Détermination quantitative de l'activité deshydrogénasique des boues activées au cours de l'épuration biologique

Une méthode de mesure du taux d'activité des boues activées de stations d'épuration biologique a été mise au point. Cette méthode consiste en la réduction du chlorure de 2-3-5- triphényltétrazolium, agent indicateur des déshydrogénases bactériennes ; le dosage du triphénylformazan formé à la longueur d'onde de 480 nm, après extraction dans l'éthanol, s'effectue colorimétriquement. Cette méthode permet de suivre l'état bactérien et le travail de dégradation des matières organiques au niveau des microorganismes présents dans les bassins d'épuration biologique

Virtual Reality in Mental Health

The possible impact of VR on mental health has the potential to be even more than what is currently offered by new communication technologies such as the Internet. In fact, VR is simultaneously a technology, a communication interface, and an experience: a communication interface based on interactive 3D visualization, able to collect and integrate different inputs and data sets in a single life-like experience. Using VRT, it is possible to offer exposure therapy, the most effective form of behavioral therapy for many conditions, and to integrate it with other traditional psychotherapy methods in order to improve their effectiveness. However, the "best" evidence in evaluating the efficacy of a therapy or treatment approach are the results of randomized, controlled clinical trials. To this end the paper discusses the results of the VEPSY UPDATED - http://www.cybertherapy.info - controlled clinical trials. In these trials involving a total of 388 patients - the largest-ever controlled study in VR therapy - different virtual environments were developed and tested to be used in the clinical assessment and treatment of social phobia, panic disorders, male sexual disorders, obesity, and eating disorders

Pouring new wines into old wineskins? Sub-regional identity and the case of the basket range festival

Wine sub-regions may have an important yet disproportionate influence on national wine identity and tourism experiences. The Basket Range is a small sub-region within the Adelaide Hills wine region that is becoming influential in Australia’s export wine scene. The Basket Range has a unique sense of ‘place’ which is influenced by certain geographical and several sociological factors including its ‘hands off’ winemaking approach and unique, non-conformist wine identity. These factors are playing an important role in the production of wines which are achieving both domestic and international critical acclaim. This chapter argues that the combination of the terroir of the Basket Range, the unique personalities and narratives of this artisan collective, and the festival design and delivery is ‘new wine’ that may create a tourist ‘Mecca’ for wine tourists. We use a case study of the Basket Range festival to explore identity, place, and experience and the development of sub-regional identity that is driving creativity, innovation, and experiential tourism. We conclude circumspectly however that there is a tension that needs to be managed around regional tourist development. We observe a sub-region with growing international legitimacy yet arguably lacks the infrastructure and resources of the ‘old wineskins’ to attract tourists in the way more established regions do. This is the challenge faced by those who are responsible for tourist destination management and regional tourism development

J Antimicrob Chemother

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic administration by subcutaneous (SC) injection is common practice in French geriatric wards as an alternative to the intravenous (IV) route, but few pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data are available. Ertapenem is useful for the treatment of infections with ESBL-producing enterobacteria. OBJECTIVES: To report and compare ertapenem pharmacokinetic data between IV and SC routes in older persons. METHODS: Patients >65 years of age receiving ertapenem (1 g once daily) for at least 48 h (IV or SC, steady-state) were prospectively enrolled. Total ertapenem concentrations [residual (C0), IV peak (C0.5) and SC peak (C2.5)] were determined by UV HPLC. Individual-predicted AUC0-24 values were calculated and population pharmacokinetic analyses were performed. Using the final model, a Monte Carlo simulation involving 10 000 patients evaluated the influence of SC or IV administration on the PTA. Tolerance to ertapenem and recovery were also monitored. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02505386. RESULTS: Ten (mean +/- SD age=87+/-7 years) and 16 (age=88+/-5 years) patients were included in the IV and SC groups, respectively. The mean C0 and C2.5 values were not significantly different between the IV and SC groups (C0=12+/-5.9 versus 12+/-7.4 mg/L, P=0.97; C2.5=97+/-42 versus 67+/-41 mg/L, P=0.99). The mean C0.5 was higher in the IV group compared with the SC group (C0.5=184+/-90 versus 51+/-66 mg/L, P=0.001). The mean individual AUCs (1126.92+/-334.99 mg.h/L for IV versus 1005.3+/-266.0 mg.h/L for SC, P=0.38) and PTAs were not significantly different between groups. No severe antibiotic-related adverse effects were noted. CONCLUSIONS: SC administration of ertapenem is an alternative to IV administration in older patients

Virtual reality for psycho-neurological assessment and rehabilitation

Previous work has shown that even relatively unsophisticated virtual reality tools can prove a valuable tool in psycho-neurological assessment and rehabilitation. The aim of the \u201cTelemedicine and Portable Virtual Environment in Clinical Psychology\u201d - VEPSY UPDATED \u2013 a European Community funded research project (IST-2000-25323, http://www.cybertherapy.info) is to comprehend the potential of virtual reality applications in this area and utilize virtual reality in treatment protocols. We are particularly interested in developing various virtual reality applications to be used in clinical assessment and treatment of both neurological and psychological disorders. In this work we describe both the clinical and technical rationale behind the various clinical applications that have been developed by members of VEPSY UPDATED. This work also serves as an analysis of the possible roles of virtual reality in the fields of clinical psychology and neurological rehabilitation