Treatment of Acid Leachate from Coal Discard using Calcium Carbonate and Biological Sulphate Removal

Abstract.   An integrated approach is proposed for treating acidic coal discard leachate, consisting of CaCO₃ handling and dosing, CaCO₃-neutralization, and biological sulphate removal. It was found that: powdered CaCO₃ can be slurried to a constant density and used to neutralize the acid water, remove Fe (II), Fe (III), and Al, and partially remove the sulphate (to saturation level); biological sulphate removal can be used to lower the sulphate to less than 200 mg/L using ethanol as the carbon and energy source; CO₂ produced during calcium carbonate treatment can be used for H₂S-stripping and; H₂S gas recovered in the sulphate removal stage can be used for iron removal.     

Textile applications of photochromic dyes. Part 4: application of commercial photochromic dyes as disperse dyes to polyester by exhaust dyeing

A series of commercial photochromic dyes was applied to polyester fabric as disperse dyes. The photocoloration properties of the dyed fabrics were investigated by applying techniques previously established in our laboratories using an independent source of ultraviolet irradiation and traditional colour measurement instrumentation. The dyed fabrics showed reversible photochromism, developing pronounced colours from weak background colours on irradiation with ultraviolet light and returning to their original state when the ultraviolet light source was removed. However, the extent of photocoloration and the depth of background colour varied significantly with the particular dye used. The dyeing procedure was optimised by maximising the degree of photocoloration, expressed as the colour difference (ΔE₁) between the colour developed after ultraviolet exposure and background colour, while minimising the background colour, expressed as the colour difference (ΔE₂) between unexposed dyed and undyed fabrics. Optimum dyeing concentrations were determined. The colour development and fading properties, fatigue resistance and storage stability of the dyed fabrics were investigated.     

Field Assessment of the Performance of a Ballasted Rail Track with and without Geosynthetics

Understanding the complex mechanisms of stress transfer and strain accumulation in layers of track substructure under repeated wheel loading is essential to predict the desirable track maintenance cycle as well as the design of the new track. Various finite element and analytical techniques have been developed in the past to understand the behavior of composite track layers subjected to repeated wheel loads. The mechanical behavior of ballast is influenced by several factors, including the track confining pressure, type of aggregates, and the number of loading cycles. A field trial was conducted on an instrumented track at Bulli, New South Wales, Australia, with the specific aims of studying the benefits of a geocomposite installed at the ballast-capping interface, and to evaluate the performance of moderately graded recycled ballast in comparison to traditionally very uniform fresh ballast. It was found that recycled ballast can be effectively reused if reinforced with a geocomposite. It was also found that geocomposite can effectively reduce vertical and lateral strains of the ballast with obvious implications for improved track stability and reduced maintenance costs.     

Crystalloids vs. colloids in fluid resuscitation: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the effects of isotonic crystalloids compared with colloids in fluid resuscitation. DATA SOURCES: Computerized bibliographic search of published research and citation review of relevant articles. STUDY SELECTION: All randomized clinical trials of adult patients requiring fluid resuscitation comparing isotonic crystalloids vs. colloids were included. Pulmonary edema, mortality, and length of stay were evaluated. Independent review of 105 articles identified 17 relevant primary studies of 814 patients. Weighted c about article inclusion was high (0.76). DATA EXTRACTION: Data on population, interventions, outcomes, and methodologic quality of the studies were obtained by duplicate independent review with differences resolved by consensus. Weighted ic on the validity assessment was moderate (0.54). DATA SYNTHESIS: No difference was observed overall between crystalloid and colloid resuscitation with respect to mortality and pulmonary edema; however, the power of the aggregated data was insufficient to detect small but potentially clinically important differences. Subgroup analysis suggested a statistically significant difference in mortality in trauma in favor of crystalloid resuscitation (relative risk 0.39, 95% confidence intervals: 0.17 to 0.89). Several methodologic issues are noteworthy regarding the primary studies, including lack of blinding (except in three studies). The type, dose, and duration of fluid administration and outcomes measured were different across these trials. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, there is no apparent difference in pulmonary edema, mortality, or length of stay between isotonic crystalloid and colloid resuscitation. Crystalloid resuscitation is associated with a lower mortality in trauma patients. Methodologic limitations preclude any evidence-based clinical recommendations. Larger well-designed randomized trials are needed to achieve sufficient power to detect potentially small differences in treatment effects if they truly exist.     

Intra-renal and subcellular distribution of the human chloride channel, CLC-5, reveals a pathophysiological basis for Dent's disease

Dent's disease, which is a renal tubular disorder characterized by low molecular weight proteinuria, hypercalciuria and nephrolithiasis, is associated with inactivating mutations of the X-linked chloride channel, CLC-5. However, the manner in which a functional loss of CLC-5 leads to such diverse renal abnormalities remains to be defined. In order to elucidate this, we performed studies to determine the segmental expression of CLC-5 in the human kidney and to define its intracellular distribution. We raised and characterized antisera against human CLC-5, and identified by immunoblotting an 83 kDa band corresponding to CLC-5 in human kidney cortex and medulla. Immunohistochemistry revealed CLC-5 expression in the epithelial cells lining the proximal tubules and the thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop, and in intercalated cells of the collecting ducts. Studies of subcellular human kidney fractions established that CLC-5 distribution was associated best with that of Rab4, which is a marker of recycling early endosomes. In addition, confocal microscopy studies using the proximal tubular cell model of opossum kidney cells, which endogenously expressed CLC-5, revealed that CLC-5 co-localized with the albumin-containing endocytic vesicles that form part of the receptor-mediated endocytic pathway. Thus, CLC-5 is expressed at multiple sites in the human nephron and is likely to have a role in the receptor-mediated endocytic pathway. Furthermore, the functional loss of CLC-5 in the proximal tubules and the thick ascending limbs provides an explanation for the occurrences of low molecular weight proteinuria and hypercalciuria, respectively. These results help to elucidate further the patho-physiological basis of the renal tubular defects of Dent's disease.     

The inkjet printing process for Lyocell and cotton fibres. Part 1: The significance of pre-treatment chemicals and their relationship with colour strength, absorbed dye fixation and ink penetration

A statistical study of the outcome of inkjet printing, using a reactive dye based ink, on three cellulosic fabrics, namley Lyocell (standard Tencel and Tencel A100) and cotton, pre-treated with urea, migration inhibitor, penetration agent and alkali is reported. Colour strength (as Integ value), absorbed dye fixation and ink penetration were analysed as main responses. A full factorial design method was applied to study the effect of the level of each ingredient in the pre-treatment formulation on the responses, together with the steaming time used for dye fixation. The interactions between variables were also evaluated. The statistically significant variables were determined for each response and contour plots constructed for the most significant interactions to assess where the optimum responses might be achieved.     

The influence of synthesis conditions on the crystal and aggregate properties of calcium salt azo pigment CI Pigment Red 48:2

The influence of pH and heating time at 80 °C on the final stage (conversion to the calcium salt) of the formation of the metal salt azo pigment, CI Pigment Red 48:2, has been investigated. A series of systematically prepared pigment samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, surface area measurement and a detailed nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm investigation. Significant differences in the crystal sizes and morphologies and in the crystal growth patterns were observed. The colour and lightfastness properties in air-drying alkyd paints are correlated with the physical property data.     

The crystal structures of three azonaphtharylamide pigments

The single crystal X-ray structures of three structurally related azonaphtharylamide pigments are reported. Two azo pigments derived from 4-amino-3-nitrotoluene as diazo component (1a and b) crystallize in the centrosymmetric space group P2₁/c while the third (1c), an analogue of 1b but derived from 2,5-dichloroaniline as diazo component, crystallizes in the chiral space group P2₁2₁2₁. The compounds adopt the ketohydrazone tautomeric forms with intramolecular, but no intermolecular, hydrogen bonding. The application performance of the products is discussed in relation to the molecular and crystal structures. X-ray powder diffraction, supported by FTIR spectroscopic and DSC analysis, demonstrate that pigment 1a shows polymorphism. The application performances of the two polymorphs of this pigment are compared.