bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extended Systems in Electrostatic Fields
Authors: Springborg Michael , Tevekeliyska Violina , Kirtman Bernard , Champagne Benoit , Dong Yi
Published: May 2010

The basic principles behind a theoretical method for treating infinite, periodic systems exposed to an external electrostatic field are outlined. The approach, based on the vector-potential description of the external field, leads to single-particle Hartree-Fock or Kohn-Sham equations that differ from the field-free counterparts in several aspects. In particular, solving them is only possible through a careful so-called smoothing procedure. In that case it is possible to derive a numerically stable and efficient approach. Results of model studies as well as of the first ab initio calculations are reported in order to illustrate the approach. Finally, extensions and open issues are briefly discussed.
A Relativistic Four- and Two-component Generalized-active-space Coupled Cluster Method
Authors: Sorensen Lasse K. , Fleig Timo , Olsen S.
Published: May 2010

We present an overview of our recent developments of relativistic generalized-active-space coupled cluster and its initial applications to heavy-element systems. The new genuinely string-based method may treat coupled cluster expansions of general order and simulate multi-reference expansions by including higher excitations in properly constructed active spinor spaces. The four-component Dirac-Coulomb Hamiltonian or any approximation to it may be employed, and the underlying spinors are assumed and required to be time-reversal partners. The capability of the new approach is demonstrated and discussed in sample applications to HBr and BiH.
Canonical Tensor Products as a Generalization of Gaussian-type Orbitals
Authors: Chinnamsetty Sambasiva Rao , Espig Mike , Flad Heinz-Jürgen , Hackbusch Wolfgang
Published: May 2010

We propose a possible generalization of Gaussian-type orbital (GTO) bases by means of canonical tensor products. The present work focus on the application of tensor products as an alternative to conventional GTO based density fitting schemes. Tensor product approximation leads to highly nonlinear optimization problems which require sophisticated algorithms. We give a brief description of the optimization problem and algorithm. The present work extends our previous paper [S. R. Chinnamsetty, M. Espig, B. N. Khoromskij, W. Hackbusch and H.-J. Flad, J. Chem. Phys. 127 (2007), 084110], where we discussed tensor product approximations of the electron density and the Hartree potential, to orbital products which are required for the exchange part of Hartree-Fock and in post Hartree-Fock methods. We provide a detailed error analysis for the Coulomb and exchange terms in Hartree-Fock calculations. Furthermore, a comparison is given between all-electron and pseudopotential calculations.
Citizenship and Penal Law
Authors: Dubber Markus D.
Published: May 2010

The concept of citizenship can play a useful role in a descriptive account of penal practice. It contributes nothing to a normative theory of criminal law, however, being either empty, as a proxy for personhood, or pernicious, as a proxy for insiderhood.
Citizenship, Crime, Criminalization: Marshalling a Social Democratic Perspective
Authors: Reiner Robert
Published: May 2010

This paper argues that criminalization, in the double sense of more perceived (and probably actual) crime and of the tough crime control policies brought by the politics of law and order, are consequences of the reversal some thirty years ago of the centuries-long progress toward universal incorporation into social, political, and civil citizenship. By contrast, the hundred years before that had witnessed the spread of social rights and greater inclusiveness, and experienced a benign coupling of lower crime and disorder with more consensual and welfare-oriented policing and penality. The necessary condition of restoring that more benign climate of greater security is a reversal of the neoliberalism that undermined social democracy. Since the 2007 credit crash, neoliberalism has been challenged increasingly, as practice and as ideology, yet it remains deeply embedded. The ideas and organization to restore social democracy have not been developed. Nonetheless it remains the precondition for security and humane criminal justice, as envisaged by T.H. Marshall's citizenship lectures fifty years ago.
Overcriminalization as Vulnerable Citizenship
Authors: Ramsay Peter
Published: May 2010

The paper situates Douglas Husak's normative theory of the limits of criminalization in its contemporary political context, one in which the crime victim is the representative subject of law. It is argued here that new U.K. terrorism and money-laundering offenses prove compatible with the constraints in Husak's theory, once they are understood as protecting the vulnerabilities of the potential crime victim. On this basis, the possibility is raised that Husak's theory may tend to legitimate rather than limit much of contemporary "overcriminalization," notwithstanding both his express intentions to the contrary and the liberal intellectual resources on which he draws. The implied tension in liberalism is considered and other approaches to the problem are suggested.
Democracies without Citizenship: Crime and Punishment in Latin America
Authors: Iturralde Manuel
Published: May 2010

The aim of this article is to show how, despite the political and economic reforms of the last three decades, which have embraced the ideals of free markets and democracy, social and economic exclusion, as well as authoritarianism, are still the main features of most of Latin American societies. For this reason, they may be considered democracies without citizenship. The article focuses on the impact that these features have had on the configuration of Latin American crime control fields, which in most cases are highly punitive. It also discusses how Latin American crime control fields have contributed in turn to the advancement of such reforms.
The Problem Of Mistaken Self-Defense: Citizenship, Chiasmus, and Legal Form
Authors: Norrie Alan
Published: May 2010

This essay concerns the law of mistaken self-defense in England and Wales. It considers the widely held view that the honest mistake rule is wrong because it relates the mistake to mens rea. It accordingly fails to distinguish between offense and defense, and within defenses between justification and excuse. I argue against this view that these core criminal law concepts are fluid and irresolute. Mistaken self-defense can be analyzed in terms of an irreducible chiasmus (antithesis) in the law between "doing the right thing for a wrong reason" and "doing the wrong thing for a right reason." This makes it doctrinally unstable. When this is understood, it becomes clear that it may sometimes make moral and legal sense to analyze mistaken self-defense as concerning proof of mens rea, and sometimes not. What determines the matter in individual cases is a political understanding of the nature of citizenship in modern society. The analysis is offered in the light of recent police killings of innocent members of the public in London.
Cloning and Sequencing the First HLA Gene
Authors: Jordan Bertrand R
Published: May 2010

This Perspectives article recounts the isolation and sequencing of the first human histocompatibility gene (HLA) in 1980–1981. At the time, general knowledge of the molecules of the immune system was already fairly extensive, and gene rearrangements in the immunoglobulin complex (discovered in 1976) had generated much excitement: HLA was quite obviously the next frontier. The author was able to use a homologous murine H-2 cDNA to identify putative human HLA genomic clones in a λ-phage library and thus to isolate and sequence the first human histocompatibility gene. This personal account relates the steps that led to this result, describes the highly competitive international environment, and highlights the role of location, connections, and sheer luck in such an achievement. It also puts this work in perspective with a short description of the current knowledge of histocompatibility genes and, finally, presents some reflections on the meaning of “discovery.”
Demandas e expectativas de usuários de centro de testagem e aconselhamento anti-HIV
Authors: Souza Vânia de Souza , Czeresnia Dina
Published: May 2010

OBJETIVO: Analisar características, demandas e expectativas de usuários de um centro de testagem e aconselhamento anti-HIV. PROCEDIMENTOS METODOLÓGICOS: Pesquisa qualitativa realizada com 32 usuários de centro de testagem e aconselhamento do estado de Minas Gerais, de novembro de 2005 a março de 2006. Utilizou-se a técnica de entrevista aberta semi-estruturada e uma adaptação do método de análise de conteúdo, empregando-se a modalidade temática. ANÁLISE DOS RESULTADOS: A falta de conhecimento do serviço, a dificuldade de se perceber vulnerável à infecção, as justificativas por não pertencer aos grupos de risco, o receio do constrangimento e de um atendimento precário surgiram como importantes limitações de acesso aos centros de testagem e aconselhamento. CONCLUSÕES: No discurso dos usuários, foi identificado um paradoxo entre o aspecto participativo na superação da vulnerabilidade e a busca de soluções pragmáticas de exclusão do risco. Suas demandas sinalizaram estratégias que contenham: qualidade da informação prestada, acesso ao serviço e aos discursos de prevenção e promoção da saúde.
Inquérito de saúde: comparação dos entrevistados segundo posse de linha telefônica residencial
Authors: Segri Neuber José , Cesar Chester Luiz Galvão , Barros Marilisa Berti de Azevedo , Alves Maria Cecilia Goi Porto , Carandina Luana , Goldbaum Moisés
Published: May 2010

OBJETIVO: Analisar diferenças quanto a características sociodemográficas e relacionadas à saúde entre indivíduos com e sem linha telefônica residencial. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados os dados do Inquérito de Saúde (ISA-Capital) 2003, um estudo transversal realizado em São Paulo, SP, no mesmo ano. Os moradores que possuíam linha telefônica residencial foram comparados com os que disseram não possuir linha telefônica, segundo as variáveis sociodemográficas, de estilo de vida, estado de saúde e utilização de serviços de saúde. Foram estimados os vícios associados à não-cobertura por parte da população sem telefone, verificando-se sua diminuição após a utilização de ajustes de pós-estratificação. RESULTADOS: Dos 1.878 entrevistados acima de 18 anos, 80,1% possuía linha telefônica residencial. Na comparação entre os grupos, as principais diferenças sociodemográficas entre indivíduos que não possuíam linha residencial foram: menor idade, maior proporção de indivíduos de raça/cor negra e parda, menor proporção de entrevistados casada, maior proporção de desempregados e com menor escolaridade. Os moradores sem linha telefônica residencial realizavam menos exames de saúde, fumavam e bebiam mais. Ainda, esse grupo consumiu menos medicamentos, auto-avaliou-se em piores condições de saúde e usou mais o Sistema Único de Saúde. Ao se excluir da análise a população sem telefone, as estimativas de consultas odontológicas, alcoolismo, consumo de medicamentos e utilização do SUS para realização de Papanicolaou foram as que tiveram maior vício. Após o ajuste de pós-estratificação, houve diminuição do vício das estimativas para as variáveis associadas à posse de linha telefônica residencial. CONCLUSÕES: A exclusão dos moradores sem linha telefônica é uma das principais limitações das pesquisas realizadas por esse meio. No entanto, a utilização de técnicas estatísticas de ajustes de pós-estratificação permite a diminuição dos vícios de não-cobertura.
Magnitude e tendência da epidemia de Aids em municípios brasileiros de 2002-2006
Authors: Grangeiro Alexandre , Escuder Maria Mercedes Loureiro , Castilho Euclides Ayres
Published: May 2010

OBJETIVO: Analisar o perfil epidemiológico da Aids nos municípios brasileiros entre 2002 e 2006, associando tendência e magnitude com indicadores socio- demográficos e características da epidemia local. MÉTODOS: Foi conduzido um estudo ecológico que categorizou os municípios segundo a magnitude e tendência da epidemia para, posteriormente, analisá-los de acordo com os indicadores sociais, formas de transmissão do HIV e ano de registro do primeiro caso. Os dados são provenientes do Sistema Nacional de Vigilância Epidemiológica, Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística e Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento no Brasil. Utilizou-se regressão linear para estimar a tendência e estatísticas de qui-quadrado e Anova para o estudo dos indicadores. RESULTADOS: Um total de 4.190 municípios (75,3%) apresentou casos entre 2002 e 2006. Desses, 3.403 (81,2%) possuíam ocorrência de "pequena magnitude" (média = 4,7 casos), 367 (8,8%) "média magnitude" (média = 30,3 casos) e 420 (10,0%) "grande magnitude" (média = 378,7 casos). Os de "pequena magnitude" associaram-se à menor incidência, início da epidemia após 1991, existência de uma ou duas categorias de transmissão, especialmente heterossexual, com ocorrências de casos em um ou dois anos do período e menor índice de desenvolvimento humano (IDH). Os de "grande magnitude" associaram-se às cidades de maior porte e IDH, apresentaram todas as categorias de transmissão, início da epidemia entre 1980/1991 e tendência de redução/estabilização, especialmente por diminuição da transmissão entre usuários de drogas injetáveis. O crescimento da epidemia concentrou-se em cidades de "pequena magnitude", mas sem significância, a ponto de alterar a participação proporcional (8,7%) desses municípios no conjunto de casos no País. CONCLUSÕES: A epidemia de Aids permanece concentrada nos centros urbanos e a interiorização é caracterizada pela ocorrência irregular e de pequena magnitude. Municípios com baixo IDH e com transmissão exclusivamente por relações heterossexuais apresentaram baixa capacidade de crescimento e a redução da epidemia está associada especialmente à diminuição da transmissão entre usuários de drogas injetáveis.
Integrating a One Health approach in education to address global health and sustainability challenges
Authors: Barrett Meredith A , Bouley Timothy A , Stoertz Aaron H , Stoertz Rosemary W
Published: May 2010

Emerging infectious diseases are economically, socially, medically, and environmentally costly, as evidenced by the H1N1 influenza pandemic. Their broad consequences demand interdisciplinary solutions. One such solution, known as the One Health approach, is a growing global strategy that is being adopted by health organizations and policy makers in response to this need. It recognizes the interconnected nature of human, animal, and environmental health in an attempt to inform health policy, expand scientific knowledge, improve healthcare training and delivery, and address sustainability challenges. Education will play a particularly important role in realizing the One Health concept; however, a shortage of collaborative student programs, insufficient environmental training for health professionals, and a lack of institutional support impede progress. As a group of students from ecology, medicine, veterinary medicine, and global public health, we offer a vision for improving tertiary education to prepare environmental and health professionals to address a changing world. We outline the need for, and challenges facing, One Health and suggest ways to implement a collaborative educational network, both within the US and internationally. We also emphasize training opportunities and highlight potential hotspots of One Health excellence in the US, which are poised to use existing educational resources to train a new generation of One Health professionals.
Adult Health and Relationship Outcomes Among Women With Abuse Experiences During Childhood
Authors: Cannon Elizabeth A. , Bonomi Amy E. , Anderson Melissa L. , Rivara Frederick P. , Thompson Robert S.
Published: May 2010

Associations between child abuse and/or witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV) during childhood and women’s health, adult IPV exposure, and health care use were examined. Randomly sampled insured women ages 18–64 (N = 3,568) completed a phone interview assessing childhood exposure to abuse and witnessing IPV, current health, and adult IPV exposure. Women’s health care use was collected from automated health plan databases. Poor health status, higher prevalence of depression and IPV, and greater use of health care and mental health services were observed in women who had exposure to child abuse and witnessing IPV during childhood or child abuse alone, compared with women with no exposures. Women who had witnessed IPV without child abuse also had worse health and greater use of health services. Findings reveal adverse long-term and incremental effects of differing child abuse experiences on women’s health and relationships.
Assessment of the Effects of Dentifrice on Periodontal Disease Biomarkers in Gingival Crevicular Fluid
Authors: Barnes Virginia M. , Teles Ricardo , Trivedi Harsh M. , Devizio William , Xu Tao , Lee Douglas P. , Mitchell Matthew W. , Wulff Jacob E. , Milburn Michael V. , Guo Lining
Published: May 2010

Background: Periodontal disease has been studied primarily from clinical outcomes in lengthy human studies. Comprehensive biochemical profiling (metabolomics) has become a powerful tool for disease characterization and biomarker discovery. In a previous study, we performed a metabolomic analysis of gingival crevicular fluid collected from healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis sites. Many metabolites associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, tissue degradation, and bacterial metabolism were found to be significantly induced by the diseases.

Methods: A panel of 10 markers was selected from the previous metabolomic study based on their statistical significance. Thirty‐nine chronic periodontitis subjects were randomly assigned to a toothpaste regimen: control dentifrice (n = 21) or triclosan‐containing dentifrice ([CT] n = 18). Subjects were instructed to use their assigned dentifrice twice daily for 6 weeks. Gingival crevicular fluid samples from six healthy, six gingivitis, and three periodontitis sites were collected from each subject at baseline, 1 week, and 6 weeks. The relative levels of the markers in the samples were determined by mass spectrometry. One‐sided matched‐paired t tests were performed to compare data from healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis sites.

Results: Statistical analysis indicates that CT significantly decreased the levels of inosine, lysine, putrescine, and xanthine at the gingivitis sites as early as week 1. In contrast, control dentifrice had little effect.

Conclusions: This result provides biochemical confirmation for the therapeutic effects of CT on gingivitis. Biomarkers were significantly altered by CT before clinical changes were observed, suggesting that the markers have predicative value for disease state assessment.
DNA Methylation Status of the IL8 Gene Promoter in Aggressive Periodontitis
Authors: Andia Denise C. , de Oliveira Naila F.P. , Casarin Renato C.V. , Casati Marcio Z. , Line Sergio R.P. , de Souza Ana P.
Published: May 2010

Background: Studies evaluating the methylation status of cytokine genes may have relevance for inflammatory diseases in which the expression of some cytokines is altered, such as periodontitis. This study observes the DNA methylation status in the interleukin‐8 (IL8) gene promoter in cells of the oral epithelium of subjects affected by generalized aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and compares it to those of control subjects.

Methods: Genomic DNA from epithelial oral cells of 37 generalized AgP patients and 37 controls were purified and modified by sodium bisulphite. Modified DNA was submitted by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction, electrophoresed on 10% polyacrylamide gels, and stained.

Results: Subjects who presented generalized AgP have a higher frequency of hypomethylation of the IL8 gene promoter in oral epithelium cells than that of controls (86.5% in the generalized AgP group versus 62% in the control group; P = 0.016; χ2 test).

Conclusions: A marked hypomethylated status is found in the oral epithelial cells of subjects presenting with generalized AgP, compared to controls, in the promoter region of the IL8 gene. This hypomethylated status may reflect a generalized condition of oral epithelial cells, including gingival epithelium, because gingival epithelial cells were also collected during mouthwash use.
Low‐Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid: A Promising Procedure
Authors: Yilmaz Hasan Guney , Kusakci‐Seker Basak , Bayindir Hakan , Tözüm Tolga Fikret
Published: May 2010

Background: Mucous membrane pemphigoid is a heterogeneous group of autoimmune, subepithelial, blistering diseases. A combination of topical and systemic steroid treatment is often used when managing patients with mucous membrane pemphigoid. The use of systemic steroids presents an increased risk of adverse side effects. Consequently, effective alternative modalities of therapy should be considered, such as the application of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT).

Methods: A patient presented with mucous membrane pemphigoid and was successfully treated with the application of local corticosteroids and LLLT using an 810‐nm diode laser. The lesions were treated by LLLT over a period of 7 days using a continuous waveform for 40 seconds and an energy density of 5 J/cm2.

Results: After treatment, a significant improvement in tissue color and consistency was observed. The patient was followed every month for a period of 12 months, and the lesions healed uneventfully.

Conclusion: The results reported in this case show that the healing of mucous membrane pemphigoid was achieved when LLLT was used as an adjunct to the application of a local corticosteroid.
Anterior Middle Superior Alveolar Injection Is Effective in Providing Anesthesia Extending to the Last Standing Molar in Maxillary Periodontal Surgery
Authors: Acharya Anirudh B. , Banakar Chetana , Rodrigues Silvia V. , Nagpal Swati , Bhadbhade Smruti , Thakur Srinath L.
Published: May 2010

Background: Multiple injections are required to anesthetize the maxilla for periodontal surgery that involves a quadrant or multiple teeth across the midline. The anterior middle superior alveolar (AMSA) field block was reported to effectively anesthetize the central incisors to the mesial aspect of the first molar of the maxilla with one or two injections. To our knowledge, the extent of anesthesia has not been reported beyond first molars in the literature.

Methods: Fifty subjects who were indicated for periodontal surgery were provided maxillary anesthesia with an AMSA injection through a conventional syringe with a 27‐gauge needle. All subjects were given an AMSA injection, and after surgery, they were assigned to group 1 (requiring only the AMSA injection), group 2 (requiring one supplemental buccal infiltration), or group 3 (requiring two supplemental buccal infiltrations). Subjective and objective signs and symptoms were used to confirm the extent and profoundness of the anesthesia at 90, 120, and 180 minutes.

Results: Statistical significance for groups 1 and 2 was observed for anesthesia at different time intervals during the course of periodontal surgery. Pairwise comparisons of groups showed no statistical significance. The profoundness of the anesthesia extended to the last standing molar.

Conclusions: The AMSA injection provided excellent, wide‐spread anesthesia in all groups for the required time of surgery, and there was no significant implication among groups. The AMSA injection can be used as an effective technique to anesthetize teeth distal to the first molar up to the last standing molar in maxillary periodontal surgery.
Reactor modeling in heterogeneous photocatalysis: toxicity and biodegradability assessment
Authors: Satuf M. L. , José S. , Paggi J. C. , Brandi R. J. , Cassano A. E. , Alfano O. M.
Published: May 2010

Photocatalysis employing titanium dioxide is a useful method to degrade a wide variety of organic and inorganic pollutants from water and air. However, the application of this advanced oxidation process at industrial scale requires the development of mathematical models to design and scale-up photocatalytic reactors. In the present work, intrinsic kinetic expressions previously obtained in a laboratory reactor are employed to predict the performance of a bench scale reactor of different configuration and operating conditions. 4-Chlorophenol was chosen as the model pollutant. The toxicity and biodegradability of the irradiated mixture in the bench photoreactor was also assessed. Good agreement was found between simulation and experimental data. The root mean square error of the estimations was 9.9%. The photocatalytic process clearly enhances the biodegradability of the reacting mixture, and the initial toxicity of the pollutant was significantly reduced by the treatment.
Nutrient removal, microbial community and sludge settlement in anaerobic/aerobic sequencing batch reactors without enhanced biological phosphorus removal
Authors: Wu Guangxue , Rodgers Michael
Published: May 2010

Nutrient removal, microbial community and sludge settlement were examined in two 3-litre laboratory-scale anaerobic/aerobic sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). One SBR was operated at 10°C and the other SBR at 20°C. Different from conventional enhanced biological phosphorus removal, most of the soluble sodium acetate was removed in the aerobic phase and no organic carbon uptake or biological phosphorus release occurred in the anaerobic phase. In this type of anaerobic/aerobic SBR, the phosphorus removal and sludge settlement seemed to be unstable, and the dominant microorganism was Zoogloea sp. Although no excess biological phosphorus removal occurred, extracellular phosphorus precipitation contributed a significant proportion to total phosphorus removed. Sludge volume index decreased with increasing phosphorus contents in the biomass under all conditions. The functions of extracellular polymeric substances in sludge settlement and phosphorus removal depended on the environmental conditions applied.
Modeling and evaluation of compliance to water quality regulations in bathing areas on the Daoulas catchment and estuary (France)
Authors: Bougeard M. , Le Saux J. C. , Jouan M. , Durand G. , Pommepuy M.
Published: May 2010

The microbiological quality of waters in estuaries determines their acceptability for recreational uses. Microbiological contamination often results from urban wastewater discharges or non-point source pollution (manure spreading), and can cause bathing zones to be closed. European regulations (EC/7/2006) have proposed standards (500 E. coli/100 ml) for the acceptability areas for bathing. In this study, two models were associated to simulate contamination: SWAT on a catchment and MARS 2D in the downstream estuary. After river flow calibration and validation, two scenarios were simulated in SWAT, and E. coli fluxes obtained at the main outlet of the catchment were then introduced into MARS 2D to follow E. coli concentrations in the estuary. An annual evaluation of compliance to bathing area water quality standards was then calculated, linked with daily rainfall classes. Water quality in the estuary was below the standard on 13 days, including 5 days with rainfall superior to 10 mm, due to faecal contamination from soil leaching by rain, and 5 days with rainfall ranging from 0.1 to 5 mm/day, due to the high frequency of this level of rainfall. To conclude, this study allowed us to demonstrate the efficiency of models to gain a better understanding on water quality degradation factors.
Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of boron-doped TiO2 in aqueous suspensions under UV-A irradiation
Authors: Xekoukoulotakis N. P. , Mantzavinos D. , Dillert R. , Bahnemann D.
Published: May 2010

Boron-doped TiO2 photocatalysts were synthesized employing a sol-gel method. Boric acid was used as the boron source and titanium tetra-isopropoxide as the TiO2 precursor, both dissolved in isopropanol. Nominal boron to titanium atomic ratios were in the range 0 to 4%. After the hydrolysis step, two different procedures for the recovery of TiO2 were followed, based on either centrifugation of the resulting reaction mixture or evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure, both followed by a subsequent calcination step performed at 400 or 500°C. The photocatalytic efficiency of the synthesized photocatalysts was assessed by measuring the photocatalytic mineralization of dichloroacetic acid in aqueous suspensions under UV-A irradiation and it was compared to the corresponding efficiency of the commercial Degussa P 25 TiO2. Photocatalytic efficiency of the synthesized catalysts was higher for the boron-doped TiO2 synthesized at 2% boron to titanium nominal atomic ratio, centrifuged after the hydrolysis step followed by calcinations at 400°C. However, all photocatalysts synthesized in this work showed lower photocatalytic activity than Degussa P 25 TiO2, thus highlighting the need of further improvements of the proposed method.
Advanced process of microbiological control of wastewater in combined system of disinfection with UV radiation
Authors: Bilotta P. , Daniel L. A.
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this study was to present a methodology with superior efficiency for inactivating pathogenic indicators commonly found in domestic sewage. The adopted method was based on synergistic effect resulting from the introduction of a UV radiation pre-disinfection stage of sewage followed by secondary treatment. A pilot unit was installed in the sewage treatment plant of the University of São Paulo to simulate the combined system in full-scale operational conditions. Its performance was evaluated through microbiological examinations for determining Escherichia coli, total coliforms and coliphages. The application of UV radiation at 5.1 mW/cm2 for 10 s of exposure in the first disinfection stage was enough to reduce the surviving number of E. coli around 100 times, in comparison to the conventional method. Therefore, based on experimental data, it is possible to conclude that combining treatment and pre-disinfection stage is an effective potential technique to produce effluents with lower degree of contamination by pathogenic organisms.
Potential drawbacks associated with agricultural irrigation with treated wastewaters from desalinated water origin and possible remedies
Authors: Lahav Ori , Kochva Malka , Tarchitzky Jorge
Published: May 2010

Over 90% of the water supplied in the coastal region in Israel in 2013 (600 Mm3 y−1) will be from desalination plants. The wastewater generated from this water (>400 Mm3 y−1) is planned, after proper treatment, to be reused for agricultural irrigation, making this low-salinity water the main agricultural-sector future water source. In this respect both the Mg2 +  concentration and the Sodium Adsorption Ratio value of the water are of concern. We show that the typical Na+ concentration addition to wastewater (between ∼100 and ∼165 mg L−1) is much higher than the combined addition of Ca2 +  and Mg2 +  (between 0 and several mg L−1). Since desalinated water is typically supplied with low Ca2 +  and Mg2 +  concentrations (∼35 and 0 mg L−1 respectively), the treated wastewater is characterized by very low Mg2 +  concentrations, low salinity and very high SAR values, typically >6 and up to 10 (meq L−1)0.5. SAR values can be lowered by adding either Ca2 +  or Mg2 +  to desalinated water. Adding Mg2 +  is preferable from both health (minimizing cardiovascular disease hazards) and agriculture (inexpensive Mg fertilization) aspects. The low cost of Mg2 +  addition at the post-treatment stage of desalination plants corroborates the request for Mg2 +  addition in regions where treated wastewater from desalinated water origin is planned to be reused for irrigation.
Attenuation of TNT in seawater microcosms
Authors: Harrison I. , Vane C. H.
Published: May 2010

The ability of two differing marine sediments (one clayey, the other sandy) to attenuate the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), dissolved in intertidal seawater from the eastern English coast of the North Sea, was examined using aerobic microcosms. Analysis of the seawater from the microcosms revealed an initial sharp decline in TNT concentration with clayey sediment in both sterilized (to prevent microbial activity) and unsterilized microcosms. This effect did not occur to such a marked extent in similar sterile and non-sterile sandy sediment microcosms and was attributed mainly to sorption of TNT to the fine clay particles of the clayey sediment. As time progressed, the attenuation of TNT in microcosms containing either type of sediment was found to be less in those that had been sterilized compared with those where microbial action proceeded unhindered. Feeding the microcosms, (i.e. supplying extra carbon sources for the microbial communities), appeared to have a small, but perceptible, enhancing effect upon TNT dissipation. The attenuation of TNT was also measured in large microcosms containing 2.5 L of seawater and no sediment. Analysis of the seawater revealed a gradual decline in TNT concentration in non-sterile and fed microcosms compared to their sterile counterpart. Overall, this laboratory study showed that the attenuation of TNT is slow (half-life in seawater ca.1900 days; half-life sand sediment <700 days; half life in clay sediment 130 days) under conditions commonly encountered in coastal waters of the North Sea.
Considerations on the design and financial feasibility of full-scale membrane bioreactors for municipal applications
Authors: Brepols Ch. , Schäfer H. , Engelhardt N.
Published: May 2010

Based on the practical experience in design and operation of three full-scale membrane bioreactors (MBR) for municipal wastewater treatment that were commissioned since 1999, an overview on the different design concepts that were applied to the three MBR plants is given. The investment costs and the energy consumption of the MBRs and conventional activated sludge (CAS) plants (with and without tertiary treatment) in the Erft river region are compared. It is found that the specific investment costs of the MBR plants are lower than those of comparable CAS with tertiary treatment. A comparison of the specific energy demand of MBRs and conventional WWTPs is given. The structure of the MBRs actual operational costs is analysed. It can be seen that energy consumption is only responsible for one quarter to one third of all operational expenses. Based on a rough design and empirical cost data, a cost comparison of a full-scale MBR and a CAS is carried out. In this example the CAS employs a sand filtration and a disinfection in order to achieve comparable effluent quality. The influence of membrane lifetime on life cycle cost is assessed.
Combining active farmer involvement with detailed farm data in Denmark: a promising method for achieving water framework directive targets?
Authors: Wright Stuart A. L. , Jacobsen Brian H.
Published: May 2010

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) encourages active involvement during its implementation, although no specific participatory methods are suggested, whilst implementing the target-oriented Directive will require detailed agri-environmental data at catchment and farm level. The paper is a case study of the Danish AGWAplan project, which actively involved farmers in the selection of measures to reduce diffuse nutrient pollution at farm and catchment level, thereby providing an example of how active involvement might be operationalised. Active involvement has been identified as being of central importance to the success of the WFD. The project also entailed the accumulation of extensive agri-environmental data. The aim of the paper is to evaluate AGWAplan to establish the extent to which its expected objectives have been achieved and how, and to determine whether the project approach might facilitate WFD goals if implemented in forthcoming river basin management plans (RBMPs). AGWAplan resulted in advantageous outcomes, including win–win solutions to reduce nutrient leaching and greater acceptance of policy, although the original reduction targets where not fully reached. The paper concludes that actively involving farmers in a similar manner in RBMPs may make an important contribution to the implementation of the WFD, although caveats regarding its potential for transfer to other areas are identified.
Simulation of wastewater treatment plant within integrated urban wastewater models
Authors: Heusch S. , Kamradt B. , Ostrowski M.
Published: May 2010

In the federal state of Hesse in Germany the application of an integrated software modelling framework is becoming part of the planning process to attain legal approval for the operation of combined sewer systems. The software allows for parallel simulation of flow and water quality routing in the sewer system and in receiving rivers. It combines existing pollution load model approaches with a simplified version of the River Water Quality Model No. 1 (RWQM1). Comprehensive simulation of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is not considered yet. The paper analyses alternatives for the implementation of a WWTP module to model activated sludge plants. For both primary and secondary clarifiers as well as for the activated sludge process concepts for the integration into the existing software framework were developed. The activated sludge concept which uses a linearized version of the well known ASM1 model is presented in detail.
Effect of adsorption on the photocatalysis performance of anthraquinone dye
Authors: Ismail Mehdi , Bousselmi Latifa
Published: May 2010

The adsorption and photocatalytic efficiency of several TiO2 suspended catalysts were compared to see how well they could degrade the organic pollutant anthraquinone dye Reactive Blue 2 (RB2). The adsorption of RB2 on catalysts follows the Langmuir model and adsorption capacity's influence on degradation performance has been established. Correlations between degradation kinetics and the amount of dye adsorbed (qads) were then determined. The expected correlation between specific surface and qmax was verified. The addition of sulphate ions in the case of catalysts Degussa P25 and TiO2-Ishihara ST01 was found to inhibit adsorption of RB2 on the TiO2 surfaces. The hindrance of adsorption in acidic conditions improved the efficiency of the photocatalytic degradation of ST01. No adsorption was observed in alkaline pH and the photodegradation kinetic was generally higher in this condition except for that seen in photocatalysts with a low recombination rate.
Terra Preta sanitation: re-discovered from an ancient Amazonian civilisation – integrating sanitation, bio-waste management and agriculture
Authors: Factura H. , Bettendorf T. , Buzie C. , Pieplow H. , Reckin J. , Otterpohl R.
Published: May 2010

The recent discovery of the bio-waste and excreta treatment of a former civilisation in the Amazon reveals the possibility of a highly efficient and simple sanitation system. With the end product that was black soil they converted 10% of former infertile soil of the region: Terra Preta do Indio (black soil of the Indians). These soils are still very fertile 500 years after this civilisation had disappeared. Deriving from these concepts, Terra Preta Sanitation (TPS) has been re-developed and adopted. TPS includes urine diversion, addition of a charcoal mixture and is based on lactic-acid-fermentation with subsequent vermicomposting. No water, ventilation or external energy is required. Natural formation processes are employed to transform excreta into lasting fertile soil that can be utilised in urban agriculture. The authors studied the lacto-fermentation of faecal matter with a minimum of 4 weeks followed by vermicomposting. The results showed that lactic-acid fermentation with addition of a charcoal mixture is a suitable option for dry toilets as the container can be closed after usage. Hardly any odour occured even after periods of several weeks. Lactic-acid fermentation alone without addition of bulking agents such as paper and sliced-cut wood to raise the C/N ratio is creating a substrate that is not accepted by worms.
Organic matter and heavy metal removals from complexed metal plating effluent by the combined electrocoagulation/Fenton process
Authors: Kabdaşlı I. , Arslan T. , Arslan-Alaton I. , Ölmez-Hancı T. , Tünay O.
Published: May 2010

In the present study, the treatment of metal plating wastewater containing complexed metals originating from the nickel and zinc plating process by electrocoagulation (EC) using stainless steel electrodes was explored. In order to improve the organic matter removal efficiency, the effect of H2O2 addition to the electrocoagulation (the combined EC/Fenton process) application was investigated. For this purpose, a wide range of H2O2 concentrations varying between 15 and 230 mM was tested. All EC and EC/Fenton processes were performed at an initial pH of 2.6 and at an optimized current density of 22 mA/cm2. Although up to 30 mM H2O2 addition improved the EC process performance in terms of organic matter abatement, the highest COD and TOC removal efficiencies were obtained for the combined EC/Fenton process in the presence of 20 mM H2O2. Nickel and zinc were completely removed for all runs tested in the present study after pH adjustments. At the optimized operation conditions, the combined EC/Fenton process proved to be an alternative treatment method for the improvement of organic matter reduction as well as complexed metal removal from metal plating industry wastewater.
Modelling Common Agricultural Policy–Water Framework Directive interactions and cost-effectiveness of measures to reduce nitrogen pollution
Authors: Mouratiadou Ioanna , Russell Graham , Topp Cairistiona , Louhichi Kamel , Moran Dominic
Published: May 2010

Selecting cost-effective measures to regulate agricultural water pollution to conform to the Water Framework Directive presents multiple challenges. A bio-economic modelling approach is presented that has been used to explore the water quality and economic effects of the 2003 Common Agricultural Policy Reform and to assess the cost-effectiveness of input quotas and emission standards against nitrate leaching, in a representative case study catchment in Scotland. The approach combines a biophysical model (NDICEA) with a mathematical programming model (FSSIM-MP). The results indicate only small changes due to the Reform, with the main changes in farmers' decision making and the associated economic and water quality indicators depending on crop price changes, and suggest the use of target fertilisation in relation to crop and soil requirements, as opposed to measures targeting farm total or average nitrogen use.
Quality Assurance in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Materu Peter , Righetti Petra
Published: May 2010

This article assesses the status and practice of higher education quality assurance in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on degree-granting tertiary institutions. A main finding is that structured national-level quality assurance processes in African higher education are a very recent phenomenon and that most countries face major capacity constraints. Only about a third of them have established structured national quality assurance mechanisms, often only as recently as during the last ten years. Activities differ in their scope and rigor, ranging from simple licensing of institutions by the minister responsible for higher education, to comprehensive system-wide program accreditation and ranking of institutions. Within institutions of higher learning, self-assessment and academic audits are gradually being adopted to supplement traditional quality assurance methods. However, knowledge about and experience with self-assessments are limited. The main challenges to quality assurance systems in Africa are cost and human capacity requirements.
Quality Assurance in Chinese Higher Education
Authors: Li Yuan
Published: May 2010

Quality assurance has been integrated into the fabric of higher education in China, with the issue of quality in higher education – how to evaluate it and how to enhance it – now taking centre stage in Chinese higher education. In the past decade, the development of quality assurance in Chinese higher education has covered a broad spectrum of initiatives, from national policy, quality evaluation methodology, and institutional adoption of quality assurance schemes, to the matrix of quality evaluations. This article attempts to present a comprehensive overview of quality assurance in Chinese higher education by reviewing and analysing the context and development of quality assurance initiatives, alongside the current structure and management of quality assurance in Chinese higher education. By commenting on the current realities and remaining challenges in Chinese higher education, this article also points to some implications for Chinese higher education institutions in their further progress along the quality assurance path.
Higher Education Evaluation in Germany
Authors: Schmidt Bernhard , Von Hippel Aiga , Tippelt Rudolf
Published: May 2010

Quality assurance in the area of higher education has become a central issue among both politicians and scientists. University evaluations which refer to both research and teaching are an important element of quality assurance. The present contribution starts out by determining the different components of quality at universities according to different perspectives. In a second step, the authors take a closer look at evaluations in higher education and differentiate subjects and levels, as well as forms of university evaluation. On the basis of these theoretical-conceptual reflections, it is possible to sketch the different trends in the current practice of higher education evaluation in Germany. Here, the development seems to lead towards a growing significance of accreditation. The spheres of action in university evaluation comprise not only these procedures and agencies of accreditation, but also the evaluation of different faculties, and rankings, which have become increasingly influential in Germany. In a final part, the authors discuss current trends and challenges in higher education evaluation in Germany.
A Brief Review of Molecular Techniques to Assess Plant Diversity
Authors: Arif Ibrahim A. , Bakir Mohammad A. , Khan Haseeb A. , Al Farhan Ahmad H. , Al Homaidan Ali A. , Bahkali Ali H. , Al Sadoon Mohammad , Shobrak Mohammad
Published: May 2010

Massive loss of valuable plant species in the past centuries and its adverse impact on environmental and socioeconomic values has triggered the conservation of plant resources. Appropriate identification and characterization of plant materials is essential for the successful conservation of plant resources and to ensure their sustainable use. Molecular tools developed in the past few years provide easy, less laborious means for assigning known and unknown plant taxa. These techniques answer many new evolutionary and taxonomic questions, which were not previously possible with only phenotypic methods. Molecular techniques such as DNA barcoding, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) have recently been used for plant diversity studies. Each technique has its own advantages and limitations. These techniques differ in their resolving power to detect genetic differences, type of data they generate and their applicability to particular taxonomic levels. This review presents a basic description of different molecular techniques that can be utilized for DNA fingerprinting and molecular diversity analysis of plant species.