetric soil water content at the first level of the soil (0.0 - 0.07 meter) and study volumetric soil water content for four levels of the soil, and the extent of the volumetric soil water content change at the first level, including with time for four selected areas of Iraq Baghdad, Basra, Mosul and Rutba and four months January, March, July and September during the 33- year period from 1979 to 2011. Work was performed with monthly data relative humidity, surface wind speed at a height of 10 meters and the volumetric soil water content for four levels of the soil. And taken from the European Center (ECMWF), specifically model (ERA- Interim), by taking advantage of some statistical techniques such as

Keywords: Soil, water, Relative, humidity, Wind, speed, Spearman, rho, test, Iraq.

Pages: 59 - 76 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-107

18. THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT IRRIGATION FREQUENCIES AND LEVELS OF WATER QUALITY ON MAIZE YIELD AND GROWTH IRRIGATUIN FREQUENCY AND WATER QUALITY IMPACTS ON MAIZE CROP

Authors: A. A. ALAZBA , M. RIZWAN , M. T. AMIN

Abstract: The effects of different irrigation frequencies and levels of water quality on maize yield and growth parameters under raised bed and drip irrigation systems were examined. Three irrigation frequencies (every 2, 4 or 6 days) and three levels of irrigation water quality (good, marginal and poor) were applied using the high-efficiency drip irrigation system and raised bed systems. The parameters measured were germination rate, plant height, total dry matter (TDM), and grain yield (GY). The data were statistically investigated to assess the importance of irrigation frequency and water quality. The effects of irrigation frequency on plant height were observed to be statistically significant. Plant height reduced with an increase in irrigation frequency from every 2 to every 4 days, but increased with a further increase in irrigation frequency from every 4 to every 6 days. The raised bed irrigation system demonstrated better performance than the drip irrigation system; plant height, biologi

Keywords: gation, frequency, system, maize, crop, water, quality

Pages: 58 - 58 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-106

19. STUDY OF DIOXIN REMOVAL FROM SINTERING FLUE GAS

Authors: FENG QI , TINGYU ZHU , YANGYANG GUO , XIAOMIAO YAN

Abstract: Dionxin is difinetly harmful to human body, and large part of dioxin is produced from sintering processes, the distribuition of dionxin with sintering temperature is shown in Figure 1, so the control for dioxin in sintering process is quite essential. One of the mosy common ways for dioxin removal is adsorption by activated carbon, while the real dioxin gas is much complicated and quite hard to generate in laboratory, so the researches for dioxin removal by activated carbon are mostly related to the plot scale test. The AC consumption and the dioxin removal efficencies can be got from these studies, while the mechanism for dioxin removal by activated carbon can not been analysed from these scale experiments. In order to inveatigate the mechnism of dioxin removal on carbon, our research work studied a series chlorohydrocarbon’s adsorption on activated carbon, the adsorption capacity of dioxin is caculated based on our experimental results and the desorption species are also deeply studi

Keywords: dioxin, activated, carbon, mechanism, sintering

Pages: 57 - 57 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-105

20. REGENERATION PERFORMANCE AND CARBON CONSUMPTION OF SEMI-COKE AND ACTIVATED COKE FOR SO2 AND NO REMOVAL

Authors: FENG QI , SONG DING , TINGYU ZHU , YANGYANG GUO , YURAN LI

Abstract: To decrease the operating cost of flue gas purification technologies based on carbon-based materials, the adsorption and desorption performances of low-price semi-coke and activated coke were compared for SO2 and NO removal in a simulated flue gas. The functional groups of two adsorbents before and after regeneration were determined by a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, and were quantitatively tested using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) coupled with FTIR and acid-base titration. The results show that semicoke has higher adsorption amounts (16.2% for SO2 and 38.6% for NO) than activated coke because of its richer basic functional groups and lactone. After regeneration, the adsorption performances of semi-coke decrease because the active functional groups decreased and the micropores increased. Semi-coke has a better regeneration performance than activated coke. Semi-coke has a larger SO2 recovery of 7.2% and a smaller carbon consumption of 12% than activated coke

Keywords: functional, group, SO2, recovery, adsorption, carbon, consumption

Pages: 54 - 56 | DOI: 10.15224/978-1-63248-043-9-104