bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hábitos relacionados à exposição solar dos professores de educação física que trabalham com atividades aquáticas
Authors: Oliveira Letícia Morais Coelho de , Glauss Nathália , Palma Alexandre
Published: June 2011

FUNDAMENTOS: A radiação ultravioleta tem sido considerada um dos mais importantes fatores de risco para o câncer de pele melanoma ou não melanoma. Dessa forma, tem sido aceito que os profissionais que trabalham em atividades ao ar livre apresentam maior risco de desenvolver câncer de pele. OBJETIVO: Identificar os hábitos relacionados à exposição solar dos professores de Educação Física (EF) que trabalham com atividades aquáticas. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo observacional do tipo transversal com 123 professores de EF, de ambos os sexos, que trabalham com atividades aquáticas, no mínimo, há um ano, com idades entre 20 e 58 anos, utilizando-se um questionário com perguntas abertas e fechadas. RESULTADOS: Do total de informantes, observou-se que 64,2% trabalham diretamente expostos ao Sol e 13,0%, em piscinas com cobertura parcial, dos quais 69,5% o fazem entre 10h e 16h. Do grupo exposto ao Sol, verificou-se que apenas 17,9% sempre se protegem: 14,3% dos homens e 23,1% das mulheres. Contudo, não houve diferenças estatísticas significativas. CONCLUSÕES: A partir dos dados coletados, é possível concluir que o grupo amostral estudado parece encontrarse em situação de risco diante da possibilidade de desenvolver câncer de pele
Avanços no tratamento da leishmaniose tegumentar do novo mundo nos últimos dez anos: uma revisão sistemática da literatura
Authors: Almeida Olga Laura Sena , Santos Jussamara Brito
Published: June 2011

INTRODUÃ‡ÃƒO: O arsenal terapÃªutico contra a leishmaniose tegumentar Ã© muito restrito. Os antimoniais pentavalentes permanecem como as drogas de escolha para seu tratamento hÃ¡ mais de 50 anos. Apesar da sua eficÃ¡cia, necessita de injeÃ§Ãµes diÃ¡rias, apresenta muitos efeitos colaterais e tempo de cura prolongado. OBJETIVO: Realizar uma revisÃ£o sistemÃ¡tica da literatura sobre os avanÃ§os no tratamento da leishmaniose tegumentar do novo mundo nos Ãºltimos dez anos. METODOLOGIA: Realizou-se em junho de 2009 uma busca eletrÃ´nica nas bases de dados Pubmed, LILACS e na biblioteca eletrÃ´nica Scielo. As palavras de busca em inglÃªs foram: "cutaneous", "leishmaniasis" e "treatment". Foram incluÃdos apenas ensaios clÃnicos randomizados, duplo-cegos, placebo controlados. Utilizou-se a escala de Jadad para avaliar a qualidade dos estudos selecionados. RESULTADOS: Segundo os critÃ©rios de inclusÃ£o e exclusÃ£o, apenas 8 artigos foram selecionados. As drogas avaliadas nos estudos selecionados foram GlucantimeÂ®, miltefosine, imunoterapia, imiquimod, rhGM-CSF, pentoxifilina e paramomicina. CONCLUSÃƒO: Apesar de a leishmaniose tegumentar ser um importante problema de saÃºde pÃºblica, os dados publicados sobre o uso de novas drogas para o tratamento da leishmaniose tegumentar em nosso meio ainda sÃ£o bastante limitados
Imunologia da paracoccidioidomicose
Authors: Fortes Maria Rita Parise , Miot Hélio Amante , Kurokawa Cilmery Suemi , Marques Mariângela Esther Alencar , Marques Sílvio Alencar
Published: June 2011

Paracoccidioidomicose é a mais prevalente micose sistêmica na América Latina, em pacientes imunocompetentes, sendo causada pelo fungo dimórfico Paracoccidioiddes brasiliensis. O estudo da sua imunopatogênese é importante na compreensão de aspectos relacionados à história natural, como a imunidade protetora, e à relação entre hospedeiro e parasita, favorecendo o entendimento clínico e a elaboração de estratégias terapêuticas. O polimorfismo clínico da doença depende, em última análise, do perfil de resposta imune que prevalece expresso pelo padrão de citocinas teciduais e circulantes, além da qualidade da resposta imune desencadeada, que levam ao dano tecidual
Metástase cutânea rara de provável carcinoma basaloide de cólon simulando granuloma piogênico
Authors: Verardino Gustavo Costa , Silva Roberto Souto da , Obadia Daniel Lago , Gripp Alexandre Carlos , Alves Maria de Fátima Guimarães Scotelaro
Published: June 2011

As acrometástases, principalmente para as mãos, são incomuns e representam cerca de 0,0070,2% de todas as lesões metastáticas. O pulmão é o sítio de origem mais comum, colaborando com 4050% dos casos relatados na literatura. Os rins e mamas são outras localizações também relacionadas a neoplasias que metastatizam para as mãos, além de, mais raramente, trato gastrointestinal, outros tumores sistêmicos e sarcomas. Seu diagnóstico precoce é difícil, pois pode ser assintomático, se assemelhar a tenossinovite, artrite, paroníquia, granuloma piogênico ou infecção local. No presente relato, os autores apresentam paciente com diagnóstico de acrometástase, em ambos os quartos quirodáctilos, oriunda de carcinoma basaloide de canal anal, com pobre resposta à radioterapia
Linfoma cutâneo primário de grandes células B de apresentação atípica: relato de caso
Authors: Sousa Antônio René Diógenes de , Costa Igor Santos , Araujo Filho Edmar Fernandes de , Jucá Natália Braga Hortêncio , Miranda Weline Lucena Landim
Published: June 2011

Linfomas cutâneos primários são definidos como neoplasias linfocíticas que se apresentam clinicamente na pele sem doença extracutânea no momento do diagnóstico e até por 6 meses após. Os autores relatam o caso de um paciente masculino, idoso, com história de pápulas em axila, há 3 meses, que evoluíram para ulceração. Ao exame, úlcera profunda de bordos irregulares, infiltrados, em axila direita. Exames físico e complementares não evidenciaram doença à distância. O histopatológico mostra infiltrado dérmico denso e difuso de linfócitos atípicos. A imuno-histoquímica evidencia expressão de antígenos CD20 e bcl-2, com CD10 negativo, configurando diagnóstico de linfoma cutâneo difuso de grandes células B. Neste tipo de linfoma, é rara a manifestação cutânea primária, assim como a incidência é menor em homens e a localização, mais comum em membros inferiores
Lúpus eritematoso crônico discoide nas linhas de Blaschko
Authors: Daldon Patricia Erica Christofoletti , Lage Renan
Published: June 2011

O lúpus eritematoso crônico discoide linear é manifestação rara da doença lúpica cutânea, em que lesões eritêmato-atrófico-discrômicas dispõem-se nas linhas de Blaschko. Descrevemos o caso de um menino de 15 anos, com dois anos de história de lesões discoides eritêmato-atróficas, hipo e hiperpigmentadas, dispostas nas linhas de Blaschko do membro superior direito. O exame histopatológico revelou atrofia da epiderme, hiperqueratose, rolhas córneas, espessamento da zona da membrana basal, infiltrado inflamatório crônico perianexial e perivascular superficial e profundo, depósito de mucina na derme, confirmando o diagnóstico. Há, no total, 14 casos descritos dessa variante que se inicia frequentemente na infância e que não apresenta predomínio quanto ao sexo. As lesões ocorrem preferencialmente na face. Não há relatos de associação com doença sistêmica
Paracoccidioidomicose em paciente com carcinoma do colo uterino
Authors: Marques Silvio Alencar , Lastória Joel Carlos , Marques Mariangela Esther Alencar
Published: June 2011

Os autores relatam caso de paciente do sexo feminino com paracoccidioidomicose, associada a carcinoma do colo uterino estádio IIIB. Paracoccidioidomicose, associada à neoplasia, ocorre entre 0,16% a 14,1% segundo diferentes séries de casos. Em casos com neoplasia disseminada a infecção fúngicas pode apresentar comportamento oportunístico
Úlceras de pernas e anticorpos anticardiolipinas
Authors: Skare Thelma Larocca
Published: June 2011

Fenômenos pró-trombóticos são descritos em úlceras de perna de diferentes etiologias. Neste trabalho, procurou-se verificar a prevalência de anticorpos anticardiolipina nestes pacientes. Para isso, estudaram-se 151 pacientes com úlcera de pernas e 150 controles, sendo obtidos dados clínicos e títulos de anticorpos anticardiolipina. Os anticorpos anticardiolipina foram detectados em 7,2% do grupo úlcera e 1,3% do grupo controle (p=0.01), todavia, as características clínicas não foram diferentes nos pacientes com e sem anticorpos anticardiolipina
Caso para diagnóstico
Authors: Vasconcelos Bárbara Nader , Fonseca João Carlos Macedo , Obadia Daniel Lago
Published: June 2011

A hidradenite é uma inflamação crônica e supurativa das glândulas apócrinas. Ocorre mais frequentemente, nas mulheres, iniciando durante ou após a puberdade. Os locais mais acometidos são as axilas, porém, outras regiões ricas em glândulas apócrinas, podem ser comprometidas. A localização intermamária, de forma exclusiva, é rara e não encontramos relatos de outros casos semelhantes. Sua etiologia ainda não foi completamente elucidada
Efeito da incorporação de talco nas características térmicas, mecânicas e dinâmico-mecânicas de poliuretanos termoplásticos
Authors: Amico S.C. , Freitag C.P.M. , Riegel I.C. , Pezzin S.H.
Published: June 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o efeito da adição de talco, um agente nucleante amplamente empregado em formulações de termoplásticos em geral, no comportamento de cristalização e nas propriedades mecânicas de dois poliuretanos termoplásticos (TPUs) de diferentes massas molares. Foram realizadas análises de calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TGA), dinâmico-mecânica (DMA), além de ensaios mecânicos. Observou-se que a adição de talco aumentou a temperatura de cristalização e a de decomposição média do TPU de maior massa molar média, no entanto, não foi observada mudança para concentrações superiores a 0,5% (m/m). Análises de DMA indicaram um aumento do módulo de armazenamento com a aditivação somente para o TPU de maior massa molar média. Nos ensaios mecânicos, não foi possível observar alterações significativas nas propriedades. O estudo realizado demonstrou a importância do conhecimento do efeito da adição de talco como agente nucleante em compostos de TPU, visando o melhoramento do desempenho destes materiais.
Alterações microestruturais e físicas em filmes de CdS submetidos a tratamento térmico em presença de CdCl2
Authors: Caboclo G. D. , Fernandes J. A. S. , Pinheiro W. A. , Cruz L. R.
Published: June 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever alterações microestruturais e físicas em filmes finos de sulfeto de cádmio (CdS), decorrentes de um tratamento térmico conduzido em presença de cloreto de cádmio (CdCl2). Para isso, um filme de CdCl2 foi depositado sobre a superfície dos filmes de CdS antes do tratamento. A deposição do filme de CdCl2 e o tratamento térmico foram realizados em um sistema de sublimação em espaço reduzido (CSS). Observou-se que o tratamento conduzido em temperaturas acima de 400 ºC favorece a cristalização dos filmes de CdS. Mudanças na energia de banda proibida dos filmes tratados foram observadas, as quais foram atribuídas a modificações na estrutura cristalina das amostras.
Estudo de caracterização mecânica de blocos de concreto vibro-compactados à seco
Authors: Mohamad G , Lourenço P. B. , Roman H. R. , Rizatti E. , Barbosa C. S.
Published: June 2011

O objetivo principal deste trabalho é determinar as características físicas e mecânicas dos concretos vibro-compactados a seco para fins estruturais. Foram realizados ensaios para a determinação da área líquida, absorção de água, massa específica, resistência à tração e compressão, módulo de elasticidade, coeficiente de Poisson, modo de ruptura à compressão e tenacidade à fratura à tração e compressão. Além disso, procurou-se simular as distribuições das tensões por métodos numéricos computacionais lineares e não-lineares para verificar o nível das tensões, no intuito de reproduzir os resultados experimentais a fim de desenvolver componentes de melhor desempenho para fins estruturais. Pode-se concluir que, pelas análises nas deformações de compressão e tração, ocorreu uma maior dispersão de valores em função da propagação da fissura, em que a variação média do coeficiente de Poisson foi da ordem dos 60% e para o módulo de elasticidade foi de 13%. A resistência à tração característica do concreto vibro-compactado foi 1,91 MPa, calculada para um nível de confiança de 95%. A resistência à tração direta foi 0,58 vezes a resistência à tração na flexão. Nas simulações, o modelo proposto permitiu uma boa aproximação, para a previsão da resistência última, entre os resultados obtidos numericamente e os experimentais. Houve uma aproximação nos valores das deformações laterais do modelo numérico comparado ao experimental até, aproximadamente, 50% da resistência última. Já para as deformações axiais, não se conseguiu reproduzir os resultados experimentais, devido à rigidez medida nos modelos teóricos serem maiores que as experimentais. A mudança de parâmetros, como o módulo de elasticidade no modelo teórico, não produziu uma equivalência entre a tensão última obtida numericamente com a resistência à compressão experimental.
Um método quantitativo para avaliação da satisfação dos clientes
Authors: Freire Fátima de Souza , Crisóstomo Vicente Lima , Botelho Ducineli Régis
Published: June 2011

Há premência em se sistematizar esquemas para extrair informações dos novos indicadores que estão sendo empregados nos modernos métodos de avaliação do desempenho operacional das empresas. Na ampla maioria destes, a perspectiva do cliente é sempre levada em consideração. Entretanto, as pesquisas junto a eles sempre fornecem informações qualitativas, embora constituam uma das áreas mais atuantes das empresas de pesquisa de mercado. Enfrentando o desafio de generalizar um modelo contábil para incorporação da avaliação quantitativa de ativos intangíveis de empresas que seja útil para a moderna caracterização dos seus desempenhos operacionais, propõe-se neste trabalho um esquema inovador para avaliar a satisfação dos clientes capaz de fornecer resultados quantitativos inequívocos. Os indicadores que o método proposto utiliza provêm de enquêtes bem definidas, realizadas junto aos clientes, e possibilitam o advento de índices que caracterizarão ativos e passivos das empresas relativos à satisfação dos clientes.
Contabilização das variações da necessidade de capital de giro
Authors: Seidel André , Kume Ricardo
Published: June 2011

Quando se deseja iniciar uma atividade ou mesmo expandi-la, muito se analisa a necessidade de aplicações em ativos permanentes, mas pouca atenção é dedicada ao "investimento em clientes e estoques". Dessa forma a concessão de prazo para clientes ou a opção por um aumento nos níveis dos estoques, ambos valores contabilizados no ativo circulante, pode significar uma decisão de investimento tão ou mais duradoura do que aquela efetuada em ativos permanentes. A Necessidade de Capital de Giro (NCG), e suas variações, podem levar à falência muitas empresas, principalmente pequenas e médias. Além da preocupação monetária, uma empresa necessita garantir a manutenção de sua estrutura física, permanente e operacional, necessária para suas atividades. O lucro contabilizado através do Custo Corrente Corrigido (CCC), precisa de ajustes para ser considerado totalmente distribuível; sob nosso ponto de vista, as variações da NCG fazem parte desses ajustes. A idéia central deste artigo é a criação de uma Reserva de Capital denominada Reserva das Variações da Necessidade de Capital de Giro (RVNCG) como forma de garantir a manutenção do capital físico da empresa, ajustando o lucro passível de distribuição através da contabilização das variações da NCG. Esse artigo está dividido em quatro partes. Na primeira, percorremos o embasamento teórico. No desenvolvimento, segunda parte, traçamos os objetivos, as premissas e descrevemos a criação e a contabilização da RVNCG. Na terceira parte, demonstramos a proposta do artigo através de três exemplos numéricos com os respectivos Balanços Patrimoniais e Demonstrações do Resultado, mostrando a utilização proposta da RVNCG; por fim, na quarta e última parte apresentamos nossas conclusões.
Soil biota drive expression of genetic variation and development of population‐specific feedbacks in an invasive plant
Authors: Felker-Quinn Emmi , Bailey Joseph K. , Schweitzer Jennifer A.
Published: July 2011

Invasive plant species alter soils in ways that may affect the success of subsequent generations, creating plant–soil feedbacks. Ailanthus altissima is an invasive tree introduced two centuries ago to North America. We hypothesized that geographically distinct populations of A. altissima have established feedbacks specific to their local environment, due to soil communities cultivated by A. altissima. We collected seeds and soils from three populations in the eastern United States, and in the greenhouse reciprocally planted all families in all collected soils as well as in a control mixed soil, and in soils that had been irradiated for sterilization. There were positive plant–soil feedbacks for two populations in the live field‐collected soils, but strong negative feedbacks for the third population. There were no population‐level performance differences or feedbacks in the sterilized population locale soils, supporting a soil biotic basis for feedbacks and for the expression of genetic differentiation in A. altissima. If populations of Ailanthus altissima vary in the extent to which they benefit from and promote these plant–soil biota feedbacks, the interaction between invader and invaded community may be more important in determining the course of invasion than are the characteristics of either alone.
Importance of dispersal and thermal environment for mycorrhizal communities: lessons from Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Lekberg Ylva , Meadow James , Rohr Jason R. , Redecker Dirk , Zabinski Catherine A.
Published: July 2011

The relative importance of dispersal and niche restrictions remains a controversial topic in community ecology, especially for microorganisms that are often assumed to be ubiquitous. We investigated the impact of these factors for the community assembly of the root‐symbiont arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) by sampling roots from geothermal and nonthermal grasslands in Yellowstone National Park (YNP), followed by sequencing and RFLP of AMF ribosomal DNA. With the exception of an apparent generalist RFLP type closely related to Glomus intraradices, a distance‐based redundancy analysis indicated that the AMF community composition correlated with soil pH or pH‐driven changes in soil chemistry. This was unexpected, given the large differences in soil temperature and plant community composition between the geothermal and nonthermal grasslands. RFLP types were found in either the acidic geothermal grasslands or in the neutral to alkaline grasslands, one of which was geothermal. The direct effect of the soil chemical environment on the distribution of two AMF morphospecies isolated from acidic geothermal grasslands was supported in a controlled greenhouse experiment. Paraglomus occultum and Scutellospora pellucida were more beneficial to plants and formed significantly more spores when grown in acidic than in alkaline soil. Distance among grasslands, used as an estimate of dispersal limitations, was not a significant predictor of AMF community similarity within YNP, and most fungal taxa may be part of a metacommunity. The isolation of several viable AMF taxa from bison feces indicates that wide‐ranging bison could be a vector for at least some RFLP types among grasslands within YNP. In support of classical niche theory and the Baas‐Becking hypothesis, our results suggest that AMF are not limited by dispersal at the scale of YNP, but that the soil environment appears to be the primary factor affecting community composition and distribution.
Linking climate variability to mushroom productivity and phenology
Authors: Büntgen Ulf , Kauserud Håvard , Egli Simon
Published: July 2011

Climate change affects ecological systems across various spatiotemporal scales and disrupts the life cycles of resident organisms. Little is known about the environmental drivers of mushroom productivity and phenology, partially because the life cycle of fungi is mostly belowground. Here, we present results from a field survey, in which a total of 65 631 unique individual mycorrhizal mushrooms – representing 273 species – were recorded during weekly intervals from 1975 to 2006 in a nature reserve in Switzerland. The average annual number of observed mushrooms increased from 1313 (pre‐1991) to 2730 (1991 and thereafter), while average fruiting time during the latter period was delayed by 10 days as compared with that of the former. Precipitation amounts and temperature means determined fungal activity. Reconstructed intra‐annual timing of mushroom fruiting for the 20th century paralleled contemporary Swiss wine harvest dates, providing independent evidence of climate‐induced ecosystem change. Enhanced growth conditions and extended growing seasons appear beneficial to fungi from both a socioeconomic and an ecological perspective, because most vascular plants interact with mycorrhizal fungi to generate biomass.
Direct potable reuse: a future imperative
Authors: Leverenz Harold L. , Tchobanoglous George , Asano Takashi
Published: July 2011

As a result of population growth, urbanization, and climate change, public water supplies are becoming stressed, and the chances of tapping new water supplies for metropolitan areas are getting more difficult, if not impossible. As a consequence, existing water supplies must go further. One way to achieve this objective is by increased water reuse, particularly in supplementing municipal water supplies. Although water reuse offers many opportunities it also involves a number of problems. A significant cost for nonpotable water reuse in urban areas is associated with the need to provide separate piping and storage systems for reclaimed water. In most situations, the cost of a dual distribution system has been prohibitive and thus, has limited implementation for water reuse programs. The solution to the problem of distribution is to implement direct potable reuse (DPR) of purified water in the existing water distribution system. The purpose of this paper is to consider (a) a future in which DPR will be the norm and (b) the steps that will need to be taken to make this a reality. Following an overview, the rationale for DPR, some examples of DPR projects, technological and implementation issues, and future expectations are examined.
Lab scale study on electrocoagulation defluoridation process optimization along with aluminium leaching in the process and comparison with full scale plant operation
Authors: Gwala Poonam , Andey Subhash , Mhaisalkar Vasant , Labhasetwar Pawan , Pimpalkar Sarika , Kshirsagar Chetan
Published: June 2011

An excess or lack of fluoride in drinking water is harmful to human health. Desirable and permissible standards of fluoride in drinking water are 1.0 and 1.5 mg/L, respectively, as per Indian drinking water quality standards i.e., BIS 10500, 1991. In this paper, the performance of an electro-coagulation defluoridation batch process with aluminium electrodes was investigated. Different operational conditions such as fluoride concentration in water, pH and current density were varied and performance of the process was examined. Influence of operational conditions on (i) electrode polarization phenomena, (ii) pH evolution during electrolysis and (iii) the amount of aluminium released (coagulant) was investigated. Removal by electrodes is primarily responsible for the high defluoridation efficiency and the adsorption by hydroxide aluminium floc provides secondary effect. Experimental data obtained at optimum conditions that favored simultaneous mixing and flotation confirmed that concentrations lower than 1 mg/L could be achieved when initial concentrations were between 2 and 20 mg/L. pH value was found to be an important parameter that affected fluoride removal significantly. The optimal initial pH range is between 6 and 7 at which effective defluoridation and removal efficiencies over 98% were achieved. Furthermore, experimental results prominently displayed that an increase in current density substantially reduces the treatment duration, but with increased residual aluminium level. The paper focuses on pilot scale defluoridation process optimization along with aluminium leaching and experimental results were compared with a full-scale plant having capacity of 600 liter per batch.
Dynamics of nitrogen oxides emission from a full-scale sludge liquor treatment plant with nitritation
Authors: Gustavsson D. J. I. , la Cour Jansen J.
Published: June 2011

Biological treatment in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a source of nitrogen oxides (N2O, NO and NO2) emitted to the atmosphere. Aerobic ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB) have been suggested to be the main source of these emissions. In a full-scale sludge liquor treatment plant at Sjölunda WWTP, it was shown that significant emissions of N2O, NO and NO2 do occur. The plant is operated with nitritation alone, which gives an environment enriched in aerobic AOB. During normal operation, emissions of N2O, NO and NO2 were found to be 3.8%, 0.06% and 0.01% of the ammonium nitrogen load. The N2O emissions were larger than the recommended estimated figure of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for a complete wastewater treatment plant. The N2O emissions correlated positively with the length of the previous anoxic period, i.e., settling and decantation, and with the ammonium oxidation rate. The NO and NO2 emission profiles were similar and dependent on ammonium oxidation and DO level, but the NO2 concentrations were always lower.
Opportunities for public water utilities in the market of energy from water
Authors: Mol S. S. M. , Kornman J. M. , Kerpershoek A. J. , van der Helm A. W. C.
Published: June 2011

An inventory is made of the possibilities to recover sustainable energy from the water cycle by identifying different water flows in a municipal environment as a sustainable energy source. It is discussed what role public water utilities should play in the market of energy from water. This is done for Waternet, the public water utility of Amsterdam, by describing experiences on two practical applications for aquifer thermal energy storage and energy recovery from drinking water. The main conclusion is that public water utilities can substantially contribute to the production of sustainable energy, especially by making use of heat and cold from the water cycle. Public water utilities have the opportunity to both regulate and enter the market for energy from water.
Blending anaerobic co-digestates: synergism and economics
Authors: Navaneethan N. , Topczewski P. , Royer S. , Zitomer D.
Published: June 2011

Co-digestion is the process in which wastes from various sources are treated together. Therefore, more organic carbon is added to make efficient use of existing digesters. The objectives of this study were to compare potential co-digestates, determine synergistic and antagonistic co-digestion outcomes and estimate economic benefits for preliminary screening. Over 80 wastes were identified from 54 facilities within 160 km of an existing municipal digester. Synergistic, antagonistic and neutral co-digestion outcomes were observed for the various wastes. A simple economic comparison resulted in the greatest potential benefits for four co-digestates: yeast flavorings production waste, meat production dissolved air flotation float, acid whey from cheese production and thin stillage from corn ethanol production. Performance was investigated using bench-scale digesters receiving primary sludge with and without co-digestates. Methane production rates were 105 and 66% higher when co-digestates were present, but were anticipated to increase only 57 and 23% due to the additional chemical oxygen demand. Therefore, significant synergistic outcomes were observed during co-digestion. Co-digestion of the most promising wastes with primary sludge in full scale was estimated to generate enough electricity to power more than 2,500 houses.
Retrofitting a stormwater retention pond using a deflector island
Authors: Khan S. , Melville B. W. , Shamseldin A. Y.
Published: June 2011

Stormwater retention ponds are one of the principal methods to treat stormwater runoff. Analysis of residence time distribution (RTD) curves can be used to evaluate the capability of these ponds for sediment removal. Deflector islands have been suggested as a means of improving the performance of retention ponds, due to their diffusing the inlet jet. In this study, the effect of an island on retention pond performance was investigated using a physical model of an existing stormwater retention pond. The physical model is a trapezoidal pond having top dimensions 4.1 × 1.5 × 0.23 m and side slopes of 2:1 (h:v). Three different arrangements were studied. The results show that placing an island to deflect the influent to a stormwater retention pond does not improve pond performance, rather it stimulates short-circuiting. This unexpected behaviour, in relation to previous studies, is considered to be a consequence of the model pond incorporating sloping walls; which is a novel aspect of this paper.
Integrated constructed wetlands: water management as a land-use issue, implementing the ‘Ecosystem Approach’
Authors: Harrington R. , Carroll P. , Cook S. , Harrington C. , Scholz M. , McInnes R. J.
Published: June 2011

Awareness of the need for social, economic and environmental coherence in the management of water is becoming evermore apparent. Water supply as well as treatment is becoming more costly; a challenge that is not only limited to developing countries. The use of wetlands, natural and constructed, is now more widely accepted as a means of tackling a range of problems in water management to deliver this coherence. The use of 16 Integrated Constructed Wetlands that mimic shallow, emergent-vegetated, palustrine wetlands in a 2,500 ha catchment in County Waterford, Southeast Ireland, has shown a number of distinct advantages in implementing the all encompassing ‘Ecosystem Approach’, addressing the key elements for sustainable water management in an intensively used agricultural area. The significant increase in water quality, biodiversity, social amenities and acceptance by the local rural community provided by this ‘real’ field-scale demonstration show the benefits that such a joined-up approach can have on catchment management in the widest sense.
Operational data of the Star City rainwater harvesting system and its role as a climate change adaptation and a social influence
Authors: Han M. Y. , Mun J. S.
Published: June 2011

The Star City rainwater harvesting system (RWHS) was featured in the December, 2008, issue of Water 21. The article highlighted that the RWHS has a 3,000 m3 rainwater tank used in water saving, flood mitigation, and emergency response. Since then, many news media, public officials, and people from both South Korea and abroad have visited the RWHS. In this paper, two years of the system's operational data are presented and its role in short- and long-term climate change adaptation is investigated. The downstream sewer system has become safe for a 50-year rainfall without upgrading the existing sewer system, which was designed for a 10-year period. The 26,000 m3 of water saved has reduced the energy requirement of transferring water from a distant area. The success of the Star City RWHS has influenced 47 cities across South Korea, including Seoul, to enact regulations on rainwater management. It has shown that decentralized rainwater management can supplement the existing centralized system to ensure its safety.
Element patterns for particulate matter in stormwater effluent
Authors: David T. , Krebs P. , Borchardt D. , von Tümpling W.
Published: June 2011

Particulate matter in stormwater deteriorates the quality of receiving water and sediment. Characterization of stormwater particulate matter by means of its particle-associated element pattern provides an aid to determining its impact on receiving surface waters. During a 6 month measurement campaign, we determined particle-associated concentrations of major pollutants and rare earths for three combined water/stormwater outlets in the town of Staßfurt. We differentiated the particle-associated constituents on the basis of a hierarchical cluster analysis. Repeating the cluster analysis on random subsets, we gained information about the variability of the element patterns between and within the sites. In general, constituents associated with sewage and sewer sediment behave differently compared with constituents associated with runoff. The degree to which associations can be established for element patterns from site to site is limited by the variability encountered within sample sets taken from individual sites. The latter variability depends on the complexity of the catchment.
Oxygen transfer in activated sludge – new insights and potentials for cost saving
Authors: Henkel J. , Cornel P. , Wagner M.
Published: June 2011

The α-factor has the greatest impact on the calculation of the required standard oxygen transfer rate (SOTR) in activated sludge systems equipped with submerged aeration systems. Knowing the dependencies of the α-factor leads to a better design of the aeration devices and, consequently, to a more efficient use of aeration energy. Applying the current state of knowledge about oxygen transfer leads to the conclusion that, in contrast to current opinion, simultaneous aerobic stabilization requires the same SOTR as conventional activated sludge systems with advanced nutrient removal, even though a higher organic load is degraded.
Low temperature biological phosphorus removal and partial nitrification in a pilot sequencing batch reactor system
Authors: Yuan Qiuyan , Oleszkiewicz Jan A.
Published: June 2011

Partial nitrification and biological phosphorus removal appear to hold promise of a cost-effective and sustainable biological nutrient removal process. Pilot sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were operated under anaerobic/aerobic configuration for 8 months. It was found that biological phosphorus removal can be achieved in an SBR system, along with the partial nitrification process. Sufficient volatile fatty acids supply was the key for enhanced biological phosphorus removal. This experiment demonstrated that partial nitrification can be achieved even at low temperature with high dissolved oxygen (>3 mg/L) concentration. Shorter solid retention time (SRT) for nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) than for ammonia oxidizing bacteria due to the nitrite substrate limitation at the beginning of the aeration cycle was the reason that caused NOB wash-out. Controlling SRT should be the strategy for an SBR operated in cold climate to achieve partial nitrification. It was also found that the aerobic phosphorus accumulating organisms' P-uptake was more sensitive to nitrite inhibition than the process of anaerobic P-release.
Pervaporative removal of acrylonitrile from aqueous streams through polydimethylsiloxane membrane
Authors: Aliabadi Majid , Aroujalian Abdolreza , Raisi Ahmadreza
Published: June 2011

This study describes the successful separation of acrylonitrile (ACN) from dilute aqueous streams using pervaporation process. The influences of ACN feed concentration, permeate pressure, operating temperature, feed flow rate and membrane thickness on the membrane separation performance were investigated. The results showed that with an increase in ACN concentration in the feed solution, the permeation flux of ACN increased while the enrichment factor decreased. It was also indicated that increasing the permeate pressure reduced the driving force for mass transfer and consequently the permeation flux dropped while the enrichment factor enhanced. Polydimethylsiloxane membranes used in this study showed very good properties in the separation process, leading to enrichment factors in the range of 70–140. Furthermore, the activation energy for pervaporation of both ACN and water calculated from Arrhenius plot indicated that the permeation of water through the membrane was more temperature dependant than ACN.
Inorganic greywater matrix impact on photocatalytic oxidation: does flocculation of TiO2 nanoparticles impair process efficiency?
Authors: Armanious A. , Özkan A. , Sohmen U. , Gulyas H.
Published: June 2011

This study was conducted in order to clarify whether photocatalyst flocculation – as observed in biologically pretreated greywater – contributes to photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) efficiency impairment. Aqueous solutions of tetraethyleneglycol dimethylether spiked with different inorganic salts in concentrations as found in biologically treated greywater were investigated with respect to TiO2 flocculation and PCO mineralisation kinetics. Flocculation of the photocatalyst primarily depended on pH (which was affected by the salts) and how close pH was to the point of zero charge (PZC). Photocatalyst agglomeration was maximum at pH 5.5. With salt concentrations >7 mmol L−1, flocculation was strong even at pH far above PZC due to electric double layer compression. PCO rate constants were not unequivocally related to flocculation. Increasing pH was observed as the clearest factor deteriorating PCO efficiency. This was interpreted to result from impaired adsorbability of negatively charged oxidation intermediates as well as from enhanced CO2 absorption with increasing pH and subsequent formation of HCO3− anions which are OH radical scavengers.
Degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in water by glow discharge plasma
Authors: Tong Shaoping , Ni Yanyan , Shen Chensi , Wen Yuezhong , Jiang Xuanzhen
Published: June 2011

This study evaluated the ability of the glow discharge plasma (GDP) technique to degrade methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in an aqueous solution. The results showed that a large amount of hydrogen peroxide and highly active •OH free radicals were produced during the treatment. Various experimental parameters including discharge current, initial MTBE concentration and initial pH played significant roles on MTBE degradation. In addition, Fe2+ had a catalytic effect on the degradation of MTBE, which is potentially attributable to the reaction between Fe3+ and the hydrated electron. It was also confirmed that GDP was comparable to electrocatalytic oxidation and high-density plasma and more efficient than photocatalytic degradation techniques. These results suggest that GDP may become a competitive MTBE wastewater treatment technology.
Assessment of diffuser pressure loss on WWTPs in Baden-Württemberg
Authors: Krampe J.
Published: June 2011

Aeration of activated sludge is a critical treatment step for the operation of activated sludge plants. To achieve a cost effective treatment process, assessing and benchmarking of aeration system performance are important measures. A simple means of gauging the relative condition of a fine bubble diffused aeration system is to evaluate the pressure loss of the diffusers as oxygen transfer tests are rarely applied during the lifetime of an aeration system. This paper shows an assessment of fine bubble diffuser systems in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, based on the results of a questionnaire sent to 941 WWTPs. Apart from the results with regards to the diffuser pressure loss, this paper also presents information on the current state of diffuser technology such as types and materials as well as the diffuser cleaning methods used in Baden-Württemberg. The majority of the WWTPs were equipped with tube diffusers (71%) with 50% of all plants having EPDM membranes installed. Regular mechanical cleaning is the most common cleaning method followed by regular pressure release/air-bumping programs during operations. With regard to the diffuser pressure loss it was found that 50% of the evaluated plants had a diffuser pressure loss that was twice as high as measured for new diffusers.
Multiphase modeling study for storm water solids treatment in experimental storm water settling chamber
Authors: Ho Jungseok
Published: June 2011

This study tests four different types of multiphase models to determine the most appropriate model for predicting the behaviors of various types of storm water solids in a settling chamber. The Lagrangian reference frame discrete phase models of uncoupled and coupled models based on the interaction between the discrete phase and the continuous phase were tested. The rigid moving objects model providing six degrees of freedom particle motion was also tested to model non-spherical particle motion. The fourth model was a sediment transport model using the Eulerian reference frame model. This study tested five different storm water solids consisting of bulk, gross, coarse, sediment and fine which are classified by particle size and settling characteristics. Particle settling efficiency and computational time were considered in determining the most appropriate multiphase model. The coupled model provided better solid settling than the uncoupled model, but required 8.2% more computational time in this study. The Eulerian model matched settling efficiency for the high density finer solids. Although the Eulerian model showed reliable settling prediction, the Lagrangian coupled model can be an effective alternative requiring significantly reduced computational time.
NOD1 Activators Link Innate Immunity to Insulin Resistance
Authors: Schertzer Jonathan D. , Tamrakar Akhilesh K. , Magalhães Joao G. , Pereira Sandra , Bilan Philip J. , Fullerton Morgan D. , Liu Zhi , Steinberg Gregory R. , Giacca Adria , Philpott Dana J. , Klip Amira
Published: June 2011

OBJECTIVE

Insulin resistance associates with chronic inflammation, and participatory elements of the immune system are emerging. We hypothesized that bacterial elements acting on distinct intracellular pattern recognition receptors of the innate immune system, such as bacterial peptidoglycan (PGN) acting on nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD) proteins, contribute to insulin resistance.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Metabolic and inflammatory properties were assessed in wild-type (WT) and NOD1/2−/− double knockout mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. Insulin resistance was measured by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps in mice injected with mimetics of meso-diaminopimelic acid–containing PGN or the minimal bioactive PGN motif, which activate NOD1 and NOD2, respectively. Systemic and tissue-specific inflammation was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in NOD ligand–injected mice. Cytokine secretion, glucose uptake, and insulin signaling were assessed in adipocytes and primary hepatocytes exposed to NOD ligands in vitro.

RESULTS

NOD1/2−/− mice were protected from HFD-induced inflammation, lipid accumulation, and peripheral insulin intolerance. Conversely, direct activation of NOD1 protein caused insulin resistance. NOD1 ligands induced peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance within 6 h in WT, but not NOD1−/−, mice. NOD2 ligands only modestly reduced peripheral glucose disposal. NOD1 ligand elicited minor changes in circulating proinflammatory mediators, yet caused adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance of muscle AS160 and liver FOXO1. Ex vivo, NOD1 ligand caused proinflammatory cytokine secretion and impaired insulin-stimulated glucose uptake directly in adipocytes. NOD1 ligand also caused inflammation and insulin resistance directly in primary hepatocytes from WT, but not NOD1−/−, mice.

CONCLUSIONS

We identify NOD proteins as innate immune components that are involved in diet-induced inflammation and insulin intolerance. Acute activation of NOD proteins by mimetics of bacterial PGNs causes whole-body insulin resistance, bolstering the concept that innate immune responses to distinctive bacterial cues directly lead to insulin resistance. Hence, NOD1 is a plausible, new link between innate immunity and metabolism.
Long-Term Prognostic Importance of Diabetes After a Myocardial Infarction Depends on Left Ventricular Systolic Function
Authors: Andersson Charlotte , Gislason Gunnar H. , Mérie Charlotte , Mogensen Ulrik M. , Solomon Scott D. , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Køber Lars
Published: June 2011

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to understand how left ventricular function modulates the prognostic importance of diabetes after myocardial infarction (MI).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Consecutively hospitalized MI patients screened for three clinical trials were followed for a median of 7 years. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess the risk of mortality associated with diabetes, and the importance of diabetes was examined independently within defined left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) subgroups.

RESULTS

A total of 16,912 patients were included; 1,819 (11%) had diabetes. Diabetes and 15% unit depression in LVEF were of similar prognostic importance: hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.45 (95% CI 1.37–1.54) and 1.41 (1.37–1.45) for diabetes and LVEF depression, respectively. LVEF modified the outcomes associated with diabetes, with HRs being 1.29 (1.19–1.40) and 1.61 (1.49–1.74) in patients with LVEF <40% and LVEF ≥40%, respectively (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients within the higher LVEF categories have a greater mortality risk attributable to diabetes than patients within the lower LVEF categories.
Effect of Case-Based Training for Medical Residents on Inpatient Glycemia
Authors: Tamler Ronald , Green Dina E. , Skamagas Maria , Breen Tracy L. , Looker Helen C. , Babyatsky Mark , LeRoith Derek
Published: June 2011

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether an educational intervention for medical house staff improves blood glucose (BG) in hospitalized patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

All 116 medicine residents at an academic medical center were assigned to online or classroom training on inpatient dysglycemia in fall 2008. Both groups were offered an online refresher course in spring 2009 addressing gaps in clinical practice identified on chart review. We assessed event BG, the first BG of any 3-h period, on two teaching wards.

RESULTS

A total of 108 residents (93.1%) completed the initial training. The primary outcome, median event BG, decreased from 152 mg/dL in August 2008 to 139 mg/dL in December 2008 (P < 0.0001). Prevalence of event BG >200 mg/dL decreased from 25.5 to 22.7% (P = 0.0207), at the expense of more event BGs <70 mg/dL (2.0–3.9%, P = 0.0124).

CONCLUSIONS

A curriculum for medicine residents on inpatient glycemia led to lower inpatient BG.
Low Free Testosterone Levels Are Associated With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in Postmenopausal Diabetic Women
Authors: Wehr Elisabeth , Pilz Stefan , Boehm Bernhard O. , Grammer Tanja B. , März Winfried , Obermayer-Pietsch Barbara
Published: June 2011

OBJECTIVE

Hyperandrogenemia is associated with cardiovascular risk factors in women but evidence about the relationship of testosterone levels with mortality is sparse. We aimed to evaluate whether total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), and sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) are associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a cohort of postmenopausal women.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We measured TT and SHBG levels in 875 postmenopausal women who were referred for coronary angiography (during 1997–2000). FT was calculated according to the Vermeulen method. The main outcome measures were Cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality from all causes and from cardiovascular causes.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up time of 7.7 years, 179 women (20.5%) had died. There were 101 deaths due to cardiovascular disease (56.4% of all deaths). We found no association of FT, TT, and SHBG levels with mortality in all postmenopausal women. In postmenopausal diabetic women, multivariable-adjusted HRs (with 95% CIs) in the fourth compared with the first FT quartile for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were 0.38 (0.08–0.90), P = 0.025, and 0.28 (0.08–0.90), P = 0.032, respectively. We found no association of TT and SHBG with mortality in diabetic postmenopausal women.

CONCLUSIONS

In postmenopausal diabetic women referred for coronary angiography, low FT levels are independently associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.