Evaluation of Hybrid Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) For Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) Treatment

The pollution load of palm oil mill effluent (POME) is in the range of 50,000 mg COD/L. With more than 500 palm oil mills, Malaysia produces some 13.9 million tonnes of crude palm oil annually and generates around 35 x 106 m3 POME. Typically, raw POME is difficult to degrade because it contains significant amounts of oil (tryacylglycerols) and degradative products such as di-and monoacylglycerols and fatty acids. The fatty acids composition (C12 – C20) of each of this fraction are different from one another and contribute to the high value of pollution load in POME. Thus POME has to be treated, usually in a series of anaerobic and aerobic treatment steps, for the organic matter to be degraded before the effluent is allowed to be discharged into public waterways. The objective of this study was to observe the performance of a hybrid membrane bioreactor (MBR) for POME. The raw POME was introduced into sequencing processes of anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic in order to achieve biological nutrient removal and the membrane modules were submerged into the aerobic zone. The critical flux of MBR using the flux-step method based on transmembrane pressure (TMP) was conducted as well as flux and permeability studies for assessing fouling in a membrane bioreactor operating at constant flux. The reactor was operated at a mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS) concentration of 4000 to 8000 mg/l. The removal efficiency of COD, SS, TN and TP achieved were 94%, 98%, 83% and 64% respectively. The hybrid MBR was found to be able to degrade POME significantly and high quality effluent could be reused for various other applications.Keywords

Effect of Sintering Process and Starch Amount on the Porosity and Permeability of Al2O3-ZrO2 High Porous Oil Filters

Alumina-Zirconia is prepared for oil filter. Oil filters are used to separate oil derivatives from each other using separation principles depending on the size of the holes. These filters work on the principle of separation depending on the density and viscosity of liquid or on the difference in impurity crystals size. This work involves preparation of filters from Alumina-Zirconia powder materials by a hybrid freeze casting and space-holder method. These filters have excellent properties such as stability at high temperature, excellent corrosion resistance; withstand static stresses, and other unique thermal properties. Alumina-Zirconia powder is mixed with different amounts of (zero, 15, 25, and 35 vol. %) of starch powder. Powder mixture has been blending with water using an electric mixer to obtain homogeneous slurry. Solid: liquid ratio of slurry of 30:70 is poured in a cylindrical metal molds and freezed by liquid nitrogen chamber. The solidified material was heat treated at 300 °C for 60 min then sintered at 1550 °C, 1600 °C and 1700 °C under vacuum for 120 min. Hot samples were cooled inside furnace until room temperature. The sintered materials were examined to show the effect of starch adding and sintering process on the porous structure and permeability ratio of the fluid using Archimedes method and SEM image analyzed by J-image program. Best permeability and homogeneous porous structure are obtained at 1600 °C sintering temperature with 24 vol. % of starch powder

Pure antimony film as saturable absorber for Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser

This paper reports on the use of Antimony (Sb) polymer film to generate stable Q-switching pulses in Erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) cavity. The SA is fabricated by coating a thin layer of Sb on a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film through physical vapour deposition (PVD) process. A 1 × 1 mm area of the film SA is cut and integrated into between two fiber ferrules inside the laser cavity for intra-cavity loss modulation. Self-starting and stable Q-switched pulses are obtained within a pump power range from 60 to 142 mW. Within this range, the repetition rate increases from 70.82 to 98.04 kHz, while pulse width decreases from 7.42 to 5.36 μs. The fundamental frequency signal-to-noise ratio of the pulse signal is 74 dB, which indicates the excellent stability of the pulses. The maximum output power and pulse energy are 8.45 mW and 86.19 nJ, respectively. Our demonstration shows that Sb film SA capable of generating stable pulses train operating at 1.55-micron region

COVID-19 pandemic: Practical considerations on the organization of an allergy clinic—An EAACI/ARIA Position Paper

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has evolved into a pandemic infectious disease transmitted by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Allergists and other healthcare providers (HCPs) in the field of allergies and associated airway diseases are on the front line, taking care of patients potentially infected with SARS-CoV-2. Hence, strategies and practices to minimize risks of infection for both HCPs and treated patients have to be developed and followed by allergy clinics. Method: The scientific information on COVID-19 was analysed by a literature search in MEDLINE, PubMed, the National and International Guidelines from the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the Cochrane Library, and the internet. Results: Based on the diagnostic and treatment standards developed by EAACI, on international information regarding COVID-19, on guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations, and on previous experience, a panel of experts including clinicians, psychologists, IT experts, and basic scientists along with EAACI and the “Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA)” initiative have developed recommendations for the optimal management of allergy clinics during the current COVID-19 pandemic. These recommendations are grouped into nine sections on different relevant aspects for the care of patients with allergies. Conclusions: This international Position Paper provides recommendations on operational plans and procedures to maintain high standards in the daily clinical care of allergic patients while ensuring the necessary safety measures in the current COVID-19 pandemic. © 2020 EAACI and John Wiley and Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Management of anaphylaxis due to COVID-19 vaccines in the elderly

Older adults, especially men and/or those with diabetes, hypertension, and/or obesity, are prone to severe COVID-19. In some countries, older adults, particularly those residing in nursing homes, have been prioritized to receive COVID-19 vaccines due to high risk of death. In very rare instances, the COVID-19 vaccines can induce anaphylaxis, and the management of anaphylaxis in older people should be considered carefully. An ARIA-EAACI-EuGMS (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma, European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and European Geriatric Medicine Society) Working Group has proposed some recommendations for older adults receiving the COVID-19 vaccines. Anaphylaxis to COVID-19 vaccines is extremely rare (from 1 per 100,000 to 5 per million injections). Symptoms are similar in younger and older adults but they tend to be more severe in the older patients. Adrenaline is the mainstay treatment and should be readily available. A flowchart is proposed to manage anaphylaxis in the older patients. © 2021 EAACI and John Wiley and Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Management of anaphylaxis due to COVID-19 vaccines in the elderly

none149siOlder adults, especially men and/or those with diabetes, hypertension, and/or obesity, are prone to severe COVID-19. In some countries, older adults, particularly those residing in nursing homes, have been prioritized to receive COVID-19 vaccines due to high risk of death. In very rare instances, the COVID-19 vaccines can induce anaphylaxis, and the management of anaphylaxis in older people should be considered carefully. An ARIA-EAACI-EuGMS (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma, European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, and European Geriatric Medicine Society) Working Group has proposed some recommendations for older adults receiving the COVID-19 vaccines. Anaphylaxis to COVID-19 vaccines is extremely rare (from 1 per 100,000 to 5 per million injections). Symptoms are similar in younger and older adults but they tend to be more severe in the older patients. Adrenaline is the mainstay treatment and should be readily available. A flowchart is proposed to manage anaphylaxis in the older patients.noneBousquet J.; Agache I.; Blain H.; Jutel M.; Ventura M.T.; Worm M.; Del Giacco S.; Benetos A.; Bilo B.M.; Czarlewski W.; Abdul Latiff A.H.; Al-Ahmad M.; Angier E.; Annesi-Maesano I.; Atanaskovic-Markovic M.; Bachert C.; Barbaud A.; Bedbrook A.; Bennoor K.S.; Berghea E.C.; Bindslev-Jensen C.; Bonini S.; Bosnic-Anticevich S.; Brockow K.; Brussino L.; Camargos P.; Canonica G.W.; Cardona V.; Carreiro-Martins P.; Carriazo A.; Casale T.; Caubet J.-C.; Cecchi L.; Cherubini A.; Christoff G.; Chu D.K.; Cruz A.A.; Dokic D.; El-Gamal Y.; Ebisawa M.; Eberlein B.; Farrell J.; Fernandez-Rivas M.; Fokkens W.J.; Fonseca J.A.; Gao Y.; Gavazzi G.; Gawlik R.; Gelincik A.; Gemicioglu B.; Gotua M.; Guerin O.; Haahtela T.; Hoffmann-Sommergruber K.; Hoffmann H.J.; Hofmann M.; Hrubisko M.; Illario M.; Irani C.; Ispayeva Z.; Ivancevich J.C.; Julge K.; Kaidashev I.; Khaitov M.; Knol E.; Kraxner H.; Kuna P.; Kvedariene V.; Lauerma A.; Le L.T.T.; Le Moing V.; Levin M.; Louis R.; Lourenco O.; Mahler V.; Martin F.C.; Matucci A.; Milenkovic B.; Miot S.; Montella E.; Morais-Almeida M.; Mortz C.G.; Mullol J.; Namazova-Baranova L.; Neffen H.; Nekam K.; Niedoszytko M.; Odemyr M.; O'Hehir R.E.; Okamoto Y.; Ollert M.; Palomares O.; Papadopoulos N.G.; Panzner P.; Passalacqua G.; Patella V.; Petrovic M.; Pfaar O.; Pham-Thi N.; Plavec D.; Popov T.A.; Recto M.T.; Regateiro F.S.; Reynes J.; Roller-Winsberger R.E.; Rolland Y.; Romano A.; Rondon C.; Rottem M.; Rouadi P.W.; Salles N.; Samolinski B.; Santos A.F.; S Sarquis F.; Sastre J.; M. G. A. Schols J.; Scichilone N.; Sediva A.; Shamji M.H.; Sheikh A.; Skypala I.; Smolinska S.; Sokolowska M.; Sousa-Pinto B.; Sova M.; Stelmach R.; Sturm G.; Suppli Ulrik C.; Todo-Bom A.M.; Toppila-Salmi S.; Tsiligianni I.; Torres M.; Untersmayr E.; Urrutia Pereira M.; Valiulis A.; Vitte J.; Vultaggio A.; Wallace D.; Walusiak-Skorupa J.; Wang D.-Y.; Waserman S.; Yorgancioglu A.; Yusuf O.M.; Zernotti M.; Zidarn M.; Chivato T.; Akdis C.A.; Zuberbier T.; Klimek L.Bousquet, J.; Agache, I.; Blain, H.; Jutel, M.; Ventura, M. T.; Worm, M.; Del Giacco, S.; Benetos, A.; Bilo, B. M.; Czarlewski, W.; Abdul Latiff, A. H.; Al-Ahmad, M.; Angier, E.; Annesi-Maesano, I.; Atanaskovic-Markovic, M.; Bachert, C.; Barbaud, A.; Bedbrook, A.; Bennoor, K. S.; Berghea, E. C.; Bindslev-Jensen, C.; Bonini, S.; Bosnic-Anticevich, S.; Brockow, K.; Brussino, L.; Camargos, P.; Canonica, G. W.; Cardona, V.; Carreiro-Martins, P.; Carriazo, A.; Casale, T.; Caubet, J. -C.; Cecchi, L.; Cherubini, A.; Christoff, G.; Chu, D. K.; Cruz, A. A.; Dokic, D.; El-Gamal, Y.; Ebisawa, M.; Eberlein, B.; Farrell, J.; Fernandez-Rivas, M.; Fokkens, W. J.; Fonseca, J. A.; Gao, Y.; Gavazzi, G.; Gawlik, R.; Gelincik, A.; Gemicioglu, B.; Gotua, M.; Guerin, O.; Haahtela, T.; Hoffmann-Sommergruber, K.; Hoffmann, H. J.; Hofmann, M.; Hrubisko, M.; Illario, M.; Irani, C.; Ispayeva, Z.; Ivancevich, J. C.; Julge, K.; Kaidashev, I.; Khaitov, M.; Knol, E.; Kraxner, H.; Kuna, P.; Kvedariene, V.; Lauerma, A.; L. T. T., Le; Le Moing, V.; Levin, M.; Louis, R.; Lourenco, O.; Mahler, V.; Martin, F. C.; Matucci, A.; Milenkovic, B.; Miot, S.; Montella, E.; Morais-Almeida, M.; Mortz, C. G.; Mullol, J.; Namazova-Baranova, L.; Neffen, H.; Nekam, K.; Niedoszytko, M.; Odemyr, M.; O'Hehir, R. E.; Okamoto, Y.; Ollert, M.; Palomares, O.; Papadopoulos, N. G.; Panzner, P.; Passalacqua, G.; Patella, V.; Petrovic, M.; Pfaar, O.; Pham-Thi, N.; Plavec, D.; Popov, T. A.; Recto, M. T.; Regateiro, F. S.; Reynes, J.; Roller-Winsberger, R. E.; Rolland, Y.; Romano, A.; Rondon, C.; Rottem, M.; Rouadi, P. W.; Salles, N.; Samolinski, B.; Santos, A. F.; S Sarquis, F.; Sastre, J.; M. G. A. Schols J., ; Scichilone, N.; Sediva, A.; Shamji, M. H.; Sheikh, A.; Skypala, I.; Smolinska, S.; Sokolowska, M.; Sousa-Pinto, B.; Sova, M.; Stelmach, R.; Sturm, G.; Suppli Ulrik, C.; Todo-Bom, A. M.; Toppila-Salmi, S.; Tsiligianni, I.; Torres, M.; Untersmayr, E.; Urrutia Pereira, M.; Valiulis, A.; Vitte, J.; Vultaggio, A.; Wallace, D.; Walusiak-Skorupa, J.; Wang, D. -Y.; Waserman, S.; Yorgancioglu, A.; Yusuf, O. M.; Zernotti, M.; Zidarn, M.; Chivato, T.; Akdis, C. A.; Zuberbier, T.; Klimek, L

Rhinitis associated with asthma is distinct from rhinitis alone : The ARIA-MeDALL hypothesis

Asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis (AD) are interrelated clinical phenotypes that partly overlap in the human interactome. The concept of "one-airway-one-disease," coined over 20 years ago, is a simplistic approach of the links between upper- and lower-airway allergic diseases. With new data, it is time to reassess the concept. This article reviews (i) the clinical observations that led to Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA), (ii) new insights into polysensitization and multimorbidity, (iii) advances in mHealth for novel phenotype definitions, (iv) confirmation in canonical epidemiologic studies, (v) genomic findings, (vi) treatment approaches, and (vii) novel concepts on the onset of rhinitis and multimorbidity. One recent concept, bringing together upper- and lower-airway allergic diseases with skin, gut, and neuropsychiatric multimorbidities, is the "Epithelial Barrier Hypothesis." This review determined that the "one-airway-one-disease" concept does not always hold true and that several phenotypes of disease can be defined. These phenotypes include an extreme "allergic" (asthma) phenotype combining asthma, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis. Rhinitis alone and rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity represent two distinct diseases with the following differences: (i) genomic and transcriptomic background (Toll-Like Receptors and IL-17 for rhinitis alone as a local disease; IL-33 and IL-5 for allergic and non-allergic multimorbidity as a systemic disease), (ii) allergen sensitization patterns (mono- or pauci-sensitization versus polysensitization), (iii) severity of symptoms, and (iv) treatment response. In conclusion, rhinitis alone (local disease) and rhinitis with asthma multimorbidity (systemic disease) should be considered as two distinct diseases, possibly modulated by the microbiome, and may be a model for understanding the epidemics of chronic and autoimmune diseases.Peer reviewe