bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonwetting and optical properties of BN nanosheet films
Authors: Pakdel Amir , Bando Yoshio , Shtansky Dmitry , Golberg Dmitri
Published: October 2012

This study begins with a brief discussion on the high-temperature chemical vapor deposition synthesis of transparent boron nitride nanosheet films on silicon/silicon dioxide substrates. The compact nanosheets grew perpendicular to the substrate surface, and the majority of them had thicknesses of less than 5 nm. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy measurements demonstrated a wide optical band gap of ∼5·6 eV of nanosheets, and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy showed their strong luminescence emission in the ultraviolet region. The nanorough surface morphology of the films induced nonwetting and self-cleaning features with water-contact angles reaching ∼153°. Such transparent superhydrophobic films can be utilized for the preparation of nonwetting ultraviolet light-emitting surfaces for optoelectronics applications, antifouling surfaces on marine vessels or oil–water separation equipments.
Microbial abundance and composition influence litter decomposition response to environmental change
Authors: Allison Steven D. , Lu Ying , Weihe Claudia , Goulden Michael L. , Martiny Adam C. , Treseder Kathleen K. , Martiny Jennifer B. H.
Published: October 2012

Rates of ecosystem processes such as decomposition are likely to change as a result of human impacts on the environment. In southern California, climate change and nitrogen (N) deposition in particular may alter biological communities and ecosystem processes. These drivers may affect decomposition directly, through changes in abiotic conditions, and indirectly through changes in plant and decomposer communities. To assess indirect effects on litter decomposition, we reciprocally transplanted microbial communities and plant litter among control and treatment plots (either drought or N addition) in a grassland ecosystem. We hypothesized that drought would reduce decomposition rates through moisture limitation of decomposers and reductions in plant litter quality before and during decomposition. In contrast, we predicted that N deposition would stimulate decomposition by relieving N limitation of decomposers and improving plant litter quality. We also hypothesized that adaptive mechanisms would allow microbes to decompose litter more effectively in their native plot and litter environments. Consistent with our first hypothesis, we found that drought treatment reduced litter mass loss from 20.9% to 15.3% after six months. There was a similar decline in mass loss of litter inoculated with microbes transplanted from the drought treatment, suggesting a legacy effect of drought driven by declines in microbial abundance and possible changes in microbial community composition. Bacterial cell densities were up to 86% lower in drought plots and at least 50% lower on litter derived from the drought treatment, whereas fungal hyphal lengths increased by 13–14% in the drought treatment. Nitrogen effects on decomposition rates and microbial abundances were weaker than drought effects, although N addition significantly altered initial plant litter chemistry and litter chemistry during decomposition. However, we did find support for microbial adaptation to N addition with N‐derived microbes facilitating greater mass loss in N plots than in control plots. Our results show that environmental changes can affect rates of ecosystem processes directly through abiotic changes and indirectly through microbial abundances and communities. Therefore models of ecosystem response to global change may need to represent microbial biomass and community composition to make accurate predictions.
Update on Competencies and Education
Authors: Gebbie Kristine M. , Hutton Alison , Plummer Virginia
Published: October 2012

The beginning of the 21st century has been marked by an increase in attention to the quality of emergency and disaster response, particularly the preparedness of health workers of all kinds. The increase in natural disasters, civil unrest, and dislocation of populations has seen health workers mobilized. These workers are moving, both within countries and across borders, as members of long- organized teams such as the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), volunteers joining through a nongovernmental organization (NGO) such as a Red Cross/Red Crescent unit, or individuals self-deploying to the scene of the emergency. Postevent evaluations have consistently identified the need for those responding to be able to join in an organized response that includes taking on assigned roles, communication through established channels and minimization of the number of “SUVs” or “spontaneous unrequested volunteers.” Although bystanders and self-deployed helpers (some with professional qualifications) are the first at any disastrous event, the subsequent response efforts are expected to be organized, efficient, and effective. This requires advance training of the responders.
Legal Issues in Emergency Response
Authors: Courtney Bobby A. , Priest Chad , Root Paul
Published: October 2012

During disasters, health care providers are faced with limited resources, harsh environments, and an increased amount of sick and injured patients. These conditions sometimes require health care providers to deviate from existing treatment protocols. Deviating from these protocols results in a perception of increased legal risk for health care providers. This has led to a national debate regarding the necessity of establishing altered standards of care for health care providers during crisis events. This chapter explores the development of disaster preparedness, the issue of health care provider liability, and national and local efforts to protect providers in disaster situations.
Psychological Impact of Disasters on Communities
Authors: Stanley Sharon A. R. , Bulecza Susan , Gopalani Sameer Vali
Published: October 2012

Disaster mental health is defined as “community and individual mental and behavioral health preparedness and response as well as other psychosocial and cultural factors” (Hoffman et al., 2005, p. S141). The research included in this review was published between 2000 and 2011, capturing a snapshot of the last decade of relevant research on the psychological impact of disaster. The conceptual framework used to examine the research involves a population-based approach based on primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention levels. Aspects of conducting mental health research, to include evidence-based approaches and disaster mental health outcome measurements postdisaster, are also included. The authors conclude the review by presenting implications and future recommendations for nursing practice and research related to the psychological impact of disasters on communities.
Effect of Essential Oil and Chlorhexidine Mouthwashes on Gingival Fibroblast Survival and Migration
Authors: Tsourounakis Ioannis , Palaiologou‐Gallis Angela A. , Stoute Diana , Maney Pooja , Lallier Thomas E
Published: October 2012

Background: Chemical plaque control is the most commonly recommended means of oral hygiene after periodontal surgery. Commercially available mouthwashes contain a variety of active ingredients that have bactericidal properties but may potentially be toxic to the host cells. The goal of this in vitro study is to investigate the effect of commercially available mouthwashes on the survival and migratory capacity of human fibroblasts.

Methods: Human gingival and periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts were treated with commercially available mouthwashes that contained either chlorhexidine (CHX) or essential oils (EO) as the active ingredient. Each mouthwash was tested over a range of concentrations for its ability to affect fibroblast survival and migration, as well as long‐term effects on cell viability.

Results: Undiluted mouthwashes induced near‐complete cell death 24 hours after only a 60‐second treatment. Dilutions of 15% to 20% for both CHX and EO mouthwashes resulted in 50% cell death. When diluted to 10% to 15%, EO did not reduce cell migration, whereas similar dilutions of CHX resulted in reduced cell migration. Concentrations of 10% of both EO and CHX mouthwashes retained most of their antibacterial capacity. Treatment with EO did not result in gingival fibroblast death, whereas 5% CHX resulted in near‐complete gingival fibroblast death 7 days after exposure.

Conclusions: The results of this in vitro study indicate that diluted EO displayed no detectable detrimental effects on human gingival and PDL fibroblasts, whereas diluted CHX reduced both cell migration and long‐term survival. Both solutions retained their antimicrobial activity in lower concentrations.
Association Between Periodontitis and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Case‐Control Study
Authors: Esteves Lima Rafael Paschoal , Miranda Cota Luís Otávio , Costa Fernando Oliveira
Published: October 2012

Background: Some studies have reported an association between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and periodontitis. The aim of the present study is to analyze this potential association and the influence of risk variables associated with GDM.

Methods: This case‐control study includes 360 women, 90 with GDM and 270 controls. Participants received a full‐mouth periodontal examination with a record of bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Periodontitis is defined as the presence in ≥4 teeth of ≥1 sites with PD ≥4 mm and CAL ≥3 mm associated with BOP. The influence of risk variables in the occurrence of GDM is tested through univariate analysis and multivariate logistic and multinomial regression. Odds ratio (ORs) and respective confidence intervals (CIs) are calculated and reported.

Results: The prevalence of periodontitis was 40% in the case group (GDM) and 46.3% in the control group. There was a lack of association between periodontitis and GDM (OR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.40 to 1.38). The multivariate final logistic regression model retained the following as significant variables associated with GDM: maternal age (OR = 2.65; 95% CI = 1.97 to 3.56), chronic hypertension (OR = 3.16; 95% CI = 1.35 to 7.42), and body mass index (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.41 to 2.81).

Conclusions: A high prevalence of periodontitis was found among cases and controls, with no association between periodontitis and GDM. The present study suggests the need for implementation of health policies directed to the periodontal care of pregnant women.
Palatonasal Recess on Medial Wall of the Maxillary Sinus and Clinical Implications for Sinus Augmentation via Lateral Window Approach
Authors: Chan Hsun‐Liang , Monje Alberto , Suarez Fernando , Benavides Erika , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: October 2012

Background: Anatomic variations of the maxillary sinus determine the degree of difficulty in performing sinus augmentation. Whereas some variations, e.g., the septum and morphology of the sinus, have been extensively studied, the structure of the medial wall has never been investigated. The aims of this study are to measure the location and angulation of the palatonasal recess (PNR) on the medial wall and identify risk sites that are related to the shape of the PNR.

Methods: Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were screened from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry database. Edentulous sites with <10 mm between the floor of the maxillary sinus and the alveolar crest were selected. The residual ridge height (RH), the distance between the PNR and the alveolar crest, and the angulation of the PNR were measured on the selected sagittal planes. The percentage of sites (risk sites) with recesses that were <90°and <15 mm from the alveolar crest was calculated. The PNR location and angulation were compared among premolar and molar edentulous sites.

Results: Two hundred seventy‐four sites were studied. The mean ± SE PNR location was 14.2 ± 2.8 mm, 13.1 ± 2.2 mm, and 12.5 ± 2.5 mm for the second premolar, first molar, and second molar sites, respectively, with significant differences between the second premolar and second molar sites. The mean PNR angulation was 109.8° ± 25.3°, 121.6° ± 22.1°, and 144.9° ± 23.1° in the corresponding sites, with significant differences among the site groups. The respective percentages of risk sites were 15%, 8.2%, and 2.4% in the second premolar, first molar, and second molar sites.

Conclusions: Maxillary sinuses with acute‐angled PNRs might present a challenge for performing sinus augmentation. Therefore, this anatomic structure should be carefully evaluated.
Field‐Scale Assessment of Desiccation Implementation for Deep Vadose Zone Contaminants
Authors: Truex M.J. , Oostrom M. , Strickland C.E. , Chronister G.B. , Benecke M.W. , Johnson C.D.
Published: October 2012

Desiccation of the vadose zone has the potential to reduce the flux of contaminants to underlying groundwater by removing moisture and decreasing the water relative permeability of the desiccated zone. However, data to evaluate implementation of desiccation are needed before desiccation can be considered as a potential remedy. Implementation of desiccation was field tested by injecting dry nitrogen gas to a target treatment zone and monitoring the spatial and temporal progress of the drying process. Aqueous waste discharges to disposal cribs approximately 50 yr ago distributed water and contaminants, primarily technetium‐99 and nitrate, within the 100‐m deep vadose zone at the test site. The test was conducted adjacent to one of the former disposal cribs in a contaminated portion of the vadose zone dominated by fine sands with lenses of loamy sand. Desiccation removed over 18,000 kg of water from the test zone within the 151‐d active desiccation period and reduced volumetric moisture content over 1300 m3 of soil with values lower than 0.01 (m3 m−3) in 68 m3. The lateral and vertical distribution of drying from the injection well was influenced by the subsurface heterogeneity with initial drying in higher permeability zones. However, over time, desiccation also occurred in the initially wetter, lower permeability lenses.
Comparing Nonlinear Regression and Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods for Assessment of Prediction Uncertainty in Vadose Zone Modeling
Authors: Shi Xiaoqing , Ye Ming , Finsterle Stefan , Wu Jichun
Published: October 2012

In vadose zone modeling, parameter estimates and model predictions are inherently uncertain, regardless of quality and quantity of data used in model‐data fusion. Accurate quantification of the uncertainty is necessary to design future data collection for improving the predictive capability of models. This study is focused on evaluating predictive performance of two commonly used methods of uncertainty quantification: nonlinear regression and Bayesian methods. The former quantifies predictive uncertainty using the regression confidence interval (RCI), whereas the latter uses the Bayesian credible interval (BCI); neither RCI nor BCI includes measurement errors. When measurement errors are considered, the counterparts of RCI and BCI are regression prediction interval (RPI) and Bayesian prediction interval (BPI), respectively. The predictive performance is examined through a cross‐validation study of two‐phase flow modeling, and predictive logscore is used as the performance measure. The linear and nonlinear RCI and RPI are evaluated using UCODE_2005. The nonlinear RCI performs better than the linear RCI, and the nonlinear RPI outperforms the linear RPI. The Bayesian intervals are calculated using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques implemented with the differential evolution adaptive metropolis (DREAM) algorithm. The BCI/BPI obtained from DREAM has better predictive performance than the linear and nonlinear RCI/RPI. Different from observations in other studies, it is found that estimating nonlinear RCI/RPI is not computationally more efficient than estimating BCI/BPI in this case with low‐dimensional parameter space and a large number of predictions. MCMC methods are thus more appealing than nonlinear regression methods for uncertainty quantification in vadose zone modeling.
Geophysical Monitoring of Foam Used to Deliver Remediation Treatments within the Vadose Zone
Authors: Wu Yuxin , Hubbard Susan , Wellman Dawn
Published: October 2012

Foam is a promising vehicle for delivering amendments into the vadose zone for in situ remediation; it is an approach being considered for in situ treatment and stabilization of metals and radionuclides located within the deep vadose zone of the Department of Energy's Hanford Site in the state of Washington. A central aspect of evaluating the effectiveness of this approach is the ability to monitor foam distribution, its transformation, and the reactions that it induces in the subsurface, ideally in a noninvasive manner. In this study, we performed laboratory experiments to evaluate the potential of geophysical methods (complex resistivity and time‐domain reflectometry [TDR]) as tools for monitoring foam‐assisted amendment delivery in the deep vadose zone. Our results indicated great sensitivity of electrical methods to foam transportation and evolution in unsaturated porous media that were related to foam bubble coalescence and drainage processes. Specifically, we observed (i) a decrease in electrical resistivity (increase in electrical conductivity) by more than an order of magnitude in both silica sand and natural sediment matrices during foam transportation; (ii) an increase in resistivity (decrease in conductivity) of more than twofold during foam coalescence and drainage; and (iii) a distinct phase and imaginary conductivity signature related to the evolution of water films on sediment grains during foam injection and evolution processes. To assist with the interpretation of these data, TDR measurements were used to monitor moisture content, which provided complementary information about foam distribution and drainage. Our results clearly demonstrated the sensitivity of electrical and TDR signals to foam transportation and evolution in unsaturated porous media and suggest the potential of these methods for monitoring the response of a system to foam‐based remediation treatments at field scales.
Quantifying Transport Uncertainty in Unsaturated Rock using Monte Carlo Sampling of Retention Curves
Authors: Stauffer Philip H. , Lu Zhiming
Published: October 2012

We have developed a new Monte Carlo sampling method for simulating flow and transport in unsaturated porous media, characterized by van Genuchten–Mualem constitutive relations. Instead of sampling each individual soil parameter from its probability space and then running Monte Carlo simulations using realizations of rock parameters directly, we calculate retention curves from realizations of rock parameters, take subsamples from these retention curves, and run simulations using parameter realizations corresponding to these selected retention curves. The retention curve subsampling methodology was applied to three‐dimensional simulations of conservative tracer transport beneath Material Disposal Area G at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Convergence of the proposed sampling method was assessed by comparing statistics of breakthrough curves observed at a compliance boundary with those obtained using between 25 and 1000 Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) Monte Carlo simulations. Our example shows that 25 model runs based on selected retention curves could adequately approximate the results from our assumed truth (1000 LHS Monte Carlo simulations), while LHS alone required in excess of 50 realizations to achieve the same quality result. Another finding from this work is that the median of the breakthrough curves was more meaningful than the arithmetic mean of curves, and the former was nearly identical to the breakthrough curve derived from mean rock properties.
Evaluating Experimental Design of ERT for Soil Moisture Monitoring in Contour Hedgerow Intercropping Systems
Authors: Garré S. , Günther T. , Diels J. , Vanderborght J.
Published: October 2012

Contour hedgerow intercropping systems have been proposed as an alternative to traditional agricultural practice with a single crop, as they are effective in reducing run‐off and soil erosion. However, competition for water and nutrients between crops and associated hedgerows may reduce the overall performance of these systems. To get a more detailed understanding of the competition for water, spatially resolved monitoring of soil water contents in the soil‐plant‐atmosphere system is necessary. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is potentially a valuable technique to monitor changes in soil moisture in space and time. In this study, the performance of different ERT electrode arrays to detect the soil moisture dynamics in a mono‐ and an intercropping system was tested. Their performance was analyzed based on a synthetic study using geophysical measures, such as data recovery and resolution, and using spatial statistics of retrieved water content, such as an adjusted coefficient of variation and semivariances. The synthetic ERT measurements detected differences between the cropping systems and retrieved spatial structure of the soil moisture distribution, but the variance and semivariance were underestimated. Sharp water content contrasts between horizons or in the neighborhood of a root water uptake bulb were smoothened. The addition of electrodes deeper in the soil improved the performance, but sometimes only marginally. ERT is therefore a valuable tool for soil moisture monitoring in the field under different cropping systems if an electrode array is used which can resolve the patterns expected to be present in the medium. The use of spatial statistics allowed to not only identify the overall model recovery, but also to quantify the recovery of spatial structures.
Evaluation of Two‐Phase Relative Permeability and Capillary Pressure Relations for Unstable Displacements in a Pore Network
Authors: DeHoff K.J. , Oostrom M. , Zhang C. , Grate J.W.
Published: October 2012

At the pore scale, unstable displacement is often observed for two‐fluid systems, depending on the capillary number and fluid viscosity ratio. At the continuum scale, unstable displacement is usually not considered. In this work, relations between nonwetting fluid relative permeabilities (krn), fluid saturations (Sn), and capillary pressure heads (hc) are evaluated to predict average Sn values using a continuum‐based simulator for displacements in a micromodel. To this end, a series of displacement experiments was conducted using five wetting–nonwetting immiscible fluid pairs in a homogenous pore network. The micromodel was initially saturated with either polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG) or water as a wetting fluid, which was subsequently displaced by a nonwetting fluid (dodecane, hexadecane, or mineral oil) at different flow rates. Nonwetting fluid saturations increased with increasing flow rates for all five fluid pairs. Viscous fingering occurred when PEG was displaced by either dodecane or hexadecane. For the displacements of water, capillary fingers were observed at low capillary numbers. Fitting the experimental Sn and hc data with the BrooksCorey relationship indicated that the fitted and computed entry pressure heads, based on pore geometry and fluid properties, compare reasonably well. However, the fitted pore geometry factor values for these displacements are considerably lower than what is expected for displacements in homogeneous, highly uniform, porous systems, demonstrating the impact of unstable displacement. It was shown that a continuum‐based multiphase simulator could be used to reasonably estimate the average Sn behavior for unstable wetting fluid displacement in a pore network as long as independently fitted hc–Sn and krn–Sn relations were used.
Standard and new faecal indicators and pathogens in sewage treatment plants, microbiological parameters for improving the control of reclaimed water
Authors: Rodriguez-Manzano J. , Alonso J. L. , Ferrús M. A. , Moreno Y. , Amorós I. , Calgua B. , Hundesa A. , Guerrero-Latorre L. , Carratala A. , Rusiñol M. , Girones R.
Published: October 2012

This study involved collaboration between three centres with expertise in viruses, bacteria and protozoa. The focus of the research was the study of the dissemination and removal of pathogens and faecal indicators in two sewage treatment plants (STP1 and STP2) using tertiary treatments. Samples were collected over a period of five months through the sewage treatment processes. Analysis of the samples revealed that the plants were not efficient at removing the faecal indicators and pathogens tested during the study. From entry point (raw sewage) to effluent level (tertiary treatment effluent water), the experimental results showed that the reduction ratios of human adenoviruses were 1.2 log10 in STP1 and 1.9 log10 in STP2. Whereas for Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. the reduction ratios were 2.3 log10 for both pathogens in STP1, and 3.0 and 1.7 log10 in STP2, respectively. Furthermore, the presence of faecal indicators and pathogens at different sampling points was evaluated revealing that the tested pathogens were present in reclaimed water. Human adenovirus and Arcobacter spp. showed positive results in infectivity assays for most of the tertiary effluent water samples that comply with current legislation in Spain. The pathogens detected must be evaluated using a risk assessment model, which will be essential for the development of improved guidelines for the re-use of reclaimed water.
Performance and microbial characteristics of integrated fixed-film activated sludge system treating industrial wastewater
Authors: Li C. , Li X. L. , Ji M. , Liu J.
Published: October 2012

Integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) is a modification of conventional activated sludge processes used for wastewater treatment consisting of biofilm attachment surfaces added to suspended-growth reactors, thereby creating hybrid suspended attached-growth systems. In this work, an IFAS system, with a total working volume of 560.7 L, was employed to investigate the performance of pollutants removal in industrial effluent. Microbial communities of suspended-growth and attached-growth biomass were investigated by a combination of polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and ﬂuorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In the system, suspended-growth and attached-growth biomass worked together to maintain a stable COD, NH4+-N and TN removal efficiency of 74, 93 and 76%, respectively. PCR-DGGE results showed that Proteobacteria was the dominant genera of bacteria in both the suspended and attached growth sludge. Some of the bacterial species (Firmicutes and Pseudomonas) may play an important role in the organic degradation of this water. Denitrifying bacteria were found to be accumulated in the biofilms. FISH results showed that there were more nitrifying bacteria in the suspended-growth biomass than the attached-growth biomass but fewer denitrifying bacteria in the former biomass.
Removal of pharmaceutical residue in municipal wastewater by DAF (dissolved air flotation)–MBR (membrane bioreactor) and ozone oxidation
Authors: Choi Miyoung , Choi Dong Whan , Lee Jung Yeol , Kim Young Suk , Kim Bun Su , Lee Byoung Ho
Published: October 2012

Growing attention is given to pharmaceutical residue in the water environment. It is known that pharmaceuticals are able to survive from a series of wastewater treatment processes. Concerns regarding pharmaceutical residues are attributed to the fact that they are being detected in water and sediment environment ubiquitously. Pharmaceutical treatment using a series of wastewater treatment processes of the DAF (dissolved air flotation)–MBR (membrane bioreactor)–ozone oxidation was conducted in the study. DAF, without addition of coagulant, could remove CODcr (chemical oxygen demand by Cr) up to over 70%, BOD 73%, SS 83%, T-N 55%, NH4+ 23%, and T-P 65% in influent of municipal wastewater. Average removal rates of water quality parameters by the DAF–MBR system were very high, e.g. CODcr 95.88%, BOD5 99.66%, CODmn (chemical oxygen demand by Mn) 93.63%, T-N 69.75%, NH4-N 98.46%, T-P 78.23%, and SS 99.51%, which satisfy effluent water quality standards. Despite the high removal rate of the wastewater treatment system, pharmaceuticals were eliminated to be about 50–99% by the MBR system, depending on specific pharmaceuticals. Ibuprofen was well removed by MBR system up to over 95%, while removal rate of bezafibrate ranged between 50 and 90%. With over 5 mg/l of ozone oxidation, most pharmaceuticals which survived the DAF–MBR process were removed completely or resulted in very low survival rate within the range of few micrograms per litre. However, some pharmaceuticals such as bezafibrate and naproxen tended to be resistant to ozone oxidation.
Decontamination of synthetic textile wastewater by electrochemical processes: energetic and toxicological evaluation
Authors: Mountassir Y. , Benyaich A. , Rezrazi M. , Berçot P. , Gebrati L.
Published: October 2012

The treatment of a synthetic textile wastewater, prepared with several compounds used in the finishing of textile materials, was comparatively studied by electrochemical methods such as electrooxidation (EO) (titanium electrode) and electrocoagulation (EC) (with aluminum and iron electrodes). The influence of pH, current density and operating time on the treatment was assessed by the parameters used to measure the level of organic contaminants in the wastewater; i.e. color, toxicity and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The experimental results showed that an effective electrochemical oxidation was achieved in which the wastewater was decolorized and 92% of COD was completely eliminated. In particular, the mineralization took place by indirect oxidation, mediated by active chlorine, and the treatment efficiency was enhanced by the addition of NaCl to the wastewater and by increasing the applied current density. The toxicity, still higher than the toxicity of the raw effluent, indicated a presence of toxic products after EO. Good results were obtained with the Al and Fe electrodes, mainly with respect to the removal of color and toxicity. EC is more economical than EO and the toxicity evaluation with the Daphnia magna test shows a significant reduction after EC.
Characteristics of various forms of phosphorus and their relationships in the sediments of Haizi Lake, China
Authors: Bi Dongsu , Guo Xiaopin , Cai Zhihong , Gao Xiufang , Li Yan , Guo Jinlong , Long Xiaojuan , Zhong Zhiqian , Liang Yurun
Published: October 2012

The phosphorus (P) distribution in the sediments of Haizi Lake from the middle reach of the Yangtze River region, China, was investigated using a sequential chemical extraction procedure. P forms and concentrations of sediment samples taken at 25 sites over the whole lake were measured. The relationships between various forms of P in sediments and dissolved P in the overlying water were also discussed. Results showed that the concentrations of total P (TP) in the sediments ranged from 404 to 670 mg kg−1, with an average of 503 mg kg−1. The exchangeable P (Ex-P), Al-bound P (Al-P), Fe-bound P (Fe-P), occluded P (Oc-P), authigenic carbonate fluorapatite + biogenic apatite + CaCO3-associated P (ACa-P), detrital apatite + other inorganic P (De-P) and organic P (Or-P) accounted for, on average, 0.52, 0.04, 10.9, 32.0, 7.4, 20.1 and 29.0% of TP, respectively. Relevance analysis indicated that Oc-P, ACa-P and De-P, as the majority forms of inorganic P, were less correlated to others. The significant correlations between Ex-P, Al-P, Fe-P, Or-P and TP suggested the probability of reciprocal transformation. It was suggested that Ex-P, Al-P, Fe-P, Or-P and TP in the sediments might be released easily to the water interface, resulting in sustained lake eutrophication.
Electro-coagulation treatment of oily wastewater with sludge analysis
Authors: Ibrahim Dhorgham Skban , Sakthipriya N. , Balasubramanian N.
Published: October 2012

Experiments were carried out in a batch reactor to treat the oily effluent by electro-coagulation. The influence of operating parameters such as applied current, type of electrode and electrolysis time on electro-coagulation efficiency has been critically examined. The maximum percentage removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was 94% under optimum experimental conditions of pH 6.7, current density 6 mA/cm2, electrolysis time 40 min, and using mild steel as anode. The remaining sludge in the reactor was analyzed by energy disperse analysis of X-rays (EDAX) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The analysis confirms that the oily pollutant was removed by electroflotation and adsorption of the oily particles of precipitate during the electro-coagulation process. Electro-coagulation can be used as an efficient treatment technique for oily wastewater.
Molecular weight distribution of organic matter by ozonation and biofiltration
Authors: Lin Yen-Hui
Published: October 2012

Molecular weight (MW) distribution of organic matter by ozonation and biofiltration was evaluated using gel chromatography. The MW distribution of organic matter by Sephadex G-25 was observed from groups 2 (MW = 1,029–7,031 g/mol) and 3 (MW = 303–1,029 g/mol) shifted to groups 2, 3 and 4 (MW < 303 g/mol) under ozone doses of 0.1 and 0.4 mg O3/mg total organic carbon (TOC). The shift in MW increases as ozone dosage increases. Biofiltration effectively degraded the organic molecule of group 2; however, the biofiltration only slightly degraded the organic molecule of group 4. Increased ozone dose destroyed functional groups C═C in phenolic and C–O in alcoholic compounds and increased UV-insensitive biodegradable organic carbon for subsequent biofiltration. Biofiltration effectively degraded organic compounds of alcohols and alkenes at an ozone dose of 0.1 mg O3/mg TOC. Experimental approaches in this study can be applied to evaluate and diagnose the function of a full-scale process combining ozonation and biofiltration in drinking water treatment plants.
Modeling sewage leakage to surrounding groundwater and stormwater drains
Authors: Ly Duy Khiem , Chui Ting Fong May
Published: October 2012

Underground sewage pipe systems deteriorate over time resulting in cracks and joint defects. Sewage thus leaks out and contaminates the surrounding groundwater and the surface water in stormwater drains. Many studies have investigated the problem of sewage leakage but no published studies, to the best knowledge of the authors, have examined the hydrologic interactions between leaky sewage pipes, groundwater and stormwater drains. This study numerically models such interactions using generic conditions in Singapore. It first develops accurate representations of weep holes and leaky sewage pipes, and further shows the long-term and short-term system responses to rainfall events. Some of the implications include: (1) quality of water seeping into the drains tends to be low in dry years; (2) complete contaminant attenuation after pipe rehabilitation takes several years; (3) responses to rainfall events at weep holes are immediate but the effects on sewage leakage might only show up a few days later. The simulation results allow us to better understand the local-scale migration of sewage leakage from a sewage pipe to nearby stormwater drains. With calibrations and verifications with local field data, the modeling framework would be applicable and beneficial to the sewage leakage monitoring and sewage pipe rehabilitation worldwide.
Effects of bubbling operations on a thermally stratified reservoir: implications for water quality amelioration
Authors: Fernandez R. L. , Bonansea M. , Cosavella A. , Monarde F. , Ferreyra M. , Bresciano J.
Published: October 2012

Artificial thermal mixing of the water column is a common method of addressing water quality problems with the most popular method of destratification being the bubble curtain. The air or oxygen distribution along submerged multiport diffusers is based on similar basic principles as those of outfall disposal systems. Moreover, the disposal of sequestered greenhouse gases into the ocean, as recently proposed by several researchers to mitigate the global warming problem, requires analogous design criteria. In this paper, the influence of a bubble-plume is evaluated using full-scale temperature and water quality data collected in San Roque Reservoir, Argentina. A composite system consisting of seven separated diffusers connected to four 500 kPa compressors was installed at this reservoir by the end of 2008. The original purpose of this air bubble system was to reduce the stratification, so that the water body may completely mix under natural phenomena and remain well oxygenated throughout the year. By using a combination of the field measurements and modelling, this work demonstrates that thermal mixing by means of compressed air may improve water quality; however, if improperly sized or operated, such mixing can also cause deterioration. Any disruption in aeration during the destratification process, for example, may result in a reduction of oxygen levels due to the higher hypolimnetic temperatures. Further, the use of artificial destratification appears to have insignificant influence on reducing evaporation rates in relatively shallow impoundments such as San Roque reservoir.
Pilot plant study of alternative filter media for rapid gravity filtration
Authors: Davies P. D. , Wheatley A. D.
Published: October 2012

Sand has been the main filter media used in rapid gravity filtration since its introduction. The dominance of sand has been due to its low cost and availability. Extensive experience has led to sand filters with a dependable and predictable performance. Sand remains the preferred filter medium but usually with a larger sized anthracite capping to reduce the onset of head loss. Other approved filter media are now commercially available and this paper compares sand with recycled glass, Filtralite® and slate at pilot scale. The results have reaffirmed the basic importance of particle size on head loss and turbidity performance rather than surface activity or specific surface area. The results did suggest, however, that particle shape and packing exerted a stronger influence on performance than previously acknowledged. These could be used to improve the design and the contribution to sustainability made by rapid gravity filters.
Nutrient retention in riparian floodplains on landscape scale, the necessity for a monthly retention approach
Authors: Natho S. , Venohr M.
Published: October 2012

This study analyses the computed nitrogen retention, the distribution and the extent of riparian floodplains of three German rivers, as input data and application of the retention model has not been carried out on landscape scale so far. The Software FLYS 2.1.3 was used for the calculation of the floodplain extent and depth at certain discharges. Thus a first empirical approach is suggested to quantify the share of load that enters the floodplain (incoming load) and the extent of floodplain as variables depending on discharge ratios. Measured loads have subsequently been applied to the presented approach to calculate incoming loads on a monthly and yearly basis for the years 1999 and 2002. Finally, linear and exponential yearly retention models were applied, obtained from the literature. Large variations in the retention results were found between the years and the models and between monthly and yearly calculations. In hydrologically average years, calculated retention rates are in the range of reported values (440–670 kg N ha−1 yr−1), whereas for wet years, retention values account for 1,400 kg N ha−1 yr−1. Consequently, this approach needs to be improved to reduce overestimation by considering more complex characteristics of the floodplain, but generally its application is possible on the landscape scale.
Application of the radiating effect concept to implement measures stipulated by the European Water Framework Directive
Authors: Meier Georg , Zumbroich Thomas , Roehrig Jackson , Souvignet Maxime
Published: October 2012

Hydromorphological deficits of European rivers and creeks are a major reason for the fact that the good ecological status stipulated by the European Water Framework Directive has not been achieved. In order to overcome these deficits, the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia calls for the implementation of a radiating effect concept to facilitate the planning of cost-effective restoration measures. The radiating effect concept states that natural or near-natural sections of water bodies have a positive impact on adjacent hydromorphologically altered sections. Transforming this concept into concrete measures will contribute to creating and boosting such radiating effects. We have applied the radiating effect concept to 11 small streams in a low mountain range and assessed its efficiency by comparing the biological and hydromorphological data of 48 sampling sites. Our findings show that near-natural stream sections have a positive effect on the ecological status of adjacent hydromorphologically altered sections. This study provides an innovative approach to the implementation of Integrated River Basin Management at a local scale. Its results are potentially of major interest to water managers dealing with the challenge of prioritizing river restoration measures. Nevertheless, specific issues such as assessing the influence of artificial barriers limiting the radiating effects need to be further investigated.
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs): Effects on Multiple Organ Systems
Authors: Agnusdei D. , Iori N.
Published: October 2012

SERMs represent a structurally diverse group of compounds which interact with the estrogen receptor but which elicit agonist or antagonist activity depending on the organ system and physiological context. Evaluation of the actions of these compounds has led researchers to a fuller understanding not only of the antiestrogens but also of steroid signaling in general. Based on their evolving clinical profiles, SERMs have the potential to address long-term health maintenance needs of women in their non-reproductive years.
Medicinal Chemistry Based on the Sugar Code: Fundamentals of Lectinology and Experimental Strategies with Lectins as Targets
Authors: Rudiger Harold , Siebert Hans-Christian , Solis Dolores , Jimenez-Barbero Jesus initial , Romero Antonio , Lieth Claus-Wilhelm von der , Diaz-Maurino Teresa , Gabius Hans-Joachim
Published: October 2012

Theoretical calculations reveal that oligosaccharides are second to no other class of biochemical oligomery in terms of coding capacity. As integral part of cellular glycoconjugates they can serve as recognitive units for receptors (lectins). Having first been detected in plants, lectins are present ubiquitously. Remarkably for this field, they serve as bacterial and viral adhesins. Following a description of these branches of lectinology to illustrate history, current status and potential for medicinal chemistry, we document that lectins are involved in a wide variety of biochemical processes including intra- and intercellular glycoconjugate trafficking, initiation of signal transduction affecting e. g. growth regulation and cell adhesion in animals. It is thus justified to compare crucial carbohydrate epitopes with the postal code ensuring correct mail routing and delivery. In view of the functional relevance of lectins the design of high-affinity reagents to occupy their carbohydrate recognition domains offers the perspective for an attractive source of new drugs. Their applications can be supposed to encompass the use as cell-type-selective determinant for targeted drug delivery and as blocking devices in anti-adhe-sion therapy during infections and inflammatory disease. To master the task of devising custom-made glycans/glycomimetics for this purpose, the individual enthalpic and entropic contributions in the molecular rendezvous between the sugar receptor under scrutiny and its ligand in the presence of solvent molecules undergoing positional rearrangements need to be understood and rationally exploited. As remunerative means to this end, cleverly orchestrated deployment of a panel of methods is essential. Concerning the carbohydrate ligand, its topological parameters and flexibility are assessed by the combination of computer-assisted molecular-mechanics and molecular-dynamics calculations and NMR-spectroscopic measurements. In the presence of the receptor, the latter technique will provide insights into conformational aspects of the bound ligand and into spatial vicinity of the ligand to distinct side chains of amino acids establishing the binding site in solution. Also in solution, the hydrogen-bonding pattern in the complex can be mapped with monodeoxy and monofluoro derivatives of the oligosaccharide. Together with X-ray crystallographic and microcalorimetric studies the limits of a feasible affinity enhancement can be systematically probed. With galactoside-binding lectins as instructive model, recent progress in this area of drug design will be documented, emphasizing the general applicability of the outlined interdisciplinary approach.
Biological Fixed Film
Authors: Islam Md. Shahinoor , Hwang Geelsu , Liu Yang
Published: October 2012

The review includes literature published during the year 2011 regarding the use of biofilm and bioreactors to treat wastewater. Topics considered are: biofilm formation and factors that impact biofilm formation; extracellular polymeric substance and its extraction from biofilms; biofilm consortia and quorum sensing; biofilm imaging techniques; biofilm reactors and modeling.
Pesticides and Herbicides
Authors: Buchanan Ian , Liang H. C. , Razaviarani Vahid
Published: October 2012

This is a review of literature published in 2011 related to the presence of pesticides and herbicides in the environment. The review, divided into six sections, includes toxicology, ecology, modeling, risk assessment, management and minimization, and treatment strategies.
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Authors: Nie Jing , Gang Daniel Dianchen , Benson Barbara C. , Zappi Mark E.
Published: October 2012

The article presents a comprehensive review of research advancing in 2011 on nonpoint source pollution (NPS). Progresses on modeling and estimation of NPS pollution, impacts of climate and land tenure changes on pollutants loads, and NPS pollution management are reviewed. In addition, major nonpoint pollutants are also summarized.
A new cave-dwelling species of the genus Parapropus ganglbauer (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Leptodirini) from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Curcic S. , Pesic V. , Curcic B.P.M. , Curcic Nina , Radja T.
Published: October 2012

A new leptodirine leiodid beetle species, Parapropus vitorogensis sp. n.,
from a cave in the western part of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, is described and diagnosed. Both male and female genitalia and
other taxonomically important characters are illustrated. The new species is
clearly distinct from its closest congeners. The new taxon is of Tertiary or
even pre-Tertiary age and originated during the Alpine Orogeny that affected
vast areas of the Balkan Peninsula, including the Dinarides, its terra
typica. The new species is both endemic and relict, inhabiting western Bosnia
and Herzegovina only.