Estimation de la biomasse bactérienne dans les effluents urbains par mesure de l'activité exoprotéolytique potentielle

Des études récentes ont montré que, lors du rejet d'eaux usées dans une rivière, la quantité de biomasse bactérienne hétérotrophe amenée par les effluents influence considérablement la cinétique de biodégradation de la matière organique dans la rivière et donc les caractéristiques du déficit d'oxygène généralement observé dans le milieu naturel en aval du rejet. La mesure de la biomasse bactérienne contenue dans un rejet domestique est donc nécessaire afin de bien comprendre la cinétique de biodégradation. Cette biomasse peut être estimée en microscopie à épifluorescence après coloration des cellules bactériennes par un fluorochrome. Cette technique appliquée aux eaux usées est néanmoins difficile et fastidieuse. Dans cette étude, une méthode alternative à l'estimation de la biomasse bactérienne dans les eaux usées a été testée ; elle consiste à mesurer l'activité exoprotéolytique potentielle (AEP) des bactéries. Nous avons montré qu'il existait, dans les eaux usées, une corrélation significative entre l'AEP et la biomasse bactérienne estimée en microscopie à épifluorescence ce qui permet d'utiliser l'AEP pour estimer facilement et rapidement la biomasse bactérienne dans ce type d'échantillon. Comme exemple d'application, des mesures d'AEP nous ont permis d'étudier l'impact de divers types de traitement dans plusieurs stations d'épuration sur la biomasse bactérienne hétérotrophe des effluents urbains. Sur base de ces mesures, les charges spécifiques en biomasse bactérienne (charge par habitant et par jour) des eaux brutes et traitées ont pu être calculées.Recent studies have shown that when wastewaters are discharged into a river, heterotrophic bacterial biomass in the effluent exerts considerable influence on the biodegradation kinetics of organic matter and provokes the oxygen deficits often observed downstream from outfalls. Quantification of bacterial biomass in wastewaters is required for a good understanding the biodegradation kinetics. Bacterial biomass can be estimated by epifluorescence microscopy after staining cells with fluorochrome. Applying this technique to wastewater samples, however, is painstaking and difficult. In this study, an alternative method for estimating bacterial biomass in wastewaters was tested; it consists of measuring the potential exoproteolytic activity (PEA) of bacteria. Previous studies on other types of aquatic systems have shown that bacterial biomass can be estimated from PEA. After optimising the PEA procedure for use with wastewater, we found a significant correlation between PEA and the bacterial biomass estimated by epifluorescence microscopy. This opens the way for PEA measurements for rapid and easy estimates of bacterial biomass in wastewaters. As an example of the application of this technique, the impact of wastewater treatment on bacterial biomass in effluent was investigated at various treatment plants. On the basis of our procedure, specific loads of bacterial biomass (load per inhabitant and per day) were calculated for raw and treated wastewaters

Theme Analysis of Flora Nwapa’s Never Again: A Systemic Functional Approach

This paper deals with theme analysis of Flora Nwapa’s Never Again. The theory that underpins this study is systemic functional linguistics, which is one of the approaches proposed by scholars such as M.A.K Halliday, S. Eggins, J. R. Martin, R. Fowler, J. D. Benson to mention but a very few, for the study of language and its function(s). In this system, the study of language involves three functional labels: experiential, interpersonal and textual meanings. This study aims at describing and analysing linguistic features which connote textual meaning in Never Again so as to have a deep understanding of the novel and provide a new interpretation of it. It also aims at uncovering the deep messages conveyed through the novel. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used in this study. Thus, two extracts have been selected from Never Again and systemic functional linguistic theories have been applied to each of them for the purpose of exploring how language is used to organise itself. The study of the internal organisation and communicative nature of the selected Texts has enabled the researchers to come up with valuable findings. Indeed, through Mood adjuncts that conflate interpersonal themes, participants in Text 1 have expressed particular attitudes and judgments about the limited power of women and the roles of women and children during war whereas those in Text 2 have expressed a high degree of certainty and inclination. This study enables the researchers to provide a deeper understanding of Never Again by contending that the deep messages conveyed through the novel are the Nigerian civil war and the roles of women and children in our societies especially during war time. Keywords: Metafunctions, register variables, systemic functional linguistics, theme patterns

The Hybrid Hanger: A lightweight, portable hang-on tree stand with high durability and ease of use.

The Hybrid Hanger is a fully carbon fiber-epoxy composite hang-on tree stand. This 12-pound tree stand design allows a hunter to carry the stand further without fatiguing, which is perfect for public land hunters. In order to support the weight of a person and the harshness of hunting environments, the Hybrid Hanger will need to be strong and weather resistant. It has been tested to 600 pounds and the carbon fiber is an improvement upon the current metal stands of today’s market. Other qualities of the Hybrid Hanger that improve upon current tree stands in the market include: noise reduction, corrosion 41 resistance, and the compact and sleek design. The Hybrid Hanger will also be foldable with backpack straps to easily carry on a hunter’s back as they walk to their hunting location.https://openriver.winona.edu/urc2019/1021/thumbnail.jp

School Roles: A Way to Investigate Participation

Students who are more engaged in school have higher academic achievement, lower dropout rates, and increased involvement in activities during early adult-hood. Unfortunately, children with disabilities participate less than children without disabilities, thus increasing their risk for depression and anxiety. This study investigated the lack of school participation from a roles perspective. Roles refer to clusters of meaningful activities that are expected of, and assumed by, in-dividuals in various contexts of their lives. Fifteen teachers from Southern Ontario, Canada, were interviewed about the roles in which children participate in school and 24 students in grades 4 through 7 were observed in order to deter-mine the roles in which they engaged. Overall, students with disabilities engaged in less positive roles (Challenged Learner; Victim; Bully), while students without disabilities engaged in more positive roles (Independent Learner; Nurturer; Friend). Ideas for improving participation through role identity and engagement are discussed

Idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis

peer reviewedFibrosing mediastinitis is a rare condition characterized by an excessive growth of dense fibrous tissue within the mediastinum. The etiology of the disease is most often a fungal infection and may in some cases be idiopathic. We present the case of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) suffering from fibrosing mediastinitis of undetermined origin and in whom the diagnosis was established by histopathological analysis after mediastinoscopy

Finite element modelling of the Scheldt estuary and the adjacent Belgian/Dutch coastal zone with application to the transport of fecal bacteria

A fundamental problem in coastal modelling is the need to simultaneously consider large- and small-scale processes, especially when local dynamics or local environmental issues are of interest. The approach widely resorted to is based on a nesting strategy by which coarse grid large scale model provide boundary conditions to force fine resolution local models. This is probably the best solution for finite difference methods, needing structured grids. However, the use of structured grids leads to a marked lack of flexibility in the spatial resolution. Another solution is to take advantage of the potential of the more modern finite element methods, which allow the use of unstructured grids in which the mesh size may vary over a wide spectrum. With these methods only one model is required to describe both the larger and the smaller scales.Such a model is use herein, namely the Second-generation Louvain-la-Neuve Ice-ocean Model (SLIM, http://www.climate.be/SLIM). For one of its first realistic applications, the Scheldt Estuary area is studied. The hydrodynamics is primarily forced by the tide and the neatest way to take it into account is to fix it at the shelf break. This results in a multi-scale problem since the domain boundary lies at the shelf break, and covers about 1000km of the North Sea and 60km of the actual estuary, and ends with a 100km long section of the Scheldt River until Ghent where the river is not more than 50 m wide.Two-dimensional elements are used to simulate the hydrodynamics from the shelf break to Antwerp (80km upstream of the mouth) and one-dimensional elements for the riverine part between Antwerp and Ghent.For first application we consider the transport of faecal bacteria (Escherichia coli) which is an important water quality indicator.The model will be described in detail and the simulation results will be discussed. This modelling exercise actually falls within the framework of the interdisciplinary project TIMOTHY (http://www.climate.be/TIMOTHY) dedicated to the modelling of ecological indicators in the Scheldt area

The speaking vocabulary of 454 third grade children.

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Expert guidance on the multidisciplinary management of cystinosis in adolescent and adult patients

Clinical recommendations; Cystinosis; Multidisciplinary careRecomendaciones clínicas; Cistinosis; Atención multidisciplinariaRecomanacions clíniques; Cistinosi; Atenció multidisciplinàriaCystinosis, a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder, results in an abnormal accumulation of the amino acid cystine in multiple organs and tissues of the body. Renal symptoms typically develop in the first few months of life, with extra-renal manifestations becoming apparent over the next 10–20 years, which require coordinated multidisciplinary care. Here, we describe a consensus-based guidance to support the management of adolescents and adults living with cystinosis. The programme was led by a Steering Committee (SC) of six experts in the management of patients with cystinosis, who identified a list of 15 key questions reflecting the multi-organ effects of cystinosis. An Extended Faculty (EF) of eight additional specialists was invited to answer the questions via an online digital platform using a quasi-Delphi approach. The consolidated answers were summarized into recommendations. Where evidence was lacking, recommendations were developed using collective expert consensus. The EF was asked to agree/disagree with the clinical recommendations. The expert-agreed clinical recommendations provide guidance that considers both renal and extra-renal systems. The topics covered are advice on fertility and family planning, consideration of the nervous, muscular, ophthalmic, cardio-respiratory, endocrine, dermatological and gastrointestinal systems, as well as guidance on dental care, diet, lifestyle, and improving quality of life and psychological well-being. In summary, this work outlines recommendations and a checklist for clinicians with a vision for improving and standardizing the multidisciplinary care for patients with cystinosis.The programme was supported by Chiesi Farmaceutici Spa. Chiesi was not involved in the content or outcomes of the programme which were solely determined by the SC and extended faculty experts

Prognostic factors and treatment-effect modifiers in spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare, progressive neuromuscular disease characterized by loss of motor neurons and muscle atrophy. Untreated infants with Type 1 SMA do not achieve major motor milestones, and death from respiratory failure typically occurs before 2 years. Individuals with Types 2 and 3 SMA exhibit milder phenotypes and have better functional and survival outcomes. Herein, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify factors that influence the prognosis of Types 1, 2 and 3 SMA. In untreated infants with Type 1 SMA, absence of symptoms at birth, a later symptom onset and a higher survival of motor neuron 2 (SMN2) copy number are all associated with increased survival. Disease duration, age at treatment initiation and, to a lesser extent, baseline function were identified as potential treatment-modifying factors for survival, emphasizing that early treatment with disease-modifying therapies (DMT) is essential in Type 1 SMA. In patients with Types 2 and 3 SMA, factors considered prognostic of changes in motor function were SMN2 copy number, age and ambulatory status. Individuals aged 6-15 years were particularly vulnerable to developing complications (scoliosis and progressive joint contractures) which negatively influence functional outcomes and may also affect the therapeutic response in patients. Age at the time of treatment initiation emerged as a treatment-effect modifier on the outcome of DMTs. Factors identified in this review should be considered prior to designing or analyzing studies in an SMA population, conducting population matching or summarizing results from different studies on the treatments for SMA