Studies on the Growth of Chlorella vulgaris in Culture Media with Different Carbon Sources

Diminishing oil reserves, rising oil prices and a significant increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have led to an increasing demand for alternative fuels. Microalgae have been suggested as a suitable means for fuel production because of their advantages related to higher growth rates, higher photosynthetic efficiency and higher biomass production, compared to other terrestrial energy crops. During photosynthesis, microalgae can fix carbon dioxide from different sources, including the atmosphere, industrial exhaust gases and soluble carbonate salts. To determine the most optimal conditions for the growth of Chlorella vulgaris in order to produce lipids that can be transformed into biodiesel fuel, different nutritional conditions were investigated. For this purpose, three media, namely Jaworski’s medium, an enriched solution from modified Dual Solvay process and natural mineral water, were prepared and analyzed for biomass production, chlorophyll content and lipid content. The best growth resulted in an enriched solution from the modified Solvay process. This medium was diluted in different dilution ratios (1:100, 1:50, 1:10) and the best results were obtained in a medium diluted in a 1:10 ratio on the fifth day of culturing (3.72 · 106 cells mL–1; 4.98 μg mL–1 chlorophyll a)

Library technician course recognition: meeting the challenge of a distributed national education program

This paper looks at the challenges presented for the Australian Library and Information Association by its role as the professional association responsible for ensuring the quality of Australian library technician graduates. There is a particular focus on the issue of course recognition, where the Association?s role is complicated by the need to work alongside the national quality assurance processes that have been established by the relevant technical education authorities. The paper describes the history of course recognition in Australia; examines the relationship between course recognition and other quality measures; and describes the process the Association has undertaken recently to ensure appropriate professional scrutiny in a changing environment of accountability

CENGO: a web-based serious game to increase the programming knowledge levels of computer engineering students

In recent years, games are used to increase the level of knowledge and experience of individuals working in different domains. Especially in the education field, there are several different serious games to teach the subjects of the lectures or other educational materials to students in an enjoyable way. Hence, this study proposes a quantitative research approach to increase the programming knowledge levels of the first-year undergraduate students at computer engineering departments. For this aim, a responsive web platform was developed to teach the syntax and logic of C programming language by using some game elements. Therefore, the students have a chance to repeat the topics related to C programming language continuously since the platform is always accessible. To figure out the efficiency of the designed environment, 10 first-year computer engineering students were selected. According to the results obtained from the user tests, this game can be used as an educational tool, which supports the traditional training methods, to increase the knowledge levels of students about the syntax and logic of C programming language

The contribution of musculoskeletal disorders in multimorbidity: Implications for practice and policy

People frequently live for many years with multiple chronic conditions (multimorbidity) that impair health outcomes and are expensive to manage. Multimorbidity has been shown to reduce quality of life and increase mortality. People with multimorbidity also rely more heavily on health and care services and have poorer work outcomes. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are ubiquitous in multimorbidity because of their high prevalence, shared risk factors, and shared pathogenic processes amongst other long-term conditions. Additionally, these conditions significantly contribute to the total impact of multimorbidity, having been shown to reduce quality of life, increase work disability, and increase treatment burden and healthcare costs. For people living with multimorbidity, MSDs could impair the ability to cope and maintain health and independence, leading to precipitous physical and social decline. Recognition, by health professionals, policymakers, non-profit organisations, and research funders, of the impact of musculoskeletal health in multimorbidity is essential when planning support for people living with multimorbidity

The association between comorbidities and pain, physical function and quality of life following hip and knee arthroplasty

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between comorbidities and pain, physical function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A cross-sectional retrospective survey was conducted including 19 specific comorbidities, administered in patients who underwent THA or TKA in the previous 7–22 months in one of 4 hospitals. Outcome measures included pain, physical functioning, and HRQoL. Of the 521 patients (281 THA and 240 TKA) included, 449 (86 %) had ≥1 comorbidities. The most frequently reported comorbidities (>15 %) were severe back pain; neck/shoulder pain; elbow, wrist or hand pain; hypertension; incontinence of urine; hearing impairment; vision impairment; and cancer. Only the prevalence of cancer was significantly different between THA (n = 38; 14 %) and TKA (n = 52; 22 %) (p = 0.01). The associations between a higher number of comorbidities and worse outcomes were stronger in THA than in TKA. In multivariate analyses including all comorbidities with a prevalence of >5 %, in THA dizziness in combination with falling and severe back pain, and in TKA dizziness in combination with falling, vision impairments, and elbow, wrist or hand pain was associated with worse outcomes in most of the analyses. A broad range of specific comorbidities needs to be taken into account with the interpretation of patients’ health status after THA and TKA. More research including the ascertainment of comorbidities preoperatively is needed, but it is conceivable that in particular, the presence of dizziness with falling, pain in other joints, and vision impairments should be assessed and treated in order to decrease the chance of an unfavorable outcome