bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estudo comparativo das estruturas do segmento anterior de olhos de cães normais e com catarata, portadores ou não de Diabetes mellitus, avaliados por biomicroscopia ultrassônica
Authors: Galego Márcia P. , Safatle Angélica M.V. , Otsuki Denise , Hvenegaard Ana P. , Castanheira Vera R. , Barros Paulo S.M.
Published: February 2012

A catarata representa uma das principais causas de cegueira em cães, sendo que as alterações metabólicas provocadas pelo Diabetes mellitus (DM), constituem a segunda causa mais comum de catarata nesta espécie. A biomicroscopia ultrassônica (UBM) é um método ultrassonográfico de alta frequência (50 MHz) que permite a obtenção de imagens do modo B de qualidade microscópica. Este estudo objetivou, por meio do uso da UBM, comparar as estruturas do segmento anterior de olhos de cães com catarata, diabética e não-diabética, às de cães normais, para verificar possíveis alterações decorrentes do DM. Os parâmetros avaliados foram espessura da córnea, profundidade da câmara anterior, aumento de celularidade no interior da câmara anterior e medida do ângulo iridocorneal. Foram realizados exames de 87 olhos de 47 animais da espécie canina, divididos em 3 grupos: grupo controle (GCO), grupo de portadores de catarata não-diabéticos (GCAT) e o grupo dos diabéticos (GDM). Os resultados revelam que o grupo dos diabéticos apresentou maiores espessuras de córnea que os demais grupos enquanto o grupo controle apresentou maiores câmaras anteriores. Encontrou-se aumento de celularidade em câmara anterior apenas nos grupos com catarata. Quando analisadas as medidas do ângulo iridocorneal, não houve diferença entre os 3 grupos. Com base no que foi aferido, permite-se concluir que olhos de cães diabéticos com catarata apresentam maior espessura de córnea central que olhos de cães com catarata de outras etiologias e de cães normais, que há diminuição da câmara anterior, com aumento de celularidade, em olhos de cães com catarata, quando comparados a cães normais e que não há diferença na medida do ângulo iridocorneal em olhos de cães com catarata, diabética ou não, e de cães normais.
Detecção molecular e análise filogenética do gene H de amostras do vírus da cinomose canina em circulação no município de Campinas, São Paulo
Authors: Rosa Gislaine Nonino , Domingues Helena Gallicchio , Santos Márcia Mercês Ap. Bianchi dos , Felippe Paulo Anselmo Nunes , Spilki Fernando Rosado , Arns Clarice Weis
Published: February 2012

O vírus da cinomose canina (CDV), um Morbillivirus da família Paramyxoviridae, é o agente etiológico de doença neurológica e sistêmica em cães. O diagnóstico laboratorial da infecção requer o isolamento viral ou detecção do material genético do vírus em secreções ou tecidos de cães com suspeita clínica da doença. A diversidade genética entre os isolados de CDV pode ser aferida pelo sequenciamento efilogenia molecular do gene que codifica a hemaglutinina viral (gene H), havendo atualmente um especial interesse em comparar as amostras circulantes a campo com o genogrupo América-1, que abrange as cepas presentes nas vacinas disponíveis no mercado. No presente estudo, foi realizada a detecção molecular do gene H de CDV a partir de amostras biológicas colhidas ante- e post- -mortem de 15 cães com sinais clínicos sugestivos de cinomose na região metropolitana de Campinas, São Paulo. Dez dos 15 cães analisados tiveram ao menos um órgão positivo na detecção molecular e os amplicons obtidos foram submetidos ao sequenciamento nucleotídico seguido de análise filogenética molecular. De forma semelhante ao que já foi reportado para estudo analisando a diversidade do gene H em outros países, a reconstrução filogenética obtida para as amostras de casos de cinomose da região de Campinas demonstrou as mesmas foram agrupadas junto a amostras norte-americanas, europeias e japonesas recentes, em um grupo genético distinto do grupo de amostras clássicas de CDV, nomeado America-1, o qual engloba as estirpes vacinais Snyder Hill, Onderstepoort e Lederle.
Implicações das políticas educacionais no contexto do ensino fundamental de nove anos
Authors: Silva Ceris Salete Ribas da , Cafiero Delaine
Published: February 2012

Tendo em vista o contexto da implantação do Ensino Fundamental de nove anos nas escolas públicas do país, este texto busca refletir sobre algumas implicações de três ações de uma política educacional desenvolvida nos últimos anos, com o objetivo de melhorar os índices de alfabetização e letramento. Os objetivos principais da reflexão aqui apresentada são, então: 1. analisar alguns impactos das avaliações sistêmicas nas práticas de alfabetização; 2. discutir as mudanças nos livros didáticos das séries iniciais; 3. discutir as possibilidades e os limites no processo de formação de professores que atuam nos anos iniciais da escola básica. Essa reflexão pode contribuir para a compreensão do adensamento dessas políticas e de seus efeitos na qualidade do ensino público no país, além de agregar ao debate conceitual (em momento de efervescência teórica) questões vividas pelos professores por meio do processo da institucionalização dessas ações.
De volta à teoria da curvatura da vara: a deficiência intelectual na escola inclusiva
Authors: Bezerra Giovani Ferreira , Araújo Doracina Aparecida de Castro
Published: February 2012

Este artigo propõe uma reflexão filosófica sobre a inclusão escolar de alunos com deficiência intelectual por meio de um exercício crítico-dialético, objetivando detectar as contradições do fenômeno estudado. Constatam-se concepções e práticas pedagógicas aparentemente inclusivas e democráticas, cuja essência, entretanto, leva à exclusão reiterada desses alunos, em razão de não atendê-los em suas necessidades cognitivas, nem admitirem nenhuma metodologia ou currículo diferenciados, necessários à sua aprendizagem. Conclui-se, assim, que a escola inclusiva, tal como se apresenta hoje, acaba tornando-se reacionária e pouco democrática, diferentemente da escola especial, que se revelava comprometida com o ensino dos alunos com deficiência intelectual. A mudança desse cenário requer uma escola inclusiva que reafirme um compromisso político, ao resgatar o saber-fazer dos métodos especiais, sem abrir mão de seu legítimo combate contra a segregação educacional e social antes praticada.
Remoção dos compostos odoríferos geosmina e 2-metilisoborneol de águas de abastecimento através de processos de aeração em cascata, dessorção por ar e nanofiltração
Authors: Zat Michely , Benetti Antonio D
Published: February 2012

Atividades humanas aceleram o processo natural de eutrofização das águas, favorecendo a floração de algas e cianobactérias. Estes organismos emitem os compostos 2-metilisoborneol (MIB) e geosmina, que conferem gosto e odor de mofo e terra à água. A presença destes compostos se estende à água potável uma vez que os processos convencionais de tratamento são insuficientes para removê-los. Esta pesquisa foi realizada com o objetivo de avaliar alternativas de processos de tratamento para a remoção de MIB e geosmina da água. Os processos estudados foram aeração em cascata, dessorção por ar e nanofiltração. Os resultados sugerem a possibilidade de remoção quase total de MIB e geosmina da água através do sistema de nanofiltração, enquanto que os processos baseados em aeração e dessorção foram relativamente ineficientes.
Produtividade de grãos, óleo e massa seca de girassol sob diferentes lâminas de irrigação suplementar
Authors: Gomes Eder P. , Fedri Gregory , Ávila Marizangela R. , Biscaro Guilherme A. , Rezende Rodrigo K. S. , Jordan Rodrigo A.
Published: February 2012

Este trabalho foi realizado na Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Campus Regional de Umuarama, PR, no ano agrícola de 2008/2009, com o objetivo de avaliar o desenvolvimento da cultura e a eficiência de uso da irrigação em produtividades de grãos, óleo e massa seca da cultura do girassol. Nos tratamentos irrigados (L1, L2, L3 e L4) foram adotados coeficientes de cultura (kc) iguais (L2), abaixo (L1) e acima dos propostos pela FAO (L3 e L4). A irrigação favoreceu o desenvolvimento da cultura e as maiores produtividades foram obtidas a partir de valores de kc 100% acima dos propostos pela FAO (L4). As maiores eficiências de uso de irrigação foram obtidas a partir de valores de kc propostos pela FAO (L2). A produtividade de grãos respondeu, de forma linear, à irrigação com 4.788 kg ha-1 em L0 (sem irrigação) e 6.963 kg ha-1 em L4. A irrigação não aumentou o teor de óleo, sendo a produtividade de óleo proporcional à produtividade de grãos.
Avaliação agronômica de linhagens de aveia-branca em duas regiões fisiográficas do Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Tafernaberri Júnior Vilmar , Dall'Agnol Miguel , Montardo Daniel Portella , Pereira Emerson André , Peres Éder Rodrigues , Leão Marcos Laux
Published: February 2012

Realizou-se neste estudo uma avaliação inicial em diversas linhagens de aveia-branca (Avena sativa, L.), com o intuito de verificar o desempenho agronômico e identificar os genótipos promissores para o lançamento de cultivares para produção de forragem. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em duas regiões fisiográficas do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Depressão Central e Campanha Gaúcha, nos anos de 2008 e 2009. Foram implementados em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Cada parcela foi constituída por uma linha de 2 m de comprimento, espaçadas a 40 cm entre si, considerando parcela útil o metro linear central, cortadas a uma altura de 10 cm. Foram avaliadas 21 linhagens de aveia-branca mais a testemunha (IPR126). No primeiro ano, também foram avaliadas duas linhagens de triticale, as quais apresentaram baixo potencial forrageiro e foram excluídas dos experimentos no segundo ano. Na avaliação do potencial produtivo das linhagens de aveia-branca, não houve diferenças ocasionadas pela interação dos fatores local, ano e linhagem. No primeiro ano, os valores médios de produção na Depressão Central e Campanha Gaúcha foram de 82,3 e 76,3 g por metro linear de matéria seca total, respectivamente. Na avaliação do segundo ano, as médias de produção para esta espécie na Depressão Central e na Campanha Gaúcha foram, respectivamente, 80,0 e 119,8 g m-1 de matéria seca total. As linhagens de aveia-branca, em sua maioria, apresentam bons resultados e são promissoras para o programa de melhoramento genético dessa espécie.
História familiar positiva de diabetes altera a resposta cronotrópica ao exercício agudo
Authors: Sartori Michelle , Hereen Marcelo Velloso , Valente Juliana , Tubaldini Márcio , Irigoyen Maria Cláudia , De Angelis Kátia
Published: February 2012

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar os efeitos de uma sessão de exercício aeróbio (SEA) no perfil metabólico e hemodinâmico em filhos de diabéticos do tipo II. Jovens saudáveis do sexo masculino foram divididos em dois grupos: filhos de diabéticos (FD, n = 7) e filhos de normoglicêmicos (FN, n = 7). Foram realizadas medidas metabólicas (triglicérides e glicemia) e cardiovasculares (pressão arterial, PA, e frequência cardíaca, FC) em repouso, durante e após a SEA. A SEA foi realizada em esteira ergométrica com duração de 30 minutos e intensidade progressiva. Os grupos apresentaram valores semelhantes em relação ao triglicérides, PA e FC em repouso. A glicemia de jejum do grupo FD foi maior em relação ao grupo FN (99 ± 2 versus 89 ± 2mg/dL). O grupo FD apresentou maior resposta cronotrópica no início da SEA quando comparado ao grupo FN (86 ± 4 versus 125 ± 8bpm), mas a FC foi semelhante entre os grupos nas demais intensidades. No quinto minuto de recuperação da SEA a FC foi maior no grupo FD comparado ao grupo FN (FN: 88 ± 3 versus FD: 97 ± 4bpm). A PA foi semelhante entre os grupos durante e após a SEA. Os resultados demonstram que filhos de diabéticos jovens já apresentam alterações metabólicas em repouso e resposta exacerbada da FC no início e nos primeiros minutos de recuperação da SEA, sugerindo um maior risco cardiovascular nessa população.
Efeito do número e intensidade das ações excêntricas nos indicadores de dano muscular
Authors: Barroso Renato , Roschel Hamilton , Gil Saulo , Ugrinowitsch Carlos , Tricoli Valmor
Published: February 2012

A realização de uma sessão de treinamento de força, especialmente de ações excêntricas, provoca danos à estrutura muscular. Algumas características da realização das ações excêntricas parecem agravar a ocorrência do dano. O número de contrações realizadas e o grau de tensão desenvolvida em cada uma delas parecem afetar a magnitude o dano. Dessa maneira, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar se o número e a intensidade das ações excêntricas contribuem para o aumento do dano muscular, avaliado através das alterações de marcadores indiretos. Vinte e quatro jovens adultos do sexo masculino foram divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos. Um dos grupos realizou 30 ações excêntricas para os flexores do cotovelo com 70% de 1RM (EXC30-70, n = 8). Outro grupo realizou o mesmo número de repetições, porém com 110% de 1RM (EXC30110, n = 8). Um terceiro grupo realizou um número maior de repetições (60) com 70% de 1RM (EXC60-70, n = 8). A amplitude de movimento, a circunferência do braço, a força máxima (1RM) e a dor muscular tardia foram avaliadas antes, imediatamente, 48 e 96 horas após o exercício. Os resultados foram analisados através de análise de variância com dois fatores e revelaram que as alterações foram maiores no grupo EXC30-110 comparadas com EXC30-70 e EXC60-70. Esses dados sugerem que a intensidade das ações excêntricas afeta mais a ocorrência de dano do que o número de contrações.
Radiation-Induced Sarcoma of the Breast: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sheth Grishma R. , Cranmer Lee D. , Smith Benjamin D. , Grasso-LeBeau Lauren , Lang Julie E.
Published: February 2012

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Evaluate the level of evidence to inform decision making for the treatment radiation induced sarcoma of the breast.Explain diagnostic criteria for radiation-induced sarcoma.Describe the effectiveness of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy for radiation induced sarcoma of the breast.

CME This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Introduction.

Radiation-induced sarcoma (RIS) is a rare, aggressive malignancy. Breast cancer survivors treated with radiotherapy constitute a large fraction of RIS patients. To evaluate evidenced-based practices for RIS treatment, we performed a systematic review of the published English-language literature.

Methods.

We performed a systematic keyword search of PubMed for original research articles pertaining to RIS of the breast. We classified and evaluated the articles based on hierarchal levels of scientific evidence.

Results.

We identified 124 original articles available for analysis, which included 1,831 patients. No randomized controlled trials involving RIS patients were found. We present the best available evidence for the etiology, comparative biology to primary sarcoma, prognostic factors, and treatment options for RIS of the breast.

Conclusion.

Although the evidence to guide clinical practice is limited to single institutional cohort studies, registry studies, case–control studies, and case reports, we applied the available evidence to address clinically relevant questions related to best practice in patient management. Surgery with widely negative margins remains the primary treatment of RIS. Unfortunately, the role of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy remains uncertain. This systematic review highlights the need for additional well-designed studies to inform the management of RIS.
Seismic protection of lap-spliced RC columns using SMA wire jackets
Authors: Choi Eunsoo , Chung Young-Soo , Choi Dong-Ho , DesRoches Reginald
Published: February 2012

This study used two forms of shape memory alloy (SMA) wires, nickel–titanium–niobium (NiTiNb) and nickle–titatanium (NiTi), to retrofit reinforced concrete (RC) columns with lap splices. NiTiNb shape memory alloys are considered to show a wider temperature window compared with NiTi shape memory alloys and thus may be beneficial for applications in the area of civil structures. The goals of this study are to assess the mechanical behaviour of the two shape memory alloy wires and investigate the seismic performance of the shape memory alloy wire jackets for reinforced concrete columns with lap splices. First, the study investigates the recovery and the residual stress of NiTiNb and NiTi shape memory alloy wires. This study also evaluates the behaviour of the NiTiNb shape memory alloy wire under residual stresses. The results indicate that the shape memory alloy wire jackets show good performance for reinforced concrete columns with lap splices. The shape memory alloy wire jackets increase the ductile behaviour of the lap-spliced columns without strength degradation. The results show that their performance is superior to that of the RC column with continuous reinforcements. The study shows that the NiTiNb shape memory alloy wire jackets are more adaptive for retrofit of RC columns than the NiTi shape memory alloy wire jackets since the NiTiNb shape memory alloy shows more appropriate temperature windows for the applications of shape memory alloys in civil structures.
Linking noninvasive genetic sampling and traditional monitoring to aid management of a trans‐border carnivore population
Authors: Bischof Richard , Swenson Jon E.
Published: February 2012

Noninvasive genetic sampling has been embraced by wildlife managers and ecologists, especially those charged with monitoring rare and elusive species over large areas. Challenges arise when desired population measures are not directly attainable from genetic data and when monitoring targets trans‐border populations. Norwegian management authorities count individual brown bears (Ursus arctos) using noninvasive genetic sampling but express management goals in the annual number of bear reproductions (females that produce cubs), a measure that is not directly available from genetic data. We combine noninvasive genetic sampling data with information obtained from a long‐term intensive monitoring study in neighboring Sweden to estimate the number of annual reproductions by females detected within Norway. Most female brown bears in Norway occur near the border with neighboring countries (Sweden, Finland, and Russia) and their potential reproduction can therefore only partially be credited to Norway. Our model includes a simulation‐based method that corrects census data to account for this. We estimated that 4.3 and 5.7 reproductions can be credited to females detected with noninvasive genetic sampling in Norway in 2008 and 2009, respectively. These numbers fall substantially short of the national target (15 annual reproductions). Ignoring the potential for home ranges to extend beyond Norway's borders leads to an increase in the estimate of the number of reproductions by ∼30%. Our study shows that combining noninvasive genetic sampling with information obtained from traditional intensive/invasive monitoring can help answer contemporary management questions in the currency desired by managers and policy makers. Furthermore, combining methodologies and thereby accounting for space use increases the accuracy of the information on which decisions are based. It is important that the information derived from multiple approaches is applicable to the same focal population and that predictions are cross‐validated. When monitoring and management are constrained to administrative units, census data should be adjusted by discounting portions of individual space utilization that extend beyond the focal jurisdiction. Our simulation‐based approach for making such an adjustment may be useful in other situations where management authorities target portions of trans‐border populations.
Managing floodplain‐forest restoration in European river landscapes combining ecological and flood‐protection issues
Authors: Leyer Ilona , Mosner Eva , Lehmann Boris
Published: February 2012

Throughout Europe the demands for improved flood protection on the one hand and the requirements to maintain and enhance floodplain forests on the other are perceived as conflicting goals in river‐basin management, revealing the urgent need for strategies to combine both issues. We developed an interdisciplinary approach for floodplain‐forest restoration identifying sites suitable for reforestations from both an ecological and hydraulic point of view. In the ecological module, habitat‐distribution models are developed providing information on ecologically suitable sites. In the hydraulic module, a two‐dimensional hydrodynamic‐numerical model (2D‐HN model) delivers the requested hydraulic information. The output of the two models is intersected. Subsequently, in an iterative procedure, the potential of plantings without exceeding critical water levels can be identified by hydraulic evaluation using the 2D‐HN‐model. The approach is exemplified using two reforestation scenarios at the Elbe River, Germany, showing considerable potential for softwood forest establishment without negative hydraulic effects.

The approach reported here provides a solution for a severe conflict in river‐basin management that hampers the reestablishment of the strongly threatened floodplain forests in Europe. Alternative measures to enhance floodplain‐forest regeneration feasible under certain preconditions are discussed in the context of the current state of European large rivers.
Assessment of monitoring power for highly mobile vertebrates
Authors: Westcott David A. , Fletcher Cameron S. , McKeown Adam , Murphy Helen T.
Published: February 2012

Monitoring of population trends is a critical component of conservation management, and development of practical methods remains a priority, particularly for species that challenge more standard approaches. We used field‐parameterized simulation models to examine the effects of different errors on monitoring power and compared alternative methods used with two species of threatened pteropodids (flying‐foxes),Pteropus conspicillatusandP. poliocephalus, whose mobility violates assumptions of closure on short and long timescales. The influence of three errors on time to 80% statistical power was assessed using a Monte Carlo approach. The errors were: (1) failure to count all animals at a roost, (2) errors associated with enumeration, and (3) variability in the proportion of the population counted due to the movement of individuals between roosts. Even with perfect accuracy and precision for these errors only marginal improvements in power accrued (∼1%), with one exception. Improving certainty in the proportion of the population being counted reduced time to detection of a decline by over 6 yr (43%) for fly‐out counts and almost 10 yr (71%) for walk‐through counts. This error derives from the movement of animals between known and unknown roost sites, violating assumptions of population closure, and because it applies to the entire population, it dominates all other sources of error. Similar errors will accrue in monitoring of a wide variety of highly mobile species and will also result from population redistribution under climate change. The greatest improvements in monitoring performance of highly mobile species accrue through an improved understanding of the proportion of the population being counted, and consequently monitoring of such species must be done at the scale of the species or population range, not at the local level.
Treating Anorexia Nervosa in the Couple Context
Authors: Bulik Cynthia M. , Baucom Donald H. , Kirby Jennifer S.
Published: February 2012

Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental illness that affects women and men of all ages. Despite the gravity of its chronic morbidity, risk of premature death, and societal burden, the evidence base for its treatment—especially in adults—is weak. Guided by the finding that family-based interventions confer benefit in the treatment of anorexia nervosa in adolescents, we developed a cognitive-behavioral couple-based intervention for adults with anorexia nervosa who are in committed relationships that engages both the patient and her or his partner in the treatment process. This article describes the theoretical rationale behind the development ofUniting Couples (in the treatment of) Anorexia nervosa (UCAN), practical considerations in delivering the intervention, and includes reflections from the developers on the challenges of working with couples in which one member suffers from anorexia nervosa. Finally, we discuss future applications of a couple-based approach to the treatment of adults with eating disorders.
Use of a Three-Dimensional Three-Phase Pseudo Compositional Model (Tritricomp) for Simulating Volatile Oil and Gas Condensate Reservoirs
Authors: Philippe Quandalle , Alexandru Costa-Foru
Published: February 2012

This paper describes TRITRICOMP [1], a three dimensional, three phase numerical model for simulating petroleum reservoirs where interphase mass transfers are significant. The model utilizes equations of standard volume conservation for water, oil, and gas, and mass conservation for vapor-liquid hydrocarbon. For reservoir oil systems at pressure below the bubble-point pressure, PVT data are supposed to be functions of pressure, standard gas density, and a compositional parameter to reflect fluid composition changes resulting from contact between oil, liberated gas, gas-cap, and dry injection gas, in varying proportions. By tracking this time dependent parameter over the reservoir, fluid properties variations due to compositional variations are computed in the model with the aid of correlations obtained either from laboratory experiments, or from a fully compositional model with few cells, specifically designed for this purpose [2].

Special provisions are made to treat gas condensate systems below their dew point and reservoir oil systems above their bubble-point pressure (which is supposed to be time and space variable over the reservoir, and computed by the model).

Comparative runs of a 2D reservoir, made with this new model, are checked against those made with a fully compositional model [3] on the one hand, and those made with a conventional black oil model [4] on the other hand. It is showed that both the new and fully compositional models provide similar results which are however different from those obtained with conventional black oil models. Moreover, this new TRITRICOMP simulator runs as fast as a conventional black oil model i.e. several times faster than a fully compositional model.
Project Management – Fulmar Field
Authors: Innes G.
Published: February 2012

North Sea oil field development projects rank with some of the costliest engineering tasks ever tackles, therefore good control is essential. This can be enhanced firstly by an appreciation of the uncertainties which underlie some of the basic assumptions such as those affecting reserves and field productivity; and secondly by the appointment of a task oriented project team responsible from the appraisal drilling phase through commissioning.

In the case of Fulmar an in-house management team of 95 people was established with about 170 more in the field at ten major fabrication sites. Although the project is still underway some fundamental observations can already be made.
Artificial Lift by Electric Submersible Pumps in Forties
Authors: Ross David M. , Spencer John A. , Stephen David D.
Published: February 2012

The North Sea Forties Field has been on production for five years. Reservoir performance predictions indicate that most wells will require artificial lift to maintain production at some part of their life. Of the artificial lift methods, electric submersible pumping appears to have considerable merit for use in the field. Electric submersible pumping requires minimal additional platform weight and power generation capacities.

This paper describes the approach taken in the first trial installation in Forties Alpha well FA 36. The completion design, choice and sizing of equipment is presented.

The electrical surface installation was designed as a prototype and not as a standard production unit, to give maximum information to assess areas for future development
Downscaling of precipitation on a lake basin: evaluation of rule and decision tree induction algorithms
Authors: Goyal Manish Kumar , Ojha C. S. P.
Published: February 2012

We investigate the performance of existing state-of-the-art rule induction and tree algorithms, namely Single Conjunctive Rule Learner, Decision Table, M5 Model Tree, Decision Stump and REPTree. Downscaling models are developed using these algorithms to obtain projections of mean monthly precipitation to lake-basin scale in an arid region in India. The effectiveness of these algorithms is evaluated through application to downscale the predictand for the Lake Pichola region in Rajasthan state in India, which is considered to be a climatically sensitive region. The predictor variables are extracted from (1) the National Centre for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis dataset for the period 1948–2000 and (2) the simulations from the third-generation Canadian Coupled Global Climate Model (CGCM3) for emission scenarios A1B, A2, B1 and COMMIT for the period 2001–2100. M5 Model Tree algorithm was found to yield better performance among all other learning techniques explored in the present study. The precipitation is projected to increase in future for A2 and A1B scenarios, whereas it is least for B1 and COMMIT scenarios using predictors.
The Thames flood series: a lack of trend in flood magnitude and a decline in maximum levels
Authors: Marsh Terry , Harvey Catherine L.
Published: February 2012

The flow series for the River Thames near its tidal limit is one of the most studied in the world. Its length and completeness, and the richness of the historical information which augments the formal flow record, ensures that the series is of immense value. However, the variability in flood magnitude and frequency that it captures needs to be interpreted with caution. The homogeneity of the time series is influenced by a wide range of factors, including changes in the hydrometric capability of the gauging station and the impact of differing water, river and land management practices on the flow regime. Nevertheless, both the daily flow series and the record of lock levels provide some reassuring signals regarding the resilience of the Thames to fluvial flood risk in a warming world. Since routine flow measurement began in 1883, the Thames basin has seen a substantial rise in air temperature and a tendency for both winter rainfall and annual runoff to increase. There is no trend in fluvial flood magnitude however, partly reflecting a decline in snowmelt contributions to major floods and annual maximum lock levels show a significant decline, reflecting a highly sustained programme of river management.
Comparison of digital and manual methods of snow particle size estimation
Authors: Ingvander Susanne , Johansson Cecilia , Jansson Peter , Pettersson Rickard
Published: February 2012

Maintaining long time series of observations of the Cryosphere is a key issue in climate research. Long observational time series involve problems due to change in methodology or observers. In order to extend time series and introduce new methods, careful comparisons must be made to ensure homogeneity in the observational data. We have compared an established method for snow grain-size observations used by the Abisko Scientific Research Station (ASRS) in northern Sweden, based on visual interpretation, with a newly developed method for Digital Snow Particle Properties (DSPP) analysis. Transition from subjective visual method into digital reproducible analysis creates less subjective and more comparable results. The ASRS method generates size classifications excluding quantitative analysis size ranges. By determining the sizes of the classified snow using the DSPP method, actual size ranges for classified snow can be established. By performing a digital analysis of the reference samples and the snow samples classified, we can compare the ASRS classification system to existing official classification systems. The results indicate underestimation of the visual particle size in comparison to the reference samples. Our results show how to quantify the historical data set, which enables us to perform quantitative analysis on the historical data set.
Menstrual hygiene in Ugandan schools: an investigation of low-cost sanitary pads
Authors: Crofts Tracey , Fisher Julie
Published: February 2012

Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a largely overlooked issue in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector. Every day, millions of menstruating girls and women in low-income countries struggle to find clean water for washing, private places for changing and adequate blood absorbing materials. This study aims to explore the difficulties experienced by schoolgirls in Uganda in managing menstrual hygiene and investigates the extent to which low-cost sanitary pads are part of the solution. Low-cost sanitary pads, either re-usable or disposable, are a timely, simple and innovative means of improving menstrual hygiene and of addressing a broader set of problems related to MHM in schools. Other factors highlighted are: pain relief, education, safe water provision, clean and private latrines, hygienic and secure bathing facilities, use of soap, sealed waste disposal points, private drying places, anal cleansing materials and effective facility operation and management strategies.
Trends in rainfall intensity for stormwater designs in Ontario
Authors: Vasiljevic B. , McBean E. , Gharabaghi B.
Published: February 2012

The intensities of short-duration rainfall events are fundamental inputs to the design of stormwater management infrastructure. However, since stormwater infrastructure must function as designed for many decades, if there are long-term trends in rainfall intensities, design storms need to be modified. Evidence demonstrates, using data from 13 rain gauges in Ontario, that storm intensities relevant to urban stormwater (5 year) appear to have changed over the last 30 years. The results show, for example, statistical significance at 80% confidence that the 5-year storm has increased, and 85% that the 2-year storm has increased, for the 1 h storm in Waterloo, using partial duration series (PDS) data. The PDS data indicate intensities are increasing at a rate of 1–3% per year. Results show, for example, that a 5-year recurrence storm for PDS for the period 1970–1984 is now very close in magnitude to a 2-year recurrence storm for the period 1985–2003 for Waterloo, Ontario. The implications for a case study demonstrate that 5 out of 12 storm sewer pipes in a subdivision would need to be increased in diameter to obtain the same level of stormwater performance.
Growth characteristics of Microcystis aeruginosa and their effects on coagulation process efficiency
Authors: Lee Tae-Gwan , Bae Hun-Kyun
Published: February 2012

In this study, coagulation efficiencies for each growth phase of Microcystis aeruginosa, one of the main species involved in eutrophication in South Korea, were examined at the laboratory scale to obtain data on removal characteristics of this organism during the coagulation process. This study also defines the optimum growth conditions to culture M. aeruginosa in a laboratory environment. The optimum growth conditions of M. aeruginosa were at a concentration of 0.8 mg/L of phosphorus, a concentration of 10 mg/L of nitrogen, 2,000 lx of illumination, and an alkali condition. Coagulation efficiency varies with growth phases, which is due to the different rates of metabolism at each phase. Results provide the optimal growth conditions to obtain M. aeruginosa in a laboratory, and characterize coagulation efficiencies at each growth stage for water treatment facilities to establish procedures to manage eutrophicated water.
Biological AsIII oxidation and arsenic sequestration onto ZVI-coated sand in an up-flow fixed-bed reactor
Authors: Wan J. F. , Zhu Y. , Simon S. , Dictor M. C. , Deluchat V. , Dagot C.
Published: February 2012

A strict authorized Arsenic (As) level (10 μg L−1) in drinking water requires the development of low-cost treatment processes. Biological treatment of AsIII (major specie in groundwater) using AsIII-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) can be used as an effective pre-oxidation step followed by As removal onto zero valent iron-coated sand. However, the efficiency of As sorption could be affected by a possible development of the bacterial communities in the ZVI-coated sand system. The aims of this work were to study the role of the AOB communities on the filling material (sand or ZVI-coated sand) and to estimate simultaneous biological AsIII oxidation and As sorption onto ZVI in a single fixed-bed reactor. Thiomonas arsenivorans, an autotrophic AOB was inoculated in only one of two parallel fixed-bed reactors filled with sand mixed with 1% iron (wFe/wsand). Both reactors were then continuously fed with synthetic water containing 10 mg L−1 of AsIII under a high Hydraulic Residence Time (HRT) (4 h) for 23 days and then under lower HRT (1 h) for 10 days. 80% of total As were removed in the non-inoculated reactor under high HRT while only 15% were removed under HRT of 1 h. Hence HRT was a key operating parameter in the fixed-bed system. The inoculated AOB bacterial community could disturb the As sorption under high HRT, while the As removal efficiency under low HRT was better than in the absence of the inoculums. At the end of the experiment, ZVI (and/or its oxide products) was collected at different layers in both reactors. Residual adsorption capacities were evaluated with batch experiments which showed that some layers were not saturated and continued to remove As. PCR-DGGE of aoxB gene was also used to identify the distribution of AOB among these different layers.
Removal of arsenic and selenium compounds from aqueous media by using TiO2 photocatalytic reaction
Authors: Nakajima T. , Takanashi H. , Tominaga T. , Yamada K. , Ohki A.
Published: February 2012

A new method for the removal of arsenite [As(III)] and selenate [Se(VI)], which are difficult to remove by conventional water treatment methods from aqueous media, was investigated. This method involves the use of photocatalytic oxidation of As(III) and photocatalytic reduction of Se(VI). Also, a novel TiO2–adsorbent hybrid (HYB) which has photocatalyst sites and adsorbent sites on the same particle was developed. When the removal of As(III) by use of photocatalyst–adsorbent system and the HYB system was carried out, As(III) was effectively removed from aqueous phase. Moreover, with the removal of Se(VI) by using photocatalytic reduction, Se(VI) could also be removed from aqueous phase under the photocatalyst–adsorbent system and the HYB system, even if the concentration of a hole scavenger formic acid was reduced.
Ozonation catalyzed by iron silicate for the degradation of o-chloronitrobenzene in drinking water
Authors: Liu Y. , Chen Z. , Yang L. , Han Y. , Shen J. , Wang H.
Published: February 2012

This paper aimed to reveal the effectiveness and the mechanism of catalytic ozonation in the presence of iron silicate for the degradation of o-chloronitrobenzene (oCNB). Experimental results show that catalytic ozonation in the presence of iron silicate could substantially enhance oCNB removal efficiency compared with ozonation alone, and that the adsorption of oCNB on the iron silicate surface had no significant effect on the degradation of oCNB. The results of a hydroxyl radical scavenger experiment using spin-trapping/EPR technology to identify hydroxyl radicals (•OH) confirm that •OH were the main active species in the removal of oCNB during the ozonation process catalyzed by iron silicate. The catalytic activity of the iron silicate was related to a highly hydroxylated surface. It was confirmed that the surface hydroxyl groups on the iron silicate were the reaction sites between ozone and oCNB.
Removal of nitrogen and carbon organic matter by chitosan and aluminium sulphate
Authors: Garcia Indiana , Moreno Luis
Published: February 2012

River and lake waters were separated into four fractions to study the removal of nitrogen and carbon organic matter using chitosan (CH) and aluminium sulphate (AS). The fractions were very hydrophobic acid, slightly hydrophobic acid, charged hydrophilic acid and neutral hydrophilic. The results showed that the whole and fractionated water from both sources have a markedly hydrophobic character. However, lake water had a lower NOM concentration than river water. The ratio of dissolved organic carbon and dissolved organic nitrogen (DOC/DON) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen to total dissolved nitrogen (DIN/TDN) were higher in the hydrophobic fraction from both sources. Similarly DOC, colour and ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (UV254) also presented higher values in the same fraction. Chitosan achieved the better results in the removal of NOM from Boaco water, whole and fractionated, whereas aluminium sulphate achieved better removal from Juigalpa water. DON and DIN were removed by aluminium to about 30%. The DOC/DON and DIN/TDN ratios decreased with both coagulants in whole waters from both sources. The hydrophobic fraction contributed most to the formation of trihalomethanes, slightly hydrophobic acid being the biggest contributor. Lake water led to less THM formation than river water.
Studies on the adsorption of sulfo-group-containing aromatics by chitosan-β-cyclodextrin
Authors: Shi Wenjian , Chen Shuwei , Chang Fei , Han Yue , Zhang Yuanzhang
Published: February 2012

Chitosan-β-cyclodextrin (CTS-CD) prepared through a crosslinking reaction between chitosan and β-cyclodextrin was employed to adsorb the three following sulfo-group-containing aromatics: disodium 2-naphthol-3,6-disulfonate (R salt), 2-naphthalene sulfonic acid (NSA), and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS). At 318 K, the saturated adsorption capacity of CTS-CD for R salt, NSA, and SDBS was 431, 416, and 376 mg/g, respectively. The experimental data fitted the second-order model well and the rate constant of the adsorption increased with the temperature increment. The values of apparent activation energy for R salt, NSA, and SDBS were calculated as 33.2, 34.2, and 16.8 kJ/mol respectively. The isothermal adsorption was found following the Langmuir adsorption equation. The negative values of ΔG and the positive values of ΔH indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic.
Nanofiltration process of glyphosate simulated wastewater
Authors: Liu Z. Y. , Xie M. , Ni F. , Xu Y. H.
Published: February 2012

Nanofiltration separation of glyphosate simulated wastewater was investigated using a DK membrane. The effects of operating parameters and the addition of impurities on membrane performance were studied in detail. It was found that at 20 °C, with a glyphosate concentration of 500 mg/L and pH of 2.96, the glyphosate retention rate and the membrane permeate flux increased slightly with increasing transmembrane pressure. With an increase in operating temperature, the permeate flux increased linearly while the retention rate decreased. The permeate flux and glyphosate retention rate decreased with increasing feed concentration. Within the pH range of 3–5, the glyphosate retention rate decreases with increasing pH and reaches a minimum at the isoelectric point of the membrane, while the permeate flux reaches a maximum level at this point. In the pH range of 5–11, with the increases of pH, the glyphosate retention rate increases and the permeate flux decreases. Glyphosate retention decreases slightly with increasing NaCl and phosphite concentrations. This can be explained in terms of the shielding phenomenon.
Modelling pathogen fate in stormwaters by a particle–pathogen interaction model using population balances
Authors: Vergeynst L. , Vallet B. , Vanrolleghem P. A.
Published: February 2012

Stormwater is polluted by various contaminants affecting the quality of receiving water bodies. Pathogens are one of these contaminants, which have a critical effect on water use in rivers. Increasing the retention time of water in stormwater basins can lead to reduced loads of pathogens released to the rivers. In this paper a model describing the behaviour of pathogens in stormwater basins is presented including different fate processes such as decay, adsorption/desorption, settling and solar disinfection. By considering the settling velocity distribution of particles and a layered approach, this model is able to create a light intensity, and particle and pathogen concentration profile along the water depth in the basin. A strong effect of solar disinfection is discerned. The model has been used to evaluate pathogen removal efficiencies in stormwater basins. It includes a population of particle classes characterized by a distribution of settling velocities in order to be able to reproduce stormwater quality and treatment in a realistic way.
Phosphorus release and uptake during start-up of a covered and non-aerated sequencing batch reactor with separate feeding of VFA and sulfate
Authors: Wu D. , Hao T. , Lu H. , Chui H. K. , van Loosdrecht M. C. M. , Chen G. H.
Published: February 2012

This study explored a sulfur cycle-associated biological phosphorus (P) removal process in a covered and non-aerated sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with volatile fatty acid (VFA) and sulfate separately. During the 60-day start-up, both phosphate release and uptake rates increased, while poly-phosphate cyclically increased and decreased accordingly. The P-release and P-uptake rates were associated with VFA uptake and sulfate reduction. The average ratio of potassium to phosphate during the P-uptake and P-release was also determined to be 0.29–0.31 mol K/mol P, which is close to a reported value (0.33) for biological phosphorus removal. All this evidence confirmed there was biological P removal in this reactor, in which metabolism could be different from conventional biological P removal.
Control of C/N ratio for butyric acid production from textile wastewater sludge by anaerobic digestion
Authors: Fu Bo , Zhang Jingjing , Fan Jinfeng , Wang Jin , Liu He
Published: February 2012

Increasing textile wastewaters and their biotreatment byproduct–waste activated sludge are serious pollution problems. Butyric acid production from textile wastewater sludge by anaerobic digestion at different C/N ratios was investigated. Adding starch to textile wastewater sludge with a C/N ratio of 30 increased the butyric acid concentration and percentage accounting for total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) to 21.42 g/L and 81.5%, respectively, as compared with 21.42 g/L and 10.6% of textile wastewater sludge alone. The maximum butyric acid yield (0.45 g/g VS), conversion rate (0.74 g/g VSdigest) and production rate (2.25 g/L d) was achieved at a C/N ratio of 30. The biological toxicity of textile wastewater sludge also significantly decreased after the anaerobic digestion. The study indicated that the anaerobic co-digestion of textile wastewater sludge and carbohydrate-rich waste with appropriate C/N ratio is possible for butyric acid production.
Treatment of dairy wastewater by two-stage membrane operation with ultrafiltration and nanofiltration
Authors: Gong Yan-Wen , Zhang Hong-Xun , Cheng Xue-Ni
Published: February 2012

Treatment of dairy wastewater by a two-stage membrane process with ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) was investigated. The results showed that the flux of UF was higher at pH = 4.6 than that at pH = 8 because the resistance of the fouling membrane was lower at the isoelectric point of protein (pH = 4.6) in UF operation. Protein rejection exceeded 99% by UF + NF operation. Lactose rejections were 98.5 and 54% for UF + NF90 and UF + NF270 respectively. Experiments on membrane cleaning showed that the fouling layer of UF and NF was mainly protein and casein which could be removed by aqueous NaOH with pH = 10. The result of long-term experiments showed that the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of NF90 permeates was below 70 mg/L consistently and the wastewater could be concentrated to 24% by a two-stage membrane process.