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.

Factors Promoting Retention of Nurses in Three Private Hospitals of Lahore: A Cross Sectional Descriptive Survey

Introduction: Pakistan has a large number of professional nurses but a higher rate of turnover contributes towards the shortage of nurses which is intensified by nurses’ immigration, lack of recruitment of new nurses and retirement of senior nurses. Aim: The study aimed at examining the factors that increase retention of nurses. Research Method: The study is descriptive cross sectional with a sample of 150 nurses including both the genders, from 3 private hospitals located in Pakistan. A convenient sampling technique was used. The data collection was done through close ended questionnaires based on 20 questions. Data collection was done quantitatively and then data was entered in SPSS. Correlation and regression tests were performed. Findings: The analysis revealed that 91.3% nurses are loyal to their hospitals but, 8.7%nurses can switch the hospital for different reasons. It was also found that the idea of leaving the job based on the intention of moving to abroad and public sector was higher than the retirement and other causes. Resultantly, enhancements in nurses’ work environments have the ability to decrease nurses’ job burnout and turnover and increase patients’ satisfaction. Recommendations: Hospital leaders should implement effective strategies to encourage nurses to continue their job by motivation, strengthening management skills within the hospital and improving a positive work environment by promoting teamwork, continuous learning, trust, respect and flexible arrangements which can lead towards achieving better results.However, further studies quantitatively and qualitatively can explore more factors related to dissatisfaction of nurses. Health systems policy makers should lead by developing related strategies for the retention of nurses.

Bio-Based Waterborne Poly(Vanillin-Butyl Acrylate)/MXene Coatings for Leather with Desired Warmth Retention and Antibacterial Properties

This study presents a solvent-free,facile synthesis of a bio-based green antibacterial agent and aromatic monomer methacrylated vanillin(MV)using vanillin.The resulting MV not only imparted antibacterial properties to coatings layered on leather,but could also be employed as a green alternative to petroleum-based carcinogen styrene(St).Herein,MV was copolymerized with butyl acrylate(BA)to obtain waterborne bio-based P(MV-BA)miniemulsion via miniemulsion polymerization.Subsequently,MXene nanosheets with excellent photothermal conversion performance and antibacterial properties,were introduced into the P(MV-BA)miniemulsion by ultrasonic dispersion.During the gradual solidification of P(MV-BA)/MXene nanocomposite miniemulsion on the leather surface,MXene gradually migrated to the surface of leather coatings due to the cavitation effect of ultrasonication and amphiphilicity of MXene,which prompted its full exposure to light and bacteria,exerting the maximum photothermal conversion efficiency and significant antibacterial efficacy.In particular,when the dosage of MXene nanosheets was 1.4 wt%,the surface temperature of P(MV-BA)/MXene nanocomposite miniemulsioncoated leather(PML)increased by about 15℃ in an outdoor environment during winter,and the antibacterial rate against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was nearly 100%under the simulated sunlight treatment for 30 min.Moreover,the introduction of MXene nanosheets increased the air permeability,water vapor permeability,and thermal stability of these coatings.This study provides a new insight into the preparation of novel,green,and waterborne bio-based nanocomposite coatings for leather,with desired warmth retention and antibacterial properties.It can not only realize zerocarbon heating based on sunlight in winter,reducing the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions,but also improve ability to fight off invasion by harmful bacteria,viruses,and other microorganisms.

Establishment of predictive models and determinants of preoperative gastric retention in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

BACKGROUND Study on influencing factors of gastric retention before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)background:With the wide application of ERCP,the risk of preoperative gastric retention affects the smooth progress of the operation.The study found that female,biliary and pancreatic malignant tumor,digestive tract obstruction and other factors are closely related to gastric retention,so the establishment of predictive model is very important to reduce the risk of operation.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on 190 patients admitted to our hospital for ERCP preparation between January 2020 and February 2024.Patient baseline clinical data were collected using an electronic medical record system.Patients were randomly matched in a 1:4 ratio with data from 190 patients during the same period to establish a validation group(n=38)and a modeling group(n=152).Patients in the modeling group were divided into the gastric retention group(n=52)and non-gastric retention group(n=100)based on whether gastric retention occurred preoperatively.General data of patients in the validation group and identify factors influencing preoperative gastric retention in ERCP patients.A predictive model for preoperative gastric retention in ERCP patients was constructed,and calibration curves were used for validation.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was analyzed to evaluate the predictive value of the model.RESULTS We found no statistically significant difference in general data between the validation group and modeling group(P>0.05).The comparison of age,body mass index,hypertension,and diabetes between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).However,we noted statistically significant differences in gender,primary disease,jaundice,opioid use,and gastrointestinal obstruction between the two groups(P<0.05).Mul-tivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender,primary disease,jaundice,opioid use,and gastrointestinal obstruction were independent factors influencing preoperative gastric retention in ERCP patients(P<0.05).The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that gender,primary disease,jaundice,opioid use,and gastroin-testinal obstruction were included in the predictive model for preoperative gastric retention in ERCP patients.The calibration curves in the training set and validation set showed a slope close to 1,indicating good consistency between the predicted risk and actual risk.The ROC analysis results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the predictive model for preoperative gastric retention in ERCP patients in the training set was 0.901 with a standard error of 0.023(95%CI:0.8264-0.9567),and the optimal cutoff value was 0.71,with a sensitivity of 87.5 and specificity of 84.2.In the validation set,the AUC of the predictive model was 0.842 with a standard error of 0.013(95%CI:0.8061-0.9216),and the optimal cutoff value was 0.56,with a sensitivity of 56.2 and specificity of 100.0.CONCLUSION Gender,primary disease,jaundice,opioid use,and gastrointestinal obstruction are factors influencing preoperative gastric retention in ERCP patients.A predictive model established based on these factors has high predictive value.

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.

Study on the Application Effect of Flexible Nursing Care in Patients with Postpartum Urinary Retention and its Effect on Lactation

Objective: To study the application effect of flexible nursing in patients with postpartum urinary retention and its effect on lactation. Methods: A total of 200 cases of postpartum urinary retention patients admitted between January 2021 and January 2022 were selected and randomly grouped into two groups, a control group (conventional nursing) and an observation group (flexible nursing), of 100 cases each. The time of onset of lactation, the lactation volume score, urinary indicators, the amount of post-partum hemorrhage, and the quality of life score of the two groups were compared. Results: The observation group’s lactation initiation time (21.41 ± 1.52) h and lactation volume score (2.11 ± 0.52) were better than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The observation group’s first urination time (2.11 ± 0.51) min was lower than the control group, while the urinary retention completely relieved time (33.12 ± 8.61) h, and first urinary volume (262.17 ± 52.41) mL was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The amount of postpartum hemorrhage in the observation group (151.21 ± 22.12) mL was less than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The scores of somatic functioning (86.25 ± 2.20), psychological functioning (91.56 ± 1.45), social functioning (89.25 ± 2.45), and material life (89.75 ± 1.45) of the observation group were higher than those of the control group after nursing (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Flexible nursing care in patients with postpartum urinary retention exhibited significant nursing effects and lactation function was effectively improved.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Soil Carbon Pool Management Index under Different Straw Retention Regimes

[Objective] To clarify the effects of different straw retention regimes on soil fertility in double cropping paddy field. [Method] The effects of different straw reten- tion regimes on total organic carbon （CToc）, active carbon （CA） and mineralized carbon （CM） were analyzed, and carbon pool active （A）, carbon pool active index （A/）, carbon pool index （CPI） and carbon pool management index （CPMi） for each treat- ment were calculated. [Result] Compared with the unfertilized treatment （CK）, CToc, CA, CM and the available ratio of soil carbon were increased in the treatment of re- turning early season and late season rice straws to field. With the same nutrient application, CToc, CA and the available ratio of soil carbon in the field with straw re- turned to field were higher than that of straw incineration and no straw returning, and the change in soil CA content was more significant. The difference in CPMI be- tween different treatments reached significant or very significant level, and the value was in the order of straw directly returned to field 〉 straw returned to field after in- cineration 〉 no straw returned to field. [Conclusion] This study provided theoretical bases for the increase of soil CA content and soil fertility in double rice fields.

INDIGESTION OF FOOD RETENTION IN CHILDREN TREATED BY ACUPUNCTURE AND MASSAGE

Objective By acupuncture plus massage to treat poor appetite induced by indigestion of food retention in children to restore their normal appetite. Methods 476 cases of indigestion of food retention in children were treated by acupuncture plus massage. Results 385 of the 476 cases were cured, and 91 cases were improved by one treatment with a total effective rate of 100%. Conclusion Acupuncture plus massage provided remarkable therapeutic effects on indigestion of food retention in children.

Effects of Different Decolorants on Retention Rate of Total Triterpenes in Fruit and Rattan Stems of Schisandra chinensis(Turcz.) Baill

This study was to investigate the decoloration effects of activated clay, activated carbon, diatomite, Ca group bentonite, kaolin, activated aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide and attapulgite. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopywas adopted to de- tect the absorbanees of the extracts of Schisandra chinensis fruit and rattan stems, the contents of total triterpenoids in S. chinensis fruit and rattan stems were deter- mined, and the decoloration rate and the retention rate of total triterpenoids of S. chi- nensis fruit and rattan stems were calculated. The results indicated that, attapulgite exhibited the best decoloration effect on the extract of S. chinensis fruit, with a de- coloration rate up to 60.47%, activated carbon exhibited a better decoloration effect on the extract of S. chinensis rattan stems, with a decoloration rate up to 69.24%, and they had relatively higher retention rates of total triterpenoids. In the eight de- colorants, attapulgite showed the best decoloration effect on the extract of S. chi- nensis fruit, and activated carbon exhibited the best decoloration effect on the ex- tract of S. chinensisrattan stems.

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.

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.

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.

Intra-articular delivery of tetramethylpyrazine microspheres with enhanced articular cavity retention for treating osteoarthritis

Tetramethylpyrazine(TMP) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with strong antiinflammatory and cartilage protection activities, and thus a promising candidate for treating osteoarthritis. However, TMP is rapidly cleared from the joint cavity after intra-articular injection and requires multiple injections to maintain efficacy. The aim of this study was to encapsulate TMP into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA) microspheres to enhance the TMP retention in the joint, reducing injection frequencies and decreasing dosage. TMP microspheres were prepared by emulsion/solvent evaporation method. The intra-articular retention of the drug was assessed by detecting the drug concentration distributed in the joint tissue at different time points. The therapeutic effect of TMP microspheres was evaluated by the swelling of knee joints and histologic analysis in papain-induced OA rat model. The prepared freezedried microspheres with a particle size of about 10 μm can effectively prolong the retention time of the drug in the articular cavity to 30 d, which is 4.7 times that of the TMP solution.Intra-articular injection of TMP microspheres efficiently relieved inflammatory symptoms,improved joint lesions and decreased the depletion of proteoglycan. In conclusion, intraarticular injection of TMP loaded microspheres was a promising therapeutic method in the treatment of OA.