bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Value of Care Provided by Student Doulas: An Examination of the Perceptions of Women in Their Care
Authors: Steel Amie , Diezel Helene , Johnstone Kate , Sibbritt David , Adams Jon , Adair Renee
Published: February 2013

This study provides an examination of women’s perceptions of care provided by student doulas undertaking a formal qualification in doula support services. Feedback forms completed by women attended by student doulas undertaking a formal qualification in doula support services were analyzed. The women (N = 160) consistently rated the student doulas’ contribution to their experience of birth favorably. Qualitative analysis revealed that women value the presence of their student doulas highly with reference to the student doulas’ demeanor, support provided to family, interface with other health professionals, and learned skills. Within the Australian context, this study suggests that the support provided by student doulas that have completed a formal training course is held in positive regard by the women receiving their care.
Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes
Authors: Gruber Kenneth J. , Cupito Susan H. , Dobson Christina F.
Published: February 2013

Birth outcomes of two groups of socially disadvantaged mothers at risk for adverse birth outcomes, one receiving prebirth assistance from a certified doula and the other representing a sample of birthing mothers who elected to not work with a doula, were compared. All of the mothers were participants in a prenatal health and childbirth education program. Expectant mothers matched with a doula had better birth outcomes. Doula-assisted mothers were four times less likely to have a low birth weight (LBW) baby, two times less likely to experience a birth complication involving themselves or their baby, and significantly more likely to initiate breastfeeding. Communication with and encouragement from a doula throughout the pregnancy may have increased the mother’s self-efficacy regarding her ability to impact her own pregnancy outcomes.
The Power of the Breast
Authors: Schweifel Jessica
Published: February 2013

This piece is about the author’s experience of breastfeeding her baby, the amazing revelation of it, the minor trials of their early nursing days, and the magic of her womanly body and its capacity to adjust, nurture, and super nourish another life.
Fourteen Minutes: Emilie’s Speedy Birth
Authors: Sinnhuber-Giles Laure
Published: February 2013

A second-time mother shares the story of the very fast birth of her child at home.
Whose Choice? Advocating Birthing Practices According to Baby’s Biological Needs
Authors: Bergman Jill , Bergman Nils
Published: February 2013

Modern western society and media often present the mother’s choices for her birth as paramount. Various gurus provide the mother with often conflicting advice. But the reality is that childbirth often becomes a medicalized event with many interventions and less than ideal outcomes. In many instances, the choices are made to suit health professionals and hospital routines rather than the mother. All the aforementioned are based on ideas and assumptions which predate evidence-based medicine and recent neuroscience. In reproductive biology, the newborn is an active participant and agent in birthing (Alberts, 1994). Based on this, the perspective which has been lacking is what is best for the baby; our choices should be primarily based on the basic biological needs of the infant.
Prevalence study of Simkania negevensis in cooling towers in Spain
Authors: Martín Pérez Leonardo , Codony Francesc , Ríos Karina , Adrados Bárbara , Fittipaldi Mariana , De Dios Gregori , Peñuela Gustavo , Morató Jordi
Published: February 2013

Simkania negevensis is an obligate intracellular bacterium grouped into the order Chlamydiales. This new amoeba-resistant intracellular bacterium might represent a novel etiologic agent of bronchiolitis and community-acquired pneumonia and occurs in aquatic habitats such as drinking water and reclaimed wastewater. Another amoeba-related bacterium, Legionella pneumophila, is an etiologic agent of pneumonia transmitted by environmental aerosols or contaminated water/air cooling systems. These transmission pathways are important in the natural history of Legionellae infections and possibly other intracellular microorganisms such as Parachlamydiaceae; thus, understanding the feasibility of Simkania infection by these routes is relevant. In the present work, we investigated the prevalence of this newly identified pathogenic bacterium in cooling towers by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and its possible relationship with Legionella pneumophila co-infection. Our results show Simkania detection in 2 of 70 cooling towers analyzed. To our knowledge, this report is the first describing Simkania negevensis detection in this category of environmental water samples.
Moving towards an energy neutral WWTP – the positive impact of ExelysTM continuous thermal hydrolysis in achieving this goal
Authors: Gurieff N. , Bruus J. , Nielsen B. , Nawawi-Lansade Delphine , Cantegril Marc
Published: February 2013

There is an increasing need for large wastewater treatment plants to generate as much electricity as possible from biogas. This not only ensures significant operational cost savings, but also improves the environmental profile of the plant. Enhanced digestion through the use of the ExelysTM continuous thermal hydrolysis process has the potential to help a large wastewater treatment plant move towards electrical energy neutrality. This article aims to use Csepel waste water treatment plant (WWTP) (3.5 million PE) in Budapest, Hungary as a case study to investigate the potential advantages an ExelysTM-DLD process could provide. The results indicate that despite already having an effective and efficient digestion process, through implementation of the ExelysTM-DLD process, Csepel has the potential to cover 65% of its total electrical needs from biogas. This is 33% more than the current situation. This also leads to a significantly improved NPV for the ExelysTM-DLD scenario, an important factor for the operator of a large wastewater treatment plant. When looking to the future, through the optimisation of the wastewater treatment process and the application of the ExelysTM-DLD, Csepel WWTP has the potential to be completely electrical energy neutral. This would be a significant financial advantage as electrical prices rise and carbon taxes are enforced.
Feasibility of contact aeration method for small-scale domestic wastewater treatment system in rural China
Authors: Kuyama T. , Mizuochi M. , Koyanagi H. , Wako T.
Published: February 2013

This study examines the feasibility of the contact aeration method for utilisation in small-scale domestic wastewater treatment facilities in various rural areas of China, where the national government starts to address the water pollution issue. Three pilot facilities using the contact aeration method with different capacities were constructed, operated and monitored in Chongqing city and Jiangsu province. In order to evaluate the feasibility of the constructed facilities, the quality of treated wastewater and the operational cost were monitored.

Results obtained from the monitoring showed that BOD and COD effluent concentrations achieved quality targets in all facilities. As for the other pollutants, quality targets were met for most of the period. Operational costs of facilities bettered those set for the facility in the town of Baiyang and new village of Zhaojia, but exceeded them for the facility in the village of Dongbei. The main reasons for the differences were the electricity billing system and operational system for each facility.

In order to promote small-scale aeration-based domestic wastewater treatment plants in rural China in the future, the issue of what constitutes efficient facility maintenance first needs to be addressed.
Water quality studies in Kranji catchment, Singapore: use of organic tracers and polyethylene devices for identifying potential sewage sources
Authors: Mendez Sagel A. R. , Shanahan P. , MacFarlane J. K. , Gschwend P. M.
Published: February 2013

The objective of this study was to identify organic compounds that could serve as indicators of potential human fecal contamination sources to the Kranji Reservoir in Singapore and could be used as confirmation indicators along with bacteria indicators. The compounds chosen as potential tracers were nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), as these are indicative of sewage and have been found at measurable concentrations in rivers and streams elsewhere in Asia. Polyethylene devices (PEDs) were used as passive samplers to measure NP and NPEs in stormwater drains in Kranji Catchment, deployed in areas of different land use in order to obtain an overview of concentration ranges across the catchment and provide an indication of where and why these compounds could be found. Laboratory results showed that NP and NPEs were present in non-residential areas and preliminary modeling of corresponding water concentrations indicates potentially risky concentrations of NP in the water in some stormwater drains. More information is needed on detergents in Singapore to further evaluate using NPEs as sewage indicators. Future studies should be done to confirm concentrations in Kranji Catchment water to verify if there is a risk to the ecosystem's health as NP and NPEs are known endocrine disruptors.
Modelling the speciation pattern of metals in Ondo coastal water with geochemical model – PHREEQCI
Authors: Agunbiade Foluso O. , Olu-Owolabi Bamidele I. , Adebowale Kayode O.
Published: February 2013

The speciation pattern of ten metals was studied in the coastal water of Ondo State, Nigeria using geochemical modelling software (PHREEQCI). The metals classified as macronutrients – Na, Ca, K, Mg; micronutrients – Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn; toxic metals – Cd, Pb were evaluated along with other general water quality parameters from ten sampling sites. The results served as input data for the modelling. The outcomes of the water speciation modelling revealed that the macronutrient metals exist as free ions which aid the reduction of free ion species of toxic metals. The micronutrients exist as neutral or complex salts which are less toxic according to free ion activity model theory. The self purification capacity of the coastal water was aided by the abundant formation of Fe-hydroxide precipitates; high alkalinity; pH; salinity of the coastal water which are responsible for the reduction of free ion specie of Pb and its ecotoxicity but increased the concentration of toxic Cd chloride species. Therefore, the prevailing biogeochemistry of the coast enhances demobilization of the metal contaminants and favours the reduction of their toxicity except Cd.
DO spatial distribution and performance evaluation of DO controller in WWTPs
Authors: Fan Yuefeng , Fang Rongzhao , Fan Ji
Published: February 2013

Spatial distribution of dissolved oxygen (DO) in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that implements an anaerobic/anoxic/Oxic (A2O) process is investigated for the purpose of optimizing the horizontal and vertical locations of DO sensors so as to facilitate comprehensive understanding of the DO spatial distribution in the tank through measurements from sensors, and to reduce time delay between airflow changes and the response of aeration tanks. This paper presents two parameters, DO Kinetic index (DK) and DO Deviation index (DD), to facilitate quantitative evaluation of DO control performance. DK and DD can be directly used as a part of real-time DO control strategy in large scale WWTPs.
Influence of changing drivers on realising the value of sewage sludge as a resource
Authors: Barber W. P. F.
Published: February 2013

Sewage sludge production is rising around the world. This is due to population growth, stricter legislation, and – especially in Far East Asia – investment in wastewater infrastructure. Whilst, it is typically considered a nuisance, sludge has numerous benefits which can be exploited, such as the reuse of nutrients or extraction of energy. Previously in Europe, reluctance for land recycling of sludge coupled with cheap energy led to the development of sludge treatment strategies which were heavily reliant on energy intensive processing such as drying. However, increasing energy costs, mounting importance of nutrient (especially phosphorous) recovery and growing influences of sustainability and carbon footprint reduction drivers have led to the development of new sludge treatment strategies. This paper highlights a number of case studies where this has been the case, and also discusses the value of sewage sludge, how this value can be optimised and what the potential barriers are.
More biogas please! – Lessons from around the Globe
Authors: Staib C. I. , Newbery C. , Ratcliff R. , Ord J. , Umble A.
Published: February 2013

This paper discusses the range of options available to increase biogas production in wastewater treatment facilities incorporating anaerobic digestion. Based on a review of global applications, the key lessons and success factors are detailed. This information fits into an overall decision making framework design to ensure a holistic approach to investment in increasing biogas production is taken.
Energy savings potential of new aeration system: Full scale trials
Authors: Lazić A. , Larsson V. , Nordenborg Å.
Published: February 2013

The objective of this work is to decrease energy consumption of the aeration system at a mid-size conventional wastewater treatment plant in the south of Sweden where aeration consumes 44% of the total energy consumption of the plant. By designing an energy optimised aeration system (with aeration grids, blowers, controlling valves) and then operating it with a new aeration control system (dissolved oxygen cascade control and most open valve logic) one can save energy. The concept has been tested in full scale by comparing two treatment lines: a reference line (consisting of old fine bubble tube diffusers, old lobe blowers, simple DO control) with a test line (consisting of new Sanitaire Silver Series Low Pressure fine bubble diffusers, a new screw blower and the Flygt aeration control system). Energy savings with the new aeration system measured as Aeration Efficiency was 65%. Furthermore, 13% of the total energy consumption of the whole plant, or 21 000 €/year, could be saved when the tested line was operated with the new aeration system.
Wastewater and organic waste to bioenergy
Authors: Parry D. L. , Evans P.
Published: February 2013

Throughout the world, wastewater and organic waste are increasingly being viewed as energy sources and the practice of converting them into bioenergy through conversion to biogas with anaerobic digestion is growing. This paper presents an overview of planning, research, and full-scale operations of both separate and codigestion of organic waste. Organic waste management methods are compared with respect to economic (life-cycle costs), environmental (equivalent carbon dioxide emissions), social, and operational impacts for a representative 100,000 population community. Management methods include using sewers or trucks to transport the organics to anaerobic digesters at a wastewater treatment plant, using a material recovery facility (MRF) to extract the organics from municipal solid waste for anaerobic digestion, composting the organic waste, or sending the organics to a landfill. Hauling the organics to anaerobic digesters had the lowest equivalent CO2 emissions, while using the sewer to convey organics had the lowest life-cycle cost. An example of codigestion of organic waste with wastewater sludge at the Des Moines Water Reclamation Facility (Iowa, USA) is described. The limits of organic loading rates for digestion of FOG (fats, oils, and grease) with wastewater sludge are presented based on research using 1,000-litre (L) pilot digesters. A specific energy loading rate (SELR) is proposed as an improved parameter for organic loading rates. The SELR is a measure of energy loading relative to the reactor biomass, and is an innovative approach to characterizing digester capacity and stability. Food wastes from the cafeteria at the U.S. Air Force Academy were digested in bench-scale, semi-continuous reactors and monitored using an online respirometer capable of continuously monitoring gas flow rate and gas composition. The biological methane potential (BMP) of several organic wastes were measured in lab-scale digesters. Organic wastes were digested with and without domestic wastewater sludge. Separate digestion of organic wastes was found to be nutrient (cobalt, nickel) deficient, where codigestion with wastewater sludge experienced no deficiencies. Codigestion could also handle a greater amount of FOG being fed to the digesters than separate digestion of food wastes.
Simulation of membrane fouling considering mixed liquor viscosity and variation of shear stress on membrane surface
Authors: Moe Zaw Hlwan , Li Tari , Nagaoka H.
Published: February 2013

Simulation of membrane fouling in MBR was conducted considering accumulation, detachment and consolidation of extracellular polymeric substances accumulated on membrane surface. The fluctuation of shear stress working on membrane surface and the influence of the viscosity of mixed liquor were considered for the evaluation of shear stress. A flat-sheet-type membrane module was used and the change of trans-membrane pressure was measured in a laboratory-scale MBR reactor. Shear stress working on membrane surface caused by aeration was measured by a shear force sensor changing viscosity of bulk liquid. Effective shear stress on membrane surface was defined in the model as the sum of time-averaged shear stress and three times of standard deviation. The increase in the trans-membrane pressure was accurately simulated by the developed model suggesting validity of the developed fouling model and the idea of the effective shear stress on membrane surface.
Development of Failure Scenarios for Biosolids Land Application Risk Assessment
Authors: Galada Heather C. , Gurian Patrick L. , Olson Mira S. , Teng Jingjie , Kumar Arun , Wardell Michael , Eggers Sara , Casman Elizabeth
Published: February 2013

Although deviations from standard guidance for land application of biosolids occur in practice, their importance is largely unknown. A list of such deviations (plausible failure scenarios) were identified at a workshop of industry, regulators, and academic professionals. Next, a survey of similar professionals was conducted to rank the plausible failure scenarios according to their severity, frequency, incentive to ignore control measures, gaps in existing control processes, public concern, and overall concern. Survey participants rated intentional dumping (unpermitted disposal) as the most severe of the failure scenarios, lack of worker protection as the most frequent scenario, and application of Class A biosolids that have failed to meet treatment standards as the scenario for which incentives to ignore control measures are highest. Failure of public access restrictions to application sites was the scenario for which existing controls were judged the weakest; application of biosolids too close to wells was ranked highest for public concern and for overall concern. Two scenarios for which existing controls were considered weaker, site restriction violations and animal contact leading to human exposure, were also rated as frequently occurring. Both scenarios are related in that they (1) involve inappropriate access to a site before the required time has elapsed, and (2) could be addressed through similar biosolids management measures.
Prioritizing Subwatersheds for Stormwater Pollution to Wachusett Reservoir
Authors: Cho Kyung Hwa , Park Mi‐Hyun
Published: February 2013

The Wachusett Reservoir is a primary drinking water resource for the greater Boston, Massachusetts, area. With a drainage area of 280 km2, the watershed has been gradually urbanized with increased residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation land uses. Increased impervious surface area as a result of urbanization results in increased runoff volume and pollutant loads to the reservoir. This study estimated annual stormwater pollutant mass loads in the watershed to prioritize sub‐basins and to identify areas susceptible to stormwater pollution. Catchment Prioritization Index (CPI) was calculated using annual stormwater pollutant mass loads, which were further used to identify clustered hotspots through application of the Getis‐Ord Gi* statistic. Validation with observed data showed higher levels of fecal coliform bacteria loading from identified hotspots. This approach will be useful to prioritize sub‐basins for future (1) development of stormwater monitoring strategies and (2) best management practices (BMPs) in the watershed.
Effect of Wastewater Quality Parameters on Oxidation by Tin Oxide Anodes
Authors: Teel Amy L. , Finn Dennis D. , Watts Richard J.
Published: February 2013

The use of tin oxide anodes (TOAs) has been proposed for the disinfection of wastewater effluents and concurrent treatment of emerging contaminants. The common water quality constituents suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD), alkalinity, ammonia‐nitrogen, nitrite‐nitrogen, and nitrate‐nitrogen were investigated for their effect on oxidation performance by TOAs. Relative oxidant generation rates were not affected by increasing concentrations of suspended solids, COD, alkalinity, ammonia‐nitrogen, or nitrate‐nitrogen. Although nitrite‐nitrogen did compete for oxidants generated by TOAs, nitrite is not usually present in oxygenated effluents. Chemical oxygen demand, ammonia, and nitrite were oxidized in the TOA systems, primarily through a non‐hydroxyl radical mechanism. This research demonstrates that a majority of the common water quality constituents did not negatively affect TOA oxidation performance. Tin oxide anodes represent a potentially low cost and low maintenance option for single‐step disinfection and treatment of emerging contaminants in wastewater effluents.
Effects of Recharge and Discharge on δ2H and δ18O Composition and Chloride Concentration of High Arsenic/Fluoride Groundwater from the Datong Basin, Northern China
Authors: Xie Xianjun , Wang Yanxin , Su Chunli , Duan Mengyu
Published: February 2013

To better understand the effects of recharge and discharge on the hydrogeochemistry of high levels of arsenic (As) and fluoride (F) in groundwater, environmental isotopic composition (δ2H and δ18O) and chloride (Cl) concentrations were analyzed in 29 groundwater samples collected from the Datong Basin. High arsenic groundwater samples (As > 50 μg/L) were found to be enriched in lighter isotopic composition that ranged from −92 to −78 ‰ for deuterium (δ2H) and from −12.5 to −9.9 ‰ for oxygen‐18 (δ18O). High F‐containing groundwater (F > 1 mg/L) was relatively enriched in heavier isotopic composition and varied from −90 to −57 ‰ and from −12.2 to −6.7 ‰ for δ2H and δ18O, respectively. High chloride concentrations and δ18O values were primarily measured in groundwater samples from the northern and southwestern portions of the study area, indicating the effect of evaporation on groundwater. The observation of relatively homogenized and low δ18O values and chloride concentrations in groundwater samples from central part of the Datong Basin might be a result of fast recharge by irrigation returns, which suggests that irrigation using arsenic‐contaminated groundwater affected the occurrence of high arsenic‐containing groundwater in the basin.
Enhanced Methane Generation During Theromophilic Co‐Digestion of Confectionary Waste and Grease‐Trap Fats and Oils with Municipal Wastewater Sludge
Authors: Gough Heidi L. , Nelsen Diane , Muller Christopher , Ferguson John
Published: February 2013

Recent interest in carbon‐neutral biofuels has revived interest in co‐digestion for methane generation. At wastewater treatment facilities, organic wastes may be co‐digested with sludge using established anaerobic digesters. However, changes to organic loadings may induce digester instability, particularly for thermophilic digesters. To examine this problem, thermophilic (55 °C) co‐digestion was studied for two food‐industry wastes in semi‐continuous laboratory digesters; in addition, the wastes' biochemical methane potentials were tested. Wastes with high chemical oxygen demand (COD) content were selected as feedstocks allowing increased input of potential energy to reactors without substantially altering volumetric loadings. Methane generation increased while reactor pH and volatile solids remained stable. Lag periods observed prior to methane stimulation suggested that acclimation of the microbial community may be critical to performance during co‐digestion. Chemical oxygen demand mass balances in the experimental and control reactors indicated that all of the food industry waste COD was converted to methane.
Adsorption of Lead(II) by Silica/Cell Composites from Aqueous Solution: Kinetic, Equilibrium, and Thermodynamics Studies
Authors: Ou Hong‐Xiang , Song Yu‐Jun , Wang Qian , Pan Jian‐Ming , Bian Wei‐Bai , Yi Cheng‐wu , Yan Yong‐Sheng
Published: February 2013

Silica/cell composites were prepared for the adsorption of lead ions, Pb(II), from aqueous solution in a batch system. The silica/cell composites possessed micropores, high surface area, and abundant functional groups. Adsorption performance was investigated by analyzing the effects of such factors as the initial pH, contact time with different initial concentration, and initial Pb(II) concentration at different temperature. The kinetic data were fitted to pseudo‐second‐order and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models. The results were better fitted by the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. Intraparticle diffusion increased with an increase of initial concentration and the sorption process was controlled by film diffusion. The Langmuir isotherm model was fitted to the experimental data significantly better than Freundlich and Dubinin‐Radushkevich isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity was 97.10 mg g−1, according to the Langmuir isotherm model. Thermodynamics parameters confirmed the spontaneous, endothermic, and entropy‐gained nature within the studied temperature range (from 298 to 318 K). The composites could be effectively desorbed by the 2.0 mol L−1 HNO3 solution and would be a potential adsorbent.
Adsorption of Chromium onto Activated Alumina: Kinetics and Thermodynamics Studies
Authors: Marzouk Ikhlass , Dammak Lassaad , Hamrouni Béchir
Published: February 2013

In this study, the removal of chromium (VI) by adsorption on activated alumina was investigated and the results were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin‐Redushkevich, and Temkin adsorption models at various temperatures. The constants of each model were evaluated depending on temperature. Thermodynamic parameters for the adsorption system were determined at 10, 25 and 40°C. (ΔH° = −21.18 kJ.mol−1; ΔG° = −8.75 to −7.43 kJ.mol−1 and ΔS° = −0.043 kJ.K−1.mol−1). The obtained values showed that chromium (VI) adsorption is a spontaneous and exothermic process. The kinetic process was evaluated by first‐order, second‐order and Elovich kinetic models.
Remediation of Nonaqueous Phase Liquid Polluted Sites Using Surfactant‐Enhanced Air Sparging and Soil Vapor Extraction
Authors: Qin Chuan‐yu , Zhao Yong‐sheng , Su Yan , Zheng Wei
Published: February 2013

A two‐dimensional laboratory sand tank was installed to study the remediation efficiency of surfactant‐enhanced air sparging(SEAS) coupled with soil vapor extraction (SVE) in nonaqueous phase liquid(NAPL) polluted sites. During initial stages of remediation, it was more reasonable to use conventional air sparging coupled with SVE. When most free NAPLs were removed and contaminant removal rate was maintained at a relatively low level, surfactant was added to the groundwater. During enhanced remediation, lower interfacial tension caused residual NAPLs in the porous media to slightly migrate, making the downstream contaminant concentration somewhat higher. The polluted area, however, was not more enlarged than before. The decrease in surface tension resulted in increased air saturation in the groundwater and the extent of the air influence zone. After 310 hours, 78.7% of the initial chlorobenzene mass had volatilized, 3.3% had migrated out of the sand profile, 17.5% was in the vadose zone, and 0.5% remained in the groundwater, thus revealing that SEAS/SVE can effectively improve the remediation of NAPL polluted sites.
Enhanced Adsorption of Fluoride from Aqueous Solution Using an Iron‐Modified Attapulgite Adsorbent
Authors: He Z. L. , Zhang G. K. , Xu W.
Published: February 2013

Attapulgite modified with iron was used as an adsorbent for fluoride removal from aqueous solutions. The pristine attapulgite and the iron‐modified attapulgite composite were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) techniques, and the pH point of zero charge measurement. The XRD analysis indicates the existence of iron oxide hydroxide (FeO[OH]) in the iron‐modified attapulgite composite. The FT‐IR spectra of the iron‐modified attapulgite composite before and after adsorption indicate that the involvement of the hydroxide radical in the fluoride adsorption. The effects of pH, contact time, initial concentration, and temperature on fluoride adsorption by the adsorbent were studied in a batch system. Kinetics studies show that the fluoride adsorption kinetics over the adsorbent is well‐described by the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. The fluoride adsorption isotherm is well‐fitted by the Langmuir model. Desorption studies show that the iron‐modified attapulgite adsorbent can be easily regenerated at pH 12.5. The adsorption mechanism is discussed in detail.
Nitrate and Salt Water Contamination Associated with the Transition of an Agrarian Basin into an Irrigated Area
Authors: Abrahao Raphael , Causapé Jesús , Moreno‐Mateos David , Comín Francisco
Published: February 2013

The introduction of irrigation to agrarian areas involves several environmental changes that can be aggravated by physical and agronomic factors. The aim of this study is to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of the environmental impact on water resources that result from the transition of an agrarian basin into an irrigated area. During five hydrological years, a spatiotemporal comparison was carried out on the quantity and quality of drainage from the four zones in which the study area was subdivided. Introduction of irrigation activities incorporated flows that lowered salinity and increased nitrate concentration in the basin. The zones/years with most irrigation showed the greatest exports of salts and nitrates, with temporal variations related to rainfall patterns and spatial variations related to soil salinity and nitrogenous fertilization. The agro‐environmental impacts of the gradual introduction of irrigation into a previously non‐irrigated area were congruent to that of established irrigation areas with similar characteristics.
Synthesis of five- and six-membered 2-trimethylsilyl-1,3,3-trimethylcycloalkenes: A novel preparation of alkyl/alkenyl/aryl-(1′,3′,3′-trimethylcyclopentenyl)ketones
Authors: Achanna Venkatesha , Suresh Hariprasad
Published: February 2013

2-Trimethylsilyl-1,3,3-trimethylcyclopentene and
2-trimethylsilyl-1,3,3-trimethylcyclohexene were prepared in good yields by
the Wurtz-Fittig coupling reaction of the corresponding
2-iodo-1,3,3-trimethylcyclopentene and 2-chloro-1,3,3-trimethylcyclohexene
with metallic sodium and chlorotrimethylsilane in anhydrous ether solvent.
The Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction of
2-trimethylsilyl-1,3,3-trimethylcyclopentene with six different acid
chlorides and the novel preparation of six
alkyl/alkenyl/aryl-(1?,3?,3?-trimethylcyclopentenyl)ketones is reported.
Causes of death in Serbia since the mid-20th century
Authors: Marinkovic Ivan
Published: February 2013

The structure of the leading causes of death in Serbia has considerably
changed in the last half century. Diseases which presented the main threat to
the population a few decades ago are now at the level of a statistical error.
On the one side are causes which drastically changed their share in total
mortality in this time interval, while others have shown stability and
persistence among the basic causes of death. Acute infectious diseases "have
been replaced" with chronic noninfectious diseases, due to the improvement of
general and health conditions. One of the consequences of such changes is
increased life expectancy and a larger share of older population which
resulted in cardiovascular diseases and tumors to dominate more and more in
total mortality. Convergent trends in the structure of the leading causes of
death in Serbia from the middle of the 20th century are the reasons why there
are considerably fewer diseases and causes with a significant rate in total
population mortality at the beginning of the 21st century. During the 1950s,
there were five groups of diseases and causes which participated individually
with more than 10% of population mortality (infectious diseases, heart and
circulatory diseases, respiratory diseases, some perinatal conditions and
undefined states) while at the beginning of the new century there were only
two such groups (cardiovascular diseases and tumors). Identical trends exist
in all European countries, as well as in the rest of the developed world. The
leading causes of death in Serbia are cardiovascular diseases. An average of
somewhat over 57.000 people died annually in the period from 2007 - 2009,
which represents 55.5% of total population mortality. Women are more numerous
among the deceased and this difference is increasing due to population
feminization. The most frequent cause of death in Serbia, after heart and
circulatory diseases, are tumors, which caused 21,415 deaths in 2009.
Neoplasms are responsible for one fifth of all deaths. Their number has
doubled in three decades, from 9,107 in 1975 to about 20,000 at the beginning
of the 21st century, whereby tumors have become the fastest growing cause of
death. Least changes in absolute number of deaths in the last half century
were marked among violent deaths. Observed by gender, men are in average
three times more numerous among violent deaths than women. In the middle of
the 20th century in Serbia, one third of the deaths caused by violence were
younger than 25 and as many as one half were younger than 35 years old. Only
one tenth (11%) of total number of violent deaths were from the age group of
65 or older. At the end of the first decade of the 21st century (2009), the
share of population younger than 25 in the total number of violent deaths was
decreased four times (and amounted to 8%). At the same time, the rate of
those older than 65 or more quadrupled (amounted to 39%).
Cesarean section in alpacas and llamas: 34 cases (1997–2010)
Authors: Miller Bret A. , Brounts Sabrina H. , Anderson David E. , Devine Elizabeth
Published: February 2013

Objective—To determine indications for cesarean section in alpacas and llamas, and clinical management and outcome of alpacas and llamas undergoing cesarean section.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—27 alpacas and 7 llamas.

Procedures—Medical records were reviewed and information gathered on signalment, anamnesis including reproductive history, physical examination findings, indication for cesarean section, anesthetic protocol, surgical technique, number of crias delivered (alive or dead), additional treatment, duration of hospitalization, and postoperative complications. Follow-up information was gathered via email or telephone interview with owners.

Results—Uterine torsion (13/34 [38%]) was the most common reason for cesarean section. The most common surgical approach was the left proximal lateral abdominal approach (21/34 [62%]). Thirty-four crias were delivered via cesarean section. Twenty (59%) were born alive and discharged from the hospital. Retained placenta was the most common complication observed after surgery. A significant association was found between prolonged dystocia and fetal death. Of the 34 dams that underwent cesarean section, 21 were rebred, and 19 of the 21 (90.5%) dams that were rebred became pregnant. Fifteen of 19 dams were confirmed to have ≥ 1 normal vaginal delivery with a live cria following cesarean section.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The results of the present study indicated that cesarean section was an effective method of resolving dystocia in camelids without negatively affecting future fertility or parturition by the dam. Prompt referral of patients with dystocia is advised to improve fetal viability. Retained fetal membranes seemed to be a common complication of cesarean section in camelids but was not associated with negative outcomes.
Impact of disinfectant-filled foot mats on mechanical transmission of bacteria in a veterinary teaching hospital
Authors: Hartmann Faye A. , Dusick Allison F. , Young Karen M.
Published: February 2013

Objective—To evaluate the efficacy of disinfectant-filled foot mats at reducing tracking of Salmonella enterica and overall bacterial contamination on floors in a veterinary teaching hospital.

Design—Prospective study.

Samples—Bacteria collected from floors before and after placement of disinfectant-filled foot mats.

Procedures—Foot mats filled with a phenolic-based disinfectant were placed at key transition areas in common-use corridors between the large animal hospital (LAH) and small animal hospital in a veterinary medical teaching hospital. Microbiological samples were collected for total bacterial counts and for the presence of S enterica at 14 designated sample sites in the veterinary medical teaching hospital. Samples were collected at regular intervals for 7 months before mat placement and for 13 months after mat placement.

Results—Median numbers of aerobic bacteria isolated before and after disinfectant mat placement were not significantly different for most sites sampled. For 3 of the 4 transition areas between the LAH and connecting common-use corridor, there was a significant difference in median bacterial counts on either side of the threshold. This difference was significant regardless of whether a disinfectant mat was present or not. Salmonella enterica isolates were cultured from several sites in the LAH and sites outside the LAH, irrespective of the presence of a disinfectant mat.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Disinfectant-filled mats may not be uniformly effective in reducing the bacterial load on floors or in reducing mechanical tracking of S enterica from contaminated areas in a veterinary teaching hospital. Further studies are needed to determine effective measures to reduce mechanical transmission of bacteria on footwear in veterinary hospitals.
Measurement of Hydrophobicity Distribution in Proteins - Non-redundant Protein Data Bank
Authors: Sałapa Kinga , Kalinowska Barbara , Jadczyk Tomasz , Roterman Irena
Published: February 2013

The cluster analysis is applied to the analysis of the data describing the status of protein structure in respect to hydrophobic core characteristics. The analysis revealed presence of two clusters distinguishing the proteins accordant with the “fuzzy oil drop” model and those which appear as discordant in respect to this model. The analysis was performed separately for chains treated as structural unit and for units defined according to IV-order (taking the functional protein complex). The characteristics of these two classification system appeared to differ in respect to number of proteins belonging to each of two clusters as well as relation between them.
Unavoidable decoherence in the quantum control of
an unknown state
Authors: Kielpinski D. , Briggs R.A. , Wiseman H.M.
Published: February 2013

A common objective for quantum control is to force a quantum
system, initially in an unknown state, into a particular target
subspace. We show that if the subspace is required to be a
decoherence-free subspace of dimension greater than 1, then
such control must be decoherent. That is, it will take almost
any pure state to a mixed state. We make no assumptions
about the control mechanism, but our result implies that for
this purpose coherent control offers no advantage, in principle,
over the obvious measurement-based feedback protocol.
The notion of intuitionistic fuzzy IC-bags
Authors: Chakrabarty Kankana
Published: February 2013

This paper presents an overview of the existing notions of Bags, Fuzzy Bags, IC-Bags, IF-Bags and Fuzzy IC-Bags. Based on these notions, the concept of Intuitionistic Fuzzy Bags with Interval Counts (Intuitionistic fuzzy IC-Bags) is proposed. Further, some characteristics of Intuitionistic fuzzy IC-Bags are studied, and some examples are furnished in this context.
Minimizing total tardiness in no-wait flowshops
Authors: Aldowaisan Tariq , Allahverdi Ali
Published: February 2013

We address the m-machine no-wait flowshop scheduling problem; where the objective is to minimize total tardiness. To the best of our knowledge, the considered problem has not been addressed so far. We propose heuristic solutions since the problem is NP-hard. Initially, we consider a number of dispatching rules commonly used for the considered objective in other scheduling environments. We identify through computational experiments the best performing dispatching rule; and then propose simulated annealing (SA) and genetic algorithms (GA) by using the best performing dispatching rule as an initial solution. This achieves at least 50% improvement in the SA and GA performances. Next, we propose enhanced versions of SA and GA and show through computational experiments that the enhanced versions provide over 90% further improvement. The performance of enhanced GA is slightly better than that of enhanced SA; however, the computation time of enhanced GA is about 10 times that of enhanced SA. Therefore, we conclude that the enhanced SA outperforms the enhanced GA.
Beautiful Scars: Jewels in English Renaissance Drama
Authors: Hopkins Lisa
Published: February 2013

In An Englis[h[ expositor[:] teaching the in[ter]pretation of the harde[st] words [vsed] in our language, John Bullokar notes that the word carbuncle ‘hath two significations, namely a precious stone, and a dangerous sore’.(sig. D2r) Generally speaking Renaissance texts keep these two meanings separate: in ways which are inevitably conditioned by the nature of their subject matter, Renaissance authors tend to be interested in exploring either the idea of carbuncle as jewel or the idea of carbuncle as tumour without ever registering the possibility of the alternative meeting for the word. Nevertheless the ambiguity is there: a jewel, a thing of beauty intended for the adornment of the body, is also in some sense potentially a disfiguring mark, a scar on the body marking the site of a trauma. In A Cyborg Manifesto, Donna Haraway asks “Why should our bodies end at the skin?” (online); in this essay, I shall argue that as far as Renaissance jewels are concerned, bodies do not in fact end at the skin, for jewels mark not the end of the body but an edge, a hinge between body and mind as much as between body and dress, in ways which activate fears about permeability, boundary blurring and the monstrous. One of the rare instances of evoking both senses of carbuncle comes in The Comedy of Errors, where Dromio of Syracuse, having defined the kitchen-maid Nell as “spherical, like a globe”, says that “America, the Indies” are located in her nose, because it is ‘all o’er embellished with rubies, carbuncles, sapphires, declining their rich aspect to the hot breath of Spain’ (III.ii.120, 140-3). To varying extent, the horror of the gross, the extreme and the unnatural which is implicit here can be seen as potentially lurking in all Renaissance descriptions of jewellery.
Rainfall And Water Requirement Of Rice During Growing Period
Authors: Aryal Suman
Published: February 2013

An experiment was conducted to estimate the crop water requirement of rice and to compare it with the amount of rainfall. Experiment was designed to estimate evaporation and evapotranspiration in cylindrical half cut mineral water bottles. Rice was planted in the bottles to estimate evapotranspiration. The amount of rainfall during the experiment period was recorded in the rain gauge station. The evaporation was highest in the month of September (3.16mm/day) and lowest in June (2.56mm/day). The rate of evapotranspiration was in increasing order from June to September ranging from 3.43 mm/day in June to 19.57mm/day for September respectively. The crop water required was in increasing order reflecting more water required with the increase in days after plantation and successive developmental stage of rice. The total amount of rainfall in the study area over study period (23rd June, to 30th September, 2005) was 549.59mm. The total crop water requirement of rice for same period in the same area was 711.45mm. It showed that the rainfall during the study period was insufficient to meet the water demand for rice in the study area. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment Vol:13, Jun.2012, Page 1-4 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/aej.v13i0.7576
Evaluation of Ultrasonic Technique for Detecting Delamination in Asphalt Pavements
Authors: Hoegh Kyle , Khazanovich Lev , Maser Kenneth , Tran Nam
Published: February 2013

Delamination that occurs because of layer debonding or stripping between layers of hot-mix asphalt can cause distresses such as longitudinal cracking in the wheelpath and tearing in the surface. Because these distresses cannot be detected by visual inspection of the pavement, highway agencies are interested in finding nondestructive methods for detecting delamination to maintain roadway networks. A study evaluated an ultrasonic tomography device for detecting the type and severity of delamination with various focusing techniques. A comparison of blind ultrasonic tomography testing results versus construction of bonded and debonded conditions showed that ultrasonic tomography could detect delamination between new and old asphalt layers, as well as delamination of lifts within new asphalt pavement. B- and D-scan methods with the focusing technique of synthetic aperture were able to identify delamination between new and old asphalt interfaces, and a new focusing method developed at the University of Minnesota was used to identify delamination within asphalt lifts.
Ridge-to-Valley Depth Measured with Road Profiler to Control Micromilled Pavement Textures for Super-Thin Resurfacing on I-95
Authors: Tsai Yichang (James) , Wu Yiching , Lai James , Geary Georgene
Published: February 2013

Funding shortages create pavement preservation challenges for state departments of transportation (DOTs). The Georgia DOT developed an innovative micromilling resurfacing method as a cost-effective way to preserve its pavements. The new method can save more than $5 million on an I-95 project of 84 lane miles. To ensure that the micromilled surface texture has a good bond and good runoff capability, the Georgia DOT established a stringent ridge-to-valley-depth (RVD) specification. Preliminary tests were conducted on an I-75 project with a circular track meter and an ultralight inertia profiler, but the RVD was first measured with a laser road profiler for the entire 84 lane miles of the I-95 project. The rough and smooth micromilled pavement surfaces have been studied and compared through an exploration of their statistical characteristics and patterns. Results from four 0.5-mi segments showed that both smooth and rough surface textures revealed normal distributions, although a smooth surface had a slight lognormal distribution. The smooth surface had a mean of about 2.5 mm and a standard deviation of 0.9 mm. The rough surface had a mean of about 4.6 mm and a standard deviation of about 1.1 mm. The cumulative percentage curves for both rough and smooth surface textures showed that the mean RVD value of 3.2 mm could effectively differentiate rough and smooth surfaces. The effects of different base lengths on the RVD were studied, and results showed that a 100-mm base length was adequate to differentiate between smooth and rough surfaces.