Katharina Bode

Pulsed Flow Cleaning of Whey Protein Fouling Layers

This article reports on the use of intermittent pulsing superimposed on a slow steady flow to enhance the rate of cleaning of a model food soil—namely, a whey protein deposit—in a well-characterized flow geometry. Whey protein deposits were generated by recirculating 3.5 wt% WPC solutions through an electrically heated annular test section and then cleaned using recirculating solutions of 0.5 wt% NaOH, simulating industrial cleaning-in-place operations. Protein removal was monitored by local measurements of fouling resistance (at low heating power) and a total protein assay. Bulk flow velocities of 0.1–0.3 m/s and waviness ratios (amplitude of velocity pulse/baseline flow velocity) of 0.33–5.0 were studied at room temperature. Cleaning at these temperatures is a relatively slow process and allows the effect of flow regime to be followed readily. The resulting cleaning profiles showed that protein was removed in two stages: an initial rinsing stage, followed by protein swelling and gradual dissolution. Only the rinsing stage was observed in the absence of NaOH at a noticeably lower rate. Slow flow pulsing enhanced the overall cleaning rate, which exhibited a noticeable increase when the waviness of the flow exceeded unity and backflow of the fluid occurred. The results are discussed in terms of cleaning enhancement as a function of extra flow rate and extra energy input to the process.

Work-related treatment for major depressive disorder and incapacity to work: preliminary findings of a controlled, matched study.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of work-related cognitive-behavioral treatment (W-CBT) with that of cognitive-behavioral treatment as usual (CBT-AU) for employees on sick leave as a result of a major depressive disorder (MDD). We collected data for 26 matched outpatients at pre- and posttreatment, as well as at 1-year follow-up. Outcome measures were the days of incapacity to work (DIW) as well as self-report measures (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI], Symptom Checklist 90-R [GSI], Life Satisfaction Questionnaire [FLZ]). We analyzed data with hierarchical linear modeling in a 2-level model. Therapy effects were defined in 3 ways: effect size (ES), response (based on the reliable change index), and remission compared with the general populations symptom level. The DIW were reduced significantly after both types of treatment, but employees showed even fewer DIW after W-CBT. At follow-up, significantly more employees were working as a result of W-CBT than with CBT-AU. Significant improvements on scores of self-rating measures corresponded with moderate-to-large effect sizes for both treatment types. Approximately 2 thirds of the treated employees were categorized as unimpaired on BDI scores at posttreatment and at follow-up. At least 1 half of the employees were classified as unimpaired on GSI scores at both assessment points. In future research, a randomized controlled trial should be conducted using a larger sample size to investigate the impact of moderators (e.g., employees at different branches of the company). Findings provided support for using common CBT techniques to enhance return to work without losing expected improvements at the symptom level.

Interdisziplinäre Versorgung von Arbeitnehmern mit psychischen Störungen: Ein Faktencheck am Beispiel des Salzgitter-Modells

OBJECTIVE Mental disorders are quite common among employees, and cause enormous economic costs. The Salzgitter-Model aims at an early recognition of mental disorders in employees of raw material processing industries by rendering a diagnostic examination (DE), so that appropriate health-care services may be provided promptly. METHODS Data of a consecutive sample consisting of 133 mentally ill employees (61% men) were analyzed. Mental disorders were diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Moreover, routine data of company health insurance funds collected in the 6 months preceding the DE were evaluated. RESULTS On average, the DE was conducted 14 days after application. Half the diagnoses were of mood disorders, while almost one third consisted of neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders. For 63% of diagnoses from the DE, a correspondence was found with diagnoses made by practitioners during standard care over the previous 6 months. Of these employees, 42% received drug therapy. However more than one fifth did not receive guideline-based psychopharmacological treatment. Psychological symptoms and work-related factors were the main reasons for utilization of the DE. No employee had received psychotherapeutic treatment prior to the DE; more than 90% accepted the recommendation of treatment after the DE. CONCLUSION Strengthened interdisciplinary cooperation can improve the utilization of an employee group that usually does not seek out specific diagnostic examinations and psychotherapeutic treatment.

Influence of Microstructures on Convective Heat Transfer under Laminar and Turbulent Flow Conditions

Microstructures on heat transfer surfaces can enhance heat transfer. This effect appears during the induction period of the crystallization fouling process where often a negative fouling resistance occurs. It is interpreted by the increase in near-wall turbulence due to first crystals growing on the surface resulting in the observed heat transfer enhancement [1]. Man-made microstructures in the same scale may utilize this positive effect in single-phase convective heat transfer. Plain copper plates with systematically and randomly distributed structures of 100 to 500 μm were designed and manufactured. Number, size, design, and allocation of the microstructures were varied. The plates were applied to a heat transfer test rig that allows investigation of Reynolds numbers between 1,000 and 17,000. The heat transfer can be calculated from temperature measurements and compared to smooth surfaces. Microstructures show an increase of heat transfer, described by the Nusselt number, up to 18% in the turbulent regime compared to a smooth plate. In laminar flow, a maximum of the Nusselt number was observed for some geometries. All results are strongly dependent on the design of the probes. These results show the potential for the optimization of microstructured surfaces to maximize heat and, subsequently, mass transfer rates.

Population-based cost-offset analyses for disorder-specific treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in Germany.

Previous research has shown that anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are expensive illnesses to treat. To reduce their economic burden, adequate interventions need to be established. Our objective was to conduct cost-offset analyses for evidence-based treatment of eating disorders using outcome data from a psychotherapy trial involving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and focal psychodynamic therapy (FPT) for AN and a trial involving CBT for BN. Assuming a currently running, ideal healthcare system using a 12-month, prevalence-based approach and varying the willingness to participate in treatment, we investigated whether the potential financial benefits of AN- and BN-related treatment outweigh the therapy costs at the population level. We elaborated on a formula that allows calculating cost-benefit relationships whereby the calculation of the parameters is based on estimates from data of health institutions within the German healthcare system. Additional intangible benefits were calculated with the aid of Quality-Adjusted Life Years. The annual costs of an untreated eating disorder were 2.38 billion EUR for AN and 617.69 million EUR for BN. Independent of the willingness to participate in treatment, the cost-benefit relationships for the treatment remained constant at 2.51 (CBT) and 2.33 (FPT) for AN and 4.05 (CBT) for BN. This consistency implies that for each EUR invested in the treatment, between 2.33 and 4.05 EUR could be saved each year. Our findings suggest that the implementation of evidence-based psychotherapy treatments for AN and BN may achieve substantial cost savings at the population level.

Designing Sustainable Supply Chains by Integrating Logistical and Process Engineering Aspects — A Material Flow Based Approach for 2nd Generation Synthetic Bio-Fuels

In this contribution, a concept for a techno-economical decision support system for the production and distribution of bio-fuels will be presented. The production of bio-fuels is carried out in multi-stage processes and thus, is characterized by complex production structures. Furthermore, a variety of economical and technical risks need to be considered during planning. Therefore, decision support methods considering logistical as well as process technology aspects in an integrated approach are required.

Effektivität von kognitiver Verhaltenstherapie bei arbeitslosen und erwerbstätigen Patienten mit prävalenten psychischen Störungen – Eine naturalistische Studie

Background Unemployed individuals suffer more from mental strain than those who have jobs. Up until now, little information could be found regarding the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for unemployed people with mental disorders. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of CBT on employed versus unemployed individuals in a naturalistic setting. Methods 92 outpatients with prevalent mental disorders (depression and anxiety) were matched post-hoc and assessed pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at follow-up. Results Unemployed individuals were more impaired at all assessment points. The multi-level analysis showed that both groups benefited equally. Moderate-to-large effect sizes were found in both groups. At follow-up-assessment, one third of the unemployed sample and one-fifth of those with jobs were classified as unimpaired. The job integration rate was 26%. Discussion The effect sizes indicate that CBT is beneficial for both groups. However, unemployed participants were as impaired at post-treatment as the employed were at pre-treatment. The job integration rate of 26% was comparable to the general integration rate in Germany (25%), although no work-focused interventions were carried out during the adjustment period. Conclusions CBT is effective for unemployed individuals, but because the unemployed participants were still more impaired at post-treatment, they might have a higher risk of relapse.

Arbeitsplatzbezogene kognitive Verhaltenstherapie mit Fokus auf die Rückkehr an den Arbeitsplatz: Zwei Fallbeschreibungen

Hintergrund: Psychische Störungen bei Erwerbstätigen führen zu hohen Fehlzeiten und verursachen damit entsprechende Kosten für die Betriebe und das Gesundheitssystem. Das Arbeitsleben ist eine wichtige Quelle der Lebenszufriedenheit. Daher scheint es wichtig, die Wiedereingliederung an den Arbeitsplatz im Rahmen einer kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie als Therapieziel aufzunehmen und den Wiedereinstieg therapeutisch zu begleiten. Falldarstellungen: Anhand von 2 Kasuistiken wird die Vorgehensweise der arbeitsplatzbezogenen kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie nach Lagerveld et al. [2012] beschrieben. Schlussfolgerung: Voraussetzungen und Grenzen des Ansatzes werden diskutiert.