The performance of a biological aerated filter loaded with a novel non-sintered fly-ash ceramsite as pretreatment for dual membrane processes

<div><p>This work focused on wastewater reclamation of secondary treated ethylene chemical plant effluent, which contained high conductivity and high organic concentration. To reduce the cost and improve operation stability, a biological aerated filter-ultrafiltration-reverse osmosis (BAF-UF-RO) process was proposed. The feasibility and effectiveness of BAF loaded with a novel non-sintered fly-ash ceramsite (NSFC) as a pretreatment method of a dual membrane system were investigated in detail. The results showed that the COD_Cr, turbidity, NH₃-N and the silt density index (SDI) in the effluent from the BAF were reduced to 24.2 mg/L, 12.17 NTU, 0.42 mg/L and 7.52, respectively, and most of the organic compounds were biodegraded. The BAF-UF-RO process was stable with a recovery rate of 75%, and the desalination rate was up to about 97.5%. Compared with the UF-RO process, the operating pressure and backwash frequency decreased from 1.12–1.26 Mpa and 3 times/d to 0.94–0.98 Mpa and 2 times/d, respectively. After continuous operation for four months, there appeared to be no need for chemical cleaning of the RO membrane. Moreover, the analysis results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy proved that there was only slight membrane fouling, which was mainly colloidal blocking caused by refractory organic compound.</p></div

Translating Virtual Prey-Predator Interaction to Real-World Robotic Environments: Enabling Multimodal Sensing and Evolutionary Dynamics

Prey-predator interactions play a pivotal role in elucidating the evolution and adaptation of various organism’s traits. Numerous approaches have been employed to study the dynamics of prey-predator interaction systems, with agent-based methodologies gaining popularity. However, existing agent-based models are limited in their ability to handle multi-modal interactions, which are believed to be crucial for understanding living organisms. Conversely, prevailing prey-predator integration studies often rely on mathematical models and computer simulations, neglecting real-world constraints and noise. These elusive attributes, challenging to model, can lead to emergent behaviors and embodied intelligence. To bridge these gaps, our study designs and implements a prey-predator interaction scenario that incorporates visual and olfactory sensory cues not only in computer simulations but also in a real multi-robot system. Observed emergent spatial-temporal dynamics demonstrate successful transitioning of investigating prey-predator interactions from virtual simulations to the tangible world. It highlights the potential of multi-robotics approaches for studying prey-predator interactions and lays the groundwork for future investigations involving multi-modal sensory processing while considering real-world constraints

Bioinspired Design of Stereospecific d‑Protein Nanomimics for High-Efficiency Autophagy Induction

Bioinspired Design of Stereospecific d‑Protein Nanomimics for High-Efficiency Autophagy Inductio

Endoscopic Enucleation versus Open Prostatectomy for Treating Large Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>To evaluate the overall efficacy and safety of endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (EP) vs open prostatectomy (OP) for large benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).</p><p>Methods</p><p>We conducted an electronic search of PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to detect all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing EP with OP. A meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3.</p><p>Results</p><p>Seven RCTs (735 patients) were included. At the 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up, there were no significant differences in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximum flow rate (Qmax), quality of life (QoL) score and post-void residual urine volume (PVR) between EP and OP. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) was higher with EP (weighted mean difference [WMD]: 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21 to 1.78, p=0.01) at the 12-month follow-up. The catheterization time (WMD: 3.80 d, 95%CI: -5.11 to -2.48, P<0.00001) and hospital stay (WMD: 4.93 d, 95%CI: -5.96 to -3.89, P<0.00001) were shorter with EP. The duration of operation was longer for EP compared with OP (WMD: 16.21 min, 95%CI: 3.72 to 28.70, P=0.01). The resected tissue weight (WMD: -9.63 g, 95%CI: -14.46 to -4.81, P<0.0001) and decrease in hemoglobin (WMD: -1.14 g/dL, 95%CI: -1.81 to -0.47, P=0.0008) were less with EP. EP was associated with fewer blood transfusions (risk ratio: 0.22, 95%CI: 0.10 to 0.47, P=0.0001). There were no significant differences between EP and OP when comparing other complications.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Although only a limited number of RCTs with relatively limited follow-up are available, EP is shown to have a similar postoperative profile and comparable safety to OP. By contrast, EP may have a more desirable perioperative profile. EP appears to be an effective and safe minimally invasive option for treating large prostates that requires only brief convalescence.</p></div

Comparison of allele frequency estimated in Shanghai and four HapMap samples

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "An evaluation of the performance of HapMap SNP data in a Shanghai Chinese population: Analyses of allele frequency, linkage disequilibrium pattern and tagging SNPs transferability on chromosome 1q21-q25"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2156/9/19</p><p>BMC Genetics 2008;9():19-19.</p><p>Published online 27 Feb 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2292209.</p><p></p

Flowchart.

<p>Flowchart of the selection of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the meta-analysis.</p

Correlation between plasma betatrophin concentration and alanine aminotransferase level.

<p>Betatrophin level positively correlates with alanine aminotransferase level in all subjects (<i>r</i> = 0.195, <i>P</i> = 0.016).</p

Correlation between plasma betatrophin concentration and aspartate transaminase level.

<p>Betatrophinlevel positively correlates with aspartate transaminaselevel in all subjects (<i>r</i> = 0.207, <i>P</i> = 0.011).</p

MOESM1 of Mendelian randomization analysis to assess a causal effect of haptoglobin on macroangiopathy in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients

Additional file 1: Table S1. Association between common Hp genotypes and clinical traits. Table S2. Various atheroscleroses grouped by common Hp genotypes

Correlation analysis of variables associated with circulating FABP4 and irisin levels.

<p>Correlation analysis of variables associated with circulating FABP4 and irisin levels.</p