Improving Drinking Water Quality on Barro Colorado Island, Panama

This project was sponsored by the Panama Canal Authority in the Republic of Panama. The Panama Canal Expansion Project includes dredging, which has resulted in increased turbidity in the drinking water source for Barro Colorado Island, in Lake Gatun. This project\u27s goal was to recommend a solution for providing potable water to the island. Through water quality testing and site investigations, alternatives were analyzed based on water quality, quantity, cost, and environmental impact. Importing water from the mainland was recommended

3D printing of abdominal immobilization masks for therapeutics: dosimetric, mechanical and financial analysis

Molding immobilization masks is a time-consuming process, strongly dependent on the healthcare professional, and potentially uncomfortable for the patient. Thus, an alternative sustainable automated production process is proposed for abdominal masks, using fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing with polylactic acid (PLA). Radiological properties of PLA were evaluated by submitting a set of PLA plates to photon beam radiation, while estimations of their mechanical characteristics were assessed through numerical simulation. Based on the obtained results, the abdominal mask was 3D printed and process costs and times were analyzed. The plates revealed dose transmissions similar to the conventional mask at all energies, and mechanical deformation guarantees the required immobilization, with a 66% final cost reduction. PLA proved to be an excellent material for this purpose. Despite the increase in labour costs, a significant reduction in material costs is observed with the proposed process. However, the time results are not favorable, mainly due to the printing technique used in this study.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Quelles sont les expériences vécues des personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus, souffrant de douleur chronique en soins palliatifs: travail de Bachelor

Le but de cette étude est d’explorer les différentes perceptions de la douleur chronique chez les personnes âgées en soins palliatifs. Il s’agit d’une revue de la littérature qualitative descriptive qui prend en compte la théorie de Rosemarie Rizzo Parse. Le mode de pensée de celle-ci a ermis d’appréhender l’expérience vécue de la douleur à travers le concept de la qualité de vie. La douleur chronique peut être psychique ou physique et a des répercussions néfastes sur le quotidien et sur la qualité de vie. Des directives anticipées peuvent être mises en place pour une anticipation des soins. L’implication des soignants et des proches dans la compréhension du vécu de la douleur est cruciale pour une prise en soins globale du patient et que celui-ci ne soit pas considéré comme un fardeau. La douleur chronique comprend la douleur physique et la douleur psychique qui sont interdépendantes et requière une pluridisciplinarité pour une meilleure qualité des soins

The only one : exploring identity development in Black adolescent girls who are both educated and raised in White spaces

This theoretical study offers insight into how racial isolation experienced by Black adolescent girls living and educated in white spaces hinders their overall wellbeing and sense of identity. By focusing on Black adolescent girls who are raised and educated in predominantly white settings, my research adds and expands the often rigid and incomplete narrative that is found in academia regarding the psychosocial functioning and development of Black adolescent girls. This research uses both Erikson\u27s model for Adolescent Development and Objectification Theory to illuminate the challenges posed by the encompassing experiences of racial isolation on positive self-image and identity development for Black adolescent girls raised and educated in predominantly white spaces. Finally, this research closes with recommendations, relevant for both clinicians and educators to more effectively work with Black adolescent girls who are both raised and educated in predominantly white spaces, and offers insight into available resources and supports for this population group

Identification of presumed pathogenic KRT3 and KRT12 gene mutations associated with Meesmann corneal dystrophy.

PurposeTo report potentially pathogenic mutations in the keratin 3 (KRT3) and keratin 12 (KRT12) genes in two individuals with clinically diagnosed Meesmann corneal dystrophy (MECD).MethodsSlit-lamp examination was performed on the probands and available family members to identify characteristic features of MECD. After informed consent was obtained, saliva samples were obtained as a source of genomic DNA, and screening of KRT3 and KRT12 was performed. Potentially pathogenic variants were screened for in 200 control chromosomes. PolyPhen-2, SIFT, and PANTHER were used to predict the functional impact of identified variants. Short tandem repeat genotyping was performed to confirm paternity.ResultsSlit-lamp examination of the first proband demonstrated bilateral, diffusely distributed, clear epithelial microcysts, consistent with MECD. Screening of KRT3 revealed a heterozygous missense variant in exon 1, c.250C>T (p.(Arg84Trp)), which has a minor allele frequency of 0.0076 and was not identified in 200 control chromosomes. In silico analysis with PolyPhen-2 and PANTHER predicted the variant to be damaging to protein function; however, SIFT analysis predicted tolerance of the variant. The second proband demonstrated bilateral, diffusely distributed epithelial opacities that appeared gray-white on direct illumination and translucent on retroillumination. Neither parent demonstrated corneal opacities. Screening of KRT12 revealed a novel heterozygous insertion/deletion variant in exon 6, c.1288_1293delinsAGCCCT (p.(Arg430_Arg431delinsSerPro)). This variant was not present in either of the proband's parents or in 200 control chromosomes and was predicted to be damaging by PolyPhen-2, PANTHER, and SIFT. Haplotype analysis confirmed paternity of the second proband, indicating that the variant arose de novo.ConclusionsWe present a novel KRT12 mutation, representing the first de novo mutation and the first indel in KRT12 associated with MECD. In addition, we report a variant of uncertain significance in KRT3 in an individual with MECD. Although the potential pathogenicity of this variant is unknown, it is the first variant affecting the head domain of K3 to be reported in an individual with MECD and suggests that disease-causing variants associated with MECD may not be restricted to primary sequence alterations of either the helix-initiation or helix-termination motifs of K3 and K12

Selective Gene Expression by Postnatal Electroporation during Olfactory interneuron Nurogenesis

Neurogenesis persists in the olfactory system throughout life. The mechanisms of how new neurons are generated, how they integrate into circuits, and their role in coding remain mysteries. Here we report a technique that will greatly facilitate research into these questions. We found that electroporation can be used to robustly and selectively label progenitors in the Subventicular Zone. The approach was performed postnatally, without surgery, and with near 100% success rates. Labeling was found in all classes of interneurons in the olfactory bulb, persisted to adulthood and had no adverse effects. The broad utility of electroporation was demonstrated by encoding a calcium sensor and markers of intracellular organelles. The approach was found to be effective in wildtype and transgenic mice as well as rats. Given its versatility, robustness, and both time and cost effectiveness, this method offers a powerful new way to use genetic manipulation to understand adult neurogenesis

Pharmaceuticals and environmental risk assessment in municipal wastewater treatment plants and rivers from Peru

This is the first study dealing with removal of the pharmaceutical substances in municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs) from Peru and the impact of these compounds in surface waters receiving treated wastewater. To this aim, samples from MWWTP of Lima (Peruvian Coast), MWWTP of Cusco, Puno and Juliaca (Peruvian Highlands), as well surface water (confluence of Torococha and Coata rivers in Juliaca) were analyzed. A total of 38 target pharmaceuticals were included in this study and were determined by Liquid Chromatography coupled to tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Around 60% and 75% of the target pharmaceuticals could be quantified in surface water and MWWTPs, respectively. Acetaminophen was the drug found at the highest concentration, and it was present in all the treated wastewater samples reaching average values above 100 μg/L in the department of Puno. The gabapentin anti-epileptic drug (up to 11.85 μg/L in MWWTP Lima) and the antibiotics clarithromycin, trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole and azithromycin (1.86 to 4.47 μg/L in MWWTP Lima) were also found at moderate concentrations in the treated wastewater. In surface water, the highest concentration corresponded also to acetaminophen (28.70 μg/L) followed by sulfamethoxazole (4.36 μg/L). As regards the pharmaceuticals removal, data of this work showed that the MWWTP Cusco (aerobic biologic process by synthetic trickling filters as secondary treatment) was more efficient than the MWWTP Lima (a preliminary treatment that combines grilles, sand trap, degreaser-aerated and sieved of 1.0 mm). However, many pharmaceuticals (around 50% of the compounds investigated) presented concentrations in treated wastewater similar or even higher than in influent wastewater. The environmental ecological risk of pharmaceuticals was assessed based on calculated Risk Quotient (RQ) in the treated wastewater and surface water from the concentration data found in the samples. According to our data, three antibiotics (clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin) and the analgesic acetaminophen posed high environmental risk (RQ ≥ 1) on the aquatic environment. In the river, all antibiotics (except norfloxacin) as well as the analgesic-anti-inflammatory compounds acetaminophen, diclofenac posed a high environmental risk (RQ ≥ 1). Based on data reported in this work for the first time in water samples from Peru, it can be deduced that the treatment processes applied in important cities from Peru are not enough efficient to remove pharmaceuticals in wastewater. As a consequence, severe environmental risks associated to the presence of pharmaceuticals in treated wastewater and surface water are expected; so complementary treatment processes should be implemented in the MWWTPs for a more efficient elimination of these compounds

APC fly ash recycling: development of a granular material from laboratory to a pilot scale

The aim of this article is to present the research carried out over a 10 year period to develop an environmentally safe method for recycling Air Pollution Control (APC) residues. The initial studies aimed to formulate a mixture of Weathered Bottom Ash (WBA), APC residues and Portland Cement (PC) to be used as a sub-base in road constructions. Mechanical performance was subsequently enhanced by preparing a mortar prior to mixing it with WBA in order to obtain a granular material. After testing different formulations, the optimum mortar consisted of 50% APC residues and 50% PC. The evaluation was carried out based on the concentration release of the heavy metals and metalloids included in the Catalan legislation for revalorization of residues. After the applicability of the granular material was successfully demonstrated at laboratory scale from an environmental and mechanical point of view, a pilot scale plant was designed in order to assess its performance in a real scenario during four month. Thus, three roads were built: two containing 100% granular material and a third containing 100% WBA. The results showed that the immobilisation of all toxic species from APC residues is accomplished by the pozzolanic effect of the cement. The WBA, APC, and PC proportions show to be the most appropriate for compliance with regard to environmental and mechanics requirements