Enhanced nutrient recovery from anaerobically digested poultry wastewater through struvite precipitation by organic acid pre-treatment and seeding in a bubble column electrolytic reactor.

Limited mineralization of organic phosphorus to phosphate during the anaerobic digestion process poses a significant challenge in the development of cost-effective nutrient recovery strategies from anaerobically digested poultry wastewater (ADPW). This study investigated the influence of organic acids on phosphorus solubilization from ADPW, followed by its recycling in the form of struvite using a bubble column electrolytic reactor (BCER) without adding chemicals. The impact of seeding on the efficiency of PO43- and NH3-N recovery as well as the size distribution of recovered precipitates from the acid pre-treated ADPW was also evaluated. Pre-treatment of the ADPW with oxalic acid achieved complete solubilization of phosphorus, reaching ∼100% extraction efficiency at pH 2.5. The maximum removal efficiency of phosphate and ammonia-nitrogen from the ADPW were 88.9% and 90.1%, respectively, while the addition of 5 and 10 g/L struvite seed to the BCER increased PO43- removal efficiency by 9.6% and 11.5%, respectively. The value of the kinetic rate constant, k, increased from 0.0176 min-1 (unseeded) to 0.0198 min-1, 0.0307 min-1, and 0.0375 min-1 with the seed loading rate of 2, 5, and 10 g/L, respectively. Concurrently, the average particle size rose from 75.3 µm (unseeded) to 82.1 µm, 125.7 µm, and 148.9 µm, respectively. Results from XRD, FTIR, EDS, and dissolved chemical analysis revealed that the solid product obtained from the recovery process was a multi-nutrient fertilizer consisting of 94.7% struvite with negligible levels of heavy metals.

Slower respiration rate is associated with higher self-reported well-being after wellness training.

Mind-body interventions such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may improve well-being by increasing awareness and regulation of physiological and cognitive states. However, it is unclear how practice may alter long-term, baseline physiological processes, and whether these changes reflect improved well-being. Using respiration rate (RR), which can be sensitive to effects of meditation, and 3 aspects of self-reported well-being (psychological well-being [PWB], distress, and medical symptoms), we tested pre-registered hypotheses that: (1) Lower baseline RR (in a resting, non-meditative state) would be a physiological marker associated with well-being, (2) MBSR would decrease RR, and (3) Training-related decreases in RR would be associated with improved well-being. We recruited 245 adults (age range = 18-65, M = 42.4): experienced meditators (n = 42), and meditation-naïve participants randomized to MBSR (n = 72), active control (n = 41), or waitlist control (n = 66). Data were collected at pre-randomization, post-intervention (or waiting), and long-term follow-up. Lower baseline RR was associated with lower psychological distress among long-term meditators (p* = 0.03, b = 0.02, 95% CI [0.01, 0.03]), though not in non-meditators prior to training. MBSR decreased RR compared to waitlist (p = 0.02, Cohen's d = - 0.41, 95% CI [- 0.78, - 0.06]), but not the active control. Decreased RR related to decreased medical symptoms, across all participants (p* = 0.02, b = 0.57, 95% CI [0.15, 0.98]). Post-training, lower RR was associated with higher PWB across training groups compared to waitlist (p* = 0.01, b = 0.06, 95% CI [0.02, 0.10]), though there were no significant differences in change in PWB between groups. This physiological marker may indicate higher physical and/or psychological well-being in those who engage in wellness practices.

Optimization of a dual-chamber electrolytic reactor with a magnesium anode and characterization of struvite produced from synthetic wastewater.

Diminishing phosphorus resources worldwide requires developing new technologies to recover phosphorus (P) from wastewaters. A lab-scale electrolytic reactor with a magnesium anode was investigated to remove NH4+ and PO43- from synthetic wastewater by producing struvite. The effects of mixing speed, pH, and applied current on struvite yield, NH4+, and PO43- removal efficiencies were first evaluated using a factorial design. Then, the two most significant parameters were further optimized using Central Composite Design (CCD) coupled with Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The struvite was characterized by SEM, XRD, and FT-IR. A 5.7-fold increase in struvite yield was achieved by increasing the applied current from 0.1 to 0.5 A. The three regression equations generated by the CCD/RSM design with applied current and mixing speed as the two independent parameters were highly correlated with the response variables (struvite yield, NH4+ and PO43- removal efficiencies). The desirability analysis showed the best operating condition: current, 0.5 A and mixing speed, 414 rpm, for the reactor system, under which the optimal struvite yield and NH4+ and PO43- removal efficiencies were 4.75 g/L, 93.0%, and 58.4%, respectively. The SEM, XRD, and FT-IR analyses confirmed the high purity and quality of the struvite produced by the electrolytic reactor system.

Salvage versus primary holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: trends, outcomes and safety analysis.

PURPOSE: To study the safety, efficacy and trends in index procedures leading to salvage holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (S-HoLEP). METHODS: This was a single-institution retrospective review of HoLEPs performed between 2006 and 2020. Patients who underwent S-HoLEP were compared to those undergoing primary holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (P-HoLEP). The endpoint of primary interest were functional outcomes. Changes in index procedures over the study period were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 633 HoLEPs were performed during the study, with 217 being S-HoLEP. The S-HoLEP cohort was older than P-HoLEP cohort, 71.2 years vs 68.8 years (p = 0.03). All other factors were well matched. The most common index procedures prior to S-HoLEP included transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) (87, 40.1%), transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) (44, 20.3%), photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) (24, 11.1%) and prostatic urethral lift (PUL) (24, 11.1%). Preoperative prostate volume, IPSS and Qmax were similar between groups. Intra-operatively, S-HoLEP had longer procedure and morcellation times (p = 0.01 and 0.007). Postoperatively, the S-HoLEP cohort had longer catheter duration and hospitalization (both p < 0.001). Postoperative Qmax, IPSS and 90-day complication rates were similar. On temporal analysis, minimally invasive surgical therapies (MIST) have become more prevalent as index procedures. CONCLUSION: S-HoLEP is safe and efficacious for patients requiring additional BPH surgical intervention. S-HoLEP patients had longer operative times and hospital stays but equivalent postoperative functional outcomes compared to P-HoLEP. As MIST mature and gain traction, it is expected that rates of S-HoLEP will continue to rise.

Are Therapeutic Diets in Long-Term Care Affecting Resident Food Intake and Meeting their Nutritional Goals?

Purpose: To examine health characteristics of long-term care (LTC) residents prescribed therapeutic diets (promoting or restricting intake of key food components), to determine how these diets influenced intake and whether there were differences in food intake and malnutrition risk between residents with and without restrictive diets.Methods: Secondary analysis of the Making the Most of Mealtimes Study includes 435 residents with no/mild cognitive impairment in 32 LTC homes across 4 provinces. Health records were reviewed for diet prescriptions and other characteristics. Weighed and observed food and fluid consumption over 3 nonconsecutive days determined intake. Bivariate and multivariable linear regressions identified associations between therapeutic diets and intake and key nutrients.Results: Almost half (42%) of participants were prescribed a therapeutic diet. Residents receiving restrictive diets (28%) consumed absolute calories consistent with those receiving a regular diet, but kcal/kg was significantly lower (22.1 ± 5.5 vs 23.6 ± 5.3). Low sodium and weight-promoting diets were the only therapeutic diets associated with their corresponding key nutrient profiles. Restrictive therapeutic diets were not associated with energy or protein intake when adjusting for covariates.Conclusions: Restrictive therapeutic diets among those with mild to no cognitive deficits do not appear to impair food intake.

Microalgae Cultivation Using Screened Liquid Dairy Manure Applying Different Folds of Dilution: Nutrient Reduction Analysis with Emphasis on Phosphorus Removal.

A number of dairies in southern Idaho employed stationary inclined screens to separate large solid particles out of liquid dairy manure. In this way, the total solid content of the liquid dairy manure can drop about 20%. Solids in dairy wastewater cause high turbidities, which could block the incident light, a key factor in the microalgae cultivation process using wastewaters as culture media. In this study, screened liquid dairy manure was used as the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris culture media. The aim was to optimize the dilution folds for the best growth of Chlorella vulgaris and nutrients' reduction with a special focus on phosphorus removal and recovery. Four folds of dilution, designated as 5*, 10*, 15*, 20*, were applied to the liquid dairy manure to alleviate hindrance of the high turbidity together with the high ammonium. Microalgal cultivation removed a significant amount of turbidity and major nutrients. For differently diluted liquid dairy manures, although the initial turbidities varied a lot, the final removal rates were not significantly different, falling in the range of 88.11-91.73%. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the 5-fold diluted liquid dairy manure dropped from 6700 to 1200 mg/L, corresponding to a removal rate of 79.81%. For the 10-fold, 15-fold, and 20-fold diluted manures, Chlorella removed around 67-69% of the initial CODs. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) was removed at rates ranging from 70.84 to 73.99% from the four differently diluted liquid dairy manures without significant differences. NH4-N was removed most efficiently by 88.92% from the 20-fold diluted liquid dairy manure, and the least at 68.65% from the 5-fold diluted one. Although the original total phosphorus (TP) concentrations were distinctive for each group, the TP removal rates stayed in the range of 52.16 to 65.22%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) analysis of the precipitates harvested from the microalgal cultivation suggested possible phosphate precipitate forms. The chelation of Ca or Mg cations by dissolved organic matter (DOM) under alkaline conditions caused by microalgae cultivation could explain the unsatisfactory phosphorus removals observed in this study.

Non-airtight Fermentation of Dairy Manure with Waste Potato Peels and Subsequent Phosphorus Recovery via Struvite Precipitation.

Two-phase anaerobic co-digestion of lignocellulosic crop residues with animal wastes can efficiently generate more biogas compared with the digestion of animal waste alone. Non-airtight fermentation of the mixed substrates is the primary step to hydrolyze complex organics and achieve simultaneous phosphorus release. Recycling phosphorus from tremendous animal wastes is remarkably meaningful regarding non-renewable resource recovery. In this study, the feasibility of a two-step process combining non-airtight fermentation of potato peels with dairy manure and the following struvite precipitation was explored. The hydrolysis and acidification process of the 6-day non-airtight mesophilic fermentation lowered pH to 6.4 under the highest mixed solid content of 4.8%; meanwhile, the ratio of reactive phosphorus to total phosphorus increased from 49.6 to 93.7% accordingly. Struvite formation was successfully induced by adjusting pH to 8.0 and 9.5. Under these two pHs, the precipitates were dominated by struvite as characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS) results indicated that there should exist both struvite and calcium phosphate in the precipitates obtained under the two pHs. pH 8.0 precipitate should contain around 75% struvite, while the proportion rose to about 90% for pH 9.5 precipitate, based on the calculation of respective Mg/P and Ca/P molar ratios.

Nutrient Reduction of Dairy Manure Through Solid-Liquid Separation with Flocculation and Subsequent Microalgal Treatment.

High concentrations of dairy operations in Southern Idaho have brought up big challenges for proper manure management to alleviate the eutrophication stress. In order to explore more technologies confronting the high nutrient load in dairy manure, a sequential process combining enhanced solid-liquid separation through flocculation-centrifuge and the subsequent microalgal growth in the liquid part was studied in this study. Solid-liquid separation by flocculation-centrifuge process, using a natural flocculant chitosan and a flocculation aid kaolin, was optimized through response surface methodology (RSM) technique using central composite design (CCD) method. Under the optimal flocculation-centrifuge pretreatment, i.e., the maximal total suspended solid (turbidity) removal group, turbidity, COD, TKN, and TP have been removed by 92.7%, 72.6%, 58.7%, and 43.0%, respectively. Applying 2-fold dilution, the supernatant from this treatment was further used for microalgae Chlorella vulgaris cultivation. COD, TKN, and TP were further reduced by 82.2%, 90.1%, and 83.4%, respectively. Turbidity was largely removed from the original dairy manure, providing a relatively clear solution that became suitable for photo-mixotrophic culture of microalgae.

Effects of dietary isomaltooligosaccharide and Bacillus spp. supplementation during perinatal period on lactational performance, blood metabolites, and milk composition of sows.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we evaluated the effects of isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) and Bacillus spp. in perinatal diets on lactational performance, blood metabolites, and milk composition of sows. Multiparous gestating sows (N = 130) with similar body conditions were fed diets without containing IMO (control, CON group), IMO (IMO group), IMO and Bacillus subtilis (IMO + S group), IMO and Bacillus licheniformis (IMO + L group), and IMO and both B. subtilis and B. licheniformis (IMO + S + L group). RESULTS: The average daily feed intake of lactating sows in the IMO + S group (P < 0.05) and the average litter gain and total milk yield in the IMO + S + L group (P < 0.01) were significantly higher than those of the sows in the other treatment groups. In addition, the serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase concentrations in all treatment groups were lower than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the highest proportion of fat in colostrum (0.05 < P < 0.1) and lowest proportion of lactose in milk were observed in the IMO + L group (P < 0.05). The concentrations of growth hormone and immunoglobulins A and G in milk were higher in sows supplemented with IMO, IMO + S, IMO + L, or IMO + S + L (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IMO and Bacillus spp. supplementation during the perinatal period improved the sows' lactational performance by affecting their metabolism and milk quality. Sows in the IMO + S and IMO + S + L treatment groups exhibited the best performance. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Non-airtight fermentation of sugar beet pulp with anaerobically digested dairy manure to provide acid-rich hydrolysate for mixotrophic microalgae cultivation.

Non-airtight fermentation of lignocellulosic agricultural residues with animal wastes is an emerging pretreatment method to produce acid-rich substrates in two-phase anaerobic digestion. Acid-rich hydrolysate could be an excellent feedstock for cultivating microalgae, therefore, the feasibility of a two-step process combining non-airtight fermentation of sugar beet pulp with anaerobically digested dairy manure and mixotrophic microalgae species Chlorella cultivation in the hydrolysate was explored in this study. The hydrolysis and acidification process of 8-day non-airtight fermentation produced up to 8.1 g/L volatile fatty acids under mesophilic condition. Microalgal growths in diluted hydrolysates were compared with that in diluted digested dairy manure (DDM) as a control using experimental data and fitted logistic models. Chlorella grown in the 10-fold diluted DDM showed an exponential decay, while Chlorella cultured in the 3-fold diluted hydrolysate demonstrated the best performance in terms of biomass density, which reached 2.17 g/L within a short period of time.

Development of an oral once-weekly drug delivery system for HIV antiretroviral therapy.

The efficacy of antiretroviral therapy is significantly compromised by medication non-adherence. Long-acting enteral systems that can ease the burden of daily adherence have not yet been developed. Here we describe an oral dosage form composed of distinct drug-polymer matrices which achieved week-long systemic drug levels of the antiretrovirals dolutegravir, rilpivirine and cabotegravir in a pig. Simulations of viral dynamics and patient adherence patterns indicate that such systems would significantly reduce therapeutic failures and epidemiological modelling suggests that using such an intervention prophylactically could avert hundreds of thousands of new HIV cases. In sum, weekly administration of long-acting antiretrovirals via a novel oral dosage form is a promising intervention to help control the HIV epidemic worldwide.

Feeding schemes and C/N ratio of a laboratory-scale step-fed sequencing batch reactor for liquid swine manure treatment.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of two split feeding schemes (600 mL/200 mL and 400 mL/400 mL, designated as FS1 and FS2, respectively) on the performance of a step-fed sequencing batch reactor (SBR) in treating liquid swine manure for nutrient removal. The SBR was run on an 8-h cycle with a repeated pattern of anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic phases in each cycle and the two feedings always occurred at the beginning of each anaerobic phase. A low-level aeration was used (1.0 L/m3.sec) for the anoxic/aerobic phase to facilitate nitrification and phosphorus uptake while reducing the energy consumption. The results showed that FS1 reduced NH4+-N by 98.7% and FS2 by 98.3%. FS1 had 12.3 mg/L NO3-N left in the effluent, while FS2 had 4.51 mg/L. For soluble phosphorus removal, FS1 achieved 95.2%, while FS2 reached only 68.5%. Both feeding schemes achieved ≥ 95% removal of COD. A good power regression was observed between total nitrogen (sum of all three nitrogen species) and the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio, with the correlation coefficients of 0.9729 and 0.9542 for FS1 and FS2, respectively, based on which it was concluded that higher C/N ratios were required to achieve higher nitrogen removal efficiencies.