Search

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of locally available electric arc furnace slag (EAFS) as a substrate for removing phosphorus from wastewater. First, in a laboratory study, EAFS was found to have high phosphorus removal efficiency for three P concentrations (0.3, 3.0, and 6.0 mg/L); this resulted in nearly 100% phosphorus removal in 24 h. Next, the experiment was repeated using aeration and similar phosphorus removal was observed but in a shorter contact time of 1 h. The adsorption capacity of EAFS was determined to be 1,458 mg/kg. In a pilot-scale study, over 90% P removal took place in the first 4 h under nonaerated conditions, and nearly 100% removal in 8 h. While the P removal with aeration was relatively less initially for the shorter residence times, a 100% removal was observed for the 24-h residence time. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000158 CE Database subject headings: Phosphorus; Abatement and removal; Laboratory tests; Adsorption; Phosphate; Wastewater management. Author keywords: Electric arc furnace slag (EAFS); Phosphorus removal; Laboratory study; Pilot study; Adsorption capacity; Residence time.

Background and Program: Secure email messaging is used to provide timely communication between healthcare providers and patients with medical information and education. There have been increasing rates of overweight and obesity among military healthcare patients. To address this issue, we utilized a secure email messaging system that is primarily used for medication refills. This commentary demonstrates the extent to which the message was viewed and how much the message was liked. Preliminary Results: Of the 16,020 individuals emailed, 7,011 participants (43.8%) opened the email, and 1,023 patients (14.6% of those who opened it) completed the survey. Satisfaction rate for the health promotion message was 77.2%. Participants reported an intent to eat more fruit and vegetables (49.6%), decrease portion sizes (38.8%), and increase physical activity (51.1%), while 33.6% reported having no intent to change. Conclusion: The majority were satisfied with the health promotion message. This email method enables a single provider to have increased contact with patients. It is unknown if this message reached higher risk or harder to reach participants, a patient subset that could benefit most from this type of communication. This study is unique in that to our knowledge it is the first one to use secure email messaging in the military healthcare system for health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the stages of change (SOC) for regular moderate physical activity among older adults in a shared medical Falls Prevention Clinic. A secondary purpose was to determine if progress towards increased physical activity and strength occurs in this setting. Thirty-one subjects (20 women and 11 men) aged 64 to 94 yrs old (mean age = 80 yrs) participated in this study. A physical activity questionnaire for SOC was given the first and last sessions. Strength measurements of hip flexion and knee extension were assessed. The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) was used to measure functional ability. The percentage of subjects that progressed through 1 SOC = 16.1%, 2 SOC = 38.7%, combined 1 and 2 SOC = 51.6%, and 3 SOC = 12.9%. There was a significant increase in strength in hip flexion from an average of 32.8 lbs (SE = 2.0 lbs) to 37.3 lbs (SE = 1.8 lbs), p = 0.003 (n = 26) and leg extension from an average of 26.6 lbs (SE = 2.1 lbs) to 33.3 lbs (SE = 2.2 lbs), p = 0.001 (n = 26). Median TUG was 12 secs at baseline and the median 1 sec improvement was significant at p=0.019 (n=15). Progress for SOC for physical activity and improvement in strength occurred. The shared medical appointment was an effective setting for exercise physiology intervention. Regular visits helped to increase outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]