Discharge Route Research Articles

Experiences And Preferences Of People With Stroke And Caregivers, Around Supports Provided At The Transition from Hospital to Home

Abstract Background Transitioning home from organised stroke services poses many challenges for people with stroke (PWS) and their caregivers (CGs), requiring them to navigate through complex uncertainties. There are gaps in our understanding of appropriate support interventions for managing the transition home. In this qualitative study, we explored the perspectives of PWS and their CGs regarding their support experiences and preferences during this period. Methods Between November 2022 and March 2023, and within six months of hospital discharge, audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews were conducted with PWS and their CGs. All interviews were transcribed, imported into NVivo software, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Sixteen interviews were conducted, nine with PWS and seven with CGs. Four themes relevant to their collective experiences and preferences were identified: (i) Need for tailored information-sharing, at the right time, and in the right setting; (ii) The importance of emotional support; (iii) Left in limbo, (iv) Inequity of access. Experiences depict issues such as insufficient information-sharing, communication gaps, and fragmented and inequitable care; while a multi-faceted approach is desired to ease anxiety and uncertainty, minimise delays, and optimise recovery and participation during transition. Conclusion Our findings highlight that regardless of the discharge route, and even with formal support systems in place, PWS and families encounter challenges during the transition period. There is a need for more personalised and timely information-sharing to support individuals and caregivers effectively. A multi-faceted approach is recommended to alleviate anxiety, reduce delays, and provide equitable care for all involved.

Experiences and preferences of people with stroke and caregivers, around supports provided at the transition from hospital to home: a qualitative descriptive study

BackgroundTransitioning home from the structured hospital setting poses challenges for people with stroke (PWS) and their caregivers (CGs), as they navigate through complex uncertainties. There are gaps in our understanding of appropriate support interventions for managing the transition home. In this qualitative study, we explored the perspectives of PWS and their CGs regarding their support experiences and preferences during this period.MethodsBetween November 2022 and March 2023, and within six months of hospital discharge, audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews were conducted with PWS and CGs. All interviews were transcribed, imported into NVivo software, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsSixteen interviews were conducted, nine with PWS and seven with CGs. Four themes relevant to their collective experiences and preferences were identified: (i) Need for tailored information-sharing, at the right time, and in the right setting; (ii) The importance of emotional support; (iii) Left in limbo, (iv) Inequity of access. Experiences depict issues such as insufficient information-sharing, communication gaps, and fragmented and inequitable care; while a multi-faceted approach is desired to ease anxiety and uncertainty, minimise delays, and optimise recovery and participation during transition.ConclusionsOur findings highlight that regardless of the discharge route, and even with formal support systems in place, PWS and families encounter challenges during the transition period. The experiences of support at this transition and the preferences of PWS and CGs during this important period highlights the need for better care co-ordination, early and ongoing emotional support, and equitable access to tailored services and support. Experiences are likely to be improved by implementing a partnership approach with improved collaboration, including joint goal-setting, between PWS, CGs, healthcare professionals and support organisations.

Research Status and Trend Analysis of Environmental and Health Risk and Control of Persistent, Mobile, and Toxic Chemicals

Persistent, mobile, and toxic or very persistent and very mobile (PMT/vPvM) chemicals have been widely detected in surface water, groundwater, and drinking water around the world and are important emerging contaminants that may significantly affect human health and the environment in the future. According to the identification criteria proposed by the European Union, there are thousands of PMT/vPvM substances in existing chemicals, covering a wide range of applications, including dozens of high-yield industrial chemicals such as melamine. PMT/vPvM chemicals can be discharged into the environment through farmland runoff, industrial wastewater, and domestic sewage, and sewage treatment plants are currently considered to be their main discharge route. It is difficult to effectively remove PMT/vPvM chemicals through the current conventional water treatment technology; they can exist in the water circulation system of the urban human settlement environment for a long time, endangering the safety of drinking water and the ecosystem. The European Union has taken the lead in introducing PMT/vPvM chemicals specifically into the priority areas of the current chemical risk management system. At present, there are still many potential PMT/vPvM chemicals in the environment, and their monitoring methods need to be further improved. It will take time for the identification of substances, the scope of categories, and the establishment of lists. Studies on the environmental fate and exposure of PMT/vPvM in various regions of the world are still very limited, and research on the potential, long-term ecotoxicity, and human health hazard effects remains scarce. At the same time, the research and development of substitute or alternative technologies, as well as environmental engineering treatment technologies such as sewage treatment and contaminated site remediation, will become an urgent need for future PMT/vPvM risk scientific research and management decisions.

Blominmäki wastewater treatment plant’s sewage tunnels: Challenging connection of a vertical shaft to the existing operating offshore tunnel.

The sewage tunnels of the Blominmäki Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) consist of approximately 20 kilometers of inlet and discharge tunnels, access tunnels and shafts. The most challenging and technically critical part of this project was the connection of the operating offshore tunnel of the old treatment plant with the Blominmäki discharge route, through a vertical shaft. Lack of information regarding the exact location, the shape and the geological conditions of the existing tunnel called for an accurate excavation design to avoid a potential tunnel collapse and rock blocking or massive waterflow during breakthrough. An additional complexity related to the continuous operation of the tunnel in question, as both non-stop flow of treated wastewater and cooling water of the nearby heat and powerplant, had a huge impact to the ways that all work phases were carried out. All parts involved, including the clients, the contractor and a variety of consultants cooperated in order that one of the most demanding shaft excavations in Finland be carried out successfully. This paper aims to present an overview of the related challenges, along with the detailed design, risk assessment and respective mitigation measures, information about problem solving and lessons learned during the execution.

Performance Analysis for Energy-Efficient Comparators

This work studies three different comparator proposed in recent years. Compared to the strnongARM latch as well as the Elzakker’s comparator, the dynamic comparator added cross-coupled devices that keeps the pre-amplifier’s integration nodes from fully discharge to the ground and thus improves energy performance. The dynamic bias latch-type comparator is an innovative design which added a tail capacitor to the pre-amplifier in order to block off the discharge route between the internal nodes and the ground. Though this design reduced the energy consumption significantly compared with the Elzakker’s comparator, it results in longer delay and only little improvement on the input-referred noise. The FIA dynamic comparator implemented a floating inverter amplifier (FIA) that utilizes a reservoir capacitor which cuts off its charging path and discharging path significantly reduced the energy consumption and improved noise performance to power itself.

Risk assessment of Naproxen and Sulfamethoxazole in Aquatic Ecosystem

The development of science and technology has greatly contributed to the extension of human lifespan, resulting in an increase in the number of chronic diseases due to the aging of the population. For that reason, due to the development of new drugs and the use of life-prolonging treatments, the amounts of domestic pharmaceuticals used has increased rapidly, and the amount used to improve the productivity of agricultural and marine products and livestock is also showing a steady increase. In line with this trend, discharge standards for water pollutants have been steadily tightened, but water quality standards for pharmaceutical substances that may be contained in effluent have not yet been clearly established. In this research, we carried out the ecological impact stage test at “Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata”, “Daphina magna” and “Danio rerio’s embryo” for investigated the hazard identification of Naproxen and Sulfamethoxazole on aquatic organisms which is according to the OECD test guidelines. In consequence, we find the E(L)C50 of Naproxen and Sulfamethoxazole are 22.89 mg/l, 100.12 mg/l, 6.63 mg/l, and 0.69 mg/l, 104.21 mg/l, 22.32 mg/l. By these stats, we figure out PNEC of Naproxen and Sulfamethoxazole as 0.0663 mg/l and 0.0069 mg/l. With these results, 0.528 μg/l and 2.017 μg/l is maximum detectable amount about Naproxen and Sulfamethoxazole in government’s research for Young-San rivers in Korea, we figure out hazard quotient about Naproxen and Sulfamethoxazole as 0.0080 and 0.2923. It shows that Naproxen and Sulfamethoxazole has low hazard probability to currently water system in Korea. However, at present, both pharmaceutical substances are managed based on extremely low chronic toxicity values overseas and due to the characteristics of pharmaceutical substances, the amount used is steadily increasing, and it is very difficult to identify the discharge route and prevent discharge into the water system. Also, since various types of harmful substances exist in a mixture in water systems, continuous and regular monitoring is considered necessary, taking into consideration the mixed values of the hazard index for each substance.

Long-term trends of fluorotelomer alcohols in a wastewater treatment plant impacted by textile manufacturing industry

Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) are important precursors and substitutes of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs). This study investigated the long-term trends of FTOHs in a municipal wastewater treatment plant impacted by textile manufacturing industry (T-WWTP) in Wuxi city from 2013 to 2021. For comparison, four domestic wastewater treatment plants (D-WWTPs) were also selected for the investigation. The total concentrations of FTOHs, which were 9.8–43 ng/L, 5.9–29 ng/L and 10–50 ng/g in influent, secondary effluent, and sludge samples from the T-WWTP, were significantly higher than those of the D-WWTPs (p < 0.01). The significant correlation between decrease of mass loads for FTOHs and the increase for PFCAs was observed, suggesting the potential biotransformation of FTOHs to PFCAs. Concentration variation in FTOH concentrations was observed for the T-WWTP, which was in accord with the variation in annual output of textile products in Wuxi city (p = 0.005). The predominance of 8:2 FTOH in the influents of T-WWTP between 2013 and 2016 switched over to 6:2 FTOH in 2020–2021. This work highlighted the textile manufacturing industry as a significant discharge route for FTOHs to municipal WWTP, as well as the dramatic change in the usage of FTOHs in the textile manufacturing industry in Wuxi.

Global scale life cycle environmental impacts of single- and multi-walled carbon nanotube synthesis processes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are well known for their mechanical resistance, durability and flexibility, which make them preferable for a wide variety of applications. The global production volume of CNTs is expected to reach 7,000 tons by 2025. This work performs cradle-to-gate life cycle assessments (LCAs) of industrially preferred single- and multi-walled CNTs synthesis processes. The aim is to evaluate global environmental impacts associated with raw materials acquisition and manufacturing and identify hotspots in CNTs production. Eight single-walled and seven multi-walled CNTs synthesis processes are evaluated using LCA. A mass based functional unit is selected as 1 kilogram of CNTs produced, and LCAs are conducted using SimaPro 8.5.2 Software with Tool for Reduction and Assessment of Chemicals and Other Environmental Impacts (TRACI 2.1) and Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) impact categories. It is expected that industrial scale production provides significant material and energy savings as well as reduces environmental impacts per unit mass of the product, due to the use of efficient equipment and recycling of reagents. Therefore, hypothetical scaling up scenarios are applied in order to estimate associated impacts. Lastly, industry-based impact projections are developed for industries where the majority of CNTs are used using the Laplace criterion. The results showed that chemical vapor deposition is the most impactful route for manufacturing single- and multi-walled CNTs. Whereas, high pressure carbon monoxide route for producing single-walled CNTs, and arc discharge route for manufacturing multi-walled CNTs are found to be the least environmentally impactful techniques among different processes considered. Results indicate that the preference of synthesis process dominates the overall environmental cost of the CNTs as well as CNTs-enabled products. Additionally, using different scaling up scenarios, it is projected that the environmental emissions associated with producing CNTs may be reduced up to 88% globally. As industries use particular routes to synthesize the CNTs to be embedded in their products, it is found that the sectoral environmental impacts are not proportional with the industrial shares. CNTs offer technological advances to conventional products (e.g. heated jacket). However, thinking from a global scale, manufacturing CNTs has significant environmental impacts. This study provides segmented impact projections for industries, which then may be used to inform sectoral cradle-to-grave environmental impacts as a function of manufacturing processes. Based on the desired characteristics of produced CNTs (e.g. diameter, surface area), manufacturing CNTs with environmentally responsible production routes may help decreasing global environmental impacts significantly.

Selective synthesis of DC carbon arc-generated carbon nanotube and layered-graphene and the associated mechanism

Herein we report how an anode is eroded and the eroded mass is deposited on the cathode surface at different arc currents () in a DC carbon arc discharge using roughly oriented graphite (ROG) as electrodes. It was found that the nature of anode erosion critically depends on and has profound effects on the morphology of the as-synthesized cathode deposits (CDs), the conversion efficiency of the system to form the CDs and their compositions. By characterizing the as-synthesized CDs in their totality by transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction it was found that there exists a critical value of below which the arc remains constricted, and above which the arc becomes intense. It was further found that the system can selectively generate both carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and layered-graphene sheets (LGs) when the carbon arc runs in constricted and intense modes, respectively. By the suitable adjustment of it is possible to switchover between the aforementioned arc-modes. Based on the experimental results, a semi-empirical model encompassing the plausible effects of rapid and random movement of the anode spot on the used ROG anode surface was developed to provide new insights into the growth mechanism of arc-generated CNTs and LGs. The state-of-the-art presented in this paper could facilitate the carbon arc discharge route for the tailored synthesis of highly crystalline CNTs and LGs.

(Invited) The Role of Electrolyte Solution in Next-Generation Batteries

Lithium-ion electrolytes are predominantly base on carbonate solvents and have been instrumental in the success of the lithium-ion battery.1 Uniquely, their ability to form a stable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) at lithiated carbon electrodes underpins the battery.2 Unfortunately, the lithium-ion battery is approaching maturity and attention is turning to alterative next-generation batteries that are able to deliver enhancements in energy, power, sustainability and cost. Often, the challenges in next-generation batteries are very different from those found in the lithium-ion battery.3 New understanding and advancements in electrolyte chemistry will be needed to realize these technologies.Here, we look at how electrolyte chemistry and impurities can control charge/discharge reactions in next-generation batteries. For example, the lithium-air battery has one of the highest specific energies of any known secondary battery chemistry, but faces significant challenges.4 The battery operates via oxidation of lithium metal at the anode, coupled to reduction of oxygen and formation of lithium peroxide at the cathode and these reactions are heavily influenced by the electrolyte chemistry.5 Moreover, to operate in air they must tolerate H2O, and here we describe how solvent chemistry is able to control the discharge route from a 2-electron reaction to an irreversible 4-electron reaction. This theory explains why cells are able to tolerate 1 M H2O,6, 7 and we show that with judicious selection of the electrolyte, up to 4 M H2O can be tolerated at the positive electrode of the battery. The impact of electrolyte chemistry on anode reactions will also be discussed. Recently, there has been significant research into magnesium anodes due to their high volumetric capacity (twice that of metallic lithium) and limited dendrite formation.8 Here we consider the nature of SEI films at magnesium in simple salt glyme ether electrolytes and how this impacts the cyclability of magnesium metal. Our results demonstrate the formation of a dynamic SEI at magnesium. Reference s G. E. Blomgren, J. Electrochem. Soc., 164, A5019–A5025 (2017).E. Peled, J. Electrochem. Soc., 126 (1979).D. Larcher and J. M. Tarascon, Nat. Chem., 7, 19–29 (2015)W. J. Kwak et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces (2020).L. Johnson et al., Nat. Chem., 6, 1091–1099 (2014)K. U. Schwenke, M. Metzger, T. Restle, M. Piana, and H. A. Gasteiger, J. Electrochem. Soc., 162, A573–A584 (2015).N. B. Aetukuri et al., Nat. Chem., 7, 50–56 (2015)R. Attias, M. Salama, B. Hirsch, Y. Goffer, and D. Aurbach, Joule, 3, 27–52 (2019)

Residential proximity to industrial pollution sources and colorectal cancer risk: A multicase-control study (MCC-Spain)

BackgroundColorectal cancer is the third most frequent tumor in males and the second in females worldwide. In Spain, it is an important and growing health problem, and epidemiologic research focused on potential risk factors, such as environmental exposures, is necessary. ObjectivesTo analyze the association between colorectal cancer risk and residential proximity to industries, according to pollution discharge route, industrial groups, categories of carcinogens and other toxic substances, and specific pollutants released, in the context of a population-based multicase-control study of incident cancer carried out in Spain (MCC-Spain). MethodsMCC-Spain included 557 colorectal cancer cases and 2948 controls in 11 provinces, frequency matched by sex, age, and region of residence. Distances were computed from subjects’ residences to each of the 134 industries located in the study area. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for categories of distance (from 1 km to 3 km) to industrial facilities, adjusting for matching variables and other confounders. ResultsExcess risk (OR; 95%CI) of colorectal cancer was detected near industries overall for all distances analyzed, from 1 km (2.03; 1.44–2.87) to 3 km (1.26; 1.00–1.59). In general, industries releasing pollutants to air showed higher excess risks than facilities releasing pollution to water. By industrial sector, excess risk (OR; 95%CI) was found near (≤3 km) production of metals (2.66; 1.77–4.00), surface treatment of metals (1.48; 1.08–2.02), glass and mineral fibers (2.06; 1.39–3.07), organic chemical industry (4.80; 3.20–7.20), inorganic chemical industry (6.74; 4.38–10.36), food/beverage sector (3.34; 2.38–4.68), and surface treatment using organic solvents (6.16; 4.06–9.36). By pollutants, the main excess risks (OR; 95%CI) were found near (≤3 km) industries releasing nonylphenol (9.19; 5.91–14.28), antimony (5.30; 3.45–8.15), naphthalene (3.11; 2.16–4.49), organotin compounds (2.64; 1.76–3.98), manganese (2.53; 1.63–3.93), dichloromethane (2.52; 1.74–3.66), and vanadium (2.49; 1.59–3.91). ConclusionsOur results support the hypothesis that residing in the proximity of industries may be a risk factor for colorectal cancer.

Hospitalization and discharge routes of elderly hip fracture patients with and without dementia: a nationwide cross-sectional exploratory study using the Japanese Diagnostic Procedure Combination database

Purpose The characteristics of elderly hip fracture patients in acute care hospitals were analyzed based on hospitalization and discharge route and the presence or absence of a dementia diagnosis. Methods The study was conducted as a cross-sectional exploratory study using data from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database in Japan from April 2014 to March 2016. Patients aged 65 years or older who had surgery for a hip fracture were identified. We subsequently extracted patients whose home, medical institution (including convalescent rehabilitation wards), or elderly care facility was both the admission and discharge route. A total of 105 122 patients were included. Results 19% of patients were diagnosed with dementia. Patients with dementia had a shorter length of acute care hospital stay than those without dementia. The hospitalization route for dementia patients was 51% at home and 40% at a care facility. Dementia patients were discharged to hospital and care facilities at 41% each. Nearly all patients received hospital-based postoperative rehabilitation regardless of dementia but patients with dementia had lower gains in activities of daily living. Conclusion Hip fracture patients with dementia have less opportunity for continuous hospital-based rehabilitation and need an environment that allows for continuous elderly care facility-based and community-based rehabilitation. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION In Japan, an aging society, one in five elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery was diagnosed with dementia. Many hip fracture patients with dementia have a shorter length of hospital stay and may have fewer opportunities to change hospitals to receive rehabilitation. It is necessary to establish an ongoing and proactive community- and elderly care facility-based rehabilitation system for patients with hip fracture with dementia after acute care hospital discharge.

Comprehensive magnetic resonance characteristics of carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles: a new frontier for the core-shell\u2013type contrast agents

The development of carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles (CEINS) is of considerable interest in many areas of cancer nanotechnology, ranging from basic tumor biology to early detection and treatment of cancer. To meet these challenges, the present study was undertaken to determine the magnetic and relaxometric performance of CEINS used as a new contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preclinical phantom models. CEIN samples were synthesized using a carbon arc discharge route, and the as-synthesized nanoparticles were purified and functionalized with surface acidic groups. The presence of various Fe-bearing metallic phases reflecting the net magnetic properties of CEINS was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometry. The morphological and surface chemistry features were characterized by electron microscopy (transmission electron microscopy [TEM] and scanning electron microscopy [SEM]), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The textural properties of CEINS, including porosity, surface total charge density, and zeta potentials, were also measured. The as-synthesized different CEIN samples were finally examined as a potent MRI contrast drug candidate. Magnetic resonance relaxation measurements were performed in bovine gelatin-based phantom models by using a 1.5-T MRI scanner equipped with a standard radiofrequency “birdcage” type head coil. To obtain data, T1- and T2-weighted MR images were acquired using the inversion recovery spin echo (SE) and the SE protocol with multiple time of echo (TE), respectively. Chemical characterization showed similarity in morphology and textural properties between as-synthesized CEINS, purified CEINS, and CEINS functionalized with acidic groups. The as-synthesized CEINS had significantly higher Fe content and higher saturation magnetization. The analysis of the relaxometric properties of CEINS revealed that all the CEIN samples decreased T2 relaxation times on the T2-weighted images. The relaxation rate (1/T2) showed some differences between the as-synthesized, purified, and surface-functionalized CEINS containing surface carboxylic groups. Both the as-synthesized and purified CEINS slightly decreased the T1 relaxation times, which was evident through increase in the relaxation rates (1/T1). This study concludes that CEINS may represent a novel “core-shell”–type negative contrast drug candidate for MRI. It should be emphasized that all the studied CEIN samples have acceptable r2 relaxivities at the field strength of 1.5 T where most of the MRI systems operate in clinical radiology.

Operation and Management of Seoul Metropolitan City Community Treatment Center for Mild Condition COVID-19 Patients.

BackgroundIn response to the disaster of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) established a patient facility for mild condition patients other than hospital. This study was conducted to investigate the operation and necessary resources of a community treatment center (CTC) operated in Seoul, a metropolitan city with a population of 10 million.MethodsTo respond COVID-19 epidemic, the SMG designated 5 municipal hospitals as dedicated COVID-19 hospitals and implemented one CTC cooperated with the Boramae Municipal Hospital for COVID-19 patients in Seoul. As a retrospective cross-sectional observational study, retrospective medical records review was conducted for patients admitted to the Seoul CTC. The admission and discharge route of CTC patients were investigated. The patient characteristics were compared according to route of discharge whether the patient was discharged to home or transferred to hospital. To report the operation of CTC, the daily mean number of tests (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and chest X-ray) and consultations by medical staffs were calculated per week. The list of frequent used medications and who used medication most frequently were investigated.ResultsUntil May 27 when the Seoul CTC was closed, 26.5% (n = 213) of total 803 COVID-19 patients in Seoul were admitted to the CTC. It was 35.7% (n = 213) of 597 newly diagnosed patients in Seoul during the 11 weeks of operation. The median length of stay was 21 days (interquartile range, 12–29 days). A total of 191 patients (89.7%) were discharged to home after virologic remission and 22 (10.3%) were transferred to hospital for further treatment. Fifty percent of transferred patients were within a week since CTC admission. Daily 2.5–3.6 consultations by doctors or nurses and 0.4–0.9 tests were provided to one patient. The most frequently prescribed medication was symptomatic medication for COVID-19 (cough/sputum and rhinorrhea). The next ranking was psychiatric medication for sleep problem and depression/anxiety, which was prescribed more than digestive drug.ConclusionIn the time of an infectious disease disaster, a metropolitan city can operate a temporary patient facility such as CTC to make a surge capacity and appropriately allocate scarce medical resource.

Influence of Heat Treatment After Arc Discharge Route on Structure and Loading Capacity of SBA-15 Encapsulated By Iron Particles

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Emergency evacuation routing, at critical condition (earthquake), using Analytical Hierarchy Process Technique, and based on the actual weight of the sub-criteria related to the alternative

In recent years, research on emergency traffic evacuation has increased intensively. Detection of the optimal discharge route is one of the most important parts of crisis management due to the large number of effective measures. In this research, we have used the Analytical Hierarchy Process, taking into account three criteria, road capacity, population density, and structural parameters, and several sub-criteria, and taking into account the actual weight of the criteria for traffic emergency evacuation routing . The method presented in this research is not limited to these three criteria, and can be done with other criteria, based on the conditions of the case study area. The study area in this research is the region of Sabzemeydan, a region in Zanjan city (capital of Zanjan province, northwest of Iran), which has been studied based on the above criteria. The proposed route for emergency traffic evacuation in the studied area, using the proposed method in this research, has all the effective parameters in traffic evacuation, in times of crisis, and is the most optimal route for simultaneous examination based on their real impact.

Test Study on Navigation in the First Construction Period of Lize Navigation-Power Junction

Based on the test results of Lize navigation-power junction construction diversion through the normal fix-bed model with the scale of 1:100, the navigation flow condition in each construction diversion period is studied. There are a lot of problems in the first construction diversion period, such as excessive flow velocity, poor flow pattern, low navigation discharge and so on. To solve these problems, the comprehensive engineering measures for improving the navigation flow condition during construction are put forward. Among them, the structure forms of construction diversion cofferdam are optimized. Finally, the highest safe navigation discharge and reasonable navigation route are proposed. The experimental results obtained from the optimization scheme of the first construction diversion period are better than these from the original scheme in terms of flow velocity, flow pattern and so on. The research results may serve as reference for similar engineering.

Performance evaluation of longitudinal and transverse ventilation for thermal and smoke control in a looped urban traffic link tunnel

The complex structure of the urban traffic link tunnel (UTLT) exacerbates fire accident risk and increases the difficulty of smoke control, especially for a UTLT with looped tunnel systems. The applicability of the traditional tunnel smoke control methods, e.g., transverse ventilation and longitudinal ventilation, needs further investigation for UTLTs. Experiments were conducted in a small-scale model to investigate the effectiveness of both two ventilation modes for a looped UTLT. In a longitudinally ventilated UTLT, the critical velocities, as the minimal air velocities for preventing smoke infiltrating into the regions upstream of the fire and entering the downstream tunnel branches that are adjacent to the smoke discharge route, should be guaranteed. Multiple operational modes of longitudinal ventilation could be feasible for achieving the desired performance of smoke control. For transverse ventilation, both the effects of the exhaust flow rate and the air supply rate are investigated. To confine the smoke in the tunnel branch where fire occurs, an effective exhaust flow rate could be twice the smoke production rate. Forced air supply could be unnecessary for a UTLT due to the abundance of natural air supply routes. Longitudinal ventilation leads to lower smoke flow temperatures than transverse ventilation does in UTLTs.

Preparation of 2D WO3 Nanomaterials with Enhanced Catalytic Activities: Current Status and Perspective

Abstract2D WO3 nanomaterials have shown specific morphology, unique optical and electronic properties due to their decreasing dimension. Therefore, the preparation of 2D WO3 nanomaterials becomes extremely important. Hydrothermal and solvothermal methods are the frequently applied methods, which can realize a large amount of productions. Other preparation methods, such as cold plasma, exfoliation, and the solid‐liquid phase arc discharge (SLPAD) route, have also shown various improvements in reducing the thickness, size control or in a simple and easy fabrication with use of fewer chemicals. When used as supporting materials, 2D WO3 nanolamella significantly promote the dispersion of noble metals, improve the metal‐support interaction and increase the electron density of Pt. Besides, the 2D nanostructure can increase the charge‐carrier transfer rate, decrease the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes, alter their photoabsorption properties and lead to higher specific surface area. These advantages effectively promote their optical properties and photocatalytic activity.

Heavy Metal Concentrations and Physicochemical Characteristics of Effluent along the Discharge Route from Hawassa Textile Factory, Ethiopia

Hawassa Textile Factory discharges virtually treated effluent into the nearby receiving environment. A study was carried out to assess the physicochemical characteristics and heavy metal levels of effluent released from biological treatment lagoon of the Factory. Heavy metals concentrations in sediment and macrophyte of the nearby stream to which the textile effluent is directed was also measured. Results indicated that some physico-chemical parameters such as pH, PO4, conductivity and TDS of the waste water from the two sampling sites were above provisional discharge limits set at national and/or international levels. The concentration of almost all detected heavy metals in samples analyzed from both sites generally followed the order: sediment > macrophytes > flowing waste water. The heavy metals levels detected in sediment samples from both sites followed the order: Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in macrophytes followed the same order as in sediment while the sequence in waste water followed the order: Cu > Mn > Zn > Cr. However, Pb and Cd were below detection limit in both macrophytes and waste water samples. Even though the concentrations of heavy metals in samples analyzed were below acceptable ranges of the provisional discharge limits, their accumulation over time and the potential threat on environment health and disruption of ecological integrity was overemphasized. This study suggests quick intervention and closes monitoring to arrest and solve the growing environmental pollution and associated problems in the area.