bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O monstro contemporâneo: notas sobre a construção da pedofilia como "causa política" e "caso de polícia"
Authors: Lowenkron Laura
Published: February 2014

Baseado em uma etnografia da Comissão Parlamentar de Inquérito (CPI) da Pedofilia, no Senado Federal brasileiro, e das investigações da Polícia Federal em torno das redes de pornografia infantil na internet, o objetivo do artigo é analisar as correlações entre a construção da "pedofilia" como causa política e caso de polícia e a consequente produção do "pedófilo" como novo monstro contemporâneo. Na arena pública da CPI, especial atenção é conferida à centralidade das emoções e ao uso político das imagens de pornografia infantil. Nas investigações policiais, por sua vez, o foco é direcionado para a ação policial de identificação dos "fatos" e incriminação do "culpado". Por fim, é discutida a hipótese de que os principais "alvos" da "cruzada antipedofilia" são responsabilizados não tanto pelo que eles fazem (divulgar, trocar, distribuir ou adquirir, possuir, armazenar imagens pornográficas envolvendo menores de idade), mas pelo que suas ações revelam sobre seus desejos e os perigos que estes representam, sugerindo que esse é um dos principais motivos que explicam a frequente confusão e sobreposição das categorias "pornografia infantil na internet" e "pedofilia" nos discursos públicos.
O aborto e o uso do corpo feminino na política: a campanha presidencial brasileira em 2010 e seus desdobramentos atuais
Authors: Almeida Tânia Mara Campos de , Bandeira Lourdes Maria
Published: February 2014

O tema do aborto ocupou o segundo turno da última eleição presidencial no Brasil, que teve pela primeira vez uma candidata mulher. A partir dos discursos públicos, analisam-se as pressões sofridas pela e pelo candidata/o em enfrentar a descriminalização do aborto, os argumentos religiosos contra o aborto em um Estado laico, o tratamento dos grupos religiosos dado ao corpo das mulheres, sendo esse um de seus redutos de controle, e o embate entre a visão da sexualidade feminina como um "território" de manipulação política e a perspectiva dos direitos sexuais e reprodutivos.
Uma análise da produção acadêmica brasileira sobre o comportamento do consumidor de alimento orgânico entre 1997 a 2011
Authors: Sampaio Danilo de Oliveira , Gosling Marlusa , Fagundes André Francisco Alcântara , Sousa Caissa Veloso e
Published: February 2014

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar os trabalhos acadêmicos que tratam sobre o comportamento do consumidor de alimento orgânico publicados nos principais periódicos e eventos científicos brasileiros de Administração entre janeiro de 1997 a março de 2011. Optou-se por um meta-estudo que, segundo Richardson (2007), contribui para o melhor conhecimento do tema analisado além de possibilitar o aperfeiçoamento de estudos futuros referentes ao assunto pesquisado. Foram pesquisados os periódicos classificados como A1, A2, B1 e B2 no Sistema Qualis da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). Ademais, também foram considerados os eventos científicos organizados pela Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Administração (ANPAD). Para filtrar os artigos analisados optou-se por selecionar os trabalhos que continham a palavra "orgânico" no título, assunto ou palavra-chave. Nesta primeira seleção foram apontados 54 artigos publicados em periódicos e 63 em eventos científicos. Na segunda fase analisaram-se quais desses 117 trabalhos tratavam de comportamento do consumidor de orgânicos, identificando-se nesse último filtro 04 artigos publicados em periódicos e 10 em eventos científicos. A análise dos artigos possibilitou conclusões como: (a) a maioria das publicações tanto em periódicos quanto em anais são oriundas de Instituições de Ensino Superior localizadas nas Regiões Sul (41,38%) e Sudeste (34,48%); (b) com relação aos artigos publicados em periódicos e anais, notou-se que a maioria prefere enquanto metodologia trabalhar com entrevistas em profundidade e análise de conteúdo, contudo, há uma sinalização principalmente nos congressos de que a metodologia survey está demonstrando interesses dos pesquisadores; (c) constatou-se que os artigos adotam preferencialmente a coleta de dados primários e estudos do tipo empírico; (d) quanto ao tipo de pesquisa, destaca-se a exploratória seguida da descritiva e explicativa. Outras análises mostraram que com relação às teorias e conceitos base apurados, há um bom entendimento da academia quanto à importância de fundamentar a base conceitual, bem como há preocupações metodológicas como apoiar os estudos segundo o tipo de amostra e o objetivo de pesquisa. Notou-se que o ponto mais frágil das publicações está no pouco uso de formulação de hipóteses e pressupostos e falta também nos artigos sugestões de recomendações de pesquisas futuras e contribuições que visassem a aplicação gerencial. Por fim, conclui-se que uma amostra envolvendo outros periódicos além daqueles pesquisados e a realização de um novo estudo a partir do ano de 2011 poderão analisar o incremento da pesquisa sobre o comportamento de consumidor de alimentos orgânicos.
Reforma psiquiátrica brasileira: conhecimentos dos profissionais de saúde do serviço de atendimento móvel de urgência
Authors: Bonfada Diego , Guimarães Jacileide , Miranda Francisco Arnoldo Nunes de , Brito Andiara Araújo Cunegundes de
Published: February 2014

Objetivou-se identificar os conhecimentos dos profissionais de saúde do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência de Natal sobre a Reforma Psiquiátrica brasileira. As informações foram coletadas por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas com 24 profissionais de saúde lotados na instituição. As entrevistas foram transcritas e submetidas à técnica da análise temática, que revelou três categorias de análise: internação do sujeito em crise como demanda social e familiar; Reforma Psiquiátrica: legislação e realidade no SAMU-Natal; e Reforma Psiquiátrica brasileira como promotora de desospitalização. Os profissionais demonstraram compreensões deturpadas e reducionistas da Reforma Psiquiátrica brasileira e, em sua maioria, não deram credibilidade ao atual modelo de atenção à saúde mental pautado no tratamento psicossocial, remetendo suas falas à necessidade de internamento dos pacientes psiquiátricos. Nesse sentido, percebemos que o modelo hospitalocêntrico e excludente concebido pela psiquiatria clássica ainda permanece vivo no ideário desses profissionais como referência para a assistência às urgências psiquiátricas.
Vivenciando o conjunto de circunstâncias que influenciam na significação da alta hospitalar: estudo de enfermagem
Authors: Paiva Raquel Silva de , Valadares Glaucia Valente
Published: February 2014

A presente discussão é parte integrante da dissertação de mestrado intitulada: "Ressignificando a alta hospitalar e percebendo-se como o cuidador familiar: um estudo de enfermagem", vinculada à Escola de Enfermagem Anna Nery. Teve como objeto o significado da alta hospitalar para a família do cliente com sequelas do acidente vascular cerebral. O objetivo traçado para esta discussão foi: discutir o contexto vivido pelo cuidador familiar, considerando o duelo de sentimentos, de manifestações, de atitudes e de práticas. Foram adotados o referencial teórico do Interacionismo e o método Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados. O estudo foi realizado em um hospital público municipal. Os atores sociais foram cuidadores familiares de vítimas de um acidente vascular. A partir da análise das categorias, o fenômeno revela o entendimento do conjunto de circunstâncias que acompanham o acontecimento e que, ao se articularem, interferem no significado que os familiares concedem à alta hospitalar.
Reflexão sobre a legitimidade da autonomia da enfermagem no campo das profissões de saúde à luz das ideias de Eliot Freidson
Authors: Bellaguarda Maria Lígia dos Reis , Padilha Maria Itayra , Pereira Neto André de Faria , Pires Denise , Peres Maria Angélica de Almeida
Published: February 2014

O estudo teve o objetivo de refletir acerca da Enfermagem como profissão da saúde à luz da teorização de Eliot Freidson para as profissões. Abordaram-se as credenciais para uma ocupação ser reconhecida como profissão, relacionando-as com as características da enfermagem, especialmente no Brasil. Na abordagem freidsoniana destacam-se como credenciais de profissão a expertise, a autonomia e a autorregulação. A enfermagem é analisada enfatizando a sua responsabilidade por uma gama de fazeres realizados com base em conhecimentos científicos, a necessidade de formação específica para o exercício da profissão, a disponibilidade de saberes e o reconhecimento do Estado do credenciamento formal de proteção aos membros da profissão. Conclui-se que a enfermagem é uma profissão da saúde, com papel fundamental para a transformação da realidade da saúde e que necessita investir no convencimento da sociedade acerca de sua utilidade enquanto profissão voltada às necessidades de saúde das pessoas.
Determination of reinforcing bars for tests of hollow core slabs with continuity
Authors: Santos A. P. , Ferreira M. A. , Carvalho R. C. , Pinheiro L. M.
Published: February 2014

The structural designs of floors formed by hollow core slabs usually consider these as simply-supported slabs. In recent years there have been project changes and hollow core slabs with continuity are widely used. The objective of this study is to suggest a way to calculate the reinforcement bars to be used in tests with continuity provided by a structural topping. Thus, this paper presents a method based on the maximum positive resistance moment and maximum shear strength of a hollow core slab. The method is applied to a test in hollow core slab specimens which have the following dimensions: 2 m width, 6 m long, and 21 cm high. The results indicated that the method was satisfactory to the performed test, and can therefore be applied to the other test configurations or even designs.
Digestion Limits the Functional Response of an Aphidophagous Coccinellid (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: Papanikolaou Nikos E , Milonas Panagiotis G , Demiris Nikos , Papachristos Dimitrios P , Matsinos Yiannis G
Published: February 2014

The dynamics of predator-prey systems are strongly affected by the predators feeding rate on increasing prey density, that is, its functional response. Holling's assumptions concerning the biological process of handling time, that is, the time a predator spends on pursuing, subduing, eating, and digesting its prey, have been debated, as digestion represents a background component of predation. Therefore, predators are characterized either as digestion or handling limited. A study was initiated to identify the mechanism that limits the coccinellids' predation ability. The 14-spotted ladybird beetle, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and its prey, Aphisfabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were used in long- and short-term functional response experiments. Results showed that P. quatuordecimpunctata adults exhibit a type II functional response. The estimated attack rates and handling times differed significantly between long- and short-term experiments, indicating that the digestion process limits predation ability of P. quatuordecimpunctata.
Morphometric Differentiation of Fruit Fly Pest Species of theAnastrepha fraterculusGroup (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Perre P , Jorge L R , Lewinsohn T M , Zucchi R A
Published: February 2014

Fruit flies (Tephritidae) include pests of quarantine importance, some of which belong to the genus Anastrepha. Some species in this group are difficult to identify. We tested the accuracy of morphometric techniques to distinguish three species of the fraterculus group (A. fraterculus, A. obliqua, and A. sororcula), using images of the aculeus and wing. The geometric morphometrics of the wings, using 17 landmarks, indicated differences in the wing shape of each species, separating them successfully into distinct groups. The conventional morphometrics of seven measurements of the aculeus tip, by linear discriminant analysis, also indicated differences in the species, separating them into three groups.
An Integrative Approach to the Taxonomy ofOenopiellaBergroth (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Carpocorini) with the Description of Two New Species from Argentina and Southern Brazil
Authors: Fernández-Aldea A F , Barão K R , Grazia J , Ferrari A
Published: February 2014

“Integrative taxonomy” is a conceptual multisource approach in which the nomination of a species is considered as a hypothesis subject to evaluation through different empirical evidence. In this study, we followed a hypothesis-driven approach, where a set of specimens are used to test previous hypotheses about the existence of species. Thus, Oenopiella Bergroth is revised, based on morphology with emphasis on the genitalia of both sexes. Oenopiella unidentata Spinola, Oenopiellapunctaria Stål, and Oenopiella pallidula Stål are redescribed and illustrated, and two new species are described, Oenopiella ventanensis Grazia sp. nov. from Argentina and Oenopiella flonensis Fernández-Aldea sp. nov. from southern Brazil. A key to separate the species is provided. The reliability of O.punctaria and O. unidentata is evaluated through a reanalysis of their morphological characters, by exploring differences in qualitative and quantitative morphologic characteristics. All lines of evidence support these species hypotheses.
Intratree Variation in the Seasonal Distribution and Mortality of Spruce Budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from the Peak to Collapse of an Outbreak
Authors: Eveleigh Eldon S , Johns Rob C
Published: February 2014

A 5-yr ﬁeld study was carried out to assess intratree variations in the distribution, abundance, and mortality of immature spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from the peak to collapse of an outbreak. In most years, the highest density of overwintering second-instar (L2) larvae (per square meter of foliage) was located in the lower crown, whereas all subsequent stages (third- to sixth-instar larvae, pupae, and eggs) were at relatively higher densities in the upper crown. In contrast, overall abundance (per branch) throughout the season tended to be highest in the mid-upper to mid-lower crown. Mortality associated with 16 different parasitoid species varied signiﬁcantly among years but varied among crown levels for only a few species. In particular, Apanteles fumiferanae (Viereck), Glypta fumiferanae (Viereck), Smidtiafumiferanae (Tothill), and Trichogramma minutum (Riley) all caused higher mortality in the upper crown of trees. Although infection associated with Nosema fumiferanae (Thomson) and mortality associated with fungal and viral pathogens often varied among crown levels, there was no clear or consistent trend from year to year. In general, trends in spruce budworm density and mortality within the crown were similar throughout all years of our study, despite signiﬁcant variations in herbivore density, foliage availability, and parasitoid and pathogen impact. Our study indicates that intratree patterns of spruce budworm distribution and mortality are likely to remain consistent during an outbreak and further emphasizes the importance of intratree heterogeneity in shaping interactions within plant-herbivore-parasitoid communities.
Assessment of Solid Cancer Treatment Feasibility in Older Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Laurent Marie , Paillaud Elena , Tournigand Christophe , Caillet Philippe , Le Thuaut Aurélie , Lagrange Jean-Léon , Beauchet Olivier , Vincent Hélène , Carvahlo-Verlinde Muriel , Culine Stéphane , Bastuji-Garin Sylvie , Canouï-Poitrine Florence ,   on behalf of the ELCAPA Study Group
Published: February 2014

Purpose.

To assess solid cancer treatment feasibility in older patients

Methods.

Between 2007 and 2010, 385 consecutive elderly patients (mean age: 78.9 ± 5.4 years; 47.8% males) with solid malignancies referred to two geriatric oncology clinics were included prospectively. We recorded feasibility of first-line chemotherapy (planned number of cycles in patients without metastases and three to six cycles depending on tumor site in patients with metastases), surgery (patient alive 30 days after successfully performed planned surgical procedure), radiotherapy (planned dose delivered), and hormonal therapy (planned drug dose given), and we recorded overall 1-year survival.

Results.

Main tumor sites were colorectal (28.6%), breast (23.1%), and prostate (10.9%), and 47% of patients had metastases. Planned cancer treatment was feasible in 65.7% of patients with metastases; this proportion was 59.0% for chemotherapy, 82.6% for surgery, 100% for radiotherapy, and 85.2% for hormonal therapy. In the group without metastases, feasibility proportions were 86.8% overall, 72.4% for chemotherapy, 95.7% for surgery, 96.4% for radiotherapy, and 97.9% for hormonal therapy. Factors independently associated with chemotherapy feasibility were good functional status defined as Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status <2 (p < .0001) or activities of daily living >5 (p = .01), normal mobility defined as no difficulty walking (p = .01) or no fall risk (p = .007), and higher creatinine clearance (p = .04).

Conclusion.

Feasibility rates were considerably lower for chemotherapy than for surgery, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy. Therefore, utilization of limited geriatric oncology resources may be optimized by preferential referral of elderly cancer patients initially considered for chemotherapy to geriatric oncology clinics.
Porosity/cement ratio controlling initial bulk modulus and incremental yield stress of an artificially cemented soil cured under stress
Authors: Consoli N. C. , Foppa D.
Published: February 2014

The adequacy of the porosity/cement ratio in predicting elastic and plastic characteristics of an artificially cemented soil under isotropic compression is examined. A number of isotropic compression tests, unconfined compression tests and characterisation tests were carried out. The results show that the porosity/cement ratio is useful in estimating, under a stress path of isotropic compression, the incremental yield stress and initial bulk modulus of artificially cemented soil cured under stress.
Generalized provisional seed zones for native plants
Authors: Bower Andrew D. , Clair J. Bradley St. , Erickson Vicky
Published: February 2014

Deploying well‐adapted and ecologically appropriate plant materials is a core component of successful restoration projects. We have developed generalized provisional seed zones that can be applied to any plant species in the United States to help guide seed movement. These seed zones are based on the intersection of high‐resolution climatic data for winter minimum temperature and aridity (as measured by annual heat : moisture index), each classified into discrete bands. This results in the delineation of 64 provisional seed zones for the continental United States. These zones represent areas of relative climatic similarity, and movement of seed within these zones should help to minimize maladaptation. Superimposing Omernik's level III ecoregions over these seed zones distinguishes areas that are similar climatically yet different ecologically. A quantitative comparison of provisional seed zones with level III ecoregions and provisional seed zones within ecoregions for three species showed that provisional seed zone within ecoregion often explained the greatest proportion of variation in a suite of traits potentially related to plant fitness. These provisional seed zones can be considered a starting point for guidelines for seed transfer, and should be utilized in conjunction with appropriate species‐specific information as well as local knowledge of microsite differences.
Sustainability of water, sanitation and hygiene interventions in Central America
Authors: Sabogal Raquel I. , Medlin Elizabeth , Aquino Gonzalo , Gelting Richard J.
Published: February 2014

The American Red Cross and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborated on a sustainability evaluation of post-hurricane water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions in Central America. In 2006 and 2009, we revisited six study areas in rural El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua to assess sustainability of WASH interventions finalized in 2002, after 1998's Hurricane Mitch. We used surveys to collect data, calculate indicators and identify factors that influence sustainability. Regional sustainability indicator results showed there was a statistically significant decline in access to water. The presence of sanitation facilities had not changed since the beginning of the project; however, maintenance and use of latrines declined but continued to meet the goal of 75% use after 7 years. The hygiene indicator, hand washing, initially declined and then increased. Declines in water access were due to operational problems related to storm events and population changes. Sanitation facilities were still present and sometimes used even though they reached or surpassed their original design life. Changes in hygiene practices appeared related to ongoing hygiene promotion from outside organizations. These results provide useful input for making WASH programs more sustainable and informing future, more in-depth research into factors influencing sustainability.
When water is scarce: the perception of water quality and effects on the vulnerable
Authors: Alhassan Hamdiyah , Kwakwa Paul Adjei
Published: February 2014

The world has over 1 billion people without access to safe drinking water and it is expected that the number of people living in water-stressed or water-scarce places will increase to 3.4 billion by 2025 and one cannot ignore the effect such a situation will have on the vulnerable groups. The current study among other things examines household water insecurity and assesses its impact on vulnerable groups especially women and children in Dungu, a rural community in the northern region of Ghana. Relying on 125 respondents sampled, the findings show that the main source of drinking water in the community, a dam, fails to fulfil the household water security situation with respect to quantity, quality, reliability and accessibility. Because of the unwholesome nature of the water, the majority of the respondents treat water by using cloth filtering, boiling and the use of alum. Contentiously, the insecurity of water in the community has numerous negative effects ranging from health to economic effects on women and children who have to walk for 2 km in search of water and this could be reduced with the availability of a good quality water source close to home.
Economic efficiency of sanitation interventions in Southeast Asia
Authors: Hutton Guy , Rodriguez U-Primo , Winara Asep , Anh Nguyen Viet , Phyrum Kov , Chuan Liang , Blackett Isabel , Weitz Almud
Published: February 2014

Economic evidence on sanitation supports decisions on resource allocation and selection of efficient and affordable sanitation interventions. This study presents the economic efficiency (costs versus benefits) of sanitation interventions to better manage human excreta, from 47 field sites, covering six countries of Southeast Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines and Vietnam). Costs were estimated in each location, while benefits (improved health, avoided water pollution, reduced sanitation access time, resource recovery) were estimated using evidence from published studies and field sites. The economic return per currency unit invested, known as the benefit-cost ratio (BCR), and the cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted were estimated. Across 25 rural field sites, pit latrines had a BCR of at least 5 in all countries, except Cambodia where the BCR was 2. In 22 urban field sites, septic tanks with wastewater management had a BCR of at least 2. Costs per DALY averted were found to be ‘cost-effective’ for most sanitation interventions in all countries. Economic performance declined significantly when considering non-use of facilities by households or unused infrastructural capacity. However, the economic net returns were positive under all pessimistic scenarios examined in one-way sensitivity analysis. This study demonstrates that sanitation is a highly profitable social and economic investment in six Asian countries.
Development of indicators for measuring outcomes of water safety plans
Authors: Lockhart Gabriella , Oswald William E. , Hubbard Brian , Medlin Elizabeth , Gelting Richard J.
Published: February 2014

Water safety plans (WSPs) are endorsed by the World Health Organization as the most effective method of protecting a water supply. With the increase in WSPs worldwide, several valuable resources have been developed to assist practitioners in the implementation of WSPs, yet there is still a need for a practical and standardized method of evaluating WSP effectiveness. In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a conceptual framework for the evaluation of WSPs, presenting four key outcomes of the WSP process: institutional, operational, financial and policy change. In this paper, we seek to operationalize this conceptual framework by providing a set of simple and practical indicators for assessing WSP outcomes. Using CDC's WSP framework as a foundation and incorporating various existing performance monitoring indicators for water utilities, we developed a set of approximately 25 indicators of institutional, operational, financial and policy change within the WSP context. These outcome indicators hold great potential for the continued implementation and expansion of WSPs worldwide. Having a defined framework for evaluating a WSP's effectiveness, along with a set of measurable indicators by which to carry out that evaluation, will help implementers assess key WSP outcomes internally, as well as benchmark their progress against other WSPs in their region and globally.
Power earth auger modification for waste extraction from pit latrines
Authors: Rogers Tate Weston , de los Reyes Francis L. , Beckwith Walter J. , Borden Robert C.
Published: February 2014

The extraction auger was developed to meet the need for a low cost, effective method to empty pit latrines in difficult to access locations. The basic design consists of a motor that rotates an auger inside a pipe, lifting waste from a pit and depositing it into containers through a wye fitting at the top of the device. Laboratory testing of the auger showed increases in flow rates with increasing auger rotational speed and waste viscosity. An auger with an external hydraulic drive was capable of lifting dairy waste over 2.5 m, at flow rates of over 125 liters per minute. Field-testing showed the equipment was effective at lifting medium viscosity wastes containing a mixture of liquid and solid material. However, the auger was not effective in removing low viscosity, liquid waste that would flow backward down the auger reducing lifting efficiency. The auger was capable of drilling into dense solid waste, forming a ‘posthole’ in the waste. However, since the dense solid waste would not flow towards the auger intake, actual waste removal from the pit was limited. Improved methods are needed to mix liquid and solid waste in pits prior to removal with the extraction auger or other technologies.
Modeling of pathogen inactivation in thermal septic tanks
Authors: Koottatep T. , Phuphisith S. , Pussayanavin T. , Panuvatvanich A. , Polprasert C.
Published: February 2014

Thermal application has been widely used for pathogen inactivation in various fields. The purpose of this research was to develop a model of pathogen inactivation in septic tanks operating at various temperatures. Four laboratory-scale septic tanks fed with septage were operated at temperatures of 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C and Escherichia coli (E. coli) was selected as the pathogenic indicator. The efficiencies of E. coli inactivation were found to increase with increasing temperatures, while the opposites were observed for chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction. At 60 °C, the E. coli concentrations were reduced from 9.6 × 106 to about 10 most probable number (MPN)/100 mL or 6 log reduction. The kinetics of E. coli reduction followed a modified Weibull model which could be applied to septic tank design and operation. The percentage COD removal was found to be 93, 94, 89 and 84 at temperatures of 32, 40, 50 and 60 °C, respectively. The results of this study suggested that pathogenic microorganisms in septic tanks could be inactivated to be at a safe level with thermal application.
Biological treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater from the antibiotics industry
Authors: Lefebvre O. , Shi X. , Wu C. H. , Ng H. Y.
Published: February 2014

Pharmaceutical wastewater generated by an antibiotics (penicillin) company was treated by aerobic membrane bioreactors (MBRs) and sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). At a low organic loading rate of 0.22 kg-COD m−3d−1, both types of reactors were capable of treating the wastewater such that the treated effluent met the discharge regulation except for the total dissolved solids. However, when the loading rate was increased to 2.92 kg-COD m−3d−1, foaming issues resulted in unstable performance. Overall, the MBRs achieved better solid removal but the SBRs performed better in regards to the degradation of aromatic compounds, as determined by UV absorbance (UVA). Finally, ozonation was applied on two different streams and showed promise on the strong stream – that corresponds to the formulation effluent and contains most of the biorefractory compounds. Ozonation successfully reduced the UVA, lowered the pH and increased the biochemical oxygen demand : chemical oxygen demand (BOD5 : COD) ratio of the strong stream. However, it was less efficient on the effluent having undergone pre-treatment by a biofilter due to a lack of selectivity towards refractory compounds.
Parameter identification of river water quality models using a genetic algorithm
Authors: Liu Xiaodong , Zhou Yuanyuan , Hua Zulin , Chu Kejian , Wang Peng , Gu Li , Chen Liqiang
Published: February 2014

For solving the multi-parameter identification problem of a river water quality model, analytical methods for solving a river water quality model and traditional optimization algorithms are very difficult to implement. A new parameter identification model based on a genetic algorithm (GA) coupled with finite difference method (FDM) was constructed for the determination of hydraulic and water quality parameters such as the longitudinal dispersion coefficient, the pollutant degradation coefficient, velocity, etc. In this model, GA is improved to promote convergence speed by adding the elite replacement operator after the mutation operator, and FDM is applied for unsteady flows. Moreover the influence of observation noise on identified parameters was discussed for the given model. The method was validated by two numerical cases (in steady and unsteady flows respectively) and one practical application. The computational results indicated that the model could give good identification precision results and showed good anti-noise abilities for water quality models when the noise level ≤10%.
Monitoring benzotriazoles: a 1 year study on concentrations and removal efficiencies in three different wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Herzog Bastian , Lemmer Hilde , Helmreich Brigitte , Horn Harald , Müller Elisabeth
Published: February 2014

Benzotriazole (BTri), 4- and 5-tolyltriazole (4-TTri, 5-TTri) were monitored over 1 year in three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with a membrane bioreactor (MBR-MH) and two conventional activated sludge systems (CAS-E, CAS-M). The influent/effluent concentrations and treatment stages removal efficiencies were monitored. 5-TTri was removed best (mean removal 80%) in the WWTP mainly by biodegradation followed by BTri (mean removal 45%) and 4-TTri (mean removal 15%) that showed a significant lower elimination. High removal fluctuations for all three benzotriazoles occurred over the four seasons with lowest removal during winter. All three WWTPs constituted a point source for BTs in the aquatic environment as concentration measurements in the receiving rivers upstream and downstream of the WWTP proved. While MBR-MH and CAS-M significantly increased the downstream concentrations, CAS-E only slightly increased the downstream concentrations as the receiving river was already contaminated with benzotriazoles from hydropower. 5-TTri was detected in lowest concentrations due to its good removal compared to BTri and 4-TTri that contribute to high effluent concentrations with the potential to accumulate due to insufficient self-purification.
Green roof hydrologic performance and modeling: a review
Authors: Li Yanling , Babcock Roger W.
Published: February 2014

Green roofs reduce runoff from impervious surfaces in urban development. This paper reviews the technical literature on green roof hydrology. Laboratory experiments and field measurements have shown that green roofs can reduce stormwater runoff volume by 30 to 86%, reduce peak flow rate by 22 to 93% and delay the peak flow by 0 to 30 min and thereby decrease pollution, flooding and erosion during precipitation events. However, the effectiveness can vary substantially due to design characteristics making performance predictions difficult. Evaluation of the most recently published study findings indicates that the major factors affecting green roof hydrology are precipitation volume, precipitation dynamics, antecedent conditions, growth medium, plant species, and roof slope. This paper also evaluates the computer models commonly used to simulate hydrologic processes for green roofs, including stormwater management model, soil water atmosphere and plant, SWMS-2D, HYDRUS, and other models that are shown to be effective for predicting precipitation response and economic benefits. The review findings indicate that green roofs are effective for reduction of runoff volume and peak flow, and delay of peak flow, however, no tool or model is available to predict expected performance for any given anticipated system based on design parameters that directly affect green roof hydrology.
Improving products of anaerobic sludge digestion by microaeration
Authors: Jenicek P. , Celis C. A. , Krayzelova L. , Anferova N. , Pokorna D.
Published: February 2014

Biogas, digested sludge and sludge liquor are the main products of anaerobic sludge digestion. Each of the products is influenced significantly by specific conditions of the digestion process. Therefore, any upgrade of the digestion technology must be considered with regard to quality changes in all products. Microaeration is one of the methods used for the improvement of biogas quality. Recently, microaeration has been proved to be a relatively simple and highly efficient biological method of sulfide removal in the anaerobic digestion of biosolids, but little attention has been paid to comparing the quality of digested sludge and sludge liquor in the anaerobic and microaerobic digestion and that is why this paper primarily deals with this area of research. The results of the long-term monitoring of digested sludge quality and sludge liquor quality in the anaerobic and microaerobic digesters suggest that products of both technologies are comparable. However, there are several parameters in which the ‘microaerobic’ products have a significantly better quality such as: sulfide (68% lower) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) (33% lower) concentrations in the sludge liquor and the lower foaming potential of the digested sludge.
Performance of novel sludge-bed anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SB-AnMBR) treating prehydrolysis liquor
Authors: Kale Mayur M. , Singh Kripa S.
Published: February 2014

The feasibility of a novel sludge-bed anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SB-AnMBR) configuration for treating a waste stream from a dissolving pulp production industry was evaluated. The waste stream, called prehydrolysis liquor (PHL), is generated after the wood chips are subjected to high temperature steam to remove unwanted hemicelluloses. The PHL with total chemical oxygen demand (COD) of approximately 100 g/L contained mainly sugars, furfural, lignin, and acetic acid. The SB-AnMBR was fed with the PHL at organic loading rates in a range of 0.8 to10 kg-COD/(m3·d). The COD removal efficiency of more than 85% and an average rate of methane production of 0.35 m3/(kg-COD·d) were observed at each loading rate. No detectable sugars or furfural were present in the treated effluent from SB-AnMBR. Lignin removal varied from 60 to 90%. Flat-sheet membranes performed well with one fouling event during first 400 days of operation.
Factor analysis and discriminant analysis of wastewater quality in Vidyaranyapuram sewage treatment plant, Mysore, India: a case study
Authors: Sulthana Ayesha , Latha K. C. , Rathan Ramya , Sridhar R. , Balasubramanian S.
Published: February 2014

Wastewater treatment plant monitoring is an essential part of effective wastewater management. The analysis of eight physico-chemical parameters of untreated wastewater was carried out at Vidyaranyapuram sewage treatment plant, Mysore, India. Factor analysis (FA) was applied to the untreated wastewater data matrix, and pollution was found to be the most contributing factor, explaining 22.31% of the total variance (chloride, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and total dissolved solids). The second most contributing factor was found to be nitrification which explained 21.11% of the total variance (pH and nitrate), whereas the salinization factor contributed 16.98% of the total variance (total solids and total suspended solids). FA regression scores could not satisfactorily classify the data matrix with respect to the seasonal variations. Discriminant analysis (DA) was used to find the seasonal variations in the data matrix, and the standard mode DA explained 66.6% of total variance by grouping the cases with respect to seasons.
Hydrochemical versus Biological Conditions of the Functioning of Three Shallow Lakes in Łęczna‐Włodawa
Authors: Ferencz Beata , Dawidek Jarosław , Toporowska Magdalena
Published: February 2014

Lake‐catchment relationships were presented with reference to each part of the subsystem. Ionic loads reflected the potential of the catchment areas and displayed the following pattern: Lake Rotcze < Lake Sumin < Lake Syczyńskie; with respect to every ion, except nitrogen. The highest specific load of ions in Lake Syczyńskie and the strong hydrochemical influence of the lake inlets facilitated the growth of water blooms of cyanobacteria, with a dominance of toxic filamentous P. agardhii. It resulted in a poor ecological status of the lake (Q index = 0.8) and its hypertrophy (TSIchl‐a = 78). The specific load of ions in the Lake Rotcze catchment (0.23 kg/yr·km2 of P‐PO4) contributed to the good ecological status (Q = 3.2) and mesotrophic character (TSIchl‐a = 50) of the lake. Lake Sumin has a moderate catchment influence (2.41 kg/yr·km2 of P‐PO4), which facilitated moderate ecological (Q = 2.1) and trophic (eutrophy; TSIchl‐a = 63) status.
Removal of Triclocarban and Triclosan during Municipal Biosolid Production
Authors: Ogunyoku Temitope A. , Young Thomas M.
Published: February 2014

The antimicrobial compounds triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) accumulate in sludges produced during municipal wastewater treatment and persist through sludge treatment processes into finished biosolids. The objective of this research was to determine the extent to which conventional sludge processing systems such as aerobic digestion, anaerobic digestion, and lime stabilization were able to remove TCC and TCS. The concentrations of TCC and TCS in sludge and biosolid samples were determined via heated solvent extraction and analysis with liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The removal of TCC and TCS in municipal biosolid processing systems was determined from the measured concentration change after correcting for reductions in solid mass during sludge treatment. Removal in the digester systems ranged from 15 to 68% for TCC and 20 to 75% for TCS. Increased solid retention times during sludge treatment operations were correlated with higher removals of TCC and TCS.
Soluble Microbial Products from Water Biological Treatment Process: A Review
Authors: Kang Jia , Du Gang , Gao Xu , Zhao Bin , Guo Jinsong
Published: February 2014

The relationship between soluble microbial products (SMPs) and extracellular polymeric substances is described, and the characteristics of SMPs in the biological wastewater treatment process, including molecular weight distribution, metal‐chelating property, biodegradability, biotoxicity, and membrane fouling, are investigated. The SMPs produced by autotrophs are degradable and utilizable for heterotrophs, thereby confirming the biodegradation of SMPs. Soluble microbial product models are designed through three approaches: establishment of SMP kinetic models or combination with Monod equations, incorporation of SMP generation and degradation into the unified theory raised by Laspidou and Rittmann (2002a), and introduction of the concept of SMP into activated sludge models. The effects of process parameters on SMP concentration are elaborated, based on the optimum biological treatment process operating parameters that can effectively minimize SMP production. The progress of SMP research in water biotreatment systems is presented, and suggestions for future studies are made.
Oxygen and Carbon Requirements for Biological Nitrogen Removal Processes Accomplishing Nitrification, Nitritation, and Anammox
Authors: Daigger Glen T.
Published: February 2014

The oxygen and carbon savings associated with novel nitrogen removal processes for the treatment of high ammonia, low biodegradable organic matter waste streams such as the recycle streams from the dewatering of anaerobically digested sludges are well documented.This understanding may lead some to think that similar oxygen savings are possible if novel processes such as nitritation/denitritation and partial nitritation‐deammonification are incorporated into main liquid stream processes where influent biodegradable organic matter is used to denitrify residual oxidized nitrogen (nitrite and nitrate). It is demonstrated that the net oxygen required for nitrogen removal is 1.71 mg O2/mg ammonia‐nitrogen converted to nitrogen gas as long as influent biodegradable organic matter is used to denitrify residual oxidized nitrogen. Less oxygen is required to produce oxidized nitrogen with these novel processes, but less biodegradable organic matter is also required for oxidized nitrogen reduction to nitrogen gas, resulting in reduced oxygen savings for the oxidation of biodegradable organic matter. The net oxygen requirement is the same since the net electron transfer for the conversion of ammonia‐nitrogen to nitrogen gas is the same. The biodegradable organic matter required to reduce the oxidized nitrogen to nitrogen gas is estimated for these processes based on standard biological process calculations. It is estimated to be in the range of 3.5 to 4.0 mg biodegradable COD/mg ammonia‐nitrogen reduced to nitrogen gas for nitrification‐denitrification, 2.0 to 2.5 for nitritation‐denitritation, and 0.5 for partial nitritation‐deammonification. The resulting limiting influent wastewater carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratios are estimated and can be used to guide the appropriate selection of biological nitrogen removal process given knowledge of the biological process influent wastewater carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratio. Energy savings possible for mainstream processes incorporating these novel nitrogen removal processes include reduced process oxygen requirements from reduced biodegradable carbon loadings to the biological process and the potential that plant influent biodegradable carbon can be captured upstream of the biological nitrogen removal process and used to produce energy, for example, by conversion into biogas.
Biodegradation Characteristics of Naphthalene and Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, and Xylene (BTEX) by Bacteria Enriched from Activated Sludge
Authors: Huang Yuanxing , Li Liang
Published: February 2014

Naphthalene and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene) are frequently detected toxic hydrocarbons in contaminated sites, which can easily enter the soil or groundwater system. To test the potential of treating these hydrocarbons in a conventional water resource recovery facility, municipal activated sludge was used as the seed and the bacteria successfully enriched using naphthalene or BTEX as the sole carbon source under aerobic conditions. The pseudo first order kinetic constant for naphthalene degradation by enriched bacteria was 14.053 L h−1 g−1. For BTEX degradation, kinetic constants of 0.234, 0.958, 1.212, and 0.455 L h −1 g −1 were obtained for benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene, respectively, which collectively accounted for a total BTEX removal rate constant of 0.550 L h −1 g −1. Through cloning and sequencing, Pseudomonas and Burkholderia were identified as the primary bacteria communities in the naphthalene degradation reactor, whereas for BTEX degradation, Pseudomonas and Acidovorax dominated in the reactor.
Epidemiological Evidence of Childhood Leukaemia around Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Janiak Marek K.
Published: February 2014

A few reports of increased numbers of leukaemia cases (clusters) in children living in the vicinity of nuclear power plants (NPP) and other nuclear installations have triggered a heated debate over the possible causes of the disease. In this review the most important cases of childhood leukaemia clusters around NPPs are described and analyzed with special emphasis on the relationship between the environmental exposure to ionizing radiation and the risk of leukaemia. Since, as indicated, a lifetime residency in the proximity of an NPP does not pose any specific health risk to people and the emitted ionizing radiation is too small to cause cancer, a number of hypotheses have been proposed to explain the childhood leukaemia clusters. The most likely explanation for the clusters is ‘population mixing’, i.e., the influx of outside workers to rural regions where nuclear installations are being set up and where local people are not immune to pathogens brought along with the incomers.
Dynamic observation of twin evolution during austenite grain growth in an Fe–C–Mn–Si alloy
Authors: Hu Haijiang , Xu Guang , Liu Feng , Wang Li , Zhou Lixin , Xue Zhengliang
Published: February 2014

For the first time, investigation of twin evolution during austenite grain growth in an Fe–C–Mn–Si alloy was conducted with in-situ observation using high temperature laser scanning confocal microscopy during austenization. It was found that twins nucleated in austenite grains, some of which might disappear during isothermal holding, even as new twins might nucleate at grain boundaries. In addition, the effects of twins and austenite grains on bainite morphology were also examined. The twins can restrain the growth of bainite sheaves and smaller austenite grains result in shorter bainite laths. The investigation of dynamic evolution of twins and the analysis of the effect of austenite twins on bainite morphology can only be realized by means of in-situ observation.
Structural and magnetic properties of Fe–Al2O3 soft magnetic composites prepared using the sol–gel method
Authors: Yaghtin Maryam , Taghvaei Amir Hossein , Hashemi Babak , Janghorban Kamal
Published: February 2014

In this work, powder metallurgy was performed for preparation of iron-based soft magnetic composites (SMCs). For this purpose, iron powders were coated with a thin alumina insulating layer using the sol–gel process, and then compacted for characterization. Microstructural analysis confirmed the formation of an alumina insulating layer with high thermal stability and uniform coverage on the powder surfaces. The alumina coating increased the magnetic permeability of the composites at high frequencies as a result of increased electrical resistivity and decreased eddy current loss. In addition, the different components of the total loss factor were calculated by means of a loss separation method. It was found that by addition of 8 wt.% insulation, the hysteresis loss coefficient increased from 2.7 × 10−3 to 4 × 10−3 while the eddy current loss coefficient decreased from 3.00 × 10−6 to 1.53 × 10−6 as compared with pure iron compacts.