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Biomedical subjects

P Lagasse

Publications and source records attributed to P Lagasse.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Production of class A biosolids with anoxic low dose alkaline treatment and odor management.

The feasibility of full-scale anoxic disinfection of dewatered and digested sludge from Winnipeg, Manitoba with low lime doses and lagoon fly ash was investigated to determine if a class A product could be produced. Lime doses of 50 g, 100 g, and 200 g per kg of biosolids (dry) were used along with fly ash doses of 500 g, 1,000 g, and 1,500 g per kg of biosolids (dry). The mixed product was buried in eight-10 cubic metre trenches at the West End Water Pollution Control Center in Winnipeg. The trenches were backfilled with dirt and trapped to simulate anoxic conditions. Sampling cages were packed with the mixed product and pathogens non-indigenous to Winnipeg's biosolids. The cages were buried amongst the mixed biosolids in the trench. The non-indigenous pathogens spiked in the laboratory were the helminth Ascaris suum and the enteric virus reovirus. Samples were removed at days 12, 40, 69, 291, and 356 and were tested for the presence of fecal Coliform, Clostridium perfringens spores, Ascaris suum eggs, and reovirus. The pH, total solids, and free ammonia content of the mixed product were also determined for each sample. Odor was quantified for samples at both 291 and 356 days. Fecal Coliform bacteria and reovirus were completely inactivated for doses as low as 100 g lime per kg biosolids (dry) and 50 g lime + 500 g fly ash per kg biosolids (dry). Spores of the bacteria C. perfringens experienced a 4-log reduction when treated with 100 g lime per kg biosolids and a 5-log reduction when treated with doses as low as 50 g lime + 500 g fly ash per kg biosolids (dry) after 69 days. Ascaris eggs were completely inactivated in 5 gram packets for all treatments involving 100 g lime per kg biosolids (dry) after 69 days. Class A pathogen requirements were met for all treatments involving a lime dose of at least 100 g per kg biosolids. The odor potential from the produced biosolids is also assessed.

Alkalies↗

Impact of landfill leachate on anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge.

The feasibility of mesophilic anaerobic co-digestion of landfill leachate and sewage sludge was examined in a bench-scale experiment. Three complete-mix, flow-through digesters were operated in a semi-continuous mode. During both phases of research all digesters received 500 ml d(-1) of raw sludge and Reactor 1 was always the control reactor--fed sludge only. During Phase 1, leachate volumes less than 12% of the sludge volume were fed to Reactors 2 and 3. During Phase 2 larger amounts of leachate were added, exceeding 20% of sludge volume which led to an overall decrease in the hydraulic residence time of the digesters. All reactors achieved stable operation, which indicated that the co-digestion of sewage sludge and landfill leachate is feasible During Phase 1, an increase in the average daily methane production from 2.5 l d(-1) to 3.1 l d(-1) and 3.2 l d(-1) was observed; the biomethanation production (BMP) increased from 0.46 to 0.6 m3 - 0.7 m3 CH4 (kg VS rem.)(-1). The average volatile solids reduction (VSR) increased from 46.1% to 48.6% and 49.0%. In Phase 2, the total methane production in the control reactor was significantly higher, at 4.6 l d(-1), while the addition of larger, by volume, amounts of leachate, decreased the methane production to 4.3 l d(-1) and 4.2 l d(-1), respectively. The average BMP values were 0.8, 0.87, and 0.81 m3 CH4 (kg VS rem.)(-1), respectively. In Phase 2, leachate addition decreased the average VSR from 51% to 49% and 45.6%. After calculating that leachate addition to digesters would not increase heavy metal concentrations in the produced biosolids it was concluded that mesophilic anaerobic co-digestion of sewage sludge and landfill leachate is feasible, and provides a promising alternative to aerobic co-treatment.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

Physician productivity measurement, methodology and implementation.

These components are integrated into a single monthly report and distributed to all departments in the health system. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the four main reports the system can generate. Shown are the overall facility report and the six month trend; the departmental report showing each department as compared to the facility; an individual department report that clearly illustrates each physician's contribution; and finally an individual provider report with trend analysis. These reports are modified slightly as required by each department, but the core information of RVUs/hour remains the basic comparative element. Each report contains comparisons of individual providers within their specialty, department or group, and at the facility and system level. Each department with specific needs has the report prepared to meet these needs, yet the entire facility follows a single standard to make inter-department comparisons meaningful. The information available on each individual report includes: Month. Number of patient visits. Number of unique patients. Average Number of visits per patient. Charges. Part A and Part B worked hours. Paid hours. RVUs generated per worked hour. Productivity measured against. The providers department average. The total group average. Year to date averages. Graphical depiction of RVUs. Hour with trend line. The department summary contains similar information while the department detail report provides a means to easily compare providers within the department against each other and the group as a whole. The overall BMERF report uses summary information from each department and provides a graphical indication of how each department is performing.

Delivery of Health Care, Integrated↗

Anaerobic performances in black and white subjects.

The anaerobic performance characteristics of 15 Black males of African ancestry (25 +/- 2 yr; mean +/- SD) and 17 White males of French Canadian ancestry (22 +/- 2 yr) were compared. All subjects were sedentary. Morphological characteristics and body composition were similar in both groups. They were tested for maximal force during voluntary isometric contraction of the knee extensors and for total work output during 10 s, 30 s, and 90 s of maximal and repetitive knee extensions. Results indicated no significant differences between Blacks and Whites in maximal force of the knee extensors (736 +/- 78 N vs 722 +/- 11 N, respectively) and in total work output during the 10-s (1134 +/- 246 J vs 1124 +/- 207 J) and 30-s (2735 +/- 519 J vs 2779 +/- 647 J) tests. There was a difference of about 400 J between Blacks and Whites in the total work output during the 90-s test, but this difference was not statistically significant. However, significant differences were found between Blacks and Whites in the peak power output decrement during the last 60 s of the 90-s anaerobic test. These differences in peak power output between the two groups ranged between 7 and 10 W during the last 30 s of the 90-s test. The results indicate that knee extensor muscles of sedentary Black and White males have similar anaerobic performance power and capacities. However, the results reveal that sedentary Black subjects experience a greater degree of fatigue than sedentary Whites during an anaerobic exercise lasting longer than 30 s.

Adult↗

[Electromyographic validation of exercise for physical conditioning].

This study attempted to investigate on ten male subjects the intensity of muscular activity during the execution of various physical fitness exercises. Each subject executed thirteen exercises of different types which were selected because of their popularity in physical fitness programs. The various exercises involved muscles of the shoulder, elbow, knee and hip joints as well as abdominal and back muscles. The electrical activity of four muscles for each joint or muscular area was investigated by surface electromyography. The statistical analysis showed that the various exercises solicitated the participation of the same muscles at a given joint or muscular area. However, the intensity of solicitation, varied significantly between the various exercises. The results imply that the selection of various exercises should be carefully considered by physical fitness instructors.

Abdominal Muscles↗