bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zivilisatorischer Kollaps in der Geschichte und als Zukunftsszenario
Authors: Mauelshagen Franz
Published: June 2015

Der Klimawandel war im 17. Jahrhundert ‐ in einer besonders intensiven Phase der Kleinen Eiszeit ‐ global in Katastrophen, Konflikte und staatliche Zusammenbrüche verwickelt. Lässt sich aus der historischen Perspektive der gesellschaftliche Kollaps vorhersagen,
vorausgesetzt, man geht von einem Scheitern der Klimapolitik aus?
Micro-macro Discrepancy and Cause-effect Relativity in Rebound Research
Authors: Santarius Tilman
Published: June 2015

Reaktion auf A.Grunwald. 2015. Transformative Wissenschaft ‐ eine neue Ordnung im Wissenschaftsbetrieb? GAIA 24/1: 17 ‐ 20
Transformative Wissenschaft ‐ Motor für gute Wissenschaft und lebendige Demokratie
Authors: Schneidewind Uwe
Published: June 2015

Reaktion auf A.Grunwald. 2015. Transformative Wissenschaft ‐ eine neue Ordnung im Wissenschaftsbetrieb? GAIA 24/1: 17‐20
Amerykański język praw podmiotowych a demokracja
Authors: Raburski Tomasz
Published: June 2015

The article explores the link between the language of rights and democracy. The author asks whether the dominance of the language of rights in the United States is responsible for the overall condition of American democracy, and the lack of such dominance may have a negative impact on the Polish public sphere. The beginning of the article describes the problems with translating the word „right” from English into Polish. In the next part, the different forms and types of rights are described. Then, a meaning of the „language of rights” is presented. Other languages of public discourse are mentioned for comparison. The consequences and functions of the language of law for the public sphere and democracy are widely discussed. The critical voices about the impact of rights are examined. Finally, the article answers the question about the role of rights in the Polish public sphere and democracy.
PRAWA SOCJALNE ich miejsce w systemie prawa oraz znaczenie w społeczeństwie
Authors: Kalisz Anna
Published: June 2015

The paper is an approach to present the category of social rights in the background of entire legal system of the human rights protection. It is particularly dealing with the issue of nature of the 2nd generation of human rights and its significance for society. It starts with a brief presentation of the philosophical (human dignity) and normative roots as well as a short historical view of the human rights’ codification; the established legal terminology (human rights, fundamental rights, individual rights and liberties) and various levels of the legal protection (international – of global or regional nature, supranational and national one). Thereafter it focuses directly on the issue of social rights. Unlike the 1st generation of human rights, they are rather connected with public activity, policy and services (facere) than with autonomy and liberty (non facere). This, in turn, demands appropriate institutional structures and procedures. Social rights are hardly provided – in a binding and effective way – by global or regional international law. Thus, the burden of their protection, guaranty and execution is satisfied by the particular state and depends on its economic and social circumstances. On the other hand – they significance is based on fact that they serve the protection of social security which is the fundamental issue for both – dignity and sense of community.
1-(5-Benzylthiazol-2-yl)azonaphthalen-2-ol – a new reagent for the determination of Pd(II)
Authors: Tupys Andriy , Tymoshuk Oleksandr
Published: June 2015

A simple method for the determination of Pd2+-ions using the azo dye 1-(5-benzylthiazol-2-yl)azonaphthalen-2-ol (or BnTAN) and toluene or chloroform as extraction media is proposed. The palladium(II) ion interacts with 1-(5-benzylthiazol-2-yl)azonaphthalen-2-ol creating a chelate complex. This compound was extracted into toluene and chloroform from the alkaline and acid aqueous solutions respectively. Obtained extracts showed absorbance maxima at 600 and 684 nm. Obedience to Beer’s law was established in the range of 0.261 to 0.850 μg mL−1 of Pd(II) and the molar absorptivity of the complex of 6.70 · 103 L mol−1 cm−1 was determined. Optimum reaction conditions for complexation, the effect of variables like time of heating and pH were studied. Detailed studies to check the Pd2+ : BnTAN – stoichiometric ratio were carried out. The method was successfully applied for the analysis of Pd(II) in details of electronic devices.
Model Of Navigational Safety Of Fishing Vessels In Polish EEZ
Authors: Przywarty Marcin , Jarząbek Dorota , Gucma Lucjan
Published: June 2015

The paper presents the assumptions of a simulation model for assessing the navigational safety of fishing vessels. The model consist of submodels of merchant and fishing vessels traffic, submodel of external condition and submodel of accident consequences. Paper present also a results of simulation experiment which was carried out for Polish EEZ. Model takes into account all Polish fishing vessels operating in the Polish EEZ with length more than 15 meters and the merchant vessels traffic in South Baltic Sea area. As a results positions of simulated collisions of fishing and merchant vessels, positions and sizes of simulated bunker spills and the positions of losses of fishing equipment were achieved.
Isotropic incompressible hyperelastic models for modelling the mechanical behaviour of biological tissues: a review
Authors: Wex Cora , Arndt Susann , Stoll Anke , Bruns Christiane , Kupriyanova Yuliya
Published: June 2015

Modelling the mechanical behaviour of biological tissues is of vital importance for clinical applications. It is necessary for surgery simulation, tissue engineering, finite element modelling of soft tissues, etc. The theory of linear elasticity is frequently used to characterise biological tissues; however, the theory of nonlinear elasticity using hyperelastic models, describes accurately the nonlinear tissue response under large strains. The aim of this study is to provide a review of constitutive equations based on the continuum mechanics approach for modelling the rate-independent mechanical behaviour of homogeneous, isotropic and incompressible biological materials. The hyperelastic approach postulates an existence of the strain energy function – a scalar function per unit reference volume, which relates the displacement of the tissue to their corresponding stress values. The most popular form of the strain energy functions as Neo-Hookean, Mooney-Rivlin, Ogden, Yeoh, Fung-Demiray, Veronda-Westmann, Arruda-Boyce, Gent and their modifications are described and discussed considering their ability to analytically characterise the mechanical behaviour of biological tissues. The review provides a complete and detailed analysis of the strain energy functions used for modelling the rate-independent mechanical behaviour of soft biological tissues such as liver, kidney, spleen, brain, breast, etc.
Early postoperative C-terminal agrin fragment (CAF) serum levels predict graft loss and proteinuria in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Steubl Dominik , Vogel Anna , Hettwer Stefan , Tholen Susanne , Luppa Peter B. , Rondak Ina-Christine , Renders Lutz , Heemann Uwe , Roos Marcel
Published: June 2015

C-terminal agrin fragment (CAF), cleavage product of agrin, was previously correlated with kidney function in renal transplant patients. This article studies the predictive value of CAF for long-term outcomes in renal transplant recipients.

In this observational cohort study, serum CAF, creatinine and blood-urea-nitrogen (BUN) concentrations and eGFR (CKD-EPI) were assessed 1–3 months after transplantation in 105 patients undergoing kidney transplantation. Cox regression models were used to analyse the predictive value of all parameters concerning all-cause mortality (ACM), graft loss (GL), doubling of creatinine/proteinuria at the end of follow-up.

Median follow-up time was 3.1 years. The mean concentrations were 191.9±152.4 pM for CAF, 176±96.8 μmol/L for creatinine, 12.6±6.2 mmol/L for BUN and 44.9±21.2 mL/min for CKD-EPI formula, respectively. In univariate analysis CAF and BUN concentrations predicted ACM (CAF: HR=1.003, 1.1-fold risk, p=0.043; BUN: HR=1.037, 1.3-fold risk, p=0.006). Concerning GL, CAF (HR=1.006, 3.1-fold risk, p<0.001), creatinine (HR=2.396, 2.6-fold risk, p<0.001), BUN (HR=1.048, 1.7-fold risk, p=0.001) and eGFR (CKD-EPI) (HR=0.941, 0.45-fold risk reduction, p=0.006) showed a statistically significant association. CAF was the only parameter significantly associated with doubling of proteinuria (HR=1.005, 1.7-fold risk, p<0.001). In multiple regression analysis (CAF only) the association remained significant for GL and doubling of proteinuria but not ACM.

Early postoperative serum CAF appears to be a useful tool for the assessment of long-term outcomes in renal transplant recipients. Most importantly it represents a promising predictor for the development of proteinuria.
A review of recent developments and trends
in the QuEChERS sample preparation approach
Authors: Rejczak Tomasz , Tuzimski Tomasz
Published: June 2015

A comprehensive review is presented on the recent developments and trends in the QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) sample preparation approach. This technique involves liquid-liquid partitioning using acetonitrile and purifying the extract using dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE). Originally, the QuEChERS was introduced for pesticides residues analysis in high moisture fruits and vegetables, but more recently it is gaining significant popularity in the analysis of broad spectrum of analytes in huge variety of samples. The wide range of the technique applications is possible due to introducing various modifications based on the use of different extraction solvent and salt formulation and buffer additions for salting-out partitioning step and the application of various d-SPE sorbents for clean-up step. Therefore, the QuEChERS approach is useful for analysis of, among others pesticides, veterinary drugs and other pharmaceuticals, mycotoxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dyes, acrylamide, synthetic musks and UV filters, bisphenols, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and other flame retardants, endocrine disruptors, and other chemical compounds. Thanks to the QuEChERS approach, high-throughput multiresidue methods operate in a routine contaminant control of food products, feedstuff, and environmental samples.
Lid-Driven and Inclined Square Cavity Filled With a Nanofluid: Optimum Heat Transfer
Authors: Boutra Abdelkader , Ragui Karim , Labsi Nabila , Benkahla Youb Khaled
Published: June 2015

This paper reports a numerical study on mixed
convection within a square enclosure, filled with a mixture
of water and Cu (or Ag) nanoparticles. It is assumed that
the temperature difference driving the convection comes
from the side moving walls, when both horizontal walls
are kept insulated. In order to solve the general coupled
equations, a code based on the finite volume method is
used and it has been validated after comparison between
the present results and those of the literature. To make
clear the effect of the main parameters on fluid flow and
heat transfer inside the enclosure, a wide range of the
Richardson number, taken from 0.01 to 100, the nanoparticles
volume fraction (0% to 10%), and the cavity inclination
angle (0º to 180º) are investigated. The phenomenon
is analyzed through streamlines and isotherm plots, with
special attention to the Nusselt number.
Efficacy of Mospilan 20 SP and Trebon 30 EC in the protection of Scots pine Pinus silvestris L. against the common pine sawfly Diprion pini L.
Authors: Głowacka Barbara , Bystrowski Cezary
Published: June 2015

The study was carried out to evaluate the possibilities to control the common pine sawfly Diprion pini L. with the use of plant protection products Mospilan 20 SP (20% acetamipryd) and Trebon 30 EC (300 g etofenprox/l). Aerial insecticide treatments were applied onto experimental plots (100 ha) in Scots pine stands, sprayed with approximately 3 l of spray solution/ha. Mospilan 20 SP at a rate 0.20 kg/ha caused 61%-76% mortality of D. pini larvae, whereas at a rate 0.25 kg/ha – 100% larval mortality. Trebon 30 EC aerial treatments at a rate 0.2 l/ha resulted in 100% larval mortality. Study results will be enclosed in the procedure of registration of the plant protection products for use in forestry.
Microstructure and Creep Behavior of a Directional Solidification Nickel-based Superalloy
Authors: Tian Ning , Tian Sugui , Yu Huichen , Li Ying , Meng Xianlin
Published: June 2015

By means of creep property measurement and microstructure observation, an investigation has been made into microstructure and creep behavior of a directional solidification Ni-based superalloy at high temperatures. Results show that after full heat treatment, small cuboidal γ′ precipitates distribute in the dendrite regions, while coarser ones distribute in the inter-dendrite regions. In the primary stage of creep, the γ′ phase in alloy is transformed into the rafted structure along the direction vertical to stress axis, and then the creep of alloy enters the steady state stage. And dislocations slipping in the g matrix and climbing over the rafted γ′ phase are thought to be the deformation mechanism of the alloy during steady creep stage. At the latter stage of creep, the alternate slipping of dislocations may shear and twist the rafted γ′/γ phases, which promotes the initiation and propagation of the micro-cracks along the boundaries near the coarser rafted γ′ phase. And the bigger probability of the creep damage occurs in the grain boundaries along 45° angles relative to the stress axis due to them bearing relatively bigger shearing stress.
Is Distributed Cognition Group Level Cognition?
Authors: Ludwig Kirk
Published: June 2015

This paper shows that recent arguments from group problem solving and task performance to emergent group level cognition that rest on the social parity and related principles are invalid or question begging. The paper shows that standard attributions of problem solving or task performance to groups require only multiple agents of the outcome, not a group agent over and above its members, whether or not any individual member of the group could have accomplished the task independently.
Notes on Thismia clandestina (Thismiaceae), a little-known mycoheterotrophic species
Authors: Chantanaorrapint Sahut , Tetsana Niyana , Sridith Kitichate
Published: June 2015

Thismia clandestina (Blume) Miq., a rare mycoheterotrophic species previously known only from Indonesia, was newly discovered in tropical lowland forest in southern Thailand. A description, line drawings and photographs are provided, and its diagnostic characters and geographical distribution are briefly discussed.
Mechanical properties of unidirectional aligned bagasse fibers/vinyl ester composite
Authors: Athijayamani Ayyanar , Stalin Balasubramaniam , Sidhardhan Susaiyappan , Alavudeen Azeez Batcha
Published: June 2015

The present study describes the preparation of aligned unidirectional bagasse fiber-reinforced vinyl ester (BFRVE) composites and their mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, shear and impact strength. Composites were prepared by a hand lay-up technique developed in our laboratory with the help of a hot press. Mechanical properties were obtained for different fiber contents by varying the number of layers. The obtained tensile property values were compared with the theoretical results. The results show that the tensile strength increased linearly up to 44 wt% and then dropped. However, the tensile modulus increased linearly from 17 wt% to 60 wt%. In the case of flexural properties, the flexural strength increased up to 53 wt% and started to decrease. However, the flexural modulus also increased linearly up to 60 wt%. The impact strength values were higher than the matrix materials for all the specimens. The short beam shear strength values were also increased up to 53 wt% and then dropped. The modified Bowyer and Bader (MBB) model followed by the Hirsch model shows a very good agreement with experimental results in both tensile strength and modulus.
Effect of the talc filler on structural, water vapor barrier and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) composites
Authors: Buzarovska Aleksandra , Bogoeva-Gaceva Gordana , Fajgar Radek
Published: June 2015

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) based composite films with different content of talc (5–15 wt%) were prepared by the solvent casting method. The effect of talc on morphological, structural, thermal, barrier and mechanical properties of neat PLA was investigated. The PLA/talc composites revealed a polymorphic crystalline structure, as demonstrated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) study and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The PLA/talc composites also exhibited significantly improved barrier properties (up to 55% compared to neat PLA), as shown by water vapor permeability (WVP) tests. The puncture measurements showed improved mechanical properties at lower content of talc (up to 5 wt%), and increased brittleness of the PLA/talc composite films at higher talc concentrations.
Standards as a commons: Private agri-food standards as governance for the 99 percent
Authors: Sumner Jennifer
Published: June 2015

Private agri-food standards have emerged in response to the constraints imposed on the role of the state under the influence of neoliberalism.  These standards reflect the ongoing ‘value wars’ between the money code of value and the life code of value (McMurtry 2002).  While some private agri-food standards operate within the money code of value (e.g., Red Tractor or CanadaGap), others can be more fruitfully situated within the life code of value because they ‘remove the veil’ (Hudson and Hudson 2003) from food commodities to reveal the exploitative social, economic and environmental relations inherent in today’s “feral capitalism” (Harvey 2011).  This paper will use these codes of value to interpret three cases – organics, fair trade and Local Food Plus – with the aim of informing discussion regarding the emergence of standards as a form of governance.  It will argue that conceptualizing standards as a commons will help us to better analyze the threats and opportunities posed by the rise of private agri-food standards and will open up the possibility that they can provide a form of life-protective governance that benefits what has come to be known as ‘the 99 percent.’
Land grabbing and land concentration: Mapping changing patterns of farmland ownership in three rural municipalities in Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Desmarais Annette Aurélie , Qualman Darrin , Magnan André , Wiebe Nettie
Published: June 2015

Since the 2007-2008 global food crisis there is growing interest in changing patterns of farmland ownership.  Utilizing a dataset of the names of all farmland titleholders along with GIS data mapping software, this article demonstrates changes in patterns of land ownership in three rural municipalities (RMs) in Saskatchewan, Canada.  A diverse mix of new actors have entered the farmland market in the past decade or two, with some now owning more than 100,000 acres each in the province. Our research reveals a list of the investment companies, pension plans, and large farmer/investor hybrids buying land and also maps investment activity and large land transactions in the three RMs. While 7.8% to 13.1% of the farmland is now owned by “land grabbers”, our study also found a significant rise in land concentration in the hands of farmers when compared to 20 years ago. For example, in one RM the four largest landowners—a mix of farmers and investment companies and farmer/investor hybrids—now own 28% of the land. We then discuss some initial findings concerning the impact changing patterns of land ownership is having on the cohesion and vitality of communities and conclude with a series of questions for further research.
Globalization and food sovereignty: Global and local change in the new politics of food by Peter Andrée, Jeffrey Ayres, Michael J. Bosia, and Marie-Josée Massicotte (Eds.)
Authors: Clark Patrick , Clément Chantal , DiVito Wilson Amanda
Published: June 2015

“To demand a space of food sovereignty is to demand specific arrangements to govern territory and space” (Patel, 2009, p. 667). However, the further we move into a globalized system of food and agricultural production, the more these specific arrangements come into conflict with current global systems of governance. Andrée et al.’s Globalization and Food Sovereignty provides an insightful account of the tensions and complexities of the burgeoning concept of food sovereignty. Its holistic examination of how food sovereignty plays out in both theoretical terms and in practice, in the Global North and South, and at both the local and global levels, serves as one of its greatest strengths. Through a superb set of case studies, it shows how the two themes of food sovereignty and neoliberal globalization interact, manifesting in different ways in different locales and contexts, and at times for different ends. Drawing on contributions from a range of academic disciplines, but directed specifically at political science, this book engages in a theoretically driven analysis of food sovereignty that urges us to take notice of this “new politics of food.”
Osoba i przesłanie św. Teresy od Jezusa
Authors: Wrona Lidia
Published: June 2015

Obchody 500-lecia urodzin św. Teresy od Jezusa, pierwszej kobiety, którą Kościół ogłosił doktorem Kościoła, są okazją do przypomnienia jej osoby i przesłania. Mistyczka, mistrzyni duchowa, fundatorka, autorka wielkich dzieł doktrynalnych jest przede wszystkim nauczycielką modlitwy, rozumianej jako relacja przyjaźni. Reforma Karmelu, którą zapoczątkowała, miała swoje źródło w doświadczeniu Boga, a co za tym idzie również nowego spojrzenia na człowieka. Św. Teresa od Jezusa pozostaje wiernym i ciągle aktualnym świadkiem prawdy o Bogu i człowieku.
Hablar de Dios en “tiempos recios”. Vida y lenguaje en Teresa de Jesús
Authors: Marcos Juan Antonio
Published: June 2015

En las páginas que siguen desarrollamos tres notas claves que caracterizan el lenguaje y la espiritualidad teresiana: la autoimplicación, la relevancia y la performatividad. En la “espiritualidad autoimplicativa” teresiana está involucrado el “yo” humano junto a la presencia divina. La “relevancia”, para Teresa, remite a la credibilidad y a la significatividad de lo vivido. Y la “espiritualidad performativa” es aquella que tiene el poder de transformar nuestras vidas.
La fuerza de la evangelización en Teresa de Jesús. «Para esto es la oración: de que nazcan siempre obras, obras» (7M 4, 6)
Authors: Fermín Francisco Javier Sancho
Published: June 2015

El presente artículo afronta una de las cuestiones más problemáticas en la vida cristiana: cómo conjugar la vida espiritual con el apostolado. En este momento en el que la Iglesia se plantea la Nueva Evangelización como su gran reto, la comprensión de ambas dimensiones de la vida cristiana necesita de una urgente integración. Teresa de Jesús en su tiempo también sufrió la disyuntiva, que la ocupó y preocupo durante toda su vida. Ella no podía contentarse con ser una monja de clausura, deseaba ayudar a Cristo en su misión. Teresa nos ayuda a encontrar una solución “experiencial y evangélica” a esta disyuntiva.
Biblijne przykłady ludzi wiary i modlitwy w zastosowaniu katechetycznym
Authors: Stypułkowska Beata
Published: June 2015

Nauczanie religii powinno dostarczyć uczniom przykładów życia wiary. Takie przykłady znajdziemy najpierw w Piśmie Świętym. Zarówno w Starym, jak i w Nowym Testamencie możemy przeczytać o osobach, które spotkały Boga, co wpłynęło na całe ich życie. W kanonie biblijnym mamy wyraźne wykazy ludzi, wobec których objawiła się Mądrość, będących przykładem życia wiary. Dwa spisy znajdują się w Starym Testamencie: jeden w Księdze Mądrości w wersetach 10, 1 –11, 3, drugi w Mądrości Syracha w tzw. pochwale ojców w wersetach 44, 1 – 50, 21. Trzeci spis – w Nowym Testamencie – zamieścił autor Listu do Hebrajczyków w 11 rozdziale. W niniejszym artykule najpierw zostały przedstawione wykazy osób, które autorzy biblijni podają jako przykłady wiary i modlitwy. Następnie została dokonana analiza Podstawy programowej katechezy Kościoła Katolickiego w Polsce i Programu nauczania religii rzymskokatolickiej w przedszkolach i szkołach pod tym kątem. Na końcu zostały podane propozycje dla lekcji religii w szkole i katechezy parafialnej.
Geneza, istota i struktura Dyrektorium homiletycznego
Authors: Sławiński Henryk
Published: June 2015

W związku z zapotrzebowaniem na dyrektorium homiletyczne zgłaszanym na synodach biskupów na temat Eucharystii i słowa Bożego Kongregacja ds. Kultu Bożego i Dyscypliny Sakramentów przygotowała taki dokument, który został podpisany 29 czerwca 2014 roku, a oficjalnie zaprezentowany 10 lutego 2015 roku. Niniejszy artykuł analizuje etapy powstania Dyrektorium homiletycznego na tle innych tego typu dokumentów Stolicy Apostolskiej, a ponadto omawia istotę i strukturę tego dokumentu. To pierwsze omówienie dokumentu, który czeka na oficjalny przekład na język polski oraz potrzebne opracowania teologiczne.
Growth and Gonad Changes in Stony Sea Urchin, Paracentrotus Lividus (Lamark, 1816) Fed Artificially Formulated Feed and Benthic Macrophyte Diet
Authors:   University of  Dubrovnik, Department of Aquaculture, Tomšić Sanja , Conides Alexis J. , Aničić Ivica
Published: June 2015

This study reported the efficiency of artificially formulated feed and benthic macrophyte diet on growth and gonad development of cultured stony sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus (Lamark, 1816). An initial sample of 720 individual urchins was gathered in coastal area of SE Adriatic, near Dubrovnik, Croatia and for the purposes of the experiment, was held in a flow-through system. Sea urchin were fed four test diets A, B, C and D. Diet A consisted of seaweeds collected in the natural habitat of sampled sea urchin, artificial diets B, C, and D contained a different ratio of ingredients. The feed mixtures differed in respect to corn meal content; B (22%), C (30%) and D (35%) as well as the distribution of fish meal content; B (15%), C (5%) and D (0%). Prior to the commencement of feeding, sea urchins in all groups were starved for 15 days. During the period of starvation, recorded total urchin weight, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and gonad weight values for all experimental groups, showed a declining trend except in the control group, where they stayed the same. After 30 days, the declining trend of morphometric values was recorded for treatment A and the control group. During the two months of the intensive feeding conditions in the regimes with artificially prepared feed, B, C and D a growing trend was recorded for all morphometric values, and it was particularly evident in the treatment C. In the last month of the experiment, a significant decline in the GSI and gonad weight values were observed for the groups, A and the control. The differences among the artificially formulated feeds expressed through increase of GSI and gonad mass values revealed that the best among them was artificial feed C whose variance in consistence of essential nutritional components fits between prepared feeds B and D. Based on the results of our study we conclude that the artificially formulated feed is adequate food for sea urchins in a controlled environment, especially when it contains a smaller animal protein component (5-10%) and a larger share of plant components (over 90%).
Land use and wetland drainage affect water levels and dynamics of remaining wetlands
Authors: McCauley Lisa A. , Anteau Michael J. , van der Burg Max Post , Wiltermuth Mark T.
Published: June 2015

Depressional wetlands are productive and unique ecosystems found around the world. Their value is due, in part, to their dynamic nature, in which water levels fluctuate in response to climate, occasionally drying out. However, many wetlands have been altered by consolidation drainage, where multiple, smaller wetlands are drained into fewer, larger, wetlands causing higher water levels. We evaluated whether current (2003–2010) water surface areas were greater than historical (1937–1969) water surface areas of 141 randomly selected semipermanent and permanent wetlands across the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota, USA. We also evaluated whether differences between historical and current hydrology of these wetlands were attributable to consolidation drainage. For each of these wetlands, we digitized water surface areas from aerial photography during historical and current eras. Our results indicated that water surface areas are currently 86% greater in sample wetlands than they were historically and that differences can be attributed to consolidation drainage. Water surface areas of consolidated wetlands in extensively drained landscapes were 197% greater than those with no drainage and now require more extreme drought conditions to dry out. Wetlands in extensively drained catchments were larger, dry out less frequently, and have more surface‐water connections to other wetlands via ditches. These factors make conditions more favorable for the presence of fish that decrease abundances of aquatic invertebrates and reduce the productivity and quality of these wetlands for many species. Our results support the idea that intact wetlands serve an important role in water storage and groundwater recharge and reduce down‐stream runoff.
READ-As and GEH sorption materials for the removal of antimony from water
Authors: Ilavský Ján , Barloková Danka , Hudec Pavol , Munka Karol
Published: June 2015

The objective of this work was to verify the sorption properties of granular filter materials (GEH, READ-As) during the process of removing antimony from water. The pilot tests showed that the use of sorption materials could possibly decrease the antimony content in water to the values limited for drinking water (5 μg/L Sb). A more suitable adsorbent for removing antimony was READ-As. At a concentration of antimony in raw water ranging from 21.5 to 31.1 μg/L, a filtration rate of 5.58 m/h, the value of the bed volume of 3,967, and the adsorption capacity of 128.4 μg/g, which was achieved at a breakthrough concentration of 5 μg Sb/L, were determined. The surface characteristics of the sorption materials used through the physical adsorption of nitrogen, mercury porosimetry, X-ray microanalysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were studied.
Evaluation of the solar photocatalytic degradation of organochlorine compound trichloroethanoic acid using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in the Caribbean region
Authors: Tota-Maharaj K. , Paul P.
Published: June 2015

Advanced oxidation processes driven by solar energy can be an efficient method in removing organochlorine compounds from river water especially in tropical environments like the Caribbean region. The feasibility of solar photocatalytic degradation of an organochlorine compound, namely trichloroethanoic acid (TCA), which is commonly used in the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, was separately assessed using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as photocatalysts in suspended solution. Overall the prototype solar photoreactor operated and performed efficiently for the photodegradation of TCA. This study showed that a basic photocatalytic oxidation method for treating water using solar energy as the primary driver gives enhanced decomposition rates of the organochlorine compound when coupled to the additional application of the two separate semiconductor photocatalysts. The results further showed that for varying concentrations of TCA and photocatalysts alike, the organochlorine compound could be completely photocatalytically degraded using short exposure times under the applied influx of solar radiation. This means that this process could be optimised by judicious use of sensors so that dosage rates of the photocatalyst could be altered with variations in influent contamination levels, and the exposure time in the reactor could be altered according to daily variations in solar radiation intensity.
Nitrate reduction in reactive swales at low temperatures: full-size field system vs. technical scale
Authors: Wicke D. , Rouault P. , Camilo B. Krause , Pagotto C. , Dechesne M. , Soyeux E.
Published: June 2015

Diffuse nitrate (NO3) contamination from intense agriculture adversely impacts freshwater ecosystems, and can also result in nitrate concentrations exceeding limits set in drinking water regulation, when receiving surface waters are used for drinking water production. Implementation of near-natural mitigation zones such as reactive swales or wetlands have been proven to be promising measures to reduce nitrate loads in agricultural drainage waters. However, the behavior of these systems at low temperatures and its dependence on system design has not been well known until now. In this study, the behavior of a full-scale (length: 45 m) reactive swale treating drainage water from an agricultural watershed in Brittany (France), with high nitrate concentrations in the receiving river, was monitored for one season (6 months). As flow in this full-size field system is usually restricted to winter and spring months (December–May), it usually operates at low water temperatures of 5–10 °C. Tracer tests revealed shorter than designed retention times due to high inflows and preferential flow in the swale. Results show a correlation between residence time and nitrate reduction with low removal (<10%) for short residence times (<0.1 day), increasing to >25% at residence times >10 h (0.4 day). Performance was compared to results of two technical-scale reactive swales (length: 8 m) operated for 1.5 years with two different residence times (0.4 and 2.5 days), situated at a test site of the German Federal Environmental Agency in Berlin (Germany). Similar nitrate reduction was observed for comparable temperature and residence time, showing that up-scaling is a suitable approach to transferring knowledge gathered from technical-scale experiments to field conditions. For the design of new mitigation systems, one recommendation is to investigate carefully the expected inflow volumes in advance to ensure a sufficient residence time for effective nitrate reduction at low temperatures.
Impact of extracted algogenic organic matter on coagulation performance
Authors: Xing Linan , Chow Christopher W. K. , Zuo Jiane , Wang Dongsheng , Fabris Rolando , van Leeuwen John , Drikas Mary
Published: June 2015

Understanding coagulation behaviour and treatability of waters impacted by algogenic organic matter (AOM) is important for waters with frequent algal blooms. Physico­­–chemical characteristics of AOM spiked into a water sample, before and after coagulation, were investigated using high-performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) with UV and fluorescence detection, three dimensional-fluorescence excitation emission matrix (3D-FEEM) measurement and resin fractionation in which three fractions were determined including very hydrophobic acid (VHA), slightly hydrophobic acid (SHA) and hydrophilic fractions. Release of AOM from algal cells with consequential increases in dissolved organic carbon and UV absorbance led to changes in 3D-FEEM spectra indicative of increased aromatic protein presence. Changes in disinfection by-product formation potential after the AOM spiking indicated possible interactions between natural organic matter and AOM. A study of the treatability of the AOM spiked water using two coagulants, alum and a polyaluminum composite coagulant, was conducted with the relative percentages of UV absorbance values of both the SHA and hydrophilic fractions higher in the post coagulated AOM spiked water than in the coagulated water, with corresponding reductions in the VHA proportion. It was found that the increased SHA and hydrophilic components in the AOM spiked natural water were recalcitrant to removal by both coagulants.
A review of different drinking water treatments for natural organic matter removal
Authors: Zhang Yue , Zhao Xinhua , Zhang Xinbo , Peng Sen
Published: June 2015

In the past decades, natural organic matter (NOM), which is a complex heterogeneous mixture of organic materials that are commonly present in all surface, ground and soil waters, has had an adverse effect on drinking water treatment. The existence of NOM results in many problems in drinking water treatment processes, and the properties and amount of NOM can significantly affect the efficiency of these processes. NOM not only influences the water quality with respect to taste, color and odor problems, but it also reacts with disinfectants, increasing the amount of disinfection by-products. NOM can be removed from drinking water via several treatment processes, but different drinking water treatment processes have diverse influences on NOM removal and the safety of the drinking water. Several treatment options, including coagulation, adsorption, oxidation, membrane and biological treatment, have been widely used in drinking water purification processes. Therefore, it is of great importance to be able to study the influence of different treatment processes on NOM in raw waters. The present review focuses on the methods, including coagulation, adsorption, oxidation, membrane, biological treatment processes and the combination of different treatment processes, which are used for removing NOM from drinking water.
Contributions of spatial, temporal, and treatment impacts on natural organic matter character using fluorescence-based measures
Authors: Peleato Nicolás M. , Andrews Robert C.
Published: June 2015

The potential application of fluorescence spectroscopy for monitoring of organic matter concentration and character at four water treatment facilities was investigated. Results are presented showing impacts on natural organic matter (NOM) due to intake location on the same water body and from individual unit processes including ozonation, granular-activated carbon filtration, and coagulation/flocculation. For validation and comparison of fluorescence methods, organic matter was quantified and characterized using liquid chromatography-organic carbon detection (LC-OCD). Principal component analysis (PCA) and parallel factors analysis were used for dimensionality reduction and to represent individual organic components observed through fluorescence excitation-emission matrices. Fluorescence results generally agreed with LC-OCD characterization, indicating that complete treatment reduced organic concentrations and preferential removal of humic-like material was associated with coagulation/flocculation. PCA results indicated higher concentrations of humic-like material at the Island water treatment plant intake that was not well reduced by inline polyaluminum chloride coagulation and direct filtration. Through fluorescence spectroscopy, ozonation increased Rayleigh scattering, which is correlated to small colloidal/particulate concentrations. Full-scale results from four water treatment plants presented demonstrate that fluorescence methods can characterize NOM, providing similar identification of trends to LC-OCD, with possible online application and use in real-time water treatment process control.
An Effort to Close Achievement Gaps at Scale Through Self-Affirmation
Authors: Borman Geoffrey D. , Grigg Jeffrey , Hanselman Paul
Published: June 2015

In this districtwide scale-up, we randomly assigned seventh-grade students within 11 schools to receive a series of writing exercises designed to promote values affirmation. Impacts on cumulative seventh-grade grade point average (GPA) for the district’s racial/ethnic minority students who may be subject to stereotype threat are consistent with but smaller than those from prior smaller scale studies. Also, we find some evidence of impact on minority students’ standardized mathematics test scores. These effects address a substantial portion of the achievement gap unexplained by demographics and prior achievement—the portion of the gap potentially attributable to stereotype threat. Our results suggest that persistent achievement gaps, which may be explained by subtle social and psychological phenomena, can be mitigated by brief, yet theoretically precise, social-psychological interventions.
Formulation and Evaluation of Amoxicillin Trihydrate Lozenges
Authors: Vidyadhara S , Sasidhar RLC , Deepti B , Wilwin E , Sowjanyalakshmi B
Published: June 2015

In the present investigation an attempt has been made to formulate medicated lozenges containing amoxicillin trihydrate. There are several amoxicillin trihydrate dosage forms in the market such as tablet, capsule, suspension and syrup. Still there is a need for more variant dosage forms which acts effectively and locally. The benefits of the present research work is to increase the retention of the dosage form in oral cavity for increased bioavailability, reduction in gastric irritation and bypassing first pass metabolism. The lozenges were prepared by heating and congealing method employing polyethylene glycol 1500 as matrix base, saccharin sodium (artificial sweetener), stevia (natural sweetener), xanthan gum (polymer), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (polymer) as other exciepients. The prepared medicated lozenges were characterized for drug content uniformity, hardness, thickness, weight variation, friability and dissolution by standard pharmacopeal methods. The results of the evaluation tests obtained were within the limits. Accelerated stability studies were conducted as per ICH guidelines and found that there wasnt any substantial interaction among the drug, flavour and colour and the prepared formulations were found to be stable. Formulations were tested for drug exciepients interactions subjecting to IR spectral and DSC analyses. The results revealed that there was no major interactions between the drug and polymers used for the preparation of lozenges.Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 14(1): 61-70, 2015 (June)
Revisiting ModernNaẓmApproaches to the Qur'an: Iṣlāḥī’s Interpretation of Q. 107 and Q. 108 in hisTadabbur-i Qurʾān
Authors: Bashir Kamran
Published: June 2015

Modern naẓm approaches to the Qur'an ask for a detailed study of the interpretive methodologies and assumptions that function behind them. In order to understand such structural approaches, the present article offers a focused study of two important suras of the Qur'an (Q. 107 and Q. 108), involving some polysemous words, in the Urdu tafsīr of Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī (d. 1997), Tadabbur-i Qur’ān. Iṣlāḥī’s theory of naẓm has gained considerable attention in the academy and is worthy of investigating from new perspectives. It is built on a holistic and unified system of connections within a sura and between suras. The paper aims to investigate the mechanism through which Iṣlāḥī identifies naẓm, and examine its relationship with specific meaning and historical context of a sura. It argues that Iṣlāḥī’s concept of naẓm, which he presents as an internal feature of the Qur'an, seems to be based on and shaped by a specific view of the life of Prophet Muḥammad. It appears that non-linguistic factors play a pivotal role in his theory of naẓm. Therefore, in order to fully comprehend his system of linkages in the Qur'anic discourses, there is a need to further investigate how he understands the biography of the Prophet and the early Islamic history in comparison to other exegetes and historians, and how he approaches the question of the authenticity of our knowledge about the details of Muhammad.
Annoyance Caused by Noise and Air Pollution during Pregnancy: Associated Factors and Correlation with Outdoor NO2 and Benzene Estimations
Authors: Fernández-Somoano Ana , Llop Sabrina , Aguilera Inmaculada , Tamayo-Uria Ibon , Martínez María , Foraster Maria , Ballester Ferran , Tardón Adonina
Published: June 2015

This study aimed to describe the degree of annoyance among pregnant women in a Spanish cohort and to examine associations with proximity to traffic, NO2 and benzene exposure. We included 2457 participants from the Spanish Childhood and Environment study. Individual exposures to outdoor NO2 and benzene were estimated, temporally adjusted for pregnancy. Interviews about sociodemographic variables, noise and air pollution were carried out. Levels of annoyance were assessed using a scale from 0 (none) to 10 (strong and unbearable); a level of 8 to 10 was considered high. The reported prevalence of high annoyance levels from air pollution was 11.2% and 15.0% from noise; the two variables were moderately correlated (0.606). Significant correlations between NO2 and annoyance from air pollution (0.154) and that from noise (0.181) were observed. Annoyance owing to noise and air pollution had a low prevalence in our Spanish population compared with other European populations. Both factors were associated with proximity to traffic. In multivariate models, annoyance from air pollution was related to NO2, building age, and country of birth; annoyance from noise was only related to the first two. The health burden of these exposures can be increased by stress caused by the perception of pollution sources.
Fungal Community Successions in Rhizosphere Sediment of Seagrasses Enhalus acoroides under PAHs Stress
Authors: Ling Juan , Zhang Yanying , Wu Meilin , Wang Youshao , Dong Junde , Jiang Yufeng , Yang Qingsong , Zeng Siquan
Published: June 2015

Seagrass meadows represent one of the highest productive marine ecosystems and are of great ecological and economic values. Recently, they have been confronted with worldwide decline. Fungi play important roles in sustaining the ecosystem health as degraders of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), but fewer studies have been conducted in seagrass ecosystems. Hence, we investigated the dynamic variations of the fungal community succession under PAH stress in rhizosphere sediment of seagrasses Enhalus acoroides in this study. Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), quantitative PCR (qPCR) and a clone library have been employed to analyze the fungal community’s shifts. Sequencing results of DGGE and the clone library showed that the predominant species belong to phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. The abundance of three groups decreased sharply over the incubation period, whereas they demonstrated different fungal diversity patterns. Both the exposure time and the PAH concentrations affected the microbial diversity as assessed by PCR-DGGE analysis. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that significant factors driving community shifts were ammonium and pH (p < 0.05). Significant amounts of the variations (31.1%) were explained by pH and ammonium, illustrating that those two parameters were the most likely ones to influence or be influenced by the fungal communities’ changes. Investigation results also indicated that fungal communities in seagrass meadow were very sensitive to PAH-induced stress and may be used as potential indicators for the PAH contamination.