bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Countermarketing and Demarketing against Product Diversion: Forensic Research in the Firearms Industry
Authors: Gundlach Gregory T. , Bradford Kevin D. , Wilkie William L.
Published: April 2010

Few marketing problems in society lead to the tragedy of harm that can result when firearms are diverted from the legal to the illegal marketplace. Product diversion is itself a serious concern for marketers, especially marketers of potentially dangerous products, such as tobacco, alcohol, firearms, and pharmaceuticals. These products may be sought and obtained by consumers who occupy illegal markets or are intent on using them for illegal purposes, leading to adverse consequences for other consumers, marketers, and society at large. Drawing on established marketing principles and accepted methods of forensic research, this article reports on a large-scale study of the diversion of handguns in the United States and the countermarketing and demarketing efforts of firearm marketers to safeguard against its occurrence through their distribution systems. The findings suggest that (1) significant diversion of handguns to illegal markets occurred in the United States during a recent period, (2) industry marketers varied widely in their use of safeguards against this diversion but, on average, engaged in few countermarketing and demarketing measures, and (3) the safeguarding efforts engaged in were found to reduce both diversion and its resultant crimes. The study and its findings provide an understanding of the nature and effects of firearm diversion and the use of countermarketing and demarketing safeguards to reduce its occurrence. The study also demonstrates the use of data and data collection methodologies from the legal process to inform questions about marketing, including controversial aspects of its practice. Overall, the research adds to extant thinking on countermarketing and demarketing as well as the related areas of social marketing, corporate responsibility, and public health.
Stakeholder Marketing and the Organizational Field: The Role of Institutional Capital and Ideological Framing
Authors: Handelman Jay M. , Cunningham Peggy H. , Bourassa Maureen A.
Published: April 2010

This article adopts an institutional-based perspective to stakeholder marketing. This perspective directs attention to an organizational field level of analysis in which an organization's environment is punctuated by trigger events that prompt the assemblage of a particular mix of stakeholders. A thematic, interpretive, and longitudinal analysis of more than 2000 articles from 45 years of grocery retail trade journals reveals that the ensuing stakeholder dynamics that constitute an organizational field serve to afford or deny the marketer vital cultural, social, and economic capital. In turn, the capital possessed by or denied to the marketer influences the ideological frame the marketer may use in coming to terms with how to interact with stakeholders. Importantly, the authors find that strategic and institutional factors interpenetrate, presenting important implications for how stakeholder marketing should be understood.
Ethical Beliefs and Information Asymmetries in Supplier Relationships
Authors: Martin Kelly D. , Johnson Jean L.
Published: April 2010

Heightened ethical concerns involving upstream suppliers (e.g., Peanut Corporation of America, dairy suppliers to Chinese infant formula manufacturers) have sparked interest in how managers’ knowledge of suppliers’ behavior influences decision making. This article explores the role of managers’ ethical beliefs in these often information asymmetric decisions. Using economic experiments, the authors asked managers to make strategic marketing decisions given upstream supplier ethical information. The results show how information asymmetries can interact with managers’ ethical beliefs to produce inconsistent behaviors related to (1) upstream investment in ethical product attributes and (2) willingness to leverage ethical product attributes in downstream markets. Specifically, low-ethical-beliefs managers seemed to rationalize leveraging ethics downstream even when upstream supplier past behavior was negative. High-ethical-beliefs managers invested positively in ethical product attributes with a known ethical supplier but were less willing to leverage that behavior downstream. The findings provide insight into how managers’ individual ethical beliefs, given upstream supplier information asymmetries, can affect stakeholders, including consumers, investors, and society at large.
The New Marketing Myopia
Authors: Smith N. Craig , Drumwright Minette E. , Gentile Mary C.
Published: April 2010

During the past half century, in general, marketers have heeded Levitt's (1960) advice to avoid “marketing myopia” by focusing on customers. In this article, the authors argue that marketers have learned this lesson too well, resulting today in a new form of marketing myopia, which also causes distortions in strategic vision and can lead to business failure. This “new marketing myopia” stems from three related phenomena: (1) a single-minded focus on the customer to the exclusion of other stakeholders, (2) an overly narrow definition of the customer and his or her needs, and (3) a failure to recognize the changed societal context of business that necessitates addressing multiple stakeholders. The authors illustrate these phenomena and then offer a vision of marketing management as an activity that engages multiple stakeholders in value creation, suggesting that marketing can bring a particular expertise to bear. They offer five propositions for practice that will help marketers correct the myopia: (1) map the company's stakeholders, (2) determine stakeholder salience, (3) research stakeholder issues and expectations and measure impact, (4) engage with stakeholders, and (5) embed a stakeholder orientation. The authors conclude by noting the implications for research.
Why, When, and How should the Effect of Marketing be Measured? A Stakeholder Perspective for Corporate Social Responsibility Metrics
Authors: Raghubir Priya , Roberts John , Lemon Katherine N. , Winer Russell S.
Published: April 2010

This article provides a framework that can be used to design a metrics system for organizations with multiple stakeholders and shows how it can be applied in the area of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The authors propose that the effort to identify, collect, and calibrate metrics is critical for the diffusion of CSR activities across corporations because metrics allow the goals of different stakeholders to be expressed in terms of a single common denominator. The authors propose the AGREE model, which incorporates multiple stakeholders (audiences); multiple value functions (goals); the inputs, commitments, and actions needed to realize the consensus goals (resources); intertemporal returns (effectiveness); and the costs of such actions (efficiency). This approach leads to a set of metrics that can be used to assess the impact of CSR actions on stakeholders beyond the company's customers, collaborators, and competitors to the larger community. The article concludes with an examination of the issues involved in harnessing CSR metrics to evaluate performance and guide future actions.
Understanding Stakeholder Responses to Corporate Citizenship Initiatives: Managerial Guidelines and Research Directions
Authors: Hoeffler Steve , Bloom Paul N. , Keller Kevin Lane
Published: April 2010

Firms are increasingly devoting attention to corporate citizenship initiatives. Despite the great interest in these initiatives, there is little academic research on their potential effects to guide managerial decisions. This article draws on theories from the consumer behavior literature to identify how socially oriented programs can foster both consumer and employee engagement, while also improving the welfare of society at-large and the financial fortunes of companies. In doing so, the authors advance a research agenda and offer prescriptive managerial advice.
Stakeholder Marketing: Why “Stakeholder” Was Omitted from the American Marketing Association's Official 2007 Definition of Marketing and why the Future is Bright for Stakeholder Marketing
Authors: Gundlach Gregory T. , Wilkie William L.
Published: April 2010

In 2004, the term “stakeholder” was included for the first time in the official definition of marketing issued by the American Marketing Association (AMA). This was a notable change because the official definition had been revised only twice in 70 years. Furthermore, it appeared to cement the concept of stakeholder marketing as central to the field's body of thought. Then, in 2007, the American Marketing Association revised the 2004 definition, replacing it with a new offering in which the term “stakeholder” was no longer present. Was this a setback for the stakeholder concept, even a repudiation of it? This short essay briefly explains what happened behind the scenes, why the revision occurred, and what this might mean for the future for the stakeholder marketing movement.
Caracterização de demandas judiciais de fornecimento de medicamentos "essenciais" no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Authors: Pepe Vera Lúcia Edais , Ventura Miriam , Sant'ana João Maurício Brambati , Figueiredo Tatiana Aragão , Souza Vanessa dos Reis de , Simas Luciana , Osorio-de-Castro Claudia Garcia Serpa
Published: April 2010

O reconhecimento do direito à saúde possui duas repercussões práticas: a responsabilidade ética e legal do poder público em assegurar atenção integral à saúde da população, e a possibilidade de o cidadão reivindicar judicialmente o cumprimento desta obrigação estatal. Este estudo objetivou pesquisar as demandas de medicamentos considerados essenciais nas decisões da 2ª instância do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, em 2006. Foram analisados 185 processos e em três casos o pedido foi negado. Os tempos medianos entre início da ação e decisão liminar, sentença na 1a instância, e acórdão na 2ª instância, foram de 7, 239 e 478 dias, respectivamente. Em 98 processos o medicamento pode ser identificado e em 80,6% havia solicitação de ao menos um medicamento não pertencente aos elencos oficiais. Isto sugere que, além de problemas relacionados à aquisição, distribuição e dispensação de itens listados, os não selecionados em listas oficiais foram também grande motivação da demanda. Os medicamentos mais solicitados foram os dos sistemas cardiovascular e nervoso central.
Mortes evitáveis em menores de um ano, Brasil, 1997 a 2006: contribuições para a avaliação de desempenho do Sistema Único de Saúde
Authors: Malta Deborah Carvalho , Duarte Elisabeth Carmen , Escalante Juan José Cortez , Almeida Márcia Furquim de , Sardinha Luciana M. Vasconcelos , Macário Eduardo Marques , Monteiro Rosane Aparecida , Morais Neto Otaliba Libânio de
Published: April 2010

Os óbitos de menores de um ano foram classificados em causas evitáveis, mal definidas e não evitáveis empregando a Lista Brasileira de Mortes Evitáveis, entre 1997-2006. Foram calculados tendências dos coeficientes de mortalidade infantil por causas de morte e se usou regressão não linear para avaliação de tendência. As causas evitáveis e as causas mal definidas apresentaram significativa redução (p < 0,001). As causas reduzíveis de mortalidade apresentaram redução de 37%. A mortalidade por causas reduzíveis por adequada atenção ao parto declinou em 27,7%; adequada atenção ao recém-nascido, 42,5%; e por adequada atenção à gestação cresceu 28,3%. Concluiu-se que os serviços de saúde contribuíram para a redução da mortalidade infantil. O declínio das causas mal definidas de morte indica ampliação do acesso aos serviços de saúde. O aumento do acesso e atenção ao parto e aos cuidados com recém-nascido contribuíram para a redução de óbitos infantis. O aumento da mortalidade por adequada atenção à gestação revela a necessidade de aprimoramento da atenção pré-natal.
Metodologia de elaboração do Índice de Responsividade do Serviço (IRS)
Authors: Andrade Gabriela Rieveres Borges de , Vaitsman Jeni , Farias Luis Otávio
Published: April 2010

O artigo apresenta a metodologia de construção de um Índice de Responsividade do Serviço (IRS). A construção do IRS baseou-se em dados obtidos por meio de um questionário aplicado a pacientes do Instituto de Pesquisa Evandro Chagas, unidade da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, em 2002. O índice permite apreender, de maneira sintética, as percepções dos usuários sobre a responsividade do serviço de saúde. Responsividade é um conceito que se refere ao quanto o sistema de saúde atende às expectativas legítimas dos usuários. Nesta pesquisa, as dimensões da responsividade foram adaptadas para a avaliação de serviços de saúde. O IRS expressa percepções positivas e/ou negativas dos usuários da organização mediante duas dimensões do conceito de responsividade: orientação para o cliente e respeito pelas pessoas. O objetivo da construção do IRS é orientar intervenções visando melhorar a qualidade do serviço e acompanhar as mudanças na responsividade dos serviços ao longo do tempo.
Mineração de dados e características da mortalidade infantil
Authors: Vianna Rossana Cristina Xavier Ferreira , Moro Claudia Maria Cabral de Barra , Moysés Samuel Jorge , Carvalho Deborah , Nievola Julio Cesar
Published: April 2010

O estudo busca identificar padrões de características materno-fetais na predição da mortalidade infantil, por meio da incorporação de técnicas inovadoras, como a Mineração de Dados, que se mostram relevantes em Saúde Pública. Foi elaborada uma base de dados, com óbitos infantis analisados pelos Comitês de Prevenção da Mortalidade Infantil de 2000 a 2004, a partir da integração dos Sistemas de Informações de Nascidos Vivos, da Mortalidade e da Investigação da Mortalidade Infantil no Estado do Paraná. O programa da mineração foi o WEKA, de uso livre. A mineração faz busca em banco de dados e fornece regras que devem ser analisadas para transformação em informação útil. Após a mineração, selecionaram-se 4.230 regras, por exemplo: mãe adolescente e peso ao nascer < 2.500g, ou parto pós-termo e mãe adolescente com outro filho, ou com afecções maternas, aumentam o risco para óbito neonatal. Vê-se a necessidade de estabelecer maior atenção às adolescentes, às crianças com peso ao nascer < 2.500g, pós-termo e filhas de mães com afecções maternas, confirmando resultados de outros estudos.
A revolução demográfica dos povos indígenas no Brasil: a experiência dos Kayabí do Parque Indígena do Xingu, Mato Grosso, Brasil, 1970-2007
Authors: Pagliaro Heloisa
Published: April 2010

O artigo analisa a dinâmica demográfica dos Kayabí, povo de língua Tupi, do Parque Indígena do Xingu, Brasil Central, no período 1970-2007, com base em informações do registro de eventos vitais do Programa de Saúde da Universidade Federal de São Paulo no Xingu. O contato dos Kayabí com a sociedade nacional, na região do Alto rio Teles Pires, entre 1920 e 1950, deu origem a depopulação das aldeias por confrontos e epidemias de doenças infecto-contagiosas, resultando na emigração paulatina de alguns grupos Kayabí para o Xingu, onde até hoje vivem. Entre 1970 e 2007, a população Kayabí no Xingu cresceu 4,8% ao ano, passando de 204 para 1.162 habitantes. No período 2000-2007, a taxa bruta de natalidade era de 51 nascimentos por mil habitantes, a de fecundidade total de 7,8 filhos por mulher, a taxa bruta de mortalidade de 3,5 óbitos por mil habitantes e a de mortalidade infantil de 17,5 óbitos por mil nascimentos. Na população, 56,2% eram menores de 15 anos de idade. Os resultados mostram que, a exemplo do que vem ocorrendo com outros povos indígenas no Brasil, os Kayabí também estão se recuperando em população.
Modelo para avaliação da gestão de recursos humanos em saúde
Authors: Scalco Sirlesia Vigarani , Lacerda Josimari Telino de , Calvo Maria Cristina Marino
Published: April 2010

Este artigo apresenta um modelo de avaliação da gestão de recursos humanos na saúde. Trata-se de uma pesquisa metodológica, estruturada por meio de indicadores testados a partir de pesquisa avaliativa. Utilizou-se como base a Norma Operacional Básica de Recursos Humanos (NOB/RH-SUS), estabelecendo-se como dimensões: Gestão do Trabalho, Desenvolvimento do Trabalhador, Saúde do Trabalhador e Controle Social. O modelo foi discutido e aperfeiçoado em oficinas de consenso com especialistas em avaliação e gestão de recursos humanos, configurando uma matriz de avaliação com 12 indicadores. A aplicabilidade da proposta foi testada em 15 municípios da macrorregião da Grande Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. O modelo demonstrou viabilidade em municípios de diferentes portes populacionais e estruturas administrativas. Os dados foram obtidos nos sistemas locais de informação e em documentos oficiais das Secretarias de Saúde. A validade do modelo pode ser inferida pelos resultados da aplicação que foram compatíveis com a literatura.
Quality of life among children from São Paulo, Brazil: the impact of demographic, family and socioeconomic variables
Authors: Klatchoian Denise Ascenção , Len Claudio A. , Terreri Maria Teresa R. A. , Hilário Maria Odete E.
Published: April 2010

The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 is a questionnaire that evaluates the health related quality of life of children and adolescents, considering different aspects of their development, including the physical, emotional, social and educational. We verified the impact of demographic, social, and economic factors, as well as the family situation, on the health related quality of life of a group of school children of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The PedsQL 4.0 was applied to 240 children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 and their respective parents. More than two thirds of the families were from lower social strata (C, D, and E). A statistically significant difference was observed in scores when evaluating the health related quality of life across socioeconomic strata and we observed statistically significant differences in the emotional, social, psychosocial and total scores. The PedsQL 4.0 scores obtained through interviews were satisfactory when compared with other urban populations of children and adolescents, probably due to the homogeneity of the population studied.
Development and testing of the HYPE (Hydrological Predictions for the Environment) water quality model for different spatial scales
Authors: Lindström Göran , Pers Charlotta , Rosberg Jörgen , Strömqvist Johan , Arheimer Berit
Published: April 2010

The HYPE model is a hydrological model for small-scale and large-scale assessments of water resources and water quality, developed at the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute during 2005–2007. In the model, the landscape is divided into classes according to soil type, land use and altitude. In agricultural lands the soil is divided into three layers, each with individual computations of soil wetness and nutrient processes. The model simulates water flow and transport and turnover of nitrogen and phosphorus. Nutrients follow the same pathways as water in the model: surface runoff, macropore flow, tile drainage and outflow from individual soil layers. Rivers and lakes are described separately with routines for turnover of nutrients in each environment. Model parameters are global, or coupled to soil type or land use. The model was evaluated both by local calibrations to internal variables from different test basins and to data on discharge and nutrients from a large number of small basins. In addition, the estimated parameters were transferred to two larger basins in southern Sweden: River Rönneå and River Vindån. The resulting simulations were generally in good agreement with observations.
Long-term changes in the discharge regime in Finland
Authors: Korhonen Johanna , Kuusisto Esko
Published: April 2010

This paper presents characteristics of the discharge regime, long-term trends and variability in Finland. A selection of long-term discharge records including both unregulated and regulated rivers and lake outlets were analysed up to the year 2004. In addition to individual time series, monthly and annual discharges from the territory of Finland were calculated for the period 1912–2004. The observed drought and flood periods are also discussed, as well as the connection between discharge regime and climate. Moreover, the periodicity of the time series is examined for a couple of sites. The Mann–Kendall trend test was applied to assess changes in annual, monthly and seasonal mean discharges, maximum and minimum flows and, in addition, the date of the annual peak flow. The trend analysis revealed no changes in mean annual flow in general, but the seasonal distribution of streamflow has changed. Winter and spring mean monthly discharges have increased at most of the observation sites. The spring peak has moved to an earlier date at over one-third of the sites. However, the magnitudes of spring high flow have not changed. Autumn flow did not show trends in general. Minimum flows have increased at about half of the unregulated sites.
Long-term changes of precipitation in Latvia
Authors: Lizuma Lita , Briede Agrita , Klavins Maris
Published: April 2010

This study investigated long-term variability and trends in Latvia's annual, seasonal, monthly and daily precipitation using data from 10 meteorological stations for the period 1925–2006 and from station Riga University for the period 1850–2006. The obtained results indicate that during the 20th century a significant increase in precipitation has occurred in the cold season while the warm period showed a decreasing tendency. The annual precipitation totals showed a slight decrease, at half of the studied stations, due to opposite tendencies in cold season and warm season. The long-term trend in the annual precipitation in Riga (from 1850) was positive with large interannual and interdecadal variability. The extreme precipitation events were evaluated using a set of nine climate change indices. Of these, number of wet days, 1-day and 5-days maximum precipitation, moderate wet days and very wet days showed a well pronounced positive tendency in the cold period of the year particularly in winter. No overall long-term trend was detected in extreme precipitation in summer. As in the case of 150-year precipitation pattern, extreme precipitation exhibited cyclic fluctuations that were more pronounced than linear changes. The close correlation between North Atlantic oscillation (NAO) and extreme precipitation was found for winter season.
Impact of catchment properties on aquatic chemistry in the rivers of Latvia
Authors: Kokorite Ilga , Klavins Maris , Rodinov Valery
Published: April 2010

The relationships between land use characteristics and aquatic chemistry (nutrient concentrations, major inorganic ions and indicators of organic matter concentrations) were analyzed to determine factors controlling the runoff of dissolved substances, spatial variability of water chemical composition and possible impacts of pollution sources in Latvia. Groups of factors were found to determine the variability of nutrient, organic matter and major inorganic ions concentrations. Bedrock geology and weathering of soil minerals affect the concentrations of inorganic ions, but the nature of the relationships between nutrient concentrations and those of land use are good indicators of human impact.
Dynamical downscaling of precipitation in Iceland 1961–2006
Authors: Rögnvaldsson Ólafur , Finndís Jónsdóttir Jóna , Ólafsson Haraldur
Published: April 2010

Atmospheric flow over Iceland has been simulated for the period January 1961 to July 2006, using the mesoscale MM5 model driven by initial and boundary data from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Firstly, the simulated precipitation is compared to estimates derived from mass balance measurements on the Icelandic ice caps. It is found that the simulated precipitation compares favourably with the observed winter balance, in particular for Hofsjökull, where corrections to take liquid precipitation and/or winter ablation into account have been made, and for the outlet glaciers Dyngjujökull and Brúarjökull. Secondly, the model output is used as input to the WaSiM hydrological model to calculate and compare the runoff with observed runoff from six watersheds in Iceland. It is found that model results compare favourably with observations. Overall, the MM5 V3–7 is somewhat better than the MM5 V3–5. The V3–7 is drier than V3–5 on upstream slopes.
Wastewater treatment design parameter analysis using the Nan-Men contact bed treatment facility in Northern Taiwan
Authors: Hwang Hoei-Yuan , Shen Shu-Min , Fang Hung-Yuan
Published: April 2010

Contact bed treatment is one of the methods used for constructed wetlands. Taiwan introduced contact bed treatment to treat sewage in 2004. The reference design parameters are based on data obtained from developed countries. These foreign designs ignore the unique hydrological environment and climate of Taiwan. This study tried to analyze the water quality of the contact bed treatment system and to assess the efficiency of design parameter, based on that to propose design parameters to similar facilities on Taiwan. This study shows that the out-site contact bed treatment design should be changed to increase the aeration and disinfection parameters with the DO greater than 5 mg/L, BOD5 optimal concentration of 10–25 mg/L, COD of 32–60 mg/L, SS of 15–25 mg/L, NH3-N concentration can be greater than 16 mg/L, hydraulic retention time of two hours, gravel size of 10–15 cm, porosity of 30–50%, with the water flow rate less than 10 cm/s and sludge accumulation of 10 to 15 days. These studies conducted long term observation in accordance with local conditions. The above data are available to provide local design parameters for future follow-up designs.
Anaerobic treatment of strong sewage by a two stage system of AF and UASB reactors
Authors: Sawajneh Z. , Al-Omari A. , Halalsheh M.
Published: April 2010

An anaerobic treatment system that consists of an Anaerobic Filter (AF) and an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) in series was built and operated to investigate its performance in treating strong domestic wastewater with high suspended solids fraction under Jordan's ambient temperatures of 25°C for summer and 18°C for winter. The system was operated from September 2003 until early April 2004. The system was operated at a Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) of 4 hours for the first stage AF and 8 hours for the second stage UASB. Average CODt and CODss removal efficiencies of the AF/UASB were 58% and 81% respectively for the operation period. The results showed that the first stage AF was effective in removing suspended solids. In addition, hydrolysis, acidification and methanogenesis took place in the first stage AF which was advantageous to the second stage UASB. It was concluded that the AF/UASB system is effective in treating strong domestic wastewater with high suspended solids content under Jordan's ambient temperatures.
Photocatalytic inactivation of E. faecalis in secondary wastewater plant effluents
Authors: Backhaus Karin , Marugán Javier , van Grieken Rafael , Sordo Carlos
Published: April 2010

Photocatalytic inactivation of Enterococcus faecalis using TiO2 suspensions was investigated and compared to the inactivation of the most commonly used faecal indicator strain Escherichia coli. In contrast to the inactivation in pure deionized water, disinfection of effluents from the biological process of an urban wastewater plant showed a longer initial lag phase and higher survival fractions after several hours of irradiation. Moreover, the fluctuation of the composition of the effluents strongly affects the overall inactivation rate, not directly related to changes in the values of organic matter content. Additionally, it was found that E. faecalis seems to be more resistant than E.coli towards the photocatalytic treatment. These results could be related to the differences in the cell wall structure of both microorganisms. The main conclusion of this work is that attention must be paid when transferring results obtained for model organism to real bacteria consortia and from laboratory experiments with deionized water to effluents from sewage plants.
Child-education program for the reduction of health risks due to fluoride in water sources in the Chiang Mai Basin, Thailand
Authors: Takizawa S. , Takeda T. , Wongrueng A. , Wattanachira S.
Published: April 2010

Groundwater is the major source of drinking water in Lamphun Province in the Chiang Mai Basin, Thailand. However, groundwater contains high fluoride up to 16 mg F/L, which has caused dental and skeletal fluorosis. Although Thai Government installed RO membrane plants for the removal of fluoride from groundwater; and delivers RO-filtered bottled water that contains less fluoride than the Thai Standard of 0.7 mg F/L, it was found that the urinary fluoride levels are still high among the residents. To find the major sources of fluoride intake, fluoride contents in various water sources, such as village water supply, shallow and deep groundwaters, rain water and bottled water, were measured, and the local people's behavior on water uses was recorded by interview and questionnaire study. As a result, it was found that the highest risk of fluoride ingestion comes from cooking rice with fluoride-containing water because of a lack of knowledge on fluoride sources and fluoride chemistry. To reduce the health risks arising from fluoride intake, a hands-on educational program on the sources and risks of fluoride in water was developed and implemented in the local schools. The participatory educational program promoted active involvement of schoolchildren, but it was found that the effectiveness of education varied depending on the questions we asked. Therefore, it needs to be improved by an iterative and interactive educational program. In conclusion, it was found that the benefits of providing safe drinking water using such advanced technology as RO membrane can be maximized only when it comes along with a participatory educational program on fluoride sources and health risks.
Effects of powdered activated carbon dosing on sludge characteristics and estrogen removal in membrane bioreactors
Authors: Yang W. , Paetkau M. , Cicek N.
Published: April 2010

Sludge characteristics associated with filterability as well as the removal of a natural estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2) and a synthetic estrogen 17α-ethyinylestradiol (EE2) were investigated in submerged membrane bioreactors (MBR) with and without the addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC) under the same experimental conditions. Positive impacts of PAC dosing on membrane fouling and the removal of E2 and EE2 were demonstrated over a six months stable operational period. Experimental results showed that PAC dosing resulted in lower concentrations of soluble extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and colloidal total organic carbon (TOC) in the PAC-MBR sludge. The average soluble EPS and colloidal TOC concentrations in the PAC-MBR sludge was 60.1% and 61.8% lower than the control MBR sludge, respectively. Regardless of PAC dosing, concentrations of colloidal TOC were strongly related to concentrations of soluble EPS and soluble carbohydrates in the sludge. In addition, the mean flocs size of the sludge with PAC dosing was shifted from 49.4 μm to 60.3 μm. PAC dosing in the MBR increased the removal rates of E2 and EE2 by 3.4% and 15.8%, respectively.
Influence of water compositions on fouling of plane organic membrane in frontal filtration: application to water and wastewater clarification
Authors: Sridang P. , Wanichapichart P. , Grasmick A.
Published: April 2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate and quantify the filterability of suspended/soluble organic and suspended inorganic matter in a condition without and with chemical conditioning on membrane fouling using cake filtration model. The experiments were conducted with different feed water concentrations under a given TMP (0.2 to 0.5 bar). The fouling potential was examined and described in terms of resistance coefficient (α·W) and specific resistance (α). The results showed an increase of α·W and α within the concentration of wastewater samples tested. The soluble fractions in wastewater induced fouling and its mechanism was due both to the interaction of soluble organic components and also some of the particular colloids in MLSS, causing irreversible fouling, followed by thin film formation on membrane surfaces with low porosity, dense structure and also internal fouling. This phenomenon promoted the values of α·W and α from final treated wastewater 5–20 times higher than in bentonite suspension and on reservoir surface water. Higher pressure than 0.2 bar induced greater hydraulic resistance values than lower applied pressure. The pore size of the porous membrane did not show any difference in the values of α·W and α obtained, but they mostly depended on the water composition tested. The hydraulic resistance values appeared largely to minimise when using chemical conditioning because of cake forming as a dynamic membrane that reduced the irreversible fouling phenomena giving a constant filtration rate.
Treatment of kraft evaporator condensate using a thermophilic submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor
Authors: Liao B. Q. , Xie K. , Lin H. J. , Bertoldo Daniel
Published: April 2010

The feasibility of using a thermophilic submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAnMBR) for kraft evaporator condensate treatment was studied at 55 ± 1°C over 6.5 months. Under tested organic loading rate of 1–7 kg COD/m3 day, a soluble COD removal efficiency of 85–97% was obtained. The methane production rate was 0.35 ± 0.1 L methane/g COD and the produced biogas was of excellent fuel quality with 80–90% methane. A higher membrane fouling rate was related to the presence of a larger portion of fine colloidal particles (1–10 μm). The thermophilic SAnMBR was sensitive to the presence of toxic compounds in feed and unexpected pH probe failure (leading to a higher pH). Feed toxic shock caused sludge deflocculation and thus deteriorated membrane performance. Operating the reactor as a conventional anaerobic reactor to waste some of the fine flocs in treated effluent during the start-up process was an effective strategy to reduce membrane fouling. The experimental results from this study indicate that treatment of kraft evaporator condensate is feasible in terms of COD removal and biogas production using thermophilic SAnMBRs but pre-treatment may be needed to remove toxic sulfur compounds and membrane fouling caused by the large portion of fine particles may be a challenge.
Direct observations of membrane scale in membrane bioreactor for wastewater treatment application
Authors: Kim J. , Yoon T. I.
Published: April 2010

The formation of inorganic fouling on MF membrane was investigated in membrane bioreactor (MBR) treating industrial wastewater. Membrane autopsy works using microscopic techniques and surface analysis were carried out at the completion of pilot-scale operation to analyze foulant materials extensively. Scaling occurred on the membrane surface significantly in the MBR treating calcium-rich wastewater (LSI > 2.0). Our experiments showed that the coverage of the membrane surface by the inorganic fouling consisted mostly of calcium while the internal fouling within membrane pores due to the scale formation was almost negligible. Most of calcium was rejected on the MF membrane surface as scale formation of calcium carbonate (>90% as rejection). The sequence sodium hypochlorite-citric acid for the removal of membrane scale was more effective than the sequence citric acid-sodium hypochlorite cleaning. It appeared that the structure of organic compounds combined with calcium became loose by the addition of the sodium hypochlorite, thereby releasing calcium more easily from the membrane by applying the acid cleaning agent.
Performances and fouling control of a flat sheet membrane in a MBR pilot-plant
Authors: Grélot A. , Grelier P. , Tazi-Pain A. , Lesjean B. , Brüss U. , Grasmick A.
Published: April 2010

This paper deals with the performance and the optimisation of the hydraulic operating conditions of the A3 Water Solutions flat sheet membrane technology in a MBR pilot-plant to achieve a satisfying fouling control and also a reduction in the required aeration. Two vertically stacked modules were tested at pilot-scale at Anjou Recherche under typical biological operating conditions (mixed liquor suspended solids concentration (MLSS) = 10 g/l; sludge retention time (SRT) = 28 days; food to microorganism ratio (F/M)= 0.12 kg COD/kg MLSS/d). The use of a double-deck and of specific backwashes for this membrane technology enabled to achieve satisfying membrane performances for a net flux of 25 L h−1 m−2, 20°C at a low specific aeration demand per membrane surface (SADm = 0.2 Nm3 h−1 m−2) which corresponds to a specific aeration demand per permeate volume unit (SADp) of 8 Nm3 air/m3 permeate, which is lower than reported for many commercial membrane systems. The mixed liquor characteristics (foaming, MLSS concentration) appeared to influence the fouling behaviour of the membranes but no correlation was found with the fouling rate. However, with the new operating conditions, the system is robust and can cope with fouling resulting from biological stress and daily peak flows for MLSS concentrations in the membrane tank up to 18 g/l.
Bacteria survival experiment for assessment of wastewater reuse in agriculture
Authors: Smith Edward , Badawy Aimen
Published: April 2010

Growth and survival of a strain of E. coli were investigated in laboratory-scale soil columns under essentially static conditions in three Egyptian agricultural soils. One pore volume of a buffer solution of known cell concentration was applied to a set of identical columns at time zero, and individual columns were analyzed for viable E. coli colony forming units at times ranging from 1 hr to 7 d and at various soil depths. The resulting concentration-depth profiles yielded information that can promote proper application of wastewater reuse in agriculture and the assessment of associated health and environmental risks. Biomass growth in soil occurred over the first 2 to 3 days after application, achieving biomass production 40–70 times the number of cells applied depending on the soil. Culturable populations declined to only a few viable cells at the end of 7 days. E. coli growth rate and total biomass production were well correlated to the soil organic content. Indoor conditions resulted in slower but more prolonged E. coli growth than in outdoor experiments, verifying the determinative roles of climatic factors and soil moisture.
Sediment and pollutant load modelling using an integrated urban drainage modelling toolbox: an application of City Drain
Authors: Rodríguez J. P. , Achleitner S. , Möderl M. , Rauch W. , Maksimović Č. , McIntyre N. , Díaz-Granados M. A. , Rodríguez M. S.
Published: April 2010

Numerical and computational modelling of flow and pollutant dynamics in urban drainage systems is becoming more and more integral to planning and design. The main aim of integrated flow and pollutant models is to quantify the efficiency of different measures at reducing the amount of pollutants discharged into receiving water bodies and minimise the consequent negative water quality impact. The open source toolbox CITY DRAIN developed in the Matlab/Simulink© environment, which was designed for integrated modelling of urban drainage systems, is used in this work. The goal in this study was to implement and test computational routines for representing sediment and pollutant loads in order to evaluate catchment surface pollution. Tested models estimate the accumulation, erosion and transport of pollutants—aggregately—on urban surfaces and in sewers. The toolbox now includes mathematical formulations for accumulation of pollutants during dry weather period and their wash-off during rainfall events. The experimental data acquired in a previous research project carried out by the Environmental Engineering Research Centre (CIIA) at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá (Colombia) was used for the calibration of the models. Different numerical approaches were tested for their ability to calibrate to the sediment transport conditions. Initial results indicate, when there is more than one peak during the rainfall event duration, wash-off processes probably can be better represented using a model based on the flow instead of the rainfall intensity. Additionally, it was observed that using more detailed models (compared with an instantaneous approach) for representing pollutant accumulation do not necessarily lead to better results.
Adsorption characteristics of residual oil on amphiphilic chitosan derivative
Authors: Sun Gang Zheng , Chen Xi Guang , Zhang Jing , Feng Chao , Cheng Xiao Jie
Published: April 2010

In this study, a novel chitosan-based polymeric surfactant, H-Oleoyl-Carboxymethyl chitosan was used as a coagulation agent for cleaning residual oil. The characteristics of H-Oleoyl-Carboxymethyl chitosan were investigated by FTIR and XRD. And the adsorption capacities of chitosan and H-O-CMCS for removing the residue oil from the wastewater of oil extraction have been investigated. H-O-CMCS exhibited a greater rate than chitosan in cleaning the residual oil from the wastewater of oil extraction at the optimum conditions. Equilibrium study, Langmuir/Freundlich adsorption models and the pseudo first- and second-order kinetic models were applied to describe the mechanism of adsorption experiments. The experimental data fitted well with the Langmuir model and the second-order kinetic model. Regeneration studies, using by the roasting and rinsing method, were undergone for three successive adsorption/desorption processes. H-O-CMCS still retained the residual oil removal capacity after regeneration.
Real time control for reduced aeration and chemical consumption: a full scale study
Authors: Thornton A. , Sunner N. , Haeck M.
Published: April 2010

The use of the activated sludge process (ASP) for the nitrification/denitrification of wastewaters is commonplace throughout the UK and many other parts of the industrial world. Associated with this process are significant costs arising from aeration requirements and for selected sites, the need to provide an external carbon source. These costs can constitute up to of 50% of the total running cost of the whole plant and as such, any effort to reduce them could realise significant benefits. This paper investigates the use of real time control (RTC) using online sensors and control algorithms to optimise the operation of the ASP, leading to greater efficiency and sustainability. Trials were undertaken at full scale to assess the benefit of such a system at a 250,000 population equivalent (PE) works on the south coast of the UK, using Activated sludge model No.1 (ASM 1) as a basis for the control system. Initial results indicate that it is possible to significantly reduce both aeration and chemical consumption costs whilst still delivering the required effluent quality. Over the trial period the aeration requirements were consistently reduced by 20% whereas, a reduction in methanol consumption of in excess of 50% was observed.
Systematic model development for partial nitrification of landfill leachate in a SBR
Authors: Ganigué R. , Volcke E. I. P. , Puig S. , Balaguer M. D. , Colprim J. , Sin G.
Published: April 2010

This study deals with partial nitrification in a sequencing batch reactor (PN-SBR) treating raw urban landfill leachate. In order to enhance process insight (e.g. quantify interactions between aeration, CO2 stripping, alkalinity, pH, nitrification kinetics), a mathematical model has been set up. Following a systematic procedure, the model was successfully constructed, calibrated and validated using data from short-term (one cycle) operation of the PN-SBR. The evaluation of the model revealed a good fit to the main physical-chemical measurements (ammonium, nitrite, nitrate and inorganic carbon), confirmed by statistical tests. Good model fits were also obtained for pH, despite a slight bias in pH prediction, probably caused by the high salinity of the leachate. Future work will be addressed to the model-based evaluation of the interaction of different factors (aeration, stripping, pH, inhibitions, among others) and their impact on the process performance.
Identities and family value orientations in the Balkans
Authors: Stjepanovic-Zaharijevski Dragana , Gavrilovic Danijela
Published: April 2010

According to Giddens, the modern self is bewildered by the growing variety of possible identities on offer. In the transitional period Balkan countries are currently facing, we can observe a dynamic interplay of traditional and new identities. Traditional identities on one hand change under the pressure of new ones, and on the other put up certain resistance to possible changes. In this paper the authors present a comparative analysis of identification and identities in Serbia, Bulgaria and Macedonia, based on the findings of empirical research. By establishing similarities and differences between identity dynamics in these countries, it becomes possible to account for identity trends in them. In a separate section, family value orientations are examined as cultural frames of reference of identity constructions. Their analytical deconstruction is accomplished through the prism of relatively structured gender relations and a particular, 'desired' pattern of family values.
Romantisme Ethnologique de Rastko Petrovic
Authors: Milenkovic Pavle
Published: April 2010

(francuski) Les activit?s litt?raires de Rastko Petrovic, sauf par une fra?cheur de genre et par leur contribution avant-gardiste, se caract?risent aussi par la vue ethnologique et sociopsychologique dans la compr?hension des processus sociologiques et des cr?ations artistiques. En se servant des d?couvertes de Durkheim et de L?vi-Br?hl sur l'esprit collectif, la conscience collective et la mentalit? primitive, en assumant d'une certaine mani?re les m?taphores de Pierre Janet sur le caract?re sublimant des ?tats hyst?riques, en pol?misant enfin avec la conviction des surr?alistes de l'authenticit? gnos?ologique de l'inconscient, il appara?t dans les premi?res d?cennies du XXe si?cle comme un des plus imaginatifs ?crivains ?rudits et avant-gardiste de la culture serbe, qui lie, non sans une certaine sensualit? rabelaisienne, la litt?rature, la th?orie sociale, la peinture et le film, et cela sans l'aridit? de cabinet et sans la pose intellectueliste.
Arguments pro and con of the 'enhancement' of human beings through genetic intervention
Authors: Mitrovic Veselin
Published: April 2010

The paper aims to explain two basic standpoints regarding the enhancement of human beings through genetic engineering. Savulescu seems to be starting from a technoprogressive, (neo)liberal orientation, while Fukuyama's position implies a step back - to (bio)conservatism, returning to the natural human rights. These opposing general attitudes reflect the same aspiration - towards greater control and monitoring by the state for the benefit of individuals and (or) humankind. While Fukuyama justifies the narrow use of biotechnology for the purpose of therapy and prevention of disease, so far Savulescu goes a step further, understanding 'enhancement' to include increasing the length and quality of life, and focuses exclusively on genetic intervention for this purpose. Discussing the same problems Fukuyama lists several reasons why we should limit the use of biotechnology - reasons of religious, utilitarian and philosophical nature. In this paper, arguments for and against genetic intervention are discussed, while cited examples are commented ad hoc.
Paleolithic and mesolithic finds from profile of the Zemun loess
Authors: Saric Josip
Published: April 2010

Segment of the material from these two sites was published already in 1984 Owing to circumstances two new Paleolithic sites discovered in the territory of Serbia in recent times have made possible placing of the finds from the sites 'Ekonomija 13 maj' and Beljarica in the new context. This work, by revising already published material and also by presenting the artifacts discovered in the meantime, expands the data base related to the human settlements on the fringes of the Pannonian basin, i.e. in the territory of present-day Serbia during Middle and Late Paleolithic but also during Mesolithic period.