Effect of sewage sampling frequency on determination of design parameters for municipal wastewater treatment plants.

The uncertainty associated with the determination of load parameters, which is a key step in the design of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), was investigated on the basis of data sets from 58 WWTPs. A further analysed aspect was the organic load variations associated with variable sewage temperatures. Data from 26 WWTPs with a high inflow sampling frequency was used to simulate scenarios to investigate the effect of lower sampling frequencies through a Monte Carlo approach. The calculation of 85-percentile values for chemical oxygen demand (COD) loadings based on only 26 samples per year is associated with a variability of up to ±18%. Approximately 90 samples per year will be necessary to reduce this uncertainty for estimation of COD loadings below 10%. Hence, a low sampling frequency can potentially lead to under- or overestimation of design parameters. Through an analogous approach, it was possible to identify uncertainties of ±11% in COD loading when weekly average data was used with four samples per week. Finally, a tendency to lower COD input loads with increasing temperatures was identified, with a reduction of about 1% of the average loading per degree Celsius.

Compact, low-threshold squeezed light source.

Strongly squeezed light finds many important applications within the fields of quantum metrology, quantum communication and quantum computation. However, due to the bulkiness and complexity of most squeezed light sources of today, they are still not a standard tool in quantum optics labs. We have taken the first steps in realizing a compact, high-performance 1550 nm squeezing source based on commercially available fiber components combined with a free-space double-resonant parametric down-conversion source. The whole setup, including single-pass second-harmonic generation in a waveguide, fits on a 30 cm×45 cm breadboard and produces 9.3 dB of squeezing at a 5 MHz sideband-frequency. The setup is currently limited by phase noise, but further optimization and development should allow for a 19" sized turn-key squeezing source capable of delivering more than 10 dB of squeezing.

A prospective study on the effect of time-shifted telephone reporting of blood culture microscopy.

Even though dealing with septic patients, the communication of the Gram stain result of positive blood cultures is postponed in most laboratories outside of conventional working hours. There is little evidence from clinics that this issue is being addressed. This study evaluates the potential benefit of an around-the-clock communication. Therefore, the effect of the communication on the antibiotic treatment and the delay of the communication during our non-office hours were measured. Over a three-month period, all blood cultures which were positive for the first time outside the normal working hours were analyzed. Two standardized telephone calls were used to compare the antibiotic treatment before and after the communication of the Gram stain result. The evaluation of the antibiotic treatment was based on the final testing result. In total, 135 patients were included. The rate of the adequate antibiotic increased by 8 percentage points to 69%. The average delay in the patients adjusted to an adequate treatment was 8:57 h (range 2:16-16:59). This prospective study shows a benefit of the immediate communication. Nevertheless, this benefit seems to be partly the result of suboptimal adherence to the guidelines regarding empirical antibiotic treatment. This prospective study has been registered in the German Clinical Trials Register under the identifier DRKS00014996 ( http://www.drks.de/DRKS00014996 ).

Modelling waste stabilisation ponds with an extended version of ASM3.

In this paper an extended version of IWA's Activated Sludge Model No 3 (ASM3) was developed to simulate processes in waste stabilisation ponds (WSP). The model modifications included the integration of algae biomass and gas transfer processes for oxygen, carbon dioxide and ammonia depending on wind velocity and a simple ionic equilibrium. The model was applied to a pilot-scale WSP system operated in the city of Florianópolis (Brazil). The system was used to treat leachate from a municipal waste landfill. Mean influent concentrations to the facultative pond of 1,456 g(COD)/m(3) and 505 g(NH4-N)/m(3) were measured. Experimental results indicated an ammonia nitrogen removal of 89.5% with negligible rates of nitrification but intensive ammonia stripping to the atmosphere. Measured data was used in the simulations to consider the impact of wind velocity on oxygen input of 11.1 to 14.4 g(O2)/(m(2) d) and sun radiation on photosynthesis. Good results for pH and ammonia removal were achieved with mean stripping rates of 18.2 and 4.5 g(N)/(m(2) d) for the facultative and maturation pond respectively. Based on measured chlorophyll a concentrations and depending on light intensity and TSS concentration it was possible to model algae concentrations.

Systematic counselling by general practitioners for promoting physical activity in elderly patients: a feasibility study.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS: To investigate how the daily physical activities of elderly patients can be enhanced by systematic counselling conducted by general practitioners (GPs). METHODS: In this feasibility study with pre-post design, 29 people (14 females, mean age 72.2 years, SD = 6.1) were enrolled during routine visits by two general practitioners. A baseline assessment of current physical activity based on the stages according to the Transtheoretical Model was followed by a counselling session. The target behaviour was defined by performance of 30 minutes of daily moderate-intensity activities that increase the breathing rate, on five days per week. At the 2-month follow-up, subjects were assessed for improvement in stage of physical activity since baseline. After the end of the intervention, participating GPs and patients were asked questions focusing on the feasibility, acceptance and usefulness of counselling. RESULTS: Interview results showed that the two GPs considered the counselling protocol easy to handle and useful for promoting physical activity. Counselling sessions were especially encouraging for the not sufficiently active people. Most of them would like to have additional counselling session. At baseline, 9 of 29 people were sufficiently active. After 2 months, this proportion was 21 of 29. The mean of the number of minutes of physical activity during the previous 4 weeks increased from 247 to 436 minutes (weekly). CONCLUSIONS: The programme was judged positively by the general practitioners and the participating elderly patients. Systematic counselling by general practitioners led to an increase in the physical activity behaviour. Therefore, a more rigorous randomised controlled trial with adequate followup is recommended.

Is there a relationship between children's mental disorders and their ideal family constructs?

Psychiatric outpatients (N = 72) and nonclinical children (N = 72) from 1st to 12th grades portrayed their families as they wished they were (ideal representation), using the Family System Test (FAST), a figure placement technique that focuses on cohesion and hierarchy. Results showed that constructs of ideal family relations were related to age group (1st to 3rd graders versus 4th to 12th graders) and to clinical status (clinical versus nonclinical) but not to the type of mental disorder. First, younger children portrayed less cohesion than did older ones. Second, clinical respondents were less likely to represent cohesive family patterns and were more likely to report ideal family situations as special events. Results are discussed from a developmental as well as from a family systems perspective.

Are preventive HIV interventions at airports effective?

BACKGROUND: Few empirical data exist on the impact of preventive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) interventions on intended and actual sexual behavior of international tourists. The present cross-sectional study is based on a 2 3 2 design. METHODS: The sample consisted of departing and arriving passengers (n = 3100) at Zurich Airport with destinations in countries where heterosexual HIV transmission is dominant. While 41% of the tourists obtained information about safer sex, the remaining 59% without such intervention served as control group. Departing passengers completed a short questionnaire focusing on their planned sexual behavior. Arriving passengers were asked about their actual behavior during the journey. Subjects of the intervention group also evaluated the impact of the consultation. RESULTS: Most travelers appreciated the intervention and reported that they received important information. Members of the intervention group were better informed than those of the control group about the risk of heterosexually transmitted HIV infection (p <.01). They also indicated more often that they could imagine having casual sex abroad (23% vs 16%, p <.01). However, the two groups did not differ with regard to planned condom use or actual sexual behavior. Whereas most of departing passengers indicated that they would use condoms consistently, only half of the passengers who reported casual sex actually did so. Subjects who refused to participate in the intervention tended to consider it as irrelevant and reported less consistent condom use. CONCLUSIONS: Although travel health interventions focusing on casual sex are appreciated and increase the knowledge, they failed to result in significant behavior modification. Future projects should attempt to approach possible risk groups more specifically and to have more impact.

Liquid chromatographic analysis of incurred amoxicillin residues in catfish muscle following oral administration of the drug.

Improper application of antibiotic chemicals to livestock and aquaculture species may lead to the occurrence of residues in food supplies. An appropriate depletion period is needed after the administration of drugs to animals for ensuring that residues in edible tissues are below established tolerance levels. This study was conducted to determine incurred amoxicillin residues in catfish muscle following oral administration. Dosed fish were harvested after four depletion periods, and muscle fillets were analyzed for amoxicillin residues using an HPLC method with precolumn derivatization and fluorescence detection. The residue levels in fish after a 6-h depletion ranged from 40 to 64 ng/g with one exception at 297 ng/g. Average residue levels decreased to 5.4 and 2. 8 ng/g after 24- and 48-h depletions, respectively. Residue levels after a 72-h depletion decreased to below the method's limit of quantitation (1.2 ng/g). An LC-MS/MS confirmatory method was developed. Confirmation of the presence of amoxicillin was demonstrated in incurred fish samples containing residues at approximately 50-300 ng/g.

Liquid chromatographic determination of sulfadiazine in salmon by postcolumn derivatization and fluorescence detection.

A reversed-phase (ODS-2) liquid chromatographic method was developed to determine low nanogram-per-gram levels of sulfadiazine (SDZ) in salmon muscle tissue. SDZ was extracted with acetonitrile-aqueous 2% acetic acid (pH 3.0), partitioned into methylene chloride, and cleaned up by using a strong-cation-exchange, solid-phase extraction cartridge. SDZ was derivatized postcolumn with fluorescamine and detected by fluorescence. The limit of detection was 0.2 ng SDZ/g tissue. Recoveries from coho salmon tissue fortified with 1, 5, 10, and 20 ng SDZ/g tissue averaged 84.5, 85.0, 83.6, and 83.9%, respectively; recoveries from Atlantic salmon tissue fortified with 10 ng SDZ/g tissue averaged 82.6%.

Determination of sulfonamides in edible salmon tissue by liquid chromatography with postcolumn derivatization and fluorescence detection.

Fourteen sulfonamides-sulfanilamide, sulfadiazine, sulfathiazole, sulfapyridine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethizole, sulfamethoxypyridazine, sulfachloropyridazine, sulfamonomethoxine, sulfadoxine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfadimethoxine, and sulfaquinoxoline-residues of which could be found in aquacultured species, were separated in < 25 min by reversed-phase (C18) liquid chromatography (LC) with gradient elution. Analytes were extracted from edible salmon tissue (muscle and adhering skin) with acetonitrile-2% aqueous acetic acid, isolated with 2 liquid-liquid partitionings, and derivatized with fluorescamine after eluting from the column. The derivatives were detected by fluorescence. Recoveries (n = 4) from coho salmon fortified with sulfonamides at 5, 10, and 20 ng/g tissue averaged 79.7 +/- 7.3, 84.6 +/- 7.7, and 88.2 +/- 7.1%, respectively. Limits of quantitation were 5 ng/g tissue, for sulfanilamide, sulfamethoxypyridazine, and sulfaquinoxoline and 1 ng/g tissue for the remaining sulfonamides.

Liquid chromatographic determination of thiamine in rodent feed by postcolumn derivatization and fluorescence detection.

A liquid chromatographic method was developed for determination of the essential nutrient thiamine (vitamin B1) in rodent feed. Thiamine was extracted with hydrochloric acid, separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography, derivatized postcolumn to thiochrome with potassium hydroxide and potassium ferricyanide, and detected by fluorescence. Excitation and emission wavelengths were 370 and 430 nm, respectively. Detector response was linear in the range of 2.58 to 15.5 ng of thiamine injected. Instrument detection limit was 5 pg of thiamine injected.

[Meaning of health and illness in change: consequences for patient care]. / Gesundheitsbewusstsein und Krankheitsverständnis im Wandel: Konsequenzen für die Patientenversorgung.

Consequences for Patient Care Medical science and education is dealing with illness, health and healing. But what is health? How does it work? It is a paradox that we know a lot about illness, but in general we do not know much about the effects how to become healthy, how to restore our health. Other sciences gave us more hints for the reasons that are summarized in this article. In order to take care for better circumstances in our social and medical system we should promote all ways to get better informed patients with a sense of responsibility and to give them the right of self-determination. Finally we are giving an example how to achieve patients well trained in conserving or in restoring their health: 'Strukturiertes Gesundheitstraining'.

Stages of change for perceived stress in a Swiss population sample: an explorative study.

OBJECTIVES: Data from a cross-sectional survey of the Swiss general population were used in an explorative attempt to apply the transtheoretical model of behavioural change to perceived stress. METHODS: The sample comprised 575 respondents who reported having experienced stressful situations in the previous month. Other variables assessed included gender, age, education, reported symptoms, and three constructs representing stages and processes of change as well as self-efficacy. RESULTS: Findings indicated that (1) about one third of respondents appeared to cope successfully with the stressful situations they experienced, one third intended to do so, while one quarter appeared to have no intention of managing their stress more effectively. (2) There was no difference in stage of change distribution by gender or age, while those with higher education were more frequently represented in the latter stages than those with lower education. (3) Those in the maintenance stage reported significantly less symptoms than others. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the assessment of readiness to change could be of valuable support in designing stage-specific interventions in the area of stress management.

[Quality management and research. A pragmatic concept for evaluation and optimization of complementary medicine within the framework of hospital and practitioner relations]. / Qualitätsmanagement mit Forschungsbegleitung. Ein pragmatisches Konzept zur Evaluation und Optimierung von Naturheilverfahren im Rahmen eines Klinik- und Praxisverbundes.

Objective of the concept "Quality Management and Research" is to evaluate and optimize Complementary Medicine (CM) within everyday-practice in a network of hospitals and practitioners. In a step by step-strategy the concept should give information about quality on the levels of structure, process and outcome for and about patients and providers. Therefore special profiles of quality should be determined. In a next step preinterventionally defined goals of therapies have to be proofed for being achieved at admission or at the end of the intervention. To enable decision-making for patients, physicians and insurance companies profiles of quality should be compared within the specialized network and/or with mainstream providers. Asking for high evidence it is necessary to conduct randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A main interest of the program is to integrate the concept into routine practice of the network and to build up a data-collection-centre at the university in order to improve the providing system and to create new tools for practice-based medical research.

Evaluation of family structures with figure placement techniques.

The relevance of figure placement techniques for analyzing family cohesion and hierarchy structures in various settings is described and the completion of further studies including these instruments is suggested.

[Computer-assisted smoking cessation]. / Computergestützte Raucherentwöhnung.

Though the prevalence of cigarette smoking has declined it still remains the leading cause of premature death from chronic disease. In the prevention of tobacco associated disease the promotion of smoking cessation is a key strategy. This article presents a smoking cessation program based on the transtheoretical model, an empirical model distinguishing five stages of behavioral change. Specific interventions are matched to the current stage of change. Smokers in the intervention program repeatedly fill in questionnaires about their smoking habits, attitudes and strategies in the smoking cessation process. The individual questionnaires are analyzed by a computerized expert system which creates letters with comments on the smoking cessation process and suggestions for further steps from a pool of feedback paragraphs. A further component of the program are five stage-matched brochures. The efficacy of the expert system and its potential impact on Public Health are discussed.

[The Family System Test: a 3-dimensional method for analyzing social relation structures]. / Der Familiensystem-Test (FAST): Eine drei-dimensionale Methode zur Analyse sozialer Beziehungsstrukturen.

The Family System Test (FAST) is a clinically-derived figure placement technique designed for a three-dimensional representation of cohesion and power in the family. The FAST measures individual and group perceptions in typical, ideal and conflict situations. The flexibility of family structures is assessed by comparing representations of these situations. Scoring procedures as well as validity and reliability of the FAST are described. The relevance of the FAST is discussed from a systemic, developmental and clinical perspective.

The Family System Test: differences in perception of family structures between nonclinical and clinical children.

Nonclinical respondents and psychiatric outpatients (N = 400) between the first and twelfth grades portrayed their families as they perceived them in typical and in conflict situations using the Family System Test (FAST), a figure placement technique that focuses on cohesion and hierarchy in the family. Results showed that typical representations were influenced by whether a respondent was a patient or not, but not by the type of mental disorder. Clinical respondents were less likely to represent their families as being either cohesive, moderately hierarchical or as having clear generational boundaries. In conflict representations, both clinical and nonclinical respondents indicated low cohesion in family patterns. Results were interpreted from a family systems approach as well as from a clinical perspective.