bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectroscopy for flame diagnostics
Authors: Rahinov Igor , Goldman Anatoly , Cheskis Sergey
Published: June 2008

Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (ICLAS) is one of the most sensitive techniques in absorption spectroscopy. Application of this technique to combustion diagnostics offers many important advantages. Since ICLAS is an absorption‐based method, it is not limited by the quenching and predissociation effects that compromise the sensitivity of Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF), one of the most sensitive and widespread techniques applied in combustion diagnostics. For that reason, radicals that are subject to strong collisional quenching or predissociation, such as 1CH2 and HCO, can be measured by ICLAS with sensitivity much greater than that of LIF. For the same reason, ICLAS also possesses better sensitivity for NH and HNO. The present paper overviews the ICLAS measurements performed during the last decade in our laboratory and also presents recent results: first‐time detection of the HSO radical in flames by ICLAS and application of Fiber Laser Intracavity Absorption Spectroscopy (FLICAS) based on Er‐doped fiber laser for in‐situ detection of ammonia and hydrogen cyanide in a low‐pressure methane/air flame doped with a small amount of ammonia. Avenues for future research are discussed.
Transparent triethylamine‐containing MALDI matrices
Authors: Rubakhin Stanislav S. , Sweedler Jonathan V.
Published: June 2008

In matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric (MS) imaging of biological tissues, an organic matrix is deposited onto a sample and co‐crystallized with the peptides and proteins that are extracted from the tissue. Thus, analytes are incorporated into matrix crystals, making them accessible to the matrix‐assisted desorption/ionization process. However, crystal dimensions can limit the spatial resolution of these imaging experiments and hinder observation of small features in the tissue. The addition of differing amounts of triethylamine (TEA) to solutions of common MALDI matrices—α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, and sinapinic acid—results in the formation of liquid matrices that may alleviate these problems. Liquid matrices form optically transparent, viscous films that do not crystallize, even when kept open to air for several days at room temperature or placed in the vacuum of the mass spectrometer. These matrices allow peptides to be characterized using MALDI MS down to the femtomole level. Although signal intensity is reduced in liquid matrices as compared to standard crystalline matrices, a phenomenon especially evident for higher molecular mass analytes, peptides are still detected even when TEA comprises 2/3 (v/v) of the MALDI matrix mixture. Transparent matrices demonstrate excellent repeatability and sample stability. Post‐source decay sequencing of peptides with a CHCA/TEA matrix produces intense peptide fragment signals in the low molecular mass region, and rat pituitary blots yield high‐quality spectra using these mixtures. Overall, TEA‐based transparent MALDI matrices are promising for coupling MALDI MS and light microscopy.
Collisional energy transfer in polyatomic molecules in the gas phase
Authors: Bernshtein Victor , Oref Izhack
Published: June 2008

This paper is an attempt to present an overall view of energy transfer between excited polyatomic molecules and polyatomic and monatomic bath, based on results obtained by classical trajectory calculations. It is not a general review of the subject but a summary based on work done by us in the last few years. We report average energies transferred in a collision and collisional energy transfer probability density functions for various collision partners as a function of various system parameters: temperature, vibrational and rotational energies of the hot and cold molecule, and relative translational energies. Various mechanisms for energy transfer are proposed, their dependence on the system parameters is explored, and the relevance of empirical numerical models to computational results is discussed.
Long‐range hydrodynamic response of particulate liquids and liquid‐laden solids
Authors: Diamant Haim
Published: June 2008

In viscous particulate liquids, such as suspensions and polymer solutions, the large‐distance steady‐state flow due to a local disturbance is commonly described in terms of hydrodynamic screening—beyond a correlation length ξ the response drops from that of the pure solvent, characterized by its viscosity η0, to that of the macroscopic liquid with viscosity η > η0For cases where η >> η0we show, based on general conservation arguments, that this screening picture, while being asymptotically correct, should be refined in an essential way. The crossover between the microscopic and macroscopic behaviors occurs gradually over a wide range of distances, ξ <r< (η / η0)1/2ξ In liquid‐laden solids, such as colloidal glasses, gels, and liquid‐filled porous media, where η → ∞, this intermediate behavior takes over the entire large‐distance response. The intermediate flow field, arising from the effect of mass displacement rather than momentum diffusion, has several unique characteristics: (i) It has a dipolar shape with l/r3spatial decay, negative transverse components, and vanishing angular average. (ii) Its amplitude depends on the liquid properties through η0and ξ alone; thus, in cases where ξ is fixed by geometry (e.g., for particulate liquids tightly confined in solid matrices), the large‐distance response is independent of particle concentration. (iii) The intermediate field builds up non‐diffusively, with a distance‐independent relaxation rate, making it dominant at large distances before steady state has been reached. We demonstrate these general properties in three model systems.
Extreme multielectron ionization of elemental clusters in ultraintense laser fields
Authors: Heidenreich Andreas , Last Isidore , Jortner Joshua
Published: June 2008

In this paper we present computational and theoretical studies of extreme multielectron ionization in Xen clusters (n = 55‐2171, initial cluster radii R0 = 8.7‐31.0 Å) driven by ultraintense Gaussian infrared laser fields (peak intensity IM = 1015‐1020 W cm−2, temporal pulse length τ = 10‐100 fs, and frequency v = 0.35fs−1). The microscopic approach, which rests on three sequential‐parallel processes of inner ionization, nanoplasma formation, and outer ionization, properly describes the high ionization levels (with the formation of {Xeq+}n with q = 5‐36), the inner/outer cluster ionization mechanisms, and the nanoplasma response. The cluster size and laser intensity dependence of the inner ionization levels are determined by a complex superposition of laser‐induced barrier suppression ionization (BSI), with the contributions of the inner field BSI manifesting ignition enhancement and screening retardation effects, together with electron impact ionization. The positively charged nanoplasma produced by inner ionization reveals intensity‐dependent spatial inhomogeneity and spatial anisotropy, and can be either persistent (at lower intensities) or transient (at higher intensities). The nanoplasma is depleted by outer ionization that was semiquantitatively described by the cluster barrier suppression electrostatic model, which accounts for the cluster size, laser intensity, and pulse length dependence of the outer ionization yield.
Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3β and ERK1/2 pathways mediate protective effects of acylated and unacylated ghrelin against oxygen–glucose deprivation-induced apoptosis in primary rat cortical neuronal cells
Authors: Chung Hyunju , Seo Sanghee , Moon Minho , Park Seungjoon
Published: June 2008

Only acylated ghrelin (AG) binds GH secretagog receptor 1a (GHS-R1a) and has central endocrine activities. An anti-apoptotic effect of AG in neuronal cells has recently been reported. However, whether there is a neuroprotective effect of unacylated ghrelin (UAG), the most abundant form of ghrelin in plasma, is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether UAG was neuroprotective against ischemic neuronal injury using primary cultured rat cortical neurons exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). Both AG and UAG inhibited OGD-induced apoptosis. Exposure of cells to the receptor-specific antagonist d-Lys-3-GHRH-6 abolished the protective effects of AG against OGD, whereas those of UAG were preserved, suggesting the involvement of a receptor that is distinct from GHS-R1a. Chemical inhibition of MAPK and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) blocked the anti-apoptotic effects of AG and UAG. Ghrelin siRNA enhanced apoptosis either during OGD or even in normoxic conditions. The protective effects of AG and UAG were accompanied by an increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, Akt, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). Furthermore, treatment of cells with AG or UAG resulted in nuclear translocation of β-catenin. In addition, both AG and UAG increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, prevented cytochrome c release, and inhibited caspase-3 activation. The data indicate that, independent of acylation, ghrelin can function as a neuroprotective agent that inhibits apoptotic pathways. These effects may be mediated via activation of the MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways. Our data also suggest that PI3K/Akt-mediated inactivation of GSK-3β and stabilization of β-catenin contribute to the anti-apoptotic effects of ghrelin.
Intimate Partner Violence Risk Assessment and Management
Authors: Kropp P. Randall
Published: June 2008

While risk assessment is important in the management of intimate partner violence perpetrators, the science and practice of risk assessment in this field are still in early development. This article reviews the literature on intimate partner violence risk assessment. The original intent was to direct discussion to assist the Military Family Advocacy Program (FAP), U.S. Department of Defense, to develop guidelines for the treatment of domestic violence offenders. The article is divided into sections as follows: (a) Defining Risk; (b) The Risk Factors; (c) Models of Risk Assessment; (d) Existing Risk Instruments; (e) The Role of the Victim in Risk Assessment; (f) Qualifications to Conduct Assessments; (g) Communicating Risk; and (h) Managing Risk. Relevant issues and controversies are raised throughout the article.
Correlates of Partner Abuse in Male Same-Sex Relationships
Authors: Bartholomew Kim , Regan Katherine V. , Oram Doug , White Monica A.
Published: June 2008

We investigated correlates of partner abuse in male same-sex relationships in a randomly selected community sample (N = 186). We included factors associated with abuse in heterosexual relationships, as well as factors of relevance to gay relationships. We assessed perpetration and receipt of partner abuse to examine whether variables were associated independently with abuse perpetration and/or receipt. Correlates of same-sex partner abuse were largely parallel to established correlates of heterosexual abuse. Income, education, and attachment orientation were associated with bidirectional partner abuse, and family violence and substance use were uniquely associated with victimization. Further, there were factors unique to same-sex partner abuse; HIV status and public outness were associated with bidirectional partner abuse, and internalized homophobia was uniquely associated with abuse perpetration.
The Relationship Between Childhood Abuse and Suicidality in Adult Bipolar Disorder
Authors: McIntyre Roger S. , Soczynska Joanna K. , Mancini Deborah , Lam Chris , Woldeyohannes Hanna O. , Moon Seol , Konarski Jakub Z. , Kennedy Sidney H.
Published: June 2008

This study evaluates the effect of childhood sexual and physical abuse on suicidality in adults with bipolar disorder. We conducted a retrospective chart review of adult outpatients (N = 381) with DSM-IV-TR–defined bipolar disorder seeking evaluation and treatment at an academic specialty research program (i.e., Mood Disorders Pharmacology Unit, University Health Network, University of Toronto) between October 2002 and November 2005. Eighteen percent (n = 68) of adult patients with bipolar disorder had a recorded history of childhood abuse (p = 0.009). Sixty-three percent (n = 43) of bipolar patients with a history of childhood abuse reported lifetime suicidality (χ2 = 6.885, df = 1, p = 0.009). Logistic regression analysis indicated that Childhood abuse was a significant predictor of lifetime suicidality in adult bipolar patients (OR = 2.05, CI = 1.19–3.510). Childhood abuse is associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in adults with bipolar disorder. Anamnestic inquiry regarding childhood maltreatment is salient to risk assessment, illness management planning, preventative strategies, and treatment interventions in bipolar disorder.
Rape Myths Among Appalachian College Students
Authors: Haywood Holly , Swank Eric
Published: June 2008

Rape myths regularly admonish victims for supposedly provoking the violence done against them. While rape attitudes have been studied in national and urban samples, the support of rape myths in rural populations is seldom investigated. Furthermore, the few empirical studies on sexual coercion in Appalachia are mostly descriptive and rarely compare the sentiments of Appalachians and non-Appalachians. To address this gap, this study surveyed 512 college students at a public university in Eastern Kentucky. In testing an Appalachian distinctiveness question, this study revealed that Appalachian students were less likely to criticize rape victims. Students were also less inclined to condemn rape victims when they were victims themselves, came from egalitarian families, stayed in college longer, rejected modern sexism, and felt little animosity toward women.
Enhanced kinetics of solid-phase microextraction and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the presence of dissolved organic matter
Authors: Haftka Joris J.H , Parsons John R , Govers Harrie A.J , Ortega-Calvo José-Julio
Published: June 2008

The uptake kinetics of fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo[e]pyrene by solid-phase microextraction fibers was studied in the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) obtained from sediment pore water and resulted in increased fiber absorption and desorption rate coefficients. Compared to the control without DOM, these rate coefficients were increased at a DOM concentration of 36.62 mg/L by a factor of 1.27 to 2.21 and 1.31 to 2.10 for fluorene and benzo[e]pyrene, respectively. The calculated values for the fiber absorption and desorption rate coefficients show that diffusion through an unstirred boundary layer (UBL) surrounding the fiber probably forms the rate-limiting step of the process. The mineralization of aqueous-phase phenanthrene and pyrene by a representative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading bacterium (Mycobacterium gilvum VM552) also was found to be enhanced by DOM. The initial degradation rates of phenanthrene (9.03 μg/L) and pyrene (1.96 μg/L) were significantly higher compared to the control values and were enhanced by a factor of 1.32 and 1.26 at a DOM concentration of 43.14 and 42.15 mg/L, respectively. We suggest that such an enhancement results from the combination of faster uptake kinetics of the water-dissolved compounds in the UBL surrounding microbial cells and direct access of the bacteria to DOM-associated PAHs. These enhanced kinetic effects of DOM may have strong implications in sediment processes like desorption, nonequilibrium exposure, and biodegradation.
Conformance While Fracturing Tight Gas Formations
Authors: Dalrymple Dwyann , Eoff Larry , Everett Don
Published: June 2008

The industry is continuing to expand production from reservoirs that had previously been passed over because of less than desirable properties such as low porosity, permeability, high water saturations, and/or being in close proximity to water. Because of this, water production after a hydraulic fracturing operation is an even greater concern and can make stimulation of these intervals an uneconomical venture.

This paper discusses how water production has been significantly reduced using a new conformance-while-fracturing (CWF) method that incorporates a hydrophobically modified water-soluble polymer (HMWSP) to function as a relative permeability modifier (RPM) incorporated into the fracturing treatment design.

The purpose of the HMWSP is to reduce the effective permeability to the flow of water without significant changes to the flow of the hydrocarbon. A low gel loading borate crosslinking fluid is used to fracture stimulate the wells.

The increase in water production with the CWF method is typically less than 50% that of offset wells that had been fracture stimulated with conventional methods. Additionally, the total production of the wells stimulated using the CWF method usually resulted in lower water-gas ratios. This paper describes the properties of the HMWSP, general CWF job-design considerations, field applications, and post-fracturing result comparisons of the CWF method with offset wells.
Numerical analysis of coupled hydrosystems based on an object-oriented compartment approach
Authors: Kolditz Olaf , Delfs Jens-Olaf , Bürger Claudius , Beinhorn Martin , Park Chan-Hee
Published: June 2008

In this paper we present an object-oriented concept for numerical simulation of multi-field problems for coupled hydrosystem analysis. Individual (flow) processes modelled by a particular partial differential equation, i.e. overland flow by the shallow water equation, variably saturated flow by the Richards equation and saturated flow by the groundwater flow equation, are identified with their corresponding hydrologic compartments such as land surface, vadose zone and aquifers, respectively. The object-oriented framework of the compartment approach allows an uncomplicated coupling of these existing flow models. After a brief outline of the underlying mathematical models we focus on the numerical modelling and coupling of overland flow, variably saturated and groundwater flows via exchange flux terms. As each process object is associated with its own spatial discretisation mesh, temporal time-stepping scheme and appropriate numerical solution procedure. Flow processes in hydrosystems are coupled via their compartment (or process domain) boundaries without giving up the computational necessities and optimisations for the numerical solution of each individual process. However, the coupling requires a bridging of different temporal and spatial scales, which is solved here by the integration of fluxes (spatially and temporally). In closing we present three application examples: a benchmark test for overland flow on an infiltrating surface and two case studies – at the Borden site in Canada and the Beerze–Reusel drainage basin in the Netherlands.
Honey-bee mating optimization (HBMO) algorithm in deriving optimal operation rules for reservoirs
Authors: Haddad O. Bozorg , Afshar A. , Mariño M. A.
Published: June 2008

The honey-bee mating process is considered as a typical swarm-based approach to optimization, in which the search algorithm is inspired by the process of real honey-bee mating. In this paper, the honey-bee mating optimization (HBMO) algorithm is applied to extract the linear monthly operation rules of reservoirs for both irrigation and hydropower purposes. The release rules for each month are considered as a linear function of the reservoir past-month-end storage as well as current monthly inflow to the reservoir. In such a case, the decision variables are 36 for each problem and are set so that water supply deficits are minimized. In both irrigation and hydropower purposes, 60–480 months are considered and results are compared to those from the nonlinear programming solver of the LINGO 8.0 software. The approach and the rules tend to be very promising and denote the capability of the proposed HBMO algorithm in solving reservoir operation problems. Furthermore, the results indicated that, by using the near-optimal solution from the HBMO as a starting point for the NLP solver, the obtained objective function value was enhanced significantly and a better local optimum was found.
Volume-based inverse model (VINMOD): innovative approach to quantify groundwater pollution in heterogeneous aquifers
Authors: Zeru Allelign , Schäfer Gerhard
Published: June 2008

The inversion method of pumped concentration can be used as an alternative or complementary method to the conventional methods for groundwater pollution evaluation and quantification. This method is useful even when the monitoring wells are few and also when the contamination source is unknown. In a homogeneous-isotropic case, with radially dominated groundwater flow field, this method of inversion can be performed analytically. However, in many cases, the real aquifer systems are heterogeneous. A novel volume-based inverse model (VINMOD) is developed for numerical inversion of pumped concentration under heterogeneous conditions. VINMOD helps us to determine the mean concentration and mass flow rate of an “undisturbed” contaminant plume at a predefined imaginary control plane (ICP). Model verification and preliminary tests are presented using a hypothetical single-layer aquifer. It is noticed that VINMOD is highly sensitive to the groundwater flow velocity and the well capture zone geometry, which in fact influences the determination of total mass flow rate of a pollutant in the groundwater.
A holistic approach and object-oriented framework for eco-hydraulic simulation in coastal engineering
Authors: Milbradt P. , Schonert T.
Published: June 2008

The consideration of biological processes in hydro- and morphodynamic models is an important challenge for numerical simulation in coastal engineering. Eco-hydraulic aspects will play a major role in engineering tools and planning processes for the design of coastal works. Vegetation greatly affects the hydro- and morphodynamic models in coastal zones. Most hydrodynamic numerical models do not consider influences by ecological factors.

This paper focuses on the presentation of an object-oriented holistic framework for eco-hydraulic simulation. The numerical approximation is performed by a stabilized finite element method for hydro- and morphodynamic processes, to solve the related partial differential equations, and by a cell-oriented model for the simulation of ecological processes, which is based on a fuzzy rule system. The fundamental differences between these model paradigms require special transfer and coupling methods. Case studies on seagrass prediction in the North Sea around the island of Sylt show the main effects and influences on changed hydro- and morphodynamic processes and demonstrate the applicability of the coupled finite element fuzzy cell-based approach in eco-hydraulic modeling.
Numerical modelling of heavy metals for riverine systems using a new approach to the source term in the ADE
Authors: Roshanfekr A. , Kashefipour S. M. , Jafarzadeh N.
Published: June 2008

This paper describes a modelling study of dissolved heavy metals in riverine systems, undertaken to introduce a new approach of the varied reaction coefficients used in the Advection–Dispersion Equation (ADE). The dissolved heavy metals, i.e. lead and cadmium, were modelled using a 1D hydro-environmental model. It is found that pH and EC play an essential role in adsorption and desorption of heavy metals by the particles in solution. Therefore, in this study we have tried to find the best relationships between pH and EC with the reaction coefficient. Relatively close agreement between predicted results and field-measured dissolved lead and cadmium concentrations were obtained for different varied reaction coefficients. Finally, the best relationships for the reaction coefficients for dissolved lead and cadmium were introduced and the results were successfully compared with the corresponding measured values.
Adequacy of two-parameter beta distribution for deriving the unit hydrograph
Authors: Rai R. K. , Sarkar S. , Gundekar H. G.
Published: June 2008

In the past, to derive the unit hydrograph (UH) various distribution functions have been utilized so far, though they had their own limitations. In this study, the applicability of two-parameter beta distribution has been explored for the derivation of UH. The parameters of the distribution function were estimated using the Genetic Algorithm which facilitates the minimization of global error. The suitability of the derived UH resulting from the two-parameter beta distribution was verified by comparing the UH derived by the two-parameter gamma distribution. The results obtained from both the distributions were almost similar and close to the observed UHs, which confirmed the applicability of the two-parameter beta distribution as an alternate approach for the derivation of the UH.
Evaluating environmental benefits from changes in water abstraction and waste water disposal
Authors: Willis K. G.
Published: June 2008

Water companies are regional monopolies in the UK. The minimum standards of service and prices they can charge for water supply and sewage, are set by the government and the regulator OFWAT. This paper outlines the scope for the Environment Agency (EA) to impose higher standards on water companies than the statutory minimum, in order to generate greater environmental benefits. It investigates how the inappropriate application of the technique to assess environmental benefits by the EA leads to too many environmental schemes passing a cost–benefit test and hence how too much investment may be channelled into environmental schemes in relation to the benefits the public really receive from the improvements. By inappropriate application of environmental valuation methods, the EA is shaping public policy through institutional practice.
Conflicts, costs and environmental degradation – impacts of antiquated ground water allocation policies in the Great Lakes Basin
Authors: Morris Timothy J. , Mohapatra Satya P. , Mitchell Anne
Published: June 2008

Ground water is a source of drinking water for many people and is the primary source for irrigation and livestock watering in the Great Lakes region. The use of ground water in the Great Lakes Basin has substantially increased in the past few decades due to population growth, technological innovation, agricultural development and inefficient water use. Despite the increase in demand, there have been no significant changes in the ground water allocation policies in either Canada or the United States since the nineteenth century. Six of the ten jurisdictions of the Great Lakes Basin still rely on archaic common law principles to determine the allocation of ground water, while Ontario's water taking permit program has shown that centralized government regulation can be equally ineffective. Therefore, the courts and governments of the Great Lakes Basin are effectively encouraging unrestricted withdrawals of ground water, and as a result, water tables are declining, well interference incidents are increasing and ground water divides are shifting. These physical effects are giving rise to economic costs, social conflicts and environmental degradation. To mitigate the impacts of antiquated ground water allocation policies in the Great Lakes Basin, the authors suggest institutional change and a range of legal tools to better protect this critically important resource.
Evolution of the Greek national regime for water resources
Authors: Kampa Eleftheria , Bressers Hans
Published: June 2008

This paper characterizes and explains the development of the Greek national water regime, based on a framework from institutional resource regime theory. The specific framework combines public resource policies with property rights and operationalizes the concept of integration for resource regimes. The paper concentrates on attempts at more integrated water management in Greece (via important national water laws), which were mainly driven by increasing water resource degradation and EU water policies. It is argued that national attempts since the 1980s (especially the 1987 Water Law) were unsuccessful also under the influence of an unfavourable institutional context which prevailed at the time of the attempts. The outcome of a new 2003 Water Law in practice remains to be seen. The path to integration must involve significant efforts to overcome institutional obstacles which hindered integrated water management in the past.
Benchmarking of large municipal wastewater treatment plants treating over 100,000 PE in Austria
Authors: Lindtner S. , Schaar H. , Kroiss H.
Published: June 2008

During a six-year period the Austrian Benchmarking System was developed. The main objectives of this benchmarking system are the development of process indicators, identification of best performance and determination of cost reduction potentials. Since 2004 this system is operated via an internet platform and automated to a large extent. Every year twenty to thirty treatment plants use the web-based access to this benchmarking platform. The benchmarking procedure comprises data acquisition, data evaluation including reporting and organised exchange of experience for the treatment plant managers. The process benchmarking method links the real costs with four defined main processes and two support processes. For wastewater treatment plants with a design capacity >100,000 PE these processes are further split up into sub-processes. For each (sub-) process the operating costs are attributed to six cost elements. The specific total yearly costs and the yearly operating costs of all (sub-)processes are related to the measured mean yearly pollution load of the plant expressed in population equivalents (PE110: 110 gCOD/d corresponding to 60 g BOD5/d)). The specific capital costs are related to the design capacity (PE). The paper shows the benchmarking results of 6 Austrian plants with a design capacity >100,000 PE representing approximately 30% of the Austrian municipal wastewater treatment plant capacity.
Hybrid moving bed biofilm reactors: a pilot plant experiment
Authors: Di Trapani D. , Mannina G. , Torregrossa M. , Viviani G.
Published: June 2008

The growing increment of the urbanization and, on the other hand, the even more strict effluent limits imposed by the Water Framework Directive for the receiving water body quality state have led to the need for upgrading several existing WWTP. With this respect HMBBR systems are an innovative solution since they allow to upgrade existing high loaded WWTP without building new tanks. However, some uncertainties in their design, maintenance as well as performance have to be addressed due to their recent acquisition compared with well consolidated technologies such as activated sludge systems. In this light, a data gathering campaign on a HMBBR pilot plant has been performed. The aim was to detect the performance of such new technology as well as to survey the influencing effect of the carrier media filling ratio. Indeed, there may be problem of competitiveness between attached and suspended biomass that jointly operate in the same system for carbon and nitrogen removal. Such competitiveness may lead to a worsening of the system efficiency. The results are interesting and the gathered data in the experimental period show a slight difference in terms of performance behaviour, between the two systems (35 and 66%). Such result leads to address the filling ratio choice towards the 35%.
Occurrence and fate of heavy metals in large wastewater treatment plants treating municipal and industrial wastewaters
Authors: Carletti G. , Fatone F. , Bolzonella D. , Cecchi F.
Published: June 2008

This paper deals with a detailed study on the occurrence and fate of heavy metals (plus As, Fe and Al) in five Italian large wastewater treatment plants treating municipal and industrial wastewaters. The study showed that some of the compounds (As, Hg and Cd) were present at trace levels, while others were dispersed in a broad range of concentrations and were sometimes under the detection limit. The occurrence followed the order Hg = As < Hg < Pb < Ni < Cu < Cr < Fe < Zn < Al. Metals were mainly present bound to particulate organic matter in municipal wastewaters while they were often present in soluble phase in industrial wastewaters. Some heavy metals, like Hg and Pb, showed clear correlations with Al and Fe, therefore the last could be used as control parameters. Metals were removed with good efficiency in the treatment works, with the order As < Cd = Cr = Zn < Pb < Hg < Ni = Al < Cu < Fe. Metals then concentrated in waste activated sludge and accumulated after sludge stabilisation because of volatile solids degradation, therefore some problems may arise with limit for agricultural application, in particular for Hg, Cd and Ni.
Viability of increasing the tariff of freshwater for irrigation as a tool to stimulate wastewater reuse in the MENA region
Authors: Abu-Madi M. , Al-Sa'ed R. , Braadbaart O. , Alaerts G.
Published: June 2008

Despite water scarcity and high agricultural water demand in the Middle East and North Africa region, substantial proportions of treated wastewater are discharged into the environment and seas without proper utilization. All countries of the region, low pricing of reclaimed wastewater is a common tool to make reuse attractive. However, low pricing of reclaimed wastewater is ineffectual due to farmers' access to freshwater for irrigation at low tariff. Therefore, increasing the prices of freshwater in such a way that does not jeopardize feasibility of agriculture would promote irrigation with reclaimed wastewater even at increased prices. On one hand, it increases the gap between the price of freshwater and that of reclaimed wastewater, making the later more attractive. On the other hand, it would be used as a financial resource for funding the investment costs of the infrastructure needed for conveyance and distribution of reclaimed wastewater. This paper studies the viability of increasing the prices of freshwater and reclaimed wastewater. The results show that irrigation with reclaimed wastewater even for restricted irrigation can be as profitable as, and sometimes better than, freshwater irrigation. Some of the permitted crops such as fruit trees can be more profitable than vegetables. Thus, it appears that the level of knowledge farmers and others on the benefits of reclaimed wastewater is still limited.
Reducing health risks from wastewater use in urban and peri-urban sub-Saharan Africa: applying the 2006 WHO guidelines
Authors: Drechsel P. , Keraita B. , Amoah P. , Abaidoo R. C. , Raschid-Sally L. , Bahri A.
Published: June 2008

Where rapid urbanization is outpacing urban capacities to provide sound sanitation and wastewater treatment, most water sources in city vicinity are heavily polluted. This is of great concern as many of the leafy vegetables eaten raw in the cities are produced in these areas. Following the new WHO guidelines, different non-treatment options at farm, market, and kitchen level were field tested for health risk reduction with special consideration to efficiency and adoption potential. As most households are used to vegetable washing (although ineffectively), an important entry point for risk reduction is the increased emphasis of the new guidelines on food preparation measures. A combination of safer irrigation practices (water fetching, on-farm treatment, and application), the allocation of farmland with better water sources, and improved vegetable washing in kitchens appear to be able to reduce the potential risk of infections significantly, although it might not be possible to reach the ideal threshold without some kind of wastewater treatment. The on-farm trials carried out in Ghana also explored the limitation of other risk reduction measures, such as drip irrigation, crop restrictions and cessation of irrigation under local circumstances considering possible incentives for behaviour change.
Stormflow-dominated loads of faecal pollution from an intensively dairy-farmed catchment
Authors: Davies-Colley Rob , Nagels John , Lydiard Elizabeth
Published: June 2008

Rainstorms can flush large amounts of faecal pollution from land sources into water bodies, threatening, particularly, contact recreation and bivalve shellfish harvest. We quantified the faecal pollution loads of stormflows in the Toenepi Stream, draining a catchment in intensive dairy-farming (Waikato Region, New Zealand). In this stream, as is typical, E. coli concentration peaks well ahead of flow on storm flow hydrographs, which complicates calculation of loads. However, stormflow E. coli concentration correlates with turbidity in the Toenepi Stream, so we used a continuously-recording turbidimeter to estimate ‘continuous’ E. coli concentrations and thence E. coli fluxes (cfu/s) and loads (cfu). E. coli was measured on 25 out of the 30 (83%) of storm events occurring in the Toenepi Stream in a 12-month period, using an automatic sampler sampling every 2 hrs over stormflow hydrographs for microbial analysis (within 48 hr). E. coli (cfu) yield on individual events tended to increase systematically with event size. The sum of storm-flow exports (occurring 24% of total time) amounted to 95% of the total annual E. coli export from the Toenepi Catchment. The stream exported about 6% of the (expected) total E. coli production in cattle faeces within the catchment.
Implications and potential applications of bactericidal fullerene water suspensions: effect of nC60 concentration, exposure conditions and shelf life
Authors: Lyon D. Y. , Brown D. A. , Alvarez P. J. J.
Published: June 2008

Stable fullerene water suspensions (nC60) exhibited potent antibacterial activity to physiologically different bacteria in low-salts media over a wide range of exposure conditions. Antibacterial activity was observed in the presence or absence of light or oxygen, and increased with both exposure time and dose. The activity was also influenced by the nC60 storage conditions and by the age of the buckminsterfullerene (C60) used to make nC60. These results reflect the potential impact of nC60 on the health of aquatic ecosystems and suggest novel alternatives for disinfection and microbial control.
Probabilistic modelling of combined sewer overflow using the First Order Reliability Method
Authors: Thorndahl S. , Schaarup-Jensen K. , Jensen J. B.
Published: June 2008

This paper presents a new and alternative method (in the context of urban drainage) for probabilistic hydrodynamical analysis of drainage systems in general and especially prediction of combined sewer overflow. Using a probabilistic shell it is possible to implement both input and parameter uncertainties on an application of the commercial urban drainage model MOUSE combined with the probabilistic First Order Reliability Method (FORM). Applying statistical characteristics on several years of rainfall, it is possible to derive a parameterization of the rainfall input and the failure probability and return period of combined sewer overflow to receiving waters can be found.
Recent Advances in Anthocyanin Analysis and Characterization
Authors: Welch Cara R. , Wu Qingli , Simon James E.
Published: June 2008

Anthocyanins are a class of polyphenols responsible for the orange, red, purple and blue colors of many fruits, vegetables, grains, flowers and other plants. Consumption of anthocyanins has been linked as protective agents against many chronic diseases and possesses strong antioxidant properties leading to a variety of health benefits. In this review, we examine the advances in the chemical profiling of natural anthocyanins in plant and biological matrices using various chromatographic separations (HPLC and CE) coupled with different detection systems (UV, MS and NMR). An overview of anthocyanin chemistry, prevalence in plants, biosynthesis and metabolism, bioactivities and health properties, sample preparation and phytochemical investigations are discussed while the major focus examines the comparative advantages and disadvantages of each analytical technique.
Flow-Injection Chemiluminescence Analysis of Lomefloxacin in Drugs and Biological Fluids
Authors: Li Liqing , Sun Hanwen , Chen Xueyan
Published: June 2008

A new method was developed for the determination of lomefloxacin by using flow – injection chemiluminescence( CL) based on the reaction of Ce(IV) – sodium thiosulfate – lomefloxacin – sulfuric acid system. The CL conditions were investigated and optimized. The CL intensity was correlated linearly with concentration of lomefloxacin in the range of 1.0x10-5∼6.0x10-2 g L-1. The determination limit (3) is 3x10-6 g L-1. The relative standard deviation is 1.9% for 11 measurements of 2.0x10-4 g L-1 lomefloxacin. The method has been applied satisfactorily to determine lomefloxacin in drugs, serum and urine with the recovery of 97.0%∼104.5%. The CL mechanism of the system was proposed.
Cerebral Palsy in Term Infants: A Clinicopathologic Analysis of 158 Medicolegal Case Reviews
Authors: Redline Raymond W.
Published: June 2008

Our understanding of cerebral palsy (CP) in term infants is hindered by its low incidence and sporadic presentation. Many of these CP cases enter litigation, and a focused review of medicolegal consultations provides an opportunity to better understand the pathogenesis of these cases. In this study complete clinical and pathologic data from 158 cases of CP complicating singleton pregnancies after 36 weeks of gestation were prospectively collected over a 10-year period extending from 1998 to 2008. A hierarchical system was used to separate cases into the following 5 groups: (1) clinical/sentinel events (20%), (2) severe large fetoplacental vascular lesions (34%), (3) placental lesions indicative of chronic placental dysfunction (23%), and (4) placental lesions indicative of subacute/chronic adaptation to hypoxia (15%). The remaining 8% (group 5) of cases were idiopathic. Common to all subgroups was clinical and/or pathologic evidence of umbilical cord obstruction, which was observed in 63% of cases. The following clinical features significantly differed among subgroups. Group 1 had less maternal obesity and more cases involving multicystic encephalopathy. Group 2 had increased oligohydramnios, cerebral edema, nucleated red blood cell counts greater than 10 000/mm3, hypoglycemia, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiac dysfunction. Group 3 had more preeclampsia and, together with group 2, more infants with a low ponderal index. Group 5 had a higher prevalence of positive family history of neurodevelopmental disorders. In conclusion, infant cases subject to litigation related to CP following term birth can be separated into distinct clinicopathologic subgroups with only a small number lacking either clinical/sentinel events or placental evidence of subacute or chronic in utero stress.
Near-infrared spectroscopy extended with indocyanine green dye dilution for cerebral blood flow measurement: Median values in healthy volunteers
Authors: Mudra R. , Muroi C. , Niederer P. , Keller E.
Published: June 2008

The cerebral blood flow (CBF) is an important vital parameter in neurointensive care. Currently, there is no non-invasive method for its measurement that can easily be applied at the bedside. A new tool to determine CBF is based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) applied together with indocyanine green (ICG) dye dilution. From a bilateral measurement on selected regions on the head of infrared (IR) absorption at various wavelengths during the dilution maneuver, the vascular perfusion characteristics of the two brain hemispheres can be determined in terms of mean transit time (mtt) of ICG, cerebral blood volume (CBV) and CBF.

So far, on nine healthy volunteers, NIRS ICG dye dilution bihemispheric measurements were performed, which yielded to mtt given as median (range) of 9.3 s (5.1–16.3 s), CBV of 3.5 ml/100 g (1.7–4.1 ml/100 g), and CBF of 18.2 ml/(100 g×min) [11.1–48.6 ml/(100 g×min)]. Additionally, the blood flow index (BFI) was calculated with BFI= 13.8 mg/(100 g×s) [6.6–15.2 mg/(100 g×s)]. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient between CBF and BFI was RS = 0.76. However, as the Bland & Altman plot between CBFNIRS and the CBFBFI documents, the limits of agreement are rather wide (21.9±6.7). Under physiological conditions in healthy volunteers, no differences could be detected between the hemispheres.
Research on preliminary concept of ship intended for mining poly-metallic concretions from sea bed
Authors: Bortnowska Monika
Published: June 2008

Research on preliminary concept of ship intended for mining poly-metallic concretions from sea bed

Necessity to design and build a ship for winning Fe-Mn concretions from sea bed, and put it into operation, results mainly from decreasing land resources of mineral rough materials and increasing prices of metals. Main dimensions and parameters of such mining ship were determined by elaborating its main design assumptions and making use of suitable data on drilling ships considered similar from the point of view of attributed functions and spatial arrangement. In this paper a design study on preliminary concept of dimensions and spatial arrangement of a ship for winning poly-metallic concretions from sea bed, is presented. The study has been aimed at elaboration of an appropriate mathematical model to be applied for optimization of ship's winning system.
Research on a control system based on stepping motor for ship's controllable pitch propellers
Authors: Dymarski Czesław
Published: June 2008

Research on a control system based on stepping motor for ship's controllable pitch propellers

This paper presents description of a laboratory stand for testing servo-mechanisms of ship low-power CP propellers, as well as a remote control system for such propellers, based on electric stepping motor. Also, are presented results of the first series of tests of the control system, carried out on non-loaded CP propeller by applying stepped values of propeller pitch at two values of rotational speed of the stepping motor.
Several Differentiation Formulas of Special Functions. Part V
Authors: Wang Peng , Li Bo
Published: June 2008

Several Differentiation Formulas of Special Functions. Part V

In this article, we give several differentiation formulas of special and composite functions including trigonometric, polynomial and logarithmic functions.
Some Properties of Line and Column Operations on Matrices
Authors: Liang Xiquan , Sun Tao , Hu Dahai
Published: June 2008

Some Properties of Line and Column Operations on Matrices

This article describes definitions of elementary operations about matrix and their main properties.
Linear Congruence Relation and Complete Residue Systems
Authors: Liang Xiquan , Yan Li , Zhao Junjie
Published: June 2008

Linear Congruence Relation and Complete Residue Systems

In this paper, we defined the congruence relation and proved its fundamental properties on the base of some useful theorems. Then we proved the existence of solution and the number of incongruent solution to a linear congruence and the linear congruent equation class, in particular, we proved the Chinese Remainder Theorem. Finally, we defined the complete residue system and proved its fundamental properties.
Several Classes of BCK-algebras and their Properties
Authors: Sun Tao , Hu Dahai , Liang Xiquan
Published: June 2008

Several Classes of BCK-algebras and their Properties

In this article the general theory of Commutative BCK-algebras and BCI-algebras and several classes of BCK-algebras are given according to [2].
Principles of Creation and Reconstruction of Dot-Matrix Holograms
Authors: Bulanovs A. , Gerbreders V. , Paškevičs V.
Published: June 2008

Principles of Creation and Reconstruction of Dot-Matrix Holograms

A method for calculation of dot-matrix holograms is presented, whose distinction from other methods is simplicity of the formulas for the parameters of each pixel element in a hologram. At the Innovation Spectroscopy Center of DU a device for recording dot-matrix holograms has been designed, with a program using the pro-posed method for their calculation. Holograms 50x50 mm in size well corresponding to the initial graphic design were obtained.