bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Religious pluralism and democratic society
Authors: Schmidt Thomas M.
Published: April 2009

Critics of John Rawls' conception of a reasonable pluralism have raised the question of whether it is justified to demand that religious individuals should ‘bracket’ their essential, identity-constituting convictions when they enter a political discourse. I will argue that the criterion for religious beliefs of being justified as grounds for political decisions should be their ability of being ‘translatable’ in secular reasons for the very same decisions. This translation would demand ‘epistemic abstinence’ from religious believers only on the basis of a rigid distinction between the spheres of private opinions and public reasons. To give a more adequate account of the relation between religious beliefs and political reasons in a pluralistic society it seems to be helpful to make use of Niklas Luhmann's functionalistic theory of religion.
The limits of logic
Authors: McCready Amy R.
Published: April 2009

Criticizing liberal conceptions such as the autonomous subject and calling for self-interpreting selves, Michael Sandel's first book, Liberalism and the Limits of Justice, seems to oppose liberal theory. Methodologically, however, it follows rather than challenges its liberal predecessors: Sandel arrives at his philosophical anthropology through abstraction and deduction. This type of inquiry is not only comparable with that of liberal theory, but also incompatible with self-interpretation as Sandel defines it. The content of his argument undermines its form. It also suggests an alternative approach, historical rather than philosophical reflection, actually transforming the practice of political theory as it aims to transform our self-understanding. Given Sandel's critique and his positive contribution, normative theory must be grounded in particular empirical circumstances. Sandel's second book, Democracy's Discontent, thus represents not just a completion of the earlier analysis, but a necessary methodological change. The significance of the first book lies less in its criticism of liberalism than in its criticism of philosophy as the foundation of political theory.
Risks and Wrongs in Social Science Research
Authors: Oakes J. Michael
Published: April 2009

Having an Institutional Review Board (IRB) review and monitor the use of human subjects is now fundamental to ethical research. Yet social scientists appear increasingly frustrated with the process. This article aims to assist evaluators struggling to understand and work with IRBs. The author theorizes why IRBs frustrate and insists there is only one remedy: We must accept the legitimacy of IRB review and (a) learn more about IRB regulations, imperatives, and the new pressures on them; and (b) educate IRBs about social scientific methodologies and empirically demonstrable risks. A research agenda and tips are offered.
Mediators and Moderators in the Evaluation of Programs for Children
Authors: Petrosino Anthony
Published: April 2009

The author examines the role of mediators and moderators in the evaluation of programs for children. The terms are defined and examples of each are presented. Using bibliometric analysis, the author examines how evaluators use mediators and moderators in treatment studies in education, juvenile justice, health care, child protection, and mental health. The use of mediators and moderators is sporadic and vague at best. An agenda for improvement is outlined that includes greater use of program theory and intensive case studies to find out why researchers in prevention and health promotion incorporate mediators and moderators more effectively in their evaluations.
Assessing the Impact of Administrative Policy on Use of Deadly Force by On- and Off-Duty Police
Authors: White Michael D.
Published: April 2009

Deadly force research typically does not distinguish between shootings by on-duty and off-duty police. This article uses Philadelphia police shooting data from two time periods (1970-1978 and 1987-1992) and a unique quasi-experimental design to examine the comparative effects upon on- and off-duty police shootings of an administrative policy that limited police shooting discretion but that did not address questions of police weapons carrying and access to firearms. The article draws important distinctions between when to shoot and carry administrative policies and considers their impact on deadly force by on- and off-duty police.
You Got a Problem With That?
Authors: Morris Michael , Jacobs Lynette R.
Published: April 2009

A random sample of American Evaluation Association (AEA) members were surveyed for their reactions to three case scenarios—informed consent, impartial reporting, and stakeholder involvement—in which an evaluator acts in a way that could be deemed ethically problematic. Significant disagreement among respondents was found for each of the scenarios, in terms of respondents' views of whether the evaluator had behaved unethically. Respondents' explanations of their judgments support the notion that general guidelines for professional behavior (such as AEA's Guiding Principles for Evaluators) can encompass sharply conflicting interpretations of how evaluators should behave in specific situations. Respondents employed in private business/consulting were less likely than those in other settings to believe that the scenarios portrayed unethical behavior by the evaluator, a finding that underscores the importance of taking contextual variables into account when analyzing evaluators' ethical perceptions. The need for increased dialogue among evaluators who represent varied perspectives on ethical issues is addressed.
Theory-Based Evaluation in Practice
Authors: Birckmayer Johanna D. , Weiss Carol Hirschon
Published: April 2009

Theory-based evaluation (TBE) explores the how and why of program success or failure. Advocates of TBE claim that it produces information unavailable in traditional process and outcome studies. This article examines six published papers of TBEs. It finds that the authors of the papers do not always make explicit the relation of their data to the theory of the program. Nevertheless, it was evident in one or more cases that TBE identified unnecessary program components, located intermediary changes, raised new questions, contributed to a paradigm shift, highlighted the difficulties of taking successful pilot programs to scale, and provided clarity and focus for the evaluation. Interestingly, in none of the studies was the original theory completely right. Lessons for the future of TBE are drawn.
Child Care Improvement on a Shoestring
Authors: Jaeger Elizabeth A. , Shlay Anne B. , Weinraub Marsha
Published: April 2009

The Philadelphia Early Childhood Collaborative (the Collaborative) was designed to improve the quality of child care by increasing coordination among organizations that locally deliver professional resources to child care providers. The evaluation examined the implementation of the Collaborative, utilization of its services, and the impact of service use on child care quality. Child care providers reported gains in their professional knowledge and behavior from using Collaborative resources and rated the resources highly. No long-term effects on provider behavior, knowledge, or attitudes were observed. Although the original organizations were able to function collaboratively and Collaborative services were widely used, more intensive interventions may be required to change the availability of quality child care.
The Evaluation of Information Campaigns to Promote Voluntary Household Water Conservation
Authors: Syme Geoffrey J. , Nancarrow Blair E. , Seligman Clive
Published: April 2009

Save-water campaigns are the most common tools for promoting household water conservation. Despite their popularity, there is some debate about how effective they are. In this article, the authors provide a representative review of the summative evaluations of persuasive conservation programs. It is concluded that there is an underuse of quasi-experimental techniques and qualitative analysis. Most have been too broad to allow for specific suggestions for improving campaigns. In the second half of the review, an outline of a communications model is offered and literature relating to both input and output variables pertaining to persuasion summarized. Gaps in understanding are identified. The need to systematically research behavioral change models to improve understanding and performance of persuasive water conservation campaigns is discussed.
Assessing Student Perceptions of Classroom Methods and Activities in the Context of an Outcomes-Based Evaluation
Authors: Race Kathryn E. H. , Powell Kristin R.
Published: April 2009

From 10 elementary schools from the Chicago Public Schools, 2,150 students completed a questionnaire on perceptions regarding mathematics and science instruction and other related activities. Based on factor analysis, three constructs were identified, that is, nontraditional pedagogical approaches, hands-on/cooperative learning, and school/learning environment (internal reliability of .84, .82, and .75, respectively). A negative linear relationship was evident between grade and each subscale, that is, perceptions declined from third through eighth grade (r = –.30,–.32, and –.42, respectively). Mean scores were statistically significant (p < .001), with grade level and grade-within-school effects associated with notable estimates of variance. These data mirrored performance based on standardized math scores. Implications are discussed.
The Community Readiness Survey
Authors: Beebe Timothy J. , Harrison Patricia A. , Sharma Anu , Hedger Scott
Published: April 2009

This article reports on the development and evaluation of a mail survey measuring population attitudes toward substance use and potential receptivity of communities to different prevention efforts. The Community Readiness Survey was designed through a series of prevention practitioner and consultant meetings and focus groups. Psychometric evaluation revealed five distinct domains: perception of alcohol, tobacco, or other drug problem; support for prevention; permissive attitudes toward teen substance use; perception of adolescent access; and perception of community commitment. Evidence of construct validity was demonstrated by the small but significant relationships between selected scale scores and community readiness as evaluated by prevention planners.
Middle School Reform Through Data and Dialogue
Authors: Strahan David , Cooper Jewell , Ward Martha
Published: April 2009

This report describes a 2-year, longitudinal study of one school district's effort to link site-based, collaborative evaluation with formal, centralized program evaluation. Participants formed a research team in partnership with a local university. Team members assisted leadership teams in identifying issues for informal, site-based assessments and then used the information to monitor progress toward established goals. Participants collaborated in designing and conducting informal assessments of student achievement, school climate and safety, discipline, and parent involvement. Leadership teams used these data in developing their school improvement plans. Researchers and administrators used these data to revise the districtwide survey. At the end of the 2-year cycle, analysis of school improvement plans showed that collaborative evaluation is creating a connection between dialogue and data. These 17 middle schools are approaching school improvement in a more integrated fashion by actively involving key stakeholders (students, parents, and teachers) in the evaluation process.
Alternative Solutions to the Problem of Selection Bias in an Analysis of Federal Residential Drug Treatment Programs
Authors: Rhodes William , Pelissier Bernadette , Gaes Gerald , Saylor William , Camp Scott , Wallace Susan
Published: April 2009

In an evaluation of prison-based residential drug treatment programs, the authors use three different regression-based approaches to estimating treatment effects. Two of the approaches, the instrumental variable and the Heckman approach, attempt to minimize selection bias as an explanation for treatment outcomes. Estimates from these approaches are compared with estimates from a regression in which treatment is represented by a dummy variable. The article discusses the advantage of using more than one method to increase confidence in findings when possible selection bias is a concern. Three-year outcome data for 2,315 federal inmates are used in analyses where the authors separately examine criminal recidivism and relapse to drug use for men and women. Statistical tests lead the authors to conclude that treatment reduces criminal recidivism and relapse to drug use. The treatment effect was largest when the inference was based on the Heckman approach, somewhat smaller when based on the instrumental variable approach, and smallest when based on the traditional dummy variable approach. Treatment effects for females were not statistically significant.
Changing Work Ethic and Welfare Dependence Through Welfare Reform
Authors: Lewin Alisa C.
Published: April 2009

Assumptions about welfare dependency and work are examined in a randomized experiment that tested the impact of the 100-hour rule waiver for two-parent welfare families: Aid to Families with Dependent Children–Unemployed (AFDC-U). The 100-hour rule was waived for the experiment group, allowing the primary wage earners in these families to work more than 100 hours a month without losing welfare eligibility. The analysis uses county administrative data, unemployment insurance records, and Medicaid data, and compares regression adjusted least squares means for the control and experiment group. The results from the impact analysis indicate that waiving the 100-hour rule has no effect on primary wage earners' work activity and earnings. The 100-hour rule waiver also has little effect on time on aid and AFDC-U payments, and does not have an effect in reducing marital dissolution. The results cast doubts about the validity of the assumptions underlying some of the recent welfare reform initiatives.
The Effect of Data Collection Mode on Smoking Attitudes and Behavior in Young African American and Women
Authors: Kaplan Celia Patricia , Hilton Joan F. , Park-Tanjasiri Sora , PÉrez-Stable Eliseo J.
Published: April 2009

Evaluating smoking prevention and cessation programs requires valid data collection. This study examined two survey modes—face-to-face (FTF) interview and self-administered questionnaire (SAQ)—comparing response rates, sample characteristics, data quality, and response effects. From two family planning clinics, 601 female Latina and African American clients ages 12 to 21 were recruited and randomized to either group. Results reveal that neither mode is superior to the other. The SAQ may therefore be preferable for this population, despite its higher rate of incompletes, because it yields results similar to the FTF yet is more cost effective and less disruptive to clinic routines.
Characteristics of Responding-, Nonresponding- and Refusing-Parents in an Adolescent Lifestyle Choice Study
Authors: Baker Joseph R. , Yardley John K. , McCaul Kerri
Published: April 2009

The acquisition of a random sample is one of the many methodological problems that arise when conducting research with adolescent populations. Frequently, due to ethical considerations associated with collecting data from adolescents, active parental consent procedures are required. The current study examined characteristics of parents who consented, refused consent, or did not respond to an active consent request for their children to participate in a large-scale study of adolescent lifestyle behaviors. Results indicated nonresponding-parents were more likely to be employed than consenting-parents. Further, differences were found for a number of attitudinal variables and about the importance of adolescent research. There were significant differences between refusing-parents, and consenting- and nonresponding-parents who were similar in their attitudes toward adolescent research. The findings suggest that nonresponding-parents are characteristically more similar to consenting-parents than to refusing-parents, which supports the use of passive consent procedures as a reasonable alternative to requiring active parental consent in adolescent research.
The Employment Service and Vacancy Durations
Authors: Behrenz Lars
Published: April 2009

In the literature, there are few examples of studies analyzing the impact of labor market programs on vacancies. This article presents the results of a study of the impact of personnel increase at Swedish employment offices on vacancy durations. The evaluation method in the study is quasi-experimental. The main results of the study are as follows: (a) The increase of employment office staff members reduced their vacancy durations by approximately 2 days, and the probability that a vacancy is cancelled from the register is 1.17 times higher for the program offices; and (b) this effect is too small for the increase of staff members to represent a socially efficient use of resources and for a positive outcome in a public finance context.
The Role of Postsecondary Education in Welfare Reform
Authors: Hollenbeck Kevin , Kimmel Jean
Published: April 2009

The 1996 federal welfare reform legislation encourages quick employment over education and training for the nation’s welfare recipients. However, some argue that a one-size-fits-all approach ignores the heterogeneity of this population. This article presents findings from a net impact evaluation of Ohio’s JOBS Student Retention Program (JSRP), a program designed to facilitate success for public assistance recipients at 2-year community or technical colleges. The authors evaluate this policy using state administrative data sets. The analyses consist of unadjusted and regression-adjusted comparisons of means for the JSRP group and a constructed comparison group. Outcomes examined include program completion, employment, earnings, and welfare recipiency. Focusing on the most recent 11 of 16 quarters of data available, the average increase in quarterly earnings was 8.45% for program participants and 12.91% for program completers. The results indicate that encouraging postsecondary education for some welfare recipients will boost earnings capacity and therefore long-term self-sufficiency.
A School-Based Social Competency Promotion Demonstration
Authors: Skroban Stacy B. , Gottfredson Denise C. , Gottfredson Gary D.
Published: April 2009

A comprehensive, school-based, instructional and social competency promotion program to prevent problem behavior was attempted in a troubled middle school. The program included components aimed at increasing social competencies as well as components to increase social bonding and school success. The evaluation of the 5-year effort showed that it was ineffective. The program never reached the expected levels of implementation, and no dependable effects on youth behaviors or attitudes were observed. The results are interpreted within the context of what is known about the quality of implementation and the organizational climate within which the demonstration was attempted.
An Innovative Method for Evaluating Strategic Goals in a Public Agency
Authors: Bengston David N. , Fan David P.
Published: April 2009

This article presents an innovative methodology for evaluating strategic planning goals in a public agency. Computer-coded content analysis was used to evaluate attitudes expressed in about 28,000 on-line news media stories about the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and its strategic goal of conservation leadership. Three dimensions of conservation leadership were distinguished and evaluated separately: stewardship and ethics, use of collaborative planning and decision making, and use of science-based management. Analysis of on-line news media text is a way to quickly and efficiently assess the views of a wide range of stakeholders captured in the news media.
Implications of the 65-MPH Speed Limit for Traffic Safety
Authors: Houston David J.
Published: April 2009

This study evaluates the impact of the 65-mph speed limit on traffic safety. Using data for the years 1981 to 1995 for all 50 states, a pooled time series analysis is conducted. Separate models are estimated for state fatality rates on four categories of roads: rural interstate highways, rural noninterstate roads, all roads except for rural interstate highways, and all roads. It is reported that the 65-mph speed limit increased fatality rates on rural interstate highways but was correlated with a reduction in state fatality rates on the three other categories of roads.
Differential Attrition Rates and Active Parental Consent
Authors: Esbensen Finn-Aage , Miller Michelle Hughes , Taylor Terrance , He Ni , Freng Adrienne
Published: April 2009

Active parental consent in survey research poses ethical and practical concerns. One common argument against the requirement of active consent procedures is its effect on participation rates. There is additional concern that higher risk groups may be underrepresented in the final sample. Empirical support of differential attrition, however, is lacking. In the current multisite longitudinal study, passive consent procedures were approved for the collection of pretest data. For subsequent years of data collection, active parental consent procedures were required. In this article, we use the pretest data to examine demographic, attitudinal, and behavioral differences between those students for whom active consent was provided and those for whom active consent was either denied or for whom no response was received. The results indicate that active consent procedures produce deleterious effects on participation rates and lead to an underrepresentation of at-risk youth in the sample.
The Results Framework—An Innovative Tool for Program Planning and Evaluation
Authors: Toffolon-Weiss Melissa M. , Bertrand Jane T. , Terrell Stanley S.
Published: April 2009

This article constitutes a case study of the development and implementation of the “results framework,” an innovative planning and evaluation tool that is rapidly becoming a standard requirement for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) projects. The framework is used in a USAID-funded regional initiative for HIV/AIDS prevention in Central America. This new program evaluation and monitoring tool provides many advantages over traditional evaluation approaches that use outside consultants to provide midterm and end-of-project evaluations. The results-framework process, which spans the life of the project, provides an opportunity for program staff, donors, partners, and evaluators to work as a team to collect and use rich, longitudinal data for project planning, implementation, and evaluation purposes.
A Survey of the San Diego–Tijuana Cross-Border Binging
Authors: Lange James E. , Lauer Elizabeth M. , Voas Robert B.
Published: April 2009

On a typical weekend night between 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., about 4 thousand Americans 25 or younger cross back into the United States from a night in Tijuana, Mexico, clubs. More than 40% of the drinkers return the next morning with an illegal blood-alcohol concentration (.08 or higher). To study this phenomenon and to provide data with which to evaluate the community effort in San Diego County, a border research effort involving two separate surveys of individuals entering and leaving Mexico was established in June 1997. This article briefly reviews past roadside survey studies and reports on the survey methods developed to conduct these surveys and the procedures required to analyze the data collected.
Understanding and Controlling Response Bias in Needs Assessment Studies
Authors: Calsyn Robert J. , Winter Joel P.
Published: April 2009

This study demonstrated that estimates of agency awareness in the typical needs assessment study are probably inflated by a response bias labeled “agency awareness overclaiming.” Overclaimers (respondents who reported being aware of fictitious agencies) reported being aware of more real agencies than other respondents. Estimates of agency awareness may also be biased, because certain segments of the population were more likely to exhibit agency awareness overclaiming. Age was positively correlated with overclaiming, and African Americans were more likely to exhibit agency awareness overclaiming than Caucasians. General overclaiming was correlated with agency awareness overclaiming, but social desirability and acquiescence were not.
Multilevel Mediation Modeling in Group-Based Intervention Studies
Authors: Krull Jennifer L. , Mackinnon David P.
Published: April 2009

This article proposes and evaluates a method to test for mediation in multilevel data sets formed when an intervention administered to intact groups is designed to produce change in individual mediator and outcome variables. Simulated data of this form were used to compare ordinary least squares (OLS) and two multilevel estimators of the mediated effect. OLS and multilevel standard error approximations were also evaluated and recommendations given for optimal estimator choice. These methods were applied to data from an existing substance use intervention to show the impact multilevel mediation modeling can have on the conclusions drawn from real-world evaluation studies.
Do Male Dropouts Benefit from Obtaining a GED, Postsecondary Education, and Training?
Authors: Murnane Richard J. , Willett John B. , Boudett Kathryn Parker
Published: April 2009

The authors use longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to investigate whether the wage trajectories of male high school dropouts are affected by the acquisition of the General Educational Development (GED) credential, by postsecondary education, and by training. The authors show that acquisition of the GED results in wage increases for dropouts who left school with weak skills, but not for dropouts who left high school with stronger skills. College and training provided by employers are associated with higher wages for male dropouts.
Reporting Unethical Research Behavior
Authors: Wenger Neil S. , Korenman Stanley G. , Berk Richard , Liu Honghu
Published: April 2009

Scientists, as professionals, have a responsibility to self-regulate. However, whistleblowing is rare. We investigated scientists' infrequent disclosure of unethical behavior by studying their responses to scenarios describing unethical research acts and compared their responses to those of research administrators. A cross-sectional survey was administered to National Science Foundation–funded principal investigators and their institutions' representatives (IRs) to the Office of Research Integrity. Both scientists and IRs proposed to respond to nearly all research behaviors that they rated as unethical. Scientists more often proposed responses limited to the research team (58% vs. 25% of cases, p < .001) whereas IRs more often proposed to inform an administrator or dean, journal editor, funding agency, professional society, or reporter. The prior behavior and academic rank of the scenario protagonist were associated with responses, but consequences of the unethical behavior were not. Scientists appear to perceive that they uphold their responsibility to respond to unethical behavior by disclosures within the research team, whereas administrators propose to report to externally accountable individuals, raising the question of whether scientists'behavior constitutes professional self-regulation or cover up.
The Swine Flu Vaccine and Guillain-BarrÉ Syndrome
Authors: Freedman D. A. , Stark Philip B.
Published: April 2009

Epidemiologic methods were developed to prove general causation: identifying exposures that increase the risk of particular diseases. Courts often are more interested in specific causation: On balance of probabilities, was the plaintiff's disease caused by exposure to the agent in question? Some authorities have suggested that a relative risk greater than 2.0 meets the standard of proof for specific causation. Such a definite criterion is appealing, but there are difficulties. Bias and confounding are familiar problems; individual differences must be considered too. The issues are explored in the context of the swine flu vaccine and Guillain-BarrÃ© syndrome. The conclusion: There is a considerable gap between relative risks and proof of specific causation.
Factors affecting the reading media used by visually impaired adults
Authors: Goudiras Dimitrios B. , Papadopoulos Konstantinos S. , Koutsoklenis Athanasios Ch. , Papageorgiou Virginia E. , Stergiou Maria S.
Published: April 2009

The aim of this study was to examine reading media (braille, cassettes, screen-reader, screen-magnifier, large print, low vision aids, CCTV) used by visually impaired adults. This article reports the results of a research project involving 100 people with visual impairment. The participants were interviewed and asked to fill in a questionnaire to gather data on use of different reading media and the training in use of reading media, as well as age, gender, age of onset of visual impairment, education, and place of residence. We also explored participant perceived advantages and disadvantages of the various reading media, and the perceived suitability of each reading medium for daily, educational, and professional tasks.
Patterns of Recurrent Injuries among US High School Athletes, 2005-2008
Authors: Swenson David M. , Yard Ellen E. , Fields Sarah K. , Dawn Comstock R.
Published: April 2009

Background

High school sports participants sustain millions of injuries annually; many are recurrent injuries that can be more severe than new injuries.

Hypothesis

Recurrent injury patterns differ from new injury patterns by sport and gender.

Study Design

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods

High school sports injury data for the 2005 through 2008 academic years were collected via High School Reporting Information Online (RIO) from a nationally representative sample of 100 US high schools.

Results

From 2005 through 2008, certified athletic trainers reported 13 755 injuries during 5 627 921 athlete exposures (24.4 injuries per 10 000 athlete exposures). Recurrent injuries accounted for 10.5% of all injuries. Football players had the highest rate of recurrent injury (4.36 per 10 000 athlete exposures). Girls had higher rates of recurrent injuries than boys in soccer (injury rate ratio = 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.82). Recurrent injuries most often involved the ankle (28.3%), knee (16.8%), head/ face (12.1%), and shoulder (12.0%), and were most often ligament sprains (incomplete tears) (34.9%), muscle strains (incomplete tears) (13.3%), and concussions (11.6%). A greater proportion of recurrent injuries than new injuries resulted in the student choosing to end participation (recurrent = 2.4%, new = 0.7%). Recurrent shoulder injuries were more likely to require surgery than new shoulder injuries (injury proportion ratio = 4.51; 95% confidence interval, 2.82-7.20).

Conclusion

Recurrent injury rates and patterns differed by sport. Because recurrent injuries can have severe consequences on an athlete's health and future sports participation, injury prevention must be a priority. Knowledge of injury patterns can drive targeted preventive efforts.
An approach to assess level of satisfaction of the residents in relation to SWM system
Authors: Raje D. V. , Wakhare P. D. , Deshpande A. W. , Bhide A. D.
Published: April 2009

The issue of managing solid waste (SW), especially in the major cities, is of growing concern to the municipal organisations in India. The present performance of the system is recognised to be unsatisfactory. This paper delineates an approach to quantify the satisfaction level of the residents as a measure of performance of the system and also presents a case study in a major city. The results show the validity of the approach.
The role of aerobic activity on refuse temperature rise: II. Experimental and numerical modelling
Authors: Lanini S. , Houi D. , Aguilar O. , Lefebvre X.
Published: April 2009

The biodegradation of a model waste is studied in a 300-litre pilot. The aim is to better understand the role of biochemical processes on the temperature rise, in relation to landfill management protocols. The variations of temperature and gas composition distributions in the waste are accurately measured and analysed. The observations confirm that biological consumption of the oxygen diffusing through the waste is the main source of heat. A theoretical modelling of coupled heat and oxygen transfers in fresh refuse is then proposed. Numerical results are in good agreement with experimental data, but it appears that biochemical kinetics should account for the carbon availability limitation. Finally, a prediction of the temperature field in a landfill is presented.
Airborne bio-aerosols and noise in a dry waste treatment plant in Pietarsaari, Finland
Authors: Tolvanen Outi K.
Published: April 2009

Ewapower Ltd in Pietarsaari, Finland produces pellets from paper and plastic waste for burning. During 1998 and 1999, several measurements were made to determine the dust, particle, microbe and endotoxin concentrations, and also the noise level in the hall where the waste is received and pre-crushed. The noise level exceeded the Finnish recommended level of 85 dBA. The dust and the particle concentrations were low, but the microbe concentrations, especially in the summer and in the autumn, were at a level which may be harmful to health. The total concentration of microbes (both dead and alive) was high - approximately 4.8 million particles m-3. The concentrations of endotoxins was high in summer and in autumn, from 340 to 1000 ng m-3 and exceeded recommended values. In the winter, the concentration of the endotoxin was lower, ranging between 4.7 and 33 ng m-3.
Land application of sewage sludge: perceptions of New Jersey vegetable farmers
Authors: Krogmann U. , Gibson V. , Chess C.
Published: April 2009

Understanding farmers’ perceptions and choices regarding land application of sewage sludge is key to developing locally accepted strategies for managing its sewage sludge. Semi-structured interviews, with mostly open-ended questions were conducted with 50 fruit and vegetable farmers at the New Jersey Annual Vegetable Meeting in 1999. The in-depth interviews indicated that the application of sewage sludge to land is currently not a common agricultural practice for these growers. Perceived risks, including heavy metals in sewage sludge (soil-build up, crop-uptake), negative public perception, odour complaints, and increase of contaminants in the water supply outweigh economic incentives and soil improvement benefits. When naming benefits and drawbacks, farmers tend to think first of their crop and their land, and do not mention the environment. It is only when they are questioned directly about environmental benefits and risks that they discuss these aspects. Communication efforts should focus on practical information to which farmers can relate.
Monitoring and long-term prediction of refuse compositions and settlement in large-scale landfill
Authors: Youcai Zhao , Zhugen Chen , Qingwen Shi , Renhua Huang
Published: April 2009

Settlement and changes in refuse composition for total sugar, raw cellulose, biological degradable matter, volatile solid, organic carbon, were monitored in a large-scale experimental landfill unit and closed landfill units at Shanghai Refuse Landfill from April 1995 through to October 1998. Mathematical simulation formulae between these parameters and refuse age were developed based on the data obtained from the experimental landfill unit and validated by data from landfill units closed in April of 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994. Long-term predictions for these parameters for the landfill were made using these formulae. It was predicted that the refuse might be fully mineralized and the cumulative settlement might be over 30% of the initial height after around 22 to 30 years. The stabilization process and reuse approaches for landfills based on the compositions and settlement are discussed.
Effects of rooting and tree growth of selected woodland species on cap integrity in a mineral capped landfill site
Authors: Hutchings T. R. , Moffat A. J. , Kemp R. A.
Published: April 2009

The above and below ground growth of three tree species ( Alnus glutinosa, Pinus nigra var. maritima and Acer pseudoplatanus) was studied on a containment landfill site at Waterford, Hertfordshire, UK. Tree root architecture was studied using soil inspection pits excavated next to 12 trees of each species and mapped in detail. Tree height was related to soil thickness over the compacted mineral cap. No roots entered the cap where soil thickness was 1.3 m, but a few roots, especially of alder, were observed within it when the soil cover was 1.0 m or less. Micromorphological analysis of undisturbed samples of the mineral cap suggested that roots exploited weaknesses in the cap rather than actively causing penetration into it. Alder roots were more tolerant of anaerobic conditions within the cap than the other species examined. The results confirm that mineral caps should be covered by 1.5 m of soil or soil-forming material if tree establishment is intended over a restored landfill site, unless protected by other parts of a composite capping system.
Treatability of chromite ore processing waste by leaching
Authors: ünlü Kahraman , Haskök Serkan
Published: April 2009

Developing treatment and disposal strategies and health-based clean-up standards for chromium containing wastes continues to be an important environmental regulatory issue because of the opposing solubility and toxicity characteristics of chromium species under diverse environmental conditions. In this study, leaching characteristics of total Cr and Cr(VI) were investigated using laboratory column studies. The data obtained from the experimental studies were analysed to assess the treatability of chromite ore processing waste (COPW) by leaching and to identify the leaching strategies that enhance mass removal rates of chromium species. COPW used for laboratory soil column studies was obtained from an industrial plant producing sodium chromate in Mersin, Turkey. Laboratory investigations involved chemical characterisation of waste material and column studies. For waste characterisation, U.S. EPA toxicity characterisation leaching procedure (TCLP) was performed on COPW to determine the concentrations of metal species in the TCLP extract. For column studies, various laboratory columns containing plain COPW material, 1:1 COPW/reducing agent (elemental iron or manure) mixture and different type soils (sand, loam and clay) overlain by COPW were subjected to leaching tests using acidic, neutral and alkaline influent water to determine Cr mass leaching efficiencies. Based on the TCLP analyses, COPW is classified as hazardous waste. As a result of comparing the leaching efficiency data from twelve leaching columns, the maximum removal of total Cr was achieved by leaching COPW/manure mixture using acidic (pH 4.78) influent water. The highest Cr(VI) leaching efficiency was achieved in the columns of plain COPW and COPW/manure mixture using highly alkaline (pH 12.0) influent water. The least effective leaching efficiency for both total Cr and Cr (VI) was obtained by leaching plain COPW with neutral (pH 7.0) influent water. Land-disposal of the treated COPW material by mixing with clayey soils seems to be a viable alternative.
Identification of thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria and fungi in Esfahan (Iran) municipal solid waste compost
Authors: Ghazifard Akbar , Kasra-Kermanshahi Rouha , Far Zahra Etemadi
Published: April 2009

The thermophilic and mesophilic microbiota in compost produced from Esfahan municipal solid waste were examined at different stages of composting process from day zero to 28 days and was conducted in four different seasons. Some of the mesophilic bacteria observed in initial stages of composting process were gram negative Escherichia, Klebsiella, Aeromonas and Alcaligenes, and gram positive Enterococcus and Bacillus species. After 20 days of the composting process lower species diversity of mesophiles (only Bacillus species) were isolated, which was most likely due to the high temperature (60-68°C) condition. Some of the observed thermophilic bacteria at later stages of the process are: Bacillus subtilis, B. polymyxa, B. pumilus, B. sphaericus, and B. licheniformis from thermotolerants, and B. stearothermophilus, B. acidocaldarius, and B. schleglii from thermophiles. Among the mesophilic fungi, at the initial stages of composting process some types of yeasts and molds were isolated, but after day 20 due to high temperature condition (60-68°C), no mesophilic fungi were obtained. On the 15th day of composting the highest diversity of thermotolerant fungi such as Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Absidiae spp. were observed. The results indicated that, in order to obtain a sanitary product in cold seasons, the composting process needs a longer duration and fewer turnings.
The use of statistical entropy to evaluate the utilisation of incinerator ashes for the production of cement
Authors: Rechberger H.
Published: April 2009

The paper discusses the utilisation of MSW incinerator residues for the production of cement with regard to materials management. Two objectives of waste management are the protection of men and the environment and resource conservation. Thus metals have to be recycled or transferred into appropriate final sinks. For both options a concentrating step is indispensable. MSW incinerators are such concentrating processes, as they accumulate metals in their residues. The mixing of high-concentrated residues with low-concentrated clinker in order to produce cement results in dilution of metals. This contradicts the above objectives. Concentrating and dilution processes can be described by materials balances. To evaluate different uses of MSW residues in the cement production the statistical entropy of the resulting distributions of selected metals (Cd, Pb, Cu) is assessed. The result is that in order to avoid an increase in the entropy, neither fly ashes nor bottom ashes of MSW incinerators should be utilised at large scale without pre-treatment. The method can be used to determine the quality of the residues so that they can be used in accordance with the objectives of waste management.
Stability evaluation of a cement based waste form to microbially induced degradation
Authors: Idachaba M. A. , Nyavor K. , Egiebor N. O. , Rogers R. D.
Published: April 2009

In this study the current Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) protocol is used to evaluate the stability of Tuskegee cement/cobalt chloride waste form in the presence of Thiobacillus thiooxidans (T. thiooxidans). A critical examination of this protocol and identified limitations are reported also. Tuskegee cement/cobalt chloride waste forms were shown to exhibit considerable instability to microbial degradation as indicated by significant physical deterioration, and increased leaching of calcium and cobalt on exposure to T. thiooxidans. The instability was aggravated with higher levels of cobalt chloride content of the waste forms. The degradative capability of T. thiooxidansclosely followed its ability to significantly decrease the pH of its environment. Inherent limitations in the NRC protocol were observed which could lead to serious result interpretation errors. The use of a T. thiooxidansculture that is significantly lower in pH in comparison to the control medium could lead to an overestimation of the degradative effect of T. thiooxidans, while the use of a culture that is substrate limited could result in an underestimation of T. thiooxidans capability.
Effect of bulking agent on the reduction of NH3emissions during thermophilic composting of night-soil sludge
Authors: Nakasaki Kiyohiko , Ohtaki Akihito , Takano Hiroyuki
Published: April 2009

Night-soil sludge contains a high percentage of nitrogen and releases large amounts of ammonia when it is composted. In this research, three types of bulking agents, sawdust, perlite, and activated carbon, were used, and the effects of these bulking agents on the reduction of NH3 emissions during thermophilic composting were evaluated. It was found that not only is sawdust the most effective agent in reducing NH3 emissions, but that it also effectively promotes organic matter decomposition. Increases in the mixing ratio of sawdust in the range adopted in the present research, from 70% to 92% on a dry-weight basis, appeared to cause no adverse effects on the decomposition of sludge itself. And the higher the mixing ratio of sawdust, the more effective the reduction in NH3 emissions, however this effect was not enough to completely suppress these emissions, even at the highest mixing ratio.
Nuisance flies around a landfill: Patterns of abundance and distribution
Authors: Howard J.
Published: April 2009

Some members of the public living near landfills perceive the sites as a source of nuisance flies and their associated diseases. Both these factors contribute to frequent complaints to Environmental Health Officers about landfill operations. Fly monitoring using sticky targets was done at a working landfill site in the West Midlands in order to identify the key species of flies present at the site, and to establish whether these flies were similar to those occurring in the surrounding area. Targets were positioned in concentric rings, radiating away from the working face into the surrounding residential area. The abundance of the flies, both in and around the landfill site was monitored over a 6-week period commencing 16 August 1999.

The key families of flies present on targets on the landfill site were Muscidae, principally Musca domestica L.(common house fly), Calliphoridae, (primarily ‘blue’ and ‘green’ bottles), and Sarcophagidae (flesh flies). In contrast, the families of flies found on targets immediately outside the working landfill site and in the nearby surrounding area, were largely vegetation-feeding or parasitic flies, together with other non-fly insects. The overall abundance of all flies increased significantly during the monitoring period.
Inhibition of methane oxidation by volatile sulfur compounds (CH3SH and CS2) in landfill cover soils
Authors: Börjesson Gunnar
Published: April 2009

Methanethiol and carbon disulphide were investigated for their ability to inhibit methane oxidation in two landfill cover soils. Methanethiol was found to be a competitive inhibitor, and at concentrations occurring in landfills, both these VSCs (volatile sulfur compounds) had inhibitory effects on the methane oxidation rates. Analysis of the phospholipid fatty acid contents in the soils indicated that type I-methanotrophs were more affected than type II. These effects of VSCs on methane oxidation are likely to have implications both for the establishment and the selectivity of a methane oxidizing microflora in landfills.
Modelling of the biodegradation of organic matter in municipal landfills
Authors: Haarstrick A. , Hempel D. C. , Ostermann L. , Ahrens H. , Dinkler D.
Published: April 2009

A model is presented to simulate the biodegradation of easily and slowly hydrolyzable organic matter, as well as the generation of biogas and heat release. The model is based on fundamental relationships among physical/ chemical, thermodynamical and microbial processes occurring in municipal landfills. Local, microbially-mediated degradation processes occurring in municipal landfills, are simulated in terms of the hydrolysis of solid organic matter, the formation of glucose and acetate as intermediary carbon substrates and the generation of the biogases CH4 and CO2. Thus, the overall decomposition of the organic matter has been assumed to follow four sequential biochemical reactions: hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis and methanogenesis. In order to study the impact of environmental factors on the biological decomposition processes, pH, temperature and hydrogen changes have been integrated into the degradation model as inhibition terms.