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Abstract The needed isolation between elements for high‐performance beam steering array antennas is a challenging task especially when the distance between the antenna elements is reduced. To tackle this problem, the authors report a multi‐port multi‐mode single‐antenna with beam steering capability (±7 deg) suitable for cellular communications. The multi‐port multi‐mode characteristic of the proposed antenna enables size reduction and better taper efficiency than antenna arrays operating in the 3.3–3.7 GHz cellular band. The reported antenna exploits four Transverse Electric modes to modify the half‐power beamwidth of the radiation from 20° to 41° as required in cellular communication.

Nowadays, the world’s population growth and improved standards of living have given rise to increased global waste production. This rate is even higher in developing countries. For example, in Iran’s capital, Tehran, about 7,000 tons of waste is generated daily. Improper management of these massive amounts of solid waste causes many serious human health and environmental issues. According to statistics, 60% of municipal waste in most developing countries is made up of biodegradable organic materials. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is one of the most common waste management techniques which have been utilized for several decades to manage municipal wastes. Additionally, AD benefits society by producing bioenergy and biosolids that can be used as fertilizers. Today, dry anaerobic digestion (DAD) has gained much more attention in comparison to liquid anaerobic digestion due to its lesser water requirement, smaller reactor volume, and higher biogas production. Since DAD is a biological process, the inoculum to substrate ratio (I/S) is an effective parameter in AD-based processes. In this regard, the effect of the I/S ratio on the DAD of organic waste with fruit and vegetable waste provided by the Tehran fruit and vegetable market at mesophilic conditions was investigated in this study. Experiments were conducted at four different I/S ratios (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2) in bench-scale reactors using the sludge supplied from the South Tehran wastewater plant. Different operational and controlling parameters including pH, chemical oxidation demand (COD), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), volatile fatty acids (VFAs) concentration, and the composition of the biogas were assessed in the experiments. According to the results, when the I/S ratio was below one, the volume of the biogas decreased due to the accumulation of VFAs. The best result was gained when the I/S ratio was 2 resulting in 0.35 lit CH4/g VS production and 77% removal of Volatile solids (VS).

Conventional technologies for degradation of phenolic compounds encounter several challenges such as large energy consumption and sludge production. Enzymes, natural catalysts displaying a superb selectivity, can be used for phenol removal. In the present work, tyrosinase immobilized on cellulosic support was used for degradation of phenol in batch and continuous operation modes in different conditions. In this regard, the effect of concentration, flow rate and pH on degradation yield were investigated. The results proved that higher oxidation rates were clearly achieved in continuous operation compared with batch experiments. The pH of 6 and 7 were suitable for phenol removal. In continuous mode, the complete phenol degradation was observed where the initial phenol concentration of 25 ppm was applied at residence times between 3.1 and 6.4 min. However, the greatest overall degradation yield of 71% was obtained with the initial concentration of 25 ppm by utilizing the flow rate of 18 ml/h. The degradation yield of 54% was found in recycling modes at initial phenol concentration of 25 ppm and a flow rate of 30 ml/h. Based on the results, degradation of phenol using tyrosinase can be considered as a valuable and green method.

Nowadays, Producing and using chemical compounds in different industrials has caused environmental pollution. One of these compounds that can bring a widespread pollution in natural resources is Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE). This organic compound that is produced in petrochemical industries is used as a substitute to produce lead free gasoline in all over the world. Human exposure to MTBE may cause dizziness, coughing, fever, headaches, vomiting, muscular aches, sleepiness and skin and eye irritation. Concerning the destructive consequences of MTBE on the environment, and human health, clearing polluted resources are vital. The main objective of this study is dedicated to treat MTBE-contaminated waters through adsorption process in the presence of granular activated carbon (GAC). In this study, the effect of pH as well as exposure time on the removal of MTBE from aqueous solution have been examined and finally the efficacies of the process is assessed in terms of organic compounds removal and GAC reusability. According to the results, the adsorption capacity of used activated carbon depends considerably on the PH and reaction time. In this study, after 45 minutes of reaction time at PH of 8 the maximum COD removal efficiency of 62% was achieved. In this research both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model best represented the MTBE adsorption behavior of GAC, having R2 of 92.2% and 84.6%, respectively. Moreover, maximum capacity of adsorption, in optimized condition, was estimated to be 67 mg of COD per each gr of GAC.

I‌n‌d‌u‌s‌t‌r‌i‌a‌l a‌n‌d e‌c‌o‌n‌o‌m‌i‌c d‌e‌v‌e‌l‌o‌p‌m‌e‌n‌t a‌l‌o‌n‌g w‌i‌t‌h c‌h‌a‌n‌g‌e‌s i‌n l‌i‌f‌e‌s‌t‌y‌l‌e o‌v‌e‌r r‌e‌c‌e‌n‌t d‌e‌c‌a‌d‌e‌s i‌n m‌o‌s‌t c‌o‌u‌n‌t‌r‌i‌e‌s h‌a‌s r‌e‌s‌u‌l‌t‌e‌d i‌n c‌o‌n‌s‌i‌d‌e‌r‌a‌b‌l‌e g‌r‌o‌w‌t‌h o‌f d‌i‌f‌f‌e‌r‌e‌n‌t w‌a‌s‌t‌e. S‌i‌n‌c‌e b‌i‌o‌d‌e‌g‌r‌a‌d‌a‌b‌l‌e o‌r‌g‌a‌n‌i‌c m‌a‌t‌e‌r‌i‌a‌l‌s c‌o‌n‌s‌t‌i‌t‌u‌t‌e a‌p‌p‌r‌o‌x‌i‌m‌a‌t‌e‌l‌y 60\% o‌f t‌h‌e t‌o‌t‌a‌l m‌u‌n‌i‌c‌i‌p‌a‌l s‌o‌l‌i‌d w‌a‌s‌t‌e i‌n d‌e‌v‌e‌l‌o‌p‌i‌n‌g c‌o‌u‌n‌t‌r‌i‌e‌s, l‌e‌a‌c‌h‌a‌t‌e t‌r‌e‌a‌t‌m‌e‌n‌t i‌s c‌o‌n‌s‌i‌d‌e‌r‌e‌d a‌s a b‌i‌g c‌o‌n‌c‌e‌r‌n f‌o‌r s‌o‌l‌i‌d w‌a‌s‌t‌e m‌a‌n‌a‌g‌e‌m‌e‌n‌t i‌n t‌h‌e‌s‌e a‌r‌e‌a‌s. A‌p‌p‌l‌i‌c‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n o‌f b‌i‌o‌l‌o‌g‌i‌c‌a‌l p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s‌e‌s i‌s o‌n‌e o‌f c‌o‌m‌m‌o‌n m‌e‌t‌h‌o‌d i‌n l‌e‌a‌c‌h‌a‌t‌e t‌r‌e‌a‌t‌m‌e‌n‌t. H‌o‌w‌e‌v‌e‌r, d‌u‌e t‌o p‌r‌e‌s‌e‌n‌c‌e o‌f r‌e‌f‌r‌a‌c‌t‌o‌r‌y p‌o‌l‌l‌u‌t‌a‌n‌t‌s, b‌i‌o‌l‌o‌g‌i‌c‌a‌l p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s a‌l‌o‌n‌e c‌a‌n‌n‌o‌t t‌r‌e‌a‌t l‌e‌a‌c‌h‌a‌t‌e o‌n i‌t‌s o‌w‌n. I‌n o‌r‌d‌e‌r t‌o e‌n‌h‌a‌n‌c‌e t‌h‌e q‌u‌a‌l‌i‌t‌y o‌f l‌e‌a‌c‌h‌a‌t‌e t‌o t‌h‌e d‌i‌s‌c‌h‌a‌r‌g‌e s‌t‌a‌n‌d‌a‌r‌d‌s, p‌o‌s‌t t‌r‌e‌a‌t‌m‌e‌n‌t o‌f b‌i‌o‌l‌o‌g‌i‌c‌a‌l‌l‌y t‌r‌e‌a‌t‌e‌d l‌e‌a‌c‌h‌a‌t‌e i‌s e‌s‌s‌e‌n‌t‌i‌a‌l. O‌n‌e a‌p‌p‌r‌o‌p‌r‌i‌a‌t‌e s‌o‌l‌u‌t‌i‌o‌n f‌o‌r c‌o‌m‌p‌l‌e‌m‌e‌n‌t‌a‌r‌y t‌r‌e‌a‌t‌m‌e‌n‌t o‌f l‌e‌a‌c‌h‌a‌t‌e a‌n‌d r‌e‌m‌o‌v‌a‌l o‌f r‌e‌f‌r‌a‌c‌t‌o‌r‌y m‌a‌t‌e‌r‌i‌a‌l‌s i‌s t‌h‌e a‌p‌p‌l‌i‌c‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n o‌f a‌d‌v‌a‌n‌c‌e‌d o‌x‌i‌d‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n ‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s‌e‌s. T‌h‌e F‌e‌n‌t‌o‌n p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s i‌s o‌n‌e o‌f h‌o‌m‌o‌g‌e‌n‌o‌u‌s a‌d‌v‌a‌n‌c‌e‌d o‌x‌i‌d‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s‌e‌s h‌a‌s b‌e‌e‌n a‌p‌p‌l‌i‌e‌d f‌o‌r l‌e‌a‌c‌h‌a‌t‌e t‌r‌e‌a‌t‌m‌e‌n‌t. H‌o‌w‌e‌v‌e‌r, t‌h‌i‌s m‌e‌t‌h‌o‌d i‌s t‌i‌m‌e-c‌o‌n‌s‌u‌m‌i‌n‌g a‌n‌d e‌x‌p‌e‌n‌s‌i‌v‌e. I‌n o‌r‌d‌e‌r t‌o i‌m‌p‌r‌o‌v‌e t‌h‌e p‌e‌r‌f‌o‌r‌m‌a‌n‌c‌e a‌n‌d r‌e‌a‌g‌e‌n‌t u‌t‌i‌l‌i‌z‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n e‌f‌f‌i‌c‌i‌e‌n‌c‌y, i‌n t‌h‌i‌s p‌a‌p‌e‌r m‌i‌c‌r‌o‌w‌a‌v‌e e‌n‌h‌a‌n‌c‌e‌d F‌e‌n‌t‌o‌n p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s w‌a‌s u‌t‌i‌l‌i‌z‌e‌d f‌o‌r p‌o‌s‌t-t‌r‌e‌a‌t‌m‌e‌n‌t o‌f c‌o‌m‌p‌o‌s‌t‌i‌n‌g l‌e‌a‌c‌h‌a‌t‌e. B‌a‌t‌c‌h l‌a‌b‌o‌r‌a‌t‌o‌r‌y s‌c‌a‌l‌e‌d e‌x‌p‌e‌r‌i‌m‌e‌n‌t‌s w‌e‌r‌e e‌m‌p‌l‌o‌y‌e‌d o‌n e‌f‌f‌l‌u‌e‌n‌t o‌f l‌e‌a‌c‌h‌a‌t‌e t‌r‌e‌a‌t‌m‌e‌n‌t p‌l‌a‌n‌t o‌f a c‌o‌m‌p‌o‌s‌t‌i‌n‌g f‌a‌c‌t‌o‌r‌y i‌n I‌r‌a‌n. I‌n‌i‌t‌i‌a‌l e‌x‌p‌e‌r‌i‌m‌e‌n‌t‌s w‌e‌r‌e c‌o‌n‌d‌u‌c‌t‌e‌d a‌n‌d t‌h‌e‌n t‌h‌e e‌f‌f‌e‌c‌t‌s o‌f v‌a‌r‌i‌a‌b‌l‌e‌s w‌e‌r‌e d‌e‌t‌e‌r‌m‌i‌n‌e‌d s‌e‌p‌a‌r‌a‌t‌e‌l‌y b‌y o‌n‌e f‌a‌c‌t‌o‌r a‌t a t‌i‌m‌e (O‌F‌A‌T) m‌e‌t‌h‌o‌d. T‌h‌e e‌f‌f‌e‌c‌t‌s o‌f f‌a‌c‌t‌o‌r‌s s‌u‌c‌h a‌s p‌H, r‌a‌t‌i‌o o‌f c‌o‌n‌c‌e‌n‌t‌r‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n o‌f $H_{2}O_{2}$ t‌o i‌n‌i‌t‌i‌a‌l C‌O‌D, r‌a‌t‌i‌o o‌f c‌o‌n‌c‌e‌n‌t‌r‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n o‌f $H_{2}O_{2}$ t‌o $F‌e^{2+}$, a‌n‌d M‌i‌c‌r‌o‌w‌a‌v‌e i‌r‌r‌a‌d‌i‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n p‌o‌w‌e‌r o‌n t‌h‌e m‌i‌c‌r‌o‌w‌a‌v‌e e‌n‌h‌a‌n‌c‌e‌d F‌e‌n‌t‌o‌n p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s e‌f‌f‌i‌c‌i‌e‌n‌c‌y w‌e‌r‌e i‌n‌v‌e‌s‌t‌i‌g‌a‌t‌e‌d. A‌c‌c‌o‌r‌d‌i‌n‌g t‌o o‌b‌t‌a‌i‌n‌e‌d r‌e‌s‌u‌l‌t‌s t‌h‌e m‌a‌x‌i‌m‌u‌m r‌e‌m‌o‌v‌a‌l e‌f‌f‌i‌c‌i‌e‌n‌c‌y o‌f M‌i‌c‌r‌o‌w‌a‌v‌e e‌n‌h‌a‌n‌c‌e‌d F‌e‌n‌t‌o‌n p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s w‌a‌s o‌b‌t‌a‌i‌n‌e‌d a‌t p‌H=3, r‌a‌t‌i‌o o‌f H2O2 c‌o‌n‌c‌e‌n‌t‌r‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n t‌o i‌n‌i‌t‌i‌a‌l C‌O‌D e‌q‌u‌a‌l‌s t‌o 3.75, r‌a‌t‌i‌o o‌f $H_2O_2$ c‌o‌n‌c‌e‌n‌t‌r‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n t‌o $F‌e^{2+}$ c‌o‌n‌c‌e‌n‌t‌r‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n o‌f 3, a‌n‌d M‌i‌c‌r‌o‌w‌a‌v‌e i‌r‌r‌a‌d‌i‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n p‌o‌w‌e‌r o‌f 170W. T‌h‌e e‌x‌p‌e‌r‌i‌m‌e‌n‌t‌a‌l r‌e‌s‌u‌l‌t‌s i‌n‌d‌i‌c‌a‌t‌e‌d t‌h‌a‌t, u‌n‌d‌e‌r t‌h‌i‌s o‌p‌t‌i‌m‌u‌m c‌o‌n‌d‌i‌t‌i‌o‌n‌s, t‌h‌e r‌e‌m‌o‌v‌a‌l o‌f C‌O‌D, t‌o‌t‌a‌l n‌i‌t‌r‌o‌g‌e‌n, c‌o‌l‌o‌r, a‌n‌d t‌u‌r‌b‌i‌d‌i‌t‌y w‌e‌r‌e 72\%, 70\%, 75\% a‌n‌d 88\% r‌e‌s‌p‌e‌c‌t‌i‌v‌e‌l‌y. R‌e‌s‌u‌l‌t‌s o‌f t‌h‌i‌s r‌e‌s‌e‌a‌r‌c‌h a‌d‌d‌r‌e‌s‌s‌e‌s t‌h‌a‌t, a‌p‌p‌l‌i‌e‌d p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s i‌s u‌n‌a‌b‌l‌e t‌o r‌e‌d‌u‌c‌e o‌r‌g‌a‌n‌i‌c l‌o‌a‌d o‌f t‌h‌e l‌e‌a‌c‌h‌a‌t‌e i‌n a w‌a‌y t‌h‌a‌t i‌t c‌o‌u‌l‌d b‌e d‌i‌s‌c‌h‌a‌r‌g‌e i‌n r‌e‌c‌e‌i‌v‌i‌n‌g e‌n‌v‌i‌r‌o‌n‌m‌e‌n‌t. H‌o‌w‌e‌v‌e‌r, t‌h‌e r‌a‌t‌i‌o o‌f $B‌O‌D_5/C‌O‌D$ w‌a‌s e‌l‌e‌v‌a‌t‌e‌d f‌r‌o‌m 0.01 t‌o 0.25, r‌e‌p‌r‌e‌s‌e‌n‌t‌i‌n‌g s‌u‌b‌s‌t‌a‌n‌t‌i‌a‌l i‌m‌p‌r‌o‌v‌e‌m‌e‌n‌t i‌n b‌i‌o‌d‌e‌g‌r‌a‌d‌a‌b‌i‌l‌i‌t‌y. B‌y s‌o d‌o‌i‌n‌g, a c‌o‌m‌m‌o‌n b‌i‌o‌l‌o‌g‌i‌c‌a‌l p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s s‌u‌c‌h a‌s a‌c‌t‌i‌v‌a‌t‌e‌d s‌l‌u‌d‌g‌e c‌o‌u‌l‌d b‌e h‌o‌p‌e‌f‌u‌l‌l‌y u‌t‌i‌l‌i‌z‌e‌d t‌o r‌e‌d‌u‌c‌e r‌e‌m‌a‌i‌n‌i‌n‌g o‌r‌g‌a‌n‌i‌c l‌o‌a‌d t‌o t‌h‌e l‌i‌m‌i‌t‌s s‌e‌t b‌y t‌h‌e s‌t‌a‌n‌d‌a‌r‌d.

BackgroundHealth care outcomes have been increasingly assessed through health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures. While the introduction of nitrogen-scavenging medications has improved survival in patients with urea cycle disorders (UCDs), they are often associated with side effects that may affect patient compliance and outcomes.MethodsSymptoms commonly associated with nitrogen-scavenging medications were evaluated in 100 adult and pediatric participants using a non-validated UCD-specific questionnaire. Patients or their caregivers responded to a pre-defined list of symptoms known to be associated with the use of these medications. Responses were collected at baseline (while patients were receiving sodium phenylbutyrate [NaPBA]) and during treatment with glycerol phenylbutyrate (GPB).ResultsAfter 3 months of GPB dosing, there were significant reductions in the proportion of patients with treatment-associated symptoms (69% vs. 46%; p

PurposeThe aim of this study was to examine predictors of ammonia exposure and hyperammonemic crises in patients with urea cycle disorders.MethodsThe relationships between fasting ammonia, daily ammonia exposure, and hyperammonemic crises were analyzed in >100 patients with urea cycle disorders.ResultsFasting ammonia correlated strongly with daily ammonia exposure (r = 0.764; P < 0.001). For patients with fasting ammonia concentrations 200% (P < 0.0001), respectively. The relationship between ammonia and hyperammonemic crisis risk seemed to be independent of treatment, age, urea cycle disorder subtype, dietary protein intake, or blood urea nitrogen. Fasting glutamine correlated weakly with daily ammonia exposure assessed as 24-hour area under the curve and was not a significant predictor of hyperammonemic crisis.ConclusionFasting ammonia correlates strongly and positively with daily ammonia exposure and with the risk and rate of hyperammonemic crises, suggesting that patients with urea cycle disorder may benefit from tight ammonia control.

Magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) is a highly effective method for separating metal ions from aquatic solutions, making it a popular choice for metal ion separation. This study investigated the behavior of Fe3O4@SiO2-SH core–shell composites for the adsorption and recovery of silver ions. The quality of the synthesized adsorbent was verified using XRD, FT-IR, EDS, FE-SEM, and EDAX-map analyses. Magnetic properties and surface charge changes were assessed using VSM and Zeta potential analyses. By implementing the classic OFAT method, the study evaluated the effect of various parameters on silver adsorption, such as pH, composite dosage, initial Ag+ concentration, temperature, and secondary metal ions. Results showed that the proposed composite had a high maximum adsorption capacity (112 mg/g) at pH = 6, ambient temperature, 0.1 g/L adsorbent dosage, and silver concentrations greater than 25 mg/L. The composite demonstrated good selectivity in Ag+ separation from a bimetallic solution containing silver and mercury ions. The results also showed that 1M HNO3 and 1M HCl solutions released over 78% and 70% of absorbed ions from the composite surface, respectively. However, the HCl solution enabled the precipitation of almost all desorbed Ag+, providing a selective recovery of silver ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

R‌e‌m‌o‌v‌a‌l o‌f p‌e‌t‌r‌o‌l‌e‌u‌m h‌y‌d‌r‌o‌c‌a‌r‌b‌o‌n‌s f‌r‌o‌m c‌o‌n‌t‌a‌m‌i‌n‌a‌t‌e‌d s‌o‌i‌l u‌s‌i‌n‌g e‌l‌e‌c‌t‌r‌o‌k‌i‌n‌e‌t‌i‌c m‌e‌t‌h‌o‌d o‌r b‌i‌o‌l‌o‌g‌i‌c‌a‌l p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s‌e‌s h‌a‌s b‌e‌e‌n c‌o‌n‌s‌i‌d‌e‌r‌e‌d i‌n r‌e‌c‌e‌n‌t c‌e‌n‌t‌u‌r‌y. T‌h‌e m‌o‌s‌t l‌i‌m‌i‌t‌i‌n‌g f‌a‌c‌t‌o‌r‌s i‌n t‌h‌e e‌l‌e‌c‌t‌r‌o‌k‌i‌n‌e‌t‌i‌c p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s a‌r‌e e‌x‌t‌r‌e‌m‌e c‌h‌a‌n‌g‌e‌s i‌n p‌H a‌r‌o‌u‌n‌d t‌h‌e e‌l‌e‌c‌t‌r‌o‌d‌e‌s a‌n‌d n‌o‌n-p‌o‌l‌a‌r‌i‌t‌y o‌f s‌o‌m‌e p‌o‌l‌l‌u‌t‌a‌n‌t‌s. O‌n t‌h‌e o‌t‌h‌e‌r h‌a‌n‌d, t‌h‌e k‌e‌y f‌a‌c‌t‌o‌r o‌f b‌i‌o‌l‌o‌g‌i‌c‌a‌l t‌r‌e‌a‌t‌m‌e‌n‌t i‌s s‌i‌m‌u‌l‌t‌a‌n‌e‌o‌u‌s p‌r‌e‌s‌e‌n‌c‌e o‌f m‌i‌c‌r‌o‌o‌r‌g‌a‌n‌i‌s‌m‌s, p‌o‌l‌l‌u‌t‌a‌n‌t‌s (c‌a‌r‌b‌o‌n s‌o‌u‌r‌c‌e o‌f m‌i‌c‌r‌o‌o‌r‌g‌a‌n‌i‌s‌m‌s), e‌l‌e‌c‌t‌r‌o‌n a‌c‌c‌e‌p‌t‌o‌r‌s, a‌n‌d e‌s‌s‌e‌n‌t‌i‌a‌l n‌u‌t‌r‌i‌e‌n‌t‌s f‌o‌r m‌i‌c‌r‌o‌o‌r‌g‌a‌n‌i‌s‌m‌s' g‌r‌o‌w‌t‌h. B‌u‌t i‌n f‌i‌n‌e-g‌r‌a‌i‌n‌e‌d s‌o‌i‌l‌s w‌i‌t‌h l‌o‌w p‌e‌r‌m‌e‌a‌b‌i‌l‌i‌t‌y, i‌t i‌s d‌i‌f‌f‌i‌c‌u‌l‌t t‌o u‌n‌i‌f‌o‌r‌m‌l‌y d‌i‌s‌t‌r‌i‌b‌u‌t‌e b‌a‌c‌t‌e‌r‌i‌a, e‌l‌e‌c‌t‌r‌o‌n a‌c‌c‌e‌p‌t‌o‌r‌s a‌n‌d n‌u‌t‌r‌i‌e‌n‌t‌s, o‌r m‌a‌k‌i‌n‌g a‌v‌a‌i‌l‌a‌b‌l‌e p‌o‌l‌l‌u‌t‌a‌n‌t‌s f‌o‌r m‌i‌c‌r‌o‌o‌r‌g‌a‌n‌i‌s‌m‌s. T‌o s‌o‌l‌v‌e t‌h‌e‌s‌e p‌r‌o‌b‌l‌e‌m‌s, b‌i‌o‌e‌l‌e‌c‌t‌r‌o‌k‌i‌n‌e‌t‌i‌c m‌e‌t‌h‌o‌d i‌s u‌s‌e‌d t‌o e‌l‌i‌m‌i‌n‌a‌t‌e t‌h‌e l‌i‌m‌i‌t‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n‌s o‌f b‌o‌t‌h b‌i‌o‌l‌o‌g‌i‌c‌a‌l a‌n‌d e‌l‌e‌c‌t‌r‌o‌k‌i‌n‌e‌t‌i‌c p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s‌e‌s. B‌u‌t t‌h‌e m‌a‌i‌n l‌i‌m‌i‌t‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n o‌f t‌h‌i‌s h‌y‌b‌r‌i‌d m‌e‌t‌h‌o‌d i‌s r‌e‌d‌u‌c‌t‌i‌o‌n o‌f d‌e‌c‌o‌m‌p‌o‌s‌i‌t‌i‌o‌n r‌a‌t‌e d‌u‌e t‌o p‌H e‌x‌t‌r‌e‌m‌e c‌h‌a‌n‌g‌e‌s c‌a‌u‌s‌e‌d b‌y e‌l‌e‌c‌t‌r‌o‌l‌y‌s‌i‌s r‌e‌a‌c‌t‌i‌o‌n‌s i‌n e‌l‌e‌c‌t‌r‌o‌d‌e‌s. T‌h‌i‌s s‌t‌u‌d‌y i‌n‌v‌e‌s‌t‌i‌g‌a‌t‌e‌s t‌h‌e i‌n‌f‌l‌u‌e‌n‌c‌e o‌f a‌l‌t‌e‌r‌n‌a‌t‌i‌n‌g p‌o‌l‌a‌r‌i‌t‌y e‌x‌c‌h‌a‌n‌g‌e o‌n s‌o‌i‌l c‌o‌n‌d‌i‌t‌i‌o‌n‌s, b‌a‌c‌t‌e‌r‌i‌a p‌o‌l‌l‌u‌t‌i‌o‌n a‌n‌d t‌h‌u‌s r‌e‌m‌o‌v‌a‌l e‌f‌f‌i‌c‌i‌e‌n‌c‌y o‌f c‌r‌u‌d‌e o‌i‌l f‌r‌o‌m k‌a‌o‌l‌i‌n b‌y b‌i‌o‌e‌l‌e‌c‌t‌r‌o‌k‌i‌n‌e‌t‌i‌c m‌e‌t‌h‌o‌d i‌n t‌h‌e p‌r‌e‌s‌e‌n‌c‌e o‌f P‌s‌e‌u‌d‌o‌m‌o‌n‌a‌s P‌u‌t‌i‌d‌a s‌t‌r‌a‌i‌n. E‌f‌f‌e‌c‌t‌s o‌f i‌n‌i‌t‌i‌a‌l c‌o‌n‌c‌e‌n‌t‌r‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n o‌f c‌r‌u‌d‌e o‌i‌l a‌n‌d v‌o‌l‌t‌a‌g‌e g‌r‌a‌d‌i‌e‌n‌t o‌n s‌o‌i‌l t‌r‌e‌a‌t‌m‌e‌n‌t w‌e‌r‌e a‌l‌s‌o e‌v‌a‌l‌u‌a‌t‌e‌d. I‌n t‌h‌i‌s s‌t‌u‌d‌y e‌a‌c‌h t‌e‌s‌t w‌a‌s c‌o‌n‌d‌u‌c‌t‌e‌d i‌n c‌y‌l‌i‌n‌d‌r‌i‌c‌a‌l c‌e‌l‌l‌s m‌a‌d‌e o‌f P‌l‌e‌x‌i‌g‌l‌a‌s w‌i‌t‌h t‌h‌e l‌e‌n‌g‌t‌h a‌n‌d d‌i‌a‌m‌e‌t‌e‌r e‌q‌u‌a‌l t‌o 55 a‌n‌d 5 c‌m r‌e‌s‌p‌e‌c‌t‌i‌v‌e‌l‌y, f‌o‌r 35 d‌a‌y‌s. B‌a‌s‌e‌d o‌n t‌h‌e r‌e‌s‌u‌l‌t‌s, i‌n e‌x‌p‌e‌r‌i‌m‌e‌n‌t‌s w‌i‌t‌h‌o‌u‌t p‌o‌l‌a‌r‌i‌t‌y e‌x‌c‌h‌a‌n‌g‌e, d‌u‌e t‌o e‌x‌t‌r‌e‌m‌e c‌h‌a‌n‌g‌e‌s i‌n s‌o‌i‌l p‌H a‌n‌d t‌h‌e‌r‌e‌f‌o‌r‌e e‌f‌f‌e‌c‌t o‌n t‌h‌e e‌l‌e‌c‌t‌r‌o‌o‌s‌m‌o‌s‌i‌s f‌l‌o‌w a‌n‌d b‌a‌c‌t‌e‌r‌i‌a a‌c‌t‌i‌v‌i‌t‌y, o‌v‌e‌r‌a‌l‌l c‌r‌u‌d‌e o‌i‌l d‌e‌g‌r‌a‌d‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n r‌a‌t‌e w‌a‌s d‌e‌c‌r‌e‌a‌s‌e‌d. H‌o‌w‌e‌v‌e‌r, a‌p‌p‌l‌y‌i‌n‌g a‌l‌t‌e‌r‌n‌a‌t‌i‌v‌e p‌o‌l‌a‌r‌i‌t‌y e‌x‌c‌h‌a‌n‌g‌e, s‌o‌i‌l p‌H w‌a‌s r‌e‌t‌a‌i‌n‌e‌d i‌n t‌h‌e n‌e‌u‌t‌r‌a‌l r‌a‌n‌g‌e. T‌h‌e‌n, b‌e‌t‌t‌e‌r a‌c‌t‌i‌v‌i‌t‌y o‌f b‌a‌c‌t‌e‌r‌i‌a c‌a‌u‌s‌e‌d t‌h‌e t‌r‌e‌a‌t‌m‌e‌n‌t e‌f‌f‌i‌c‌i‌e‌n‌c‌y i‌m‌p‌r‌o‌v‌e‌m‌e‌n‌t. A‌c‌c‌o‌r‌d‌i‌n‌g t‌o t‌h‌e r‌e‌s‌u‌l‌t‌s, d‌u‌r‌i‌n‌g a 35-d‌a‌y p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s, s‌w‌i‌t‌c‌h‌i‌n‌g p‌o‌l‌a‌r‌i‌t‌y i‌n 1-h‌o‌u‌r p‌e‌r‌i‌o‌d‌s i‌n‌c‌r‌e‌a‌s‌e‌d p‌o‌l‌l‌u‌t‌a‌n‌t‌s r‌e‌m‌o‌v‌a‌l e‌f‌f‌i‌c‌i‌e‌n‌c‌y f‌r‌o‌m s‌o‌i‌l c‌o‌n‌t‌a‌m‌i‌n‌a‌t‌e‌d w‌i‌t‌h 6000 m‌g/k‌g o‌f c‌r‌u‌d‌e o‌i‌l u‌p t‌o 20 p‌e‌r‌c‌e‌n‌t. I‌n t‌h‌i‌s p‌r‌o‌c‌e‌s‌s t‌h‌e s‌o‌i‌l m‌o‌i‌s‌t‌u‌r‌e c‌o‌n‌t‌e‌n‌t v‌a‌r‌i‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n‌s w‌e‌r‌e c‌o‌n‌t‌r‌o‌l‌l‌e‌d w‌e‌l‌l, a‌n‌d t‌h‌e m‌i‌c‌r‌o‌b‌i‌a‌l p‌o‌p‌u‌l‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n g‌r‌o‌w‌t‌h w‌a‌s o‌b‌s‌e‌r‌v‌e‌d. I‌n a‌d‌d‌i‌t‌i‌o‌n, i‌n‌c‌r‌e‌a‌s‌i‌n‌g t‌h‌e i‌n‌i‌t‌i‌a‌l p‌o‌l‌l‌u‌t‌a‌n‌t c‌o‌n‌c‌e‌n‌t‌r‌a‌t‌i‌o‌n a‌n‌d a‌l‌s‌o a‌p‌p‌l‌i‌e‌d v‌o‌l‌t‌a‌g‌e g‌r‌a‌d‌i‌e‌n‌t l‌e‌d t‌o t‌h‌e i‌m‌p‌r‌o‌v‌e‌m‌e‌n‌t o‌f t‌h‌e d‌e‌c‌o‌m‌p‌o‌s‌i‌t‌i‌o‌n a‌n‌d t‌h‌u‌s e‌n‌h‌a‌n‌c‌e‌m‌e‌n‌t o‌f c‌o‌n‌t‌a‌m‌i‌n‌a‌n‌t r‌e‌m‌o‌v‌a‌l e‌f‌f‌i‌c‌i‌e‌n‌c‌y.

UnlabelledGlycerol phenylbutyrate is under development for treatment of urea cycle disorders (UCDs), rare inherited metabolic disorders manifested by hyperammonemia and neurological impairment. We report the results of a pivotal Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, crossover trial comparing ammonia control, assessed as 24-hour area under the curve (NH3 -AUC0-24hr ), and pharmacokinetics during treatment with glycerol phenylbutyrate versus sodium phenylbutyrate (NaPBA) in adult UCD patients and the combined results of four studies involving short- and long-term glycerol phenylbutyrate treatment of UCD patients ages 6 and above. Glycerol phenylbutyrate was noninferior to NaPBA with respect to ammonia control in the pivotal study, with mean (standard deviation, SD) NH3 -AUC0-24hr of 866 (661) versus 977 (865) μmol·h/L for glycerol phenylbutyrate and NaPBA, respectively. Among 65 adult and pediatric patients completing three similarly designed short-term comparisons of glycerol phenylbutyrate versus NaPBA, NH3 -AUC0-24hr was directionally lower on glycerol phenylbutyrate in each study, similar among all subgroups, and significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the pooled analysis, as was plasma glutamine. The 24-hour ammonia profiles were consistent with the slow-release behavior of glycerol phenylbutyrate and better overnight ammonia control. During 12 months of open-label glycerol phenylbutyrate treatment, average ammonia was normal in adult and pediatric patients and executive function among pediatric patients, including behavioral regulation, goal setting, planning, and self-monitoring, was significantly improved.ConclusionGlycerol phenylbutyrate exhibits favorable pharmacokinetics and ammonia control relative to NaPBA in UCD patients, and long-term glycerol phenylbutyrate treatment in pediatric UCD patients was associated with improved executive function (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00551200, NCT00947544, NCT00992459, NCT00947297). (HEPATOLOGY 2012).

UnlabelledWe have analyzed pharmacokinetic data for glycerol phenylbutyrate (also GT4P or HPN-100) and sodium phenylbutyrate with respect to possible dosing biomarkers in patients with urea cycle disorders (UCD).Study designThese analyses are based on over 3000 urine and plasma data points from 54 adult and 11 pediatric UCD patients (ages 6-17) who participated in three clinical studies comparing ammonia control and pharmacokinetics during steady state treatment with glycerol phenylbutyrate or sodium phenylbutyrate. All patients received phenylbutyric acid equivalent doses of glycerol phenylbutyrate or sodium phenylbutyrate in a cross over fashion and underwent 24-hour blood samples and urine sampling for phenylbutyric acid, phenylacetic acid and phenylacetylglutamine.ResultsPatients received phenylbutyric acid equivalent doses of glycerol phenylbutyrate ranging from 1.5 to 31.8 g/day and of sodium phenylbutyrate ranging from 1.3 to 31.7 g/day. Plasma metabolite levels varied widely, with average fluctuation indices ranging from 1979% to 5690% for phenylbutyric acid, 843% to 3931% for phenylacetic acid, and 881% to 1434% for phenylacetylglutamine. Mean percent recovery of phenylbutyric acid as urinary phenylacetylglutamine was 66.4 and 69.0 for pediatric patients and 68.7 and 71.4 for adult patients on glycerol phenylbutyrate and sodium phenylbutyrate, respectively. The correlation with dose was strongest for urinary phenylacetylglutamine excretion, either as morning spot urine (r = 0.730, p < 0.001) or as total 24-hour excretion (r = 0.791 p

N-methylpyrrolidone is a powerful solvent for variety of chemical processes due to its vast chemical properties. It has been used in manufacturing processes of polymers, detergents, pharmaceuticals rubber and many more chemical substances. However, it creates large amount of residue in some of these processes which has to be dealt with. Many well known methods such as BASF in rubber producing units have tried to regenerate the solvent at the end of each run, however, there is still discarding of large amount of residue containing NMP, which over time, could cause environmental concerns. In this study, we have tried to optimize regeneration of the NMP extraction from butadiene production. It is shown that at higher temperatures NMP is separated from the residue with close to 90% efficiency, and the solvent residue proved to be the most effective with a 6: 1 ratio.

NERSC's Global File system (NGF), accessible from all compute systems at NERSC, holds files and data from many scientific projects. A full backup of this file system to our High Performance Storage System (HPSS) is performed periodically. Disk storage usage by projects at NERSC has grown seven fold over a two year period, from ~;;20TB in June 2006 to ~;;140 TB in June 2008. The latest full backup took about 13 days and more than 200 T10k tape cartridges (.5 TB capacity). Petabyte file systems are becoming a reality in the next few years and the existing utilities are already strained in handling backup tasks.

In order to address the needs of future scientific applications for storing and accessing large amounts of data in an efficient way, one needs to understand the limitations of current technologies and how they may cause system instability or unavailability. A number of factors can impact system availability ranging from facility-wide power outage to a single point of failure such as network switches or global file systems. In addition, individual component failure in a system can degrade the performance of that system. This paper focuses on analyzing both of these factors and their impacts on the computational and storage systems at NERSC. Component failure data presented in this report primarily focuses on disk drive in on of the computational system and tape drive failure in HPSS. NERSC collected available component failure data and system-wide outages for its computational and storage systems over a six-year period and made them available to the HPC community through the Petascale Data Storage Institute.