bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating concepts and technologies to advance the study of bird migration
Authors: Robinson W Douglas , Bowlin Melissa S , Bisson Isabelle , Shamoun-Baranes Judy , Thorup Kasper , Diehl Robert H , Kunz Thomas H , Mabey Sarah , Winkler David W
Published: August 2009

Recent technological innovation has opened new avenues in migration research – for instance, by allowing individual migratory animals to be followed over great distances and long periods of time, as well as by recording physiological information. Here, we focus on how technology – specifically applied to bird migration – has advanced our knowledge of migratory connectivity, and the behavior, demography, ecology, and physiology of migrants. Anticipating the invention of new and smaller tracking devices, in addition to the ways that technologies may be combined to measure and record the behavior of migratory animals, we also summarize major conceptual questions that can only be addressed once innovative, cutting‐edge instrumentation becomes available.
Demonstrating the Importance and Feasibility of Including Sexual Orientation in Public Health Surveys: Health Disparities in the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Dilley Julia A. , Simmons Katrina Wynkoop , Boysun Michael J. , Pizacani Barbara A. , Stark Mike J.
Published: August 2009

Objectives. We identified health disparities for a statewide population of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) men and women compared with their heterosexual counterparts.

Methods. We used data from the 2003–2006 Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to examine associations between sexual orientation and chronic health conditions, health risk behaviors, access to care, and preventive services.

Results. Lesbian and bisexual women were more likely than were heterosexual women to have poor physical and mental health, asthma, and diabetes (bisexuals only), to be overweight, to smoke, and to drink excess alcohol. They were also less likely to have access to care and to use preventive services. Gay and bisexual men were more likely than were heterosexual men to have poor mental health, poor health-limited activities, and to smoke. Bisexuals of both genders had the greatest number and magnitude of disparities compared with heterosexuals.

Conclusions. Important health disparities exist for LGB adults. Sexual orientation can be effectively included as a standard demographic variable in public health surveillance systems to provide data that support planning interventions and progress toward improving LGB health.
Use of the Global Test Statistic as a Performance Measurement in a Reananlysis of Environmental Health Data
Authors: Dymova Natalya , Hanumara R. Choudary , Enander Richard T. , Gagnon Ronald N.
Published: August 2009

Performance measurement is increasingly viewed as an essential component of environmental and public health protection programs. In characterizing program performance over time, investigators often observe multiple changes resulting from a single intervention across a range of categories. Although a variety of statistical tools allow evaluation of data one variable at a time, the global test statistic is uniquely suited for analyses of categories or groups of interrelated variables. Here we demonstrate how the global test statistic can be applied to environmental and occupational health data for the purpose of making overall statements on the success of targeted intervention strategies.
Association Between Adolescent Viewership and Alcohol Advertising on Cable Television
Authors: Chung Paul J. , Garfield Craig F. , Elliott Marc N. , Ostroff Joshua , Ross Craig , Jernigan David H. , Vestal Katherine D. , Schuster Mark A.
Published: August 2009

Objectives. We examined whether alcohol advertising on cable television is associated with adolescent viewership.

Methods. Using Nielsen data for every national cable alcohol advertisement from 2001 to 2006 (608 591 ads), we examined whether ad incidence in a given advertising time slot was associated with adolescent viewership (i.e., the percentage of the audience that was aged 12–20 years) after we controlled for other demographic variables.

Results. Almost all alcohol ads appeared in time slots with audiences made up of 30% or fewer underage viewers. In these time slots (standardized by duration and number of viewers), each 1-percentage-point increase in adolescent viewership was associated with more beer (7%), spirits (15%), and alcopop (or low-alcohol refresher; 22%) ads, but fewer wine (−8%) ads (P < .001 for all). For spirits and alcopops, associations were stronger among adolescent girls than among adolescent boys (P < .001 for each).

Conclusions. Ad placements for beer, spirits, and alcopops increased as adolescent viewership rose from 0% to 30%, especially for female viewers. Alcohol advertising practices should be modified to limit exposure of underage viewers.
Social Support and Self-Reported Health Status of Older Adults in the United States
Authors: White Ann Marie , Philogene G. Stephane , Fine Lawrence , Sinha Sarbajit
Published: August 2009

Objectives. We determined whether a representative national probability sample of US community-dwelling older adults who reported less social support also reported poorer general health status, which is a robust predictor of prospective mortality among elders.

Methods. We analyzed 2 subsamples generated via random sampling with replacement from the full analytic sample of adults aged 60 years and older in the 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 3476). We built multinomial logit models with the first analytic subsample (n = 1732). Then we tested the final models on the second subsample (n = 1744) to assess the differences in odds of reporting poor, fair, or good versus very good or excellent health. We fit the cross-validated final models to the full analytic sample.

Results. After we controlled for age, race, gender, and educational attainment, older persons across all analytic samples who reported that they needed more support also reported having poorer health compared with better health 2 times more often than did older persons who were satisfied with the support available to them (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7, 3.4; P < .001).

Conclusions. In the United States, older persons' satisfaction with the emotional support available to them is associated with better self-reported health status.
Compensation for Incarcerated Research Participants: Diverse State Policies Suggest a New Research Agenda
Authors: Smoyer Amy B. , Blankenship Kim M. , Belt Brandis
Published: August 2009

Research with prisoners is essential to understanding the incarceration experience and creating interventions to mediate its effects on individual and community health. Policies on research involving incarcerated participants can influence the extent to which researchers are able or willing to conduct prison studies. We attempted to collect data on inmate compensation policies from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. We found that 44% of these jurisdictions allow compensation for inmates who participate in research, with wide variations in terms of the clarity of and ease of access to policy information. Anecdotal data suggest considerable administrative discretion in the implementation of these policies. Further study is needed on how compensation policies are formulated and enacted and their effects on research with prisoners.
Individual, Social-Normative, and Policy Predictors of Smoking Cessation: A Multilevel Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Biener Lois , Hamilton William L. , Siegel Michael , Sullivan Eileen M.
Published: August 2009

Objectives. We assessed the prospective impact of individual, social-normative, and policy predictors of quit attempts and smoking cessation among Massachusetts adults.

Methods. We interviewed a representative sample of current and recent smokers in Massachusetts by telephone in 2001 through 2002 and then again twice at 2-year intervals. The unit of analysis was the 2-year transition from wave 1 to wave 2 and from wave 2 to wave 3. Predictors of quit attempts and abstinence of longer than 3 months were analyzed using multilevel analysis. Predictors included individual, social-normative, and policy factors.

Results. Multivariate analyses of 2-year transitions showed that perceptions of strong antismoking town norms were predictive of abstinence (odds ratio = 2.06; P < .01). Household smoking bans were the only policy associated with abstinence, but smoking bans at one's worksite were significant predictors of quit attempts.

Conclusions. Although previous research showed a strong relation between local policy and norms, we found no observable, prospective impact of local policy on smoking cessation over 2 years. Our findings provide clear support for the importance of strong antismoking social norms as a facilitator of smoking cessation.
Association Between Socioeconomic Status and the Development of Asthma: Analyses of Income Trajectories
Authors: Kozyrskyj Anita L. , Kendall Garth E. , Jacoby Peter , Sly Peter D. , Zubrick Stephen R.
Published: August 2009

Objectives. Using data on 2868 children born in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study, we examined the association between changes in family socioeconomic status and childhood asthma.

Methods. We determined the likelihood (odds ratio) of a child having asthma at ages 6 and 14 years for 4 family-income trajectories (chronic low, increasing, decreasing, and never low) over the child's lifetime. The trajectories were created from longitudinal latent-class models.

Results. We found a 2-fold increased risk of asthma at age 14 years among children who had lived in a low-income family since birth, especially for girls. Asthma was less likely to occur in children born to single parents; income rose over time in many of these families. Compared with children in chronic low-income families, children in households with increasing incomes had a 60% lower risk of asthma. Single-point measures of low income were not found to be associated with asthma.

Conclusions. Chronic exposure to a low-income environment from birth was associated with the development of persistent asthma. There was also a protective effect against asthma among those children whose families had moved out of poverty.
A Legal Primer for the Obesity Prevention Movement
Authors: Mermin Seth E. , Graff Samantha K.
Published: August 2009

Public health advocates and scientists working on obesity prevention policy face challenges in balancing legal rights, individual freedom, and societal health goals. In particular, the US Constitution and the 50 state constitutions place limits on the ability of government to act, even in the best interests of the public. To help policymakers avoid crossing constitutional boundaries, we distilled the legal concepts most relevant to formulating policies aimed at preventing obesity: police power; allocation of power among federal, state, and local governments; freedom of speech; property rights; privacy; equal protection; and contract rights. The goal is to allow policymakers to avoid potential constitutional problems in the formation of obesity prevention policy.
The Influence of Past Unemployment Duration on Symptoms of Depression Among Young Women and Men in the United States
Authors: Mossakowski Krysia N.
Published: August 2009

Objectives. I examined whether unemployment while looking for a job and being out of the labor force while not seeking work have distinct effects on symptoms of depression among young women and men in the United States. I also investigated whether past unemployment duration predicts depressive symptoms.

Methods. I used ordinary least squares regression to analyze data from the 1979–1994 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth.

Results. Cross-sectional results suggested that current unemployment status and out-of-the-labor-force status were significantly associated with depressive symptoms at ages 29 through 37 years. The association between being out of the labor force and depressive symptoms was stronger for men. Longitudinal results revealed that past unemployment duration across 15 years of the transition to adulthood significantly predicted depressive symptoms, net of demographics, family background, current socioeconomic status, and prior depressive symptoms. However, duration out of the labor force did not predict depressive symptoms.

Conclusions. Longer durations of unemployment predict higher levels of depressive symptoms among young adults. Future research should measure duration longitudinally and distinguish unemployment from being out of the labor force to advance our understanding of socioeconomic mental health disparities.
Reevaluating the Need for Concern Regarding Noncoverage Bias in Landline Surveys
Authors: Blumberg Stephen J. , Luke Julian V.
Published: August 2009

Objectives. We used recent data to reexamine whether the exclusion of adults from households with no telephone or only wireless phones may bias estimates derived from health-related telephone surveys.

Methods. We calculated the difference between estimates for the full population of adults and estimates for adults with landline phones; data were from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey.

Results. When data from landline telephone surveys were weighted to match demographic characteristics of the full population, bias was generally less than 2 percentage points (range = 0.1–2.4). However, among young adults and low-income adults, we found greater bias (range = 1.7–5.9) for estimates of health insurance, smoking, binge drinking, influenza vaccination, and having a usual place for care.

Conclusions. From 2004 to 2007, the potential for noncoverage bias increased. Bias can be reduced through weighting adjustments. Therefore, telephone surveys limited to landline households may still be appropriate for health surveys of all adults and for surveys of subpopulations regarding health status. However, for some behavioral risk factors and health care service use indicators, caution is warranted when using landline surveys to draw inferences about young or low-income adults.
Assessing the Contribution of Unstable Employment to Mortality in Posttransition Russia: Prospective Individual-Level Analyses From the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey
Authors: Perlman Francesca , Bobak Martin
Published: August 2009

Objectives. We used the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) to investigate associations between employment, socioeconomic position, and mortality.

Methods. Data were from working-age respondents in 8 rounds (1994–2003) of the RLMS. We measured associations between education, occupation, unemployment, and insecure employment and mortality with Cox proportional hazards analyses.

Results. Of 4465 men and 4158 women who were currently employed, 251 men and 34 women died. A third of employed respondents experienced wage arrears, and 10% experienced compulsory leave and payment in consumer goods. Insecure employment, more common among the less-educated and manual workers, fluctuated with macroeconomic measures. Mortality was significantly associated with payment in consumer goods among men (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03, 2.07), compulsory unpaid leave among women (HR = 3.79; 95% CI = 1.82, 7.88), and male unemployment (HR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.38, 2.55). Associations with death within 1 year of entry were generally somewhat stronger than the association with mortality over the whole study period.

Conclusions. Unemployment and job insecurity predicted mortality, suggesting that they contributed to Russia's high mortality during the transition from communism.
English Proficiency and Language Preference: Testing the Equivalence of Two Measures
Authors: Gee Gilbert C. , Walsemann Katrina M. , Takeuchi David T.
Published: August 2009

Objectives. We examined the association of language proficiency vs language preference with self-rated health among Asian American immigrants. We also examined whether modeling preference or proficiency as continuous or categorical variables changed our inferences.

Methods. Data came from the 2002–2003 National Latino and Asian American Study (n = 1639). We focused on participants' proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English and on their language preference when thinking or speaking with family or friends. We examined the relation between language measures and self-rated health with ordered and binary logistic regression.

Results. All English proficiency measures were associated with self-rated health across all models. By contrast, associations between language preference and self-rated health varied by the model considered.

Conclusions. Although many studies create composite scores aggregated across measures of English proficiency and language preference, this practice may not always be conceptually or empirically warranted.
Globalized Research and “National Science”: The Case of Peru
Authors: Cáceres Carlos F. , Mendoza Walter
Published: August 2009

Issues in the area of international health research are insufficiently discussed in Latin America. We examine the practices of stakeholders such as the state and the academic community regarding research policy processes and funding sources in Peru. Our findings showed that research policy development and evaluation processes are poor in Peru, most of the country's academic research is published in English only, and researchers' access to funding is limited. Given that the relationship between local academic institutions and foreign research centers is key in developing a “national science,” there is a clear need to reinforce the state's capacities for management and research oversight and implementation and to encourage the academic community to improve their institutional policies and research frameworks.
Gasoline Prices and Their Relationship to Rising Motorcycle Fatalities, 1990–2007
Authors: Wilson Fernando A. , Stimpson Jim P. , Hilsenrath Peter E.
Published: August 2009

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among young adults. Although automobile fatalities have declined in recent years, motorcycle fatalities are rapidly increasing. The purpose of our research was to quantify the relationship between changing fuel prices and motorcycle fatalities.

Our findings suggest that people increasingly rely on motorcycles to reduce their fuel costs in response to rising gasoline prices. We estimate that use of motorcycles and scooters instead of 4-wheeled vehicles results in over 1500 additional motorcycle fatalities annually for each dollar increase in gas prices. Motorcycle safety should receive more attention as a leading public health issue.
Operation control of anaerobic digesters on the basis of enzyme activity tests
Authors: Kardos Levente , Palkó György , Oláh József , Barkács Katalin , Záray Gyula
Published: August 2009

In our experimental work the pilot plant and full scale anaerobic bioreactors of a communal sewage treatment plant were tested by applying usual control parameters (pH, volatile acid content, alkalinity, gas composition), and enzyme activity (dehydrogenase, protease, lipase) measurements. Influence of temperature change was examined in pilot plant scale, while the effect of alteration in specific organic matter load both in pilot and full scale. Among the control parameters only the change of the volatile acid concentration reflected the occurred influences. During the temperature varying experimental phase the dehydrogenase enzyme activity excellently indicated the influence of the different conditions. The effect of altering substrate load onto the gas production was also well followed by the enzyme activity data (mainly protease, lipase), and more rapidly than by measuring volatile acid concentration. In practice it is expedient to use enzyme activity measurements in those cases, when changes in the substrate composition and load are frequent. Another advantage of these tests is that they can be carried out quickly and at a relative low cost.
Balancing the budget of environmental estrogen exposure: the contribution of recycled water
Authors: Leusch Frederic D. L. , Moore Michael R. , Chapman Heather F.
Published: August 2009

Estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds (e-EDCs) are present in treated sewage and there is concern about estrogenicity of potable recycled water. However e-EDCs are also present in other environmental media and intake from water needs to be considered in relation to these other sources. The concentrations of 13 e-EDCs in foodstuffs and drinking water are reviewed, their predicted concentrations in recycled water are estimated, and the daily estrogenic intake as 17β-estradiol equivalent (EEq) based on both in vitro and in vivo potencies is calculated as 1.39 and 9.65 μg EEq/d, respectively. Dietary intake accounts for more than 99.8% of that total, and more than 84.2% is due to phytosterols. Drinking 2 L of recycled water per day is expected to add 0.001 to 0.016 μg EEq/d based on in vitro and in vivo potencies, respectively. Exposure to e-EDCs in recycled water is therefore likely to be insignificant compared to current dietary intakes.
Optimization of the solution parameters during the degradation of Orange II in a photo-reactor mediated by Fe-Nafion membranes
Authors: Manzano M. A. , Riaza A. , Quiroga J. M. , Kiwi J.
Published: August 2009

The Fenton and photo-Fenton mediated degradation process of Orange II was investigated in a flow photo-reactor. The degradation was monitored as a function of the wavelength of the applied light, recirculation flow rate, amount of H2O2 and the initial concentration of Orange II. Optimization of the photo-Fenton degradation mediated by Fe-Nafion membranes indicated that an Orange II (0.25 M) solution discolored above 95% within 2.5 hours at an H2O2/Orange II ratio of 20. A concomitant mineralization of 40% of Orange II was observed after 5 h reaction. Homogeneous photo-Fenton processes were able to fully discolore Orange II within 1 hour and concomitantly fully mineralize the dye in the presence of Fe(III) (2 ppm) and an H2O2/Orange II ratio of 20. Surfactants such as linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS) and K-perfluoroalkyl sulphonate (FT 800) slowed down the Orange II abatement in photo-Fenton processes.
Options and limits of quantitative and qualitative online-monitoring of industrial discharges into municipal sewage systems
Authors: Hoppe H. , Messmann S. , Giga A. , Grüning H.
Published: August 2009

In some cities, industrial enterprises' discharges into municipal sewage systems have a major impact on the quantity and quality of inflows to the municipal treatment plants. In many cases, industrial discharges stand out on account of the great fluctuations in their volumetric rates of flow, pollution loads and temperatures. As a result, these discharges put a great strain on the sewage system, the treatment plant, and ultimately the receiving waters. The enterprises concerned have to pay the treatment plant operators fees based on the load and/or volume discharged. In most cases, qualitative monitoring operations merely consist of spot checks. This means that continuously surveillance is not possible and infringements of the permissible limit values are only discovered by accident. If impermissible discharges are carried out that may be susceptible to causing a treatment plant failure, the rapid initiation of countermeasures is not possible. Hence, spectrometer probes and mobile flowmeters were used in order to determine volumetric rates of flow, COD concentrations, and ultimately the loads discharged. The possibilities for, and limits to, online monitoring as well as shortcomings of spot-checks are discussed in the course of this paper, which also includes an uncertainty analysis.
Enhanced effectiveness of medium-pressure ultraviolet lamps on human adenovirus 2 and its possible mechanism
Authors: Shin Gwy-Am , Lee Jung-Keun , Linden Karl G.
Published: August 2009

There has been growing concern over human exposure to adenoviruses through drinking water due to their apparent high resistance to UV irradiation and the anticipated widespread use of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection in drinking water treatment processes. However, most inactivation studies on adenoviruses were performed using only one type of UV technology—low-pressure (LP) UV, and little is known about the effectiveness of different UV technologies such as medium- pressure (MP) UV or other polychromatic UV technologies. In this work, the kinetics and extent of inactivation of a human adenovirus (adenovirus 2 (Ad2)) by both monochromatic LP and polychromatic MP UV were evaluated to determine the effectiveness of these UV technologies on human adenoviruses. Inactivation of Ad2 by LP UV was very slow and only 0.87 and 2.17 log10 inactivation was achieved with UV doses of 30 and 90 mJ/cm2, respectively. However, inactivation of Ad2 by MP UV was much faster and 2.19 and 5.36 log10 inactivation was observed with the same UV doses (30 and 90 mJ/cm2, respectively). It appears that MP UV is more effective against Ad2 than LP UV and the enhanced effectiveness of MP UV on Ad2 is likely due to its ability to inhibit the repair process in UV-irradiated Ad2.
Application of two low-cost adsorption media for removal of toxic metals from contaminated water
Authors: Somerville R. , Norrström A. C.
Published: August 2009

Since the operational costs of commonly used materials for adsorption of toxic metals can be substantial, natural material may be of great interest for treatment applications. Two types of natural material that have shown particular promise are seaweed and seafood waste. In this study, adsorption capacity of Brown seaweed and shrimp shells were compared with a strong acid cation exchange resin (CER). A case study site was used as a reference point and column experiments were designed in a similar manner although at different scale. Each media reduced concentrations of the target metals to levels below defined reference values. If the alternative adsorption media perform as well in the field as the laboratory, the results suggest that the media tested would completely remove the toxic metals in groundwater and runoff water. Seaweed and shrimp shells had stronger affinities for Pb and Cu than CER. However, CER was superior in affinity for Zn, the most weakly bound metal. Moreover, the results showed that Ca in the solution reduced the adsorption capacity of the other metals. This illustrates the limitations of applying the behaviour of the batch studies with single metal solutions to a multi-component system with competitive adsorption.
Biodegradation of anthraquinone dyes by Shewanella sp. NTOU1 under anaerobic conditions
Authors: Chi Wei-Chiung , Chen Chih-Hung , Liu Shiu-Mei
Published: August 2009

Shewanella sp. NTOU1 was able to decolorize a range of anthraquinone dyes [Reactive Blue 4 (RB4), Reactive Blue 19 (RB19), Mordant Red 11 (MR11), Disperse Red 15 (DR15), and Disperse Blue 3 (DB3)] under anaerobic conditions. By supplementing the medium with formate and ferric citrate as the electron donor and acceptor, respectively and cultivating it under the optimum pH (8–9) and temperature (45°C), this strain could decolorize these dyes (1,000 mg/L) at the initial color removal rates of 15–126 mg/L/h and the rates among them were RB19 > RB4 > DB3 > DR15 > MR11. The extent of color removal was in the range of 90–98% for RB19, 86–96% for RB4, 39–41% for MR11, 69–82% for DR15, and 89–91% for DB3. Based on the decolorization products detected by means of GC/MS analyses, probable pathways for the decolorization of these dyes by this strain were proposed.
Predictive optimal control of sewer networks using CORAL tool: application to Riera Blanca catchment in Barcelona
Authors: Puig V. , Cembrano G. , Romera J. , Quevedo J. , Aznar B. , Ramón G. , Cabot J.
Published: August 2009

This paper deals with the global control of the Riera Blanca catchment in the Barcelona sewer network using a predictive optimal control approach. This catchment has been modelled using a conceptual modelling approach based on decomposing the catchments in subcatchments and representing them as virtual tanks. This conceptual modelling approach allows real-time model calibration and control of the sewer network. The global control problem of the Riera Blanca catchment is solved using a optimal/predictive control algorithm. To implement the predictive optimal control of the Riera Blanca catchment, a software tool named CORAL is used. The on-line control is simulated by interfacing CORAL with a high fidelity simulator of sewer networks (MOUSE). CORAL interchanges readings from the limnimeters and gate commands with MOUSE as if it was connected with the real SCADA system. Finally, the global control results obtained using the predictive optimal control are presented and compared against the results obtained using current local control system. The results obtained using the global control are very satisfactory compared to those obtained using the local control.
Preparation of nano-sized mixed crystal TiO2-coated Er3 + :YAlO3 by sol–gel method for photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes under visible light irradiation
Authors: Wang Jun , Li Jia , Liu Bin , Xie Yingpeng , Han Guangxi , Li Ying , Zhang Liqun , Zhang Xiangdong
Published: August 2009

In this work, an upconversion luminescence agent, crystallized Er3 + :YAlO3, was synthesized and then coated by the nano-sized TiO2 film through sol–gel technique. A novel TiO2 photocatalyst, Er3 + :YAlO3/TiO2, with high activity in visible light was subsequently prepared. The Er3 + :YAlO3 and Er3 + :YAlO3/TiO2 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The photocatalytic activity of Er3 + :YAlO3/TiO2 photocatalyst was tested by the degradation of acid red B in aqueous solution as the primary model compound under visible light irradiation. The experimental results proved that the prepared TiO2-coated crystallized Er3 + :YAlO3 was able to decompose the acid red B efficiently, and it is promising to use the idea to develop new TiO2 photocatalyst with high activity for photocatalytic degradation under visible light.
One-dimensional modelling of the interactions between heavy rainfall-runoff in an urban area and flooding flows from sewer networks and rivers
Authors: Kouyi G. Lipeme , Fraisse D. , Rivière N. , Guinot V. , Chocat B.
Published: August 2009

Many investigations have been carried out in order to develop models which allow the linking of complex physical processes involved in urban flooding. The modelling of the interactions between overland flows on streets and flooding flows from rivers and sewer networks is one of the main objectives of recent and current research programs in hydraulics and urban hydrology. This paper outlines the original one-dimensional linking of heavy rainfall-runoff in urban areas and flooding flows from rivers and sewer networks under the RIVES project framework (Estimation of Scenario and Risks of Urban Floods). The first part of the paper highlights the capacity of Canoe software to simulate the street flows. In the second part, we show the original method of connection which enables the modelling of interactions between processes in urban flooding. Comparisons between simulated results and the results of Despotovic et al. or Gomez & Mur show a good agreement for the calibrated one-dimensional connection model. The connection operates likes a manhole with the orifice/weir coefficients used as calibration parameters. The influence of flooding flows from river was taken into account as a variable water depth boundary condition.
An effective multi-objective approach to prioritisation of sewer pipe inspection
Authors: Berardi L. , Giustolisi O. , Savic D. A. , Kapelan Z.
Published: August 2009

The first step in the decision making process for proactive sewer rehabilitation is to assess the condition of conduits. In a risk-based decision context the set of sewers to be inspected first should be identified based on the trade-off between the risk of failures and the cost of inspections. In this paper the most effective inspection works are obtained by solving a multi-objective optimization problem where the total cost of the survey programme and the expected cost of emergency repairs subsequent to blockages and collapses are considered simultaneously. A multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) is used to identify a set of Pareto-optimal inspection programmes. Regardless of the proven effectiveness of the genetic-algorithm approach, the scrutiny of MOGA-based inspection strategies shows that they can differ significantly from each other, even when having comparable costs. A post-processing of MOGA solutions is proposed herein, which allows priority to be assigned to each survey intervention. Results are of practical relevance for decision makers, as they represent the most effective sequence of inspection works to be carried out based on the available funds. The proposed approach is demonstrated on a real large sewer system in the UK.
Xanthan and gellan degradation by bacteria of activated sludge
Authors: Muchová M. , Růžička J. , Julinová M. , Doležalová M. , Houser J. , Koutný M. , Buňková L.
Published: August 2009

Owing to increasing amounts of xanthan and gellan in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, as well as in some technical spheres, studies were carried out on the xanthan and gellan degrading bacteria present in activated sludge. The activated sludge used in the study was able to degrade both carbohydrates over 7 days, with levels of xanthan and gellan utilizing microbes estimated at 105 cells/g of dry sludge weight. Isolating key degrading bacteria revealed the important role of genus Paenibacillus in xanthan degradation and prosthecate bacterium Verrucomicrobium sp. GD, which was capable of gellan utilization. Further tests performed with both strains showed they were able to degrade other types of carbohydrate polymers, and that Verrucomicrobium sp. GD did not possess extracellular free gellan depolymerase.
Factors influencing release of phosphorus from sediments in a high productive polymictic lake system
Authors: Solim S. U. , Wanganeo A.
Published: August 2009

Phosphorus (P) release rates from bottom sediments are high (20.6 mg/m2/day) in Dal Lake (India), a polymictic hyper-eutrophic lake. These gross release rates occur over a period of 72 days during summer only. Likewise, a net internal load of 11.3 tons was obtained from mass balance estimates. Significant proportion i.e. ∼ 80% of 287.3 tons/yr of nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) load is either eliminated by denitrification or gets entrapped for a short period in high macrophyte biomass of 3.2 kg/m2 f.w., which eventually get decomposed and nitrogen (N) is released back. These processes result in low lake water NO3-N concentrations which potentially influence sediment phosphorus (P) release. Especially, nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) <500 μg/L in the lake waters were associated with high P concentrations. Phosphorus was also observed to increase significantly in relation to temperature and pH, and it seems likely that release of phosphorus and ammonical nitrogen (NH4-N) depend on decomposition of rich reserves of organic matter (893 tons d.w. in superficial 10-cm bottom sediment layer). Lake P concentrations were significantly predicted by a multivariate regression model developed for the lake. This study describes significance of various lake water variables in relation to P-release from bottom sediments.
Assessment on activated sludge models for acetate biodegradation under aerobic conditions
Authors: Hoque M. A. , Aravinthan V. , Pradhan N. M.
Published: August 2009

A comparison of four different established models along with parameter estimation was carried out in order to explain the aerobic biodegradation of acetate in an activated sludge system. These models were investigated using experimental OUR data from batch experiments of three different concentration studies. Model calibration reveals that ASM1 model is not suitable to explain the observed experimental OUR during the famine phase implying storage compounds could play an important role during that stage. Besides, the model corresponds to the accumulation concept and is not well fitted for all concentrations studies though it includes the storage phenomena. Both the ASM3 model and the model for simultaneous storage and growth on substrate can well describe the acetate biodegradation process, however the OUR data alone is not sufficient to justify the suitability of those models. Simulated profiles using the model outputs demonstrate that storage is overestimated while ammonia degradation is underestimated in ASM3 compared to simultaneous growth and storage model. The current study also gives reasonable outcomes related to parameter estimation as compared with previous study which is statistically interpreted in this paper.
Inhibitory effects of non-ionic surfactants on the microbial activity of activated sludge system
Authors: Oviedo Ma D. Coello , Márquez D. Sales , Rodriguez-Barroso R. , Alonso J. Ma Quiroga
Published: August 2009

The purpose of the present work was to study the influence of a non-ionic surfactant, a nonylphenol with four ethoxylated units (NP4EO), on the activity of the microbial population present in a laboratory-scale activated sludge unit. Traditional control methods for this type of unit were used (measurement of suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand) as well as specific techniques for the measurement of bacterial activity (dehydrogenase activity and specific oxygen uptake rate) and the results were compared. It was shown that the Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR) is the simplest and quickest way to carry out routine control of activated sludge activity, while measuring dehydrogenase activity provides more complete control. The results obtained indicated that there was no inhibition of microbial activity at a concentration of 5 ppm of NP4EO, which was not the case with a concentration of 10 ppm.
Removal of radiocobalt from EDTA-complexes using oxidation and selective ion exchange
Authors: Malinen L. K. , Koivula R. , Harjula R.
Published: August 2009

Methods for the removal of radiocobalt from an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) complex of Co(II) (aqueous solution containing 10 μM Co(II) and 10 μM or 50 μM EDTA traced with 57Co) are presented. The studies examined a combination of different oxidation methods and the sorption of 57Co on a selective inorganic ion exchange material, CoTreat. The oxidation methods used were ultraviolet (UV) irradiation with and without hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as well as ozonation alone or in combination with UV irradiation. Also, the possible contribution of Degussa P25 TiO2 photocatalyst to degradation of EDTA was studied. The best results for the equimolar solution of Co(II) and EDTA were achieved by combining ozonation, UV irradiation, Degussa P25 TiO2 and CoTreat, with approximately 94% sorption of 57Co. High values for the 57Co sorption were also achieved by ozonation (∼88%) and UV irradiation (∼90%) in the presence of CoTreat and Degussa P25 TiO2. A surplus of EDTA over Co(II) was also tested using 10 μM Co(II) and 50 μM EDTA. Only a slight decrease, to ∼88% sorption of 57Co, was detected compared to the value (∼90%) obtained with 10 μM EDTA.
Use of Ca–alginate as a novel support for TiO2 immobilization in methylene blue decolorisation
Authors: Albarelli Juliana Q. , Santos Diego T. , Murphy Sharon , Oelgemöller Michael
Published: August 2009

This study provides a preliminary contribution to the development of an industrial process for the UV/TiO2 water treatment by introducing a novel support for TiO2 immobilization. For the following study, Methylene Blue (MB) was chosen as the model dye to evaluate this novel immobilization system. The results showed that TiO2 immobilized in a Ca–alginate bead retained its photoactivity during all of the experiments and the TiO2-gel beads presented good stability in water for maintaining its shape after several uses. When a proportion of 10% (v/v) of these beads was used, the configuration system demonstrated an improved mass transfer and consequently enhanced degradation efficiency. Experiments were also performed using ‘recycled’ beads. The results showed an increase in the degradation efficiency when the beads were reused, with an eventual ‘self-destructive’ effect. These studies showed great promise regarding the recyclable reagents with a reduction in waste at no greater cost or reduction in efficiency. Therefore, the potential of TiO2-gel beads as a simple and environmentally friendly catalyst for continuous use was developed.
Monitoring the startup of a wet detention pond equipped with sand filters and sorption filters
Authors: Vollertsen J. , Lange K. H. , Pedersen J. , Hallager P. , Bruus A. , Laustsen A. , Bundesen V. W. , Brix H. , Nielsen A. H. , Nielsen N. H. , Wium-Andersen T. , Hvitved-Jacobsen T.
Published: August 2009

The startup of a wet retention pond designed for extended stormwater treatment was monitored by more than one year of continual measurement of hydraulic parameters, nutrients and quality parameters in the pond itself (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity). The data revealed that photosynthesis played an important role for dissolved oxygen and pH for most of the year. Another important observation was that the pond behaved more like a completely mixed reactor than like a plug flow reactor—even though the length to width ratio was as high as 4.5:1. The pond was equipped with sand filters and sorption filters whereby very good nutrient removal efficiencies were achieved.
Contamination of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in Chao Phraya River and Bangpakong River, Thailand
Authors: Kunacheva Chinagarn , Boontanon Suwanna Kitpati , Fujii Shigeo , Tanaka Shuhei , Musirat Chanatip , Artsalee Chattakarn , Wongwattana Thana
Published: August 2009

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been used for many years, and are distributed all over the world. This study focused on occurrences of PFCs, especially perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctonoic acid (PFOA) in Thai rivers and industrial estate discharges, while comparing results with rivers of other Asian countries (Japan, China, and Malaysia). Surveys were conducted in Chao Phraya River, Bangpakong River and three industrial estates. A solid phase extraction (SPE) and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS were used for the analysis of these chemicals. The average concentrations of PFOS and PFOA were 1.9 and 4.7 ng/L, respectively in Chao Phraya River, while lower concentrations were detected in Bangpakong River with the averages of 0.7 ng/L for both PFOS and PFOA. Higher concentrations were detected in all industrial estate discharges with the averages of 64.3 ng/L for PFOA and 17.9 ng/L for PFOS., Total loadings from three industrial estates were 1.93 g/d for PFOS and 11.81 g/d for PFOA. The concentraion levels in Thai rivers were less than rivers in Japan, China, and Malaysia. However, PFCs loading rate of Chao Phraya River was much higher than Yodo River (Japan), due to the higher flow rate. The other six PFCs were found above the Limit of Quantification (LOQ) in most samples. PFHxS and PFNA were also highly detected in some river samples.
Quali-quantitative characterization and wastewater treatment of a winery located in the mid-west of Santa Catarina state, South of Brazil
Authors: Ortigara A. R. C. , Sezerino P. H. , Bento A. P. , Scaratti D.
Published: August 2009

This paper analyses variations in the quali-quantitative characterization of winery wastewater, and the behavior of the treatment of these effluents. The wastewater produced is sent to two disposition systems: Point A receives the wastewater from the production area whereas Point B receives the wastewater from the area where the washing of bottles takes place. Two Aerated Submerged Biofilter (ASB) reactors (with oyster shells as support material) were built at lab scale to promote the treatment of the winery effluent. Water usage and effluent production values of the 2008 harvest season indicate that grape processing accounted for 30% of the total water usage. The median value found for the effluent at Point A was 8,260 mg COD L−1 and at Point B 358 mg COD L−1. The average C/N/P ratio found at Point A was 100/0.29/0.28 during the harvest and 100/0.27/0.25 during the non harvest. For ASB 1 the COD removal efficiency ranged from 56% to 90%, with the removed organic load ranging from 1.5 kg COD m−3 d−1 to 2.7 kg COD m−3 d−1, respectively. For ASB 2 the COD removal efficiency ranged from 63% to 82%, with the removed organic load ranging from 1.8 kg COD m−3 d−1 to 1.7 kg COD m−3 d−1, respectively.
Winery wastewater treatment by a combined process: long term aerated storage and Fenton's reagent
Authors: Lucas Marco S. , Mouta Maria , Pirra António , Peres José A.
Published: August 2009

The degradation of the organic pollutants present in winery wastewater was carried out by the combination of two successive steps: an aerobic biological process followed by a chemical oxidation process using Fenton's reagent. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the temporal characteristics of solids and chemical oxygen demand (COD) present in winery wastewater in a long term aerated storage bioreactor. The performance of different air dosage daily supplied to the biologic reactor, in laboratory and pilot scale, were examined. The long term hydraulic retention time, 11 weeks, contributed remarkably to the reduction of COD (about 90%) and the combination with the Fenton's reagent led to a high overall COD reduction that reached 99.5% when the mass ratio (R = H2O2/COD) used was equal to 2.5, maintaining constant the molar ratio H2O2/Fe2 + =15.
From conventional activated sludge to alternate oxic/anoxic process: the optimisation of winery wastewater treatment
Authors: Eusebi A. L. , Nardelli P. , Gatti G. , Battistoni P. , Cecchi F.
Published: August 2009

The paper deals with the results obtained as nitrogen removal and energy savings in a wastewater treatment plant located in the Province of Trento where the vineyards grow on about 1,500 ha (19% of total vineyards of the Province). In the plant the municipal and pre-treated winery wastewater were co-treated. The optimal effluent quality and the reduction of energy consumption were achieved changing the total oxidation process to an alternate cycles (AC) one and applying a remote control system for three months. The characterization of the influent highlighted a remarkable variability of the mass loads mainly determined by the cyclic winemaking periods. The AC application allowed the system to cope with the intense variations of influent nitrogen loadings and to obtain a stable quality of the effluent with an average TN concentration less than 10 mg NL−1. The nitrogen loading rate (NLR) up to 0.227 Kg TN m−3 d−1 was tolerated by the elevated AC control level device to assure successful denitrification performances (from 70% to 90%) also in conditions of COD/TN lower than 7. Comparing the AC with the pre AC conditions, a total energy saving in the range of 13–23% was estimated. Moreover, the specific energy consumptions were reduced to 59% despite the increment of the influent mass loadings.
Bio-drying of grape marc and other biomass: a comparison
Authors: Rada E. C. , Ragazzi M. , Fiori L. , Antolini D.
Published: August 2009

The winery industry produces every year in the world about 270 millions of hectolitres of wine. A consequent amount of grape marc is then generated that has to be somehow treated and processed. For this reason a technique to treat grape marc (bio-drying) was studied and applied at the University of Trento. Grape marc, as is, is not suitable for direct combustion because of its high water content. By bio-drying the lower heating value has been increased up to the limit for a good combustion. This result allows a decentralized management of a grape marc drying differently from the conventional solutions.