bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Icodextrin 4% Solution in the Prevention of Adhesion Formation Following General Surgery: From the Multicentre ARIEL Registry
Authors: Menzies D , Pascual M Hidalgo , Walz MK , Duron JJ , Tonelli F , Crowe A , Knight A
Published: July 2006

INTRODUCTION

Intra-abdominal adhesions occur in many patients following major abdominal surgery and represent a serious burden to patients and healthcare providers. The multicentre ARIEL (Adept® Registry for Clinical Evaluation) Registry was established to gather clinical experiences in the use of icodextrin 4% solution, an approved adhesion-reduction agent, during routine general surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

General surgeons from five European countries completed anonymised data collection forms for patients undergoing laparotomy or laparoscopy. Surgeons recorded patient demographics, use of icodextrin 4% solution and adverse events, and made subjective assessments of ease of use and patient acceptability with the agent.

RESULTS

The general surgery registry included 1738 patients (1469 laparotomies, 269 laparoscopies). Leakage of fluid from the surgical site did not appear to be affected by icodextrin 4% solution and was classified as ‘normal’ or ‘less than normal’ in most patients (laparotomies 86%, laparoscopies 88%). Overall, satisfaction with ease of use was rated as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ by the majority of surgeons (laparotomies 77%, laparoscopies 86%). Patient acceptability was also good, with ratings of ‘as expected’ or ‘less than expected’ in most cases for both abdominal distension (laparotomies 90%, laparoscopies 91%) and abdominal discomfort (laparotomies 91%, laparoscopies 93%). Adverse events occurred in 30.6% of laparotomy patients and 16.7% of laparoscopy patients; the most common events were septic/infective events (4.2% and 3.4% in the laparotomy and laparoscopy groups, respectively). Anastomotic wound-healing problems were reported in 7.6% of patients in the subset of laparoscopy patients undergoing anastomotic procedures (n = 66).

DISCUSSION

Volumes of icodextrin 4% solution used as an irrigant and instillate were in line with recommendations. Surgeons considered the agent to be easy to use and acceptable to patients. The reported frequencies of adverse events were in line with those published in the literature for surgical procedures, supporting the good safety profile of this agent.

CONCLUSIONS

Icodextrin 4% solution can be used in a wide range of surgical procedures. In combination with good surgical technique, it may play an important role in adhesion reduction.
Ventilatory and Intensive Care Requirements Following Oesophageal Resection
Authors: Robertson SA , Skipworth RJE , Clarke DL , Crofts TJ , Lee A , de Beaux AC , Paterson-Brown S
Published: July 2006

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to analyse the results of early postoperative extubation following oesophagectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients who had undergone oesophageal resection between 1994 and 2001 were identified from a prospectively collected database. Their records were then reviewed in order to analyse morbidity and mortality along with intensive care unit (ICU) and ventilatory requirements. All patients were extubated immediately following surgery and monitored on a surgical high dependency unit (HDU).

RESULTS

A total of 98 resections were undertaken (76 men; mean age, 64.3 years; range, 40–80 years). Surgical procedures were Ivor-Lewis (71), left thoraco-abdominal (15) and transhiatal (12) oesophagectomies. Overall, 8 patients died and 13 patients had anastomotic leaks. Sixteen patients required ventilation and admission to ICU, of whom 5 died. Three patients died on HDU following an elective decision not to transfer to ICU. Reasons for ventilation and ICU admission were anastomotic leaks (6), respiratory problems (6), left ventricular failure (1), cardiac arrest (1), small bowel herniation through the hiatus (1) and ischaemic stomach requiring revision of anastomosis (1). No patient required ventilation and admission to ICU within 48 h of original surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing oesophageal resection can be safely managed on a surgical HDU without routine postoperative ventilation. Although ventilation and ICU will be required in a significant number due to postoperative complications, this is unlikely to occur in the first 48 h. The requirement for an ICU bed to be available on the day of surgery should, therefore, no longer be considered necessary. This has important implications for the scheduling of elective oesophageal surgery.
Different Roles of Runx2 During Early Neural Crest–Derived Bone and Tooth Development
Authors: James Martyn J , Järvinen Elina , Wang Xiu-Ping , Thesleff Irma
Published: July 2006

We compared gene expression profiles between Runx2 null mutant mice and their wildtype littermates. Most Runx2-dependent genes in bones were different from those in teeth, implying that the target genes of Runx2 are tissue-dependent. In vitro experiments determined that Runx2 is a part of the FGF and BMP signaling pathways in tooth and bone development, respectively.

Introduction: Runx2 (Cbfa1) is expressed in the neural crest–derived mesenchyme of developing bone and tooth. Runx2 homozygous null mice lack bone through a failure in osteoblast differentiation and have arrested tooth development at the late bud stage. The aim of this study was to discover and compare the identities and the roles of Runx2 target genes in bone and tooth development.

Materials and Methods: Wildtype and Runx2−/− tissue was collected from mouse embryos, and gene expression was compared by Affymetrix microarray analysis and radioactive in situ hybridization of embryonic tissue sections (E12–E14). Induction of target genes by growth factors in bone and tooth tissue was studied using in vitro experiments, including a novel method involving hanging-drop cultures and RT-PCR.

Results: Thirteen bone and four tooth genes were identified that are Runx2-dependent. The identities of these genes do not significantly overlap between bone and tooth, indicating tissue specificity of several genes regulated by Runx2. Genes downregulated in bone development in Runx2 null mutants were Bambi, Bmp4, Bono1, Dkk1, Fgf receptor1, Gli1, Lef1, Patched, Prostaglandin F receptor1, Tcf1, Tgfβ1, Wnt10a, and Wnt10b. Several of these genes were induced by BMPs in bone tissue in a Runx2-independent manner. Genes downregulated in tooth development were Dkk1, Dusp6, Enpp1, and Igfbp3. These genes were all induced by fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in dental tissue. FGF-induction of Dkk1 was completely dependent on Runx2 function.

Conclusions: The contrasting identities and distinctive mechanisms that stimulate the expression of Runx2-dependent genes in bone and tooth development imply that the developmental roles of Runx2 in these separate tissues are different. In tooth development, Dkk1 may be a direct transcriptional target of Runx2. Bone genes were stimulated by BMP4 before the formation of the ossification center, suggesting that BMPs may mediate the early epithelial–mesenchymal interactions involved in bone formation.
Periosteal Remodeling at the Femoral Neck in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Bliziotes Michael , Sibonga Jean D , Turner Russell T , Orwoll Eric
Published: July 2006

Periosteal bone turnover is poorly understood. We documented intramembranous periosteal bone turnover in the femoral neck in intact nonhuman primates and an increase in osteoclast numbers at the periosteal surface in sex steroid–deficient animals. Our studies are the first to systematically document periosteal turnover at the femoral neck.

Introduction: Bone size is an important determinant of bone strength, and cellular events at the periosteal surface could alter bone dimensions. We characterized periosteal cellular activity with dynamic histomorphometric studies of nonhuman primate femoral neck and shaft.

Materials and Methods: Femur specimens from 16 intact adult male and female nonhuman primates (Rhesus [Macaca mulatta, n = 9] and Japanese Macaque [Macaca fuscata, n = 7]) were analyzed. Animals were double-labeled with tetracycline, and necropsy was performed 2–7 days after the last dose. We characterized periosteal resorptive activity in an additional group of five intact and four castrate female animals. Multiple group comparisons in intact animals were performed by one-way ANOVA followed by a Fisher PLSD posthoc test. In gonadectomized animals, Fisher's exact test was used for dichotomous and Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous variables.

Results: Bone turnover in the periosteum of the femoral neck in intact animals was more rapid than at the femoral shaft but slower than in femoral neck cancellous bone. Similarly, in these intact animals, the eroded surface of cortical bone at the femoral neck periosteal surface was significantly greater than in the cancellous bone compartment (p < 0.0001) or on the femoral shaft (p < 0.0001). Gonadectomized female animals showed an increase in osteoclast number on the periosteal surface compared with intact controls (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: We documented intramembranous periosteal bone turnover in the femoral neck by histomorphometric analyses. The tissue level bone formation rate was sufficient to add substantively to femoral neck size over time. Periosteal osteoclastic activity was not the result of the emergence of intracortical tunneling at the bone surface. Sex steroid deficiency produced an increase in osteoclast numbers at the periosteal surface. This is the first systematic documentation of periosteal turnover at the femoral neck.
Increasing Leisure Activity Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Does It Make a Difference?
Authors: Douglas Jacinta M. , Dyson Maree , Foreman Peter
Published: July 2006

The majority of people with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience long-term disability and are unable to return to their usual activities. Services that offer community social and leisure participation programs are likely to reduce the social burden associated with severe TBI. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the personal effects of becoming engaged in community leisure activities. It was hypothesised that adults with severe TBI who participated regularly in leisure activities over a 6-month period would show measurable positive change in the domains of community integration, social support, mental health and quality of life (QOL). Participants numbered 25 adults (mean age 36.95 years) who had been referred to community leisure programs participated in the study. All participants had sustained severe injuries (post-traumatic amnesia > 1 month). A repeated measures design over 6 months was used. Assessment involved a semistructured interview, global subjective QOL rating and administration of standardised measures: SF-12v2, Neurobehavioral Functioning Inventory, Instrumental-Expressive Social Support-Scale, and Community Integration Questionnaire. Adults who participated regularly over 6 months reported positive and statistically significant changes in social integration and mental health. These findings support the use of assisted community participation programs for adults with severe TBI.
The Evidence Base of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation in Acquired Brain Impairment (ABI): How Good is the Research?
Authors: Perdices Michael , Schultz Regina , Tate Robyn , McDonald Skye , Togher Leanne , Savage Sharon , Winders Kiri , Smith Kate
Published: July 2006

In the context of evidence-based clinical practice (EBCP), the reliability of empirical data is largely determined by the methodological quality of research design. PsycBITE™ (Psychological Database of Brain Impairment Treatment Efficacy) is a web-based database listing all published, empirical reports on the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions for the psychological consequences of acquired brain impairment (ABI). The aim of this study was to survey the listings of PsycBITE™ and examine the methodological quality of the reports it contains. Reports listed in PsycBITE™ include systematic reviews (SRs), randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs, case series (CSs) and single-subject designs (SSDs). They are indexed according to research design, neurological group, patient age group, target area and intervention type. The PEDro Scale is used to rate the methodological quality of RCTs, nonRCTs and CSs, with maximum obtainable methodological quality rating (MQR) of 10/10, 8/10 and 2/10 respectively. A search identified 1298 reports indexed in PsycBITE™. The largest proportion was SSDs (39%), followed by CSs (22%), RCTs (21%), non-RCTs (11%) and SRs (7%). The majority of reports was concerned with stroke (41%), traumatic brain injury (29%) and Alzheimer's and related dementias (22%). The most frequently investigated deficits were communication/language/speech disorders (24%); independent/self-care activities (19%); behaviour problems (17%); memory impairments (17%); anxiety, depression, stress, adjustment (15%). Approximately half of the RCTs, non-RCTs and CSs were rated for methodological quality. Mean MQR scores for RCTs, non-RCTs and CSs were 4.49, 2.85 and 1.15 respectively. While some PEDro criteria were met by a high proportion of RCTs and non-RCTs (≥ 70%), other criteria were only met by a small proportion of reports (as low as 1.6%). There was no significant difference in MQR scores between RCTs focusing on different neurological groups or target areas. Furthermore, there was no discernible improvement in MQR score for RCTs published over the last three decades. The methodological quality of studies investigating the efficacy of rehabilitation interventions in ABI has been consistently modest over several decades. This is largely attributable to poor adherence to fundamental tenets of research design, and requires urgent remediation. RCTs (and to a lesser extent, non-RCTs) are research methodologies which can potentially yield a high level of evidence, but only if they are adequately designed. PsycBITE™ has the facility to raise awareness of these issues and be instrumental in promoting EBCP in the field of ABI.
A Review of Functioning of Attentional Components in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities
Authors: Soo Cheryl A. , Bailey Jeff G.
Published: July 2006

Attention is considered to be the foundation of most cognitive and neuropsychological processes and it is often the subject of study in the common childhood disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This article reviews studies on the attentional functioning of children with subtypes of ADHD and children with learning disabilities (LD). First, an overview of ADHD including current conceptualisation and cognitive theories of the disorder are outlined. Second, attention is described as a multidimensional construct consisting of a number of components. This model of attention will be used as a framework for reviewing studies in the ADHD literature. In particular, the following comparisons of children will be examined: (1) ADHD compared with non-disordered controls, (2) ADHD compared with LD, and (3) hyperactivity/impulsive forms of ADHD compared with inattentive ADHD. Finally, the implications of a multi-modal framework of attention will be discussed within the context of theory and treatment of ADHD.
The Development of Self-Awareness and Relationship to Emotional Functioning During Early Community Reintegration After Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Fleming Jennifer M. , Winnington Heidi T. , McGillivray Azaria J. , Tatarevic Boyana Ana , Ownsworth Tamara L.
Published: July 2006

Impaired self-awareness may affect clients' emotional status, engagement in rehabilitation and community reintegration following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study aimed to investigate the relationship between self-awareness, emotional distress and community integration in adults with TBI during the transition from hospital to the community. Thirty-four rehabilitation clients with TBI were assessed in the week before and 2 months after discharge home. Measures of self-awareness and emotional functioning were administered predischarge and repeated at follow-up along with a measure of community integration. Nonparametric tests were used to compare levels of self-awareness and emotional distress pre- and postdischarge, their interrelationships and association with community integration. Self-awareness significantly increased following discharge, and a trend towards increased depression was found. There were no consistent relationships found between level of self-awareness, emotional functioning, and community integration. The development of self-awareness in the immediate postdischarge phase suggests this is an important time for clinical interventions targeting compensation strategies and adjustment to disability.
From Development to Implementation of Sustainable Concrete in a Precast Plant — A Case Study
Authors: Fernandez P
Published: July 2006

This paper describes the steps taken from development to full implementation, of the three most used concrete mixes, replacing 20% of the cement with ASTM-618 class C fly ash. A testing program was developed to identify the most critical variables that affect the performance against cement replacement, the variables were type of high range water reducer admixture and two types of fly ash. The second part of the program consisted of pouring a significant volume of concrete, using actual production practices, in order to obtain a history of 30 consecutive compressive strength tests per mix. A key factor on the success of this program was the use of a new generation of polycarboxylate admixtures, high early strength-high range water reducers, necessary to provide the required fluidity while reducing the watercement ratio without retarding the setting time. With the incorporation of a non-chloride accelerator, early compressive strengths up to 4200 psi (29 MPa) at 12 h were obtained. Since implementation, 6 months ago, the use of cement has been reduced by 4 600 000 lbs (2 100 000 kg) for the same volume of concrete.
Erhöhung des Wirkungsgrades von Stadtschnellbahnen durch Automatisierung und nachfrageabhängige Steuerung des Beförderungsangebotes (Enhancing Operational Efficiency of Automated Suburban Rapid Rail Transit with Demand-dependent Control of Train Service)
Authors: Scholz Sven
Published: July 2006

Neben der Vollautomatisierung von Stadtschnellbahnen im Rahmen von Neubauvorhaben kommt auch der nachträglichen Automatisierung bestehender Bahnen große Bedeutung zu. Es wird eine neuartige Methode vorgestellt, die strategisch orientierte Analysen zur prinzipiellen Machbarkeit und dem erzielbaren Nutzen mit minimalem Aufwand erlaubt. Der Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf der nachfrageabhängigen Steuerung des Beförderungsangebotes, die mittels Vollautomatisierung erst möglich wird.
Regelung adaptronischer Systeme, Teil II: Elektrorheologische Aktoren (Control of Adaptronic Systems, Part II: Electrorheological Actuators)
Authors: Kugi Andreas , Kemmetmüller Wolfgang
Published: July 2006

Der zweite Teil dieses Beitrages beschäftigt sich mit einem elektrorheologischen (ER) Aktor bestehend aus vier in einer Vollbrücke verschalteten ER Ringspaltventilen, in deren Diagonalzweig ein Gleichgangzylinder betrieben wird. Das Regelungsziel besteht darin, unter Ausnutzung des im Millisekundenbereich wirkenden ER Effektes eine möglichst schnelle Trajektorienfolgeregelung für die Kolbenposition zu entwerfen. In dieser Arbeit wird gezeigt, wie die im Vergleich zu konventionellen hydraulischen Aktoren zusätzliche Anzahl von Stelleingängen im Rahmen des Reglerentwurfes sinnvoll genutzt werden kann, um ein möglichst optimales Verhalten des geschlossenen Regelkreises unter den gegebenen Randbedingungen zu erzielen. Das Regelungskonzept basiert im Wesentlichen auf einem nichtlinearen kaskadierten flachheitsbasierten Druck- und Positionsregler in Kombination mit einer stabilisierenden Rückkopplung für den mittleren Versorgungsdruck. Simulationsergebnisse bestätigen recht eindrucksvoll das Potenzial der hier vorgestellten Regelungsstrategie.
Robust Motion Control for Fully Actuated Robots Using Sliding Mode (Robuste Regelung der Bewegung von vollaktuierten Robotern im Gleitmodus)
Authors: Kondak Konstantin , Wege Andreas , Stanczyk Bartlomiej , Buss Martin , Hommel Günter
Published: July 2006

In the paper the application of known theory for sliding mode control (SMC) to robust motion control for fully actuated robots is considered. In the presented approach the advantages of SMC like robustness and simplicity of the control law are used. At the same time, the main disadvantage of the SMC — chattering — is avoided or at least reduced. Two controllers based on this approach — a controller working in sliding mode (SM) and its approximation with high gain PID-controller — are presented. For the SM-controller a stability proof is given. Both controllers are applicable to a wide class of robots and can be designed without knowledge of the system model. The performances of both controllers are demonstrated in real experiments with a manipulator, inverted pendulum and hand exoskeleton.
Preparation, phase stability and structure of the C36 Laves phase Nb1–xCo2+x
Authors: Grüner Daniel , Stein Frank , Palm Martin , Konrad Joachim , Ormeci Alim , Schnelle Walter , Grin Yuri , Kreiner Guido
Published: July 2006

The C36 Laves phase Nb1–xCo2+x has been re-investigated in order to study phase stability and structure. Constitutional data have been obtained by investigating homogenized single- and two-phase samples and from diffusion couples. The C36 phase Nb1–xCo2+x crystallizes with hexagonal MgNi2 structure type (Z = 8, space group P63/mmc, a = 4.7414(4) Å and c = 15.458(1) Å at x = 0.265(4)). The homogeneity range extends from 24.6(2) to 25.3(5) at% Nb. The temperature range of the phase field is limited by a eutectoid (C36 Nb1–xCo2+x = Nb2Co7 + C15 NbCo2) and a peritectic (L + C15 NbCo2 = C36 Nb1–xCo2+x) reaction at ∼ 1050 °C and 1264 °C, respectively. In addition, the title phase is involved in the peritectoid reaction Co(Nb) + C36 Nb1–xCo2+x = Nb2Co7 at 1086 °C and in the eutectic reaction L = Co(Nb) + C36 Nb1–xCo2+x at 1239 °C. The C36 and C15 Laves phases of the Nb—Co system are separated by an extremely small two-phase field (<0.5 at%). The crystal structure exhibits pronounced deviations from ideal parameters obtained from a hard sphere model. The Co network displays a type of distortion known from many hexagonal Laves phases. Kagom, layers display an elongation of the Co—Co edges of the basal triangles of Co5 trigonal bipyramids and a contraction of Co—Co edges of the uncapped triangles. The Nb atoms are also displaced from their idealized sites. In the crystal structure of C36 Nb1–xCo2+x excess Co atoms randomly substitute Nb atoms — (Nb1–xCo
x
)Co2. The excess Co atoms occupy preferentially the Nb2 site approximately twice as much as Nb1. These positions differ mainly in the conformation of the corresponding Nb6Nb2 fragments (Nb1—Nb1 eclipsed and Nb2–Nb2 staggered). In addition, Co atoms are displaced from the original Nb positions. The distortion of the Co and the Nb network is a consequence of the bonding situation of the defect-free crystal structure. The preferential site occupation of excess Co atoms is triggered by interactions with atoms beyond the first coordination shell. The C36 phase Nb1–xCo2+x exhibits Pauli-paramagnetic behavior (χ
P = +1.31 · 10–3 emu mol–1). The temperature dependent part of the electrical resistivity ρ(300 K) – ρ
0 is only 17 μΩ cm whereas the residual resistivity is very large with ρ
0 = 140 μΩ cm indicating strong structural disorder.
Atom order and thermodynamic properties of the ternary Laves phase Ti(TiyNixAl1–x–y)2
Authors: Grytsiv Andriy , Chen Xing-Qiu , Witusiewicz Viktor T. , Rogl Peter , Podloucky Raimund , Pomjakushin Vladimir , Maccio Daniele , Saccone Adriana , Giester Gerald , Sommer Ferdinand
Published: July 2006

Combined refinement of neutron powder, X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction data allows precise evaluation of symmetry and atom site occupation for the MgZn2-type Laves phase. For compositions Ti(Ni1–x,Alx)2 titanium atoms were found to fully occupy the 4f site, whilst Ni- and Al-atoms randomly share the 2a and 6h sub-lattice sites of space group P63/mmc. At higher Ti-concentrations, Ti-atoms tend to enter the 2a and 6h site. Compositional dependences of the site occupations were used to explain the curved shape of the homogeneity region of the Laves phase. Investigation of the phase relations around the Ti-rich side of the ternary Laves phase was based on LOM, EPMA and X-ray diffraction experiments on argon arc-melted bulk alloys, which were annealed at 1000 °C in vacuum-sealed silica capsules for 100 h. The Ti-rich end of the homogeneity region of the ternary Laves phase at 1000 °C was derived from EMPA to be at Ti0.463Ni0.273Al0.264. Heat of formation data, derived from adiabatic drop calorimetry, were Δ298
H
0 = –57.9 ± 3.5 kJ/mol for Ti0.34Ni0.18Al0.48and –61.6 ± 3.3 kJ/mol for Ti0.36Ni0.24Al0.40. For the ab initio density functional theory applications a large number of structural models were investigated in order to calculate the concentration dependent heats of formation, structural stabilities, lattice parameters, bulk moduli and site occupancies, which are in good agreement with experiment. The theoretical analysis revealed that there are no Ni—Ni nearest neighbours when the concentration of Ni is smaller than that of Al. With increasing Al concentration, Al starts to fill 2a sites, and then continues occupying 6h sites. In compounds with Ti concentration larger than 33.3 at% the 4f sites are fully occupied by Ti, and the excessive Ti prefers 6h sites. The Al concentration of the Al-rich end of the homogeneity region of the ternary Laves phase was predicted to be 57 at%.
(La3
Z
x)Al and (Ce3
Z
x)Al with Z = C, N, O: preparation, physical properties and chemical bonding of metal-rich perovskites
Authors: Kirchner Martin , Gäbler Frank , Schnelle Walter , Wagner Frank R. , Niewa Rainer
Published: July 2006

The inverse cubic perovskites (La3O)Al, (La3N)Al, (Ce3O)Al, and (Ce3N)Al are reported together with the solid solution series (Ce3C1–xNx)Al. The crystal structure of (La3N)Al is analyzed in detail based on single crystal X-ray diffraction data (space group Pm-3m, a = 509.04(1) pm, Z = 1, R
gt(F) = 0.008, wR(F
2) = 0.018). Combined X-ray powder diffraction and thermal analysis studies on samples with various N and O contents indicate only small tolerance of the ternary compounds towards Z = N, O deficiency and small solubility of Z in hexa gonal α-Ce3Al. Indications for the existence of a cubic β-Ce3Al with Cu3Au structure type could not be derived from any experiment. All studied phases are metals, the Ce compounds contain the rare-earth metal in Ce(4f
1) states according to X-ray absorption spectroscopy and measurements of the magnetic susceptibilities. The Ce moments order antiferromagnetically with T
N decreasing and scaling with increasing unit cell dimension of the compounds. Electronic band structure calculations reveal a trend to increased mixing of Z and La states on going from Z = O via N to C. Formation of a band gap even in the formally electronically balanced (La3C)Al is mainly prohibited by insufficient charge transfer between the metal species.
Effects and uptake of polycyclic aromatic compounds in snails (Helix aspersa)
Authors: Sverdrup Line Emilie , De Vaufleury Annette , Hartnik Thomas , Hagen Snorre B. , Loibner Andreas Paul , Jensen John
Published: July 2006

The International Standardization Organization recently launched a soil toxicity test with snails( Helix aspersa). We assessed the sensitivity of this test for seven polycyclic aromatic compounds. Control animals had 100% survival and low variability for growth measurements. Maximum exposure concentrations of 2,800 mg/kg (4,000 mg/kg for acridine) had no effect on survival. Similarly, growth (biomass and shell size) was not affected by pyrene, fluoranthene, fluorene, carbazole, phenanthrene, or acridine, whereas dibenzothiophene gave a 10% effect concentration of 1,600 mg/kg. Measured internal concentrations of carbazole, diben-zothiophene, and acridine increased with increasing soil concentrations, but biota–soil accumulation factors were low (0.002–0.1). Compared to previously tested organisms, with all being exposed in the same soil type and under similar test conditions, the H. aspersa test was relatively insensitive to all substances.
Agricultural Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Authors: Lokupitiya Erandathie , Paustian Keith
Published: July 2006

Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are required to submit national greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, together with information on methods used in estimating their emissions. Currently agricultural activities contribute a significant portion (approximately 20%) of global anthropogenic GHG emissions, and agricultural soils have been identified as one of the main GHG source categories within the agricultural sector. However, compared to many other GHG sources, inventory methods for soils are relatively more complex and have been implemented only to varying degrees among member countries. This review summarizes and evaluates the methods used by Annex 1 countries in estimating CO2 and N2O emissions in agricultural soils. While most countries utilize the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) default methodology, several Annex 1 countries are developing more advanced methods that are tailored for specific country circumstances. Based on the latest national inventory reporting, about 56% of the Annex 1 countries use IPCC Tier 1 methods, about 26% use Tier 2 methods, and about 18% do not estimate or report N2O emissions from agricultural soils. More than 65% of the countries do not report CO2 emissions from the cultivation of mineral soils, organic soils, or liming, and only a handful of countries have used country‐specific, Tier 3 methods. Tier 3 methods usually involve process‐based models and detailed, geographically specific activity data. Such methods can provide more robust, accurate estimates of emissions and removals but require greater diligence in documentation, transparency, and uncertainty assessment to ensure comparability between countries. Availability of detailed, spatially explicit activity data is a major constraint to implementing higher tiered methods in many countries.
Preparation and FT–IR Characterization of Metal Phytate Compounds
Authors: He Zhongqi , Honeycutt C. Wayne , Zhang Tiequan , Bertsch Paul M.
Published: July 2006

Phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphoric acid, IP6) has long been recognized as the predominant organic P form in soil and animal manure. Whereas many studies have investigated the wet chemistry of IP6, there is little information on the characterization of solid metal IP6 compounds. This information is essential for further understanding and assessing the chemical behavior of IP6 in diverse soil–plant–water ecosystems. As the first step in full characterization, we synthesized eight metal phytate compounds and investigated their structural features using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR). The absorption features from 900 to 1200 cm−1 in FT–IR could be used to identify these phytates as: (i) light divalent metal (Ca and Mg) compounds with a sharp band and a broad band, (ii) heavy divalent metal (Cu and Mn) compounds with splitting broad bands, and (iii) trivalent metal (Al and Fe) compounds with a broad band and a shoulder band. Three different types of chemical structures of metal–phytate compounds were presented based on the FT–IR information. We further demonstrated that metal orthophosphates possessed different FT–IR spectral characteristics from their IP6 counterparts. The unique spectral features of metal phytates from 1000 to 700 cm−1 could be used to distinguish phytate compounds from metal phosphate compounds. Thus, FT–IR analysis after fine tuning could provide an analytical tool to investigate the basic metal phytate chemistry in molecular levels, such as the competitive interactions between phosphate and phytate with a specific metal ion, and the conversion (or hydrolysis) of metal phytate to metal phosphate under various conditions.
Role of Rainfall Intensity and Hydrology in Nutrient Transport via Surface Runoff
Authors: Kleinman Peter J. A. , Srinivasan M. S. , Dell Curtis J. , Schmidt John P. , Sharpley Andrew N. , Bryant Ray B.
Published: July 2006

Loss of soil nutrients in runoff accelerates eutrophication of surface waters. This study evaluated P and N in surface runoff in relation to rainfall intensity and hydrology for two soils along a single hillslope. Experiments were initiated on 1‐ by 2‐m plots at foot‐slope (6%) and mid‐slope (30%) positions within an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)–orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) field. Rain simulations (2.9 and 7.0 cm h−1) were conducted under wet (spring) and dry (late‐summer) conditions. Elevated, antecedent soil moisture at the foot‐slope during the spring resulted in less rain required to generate runoff and greater runoff volumes, compared with runoff from the well‐drained mid‐slope in spring and at both landscape positions in late summer. Phosphorus in runoff was primarily in dissolved reactive form (DRP averaged 71% of total P), with DRP concentrations from the two soils corresponding with soil test P levels. Nitrogen in runoff was mainly nitrate (NO3–N averaged 77% of total N). Site hydrology, not chemistry, was primarily responsible for variations in mass N and P losses with landscape position. Larger runoff volumes from the foot‐slope produced higher losses of total P (0.08 kg ha−1) and N (1.35 kg ha−1) than did runoff from the mid‐slope (0.05 total P kg ha−1; 0.48 kg N ha−1), particularly under wet, spring‐time conditions. Nutrient losses were significantly greater under the high intensity rainfall due to larger runoff volumes. Results affirm the critical source area concept for both N and P: both nutrient availability and hydrology in combination control nutrient loss.
Use of microbial risk assessment to inform the national estimate of acute gastrointestinal illness attributable to microbes in drinking water
Authors: Soller Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2006

Microbial risk assessment (MRA) evaluates the likelihood of adverse human health effects that occur following exposure to pathogenic microorganisms. This paper focuses on the potential use of MRA to provide insight to the national estimate of acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) in the United States among persons served by public water systems. This article defines MRA, describes how MRA is implemented, provides an overview of the field of MRA and discusses how MRA may be useful for characterizing the national estimate. Communities served by drinking water systems with relatively contaminated source waters, sub-standard treatment facilities, and/or contamination problems in their distribution systems are subject to higher risks than communities where such issues are less of a concern. Further, the risk of illness attributable to pathogens in drinking water in each community can be thought of as the sum of the risk from the treated drinking water and the risk from the distribution system. Pathogen-specific MRAs could be developed to characterize the risk associated with each of these components; however, these assessments are likely to under-estimate the total risk from all pathogens attributable to drinking water. Potential methods for developing such MRAs are discussed along with their associated limitations.
Detection and identification of dyes showing AhR–binding affinity in treated sewage effluents
Authors: Chou P.-H. , Matsui S. , Matsuda T.
Published: July 2006

A bioassay using the YCM3 recombinant yeast strain was utilised to investigate the presence of dioxin-like compounds that activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in treated sewage effluents. AhR ligand activity was detected in the concentrated extracts of effluent samples collected in March, June and October 2004 from Kyoto city, Japan. HPLC fractionation was carried out using C18 reversed-phase columns, and possible AhR ligands were further isolated and purified. By using LC/MS/MS, one weak AhR ligand was identified to be rhodamine B base, a fluoran dye. In addition, two other coloured ligands were postulated to be disperse anthraquinone dyes or their metabolites because of their UV spectra and HPLC retention times. The AhR-binding affinities of 12 commercial dyes with different chemical structures were also studied. Among the dyes tested, hydrophobic anthraquinone dyes exhibited higher AhR ligand activity, but azo dyes or hydrophilic acid dyes showed no or very low AhR ligand activity. Rhodamine B base and disperse anthraquinone dyes were suggested to be potential xenobiotic AhR ligands. Future research regarding their contamination in aquatic environments and toxicological information is necessary.
Bioassay monitoring of waste PCB samples during chemical destruction treatments
Authors: Takigami H. , Behnisch P.A. , Shiozaki K. , Ohno M. , Sakai S.-I.
Published: July 2006

Capacitor oil samples (PCBs > 90%wt) were treated in a bench scale experiment to investigate the destruction of PCBs during chemical destruction processes (a catalytic hydrodechlorination treatment with palladium carbon and additional treatment with potassium tert-butyloxide). Using those results, this study confirmed the decrease of PCBs and other undesirable dioxin-like compounds such as PCDD/Fs in treated samples during the treatment. Dioxin-responsive chemical-activated luciferase expression (DR CALUX®) AhR reporter gene bioassay was used to evaluate dioxin-like activity in the samples. During the treatment, the efficiency for PCB capacitor oil was around 99.99% or more in WHO-TEQ and CALUX-TEQ, whereas the sum of PCBs was reduced at a resulting efficiency of >99.9999%. In this study, a new cleanup procedure for separating PCBs from the mineral oil matrix was also developed for DR CALUX. The procedure consists of dimethylsulphoxide partitioning followed by silica gel-44% sulphuric acid reflux treatment and activated carbon chromatography. With the cleanup, CALUX-TEQ values were in good agreement with WHO-TEQ values and were as much as 3.3 times higher than WHO-TEQs for untreated/treated PCB-containing insulating oil samples. The DR CALUX results of mineral oil samples containing various PCB concentrations of 0.5–50 mg/kg (corresponding WHO-TEQs: 0.012–1.2 μg-TEQ/g) also correlated well with WHO-TEQs (CALUX-TEQ/WHO-TEQ ratio =1.0–3.0), which was consistent with the theoretical quantification limit of the CALUX. These results supported the validity of the proposed clean-up method.
Financial management of Kashima Rinkai specified sewage works
Authors: Ochiai E. , Igarashi T. , Iseki H. , Seya H. , Matsui S.
Published: July 2006

The Kashima Rinkai Specified Sewage Works (KRSSW) is located at the northern side of the Kashima Coastal Industrial Zone, facing the Sea of Kashimanada (Pacific Ocean). It straddles one city and two townships: the city of Kashima, which boasts Kashima Port, a transportation center that was constructed on Kashimanada Beach by digging into the virgin sands, and the towns of Kamisu and Hasaki. The industries located there include steel, petrochemicals, chemicals, foodstuffs, livestock feeds, electric power and machinery metals. Industrial wastewaters with public sewage, except steel industry, are treated by the Fukashiba Treatment Plant which is managed by the Ibaraki Prefectural Government. The financial management of KRSSW is analysed to show its stand-alone condition.
Biodegradation kinetics of BTE-OX and MTBE by a diesel-grown biomass
Authors: Acuna-Askar K. , de la Torre-Torres M.A. , Guerrero-Munoz M.J. , Garza-Gonzalez M.T. , Chavez-Gomez B. , Rodriguez-Sanchez I.P. , Barrera-Saldana H.A.
Published: July 2006

The biodegradation kinetics of BTE-oX and MTBE, mixed all together in the presence of diesel-grown bioaugmented bacterial populations as high as 885 mg/L VSS, was evaluated. The effect of soil in aqueous samples and the effect of Tergitol NP-10 on substrate biodegradation rates were also evaluated. Biodegradation kinetics was evaluated for 54 h, every 6 h. All BTE-oX chemicals followed a first-order two-phase biodegradation kinetic model, whereas MTBE followed a zero-order removal kinetic model in all samples. BTE-oX removal rates were much higher than those of MTBE in all samples. The presence of soil in aqueous samples retarded BTE-oX and MTBE removal rates. The addition of Tergitol NP-10 to aqueous samples containing soil had a positive effect on substrate removal rate in all samples. Substrate percent removals ranged between 64.8–98.9% for benzene, toluene and ethylbenzene. O-xylene and MTBE percent removals ranged between 18.7–40.8% and 7.2–10.3%, respectively.
Removal of trace contaminants using molecularly imprinted polymers
Authors: Le Noir M. , Guieysse B. , Mattiasson B.
Published: July 2006

This work was conducted to study the potential of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the removal of oestradiol at trace concentrations (1 ppm–1 ppb). An MIP synthesised with 17β-oestradiol as template was compared to non-imprinted polymers (NIP) synthesised under the same conditions but without template, a commercial C18 extraction phase and granulated activated carbon. At 1 ppb oestradiol was recovered by 98±2% when using the MIP, compared to 90±1, 79±1, and 84±2% when using the NIP, a C18 phase, or granulated activated carbon, respectively. According to these levels, the MIP was capable of producing an effluent with a quality 5–10 times higher than the other materials. The same levels of oestradiol recovery were achieved with the MIP when supplying 17β-oestradiol at 0.1 ppm. Phenolic compounds added as interferences bound less to the MIP than to the NIP, confirming the selectivity of the MIP. Oestradiol biodegradation was also demonstrated at high concentrations (50 ppm), showing the pollutants can be safely destructed after being enriched by molecular extraction. This study demonstrates the potential of molecular imprinted polymers as a highly efficient specific adsorbent for the removal of trace contaminants.
Microbial community of biological phosphorus removal process fed with municipal wastewater under different electron acceptor conditions
Authors: Shoji T. , Nittami T. , Onuki M. , Satoh H. , Mino T.
Published: July 2006

The microbial community in a biological phosphorus removal process under different electron acceptor conditions was estimated by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) assay and principal-component analysis (PCA). For this purpose, a lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with municipal wastewater was operated under anaerobic–aerobic, anaerobic–anoxic–aerobic and anaerobic–anoxic conditions. The results of PCR-DGGE targeting the 16S rRNA gene indicated a significant shift in the microbial community with electron acceptor conditions. From the 16S rRNA-based PCA, the microbial shift implies that little oxygen supply caused the deterioration of aerobic bacteria, including aerobic polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs). Moreover, it also reflects the existence of nitrate-utilizing denitrifiers. On the other hand, although the band patterns of DGGE targeting a functional gene of denitrification (nirS) also showed the microbial shift, the result of PCA differed from that of 16S rRNA-based analysis. There is no conclusive proof that the bacteria represented as the dominant bands detected in the present study are denitrifying-PAOs so far, it should be worthwhile to identify the detected bacteria and to examine their traits as new denitrifying-PAO candidates.
Use of image analysis for sludge characterisation: studying the relation between floc shape and sludge settleability
Authors: Jenné R. , Banadda E.N. , Gins G. , Deurinck J. , Smets I.Y. , Geeraerd A.H. , Van Impe J.F.
Published: July 2006

This paper starts by presenting a fully automatic image analysis procedure for characterisation of flocs and filaments in activated sludge images. Thereafter the attention is directed towards the results of four lab-scale experiments, in which image information is related to sludge settleability in terms of sludge volume index. This relation is statistically confirmed by applying a principal component analysis to the data. In addition, the redundancy in the data sets is studied with regard to floc shape descriptors and the monitoring potential of image analysis is demonstrated by means of a multiple linear regression exercise.
Hydrolysis of return sludge for production of easily biodegradable carbon: effect of pre-treatment, sludge age and temperature
Authors: Jönsson K. , Jansen J. la C.
Published: July 2006

Return sludge from two Swedish and two Danish wastewater treatment plants were hydrolysed in laboratory reactors. Treatment plants with/without pre-sedimentation and with/without nitrification were represented. Soluble organic matter was produced from all types of sludge, but the yield was to a large extent dependent on what type of sludge was hydrolysed. Activated sludge from wastewater treatment plants without pre-treatment returned more soluble carbon after hydrolysis than sludge from treatment plants with pre-sedimentation. In addition, more soluble carbon was formed from non-nitrifying activated sludge than from nitrifying sludge. Moreover, the maximum yield of soluble COD at 10 °C was less than the yield at 20 °C. The initial hydrolysis rate was found to be between 0.35 and 1.8 mg soluble COD/(g VS × h). With the exception of one case, between 15 and 50% of the produced soluble COD was shown to be volatile fatty acids, a suitable carbon source for biological phosphorus removal. Nitrification rate measurements indicated that the viability of the activated sludge was not affected by the hydrolysis.
Fixed film phosphorus removal – flexible enough?
Authors: Rogalla F. , Johnson T.L. , McQuarrie J.
Published: July 2006

While biological phosphorus removal (BPR) has been practised for 30 years, up to recently it has been restricted mainly to activated sludge processes, with the corresponding need for large basin volumes. Yet, research with biofilm reactors showed that the principle of alternate anaerobic and aerated conditions was applicable to fixed bacteria by changing the conditions in time rather than in space. Attached growth enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems are attractive because of their compactness and capability to retain high biomass levels. However, the phosphorus extraction depends on backwashes to enhance the phosphorus-rich attached biomass, and correct control of unsteady effluent quality created by frequently modified process conditions. Accordingly, EBPR remains a challenging task in terms of combining nitrogen and phosphorus removal using attached growth systems. Nevertheless, a combination of activated sludge and biofilm carriers, in the integrated fixed-film activated sludge system, provides treatment opportunities not readily available using suspended growth systems. Current practice is only at the beginning of exploiting the full potential of this combination, but the first full-scale results show that compact tankage and low nutrient results based on biological principles are possible.
Solved upscaling problems for implementing deammonification of rejection water
Authors: Wett B.
Published: July 2006

So far, extremely efficient metabolic pathways for nitrogen removal exclusively by autotrophic organisms are well established in scientific literature but not in practice. This paper presents results from the successful implementation of rejection water deammonification in a full-scale single sludge system at the WWTP Strass, Austria. Anaerobic ammonia oxidising biomass has been accumulated during a 2.5 year start-up period when the reactor size was gradually scaled up in the steps. The pH-controlled deammonification system (DEMON) has reached a design capacity of eliminating approximately 300 kg of nitrogen per day. Energy savings outperform expectations, decreasing the mean specific demand for compressed air from 109 m3(kg N)−1 to 29 m3(kg N)−1. Dominance of autotrophic metabolism is confirmed by organic effluent loads topping influent loads.