bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biogenic Iron Compounds for Hazardous Metal Remediation
Authors: Castro Laura , Blázquez M. Luisa , González Felisa , Muñoz Jesús Angel , Ballester Antonio
Published: August 2017

Biogenic minerals possess particular characteristics, such as high specific surface area and high reactivity, which lead to interesting properties useful in different fields (adsorbents, catalysts, oxidants or reductants). The treatment of effluents charged with heavy metals is attracting growing interest because of environmental and sanitary problems. The anaerobic bioreduction of soluble Fe(III) compounds by a natural consortium from an abandoned mine originates an iron containing precipitate. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the adsorption capacity of the biogenic compounds to treat diluted solutions containing arsenate, chromate and zinc after characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis.
Microbial Production of Schwertmannite: Development from Microbial Fundamentals to Marketable Products
Authors: Reichel Susan , Janneck Eberhard , Burghardt Diana , Peiffer Stefan , Kießig Gunter , Koch Thomas , Arnold Ingolf , Laubrich Jan
Published: August 2017

Pumped groundwater in the lignite open-cast mines in Lusatia, Germany, contains a high level of ferrous iron (up to 1000 mg/L) at an initial pH of about 5. In recent R&D projects G.E.O.S. developed an innovative water treatment process for ferrous iron oxidation using the autochthonous microbial consortium in the mine water. The pilot plant is operated in the Nochten open-pit mine in cooperation with the LEAG and produces 5 – 10 t of schwertmannite per year. Extensive research work was carried out in parallel to utilize the produced schwertmannite. Pigment production proved to be technically feasible but difficult due to economic and market constraints.
However, the high affinity of schwertmannite to oxy-anions provides the suitability for utilization as adsorbent to remove arsenate, antimonate, chromate, molybdate, vanadate or phosphate from mine water or industrial effluents. In the R&D project SURFTRAPII two kinds of filter-stable sorption materials were developed 1) by compacting schwertmannite or 2) by adhesive curing using an organic polymer, respectively. The produced filter-stable adsorbents were tested under technical conditions in cooperation with potential end users to remove arsenate, molybdate and phosphate from mine and industrial water and to concentrate valuable metals. The results showed a better performance of the material compared to other commercially available iron hydroxide adsorbents.
Recycling of Florescent Phosphor Powder Y2O3:Eu by Leaching Experiments
Authors: Auerbach Romy , Bokelmann Katrin , Ratering Stefan , Stauber Rudolf , Schnell Sylvia , Zimmermann Jörg
Published: August 2017

Due to the advancing development of new technologies and consumer goods the future demand for raw materials will rise significantly. The finite primary raw materials will not be able to meet the demand quickly enough or the prices for the extraction will rise enormously. In consequence, a recycling of process waste and end of life products will be in future an essential step in order to meet the demand. Y2O3:Eu fluorescent phosphor was identified as the main composition in phosphor waste fractions and was chemical leached and bioleached with A. ferrooxidans. A selective leaching towards Y in bioleaching batches was observed and already after four days 100 % could be leached. The bioleaching with the bacteria showed no significant differences in comparison to the abiotic control without microorganism. Initial Fe3+ in the medium was identified as the driving force and lower extraction efficiencies of the biotic batches were attributed to a biosorption process and to high pH-values. This work showed that the extraction of yttrium out of waste products with high Y2O3:Eu content by chemical leaching with Fe-addition under mild conditions offers a good perspective to support the material demand of Y in the future growing market. In comparison to bioleaching of other fluorescent phosphors and waste fractions leaching efficiencies up to 100% were achieved and it was identified that the microorganisms can positively influence the leaching effect. Furthermore, it became obvious that the leaching behavior of microorganisms was highly dependent on the sample material. As relevant parameters mainly the structural composition of the phosphor was identified.
Analysis of Microbial Communities Associated with Bioremediation Systems for Thiocyanate-Laden Mine Water Effluents
Authors: Huddy Robert J. , Kadzinga Fadzai , Rahman Sumayah F. , Kantor Rose , Banfield Jillian F. , Harrison Susan T.L.
Published: August 2017

During the processing of refractory gold ores, cyanide (CN-) and residual sulphur species react to form an effluent stream containing thiocyanate (SCN-) and residual CN-. The release of SCN- and CN- containing effluent water to the environment is prohibited, necessitating effective treatment prior to discharge and/or reuse of contaminated plant water. Biologically mediated effluent remediation processes have been developed for commercial use, to remediate SCN- containing effluents, with the aim of enabling recycling of process water and improving the quality of effluent water prior to disposal. Bioremediation processes to treat these effluents rely on a complex consortium of microorganisms to metabolise the SCN- resulting in the production of ammonium that is in turn removed by conversion to nitrite and subsequent denitrification. Increasingly, genomic methods are being used to investigate processes in wastewater treatment to identify key microbial species and, thereby, inform the rationale design and operation of these bioremediation systems. The microbial ecology of laboratory-based SCN- degrading bioprocesses have been investigated, using genome resolved metagenomics, to provide detailed information on the community composition and metabolic profile of abundant microbial community members. Our on-going research is focused on developing a greater understanding of the heterotrophic and autotrophic populations of microorganisms within the SCN- degrading community as well as the role of the component members in SCN- destruction. We are interested in the formation of microbial biofilm and the spatial distribution of key microorganisms within the resulting biofilm communities. This information is being used to inform further rational development of SCN- degradation processes for treatment of contaminated wastewater effluents.
pH and Soil Additive-Depending Uptake of Various Metals and Metalloids by Helianthus tuberosus from a Uranium Containing Test Field Site
Authors: Jablonski Lukasz , Willscher Sabine , Wittig Juliane , Kuehn Denise
Published: August 2017

In the recent decades phytoremediation became an emerging technology for the stabilization and rehabilitation of slightly to medium heavy metal contaminated sites, as well of mining sites. In previous own studies the general suitability of Helianthus tuberosus under slightly acidic soil pH and increased heavy metal (HM) concentrations was successfully tested. Phytoremediation was here investigated as a suitable remediation method for the stabilization of a U mining site near Ronneburg in Thuringia/ Germany. In the experiments presented here, the uptake of heavy metals/ radionuclides (HM/R) of H. tuberosus from test field substrate with different soil additives and mineral fertilizers under variation of soil pH was tested in pot and real field experiments. Compost was added in different masses (40 – 120 t/ha), and CaO was added in several experiments. The test field soil without additives (pH 4.65) was applied as control experiment. Good growth yields for tubers and shoot biomass were achieved for the addition of compost and CaO, but also for N-fertilization. The highest metal concentrations were achieved at the test field site for Al with 2.1 g/kg in roots at an N-fertilized soil of pH 4.6, furthermore 2.4 g/kg Fe, 0.66 g/kg Mn, 0.9 mg/kg U, and 1.9 g/kg Mn in shoots (transfer factor 2.8). Good metal transfer factors were also achieved for Zn, Cd and Co. As a conclusion from these results, H. tuberosus is suited as a plant for phytostabilization and phytoextraction at such a site and for the subsequent winning of bioenergy. It was growing successful under the rough soil and climatic conditions at this test field site.
Biodegradation of Thiocyanate and Cyanide in CIL Leaching Waste’s Liquid Phase
Authors: Belyi Aleksandr , Teleutov Anatoliy , Revenko Aleksandr , Solopova Natalia , Sekachev Vladimir , Malashonok Aleksandr , Krasilnikov Grigoriy
Published: August 2017

The ability of neutrophilic bacterium association to destruct thiocyanates and cyanides was found when working with oxidation of elemental and sulphide sulfur in biocake [1]. It was used for microorganisms association selection, which will oxidize thiocyanates and cyanides in liquid CIL tails of Olimpiada gold recovery plant. Originally selection occurred in laboratory reactors in periodical and later in continuous operation with thiocyanate content of 400-500 ml/l. Molasses in concentration of 0,5 g/l used as a source of carbons. After thiocyanates and cyanides stable oxidation in laboratory conditions the process was transferred to larger reactors (capacity of 2,2 m3). As a result of the research, rhodanides concentration reached 1800 mg/l. During the research rhodanides concentration was reduced from 1800 mg/l to 0,02 mg/l and cyanides concentration was reduced from 20 mg/l to 0,01 mg/l. Oxidation took 24 hours. Microbiological researches with application of molecular genetic analysis have shown that in the selected thiocyanate destructive association prevail the following strains: Pseudomonasaeruginosa, Stenotrophomonasmaltophilia and Enterobacter.
Biooxidation of a Refractory Gold Ore: Implications of Whole-Ore Heap Biooxidation
Authors: Chen Bo Wei , Sun Jian Zhi , Shang He , Wu Biao , Wen Jian Kang
Published: August 2017

The Sawayardun Gold Mine, the first Muruntau type gold mine in China, was located in the south Tianshan Mountain, Xinjiang Province. The gold reserve was 127 t with an average gold grade of 2.36 g/t. Due to the high content of arsenic and antimony, the traditional flotation-roasting-cyanidation process was not suitable. The direct cyanidation gold extraction for the raw ore was 44.70 %. Thus, biooxidation experiments in shaker flasks were conducted for this ore. The optimum conditions were obtained as inoculation volume 10 %, initial pH 1.7, pulp density 15 %, temperature 33 °C, leaching time 10 days, with the arsenic oxidation rate of 75.12 %. Then the biooxidation residues were test for gold leaching using NaCN, green gold leaching agent and thiourea. After 24 h leaching rate at pulp density of 33%, gold leaching agent dosage of 2 kg/t ore, the gold extraction for NaCN, green gold leaching agent and thiourea were 91.50 %, 86.23 % and 91.09 %, respectively. The high gold extraction showed a bright future for the whole-ore heap biooxidation of this refractory gold ore.
Genomic Characterization of the Arsenic-Tolerant Actinobacterium, Rhodococcus erythropolis S43
Authors: Retamal-Morales Gerardo , Mehnert Marika , Schwabe Rïngo , Tischler Dirk , Schlömann Michael , Levicán Gloria J.
Published: August 2017

Rhodococcus erythropolis S43 is an actinobacterium isolated from an arsenic-contaminated soil sample, collected from an old smelter site, including an arsenic smelter, in Germany. This strain has unique features as compared to the other members of the species, namely resistance to elevated concentrations of arsenic. Here, we present the microbiological features and genomic properties of this biotechnologically relevant strain. The 6,812,940 bp draft genome is arranged into 264 scaffolds of 848 contigs. It possesses 62.5% of CG content and comprises 6,040 coding sequences and 49 tRNA genes. Bioinformatic genome analysis showed the presence of arsenic-resistance genes. A complete ars operon was found containing the arsACDR cluster coding for ArsA (efflux pump ATPase), ArsC (arsenate reductase), ArsD (chaperone) and ArsR (ars operon regulator). Our results show that the arsC mRNA level significantly increased in response to arsenite and arsenate exposure, suggesting its involvement in the arsenic resistance phenotype of strain S43. In addition, this strain showed to have a plethora of genes coding for proteins involved in oxidative-stress response, including catalase, super-oxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase-related genes, thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase, suggesting it is highly tolerant to oxidative conditions. Finally, genes for radiation resistance, biodesulfurization, and oil and phenol degrading pathways were also detected. Altogether this data make R. erythropolis S43 a good candidate microorganism for bioremediation of highly contaminated environments and other industrial applications.
Manganese Removal from Metal Refinery Wastewater Using Mn(II)-Oxidizing Bacteria
Authors: Kitjanukit Santisak , Takamatsu Kyohei , Takeda Kenji , Asano Satoshi , Okibe Naoko
Published: August 2017

There is a growing interest in the use of Mn (II)-oxidizing bacteria to treat Mn-containing metal refinery wastewaters instead of using conventional chemical approaches since the former could reduce the cost of alkaline agents and oxidants to remove Mn (II) as Mn oxides at alkaline pH. The Mn level was found naturally dropped in the industrial metal refinery wastewater treatment system, where the formation of Mn-enriched sludge was apparent. This observation motived us to investigate the possible involvement of microbially mediated reactions. From the sludge sample, Pseudomonas sp. strain SK3 was successfully isolated and tested for its Mn (II)-oxidation characteristics. Strain SK3 completely removed 100 ppm Mn (II) within 42 hours as birnessite ((Na,Ca,K)0.6(MnIV, MnIII)2O4·1.5H2O) under optimized conditions. Copper ions were found to be an important factor in promoting Mn (II) oxidation. Changes in the Mn (IV)/Mn (III) ratio during bacterial Mn (II)-oxidation indicated the involvement of 2-step one-electron transfer reactions in the formation of biogenic birnessite with Mn (III) as intermediate. Characteristics of strain SK3 were compared with those of a well-known Mn (II)-oxidizing bacterium, Pseudomonas putida strain MnB1. Strain SK3 displayed more robust Mn (II) oxidation capabilities under several severe conditions, showing its ideal characteristics for use in the industrial water treatment process.
Microbially Catalysed Selenate Removal in an Inverse Fluidised Bed Reactor
Authors: Cheng Ka Yu , Ginige Maneesha P. , Kaksonen Anna H.
Published: August 2017

Selenate removal from mine waters is required to mitigate human and environmental health impacts. In this study, the performance of an inverse fluidised bed reactor (IFBR) for the biological removal of selenate from synthetic mine water (pH 6.0-7.0) was evaluated. A laboratory-scale IFBR was set up with floating biomass carriers. Selenate reducers were enriched from environmental samples and anaerobic sludge. The synthetic medium contained ~10 mM (~1.4 g L-1) selenate, nutrients and 10 mM ethanol as electron donor. During stable performance the bioreactor achieved 94 % removal of selenate representing a removal rate of 251 mg L-1 d-1 at a hydraulic retention time of 5 d. Selenite concentration remained < 1 mg L-1 during stable performance, and the formation of a red precipitate indicated that selenate was reduced to elemental selenium. The biological selenate reduction generated alkalinity, increasing the wastewater pH from 6.0 to 8.6. The redox potential gradually approached a value ranging from -300 mV to -400 mV against standard hydrogen electrode. Overall, the results showed that the IFBR can be used for removing selenate and acidity from mine waters. Moreover, it has potential to facilitate recovery of elemental selenium. Therefore, the bioprocess provides an opportunity to reduce the costs and liabilities associated with selenium containing mine drainage and the associated environmental impacts.
Adsorption of Chromium (VI) and Desorption as Chromium (III) from the Aqueous Chromium (VI) Solution Using Persimmon Gel
Authors: Tsuruta Takehiko , Hatano Tomonobu
Published: August 2017

Adsorption of Cr(VI) and desorption of the Cr that was adsorbed using persimmon gel was examined. Most of the Cr(VI) was adsorbed at a pH value of 2, and a part of that was reduced to Cr(III) in the solution using persimmon gel, which has many polyhydroxyphenyl groups. A small amount of Cr was desorbed using some acidic or alkaline reagents at 30 °C. However, all of the Cr adsorbed using persimmon gel was desorbed at reflux temperature as Cr(III) using 1M HCl. Cycles of Cr(VI) adsorption and desorption as Cr(III) cycles were repeated 9 times. The adsorption of Cr was quantitatively repeated until 8 times and desorption of Cr was almost quantitatively repeated until 9 times.
Attachment of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Bioleaching of Chalcopyrite under Influence of Organic Substances Associated with Copper Solvent Extraction
Authors: Liu Xiao Rong , Zhang Hao , Yu Hua Long , Zhu Yan Hao
Published: August 2017

Small quantities of organic substances are inevitably entrained and dissolve in the aqueous raffinate during a copper solvent extraction (SX) operation. These organic substances contaminate the bioleaching environment through the loopback of the raffinate. The attachment of cells of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (At. ferrooxidans) to the low grade chalcopyrite ores and the bioleaching of the ores under the influence of solvent extraction organic substances were investigated. The results showed that the cells of At. ferrooxidans were apt to attach on the SX organics-contaminated chalcopyrite ores with an adsorption ratio of about 83%, larger than that of 44% on the uncontaminated ores as a control. However, the bioleaching efficiency decreased from 25% to 15% under the influence of the SX organic substances. Obviously, an improvement of the cells attachment did not improve the bioleaching efficiency of the low grade chalcopyrite ores by At. ferrooxidans in the present of the SX organic substances. The SX organic substances impacted the metabolism of At.ferrooxidans and their bioleaching ability.
Role of Substance P Neuropeptide in Inflammation, Wound Healing, and Tissue Homeostasis
Authors: Suvas Susmit
Published: August 2017

Substance P (SP) is an undecapeptide present in the CNS and the peripheral nervous system. SP released from the peripheral nerves exerts its biological and immunological activity via high-affinity neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R). SP is also produced by immune cells and acts as an autocrine or paracrine fashion to regulate the function of immune cells. In addition to its proinflammatory role, SP and its metabolites in combination with insulin-like growth factor-1 are shown to promote the corneal epithelial wound healing. Recently, we showed an altered ocular surface homeostasis in unmanipulated NK1R−/− mice, suggesting the role of SP-NK1R signaling in ocular surface homeostasis under steady-state. This review summarizes the immunobiology of SP and its effect on immune cells and immunity to microbial infection. In addition, the effect of SP in inflammation, wound healing, and corneal epithelial homeostasis in the eye is discussed.
Mupasi as cosmic s(S)pirit: The universe as a community of life
Authors: Nalwamba Kuzipa M.B.
Published: August 2017

Mupasi recalls the belief that humans form part of the community of life within the realm of the cosmic spirit. The assertion seems like a truism that requires no further enunciation. However, belief in the Creator-Spirit, a pneuma-theological understanding of creation, is relatively young in the Christian tradition. In Colossians 1:15-20, Christ is presented as instrumental to creation. Christian tradition therefore tends to present creation in Christological terms. The foundational belief in Spirit-Creator-God has not historically undergirded Christian belief about creation. The Christian faith could therefore benefit from ‘companion’ views of creation in terms of the cosmic spirit. Mupasi is understood as cosmic spirit, the axis of the universe apprehended as an organic whole. The web of life was brought into being, is sustained by, and inhabited by Mupasi. This retrieval has continuities and discontinuities with Christian belief as Spirit-Creator-God. It is presented here as a notion that calls the Christian faith back to its originating intuitions about creation. Mupasi is appropriated within a pneuma-theological framework that addressed a pressing issue of our time, the global ecological crisis. Mupasi presents an ecological critique that is meaningful for a renewed appreciation of community beyond an anthropocentric focus. The cosmic relatedness brings a renewed vision of the universe as a cosmic community of the s(S)pirit. The cultural and intellectual milieu of Mupasi is undergirded by a relational conception of reality. It provides a critical lens with implications for ecclesiology that challenges the church’s self-understanding and ways of being.
Long open path measurements of greenhouse gases in air using near infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy
Authors: Griffith David W. T. , Pöhler Denis , Schmitt Stefan , Hammer Samuel , Vardag Sanam N. , Platt Ulrich
Published: August 2017

Abstract. In complex and urban environments, atmospheric trace gas composition is highly variable in time and space. Point measurement techniques for trace gases with in situ instruments are well established and accurate, but do not provide spatial averaging to compare against developing high resolution atmospheric models of composition and small scale meteorology with resolutions of the order of a kilometre. Open path measurement techniques provide path average concentrations and spatial averaging which, if sufficiently accurate, may be better suited to assessment and interpretation with such models. Open path Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FTS) in the mid infrared region, and Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) in the UV and visible, have been used for many years for open path spectroscopic measurements of selected species in both clean air and in polluted environments. Compared to the mid infrared, near infrared instrumentation allows measurements over longer paths than mid IR FTS, for species such as greenhouse gases which are not easily accessible to DOAS. In this pilot study we present the first open path near infrared (4000–10 000 cm−1, 1.0–2.5 μm) FTS measurements of CO2, CH4, O2, H2O and HDO over a 1.5 km path in urban Heidelberg, Germany. We describe the construction of the open path FTS system, the analysis of the collected spectra, precision and accuracy of the measurements, and the results from a four-month trial measurement period in July–November 2014. The open path measurements are compared to calibrated in situ measurements made at one end of the open path. There are small but significant differences between in situ and open path measurements coincident in time which reflect local sources and sinks and the way in which they are sampled by the point and path-averaged measurements. Open path FTS may provide a valuable new tool for investigations of atmospheric trace gas composition in complex, small scale environments such as cities.
Epistemic uncertainties and natural hazard risk assessment. 1. A review of different natural hazard areas
Authors: Beven Keith J. , Almeida Susana , Aspinall Willy P. , Bates Paul D. , Blazkova Sarka , Borgomeo Edoardo , Goda Katsu , Hall Jim W. , Phillips Jeremy C. , Simpson Michael , Smith Paul J. , Stephenson David B. , Wagener Thorsten , Watson Matt , Wilkins Kate L.
Published: August 2017

Abstract. This paper discusses how epistemic uncertainties are considered in a number of different natural hazard areas including floods, landslides and debris flows, dam safety, droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic ash clouds and pyroclastic flows, and wind storms. In each case it is common practice to treat most uncertainties in the form of aleatory probability distributions but this may lead to an underestimation of the resulting uncertainties in assessing the hazard, consequences and risk. It is suggested that such analyses might be usefully extended by looking at different scenarios of assumptions about sources of epistemic uncertainty, with a view to reducing the element of surprise in future hazard occurrences. Since every analysis is necessarily conditional on the assumptions made about the nature of sources of epistemic uncertainty it is also important to follow the guidelines for good practice suggested in the companion Part 2.
Potential Impact of Landslide and Debris Flow on Climate Extreme –
A Case Study of Xindian Watershed in Taiwan
Authors: Wei Shih-Chao , Shih Hung-Ju , Li Hsin-Chi , Liu Ko-Fei
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Sedimentary produced and transported in mountainous area under extreme rainfall by climate change is a challenged issue in recent years, especially in a watershed scale. The scenario approach with coupled simulation by different models could be one of a solution for further discussion under warming climate. With properly model selection, the simulation of projected rainfall, landslide, and debris flow are integrated by fully connection between models. Moreover, a case in Xindian watershed upstream the capital of Taiwan is chose for studying, and two extreme scenarios in late 20th and late 21st century are selected for comparison on changing climate. With sequent simulation, the chain process and compounded disaster can be considered in our analysis. The potential effects of landslides and debris flows are compared between current and future, and the likely impact in selected watershed are discussed under climate extreme. Result shows the unstable sediment volume would enlarge 29 % in terms of projected extreme event. The river bed may have strong variation by serious debris flow and increase about 10 % elevation in main channel. These findings also highlight the increasing risk in stable water supply, isolated village effect, and other secondary disaster in this watershed. A practical reference could be provided by some critical information in our result for long-term adapted strategies.
Planning spatial sampling of the soil from an uncertain reconnaissance variogram
Authors: Lark R. Murray , Hamilton Elliott M. , Kaninga Belinda , Maseka Kakoma K. , Mutondo Moola , Sakala Godfrey M. , Watts Michael J.
Published: August 2017

Abstract. An estimated variogram of a soil property can be used to support a rational choice of sampling intensity for geostatistical mapping. However, it is known that estimated variograms are subject to uncertainty. In this paper we address two practical questions. First, how can we make a decision on sampling intensity which is robust, given the uncertainty in the variogram? Second, what are the costs incurred in terms of oversampling because of uncertainty in the variogram model used to plan sampling? To achieve this we show how samples of the posterior distribution of variogram parameters, from a computational Bayesian analysis, can be used to characterize the effects of variogram parameter uncertainty on sampling decisions. We show how one can select a sample intensity so that a target value of the kriging variance is not exceeded with some specified probability. This will lead to oversampling, relative to the sampling intensity that would be specified if there were no uncertainty in the variogram parameters. One can estimate the magnitude of this oversampling by treating the tolerable grid spacing for the final sample as a random variable, given the target kriging variance and the posterior sample values. We illustrate these concepts with some data on total uranium content in a relatively sparse sample of soil from agricultural land near mine tailings in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia.
How much should we believe correlations between Arctic cyclones and sea ice extent?
Authors: Rae Jamie G. L. , Todd Alexander D. , Blockley Edward W. , Ridley Jeff K.
Published: August 2017

Abstract. This paper presents an analysis of Arctic summer cyclones in a climate model and in a reanalysis dataset. A cyclone identification and tracking algorithm is run for output from model simulations at two resolutions, and for the reanalysis, using two different tracking variables (mean sea-level pressure and 850 hPa vorticity) for identification of the cyclones. Correlations between characteristics of the cyclones and September Arctic sea ice extent are investigated, and the influence of the tracking variable, the spatial resolution of the model, and spatial and temporal sampling, on the correlations is explored. We conclude that the correlations obtained depend on all of these factors, and that care should be taken when interpreting the results of such analyses, especially when the focus is on one reanalysis, or output from one model, analysed with a single tracking variable for a short time period.
A Network Model for Characterizing Brine Channels in Sea Ice
Authors: Lieblappen Ross M. , Kumar Deip D. , Pauls Scott D. , Obbard Rachel W.
Published: August 2017

Abstract. The brine network in sea ice is a complex labyrinth whose precise microstructure is critical in governing the movement of brine and gas between the ocean and the sea ice surface. Recent advances in three-dimensional imaging using x-ray micro-computed tomography have enabled the visualization and quantification of the brine network morphology and variability. Using imaging of first-year sea ice samples at in-situ temperatures, we create a new mathematical network model to characterize the topology and connectivity of the brine channels. This model provides a statistical framework where we can characterize the pore networks via two parameters, depth and temperature, for use in dynamical sea ice models. Our approach advances the quantification of brine connectivity in sea ice, which can help investigations of bulk physical properties, such as fluid permeability, that are key in both global and regional sea ice models.
Atomic Layer Deposited Al2O3 Film on Si 100 as Buffer Layer for
HfxTi1-xO2 Deposition
Authors: Kueltzo A.L. , Tao Q. , Singh M. , Jursich G. , Takoudis C.G.
Published: August 2017

Ultra-thin films of Al2O3 were deposited on Si(100) by atomic layer
deposition (ALD) using tris(diethylamino)aluminium (TDEAA) with water vapor
as the oxidizer. It is planned to deposit nano-laminated composite films of
HfxTi1-xO2 on top of this ultra-thin Al2O3 buffer layer using
tetrakis(diethylamino)titanium (TDEAT) and tetrakis(diethylamino)hafnium
(TDEAH). The introduction of the Al2O3 buffer layer will improve the
interfacial quality and help to retain amorphous structure of
HfxTi1-xO2/Al2O3/Si. Discussion of the addition of the new precursor, TDEAA,
to the existing ALD system is discussed along with the optimization of
process parameters for ALD of Al2O3 films. An Al2O3 film growth rate of 1
cycle was achieved in the ALD temperature window of 200-275o C.
The Design and Preparation of a Model Spectrin Protein: βII-Spectrin
L2079P
Authors: Palmer N. , Antoniou A. , Fung L.W.M.
Published: August 2017

Spectrin isoforms are cytoskeletal proteins that give stability to
cells. Site directed mutagenesis was used to replace residue 2079 in brain
spectrin βII from leucine to proline, the corresponding amino acid in red
blood cell spectrin βI. We have shown previously that, in spectrin βI, the
region downstream of the proline residue is unstructured, whereas the
corresponding region in spectrin βII (downstream of a leucine residue)
appears to be helical. This structural difference has been suggested to be
responsible for binding specific proteins to each β-spectrin isoform, with
G5 only to βI-spectrin and F11 only to βII-spectrin. Thus, it is possible
that the mutation from leucine to proline in βII-spectrin may lead to a
conformational change in βII, from helical to unstructured. In this study, a
recombinant protein consisting of a fragment of II-spectrin, with L2079P
mutation, has been designed and prepared.
General Purpose Silicon Trigger Board for the CMS Pixel Read Out
Chips
Authors: Stachura E. , Gerber C.E. , Horisberger R.
Published: August 2017

A semester research project was completed at Eidgenössiche Technische
Hochschule Zürich (ETH Zürich) and the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) in the
spring of 2010. A new kind of trigger based on silicon pixel sensors was
developed for the commissioning of the current Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS)
pixel detector. Prior to this trigger there was no silicon sensor based
trigger that used the same technology as the pixel detector. The current
trigger systems involve cumbersome photomultiplier tubes and Nuclear
Instrument Module (NIM) crates to process the signals. To improve on these
trigger systems it was thought to develop a trigger using pixel technology
in the form of a printed circuit board that assimilates the signal
processing circuitry. The board worked well, although there were limitations
(e.g. crosstalk occurred so copper shielding was needed). A second
generation trigger board currently exists. It fixes many of the problems
encountered with the first board.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Characterization of 20% Yttria
doped Cerium on Silicon
Authors: Saber M. , Rossero J.I. , Takoudis C.G.
Published: August 2017

Bare silicon and 20% yttria stabilized ceria on a silicon substrate are
annealed. The annealed substrates are analyzed at varying temperatures using
electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The impedance data is fitted against
appropriate equivalent circuits and the fitted data is characterized with an
Arrhenius plot and a plot of the ionic conductivity against temperature. The
20% YDC sample is found to have a high ionic conductivity, and therefore
should be studied further in order to determine the practicality of using
YDC as an electrolyte.
Combined Heat & Power's Role in Modern Grid System
Authors: Jiang J.
Published: August 2017

The 21st century needs a modern grid to meet increasingly higher
standards in grid efficiency, reliability, security, power quality and
environmental impact. Conventional coal-fired power plants, as the major
electricity power house, are being phased out due to more stringent
environmental regulations. However the electricity demand still persists.
Combined heat and power (CHP) as a decentralized power generation system can
support the transition and formation of the modern grid because of its high
efficiency, enhanced system resiliency, improved power quality, reduced cost
and carbon emissions, and its fast response complimentary to intermittent
renewable energy. A case study was incorporated to demonstrate CHP's
indispensable role in a modern grid configuration.
Flow Batteries - Storing Energy on the Grid
Authors: Gattu V.K.
Published: August 2017

The demand for electricity produced from renewable sources, such as wind
and solar has considerably increased in the past decade, largely owing to
the need for clean energy with no environmental impact and carbon
sequestration. The energy generated from intermittent sources: wind and
solar is dependent upon various climatic and geographical conditions, serves
as the driving force for storing energy on grid in suitable energy packing
systems to be utilized at peak hours. Consequently, the capacity to store
vast amounts of energy is rising. Flow batteries have gained significant
importance during the recent years owing to the performance and ability to
store vast amounts of energy. This paper reviews popular types of flow
batteries, current trends, and future measures to optimize the performance
for long-term durability of these flow based energy storage
devices.
Lithium-Sulfur Battery: Chemistry, Challenges, Cost, and Future
Authors: Patel K.
Published: August 2017

Lithium sulfur (Li-S) battery has higher theoretical and experimental
specific energy. There- fore, Li-S battery is the most capable energy
storage option for electrical vehicles and power grid. However, it has life
cycle issue to prevent its usage in electrical vehicles. Li-S battery need
to im- prove life cycle issue in order to work with current battery
applications. Li-S battery has complex chemistry and process to discharge
and charge Li-S cell. The cost and manufacturing process of Li-S batteries
will be one of the biggest challenge for commercial transformation from
research and development stage. The Oxis Energy is developing Li-S battery
for past 10 years and they have goal price US$250/kWh by 2020 with high
volumes and more cheaper compare to lithium-ion battery.
Combined Heat and Power: CHP Present and Future
Authors: Patel M.
Published: August 2017

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is an ecient way to generate electricity
and heat by utilizing the waste heat from the electric generator in place of
heat from a separate boiler. Currently, most electricity is purchased from a
central utility company that generates power at 35% eciency; the balance of
fuel input energy is lost as heat. With CHP some of the electricity is
generated onsite and the waste heat from the generator (water jacket and
exhaust) is used for space and water heating and other industrial processes
that require heat. This reduces the fuel requirements to the boiler which
also reduces emissions of Green House Gases (GHG) and other pollutants.
Overall CHP eciencies can make upwards to 85%. CHP is also known as
Buildings Cooling, Heating and Power (BCHP), CHP for buildings (CHPB),
Integrated Energy Systems (IES), Total Energy System (TES), Tri-generation
(Trigen) and Cogeneration. CHP is best fit where there is demand for heat
(or cooling load) and electricity is simultaneous e.g. hospitals, the hotel
industry, educational institutes. Exhaust heat can be applied to support
cooling loads with absorption chillers.
Leo J. Postman: Master Experimentalist
Authors: Nairne James S. , Coverdale Michelle E.
Published: August 2017

Leo J. Postman was an internationally recognized experimental psychologist whose work after World War II helped frame the modern empirical study of perception, memory, and other psychological processes. Postman was important to The American Journal of Psychology, serving as a frequent contributor, and the journal remained important to him throughout his career; in fact, he ended his research career as its co-editor. In this article, we briefly review some of his contributions to the journal and try to identify the consistent themes that defined his work. His views and his choice of topics tracked the significant theoretical issues of his time and remain a model of theoretical and empirical rigor.
Breaking Into the Mind: George A. Miller’s Early Work in the American Journal of Psychology
Authors: Raymond William D. , Healy Alice F.
Published: August 2017

Reviewed here are the 9 scholarly articles written by George A. Miller for The American Journal of Psychology (AJP), all dated from 1944 to 1958. These articles include studies on discrimination, temporal judgments, auditory patterns, operant conditioning, animal behavior, verbal recall, and language structure. There are empirical and theoretical investigations and investigations combining both experiments and theory. Despite their breadth and the variety of subjects and procedures, all of the Miller studies in AJP can be viewed as following with behaviorist traditions rather than dealing with more complex cognition. During this time Miller’s view of psychology was changing; these studies, with their inventive methods, can also be seen as initial attempts to break into the mind, or to uncover and understand cognitive processes, in a way that had been discouraged by behaviorist traditions. The studies all also point to the need to consider the immediate contexts and long-term histories of the observer’s experiences, which implicate the broader statistical learning mechanism that is now considered to underlie human learning. The AJP articles reviewed here foreshadow the wide-ranging and profound influence Miller had on psychology and related fields of study. Miller has been described as a founder or pioneer of a number of fields, including psycholinguistics, mathematical psychology, applied psychology, cognitive science, and computational approaches to linguistic analysis. Because of his huge impact on so many areas and his eagerness to communicate psychology’s importance to others, Miller can be considered an ambassador of psychology to a wider audience.
Interference Effects, Age, and the Spacing Benefit
Authors: MacLean Ashleigh C. , Bell Matthew C. , Simone Patricia M.
Published: August 2017

Improving memory is a high priority for many. One strategy that reliably improves long-term memory is spacing of learning. Using a within-subject cued recall task, we compared recall of 50 weakly associated word pairs in older (55–89 years) and younger (18–22 years) adults across 3 different spaced trials with constant temporal gaps but of varying types of interference (related, unrelated, none). Two control conditions were also included (massed- and single-presentation word pairs). We measured recall performance after a brief delay. During training, recall was lowest for the words in the related interference condition with the remaining groups statistically equal, and younger adults showed better overall performance compared with older adults. At test, both groups showed comparable spacing benefits (with no performance differences between interference conditions), and older adults’ performance equaled that of younger adults. It appears that delay, and not type of interference during the delay, was critical to the spacing benefit.
The Appraisal Similarity Effect: How Social Appraisals Influence Liking
Authors: Ng Jomel W. X. , Tong Eddie M. W. , Kwek Sher Ling
Published: August 2017

The effects of appraisals on interpersonal relationships have rarely been studied. Three experiments examined how empathic social appraisal could influence liking. We tested for the appraisal similarity effect in which perceived similarity in appraisals boosts liking. In Experiment 1, perception of appraisal similarity led participants to express liking by disclosing personal contact information. This effect was replicated with a self-report measure of liking in Experiments 2 and 3. By independently manipulating attitude similarity, the appraisal similarity effect was deactivated under perceived attitude dissimilarity. Likewise, the robust attitude similarity effect was invalidated under perceived appraisal dissimilarity. In Experiment 3, perception of validated personal beliefs mediated the appraisal similarity effect, and this mediation effect was deactivated under perceived attitude dissimilarity in a moderated mediation scenario.
A Study of the Factors Affecting the Choice of Investment Portfolio by Individual Investors in Singapore
Authors: Seetharaman A. , Niranjan Indu , Patwa Nitin , Kejriwal Amit
Published: August 2017

Singapore being an island economy and a financial hub with residents from diverse backgrounds, huge ethnic diversity, coming from different part of the world. This study aims to gain insights and information into the factors that affect investment planners, financial advisers and individuals need to consider improving their choice of the portfolio and its performance. People’s investment decisions and hence their portfolio, which hitherto has not been tested. Furthermore, it intends to identify the factors that drive investors to choose one investment over another and determine how they make their investment portfolios. The survey was modelled using the smart-pls statistical package (PLS-SEM), which is partial least squares structural equation modelling.
Pension Accounting Treatment: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Arize Augustine C. , Kallianiotis Ioannis N. , Malindretos John , Stabile Denise , Tsanacas Demetri
Published: August 2017

In December of I 985 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87 in an attempt to overcome some of the shortfalls of earlier standards for pension accounting under FAS No. 36 and APB Opinion No. 8. (Note 1)
The Effect of “Physical Education and Sport Culture” Course on the Attitudes of Preservice Classroom Teachers towards Physical Education and Sports
Authors: Koc Yakup
Published: August 2017

The study aims to investigate the effect of “Physical Education and Sport Culture” (PESC) course on the attitudes of preservice classroom teachers towards physical education and sports. The one group pre-test post-test design among experimental models which is included in quantitative research designs was employed in the study. The study was conducted on a total of 90 sophomores (66 female and 24 male) taking PESC course offered in Erzincan University Faculty of Education Classroom Teaching Program during the fall term in 2016-2017 academic year. The “Physical Education and Sports Scale” was used to measure attitudes of students towards physical education and sports both at the beginning and end of the term, and the “personal details form” prepared by the researcher was used for data collection purpose. An analysis of pre-test post-test attitude scores of preservice teachers taking PESC course indicated a significant difference between pre-course (
Investigating the medical study of overseas students at Jinan University Medical School
Authors: Zhang Ming-ya , Wang Guang , Cheng Xin , Yang Xuesong
Published: August 2017

A great number of overseas students have studied medicine at Jinan University Medical School over the past decade. Statistics from the past ten years show that these students’ test scores on diagnosis and medicine I & II are lower than those of their classmates from mainland China. To address the underlying causes of this phenomenon, we implemented a series of questionnaires for overseas and mainland Chinese medical students. The results indicate that there are no significant differences between overseas students and mainland Chinese students with regard to their attitude towards the study of medicine, their approval of the teaching and learning environments or their ability to improve their independent study capabilities at Jinan University Medical School; however, overseas students prefer to study at night and sleep later than their mainland Chinese classmates. One outstanding difference between these groups is that overseas students like to arrange their studies based on their interests, regardless of available time and subject contents, and this might lead them to perform poorly on examinations during their academic term at Jinan University Medical School. Overseas students might not have achieved scores as high as their Chinese classmates is that they do not completely focus on the content taught by teachers in class, which would later be assessed by exams at the end of each academic term. This observation is actually part of our medical educational concepts, especially in Chinese medical schools. Attention should be paid by both overseas students and medical schools to this discrepancy.
Physics of Celestial Scale Dumbbells
Authors: Golubovic Leonardo , Knudsen Steven
Published: August 2017

The physics of manmade celestial scale objects, such as Space Elevators connecting the Earth with outer space, has recently attracted increased attention of diverse researchers. In this article we review basic physics of celestial scale dumbbells such as the Analemma Tower suspended from an asteroid orbiting the Earth (Clouds, 2017). Celestial dumbbells involve two large masses (top and bottom) connected by strings. The two masses move geosynchronously with the Earth, with the bottom mass remaining close to the Earth and the top mass moving above the Earth’s geosynchronous satellite orbit. Appealing examples of celestial scale dumbbells are untied Rotating Space Elevators (RSE) (Knudsen & Golubovic, 2015). Physics of untied rotating space elevators. European Physical Journal Plus 130, 243.]. Celestial scale dumbbells exhibit rich and interesting nonlinear dynamics caused by instabilities of dumbbell geosynchronous motion discussed in this review article. We also point out that celestial scale dumbbells are physically feasible (in terms of nowadays available materials strengths) on dwarf planets in the main asteroid belt of the Solar system such as Ceres.