Veolia (Sweden)

This session will explore the integration of recombinant Cascade Reagents (rCR) with centripetal microfluidic technology. We will detail our multi-matrix approach for comparing LAL and rCR on different sample types and how we assessed performance metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility across diverse sample types. We also address key technical challenges and practical considerations encountered during this research. Finally, the results of the study will be presented.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and EV proteins are promising biomarkers for cancer liquid biopsy. Herein, we designed a case–control study involving 100 controls and 100 patients with esophageal, stomach, colorectal, liver, or lung cancer to identify common and type‐specific biomarkers of plasma‐derived EV surface proteins for the five cancers. EV surface proteins were profiled using a sequencing‐based proximity barcoding assay. In this study, five differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and eight differentially expressed protein combinations (DEPCs) showed promising performance (area under curve, AUC > 0.900) in pan‐cancer identification [e.g., TENM2 (AUC = 0.982), CD36 (AUC = 0.974), and CD36‐ITGA1 (AUC = 0.971)]. Our classification model could properly discriminate between cancer patients and controls using DEPs (AUC = 0.981) or DEPCs (AUC = 0.965). When distinguishing one cancer from the other four, the accuracy of the classification model using DEPCs (85–92%) was higher than that using DEPs (78–84%). We validated the performance in an additional 14 cancer patients and 14 controls, and achieved an AUC value of 0.786 for DEPs and 0.622 for DEPCs, highlighting the necessity to recruit a larger cohort for further validation. When clustering EVs into subpopulations, we detected cluster‐specific proteins highly expressed in immune‐related tissues. In the context of colorectal cancer, we identified heterogeneous EV clusters enriched in cancer patients, correlating with tumor initiation and progression. These findings provide epidemiological and molecular evidence for the clinical application of EV proteins in cancer prediction, while also illuminating their functional roles in cancer physiopathology.

Abstract Objectives/Scope Field N, located at offshore Sarawak, Malaysia has been identified of gas producing field with high level of contaminants such as mercury, CO2 & H2S. One of major challenges in the development of Field N include the presence of stable emulsion that had caused the oil in water (OIW) reading for the discharge water exceeding the allowable Effluent Discharge Quality (EDQ) limit specified by Malaysia Department of Environment governance. Chemical application i.e., water clarifier with flocculation type was applied in the Produced Water Treatment System (PWTS) to assist in emulsion separation in order to comply with the specification of environmental authority, i.e., OIW ≤ 100 mg/L. This paper described the multi discipline collaboration efforts between Operation, Process and Production Chemistry on the chemical application and process control tuning on Sludge Receiver’s Level Control Valve (LCV-2031) to promote effective chemical mixing with the fluid and subsequently reduce the OIW reading at the discharge water. Methods, Procedures, Process Process control tuning approach starts with controller output% (OP%) and process variable (PV) trending collection based on the default and new tuning parameters (i.e., Proportional Band, Integral and Derivative or PID). The produced water sample at the final discharge point is taken for oil in water (OIW) analysis using accredited method. With the same chemical injection dosage, the LCV controller PID is tuned manually at site in such a way that sustained oscillation is achieved and OIW reading fulfills EDQ limit as per Organization PPGUA Minimum Environmental Specification (MES) of 30 mg/L. Controller behavior verification is necessary during the tuning exercise to ensure the primary control element i.e., Slug Receiver’s level and downstream system process parameters stay within the safe operating limit. Results, Observations, Conclusions Based on the field trial program conducted in 2022, it was observed that the OIW reading reduced and improved significantly with the increasing of Slug Receiver LCV-2031 opening% oscillation frequency, which was achieved by providing an optimum Proportional, Integral and Derivative (PID) parameter on the controller. These efforts contributed to the reduction of OIW reading from ≥ 80 mg/L (pre field trial), to below Organization limit of 30 mg/L (post field trial). PID tuning on Slug Receiver’s level control valve controller (LICA-2031) able to provide agitation to the chemical for effective mixing with the produced water, which improves the OIW reading of the effluent discharge without the need of increasing chemical injection dosage. Novel/Additive Information This innovative and collaboration efforts contributed to the sustenance of good EDQ performance for Field N and cost saving of chemical required to treat the produced water. With less chemical injected, the HSE impact of flocculants issues encountered at Field N is also minimized.

The degradation potential of micropollutants and transformation products in biological post-treatment after ozonation is partly unknown. A pilot plant with ozonation and subsequent biological treatment in a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was thus operated over 16 months to investigate the removal of micropollutants and the formation and removal of N-oxide transformation products. Lab-scale kinetic experiments were performed in parallel. At a moderate ozone dose of 0.5 g O3 g−1 DOC, further degradation of gabapentin and 3 iodinated contrast media (iomeprol, iopamidol, and iohexol) could be induced by the biofilm at prolonged exposure times. To facilitate comparison of feeding regimens in biofilm systems a new surface-related degradation rate constant was introduced. The availability of substrates in the pilot MBBR influenced the micropollutant degradation kinetics with increasing and decreasing degradation rates. N-oxides from erythromycin, clarithromycin, tramadol, and venlafaxine were formed during ozonation and could not be degraded by the biofilm.

Abstract Many wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in touristic areas struggle to achieve the effluent requirements due to seasonal variations in population. In alpine areas, the climate also determines a low wastewater temperature, which implies long sludge retention time (SRT) needed for the growth of nitrifying biomass in conventional activated sludge (CAS). Moreover, combined sewers generate high flow and dilution. The present study shows how the treatment efficiency of an existing CAS plant with tertiary treatment can be upgraded by adding a compact line in parallel, consisting of a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR)-coagulation-flocculation-disc filtration. This allows the treatment of influent variations in the MBBR and a constant flow supply to the activated sludge. The performance of the new 2-step process was comparable to that of the improved existing one. Regardless significant variations in flow (10,000–25,000 m3/d) and total suspended solids (TSS) (50–300 mg/L after primary treatment) the effluent quality fulfilled the discharge requirements. Based on yearly average effluent data, TSS were 11 mg/L, chemical oxygen demand (COD) 27 mg/L and total phosphorus (TP) 0.8 mg/L. After the upgrade, ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) dropped from 4.9 mg/L to 1.3 mg/L and the chemical consumption for phosphorus removal was reduced.

Aerobic and anaerobic oxidations of ammonium are core biological processes driving the nitrogen cycle in natural and engineered microbial ecosystems. These conversions are tailored in mixed-culture biotechnology to propel partial nitritation and anammox (PN/A) for a complete chemolithoautotrophic removal of nitrogen from wastewater at low resource and energey expenditures. Good practices of microbiome science and engineering are needed to design microbial PN/A systems and translate them to a spectrum of wastewater environments. Inter-disciplinary investigations of systems microbiology and engineering are paramount to harness the microbial compositions and metabolic performance of complex microbiomes. We propose “process ecogenomics” as an integration ground to combine community systems microbiology and microbial systems engineering by establishing a synergy between the life and physical sciences. It drives a high-resolution analysis, engineering and management of microbial communities and their metabolic performance in mixed-culture systems. While addressing the key underpinnings of the science and engineering of aerobic-anaerobic ammonium oxidations, we advocate the need to formulate targeted research questions in order to elucidate and manage microbial ecosystems in wastewater environments. We propose a systems-level roadmap to investigate and functional engineer technical microbiomes like PN/A, via: (i) quantitative biotechnological measurement of stoichiometry and kinetics of nitrogen turnovers; (ii) genome-centric metagenomic fingerprinting of the microbiome; (ii) ecophysiological examination of the main metabolizing lineages; (iii) multi-omics elucidation of expressed metabolic functionalities across the microbial network; and (iv) translation of microbial and functional ecology principles into physical designs.

Aerobic and anaerobic oxidations of ammonium are core biological processes driving the nitrogen cycle in natural and engineered microbial ecosystems. These conversions are tailored in mixed-culture biotechnology to propel partial nitritation and anammox (PN/A) for a complete chemolithoautotrophic removal of nitrogen from wastewater at low resource and energey expenditures. Good practices of microbiome science and engineering are needed to design microbial PN/A systems and translate them to a spectrum of wastewater environments. Inter-disciplinary investigations of systems microbiology and engineering are paramount to harness the microbial compositions and metabolic performance of complex microbiomes. We propose “process ecogenomics” as an integration ground to combine community systems microbiology and microbial systems engineering by establishing a synergy between the life and physical sciences. It drives a high-resolution analysis, engineering and management of microbial communities and their metabolic performance in mixed-culture systems. While addressing the key underpinnings of the science and engineering of aerobic-anaerobic ammonium oxidations, we advocate the need to formulate targeted research questions in order to elucidate and manage microbial ecosystems in wastewater environments. We propose a systems-level roadmap to investigate and functional engineer technical microbiomes like PN/A, via: (<i>i</i>) quantitative biotechnological measurement of stoichiometry and kinetics of nitrogen turnovers; (<i>ii</i>) genome-centric metagenomic fingerprinting of the microbiome; (<i>ii</i>) ecophysiological examination of the main metabolizing lineages; (<i>iii</i>) multi-omics elucidation of expressed metabolic functionalities across the microbial network; and (<i>iv</i>) translation of microbial and functional ecology principles into physical designs.<br>

Abstract Background: Rapid control of cholera outbreaks is a significant challenge in overpopulated urban areas. During late-2017, Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, experienced a cholera outbreak that showed potential to spread throughout the city. A novel targeted water and hygiene response strategy was implemented to quickly stem the outbreak.Methods: We describe the first implementation of the cluster grid response strategy carried out in the community during the cholera outbreak in Kinshasa, in which response activities targeted cholera case clusters using a grid approach. Interventions focused on emergency water supply, household water treatment and safe storage, home disinfection and hygiene promotion. We also performed a preliminary community trial study to assess the temporal pattern of the outbreak before and after response interventions were implemented. Cholera surveillance databases from the Ministry of Health were analyzed to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of the outbreak using epidemic curves and maps.Results: From January 2017 to November 2018, a total of 1,712 suspected cholera cases were reported in Kinshasa. During this period, the most affected health zones included Binza Météo, Limeté, Kokolo, Kintambo and Kingabwa. Following implementation of the response strategy, the weekly cholera case numbers in Binza Météo, Kintambo and Limeté decreased by an average of 57% after two weeks and 86% after four weeks. The total weekly case numbers throughout Kinshasa Province dropped by 71% four weeks after the peak of the outbreak.Conclusion: During the 2017-2018 period, Kinshasa experienced a sharp increase in cholera case numbers. To contain the outbreak, water supply and hygiene response interventions targeted case households, nearby neighbors and public areas in case clusters using a grid approach. Following implementation of the response, the outbreak in Kinshasa was quickly brought under control. A similar approach may be adapted to quickly interrupt cholera transmission in other urban settings.