Assessment of Retention Ponds and Its Impacts on Health of Residents in Mogadishu, Somalia: Mixed Methods

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of retention ponds on the environment and population health by analyzing water samples from various ponds in Mogadishu, to determine the prevalence of waterborne illnesses that occur during the rainy season in Mogadishu, and to find out what experts thought about the effects of retention ponds on the environment as well as population health in Mogadishu. Methods: Mixed designs were used in the study. The first design is an exploratory study where samples are taken from different retention ponds in Mogadishu. The second design involves gathering secondary data from the online FSNAU Dashboard regarding the incidence of rainfall and waterborne illnesses including malaria and cholera. Additionally, a cross-sectional survey of expert opinions using questionnaires was the third design. The 10 water samples were taken from retention ponds in Mogadishu as part of the sample size. Data on the fourth month was also gathered using the FNSAU dashboard, and seventy sample sizes were used for the expert self-administered questionnaire for the third design. Excel was used for data analysis in the initial design. While BMI SPSS versions 22 were used to analyze the data from the Self-administered Questionnaire, additional methods were utilized to compute descriptive statistics, such as mean and standard deviation, and to analyze demographic data in a frequency table. Findings: The results show that three samples had unsatisfactory scores (Grade D): Yaqshid (Warshadda Bastada) had a WQI of 80.85, Boondheer (Bondher Pond) had a WQI of 80.64, and Wartanabad (Xamar Jadiid Pond) had a WQI of 80.89. The remaining samples were all rated as fair (grade), which indicates that they ranged from 50 to 75. The months with the largest rainfall already occurred in December, November, and October, when the prevalence of diseases during the rainy season was highest for cholera cases. Although October and December saw a significant number of malaria cases, November did not. Retention ponds’ overall effects on residential environments were evaluated, and the results showed that the standard deviation was 0.802 and the cumulative average mean scores were 4.41 overall. This indicates that the respondents were in agreement that retention ponds in Mogadishu, Somalia, had an effect on residential areas. Recommendation: The study suggested that in order to identify retention pond contamination and create treatment units for its management, the Ministry of Health forms a district-level public health committee. All districts must have a sewer system installed by the local government, and retention ponds must be made easier in order to move waste outside of the city.

A systematic review of the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine retention enema in the treatment of ulcerative colitis

The objective of this study is to summarize the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)enema in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC).The randomized controlled trials on TCM enema intervention in the treatment of UC were searched in seven databases:PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,CBM,CNKI,Wanfang Database,and VIP Database from January 1,2013 to June 6,2022,and the data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software.A total of 18 studies involving 1514 UC patients were included.Meta analysis results showed that compared with conventional Western medicine,Chinese medicine enema had a significant effect on UC,and the clinical effective rate of the experimental group using Chinese medicine enema was 4.45 times that of the control group using conventional Western medicine(odds ratio=4.45,95%confidence interval[3.27,6.06]).Therefore,Chinese medicine enema is effective in the treatment of UC,and can significantly reduce related symptoms.

High Urine Retention: Experience in a Series of Patients with Renal Failure Patients

Purpose: High urinary retention (HUR) can negatively impact renal function. Our study aimed to present the epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of HUR in a Senegalese academic hospital. Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 70 patients with HUR associated with renal failure from January 2017 to December 2020. Parameters examined included: age, sex, coexisting conditions affecting renal function, clinical symptoms, diagnostic tests, causes of HUR, urinary diversion, and patient outcomes. Results: The average age was 66, with a majority of male patients (87%). Twenty-three patients had pre-existing medical conditions. Oligo-anuria was the most common reason for detecting HUR (70%). Half of the patients had an ECOG score ≥ 2. The mean creatinine level was 50.7 mg/l. Nineteen patients exhibited hydroelectrolytic disorders. Bacterial colonization was observed in 25 patients. Ultrasound and computed tomography were the most frequently performed imaging tests (100% and 62.8%, respectively). Sixty-seven patients had ureterohydronephrosis (UHN), with bilateral UHN in 88.6% of cases. Pelvic cancers (47.1%) were the primary cause of HUR, primarily bladder cancers (27.1%). Nephrostomy was the most common urinary drainage method (50%), particularly for obstructions due to pelvic cancer (88.6%). The majority of patients (52.8%) regained normal renal function after drainage. Nineteen deaths occurred among elderly patients with compromised general health. Conclusion: Urinary drainage significantly improved renal function for most patients. Pelvic cancer emerged as the leading cause of HUR. Nephrostomy was the predominant drainage method.

Petroleum Retention,Intraformational Migration and Segmented Accumulation within the Organic-rich Shale in the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation of the Gulong Sag,Songliao Basin,Northeast China

In this study,organic geochemical and petrological analyses were conducted on 111 shale samples from a well to understand the retention,intraformational migration and segmented accumulation(shale oil enrichment in different intervals is unconnected)features of shale oil within the organic-rich shale in the Qingshankou Formation of the Gulong Sag.Our study shows that retained petroleum characteristics in the investigated succession are mainly influenced by three factors:organic richness,intraformational migration and segmented accumulation.Organic matter richness primarily controls the amount of retained petroleum,especially the‘live’component indicated by the S_(2)value rather than the total organic carbon(TOC)figure alone.The negative expulsion efficiencies determined by mass-balance calculations of hydrocarbons reveal that petroleum from adjacent organic-rich intervals migrates into the interval of about 2386-2408 m,which is characterized by high free hydrocarbon(S_(1)),OSI and saturated hydrocarbons content,along with a greater difference inδ^(13)C values between polar compounds(including resins and asphaltenes)and saturated hydrocarbons.The depth-dependent heterogeneity of carbon isotope ratios(δ^(13)C)of mud methane gas,δ^(13)C of extracts gross composition(SARA),δ^(13)C of kerogen and SARA content of extracts suggest that the studied succession can be subdivided into four intervals.The shale oil sealing enrichment character in each interval is further corroborated by the distinctδ^(13)C values of mud methane gas in different intervals.Due to the migration of petroleum into the 2386-2408 m interval,the S_(1),OSI and saturated hydrocarbons content of the interval show higher relative values.The maturity of organic matter in the 2471-2500 m interval is at the highest with the smaller size molecular components of the retained petroleum.Thus,favorable‘sweet spots’may be found in the 2386-2408 m interval and the 2471-2500 m interval,according to the experiment results in this study.

Intron Retention Fine-Tunes the Resistance of the Rice Mutant pls4 to Rice Sheath Blight(Rhizotonia solani AG I.1a)

OsPLS4 encodes aβ-ketoacyl carrier protein reductase(KAR).The role of OsPLS4 in rice sheath blight(Rhizoctonia solani)remains unclear.Our preliminary studies showed that premature leaf senescence mutants(pls4)were highly susceptive to sheath blight in the early stage of rice development.To explore the role of this gene in the development of rice sheath blight,the transcriptome profiles of the rice pls4 mutant and wild type were compared by RNA-seq.The results revealed 2,569 differentially expressed genes(DEGs).The down-regulated genes were significantly enriched in the defense response-related biological processes.These down-regulated genes included the chitinase genes and WRKY genes,which were significantly changed in pls4 mutants.Furthermore,467 genes induced significant alternative splicing(AS)events.Among them,intron retention(IR)affected gene expression levels and functions of the vitamin B6(VB6)metabolism pathway related to sheath blight.This result suggests that IR plays an important role in the sheath blight resistance of mutant pls4.Together,these results indicate that pls4 could be involved in the biological process of sheath blight via DEGs and the fine-tuning of IR.The present study provides a molecular basis for further investigation of the resistance of rice to sheath blight.

How can we increase attraction and retention of nurses? A research with young nurses

The persistent challenges in attracting and retaining a diverse healthcare workforce, with a specific focus on nurses, have become increasingly pronounced in recent years. These hurdles have been exacerbated by a growing difficulty in retaining young nurses, thereby exacerbating labor shortages driven by demographic shifts and the retirement of experienced nursing professionals. While most research efforts have concentrated on the broader issue of nurse retention, our study is centered on a specific demographic—young nurses. Our research endeavors to shed light on the unique challenges faced by young nurses through a qualitative survey involving nursing students who are simultaneously employed. We seek to discern the multifaceted obstacles they encounter in both their academic environment and the healthcare organizations where they work. While certain challenges are linked to course organization, examinations, and the time required for studying, our respondents overwhelmingly emphasize the pivotal role of the work environment in facilitating the harmonization of work, family, and educational commitments. This reconciliation is achieved through measures such as flexible working arrangements and the efficient organization of nursing duties. The primary objective of our research is to provide insights into how these diverse challenges can be effectively addressed and how a range of measures can significantly contribute to the attraction and retention of nursing students, as well as the long-term retention of nurses within the healthcare system. Our recommendations are intended to be of practical use to a wide array of stakeholders, including academic institutions, particularly colleges and universities offering nursing programs, as well as hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare institutions that hire nurses. By collaboratively addressing these challenges and implementing the recommended measures, we aim to fortify the healthcare workforce and ensure the continued provision of quality care to patients. .

The Influence of Fabric Structural Parameters on Dust Retention Using a Simple, Newly Constructed Device

This article has been directed to Environment Protection Technology with the purpose of providing a new instrument designed and developed to measure filtration efficiency through the relationship between clean cloth fabric structural parameters, dust parameters, and test measuring variables. Fabric samples used throughout the present study were woven cotton 100%, polyester 100% and cotton/polyester 50/50%. The warp count: 30/2 for all fabric samples, the weft count is 9/1;12/1;and 20/1. The weave of satin, basket, and twill is 3/1 with four different picks/cm to produce the fabrics with the same cover factor. For dust separation fabrics range in weight from “300 - 450 g/m2” with an air permeability of “100 - 300 l/d m2·min” at “196.2 Pa” (20 mm WG) as specified in DIN 53887. Air permeability through fabrics depends entirely on the sieving percent of the surface of the fabric, which is partly the pores and partly the permeability through the yarns, which are the basic elements of a fabric. The results showed that dust capturing depends entirely on air permeability, which is related to fabric weave structure and fabric material at specified testing and measuring variables.

Dust Retention Ability of Plants as a Factor Improving Environment Air

It is well known that air in industrial cities contains a significant amount of dust particles, smoke, and toxic gases. The increased number of vehicles has a direct impact on air quality resulting in the emission of exhaust gases, and the increase of dust concentration in air. In this article, we are describing the dust retention ability of plants depending on their leaf structure. Plant species were classified into three groups according to their dust-holding capacities. Dust retaining ability of plant species in conditions of high, average and low dust conditions described.

Regeneration patterns of key pine species in a mixed-pine forest indicate a positive effect of variable retention harvesting and an increase in recruitment with time

Background:Many fire-dependent forests have experienced significant declines in species,structural,and functional diversity.These changes are attributed in part to traditional management approaches that were dominated by even-aged regeneration methods such as clearcutting.Variable retention harvesting(VRH)is an ecologically based forestry practice that involves retention of some mature overstory trees and other biological structures in the postharvest stand to emulate the effects of natural disturbance events.In this study,we examined the effect of a VRH treatment on recruitment of historically dominant pine species and understory vegetation twoand six years after its implementation in a naturally regenerated mixed pine forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,USA.Results:We found greater regeneration of red pine(Pinus resinosa L.)and eastern white pine(Pinus strobus L.)in VRH stands compared to the unharvested controls.Although red pine recruitment was very low during the first 2 years,both species increased significantly from year two to year six.Recruitment responses for the two species did not differ significantly between the aggregated and dispersed retention treatments.We also found high recruitment of deciduous tree species,consisting primarily of sprouts,and red pine exhibited a negative correlation with these sprouts.Treatment,time,and the interaction of treatment and time were significant factors in red pine recruitment.Time had a strong effect on the understory vegetation,with significant decreases in shrubs and ferns over time.Conclusions:The results suggest that VRH enhanced recruitment of red pine and eastern white pine and that this recruitment increased with time.We identify competition from sprouts and unfavorable seedbed conditions as the main factors that limited recruitment of red pine during the first 2 years.To reduce competing vegetation and improve seedbed conditions,we suggest following the VRH with a prescribed fire,mechanically removing sprouts,and implementing herbicide treatments.At a time when changes in global climate exacerbates the effects of traditional drivers of forest degradation,and with the need to maintain biodiversity,new ecologically based forest practices such VRH have the potential to facilitate regeneration of native trees and enhance the resilience of many fire-dependent forests.

Quantitative Structure-retention Relationship Study of Volatile Components from Rosa Banksiae Ait

In the present study,（QSRR） study had been carried out for volatile components from Rosa banksiae Ait.based on various quantum-chemical and physicochemical descriptors derived by B3LYP method.To build QSRR models,a multiple linear regression （MLR） stepwise method was used.The generated models have good predictive ability and are of high statistical significance with good correlation coefficients （R2≥0.734） and p values far less than 0.05.Preliminary results indicated that the application of the models,especially the prediction of GC retention time and linear retention index of volatile components from Rosa banksiae Ait.,will be helpful.The models contribute also to the identification of important quantum-chemical and physicochemical descriptors responsible for the retention time and linear retention index.It was found that the shape attribute （ShpA） and logP value play a vital role in determining component’s GC retention time and linear retention index which increase with the lipophilicity of volatile components.The larger the shape attribute of analyte is,the larger the deformability is,the stronger the interaction between analyte and stationary phase is,and the longer the GC retention time is,the larger the linear retention index is.The importance of E HOMO,q＋,and SEV is also embodied in models,but they are not dominant.

Involvement Load Hypothesis and Senior Middle School Students' Vocabulary Retention

The purpose of the paper is to study retention of vocabulary acquired incidentally on task-induced involvement by senior middle school students. Grade two of senior middle students participated in the experiments, testing whether retention of vocabulary acquired incidentally is contingent on amount of task-induced involvement.Using short-and long term, namely immediate posttest and delayed posttest, retention of twelve unfamiliar words was investigated in three learning tasks (reading, reading plus fill-in and writing) with varying degrees of “involvement load”- various combinations of need, search and evaluation. The results of the experiment partially support the Involvement Load Hypothesis: retention in the writing group was higher than that in the reading plus fill-in group; retention in the reading plus fill-in group was higher than that in the reading group. The results are discussed in light of the construct of task-induced involvement.

Structural Characterization of Volatile Components of Rosa Banksiae Ait for Estimation and Prediction of Their Linear Retention Indices and Retention Times

The molecular electronegativity-distance vector （MEDV） was used to describe the molecular structure of volatile components of Rosa banksiae Ait, and QSRR model was built up by use of multiple linear regression （MLR）. Furthermore, in virtue of variable screening by the stepwise multiple regression technique, the QSRR models of 10 and 6 variables and linear retention index （LRI） 10, 7 and 6 varieables were built up by combinating MEDV with the Ultra2 column GC retention time （tR） of 53 volatile components of Rosa Banksiae Air. The multiple correlation coefficients （R） of modeling calculation values of QSRR model were 0.906, 0.906, 0.949, 0.943 and 0.949, respectively. The cross-verification multiple correlation coefficients （RCV） were 0.903, 0.904, 0.867, 0.901 and 0.904, respectively. The results show that the models constructed could provide estimation stability and favorable predictive ability.

Prediction of liquid chromatography retention factors for α-branched phenylsulfonyl acetates using quantum chemical descriptors

The logarithms of retention factors normalized to a hypothetical pure water eluent(log k w) were determined on a reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography(RP HPLC) column (Li Chrosorb RP 18 column) for 20 new α\|branched phenylsulfonyl acetates. The atomic charge method was applied to develop quantitative structure retention relationships(QSRRs). Among the available geometric and electronic descriptors, surface area (S), ovality (O), and the charge of carboxyl group(Q OC ) are significant. In the model, the contribution of surface area (S) is the greatest. The molecular mechanism of retention was demonstrated through the model. With the correlation coefficient ( r 2 adj , adjusted for degrees of freedom) of 0.964, the standard error of 0.164 and the F value of 170.39, the model has good predictive capacity.

Effect of gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome on gut microbiota in children with upper respiratory tract infection and lung-heat syndrome

Objective:Gastrointestinal heat retention syndrome(GHRS)is associated with lung-heat syndrome and is related to recurrent respiratory infection.Upper respiratory tract infection(URTI)lung heat syndrome is common in children.The study will explore the effect of GHRS on the structure and function of gut microbiota in children with URTI lung-heat syndrome.Methods:Participants were divided into both groups using the self-developed URTI scale and the“GHRS Diagnostic Scale$Pediatric Part”:GHRS-positive children(LS group)and GHRS-negative children(L group).General information,clinical symptoms,and stool were collected.We used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing technology to determine the gene sequence of the V3eV4 region in feces and measure the gut microbiota of the both groups at the genus level.Results:A total of 23 children were included in the both groups.There were 12 cases in the LS group and 11 cases in the L group.There was no statistical difference between the both groups in age,gender,height,weight,and body mass index.The effective sequences shared by the both groups accounted for 85.66%of the total.In the gut microbiota,there was no difference in the a diversity and the b diversity between the both groups.Compared with the L group,the LS group had a significant increase in the relative abundance of the Ruminococcus gnavus group,Prevotella-9,Staphylococcus,and Actinomyces(P<.05).The functions of the both groups of microbiota primarily concentrate on metabolism,genetic information processing,and environmental information processing.The relative abundance of signaling molecules and interactions in the LS group were higher than that in the L group(P<.05).The redundancy analysis(RDA)showed that the URTI score had the greatest impact on the distribution of microbiota.Conclusion:GHRS may affect the development of URTI lung-heat syndrome by changing the relative abundances of gut microbiota.

Quantitative Structure-retention Relationship Study of Polychlorinated Dibenzothiophenes by Molecular Electronegativity Distance Vector(MEDV)

Polychlorinated dibenzothiophenes（PCDTs） are classified as persistent organic pollutants in the environment,so the analysis of PCDTs by their gas chromatographic behaviors is of great significance.Quantitative structure-retention relationship（QSRR） analysis is a useful technique capable of relating chromatographic retention time to the molecular structure.In this paper,a QSRR study of 37 PCDTs was carried out by using molecular electronegativity distance vector（MEDV） descriptors and multiple linear regression（MLR） and partial least-squares regression（PLS） methods.The correlation coefficient R of established MLR,PLS models,leave-one-out（LOO） cross-validation（CV）,Q2ext were 0.9951,0.9942,0.9839（MLR） and 0.9925,0.9915,0.9833（PLS）,respectively.Results showed that the model exhibited excellent estimate capability for internal sample set and good predictive capability for external sample set.By using MEDV descriptors,the QSRR model can provide a simple and rapid way to predict the gas-chromatographic retention indices of polychlorinated dibenzothiophenes in conditions of lacking standard samples or poor experimental conditions.

Effect of vegetation on soil water retention and storage in a semi-arid alpine forest catchment

The runoff generated from mountainous regions is recognized as the main water source for inland river basins in arid environments. Thus, the mechanisms by which catchments retain water in soils are to be understood. The water storage capacity of soil depends on its depth and capacity to retain water under gravita- tional drainage and evapotranspiration. The latter can be studied through soil water retention curve （SWRC）, which is closely related to soil properties such as texture, bulk density, porosity, soil organic carbon conteMt, and so on. The present study represented SWRCs using HYDRUS-1D. In the present study, we measured pl^ysical and hydraulic properties of soil samples collected from Sabina przewalskii forest （south-facing slope with highest solar radiation）, shrubs （west-facing slope with medium radiation）, and Picea crassifolia forest （north-facing slope with lowest radiation）, and analyzed the differences in soil water storage capacity of these soil samples. Soil water content of those three vegetation covers were also measured to validate the soil water storage capacity and to analyze the relationship between soil organic matter content and soil water content. Statistical analysis showed that different vegetation covers could lead to different soil bulk densities and differences in soil water retention on the three slope aspects. Sand content, porosity, and organic carbon content of the P. crassifolia forest were rela- tively greater compared with those of the S. przewalskii forest and shrubs. However, silt content and soil bulk density were relatively smaller than those in the S. przewalskii forest and shrubs. In addition, there was a sig- nificant linear positive relationship between averaged soil water content and soil organic matter content （P〈0.0001）. However, this relationship is not significant in the P. crassifolia forest. As depicted in the SWRCs, the water storage capacity of the soil was 39.14% and 37.38% higher in the P. crassifolia forest than in the S. przewalskii forest and shrubs, respectively, at a similar soil depth.

Spatial-temporal Patterns and Driving Forces of Water Retention Service in China

Overwhelming water-deficiency conditions and an unbalanced water supply and demand have been major concerns of both the Chinese government and the general public during recent decades. Studying the spatial-temporal patterns and impact factors that influence water retention in China is important to enhance the management of water resources in China and other similar countries. We employed a revised Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs(InVEST) model and regression analyses to investigate the water retention service in China. The results showed that the southeastern China generally performed much better than Northwest China in terms of the spatial distribution of water retention. In general, the efficacy of the water retention service in China increased from 2000 to 2014; although some areas still had a downward trend. Water retention service increased significantly(P < 0.05) in aggregate in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the Da Hinggan Mountains and Xiao Hinggan Mountains. However, the service in southwestern China showed a decreasing trend(P < 0.05), which would have significant negative impact on the downstream population. This study also showed that in China the changes in water retention service were primarily due to climate change(which could explain 83.49% of the total variance), with anthropogenic impact as a secondary influence(likewise the ecological programs and socioeconomic development could explain 9.47% and 1.06%, respectively). Moreover, the identification of water retention importance indicated that important areas conservation and selection based on downstream beneficiaries is vital for optimization protection of ecosystem services, and has practical significance for natural resources and ecosystem management.

Treatment of acute periprosthetic infections with prosthesis retention: Review of current concepts

Periprosthetic joint infection(PJI) is a devastating complication after total joint arthroplasty, occurring in approximately 1%-2% of all cases. With growing populations and increasing age, PJI will have a growing effect on health care costs. Many risk factors have been identified that increase the risk of developing PJI, including obesity, immune system deficiencies, malignancy, previous surgery of the same joint and longer operating time. Acute PJI occurs either postoperatively(4 wk to 3 mo after initial arthroplasty, depending on the classification system), or via hematogenous spreading after a period in which the prosthesis had functioned properly. Diagnosis and the choice of treatment are the cornerstones to success. Although different definitions for PJI have been used in the past, most are more or less similar and include the presence of a sinus tract, blood infection values, synovial white blood cell count, signs of infection on histopathological analysis and one ormore positive culture results. Debridement, antibiotics and implant retention(DAIR) is the primary treatment for acute PJI, and should be performed as soon as possible after the development of symptoms. Success rates differ, but most studies report success rates of around 60%-80%. Whether single or multiple debridement procedures are more successful remains unclear. The use of local antibiotics in addition to the administration of systemic antibiotic agents is also subject to debate, and its pro's and con's should be carefully considered. Systemic treatment, based on culture results, is of importance for all PJI treatments. Additionally, rifampin should be given in Staphylococcal PJIs, unless all foreign material is removed. The most important factors contributing to treatment failure are longer duration of symptoms, a longer time after initial arthroplasty, the need for more debridement procedures, the retention of exchangeable components, and PJI caused by Staphylococcus(aureus or coagulase negative). If DAIR treatment is unsuccessful, the following treatment option should be based on the patient health status and his or her expectations. For the best functional outcome, one- or two-stage revision should be performed after DAIR failure. In conclusion, DAIR is the obvious choice for treatment of acute PJI, with good success rates in selected patients.

Correlation Between Soil Water Retention Capability and Soil Salt Content

The soil moisture retention capability of Chao soil and coastal saline Chao soil in Shandong and Zhejiang provinces were measured by pressure membrane method. The main factors influencing soil moisture retention capability were studied by the methods of correlation and path analyses. The results indicated that < 0.02mm physical clay and soil salt content were the main factors influencing soil moisture retention capability. At soil suction of 30-50 kpa, the soil salt content would be the dominant factor.

Effect of sludge retention time on sludge characteristics and membrane fouling of membrane bioreactor

Three identical membrane bioreactors （MBRs） were operated over 2 years at different sludge retention time （SRT） of 10 d, 40 d and no sludge withdrawal （NS）, to elucidate and quantify the effect of SRT on the sludge characteristics and membrane fouling. The hydraulic retention times of these MBRs were controlled at 12 h. With increasing SRT, the sludge concentrations in the MBRs increased, whereas the ratio of volatile suspended solid to the total solid decreased, and the size of sludge granule diminished in the meantime. A higher sludge concentration at long SRT could maintain a better organic removal efficiency, and a longer SRT was propitious to the growth of nitrifiers. The performance of these MBRs for the removal of COD and NH4^＋-N did not change much with different SRTs. However, the bioactivity decreased as SRT increase. The measurement of specific oxygen uptake rates （SOUR） and fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） with rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes testified that SOUR and the proportion of the bacteria-specific probe EUB338 in all DAPI-stainable bacteria decreased with increasing SRT. The concentrations of total organic carbon, protein, polysaccharides and soluble extracellular polymeric substance （EPS） in the mixed liquor supernatant also decreased with increasing SRT. The membrane fouling rate was higher at shorter SRT, and the highest fouling rate appeared at a SRT of 10 d. Both the sludge cake layer and gel layer had contribution to the fouling resistance, but the relative contribution of the gel layer decreased as SRT increase.