污泥膨胀的原因及其控制方法

污泥膨胀不仅影响出水水质,增大污泥的处理费用,而且极易引起大量污泥流失,严重时可导致整个处理工艺失败。污泥膨胀分为丝状菌性污泥膨胀和非丝状菌性污泥膨胀,主要影响因素有污水水质、溶解氧、污泥负荷、冲击负荷以及运行方式和处理工艺等。通过临时控制措施、工艺设计控制措施、工艺运行控制措施可有效解决污泥膨胀问题。尽管当前有一些理论解释污泥膨胀问题,如表面积/容积比(A/V)假说,动力学理论,饥饿假说理论、NO假设,但缺乏充分的实验证明模型适用与否。需进一步完善污泥膨胀理论,为控制污泥膨胀提供严谨的理论依据。     

Mass spectrometry of intact V-type ATPases reveals bound lipids and the effects of nucleotide binding

The ability of electrospray to propel large viruses into a mass spectrometer is established and is rationalized by analogy to the atmospheric transmission of the common cold. Much less clear is the fate of membrane-embedded molecular machines in the gas phase. Here we show that rotary adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases)/synthases from Thermus thermophilus and Enterococcus hirae can be maintained intact with membrane and soluble subunit interactions preserved in vacuum. Mass spectra reveal subunit stoichiometries and the identity of tightly bound lipids within the membrane rotors. Moreover, subcomplexes formed in solution and gas phases reveal the regulatory effects of nucleotide binding on both ATP hydrolysis and proton translocation. Consequently, we can link specific lipid and nucleotide binding with distinct regulatory roles.     

Organic-geochemical Differentiation of Petroleum-type Pollutants and Study of Their Fate in Danube Alluvial Sediments and Corresponding Water (Pančevo Oil Refinery, Serbia)

A review is given in this paper of the up-to-date results observed in differentiation and transformation studies on petroleum-type pollutants in underground and surface waters. Water and particulate matter derived from the locality of Pan?evo Petroleum Refinery, Serbia (River Danube alluvial formations). It was shown that distributions of n-alkanes, steranes and triterpanes, and δ¹³C_PDB values of n-alkanes may successfully be used for qualitatively differentiating the petroleum-type pollutants from native organic matter in recent sedimentary formations. In underground waters, a petroleum-type pollutant is exposed to microbiological degradation which is manifested through relatively fast degradation of n-alkanes. Following an almost complete degradation of crude oil n-alkanes in underground water, the biosynthesis of novel, even carbon-number C₁₆–C₃₀ n-alkanes may be observed. It is shown that the n-alkane distribution observed in a petroleum-type pollutant may depend on the intensity of its previous interaction with water. The fate of petroleum-type pollutants in environmental waters may be predicted through laboratory simulative microbiological degradation experiments by using microorganism consortiums similar to those observed under relevant natural conditions, as well as on corresponding nutrient base.     

Spatial and vertical distribution of <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs in soils in the erosive area of southeastern Serbia (Pčinja and South Morava River Basins)

Purpose

The area of southeastern Serbia, the P?inja and South Morava River Basins, is under the influence of very strong erosion, and the aim of this study was to investigate the vertical and spatial distribution of the ¹³⁷Cs in the eroded soils of this area.

Materials and methods

Vertical soil profiles were collected with 5-cm increments from the uppermost layer down to 20, 25, 30, 40, and 50 cm of depth, depending on the thickness of the soil layers, i.e., down to the underlying parent rocks. Measurements of ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration were performed by using the HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer ORTEC-AMETEK (34 % relative efficiency and high resolution 1.65 keV at 1.33 MeV for ⁶⁰Co), from its gamma-ray line at 661.2 keV.

Results and discussion

The mean ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration across all 18 soil profiles (for all soil layers) was found to be 20 Bq kg^?1. In the greatest number of soil profiles, the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration was generally highest in the first soil layer (0–5 cm) and decreased with soil depth, while in a few soil profiles, the peak of either the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration occurred in the second soil layer (5–10 cm) or the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration was almost equal throughout the entire soil profile. The mean ¹³⁷Cs activity concentration in the first soil layer (0–5 cm) was found to be 61 Bq kg^?1, and the high coefficient of variation of 92 % pointed out high spatial variability and large range of the ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations in the study area.

Conclusions

The obtained results indicate that in the greatest number of soil profiles, ¹³⁷Cs is present in the upper layers, with concentration decreasing with depth, as is typical in uncultivated soil. Its spatial distribution was very uneven among the surface soil layers of the investigated sites. One of the main reasons for such pattern of ¹³⁷Cs in the study area may be soil erosion. Additional investigations which would support this hypothesis are required.

     

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from dogs with otitis externa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of otitis externa in dogs, and treatment of these infections is becoming problematic because of the increasing number of multiresistant strains. The aim of the present study was to compare the in vitro activities of cefepime, ceftazidime, enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and ticarcillin/clavulanic acid against 104 strains of P aeruginosa isolated from dogs with otitis externa. Antimicrobial susceptibility and minimum inhibitory concentrations, in μg/ml, were evaluated by the E test (bioMérieux). The most active compound was ceftazidime, with 100 per cent efficiency. The majority of tested strains were susceptible to ticarcillin/clavulanic acid (89.4 per cent), followed by ciprofloxacin (88.5 per cent) and cefepime (60.6 per cent). The highest resistance was observed to enrofloxacin (51.9 per cent) and gentamicin (43.3 per cent). Large numbers of strains were intermediately susceptible to antibiotics registered for use in veterinary medicine in Croatia--enrofloxacin (47.1 per cent) and gentamicin (41.3 per cent).     

Curcumin,a Compound from Natural Sources,a True Scientific Challenge – A Review

Curcumin, a plant-derived polyphenolic compound, naturally present in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been the subject of intensive investigations on account of its various activities. The implementation of safe, beneficial and highly functional compounds from natural sources in human nutrition/prevention/therapy requires some modifications in order to achieve their multi-functionality, improve their bioavailability and delivery strategies, with the main aim to enhance their effectiveness. The low aqueous solubility of curcumin, its rapid metabolism and elimination from the body, and consequently, poor bioavailability, constitute major obstacles to its application. The main objectives of this review are related to reported strategies to overcome these limitations and, thereby, improve the solubility, stability and bioavailability of curcumin. The effectiveness of curcumin could be greatly improved by using nanoparticle-based carriers. The significance of the quality of a substance delivery system is reflected in the fact that carrying curcumin as a food additive/nutrition also means carrying the active biological product/drug. This review summarizes the state of the art, and highlights some examples and the most significant advances in the field of curcumin research.     

Comparative analysis of using cereal grains and compound feed in semi-intensive common carp pond production

The semi-intensive system of carp farming is dominant in inland aquaculture. Although it appears to be simple, this system has a whole range of options, from those based on traditional rearing methods with use of plants from the region where the fish are reared to production based on the use of high-quality concentrated feeds. In this paper, we conduct a comparative analysis of the effect of using cereal grains as opposed to compound feed (pelleted and extruded) on the quantity of fish produced, flesh quality, histological changes in the digestive tract, water quality, and structure of the biocoenosis in the pond ecosystem. When the fish are fed cereal grains, production ranges from 500 to 1500 kg/ha, while using compound feed gives production that is twice as great. The proportions of protein and water are higher and that of lipids lower in flesh of common carp reared on compound feed in relation to fish fed cereal grains. Use of extruded feed gives better content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and a better n-3/n-6 ratio than when pelleted feed and cereal grains are used. Comparison of water quality in carp ponds under conditions of using various types of feed indicates that there are no significant differences. Although it was expected that feed with a higher percentage of proteins would cause disturbances in the aquatic ecosystem, their continual incorporation into the cycling of matter in the water contributes to maintenance of ecological equilibrium and even indirectly promotes growth of the common carp.     

Antimutagenic effects of extracts from sage (Salvia officinalis) in mammalian system in vivo

Naturally occurring antimutagenic factors, especially those of plant origin, have recently become a subject of intensive research. Antimutagenic properties of terpenoid fractions of sage (Salvia officinalis) were tested in mammalian system in vivo through examining the ability of sage to decrease the frequency of aberrant cells induced by a potent mutagen. First, groups of mice were treated with three concentrations of sage alone and it was established that the frequency of aberrant cells after treatment with a concentration of 25 microL/kg was not significantly different from the negative control (olive oil), while that found after treatment with the 50 microL/kg concentration differed significantly (chi2(1) = 4.05, p < 0.05). Sage used at a concentration of 100 microL/kg was cytotoxic. Mitomycin C (MMC), known as a potent mutagen, was used for induction of chromosome aberrations. Post-treatment with sage suppressed the effects of MMC significantly. Both concentrations (25 microL/kg and 50 microL/kg) produced a significant decrease in the frequency of aberrations relative to MMC (chi2(1) = 5.42, p < 0.02, chi2(1) = 14.93, p < 0.001, respectively). The percent of aberrations decreased with increasing concentrations of sage. Only nontoxic concentrations of sage without mutagenic effects can be recommended for use as inhibitors of mutagenesis or carcinogenesis.