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Activated sludge process is feasible and extensively method used for biological treatment of sewage and industrial wastewaters. The system is usually designed based on the simplified hydraulic related parameters. But design of biological treatment system based on hydraulic considerations is not reasonable to ensure efficient treatment due to the extensive variation in the composition of wastewater and also for complex nature of biochemical reactions occurring in the treatment processes. Hence kinetic approach can be an option for appropriate design of biological treatment systems rather than hydraulic parameters considerations. The present study is aimed to develop kinetic coefficients for the treatment of chrome-tannery wastewater using activated sludge process. A laboratory-scale treatment unit subsuming an aeration tank and a clarifier were used for this system. The treatment unit was operated continuously for 80 days by varying the hydraulic retention time from 3 to 12 days. BOD for both influent and effluent as well as mixed liquor volatile suspended solid (MLVSS) of aeration tank were determined at different retention time to yield data for kinetic coefficients. The substrate utilization rate coefficient (k) was 0.624 day−1 while the half velocity constant (KS) was 38.42 mg/L, yield coefficient (Y) was found to be 0.674 mgMLVSS/mgBOD and the endogenous decay coefficient (Kd) was found as 0.068 day-1. These coefficients can be utilized for the rational design of activated sludge system for the treatment of chrome tannery wastewater.

Clinical endometritis is a common uterine disease of bovine caused by various pathogenic bacteria, owing to reduce the reproductive efficiency, infertility and huge economic losses to the livestock farmer. It has already been reported that endometritis affects reproductive performance of livestock by delaying service interval, reduce conception rate, and repeat breeding. Contamination during artificial insemination, dystocia, unhygienic handling of parturition, multiple birth and abortion are the predisposing factors related to endometritis in cattle. Additionally, several microorganisms have been frequently isolated such as Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Actinomyces pyogenes and Bacteroides species. Due to lack of awareness regarding the diagnosis and treatment of this devastating condition, farmers usually cull exaggerated animals even having better genetic potential. The present review summarizes the contemporary understanding about the quantifiable importance of endometritis, including aetiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and its control. Moreover, present work will researchers, veterinarians and dairy farmers in early diagnosis and treatment this menace to minimize economic losses and also safeguard high milk yielding animal.

Avian colibacillosis is considered the major bacterial disease in the poultry industry worldwide. This study was conducted to determine prevalence and pathology by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) in broiler chicken. Various organs of affected broilers were checked for the E. coli infection. One hundred and forty commercial poultry farms were divided into seven age groups (A, B, C, D, E, F, and G). Group A (1st week), B (2nd week), C (3rd week), D (4th week), E (5th week), F (6th week), G (7th to 9th week). Investigations were conducted from day 1 until the marketing of birds based on clinical findings. A total of 2491 (23.71% of sick birds) dead birds were observed positive for E. coli infection. Three forms of infection were observed i.e. omphalitis, colisepticaemia, and colibacillosis at the rate of 1.55, 17 and 56.65%, respectively. Omphalitis was confirmed by microbial culture and revealed in only groups A and B with 76.24 and 23.76 respectively. While, Colisepticaemia was observed at the rate of 3.11, 6.74, 20.18, 29.63, 19.16, and 22.18 in groups B, C, D, E, F, and G respectively. Whereas Colibacillosis was noticed as 0.075, 3.35, 5.99, 19.20, 26.70, 16.11 and 28.55% in groups A, B, C, D, E, F, and G respectively. Petechiation of heart, kidney, and gizzard besides hemorrhagic enteritis, hemorrhagic tracheitis, and necrotic foci on the liver and caseous exudates in air sacs were the prime gross lesions noticed in colibacillosis. Microscopically, no lesion was observed in serosa, muscularis externa, and submucosa. However, loss of epithelial tissue and breaches in the mucosal layer of the small intestine were observed. Furthermore, characteristic pink and grayish colonies were observed in E. coli cultures on McConkey’s and Blood agar respectively.

INTRODUCTION: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) patients continue to report discrimination in healthcare setting despite the efforts of the primary healthcare offering community friendly services in Malaysia. This qualitative study aimed to provide understanding of this current issue and to explore the challenges that family medicine specialists (FMSs) from East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia face when dealing with LGBT patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 FMSs working in East Coast Peninsular Malaysia were interviewed through a phenomenological framework using semi-structured indepth interviews of LGBT patients. The interviews were recorded in audio format, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. We discerned common themes that can be elucidated through the lens of Leininger’s Theory of Culture Care (TCC) and the Sunrise Enabler Model (SEM). RESULTS: Three overlapping themes of the transcriptions were developed; (1) Multidimensional understanding of LGBT described how FMSs saw the LGBT community as diverging from societal norms, yet acknowledge their vulnerability as integral members of the society, (2) obstacles to providing culturally competent care stemmed from inadequate training, an unsupportive clinic environment, and the self-stigma experienced by patients, and (3) barriers to incorporating spiritual needs for holistic care arose in situations where there was insufficient spiritual health training or a preference to concentrate on physical and emotional well-being to uphold trust. CONCLUSION: The findings on this study reflect the need for proper training of healthcare personnel to deliver a holistic, culturally competent care for LGBT patients. A collaborative effort with relevant authorities is also needed to successfully overcome those challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a basis to real application of rotating machineries operation, a test rig imitating the operation is designed for the research environment. The purpose of this study is to design a modular test rig which is able to facilitate different fault component combinations and evaluate the deformation pattern of the fabricated test rig. Rotating machineries face the probability of having simultaneous different faults and the study of this condition is limited. The designed test rig could be arranged into multiple configurations by adding or excluding desired components due to its modularity. This will be useful to study the response of each component during operation as well as the response of combinations of fault components. Included in this study is the analysis of the design, the components of the test rig and the final design as well as the experimental data results of the fabricated test rig. This test rig is beneficial for understanding the vibrational behavior of components especially in educational environment.

Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) polymers have been used in biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility, durability, toughness and high wear resistance. To enhance the mechanical properties, various types of minerals are commonly utilized as fillers in UHMWPE. One of the minerals is dolomite, which has been recognized as a valuable mineral with versatile applications, particularly in the field of biomedical applications. This paper presents the tensile properties of UHMWPE composites that filled with dolomite and treated-dolomite at various filler loading (i.e., 1-5 wt.%). Nitric acid and diammonium phosphate were used to treat the dolomite. From the results, the peaks of the FTIR spectrum displays carbonate (CO3-2), phosphate (PO4-3) and hydroxyl (OH-) groups in the ct-dolomite powder sample while the XRD pattern reveals that using dolomite treated with 1M nitric acid resulted in the presence of calcium hydroxide phosphate (Ca10(PO4)5(OH)) and MgO. For tensile strength, UHMWPE/ct-dolomite composites show better tensile strength than the pure UHMWPE composites. Treated improve the dolomite filler and resulted in significantly better matrix-filler interfacial interactions and improve the properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]