Current Treatment Systems Research Articles

Strain-level multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria in urban wastewater treatment plants: Transmission, source tracking and evolution

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serve as reservoirs for various pathogens and play a pivotal role in safeguarding environmental safety and public health by mitigating pathogen release. Pathogenic bacteria, known for their potential to cause fatal infections, present a significant and emerging threat to global health and remain poorly understood regarding their origins and transmission in the environment. Using metagenomic approaches, we identified a total of 299 pathogens from three full-scale WWTPs. We comprehensively elucidated the occurrence, dissemination, and source tracking of the pathogens across the WWTPs, addressing deficiencies in traditional detection strategies. While indicator pathogens in current wastewater treatment systems such as Escherichia coli are effectively removed, specific drug-resistant pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, and Aeromonas caviae, persist throughout the treatment process, challenging complete eradication efforts. The anoxic section plays a predominant role in controlling abundance but significantly contributes to downstream pathogen diversity. Additionally, evolution throughout the treatment process enhances pathogen diversity, except for upstream transmission, such as A. caviae str. WP8-S18-ESBL-04 and P. aeruginosa PAO1. Our findings highlight the necessity of expanding current biomonitoring indicators for wastewater treatment to optimize treatment strategies and mitigate the potential health risks posed by emerging pathogens. By addressing these research priorities, we can effectively mitigate risks and safeguard environmental safety and public health.

Quantifying the effects of chlorine disinfection on microplastics by time-resolved inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Using current water treatment systems, significant amounts of microplastics (MPs) are passing through and being released into the aquatic environment. However, we do not clearly know what effects disinfection processes have had on these particles. In this study, we applied inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) operating in time-resolved analysis (TRA) mode for quantifying changes in the chlorine (Cl) content of MPs under a variety of water treatment scenarios. Our results illustrated that time-resolved ICP-MS offers a potential method for sensitive and direct analysis of Cl content, including Cl mass and chlorine association (%Cl/C), of discrete particles in the MP suspension by the fast sequential measurements of signals from 35Cl1H2 and 12C1H. Our research, across various water treatment scenarios, also showed that polystyrene (PS) MPs exhibited greater reactivity to Cl disinfectant after being pre-disinfected with UV light and in mildly acidic to neutral pH environments. It is noteworthy that about half of the particles in MP suspension exposed to 10 mg Cl2/L, a typical Cl dose applied in water treatment, were chlorinated, and had a Cl content comparable to that of particles subjected to extreme conditions. Of even greater concern is the fact that our cell viability tests revealed that chlorinated MPs induced considerably higher rates of cell death in both human A549 and Caco-2 cells, and that the effects were Cl dose- and polymer type-dependent. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of time-resolved ICP-MS as a valuable technique for quantifying the Cl content of MP particles, which is crucial to assessing the fate and transformation of MPs in our water supply and treatment systems.

Efficient decaffeination with recyclable magnetic microporous carbon from renewable sources: Kinetics and isotherm analysis

Rapid global urbanization and population growth have ignited an alarming surge in emerging contaminants in water bodies, posing health risks, even at trace concentrations. To address this challenge, novel water treatment and reuse technologies are required as current treatment systems are associated with high costs and energy requirements. These drawbacks provide additional incentives for the application of cost-effective and sustainable biomass-derived activated carbon, which possesses high surface area and low toxicity. Herein, we synthesized microporous activated carbon (MAC) and its magnetic derivative (m-MAC) from tannic acid to decaffeinate contaminated aqueous solutions. Detailed characterization using SEM, BET, and PXRD revealed a very high surface area (>1800 m2/g) and a highly porous, amorphous, heterogeneous sponge-like structure. Physicochemical and thermal analyses using XPS, TGA, and EDS confirmed thermal stability, unique surface moieties, and homogeneous elemental distribution. High absorption performance (>96 %) and adsorption capacity (287 and 394 mg/g) were recorded for m-MAC and MAC, respectively. Mechanistic studies showed that the sorption of caffeine is in tandem with multilayer and chemisorptive mechanisms, considering the models’ correlation and error coefficients. π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding were among the interactions that could facilitate MAC-Caffeine and m-MAC-Caffeine bonding interactions. Regeneration and reusability experiments revealed adsorption efficiency ranging from 90.5 to 98.4 % for MAC and 88.6–93.7 % for m-MAC for five cycles. Our findings suggest that MAC and its magnetic derivative are effective for caffeine removal, and potentially other organic contaminants with the possibility of developing commercially viable and cost-effective water polishing tools.

The fate and transport of neonicotinoid insecticides and their metabolites through municipal wastewater treatment plants in South China

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) have gained widespread usage as the most prevalent class of insecticides globally and are frequently detected in the environment, posing potential risks to biodiversity and human health. Wastewater discharged from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a substantial source of environmental NEOs. However, research tracking NEO variations in different treatment units at the WWTPs after being treated by the treatment processes remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively investigate the fate of nine parent NEOs (p-NEOs) and five metabolites in two municipal WWTPs using distinct treatment processes. The mean concentrations of ∑NEOs in influent (effluent) for the UNITANK, anaerobic–anoxic–oxic (A2/O), and cyclic activated sludge system (CASS) processes were 189 ng/L (195 ng/L), 173 ng/L (177 ng/L), and 123 ng/L (138 ng/L), respectively. Dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, and clothianidin were the most abundant p-NEOs in the WWTPs. Conventional wastewater treatment processes were ineffective in removing NEOs from wastewater (−4.91% to −12.1%), particularly major p-NEOs. Moreover, the behavior of the NEOs in various treatment units was investigated. The results showed that biodegradation and sludge adsorption were the primary mechanisms responsible for eliminating NEO. An anoxic or anaerobic treatment unit can improve the removal efficiency of NEOs during biological treatment. However, the terminal treatment unit (chlorination disinfection tank) did not facilitate the removal of most of the NEOs. The estimated total amount of NEOs released from WWTPs to receiving waters in the Pearl River of South China totaled approximately 6.90–42.6 g/d. These findings provide new insights into the efficiency of different treatment processes for removing NEOs in current wastewater treatment systems.

Efficiency of green synthesised carbon nanotubes from Moringa oleifera leaf extract as potential toxic metals adsorbent in polluted water

Abstract Among the many drawbacks of the current wastewater treatment systems are their high energy consumption and creation of harmful sludge. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are advantageous for the treatment of water due to their strong adsorption capacity and selectivity towards various pollutants. Thus, creating methods for treating water by producing CNTs from Moringa oleifera leaf extract can greatly help with the clean water problem. The synthesised material’s Ultra Visible (260–385 nm), FTIR (764–3295 cm−1) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) characterizations have demonstrated their CNTs characteristics. The repeatability testing yielded the %RSD values for Ca = 0.4, Cu = 0.24, Mg = 0.9, Pb = 1.06 and Zn = 0.36 which suggest that the AES approach demonstrated a high degree of precision. The findings show that the quantity of recovered metals increases with retention period. Mg > Cu > Zn > Ca > Pb was the order of the metal adsorption capacity throughout retention durations of 3, 6, 24, and 48 h. As the initial concentrations of the components under research were doubled and tripled, so were the removal capacities of CNTs increased which may be as a result of an increase in metal ions in the solution. The outcomes show how well the synthetic CNTs can remove heavy metals from wastewater.

Harnessing Protein Waste into Reduced Graphitic Carbon Oxide‐Copper‐Collagen Nanocomposite for Visible Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Nano Plastics

AbstractNano and micro plastics are harmful to the aqueous environment and the current treatment systems are either ineffective or expensive, which restricts their widespread use. In this research, reduced graphitic carbon oxide (rGO)‐Cu nanoparticles crosslinked with collagen support (rGO‐Cu/Coll) are employed as an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of polystyrene (PS) nano plastics in water. It is shown that rGO‐Cu/Coll nanocomposite can degrade PS nano plastics when subjected to simulated visible light and direct sunlight. In the photocatalytic degradation of PS nano plastics, the reactive radical species (•OH and O2•−) produced on the surfaces of rGO‐Cu/Coll nanocomposite materials play major roles in de‐polymerization. The investigation of the FESEM, Raman, and UV–vis spectra of the irradiated and non‐irradiated samples reveal observable changes, including the distorted morphology and formation of a new band, with longer exposure times and greater degradation. Additionally, evidence for the photodegradation of PS chains is demonstrated by the observed increase in the intensities of the carboxylate, carbonyl, and hydroxyl absorption regions of the ATR‐FTIR spectra. The study provides a simple approach to the battle against plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems using green photocatalysts under visible light including direct sunlight without consuming additional energy.

Model parameter sensitivity and identifiability for urban river water quality: impact of domestic wastewater discharges from on-site treatment facilities

Abstract River water quality degradation is a risk to human health. Hence, many water quality models have been developed to predict the future states of water bodies and understand how the current water treatment systems will respond to future pollution loads and climatic drivers. A Japanese river was evaluated with the River Water Quality Model No.1 (RWQM1), and parameter sensitivity and identifiability analyses were executed on the model output using parameter sensitivity ranking, collinearity index, and Fisher Information Matrix-derived criterion. Among RWQM1 kinetic parameters, those related to hydrolysis, growth of aerobicheterotrophs, and first-stage nitrifiers were the most influential. Reactive soluble organic substances included in untreated gray waters, in addition to a prevalence ratio of the most advanced on-site treatment facility, strongly contributed to the model output variability. A remediation analysis revealed that a renewal to the most advanced on-site treatment facility by 20% increment was almost equivalent to the 70% decrease in the effluent concentration from an on-site treatment facility producing the highest pollutant load in terms of a BOD concentration decrease in the stream. This study provided baseline data assisting in policy implementation regarding the management of effluents from on-site treatment facilities.

Advances in deep learning: From diagnosis to treatment.

Deep learning has brought about a revolution in the field of medical diagnosis and treatment. The use of deep learning in healthcare has grown exponentially in recent years, achieving physician-level accuracy in various diagnostic tasks and supporting applications such as electronic health records and clinical voice assistants. The emergence of medical foundation models, as a new approach to deep learning, has greatly improved the reasoning ability of machines. Characterized by large training datasets, context awareness, and multi-domain applications, medical foundation models can integrate various forms of medical data to provide user-friendly outputs based on a patien's information. Medical foundation models have the potential to integrate current diagnostic and treatment systems, providing the ability to understand multi-modal diagnostic information and real-time reasoning ability in complex surgical scenarios. Future research on foundation model-based deep learning methods will focus more on the collaboration between physicians and machines. On the one hand, developing new deep learning methods will reduce the repetitive labor of physicians and compensate for shortcomings in their diagnostic and treatment capabilities. On the other hand, physicians need to embrace new deep learning technologies, comprehend the principles and technical risks of deep learning methods, and master the procedures for integrating them into clinical practice. Ultimately, the integration of artificial intelligence analysis with human decision-making will facilitate accurate personalized medical care and enhance the efficiency of physicians.

A Tariff Model for Reclaimed Water in Industrial Sectors: An Opportunity from the Circular Economy

The growth of the world’s population is associated with an increase in demand for water. The consequences of this increase are twofold: On the one hand, it endangers the water balance of the ecosystem, and on the other hand, it considerably increases the volume of wastewater generated. In this sense, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) play a fundamental role since their objective is to guarantee the quality of the effluents discharged into the environment. Moreover, current treatment systems allow for the subsequent use of the effluent. Thus, the wastewater treatment sector can be seen as an unconventional source of water, acquiring a special importance in the framework of the circular economy. In this context, water reclamation and reuse are identified as key components of water resource management. However, the economic aspects, in terms of tariff design and cost recovery, represent a major barrier to incentivizing its use. In this paper, the authors analyze these aspects and propose a tariff that combines the cost recovery, an incentive to use reclaimed water and other relevant aspects that guarantee the success of water reuse projects. With this objective, three industrial sectors are evaluated. For the first sector, the user industries would achieve a saving of approximately 10% by changing the consumption of conventional water to reclaimed water; in the second sector, they would achieve a saving of 18% and in the third sector a saving of approximately 16%. In addition to guaranteeing sustainability in the consumption of reclaimed water in industry, the viability of the supplying company is ensured. This research offers valuable results that will be useful for establishing future strategies aimed at encouraging the use of reclaimed water in industrial environments.

Effects of heavy metals on the development and proliferation of antibiotic resistance in urban sewage treatment plants

Sewage treatment plants (STPs) are considered as “hotspots” for the emergence and proliferation of antibiotic resistance. However, the impact of heavy metals contamination on dispersal of antibiotic resistance in STPs is poorly understood. This study simultaneously investigated the effect of removal of metal and antibiotic resistance as well as mobile elements at different treatment units of STPs in Delhi, India. Results showed that treatment technologies used in STPs were inefficient for the complete removal of metal and antibiotic resistance, posing an ecological risk of co-selection of antibiotic resistance. The strong correlations were observed between heavy metals, metal and antibiotic resistance, and integrons, implying that antibiotic resistance may be exacerbated in the presence of heavy metals via integrons, and that metal and antibiotic resistance share a common or closely associated mechanism. We quantified an MRG rcnA, conferring resistance to Co and Ni, and identified that it was more abundant than all MRGs, ARGs, integrons, and 16S rRNA, suggesting rcnA could be important in antibiotic resistance dissemination in the environment. The associations between heavy metals, metal and antibiotic resistance, and integrons highlight the need for additional research to better understand the mechanism of co-selection as well as to improve the removal efficacy of current treatment systems.

Trend and Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Gastroenterology Patients

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine in patients referring to the gastroentrology clinics in Mashhad. Methods: Patients responded to the questionnaire and study checklist through interviews. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS-16 statistical software.Results: This study was conducted on 751 patients referring to gastroenterologists; of whom, 274 (48.36%) were male and 476 (38.63) were female. According to the results, the most popular complementary and alternative medicine treatments were respectively herbal medicine, cupping therapy and acupuncture. A significant difference was observed in the means at is faction with complementary and alternative medicine between those who believed in it and those who did not (p=0.001); but, no significant difference was detected in mean satisfaction with complementary and alternative medicine between patients with different occupations (p=0.193). There was also a significant difference in the number of patients between the group of patients receiving chemical medication and the group of patients receiving complementary and alternative medicine therapies (p=0.005). No significant difference was found in the level of satisfaction with complementary and alternative medicine between participants referring to the gastroenterology clinics for different causes (p=0.431); nonetheless, the highest satisfaction was observed in patients with malignancy, and the lowest satisfaction was detected in patients with oesophagal disorders.Conclusion: This study indicated the high prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine in Iran. The worldwide popularity of complementary and alternative medicine should not be overlooked, therefore; current medical treatment systems need to be revised and modified.

Association between subjective well-being and perception of medical care system among patients with Marfan syndrome: A cross-sectional study.

BackgroundThis study investigated the association between subjective well‐being and perception for collaboration among clinical departments of adult Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients.MethodsWe performed a self‐administered questionnaire survey to ask about current medical treatment and support systems and subjective well‐being for 114 patients with MFS aged 18–64 years. It was hypothesized that patients’ perception of collaboration between clinical departments would raise their subjective well‐being. Mean value differences were predicted by a multiple regression analysis model, with supportive medical staff, age, sex, aorta dissection, family history, marriage status, and educational background adjusted.ResultsPatients’ perception of collaboration between clinical departments and being married raised SWLS scores (mean difference for patients’ perception of collaboration versus not = 3.41, 95% CI = 0.28, 6.53, p = .03; for married versus single = 5.22, 95% CI = 1.75, 8.69, p = .003).ConclusionOur results have suggested that it is necessary to maintain and enhance the medical treatment system with the patients for improving the subjective well‐being of MFS patients. In addition, the result indicated the need for intervention to the patients themselves and also their family so that it allows patients to receive physical and emotional support from people close to them.

Occurrence and removal of micropollutants in full-scale aerobic, anaerobic and facultative wastewater treatment plants in Brazil

This study aims to evaluate micropollutant occurrence and removal in a low-middle income country (LMIC) by investigating the occurrence of 28 chemicals from different classes (triclosan, 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 4 estrogens and 8 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners) in three technologically diverse full-scale Brazilian wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). These chemicals were detected at concentrations similar to those reported in other low-middle income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs) (0.1–49 μg/L) indicating their widespread use globally and the need for more studies in LMICs that are typically characterized by relatively inadequate wastewater treatment barriers. Among the three different WWTPs investigated for removal of these chemicals, the least energy intensive system, waste stabilization ponds (WSPs), was the most effective (95–99%) compared to the activated sludge (79–94%), and Up-flow sludge blanket reactor (UASB) with trickling filters system (89–95%). These results highlight the potential of WSPs for micropollutant removal-especially in warm climates. However, the effluent from all three WWTP could pose a risk to aquatic organisms when discharged into the receiving waters as the effluent concentrations of triclosan, some estrogens, PAHs and BDE 209 were above European environmental quality standards (EQS) or predicted no effect concentration (PNEC values), indicating that receiving water bodies could benefit from further treatment. In combination, these results help to further understand prevailing concentrations of micropollutants globally and fate in current wastewater treatment systems.

Green synthesis of Cuminum cyminum silver nanoparticles: Characterizations and cytocompatibility with lapine primary tenocytes

Current treatment systems for tendon injuries are very few and do not ensure complete cure. This is a serious health concern for sports persons and the aged population. It is known that the nano- or microsized particles of natural products such as jeera/cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum) has been used traditionally as a home remedy for the treatment of tendon injuries. Nevertheless, these particles are likely to perform better due to their smaller size, increased absorption and local delivery in conjunction with nanotechnology. In this context, the major objective of this study was to synthesize silver-capped nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Cuminum cyminum (CCE) and to assess their in vitro non-cytotoxic effect with the perspective of clinical application to enhance tendon tissue regeneration. The presence of phytochemicals in CCE was studied by qualitative and quantitative methods. Cuminum cyminum nanoparticles (CCNP) were synthesized by the bioreduction method using silver nitrate and the particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Zeta potential measurement and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antioxidant effect of the particles was studied using total antioxidant activity and reducing power assay. Simultaneously, primary Tenocytes were isolated from rabbit Achilles tendon by collagenase and dispase digestion/treatment and characterized for Type 1 collagen. Further, in vitro non-cytotoxicity of the CCNP in direct contact with L929 mouse fibroblast cells and primary Tenocytes, respectively, was evaluated by MTT assay. Physico-chemical characterizations confirmed the formation and stability of the nanosize of CCNP with antioxidant property. Again, MTT assay confirmed the non-cytotoxicity of CCNP with L929 fibroblasts and primary Tenocytes. CCNP may be attributed as an ideal candidate for therapeutic application towards a faster restoration of worn-out/injured tendon tissue confronted by the geriatric and athlete communities.

Adapting Global Service-Learning Project and Community Partnership Outcomes Using a “Tele-engineering” Approach in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Water Supply in Developing Countries (WSDC) service-learning course at Purdue University has fostered a strong partnership with the La Vega region in the Dominican Republic since 2012. During this time, an interdisciplinary group of engineering and science students has helped design drinking water treatment systems and the group has developed water, sanitation, and health (WASH) education materials. These WASH education and water safety approaches often have been conducted in person in the past. However, with the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inability to travel in the fall and spring semesters of the 2020–2021 academic year, the students have been exploring (1) the impact of the pandemic on the community schools in the La Vega province, (2) the impact of the pandemic on the current water treatment systems, and (3) possible solutions to implement a “virtual installation” of a water treatment system at our newest partner school in the community of Desecho. The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a new way that we may approach our service-learning experiences in the future. More specifically, in the future, it may be more effective to serve as a “virtual consulting firm” of engineers and consultants, rather than builders, for the implementation and design of the water treatment systems. In this way, we may facilitate a partnership that fosters community agency and solution-based approaches to technical issues are led by local community members.

Sludge Production Characteristics of SedimentationㆍDissolved Air Flotation (SeDAF) Process for Enhanced Phosphorus Removal

Objectives : In order to prevent eutrophication and algal blooms, Ministry of Environment in Korea reinforced the effluent standards of wastewater treatment facilities. As a result, many advanced wastewater treatment processes have been implemented nationwide. Current conventional treatment systems have usually been facing high operational costs and large sludge production problems. Therefore, it is essential to develop more economic and efficient process to cope with these issues.Methods : The sedimentation and dissolved air flotation (SeDAF) process has been developed, that integrates sedimentation and dissolved air flotation. Several simulation experiments were carried out to verify and optimize the operation conditions of the SeDAF process. Removal efficiencies of each water quality item and sludge mass balance were analyzed intensively in the SeDAF process using the modified jar-test.Results and Discussion : Removal efficiencies of the SeDAF process were higher and more stable than those of sedimentation process. Several ‘sludge production / coagulant dosage’ ratios were analyzed and the representative value of 4 mg･L-1 as SS / mg･L-1 as Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> was obtained in the SeDAF process. Fractions of suspended solids (SS) and total phosphorus (T-P) in sludge were measured; the ratios of flotation sludge to sedimentation sludge and fractions of flotation sludge in total sludge had their typical convergence ranges for the conditions of optimal coagulant dosage.Conclusions : The ratios or fractions of SS and T-P in sludge could be applied as the evaluation indicators of the SeDAF process. The reduction of coagulant dosage could be corresponded directly to the reduction of sludge production.

COMPARATIVO ENTRE CUSTOS OPERACIONAIS NA POTABILIZAÇÃO DE ÁGUAS SUPERFICIAIS E SUBTERRÂNEAS EM PEQUENAS CIDADES

A água constitui, um elemento de grande necessidade à manutenção da vida, além de ser considerada o composto mais abundante em nosso planeta, ocupando aproximadamente 70% da superfície do mesmo. No entanto, 97% desta água é salgada e, portanto, imprópria ou com grande dificuldade de torna-la própria para o consumo humano. Menos de 3% da água do planeta é doce, das quais 2,5% está em geleiras e os outros 0,5% de água restantes no mundo em águas superficiais ou subterrâneas. Atualmente os mananciais subterrâneos, devido a qualidade da água bruta que geralmente apresenta baixa variabilidade qualitativa, têm se mostrado uma boa alternativa como fonte de água potável, principalmente em comunidades que possuem indisponibilidade ou que precisam incrementar seus sistemas de tratamento, normalmente exclusivamente superficiais, com novas fontes de águas provenientes de mananciais subterrâneos. Sendo assim, este trabalho irá apresentar resultados obtidos a partir de uma análise econômica dos custos com tratamento de água potável para cidades localizadas dentro do território do estado de Minas Gerais e com população menor que 5.000 habitantes. As análises foram realizadas comparando os custos mensais de mão de obra e eletricidade em sistemas de tratamento da água com tipos distintos de mananciais, superficial e subterrâneo.

Repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic on municipal solid waste management: Challenges and opportunities

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused global emergency and has raised social and economic concerns which will also spill over to environmental issues. Amid this natural experiment, current study evaluates prevailing municipal solid waste (MSW) management practices, with the emphasis on MSW treatment and disposal facilities in select developed and developing countries. The data and information used in this paper is collected from several scientific research papers from different disciplines, publications from governments and multilateral agencies and media reports. Despite limited literature on MSW management during such pandemics, this article presets a global backdrop of MSW management during COVID-19 outbreak and examines various aspects of MSW management. Discussion includes identifying parameters of disease transmission through solid waste handling, consequences of medical waste surge on current municipal waste treatment and disposal systems. Further, based on previous pandemic and disaster waste management studies, this study also presents challenges and opportunities in the aftermath of the ongoing pandemic. The paper recommends alternatives approaches for MSW treatment and disposal and outlines the future scope of work to achieve sustainable waste management during and aftermath of the pandemics.

Integration versus conflict between schools of dream theory and dreamwork: integrating the psychological core qualities of dreams with the contemporary knowledge of the dreaming brain.

The various ways schools of psychotherapy relate to dreams have been marked by isolationism and mutual conflict rather than self-examination and then integrating the discoveries and methods of other schools. Jung's method was in opposition to Freud's psychoanalysis. Existential psychology was dismissive of Freud's and Jung's discoveries, while cognitive dream interpretation and cognitive therapy sought other roads entirely. In addition, scientific and neuropsychological dream research has been only insignificantly tied to the psychotherapeutic dream theories. These conflicts and the lack of a comprehensive dream theory has made it convenient for the current rationalist collective consciousness and treatment systems to reject the often times challenging knowledge about ourselves that dreams can provide. This paper describes how contemporary theories of complex cybernetic information networks can create an overriding, constructive framework for uncovering common traits within the above-mentioned branches of dream research and dreamwork. Within this framework, ten core qualities are delineated, supported by both therapeutic knowledge as well as scientific research: 1) Dreams deal with matters important to us; 2) Dreams symbolize; 3) Dreams personify; 4) Dreams are trial runs in a safe place; 5) Dreams are online to unconscious intelligence; 6) Dreams are pattern recognition; 7) Dreams are high level communication; 8) Dreams are condensed information; 9) Dreams are experiences of wholeness; 10) Dreams are psychological energy landscapes. For each core quality I describe short dreamwork sequences from my own practice and a schematic image of how I perceive the overriding interaction between systems in the dreaming brain. For each core quality recommendations for practical dreamwork are provided. Finally, I draw attention to dreams as a huge psychological resource for humankind.

Bioconversion of post-culture wastewater from farm fisheries for the production of high-value algal biomass

Post-consumption water from inland fisheries possesses a tremendous environmental impact on aquatic ecosystems due to their high load of nutrients such as Nitrates, Phosphates, Urea and organic load. Due to the high cost of current water treatment systems, most of the waters from inland fisheries are discharged without any treatment, thus generating a significant environmental impact in rivers of different localities. Cyanobacteria are a group of photosynthetic microorganisms that can grow in different environments including wastewater. Among the most industrially exploited cyanobacteria, Spirulina (Arthrospira) maxima is the most relevant microorganism, due to its capacity to produce large quantities of protein and colourants (especially phycocyanins) for the food and feed industry. The objective of this project is to determine the maximum production capacity of Spirulina in post-consumption waters of fish farming as a system for the treatment of this type of water through the biological capture of the various nutrients and the production of biomass of industrial interest. S. maxima was produced on 3 different media (wastewater + Zarouk, wastewater + K2HPO4, NaNO3, NaHCO3 and wastewater without any modification) for 30 days. Results shown that S. maxima can effectively grow on wastewater supplemented with NaNO3 (2.5 g/L), NaHCO3 (16.8 g/L) and K2HPO4 (0.5 g/L) to obtain up to 1.18 g/L of total biomass and 0.23 g/L of phycocianins. The scaling of culture at 10 L showed a minimal reduction on final biomass and phycocyanin (1.05 and 0.21 g/L respectively), this result indicates that the production of biomass and phycobiliproteins from S. maxima in wastewater from inland fisheries can be a possible candidate for the simplification of biomass and high-value metabolites process production.