Survival of avirulent thermostable Newcastle disease virus (strain I-2) in raw, baked, oiled, and cooked white rice at ambient temperatures

Philemon Nyangi Wambura,Joanne Meers,Peter Spradbrow 대한수의학회 2007 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.8 No.3

Raw white rice has not been considered a good carrier for oral vaccination, probably because of its antiviral activity. Methods are required to overcome antiviral activity in raw white rice. This study was carried out to determine the effects of various treatments of raw white rice on the survival of strain I-2 of Newcastle disease virus. These included cooking and baking the rice or mixing the rice with vegetable oil prior to coating with vaccine virus. The vaccine-coated rice was then stored for 30 min and 24 h, followed by quantitative recovery of the virus. Thirty min after mixing, uncooked, cooked, and baked rice, and rice mixed with vegetable oil showed titers of 106.2, 107.2, 106.6, and 107.0 EID50/0.1 ml, respectively. After storage for 24 h at 22-25oC, the titers dropped to 105.0, 106.5, 105.0, and 106.0 EID50/0.1 ml for uncooked, cooked, baked, and oiled rice, respectively.

Chemical stabilization of Cd-contaminated soil using biochar

Van Poucke, R.,Ainsworth, J.,Maeseele, M.,Ok, Y.S.,Meers, E.,Tack, F.M.G. Elsevier 2018 Applied geochemistry Vol.88 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Metal smelter activities have contaminated approximately 700 km<SUP>2</SUP> of the Campine region in Belgium and The Netherlands. This work aimed to assess the effectiveness of biochar added to this soil using compost, peat or lime as a reference. Amendments were mixed with the contaminated soil at a 2 or 4% ratio (w:w) and equilibrated for up to 44 weeks. Treatment with biochar released significantly lower concentrations of Cd in the soil solution than compost or peat. In comparison to the blanks, soil solution concentrations of Cd were reduced 67% on average for the 4% biochar treatment and increased 30% and 231% for the 4% compost and 4% peat treatments, respectively. The lime treatment was equally effective as the biochar in reducing Cd concentrations. Similar trends were observed when conducting consecutive CaCl<SUB>2</SUB> extractions. However, pH-stat leaching tests showed biochar and the other organic amendments to be more effective than lime in retaining Cd from the solution. The combined effect of pH and metal complexation capacity of added biochar resulted in an effective reduction in soluble Cd concentrations that lasted longer than when lime, compost or peat are used.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Biochar and lime increased soil pH the most and reduced the Cd availability. </LI> <LI> After soil acidification events, organic amendments reduced the available Cd. </LI> <LI> Biochar combines the pH effect of lime with a high sorption capacity. </LI> </UL> </P>

RE-USE OF WATER AND NUTRIENTS FROM MANURE AND DIGESTATE PROCESSING

( Filip M. G. Tack ),( Celine Vaneeckhaute ),( Peter A. Vanrolleghem ),( Erik Meers ) 한국물환경학회(구 한국수질보전학회) 2015 한국물환경학회·대한상하수도학회 공동 춘계학술발표회 Vol.2015 No.-

Impact of organic amendments (biochar, compost and peat) on Cd and Zn mobility and solubility in contaminated soil of the Campine region after three years

Egene, C.E.,Van Poucke, R.,Ok, Y.S.,Meers, E.,Tack, F.M.G. Elsevier 2018 Science of the Total Environment Vol.626 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>To determine the long-term impact of organic amendments on metal (Cd and Zn) immobilization, soil from the Campine region was amended with holm oak-derived biochar, compost, and peat, and monitored over a 3-year period. Pot experiments were conducted by mixing the amendments independently at 2% and 4% (g/g) with the soil. The mobility and solubility of metals in the treatments were assessed by means of rhizon soil moisture samplers, sequential BCR extractions, and diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT).</P> <P>Over the three-year period, the 2% biochar addition resulted in an average decrease in pore water concentration of 40% for Cd and 48% for Zn whereas the 4% addition led to an average decrease of 66% for Cd and 77% for Zn. The immobilization effect in the biochar treatments was attributed to the consistently higher pH and lower concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the soil. The latter may have been caused by sorption of DOC onto the surface of biochar thereby increasing its negatively charged functional groups that are able to sorb cations. On the other hand, compost and peat had the unwanted effect of significantly increasing the concentrations of Cd and Zn in the soil pore water. This was partly due to the formation of soluble organo-metallic complexes as significantly higher DOC concentrations were found in the compost and peat treatments.</P> <P>Results from the DGT measurements, after a 24 h deployment time, revealed a low resupply (R ≤ 0.4) of Cd and Zn from the solid phase to the soil solution in both amended and unamended soil. This suggests a case of slow metal desorption kinetics in the soil that was relatively unchanged by the presence of organic amendments.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Biochar significantly immobilized soil Cd and Zn over a 3-year period. </LI> <LI> Compost and peat increased available Cd and Zn in soil. </LI> <LI> Metal immobilization was attributed to the consistently higher pH and lower DOC concentrations in the biochar treatments. </LI> <LI> DGT measurements were used to assess the short-term metal resupply kinetics. </LI> <LI> The resupply of Cd and Zn from the solid phase to the soil solution was low (R ≤ 0.4) in all treatments. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Soil lead immobilization by biochars in short-term laboratory incubation studies

Igalavithana, Avanthi Deshani,Kwon, Eilhann E.,Vithanage, Meththika,Rinklebe, Jö,rg,Moon, Deok Hyun,Meers, Erik,Tsang, Daniel C.W.,Ok, Yong Sik Pergamon 2019 Environment international Vol.127 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Exchangeable lead (Pb) extracted by ammonium acetate from three independent incubation studies was assessed to understand the influence of feedstock, pyrolysis temperatures, and production conditions on Pb immobilization capacities of different biochars. Vegetable waste biochar, pine cone, wood bark, cocopeat, red pepper stalk, and palm kernel shell were used as feedstocks (food supply and agricultural wastes) to produce biochars at 200–650 °C with and without N<SUB>2</SUB>/CO<SUB>2</SUB>. Biochars were applied at 5 and 2.5% (w w<SUP>−1</SUP>) to a Pb contaminated (i.e., 1445 mg kg<SUP>−1</SUP>) agricultural soil collected near an old mine. Lead immobilization in biochar treated soils at the end of incubation period was normalized per gram of biochar applied. Biochar produced from vegetable waste at 500 °C showed the highest Pb immobilization (87%) and highest total exchangeable cations (13.5 cmol<SUB>(+)</SUB> kg<SUP>−1</SUP>) at the end of the 45 d incubation period. However, on the basis of Pb immobilization per gram of biochar, red pepper stalk biochar produced in CO<SUB>2</SUB> at 650 °C was the best in Pb immobilization (0.09 mg kg<SUP>−1</SUP> g<SUP>−1</SUP> biochar) compared to the other biochars. The enhanced ability to immobilize Pb by biochar produced in CO<SUB>2</SUB> could be due to the presence of siloxanes (SiOSi) on biochar surface. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that alkaline pH, ash%, and N% of biochars influence in Pb immobilization and exchangeable cation availability in soil. Biochar production atmosphere considerably change its properties that influence Pb immobilization. Further studies are needed on the modification of properties and Pb immobilization by biochars produced from various feedstocks in CO<SUB>2</SUB>.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Biochar production feedstock and temperature affect Pb immobilization in soil. </LI> <LI> Pb immobilization by biochar can be enhanced by mixing feedstocks. </LI> <LI> Biochar produced in CO<SUB>2</SUB> showed the highest Pb immobilization ability. </LI> <LI> Biochar produced in CO<SUB>2</SUB> increased the exchangeable cations in soil. </LI> </UL> </P>

Metal sorption by biochars: A trade-off between phosphate and carbonate concentration as governed by pyrolysis conditions

Van Poucke, R.,Allaert, S.,Ok, Y.S.,Pala, M.,Ronsse, F.,Tack, F.M.G.,Meers, E. Academic Press 2019 Journal of Environmental Management Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Three feedstocks, pine wood, grass and cow manure, were pyrolyzed under various conditions and tested on their ability to sorb metals in aquatic systems. The feedstocks were pyrolyzed at 2 different temperatures (350 °C and 550 °C) and 2 different residence times (10 and 60 min) and resulting biochars were assessed on their capability to immobilize Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn.</P> <P>Manure-based chars, and to a lesser extent grass-based chars, featured high concentrations of phosphates and carbonates. These anions play an important role in metal sorption because they form insoluble complexes with the metals. Washing reduced the concentration of these anions, leading to a reduced sorption of metals by the biochar.</P> <P>The carbonate concentration on the biochars’ surface increased at higher reactor temperature and longer residence times. The opposite trend was observed for the phosphate concentration and the cation exchange capacity. Accordingly, the optimal temperature-residence time combination for sorption was a trade-off between these properties. Biochar produced from cow manure and pyrolyzed at 550 °C for 10 min showed the best sorption for all metals considered.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Manure-based biochar showed the highest sorption for all metals tested. </LI> <LI> Manure-based chars featured the highest concentrations of phosphates and carbonates. </LI> <LI> Washing reduced the concentration of these anions and reduced adsorption of metals. </LI> <LI> Anions are of practical importance to optimize biochar as a metal adsorbent. </LI> </UL> </P>

Biochar, a potential hydroponic growth substrate, enhances the nutritional status and growth of leafy vegetables

Awad, Y.M.,Lee, S.E.,Ahmed, M.B.M.,Vu, N.T.,Farooq, M.,Kim, I.S.,Kim, H.S.,Vithanage, M.,Usman, A.R.A.,Al-Wabel, M.,Meers, E.,Kwon, E.E.,Ok, Y.S. Butterworth-Heinemann, Ltd 2017 Journal of cleaner production Vol.156 No.-

A hydroponics system developed using a nutrient film technique was used to evaluate the effectiveness of rice husk biochar (RB) alone or in combination with perlite (PL) as substrates for increasing the growth of leafy vegetables compared with that of PL. Seedlings of cabbage, dill, mallow, red lettuce, and tatsoi were grown hydroponically in PL, RB, and PL + RB (1:1 ratio of PL to RB, v/v) substrates for a 30-d under optimal environmental conditions in a greenhouse. Shoot length and fresh/dry masses of cabbage, dill, and red lettuce plants grown in RB substrate were decreased by 49% on average compared to those plants grown in PL substrate. In contrast, PL + RB substrate led to approximately 2-fold increases in shoot length, number of leaves, and fresh/dry masses of leafy vegetable plants compared with those grown in PL substrate. Foliar nutritional composition (Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mn, Fe, and Zn) and nitrogen status (SPAD index) of plants grown in PL + RB and PL substrates suggested the presence of optimal growth conditions for ensuring optimum yield with high quality. In addition, RB substrate contributed to respective increases of 1.2-3.5-fold in leaf K, Mg, Mn, and Zn contents in most vegetable plants compared with those grown in PL substrate. The RB alone or in combination with PL substrates decreased algal growth in the nutrient solutions as confirmed by scanning electron micrographs of microalgae on the RB surface. The results also indicated that use of PL + RB hydroponic substrate could be an alternative and effective technology for the better management of unwanted algal growth in nutrient solutions and high production of leafy vegetables.

Objective Quality Assessment for Stitched Image and Video

Meer Sadeq Billah(미어 사데크 빌라흐),Thai Thanh Tuan(타이 탄 투안),Heejune Ahn(안희준) 한국방송·미디어공학회 2017 한국방송공학회 학술발표대회 논문집 Vol.2017 No.11

Panorama Video Stitching of Videos from Unfixed Cameras

Meer Sadeq Billah(미어 빌라흐 세데크),Heejune Ahn(안희준) 대한전자공학회 2017 대한전자공학회 학술대회 Vol.2017 No.6

The paper presents a fast video stitching algorithm for fixed or slowly moving multiple videos. Video stitching from unaligned capturing devices is challenging process as it requires synchronization in time, spatial, and color domain. The proposed stabilization algorithm obtains in-video motions of each video and applies them into registration information in stitching process to avoid frame-by-frame re-registration.

POINTWISE CROSS-SECTION-BASED ON-THE-FLY RESONANCE INTERFERENCE TREATMENT WITH INTERMEDIATE RESONANCE APPROXIMATION

MEER BACHA,주한규 한국원자력학회 2015 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.47 No.7

The effective cross sections (XSs) in the direct whole core calculation code nTRACER are evaluated by the equivalence theory-based resonance-integral-table method using the WIMS-based library as an alternative to the subgroup method. The background XSs, as well as the Dancoff correction factors, were evaluated by the enhanced neutron-current method. A method, with pointwise microscopic XSs on a union-lethargy grid, was used for the generation of resonance-interference factors (RIFs) for mixed resonant absorbers. This method was modified by the intermediate-resonance approximation by replacing the potential XSs for the non-absorbing moderator nuclides with the background XSs and neglecting the resonance-elastic scattering. The resonance-escape probability was implemented to incorporate the energy self-shielding effect in the spectrum. The XSs were improved using the proposed method as compared to the narrow resonance infinite massbased method. The RIFs were improved by 1% in 235U, 7% in 239Pu, and >2% in 240Pu. To account for thermal feedback, a new feature was incorporated with the interpolation of pre-generated RIFs at the multigroup level and the results compared with the conventional resonance-interference model. This method provided adequate results in terms of XSs and k-eff. The results were verified first by the comparison of RIFs with the exact RIFs, and then comparing the XSs with the McCARD calculations for the homogeneous configurations, with burned fuel containing a mixture of resonant nuclides at different burnups and temperatures. The RIFs and XSs for the mixture showed good agreement, which verified the accuracy of the RIF evaluation using the proposed method. The method was then verified by comparing the XSs for the virtual environment for reactor applicationbenchmark pin-cell problem, as well as the heterogeneous pin cell containing burned fuel with McCARD. The method works well for homogeneous, as well as heterogeneous configurations.