Framework for Enhanced Stormwater Management by Optimization of Sewer Pumping Stations

: Control and reduction of pollution from stormwater overflow is a major concern to be addressed by municipalities in order to improve the quality of the receiving water bodies and the environment in general. In the European context, these actions are driven by the Water Directive 2000/60/CE. In this regard, assessment studies of the potential load from sewer networks recognize the need for adaptation and upgrade of existing networks with waterworks and management measures. In many cases this is done by building first-flush detention tanks that, however, present consistent practical and economical burdens. In this work, simple rules to manage existing pumping stations in combined sewer systems are proposed as a way to apply management rules that mitigate pollution load. Such rules can be easily implemented in real cases with minimal cost of activation and no need of additional infrastructures. The procedure is based on the previous knowledge of the precipitation forcing and of a quantity/quality model of the sewer network. The steps adopted are (1) use of a (long-term, high-resolution) sequence of rainfall events to compute a wide spectrum of flow conditions (hydrographs and pollutographs) to the pumping stations; (2) definitions of a pumping rule to apply to the whole sequence of events to filter the incoming flow toward the wastewater treatment plant, so to compute outflows; and (3) efficiency assessment of the pumping rule by cumulative frequency analysis of water volume, pollutant mass, and pollutant mean concentration. Rule optimization can be performed by iterating points (2) and (3). An example is proposed to show how two simple parameters (a discharge threshold on the inflow and a maximum pumping time) can control the management of water and pollutant fluxes. Numerical results show that a proper optimization allows one to reduce the pumped volumes (thus reducing energy requirements and increasing the treatment plant efficiency) without significant changes to the overall pollutant mass outflow. The new pumping rules can be implemented on real stations with minimal and economically sustainable intervention

Zooplankton diversity of a protected and vulnerable wetland system in southern South America (Llancanelo area, Argentina)

In arid regions, climatic conditions exert a great control on the aquatic systems present, but recent changes in climate have produced an enhanced salinization of the aquatic environments located there. Consequently, a major reduction in biodiversity would be expected in those wetlands that were originally fresh water. Salinity is a principal cause of reduced biodiversity particularly in zooplankton because few of those species can adapt to the salt pressure of saline environments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain essential information on the diversity of aquatic invertebrates in Llancanelo basin by focussing the analysis on the zooplankton community and exploring seasonal and spatial differences in the zooplankton assemblages of this vulnerable wetland system within an arid region of Argentina. Seasonal samples were taken at nine sites in the basin (a shallow lake, 4 springs, streams, and the Malargüe River). A total of 45 species were identified. The zooplankton abundance in the lake displayed a clear seasonal contrast and was higher than that recorded in the springs and lotic environments. Boeckella poopoensis, Fabrea salina, and Brachionus plicatilis predominated in the lake, indicating their halophilia. The presence of the crustaceans Alona sp., Macrocyclops albidus, and Paracyclops fimbriatus was restricted to the springs; whereas Notholca labis and Notholca squamula were found only in running water. The zooplankton species richness in the Llancanelo area is low because of both the salt content in the lake and the irregularity of freshwater entry in all locations during the annual cycle.Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raul A. Ringuelet

How should eosinophilic cystitis be treated in patients with chronic granulomatous disease?

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency resulting from the absence or malfunction of oxidative mechanism in phagocytic cells. The disease is due to a mutation in one of four genes that encode subunits of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase complex. Affected patients experience severe infections and granuloma formation due to exuberant inflammatory responses. Some evidence suggests that eosinophilic cystitis (EC) is included in the spectrum of inflammatory manifestations. EC is an inflammatory disease, rare in childhood, which may require different, nonstandardized therapeutic approaches, ranging from antihistamines to cyclosporine

Diaspididae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of Espírito Santo, Brazil

Twenty-seven species of armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) are newly recorded from Espírito Santo, Brazil, and information on the host plants and geographic distribution of the 31 species of Diaspididae that have been identified in the State is provided. New plant host records are reported for 11 of the diaspidid species studied and results are discussed with respect to development of agriculture in this and similar areas with objectives of modernization and diversification

Zooplankton diversity of a protected and vulnerable wetland system in southern South America (Llancanelo area, Argentina)

In arid regions, climatic conditions exert a great control on the aquatic systems present, but recent changes in climate have produced an enhanced salinization of the aquatic environments located there. Consequently, a major reduction in biodiversity would be expected in those wetlands that were originally fresh water. Salinity is a principal cause of reduced biodiversity particularly in zooplankton because few of those species can adapt to the salt pressure of saline environments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain essential information on the diversity of aquatic invertebrates in Llancanelo basin by focussing the analysis on the zooplankton community and exploring seasonal and spatial differences in the zooplankton assemblages of this vulnerable wetland system within an arid region of Argentina. Seasonal samples were taken at nine sites in the basin (a shallow lake, 4 springs, streams, and the Malargüe River). A total of 45 species were identified. The zooplankton abundance in the lake displayed a clear seasonal contrast and was higher than that recorded in the springs and lotic environments. Boeckella poopoensis, Fabrea salina, and Brachionus plicatilis predominated in the lake, indicating their halophilia. The presence of the crustaceans Alona sp., Macrocyclops albidus, and Paracyclops fimbriatus was restricted to the springs; whereas Notholca labis and Notholca squamula were found only in running water. The zooplankton species richness in the Llancanelo area is low because of both the salt content in the lake and the irregularity of freshwater entry in all locations during the annual cycle.Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raul A. Ringuelet

Evaluation of different test-day milk recording protocols by wood’s model application for the estimation of dairy goat milk and milk constituent yield

Goats have important social and economic roles in many countries because of their ability to survive and be productive in marginal areas. The overarching aim of this study was to compare the application of Wood’s model to different test-day milk recording protocols for estimation of total milk, fat, and protein yield in dairy goats. A total of 465 goats were used (Garganica, 78; Girgentana, 81; Jonica, 76; Maltese, 77; Red Mediterranean, 76; Saanen, 77). Milk yield was recorded every 15 days throughout lactation of 210 days, for a total of 14 collection days, during both morning and afternoon milking sessions. Milk samples were collected and analyzed for protein and fat. The fat-corrected milk was standardized at 35g fat/kg of milk. Wood models showed high R2 values, and thus good fitting, in all the considered breeds. Wood model applied to first, second, fourth, and sixth month recordings (C) and ICAR estimation showed total milk yield very close to Wood’s model applied to all 14 recordings (A) (p > 0.38). Differently, Wood’s model applied to the first, second, third, and fourth month recording (B) estimation showed great differences (p < 0.01). This could be applied for farms that had the necessity to synchronize flock groups for kidding in order to produce kid meat. In farms that apply the estrus induction and/or synchronization for kidding, it would be possible to perform only four test-day milk recordings and to apply the Wood’s model on them in order to obtain the estimation of total milk, fat, and protein yield during lactation for animals inscribed, or to be inscribed, to the genealogical book

Crocin improves the quality of cryopreserved goat semen in different breeds

The effect of crocin in the semen extender before cryopreservation was evaluated on sperm parameters of 20 bucks of five different breeds: Garganica (GA), Jonica (JO), Maltese (MA), Mediterranean Red (MR) and Saanen (SA). Semen samples were centrifuged, to remove seminal plasma, divided in two aliquots and diluted with Tris-egg-yolk-based extender, containing 0 (control group) and 1 mM crocin. Crocin concentration was established after a preliminary dose trial. On fresh and frozen-thawed sperm, motility, viability, morphology, membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation and ROS levels were evaluated. The freezing process led to a decrease (p < 0.05) in all the sperm parameters recorded, confirming the deleterious effect of cryopreservation on goat semen. The most interesting result regarding the inclusion of crocin in the extender before cryopreservation was as follows: Crocin significantly improved (p < 0.05) sperm motility in all breeds, except for Mediterranean Red, compared to the control group. Furthermore, 1 mM crocin reduced percentage of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation with a marked decrement (p < 0.05) in Garganica and Saanen, as compared to the control group. Finally, intracellular ROS decreased (p < 0.01) in the crocin-treated sperm of all breeds, as compared to the control. In conclusion, supplementation of 1 mM crocin in the extender decreased oxidative stress, improving sperm motility and the DNA integrity of frozen-thawed sperm in different breeds

Latitudinal gradient of biting midges in the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Argentina and Bolivia

Fil: Veggiani Aybar, Cecilia A.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto Superior de Entomología Dr. Abraham Willink; ArgentinaFil: Dantur Juri, María Julia. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto Superior de Entomología Dr. Abraham Willink; ArgentinaFil: Claps, Guillermo L.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto Superior de Entomología Dr. Abraham Willink; ArgentinaFil: Lizarralde de Grosso, Mercedes S.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto Superior de Entomología Dr. Abraham Willink; ArgentinaFil: Spinelli, Gustavo Ricardo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Entomología; Argentin

Reliability of nephrolithometric nomograms in patients treated with minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A precision study

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate quality of nephrolithometric nomograms to predict stone-free rates (SFRs) and complication rates (CRs) in case of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). In the last decade, nomograms have been introduced to estimate the SFRs and CRs of PNL. However, no data are available regarding their reliability in case of utilization of miniaturized devices. Herein we present a prospective multicentric study to evaluate reliability of Guy's stone score (GSS), the stone size, tract length, obstruction, number of involved calyces, and essence of stone (S.T.O.N.E.) nephrolithometry score and Clinical Research Office of the Endourological Society (CROES) score in patients treated with minimally invasive PNL. Methods: We evaluated SFRs and CRs of 222 adult patients treated with miniaturized PNL. Patients were considered stone-free if no residual fragments of any size at post-operative unenhanced computed tomography scan. Patients demographics, SFRs, and CRs were reported and analysed. Performances of nomograms were evaluated with the area under the curve (AUC). Results: We included 222 patients, the AUCs of GSS, CROES score and S.T.O.N.E. nephrolithometry score were 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61–0.78), 0.64 (95% CI 0.56–0.73), and 0.62 (95% CI 0.52–0.71), respectively. Regarding SFRs, at multivariate binomial logistic regression, only the GSS had significance with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.53 (95% CI 0.31–0.95, p=0.04). We did not find significant correlation with complications, with only a trend for GSS. Conclusion: This is the first study evaluating nomograms in miniaturized PNL. They still show good reliability; however, our data showed lower performances compared to standard PNL. We emphasize the need of further studies to confirm this trend. A dedicated nomogram for minimally invasive PNL may be necessary

Dietary supplementation of suckling lambs with anthocyanins: Effects on growth, carcass, oxidative and meat quality traits

The aim of this research was to assess the effect of the dietary inclusion in suckling lambs of a red orange and lemon extract rich in anthocyanins on growth performance, antioxidant status, carcass characteristics and of both dietary antioxidant addition and aging on meat fatty acids, colorimetric and antioxidant profile, and meat texture. The experiment was carried out using 44 Merino male lambs randomly assigned to two groups: one group received the red orange and lemon extract (RLE) (RLE; n = 22) and the control group (CON; n = 22) did not receive the anthocyanins. The RLE extract was orally administered (90 mg/kg of live weight) to each lamb every day from birth until slaughter (40 ± 1 days). Longissimus lumborum muscle was sampled and aged for 7 days. Rheological, colorimetric and oxidative parameters were affected by aging time and anthocyanins administration. The meat from RLE supplemented lambs had lower cooking loss and Warner-Blatzer Shear Force (WBSF) values. Moreover, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxides were lower (P &lt; 0.01) in RLE meat along the entire aging period, although in both groups they increased during aging (P &lt; 0.01). The RLE addition affect yellowness values during aging, showing lower values in CON group at 7 d (P &lt; 0.01). The RLE feed addition in able to positively affect oxidative animal status, and consequently animal welfare, enhancing meat oxidative stability and reducing colour deterioration during aging