bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Coordinated Services for Drug-Abusing Women Who Are Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Bennett Larry , O'Brien Patricia
Published: April 2007

This article summarizes outcomes from a demonstration project on collaboration between substance abuse and domestic violence agencies. Researchers recruited women seeking services for substance abuse or intimate partner violence at 1 of 6 participating agencies. Admitted women were both victims of domestic violence and abusing alcohol or drugs. Following an initial screening, participants were interviewed at program entry ( n = 255) and again 4 to 6 months later ( n = 128, 50%). Key outcomes were the number of days substances were used in the past 30 days, women's perceptions of harm from battering, and domestic violence self-efficacy. Results suggest participants used substances less frequently and experienced themselves as more efficacious following services, but they were also more fearful of the consequences of domestic violence. Repeated-measures MANOVA found that substance abuse days and domestic violence self-efficacy significantly contributed to the multivariate function. Implications for services for women with co-occurring substance abuse and domestic violence victimization are discussed.
Battered Pets and Domestic Violence
Authors: Ascione Frank R. , Weber Claudia V. , Thompson Teresa M. , Heath John , Maruyama Mika , Hayashi Kentaro
Published: April 2007

Women residing at domestic violence shelters (S group) were nearly 11 times more likely to report that their partner had hurt or killed pets than a comparison group of women who said they had not experienced intimate violence (NS group). Reports of threatened harm to pets were more than 4 times higher for the S group. Using the Conflict Tactics Scale, the authors demonstrated that severe physical violence was a significant predictor of pet abuse. The vast majority of shelter women described being emotionally close to their pets and distraught by the abuse family pets experienced. Children were often exposed to pet abuse, and most reported being distressed by these experiences. A substantial minority of S-group women reported that their concern for their pets' welfare prevented them from seeking shelter sooner. This seemed truer for women without children, who may have had stronger pet attachments. This obstacle to seeking safety should be addressed by domestic violence agencies.
Lethal and Nonlethal Violence Against an Intimate Female Partner
Authors: Dobash R. Emerson , Dobash Russell P. , Cavanagh Kate , Medina-Ariza Juanjo
Published: April 2007

Men's lethal and nonlethal violence against an intimate female partner are compared. Various risk factors are examined to compare men's lethal and nonlethal violence against an intimate woman partner. Relative to abusers, men who kill are generally more conventional with respect to childhood backgrounds, education, employment, and criminal careers, are more likely to be possessive and jealous, and are more likely to be separated from their partner at the time of the event. Men who kill are more likely to have used violence against a previous partner, to have sexually assaulted and strangled the victim, and to have used a weapon or instrument. However, they were less likely to have been drunk at the time of the event and/or to have previously used violence against the woman they killed. Overall, the findings do not support the notion of a simple progression from nonlethal to lethal violence and raise some dilemmas for the growing area of risk assessment.
Assessing the Impact of Nonresponse on Work Group Diversity Effects
Authors: Allen Natalie J. , Stanley David J. , Williams Helen M. , Ross Sarah J.
Published: April 2007

Research examining relations between work group diversity and outcome measures often relies on diversity scores that are calculated on the basis of individual responses to organizational surveys. When employees fail to respond to a survey, however, the resultant diversity score representing their group will be somewhat distorted. The authors conducted a series of computer simulations to examine the extent to which correlations between group diversity scores (derived from continuous or categorical variables) and outcome variables were attenuated by various forms of random and systematic participant nonresponse. Results indicate that random nonresponse, and many forms of systematic nonresponse, substantially attenuate mean observed correlations.
Are Internet and Paper-and-Pencil Personality Tests Truly Comparable?
Authors: Meade Adam W. , Michels Lawrence C. , Lautenschlager Gary J.
Published: April 2007

Recently, the use of technology in assessment for personnel selection has increased dramatically. An important consideration is whether test scores obtained via Internet administration are psychometrically equivalent to those obtained by the more traditional paper-and-pencil format. Our results suggest that there is comparability of scores for many personality constructs, including conscientiousness. However, invariance was not found for some scales between persons allowed to choose formats and those not given a choice of formats. As testing-format preference may be related to membership in federally protected demographic groups, this latter finding was somewhat troubling. Additionally, we illustrate the use of an experimental laboratory design to investigate possible causes of a lack of measurement invariance in Internet and paper-and-pencil comparisons.
Measuring Environmental Complexity
Authors: Cannon Alan R. , John Caron H. St.
Published: April 2007

Researchers attempting to measure environmental complexity remain challenged by the lack of a theoretically compelling and empirically sound scheme for operationalizing this important construct. The authors' synthesis of complexity's supporting literatures leads them to conclude that complexity is a multidimensional construct that has been operationalized overly narrowly in many cases. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of industry-level data drawn from two periods support this conclusion and suggest that researchers should consider specifying a multidimensional measure of environmental complexity.
A Penny for Your Thoughts
Authors: Rose Dale S. , Sidle Stuart D. , Griffith Kristin H.
Published: April 2007

Two studies were conducted to assess the extent to which prepaid monetary incentives increase response rates to company-sponsored employee surveys. The first study indicated that providing a prepaid monetary incentive to a randomly selected group of employees from among a sample of 7,268 employees increased response rates from 31.7% to 43.5%. A second study based on 4,925 employees from another company replicated this finding and tested for effects of novelty and incentive size. Although response rates in the second study were significantly higher for employees who received an incentive (24.9%) compared with those who did not receive an incentive (20.8%), no significant effects were found for novelty or incentive size. The implications for using incentives to increase response rates in company-based surveys are discussed.
Integrating Implicit and Explicit Social Cognitions for Enhanced Personality Assessment
Authors: Bing Mark N. , LeBreton James M. , Davison H. Kristl , Migetz Debrah Z. , James Lawrence R.
Published: April 2007

The current article advocates integrating implicit and explicit social cognitions for enhanced personality assessment in organizational contexts (e.g., personnel selection settings). Several methods for measuring implicit cognitions are reviewed, and their strengths and limitations are discussed. The most widely used method for measuring explicit cognitions, the self-report questionnaire, also is described along with its strengths and limitations. Implicit and explicit cognitions then are integrated to form a general model of personality prototypes. The authors describe several mechanisms by which implicit and explicit cognitions may operate (e.g., coact, interact) to predict criteria, depending on the nature of the personality construct assessed and the outcome of interest. These different operations implicate different statistical methodologies. The authors then present specific examples of this integrative procedure for enhancing personality assessment using the construct of achievement motivation. They conclude by discussing how future research could extend and apply this general framework for use with other personality constructs.
In-Home Cognitive Behavior Therapy for a Depressed Mother in a Home Visitation Program
Authors: Ammerman Robert T. , Bodley Amy L. , Putnam Frank W. , Lopez Wendi L. , Holleb Lauren J. , Stevens Jack , Van Ginkel Judith B.
Published: April 2007

Depression is frequently observed among young mothers who are low income who participate in home visitation programs that are focused on optimizing child development. Maternal depression can undermine such prevention programs, and mothers are faced with significant barriers to obtaining concurrent effective mental health treatment. This case study describes In-Home Cognitive Behavior Therapy (IH-CBT), an adapted treatment for depressed mothers in home visitation. IH-CBT provides an empirically based treatment in the home setting that is tightly integrated with ongoing home visitation. The treated mother presented with major depressive disorder in the postpartum period and poor attachment with her baby. After 15 sessions of IH-CBT, provided in conjunction with home visitation, significant improvement occurred in mood, self-sufficiency, and her relationship with her baby.
Bipolar Affective Disorder and Dissociation
Authors: Hanstock Tanya L.
Published: April 2007

In isolation, bipolar disorder and dissociation can place adolescents at risk of self-harm or suicide. However, when these are combined, they place an adolescent at serious risk of self-harming behavior or suicide completion. It appears from the scarcity in the literature to be rare for adolescents to have the combination of bipolar disorder and dissociation. This article outlines the case of an older adolescent girl with a comorbid combination. This case study highlights how the comorbidity of bipolar disorder and dissociation increases a patient's lethality risk and how both disorders may contribute to the volatile destabilization of the other. Risk management strategies are proposed in relation to the assessment of risk and preparedness for discharge from inpatient facilities.
VEGFR-1 (FLT-1), β1 integrin, and hERG K+ channel for a macromolecular signaling complex in acute myeloid leukemia: role in cell migration and clinical outcome
Authors: Pillozzi Serena , Brizzi Maria Felice , Bernabei Pietro Antonio , Bartolozzi Benedetta , Caporale Roberto , Basile Venere , Boddi Vieri , Pegoraro Luigi , Becchetti Andrea , Arcangeli Annarosa
Published: April 2007

Leukemia cell motility and transendothelial migration into extramedullary sites are regulated by angiogenic factors and are considered unfavorable prognostic factors in acute leukemias. We have studied cross talk among (1) the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1, FLT-1; (2) the human eag-related gene 1 (hERG1) K+ channels; and (3) integrin receptors in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. FLT-1, hERG1, and the β1 integrin were found to form a macromolecular signaling complex. The latter mostly recruited the hERG1B isoform of hERG1 channels, and its assembly was necessary for FLT-1 signaling activation and AML cell migration. Both effects were inhibited when hERG1 channels were specifically blocked. A FLT-1/hERG1/β1 complex was also observed in primary AML blasts, obtained from a population of human patients. The co-expression of FLT-1 and hERG1 conferred a pro-migratory phenotype to AML blasts. Such a phenotype was also observed in vivo. The hERG1-positive blasts were more efficient in invading the peripheral circulation and the extramedullary sites after engraftment into immunodeficient mice. Moreover, hERG1 expression in leukemia patients correlated with a higher probability of relapse and shorter survival periods. We conclude that in AML, hERG1 channels mediate the FLT-1–dependent cell migration and invasion, and hence confer a greater malignancy.
RNAi screen identifies UBE2D3 as a mediator of all-trans retinoic acid-induced cell growth arrest in human acute promyelocytic NB4 cells
Authors: Hattori Hidenori , Zhang Xueqing , Jia Yonghui , Subramanian Kulandayan K. , Jo Hakryul , Loison Fabien , Newburger Peter E. , Luo Hongbo R.
Published: April 2007

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been widely used in differentiation therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). ATRA binds to retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and triggers the formation of the transcription coactivator complex, which leads to changes in gene expression, APL cell-cycle arrest and differentiation, and clinical remission. The mechanisms responsible for ATRA's beneficial effects are still ill-defined. Here, we conducted a large-scale, unbiased short hairpin RNA (shRNA) screen aiming to identify mediators of ATRA-induced differentiation and growth arrest of APL cells. Twenty-six proteins were identified. They cover a wide range of cellular functions, including gene expression, intracellular signaling, cell death control, stress responses, and metabolic regulation, indicating the complexity of ATRA-induced cell growth control and differentiation in APL. One of these proteins, the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBE2D3, is up-regulated in ATRA-treated acute promyelocytic NB4 cells. UBE2D3 is physically associated with cyclin D1 and mediates ATRA-induced cyclin D1 degradation. Knocking down UBE2D3 by RNA interference (RNAi) leads to blockage of ATRA-induced cyclin D1 degradation and cell-cycle arrest. Thus, our results highlight the involvement of the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis pathway in ATRA-induced cell-cycle arrest and provide a novel strategy for modulating ATRA-elicited cellular effects.
Haploinsufficiency of EGR1, a candidate gene in the del(5q), leads to the development of myeloid disorders
Authors: Joslin John M. , Fernald Anthony A. , Tennant Thelma R. , Davis Elizabeth M. , Kogan Scott C. , Anastasi John , Crispino John D. , Le Beau Michelle M.
Published: April 2007

Loss of a whole chromosome 5 or a deletion of the long arm, del(5q), is a recurring abnormality in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To identify a leukemia-related gene on chromosome 5, we previously delineated a 970-kb segment of 5q31 that is deleted in all patients examined, and prepared a transcript map of this region. EGR1 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene within the commonly deleted segment of 5q, and encodes a zinc finger transcription factor. To test the hypothesis that loss of function of Egr1 is an initiating event in the pathogenesis of AML/MDS, Egr1-deficient mice were treated with a potent DNA alkylating agent, N-ethyl-nitrosourea (ENU), to induce secondary cooperating mutations. Egr1+/− and Egr1−/− mice treated with ENU developed immature T-cell lymphomas (CD4+, CD8+) or a myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) at increased rates and with shorter latencies than that of wild-type littermates. The MPD was characterized by an elevated white blood cell count, anemia, and thrombocytopenia with ineffective erythropoiesis. Biallelic mutations of Egr1 were not observed in MPDs in Egr1+/− mice. Our data suggest that haploinsufficiency for Egr1 plays a role in murine leukemogenesis, and in the development of AML/MDS characterized by abnormalities of chromosome 5.
The Role of the Number of Uninvolved Lymph Nodes in Predicting Locoregional Recurrence in Breast Cancer
Authors: Karlsson Per , Cole Bernard F. , Price Karen N. , Coates Alan S. , Castiglione-Gertsch Monica , Gusterson Barry A. , Murray Elizabeth , Lindtner Jurij , Collins John P. , Holmberg Stig B. , Fey Martin F. , Thürlimann Beat , Crivellari Diana , Forbes John F. , Gelber Richard D. , Goldhirsch Aron , Wallgren Arne
Published: April 2007

Purpose

To identify groups of early breast cancer patients with substantial risk (10-year risk > 20%) for locoregional failure (LRF) who might benefit from postmastectomy radiotherapy (RT).

Patients and Methods

Prognostic factors for LRF were evaluated among 6,660 patients (2,588 node-negative patients, 4,072 node-positive patients) in International Breast Cancer Study Group Trials I to IX treated with chemotherapy and/or endocrine therapy, and observed for a median of 14 years. In total, 1,251 LRFs were detected. All patients were treated with mastectomy without RT.

Results

No group with 10-year LRF risk exceeding 20% was found among patients with node-negative disease. Among patients with node-positive breast cancer, increasing numbers of uninvolved nodes were significantly associated with decreased risk of LRF, even after adjustment for other prognostic factors. The highest quartile of uninvolved nodes was compared with the lowest quartile. Among premenopausal patients, LRF risk was decreased by 35% (P = .0010); among postmenopausal patients, LRF risk was decreased by 46% (P < .0001). The 10-year cumulative incidence of LRF was 20% among patients with one to three involved lymph nodes and fewer than 10 uninvolved nodes. Age younger than 40 years and vessel invasion were also associated significantly with increased risk. Among patients with node-positive disease, overall survival was significantly greater in those with higher numbers of uninvolved nodes examined (P < .0001).

Conclusion

Patients with one to three involved nodes and a low number of uninvolved nodes, vessel invasion, or young age have an increased risk of LRF and may be candidates for a similar treatment as those with at least four lymph node metastases.
Synthesis and Reactivities of Sulfido-bridged Ir–W and Ir–Re Heterodinuclear Complexes with Imido Ligands
Authors: Arashiba Kazuya , Tanabe Yoshiaki , Ishii Youichi
Published: April 2007

The iridium hydrosulfido complexes [Cp*IrH(SH)(PPh3)] (Cp* = η5-C5Me5) and [Cp*Ir(SH)2(PMe3)] were found to serve as effective building blocks for the synthesis of mono- and bis(sulfido)-bridged heterodinuclear complexes with a high-valent tungsten or rhenium–imido center.
Chiral Ionic Liquid Containing l-Proline Unit as a Highly Efficient and Recyclable Asymmetric Organocatalyst for Aldol Reaction
Authors: Zhou Li , Wang Lei
Published: April 2007

A functionalized chiral ionic liquid (CIL) containing l-proline unit exhibits as a highly efficient and recyclable asymmetric organocatalyst for aldol condensation of aldehydes and ketones in [Bmim][BF4] at room temperature, which afford the corresponding products with satisfactory isolated yields and enantiomeric excesses.
Surfactant-assisted Hydrothermal Route to Organometallic Tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum Nanorod Bundles
Authors: Ma Dekun , Zhang Junhao , Hu Xiaokai , Zhou Hongyang , Qian Yitai
Published: April 2007

A new surfactant-assisted hydrothermal route was presented to prepare organometallic tris(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum nanorod bundles on a large scale. In this hydrothermal system, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (Chemical formula: C12H25–C6H4–SO3Na, SDBS) played key roles in controlling the morphology and quality of the resultant products. The as-prepared nanorod bundles showed enhanced PL emission compared to submicron particles prepared by the same hydrothermal method.
The importance of social identity content in a setting of chronic social conflict: Understanding intergroup relations in Northern Ireland
Authors: Livingstone Andrew , Haslam S. Alexander
Published: April 2007

Two studies (N=117, 112) were conducted with school students in Northern Ireland to investigate the neglected relationship between social identity content and intergroup relations. Study 1 tested and found support for two hypotheses. The first was that the association between in‐group identification and negative behavioural intentions would be moderated by antagonistic identity content. The second was that the antagonistic identity content mediates the relationship between the experience of intergroup antagonism and negative behavioural intentions. Study 2 replicated these findings at a time of reduced intergroup violence, and supplemented them with a qualitative‐quantitative analysis of participants' written responses. In addition, findings demonstrate the importance of appreciating the content and meaning of social identities when theorizing about intergroup relations and developing conflict management interventions.
It is who you know that counts: Intergroup contact and judgments about race‐based exclusion
Authors: Crystal David S. , Killen Melanie. , Ruck Martin.
Published: April 2007

Intergroup contact and evaluations about race‐based exclusion were assessed for majority and minority students in grades 4, 7 and 10 (N = 685). Scenarios depicting cross‐race relations in contexts of dyadic friendship, parental discomfort and peer group disapproval were described to participants. Participants reporting higher levels of intergroup contact gave higher ratings of wrongfulness of exclusion and lower frequency estimations of race‐based exclusion than did participants reporting lower levels of such contact. Intergroup contact also predicted students' attributions of motives in two out of the three scenarios. Findings are discussed in terms of the extant literature on peer relations, moral reasoning and intergroup contact.
Casting Out Demons: The Native Anthropologist and Healing in the Homeland
Authors: Ceja‐Zamarripa Tanya L.
Published: April 2007

This article addresses academic and social costs experienced by anthropologists studying their own ethnic group. It explores how one “native” anthropologist navigates her roles as ethnographer and insider while researching curanderismo, a religiously inflected form of ethnomedicine within increasingly secular and commercialized Mexican American urban spheres. Is academic credibility weakened because the anthropologist shares the cultural history of her/his informants? When your community entrusts you with their spiritual, emotional and social woes, do they see you as ethnographer, insider, or both? To be privy to the ritual knowledge and practices of healers and the individual struggles of clients to find respite from pain is a great responsibility as curanderismo has often been pathologized by anthropology as a “primitive” tradition used only by the ignorant and backward. Given this history, the native anthropologist must find a way to manage allegiance to her cultural as well as academic community. I suggest that doing “native” research is its own form of “exorcism,” casting out demons in a field that often silences native voices and holds native anthropology in lower esteem.
“The Other” and “The Enemy”:Reflections on Fieldwork in Utah
Authors: Brugger Julie
Published: April 2007

This paper is a reflection on doing anthropology in the United States, based on my research of the Grand Staircase‐Escalante National Monument, a “protected area” in southern Utah. My research focuses on the meaning and practice of democracy in the United States by examining the impact of conservation policies on rural resource users. I question why social scientists who study conservation are able to see injustices in the protected area model when applied in “the Global South,” but have not aimed critique at similar processes occurring in the U.S. Reflecting on the post fieldwork experiences of scholars Susan Harding, Faye Ginsburg, and James McCarthy, I suggest that, for American anthropologists, some “repugnant others” in the U.S. represent a threatening “enemy,” while in other settings, they may not be perceived in this way. I conclude by suggesting we “write democratically” in order to overcome this limitation and realize the transformative potential of ethnography.
Brugada Syndrome Masquerading as Febrile Seizures
Authors: Skinner Jonathan Robert , Chung Seo-Kyung , Nel Carey-Anne , Shelling Andrew Neil , Crawford Jackie Robyn , McKenzie Neil , Pinnock Ralph , French John Kerswell , Rees Mark Ian
Published: April 2007

Fever can precipitate ventricular tachycardia in adults with Brugada syndrome, but such a link has not been reported in children. A 21-month-old white girl presented repeatedly with decreased conscious level and seizures during fever. During a typical episode, rapid ventricular tachycardia was documented. The resting 12-lead electrocardiogram revealed a Brugada electrocardiogram signature. Resting electrocardiograms of the asymptomatic brother and mother were normal, but fever in the mother and pharmacologic stress with ajmaline in the brother revealed Brugada electrocardiogram features. Genetic testing revealed an SCN5A mutation in the affected family members.
Rivulet Approach to Rates of Preferential Infiltration
Authors: Germann Peter , Helbling Andreas , Vadilonga Tomaso
Published: April 2007

Preferential infiltration is proposed to occur under atmospheric pressure but in unsaturated soil. Its domain is positioned between the domains of Richards' equation and Darcy's law. Rivulets in the form of tiny water streaks are considered to be the basic units of preferential infiltration. They move under atmospheric pressure and in pores that are filled with air before infiltration. Stokes flow relates variations in soil moisture with velocities of wetting and draining fronts, and with volume flux densities. We show that superposition of rivulets to rivulet ensembles leads to measurable soil moisture variations. The approach was applied to time series of soil moisture that result from sprinkler irrigation experiments and that were recorded with time domain reflectometry (TDR) equipment at depths of 0.1 and 0.2 m. A minimum water content, θ*, was identified that has to be exceeded at a particular depth before Stokes flow continues.
Performance of the Commercial WET Capacitance Sensor as Compared with Time Domain Reflectometry in Volcanic Soils
Authors: Regalado Carlos M. , Ritter Axel , Rodríguez‐González Rosa M.
Published: April 2007

Among different alternatives, dielectric capacitance sensors may provide simultaneous readings of the volumetric water content and the soil solution electrical conductivity in the same sample volume at low cost. Reliability of capacitive sensors may be questioned, however, due to the low signal frequency at which they work, and also because of soil electrical conductivity effects on the water content estimation. In this study we evaluated the commercial capacitive WET Sensor (Delta‐T Devices Ltd., Burwell, UK) compared with time domain reflectometry (TDR) in three volcanic soils with different textures. Although the WET Sensor uses internally the Hilhorst approach for describing the relationship between soil moisture and bulk and pore water electrical conductivity, results suggest that the Vogeler model is a better choice for the soils studied. The sensor provides good estimation of the bulk electrical conductivity, but determination of soil water content is biased. Thus, we propose an alternative empirical equation to determine the volumetric water content from the WET Sensor readings, the soil bulk density, and an estimate of the sensor's effective frequency.
Landscape metrics as indicators of river water quality at catchment scale
Authors: Uuemaa Evelyn , Roosaare Jüri , Mander Ülo
Published: April 2007

We investigated the relationship between land use parameters and FRAGSTATS-based landscape metrics (Edge Density, Patch Density, Mean Shape Index, Mean Euclidean Nearest Neighbour Index, Contagion, Patch Richness Density and Shannon's Diversity Index) and nutrient/organic-matter-based water quality indicators (BOD7 and CODKMnO4 values, total-N and total-P concentrations in water) in 24 catchments with various land use patterns in Estonia, using the CORINE Land Cover Map (1:100 000). Multiple regression analysis showed that, for BOD7, total-N and total-P, the most important predictor was the proportion of urban areas, but landscape metrics also had a significant relationship with water quality. Mean Shape Index and Contagion were the most important predictors for CODKMnO4. The knowledge that land use and landscape configuration impact water quality can be used in establishing and implementing water management plans in Europe.
Temporal variability in the relationships between precipitation, discharge and suspended sediment concentration in a small Mediterranean mountain catchment
Authors: Lana-Renault N. , Regüés D. , Martí-Bono C. , Beguería S. , Latron J. , Nadal E. , Serrano P. , García-Ruiz J.M.
Published: April 2007

Relationships between discharge and suspended sediment are very complex in most Mediterranean catchments. In the case of the Arnás catchment (Central Spanish Pyrenees), with a long history of human activity, the main factors that explain the variability of suspended sediment concentration (SCC) during floods are the peak flow and the intensity of precipitation. A cluster analysis distinguishes four types of floods according to different characteristics of precipitation, discharge, suspended sediment transport and antecedent moisture conditions. G1 and G2 floods occur under dry conditions (which prevail most of the year), with moderate rainfall and low precipitation intensity; the discharge and suspended sediment response are very fast but limited in intensity. This suggests that the origin of water and sediment is restricted to areas located very close to the channel. G3 floods also occur under dry conditions, although during intense rainfall events; then the response in both discharge and suspended sediment is very high, showing an enlargement of the contributing areas. Under very wet conditions (G4 floods) relatively moderate precipitation produces a very high response in discharge, but suspended sediment concentration records moderate values due to the effect of dilution when the entire catchment is contributing.
Scour at a side-weir intersection located on an alluvial river
Authors: Önen Fevzi , Agaçcioglu Hayrullah
Published: April 2007

An experimental investigation of the equilibrium depth of local scour around side-weirs located on an alluvial river is presented in this paper. A sand bar in the middle of the channel and a scour hole close to the weir side is formed because of changes in shear stress field and velocity at the downstream end of the side weir. The depth of clear-water scour increases by time and approaches the equilibrium state asymptotically depending on approach flow velocity. The equilibrium depth of scour increases by the increase of the dimensionless parameters of approach flow velocity, water head ratio, side-weir length and sediment size. Although there is no scour for the dimensionless approach flow velocity less than 0.45, it increases almost linearly with the dimensionless approach flow velocity and the maximum value of scour depth occurs when it is equal to 1.0.
Low technology systems for wastewater treatment: perspectives
Authors: Brissaud F.
Published: April 2007

Low technology systems for the treatment of wastewater are sometimes presented as remnants of the past, nowadays supposedly only meant to serve developing countries and remote rural areas. However, considering their advantages and disadvantages together with enhanced treatment requirements and recent research and technological developments, the future of these systems still appears promising. Successful applications of low technology systems require that more care is taken of their design and operation than often observed. Correlatively, more efforts should be made to decipher the treatment mechanisms and determine the related reaction parameters, so as to provide more deterministic approaches of the natural wastewater treatment systems and better predict their performance.
Evaluation of an optimal fill strategy to biodegrade inhibitory wastewater using an industrial prototype discontinuous reactor
Authors: Buitrón G. , Moreno-Andrade I. , Linares-García J.A. , Pérez J. , Betancur M.J. , Moreno J.A.
Published: April 2007

This work presents the results and discussions of the application of an optimally controlled influent flow rate strategy to biodegrade, in a discontinuous reactor, a synthetic wastewater constituted by 4-chlorophenol. An aerobic automated discontinuous reactor system of 1.3 m3, with a useful volume of 0.75 m3 and an exchange volume of 60% was used. As part of the control strategy influent is fed into the reactor in such a way as to obtain the maximal degradation rate avoiding inhibition of microorganisms. Such an optimal strategy was able to manage increments of 4-chlorophenol concentrations in the influent between 250 and 1000 mg/L. it was shown that the optimally controlled influent flow rate strategy brings savings in reaction time and flexibility in treating high concentrations of an influent with toxic characteristics.
Potential of filter-vermicomposter for household wastewater pre-treatment and sludge sanitisation on site
Authors: Gajurel D. , Deegener S. , Shalabi M. , Otterpohl R.
Published: April 2007

Septic tank systems have been widely used to separate and digest solid matter in the household wastewater for a long time. However, they contaminate groundwater with pathogens and nutrients and deprive agriculture of valuable nutrients and soil conditioner from human excreta. Compared with septic tank systems the filter–composter (Rottebehaelter), which usually consists of an underground monolithic concrete tank having two filter beds at its bottom or two filter bags that are hung side by side and used alternately at intervals of 6–12 months, is an efficient component for solid–liquid separation, pre-treatment and collection/storage of solid matter in household wastewater. The solids are retained and decompose in the filter bags or on the filter bed while the liquid filters through. However, because of the high moisture content of the retained solids decomposition is slow. Therefore, secondary treatment of the retained solids is required for sanitisation. The breakthrough was the combination of vermicomposting with the filter-composter system. Relatively dry and stable retained materials were obtained in the filter bags in about 3 months only. No secondary treatment is required as the human excreta will be converted to vermicastings, which are hygienically safe and can be reused as soil conditioner. Therefore, further development of the filter–composter with vermicomposting is worthwhile, especially the aspects of sanitisation of the faecal matter and its reuse as a soil conditioner.
Comparison of the nutrient removal efficiency of onsite wastewater treatments systems: applications of conventional sand filters and sequencing batch reactors (SBR)
Authors: Vilpas R. , Santala E.
Published: April 2007

When domestic wastewater was treated with different onsite applications of buried sand filters and sequencing batch reactors, good organic matter removal was common and effluent BOD7 concentrations from 5 to 20 mg/l were easily achievable. For total nitrogen, effluent concentrations were usually between 20 and 80 mg/l. Good phosphorus removal, even using special adsorption or precipitation materials, was difficult to achieve and large variations occurred. The median effluent concentration of total phosphorus in the most successful sand filter application was less than 0.1 mg/l and other sand filters and SBRs had the median concentrations varying from 1.7 to 6.7 mg/l. These results are based on one year in situ monitoring of 2 conventional buried sand filters, 6 sand filter applications with special phosphorus adsorbing media within the filter bed, 5 sand filters with separate tertiary phosphorus filtration and 11 small SBRs of three different types. The study was carried out in southern Finland during 2003–05. The whole project included monitoring of more than 60 plants of 20 different treatment types or methods, used in normal conditions to treat domestic wastewater. Evaluation of the different systems was made by comparing the measured effluent concentrations. In addition the effluent concentrations were compared to the discharge limits calculated according to the new Finnish regulation.
Biological nutrient removal by applying SBR technology in small wastewater treatment plants: carbon source and C/N/P ratio effects
Authors: Puig S. , Corominas Ll. , Balaguer M.D. , Colprim J.
Published: April 2007

SBR technology is considered an alternative to conventional processes such as Phoredox, Five-stage Bardenpho, among the others for treating nutrients in wastewaters. It is especially applicable to small communities of a just few people to a population equivalent (p.e) up to 4000. In this paper, biological nutrient removal using SBR technology in a single reactor is presented. Biological nutrient removal requires a sequence of anaerobic–anoxic–aerobic phases with multiple feeding events over one cycle. This filling strategy was adapted to enhance denitrification and phosphate release, using the easily biodegradable organic matter from the wastewater. In spite of using this feeding strategy, the organic matter concentration can be insufficient. The results show that biological nutrient removal was successfully achieved by using only one reactor, working with a low organic matter concentration in the influent (C/N/P ratio of 100:12:1.8). Nevertheless, when the C/P ratio was lower than 36 g COD·g−1 P-PO4, an accumulation of phosphate was observed. After that, the system responded quickly and returned to ideal conditions (C/P ratio of 67 g COD·g−1 P-PO4), taking only 15 days to achieve the complete nutrient removal. Furthermore, the operational conditions and the synthetic wastewater used conferred a selective advantage to polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) over glycogen accumulating non-poly-P organisms (GAOs) as shown by the FISH analysis performed.
Wastewater reclamation through a combination of natural systems (infiltration-percolation and constructed wetlands): a solution for small communities
Authors: Huertas E. , Folch M. , Salgot M.
Published: April 2007

The decision on technologies used for reclaiming wastewater appears as important as a consequence of the implications on the economic, environmental and health conditions of societies. The problem arises when deciding how to deal with wastewater in small communities, because the costs of implementing and operating small, intensive wastewater treatment plants are unacceptable and can lead to financing and operation problems. Extensive treatment systems can be a good solution, where space is available. This paper presents the combination of two soft technologies (infiltration–percolation and constructed wetlands) to treat and reclaim wastewater. The obtained results show that the infiltration–percolation effluent presents a quality enough to be reused for irrigation of industrial crops, nurseries, fodder, cereals and oleaginous seeds, ornamental flower production; industrial cooling; impoundments, water bodies, and streams for recreational use in which the public's contact with the water is not permitted; and irrigation of forested areas, landscape areas and restricted access areas. Moreover, the combination of infiltration–percolation and constructed wetlands increases the list of final reclamation to the following: irrigation of pasture for milk or meat animals, crops for canning industry, crops not raw-consumed, fruit trees except by sprinkling, aquaculture; and aquifer recharge by localised percolation through the soil.
Wastewater reclamation systems in small communities
Authors: Alcalde L. , Folch M. , Tapias J.C. , Huertas E. , Torrens A. , Salgot M.
Published: April 2007

The demands established in the rules and regulations by the administration in Catalonia seem to exclude small communities from wastewater reclamation and reuse, due to the comparatively high costs associated with the practice at small scale. In the framework of the DRAC project (Demonstration on Wastewater Reclamation and Reuse in Catalonia) two different pre-treatment systems, one extensive (infiltration–percolation) and another intensive (ring filter), each one followed by chlorine dioxide disinfection, were tested in order to be applied for small communities wastewater reclamation and reuse. The results of this study show that infiltration–percolation systems remove very efficiently physico-chemical contaminants and microorganisms. The ring filter system does not show a significant removal rate of contaminants. The use of infiltration–percolation as a pre-treatment for advanced chemical disinfection allows reducing the dose of disinfectant and the contact time needed to achieve a specific water quality, and diminishes disinfection by-products (DBPs) generation. Therefore, this reclamation line is suitable for small communities due to its efficiency and low cost. However, further studies are needed in relation to the removal mechanisms of microorganisms, organic compounds in IP systems and the possible DBPs formation using chlorine dioxide.
Design and operation of SBR processes for small plants based on simulations
Authors: Larrea L. , Albizuri J. , Irizar I. , Hernández J.M.
Published: April 2007

The paper firstly presents an experimental study in a SBR pilot plant operated at 20 °C for nitrogen removal from a very small village wastewater. The plant consisted of only one reactor fed continuously throughout the day and aerated intermittently. Two tests with seven and three intermittences of mixing/aerated phases were conducted and verification of the results by simulations of the activated sludge model (ASM) was also carried out. The experimental results and simulation showed that a wide range of effluent NO3-N can be obtained using different numbers of intermittences and values of the oxygen transfer coefficient (KLa). At the same time, the paper presents a design procedure for SBR processes based on an iterative process of simulations of the ASM model. After the selection of the cycle time, the mixing/aeration pattern, the initial volume, the solid retention time, and the duration of the phases, the simulation is undertaken, resulting in values for the effluent NH4-N and NO3-N, and the suspended solids before settling. Then, the latter parameters are verified to match the effluent and settling requirements. As an application of the design procedure, the effect on design and operation of different SBR configurations and of several operating conditions are analysed in three case studies.
Anaerobic digestion of blackwater from vacuum toilets and kitchen refuse in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR)
Authors: Wendland C. , Deegener S. , Behrendt J. , Toshev P. , Otterpohl R.
Published: April 2007

The objective of this research was mesophilic anaerobic digestion of blackwater from vacuum toilets (BW) and kitchen refuse (KR) in a CSTR within an ecological sanitation system. A detailed investigation of the BW characteristics was carried out. Research on anaerobic digestion was performed with CSTR of 10 l volume at HRT of 10, 15 and 20 days. The digestion of BW at 20 days HRT showed stable performance without inhibition effects, in spite of relatively high ammonium concentrations. The removal of total and particulate COD was 61% and 53%, respectively, and the methane yield 10 l CH4/cap/day. The addition of kitchen refuse (KR) improved the performance of the CSTR in terms of COD removal efficiency and methane yield. At 20 days HRT the removal of total and particulate COD increased up to 71% and 67%, respectively, and the methane yield to 27 l CH4/cap/day. The results at 15 days HRT showed similar performance. At HRT of 10 days, the anaerobic treatment was limited but reached steady state conditions at higher VFA concentrations in the effluent, with a decrease of COD removal of 30 to 33% and of methane yields of 19 to 21%.
Toxicity of domestic wastewater pH to key species within an innovative decentralised vermifiltration system
Authors: Hughes R.J. , Nair J. , Mathew K. , Ho G.
Published: April 2007

The development of innovative decentralised wastewater treatment systems is pertinent to environmental sustainability. However for their appropriate use they require significant research and design to ensure they can be relied upon in the future and in most cases they have received less attention and research than large-scale sewage systems. This study assessed the likelihood of biological inhibition and disruption from pH to key species for vermifiltration. The test firstly assessed the buffer capacity of a vermicompost+manure media finding it had a relatively high buffering capacity for pH. The toxicity after the buffer capacity experiment showed that the species would survive between pH levels of 6.2 and 9.7. At the higher and lower pH levels however the survival of juveniles was impaired, probably due to their ability to uptake greater amounts of soluble salts and inability to regulate them. Overall the study showed that the tolerance of the key vermifiltration species to pH was far less than their survival as previously proposed and further research assessing their long-term population dynamics in a vermifiltration system with pH is warranted.
Tertiary filtration in small wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Naddeo V. , Belgiorno V.
Published: April 2007

Tertiary filtration can be proposed in small wastewater treatment plants with impact on protected water bodies. Rotating disk filters may be adopted, in respect to conventional sand filters, when low availability of space and low investment costs are the prevailing conditions. The overall objective of this research was to evaluate the filtration efficiency of rotating disk filters; to compare effectiveness with traditional sand filters; to analyse thoroughly the importance of particle size distribution in wastewater tertiary filtration. In the experimental activity, conventional wastewater quality parameters were investigated and particle size distribution (PSD) was characterized to discuss the filter effectiveness. The effect of design and operation parameters of tertiary filters were discussed related to particle removal curves derived from particles counts. Analysis of particle size distribution can be very useful to help comprehension of filtration processes, design of filtration treatments and to decide the best measures to improve filter performance.
Online Pharmacies: Safety and Regulatory Considerations
Authors: Montoya Isaac D. , Jano Elda
Published: April 2007

Sales of consumer products over the Internet have grown rapidly, including sales of pharmaceutical products. Online pharmacies mimic mail order pharmacies. To operate legally online, pharmacies must be licensed in every state in which sales occur. Although online pharmacies provide benefits to consumers, when compared with traditional pharmacies patients' safety may be compromised. Purchasing prescription drugs online may pose a risk to consumers because they cannot tell whether the site is offering drugs of the same quality offered by a retail pharmacy. There is also a possibility that prescription drugs purchased online may be counterfeit, illegal, or unapproved. A U.S. General Accounting Office study conducted in June 2004 showed that most counterfeit and unapproved drugs sold online are from non-U.S. pharmacies. The Food and Drug Administration and other government agencies have worked to enforce laws on drug sales over the Internet. The biggest challenge in regulating non-U.S. pharmacies is due to their off-shore location. Unfortunately, given the widespread anonymous and ever-changing nature of the Internet, it is very difficult to close down illegal websites.
Putting Equity Center Stage: Challenging Evidence-Free Reforms
Authors: Whitehead Margaret , Dahlgren Göran , McIntyre Di
Published: April 2007

This special section, edited by Professors Margaret Whitehead and Göran Dahlgren, presents a series of eight articles (the first three in this Journal issue) about the equity impacts of different health care systems. The studies set out to develop ways of assessing the equity impact from a household perspective: in particular, the effect on families and communities in different socioeconomic circumstances. They all come under the umbrella of the Affordability Ladder Program, which encompasses studies in Asia and Africa, where some of the most strident neoliberal market reforms have been implemented. The policy options put forward in the articles, however, should have relevance not only for the African and Asian systems but also for high-income countries.