The Potential of Clinical Decision Support Systems for Prevention, Diagnosis, and Monitoring of Allergic Diseases

Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) aid health care professionals (HCP) in evaluating large sets of information and taking informed decisions during their clinical routine. CDSS are becoming particularly important in the perspective of precision medicine, when HCP need to consider growing amounts of data to create precise patient profiles for personalized diagnosis, treatment and outcome monitoring. In allergy care, several CDSS are being developed and investigated, mainly for respiratory allergic diseases. Although the proposed solutions address different stakeholders, the majority aims at facilitating evidence-based and shared decision-making, incorporating guidelines, and real-time clinical data. We offer here an overview on existing tools, new developments and novel concepts and discuss the potential of digital CDSS in improving prevention, diagnosis and monitoring of allergic diseases

Analysis of a photobioreactor scaling up for tertiary wastewater treatment: denitrification, phosphorus removal, and microalgae production

The present work studies the removal of nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) from a synthetic wastewater simulating a secondary treatment effluent using the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris in autotrophic photobioreactors, together with an analysis of the critical points affecting the scaling-up process from laboratory to pilot scale. Laboratory experiments were done in open agitated 1-L photobioreactors under batch operation mode, while pilot-scale experiments were done using a 150-L closed tubular photobioreactor under continuous operation mode. In both scales, nitrate was the limiting substrate and the effect of its concentration on microalgae performance was studied. From laboratory experiments, an average microalgae productivity of 85 mgVSS L−1 day−1 and approximate maximum N-NO3− and P-PO43− removal rates of 8 mg N gVSS−1 day−1, and 2.6 mg P gVSS−1 day−1 were found. Regarding pilot scale, the average microalgae productivity slightly decreased (76 mgVSS L−1 day−1) while the approximate maximum N-NO3− and P-PO43− removal rates slightly were increased (11.7 mg N gVSS−1 day−1 and 3.04 mg P gVSS−1 day−1) with respect to the laboratory-scale results. The pilot-scale operation worked under lower levels of turbulence and higher dissolved oxygen concentration and light intensity than laboratory experiments; those parameters were difficult to control and they can be identified as the critical points in the differences found on both nutrient removal and microalgae production.El presente trabajo estudia la remoción de nutrientes (nitrato y fosfato) de un agua residual sintética simulando un efluente de tratamiento secundario utilizando la microalga Chlorella vulgaris en fotobiorreactores autótrofos, junto con un análisis de los puntos críticos que afectan el proceso de escalado de laboratorio a escala piloto. . Los experimentos de laboratorio se realizaron en fotobiorreactores abiertos agitados de 1 L en modo de operación por lotes, mientras que los experimentos a escala piloto se realizaron utilizando un fotobiorreactor tubular cerrado de 150 L en modo de operación continua. En ambas escalas, el nitrato fue el sustrato limitante y se estudió el efecto de su concentración sobre el comportamiento de las microalgas. A partir de experimentos de laboratorio, una productividad media de microalgas de 85 mg VSS L -1 día-1 y máximo aproximado N-NO 3 - y P-PO 4 3- tasas de eliminación de 8 mg N g VSS -1 día -1 , y 2,6 mg P g VSS -1 día -1 se encontraron. Con respecto a la escala piloto, la productividad promedio de microalgas disminuyó levemente (76 mg VSS L −1 día −1 ) mientras que las tasas máximas aproximadas de remoción de N-NO 3 - y P-PO 4 3− aumentaron levemente (11.7 mg N g VSS −1 día -1 y 3,04 mg P g VSS -1 día−1 ) con respecto a los resultados a escala de laboratorio. La operación a escala piloto funcionó bajo niveles más bajos de turbulencia y mayor concentración de oxígeno disuelto e intensidad de luz que los experimentos de laboratorio; esos parámetros fueron difíciles de controlar y pueden identificarse como los puntos críticos en las diferencias encontradas tanto en la eliminación de nutrientes como en la producción de microalgas

Improving sustainability of electrolytic wastewater treatment processes by green powering

This work focuses on the evaluation of the impact of powering electrolytic wastewater treatment processes with grid or renewable energy on the sustainability of this electrochemical remediation technology. To face this goal, it was performed an inventory of three bench-scale plants made up by the same treatment technology but powered from different supplies: connected to grid and directly coupled with solar photovoltaic panels or a wind turbine. Results show that the powering mode can significantly affect the environmental risks of the treatment, not only in terms of electricity demand but also on the formation of intermediates, which are more important in the cases in which the intensity profile varied. A life cycle assessment (LCA) is carried out in order to quantify the environmental impacts of green powering electrolytic wastewater treatment processes. Ecoinvent 3.3 data base, AWARE, USEtox, IPPC and ReCiPe methodologies are used to quantify the environmental burden into 5 midpoint (water footprint, global warming 100a, ozone layer depletion, human toxicity, freshwater ecotoxicity) and 17 endpoint impact categories. All impact categories are higher in the case in which the supplied power cames from a electricity grid mix. For the removal of 0.1 g 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D) per liter (functional unit) of treated wastewater releases 0.14 kg CO2 eq. If the energy is provided by a wind turbine or a solar panel the processes emit 0.020 kg CO2 eq and 0.019 kg CO2 eq, respectively. A comparison of the impact based on the grid mix used in different countries is also made, which has pointed out the relevance of this input on the sustainability of the environmental electrochemical technologies

Environmental and Preliminary Cost Assessments of Redox Flow Batteries for Renewable Energy Storage

The sustainable use of energy is one of the main challenges currently. The increase in the use of renewable energies must also be accompanied by storage systems that respect the environment or are as harmless as possible. In this work, life-cycle assessment (LCA) “from cradle to gate” and a preliminary cost assessment of two types of redox flow batteries, such as vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) and zinc/cerium batteries (ZCBs), are studied. Ecoinvent 3.3 data base, AWARE, and CML Baseline v3.04 methodologies are used to quantify the environmental burden into 12 midpoint impact categories (water footprint, global warming 100a, abiotic depletion, abiotic depletion [fossil fuel], ozone layer depletion, human toxicity, fresh water ecotoxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, marine ecotoxicity, photochemical oxidation, acidification, and eutrophication). All impact categories are higher in ZCBs than in VRFBs except water footprint and acidification. These midpoint impacts are also compared with conventional batteries (lithium) and nonconventional ones (NaNiCl). VRFBs have the lowest environmental impact and a longer life considering the reuse of vanadium electrolytes. Regarding the cost analysis, the electrolyte is the most expensive component of both batteries.El uso sostenible de la energía es uno de los principales retos en la actualidad. El aumento del uso de energías renovables también debe ir acompañado de sistemas de almacenamiento que respeten el medio ambiente o sean lo más inocuos posibles. En este trabajo, se estudia la evaluación del ciclo de vida (LCA) “de la cuna a la puerta” y una evaluación preliminar del costo de dos tipos de baterías de flujo redox, como las baterías de flujo redox de vanadio (VRFB) y las baterías de zinc/cerio (ZCB). . La base de datos Ecoinvent 3.3, AWARE y las metodologías CML Baseline v3.04 se utilizan para cuantificar la carga ambiental en 12 categorías de impacto de punto medio (huella hídrica, calentamiento global 100a, agotamiento abiótico, agotamiento abiótico [combustible fósil], agotamiento de la capa de ozono, toxicidad humana , ecotoxicidad en agua dulce, ecotoxicidad terrestre, ecotoxicidad marina, oxidación fotoquímica, acidificación, y eutrofización). Todas las categorías de impacto son más altas en los ZCB que en los VRFB, excepto la huella hídrica y la acidificación. Estos impactos de punto medio también se comparan con baterías convencionales (litio) y no convencionales (NaNiCl). Los VRFB tienen el impacto ambiental más bajo y una vida más larga considerando la reutilización de electrolitos de vanadio. En cuanto al análisis de costes, el electrolito es el componente más caro de ambas batería

Modelling of the treatment of wastewater by photovoltaic solar electrochemical oxidation (PSEO) assisted by redox-flow batteries

This work aims at the formulation of simple and pragmatic models to predict the behaviour of a photovoltaic solar electrochemical oxidation treatment assisted by an energy storage system. Those models will be later integrated in a software tool that allows the optimization and the management of the energy provided by solar panels to power electrochemical advanced oxidation processes coupled with a redox flow battery as energy storage system. Models for a PV panel, a redox flow battery stack and a conductive diamond electrochemical oxidation electrolyzer have been proposed and fitted to experimental data. Results showed a huge accuracy of the models to predict the electric and remediation parameters. Validation analyses reported high regression coefficients above 0.96 which confirm the precision of all the proposed models. Thus, once known the solar radiation in a located place, the level of remediation of a wastewater effluent treated by electrolysis may be estimated. Furthermore, it must be pointed out that the operational conditions of the treatment could be optimized and adjusted by means of an energy storage in the redox flow battery. Considering those facts, the sustainability and efficiency of electrochemically-assisted remediation processes could be highly increased

The salinity effects on the performance of a constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell

The objective of the present work is to study the influence of the wastewater salinity concentration on the performance of a Constructed Wetland-Microbial Fuel Cell (CW-MFC) for simultaneous water pollution control and electricity generation. The work has been carried out under the hypothesis that increasing the salinity may improve the electricity production because of a lower internal ohmic resistance, although it could damage the microbiological processes or the plants. A pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow CW, modified to function as an MFC, was operated under a continuous operation mode over five consecutive experimental periods of approximately 2 months each. The wastewater salinity was increased in each new period by steeply increasing the NaCl concentration in the synthetic wastewater from 0.51 to 9.51 g L−1. The CW-MFC performance was monitored during every stationary period. The increasing salinity first improved the cell voltage, and the resultant maximum voltage (130 mV) under continuous operation corresponded to a salinity concentration between 4 and 5 g L−1. However, subsequently higher salinity levels caused the opposite effect. The maximum voltage was obtained in an unstable condition, as microbiological inhibition in the anode zone appeared early, at approximate salinity levels of only 3 g L−1. Batch experiments confirmed the results, and higher cell voltage values up to 600 mV were obtained if longer retention times were allowed. The wetland plants (Phragmites australis) were only damaged at a salinity concentration of 9.51 g L−1.El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar la influencia de la concentración de salinidad de las aguas residuales en el desempeño de una Celda de Combustible Microbiana-Humedal Construida (CW-MFC) para el control simultáneo de la contaminación del agua y la generación de electricidad. El trabajo se ha realizado bajo la hipótesis de que el aumento de la salinidad puede mejorar la producción de electricidad por una menor resistencia óhmica interna, aunque podría dañar los procesos microbiológicos o las plantas. Un CW de flujo subterráneo horizontal a escala piloto, modificado para funcionar como un MFC, se hizo funcionar bajo un modo de operación continua durante cinco períodos experimentales consecutivos de aproximadamente 2 meses cada uno. La salinidad de las aguas residuales se incrementó en cada nuevo período aumentando abruptamente la concentración de NaCl en las aguas residuales sintéticas de 0,51 a 9,51 g. L −1 . El rendimiento de CW-MFC se controló durante cada período estacionario. El aumento de la salinidad mejoró primero el voltaje de la celda, y el voltaje máximo resultante (130 mV) en funcionamiento continuo correspondió a una concentración de salinidad entre 4 y 5 g L -1 . Sin embargo, posteriormente, niveles más altos de salinidad provocaron el efecto contrario. El voltaje máximo se obtuvo en una condición inestable, ya que la inhibición microbiológica en la zona del ánodo apareció temprano, a niveles de salinidad aproximados de solo 3 g L -1 . Los experimentos por lotes confirmaron los resultados y se obtuvieron valores de voltaje de celda más altos de hasta 600 mV si se permitían tiempos de retención más largos. Las plantas de los humedales (Phragmites australis ) solo se dañaron a una concentración de salinidad de 9,51 g L -1

Can the green energies improve the sustainability of electrochemically-assisted soil remediation processes?

The green powering of electrochemically-assisted soil remediation processes had been strongly discouraged. Low remediation efficiencies have been reported as a consequence of the reversibility of the transport processes when no power is applied to the electrodes, due to the intermittent powering of renewable sources. However, it has been missed a deeper evaluation from the environmental point of view. This work goes further and seeks to quantify, using life cycle assessment tools, the environmental impacts related to the electro-kinetic treatments powered by different sources: grid (Spanish energy mix), photovoltaic and wind sources. The global warming potential and the ozone depletion showed higher environmental impacts in case of using green energies, associated with the manufacturing of the energy production devices. In contrast to that, results pointed out the lowest water consumption for the treatment powered with solar panels. The huge water requirements to produce energy, considering a Spanish energy mix, drop the sustainability of this powering strategy in terms of water footprint. Regarding toxicities, the pollutant toxicity was highly got rid of after 15 days of treatment, regardless the powering source used. Nevertheless, the manufacturing of energy and green energy production devices has a huge impact into the toxicity of the remediation treatments, increasing massively the total toxicity of the process, being this effect less prominent by the electro-kinetic treatment solar powered. In view of the overall environmental impact assessed, according to mid and endpoint impact categories, it can be claimed that, despite the high energy requirements and affectation to the global warming potential, the use of solar power is a more sustainable alternative to remediate polluted soils by electrochemical techniques.Se ha desaconsejado encarecidamente el uso de energía ecológica en los procesos de remediación de suelos asistidos por electroquímica. Se han reportado bajas eficiencias de remediación como consecuencia de la reversibilidad de los procesos de transporte cuando no se aplica energía a los electrodos, debido a la alimentación intermitente de fuentes renovables. Sin embargo, se ha echado en falta una evaluación más profunda desde el punto de vista ambiental. Este trabajo va más allá y pretende cuantificar, utilizando herramientas de evaluación del ciclo de vida , los impactos ambientales relacionados con los tratamientos electrocinéticos alimentados por diferentes fuentes: red (mix energético español), fotovoltaica y fuentes eólicas. El potencial de calentamiento global y el agotamiento del ozonomostraron mayores impactos ambientales en caso de utilizar energías verdes, asociados a la fabricación de los dispositivos de producción de energía. En contraste con eso, los resultados señalaron el menor consumo de agua para el tratamiento alimentado con paneles solares. Las enormes necesidades de agua para producir energía, considerando un mix energético español, merman la sostenibilidadde esta estrategia de potenciación en términos de huella hídrica. En cuanto a las toxicidades, la toxicidad del contaminante fue altamente eliminada después de 15 días de tratamiento, independientemente de la fuente de alimentación utilizada. Sin embargo, la fabricación de dispositivos de producción de energía y energía verde tiene un gran impacto en la toxicidad de los tratamientos de remediación, aumentando masivamente la toxicidad total del proceso, siendo este efecto menos prominente por el tratamiento electrocinético alimentado con energía solar. En vista del impacto ambiental global evaluado, según las categorías de impacto medio y final, se puede afirmar que, a pesar de los altos requerimientos energéticos y la afectación al potencial de calentamiento global, el uso de la energía solar es una alternativa más sostenible para remediar suelos contaminados. por técnicas electroquímicas

Influence of the fuel and dosage on the performance of double-compartment microbial fuel cells

This manuscript focuses on the evaluation of the use of different types and dosages of fuels in the performance of double-compartment microbial fuel cell equipped with carbon felt electrodes and cationic membrane. Five types of fuels (ethanol, glycerol, acetate, propionate and fructose) have been tested for the same organic load (5,000 mg L−1 measured as COD) and for one of them (acetate), the range of dosages between 500 and 20,000 mg L−1 of COD was also studied. Results demonstrate that production of electricity depends strongly on the fuel used. Carboxylic acids are much more efficient than alcohols or fructose for the same organic load and within the range 500–5,000 mg L of acetate the production of electricity increases linearly with the amount of acetate fed but over these concentrations a change in the population composition may explain a worse performance.Este manuscrito se centra en la evaluación del uso de diferentes tipos y dosis de combustibles en el rendimiento de una pila de combustible microbiana de doble compartimento equipada con electrodos de fieltro de carbono y membrana catiónica. Se han probado cinco tipos de combustibles (etanol, glicerol, acetato, propionato y fructosa) para la misma carga orgánica (5.000 mg L -1 medidos como DQO) y para uno de ellos (acetato), el rango de dosis entre 500 y 20.000 También se estudió mg L -1 de DQO. Los resultados demuestran que la producción de electricidad depende en gran medida del combustible utilizado. Los ácidos carboxílicos son mucho más eficientes que los alcoholes o la fructosa para la misma carga orgánica y dentro del rango de 500 a 5000 mg L de acetato, la producción de electricidad aumenta linealmente con la cantidad de acetato suministrada, pero sobre estas concentraciones un cambio en la composición de la población puede explicar un peor desempeño

Management of solar energy to power electrochemical wastewater treatments

In this work, the management of photovoltaic (PV) energy, assisted by a redox flow battery (RFB), for powering an electrochemical advanced oxidation process (EAOP), is evaluated. The storage of surplus energy allows to extend the treatment time overnight and to increase the environmental remediation efficiency during the whole electrochemical treatment. Nevertheless, this work points out that it is important to evaluate the most suitable powering strategy to take advantage of the total solar energy produced. The energy supplied by the PV panels to each system depends on the electrical features of the electrochemical devices (electrooxidation reactor and the RFB) and, especially, on the connection between them (series or parallel). A straightforward coupling (without a targeted regulation of the energy distributed between the EAOP and the RFB) brings out a time-depending and uncontrolled powering. This type of strategy opposes to the smarter regulation of the energy between the EAOP and the RFB by means of a targeted powering to each device. Results show higher remediation degrees when both electrochemical devices are directly coupled in parallel, regardless of the operational mode used (straightforward or targeted) due to lower current densities lead to higher global performances for both electrochemical devices. Nonetheless, it is important to note that the green targeted powering notices higher remediations than the straightforward coupling when the system operates under parallel connection and a RFB control. The low current densities supplied to the RFB point out higher capacities and, consequently, the remediation treatment is extended. Those results shed light on interesting conclusions in terms of green energy use. Furthermore, this software tool allows by means of a simple predictive modelling to optime the operational conditions of electrochemical treatments powered by renewable energies and assisted by energy storage systems

New prototypes for the isolation of the anodic chambers in microbial fuel cells

This work has been focused on the assessment of new prototypes of MFC in which a more strict separation of the anode and cathode compartments is looked for, in order to attain strict anaerobic conditions in the anode chamber and hence, avoid lack of efficiency due to the prevalence of non-electrogenic competing microorganisms and to optimize composition of the anolyte and catholyte. A cylinder reactor with an inner chamber with graphite bars acting as anodes and the outer one with a stainless steel tube acting as cathode was used in three different configurations and results obtained during lifetests are compared in terms of electricity production, cathode oxygen consumption and anode COD depletion. Separation between compartments was obtained by (a) a two faces cathode (prototype R1, in which the cathode faces both compartments of the MFC), (b) a single cathode (prototype R2, in which the surface facing the anode compartment is electrically isolated and the ionic circuit is virtually detached) and (c) a conventional PEM membrane (prototype R3). Results show that the three prototypes perform as MFC from the electric point of view and they are efficient in the degradation of the COD contained in wastewater. However, the efficiencies in the production of electricity are very different and the greater the isolation of the anodic compartment, the lower are the current intensities produced. These results are explained because of the higher resulting ohmic loses. This large increase in the cell potential mask the potential benefits searched for with the isolation of the anode chamber but, at the same time, it gives significant information about performance of MFC that can be used for future MFC miniaturization studies.Este trabajo se ha centrado en la evaluación de nuevos prototipos de MFC en los que se busca una separación más estricta de los compartimentos anódico y catódico, con el fin de conseguir unas condiciones anaeróbicas estrictas en la cámara anódica y así evitar la falta de eficiencia debido a la prevalencia de microorganismos competidores no electrogénicos y optimizar la composición del anolito y catolito. Se utilizó un reactor cilíndrico con una cámara interior con barras de grafito que actúan como ánodos y la exterior con un tubo de acero inoxidable que actúa como cátodo en tres configuraciones diferentes y se comparan los resultados obtenidos durante las pruebas de vida en términos de producción de electricidad, consumo de oxígeno del cátodo y DQO ​​del ánodo. agotamiento. La separación entre compartimentos se obtuvo mediante (a) un cátodo de dos caras (prototipo R1, en el que el cátodo se enfrenta a ambos compartimentos del MFC), (b) un solo cátodo (prototipo R2, en el que la superficie que mira al compartimento del ánodo está aislada eléctricamente y el circuito iónico está prácticamente separado) y (c) una membrana PEM convencional (prototipo R3). Los resultados muestran que los tres prototipos funcionan como MFC desde el punto de vista eléctrico y son eficientes en la degradación de la DQO contenida en las aguas residuales. Sin embargo, las eficiencias en la producción de electricidad son muy diferentes y cuanto mayor es el aislamiento del compartimento anódico, menores son las intensidades de corriente producidas. Estos resultados se explican debido a las mayores pérdidas óhmicas resultantes. Este gran aumento en el potencial de la celda enmascara los beneficios potenciales buscados con el aislamiento de la cámara del ánodo pero, al mismo tiempo