bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparisons of Soil Surface Sealing Methods to Reduce Fumigant Emission Loss
Authors: Gao Suduan , Hanson Bradley D. , Qin Ruijun , Wang Dong , Yates Scott R.
Published: August 2011

State and federal regulatory agencies depend on quality field data for determining the effects of agricultural management practices on fumigant emissions to develop sound, science‐based policies and regulations on preplant soil fumigants. Field plot tests, using growers’ standard field operation procedures, were used to simultaneously determine the effectiveness of several commonly proposed emission reduction methods, in a trial involving shank injection of Telone II [a.i. 1,3‐dichloropropnene (1,3‐D)] to a sandy loam soil to a target rate of 372 kg ha−1. The experiment was conducted in late September 2008 in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Fumigant emissions were captured using dynamic flux chambers. The results showed that virtually impermeable film (VIF) reduced emissions >95% when compared to bare soil, and the glue joints in the film did not significantly affect the tarp performance. The VIF also created a more uniform distribution of gaseous fumigant in the soil profile, which would likely benefit pest control efficacy. Standard high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) tarp reduced total 1,3‐D emissions about 50% (higher than most reported values) in this trial, whereas postfumigation intermittent water treatments (seals) reduced cumulative emission losses by approximately 20%. Adding 49.4 Mg ha−1 (equivalent to 20 tons per acre) of composted dairy manure to surface soils did not reduce 1,3‐D emissions during this experiment. Use of VIF was the most promising technique in reducing emissions and has the potential to allow lower application rates while providing satisfactory pest control.
Coupling Field Observations, Soil Modeling, and Air Dispersion Algorithms to Estimate 1,3‐Dichloropropene and Chloropicrin Flux and Exposure
Authors: Cryer S. A. , van Wesenbeeck I.J.
Published: August 2011

Soil fumigants are volatile compounds applied to agricultural land to control nematode populations, weeds, and crop diseases. Field trials used for measuring fumigant loss from soil to the atmosphere encompass only a small proportion of the near semi‐infinite parameter combinations of environmental, agronomic, and meteorological conditions. One approach to supplement field observations uses a soil physics model for fumigant emission predictions. A model is first validated against existing field study observations and then used to extrapolate results to a wider range of edaphic and climatic conditions. This work compares field observations of 1,3‐dichloropropene and chloropicrin emissions to predictions from the USDA soil model CHAIN_2D. Comparison between model predictions and field observations for a Florida and California study had R2 values between 0.62 to 0.81 and 0.99 to 1.0 for discrete and cumulative emission flux, respectively. CHAIN_2D emission rates were then coupled to several USEPA air dispersion models (ISCST3, CALPUFF6) to extend emission estimates to near field air concentrations. CALPUFF6 predicted slightly higher 1‐h maximum air concentrations than ISCST3 for the same source strength (26.2–36.0% for setbacks between 1 and 250 m from the field edge, respectively). A sensitivity analysis for the CHAIN_2D/ISCST3 coupled numerical system is provided, with several soil and irrigation parameters consistently the most sensitive. Changes in the depth of incorporation, tarp material, and initial soil water content illustrate the predicted impact to emission strength and resulting near‐field air concentrations with reductions of cumulative emission loss from 8.1 to 71% and average 1‐h maximum air concentration reductions between 6.2 and 41% depending on the mitigation strategy chosen. Additionally, a stochastic framework based on the published SOFEA system that couples variability in experiment, model sensitivity, and site specific attributes is outlined should regional air concentration estimates resulting from fumigant use be sought.
Salt Additions Alter Short‐term Nitrogen and Carbon Mobilization in a Coastal Oregon Andisol
Authors: Compton Jana E. , Church M. Robbins
Published: August 2011

Deposition of sea salts is commonly elevated along the coast relative to inland areas, yet little is known about the effects on terrestrial ecosystem biogeochemistry. We examined the influence of NaCl concentrations on N, C, and P leaching from a coastal Oregon forest Andisol in two laboratory studies: a rapid batch extraction (∼1 d) and a month‐long incubation using microlysimeters. In the rapid extractions, salt additions immediately mobilized significant amounts of ammonium and phosphate but not nitrate. In the month‐long incubations, salt additions at concentrations in the range of coastal precipitation increased nitrate leaching from the microcosms by nearly 50% and reduced the mobility of dissolved organic carbon. Our findings suggest that coupled abiotic–biotic effects increase nitrate mobility in these soils: exchange of sodium for ammonium, then net nitrification. Changes in sea salt deposition to land and the interactions with coastal soils could alter the delivery of N and C to sensitive coastal waters.
Preliminary Evaluation of Septic‐System Absorption‐Field Architecture Types in a Profile‐Limited Soil
Authors: Mathis Amanda J. , Brye Kristofor R. , Dunn Sam
Published: August 2011

Managing household wastewater is an issue that affects hundreds of thousands of people in rural communities nationwide, many of whom rely on septic systems as their primary means of household wastewater disposal. Septic system absorption field products with architectures quite different from traditional pipe‐and‐gravel systems are being installed in many states with variances from initial design specifications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, as measured by the in‐product height of stored solution, of four differing absorption‐field product architecture types in a profile‐limited soil that was loaded at the maximum allowable rate based on soil morphology. Five chamber, two gravel‐less pipe, two polystyrene aggregate, and four pipe‐and‐gravel systems were installed in a profile‐limited, Captina silt loam soil (fine‐silty, siliceous, active, mesic Typic Fragiudult) and dosed with raw effluent at rates determined by current State of Arkansas regulations via individual peristaltic pumps. Free‐solution monitoring ports were installed within each product, where the depth to free solution was measured periodically and used to evaluate product performance. Data collected from January through August 2009 indicated that preliminary system performance was unaffected by product architecture type. All products performed similarly under dry soil conditions. However, differences among individual products were observed during periods of hydrologic stress (i.e., wet soil conditions). Surfacing of effluent was not observed atop any product, indicating that the current loading rate design method is functioning properly. Preliminary results indicate that some alternative absorption‐field products perform similarly to the traditional pipe‐and‐gravel system, thus providing flexibility and options for homeowners.
Fertilizer Source and Tillage Effects on Yield‐Scaled Nitrous Oxide Emissions in a Corn Cropping System
Authors: Venterea Rodney T. , Maharjan Bijesh , Dolan Michael S.
Published: August 2011

Management practices such as fertilizer or tillage regime may affect nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and crop yields, each of which is commonly expressed with respect to area (e.g., kg N ha−1 or Mg grain ha−1). Expressing N2O emissions per unit of yield can account for both of these management impacts and might provide a useful metric for greenhouse gas inventories by relating N2O emissions to grain production rates. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of long‐term (>17 yr) tillage treatments and N fertilizer source on area‐ and yield‐scaled N2O emissions, soil N intensity, and nitrogen use efficiency for rainfed corn (Zea mays L.) in Minnesota over three growing seasons. Two different controlled‐release fertilizers (CRFs) and conventional urea (CU) were surface‐applied at 146 kg N ha−1 several weeks after planting to conventional tillage (CT) and no‐till (NT) treatments. Yield‐scaled emissions across all treatments represented 0.4 to 1.1% of the N harvested in the grain. Both CRFs reduced soil nitrate intensity, but not N2O emissions, compared with CU. One CRF, consisting of nitrification and urease inhibitors added to urea, decreased N2O emissions compared with a polymer‐coated urea (PCU). The PCU tended to have lower yields during the drier years of the study, which increased its yield‐scaled N2O emissions. The overall effectiveness of CRFs compared with CU in this study may have been reduced because they were applied several weeks after corn was planted. Across all N treatments, area‐scaled N2O emissions were not significantly affected by tillage. However, when expressed per unit yield of grain, grain N, or total aboveground N, N2O emissions with NT were 52, 66, and 69% greater, respectively, compared with CT. Thus, in this cropping system and climate regime, production of an equivalent amount of grain using NT would generate substantially more N2O compared with CT.
Nitrate Controls Methyl Mercury Production in a Streambed Bioreactor
Authors: Shih Rita , Robertson William D. , Schiff Sherry L. , Rudolph David L.
Published: August 2011

Organic carbon bioreactors provide low‐cost, passive treatment of a variety of environmental contaminants but can have undesirable side effects in some cases. This study examines the production of methyl mercury (MeHg) in a streambed bioreactor consisting of 40 m3 of wood chips and designed to treat nitrate (NO3−) in an agricultural drainage ditch in southern Ontario (Avon site). The reactor provides 30 to 100% removal of NO3−–N concentrations of 0.6 to 4.4 mg L−1, but sulfate (SO42−) reducing conditions develop when NO3− removal is complete. Sulfate reducing conditions are known to stimulation the production of MeHg in natural wetlands. Over one seasonal cycle, effluent MeHg ranged from 0.01 to 0.76 ng L−1 and total Hg ranged from 1.3 to 3.4 ng L−1. During all sampling events when reducing conditions were only sufficient to promote NO3− reduction (or denitrification) (n = 5, late fall 2009, winter 2010), MeHg concentrations decreased in the reactor and it was a net sink for MeHg (mean flux of −5.1 μg m−2 yr−1). During all sampling events when SO42− reducing conditions were present (n = 6, early fall 2009, spring 2010), MeHg concentrations increased in the reactor and it was a strong source of MeHg to the stream (mean flux of 15.2 μg m−2 yr−1). Total Hg was consistently removed in the reactor (10 of 11 sampling events) and was correlated to the total suspended sediment load (r2 = 0.69), which was removed in the reactor by physical filtration. This study shows that organic carbon bioreactors can be a strong source of MeHg production when SO42− reducing conditions develop; however, maintaining NO3−–N concentrations > 0.5 mg L−1 suppresses the production of MeHg.
Simultaneous domestic wastewater treatment and renewable energy production using microbial fuel cells (MFCs)
Authors: Puig S. , Serra M. , Coma M. , Balaguer M. D. , Colprim J.
Published: August 2011

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can be used in wastewater treatment and to simultaneously produce electricity (renewable energy). MFC technology has already been applied successfully in lab-scale studies to treat domestic wastewater, focussing on organic matter removal and energy production. However, domestic wastewater also contains nitrogen that needs to be treated before being discharged. The goal of this paper is to assess simultaneous domestic wastewater treatment and energy production using an air-cathode MFC, paying special attention to nitrogen compound transformations. An air-cathode MFC was designed and run treating 1.39 L d−1 of wastewater with an organic load rate of 7.2 kg COD m−3 d−1 (80% removal efficiency) and producing 1.42 W m−3. In terms of nitrogen transformations, the study demonstrates that two different processes took place in the MFC: physical–chemical and biological. Nitrogen loss was observed increasing in line with the power produced. A low level of oxygen was present in the anodic compartment, and ammonium was oxidised to nitrite and nitrate.
Security through diversity: moving from rhetoric to practice
Authors: Werbeloff L. , Brown R.
Published: August 2011

In response to a range of contemporary urban water challenges, there is an increasingly urgent need to change the way water is used in our cities. In Australia, the ‘Security through Diversity’ policy has been introduced in a number of cities to help facilitate a shift towards sustainable urban water management. This qualitative case study research investigated the interpretation and implementation of this radically different urban water policy approach across the case study cities of Perth and Melbourne. To focus the research and allow for more reliable comparative analysis across the cities, the introduction of desalination and permanent water saving rules as new initiatives in these cities were of particular interest. The research results are drawn from a synthesis of over 65 semi-structured interviews with senior urban water practitioners in the case study cities, and a content analysis of key policy and guidance documents, as well as organizational literature where available. The key finding of this research was that because of an entrenched technological paradigm, and the difficulty in breaking this pattern of lock-in, practitioners are currently interpreting and implementing Security through Diversity in a way that does not fully realise the potential of this strategy. More specifically the interview results revealed that the urban water practitioner community believed that the introduction of seawater desalination would discharge their city's responsibility for achieving Security through Diversity and that demand management initiatives, while nice, are not essential to this policy position. Interestingly, despite context evidence to the contrary, the practitioners believed supply and demand planning to be an integrated practice within their city. The paper concludes by offering some recommendations to facilitate a more comprehensive implementation of Security through Diversity and outlines areas for possible future research.
Total and hexavalent chromium removal in a subsurface horizontal flow (h-SSF) constructed wetland operating as post-treatment of textile wastewater for water reuse
Authors: Fibbi D. , Doumett S. , Colzi I. , Coppini E. , Pucci S. , Gonnelli C. , Lepri L. , Del Bubba M.
Published: August 2011

In this study we investigated total and hexavalent chromium removal in an h-SSF constructed wetland (CW) planted with Phragmites australis and operating as post-treatment of effluent wastewater from an activated sludge plant serving the textile industrial district of Prato (Italy). Two measurement campaigns were carried out in 2006 and 2008–2010 in which more than 950 inlet and outlet samples were analyzed. When inlet and outlet concentrations were compared one to the other, the latter were found to be significantly lower than the former (p < 0.001); during the entire period of investigation, removal of hexavalent chromium equal to about 70% was achieved. Outlet concentrations ranged between values lower than the quantification limit (0.5 μg L−1) and 4.5 μg L−1, and in all cases were therefore lower than the limit indicated for hexavalent chromium in the Italian regulation for water reuse (5 μg L−1). The comparison of the removal efficiencies achieved for hexavalent and trivalent chromium during the two campaigns suggested that the removal of the former can be sustained in the long term, while for the latter, the treatment efficiency is more sensitive to the age of the CW, being that it is it based on trivalent chromium retention in the reed bed.
Comparison of the photoconversion of para-chlorophenol under simulated sunlight and UV irradiation in ice
Authors: Gao Hong-Jie , Kang Chun-Li , Song Yong-Hui , Guo Ping , Lang Xing-Hua , Peng Fei
Published: August 2011

The photochemistry of para-chlorophenol (4-CP) was studied under simulated sunlight (λ > 300 nm) and UV irradiation by using a 125 W high-pressure mercury lamp with or without a hard glass as light source in an ice matrix. The experiments were carried out in a photochemical cold chamber reactor at −14 to −12 °C. The photoconversion rate, photoproducts and photoconversion mechanism of 4-CP were all inspected and compared. The results show that the 4-CP photoconversion obeys the first order kinetic model and its photoconversion rate is highly affected by the initial concentration of 4-CP, light intensity and water quality. It is found that the conversion rate of 4-CP under UV irradiation is higher than that under simulated sunlight irradiation. The intermediate products of 4-CP were characterized by GC-MS, HPLC-ESI-MS and HPLC techniques and the possible photoconversion mechanism was proposed accordingly. It is concluded that the mechanism and photoproducts of 4-CP photolysis in ice are different from those in water, and the photoproducts and photoconversion pathways of 4-CP in ice varied with different light sources.
Membrane treatment of liquid wastes from radiological decontamination operations
Authors: Svittsov A. A. , Khubetsov S. B. , Volchek K.
Published: August 2011

The paper focuses on the evaluation of membrane filtration for the treatment of liquid radioactive streams generated in area decontamination operations. In this work, semi-permeable membranes were demonstrated to be effective reducing the volume of wastewater containing cesium and cobalt by two orders of a magnitude. The efficiency of membrane separation was enhanced by employing additives that enlarged the size of target radionuclide species and improved their rejection by the membranes. This was achieved by chelation with synthetic water-soluble polymers and by adsorption on micro particles of adsorbent coupled with micelle formation. The effect of wastewater composition and that of the radionuclide-binding additives on the volume reduction was investigated. Membrane treatment is expected to help simplify further processing and decrease disposal costs.
Effect of phosphorus concentration on phosphorus removal and biomass
Authors: Choi Hee-Jeong , Lee Hanna , Lee Seung-Mok
Published: August 2011

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) process was employed to study the effect of biological phosphorus removal (bio-P removal) and P-content in treated sludge with increased phosphorus concentration present in the wastewater. Further, the following four test fractions of raw wastewaters was obtained having different P-concentrations viz., run 1: P-20 mg/L, run 2: P-40 mg/L, run 3: P-60 mg/L, run 4: P-80 mg/L. The effective P-removal obtained for these four test fractions were found to be 23.07 mg/L (98.17%), 41.35 mg/L (88.16%), 45.75 mg/L (72.04%) and 55.80 mg/L (66.82%) respectively for run 1, 2, 3 and 4 fractions. Moreover, the similar increase in phosphorous concentration i.e., from 20 to 80 mg/L caused an apparent increase in total solid (TS) values from 7 to 8.3 g TS/L, whereas the total volatile solid (TVS) content remained constant (i.e. 4.5 g TVS/L). These results inferred that the proportion of TVS in the TS decreased from 70 to 55%. Moreover, by increasing the initial P-concentration from 20 to 80 mg/L, the corresponding P-proportion of excess sludge was increased from 2 to 6.2%.
Assessing the role of biochemical methane potential tests in determining anaerobic degradability rate and extent
Authors: Jensen P. D. , Ge H. , Batstone D. J.
Published: August 2011

The biodegradability and bioavailability of hydrolysis-limited substrates under anaerobic (and aerobic) conditions can be represented by two key parameters – degradability (fd), or the percentage that can be effectively be destroyed during digestion, and first order hydrolysis coefficient (khyd), or the speed at which material breaks down. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) testing uses a batch test (in triplicate), and by fitting against a first order model, can fit both parameters in the same test. BMP testing is now being widely used for anaerobic process feasibility and design purposes, and standardisation efforts are ongoing. In this paper, we address a number of key issues relating to the test method and its analysis. This includes proposal of a new fitting and parameter estimation method, evaluation of the impact of inoculum to substrate ratio on fitted parameters, and comparison to performance in continuous systems. The new parameter estimation technique provides an estimate of parameter uncertainty and correlation, and is clearly more suitable than model transformation and linear regression. An inoculum volume ratio of at least 50% (2:1 on VS basis) was required on a cellulose substrate to use methane production as primary indicator, as found by comparing methane production and solubilisation of cellulose. Finally, on a typical material, waste activated sludge, the batch test was slightly conservative in terms of degradability and rate, indicating a bias in the BMP test. The test is a cost-effective and capable method to evaluate potential substrates, but it should be noted that it is generally conservative, especially if sub-optimal inoculum is used.
Critical source area management of agricultural phosphorus: experiences, challenges and opportunities
Authors: Sharpley Andrew N. , Kleinman Peter J. A. , Flaten Don N. , Buda Anthony R.
Published: August 2011

The concept of critical source areas of phosphorus (P) loss produced by coinciding source and transport factors has been studied since the mid 1990s. It is widely recognized that identification of such areas has led to targeting of management strategies and conservation practices that more effectively mitigate P transfers from agricultural landscapes to surface waters. Such was the purpose of P Indices and more complex nonpoint source models. Despite their widespread adoption across the U.S., a lack of water quality improvement in certain areas (e.g. Chesapeake Bay Watershed and some of its tributaries) has challenged critical source area management to be more restrictive. While the role of soil and applied P has been easy to define and quantify, representation of transport processes still remains more elusive. Even so, the release of P from land management and in-stream buffering contribute to a legacy effect that can overwhelm the benefits of critical source area management, particularly as scale increases (e.g. the Chesapeake Bay). Also, conservation tillage that reduces erosion can lead to vertical stratification of soil P and ultimately increased dissolved P loss. Clearly, complexities imparted by spatially variable landscapes, climate, and system response will require iterative monitoring and adaptation, to develop locally relevant solutions. To overcome the challenges we have outlined, critical source area management must involve development of a ‘toolbox’ that contains several approaches to address the underlying problem of localized excesses of P and provide both spatial and temporal management options. To a large extent, this may be facilitated with the use of GIS and digital elevation models. Irrespective of the tool used, however, there must be a two-way dialogue between science and policy to limit the softening of technically rigorous and politically difficult approaches to truly reducing P losses.
Recovery of UAPB from high organic load during startup for phenolic wastewater treatment
Authors: Bakhshi Zeinab , Najafpour Ghasem , Navayi Neya , Kariminezhad Esmaeel , Pishgar Roya , Moosavi Nafise
Published: August 2011

Biodegradation of synthetic wastewater containing phenol by upflow anaerobic
packed bed reactor (UAPB) was studied in this work. The reactor was operated
at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 h and under mesophilic (30?1?C)
conditions. The startup operation was conducted for 150 days; split into 4
phases. The phenol concentration was stepwise increased. The concentration of
phenol in phases 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 100, 400, 700 and 1000 mg/l,
respectively. In phase 1, the reactor reached steady state conditions on the
8th day with a phenol removal efficiency and biogas production rate of 96.8%
and 1.42 l/d, respectively. For an increase of the initial phenol
concentration in phase 2, a slight decrease in phenol removal efficiency was
observed. Similar trends were observed in phases 3 and 4 of startup. Due to
the high phenol concentration a sudden decrease in removal efficiency and
biogas production was observed. The surviving microorganisms were gradually
adapted and acclimated to high phenol concentrations. In phases 3 and 4, the
phenol removal efficiency at steady state conditions were 98.4 and 98%,
respectively. The maximum biogas production was observed at day 130 with a
value of 3.57 l/d that corresponds to phenol concentration of 1000 mg/l.
Decline in the Cumulative Incidence of Severe Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Kytö Janne P. , Harjutsalo Valma , Forsblom Carol , Hietala Kustaa , Summanen Paula A. , Groop Per-Henrik ,   on behalf of the FinnDiane Study Group
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVE

To determine if the cumulative incidence of severe retinopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes has changed.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study looked at 3,781 patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (1939–2005), median age at onset 13 (interquartile range [IQR] 9–21) years, and duration of diabetes 19 (IQR 13–27) years. The severe retinopathy was based on a history of laser treatment. Patients were divided into <1975, 1975–1979, 1980–1984, and ≥1985 cohorts according to the diagnosis of diabetes.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of severe retinopathy has declined (P < 0.0001). After 20 years of duration, the cumulative incidence was 23% (95% CI 21–25) and 33 (30–35) in the earliest cohorts, 18 (15–21) in the next cohort, and 6 (4–9) in the recent cohort. After 30 years, the cumulative incidence was 52 and 48% in the earliest cohorts, while it was 62% after 40 years in the earliest cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The cumulative incidence of severe retinopathy has declined in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Household Income and Cardiovascular Disease Risks in U.S. Children and Young Adults
Authors: Ali Mohammed K. , Bullard Kai McKeever , Beckles Gloria L. , Stevens Mark R. , Barker Lawrence , Venkat Narayan K.M. , Imperatore Giuseppina
Published: August 2011

OBJECTIVE

To assess the cardiovascular risk profile of youths across socioeconomic groups in the U.S.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Analysis of 1999–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) including 16,085 nonpregnant 6- to 24-year-olds to estimate race/ethnicity-adjusted prevalence of obesity, central obesity, sedentary behaviors, tobacco exposure, elevated systolic blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, non-HDL cholesterol (non–HDL-C), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein according to age-group, sex, and poverty-income ratio (PIR) tertiles.

RESULTS

Among boys aged 6–11 years, 19.9% in the lowest PIR tertile were obese and 30.0% were centrally obese compared with 13.2 and 21.6%, respectively, in the highest-income tertile households (Pobesity < 0.05 and Pcentral obesity < 0.01). Boys aged 12–17 years in lowest-income households were more likely than their wealthiest family peers to be obese (20.6 vs. 15.6%, P < 0.05), sedentary (14.8 vs. 9.3%, P < 0.05), and exposed to tobacco (19.0 vs. 6.5%, P < 0.01). Compared with girls aged 12–17 years in highest-income households, lowest-income household girls had higher prevalence of obesity (17.9 vs. 13.1%, P < 0.05), central obesity (41.5 vs. 29.2%, P < 0.01), sedentary behaviors (20.4 vs. 9.4%, P < 0.01), and tobacco exposure (14.1 vs. 5.9%, P < 0.01). Apart from higher prevalence of elevated non–HDL-C among low-income women aged 18–24 years (23.4 vs. 15.8%, P < 0.05), no other cardiovascular disease risk factor prevalence differences were observed between lowest- and highest-income background young adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Independent of race/ethnicity, 6- to 17-year-olds from low-income families have higher prevalence of obesity, central obesity, sedentary behavior, and tobacco exposure. Multifaceted cardiovascular health promotion policies are needed to reduce health disparities between income groups.
A Little Effort
Authors: Board Editorial
Published: August 2011

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v1i0.5298 Academic Voices 2011; 1: v-vi
Mathematics In Context: Call of Time
Authors: Quaiyum Abdul
Published: August 2011

Mathematics in context (MiC) is an integrated program that uses Realistic Mathematics Education(RME) approach to teaching and learning of mathematics. It emphasizes learning mathematics from realistic situations, students’ invention or construction of solution procedure and interaction with other students or the teacher. Students should be encouraged to make sense out of real problems and the mathematics instruction should be designed accordingly. This article deals with the underlying principles of RME and highlights the features of MiC in Nepalese Mathematics Education. Keywords Realistic Mathematics Education (RME), Mathematics in Context (MiC), didactical phenomenology, guided reinvention, emergent model DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v1i0.5299 Academic Voices 2011; 1: 1-5
Category of Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Prasad Bidyanand
Published: August 2011

In the present paper, the concept of category theory, the category of fuzzy sets and the theory of flou sets are introduced. This article also shows the isomorphism between the category of fuzzy sets and flou sets. Keywords Category, flou sets, fuzzy sets, morphism, functor DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v1i0.5301 Academic Voices 2011; 1: 13-15
Wounded Warrior Rescuing Thakur Ram from Deadly Epidemic
Authors: Karn Sajan Kumar
Published: August 2011

Educational institutions are considered change agents for they are shouldered with the responsibility of transforming individuals, society, nation and also the world. Nevertheless, what happens if the change agents themselves do not conform to the changes has been well said by Wilson in the above quote. There is no doubt to the fact that education around the globe has undergone sea changes in perspectives and practices both but Thakur Ram Multiple Campus, Birgunj, one of the biggest educational foundations in the country that had its name and fame for the academic brilliance in the times of yore, feels to be driving the same bullock carts while sports cars are being rolled down around the globe. In this composition, I have endeavored to unveil those orthodox practices, as I have perceived, against the backdrop of the breaking educational paradigms and propose to deconstruct conformist prototypes to prevent it from being more infamous. Keywords Digital literacy, banking education, subversive, paradigm, critical thinking DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v1i0.5313 Academic Voices 2011; 1: 61-70
Position of Cyanobacteria and Algae in Origin of Life
Authors: Prasad Vishwanath
Published: August 2011

Our beautiful planet, the earth was originated 4.5 billion years ago in our solar system. Between 3.5 – 4.0 billion years ago, after several events of chemical evolution and modification in the earth's atmosphere, the first life, amino acid and nucleic acid, called ecobiont or protobiont, was originated in abiogenesis phase and started protobiology phase. The life has evolved into three domains: age of Eobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Eukaryotes which ultimately evolve into land plants. The purpose of this article is to add some recent information about origin of life and position of cyanobacteria in the evolution of higher plants. Keywords Origin, life, Ecobiont, Cyanobacteria, algae. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v1i0.5316 Academic Voices 2011; 1: 94-99
Taxonomic Review of Classical and Current Literature on the Perennial American Family Forest Problem
Authors: Straka Thomas J.
Published: August 2011

One of the fundamental issues in American forest policy has been the small forest ownership problem. Early in the twentieth century, it was called the farm forestry problem, later, the nonindustrial private forest problem, and today, the family forest problem. Family forest owners are thought to manage their lands in a suboptimal manner resulting in low forest productivity relative to other ownership groups. This can lead to future timber supply problems. The exact nature of the problem, especially its social and economic basis, was a common subject of early forestry research studies. This article includes many of the major nonindustrial private forest or family forest studies, from early to current, and classifies them both by themes used by other authors and categories that relate to major research areas in the current literature. A major focus of this literature deals with promoting management on family forest holdings and possible land management incentives and disincentives. Natural trends in family forest ownership, like parcelization, also impact upon forest management opportunities. By developing a taxonomy that classifies these studies by research objective, methodology, owner motivation, and problem definition, this article serves to organize the family forest literature in a manner that provides a temporal framework for better understanding the historical motivation for and development of family forest research in the United States.
Xylem function and climate adaptation in Pinus
Authors: Creese Chris , Benscoter Allison M. , Maherali Hafiz
Published: August 2011

• Premise of the Study: The distribution of species is determined in part by their functional traits. One important function is the ability of xylem to supply water to leaves and withstand water‐stress‐induced cavitation. These hydraulic traits are hypothesized to have evolved in response to selection by precipitation and temperature.

• Methods: We grew 26 species in the genus Pinus in a common environment and used phylogenetic comparative methods to examine whether the evolution of seedling hydraulic and wood density traits were associated with the climate of the extant geographic range of the species. We also examined whether these traits were correlated with each other, with integrated water‐use efficiency (WUE), and with plant growth.

• Key Results: Contrary to predictions from a hydraulic model, we found no association between stem hydraulic conductivity (KS) and precipitation, even though there was substantial variation for KS in the genus. Nevertheless, KS was positively correlated with temperature, plant biomass, and WUE. Wood density was infrequently associated with climate or correlated with other traits except for plant biomass.

• Conclusions: Reduced KS in cold climates, if associated with reduced conduit diameter, likely evolved to increase resistance to freezing‐induced xylem cavitation. The absence of a KS–precipitation relationship among Pinus seedlings suggests that associations between hydraulic traits and precipitation found in adult trees arise through plastic responses to moisture availability and/or develop over ontogeny. The weak association among wood density, climate, and other traits suggest that this trait does not contribute to climate adaptation in Pinus.
A set of microsatellite primers for Zostera japonica (Zosteraceae)
Authors: Jiang Kai , Gao Hui , Xu Na‐Na , Tsang Eric Po Keung , Chen Xiao‐Yong
Published: August 2011

• Premise of the study: Polymorphic microsatellite primers were developed in the seagrass Zostera japonica to investigate genetic variation and to identify clonal structure.

• Methods and Results: Thirteen polymorphic loci and 23 monomorphic loci were developed in Z. japonica. Two to 13 alleles per locus were observed at the polymorphic loci across 57 individuals of two Z. japonica populations. The observed and expected heterozygosities within populations ranged from 0.0000 to 1.0000 and from 0.0000 to 0.8542, respectively.

• Conclusions: Our study showed high‐level polymorphism at the polymorphic loci in Z. japonica. These primers would be a powerful tool to study genetic variation, clonal structure, and mating systems.
The Eschenmoser coupling reaction under continuous-flow conditions
Authors: Singh Sukhdeep , Köhler J Michael , Schober Andreas , Groß G Alexander
Published: August 2011

The Eschenmoser coupling is a useful carbon–carbon bond forming reaction which has been used in various different synthesis strategies. The reaction proceeds smoothly if S-alkylated ternary thioamides or thiolactames are used. In the case of S-alkylated secondary thioamides or thiolactames, the Eschenmoser coupling needs prolonged reaction times and elevated temperatures to deliver valuable yields. We have used a flow chemistry system to promote the Eschenmoser coupling under enhanced reaction conditions in order to convert the demanding precursors such as S-alkylated secondary thioamides and thiolactames in an efficient way. Under pressurized reaction conditions at about 220 °C, the desired Eschenmoser coupling products were obtained within 70 s residence time. The reaction kinetics was investigated and 15 examples of different building block combinations are given.
SOME MULTIPLICITY RESULTS TO THE EXISTENCE OF THREE SOLUTIONS FOR A DIRICHLET BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEM INVOLVING THE P-LAPLACIAN
Authors: Heidarkhani Shapour , Afrouzi Ghasem Alizadeh
Published: August 2011

In this paper we prove the existence of two intervals of positive real parameters λ for a Dirichlet boundary value problem involving the p-Laplacian which admit three weak solutions, whose norms are uniformly bounded with respect to λ belonging to one of the two intervals. Our main tool is a three critical points theorem due to G. Bonanno [A critical points theorem and nonlinear differential problems, J. Global Optim., 28:249–258, 2004].
LINEAR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION WITH ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS AND FORMULAE FOR GREEN'S FUNCTION
Authors: Roman Svetlana
Published: August 2011

In this paper, we investigate the m-order linear ordinary differential equation with m linearly independent additional conditions. We have found the solution to this problem and give the formula and the existence condition of Green's function. We compare two Green's functions for two such problems with different additional conditions and apply these results to the problems with nonlocal boundary conditions.
A GLOBAL OPTIMIZATION METHOD BASED ON THE REDUCED SIMPLICIAL STATISTICAL MODEL
Authors: Žilinskas Antanas , Žilinskas Julius
Published: August 2011

A simplicial statistical model of multimodal functions is used to construct a global optimization algorithm. The search for the global minimum in the multidimensional space is reduced to the search over the edges of simplices covering the feasible region combined with the refinement of the cover. The refinement is performed by subdivision of selected simplices taking into account the point where the objective function value has been computed at the current iteration. For the search over the edges the one-dimensional P-algorithm based on the statistical smooth function model is adapted. Differently from the recently proposed algorithm here the statistical model is used for modelling the behaviour of the objective function not over the whole simplex but only over its edges. Testing results of the proposed algorithm are included.
MODIFIED SSOR-LIKE METHOD FOR AUGMENTED SYSTEMS
Authors: Wen Chun , Huang Ting-Zhu
Published: August 2011

For solving the augmented system, Golub, Wu and Yuan and Zheng, Wang and Wu have presented the SOR-like methods and SSOR-like methods, respectively. In this paper, the SSOR-like method with two real parameters ω and α is established for solving the augmented system, which is the extension of the SSOR iteration method, and the new method is called the modified SSOR-like method (MSSOR-like method). The convergence of the MSSOR-like method is studied, and the function equation relating the parameters and eigenvalues of the iteration matrix of this method is obtained. Numerical experiments show that the MSSOR-like method with proper preconditioning matrix and parameters is better than the SOR-like method and the SSOR-like method.
La parole et l'étreinte
Authors: Assoun Paul-Laurent
Published: August 2011

Comment la sexualité se parle-t-elle dans le couple qu’elle unit de façon si impérieuse et précaire à la fois ? Le paradoxe est que, d’une part, l’union des corps rend la parole superflue et que, d’autre part, l’amour tient au signifiant chez les êtres parlants. Parler de sa sexualité pour un couple ne se décrète pas. Dans l’après-acte se rétablit, au-delà du réel de l’étreinte, la séparation des êtres parlants. La sexualité n’est donc pas qu’un registre relationnel ou communicationnel. Ainsi se dessine un savoir de l’inconscient qui ne ferait pas fi de l’impossible du rapport sexuel, sauf à parler de « lit de plein emploi » – entre-deux du « parlêtre » et du corps. Il s’agit ici d’en suivre la dialectique, des effets divisants de la parole à la réconciliation sur l’oreiller , de la sujétion sexuelle à l’éloignement, les figures de la crise imposant traumatiquement une parole d’éveil.
Parole et sexualité
Authors: Lemaire Jean-Georges
Published: August 2011

Parole et sexualité sont à la fois modes d’expression et actes, avec des dimensions individuelles et plurielles. Leurs lointaines origines biopsychologiques les enracinent dans les fondements inconscients du psychisme humain, d’où elles émergent en constituant et le Moi individuel de la conscience humaine et la perception moins consciente d’une appartenance groupale, base narcissique d’un Nous, dont la résurgence est sensible au sein de tous les ensembles groupaux, familiaux, sociaux, et bien sûr dans la vie conjugale et sexuelle. Une thérapie approfondie en couple impose à l’analyste cette compréhension psychanalytique double, individuelle et duelle, pour saisir l’intrication des deux dimensions dans tous leurs conflits, notamment à travers l’expression sexuelle.
Éducation à la vie affective et sexuelle à l'école
Authors: Lebas Isabelle
Published: August 2011

EDUCATION ON AFFECTIVE AND SEXUAL LIFE AT SCHOOL The French education system circular 2003 recomends three yearly sessions of education on affective and sex life in schools. While such sessions are increasingly being organised in response to a media buzz, now is perhaps the time to look back at their original justification and see how nowadays they can have meaning for young people. The author, who is a marital and family guidance counsellor responsible for this type of intervention, shows, with a few supporting examples, the significance of the background, the time devoted and the ability to listen for dialogue and joint thinking on this issue to be initiated.
La brèche
Authors: Bancel Nicolas
Published: August 2011

Résumé Jusqu’au début des années 2000, l’héritage des dispositions juridiques et morales qui avaient suivi la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale – telle la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’Homme en 1948 - explique une certaine retenue quant à la stigmatisation des populations minoritaires présentes en France, certaines d’entre elles ayant été décimées par le nazisme. Aujourd’hui, la mise en cause explicite de « groupe cibles » par le discours public peut être considérée comme une brèche.
Littérature et postcolonialismes
Authors: Moura Jean-Marc
Published: August 2011

Résumé Boudée un temps par l’enseignement universitaire hexagonal, la perspective postcoloniale renouvelle la compréhension du champ littéraire contemporain. Elle vise autant l’étude des œuvres qui sont le produit d’une situation coloniale que celles qui, en palliant les béances de l’histoire, tentent de transmettre une mémoire qui excède les récits officiels. Face à une multiplicité de contextes historiques et linguistiques, l’approche postcoloniale est avant tout comparatiste et réflexive : elle dit toujours le lieu depuis lequel elle parle.
Traces littéraires des minorités postcoloniales en France
Authors: Hargreaves Alec G.
Published: August 2011

Résumé Les écrivains français nés de parents immigrés des (ex)colonies souffrent d’un manque chronique de visibilité. Délaissés par les institutions universitaires et la critique littéraire françaises, ils sont victimes des maux qu’ils dénoncent et qui rongent la société française : assignation identitaire, inégalités de traitement. De la génération « beur » dans les années 1980 à celle des « banlieues » aujourd’hui, leur soif d’insertion s’est heurtée à la réalité des discriminations. Dans leurs œuvres, la désillusion côtoie une analyse lucide des préjugés postcoloniaux.
Noirs et Blancs en couleurs
Authors: Eades Caroline
Published: August 2011

Résumé Le cinéma français s’intéresse de manière régulière à la période coloniale depuis la fin de l’Empire français. Dès les années 1950, la référence à la colonisation dans un film est apparue comme un motif lourd de sens et de jeux de pouvoirs. La réactivation des traces de ce passé n’est jamais anodine. Cette mémoire reconstruite en images indique toujours sa nature : parcellaire, tronquée. Mais son rôle est ambigu. Elle peut renvoyer selon les cas à une volonté de perpétuer des stéréotypes ou au désir de témoigner d’une revanche sur l’histoire.
La mémoire du Cafi, dans le contexte de sa requalification urbaine (1956-2010)
Authors: Wahnich Sophie
Published: August 2011

Résumé L’aménagement du territoire pose des enjeux mémoriels. C’est le cas du projet de réhabilitation d’un camp de rapatriés originaires d’Indochine, installé depuis un demi-siècle dans une commune du Lot-et-Garonne. Le souhait des pouvoirs publics d’en normaliser l’habitat et de mieux l’intégrer à la vie communale se heurte à la volonté légitime des descendants de rapatriés de préserver la fonction symbolique d’un lieu de mémoire dans lequel ils ont grandi. Loin d’une simple revendication communautaire, il s’agit de maintenir une conscience historique locale.
À la recherche d'une révolte postcoloniale
Authors: Sauvadet Thomas
Published: August 2011

Résumé Novembre 2005, à l’instar de nombreux quartiers populaires de l’hexagone, une cité du Sud de Paris est agitée par les émeutes urbaines. Pour la plupart entre 15 et 20 ans, les émeutiers font partie de cette jeunesse « de rue » qui grandit à l’ombre des barres d’immeubles. Volonté de contester un ordre social qui les discrimine, désir de vengeance à l’encontre de certains voisins qui ne cachent pas leur racisme, les motivations de ces enfants de la cité sont diverses.
Dealing with Real-Life Challenges: Outcome of a Home-Based Occupational Therapy Intervention for People with Severe Psychiatric Disability
Authors: Lindström Maria , Hariz Gun-Marie , Bernspång Birgitta
Published: August 2011

The authors offered home-based occupational therapy integrated into supported or sheltered housing to help individuals with severe psychiatric disability identify their specific needs of engagement in meaningful daily occupations. This study aimed to evaluate the client outcomes in activities of daily living (ADL) ability and health factors following their participation in occupation-centered interventions in home and community settings. Seventeen participants (7 women) between the ages of 27 and 66 years participated in the intervention project based on the Everyday Life Rehabilitation (ELR). The following instruments were administered before and after the intervention and at a 6-month follow-up: Goal Attainment Scaling, Assessment of Motor and Process Skills, Assessment of Social Interaction, Satisfaction with Daily Occupations, ADL-taxonomy with an effort-scale, and the Symptom Check List-90. Pretest, posttest, and follow-up differences in test scores on goal attainment, occupation, and health-related factors indicate that important progress was made. These findings support the use of the ELR intervention and suggest that larger randomized clinical trials are needed.