Modeling MBR fouling: A critical review analysis towards establishing a framework for good modeling practices.

This study critically analyses filtration process modeling in membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology. More specifically, the variety of approaches and assumptions considered within a curated selection of resistance-in-series (RIS) filtration models found in the literature is critically assessed. Aimed to move towards good filtration process modeling practices, the basis for establishing a unified framework rooted in the fundamentals of membrane fouling is defined in this work, considering fouling classifications, process dynamics, and underlying processes used by different authors for elucidating membrane fouling phenomena.

Optimization of MBRs through integrated modelling: A state of the art.

The optimization of integrated membrane bioreactors (MBRs) models is of paramount importance in view of reducing the costs, greenhouse gas emissions or enhancing the water quality. On this behalf, this paper, produced by the International Water Association (IWA) Task Group on Membrane modelling and control, reviews the current state-of-the-art regarding the control and optimization of integrated MBR models. Whether aerobic or anaerobic, such modelling allows the consideration of specific functioning conditions and optimization problems together with the estimation and monitoring of Performance Index (PIs).

Benefits of Living Over Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation in Elderly Recipients. A Propensity Score Matched Analysis of a Large European Registry Cohort.

Although kidney transplantation from living donors (LD) offers better long-term results than from deceased donors (DD), elderly recipients are less likely to receive LD transplants than younger ones. We analyzed renal transplant outcomes from LD versus DD in elderly recipients with a propensity-matched score. This retrospective, observational study included the first single kidney transplants in recipients aged ≥65 years from two European registry cohorts (2013-2020, n = 4,257).

Presence of Intestinal Parasites in Patients with Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in Masaya (Nicaragua).

Aims: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Masaya (Nicaragua) to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasite (IP) infections in patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and to determine the associations between the types of NCDs and patients' epidemiological characteristics of infection.

Methods: A total of 157 preserved faecal samples were examined (direct wet mount, formalin/ethyl acetate concentration and modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique). Microscopically positive faecal sample identification was completed by conducting a molecular study.

Enhancing reclaimed water distribution network resilience with cost-effective meshing.

Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) are critical infrastructures that ensure a continuous supply of safe water to homes. In the face of challenges, like water scarcity, establishing resilient networks is imperative, especially in regions vulnerable to water crises. This study evaluates the resilience of network designs through graph theory, including its hydraulic feasibility using EPANET software, an aspect often overlooked.

What does it take to renature cities? An expert-based analysis of barriers and strategies for the implementation of nature-based solutions.

This paper uses an expert-based methodology to survey the barriers and strategies related to the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS). The ambition of the paper is to offer a bird's eye overview of the difficulties encountered by NBS deployment and ways to overcome them. With a wide participation of 80 experts from COST Action Circular City, we identify barriers specific to 35 pre-defined NBS of the following four categories: Vertical Greening Systems and Green Roofs; Food and Biomass Production; Rainwater Management; and Remediation, Treatment, and Recovery.

Preoperative Progressive Pneumoperitoneum in the Treatment of Hernias With Loss of Domain. Our Experience in 50 Cases.

Surgical planning for repair of giant hernias with loss of domain needs to consider patient comorbidities, potential risks and possible postoperative complications. Some postoperative complications are related to the increase in intra-abdominal pressure caused by the reintroduction of abdominal contents into the peritoneal space. Preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum (PPP) increases the capacity of abdominal cavity prior to hernia repair and allows for better physiological postoperative adaptation.

ediblecity: an R package to model and estimate the benefits of urban agriculture.

Urban agriculture is gaining attraction to become one of the pillars of the urban ecological transition and to increase food security in an urbanized planet. However, there is a lack of systematic quantification of the benefits provided by urban agriculture solutions. In this paper, we present an R package to estimate several indicators related to benefits of urban agriculture.

Changes in vascular access profile for pediatric hemodialysis patients over time: A registry-based study from Catalonia.

Background: The criteria for vascular access (VA) selection in pediatric hemodialysis (HD) population has changed over time until the current patient-centered approach using the individualized Life-Plan. We analyzed the type of VA used by incident and prevalent end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) pediatric patients (pts) treated with HD in Catalonia.

Method: Data from the Catalan Renal Registry of ESKD pts under 18 years of age undergoing kidney replacement therapy (KRT) were examined for a 22-year period (1997-2018).

Final Stage of Chronic Kidney Disease with Conservative Kidney Management or Renal Replacement Therapy: A Primary-Care Population Study.

Background: Studies focus on the incidence and risk factors (RFs) associated with reaching the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD-G5) and receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Analysis of those related to reaching CKD-G5 while receiving conservative kidney management (CKM) has been neglected.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study analysing electronic health records of individuals aged ≥ 50 with eGFR < 60 mL/min/m.

Biological processes modelling for MBR systems: A review of the state-of-the-art focusing on SMP and EPS.

A mathematical correlation between biomass kinetic and membrane fouling can improve the understanding and spread of Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology, especially in solving the membrane fouling issues. On this behalf, this paper, produced by the International Water Association (IWA) Task Group on Membrane modelling and control, reviews the current state-of-the-art regarding the modelling of kinetic processes of biomass, focusing on modelling production and utilization of soluble microbial products (SMP) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The key findings of this work show that the new conceptual approaches focus on the role of different bacterial groups in the formation and degradation of SMP/EPS.

Data quality validation of the Spanish Incisional Hernia Surgery Registry (EVEREG): pilot study.

Purpose: The Spanish Incisional Hernia Surgery Registry (EVEREG) was promoted by the Abdominal Wall Section of the Spanish Association of Surgeons, starting data collection in July 2012 and currently has more than 14,000 cases. The objective of this study was to validate the data collected through a pilot audit process.

Methods: A sample of hospitals participating in the EVEREG registry since the beginning was selected.

Optimal design of water reuse networks in cities through decision support tool development and testing.

Water scarcity and droughts are an increasing issue in many parts of the world. In the context of urban water systems, the transition to circularity may imply wastewater treatment and reuse. Planning and assessment of water reuse projects require decision-makers evaluating the cost and benefits of alternative scenarios.

Second-Generation Magnesium Phosphates as Water Extractant Agents in Forward Osmosis and Subsequent Use in Hydroponics.

The recovery of nutrients from wastewater streams for their later use in agricultural fertilization is an interesting approach. Wastewater recovered magnesium phosphate (MgP) salts were used in a forward osmosis (FO) system as draw solution in order to extract water and to produce a nutrient solution to be used in a hydroponic system with lettuces (, L.).

Increasing resilience through nudges in the urban water cycle: An integrative conceptual framework to support policy decision-making.

Relevant challenges associated with the urban water cycle must be overcome to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and improve resilience. Unlike previous studies that focused only on the provision of drinking water, we propose a framework that extends the use of the theory of nudges to all stages of the overall urban water cycle (drinking water and wastewater services), and to agents of influence (citizens, organizations, and governments) at different levels of decision making. The framework integrates four main drivers (the fourth water revolution, digitalization, decentralization, and climate change), which influence how customers, water utilities and regulators approach the challenges posed by the urban water cycle.

[The associative approach, a force for progress in a context of Covid-19].

The pioneering national association "TousPartenairesCovid" dedicated to Covid long has the singularity of operating in 2.0 and cultivating transversality. In two years, it has built up an unprecedented database based on online surveys, worked with the French National Authority for Health and regional health agencies, and designed digital tools including the "Covid long" adult, child and adolescent referral algorithm in partnership with the French National Health Insurance Fund.

Landfill Leachate Treatment by Using Second-Hand Reverse Osmosis Membranes: Long-Term Case Study in a Full-Scale Operating Facility.

Landfill leachate (LFL) has a complex inorganic, organic and microbiological composition. Although pressure-driven membrane technology contributes to reaching the discharge limits, the need for frequent membrane replacement (typically every 1-3 years) is an economical and environmental limitation. The goal of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of using second-hand reverse osmosis (RO) membranes to treat LFL in an industrially relevant environment.

Effect of kidney replacement therapy modality after first kidney graft failure on second kidney transplantation outcomes.

Background: There is a lack of information regarding which is the best dialysis technique after kidney transplant (KT) failure. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of kidney replacement therapy modality-peritoneal dialysis (TX-PD-TX), haemodialysis (TX-HD-TX) and preemptive deceased donor retransplantation (TX-TX) on patient survival and second KT outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective observational study from the Catalan Renal Registry was carried out.

Haemodialysis access profile in failed kidney transplant patients: Analysis of data from the Catalan Renal Registry (1998-2016).

Background: Data about vascular access (VA) use in failed kidney transplant (KT) patients returning to haemodialysis (HD) are limited. We analysed the VA profile of these patients, the factors associated with the likelihood of HD re-initiation through fistula (AVF) and the effect of VA in use at the time of KT on kidney graft (KTx) outcome.

Method: Data from the Catalan Registry on failed KT patients restarting HD and incident HD patients with native kidney failure were examined over an 18-year period.

In Situ Monitoring and Quantitative Determination of R27 Plasmid Conjugation.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) by plasmid conjugation is a major driving force in the spread of antibiotic resistance among . Most of the conjugation studies are based on calculation of conjugation ratios (number of transconjugants/number of donors) after viable counting of transconjugant and donor cells. The development of robust, fast and reliable techniques for in situ monitoring and quantification of conjugation ratios might accelerate progress in understanding the impact of this cellular process in the HGT.

Impact of Food Origin Strains on the Human Intestinal Microbiota in an System.

We have previously isolated and characterized food-dwelling strains of () that are consumed naturally as part of the microbiota of table olives and raw milk cheeses. Despite being consumed at relatively high levels, the impact of such strains on the human gut microbiota is currently unclear. In the current study we evaluated the potential impact of food-dominant strains on the human gut microbiota using a continuous fecal fermentation system.

Effect of kidney transplantation activity on arteriovenous fistula use in prevalent haemodialysis patients: A registry-based study.

Background: Kidney transplantation (KT) is considered to be the best kidney replacement therapy (KRT) option for most end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is considered to be the best vascular access (VA) for most haemodialysis (HD) patients. In this study, we investigated the effect of KT activity on AVF use in prevalent HD patients.

Exploring the limitations of forward osmosis for direct hydroponic fertigation: Impact of ion transfer and fertilizer composition on effective dilution.

There is a need for water reuse technologies and applications to minimize the imminent water crisis, caused by the world population growth, the reduction of freshwater resources and the increasing water pollution. Fertilizer-drawn forward osmosis (FDFO) is a promising process capable of simultaneously extracting fresh water from low-quality sources as feed water (e.g.

Phage-Mediated Explosive Cell Lysis Induces the Formation of a Different Type of O-IMV in M7.

M7 is a cold-adapted Antarctic bacterium that has a great capacity to secrete membrane vesicles (MVs), making it a potentially excellent model for studying the vesiculation process. M7 undergoes a blebbing mechanism to produce different types of MVs, including outer membrane vesicles and outer-inner membrane vesicles (O-IMVs). More recently, other mechanisms have been considered that could lead to the formation of O-IMVs derived from prophage-mediated explosive cell lysis in other bacteria, but it is not clear if they are of the same type.