Reducing SCADA System Nuisance Alarms in the Water Industry in Northern Ireland

The advancement of telemetry control for the water industry has increased the difficulty of 14 managing large volumes of nuisance alarms (i.e. alarms that do not require a response). The aim 15 of this study was to identify and reduce the number of nuisance alarms that occur for Northern 16 Ireland (NI) Water by carrying-out alarm duration analysis to determine the appropriate length of 17 persistence (an advanced alarm management tool) that could be applied. All data was extracted 18 from TelemWeb (NI Water’s telemetry monitoring system) and analysed in Excel. Over a 6 19 week period, an average of 40,000 alarms occurred per week. The alarm duration analysis, which 20 has never been implemented before by NI Water, found that an average of 57% of NI Water 21 alarms had a duration of <5 minutes. Applying 5 minute persistence; therefore, could prevent an 22 average 26,816 nuisance alarms per week. Most of these alarms were from wastewater assets.

From ideal reactor concepts to reality:The novel drum reactor for photocatalytic wastewater treatment

This article reports the development of a novel drum photocatalytic reactor for treating dye effluent streams. The parameters for operation including drum rotation speed, light source distance, catalyst loading and H2O2 doping have been investigated using methylene blue as a model pollutant. Effluent can be generated by a number of domestic and industrial sources, including pharmaceutical, oil and gas, agricultural, food and chemical sectors. The work reported here proposes the application of semiconductor photocatalysis as a final polishing step for the removal of hydrocarbons from effluents sources, initial studies have proved effective in removing residual hydrocarbons from the effluent.

Remediation of oily wastewater from an interceptor tank using a novel photocatalytic drum reactor

A novel photocatalytic reactor has been developed to remediate oily wastewaters. In the first instance degradation rates of model organic compounds, methylene blue (MB) and 4-c hlorophenol (4-CP) were determined. The experimental set-up investigated a 1:10 w/v catalyst to organic solution volume, 30 g catalyst, 300 mls MB (10 μM) or 4-CP (100 μM). The catalyst investigated was a pellet catalyst to improve separation of the remediated volume from the catalyst following treatment. MB concentration decreased by 93% after 15 mins irradiation whilst 4-CP concentration decreased by 94% following 90 mins irradiation. Oily waste water (OWW) from an interceptor tank typically containing diesel oils was obtained from Sureclean, an environmental clean-up company. The OWW was treated using the same conditions as MB and 4-CP, the model organic compounds. Levels of total organic carbon (TOC) and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) were used to monitor the efficacy of the photocatalytic reactor. TOC reduced by 45% following two 90 mins treatment cycles. TPH reduced by 45% following 90 mins irradiation and by a further 25% during a second stage of treatment. This reactor can be used as a polishing technique assembled within a wastewater treatment plant. Allowing for more than one pass through the reactor improves its efficiency. 

Use of Inhaled Tobramycin in Cystic Fibrosis

Chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with poor outcomes in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). It leads to a reduced quality of life, acceleration of the decline in lung function, and increased frequency and severity of pulmonary exacerbations. Tobramycin, administered by inhalation as a long-term therapy, decreases bacterial density in airways, reduces exacerbation frequency, and improves quality of life and lung function in patients with chronic P. aeruginosa infection. In the last decade, tobramycin inhalation has become an important contributor to CF treatment as a means to control chronic infection and as a first-line treatment for the eradication of early acquisition of P. aeruginosa. Recently, a dry powder inhalation (DPI) form of tobramycin has become available, which is more convenient for administration and has comparable efficacy to the tobramycin solution. This DPI, the Podhaler™ (Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, USA), requires less time for treatment delivery and is more portable than a nebulizer, and so is a welcome additional therapeutic option for many patients.

Assessment of clinical response to ivacaftor with lung clearance index in cystic fibrosis patients with a G551D-CFTR mutation and preserved spirometry:A randomised controlled trial

Background: Ivacaftor has shown a clinical benefit in patients with cystic fibrosis who have the G551D-CFTR mutation and reduced lung function. Lung clearance index (LCI) using multiple-breath washout might be an alternative to and more sensitive method than forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) to assess treatment response in the growing number of children and young adults with cystic fibrosis who have normal spirometry. The aim of the study was to assess the treatment effects of ivacaftor on LCI in patients with cystic fibrosis, a G551D-CFTR mutation, and an FEV₁ >90% predicted. Methods: This phase 2, multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind 2×2 crossover study of ivacaftor treatment was conducted in patients with cystic fibrosis, at least one G551D-CFTR allele, and an FEV₁ >90% predicted. Patients also had to have an LCI higher than 7·4 at screening, age of 6 years or older, and a weight higher than or equal to 15 kg. Eligible patients were randomly allocated to receive one of two treatment sequences (placebo first followed by ivacaftor 150 mg twice daily [sequence 1] or ivacaftor 150 mg twice daily first followed by placebo [sequence 2]) of 28 days' treatment in each period, with a 28-day washout between the two treatment periods. Randomisation (ratio 1:1) was done with block sizes of 4, and all site personnel including the investigator, the study monitor, and the Vertex study team were masked to treatment assignment. The primary outcome measure was change from baseline in LCI. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01262352. Findings: Between February and November, 2011, 21 patients were enrolled, of which 11 were assigned to the sequence 1 group, and 10 to the sequence 2 group. 20 of these patients received treatment and 17 completed the trial (eight in sequence 1 group and 9 in sequence 2 group). Treatment with ivacaftor led to significant improvements compared with placebo in LCI (difference between groups in the average of mean changes from baseline at days 15 and 29 was -2·16 [95% CI -2·88 to -1·44]; p<0·0001). Adverse events experienced by study participants were similar between treatment groups; at least one adverse event was reported by 15 (79%) of 19 patients who received placebo and 13 (72%) of 18 patients who received ivacaftor. No deaths occurred during study period. Interpretation: In patients with cystic fibrosis aged 6 years or older who have at least one G551D-CFTR allele, ivacaftor led to improvements in LCI. LCI might be a more sensitive alternative to FEV₁ in detecting response to intervention in these patients with mild lung disease. Funding: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Rationale and Means to Target Pro-Inflammatory Interleukin-8 (CXCL8) Signaling in Cancer

It is well established that chronic inflammation underpins the development of a number of human cancers, with pro-inflammatory signaling within the tumor microenvironment contributing to tumor progression and metastasis. CXCL8 is an ELR+ pro-inflammatory CXC-chemokine which mediates its effects via signaling through two G protein-coupled receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2. Elevated CXCL8-CXCR1/2 signaling within the tumor microenvironment of numerous cancers is known to enhance tumor progression via activation of signaling pathways promoting proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, invasion and cell survival. This review provides an overview of established roles of CXCL8-CXCR1/2 signaling in cancer and subsequently, discusses the possible strategies of targeting CXCL8-CXCR1/2 signaling in cancer, covering indirect strategies (e.g., anti-inflammatories, NFκB inhibitors) and direct CXCL8 or CXCR1/2 inhibition (e.g., neutralizing antibodies, small molecule receptor antagonists, pepducin inhibitors and siRNA strategies). Reports of pre-clinical cancer studies and clinical trials using CXCL8-CXCR1/2-targeting strategies for the treatment of inflammatory diseases will be discussed. The future translational opportunities for use of such agents in oncology will be discussed, with emphasis on exploitation in stratified populations.

Effect of radium-223 dichloride on symptomatic skeletal events in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases: results from a phase 3, double-blind, randomised trial

BACKGROUND: Bone metastases frequently cause skeletal events in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Radium-223 dichloride (radium-223) selectively targets bone metastases with high-energy, short-range α-particles. We assessed the effect of radium-223 compared with placebo in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases.

METHODS: In this phase 3, double-blind, randomised ALSYMPCA trial, we enrolled patients who had symptomatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with two or more bone metastases and no known visceral metastases, who were receiving best standard of care, and had previously either received or were unsuitable for docetaxel. Patients were stratified by previous docetaxel use, baseline total alkaline phosphatase level, and current bisphosphonate use, then randomly assigned (2:1) to receive either six intravenous injections of radium-223 (50 kBq/kg) or matching placebo; one injection was given every 4 weeks. Randomisation was done with an interactive voice response system, taking into account trial stratification factors. Participants and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was overall survival, which has been reported previously. Here we report on time to first symptomatic skeletal event, defined as the use of external beam radiation to relieve bone pain, or occurrence of a new symptomatic pathological fracture (vertebral or non-verterbal), or occurence of spinal cord compression, or tumour-related orthopeadic surgical intervention. All events were required to be clinically apparent and were not assessed by periodic radiological review. Statistical analyses of symptomatic skeletal events were based on the intention-to-treat population. The study has been completed and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00699751.

FINDINGS: Between June 12, 2008, and Feb 1, 2011, 921 patients were enrolled, of whom 614 (67%) were randomly assigned to receive radium-223 and 307 (33%) placebo. Symptomatic skeletal events occurred in 202 (33%) of 614 patients in the radium-223 group and 116 (38%) of 307 patients in the placebo group. Time to first symptomatic skeletal event was longer with radium-223 than with placebo (median 15·6 months [95% CI 13·5-18·0] vs 9·8 months [7·3-23·7]; hazard ratio [HR]=0·66, 95% CI 0·52-0·83; p=0·00037). The risks of external beam radiation therapy for bone pain (HR 0·67, 95% CI 0·53-0·85) and spinal cord compression (HR=0·52, 95% CI 0·29-0·93) were reduced with radium-233 compared with placebo. Radium-223 treatment did not seem to significantly reduce the risk of symptomatic pathological bone fracture (HR 0·62, 95% CI 0·35-1·09), or the need for tumour-related orthopaedic surgical intervention (HR 0·72, 95% CI 0·28-1·82).

INTERPRETATION: Radium-223 should be considered as a treatment option for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and symptomatic bone metastases.

FUNDING: Algeta and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.

Using microbiological tracers to assess the impact of winter land use restrictions on the quality of stream headwaters in a small catchment.

Diverse land use activities can elevate risk of microbiological contamination entering stream headwaters. Spatially distributed water quality monitoring carried out across a 17km(2) agricultural catchment aimed to characterize microbiological contamination reaching surface water and investigate whether winter agricultural land use restrictions proved effective in addressing water quality degradation. Combined flow and concentration data revealed no significant difference in fecal indicator organism (FIO) fluxes in base flow samples collected during the open and prohibited periods for spreading organic fertilizer, while relative concentrations of Escherichia coli, fecal streptococci and sulfite reducing bacteria indicated consistently fresh fecal pollution reached aquatic receptors during both periods. Microbial source tracking, employing Bacteroides 16S rRNA gene markers, demonstrated a dominance of bovine fecal waste in river water samples upstream of a wastewater treatment plant discharge during open periods. This contrasted with responses during prohibited periods where human-derived signatures dominated. Differences in microbiological signature, when viewed with hydrological data, suggested that increasing groundwater levels restricted vertical infiltration of effluent from on-site wastewater treatment systems and diverted it to drains and surface water. Study results reflect seasonality of contaminant inputs, while suggesting winter land use restrictions can be effective in limiting impacts of agricultural wastes to base flow water quality.

Establishing the Evidence Bar for Molecular Diagnostics in Personalised Cancer Care

While personalised cancer medicine holds great promise, targeting therapies to the biological characteristics of patients is limited by the number of validated biomarkers currently available. The implementation of biomarkers has undergone many challenges with few biomarkers reaching cancer patients in the clinic. There have been many biomarkers that have been published and claimed to be therapeutically useful, but few become part of the clinical decision-making process due to technical, validation and market access issues. To reduce this attrition rate, there is a significant need for policy makers and reimbursement agencies to define specific evidence requirements for the introduction of biomarkers into clinical practice. Once these requirements are more clearly defined, in an analogous manner to pharmaceuticals, researchers and diagnostic companies can better focus their biomarker research and development on meeting these specific requirements, which should lead to the more rapid introduction of new molecular oncology tests for patient benefit.

Biological phosphorus removal during high-rate, low-temperature, anaerobic digestion of wastewater.

We report, for the first time, extensive biologically-mediated phosphate removal from wastewater during high-rate anaerobic digestion (AD). A hybrid sludge bed/fixed-film (packed pumice stone) reactor was employed for low-temperature (12°C) anaerobic treatment of synthetic sewage wastewater. Successful phosphate removal from the wastewater (up to 78% of influent phosphate) was observed, mediated by biofilms in the reactor. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed the accumulation of elemental phosphorus (~2%) within the sludge bed and fixed-film biofilms. 4’, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining indicated phosphorus accumulation was biological in nature and mediated through the formation of intracellular inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) granules within these biofilms. DAPI staining further indicated that polyP accumulation was rarely associated with free cells. Efficient and consistent chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was recorded, throughout the 732-day trial, at applied organic loading rates between 0.4-1.5 kg COD m-3 d-1 and hydraulic retention times of 8-24 hours, while phosphate removal efficiency ranged from 28-78% on average per phase. Analysis of protein hydrolysis kinetics and the methanogenic activity profiles of the biomass revealed the development, at 12˚C, of active hydrolytic and methanogenic populations. Temporal microbial changes were monitored using Illumina Miseq analysis of bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA gene sequences. The dominant bacterial phyla present in the biomass at the conclusion of the trial were the Proteobacteria and Firmicutes and the dominant archaeal genus was Methanosaeta. Trichococcus and Flavobacterium populations, previously associated with low temperature protein degradation, developed in the reactor biomass. The presence of previously characterised polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) such as Rhodocyclus, Chromatiales, Actinobacter and Acinetobacter was recorded at low numbers. However, it is unknown as yet if these were responsible for the luxury polyP uptake observed in this system. The possibility of efficient phosphate removal and recovery from wastewater during AD would represent a major advance in the scope for widespread application of anaerobic wastewater treatment technologies.

Novel DGT method with tri-metal oxide adsorbent for in situ spatiotemporal flux measurement of fluoride in waters and sediments

Natural mineral-water interface reactions drive ecosystem/global fluoride (F−) cycling. These small-scale processes prove challenging to monitoring due to mobilization being highly localized and variable; influenced by changing climate, hydrology, dissolution chemistries and pedogenosis. These release events could be captured in situ by the passive sampling technique, diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT), providing a cost-effective and time-integrated measurement of F− mobilization. However, attempts to develop the method for F− have been unsuccessful due to the very restrictive operational ranges that most F−-absorbents function within. A new hybrid-DGT technique for F− quantification containing a three-phase fine particle composite (Fesingle bondAlsingle bondCe, FAC) adsorbent was developed and evaluated. Sampler response was validated in laboratory and field deployments, passing solution chemistry QC within ionic strength and pH ranges of 0–200 mmol L−1 and 4.3–9.1, respectively, and exhibiting high sorption capacities (98 ± 8 μg cm−2). FAC-DGT measurements adequately predicted up to weeklong averaged in situ F− fluvial fluxes in a freshwater river and F− concentrations in a wastewater treatment flume determined by high frequency active sampling. While, millimetre-scale diffusive fluxes across the sediment-water interface were modeled for three contrasting lake bed sediments from a F−-enriched lake using the new FAC-DGT platform.

Design, production and characterisation of granular adsorbent material for arsenic removal from contaminated wastewater

The objective of this research was to design granulated iron oxide for the adsorption of heavy metals from wastewater. Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) was chosen as a suitable binder; as it is water insoluble. Initial experiments on selection of suitable solvent of the polymer were carried out using three solvents namely; methanol, acetone and toluene. Based on the initial tests on product yield and mechanical strength, acetone was selected as the solvent for the polyvinyl acetate binder. Design of experiment was then used to investigate the influence of granulation process variables; impeller speed, binder concentration and liquid to solid ratio on the properties of the granular materials. The response variables in the study were granules mean size, stability in water and granule strength. The results showed that the combination of high impeller speed and high binder concentration favour the formation of strong and stable granules. Results also showed that leaching of the binder into the simulated was water was negligible. Trial adsorption experiments carried out using the strongest and most stable iron oxide granules produced in this work showed removal efficiency of around 70% of synthetic arsenic solutions with initial concentration of 1000 ppb.