bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Restoration of stormwater retention capacity at the allotment-scale through a novel economic instrument
Authors: Fletcher Tim D. , Walsh Chistopher J. , Bos Darren , Nemes Veronika , RossRakesh Sharyn , Prosser Toby , Hatt Belinda , Birch Rhiannon
Published: July 2011

Urbanisation results in changes to runoff behaviour which, if not addressed, inevitably degrade receiving waters. To date, most stormwater management has focussed on the streetscape and public open space. Given that much of the catchment imperviousness is located on private land, we developed and tested a novel economic instrument (a uniform price auction) for encouraging allotment-scale stormwater retention. We evaluated bids using an integrated environmental benefit index (EBI), based on the ability of the proposed works to reduce runoff frequency, pollutant loads and to reduce potable water demand. The uniform price auction resulted in 1.4 ha of impervious areas being effectively ‘disconnected’ from the stormwater system. The EBI provided an objective and transparent method of comparing bids, which varied in the type of works proposed (e.g. rainwater tank, rain-garden), the cost and the resulting environmental benefit. Whilst the pilot auction was a success, the public subsidy of works undertaken was around 85%, meaning that property owners a relatively small private benefit in the works. Future auction rounds will be revised to (i) test an EBI which is more focussed on the protection of streams (assessing changes to runoff frequency, baseflow volumes and water quality) and (ii) provide an auction process which is simpler to understand, and provides greater practical support for landholders who wish to undertake works.
Life Cycle Assessment of an intensive sewage treatment plant in Barcelona (Spain) with focus on energy aspects
Authors: Bravo L. , Ferrer I.
Published: July 2011

Life Cycle Assessment was used to evaluate environmental impacts associated to a full-scale wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Barcelona Metropolitan Area, with a treatment capacity of 2 million population equivalent, focussing on energy aspects and resources consumption. The wastewater line includes conventional pre-treatment, primary settler, activated sludge with nitrogen removal, and tertiary treatment; and the sludge line consists of thickening, anaerobic digestion, cogeneration, dewatering and thermal drying. Real site data were preferably included in the inventory. Environmental impacts of the resulting impact categories were determined by the CLM 2 baseline method. According to the results, the combustion of natural gas in the cogeneration engine is responsible for the main impact on Climate Change and Depletion of Abiotic Resources, while the combustion of biogas in the cogeneration unit accounts for a minor part. The results suggest that the environmental performance of the WWTP would be enhanced by increasing biogas production through improved anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge.
The study of adsorption characteristics of electrospun polymer nanofibers for benzenes in water
Authors: Sun Jing , Kang Xue-Jun , Ma Yu-Qin , Chen Li-Qin , Wang Yu , Gu Zhong-Ze
Published: July 2011

The adsorption properties of benzene, p-dichlorobenzene and nitrobenzene on polymer nanofibers were studied. Compared with polyacrylonitrile nanofiber, polystyrene (PS) nanofiber presented better adsorption performance. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were used for the mathematical description of adsorption equilibria, and Freundlich isotherms fitted better. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption of PS nanofiber followed pseudo first-order model. Various thermodynamic parameters such as standard free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) were calculated for predicting the adsorption nature of PS nanofiber for three benzenes, which indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous and a physical process. The regeneration efficiency maintains over 80% after five cycles of adsorption/desorption tests. It showed that PS nanofibers are promising candidates for adsorption and removal of aromatic hydrocarbons from water.
Proposal for identification methodology for urban agglomerations according to directive 91/271/EEC on wastewater treatment
Authors: Ostoich M. , Carcereri M.
Published: July 2011

This paper discusses the problem of the identification and definition of the urban agglomerations in accordance with Directive 91/271/EC. The aim of this identification is to guarantee a satisfactory level of treatment for urban wastewaters and the achievement of the quality objectives for water bodies. The methodology employed, taking into account the existing planning tools in the water service sector, has been based on official national census data, on the Water Protection Plan, on the predictions of Water Service Plans prepared by each Water Authority and on detailed indications provided by the Authorities themselves. The proposed approach, obtained with geographic information systems applications and the calculation of pollution loads, is described and tested in the Veneto region, Italy. In the final part of the paper some considerations on the results obtained are presented and discussed.
Kinetics of heterotrophic biomass and storage mechanism in wetland cores measured by respirometry
Authors: Ortigara A. R. C. , Foladori P. , Andreottola G.
Published: July 2011

Although oxygen uptake rate has been widely used in activated sludge for measuring kinetic and stoichiometric parameters or for wastewater characterization, its application in constructed wetlands (CWs) cores has been recently proposed. The aim of this research is to estimate the kinetic and stoichiometric parameters of the heterotrophic biomass in CW cores. Respirometric tests were carried out with pure carbonaceous substrate and real wastewater. Endogenous respiration was about 2 gO2 m−3 h−1 (per unit of bed volume), while the kinetic parameters obtained for COD oxidation were very high (maximum rate per unit of bed volume of 10.7–26.8 gCOD m−3 h−1) which indicates high biodegradation potential in fully aerobic environment. Regarding to stoichiometric parameter, the maximum growth yield, YH, was 0.56–0.59 mgCOD/mgCOD, while the storage yield, YSTO, was 0.75–0.77 mgCOD/mgCOD. The storage mechanism was observed in CW cores during COD oxidation, which leads to the transformation of the external soluble substrate in internal storage products, probably as response to intermittent loads applied in CW systems, transient concentrations of readily biodegradable substrate and alternance of feast/famine periods.
Continuous hydrogen and methane production in a two-stage cheese whey fermentation system
Authors: Cota-Navarro C. B. , Carrillo-Reyes J. , Davila-Vazquez G. , Alatriste-Mondragón F. , Razo-Flores E.
Published: July 2011

The feasibility of integrating biological hydrogen and methane production in a two-stage process using mixed cultures and cheese whey powder (CWP) as substrate was studied. The effect of operational parameters such as hydraulic retention time (HRT) and organic loading rate (OLR) on the volumetric hydrogen (VHPR) and methane (VMPR) production rates was assessed. The highest VHPR was 28 L H2/L/d, obtained during stable operation in a CSTR at HRT and OLR of 6 h and 142 g lactose/L/d, respectively. Moreover, hydrogen (13 L/L/d) was produced even at HRT as low as 3.5 h and OLR of 163 g lactose/L/d, nonetheless, the reactor operation was not stable. Regarding methane production in an UASB reactor, the acidified effluent from the hydrogen-producing bioreactor was efficiently treated obtaining COD removals above 90% at OLR and HRT of 20 g COD/L/d and 6 h, respectively. The two-stage process for continuous production of hydrogen and methane recovered over 70% of the energy present in the substrate. This study demonstrated that hydrogen production can be efficiently coupled to methane production in a two-stage system and that CWP is an adequate substrate for energy production.
The feasibility of trace element supplementation for stable operation of wheat stillage-fed biogas tank reactors
Authors: Gustavsson J. , Svensson B. H. , Karlsson A.
Published: July 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of trace element supplementation on operation of wheat stillage-fed biogas tank reactors. The stillage used was a residue from bio-ethanol production, containing high levels of sulfate. In biogas production, high sulfate content has been associated with poor process stability in terms of low methane production and accumulation of process intermediates. However, the results of the present study show that this problem can be overcome by trace element supplementations. Four lab-scale wheat stillage-fed biogas tank reactors were operated for 345 days at a hydraulic retention time of 20 days (37 °C). It was concluded that daily supplementation with Co (0.5 mg L−1), Ni (0.2 mg L−1) and Fe (0.5 g L−1) were required for maintaining process stability at the organic loading rate of 4.0 g volatile solids L−1 day−1.
Three stages MBR (methanogenic, aerobic biofilm and membrane filtration) for the treatment of low-strength wastewaters
Authors: Buntner D. , Sánchez Sánchez A. , Garrido J. M.
Published: July 2011

The use of a new three stages MBR process with a first methanogenic UASB stage, a second stage with aerobic biofilm growing on small carrier elements maintained in suspension and third stage with membrane filtration module is presented. The objective of the first methanogenic chamber is to diminish COD of the raw wastewater, producing a biogas rich in methane, and decrease the sludge production. In the second stage, the remaining soluble biodegradable COD is oxidized by heterotrophs. In the third stage, the membrane modules could be operated at higher fluxes than those reported for AnMBR systems, and similar to those obtained in aerobic MBRs. In this sense, the concept of these three stages MBR is to join the advantages of the methanogenic and aerobic membrane bioreactor processes, by reducing energy requirements for aeration, producing biogas with high methane percentage and a permeate with very low COD content. A synthetic wastewater was fed to the three stages MBR. COD in the influent was between 200 and 1,200 mg/L, ammonium ranged from 10 to 35 mg/L and phosphorous concentration was 8 mg/L. OLR in-between 1 and 3 kg COD/(m3 d) and a HRT of 13–21 h were applied. Temperature was between 17.5 and 23.2 °C. During the whole operating period the COD removal efficiencies were in the range of 90 and 96% of which in between 40 and 80% was removed in the first methanogenic chamber. Biogas production with methane content between 75 and 80% was observed. With regard to membrane operation, average permeabilities around 150 L/(m2 h bar) were achieved, operating with fluxes of 11–15 L/(m2 h).
A sewer process model as planning and management tool – hydrogen sulfide simulation at catchment scale
Authors: Vollertsen J. , Nielsen L. , Blicher T. D. , Hvitved-Jacobsen T. , Nielsen A. H.
Published: July 2011

The collection system of a major city at the Persian Gulf was simulated for bulk water hydrogen sulfide and the release of sewer gas to the urban atmosphere. Geometry data on 870 km of sanitary sewer and data on dry weather flow entering all nodes in the catchment was exported from a Mike Urban database and imported to the sewer process model WATS. The process model then routed sewage and sewer gas through the system and simulated relevant physical, chemical and biological processes. In its non-calibrated state, the model was used as a planning tool to identify problem areas and to identify locations to install monitoring equipment and make preliminary choices for control strategies in terms of dosing of nitrate and iron salts. The monitoring equipment consisted of flow meters, level gauges, UV–Vis spectroscopes, and H2S gas sensors. Data from the first set of installed monitoring equipment were applied to calibrate and validate the model. It was illustrated how the calibrated model can be applied to assess compliance with quantitative formulated service levels and to design control strategies in terms of dosing of iron and nitrate salts.
Recovering phosphorus as struvite from the digested swine wastewater with bittern as a magnesium source
Authors: Ye Zhi-Long , Chen Shao-Hua , Lu Min , Shi Jian-Wen , Lin Li-Feng , Wang Shu-Mei
Published: July 2011

Recovering nitrogen and phosphorus through struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) crystallization from swine wastewater has gained increasing interest. However, swine wastewater contains complex compositions, which may hinder the formation of struvite crystal and affect the purity of the precipitates by forming other insoluble minerals. In this work, experiments were carried out to evaluate struvite precipitation in the anaerobically digested swine wastewater, with dosing bittern as a low-cost magnesium source. Exceeded 90% phosphate removal and 23–29% ammonium reduction were obtained. FTIR, XRD and mass balance analysis were combined to analyze the species of precipitated minerals. Results showed that the precipitates were struvite, mixed with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and brucite. The presence of Ca2+ diminished the percentage of struvite and gave rise to ACP formation. Controlling pH below 9.5 and bittern dosage above 1% (w/w) could inhibit ACP precipitation and harvest a highly pure struvite crystal product.
Design and Usability: Beginner Interactions with Complex Software
Authors: Albers Michael J.
Published: July 2011

The software for a military command and control (C2) system presents an information space in which the C2 operator must manipulate a complex set of information in order to maintain the common tactical picture. A usability test of C2PC, a C2 system currently used by the U.S. Marine Corps, was performed with 13 Marines as participants. They were given problems designed to require actions similar to what they would encounter during real-world Combat Operations Center (COC) operation. The observations revealed an interesting disconnect between the underlying design assumptions and how beginner C2 operators interacted with the system. They were able to perform simple tasks, but could not combine those simple tasks into realistic tasks. These differences highlight the need for using complex scenarios when testing complex systems.
Visualizing Banking and Financial Products: A Comparative Study of Chinese and American Practices
Authors: Yu Han
Published: July 2011

This study examines the visual rhetoric used in Chinese and American promotional business communication. Comparing banking and financial product brochures published in the two countries, the study finds similar as well as different visual strategies. Most importantly, the Chinese samples frequently use visual metaphors, whereas the American samples hardly do. Prompted by this finding, I review relevant literature on visual metaphors and examine their structures and rhetorical functions. In addition, the study suggests that buyer images and cartoon images are used differently in the two countries, whereas product-related images are used similarly. I explore the contextual and cultural roots of these findings and offer suggestions on how to visually communicate with the Chinese audience and other international audiences.
Emphasizing Research (Further) in Undergraduate Technical Communication Curricula: Involving Undergraduate Students with an Academic Journal's Publication and Management
Authors: Ford Julie Dyke , Newmark Julianne
Published: July 2011

This article presents follow-up information to a previous publication regarding ways to increase emphasis on research skills in undergraduate Technical Communication curricula. We detail the ways our undergraduate program highlights research by requiring majors to complete senior thesis projects that culminate in submission to an online peer-reviewed journal housed at our institution. This article also describes the roles our undergraduate students play in helping to manage the publication of that academic journal, an activity that further increases students' awareness of the research process and the value of writing for an academic audience beyond the classroom.
Autobiographical Writing in the Technical Writing Course
Authors: Gellis Mark
Published: July 2011

Professionals in the workplace are rarely asked to write autobiographical essays. Such essays, however, are an excellent tool for helping students explore their growth as professionals. This article explores the use of such essays in a technical writing class.
Approaches to assessment of student academic achievements: A critical review
Authors: Kuzmanovic Dobrinka , Pavlovic-Babic Dragica
Published: July 2011

This paper is aimed at providing a comparative overview and critical analysis
of the most important approaches to the assessment of student academic
achievements, first and foremost, the classic psychometric and authentic
assessment. The following are discussed: philosophical/epistemological
viewpoint, nature of knowledge, educational discourse, assessment procedures,
as well as potential possibilities and limitations of the abovementioned
approaches. We provide a concise overview of the most important conceptual
and methodological changes in the field of assessment of student academic
achievements during the last decades of the 20th century. The contemporary
view of assessment implies inevitable changes in the assessment approaches
and practices hitherto, shifting the focus to the very process and context of
assessment, as well as to self-assessment as a part of learning process.
Instead of the usual juxtaposition of the most important approaches to
assessment of student achievements, we argue that each of them, under certain
circumstances, can contribute to the formation of the image about the student
and his/her potentials which would be as objective and comprehensive as
possible.
The Learning Effects of Monitoring
Authors: Campbell Dennis , Epstein Marc J. , Martinez-Jerez F. Asis
Published: July 2011

This study investigates the relationship between monitoring, decision making, and learning among lower-level employees. We exploit a field-research setting in which business units vary in the “tightness” with which they monitor employee decisions. We find that tighter monitoring gives rise to implicit incentives in the form of sharp increases in employee termination linked to “excessive” use of decision-rights. Consistent with these implicit incentives, we find that employees in tightly monitored business units are less likely than their loosely monitored counterparts to: (1) use decision-rights; and (2) adjust for hard information, in the form of historical performance data, in their decisions. These decision-making patterns are associated with large and systematic differences in learning rates across business units. Learning is concentrated in business units with “loose monitoring” and entirely absent in those with “tight monitoring.” The results are consistent with an experimentation hypothesis in which tight monitoring of decisions leads to more control but less learning.

Data Availability: The data used in this study cannot be made publicly available due to confidentiality agreements with the participating organization.
Cash Flow Patterns as a Proxy for Firm Life Cycle
Authors: Dickinson Victoria
Published: July 2011

This study develops a firm life cycle proxy using cash flow patterns. The patterns provide a parsimonious indicator of life cycle stage that is free from distributional assumptions (i.e., uniformity). The proxy identifies differential behavior in the persistence and convergence patterns of profitability. For example, return on net operating assets (RNOA) does not mean-revert (spread of 7 percent after five years between mature and decline firms) when examined by life cycle stage, which has implications for growth rates and forecast horizons. Further, determinants of future profitability such as asset turnover and profit margin are differentially successful in generating increases in profitability conditional on life cycle stage. Finally, investors do not fully incorporate the information contained in cash flow patterns and, as a result, undervalue mature firms. The cash flow proxy is a robust tool that has applications in analysis, forecasting, valuation, and as a control variable for future research.

Data Availability: All data are available from public sources identified in the paper.
Overpriced Shares, Ill-Advised Acquisitions, and Goodwill Impairment
Authors: Gu Feng , Lev Baruch
Published: July 2011

We establish that the root cause of many goodwill write-offs is the buyers' overpriced shares at acquisition. Overpriced shares provide managers with strong incentives to exploit the overpricing by acquiring businesses, often paying more than the acquisition's synergies, setting the stage for subsequent goodwill write-offs. In particular, we document the following patterns: (1) Share overpricing is strongly and positively associated with the intensity of corporate acquisitions and the growth of accounting goodwill. (2) Share overpricing predicts goodwill write-offs and their magnitude. (3) Acquisitions by overpriced companies—a strategy often recommended by investment bankers and some academics—are often ill-advised (overpaid for and/or strategic misfit), exacerbating the post-acquisition negative returns of buyers beyond the reversal of the overpricing. Thus, managers' arguments notwithstanding, goodwill write-off is an important event highlighting a dysfunctional investment strategy.

Data Availability: Data are available from sources identified in the paper.
The Effect of Using the Internal Audit Function as a Management Training Ground on the External Auditor's Reliance Decision
Authors: Messier William F. , Reynolds J. Kenneth , Simon Chad A. , Wood David A.
Published: July 2011

This study examines how using the internal audit function (IAF) as a management training ground (MTG) affects external audit fees and the external auditors' perceptions of the IAF. Over half of all companies that have an IAF specifically hire internal auditors with the purpose of rotating them into management positions (or cycle current employees into the IAF for a short stint before promoting them into management positions). Using archival data, we find that external auditors charge higher fees to companies that use the IAF as a MTG. Using an experiment, we provide evidence as to why fees are higher. Specifically, we find that external auditors perceive internal auditors employed in an IAF used as a MTG to be less objective but not less competent than internal auditors employed in an IAF not used as a MTG. These results have important implications for the many companies that use their IAF as a MTG.

Data Availability: Contact the authors. Data provided by the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation are subject to restrictions.
Disclosure Tone and Shareholder Litigation
Authors: Rogers Jonathan L. , Van Buskirk Andrew , Zechman Sarah L. C.
Published: July 2011

We examine the relation between disclosure tone and shareholder litigation to determine whether managers' use of optimistic language increases litigation risk. Using both general-purpose and context-specific text dictionaries to quantify tone, we find that plaintiffs target more optimistic statements in their lawsuits and that sued firms' earnings announcements are unusually optimistic relative to other firms experiencing similar economic circumstances. These findings are consistent with optimistic language increasing litigation risk. In addition, we find incrementally greater litigation risk when managers are both unusually optimistic and engage in abnormal selling. This finding suggests that firms can mitigate litigation risk by ensuring that optimistic statements are not contradicted by insider selling. Finally, we find that insider selling is associated with litigation risk only when contemporaneous disclosures are unusually optimistic.

JEL Classifications: G38; K22; M41; M48.

Data Availability: Data are available from sources indicated in the text.
Pulmonary Thromboembolism Following Radio-Frequency Ablation of the Atrioventricular Node in a Patient Heterozygous for the Factor V Leiden and the Mthfr C677T Mutations
Authors: Pešut D , Raljević S , Kontić M , Božić D , Buha I , Stević R
Published: July 2011

Pulmonary Thromboembolism Following Radio-Frequency Ablation of the Atrioventricular Node in a Patient Heterozygous for the Factor V Leiden and the Mthfr C677T Mutations

Patients who undergo radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular (AV) node rarely develop acute major complications. A 41-year-old Caucasian male smoker, was admitted to the Pulmology Teaching Hospital at Belgrade, Serbia, for sharp persistent chest pain, fever and fatigue following AV node radiofrequency ablation for arrhythmia. Chest X-ray showed obtuse right costo-phrenic angle and laminar atelectasis in the right lower lung lobe. The plasma D-dimer level was elevated. A perfusion lung scan showed multiple bilateral perfusion defects and multislice computed tomography showed thrombotic mass in the right pulmonary artery. Genetic analysis revealed that he was heterozygous for the prothrombin Factor V (FV) Leiden and MTHFR C677T mutations. Therapy started with intravenous heparin, followed by warfarin. He had no other episodes over a 2-year follow-up. Lifelong oral anticoagulant therapy was recommended.
The Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary in turbiditic deposits identified to the bed: a case study from the Skole Nappe (Outer Carpathians, southern Poland)
Authors: Gasiński M. , Uchman Alfred
Published: July 2011

The Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary in turbiditic deposits identified to the bed: a case study from the Skole Nappe (Outer Carpathians, southern Poland)

The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-T) boundary has been recognized in turbiditic sediments of the Ropianka Formation in the Skole Nappe (Bąkowiec section) on the basis of planktonic foraminiferids with an accuracy of 40 cm. Such precise determination of the K-T boundary for the first time in the Carpathians and in turbiditic flysch sediments in general was possible due to the successive occurrence of the Early Paleocene planktonic taxa of the P1 Zone above the latest MaastrichtianAbathomphalus mayaroensisZone with theRacemiguembelina fructicosaSubzone. The trends in composition of the latest Maastrichtian foraminiferal assemblages are similar to the Gaj section from the adjacent thrust sheet, probably due to the influence of the same paleoenvironmental factors.
Effects of an Interactive Computer Game Exercise Regimen on Balance Impairment in Frail Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Szturm Tony , Betker Aimee L. , Moussavi Zahra , Desai Ankur , Goodman Valerie
Published: July 2011

Background

Due to the many problems associated with reduced balance and mobility, providing an effective and engaging rehabilitation regimen is essential to progress recovery from impairments and to help prevent further degradation of motor skills.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and benefits of physical therapy based on a task-oriented approach delivered via an engaging, interactive video game paradigm. The intervention focused on performing targeted dynamic tasks, which included reactive balance controls and environmental interaction.

Design

This study was a randomized controlled trial.

Setting

The study was conducted in a geriatric day hospital.

Participants

Thirty community-dwelling and ambulatory older adults attending the day hospital for treatment of balance and mobility limitations participated in the study.

Interventions

Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. The control group received the typical rehabilitation program consisting of strengthening and balance exercises provided at the day hospital. The experimental group received a program of dynamic balance exercises coupled with video game play, using a center-of-pressure position signal as the computer mouse. The tasks were performed while standing on a fixed floor surface, with progression to a compliant sponge pad. Each group received 16 sessions, scheduled 2 per week, with each session lasting 45 minutes.

Measurements

Data for the following measures were obtained before and after treatment: Berg Balance Scale, Timed “Up & Go” Test, Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance, and spatiotemporal gait variables assessed in an instrumented carpet system test.

Results

Findings demonstrated significant improvements in posttreatment balance performance scores for both groups, and change scores were significantly greater in the experimental group compared with the control group. No significant treatment effect was observed in either group for the Timed “Up & Go” Test or spatiotemporal gait variables.

Limitations

The sample size was small, and there were group differences at baseline in some performance measures.

Conclusion

Dynamic balance exercises on fixed and compliant sponge surfaces were feasibly coupled to interactive game-based exercise. This coupling, in turn, resulted in a greater improvement in dynamic standing balance control compared with the typical exercise program. However, there was no transfer of effect to gait function.
Middle East Masculinity Studies
Authors: Amar Paul
Published: July 2011

This article examines how everyday theories of masculinity and vernacular discourses of “masculinities in crisis” play crucial roles in misrecognizing, racializing, moralistically-depoliticizing, and class-displacing emergent social forces in the Middle East. Public discourses and hegemonic theories of male trouble render illegible the social realities of twenty-first-century multipolar geopolitics and the changing shapes of racialism, humanitarianism, nationalism, security governance, and social movement. In order to help generate new kinds of critical research on Middle East masculinities, this article creates a larger map of discourses and methods, drawing upon studies of coloniality and gender in and from the global South. This mapping puts masculinity studies into dialogue with critiques of liberalism and security governance and with work in postcolonial queer theory, public health studies, and feminist international relations theory.
Beyond Reason: The Exotic Millennium in English Culture
Authors: Wilson Andrew Fergus
Published: July 2011

Abstract:

Using two contrasting television programs made and broadcast in the United Kingdom, this article will explore how representations of apocalyptic themes and belief contribute to an idea of “nation.” Drawing upon Benedict Anderson's analysis of the interplay between “reason” and “unreason” in English culture, this analysis will reveal the innate “foreignness” of the coming of the end within mainstream English mass culture.
Environmentally Sensitive Road Maintenance Practices
Authors: Bloser Steven M. , Scheetz Barry E.
Published: July 2011

The objective of this study was to quantify sediment generation rates from unpaved roads before and after placement of a durable unbound surface aggregate. Sediment pollution from unpaved roads is a well-documented problem across the United States and the world. The quality of road surface material is a large determining factor in how much sediment is generated from the road surface during rain events. This study attempted to quantify the sediment reduction potential of driving surface aggregate (DSA), an unbound aggregate specification used in Pennsylvania that was designed specifically as a wearing course for gravel roads. DSA is widely used to surface roads in Pennsylvania to reduce road runoff in environmentally sensitive areas. The road surface erosion rates in this study were measured on two sites before DSA placement and at time intervals of 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years after placement. A rainfall simulator was employed to generate a consistent and repeatable storm event over a 100-ft (30-m) section of road for this study. Results show that compared with the existing mixed-surface roadway, DSA placement reduced total sediment runoff by 75% after 1 month, 90% after 1 year, and 96% after 2 years for the two sites tested.
Modeling Road Erosion in Upper Torreon Wash, New Mexico
Authors: Schultz Krista M.
Published: July 2011

Accurate prediction of sediment detachment, transport, and delivery from dirt road networks is an expensive and time-consuming task. The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model allows users to predict road erosion on the basis of specific characteristics including road length, width, and gradient. The WEPP:Road model is tailored to specific climate conditions, road design, and unique attribute information. The methodology was applied to unpaved roads in the upper Torreon Wash located in northwestern New Mexico. Torreon Wash serves as a tributary to the Rio Puerco River, which gained worldwide attention because of extremely high erosion rates. This study incorporates results from the WEPP:Road model to determine the impact of erosion on the described area. Main roads and access routes within the study area were evaluated to determine the estimated sediment delivery from unpaved roads. The analysis was specifically targeted to identify areas of intense erosion and sediment delivery to stream systems and included a case study to determine the effects of past remediation efforts. Remediation work consisted of 110 rolling dips that were installed on roads, and findings suggest that remediation efforts can reduce road erosion by 48%. Results showed that reducing sediment loads from unpaved roads decreased sediment delivery to stream networks by 27%, creating a positive impact on nearby streams.
Stream Simulation for Aquatic Organism Passage at Road–Stream Crossings
Authors: Cenderelli Daniel A. , Clarkin Kim , Gubernick Robert A. , Weinhold Mark
Published: July 2011

Historically, road–stream crossing structures were designed on the basis of the hydraulic capacity of the structure for a specific design flood without consideration of aquatic species or the swimming and jumping abilities of a single target fish species and life stage during its migration, and ignored the movement needs of other adult fish, juvenile fish, and aquatic organisms occupying the stream. Hydraulic designs typically constrict the channel, create flow hydraulics and channel conditions that are markedly dissimilar from those in the natural channel, and impede the movement of most other nontarget fish and aquatic organisms along the stream corridor. The stream simulation approach for designing road–stream crossing structures was recently adopted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service as a pragmatic and sustainable long-term solution to maintain passage for all aquatic organisms at all life stages at road–stream crossings while meeting vehicle transportation objectives. This study shows how the stream simulation design process integrates fluvial geo-morphology concepts with engineering principles to design a natural and dynamic channel through the road–stream crossing structure. The premise of stream simulation is that the creation of channel dimensions and characteristics similar to those in the adjacent natural channel will enable fish and other aquatic organisms to experience no greater difficulty moving through the structure than if there were no crossing. Stream simulation channels are designed to adjust laterally and vertically to a wide range of floods and sediment or wood inputs without compromising the movement needs of fish and other aquatic organisms or the hydraulic capacity of the structure.
Accelerated Pavement Testing of Geocell-Reinforced Unpaved Roads over Weak Subgrade
Authors: Pokharel Sanat Kumar , Han Jie , Manandhar Chandra , Yang Xiaoming , Leshchinsky Dov , Halahmi Izhar , Parsons Robert L.
Published: July 2011

Full-scale trafficking tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of novel polymeric-alloy geocell reinforcement on base courses for low-volume unpaved roads over weak subgrade. Three types of in-fill materials—crushed limestone (AB-3) aggregate, quarry waste (QW), and recycled asphalt pavement (RAP)—were used for the base courses over a weak subgrade layer consisting of A-7-6 clay. Four unpaved sections that included one unreinforced control section of AB-3 aggregate 30 cm thick and three 17-cm novel polymeric-alloy geocell-reinforced sections were tested under a single-axle dual-tire wheel loading. The road sections were exhumed and examined after the moving-wheel test. The benefits of novel polymeric-alloy geocell reinforcement were evaluated in relation to rut depths for a specific number of passes of the wheel load and the angle of stress distribution from the surface to the base course–subgrade interface. The test results demonstrated that the novel polymeric-alloy geocell reinforcement improved the performance of unpaved AB-3 and RAP sections. The QW section also showed better performance in relation to stress distribution angle.
Performance of Warm-Mix Asphalt Mixtures Containing Recycled Coal Ash and Roofing Shingles with Moist Aggregates for Low-Volume Roads
Authors: Shivaprasad Punith Veeralinga , Xiao Feipeng , Amirkhanian Serji N.
Published: July 2011

The objective of this study was to evaluate the laboratory moisture and rutting susceptibility of low-volume hot-mix asphalt (HMA) and warm-mix asphalt (WMA) mixtures containing moist aggregates and recycled materials such as manufactured roofing shingles and coal ash. The test properties of these mixtures included indirect tensile strength, tensile strength ratio, flow value, and rut depth of dry and wet specimens. The experimental design included two percentages of coal ash (10% and 5% by weight of the aggregate), two shingle contents (5% and 3% by weight of the aggregate), three WMA additives (Aspha-Min, Sasobit, and Evotherm), and two aggregate sources. Thirty-two mix designs were performed, and 256 specimens were tested. Test results indicated that the aggregate source significantly affected moisture and rutting resistance regardless of WMA additive or recycled material type. In addition, dry and wet rut depth values of low-volume mixtures containing moist aggregate generally satisfied the demand of pavement performance without requiring additional treatment. Moreover, the addition of WMA additives in low-volume mixtures was effective and generally showed a similar rut resistance to HMA. The utilization of recycled coal ash and roofing shingles significantly improved moisture and rutting resistance of HMA and WMA mixtures.
Chip Seal with Lightweight Aggregates for Low-Volume Roads
Authors: Islam Md Shahidul , Hossain Mustaque
Published: July 2011

Chip seal is widely used for preventive maintenance of low-volume roads in many states, including Kansas. Although there are no distinct design guidelines for using lightweight aggregates in chip seals, these aggregates are extensively used in Kansas to limit windshield damage caused by flying chips. Lightweight aggregates were used with polymer-modified asphalt emulsion to determine proper aggregate and emulsion application rates to minimize chip loss in longer-lasting chip seals on low-volume roads. A statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate chip seal performance characteristics that include aggregate retention, aggregate embedment depth, and rutting. Results show that aggregate retention and embedment depth depend on aggregate–emulsion interaction, whereas rutting depends on the type of aggregates used.
Mechanistic-Based Nondestructive Structural Asset Management Testing to Optimize Low-Volume Road Structural Upgrades
Authors: Berthelot Curtis , Podborochynski Diana , Anthony Ania , Marjerison Brent
Published: July 2011

The Saskatchewan, Canada, Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is investigating integrated structural asset management to help optimize investment in the rural low-volume road (LVR) network. Integrated ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and heavyweight deflectometer (HWD) testing were found to be very effective structural assessment tools that might be used to strategically rehabilitate, maintain, and upgrade Saskatchewan's LVR network, which accounts for 80% of the ministry's total network. This paper demonstrates this integration at a project level to assess the pre- and postconstruction structural condition of two LVRs in Saskatchewan. The preconstruction GPR survey applied in this study showed locations of trapped moisture within the road structure's granular materials. The postconstruction HWD assessed the end product structural integrity of the road after its rehabilitation treatment. The ability to strategically allocate limited financial resources across the extensive in-service LVR system in Saskatchewan on the basis of accurate structural asset management infrastructure performance data was essential for this project, given the high variability in Saskatchewan LVR structures.
Photodegradation of Methylene Blue Mediated by Rice Husk Ash (RHA)-TiO2 Composite
Authors: Ahmed S , Jahan Shirin A , Zaman M , Yeasmin Z , Ahsan M
Published: July 2011

A photo-catalytic composite material incorporating rice husk ash (RHA) and TiO2 (RHA:TiO2 = 75:25 and 50:50) has been developed and used to investigate the photodegradation of the well-known dye pollutant, methylene blue (MB). Photodegradation was monitored in the dark and under illumination using a halogen lamp as well as sun light to facilitate photodegradation. Both the dark reaction and photo- mineralization processes were evaluated in terms of kinetic study which revealed the validation of first-order kinetics. A parallel measurement of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was also performed for a better understanding of the degradation process. The higher degradation rate in the sun light offers an easy-to-use and environment friendly approach for the treatment of dye stuffs. However, the overall phototdegradation mechanism involved the participation of both the anodic (h+ consumption) and cathodic (e- consumption) processes which were responsible for the degradation of MB and consumption of dissolved oxygen respectively. Key words: Photo-degradation; Composite plate; Rice husk ash, Methylene blue; Adsorption. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v46i1.8100 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 46(1), 17-26, 2011
Trace Element Concentrations Present in Five Species of Freshwater Fish of Bangladesh
Authors: Amin M Nurul , Begum A , Mondal MG Kibria
Published: July 2011

In the present study, the edible portions of whole fish excluding viscera and bone of five different freshwater fish species samples are analysed for lead, manganese, nickel, zinc, copper and iron by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The relative standard deviations (RSD) were found below 5%. The accuracy of the methods was confirmed by certified reference materials. The concentrations of trace elements in the edible portions of other fish comply with the international standards for human consumption. Key words: Trace element; Gumti river; Freshwater fish; Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS); Metal contamination DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v46i1.8101 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 46(1), 27-32, 2011
Effect of Moisture, Water Activity and Packaging Materials on Quality and Shelf Life of Some Locally Packed Chanachur
Authors: Chowdhury K , Khan S , Karim R , Obaid M , Hasan GMMA
Published: July 2011

Five different brands of locally produced chanachur packets were collected from the market. From each brand, packets of chanachur having the same date of production were bought and stored at ambient condition (30 oC and 60 % RH) for 3 months. The changes in water activity, moisture % and consequent effect on sensory qualities like texture, color, flavor and overall acceptance were investigated every month starting from zero month. Test of packaging materials were also carried out for each brand of packed chanachur. Moisture and water activity values have been increased with time for all the samples (A-E) whereas sensory scores decreased. However, all the chanachur samples except C were found acceptable under the study period. Key words: Chanachur; Water activity; Sensory quality; Packaging materials; Moisture content; Storage condition; Shelf life. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v46i1.8102 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 46(1), 33-40, 2011
Effect of Potassium Fertilizer on Development of Bacterial Blight of Rice
Authors: Begum N , Rahman MM , Bashar MA , Hossain MA , Uddin MN
Published: July 2011

Effect of five potassium doses viz, recommended dose (RD) (40 kg Murate of Potash(MP)/hector), RD + 10 kg MP/ha, RD + 20 kg MP/ha, RD + 30 kg MP/ha, RD + 40 kg MP /ha to manage bacterial blight of rice were studied during Boro season in 2005. The experiment was laid in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) having three replications. Highest disease severity (55.92%) was observed due to bacterial leaf blight at maximum tillering stage when applied 30 kg MP/ha additional potash. Lowest disease severity (0.45%) of bacterial leaf blight were recorded from the plot where no additional MP was applied but highest yield (4.35 tones/ha) was observed in the plot where additional 20 kg MP/ha was applied. The amount of potassium in the leaves did not vary significantly even after additional application of potassium either 30 or 20 kg MP/ha though it was more (1.31%) when applied 40 kg MP/ha. In another experiment in the present study the lowest disease severity 15.22% and 10.53% were recorded when additional 5kg MP /ha was applied seven days before inoculation at active tillering and panicle initiation stages, respectively. Disease severity was lower in single inoculation compare to multiple inoculations except the plot where 5kg/ha additional potash applied three days before bacterial inoculation. Maximum yield (3.86, 4.38, 4.64 t/ha) was recorded when inoculated at active tillering, panicle initiation and flowering stages separately if potassium was applied seven days before inoculation than those of multiple inoculations. The results suggested that potassium top dressing just before disease initiation was good for higher yield and less disease development. However inoculation in all the growth stages of the crop gave lower yields even potassium application was done at seven or three days before or after inoculation. Key words: Bacterial leaf blight; Oryza sativa L.; Potassium fertilizer DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v46i1.8109 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 46(1), 69-76, 2011
Relationship in Amino Acid Quality between Raw, Steeped and Germinated Wheat (Triticum durum) Grains
Authors: Adeyeye EI
Published: July 2011

Levels of amino acids were determined in the grains of wheat, Triticim durum Desf. The raw sample was best in Arg, Ile, Leu, Thr, Val, Ala, Asp, Glu and Pro but similar to germinated sample in Lys whereas germinated sample was best in His, Met, Cys, Phe,Gly, Ser and Tyr. The total amino acid contents were; raw 12[74.1 g/100 g crude protein (c. p.)], steeped 63.4 g/100g c. p.) and germinated (70.6 g/100 g c. p.) with respective essential amino acids of 32.9 g/100 g c. p., 30.0 g/100 g c. p. and 32.4 g/100 g c. p. The Predicted Protein Efficiency Ratio (P-PER) levels were 2.46 (raw), 2.27 (steeped) and 2.19 (germinated). Only germinated samples enhanced the quality of the wheat amino acid levels up to the tune of 41.2 %. However, significant differences occurred between raw/steeped and raw/germinated at r = 0.05. Key words: Amino acid; Raw; Steeped; Germinated; Wheat grains DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v46i1.8112 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 46(1), 89-100, 2011