bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Critical Evaluation of Decentralised Radiological Services in Norway – a rural case study
Authors: Myklebust Aud Mette , Eide Hilde , Ellis Brian , Beattie Rona
Published: July 2019

Background

Implementation of the Norwegian government’s Coordination Reform (2012) aims to decentralise health care services from centralised hospitals to the local communities. Radiological services in Norway are mainly organised in hospitals, because of the significant financial and human resource demands engendered by the need for advanced technological equipment, and specialised staff. Some selected conventional x-ray services have been decentralised into rural communities. The purpose of this case study was to evaluate different stakeholders’ perceptions of organizing decentralised radiological services in a rural area in Norway.

Methods

Following an extensive policy and literature review and a survey of GPs in the rural area being investigated two focus groups were conducted to obtain stakeholder’s evaluation of the radiological services in both hospital and rural contexts. The key emergent themes from the literature - decentralization, quality, professional roles, organisation and economic consequences – were discussed with each focus group. Thematic analysis was used for analyzing the primary data collected.

Results

Four main themes emerged from the focus groups: organisation, quality, funding of radiological services and cooperation between health care professions and health care levels. The quality of service was found to be inadequate in some areas because of the superficial level of training given to non-radiographic staff. It was found that the organisation of decentralised radiological services to rural areas is challenging because of the way health services are structured in Norway. This structural framework increases the need for effective cooperation and responsibility between health care professions and levels. There needs to be improved co-working by clearly defining roles and responsibilities.

Conclusions

The stakeholders agreed that decentralized radiological services is important. Quality of the service could be improved and should be given priority. A key recommendation for the organisation of rural radiological service was the development of a satellite link with an acute hospital. Structural change to the financial system whereby money follows patients, might also facilitate more patient-centred services across healthcare levels. Improved mutual understanding between rural radiolog­ical services and hospital specialists and managers is important for a high quality and consistent radiological service to be delivered across Norway.
Sphk1 involves in the regulation of autophagy process in cardiac myocyte cells at high glucose condition
Authors: Ai Wen , Xie Peiyi , Ling Li , Gao Yulan , Wang Lei , Fang Hongcheng , Chen Yanwei
Published: July 2019

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is the myocardium disorders caused by diabetes mellitus, which has become a key concern bringing heavy burden to the public health. Autophagy is one of activities involving in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Sphk1 gene plays a crucial role in cell survival and growth, and regulation of many diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy remains poorly understood. To this aim, the study established adenovirus vectors expressing Sphk1 and shSphk1 to investigate the effects of Sphk1 on autophagy and cell survival in myocardial cells under high glucose conditions (25 mM). It was found that overexpression of Sphk1 promoted autophagy activity in H9c2 cells under high glucose treatment measured by various methodologies including qRT-PCR, western blot, fluorescence microscope, and so on. Inhibition of autophagy decreased cell vitality under high glucose condition. A broadly used medicine silibinin was demonstrated to induce autophagy in a dose-dependent manner. Herein, the findings in the present study may provide useful reference for unveiling the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy and developing novel therapies treating diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Patency of conduits in patients who received internal mammary artery, radial artery and saphenous vein graft
Authors: Royse Alistair , Pamment William , Pawanis Zulfayandi , Clarke-Errey Sandy , Eccleston David , Ajani Andrew , Wilson William , Canty David , Royse Colin
Published: July 2019

Background
Where each patient has all three conduits of internal mammary artery (IMA), saphenous vein graft (SVG) and radial artery (RA), most confounders affecting comparison between conduits can be mitigated. Additionally, since SVG progressively fails over time, restricting patient angiography to the late period only can mitigate against early SVG patency that may have occluded in the late period. An angiographically normal lumen in a patent graft, in the late period, would predict ongoing patency thereafter; whereas an irregular lumen would predict progression of conduit atheroma and possible failure in the long term.

Objectives
The primary analysis was perfect patency and secondary analysis was overall patency including angiographic evidence of conduit lumen irregularity from conduit atheroma.

Methods
Research protocol driven conventional angiography was performed for patients with at least one of each conduit of IMA, RA and SVG and a minimum of 7 years postoperative. Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was used. Patency excluded occluded or “string sign” conduits. Perfect patency was present in patent grafts if there was no lumen irregularity.

Results
50 patients underwent coronary angiography at overall duration postoperative 13.1±2.9, and age 74.3±7.0 years. Of 196 anastomoses, IMA 62, RA 77 and SVG 57. Most IMA were to the left anterior descending territory and most RA and SVG were to the circumflex and right coronary territories. Perfect patency RA 92.2% was not different to IMA 96.8%, P=0.265; and both were significantly better than SVG 17.5%, P<0.001. Patency RA 93.5% was also not different to IMA 96.8%, P=0.146, and both arterial conduits were significantly higher than SVG 82.5%, P=0.029. Grafting according to coronary territory was not significant for perfect patency, P=0.961 and patency 0.201. Coronary stenosis predicted perfect patency for RA only, P=0.030 and for patency, RA, P=0.007, and SVG, P=0.032.

When both arterial conduits were combined, perfect patency, P<0.001, and patency, P=0.017, were superior to SVG.

Conclusions
All but one patent internal mammary artery or radial artery grafts had perfect patency and had superior perfect patency and overall patency compared to saphenous vein grafts.
Late Diagnosis among patients with Prostate Cancer at the Uganda Cancer Institute: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bunani Nelson , Kisakye Angela Nakanwagi , Ssennyonjo Aloysius , Nuwaha Fred
Published: July 2019

Background

Late diagnosis of prostate cancer is common in Uganda and elsewhere. Diagnosis in advanced stages is associated with high mortality, morbidity and low quality of life. We estimated time taken from perception of symptoms attributable to prostate cancer to biopsy among patients with prostate cancer at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) and the associated factors.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of records of 280 patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of prostate cancer at UCI from January 2016 to December 2017. Time to diagnosis was obtained from the difference between the approximate date of onset of initial symptoms and date when a biopsy was taken. Late diagnosis was that when an individual was diagnosed with prostate cancer stage III or IV whereas stages I and II were classified as early. We used modified poisson regression to assess factors associated with timing of diagnosis among patients.

Results

The median time from first perceived symptoms to biopsy for prostate cancer patients was 12 (IQR5-24) months and 76% were diagnosed after 4 months of symptoms. Median age at time of diagnosis of patients was 70 (IQR66-74.5) years and at least 50% were aged between 65-74 years. About 81.8% of the patients were diagnosed late; of which 35.7% were in stage III and 46.1% were in stage IV. Nearly all patients presented with raised prostate specific antigen with median prostate specific antigen of 100.2 (IQR36.02-350) ng/ml of blood at the time of admission. In adjusted analysis, a patients whose biopsies were taken before 5 months of recognising symptoms were two times as likely to have cancer stage I and II compared to those patients in whom the biopsies were taken after 4 months.

Conclusion

More than three in four patients were diagnosed late. Taking a biopsy after 4 months of initiation of symptoms was partially responsible for the delay. To improve time to diagnosis, communities should be educated about symptoms of prostate cancer and advised to seek health care early. Health care workers should be sensitised to suspect prostate cancer among patients to allow timely referral for appropriate specialised assessment and management.
Targeting Toll-like receptor 4 with CLI-095 (TAK-242) enhances the antimetastatic effect of the estrogen receptor antagonist fulvestrant on non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: fan Sheng , Qiu Wenlin , Li Lequn , Li Dong , Liao Yongde , Cao Xiaonian , Ai Bo
Published: July 2019

Background

Estrogen plays a critical role in the invasiveness and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through estrogen receptor β (ERβ). However, the antimetastatic effect of the ERβ antagonist fulvestrant was still limited in NSCLC patients in phase II clinical trials. Recently, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling was implicated in NSCLC metastasis. Our present study aimed to evaluate the synergistic antimetastatic effect of a combination of fulvestrant and the TLR4-specific inhibitor CLI-095 (TAK-242) on human NSCLC cells.

Methods

The expression levels of ERβ and TLR4 were detected by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of 180 primary NSCLC and 30 corresponding metastatic lymph node samples. The association between ERβ and TLR4 expression was analyzed. The aggressiveness of NSCLC cells treated with fulvestrant, CLI-095 or the drug combination and formation status of their invadopodia, invasion-associated structures, were investigated. The protein levels in NSCLC cells in different groups were determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses.

Results

Here, a positive correlation between ERβ and TLR4 expression was observed in both primary NSCLC tissue (Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficient = 0.411, p<0.001) and metastatic lymph node tissue (Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficient = 0.374, p=0.009). The protein levels of ERβ in the A549 and H1793 cell lines induced by estrogen were decreased by fulvestrant, and this suppressive effect was significantly enhanced when fulvestrant was combined with CLI-095 (p<0.05 for both treatments). Both the migration and invasion of NSCLC cells were suppressed by fulvestrant or CLI-095 alone, and the combination of fulvestrant+CLI-095 showed the strongest inhibitory effect (p<0.05 for all treatments). In addition, the results demonstrated that CLI-095 also helped fulvestrant restrict the formation and function of invadopodia in NSCLC cells (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Collectively, our study results suggested that CLI-095 enhances the antimetastatic effect of fulvestrant on NSCLC and provided support for further investigation of the antitumor activity of combined therapy with antiestrogen and anti-TLR4 agents in the clinic.
Causes for diarrhoea and infection with intestinal parasites among HIV positive patients at a referral hospital in Central Ethiopia
Authors: Mesfun Million Getachew , Fuchs Andre , Holtfreter Martha Charlotte , Feldt Torsten , Häussinger Dieter
Published: July 2019

Background:
Intestinal parasitic infections are a major public health challenge in many tropical countries. Opportunistic intestinal coccidia such as Cryptosporidia, Cytoisospora or Cyclospora species are common pathogens which are regularly missed using widely practiced wet mount stool microscopy techniques. Therefore, treatment choices are limited and mostly rely on empirical use of cotrimoxazole. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among HIV-infected individuals with and without diarrhoea at the Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital in Ethiopia.

Methods:
This institution-based cross sectional study was conducted among 163 ambulatory HIV-infected patients with and without diarrhoea. Stool samples were processed for both wet mount and Kinyoun stain. EDTA blood was collected for analysis of CD4 cell count using BD FACSCount™ Flow Cytometer. Sociodemographic and behavioural data was collected using a standardized questionnaire. Chi-squared test was used for statistical analysis.

Results:
The majority of study participants (62.0%, n=101) were female and the mean age was 38.2 (SD +10.7) years. 52.1% (n=85) of the participants suffered from diarrhoea. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in the study population was 18.4% (n=30). Protozoa (Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica, G. lamblia and Pentatrichomonas hominis) and helminths (Taenia spp., A. lumbricoides, S. stercoralis, T. trichuria and H. nana) were detected in 12.9% (n=21) and 5.5% (n=9) of patients, respectively. The likelihood for having a parasitic infection was more than eight times higher in participants having diarrhoea. No oocysts of coccidian parasites were detected in the routinely performed wet mount stool microscopy, as expected.

Conclusions:
There was a high prevalence of opportunistic intestinal parasitic infection in the studied population. Considering the clinical relevance of opportunistic infections particularly in individuals with low CD4 cell count and diarrhoea, the implementation of both stool concentration and modified acid fast staining techniques should be considered to enhance the quality of health care service for HIV-infected patients in resource-limited settings as Ethiopia.
Analysis of responder-based endpoints: improving power through utilising continuous components
Authors: Wason James , McMenamin Martina , Dodd Susanna
Published: July 2019

Background

Clinical trials and other studies commonly assess effectiveness of an intervention through use of responder-based endpoints. These classify patients based on whether they meet a number of criteria which often involve continuous variables categorised as being above or below a threshold. The proportion of patients who are responders is estimated and, where relevant, compared between groups. An alternative method called the augmented binary method keeps the definition of the endpoint the same but utilises information contained within the continuous component to increase the power considerably (equivalent to increasing the sample size by >30%). In this article we summarise the method and investigate the variety of clinical conditions that use endpoints to which it could be applied.

Methods

We reviewed a database of physiological and mortality trial endpoints recommended for collection in clinical trials of different disorders. We identified responder-based endpoints where the augmented binary method would be useful for increasing power.

Results

We identified 68 new clinical areas where endpoints were used that would be more efficiently analysed using the augmented binary method.

Conclusions

The augmented binary method can potentially provide large benefits in a vast array of clinical areas. Further methodological development is needed to account for some types of endpoint.
Short-term probiotic augmentation in depression treatment: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Schweinfurth Nina , Kettelhack Cedric , Mählmann Laura , Brand Serge , Beglinger Christoph , Borgwardt Stefan J , Lang Undine E. , Schmidt André
Published: July 2019

Background

There is urgent need to develop novel augmentation options for improving inadequate response to antidepressants. Emerging evidence showed that the composition of the gut microbiota is altered in patients with depression and related to their symptoms, suggesting that restoring microbial composition may constitute a promising strategy in depression treatment. This protocol introduces a study design to test the effectiveness of a short-term probiotic augmentation therapy in patients with a current depressive episode.

Methods

Using a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation will be examined in 60 patients with current severe depressive episodes (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale > 24). Patients will be randomly assigned either to a 4-weeks probiotic or placebo treatment. Assessments will take place at baseline (pre-intervention), at 4 weeks (post-intervention) and at 8 weeks (follow-up) of the study program. The primary study outcome will be depressive symptoms as measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (experts’ ratings), while secondary outcomes include immune signalling and inflammatory processes, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses, neurogenesis, the release of appetite-regulating hormones, the composition of gut microbiota, sleep quality, physical activity and multimodal neuroimaging.

Discussion

In search for augmentation strategies in depression treatment, this protocol describes a study design to test the effectiveness of a short-term probiotic augmentation therapy in patients with major depressive disorders. We also suggest the assessment of comprehensive secondary outcomes to determine biomarkers for personalized treatment responses and the development of more efficient microbial interventions in major depressive disorders.
Point-of-care ultrasound defines gastric content in elective surgical patients with diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhou Li , Yang Yi , Yang Lei , Cao Wei , Jing Heng , Xu Yan , Jiang Xiaojuan , Xu Danfeng , Xiao Qianhui , Jiang Chunling , Bo Lulong
Published: July 2019

Background Delayed gastric emptying and the resultant “full stomach” is the most important risk factor for perioperative pulmonary aspiration. Using point-of-care gastric sonography, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of full stomach and its risk factors in elective surgical patients with diabetes mellitus.
Methods Diabetic and non-diabetic elective surgical patients were included from July 2017 to April 2018 in a 1:1 ratio. Gastric ultrasound was performed 2h after ingesting clear fluid or 6h after a light meal. Full stomach was defined by the presence of gastric content in both semi-recumbent and right lateral decubitus positions. For patients with full or intermediate stomach, consecutive ultrasound scan was performed until empty stomach was detected. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with full stomach.
Results Fifty-two diabetic and fifty non-diabetic patients were analyzed. The prevalence of full stomach was 48.1% (25/52) in diabetic patients, with 44.0% for 2-hour fast after clear fluid and 51.9% for 6-hour fast after a light meal, significantly higher than 8% (4/50) in non-diabetic patients (P=0.000). The average time to empty stomach in diabetic patients was 146.50±40.91 mins for clear liquid and 426.50±45.25 mins for light meal, respectively. Further analysis indicated that presence of diabetes-related eye disease was an independent risk factor of full stomach in diabetic patients (OR=4.83, P=0.010).
Conclusions Almost half of diabetic patients have a full stomach following the current preoperative fasting guideline. Preoperative ultrasound assessment of gastric content in diabetic patients is recommended, especially for those with diabetes mellitus-related eye disease.
Key words: diabetes mellitus; gastric emptying; regurgitation and aspiration; ultrasonography
Determinants of child size at birth and associated maternal factor in Gurage zone: Application of ordinal logistic regression analysis
Authors: Alemayehu Gedif Mulat , Chernet Ayele Gebeyehu , Dumga kassahun Truha
Published: July 2019

Background
Birth weight plays an important role in infant mortality and morbidity, child development, and future health of the child. Weight at birth is directly influenced by general level of health status of the mother. As the Gurage zone health office reports birth weight is one of the critical issues in Gugare zone that causes many babies short- term and long-term health consequences and tend to have higher mortality and morbidity. This study examined and identified the determinants of weight of children at birth in Gurage zone based on primary collected survey data by using ordinal logistic regression.

Methods :The survey or the information has been collected on a total of 735,109 reproductive mothers in Gurage zone. Children with age less than 59 months have been considered on this study and from 735,109 reproductive mothers 897 were selected. Ordinal logistic regression techniques used for data analysis using maternal and socio- demographic variables as explanatory variables and size of a baby’s at birth as the response variable and statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 23 was used for data analysis purpose.

Result:According to our study, from the sampled children, 30.1%, 44.4% and 25.5% are small in size, medium in size and large in size, respectively. Maternal related variable were statistically significant like uneducated mother (β=0.26,p=0.013), mothers who get antenatal visit care 2-3 times (β=-0.210,p=0.10), source of drinking water (β=0.844,p=0.000) and malaria affected mothers (β=0.344,p=0.000)

Conclusions: children from Rural mothers, uneducated families, mothers who did not get more antenatal care visits, poor families, mothers who drink non -improved water, mothers who are affected by malaria during pregnancy, teenager mothers are small in size at birth or they are not normal at birth. Mothers’ pregnancy problem and small size of children at birth are directly related.
Anais I COMAC - I Congresso Médico-Acadêmico UFMS/CPTL
Authors: Luchesi Bruna Moretti , Oda Julie Massayo Maeda , Macedo Carlos Eduardo , Pequito Danielle Cristina Tonello , Balderrama Priscila , Moura Fé Vivielle Veloso de , Batista Lorena , Vicente Ana Carolina Figueiredo , Godas André Gustavo de Lima , Oliveira Mirian Daiane de , Nogueira Thalyta
Published: July 2019

Caro Leitor(a)O I Congresso Médico Acadêmico (COMAC) foi planejado e organizado pelo Centro Acadêmico de Medicina Dercir Pedro de Oliveira (CAMDPO) da Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, campus de Três Lagoas. O congresso teve como objetivo principal promover uma semana rica em atividades capazes de expandir e atualizar o conhecimento em assuntos relevantes da área da saúde. O período contou com a presença de figuras ilustres nas seguintes áreas: Pediatria, Oncologia, Endocrinologia, Gastroenterologia, Medicina Intensiva e Cardiologia. Além de palestras, a programação contou com mesas redondas, workshops e apresentação de trabalhos científicos. O 2nd International Workshop of Medicine, com o tema “CIRURGIA CARDÍACA E COMPLICAÇÕES NA SÍNDROME CORONARIANA AGUDA” trouxe-nos o nosso convidado internacional o Dr Rafael Otto Schneidewind, teuto-brasileiro, com residência em Cirurgia Cardiovascular na Alemanha (Hospital Herzzentrum Wuppertal) e especialização em Assistência Circulatória Mecânica (Ventrículo Artificial e ECMO) pela Universitäts Klinikum Freiburg.O I Congresso Médico Acadêmico proporcionou, assim, o incentivo à pesquisa e ao intercâmbio de conhecimentos.A Comissão Organizadora agradece a presença de todos que estiveram neste evento de grande sucesso. Comissão Organizadora I COMAC - I Congresso Médico Acadêmico CPTL/FMS
Phenotypic multicarter selection approach to predict genetics applied in the segregating generations F2, F3 and F4 of common black beans
Authors: Carvalho Ivan Ricardo , Szareski Vinícius Jardel , Demari Gustavo Henrique , Barbosa Maurício Horbach , Lautenchleger Franciene , Souza Velci Queiróz de , Fachi Suélen Matiasso , Boeno Daniel , Mendonça Mayara Torres , Rodrigues Henrique Eguilhor , Netto Jainara Fresinghelli , Vilella Francisco Amaral , Pedó Tiago
Published: July 2019

The objective of this work was to apply the phenotypic multicarter selection and predictive genetic for the attributes of the yield of common black bean seeds in the segregating generations F2, F3 and F4.The experimental design was augmented blocks, where the BRS Esplendor (BE), BRS Supremo (BS) and IPR Tiziu (IT) genotypes were used as controls arranged in four replicates, the other treatments were organized in a unique way in the experiment, the F2 segregating generation being represented by 36 common black bean populations, F3 segregating generation composed of 72 families and the F4 segregating generation formed by 44 families. The multicarter phenotypic index provided the simultaneous selection for the number and mass of seeds per plant, independent of the segregating generation of common black bean.Multicarter genetic variation is superior for the F3 segregating generation, with pronounced environmental effects on the F4 generation.The F4 segregating families express superiority to the genetic gain and magnitude of superior genotypes in relation to the commercial controls, where high genetic increase is exposed between the F3 to F4selection.The use of the phenotypic index expresses applicability to the selection of common black bean genotypes to increase seed yield.
Expression of Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) and Fusion (F) Epitopes of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Shahriari Amir Ghaffar , Afsharifar Alireza , Habibi-Pirkoohi Maziar
Published: July 2019

Owing to their unique characteristics which combines the properties of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, microalgae have emerged as an ideal platform for heterologous production of recombinant proteins including subunit vaccines. In an attempt to develop recombinant vaccine against Newcastle Disease, an agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation was carried out to express a chimeric gene construct including Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) and Fusion (F) epitopes of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Four tandem repeat of HN epitope with 96bp length followed by three tandem repeat of F epitope of NDV with 153bp length were used. Microalgal cells (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens cells harboring foreign gene construct and then transferred to selection medium. Single colonies representing putative transformation events were screened in selection medium enriched with kanamycin. PCR assay confirmed integration of F-HN sequence in microalgal nuclei. RT-PCR assay showed that the F-HN sequence was expressed in transformed colonies. Finally, translation of the foreign gene was confirmed by protein dot blotting, western blot and Elisa assay. The results of this experiment may contain both research and practical implications.
Design and performance of a coarse media, high hydraulic load polishing wetland for steel industry wastewater
Authors: Nguyen Viet Anh , Nguyen Minh Phuong , Tonderski Karin , Thi Hai Do , Thi Kim Bui Anh
Published: July 2019

This paper presents the design of a constructed wetland (CW) system in an area with limited land availability, resulting in high hydraulic loads. The CW was constructed to act as a buffering/ polishing step after stabilization ponds for steel industry wastewater post-treatment. A pilot test with two different filter media (50–100mm vs 40–60mm diameter) indicated that a flow rate increase from 49.5 m3/h to 122.4 m3/h would lead to a head loss increase from 2.9cm to 8.7cm, and more than double that for the finer gravel. This was substantially higher than the calculated theoretical values, though the relation with flow rate was similar. Four full scale wetland cells (CW1, CW2, CW3 and CW4) were constructed using the coarser gravel. A design value of total head loss of 1.01m over the total system length, with a design flow of 36,000 m3/day, was expected based on pilot test results. During the first operation year (September 2017 to July 2018), the pond-CW system has received wastewater already meeting required discharge standards. The effluent from the CWs had consistently lower concentrations of all measured variables, and met the predicted values for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total nitrogen (TN) and NH4+-N. Highest removal efficiencies were achieved for NH4+-N (>90%), Mn (>60%) and Fe (45%) with removal efficiencies for TN (14%), BOD5 and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (around 30%). Concentrations of phenol, CN− and Cr6+ were below 10, 4 and 3μg/l, respectively, in in- and outflows. An appreciated benefit of the wetland was the ‘green element’ in the industrial landscape.
Economic assessment of aerated constructed treatment wetlands using whole life costing
Authors: Freeman A. I. , Widdowson S. , Murphy C. , Cooper D. J.
Published: July 2019

There is increasing pressure on water treatment practitioners to demonstrate and deliver best value and sustainability for the end user. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the sustainability and economics, using whole life costing, of wastewater treatment technologies used in small community wastewater treatment works (WwTW) of <2,000 population equivalent (PE). Three comparable wastewater treatment technologies – a saturated vertical flow (SVF) aerated wetland, a submerged aerated filter (SAF) and a rotating biological contactor (RBC) – were compared using whole life cost (WLC) assessment. The study demonstrates that the CAPEX of a technology or asset is only a small proportion of the WLC throughout its operational life. For example, the CAPEX of the SVF aerated wetland scenario presented here is up to 74% (mean = 66 ± 6%) less than the cumulative WLC throughout a 40-year operational time scale, which demonstrates that when comparing technology economics, the most cost-effective solution is one that considers both CAPEX and OPEX. The WLC assessment results indicate that over 40 years, the SVF aerated wetland and RBC technologies have comparable net present value (NPV) WLCs which are significantly below those identified for submerged aerated filter systems (SAF) for treatment of wastewater from communities of <1,000PE. For systems designed to treat wastewater from communities of >1,000PE, the SVF aerated wetland was more economical over 40 years, followed by the RBC and then the SAF. The aerated wetland technology can therefore potentially deliver long-term cost benefits and reduced payback periods compared to alternative treatment technologies for treating wastewater from small communities.
Reduction of scum accumulation through the addition of low-cost enzymatic extract in the feeding of high-rate anaerobic reactor
Authors: Soares Juliana Lemos , Cammarota Magali Christe , Gutarra Melissa Limoeiro Estrada , Volschan Isaac
Published: July 2019

This work evaluates the reduction of scum accumulation on the top surface of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors by the addition of hydrolytic enzymes in their feed. For over 1 year, two UASB reactors of 1.4 L were maintained at 30 °C and continuously fed with synthetic domestic wastewater (containing 150 mg/L of soybean oil) under a hydraulic retention time of 10 h. The Control reactor was only fed with synthetic wastewater. Beginning at the 226th day of operation, low-cost hydrolytic enzymes (obtained by solid-state fermentation of Aspergillus terreus, a fungus isolated from a primary sewage sludge) were added into the feed of the other reactor (Test) for a lipase activity of 24 U/L, considerably reducing the formation of scum. In the Test reactor, the scum showed oil and grease (O&G) concentration between 0.8 and 1.3 g/L and an accumulation rate of 20 to 27 mg O&G/d. In the Control reactor, the scum had values twice as high (1.5–2.5 g/L and 34–51 mg O&G/d, respectively) and there were more operational problems. During the entire period of operation, both reactors presented high chemical oxygen demand removal (>80%), with no loss of effluent quality due to the addition of the enzymes.
A produção de conhecimentos sobre Educação Superior no Brasil em artigos publicados entre 2008 e 2018
Authors: Fritsch Rosangela , Vitelli Ricardo Ferreira , Jacobus Artur Eugênio
Published: July 2019

O presente artigo tem o objetivo de oferecer uma síntese analítica das produções acadêmicas sobre o panorama atual da educação superior brasileira. O estudo tem caráter exploratório descritivo, utilizando a pesquisa bibliográfica. O material empírico se constituiu de 130 artigos publicados entre 2008 e 2018 em periódicos captados no Portal de Periódicos CAPES que apresentam um panorama do ensino superior brasileiro contemporâneo, tratando de tendências, políticas, modelos e configurações de gestão. Resultou em dois tipos de análises: bibliométrica e reflexiva/interpretativa. Os resultados indicam forte concentração de publicações entre 2015 e 2017, com foco principal em instituições privadas. Os estudos foram classificados em nove macrocategorias: políticas educacionais, expansão, internacionalização, diversificação, avaliação do ensino superior, gestão universitária, mercantilização, democratização e inclusão. Como tendência, percebeu-se que o cenário da educação superior no Brasil é fortemente influenciado por movimentos globais do capitalismo com viés neoliberal, com incentivo de organismos multilaterais que impulsionam uma expansão mercantilizada, diversificada, privada e elitizada.
Optimization and Application of Reciprocating Direct-Drive Electric Submersible Plunger Pump Lifting System in the Xinjiang Oilfield
Authors: Lei Derong , Huang Xiaodong , Zhang Hui , Yao Mancang , Chen Ruixiang , Liu Junrong
Published: July 2019

Background:

A reciprocating direct-drive electric submersible plunger pump (RDD-ESPP) lifting system is an innovative rodless lifting method, which uses a downhole linear motor to directly drive the plunger pump to lift the fluid. This method effectively overcomes the problems encountered in a conventional sucker rod pumping system, such as severe eccentric wear between the sucker rod and the tubing, higher energy consumption and frequent pump maintenance.

Objective:

In this manuscript, the objective is to propose a methodology on optimizing the working parameters of RDD-ESPP lifting system and validate the theory with field case.

Methods and Results:

Mathematical models for the wellbore temperature distribution, lifting load, pump efficiency, system efficiency and tubing strength validation are established. A selection process for the optimal working parameters is proposed, and a parameter sensitivity analysis is implemented. The results show that pump efficiency is largely affected by gas and leakage, and there are reasonable pump submergence depths in oil wells for different produced gas-to-oil ratios. A field application test in a low-production well resulted in a 33.5% power savings rate and 41.6% improvement in the pump efficiency.

Conclusion:

RDD-ESPP lifting system has a promosing potential on power savings and consumption reduction compared with conventional sucker rod pumping system.
Simulation of Pressure Head and Chlorine Decay in a Water Distribution Network: A Case Study
Authors: Alsaydalani M. O. A.
Published: July 2019

Background:

The main issue in the operation of water distribution systems arises from the pressure deficiency resulting from events such as loss from leaks and bursts and loss of hydraulic capacity due to deterioration of aging water pipes. Such conditions affect the hydraulic performance of the system and the quality of water.

Objective

This paper investigates the hydraulic and water quality behavior of a selected water distribution network in Makkah city using the EPANET software.

Methodology:

The system was simulated under different hydraulic conditions including a loss of hydraulic capacity with pipe age and the presence of 30% leakage in the network over varying time conditions by employing extended period simulation models.

Results and Conclusion:

The results show that increasing pipe roughness with pipe age resulted in significantly low-pressure heads at the end of the network-particularly during peak demand hours. It also resulted in an increase in the rate of chlorine decay. Leakage in the network significantly affects the pressure head, resulting in pressure deficiency at some points in the network to below the minimum requirement during regular operation. The highest leakage rate occurs at periods of low demand where the pressure head in the network is high.
Application of ANN Predictive Model for the Design of Batch Adsorbers - Equilibrium Simulation of Cr(VI) Adsorption onto Activated Carbon
Authors: Sutherland Clint , Chittoo Beverly S. , Venkobachar Chintanapalli
Published: July 2019

Background:

Escalation of industrial processes continues to increase the concentrations of Cr(VI) in wastewater above permissible discharge limits. Persistent exposure to Cr(VI)may result in deleterious effects on human health, aquatic life, and the environment. Laboratory-scale adsorption studies have proven effective in achieving the low treatment levels demanded by statutory authorities. The eventual design of the pilot and full-scale systems hinges on the ability to predict adsorption behavior mathematically.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanism of Cr(VI) adsorption and to develop an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model capable of accurately simulating complex multi-layered adsorption processes.

Methods:

Batch equilibrium experiments were conducted for the removal of Cr(VI) by activated carbon. Conventional two and three-parameter equilibrium models such as the Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, original BET and modified BET were used to simulate the data and expound the mechanism of adsorption. An ANN model was constructed with the built-in effect of the residual Cr(VI) concentration for the prediction of the equilibrium sorption capacity.

Results:

The modified BET model was most successful at predicting the monolayer coverage. However, the model failed to capture the complex shape of the isotherm at higher initial concentrations. The highest correlation to the equilibrium data was revealed by the ANN model (R2 = 0.9984).

Conclusion:

A batch adsorber was successfully designed using mass balance, and incorporating the predictive ability of the ANN model. In spite of the ANN’s ability to simulate the adsorption process, it provides little insight into the mechanism of adsorption. However, its ability to accurately predict Cr(VI) removal enables the up-scaling of the adsorption processes to pilot and full-scale design.
maGUI: A Graphical User Interface for Analysis and Annotation of DNA Microarray Data
Authors: Bharne Dhammapal , Kant Praveen , Vindal Vaibhav
Published: July 2019

maGUI is a graphical user interface designed to analyze microarray data produced from experiments performed on various platforms such as Affymetrix, Agilent, Illumina, and Nimblegen and so on, automatically. It follows an integrated workflow for pre-processing and analysis of the microarray data. The user may proceed from loading of microarray data to normalization, quality check, filtering, differential gene expression, principal component analysis, clustering and classification. It also provides miscellaneous applications such as gene set test and enrichment analysis for identifying gene symbols using Bioconductor packages. Further, the user can build a co-expression network for differentially expressed genes. Tables and figures generated during the analysis can be viewed and exported to local disks. The graphical user interface is very friendly especially for the biologists to perform the most microarray data analyses and annotations without much need of learning R command line programming.

Availability and Implementation:

maGUI is an R package which can be downloaded freely from Comprehensive R Archive Network resource. It can be installed in any R environment with version 3.0.2 or above.
Sobre o uso da maiúscula por alunos de português língua de herança na Suíça. Um estudo de caso
Authors: Caetano Ana Margarida Azevedo
Published: July 2019

O presente artigo centra-se sobre um estudo de caso desenvolvido em 2017 comum a amostra de falantes de Português Língua de Herança, residentes em Zurique (Suíça), e tem como objetivo refletir sobre os desvios na representação gráfica da maiúscula por parte de alunos lusodescendentes bilingues. Partindo da hipótese empírica que a causa destes desvios consiste na transferência (linguística) do Alemão para o Português, o procedimento de intervenção implementado no grupo de informantes em estudo baseou-se numa sequência de dois exercícios em momentos avaliativos diferenciados, permitindo, desta forma, proceder à recolha e análise de dados, com vista a aferir a classe e subclasse de palavras que registam a percentagem mais elevada de ocorrências desviantes e perceber se a reflexão metalinguística contribui (ou não) para o uso da maiúscula convergente com a norma ortográfica do Português Europeu padrão.
Assimilação percetiva das oclusivas orais do português europeu L2 por falantes nativos de cantonês
Authors: Oliveira Diana , Rato Anabela
Published: July 2019

Os aprendentes chineses de português europeu (PE) tendem a evidenciar dificuldades de perceção e produção das consoantes oclusivas orais da L2, nomeadamenteno que respeita à distinção de vozeamento (Shu 2014). O presente estudo visa analisar a semelhança interlinguística entre os sons oclusivos orais da L1 e os da L2, tal como percecionada por estes aprendentes, procurando explicar as dificuldades na aprendizagem fonético-fonológica do PE reportadas na literatura (Batalha 1995; Martins 2008; Shu 2014). Assim, 11 participantes macaenses, falantes nativos de cantonês, realizaram uma tarefa de assimilação percetiva, identificando o som do cantonês que mais se assemelhava à consoante inicial de estímulos CV, produzidos por falantes nativos de PE, e procedendo à avaliação da sua qualidade numa escala de sete pontos. Os resultados, interpretados à luz do Perceptual Assimilation Model L2 (Best & Tyler 2007), sugerem que este grupo de aprendentes não reconhece diferenças fonéticas entre os sons /p/ e /b/ da L2, ouvidos como exemplares igualmente bons de uma única categoria nativa (/p/). A mesma tendência se evidencia com /t/-/d/ e /k/-/g/ do português, ainda que pareça haver uma maior facilidade de percecionar diferenças fonéticas entre os elementos destes pares à medida que o ponto de articulação recua.
A multimodalidade no Celpe-Bras. Um olhar para sua relação com o construto do exame
Authors: Pinheiro Larisse Lázaro Santos , Araujo Sara Domingos de Sousa , Fernandes Eugênia Magnólia da Silva
Published: July 2019

Este trabalho é um estudo inicial que tem por objetivo discutir os Elementos Provocadores nas tarefas propostas pelo Exame que certifica a proficiência em língua portuguesa para estrangeiros outorgado pelo governo brasileiro, o Celpe-Bras, com vistas a analisar as construções discursivas e ideológicas dos textos multimodais inseridos nos Elementos Provocadores (EPs), utilizados nas edições de 2014e 2017. Uma vez que os EPs correspondem ao construto comunicativo do Exame, discutir-se-á como eles refletem esse construto. A base teórica da pesquisa é centrada nos estudos de Brown (2007), Weir (2005), Scaramucci (2000; 2001 e 2003), Ebel e Frisbie (1991), na Teoria da Multimodalidade com Kress e van Leeuwen (2006), nas concepções dialógicas de gênero de Bakhtin (1991) na teoria da Análisedo Discurso Crítica de Fairclough (1992; 2001; 2003; 2006) e nas concepções de Thompson (1995) sobre ideologia. A pesquisa é de natureza qualitativa, caracterizando-se como estudo de caso, por meio de análise documental. As análises dos Elementos Provocadores levam-nos a refletir sobre a natureza comunicativa, bem como sobre as tarefas comunicativas e a questão cultural, pilares teóricos do Celpe-Bras, que refletem esse pressuposto comunicativo, principalmente no que tange à escolha dos gêneros desses elementos e suas semioses.
O conceito de 'jeitinho brasileiro' no âmbito do ensino de português LE/L2. Para além dos lugares-comuns
Authors: Belletti Thais de Freitas Mondini
Published: July 2019

O conceito de jeitinho está presente em uma série de discursos que expressam um conjunto de valores que os brasileiros percebem como sendo seus, constituindo-se, assim, como um elemento importante na construção da identidade nacional. Desse modo, um estrangeiro no processo de aprendizado do português LE/L2 eventualmente entrará em contato com esse estilo de navegação social brasileira. O conceito de jeitinho, no entanto, apresenta diversas formas de representação no discurso. O nosso objetivo com esse trabalho é abordar tal conceito a partir de uma análise mais acurada que se afasta de um discurso simplista, o qual associa o jeitinho à imagem do brasileiro malandro que procura tirar vantagem em tudo. Nesse processo, fizemos uma revisão da literatura que aborda esse conceito a partir de análises advindas das Ciências Sociais, com destaque para os estudos de Barbosa (2006) e de Borges (2006). Como um possível material a ser inserido em um contexto de ensino do português para estrangeiros, escolhemos a leitura e análise da crônica literária “Dar um jeitinho”. A análise da crônica foi realizada sob a perspectiva da semiótica discursiva, tendo por objetivo a busca de sentidos que se relacionam a certas práticas sociais brasileiras, relacionadas ao conceito de jeitinho.
Efeitos da duração do vozeamento da fricativa [z] na identificação por brasileiros, de pares mínimos produzidos por hispânicos. Insumos para a discussão sobre inteligibilidade de fala estrangeira
Authors: Alves Ubiratã Kickhöfel , Brisolara Luciene Bassols , Da Rosa Leonardo Cláudio , Buske Ana Carolina Signor
Published: July 2019

Este trabalho propõe verificar os efeitos do grau de vozeamento da fricativa [z] produzida por falantes hispânicos para o estabelecimento da distinção entre as categorias ‘surdo’ e ‘sonoro’ por parte de ouvintes brasileiros. Para a realização do estudo, coletaram-se dados de fala de seis hispânicos que residiam no Brasil há, nomáximo, doze meses. A partir das gravações e das manipulações de diferentes graus de vozeamento (referentes a 0%, 25%, 50% 75% e 100% da duração total da fricativa), foi elaborada uma tarefa de identificação no Software TP (Rauberet al. 2012), que foi aplicada a 35 estudantes universitários brasileiros. Os resultados do experimento indicaram que a atribuição do status sonoro da fricativa prescinde de uma vibração de pregas vocais que se estenda ao longo de toda a consoante. Além disso, foi possível observar que o padrão 25% de porção de vozeamento é mais dificultoso para a identificação dos aprendizes brasileiros. A análise de resultados inferenciais e descritivos individuais permitiu mostrar que não podemos considerar tal padrão como plenamente equivalente a não vozeamento, e que a transição entre as categorias ‘surda’ e ‘sonora’ varia entre os ouvintes, sem haver um ponto “limiar” comum a todos os participantes.
What We Wore and Sketchfab
Authors: Gallagher Rob
Published: July 2019

http://what-we-wore.com/ Maintained by photographer and curator Nina Manandhar, What We Wore describes itself as ‘a people’s style history of Britain’. I first encountered it on Tumblr, but in the past five years the project has spread to other social media platforms, spawned a coffee table book, exhibitions and workshops and given rise to spin-off devoted to the sartorial history of London’s seedily bohemian Soho. In a sense, its appeal is straightforward: other people’s photo albums always contain marvels, and the stories and images collected here are often fantastically evocative. https://sketchfab.com/moving_past_present This link leads to a profile page on Sketchfab, a database of 3D models and animation files. The files hosted there are the result of a collaboration between artist Janina Lange and King’s College London’s Strandlines project.