bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Research on Tanreqing Injection Treatment of The Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Zhang Hua
Published: December 2015

Objective: To discuss the clinical effect of Tanreqing injection in treatment of acute lung injury. Methods: 47 patients with acute lung injury in our hospital from January 2009 to February 2014 are selected and randomly divided into two groups. The control group has 24 cases and receives the conventional emergency treatment measures, including establishment of intravenous channel, loop support, oxygen inhalation, antibiotics application and primary trauma treatment, etc. There are 23 cases in experimental group, on the basis of treatment of the control group, they are treated with Tanreqing injection. The two groups are compared after treatment to study the clinical efficiency, blood gas index, SIRS score and the incidence of ARDS. Results: The treatment efficiency of patients with acute lung injury in experimental group is significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). After treatment, the blood gas index such as PO2, PCO2, PO2/FiO2 and others and SIRS score of patient with acute lung injury in both groups are obviously improved, and the experimental group is significantly better than the control group (p < 0.05). At the same time, the incidence of ARDS of patients with acute lung injury in the experimental group is significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of Tanreqing injection during the treatment of acute lung injury can effectively improve patients’ ventilation and alleviate symptoms of respiratory distress and has good prognosis.
Discussion of Relationship between Hematuria and Ultrasonic Renal Calculi in Young Man After Exercise
Authors: Luo Jian , Zhao Yue , Zhou Bo
Published: December 2015

Objective: To discuss the relationship between hematuria and ultrasonic renal calculi in young man after exercise. Method: In the medical observation, 48 cases of young male patients with hematuria after exercise in our hospital from January 2011 to December 2012 were selected as the observation objects, the subjects were transient hematuria, and 92 patients without hematuria were selected as the contrast, all patients underwent ultrasound examination, the detection rate of renal calculi and the ultrasonic manifestation were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The incidence of renal calculi of the young and middle-aged male patients with hematuria after exercise is statistically different in different parts and different age (p < 0.05), and the incidence rate of renal calculi in patients with hematuria after exercise and patients without hematuria was significantly different (p < 0.05), as shown in Table 1, Table 2. There was no obvious linear relationship between the degree of hematuria and the incidence of renal calculi after young men's exercise, as shown in Table 3. Conclusion: From this clinical research results we can know that renal calculi is the main cause of hematuria after exercise for the young man, and the clinical examination and diagnosis of renal calculi with ultrasonography has higher clinical detection rate, therefore the clinical application value is higher.
Study of Energy-Efficient Building Issues in Architectural Decoration
Authors: Yang Yingyi , Kang Rongsheng , Yang Ming
Published: December 2015

Creating green, energy-saving and environmentally friendly building products is the main theme of construction industry in order to achieve sustainable development. The study starts with innovations in energy-saving designs and energy-saving construction of a building’s interior decoration and other important aspects that use energy effectively, improve energy efficiency, as well as providing people with healthy, comfortable, natural and harmonious living and working environment, while realizing sustainable development of construction.
Low mislabeling rates indicate marked improvements in European seafood market operations
Authors: Mariani Stefano , Griffiths Andrew M , Velasco Amaya , Kappel Kristina , Jérôme Marc , Perez-Martin Ricardo I , Schröder Ute , Verrez-Bagnis Veronique , Silva Helena , Vandamme Sara G , Boufana Belgees , Mendes Rogerio , Shorten Marc , Smith Cat , Hankard Elizabeth , Hook Samantha A , Weymer Alice S , Gunning Daryl , Sotelo Carmen G
Published: December 2015

Over the span of a decade, genetic identification methods have progressively exposed the inadequacies of the seafood supply chain, revealing previously unrecognized levels of seafood fraud, raising awareness among the public, and serving as a warning to industry that malpractice will be detected. Here we present the outcome of the latest and largest multi‐species, transnational survey of fish labeling accuracy to date, which demonstrates an apparent sudden reduction of seafood mislabeling in Europe. We argue that recent efforts in legislation, governance, and outreach have had a positive impact on industry regulation. Coordinated, technology‐based, policy‐oriented actions can play a pivotal role in shaping a transparent, sustainable global seafood market and in bolstering healthier oceans.
Observed and projected climate trends and hotspots across the National Ecological Observatory Network regions
Authors: Anderegg William RL , Diffenbaugh Noah S
Published: December 2015

Understanding, predicting, and managing the impacts of human‐caused climate change will require long‐term monitoring of ecological changes across spatial scales. Although the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) aims to provide the backbone for such monitoring efforts in the US, regional climate changes that were observed before and that are projected to occur after NEON's implementation must be quantified. We use historical datasets and climate model projections to assess the rates, spatial patterns, and hotspots of temperature and precipitation change across NEON ecoregions. Hotspots with the highest elevated temperatures occur in the Tundra and Taiga ecoregions (absolute increases) as well as in the Pacific Southwest ecoregion (increases as compared with current variability). The observed and projected changes in temperature and precipitation can inform future NEON monitoring and research efforts in a rapidly changing climate.
Emerging threats in urban ecosystems: a horizon scanning exercise
Authors: Stanley Margaret C , Beggs Jacqueline R , Bassett Imogen E , Burns Bruce R , Dirks Kim N , Jones Darryl N , Linklater Wayne L , Macinnis-Ng Cate , Simcock Robyn , Souter-Brown Gayle , Trowsdale Sam A , Gaston Kevin J
Published: December 2015

As urbanization intensifies, urban ecosystems are increasingly under pressure from a range of threats. Horizon scanning has the potential to act as an early warning system, thereby initiating prompt discussion and decision making about threat mitigation. We undertook a systematic horizon scanning exercise, using a modified Delphi technique and experts from wide‐ranging disciplines, to identify emerging threats in urban ecosystems. The 10 identified threats were generally associated with rapid advances in technology (eg solar panels, light‐emitting diode lights, self‐healing concrete) or with societal demands on urban nature (eg green prescriptions). Although many of the issues identified are also technological opportunities with recognized environmental benefits, we have highlighted emerging risks so that research and mitigation strategies can be initiated promptly. Given the accelerated rate of technological advancement and the increasing demands of urbanized populations, horizon scanning should be conducted routinely for urban ecosystems.
Jealous of mom? Interactions between infants and adult males during the mating season in wild squirrel monkeys (Saimiri collinsi)
Authors: Ruivo Luana V. P. , Stone Anita I.
Published: December 2015

Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri collinsi) are seasonal breeders that live in large social groups in which females are dominant to males. Females have one infant per year, and the nursing period lasts six to eight months. Preliminary observations in the wild indicated that during the mating period (eight weeks: July and August in our population), the infants show agonism directed at males who approach their mothers. This directed sexual interference by infants has rarely been reported for neotropical primates. Our study reports observations in a natural population of Saimiri collinsi with the aim of describing the social behavior of infants during the breeding season, especially with regard to adult males in the group. Infants of both sexes were observed during three mating periods (2011, 2012, 2013), to test hypotheses about the possible function of infant harassment directed at adult males. The behavior of infants (variables: activity and nearest neighbor) was sampled by the focal animal method as well as ad libitum observations. We recorded 99 cases of agonism and 17 cases of tolerance between nearby males and infants via the all-occurrence method. Thus, 85% of interactions between adult males and infants involved agonism. These results suggest that infant interference can present a cost to adult males during the breeding season.
Twinning in titis (Callicebus coimbrai): stretching the limits of biparental infant caregiving?
Authors: Santana Marina M. de , Souza-Alves João Pedro , Ferrari Stephen F.
Published: December 2015

No abstract
Infanticides during periods of social stability: kinship, resumption of ovarian cycling, and mating access in white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus)
Authors: Schoof Valérie A. M. , Wikberg Eva C. , Jack Katharine M. , Fedigan Linda M. , Ziegler Toni E. , Kawamura Shoji
Published: December 2015

No abstract
Two case studies using playbacks to census neotropical primates: Callicebus discolor and Alouatta palliata aequatorialis
Authors: Salcedo R Andrea , Mejia Manuel , Slocombe Katie , Papworth Sarah
Published: December 2015

No abstract
Predação ou necrofagia de Alouatta guariba clamitans por Leopardus pardalis?
Authors: Carvalho William Douglas de , Pedrozo Ayesha Ribeiro , Biavatti Theany , Costa Luciana de Moraes , Esbérard Carlos Eduardo Lustosa
Published: December 2015

No abstract
Pathways of Foreign Fighters: Policy Options and Their (Un)Intended Consequences
Authors: Bakker Edwin , Reed Alastair , de Roy van Zuijdewijn Jeanine
Published: December 2015

In this Policy Brief, Dr. Alastair Reed, Jeanine de Roy van Zuijdewijn and Prof. Dr. Edwin Bakker look at the (un)intended consequences of policies addressing the foreign fighter phenomenon on the different pathways foreign fighters could take once they have arrived in Syria or Iraq. They specifically focus on four policies: reintegration programmes, prosecution of returning foreign fighters, revoking nationality of foreign fighters and finally, military interventions against foreign fighters.
The application of computational fluid dynamics and small-scale physical models to assess the effects of operational practices on the risk to public health within large indoor swimming pools
Authors: Lewis Lowell , Chew John , Woodley Iain , Colbourne Jeni , Pond Katherine
Published: December 2015

Swimming pools provide an excellent facility for exercise and leisure but are also prone to contamination from microbial pathogens. The study modelled a 50-m × 20-m swimming pool using both a small-scale physical model and computational fluid dynamics to investigate how water and pathogens move around a pool in order to identify potential risk spots. Our study revealed a number of lessons for pool operators, designers and policy-makers: disinfection reaches the majority of a full-scale pool in approximately 16 minutes operating at the maximum permissible inlet velocity of 0.5 m/s. This suggests that where a pool is designed to have 15 paired inlets it is capable of distributing disinfectant throughout the water body within an acceptable time frame. However, the study also showed that the exchange rate of water is not uniform across the pool tank and that there is potential for areas of the pool tank to retain contaminated water for significant periods of time. ‘Dead spots’ exist at either end of the pool where pathogens could remain. This is particularly significant if there is a faecal release into the pool by bathers infected with Cryptosporidium parvum, increasing the potential for waterborne disease transmission.
Integrating surveillance data on water-related diseases and drinking-water quality; action-research in a Brazilian municipality
Authors: Queiroz Ana Carolina Lanza , Cardoso Laís Santos de Magalhães , Heller Léo , Cairncross Sandy
Published: December 2015

The Brazilian Ministry of Health proposed a research study involving municipal professional staff conducting both epidemiological and water quality surveillance to facilitate the integration of the data which they collected. It aimed to improve the intersectoral collaboration and health promotion activities in the municipalities, especially regarding drinking-water quality. We then conducted a study using the action-research approach. At its evaluation phase, a technique which we called ‘the tree analogy’ was applied in order to identify both possibilities and challenges related to the proposed interlinkage. Results showed that integrating the two data collection systems cannot be attained without prior institutional adjustments. It suggests therefore the necessity to unravel issues that go beyond the selection and the interrelation of indicators and compatibility of software, to include political, administrative and personal matters. The evaluation process led those involved to re-think their practice by sharing experiences encountered in everyday practice, and formulating constructive criticisms. All this inevitably unleashes a process of empowerment. From this perspective, we have certainly gathered some fruit from the Tree, but not necessarily the most visible.
Detection of human enteric viruses in Umgeni River, Durban, South Africa
Authors: Lin Johnson , Singh Atheesha
Published: December 2015

The prevalence of adenovirus (AdV), rotaviruses (RV) and enteroviruses (EV) in Umgeni River waters of Durban, South Africa was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively during April 2011 to January 2012 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), nested PCR and quantitative PCR (qPCR), as well as nested integrated cell culture PCR (nested ICC-PCR). The phylogenetic analysis of the adenovirus and enterovirus amplicons was also performed. The nested PCR results effectively detected the presence of AdV and EV in all water samples. The results of qPCR demonstrated that higher populations of EV and of AdV were widely found in the Umgeni River. Rotavirus could only be detected in the upper Umgeni River, mainly during drier seasons. Nested ICC-PCR further confirmed the presence of infectious AdV and EV particles in 100% of water samples using various cell lines. The present study identifies potential viral hazards of Umgeni River water for domestic water supply and recreational activities.
Adsorption behaviors of acid dye by amphoteric chitosan/gelatin composite microspheres
Authors: He Baoyuan , Xue Haiyan
Published: December 2015

The use of amphoteric chitosan/gelatin composite microspheres (CGMSs) has been studied as an adsorbent for the removal of Acid Red 337 (AR337) from wastewater. The adsorbent was characterized by using several methods such as scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscope (AFM). The kinetic study was performed based on pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion equations. It was shown that the adsorption process could be described by the pseudo-second-order equation, suggesting that the adsorption process is presumably a chemisorption. Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms were used to analyze the adsorption equilibrium and the isotherm constants were evaluated at different temperatures. According to the Langmuir model, CGMS adsorbent exhibited the highest AR337 dye uptake capacities of 748.50 mg/g. The values of equilibrium parameter (0 < RL <0.08) clearly exhibit that the adsorption of AR337 dye onto CGMSs is very favorable. In addition, various thermodynamic parameters, such as standard Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), standard enthalpy (ΔH°), and standard entropy (ΔS°) have been calculated. The adsorption process of AR337 dye onto CGMSs was found to be spontaneous and endothermic. Furthermore, the data from regeneration efficiencies for six cycles provided evidence of the high reusability of the CGMSs in the treatment of dye wastewater.
Numerical simulation of bare soil water and heat flow under an automated irrigation system
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed H. , Gutub Saud
Published: December 2015

Modern irrigation techniques use automated systems where irrigation schedules are controlled according to certain criteria. The objective of this study is to numerically estimate irrigation events, water content and temperature distributions, evaporation, drainage, and soil water under closed loop automated irrigation systems of a bare soil. The automated irrigation system is activated and deactivated according to the water content value. The governing equations for transient one-dimensional liquid water flow and heat transfer of unsaturated porous media are applied. The energy balance equation at the soil surface is used as an upper boundary condition based on measured meteorological data of Jeddah City. The results show that the current procedure can be applied to simulate different variables under automated irrigation systems. The water content shows periodic behavior, as well as time lags and decreases in amplitude with soil depth. The timing of applied irrigation has an important impact on evaporation and soil temperature. Applying irrigation water during the daytime leads to increased evaporation. The soil surface temperature decreases suddenly when water is supplied in the afternoon, while a slight increase is observed when irrigation is applied at midnight.
Effect of pH level and acid type on total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) retention and fouling of reverse osmosis membranes processing swine wastewater
Authors: Masse L. , Mondor M. , Dubreuil J.
Published: December 2015

Wastewaters fed to reverse osmosis (RO) membranes sometimes need to be acidified to prevent inorganic fouling and increase total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) retention. In this project, the effect of pH level (6.5–7.1) and acid type (HCl vs. H2SO4) on membrane fouling and cleaning as well as permeate flux and quality during the processing of swine wastewater with a spiral-wound RO membrane was investigated. The use of H2SO4 to lower pH produced slightly higher permeate fluxes than HCl and there was no indication of sulfate precipitates on the membrane. Membrane fouling intensity and flux recovery upon cleaning were not affected by pH level or acid type. Lowering swine wastewater pH from 7.1 to 6.5 with HCl reduced TAN concentration in permeate from 142 to 59 mg/L. Using H2SO4 to lower pH to 6.5 further decreased TAN concentration to 39 mg/L. At pH 6.5 with both acid types, the concentration of unionized NH3 in the permeate was below the Canadian guideline of 0.019 mg/L for the release of wastewater to an aquatic environment. The use of H2SO4 would be recommended with swine wastewater, because of lower cost and volumetric input required to lower pH, as well as higher permeate quality and flux.
Cross-sectoral optimization and visualization of transformation processes in urban water infrastructures in rural areas
Authors: Baron S. , Kaufmann Alves I. , Schmitt T. G. , Schöffel S. , Schwank J.
Published: December 2015

Predicted demographic, climatic and socio-economic changes will require adaptations of existing water supply and wastewater disposal systems. Especially in rural areas, these new challenges will affect the functionality of the present systems. This paper presents a joint interdisciplinary research project with the objective of developing an innovative software-based optimization and decision support system for the implementation of long-term transformations of existing infrastructures of water supply, wastewater and energy. The concept of the decision support and optimization tool is described and visualization methods for the presentation of results are illustrated. The model is tested in a rural case study region in the Southwest of Germany. A transformation strategy for a decentralized wastewater treatment concept and its visualization are presented for a model village.
Algae biomass cultivation in nitrogen rich biogas digestate
Authors: Krustok I. , Diaz J. G. , Odlare M. , Nehrenheim E.
Published: December 2015

Because microalgae are known for quick biomass growth and nutrient uptake, there has been much interest in their use in research on wastewater treatment methods. While many studies have concentrated on the algal treatment of wastewaters with low to medium ammonium concentrations, there are several liquid waste streams with high ammonium concentrations that microalgae could potentially treat. The aim of this paper was to test ammonium tolerance of the indigenous algae community of Lake Mälaren and to use this mixed consortia of algae to remove nutrients from biogas digestate. Algae from Lake Mälaren were cultivated in Jaworski's Medium containing a range of ammonium concentrations and the resulting algal growth was determined. The algae were able to grow at NH4-N concentrations of up to 200 mg L−1 after which there was significant inhibition. To test the effectiveness of the lake water algae on the treatment of biogas digestate, different pre-cultivation set-ups and biogas digestate concentrations were tested. It was determined that mixing pre-cultivated suspension algae with 25% of biogas digestate by volume, resulting in an ammonium concentration of around 300 mg L−1, produced the highest algal growth. The algae were effective in removing 72.8 ± 2.2% of NH4-N and 41.4 ± 41.4% of PO4-P.
Dynamic simulation of water resources in an urban wetland based on coupled water quantity and water quality models
Authors: Zeng Weibo , Xu Youpeng , Deng Xiaojun , Han Longfei , Zhang Qianyu
Published: December 2015

Water quality in wetlands plays a huge role in maintaining the health of the wetland ecosystem. Water quality should be controlled by an appropriate water allocation policy for the protection of the wetlands. In this paper, models of rainfall/runoff, non-point source pollution load, water quantity/quality, and dynamic pollutant-carrying capacity were established to simulate the water quantity/quality of Xixi-wetland river network (in the Taihu basin, China). The simulation results showed a satisfactory agreement with field observations. Furthermore, a ‘node-river-node’ algorithm that adjusts to the ‘Three Steps Method’ was adopted to improve the dynamic pollutant-carrying capacity model and simulate the pollutant-carrying capacity in benchmark years. The simulation result shows that the water quality of the river network could reach class III stably all year round if the anthropogenic pollution is reduced to one-third of the current annual amount. Further investigation estimated the minimum amount of water diversion in benchmark years under the reasonable water quantity-regulating rule to keep water quality as class III. With comparison of the designed scale, the water diversion can be reduced by 184 million m3 for a dry year, 191 million m3 for a normal year, and 198 million m3 for a wet year.
Evaluating the application of Microbacterium sp. strain BR1 for the removal of sulfamethoxazole in full-scale membrane bioreactors
Authors: Fenu A. , Donckels B. M. R. , Beffa T. , Bemfohr C. , Weemaes M.
Published: December 2015

Microbacterium sp. strain BR1 is a bacterial strain that recently received attention for its capability to mineralize sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and other sulfonamides. In this study, the survival of Microbacterium sp. in municipal sludge waters was tested in batch experiments to explore optimal process conditions. Inoculation of Microbacterium sp. was subsequently performed in a pilot membrane bioreactor (MBR) operated in two configurations: treating full-scale MBR permeate (post-treatment) and treating raw municipal wastewater. SMX removal by Microbacterium sp. could not be proved in any of the configurations, except for SMX concentrations far higher than the ones normally found in municipal wastewater. By use of molecular tools (fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis) a low capability to survive in activated sludge systems was assessed. After inoculation, Microbacterium sp. was reduced to a small fraction of the viable biomass. The observed growth rate appeared to be many times lower than the one of typical activated sludge micro-organisms. Possibilities of application in full-scale municipal wastewater treatment are scarce.
Selective electrochemical detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in water based on poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) PSA/SiO2/Fe3O4/AuNPs/lignin-modified glassy carbon electrode
Authors: Mahmoud Khaled A. , Abdel-Wahab Ahmed , Zourob Mohammed
Published: December 2015

A new versatile electrochemical sensor based on poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) PSA/SiO2/Fe3O4/AuNPs/lignin (L-MMS) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was developed for the selective detection of trace trinitrotoluene (TNT) from aqueous media with high sensitivity. The fabricated magnetic microspheres were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). L-MMS films were cast on the GCE surface to fabricate the TNT sensing electrode. The limit of detection (LOD) of TNT determined by the amperometric i-t curve reached 35 pM. The lignin film and well packed Fe3O4/AuNPs facilitated the pre-concentration of trace TNT on the electrode surface resulting in a fast amperometric response of 3 seconds near the detection limit. The high sensitivity and excellent catalytic activity of the modiﬁed electrode could be attributed to the lignin layer and highly packed Fe3O4/AuNPs on the electrode surface. The total recovery of TNT from tapwater and seawater matrices was 98% and 96%, respectively. The electrode film was highly stable after five repeated adsorption/desorption cycles. The new electrochemical sensing scheme provides a highly selective, sensitive and versatile assay for the in-situ detection of TNT in complex water media.
Preparation of N-doped ZnO-loaded halloysite nanotubes catalysts with high solar-light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Cheng Zhi-Lin , Sun Wei
Published: December 2015

N-doped ZnO nanoparticles were successfully assembled into hollow halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) by using the impregnation method. The catalysts based on N-doped ZnO-loaded HNTs nanocomposites (N-doped ZnO/HNTs) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (TEM-EDX), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), UV-vis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques. The XRD pattern showed ZnO nanoparticles with hexagonal structure loaded on HNTs. The TEM-EDX analysis indicated ZnO particles with the crystal size of ca.10 nm scattered in hollow structure of HNTs, and furthermore the concentration of N atom in nanocomposites was up to 2.31%. The SEM-EDX verified most of N-ZnO nanoparticles existing in hollow nanotubes of HNTs. Besides containing an obvious ultraviolet absorbance band, the UV-vis spectra of the N-doped ZnO/HNTs catalysts showed an available visible absorbance band by comparing to HNTs and non-doped ZnO/HNTs. The photocatalytic activity of the N-doped ZnO/HNTs catalysts was evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) solution with the concentration of 20 mg/L under the simulated solar-light irradiation. The result showed that the N-doped ZnO/HNTs catalyst exhibited a desirable solar-light photocatalytic activity.
Malt house wastewater treatment with settleable algal-bacterial flocs
Authors: Stříteský Luboš , Pešoutová Radka , Hlavínek Petr
Published: December 2015

This paper deals with biological treatment of malt house wastewater using algal-bacterial flocs. During three months of testing, optimisation of growth conditions and biomass separation leads to maximisation of biomass production, improved flocs settleability and increased pollutant removal efficiency while maintaining low energy demand. At a high food to microorganism ratio (0.16 to 0.29 kg BOD5 kg−1 TSS d−1), the biological oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (CODCr), total phosphorus (Ptot) and total suspended solids (TSS) removal efficiencies were all higher than 90%. At a food to microorganism ratio of 0.06 kg BOD5 kg−1 TSS d−1, BOD5, CODCr, total nitrogen (Ntot), Ptot and TSS removal efficiencies of 99.5%, 97.6%, 91.5%, 97.8% and 98.4%, respectively, were achieved. The study also proved a strong dependence of removal efficiencies on solar radiation. The results suggest the algae-bacteria system is suitable for treatment of similar wastewater in locations with available land and sufficient solar radiation and temperature during the whole year.
An inexact multi-objective programming model for water resources management in industrial parks of Binhai New Area, China
Authors: Li Y. , Li W. , Wang B. , Liu X. W. , Xie Y. L. , Liu L.
Published: December 2015

In recent years, Binhai New Area of Tianjin has been suffering severe water shortage due to climate change and industrial activities. Integrated and effective water resources management approaches are urgent for the sustainable development of industrial parks in Binhai New Area. However, uncertainties exist in many aspects of the water resources system and are inevitably problematic for water resources planning and policy-making. To address these uncertainties, an interval multiple-objective programming model was developed here to support the long-term planning of industrial water resources management in Binhai New Area, Tianjin, China. The model incorporated both multiple-objective programming and interval linear programming into a general programming framework. The developed model could handle the uncertainties and complexities of the water management system, and also allowed decision makers to adjust fuzzy objective control decision variables to satisfy multiple holistic and interactive objectives. The solutions are useful for planning adjustments of the existing water allocation patterns in Binhai New Area.
Effects of Stress Levels on Creep and Recovery Behavior of Modified Asphalt Binders with the Same Continuous Performance Grades
Authors: Jafari Mohammad , Babazadeh Abbas , Aflaki Sassan
Published: December 2015

The study reported in this paper assessed the effects of stress levels on the creep and recovery behavior of modified asphalt binders with the same continuous performance grades (PGs). The modifiers included styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) and polyphosphoric acid (PPA). The multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) test was applied at 55°C and 70°C and at the PG temperature of each binder to consider a wide range of high temperatures. To further explore the role of applied stresses, the stress of 12.8 kPa was selected as an addition to the MSCR standard procedure. The nonrecoverable compliance (Jnr) and the percentage recovery (R) were calculated at each stress cycle. Comparison of the Jnr values between the corresponding SBS and PPA binders showed that, for the whole temperature range considered, the addition of a higher stress level to the MSCR standard procedure was necessary to increase the stress sensitivities and also to depict the nonlinear behaviors of the modified binders more clearly, especially for the PPA ones. Moreover, the R values showed that, at the PG temperatures of the binders, performance of the MSCR standard procedure made it possible to differentiate between the SBS and PPA binders with similar continuous PGs. At testing temperatures lower than the PGs, a higher stress level should be added to the MSCR standard procedure to differentiate between the elasticity of the corresponding SBS and PPA binders. At temperatures higher than the PGs, stress levels lower than 3.2 kPa should be applied to avoid negative recovery values.
Wetting Characteristics of Asphalt Binders at Mixing Temperatures
Authors: Osmari Patricia Hennig , Arega Zelalem , Bhasin Amit
Published: December 2015

Conventional hot-mix asphalt is produced by heating the aggregate and the asphalt binder to elevated temperatures, typically within the range of 140°C to 170°C. These temperatures ensure that the viscosity of the asphalt binder is low enough to coat the aggregate particles effectively. During the past decade, warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technology has been introduced to reduce the mixing temperatures by approximately 30°C compared with hot-mix asphalt. Workability at these reduced temperatures typically is achieved by the use of chemical additives in the asphalt binder or through the foaming of the asphalt binder with small percentages of water. In either case (i.e., WMA or hot-mix asphalt), one of the important physical properties that dictates the quality of coating and concomitant aggregate–binder bonding is the surface tension of the asphalt binder at mixing temperatures. In this study, the surface tension of different liquid asphalt binders was measured at typical mixing temperatures. The influence on the surface tension of binder type, temperature, and chemical additives used to produce WMA was evaluated. The results showed that the surface tension of asphalt binder depended on the rate of surface formation, temperature, and the source of the asphalt binder. The dynamic surface tension of the asphalt binders suggested that inherently they behaved similarly to surfactants. This observation lent indirect support to the theory that different molecular species tended to agglomerate within the binder, which rendered the binder microstructurally heterogeneous. Only one of the chemical additives resulted in a significant reduction in the surface tension of the binder compared with the control.
A GIS Analysis of the Zeekoe Valley Stone Age Archaeological Record in South Africa
Authors: Sampson C. Garth , Moore Virginia , Bousman C. Britt , Stafford Bob , Giordano Alberto , Willis Mark
Published: December 2015

The conversion of the Zeekoe Valley Archaeological Project survey data to a GIS format allows rapid and accurate analysis of this large hunter-gatherer database. During the 16-month survey 13,866 prehistoric Stone Age sites were recorded and plotted on aerial photographs. These site locations and archaeological data can now be analysed in a manner never possible before the conversion. The distribution and abundance of sites spanning over ~700,000 years of occupation demonstrates how human hunting and gathering societies organized themselves spatially on an African landscape. These results show how these different groups positioned themselves in different locations especially in relation to water sources in the semi-desert Karoo. These distributions show flexible patterns of spatial organization through the prehistoric past.
Identifying Bone-Tipped Arrow Types in the Archaeological Record of Southern Africa: The Contribution of Use-Trace Studies
Authors: Bradfield Justin
Published: December 2015

This study presents a historical review of the different types of southern African hunter-gatherer arrows employing a piece of bone situated at or near the tip of the arrow, which I call the apical bone component. The results of an extensive use-trace study of bone points and fragments thereof from twelve archaeological sites spanning the last 18,000 years show that it is possible to identify arrow types based on associated use-trace features. Five possible arrow types are identified from the archaeological sample, all dating to within the last 4000–6000 years. Using use-trace studies it is possible to identify now-missing components of the arrows, such as metal, mastic or stone inserts. Contrary to recent claims, I do not find evidence for bone-tipped arrows evolving along a continuum. Rather, some arrow types may have a much greater antiquity than previously thought.
Synthesis, characterization, thermal and biological activity of some novel Cadmium(II) – pyridine and purine base complexes
Authors: Gandhi Namita , Kumar Amit , Kumar Chaitnaya , Mishra Neeraj , Chaudhary Pratibha , Kaushik N.K. , Singh Rajeev
Published: December 2015

A new series of cadmium(II) complexes with biological active ligands such as niacinamide (L1), isoniazid (L2), purine bases: theophylline (HL3) and theobromine (L4), isoniazid derivatives: isoniazid dithiocarbazate (HL5), S-methyl ester of Isoniazid dithiocarbazate (L6) and S-ethyl ester of Isoniazid dithiocarbazate (L7), of the type Cd(L)2I2 or Cd(L)I2 or Cd(L)2 have been synthesized in anhydrous THF. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, conductance measurement, UV-vis, IR, 1H-NMR, and mass spectral studies. Various kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of these complexes have also been determined using TG/DTA technique. The thermal decomposition techniques indicate the formation of CdS2 as a residue. The results show that the L1, L3 and L4 act as unidentate while rest of the ligands act as bidentate, forming a five-member chelate ring with L2, four member chelate ring with L5, L6, L7 and no chelation in L1, L3 and L4. The complexes are 1:1 or 1:2 metal-ligand complexes. In order to assess their antimicrobial activity, the ligands and their corresponding complexes have also been tested in vitro against bacteria (E. coli, P.aeruginosa, S.aureus and K.pneuonia) and fungi ( Rhizopus oryza and Aspergillus flavus). All the complexes exhibit remarkable activity and the results provide evidence that the studied complexes might indeed be a potential source of antimicrobial agents.
The synthesis and characterization of sprayed ZnO thin films: As a function of solution molarity
Authors: Bouaichi Fouad , Saidi Hanane , Attaf Abdallah , Othmane Mohamed , Lehraki Nadia , Nouadji Malika , Poulain Marcel , Benramache Said
Published: December 2015

In the present paper, the structural, electrical and optical properties of zinc oxide thin films were studied as a function of solution molarity. The ZnO thin films were deposited on glass substrates via the ultrasonic spray technique at 350°C. Polycrystalline films with a hexagonal wurtzite structure with (100) and (002) preferential orientation corresponding to ZnO films were observed. The optimal values of the crystallite size of the ZnO films were observed with (002) plan in 0.4 and 0.5 mol/l of solution molarity. All films exhibit an average optical transparency about 85% , in the visible region. The shift of optical transmittance towards smaller wavelength can be showed by the decrease of band gap caused by the change of crystallite size in polycrystalline. The maximum electrical conductivity of ZnO films was found of 2.29 ( Ω.cm)–1 with 0.075 mol/l of solution molarity.
Copper-complexed isonicotinic acid functionalized aluminum oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Gowenlock Cathren E. , McGettrick James D. , McNaughter Paul D. , O’Brien Paul , Dunnill Charles W. , Barron Andrew R.
Published: December 2015

The functionalization of two different alumina morphologies (thin film and nanoparticle) with carboxylic acids is reported. Advancing contact angle measurements show that isonicotinic acid functionalization of a native aluminium oxide surface result in an increase in hydrophilicity. Isonicotinic acid and nicotinic acid functionalised alumina nanoparticles ( iNA-NP and NA-NP, respectively) have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), thermo gravimetric analysis-infrared spectroscopy (TGA-IR), electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface grafting density for iNA-NP and NA-NP is determined to be 5.4 and 15.6 molecules/nm2, respectively. The reaction of iNA-NP with copper(II) acetate has been studied and the stability of the resulting complex species (CuA- iNA-NP) have been determined as a function of pH. UV-visible-near IR absorption spectroscopy indicates uptake of copper acetate from solution, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shows a small shift in the nanoparticle N 1 s binding energy after complex formation with copper(II) acetate.
An Optimal Biparametric Multipoint Family and Its Self-Acceleration with Memory for Solving Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Zheng Quan , Zhao Xin , Liu Yufeng
Published: December 2015

In this paper, a family of Steffensen-type methods of optimal order of convergence with two parameters is constructed by direct Newtonian interpolation. It satisfies the conjecture proposed by Kung and Traub (J. Assoc. Comput. Math. 1974, 21, 634–651) that an iterative method based on m evaluations per iteration without memory would arrive at the optimal convergence of order 2m-1 . Furthermore, the family of Steffensen-type methods of super convergence is suggested by using arithmetic expressions for the parameters with memory but no additional new evaluation of the function. Their error equations, asymptotic convergence constants and convergence orders are obtained. Finally, they are compared with related root-finding methods in the numerical examples.
Luminescent Properties of Sr4Si3O8Cl4:Eu2+, Bi3+ Phosphors for Near UV InGaN-Based Light-Emitting-Diodes
Authors: Shen Wangqing , Zhu Yiwen , Wang Zhengling
Published: December 2015

Sr4Si3O8Cl4 co-doped with Eu2+, Bi3+ were prepared by the high temperature reaction. The structure and luminescent properties of Sr4Si3O8Cl4:Eu2+, Bi3+ were investigated. With the introduction of Bi3+, luminescent properties of these phosphors have been optimized. Compared with Sr3.90Si3O8Cl4:0.10Eu2+, the blue-green phosphor Sr3.50Si3O8Cl4:0.10Eu2+, 0.40Bi3+ shows stronger blue-green emission with broader excitation in near-UV range. Bright blue-green light from the LED means this phosphor can be observed by the naked eye. Hence, it may have an application in near UV LED chips.
Privacy-Preserving Smart Metering with Authentication in a Smart Grid
Authors: Hur Jun , Koo Dong , Shin Young
Published: December 2015

The traditional security objectives of smart grids have been availability, integrity, and confidentiality. However, as the grids incorporate smart metering and load management, user and corporate privacy is increasingly becoming an issue in smart grid networks. Although transmitting current power consumption levels to the supplier or utility from each smart meter at short intervals has an advantage for the electricity supplier’s planning and management purposes, it threatens user privacy by disclosing fine-grained consumption data and usage behavior to utility providers. In this study, we propose a distributed incremental data aggregation scheme where all smart meters on an aggregation path are involved in routing the data from the source meter to the collection unit. User privacy is preserved by symmetric homomorphic encryption, which allows smart meters to participate in the aggregation without seeing any intermediate or final result. Aggregated data is further integrated with an aggregate signature to achieve data integrity and smart meter authentication in such a way that dishonest or fake smart meters cannot falsify data en route. Only the collection unit can obtain the aggregated data and verify its integrity while the individual plain data are not exposed to the collection unit. Therefore, user privacy and security are improved for the smart metering in a smart grid network.
Perceptions of Powdered Alcohol and Intentions to Use: An Exploratory Qualitative Assessment of Potential Palcohol Use by Young Adults
Authors: Stogner John , Baldwin Julie , Brown Timothy , Chick Taylor
Published: December 2015

While there seems to be growing media intrigue over atypical forms of alcohol use, the utilization of the majority of novel consumption methods (e.g., eyeballing, slimming, alcohol without liquid (AWOL)) seems minimal. In 2014, however, several outlets suggested that powdered alcohol would soon surface as a threat to public safety. The impetus of these fears was the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s approval for Lipsmark LLC to package a powdered alcohol product named “Palcohol”. Palcohol has yet to reach store shelves, but public outcry has been intense. Despite this reaction, little is known about whether the population will consider Palcohol a suitable alternative to traditional alcohol, particularly given its excessive predicted cost. In an exploratory effort to assess perceptions, use intentions, and fears related to Palcohol, 31 young adults were asked to view a 16-minute video about Palcohol and answer a series of questions about Palcohol, including whether and how they intend to use it. Results suggest that young adults intend to experiment with Palcohol following its release, but they have a number of concerns. While few expect to become habitual users of the product, many believe it will enable people to utilize alcohol in settings where its consumption is prohibited.
Systemic Chemotherapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Ikeda Masafumi , Mitsunaga Shuichi , Ohno Izumi , Hashimoto Yusuke , Takahashi Hideaki , Watanabe Kazuo , Umemoto Kumiko , Okusaka Takuji
Published: December 2015

Systemic chemotherapy is one of the most important treatment modalities for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Before the introduction of sorafenib, cytotoxic agents, hormonal therapies, or many combinations of these were the mainly used modalities for systemic chemotherapy of advanced HCC. However, such regimens were of only limited value in clinical practice, because some randomized controlled studies comparing promising regimens with no treatment or doxorubicin alone failed to show any overall survival advantage. In two pivotal phase III placebo-controlled studies, the SHARP trial and the Asia-Pacific trial, sorafenib was demonstrated to significantly delay the time to progression and the overall survival time in patients with advanced HCC. Therefore, sorafenib therapy has come to be acknowledged as a standard therapy for advanced HCC worldwide. After the introduction of sorafenib, a number of phase III trials of various molecular-targeted agents vs. sorafenib as first-line chemotherapy and of various molecular-targeted agents vs. placebo as second-line chemotherapy have been conducted to determine if any of these agents could offer a survival benefit, however, none of the agents examined so far has been demonstrated to provide any survival benefit over sorafenib or placebo. Recently, favorable treatment efficacies have been reported in some clinical trials of molecular-targeted agents in the biomarker-enriched population. Development of individualized cancer treatments using molecular-targeted agents based on the results of genome-sequencing is aggressively ongoing. Furthermore, immune-oncologic agents, such as anti-CTLA-4 antibody and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody, have been reported to provide promising outcomes. Thus, various novel systemic chemotherapeutic agents are currently under development, and further improvements in the treatment outcomes are expected.