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Cerqueira FM, Bertsch J, DeMaet MA, York T, McDougal A, Patel JA, Ren P. Enhancing Candida auris Surveillance in High-Risk Settings by Implementing a High-Throughput Molecular Assay on the Hologic Fusion Open Access Platform. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:285. [PMID: 38667956 PMCID: PMC11051439 DOI: 10.3390/jof10040285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida auris, a resilient pathogenic yeast with frequent multidrug resistance, presents a persistent challenge in healthcare settings. The timely identification of C. auris is crucial for infection control and prevention, especially in facilities facing unique hurdles, such as our institution, which serves four major hospitals and approximately 80% of the Texas inmate population. Understaffing, communal living, and financial constraints exacerbate infection control issues. To address common staff shortages, streamline testing services, and enhance testing efficiency, there was a pressing need for rapid and high-throughput detection of C. auris. This study presents the validation and utility of an assay implemented on the Hologic Fusion Open Access platform using samples collected from high-risk patients' axilla and groin areas, as well as environmental swab samples from patient rooms. Our assay complemented efforts to control C. auris outbreaks within our healthcare system, providing valuable insights into its presence within surveillance samples. This assay demonstrated the value of high-throughput molecular detection platforms in challenging healthcare environments by aiding infection preventionists in containing the spread of C. auris and preventing nosocomial infections. Our research contributes essential data on the suitability and performance of the Hologic Fusion Open Access platform for C. auris detection. These findings hold significant implications for enhancing surveillance and control measures in high-risk settings, making a significant impact on the field of infection control and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ping Ren
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (F.M.C.); (J.B.); (M.A.D.); (T.Y.); (A.M.); (J.A.P.)
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Grosse M, Santisteban JR, Bertsch J, Schillinger B, Kaestner A, Daymond MR, Kardjilov N. Investigations of the hydrogen diffusion and distribution in Zirconium by means of Neutron Imaging. KERNTECHNIK 2018. [DOI: 10.3139/124.110946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAbsorbed hydrogen degrades the mechanical properties of zirconium alloys used for nuclear fuel claddings. Not only the total amount of hydrogen absorbed in the cladding tube but also the zirconium hydride orientation and its distribution influence the toughness of the material. For instance, the so-called delayed hydride cracking is caused by the diffusive re-distribution of hydrogen into the dilative elastic strain field ahead of crack tips. The paper presents in-situ and ex-situ neutron imaging investigations of hydrogen uptake, diffusion and distribution in zirconium alloys used for claddings. An overview about results of in-situ experiments studying the hydrogen uptake in strained Zircaloy-4, as well as ex-situ investigations of the diffusion of hydrogen in cold rolled Zircaloy-2 and Zr-2.5 % Nb alloy depending on temperature, rolling direction and thermal treatment and of the hydrogen re-distribution in the β-phase of Zircaloy-4 during a Three-Point-Bending-Test at 600 °C are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Grosse
- 1Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - J. R. Santisteban
- 2Centro Atómico Bariloche-CNEA and CONICET, Av Bustillo Km 9.500, Bariloche 8400, Argentina
| | - J. Bertsch
- 3Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland,
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- 4Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany,
| | - A. Kaestner
- 5Paul Scherrer Institut, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland,
| | - M. R. Daymond
- 6Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Queens University, Nicol Hall, 60 Union Street, Kingston, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - N. Kardjilov
- 7Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin, Germany
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Mearin F, Cortes X, Mackinnon J, Bertsch J, Fortea J, Tack J. Economic And Quality-Of-Life Burden Of Moderate-To-Severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation (Ibs-C) In Spain: The Ibis-C Study. Value Health 2014; 17:A365. [PMID: 27200758 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- F Mearin
- Centro médico Teknon, Barcelona, Spain
| | - X Cortes
- Laboratorios Almirall S. A., Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - J Fortea
- Laboratorios Almirall S. A., Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Tack
- University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Mearin F, Cortes X, Mackinnon J, Bertsch J, Fortea J, Tack J. Diagnosis And Management Of Moderate-To-Severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation (Ibs-C) In Spain: The Ibis-C Study. Value Health 2014; 17:A370. [PMID: 27200789 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- F Mearin
- Centro médico Teknon, Barcelona, Spain
| | - X Cortes
- Laboratorios Almirall S. A., Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - J Fortea
- Laboratorios Almirall S. A., Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Tack
- University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Mieszczynski C, Kuri G, Bertsch J, Martin M, Borca CN, Delafoy C, Simoni E. Microbeam x-ray absorption spectroscopy study of chromium in large-grain uranium dioxide fuel. J Phys Condens Matter 2014; 26:355009. [PMID: 25109302 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/26/35/355009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Synchrotron-based microprobe x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been used to study the local atomic structure of chromium in chromia-doped uranium dioxide (UO2) grains. The specimens investigated were a commercial grade chromia-doped UO2 fresh fuel pellet, and materials from a spent fuel pellet of the same batch, irradiated with an average burnup of ~40 MW d kg(-1). Uranium L3-edge and chromium K-edge XAS have been measured, and the structural environments of central uranium and chromium atoms have been elucidated. The Fourier transform of uranium L3-edge extended x-ray absorption fine structure shows two well-defined peaks of U-O and U-U bonds at average distances of 2.36 and 3.83 Å. Their coordination numbers are determined as 8 and 11, respectively. The chromium Fourier transform extended x-ray absorption fine structure of the pristine UO2 matrix shows similar structural features with the corresponding spectrum of the irradiated spent fuel, indicative of analogous chromium environments in the two samples studied. From the chromium XAS experimental data, detectable next neighbor atoms are oxygen and uranium of the cation-substituted UO2 lattice, and two distinct subshells of chromium and oxygen neighbors, possibly because of undissolved chromia particles present in the doped fuels. Curve-fitting analyses using theoretical amplitude and phase-shift functions of the closest Cr-O shell and calculations with ab initio computer code FEFF and atomic clusters generated from the chromium-dissolved UO2 structure have been carried out. There is a prominent reduction in the length of the adjacent Cr-O bond of about 0.3 Å in chromia-doped UO2 compared with the ideal U-O bond length in standard UO2 that would be expected because of the change in effective Coulomb interactions resulting from replacing U(4+) with Cr(3+) and their ionic size differences. The contraction of shortest Cr-U bond is ~0.1 Å relative to the U-U bond length in bulk UO2. The difference in the local chromium environment between fresh and irradiated UO2 is discussed based on the comparison of quantitative structural information obtained from the two chromia-doped fuel samples analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mieszczynski
- NES & SYN, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 PSI-Villigen, Switzerland
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Mieszczynski C, Degueldre C, Kuri G, Bertsch J, Borca C. Investigation of irradiated uranium-plutonium mixed oxide fuel by synchrotron based micro X-ray diffraction. Progress in Nuclear Energy 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2011.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Czihal M, Bertsch J, Piller A, Hoffmann U. [Large vessel vasculitides: new insights]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2012; 137:166-8. [PMID: 22278683 DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1292892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Czihal
- Gefäßzentrum - Abteilung Angiologie, Medizinische Poliklinik Innenstadt, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
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Haro JM, Reed C, Gonzalez-Pinto A, Novick D, Bertsch J, Vieta E. 2-Year course of bipolar disorder type I patients in outpatient care: factors associated with remission and functional recovery. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2011; 21:287-93. [PMID: 20956071 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2010.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2010] [Revised: 07/10/2010] [Accepted: 08/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
EMBLEM is a 2-year, prospective, observational study that enrolled patients initiating/changing oral treatment for an acute manic/mixed episode. This paper analysed remission and functional recovery in 1656 patients who entered the 2-year long-term phase. Cox models identified variables significantly associated with achieving remission and functional recovery at 2years. Of these patients, 64% achieved remission and 34% achieved functional recovery. Patients with a higher CGI-BP overall score at baseline, who had depressive episodes in the year before inclusion and who had poor social functioning (work or social impairment, not living independently or without a spouse/partner) were less likely to achieve remission or recovery. Prescription of typical antipsychotics and prescription of antidepressants at the first visit of the long-term treatment phase (12weeks) were independent predictors of lower remission and recovery rates. In conclusion, functional recovery occurred in approximately half of those who achieved remission. Impairment of work and social functioning was consistently associated with lower remission and recovery rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Haro
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan De Deu-SSM, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
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González-Pinto A, Reed C, Novick D, Bertsch J, Haro JM. Assessment of medication adherence in a cohort of patients with bipolar disorder. Pharmacopsychiatry 2010; 43:263-70. [PMID: 20842617 DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1263169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aimed to identify factors associated with medication adherence in bipolar disorder (BPD) patients. METHODS EMBLEM is a 2-year, prospective, observational study on the outcomes of BPD patients initiating or changing treatment for a manic/mixed episode. Data were collected at baseline, during the first 12 weeks of treatment (acute phase) and up to 24 months of follow-up (maintenance phase). Adherence was assessed by investigators at every visit. Repeated measures logistic regression analyses identified variables associated with adherence. RESULTS Of 1,831 patients included in the analysis, 76.6% were adherent and 23.4% were non-adherent with their BPD medication during the maintenance phase. Patients were more likely to be adherent if they had insight into their illness at week 12. Patients were less likely to be adherent if they had cannabis abuse/dependence during the acute phase, work impairment or higher CGI hallucinations/delusions at baseline DISCUSSION Psychotic symptoms, poor insight, cannabis abuse/dependence and work impairment are negatively related to medication adherence during maintenance therapy of bipolar disorder. Patients with these characteristics may need a different therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- A González-Pinto
- CIBERSAM Stanley International Mood Disorders Research Centre, Hospital Santiago Apóstol, University of the Basque Country, Vitoria, Spain.
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Novick D, Gonzalez-Pinto A, Haro JM, Bertsch J, Reed C, Perrin E, Tohen M. Translation of Randomised Controlled Trial Findings into Clinical Practice: Comparison of Olanzapine and Valproate in the EMBLEM Study. Pharmacopsychiatry 2009; 42:145-52. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1128115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Cruz N, Vieta E, Comes M, Haro JM, Reed C, Bertsch J. Rapid-cycling bipolar I disorder: course and treatment outcome of a large sample across Europe. J Psychiatr Res 2008; 42:1068-75. [PMID: 18262204 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2007.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2007] [Revised: 12/14/2007] [Accepted: 12/17/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the baseline characteristics and follow-up outcomes of rapid-cycling (RC) bipolar I patients in a large, prospective, observational study. METHODS EMBLEM (European Mania in Bipolar Longitudinal Evaluation of Medication) is a long-term prospective observational study of in- and outpatients with an acute mania/mixed episode conducted in 14 European countries. Demographic and clinical variables were collected at baseline, including the presence or absence of DSM-IV rapid-cycling during the past year. Outcome measures included the 5-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-5) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) over 12 weeks, as well as the Clinical Global Impressions-Bipolar Disorder Scale (CGI-BP overall, mania and depression) over 12 months. RESULTS Of 3684 patients enrolled, 3089 patients provided reliable data to qualify for either RC (N=535, 17.3%) or non-RC (NRC, N=2554), according to DSM-IV. RC prevalence varied across countries (p<0.001). Baseline and 12 week outcomes on the YMRS and HAMD-5, 12 month ratings on the CGI-BP subscales and work impairment at 12 months were significantly different (p<0.001) between groups, being worse in RC. RC patients were more likely to receive antidepressants and lamotrigine (p<0.001). Using logistic regression, RC was associated to country (p<0.001), female sex (p=0.029), outpatients (p=0.035), more history of attempted suicide (p<0.001) and alcohol abuse (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The EMBLEM results suggest that in naturalistic settings, patients with mania and RC differ from NRC in socio-demographic characteristics, treatment prescriptions and clinical outcome measures with a consistently worse occupational outcome and comorbidities. RC represents a longitudinally severe form of bipolar disorder, with poorly evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Cruz
- Bipolar Disorders Program, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBER-SAM, Barcelona, Spain
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Rosa A, Cruz N, Franco C, Haro J, Bertsch J, Reed C, Aarre T, Sanchez-Moreno J, Vieta E. Why clinicians maintain antidepressants in some patients with acute mania? Hints from a large, observational study (EMBLEM). Eur Psychiatry 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2008.01.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Hatzichristou D, Haro JM, Martin-Morales A, von Keitz A, Riley A, Bertsch J, Belger M, Wolka AM, Beardsworth A. Patterns of switching phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: results from the Erectile Dysfunction Observational Study. Int J Clin Pract 2007; 61:1850-62. [PMID: 17850306 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2007.01560.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS This report describes patterns of treatment changes with the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors tadalafil, sildenafil and vardenafil, and variables associated with those treatment changes, during the 6-month, prospective, pan-European Erectile Dysfunction Observational Study (EDOS). METHODS EDOS observed 8047 men > or = 18 years old with erectile dysfunction (ED), who began or changed ED therapy as part of their routine healthcare. Patients could change ED treatment at any time during EDOS. Data were collected at baseline and at 3 (+/- 1) and 6 (+/- 1) months. Analyses included ED treatment-naïve patients with complete follow-up who were prescribed a PDE5 inhibitor at baseline (n = 4026). RESULTS Most patients, regardless of what PDE5 inhibitor they were prescribed at baseline, continued on that same PDE5 inhibitor throughout the study. Continuation rates were approximately 89% in the tadalafil cohort, vs. 63-64% in the sildenafil and vardenafil cohorts. The variables most strongly associated with increased risk of switching were prescription of sildenafil or vardenafil, vs. tadalafil, at baseline (odds ratios 4.43 and 4.14 respectively; p < 0.0001). Of patients who switched from tadalafil to another treatment, nearly 25% had switched back to tadalafil by study end. In contrast, of patients who switched from sildenafil or vardenafil, < 10% from each cohort had switched back to their original treatment by study end. CONCLUSION The data suggest that tadalafil treatment in treatment-naïve ED patients may increase their likelihood of treatment continuation. These findings should be interpreted conservatively due to the observational nature of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Hatzichristou
- 2nd Department of Urology, Papageorgiou General Hospital and Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Wynn RM, Bertsch J, Bruce BD, Malkin R. Green algal cytochrome b6-f complexes: isolation and characterization from Dunaliella saline, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Scenedesmus obliquus. Biochim Biophys Acta 1988; 935:115-22. [PMID: 3415983 DOI: 10.1016/0005-2728(88)90208-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cytochrome b6-f complexes have been isolated from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Dunaliella saline and Scenedesmus obliquus. Each complex is essentially free of chlorophyll and carotenoids and contains cytochrome b6 and cytochrome f hemes in a 2:1 molar ratio. C. reinhardtii and S. obliquus complexes contain the Rieske iron-sulfur protein (present in approx 1:1 molar ratio to cytochrome f) and each catalyzes a DBMIB- and DNP-INT-sensitive electron transfer from duroquinol to spinach plastocyanin. Immunological assays using antibodies to the peptides from the spinach cytochrome complex show varying cross-reactivity patterns except for the complete absence of binding to the Rieske proteins in any of the three complexes, suggesting little structural similarity between the Rieske proteins of algae with those from higher plants. One complex (D. salina) has been uniformly labeled by growth in NaH14CO3 to determine stoichiometries of constituent polypeptide subunits. Results from these studies indicate that all functionally active cytochrome b6-f complexes contain four subunits which occur in equimolar amounts.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Wynn
- Division of Molecular Plant Biology, University of California, Berkeley 94720
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Bertsch J, Martinus M, Zimber D, Kubasik N, Sine H. A water purification system for laboratory use. Clin Biochem 1978; 11:183-4. [PMID: 709813 DOI: 10.1016/s0009-9120(78)90485-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A water purification system is described, capable of producing Type I water upon demand at multiple locations up to 700 feet, from the purifying equipment. Tap water is initially treated employing reverse osmosis, followed by treatment with activated charcoal and mixed anion/cation exchange resins. The resultant Type I quality water is maintained by means of a recycling loop until removal upon demand. The current cost of producing water of this quality is $0.03 per liter, exclusive of capital and installation costs.
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