bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Samsun İlinde Halkın Adli Tıp Hizmetlerine ait Görüşlerinin Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: Süer Cenk , Turla Ahmet , Aydın Berna
Published: December 2015

Objective: Forensic medicine services, directly contributes to justice to be served, strongly effects solutions for judicial problems. Aware community about the services provided from forensic medicine, knowledge resources, independence or confidence of the evaluation and provide recommendation that based on obtained data.Materials and Methods: In total, representation of all segments of society living in the city centre of Samsun 5 different groups acording to their jobs were (Students, workers, civil servants, self-employed and housewives) included in the study. 201 civil servant, 207 workers, 205 self-employed, 204 students and 200 housewives. In total 1017 participants were included in the study. The data obtained from the cases noted, investigated and analysed by using the statistical programme. (SPSS 16.0)Results: The study was based on 1017 people. 471 (46.3%) men and 546 (53.7%) women, the mean age was 34,6 ±11,8 (18-65). 887 (87.2%) of the participants believed that television were the most common source for gathering information about forensic medicine. Out of all the services Forensic Medicine department provides, people believes that autopsy is the most common and well-known service. However, the most common opinion that people do not trust the Forensic Medicine expert witness is that work being done under pressure and also making decisions impartially. 747 (73,5%) of the participants were stated that they would not be against having autopsy process to them or their relatives.Conclusion: Public society’s interest increases to institutions and organisation that provides Forensic Medicine services every day. The major tasks undertaken and followed up...
Tetabuk Özelliği Olan Sahte İmzaların Tespitinde Bilgisayar Teknolojilerinin Rolü Olgu Sunumu
Authors: Melez İpek Esen , Melez Deniz Oğuzhan , Şahin Muhammed Feyzi , Gürler Ahmet Selçuk , Tırtıl Lale
Published: December 2015

Signature is a handwriting type which reflects the personal characteristics and which is legally accepted to be exclusive. Various methods can be used for signature forgery and copying through carbon paper use is one of these methods. In this study, to show ‘overlapping’ with the method of superimposition of the signatures in computer media through analyzing the case of a signature forgery which includes the method of copying through carbon paper use and to discuss the role of computer technologies together with the differential diagnosis of ‘overlapping’ in document examination have been aimed. With regards to contemporary document examination expertise, besides personal experience, also computer technologies are becoming important in the analysis. In the evaluation of forgery components between two signatures or signature groups being identical to a degree which seems to be impossible in the nature of things (overlapping), this case and the way of its analysis is found
Çinko Fosfür İçeren Fare Zehiri ile Özkıyım Girişimi Olgu Sunumu
Authors: Yıldız İsa , Akgül Sibel , Özkan Süreyya , Güneş Hacı Yusuf , Bayır Hakan , Özdeş Taşkın
Published: December 2015

Zinc phosphide is a toxic chemical agent used as a rodenticide. The effects are on heart, lung, kidney and gastrointestinal tract. Metabolic acidosis, high amylase, liver damage, hypotension, shock and cardiac arrhythmia is observed. Forty-year-old male patientevaluated with a history of taking zinc phosphide containing rat poison inorder to commit suicide. Respiratory distress, arrhythmias, commonly involuntary muscle contraction, metabolic acidosis, coagulation disorders, amylase, AST and LDH levels were determined. Term follow-up after intensive care unit and was discharged favor. In this paper, for the purpose of suicide zinc phosphide our experiences in the field of public information in the cases of ICU follow-up treatment process is intended to share the accompaniment.
A problemática ambiental decorrente dos resíduos sólidos gerados no processo produtivo do queijo
Authors: Silva M. A. , Almeida S. N. R. , Almeida R. R. P. , Carolino E. C. A. , Crispim D. L.
Published: December 2015

O processo de fabricação e comercialização de queijo, sejam eles em grandes agroindústrias ou de modo artesanal em pequenas propriedades rurais, é parte importante na economia brasileira, sobretudo para algumas regiões, a exemplo da região nordeste do Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho foi efetuar uma caracterização preliminar da produção de queijo, enfatizando o levantamento de suas relações com o meio ambiente e os possíveis aspectos e impactos ambientais decorrentes da produção de queijo. Para tanto, utilizou-se como processo metodológico uma revisão bibliográfica da problemática em estudo a fim de se obter a maior quantidade possível de informações, além de fazer uma correlação com estudos que traz alternativas para o aproveitamento do principal efluente gerado no processo produtivo do queijo, que é o soro derivado do  leite. O soro do leite é um subproduto de alto potencial poluidor, e as empresas perceberam que agregando valor a esse subproduto derivado do leite tem-se uma alternativa viável economicamente, além da redução dos custos com o tratamento de efluentes. Destacando assim, a necessidade de conscientização dos empresários deste segmento, bem como da instalação e/ou adequação de sistemas de tratamento eficientes dos resíduos e efluentes gerados em todas as etapas do processo, haja vista o alto potencial poluidor e impactante desta atividade.

The environmental problems resulting from solid waste generated in the production process cheese

Abstract: The process of manufacturing and marketing of cheese, whether in big agribusiness or artisanal way in small farms, is an important part in the Brazilian economy, especially for some regions such as the northeast region of Brazil. The objective of this study was to perform a preliminary characterization of cheese production, emphasizing raising its relations with the environment and potential environmental aspects and impacts of the cheese production. For this purpose, it was used as a methodological process a literature of the problematic review of study in order to obtain the largest possible amount of information, and make a correlation with studies that brings alternatives to the use of the main wastewater generated in the production of the cheese making process, which is derived from milk serum. Whey is a high pollution potential by-product, and companies have realized that adding value to this byproduct derived from milk has an economically viable alternative, in addition to reducing the costs of treating effluents. Highlighting thereby the need for awareness of entrepreneurs in this segment as well as the installation and / or suitability of efficient treatment systems for waste and effluents generated at all stages of the process, given the high pollution potential and impacting this activity.
Consuming the Coast: mid-century communications of port tourism in the southern african Indian Ocean
Authors: Gupta Pamila
Published: December 2015

Throughout the early to mid-20th century, tourist passenger cruise liners moving along the Southern African coast were a popular leisure activity, undertaken by largely elite (white) Europeans (predominately British), Americans, and South Africans, with stopping off points including multiple Indian Ocean port cities such as Cape Town and Durban in South Africa and Lourenço Marques and Beira in Portuguese Mozambique. By considering the above twined port cities in relation to their entangled colonial and tourist pasts, and as operating within a distinct regional “cultural corridor”(NUTALL, 2009) of Southern Africa, this paper explores a series of leisured port spaces as inter-connected via the passenger cruise liner. The basis for my historical navigation is the tourism yearbooks produced by the Union-Castle Line, Round Africa service, those for 1939 and 1949 respectively.   That these guidebooks serve as portholes into the cosmopolitan microcosmic world of cruise ships makes them invaluable for understanding the history of leisure (and its concomitant products, consumer goods and advertising) in Southern Africa.
Mechanisms for maintenance of dominance in a nonclonal desert shrub
Authors: Kitchen Stanley G. , Meyer Susan E. , Carlson Stephanie L.
Published: December 2015

Blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima: Rosaceae) is a slow‐growing, non‐clonal shrub that is regionally dominant on xeric, shallow soils in the North American Mojave Desert‐Great Basin transition zone and southern Colorado Plateau. Blackbrush seed production is concentrated in mast years, and most seeds are cached and later consumed by heteromyid rodents. Vegetation histories show that blackbrush stands can persist apparently unchanged for over a century. We used dendrochronological techniques to examine plant age distributions, recruitment patterns and growth rates, to ascertain how blackbrush achieves this long‐term population stability. Our study addressed the following questions: (1) What is the role of within‐clump recruitment in long‐term patterns of clump persistence? Do blackbrush clumps accrue new cohorts through time? (2) How does recruitment vary temporally, specifically in relation to years of mast seed production and climate variability? (3) What impact does intra‐specific competition have on plant growth rates? To address these questions, we aged stems from 208 clumps in five Mojave Desert and four Colorado Plateau populations. Individual plant age estimates ranged from 3 to 122 years. Clumps comprised of multiple‐aged cohorts were ubiquitous. Within clumps, plant and cohort number increased with clump age, suggesting a steady accumulation of new cohorts over time. Clumps in Colorado Plateau populations accumulated cohorts at a significantly faster rate than clumps in Mojave Desert populations. Recruitment occurred in relatively frequent pulses. It was only partially synchronized with mast years, with some seedling establishment following years of low seed production. Individuals that recruited into established clumps averaged half the radial growth rate of individuals that recruited into openings. Blackbrush recruitment is bimodal, with initial colonization of open spaces from rodent caches but with long‐term clump persistence a product of periodic, within‐clump recruitment of new plants. This dual recruitment strategy provides a mechanism for continued community dominance in an abiotically stressful environment under low levels of disturbance.
Monitoring and evaluation approaches in water resources project design: experiences from an urban water system climate change adaptation project in Indonesia
Authors: Larson Silva , Kirono Dewi G. C. , Tjandraatmadja Grace , Barkey Roland
Published: December 2015

Water research projects are often interdisciplinary and participatory in nature. Scientists and managers involved strive to create learning that advances science in various fields while providing benefits for society. They also face challenges of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for accountability and measurement of impacts, required by funding agencies. In this paper we tested selected M&E processes and methods for their potential to increase capacity in a cross-cultural inter-disciplinary research setting of an urban water research project. A total of eight different qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods were assessed using two processes: self-evaluation by researchers, testing five methods; and the external evaluations by stakeholders, testing three methods. Both processes were found useful. Of the five self-evaluation methods tested, the Logical Frameworks method was deemed a good planning tool but not one contributing to learning. The qualitative (Factors of Success and Obstacles/Enablers) and the Best Case/Worst Case Scenarios quantitative method were effective learning methods. Tracking Change was found suitable for measuring learning. We recommended that a combination of methods be used in order to capture the full dynamic of projects in various stages. Explicit timelines for indicators and measures of project success are recommended for managing expectations of both researchers and funding agencies.
An Overview of Water Sensitive Urban Design Practices in Australia
Authors: Wong T. H. F.
Published: December 2015

Ecologically Sustainable Development in Australia can be described as going beyond the protection of the environment from the impacts of pollution, to protecting and conserving natural resources. In an urban environmental context this means urban development (both greenfield development and urban renewal) that seeks to have no long term effects on various aspects of the environment related to aspects such as greenhouse gas levels, material resources, biodiversity and ambient water environments. Water environments, such as waterways and coastal waters, and water supply catchments are key areas where urban development can have significant impacts. Water Sensitive Urban Design in Australia has evolved from its early association with stormwater management to provide a broader framework for sustainable urban water management. It provides a common and unified method for integrating the interactions between the urban built form (including urban landscapes) and the urban water cycle. This paper presents an overview of current industry practice and research implementation of Water Sensitive Urban Design in Australia.
Practical aspects, experiences and strategies by using UV/VIS sensors for long-term sewer monitoring
Authors: Gruber G. , Bertrand-Krajewski J.-L. , Beneditis J. De , Hochedlinger M. , Lettl W.
Published: December 2015

An explosion-proof UV/VIS sensor has been available even in sewer systems for some years for simultaneous measurement of CODeq, filtered CODeq, TSSeq and nitrateeq. This sensor allows in-situ real-time measurements with no sampling, no sample preparation and no reagents. Three case studies are presented in this paper using this UV/VIS sensor for long-term sewer monitoring issues whereby two different installation strategies are applied. The pros and cons of both different installation solutions are compared and different calibration results during dry and wet weather conditions and long-term operational sewer monitoring experiences are given in this paper.
Towards a better knowledge and management of infiltration and exfiltration in sewer systems: the APUSS project
Authors: Bertrand-Krajewski J.-L. , Cardoso M.A. , Ellis B. , Frehmann T. , Giulianelli M. , Gujer W. , Krebs P. , Pliska Z. , Pollert J. , Pryl K.
Published: December 2015

Sewer systems constitute a very significant patrimony in European cities. Their structural quality and functional efficiency are key parameters to guarantee the transfer of domestic and trade wastewater to treatment plants without infiltration nor exfiltration. Infiltration of groundwater is particularly detrimental to treatment plant efficiency, while exfiltration of wastewater can lead to groundwater contamination. During the period 2001-2004, the European research project APUSS (Assessing infiltration and exfiltration on the Performance of Urban Sewer Systems) was devoted to sewer infiltration and exfiltration questions. It was structured on three main Work Areas dealing respectively with i) the development of new measurement methods based on tracer experiments and accounting for detailed uncertainty analyses, ii) the implementation of models and software tools to integrate structural and experimental data and to facilitate data display, operational management and decision making process and iii) the integration of economic and operational questions by means of costs estimation, economic valuation, performance indicators and multi-criteria methods applied to investment/rehabilitation strategies. This overview paper describes synthetically the objectives, methods and main achievements for each Work Area. References to both antecedent and companion papers are given for results and more detailed information.
Flood-damage curves: Methodological development for the Brazilian context
Authors: Nascimento N. , Baptista M. , Silva A. , Léa Machado M. , de Lima J. Costa , Gonçalves M. , Silva A. , Dias R. , Machado É.
Published: December 2015

The present paper describes the main results of an on-going research aiming to develop standard flood damage data in the form of generic flood-damage curves. This type of curve allows estimating flood damages from the depth of inundation. Although the research project encompasses flood damages on different urban land use activities (residential, commercial, services and industrial land uses), the paper focus on residential flood damage information. The empirical data used on this research was obtained from systematic surveys performed in the city of Itajubá, a town with 85.000 inhabitants located in the Sapucaí river valley in the South-eastern region of Brazil, during the year of 2002. The survey consisted in interviewing residents in the Itajubá flood prone urban area in order to develop a data base characterizing the social class, the building fabric, the contents (inventory items) and the damages caused to dwellings by a reference flood event, the 2000 flood event. During this event, the town had more than 70% of its urban area flooded for three days and, in some densely urbanised areas, the depth of water was superior to three meters. The FDC curves obtained show relatively high damage according to the submersion depth considering the Brazilian context. This issue suggests that inhabitants can rarely recover, in the short time, from all the harm caused by flooding.
Some international experiences in promoting the recent advances in practical leakage management
Authors: Fantozzi Marco , Lalonde Alain , Lambert Allan , Waldron Tim
Published: December 2015

Substantial advances have been made by the IWA Water Losses Task Force in the last few years in the development of practical water loss management methods, including the benefits of active pressure management, calculation of economic intervention frequency for active leakage control, and economic levels of leakage. This paper reviews experiences to date in introducing and disseminating these advances to Utilities internationally, with particular reference to Australia, Europe, and North America.
Challenging drinking water disinfection: How to face up to emerging waterborne pathogens?
Authors: de Traversay C. , Bourny C. , Boucherie C. , Djafer M. , Cavard J.
Published: December 2015

The disinfection of drinking water remains the primary objective of drinking water treatment. The emergence of new waterborne pathogens has led to a growing need to develop a strategy for reducing the risks of illness. Based on the water safety plan concept, this paper reports on the system assessment, the effective operational monitoring for disinfection and the management plans. The results obtained on the surface water treatment plant of Neuilly-sur-Marne (106 MGD) which includes a full treatment with clarification, ozonation and chlorination, illustrate this paper.
Contamination of drinking water between source and point-of-use in rural households of South Africa and Zimbabwe: implications for monitoring the Millennium Development Goal for water
Authors: Gundry Stephen W. , Wright James A. , Conroy Ronan , Du Preez Martella , Genthe Bettina , Moyo Sibonginkosi , Mutisi Charles , Ndamba Jerikias , Potgieter Natasha
Published: December 2015

Aims: To assess contamination of drinking water in rural Zimbabwe and South Africa

Methods: We conducted a cohort study of 254 children aged 12-24 months in rural South Africa and Zimbabwe. In dry and wet seasons, we measured water quality, using the indicator organism E. coli, at improved and unimproved sources, in household storage and drinking cups. We also recorded hygiene and socio-economic factors for each household.

Results: For improved sources, samples with E. coli counts less than 10 cfu/100ml were as follows: at source: 165 (88%); in household storage 137 (59%); in drinking cups 91 (49%). The corresponding values for unimproved sources were: source 47 (29%); household storage 32 (19%); drinking cups 21 (18%). This significant deterioration in microbial quality of water from improved sources was seen in both countries and both survey rounds.

Conclusion: Although improved sources generally delivered ‘safe’ water at the point-of-supply, 12% of source samples were contaminated and as such were ‘unsafe’. Furthermore, in household storage, more than 40% of samples were ‘unsafe’. For monitoring the Millennium Development Goal for water, UNICEF-WHO are assuming an equivalence between ‘improved’ sources and ‘safe’ water. Our findings suggest that this equivalence may be unsound.
Analysis of Estrogenic Hormones in Natural Waters, Wastewater and Sludge. Results from the First International Round Robin Test
Authors: Esperanza M. , Herry G. , Manciot F. , Laîné J.M.
Published: December 2015

This paper reports the results from the first international round robin test on estrogenic hormones in 5 types of matrices including groundwater, surface water, influent and effluent wastewater and a freeze dried wastewater plant sludge. The 14 participating laboratories used a wide variety of analytical techniques comprising different extraction, cleanup and separation-detection procedures. The latter comprised GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, LC/MS, LC-TOF MS, LC/MS/MS with ESI or APPI interfaces, and a rather uncommon LC-coulometry method. Overall the results from this first test are rather satisfactory. The most consistent results were obtained with the LC/MS/MS methods, the LC-TOF and the GC/MS/MS methods, while single stage GC-or LC/MS tended to lack sensitivity or specificity. The LC-coulometric method gave significantly different results than other methods.
Importance of the Free Zn Species in Batch Nitrification Systems
Authors: Semerci N. , Çeçen F.
Published: December 2015

The inhibitory effect of Zn on nitrifying bacteria was examined in the presence and absence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). EDTA addition reduced nitrification inhibition due to the formation of strong complexes and the reduction in free Zn species. Furthermore, formation of strong complexes prevented Zn from being adsorbed by bacterial surfaces. Zn was measured by voltammetric techniques, which enable the differentiation between strong ZnEDTA complexes and labile Zn. Inhibition of nitrification depended on free, labile and biosorbed fractions of Zn and did not correlate with the total concentration. Thus, both the Free Ion Activity Model (FIAM) and the Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) were applicable in expressing the influence of Zn on nitrification inhibition.
Comparison of Submerged Membrane Bioreactor in Different SRT Conditions
Authors: Khor S.L. , Sun D.D. , Hay C.T. , Leckie J.O.
Published: December 2015

Complete sludge retention MBR appears to be an innovative technology which no sludge will be produced, hence eliminating the sludge disposal cost. However, the understanding of microbial behaviour in the complete sludge retention MBR was still not adequately established. This study was conducted to investigate the biological performances and microbial behaviour of three different SRT MBRs (5 days SRT, 10 days SRT and prolonged SRT). The results revealed that membrane filtration assisted for maintaining the high degree of organic removal (above 97%) for all MBRs. High organic degradation was noticed in the prolonged SRT MBR (89.44%) compared with 5 days SRT (77.64%) and 10 days SRT (85.62%) MBRs. This showed that the prolonged SRT MBR posed a greater capability for further degradation of inert organics and SMP. Extremely low sludge yield (0.0388 g VSS/g COD) was occurred in the prolonged SRT condition compared with 5 and 10 days SRT conditions. The low SOUR did not affect the degradation performance. Whereas, it implied that small amount of oxygen was sufficient to achieve high degree of organic degradation during the prolonged SRT MBR condition.
Removal Characteristics of Human Antibiotics during Wastewater Treatment in Japan
Authors: Kobayashi Y. , Yasojima M. , Komori K. , Suzuki Y. , Tanaka H.
Published: December 2015

Pharmaceuticals resident in sewage and in the aqueous environment has begun to attract attention. The objectives of this research were to clarify the behaviour of selected human antibiotics in wastewater treatment plants, namely levofloxacin (LVFX), clarithromycin (CAM) and azithromycin (AZM) which are much used in Japan. The concentrations in raw influent of LVFX, CAM, AZM were respectively 425~981ng/L, 340~573ng/L, ND(<190 ng/L)~371ng/L. The averages of removal ratio were about 50 % for all selected antibiotics. It was suggested that selected antibiotics was not too much removed in the conventional creature processing like the conventional activated sludge process. The remarkable removals in activated sludge tank using high class treatment method were confirmed about all selected antibiotics. The rise of the concentrations of CAM and AZM was confirmed after the addition of chemical coagulants in one wastewater treatment plant. From the result of batch experiment with activated sludge, it was suggested that LVFX and AZM were removed from water mainly by the absorption to activated sludge. Also, in batch experiment with chemical coagulants, it was suggested that LVFX was removed from water and CAM, AZM were eluted a little in water by adding sulphuric acid band.
The elimination of the endocrine disrupters 4-nonylphenol and bisphenol A during wastewater treatment - Comparison of conventional and membrane assisted biological wastewater treatment followed by an ozone treatment
Authors: Schröder H. Fr.
Published: December 2015

A conventional biological wastewater treatment plant (BWWTP) and a membrane bio-reactor (MBR) were operated to treat municipal wastewater. The endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) and bisphenol A (BPA; 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane), were spiked into the feed. Additionally, the effluents were treated with ozone (O3). The elimination efficiencies of both treatment techniques and the advanced effluent treatment applying ozone were balanced over a three-week testing period by monitoring 4-NP and BPA concentrations in the feed, all effluents and excess sewage sludge. Reduction of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) was observed with 95 ± 2%. Substance specific analyses were performed by gas chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Aqueous samples and sludge extracts after pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) were examined after derivatization using acetic anhydride. The spiking levels into the feed were adjusted to reach concentrations of 51.2 ± 10.1 µg/L (4-NP) and 50.7 ± 8.2 µg/L (BPA), while the effluent samples were fortified prior to ozone treatment by adding 48 µg/L or 49 µg/L of 4-NP and BPA. The elimination achieved without applying ozone were > 98 or 97.8 % for 4-NP and BPA in MBR treatment and > 98 and 91.6 % under conventional treatment. Balances proved biodegradation as the superior elimination mechanism for 4-NP and BPA in both treatment processes
Experimental Study on Removal of Alkali-Metal and Incineration of High Concentration Organic Liquid Wastes
Authors: Ma J.Y. , Ma Z.Y. , Jia H.L. , Yan J.H. , Ni M.J. , Cen K.F.
Published: December 2015

To resolve the operational problems such as agglomeration, fouling, sintering and corrosion due to low-melting eutectics formed by alkali and alkaline-earth metals in the wastewater, evaporation-crystallization method was used to remove alkali and alkaline-earth metals and decrease demand of assistant fuel before incineration. Salty concentrated liquid was recycled to be re-evaporated. The removal efficiency of Na+ in NaCl is 99.88%. The ratio of organic compounds volatilization is higher than 99.00%. Organic waste steam was incinerated in fluidized bed combustion (FBC). Combustion efficiency is influenced by bed temperature and air flux. As the temperature is increased from 650?C to 900?C at the air flux of 20m3/h, combustion efficiency is increased from 88.74% to 99.90%. When the air flux is increased from 20m3/h to 30m3/h, combustion efficiency is decreased, especially at the lower temperature. Reduction of the concentration of organic compounds can decrease the heat value of the steam, and then, reduce combustion efficiency.
Novel TiO2 Nanocatalysts for Wastewater Purification-Tapping Energy from the Sun
Authors: Liu Y. , Li J. , Qiu X. , Burda C.
Published: December 2015

Water treatment using TiO2 semiconductor as a durable heterogeneous photocatalyst has been the focus of environmentalists in recent years. We currently developed an inexpensive and highly efficient approach for synthesizing nitrogen doped TiO2 with lower band-gap energy that can respond to visible light. Doping on the molecular scale led to an enhanced nitrogen concentration of up to 21.8%. Reflectance measurements showed the synthesized N-doped TiO2 nanoparticles are catalytically active with the absorbance that extends into the visible region up to 600nm. The water purification potential of this new class of compounds was evaluated by studying the photodegradation of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) and E. coli. Experiments were conducted to compare the photocatalytic activities of N-doped TiO2 nanocatalysts and commercially available Degussa P25 power under identical solar light exposure. N-doped TiO2 demonstrated superior photocatalytic activities in both chemical compound degradation and bactericidal reactions. The result of this study shows the potential of applying new generations of catalyst for wastewater purification and disinfection.
An implementation of the hybrid respirometric measurement principle with more reliable oxygen uptake rate (OUR) measurement
Authors: Lu Peili , Zhang Daijun , Zhang Xin , Cao Haibin
Published: December 2015

The aim of this paper is to realize fully the hybrid respirometric measurement principle with high accuracy and measuring frequency. Based on the knowledge of the difficulty in implementing "ultimate" hybrid respirometer and the drawbacks of the simpler hybrid respirometer, a novel implementation of the hybrid respirometric measurement principle was developed. It was verified that the new hybrid respirometer possessed the advantage of "ultimate" hybrid respirometer while its DO electrodes suffered no effect of flow rate change. Also the accurate and constant temperature of the whole set-up was solved. For the purpose of enhancing the availability of the respirometer proposed in this paper, software with friendly user interface was developed, in which advanced arithmetic and median filter were adopted. Finally the new hybrid respirometer system was evaluated and the accuracy and reliability were satisfied.
Full scale application of the coupled alternate cycles-membrane bioreactor (AC-MBR) process for wastewater reclamation and reuse
Authors: Battistoni P. , Fatone F. , Bolzonella D. , Pavan P.
Published: December 2015

The paper deals with the full scale application of the alternate cycles-membrane bioreactor (AC-MBR) process for wastewater reclamation and reuse. The studied plant treats up to 6000 m3/d and is located at Viareggio, central Italy. The validation of the process is presented discussing its behaviour in two different steady state conditions: the first with MLSS of some 8 g/l at 18.7 Celsius degrees, and the second with some 6 g/l at 24.3 Celsius degrees. Removals of TSS, COD and TN were 100%, >90% and >80%, respectively, while TP removal reached values up to 67% without any chemical precipitation process. The specific energy consumptions were 110÷113 Wh/PE depending mainly on the adopted MLSS.
The Impact of Ammonia Photo-Oxidation Under UV Light from Low Pressure Mercury Lamps on Bromate Decay in Water
Authors: Beckles Y. , Diyamandoglu V.
Published: December 2015

This research examines the influence of ammonia photo-oxidation on the reduction of the water contaminant, bromate (BrO3-) as a potential removal strategy. It has long been recognized that aqueous ammonia (NH3) has the potential to accelerate the photodecomposition of bromate. This phenomenon has never been studied in dilute solutions whereby its impact during water treatment with UV low-pressure lamps may be used advantageously. It is hypothesized that the accelerated rate of BrO3- photodecomposition in the presence of NH3 is attributed to the generation of an additional supply of electrons as ammonia photo-oxidation occurs. The findings revealed that the rate of bromate photo-decay is increased in the presence of ammonia even in dilute ammonia and BrO3- solutions and the reaction is further accelerated in basic solutions and solutions containing chloride ions. Nitrate is the final stable reaction product formed with prolonged irradiation, followed by a depression of pH. Hypobromous acid was undetected at these concentrations. It was also found that ammonia oxidation occurred in the presence of bromide ions even in acidic solution. The hypothesis that electrons are made available for electron scavengers when ammonia oxidation occurs was verified using sulphur hexafluoride as an electron scavenger.
Porous calcium niobate nanosheets prepared by an exfoliation–restacking route
Authors: Hashemzadeh Fatemeh
Published: December 2015

The single phase layered perovskite-type niobate KCa2Nb3O10 was obtained by a solid state reaction of the starting materials (K2CO3, CaCO3 and Nb2O5) at 1,200 °C. Then the H+-exchanged form (HCa2Nb3O10) was successfully exfoliated into colloidal porous single layers on the intercalating action of tetra(butyl)ammonium ion. The various characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), ﬁeld-emission scanning electron microscopy, N2 absorption–desorption and diffuse reflectance UV–visible spectrometry gave important information on the unusual structural features of the perovskite-related niobate nanosheets. XRD analysis of the exfoliated nanosheets showed a unique proﬁle with wide peaks that represented individual molecular aspects of the nanosheets. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller isotherm of the exfoliated coiled nanosheets showed a sharp increase in the surface area by a factor of >30 in comparison to parent layered material, which is due to the exfoliation and restacking process. The nanosheets in this study were also found to act as a semiconductor with a wide band gap that is due to the quantum size effect.
The effect of electromagnetic fields, from two commercially available water treatment devices, on bacterial culturability
Authors: Piyadasa Chathuri , Yeager Thomas R. , Gray Stephen R. , Stewart Matthew B. , Ridgway Harry F. , Pelekani Con , Orbell John D.
Published: December 2015

Commercially available pulsed-electromagnetic field (PEMF) devices are currently being marketed and employed to ostensibly manage biofouling. The reliable application and industry acceptance of such technologies require thorough scientific validation – and this is currently lacking. We have initiated proof-of-principle research in an effort to investigate whether such commercially available PEMF devices can influence the viability (culturability) of planktonic bacteria in an aqueous environment. Thus two different commercial PEMF devices were investigated via a static (i.e. non-flowing) treatment system. ‘Healthy’ Escherichia coli cells, as well as cultures that were physiologically compromised by silver nano-particles, were exposed to the PEMFs from both devices under controlled conditions. Although relatively minor, the observed effects were nevertheless statistically significant and consistent with the hypothesis that PEMF exposure under controlled conditions may result in a decrease in cellular viability and culturability. It has also been observed that under certain conditions bacterial growth is actually stimulated.
Value of cerebrospinal fluid α-synuclein species as biomarker in Parkinson's diagnosis and prognosis
Authors: Parnetti Lucilla , Cicognola Claudia , Eusebi Paolo , Chiasserini Davide
Published: December 2015

Since diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is mostly based on clinical criteria, it is almost impossible to formulate an early diagnosis, as well as a timely differential diagnosis versus other parkinsonisms. A great effort in searching reliable biomarkers both for early diagnosis and prognosis in PD is currently ongoing. Cerebrospinal fluid has been widely investigated as potential source for such biomarkers, with particular emphasis on α-synuclein (α-syn) species. We reviewed all the clinical studies carried out so far on cerebrospinal fluid quantification of α-syn species in PD. Current evidence supports the value of total and oligomeric α-syn in PD diagnosis and in the differential diagnosis of PD and other parkinsonisms. Conversely, the role of α-syn species in PD prognosis remains unsatisfactory.
Type II Diabetes Disparities in Diverse Women: The Potential Roles of Body Composition, Diet and Physical Activity
Authors: Crawford Margaret A , Mendoza-Vasconez Andrea S , Larsen Britta A
Published: December 2015

The rates of diabetes in the USA are rapidly increasing, and vary widely across different racial/ethnic groups. This paper explores the potential contribution of body composition, diet and physical activity in explaining diabetes disparities across women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. For body composition, racial/ethnic groups differ widely by BMI, distribution of body mass and quantity and type of adipose tissue. Dietary patterns that vary across race/ethnicity include consumption of meat, added sugars, high-glycemic carbohydrates and fast food. Additionally, physical activity patterns of interest include aerobic versus muscle-strengthening exercises, and the purpose of physical activity (leisure, occupation, or transportation). Overall, these variables provide a partial picture of the source of these widening disparities, and could help guide future research in addressing and reducing diabetes disparities.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Montenegrin patients with psoriasis
Authors: Raznatovic-Djurovic Milena , Jankovic Janko , Jankovic Slavenka
Published: December 2015

Background/Aim. Increasing epidemiological studies suggest the association
between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to assess
the association of metabolic syndrome and its components with psoriasis in a
sample of patients from Montenegro, and to predict the factors that determine
the metabolic syndrome. Methods. A case-control study was conducted at the
Clinic of Dermatology and Venereology, Clinical Center of Montenegro,
Podgorica, Montenegro, between January and December 2012. The study group
included 101 patients with psoriasis (cases) and 126 patients with the
diagnosis of dermatological disease other than psoriasis (controls)
consecutively admitted to the same clinic. Results. Metabolic syndrome was
more prevalent in the psoriasis patients than in the controls (48.5% vs
20.6%; OR = 2.99). In addition, the psoriasis patients were significantly
more likely to be smokers (OR = 2.16) and were less physically active (OR =
0.58). Conclusion. The results of this study demonstrate a strong association
between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome independent of psoriasis severity.
Patients with psoriasis should be routinely screened for metabolic syndrome
and its components.
The Volatility of Other Comprehensive Income and Audit Fees
Authors: Huang Hua-Wei , Lin Steve , Raghunandan K.
Published: December 2015

SYNOPSIS

The volatility in other comprehensive income (OCI) reflects how market-related price movements, such as exchange rate and equity price changes, affect a firm's future profits. Hence, firms with higher volatility of OCI are likely to have higher inherent risk. Using hand-collected data from 2002–2006, we find that the volatility of OCI is positively associated with audit fees and provides significant incremental explanatory power for audit fees over and above the level of OCI and the volatility of net income. We also find that the effect of the volatility of each component of OCI on audit fees is consistent with the prediction of how it might affect a firm's future profits. Our results support recent efforts by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) to require firms to present separately OCI components that may affect future earnings from those that may not affect future earnings.
Restoration of Nrf2 Signaling Normalizes the Regenerative Niche
Authors: Soares Marc A. , Cohen Oriana D. , Low Yee Cheng , Sartor Rita A. , Ellison Trevor , Anil Utkarsh , Anzai Lavinia , Chang Jessica B. , Saadeh Pierre B. , Rabbani Piul S. , Ceradini Daniel J.
Published: December 2015

Chronic hyperglycemia impairs intracellular redox homeostasis and contributes to impaired diabetic tissue regeneration. The Keap1/Nrf2 pathway is a critical regulator of the endogenous antioxidant response system, and its dysfunction has been implicated in numerous pathologies. Here we characterize the effect of chronic hyperglycemia on Nrf2 signaling within a diabetic cutaneous regeneration model. We characterized the effects of chronic hyperglycemia on the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway within models of diabetic cutaneous wound regeneration. We assessed reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant gene expression following alterations in the Nrf2 suppressor Keap1 and the subsequent changes in Nrf2 signaling. We also developed a topical small interfering RNA (siRNA)–based therapy to restore redox homeostasis within diabetic wounds. Western blotting demonstrated that chronic hyperglycemia–associated oxidative stress inhibits nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and impairs activation of antioxidant genes, thus contributing to ROS accumulation. Keap1 inhibition increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation, increased antioxidant gene expression, and reduced ROS production to normoglycemic levels, both in vitro and in vivo. Topical siKeap1 therapy resulted in improved regenerative capacity of diabetic wounds and accelerated closure. We report that chronic hyperglycemia weakens the endogenous antioxidant response, and the consequences of this defect are manifested by intracellular redox dysregulation, which can be restored by Keap1 inhibition. Targeted siRNA-based therapy represents a novel, efficacious strategy to reestablish redox homeostasis and accelerate diabetic cutaneous tissue regeneration.
High performance corrosion resistant coatings by novel coaxial cold- and hot-wire laser cladding methods
Authors: Pajukoski H. , Näkki J. , Thieme S. , Tuominen J. , Nowotny S. , Vuoristo P.
Published: December 2015

In the last few years, coaxial laser heads have been developed with centric wire feeding equipment, which enables the laser processing of complex-shaped objects in various applications. These newly developed laser heads are being used particularly in laser brazing experiments in the automotive industry. This study presents experimental results of using a coaxial laser head for cold- and hot-wire cladding application. The coaxial wire cladding method has significant improvements compared with the off-axis wire cladding method such as independence of the travel direction, alignment of the wire to the laser beam, and a reduced number of controlling parameters. These features are important to achieve high quality coatings. Cladding tests were conducted on mild steel with a coaxial laser wire welding head using Ni-based Inconel 625 and Thermanit 2509 super duplex stainless steel solid wires in order to determine the properties of the cladding process and the coatings deposited. The corrosion resistance of the obtained coatings was examined by long-term acetic acid salt spray (AASS) and electrochemical critical pitting temperature tests. The test results showed that by using the coaxial wire cladding method, defect-free high quality and corrosion resistant Inconel 625 and super duplex stainless steel coatings with low dilution were achieved. The average pitting temperature for Thermanit 2509 duplex coating was 75 °C in 1M NaCl solution, which was comparable to wrought 2507 duplex stainless steel. Low diluted Inconel 625 coating survived the AASS test for 2000 h without signs of corrosion.
Asymptotics of sign-changing patterns in hysteretic systems with diffusive thresholds
Authors: Gurevich Pavel , Rachinskii Dmitrii
Published: December 2015

We consider a reaction–diffusion system including discontinuous hysteretic relay operators in reaction terms. This system is motivated by an epigenetic model that describes the evolution of a population of organisms which can switch their phenotype in response to changes of the state of the environment. The model exhibits formation of patterns in the space of distributions of the phenotypes over the range of admissible switching strategies. We propose asymptotic formulas for the pattern and the process of its formation.
Hybrid Multi-Physics Modeling of an Ultra-Fast Electro-Mechanical Actuator
Authors: Bissal Ara , Eriksson Anders , Magnusson Jesper , Engdahl Göran
Published: December 2015

The challenges of an HVDC breaker are to generate impulsive forces in the order of hundreds of kilonewtons within fractions of a millisecond, to withstand the arising internal mechanical stresses and to transmit these forces via an electrically-insulating device to the contact system with minimum time delay. In this work, several models were developed with different levels of complexity, computation time and accuracy. Experiments were done with two mushroom-shaped armatures to validate the developed simulation models. It was concluded that although the electromagnetic force generation mechanism is highly sensitive to the mechanical response of the system, the developed first order hybrid model is able to predict the performance of the breaker with good accuracy.
Grain Sorghum: A Conundrum for Chicken-Meat Production
Authors: Liu Sonia , Fox Glen , Khoddami Ali , Neilson Karlie , Truong Ha , Moss Amy , Selle Peter
Published: December 2015

The inclusion of grain sorghum in diets for broiler chickens is quite common; however, under Australian conditions, the utilisation of starch/energy by birds offered sorghum-based diets appears inadequate. Various factors inherent in sorghum, including kafirin, phenolic compounds and phytate, may limit energy utilisation. The recent quantification of kafirin, the dominant protein fraction in sorghum, has allowed its nutritional significance to be assessed. This is important as indirect evidence suggests that kafirin concentrations in local sorghums are increasing as an unintended consequence of breeding programs. Presently, Australian sorghums do not contain condensed tannin but, from analyses and assessments of other polyphenolic compounds and phenolic acids, “non-tannin” phenols appear to be negative influences. Anecdotally, white sorghums are considered to be superior to red varieties thus the fact that polyphenolic pigments are responsible for the “redness” of sorghum assumes relevance. Inclusions of sulphite reducing agents in broiler diets have generated promising responses but seem dependent on sorghum properties. Preliminary studies have shown the possibilities of using rapid visco-analyser (RVA) starch pasting profiles, promatest protein solubilities and grain textures to indicate sorghum quality and further studies are required to confirm these hypotheses. These assessments may indicate which sorghums will best respond to reducing agents such as sodium metabisulphite. Finally, the usually modest responses of broilers to exogenous feed enzyme inclusions in sorghum-based are considered in this review.