Solid-Liquid two-phase partitioning bioreactors for the treatment of gas.-phase VOCs

[Abstract] Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactors (TPPBs) consist of a cell-containing aqueous phase and a separate, biocompatible and immiscible phase that partitions toxic substrates to the cells based on their metabolic demand and on maintaining the thermodynamic equilibrium of the system. TPPBs have traditionally used immiscible liquid organic solvents as the substrate delivery phase, however, one of the limitations of organic solvents is their potential bioavailability as substrates, and therefore these TPPB systems have generally been limited to the use of pure strains of organisms incapable of metabolizing the solvent. We have replaced the organic solvent phase in TPPBs with inert polymers (plastic beads). A TPPB employing styrene-butadiene beads as the sequestering phase was used to treat high step change loadings of BTEX in a contaminated air stream. The presence of the polymers allowed the system to effectively capture the incoming VOCs, buffer the cells from high VOC levels and release the VOCs to the cells for biodegradation. The polymer TPPB system demonstrated substantially higher performance than an aqueous phase bioscrubber and comparable performance to a solvent-aqueous TPPB. Also of great interest was the increase in oxygen transfer provided to the system by the addition of polymer beads, which have significant affinity for oxygen. The presence of polymer beads, which are biocompatible and non-bioavailable, provides a simple and effective means of enhancing the bioremediation of toxic organics present in gas streams, and potentially other phases

The central engine of GRB 130831A and the energy breakdown of a relativistic explosion

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most luminous explosions in the universe, yet the nature and physical properties of their energy sources are far from understood. Very important clues, however, can be inferred by studying the afterglows of these events. We present optical and X-ray observations of GRB 130831A obtained by Swift, Chandra, Skynet, RATIR, Maidanak, ISON, NOT, LT and GTC. This burst shows a steep drop in the X-ray light-curve at $\simeq 10^5$ s after the trigger, with a power-law decay index of $\alpha \sim 6$. Such a rare behaviour cannot be explained by the standard forward shock (FS) model and indicates that the emission, up to the fast decay at $10^5$ s, must be of "internal origin", produced by a dissipation process within an ultrarelativistic outflow. We propose that the source of such an outflow, which must produce the X-ray flux for $\simeq 1$ day in the cosmological rest frame, is a newly born magnetar or black hole. After the drop, the faint X-ray afterglow continues with a much shallower decay. The optical emission, on the other hand, shows no break across the X-ray steep decrease, and the late-time decays of both the X-ray and optical are consistent. Using both the X-ray and optical data, we show that the emission after $\simeq 10^5$ s can be explained well by the FS model. We model our data to derive the kinetic energy of the ejecta and thus measure the efficiency of the central engine of a GRB with emission of internal origin visible for a long time. Furthermore, we break down the energy budget of this GRB into the prompt emission, the late internal dissipation, the kinetic energy of the relativistic ejecta, and compare it with the energy of the associated supernova, SN 2013fu.Comment: Accepted for publication by MNRAS. 21 pages, 3 figures, 8 tables. Extra table with magnitudes in the sourc

\u27Vitamin D and cognition in older adults\u27: updated international recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Hypovitaminosis D, a condition that is highly prevalent in older adults aged 65 years and above, is associated with brain changes and dementia. Given the rapidly accumulating and complex contribution of the literature in the field of vitamin D and cognition, clear guidance is needed for researchers and clinicians. METHODS: International experts met at an invitational summit on \u27Vitamin D and Cognition in Older Adults\u27. Based on previous reports and expert opinion, the task force focused on key questions relating to the role of vitamin D in Alzheimer\u27s disease and related disorders. Each question was discussed and voted using a Delphi-like approach. RESULTS: The experts reached an agreement that hypovitaminosis D increases the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults and may alter the clinical presentation as a consequence of related comorbidities; however, at present, vitamin D level should not be used as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker of Alzheimer\u27s disease due to lack of specificity and insufficient evidence. This population should be screened for hypovitaminosis D because of its high prevalence and should receive supplementation, if necessary; but this advice was not specific to cognition. During the debate, the possibility of \u27critical periods\u27 during which vitamin D may have its greatest impact on the brain was addressed; whether hypovitaminosis D influences cognition actively through deleterious effects and/or passively by loss of neuroprotection was also considered. CONCLUSIONS: The international task force agreed on five overarching principles related to vitamin D and cognition in older adults. Several areas of uncertainty remain, and it will be necessary to revise the proposed recommendations as new findings become available

Reaching consensus on reporting patient and public involvement (PPI) in research: methods and lessons learned from the development of reporting guidelines

INTRODUCTION: Patient and public involvement (PPI) is inconsistently reported in health and social care research. Improving the quality of how PPI is reported is critical in developing a higher quality evidence base to gain a better insight into the methods and impact of PPI. This paper describes the methods used to develop and gain consensus on guidelines for reporting PPI in research studies (updated version of the Guidance for Reporting Patient and Public Involvement (GRIPP2)). METHODS: There were three key stages in the development of GRIPP2: identification of key items for the guideline from systematic review evidence of the impact of PPI on health research and health services, a three-phase online Delphi survey with a diverse sample of experts in PPI to gain consensus on included items and a face-to-face consensus meeting to finalise and reach definitive agreement on GRIPP2. Challenges and lessons learnt during the development of the reporting guidelines are reported. DISCUSSION: The process of reaching consensus is vital within the development of guidelines and policy directions, although debate around how best to reach consensus is still needed. This paper discusses the critical stages of consensus development as applied to the development of consensus for GRIPP2 and discusses the benefits and challenges of consensus development

Evaluation of computerized health management information system for primary health care in rural India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Comprehensive Rural Health Services Project Ballabgarh, run by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has a computerized Health Management Information System (HMIS) since 1988. The HMIS at Ballabgarh has undergone evolution and is currently in its third version which uses generic and open source software. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a computerized Health Management Information System in rural health system in India.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The data for evaluation were collected by in-depth interviews of the stakeholders i.e. program managers (authors) and health workers. Health Workers from AIIMS and Non-AIIMS Primary Health Centers were interviewed to compare the manual with computerized HMIS. A cost comparison between the two methods was carried out based on market costs. The resource utilization for both manual and computerized HMIS was identified based on workers' interviews.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There have been no major hardware problems in use of computerized HMIS. More than 95% of data was found to be accurate. Health workers acknowledge the usefulness of HMIS in service delivery, data storage, generation of workplans and reports. For program managers, it provides a better tool for monitoring and supervision and data management. The initial cost incurred in computerization of two Primary Health Centers was estimated to be Indian National Rupee (INR) 1674,217 (USD 35,622). Equivalent annual incremental cost of capital items was estimated as INR 198,017 (USD 4213). The annual savings is around INR 894,283 (USD 11,924).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The major advantage of computerization has been in saving of time of health workers in record keeping and report generation. The initial capital costs of computerization can be recovered within two years of implementation if the system is fully operational. Computerization has enabled implementation of a good system for service delivery, monitoring and supervision.</p

The origin of the early time optical emission of Swift GRB 080310

We present broadband multi-wavelength observations of GRB 080310 at redshift z = 2.43. This burst was bright and long-lived, and unusual in having extensive optical and near IR follow-up during the prompt phase. Using these data we attempt to simultaneously model the gamma-ray, X-ray, optical and IR emission using a series of prompt pulses and an afterglow component. Initial attempts to extrapolate the high energy model directly to lower energies for each pulse reveal that a spectral break is required between the optical regime and 0.3 keV to avoid over predicting the optical flux. We demonstrate that afterglow emission alone is insufficient to describe all morphology seen in the optical and IR data. Allowing the prompt component to dominate the early-time optical and IR and permitting each pulse to have an independent low energy spectral indices we produce an alternative scenario which better describes the optical light curve. This, however, does not describe the spectral shape of GRB 080310 at early times. The fit statistics for the prompt and afterglow dominated models are nearly identical making it difficult to favour either. However one enduring result is that both models require a low energy spectral index consistent with self absorption for at least some of the pulses identified in the high energy emission model.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figures, 12 tables. Accepted to MNRA

The GRIPP 2 reporting checklists: tools to improve reporting of patient and public involvement in research

Background: While the PPI evidence base has expanded over the last decade, the quality of reporting within papers is often inconsistent, limiting our understanding of how it works, in what context, for whom and why. Objective: To develop international consensus on the key items to report to enhance the quality, transparency and consistency of the PPI evidence base. To collaboratively involve patients as research partners at all stages in the development of GRIPP 2. Methods: The EQUATOR method for developing reporting guidelines was utilised. The original GRIPP (Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public) checklist was revised, based on updated systematic review evidence. A three round Delphi survey was used to develop consensus on items to be included in the guideline. A subsequent face-to-face meeting produced agreement on items not reaching consensus during the Delphi process. Results: 143 participants agreed to participate in round 1, with an 86% (123/143) response for round 2 and a 78% (112/143) response for round 3. The Delphi survey identified the need for long-form (LF) and short-form (SF) versions. GRIPP2-LF includes 34 items on aims, definitions, concepts and theory, methods, stages and nature of involvement, context, capture or measurement of impact, outcomes, economic assessment and reflections, and is suitable for studies where the main focus is PPI. GRIPP2-SF includes 5 items on aims, methods, results, outcomes and critical perspective and is suitable for studies where PPI is a secondary focus. Conclusions: GRIPP2-LF and GRIPP2-SF represent the first international evidence-based, consensus-informed guidance for reporting patient and public involvement in research. Both versions of GRIPP2 aim to improve the quality, transparency and consistency of the international PPI evidence base, to ensure PPI practice is based on the best evidence. GRIPP 2 is co-published with Research Involvement and Engagement

The GRIPP 2 reporting checklists: tools to improve reporting of patient and public involvement in research

Background: While the PPI evidence base has expanded over the last decade, the quality of reporting within papers is often inconsistent, limiting our understanding of how it works, in what context, for whom and why. Objective: To develop international consensus on the key items to report to enhance the quality, transparency and consistency of the PPI evidence base. To collaboratively involve patients as research partners at all stages in the development of GRIPP 2. Methods: The EQUATOR method for developing reporting guidelines was utilised. The original GRIPP (Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public) checklist was revised, based on updated systematic review evidence. A three round Delphi survey was used to develop consensus on items to be included in the guideline. A subsequent face-to-face meeting produced agreement on items not reaching consensus during the Delphi process. Results: 143 participants agreed to participate in round 1, with an 86% (123/143) response for round 2 and a 78% (112/143) response for round 3. The Delphi survey identified the need for long-form (LF) and short-form (SF) versions. GRIPP2-LF includes 34 items on aims, definitions, concepts and theory, methods, stages and nature of involvement, context, capture or measurement of impact, outcomes, economic assessment and reflections, and is suitable for studies where the main focus is PPI. GRIPP2-SF includes 5 items on aims, methods, results, outcomes and critical perspective and is suitable for studies where PPI is a secondary focus. Conclusions: GRIPP2-LF and GRIPP2-SF represent the first international evidence-based, consensus-informed guidance for reporting patient and public involvement in research. Both versions of GRIPP2 aim to improve the quality, transparency and consistency of the international PPI evidence base, to ensure PPI practice is based on the best evidence. GRIPP 2 is co-published with Research Involvement and Engagement

The GRIPP 2 reporting checklists: tools to improve reporting of patient and public involvement in research

Background: While the PPI evidence base has expanded over the last decade, the quality of reporting within papers is often inconsistent, limiting our understanding of how it works, in what context, for whom and why. Objective: To develop international consensus on the key items to report to enhance the quality, transparency and consistency of the PPI evidence base. To collaboratively involve patients as research partners at all stages in the development of GRIPP 2. Methods: The EQUATOR method for developing reporting guidelines was utilised. The original GRIPP (Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public) checklist was revised, based on updated systematic review evidence. A three round Delphi survey was used to develop consensus on items to be included in the guideline. A subsequent face-to-face meeting produced agreement on items not reaching consensus during the Delphi process. Results: 143 participants agreed to participate in round 1, with an 86% (123/143) response for round 2 and a 78% (112/143) response for round 3. The Delphi survey identified the need for long-form (LF) and short-form (SF) versions. GRIPP2-LF includes 34 items on aims, definitions, concepts and theory, methods, stages and nature of involvement, context, capture or measurement of impact, outcomes, economic assessment and reflections, and is suitable for studies where the main focus is PPI. GRIPP2-SF includes 5 items on aims, methods, results, outcomes and critical perspective and is suitable for studies where PPI is a secondary focus. Conclusions: GRIPP2-LF and GRIPP2-SF represent the first international evidence-based, consensus-informed guidance for reporting patient and public involvement in research. Both versions of GRIPP2 aim to improve the quality, transparency and consistency of the international PPI evidence base, to ensure PPI practice is based on the best evidence. GRIPP 2 is co-published with Research Involvement and Engagement