Removal of Arsenic in Groundwater Using Fe(III) Oxyhydroxide Coated Sand: A Case Study in Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Because of its threat to the quality of freshwater resources and human health, arsenic (As) pollution is important to scientific communities and policymakers around the world. The Mekong Delta, Vietnam, is one hotspot of As pollution. Its risk assessment of different environmental components has been well documented; however, very few studies focus on As removal techniques. Considering this information gap, this study aimed to investigate the performance of an innovative and low-cost treatment system using Fe(III)-oxyhydroxide (FeOOH) coated sand to remove As(III) from aqueous solution. Batch and column experiments were conducted at a laboratory scale in order to study removal kinetics and efficiency. Experimental results indicated that the adsorption isotherm of As(III) on FeOOH coated sand using Langmuir and Freundlich models have high regression factors of 0.987 and 0.991, respectively. The batch adsorption experiment revealed that contact time was approximately 8 h for rough saturation (kinetic test). The concentration of As(III) in effluents at flow rates of 0.6 L/h, 0.9 L/h, and 1.8 L/h ranged from 1.1 µg/L to 1.7 µg/L. Results from this study indicated that FeOOH coated sand columns were effective in removing As(III) from water, with a removal efficiency of 99.1%. Ultimately, FeOOH coated sand filtration could be a potential treatment system to reduce As(III) in the domestic water supply in remote areas of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta.

Factors Affecting Patient Satisfaction Related to Cost and Treatment Effectiveness in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results From the Multicenter Observational Cohort Study, FRANK Registry

Background. To further improve treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it is necessary to understand each RA patient satisfaction and to identify the factors affecting patient satisfaction. Despite of escalation of medical cost for RA, the affected factors of satisfaction for cost of treatment in RA patients has been little known.Methods. This is a multicenter observational study of RA patients at Fukuoka, Japan from the FRANK registry, and has been analyzed the initial registered data from March 2017 to August 2020. We collected data on demographic characteristics, clinical data, quality of life, which was assessed using the EuroQol 5-dimensional questionnaire (EQ5D), and patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction was individually assessed by the four categories (i.e., cost, treatment efficacy, activities of daily living [ADL], and global treatment satisfaction). We analyzed the factors affected with each patient satisfaction, such as age, sex, EQ5D, disease duration, disease activity, and treatment.Results. This study included 2,235 RA outpatients (406 males, 1829 females). At the initial registration, “Very satisfied” and “Satisfied” were given for almost half of each satisfaction aspect (cost: 49%; effecacy: 72%; ADL: 58%; global treatment: 66%) in RA patients. To investigate the affected factors for each satisfaction, multivariate analysis has revealed that the use of b/tsDMARDs increased satisfaction of treatment effect (odds ratio [OR] 0.67) and ADL (OR 0.79), but decreased cost satisfaction (OR 2.24). Aging (50-64 years: OR 0.90, 65-74 years: 0.56, ≥75 years: 0.36), female (OR 0.80), and history of musculoskeletal surgery (OR 0.60) increased cost satisfaction. All aspects of patient satisfaction were elevated in those with lower disease activity and higher score of EQ5D. Conclusions. Patient satisfaction in terms of cost, treatment effect, ADL, and global treatment was generally better in this study, but still remained some patient with unsatisfaction. Cost of satisfaction was increased with aging and having the history of musculoskeletal surgery, and decreased in lower EQ5D score, and the use of b/tsDMARDs.

Enhancing Pedestrian Safety through the Development of Advanced Operational Strategies for Crosswalks in Residential Areas

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable group in the traffic. Every year approximately 40,000 pedestrians are killed in the world due to road traffic crashes. In the state of Qatar, the situations are even worse with around one-third of the total road traffic deaths coming from pedestrians. The main aim of this driving simulator study was to investigate the impact of different measures on driving behavior. To this end, five different treatments were tested and compared with the untreated condition. The treatment conditions included two detection-based measures (i.e., Variable Message Sign VMS and LED), two different road-marking conditions (i.e., Zigzag marking and road narrowing marking) and a physical road narrowing condition. Each condition was tested with a yield/stop controlled marked crosswalk for two situations. In the first situation (Situation PA) there was no pedestrian at the crosswalk, while the second situation was based on the presence of a pedestrian (Situation PP). The experiment was conducted using the driving simulator at Qatar University. Sixty-one volunteers possessing a valid Qatari driving license participated in the study. The collected data was analyzed for drivers’ yielding rates, vehicle-pedestrian interactions, and driving speed. The results showed that the three conditions, i.e., VMS, Narrowing and Physical were effective in improving drivers’ yielding rate up to 98.2%. In addition, we found that all the treatment conditions were effective in reducing drivers’ travel speed in Situation PP. Nevertheless, in the situation with no pedestrian present, the physical road narrowing outperformed the other conditions in terms of reducing travel speed. Taking into account the results from this study, we recommend Physical condition as a potentially effective and low-cost treatment for improving safety at yield/stop controlled crosswalks.

Experimental Study for Sand Filter Backwash Water Management: Low-Cost Treatment for Recycling and Residual Sludge Utilization for Radium Removal

Management of backwash water (BW) generated from sand filtration of groundwater naturally contaminated with iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and radium (Ra) remains a challenge worldwide. The present study investigated the effectiveness of a low-cost clay ceramic filter for BW recycling along with residual sludge utilization for Ra removal from BW. A 15 day continuous ceramic filtration process operated at a constant flux of 2000 L/m2/d (83 LMH) showed 99% removal of Fe, Mn, and turbidity. The treated BW was found suitable for recycling back to the sand filters. Subsequently, the residual sand filter backwash sludge (BS) was collected, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction, and examined as a potential adsorbent to the Ra. Results showed that the sludge constituted heterogeneous basic elements, with higher percentages of iron and manganese oxides. The sludge can be classified as typical mesoporous and poorly crystalline minerals consisting primarily of quartz and Mn2O3. Over 60% of Ra from the initial 2.1 bq/L could be removed by sludge in 30 min at neutral pH. The adsorption kinetics of sludge described well by the pseudo-second order model and Ra adsorption on the sludge were mainly controlled by chemisorption rate-controlling steps, intraparticle diffusion, and external mass transfer processes. Treatment of BW by low-cost clay ceramic filters and the utilization the BS for Ra removal would be a sustainable sand filter BW management practice.

Performance Evaluation of Laboratory Scale Vegetated Vermifilter for Domestic Wastewater

Locally as well as globally, the Collection and treatment of wastewater are seen to have an impact on the environment and economy in one way or the other. Designing a system that minimizes this effect to the best possible scenario is of paramount importance, adding to greater sustainability in terms of economic, environmental, and social terms. The solutions such as on-site treatment of wastewater, local recycling, and reuse of resources contained in domestic wastewater (predominantly water itself) can be best summed up as Decentralized treatment of sewage which appears to be a coherent solution to address sustainability. Vermifiltration is a low-cost aerobic decentralized wastewater treatment option. Two lab-scale vertical flow filters are designed in this project, with both being assisted by Canna indica (MAVF), but only one introduced with Eisenia fetida. The experimental phase continued for 5 weeks with a hydraulic loading rate of 0.14 m3 m -2 day-1 with an acclimatization period of 15 days. The results depicted that MAVF has a better organic degradation capacity than the one without earthworms alone. The quality of wastewater is determined by Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) to a great extent. Removal efficiencies of COD were 67 % for MAVF and 55 % for MAF, while for BOD, it was 80 % for MAVF and 69 % for MAF, respectively. The BOD and COD tests were assisted by other parameters like pH, and turbidity. Keywords: Domestic wastewater, Decentralized treatment, Aerobic treatment, Macrophyte Assisted Vermifilter (MAVF), Macrophyte Assisted Filter (MAF), Sustainability, Low-Cost Treatment, Canna Indica, Eisenia Fetida

Modelling Faecal Sludge Dewatering Processes in Drying Beds Based on the Results from Tete, Mozambique

Currently, in sub-Saharan African countries, 65 to 100% of the urban population is served by on-site sanitation systems, typically pit latrines and septic tanks. Faecal sludge dewatering in drying beds is one of the most commonly adopted low-cost treatment technologies in developing countries due to favourable climate conditions in terms of temperature and radiation and because their operation and maintenance are simple. Nevertheless, research in tropical dry zones regarding these processes is scarce. In this paper, a mathematical model for faecal sludge dewatering in sludge drying beds (SDBs) focusing on gravity drainage and evaporation processes is presented and discussed. Experimental campaigns were carried out at a pilot site in Tete, Mozambique, to determine the model parameters. The results suggest that the model can be used to estimate, in similar situations, the dewatering process of different types of faecal sludge. The present research might be considered as a contribution to the design and operation of SDBs, supporting sludge management and allowing the estimation of drying times and optimal loading cycles, namely, the sludge thickness and final moisture content.

Variation in brief treatment for substance use disorder: a qualitative investigation of four federally qualified health centers with SBIRT services

Background Brief treatment (BT) can be an effective, short-term, and low-cost treatment option for many people who misuse alcohol and drugs. However, inconsistent implementation is suggested to result in BT that often looks and potentially costs similar to regular outpatient care. Prior research is also rife with inconsistent operationalizations regarding the measurement of BT received by patients. As such, there is a need to more explicitly identify and document variations in BT practice. Methods A qualitative investigation of BT in four Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) was undertaken as a sub study of a larger clinical trial. Researchers interviewed 12 staff (administrators and clinicians) involved in BT oversight, referral, or delivery within the four FQHCs. Data were analyzed following an inductive approach guided by the primary research questions. Results Findings demonstrate considerable differences in how BT was conceptualized and implemented within the FQHCs. This included a variety of ways in which BT was presented and described to patients that likely impacts how they perceive the BT they receive, including potentially not understanding they received substance use disorder treatment at all. Conclusions The findings raise questions regarding the validity of prior research, demonstrating more objective definitions of BT and fidelity checklists are needed to ensure integrity of results. Future work in this area should seek to understand BT as practiced among a larger sample of providers and the direct experiences and perspectives of patients. There is also a need for more consistent implementation, quality assurance guidelines, and standardized stage of change assessments to aid practitioners.

Performance of rapid diagnostic tests for HCV infection in serum or plasma

Aim: HCV diagnosis will become the bottleneck in eliminating hepatitis C. Simple, accurate and cost-effective testing strategies are urgently needed to improve hepatitis C screening and diagnosis. Materials & methods: Performance of seven rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) have been assessed in a large series (n = 498) of serum or plasma specimens collected in France and in Cameroon. Results: Specificity varied from 96.1 to 100%. The clinical sensitivity, compared with immunoassays as the reference, was high for all seven RDT (97.2–100%). The Multisure HCV antibody assay and OraQuick HCV rapid antibody test reached sensitivity ≥99%. Conclusion: A number of RDT may be suitable for WHO prequalification and may be implemented in the framework of large-scale low-cost treatment programs to achieve the WHO viral hepatitis objectives by 2030.

Removal of Toxic Elements and Microbial Contaminants from Groundwater Using Low-Cost Treatment Options

Purpose of Review This paper reviews various low-cost treatment techniques such as adsorption, permeable reactive barrier, and biological techniques for the simultaneous removal of chemical and microbial contaminants from groundwater and discusses treatment mechanisms of different treatment techniques. This paper also discusses the challenges of groundwater treatment, how to choose the appropriate treatment technique, and cost analysis of groundwater treatment. Recent Findings Various treatment technologies have been used for the treatment of groundwater: physical, chemical, and biological technologies with different success rates. In the literature, various adsorbents have been successfully synthesized from low-cost and environmentally friendly materials. Adsorption is considered an efficient treatment technique for the removal of both toxic elements and pathogens by utilizing different adsorbents. For example, the nanostructures of MgO with a BET surface area of up to 171 m2/g obtained a very high adsorption capacity of 29,131 mg/g for fluoride ions in water, while the incorporation of iron in activated carbon has improved its adsorption capacity to 51.3 mg/g for arsenic. Moreover, certain adsorbents have shown the capability to remove 99% of the rotavirus and adenovirus from groundwater. Summary Groundwater resources are contaminated with toxic metals and pathogens. Therefore, water treatment technologies should be evaluated for their efficiency to remove such contaminants. Determination of the most cost-effective and efficient treatment technique is not an easy task and requires the understanding of various aspects such as the contaminants present in water, the reuse options considered, and cost analysis of the treatment technique.