Efficient Removal Approach of Micropollutants in Wastewater Using Membrane Bioreactor

In the recent past years, micropollutants that are pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) have been used extensively and have been discovered in raw sewage, wastewater treatment plants, effluents, surface, and groundwater with concentrations from ng/L to several μg/L. Even though many of these compounds are still not determined online, monitoring technology improvements progressed. Today’s wastewater treatment plants are not constructed to remove these micropollutants yet. Conventional activated sludge processes are used in the treatment of municipal wastewater but are not specifically designed for the removal of micropollutants. The remaining pharmaceuticals mix into surface waters. At that stage, they can adversely affect the aquatic environment and may cause issues for drinking water production. As the conventional methods are insufficient for removing the micropollutants, other alternative treatment methods can be applied such as coagulation-flocculation, activated carbon adsorption (powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon), advanced oxidation processes, membrane processes, and membrane bioreactor. It has been observed that membrane bioreactor (MBR) can achieve higher and more consistent micropollutants removal. The removal of micropollutants is based on physicochemical properties of micropollutants and the conditions of treatment. Due to recent technical innovations and cost reductions of the actual membranes, the membrane bioreactor takes attention. In this study, membrane bioreactor experiments for micropollutants in drinking use, wastewater, and surface waters were investigated in detail based on literature investigations, and the feasibility of this method was evaluated

Explaining spatial variation in housing construction activity in Turkey

In Turkey, there has been a strong policy narrative that has emphasized the importance of construction activity as a driver of economic growth. This has given shape to a central state-led policy regime that has sought to ensure that planners and other urban policy makers develop plans and strategies that support construction activity. Against this backdrop, and a recent history of uneven spatial development, this paper seeks to understand what this policy imperative might mean for housing construction activity in different provinces. It seeks to reflect on both the relationship between the state and the market, and the interaction between state policies, economic drivers and levels of construction activity. The evidence presented in the paper suggests that uneven spatial development might be explained in different ways in different provinces. Although, in many cases, patterns of construction activity are consistent with economic fundamentals, there are important exceptions in some regions where arguably activity levels are at odds with prior expectations

Water recovery with combined membrane system in textile industry, treatment and management of concentrates by hybrid advanced oxidation/membrane filtration

In this study, in addition to textile wastewater treatment by UF/NFtight/TO membrane combination of which efficiency is known, management has been performed for membrane concentrates generated with advanced oxidation combined process (Fenton and photo-Fenton (UVA-365-UVC-254))/submerged UF system of membrane concentrates generated within 75-80% water recovery ratio by oxidizing them in optimum operating conditions which were determined before. Ultimately in the studies, the conclusion has been reached that concentrate flows, generated as a result of the treatment with UF/NFtight/TO membrane configuration, were the highest performance innovative process by decreasing the sequential operated photo-Fenton (UVC-254)/UH050 hybrid process in ratios of 9.88 H2O2/TOK and 7.27 H2O2/Fe2+, in the filtration flux of 44 L/m(2). h, COD value to 167 mg/L with 86% COD removal, and TOK value to 104 mg/L with 74.2% TOC removal, after the oxidation with Fenton, photo-Fenton (UVA-365) and (UVC-254)/submerged UF system processes. When hazardous characteristics, removal/recovery methods and reuse alternatives of the concentrate remained after the oxidation of membrane concentrates generated were evaluated, it has been seen that all other concentrates of textile industry wastewater, except the concentrate generated by the treatment with photo-Fenton (UVA-365), had characteristics of hazardousness When removal/recovery methods were evaluated in detail, the conclusion has been reached that these concentrates could be removed with alternative options such as regular storage, burning and canalizing to central wastewater treatment system as long as necessary arrangements (moisture content, dehydration, suitable flow and/or mixture ratios) are made

Biological variation data for lipid cardiovascular risk assessment biomarkers:A systematic review applying the biological variation data critical appraisal checklist (BIVAC)

Background: Biological variation (BV) data can be used to set analytical performance specifications (APS) for lipid assays. Poor performance will impact upon the efficacy of international guidelines for cardiovascular risk assessment (CVR) and relevant clinical decision limits. This systematic review applies the Biological Variation Data Critical Appraisal Checklist (BIVAC) to published studies of BV of CVR biomarkers enabling metanalysis of the data. Methods: Studies of BV of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoproteins A1 and B, retrieved using a systematic literature search, were evaluated and graded using the BIVAC. Meta-analysis of CVI and CVG estimates were performed utilizing weightings based upon BIVAC grades and the width of the data confidence intervals. Results: Applying the BIVAC, ten publications were graded as D, 43 as C, 5 as B and 1 as A (fully compliant). A total of 196 CVI and 87 CVG estimates were available for the different lipid measurands. The meta-analysis-derived BV data estimates were generally concordant with those in the online 2014 BV database. Conclusions: Application of BIVAC identifies BV data suitable for many important applications including setting APS. Additionally, this review identifies a need for new BIVAC compliant studies to deliver BV reference data in different subpopulations

Systematic review and meta-analysis of within-subject and between-subject biological variation estimates of 20 haematological parameters

Interpretation of the complete blood count (CBC) parameters requires reliable biological variation (BV) data. The aims of this study were to appraise the quality of publications reporting BV data for CBC parameters by applying the BV Data Critical Appraisal Checklist (BIVAC) and to deliver global BV estimates based on BIVAC compliant studies. Relevant publications were identified by a systematic literature search and evaluated for their compliance with the 14 BIVAC criteria, scored as A, B, C or D, indicating decreasing compliance. Global CVI and CVG estimates with 95% CI were delivered by a meta-analysis approach using data from BIVAC compliant papers (grades A-C). In total, 32 studies were identified; four received a BIVAC grade A, 2 B, 20 C and 6 D. Meta-analysis derived CVI and CVG estimates were generally lower or in line with those published in a historical BV database available online. Except for reticulocytes, CVI estimates of erythrocyte related parameters were below 3%, whereas platelet (except MPV and PDW) and leukocyte related parameters ranged from 5% to 15%. A systematic review of CBC parameters has provided updated, global estimates of CVI and CVG that will be included in the newly published European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine BV Database.</p

The role of anti-Mullerian hormone in predicting the response to clomiphene citrate in unexplained infertility

Objective: To determine the role of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in predicting the response to clomiphene citrate (CC) therapy for ovulation induction in women with unexplained infertility. Materials and methods: For this retrospective study, fifty consecutive patients who responded to CC were taken as Group 1, while fifty consecutive patients who failed to show adequate ovulatory response with CC were taken as Group 2. We compared the AMH levels of the two groups and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the threshold for AMH in predicting the ovulatory response to CC therapy. Results: Mean age, body mass index, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone values were similar in the two groups. AMH and antral follicle count (AFC) values were higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between FSH and AFC (r = -0.339, p = 0.001), while AFC and AMH displayed a statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.713 and p = 0.001). AMH values and AFC were found to be predictors of the adequate ovulatory response to CC. The area under the ROC curve was 0.86 vs 0.80, respectively. At an AFC cutoff value of 14, the sensitivity and specificity for prediction of ovulation were 68% and 80%, respectively. Conclusion: The AMH and AFC cut-off values for the prediction of positive ovarian response to CC in patients with unexplained infertility were 2.78 ng/mL and 14, respectively. If further prospective and randomized studies confirm our results, these thresholds may be useful to predict successful ovulation induction and reduce the unresponsive cycles. (C) 2018 Taiwan Association of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V

Evaluation of incidence and histolopathological findings of soft tissue sarcomas in genitourinary tract: Uludag university experience

ABSTRACT Purpose: In this study we aimed to review urological soft tissue sarcomas of genitourinary tract that were diagnosed in our institution and their prognostic factors for survival. Materials and Methods: The clinical and pathological records of 31 patients who had diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas primarily originating from the genitourinary tract between 2005-2011 were reviewed. Results: The most common site was kidney (17 cases, 54.8%), and most common diagnosis was leiomyosarcoma (11 cases, 35.4%). A total of 24 patients (77.4%) had surgical excision. The surgical margins were positive in 7 patients who presented with local recurrence after primary resection. Twelve patients developed metastatic disease. During follow-up (range 9-70 month), 26 of the 31 patients (88.9%) were alive. Significant survival differences were found according to histological type (p: 0.001), with lower survival rates for malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The tumor size, the presence of metastasis at the time of diagnosis and tumor localization were not statistically significant for overall survival. Conclusions: In our series, prostate sarcomas, paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma had poor prognosis, especially in patients presenting with metastatic disease

Effects of Radiofrequency and Intranasal Steroid Treatments on Respiratory and Olfactory Functions in Nasal Obstruction

WOS: 000330078200047PubMed: 23715004Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of radio-frequency ablation (RFA) and intranasal steroid (INS) treatments on respiratory and olfactory functions in patients with inferior concha hypertrophy and chronic nasal obstruction. Study Design and Setting: This was a prospective clinical trial performed at a tertiary referral center. Methods: We assessed patients with nasal obstruction between July 2011 and February 2012. The severity of the nasal obstruction in both groups was determined before treatment and 3 months after using a visual analog scale. For the purpose of an objective test, assessment was performed by the acoustic rhinometry. Using Sniffin' Sticks for test odor identification, the discrimination and thresholds were assessed in both groups. Results: The visual analog scale score after treatment was significantly lower in each group. Radiofrequency ablation treatment significantly improved the right minimal cross-sectional area 1 (MCA1), mean MCA1, and volume 1, as well as the right MCA2, mean MCA2, volume 2, and total volume. In the INS group, improvement was detected for the left MCA1, mean MCA1, and volume 1. Minimal cross-sectional area 2, volume 2, and total volume improved significantly after RFA treatment, but not after INS treatment. Conclusions: Although RFA may be more effective in the posterior region of the nasal cavity, INS and RFA used in the treatment of inferior concha hypertrophy both had favorable effects on respiratory function. Intranasal steroid treatment provided improved discrimination and total score values, whereas RFA treatment improved only odor identification