Hydrodynamic model for three-phase internal- and external-loop airlift reactors

A mathematical model predicting the hydrodynamic behaviour of three-phase airlift reactors, working with low-density solids and with high solids loading, was developed. The model allows for the prediction of local gas holdup and liquid velocity in airlift bioreactors. Model was validated for an external-loop airlift reactor and an internal-loop airlift reactor with an enlarged degassing zone, being a good agreement obtained between calculated and experimental data.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) Junta Nacional de Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (JNICT) - PRAXIS 2/2.1/BIO/1061/95 Instituto de Biotecnologia e Química Fina (IBQF) - GGP XXI/BD/2937/9

Characterization of bubbles in a bubble column by image analysis

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT); EC

Increased relative risk of tick-borne encephalitis in warmer weather

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a serious acute neuroinfection of humans caused by a tick-borne flavivirus. The disease is typically seasonal, linked to the host-seeking activity of Ixodes ricinus (predominantly nymphs), the principal European tick vector species. To address the need for accurate risk predictions of contracting TBE, data on 4,044 TBE cases reported in the Czech Republic during 2001–2006 were compared with questing activity of I. ricinus nymphs monitored weekly at a defined location for the same 6-year period. A time shift of 21 days between infected tick bite and recorded disease onset provided the optimal model for comparing the number of cases of TBE with numbers of questing nymphs. Mean annual distribution of TBE cases and tick counts showed a similar bimodal distribution. Significantly, the ratio of TBE cases to questing nymphs was highest in the summer-autumn period even though the number of questing nymphs peaked in the spring-summer period. However, this pattern changed during a period of extreme meteorological events of flooding and abnormally high temperatures, indicating that changes in climate affect the incidence of TBE. Previous studies failed to link human behavior with changes in incidence of TBE but showed extrinsic temperature impacts arbovirus replication. Hence, we hypothesize the apparent discrepancy between peak nymphal tick activity and greatest risk of contracting TBE is due to the effect of temperature on virus replication in the tick vector. Relative proportions of questing nymphs and the numbers of weeks in which they were found were greater in summer-autumn compared with spring-summer at near-ground temperatures >5°C and at standard day and weekly average temperatures of >15°C. Thus, during the summer-autumn period, the virus dose in infected tick bites is likely greater owing to increased virus replication at higher microclimatic temperatures, consequently increasing the relative risk of contracting TBE per summer-autumn tick bite. The data support the use of weather-based forecasts of tick attack risk (based on daytime ambient temperature) supplemented with weekly average temperature (as a proxy for virus replication) to provide much-needed real-time forecasts of TBE risk

How to write a successful grant application: guidance provided by the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy.

Considering a rejection rate of 80–90%, the preparation of a research grant is often considered a daunting task since it is resource intensive and there is no guarantee of success, even for seasoned researchers. This commentary provides a summary of the key points a researcher needs to consider when writing a research grant proposal, outlining: (1) how to conceptualise the research idea; (2) how to find the right funding call; (3) the importance of planning; (4) how to write; (5) what to write, and (6) key questions for reflection during preparation. It attempts to explain the difficulties associated with finding calls in clinical pharmacy and advanced pharmacy practice, and how to overcome them. The commentary aims to assist all pharmacy practice and health services research colleagues new to the grant application process, as well as experienced researchers striving to improve their grant review scores. The guidance in this paper is part of ESCP’s commitment to stimulate "innovative and high-quality research in all areas of clinical pharmacy"

Writing a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal:Guidance from the European Society of Clinical Pharmacy

Publishing in reputable peer-reviewed journals is an integral step of the clinical pharmacy research process, allowing for knowledge transfer and advancement in clinical pharmacy practice. Writing a manuscript for publication in a journal requires several careful considerations to ensure that research findings are communicated to the satisfaction of editors and reviewers, and effectively to the readers. This commentary provides a summary of the main points to consider, outlining how to: (1) select a suitable journal, (2) tailor the manuscript for the journal readership, (3) organise the content of the manuscript in line with the journal’s guidelines, and (4) manage feedback from the peer review process. This commentary reviews the steps of the writing process, identifies common pitfalls, and proposes ways to overcome them. It aims to assist both novice and established researchers in the field of clinical pharmacy to enhance the quality of writing in a research paper to maximise impact

Characterizing the automatic radon flux transfer standard system Autoflux: laboratory calibration and field experiments

High-quality, long-term measurements of terrestrial trace gas emissions are important for investigations of atmospheric, geophysical and biological processes to help mitigate climate change and protect the environment and the health of citizens. High-frequency terrestrial fluxes of the radioactive noble gas 222Rn, in particular, are useful for validating radon flux maps and used to evaluate the performance of regional atmospheric models, to improve greenhouse gas emission inventories (by the radon tracer method) and to determine radon priority areas for radiation protection goals. A new automatic radon flux system (Autoflux) was developed as a transfer standard (TS) to assist with establishing a traceability chain for field-based radon flux measurements. The operational characteristics and features of the system were optimized based on a literature review of existing flux measurement systems. To characterize and calibrate Autoflux, a bespoke radon exhalation bed (EB) facility was also constructed with the intended purpose of providing a constant radon exhalation under a specific set of controlled laboratory conditions. The calibrated Autoflux was then used to transfer the derived calibration to a second continuous radon flux system under laboratory conditions; both instruments were then tested in the field and compared with modeled fluxes. This paper presents (i) a literature review of state-of-the-art radon flux systems and EB facilities; (ii) the design, characterization and calibration of a reference radon EB facility; (iii) the design, characterization and calibration of the Autoflux system; (iv) the calibration of a second radon flux system (INTE_Flux) using the EB and Autoflux, with a total uncertainty of 9 % (k = 1) for an average radon flux of ∼ 1800 mBq m−2 s−1 under controlled laboratory conditions; and (v)​​​​​​​ an example application of the calibrated TS and INTE_Flux systems for in situ radon flux measurements, which are then compared with simulated radon fluxes. Calibration of the TS under different environmental conditions and at lower reference fluxes will be the subject of a separate future investigation.</p

Hydrodynamics of a three-phase external-loop airlift bioreactor

The effect of the distributing plate orifice diameter, airflow rate, solids loading and solids density on the hydrodynamic characteristics - gas holdup, circulation time and liquid velocity - of a three-phase external-loop airlift reactor was characterized. It was observed that the gas distributor has a small effect on riser gas holdup, circulation time and downcomer liquid velocity. On the contrary, the airflow rate, solids loading and solids density significantly affect the hydrodynamic characteristics of the external-loop airlift reactor. A previously described model was used to estimate simultaneously both the riser gas holdup and the downcomer linear liquid velocity. The model simulated with high-accuracy experimental data obtained with three different distributing plate orifice diameters, two solids density and solids loading up to 30% (v/v).Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) – PRAXIS/2/2.1/BIO/1061/95.Comunidade Europeia - INCO-COPERNICUS - Contract Nº ERB IC15-CT-98-0904 e Instituto de Biotecnologia e Química Fina (IBQF) - GGP XXI/BD/2937/96

Scope, content and quality of clinical pharmacy practice guidelines:a systematic review

Background Guidelines for pharmacy practitioners regarding various clinical pharmacy activities have been published ina number of countries. There is a need to review the guidelines and identify the scope of activities covered as a prelude todeveloping internationally acceptable common guidelines.Aim To review the scope of clinical pharmacy guidelines and assess the extent to which these guidelines conform to qualitystandards as per the AGREE II instrument.Method Medline, Embase, Guideline Central, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Google Scholar and Google (for greyliterature) were searched for the period 2010 to January 2023. Guidelines which focused on any health care setting and anyclinical pharmacy activity were included. Data were extracted and quality assessed independently by two reviewers usingthe English version of the AGREE II instrument.Results Thirty-eight guidelines were included, mostly originating from Australia (n = 10), Ireland (n = 8), UK (n = 7) andUSA (n = 5). Areas covered included medication reconciliation, medicines optimisation, medication management and transi-tion of care. As per the AGREE II assessment, the highest score was obtained for the scope and purpose domain and the low-est score for rigour of development, mainly due to non-consideration of literature/evidence to inform guideline development.Conclusion Clinical pharmacy guidelines development processes need to focus on all quality domains and should take asystematic approach to guideline development. Guidelines need to further emphasise person-centred care and clinical com-munication. There is a scope to harmonise the guidelines internationally considering the diverse practices, standards and legislations across different geographie

Scope, content and quality of clinical pharmacy practice guidelines:a systematic review

Background Guidelines for pharmacy practitioners regarding various clinical pharmacy activities have been published ina number of countries. There is a need to review the guidelines and identify the scope of activities covered as a prelude todeveloping internationally acceptable common guidelines.Aim To review the scope of clinical pharmacy guidelines and assess the extent to which these guidelines conform to qualitystandards as per the AGREE II instrument.Method Medline, Embase, Guideline Central, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Google Scholar and Google (for greyliterature) were searched for the period 2010 to January 2023. Guidelines which focused on any health care setting and anyclinical pharmacy activity were included. Data were extracted and quality assessed independently by two reviewers usingthe English version of the AGREE II instrument.Results Thirty-eight guidelines were included, mostly originating from Australia (n = 10), Ireland (n = 8), UK (n = 7) andUSA (n = 5). Areas covered included medication reconciliation, medicines optimisation, medication management and transi-tion of care. As per the AGREE II assessment, the highest score was obtained for the scope and purpose domain and the low-est score for rigour of development, mainly due to non-consideration of literature/evidence to inform guideline development.Conclusion Clinical pharmacy guidelines development processes need to focus on all quality domains and should take asystematic approach to guideline development. Guidelines need to further emphasise person-centred care and clinical com-munication. There is a scope to harmonise the guidelines internationally considering the diverse practices, standards and legislations across different geographie