bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Achievement Gap Estimates and Deviations from Cardinal Comparability
Authors: Nielsen Eric R.
Published: June 2015

This paper assesses the sensitivity of standard empirical methods for measuring group differences in achievement to violations in the cardinal comparability of achievement test scores. The paper defines a distance measure over possible weighting functions (scalings) of test scores. It then constructs worst-case bounds for the bias in the estimated achievement gap (or achievement gap change) that could result from using the observed rather than the true test scale, given that the true and observed scales are no more than a fixed distance from each other. The worst-case weighting functions have simple, closed-form expressions consisting of achievement thresholds, flat regions in which test scores are uninformative, and regions in which the observed test scores are actually cardinally comparable. The paper next estimates these worst-case weighting functions for black/white and high-/low-income achievement gaps and gap changes using data from several commonly employed surveys. The results of this empirical exercise suggest that cross-sectional achievement gap estimates tend to be quite robust to scale misspecification. In contrast, achievement gap change estimates seem to be quite sensitive to the choice of test scale. Standard empirical methods may not robustly identify the sign of the trend in achievement inequality between students from different racial groups and income classes. Furthermore, ordinal methods may be more powerful and will continue to have the correct size when the test scale has been misspecified.
Os estudos sobre o português do Brasil de 1950 e uma possível relação com a linguística via ensino
Authors: Schneiders Caroline Mallmann
Published: June 2015

Temos como objetivo destacar questões que envolvem o funcionamento do discurso sobre a Linguística constitutivo dos estudos do português do Brasil do início dos anos de 1950. Interessa-nos enfatizar como se estabelece a relação entre o discurso sobre a língua portuguesa e a noção de língua considerada tanto no ensino da época quanto socialmente, visto que se trata de um período em que se intensificam as pesquisas linguísticas e quando se instala o início de transformações no âmbito do ensino. Como objeto analítico, delimitamos o capítulo: Duas palavras sôbre a língua literária, retirado da obra de Serafim da Silva Neto: Introdução ao Estudo da Língua Portuguêsa no Brasil, inscrevendo-nos na perspectiva da História das Ideias Linguísticas (HIL), vinculada à Análise de Discurso (AD).
A construção do outro nas redes sociais: uma análise semiolinguística de comunidades do Facebook
Authors: Halfeld Paula Crespo
Published: June 2015

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo examinar o modo de construção da imagem do outro nas tramas da internet, a partir do exame da encenação discursiva produzida em textos extraídos de duas comunidades da rede social Facebook, relacionadas ao tema “religião”: a comunidade Igreja Apocalíptica do Oitavo Dia e a comunidade ATEA. Sob o quadro teórico-metodológico da Semiolinguística do discurso, o trabalho focalizará os procedimentos e estratégias empregados nos textos para a produção de determinados efeitos de sentido, considerando o contrato comunicativo firmado entre os interlocutores.
Better off together: A cluster analysis of self-leadership and its relationship to individual innovation in hospital nurses
Authors: Gomes Catarina , Curral Luí­s , Caetano António , Marques-Quinteiro Pedro
Published: June 2015

Self-leadership is designed to influence positive outcomes like individuals’ innovative capacity in the workplace. Nevertheless, research on the relationship between self-leadership and individual innovation has failed to determine which self-leadership strategies contribute to innovation. Thus, this study aims to: explore the existence of different profiles of self-leadership strategies in hospital nurses and, test if these different profiles have different effects on individuals’ ability to be innovative. 288 nurses participated in this study. Firstly, data was analysed using Cluster analysis. Secondly, to verify the significance of the association between self-leadership clusters and individual innovation chi-square tests were conducted and the adjusted residuals were considered. Results revealed the existence of 3 different clusters of self-leadership, and that individual innovation is more frequent when all self-leadership strategies are used. The findings suggest that self-leadership strategies vary between individuals and that they all should be fostered in order to promote individual innovation.
Empowering Employees: A Portuguese Adaptation of the Conditions of Work Effectiveness (CWEQ-II)
Authors: OrgambÃ­dez-Ramos Alejandro , Gonçalves Gabriela , Santos Joana , Borrego-Alés Yolanda , Mendoza-Sierra Marí­a Isabel
Published: June 2015

The aim of this study was to adapt and translate into Portuguese the Conditions for Work Effectiveness Questionnaire (CWEQ-II) (Laschinger, Finegan, Shamian, & Wilk, 2004). A process of translation and reverse-translation was applied to the questionnaire's items, whose psychometric properties were examined using a sample of 282 Portuguese university employees, teachers and services staff. The data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis, item analysis and reliability analysis. Criterion-related validity was analyzed using a multiple regression model on global empowerment and t-test. The results confirmed the original, four-factor structure obtained by Laschinger and colleagues (2004), supporting Kanter's structural empowerment theory. The psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the CWEQ-II were adequate, supporting the use of this questionnaire in the workplace. Future research should investigate its construct validity and test the nomological network of the operationalized construct within the field of psychological well-being and in the context of the workplace.
Creación sonora sobre fluidos
Authors: LLadós Ferran Lega
Published: June 2015

El sonido y su dimensión abstracta desde la no musicalidad, ofrecen y han ofrecido desde el pasado, bastas posibilidades en relación con la creación. En este artículo, en particular, se presenta uno de los campos más desconocidos de la acústica, la creación cimática sobre fluidos, como una herramienta para la creación sonora contemporánea. De esta forma, el sonido no solo es concebido como un elemento para ser percibido de forma auditiva, sino que descubriremos cómo sus ondas y las vibraciones que lo hacen posible, son capaces de materializar un discurso visual sobre diferentes fluidos creando dibujos, patrones y formaciones geométricas, que tanto artistas visuales como sonoros podrán desarrollar en su ámbito de trabajo contemporáneo.
De la praxi de la deriva a la recerca del remot
Authors: Raventós Pagès Marc
Published: June 2015

La deriva, tal i com la va definir el teòric situacionista Guy Debord, és un procediment d'acció, més que de moviment. És un posicionament espacial dels surrealistes, un procediment dels situacionistes, un deixar-se anar en l'espai i en el temps i, en última instÃ ncia, un mecanisme per a la investigació artística. El remot és un lloc proper i alhora llunyÃ , un lloc mental obert al coneixement, el domini de la realitat imaginada. Després d'un llarg procés d'investigació i un extens treball de camp, l'artista Marc Raventós explica com la prÃ ctica de la deriva es converteix en una escola de la mirada, en un mecanisme de mirada per a l'artista, en una eina per a la recerca del remot. El fet de la deriva provoca una ampliació de temÃ tiques i llenguatges expressius. I, el més important, aquest procés es converteix en una eina extraordinÃ ria per a la creació artística.
Segarra, Víctor (comp.) 2014, "Escenoterapia. Aplicaciones clínicas y educativas". Barcelona, Editorial Herder
Authors: Pérez  Testor Carles
Published: June 2015

El interés de la psicología por las distintas formas de expresión artística tiene ya una larga tradición que arranca desde sus mismos inicios y que experimenta un fuerte impulso tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial. A las posibilidades expresivas y comunicativas de las diferentes actividades artísticas se les une su utilidad en la rehabilitación y la reinserción de personas afectadas por múltiples dolencias y conflictos psíquicos. Este desarrollo ha dado lugar, especialmente desde finales del siglo pasado, a multitud de técnicas expresivas en psicología, a las llamadas terapias por el arte y más concretamente a la arteterapia, y que tienen formas tan variadas como lo son las formas artísticas correspondientes: pintura, escultura, música, danza, teatro, etc.
Éghajlatváltozással kapcsolatos tudás a világháló magyar részén
Authors: Jankó Ferenc
Published: June 2015

A tanulmány célja az éghajlatváltozás példáján vizsgálat tárgyává tenni a tudás létrehozásának, átalakításának, közzétételének hazai virtuális tereit, feltérképezni, hogy milyen csomópontok, kulcsszereplők vannak a tudástermelési folyamatban. Felvázolható-e az éghajlatváltozásról való tudás webes hálózata, ennek közösségei? Mik a tudásközlők motivációi? Melyek a tudásközlők főbb törekvései, illetve az éghajlatváltozás lokalizálásának gyakorlatai, azaz hogyan lesz helyi tudássá a klímaváltozás az internet segítségével? A vizsgálatok elméleti megalapozásához az internet szerepét a tudás és a tudomány, illetve a tudás és a társadalom viszonyában elemeztem, így érintve az átalakuló olvasás földrajzát, az e-tudomány kialakulását, a tudományok változó episztemikus kultúráját, a demokratizálódás révén formálódó kibővített ellenőrző közösségeket, a tudáshoz való hozzáférhetőség és a szakértőiség kérdését. Az elemzésekhez a Google segítségével végeztem internetes tartalomkeresést, és ennek bázisán az Issue Crawler programmal térképeztem fel a webes témahálózatokat az éghajlatváltozásról. A vizsgálatoknak több tanulsága vehető fontolóra. A klímaváltozás hazánkban ugyan fontos környezeti üggyé vált, azonban a témát tárgyaló honlapok hálózati szervezettsége, valamint linkelési, internetes hivatkozási kultúrája alacsony fokú, s inkább a külföldi (mindenekelőtt az IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) tudományos és hírforrások adják az alapját a hazai tudástermelésnek. A hazai tudományos intézmények jobbára kimaradnak az internetes diskurzusból, rejtve maradnak az internetet böngészők szeme elől. Vizsgálatom több példát hozott arra, hogy az éghajlatváltozás globális problémáját hogyan kísérlik meg lokalizálni, hazai viszonyokra adaptálni, így formálva tulajdonképpen virtuális helyi tudást az éghajlatváltozásról.
Transzeurázsiai közlekedési kapcsolatok nagy- és középhatalmi erőterekben
Authors: Erdősi Ferenc
Published: June 2015

E cikk a globális gazdaság két erőközpontja, Európa és Kelet-Ázsia közötti vasúti korridorok, valamint az azokon folytatott logisztikai szolgáltatások létrehozásában, működtetésében, viszonylataik, útvonalaik meghatározásában a 20. század elejétől megnyilvánuló nagyhatalmi érdekekről szól, melyek korunkban már középhatalmi, illetve egyes etnikai csoportok által képviselt érdekekkel is kiegészülnek.A kettős földrészen (bikontinensen) végigvezetett pályalánc (transzszibériai és európai folytatása) birtokában Oroszország, illetve a Szovjetunió monopolhelyzetet élvezett a transzeurázsiai tranzitszállításokban – mellyel időnként vissza is élt.Ugyan 1990-ben a kínai és közép-ázsiai hálózat összekötésével formálisan megteremtődött a második transzeurázsiai korridor kialakításának esélye, azonban a TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe–Caucasus–Asia) programban meghirdetett több mint féltucatnyi országot érintő „új selyemút” tranzitforgalma gyenge az erős természeti, műszaki és politikai szegmentáltsága és az elégtelen fejlesztések miatt. E második korridor csak akkor lehet esélyes versenytársa az oroszországinak, ha Kína létrehozza (az ázsiai középhatalmak által is támogatott) normál nyomtávú (a beltengereket is kiiktató) saját érdekű vasútvonalát Iránon és Törökországon keresztül.
Pervivencias barrocas en el urbanismo decimonónico. El caso del Madrid revolucionario
Authors: Hernando Carrasco Javier
Published: June 2015

La herencia recibida por el urbanismo del siglo XIX se manifiesta con absoluta evidencia en la uniformidad de la ciudad, en parte lograda por la adecuación de la arquitectura al trazado urbano, y en la proyección de largos viales que generan poderosas perspectivas. El modelo urbano a que se alude en el presente trabajo, además de asumir estos condicionamientos proyectuales, sintoniza en términos conceptuales con el proyecto de ciudad que Sixto V pretendió instituir a finales del siglo XVI, y donde se formalizaron los elementos más característicos del urbanismo barroco. Sixto V ansió erigir una «ciudad sagrada», todo un proyecto ideológico, de la misma forma que Angel Fernández de los Ríos, intelectual muy representativo de la ideología radical pequeño burguesa de la segunda mitad del siglo XIX, buscó la construcción de la «ciudad burguesa». Dichas pretensiones presentan numerosas coincidencias y en este sentido la presencia del urbanismo barroco se detecta también en aspectos muy específicos del urbanismo decimonónico.
El envejecimiento actual de la población leonesa
Authors: González González María Jesús
Published: June 2015

Los rasgos estructurales, que permiten una valoración de la dinámica demográfica de un grupo, no dan una visión optimista de León, debido al índice de vejez registrado. Este progresivo deterioro regenerativo se debe al descenso de los nacimientos y la falta de personas jóvenes.
Pasado, presente y futuro del campismo en Cantabria. (I) La génesis de la oferta
Authors: García Cuadriello María Del Mar , Luis Gómez Alberto
Published: June 2015

El contenido del artículo que tiene en sus manos el lector se apoya en parte en una obra más amplia comenzada por García-Luis (1992), en la que se está analizando dicha peculiar actividad de ocio desde una perspectiva estructural; con ella pretendemos aproximarnos a la génesis de la oferta campista. El desmesurado auge cobrado por los Campamentos Públicos de Turismo (CPT) en Cantabria durante la pasada década, su distribución espacial, así como los principales rasgos que caracterizan a este tipo de establecimientos, ponen de relieve las deficiencias y debilidades del modelo turístico regional.
Sobre el "Expediente de la Ley Agraria"
Authors: García Gutiérrez Patrocinio
Published: June 2015

En la segunda mitad del siglo XVIII la agricultura española es sometida a examen y se proponen soluciones para mejorarla dentor del marco de las reformas ilustradas y a la luza de las nuevas doctrinas económicas, la fisiocracia y el liberalismo.

El "Expediente de la Ley Agraria" recoge la documentación emanada a tal efecto y que se refiere a pleitos, recursos, representaciones e instancias de labradores y vecinos, informes de algunos intendentes -destaca el de Olavide-, dictamen del Procurador General del Reino ...

El "Expediente" pasa después a la Sociedad Económica Matritense a fin de que, examinado por esta, exponga su parecer.

Cristaliza así el Informe de la Ley Agraria de Jovellanos miembro de dicha Sociedad y a quien le encargó la redacción del plan que había expuesto.
Aproximación a la primera imagen geográfica de América
Authors: Martínez de Pisón Eduardo
Published: June 2015

Los cronistas de Indias dejaron constancia escrita de los diversos paisajes americanos descubiertos y, con ello, elaboraron una primera imagen geográfica del Nuevo Mundo, tanto descriptiva, precisa y práctica como admirativa y fantástica. Su percepción de la gran naturaleza es especialmente interesante en lo referido a los río, las cordilleras y los volcanes.
El turismo en las ciudades históricas
Authors: Troitiño Vinuesa Miguel Ángel
Published: June 2015

Las ciudades históricas constituyen un valioso patrimonio cultural y también un importante recurso turístico. El reforzamiento de la simbiosis entre ciudad y turismo, convertido en un importante factor de recuperación de las economías locales, plantea problemas nuevos en relación con el equilibrio funcional, la movilidad y el medio ambiente. En nuestro país se ha prestado una limitada atención al turismo cultural, aún cuando ciudades como Santiago de Compostela, Segovia, Granada, Cuenca o Gerona reciben cada día un mayor número de visitantes.

En este artículo, partiendo de la consideración de las ciudades históricas como patrimonio cultural y realidades urbanas vivas y dinámicas, se reflexiona alrededor de los flujos turísticos y la "capacidad de carga turística", en sus dimensiones física, social, económica y medioambiental. La diversidad de impactos que genera el turismo, unos positivos y otros negativos, requiere una visión global de sus implicaciones en la vida, la economía y la estructura de la ciudad. Afrontar los problemas requiere de políticas activas de ordenación, control y gestión de los flujos turísticos, respetuosas con el patrimonio cultural y la multifuncionalidad de las ciudades. La presión turística será creciente y corre el riesgo, de no canalizarla adecuadamente, de convertirse en un factor de destrucción de los valores que definen y dan singularidad a las ciudades históricas.
Sobre "El Expediente de la Ley Agraria" (II)
Authors: García Gutiérrez Patrocinio
Published: June 2015

Jovellanos en su informe sobre la Ley Agraria, defiende que las leyes vigentes respecto a la agricultura son una traba que impiden el desarrollo de la misma; también existen obstáculos dreivados de la opinión y los que son consecuencia de la naturaleza.

Respecto a las leyes ya vimos las relativas a la propiedad de la tierra y del trabajo (Polígonos, nº 4, pp. 37-63); ahora se analiza las que hacen referencia a la propiead de los frutos, producto inmediato del trabajo del colono, al que pertenecen juntamente con el dueño de la tierra.

En el comercio interior de granos se defiende en el Informe la libertad, pero en lo referente al comercio exterior habría que distinguir entre los frutos de la tierra en general y los granos, ya que mientras para los primeros se pide libertad, para los segundos, al menos por el momento y para algunos de ellos, se prefiere la protección. Los impuestos también son un obstáculo y para regular las leyes fiscales siempre se contó con el comercio, casi siempre con la industria y casi nunca con la agricultura.

Jovellanos se ha referido a las trabas políticas; las de opinión influyen también sobre agricultura al presentarla al gobierno como un objeto secundario y considerarla como fuente de riqueza particular. Contra los obstáculos naturales deben comatir el gobierno, las provincias y los concejos con objeto de mejorar los riegos, caminos, canales y puertos.
El empleo de sistemas no convencionales de calefacción en el cultivo de invernadero. La experiencia piloto de El Bierzo
Authors: Gómez López José Daniel
Published: June 2015

La introducción de sistemas de calefacción no convencionales como accesorios tecnológicos al cultivo en invernadero, ha permitido crear condiciones ambientales óptimas para el desarrollo de variedades hortícolas, así como reducir sensiblemente los gastos en factores energéticos. En Europa, el uso de agua procedente de los efluentes de refrigeración de centrales térmicas ha provocado el nacimiento de nuevos espacios hortícolas, experiencia que en España se ha desarrollado en El Bierzo (provincia de León). Se trata de un invernadero piloto dedicado al cultivo hortofrutícola y cuyo resultado, por efecto demostración, permitiría iniciar un proceso de modernización tecnolófgica en el subsector hortícola de la comarca.
Alkali Metal Silicides: A New Material for Heavy-Oil Production Processes
Authors: Krumrine Paul H. , Lefenfeld Michael , Romney Gregory A.
Published: June 2015

Alkali-metal silicides are a new class of materials that provide thermal, chemical, and immiscible gas-drive benefits in one treatment. Not previously known in oilfield applications, these materials are energy-dense chemicals that generate heat, hydrogen, and an alkali silicate after reaction with reservoir water. The reaction is only limited by the availability of water in any form; in a closed environment, one can generate pressures >10,000 psi (>68.9 MPa). One can disperse alkali-metal silicides in various hydrocarbon fluids to facilitate placement deep in the reservoir, or one can coat them to allow a time-delayed reaction. One can mill the powders to submicron size for optimum injectivity in high-permeability reservoirs or zones. This combination of reaction-product properties makes silicides particularly applicable for the recovery of heavier crude oils. Because the chemical reaction occurs in situ, silicides are not subject to the thermal-inefficiency limitations of conventional thermal-enhanced-oil-recovery processes at depth. Further, the resulting hydrogen and silicate reaction products represent a “green” chemistry approach that may reduce the environmental impact of oil-recovery operations. This paper discusses the potential impacts of heat, hydrogen, and alkali generated from alkali-metal silicide and presents bench-scale high-permeability unconsolidated-sandpack linear-flood results demonstrating recovery efficiencies up to 93% of original oil in place (residual oil saturation = 0.058). Results also show that alkali-metal silicides can provide accelerated oil production, as much as 20% faster than comparable chemical technologies.
A Comparison of Three Nonoxidizing Biocides and Chlorine Dioxide in Treating Marcellus Shale Production Waters
Authors: Erkenbrecher C. W. , Nurnberg S. , Breyla A. D.
Published: June 2015

Chlorine dioxide (ClO2), a relative new addition to the oil and gas fracturing industry (especially for production-water treatment for reuse), has superior microbial efficacy compared with currently used nonoxidizing biocides at their lowest and mid-range US Environmental Protection Agency approved concentrations. ClO2 is the only antimicrobial treatment to exhibit complete kill of any of the bacterial populations [except tetrakishydroxymethyl phosphonium sulfate (THPS) at 208 ppm (commodity basis) in 100% Marcellus shale production water], and demonstrated greater than 5.16 log10 reduction even at the lowest ClO2 residual tested (i.e., 1.19 ppm residual; 9 ppm dose). As a result, ClO2 should be considered a potentially viable option when selecting a biocide for treating fracturing production waters for reuse in the Marcellus shale play.
Modelling impacts of seasonal wastewater treatment plant effluent permits and biosolid substitution for phosphorus management in catchments and river systems
Authors: Whitehead P. G. , Futter M. N. , Comber S. , Butterfield D. , Pope L. , Willows R. , Burgess C.
Published: June 2015

The issues of diffuse and point source phosphorus (P) pollution in river systems are presented using a catchment model to assess nutrient behaviour, seasonal effluent standards and biosolid substitution. A process-based, dynamic water quality model (INCA-P) has been applied to four UK catchments, namely, the Rivers Tywi, Wensum, Lunan and Hampshire Avon, to simulate water fluxes, sediments, total phosphorus and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentrations. The model has been used to assess impacts of both agricultural runoff and point P sources from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) on water quality. With increasing costs for P fertilizer and P reduction at WWTPs, a strategy of recycling P from WWTPs as biosolids to substitute for fertilizers in vulnerable catchments has been investigated. Significant reductions in P concentrations are achieved if this substitution were implemented on a large scale. Reductions in SRP of between 6% and 41% can be achieved using this strategy. The effects of implementing new WWTP standards are shown to reduce SRP by 30%. Seasonal consent standards applied in only summer months could reduce SRP by 53% and achieve a substantial reduction in treatment costs year round.
The extrapolation of the leaf area-based transpiration of two xerophytic shrubs in a revegetated desert area in the Tengger Desert, China
Authors: Huang L. , Zhang Z. , Li X.
Published: June 2015

Plant transpiration plays a key role in sand-binding zones, but obtaining accurate estimates at an integrated leaf-individual-canopy scale is difficult. In this study, transpiration rates of two typical xerophytic shrubs, Caragana korshinskii and Artemisia ordosica, were investigated during the growing season (April–October) from 2008 to 2012 in the Tengger Desert, a revegetated desert area in China. Gas exchange techniques, sap flow measurements, and the crop evapotranspiration minus micro-lysimeter method were used to evaluate plant transpiration. Transpiration data were subsequently compared with the dynamical normalized leaf area-based extrapolation. The results indicated that at leaf level, the transpiration rates of C. korshinskii and A. ordosica were 2.67 and 4.51 mmol H2O m−2s−1, respectively. The sap flow rates were 0.071 and 0.086 g h−1cm−2 at the tree level, and the transpiration rates were 0.42 and 0.35 mm d−1 at the stand level. The total seasonal transpiration of the two xerophytic shrubs reached 71.79 and 55.62 mm, representing approximately 48.4 and 37.5% of the total rainfall over this period. Direct measurements of plant transpiration and upscaling transpiration from leaf level to the stand level exhibited good correspondence, which verified that leaf area was a reliable representation of scaled transpiration, especially in arid desert regions.
Probabilistic nature of storage delay parameter of the hydrologic model RORB: a case study for the Cooper's Creek catchment in Australia
Authors: Patel Hitesh , Rahman Ataur
Published: June 2015

In rainfall–runoff modeling, Design Event Approach is widely adopted in practice, which assumes that the rainfall depth of a given annual exceedance probability (AEP), can be converted to a flood peak of the same AEP by assuming a representative fixed value for the other model inputs/parameters such as temporal pattern, losses and storage-delay parameter of the runoff routing model. This paper presents a case study which applies Monte Carlo simulation technique (MCST) to assess the probabilistic nature of the storage delay parameter (kc) of the RORB model for the Cooper's Creek catchment in New South Wales, Australia. It has been found that the values of kc exhibit a high degree of variability, and different sets of plausible values of kc result in quite different flood peak estimates. It has been shown that a stochastic kc in the MCST provides more accurate design flood estimates than a fixed representative value of kc. The method presented in this study can be adapted to other catchments/countries to derive more accurate design flood estimates, in particular for important flood study projects, which require a sensitivity analysis to investigate the impacts of parameter uncertainty on design flood estimates.
Water quality in two Icelandic rivers: the influence of impoundment, agriculture, glaciation and permafrost
Authors: Jones Nicholas , Parker Chris
Published: June 2015

The water quality of Icelandic rivers is controlled by a number of natural and anthropogenic factors interacting at complex spatial and temporal scales. This article presents the findings of a study into the water quality of two Icelandic rivers; the Blanda and the Skjálfandafljót. The study investigated the impact of three of the factors influencing water quality in these rivers: impoundment for hydro-electric power generation; agricultural land use; and the presence of glacial and periglacial areas. The results indicate that impoundment within a reservoir was responsible for a significant reduction in turbidity and a significant drop in aluminium concentrations as the reservoir acted as a sediment trap and chemical sink. Agricultural land use was found to have no significant effect on the nitrate or phosphate concentrations. Increasing glacial influence was found to be associated with increased turbidity but decreased total dissolved solids. Finally, the presence of permafrost soils in the periglacial highlands of the Blanda was positively associated with aluminium concentrations.
Effects of Chlorella sp. on nutrient treatment in cultures with different carbon to nitrogen ratios
Authors: Wu Hsin-Hui , Gau Sue-Huai , Li Ming-Guo , Chen Yi-Ju , Sun Chang-Jung
Published: June 2015

Chlorella sp. is often used in the treatment of wastewater to produce lipids, a practice which could go beyond wastewater treatment and be used to generate green energy. Our objectives here are to explore how the ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C/N) affects the removal of carbon and nitrogen in a wastewater treatment system, while simultaneously generating biomass and lipids. In this study, the C/N ratio is adjusted to 0.002, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 32. The results indicate that a C/N of 10 is sufficient to ensure the consumption of carbon and nitrogen, achieving the lowest concentration in the shortest culturing time (32 h). When nitrogen is lacking in the culture, there will be a slight decrease in the rate of carbon consumption which leads to a limitation of nitrogen and an increase in the lipid/cell density even at 96 h of culture time. The highest lipid content (0.57 g/L) and lipid increase rate (0.4 g/L) occurs with a C/N of 32. The greatest amount of biomass, 1.42 g/L is achieved when the C/N is 32. The carbon concentration is the main factor affecting the nitrogen consumption and the increase in the biomass and lipid content.
Alkaline deoxygenated graphene oxide as adsorbent for cadmium ions removal from aqueous solutions
Authors: Liu Jun , Du Hongyan , Yuan Shaowei , He Wanxia , Yan Pengju , Liu Zhanhong
Published: June 2015

Alkaline deoxygenated graphene oxide (aGO) was prepared through alkaline hydrothermal treatment and used as adsorbent to remove Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions for the first time. The characterization results of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra indicate that aGO was successfully synthesized. The batch adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption kinetics could be described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the isotherms equilibrium data were well fitted with the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cd(II) on aGO was 156 mg/g at pH 5 and T = 293 K. The adsorption thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was a spontaneous and endothermic reaction. The mainly adsorption mechanism speculated from FT-IR results may be attributed to the electrostatic attraction between Cd2+ and negatively charged groups (–CO−) of aGO and cation-π interaction between Cd2+ and the graphene planes. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential utility of the nanomaterial aGO as an effective adsorbent for Cd(II) removal from aqueous solutions.
Statistical evaluation of bioretention system for hydrologic performance
Authors: Li Z. Y. , Lam K. M.
Published: June 2015

Long-term retention performance is a common performance indicator for low-impact development practices, such as rain barrels, rain gardens, and green roofs. This paper introduces a numerical approach for the estimation of annual retention ratios of stormwater by bioretention. The annual retention ratio is taken as the ratio of the annual accumulated volume of stormwater retained by bioretention over the total volume of runoff draining into the system. The hydrologic model Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) is used to simulate the relevant flows of a bioretention system with parametric variations of the watershed area ratio and hydraulic conductivity of the soil media. Under these two dominant performance-governing parameters, retention ratios are calculated using the 10-year (2004–2013) rainfall record in Hong Kong at 1-min intervals. This indicator can be readily applied to estimate the long-term retention performance of a bioretention using particular values of watershed area ratio and hydraulic conductivity of soil media under the climate of Hong Kong. The study also analyzes the influence of variation of annual precipitation on the estimated retention performance. Flow data monitored on a pilot-scale physical model of bioretention during a number of rainfall events are used to validate the numerical simulation.
Submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor for wastewater treatment and energy generation
Authors: Bornare J. B. , Adhyapak U. S. , Minde G. P. , Kalyan Raman V. , Sapkal V. S. , Sapkal R. S.
Published: June 2015

Compared with conventional wastewater treatment processes, membrane bioreactors (MBRs) offer several advantages including high biodegradation efficiency, excellent effluent quality and smaller footprint. However, it has some limitations on account of its energy intensive operation. In recent years, there has been growing interest in use of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) due to their potential advantages over aerobic systems, which include low sludge production and energy generation in terms of biogas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a submerged AnMBR for the treatment of synthetic wastewater having 4,759 mg/l chemical oxygen demand (COD). The COD removal efficiency was over 95% during the performance evaluation study. Treated effluent with COD concentration of 231 mg/l was obtained for 25.5 hours hydraulic retention time. The obtained total organic carbon concentrations in feed and permeate were 1,812 mg/l and 89 mg/l, respectively. An average biogas generation and yield were 25.77 l/d and 0.36 m3/kg COD, respectively. Evolution of trans-membrane pressure (TMP) as a function of time was studied and an average TMP of 15 kPa was found suitable to achieve membrane flux of 12.17 l/(m2h). Almost weekly back-flow chemical cleaning of the membrane was found necessary to control TMP within the permissible limit of 20 kPa.
Spatial-temporal characteristics of phosphorus in non-point source pollution with grid-based export coefficient model and geographical information system
Authors: Liu Ruimin , Dong Guangxia , Xu Fei , Wang Xiujuan , He Mengchang
Published: June 2015

In this paper, the spatial changes and trends in non-point source (NPS) total phosphorus (TP) pollution were analyzed by land and non-land uses in the Songliao River Basin from 1986 to 2000 (14 years). A grid-based export coefficient model was used in the process of analysis based on to a geographic information system. The Songliao Basin is divided in four regions: Liaoning province, Jilin province (JL), Heilongjiang province and the eastern part of the Inner Mongolia (IM) Autonomous Region. Results indicated that the NPS phosphorus load caused by land use and non-land use increased steadily from 3.11 × 104 tons in 1986 to 3.49 × 104 tons in 2000. The southeastern region of the Songliao Plain was the most important NPS pollution contributor of all the districts. Although the TP load caused by land use decreased during the studied period in the Songliao River Basin, the contribution of land use to the TP load was dominant compared to non-land uses. The NPS pollution caused by non-land use steadily increased over the studied period. The IM Autonomous Region and JL province had the largest mean annual rate of change among all districts (more than 30%). In this area, livestock and poultry breeding had become one of the most important NPS pollution sources. These areas will need close attention in the future.
Aniline chlorination by in situ formed Ag–Cl complexes under simulated solar light irradiation
Authors: Hu Xuefeng , Wang Xiaowen , Dong Liuliu , Chang Fei , Luo Yongming
Published: June 2015

Ag speciation in a chloride medium was dependent upon the Cl/Ag ratio after releasing into surface water. In this study, the photoreaction of in situ formed Ag–Cl species and their effects on aniline photochlorination were systematically investigated. Our results suggested that formation of chloroaniline was strongly relevant to the Cl/Ag ratio and could be interpreted using the thermodynamically expected speciation of Ag in the presence of Cl−. AgCl was the main species responsible for the photochlorination of aniline. Both photoinduced hole and •OH drove the oxidation of Cl− to radical •Cl, which promoted the chlorination of aniline. Ag0 formation was observed from the surface plasmon resonance absorption during AgCl photoreaction. This study revealed that Ag+ released into Cl−-containing water may result in the formation of chlorinated intermediates of organic compounds under solar light irradiation.
Characteristics and kinetics of hexavalent chromium reduction by gallic acid in aqueous solutions
Authors: Chen ZiFang , Zhao YongSheng , Li Qin
Published: June 2015

Gallic acid (GA) is a naturally occurring plant polyphenol compound. Experiments were conducted to study the kinetics and effects of pH, temperature, irradiation, and initial hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) concentration on Cr(VI) reduction by GA. Results indicated that Cr(VI) could be reduced to chromium oxide (Cr(III)) with GA in a wide range of pH values from 2.0 to 8.5. The reaction followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic model with respect to Cr(VI) and GA in acid conditions (pH 2.0–5.0). However, the reaction did not follow the pseudo-first-order kinetic model at pH 6.5 and 8.5. Removal efficiencies and reaction rate constants of Cr(VI) significantly increased with decreasing pH value and increasing temperature. The effect of irradiation on Cr(VI) reduction increased with increasing pH, and irradiation improved the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) by 11.29% at pH 6.5. At pH 2.0, nearly all molar ratios of GA required for the reduction of Cr(VI) were 1:2 (±0.1) under different initial Cr(VI) concentrations; however, the molar ratios of GA required for the reduction of Cr(VI) were 1:1.29, 1:1.43, and 1:1.69, respectively, when the initial Cr(VI) concentrations were 10, 25, and 50 mg/L at pH 5.5.
Anxiety and Mind Wandering as Independent Consequences of Stereotype Threat
Authors: Lu Aitao , Feng Yi , Yu Zuwei , Tian Haiping , Hong Xiuxiu , Zheng Dongping
Published: June 2015

We investigated the mediating effects of anxiety and mind wandering in the relationship between stereotype threat and academic performance, testing our multiple mediation model with 5,000 bootstrap samples. The participants were 76 female undergraduate students at South China Normal
University. Results showed that both anxiety and mind wandering independently mediated the relationship between stereotype threat and the women's mathematics performance. These findings underscore the importance of integrating anxiety and mind wandering to understand how stereotype threat
impacts academic performance. Suggestions for future research are offered.
Effect of Gratitude on Loneliness of Chinese College Students: Social Support as a Mediator
Authors: Ni Shiguang , Yang Ruidong , Zhang Yufeng , Dong Rui
Published: June 2015

We investigated the mediating role of social support in the relationship between gratitude and loneliness. Participants were 728 Chinese students, from 6 universities, who completed 3 psychometric scales: the Gratitude Questionnaire-6, the UCLA Loneliness Scale (version 3), and the
Social Support Rating Scale. Both gratitude and social support exerted protective effects against loneliness, and social support partially mediated the relationship between gratitude and loneliness. The practical implication of this research is that gratitude promotes social support and, thus,
can protect individuals against loneliness.
Effect of Wearing Eyeglasses on Judgment of Socioprofessional Group Membership
Authors: Guéguen Nicolas
Published: June 2015

Several researchers have reported that people photographed wearing eyeglasses were perceived as being more intelligent and honest than people who were not wearing them. In this study, conducted in France, I tried to replicate this effect using a forced-choice situation. Participants
viewed a photograph of a male target wearing, or not wearing, eyeglasses and were instructed to estimate his socioprofessional group using a well-known French list. Results showed that, compared with the target without eyeglasses, the target wearing eyeglasses was more frequently associated
with a higher status socioprofessional group and less often with midstatus or low-status socioprofessional groups. These results confirmed that a common cue of facial appearance is sufficient to activate a stereotype of social group membership.
Association between risk factors, basal viral load, virus genotype and the degree of liver fibrosis with the response to the therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Vukovic Vuk , Baskic Dejan , Mijailovic Zeljko , Djurdjevic Predrag , Jovanovic Danijela , Mitrovic Slobodanka , Popovic Suzana
Published: June 2015

Background/Aim. Hepatitis C is an important sociomedical problem worldwide
due to frequent progression to chronic disease, occurrence of liver
cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Standard pegylated interferon alfa 2a
plus ribavirin therapy results in resolution of infection only in 50% of
patients. The aim of this study was to determine the association of various
factors with response to the therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C
virus (HCV) infection. Age and sex of patients, inoculation risk factors,
histopathological changes in the liver, viral load and HCV genotype were
analyzed. Methods. The study included a group of 121 patients with chronic
HCV infection. The treatment was carried out 24 weeks for virus genotype 2
and 3, and 48 weeks for genotype 1 and 4. The degree of histopathological
changes in the liver was determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining,
whereas polimerase chain reaction was used for HCV genotyping. Results. In
the group of non-responding patients genotype 1 was represented with 100%,
while in the other groups, although predominantly present, its percentage
was lower. Unresponsiveness to therapy and relapse of disease were associated
with higher viral load and advanced fibrosis. Intravenous use of psychoactive
substances, as a risk factor, was present in a high percentage in the group
of patients with sustained response, while blood transfusion and dialysis
were leading risk factors in the group of relapse responders and
non-responders. Conclusion. The results of our study showed that the
treatment outcome of chronic HCV infection was associated with baseline HCV
ribonucleic acid, HCV genotype, route of infection and the degree of
histopathological changes in the liver.
Fasting-Induced Lipolysis and Hypothalamic Insulin Signaling Are Regulated by Neuronal Glucosylceramide Synthase
Authors: Herzer Silke , Meldner Sascha , Gröne Hermann-Josef , Nordström Viola
Published: June 2015

Central nervous regulation of body weight and adipose tissue function is mainly conducted by hypothalamic neurons. Neuronal function depends on the integrity of the membrane lipid microenvironment. Lipid microdomains contain large quantities of cholesterol and glycosphingolipids, including glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) (gene Ugcg)–derived gangliosides. The current study demonstrates that Ugcgf/f//CamKCreERT2 mice with genetic GCS deletion in forebrain neurons, dominantly targeting mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH), display impaired fasting-induced lipolysis accompanied by a decreased norepinephrine content in white adipose tissue (WAT). MBH insulin receptor (IR) levels and signaling are increased in Ugcgf/f//CamKCreERT2 mice. These results are in concordance with reports stating that MBH insulin signaling restrains sympathetic nervous outflow to WAT in fasted mice. In line with the in vivo data, pharmacological GCS inhibition by Genz123346 also increases IR levels as well as IR phosphorylation in insulin-stimulated hypothalamic cells. In addition to studies suggesting that simple gangliosides like GM3 regulate peripheral IR signaling, this work suggests that complex neuronal gangliosides also modulate hypothalamic IR signaling and protein levels. For example, the complex ganglioside GD1a interacts dynamically with the IRs on adult hypothalamic neurons. In summary, our results suggest that neuronal GCS expression modulates MBH insulin signaling and WAT function in fasted mice.
DAPK2 Downregulation Associates With Attenuated Adipocyte Autophagic Clearance in Human Obesity
Authors: Soussi Hedi , Reggio Sophie , Alili Rohia , Prado Cecilia , Mutel Sonia , Pini Maria , Rouault Christine , Clément Karine , Dugail Isabelle
Published: June 2015

Adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity has been linked to low-grade inflammation causing insulin resistance. Transcriptomic studies have identified death-associated protein kinase 2 (DAPK2) among the most strongly downregulated adipose tissue genes in human obesity, but the role of this kinase is unknown. We show that mature adipocytes rather than the stromal vascular cells in adipose tissue mainly expressed DAPK2 and that DAPK2 mRNA in obese patients gradually recovered after bariatric surgery–induced weight loss. DAPK2 mRNA is also downregulated in high-fat diet–induced obese mice. Adenoviral-mediated DAPK2 overexpression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes did not affect lipid droplet size or cell viability but did increase autophagic clearance in nutrient-rich conditions, dependent on protein kinase activity. Conversely, DAPK2 inhibition in human preadipocytes by small interfering RNA decreased LC3-II accumulation rates with lysosome inhibitors. This led us to assess autophagic clearance in adipocytes freshly isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese patients. Severe reduction in autophagic flux was observed in obese adipocytes compared with control adipocytes, inversely correlated to fat cell lipids. After bariatric surgery, adipocyte autophagic clearance partially recovered proportional to the extent of fat cell size reduction. This study links adipocyte expression of an autophagy-regulating kinase, lysosome-mediated clearance and fat cell lipid accumulation; it demonstrates obesity-related attenuated autophagy in adipocytes, and identifies DAPK2 dependence in this regulation.
Inactivation of NF-κB p65 (RelA) in Liver Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Inhibits cAMP/PKA Pathway
Authors: Ke Bilun , Zhao Zhiyun , Ye Xin , Gao Zhanguo , Manganiello Vincent , Wu Bin , Ye Jianping
Published: June 2015

The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mediates inflammation and stress signals in cells. To test NF-κB in the control of hepatic insulin sensitivity, we inactivated NF-κB in the livers of C57BL/6 mice through deletion of the p65 gene, which was achieved by crossing floxed-p65 and Alb-cre mice to generate L-p65-knockout (KO) mice. KO mice did not exhibit any alterations in growth, reproduction, and body weight while on a chow diet. However, the mice on a high-fat diet (HFD) exhibited an improvement in systemic insulin sensitivity. Hepatic insulin sensitivity was enhanced as indicated by increased pyruvate tolerance, Akt phosphorylation, and decreased gene expression in hepatic gluconeogenesis. In the liver, a decrease in intracellular cAMP was observed with decreased CREB phosphorylation. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase-3B (PDE3B), a cAMP-degrading enzyme, was increased in mRNA and protein as a result of the absence of NF-κB activity. NF-κB was found to inhibit PDE3B transcription through three DNA-binding sites in the gene promoter in response to tumor necrosis factor-α. Body composition, food intake, energy expenditure, and systemic and hepatic inflammation were not significantly altered in KO mice on HFD. These data suggest that NF-κB inhibits hepatic insulin sensitivity by upregulating cAMP through suppression of PDE3B gene transcription.