bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In memoriam: Wallace Edmund LaBerge (1927-2013)
Authors: Rasmussen Claus , Gonzalez Victor H. , Engel Michael S. , Michener Charles D.
Published: January 2015

A brief account of the life and career of Wallace Edmund LaBerge (1927–2013) is presented along with a compilation of his publications and taxa proposed.  In total 326 publications and 1 family-group, 46 genus-group, and 206 species-group names are listed, as well as seven cases of eponymy.
Bees visiting squash (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex Poiret) in southwestern Colombia (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)
Authors: Zambrano-G Giselle , Gonzalez Victor H. , Hinojosa-Diaz Ismael A. , Engel Michael S.
Published: January 2015

This note records for the first time 12 bee species belonging to eight genera of Apidae and Halictidae as visitors of cultivated squash (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex Poiret: Cucurbitaceae) in the municipality of El Patía, Department of Cauca, southwestern Colombia.  Two further bee species are also recorded from a crop visited in the Department of Huila.
A new species of Megachile (Litomegachile) from Cuba, the Antilles (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
Authors: Sheffield Cory Silas , Genaro Julio A.
Published: January 2015

A new species of leafcutter bee, Megachile (Litomegachile) droegei Sheffield & Genaro, new species, is described from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Megachile droegei is one of 12 species in this New World subgenus, and is part of the M. brevis species group (with M. brevis Say, M. onobrychidis Cockerell, and M. pseudobrevis Mitchell).  This is the first record of the subgenus Litomegachile from the Antilles.  A diagnosis for distinguishing this species from other species of Litomegachile, and full descriptions of the female and male with illustrations are provided.  In addition, the male of M. pankus Bzdyk is described, and M. cleomis Cockerell is recognized as a valid species (new status) based on 1.45% divergence in COI (cytochrome c oxidase, subunit 1) from M. texana Cresson, and eastern (M. texana) /western (M. cleomis) distributions.  Based on morphological data and COI sequence data, four distinct species groups are recognized within Litomegachile.  Putative synapomorphies that support the monophyly of these groups are also discussed.RESUMEN: Se describe una especie nueva de abeja cortadora de hojas, Megachile (Litomegachile) droegei, para la Bahía de Guantánamo, Cuba.  Megachile droegei es una de las 12 especies pertenecientes al subgénero del Nuevo Mundo, Litomegachile y es parte del grupo de especies de M. brevis (junto a M. brevis Say, M. onobrychidis Cockerell y M. pseudobrevis Mitchell).  Este constituye el primer registro del subgénero Litomegachile para Las Antillas.  Se provee una diagnosis para separar a la especie nueva del resto de las especies del mismo subgénero, asícomo descripciones completas e ilustraciones de ambos sexos.  Además, se describe el macho de M. pankus Bzdyk y se reconoce M. cleomis Cockerell como una especie válida (nuevo estado) basado en una divergencia del COI (citocromo coxidasa, subunidad 1) de 1,45 %, respecto a las distribuciones con M. texana Cresson, y poblaciones del Este (M. texana) /Oeste (M. cleomis).  Basado en datos morfológicos y datos de la secuencia de COI, cuatro grupos de especies son reconocidos en Litomegachile.  Tambiense discuten posibles sinapormofias que apoyan la monofilia de estos grupos.
A new species of the allodapine bee genus Braunsapis from the Central African Republic (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Engel Michael S.
Published: January 2015

A new species of the allodapine bee genus Braunsapis Michener (Allodapini: Allodapina) is described and figured from a series of females collected in the Central African Republic.  Braunsapis maxschwarzi Engel, new species, is similar to B. paradoxa (Strand) from South Africa, both species sharing the concave dorsal surface of the sixth metasomal tergum and the peculiar bifid apical projection of the sixth metasomal sternum.  The new species, however, can be distinguished by the more extensively developed yellow markings of the face, the yellow pronotal lobe, the more shoulder-like posterolateral margins of the sixth tergum [more similar in this regard to B. angolensis (Cockerell) and not greatly produced as in B. paradoxa], and the more erect and prominent dorsal setae of metasomal terga IV–VI, among other traits.
Notes on male and female facial patterns in bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea), with comments on other aculeates
Authors: Michener Charles D.
Published: January 2015

Pallid (frequently yellow) integumental areas characterize faces of many bees and related wasps.  Some species lack such markings, others lack them only in females, while others have them in both sexes.  A rule applicable to thousands of species is that, if present, yellow areas are more extensive in males than in females.  In different groups, yellow areas can be either expanded or reduced, both have occurred repeatedly in the Aculeata.  In some groups that lack integumental yellow facial areas, males have brushes of yellow or brassy facial hairs that hide the integument.  Behavior associated with presence or abscence of facial yellow areas is not recognized, for mating males usually approach females from above and behind so that neither can see the face of the other.  Possibly male-to-male interactions are involved.
Colletes kinabalu n. sp., first record of the genus for the Malay Archipelago and southeast Asia (Hymenoptera: Anthophila: Colletidae)
Authors: Kuhlmann Michael
Published: January 2015

A new species from Mt. Kinabalu, Borneo (Malaysia), Colletes kinabalu Kuhlmann, new species, is described and illustrated.  This is the first record of a species of Colletes from Southeast Asia and its biogeographical implications are discussed.
Bees of the genera Dufourea and Dieunomia of Michigan (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Halictidae), with a key to the Dufourea of the eastern United States
Authors: Gibbs Jason , Dumesh Sheila , Griswold Terry L.
Published: January 2015

The halictid bees of the genera Dufourea Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau (Rophitinae) and Dieunomia Cockerell (Nomiinae) occurring in Michigan are reviewed. Two new records for Michigan are provided: Dufourea harveyi (Cockerell), new status, and Dieunomia heteropoda (Say). This is also the first published record of D. harveyi in the eastern United States. The occurrence of Dieunomia in southwest Michigan is the first record of the subfamily Nomiinae for the state. Information on the biology and distribution of each species is summarized. An identification key to the Dufourea of the eastern United States is provided.
An unusually large and persistent male swarm of the stingless bee Tetragonula laeviceps in Thailand (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)
Authors: Bänziger Hans , Khamyotchai Kanokwan
Published: January 2015

At an entrance of a nest of Tetragonula laeviceps (Smith) located in Chiang Mai University campus we observed a male swarm that lasted for at least 40 consecutive days and contained more than 7000 males each time on several days. Surprisingly, harvesting the day’s totality of males did not reduce the swarm size on the following day, thus indicating that most males swarmed only one day, at the end of which they presumably perished from exhaustion away from the nest. Males of other species were also found in the swarm, a behavior corroborated by previous observations with other species elsewhere in Thailand.
Revision of the bee genus Chlerogella (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), Part IV: A new species from southwestern Colombia
Authors: Engel Michael S. , Gonzalez Victor H. , Hinojosa-Díaz Ismael A.
Published: January 2015

A new species of the diverse augochlorine bee genus Chlerogella Michener (Halictinae: Augochlorini) is described and figured from southwestern Colombia.  Chlerogella anchicaya Engel, Gonzalez, & Hinojosa-Díaz, new species, is similar to C. agaylei Engel and C. materdonnae Engel, both occurring on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Ecuador.  There are also some similarities with C. eumorpha Engel from the western Andean foothills in northern Ecuador, but differences in rostral length and male terminalia can distinguish these species.  Revised couplets are provided to the South American species of Chlerogella to permit identification of the new species.
The effect of photobleaching on bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) setae color and its implications for studying aging and behavior
Authors: Koch Jonathan B. , Love Byron , Klinger Ellen , Strange James P.
Published: January 2015

Historically, bee age has been estimated using measurements of wing wear and integument color change.  These measurements have been useful in studies of foraging ecology and plant-pollinator interactions.  Wing wear is speculated to be affected by the behaviors associated with foraging, nesting, and mating activities.  Setal color change may be an additional parameter used to measure bee age if it is affected by sun exposure during these same activities.  The objectives of this study were to experimentally assess the effect of direct sun exposure on setal color, unicellular hair-like processes of the integument, and determine whether wing wear and integument photobleaching are correlated.  To quantify photobleaching of setae, we measured changes in hue of lab-reared Bombus huntii Greene (Apidae) exposed to natural sunlight.  We found that sun exposure was a significant variable in determining setal bleaching.  To assess the relationship between wing wear and setal photobleaching, we scored wing wear and measured setal hue of B. huntii, Melecta pacifica fulvida Cresson (Apidae), and Osmia integra Cresson (Megachilidae) from museum specimens.  Wing wear and setal hue values were positively correlated for all three species; however, the strength of the relationship varies across bee species as indicated by correlation coefficient estimates.  Our results suggest that setal color change is affected by sun exposure, and is likely an accurate estimate of bee age.  We suggest that future investigations of bee aging consider a suite of morphometric characteristics due to differences in natural history and sociobiology that may be confounded by the use of a single characteristic.
First record of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Sphecodes from Puerto Rico (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)
Authors: Engel Michael S. , Prado Sara G.
Published: January 2015

The cleptoparasitic bee genus Sphecodes Latreille (Halictinae: Halictini) is recorded from Puerto Rico for the first time.  Sphecodes (Austrosphecodes) tainoi Engel was previously known from western Cuba but is here recorded from a series of males and females captured in south-central, central, and western Puerto Rico.  Images of the species are provided along with brief remarks on observed variations and possible future directions of study into their natural history.
A new paracolletine bee from Colombia (Hymenoptera: Colletidae), with an updated checklist of the tropical Andean bee fauna
Authors: Gonzalez Victor H. , Velez-Ruiz Rita I. , Engel Michael S.
Published: January 2015

A new species of the paracolletine genus Lonchopria Vachal, Lonchopria (Biglossa) comforti Gonzalez & Engel, new species, from high elevations in the Central Andes of Colombia is described and figured.  A preliminary key to the species of the Lonchopria subgenus Biglossa Friese is presented.  Recent records of bees occurring at elevations above 2500 m in Colombia and other Andean countries are also summarized.
Taxonomic comments on Megachile subgenus Chrysosarus (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
Authors: Gonzalez Victor H.
Published: January 2015

Comments on the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of American leafcutter bees of the genus Megachile subgenus Chrysosarus are provided. The South American subgenera Austrosarus Raw, Stelodides Moure, and Zonomegachile Mitchell are newly synonymized under Chrysosarus Mitchell.
Enhancing Management of Fall‐Applied Poultry Litter with Cover Crop and Subsurface Band Placement in No‐Till Cotton
Authors: Tewolde Haile , Shankle Mark W. , Way Thomas R. , Adeli Ardeshir , Brooks John P. , He Zhongqi
Published: January 2015

Whether the yield reduction risk in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fertilized with fall‐applied poultry litter, relative to spring‐applied litter, in regions with warm falls or winters can be minimized by applying the litter in subsurface bands along with a winter cover crop is unknown. A field study was conducted in Mississippi to determine whether litter applied in fall can be as effective as litter applied in spring for no‐till cotton if applied in narrow subsurface bands (SSB) in the presence of a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cover crop (WCC). The study compared 5.6 Mg ha−1 litter applied in the fall vs. spring, in SSB vs. surface broadcast (BC), with a WCC vs. no cover crop (NCC) in a 2 × 2 × 2 treatment structure. An unfertilized control and a treatment fertilized with conventional inorganic fertilizers were included. The results showed that planting wheat as a WCC, relative to NCC, increased cotton lint yield by as much as 18% in the driest season. Applying litter in fall leads to loss of litter‐derived nutrients if applied by BC, but the losses are reduced if it is applied as SSB. Applying litter as SSB in conjunction with a WCC increased cotton lint yield relative to BC application with NCC by as much as 22%. The combined benefit of cover crop and subsurface banding suggests that poultry litter may be applied in fall in these soils without yield penalty, with potential to reduce the litter rate and minimize environmental contamination.
Mineral Composition and Removal of Six Perennial Grasses Grown for Bioenergy
Authors: Singh Maninder P. , Erickson John E. , Sollenberger Lynn E. , Woodard Kenneth R. , Vendramini Joao M.B. , Gilbert Rob A.
Published: January 2015

Feedstock mineral composition influences suitability for conversion to energy and soil nutrient removal impacts fertilization and economics of production. However, few data are available on mineral composition and removal for perennial bioenergy grass crops, especially in the southeastern United States. This study was conducted at three locations in Florida comparing biomass yield, mineral composition, and mineral removal of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid), energycane (Saccharum spp. hybrid), sweetcane [S. arundinaceum (Retz.) Jesw.], elephantgrass [Pennisetum purpureum (Schum.)], giant reed (Arundo donax L.), and giant miscanthus [Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef and Deuter ex Hodkinson and Renvoize)]. Tissue ash concentrations were very similar among species at each site. However, mineral concentrations varied by site and species. Giant miscanthus had the least dry biomass yield (13.5 Mg ha−1), followed by giant reed (23.8 Mg ha−1), which had lower dry matter yield than the remaining species (35.3 Mg ha−1). Giant miscanthus contained less moisture than all other species at each site. Leaves accounted for only 23% of total biomass. Nitrogen, P, and K removals were highest for sugarcane, sweetcane, energycane, and elephantgrass and averaged 179, 41, and 279 kg ha−1 yr−1, respectively and lowest for giant reed (147, 20, and 157 kg ha−1 yr−1) and giant miscanthus (56, 12, and 46 kg ha−1 yr−1). Relatively high dry matter yields desirable for bioenergy production can be achieved using perennial grasses in the region, but moderate to high fertility inputs will likely be needed to sustain high production levels.
Oxygen Transfer in a Fluctuating Capillary Fringe: Impact of Microbial Respiratory Activity
Authors: Jost Daniel , Haberer Christina M. , Grathwohl Peter , Winter Josef , Gallert Claudia
Published: January 2015

Laboratory‐scale flow‐through experiments in a sand‐filled chamber were performed to investigate the impact of aerobically growing Escherichia coli HB101‐K12 on oxygen transfer across the capillary fringe (CF) to oxygen‐depleted groundwater. In the experiments, both the effects of different nutrient concentrations and transient flow conditions were tested. The results of biotic experiments under oligotrophic and eutrophic conditions (6.8 g organic C L−1) were compared with those of an abiotic experiment. Moreover, in each experiment steady‐state and transient conditions were considered, the latter induced by changing the water‐table height. Growth of E. coli was quantified by cell counting in effluent samples and could be monitored due to intracellular production of the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Under eutrophic conditions, highest cell densities and strongest cell attachment were observed in the transition region of the CF. In this region, intensive bacterial respiration decreased oxygen concentrations relatively quickly, causing a steep oxygen gradient that resulted in a higher oxygen flux across the unsaturated–saturated interface. Under oligotrophic conditions, this effect was considerably reduced, but was still detectable. Due to oxygen supply from entrapped air, bacterial growth was slightly enhanced within the upper, newly formed CF region, directly after raising the water table. After lowering the water table to the initial height only a minor microbial impact on oxygen transfer was noticed, even under eutrophic conditions, because of the fast diffusion of oxygen in the (partially) air‐filled pore spaces. Bacteria that remained in the transition region of the CF grew to higher densities due to better oxygen supply.
Quantification of Gas‐Phase Trapping within the Capillary Fringe Using Computed Microtomography
Authors: Mohammadian Sadjad , Geistlinger Helmut , Vogel Hans-Jörg
Published: January 2015

In porous media, the nonwetting phase is trapped on water saturation due to capillary forces acting in a heterogeneous porous structure. Within the capillary fringe, the gas phase is trapped and released along with the fluctuation of the water table, creating a highly active zone for biological transformations and mass transport. We conducted column experiments to observe and quantify the magnitude and structure of the trapped gas phase at the pore scale using computed microtomography. Different grain size distributions of glass beads were used to study the effect of the pore structure on trapping at various capillary numbers. Viscous forces were found to have negligible impact on phase trapping compared with capillary and buoyancy forces. Residual gas saturations ranged from 0.5 to 10%, while residual saturation increased with decreasing grain size. The gas phase was trapped by snap‐off in single pores but also in pore clusters, while this single‐pore trapping was dominant for grains larger than 1 mm in diameter. Gas surface area was found to increase linearly with increasing gas volume and with decreasing grain size.
The performance of enhanced coagulation for treating slightly polluted raw water combining polyaluminum chloride with variable charge soil
Authors: Zhang Z. L. , Wu C. D. , Wang Y. J. , Tang J. C. , Liu Y. P.
Published: January 2015

The feasibility and effectiveness of treating pollutants in slightly polluted raw water by variable charge soil and polyaluminum chloride (PAC) was investigated. Removal efficiencies of turbidity, phenol, aniline, algae and heavy metals (Cu2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+) were used to evaluate the coagulation performance. The results indicated that the addition of variable charge soil as a coagulant aid is advantageous due to the improvement of removal efficiencies. The tests also demonstrated that the presence of variable charge soil increased the removal of turbidity rather than adding residuary turbidity. The use of variable charge soil produced settleable flocs of greater density and bigger size. The main mechanism involved in the PAC coagulation was supposed to be sweep flocculation as well as charge-neutralization. Variable charge soil played a promoted aid role by adsorption in the enhanced coagulation process. It is concluded that the enhanced coagulation by PAC and variable charge soil, as coagulant and adsorbent, is more effective and efficient than traditional coagulation.
Wastewater retreatment and reuse system for agricultural irrigation in rural villages
Authors: Kim Minyoung , Lee Hyejin , Kim Minkyeong , Kang Donghyeon , Kim Dongeok , Kim YoungJin , Lee Sangbong
Published: January 2015

Climate changes and continuous population growth increase water demands that will not be met by traditional water resources, like surface and ground water. To handle increased water demand, treated municipal wastewater is offered to farmers for agricultural irrigation. This study aimed to enhance the effluent quality from worn-out sewage treatment facilities in rural villages, retreat effluent to meet water quality criteria for irrigation, and assess any health-related and environmental impacts from using retreated wastewater irrigation on crops and in soil. We developed the compact wastewater retreatment and reuse system (WRRS), equipped with filters, ultraviolet light, and bubble elements. A pilot greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate lettuce growth patterns and quantify the heavy metal concentration and pathogenic microorganisms on lettuce and in soil after irrigating with tap water, treated wastewater, and WRRS retreated wastewater. The purification performance of each WRRS component was also assessed. The study findings revealed that existing worn-out sewage treatment facilities in rural villages could meet the water quality criteria for treated effluent and also reuse retreated wastewater for crop growth and other miscellaneous agricultural purposes.
Biohydrogen production from tequila vinasses using a fixed bed reactor
Authors: Buitrón Germán , Prato-Garcia Dorian , Zhang Axue
Published: January 2015

In Mexico, the industrial production of tequila leads to the discharge of more than 31.2 million of m3 of vinasse, which causes serious environmental issues because of its acidity, high organic load and the presence of recalcitrant compounds. The aim of this research was to study the feasibility of a fixed bed reactor for the production of biohydrogen by using tequila vinasse as substrate. The experiments were carried out in a continuous mode under mesophilic and acidic conditions. The maximum hydrogen yield and hydrogen production rate were 1.3 mol H2 mol/mol glucose and 72 ± 9 mL H2/(Lreactor h), respectively. Biogas consisted of carbon dioxide (36%) and hydrogen (64%); moreover methane was not observed. The electron-equivalent mass balance fitted satisfactorily (sink of electrons from 0.8 to 7.6%). For vinasses, hydrogen production accounted for 10.9% of the total available electron-equivalents. In the liquid phase, the principal metabolites identified were acetic, butyric and iso-butyric acids, which indicated a butyrate–acetate type fermentation. Tequila vinasses did not result in potential inhibition of the fermentative process. Considering the process as a water treatment system, only 20% of the original carbon was removed (as carbon dioxide and biomass) when the tequila vinasses are used.
Aerobic co-treatment of landfill leachate and domestic wastewater – are slowly biodegradable organics removed or simply diluted?
Authors: Campos R. , Ferraz F. M. , Vieira E. M. , Povinelli J.
Published: January 2015

This study investigated the co-treatment of landfill leachate/domestic wastewater in bench-scale activated sludge (AS) reactors to determine whether the slowly biodegradable organic matter (SBOM) was removed rather than diluted. The AS reactors were loaded with mixtures of raw leachate and leachate that was pretreated by air stripping. The tested volumetric ratios were 0%, 0.2%, 2% and 5%. For all of the tested conditions, the reactors performed better when pretreated leachate was used rather than raw leachate, and the best volumetric ratio was 2%. The following removals were obtained: 97% for the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5,20), 79% for total suspended solids, 77% for dissolved organic carbon and 84% for soluble chemical oxygen demand. Most of the pretreated leachate SBOM (65%) was removed rather than diluted or adsorbed into the sludge, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses.
Transformation characteristics of organic pollutants in Fered-Fenton process for dry-spun acrylic fiber wastewater treatment
Authors: Wei Jian , Song Yonghui , Meng Xiaoguang , Tu Xiang , Pic Jean-Stéphane
Published: January 2015

The Fered-Fenton process using Ti sheet as cathode and RuO2/Ti as anode was employed for the pretreatment of dry-spun acrylic fiber manufacturing wastewater. The effects of feeding mode and concentration of H2O2 on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency as well as the biodegradability variation during the Fered-Fenton process were investigated. The feeding mode of H2O2 had significant influence on COD removal efficiency: the removal efficiency was 44.8% if all the 60.0 mM H2O2 was fed at once, while it could reach 54.1% if the total H2O2 was divided into six portions and fed six times. The biochemical oxygen demand/COD ratio increased from 0.29 to above 0.68 after 180 min treatment. The transformation characteristics of organic pollutants during the Fered-Fenton process were evaluated by using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and fluorescence excitation–emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy. Most of the refractory organic pollutants with aromatic structure or large molecular weight were decomposed during the Fered-Fenton process.
Kinetics of lead and copper removal from oil-field brine by potential sorption
Authors: Nourafkan E. , Asachi M. , Marandi R.
Published: January 2015

The present study investigates the kinetics of lead and copper removal from oil-field brine by potential sorption. A population balance equation, coupled with a mass balance equation, was used in the estimation of kinetic parameters. Metal removal was performed by potential sorption of lead and copper through CaCO3 precipitates induced by the reaction of Na2CO3 and CaCl2. The oil-field brine was selected from an oil well in Gachsaran, Iran. The crystal size distribution of the solid phase was measured by dynamic laser scattering analyzer, and the liquor phase was analyzed using atomic adsorption. The morphology of calcium carbonate particles was illustrated using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the presence of copper and lead decreases the average size distribution of calcium carbonate particles by influencing the kinetic parameters. Lead and copper concentrations were reduced from 2.911 to 0.127 ppm (95.63% removal) and 0.476 to 0.025 ppm (94.74% removal), respectively, in exchange for 12 g CaCO3 consumption per 100 ml oil-field brine.
Alternative energy efficient membrane bioreactor using reciprocating submerged membrane
Authors: Ho J. , Smith S. , Roh H. K.
Published: January 2015

A novel membrane bioreactor (MBR) pilot system, using membrane reciprocation instead of air scouring, was operated at constant high flux and daily fluctuating flux to demonstrate its application under peak and diurnal flow conditions. Low and stable transmembrane pressure was achieved at 40 l/m2/h (LMH) by use of repetitive membrane reciprocation. The results reveal that the inertial forces acting on the membrane fibers effectively propel foulants from the membrane surface. Reciprocation of the hollow fiber membrane is beneficial for the constant removal of solids that may build up on the membrane surface and inside the membrane bundle. The membrane reciprocation in the reciprocating MBR pilot consumed less energy than coarse air scouring used in conventional MBR systems. Specific energy consumption for the membrane reciprocation was 0.072 kWh/m3 permeate produced at 40 LMH flux, which is 75% less than for a conventional air scouring system as reported in literature without consideration of energy consumption for biological aeration (0.29 kWh/m3). The daily fluctuating flux test confirmed that the membrane reciprocation is effective to handle fluctuating flux up to 50 LMH. The pilot-scale reciprocating MBR system successfully demonstrated that fouling can be controlled via 0.43 Hz membrane reciprocation with 44 mm or higher amplitude.
The construction of an engineered bacterium to remove cadmium from wastewater
Authors: Chang S. , Shu H.
Published: January 2015

The removal of cadmium (Cd) from wastewater before it is released from factories is important for protecting human health. Although some researchers have developed engineered bacteria, the resistance of these engineered bacteria to Cd have not been improved. In this study, two key genes involved in glutathione synthesis (gshA and gshB), a serine acetyltransferase gene (cysE), a Thlaspi caerulescens phytochelatin synthase gene (TcPCS1), and a heavy metal ATPase gene (TcHMA3) were transformed into Escherichia coli BL21. The resistance of the engineered bacterium to Cd was significantly greater than that of the initial bacterium and the Cd accumulation in the engineered bacterium was much higher than in the initial bacterium. In addition, the Cd resistance of the bacteria harboring gshB, gshA, cysE, and TcPCS1 was higher than that of the bacteria harboring gshA, cysE, and TcPCS1. This finding demonstrated that gshB played an important role in glutathione synthesis and that the reaction catalyzed by glutathione synthase was the limiting step for producing phytochelatins. Furthermore, TcPCS1 had a greater specificity and a higher capacity for removing Cd than SpPCS1, and TcHMA3 not only played a role in T. caerulescens but also functioned in E. coli.
Potential for nutrient removal by integrated remediation methods in a eutrophicated artificial lake – a case study in Dishui Lake, Lingang New City, China
Authors: Zhang Qiuzhuo , Ding Chi , Achal Varenyam , Shan Dan , Zhou Yang , Xu Yatong , Xiang Wei-Ning
Published: January 2015

A new integrated water remediation technology, including a floating bed, a buffer zone of floating plants, enclosed ‘water hyacinth’ purification, economic aquatic plants and near-shore aquatic plant purification, was used in Dishui Lake to improve its water quality. A channel of 1,000 m length and 30 m width was selected to implement pilot-scale experiments both in the static period and the continuous water diversion period. The results showed that the new integrated water remediation technology exhibited the highest removal rate for permanganate index in a static period, which achieved 40.6%. The average removal rates of total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and total phosphorus (TP) in a static period were 23.2, 21.6 and 19.1%, respectively. However, it did not exhibit an excellent removal rate for pollutants in the continuous water diversion period. The average removal rates for all pollutants were below 10%. In winter, the new integrated remediation technology showed efficient effects compared to others. The average removal rate for CODMn, TN, NH3-N and TP were 7, 5.3, 7.6 and 6.5%, respectively. Based on our results, the new integrated water remediation technology was highly efficient as a purification system, especially during the static period in winter.
Effective detoxification of hexavalent chromium using sulfate-crosslinked chitosan
Authors: Kahu Shashikant , Saravanan D. , Jugade Ravin
Published: January 2015

A sulfate-crosslinked chitosan (SCC) was prepared for effective detoxification of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from effluents. SCC was characterized using Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray studies. The maximum adsorption of Cr(VI) was observed at pH 6.0 with adsorption capacity of 157 mg/g in accordance with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The adsorption process was found to follow the pseudo-second-order rate kinetics. From the study of various thermodynamic parameters (Gibbs energy, entropy and enthalpy changes), the adsorption capacity was found to decrease with increase in temperature. Column studies were carried out to obtain a breakthrough point of the adsorbent. The adsorbent was regenerated using sodium hydroxide with no change in the adsorption efficiency for up to 10 cycles. Effect of diverse ions on adsorption efficiency was studied and SCC was applied for Cr(VI) removal in synthetic effluents.
Evaluation of acute ecotoxicity removal from industrial wastewater using a battery of rapid bioassays
Authors: Dries Jan , Daens Dominique , Geuens Luc , Blust Ronny
Published: January 2015

The present study compares conventional wastewater treatment technologies (coagulation–flocculation and activated sludge) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) treatment for the removal of acute ecotoxicity from wastewater generated by tank truck cleaning (TTC) processes. Ecotoxicity was assessed with a battery of four commercially available rapid biological toxicity testing systems, verified by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Chemical coagulation–flocculation of raw TTC wastewater had no impact on the inhibition of the bioluminescence by Vibrio fischeri (BioTox assay). Subsequent biological treatment with activated sludge without PAC resulted in BioTox inhibition-free effluent (<10% inhibition). In contrast, activated sludge treatment without PAC produced an effluent that significantly inhibited (>50%) (i) the bioluminescence by Photobacterium leiognathi (ToxScreen³ test kit), (ii) the photosynthesis by the green algae Chlorella vulgaris (LuminoTox SAPS test kit), and (iii) the particle ingestion by the crustacean Thamnocephalus platyurus (Rapidtoxkit test kit). The lowest inhibition was measured after activated sludge treatment with the highest PAC dose (400 mg/L), demonstrating the effectiveness of PAC treatment for ecotoxicity removal from TTC wastewater. In conclusion, the combination of bioassays applied in the present study represents a promising test battery for rapid ecotoxicty assessment in wastewater treatment.
an etymology of desire: de sidere, from the stars
Authors: Cook Emily Lynn
Published: January 2015

This poem attempts to explore the dynamics between time, desire, and our capacity to dream, and how that in turn impacts our perceptions of ourselves.
“I was at Home!” The Dream of Representation in the Representation of a Dream.
Authors: Maggio Rodolfo
Published: January 2015

This creative essay uses a dream the author had during fieldwork as the starting point for a discussion of the conundrums of representation. The dream epitomises the alterations that observation causes on the portions of reality that the ethnographer selects and concentrates upon. The rest of the essay tells of how the author attempted to find his own personal solution to the problem of representation thanks to inspiration found in a photo exhibition and the letter of a friend and mentor. Such interpenetration of oneiric, photographic, and epistolary materials works as a pretext to discuss the importance of remaining faithful to the anthropological mission of making people visible and not being hindered by the methodological impossibility of representation.
What the critique of he political economy can and can’t do? Marx’s theory of value and its use in social theory
Authors: Stojanovic Aleksandar
Published: January 2015

In this text I will try to explain the theoretical specificity of critique of
political economy. I will primarily found my arguments on the texts of
Michael Hein- rich and John Milios. To this I will firstly scatch the
theoretical context of economic theories that exited at the time of emergence
of critique of political economy. Than, I will present main differences in
approach that we can find in Marx?s Capital with repsect to the concepts that
are utilised and questions that he tries to answer. In the end I will present
the directions of development of the critique of political economy that are
realted to this basic insight.
What does the reform do? How dungeon became prison
Authors: Zaharijevic Adriana
Published: January 2015

The paper examines the meanings of the notion of reform. Is reform an act or
a process; what is an object of reform and how is it performed; is the scope
of its performance limited or does it permeate deeper social structures? The
approach to reform in this paper is genealogical, through the analysis of the
processes of institutionalisation of the prison in Great Britain in 18th and
19th centuries. Although the elaboration of these processes revolves around a
particular era and place, this micro-sample gives rise to conclusions that
surpass historically conditioned analysis. The aim of this paper is to show
that reform has to be understood as an expression and effect of a profound
transformation of the political, as well as the complex, multilateral and
dispersive process which penetrates into and alters extant social relations.
Dynamics of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide mediated reaction of phenylsulfinylacetic acid with Cr(VI): Treatment of pseudo-phase models
Authors: Subramaniam Perumal , Selvi Thamil
Published: January 2015

micellar effect % Hammett correlation % Piszkiewicz cooperative model
KR nema
The influence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTon the oxidative
decarboxylation of phenylsulfinylacetic acid, PSAA and several meta- and
para-substituted PSAAs by Cr(VI) was investigated in 95 % H2O-5 % CH3CN
medium. The rate profile displayed a peculiar trend with an initial rate
increase at low [CTAB] followed by sharp rate inhibition at higher [CTAB].
The initial rate acceleration can be explained by strong binding of SO42- on
the positively charged micellar surface. The specific partitioning of PSAA in
micellar phase by hydrophobic interaction and the oxidizing species, HCrO3+
in aqueous phase by electrostatic repulsion accounted the rate retardation at
higher [CTAB]. The Hammett plot with different substituted PSAAs showed an
excellent correlation affording negative ? value which supports the proposed
mechanism involving a sulfonium cation intermediate formation. The obtained ?
value in CTmedium is found to be slightly lower than that in aqueous
medium. The quantitative analysis of rate data for the inhibition shown by
CTwas performed using Menger-Portnoy and Piszkiewicz pseudo-phase models.
The binding constant for PSAA with micelle was evaluated from Piszkiewicz
cooperative model.
Foreign investment activities of Chinese companies
Authors: Antevski Miroslav , Filipovic Sanja
Published: January 2015

Chinese investments abroad have recorded high growth rates in the last
decade, but its scope is still small in comparison to those of developed
industrial countries. The state plays a key role in its encouragement and
support directly and indirectly. Large state corporations are the biggest
investors abroad, somewhere investments of Chinese private companies
dominate, e.g. in Africa. There is a great geographic dispersion of
investment flows, while the highest concentration is in developing countries.
The main drivers of investment capital are trade, energy sources, natural
resources, infrastructure projects and acquisition of strategic assets. These
drivers are often are combined from two or more ones which are mutually
supportive.
The role of merger control rules in the enforcement of optimal competition policy
Authors: Rakic Ivana
Published: January 2015

The purpose of ex ante merger control is to secure and preserve the
competitive market structures by controlling concentrations which might
significantly impede effective competition. All concentrations exceeding a
certain turnover threshold are subject to mandatory notification under
national merger control rules and such transactions shall not be implemented
prior to clearance decision. In assessing a concentration, the relevant
competition authority must consider the likely effects of the concentration
on competition, and if the concentration is expected to be anti-competitive,
it must be prohibited. The aim of this article is to explain the difficulties
to properly determine the institutional framework in which the competition
authority approves or prohibits concentrations. Therefore, the author
analyses some of the main principles on which merger control should be based
and points out that merger control rules play very important role in
achieving effective enforcement of optimal competition policy.
Implicitne teоrije kreаtivnоsti nаstаvnikа osnоvne skоle - studijа slucаjа
Authors: Pavlovic Jelena , Maksic Slavica
Published: January 2015

Prikazani su rezultati ispitivanja implicitnih teorija kreativnosti
nastavnika jedne skole. Istrazivanje je imalo za cilj razumevanje
nastavnickih uverenja o kreativnosti i njenom razvoju. Koriscena je
metodologija studije slucaja, u kojoj su kombinovani kvalitativni i
kvantitativni podaci. U prvoj fazi istrazivanja primenjen je upitnik, a u
drugoj je organizovana fokus grupa. Rezultati prve faze ukazuju da se
kreativnost vidi kao kreativna osoba, dok su manifestacije kreativnosti na
osnovnoskolskom uzrastu cesce vidjene kao kreativni proces. Doprinos skole
razvoju kreativnosti ucenika vidi se najvise u nastavnim i vananstavnim
aktivnostima. Rezultati druge faze potvrdjuju kljucnu ulogu nastavnika u
podsticanju kreativnosti, ali upucuju na niz prepreka, koje se odnose na
ogranicavajuci nastavni plan i program, nedovoljna materijalna i finansijska
sredstva i nedovoljno ili neadekvatno vrednovanje kreativnosti u drustvu. Rad
ukazuje na mogucnosti za definisanje pravaca daljeg razvoja implicitnih
teorija kreativnosti ka uvazavanju razlicitih gledista i izgradjivanju
razvojnih shvatanja kreativnosti.
Management decisions and knowledge gaps: learning by doing in a case of a declining population of slavonian grebe Podiceps auritus
Authors: Stien Jennifer , Ims Rolf A.
Published: January 2015

Species of national conservation concern require management action to reduce the threat of extinction. As part of its obligations to reduce national loss of biodiversity, the Norwegian authority for nature management (The Norwegian Environment Agency) published an action plan in 2010 for one of these species, the Slavonian grebe Podiceps auritus. The American mink Neovison vison, a non‐native, invasive species with wide spread negative effects on native fauna, was highlighted as a major potential treat. We used an adaptive management approach that included management trials with the aim to assess whether mink predation is likely to be affecting grebe numbers significantly. We monitored mink activity, and put in place mink control measures at three of our seven study lakes. We then used 35 pairs of artificial nests, with one of each pair equipped with cameras, to measure predation at all seven lakes. The combined use of progressive experiments in an adaptive management/monitoring framework showed that mink activity was generally low with a mean activity at raft stations of between 0.41–1.22 per lake (n = 5), a range of zero to three excavations executed as a result of hunting (n = 3), and no incidences of mink nest predation (n = 35). Hence we conclude that mink is presently not likely to be a significant negative factor on grebe breeding success in the targeted lakes. We found a high nest predation rate by hooded crow with 18 of 21 identified predation events being identified to this species. Future effort should investigate non mink related threats to the Slavonian grebe such as the role of hooded crow in nest predation. This case study exemplifies the usefulness of the adaptive management/monitoring framework as a powerful means of testing hypotheses and to inform management, especially when knowledge of the focal system is poor.
Dutch hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus are nowadays mainly found in urban areas, possibly due to the negative Effects of badgers Meles meles
Authors: van de Poel Jeike L. , Dekker Jasja , van Langevelde Frank
Published: January 2015

In several west European countries, the distribution of hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus is declining. In the UK, predation by the European badger Meles meles is considered to be the main death cause of hedgehogs. In the Netherlands, badger density is rising, which suggests the same cause for the decline. As landscape and land use largely differ between the UK and the Netherlands, we investigated the relationship between the distribution of badgers and hedgehogs in the Netherlands. Therefore, we used the presence of badgers and hedgehogs recorded in the period 2007–2010 in grid cells of 1 km2, together with environmental variables, i.e. land‐use types and soil types, to describe the habitat of both species. Although the distribution of badgers in the Netherlands is still limited, we found indeed a negative effect of badger presence on hedgehog presence. We also found a positive effect of urban area, recreational land use and roads on hedgehog presence, whereas these types had a negative effect on badger presence. Our study suggests that hedgehogs in the Netherlands are nowadays found close to human occupation, possibly due to the negative effect of badgers. These results contribute to understanding of the declining distribution of hedgehogs in western Europe.
Use of O-J-I-P Chlorophyll Fluorescence Transients to Probe Multiple Effects of UV-C Radiation on the Photosynthetic Apparatus of Euglena
Authors: Beneragama Chalinda Koshitha , Balasooriya B.L.H.N. , Perera T.M.R.S.
Published: January 2015

Although the kinetic chlorophyll fluorescence signals are rich in information, most of the chlorophyll fluorescence related studies deal only with the quantum yield of primary photochemistry (Fv/Fm). JIP-test based OJIP fluorescence transient analysis is relatively a new technique to investigate the environmental stress responses of photosynthetic organisms. In the present study, the deleterious effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the photosynthetic machinery were probed by the JIP-test in Euglena, one of the most potent organisms for the future space stations. The cells were exposed to a series of UV-C doses and immediately after exposure, survival percentage was determined with Neutral Red staining, and the chlorophyll fluorescence was measured using AquaPen AP-C 100 fluorometer. Resultant OJIP transients were analyzed according to JIP-test, and several functional and structural parameters were derived to explain the PSII behavior. Results indicated that the UV-C induced inhibition of electron transport is severely affected due to higher sensitivity of dark reactions after QA -, represented as ψo, the electron transfer probability, than of the light dependent reactions, represented as φPo, the trapping probability. The performance index (PIABS) of PSII, which is a combination of the indices of three independent parameters, decreased markedly in exponential manner in response to UVC. Results illustrate the advantage of using a number of fluorescent parameters over the use of one parameter, often the Fv/Fm. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i4.10510  Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(4): 553-558
Microbes Thriving in Extreme Environments: How Do They Do It?
Authors: Jha Prameela
Published: January 2015

Our knowledge about habitat of microorganisms appears diminutive when we witness amazing flexibility in choice of survival under various conditions. Extremophiles refers to the organisms living and carrying out vital life processes at extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, pH, salt concentration among others and this is why they have attracted attention of researchers worldwide. There is a continuous quest to unreveal the probable mechanism or structural and functional adaptations that make extremophiles survive under other holistic conditions. There occur modifications primarily in cell membrane, DNA, RNA, protein and enzymes in order to render fit microbial cell to its external environment. Thus, extremophiles are robust source of high temperature and alkali stable enzymes. Various enzymes as lipase and protease have found several applications in food and cosmetic industry while Taq polymerase from bacteria Thermus aquaticus has revolutionized entire scene of molecular biology. Present review focuses on extremophiles, their structural and molecular adaptations to overcome unfavorable conditions of environment.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i4.10543 Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(4): 393-401