bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of natural and organophilic palygorskite on skin wound healing in rats
Authors: Silva Mirna Luciano de Gois da , Fortes Amanda Campos , Tomé Adriana da Rocha , Silva Filho Edson Cavalcanti da , Freitas Rivelilson Mendes de , Soares-Sobrinho José Lamartine , Leite Cleide Maria da Silva , Soares Mônica Felts de La Roca
Published: March 2014

In view of growing interest in natural treatments, clays would appear to be a good alternative for speeding up the healing process during the treatment of wounds. Of the various clays, palygorskite, a clay from the Brazilian State of Piauí, composed of silicon and aluminum, has shown itself to be pharmaceutically useful as a healing agent. The aim of this article is to evaluate the effect on the healing of wounds of Piauí palygorskite, both in its natural state and when organophilic, by way of comparative analysis of macroscopic and histological tests on skin wounds in adult male and female two-month-old Wistar rats. To this end, a circular trichotomy of the dorsal cornus of the rats was carried out to confirm the effects of treatments involving 0.9% saline solution, collagenase, natural palygorskite, organophilic palygorskite with cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, and organophilic palygorskite with alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride. The testing of all the clays involved microbiological evaluation using the depth of plaque and surface striation methods, along with post-treatment macroscopic analysis of skin wounds by way of organoleptics, pachymetry and histological analysis. Microbiological evaluation revealed the need for sterilization of the clay prior to incorporation in the pharmaceutical form. Macroscopic analysis suggests that healing of the wounded area occurred, and histological analysis showed the beneficial effect of the topical use of clay material. Our data suggest that palygorskite may be more powerful than other healing agents, although, on completing treatment, all the animals studied showed the same degree of tissue repair.
Phenolic compounds and antioxidant, antimicrobial and antimycobacterial activities of Serjania erecta Radlk. (Sapindaceae)
Authors: Cardoso Claudia Andréa Lima , Coelho Roberta Gomes , Honda Neli Kika , Pott Arnildo , Pavan Fernando Rogério , Leite Clarice Queico Fujimura
Published: March 2014

Serjania erecta Radlk.(Sapindaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Brazil. We assayed the ethanolic extract of leaves and roots against seven microorganisms. The REMA (Resazurin Microtiter Assay) assay was used to measure the biological activity in vitro against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and our results showed moderate activity of the ethanolic extract. On the other hand S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, S. setubal, C. albicans, S. cerevisiae and E. coli revealed that the leaves and roots of S. erecta inhibited the growth of all microorganisms. The ethanolic extracts of leaves and roots showed low values of antioxidant activities. The ethanolic extracts of leaves and roots were analyzed by chromatographic and spectrometric methods. (-)-Epicatechin, kaempferol aglycone and five glycoside derivates were isolated: kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside from the roots and kaempferol, kaempferol 3,7-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, vitexin, isovitexin and (-)-epicatechin in the leaves. This is the first chemical study reported in the literature about this specie.
Use of an indicator to evaluate physician adherence to prescription guidelines for the treatment of heart failure
Authors: Oliveira Márcio Galvão , Passos Luiz Carlos , Santos Júnior Edval Gomes , Barbosa Andrea Cristina , Santos Djanilson Barbosa
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study was to use indicators to evaluate physician adherence to prescription guidelines for heart failure treatment in a university hospital. This was a prospective cohort study conducted in a university hospital. The information collected at the time of patient admission, including therapeutic indication, absolute contra indications and intolerance, was utilised for the formulation of a guideline adherence indicator (GAI). This indicator was calculated as follows: (the number of patients who used the medication/the number of eligible patients) x 100. The percentage of eligible patients was calculated using the following formula: (the number of eligible patients/the total number patients) x 100. The GAI was applied to a population of 53 patients. Inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACE-I/ARB) combination therapy were used in the greatest percentage of eligible patients (92.4%) and demonstrated the largest GAI value (73.5%). The percentages of patients who were eligible for beta-blockers, spironolactone and digitalis treatments were 81.1%, 52.8% and 60.4%, respectively. The GAI values for the use of beta-blockers, spironolactone and digitalis were 60.4%, 57.1% and 56.2%, respectively. For the studied patient population, the GAI was consistent with the proportion of patients who were eligible to receive digitalis and spironolactone.
Bioanalytical method development and validation for determination of metoprolol tartarate and hydrochlorothiazide using HPTLC in human plasma
Authors: Rote Ambadas Ranganath , Sonavane Poonam Ramdas
Published: March 2014

A simple, sensitive, rapid and economic chromatographic method has been developed for determination of metoprolol tartarate and hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma using paracetamol as an internal standard. The analytical technique used for method development was high-performance thin-layer chromatography. HPTLC Camag with precoated silica gel Plate 60F254 (20 cm×10 cm) at 250 µm thicknesses (E. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) was used as the stationary phase. The mobile phase used consisted of chloroform: methanol: ammonia (9:1:0.5v/v/v). Densitometric analysis was carried out at a wavelength of 239 nm. The rf values for hydrochlorothiazide, paracetamol and metoprolol tartarate were 0.13±0.04, 0.28±0.05, 0.48±0.04, respectively. Plasma samples were extracted by protein precipitation with methanol. Concentration ranges of 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200 ng/mL and 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000, 10000, 12000 ng/mL of hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol tartarate, respectively, were used with plasma for the calibration curves. The percent recovery of metoprolol tartarate and hydrochlorothiazide was found to be 77.30 and 77.02 %, respectively. The stability of metoprolol tartarate and hydrochlorothiazide in plasma were confirmed during three freeze-thaw cycles (-20 ºC) on a bench for 24 hours and post-preparatively for 48 hours. The proposed method was validated statistically and proved suitable for determination of metoprolol tartarate and hydrochlorothiazide in human plasma.
Equilibrium solubility versus intrinsic dissolution: characterization of lamivudine, stavudine and zidovudine for BCS classification
Authors: Dezani André Bersani , Pereira Thaisa Marinho , Caffaro Arthur Massabki , Reis Juliana Mazza , Serra Cristina Helena dos Reis
Published: March 2014

Solubility and dissolution rate of drugs are of major importance in pre-formulation studies of pharmaceutical dosage forms. The solubility improvement allows the drugs to be potential biowaiver candidates and may be a good way to develop more dose-efficient formulations. Solubility behaviour of lamivudine, stavudine and zidovudine in individual solvents (under pH range of 1.2 to 7.5) was studied by equilibrium solubility and intrinsic dissolution methods. In solubility study by equilibrium method (shake-flask technique), known amounts of drug were added in each media until to reach saturation and the mixture was subjected to agitation of 150 rpm for 72 hours at 37 ºC. In intrinsic dissolution test, known amount of each drug was compressed in the matrix of Wood's apparatus and subjected to dissolution in each media with agitation of 50 rpm at 37 ºC. In solubility by equilibrium method, lamivudine and zidovudine can be considered as highly soluble drugs. Although stavudine present high solubility in pH 4.5, 6.8, 7.5 and water, the solubility determination in pH 1.2 was not possible due stability problems. Regarding to intrinsic dissolution, lamivudine and stavudine present high speed of dissolution. Considering a boundary value presented by Yu and colleagues (2004), all drugs studied present high solubility characteristics in intrinsic dissolution method. Based on the obtained results, intrinsic dissolution seems to be superior for solubility studies as an alternative method for biopharmaceutical classification purposes.
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of several 4-substituted-6-(3'-nitrophenyl)pyridazin-(2H)-3-one derivatives
Authors: Singh Anita , Lakshmayya  , Asif Mohammad
Published: March 2014

Several 6-aryl-4-substituted benzylidene/furfurylidene pyridazin(2H)-3-one derivatives (4a-f) were synthesized and evaluated as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents in mice and rats, respectively. All compounds were tested by using Eddy's hot plate and the carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema method for the evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, respectively. Results showed that compounds 4f, 4b, 4d, and 4e exhibited higher analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities than other remaining compounds. All title compounds (4a-f) were characterized by IR, NMR and Mass spectroscopy.
Leveraging the relationship between BIM and asset management
Authors: Pocock David , Shetty Navil , Hayes Alan , Watts Julian
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this paper is to explain the mutually supportive relationship between building information modelling (BIM) and asset management. In doing so, it will enhance the ability of infrastructure owners and their suppliers to develop and implement processes, tools and collaborative working practices that optimise infrastructure asset costs and performance over the entire life cycle of assets. The paper has been produced to help mitigate the danger of treating BIM and asset management as isolated practices; reinforce the need to consider BIM implementation in the context of wider asset management policies, practices and systems and vice versa; and maximise the benefits from investments being made in the development and implementation of BIM and asset management. Asset management and BIM knowledge activities and standards have emerged in the UK construction industry as more or less parallel initiatives and have been crystallised in standards such as BS PAS 55 (Asset management – Specifications for the optimized management of physical assets) and the soon-to-be-published ISO 55000 and PAS1192-2 (Specification for information management for the capital/delivery phase of construction projects using building information modelling), respectively. This paper explains the relationship between these two disciplines and why they must be considered together if the full benefits of each are to be realised for both the asset owner and its service providers.
Height and clonality traits determine plant community responses to fertilization
Authors: Dickson Timothy L. , Mittelbach Gary G. , Reynolds Heather L. , Gross Katherine L.
Published: March 2014

Fertilization via agricultural inputs and nutrient deposition is one of the major threats to global terrestrial plant richness, yet we still do not fully understand the mechanisms by which fertilization decreases plant richness. Tall clonal species have recently been proposed to cause declines in plant species richness by increasing in abundance in response to fertilization and competing strongly with other species. We tested this hypothesis in a fertilization experiment in a low productivity grassland by using a novel experimental manipulation of the presence vs. absence of clonal species and by examining the role of height within these treatments. We found that fertilization decreased species richness more in the presence than absence of clonal species. We also found that only tall species increased in biomass in response to fertilization. In the absence of clonal species, fertilization increased biomass of tall nonclonal species. However, in the presence of clonal species, fertilization decreased tall nonclonal biomass and only tall clonal biomass increased. Fertilization caused almost all short species to be lost in the presence, but not the absence, of clonal species and caused greater declines in the mean and variance of light levels in the presence of clonal species. These results show that the traits of species in a community can determine the magnitude of species loss due to fertilization. The strongly negative effect of tall clonals on species richness in fertilized plots is likely a result of their capacity to decrease light levels to a greater extent and more uniformly than nonclonal species, and thereby drive the exclusion of short species. These results help clarify the mechanisms whereby fertilization decreases grassland plant species richness and suggest that efforts to prevent the loss of species under fertilized conditions may be most effective when they focus on controlling the biomass of tall clonal species.
Relation Between Higher Physical Activity and Public Transit Use
Authors: Saelens Brian E. , Vernez Moudon Anne , Kang Bumjoon , Hurvitz Philip M. , Zhou Chuan
Published: March 2014

Objectives. We isolated physical activity attributable to transit use to examine issues of substitution between types of physical activity and potential confounding of transit-related walking with other walking.

Methods. Physical activity and transit use data were collected in 2008 to 2009 from 693 Travel Assessment and Community study participants from King County, Washington, equipped with an accelerometer, a portable Global Positioning System, and a 7-day travel log. Physical activity was classified into transit- and non–transit-related walking and nonwalking time. Analyses compared physical activity by type between transit users and nonusers, between less and more frequent transit users, and between transit and nontransit days for transit users.

Results. Transit users had more daily overall physical activity and more total walking than did nontransit users but did not differ on either non–transit-related walking or nonwalking physical activity. Most frequent transit users had more walking time than least frequent transit users. Higher physical activity levels for transit users were observed only on transit days, with 14.6 minutes (12.4 minutes when adjusted for demographics) of daily physical activity directly linked with transit use.

Conclusions. Because transit use was directly related to higher physical activity, future research should examine whether substantive increases in transit access and use lead to more physical activity and related health improvements.
Socioeconomic Status, Food Security, and Dental Caries in US Children: Mediation Analyses of Data From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2008
Authors: Chi Donald L. , Masterson Erin E. , Carle Adam C. , Mancl Lloyd A. , Coldwell Susan E.
Published: March 2014

Objectives. We examined associations of household socioeconomic status (SES) and food security with children’s oral health outcomes.

Methods. We analyzed 2007 and 2008 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data for children aged 5 to 17 years (n = 2206) to examine the relationship between food security and untreated dental caries and to assess whether food security mediates the SES–caries relationship.

Results. About 20.1% of children had untreated caries. Most households had full food security (62%); 13% had marginal, 17% had low, and 8% had very low food security. Higher SES was associated with significantly lower caries prevalence (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.77; 95% confidence interval = 0.63, 0.94; P = .01). Children from households with low or very low food security had significantly higher caries prevalence (PR = 2.00 and PR = 1.70, respectively) than did children living in fully food-secure households. Caries prevalence did not differ among children from fully and marginally food-secure households (P = .17). Food insecurity did not appear to mediate the SES–caries relationship.

Conclusions. Interventions and policies to ensure food security may help address the US pediatric caries epidemic.
“I Did It for Us and I Would Do It Again”: Perspectives of Rural Latinos on Providing Biospecimens for Research
Authors: Hohl Sarah D. , Gonzalez Claire , Carosso Elizabeth , Ibarra Genoveva , Thompson Beti
Published: March 2014

Objectives. We elicited perspectives of rural Latino farmworkers and non-farmworkers about their participation in a community-based participatory pesticides exposure study in which they provided multiple biospecimens.

Methods. Between March and April 2012, we conducted semistructured, one-on-one interviews with 39 rural Latino farmworkers and non-farmworkers in Washington State (n = 39). Nineteen open-ended interview questions aimed to elicit participants’ attitudes toward, expectations and experiences of biospecimen collection for research, and willingness to participate in future biomedical research studies. We reviewed and coded transcriptions using qualitative principles of grounded theory in which concepts were identified and themes derived from interview data.

Results. We grouped themes into 3 major categories: (1) motivation to participate, (2) challenges of participation, and (3) perceived rewards of participation. Many participants were motivated by the perceived importance of the study topic and a desire to acquire and contribute to new knowledge. Respondents said that the benefits of participation outweighed the challenges, and many expressed satisfaction to be able to contribute to research that would benefit future generations.

Conclusions. Our findings supported the use of community-based participatory research to engage minorities as participants and invested parties in such studies.
Long-Term Consequences of Adolescent Gang Membership for Adult Functioning
Authors: Gilman Amanda B. , Hill Karl G. , Hawkins J. David
Published: March 2014

Objectives. We examined the possible public health consequences of adolescent gang membership for adult functioning.

Methods. Data were drawn from the Seattle Social Development Project, a longitudinal study focusing on the development of positive and problem outcomes. Using propensity score matching and logistic regression analyses, we assessed the effects of adolescent gang membership on illegal behavior, educational and occupational attainment, and physical and mental health at the ages of 27, 30, and 33 years.

Results. In comparison with their nongang peers, who had been matched on 23 confounding risk variables known to be related to selection into gang membership, those who had joined a gang in adolescence had poorer outcomes in multiple areas of adult functioning, including higher rates of self-reported crime, receipt of illegal income, incarceration, drug abuse or dependence, poor general health, and welfare receipt and lower rates of high school graduation.

Conclusions. The finding that adolescent gang membership has significant consequences in adulthood beyond criminal behavior indicates the public health importance of the development of effective gang prevention programs.
Insurer Views on Reimbursement of Preventive Services in the Dental Setting: Results From a Qualitative Study
Authors: Feinstein-Winitzer Rebecca T. , Pollack Harold A. , Parish Carrigan L. , Pereyra Margaret R. , Abel Stephen N. , Metsch Lisa R.
Published: March 2014

Objectives. We explored insurers’ perceptions regarding barriers to reimbursement for oral rapid HIV testing and other preventive screenings during dental care.

Methods. We conducted semistructured interviews between April and October 2010 with a targeted sample of 13 dental insurance company executives and consultants, whose firms’ cumulative market share exceeded 50% of US employer-based dental insurance markets. Participants represented viewpoints from a significant share of the dental insurance industry.

Results. Some preventive screenings, such as for oral cancer, received widespread insurer support and reimbursement. Others, such as population-based HIV screening, appeared to face many barriers to insurance reimbursement. The principal barriers were minimal employer demand, limited evidence of effectiveness and return on investment specific to dental settings, implementation and organizational constraints, lack of provider training, and perceived lack of patient acceptance.

Conclusions. The dental setting is a promising venue for preventive screenings, and addressing barriers to insurance reimbursement for such services is a key challenge for public health policy.
A Social Network–Informed Latent Class Analysis of Patterns of Substance Use, Sexual Behavior, and Mental Health: Social Network Study III, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Hopfer Suellen , Tan Xianming , Wylie John L.
Published: March 2014

Objectives. We assessed whether a meaningful set of latent risk profiles could be identified in an inner-city population through individual and network characteristics of substance use, sexual behaviors, and mental health status.

Methods. Data came from 600 participants in Social Network Study III, conducted in 2009 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. We used latent class analysis (LCA) to identify risk profiles and, with covariates, to identify predictors of class.

Results. A 4-class model of risk profiles fit the data best: (1) solitary users reported polydrug use at the individual level, but low probabilities of substance use or concurrent sexual partners with network members; (2) social–all-substance users reported polydrug use at the individual and network levels; (3) social–noninjection drug users reported less likelihood of injection drug and solvent use; (4) low-risk users reported low probabilities across substances. Unstable housing, preadolescent substance use, age, and hepatitis C status predicted risk profiles.

Conclusions. Incorporation of social network variables into LCA can distinguish important subgroups with varying patterns of risk behaviors that can lead to sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections.
Estimating Unsaturated Hydraulic Functions for Coarse Sediment from a Field‐Scale Infiltration Experiment
Authors: Thoma Michael J. , Barrash Warren , Cardiff Michael , Bradford John , Mead Jodi
Published: March 2014

Conglomeratic alluvial sediments (sand–gravel–cobbles) are common in fluvial, periglacial, and tectonically active regions but have received little attention with respect to unsaturated flow, specifically moisture–tension–conductivity relationships, due to difficulty in making measurements in the field or laboratory and lack of agricultural value. We used a field‐scale infiltration experiment, a one‐dimensional layered forward model, and parameter estimation modeling to examine in situ flow behavior between residual and partial saturation in a four‐layer system under steady infiltration (0.84 cm h−1) for 19 h. Prior information from ground‐penetrating radar, grain‐size distributions from core samples, and long‐term tension (ψ) and moisture (θ) monitoring were used to define geologic structure, simulate test behavior, and provide initial parameter estimates. Vertically distributed measurements of ψ(t) and θ(t) from the experiment were matched using four parameters (θs, α, n, and Ks) of the van Genuchten–Mualem (VGM) relationships for each material layer and a Metropolis–Hastings (MH) search with multiple, independent‐chain runs to 106 samples each. Scale reduction factors indicated convergence of independent chains for 11 of 16 parameters. Final distributions of individual parameters varied from normal to nearly uniform distributions, and some parameter pairs showed high cross‐correlation (R2 > 0.9). Results showed that (i) VGM relationships can be applied to these coarse, conglomeratic soils to characterize unsaturated flow behavior across the natural range of partial saturation, (ii) even under high sustained infiltration rates, these coarse conglomeratic soils remain well drained, despite relatively low porosity and significant cobble fraction, and (iii) high uncertainty and nonconvergence of MH chains does not lead to significant misfit of the observed data. These findings imply that a significant cobble fraction does not markedly reduce infiltration at low saturation levels that develop under natural recharge conditions.
Sludge reduction and performance analysis of a modified sludge reduction process
Authors: Zhou Zhen , Qiao Weimin , Xing Can , Wang Yingjun , Wang Chunying , Wang Yifang , Wang Yiru , Wang Luochun
Published: March 2014

A modified sludge process reduction activated sludge (SPRAS) technology was developed by inserting a sludge process reduction (SPR) module, composed of an aeration tank and a settler, before the activated sludge system was proposed in this study. Compared with the anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic (AAO) process, the SPRAS resulted in a remarkable decrease in sludge production by 76.6%; sludge decay owing to lengthy solids retention time (about 121.5 d) could be the major cause. During the 217-day operation, the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) (from 54 to −198 mV) and pH (from 7.8 to 5.0) at the bottom of the SPR settler gradually decreased, and low ORP and pH were in favor of sludge reduction in the SPRAS system. The insertion of the SPR module improved the removal efficiencies of suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand and ammonium nitrogen, and total nitrogen concentration in the effluent was reduced from 23.89 ± 4.82 to 14.16 ± 3.98 mg/L by 50% influent bypassing the SPR module. These results indicated that the SPRAS process could produce much less excess sludge and guarantee better effluent quality than the AAO process.
Contaminant migration in unsaturated porous media using X-ray computerized tomography (CT)
Authors: Zhou Nian Qing , Zhao Shan , Song Wei , Otani Jun
Published: March 2014

Landfills are usually located in unsaturated zones. Contaminant leaking can easily infiltrate groundwater through these porous media and contribute to groundwater pollution. The main objective of this work is to study the leachate migration in unsaturated porous media using X-ray computerized tomography (CT) and image-processing software. Silica sand and Yamazuna sand (collected from Japan) with different particle sizes are considered. Potassium iodide (KI) solution is used as a contaminant and injected into sand specimens at appropriate rates. The specimens are scanned at each cross section before and after contaminant injection by X-ray CT. Subsequently, all CT images are transformed into mean CT values by Image J software. VGStudio software is then used to reconstruct the subtracted images into three-dimensional images. The results indicate that vertical migration is dominant in uniform sand and horizontal migration is the main behavior in well-graded sand. Meanwhile, it is also confirmed that CT scanning is an effective technology to study contaminant migration in unsaturated porous media with different grain sizes.
Adsorption of crude and engine oils from water using raw rice husk
Authors: Razavi Zahra , Mirghaffari Nourollah , Rezaei Behzad
Published: March 2014

The raw rice husk (RRH) was used as a low cost adsorbent to remove three oil compounds with different viscosities (crude oil, engine oil and spent engine oil) from an aqueous environment. Some of the sorbent specifications were characterized using a CHNSO analyzer, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy. With decreasing RRH particles size, the oil adsorption percentage was reduced for crude, spent and engine oils from 50 to 30%, 65 to 20% and 70 to 0.01%, respectively. This was probably due to damage of the microcavities. The removal percentage by sorbent at optimized conditions was 88, 80 and 55% for engine, spent and crude oils, respectively, corresponding to their descending viscosity. The adsorption of crude and spent oils on rice husk followed the Freundlich isotherm model, while the adsorption of engine oil was fitted by the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax), calculated from the Langmuir model for the adsorption of engine oil on RRH, was 1,250 mg/g.
Stormwater retention basin efficiency regarding micropollutant loads and ecotoxicity
Authors: Sébastian Christel , Barraud Sylvie , Gonzalez-Merchan Carolina , Perrodin Yves , Visiedo Régis
Published: March 2014

Retention basin efficiency in micropollutant removal has not been very well studied, in particular for pollutants highlighted by the European Water Framework Directive of 2000 such as pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alkylphenols. This study is based on in situ experiments carried out on a stormwater retention basin with the aim of estimating the basin efficiency in trapping and removing micropollutants from stormwater run-off from an industrial catchment drained by a separate sewer system. Along with stormwater, the basin receives some dry weather effluent flows, which are supposedly non-polluted. Ninety-four substances from five families (metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), PBDEs, alkylphenols and pesticides) were analyzed during 10 event campaigns in urban wet weather discharges at the inlet and outlet of the basin. The ecotoxicity of the samples was also tested. The results show high inter-event variability in both chemical and ecotoxic characteristics. They indicate good event efficiency concerning heavy metals and most PAHs. The studied pesticides, mainly found in the dissolved fraction, were not trapped. Particulate fraction study highlighted that settling is not the main process explaining micropollutant removal in a retention basin, as was noted for alkylphenols and PBDEs.
Factors that affect the hydraulic performance of raingardens: implications for design and maintenance
Authors: Virahsawmy Harry K. , Stewardson Michael J. , Vietz Geoff , Fletcher Tim D.
Published: March 2014

Raingardens are becoming an increasingly popular technology for urban stormwater treatment. However, their hydraulic performance is known to reduce due to clogging from deposition of fine-grained sediments on the surface. This impacts on their capacity to treat urban runoff. It has been recently hypothesised that plants can help to mitigate the effect of surface clogging on infiltration. A conceptual model is therefore presented to better understand key processes, including those associated with plant cover, which influences surface infiltration mechanisms. Based on this understanding, a field evaluation was carried out to test the hypothesis that plants increase the infiltration rate, and to investigate factors that influence the deposition of fine-grained sediments within raingardens. The results show that infiltration rates around plants are statistically higher than bare areas, irrespective of the degree of surface clogging. This suggests that preferential flow pathways exist around plants. Sediment deposition processes are also influenced by design elements of raingardens such as the inlet configuration. These findings have implications for the design and maintenance of raingardens, in particular the design of the inlet configuration, as well as maintenance of the filter media surface layer and vegetation.
Operating conditions for the continuous bioremediation of free cyanide contaminated wastewater using Aspergillus awamori
Authors: Santos B. A. Q. , Ntwampe S. K. O. , Doughari J. H. , Muchatibaya G.
Published: March 2014

Generation of cyanide-containing wastewater is a growing problem worldwide as numerous cyanide complexes are highly unstable and degrade to form free cyanide (F-CN), the most toxic form of cyanide. Agro-waste materials, such as sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) waste from the citrus industry, are rich in readily metabolisable carbohydrates that can supplement microbial activity and thus support biodegradation of toxic compounds in wastewater. This study reports on optimal operating conditions for the continuous biodegradation of F-CN in wastewater using an Aspergillus awamori isolate in a process supported solely using C. sinensis waste extract. The optimal degradation conditions were pH 8.75 and 37.02 °C with the isolate's F-CN tolerance being observed up to 430 mg F-CN/L. Furthermore, the ammonium produced as a by-product of F-CN degradation was also metabolised by the A. awamori, with negligible residual citric acid and formate being observed in the effluent post treatment. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using agricultural waste as a primary and sole carbon source for the cultivation of a cyanide-degrading A. awamori species for F-CN degradation under alkaline conditions.
New urban wastewater treatment with autotrophic membrane bioreactor at low chemical oxygen demand/N substrate ratio
Authors: Yang Y. , Lesage G. , Barret M. , Bernet N. , Grasmick A. , Hamelin J. , Heran M.
Published: March 2014

The potential for total nitrogen removal from municipal wastewater has been evaluated in an autotrophic membrane bioreactor running with a low chemical oxygen demand (COD)/N ratio to simulate its combination with an upstream physicochemical process that retains a large proportion of organic matter. The tests were conducted in a laboratory scale submerged membrane bioreactor loaded with a synthetic influent. Nitrogen loading rate was 0.16 kgN−NH4+.m−3.d−1 and sodium acetate was added as a carbon source. Results have shown that nitrogen elimination can reach 85% for a COD/N ratio of 5, with COD removal exceeding 97%. However, a COD/N ratio of 3.5 was found to be the limiting factor for successfully reaching the overall target value of 10 mgN.L−1 in the effluent. Nevertheless, low COD/N ratios make it possible to work with low total suspended solid concentrations in the bioreactor, which greatly facilitates membrane fouling control by a simple aeration and backwashing strategy.
Preliminary investigation into the pollution reduction performance of swales used in a stormwater treatment train
Authors: Kachchu Mohamed M. A. , Lucke T. , Boogaard F.
Published: March 2014

Permeable pavements have been shown to be effective stormwater treatment devices that can greatly reduce surface runoff and significantly improve the quality of stormwater runoff in urban areas. However, the potential problems with sediment clogging and consequent maintenance requirements have been identified as the main barriers to more widespread adoption of permeable pavements in urban developments. This Australian study investigates the effectiveness of using grass swales as pre-treatment devices for permeable pavements in order to reduce clogging and extend the life span of these systems. The results of simulated runoff experiments demonstrated that between 50 and 75% of the total suspended sediment (TSS) was removed within the first 10 m of the swale length. This suggests swales of this length could potentially increase the effective life of permeable pavement systems by reducing clogging, and therefore maintenance. Nutrient removal was also tested in the study and the results indicated the tested swales were of limited effectiveness in the removal of these pollutants. However, in real runoff situations, reduction of TSS will have a direct influence on removing nutrients because a significant proportion of nutrients (and other pollutants) are attached to the sediments.
The effects of red soil in removing phosphorus from water column and reducing phosphorus release from sediment in Lake Taihu
Authors: Dai Lichun , Pan Gang
Published: March 2014

A natural red soil and a lanthanum-modified soil (LMS) were tested to compare their phosphorus (P) adsorption capacities and their effectiveness in removing P from the water column and reducing P release from sediment. The equilibrium of P adsorption demonstrated that the maximum P adsorption for the soil was 1.29 and 2.22 mg g−1 at pH 8.5 and 5.5, respectively, and for the LMS these were increased by 45.6 and 77.6% at pH 8.5 and 5.5, respectively, indicating that the soil was effective in P adsorption and the doping of lanthanum could substantially increase P adsorption. The sediment–water column incubation showed that, due to the P adsorption of the soil and LMS, the total P in the water column decreased by 58.5, 60.6, 68.2 and 77.2% for 180 g m−2 soil, 900 g m−2 soil, 180 g m−2 LMS and 900 g m−2 LMS treated systems, respectively, in a short time (6 h), and the capping layer substantially reduced the P release from sediment during column incubation, indicating that the soils were effective in reducing internal P load. However, considering the cost of LMS, the natural soil was suggested to be a cost-effective material to control internal P load.
Residual indicator bacteria in autosampler tubing: a field and laboratory assessment
Authors: Hathaway J. M. , Hunt W. F. , Guest R. M. , McCarthy D. T.
Published: March 2014

Microbial contamination in surface waters has become a worldwide cause for concern. As efforts are made to reduce this contamination, monitoring is integral to documenting and evaluating water quality improvements. Autosamplers are beneficial in such monitoring efforts, as large data sets can be generated with minimized effort. The extent to which autosamplers can be utilized for microbial monitoring is largely unknown due to concerns over contamination. Strict sterilization regimes for components contacting the water being sampled are difficult, and sometimes logistically implausible, when utilizing autosamplers. Field experimentation showed contamination of fecal coliform in autosamplers to be more of a concern than that of Escherichia coli. Further study in a controlled laboratory environment suggested that tubing configuration has a significant effect on residual E. coli concentrations in sampler tubing. The amount of time that passed since the last sample was collected from a given sampler (antecedent dry weather period – DWP) tubing was also a significant factor. At a DWP of 7 days, little to no contamination was found. Thus, simple protocols such as providing positive drainage of tubing between sample events and programming samplers to include rinses will reduce concerns of contamination in autosamplers.
“Nomophobia”: Impact of Cell Phone Use Interfering with Symptoms and Emotions of Individuals with Panic Disorder Compared with a Control Group
Authors: King Anna Lucia Spear , Valença Alexandre Martins , Silva Adriana Cardoso , Sancassiani Federica , Machado Sergio , Nardi Antonio Egidio
Published: March 2014

Panic disorder refers to the frequent and recurring acute attacks of anxiety. Objective: This study describes the
routine use of mobiles phones (MPs) and investigates the appearance of possible emotional alterations or symptoms related
to their use in patients with panic disorder (PD). Background: We compared patients with PD and agoraphobia being
treated at the Panic and Respiration Laboratory of The Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,
to a control group of healthy volunteers. Methods: An MP-use questionnaire was administered to a consecutive sample
of 50 patients and 70 controls. Results: People with PD showed significant increases in anxiety, tachycardia, respiratory
alterations, trembling, perspiration, panic, fear and depression related to the lack of an MP compared to the control group. Conclusions: Both groups exhibited dependence on and were comforted by having an MP; however, people with PD and
agoraphobia showed significantly more emotional alterations as well as intense physical and psychological symptoms
when they were apart from or unable to use an MP compared to healthy volunteers.
Interpretation of the results of surface water quality applying multivariate analysis
Authors: Matijevic Borko , Vastag Djendji , Becelic-Tomin Milena , Dalmacija Bozo , Apostolov Suzana
Published: March 2014

Monitoring of surface water, through the analysis of physical-chemical and
chemical parameters is a very important factor in the control of water
quality and the health of living beings. Surface water quality is largely
determined by the nature (atmospherics) and anthropogenic processes
(discharge of municipal and industrial waste water). The results of
monitoring of surface water are usually too expensive and difficult for
correct interpreting, due to the spatial and temporal variations in water
quality. By applying Multivariate statistical analysis can achieve
significant reductions of the ampleness of the available data and the better
interpretation of the obtained results about the quality and ecological
status/potential of water. In this paper, were analyzed selected results of
the analysis of surface water in AP Vojvodina in 2011 year by using
multivariate statistical analysis (cluster analysis and principal components
analysis). These techniques allow the interpretation of the results of the
monitoring program of investigated surface water bodies and simultaneous
identification of registered influence and potential sources of pollution on
the quality of the given water bodies. With both methods applied and the
division of water bodies tested in the same manner at the origin (natural and
artificial) and on the basis of territorial belonging monitoring stations
(Banat and Backa). Individual variations are discussed in corresponding
differences in individual measuring stations in relation to others.
Application of the given method, a grouping of the examined indicators of
water quality in the following factors: hydro-chemical factor, ecological
factor, the factor point pollution and diffusion. The obtained results
confirm the initial hypothesis that the use of different statistical methods
can identify the main factors that have an impact on the ecological status
and ecological potential of water bodies and to improve the existing
monitoring. In addition, analysis of the extracted surface water bodies where
it is necessary to implement simultaneous monitoring of the biological
quality elements to determine whether chemical parameters ensure the
functioning of ecosystems.
The Use of Business Risk Audit Perspectives by Non-Big 4 Audit Firms
Authors: van Buuren Joost , Koch Christopher , van Nieuw Amerongen Niels , Wright Arnold M.
Published: March 2014

This study investigates the role of business risk perspectives in the audit of smaller and medium-sized entities (SMEs) by small and medium-sized audit practices (SMPs). The research is important, since we have little knowledge of how SMPs utilize business risk factors, and there is a current debate about the need for proportionally applying auditing standards, including standards on business risks, in the audit of SMEs. We conduct 38 interviews with Dutch and German auditors of both small and medium-sized audit practices to capture a variety of different audit environments. We develop a model that considers a continuum of audit approaches ranging from a substantive-based audit approach to a full-scope business risk audit, and observe a limited and heterogeneous application of business risk perspectives by SMP auditors. We find that client complexity, enforcement by audit supervisory authorities, relative emphasis on book-tax alignment in different countries, and investments in audit technology are important factors explaining the use of business risk perspectives. The findings imply a need to provide auditors with sufficient flexibility to proportionally adjust their audit approaches in the application of international audit standards under varying client and audit firm conditions.
Adipose-Specific Knockout of Seipin/Bscl2 Results in Progressive Lipodystrophy
Authors: Liu Lu , Jiang Qingqing , Wang Xuhong , Zhang Yuxi , Lin Ruby C.Y. , Lam Sin Man , Shui Guanghou , Zhou Linkang , Li Peng , Wang Yuhui , Cui Xin , Gao Mingming , Zhang Ling , Lv Ying , Xu Guoheng , Liu George , Zhao Dong , Yang Hongyuan
Published: March 2014

Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy type 2 (BSCL2) is the most severe form of human lipodystrophy, characterized by an almost complete loss of adipose tissue and severe insulin resistance. BSCL2 is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the BSCL2/SEIPIN gene, which is upregulated during adipogenesis and abundantly expressed in the adipose tissue. The physiological function of SEIPIN in mature adipocytes, however, remains to be elucidated. Here, we generated adipose-specific Seipin knockout (ASKO) mice, which exhibit adipocyte hypertrophy with enlarged lipid droplets, reduced lipolysis, adipose tissue inflammation, progressive loss of white and brown adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis. Lipidomic and microarray analyses revealed accumulation/imbalance of lipid species, including ceramides, in ASKO adipose tissue as well as increased endoplasmic reticulum stress. Interestingly, the ASKO mice almost completely phenocopy the fat-specific peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ (Pparγ) knockout (FKO-γ) mice. Rosiglitazone treatment significantly improved a number of metabolic parameters of the ASKO mice, including insulin sensitivity. Our results therefore demonstrate a critical role of SEIPIN in maintaining lipid homeostasis and function of adipocytes and reveal an intimate relationship between SEIPIN and PPAR-γ.
Glucose Sensing in the Peritoneal Space Offers Faster Kinetics Than Sensing in the Subcutaneous Space
Authors: Burnett Daniel R. , Huyett Lauren M. , Zisser Howard C. , Doyle Francis J. , Mensh Brett D.
Published: March 2014

The paramount goal in the treatment of type 1 diabetes is the maintenance of normoglycemia. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technologies enable frequent sensing of glucose to inform exogenous insulin delivery timing and dosages. The most commonly available CGMs are limited by the physiology of the subcutaneous space in which they reside. The very same advantages of this minimally invasive approach are disadvantages with respect to speed. Because subcutaneous blood flow is sensitive to local fluctuations (e.g., temperature, mechanical pressure), subcutaneous sensing can be slow and variable. We propose the use of a more central, physiologically stable body space for CGM: the intraperitoneal space. We compared the temporal response characteristics of simultaneously placed subcutaneous and intraperitoneal sensors during intravenous glucose tolerance tests in eight swine. Using compartmental modeling based on simultaneous intravenous sensing, blood draws, and intraarterial sensing, we found that intraperitoneal kinetics were more than twice as fast as subcutaneous kinetics (mean time constant of 5.6 min for intraperitoneal vs. 12.4 min for subcutaneous). Combined with the known faster kinetics of intraperitoneal insulin delivery over subcutaneous delivery, our findings suggest that artificial pancreas technologies may be optimized by sensing glucose and delivering insulin in the intraperitoneal space.