bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inovação e Aprendizagem Organizacional para a Sustentabilidade: desenvolvimento de competências na indústria de equipamentos eletromédicos
Authors: Silveira Marco Antonio , Kikuchi Leticia Sayuri , Policeno Cristiani Aparecida
Published: September 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.13071/regec.2317-5087.2013.2.1.4116.76-93.O tripé da sustentabilidade prevê o equilíbrio no atendimento às demandas econômicas, ambientais e sociais, condição necessária ao desenvolvimento sustentável em mercados competitivos, dinâmicos e com requisitos socioambientais. Este artigo tem o objetivo de apresentar as principais ações relacionadas à capacitação de um conjunto de nove empresas, visando torná-las aptas a implantar as inovações necessárias para sua adequação a requisitos ambientais aplicáveis, mantendo o seu desempenho competitivo. Essas empresas fazem parte de um projeto-piloto cujo propósito é apoiar o desenvolvimento sustentável da indústria brasileira de equipamentos eletromédicos. São descritos os planos e respectivos resultados no desenvolvimento das competências definidas como necessárias, contemplando aspectos psicossociais que impactam o desempenho da organização e que mobilizam as inovações, visando à integração dos múltiplos objetivos inerentes a esse projeto.
Improved Intact Soil-Core Carbon Determination Applying Regression Shrinkage and Variable Selection Techniques to Complete Spectrum Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
Authors: Bricklemyer Ross S. , Brown David J. , Turk Philip J. , Clegg Sam M.
Published: September 2013

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) provides a potential method for rapid, in situ soil C measurement. In previous research on the application of LIBS to intact soil cores, we hypothesized that ultraviolet (UV) spectrum LIBS (200–300 nm) might not provide sufficient elemental information to reliably discriminate between soil organic C (SOC) and inorganic C (IC). In this study, using a custom complete spectrum (245–925 nm) core-scanning LIBS instrument, we analyzed 60 intact soil cores from six wheat fields. Predictive multi-response partial least squares (PLS2) models using full and reduced spectrum LIBS were compared for directly determining soil total C (TC), IC, and SOC. Two regression shrinkage and variable selection approaches, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and sparse multivariate regression with covariance estimation (MRCE), were tested for soil C predictions and the identification of wavelengths important for soil C prediction. Using complete spectrum LIBS for PLS2 modeling reduced the calibration standard error of prediction (SEP) 15 and 19% for TC and IC, respectively, compared to UV spectrum LIBS. The LASSO and MRCE approaches provided significantly improved calibration accuracy and reduced SEP 32–55% over UV spectrum PLS2 models. We conclude that (1) complete spectrum LIBS is superior to UV spectrum LIBS for predicting soil C for intact soil cores without pretreatment; (2) LASSO and MRCE approaches provide improved calibration prediction accuracy over PLS2 but require additional testing with increased soil and target analyte diversity; and (3) measurement errors associated with analyzing intact cores (e.g., sample density and surface roughness) require further study and quantification.
The art of avoidance: Avoidance as a means of (re)creation in a prequel adaptation to Shakespeare’s King Lear
Authors: Fábián Annamária
Published: September 2013

This article attempts to give a reading of a play by Elaine Feinstein and the Women’s Theatre Group, Lear’s Daughters through/with Stanley Cavell’s essay ‘The avoidance of love’. It examines how avoidance and causality re- and de-form, recreate King Lear in Lear’s Daughters. Cavell’s essay serves as a guideline, an ‘inter-text’ or a bridge between the two plays in question, providing all the key notions and thoughts by which the prequel’s creative art of avoidance can be examined, as here avoidance will be possible to comprehend as a means of creation, or a writing technique.
Musical topics, historical styles and narrative in Carl Davis’s score for Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Authors: Kimber Marian Wilson
Published: September 2013

In critical commentary on Jane Austen film adaptations, Carl Davis’s musical score for the British Broadcasting Corporation’s television series Pride and Prejudice has been hailed as ‘historically accurate’. However, its use of ‘period’ instruments actually reflects the modern ‘early music’ movement, and its selections of diegetic music by canonic composers serve to create the cultural prestige associated with heritage productions. The nondiegetic portions of the score, which imitate a century of musical topics, styles and genres, are central to the novel’s adaptation to film. A musico-historical continuum – from Baroque dance to classical sonata form to a Romantic leitmotif – provides its own meanings, and in some instances the musical score becomes the primary transmitter of the film’s narrative. The ‘original’ time period referenced by a musical cue signals information about a character’s class status, personality, and actions, and the musical ‘historicism’ of Davis’s score sometimes provides the ironic commentary characteristic of Austen’s writing.
Industrial magic and light: 3D at the New York World’s Fair (1939)
Authors: Wasson Haidee
Published: September 2013

This article examines an early stereoscopic film made for and shown at the 1939 World’s Fair held in New York. The film In Tune with Tomorrow was commissioned by the Chrysler Motor Company, and featured 3D stop-motion animation of a car magically assembling without human intervention. This film is discussed in the context of a range of large and small screen experiments conducted at the fair. The rise of American industry’s use of film technologies as integral elements of ascendant its communication strategies is also addressed.
Anticipation of contact: Pina-3D and stereoscopic cinematography
Authors: Gadassik Alla
Published: September 2013

This article examines the film Pina-3D (Wenders) as a case study for contemporary stereoscopic cinematography methods. While S3D cinema is often associated with highly kinetic and mobile qualities, especially in relation to filming dance, the author argues that the cinematography in Pina interprets dance as tactile exploration of space. The article outlines a number of formal strategies used to connect the stereoscopic image to tactile proximity in the film. These strategies include stereoscopic portraiture, oscillation between flattened and layered framing, and curtaining. The article also argues that the theme of ambivalent human touch that recurs throughout Pina Bausch’s choreography in the film also works as a rhetorical analogy for the ambivalent contact of the stereoscopic image. In particular, contemporary S3D cinematography discourse self-consciously navigates the line between stereoscopic contact as immersive pleasure and as a potential harmful assault on the spectator’s body.
Muybridge’s enthalpy
Authors: White Kenneth
Published: September 2013

In ‘Muybridge’s enthalpy’ I present formal and historical analyses of a stereograph by the renowned American photographer Eadweard Muybridge. The Stereograph (1873) depicts three vertical steam pumps. I contextualize Muybridge’s stereograph with his subsequent work in composite photographs, many of his techniques perfected while in Central America. I focus particularly on an 1876 image that radically distorts its content – clouds and a volcano crater – into abstraction. I claim that Muybridge’s work in stereography, and his merger of multiple images in single frames, re-position our understanding of Muybridge’s proto-cinematic work within industrial culture of the time, particularly the newly declared Laws of Thermodynamics. I argue that J. Willard Gibbs’ theories of enthalpy, or or ‘warming in’, offers a new view upon how Muybridge strove to encapsulate the ephemeral in his steam pump stereograph and cloud composite. I conclude that the stereograph may be read as a clue to the explosive abstraction of his commodity practices.
EP3 receptor isoforms are differentially expressed in subpopulations of primate granulosa cells and couple to unique G-proteins
Authors: Kim Soon Ok , Dozier Brandy L , Kerry Julie A , Duffy Diane M
Published: September 2013

Prostaglandin E2(PGE2) produced within the ovarian follicle is necessary for ovulation. PGE2is recognized by four distinct G-protein-coupled receptors. Among them, PTGER3 (also known as EP3) is unique in that mRNA splicing generates multiple isoforms. Each isoform has a distinct amino acid composition in the C-terminal region, which is involved in G-protein coupling. To determine whether monkey EP3 isoforms couple to different G-proteins, each EP3 isoform was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, and intracellular signals were examined after stimulation with the EP3 agonist sulprostone. Stimulation of EP3 isoform 5 (EP3-5) reduced cAMP in a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive manner, indicating involvement of Gαi. Stimulation of EP3-9 increased cAMP, which was reduced by the general G-protein inhibitor GDP-β-S, and also increased intracellular calcium, which was reduced by PTX and GDP-β-S. So, EP3-9 likely couples to both Gαs and a PTX-sensitive G-protein to regulate intracellular signals. Stimulation of EP3-14 increased cAMP, which was further increased by PTX, so EP3-14 likely regulates cAMP via multiple G-proteins. Granulosa cell expression of all EP3 isoforms increased in response to an ovulatory dose of human chorionic gonadotropin. Two EP3 isoforms were differentially expressed in functional subpopulations of granulosa cells. EP3-5 was low in granulosa cells at the follicle apex while EP3-9 was high in cumulus granulosa cells. Differential expression of EP3 isoforms may yield different intracellular responses to PGE2in granulosa cell subpopulations, contributing to the different roles played by granulosa cell subpopulations in the process of ovulation.
Mapping Condition-Dependent Regulation of Lipid Metabolism inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Jewett Michael C , Workman Christopher T , Nookaew Intawat , Pizarro Francisco A , Agosin Eduardo , Hellgren Lars I , Nielsen Jens
Published: September 2013

Lipids play a central role in cellular function as constituents of membranes, as signaling molecules, and as storage materials. Although much is known about the role of lipids in regulating specific steps of metabolism, comprehensive studies integrating genome-wide expression data, metabolite levels, and lipid levels are currently lacking. Here, we map condition-dependent regulation controlling lipid metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by measuring 5636 mRNAs, 50 metabolites, 97 lipids, and 57 13C-reaction fluxes in yeast using a three-factor full-factorial design. Correlation analysis across eight environmental conditions revealed 2279 gene expression level-metabolite/lipid relationships that characterize the extent of transcriptional regulation in lipid metabolism relative to major metabolic hubs within the cell. To query this network, we developed integrative methods for correlation of multi-omics datasets that elucidate global regulatory signatures. Our data highlight many characterized regulators of lipid metabolism and reveal that sterols are regulated more at the transcriptional level than are amino acids. Beyond providing insights into the systems-level organization of lipid metabolism, we anticipate that our dataset and approach can join an emerging number of studies to be widely used for interrogating cellular systems through the combination of mathematical modeling and experimental biology.
Preserving the child as a respondent: Initiating patient-centered interviews in a US outpatient tertiary care pediatric pain clinic
Authors: Clemente Ignasi , Heritage John , Meldrum Marcia L. , Tsao Jennie C. I. , Zeltzer Lonnie K.
Published: September 2013

This article identifies some of the challenges of implementing patient-centeredness in multiparty clinical visits. Specifically, it describes four interview practices with which clinicians address these challenges in a US outpatient tertiary care pediatric pain clinic. Using the qualitative method of conversation analysis, we analyze clinicians’ child-directed (ages 10–18) interviewing during the initial stage of 51 intake visits. In particular, we analyze the challenges involved in open-ended questioning, a form of interviewing associated with patient-centeredness. Open-ended questioning presents participants with competing demands: although it gives children an opportunity to talk about their illness in their own terms, it also asks them to be responsible for a larger part of the communication work. Moreover, the presence of a parent as an alternative informant can lead to the loss of the child as an informant if clinicians fail to give the child, particularly younger ones, enough guidance in answering. We argue that a flexible range of interviewing practices may be a step towards offsetting children's and parents’ past negative experiences with clinicians, improving patient outcomes and implementing child/patient-centeredness.
Clinical handover as an interactive event: Informational and interactional communication strategies in effective shift-change handovers
Authors: Eggins Suzanne , Slade Diana
Published: September 2013

Clinical handover – the transfer between clinicians of responsibility and accountability for patients and their care (AMA 2006) – is a pivotal and high-risk communicative event in hospital practice. Studies focusing on critical incidents, mortality, risk and patient harm in hospitals have highlighted ineffective communication – including incomplete and unstructured clinical handovers – as a major contributing factor (NSW Health 2005; ACSQHC 2010). In Australia, as internationally, Health Departments and hospital management have responded by introducing standardised handover communication protocols. This paper problematises one such protocol – the ISBAR tool – and argues that the narrow understanding of communication on which such protocols are based may seriously constrain their ability to shape effective handovers. Based on analysis of audio-recorded shift-change clinical handovers between medical staff, we argue that handover communication must be conceptualised as inherently interactive and that attempts to describe, model and teach handover practice must recognise both informational and interactive communication strategies. By comparing the communicative performance of participants in authentic handover events we identify communication strategies that are more and less likely to lead to an effective handover and demonstrate the importance of focusing close up on communication to improve the quality and safety of healthcare interactions.
Negotiating behavioural change: Therapists’ proposal turns in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Authors: Ekberg Katie , Lecouteur Amanda
Published: September 2013

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an internationally recognised method for treating depression. However, many of the techniques involved in CBT are accomplished within the therapy interaction in diverse ways, and with varying consequences for the trajectory of therapy session. This paper uses conversation analysis to examine some standard ways in which therapists propose suggestions for behavioural change to clients attending CBT sessions for depression in Australia. Therapists’ proposal turns displayed their subordinate epistemic authority over the matter at hand, and emphasised a high degree of optionality on behalf of the client in accepting their suggestions. This practice was routinely accomplished via three standard proposal turns: (1) hedged recommendations; (2) interrogatives; and (3) information-giving. These proposal turns will be examined in relation to the negotiation of behavioural change, and the implications for CBT interactions between therapist and client will be discussed.
Attempting to standardise ethical review within the complexity of health-related research
Authors: De Luca Rosemary
Published: September 2013

Researchers in medicine, allied disciplines and elsewhere submit research proposals to an ethical review board before research commences. This paper argues that the effectiveness of review relies on reviewers using discernment and judgement when applying standardised review criteria so that they accommodate the full range of research projects. With reference to ethics literature, the paper identifies five imperatives in the development of review guidelines and processes. It examines case composition and analysis, and explores interactions between professional developers, researchers and reviewers to illustrate problems in the review process. It refers to the ethical review system in New Zealand and the report to parliament: Inquiry into Improving New Zealand's Environment to Support Innovation through Clinical Trials (Health Committee 2011). Seeking to gain for New Zealand a competitive edge in clinical research, this report made 19 recommendations to improve the climate for clinical trials, ethical review included, in this country. The connection between these two case studies is the common endeavour to standardise the ethical review exercise, review systems and review processes. Cases with commentary are a recommended addition to guidelines documents to present research within its context and to demonstrate the complexity that a standardised ethical review does not always address.
Communication after traumatic brain injury in adolescence
Authors: Fyrberg Åsa
Published: September 2013

Communication in everyday life can be severely affected in adolescence after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Abilities associated with vocal verbal response, gesture, gaze, facial expression and posture are frequently impaired. While much effort is often invested in clinical assessments, altered communicative functions in a real life setting are explored to a much lesser extent. In this case study, we discuss the usability of a triangulation of methods for analysis, involving a 16-year-old adolescent with TBI. Communication Management (CM) is explored, based on self-evaluation by the participant in video recordings of dyadic and triadic conversations. Ratings created independently by the subject and his parents on The Communicative Effectiveness Index (CETI) are analysed. A comparison is made with a selection of clinical test results on cognition, speech and language. We discuss how the methods can be applied to analyse communicative functions that are not readily detected in a clinical environment.
Life's a bonding experience
Authors: Dreyfus Shoshana
Published: September 2013

This paper presents a framework for the description of the semiotic world of a male adolescent (17 years) with a severe intellectual disability who does not use speech as his primary form of communication. The framework is based on selected aspects of systemic functional linguistic theory, including exchange structure analysis and affiliation theory. The framework is based on a proficiency model, showing what a person can do, rather than what they can't do. It presents a new way of describing nonverbal multimodal communication. The research was conducted by a linguist, who happens to be the young man's mother.
Comparação da função muscular isocinética dos membros inferiores entre idosos caidores e não caidores
Authors: Antero-Jacquemin Juliana da Silva , Santos Priscilla , Garcia Patrícia Azevedo , Dias Rosângela Corrêa , Dias João Marcos Domingues
Published: September 2013

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar se há diferenças entre o desempenho muscular de tornozelo, joelho e quadril em idosos com e sem relato de queda nos últimos seis meses. Foram incluídos 81 idosos com 65 anos ou mais: 56 negaram quedas (G1) e 25 relataram quedas (G2). Utilizou-se o questionário perfil de atividade humana para medir o nível de atividade física, e o dinamômetro isocinético para mensurar os parâmetros físicos da função muscular. Os grupos não diferiram entre si em relação à idade (p=0,925), duração (p=0,065) e frequência (p=0,302) da prática do exercício físico, índice de massa corpórea (p=0,995) e nível de atividade física (p=0,561). O G2 apresentou menor desempenho para as variáveis pico de torque de flexão e extensão de joelho esquerdo (p=0,027 e p=0,030, respectivamente) e trabalho por peso corporal (p=0,040) de flexão de joelho esquerdo a 60°/s; pico de torque e trabalho por peso corporal de flexão e extensão de joelho a 180°/s bilateralmente (p<0,050); e potência média de flexão de joelhos direito e esquerdo (p=0,030). A maioria das variáveis do tornozelo e quadril não apresentou diferenças entre os grupos. Apenas a variável pico de torque de extensão de quadril esquerdo foi significativamente maior no G1 (p=0,035). É importante considerar a função muscular do joelho na avaliação clínica de idosos para direcionar a intervenção terapêutica e a prevenção de quedas.
Instrumentos de avaliação para limitações funcionais associadas à instabilidade crônica de tornozelo: uma revisão sistemática da literatura
Authors: Suda Eneida Yuri , Coelho Ana Tereza
Published: September 2013

A instabilidade de tornozelo é definida como a sua tendência para sofrer falseios e entorses de repetição após a ocorrência de entorse lateral. Como a presença de instabilidade é definida por meio das queixas relatadas pelo indivíduo, apresenta caráter subjetivo, sendo importante identificar o melhor instrumento de avaliação para a determinação de sua presença e/ou gravidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi revisar, de forma sistemática, instrumentos de avaliação concebidos para pacientes com instabilidade crônica de tornozelo. Foram realizadas pesquisas bibliográficas nas bases de dados PubMed, Embase, BVS, LILACS e SciELO para identificar os instrumentos elegíveis. No total, seis estudos foram incluídos e apresentaram cinco instrumentos diferentes - Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), Ankle Joint Functional Assessment Tool (AJFAT), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Ankle Joint Functional Assessment Tool (AII) e Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT). Foram encontrados instrumentos com qualidade que detectam limitações funcionais em indivíduos com instabilidade crônica de tornozelo, não sendo instrumentos válidos para diagnóstico de instabilidade. O CAIT mostrou-se a ferramenta mais completa, mas não foi validada em uma população específica de indivíduos com condição de instabilidade do tornozelo. Observa-se a necessidade de mais estudos clinimétricamente válidos a fim de atestar a sua validade para se obter uma ferramenta eficaz e completa da instabilidade funcional do tornozelo.
Cleft Palate Surgery: An Evaluation of Length of Stay, Complications, and Costs by Hospital Type
Authors: Nguyen Christine , Hernandez-Boussard Tina , Davies Sheryl M. , Bhattacharya Jay , Khosla Rohit K. , Curtin Catherine M.
Published: September 2013

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess length of stay (LOS), complication rates, costs, and charges of cleft palate repair by various hospital types. We hypothesized that pediatric hospitals would have shorter LOS, fewer complications, and lower costs and charges.

Methods

Patients were identified by ICD-9-CM code for cleft palate repair (27.62) using databases from the Agency for Health Research and Quality Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database from 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006. Patient characteristics (age, race, gender, insurer, comorbidities) and facility resources (hospital beds, cleft palate surgery volume, nurse-to-bed ratio, pediatric intensive care unit [PICU], PICU intensivist, burn unit) were examined. Hospitals types included pediatric hospitals, general hospitals, and nonaccredited children's hospital. For each hospital type, mean LOS, extended LOS (LOS > 2), and complications were assessed.

Results

A total of 14,153 patients had cleft repair with a mean LOS of 2 days (SD, 0.04), mortality 0.01%, transfusion 0.3%, and complication <3%. Pediatric hospitals had fewer patients with extended hospital stays. Patients with an LOS >2 days were associated with fourfold higher complications. Comorbidities increased the relative rate of LOS >2 days by 90%. Pediatric hospitals had the highest comorbidities, yet 35% decreased the relative rate of LOS >2 days. Median total charges of $10,835 increased to $15,104 with LOS >2 days; median total costs of $4367 increased to $6148 with a LOS >2 days.

Conclusion

Pediatric hospitals had higher comorbidities yet shorter LOS. Pediatric resources significantly decreased the relative rate of LOS >2 days. Median costs and charges increased by 41% with LOS >2 days. Further research is needed to understand additional aspects of pediatric hospitals associated with lower LOS.
Ethnic Variation in Oral Cleft Occurrence in Denmark 1981–2002
Authors: Pedersen Grete Skøtt , Almind Pedersen Dorthe , Hvas Mortensen Laust , Nybo Andersen Anne-Marie , Christensen Kaare
Published: September 2013

Objective

To examine differences in oral cleft (OC) occurrence based on maternal only and parental country of origin in Denmark from 1981 to 2002.

Methods

Data on all live births from the Danish Medical Birth Register from 1981 to 2002 were linked with the Danish Facial Cleft Database. Cleft cases were categorized into isolated and nonisolated cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P) and cleft palate only (CP). Birth prevalence was calculated as cases per 1,000 live born children by maternal country of origin, world region, and mixed parental groups.

Results

We identified 3094 OC cases among 1,319,426 live births. Danish-born women had an OC birth prevalence of 2.38 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) (2.29–2.47) and foreign-born women a significant lower prevalence of 2.01 (CI, 1.77–2.27). This difference was explained by a lower isolated CL/P birth prevalence among foreign-born women of 0.97 (CI, 0.81–1.16) versus 1.35 (CI, 1.28–1.41). No significant differences were seen for the remaining subtypes. Parents with the same foreign country of origin had a lower overall OC (1.63; CI, 1.35–1.94) and isolated CL/P (0.76; CI, 0.57–0.99) birth prevalence than Danish-born parents. This was not the case for any of the mixed parental groups. Overall and subtype prevalence rates varied according to maternal categories of world region.

Conclusion

In this study we found differences in OC occurrence among all live births in the Danish population based on maternal country of origin from 1981 to 2002. Danish-born women had higher OC and isolated CL/P birth prevalence compared with foreign-born women.
Improvement of acid sulfate soils using lime-activated slag
Authors: Islam Shahidul , Haque Asadul , Wilson Siobhan A. , Ranjith Pathegama Gamage
Published: September 2013

This study investigates the effect of pyrite contents on the strength behaviour of lime-slag-treated acid sulfate soils (ASS). A fixed lime content of 10% and slag contents of 0 to 25% were investigated. This study finds that unconfined compressive strength USC development of treated ASS at slag contents less than 10% was below or at the level of treated non-pyritic soils at comparable curing periods. Moreover, the effect of pyrite variations on the UCS behaviour was negligible at these low slag contents. A slag content exceeding 10% increases the strength of treated ASS considerably over the 365 day curing periods investigated. However, a drop of strength after 180 days of curing was recorded for a slag content of 25%. Mineralogical study indicated a probable development of deleterious reaction product (i.e. thaumasite), which is deemed to be responsible for the degradation of strength.
Man‐induced activities modify demographic parameters in a long‐lived species: effects of poisoning and health policies
Authors: Margalida Antoni , Colomer MA Àngels , Oro Daniel
Published: September 2013

Recent changes in sanitary policies within the European Union (EU) concerning disposal of carcasses of domestic animals and the increase of non‐natural mortality factors, such as illegal poisoning, are threatening European vultures. However, the effects of anthropogenic activities on demographic parameters are poorly studied. Using a long‐term study (1994–2011) of the threatened Pyrenean Bearded VultureGypaetus barbatuspopulation, we assess the variation in the proportion of breeding pairs, egg‐laying dates, clutch size, breeding success, and survival following a sharp reduction in food availability in 2005 due to the application of restrictive sanitary policies decreasing livestock carcass availability. We found a delay in laying dates and a regressive trend in clutch size, breeding success, and survival following policy change. The maintenance of specific supplementary feeding stations for Bearded Vultures probably reduced the negative effects of illegal poisoning and food shortages, which mainly affected subadult survival. A drop in food availability may have produced changes in demographic parameters and an increase in mortality due to an increased exposure to contaminated food. As a result, supplementary feeding as a precautionary measure can be a useful tool to reduce illegal poisoning and declines in demographic parameters until previous food availability scenarios are achieved. This study shows how anthropogenic activities through human health regulations that affect habitat quality can suddenly modify demographic parameters in long‐lived species, including those, such as survival, with high sensitivity to population growth rate.
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Phagocytes From Patients With Chronic Periodontitis Are Primed for Osteoclast Formation
Authors: Herrera Bruno S. , Bastos Alliny S. , Coimbra Leila S. , Teixeira Simone A. , Rossa Carlos , Van Dyke Thomas E. , Muscara Marcelo N. , Spolidorio Luis C.
Published: September 2013

Background: During inflammatory periodontal disease, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are attracted to bone and differentiate into active bone‐resorbing osteoclasts (OCs), thus providing evidence that the impact of chronic periodontitis (CP) on the activity of circulating mononuclear cells is of central importance. The authors test the hypothesis that peripheral blood mononuclear phagocytes (PBMPs) from patients with CP are activated and more susceptible to differentiation into OCs, which in turn would lead to more intense bone resorption.

Methods: In vitro cytokine production by both unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated PBMCs from individuals with (n = 10) or without (n = 12) periodontitis was determined by cytokine array. OC differentiation from CD14+ PBMCs was induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa B ligand (RANKL), either alone or in the presence of macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF). PBMC differentiation to OCs was confirmed by tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase staining; bone resorbing activity was assessed by using an osteologic plate assay (bone resorption pit formation).

Results: PBMCs from patients with CP produced tumor necrosis factor‐α and higher amounts of interferon‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐1rα, CXC motif chemokine 10, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α, and MIP‐1β than the control cells. OC differentiation was induced by RANKL alone in PBMCs from patients with CP, but not in PBMCs from the healthy controls, which required the addition of M‐CSF. In addition, PBMC‐derived OCs from patients with CP showed significantly higher resorption activity than that observed in the healthy controls. Also, the circulating concentrations of M‐CSF were significantly higher in patients with CP than in the control participants.

Conclusions: These data indicate that in patients with CP, circulating PBMCs are primed for increased proinflammatory activity and that M‐CSF plays a central role in this process by increasing OC formation and the consequent bone resorption activity.
Enamel Matrix Derivative in Propylene Glycol Alginate for Treatment of Infrabony Defects With or Without Systemic Doxycycline: 12‐ and 24‐Month Results
Authors: Eickholz Peter , Röllke Lasse , Schacher Beate , Wohlfeil Martin , Dannewitz Bettina , Kaltschmitt Jens , Krieger Jörg K. , Krigar Diana M. , Reitmeir Peter , Kim Ti‐Sun
Published: September 2013

Background: This aim of this study is to compare regenerative therapy of infrabony defects with and without administration of post‐surgical systemic doxycycline (DOXY) 12 and 24 months after therapy.

Methods: In each of 57 patients, one infrabony defect (depth ≥4 mm) was treated regeneratively using enamel matrix derivative at two centers (Frankfurt am Main and Heidelberg). By random assignment, patients received either 200 mg DOXY per day or placebo (PLAC) for 7 days after surgery. Twelve and 24 months after surgery, clinical parameters (probing depths [PDs] and vertical clinical attachment level [CAL‐V]) and standardized radiographs were obtained. Missing data were managed according to the last observation carried forward.

Results: Data of 57 patients (DOXY: 28; PLAC: 29) were analyzed (26 males and 31 females; mean age: 52 ± 10.2 years; 13 smokers). In both groups, significant (P <0.01) PD reduction (DOXY: 3.7 ± 2.2 mm; PLAC: 3.4 ± 1.7 mm), CAL‐V gain (DOXY: 2.7 ± 1.9 mm; PLAC: 3.0 ± 1.9 mm), and bone fill (DOXY: 1.6 ± 2.7 mm; PLAC: 1.8 ± 3.0 mm) were observed 24 months after surgery. However, the differences between both groups failed to be statistically significant (PD: P = 0.574; CAL‐V: P = 0.696; bone fill: P = 0.318).

Conclusions: Systemic DOXY, 200 mg/day for 7 days, after regenerative therapy of infrabony defects did not result in better PD reduction, CAL‐V gain, or radiographic bone fill compared with PLAC 12 and 24 months after surgery, which may be attributable to low power and, thus, random chance.
Multistage treatment wetland for treatment of reject waters from digested sludge dewatering
Authors: Gajewska M. , Obarska-Pempkowiak H.
Published: September 2013

The paper presents the influence of sewage composition on treatment in pilot-scale facility for reject waters (RW) from sewage sludge centrifugation. The facility consisted of mechanical (two tanks with 10 d retention each) and biological parts composed of three subsurface flow reed beds working in batch. Two years of monitoring of the facility proved high efficiency removal of predominant pollutants: chemical oxygen demand (COD) 75–80%, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) 82.2–95.5% and total nitrogen 78.7–93.9% for low ratio of BOD5/COD in discharged RW. The differences in efficiency removal were correlated with the composition of organics and nitrogen compounds rather than with concentrations. It was assumed that high concentration of colloidal fraction of Org-N and COD in discharged RW led to a decrease in efficiency removal.
Spatiotemporal variation of surface water quality for decades: a case study of Huai River System, China
Authors: Ji Wei , Zhuang Dafang , Ren Hongyan , Jiang Dong , Huang Yaohuan , Xu Xinliang , Chen Wei , Jiang Xiaosan
Published: September 2013

Characterization of spatiotemporal variation of water quality is a basic environmental issue with implications for public health in China. Trends in the temporal and spatial distribution of water quality in the Huai River System (HRS) were analyzed using yearly surface water quality data collected from 1982 to 2009. Results showed that the water quality of the main stream deteriorated in the 1990s and early 2000s but has been ameliorated since 2005. The sections that were classified as severely polluted from the monitoring data were located largely in the middle reach. The water quality of HRS fluctuated during the period 1997–2009; it has improved and stabilized since 2005. In terms of spatialized frequency of serious pollution, heavily polluted regions were mostly concentrated in the area along several tributaries of the Ying, Guo and New Sui Rivers as well as the area north of Nansi Lake. These regions decreased from 1997 to 2009, especially after 2005. Our analysis indicated that water pollution in HRS had a close relation with population and primary industry during the period 1997–2009, and implied that spatiotemporal variation of surface water quality could provide a scientific foundation for human health risk assessment of the Huai River Basin.
Analysis of the impact of low impact development on runoff from a new district in Korea
Authors: Lee Jung-min , Hyun Kyoung-hak , Choi Jong-soo
Published: September 2013

An analysis of the impact of a low impact development (LID) on runoff was performed using a Storm Water Management Model 5 (SWMM5)–LID model. The SWMM5 package has been developed to facilitate the analysis of the hydrologic impacts of LID facilities. Continuous simulation of urban stormwater runoff from the district which included the LID design was conducted. In order to examine the impact of runoff in the LID district the first, second and third highest ranked flood events over the past 38 years were analyzed. The assessment estimated that a LID system under historical storm conditions would reduce peak runoff by approximately 55–66% and runoff volume by approximately 25–121% in comparison with that before the LID design. The impact on runoff was also simulated under 50, 80 and 100 year return period conditions. Under these conditions, the runoff reductions within the district were estimated to be about 6–16% (peak runoff) and 33–37% (runoff volume) in comparison with conditions prior to the LID. It is concluded from these results that LID is worthy of consideration for urban flood control in future development and as part of sewer and stormwater management planning.
Uncertainty analysis in urban drainage modelling: should we break our back for normally distributed residuals?
Authors: Dotto C. B. S. , Deletic A. , McCarthy D. T.
Published: September 2013

This study presents results on the assessment of the application of a Bayesian approach to evaluate the sensitivity and uncertainty associated with urban rainfall–runoff models. The software MICA was adopted, in which the prior information about the parameters is updated to generate the parameter posterior distribution. The likelihood function adopted in MICA assumes that the residuals between the measured and modelled values have a normal distribution. This is a trait of many uncertainty/sensitivity procedures. This study compares the results from three different scenarios: (i) when normality of the residuals was checked but if they were not normal then nothing was done (unverified); (ii) normality assumption was checked, verified (using data transformations) and a weighting strategy was used that gives more importance to high flows; and (iii) normality assumption was checked and verified, but no weights were applied. The modelling implications of such scenarios were analysed in terms of model efficiency, sensitivity and uncertainty assessment. The overall results indicated that verifying the normality assumption required the models to fit a wider portion of the hydrograph, allowing a more detailed inspection of parameters and processes simulated in both models. Such an outcome provided important information about the advantages and limitations of the models' structure.
Struvite pellet crystallization in a high-strength nitrogen and phosphorus stream
Authors: Li Yongmei , Liu Mingyan , Yuan Zhiwen , Zou Jinte
Published: September 2013

Struvite crystallization is a reliable method to recover nutrients from wastewater. Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted to investigate nutrient recovery from synthetic wastewater with high-strength orthophosphate and ammonia-nitrogen by the formation of struvite pellets. Without adjusting pH, struvite crystal growth environment was achieved in ammonia-nitrogen and orthophosphate concentration ranges of 100–1,000 and 221–2,214 mg/L, respectively. The mean size of the harvested struvite pellets was in the range of 3–4 mm. pH is an important factor indicating the process supersaturation. A range of pH 6.2–9.0 was tested in order to enhance nutrient removal efficiency. The results showed although higher N, P and Mg removals were achieved at higher pH values, over 95% N, P and Mg removals were still achieved at pH of 7.6. Recycling ratio of the clarifier supernatant to influent had no significant promotion of N or P removal.
Kinetics and equilibrium of the sorption of bisphenol A by carbon nanotubes from wastewater
Authors: Bohdziewicz J. , Kamińska G.
Published: September 2013

The aim of this study was to determine the sorption potential of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to bisphenol A (BPA) contained in synthetic wastewater whose composition corresponds to biologically treated effluents. These nanotubes differed in their outer diameter, the number of graphene layers and the presence of modifying functional groups. Based on the nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, mensuration of the specific surface area and pore size distribution was undertaken. The porous structure of the CNTs was bidispersive; the majority consisted of micropores, there was an average fraction of mesopores, and macropores did not occur. On the basis of common kinetics models (pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models), a trial of modelling the kinetics of BPA sorption onto nanotubes was undertaken. The experimental data were well fitted only to the pseudo-second-order models. The kinetics study indicated that adsorption of BPA on CNTs proceeded very fast, with the majority of the adsorbate being adsorbed in the first few seconds. The sorption capacity of nanotubes to BPA was the highest for single-walled CNTs. A decrease in the sorption potential of the nanotubes for higher pH values occurred as a result of the deprotonation of the BPA and formation of bisphenolate anions, consequently leading to a decrease of π–π (hydrophobic) interaction and enhancing electrostatic repulsion. Overall, these results unequivocally confirm the ideal performance and potential of nanotubes for removal of micropollutants from synthetic wastewater. Replicating the conditions occurring in real wastewater allows us to expect a high sorption of BPA in real competitive sorption systems.
Removal of nickel and zinc from single and binary metal solutions by Sargassum angustifolium
Authors: Ahmady-Asbchin Salman , Jafari Naser
Published: September 2013

The capability of Sargassum angustifolium in removing nickel (Ni) (II) and zinc (Zn) (II) from single and binary metal solution was determined. In binary solution the presence of the secondary metal inhibited the sorption of the primary metal by S. angustifolium but the inhibitory effect of Ni during sorption of Zn is stronger than the inhibitory effect of Zn in absorption of Ni. The total metal (Ni + Zn) sorbed from the binary metal solution by S. angustifolium cells always remained lower than the total sorption of individual metals from their respective single metal solutions, thereby suggesting competition between Ni(II) and Zn(II) for the common binding sites on S. angustifolium. The maximum uptake capacities of the S. angustifolium, which was collected near Bushehr, Persian Gulf, Iran in the natural form, at the optimal conditions for Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions in single metal solutions were approximately 0.71 and 0.93 mmol/g dry S. angustifolium, respectively. Under the binary system Ni(II) and Zn(II) uptake capacities were 0.41 mmol Ni/g and 0.36 mmol Zn/g, respectively. Better fitness of equilibrium metal sorption data to the Langmuir than the Freundlich model suggests multilayer adsorption of test metals onto the cell surface.
High salinity wastewater treatment
Authors: Linarić M. , Markić M. , Sipos L.
Published: September 2013

The shock effect, survival and ability of activated sludge to acclimatize to wastewater containing different concentrations of NaCl and Na2SO4 were investigated under laboratory conditions. To accomplish this, the potential penetration of a sewage system by seawater as a consequence of storm surge flooding was simulated. The experiments were conducted using activated sludge taken from the aeration tank of a communal wastewater treatment plant and adding different concentrations up to 40 g/L of NaCl and 4.33 g/L of Na2SO4. The effects of salinity on the activated sludge were monitored for 5 weeks based on the values of pH, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, volatile suspended solids, sludge volume, sludge volume index, electrokinetic potential, respirometric measurements and enzymatic activity. The addition of salt sharply reduced or completely inhibited the microbial activity in activated sludge. When salt concentrations were below 10 g/L NaCl, microorganisms were able to acclimatize in several weeks and achieve the same initial activity as in raw sludge samples. When the salt concentration was above 30 g/L NaCl, the acclimatization process was very slow or impossible.
Treatment of domestic wastewater by vertical flow constructed wetland planted with umbrella sedge and Vetiver grass
Authors: Kantawanichkul Suwasa , Sattayapanich Somsiri , van Dien Frank
Published: September 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of wastewater treatment by vertical flow constructed wetland systems under different hydraulic loading rates (HLR). The comparison of two types of plants, Cyperus alternifolius (Umbrella sedge) and Vetiveria zizanioides (Vetiver grass), was also conducted. In this study, six circular concrete tanks (diameter 0.8 m) were filled with fine sand and gravel to the depth of 1.23 m. Three tanks were planted with Umbrella sedge and the other three tanks were planted with Vetiver grass. Settled domestic wastewater from Chiang Mai University (chemical oxygen demand (COD), NH4+-N and suspended solids (SS) of 127.1, 27.4 and 29.5 mg/L on average, respectively) was intermittently applied for 45 min and rested for 3 h 15 min. The HLR of each tank was controlled at 20, 29 and 40 cm/d. It was found that the removal efficiency of the Umbrella sedge systems was higher than the Vetiver grass systems for every parameter, and the lowest HLR provided the maximum treatment efficiency. The removal efficiency of COD and nitrogen in terms of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) was 76 and 65% at 20 cm/d HLR for Umbrella sedge compared to only 67 and 56% for Vetiver grass. Nitrogen accumulation in plant biomass was also higher in Umbrella sedge than in Vetiver grass in every HLR. Umbrella sedge was thus proved to be a suitable constructed wetland plant in tropical climates.
Biofilm development in fixed bed biofilm reactors: experiments and simple models for engineering design purposes
Authors: Szilágyi N. , Kovács R. , Kenyeres I. , Csikor Zs.
Published: September 2013

Biofilm development in a fixed bed biofilm reactor system performing municipal wastewater treatment was monitored aiming at accumulating colonization and maximum biofilm mass data usable in engineering practice for process design purposes. Initially a 6 month experimental period was selected for investigations where the biofilm formation and the performance of the reactors were monitored. The results were analyzed by two methods: for simple, steady-state process design purposes the maximum biofilm mass on carriers versus influent load and a time constant of the biofilm growth were determined, whereas for design approaches using dynamic models a simple biofilm mass prediction model including attachment and detachment mechanisms was selected and fitted to the experimental data. According to a detailed statistical analysis, the collected data have not allowed us to determine both the time constant of biofilm growth and the maximum biofilm mass on carriers at the same time. The observed maximum biofilm mass could be determined with a reasonable error and ranged between 438 gTS/m2 carrier surface and 843 gTS/m2, depending on influent load, and hydrodynamic conditions. The parallel analysis of the attachment–detachment model showed that the experimental data set allowed us to determine the attachment rate coefficient which was in the range of 0.05–0.4 m d−1 depending on influent load and hydrodynamic conditions.