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In this chapter, a combined forward osmosis (FO) and reverse osmosis (RO) process for mining wastewater treatment is discussed. Water interactions in mining process, wastewater characteristic treatment methods adopted, and the research technology gaps are briefly discussed. A lab-scale integrated FO-RO was developed to establish the proof of concept in applying this technology for mine water treatment. The integrated system has been tested under extended operation with various mine waters. The FO combined with RO could minimize the number of pretreatment steps required for the RO. Our results indicate that this technology can reduce the brine volume by at least 80% and recover a consistent quality reusable water. A pilot scale FO-RO with a capacity of 1 m3/day was designed and built, incorporating two different types of FO membranes. The study showed that this process can potentially offer a significant reduction in energy use, chemical use, piping infrastructure, and operating costs in desalinating mine water and the success of this technology is in the efficient process configuration and FO membrane module configuration, membrane chemistry and structure.

An experimental approach to road mitigation that maximizes inferential power is essential to ensure that mitigation is both ecologically-effective and cost-effective. Here, we set out the need for and standards of using an experimental approach to road mitigation, in order to improve knowledge of the influence of mitigation measures on wildlife populations. We point out two key areas that need to be considered when conducting mitigation experiments. First, researchers need to get involved at the earliest stage of the road or mitigation project to ensure the necessary planning and funds are available for conducting a high quality experiment. Second, experimentation will generate new knowledge about the parameters that influence mitigation effectiveness, which ultimately allows better prediction for future road mitigation projects. We identify seven key questions about mitigation structures (i.e., wildlife crossing structures and fencing) that remain largely or entirely unanswered at the population-level: (1) Does a given crossing structure work? What type and size of crossing structures should we use? (2) How many crossing structures should we build? (3) Is it more effective to install a small number of large-sized crossing structures or a large number of small-sized crossing structures? (4) How much barrier fencing is needed for a given length of road? (5) Do we need funnel fencing to lead animals to crossing structures, and how long does such fencing have to be? (6) How should we manage/manipulate the environment in the area around the crossing structures and fencing? (7) Where should we place crossing structures and barrier fencing? We provide experimental approaches to answering each of them using example Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) study designs for two stages in the road/mitigation project where researchers may become involved: (1) at the beginning of a road/mitigation project, and (2) after the mitigation has been constructed; highlighting real case studies when available.

Local government planning agencies play an important role in conserving biodiversity in human-altered landscapes. Such agencies frequently have a limited knowledge of wildlife biology and few resources to carry out research, and therefore require simple, practical guidelines for biodiversity conservation. We propose a landscape design framework for biodiversity conservation that is sequential, prescriptive, and supported by current landscape ecological science. Unlike existing guidelines, our framework can be implemented in any given landscape using only land cover data and it explicitly considers constraints on land use planning. The steps of our framework, in the order in which they should be implemented are: (1) select land cover data and decide which land cover classes constitute unaltered or altered land covers; (2) list the constraints on land use planning (e.g., economic, social) that exist for the landscape; (3) maximize the total amount and diversity of unaltered land cover, especially near water; (4) minimize human disturbance within altered land cover, especially near water; and (5) aggregate altered land covers associated with high-intensity land uses, especially away from water. We illustrate the utility of our approach by applying it to a hypothetical landscape and comparing the outcome to those from the application of traditional ecological guidelines to inform land use planning.

Background The high diagnostic accuracy of adenosine stress cardiac magnetic resonance (AS-CMR) for detecting coronary artery stenoses, with high sensitivity and specificity, is well documented. Prognostic data, particularly in non-low risk study populations and for greater than 12months of follow up, is however lacking or variable in its findings. We present prognostic data, in an intermediate cardiovascular risk cohort undergoing adenosine stress perfusion CMR, over approximately 2years of follow up. Methods The study population comprised 362 patients referred for a clinically indicated stress CMR and included patients with proven coronary artery disease (CAD; n=157) or unknown CAD status, yet an intermediate cardiovascular risk profile (n=205). Perfusion imaging was performed at stress (adenosine 140μg/kg/min) and rest on a 1.5T system. Patient records and state-wide hospital databases were reviewed. Major adverse cardiac events — death, myocardial infarction, revascularisation or ischaemic hospitalisation — were evaluated over a median follow up of 22months. Results Of the 362 cases, 90 had a stress perfusion CMR positive for ischaemia and experienced a MACE rate of 24%. Of the 272 negative CMR scans, 225 were also negative for late gadolinium enhancement, and in this group MACE was encountered in only 6 (2.7%) patients. Accordingly a negative stress CMR afforded a freedom from MACE of 97.3%. Freedom from death/myocardial infarction was 99.6%. Conclusions In patients with confirmed coronary artery disease or at intermediate risk for cardiovascular events, a negative stress perfusion CMR is associated with an excellent prognosis over nearly 2years of follow up.

Accurate assessment of aortic annular dimensions is essential for successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Annular dimensions are conventionally measured in mid-systole by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), echocardiography and angiography. Significant differences in systolic and diastolic aortic annular dimensions have been demonstrated in cohorts without aortic stenosis (AS), but it is unknown whether similar dynamic variation in annular dimensions exists in patients with severe calcific AS in whom aortic compliance is likely to be substantially reduced. We investigated the variation in aortic annular dimensions between systole and diastole in patients with severe calcific AS. Patients with severe calcific AS referred for TAVI were evaluated by 128-slice MDCT. Aortic annular diameter was measured during diastole and systole in the modified coronal, modified sagittal, and basal ring planes (maximal, minimal and mean diameters). Differences between systole and diastole were analysed by paired t test. Fifty-nine patients were included in the analysis. Three of the five aortic dimensions measured increased significantly during systole. The largest change was a 0.75 mm (3.4%) mean increase in the minimal diameter of the basal ring during systole (p = 0.004). This corresponds closely to the modified sagittal view, which also increased by mean 0.42 mm (1.9%) during systole (p = 0.008). There was no significant change in the maximal diameter of the basal ring or the modified coronal view during systole (p > 0.05). There is a small magnitude but statistically significant difference in aortic annulus dimensions of patients with severe AS referred for TAVI when measured in diastole and systole. This small difference is unlikely to alter clinical decisions regarding prosthesis size or suitability for TAVI.

This chapter examines the integration of forward osmosis (FO) with other water treatment methods with a particular focus on integrating FO and reverse osmosis (RO) technologies. It discusses the limitations of RO in relation to the quality of the feed water, in particular for the treatment of mining wastewater. In dry conditions, water management must focus on minimizing dependence on high-quality water. Adapting coal handling and preparation plants and dust suppression to use highly saline water reduces the volume of raw water that needs treatment at mine sites. The chapter presents different modes of integration and examines the advantages and limitations of different hybrid configurations. The hybrid system could potentially eliminate the extensive pretreatment required for conventional RO processes and thereby the overall cost of desalination. The mine site application of hybrid FO-RO technology has yet to be investigated.

James D. Richardson, Michael S. Cunnington, Adam J. Nelson, Julie A. Bradley, Karen S. L. Teo, Stephen G. Worthley, Matthew I. Worthley

Background – It has been proposed that multiple sclerosis (MS) might be a sexually transmitted disorder. There is evidence that seropositivity to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) correlates well with the number of sexual partners. Accordingly, a raised overall HSV-2 seroprevalence in MS would lend support to this theory. Materials and methods – Serum from 497 UK subjects with clinically definite MS was tested for antibodies to HSV-2 and compared with matched historical controls from within and outside London, blood donors and genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics. Results – The unadjusted MS seropositivity rate was 14%. HSV-2 seroprevalence in MS patients aged 35–64 years was significantly higher overall compared with a non-London general population in an unadjusted comparison. HSV-2 seroprevalence in London MS patients compared with London blood donors was significantly greater irrespective of age, but the MS seropositive rate was lower than GUM clinic attenders. In a logistic regression analysis, increased age, female sex and MS diagnosis all independently increased the odds of seropositivity after adjustment for each other. Conclusion – It is concluded that there is increased likelihood of HSV-2 exposure in patients with MS and this may indicate a higher than average number of partners.

The traditional undergraduate engineering curriculum provides methods of analyzing and creating paper designs, but does much less in teaching design for manufacture and production. The Capstone experience at the University of Idaho uses a mentor-based design process that takes projects from the conceptual stage through creation of functional prototypes. Graduate student mentors in the Idaho Engineering Works (IEWorks) have created a three-session orientation that teaches fundamentals of machining associated with the construction of a small multi-tool. Student feedback recorded in their design journals underscores the benefits of this shop orientation in promoting machine design skills that result in high quality prototypes delivered to industry customers at the end of the course and in fostering a close relationship between mentors and students.

The authors explore the use of third generation echo contrast to define plaque in the ascending aorta and exclude more invasive procedures.

ejection fraction (EF), aortic valve flow velocity, and myocardial mass were compared pre and post TAVI by paired t-tests. Results: Fourteen patients underwent CMR pre TAVI and at follow up (median 10 months). Mean myocardial mass reduced by 28 g (18%) post TAVI (p< 0.05), with a trend towards reduction in ESV and increase in EF. Velocity encoded flow-derived aortic regurgitation was trivial/mild in 13 and moderate in one patient. Peak aortic flow velocity was notmeasureable in CoreValve recipients (n= 10) due to signal void artefact, but could be assessed following Edwards-Sapien implantation (n= 4). The table shows means± standard errors. EDV (mL) ESV (mL) EF (%) Peak velocity (m/s) Mass (g) Pre-TAVI 150 ± 11 73 ± 11 54 ± 4 4.2 ± 0.1 160 ± 9 Post-TAVI 151 ± 13 69 ± 12 57 ± 5 1.6 ± 0.1 132 ± 9 Conclusions: CMR following TAVI is feasible and provides useful assessment of cardiac structural and functional changes, with a reduction in myocardial mass post TAVI. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2012.05.468

Editor—Giwercman et al evaluated the need for screening for carcinoma in situ of the testis in oligozoospermic men from infertile couples.1 They concluded that these men do not have an increased risk of carcinoma in situ, therefore implying that screening is not justified. Their study fails to provide the information required to form a proper judgment on the potential benefits of screening. Although no cases of carcinoma in situ of the testis were detected among the 207 men studied, the confidence intervals reported are compatible with a prevalence of almost 18 in every 1000 men and a relative risk 4.6 times that in the general population. This represents a significantly increased risk. To put this in context, the detection rate for breast cancer in the first wave of the NHS breast screening programme was 6.2/1000 women screened.2 No consideration was given to the suitability of testicular biopsy as a screening test. While the uptake rate in the study was 94%, the acceptability of such a highly invasive technique should be addressed. The study population comprised men referred to Danish infertility clinics. The authors claim that this population represents the target group for screening. They admit, however, that not all oligozoospermic men are currently referred. If screening were implemented, referral rates would probably change; therefore the study group may not be representative of the target population for screening. The basis for evaluating possible screening tests is well established.3 In this instance we believe that the study group was too small for the true prevalence of carcinoma in situ of the testis to be accurately established. Any future evaluation should be carried out in a more representative population and should more fully assess the acceptability of testicular biopsy.

The grain or flour mite, Acarus siro L. (formerly called Tyroglyphus farinae L.) is a serious and widespread pest of stored foodstuffs, particularly grain and grain products. Recently, Griffiths (1964) has shown that the flour mite represents a complex of three species, Acarus siro L., sensu Griffiths 1964, which appeared to be the dominant species found in stored-product habitats, A. farris (Ouds. 1905) and A. immobilis Griffiths 1964, which seemed to be field species sometimes transported to storage premises. For some years, a comprehensive study of the rates of survival, development and reproduction of A. siro has been in progress at this laboratory. The present paper describes the results of experiments carried out to determine the physical limits for survival and complete development of this species. Since these experiments were begun, other authors have published studies covering the same ground but in less detail. The present results seem worth publishing because of their greater precision and also because it is useful to record the similarities and differences between mites from different regions or on different food materials. Also, Griffiths' work indicates that some of the published information on A. siro may be based on misidentifications of A. farris and A. immobilis. Although the effects of temperature and humidity are interdependent I have found it convenient, for purposes of presentation, to deal with them separately as far as possible.