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In order to extend the range of application of an existing aeration management logic combining carbon and nitrogen removal, an advanced version was developed. This automated system is devoted to WWTP with aserial configuration of the aeration tanks. The operating strategy gives a priority to the carbon elimination in upstream aeration volumes, whereas downstream elements complete the treatment and optimize the nitrogen removal. The control and command functions of this automated management are based on the analysis of both instant value and time evolution of the oxido-reduction potential, Some setting modifications are specified for the aeration management on upstream cells. Application of this system to full-scale operating plants reveals the total adaptation of the strategy to the serial configuration units. Long-term experiences show that aeration supply is adapted to the required level of treatment, following the load variations. Removal yields are optimized and conformity of the outflows is achieved on the three presented examples. The application of this advanced version of the automated aeration management will help operators in obtaining qualityand reliability of the wastewater treatment. (c) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, many plant-derived bioactive agents have been included in dermo-cosmetics formulations. This leads to an extensive portfolio of innovative products with an expanded range of benefits, including anti-aging, antioxidant, hydrating and depigmenting. Although different technologies drawing on science and nature are used to create these high-performing molecules, there remains some debate about the mechanism of action of the natural bioactive ingredients within dermo-cosmetics. This review recapitulates the main biological mechanisms underlying the activity of natural active ingredients, with a specific focus on their synergistic use for the management of common, yet quite specific, skin conditions. A total of 28 plant-derived bioactives were selected from the Givaudan Active Beauty (Argenteuil, France) portfolio, a multinational company specializing in innovative natural actives research. An extensive literature review about their biological activity was conducted by a PubMed search using different keywords. No language or publication date restrictions were used. Givaudan Active Beauty data on file were also considered. The bioactive ingredients were described according to the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying 10 common skin conditions that dermo-cosmetics may address. Literature data have shown that plant-derived bioactives are involved in a wide range of biological mechanisms showing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and moisturizing properties, along with skin barrier protection and collagen synthesis activities. As a result, different combinations of bioactives within dermo-cosmetics can be defined to counteract simultaneously the different pathogenetic mechanisms underlying different skin conditions. Available literature supports the synergistic use of plant-derived bioactive agents within dermo-cosmetics as a viable and safe option for managing the most common skin conditions.

We have assessed turnaround time (TAT) for urgent laboratory analysis. Twelve hospital laboratories participated to this study. All laboratories have organized a classification of a management system of urgent analyses. The TAT reporting were relatively homogeneous for 12 laboratories. We have defined TAT as time of specimen receipt in the laboratory to time of results reporting. This TAT divides into 4 groups: close to 50 minutes for analyses as TP, D-dimeres, CRP (C Protein Reactive), HCG, troponin, alcoholhemia, K, lipase; 35 minutes for the cytology of cerebrospinal fluid; 25 minutes for complete blood cell count and 15 minutes for blood gases. All laboratories have accepted to TAT as a quality indicator. Quality indicator data should be collected in time to identify and correct problems to implemente effective interventions and to standardize processes among clinical laboratories.