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INTRODUCTION Intrapartum ultrasound (IPUS) allows for a more reliable and reproducible assessment of fetal head station and position during labor. This study aimed to investigate how an online education module on IPUS impacts midwives' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding this topic. METHODS Midwives working in the labor ward of the University Hospital of Leuven (Belgium) were invited to participate in an educational program on IPUS in April 2023. A baseline KAP survey was completed upon enrolment, followed by an online education module on the intrapartum sonographic assessment of head station and position. Afterwards, a second KAP survey was completed. Score were compared using a two-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank test. A p<0.05 was considered significant. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (version 29.0.2.0). RESULTS A total of 45 midwives were eligible for inclusion and invited to participate. From these, 46.7% (21/45) agreed to take part. Attitudes towards IPUS were positive, as most perceived it as safe, time-efficient, and beneficial for medical-decision making. However, only two midwives (9.1%) sometimes used IPUS themselves during the second stage, whereas none used it during the first stage. A significant improvement in knowledge scores was recorded after the online education module for both the sections on fetal head station (median score 0/5 to 2.75/5, p=0.01) and position (median score 2.5/5 to 3.5/5, p=0.04). No significant differences were observed in the overall attitude scores, as they remained overall positive (4.5/5 to 5/5, p=0.18). CONCLUSIONS Although having little experience with IPUS themselves, most participating midwives perceive it as an acceptable, time-efficient, and safe imaging modality. A short online education module resulted in a significant improvement in their knowledge of these topics. Further implementation research is needed to investigate how the uptake of IPUS amongst midwives can be improved, and how this can improve overall labor care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mine water is one of the factors threatening the environment. The aim of the review article is to discuss and critically evaluate individual strategies for the remediation of neutral mine water. A critical evaluation is an essential tool to determine an appropriate remediation strategy. A wetland system is the preferred method of metal removal. However, the disadvantage is that it takes up more space compared to other methods and has a lower metal removal efficiency compared to active metal removal methods. When creating a suitable strategy, it is also necessary to assess the conditions of the mining site, which partially or completely prevent the use of the selected remediation strategy. The benefit of this review article is the processing of suitable combinations of treatment methods for the removal of potentially hazardous elements and their subsequent recovery. Future research in the field needs to focus on the analysis of the negative aspects of the environment that may disrupt or support the implementation of the selected method of remediation.

The aim of our contribution is to evaluate the possibilities for the biochemical utilization of paper wastes. We tested aerobic and anaerobic degradation of paper waste sludges from a plant that processes recycled paper. Testing included the assessment of phytotoxicity. We can conclude that the concentration of paper sludges did not have toxic effects on the bacterial consortium of the anaerobic or aerobic conditions. However, the leachate of paper sludges and water from sludge dewatering had a slightly negative effect on the germination of cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and lettuce (Lepidium sativum L.) seeds where the germination ranged from 83.3% to 100% but the mass yield was higher.

The processing of paper sludge is currently an important environmental topic due to its high global production. The aim of this study is to monitor the biodegradation of paper sludge when the initial conditions change. Biodegradability tests 301F and OECD 311 were used to determine biodegradation. The data obtained from the tests were subsequently obtained for the simulation in MATLAB R2023b. The highest aerobic decomposition was approximately 80% after 28 days at an initial concentration of paper sludge leachate of 76 g/L. By simulating 3D modelling, we can predict that with a retention time of 1 day with degradation under aerobic conditions at the level of 70%, the ideal initial concentration of organic substances will be 157.55 g/L. Based on this model, it is possible to estimate that with a biogas production of 554 m3/tVS and a decomposition time of 20 days, it is necessary to set a concentration of approximately 128 g/L. Based on biodegradability tests, paper sludge was evaluated as suitable for aerobic or anaerobic biological decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Waste Forum is the property of Czech Environment Management Center (CEMC) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the study was to establish and compare the model of the biodegradability and ecotoxicological properties of oil samples in aqueous environment.The unused new mineral oil Turbinol and used (after 1 year of usage) recovered oil Turbinol purified by the electrostatical method were the tested samples. For the determination of the ecotoxicological properties, the test organisms used were seeds of Sinapis alba L. and the small aquatic crustaceans Daphnia magna. Preliminary tests were positive and determined the acute toxicity with the values of IC50 and EC50. Biodegradability was determined by the manometric method, in tests which lasted 28 days. Tests of toxicity were positive, and the samples were found to be hard to biodegrade. Determination of the oil composition by gas chromatography with mass detection (GC – MS); found that the composition of the electrostatically cleaned oil is comparable to the new oil, which is confirmed by the results obtained with the response inhibition in selected tests. Regeneration extends the oil life, reducing the cost of disposal of waste oils, saving fossil raw materials, thus belonging to the environmentally friendly techniques.

Kitchen waste presents a significant problem in waste management because of its large volume and other properties. Technologies for the treatment of kitchen waste are more or less tested in laboratory, semi-operational, or operational conditions. The main current technologies for the treatment of kitchen waste are anaerobic digestion, composting, incineration, and landfilling. However, new methods for kitchen waste treatment are currently being developed that combine the advantages and eliminate the disadvantages of current technologies. This review provides an overview, critically comparing the current methods of kitchen waste treatment. The comparison has been made primarily from the point of view of environmental advantages and disadvantages. This review does not take into account economic factors, which are difficult to evaluate as their value has to be related to a specific process and unit of capacity. In addition, we summarize some innovative methods for kitchen waste treatment that have already been tested under laboratory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in lifestyle can be significantly reflected in growth and development. Adaptations to reduced levels of physical activity, together with non-corresponding nutritional intakes, can result in body build and body composition changes at an early age. The present cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the secular trend of modifications of body composition and body mass index (BMI) in Czech preschoolers over the last two to three decades. Boys and girls (386 boys and 372 girls) aged 4 to 6 years in 2014–2019 were measured. Outcome data were compared with the reference sample of preschoolers from 1990: 911 boys and 896 girls. Body height, BMI, and percentage of body fat, muscle, and bone mass were evaluated. Height and BMI have not changed. Body fat increased in both genders (p < 0.01), and contrarily, a significant reduction of muscle and skeletal mass was revealed (p < 0.001). Significant changes in body composition and unchanged BMI indicate the development of latent obesity during the last few decades. Due to latent obesity in a recent cohort, the differences in the prevalence of overweight and obesity markers according to BMI and fat percentage were tested. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher by 7.2% in boys, and by 6.5% in girls, as compared to children evaluated according to only their BMI results. Secular changes in preschoolers’ physical builds over the last 25 years are not reflected in body height and BMI, but in body composition. Insufficient development of active, lean body mass proportionally compensated by increased fat mass was also indicated.

The aim of this paper is to assess the surface water contamination by oil substances in forest. The usage of forest mechanisms for felling, loading, and wood transportation belong to the activities which affect small but long-term natural environment contamination caused by mineral oil substances. These substances impact negatively on all components of the forest ecosystem. The oil substances were determined as non-polar extractable substances (NES) by spectrophotometric method in infrared spectrum. The progress of NES concentrations and harvest intensity in all sampled locations shows evident connection with harvest intensity and season of the year. We tested biodegradability of selected petroleum products for better understanding the interaction of hydrocarbons in forest ecosystem.

This article explores the feasibility and reliability of using transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) to assess the anal sphincter (AS) immediately after vaginal birth. The study found that TPUS volumes of the AS were of adequate quality in the majority of cases, and measurements of the AS were reproducible. However, there was poor agreement between experts in grading the extent of AS defects. Overall, TPUS appears to be a promising tool for assessing the AS after vaginal birth, but further research is needed to improve the grading of defects. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Waste Forum is the property of Czech Environment Management Center (CEMC) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Waste Forum is the property of Czech Environment Management Center (CEMC) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper presents the evaluation of selected risk elements (heavy metals) load in the soil, at a locality that is not directly affected by air pollution from industry. We analyzed content of mercury, lead, copper, and zinc in selected soils of cadastral area Papradno (in Považská Bystrica district, Slovakia). Samples were taken from 4 soil areas in autumn 2017 and 2019. Measurement of mercury was done on a single-purpose atomic absorption spectrometer AMA 254 and analysis of lead, copper, and zinc with a flame absorption atomic spectrometer GBC 933-AA. The results of element (Zn, Cu, Pb, and Hg) content indicate their natural occurrence in the soils of cadastral area Papradno and even points to a slight exceedance of the critical value, especially for the lead content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is focused on the research of ecotoxicological properties of mortar prisms produced with partial cement replacement by ash from energy recovery of municipal waste. Two types of ash were used: ash from incineration and ash from municipal waste gasifi cation. According to the Waste Catalogue, ash is considered other waste, which is non-hazardous and nowadays it is predominantly landfi lled. Negative results of standardized biotests are inevitable precondition for the use of ash for construction products. The results from both biotests (acute toxicity test on aquatic organisms Daphnia magna and growth inhibition test of higher cultivated plants Sinapis alba) confirmed suitability of cement replacement by ash from energy recovery of municipal waste. Environmental safety of produced mortar prisms is different. Recommended replacement of cement with ash, obtained from municipal waste gasifi cation, is 10% and with ash gained from incineration is 15%. The use of this type of waste in construction industry will lead to the decrease of landfilled waste. Due to the replacement of cement with waste (from industrial branches) natural resources of raw materials used in the process of cement production are saved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the population continues to grow, there is an increasing need for alternative energy sources. Population trends also cause the accumulation of biodegradable municipal waste. The anaerobic digestion biogas is a convenient alternative that combines the demand for increasing energy consumption with the treatment of this type of waste. The present study describes the mechanism of biodegradation under aerobic (composting) and anaerobic (digestion) conditions, anaerobic digestion technology, analysis of bio-waste, comparisons of methane yield of municipal solid waste with agricultural substrates used for biogas plants. Based on a summary of the results of biomethane production from various studies, anaerobic digestion of bio-waste appears to be a suitable alternative for energy recovery. According to processed studies, the most suitable biodegradable municipal waste is the kitchen waste with a methane yield of 900 ml/g SŽ. Among the agricultural substrates, doge maize hybrid, which reached 419 ml /g SO2, appears to be the most suitable for the methane yield. It is necessary to point out that the key factor for achieving a maximum methane yield is the anaerobic digestion technology itself, which mainly includes the selection of operating temperature (mesophilic and thermophilic process), dry matter concentration in the process (solid and wet technology) anaerobic digestion, design of fermenters. Closely related to this issue is theprocessing of the feedstock before anaerobic digestion itself, e.g. thermal pretreatment of food waste due to inactivation of the pathogenic organisms (this requirement is legally enshrined) or thermo-chemical pretreatment of the lignin cellulosic biomass (by application of NaOH, CaOH2) to increase solubility of the lignin. In the pretreatment of the input substrate, it is necessary to emphasize the control of the entire pretreatment process, an inappropriate combination of thermochemical processes may produce toxic compounds (formation of phenolic compounds from lignin after reaching a temperature of 160 °C) [1]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes of lifestyle resulted also in in the changes of growth profile and morphological parameters of individuals. The increase of the prevalence of overweight and obesity in present populations is negatively reflected also in general somatic development of children and adolescents. Increased body weight overloads growth discs of long bones, influences negatively the development of vertebral column and long bones of the extremities. Enhanced deposition of adipose tissue changes the start and development of puberty due to its hormonal activity. Recent results indicate a modified new trend. Significantly increased adiposity along with unchanged BMI within normal weight proporcionality was revealed already in preschool children. So called latent obesity escapes attention in normal clinical praxis. Negative metabolic impact of excess amount of adipose tissue demonstrates however comparable risk of the development and manifestation of comorbidities, simarly as in obvious marked obesity. Therefore, in addition to an adequate nutrition an active intervention and support of physical activity of children, best with the assistance of the motivation of the whole family including the mother during pregnancy should be implemented. Adequate and satisfactory spontabeous physical activity, education and exercise, namely during preschool age, is an indispensable component of lifestyle aiming to healthy and harmonious development during growth, which determines also the quality of the following life until old age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the influence of oils on surface water pollution. Two mineral oils of petroleum origin, one synthetic oil and one vegetable oil were tested. Properties of the selected oil types were assessed by ecotoxicological tests. The acute toxicity test on Daphnia magna showed that out of the tested oils the most toxic for these aquatic organisms were the petroleum oils. In the phytotoxicity test on Sinapis alba, the toxic effect of mineral oils in comparison with synthetic and vegetable oil was more significant. Oils create oil stains visible under the microscope. It was difficult to differentiate them from Scenedesmus subspicatus. The calculation of growth rate was not relevant and a significant loss of cells was detected. It follows from the summary of the tests results that vegetable oil is the least aggressive for the aquatic environment and there are no significant differences between synthetic and mineral oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]