Abstract: A method of treating a heavy metal contaminated soil including contacting the contaminated soil with a bioremediation mixture for a predetermined time such that the contaminated soil is anaerobically digested, wherein the contaminated soil contains one or more heavy metals, and wherein the anaerobically digested soil contains a lesser amount of the one or more heavy metals than the contaminated soil.

Abstract: A sewage treatment system includes dehydration means to dehydrate the received surplus sludge and/or the received return sludge; a microbial material production device configured to supply oxygen to the dehydrated sludge received from the dehydration means while maintaining the temperature of the dehydrated sludge to subject the dehydrated sludge to aerobic fermentation, thereby producing a microbial material; water feeding means configured to feed water from any part of the sewage treatment system to the after-mentioned microbe activation device; a microbe activation device configured to receive the microbial material from the microbial material production device, and supply the water from the water feeding means to the received microbial material; and oxygen supply means configured to supply oxygen to the sewage at any position of the relay pump station; wherein the sewage is sent from the relay pump station to the sewage treatment facility.

Abstract: Mineralogical method and apparatus for removal of cesium ion in aqueous solution are provided. In particular, a mineralogical method for removal of cesium ion in aqueous solution including controlling a temperature of radioactive wastewater containing cesium from 25 to 45° C., controlling an initial pH of the radioactive wastewater from 6.0 to 8.5, and adding iron(II) and sulfide(?II) containing sulfur in the ?2 oxidation state to the radioactive wastewater, to convert the cesium ion in aqueous solution into a cesium mineral, and a mineralogical apparatus for removal of cesium ion in aqueous solution, capable of being applied to such a method, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microbial compositions useful in treating and remediating wastewater, removing organic matter from the surfaces of post harvested fruits and vegetables, and decreasing post-harvest disease in fruit and vegetables.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated bacterial strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa species, referred to as Pseudomonas aeruginosa CSMY-1, deposited in the Microbial Genetic Resources Bank of the Chilean Collection of Microbial Genetic Resources (CChRGM), under accession number RGM2262, on Aug. 7, 2015, which is a facultative strain that can remove chemical components having characteristics that pollute natural or industrial effluents or soils by degrading compounds. The invention also relates to a method for the pollutant bioremediation of a contaminated environments, comprising: a) adding bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa CSMY-1 in the form of a biofilm to said contaminated environment; and b) incubating said bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa CSMY-1 in the form of a biofilm in said environment.

Abstract: This specification describes a process and apparatus for treating water comprising selenium. A process is described having the steps of treating the wastewater influent using a biological reduction process to produce an intermediary stream and reducing the concentration of unconsumed constituents in the intermediary stream by means of filtration optionally with upstream coagulation or flocculation. When compared to the wastewater influent, the intermediary stream preferably has reduced concentration of the selenium species when compared to the wastewater influent. When compared to the intermediary stream, the effluent preferably has reduced concentration of one or more of the inorganic non-metallic constituents (such as nitrogen, phosphorous and sulphur), metallic constituents or organic constituents. An apparatus is described herein having a fixed film reactor configured to receive a wastewater influent, and a membrane filter configured to receive effluent from the fixed film reactor.

Abstract: A sulphur denitrification system includes a liquid input fluidly coupled to a source of saltwater that includes nitrate; a liquid output fluidly coupled to the source of saltwater; a plurality of vertically-oriented tanks, at least one of the tanks including a liquid inlet that is fluidly coupled to the liquid input to receive a flow of the saltwater, a volume configured to enclose a plurality of sulphur particles that support denitrification bacteria that biologically transform the nitrate into at least one of nitrous oxide or nitrogen gas, and a liquid outlet fluidly coupled to the liquid output and the liquid inlets of the tanks; and a circulation system configured to circulate a portion of the saltwater though the liquid input to the liquid inlets of the plurality of tanks, through the plurality of tanks, and from the liquid outlets of the tanks to the liquid output and the liquid inlets of the tanks.

Abstract: A method for preparing a fungi-bacteria composite microecologics, including: cultivating and conducting high-density fermentations of Zoogloea sp. HJ1 which has been deposited in China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) with an accession number: CCTCC NO. M2012235, Pandoraea sp. FLX-1 which has been deposited in CCTCC with an accession number: CCTCC NO. M2011242, and Ophiostoma sp. LLC which has been deposited in CCTCC with an accession number CCTCC NO. M2014531 to obtain mixed strains; cultivating, fermenting, and vacuum drying the mixed strains to yield a resulting product which is ground into a powder; cultivating and conducting high-density fermentation of Aspergillus sp. HD-2 which has been deposited in CCTCC with an accession number: CCTCC NO. M2014175 and Trichoderma sp. LW-1 which has been deposited in CCTCC with an accession number: CCTCC NO. M2014176 to yield spores; and mixing the powder and the spores.

Abstract: A process for removal of selenium and nitrate from waste water includes both electrochemical and bioprocessing treatment. Embodiments include use of activated walnut shell a growth media for selenium-reducing bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for fertilizing desert land and making it agricultural, characterized in that it comprises animal excrement, plant waste, bentonite in an amount greater than 10%, essential macronutrients, essential micronutrients, agricultural sulphur, algae and effective microorganisms. The invention will be of use in agriculture, in particular for increasing the yields of soils that are not very fertile, such as deserts which form most of the countries of North Africa and the Middle East. Deserts are among the only lands which are not polluted because of overgrazing and the exhaustive use of chemical fertilizers. It is therefore essential to respect these lands and to limit the pollution thereof. The composition according to the invention comprises animal and plant waste. The recycling of this agricultural waste contributes to improving atmospheric and soil pollution by limiting the burning of waste that is harmful to the environment and to human health.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system of culturing and harvesting floating aquatic species with high growth rates. Also disclosed is a method of culturing and harvesting floating aquatic species using such a system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of controlling the growth of microorganisms in animals and animal feed. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of controlling the growth of microorganisms in animals with an antimicrobial composition, the treatment of animal feed with an antimicrobial additive and antimicrobial compositions.

Abstract: A system and method of treating wastewater having at least one undesirable biological species is provided. In accordance with embodiments, a wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a main biological treatment train including at least one first unit operation configured to perform an anaerobic ammonium oxidation process, and at least one subsystem configured to increase a concentration of anammox bacteria in the at least one first unit operation, the treatment system arranged to reduce the concentration of total nitrogen in the wastewater.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater containing TMAH and ammonium nitrogen includes the steps of (a) introducing a first solution which contains ammonium nitrogen but no TMAH into a single reactor with microorganisms comprising nitrifying bacteria and anammox bacteria, and denitrifying the first solution by the microorganisms under a dissolved oxygen concentration ranging from 0.1-0.5 mg/L and a pH value of 7-8; (b) when the denitrification efficiency reaches a steady state, introducing a second solution which contains ammonium nitrogen and TMAH and has a concentration of TMAH lower than 60 mg/L into the reactor; and (c) gradually increasing the concentration of TMAH in the solution to be added into the reactor for several times whenever the denitrification efficiency reaches a steady state. Accordingly, the inhibition of TMAH to the anammox bacteria can be significantly decreased, and both TMAH and the ammonium nitrogen can be treated simultaneously.

Abstract: Overburden from surface coal mining in many regions can produce a rain runoff laden with selenium, in the selenate form. This occurs from rainwater leaching through exposed selenium-containing rocks in the overburden. The selenium-containing runoff water is caught in ponds. Remediation of the pond water to remove selenate is performed by treatment with sulfur-modified iron (SMI) in a contact bed of an upflow reactor vessel. The pond water after pretreatment is pumped through the SMI reactor, and can then be run through an oxidation tank and filtered to remove iron. For extending effectiveness and life of the SMI the contact bed is either periodically “fluffed” with a high-velocity upflow of water through the bed, or moved continuously through the column in a continuous medium filtration system. A biocide can be added to runoff water prior to the contact bed.

Abstract: A method for treating a sludge to be fed to a bioreactor for treating wastewater, or an anaerobic or aerobic sludge digester, the method comprising contacting the sludge with free nitrous acid.

Abstract: A process and system for treating wastewater is described. The invention degrades sludge produced by treatment of the wastewater to reduce or eliminate the need for sludge dewatering and disposal. The invention also reduces the amount of nutrient additives required to sustain the aerobic wastewater treatment process. In one embodiment the invention includes the steps of (a) providing an aerobic treatment system receiving a supply of the wastewater; (b) treating a supply of the sludge to rupture microbial cells present therein to produce treated sludge having an increased liquid:solid ratio and an increased degradation potential in comparison to untreated sludge; (c) conveying a supply of the treated sludge to the aerobic treatment system; and (d) substantially degrading the supply of treated sludge in the aerobic treatment system. The treated sludge may optionally be subjected to anaerobic digestion prior to delivery to the aerobic treatment system.

Abstract: Hydrophobic contaminants are removed from sludge that has been liquidized by violent shearing, by stirring a hydrophobic sorbent substance material into the sludge. After a period of time in which the contaminants are sorbed into the sorbent, the sorbent substance is separated from the sludge by gravity-settling, centrifuging, etc, where the sorbent is a liquid, or by filtration etc where the sorbent is a solid. Some sorbents have a melting point such that the sorbent can be liquid for good dispersal in heated sludge, and then can be solid when the sludge has cooled, whereby the sorbent can be removed e.g by filtration. Liquefaction by violent shearing causes the biosolids in the sludge to go into solution, which leaves the hydrophobic contaminants more available to be sorbed.

Abstract: This invention provides an Amycolatopsis sp. strain (zhp06), and a method of using the whole cell preparation of the strain for vanillin production. The strain was deposited in China Center for Type Culture Collection on Jul. 26, 2011 with the number of CCTCC NO: M 2011265. Under high concentrations of ferulic acid substrate, the vanillin production by this method can reach more than 10 g/L. The molar conversion rate of ferulic acid is more than 50% and the purity of vanillin is from 80% to 95%. The advantage of this invention includes: repeated use of biocatalyst cells, mild biotransformation condition, low environmental pollution, short production cycle, high product purity and simple purification procedure. It has a great potential for industrial applications.

Abstract: Methods for bioremediation of environmental media contaminated with at least one perchlorate compound. A Pseudomonas consortium of P. putida strain B, P. putida strain E, and P. fluorescens strain G was provided to contaminated water, soil, etc. under conditions to result in bioremediated water, soil, etc. In embodiments, the method is used ex-situ, e.g., in a reactor vessel, or is used in-situ.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating a hydrocarbon-contaminated soil/gravel with a blend of microbes by adding a first microbe selected from the group consisting of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain IOCX, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain IOC DHT and mixtures thereof to a hydrocarbon-contaminated soil/gravel to release the hydrocarbon; and adding a second microbe selected from the group consisting of Pseudomonas putida strain IOC5al, Pseudomonas putida strain IOCRl, Bacillus subtlis and a mixture thereof to degrade the released hydrocarbon.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wastewater treatment system may reduce contaminants in water. A system may include one or more bioreactors which include a substrate that supports a biofilm. The bacteria used to form the biofilm may be selected to maximize the reduction of contaminants in water. Various components of the wastewater treatment system may be optimized to improve the efficiency and energy consumption of the wastewater system.

Abstract: The invention encompasses multi-stage naturally amplified global-scale carbon dioxide capture systems combining basic capture from (CC—carbon capture) clean-coal-fired and CC gas-fired power plants, natural-gas reformation systems, cement plants, outdoor air, home and building flues, incinerators, crematoriums, blast-furnaces, kilns, refineries, factories, oil gasification systems and coal gasification systems which yield concentrated carbon dioxide, with a collective, globally distributed capture capacity of up to 3 GtC/yr, feeding the captured carbon dioxide into land-based invention stage-1 bioreactors for rapid, selective, high capacity conversion to a high-density, fast-sinking marine algae by means of accelerated photosynthesis and/or coccolithogenesis (calcification) consuming carbon dioxide as the algae bloom, and transporting the stage-1 bioreactor-produced algae to seaports for seeding the oceans at regular intervals in stage-2 operations-at-sea to produce naturally amplified 14 GtC/yr algal blooms

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water, including water contaminated with slick water, methanol and boron. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water may further be treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A method for sulfurous acid leaching of heavy metals from soils into a contaminated water fraction for subsequent precipitation with alkaline and nutrient reagents for filtration removal to provide a metal free soil and reclaimed water suitable for raising crops and open stream discharge.

Abstract: A method for treating LNAPL source zones using a cost effective LNAPL source zone technology to degrade residual LNAPL, by introducing bioremediation amendments comprising nutritional supplements in quantities, locations, and depths required to stimulate and sustain the anaerobic biodegradation of an LNAPL source zone; monitoring the LNAPL source zone for adverse conditions that decrease anaerobic LNAPL biodegradation; eliminating any identified adverse conditions to sustain LNAPL biodegradation; and maintaining the water with nutritional supplements in quantities, locations, and depths required to stimulate and sustain the anaerobic biodegradation of LNAPL.

Abstract: A method of treating waste water is disclosed which comprises placing a porous container such as a mesh bag containing a gelatinous culture of vegetative bacteria into waste water. The gelatinous culture dissolves over time and releases the bacteria contained therein. In some embodiments, the porous container may be reclaimed at any time. Treatment with the method eliminates a substantial portion of organic waste found in waste water and reduces or eliminates the need for used to eliminate organic waste build up in waste water facilities.

Abstract: This method comprises bringing drops to be separated into contact with an interface (40) suitable for allowing an osmotic equilibrium between the content of each drop to be separated. The method comprises an osmotic flow between the drops (20A) of the first group of drops through the interface (40) in order to modify the density of each drop (20A) of the first group of drops and the separation of the drops (20A, 20B) according to the density thereof or a combination of the density and the volume in order to isolate the drops (20A) of the first group of drops from the drops (20B) of a second group of drops.

Abstract: This invention relates to bacteria of the genus Pseudoxanthomonas and in particular the strain deposited on Jul. 12, 2012 at the Pasteur Institute (CNCM, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, F-75724 PARIS Cedex 15, France) under No. CNCM 1-4657, capable of degrading MTBE and/or TBA. The invention also relates to a process for treatment of an effluent comprising MTBE and optionally TBA using such bacteria.

Abstract: Petroleum reservoir souring caused by microbially induced production of hydrogen sulphide and other sulphur compounds and the attendant corrosion are remediated by isolating bacteriophage specific for the problematic bacteria (target bacteria) and adding an effective amount of such bacteriophage to water introduced into or resident in the reservoir to kill at least some of the target bacteria. Suitable virulent bacteriophage may be indigenous in the water or located in surrounding areas or taken from a known banked stock. Means of concentrating solutions of bacteriophage are also disclosed.

Abstract: The biological treatment method for refractory wastewater of the present invention includes: a step of producing a complex microbial liquid by maintaining, at between 15 and 28° C., a complex microbial liquid obtained by mixing between 0.01 and 1 percent by weight of mixed microorganisms BM-S-1 (Repository Deposit No. KCTC 11789BP), between 0.1 and 1 percent by weight of powdered chaff, between 0.1 and 1 percent by weight of powdered peat moss, between 1 and 5 percent by weight of molasses, between 0.01 and 1 percent by weight of shiitake mushroom waste wood dust and between 92 and 98 percent by weight of water; a mixed stock production step; a high-temperature inoculation step; a culturing step; a drying step; a microbial starting broth production step; and a microbe activation step.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater through the use of powdered natural lignocellulosic materials (PNLM) and/or powdered kenaf (PK). The method includes mixing particulate kenaf with influent wastewater, oxygenating the wastewater, reacting the wastewater and clarifying the wastewater, resulting in improvement in the microbial population in the wastewater.

Abstract: A method for the cleanup of site/sediments contaminated by heavy metals, or by chlorobenzoate, polychlorobenzoates, monochlorophenol, polychlorophenols, polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) compounds or phosphogypsum, includes treating the contaminated sites/sediments by anaerobic mesophilic bacteria (Mesotoga lineage) belonging to the order of Thermotogales.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition for triggering microbiological processes in water, to a kit of parts comprising the components of said composition in distinct form, a method of producing such a composition and the use thereof for microbiologically decomposing water-immiscible substances, in particular crude oil and crude oil-derived substances.

Abstract: A waste treatment method includes the concentration of selected strains of bacteria in a selected medium in the presence of nutrients and water, under aerobic conditions. This concentrated batch is discharged for downstream applications in wastewater remediation. A cultivation chamber having inlet ports and a circular vent port allows for adequate air introduction and heat release. Aeration is achieved by recirculation of the fluid medium from the top of the apparatus through a pipe that runs the length of the inner wall and is specially configured at the top to minimize cell damage. Fluid can be routed tangentially in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The conical bottom has an orifice allowing for recirculation of the fluid medium tangentially to the sidewalls. Upon completion of batch cultivation, the medium and bacteria are discharged for downstream applications in wastewater remediation of paper mill, chemical plant, oil refinery, and other industrial effluents.

Abstract: A method of prevention of acid rock drainage excludes oxygen from waste rocks that contain ferrous sulfides by building an oxygen bio-barrier over exposed surfaces of the waste rock. The bio-barrier may be formed by applying a slurry to the rock. The slurry may contain several components such as microbial material, one or more nutrients, water or another fluid, and optionally water-absorbent material. The microbial material may include bacteria, algae, fungi or a combination thereof. Additionally, the slurry may contain one or more acid-neutralizing compounds, one or more cellulose-containing substances, and one or more UV protecting agents.

Abstract: A bioremediation method for accelerated biological degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in a sea ice-covered polar region comprising contacting the petroleum hydrocarbons with an inoculum. The inoculum includes a bacterial mixture, nutrients, and an environmentally friendly carrier material. The bacterial mixture includes a plurality of cold-adapted autochthonous bacterial strains, wherein each of the bacterial strains are active at an ambient temperature of ?3° C., and wherein each of the bacterial strains has a different temperature tolerance range, a different salinity tolerance range, a different degradation spectrum, and a different potential to emulsify oil. Bacteria of the bacterial strains are immobilized on the environmentally friendly carrier material.

Abstract: A method for enhancing biotransformation of groundwater contaminants is provided. The method comprises steps of providing an injection column at an upstream of a contaminated source for injecting a compost solid; providing a recirculation device at a downstream of the contaminated source; forming a compost liquid by mixing surface water or groundwater from the recirculation device with the compost solid, and the groundwater bringing the compost liquid to the contaminated source at the downstream; and producing a reaction at the contaminated source and the downstream. Also, the groundwater contaminants can be adsorbed and biodegraded in the injection column at the upstream by the recirculation of the recirculation device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the bioremediation of soluble sulfates from an environmental effluent, include a first chamber including lactic acid bacteria immobilized on a first matrix and a second chamber including sulfate-reducing bacteria immobilized on a second matrix. The methods include providing the lactic acid bacteria a suitable medium for the production of lactic acid, which is directed to the culture of sulfate-reducing bacteria for use as a substrate/electron donor for the reduction of sulfates present in the environmental effluent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating effluents containing 2-ethylhexyl nitrate (2-EHN), or nitric ester of 2-ethylhexane-1-ol, in order to reduce at least partly the concentration thereof, characterized in that it comprises growing, in the presence of a suitable substrate, a Corynebacterium urealyticum CIP-1-2126 bacterium and degrading the 2-EHN contained in the effluents by the biomass of said bacterium thus produced. The invention has application in the Application: depollution of waters and soils polluted by 2-EHN.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment method includes the steps of supplying a wastewater influent having nutrients for a population of phototactic heterotrophic microorganisms to an aerated bioreactor. At least a portion of the nutrients is converted into the phototactic heterotrophic microorganism population. The wastewater influent and the phototactic heterotrophic microorganism population together form a bioreactor effluent that is transferred to a light clarifier. The bioreactor effluent is concentrated in the light clarifier to form a low-solids effluent and a high-solids effluent. The concentration is performed by inducing the population of phototactic heterotrophic microorganisms to phototactically self concentrate through exposure to a light having at least one of an intensity and a wavelength sufficient to cause the phototactic heterotrophic microorganism population to migrate away from a source of the light. The high-solids effluent is then dewatered to form a concentrated biomass paste.

Abstract: A waste treatment method includes the concentration of selected strains of bacteria in a selected medium in the presence of nutrients and water, under aerobic conditions. This concentrated batch is discharged for downstream applications in wastewater remediation. A cultivation chamber having inlet ports and a circular vent port allows for adequate air introduction and heat release. Aeration is achieved by recirculation of the fluid medium from the top of the apparatus through a pipe that runs the length of the inner wall and is specially configured at the top to minimize cell damage. Fluid can be routed tangentially in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The conical bottom has an orifice allowing for recirculation of the fluid medium tangentially to the sidewalls. Upon completion of the batch cultivation, the medium and bacteria are discharged for downstream applications in wastewater remediation of paper mill, chemical plant, oil refinery, and other industrial effluents.

Abstract: A method of conditioning, separating, drying, and comminuting sulfurous acid treated wastewater suspended solids for addition to aerobic and anaerobic digesters to provide electron donor carbon and sulfur compounds to increase the removal rate of ammonia, nitrates/nitrites, and BOD compounds.

Abstract: A biomethod using a consortium of Pseudomonas sp. to reduce contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane in groundwater.

Abstract: A thixotropic gel suitable for use in subsurface bioremediation is provided along with a process of using the gel. The thixotropic gel provides a non-migrating injectable substrate that can provide below ground barrier properties. In addition, the gel components provide for a favorable environment in which certain contaminants are preferentially sequestered in the gel and subsequently remediated by either indigenous or introduced microorganisms.

Abstract: A method for degrading, detackifying and reducing solvent in water comprising organic solvent-laden water-borne paint that comprises adding to the water an effective degrading, detackifying and/or solvent-reducing amount of at least one microorganism culture and sufficient micronutrients to sustain the growth of the at least one microorgansim culture and to reduce solvent content of the water. A method of reducing chemical oxygen demand in water comprising organic solvent-laden water-borne paint, wherein the water contains an excess amount of organic solvent from one or both of paint spray operations and paint spray nozzle cleaning operations, the method comprising adding to the water an effective degrading and detackifying amount of at least one microorganism culture and micronutrients to sustain the growth of the at least one microorgansim culture, whereby chemical oxygen demand in the water is reduced by at least 50% relative to the same system without adding the micronutrients.

Abstract: The induction of reducing conditions and stimulating anaerobic process through the addition of species of seaweed (Dulse, Nori, Ascophyllum nodosum, and Kelp) to accomplish accelerated dechlorinization of soil and groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvents and heavy metals.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel isolated microorganism characterized in that it is capable of: i) transforming Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and/or nitrogen oxides into gas nitrogen; and ii) transforming carbonaceous matter into carbon dioxide; both transformation processes being carried out in aerobic condition. The invention also concerns a method for treating wastewater using said microorganism.

Abstract: Embodiments include treatments for acid mine drainage generation sources (10 perhaps by injection of at least one substrate (11) and biologically constructing a protective biofilm (13) on acid mine drainage generation source materials (14). Further embodiments include treatments for degradation of contaminated water environments (17) with substrates such as returned milk and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of denitrifying a solution including introducing into the solution an amount of a carbon source within a duration and at a frequency so that indigenous heterotrophic bacteria deplete dissolved oxygen in the solution and obtain oxygen from nitrate in the solution. Related apparatuses and compounds also are disclosed.