bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adolescent Girls’ Offending and Health-Risking Sexual Behavior: The Predictive Role of Trauma
Authors: Smith Dana K. , Leve Leslie D. , Chamberlain Patricia
Published: October 2006

Several studies have highlighted high levels of risk for girls who have been exposed to traumatic experiences, but little is known about the exact relationship between traumatic experiences and problems with delinquency and health-risking sexual behavior (e.g., precipitory and/or exacerbatory roles). However, numerous short- and long-term detrimental effects have been linked to trauma, delinquency, and health-risking sexual behavior. The utility of diagnostic and experiential trauma measures in predicting the greatest risk for poor outcomes for delinquent girls was examined in this study. Results indicate that the experiential measures of trauma (cumulative and composite trauma scores) significantly predicted adolescent offending and adolescent health-risking sexual behavior, whereas the diagnostic measures of trauma (full and partial diagnostic criteria) did not.
Prenatal Cocaine Exposure and Child Welfare Outcomes
Authors: Doris John L. , Meguid Victoria , Thomas Margaret , Blatt Steven , Eckenrode John
Published: October 2006

This study examines the relationship between prenatal cocaine exposure and child welfare outcomes. Seventy-six infants positive for cocaine at birth were matched to 76 negative infants. With prenatal care and maternal use of alcohol and tobacco controlled, cocaine-exposed infants had significant decrements in birth weight, length, head circumference, and depressed 5-min Apgar scores. This confirmed the health risk of prenatal cocaine exposure for the sample. Three-year follow-up data were obtained from the State Central Register and foster care records. Adjusting for prior maternal involvement with child welfare services the study groups did not differ in incidents of child maltreatment or foster care placement. These findings suggest that prenatal cocaine exposure is not a marker for abusive parenting. However, from the perspective of a cumulative risk model, the identification of cocaine-exposed infants at birth can form the starting point for the development of appropriate diagnostic and follow-up services for mother and child.
Origin and Goals of the “Gender Symmetry” Workshop
Authors: Rosen Leora N.
Published: October 2006

This article provides a brief account of the historical background to the Gender Symmetry Workshop and describes its major goals. The Workshop is a successor to an earlier workshop co-sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Justice in 1998, namely the Workshop on Building Data Systems for Monitoring and Responding to Violence Against Women. Some key issues that were left unresolved in that workshop provided the rationale for holding the Gender Symmetry Workshop. The Workshop was designed to cover three topic areas: (1) a typology of violence, (2) measurement issues, and (3) women’s use of violence.
The Development of a Theory of Women’s Use of Violence in Intimate Relationships
Authors: Swan Suzanne C. , Snow David L.
Published: October 2006

Reports have appeared in the popular press in recent years concluding that women are just as violent as men. These reports stem from acontextual survey studies comparing prevalence rates of women’s and men’s physical violence. The authors contend that the above conclusion is simplistic and misleading, and that a theoretical framework that embeds women’s violence in the context in which it occurs is sorely needed. This article proposes a model that includes women’s violence in the context of their victimization by male partners, motivations for violent behavior and how they cope with relationship problems, experiences of childhood trauma, and outcomes of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance use. The model is then examined within the context of gender, race, and class. The cultural context of domestic violence for African American and Latina women is reviewed. This literature reinforces the need to place women’s violence in a broader sociocultural context.
Modeling Flexural Vibration of a Sandwich Beam Using Modified Fourth-order Theory
Authors: Backstöm Daniel , Nilsson Anders
Published: October 2006

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using modified lower order methods - such as the Bernoulli-Euler or Timoshenko beam theories with frequency dependent parameters - to calculate the response of sandwich beams subject to different end conditions. The models have been verified by measurements on a freely suspended asymmetric sandwich beam with aluminum laminates and a plastic foam core, indicating good agreement.
Fatigue of Closed Cell Foams
Authors: Zenkert Dan , Shipsha Andrey , Burman Magnus
Published: October 2006

The static properties of foams scale with relative density and scaling can be obtained through various static tests. The same scaling appears to be valid for both crack propagation rates and fatigue properties of the foams. This implies that, once the fatigue behavior of one relative density foam is established, one can predict the fatigue behavior of all other density foams within the same class of materials. This study deals with fatigue of closed cell foams. The main idea is to use a few simple tests to predict tension-tension fatigue properties of foams. The required testing consists of crack propagation rate measurements and one tension-tension fatigue test performed at the yield stress of the foam. This data can then be combined to construct a synthetic S-N curve for the foam. Testing is performed on three densities of Divinycell H-grade and three densities of Rohacell WF-grade foam. A very simple fatigue model, based on an initial flaw approach, is used to link the crack propagation rate behavior of these foams with their unnotched fatigue life. This approach is backed up by the experimental results. The results obtained can be used to form some general conclusions about the fatigue of closed cell foams, at least of the types used herein.
The End of Cyberspace and Other Surprises
Authors: Thomas Sue
Published: October 2006

This article reports on Web 2.0, the end of cyberspace, and the internet of things. It proposes that these concepts have synergies both with the current fashion for modifying physical objects with the features of virtual objects, as evidenced in O'Reilly's MAKE magazine and similar projects, and with the potential technologies for collective intelligence described by Bruce Sterling, Adam Greenfield, Julian Bleecker and others. It considers Alex Pang's research on the end of cyberspace and asks whether the ‘new’ of new media writing will have any meaning in a world that is updated by the microsecond every time there is fresh activity in the system.
Designerly ≠ Readerly
Authors: Ball Cheryl E.
Published: October 2006

In this article, I draw on Gunther Kress and Theo van Leeuwen's (2001) Multimodal Discourse: The Modes and Media of Contemporary Communication and Lev Manovich's (2001) The Language of New Media, which have become prevalent texts in US writing studies fields, to describe the rubrics they use and show how they help readers determine the materialities of multi modal or new media texts. I also argue, however, that writing studies scholars should not rely solely on these rubrics because they function in designerly, not readerly, ways that would help readers understand a text's rhetorical situation. I apply the rubrics to a new media text, ‘While Chopping Red Peppers’ (Ankerson and Sapnar, 2000), to show their limited use and to suggest that while these multimodal and new media theories have a place in writing studies, we need better methods and/or reading heuristics in order to interpret (and teach) such works.
On the Road With the National Basketball Association's Superstar Externality
Authors: Berri David J. , Schmidt Martin B.
Published: October 2006

Hausman and Leonard offered evidence that Michael Jordan generated US$53 million in broadcast revenue for teams other than his employer, the Chicago Bulls. In essence, these authors argued for the existence of a superstar externality. The purpose of this article is to extend the work of Hausman and Leonard via an examination of road attendance in this sport. The evidence we report suggests that a superstar externality also exists on the road in the National Basketball Association. Policy suggestions to remedy this issue are offered in the text.
Acute inflammation is exacerbated in mice genetically predisposed to a severe protein C deficiency
Authors: Lay Angelina J. , Donahue Deborah , Tsai Meng-Ju , Castellino Francis J.
Published: October 2006

The anticoagulant, activated protein C (aPC), possesses antithrombotic, profibrinolytic, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties, and the level of this protein is an important marker of acute inflammatory responses. Although infusion of aPC improves survival in a subset of patients with severe sepsis, evidence as to how aPC decreases mortality in these cases is limited. Because a total deficiency of PC shows complete neonatal lethality, no animal model currently exists to address the mechanistic relationships between very low endogenous aPC levels and inflammatory diseases. Here, we show for the first time that novel genetic dosing of PC strongly correlates with survival outcomes following endotoxin (LPS) challenge in mice. The data provide evidence that very low endogenous levels of PC predispose mice to early-onset disseminated intravascular coagulation, thrombocytopenia, hypotension, organ damage, and reduced survival after LPS challenge. Furthermore, evidence of an exacerbated inflammatory response is observed in very low PC mice but is greatly reduced in wild-type cohorts. Reconstitution of low-PC mice with recombinant human aPC improves hypotension and extends survival after LPS challenge. This study directly links host endogenous levels of PC with various coagulation, inflammation, and hemodynamic end points following a severe acute inflammatory challenge.
Anemia, costs and mortality in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Halpern Michael T , Zilberberg Marya D , Schmier Jordana K , Lau Edmund C , Shorr Andrew F
Published: October 2006

Background

Little is known about cost implications of anemia and its association with mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This claims analysis addresses these questions.

Methods

Using the the US Medicare claims database (1997–2001), this study identified Medicare enrollees with an ICD-9 diagnosis of COPD. Concomitant anemia was identified based on ICD-9 codes or receipt of transfusions. Persons with anemia secondary to another disease state, a nutritional deficiency or a hereditary disease were excluded. Medicare claims and payments, resource utilization and mortality were compared between COPD patients with and without anemia.

Results

Of the 132,424 enrollees with a COPD diagnosis, 21% (n = 27,932) had concomitant anemia. At baseline, anemic patients were older, had more co-morbidities and higher rates of health care resource use than non-anemic individuals with COPD. In a univariate analysis annual Medicare payments for persons with anemia were more than double for those without anemia ($1,466 vs. $649, p < 0.001), the direction maintained in all categories of payments. Adjusting for demographics, co-morbidities, and other markers of disease severity revealed that anemia was independently associated with $3,582 incremental increase per patient (95% CI: $3,299 to $3,865) in Medicare annual reimbursements. The mortality rate among COPD patients with anemia was 262 vs. 133 deaths per 1,000 person-years among those without anemia (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Anemia was present in 21% of COPD patients. Although more prevalent in more severely ill COPD patients, anemia significantly and independently contributes to the costs of care for COPD and is associated with increased mortality.
Two emerging perilymph fistula “syndromes” in children
Authors: Petroff Mark A. , Blair Simmons F. , Winzelberg Jody
Published: October 2006

This paper proposes two relatively common “syndromes” seen in children with perilymph fistulas using illustrative case reports. One, a 2 1/2‐year‐old child with bilaterally symmetric progressive sensorineural hearing loss, was found to have bilateral oval and round window fistulas. The other was a child who presented originally with an unexplained unilateral sensorineural loss. It was only when hearing deteriorated in the opposite ear several years later that a perilymph fistula was suspected and confirmed by tympanotomy. The clinical presentations and other details of these cases diverge widely, but may represent two emerging syndromes of perilymph fistulas in children: 1. a congenital or hereditary predisposition, and the other, 2. sudden hearing loss in the “good” ear of children with an unexplained sensorineural hearing loss in the opposite ear.
Tracheotomy in infants and young children: The changing perspective 1970–1985
Authors: Line Warren S. , Hawkins Donald B. , Kahlstrom Emily J. , Maclaughlin Eithne F. , Ensley Janet L.
Published: October 2006

One hundred fifty‐three children 3 years of age or younger who had tracheotomies performed during the past 15 years are reviewed. During this time, short‐term endotracheal intubation for airway obstruction from acute infections and long‐term intubation for patients on ventilators have replaced early tracheotomy for these conditions. The number of tracheotomies decreased during each of three 5‐year periods, from 73 to 55 to 25, respectively. Improvements in medical management resulted in prolonged survival of children with multiple abnormalities and resulted in more prolonged tracheotomies. Early complications occurred in 12% of patients and late complications occurred in 26%. In spite of changes in the indications, basic fundamentals of pediatric tracheotomy management remain unchanged.
Adolescent versus adult thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Zohar Y. , Strauss M. , Laurian N.
Published: October 2006

Several significant differences exist between adolescent and adult thyroid carcinoma. The incidence of malignancy in nodular goiter is higher in children than it is in adults. Thyroid cancer in childhood and adolescence has a slightly lower predilection for female than for male subjects, as compared to adult patients. The younger patients have a predominance of well‐differentiated carcinomas which are more likely to be papillary. The lesions in the young age group tend to be more advanced locally and systemically at the time of diagnosis, but are associated with a much better prognosis. Previous irradiation to the head and neck is considered to be an important pathogenetic factor of thyroid carcinoma in children as well as in adults. The epidemiological, clinical, pathological, and surgical findings in eight patients with thyroid carcinoma younger than 20 years compared to the findings in 96 patients with the same disease older than 20 years are reported.
Epiglottitis in AIDS patients
Authors: Rothstein Stephen G. , Persky Mark S. , Edelman Bruce A. , Gittleman Paul E. , Stroschein Mariel
Published: October 2006

Adult epiglottitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has not been previously reported. A pale, floppy epiglottis with supraglottic edema, cervical lymphadenopathy, a normal to low white blood count without a shift to the left, and rapidly progressive airway obstruction characterize this entity. In this small series of patients, conservative medical management was not successful, and aggressive airway intervention with appropriate intravenous antibiotic therapy was necessary.
Multiple steroid receptors in nasopharyngeal angiofibromas
Authors: Brentani M. Mitzi , Butugan Ossamu , Paiva Lamartine J. , Oshima Celina T. F. , Torloni Humberto
Published: October 2006

Cytosols from 12 nasopharyngeal angiofibroma tissues were analyzed for the presence of estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), androgen (AR), and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors, by using a dextran charcoal assay. Progesterone receptors (58%) clearly predominate over ER and AR (25%). Thus, nasoangiofibromas can be classified as ER‐PR+ tumors. Glucocorticoid receptors were found in 84% of the tumors. Steroid receptor levels, although slightly higher than those determined in three specimens of normal turbinate, were quantitatively low. Positive PR and AR tumors appeared to correlate with high density of fibroblasts and endothelial cells.
Middle fossa acoustic tumor surgery: Results in 106 cases
Authors: Shelton Clough , Brackmann Derald E. , House William F. , Hitselberger William E.
Published: October 2006

Although the middle cranial fossa approach has been used less frequently in recent years than in the past, it continues to be a useful technique for the removal of small acoustic tumors with possible hearing preservation. The approach provides complete exposure of the contents of the internal auditory canal, thus allowing positive facial nerve identification and facilitating total tumor removal.

This paper reports the results of 106 middle fossa acoustic tumor removals over a 25‐year period. Measurable postoperative hearing remained in 59% of cases. In 89% of cases, normal or near‐normal postoperative facial nerve function was obtained. Total tumor removal was achieved in 98% of cases. Preoperative selection criteria are discussed, and postoperative complications are reported.
Laryngeal foreign bodies in children: A persistent, life‐threatening problem
Authors: Lima José A.
Published: October 2006

We reviewed the records of all patients admitted to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital for foreign object aspiration from 1980 to 1987. There were 11 true glottic bodies, which accounted for 12.1% of the 91 foreign bodies detected in the airways. A mortality rate of 45% (5 patients) and transient hypoxic encephalopathy in 27% (3 patients) indicate the often tragic outcome of obstruction in the pediatric larynx. Two distinct types of foreign bodies were responsible for laryngeal obstruction in these children. The first group consisted of bulky items, mostly food, and resulted in a more severe type of obstruction, with higher mortality and morbidity. The second group of objects were thin, laminar, triangular bodies, which tended to wedge unsuspectedly in the larynx, mimicking inflammatory diseases and requiring endoscopy for their removal. Hypothetical models are used to explain the physical phenomena that occur in foreign body obstruction in the two different groups. Recommendations for intervention are made based on the conclusions.
Epstein‐barr virus detection in neck metastases by polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Walter Margaret A. , Menarguez‐Palanca Javier , Peiper Stephen C.
Published: October 2006

Cervical nodal metastasis from occult carcinomas represents a diagnostic challenge. This is a common presentation of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (UNPC), but metastatic carcinomas from other sites must be considered. UNPC has the distinguishing feature of a close association with Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV). Since the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can detect EBV in archival tissues, it offers significant advantages over previous methods for the detection of viral genomes. Its extreme sensitivity allows analysis of small samples from needle aspirates. Using the polymerase chain reaction to amplify EBV sequences from archival tissues, 15 of 18 NPC samples were positive for EBV. Of these 18, 14 of 14 with UNPC were positive, 1 of 2 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were positive, and 0 of 2 with adenocarcinoma were positive. All 6 UNPC metastatic to lymph nodes were positive. Carcinoma metastatic to cervical nodes from 17 of 17 non‐UNPC occult primaries lacked EBV. This demonstrates the utility of EBV detection by the polymerase chain reaction in the evaluation of patients with metastases to neck nodes from occult primary carcinomas in order to identify cases of UNPC.
Ultrasonography for the diagnosis of lyme disease in cases of acute facial paralysis
Authors: Mann Wolf J. , Amedee Ronald G. , Schreiber Jorg
Published: October 2006

Ultrasonography of the parotid gland was introduced in 1989 as part of the diagnostic protocol of every patient treated in our clinics with acute facial paralysis. Ten of 50 patients so tested were found to have unilateral nonpalpable enlarged lymph nodes in the caudal portion of the parotid gland around the stylomastoid foramen. All 10 patients were eventually diagnosed as having Lyme disease. It is suggested that in patients with acute facial paralysis, ultrasonography is an inexpensive tool to improve diagnosis of Lyme disease and may have a more useful purpose in monitoring therapy.
Perilymphatic injections of recombinant interleukin‐2 (rIL‐2) partially correct the immunologic defects in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Melioli Giovanni , Margarino Giovanni , Scala Marco , Mereu Paola , Bertoglio Sergio , Schenone Guido , Barbaresi Maurizio , Machi Anna Maria , Santi Leonardo , Badellino Fausto , Moretta Lorenzo
Published: October 2006

Patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are severely immunocompromised. In virtually all such patients who have been studied, reduced numbers of circulating CD3+ T‐cell‐receptor (TCR)α/β + T lymphocytes, a reduction of natural killer (NK) activity, and a poor induction of lymphokine‐activated killer (LAK) cell activity (following in vitro treatment with recombinant interleukin‐2 [rIL‐2]) have been detected. Recently, however, it has been demonstrated that perilymphatic injections of low doses of rIL‐2 may induce a local reduction of tumor masses in these patients.

The present study, a cooperative pilot effort on the clinical effects of this route of administration, showed an activation of the lytic machinery in lymphocytes belonging to the T‐cell lineage, as well as a potentiation of NK activity in the peripheral blood. These findings demonstrated that the severe immunodeficiency of HNSCC patients may be at least partially corrected by in vivo administration of rIL‐2.
Sucralfate in alleviating post‐tonsillectomy pain
Authors: Freeman Stephen B. , Markwell J. Kevin
Published: October 2006

Tonsillectomy results in severe throat pain, ear pain, and trismus until the exposed and inflamed muscle becomes covered with regenerated mucosa. Sucralfate binds with the fibrinous exudate of duodenal ulcers, forming a protective barrier that promotes healing. If a similar buffer could be created in the tonsillar bed, morbidity may be diminished.

A double‐blind, randomized study was completed in 34 adult patients to determine whether sucralfate, given four times daily for 10 days as a swish and swallow, would significantly reduce postoperative pain and promote healing and recovery. Sucralfate significantly lowered postoperative throat pain, otalgia, and trismus.

Sucralfate is a safe and well‐tolerated topical agent that offers significant pain reduction and may promote healing in tonsillectomy patients.
Otosyphilis: A diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma
Authors: Gleich Lyon L. , Linstrom Christopher J. , Kimmelman Charles P.
Published: October 2006

Traditional treatment of otosyphilis with penicillin and corticosteroids has achieved hearing improvement; however, selecting which patients with a positive fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA‐ABS) test will benefit from treatment remains a problem. In order to study this problem, 18 patients with cochleovestibular dysfunction of unknown etiology and positive syphilis serology were treated with intravenous penicillin and corticosteroids. In addition, lumbar puncture and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing were performed on all patients.

Hearing improved in 5 (31%) of 16 patients, tinnitus decreased in 11 (85%) of 13, and vertigo improved in 6 (86%) of 7. Factors associated with hearing improvement were hearing loss present less than 5 years, fluctuating hearing, and age less than 60. Improvement was unrelated to the severity of the loss or previous therapy. All patients with cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities, including two patients with HIV disease, had subjective improvements. A diagnostic and treatment protocol is presented.
RGS12 Is Essential for RANKL-Evoked Signaling for Terminal Differentiation of Osteoclasts In Vitro
Authors: Yang Shuying , Li Yi-Ping
Published: October 2006

How RANKL evokes [Ca2+]i oscillations and leads to osteoclast differentiation is unclear. We identified a new signaling protein, RGS12, and found that RGS12 is essential for [Ca2+]i oscillations and osteoclast differentiation induced by RANKL. RGS12 may play a critical role in the RANKL-evoked PLCγ–calcium channels–[Ca2+]i oscillation–NFAT2 pathway.

Introduction: RANKL-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations play a switch-on role in NFAT2 expression and osteoclast differentiation. However, RANKL evokes [Ca2+]i oscillations and leads to osteoclast differentiation by an unknown mechanism. In this study, we identified a new RANKL-induced signaling protein, regulator of G signaling protein 12 (RGS12), and investigated its effect on osteoclast differentiation in vitro.

Materials and Methods: We used a genome-wide screening approach to identify genes that are specifically or prominently expressed in osteoclasts. To study the role of the RGS12 in osteoclast differentiation, we used vector and lentivirus-based RNAi gene silencing technology to silence the RGS12 gene in the monocyte progenitor cell lines and primary bone marrow–derived monocytes (BMMs). The interaction between RGS12 and N-type calcium channels was elucidated using co-immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting.

Results: We found that RGS12 was prominently expressed in osteoclast-like cells (OLCs) induced by RANKL. This result was further confirmed at both the mRNA and protein level in human osteoclasts and mouse OLCs. Silence of RGS12 expression using vector and lentivirus based RNA interference (RNAi) impaired phosphorylation of phospholipase C (PLC)γ and blocked [Ca2+]i oscillations, NFAT2 expression, and osteoclast differentiation in RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells and BMMs. We further found that N-type calcium channels were expressed in OLCs after RANKL stimulation and that RGS12 directly interacted with the N-type calcium channels.

Conclusions: These results reveal that RGS12 is essential for the terminal differentiation of osteoclasts induced by RANKL. It is possible that RGS12 regulates osteoclast differentiation through a PLC γ–calcium channel–[Ca2+]i oscillation–NFAT2 pathway.
Humor styles, culture-related personality, well-being, and family adjustment among Armenians in Lebanon
Authors: Kazarian Shahe S , Martin Rod A
Published: October 2006

This research examined the structure and correlates of an Armenian translation of the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ; Martin et al. 2003) among a community sample of ethnic Armenians residing in Lebanon. Four humor factors were found, as in the original Canadian samples: affiliative, self-enhancing, aggressive, and self-defeating humor. Scale reliabilities were generally acceptable, and inter-correlations among the scales were low. Armenian-Lebanese participants, as compared to Canadian and Belgian norms, obtained significantly lower scores on all four humor scales. Compared to females, males reported significantly more use of all four styles of humor, particularly aggressive and self-defeating humor. Humor styles correlated differentially, and generally as predicted, with perceived health, psychological well-being, and family adjustment, although they were unrelated to depression. Higher scores on aggressive humor related to higher vertical individualism and lower horizontal and vertical collectivism. Overall, the findings provide cross-cultural support for the theoretical structure and usefulness of the HSQ and represent an initial step in the study of humor among Armenians.
A randomized trial of humor effects on test anxiety and test performance
Authors: Berk Ronald A , Nanda Joy
Published: October 2006

This investigation tested the hypothesis of humor effects on test anxiety to improve test performance. A pretest-posttest control group design was employed to determine differences between humorous and serious versions of the same test content. One graduate biostatistics course of 98 students participated. Based on three independent test administrations, ANCOVAs were computed to isolate the effects of humorous directions only, humorous items only, and the combination of both on emotional/physiological and worry/cognitive anxiety symptoms and biostatistics achievement. Humorous directions had a statistically significant (p < .05) impact on constructed-response item performance for the first test (descriptive statistics), with an effect size of .43. Multiple-choice test performance correlated negatively with the two pre-anxiety subscales (r = −.46, p < .001), explaining up to 21% of the variance. The limitations of very low pre-anxiety levels and very high test performance precluded any other significant effects. The contributions of the humor technique used in the study and the value of measuring situation-specific anxiety immediately before and after a real testing condition were discussed.
The effectiveness of selected microbial and chemical indicators to detect sewer leakage impacts on urban groundwater quality
Authors: Cronin A.A. , Rueedi J. , Morris B.L.
Published: October 2006

Sewer and stormwater pipe leakage can lead to the degradation of urban groundwater quality. This groundwater may be subsequently used for public water supply and so the resulting water treatment and public health consequences can be serious. To understand the impact of sewer exfiltration on groundwater quality, suitable indicators need to be sampled and analysed for. This study examined potential sewer-derived inorganic and microbial parameters in the UK city of Doncaster. Sulphite reducing clostridia, faecal streptococci and boron were all detected in groundwater with reductions compared with sewer values ranging from 1 to 6 orders of magnitude for the former two, to 1 to 2 orders of magnitude decrease for boron. The correlation between these two different indicator types suggests that groundwater quality is being adversely affected by sewer leakage in the study area. The employment of several and varied indicators can better demonstrate the effect than use of single parameters.
Random number generator or sewer water quality model?
Authors: Willems P.
Published: October 2006

Integrated urban drainage modelling and environmental impact assessment require sewer emission models to be linked with submodels for treatment infrastructure and receiving rivers. The uncertainty in current water quality modelling is, however, huge, and environmental impact assessment looses more and more credibility. Based on an integrated modelling case for a combined sewer – WWTP – river system, it is shown in the paper that the integrated model does not produce more accurate results in comparison with the random simulation of emission concentrations from a frequency distribution. This should, however, not pose a serious problem as in most applications of impact assessment, model results are not needed in real time but in statistical terms. Further investigation makes clear that detail/sophistication in water quality modelling is not so important, but that more focus has to be given to long-term simulations, the use of parsimonious models and model validation based on concentration frequencies.
Study of the water budget of streets: experimentation and modelling
Authors: Ramier D. , Berthier E. , Dangla P. , Andrieu H.
Published: October 2006

The study of two stretches of street during 38 months has been performed to analyze the hydrological behavior of streets during rain events. The results show that runoff coefficients are very variable and runoff losses may be important. In order to better understand this behavior, a physically based model has been used. This model, BiL, combines a porous media flow module with a surface runoff module. The lateral runoff transfer in the lateral gutter is approximated by the Muskingum model. Evaporation is simulated by an adaptation of the Penman method. A sensitivity study shows that the model is mainly sensitive to saturated hydraulic conductivity of the asphalt pavement and to the storage capacity. The comparison of simulated and observed data gives good results for the runoff outflow at a 3 minutes time step. Nevertheless, the simulation results are less encouraging for the runoff coefficient. This study of the water budget of two street stretches during a time period of 38 months indicates that the infiltration and evaporation represent between 20 and 30% of rain.
Statistical methods towards more efficient infiltration measurements
Authors: Franz T. , Krebs P.
Published: October 2006

A comprehensive knowledge about the infiltration situation in a catchment is required for operation and maintenance. Due to the high expenditures, an optimisation of necessary measurement campaigns is essential. Methods based on multivariate statistics were developed to improve the information yield of measurements by identifying appropriate gauge locations. The methods have a high degree of freedom against data needs. They were successfully tested on real and artificial data. For suitable catchments, it is estimated that the optimisation potential amounts up to 30% accuracy improvement compared to non-optimised gauge distributions. Beside this, a correlation between independent reach parameters and dependent infiltration rates could be identified, which is not dominated by the groundwater head.
The scope of integrated modelling: system boundaries, sub-systems, scales and disciplines
Authors: Schmitt T.G. , Huber W.C.
Published: October 2006

Integrated modelling has become an urgent issue of urban drainage and wastewater treatment planning. The scope of integrated modelling, system boundaries and disciplines to be involved are addressed in view of future developments and new paradigms in urban drainage, demanding the inclusion of the full urban water cycle. A system analysis is demonstrated to identify relevant sub-systems and components, processes and interactions within the urban water system. The permissibility to exclude subsystems or neglect interactions is evaluated. Integrated modelling of urban water system is characterised as an ambitious task in regard to system complexity, heterogeneous scales and interface problems. The methodical status quo is characterised in preliminary approaches towards integrated modelling. It is concluded that it does not seem promising to create and apply one entity model for the scope of integrated urban water modelling. Instead, the development of adequate and efficient IT frameworks is identified as the key issue of integrated modelling. Harmonising interfaces to facilitate the linking of existing models is presented as the objective of a European research project HarmonIT and the U.S. EPA Multimedia Integrated Modelling System project MIMS.
Development and investigation of a pollution control pit for treatment of stormwater from metal roofs and traffic areas
Authors: Dierkes C. , Göbel P. , Lohmann M. , Coldewey W.G.
Published: October 2006

Source control by on-site retention and infiltration of stormwater is a sustainable and proven alternative to classical drainage methods. Unfortunately, sedimentary particles and pollutants from drained surfaces cause clogging and endanger soil and groundwater during long-term operation of infiltration devices. German water authorities recommend the use of infiltration devices, such as swales or swale-trench-systems. Direct infiltration by underground facilities, such as pipes, trenches or sinks, without pre-treatment of runoff is generally not permitted. Problems occur with runoff from metal roofs, traffic areas and industrial sites. However, due to site limitations, underground systems are often the only feasible option. To overcome this situation, a pollution control pit was developed with a hydrodynamic separator and a multi-stage filter made of coated porous concrete. The system treats runoff at source and protects soil, groundwater and receiving waterways. Typically, more than 90% of the pollutants such as sedimentary particles, hydrocarbons and heavy metals can be removed. Filters have been developed to treat even higher polluted stormwater loads from metal roofs and industrial sites. The treatment process is based on sedimentation, filtration, adsorption and chemical precipitation. Sediments are trapped in a special chamber within the pit and can be removed easily. Other pollutants are captured in the concrete filter upstream of the sediment separator chamber. Filters can be easily replaced.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals in snow along a highway
Authors: Reinosdotter K. , Viklander M. , Malmqvist P.-A.
Published: October 2006

Snow quality and its variations due to distance from the road were studied. Also, how the snow quality changes over time during the melting period was discussed. Snow samples were collected at three occasions during the winter of 2004. The samples were taken along a highway in the Luleå region, Sweden, with an average daily traffic load of 9,200 vehicles. Snow samples were taken perpendicular to the road and at different distances. The snow samples were analysed for metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Also, weather parameters such as temperature, precipitation, and wind speed and wind direction were measured. The highest total metal and PAH concentrations were found at the sample site closest to the road and at the end of the season. Before the melting period started, 42–57% of the total amount of metals and PAH were found in the first 1 m of the snow pack. This information could be valuable when one is discussing how to achieve sustainable snow-handling management.
Distribution of heavy metals in freshwater ecosystem of a small stream impacted by urban drainage
Authors: Nábělková J. , Komínková D.
Published: October 2006

This paper focuses on the study of heavy metals' remobilisation possibilities and changes of distribution coefficients leading to remobilisation in a stream as a result of changing conditions caused by urban drainage. The paper also reports consequent changes of bioaccumulation coefficient for different species of the benthic community, which seems to be the best indicator of aquatic community quality in small urban streams. The paper presents results obtained during field monitoring as well as results obtained during laboratory experiment. The field monitoring identified in the study area (the Botič Creek) three heavy metals (Cu, Zn and Pb), which are the main sources of toxicological risk in this area. Based on the monitoring, these elements were used for laboratory experiment, where their behaviour during changing conditions was studied. The experiment shows that changing conditions in the stream, caused by urban drainage, significantly impact the fate of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems and that these elements have different preferences to bind to a particular geochemical fraction of sediment, which consequently means different bioavailability.
Flooding flows in city crossroads: experiments and 1-D modelling
Authors: Rivière N. , Perkins R.J. , Chocat B. , Lecus A.
Published: October 2006

This study focuses on the discharge distribution in an intersection of four channels, similar to a city crossroad. The channels and the intersection are all horizontal. Flow enters through two of the channels, and leaves through the other two. The flow is subcritical everywhere, and flow depths are controlled by vertical weirs at the exits of the outlet channels. The main variables that are measured are the flow rates in the four channels. When the weir heights in the outlet channels are the same, the ratio of flow rates in the outlet channels depends only on the ratio of flow rates in the inlet channels; if the outlet conditions are different, other parameters, such as the total flow rate also become important. The flow has also been simulated numerically using a solution of the 1-D Saint Venant equations, with a simple model to predict flow distribution in the intersection. A comparison with the experimental data shows that this model works well for the limited range of experimental conditions studied here. However, further work is needed on a wider range of conditions, closer to real conditions, before the model can be considered valid for practical applications.
Centralised urban wastewater reuse: what is the public attitude?
Authors: Friedler E. , Lahav O.
Published: October 2006

Public support is crucial for successful implementation of wastewater reuse projects. This paper analyses the findings of a questionnaire-type survey (256 participants) conducted to determine the attitude of Israeli urban public towards possible urban reuse options. The paper summarises the support / objection to 13 reuse options and the correlation between support and environmental awareness and perceptions. Results show that a high proportion of the participants supported options perceived as low-contact, such as irrigation of public parks (96%), sidewalk landscaping (95%) and use in the construction industry (94%), while higher-contact reuse options found less support (e.g. commercial launderettes, 60%). No correlation was found between biographical characteristics and support (education, gender, income, age). Based on the results, public campaigns in Israel should focus on disseminating information regarding wastewater treatment technologies, discuss health related issues, highlight the positive economic impact of water reuse and generate a positive public opinion, as these factors tend to influence individuals to support reuse projects.
Integrated urban water modelling with uncertainty analysis
Authors: Mannina G. , Freni G. , Viviani G. , Sægrov S. , Hafskjold L.S.
Published: October 2006

In the last twenty years, the scientific world has paid particular care towards the problems that involve the environment. Accordingly, several researches were developed to describe phenomena that take place during both wet and dry periods and to increase the knowledge in this field. In particular, attention was addressed towards the problems linked with receiving water body pollution because of the impact of rain water in the urban environment. In order to obtain a good description of the problem, it is important to analyse both quantity and quality aspects connected with all the transformation phases that characterise the urban water cycle. Today, according to this point, integrated modelling approach is spreading, aiming to find solutions to improve the quality characteristics of the receiving water body. Because several models are connected together for analysing the fate of pollutants from the sources on the urban catchment to the final recipient, classical problems connected with the selection and calibration of parameters are amplified by the complexity of the modelling approach increasing the uncertainty and reducing the reliability connected with a model's application. For this reason, a parsimonious integrated modelling approach has been developed and its uncertainty has been evaluated adopting the well known GLUE framework. For the purpose of the study, the uncertainty analysis has been applied to a “semi–hypothetic” case study obtained connecting Fossolo catchment (Bologna – Italy) to the Oreto river near Palermo (Italy).
Pollutant removal efficiency of alternative filtration media in stormwater treatment
Authors: Seelsaen N. , McLaughlan R. , Moore S. , Ball J.E. , Stuetz R.M.
Published: October 2006

Sorption experiments were used to assess the ability of various materials (sand, compost, packing wood, ash, zeolite, recycled glass and Enviro-media) to remove heavy metal contaminants typically found in stormwater. Compost was found to have the best physicochemical properties for sorption of metal ions (Cu, Zn and Pb) compared with sand, packing wood, ash, zeolite and Enviro-media. The compost sorption of these metal ions conformed to the linear form of the Langmuir adsorption equation with the Langmuir constants (qm) for Zn(II) being 11.2 mg/g at pH 5. However, compost was also found to leach a high concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC, 4.31 mg/g), compared with the other tested materials. Various combinations of sand, compost and other materials were observed to have excellent heavy metal removal (75–96% of Zn and 90–93% of Cu), with minimal DOC leaching (0.0013–2.43 mg/g). The sorption efficiency of the different Enviro-media mixes showed that a combination of traditional (sand) and alternative materials can be used as an effective medium for the treatment of dissolved metal contaminants commonly found in stormwater. The application of using recycled organic materials and other waste materials (such as recycled glass) also provides added value to the products life cycle.
Water quality criteria for total suspended solids (TSS) in urban wet-weather discharges
Authors: Rossi L. , Fankhauser R. , Chèvre N.
Published: October 2006

Total suspended solids (TSS) from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and stormwater discharges represent a crucial parameter for evaluating wet-weather pollution in urban areas. In fact, the increase of TSS in water during rain events can have ecotoxic effects on aquatic organisms. Furthermore, major potentially harmful substances such as heavy metals, PAHs and organic matter are adsorbed onto TSS and later settle on sediment. Water quality criteria for TSS consequently enable the risk of wet-weather pollution to be assessed, for instance to avoid detrimental effects on aquatic organisms. The criteria proposed in this study cover the short-term impact of TSS on fish (acute quality criteria AQC), taking into account the duration of their exposure in the receiving water. The concentration-exposure duration-effect curve proposed here thus predicts “ill effects” on fish for different exposure times and TSS concentrations. The ecotoxic effects of adsorbed pollutants are also taken into account with an additional safety factor. We implement this TSS criteria in a software that allows us to estimate the number of rain events that exceed a given morbidity threshold for fishes per year.
Estimation of solids loadings to rainfall-runoff unit operations using a unit pollutograph concept for source area watersheds
Authors: Sheng Y. , Sansalone J. , Calomino F.
Published: October 2006

Source area watershed in the built environment deliver significant loads of solids and constituents such as metals, organics and phosphorus associated with solids. The ability to model the mass delivery process of solids in small urban watersheds is essential for advancement of rainfall-runoff quantity and quality control design in the built environment. In this study the hydrologic concepts of the unit hydrograph (UH) and instantaneous unit hydrograph (IUH) were used to support the concepts of a unit pollutograph (UP) and an instantaneous unit pollutograph (IUP). These latter two concepts were developed as analogous concepts for estimation of solids mass transport loading as a pollutograph from source area watersheds. Relationships between solids mass and hydrologic volume were based on relationships that expressed either a first-order or zero-order relationship between solids mass and volumetric transport. The resulting concepts were applied to historical rainfall-runoff events where the hydrologic and water quality measurements had been conducted. From this development a site mean IUH and IUP determined from the rainfall-runoff record and water quality data, the corresponding site mean UH and UP were developed for solids. The hydrographs and solid pollutographs generated by convolution of the UH and UP compared well with measurements, indicating the feasibility of the concept.