The kinetics of biodegradation of trans-4-methyl-1-cyclohexane carboxylic acid

This thesis presents the study of biodegradation factors of a candidate naphthenic acid compound, the trans isomer of 4-methyl-1-cyclohexane carboxylic acid (trans-4MCHCA). Low molecular weight components of naphthenic acids such as trans-4MCHCA are known to be toxic in aquatic environments and there is a need to better understand the factors controlling the kinetics of their biodegradation. In this study, a relatively low molecular weight naphthenic acid compound and a microbial culture developed in our laboratory (primarily Alcaligenes paradoxus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were used to study the biodegradation of this candidate naphthenic acid. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the kinetic parameters and model the biodegradation of this compound in three bioreactor systems: batch reactors, a continuously stirred tank reactor and immobilized cell reactors. In batch reactors, the maximum specific growth rate (0.52±0.04 d-1) of the consortium at 23oC and neutral pH was not highly variable over various initial substrate concentrations (50 to 750 mg/L). Batch experiments indicated that biodegradation can be achieved at low temperatures; however, the biodegradation rate at 4oC was only 22% of that at room temperature (23oC). Biodegradation at various pH values indicated a maximum specific growth rate of 1.69±0.40 d-1 and yield (0.41±0.06 mg/mg) at a pH of 10. Study of the candidate substrate using a continuously stirred tank reactor and the microbial culture developed in the batch experimentations revealed that the kinetics of the candidate naphthenic acid are best described by the Monod expression with a maximum specific growth rate of 1.74±0.004 d-1 and a half saturation constant of 363±17 mg/L. The continuously stirred tank reactor achieved a maximum reaction rate of 230 mg/(L∙d) at a residence time of 1.6 d-1 (39 h).Two high porosity immobilized cell reactors operating continuously over three months were found to consume trans-4MCHCA at a rate almost two orders of magnitude higher than a continuously stirred tank reactor. The immobilized cell systems attained a maximum reaction rate of 22,000 mg/(L∙d) at a residence time of 16 minutes. High porosity immobilized cell reactors were shown to effectively remove a single naphthenic acid substrate in continuously fed operation to dilution rates of 90 d-1. A plug flow model best represented the degradation in the immobilized cell systems and was demonstrated to be a useful tool for studying the effects of parameter variation and prediction of reactor performance. This work highlights the potential of augmented bioremediation systems for the degradation of naphthenic acids

Recruitment and retention of tutors in problem-based learning: why teachers in medical education tutor

Introduction: Problem-based learning (PBL) is resource-intensive, particularly as it relates to tutors for small group learning. This study explores the factors that contributed to tutor participation in PBL in a medical training program, examining tutor recruitment and retention within the larger scope of teacher satisfaction and motivation in higher education. Method: From 2007 to 2010, following the introduction of new PBL-based curriculum in undergraduate medical education, all faculty members serving as tutors were invited to attend an interview as part of this study. Semi-structured interviews approximately one hour in length were conducted with 14 individuals- 11 who had tutored in PBL within the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and 3 faculty members who had chosen not to participate in PBL. Thematic analysis was employed as the framework for analysis of the data. Results: Seven factors were identified as affecting recruitment and retention of tutors in the undergraduate medical education program. Discussion: We suggest that identification and strengthening of the factors that promote tutor recruitment and retention may serve to strengthen PBL initiatives and, furthermore, may increase our understanding of motivation by academics in other aspects of medical education

The Way We Dream Now: History, Theory, and LGBTQ Memoir in America

This dissertation examines American memoirs written after 2000 by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer authors with an eye to how the recent institutionalization of queer theory and the open production of LGBTQ histories affect these writers’ conceptions of their lives, aspirations, and cultures. I argue that these memoirs, sometimes consciously, find themselves struggling with what are also competing ideas within queer theory about the queerness of futurity even as they turn to the past of queer/trans literature and history to bolster their senses of possible identities and communities. This often has the effect of positioning contemporary LGBTQ writers as wistful children, caught between what they expect and believe of their communal “elders” despite frequent rejection by and of their actual parents; the genre demands of memoir contribute to this process. As yet mostly unstudied, these memoirs in their self-conscious belonging to a “next generation” – and their authors’ commitments to queer/trans activism and/or archiving – allow me to read them as sites where recently “established” LGBTQ ideas about utopia, intergenerational continuance, and agency are tested, causing both anguish and inspiration

Flexibility approach in the runway pavement using flemanco method

The pressing problems of managing construction processes reveal themselves in discrepancies between plan and execution which seems to result in considerable measure from dependence on the changing environment. High variability, dynamics and uncertainty of execution conditions generate disturbances which could be avoided by applying flexibility ‐ creating a range of executive options enabling adjustment to changing environmental conditions. The principal advantages of implementing the proposed FLEMANCO (FLExibility MANagement in the COnstruction industry) method include better consistency between planning and an actual course of execution, lower changes in costs and execution time by considering various scenarios of execution conditions, the possibility of loss prevention and taking advantage of opportunities connected with the changing environment etc. The presented example concerns concreting a runway, although similar problems occur in concreting roads, yards, bridges as well as erecting high buildings, earthworks etc. First published online: 27 Oct 201

Hybrid flexible approach for Six Sigma implementation in constructional SME

Possibility of Six Sigma implementation in small/medium enterprise (SME) in construction industry is the goal of this paper. Robust conception of Six Sigma is taken as one option of flexible approach used in construction industry for risk management. High level of risk on the operations management is very important feature in comparison between construction industry and other economy branches. This problem is connected with very restricted level of automation and robotics, influenced environment, etc. Hierarchical culture with fragmentation of activity and low cost preferences as typical approach in construction industry seems to be important reasons of problems in Six Sigma implementation process. Presented conception is based on hybrid approach for flexibility implementation: robustness (Six Sigma), adaptation, simplification (Japan flexibility school) and modification of organizational culture. All four elements were fitted together for achievement of synergy effect

Flexibility in highway noise management

The problem of noise management was taken as a key element of our life comfort. An adequate noise mitigation plan must be elaborated and implemented for a number of potential noise sources. The general idea of FLENO‐MA2 (FLExibility NOise MAnagement for A2 POZNAN BY‐PASS) advisory system was based on flexibility options situated on different management levels. In the recent years, two significant noise sources have been established in Poznan agglomeration: POZNAN BY‐PASS A2 as a part of A2 highway (BERLIN‐MOSCOW) and the NATO aircraft base in Krzesiny. Both are situated in the urban area of Poznan city. Special emphasis will be placed on flexibility noise mitigation options as an example of operational decision‐aid. However, finding a compromise solution based on diffused (using the Internet) information about the noise map (will be present in the near future) is the second goal of this system. First published online: 27 Oct 201

Clinically silent heterotaxy with polysplenia syndrome and IVC azygous continuation draining to SVC : CT findings : case report

Background: Patients with heterotaxy syndrome often have complex cardiac and extracardiac anomalies requiring further detailed diagnostic evaluation. They often present severe cardiac failure early in life. Newer radiological modalities in the form of spiral computed tomography (CT) and three-dimensional reconstruction of spiral CT allow clear definition of the anatomy of these anomalies. Case report: A 59-year-old woman was diagnosed with polysplenia and multiple anomalies in an abdominal ultrasonography (US) during a control medical examination due to a trivial dietary mistake. She was then referred to our institution for further examination of these anomalies and an additional thoraco-abdominal computed tomography (CT) examination. The patient was totally asymptomatic at the time of admission. There was no significant past history and no abnormal laboratory data. We performed abdominal, pelvic and thoracic CT examinations using Somatom Siemens Emotion scanner. Non-enhanced sections were obtained with 8 mm scan collimation. Then, enhanced sections were obtained after administering a bolus of 120 ml contrast agent (Ultravist) with 5 mm scan collimation. Further multiple planar (MPR), volume rendering technique (VRT) and 3D reconstructions were performed in order to better visualize present abnormalities. Abdominal CT scans showed 5 spleens located in the right upper abdomen, 2 of them joined together in the form of a horseshoe with the latter 3 small splenules around. Liver was elongated and located in the central upper abdomen, with an enlarged left lobe. The dextraposition of stomach was found. Pancreas was short with hypoplastic tail. Furthermore, there was an abnormal passage of the IVC through the abdomen, which was interrupted at the level of diaphragm with azygous continuation in the thorax then joining the SVC, forming an arch and draining directly to the right-sided atrial appendage. No other anatomic anomalies, in particular those concerning the venous pulmonary return, lung lobation, rotation of the intestine, gastrourinary or central nervous system, often found in heterotaxy syndromes, were observed. Conclusions: Most of the patients die at an early age because of an associated heart disease or other malformations. Cases of heterotaxy in adults or adolescents are rare and can be sometimes discovered incidentally. We report a case of an asymptomatic adult patient with the polysplenia type of the syndrome and uncommon systemic venous drainage for this type of heterotaxy. Our case confirms also the frequent coexistence of midline associated defects in polysplenia and other heterotaxy syndromes. In our case, female sex, dextraposition of the stomach, short and hypoplastic pancreas and right-sided polysplenia occurred together, but we did not observe any malrotation of intestines, nor clearly seen gallbladder or biliary pathologies

ALEISTER CROWLEY NAS CANÇÕES DE BRUCE DICKINSON E IRON MAIDEN

Aleister Crowley was a mythical and controversial writer, poet of the unrestricted freedomand of the will as a maxim sovereign. His esoteric discourse stimulated existential trajectories of great refutable power, making him the rock and roll guru. The main objective of thiswork is to present the fundamental aspects of Crowley’s reception by the songwriter BruceDickinson, by surveying recurrent characteristics in his song’s lyrics. As specific objectives,we aim to 1) identify the existence of an ethical and at the same time aesthetic project inDickinson’s work; 2) to understand how the doctrine of the New Aeon, elaborated by Crowleyand appropriated by Dickinson influenced heavy metal from the 1980’s until today.Aleister Crowley foi um escritor mítico e controverso, poeta da liberdade irrestrita e da vontade como máxima soberana. O seu discurso impulsionou trajetórias existenciais de grande força contestatória, tornando-o guru do rock. O objetivo geral deste trabalho é apresentar os principais aspectos da recepção de Crowley pelo cantor e compositor Bruce Dickinson, por meio do levantamento de características recorrentes em letras das suas canções. Como objetivos específicos, planejamos: 1) identificar a existência de um projeto ético e ao mesmo tempo estético na obra de Dickinson; 2) entender de que modo a doutrina do Novo Aeon elaborada peloescritor inglêsAleister Crowley e apropriada por Dickinson influenciou o heavy metal dos anos 1980 até hoje

Rapporteres det tilstrekkelig noteinformasjon om nedskrivning av goodwill og immaterielle eiendeler med ubestemt utnyttbar levetid etter IAS 36? En studie av praksis i den norske petroleumssektoren

IAS 36 er IFRS-standarden som regulerer hvordan foretak skal gi opplysninger om nedskrivningsvurderinger for goodwill og immaterielle eiendeler. Undersøkelser viser at slike opplysninger anses som svært viktige for sentrale regnskapsbrukere. Finanstilsynets tematilsyn på petroleumssektorens nedskrivningsvurderinger, motivert av oljeprisens fall i 2014, rettet kritikk mot foretakenes praksis. I 2020 opplevde sektoren igjen et betydelig oljeprisfall. Denne oppgaven ønsker derfor å undersøke om petroleumssektoren rapporterte tilstrekkelige opplysninger om goodwill og immaterielle eiendeler med ubestemt utnyttbar levetid for dette regnskapsåret. Oppgaven tar utgangspunkt i 14 foretaks årsregnskap for 2020. Utvalget utgjorde samtlige foretak i petroleumssektoren som var notert på Oslo Børs, førte regnskap etter IFRS og hadde balanseført de relevante eiendelene. Med utgangspunkt i IAS 36 sine noteopplysningskrav, ble det utformet 35 vurderingskriterier for å vurdere om foretakene ga tilstrekkelige opplysninger. Konklusjonen til oppgaven er at petroleumssektoren ikke ga tilstrekkelige opplysninger i 2020. Oppgaven avdekket tilstrekkelig rapportering for samtlige foretak på kun 7 av 35 vurderingskriterier. Sensitivitetsanalysen trekkes frem som særlig mangelfull, ettersom ingen foretak tilfredsstilte samtlige kriterier knyttet til denne. Mangelfull rapportering svekker informasjonsverdien av regnskapet for brukerne. Vi anbefaler derfor Finanstilsynet å vurdere et nytt tematilsyn, rettet mot petroleumssektorens noteopplysninger. Det kan også være sentralt å vurdere tiltak mot revisjonsselskapene, for å forbedre implementeringen av standardens krav i revisjonen av årsregnskapet.nhhma

Survey of Interprofessional Collaboration Learning Needs and Training Interest in Health Professionals, Teachers, and Students: An Exploratory Study

AbstractBackground: Researchers and trainers from many professions and settings have emphasized the importance of explicit training in interprofessional collaboration (IPC), but interest in and best practice for training for IPC remains unknown.Methods and Findings: A 33-item Internet-based survey was completed by 486 practicing professionals and students from the sectors of health and education. The survey assessed experiences and knowledge of IPC as well as interest in and barriers to further training in IPC. Overall, there was agreement among respondents regarding the importance of IPC. Satisfaction with IPC was associated with higher self-ratings of knowledge and skills related to IPC. Interest in further IPC training was high, especially for one- or two-day workshops or web-based modules. Qualitative analysis of responses to an open-ended question about IPC skills and knowledge revealed seven networks of common themes that can serve as a framework for training and theory development.Conclusions: IPC training should provide knowledge about IPC models and research, leadership styles, team stages, and conflict management, while also ensuring that training applies to the workplace or practicum placement. Efforts should be made to promote awareness of the need for training in areas where trainees already feel competent