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Needless to specify, controlling nitrogen and phosphorus discharge from wastewater treatment plants is synonymous with the prevention of eutrophication of surface waters, as one of the major issues related to water security. The present study investigates the performance of a pre-anoxic sequencing batch reactor (SBR) working on the basis of intermittent aeration, operated at varied carbon (bCOD) to nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 3, 7.5, and 10, and readily biodegradable (rbCOD) to slowly biodegradable (sbCOD) ratio of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5. The findings revealed that an enhanced nitrogen removal was observed, together with higher C/N and rbCOD to sbCOD ratios. The results also show a consistent increase in total phosphorus removal with an increase in nitrogen removal. The phosphorus uptake of sludge varied from 0.02 – 0.045 mgP/mgVSS (avg. 0.031 ± 0.004), which resulted in enrichment levels of 0.88 – 1.68 times the stoichiometric value of 0.0267 mgP/mgVSS (avg. 1.45 ± 0.14). On an average basis, the assimilative total phosphate (TP) content was increased by 0.008 gTP/gNO -/3 -N removal rate. The excess phosphorus removal was due to the formation of poorly soluble polyvalent phosphate compounds, which was found based on dry analysis, which persisted as bound phosphate in the sludge.

The stringency in effluent discharge and reuse standards has made it extremely expensive to discharge the effluents safely or reuse them. Therefore, existing wastewater treatment plants should be evaluated and improved or augmented. With this aim, five existing common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) in North India were evaluated, including: the State infrastructure Development Corporation Uttrakhand Limited (SIDCUL) Haridwar, which processes 4.5 Million Liters per day (MLD); the Industrial Model Township (IMT) Manesar Gurgaon, 55 MLD (comprising two streams of 25 and 30 MLD each); the Lawrence Road Industrial Area (LRIA), Delhi, 12MLD (12MLD LRIA); Mayapuri Industrial Area (MIA), Delhi, 12MLD; and the Integrated Industrial Estate (IIE) SIDCUL Pantnagar, 4.0 MLD. These plants were designed to produce treated effluent for non-potable reuse. Results showed that the integrated efficiency (IEa) of all CETPs was 10–20% larger than standard integrated efficiency (IEs), indicating the suitability of the technology, except for 12MLD at MIA CETP where the IEa was 20% lower than IEs, due to the absence of any biological unit in the process. Combined post-treatment of secondary effluent by coagulation, Ultrafiltration (UF), followed by ozonation for CETP SIDCUL Haridwar, was also conducted for its non-potable water reuse. This process was able to reduce Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) by 77%, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) by 76%, turbidity by 96%, and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) by 100%. All these parameters confirmed the effluent standards for non-potable reuse. The color was reduced to 4.0 from 42.0 Pt-Co units by the exposure ozone concentration of 8.3 mg/L for up to 4.0 min on the treated water from SIDCUL CETP, which reduced the color by 90% and complied with reuse standards. Hence Combined post treatment by coagulation, UF followed Ozonation of secondary treated effluent could be a better option for the potable reuse of treated water in various domestic and industrial applications.

In this paper, we propose an approach for estimating multi-objective operational efficiency of microgrid. The proposed approach is based on analyzing various microgrid components in the form of distributed intelligent agents in a framework of multi-agent system (MAS), which allows evaluating the operational efficiency of agents individually, as well as the efficiency of the microgrid as a combined system. Moreover, we introduce a novel unified agent representation, appropriate for a variety of dynamic systems containing a combination of both continuous and discrete event processes. The elaborated scheme gives the possibility to formalize the process of integrating heterogeneous objective functions into certain combined criteria. Different efficiency criteria are considered in this work: technical, economic and ecological. The algorithm of microgrid efficiency estimation is carried out based on an application of designing an eco-friendly hybrid power generating system, producing electricity and heat in Arctic enclave.

The approach for multi-objective optimization problem formalization for multi-agent energy microgrid is proposed. The approach represented in this paper is based on analyzing microgrid objects as distributed agents forming a multi-agent system (MAS). It provides the possibility to evaluate the efficiency of microgrid as a whole, as well as to estimate the functioningoperational efficiency for each individual agent. The elaborated scheme also gives the possibility to formalize the process of integrating heterogeneous objective functions, i.e. technical, economic and ecological ones, into certain combined criteria. Considering different efficiency criteria, it has been proposed multi-objective conversion method based on fuzzy logic.

The objective of this research is to mitigate and prevent the alkali silica reactivity (ASR) in highway construction projects. ASR is a deleterious reaction initiated when the silica content of the aggregate reacts with alkali hydroxides in cement in the presence of relatively high moisture content. The ASR results in the formation of an expansive white colored gel-like material which forms the destructive tensile stresses inside hardened concrete. In this research, different types of local aggregates available in the State of Arkansas were mixed and mortar bars were poured according to the ASTM specifications. Mortar bars expansion was measured versus time and aggregates with potential ASR problems were detected. Different types of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) were used in remixing mortar bars with highly reactive aggregates. Length changes for remixed bars proved that different types of SCMs can be successfully used in reducing the expansive effect of ASR. SCMs percentage by weight is highly dependent on the SCM type. The result of this study will help avoiding future losses due to ASR cracking in construction project and reduce the maintenance, repair, and replacement budgets required for highways network.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in response to a high-fat diet in rats and to test the hypothesis that dietary coenzyme Q monomethyl ether (CoQme) has antisteatogenic effects. Methods Rats were fed a standard low-fat diet (control) for 18 wk or a diet containing 35% fat (57% metabolizable energy) for 10 wk, then divided into three groups for the following 8 wk. One group was given CoQ9me (30 mg/kg body weight per day in 0.3 mL olive oil: high fat + CoQ9me), the second olive oil (0.3 mL/d) only (high fat + olive oil), and the third group received no supplements (high fat). Results Insulin levels and the activity of alanine aminotransferase in the plasma were significantly increased in all high-fat diet groups, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance indicated insulin resistance. Triacylglycerol concentrations in whole plasma and in very low-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein fractions were also raised. Liver histology showed lipid accumulation in animals fed the high-fat diets, and liver triacylglycerol levels were increased (2.5- to 3-fold) in all high-fat diet groups. These effects were not changed by the administration of CoQ9me. Conclusions Rats fed a diet with 57% energy from fat showed insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, increased very low-density lipoprotein production, hepatic steatosis, and liver damage, and thus provide a good model for the early stages of NAFLD. Dietary CoQ9me, however, did not ameliorate the damaging effects of the high-fat diet.

Background: Food additives attract consumers, improve foods quality, control weight, and replace sugar in foods, while it may affect seriously children and adults health. Aim: To investigate the adverse effects of saccharin and methylsalicyltaes on lipid profile, blood glucose, renal, hepatic function, and oxidative stress/antioxidant (lipid peroxidation, Catalase and reduced glutathione (GSH) in liver tissues). Methods: 46 young male albino rats were used. Saccharin and methylsalicylate were giving orally as low and high dose for 30 days. Rats were divided into 5 groups, 1st control group, 2nd and 3rd low and high saccharin-treated groups and 4th and 5th low and high methylsalicylate-treated group. Results: Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose levels and body weight gain were decreased in saccharin high dose compared to control. Rats ingested high dose of saccharin presented a significant reduction in serum triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL levels. Low and high doses of saccharin exhibited a significant increase in liver function marker of ALT, AST, ALP activity, total proteins and albumin levels and renal function test (urea and creatinine levels) in comparison with control group. Saccharin high dose induce a significant decline in hepatic GSH levels, catalase and SOD activities while increased in hepatic MDA level. Conclusion: It could be concluded that, saccharin affects harmfully and alters biochemical markers in hepatic and renal tissues not only at greater doses but also at low doses. Whereas uses of metylsalicylates would not pose a risk for renal function and hepatic oxidative markers.

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