Energy efficient electrocoagulation using baffle-plates electrodes for efficient Escherichia Coli removal from Wastewater

A new electrocoagulation reactor (EC), which utilises the concepts of baffle-plates, has been applied to remove Escherichia coli (E. coli) from wastewater. This new aluminium-based EC reactor utilises perforated baffle-plates electrodes to mix water, which reduces the need for mechanical or magnetic mixers that require extra power to work. This new reactor has been used to treat E. coli containing wastewater samples, considering the effects of different parameters such as treatment time (TT), inter-electrode distance (IED), and current density (CD). A statistical analysis has also been commenced to evaluate the influence of each parameter on the removal of E. coli. Additionally, an economic study has been conducted to assess the operating cost of the new reactor. The outcomes of the experimental work confirmed that the new reactor removes as high as 96% of the E. coli within 20 minutes of electrolysis at IED of 0.5 cm, and CD of 1.5 〖mA/cm〗^2. Additionally, it has been found that the operating cost of the new reactor is 0.11 US $/m3 (for E. coli removal), which is less than operating cost of traditional reactors. Finally, it has been found that the effect of the studied parameters on E. coli removal followed the order: TT>CD>IED

PANC Study (Pancreatitis: A National Cohort Study): national cohort study examining the first 30 days from presentation of acute pancreatitis in the UK

Abstract Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions. </jats:sec

Using LARS –WG model for prediction of temperature in Columbia City, USA

Climate change has placed considerable pressure on the residential environment in different areas of the world. These issues have increased the motivation of researchers to analyse and forecast the changes in critical climatic factors, such as temperature, in order to offer valuable reference outcomes for management and planning in the future. This study set out to determine to what extent global warming would affect Columbia City, Missouri, USA. The Long Ashton Research Station Weather Generator (LARS-WG) model is used for downscaling daily maximum temperatures based on the SRA1B scenario. Seven General Circulation Models (GCMs) outputs are employed for three selected periods, 2011–2030, 2046–2065 and 2080–2099. The findings show that (1) statistical analysis confirmed the skill and reliability of the LARS-WG model to downscale maximum temperature time series; (2) the ensemble mean of seven GCMs exhibited an increasing based on yearly and monthly data for all periods compared with baseline period 1980-1999. The findings can contribute to a better understanding of the impacts of climate change on the urban environment and encourage planners and stakeholders to find the best solution for mitigation of these impacts

Electrocoagulation as an eco-friendly River water treatment method

Electrocoagulation (EC) is an effective water and wastewater treatment technology; where the coagulants are produced in-situ by electrolytic oxidation of a sacrificial anode. In this technique, pollutant removal is done without adding chemicals; therefore, it remarkably reduces the sludge produced, and consequently reduces the cost of sludge handling. This method has been efficiently used to remove, up to 99%, of a wide range of pollutants such as heavy metals, oil, dyes, and fluoride. Therefore, the EC method could be the cost-effective, safe, and reliable option to face the growing water scarcity. However, like any other treatment method, the EC technology still has some drawbacks that could limit its applications. This chapter has been therefore devoted to present the principles, history, applications, limitations, advantages and disadvantages of the electrocoagulation technology, the role of key operating parameters on the performance of the EC reactors, and highlight the differences between the traditional coagulation process and EC technology. More importantly, this chapter will highlight the defects of EC technology that need to be enhanced

Production of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete with Low Energy Consumption and Carbon Footprint Using Supplementary Cementitious Materials Instead of Silica Fume: A Review

The increase in cement production as a result of growing demand in the construction sector means an increase in energy consumption and CO2 emissions. These emissions are estimated at 7% of the global production of CO2. Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has excellent mechanical and durability characteristics. Nevertheless, it is costly and affects the environment due to its high amount of cement, which may reach 800–1000 kg/m3. In order to reduce the cement content, silica fume (SF) was utilized as a partial alternative to cement in the production of UHPC. Nevertheless, SF is very expensive. Therefore, the researchers investigated the use of supplementary cementitious materials cheaper than SF. Very limited review investigates addressed the impact of such materials on different properties of UHPC in comparison to that of SF. Thus, this study aims to summarize the effectiveness of using some common supplementary cementitious materials, including fly ashes (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), metakaolin (MK) and rice husk ashes (RHA) in the manufacturing of UHPC, and comparing the performance of each material with that of SF. The comparison among these substances was also discussed. It has been found that RHA is considered a successful alternative to SF to produce UHPC with similar or even higher properties than SF. Moreover, FA, GGBS and MK can be utilized in combination with SF (as a partial substitute of SF) as a result of having less pozzolanic activity than SF

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population