bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of health-related quality of life in patients receiving stem cell therapy for end-stage liver disease: an Egyptian study
Authors: Salama Hosny , Zekri Abdel-Rahamn N , Ahmed Rasha , Medhat Iman , Abdallah El Sayed , Darwish Tarneem , Ahmed Ola S , Bahnassy Abeer
Published: December 2012

Introduction

This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the influence of stem cell therapy (SCT) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by using the SF-36 v2 and to elucidate the influence of objective clinical variables on subjective HRQOL.

Methods

The study included 100 chronic liver disease patients (50 received SCT, and 50 received supportive medical treatment (SMT)). Both groups completed a modified SF-36 v2 form before therapy and at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals. Fifty healthy Egyptian volunteers were enrolled in the study and completed the SF-36 v2 form once.

Results

Both SCT and SMT groups showed significantly lower pretherapy SF 36 v2 scores compared with healthy volunteers. In SCT-treated patients, limited complications were encountered (SF-36 v2 scores showed significant improvement in all domains throughout the follow-up period) compared with the deterioration shown by SMT patients after therapy. A significant association was detected between SF-36 v2 scores and laboratory data in SCT patients during the first month after therapy. The grade of ascites improved during the follow-up in SCT compared with SMT patients. The mean survival time was 277.56 days (95% CI, 246.217 to 308.903) for SMT and 359.300 days (95% CI, 353.022 to 365.578) for SCT patients (log rank, 0.00). Stem cell-treated patients showed no malignancies.

Conclusions

SCT positively affects health-related quality of life in cirrhosis patients. The survival rate was significantly improved after SCT.
Differences in the prescribing of medication for physical disorders in individuals withv.without mental illness: meta-analysis
Authors: Mitchell Alex J. , Lord Oliver , Malone Darren
Published: December 2012

Background

There is some concern that patients with mental illness may be in receipt of inferior medical care, including prescribed medication for medical conditions.

Aims

We aimed to quantify possible differences in the prescription of medication for medical conditions in those with v. without mental illness.

Method

Systematic review and random effects meta-analysis with a minimum of three independent studies to warrant pooling by drug class.

Results

We found 61 comparative analyses (from 23 publications) relating to the prescription of 12 classes of medication for cardiovascular health, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis and HIV in a total sample of 1931 509 people, in those with severe mental illness the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for an equitable prescription was 0.74 (95% CI 0.63-0.86), with lower than expected prescriptions for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ACE/ ARBs), beta-blockers and statins. People with affective disorder had an odds ratio of 0.75 (95% CI 0.55-1.02) but this was not significant. Individuals with a history of other (miscellaneous) mental illness had an odds ratio of 0.95 (95% CI 0.92-0.98) of comparable medication with lower receipt of ACE/ARBs but not highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) medication. Results were significant in both adjusted and unadjusted analyses.

Conclusions

Individuals with severe mental illness (including schizophrenia) appear to be prescribed significantly lower quantities of several common medications for medical disorders, largely for cardiovascular indications, although further work is required to clarify to what extent this is because of prescriber intent.
Psychiatry beyond the current paradigm
Authors: Bracken Pat , Thomas Philip , Timimi Sami , Asen Eia , Behr Graham , Beuster Carl , Bhunnoo Seth , Browne Ivor , Chhina Navjyoat , Double Duncan , Downer Simon , Evans Chris , Fernando Suman , Garland Malcolm R. , Hopkins William , Huws Rhodri , Johnson Bob , Martindale Brian , Middleton Hugh , Moldavsky Daniel , Moncrieff Joanna , Mullins Simon , Nelki Julia , Pizzo Matteo , Rodger James , Smyth Marcellino , Summerfield Derek , Wallace Jeremy , Yeomans David
Published: December 2012

A series of editorials in this Journal have argued that psychiatry is in the midst of a crisis. The various solutions proposed would all involve a strengthening of psychiatry's identity as essentially ‘applied neuroscience’. Although not discounting the importance of the brain sciences and psychopharmacology, we argue that psychiatry needs to move beyond the dominance of the current, technological paradigm. This would be more in keeping with the evidence about how positive outcomes are achieved and could also serve to foster more meaningful collaboration with the growing service user movement.
Audit of monitoring of the parameters of metabolic syndrome in patients on clozapine
Authors: Tully John , Sim Christina , Hemani Razi , Munir Malik , Khalil Nasir , Fahy Sabina
Published: December 2012

Aims and Method

High rates of metabolic syndrome exist among patients on clozapine. Monitoring its parameters facilitates interventions which may alleviate negative health consequences. We completed an audit of the monitoring of the parameters of metabolic syndrome in patients on clozapine. The results were compared with the Maudsley Guidelines for monitoring in patients on any antipsychotic medication.

Results

Initial audit showed high overall rates of concordance with guidelines for the frequency of measurement of blood pressure (91.8%), but much lower rates for measuring fasting blood glucose (43.2%) and lipid profile (52.7%), and no record of analysis of waist circumference. This prompted development of a formal protocol for measuring parameters. Repeat audit after 1 year showed marked improvement in rates of measurement.

Clinical implications

Implementation of relatively straightforward measures, such as the introduction of a one-page form on which to record parameters, can lead to a much improved rate of monitoring for metabolic syndrome. This should in turn prompt therapeutic interventions, which are discussed.
Solvothermal synthesis, crystal structure and properties of a novel zinc porphyrin
Authors: Chen Wen-Tong
Published: December 2012

A novel zinc porphyrin, Zn[(tcpp)(thf)2] (1) (tcpp = meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin; thf = tetrahydrofuran), has been prepared via a solvothermal reaction and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The zinc ion coordinates to four nitrogen and two oxygen atoms. The substance crystallizes orthorhombically in the space group Cmca with a = 30.8367(6), b = 8.7099(5), c = 15.3526(2) Å, V = 4123.5(3) Å3, C56H44N4O10Zn, Z = 4, Mr
= 998.34, Dc
= 1.608 g/cm3, S = 0.991, μ(MoKα
) = 0.673 mm–1, F(000) = 2072, R = 0.0555 and wR = 0.1338. Photoluminescent investigation shows that complex 1 exhibits an emission in the blue region. The spectral data of FT–IR were also reported.
A Study on the Influence of Na2SO4 on the Solubility of CO2 in Aqueous Solutions of (N,N-dimethylmethanamide)
Authors: Jödecke Michael , Pérez-Salado Kamps Alvaro , Maurer Gerd
Published: December 2012

The influence of sodium sulphate on the solubility of carbon dioxide in aqueous solutions of N,N-dimethylmethanamide {= N,N-dimethylformamide, (CH3)2N-C(H)O, DMF} was investigated experimentally at three temperatures (314 K, 354 K, and 395 K). The solvent was an aqueous solution of DMF (mole fraction of DMF in the salt-free solution ≈ 0.05) and sodium sulphate (molality ≈ 0.6 mol·(kgH2O)−1). The maximum pressure of the new experimental gas solubility data reaches nearly 10 MPa. A thermodynamic model that combines two models for the solubility of CO2 (in aqueous solutions of Na2SO4 on one side and in aqueous solutions of DMF on the other side) is used to predict the influence of Na2SO4 on the solubility of CO2 in aqueous solutions of DMF. The new experimental data are compared with such predictions and with calculations from an extension of that model where a single ternary parameter for interactions between the three solutes (i.e., CO2, Na2SO4, and DMF) is adjusted to improve the representation of the experimental data.
Anodic Electrocatalytic Coatings for Electrolytic Chlorine Production: A Review
Authors: Chen Ruiyong , Trieu Vinh , Schley Bernd , Natter Harald , Kintrup Jürgen , Bulan Andreas , Weber Rainer , Hempelmann Rolf
Published: December 2012

Industrial chlor-alkali electrolysis represents one of the most energy- and resource-intensive technological applications of electrocatalysis. Improving process efficiency becomes a critical issue for the sustainable development and for alleviating the energy and environmental crisis. Rational design in the morphology of RuO2-based anodic electrocatalytic coatings and the control in the coating microstructure can contribute to massive energy saving compared to the current commercial Ru0.3Ti0.7O2coating. This review covers recent developments in the anodic coatings. Performance enhancement for RuO2-based anodic coatings is achieved by using alternative preparation routes of sol-gel and electrodeposition. The target control in the coating surface morphologies and the increase in the utilization of active Ru species are demonstrated.
Photocatalytic decolourisation of RhB and photocorrosion of BiFeO3
Authors: Hengky Chang , Dunn Steve
Published: December 2012

BiFeO3 nanopowders with a size distribution around 20nm and optical absorption onset at 2eV have been synthesized using self-combustion. These particles were used to photodecolourise RhB under AM1.5 irradiation. XPS showed changes to the oxidation state of the Fe cations. Under AM 1.5 illumination at pH 2 RhB showed >95% decolourisation after 10minutes.
Studying the Adsorption of Polymers and Biomolecules on Surfaces Using Enhanced Sampling Methods
Authors: Allen Michael P. , Swetnam Adam D
Published: December 2012

We discuss how to use Wang-Landau simulations in an efficient manner to investigate the statistical mechanics of individual lattice polymers and peptides adsorbed at a planar surface. For nearest neighbor interactions, we show that a single Wang-Landau simulation, recording the density of states as a function of numbers of internal contacts and of surface beads, is sufficient to give a full description of the phase behavior of both adsorbed and desorbed states of single molecules. It is not necessary to introduce a second confining wall. Moreover, moves are never rejected due to overlap with the surface.

The proposed “wall-free” method has already been applied to homo-polymers and hetero-polymers (lattice peptides using the HP model) on a uniform surface, and on regularly patterned surfaces. We give here a specific example to indicate how the relative adsorption strengths of a given peptide on different surfaces may be calculated.
A COMPARISON OF SENSORY INTEGRATIVE AND BEHAVIORAL THERAPIES AS TREATMENT FOR PEDIATRIC FEEDING DISORDERS
Authors: Addison Laura R , Piazza Cathleen C , Patel Meeta R , Bachmeyer Melanie H , Rivas Kristi M , Milnes Suzanne M , Oddo Jackie
Published: December 2012

We compared the effects of escape extinction (EE) plus noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) with sensory integration therapy as treatment for the feeding problems of 2 children. Results indicated that EE plus NCR was more effective in increasing acceptance, decreasing inappropriate behavior, and increasing amount consumed relative to sensory integration for both children. The results are discussed in terms of the challenges of evaluating sensory‐integration‐based treatments, and the reasons why component analyses of multicomponent treatments like sensory integration are important.
OBSERVATIONAL EFFECTS ON THE PREFERENCES OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Authors: Leaf Justin B , Oppenheim‐Leaf Misty L , Leaf Ronald , Courtemanche Andrea B , Taubman Mitchell , McEachin John , Sheldon Jan B , Sherman James A
Published: December 2012

Children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may play with limited objects or toys, making it difficult for teachers to identify reinforcers to use in teaching new skills. The goal of this study was to alter children's preferences from highly preferred toys to toys that were originally less preferred using an observational pairing procedure. Child participants observed a preferred adult playing with toys that were initially less preferred by the child. This intervention resulted in a shift in preference toward the item manipulated by the adult. Maintenance of the changed preference was idiosyncratic across participants. Results suggest a procedure for expanding the range of items that students with ASD will select.
A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF BRIEF RULES, A TIMER, AND PREFERRED TOYS ON SELF‐CONTROL
Authors: Newquist Matthew H , Dozier Claudia L , Neidert Pamela L
Published: December 2012

Some children make impulsive choices (i.e., choose a small but immediate reinforcer over a large but delayed reinforcer). Previous research has shown that delay fading, providing an alternative activity during the delay, teaching participants to repeat a rule during the delay, combining delay fading with an alternative activity, and combining delay fading with a countdown timer are effective for increasing self‐control (i.e., choosing the large but delayed reinforcer over the small but immediate reinforcer). The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of various interventions in the absence of delay fading (i.e., providing brief rules, providing a countdown timer during the delay, or providing preferred toys during the delay) on self‐control. Results suggested that providing brief rules or a countdown timer during the delay was ineffective for enhancing self‐control. However, providing preferred toys during the delay effectively enhanced self‐control.
THE EFFECTS OF FIXED‐TIME REINFORCEMENT SCHEDULES ON FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE CLASSES: A TRANSLATIONAL STUDY
Authors: Heinicke Megan R , Carr James E , LeBlanc Linda A
Published: December 2012

Research on functional response classes has applied significance because less severe forms of problem behavior have been found to co‐occur with more severe forms. In addition, the most severe forms of problem behavior are sometimes targeted for intervention without monitoring other less severe forms. In such cases, it is unknown whether and how untreated forms of problem behavior covary with the targeted behaviors. The present study employed a translational procedure (with button presses as the target behavior) to investigate response covariation under noncontingent reinforcement with typically developing preschoolers. The results indicated that noncontingent reinforcement was generally effective in decreasing all response class members when only one member was targeted.
THE EFFECTS OF THE QUESTION “WHAT IS THIS?” ON TACT‐TRAINING OUTCOMES OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Authors: Marchese Nancy V , Carr James E , LeBlanc Linda A , Rosati Tiffany C , Conroy Samantha A
Published: December 2012

Tact training is a common element of many habilitative programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. A commonly recommended practice is to include a supplemental question (e.g., “What is this?”) during training trials for tacts of objects. However, the supplemental question is not a defining feature of the tact relation, and prior research suggests that its inclusion might sometimes impede tact acquisition. The present study compared tact training with and without the supplemental question in terms of acquisition and maintenance. Two of 4 children with autism acquired tacts more efficiently in the object‐only condition; the remaining 2 children acquired tacts more efficiently in the object + question condition. During maintenance tests in the absence of the supplemental question, all participants emitted tacts at end‐of‐training levels across conditions with no differential effect observed between training conditions.
THE EFFECTS OF MATCHED STIMULATION AND RESPONSE INTERRUPTION AND REDIRECTION ON VOCAL STEREOTYPY
Authors: Love Jessica J , Miguel Caio F , Fernand Jonathan K , LaBrie Jillian K
Published: December 2012

Stereotypy has been classified as repetitive behavior that does not serve any apparent function. Two procedures that have been found to reduce rates of vocal stereotypy effectively are response interruption and redirection (RIRD) and noncontingent access to matched stimulation (MS). The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of RIRD alone, MS alone, and MS combined with RIRD. One participant's results suggested similar suppressive effects on vocal stereotypy across treatment conditions. For the second participant, a slightly greater suppression of stereotypy was associated with MS + RIRD. In addition, both participants emitted a greater frequency of appropriate vocalizations in conditions with RIRD. Data suggest that the addition of MS might facilitate the implementation of RIRD in applied settings.
THE INFLUENCE OF MOTIVATING OPERATIONS ON GENERALIZATION PROBES OF SPECIFIC MANDS BY CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Authors: Fragale Christina L , O'Reilly Mark F , Aguilar Jeannie , Pierce Nigel , Lang Russell , Sigafoos Jeff , Lancioni Giulio
Published: December 2012

We investigated the influence of motivating operations on the generalization of newly taught mands across settings and communication partners for 3 children with autism. Two conditions were implemented prior to generalization probes. In the first condition, participants were given access to a preferred item until they rejected the item (i.e., abolishing operation). In the second condition, the item was not available to participants prior to generalization probes (i.e., establishing operation). The effects of these conditions on the generalization of newly taught mands were evaluated in a multielement design. Results indicated differentiated responding during generalization probes in which more manding with the target mand was observed following the presession no‐access condition than in the presession access condition. These results support the consideration of motivating operations when assessing generalization of target mands to various untrained contexts.
A COMPARISON OF GENERAL AND DESCRIPTIVE PRAISE IN TEACHING INTRAVERBAL BEHAVIOR TO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Authors: Polick Amy S , Carr James E , Hanney Nicole M
Published: December 2012

Descriptive praise has been recommended widely as an important teaching tactic for children with autism, despite the absence of published supporting evidence. We compared the effects of descriptive and general praise on the acquisition and maintenance of intraverbal skills with 2 children with autism. The results showed slight advantages of descriptive praise in teaching efficiency in the majority of comparisons; however, these effects dissipated over time.
EARLY RESPONSE DISTRIBUTION AND OUTCOMES OF RESPONSE‐RESTRICTION ANALYSES
Authors: Peterson Sean P , Petursdottir Anna Ingeborg , Kirk Claire L
Published: December 2012

We examined whether the results of a response‐restriction analysis (RRA) could be predicted on the basis of response distribution in early sessions, when these sessions indicated interaction with multiple items. Four preschool‐aged children participated. For 3 of the 4 participants, the results from sessions conducted prior to restriction of the first item corresponded closely with results of the full RRA.
CREATING AN IPHONE APPLICATION FOR COLLECTING CONTINUOUS ABC DATA
Authors: Whiting Seth W , Dixon Mark R
Published: December 2012

This paper provides an overview and task analysis for creating a continuous ABC data‐collection application using Xcode on a Mac computer. Behavior analysts can program an ABC data collection system, complete with a customized list of target clients, antecedents, behaviors, and consequences to be recorded, and have the data automatically sent to an e‐mail account after observations have concluded. Further suggestions are provided to customize the ABC data‐ collection system for individual preferences and clinical needs.
Impact of carbon to nitrogen ratio on nitrogen removal at a low oxygen concentration in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor
Authors: Tan Chong , Ma Fang , Qiu Shan
Published: December 2012

A sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) filled with polyurethane (PU) was operated in low dissolved oxygen (DO) (0.1–0.9 mg/L) at three different carbon to nitrogen ratios (C/N ratios) (C/N = 1.8:1, 5.0:1 and 10.5:1) with focus on reactor performance and microbial community composition of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. Meanwhile, the ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, pH and dissolved oxygen were analyzed to monitor the process of nitrification-denitrification. The reactor had a steady ammonium removal in spite of a large variation in the initial ammonium loading (the ammonium removal efficiency was 87.2% at C/N 1.8:1, 92.9% at C/N 5.0:1, 88.4% at C/N 10.5:1). However, the total nitrogen (TN) removal was strongly affected by the initial organic loading (the TN removal efficiency was 55.2% at C/N 1.8:1, 74.3% at C/N 5.0:1, 79.0% at C/N 10.5:1). It was indicated that higher organic load promoted denitrification. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time qPCR) analysis shown that Beta-proteobacteria occupied over 35% numerically. As for the Nitrosomonas sp., Nitrosospira sp. and Nitrospira sp. gene copy numbers, their abundance was generally in the order of magnitude of 1010. The Nitrosospira sp. fluctuated significantly in the range of 3.1–9.8% at different C/N ratios, while the Nitrosomonas sp. just changed a little.
Genome-scale metabolic modeling to provide insight into the production of storage compounds during feast–famine cycles of activated sludge
Authors: Tajparast Mohammad , Frigon Dominic
Published: December 2012

Studying storage metabolism during feast–famine cycles of activated sludge treatment systems provides profound insight in terms of both operational issues (e.g., foaming and bulking) and process optimization for the production of value added by-products (e.g., bioplastics). We examined the storage metabolism (including poly-β-hydroxybutyrate [PHB], glycogen, and triacylglycerols [TAGs]) during feast–famine cycles using two genome-scale metabolic models: Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 (iMT1174) and Escherichia coli K-12 (iAF1260) for growth on glucose, acetate, and succinate. The goal was to develop the proper objective function (OF) for the prediction of the main storage compound produced in activated sludge for given feast–famine cycle conditions. For the flux balance analysis, combinations of three OFs were tested. For all of them, the main OF was to maximize growth rates. Two additional sub-OFs were used: (1) minimization of biochemical fluxes, and (2) minimization of metabolic adjustments (MoMA) between the feast and famine periods. All (sub-)OFs predicted identical substrate–storage associations for the feast–famine growth of the above-mentioned metabolic models on a given substrate when glucose and acetate were set as sole carbon sources (i.e., glucose–glycogen and acetate–PHB), in agreement with experimental observations. However, in the case of succinate as substrate, the predictions depended on the network structure of the metabolic models such that the E. coli model predicted glycogen accumulation and the R. jostii model predicted PHB accumulation. While the accumulation of both PHB and glycogen was observed experimentally, PHB showed higher dynamics during an activated sludge feast–famine growth cycle with succinate as substrate. These results suggest that new modeling insights between metabolic predictions and population ecology will be necessary to properly predict metabolisms likely to emerge within the niches of activated sludge communities. Nonetheless, we believe that the development of this approach will help guide the optimization of the production of storage compounds as valuable by-products of wastewater treatment.
Microbial community analysis involved in the aerobic/extended-idle process performing biological phosphorus removal
Authors: Zeng Tian-jing , Yang Guo-jing , Wang Dong-bo , Li Xiao-ming , Zheng Wei , Yang Qi , Zeng Guang-ming
Published: December 2012

Recently, it has been found that biological phosphorus removal can be achieved in an aerobic/extended-idle (AEI) process using both glucose and acetate as the sole substrate. However, the microbial consortiums involved in glucose-fed and acetate-fed systems have not yet been characterized. Thus the aims of this paper were to investigate the diversities and dynamics of bacterial communities during the acclimation period, and to quantify polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs) in the systems. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the microbial communities were mainly composed of phylum Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chlorobi and another six kinds of unclassified bacteria. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis revealed that PAOs and GAOs accounted for 43 ± 7 and 16 ± 3% of all bacteria in the glucose-fed system, and 19 ± 4 and 35 ± 5% of total bacteria in the acetate-fed system, respectively. The results showed that the conventional PAOs could thrive in the AEI process, and a defined anaerobic zone was not necessarily required for putative PAOs growth.
Photocatalytic removal of Escherichia coli from aquatic solutions using synthesized ZnO nanoparticles: a kinetic study
Authors: Alikhani Mohammad-Yousef , Lee Seung-Mok , Yang Jae-Kyu , Shirzad-Siboni Mehdi , Peeri-Dogaheh Hadi , Khorasani Masoud-Seyedin , Nooshak Mohammad-Ali , Samarghandi Mohammad-Reza
Published: December 2012

Development of effective and low-cost disinfection technology is needed to address the problems caused by an outbreak of harmful microorganisms. In this work, an effective photocatalytic removal of Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli from aqueous solution was reported by using ZnO nanoparticles under UV light irradiation. The effect of various parameters such as solution pH, ZnO dosage, contact time and initial E. coli concentration were investigated. Maximum photocatalytic disinfection was observed at neutral pH because of the reduced photocatalytic activity of ZnO at low and high pH values originated from either acidic/photochemical corrosion of the catalyst and/or surface passivation with Zn(OH)2. As the ZnO dosage increased, the photocatalytic disappearance of E. coli was continuously enhanced, but was gradually decreased above 2 g/L of ZnO due to the increased blockage of the incident UV light used. The optimum ZnO dosage was determined as 1 g/L. Photocatalytic removal of E. coli decreased as initial E. coli concentration increased. Three kinetic models (zero-, first- and second-order equations) were used to correlate the experimental data and to determine the kinetic parameters.
Numerical modeling of nitrogen removal processes in biofilters with simultaneous nitritation and anammox
Authors: Shi Shun , Tao Wendong
Published: December 2012

This study developed a simple numerical model for nitrogen removal in biofilters, which was designed to enhance simultaneous nitritation and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox). It is the first attempt to simulate anammox together with two-step nitrification in natural treatment systems, which may have different kinetic parameters and temperature effects from conventional bioreactors. Prediction accuracy was improved by adjusting kinetic coefficients over the startup period of the biofilters. The maximum rates of nitritation and nitrite oxidation increased linearly over time during the startup period. Simulations confirmed successful enhancement of simultaneous nitritation and anammox (SNA) in the biofilters, with anammox contributing 35% of ammonium removal. Effluent ammonium concentration was affected by influent ammonium concentration and the maximum nitritation rate, and was insensitive to the maximum nitrite oxidation rate and anammox substrate factor. Ammonium removal via SNA was likely limited by biomass of aerobic ammonia oxidizing bacteria in the biofilters. The developed model is a promising tool for studying the dynamics of nitrogen removal processes including SNA in natural treatment systems.
Heterogeneous Fenton-like degradation of an azo dye reactive brilliant orange by the combination of activated carbon–FeOOH catalyst and H2O2
Authors: Wu Jinhua , Lin Guanghui , Li Ping , Yin Weizhao , Wang Xiangde , Yang Bo
Published: December 2012

The decoloration of an azo dye reactive brilliant orange (X-GN) by a heterogeneous Fenton system using activated carbon–FeOOH catalyst (AC–FeOOH) and H2O2 was studied. Under typical conditions (pH 7.0, H2O2 10 mmol/L, AC–FeOOH 1.0 g/L and 30 °C), 98% decoloration rate of X-GN was achieved in 240 min. The decoloration efficiency of X-GN increased with higher H2O2 dosage, higher AC–FeOOH dosage and higher reaction temperature. Though the catalytic reaction was an acid driven process, a sufficient decoloration performance was still obtained in neutral and alkaline conditions. Kinetic studies suggested that the decoloration of X-GN followed a pseudo-first order reaction and the activation energy was 17.2 kJ/mol. Iron leaching from AC–FeOOH occurred during the reaction, but the decoloration efficiency of X-GN was still higher than 80% after four runs. The AC–FeOOH has a good stability and can be reused. Besides, the generation of massive iron-containing sludge can be avoided after reaction as the remaining ferric ions in the solution were less than 1 mg/L in this combined H2O2 and AC–FeOOH process.
Sustainable management of a coupled groundwater–agriculture hydrosystem using multi-criteria simulation based optimisation
Authors: Grundmann Jens , Schütze Niels , Lennartz Franz
Published: December 2012

In this paper we present a new simulation-based integrated water management tool for sustainable water resources management in arid coastal environments. This tool delivers optimised groundwater withdrawal scenarios considering saltwater intrusion as a result of agricultural and municipal water abstraction. It also yields a substantially improved water use efficiency of irrigated agriculture. To allow for a robust and fast operation we unified process modelling with artificial intelligence tools and evolutionary optimisation techniques. The aquifer behaviour is represented using an artificial neural network (ANN) which emulates a numerical density-dependent groundwater flow model. The impact of agriculture is represented by stochastic crop water production functions (SCWPF). Simulation-based optimisation techniques together with the SCWPF and ANN deliver optimal groundwater abstraction and cropping patterns. To address contradicting objectives, e.g. profit-oriented agriculture vs. sustainable abstraction scenarios, we performed multi-objective optimisations using a multi-criteria optimisation algorithm.
Effect of sludge retention time on membrane bio-fouling using different type and pore size of membranes in a submerged membrane bioreactor
Authors: Dizge Nadir , Koseoglu-Imer Derya Y. , Karagunduz Ahmet , Keskinler Bulent
Published: December 2012

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of sludge retention time (SRT) on membrane bio-fouling. An activated sludge reactor was operated at three different SRTs (10, 30, and 50 days). Submerged membrane experiments were performed when the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentration reached the steady state conditions. MLSS concentrations reached the steady state at 3,109 ± 194, 6,209 ± 123 and 6,609 ± 280 mg/L for SRTs of 10, 30 and 50 days, respectively. The total soluble microbial products (SMP) were 20.1 ± 3.7, 16.2 ± 7.2 and 28.2 ± 8.4 mg/L at SRTs of 10, 30, and 50 days, respectively. The carbohydrate concentration in the supernatant was about two times more for SRT of 10 days than that for 50 days. The total amount of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extracted from the flocs were approximately 74.9 ± 11.9, 67.8 ± 15.0 and 67.5 ± 17.4 mg/g MLSS at three SRTs (10, 30, and 50 days) under the same organic loading rate. The viscosity of the biomass increased with the increasing SRT. The results of flux stepping tests showed that the membrane fouling at SRT 10 days was always higher than that of 30 and 50 days. Four different microfiltration membranes (cellulose acetate, polyethersulfone, mixed ester, and polycarbonate) with three different pore sizes (0.45, 0.22, 0.10 μm) were tested. Filtration resistances were determined for each membrane. Cake resistance was observed to be the most significant fouling mechanism for all membranes.
Partial matchings and pattern avoidance
Authors: Mansour Toufik , Shattuck Mark
Published: December 2012

A partition of a finite set all of whose blocks have size one or two is
called a partial matching. Here, we enumerate classes of partial matchings
characterized by the avoidance of a single pattern, specializing a natural
notion of partition containment that has been introduced by Sagan. Let vn(?)
denote the number of partial matchings of size n which avoid the pattern ?.
Among our results, we show that the generating function for the numbers vn(?)
is always rational for a certain infinite family of patterns ?. We also
provide some general explicit formulas for vn(?) in terms of vn(p), where p
is a pattern contained in ?. Finally, we find, with two exceptions, explicit
formulas and/or generating functions for the number of partial matchings
avoiding any pattern of length at most five.
Der soziale Tod
Authors: Kuljic Todor
Published: December 2012

Der folgende Text geh?rt zur kritischen Thanatologie. In allen
bekannten Kulturen wurden Normen f?r den guten und den schlechten Tod von der
herrschenden normativen Thanatologien aufgestellt und Kontrollmechanismen
installiert. Pr?mortales und postmortales soziales Sterben ist eine Art der
Exklusion der Anderen und wird unter?schiedlich bestimmt: als damnatio
memoriae, atlantische Sklaventum, Randst?ndigkeit, Isolation oder als
Rollenverlust. Das soziale Tod hat einen Klassenaspekt, als den ganzen
Klassen Ged?chtnis entnommen wurde. Hier werden nur einige Arten und
Beispilen des sozialen Mord kritisch er?rtert: damnatio memoriae, politische
Mord und Sklaventum. Es handelt sich um die institutionelle Verarbeitung und
Kodierung von Sterben und Tod durch Staat, Religion und Politik. In der
Geschichte sind verschieden V?lkern und Klasssen einem intensiveren sozialen
Sterbeprozess und der sozialen T?tung unterworfen. Mit Identit?tszerst?rung
der Beherrschten ist das soziale mit dem physischen Sterben harmonischer zu
verbinden. Es ist auch auf die Differenz zwischen sozialen und politischen
T?tung hingewiesen. Am Ende sind einige Aspekte der heutigen geheimen T?tung
erw?hnt.
La volonté générale comme une fiction théorico-politique: Rousseau et le concept de la souveraineté
Authors: Milenkovic Ivan
Published: December 2012

Dans ce texte l?auteur examine les rapports entre les concepts du
contrat social, de la souverainet? et de la volont? g?n?rale chez
Jean-Jacques Rousseau. D?un c?t? ils sont dans les intrins?ques relations
mutuelles. De l?autre ce n?est que le concept de la souverainet? qui evite
les implications metaphisiques et le statut de la fiction th?orico-politique
dans l?oeuvre de Rousseau. La volont? g?n?rale, au contraire, reste en ?tat
de la fiction th?orico-politique ? cause de la pressuposition rousseau?nne
sur l?unit? du corps politique qui, donc, ne doit ?tre dommager par
l?existences des fractions et des parties en dedans. ? savoir, Rousseau ne
pouvais pas renonc? de la communaut? comme un ensemble organique, il ne
pouvait pas donner l?avantage d?une partie ? l?egard du tout, car il n?avait
pas, ? l?epoque, les instrum?ments conceptuels adequats.
Was hat Kant Rousseau zu verdanken?
Authors: Cvejic Igor
Published: December 2012

Zwei Philosophen, denen Kant am meisten zu verdanken hat, wie man mit dem
Recht nimmt, sind Hume und Rousseau. W?hrend man ?ber den Hume?s Einfluss
einfach und eindeutig antworten kann, ist es mit dem Rousseau?s Einfluss
viel mehr kompliziert. Der Haupteinfluss auf Kant hat Rousseau in der Ethik
und auf der Ansicht der Menschen gemacht, deshalb es einen Anfangspunkt ist,
durch welchem die Antwort auf diese Frage gesucht wird. Nach dieser Analyse
wird eine einfache und eindeutige Antwort zu geben versucht, die ?hnlich wie
diese, die man auf dem Hume?s Einfluss geben kann, ist: welchen Einfluss hat
Rousseau auf dem ganzen Kritische System gemacht.
Rousseau and Marx: Convergence or divergence?
Authors: Losonc Alpar
Published: December 2012

Rousseau and Marx represent two paradigmatic variants of a radical opposition
to the world. Without a doubt, there are significant moments of convergence
between these thinkers, for instance in terms of division of labour, or in
respect to the self-commandment. However, it is our contention that despite
certain currents in literature, the tendencies of divergence are stronger
than convergence, therefore, we argue that these thinkers signify two
different variants of radical thought. We base these differences in a reading
of Rousseau that focuses on collective authenticity, justice,
self-presentation of people and protest against envy. Marx cannot be read
from the perspective of the intensified crisis of non-authenticity, in fact,
his critique of political economy generates a reflexive field (overcoming of
the wage labour, etc.), which is deeply divergent compared to Rousseau.
The concept of music evolution in Herbert Spencer’s and Charles Darwin’s theories
Authors: Petrov Ana
Published: December 2012

This paper deals with the discourses on music in Herbert Spencer?s and
Charles Darwin?s theories of evolution. Even though both Spencer and Darwin
construed music as a carrier of the expression of affects and a part of a
ubiquitous evolutional process towards ever increasing progress of culture,
these authors? discourses differed from each other in the understanding of
the origin and function of music. Darwin considered music as being one of the
(natural) means of making a selection during the process of evolution of the
humans as a biological species. Notwithstanding certain similarities to
Darwin, Spencer (as well as his followers) discussed music as a part of a
socio-cultural evolution, which entailed an approach to music as a historical
and cultural phenomenon. I will here elaborate the position of the discourses
on music in Spencer?s and Darwin?s general theories of evolution, point out
to the relevant aspects of the concept of music evolution and mention the
influence that these theories had on the 19th-century official discourses on
music.
The sociological investigation of the audience of the Opera of the National theater in Belgrade
Authors: Hadzibulic Sabina
Published: December 2012

The Opera of the National Theater in Belgrade was founded in 1920, but it is
well known that opera performances were held long before its official
opening. Despite the fact that this is the sole opera house in Belgrade (and
one of the only two in Serbia), as well as the fact that it did not face any
strong audience fluctuation, it is unusual that no one ever tried to
investigate and profile its audience. During the last decades we were
witnessing the popularization of the opera via various medias, as well as
development and extention of the music industry, which surely changed its
social status. The aim of the investigation that is going to be presented is
to discover if this social life of opera changed its audience and does it
still consists of - according to stereotypes - elderly, high educated
individuals of certain professions and high material standards, i.e. at which
level the opera is present in the private and public sphere of their lives.
Some problems of evolutionary epistemology: Hayek’s view on evolution of market
Authors: Krstic Milos
Published: December 2012

This paper aims to present Hayek?s view of cultural evolution as an important
contribution to contemporary evolutionary epistemology. However, despite the
importance of Hayek?s theory of cultural evolution, the tension between his
concept of rational liberalism and evolutionary epistemology will be pointe
out. This tension limits Hayek?s understanding of cultural evolution. Hayek?s
conception of rational liberalism emphasizes the values of individual freedom
and benefits of the market system. The term evolutionary epistemology
includes the economic phenomena that occur without the participation of
consciousness, on the one hand, and activities with the element of
purposefulness and intelligibility, on the other.
Bergson and the virtuality of memory
Authors: Losonc Mark
Published: December 2012

This paper deals with the notion of virtual memory in Bergson?s philosophy,
with special regard to the question of the independence of memory and the
complex intertwining of spiritual recollections with perception. Attention is
devoted to the Bergsonian analysis of the actualization of virtual contents.
The author also confronts the Bergsonian notion of unconscious with that of
Freud?s. It seems that the notion of virtual memory is relevant not only from
a psychological or an epistemological perspective, but it has also some
consequences with regard to practical philosophy. An excursus is devoted to
the Deleuzien interpretation of virtuality. At the end of the paper the
author discusses the immanent tensions within the Bergsonian concept of
virtual memory from the aspect of temporal verticality, the impossible
localization of virtuality and freedom.
Birth weight and metabolic risk in women of different nutrition levels
Authors: Milosevic Mirjana , Srdic Biljana , Stokic Edita , Rastovic Marina , Pavlica Tatjana , Matic Radenko
Published: December 2012

Introduction: Nowadays, obesity is one of the most important health problems
in both developed and developing countries. Recent studies have shown a
significant association of obesity and its complications with birth weight.
The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of birth weight on the
occurrence of metabolic disorders in normal weight and obese women. Material
and Methods: The study group included 134 females of average age 41.71?11.56
years. In these women the relationship between birth weight and
anthropometric and biochemical parameters, as well as with blood pressure
values was analyzed. Results: Our results show that women with higher birth
weight had higher values of the anthropometric indicators of fat mass and
distribution (such as body mass index, total fat mass, waist circumference
and hip circumference), as well as higher values of high density
lipoprotein-cholesterol. In contrast, the values of systolic and diastolic
blood pressure and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were lower in women
with higher birth weight. The analysis of metabolic profile in women of
different nutritional status indicates that normal weight women with
metabolic syndrome had a lower birth weight when compared with normal weight
women without metabolic risk (3.15 vs. 3.40 kg, p>0.05). Conclusion: Higher
birth weight is related with higher fat mass, while lower birth weight is
related with metabolic disturbances. Birth weight seemed to be determinant of
metabolic risk in normal weight women.
Diabetic ketoacidosis in children with newly detected type 1 diabetes in Montenegro from 1999 to 2008
Authors: Samardzic Mira , Terzic Natasa , Popovic Milena
Published: December 2012

Introduction. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of diabetic
ketoacidosis during the period of 10 years (1999-2008) among children
diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in Montenegro. Material and Methods. A
retrospective population-based incidence study was performed. The study
participants were selected from two independent sources: the diabetes
register and hospital records. The following parameters were measured before
the first insulin injection: plasma glucose, blood gas analysis,
electrolytes, creatinine, insulin, c-peptide, and HbA1c. Diabetic
ketoacidosis was defined as pH <7.3 and severe diabetic ketoacidosis as pH
<7.1. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows (version 17).
Results. During the study period, 208 children <15 years of age (107 boys and
101 girls) were found to have newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. The age- and
sex-standardized incidence rate was 15.8/100,000 children/yr. Of these, 51
(24.5%) presented with diabetic ketoacidosis at the time of diagnosis and 8
(3.8%) had a severe form, and no one died. In children <5 years the
prevalence was 30.4%. We found no statistically important correlation between
diabetic ketoacidosis incidence, pH value and the age of children (p>0.05).
There was also no significant difference in diabetic ketoacidosis incidence
between the boys and girls (p>0.05). Conclusion. The frequency of diabetic
ketoacidosis in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes in Montenegro
is still high with a trend to decrease in the last ten years. In particular,
children under 5 years of age are at a high risk of developing diabetic
ketoacidosis at the onset.
Extrapyramidal syndromes caused by antipsychotics
Authors: Poznic-Jesic Milana , Jesic Aleksandar , Babovic-Filipovic Jasmina , Zivanovic Olga
Published: December 2012

Introduction. Extrapyramidal syndromes are significant side effects of
antipsychotic therapy due to their severity, frequent occurrence and
complications. This paper gives a brief summary of the literature with the
emphasis on epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, as
well as the treatment of extrapyramidal disorders induced by antipsychotics.
Dystonia. Sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive
movements or abnormal postures. It may appear either as an acute or delayed,
i.e. tardive sign. The incidence of dystonia is 2-3% among the patients
treated with antipsychotics, and 50% among the ones cured with conventional
antipsychotics. Akathisia. The main feature of this curious adverse effect is
the psychomotor restlessness and the inability to remain motionless. Although
akathisia is not very frequent, its incidence and prevalence ranges from 5 to
50% among the treated patients. It is most probably a result of the blockage
of dopaminergic receptors. Parkinsonism. The most frequent secondary
Parkinsonism is the one caused by drugs. The characteristic parkinsonian
signs regress 4 to 16 weeks after the discontinuation of antipsychotic
therapy. In the era of atypical antipsychotics this adverse effect appears
less frequently. Tardive dyskinesia. Involuntary choreatic movements may
appear days and months after the introduction of continuous use of
antipsychotics. The individual susceptibility may play the major role in the
development of this side effect. Conclusion. Numerous studies have compared
conventional and atypical antipsychotics as well as atypical ones with one
another in order to decrease the risk of development of extrapyramical side
effects as well as to prevent their occurrence and improve their treatment.
Mucinous cystadenofiobroma of the ovary
Authors: Boskovic Tamara , Djolai Matilda , Ilic Jelena , Zivojinov Mirjana , Mocko-Kacanski Mihaela , Milic Miljan
Published: December 2012

Introduction. Cystadenofibromas are tumors of the ovary which originate from
the surface coelomic epithelium. Benign mucinous cystadenofibroma is a very
rare form of these tumors, which consists of dominant stromal component of
the connective tissue and one or more cysts. Case report. The case of a
62-year-old female with tumor of right ovary is reported in this paper.
Histologically, tumor of the ovary had multilocular cystic formation, lined
by a single-layer of mucoproductive cylindrical epithelium - endocervical
type. In one area of tumor, the stromal component was abundant and made from
partially hyalinised dense connective tissue. Mucinous cystadenofibroma was
diagnosed on the basis of histological examination. Since the mucinous type
of cystadenofibroma or adenofibroma is rare, this case has been chosen to be
presented. Conclusion. Mucinous cystadenofibromas are differentially-
diagnostically very similar to different malignant tumors and it is extremely
important to make correct diagnosis of these neoplasms.