Performance Evaluation of Two Series Vertical Flow Filters for Wastewater Treatment: A Case Study of the Prototype Installed at Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal

This paper evaluates the efficacy of two sequential vertical flow filters (VFF), FV1 and FV2, implanted with Typha, in a pilot-scale wastewater treatment system. FV1 comprises three cells (FV1a, FV1b, and FV1c), while FV2 consists of two cells (FV2a and FV2b), each designed to reduce various physicochemical and microbiological pollutants from wastewater. Quantitative analyses show significant reductions in electrical conductivity (from 1331 to 1061 μS/cm), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5 from 655.6 to 2.3 mg/L), chemical oxygen demand (COD from 1240 to 82.2 mg/L), total nitrogen (from 188 to 37.3 mg/L), and phosphates (from 70.9 to 14.6 mg/L). Notably, FV2 outperforms FV1, particularly in decreasing dissolved salts and BOD5 to remarkably low levels. Microbiological assessments reveal a substantial reduction in fecal coliforms, from an initial concentration of 7.5 log CFU/100mL to 3.7 log CFU/100mL, and a complete elimination of helminth eggs, achieving a 100% reduction rate in FV2. The study highlights the impact of design parameters, such as filter material, media depth, and plant species selection, on treatment outcomes. The findings suggest that the judicious choice of these components is critical for optimizing pollutant removal. For instance, different filtration materials show varying efficacies, with silex plus river gravel in FV1c achieving superior pollutant reduction rates. In conclusion, VFFs emerge as a promising solution for wastewater treatment, underscoring the importance of design optimization to enhance system efficiency. Continuous monitoring and adaptation of treatment practices are imperative to ensure water quality, allowing for safe environmental discharge or water reuse. The research advocates for ongoing improvements in wastewater treatment technologies, considering the environmental challenges of the current era. The study concludes with a call for further research to maximize the effectiveness of VFFs in water management.

Quantification of In Vivo Epidermal Keratinocyte Architecture Associated with the Signs of Skin Aging and the Skin Benefit Evaluation by Application of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (Pitera)-Containing Skin Care Product

Background: Aged skin exhibits visual alterations such as wrinkles, rough texture, pore dilation, and dull skin tone, as well as physiological aging, namely, decreased hydration and increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Recent advances in coherence tomography have also revealed that skin aging affects in vivo epidermal keratinocyte architecture. However, the interconnectivity between spatial architectural aging and visual/physiological aging parameters remains largely unknown. Purpose: To elucidate whether the tomographic keratinocyte architectural aging is correlated with visual and physiological skin aging parameters and to quantitatively evaluate the improvements of the architectural, visual, and physiological aging parameters by the daily treatment of the skin care formula containing Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (GFF, 8X PiteraTM). Method: We measured the in vivo keratinocyte cellular architecture with two-photon stereoscopic tomography obtaining by-layer epidermal section images in 78 Asian females of various ages. Visual aging parameters were analyzed using a portable image capture system. Hydration and TEWL were also assessed. The anti-aging effects of GFF-containing skin moisturizer (SK-II LXP CreamTM) were also examined in two studies after twice-daily application for 2 (N = 35) and 4 (N = 32) weeks. Results: As for the keratinocyte cellular architecture, skin aging was significantly associated with decreased cell density and increased cell uniformity. These architectural aging parameters were significantly correlated with visual and physiological aging parameters, namely, rough texture, wrinkles, pore dilation, dull skin tone, dehydration, and increased TEWL. The strong interconnectivity allowed us to develop formulae to estimate the keratinocyte architecture from visual aging parameters. Moreover, twice-daily application of SK-II significantly improved the keratinocyte architecture associated with multiple skin aging visual and physiological parameters. Conclusion: Skin aging is a process involving mutual interconnections among epidermal keratinocyte cellular architecture, visual, and physiological parameters. The GFF-containing moisturizer SK-II effectively improves spatial architecture of keratinocytes in epidermis and these evaluated skin aging parameters in a new trajectory over the course of treatment. .

Outcome of surgical treatment of intestinal perforation in typhoid fever

AIM:To represent our clinical experience in the treatment of intestinal perforation arising from typhoid fever.METHODS:The records of 22 surgically-treated patients with typhoid intestinal perforation were evaluated retrospectively.RESULTS:There were 18 males and 4 females,mean age 37 years(range,8-64 years).Presenting symptoms were fever,abdominal pain,diarrhea or constipation.Sixteen cases were subjected to segmental resection and end-to-end anastomosis,while 3 cases received 2-layered primary repair following debridement,one case with multiple perforations received 2-layered primary repair and end ileostomy,one case received segmental resection and end-to-end anastomosis followed by an end ileostomy,and one case received segmental resection and end ileostomy with mucous fistula operation.Postoperative morbidity was seen in 5 cases and mortality was found in one case.CONCLUSION:Intestinal perforation resulting from Salmonella typhi is an important health problem in Eastern and Southeastern Turkey.In management of this illness,early and appropriate surgical intervention is vital.

Influence of Steel and Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Bars on Seismic Performance of Precast Segmental Bridge Columns

为了得到快速施工和利用新材料的预制节段桥墩设计方法，研究了部分钢筋替换为碳纤维筋时预制节段桥墩的水平承载力和破坏等级．首先通过与拟静力试验结果的比较证明了仿真分析的正确性，然后研究了部分普通钢筋替换为碳纤维筋，对拟静力循环荷载和地震地面运动分别作用时预制节段桥墩响应的影响．结果表明：碳纤维筋能提高桥墩水平承载力，增大有效刚度，降低等效粘滞阻尼比和滞回能量耗散．地震时程计算表明：部分普通钢筋替换为碳纤维筋时，使得预制节段桥墩在较强烈地震底面运动下不倒塌．利用绝对能量法分析了桥墩在地震地面运动下的能量吸收和耗散情况，并主要研究了4种桥墩试件在3种不同地震地面运动作用下的输入能量和滞回能量耗散，结果是随着桥墩输入地震能量的增大滞回能量耗散增长缓慢．

从“声音”到“supplément”

“supplemént”(“充替”)是解构理论的重要支柱。本文试图从时间性和符号学理路出发完整地重构德里达从对“声音”的解构向“supplément”原理的过渡。同时本文也力求证明,德里达的这种过渡与对胡塞尔符号理论的挪用、引申和误读是密不可分的。

归一化Alignment距离

为了更好地度量不同序列之间的差异,本文在给定度量空间上的符号距离满足特定条件的前提下,以Alignment距离为基础,提出了一种归一化Alignment距离.接下来利用Alignment相关度证明了该距离满足度量定义的三个条件,并且取值在[0,1]区间上.最后对其进行了进一步讨论,从理论上说明该定义的合理性.该距离可以在序列比对、聚类分析以及模式识别等领域中发挥重要作用.

2012年庐江县居民主要死因Fulfillment指数分析

目的：探讨庐江县2012年不同年龄组人群某死因对居民期望寿命的影响程度。方法：根据Prifhis Das Gupta等提出的Fulfilment指数法，对2012年庐江县居民死因监测资料进行分析。结果：2012年庐江县0岁组人群损伤与中毒和呼吸系统疾病对潜在寿命的影响最大，其Fulfil ment指数分别为3.73和6.22；1～39岁年龄段去意外死亡的Fulfil ment指数较高；2012年庐江县居民去恶性肿瘤的Fulfil ment指数在40～60岁年龄段较高；脑血管病自35～岁组后Fulfillment指数大致呈现逐年升高趋势。结论：通过运用Fulfillment指数分析，可以说明各种死因对各年龄组段人口寿命的影响程度，提示某死因防治的重点时期，对提高居民寿命有积极作用。

Recent advances in the surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy. The treatment of HCC is complex and complicated by the severity of associated chronic liver disease, the stage of HCC, and the clinical condition of the patient. Liver resection(LR) is one of the most efficient treatments for patients with HCC, with an expected 5-year survival of 38%-61% depending on the stage of the disease. Improved liver function assessment, increased understanding of segmental liver anatomy from advanced imaging studies, and surgical technical progress are important factors that have led to reduced mortality in patients with HCC. The indication for LR may be expanded due to emerging evidences from laparoscopic hepatectomies and combined treatments with newly developed chemotherapies. Liver transplantation(LT) is considered as an ideal treatment for removal of existing tumors and the injured/preneoplastic underlying liver tissue with impaired liver function and the risk of multicentric carcinogenesis that results from chronically injured liver. However, LT is restricted to patients with minimal risk of tumor recurrence under immunosuppression. The expansion of criteria for LT in HCC patients is still under trial and discussion. Limited availability of grafts, as well as the risk and the cost of transplantation have led to considerable interest in expansion of the donor pool, living donor-related transplantation, and combined treatment involving LR and LT. This highlight presents evidence concerning recent studies evaluating LR and LT in HCC patients. In addition, alternative therapies for the treatment of early stage tumors and the management of patients on transplant waiting lists are discussed.

模拟根际生境下青甘韭生长与品质的差异分析

为明确不同根际生境对青甘韭生长发育的影响,以沙壤土(T_(1))、沙壤土∶发酵猪粪=1∶1(T_(2))、川滇高山栎凋落物(T_(3))、草炭(T_(4))4种根际环境处理,对多年生青甘韭抽薹开花期、形态特征、营养品质等指标进行测试分析。结果表明:不同根际生境对青甘韭抽薹开花期有明显影响,疏松透气、营养充足的根际生境有利于促进其提前抽薹开花;在不同根际生境下青甘韭对5种中微量矿质元素的吸收有不同程度差异,Ca、Fe、B、Se元素含量均是叶中高于地下茎而Zn元素含量则相反;蛋白质、粗纤维、叶绿素和类胡萝卜素含量及株高和叶长均在不同生境下表现出明显差异。

THE INFLUENCE OF COMPOSITION AND TEMPERATURE OF BATH ANDAFTER-TREATMENT 0N COLORATION IN COLORING HOT DIPGALVANIZATION

The 08 Al steel sheets were hot dip ped into Zn - Mn bath with 0 1 % Mn and 0 2 % Mn at600 ～420 ℃ bath tem perature , and then w ere treated in different w ays . The after - treat ments include cooling in the air at room tem perature directly , holding at the upper part of thehot dip galvanizing furnace for 60 s an d then holding at 510 ±10 ℃for 90 s . The results in dicated that blue , yellow , and purple , w hose coloration varied with the co m position an d thetem perature of bath and the w ays of after - treat ment . Finally , the mechanism of coloredzinc coating w as discussed .

Anomalous crustal movements before great Wenchuan earthquake observed by GPS

Studies of GPS data carried out before and after the great Wenchuan earthquake of Ms8.0 on May 12, 2008 show that anomalous crustal movements occurred before the earthquake. Data from 4 pre-earthquake observation sessions at a dense network of stations show that there were prominent broad-ranged long- and midterm anomalies in horizontal displacements and strain and in vertical displacements. Data from the fewer-numbered reference stations of continuous GPS observations since 1999 in West and South China showed short-term preseismic anomalies in horizontal displacements. The detection of co-seismic horizontal displacements at these stations supports the existence of the pre-earthquake anomalies. Results of single-epoch solutions of data from continuous-observation stations near the epicenter also show large imminent anomalies in vertical displacements. Although the Wenchuan earthquake was not predicted, these results give a strong indication that GPS should be the main observation technique for long-term, mid-term, short-term and imminent earthquake predictions.

新建铁路桥梁斜穿既有高铁对高铁桥墩基础的影响分析

为研究新建铁路桥梁小角度下穿既有运营高铁对高铁桥墩基础的影响,以新建六安铁路连续刚构桥下穿既有安九高铁跨安庆支线特大桥立交工程为背景,运用MIDAS-GTS NX软件,建立了新建铁路桥梁下穿既有高铁的三维有限元模型。研究表明:既有运营高铁下穿工程采用现浇支架施工,在支架预压阶段既有高铁附近地层受到大面积扰动,高铁桥墩基础受到附加荷载较大,对桥墩基础变形影响较大;采用小角度斜穿既有运营高铁,由于新建工程距离既有高铁基础较近,对高铁桥墩水平变形影响较大;邻近既有高铁的基坑施工采取有效防护措施,可显著降低新建工程对铁路的影响;新建下穿工程会引起既有高铁桥墩桩基承载力增加,针对有规划下穿工程的铁路桥梁设计,可通过有效措施提高基础承载力;既有高铁桥梁基础变形在新建下穿工程施工过程中具有动态累积效应,施工期间应加强对既有高铁桥墩基础变形监测,保证既有高铁安全。

MEASUREMENTAL RESEARCH ON THE MAGNETOMECHANICAL COUPLING PROPERTIES OF RARERARTH GIANT MAGNETOSTRICTION MATERIALS

The physical modelanditsequivalentcircuitoftestapparatusissetup by meansofimpedanceanalysis method. The magnetostriction coefficient, magnetomechanicalcoupling coefficient,frequency and anti- frequency of TbxDy1 - xFe2 - z(0 27 ≤x ≤0 3 ,0 ≤z ≤0 1) rod are measured. Somecoupling problems with mechanicalstress and electromagnetic field such as flux leakage in magnetic path are discussed. The comparing calculated with tested resultsshowsthe accuracyof measurementand thesimplification of model.

Resource allocation optimization of equipment development task based on MOPSO algorithm

Resource allocation for an equipment development task is a complex process owing to the inherent characteristics,such as large amounts of input resources,numerous sub-tasks,complex network structures,and high degrees of uncertainty.This paper presents an investigation into the influence of resource allocation on the duration and cost of sub-tasks.Mathematical models are constructed for the relationships of the resource allocation quantity with the duration and cost of the sub-tasks.By considering the uncertainties,such as fluctuations in the sub-task duration and cost,rework iterations,and random overlaps,the tasks are simulated for various resource allocation schemes.The shortest duration and the minimum cost of the development task are first formulated as the objective function.Based on a multi-objective particle swarm optimization(MOPSO)algorithm,a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm is constructed to optimize the resource allocation scheme for the development task.Finally,an uninhabited aerial vehicle(UAV)is considered as an example of a development task to test the algorithm,and the optimization results of this method are compared with those based on non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II(NSGA-II),non-dominated sorting differential evolution(NSDE)and strength pareto evolutionary algorithm-II(SPEA-II).The proposed method is verified for its scientific approach and effectiveness.The case study shows that the optimization of the resource allocation can greatly aid in shortening the duration of the development task and reducing its cost effectively.

Deformation and Development Tendency of Shiliushubao Landslide by Numerical Modeling

On the basis of analysing basic features of Shiliushubao landslide, the landslide＇s deformation and development tendency are quantitatively studied by using FLA^3D program. The results accord with monitoring results. The results are indicated that resevoir impounding accelerates the landslide＇s deformation, and the variation of reservoir water level is key factor of affecting the deformation; The landslide has the characters of pull-behind move ment according to the displacement of the landslide body gradually reducing from leading edge to trailing edge; Excavating and deloading slow down the landslide＇s deformation in the certain degree. On the basis, the deformation developmental tendency of Shiliushubao landslide is predicted by the established simulating model.

An ECT System Based on Improved RBF Network and Adaptive Wavelet Image Enhancement for Solid/Gas Two-phase Flow

Electrical capacitance tomography(ECT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that aims at visualizing the cross-sectional permittivity distribution and phase distribution of solid/gas two-phase flow based on the measured capacitance.To solve the nonlinear and ill-posed inverse problem:image reconstruction of ECT system,this paper proposed a new image reconstruction method based on improved radial basis function(RBF) neural network combined with adaptive wavelet image enhancement.Firstly,an improved RBF network was applied to establish the mapping model between the reconstruction image pixels and the capacitance values measured.Then,for better image quality,adaptive wavelet image enhancement technique was emphatically analyzed and studied,which belongs to a space-frequency analysis method and is suitable for image feature-enhanced.Through multi-level wavelet decomposition,edge points of the image produced from RBF network can be determined based on the neighborhood property of each sub-band;noise distribution in the space-frequency domain can be estimated based on statistical characteristics;after that a self-adaptive edge enhancement gain can be constructed.Finally,the image is reconstructed with adjusting wavelet coefficients.In this paper,a 12-electrode ECT system and a pneumatic conveying platform were built up to verify this image reconstruction algorithm.Experimental results demonstrated that adaptive wavelet image enhancement technique effectively implemented edge detection and image enhancement,and the improved RBF network and adaptive wavelet image enhancement hybrid algorithm greatly improved the quality of reconstructed image of solid/gas two-phase flow [pulverized coal(PC)/air].

Endoscopic findings of gastrointestinal involvement in Chinese patients with Behcet's disease

AIM:To report the incidence,clinical features and outcomes of gastrointestinal(GI)involvement in Behcet’s disease(BD).METHODS:A total of 168 consecutive patients with BD were screened and upper and lower GI endoscopies were performed in 148 patients.Four hundred age-and sex-matched controls were enrolled for comparison.RESULTS:Fifty-two(35.1%)patients had GI lesions.After a mean follow-up of 10 mo,ileocecal ulcers had been confirmed in 20 patients,including active ulcer(s)in 18 patients,but no ileocecal ulceration was found in controls.GI symptoms were present in 14 patients with active ulcer(s),while 4 patients with smaller ulcer were asymptomatic.Endoscopic features of ileocecalulcer were:a single ulcer(50%),larger than 1 cm in diameter(72.2%),and round/oval or volcano-type in shape(83.3%).Compared with patients without GI involvement,less ocular lesions,lower levels of albumin,erythrocyte count and hemoglobin,and higher levels of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were confirmed in the intestinal BD group.Four patients had esophageal ulcers in the BD group but no case in controls.The other endoscopic findings were similar between the two groups.The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was similar in both groups.Most patients received an immunomodulator and responded well.CONCLUSION:GI lesions commonly occur in Chinese BD patients.The most frequently involved area is the ileocecal region.Esophageal ulcer might be a rare but unique lesion.

Non invasive blood flow measurement in cerebellum detects minimal hepatic encephalopathy earlier than psychometric tests

AIM: To assess whether non invasive blood flow measurement by arterial spin labeling in several brain regions detects minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

GRANITOIDS,VOLCANIC ROCKS AND CHERTS FROM NORTH ALTYN TAGH,NW CHINA: IMPLICATION FOR THE TECTONIC ENVIRONMENT DISCRIMINATION

Granitoids,volcanic rocks and cherts,mainly of early Paleozoic,in northern Altyn Tagh(Fig.1) are analyzed here for the purpose of the determination of the tectonic environments and their development since Early Paleozoic.(1) Granitoids\ The collection of 128 main\|element petrochemical data from North Altyn Tagh area shows that most of the granitoids here are granites and granodiorites of calc\|alkaline series.They consist mainly of metaluminous and peraluminous in Shand’s index,and only one of them,which belongs to Mesozoic,is peralkaline.Most of the granitoids plot in the IAG+CAG+CCG fields in the Maniar and Piccoli’s diagrams (1989) for tectonic discrimination of granitoids.IAG (Island arc granitoids)and CAG (Continental arc granitoids) can be distinguished for Early and Late Paleozoic granitoids,and maybe some CCG (Continental collision granitoids) for Early Paleozoic.Granitoids of Mesozoic and Cenozoic inherited the characteristics of those of Paleozoic.Destructive active plate margin (pre\|plate collision)and Anatectic magmatism(syn\|orogenic,S\|type granites)are distinguished (Fig.2)for Paleozoic granitoids using de la Roche R 1\| R 2 multicationic diagram (Batchelor and Bowden,1985).Mesozoic and Cenozoic granitoids inherited the characteristics of Anatectic magmatism (syn\|orogenic)of these early ones,and post\|orogenic(A\|type)granites occurred in Mesozoic.The mechanism for magma formation is mainly partial melting.

Design of Collaborative Platform on Clustering Applications for Governments

Collaborative platform on clustering applications for governments consists of six large-scale systems, including the clustering Government Internet portal system, clustering public-mailboxes collaboration system, clustering government affairs portal system, clustering emergency information collaboration system, clustering office automation collaboration system, and clustering messages collaboration systems. The appli-cation and technology architectures of the collaborative platform are elaborated in this paper,and the major key technologies on the platform are also expounded, which includes realization of many governments ap-plications’ scale integration and collaborative application, business model driven software development plat-form based on SOA, SSO, tans-departmental and cross-level multi-engine clustering protocol. Based on the "clustering application"design, to maximize the utilization of hardware, software resources and administra-tive resources of the provincial government collaborative platform, rural districts and counties can build their own platforms based on the provincial platform. The platform having been running for over 2 years shows that planning of urban and rural e-governments’ construction and maintenance is achieved, thus reducing costs greatly and improving governments’ functions.