The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of sponge as an active mobile carrier for attached-growth biomass in three typical types of aerobic bioreactors to treat a high strength synthetic wastewater. The results show that sponge thickness deteriorated the organic and nutrient removal and 1cm is the optimum thickness for fixed-bed sponge biofilter (SBF). The sponge volume had sig...

The new attached growth sponge tray bioreactor (STB) was evaluated at different operating conditions for removing organics and nutrients from primary treated sewage effluent. This STB was also assessed when using as a pre-treatment prior to micro-filtration (MF) for reducing membrane fouling. At a short hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 40 min, the STB could remove up to 92% of DOC and 40-56% o...

Marine sponges are frequently inhabited by a wide range of associated invertebrates, including caridean shrimps. Symbiotic shrimps are often considered to be commensals; however, in most cases, the relationship with sponge hosts remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that sponge-inhabiting shrimps are often parasites adapted to consumption of sponge tissues. First, we provide detailed examination...

Filtration rate (measured as clearance of algal cells) was measured at different temperatures in the sponge Halichondna panicea. An increase in water temperature from 6 to 12 "C caused the mean flltration rate to increase 4.3 * 2.3 tlmes. Thls value was higher than previously found for other marine ciliary suspension-feeding anlmals. Filtration rate at 12 "C was also measured in Haliclona urceo...

Petechiae, one of the classic signs of asphyxia, are thought to be more frequently observed in cases of hanging where part of the body is supporting the victim's weight, ie, cases of incomplete hanging. However, there is very little evidence-based medicine to support this claim. The present study is intended to evaluate the relationship between petechiae and the type of hanging (complete vs. in...

The hanging drop tissue culture is a technique utilized in embryology [4] and other fields to allow growth that would otherwise be restricted by the flat plane of culture dishes and also to minimize the surface area to volume ratio, slowing evaporation. The classic hanging drop culture is a small drop of liquid, such as plasma or some other media allowing tissue growth, suspended from an invert...

A novel bioartificial dermal regeneration template has been developed using platelet-rich plasma and acellular animal skin collagen sponge for the treatment of larger area and full thickness skin wounds. This platelet-rich plasma-collagen sponge keeps native skin structure and contains huge amounts of growth factors. The effect of this bioartificial dermal regeneration template was tested in vi...

Demosponges dominate the littoral zone of Lake Baikal, Russia. During August 1993, we measured the in situ pumping activity of a globose sponge, Baikalospongia bacillifera, common at depths of 8-50 m. Excurrent flow speed, surface area, and oscular diameter were measured with fluorescein dye release, underwater video, and image processing for nine individual sponges; diel deployments of a heate...

BACKGROUND Suicide is a common problem worldwide and the magnitude is high especially in countries where mental illnesses are prevalent and psychiatric services are poor. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among patients who attended the Psychiatry clinic of Gondar University Hospital. METHODS A cross sectional study was conducted from March-December 200...

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution has been the foundation for judicial rulings against discriminatory laws affecting racial minorities, women, and other groups. However, it has had only limited application in mental health law, even though individuals with mental disorders have been subjected to long-standing discrimination in many contexts. In the pres...