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Recovery of Phosphorus from High Phosphorus Content Sources in Southern Vietnam
Full text linkPhosphorus (P) recovery from waste sources in Southern Vietnam presents a promis-ing opportunity for sustainable resource utilization. This study evaluates the potential for P recovery from P-rich waste from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), catfish, pig, and cattle farming in Southern Vietnam through specific criteria namely P-reserves, contamination levels, waste collection, and transportation accessibility.
The total P-reserves in these sources were estimated at approximately 50 kt in 2019. Most waste from waste sources has low heavy metal contents. Wastes from catfish farming, pig and cattle farming are often restricted from outside access due to con-cerns about the spread of disease. Dewatered sludges from rubber latex-processing and domestic wastewater treatment plants were identified as highly suitable wastes for P recovery in Southern Vietnam.
In this study, a P-recovery process was developed using sludges from rubber latex-processing WWTP (RWWTP). To fully design the process for real RWWTP sludges, the P-recovery process parameters are first to be evaluated in laboratory experi-ments. Then, simulations with the solid-liquid-liquid thermodynamic equilibrium tool are used to optimize the process parameters. Finally, the P-recovery process with the optimized parameters is then validated in a small-scale pilot plant.
P-recovery process was developed using H2SO4 for leaching at optimized conditions: 1.7M H2SO4 and a phase ratio of 5 L kg-1 for BIOS sludge, and 2.0M H2SO4 with phase ratio of 10 L kg-1 for CHES sludge. This method achieved P-leaching efficien-cies exceeding 90%. The leached liquid underwent selective precipitation using NaOH at pH equilibrium from 5.2 to 5.6 for BIOS and 5.1 for CHES, resulting in over 95% P precipitation efficiency. In the following dissolution step, at pH > 9.2, over 90% of P from P-precipitates was dissolved. Unwanted impurities, such as insoluble Fe-precipitates, are removed after liquid-solid filtration. A final precipitation step using Ca(OH)2 at pH 13 produced Ca-P salts, which are suitable for agricultural applica-tions. The overall P recovery efficiency was 67% for BIOS and 65% for CHES. Addi-tionally, dissolved Al from a by-product of the P-recovery process from CHES can be recovered for reuse in WWTPs.
The process fulfills the basic criteria in relation to the economic and technical condi-tions in Vietnam, which demand a simple yet effective and environmentally friendly process. Some of the output mass flows in the process can be reused to increase economic feasibility, such as the dissolved Al recovered for reuse in RWWTPs. Unfor-tunately, the total costs exceed the total revenues generated in the current process, primarily due to the high energy demand for dewatering the input sludge and the sig-nificant chemical consumption, especially for primary leaching. Improvements in sludge dewatering and taking advantage of Vietnam's high solar energy reserves for at least partial drying sludges could improve the cost-revenues ratio. The implementa-tion of this P-recovery process could significantly reduce P imports, mitigate environ-mental pollution, and support circular economy initiatives in Vietnam.La récupération du phosphore (P) à partir des sources de déchets dans le sud du Vietnam représente une opportunité prometteuse pour une utilisation durable des res-sources. Cette étude évalue le potentiel de récupération du P à partir de déchets riches en P provenant de stations de traitement d’eaux usées (WWTPs), ainsi que de l'élevage de poissons-chats, de porcs et de bovins dans le sud du Vietnam, en se ba-sant sur des critères spécifiques, notamment les réserves de P, les niveaux de con-tamination, la collecte des déchets et l’accessibilité au transport.
Les réserves annuelles totales de P dans ces sources ont été estimées à environ 50 kt en 2019. La plupart des déchets issus de ces sources contiennent de faibles quan-tités de métaux lourds. Les déchets issus de l’élevage de poissons-chats, de porcs et de bovins sont souvent restreints d’accès en raison des préoccupations liées à la pro-pagation des maladies. Les boues déshydratées provenant du traitement des eaux usées de la transformation du latex de caoutchouc et des stations de traitement des eaux usées domestiques ont été identifiées comme des déchets hautement adaptés à la récupération du phosphore dans le sud du Vietnam.
Un procédé de récupération du P a été développé en utilisant les boues des WWTPs de transformation du latex de caoutchouc (RWWTP). Afin de concevoir entièrement le procédé pour ces boues, les paramètres de récupération du P ont d’abord été évalués par des expériences en laboratoire. Ensuite, des simulations utilisant un outil d'équi-libre thermodynamique solide-liquide-liquide ont permis d'optimiser ces paramètres. Enfin, le procédé de récupération du P avec les paramètres optimisés a été validé à l’échelle pilote.
Le procédé de récupération du P a été mis au point en utilisant H₂SO₄ pour la lixivia-tion dans des conditions optimisées: 1.7 M H₂SO₄ avec un rapport de phase de 5 L kg⁻¹ pour les boues BIOS et 2.0 M H₂SO₄ avec un rapport de phase de 10 L kg⁻¹ pour les boues CHES. Cette méthode a permis d’atteindre des rendements de lixivia-tion du P supérieurs à 90 %. Le liquide lixivié a subi une précipitation sélective avec du NaOH à un pH d’équilibre entre 5.2 et 5.6 pour BIOS et de 5.1 pour CHES, entraî-nant une efficacité de précipitation du P de plus de 95 %. Lors de l'étape de dissolu-tion suivante, à un pH supérieur à 9.2, plus de 90 % du P précipité a été dissous. Les impuretés indésirables, telles que les précipités insolubles de Fe, ont été éliminées après filtration liquide-solide. Une étape finale de précipitation avec Ca(OH)₂ à pH 13 a permis d’obtenir des sels de Ca-P adaptés aux applications agricoles. L’efficacité globale de récupération du P était de 67 % pour BIOS et de 65 % pour CHES. De plus, l’aluminium dissous, sous-produit du procédé de récupération du P à partir de CHES, peut être récupéré pour être réutilisé dans les WWTPs.
Le processus répond aux critères de base en relation avec les conditions économiques et techniques au Vietnam, qui exigent un processus simple mais effica-ce et respectueux de l'environnement. Certains des flux de masse produits dans le processus peuvent être réutilisés pour accroître la faisabilité économique, comme l'aluminium dissous récupéré pour réutilisation dans les stations de traitement des eaux usées domestiques (RWWTP). Malheureusement, les coûts totaux dépassent les revenus totaux générés par le processus actuel, principalement en raison de la forte demande en énergie pour le déshydratation des boues d'entrée et de la con-sommation chimique importante, notamment pour le lixiviation primaire. Des améliora-tions dans le déshydratation des boues et l'exploitation des réserves d'énergie solaire abondantes du Vietnam pour au moins un séchage partiel des boues pourraient amé-liorer le ratio coûts-revenus. La mise en œuvre de ce processus de récupération du phosphore pourrait réduire considérablement les importations de phosphore, atténuer la pollution environnementale et soutenir les initiatives d'économie circulaire au Vietnam
Spatio-temporal variation of macroalgal assemblages in southwestern Madagascar
Full text linkpeer reviewedThe spatial and temporal distribution of macroalgal assemblages at 10 sites in the Baie de Ranobe and Baie de Toliara in southwestern Madagascar were investigated during warm (February to March) and cool (July to August) seasons. Algal species were identified and coverage estimated at six habitats between the shore and 15 m depth, based on surveys with 0.5 m x 0.5 m quadrats along transects of 30 m long by 5 m broad. Ninety eight taxa (53 red, 24 green, 21 brown) were identified of which 42 were edible. Species dominance varied by bay and season, with Sargassum latifolium dominating during the warm season, and Hypnea musciformis and Ulva lactuca prevalent during the cool season. Algal cover did not differ significantly between bays, but cover differed significantly between habitats. S. latifolium, U. lactuca, and H. musciformis were prominent on the algal shelf, Ulva reticulata on the inner shelf, and Amansia rhodantha on the outer shelf. Edible seaweed proportions increased during the cool season, particularly at algal and inner-shelf habitats. Generalized Linear Model analysis confirmed significant differences in edible algal cover across habitats and seasons. The potential of sustainably using macroalgae for aquaculture and human consumption in southwestern Madagascar is highlighted
Discovery and biological characterization of a novel emaravirusinfecting blackberry in Belgium
No full textInvestigating the Impact of a Cyclic Pulling Geometry on the Mechanical Reactivity of Anthracene-Maleimide Mechanophores
No full textCharacteristics of patients with autosomal polycystic kidney disease reaching kidney failure by age 40.
No full textpeer reviewed[en] BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) demonstrates broad genetic and phenotypic variability, with kidney failure (KF) occurring across a wide age spectrum. Despite several predictor tools, there remains a need to identify factors associated with rapid disease progression. This study describes the phenotypic characteristics of a multicentric cohort experiencing early-onset KF by age 40.
METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter cohort study analyzed longitudinal data of rapidly progressive ADPKD patients (n = 199). The prevalence of established risk factors was compared to nine existing ADPKD cohorts (ntotal = 6782) with KF after 40 years of age. We examined the longitudinal impact of early hypertension and urological events on the risk of developing KF.
RESULTS: The median age at ADPKD diagnosis was 22.3 years (IQR, 16.5-28.6) and median age of KF was 35.6 years (31.7-38.0). Hypertension was observed in 68.1% of cases, with early-onset hypertension being more common among those with accelerated progression towards KF. Urological events were present in 60.1% of cases, with a high burden of gross hematuria (30.4%). Existing ADPKD cohorts had a mean age of 45.5 years, with weighted prevalences of hypertension (71.1%), kidney stones (22.4%), hematuria (22.9%), and urinary tract infections (22.8%). Extrarenal manifestations were less prevalent compared to other ADPKD cohorts.
CONCLUSION: This study outlines a cohort of ADPKD patients with accelerated disease progression, reaching KF before age 40. Hypertension and urological events were highly prevalent at a young age, emphasizing the importance of early and regular blood pressure monitoring
Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancers is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.
Full text linkpeer reviewedEpithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) play a central role in early-stage breast cancer (BC) and are associated with chemoresistance, stemness, and invasion. The objective of this study was two fold: (a) by investigating the predictive value of EMT and TILs, we aimed to estimate the chance of achieving a response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and (b) to evaluate the potential changes of EMT and TILs in BC upon NAC. Using bulk RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence (IF) for EMT (E-cadherin and vimentin) and lymphocyte markers (CD3, CD8, FOXP3), we analyzed pre- and post-NAC tumor samples from 100 early-BC patients treated with NAC. For each BC molecular subtype, we compared the expression of EMT and TILs, at the RNA and protein level, between responding and non-responding tumors. Paired analysis of pre- and post-NAC samples was performed for patients with residual disease after NAC. RNA sequencing of pre- and post-NAC samples identified significant differences in EMT-related and inflammation-related gene expression between non-responding (RCB-II/III) and responding (RCB-0/I) tumors. Increased EMT-related marker expression was observed after NAC in cases with residual disease, in particular in the luminal subtype. Characterization of TILs in pre-NAC samples showed substantially more CD3 + CD8-FOXP3-lymphocytes in responding HER2+ tumors compared with non-responding. Paired analyses of pre- and post-NAC samples demonstrated higher levels of CD3 + CD8 + FOXP3-lymphocytes in residual luminal and triple-negative BC and higher levels of CD3 + CD8-FOXP3-lymphocytes in residual triple-negative BC compared with other subtypes of lymphocytes. We found that there is an unmet clinical need for reliable biomarkers to predict response to NAC in BC. Our results suggest that an upregulation of the EMT gene signature in diagnostic biopsies is associated with poor response to NAC in early BC, across all subtypes. Additionally, changes in EMT and in the TIL population occur in residual tumors after NAC. These findings could help to personalize future NAC and adjuvant treatment regimens
Comment les systèmes de contrôle des performances favorisent-ils la durabilité des soins de santé ?
No full textpeer reviewedPurpose: “Sustainability” in a health-care context is defined by the sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015, and in particular the third SDG. Accordingly, this research summarizes seminal studies and draw on it to identify the waves of challenges affecting this sector. This study aims to contribute to the discourse on sustainability in health-care organizations (HCOs) by exploring the role of performance monitoring systems (PMS), such as the balanced scorecard (BSC). Design/methodology/approach: To explore this issue further, the authors illustrate the transformation model of the HCOs, from inputs to outcomes. The authors rely on the systems and organizational analysis/behavior theories. They use a qualitative case study approach (the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon – AUBMC) to delve into the intricacies of PMS implementation in an HCO. Findings: The authors’ findings underline the role of PMS in operationalizing sustainability within HCOs. By adopting a PMS, HCOs can facilitate the integration of environmental, social and economic factors into decision-making processes. HCOs can enhance their performance and create long-term value. Research limitations/implications: Despite the important findings, this paper is not enough to “generalize” and “replicate” the results. However, this paper is able to highlight a road map for HCO’s managers. Furthermore, it does not take into account the impact of artificial intelligence on the design, implementation and analysis of the results produced by such a PMS. Practical implications: This paper highlights the importance of strong leadership and a well-defined approach for HCOs to achieve sustainability. It highlights that sustainability is no longer just about reputation; sustainability can enhance organizational performance across various aspects. Leaders need to integrate sustainability into the organization’s mission, vision and values. Thus, implementing a PMS like the BSC is crucial. On the other hand, a focus on sustainability can attract and retain top talent who are increasingly concerned about environmental and social responsibility. Furthermore, sustainability efforts should consider patient needs. And finally, sustainability can drive innovation through developing new services, partnerships and technologies that reduce environmental impact and improve financial performance. Social implications: This study highlights how adopting a sustainable approach in HCOs aligns with and supports achieving the UN-SDGs related to health care (SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages). The findings conclude on the HCO’s sustainability efforts to: improve access to quality care (by providing more efficient operations and resource allocation, potentially allowing HCOs to treat more patients and improve access to quality care − SDG 3.1, 3.8); encourage investments in preventative care programs and public health initiatives (by contributing to a healthier population and reducing treatment burdens − SDG 3.3, 3.4); support environmental responsibility (by reducing energy consumption and waste disposal in HCOs can lessen their environmental footprint and contribute to a healthier planet − SDG 3.9); focus on the employee well-being (by creating a more positive work environment with better air quality and potentially stress-reducing practices, potentially improving employee well-being − SDG 3.9); and innovate for better health care (sustainability can drive innovation in areas such as telemedicine, renewable energy sources for powering HCOs and developing environmentally friendly medical equipment − SDG 3.b). Originality/value: This research contributes to the emerging field of sustainability in health care by providing empirical evidence of the role of PMS in achieving sustainability goals. The case study offers practical insights for HCOs seeking to improve their sustainability performance and highlights the potential of a PMS as a strategic management tool.3. Good health and well-bein
