bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In the First Place: Civic Dialogue and the Role of the University of Baltimore in Examining the 1968 Riots
Authors: Hart Chris
Published: November 2009

As the United States continues to struggle with record deficits and a weak economy, a debate is unfolding about the utility of public institutions. There are growing concerns that many long-standing community resources have somehow faltered in their missions of service and education. Increasingly, public higher education faces criticism that it is inaccessible, unaffordable, and uninterested in contributing to the greater good. At the same time, the public is firm in its belief that universities “have the answers” to many of our most pressing problems. In undertaking a close study of what happened to its home city in 1968, the University of Baltimore did not lay claim to any answers. This was a true exploration—of the facts, the emotions, the scars, and the healing that have marked the four decades since those dark days of violence and chaos. UB knew it could play a key role in uncovering this hidden history, and it well exceeded its public mandate as a repository of information and ideas. Now, more than a year later, we are seen in new and exciting ways, and we continue to help the people of Baltimore learn how to live together.
Introduction
Authors: Dodd Douglas W.
Published: November 2009

The emergence of the “new western history” movement two decades ago was marked by two key events. The first was the publication in 1987 of Patricia Nelson Limerick's Legacy of Conquest: The Unbroken Past of the American West. The second was a 1989 symposium in Santa Fe, New Mexico (funded by western humanities councils and the NEH) entitled, “Trails: Toward a New Western History.” The new western history developed alongside another movement in the historical profession: public history. This roundtable seeks to examine the influence of the new western history on the practice of public history, particularly as it is found in museums and historic sites.
New Western History Doesn't Have to Hurt: Revisionism at the Buffalo Bill Museum
Authors: Winchester Juti A.
Published: November 2009

In early exhibition planning, Buffalo Bill Museum curatorial staff hoped to center a reinstallation around William F. Cody while reflecting thinking influenced by study of New Western History. Gallery planning included consultation with historical experts including a Lakota historian and Wild West Show Indian descendant. One section of the museum was set aside to feature a Lakota point of view concerning Indian participation in Buffalo Bill's Wild West. Visitor studies regarding the plan showed the museum's board and staff that taking a broader approach to Cody's life and including a Lakota voice would not engender public scandal but instead would pique visitor interest.
Still Facing John Wayne After All These Years: Bringing New Western History to Larger Audiences
Authors: Price Jay M.
Published: November 2009

Inspired by new western history, public history projects have for thirty years presented larger audiences with a sense of Western history that addresses issues of race, class, and gender. The legacy of these efforts is mixed. Public knowledge of Western history is considerably more sophisticated than it once was, although the Hollywood image of the West has proven hard to unseat. No longer youthful challengers to an educational and institutional establishment, the founders of public history and new western history entered the twenty-first century with a nuanced maturity that faces a society whose own demographics and attitudes are changing rapidly as well.
Examining “The Heart of the West”
Authors: Limerick Patty
Published: November 2009

The “new western history” has had an impact, both deep and wide, on the practice of public history. The degree to which the American public embraces or resists this change could be determined less by an unyielding devotion to simple images of the heroic Old West and more by the persuasiveness of the voice and tone with which historians carry their message. In a contest between interesting and thought-provoking stories, and predictable and formulaic stories, interest and thought can hold their own. In presenting western history, there are many opportunities to capitalize on the compatibility between accuracy and entertainment.
Double-Strand Break Repair Pathways Protect against CAG/CTG Repeat Expansions, Contractions and Repeat-Mediated Chromosomal Fragility in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Sundararajan Rangapriya , Gellon Lionel , Zunder Rachel M , Freudenreich Catherine H
Published: November 2009

Trinucleotide repeats can form secondary structures, whose inappropriate repair or replication can lead to repeat expansions. There are multiple loci within the human genome where expansion of trinucleotide repeats leads to disease. Although it is known that expanded repeats accumulate double-strand breaks (DSBs), it is not known which DSB repair pathways act on such lesions and whether inaccurate DSB repair pathways contribute to repeat expansions. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we found that CAG/CTG tracts of 70 or 155 repeats exhibited significantly elevated levels of breakage and expansions in strains lacking MRE11, implicating the Mre11/Rad50/Xrs2 complex in repairing lesions at structure-forming repeats. About two-thirds of the expansions that occurred in the absence of MRE11 were dependent on RAD52, implicating aberrant homologous recombination as a mechanism for generating expansions. Expansions were also elevated in a sae2 deletion background and these were not dependent on RAD52, supporting an additional role for Mre11 in facilitating Sae2-dependent hairpin processing at the repeat. Mre11 nuclease activity and Tel1-dependent checkpoint functions were largely dispensable for repeat maintenance. In addition, we found that intact homologous recombination and nonhomologous end-joining pathways of DSB repair are needed to prevent repeat fragility and that both pathways also protect against repeat instability. We conclude that failure of principal DSB repair pathways to repair breaks that occur within the repeats can result in the accumulation of atypical intermediates, whose aberrant resolution will then lead to CAG expansions, contractions, and repeat-mediated chromosomal fragility.
Timeliness of Primary Cleft Lip/Palate Surgery
Authors: Cassell Cynthia H. , Daniels Julie , Meyer Robert E.
Published: November 2009

Objective:

To examine the timeliness of primary cleft surgery, mean age at which surgery occurred, and factors associated with timely cleft surgery among children with orofacial clefts (OFCs).

Design:

Retrospective study of children with OFC using North Carolina vital statistics, birth defects registry, and Medicaid files.

Participants/Patients:

Medicaid-enrolled North Carolina resident children with OFC born from 1995 to 2002.

Main Outcome Measures:

Proportion of children who underwent primary cleft surgery within 18 months of life, mean age when surgery occurred, and factors associated with timely surgery.

Results:

406 children with OFC were continuously enrolled in Medicaid during the first 2 years of life. Overall, 78.1% of children had surgery within 18 months. About 90% of children with cleft lip (CL), 58.0% of children with cleft palate (CP), and 89.6% of children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) received timely cleft surgery; the mean age at which surgery occurred was 5 months. Children whose mothers received maternity care coordination, received prenatal care at a local health department, or lived in the southeastern or northeastern region of the state were more likely to receive timely cleft surgery.

Conclusion:

Most children with OFC in North Carolina born during this time period received primary cleft surgery within 18 months of life, but this varied by maternal demographics and other factors.
Review:Physiological Approaches to the Improvement of Chemical Control of Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
Authors: Bashtanova Uliana B. , Beckett K. Paul , Flowers Timothy J.
Published: November 2009

Japanese knotweed is an aggressive alien species in Europe, North America, and Australia, causing a range of environmental problems. Eradication of Japanese knotweed is proving to be a difficult task, because the plant is able to propagate generatively by intra- and interspecific hybridization, and vegetatively from shoot and tiny rhizome pieces. Despite the economic consequences of Japanese knotweed on natural and built environments, its physiology is not yet fully understood; especially important are sink-source relations between old and young parts of the rhizome and growth of lateral and latent rhizome buds. Current methods of chemical control include three types of phloem-mobile herbicides, such as glyphosate, imazapyr, and synthetic auxins. These herbicides have limitations on their use, and all fail to eradicate the plant completely, for the reasons discussed in this review. Our aim is to suggest prospective approaches to enable chemical eradication: use of signals to induce controlled growth and development of quiescent rhizome buds; use of phytohormones, sugars, and light to increase allocation of phloem-mobile herbicides to the rhizome; use of xylem-mobile herbicides to exterminate the old rhizome parts; and use of different phloem-mobile herbicides at different growth stages.
Soybean Canopy and Tillage Effects on Emergence of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) from a Natural Seed Bank
Authors: Jha Prashant , Norsworthy Jason K.
Published: November 2009

Field experiments were conducted in 2004, 2005, and 2006, at Pendleton, SC, to determine the effects of soybean canopy and tillage on Palmer amaranth emergence from sites with a uniform population of Palmer amaranth. In 2006, the effect of soybean canopy was evaluated only in no-tillage plots. Palmer amaranth emerged from May 10 through October 23, May 13 through September 2, and April 28 through August 25 in 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. Two to three consistent emergence periods occurred from early May through mid-July. Shallow (10-cm depth) spring tillage had minimal influence on the cumulative emergence of Palmer amaranth. Increase in light interception following soybean canopy formation was evident by early July, resulting in reduced Palmer amaranth emergence, especially in no-tillage conditions. In no-tillage plots, from 32 or 33 d after soybean emergence through senescence, Palmer amaranth emergence was reduced by 73 to 76% in plots with soybean compared with plots without soybean. Emergence of Palmer amaranth was favored by high-thermal soil amplitudes (10 to 16 C) in the absence of soybean. Of the total emergence during a season, > 90% occurred before soybean canopy closure. The seedling recruitment pattern of Palmer amaranth from this research suggests that, although Palmer amaranth exhibits an extended emergence period, cohorts during the peak emergence periods from early May to mid-July need greater attention in weed management.
Seed Germination and Seedling Emergence of Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
Authors: Harrington Timothy B.
Published: November 2009

Scotch broom is a large, leguminous shrub that has invaded 27 U.S. states. The species produces seeds with a hard coat that remain viable in the soil for years. Growth-chamber studies were conducted to determine effects of temperature regime and cold-stratification period on seed germination. Seedling emergence, mortality, and biomass also were studied in response to sulfometuron and metsulfuron herbicides and variation in soil texture and watering regime. Germination was greatest for a dark/light temperature regime of 15/20 C. Initial rates of germination increased as stratification period was varied from 0 to 60 d, but final germination after 90 d did not differ significantly among periods. Applied alone or in combination, sulfometuron and metsulfuron decreased biomass and increased mortality of seedlings. Mortality from simulated soil drought was greater in the presence versus absence of sulfometuron (20 and 6% mortality, respectively) probably because the herbicide reduced root biomass by 58 to 95%. Invasiveness of Scotch broom is facilitated by a prolonged period of germination across a broad temperature range. Increased control of Scotch broom seedlings with sulfometuron is likely if application is timed to expose recently emerged seedlings to developing conditions of soil drought.
Review:Sampling Weedy and Invasive Plant Populations for Genetic Diversity Analysis
Authors: Ward Sarah M. , Jasieniuk Marie
Published: November 2009

Recent advances in molecular methods and statistical analyses provide weed scientists with powerful tools for examining the genetic structure of weedy plant populations. The value of these studies depends on effective sampling protocols; however, there is little consensus on how to sample plant populations for genetic diversity analyses. In this review, we draw on published literature that incorporates sampling theory and spatial statistics in population genetic analyses to identify key factors to consider when designing a sampling strategy. We discuss how sampling design is affected by research objectives, biology of the study species, population structure, marker choice, and the genetic parameters to be investigated, and we offer suggestions on defining sampling units and developing sampling protocols.
Seasonal Changes in Germination Responses of Seeds of the Winter Annual Weed Littleseed Canarygrass (Phalaris minor) to Light
Authors: Ohadi Sara , Mashhadi Hamid R. , Tavakol-Afshari Reza
Published: November 2009

Photocontrol of weeds requires knowledge about the response of weeds to light and its changes over time. Thus, littleseed canarygrass germination, as an important weed in winter crops, in response to the light environment was evaluated in seeds retrieved from different burial (10, 20, and 40 cm, under irrigated or nonirrigated conditions) or storage (room temperature 25 C and cold 3 C) conditions for 1 yr. Seeds buried in the soil showed a cyclical germination behavior when tested at 20 C, with high germination percentages (68%) occurring in August, October, and December and low percentages (12%) in February and April, with another late germination in June. Germination percentages were mostly higher for seeds incubated in light than in darkness and seeds were more likely to positively respond to light in June than at the other retrieval dates, with differences as great as 60% having been observed under irrigated conditions and at depths of 20 and 40 cm. The most outstanding effect of light as a germination stimulus was observed for seeds stored at room temperature where germination in light was always 20 to 35% higher than that in darkness. The viability of seeds did not change over time in seeds kept at room or cold temperature. However, the proportion of surviving seeds was reduced by 35 to 65% when buried in the soil. Littleseed canarygrass seeds tended to survive more when buried 40 cm deep and the differences between irrigated and nonirrigated conditions were only detectable at 10 cm deep, with higher seed mortalities under irrigated conditions. Information gained in this study would be useful in developing weed control programs for this species.
Molecular Analysis of Hexazinone-Resistant Shepherd's-Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) Reveals a NovelpsbAMutation
Authors: Perez-Jones Alejandro , Intanon Suphannika , Mallory-Smith Carol
Published: November 2009

A population of shepherd's-purse suspected to be resistant to the triazinone herbicide hexazinone, a photosystem II (PS II) inhibitor, was collected from an alfalfa field in 2007 in Oregon. A whole-plant, dose–response assay confirmed that the putative-resistant population was highly resistant to hexazinone. The resistant population was 22-fold more resistant to hexazinone than the susceptible population. However, the hexazinone-resistant population was susceptible to other PS II-inhibiting herbicides, including atrazine, diuron, and terbacil. DNA sequence analysis of the chloroplastpsbAgene encoding the D1 protein of PS II, the target site of PS II inhibitors, identified a point mutation from Phe to Ile at position 255 in the hexazinone-resistant population. Single- and double-point mutations at position 255, which is located in the QBbinding niche of the D1 protein, were previously reported inChlamydomonas reinhardtii,Synechococcusspecies, andSynechocystisspecies after site-directed mutagenesis and were associated with decreased binding of PS II inhibitors. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a mutation of thepsbAgene at Phe255in a field-selected, herbicide-resistant plant.
An assessment of the earth pressure coefficient in overconsolidated clays
Authors: SIVAKUMAR V. , NAVANEETHAN T. , HUGHES D. , GALLAGHER G.
Published: November 2009

The determination of the earth pressure coefficient K0 in a natural clay deposit is a problem of considerable significance in geotechnical engineering. While the methods for evaluation of K0 are reliable for normally consolidated soils, significant difficulties still exist in evaluating K0 in overconsolidated clays, given that it is influenced by the stress history of the material, together with the age, structure, mineralogical composition and depositional environment. Indeed, some of these factors are responsible for the soil becoming anisotropic. The existing framework for prediction of K0 in overconsolidated soils does not account for any influences caused by anisotropy. The work reported in this paper evaluates the validity of a revised relationship between K0oc and OCR (overconsolidation ratio) using data obtained from laboratory investigations. The tests were performed on reconstituted and undisturbed samples of Belfast Upper Boulder Clay, London Clay and Gault Clay. Tests were also performed on reconstituted samples of kaolin. The values of K0oc were determined using various approaches, including on-sample measurements. The results have confirmed that reliable predictions of K0oc can be made using the proposed relationship.
Three-dimensional stability of slopes and excavations
Authors: MICHALOWSKI R.L. , DRESCHER A.
Published: November 2009

Three-dimensional (3D) limit analysis of stability of slopes is presented. Such analyses are not common, because of the difficulties in constructing three-dimensional mechanisms of failure in frictional soils. A class of admissible rotational mechanisms is considered in this paper. The failure surface has the shape of a curvilinear cone (‘horn'), with upper and lower contours defined by log-spirals; all radial cross-sections of the surface are circular. In the special case of cohesive soils (undrained behaviour), the shape of the failure surface reduces to a torus. An alternative failure surface is generated when the axis of rotation intersects the circle that generates the surface. The 3D mechanism is further modified with a plane-strain central insert to ensure the transition to a plane-strain mechanism if no restraint is placed on the slope width. Also, the spherical failure surface considered in the literature is re-examined. The critical height of slopes with finite width is determined, and the results are presented in the form of graphs and tables for a practical range of parameters. A separate set of results is given for the critical depth of excavations, where the extent of the failure mechanism is defined by the geometry of the earthworks. An example illustrates the practical use of the results.
Improved expressions for field values of compaction test parameters
Authors: SHUKLA S.K. , SIVAKUGAN N. , GANDHI M. , AHMAD M.K.
Published: November 2009

In most compaction test procedures, depending on the size of the compaction mould, a fraction of the soil sample with particle sizes larger than a specific value is discarded. This fact limits the use of laboratory values of compaction test parameters, namely the optimum moisture content and the maximum dry unit weight, for field compaction of soils. This technical note provides improved expressions for determining the optimum moisture content and the maximum dry unit weight of field soil samples on the basis of laboratory compaction test results, which do not consider the larger particles of the field soil samples. The improved expressions would be useful for earthworks, and for developing standards for compaction tests for field applications.
English as an international language
Authors: Clyne Michael , Sharifian Farzad
Published: November 2009

In recent years, there has been a rapid evolution in the demographics of English speaking communities and individuals around the world, with an unprecedented growth in the number of users and learners of English. In the majority of cases, these learners and users are those who would traditionally have been classified as “non-native” speakers. This trend towards non-native speakers far outweighing native speakers in number is projected to pick up speed. The evolving nature of English in this context of its globalisation has called for a reassessment of a number of key dimensions in applied linguistic studies of English. Scholarly debates have surfaced about various political issues including the validity of the old distinction between “native” and “nonnative” speakers, what form English should – or is likely to – take as a language of international/intercultural communication (or lingua franca), and which groups are empowered and which ones disadvantaged by the accelerating prominence of English. Collectively, the essays in this issue of the journal engage with these issues in order to take the debate up to the next level. This article is a position paper which offers to open up the forum and to expand on some of some of these fundamental questions.
Production of electricity from surplus sludge using a single chamber floating-cathode microbial fuel cell
Authors: Liu Zhihua , Li Xiaoming , Jia Bin , Zheng Yao , Fang Li , Yang Qi , Wang Dongbo , Zeng Guangming
Published: November 2009

A single-chamber, membrane-less and floating-cathode microbial fuel cells (MFC) was successfully started up using surplus sludge as fuel without adding carbohydrate after 20 days. The electricity generation of the MFC was investigated. The results showed that the obtained maximum voltage was 440.7 mV when external resistance was 1,000 Ω. There were four phases (rapid fall phase, stationary phase, fall phase and stationary phase of low voltage) in the periodic time of MFC, and the output voltage range of 150–300 mV lasted for 107 hours during stationary phase. In addition, the obtained maximum power density was 220.7 mW m−2 and internal resistance was 368.13 Ω in the MFC. Consequently, surplus sludge could be used to generate electricity in MFC, which could provide a novel process for sludge recycling.
Comparison of the removal of phthalates and other organic pollutants from industrial wastewaters in membrane bioreactor and conventional activated sludge treatment plants
Authors: Llop A. , Borrull F. , Pocurull E.
Published: November 2009

In recent years greater attention has been paid to the presence of pollutants in wastewater treatment plants, mainly because of strict environmental regulations and the possibility of reusing treated water in industrial processes. Since some organic pollutant compounds are not sufficiently removed in conventional activated sludge treatment (CAST) plants, new treatment processes have been developed, such as membrane bioreactors (MBRs). In this study a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) was used to treat mixed industrial wastewaters in parallel with a CAST plant. Two hydraulic retention times (HRT) of wastewater were tested as one of the operational conditions of MBR and the quality of effluents of the two processes were studied and compared. Several general quality parameters were analysed in wastewaters: chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, conductivity, nitrogen, phosphate, suspended solids (SS) and turbidity. The two systems reduced COD by around 90%. SS was reduced by around 81% in the CAST plant and around 90% in the MBR plant. The results for the other general parameters were similar or better in the MBR process, which worked at a lower HRT. We also studied the removal of a group of six phthalates and bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate ester by SPME/GC—MS in the two treatment plants. Most of these compounds were not completely removed in the two treatment plants and were identified at low μg l−1 levels. We also tentatively identify some organic compounds in the wastewaters. Most of the compounds we found in the influent, MBR effluent and CAST effluent were benzene derivates, styrene, naphthalene and naphthalene derivates, and phenol derivates.
Nitrogen transformations and mass balances in anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic batch experiments with full-scale biomasses from BNR activated sludge systems
Authors: Mękinia J. , Stensel H. D. , Czerwionka K. , Drewnowski J. , Zapero D.
Published: November 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate nitrogen mass balances occurring inside full-scale BNR activated sludge systems, with special attention to colloidal and dissolved organic nitrogen (CON and DON) transformations. For this purpose, laboratory experiments were carried out using process biomass from two large BNR plants in northern Poland. Two parallel batch reactors were operated in a 3-phase (anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic) cycle. In one reactor, the settled wastewater without any pretreatment was used, whereas the settled wastewater after coagulation-flocculation (to remove colloidal and particulate fractions) was added to another reactor. The chemical pretreatment of settled wastewater with ZnSO4 did not adversely affect the observed nitrification rates in the (last) aerobic phase. It caused, however, a reduction of denitrification rates in the anoxic phase. Moreover, the chemical pretreatment did not appear to generally decrease DON but decreased CON. DON was explicitly produced in the aerobic phase and organic nitrogen conversion also occurred at a significant rate in the anoxic phase with biodegradable COD consumption and solids hydrolysis. The inorganic N mass balances revealed N losses up to approximately 10% which could be attributed to a few novel pathways of nitrogen removal, most likely aerobic denitrification or simultaneous nitrification/denitrification.
Integrated nutrient removal design for very low phosphorus levels
Authors: Johnson Bruce R. , Daigger Glen T.
Published: November 2009

The State of Washington has found that the Spokane River is DO impaired, and is requiring dischargers to reduce phosphorus inputs to the river. Spokane County elected to build a new water recovery facility with a target effluent total phosphorus level of 50 μg/L on a seasonal average basis. Spokane County elected to use a private company to design/build and operate their facility. The very low nutrient requirements, and lack of historical operating information, necessitated an integrated approach to the nutrient removal design while considering the risks and benefits of the various treatment options. The process selection evaluated membrane bioreactors and tertiary membranes for the primary liquids process in combination with chemical and/or biological phosphorus removal. The final process selection included chemically enhanced primary treatment, membrane bioreactor with metal salts, and dewatering liquor treatment with an innovative post aerobic digestion step.
Long-term operation of membrane biofilm reactors for nitrogen removal with autotrophic bacteria
Authors: Hwang J. H. , Cicek N. , Oleszkiewicz J. A.
Published: November 2009

Efficient gas delivery and biofilm development on membrane fibers in a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) would be well suited to autotrophic nitrification and denitrification using hydrogen. Total nitrogen removal in a two-step MBfR system incorporating sequential nitrification and hydrogen-driven autotrophic denitrification was investigated in order to achieve nitrogen removal by autotrophic bacteria alone. This study also aimed at the long-term stable operation, which proved difficult in previous studies due to excessive biofilm accumulation in autotrophic denitrification systems. Consecutive operation of nitrification and autotrophic denitrification lasted 230 days. Average specific nitrification rate of 1.87 g N/m2 d was achieved and the performance was very stable throughout the experimental periods. Nitrification performance from this study showed comparable rates to previous studies although this work was conducted at slightly lower temperature. Batch tests confirmed the presence of nitrifiers from the effluent of the nitrification reactor, which reattached to the biofilm in the denitrification reactor leading to further nitrification. Performance of autotrophic denitrification was maintained stably throughout the experimental periods, however biofilm control by nitrogen sparging was required for process stability. Average specific denitrification rate of 1.41 g N/m2 d and a maximum specific denitrification rate of 2.04 g N/m2 d was maintained. This study showed that, with an appropriate biofilm control plan, stable long-term operation of a fully autotrophic MBfR system for total nitrogen removal was possible without major membrane cleaning procedures.
Investigation of the acclimatization period: example of the microbial aerobic degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Authors: Bayle Sandrine , Malhautier Luc , Degrange Valérie , Godon Jean-Jacques , Fanlo Jean-Louis
Published: November 2009

The aim of this study is to better evaluate the occurrence of an acclimatization-enrichment period, defined as a selection period of consortia having the capability to biodegrade pollutants. In order to perform this evaluation, two experimental strategies were carried out and the results were studied carefully. Two laboratory-scale reactors were inoculated with activated sludge from an urban treatment plant. During the experiment, these reactors were supplied with a gaseous effluent containing VOCs. For both reactors, the composition is different. Three parameters were monitored to characterize the microflora: bacterial activities, bacterial densities, and the genetic structure of Bacteria and Eukarya domains (Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism fingerprint). The obtained results showed that the resultant biodegradation functions were equivalent. The bacterial community structure differs even if six co-migrated peaks were observed. These data suggest that the microbial communities in both reactors were altered differently in response to the treatment but developed a similar capacity to remove VOCs at the issue of this period. Furthermore, it is suggested that the experimental strategies developed in this work lead to an enrichment in terms of functionality and microbial diversity almost equivalent.
Development of an optical fiber flow velocity sensor
Authors: Harada Toshio , Kamoto Kenji , Abe Kyutaro , Izumo Masaki
Published: November 2009

A new optical fiber flow velocity sensor was developed by using an optical fiber information network system in sewer drainage pipes. The optical fiber flow velocity sensor operates without electric power, and the signals from the sensor can be transmitted over a long distance through the telecommunication system in the optical fiber network. Field tests were conducted to check the performance of the sensor in conduits in the pumping station and sewage pond managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Test results confirmed that the velocity sensor can be used for more than six months without any trouble even in sewer drainage pipes.
A comparison of ultrasound-based advanced oxidation processes for the removal of X-ray contrast media
Authors: Ning B. , Graham N. J. D. , Lickiss P. D.
Published: November 2009

The degradation of specific iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) compounds (viz: diatrizoate, iomeprol, iopromide, and iopamidol) by ultrasound irradiation in aqueous solution, with and without the presence of hydrogen peroxide or ozone, has been studied. Experiments were carried out at a constant ultrasound frequency of 20 kHz, at two power intensity values of 17.6 and 200.1 W cm−2, and at five power densities up to 0.235 W ml−1. Zero-order kinetic rate constants for the ICM degradation by ultrasound alone were calculated under certain sonication conditions. Pyrolysis appeared to contribute approximately 30%, and radical attack 70%, of the overall ICM degradation performance. The effect of ultrasound intensity on compound degradation (at a given power density) was found to play a negligible role, whereas ultrasound power density was found to be a major factor controlling the overall oxidation process under these conditions. The compound degradation by ultrasound alone was relatively minor, but the addition of hydrogen peroxide in the sonication process gave some improvement with a doubling in the degradation performance at the greatest applied peroxide concentration. The combination of gaseous ozone and ultrasound was found to be very effective in degrading ICM compounds and an almost complete compound removal could be achieved.
Advanced oxidation for indirect potable reuse: a practical application in Australia
Authors: Poussade Y. , Roux A. , Walker T. , Zavlanos V.
Published: November 2009

December 2008 marked the completion of Stage 2B of the Western Corridor Recycled Water (WCRW) Project in South East Queensland, Australia. With a maximum combined production capacity of 232 million litres of purified recycled water a day, it is the third largest recycled water scheme in the world and the largest in southern hemisphere. A seven-barrier approach has been used to ensure very highest quality, safe water is produced at all times for the purpose of indirect potable reuse. Three of these barriers occur in the advanced water treatment section of the WCRW Project: micro- or ultra-filtration (MF), reverse osmosis (RO), and H2O2/UV advanced oxidation. In addition to providing very efficient disinfection, the advanced oxidation process specifically aims at destroying compounds not fully rejected by RO that are potential health hazards. This includes N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a potential carcinogenic product likely to be formed by chlorination or chloramination of wastewaters. As in many other countries, Australia has adopted a stringent guideline limit for this compound of 10 ng/L in purified recycled water. After 16 months of operations of the WCRW Project's first plant, the advanced oxidation system has been proven effective in removing NDMA and ensuring 100% compliance with the regulation at a controlled cost.
Removal of analgesic drugs from the aquatic environment using photochemical methods
Authors: Felis Ewa , Miksch Korneliusz
Published: November 2009

The occurrence of analgesics in the environment can be explained by the fact that they are very popular and in common use, for example: to treat the symptoms of colds, aches and pains or for the treatment of painful diseases of rheumatic and non-rheumatic origin. Analgesic drugs are only partly removed from wastewater using the biological wastewater treatment processes. The photochemical methods are mentioned as a useful tool for the removal of analgesic medicines from the aquatic environment. The elimination of three analgesic drugs: diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen from the aquatic environment using UV- and UV/H2O2-processes was the aim of the study. All experiments were performed in the water with the presence and the absence of the urea as the main urine component. With the presence of urea the values of photo-oxidation rate constants (in the UV/H2O2-process) varied from 0.22 min−1 (ibuprofen) to 0.39 min−1 (diclofenac). The values of the photodegradation rate constants in the solution without urea (in the UV/H2O2-process) varied from 0.25 min−1 (ibuprofen) to 0.45 min−1 (diclofenac). The study showed that naproxen, ibuprofen and diclofenac may be effectively removed from the aquatic environment (e.g. from the urine) by means of photochemical methods.
Water quality assessment in an arid region using a water quality index
Authors: Varnosfaderany M. Nemati , Mirghaffary N. , Ebrahimi E. , Soffianian A.
Published: November 2009

Water quality of the Zayandehrud River, located in an arid region of central part of Iran, was assessed using National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSF WQI) calculated by four aggregation methods. Water samples were collected monthly (July 2006 to June 2007) from eight stations in the middle of the river. The parameters required for the NSF WQI calculations including saturation percent of dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, fecal coliforms, pH, nitrate, total phosphate, temperature deviation, total dissolved solids and turbidity were measured. According to WQIm which appeared to be more adapted to environmental conditions of the Zayandehrud River, the studied section of the river was considered as “reasonable” to “polluted” water quality. All of the calculated water quality indices showed the lowest values in August. In addition to BOD5 and fecal coliform amounts which were generally high, nitrate and total phosphate concentrations were also considerably increased due to agriculture practices in August. Generally, BOD5 and fecal coliforms are the main water quality subindices that reflect the effect of anthropogenic activities on the water quality of this river.
H2O2-assisted photolysis of reactive dye BES golden yellow simulated wastewater
Authors: Jian-xiao Lv , Guo-hong Xie , Qing-ling Yue , Li Zhang , Jian-min Li , Ying Cui
Published: November 2009

Reactive dye BES golden yellow simulated wastewater was treated with H2O2-assisted photolysis method. Influences of factors such as reaction time, initial pH and H2O2 dosage were investigated, and the reaction kinetics of the process were explored. Results showed that, the degradation of 200 mg/L BES golden yellow solution happened only in the presence of both conditions: UV irradiation and H2O2 addition. Initial pH and H2O2 dosage had remarkable influence on the removal efficiency of the dye. Through several groups of univariate experiments, the optimum pH and H2O2 dosage of the photolysis process were found to be 6–7 and 0.0375 mL 30% H2O2 per milligram of BES golden yellow, respectively. The photolysis process was approximately in accordance with the second-order kinetic equation.
Sewage treatment in a single pond system at East Kolkata Wetland, India
Authors: Sarkar Subhasis , Ghosh Phani Bhusan , Mukherjee Koushik , Sil Alok Kumar , Saha Tapan
Published: November 2009

East Kolkata Wetland (EKW), a Ramsar site, greatly contributes towards purification of city sewage employing single pond system. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Therefore to gain an insight, in this study efforts have been made to understand the rate of biodegradation and the time dependent changes of different physicochemical factors and their interactions that are involved in the process. For this purpose, different parameters such as BOD, COD, faecal coliforms etc. have been measured at different time intervals during the purification process. The results reveal that biodegradation rate at EKW pond is very high and wastewater gets stabilized within 10 days of retention. The higher rate of biodegradation in pond system at EKW (k = 0.7 day−1) than in laboratory based in vitro experiment (k = 0.12 day−1) reveals the important contribution from other environmental components that are unique for this system. The results also demonstrate the significant influence (P ≤ 0.01) of temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen on the purification of waste water. Thus the current study provides an insight about the optimal pathway of gradual improvement of wastewater quality in the single pond system at EKW and may serve to explore the inherent mechanism to a great extent.
Treatment of cooling tower blowdown water containing silica, calcium and magnesium by electrocoagulation
Authors: Liao Z. , Gu Z. , Schulz M. C. , Davis J. R. , Baygents J. C. , Farrell J.
Published: November 2009

This research investigated the effectiveness of electrocoagulation using iron and aluminium electrodes for treating cooling tower blowdown (CTB) waters containing dissolved silica (Si(OH)4), Ca2 +  and Mg2 + . The removal of each target species was measured as a function of the coagulant dose in simulated CTB waters with initial pH values of 5, 7, and 9. Experiments were also performed to investigate the effect of antiscaling compounds and coagulation aids on hardness ion removal. Both iron and aluminum electrodes were effective at removing dissolved silica. For coagulant doses ≤3 mM, silica removal was a linear function of the coagulant dose, with 0.4 to 0.5 moles of silica removed per mole of iron or aluminium. Iron electrodes were only 30% as effective at removing Ca2 +  and Mg2 +  as compared to silica. There was no measurable removal of hardness ions by aluminium electrodes in the absence of organic additives. Phosphonate based antiscaling compounds were uniformly effective at increasing the removal of Ca2 +  and Mg2 +  by both iron and aluminium electrodes. Cationic and amphoteric polymers used as coagulation aids were also effective at increasing hardness ion removal.
Curcumin-Loaded Nanocapsules: Formulation and Influence of the Nanoencapsulation Processes Variables on the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of the Particles
Authors: Salaün Fabien , Vroman Isabelle
Published: November 2009

The aim of this work was to assess the influence of various formulation parameters on the incorporation of Curcumin into nanoparticles. For this purpose, the influence of the aqueous monomer (ethylene diamine, hexamethylene diamine, and 1,4-diaminobutane), as well as the effect of the stirring rate and the influence of the nanoencapsulation method on the encapsulation efficiency were investigated. It was found that variation in the amount of ingredients had profound effects on the curcuminoid loading capacity, the mean particle size, and size distribution. Furthermore, from the thermal results, it is concluded that the reactivity of diamine and the length of flexible methylene chain in diamine determine the thermal properties of resultant polymer wall membrane. The encapsulation yield depends not only on the encapsulation process but also on the chemical structure of the diamine. Whereas, the size and its distribution vary according to the process choice and the emulsification stirring rate.
Effect of a Glaze/Composite Sealant on the 3-D Surface Roughness of Esthetic Restorative Materials
Authors: Perez C. R. , Hirata R. , Silva A. H. M. F. T. , Sampaio E. M. , Miranda M. S.
Published: November 2009

Clinical Relevance

The use of a liquid polisher provided polished surfaces and reduced the surface roughness of tooth-colored restorative materials even when finishing procedures were performed solely with diamond burs.
Comparative Clinical Study of the Effectiveness of Three Different Bleaching Methods
Authors: Bizhang M. , Chun Y-H. P. , Damerau K. , Singh P. , Raab W. H-M. , Zimmer S.
Published: November 2009

Clinical Relevance

The efficacy of vital bleaching depends on the two aspects—viz, bleaching agent and the bleaching method. Results from this in vivo study show that 10% carbamide peroxide home-bleaching and 15% hydrogen peroxide in-office bleaching were more effective than a 6% hydrogen peroxide home-bleaching over-the-counter product up to three months after completion of the bleaching treatment.
Properties of Hybrid Resin Composite Systems Containing Prepolymerized Filler Particles
Authors: Blackham J. T. , Vandewalle K. S. , Lien W.
Published: November 2009

Clinical Relevance

The incorporation of prepolymerized-filler particles in hybrid resin composite systems may result in a reduction of mechanical properties.
Effect of Bleaching on Fracture Toughness of Resin Composites
Authors: Cho S. D. , Bulpakdi P. , Matis B. A. , Platt J. A.
Published: November 2009

Clinical Relevance

Bleaching after composite placement does not have a significant adverse effect on the fracture toughness of composite materials.
The Quality of Post and Cores Made Using a Reduce-Time Casting Technique
Authors: Hansen P. A. , LeBlanc M. , Cook N. B. , Williams K.
Published: November 2009

Clinical Relevance

The results of this study suggest that it is feasible to fabricate and deliver a quality cast post and core restoration in a single appointment using a phosphate investment with an abbreviated casting technique.
Cuspal Movement and Gap Formation in Premolars Restored with Preheated Resin Composite
Authors: Elsayad I.
Published: November 2009

Clinical Relevance

The use of preheated resin composite to 37°C may improve adaptation and decrease interfacial gaps, but when the composite is preheated to higher temperatures, including 54°C and 68°C, this can cause tooth deformation and subsequently other clinical manifestations.
Quality of Research Design Moderates Effects of Grade Retention on Achievement: A Meta-Analytic, Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Allen Chiharu S. , Chen Qi , Willson Victor L. , Hughes Jan N.
Published: November 2009

The present meta-analysis examines the effect of grade retention on academic outcomes and investigates systemic sources of variability in effect sizes. Using multilevel modeling (MLM), the authors investigate characteristics of 207 effect sizes across 22 studies published between 1990 and 2007 at two levels: the study (between) and individual (within) levels. Design quality is a study-level variable. Individual-level variables are median grade retained and median number of years postretention. Quality of design is associated with less negative effects. Years postretention is negatively associated with retention effects, and this effect is stronger for studies using grade comparisons versus age comparisons. The results challenge the widely held view that retention has a negative impact on achievement. Suggestions for future research are discussed.
Shelf Life Studies of Three Wasabi Flavoured Sauces
Authors: Sultana Tamanna , Savage GP , Porter NG , McNeil DL , Sedcole JR
Published: November 2009

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) contained in purees extracted from wasabi (Wasabia japonica (Miq) Matsum) can be used to manufacture a range of interesting spicy foods. In New Zealand, local manufacturers are showing interest in producing various forms of processed wasabi based sauces. However, isothiocyanates have been shown to degrade quickly in some situations. Therefore, in this study, the stability of allyl ITC was investigated in three wasabi flavoured products stored at four different temperatures (4, 10, 20 and 30°C) for 22 weeks. Two creamy (mayonnaise and tartare) sauces and a non-creamy sauce were prepared from an original recipe and flavoured with a known volume of "wasabi oil". Two types of pouches (clear and metallic plastic) were used to store each product and allyl ITC content was measured in the stored sauces at two week intervals. The initial level of allyl ITC found in mayonnaise, tartare and smoky tomato sauces were 415.3, 411.4 and 144.7 mg/ kg respectively, prior to storage. Temperature showed a strong influence in reducing allyl ITC (P=0.005 to <0.001) but no significant effect was identified for the two types of packets used. The non-creamy smoky tomato sauce was very unstable at 10°C or higher temperatures and the allyl ITC contents reduced rapidly with increasing storage temperatures. For instance, at 30°C, a 66% loss occurred by week 2 and a 90% loss occurred by week 6 in the smoky tomato sauce. However, mayonnaise and tartare sauces had a shelf life of 8 to 9 weeks with only a marginal reduction in allyl ITC (2% overall) at all the stored temperatures (4-30°C). These creamy sauces were characterized by a sudden fall in 10 weeks ending in a 69-70% loss of allyl ITC at 22 weeks. No microbial growth occurred in any of the sauces stored at any of the temperatures during the course of this storage experiment though very small change of colour was noticed for the sauces when stored at 30°C. Keywords: Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(2), 147-156, 2009DOI: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i2.3665Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(2), 147-156, 2009