bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The usefulness of a handwashing proxy in large household surveys
Authors: Shelus Victoria , Hernandez Orlando L.
Published: December 2015

Handwashing with soap is a cost-effective way of reducing diarrheal disease mortality in children under 5. Tracking this practice among child caretakers is a challenge, as the gold standard method – structured observations – is cumbersome, costly, and conducive to over-performance. The water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) field needs a valid, reliable proxy to track handwashing with soap in large surveys. This proxy is crucial as the new 2015–2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) may track hygiene. Using data from the Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS) and the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) from five countries, we conducted multivariate analyses to explore an association between the presence of functional handwashing stations (HWSs), (together with needed supplies) and the likelihood of lower reports of child diarrheal disease. A limited to moderate association exists in three of the five countries considered, characterized by comparable rates of childhood diarrhea: Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe. The relationship was detected when controlling for potential confounding factors (other WASH elements, socio-demographic factors, nutrition practices, and immunization status) and when accounting for cluster effects. The likelihood of reported diarrhea among children under 5 increases when there is no HWS, just a handwashing device with no supplies, only water or only soap. The relationship is moderate in Malawi and less strong in Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. No relationship was found in Ethiopia and Ghana. Further exploration of the usefulness of this proxy in other African and non-African contexts is warranted.
Energy analysis of reclaimed water application for irrigation in arid and semi-arid regions
Authors: Nguyen Derek T. , Tseng Linda Y. , Sobhani Reza , Rosso Diego
Published: December 2015

Freshwater availability is the major constraint to agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions. The groundwater and energy conservation of applying reclaimed water for irrigation was analysed, using Southern California as the spatial domain for model testing. An extensive compilation of the most recent publicly available datasets was used to calculate the energy intensity for each water supply source, the associated carbon footprint reduction and the monetary savings associated with using reclaimed water over groundwater. Our results indicate that for 1998–2010 in California the fractional water use for agriculture is 0.81 and for urban use is 0.19. During this same period, an average of 4.2 × 1010 m3 of water were used for crop irrigation, of which 1%, 46.8% and 52.2% came from reclaimed water, groundwater, and surface water, respectively. Each of these three main water sources is associated with a range of energy intensity (in kWh m−3), depending on the process and environmental characteristics of the end-use location. Our analysis of multiple process and environmental configurations produced a detailed energy intensity database, with the associated carbon footprint. These databases are used to quantify the energy and carbon footprint difference between applying the current groundwater source and reclaimed water for irrigation.
Irrigation water requirements for seed corn and coffee under potential climate change scenarios
Authors: Fares Ali , Awal Ripendra , Fares Samira , Johnson Alton B. , Valenzuela Hector
Published: December 2015

The impact of potential future climate change scenarios on the irrigation water requirements (IRRs) of two major agricultural crops (coffee and seed corn) in Hawai'i was studied using the Irrigation Management System (IManSys) model. In addition to IRRs calculations, IManSys calculates runoff, deep percolation, canopy interception, and effective rainfall based on plant growth parameters, site specific soil hydrological properties, irrigation system efficiency, and long-term daily weather data. Irrigation water requirements of two crops were simulated using historical climate data and different levels of atmospheric CO2 (330, 550, 710 and 970 ppm), temperature (+1.1 and +6.4 °C) and precipitation (±5, ±10 and ±20%) chosen based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) AR4 projections under reference, B1, A1B1 and A1F1 emission scenarios. IRRs decreased as CO2 emission increased. The average percentage decrease in IRRs for seed corn is higher than that of coffee. However, runoff, rain canopy interception, and deep percolation below the root zone increased as precipitation increased. Canopy interception and drainage increased with increased CO2 emission. Evapotranspiration responded positively to air temperature rise, and as a result, IRRs increased as well. Further studies using crop models will predict crop yield responses to these different irrigation scenarios.
Spatial and temporal changes at Tuzla (Palas) Lake in Turkey
Authors: Azgin Sukru Taner , Dadaser-Celik Filiz
Published: December 2015

Saline lakes are widespread throughout the arid and semi-arid regions of the world and have considerable ecological importance. They are also very vulnerable to climatic changes or changes in their hydrological regimes. Most saline lakes of Turkey are close to the verge of extinction due to natural and anthropogenic impacts. This study analyzes the spatial and temporal changes at a relatively pristine saline lake (Tuzla (Palas) Lake) in Kayseri, Turkey, from 1987 to 2011 using satellite imagery techniques. Landsat Thematic Mapper images acquired in 1987, 2000, 2003, and 2011 were used in the analysis. The images were geometrically corrected by registering them to ground control points. The study area on each image was classified into seven information classes, i.e., water, watery ground, dry lake, mud/vegetated flats, salt flats, shrubs/sedges, and agriculture. The accuracies of the classifications were evaluated using a standard error matrix and kappa statistics. The analysis showed that the surface area of Tuzla Lake was highly variable during the 1987–2011 period. Lake surface area was the largest in 1987 and the smallest in 2003. Analysis of the climatic conditions for 4 years showed that the surface area of the lake is highly vulnerable to changes in precipitation and air temperatures.
The replacement of hydraulic structures in light of tipping points
Authors: van der Vlist M. J. , Ligthart S. S. H. , Zandvoort M.
Published: December 2015

In many delta areas hydraulic structures are key elements in water management strategies for fresh water supply and flood risk management. Adaptation of delta areas to changing climatological and societal conditions will be in pace with the renovation and replacement of these hydraulic structures. Since hydraulic structures are prone to deterioration, their performance diminishes over time. Changes in society, the economy, and the physical environment can also alter the functionality of structures, or have an impact on their performance. Although faced with deterioration and exogenous changes, timing of replacement is essential because replacing too early leads to insufficient use of invested capital, while replacing too late leads to loss of societal benefits. This article explores the timing of replacement using adaptation tipping points. We indicate three drivers – deterioration, biophysical change, and socio-economic change – that determine the moment in time when replacement becomes necessary. Moreover, we conclude that for determining the moment of replacement, at the very least, the objectives, maintenance and operations of hydraulic structures need to be taken into account. This exploration is illustrated with the task of replacing seven hydraulic structures in the River Meuse.
Assessing potential flood vulnerability to climate change by CMIP3 and CMIP5 models: case study of the 2011 Thailand great flood
Authors: Supharatid S. , Aribarg T. , Supratid S.
Published: December 2015

The 2011 monsoon season was exceptionally heavy, leading to extensive and long-lasting flooding in the Chao Phraya river basin. Flooding was exacerbated by rapid expansion of urban areas into flood plains and was the costliest natural disaster in the country's history, with direct damages estimated at US$ 45 billion. The present study examines the flood behavior in 2011 and flood impact from changing climate. Two generations of the global climate model (GCM), ensembles CMIP3 and CMIP5, are statistically downscaled through historical 20th century and future projections. The majority of GCMs overestimate the dry spell (in June and July) and underestimate the peak precipitation (in May and September). However, they can simulate the mean precipitation reasonably well. Use of the Multi Model Mean shows continuously increased precipitation from near-future to far-future, while the Multi Model Median shows increased precipitation only for the far-future. These findings in changing precipitation are assessed by flood simulation. With several adaptation measures, flood in the lower Chao Phraya river basin cannot be completely avoided. One of the best practices for a high flood risk community is to raise the house with open space in the first floor. This is promoted as one resilient approach in Thailand.
Farmers’ vulnerability to climate change-induced water poverty in spatially different agro-ecological areas of northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Teshome Menberu
Published: December 2015

This study assessed the vulnerability levels of farmers to water poverty in spatially different agro-ecological areas of northwest Ethiopia, where severe climate change risks exist. Data were collected from 525 randomly selected rural households in dega (highland), woyna-dega (midland) and kola (lowland) agro-ecological zones using questionnaires. This study also used secondary meteorological data. Rural households' exposure and vulnerability levels were analyzed using simple regression, standardized precipitation index, drought intensity and climate vulnerability index (CVI). The study also used the United Nations Development Program's (UNDP's) equation to measure vulnerability differential across agro-ecologies. The indicators were normalized as indices by considering functional relationships of indicators with vulnerability. Composite vulnerability indices were calculated using the equal weighting method. The result indicates that households in kola agro-ecology were found to be more exposed and vulnerable (0.62 score) to climate change-induced water poverty than those households in woyna-dega (0.49) and dega (0.30 score). The assessment of vulnerability at the appropriate spatial scale is a key step in designing context-specific adaptation responses that are effective in addressing the needs of the poor people who reside in different agro-ecological settings.
Challenges to groundwater governance: a case study of groundwater governance in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Colvin C. , Saayman I.
Published: December 2015

This paper examines the trialogue model for governance of groundwater in Cape Town, a developing urban environment. Government processes such as legislation and level of implementation are examined. Social processes were assessed in a household survey. These included common practice in using groundwater, motivating factors or drivers, understanding of the resource and trust in government structures. A review of the scientific understanding of groundwater resources in the city is given. Government in South Africa's fledgling democracy is in a state of transformation, with responsible institutions focused on their internal organisation and less on their ability to integrate with each other and positively impact resources and society. The social views of groundwater lag behind the formal policy of a public resource, and are tied more closely to land ownership. Science has informed groundwater development in the past, but explicit uncertainty in predictions and lack of an engineering approach has limited the use of groundwater for bulk supply. Private use, however, is widespread in the middle and high income areas and increasing as water tariffs have been increased to improve water demand management (WDM). Society's impacts on groundwater currently result from indirect drivers such as WDM. The trialogue model is a useful framework within which social drivers and impacts can be mapped. However, this occurs within the broader context of society supported by natural resources and we propose a model which includes the resource base and its feedback, and governance elements of formal government, the market and the knowledge base (including science).
Economic valuation of environmental goods and services in the context of good ecosystem governance
Authors: King N. A.
Published: December 2015

A central concern of governments, societies and aid institutions is to support the development process in order to provide stability and raise the welfare of underdeveloped countries. Historically, development models have focused on capital injections for infrastructure, education and health in order to promote financial and social returns to society. Today, development concerns incorporate the paradigm of “sustainable development” and hence a new focus on the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources. Many of these resources are public goods and are difficult to capture in traditional economic models of development. Typically, they have been undervalued and overused. As natural resources become scarcer, governments, society and the private sector need to find interrelated solutions in order to manage them sustainably. Central to the effective management of these environmental goods and services is the role of good governance, defined here as an interplay between society, science and government. This paper considers the role of economics and value in the governance trialogue; it is based on the economic perspective and not that of political science. It focuses primarily on the role of economic valuation as a tool for addressing the inefficient use of environmental goods and services, and by doing so incorporates their “true” value in the decision-making process around environmental management, leading to good governance.
Religious approaches to water management and environmental conservation
Authors: Chuvieco Emilio
Published: December 2015

The goal of this paper is to identify points of convergence between the great religious traditions in addressing human–nature relations, as well as presenting a critical evaluation of whether these approaches have in fact affected environmental conservation in representative countries. Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism have been considered. The main traditions considered are: (1) dominion: humans at the top of Creation and using natural resources as needed; (2) stewardship: humans having a delegate dominion over Creation and being responsible and accountable for their use of natural resources; (3) empathy: nature is affected by human misbehaviour; (4) analogy: nature is an image of God; (5) God worshipper: nature gives glory to God; (6) cosmic humility: nature is beyond human comprehension; (7) natural mysticism: union with God is accomplished through contemplation of the created world; (8) worship: nature is sacred. These approaches are not necessarily conflicting but rather they can be considered in some cases as being complementary. Their actual impact on water and environmental conservation should be further researched.
Triggers for securitization: a discursive examination of Israeli–Palestinian water negotiations
Authors: Nathan Daniel , Fischhendler Itay
Published: December 2015

Discursive studies on natural resources often fail to examine how the language of existential threats is constructed, while the probable contextual factors for triggering securitization and its implications are also left unexamined. Applied to the Israeli–Palestinian water conflict, this study utilizes negotiation protocols from the Annapolis peace process to quantitatively examine how securitized discourses are triggered and constructed. The study determines that asymmetric actor ratio and negative background events trigger securitizing moves that in this case perpetuate enmity and division. Securitization under conflict scenarios is found to be mostly detrimental to the resolution of water issues as the resource becomes secondary to other high-profile concerns. A more favorable securitized discourse is identified, but this discourse is infrequent and characteristically aligned with the literature that espouses desecuritization.
Water resource accounting for Uganda: use and policy relevancy
Authors: Kilimani Nicholas , van Heerden Jan , Bohlmann Heinrich
Published: December 2015

This paper uses the system of economic and environmental accounting for water to demonstrate how the water sector interacts with the social-economic sectors of the economy. Furthermore, it reviews the existing institutional and policy framework in Uganda, and proposes an analytical framework which can be used to provide sound inter-sectoral planning in order to achieve sustainable water resource use. The proposed framework also articulates how outcomes of water policies and social-economic policies can be analyzed. In Uganda, the uneven distribution of water resources both in space and time, poses constraints to economic activity particularly in the water-scarce regions of the country. The problem is being exacerbated by the increasingly erratic rainfall and rising temperatures. The accounting results show that the current level of water use within the economy is less than the available quantity. In this regard, there is room for the development of mechanisms to increase its utilization. This would serve to mitigate the scarcity especially of water for production which primarily emanates from climate variability. This in turn affects the performance of the economy, as key sectors such as agriculture are rainfall-dependent.
Validation of household water insecurity scale in urban Nepal
Authors: Aihara Yoko , Shrestha Salina , Kazama Futaba , Nishida Kei
Published: December 2015

Water security is one of the central global issues today. This study aimed to describe and test the validity and reliability of a household water insecurity scale, and to assess the impact of household water insecurity on psychological distress among 371 women living in urban Nepal. A household interview survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Approximately 70% of the participants experienced collecting less water than they needed. Four domains of household water insecurity emerged from the principal components factor analysis: (i) difficulties in house-work related to water, (ii) lost opportunity costs and social interactions related to water, (iii) an insufficient safe water supply, and (iv) difficulties in basic activities related to water. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the domains of ‘lost opportunity costs and social interactions’, ‘difficulties in house-work’ and ‘difficulties in basic activities’ were associated with psychological distress among women. The impact of household water insecurity on psychological distress differed by water supply service levels. The current household water insecurity scale is a simple instrument which can be used to prioritise the target population for water interventions. Further research should be conducted towards the development of a universally applicable measurement tool.
Framework, approach and process for investment road mapping: a tool to bridge the theory and practices of flood risk management
Authors: Osti Rabindra
Published: December 2015

The Hyogo Framework for Action (2005–2015) has been a long-standing international policy instrument for disaster risk management. However, many developing countries still lack the appropriate risk management policies and frameworks that suit the national and local needs. There is little or no discussion on the appropriate framework, approach and process for the implementation of international or national policies into the practices. There are many unanswered questions, particularly related to the standards and linkages among proposed tools such as damage, risk and need assessments, and their uses in the formulation of strategies and investment road maps. As a result, flood risk management related problems and issues are often addressed by many countries in an ad hoc and fragmented fashion. For many developing countries, the most pressing challenge at present is to find a trade-off between their capacity and risk reduction options. This paper discusses the current gaps and proposes the framework, approach, processes, and methodologies, in the form of guidelines, leading to the formulation of the flood risk management strategies and the investment road map.
Towards an effective protection of groundwater resources: putting policy into practice with the drinking water protection file
Authors: van den Brink Cors , Wuijts Susanne
Published: December 2015

Groundwater in the Netherlands is a major resource for drinking water. As such it must be carefully monitored and managed. Evaluation of the European Water Framework Directive (EU-WFD) showed that protection of this valuable resource needs improvement. The Drinking Water Protection File identifies necessary measures needed per water abstraction site. The Protection File is part of the Dutch national EU-WFD implementation strategy, intended to improve the protection level of groundwater resources. It consists of a national top-down framework and a regional bottom-up process, which respectively enforces commitment and enhances stakeholder awareness regarding risks and actions needed regarding the identification and implementation of measures enhancing the protection level of groundwater resources. It is yet uncertain whether the initial implementation of the measures in the first planning cycle is adequate to obtain compliance with EU-WFD objectives in 2021, because (i) some of these measures are on a voluntary basis and (ii) standards for the remediation of point source pollution and allowed application of nutrients do not currently comply with drinking water standards.
Groundwater nitrate and chloride trends in an agriculture-intensive area in southern Alberta, Canada
Authors: Kohn Jacqueline , Soto David X. , Iwanyshyn Mike , Olson Barry , Kalischuk Andrea , Lorenz Kristen , Hendry M. Jim
Published: December 2015

The potential effect of manure management from livestock production on groundwater quality is an issue of concern. Groundwater sampling from a regional transect in southern Alberta, Canada, was conducted to determine changes in groundwater quality with time. The study area has extensive irrigation and a high density of confined feeding operations. Nitrate-N (NO3−-N) and chloride (Cl−) concentration data from 23 groundwater-study wells were evaluated from 1994 to 2014. Twelve of these wells were water-table wells and 11 were piezometers. Of the 23 wells, 14 had significant temporal trends (increasing or decreasing) for NO3−-N and/or Cl− concentrations. On a regional basis, NO3−-N increased slightly with time while Cl− changed very little, suggesting that the effects of agricultural activities on regional groundwater quality have generally remained constant. However, concentration changes occurred on a smaller scale. Shallow groundwater in coarse-textured soils is at a relatively higher risk of contamination than groundwater in fine-textured soils, especially in locations where intensive agricultural activities occur.
Zn and Pb marking of Ca binding to humic substances and PHREEQC speciation simulations
Authors: Bosire G. O. , Ngila J. C.
Published: December 2015

Power generating companies using and recycling cooling water usually experience deposition of insoluble salts on pipes carrying the water, leading to scaling problems. By controlling parameters that optimize competitive Ca complexation, the scaling potential could be reduced. This semi-empirical study determined the effect of ligands in binding, as well as the optimum parameters for Ca complexation experimentally using simulated water solutions before modelling. Experimental results showed that metal binding to ligands depended on the type of metal in competition, the pH and the humic substance used. Zn and Pb voltammetric peaks decreased with the addition of humic acid, tannic acid and catechol. Ca showed a synergistic phenomenon in the form of increased peak heights of the trace cations. Using PHREEQC model saturation index output results, the mineral phases likely to precipitate were successfully described. Furthermore, the effect of changing pH on scale formation was determined. For example, we successfully described the influence of pH on speciation and complexation through the formation of H-humate− and humate2−. The models showed that pH may be manipulated to govern the incidence of scale. Predictive models were derived to determine what would be a useful tool in reducing the potential for scaling.
Combined homogeneous and heterogeneous advanced oxidation process for the treatment of tannery wastewaters
Authors: Selvabharathi G. , Adishkumar S. , Jenefa S. , Ginni G. , Rajesh Banu J. , Tae Yeom Ick
Published: December 2015

This study investigated the practical application of combined advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), such as homogeneous TiO2 photocatalysis and heterogeneous photo-Fenton, for the treatment of tannery wastewaters. An optimization study was conducted on the photocatalytic degradation of tannery wastewaters, in order to understand the effects of different operating parameters on the degradation kinetics. The chemical oxygen demand of tannery wastewater decreased from an initial level of 3,400 mg/L in raw wastewater to 140 mg/L (96% removal) in wastewater treated by the combined advanced oxidation process at optimum pH 7, TiO2 dosage of 0.2 g/L, Fe2+ dosage of 0.5 g/L, H2O2 dosage of 1.8 g/L and a treatment time of 4 hours. The biodegradability of wastewater increased from an initial level of 0.4 to 0.7 after treatment under optimum experimental conditions at a treatment time of 60 min. An annual treatment cost of US$21.34/m3 of treated water was obtained. The combined advanced oxidation process proved to be an efficient and appropriate technique for the effective removal of complex organic compounds in industrial wastewater.
A case study of urban wastewater reclamation in Spain: comparison of water quality produced by using alternative processes and related costs
Authors: Melgarejo Joaquín , Prats Daniel , Molina Andrés , Trapote Arturo
Published: December 2015

In Spain, and particularly in the Valencia Region, the scarcity of water resources means that water resource exploitation must be optimized. In this light, reusing the large amounts of treated wastewater is a top priority, especially in agriculture, urban use and the irrigation of golf courses. Rincón de León wastewater treatment plant–water reclamation plant (Alicante, Spain) supplies reclaimed flow to a number of users according to the guidelines stated in the Royal Decree 1620/2007. Reclamation treatment includes: coagulation + flocculation + filtration (sand bed), ultrafiltration, ultraviolet disinfection and desalination (reverse osmosis). By combining these processes, three tertiary treatment alternatives were configured, and for each of them the quality of effluents, treatment costs, energy consumption and the uses of treated water were analysed. The results show that the quality of the water treated using the three alternatives is suitable for different uses. Moreover, the costs resulting from the tertiary treatment processes, their energy consumption and the final price of the treated water paid by farmers have been obtained.
Greywater treatment for reuse: comparison of reuse options using analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Ghaitidak Dilip M. , Yadav Kunwar D.
Published: December 2015

The objective of the present study was to: (i) examine the performance of two-stage sand filtration and the effect of coagulants on greywater (GW) characteristics; (ii) assess the quality of treated GW for reuse; and (iii) compare reuse options using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Four treatment options were examined on site. The first option was related to two-stage sand filtration (TSF) and the other three options were related to coagulation/flocculation using alum, polyaluminium chloride (PAC), and ferric chloride (FeCl3). The setup was constructed close to the GW source of a student hostel located at Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat. Treated GW was safe for reuse in restricted access area irrigation (as per United States Environmental Protection Agency standards), for discharge into land for irrigation, and for industrial cooling (as per Central Pollution Control Board standards in India). All four treatment options were compared using AHP. Comparison was made in two ways: (1) comparison on the basis of the effluent quality produced and (2) comparison on the basis of removal of parameters. The selection string on the basis of the effluent quality was TSF-PAC treatment–alum treatment–FeCl3 treatment, and that on the basis of removal of parameters was TSF-PAC treatment–FeCl3 treatment–alum treatment.
Crocin Rich Extract of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Flower Calyx Induces Anti-angiogenic Activity
Authors: Neha D.Pawar  , Anita K Bakrania  , Kumaravelu J.  , Tasneem Shahmalak  , Chhaya Gadgoli
Published: December 2015

Crocin is an apocarotenoid present in Nyctanthes arbortrisits (NAT) flower calyx extract in abundant quantity of about 36.7% w/w. The carotenoid rich extract of NAT exhibited dose dependant anti-angiogenic effect in chick-chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The anti-angiogenic activity of NAT extract (1 mg/ml) was observed to be equivalent to Heparin (1 mg/ml) with the IC50 value of 0.5 mg/ml. The antiangiogenic activity of NAT was further confirmed by in-vivo Matrigel Matrix model of Balb/c mice with VEGF inhibitor, sunitinib malate (1 μM) as the anti-angiogenic control. The in-vivo study revealed significant (P<0.01) reduction in hemoglobin levels and inhibited angiogenesis as compared to angiogenic control viz. VEGF loaded matrigel matrix. The anti-angiogenic activity of NAT calyx ethanolic extract is likely to be due to the presence of Crocin since carotenoids possess inherent strong anti-oxidant potential. Our result brings out a new naturally occurring anti-angiogenic agent which may find its utility in the treatment of conditions like cancer, diabetic retinopathy and cataract.
Retraction: Hazani A, Ibrahim M, Shehata A, El-Gaaly G, Daoud M, Fouad D, Rizwana H, Moubayed N. Ecotoxicity of Ag-nanoparticles on two microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris and Dunaliella tertiolecta. Arch Biol Sci. 2013;65(4):1447-1457. DOI: 10.2298/ABS1304447H
Authors: Editorial E
Published: December 2015

This is a notice of retraction of the article: Ecotoxicity of
Ag-nanoparticles on two microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris and Dunaliella
tertiolecta, published in the Archives of Biological Sciences in 2013, Vol.
65, Issue 4. The Editor-in-Chief has been informed that this paper is a
duplicate of an earlier paper: Hazani A, Ibrahim M, Arif I, Shehata A,
EL-Gaaly G, Daoud M, Fouad D, Rizwana H, Moubayed N. Ecotoxicity of
Ag-Nanoparticles to Microalgae. J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2013;7(Spl. Ed.):
233-241. This claim is correct and the entire paper is a verbatim copy of the
earlier one. After confirmation of this fact, the Editor-in-Chief of the
Archives of Biological Sciences has decided to retract the paper immediately.
We apologize to the readers of the journal that it took so many years to
notice this error and to retract the paper. We request readers of the journal
to directly get in touch with the editorial office and the editors of the
journal for similar cases in the future, so that they can be handled
promptly.

 Link to the retracted article 10.2298/ABS1304447H
Introduction and Commentary
Authors: Leigh Jim
Published: December 2015

The National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (NJCLD) was established in 1975 through the efforts of the Council for Learning Disabilities (formerly the Division for Children with Learning Disabilities) and the Disabled Reading Committee of the International Reading Association. Eight major national-level organizations are presently represented on the NJCLD, including: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities (ACLD), the Council for Learning Disabilities (CLD), the Division for Children with Communication Disorders (DCCD), the Division for Learning Disabilities (DLD), the International Reading Association (IRA), the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), and The Orton Dyslexia Society (ODS).
Introduction and Commentary
Authors: Leigh Jim
Published: December 2015

In response to the large number of requests from CLD members for information concerning the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (NJCLD), the Learning Disability Quarterly is publishing the four position papers prepared by the NJCLD during the past two years. As Chairperson of the CLD National Liaison Committee, Dr. Jim Leigh has represented CLD on the Joint Committee for three years by serving on the NJCLD's writing subcommittee which develops the initial drafts of position papers for consideration by the entire committee. Other CLD representatives who contributed to the development of one or more of the position papers include Drs. Donald Hammill, Stephen Larsen, and Gaye McNutt. The following introduction and commentary by Jim Leigh contains a description of the objectives and operating procedures of the NJCLD, in addition to a recommendation for use of the position papers.
Academic Instruction
Authors: Lloyd John Wills , Kameenui Edward J.
Published: December 2015

In this issue of the Learning Disability Quarterly we are pleased to offer a series of five articles that form a special focus on academic instruction. We think that concern about academic aspects of learning disabilities—particularly how we can provide instruction that works—has an important place in the field of learning disabilities and that it is important to reassert that place periodically. In the remainder of this article, we (a) describe our rationale for preparing this series on academic instruction in learning disabilities, (b) elaborate on the purposes of this series of papers, (c) recount how we developed this special series of articles, and (d) introduce the articles in the series.
Identification and Overidentification of Specific Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia) in Greece
Authors: Anastasiou Dimitris , Polychronopoulou Stavroula
Published: December 2015

The present study analyzed identification procedures and explored the possibility of dyslexia overidentification in Greece. Data from various institutional sources provided evidence that the prevalence rate of dyslexia in the school population, aged 6–18, was slightly higher than 1%. Compared to the corresponding percentages from the United States (approximately 5.5%) and an arbitrary estimation of 5% of a Greek legal document, the dyslexia rate was much lower, thus excluding the possibility of an overidentification problem on a national scale. Nonetheless, the relevant worries expressed by Greek governments seem to be partly justified by the phenomenon of a disproportionate percentage of students with dyslexia in secondary schools, when compared with that in elementary schools. This seems paradoxical, considering that the inadequacies in supportive special education services are much greater in the secondary-level education system. This finding was analyzed in terms of the legal and social actualities of Greece. Finally, a comparison between the Greek situation and the specific learning disabilities reality in the United States revealed differences regarding the issue of identification as well as similarities in the social factors that lead to distortions of the diagnostic procedures.
Articulating Learning Disabilities in the Digital Age
Authors: Leko Melinda M. , Griffin Cynthia C.
Published: December 2015

In a 1986 study published in the Learning Disability Quarterly, Simmons and Kame'enui examined information found in popular periodicals about learning disabilities (LD) in an effort to understand what people learn about LD from these high-readership sources. After more than 20 years, advances in technology have brought significant changes to how people obtain and disseminate information. Therefore, we revisited the findings of Simmons and Kame'enui by investigating information about LD presented on the Internet. An analysis of the contents of 23 websites suggested that medically based etiologies are most frequently associated with LD, supporting the 1986 results. Unlike the 1986 findings, however, the interventions found on the Internet include a variety of educational supports designed to promote the success of students with LD in the general education environment. Situated in the context of the digital age, implications for LD organizations and future research are provided.
Comparison of Pen and Keyboard Transcription Modes in Children with and without Learning Disabilities
Authors: Berninger Virginia W. , Abbott Robert D. , Augsburger Amy , Garcia Noelia
Published: December 2015

Fourth graders with learning disabilities in transcription (handwriting and spelling), LD-TD, and without LD-TD (non-LD), were compared on three writing tasks (letters, sentences, and essays), which differed by level of language, when writing by pen and by keyboard. The two groups did not differ significantly in Verbal IQ but did in handwriting, spelling, and composing achievement. Although LD-TD and non-LD groups did not differ in total time for producing letters by pen or keyboard, both groups took longer to compose sentences and essays by keyboard than by pen. Students in both groups tended to show the same pattern of results for amount written as a larger sample of typically developing fourth graders who composed longer essays by pen. Results for that sample, which also included typically developing second and sixth graders, showed that effects of transcription mode vary with level of language and within level of language by grade level for letters and sentences. However, consistently from second to fourth to sixth grade, children wrote longer essays with faster word production rate by pen than by keyboard. In addition, fourth and sixth graders wrote more complete sentences when writing by pen than by keyboard, and this relative advantage for sentence composing in text was not affected by spelling ability. Implications of the results for using computers for accommodations or specialized instruction for students with LD-TD are discussed.
Early Reading Intervention: Responding to the Learning Needs of Young at-Risk English Language Learners
Authors: Gyovai Lisa Klett , Cartledge Gwendolyn , Kourea Lefki , Yurick Amanda , Gibson Lenwood
Published: December 2015

This study examined the effects of a supplemental early reading intervention on the beginning literacy skills of 12 kindergarten/first-grade urban English language learners (ELLs). The Early Reading Intervention (ERI; Simmons & Kame'enui, 2003) was the instructional intervention used with all students. A multiple-baseline design across students was used to investigate the effects of the instruction on phoneme segmentation fluency (PSF) and nonsense word fluency (NWF), as measured by the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS; Good & Kaminski, 2002). Data analyses showed that all students increased in the number of phonemes segmented and the number of letter sounds produced correctly. Gains were commensurate with the amount of instruction received.
Inclusive Postsecondary Strategies for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Orr Ann C. , Hammig Sara Bachman
Published: December 2015

One out of every 11 postsecondary undergraduates report having a disability, and students with learning disabilities are the largest and fastest growing subgroup of this population. Although faculty are becoming more comfortable with providing students with learning disabilities accommodations as mandated by federal law, many instructors are using inclusive teaching strategies to better meet the needs of all students. Principles of universal design, borrowed from architecture and manufacturing, are increasingly influential on postsecondary pedagogy. This review of the literature examined 38 research-based articles related to universal design and inclusive practice at the postsecondary level. Five primary themes are identified and discussed in relation to their supporting literature: backward design, multiple means of presentation, inclusive teaching strategies and learner supports, inclusive assessment, and instructor approachability and empathy.
The Timing of Early Reading Assessment in Kindergarten
Authors: Santi Kristi L. , Foorman Barbara R. , York Mary , Francis David J.
Published: December 2015

Under the accountability provisions of the No Child Left Behind legislation, screening for reading risk has become routine in kindergarten. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of the timing of kindergarten assessment and the type of support provided to teachers to translate assessment results to instruction. Sixty-two schools with 201 kindergarten classrooms and 3,635 students in a southwestern state were randomly assigned to administer kindergarten assessment in the fall or in the winter, with teachers receiving onsite or web mentoring. A small, significant effect ( d = 0.13) was found for outcomes on a standardized reading test administered at the end of kindergarten when teachers administered the screen in the fall and received web rather than onsite mentoring. A slight, nonsignificant, reduction in reading risk (i.e., reduction in false positives) was apparent. Given these small effects, there is little empirical support for initiating screening in the fall rather than in the winter of kindergarten.
Middle-School Mathematics Curricula and Students with Learning Disabilities: Is One Curriculum Better?
Authors: Bouck Emily C. , Kulkarni Gauri
Published: December 2015

Little is known about how best to teach mathematics to students with learning disabilities. This study explored the performance and self-reported calculator use of 13 sixth-grade and 15 seventh-grade students with learning disabilities educated in either standards-based or traditional mathematics curricula on multiple-choice and open-ended assessments. Across both groups of students: (a) curriculum did not impact the number of problems students answered correctly, (b) students answered more problems correctly on the multiple-choice than on the open-ended assessments, (c) students self-reported low percentages of calculator use, and (d) curriculum did not impact students' self-reported calculator use. Overall, the results suggest that students with learning disabilities are not advantaged or disadvantaged by receiving either a traditional or a standards-based mathematics curriculum.
IT Governance and the Maturity of IT Risk Management Practices
Authors: Vincent Nishani Edirisinghe , Higgs Julia L. , Pinsker Robert E.
Published: December 2015

The Securities and Exchange Commission's enhanced disclosure rule on risk oversight, state laws requiring public disclosure of compromised customer information, and high-profile customer information breaches have caused Information Technology (IT) risk management practices to be a major concern for boards of directors and management. The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission's (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework emphasizes the importance of the board's oversight role while also bringing attention to the firm's reporting structure. Consequently, our study examines whether the maturity of IT risk management practices depends on Chief Information Officer (CIO) reporting structure and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Chairman duality. We develop a scale to measure strategic and operational maturity under the larger auspice of IT risk management and distribute a survey to high-level IT professionals. Our survey also captures the reporting structure of their firms. Consistent with our hypothesis, we find that the maturity of strategic IT risk management practices are higher when the CIO reports directly to the CEO. However, contrary to expectations, we do not find that operational risk management is more mature when the CIO reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Instead, operational risk management is higher when the CIO reports to the CEO. For public firms, the maturity of IT risk management practices are higher when the CEO is also the chairman of the board of directors. As C-level officers may have asymmetric access to the board, understanding reporting structures may inform firms, regulators, and interested stakeholders on how well IT risk is managed and factors that affect IT governance.
Bleaching Effects on Color, Chemical, and Mechanical Properties of White Spot Lesions
Authors: Kim Y , Son HH , Yi K , Ahn JS , Chang J
Published: December 2015

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of bleaching on teeth with white spot lesions.

Methods and Materials: Carious lesions with standardized whiteness were produced on the buccal and lingual surfaces of human premolars by pH cycling. Specimens were subjected to four experimental conditions (n=20/group) as follows: group 1, control; group 2, caries formation followed by remineralization using fluoride-containing casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP; Tooth Mousse Plus, GC, Tokyo, Japan); group 3, caries formation followed by bleaching using 10% carbamide peroxide; and group 4, caries formation followed by both bleaching and remineralization. The CIE L*a*b* color values were measured with a spectroradiometer, the mineral content was measured with electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) on the cross-sectional surface of each specimen, and the Knoop hardness test was carried out along the EPMA scan line. Two-way analysis of variance was performed with Tukey post hoc comparison.

Results: The change in the CIE color values was not significantly different between the caries-formed (ΔE*=7.03) and the bleached enamel (ΔE*=7.60). Bleaching of the carious enamel extended the whiteness (ΔE*=3.38) without additional mineral loss (p<0.05). The remineralization treatment significantly increased the calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), and fluoride content of the subsurface lesion area (p<0.05). The cross-sectional microhardness values correlated well with the Ca and P content (R>0.80).

Conclusions: Bleaching reduced the color disparities between sound and carious enamel without deteriorating the chemical and mechanical properties. The application of CPP-ACP paste enhanced mineral deposition in the subsurface lesion area of carious enamel.