bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Including an Analysis of Difficult Behaviour in the Assessment of Children With an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Implications For School Psychologists
Authors: Bitsika Vicki
Published: July 2008

School psychologists who contribute to the assessment of children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are required by various Australian state government authorities to use standardised testing of cognitive skills, adaptive behaviour and some autism-based symptomatology to demonstrate the eligibility of those children for support funding in the school environment. However, this process does not always address the needs of parents and teachers for detailed and particular analysis of the reasons for the pervasive behavioural difficulties often shown by children with an ASD. Such difficult behaviour has been shown to contribute to high levels of stress among caregivers and often prevents the child with an ASD from successful school inclusion. Therefore, it would be advantageous for parents and teachers to have access to information obtained from an analysis of the child's behavioural difficulties as one outcome of the formal testing process that is conducted to examine the possible presence of an ASD. This paper presents a brief example of how a basic behavioural investigation might be incorporated into the assessment of children with a suspected ASD.
A Comparison of International and Domestic Tertiary Students in Australia
Authors: Khawaja Nigar G. , Dempsey Jenny
Published: July 2008

In this study international and domestic students were compared on variables such as accommodation and financial satisfaction, social support, mismatched expectations, academic stress, dysfunctional coping, and psychological distress. International and domestic students (N= 86 for each group), enrolled at a large Australian university based in a capital city, completed a battery of questionnaires. Results demonstrate that in comparison to domestic students, international students had less social support, used more dysfunctional coping strategies and had greater incongruence between their expectations and experiences of university life. The results endorse the significance of providing high quality supportive and orientation programs to international students, to enhance their social support and coping strategies, which, as demonstrated, are lacking.
Discrimination Against Same Sex Attracted Youth: The Role of the School Counsellor
Authors: Hohnke Mark , O'Brien Patrick
Published: July 2008

Beginning with a discussion of current legislation in Australia around inclusion, this paper highlights recent research into the school experience of Same Sex Attracted Youth (SSAY), including the issues faced by students, and the negative outcomes of such experiences. The school experiences of SSAY youth is positioned within a social justice framework. The critical role that school counsellors can play in determining school culture is examined. The role of a school counsellor as part of a pastoral care team within school management is also highlighted. Factors that may influence a more supportive and inclusive school culture are discussed.
Ca2+-Dependent, Phospholipid-Binding Residues of Synaptotagmin Are Critical for Excitation–Secretion CouplingIn Vivo
Authors: Paddock Brie E. , Striegel Amelia R. , Hui Enfu , Chapman Edwin R. , Reist Noreen E.
Published: July 2008

Synaptotagmin I is the Ca2+sensor for fast, synchronous release of neurotransmitter; however, the molecular interactions that couple Ca2+binding to membrane fusion remain unclear. The structure of synaptotagmin is dominated by two C2domains that interact with negatively charged membranes after binding Ca2+.In vitrowork has implicated a conserved basic residue at the tip of loop 3 of the Ca2+-binding pocket in both C2domains in coordinating this electrostatic interaction with anionic membranes. Although results from cultured cells suggest that the basic residue of the C2A domain is functionally significant, such studies provide contradictory results regarding the importance of the C2B basic residue during vesicle fusion. To directly test the functional significance of each of these residues at an intact synapsein vivo, we neutralized either the C2A or the C2B basic residue and assessed synaptic transmission at theDrosophilaneuromuscular junction. The conserved basic residues at the tip of the Ca2+-binding pocket of both the C2A and C2B domains mediate Ca2+-dependent interactions with anionic membranes and are required for efficient evoked transmitter release. Our results directly support the hypothesis that the interactions between synaptotagmin and the presynaptic membrane, which are mediated by the basic residues at the tip of both the C2A and C2B Ca2+-binding pockets, are critical for coupling Ca2+influx with vesicle fusion during synaptic transmissionin vivo. Our model for synaptotagmin's direct role in coupling Ca2+binding to vesicle fusion incorporates this finding with results from multiplein vitroandin vivostudies.
Lysosomes Are the Major Vesicular Compartment Undergoing Ca2+-Regulated Exocytosis from Cortical Astrocytes
Authors: Li Dongdong , Ropert Nicole , Koulakoff Annette , Giaume Christian , Oheim Martin
Published: July 2008

Although Ca2+-dependent exocytosis is considered to be a pathway for gliotransmitter release from astrocytes, the structural and functional bases of this process remain controversial. We studied the relationship between near-membrane Ca2+elevations and the dynamics of single astroglial vesicles with styryl (FM) dyes. We show that cultured astrocytes, unlike neurons, spontaneously internalize FM dyes, resulting in the labeling of the entire acidic vesicle population within minutes. Interestingly, metabotropic glutamate receptor activation did not affect the FM labeling. Most FM-stained vesicles expressed sialin, CD63/LAMP3, and VAMP7, three markers for lysosomes and late endosomes. A subset of lysosomes underwent asynchronous exocytosis that required both Ca2+mobilization from intracellular stores and Ca2+influx across the plasma membrane. Lysosomal fusion occurred within seconds and was complete with no evidence for kiss and run. Our experiments suggest that astroglial Ca2+-regulated exocytosis is carried by lysosomes and operates on a timescale orders of magnitude slower than synaptic transmission.
Tonotopic Variation in the Calcium Dependence of Neurotransmitter Release and Vesicle Pool Replenishment at Mammalian Auditory Ribbon Synapses
Authors: Johnson Stuart L. , Forge Andrew , Knipper Marlies , Münkner Stefan , Marcotti Walter
Published: July 2008

The mammalian cochlea is specialized to recognize and process complex auditory signals with remarkable acuity and temporal precision over a wide frequency range. The quality of the information relayed to the auditory afferent fibers mainly depends on the transfer characteristics of inner hair cell (IHC) ribbon synapses. To investigate the biophysical properties of the synaptic machinery, we measured changes in membrane capacitance (ΔCm) in low-frequency (apical region, ∼300 Hz) and high-frequency (basal, ∼30 kHz) gerbil IHCs maintained in near physiological conditions (1.3 mmextracellular Ca2+and body temperature). With maturation, the Ca2+efficiency of exocytosis improved in both apical and basal IHCs and was more pronounced in the latter. Prehearing IHCs showed a similar Ca2+cooperativity of exocytosis despite the smaller ΔCmin apical cells. After maturation, ΔCmin high-frequency IHCs increased linearly with the Ca2+current, whereas, somewhat surprisingly, the relationship was significantly more nonlinear in low-frequency cells. This tonotopic difference seemed to be correlated with ribbon synapse morphology (spherical in apical and ellipsoid in basal IHCs) but not with the expression level of the proposed Ca2+sensor otoferlin or the spatial coupling between Ca2+channels and active zones. Repetitive stimulation of adult IHCs showed that vesicle pool refilling could become rate limiting for vesicle release, with high-frequency IHCs able to sustain greater release rates. Together, our findings provide the first evidence for a tonotopic difference in the properties of the synaptic machinery in mammalian IHCs, which could be essential for fine-tuning their receptor characteristics during sound stimulation.
Brain Mechanisms of Serial and Parallel Processing during Dual-Task Performance
Authors: Sigman Mariano , Dehaene Stanislas
Published: July 2008

The psychological refractory period (PRP) refers to the fact that humans typically cannot perform two tasks at once. Behavioral experiments have led to the proposal that, in fact, peripheral perceptual and motor stages continue to operate in parallel, and that only a central decision stage imposes a serial bottleneck. We tested this model using neuroimaging methods combined with innovative time-sensitive analysis tools. Subjects performed a dual-task visual–auditory paradigm in which a delay of 300 ms was injected into the auditory task either within or outside of the dual-task interference period. Event-related potentials indicated that the first ∼250 ms of processing were insensitive to dual-task interference, and that the PRP was mainly reflected in a delayed global component. By a clustering analysis based on time-resolved functional magnetic resonance imaging, we identified networks with qualitatively different timing properties: sensory areas tracked the objective time of stimulus presentation, a bilateral parietoprefrontal network correlated with the PRP delay, and an extended bilateral network that included bilateral posterior parietal cortex, premotor cortex, supplementary motor area, anterior part of the insula, and cerebellum was shared by both tasks during the extent of dual-task performance. The results provide physiological evidence for the coexistence of serial and parallel processes within a cognitive task.
Mapping Prefrontal CircuitsIn Vivowith Manganese-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Monkeys
Authors: Simmons Janine M. , Saad Ziad S. , Lizak Martin J. , Ortiz Michael , Koretsky Alan P. , Richmond Barry J.
Published: July 2008

Manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) provides a powerful tool to study multisynaptic circuitsin vivoand thereby to link information about neural structure and function within individual subjects. Making the best use of MEMRI in monkeys requires minimizing manganese-associated neurotoxicity, maintaining sensitivity to manganese-dependent signal changes and mapping transport throughout the brain without a priori anatomical hypotheses. Here, we performed intracortical injections of isotonic MnCl2, comparisons of preinjection and postinjection scans, and voxelwise statistical mapping. Isotonic MnCl2did not cause cell death at the injection site, damage to downstream targets of manganese transport, behavioral deficits, or changes in neuronal responsiveness. We detected and mapped manganese transport throughout cortical–subcortical circuits by using voxelwise statistical comparisons of at least 10 preinjection and two postinjection scans. We were able to differentiate between focal and diffuse projection fields and to distinguish between the topography of striatal projections from orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex in a single animal. This MEMRI approach provides a basis for combining circuit-based anatomical analyses with simultaneous single-unit recordings and/or functional magnetic resonance imaging in individual monkeys. Such studies will enhance our interpretations of functional data and our understanding of how neuronal activity is transformed as it propagates through a circuit.
Magnocellular Pathway Impairment in Schizophrenia: Evidence from Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Martínez Antígona , Hillyard Steven A. , Dias Elisa C. , Hagler Donald J. , Butler Pamela D. , Guilfoyle David N. , Jalbrzikowski Maria , Silipo Gail , Javitt Daniel C.
Published: July 2008

Sensory processing deficits in schizophrenia have been documented for several decades, but their underlying neurophysiological substrates are still poorly understood. In the visual system, the pattern of pathophysiology reported in several studies is suggestive of dysfunction within the magnocellular visual pathway beginning in early sensory cortex or even subcortically. The present study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate further the neurophysiological bases of visual processing deficits in schizophrenia and in particular the potential role of magnocellular stream dysfunction. Sinusoidal gratings systematically varying in spatial frequency content were presented to subjects at low and high levels of contrast to differentially bias activity in magnocellular and parvocellular pathways based on well established differences in neuronal response profiles. Hemodynamic responses elicited by different spatial frequencies were mapped over the occipital lobe and then over the entire brain. Retinotopic mapping was used to localize the occipital activations with respect to the boundaries of visual areas V1 and V2, which were demarcated in each subject. Relative to control subjects, schizophrenia patients showed markedly reduced activations to low, but not high, spatial frequencies in multiple regions of the occipital, parietal, and temporal lobes. These findings support the hypothesis that schizophrenia is associated with impaired functioning of the magnocellular visual pathway and further suggest that these sensory processing deficits may contribute to higher-order cognitive deficits in working memory, executive functioning, and attention.
Death Receptors and Caspases But Not Mitochondria Are Activated in the GDNF- or BDNF-Deprived Dopaminergic Neurons
Authors: Yu Li-ying , Saarma Mart , Arumäe Urmas
Published: July 2008

Neurotrophic factors, including glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), promote survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, but the death pathways activated in the dopaminergic neurons by deprivation of these factors are poorly studied. We show here that deprivation of GDNF or BDNF triggers a novel mitochondria-independent death pathway in the cultured embryonic dopaminergic neurons: cytochromecwas not released from the mitochondria to cytosol, proapoptotic protein Bax was not activated, and overexpressed Bcl-xL did not block the death. Caspases were critically required, because the death was completely blocked by caspase inhibitor BAF [boc-aspartyl(OMe)-fluoromethylketone] and overexpression of dominant-negative mutants of caspase-9, -3, and -7 significantly blocked the death. Also, the death receptor pathway was involved, because blockage of caspase-8 or FADD (Fas-associated protein with death domain), an adapter required for caspase-8 activation, inhibited death induced by GDNF or BDNF deprivation. Ligation of Fas by agonistic anti-Fas antibody induced apoptosis in the GDNF- or BDNF-maintained neurons, and inhibition of Fas by Fas-Fc chimera blocked the death of GDNF- or BDNF-deprived neurons, whereas FAIML(long isoform of Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule) could control the activity of Fas in the dopaminergic neurons.
Protein Kinase A Mediates Activity-Dependent Kv4.2 Channel Trafficking
Authors: Hammond Rebecca S. , Lin Lin , Sidorov Michael S. , Wikenheiser Andrew M. , Hoffman Dax A.
Published: July 2008

The A-type potassium channel subunit Kv4.2 influences hippocampal function through regulation of dendritic excitability, and changes in Kv4.2 surface expression alter synaptic plasticity. Recent data from our laboratory demonstrate that EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein)-tagged Kv4.2 channels located in dendritic spines are internalized in an activity-dependent manner after synaptic stimulation and during chemically induced long-term potentiation. However, the molecular trigger for Kv4.2 internalization remains unknown. Here we examined the role of protein kinase A (PKA) in Kv4.2 activity-dependent trafficking. In hippocampal neurons, PKA activation with forskolin or 8-Br-cAMP induced Kv4.2 internalization from dendritic spines, whereas PKA inhibition with H89 prevented AMPA-induced internalization. Furthermore, introduction of a point mutation at the C-terminal PKA phosphorylation site of Kv4.2 (S552A) prevented the AMPA-induced internalization of Kv4.2. Together, these data demonstrate that Kv4.2 activity-dependent internalization requires PKA phosphorylation of Kv4.2 at serine 522.
An adrenal rest tumour in the perirenal region in a patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to congenital 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase deficiency
Authors: Claahsen-van der Grinten Hedi L , Duthoi Kristof , Otten Barto J , d'Ancona Frank C H , Hulsbergen-vd Kaa Christina A , Hermus Ad R M M
Published: July 2008

Background

In contrast to the high incidence of testicular adrenal rest tumours (TART) in adult male patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), ovarian adrenal rest tumours in female CAH patients are very rare and other locations of adrenal rest tumours have never been reported. Here, we report on an adult patient with CAH due to 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) deficiency with bilateral TART and additionally a large perirenal adrenal rest tumour.

Case report

The patient was known with CAH due to 3β-HSD deficiency and treated with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone since the neonatal period. In puberty, there was lack of compliance with consequently high POMC concentrations. At the age of 16 years, bilateral TART were detected by scrotal ultrasound. Intensifying glucocorticoid medication did not result in decrease in POMC concentrations and shrinkage of size of the tumours. At the age of 23 years, abdominal ultrasound was performed because of abdominal complaints, showing a round inhomogeneous structure with a diameter of 4 cm near the left renal hilus. A computer tomography scan showed a multinodular lesion in the retroperitoneal region beside the left kidney. Histological investigation after removal of the tumour showed sheets of large polygonal cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, separated by dense fibrous tissue strands. The histological and immunohistochemical profile resulted in a diagnosis of an adrenal rest tumour.

Conclusion

In adult CAH patients, ectopic adrenal rest tumours can be present outside the testicular region. Further investigations are necessary to determine whether regularly screening for these tumours is useful.
Factors controlling testis descent
Authors: Hughes Ieuan A , Acerini Carlo L
Published: July 2008

Descent of the testis from an intra-abdominal site in foetal life to an extracorporeal location after birth is a mandatory developmental process to ensure that the mature testis promotes normal spermatogenesis. The two phases of transabdominal and inguinoscrotal descent occur approximately during the first and last thirds of gestation respectively. Key anatomical events to release the testis from its urogenital ridge location and to guide the free gonad into the scrotum are the degeneration of the cranio-suspensory ligament and a thickening of the gubernaculum. Androgens play a role in both these processes, particularly with respect to enabling the testis to traverse the inguinal canal in the final phase of descent. Experiments in animals suggest that androgens mediate this effect via the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide by the genitofemoral nerve, but direct evidence for such a mechanism is lacking in humans. The transabdominal phase of descent is under the control of insulin-like 3 (INSL3), a product of the Leydig cells. Definitive evidence of its role in rodent testis descent is illustrated by the phenotype of bilateral cryptorchidism inInsl3−/−null mice. Circulating levels of INSL3 are higher in boys at puberty, are undetectable in girls and are lower in boys with undescended testes. A minority also have a mutation either in theINSL3gene or affecting its receptor gene, relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 2 (LGRF8). Other factors that may play a role in testis descent include the anti-Mullerian hormone and members of theHOXgene family. Evidence that the prevalence of undescended testis may be increasing provides a phenotypic readout for the effects of postulated chemicals in the environment interfering in some way with the action of factors that control testis descent. Epidemiological studies point to profound geographical variations in prevalence in countries such as Denmark and Finland. Associations have been found with levels of chemicals labelled as endocrine disruptors being higher in breast milk samples from mothers with cryptorchid boys when compared with controls. The adverse effects of these compounds (e.g. bisphenol A) can be replicated in the offspring of dams exposed during pregnancy. A sensitive marker of an anti-androgen effect of a compound is a reduction in the anogenital distance, an anthropometric measurement that is significantly greater in males compared with females. The observation of an association between the anogenital distance in infant boys and the level of pesticides in the urine of their mothers in late gestation indicates that this has the potential to be a useful surrogate marker of the effects of environmental chemicals on testis descent in human population studies. The rightful place for the testis at birth is in the scrotum in order to provide the temperature differential essential for normal spermatogenesis. Appropriate screening programmes and early surgical intervention are the prerequisites to ensure optimal fertility in adulthood and a considerably lessened risk of testis cancer.
Back-analysis of a PVC geomembrane-lined pond failure
Authors: Stark T. D. , Newman E. J. , Aust R. L.
Published: July 2008

This paper presents a case history of veneer slope failures in a non-potable water pond. The paper includes a description of slope construction and post-construction movements, field and laboratory investigations, and stability analyses used to evaluate the cause of the slides. The pond lining system was designed at a 3H : 1V slope and consists from bottom to top of native subgrade, a 0.75 mm thick poly (vinyl chloride) geomembrane, a 270 g/m2 non-woven geotextile, and a 0.3 m thick layer of compacted soil cover over the geotextile. This paper discusses the back-analysis of the slope failures and presents recommendations for back-analyses of other slides involving geosynthetic-lined slopes.
Refinement of K-stiffness Method for geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls
Authors: Bathurst R. J. , Miyata Y. , Nernheim A. , Allen A. M.
Published: July 2008

The K-stiffness Method is an empirically-developed working stress method used to compute reinforcement loads for the internal stability design of geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls under serviceability conditions. In this paper, additional data from Japanese case studies for five full-scale field and three full-scale laboratory geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls are added to the database that was used to calibrate the original K-stiffness Method. One more case study from an instrumented wall in the USA is also introduced. Measured loads are compared with predicted loads using the current AASHTO Simplified Method and a modified version of the K-stiffness Method that has been adjusted by back-fitting model parameters to the extended database. The AASHTO Simplified Method is shown to be excessively conservative (on average) with respect to accurate prediction of reinforcement loads and to correlate poorly with measured values. The modified K-stiffness Method is demonstrated by statistical analysis to give ratios (bias) of average measured to predicted reinforcement load values close to 1 and coefficient of variation (COV) values for the maximum reinforcement load in a wall that are less than 25%.
Influence of fibers on swelling properties of clayey soil
Authors: Al-Akhras N. M. , Attom M. F. , Al-Akhras K. M. , Malkawi A. I. H.
Published: July 2008

This study investigated the effect of two types of fibers (natural and synthetic) on the swelling properties of clayey soils. Nylon and palmyra fibers with different aspect ratios (L/d) were mixed with three types of expansive soils that had different physical properties. Four aspect ratios (25, 50, 75, and 100) and five different amounts of fiber (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%) were used in the study and both swelling pressure and swell potential were evaluated for each combination. The results of the study showed that an increase in the percentage of both types of fiber reduced the swelling pressure and swell potential of the clayey soils significantly. It was also noted that the palmyra fibers had a greater effect than the nylon fibers in reducing the swelling pressure of the expansive soils that included the same amount of the fiber. The lower aspect ratio (L/d) appeared to have a greater effect in reducing the swelling pressure for the two types of fibers. The impact of mixing the fibers with the clayey soils increased as the clay fraction increased.
Readiness to Change, Partner Violence Subtypes, and Treatment Outcomes Among Men in Treatment for Partner Assault
Authors: Eckhardt Christopher , Holtzworth-Munroe Amy , Norlander Bradley , Sibley Ashley , Cahill Melissa
Published: July 2008

Men court-mandated to attend a batterer’s intervention program (BIP) were evaluated to determine whether pre-BIP readiness to change and the presence of partner violence subtypes predicted BIP completion, criminal recidivism, and postadjudication partner violence 6 months post-BIP. Of the 199 subject sample, 40% did not complete BIP. Four readiness-to-change clusters were found, with most men (76%) reporting change-resistant stages-of-change profiles. The partner violence typology reported by Holtzworth-Munroe et al. (2000) was supported with clustering into four subtypes: family only (FO), low-level antisocial (LLA), borderline/dysphoric (BD), and generally violent/antisocial (GVA). BIP completion was predicted by violence subtype (with BD and GVA more likely to drop out) but not by pre-BIP readiness to change. Men rearrested scored higher on the precontemplative stage of change and were more likely to be in the BD and GVA subtypes. Implications for counseling strategies are discussed.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Executive Functioning in Depression
Authors: Andrew James Ian , Reichelt F. Katharina , Carlsonn Petra , McAnaney Andrea
Published: July 2008

When considering psychological treatments for depression, a therapist needs to be aware of some of the wider cognitive and neuropsychological difficulties experienced by his or her patient in order to tailor therapy appropriately. The depressed person may display rigid and concrete thinking, attentional problems, a tendency to bias information negatively, and experience memory difficulties. In cognitive psychology or neuropsychological terms, many of the outlined difficulties are linked to deficits in executive functioning. Executive abilities are associated with frontal lobe processes and are concerned with problem-solving, motivational, self-regulatory abilities, and interpersonal skills. This article examines the role of executive deficits in depression and suggests ways in which therapy may be adapted to accommodate for these problems.
The Mental Simulation of Motor Incapacity in Depression
Authors: Lindeman Lisa M. , Abramson Lyn Y.
Published: July 2008

In depression, negative beliefs are coupled with profound physical weakness. Specifically, the belief that one is incapable of altering events in order to prevent expected negative outcomes or bring about positive outcomes leads to bodily symptoms characterized by low energy, slow motor movement, and delays in the initiation of movement. The purpose of this article is to present a theoretical model describing the causal mechanisms that link these cognitive and somatic elements of depression. We propose that (a) the inability to alter events is conceptualized metaphorically as motor incapacity; (b) as part of this conceptualization, the experience of motor incapacity is mentally simulated; and (c) this simulation leads to both subjective feelings of lethargy and peripheral physiological changes consistent with motor incapacity.
Optimization of the performance of an integrated anaerobic–aerobic system for domestic wastewater treatment
Authors: Tawfik A. , El-Gohary F. , Ohashi A. , Harada H.
Published: July 2008

A promising system consisting of Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) and Down-Flow Hanging Sponge (DHS) system was investigated for removal of COD, BOD5 fractions, ammonia and faecal coliform from domestic wastewater. The combined system was operated at different HRTs of 16, 11 and 8 h. The results indicate that increasing the total HRT from 8 to 16 h significantly (p < 0.05) improves the CODtotal and BOD5 total removal mainly as a result of a higher removal of CODsoluble, BODsoluble, CODparticulate and BODparticulate. The main part of coarse suspended solids was removed in the UASB reactor (76.4±18%) and the remaining portion was adsorbed and/or enmeshed and degraded in the biomass of the DHS system. The combined system achieved a substantial reduction of total suspended solids (TSS) resulting in an average overall percentage removal of 94±6% (HRT = 16 h) and 89.5±7.8% (HRT = 8 h). Faecal coliform reduction was significantly improved when increasing the total HRT from 8 to 16 h. Residual counts of faecal coliform were 3.1 × 103/100 ml at a total HRT of 16 h, and 2.8 × 104/100 ml at total HRT of 8 h, corresponding to overall removal efficiency of 99.97±0.03 and 99.6±0.3% respectively. Despite the increase of ammonia concentration as a result of protein hydrolysis in the UASB reactor, a substantial removal of ammonia was achieved in the DHS system. The results obtained show that decreasing the OLR imposed to DHS system from 2.6 to 1.6 kg COD/m3·d significantly (p < 0.05) improves the removal efficiency of ammonia by a value of 29%. However, the removal efficiency of ammonia is not further increased when decreasing the OLR from 1.6 to 1.3 kg COD/m3·d. The discharged sludge from UASB + DHS system exerts a good settling property and partially stabilized.

DHS profile results have shown that the major part of COD, BOD5, and TSS was removed in the upper part of the system, consequently, the nitrification process was occurring in the lower part of the DHS system.
Field performance assessment of onsite individual wastewater treatment systems
Authors: Moelants N. , Janssen G. , Smets I. , Van Impe J.
Published: July 2008

Onsite individual wastewater treatment systems can provide a financially attractive alternative to a sewer connection in locations far from the existing sewer network. These systems are, however, relatively new, and therefore, shortcomings in the design or operation problems still occur frequently. A previously performed survey revealed that most system owners neither carry out routine operation and maintenance tasks nor have a maintenance agreement with the manufacturer. This suggests that in reality, systems are often improperly managed and do not provide the level of treatment necessary to adequately protect surface and ground waters. To substantiate this statement, the field performance of 23 currently installed individual wastewater treatment systems in Belgium has been assessed.

The results of this study confirm that many installed individual systems do not perform well: 52% of them do not meet all the legal effluent standards (BOD, COD, SS). Activated sludge systems prove to be less efficient than biofilm-based systems and extensive systems perform better than compact systems. Maintenance problems and to a lesser extent improperly designed systems are indeed the main cause of unsatisfactory results through, e.g., wash out.
Four years of development and field-testing of IHE arsenic removal family filter in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Petrusevski B. , Sharma S. , van der Meer W. G. , Kruis F. , Khan M. , Barua M. , Schippers J. C.
Published: July 2008

UNESCO-IHE has been developing an arsenic removal family filter with a capacity of 100 L/day based on arsenic adsorption onto iron oxide coated sand, a by-product of iron removal plants. The longer term and field conditions performance of the third generation of eleven family filters prototypes were tested in rural Bangladesh for 30 months. All filters achieved initially highly effective arsenic removal irrespective of arsenic concentration and groundwater composition. Arsenic level in filtrate reached 10 μg/l after 50 days of operation at one testing site and after 18 months of continuous operation at other 3 testing sites. Arsenic level at other 7 sites remained below the WHO guideline value till the end of study. Positive correlation was found between arsenic removal capacity of the filter and iron concentration in groundwater. In addition to arsenic, iron present in groundwater at all testing sites was also removed highly effectively. Manganese removal with IHE family filter was effective only when treating groundwater with low ammonia. A simple polishing sand filter, after IHE family filter, resulted in consistent and effective removal of manganese. IHE family filters were easy to operate and were well accepted by the local population.
Simultaneous sewage treatment and electricity generation in membrane-less microbial fuel cell
Authors: Ghangrekar M. M. , Shinde V. B.
Published: July 2008

Long term performance of mediator-less and membrane-less microbial fuel cell (ML-MFC) was evaluated for treatment of synthetic and actual sewage and electricity harvesting. The anode chamber of ML-MFC was inoculated with pre-heated mixed anaerobic sludge collected from a septic tank. The ML-MFC was operated by feeding synthetic wastewater for first 244 days, under different organic loading rates, and later with actual sewage for next 30 days. Maximum chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of 91.4% and 82.7% was achieved while treating synthetic wastewater and actual sewage, respectively. Maximum current of 0.33 mA and 0.17 mA was produced during synthetic and actual sewage treatment, respectively. Maximum power density of 6.73 mW/m2 (13.65 mW/m3) and maximum current density of 70.74 mA/m2 was obtained in this membrane-less MFC with successful organic matter removal from wastewater.
Development of an ecologically sustainable wastewater treatment system
Authors: Kumar Lokendra , Ranjan Rajiv , Sabumon P. C.
Published: July 2008

The present study aimed mainly for the development of a wastewater treatment system incorporating enhanced primary treatment, anaerobic digestion of coagulated organics, biofilm aerobic process for the removal of soluble organics and disinfection of treated water. An attempt was also made to study the reuse potential of treated water for irrigation and use of digested sludge as soil conditioner by growing marigold plants. Ferric chloride dose of 30 mg/l was found to be the optimum dose for enhanced primary treatment with removals of COD and BOD to the extent of 60% and 77%, respectively. Efficient anaerobic digestion of ferric coagulated sludge was performed at 7 days hydraulic retention time (HRT). Upflow aerobic fixed film reactor (UAFFR) was very efficient in removals of COD/BOD in the organic loading rate (OLR) range of 0.25 to 3 kg COD/m3/day with COD and BOD removals in the range 65–90 and 82–96, repectively. Photo-oxidation followed by disinfection saved 50% of chlorine dose required for disinfection of treated effluent and treated water was found to be suitable for irrigation. The result also indicated that anaerobically digested sludge may be an excellent soil conditioner. From the results of this study, it is possible to conclude that the developed wastewater treatment system is an attractive ecologically sustainable alternative for sewage treatment from institutional/industrial/residential campuses.
Study of the biological N removal over nitrite in a physico-chemical-biological treatment of digested pig manure in a SBR
Authors: Dosta J. , López-Palau S. , Mata-Álvarez J.
Published: July 2008

SBR technology is used to treat the supernatant from mesophilic anaerobic digestion of piggery wastewater. The novelty of the treatment consists in the use of a final coagulation/flocculation step inside the SBR cycle to reach the legal COD effluent standard. The pH changes introduced by the use of FeCl3 do not affect the nitrifying activity. The SBR treatment includes a strategy to the control of oxygen supply and ammonia concentrations inside the digester to favor the biological nitrogen removal over nitrite, which makes the process more economical. The influence of several of these parameters on the AOB biomass activity is studied in this paper.
Challenges with up-scaling dry sanitation technologies
Authors: Bhagwan J. N. , Still D. , Buckley C. , Foxon K.
Published: July 2008

The acceleration of sanitation delivery towards meeting the South African Government's target of completely eradicating the existing backlogs by 2010, has led to a surge of activities. As part of its strategy for ensuring that basic sanitation is provided, the policy has recommended that a ventilated improved pit latrine (VIP) is considered as the basic minimum requirement in the form of a sanitation technology. The up-scaling and delivering of sanitation in many cases in the form of VIPs and its derivatives, as well as urine diversion technology are beginning to pose many technical challenges. The principles on which they have been designed are not always being observed in practice. As a result, some systems are filling up much faster than expected. Research has found that the breakdown in the faeces is not happening as would be expected in an anaerobic reactor, and that the drying of faeces in humid conditions, even with the use of drying agents, is not optimum. These problems, which are being experienced in the field, will have long term repercussions on the sustainability of sanitation provision. This paper aims to share these experiences and findings of research, and the impact it may have on the Sanitation MDG goals.
Investigating public health impacts of deer in a protected drinking water supply watershed
Authors: Cinque K. , Stevens M. A. , Haydon S. R. , Jex A. R. , Gasser R. B. , Campbell B. E.
Published: July 2008

The World Health Organisation's (WHO) Water Safety Plans highlight the need for preventative risk management when managing water contamination risks. As part of this approach, a management framework incorporating multiple barriers is necessary and there is a need to validate those barriers through scientific evidence. This paper reports on a study undertaken to validate the effectiveness, in terms of pathogen numbers, of having protected watersheds. The study aimed to determine if the deer population in a protected watershed carried Cryptosporidium and whether or not it was human infectious. Deer faecal samples were collected from the protected watersheds over a 12 month period and analysed using a new method, developed as part of this project, for genotyping Cryptosporidium. Early results showed the presence of Cryptosporidium, but following a refinement in the method no human infectious Cryptosporidium was detected. The results give some confidence that having protected watersheds is an effective barrier against pathogen contamination. They do not, however, imply that continued monitoring and management of the deer should cease. To maintain compliance with the Water Safety Plans, continual validation of barrier effectiveness is required.
Adsorption kinetics of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus on single-walled carbon nanotube aggregates
Authors: Upadhyayula Venkata K. K. , Deng Shuguang , Mitchell Martha C. , Smith Geoffrey B. , Nair Vinod K. , Ghoshroy Soumitra
Published: July 2008

Batch adsorption studies to determine adsorption kinetics of Escherichia coli (E.coli) K12 and Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) SH 1000 bacterial cells on single-walled carbon nanotube aggregates were performed at two different initial concentrations. The diffusivity of E. coli cells in single-walled carbon nanotube aggregates obtained was 6.54 × 10−9 and 8.98 × 10–9 cm2/s, whereas that of S. aureus was between 1.00 × 10–7 and 1.66 × 10–7 cm2/s respectively. In addition to batch adsorption studies, electron microscopy studies were also conducted. The results suggest that diffusion kinetics of bacterial cells is concentration dependent as well as bacteria dependent. Diffusivity of S. aureus is two orders of magnitude greater than E. coli cells. This proves to be beneficial from an adsorption perspective where it is desired to filter microorganisms (water pretreatment and wastewater post treatment) and from nanotube biosensor perspective where it is desired to simultaneously capture and detect biothreat agents in a shorter span of time.
Emissions of perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS) from point sources—identification of relevant branches
Authors: Clara M. , Scharf S. , Weiss S. , Gans O. , Scheffknecht C.
Published: July 2008

Effluents of wastewater treatment plants are relevant point sources for the emission of hazardous xenobiotic substances to the aquatic environment. One group of substances, which recently entered scientific and political discussions, is the group of the perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS). The most studied compounds from this group are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS), which are the most important degradation products of PFAS. These two substances are known to be persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT). In the present study, eleven PFAS were investigated in effluents of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and in industrial wastewaters. PFOS and PFOA proved to be the dominant compounds in all sampled wastewaters. Concentrations of up to 340 ng/L of PFOS and up to 220 ng/L of PFOA were observed. Besides these two compounds, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) was also present in nearly all effluents and maximum concentrations of up to 280 ng/L werde measured. Only N-ethylperfluorooctane sulphonamide (N-EtPFOSA) and its degradation/metabolisation product perfluorooctane sulphonamide (PFOSA) were either detected below the limit of quantification or were not even detected at all. Beside the effluents of the municipal WWTPs, nine industrial wastewaters from six different industrial branches were also investigated. Significantly, the highest emissions or PFOS were observed from metal industry whereas paper industry showed the highest PFOA emission. Several PFAS, especially perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) and PFOS are predominantly emitted from industrial sources, with concentrations being a factor of 10 higher than those observed in the municipal WWTP effluents. Perfluorodecane sulphonate (PFDS), N-Et-PFOSA and PFOSA were not detected in any of the sampled industrial point sources.
Influence of organic and colloidal fouling on the removal of sulphamethoxazole by nanofiltration membranes
Authors: Nghiem Long Duc , Espendiller Christiane , Braun Gerd
Published: July 2008

This study investigated the effects of organic and colloidal fouling on the removal of a representative micropollutant sulphamethoxazole by two commercially available NF membranes. Alginate, bovine serum albumin and colloidal silica were selected as model foulants to simulate hydrophilic and hydrophobic organic fractions, and colloidal matter that are often found in treated effluent and surface water. Membrane fouling was related to the membrane and foulant characteristics and subsequently the separation behaviour of the micropollutant sulphamethoxazole under different solution pH. On the basis of these results, it was confirmed that membrane fouling is strongly dependent on both the foulant and membrane characteristics. The complex relationship among retention mechanisms, fouling mechanisms and the effects of fouling on retention was systematically delineated. Of the three model foulants selected for this study, colloidal fouling resulted in the most significant reduction in retention of sulphamethoxazole as well as inorganic salts, while flux decline as a result of colloidal fouling was quite moderate. Reduction in retention caused by fouling was attributed to a phenomenon known as cake-enhance concentration polarisation, which was a predominant mechanism of colloidal fouling. In addition, the reported results suggested that the effect of fouling on retention is also membrane pore size dependent.
Changes of calcium in blood and urine during different salt intake regimens in hypertensive subjects
Authors: Tasic Nebojsa , Nesovic Milica , Djuric Dragan , Kanjuh Vladimir
Published: July 2008

The findings of this study support the opinion of altered calcium metabolism in hypertensive subjects sensitive to salt intake. By demonstrated results we tried to define clinically different pathophysologic and potentially different therapeutic subgroups in hypertensive population and to point to clinical and biochemical heterogeneity of primary hypertension.
Topography and asymmetry of visual EEG reactivity in healthy school-age children
Authors: Ristanovic Dusan , Martinovic Zarko , Jovanovic-Cupic Vesna
Published: July 2008

In order to quantify the visual reactivity of EEC to opening the eyes, the topography of EEG power spectra in a sample of 72 healthy subjects aged from 7-15 years, was studied. The EEGs were recorder at 14 scalp sites under eyes closed (ECL) and eyes open (EOP). It has been established that the absolute powers in total and in alpha band were significant- ly higher in all derivations under ECL as compared with EOP condition. Except for the frontal derivations, absolute power in theta band under ECL condition was significantly higher than that under EOP condition. Changes in delta and beta powers were seldom significant. In beta 2 band no EEG blocking was noticed in anterior area. Opening the eyes significantly influenced the values of asymmetry index in alpha band and total power. In all frequency bands and under both conditions, the differences of powers between the hemi spheres were found mainly in the prefrontal and laterofrontal areas. The results showed that the visual blocking of EEG was mostly due to a higher degree of EEG desynchronization after opening the eyes.
Sindrom Brugada
Authors: Jurcevic Ruzica , Angelkov Lazar , Djuric Dragan , Boskovic Srdjan , Miric Milutin
Published: July 2008

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Slowing down of chronic renal failure progression with captopril in spontaneously hypertensive rats with adriamycin nephropathy
Authors: Jovanovic Dijana , Jovovic Djurdjica , Varagic Jasmina , Dimitrijevic Jovan , Dragojlovic Zorica , Djukanovic Ljubica
Published: July 2008

In SHRs with ADR nephropathy treatment with captopril normalized systemic blood pressure, and slowed down CRF progression in their early stage. These functional changes correlate with significant slowing of glomerular and interstitial changes.