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Nothing I See Means Anything: Quantum Questions, Quantum Answers
by David ParrishThis book, full of lucid, penetrating insights into consciousness, definitively closes the gap between mind, matter, and cosmic intelligence. Parrish elegantly identifies the pathways to highest consciousness—a place we all are but don’t know it. Starting with a layman’s examination of Freud’s psychology, the author moves seamlessly through existentialism, cognitive systems, quantum physics, and mysticism to arrive at his unique synthesis of them all.
Nothing Less than Victory: Decisive Wars and the Lessons of History
by John David LewisHow aggressive military strategies win wars, from ancient times to todayThe goal of war is to defeat the enemy's will to fight. But how this can be accomplished is a thorny issue. Nothing Less than Victory provocatively shows that aggressive, strategic military offenses can win wars and establish lasting peace, while defensive maneuvers have often led to prolonged carnage, indecision, and stalemate. Taking an ambitious and sweeping look at six major wars, from antiquity to World War II, John David Lewis shows how victorious military commanders have achieved long-term peace by identifying the core of the enemy's ideological, political, and social support for a war, fiercely striking at this objective, and demanding that the enemy acknowledges its defeat.Lewis examines the Greco-Persian and Theban wars, the Second Punic War, Aurelian's wars to reunify Rome, the American Civil War, and the Second World War. He considers successful examples of overwhelming force, such as the Greek mutilation of Xerxes' army and navy, the Theban-led invasion of the Spartan homeland, and Hannibal's attack against Italy—as well as failed tactics of defense, including Fabius's policy of delay, McClellan's retreat from Richmond, and Chamberlain's appeasement of Hitler. Lewis shows that a war's endurance rests in each side's reasoning, moral purpose, and commitment to fight, and why an effectively aimed, well-planned, and quickly executed offense can end a conflict and create the conditions needed for long-term peace.Recognizing the human motivations behind military conflicts, Nothing Less than Victory makes a powerful case for offensive actions in pursuit of peace.
Nothing To Come: A Defense Of The Growing Block Theory Of Time (Synthese Library #395)
by Fabrice Correia Sven RosenkranzThis monograph is a detailed study, and systematic defence, of the Growing Block Theory of time (GBT), first conceived by C.D. Broad. The book offers a coherent, logically perspicuous and ideologically lean formulation of GBT, defends it against the most notorious objections to be found in the extant philosophical literature, and shows how it can be derived from a more general theory, consistent with relativistic spacetime, on the pre-relativistic assumption of an absolute and total temporal order.The authors devise axiomatizations of GBT and its competitors which, against the backdrop of a shared quantified tense logic, significantly improves the prospects of their comparative assessment. Importantly, neither of these axiomatizations involves commitment to properties of presentness, pastness or futurity. The authors proceed to address, and defuse, a number of objections that have been marshaled against GBT, including the so-called epistemic objection according to which the theory invites skepticism about our temporal location. The challenge posed by relativistic physics is met head-on, by replacing claims about temporal variation by claims about variation across spacetime.The book aims to achieve the greatest possible rigor. The background logic is set out in detail, as are the principles governing the notions of precedence and temporal location. The authors likewise devise a novel spacetime logic suited for the articulation, and comparative assessment, of relativistic theories of time. The book comes with three technical appendices which include soundness and completeness proofs for the systems corresponding to GBT and its competitors, in both their pre-relativistic and relativistic forms. The book is primarily directed at researchers and graduate students working on the philosophy of time or temporal logic, but is of interest to metaphysicians and philosophical logicians more generally.
Noticias de la Tierra
by Homero Aridjis"El Grupo de los Cien es un movimiento de conciencia que trata de cambiar nuestra relación con la naturaleza. Gracias a este grupo, presidido por el santo poeta Homero Aridjis, todavía podemos disfrutar en nuestro mundo de la magia de la mariposa monarca, la tortuga marina y la ballena gris." Alejandro Jodorowsky El fundador del Grupo de los Cien nos entrega una obra invaluable sobre las acciones que esta organización ha llevado a cabo en favor de la protección del ambiente. Al mismo tiempo, nos conduce en un recorrido a través de las bellezas naturales de México, muestras de su enorme biodiversidad. Así, se develan maravillas como el cardón gigante, la tortuga marina, la ballena gris, la mariposa monarca, las Grutas del Tiempo, Cuatro Ciénegas o la selva Lacandona. En Noticias de la Tierra Homero Aridjis trata a fondo el tema de la ecología: informa, explica y denuncia lo que ha sucedido en este ámbito durante los últimos treinta años, tanto a escala nacional como internacional. Experto reconocido mundialmente, el autor narra su lucha continua contra funcionarios desinteresados y renuentes a intervenir para mejorar bosques y selvas; fauna marina y terrestre; ríos, mares y lagos.
The Notion of Activity in Chemistry
by Jean-Louis BurgotThis book provides deep insight into the physical quantity known as chemical activity. The author probes deep into classical thermodynamics in Part I, and then into statistical thermodynamics in Part II, to provide the necessary background. The treatment has been streamlined by placing some background material in appendices. Chemical Activity is of interest not only to those in chemical thermodynamics, but also to chemical engineers working with mass transfer and its applications - for example, separation methods.
The Notion of Equality (The International Research Library of Philosophy #Vol. 25)
by Mane HajdinThis title was first published in 2001. In the articles collected in this anthology, contemporary analytic philosophers examine the ways in which the notion of equality functions in moral and political discourse. Among the topics discussed are the relationship between the ideal of equality and formal features of moral discourse, the conflict between the ideal of equality of welfare and the ideal of equality of resources and the relationship between the equality of opportunity and the equality of results.
The Notochord: Development, Evolution and contributions to the vertebral column (Evolutionary Cell Biology)
by P. Eckhard Witten Brian K. HallAlthough it is the defining organ of the Chordata, the notochord and its cells are one of the least understood vertebrate organs. This may be because large parts of the notochord are often replaced with cartilaginous or bony vertebral bodies. The presence of cartilage in the notochord raises questions about the evolutionary relationships between notochord cells and cartilage cells. This book integrates classical analytical studies with recent palaeontological, experimental, and molecular studies in both developmental and evolutionary contexts. For example, although the early signaling function of the notochord is conserved across the vertebrates, many will be surprised to find that the role of the notochord in vertebral body development in tetrapods is not the blueprint for all vertebrates. Recent studies on zebrafish and medaka embryos have uncovered the molecular mechanisms of a somite-independent notochord-driven segmentation process that establishes vertebral centra and intervertebral spaces. As this process is not restricted to teleosts, the authors have written a general discussion about the role of the notochord in vertebral formation. Modularity and segmentation of the vertebral column are related topics. Further overarching themes are the structure, function and fate of the notochord in adult vertebrates and notochord–cartilage relationships. Key Features The first book devoted to notochord development, function and evolution Includes and integrates information on the notochord from studies going back 169 years Integrates developmental, molecular, functional, experimental and palaeontological studies Documents the fate of the notochord across the vertebrates Extensively illustrated with classical and new images Related Titles Bard, J. Evolution: The Origins and Mechanisms of Diversity (ISNB 978-0-3673-5701-6) Leys, S. and Hejnol. A. Origin and Evolution of Metazoan Cell Types (ISBN 978-1-1380-3269-9)
Nourished Planet: Sustainability in the Global Food System
by Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition Danielle NierenbergMangos from India, pasta from Italy, coffee from Colombia: Every day, we are nourished by a global food system that relies on our planet remaining verdant and productive. But current practices are undermining both human and environmental health, resulting in the paradoxes of obesity paired with malnutrition, crops used for animal feed and biofuels while people go hungry, and more than thirty percent of food being wasted when it could feed the 795 million malnourished worldwide.In Nourished Planet, the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition offers a global plan for feeding ourselves sustainably. Drawing on the diverse experiences of renowned international experts, the book offers a truly planetary perspective. Essays and interviews showcase Hans Herren, Vandana Shiva, Alexander Mueller, and Pavan Suhkdev, among many others.Together, these experts plot a map towards food for all, food for sustainable growth, food for health, and food for culture. With these ingredients, we can nourish our planet and ourselves.
Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us about Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom
by Fred ProvenzaReflections on feeding body and spirit in a world of change <P><P> Animal scientists have long considered domestic livestock to be too dumb to know how to eat right, but the lifetime research of animal behaviorist Fred Provenza and his colleagues has debunked this myth. Their work shows that when given a choice of natural foods, livestock have an astoundingly refined palate, nibbling through the day on as many as fifty kinds of grasses, forbs, and shrubs to meet their nutritional needs with remarkable precision. <P><P> In Nourishment Provenza presents his thesis of the wisdom body, a wisdom that links flavor-feedback relationships at a cellular level with biochemically rich foods to meet the body’s nutritional and medicinal needs. Provenza explores the fascinating complexity of these relationships as he raises and answers thought-provoking questions about what we can learn from animals about nutritional wisdom. <P><P> What kinds of memories form the basis for how herbivores, and humans, recognize foods? Can a body develop nutritional and medicinal memories in utero and early in life? Do humans still possess the wisdom to select nourishing diets? Or, has that ability been hijacked by nutritional “authorities”? Consumers eager for a “quick fix” have empowered the multibillion-dollar-a-year supplement industry, but is taking supplements and enriching and fortifying foods helping us, or is it hurting us? <P><P> On a broader scale Provenza explores the relationships among facets of complex, poorly understood, ever-changing ecological, social, and economic systems in light of an unpredictable future. To what degree do we lose contact with life-sustaining energies when the foods we eat come from anywhere but where we live? To what degree do we lose the mythological relationship that links us physically and spiritually with Mother Earth who nurtures our lives? <P><P> Provenza’s paradigm-changing exploration of these questions has implications that could vastly improve our health through a simple change in the way we view our relationships with the plants and animals we eat. Our health could be improved by eating biochemically rich foods and by creating cultures that know how to combine foods into meals that nourish and satiate. Provenza contends the voices of “authority” disconnect most people from a personal search to discover the inner wisdom that can nourish body and spirit. That journey means embracing wonder and uncertainty and avoiding illusions of stability and control as we dine on a planet in a universe bent on consuming itself.
Novel Antibacterial Biomaterials for Medical Applications and Modeling of Drug Release Process
by Vesna Mišković-Stanković Teodor AtanackovicThis book provides a comprehensive review of synthesis and physicochemical and biological characterization of novel antibacterial biomaterials produced according to original procedures and aimed at medical applications such as wound dressing, soft and hard tissue implants, drug delivery devices, and carriers for cell cultivation. It is intended for all researchers working in the fields of biomaterials and biomedical engineering, as well as medical professionals, science and engineering graduate students, academics, and industrial researchers. Includes in-depth discussions on synthesis and physicochemical characterization of novel poly vinyl alcohol-based hydrogels aimed at wound dressings and soft tissue implants Explores synthesis and physicochemical characterization of novel bioceramic hydroxyapatite-based coatings on metal surface aimed for hard tissue implants Reviews cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of novel poly vinyl alcohol-based hydrogels aimed for wound dressing and soft tissue implants Discusses cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of bioceramic hydroxyapatite-based coatings on metal surface aimed for hard tissue implants Provides original fractional derivative models of drug release process from hydrogels and bioceramic coatings on metal surface and explores diffusion mechanism
Novel Apoptotic Regulators in Carcinogenesis
by Paul B.S. Lai George G. ChenOur recent understanding of the cellular and molecular defects and the regulation of the apoptotic signalling pathways has resulted in rationally designed anticancer strategies and the development of novel agents that regulates apoptosis. A comprehensive review of all apoptotic-related anticancer therapies is not the purpose of this book. However, in the volume of this book with 11 chapters, we have described a number of novel apoptotic regulators that have shown promising value and also great feasibility for cancer treatment. These novel agents either occur naturally or are chemically synthesized. While we are excited about the discovery and development of these novel apoptotic regulators as potential anticancer agents, a degree of caution should be always borne in mind when interpreting the success of preclinical pro-apoptotic candidates since potential problems inevitably lie ahead. These problems usually include target specificity, unanticipated toxicity, compound stability, formulation issues, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. Nevertheless, we believe that this collection of 11 chapters by established leaders in the area of apoptosis will be of great interest to not only academics working in the field of cancer research and apoptosis but also pharmaceutical and pharmacological industries that . We are looking forward to the further development to push these potential agents toward clinical stage.
Novel Applications of Carbon Based Nano-materials
by Swamini Chopra Kavita Pande Vincent Shantha Kumar Jitendra A. Sharma"There’s plenty of room at the bottom" - Richard Feynman’s legendary sentence has practically teleported the world into the age of Nano-technology over the last couple of decades. As nano-materials started drawing extensive attention, the use of nano-technology has opened many possibilities for humans. Carbon based nano-materials are an example of such prominent class of materials, which have an enormous potential to fit a wide range of applications, ranging from the energy sector to aircraft and automotive sector to bio-medical sector, etc. The book Novel Applications of Carbon Based Nano-Materials summarizes state-of-the-art studies focusing on various applications of carbon allotropes, considering the energy and environmental benefits and the socio-economic impact of the developed systems, all at the same time.
A Novel Approach to Relativistic Dynamics: Integrating Gravity, Electromagnetism and Optics (Fundamental Theories of Physics #210)
by Yaakov Friedman Tzvi ScarrThis self-contained monograph provides a mathematically simple and physically meaningful model which unifies gravity, electromagnetism, optics and even some quantum behavior. The simplicity of the model is achieved by working in the frame of an inertial observer and by using a physically meaningful least action principle.The authors introduce an extension of the Principle of Inertia. This gives rise to a simple, physically meaningful action function. Visualizations of the geometryare obtained by plotting the action function. These visualizations may be used to compare the geometries of different types of fields. Moreover, a new understanding of the energy-momentum of a field emerges.The relativistic dynamics derived here properly describes motion of massive and massless objects under the influence of a gravitational and/or an electromagnetic field, and under the influence of isotropic media.The reader will learn how to compute the precession of Mercury, the deflection of light, and the Shapiro time delay. Also covered is the relativistic motion of binary stars, including the generation of gravitational waves, a derivation of Snell's Law and a relativistic description of spin. We derive a complex-valued prepotential of an electromagnetic field. The prepotential is similar to the wave function in quantum mechanics. The mathematics is accessible to students after standard courses in multivariable calculus and linear algebra. For those unfamiliar with tensors and the calculus of variations, these topics are developed rigorously in the opening chapters. The unifying model presented here should prove useful to upper undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to seasoned researchers.
A Novel Approach to Sludge Treatment Using Microwave Technology (IHE Delft PhD Thesis Series)
by Eva KocbekSludge transportation costs can represent a large fraction of the expenses associated with municipal and faecal sludge management. These costs can be mitigated through the use of thermal drying approaches to reduce the sludge volume. This thesis described the application of a novel microwave-based pilot-scale unit as an alternative technology for the sanitisation and drying of sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants and on-site sanitation facilities. The potential economic benefits of volumetric heating, moisture levelling, and increased liquid and vapour migration from the interior to the surface of the product underpins the increasing interest in the use of microwave technology during sludge treatment processes. According to the findings of this study, these factors lead to faster processing times, improved drying rates, and a reduced physical footprint. Furthermore, microwave technology operates as a standalone treatment unit. When coupled with mechanical dewatering techniques and membrane separation technology, it can increase the reliability of the technology employed in the treatment of sludge while recovering valuable resources through an agricultural or thermochemical application such as (co-) combustion. The results of this work demonstrate the strong feasibility of applying microwave-based technology within initiatives designed to protect the environment and safeguard public health.
Novel Approaches for Single Molecule Activation and Detection
by Fabio Benfenati Enzo Di Fabrizio Vincent TorreHow can we obtain tools able to process and exchange information at the molecular scale? In order to do this, it is necessary to activate and detect single molecules under controlled conditions. This book focuses on the generation of biologically-inspired molecular devices. These devices are based on the developments of new photonic tools able to activate and stimulate single molecule machines. Additionally, new light sensitive molecules can be selectively activated by photonic tools. These technological innovations will provide a way to control activation of single light-sensitive molecules, allowing the investigation of molecular computation in a biological environment.
Novel Approaches in Biopreservation for Food and Clinical Purposes
by Enriqueta Garcia-Gutierrez Natalia Gomez-Torres Sara ArbuluThe aim of "Novel Approaches in Biopreservation for Food and Clinical Purposes" is to provide cutting-edge information on biopreservation methods for both food and medical applications. The book has one chapter dedicated to each major food category (milk and dairy, vegetables, meat, fish, bread, flours and beverages) and brief chapters covering preservation approaches for pharmaceuticals, embryos, gametes, cells and tissues. This book assumes a basic understanding of microbiology and food science, aiming to offer an overview of the most commonly and updated techniques currently used, including protective cultures and fermentation starters, bacterial metabolites, essential oils, bacteriophages or endolysins. By presenting this comprehensive overview, the book aims to advance knowledge in the field of biopreservation and foster its implementation in both food and clinical contexts.
Novel Approaches in Metronomic Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment
by Manzoor Ahmad MirThis book provides the latest research and developments in the field of metronomic chemotherapy for breast cancer. It presents the principles and mechanisms of metronomic chemotherapy, preclinical and clinical studies, and the latest developments in drug delivery systems and nanoformulations. The clinical pharmacology of metronomic chemotherapy, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacogenetics, pharmacoeconomics, and adverse drug reactions, are also examined.Key Features: Introduces metronomics therapy in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment of breast cancer Explores the potential of metronomics in terms of personalized chemotherapy Present pharmacological bases of metronomic chemotherapy Covers the latest developments in drug delivery systems, nanotechnology, and nanoformulations Discusses antiangiogenic effects and the impact of metronomics on immunity This book is useful for students, researchers, oncologists, pharmacologists, and healthcare experts interested in understanding the clinical potential of metronomic chemotherapy in breast cancer.
Novel Approaches Toward Sustainable Tilapia Aquaculture (Applied Environmental Science and Engineering for a Sustainable Future)
by Seyed Hossein Hoseinifar Hien Van DoanThe global human population will reach nine billion by 2050, and seafood is projected to be the primary food source to sustain such a large population. According to a recent World Bank report, aquaculture will be the prime source of seafood by 2030. Tilapia is one of the promising species for commercial aquaculture and one of the second most farmed fish worldwide. Given the issues raised by Antibiotic misuse in intensive aquaculture, such as the occurrence of resistant bacteria, it is necessary to develop environment-friendly strategies that could be used to improve production in a sustainable manner. Also, there is a need to establish the best aquaculture practice (BAP) approaches to avoid significant disruption to the ecosystem, the loss of biodiversity, and substantial pollution impact on the environment.The book covers the recent findings regarding sustainable tilapia farming through environment-friendly approaches. This book contains chapters that cover the current status of world tilapia farming and the concept of sustainability of tilapia culture (Chap. 1). Chap. 2 discusses the health management of tilapia with a particular focus on various diseases and treatments. Chap. 3 provides an updated view of the possible effects of feed additives on tilapia reproductive performance. Chap. 4, 5, and 6 cover the recent findings on the gut microbiota of tilapia with a particular focus on structure and modulation. Chap. 7 focuses on the use of medicinal plants for sustainable tilapia farming. Chap. 8 provides insights into the application of alternative protein sources to decrease fish meal consumption. Chap. 9 highlights the importance of culture systems for the development of sustainable tilapia aquaculture. We believe the current book will be very helpful to academics, researchers, and policy-makers in aquaculture.
Novel Aspects of Diamond
by Nianjun YangThis book focuses on new research fields of diamond, from its growth to applications. It covers growth of atomically flat diamond films, properties and applications of diamond nanoparticles, diamond nanoparticles based electrodes and their applications for energy storage and conversion (supercapacitors, CO2 conversion etc. ). Diamond for biomimetic interface, all electrochemical devices for in vivo detections and photo-electrochemical degradation of environmental hazards are highlighted.
Novel Aspects of Diamond: From Growth to Applications (Topics in Applied Physics #121)
by Nianjun YangThis book is in honor of the contribution of Professor Xin Jiang (Institute of Materials Engineering, University of Siegen, Germany) to diamond. The objective of this book is to familiarize readers with the scientific and engineering aspects of CVD diamond films and to provide experienced researchers, scientists, and engineers in academia and industry with the latest developments and achievements in this rapidly growing field. This 2nd edition consists of 14 chapters, providing an updated, systematic review of diamond research, ranging from its growth, and properties up to applications. The growth of single-crystalline and doped diamond films is included. The physical, chemical, and engineering properties of these films and diamond nanoparticles are discussed from theoretical and experimental aspects. The applications of various diamond films and nanoparticles in the fields of chemistry, biology, medicine, physics, and engineering are presented.
Novel Aspects of Diamond II: Science and Technology (Topics in Applied Physics #149)
by Nianjun Yang Soumen MandalThis edited book covers a wide range of novel scientific and engineering aspects of diamond films produced from chemical vapor deposition. It focuses on the most recent developments and achievements in this rapidly growing field from scientists and engineers across the domains of chemistry, biology, medicine, physics, and semiconductor engineering.The latest volume of this consistently well-cited book brings an updated, systematic review of the latest developments in diamond research and application. Featuring contributed chapters from a mix of highly-active international researchers, this new edition presents recent research focusing on topics such as diamond for thermal management in high-power electronics, diamond MOSFETs, water treatment, application of machine learning for nanodiamonds, theoretical aspects of diamond growth, current trends in emerging diamond technologies, and the growth of doped single-crystal diamond. This book is especially appealing to interdisciplinary researchers and industry professionals working on advanced diamond devices and applications, as well as theoretical and computational methods for predicting and designing new diamond materials.
Novel Biological and Biotechnological Applications in Plant Nematode Management
by Mujeebur Rahman KhanThe volume focuses on novel and effective biological and biotechnological methods for managing major plant parasitic nematodes in economically important agricultural crops. Nematodes develop a wide variety of interactions with soil microbes and host plants, and cause enormous losses in crop yields equivalent to around USD 173 billion annually. In view of growing concern for pesticide contamination in crops, coupled with ban on several efficacious pesticides, and increasing demand for organic foods, the biological and biotechnological approaches offer a good alternative to chemicals for managing nematode infestations in agricultural crops. The book embodies twenty-two chapters which are arranged in two groups. The first group covers different novel methods of nematode management such as biotechnological, biopesticides, microbial consortia, host resistance, omics technology, transgenics, nano-nematicides, nano-diagnosis, etc. The second groups of chapters describe important nematode problems in major crops such as cereals, vegetables, pulses, spices, wood yielding conifers, etc. Overall, the book collates the latest information on above topics and offers practical solutions to the limitations and challenges in the existing management technologies. This book is of interest and serves up-to-date and elaborated information to agriculture researchers, teachers, scientists, under-graduates, post-graduates, plant nematologists, plant pathologists, plant protectionists, agronomists, horticulturalists, helminthologists, extension workers, and NGOs.
Novel Biomaterials
by Shalini Srivastava Pritee GoyalCurrent research revolves around trends to bring technology into harmony with the natural environment and in order to protect the ecosystem. Bioremediation involves processes which reduce the overall treatment costs by using agricultural residues. Regeneration of the biosorbent further increases the cost effectiveness of the process, thus warranting its future success in solving water quality problems. Special emphasis is paid to chemical modifications resulting in tailored novel biomaterials which improve its sorption efficiency and environmental stability. In this way it can be used commercially as a simple, fast, economical, ecofriendly green technology, for the removal of toxic metals from waste water particularly in rural and remote areas of the country.
Novel Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology #1077)
by Heung Jae Chun Kwideok Park Chun-Ho Kim Gilson KhangThis book explores in depth a wide range of new biomaterials that hold great promise for applications in regenerative medicine. The opening two sections are devoted to biomaterials designed to direct stem cell fate and regulate signaling pathways. Diverse novel functional biomaterials, including injectable nanocomposite hydrogels, electrosprayed nanoparticles, and waterborne polyurethane-based materials, are then discussed. The fourth section focuses on inorganic biomaterials, such as nanobioceramics, hydroxyapatite, and titanium dioxide. Finally, up-to-date information is provided on a wide range of smart natural biomaterials, ranging from silk fibroin-based scaffolds and collagen type I to chitosan, mussel-inspired biomaterials, and natural polymeric scaffolds. This is one of two books to be based on contributions from leading experts that were delivered at the 2018 Asia University Symposium on Biomedical Engineering in Seoul, Korea – the companion book examines in depth the latest enabling technologies for regenerative medicine.
Novel Bioremediation Processes for Treatment of Seleniferous Soils and Sediment (IHE Delft PhD Thesis Series)
by Shrutika Laxmikant WadgaonkarThe aim of this Ph.D. was to develop a technology for the remediation of seleniferous soils/sediments and to explore microbial reduction of selenium oxyanions under different respiration conditions and bioreactor configurations. Seleniferous soil collected from the wheat-grown agricultural land in Punjab (India) was characterized and its soil washing was optimized by varying parameters, where addition of oxidizing agents showed a maximum selenium removal efficiency. Aquatic plants, Lemna minor and Egeria densa were used to study phytoremediation of the selenium-rich soil leachate containing oxidizing agents. Additionally, migration of the soluble selenium fraction from the upper to the lower layers and its subsequent reduction and accumulation in the lower layers of the soil column was observed during soil flushing. Furthermore, the soil leachate containing selenium oxyanions obtained from soil washing was treated in a UASB reactor by varying the organic feed. Ex situ bioremediation of selenium oxyanions was studied under variable conditions. An aerobic bacterium (Delftia lacustris) capable of transforming selenate and selenite to elemental selenium was isolated and characterized. Anaerobic bioreduction of selenate coupled to methane oxidation was investigated in serum bottles and a biotrickling filter using marine sediment as inoculum. Finally, the effect of contamination of other chalcogen oxyanions (tellurium) on selenium bioreduction was studied in a continuous system (UASB reactor).