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Objective To develop and evaluate a paper-based point-of-care HPV serology test to determine if an individual has received two or more HPV immunizations. Methods The paper-based immunoassay was constructed using a nitrocellulose lateral flow strip with adsorbed HPV16 virus-like particles serving as the capturing moiety. Three capture zones containing virus-like particles were placed in series to allow for visual discrimination between high and low HPV16 plasma antibody concentrations. A plasma separation membrane was used to allow whole blood to be applied directly to the assay. All reagents were dried on glass fiber pads during device fabrication and were rehydrated with buffer at the time of use. A pilot study consisting of 35 subjects with a history of zero, one, two or three HPV vaccines was conducted to evaluate the immunoassay. The completed paper-based immunoassays were scanned for visual interpretation by three researchers who were blinded to the true results and separately evaluated quantitatively using MATLAB. Results For the 28 tests valid for analysis, fifteen subjects reported receiving two or more HPV vaccines, three reported receiving one, and ten reported having no HPV vaccinations. The paper-based immunoassays for all fifteen subjects who reported having received two or more HPV vaccines were judged positive by all researchers. Twelve of the thirteen tests from individuals reporting one or zero vaccinations were deemed negative by all observers. One test from an unvaccinated individual was judged positive by two out of three reviewers. Quantitatively, all tests were correctly separated between the two groups. Conclusions We successfully designed and tested a HPV serology test amenable to the point-of-care. The device showed promising results in a pilot study for discriminating between those who received two or more HPV vaccinations and those who did not. Furthermore, this device offers a platform for producing other semi-quantitative point-of-care serological tests.

Pulp and paper mills (PPMs) generate large amount of wastewater with high chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration. Recently, anaerobic digestion receives much attention for the treatment of PPM wastewater. Through anaerobic digestion treatment, biogas can be generated and converted to bioenergy via combined heat and power (CHP). However, there are limited studies on the systematic allocation of bioenergy from CHP to wastewater treatment (WWT) and PPM to form an integrated pulp and paper biorefinery (IPPB). Therefore, the current work explores the potential of energy integration in an IPPB through a two-stage optimization approach. In the first stage, an optimal cost effective WWT for the treatment of PPM wastewater is synthesized. Next, the generated biogas from WWT is converted into four different forms of bioenergy. The detail allocation of the generated bioenergy is then determined in the second stage optimization. A case study is solved to illustrate the proposed approach.

In this work, the performance assessment study is done on a paper mill using an in-house analytics tool capable of data mining. The tool proposes a generic methodology for performance analysis and then shows its application on an industrial multi-grade paper making process. The tool framework facilitates data preprocessing and data mining, configuration and calculation of key performance indices (KPIs), benchmarking and gap analysis for benefit estimation. It also helps in better performance visualization and identification of the root cause of variations in performance in paper mills. To illustrate the concept, key results from performance analysis study done on a paper machine are presented and suggested measures to improve performance are discussed.

In Paraguay, the pseudo stem of the banana tree is cut and broken after fruit annually, deposited in growing area for weathering. The wide availability of these pseudo stem transforms them into a potential source of raw material for processing into pulp for paper, justifying a preliminary screen of your paper ability. The fresh pseudo stems were subjected to a process for separating the fibrous material, dried in the atmosphere and the material obtained was stored until use. First tests were made in laboratory some alkaline Cooking of the material to evaluate the ranges of the operating variables: active alkali concentration, temperature and Cooking time and the appearance of the material obtained, and then tracking Cookings were conducted at pilot plant horizontal rotary digester, with 10, 5%AA 145° C for 45 minutes. The yield was determined and the drainability of the pulp obtained and prepared in the laboratory leaves was measured tensile resitence, RCT (Ring Crush Test) and CMT (Concora Meduim Test). He pulp yield is 54% of a typical chemical pulp and drainability of 215 mL CSF stands at the lower threshold of cellulose pulp. The tensile index with a value of 95 Nm/g corresponds to papers with high tensile resistance and RCT values of 215 N and 209 N CMT are satisfactory, and indicate that these pastes can be used in fillings for papers to corrugate. These results are promising and justify performing an experimental design to optimize the process.

The corncob is a product found in significant amounts in the residues of agriculture, which has potential for use underexplored. This paper presents a study of the chemical characterization of corn cobs, extraction and application of hemicelluloses present in these wastes. Two fractions of hemicelluloses were obtained, the first being obtained after neutralization and precipitation of the alkaline solution and the second after addition of ethanol in the supernatant of the same solution. Handsheets were made by using bleached kraft eucalyptus pulp, and adding hemicelluloses. After that, their physical and mechanical properties were evaluated, according to TAPPI Standard. An increase in the resistance was observed to drainage and in the properties directly affected by the inter-fiber bonds with the content increase of hemicelluloses and also obtaining handsheets with lower bulk with content increase of these carbohydrates.

The paper presents a study on the recycling of paper waste, which is frequently found in almost all activity areas, in order to obtain an ecological plastering mortar. The materials used, in four mortar recipes, as well as the methods for their preparation are presented. The research leads to the conclusion that the methods for the preparation of plastering mortars with paper waste allows for the use of non-polluting technology with low energy consumption. Following the tests to which the test tubes were submitted, the optimal proportion of paper in the recipe for the manufacture of the material was determined.

The bi-annual International Conference Arte-Polis in Bandung Indonesia has been representing an academic venue for the discourse of creative culture, creative city, creative industry and creative community since 2006. This of this paper is to reflexively examine the constituent of “creative community, in Indonesia context. This paper explored the assumption about society and their nature of involvement by reading the Artepolis papers collection as published in the proceeding of Artepolis 1 (2006), 2 (2008), 3 (2010) and 4 (2012). The object of study is the selected papers written by Indonesian authors. Overall the reading and examinations concluded that the notion of the creative community varied and proved deviations or differentiation from the original reference - Creative Class. At last, there were three kind of understanding identified in the text of Artepolis: Creative Class, Creative Milieu, and Creative Survivor.

Thus far no effort has been undertaken to facilitate foodservice operators to measure their performance, identify and deploy appropriate measures to improve the requirements and expectations of a Halalan Toyyiban Foodservice modus operandi. This paper looks into developing the tools to measure the Halal Foodservice Service Quality based on previous literature and in-depth interviews to be conducted among selected Muslim Clergies and the general public followed by validation process using statistical analysis. This tool could be used to minimize the occurrence of halal service failures, improve recovery efforts, increase customer satisfaction, and generate positive re-patronage behaviour at food service establishments.

Thermomechanical pulp (TMP) fibers, generally used to produce newspapers and carton materials, have poor inter- and intra-fiber bonding contributing to low strength properties. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) was applied as a co-additive of 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), in the presence of sodium hypophosphite (SHP) as a catalyst, to esterify paper sheets based on TMP fibers. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy technique was used to confirm the formation of the ester bond. The effects of curing temperature, molar mass and mass amount of the PVOH on the tensile index were investigated. The increasing of the curing temperature improved further the wet tensile index. The presence of PVOH increased both the dry and the wet tensile index of the paper sheets. The rise of both the molar mass and the mass amount of PVOH improved the tensile index.

Negotiation is a pervasive feature of relationships among auditor-clients, buyer-sellers, as well as being a part of tax audits. Various forms of negotiations occur between the taxpayer and the tax authorities but nothing is mentioned in the literatures on the processes and procedures of how both parties arrive at a settlement that is amicable to both parties. This study reviews the literature on how concession timing negotiation strategies adopted by the tax authorities and the tax practitioners’ aggressiveness impact negotiation outcomes.

Recent growth in information technology has set the pace for an electronic revolution leading to emergence of electronic services. Business to consumer e-service assists organizations to decrease costs, speed up delivery time and serve more customers. Therefore, many enterprises have already moved or planning to move their services and goods to the electronic environment. In this regard, it is crucial to recognize the characteristics of each type of products and services. The main goal of this research is to provide an extensive review and gather conceptual perspectives of electronic services. In order to understand the nature of electronic services it is essential to explore the characteristics, advantages and barriers of e-services. This study sets theoretical and research foundation for future empirical researches by differentiates of service and e-service features and furthermore categorization of e-service users.

Background: We studied lab-confirmed COVID-19 infection (LCCI) testing, incidence, and severity. Methods: We included all Manitoba residents and limited our severity analysis to LCCI patients. We calculated testing, incidence and vaccination rates between March 8, 2020 and June 1, 2021. We estimated the association between patient characteristics and testing (rate ratio [RR]; Poisson regression), including the reason for testing (screening, symptomatic, contact/outbreak asymptomatic), incidence (hazard ratio [HR]; Cox regression), and severity (prevalence ratio [PR], Cox regression). Findings: The overall testing rate during the second/third wave was 570/1,000 person-years, with an LCCI rate of 50/1,000 person-years. The secondary attack rate during the second/third wave was 16%. Across regions, young children (10 for asymptomatic residents. Interpretation: Although the severity of LCCI in children was low, they have a high risk of asymptomatic positivity. The groups most vulnerable to LCCI, who should remain a focus of public health, were residents of Manitoba's North, LTC facilities, and low-income neighbourhoods. Funding: Canada Research Chair Program

Background: The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in implementation of public health measures worldwide to mitigate disease spread, including; travel restrictions, lockdowns, messaging on handwashing, use of face coverings and physical distancing. As the pandemic progresses, exceptional decreases in seasonal respiratory viruses are increasingly reported. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on laboratory confirmed detection of seasonal non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses in Canada. Methods: Epidemiologic data were obtained from the Canadian Respiratory Virus Detection Surveillance System. Weekly data from the week ending 30th August 2014 until the week ending the 13th March 2021 were analysed. We compared trends in laboratory detection and test volumes during the 2020/2021 season with pre-pandemic seasons from 2014 to 2019. Findings: We observed a dramatically lower percentage of tests positive for all seasonal respiratory viruses during 2020-2021 compared to pre-pandemic seasons. For influenza A and B the percent positive decreased to 0•0015 and 0•0028 times that of pre-pandemic levels respectively and for RSV, the percent positive dropped to 0•0169 times that of pre-pandemic levels. Ongoing detection of enterovirus/rhinovirus occurred, with regional variation in the epidemic patterns and intensity. Interpretation: We report an effective absence of the annual seasonal epidemic of most seasonal respiratory viruses in 2020/2021. This dramatic decrease is likely related to implementation of multi-layered public health measures during the pandemic. The impact of such measures may have relevance for public health practice in mitigating seasonal respiratory virus epidemics and for informing responses to future respiratory virus pandemics. Funding: No additional funding source was required for this study.

Background In the United States, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) deaths are captured through the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System and death certificates reported to the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS). However, not all COVID-19 deaths are recognized and reported because of limitations in testing, exacerbation of chronic health conditions that are listed as the cause of death, or delays in reporting. Estimating deaths may provide a more comprehensive understanding of total COVID-19–attributable deaths. Methods We estimated COVID-19 unrecognized attributable deaths, from March 2020—April 2021, using all-cause deaths reported to NVSS by week and six age groups (0–17, 18–49, 50–64, 65–74, 75–84, and ≥85 years) for 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia using a linear time series regression model. Reported COVID-19 deaths were subtracted from all-cause deaths before applying the model. Weekly expected deaths, assuming no SARS-CoV-2 circulation and predicted all-cause deaths using SARS-CoV-2 weekly percent positive as a covariate were modelled by age group and including state as a random intercept. COVID-19–attributable unrecognized deaths were calculated for each state and age group by subtracting the expected all-cause deaths from the predicted deaths. Findings We estimated that 766,611 deaths attributable to COVID-19 occurred in the United States from March 8, 2020—May 29, 2021. Of these, 184,477 (24%) deaths were not documented on death certificates. Eighty-two percent of unrecognized deaths were among persons aged ≥65 years; the proportion of unrecognized deaths were 0•24–0•31 times lower among those 0–17 years relative to all other age groups. More COVID-19–attributable deaths were not captured during the early months of the pandemic (March–May 2020) and during increases in SARS-CoV-2 activity (July 2020, November 2020—February 2021). Interpretation Estimating COVID-19–attributable unrecognized deaths provides a better understanding of the COVID-19 mortality burden and may better quantify the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding None

SummaryBackgroundEffective home treatment algorithms implemented based on a pathophysiologic and pharmacologic rationale to accelerate recovery and prevent hospitalisation of patients with early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) would have major implications for patients and health system.MethodsThis academic, matched-cohort study compared outcomes of 90 consecutive consenting patients with mild COVID-19 treated at home by their family physicians between October 2020 and January 2021, according to the proposed recommendation algorithm, with outcomes for 90 age-, sex-, and comorbidities-matched patients who received other therapeutic regimens. Primary outcome was time to resolution of major symptoms. Secondary outcomes included prevention of hospitalisation. Analyses were by intention-to-treat.FindingsAll patients achieved complete remission. The median [IQR] time to resolution of major symptoms was 18 [14-23] days in the ‘recommended’ schedule cohort and 14 [7-30] days in the matched ‘control’ cohort (p=0·033). Other symptoms persisted in a lower percentage of patients in the ‘recommended’ than in the ‘control’ cohort (23·3% versus 73·3%, respectively, p90% (from 481 to 44 days and from €296.000 to €28.000, respectively. 1.2 patients had to be treated to prevent one hospitalisation event.InterpretationImplementation of an early home treatment algorithm failed to accelerate recovery from major symptoms of COVID 19, but almost eliminated the risk of hospitalisation and related treatment costs.Research inContextEvidence before this studyWe searched PubMed and the Cochrane Library for peer-reviewed articles published in any language up to March 19, 2021, using the search terms “2019-nCoV” or “SARS-CoV-2” or “COVID-19” and “early” or “outpatient” or “treatment” or “home”. Our search did not identify any randomised clinical trials or observational studies that assessed the effectiveness of treatment regimens targeting early, mild symptoms of COVID-19 in the outpatient setting.Added value of this studyIn this fully academic, observational matched-cohort study, we found that early home treatment of 90 consecutive patients with mild COVID-19 by their family physicians according to the proposed recommendation algorithm, designed based on a pathophysiologic and pharmacologic rationale, required few more days to achieve resolution of major symptoms including fever, dyspnea, musculoskeletal pain, headache and cough compared to 90 age-, sex-, and comorbidities-matched patients who received other therapeutic regimens (primary outcome). Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that the home treatment of COVID-19 patients according to the proposed recommendation algorithm significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization compared to the other treatments in the ‘control’ cohort. Days of hospitalization and related treatment costs were reduced by over 90% in the ‘recommended’ cohort as compared to ‘control’ cohort. Just 1.2 patients needed to be treated according to the recommendation algorithm to prevent one hospitalization event. We also found that symptoms such as anosmia and ageusia/dysgeusia were less persistent and lasted a shorter time in the ‘recommendation’ than in the ‘control’ cohort.Implications of the available evidenceThe finding that the implementation of the proposed simple treatment algorithm during the initial, mild phase of COVID-19 has the potential to prevent disease progression, potentially limiting the need for hospital admission, may have major implications for patients and health care providers. Indeed, preventing hospitalisations due to the worsening of COVID-19 will not only save lives, but will also contribute to remarkably reduced treatment costs and to streamlining health care systems that are overburdened by the effects of the pandemic. However, time to hospitalization was a secondary outcome of the study and the possibility of a casual finding cannot be definitely excluded. Thus, the observed reduction in patients hospitalizations should be considered as an hypothesis generating finding that could provide a robust background for a prospective trial primarily aimed to test treatment effect on this outcome.

Background The SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2) has led to more than 165 million COVID-19 cases and >3.4 million deaths worldwide. Epidemiological analysis has revealed that the risk of developing severe COVID-19 increases with age. Despite a disproportionate number of older individuals and long-term care facilities being affected by SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, very little is understood about the immune responses and development of humoral immunity in the extremely old person after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here we conducted a serological study to investigate the development of humoral immunity in centenarians following a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a long-term care facility. Methods Extreme aged individuals and centenarians who were residents in a long-term care facility and infected with or exposed to SARS-CoV-2 were investigated between April and June 2020 for the development of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Blood samples were collected from positive and bystander individuals 30 and 60 days after original diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Plasma was used to quantify IgG, IgA, and IgM isotypes and subsequent subclasses of antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The function of anti-spike was then assessed by virus neutralization assays against the native SARS-CoV-2 virus. Findings Fifteen long-term care residents were investigated for SARS-CoV-2 infection. All individuals had a Clinical Frailty scale score ≥5 and were of extreme older age or were centenarians. Six women with a median age of 98.8 years tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Anti-spike IgG antibody titers were the highest titers observed in our cohort with all IgG positive individuals having virus neutralization ability. Additionally, 5 out of the 6 positive participants had a robust IgA anti-SARS-CoV-2 response. In all 5, antibodies were detected after 60 days from initial diagnosis.

Background: Asymptomatic carriers were positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) without developing symptoms, which might be a potential source of infection outbreak. Here, we aim to clarify the epidemiologic and influencing factors of asymptomatic carriers in the general population. Methods: In our hospital, all hospital staff have received throat swab RT-PCR test, plasma COVID-19 IgM/IgG antibodies test and chest CT examination. We analyzed the correlation between infection rates and gender, age, job position, work place and COVID-19 knowledge training of the staff. After that, all asymptomatic staff were re-examined weekly for 3 weeks. Findings: A total of 3764 hospital staff were included in this single-center cross-sectional study. Among them, 126 hospital staff had abnormal findings, and the proportion of asymptomatic infection accounted for 0.76% (28/3674). There were 26 staff with IgM+, 73 with IgG+, and 40 with ground glass shadow of chest CT. Of all staff with abnormal findings, the older they are, the more likely they are to be the staff with abnormal results, regardless of their gender. Of 3674 hospital staff, the positive rate of labor staff is obviously higher than that of health care workers (HCWs) and administrative staff (P0.05). The positive rate of HCWs who participated in the COVID-19 knowledge training was lower than those did not participate in early training (P 0.05). During 3 weeks follow-up, all asymptomatic patients did not present the development of clinical symptoms or radiographic abnormalities after active intervention in isolation point. Interpretation: To ensure the safety of resumption of work, institutions should conduct COVID-19 prevention training for staff and screening for asymptomatic patients, and take quarantine measures as soon as possible in areas with high density of population. Funding: The Key Project for Anti-2019 novel Coronavirus Pneumonia from the Ministry of Science and Technology, China; Wuhan Emergency Technology Project of COVID-19 epidemic, China.

BACKGROUND People with mental disorders and intellectual disabilities experience excess mortality compared with the general population. The impact of COVID-19 on exacerbating this, and in widening ethnic inequalities, is unclear. METHODS Prospective data (N=167,122) from a large mental healthcare provider in London, UK, with deaths from 2019 to 2020, used to assess age- and gender-standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) across nine psychiatric conditions (schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, affective disorders, somatoform/ neurotic disorders, personality disorders, learning disabilities, eating disorders, substance use disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, dementia) and by ethnicity. FINDINGS Prior to the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring COVID-19 a public health emergency on 30th January 2020, all-cause SMRs across all psychiatric cohorts were more than double the general population. By the second quarter of 2020, when the UK experienced substantial peaks in COVID-19 deaths, all-cause SMRs increased further, with COVID-19 SMRs elevated across all conditions (notably: learning disabilities: SMR: 9.24 (95% CI: 5.98-13.64), pervasive developmental disorders: 5.01 (95% CI: 2.40-9.20), eating disorders: 4.81 (95% CI: 1.56-11.22), schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: 3.26 (95% CI: 2.55-4.10), dementia: 3.82 (95% CI: 3.42, 4.25) personality disorders 4.58 (95% CI: 3.09-6.53)). Deaths from other causes remained at least double the population average over the whole year. Increased SMRs were similar across ethnic groups. INTERPRETATION People with mental disorders and intellectual disabilities were at a greater risk of deaths relative to the general population before, during and after the first peak of COVID-19 deaths, with similar risks by ethnicity. Mortality from non-COVID-19/ other causes was elevated before/ during the pandemic, with higher COVID-19 mortality during the pandemic. FUNDING ESRC (JD, CM), NIHR (JD, RS, MH), Health Foundation (JD), GSK, Janssen, Takeda (RS).

BackgroundThe first confirmed case of SARS-CoV-2 in North America was identified in Washington state on January 21, 2020. We aimed to quantify the number and temporal trends of out-of-state introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Washington.MethodsWe conducted a phylogenetic analysis of 11,422 publicly available whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences from GISAID sampled between December 2019 and September 2020. We used maximum parsimony ancestral state reconstruction methods on time-calibrated phylogenies to enumerate introductions/exports, their likely geographic source (e.g. US, non-US, and between eastern and western Washington), and estimated date of introduction. To incorporate phylogenetic uncertainty into our estimates, we conducted 5,000 replicate analyses by generating 25 random time-stratified samples of non-Washington reference sequences, 20 random polytomy resolutions, and 10 random resolutions of the reconstructed ancestral state.ResultsWe estimated a minimum 287 separate introductions (median, range 244-320) into Washington and 204 exported lineages (range 188-227) of SARS-CoV-2 out of Washington. Introductions began in mid-January and peaked on March 29, 2020. Lineages with the Spike D614G variant accounted for the majority (88%) of introductions. Overall, 61% (range 55-65%) of introductions into Washington likely originated from a source elsewhere within the US, while the remaining 39% (range 35-45%) likely originated from outside of the US. Intra-state transmission accounted for 65% and 28% of introductions into eastern and western Washington, respectively.ConclusionsThere is phylogenetic evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Washington is continually seeded by a large number of introductions, and that there was significant inter- and intra-state transmission. Due to incomplete sampling our data underestimate the true number of introductions.

Author(s): Karasek, Deborah; Baer, Rebecca J; McLemore, Monica R; Bell, April J; Blebu, Bridgette E; Casey, Joan A; Coleman-Phox, Kimberly; Costello, Jean M; Felder, Jennifer N; Flowers, Elena; Fuchs, Jonathan D; Gomez, Anu Manchikanti; Karvonen, Kayla; Kuppermann, Miriam; Liang, Liang; McKenzie-Sampson, Safyer; McCulloch, Charles E; Oltman, Scott P; Pantell, Matthew S; Piao, Xianhua; Prather, Aric A; Schmidt, Rebecca J; Scott, Karen A; Spellen, Solaire; Stookey, Jodi D; Tesfalul, Martha; Rand, Larry; Jelliffe-Pawlowski, Laura L | Abstract: IntroductionOur understanding of the association between coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and preterm or early term birth among racially and ethnically diverse populations and people with chronic medical conditions is limited.MethodsWe determined the association between COVID-19 and preterm (PTB) birth among live births documented by California Vital Statistics birth certificates between July 2020 and January 2021 (n=240,147). We used best obstetric estimate of gestational age to classify births as very preterm (VPTB, l32 weeks), PTB (l 37 weeks), early term (37 and 38 weeks), and term (39-44 weeks), as each confer independent risks to infant health and development. Separately, we calculated the joint effects of COVID-19 diagnosis, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity on PTB and VPTB.FindingsCOVID-19 diagnoses on birth certificates increased for all racial/ethnic groups between July 2020 and January 2021 and were highest for American Indian/Alaska Native (12.9%), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (11.4%), and Latinx (10.3%) birthing people. COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with an increased risk of VPTB (aRR 1.6, 95% CI [1.4, 1.9]), PTB (aRR 1.4, 95% CI [1.3, 1.4]), and early term birth (aRR 1.1, 95% CI [1.1, 1.2]). There was no effect modification of the overall association by race/ethnicity or insurance status. COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with elevated risk of PTB in people with hypertension, diabetes, and/or obesity.InterpretationIn a large population-based study, COVID-19 diagnosis increased the risk of VPTB, PTB, and early term birth, particularly among people with medical comorbidities. Considering increased circulation of COVID-19 variants, preventative measures, including vaccination, should be prioritized for birthing persons.FundingUCSF-Kaiser Department of Research Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health Program (BIRCWH) National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) [K12 HD052163] and the California Preterm Birth Initiative, funded by Marc and Lynn Benioff.

Background: COVID-19 severity is disproportionately high in the elderly and people with comorbidities. However, other factors that predispose individuals to increased chances of infection are unclear. Methods: Data from 18,600 people screened for COVID-19 in Mumbai during the outbreak's initial phase, March 7 to June 30, 2020, were used to assess risk factors associated with COVID-19 using the odds ratio analysis. Findings: Males aged ≥60 years having both diabetes and hypertension were at the highest risk of COVID-19 infection (M vs. F OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.34–4.67, p = 0.0049). People having both diabetes and hypertension in ≥20 years (OR=4.11, 95% CI=3.26–5.20, p

Summary: Background: Transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 varied by the settings of virus exposure. Understanding the inter-relationship between exposure setting and transmission networks would provide a basis for informing public health control strategies. Methods: Surveillance and clinical data from the first wave of COVID-19 outbreaks in Hong Kong were accessed. Twelve exposure setting types were differentiated – household, neighbourhood, eateries, entertainment, parties, shopping, personalised service, workplace, education, worship, healthcare, transport. Clustering was investigated followed by reconstructing the transmission cascades of clustered cases using social networking approach. Linked and unlinked cases were compared in statistical analyses. Findings: Between 23 January and 19 June 2020, 1128 cases were reported. Among 324 cases related to local transmission, 123 clusters comprising two or more epidemiologically linked cases were identified. Linked cases had lower Ct value (p 1 exposure setting, with a median reproduction number of 3(IQR: 2–4), versus 1(IQR:1–2) for cascades involving a single setting (n = 36 cascades). The longest cascade featured a bar (entertainment) as primary setting, with propagation through 30 non-primary exposure settings from seven setting types, reflecting, propensity for widespread dispersion and difficulty in containment. Interpretation: There was marked heterogeneity in the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission cascades which differed by exposure setting. Network epidemiological analyses of transmission cascades can be applied as a risk assessment tool in decision-making for calibrating social distancing measures. Funding: Health and Medical Research Fund

Background In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, China implemented a series of interventions that impacted tuberculosis (TB) control in the country. Methods Based on routine surveillance data and questionnaires, the study analyzed TB notification, follow-up examinations, and treatment outcomes. The data were split into three phases in relation to outbreak, lockdown and reopen when the nationwide COVID-19 response started in 2020: control (11 weeks prior), intensive (11 weeks during and immediately after), and regular (4 additional weeks). Data from 2017–2019 were used as baseline. Findings The notified number of TB patients decreased sharply in the 1st week of the intensive period but took significantly longer to rebound in 2020 compared with baseline. The percentages of TB patients undergoing sputum examination within one week after 2 months treatment and full treatment course in the intensive period were most affected and decreased by 8% in comparison with control period. 75•2% (221/294) of counties reallocated CDC and primary health care workers to fight the COVID-19 epidemic, 26•9% (725/2694) of TB patients had postponed or missed their follow-up examinations due to travel restrictions and fear of contracting COVID-19. Interpretation In the short term, the COVID-19 epidemic mostly affected TB notification and follow-up examinations in China, which may lead to a surge of demand for TB services in the near future. To cope with this future challenge, an emergency response mechanism for TB should be established. Funding National Health Commission of China–Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation TB Collaboration project (OPP1137180).

The differences in communicating methods between teachers who have learned to study in paper based context and students who are more familiar with screen based context can cause problems in classrooms. This paper discusses issues and concerns in interacting with students who grew up surrounded by multimedia and digital devices, in other words, screenagers, in classrooms. Based on the recent projects and research findings, four key themes are discussed regarding interacting through personal learning devices, communicating with the students in the way they do using social media, appropriate amount of exposure when using audiovisual resources, and possible side effects of using personal learning devices. Finally, teachers’ roles and responsibilities in dealing with screenagers are discussed, and suggestion for using teaching models and teacher training are provided.

The Resource-based View (RBV) of the firm is a strategic management theory that is widely used by managers in project management. The RBV has to date been a promising theory that examines how resources can drive competitive advantage, especially project management (PM) capabilities that have been customized to a specific organizational environment and developed over time. However, Despite the advantages offered by the RBV to practitioners and scholars alike, the theory has been under attack by opponents claiming that there is an overenthusiasm for what the theory can deliver, especially concerning a lack of criteria for generalizability and definitional ailments. This position paper will give an overview of the supporters and opponents of the application of the RBV in PM practice and research. The position of the authors of this paper, which is in favour of the continued application of the theory to PM contexts, will be detailed and supported by conceptual and empirical findings from the literature. This paper will end with future research recommendations that will highlight research that can be done to curb criticisms of the theory and enhance and rejuvenate its use in practice.

An in-plane elasto-plastic material model and a hygroexpansivity-shrinkage model for paper and board are introduced in this paper. The input parameters for both models are fiber orientation anisotropy and dry solids content. These two models, based on experimental results, could be used in an analytical approach to estimate, for example, plastic strain and shrinkage in simple one-dimensional cases, but for studies of the combined and more complicated effects of hygro-elasto-plastic behavior, a numerical finite element model was constructed. The finite element approach also offered possibilities for studying different structural variations of an orthotropic sheet as well as buckling behavior and internal stress situations under local strain differences. A few examples are presented of the effect of the anisotropy and moisture streaks under stretching and drying conditions on strain differences and buckling. The internal stresses were studied through a case in which the drying of different layers occurred at different stages. Both the anisotropy and moisture streaks were capable of rendering the buckling of the sample visible. The permanency of these defects highly depends on several process stages and tension conditions of the sheet, as demonstrated in this paper. The application possibilities of the hygro-elasto-plastic model are diverse, including investigation into several phenomena and defects appearing in drying, converting and printing process conditions peerReviewed

In the pulp and paper industry, the design of industrial equipment based on empirical correlations can be avoided using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools. The present study aims at investigation of the turbulent pipe flow of concentrated Eucalyptus pulp suspension using the ANSYS FLUENT® CFD software package. The modelling strategy was a pseudo-homogeneous approach. The non-Newtonian behavior of the pulp suspension was introduced into the CFD code considering its viscosity as a function of a shear rate. Additionally, the existence of a water annulus at the pipe wall surrounding the core flow was taken into account. Four low-Reynolds k-ɛ turbulence models were selected in the present study aiming at describing the presence of a drag reduction effect. All the models used were able to reproduce the drag reduction effect. Additionally the Lam-Bremhorst model was modified taking into account alterations applied successfully by other authors for the turbulent flow of polymer solutions. A good correspondence between the peculiar S-shaped profile near the wall, for the dimensionless velocity, reported in literature for these systems and those obtained numerically was achieved. The approach followed was validated by comparing the numerical results of pressure drop with those from literature.

The behaviour of different cellulosic fibres during acid hydrolysis has been investigated and the levelling-off degree of polymerisation (LODP) has been determined. The study included a bleached kraft pulp (both never-dried and once-dried) and two dissolving pulps (once-dried). Additionally, cotton cellulose from new cotton sheets and sheets discarded after long-time use was studied. Experimental results from the investigation, together with results found in literature, imply that ultrastructural differences between different fibres affect their susceptibility towards acid hydrolysis. Drying of a bleached kraft pulp was found to enhance the rate of acid hydrolysis and also result in a decrease in LODP. This implies that the susceptibility of cellulosic fibres towards acid hydrolysis is affected by drying-induced stresses in the cellulose chains. In cotton cellulose, it was found that use and laundering gave a substantial loss in the degree of polymerisation (DP), but that the LODP was only marginally affected.

Much attention has been recently paid to the refuse derived fuels (RDFs) due to its benefits in aspects of municipal solid waste management and waste to energy technology. Densified-refuse derived fuel (RDF5) with different raw materials were produced and characterized in this study. Municipal solid wastes used as raw materials for the RDF5 production were sawdust, corrugated paper, plastic bag, and dry cooked rice. Influences of raw material volumetric mixing ratio, extrusion temperature and addition of glycerin as a binder on properties of the RDF5 produced were experimentally investigated. It was found that an increase of dry cooked rice amount and an addition of the glycerin in the mixture led to an increase of density and a decrease of compressive strength of the RDF5. Densities and compressive strengths were in the ranges of 1.4-2.3 g/cm 3 and 75-457 N/cm 2 , respectively. Addition of the glycerin also increased the overall thermal efficiency of the cookstove using RDF5 as a fuel. While greater amount of dry cooked rice in the mixture had a negative effect on the overall thermal efficiency. However, extrusion temperature had no obvious effect on the properties of the fuel.

Chiapas is one of the largest coffee-producing states in Mexico. In this industry, there are large quantities of waste, which are toxic and harmful to the environment. During the extraction process of coffee bean the waste generated are: pulp, mucilage and parchment. Recently, investigations have been done to utilize these residues for bioenergy generation. This paper provides an overview of coffee and one of its major industrial wastes. The objective of this research was the production of bioethanol from coffee mucilage at laboratory scale and extract and characterize the substrate used as raw material and establish a fermentation process for the production of bioethanol. Our results show the kinetics of fermentation of coffee mucilage as a substrate to yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The cell density, concentration of ethanol, reducing sugar consumption, physico-chemical variables such as pH and temperature were analyzed. The Fermentation parameters such as growth rate, saturation constant and yields were estimated.

The effect of mechanical refining on the enzymatic digestibility of pretreated corn stover (PCS) was investigated. Low severity, dilute sulfuric acid PCS was subjected to mechanical refining using a bench-scale food processor blender, a PFI mill, a 12-inch laboratory disk refiner, and a 25mm co-rotating twin-screw extruder. Glucose yields from enzymatic hydrolysis were improved by 10–15% after blending and disk refining, while PFI refining and twin-screw extrusion showed a glucose yield improvement of 16–20%. A pilot scale refining test using a Szego mill was performed and showed approximately 10% improvements in biomass digestibility. This suggests the possibility to scale up a mechanical refining technique to obtain similar enzymatic digestibility glucose yield enhancement as achieved by PFI milling and extrusion technologies. Proposed mechanisms of each mechanical refining technology are presented and reasons for improvements in biomass digestibility are discussed in this paper.

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of digital mind maps on science achievement among sixth grade students in Saudi Arabia. A total of female 44 students at the second-semester of the academic year 2012/2013 participated in the study. The students were randomly assigned to two experimental groups to receive different treatments. The first group (DMM) utilized digital mind maps during their learning process, while the second group (PMM) utilized paper mind maps. The results revealed that using digital mind maps had a significant effect on students’ science achievement. Based on the obtained results, it was concluded that the utilization of digital mind maps for Saudi sixth students could be helpful in improving their achievement.

article i nfo Inrecentyears,agrowingnumberofstudieshavedocumentedtheprevalenceofviolenceagainstchildrenaswell as its consequences. Across every country and cultural context in which research have been conducted, studies have consistently shown that exposure to violence negatively impacts the health and well-being of children, and hampers their development. Many actors have worked to implement programs aimed at addressing this problem, and some, in particular parenting programs, have shown promise as a means of effectively reducing child maltreatment. It is essential, however, to take an integrated approach in settings where fundamental concerns exist over the provisioning of basic health and nutritional needs as well as adequate stimulation. The childs experiences during these early years are critical for their future developmental trajectory and life course. Additional program com- ponents, generally implemented as part of early child development programs, are indispensable for ensuring the healthy development of the child. This position paper takes a global perspective in summarizing the key literature and approaches from both vio- lenceprevention andearlychilddevelopment, outlinescommonobjectivessharedbythetwo fields, and demon- strates the urgent necessity for holistic cooperation across the two fields. It concludes by suggesting approaches and priorities for better integration to ensure that all children can reach their full potential. © 2014 The Authors. Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

This paper presents a novel process for n-butanol production which combines a fermentation consuming carbon dioxide (succinic acid fermentation) with subsequent catalytic reduction steps to add hydrogen to form butanol. Process simulations in Aspen Plus have been the basis for the techno-economic analyses performed. The overall economy for the novel process cannot be justified, as production of succinic acid by fermentation is too costly. Though, succinic acid price is expected to drop drastically in a near future. By fully integrating the succinic acid fermentation with the catalytic conversion the need for costly recovery operations could be reduced. The hybrid process would need 22% less raw material than the butanol fermentation at a succinic acid fermentation yield of 0.7g/g substrate. Additionally, a carbon dioxide fixation of up to 13ktonnes could be achieved at a plant with an annual butanol production of 10ktonnes.

This paper deals with the production of bioethanol from ligno-cellulosic biomass, in particular a softwood biomass from forestry sector is tested: pine wood chip is a residual biomass obtained from coppice maintenance with a very interesting potential. Second generation bioethanol production prototype from ligno-cellulosic biomass consists of the following monitored parts: steam production system, steam explosion reactor for biomass pretreatment (temperature range 180-240 °C), enzymatic hydrolyser, fermenter and distiller. The maximum system size is around 2-3 kg input biomass each cycle. Selected biomass are tested modifying reaction temperature and retention time of the process and optimizing severity parameter (logR0 between 2.7 and 4.6). Enzymatic hydrolysis is conducted with Ctec2, cellulase complex which consists of a blend of aggressive cellulases (endocellulase and exocellulase), β-glucosidases and hemicellulase, while Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (“red ethanol”) is used for the fermentation stage. During hydrolysis and fermentation stages intermediate collections at different time are carried out and samples analyzed in order to evaluate the progress of each phase (maximum glucose concentration obtained 18.8 mg/ml). The results are presented in terms of raw (cellulose content around 32%) and steam exploded material composition, hydrolyzed sugars and acids content in samples, ethanol content after fermentation at different retention time. Both hydrolysis and fermentation are analyzed comparing real and theoretical efficiency. Finally, mass flows in the different selected conditions are evaluated providing a results in terms of ethanol percentage in function of raw material weight. As a result from 100 g of raw material dry basis (32 g of cellulose), 10.6 g of ethanol were obtained.

Bioenergy is increasingly being used to meet EU objectives for renewable energy generation and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Problems with using biomass however include high moisture contents, lower calorific value and poor grindability when compared to fossil fuels. Torrefaction is a pre-treatment process that aims to address these issues. In this paper four torrefaction treatments of pine were performed and a mass-energy balance calculated. Using experimental data, a pellet production supply chain incorporating torrefaction was modelled and compared to an existing wood pellet system to determine life-cycle GHG emissions. Two utility fuels, wood chips and natural gas, were considered to provide process heat in addition to volatile gases released during torrefaction (torgas). Experimental results show that torrefaction reduces the moisture content and increases the calorific value of the fuels. Increasing torrefaction temperature and residence time results in lower mass and energy yields. GHG emissions reduce with increasing torrefaction severity. Emissions from drying & torrefaction and shipping are the highest GHG contributors to the supply chain. All 4 torrefaction conditions assessed outperformed traditional wood pellet supply chain emissions but more land is required which increases with temperature and residence time. Sensitivity analysis results show that emissions increase significantly where natural gas is used for utility fuel and no torgas is utilised.

Under appropriate conditions, wood is degraded easily due to the diversity of biological agents. One way to protect wood from these agents is to impregnate the wood with chemicals. However, increasing environmental pressure has caused a restriction on the use of toxic chemicals. In recent years, researchers have been looking for environmentally friendly preservative chemicals, modification and impregnation methods to develop wood properties such as the durability, water absorption, and dimensional stability. In this study, the remaining Kraft black liquor was employed to Scots pine sapwood ( Pinus slyvestris L .) specimens as a wood preservative to enhance the wood durability against biological agents. The black liquor used in this study was obtained from the pre-hydrolysis Kraft pulping process. Various concentrations were used for black liquor; 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% respectively. The test specimens were impregnated in a small scale impregnation container using a vacuum of 650 mm/Hg for 30 mins. Both test and control wood samples were tested for resistance to brown rot fungus; Coniophora puteana and Poria placenta . Six weeks of exposure to brown rot fungus, C. puteana and P. placenta , resulted in noteworthy weight loss of control samples compared to test samples. After six weeks of exposure to both fungi, the weight loss of control samples were more than 25%, while the weight loss of test samples were less than 3%. The most effective results were obtained at 5% concentration. These results indicate that black liquor enhances the durability of Scots pine sapwood. It can be stated that the carbohydrate degradation products, resin and fatty acids, extractives, and the inorganic materials in the black liquor used in the process showed inhibiting fungal activity.

© 2014 The Authors.In the present paper the combustion behaviour and soot generation of different neat vegetable oils on a direct injection optical diesel engine have been investigated using in-cylinder pressure based combustion analysis and high-speed two colour method. A singlecylinder optical diesel engine with an electronically controlled common-rail fuel injection system has been used for this study. Four different vegetable oils, Jatropha, Croton, Rapeseed and Sunflower oil, have been tested at 120 MPa injection pressure and fuel temperatures of 60 and 90 °C. All tests were performed at fixed injection timings and fixed engine speed at 1200 rev/min with pilot and main injection. The experimental results show that although all four bio-oils have very similar physiochemical properties, some differences in their combustion and soot generation behaviour have been observed. It was concluded that sunflower oil (SFO) had very good combustion properties at lower temperatures compared to other fuels. While croton oil (CO) did not have outstanding combustion behaviour at any conditions, the combustion of Jatropha oil (JO) was improved at higher fuel injection temperatures.

This study ascertained the technical potential of producing bio fuel from naturally occurring micro algae spirulina. The algae are grown by BCSIR and the collected algae are examined. The growing environment contains nitrates, phosphates and carbon dioxide that come from atmosphere. The overall research work consisted of manual and mechanical drying of algae, grinding and subjecting the algal matter to acid hydrolysis to extract carbohydrates to form an algal sugar solution. Fermentation of that solution was performed with Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce ethanol. The presents of ethanol in the solution assures the ultimate desired destination of the work. An average of 15.2 g/L of reducing sugar was extracted in the hydrolysate showing that microalgae have significant usable carbohydrates after hydrolysis to conduct this research work. Ethanol percentage varies with the variation of hydrolysis time, concentration of sulfuric acid and fermentation time. The average value of ethanol percentage varies between 0.85-1.0 percentamong the samples. Although the ethanol percentage is not economical for this algae but the main task of establishing the process of bio fuel production from micro algae comes to a successful end. This process gives the assurance and defined way of bio fuel production from other carbohydrate enriched micro algae.

Bone cements are extensively employed in orthopaedics for joint arthroplasty, however implant failure in the form of aseptic loosening is known to occur after long-term use. The exact mechanism causing this is not well understood, however it is thought to arise from a combination of fatigue and chemical degradation resulting from the hostile in vivo environment. In this study, two commercial bone cements were aged in an isotonic fluid at physiological temperatures and changes in moisture uptake, microstructure and mechanical and fatigue properties were studied. Initial penetration of water into the cement followed Fickian diffusion and was thought to be caused by vacancies created by leaching monomer. An increase in weight of approximately 2% was experienced after 30 days ageing and was accompanied by hydrolysis of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in the outermost layers of the cement. This molecular change and the plasticising effect of water resulted in reduced mechanical and fatigue properties over time. Cement ageing is therefore thought to be a key contributor in the long-term failure of cemented joint replacements. The results from this study have highlighted the need to develop cements capable of withstanding long-term degradation and for more accurate test methods, which fully account for physiological ageing., Graphical abstract, Highlights • Two commercial bone cements were aged in Ringer's solution at 37 °C for 60 days. • Moisture uptake, mechanical, fatigue and microstructural properties were studied. • A maximum of 2% change in weight occurred due to Fickian diffusion after 30 days. • Hydrolysis of PMMA and reduced mechanical and fatigue properties were observed. • Cement degradation is thought to contribute to the failure of cemented implants.

Jatropha curcas Linn. capsule husk (DH-JcL) is a residu from the manufacture of Crude Jatropha Oil. Biorefinery as part of the “four R's” was required in DH-JcL for anaerobic digestion feedstock. Analysis result and literature study was concluded that DH-JcL is a material that can be managed as biogas substrate, though the nutrient levels relatively low, and a number of other material such as volatile solid, carbohydrates, cellulose ad lignin was relatively high. The establishment of DH-JcL required two phase digestion as anaerobic microbial pretreatment and pre-acidification. The efficiency of two-phase digestion was able to increase the number of technology i.e. additives; recycling of slurry; variation in operational parameters and fixed film or biofilters utilization

The aims of this research were to design and develop a machine for producing high quality of natural dental floss. Experimental results indicated that appreciate coating was the mixture of coconut oil and beeswax of 2:1.Coating and drying temperature were 80 and 50 degree Celsius, respectively. Mechanical properties of dental floss made in this research were not different from dental floss sale on the market. By analysis of the mechanical property together with user satisfaction, it can be concluded that triple twisted type was a best size of silk thread used to produce natural floss. Moreover, it not found any microorganisms growth in dental floss from microbial testing.

In the past, several research programs were undertaken at European Carbon Capture (CC) pilot plants. The results of these individual MEA based campaigns are brought together in order to better understand the solvent degradation at CC pilot plants. The data correlation analysis shows that nickel catalyzes significantly the formation of some degradation products (e.g. HEPO) at low concentrations of 2 mg/l. The iron impact was less clear than determined for nickel. All pilot plants show HEGly and HEPO as the main degradation products, followed by HEF. Within the group of carboxylic acids, formate is the major degradation product.

In this study, Palm Oil Methyl Ester (PME) was added to ethanol-biodiesel fuel in order to reduce the emissions. The percentage of ethanol is up to 20% in volume. Thus, the effects of ethanol on particulate matter (PM) components, soluble organic fraction (SOF) and dry soot (DS) using different type of fuel blends were investigated. Using a composite filter, the ester-ethanol-diesel characteristic such as mass concentration in term PM, SOF and DS were analyzed under different engine operating conditions using four cylinder engine. The results show that increasing ethanol in blended fuel will decrease the PM, SOF and DS at low and middle load. In addition, as the load is increased, the PM component such as SOF and DS also increase. Thus, ethanol-biodiesel fuel can reduce the emissions for low and middle load condition.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the degradation of synthetic and real municipal wastewater by commercial bacteria known as SludgeHammer bacteria and some local isolated strains. TOC removal efficiencies in the synthetic wastewater were 70%, 54%, 52%, 42% for the SludgeHammer, B. subtilis, B. laterosponus and P. aeruginosa, respectively. TOC degradation experiments using municipal wastewater found that the mixed bacteria culture of selected strain of B. subitlis and P. aeruginosa increased treatment performance by 6 to 16% higher than other strains. However, they took relatively longer time to reach the maximum degradation rate compared to the SludgeHammer bacteria.

Polymerised High Internal Phase Emulsions (PolyHIPEs) are manufactured via emulsion templating and exhibit a highly interconnected microporosity. These materials are commonly used as thin membranes for 3D cell culture. This study uses emulsion templating in combination with microstereolithography to fabricate PolyHIPE scaffolds with a tightly controlled and reproducible architecture. This combination of methods produces hierarchical structures, where the microstructural properties can be independently controlled from the scaffold macrostructure. PolyHIPEs were fabricated with varying ratios of two acrylate monomers (2-ethylhexyl acrylate (EHA) and isobornyl acrylate (IBOA)) and varying nominal porosity to tune mechanical properties. Young’s modulus, ultimate tensile stress (UTS) and elongation at failure were determined for twenty EHA/IBOA compositions. Moduli ranged from 63.01±9.13 to 0.36±0.04MPa, UTS from 2.03±0.33 to 0.11±0.01MPa and failure strain from 21.86±2.87% to 2.60±0.61%. Selected compositions were fabricated into macro-porous woodpile structures, plasma treated with air or acrylic acid and seeded with human embryonic stem-cell derived mesenchymal progenitor cells (hES-MPs). Confocal and two-photon microscopy confirmed cell proliferation and penetration into the micro- and macro-porous architecture. The scaffolds supported osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal cells and interestingly, the stiffest IBOA-based scaffolds that were plasma treated with acrylic acid promoted osteogenesis more strongly than the other scaffolds.

Heavy oil and bitumen resources will need to be exploited to supplement depleting conventional oils worldwide as they gradually approach their peak production in the forthcoming decades. However, the physico-chemical characteristics of heavy oil and bitumen include high density, low distillates fraction, high viscosity, and high hetero-atom content which make extraction difficult and relatively expensive. The Toe-to-Heel Air Injection (THAI) and 'add-on' Catalytic upgrading process in situ (CAPRI) were spe- cifically developed for the recovery and upgrading of heavy oil and bitumen. In this study, the effects of reaction gas media used in THAI-CAPRI were investigated, in particular the effects of using hydrogen, methane, nitrogen, and a blended gas mixture to simulate THAI combustion gases with Co-Mo/c-Al2O3 catalyst at a reaction temperature of 425 C, pressure 10 bar, and gas-to-oil ratio 50 mL mL � 1 . Ex situ regeneration of the spent catalyst by thermal oxidation of the asphaltenes and coke deposits was also investigated. It was found that the average changes in API gravity of the produced oil were 4 using hydrogen, 3 with methane, 2.9 with THAI gas, and 2.7 with nitrogen above the value of 14 API gravity for the feed oil. The viscosity reduction and conversion of hydrocarbons with boiling point 343 C+ into lower boiling distillable fractions followed the same trend as the API gravity. The percentage loss in spe- cific surface areas as a result of coke deposition in the different reaction gases were as follows: 57.2% for hydrogen, 68% for methane, and 96% for nitrogen relative to the surface area of the fresh catalyst of 214.4 m 2 g � 1 . It was found that the spent catalyst contained 6 and 3 wt.% less coke after six hours oper- ation when using hydrogen and methane reaction gases respectively compared to 23.5 wt.% coke content in a nitrogen atmosphere. Also, 48.5% of the catalyst specific surface area was recovered after oxidative regeneration.

In the current study, the relation between the psychrometry working upon the thermodynamic analysis of humid air and drying at a timber dryer was investigated. In order to bring the air to suitable drying conditions, an air conditioner unit was used and the mass change of the unit with energy was analyzed. In the psychrometric analysis of the timber dryer with a heat pump, the pine and poplar timber were used. The mass change in the timber was followed with a load cell. At the end of the analysis, the amounts of humidity vaporized and intensified at the timber after drying were compared. Depending on these values, 5.7 kg humidity was taken from the pine timber at the end of 50 h, and 12.5 kg from the poplar timber at the end of 70 h.

Biocorrosion refers to the influence of microorganisms adhered to surfaces, in the corrosion process of metals. At Embalse Nuclear Power Plant (ENPP), this phenomenon has been detected in several water cooling systems. In order to mitigate this process, it was proposed to modify the current chlorination water treatment by adding a commercial bromide-based biocide. This study evaluated in situ the effect of the addition of the biocide on biofilm formation and also on the corrosion rate of carbon steel components. The results of the corrosion rate measurements, as well as the evaluation of the kinetics of biofilm growth, showed no significant difference between the former and the modified water treatments. It was concluded that, under the current conditions of operation, the addition of a bromide-based biocide (BBB) does not improve the effectiveness against biofouling and biocorrosion of the water treatment.

The objective of this study was to perform and compare LCA of biodiesel production from crude palm oil and crude Jatropha curcas oil. The system boundary for LCA study from cradle to gate. The produced palm oil biodiesel has higher GWP value than Jatropha curcas biodiesel. Utilization of agrochemical, in form of fertilizer and plant protection, generate significant contribution to environmental impact of biodiesel production i.e. 50.46% and 33.51% for palm oil and Jatropha curcas oil, respectively. GWP emission up to five years of plantation is 1 695.36 kg-CO2eq./t-BDF and 740.90 kg-CO2eq./t-BDF for palm oil and Jatropha curcas, respectively. After production stabilised, CO2 emission of diesel fuel decreases up to 37.83% and 63.61% for BDF-CPO and BDF-CJCO, respectively.