bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decision making in flood risk based storm sewer network design
Authors: Sun S. A. , Djordjević S. , Khu S. T.
Published: July 2011

It is widely recognised that flood risk needs to be taken into account when designing a storm sewer network. Flood risk is generally a combination of flood consequences and flood probabilities. This paper aims to explore the decision making in flood risk based storm sewer network design. A multi-objective optimization is proposed to find the Pareto front of optimal designs in terms of low construction cost and low flood risk. The decision making process then follows this multi-objective optimization to select a best design from the Pareto front. The traditional way of designing a storm sewer system based on a predefined design storm is used as one of the decision making criteria. Additionally, three commonly used risk based criteria, i.e., the expected flood risk based criterion, the Hurwicz criterion and the stochastic dominance based criterion, are investigated and applied in this paper. Different decisions are made according to different criteria as a result of different concerns represented by the criteria. The proposed procedure is applied to a simple storm sewer network design to demonstrate its effectiveness and the different criteria are compared.
The urban stormwater farm
Authors: Liebman M. B. , Jonasson O. J. , Wiese R. N.
Published: July 2011

Currently more than 3 billion people live in urban areas. The urban population is predicted to increase by a further 3 billion by 2,050. Rising oil prices, unreliable rainfall and natural disasters have all contributed to a rise in global food prices. Food security is becoming an increasingly important issue for many nations. There is also a growing awareness of both ‘food miles’ and ‘virtual water’. Food miles and virtual water are concepts that describe the amount of embodied energy and water that is inherent in the food and other goods we consume. Growing urban agglomerations have been widely shown to consume vast quantities of energy and water whilst emitting harmful quantities of wastewater and stormwater runoff through the creation of massive impervious areas. In this paper it is proposed that there is an efficient way of simultaneously addressing the problems of food security, carbon emissions and stormwater pollution. Through a case study we demonstrate how it is possible to harvest and store stormwater from densely populated urban areas and use it to produce food at relatively low costs. This reduces food miles (carbon emissions) and virtual water consumption and serves to highlight the need for more sustainable land-use planning.
Treatment of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) wastewater by internal electrolysis – biological contact oxidation process
Authors: Cao X. Z. , Li Y. M.
Published: July 2011

Surfactant wastewater is usually difficult to treat due to its toxicity and poor biodegradability. A separate physico-chemical or biochemical treatment method achieves a satisfactory effect with difficulty. In this study, treatment of the wastewater collected from a daily chemical plant by the combination processes of Fe/C internal electrolysis and biological contact oxidation was investigated. For the internal electrolysis process, the optimal conditions were: pH = 4–5, Fe/C = (10–15):1, air–water ratio = (10–20):1 and hydraulic retention time (HRT) = 2 h. For the biological contact oxidation process, the optimal conditions were: HRT = 12 h, DO = 4.0–5.0 mg/L. Treated by the above combined processes, the effluent could meet the I-grade criteria specified in Integrated Wastewater Discharge Standard of China (GB 8978-1996). The results provide valuable information for full-scale linear alkylbenzene sulfonate wastewater treatment.
A new approach to energy-efficient treatment of wastewater produced by the fish industry in Vietnam
Authors: Trautmann N. , Beier M. , Phan L.-C. , Rosenwinkel K.-H.
Published: July 2011

Economic growth in Vietnam in the last few years has brought about an increasing demand for energy and has had a severe environmental impact. Fish processing is one of the fastest-growing industries that discharge organically-polluted wastewater. To counter these environmental problems, new technologies for energy-efficient treatment are needed. By coupling innovative nitrogen removal systems with anaerobic treatment processes, it is possible to realise such technologies. In the present project, a combined deammonification and anaerobic carbon removal system is presented. Special requirements to enable reliable treatment are discussed, taking industrial wastewater characteristics into consideration. To evaluate energetic efficiency, energy balance calculations based on data from a fish-processing factory are made. The determined specific energy consumption and production rates show that energy recovery is possible, even when COD and nitrogen removal efficiencies of over 90% are achieved. Depending on the pre-treatment employed, energy recovery rates ranging from 0.6 to 2.5 kWh/mt raw fish can be reached.
Aerobic granulation in a mechanical stirred SBR: treatment of low organic loads
Authors: Mosquera-Corral A. , Arrojo B. , Figueroa M. , Campos J. L. , Méndez R.
Published: July 2011

Aerobic granular sludge was produced in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) characterized by a height to diameter ratio of 2.5 and the use of mechanical stirring. Compact and regular aerobic granules of up to 1.75 mm of average diameter were formed in the reactor with an organic loading rate of 1.75 kg COD/(m3 d). Settling properties of the obtained aggregates were: sludge volumetric index of 30–40 mL/g VSS and settling velocity higher than 8 m/h. The effects of different carbon to nitrogen ratios (TOC/N) in the feeding on the organic matter oxidation and nitrification process were studied. The concentration of organic matter in the feeding was stepwise reduced (from 190.0 to 37.5 mg TOC/L) and ammonium increased (from 25 to 50 mg NH4+-N/L). TOC/N ratios of 7.50, 3.00, 1.50 and 0.75 g/g in the feeding were tested. The TOC removal percentage was around 80–95% during the whole operational period and the N removal percentages obtained in the reactor were up to 40%, however, physical properties of the granules were not maintained.
Particle counting as a tool to predict filterability in membrane bioreactors activated sludge?
Authors: Lousada-Ferreira M. , Moreau A. , van Lier J. B. , van der Graaf J. H. J. M.
Published: July 2011

Activated sludge quality is one of the major factors influencing flux decline in membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Sludge filterability is a recognized parameter to characterize the physical properties of activated sludge. Decrease in filterability is linked to a higher number of submicron particles. In our present research we studied whether particle counting techniques can be used to indicate deflocculation of the sludge suspended fraction to submicron particles, causing the aforementioned filterability decrease. A total number of 105 activated sludge samples were collected in four full scale municipal MBRs. Samples were tested for filterability and particle counting in the range 2–100 μm. In 88% of the membrane tank samples the filterability varied between good and poor, characterized by the ΔR20, being 0 < ΔR20 < 1. Filterability varied following the season of the year, stability of the MBR operation and recirculation ratio. The membrane tank filterability can be improved by applying low recirculation ratio between MBR tanks. The applied particle counting methodology generated reproducible and reliable results in the range 10–100 μm. Results show that differences in filterability cannot be explained by variations in particle size distribution in the range 10–100 μm. However, measurable deflocculation might be masked by the large numbers of particles present. Therefore, we cannot exclude the suspended particles as a possible source of submicron particles that are subsequently responsible for MBR sludge filterability deterioration.
Variation of algal viability during electrochemical disinfection using Ti/RuO2 electrodes
Authors: Liang Wenyan , Wang Ke , Chen Li , Ruan Lingling , Sui Lili
Published: July 2011

This paper studied the influence of the operating conditions, e.g. current density, electrolyte and exposure time, on the variation of the algal viability during electrochemical disinfection processes. An electrochemical tube employing Ti/RuO2 as anodes was constructed for inactivation of cyanobacteria (often called blue-green algae) Microcystis aeruginosa. Viability of algal cells was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazoliumchloride (TTC) dehydrogenase activity assay and neutral red (NR) staining assay. Algal suspensions with cell density of 5–7 × 109 L−1 were exposed to current densities from 1 to 8 mA cm−2 at room temperature (25–30 °C) for 30 min. The results showed that the cell viability decreased obviously with the increase of current density. After exposure to 4 mA cm−2 for more than 7 min, Microcystis aeruginosa didn't have the ability to resume growth. Comparative disinfection tests with different electrolytes were conducted, including chlorides, sulfates, nitrates and phosphates. Microcystis aeruginosa appeared to be sensitive to electro-generated chlorine oxidants. The inactivation effect was also demonstrated to occur in chlorine-free electrolytes. However, decrease of the inactivation effect by adding ascorbic acid as an oxidant scavenger indicated that the reactive oxygen species, especially •OH radicals, played an important role for chlorine-free electrolytes.
Nutrient loads and their impacts on chlorophyll a in the Mae Klong River and estuarine ecosystem: an approach for nutrient criteria development
Authors: Thongdonphum Boontarika , Meksumpun Shettapong , Meksumpun Charumas
Published: July 2011

Investigations on the water quality of the Mae Klong River and Estuary were conducted from April 2005 to February 2006 during periods of early-, mid-, and late-loading. Nutrient loads and transfer patterns were studied together with clarification of contaminated sites. The results indicated that NH4+, NO2− + NO3−, Si(OH)4 and PO43− concentrations varied by season and were comparatively high in the mid-loading period. Analysis of DIN:P and Si:P molar ratios indicated that PO43− could possibly be a limiting nutrient. Highly contaminated sites were in the middle (Ratchaburi province) and lower (Samut Songkhram province) river zones in which anthropogenic wastewater discharges were significantly (p < 0.05) loaded. Analysis of the DIN and P transfer patterns showed that self-remediation efficiencies were rarely found. The highest DIN and P loads of 23.87 and 4.03 t/day, respectively, were found in Samut Songkhram province. Nutrients were found to contribute to the hypertrophic condition of the lower river and the estuary. The baseline level of chlorophyll a in the upper river was ∼3.3 μg/L, while levels exceeded 10 μg/L in the estuarine zone. Such chlorophyll a levels were highly significant (p < 0.01) related to DIN and P (with correlation coefficients of 0.44 and 0.37, respectively). In order to maintain river conservation to an acceptable degree, levels of about 20 μmol/L DIN and 1 μmol/L P were suggested as the upper limits. To achieve such levels will require serious consideration with regard to the development of nutrient criteria for water resource conservation management and sustainable utilization purposes.
Numerical modelling: a tool for better constructed wetland design?
Authors: Langergraber Guenter
Published: July 2011

There is a need for a simplified computer-based design tool for subsurface flow constructed wetlands (CWs) which is based on process-based numerical models. Parameters of existing design guidelines and rules have been derived from experiments under specific conditions. Therefore designing CWs using these parameters is limited to these conditions (i.e. temperature, wastewater composition, filter material, etc.). Process-based numerical models describe the main processes in CWs in detail. If the design of CWs is based on these models it will be possible to design CWs for a variety of different boundary conditions and therefore the main limitation of existing design guidelines and rules could be overcome. The use of process-based models is currently limited mainly due to their complexity in structure and use. To make numerical modelling a useful and applicable tool for design, a simplified computer-based design tool that does not require special knowledge of numerical modelling is needed. Additionally, simple models for pre- and post-treatments are also required. Besides allowing designs for various boundary conditions, design tools based on process-based models can also predict the dynamic behaviour of the designed system thus showing e.g., the higher robustness of CWs against fluctuating inflows and peak loads compared to other treatment solutions. Such a tool could increase the quality of CW design and the acceptance and use of CW simulation in practice.
Analysis of shear stress and energy consumption in a tubular airlift membrane system
Authors: Ratkovich N. , Chan C. C. V. , Berube P. R. , Nopens I.
Published: July 2011

Application of a two-phase slug flow in side-stream membrane bioreactors (MBRs) has proven to increase the permeate flux and decrease fouling through a better control of the cake layer. Past literature has shown that the hydrodynamics near the membrane surface have an impact on the degree of fouling by imposing high shear stress near the surface of the membrane. Previously, shear stress histograms (SSH) have been introduced to summarize results from an experimental setup developed to investigate the shear stress imposed on the surface of a membrane under different two-phase flow conditions (gas and liquid) by varying the flow of each phase. Bimodal SSHs were observed, with peaks corresponding to the shear induced by the liquid and gas flow respectively. In this contribution, SSHs are modelled using simple empirical relationships. These are used to identify the two-phase flow conditions that optimize fouling control. Furthermore, the total energy consumption of the system was estimated based on the two-phase pressure drop. It was found that low liquid and high gas flow rates (ratio of approx. 4) balanced the peaks and minimized the energy consumption.
Decision-making criteria and indicators for water and sanitation projects in developing countries
Authors: Garfì Marianna , Ferrer-Martí Laia
Published: July 2011

Water and sanitation projects for solving the needs of small communities in developing countries are complex in nature and involve complex decision-making, which must consider technical, socio-economic and environmental dimensions. Multicriteria analysis (MCA) is a suitable decision-aid method that scores a finite number of options on the basis of a set of evaluation criteria. The main challenge in MCA is choosing the appropriate criteria and evaluation indicators to use for assessment. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive and wide list of criteria and evaluation indicators as a guideline in MCA of water and basic sanitation projects in small rural communities of developing countries. First, the paper details the general criteria to be considered in all the projects, which are classified in to 4 main groups: technical (e.g. local resources use, appropriate management); social (e.g. local community participation, overcoming discrimination of conflict); economic (e.g. low cost, employment of local staff) and environmental criteria (e.g. atmospheric emissions, water pollution). Then, it describes technical criteria to be additionally considered in each specific type of project: water supply (e.g. water needs, independent access), water treatment (e.g. constant resource availability, flexibility of use for different types of water) and basic sanitation projects (e.g. maximum number of people per system, effluent quality).
The challenge of documenting water quality benefits of conservation practices: a review of USDA-ARS's conservation effects assessment project watershed studies
Authors: Tomer M. D. , Locke M. A.
Published: July 2011

The Conservation Effects Assessment Project was established to quantify water quality benefits of conservation practices supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In 2004, watershed assessment studies were begun in fourteen agricultural watersheds with varying cropping systems, landscapes, climate, and water quality concerns. This paper reviews USDA Agricultural Research Service ‘Benchmark’ watershed studies and the challenge of identifying water quality benefits in watersheds. Study goals included modeling and field research to assess practices, and evaluation of practice placement in watersheds. Not all goals were met within five years but important lessons were learned. While practices improved water quality, problems persisted in larger watersheds. This dissociation between practice-focused and watershed-scale assessments occurred because: (1) Conservation practices were not targeted at critical sources/pathways of contaminants; (2) Sediment in streams originated more from channel and bank erosion than from soil erosion; (3) Timing lags, historical legacies, and shifting climate combined to mask effects of practice implementation; and (4) Water quality management strategies addressed single contaminants with little regard for trade-offs among contaminants. These lessons could help improve conservation strategies and set water quality goals with realistic timelines. Continued research on agricultural water quality could better integrate modeling and monitoring capabilities, and address ecosystem services.
Advanced electro-Fenton degradation of biologically-treated coking wastewater using anthraquinone cathode and Fe-Y catalyst
Authors: Li Haitao , Li Yuping , Cao Hongbin , Li Xingang , Zhang Yi
Published: July 2011

The electrocatalytic activity of bare and 2-ethyl anthraquinone-modified graphite felt (2-EAQ/GF) toward oxygen reduction was investigated using a cyclic voltammetry technique in a neutral solution. The prepared cathodes were tested for electrogeneration of H2O2 and electro-Fenton oxidation (EFO) treatment of neutral coking wastewater (CW) after biological process, using a graphite anode and Fe-zeolite Y catalyst. The results showed that (i) H2O2 yield and current efficiency greatly depended on cathodic potential and materials; (ii) hydroxyl radicals, generated from Fe-zeolite Y-catalyzed H2O2 decomposition, played a great role in EFO treatment, while anodic direct and indirect oxidation was insignificant; (iii) chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon (TOC) and acute toxicity of wastewater decreased by 40–50, 30–40 and 50–60%, respectively, and biodegradability increased after 1 h of EFO treatment. Due to the free-pH adjustment, EFO presents a potential engineering application for advanced treatment of CW.
Preparation and characterization of CTAB-HACC bentonite and its ability to adsorb phenol from aqueous solution
Authors: Huang Ruihua , Zheng Dongsheng , Yang Bingchao , Wang Bo , Zhang Zengqiang
Published: July 2011

A novel type of adsorbent was prepared by modifying bentonite with N-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) with cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The adsorbent was named CTAB-HACC bentonite. Its characteristics were investigated using thermogravimetric, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction. The adsorption of phenol onto CTAB-HACC bentonite was evaluated by changing various parameters, such as contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial pH of the solution, and temperature. The maximum adsorption was observed at pH 12. Adsorption of phenol on CTAB-HACC bentonite favored at lower temperature and established the equilibrium in 30 min. The adsorption efficiency reached 82.1%, and the adsorption capacity was 7.12 mg/g from the phenol solution with a concentration of 500 mg/L at pH 12.0 and 20 °C.
Phosphorus removal using nanofiltration membranes
Authors: Leo C. P. , Chai W. K. , Mohammad A. W. , Qi Y. , Hoedley A. F. A. , Chai S. P.
Published: July 2011

A high concentration of phosphorus in wastewater may lead to excessive algae growth and de-oxygenation of the water. In this work, nanofiltration (NF) of phosphorus-rich solutions is studied in order to investigate its potential in removing and recycling phosphorus. Wastewater samples from a pulp and paper plant were first analyzed. Commercial membranes (DK5, MPF34, NF90, NF270, NF200) were characterized and tested in permeability and phosphorus removal experiments. NF90 membranes offer the highest rejection of phosphorus; a rejection of more than 70% phosphorus was achieved for a feed containing 2.5 g/L of phosphorus at a pH <2. Additionally, NF90, NF200 and NF270 membranes show higher permeability than DK5 and MPF34 membranes. The separation performance of NF90 is slightly affected by phosphorus concentration and pressure, which may be due to concentration polarization and fouling. By adjusting the pH to 2 or adding sulfuric acid, the separation performance of NF90 was improved in removing phosphorus. However, the presence of acetic acid significantly impairs the rejection of phosphorus.
Determination of the optimal rate for the microaerobic treatment of several H2S concentrations in biogas from sludge digesters
Authors: Díaz I. , Lopes A. C. , Pérez S. I. , Fdz-Polanco M.
Published: July 2011

The treatment of H2S in the biogas produced during anaerobic digestion has to be carried out to ensure the efficient long-lasting use of its energetic potential. The microaerobic removal of H2S was studied to determine the treatment capacity at low and high H2S concentrations in the biogas (0.33 and 3.38% v/v) and to determine the optimal O2 rate that achieved a concentration of H2S of 150 mg/Nm3 or lower. Research was performed in pilot-plant scale digesters of sewage sludge, with 200 L of working volume, in mesophilic conditions with a hydraulic retention time of 20 d. O2 was supplied at different rates to the headspace of the digester to create the microaerobic conditions. The treatment successfully removed H2S from the biogas with efficacies of 97% for the low concentration and 99% for the highest, in both cases achieving a concentration below 150 mg/Nm3. An optimal O2 rate of 6.4 NLO2/Nm3 of biogas when treating the biogas was found with 0.33% (v/v) of H2S and 118 NLO2/Nm3 of biogas for the 3.38% (v/v) concentration. This relation may be employed to control the H2S content in the biogas while optimising the O2 supply.
Investigation of the efficiency of a tubular continuous-flow photoreactor with supported titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the removal of 4-nitrophenol: operational parameters, kinetics analysis and mineralization studies
Authors: Behnajady Mohammad A. , Amirmohammadi-Sorkhabi Sadegh , Modirshahla Nasser , Shokri Mohammad
Published: July 2011

In this study, to investigate the application of heterogeneous photocatalysis in the removal of organic contaminants from aqueous media a novel tubular continuous-flow photoreactor with supported TiO2-P25 on glass plates was designed and constructed. The photoreactor comprises six quartz tubes and a UV lamp which was placed in the center of the quartz tubes. 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) as a most refractory pollutant was chosen as a probe pollutant to examine the photoreactor efficiency for environmental cleaning applications. Results of experiments show that the removal efficiency of 4-NP in this photoreactor is a function of photoreactor length, gas and liquid flow rates and 4-NP initial concentration. Kinetics analysis indicates that degradation of 4-NP in continuous-mode can be modeled with the Langmuir–Hinshelwood (L–H) model (kL–H = 1.5 mg L−1 min−1, Kads = 0.11 mg−1 L). A design equation was obtained with a combination of L–H modified equation and tubular reactor design equation. This equation can be used for estimation of 4-NP concentration in different photoreactor lengths under various operational parameters. Mineralization study was followed through total organic carbon (TOC) analysis and measurement of nitrite and nitrate as final degradation products.
Temperature effects on the trophic stages of perennial rye grass anaerobic digestion
Authors: Cysneiros D. , Thuillier A. , Villemont R. , Littlestone A. , Mahony T. , O'Flaherty V.
Published: July 2011

Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors (CSTRs), operated in batch mode, were used to evaluate the feasibility of psychrophilic (low temperature) digestion of perennial rye grass in a long term experiment (150 days) for the first time. The reactors were operated in parallel at 3 different temperatures, 10, 15 and 37 °C. Hydrolysis, acidification and methanogenesis were assessed by VS degradation, by soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) production, and by methane production, respectively. Hydrolysis was the rate-limiting step at all temperatures and the rates and extent of hydrolysis were considerably lower at 15 and 10 °C, than at 37 °C. The total VS degradation was 53%, 34% and 19% at 37, 15 and 10 °C, respectively. Acidification was not affected by temperature and VFA production and consumption was balanced in all cases, except at 10 °C. Methane yields were 0.215 m3 CH4 kg−1 VS−1 added, 0.160 m3 CH4 kg−1 VS−1 added and 0.125 m3 CH4 kg−1 VS−1 added at 37, 15 and 10 °C, respectively. Methanogenesis was not strongly affected at 15 °C but it became rate-limiting at 10 °C. Overall, the solid degradation and methane production performance under psychrophilic conditions was encouraging and greater than previously reported. Considering the non-acclimated, mesophilic nature of the inoculum, there are grounds to believe that low-temperature anaerobic digestion of grass could be feasible if coupled to efficient hydrolysis of the biomass.
Submersible microbial fuel cell for electricity production from sewage sludge
Authors: Zhang Yifeng , Olias Lola Gonzalez , Kongjan Prawit , Angelidaki Irini
Published: July 2011

A submersible microbial fuel cell (SMFC) was utilized to treat sewage sludge and simultaneously generate electricity. Stable power generation (145 ± 5 mW/m2, 470 Ω) was produced continuously from raw sewage sludge for 5.5 days. The maximum power density reached 190 ± 5 mW/m2. The corresponding total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) removal efficiency was 78.1 ± 0.2% with initial TCOD of 49.7 g/L. The power generation of SMFC was depended on the sludge concentration, while dilution of the raw sludge resulted in higher power density. The maximum power density was saturated at sludge concentration of 17 g-TCOD/L, where 290 mW/m2 was achieved. When effluents from an anaerobic digester that was fed with raw sludge were used as substrate in the SMFC, a maximum power density of 318 mW/m2, and a final TCOD removal of 71.9 ± 0.2% were achieved. These results have practical implications for development of an effective system to treat sewage sludge and simultaneously recover energy.
Obama to Blame? African American Surge Voters and the Ban on Same-Sex Marriage in Florida
Authors: Slade Stephanie , Smith Daniel A
Published: July 2011

Did African American votersdrawn to the polls by Barack Obama in 2008cast their ballots for him and then vote to ban gay marriage in Florida, causing Amendment 2 to pass? Using original survey and county-level data, we find the linkage fails to hold. While they tend to be less supportive of marriage equality than whites, black surge voters in Florida were only slightly more likely to support a ban on gay marriage than other likely voters. In addition, we show that although counties that experienced large numbers of black surge voters did exhibit more support for Obama, they were no more supportive of Amendment 2 than other counties. Finally, we demonstrate that black voters were not responsible for carrying Floridas gay marriage ban to passage, as it would have met and surpassed a 60-percent threshold even in their absence.
It's the Financial Crisis, Stupid! How Framing and Competency Signals Altered the Economic Vote in the US and Germany
Authors: Wagner Andrea
Published: July 2011

Economic voting models predict a direct translation of objective economic conditions into voters preferences. These models posit that declining micro- and macroeconomic circumstances will automatically lead to a vote against the incumbent government. The 2008 financial crisis provides a valuable opportunity to test the applicability of these theories. This paper argues that the framing of the crisis and the competency signals voters received during the 2008 US and the 2009 German campaigns mediate the link between economic perceptions and the vote intention.
Publius and Proofiness: Is Using Sampling with the Census for Apportioning Representatives Constitutional?
Authors: Adkison Danny M.
Published: July 2011

This paper examines the desirability and constitutionality of using sampling techniques in conducting the United States census. The census is one of the most controversial political events each decade. Most people would be surprised to learn that the census was a hotly debated topic at the Constitutional Convention. In spite of the fact that a census is typically considered more accurate than a sample, this paper argues that using sampling techniques, for the allocation of legislative seats, would produce a more accurate count of inhabitants in America. Furthermore, the paper addresses the constitutional issues surrounding the use of sampling.
Unhyphenated Americans in the 2010 U.S. House Election
Authors: Arbour Brian K.
Published: July 2011

Sociologists have identified an emerging new ethnic population of unhyphenated Americans, those whites who claim an American ancestry, or none at all. This article measures the voting habits of these individuals in the 2010 elections. Research has shown that Barack Obamas vote share suffered in the 2008 election in regions where these voters are concentrated. This paper extends that analysis to the 2010 midterm elections. I find that in districts where unhyphenated Americans are concentrated, Democratic candidates suffered reduced vote share and chances of victory. These findings show the importance of identity politics among white voters and raise further questions about the role of ethnicity and voting.
The Behavioral Political Economy of Budget Deficits: How Starve the Beast Policies Feed the Machine
Authors: Ura Joseph Daniel , Socker Erica M.
Published: July 2011

The notion of starving the beast has been an important justification for fiscal programs emphasizing revenue reductions since the mid-1970s. While the idea of restraining government spending by limiting government revenues has an intuitive appeal, there is convincing evidence the reducing federal tax rates without coordinated reductions in federal spending actually produces long-term growth in spending. This perverse result is explained by a theory of fiscal illusion. By deferring the costs of government services and benefits through deficit financing, starve the beast policies have the effect of lowering the perceived price of government in the minds of many citizens. We assess the principal behavioral prediction of the fiscal illusion theory.Incorporating estimates of the effects of federal deficits into a standard substantive model of Stimson's mood index, we find strong support for a subjective price-driven theory of demand for government. In particular, we find that the size of the federal budget deficit is significantly associated with greater demand for government services and benefits. This may have important implications for contemporary debates about fiscal discipline.
The Practicing Politics Working Group of the American Political Science Association: Bridging the Policy-Research Divide from the Practitioner's Point of View
Authors: Wu Irene S
Published: July 2011

Ever see a problem on the news and realize that you have a solution buried on your hard drive, or tucked away in a research journal in a library corner? Ever wonder what it would be like if youthe eminent political scientistwere in charge of making policy decisions? Or, ever try to get information out of the government or an interview with a politician? Consider joining the Practicing Politics Working Group, a newly formed division of the American Political Science Association, your personal consulting agency. Look out at the APSA 2011 conference where we are co-sponsoring panels on: Modern Diplomacy (with Foreign Policy); The Federal Budget (with Public Administration); Technology and Development (with Information Technology and Politics); and Bilateral Trade (with International Political Economy).
Response to Quirk's "Polarized Populism: Masses, Elites, and Partisan Conflict"
Authors: Shapiro Robert Y. , Jacobs Lawrence
Published: July 2011

This brief note addresses Paul Quirk's response to our article "Simulating Representation: Elite Mobilization and Political Power in Health Care Reform," in which we responded to his comments about our earlier work.
Transcriptome Analysis of Human Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Woroniecka Karolina I. , Park Ae Seo Deok , Mohtat Davoud , Thomas David B. , Pullman James M. , Susztak Katalin
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the single leading cause of kidney failure in the U.S., for which a cure has not yet been found. The aim of our study was to provide an unbiased catalog of gene-expression changes in human diabetic kidney biopsy samples.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Affymetrix expression arrays were used to identify differentially regulated transcripts in 44 microdissected human kidney samples. DKD samples were significant for their racial diversity and decreased glomerular filtration rate (~25–35 mL/min). Stringent statistical analysis, using the Benjamini-Hochberg corrected two-tailed t test, was used to identify differentially expressed transcripts in control and diseased glomeruli and tubuli. Two different web-based algorithms were used to define differentially regulated pathways.

RESULTS

We identified 1,700 differentially expressed probesets in DKD glomeruli and 1,831 in diabetic tubuli, and 330 probesets were commonly differentially expressed in both compartments. Pathway analysis highlighted the regulation of Ras homolog gene family member A, Cdc42, integrin, integrin-linked kinase, and vascular endothelial growth factor signaling in DKD glomeruli. The tubulointerstitial compartment showed strong enrichment for inflammation-related pathways. The canonical complement signaling pathway was determined to be statistically differentially regulated in both DKD glomeruli and tubuli and was associated with increased glomerulosclerosis even in a different set of DKD samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Our studies have cataloged gene-expression regulation and identified multiple novel genes and pathways that may play a role in the pathogenesis of DKD or could serve as biomarkers.
Physical Activity Attenuates the Effect of Low Birth Weight on Insulin Resistance in Adolescents
Authors: Ortega Francisco B. , Ruiz Jonatan R. , Hurtig-Wennlöf Anita , Meirhaeghe Aline , González-Gross Marcela , Moreno Luis A. , Molnar Dénes , Kafatos Anthony , Gottrand Frederic , Widhalm Kurt , Labayen Idoia , Sjöström Michael
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether physical activity influences the association between birth weight and insulin resistance in adolescents.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study comprised adolescents who participated in two cross-sectional studies: the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study (n = 520, mean age = 14.6 years) and the Swedish part of the European Youth Heart Study (EYHS) (n = 269, mean age = 15.6 years). Participants had valid data on birth weight (parental recall), BMI, sexual maturation, maternal education, breastfeeding, physical activity (accelerometry, counts/minute), fasting glucose, and insulin. Insulin resistance was assessed by homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Maternal education level and breastfeeding duration were reported by the mothers.

RESULTS

There was a significant interaction of physical activity in the association between birth weight and HOMA-IR (logarithmically transformed) in both the HELENA study and the EYHS (P = 0.05 and P = 0.03, respectively), after adjusting for sex, age, sexual maturation, BMI, maternal education level, and breastfeeding duration. Stratified analyses by physical activity levels (below/above median) showed a borderline inverse association between birth weight and HOMA-IR in the low-active group (standardized β = −0.094, P = 0.09, and standardized β = −0.156, P = 0.06, for HELENA and EYHS, respectively), whereas no evidence of association was found in the high-active group (standardized β = −0.031, P = 0.62, and standardized β = 0.053, P = 0.55, for HELENA and EYHS, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of physical activity may attenuate the adverse effects of low birth weight on insulin sensitivity in adolescents. More observational data, from larger and more powerful studies, are required to test these findings.
Immunosuppressive Effects of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Result in Absolute Lymphopenia and a Relative Increase of T Regulatory Cells
Authors: Muller Yannick D. , Golshayan Déla , Ehirchiou Driss , Wyss Jean Christophe , Giovannoni Laurianne , Meier Raphael , Serre-Beinier Véronique , Puga Yung Gisella , Morel Philippe , Bühler Leo H. , Seebach Jörg D.
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE

Streptozotocin (STZ) is the most widely used diabetogenic agent in animal models of islet transplantation. However, the immunomodifying effects of STZ and the ensuing hyperglycemia on lymphocyte subsets, particularly on T regulatory cells (Tregs), remain poorly understood.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This study evaluated how STZ-induced diabetes affects adaptive immunity and the consequences thereof on allograft rejection in murine models of islet and skin transplantation. The respective toxicity of STZ and hyperglycemia on lymphocyte subsets was tested in vitro. The effect of hyperglycemia was assessed independently of STZ in vivo by the removal of transplanted syngeneic islets, using an insulin pump, and with rat insulin promoter diphtheria toxin receptor transgenic mice.

RESULTS

Early lymphopenia in both blood and spleen was demonstrated after STZ administration. Direct toxicity of STZ on lymphocytes, particularly on CD8+ cells and B cells, was shown in vitro. Hyperglycemia also correlated with blood and spleen lymphopenia in vivo but was not lymphotoxic in vitro. Independently of hyperglycemia, STZ led to a relative increase of Tregs in vivo, with the latter retaining their suppressive capacity in vitro. The higher frequency of Tregs was associated with Treg proliferation in the blood, but not in the spleen, and higher blood levels of transforming growth factor-β. Finally, STZ administration delayed islet and skin allograft rejection compared with naive mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These data highlight the direct and indirect immunosuppressive effects of STZ and acute hyperglycemia, respectively. Thus, these results have important implications for the future development of tolerance-based protocols and their translation from the laboratory to the clinic.
Oxidative Phosphorylation Flexibility in the Liver of Mice Resistant to High-Fat Diet–Induced Hepatic Steatosis
Authors: Poussin Carinne , Ibberson Mark , Hall Diana , Ding Jun , Soto Jamie , Abel E. Dale , Thorens Bernard
Published: July 2011

OBJECTIVE

To identify metabolic pathways that may underlie susceptibility or resistance to high-fat diet–induced hepatic steatosis.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We performed comparative transcriptomic analysis of the livers of A/J and C57Bl/6 mice, which are, respectively, resistant and susceptible to high-fat diet–induced hepatosteatosis and obesity. Mice from both strains were fed a normal chow or a high-fat diet for 2, 10, and 30 days, and transcriptomic data were analyzed by time-dependent gene set enrichment analysis. Biochemical analysis of mitochondrial respiration was performed to confirm the transcriptomic analysis.

RESULTS

Time-dependent gene set enrichment analysis revealed a rapid, transient, and coordinate upregulation of 13 oxidative phosphorylation genes after initiation of high-fat diet feeding in the A/J, but not in the C57Bl/6, mouse livers. Biochemical analysis using liver mitochondria from both strains of mice confirmed a rapid increase by high-fat diet feeding of the respiration rate in A/J but not C57Bl/6 mice. Importantly, ATP production was the same in both types of mitochondria, indicating increased uncoupling of the A/J mitochondria.

CONCLUSIONS

Together with previous data showing increased expression of mitochondrial β-oxidation genes in C57Bl/6 but not A/J mouse livers, our present study suggests that an important aspect of the adaptation of livers to high-fat diet feeding is to increase the activity of the oxidative phosphorylation chain and its uncoupling to dissipate the excess of incoming metabolic energy and to reduce the production of reactive oxygen species. The flexibility in oxidative phosphorylation activity may thus participate in the protection of A/J mouse livers against the initial damages induced by high-fat diet feeding that may lead to hepatosteatosis.
Cross-Industry Dimensionality of the Commitment to Change Scale in China
Authors: Chen Jingqiu , Wang Lei
Published: July 2011

Commitment to organizational change can explain a range of employees' attitudes and behaviors during organizational change, and its measurement is central to explaining such organizational linkages. The purpose of this study is to re-examine the dimensionality of Herscovitch and Meyer's Commitment to Change Scale across two different industrial samples in a non-Western cultural context (China). The two samples were 198 civil servants (60.0% men; M age = 29.3 yr., M organizational tenure = 62.7 mo.) and 442 high-tech company employees (58.2% men; M age = 30.5 yr., M organizational tenure = 66.5 mo.) who had respectively undergone major changes in compensation and performance appraisal systems in their organizations at the time of the research. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that a four-factor model with 14 items fit the data best in both samples. The generality of the scale's structure as well as its implications for change-management practices are discussed.
Influencing Factors on Color and Product-Function Association
Authors: Ko Ya-Hsien
Published: July 2011

The associations of age, sex, and matching types with color and product-function were examined in a real-world product scenario (shampoo) among 128 volunteers (M age = 29.3 yr.; SD = 15.6). A pilot study identified eight popular colors and eight product-functions. The association between color and product-function was explored in the main sample. Responses suggested seven pairings of color/product-functions: Red/Hot oil treatment, Yellow/Bright and shiny hair, Green/Herbal extracts, Blue/Deep cleaning, Purple/Soothing, Black/Antiseptic, and White/Anti-dandruff. Analyses indicated that adult participants required more repetitions for retention, as did memorization with random pairing compared to participant-selected pairings. There were statistically significant correlations of responses to colors and product functions. With known color/product-function associations, manufacturers might promote their products more effectively. It is suggested that the associations might be sex- or culture-specific.
Repetition of Educational AIDS Advertising Affects Attitudes
Authors: Schindler Simon , Reinhard Marc-Andréa , Stahlberg Dagmar
Published: July 2011

In educational AIDS campaigns, initiators often use advertisements to warn about the threat of AIDS. The present Internet study ( N = 283) tested the assumption of an inverted U-shaped relationship between the number of educational AIDS advertisements in a magazine and the perceived threat of AIDS among different groups (i.e., homosexual men and heterosexual men and women). This expectation was primarily based on signaling theory, which assumes that recipients use repetition frequency as a cue for judgments about the message. Results provided support for the expected inverted U-curve.
Development of a Measure of Work Motivation for a Meta-Theory of Motivation
Authors: Ryan James C.
Published: July 2011

This study presents a measure of work motivation designed to assess the motivational concepts of the meta-theory of motivation. These concepts include intrinsic process motivation, goal internalization motivation, instrumental motivation, external self-concept motivation, and internal self-concept motivation. Following a process of statement development and identification, six statements for each concept were presented to a sample of working professionals ( N = 330) via a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Parallel analysis supported a 5-factor solution, with a varimax rotation identifying 5 factors accounting for 48.9% of total variance. All 5 scales had Cronbach alpha coefficients above .70. Limitations of the newly proposed questionnaire and suggestions for its further development and use are discussed.
Leadership and Satisfaction in Change Commitment
Authors: Yang Yi-Feng
Published: July 2011

Managerial transformational leadership skills may directly influence banking counter staff toward change commitment and improve job satisfaction and service quality, or the influence instead may be mediated by change commitment. For a sample comprised of 246 managers from four large Taiwanese banks, the following path relationships were tested: (1) the association of transformational leadership with change commitment, (2) the association of change commitment with job satisfaction, and (3) the direct or indirect (through the mediation of change commitment) effect of transformational leadership on job satisfaction. Regression was utilized to gain insight into the effects of transformational leadership and change commitment on job satisfaction. Transformational leadership may foster change by providing psychological support to the banking counter staff, enabling them to use their skills to meet the needs of individual customers in response to complex environments.
Electroencephalographic Responses to Photographs: A Case Study of Three Women with Distinct Adult Attachment Interview Classifications
Authors: Behrens Kazuko Y. , Bahm Naomi I. Gribneau , Li Yingli , O'Boyle Michael W.
Published: July 2011

This preliminary study explored whether neurophysiological responses to visual stimuli, including attachment-related pictures, differed based on attachment status. Along with self-reported valence ratings and reaction times, recorded electroencephalographic (EEG) responses to a total of 100 images, 25 each of Positive, Negative, Neutral, and Personal (each participant's parents and child), were analyzed within and among three mothers with three attachment statuses (Dismissing, Preoccupied, and Secure), as judged by the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). All three mothers gave their highest pleasantness ratings for Personal photographs. However, differences emerged when cross-region Alpha2 activation patterns in response to each picture type were compared amongst attachment categories. Alpha2 activation recorded during viewing of the participants' children's photographs was similar to viewing Negative pictures for mothers with insecure (Dismissing and Preoccupied) status; whereas the Alpha2 activation of the mother with Secure status towards photographs of her child was similar to Positive pictures. Different patterns of hemispheric asymmetry in Betal frequency when processing different picture types were also found. The mother with Dismissing status showed significantly stronger left-hemisphere Betal activation across all image types. The Preoccupied mother showed significantly stronger right-hemisphere Betal activation for all but the Neutral images, during which activation did not differ between the two hemispheres. The mother with Secure status showed significantly stronger Betal activation in the left hemisphere for all but parental Personal photos, during which activation did not differ between the two hemispheres. Implications from the current findings and future research possibilities are discussed.