bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field-based evaluation of a novel approach for infecting Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) withPseudomonas syringaepv.tagetis
Authors: Tichich Ryan P. , Doll Jerry D.
Published: August 2006

Canada thistle is resilient to many control tactics, especially in undisturbed sites. Such sites are suitable for slow acting biological control agents, such as the bacteriumPseudomonas syringaepv.tagetis(PST), because complete control is usually not required in the short term. A new method of introducing or intensifying PST infection of Canada thistle was investigated. Sap of naturally infected Canada thistle was extracted and applied in water plus Silwet L-77 organosilicone surfactant with a backpack sprayer to healthy Canada thistle plants in the field. Application variables of time of the season, spray volume, concentration, and frequency were studied. When practical field rates were applied, infected sap concentration and spray volume did not affect the level of disease observed. This suggests that PST applications could be practical at the field scale because a single application caused apical chlorosis. However, multiple applications proved beneficial because four consecutive weekly applications caused greater disease incidence (50%) than one or two applications (28% and 30%, respectively). Disease symptomology was greatest when PST was applied in mid-July rather than mid-June or mid-August. However, the levels of disease expression were not adequate to effectively suppress Canada thistle. Increased toxin production, either by finding ways to support higher PST populations or by selecting strains that produce more toxin per bacterial cell, would improve this system.
Comparative growth of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) accessions
Authors: Bond Jason A. , Oliver Lawrence R.
Published: August 2006

A 2-yr field study was conducted to compare growth characteristics of 24 Palmer amaranth accessions collected from across the indigenous range of the species in the United States. Variation in growth and development of Palmer amaranth was noted among accessions based on leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), net assimilation rate (NAR), and stem leaf ratio (SLR), but only SLR varied across harvest intervals among accessions. Accessions collected across the range of Palmer amaranth in the United States displayed variation in growth and development based on differences in LAR, SLA, NAR, and SLR. Observed differences among accessions indicate the existence of Palmer amaranth ecotypes.
Identification and characterization of pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunose) ecotypes
Authors: Stephenson Daniel O. , Oliver Lawrence R. , Burgos Nilda R. , Gbur Edward E.
Published: August 2006

Pitted morningglory is an adaptable species with an indigenous range encompassing the southern Midwest and southeast United States. In 2000 through 2002, 64 pitted morningglory accessions from 11 states were grown in Fayetteville, AR, to compare their morphology in a common environment to document potential morphological variation and to determine whether variation proves the existence of pitted morningglory morphological ecotypes. Accessions were evaluated for leaf size and vine length 8 wk after emergence (WAE), date of flower initiation, flower color, leaf pubescence 12 WAE, capsule and sepal pubescence, sepal length and width, plant weight, and seed number at physiological maturity. Morphological variables were standardized and analyzed with cluster analysis to differentiate the morphological variation among accessions. Documented variation was best described by eight clusters. Four clusters distinguished themselves morphologically. Accessions within these distinct clusters were originally from Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri and were documented with leaf size, vine length, and day of flower initiation generally increasing with decreasing latitude. The other four clusters were nondistinct because most variables differed very little, but characteristics such as capsule pubescence separated these clusters. Accessions within these nondistinct clusters originated from Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Leaf shapes of arrow, heart, an arrow and heart mixture, and heart with pointed projections and white or purple flower colors were documented. Documented differences indicate the existence of pitted morningglory morphological ecotypes.
Age structure and age-related performance of sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta)
Authors: Perkins Dana L. , Parks Catherine G. , Dwire Kathleen A. , Endress Bryan A. , Johnson Kelsi L.
Published: August 2006

Age distributions of sulfur cinquefoil populations were determined on sites that were historically grazed, cultivated, and mechanically disturbed. From 12 sites, a total of 279 reproductively active plants were collected and aged by using herbchronology (counting rings in the secondary root xylem of the root crown) to (1) estimate the age structure of the populations, (2) relate plant size and flower production to plant age, and (3) examine the relation of population age structure to environmental variables and disturbance history. Results indicated that the mean age for all sampled plants was 3.5 (± 1.74 SD) yr and ranged from 1 to 10 yr. Age was not related to number of flowers, plant size (number of stems per plant or plant height), or site disturbance type but was positively correlated with site elevation (P < 0.001). The pooled age distribution from all 12 sites was right-skewed with fewer old plants than young plants. We conclude that sulfur cinquefoil plants sampled in northeast Oregon are able to colonize, establish, and reproduce at disturbed sites rapidly. We suggest that herbchronology may be a useful technique to improve understanding of invasion biology and ecology for invasive plant species that form annual rings.
Management in a modified no-tillage corn–soybean–wheat rotation influences weed population and community dynamics
Authors: Swanton Clarence J. , Booth Barbara D. , Chandler Kevin , Clements David R. , Shrestha Anil
Published: August 2006

Conservation tillage systems, such as no-tillage, are ecologically advantageous because they reduce soil erosion; however, they rely heavily on herbicide use. Our goal was to determine how weed communities of no-tillage systems are affected when the system is modified to reduce herbicide use through a combination of banded herbicides and interrow cultivation. To this end, we conducted a 9-yr study in a no-tillage corn–soybean–winter wheat rotation. All management systems had a preplant application of glyphosate, followed by either broadcast PRE herbicides (conventional no-tillage), interrow cultivation with banded PRE herbicides, or interrow cultivation alone. Aboveground weed densities were assessed each year and data were grouped into early (1991 to 1993) and late (1996 to 1998) time periods. Over time, weed communities became more distinct, showing a strong response to management and crop. In the early years, weed communities separated more in response to management than crop. In the late years, this was reversed. Weed communities in systems with interrow cultivation were more diverse than those in conventional no-tillage. The response to weed management system and crop was species specific. For example, the abundance of yellow foxtail was higher when interrow cultivation was employed, but abundance was equal in all crops. Dandelion was more abundant in conventional no-tillage of corn and soybean; however, it was equally abundant in all management systems in wheat. Seed bank species richness increased over time and was highest in systems with interrow cultivation. Herbicide use can be reduced in a modified no-tillage corn–soybean–wheat rotation by incorporating interrow cultivation, with or without banded herbicides, into the management plan. The weed community trajectory changes, and the weed community becomes more diverse. A more diverse weed community will not necessarily alter how we manage weeds.
Leaf characteristics and surfactants affect primisulfuron droplet spread in three broadleaf weeds
Authors: Sanyal Debanjan , Bhowmik Prasanta C. , Reddy Krishna N.
Published: August 2006

Laboratory studies were conducted to examine the leaf surface, epicuticular wax content, and spray droplet behavior on common lambsquarters, common purslane, and velvetleaf. Adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy, and leaf wax was extracted and quantified for all three weed species. The spread of 1-μl droplets of distilled water, primisulfuron solution (without surfactant), primisulfuron solution with a nonionic low foam wetter/spreader adjuvant (0.25% v/v), and with an organosilicone wetting agent (0.1% v/v) was determined on the adaxial leaf surfaces of each of the weed species. Glands and trichomes were present on both the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces of velvetleaf. Common purslane had neither glands nor trichomes on either side of the leaf. Common lambsquarters did not have any glands or trichomes, but it had globular bladder hairs on both adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces. Stomata were present on both adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces in all three weed species. Common purslane had a much lower number of stomata per unit area of leaf as compared with velvetleaf or common lambsquarters. Common lambsquarters had the highest epicuticular wax content on the leaf surface (274.5 μg cm−2), followed by common purslane (153.4 μg cm−2) and velvetleaf (7.4 μg cm−2). There were no significant variations in the spread of the 1-μl droplet of distilled water and primisulfuron (without adjuvant) among the species. Spread of primisulfuron droplets with surfactant was highest on the leaf surface of velvetleaf that had the lowest wax content. Droplet spread was greatest with organosilicone surfactant followed by the nonionic surfactant.
Thermal dependence of bioengineered glufosinate tolerance in cotton
Authors: Mahan James R. , Dotray Peter A. , Light Ginger G. , Dawson Kristy R.
Published: August 2006

Tolerance to glufosinate has been bioengineered into cotton through the expression of a gene encoding the enzyme phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT). Studies were conducted to determine thermal limitations on herbicide efficacy in bioengineered cotton. The 50% inhibition (I50) of glufosinate of the target-site enzyme glutamine synthetase was thermally dependent with the lowest values between 25 and 35 C. Larger values of I50were measured above and below the 25 to 35 C range. The apparent Michaelis constant KMof the enzyme PAT was relatively stable from 15 to 30 C and increased more rapidly from 30 to 45 C. The two components in combination suggest the aggregate tolerance to glufosinate would not be thermally limited between 15 and 45 C. The thermal dependence of the aggregate tolerance in cotton suggests that glufosinate would not damage the crop over a range of temperatures. This prediction is in agreement with the results of field studies carried out over a number of years, which showed the glufosinate-tolerant cotton to be undamaged by glufosinate over a wide range of temperatures.
Volunteer potato interference in carrot
Authors: Williams Martin M. , Boydston Rick A.
Published: August 2006

Weed management systems in carrot are limited in part by a lack of fundamental understanding of crop–weed interactions. Irrigated field studies were conducted to quantify the effect of volunteer potato density and duration of interference on carrot yield and to determine relationships among weed density, duration of weed growth, and volunteer potato tuber production. A season-long volunteer potato density of 0.06 plants m−2produced from 150 to 230 g tubers m−2and resulted in an estimated 5% crop yield loss. At two volunteer potato plants m−2, the same level of crop loss was estimated with a duration of interference of 430 growing degree days (GDD), a time at which the weed had already produced 130 g tubers m−2. Volunteer potato height at the time of weed removal predicted carrot yield loss (R2= 0.77) and may be useful for timing of management strategies such as hand weeding. Functional relationships describing carrot–volunteer potato interactions provide simple information that is useful for developing weed management recommendations for carrot, a crop that relies on multiple tactics for managing weeds, and rotational crops that are negatively affected by persistence of volunteer potato.
Economics of integrated weed management in herbicide-resistant canola
Authors: Upadhyay Bharat M. , Smith Elwin G. , Clayton G. W. , Harker K. N. , Blackshaw R. E.
Published: August 2006

Integrated weed management (IWM) decision strategies in herbicide-resistant canola-production systems were assessed for net returns and relative risk. Data from two field experiments conducted during 1998 to 2000 at two locations in Alberta, Canada, were evaluated. A herbicide-based experiment included combinations of herbicide system (glufosinate-, glyphosate-, and imazethapyr-resistant canola varieties), herbicide rate (50 and 100% of recommended dose), and time of weed removal (two-, four-, and six-leaf stages of canola). A seed-based experiment included canola variety (hybrid and open-pollinated), seeding rate (100, 150, and 200 seeds m−2), and time of weed removal (two-, four-, and six-leaf stages of canola). For the herbicide-based experiment, strategies with glyphosate were profitable at Lacombe, but both imazethapyr and glyphosate strategies were profitable at Lethbridge. Weed control at the four-leaf stage was at least as profitable as the two-leaf stage at both sites. For the seed-based experiment, the hybrid was more profitable than the open-pollinated cultivar, seed rates of 100 and 150 seeds m−2were more profitable than 200 seeds m−2, and weed control at the two- and four-leaf stages was more profitable than at the six-leaf stage. When risk of returns and statistical significance was considered, several strategies were included in the risk-efficient set for risk-averse and risk-neutral attitudes at each location. However, the glyphosate-resistant cultivar, the 50% herbicide rate, and weed control at four-leaf stage were more frequent in the risk-efficient IWM strategy set. The open-pollinated cultivar, 200 seeds m−2rate, and weed control at the six-leaf stage were less frequent in the set. The risk-efficient sets of IWM strategies were consistent across a range of canola prices.
Predicting biomass partitioning to root versus shoot in corn and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)
Authors: Bonifas Kimberly D. , Lindquist John L.
Published: August 2006

Knowledge of how plants will partition their new biomass will aid in understanding competition between crops and weeds. This study determined if the amount of biomass partitioned to the root versus the shoot can be predicted from tissue carbon [C] and nitrogen [N] concentrations and the daily gain in C (GC) and N (GN) for each unit shoot and root biomass, respectively. Pots measuring 28 cm diameter and 60 cm deep were embedded in the ground, and each contained one plant of either corn or velvetleaf. Each plant received one of three nitrogen treatments: 0, 1, or 3 g of nitrogen applied as ammonium nitrate in 2001 and 0, 2, or 6 g of nitrogen in 2002. Measurements of total above- and belowground biomass and tissue [C] and [N] were made at 10 different sample dates during the growing season. Fraction of biomass partitioned to roots (Pr) was predicted from [C], [N], GC, and GN. Accurate prediction of the fraction of biomass partitioned to roots versus shoots was evaluated by comparing observed and predicted Pr across all treatments. The coordination model has potential as a reliable tool for predicting plant biomass partitioning. Normalized error values were close to zero for corn in 2001 and 2002 and for velvetleaf in 2001, indicating that biomass partitioning was correctly predicted.
Emergence timing and control of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) in spring wheat
Authors: Hacault Kristin M. , Van Acker Rene C.
Published: August 2006

In the northern region of the northern Great Plains of North America, the relative abundance of dandelion in field crops has increased over the past two decades, and farmers need information to help them to better manage this species and slow its spread. A study was conducted to determine the emergence timing of dandelion from both rootstock and seed, and to investigate the efficacy of preseeding (spring) versus postharvest (autumn) herbicide treatments on dandelion in spring wheat fields. Emergence of dandelion plants from rootstock was very early (mean time to 50% emergence [E50] of 430 growing degree days [GDD] Tbase0 C), while seedling emergence was much later (mean E50of 980 GDD). Dandelion does not have a persistent seed bank, and seedling emergence occurred only after dandelion plants arising from rootstock flowered and shed seed. Herbicide treatments that included glyphosate plus florasulam, glyphosate plus tribenuron, or higher rates of glyphosate alone (≥675 g ae ha−1), provided high levels of dandelion control. Autumn herbicide applications were more effective than spring applications for reducing dandelion infestation levels (both aboveground biomass and density). Autumn herbicide applications came after peak emergence timing for dandelion plants emerging both from rootstock and from seed. Because dandelion is a simple perennial, population spread must be limited by controlling seedlings. Autumn herbicide applications provide control of dandelion seedlings and therefore, should limit dandelion population spread.
Estimating hourly incoming solar radiation from limited meteorological data
Authors: Spokas Kurt , Forcella Frank
Published: August 2006

Two major properties that determine weed seed germination are soil temperature and moisture content. Incident radiation is the primary variable controlling energy input to the soil system and thereby influences both moisture and temperature profiles. However, many agricultural field sites lack proper instrumentation to measure solar radiation directly. To overcome this shortcoming, an empirical model was developed to estimate total incident solar radiation (beam and diffuse) with hourly time steps. Input parameters for the model are latitude, longitude, and elevation of the field site, along with daily precipitation with daily minimum and maximum air temperatures. Field validation of this model was conducted at a total of 18 sites, where sufficient meteorological data were available for validation, allowing a total of 42 individual yearly comparisons. The model performed well, with an average Pearson correlation of 0.92, modeling index of 0.95, modeling efficiency of 0.80, root mean square error of 111 W m−2, and a mean absolute error of 56 W m−2. These results compare favorably to other developed empirical solar radiation models but with the advantage of predicting hourly solar radiation for the entire year based on limited climatic data and no site-specific calibration requirement. This solar radiation prediction tool can be integrated into dormancy, germination, and growth models to improve microclimate-based simulation of development of weeds and other plants.
Seasonal cycles in germination and seedling emergence of summer and winter populations of catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine) and wild mustard (Brassica kaber)
Authors: Mennan Husrev , Ngouajio Mathieu
Published: August 2006

Catchweed bedstraw and wild mustard each produce two populations per year: a winter population (WP) in June, and a summer population (SP) in September. Experiments were conducted to determine whether the WP and SP differ in seed mass and seasonal germination. Seeds of both weeds were buried at 0, 5, 10, and 20 cm in cultivated fields, and retrieved at monthly intervals for 24 mo for germination tests in the laboratory. Additionally, seedling emergence from seeds buried at 0, 5, and 10 cm in the field was evaluated for 1 yr. Seeds from the WP were heavier than those from the SP for both species. Germination of exhumed seeds was affected by burial depth and by seed population. It was highest for seeds that remained on the soil surface and declined with increasing depth of burial. The WP of catchweed bedstraw produced two germination peaks per year, whereas the SP and all populations of wild mustard had only one peak. The WP of both weeds germinated earlier than the SP. Seedling emergence for both species in the field was greater for the WP than for the SP. Increasing soil depth reduced seedling emergence of both the WP and SP of wild mustard and affected only the WP of catchweed bedstraw. We conclude that the WP and SP of catchweed bedstraw and wild mustard seeds used in this study differed in seed mass, seasonal germination, and seedling emergence. The ability of a WP to produce large seeds that germinate early and have two germination peaks per year could make these populations a serious problem in cropping systems.
Effects of pesticides on soil invertebrates in model ecosystem and field studies: A review and comparison with laboratory toxicity data
Authors: Jänsch Stephan , Frampton Geoff K. , Römbke Jörg , van den Brink Paul J. , Scott-Fordsmand Janeck J.
Published: August 2006

A systematic review was carried out to investigate the extent to which higher-tier (terrestrial model ecosystem [TME] and field) data regarding pesticide effects can be compared with laboratory toxicity data for soil invertebrates. Data in the public domain yielded 970 toxicity endpoint data sets, representing 71 pesticides and 42 soil invertebrate species or groups. For most pesticides, the most frequent effect class was for no observed effects, although relatively high numbers of pronounced and persistent effects occurred when Lumbricidae and Enchytraeidae were exposed to fungicides and when Lumbricidae, Collembola, and Arachnida were exposed to insecticides. No effects of fungicides on Arachnida, Formicidae, or Nematoda or of herbicides on Lumbricidae, Formicidae, or Nematoda were observed in any studies. For most pesticides, higher-tier no-observed-effect concentration or lowest-observed-effect concentration values cannot be determined because of a lack of information at low pesticide concentrations. Ten pesticides had sufficient laboratory data to enable the observed higher-tier effects to be compared with 5% hazardous concentrations (HC5) estimated from acute toxicity laboratory data (atrazine, carbendazim, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dimethoate, γ-hexachlorocy-clohexane, lambda-cyhalothrin, parathion, pentachlorophenol, and propoxur). In eight cases, higher-tier effects concentrations were within or below the 90% confidence interval of the HC5. Good agreement exists between the results of TME and field tests for carbendazim, but insufficient information is available for a comparison between TME and field studies for other pesticides. Availability and characteristics (e.g., taxonomic composition and heterogeneity) of the higher-tier effects data are discussed in terms of possible developments in risk assessment procedures.
A review of ADM1 extensions, applications, and analysis: 2002–2005
Authors: Batstone D.J. , Keller J. , Steyer J.P.
Published: August 2006

Since publication of the Scientific and Technical Report (STR) describing the ADM1, the model has been extensively used, and analysed in both academic and practical applications. Adoption of the ADM1 in popular systems analysis tools such as the new wastewater benchmark (BSM2), and its use as a virtual industrial system can stimulate modelling of anaerobic processes by researchers and practitioners outside the core expertise of anaerobic processes. It has been used as a default structural element that allows researchers to concentrate on new extensions such as sulfate reduction, and new applications such as distributed parameter modelling of biofilms. The key limitations for anaerobic modelling originally identified in the STR were: (i) regulation of products from glucose fermentation, (ii) parameter values, and variability, and (iii) specific extensions. Parameter analysis has been widespread, and some detailed extensions have been developed (e.g., sulfate reduction). A verified extension that describes regulation of products from glucose fermentation is still limited, though there are promising fundamental approaches. This is a critical issue, given the current interest in renewable hydrogen production from carbohydrate-type waste. Critical analysis of the model has mainly focused on model structure reduction, hydrogen inhibition functions, and the default parameter set recommended in the STR. This default parameter set has largely been verified as a reasonable compromise, especially for wastewater sludge digestion. One criticism of note is that the ADM1 stoichiometry focuses on catabolism rather than anabolism. This means that inorganic carbon can be used unrealistically as a carbon source during some anabolic reactions. Advances and novel applications have also been made in the present issue, which focuses on the ADM1. These papers also explore a number of novel areas not originally envisaged in this review.
An extension of the Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 to include the effect of nitrate reduction processes
Authors: Tugtas A.E. , Tezel U. , Pavlostathis S.G.
Published: August 2006

Nitrate reduction processes were incorporated into the IWA Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) in order to account for the effect of such processes on fermentation and methanogenesis. The general structure of the ADM1 was not changed except for modifications related to disintegration and hydrolysis of complex organic matter and decayed biomass. A fraction of butyrate/valerate and propionate degraders was assumed to be the fermentative denitrifiers carrying out fermentation in the absence of N-oxides. Nitrate reduction proceeded in a stepwise manner to nitrite, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide and nitrogen gas using four substrates as electron and/or carbon source. The utilization of the four substrates and N-oxides was based on stoichiometry and kinetics. The inhibitory effect of N-oxides on the methanogens was accounted for by the use of non-competitive inhibition functions. Model simulations were compared with experimental data obtained with a batch, mixed fermenting and methanogenic culture amended with various initial nitrate concentrations.
Critical analysis of some concepts proposed in ADM1
Authors: Kleerebezem R. , van Loosdrecht M.C.M.
Published: August 2006

The Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1) has been developed by the expert task group of the IWA to establish a common platform for simulation of a wide variety of anaerobic degradation processes. It enables comparison of different methods and parameter values for description of specific sub-processes, with the methods and default values proposed by the task group. This will hopefully stimulate a more structured discussion on anaerobic digestion modelling compared to the recent past, when many different researchers developed a slightly different model and it remained largely unclear what could, and what could not be compared. In this paper we take the liberty to criticize some aspects of ADM1 and its implementation, as we think they represent concepts that are too easily extrapolated from activated sludge models. The specific subjects discussed here are the COD-based description of the reaction stoichiometry (i), the widely adopted use of a constant value for the solid retention time high-rate anaerobic bioreactors (ii), and the kinetic description of the acetogenic reactions as proposed in ADM1 (iii).
An approach for substrate mapping between ASM and ADM1 for sludge digestion
Authors: Yasui H. , Sugimoto M. , Komatsu K. , Goel R. , Li Y.Y. , Noike T.
Published: August 2006

Kinetic modelling of the hydrolysis stage of municipal activated sludge, which is presumed to be the rate-limiting step in the anaerobic sludge digestion process, was studied by measuring methane production rate (MPR) in anaerobic batch tests. The MPR curves revealed that the degradable organic components in municipal sludge could be classified into two fractions having different kinetics. The first fraction (XS1) constituted about 55% of the sludge COD and degraded with first-order kinetics. The second fraction (XS2), which degraded during the initial phase, accounted for about 21% of sludge COD. The degradation kinetics for XS2 was expressed by Contois-type equation with respect to concentration of substrate in the fed sludge and that of active biomass in the mixture. Simultaneous batch aerobic respirometric tests showed that the activated sludge was composed of 53% heterotrophic biomass (XH-Aerobe) COD and 20% of slowly biodegradable COD (XS), that had same kinetic expressions as observed in the batch anaerobic tests. The observed correlation between substrate fractions suggests XS1 and XS2 could be directly mapped to the aerobic state variables of XH-Aerobe and XS respectively. The degradation of XS1 seems to be anaerobic decay of XH-Aerobe while XS2 is thought to be hydrolysis of XS by microcosm of the sludge.
Variable stoichiometry with thermodynamic control in ADM1
Authors: Rodríguez J. , Lema J.M. , van Loosdrecht M.C.M. , Kleerebezem R.
Published: August 2006

The effect of a variable stoichiometry of the carbohydrate fermentation process in the IWA Anaerobic Digestion Model No.1 (ADM1) is investigated. Most existing anaerobic digestion models including ADM1 consider a fixed-stoichiometry for their conversion processes. The ADM1 model was first transformed into an only mol based model to remove some errors derived from the mixed COD-mol based standard model and to allow for implementation of the variable stoichiometry. Consequently, the values of the butyrate and acetate catabolic yields of carbohydrate fermentation are made dependent on the hydrogen concentration and the reactor pH according to the predictions of a recently developed mixed culture fermentation model based on thermodynamic considerations. The simulation results obtained showed no significantly different responses in terms of effluent quality and system robustness between the standard and the variable stoichiometry ADM1 under overload conditions, and for both single- and two-step anaerobic digestion configurations. This behaviour is explained by the non-limiting acetogenic activity that compensated for the changes in the acidogenic products, typical behaviour for serial processes close to equilibrium. Based on the results obtained, thermodynamic rather than kinetic control for these conversions is suggested. Depending on the objectives to be met, lumping of carbohydrate fermenters and oxidative acetogens into a single biomass group with a variable stoichiometry is proposed for further consideration.
Modelling anaerobic digestion acclimatisation to a biodegradable toxicant: application to cyanide
Authors: Zaher U. , Moussa M.S. , Widyatmika I.N. , van Der Steen P. , Gijzen H.J. , Vanrolleghem P.A.
Published: August 2006

The observed acclimatisation to biodegradable toxicants in anaerobic cassava wastewater treatment is explained by modelling anaerobic cyanide degradation. A complete degradation pathway is proposed for cyanide. Cyanide degradation is modelled as enzymatic hydrolysis to formate and ammonia. Ammonia is added to the inorganic nitrogen content of the digester while formate is degraded by the hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Cyanide irreversible enzyme inhibition is modelled as an inhibition factor to acetate uptake processes. Cyanide irreversible toxicity is modelled as a decay factor to the acetate degraders. Cyanide as well as added phosphorus buffer solution were considered in the chemical equilibrium calculations of pH. The observed reversible effect after acclimatisation of sludge is modelled by a population shift between two aceticlastic methanogens that have different tolerance to cyanide toxicity. The proposed pathway is added to the IWA Anaerobic Digestion Model no.1 (ADM1). The ADM1 model with the designed extension is validated by an experiment using three lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactors which were exposed to different cyanide loadings.
Application of ADM1 for the simulation of anaerobic digestion of olive pulp under mesophilic and thermophilic conditions
Authors: Kalfas H. , Skiadas I.V. , Gavala H.N. , Stamatelatou K. , Lyberatos G.
Published: August 2006

The management of the wastewater originating from olive oil producing industries poses a serious environmental problem. Recently, two-phase production of olive oil has been developed, leading to almost complete elimination of the bulk of the generated wastewater and, is thus regarded as an environmentally friendly technology. However, the main waste stream (olive pulp) is a slurry material characterized by high solids concentration (∼30%), requiring stabilisation before its final disposal. The anaerobic digestion of olive pulp is studied in this work under mesophilic and thermophilic conditions in CSTR-type digesters. The digesters were fed with water-diluted (1:4) olive pulp at an HRT of 20 days and an OLR of 3.94 kg COD m−3 d−1. In order to study the process kinetics, the digesters were subjected to impulse disturbances of different substrates. The IWA anaerobic digestion model was used to simulate the reactors' response. Some key process parameters, such as the specific maximum uptake rate constants and the saturation constants for the volatile fatty acids degradation were estimated and compared with the standard values suggested by the ADM1.
Waste characterization for implementation in ADM1
Authors: Kleerebezem R. , Van Loosdrecht M.C.M.
Published: August 2006

Wastewater characterization as required for implementation in ADM1 is based on the identification of the numerous concentrations of the specific compounds defined in ADM1. However, identification of the individual substrate concentrations requires specific analytical techniques and in most cases only general measurements like COD, TOC, and organic nitrogen are available. This paper describes a simple method for calculation of the lumped elemental composition of the organic substrates in the wastewater from a limited number of widely available analyses. Using the elemental composition of the lumped substrate and the elemental composition of the substrates defined in the model, the influent composition as required for input in ADM1 can be calculated. Furthermore, proper waste characterization allows for an initial analysis of the biogas flow rate and composition as well as the reactor pH that can be achieved upon organic substrate degradation, as will be demonstrated. It is hoped that the methods described in this paper will stimulate and simplify future application of ADM1.
Case Study II: Application of the Divalent Cation Bridging Theory to Improve Biofloc Properties and Industrial Activated Sludge System Performance—Using Alternatives to Sodium‐Based Chemicals
Authors: Higgins Matthew J. , Sobeck David C. , Owens Steven J. , Szabo Lynn M.
Published: August 2006

The objective of this study was to investigate the application of the divalent cation bridging theory (DCBT) as a tool in the chemical selection process at an activated sludge plant to improve settling, dewatering, and effluent quality. According to the DCBT, to achieve improvements, the goal of chemical selection should be to reduce the ratio of monovalent‐to‐divalent (M/D) cations. A study was conducted to determine the effect of using magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)2] as an alternative to sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at a full‐scale industrial wastewater treatment plant. Floc properties and treatment plant performance were measured for approximately one year during two periods of NaOH addition and Mg(OH)2addition. A cost analysis of plant operation during NaOH and Mg(OH)2 use was also performed. During NaOH addition, the M/D ratio was 48, while, during Mg(OH)2 addition, this ratio was reduced to an average of approximately 0.1. During the Mg(OH)2 addition period, the sludge volume index, effluent total suspended solids, and effluent chemical oxygen demand were reduced by approximately 63, 31, and 50%, respectively, compared to the NaOH addition period. The alum and polymer dose used for clarification was reduced by approximately 50 and 60%, respectively, during Mg(OH)2 addition. The dewatering properties of the activated sludge improved dewatering as measured by decreased capillary suction time and specific resistance to filtration (SRF), along with an increase in cake solids from the SRF test. This corresponded to a reduction in the volume of solids thickened by centrifuges at the treatment plant, which reduced the disposal costs of solids. Considering the costs for chemicals and solids disposal, the annual cost of using Mg(OH)2 was approximately $30,000 to $115,000 less than using NaOH, depending on the pricing of NaOH. The results of this study confirm that the DCBT is a useful tool for assessing chemical‐addition strategies and their potential effect on activated sludge performance.
Evaluation of Correlations for Zone Settling Velocity Parameters Based on Sludge Volume Index‐Type Measures and Consequences in Settling Tank Design
Authors: Bye Christopher M. , Dold Peter L.
Published: August 2006

Determining zone settling velocity (ZSV) parameters for use in flux‐theory analysis (design or operating charts) is time consuming. Correlations have been proposed for these parameters based on more readily obtained sludge volume index‐ (SVI‐) type measures. A number of these correlations are reviewed, and their ability to predict ZSV parameters is evaluated. This assessment uses a model to generate SVI values from specified ZSV parameters. The SVI values are applied in correlations to generate predicted ZSV parameters that are compared to the specified ZSV parameters. Specified and correlation‐generated ZSV parameters are used in the flux‐theory design procedure to assess the difference in maximum allowable overflow rate.
Effect of Air On‐Off Cycles on Activated‐Sludge Denitrification
Authors: Oh Jeill , Silverstein JoAnn
Published: August 2006

The effect of alternating aerobic and anoxic conditions on denitrification by activated sludge was investigated in bench‐scale sequencing batch reactors with a total of 10.5 hours of reaction time. After 2 to 5 hours of anoxic denitrification, mixed liquor was aerated for 36, 94, or 174 minutes and then returned to anoxic mixing. Acetate was added during both the denitrification and aerated reaction periods, except for one experiment with aeration without substrate. The specific denitrification rate was reduced by 26% from the totally anoxic rate of 0.023 mg nitrate/mg mixed liquor volatile suspended solids•h when the activatcd sludge received 36 minutes aeration and by 61% for both 94 and 174 minutes of aeration. However, aeration did not seem to cause the reduction directly. Rather, the addition of acetate with oxygen caused aerobic growth of bacteria, indicated by the significant increase in the specific oxygen uptake rate of the activated sludge consuming substrate under aerobic conditions.
Error autocorrection in rational approximation and interval estimates. [A survey of results.]
Authors: Litvinov Grigori
Published: August 2006

The error autocorrection effect means that in a calculation all the intermediate errors compensate each other, so the final result is much more accurate than the intermediate results. In this case standard interval estimates (in the framework of interval analysis including the so-called a posteriori interval analysis of Yu. Matijasevich) are too pessimistic. We shall discuss a very strong form of the effect which appears in rational approximations to functions. The error autocorrection effect occurs in all efficient methods of rational approximation (e.g., best approxmations, Padé approximations, multipoint Padé approximations, linear and nonlinear Padé-Chebyshev approximations, etc.), where very significant errors in the approximant coefficients do not affect the accuracy of this approximant. The reason is that the errors in the coefficients of the rational approximant are not distributed in an arbitrary way, but form a collection of coefficients for a new rational approximant to the same approximated function. The understanding of this mechanism allows to decrease the approximation error by varying the approximation procedure depending on the form of the approximant. Results of computer experiments are presented. The effect of error autocorrection indicates that variations of an approximated function under some deformations of rather a general type may have little effect on the corresponding rational approximant viewed as a function (whereas the coefficients of the approximant can have very significant changes). Accordingly, while deforming a function for which good rational approximation is possible, the corresponding approximant’s error can rapidly increase, so the property of having good rational approximation is not stable under small deformations of the approximated functions. This property is “individual”, in the sense that it holds for specific functions.
Existence and nonexistence results for reaction-diffusion equations in product of cones
Authors: Hamidi Abdallah , Laptev Gennady
Published: August 2006

Problems of existence and nonexistence of global nontrivial solutions to quasilinear evolution differential inequalities in a product of cones are investigated. The proofs of the nonexistence results are based on the test-function method developed, for the case of the whole space, by Mitidieri, Pohozaev, Tesei and Véron. The existence result is established using the method of supersolutions.
Optimal cubature formulas in a reflexive Banach space
Authors: Vaskevich V.
Published: August 2006

Sequences of cubature formulas with a joint countable set of nodes are studied. Each cubature formula under consideration has only a finite number of nonzero weights. We call a sequence of such kind a multicubature formula. For a given reflexive Banach space it is shown that there is a unique optimal multicubature formula and the sequence of the norm of optimal error functionals is monotonically decreasing to 0 as the number of the formula nodes tends to infinity.
Representation-finite triangular algebras form an open scheme
Authors: Kasjan Stanisław
Published: August 2006

Let V be a valuation ring in an algebraically closed field K with the residue field R. Assume that A is a V-order such that the R-algebra Ā obtained from A by reduction modulo the radical of V is triangular and representation-finite. Then the K-algebra KA ≅ A ⊗V is again triangular and representation-finite. It follows by the van den Dries’s test that triangular representation-finite algebras form an open scheme.
On artin algebras with almost all indecomposable modules of projective or injective dimension at most one
Authors: Skowroński Andrzej
Published: August 2006

Let A be an artin algebra over a commutative artin ring R and ind A the category of indecomposable finitely generated right A-modules. Denote
$$\mathcal{L}_A$$
to be the full subcategory of ind A formed by the modules X whose all predecessors in ind A have projective dimension at most one, and by
$$\mathcal{R}_A$$
the full subcategory of ind A formed by the modules X whose all successors in ind A have injective dimension at most one. Recently, two classes of artin algebras A with
$$\mathcal{L}_A \cup \mathcal{R}_A$$
co-finite in ind A, quasi-tilted algebras and generalized double tilted algebras, have been extensively investigated. The aim of the paper is to show that these two classes of algebras exhaust the class of all artin algebras A for which
$$\mathcal{L}_A \cup \mathcal{R}_A$$
is co-finite in ind A, and derive some consequences.
On characterization of Poisson and Jacobi structures
Authors: Grabowski Janusz , Urbański Paweŀ
Published: August 2006

We characterize Poisson and Jacobi structures by means of complete lifts of the corresponding tensors: the lifts have to be related to canonical structures by morphisms of corresponding vector bundles. Similar results hold for generalized Poisson and Jacobi structures (canonical structures) associated with Lie algebroids and Jacobi algebroids.
Synthesis and un-isotherm kinetic study of some ferrocene acids
Authors: Apreutesei Daniela , Lisa Gabriela , Hurduc Natalia , Scutaru Dan
Published: August 2006

The goal of this paper is to study thermal stability of some ferrocenes with acidic functional groups. Some other kinetic characteristics such as critical temperature and the rate constant corresponding to maximal degradation speed have been also evaluated. The type of functional units adjacent to the ferrocenyl unit determines thermal stability of ferrocene compounds. Groups with a powerful withdrawing effect determine a decreasing of the temperatures at which the material starts to lose weight. If a very long alkyl chain is connected to the ferrocene unit, a shielding effect in respect to the other carboxylic groups was observed, with an increase of the thermal stability.
HPLC monitored synthesis of R2NCH2 substituted benzene derivatives used as (C,N)-ligands for organometallic compounds
Authors: Soran Loredana , Coman Virginia , Soran Albert , Silvestru Cristian
Published: August 2006

2-(Diethylaminomethyl)phenyl bromide and 1,3-bis(dimethylaminomethyl)-benzene, useful ligands for the synthesis of hypervalent organometallic compounds, were prepared and characterized by NMR (1H, 13C, 2D experiments) spectroscopy. Their synthesis was monitored by the HPLC method. The compounds were eluted on a Nucleosil 120 Si column (5 μm, 25×0.4 cm) with n-hexane at room temperature using a 1.0 ml/min flow-rate. The maximum values of absorbance for the studied compounds, excepting the diethylamine, were located in a narrow range around 212 nm, the wavelength used for their UV detection. The diethylamine was detected at 190 nm. The calibration curves are straight lines with correlation factors r>0.995. The HPLC data are in good agreement with those provided by NMR spectroscopy.
A reducing-difference IR-spectral study of 4-aminopyridine
Authors: Arnaudov Michail , Ivanova Bojidarka , Dinkov Shishman
Published: August 2006

The IR-spectra of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in solution and in the solid state have been analyzed, using the reducing-difference procedure. Defining a more precise band assignment of a part of the characteristic frequencies of 4-AP, the data obtained proved in particular a Fermi-resonance splitting of the symmetric NH2-stretch.
Raman spectroscopic study of the hydration of short-chain poly(oxyethylene)s C 1EnC 1 (n=1−4)
Authors: Georgiev Mircho , Popova Tatiana , Nickolov Zhorro , Goutev Nikolay , Georgiev Georgi , Matsuura Hiroatsu
Published: August 2006

The hypothesis that the degree of hydration of poly(oxyethylene) (POE) in aqueous solution depends on the mole ratio of water molecules to ether oxygen atoms in the molecule has been verified by studying the isotropic Raman spectra in the O−H stretching region for four short-chain POEs (C 1EnC 1 withn=1−4). Excellent coincidence of the O−H stretching Raman band for all four POEs studied in the range of mole ratio H2O/Oether from 25 to 0.6 was observed, thus confirming the assumption stated above. A conclusion that all ether oxygen atoms in the POE molecule participate in hydrogen bonding with water molecules has been made.
Kinetic study of catalase adsorption on disperse carbonaceous matrices
Authors: Horozova Elena , Dimcheva Nina
Published: August 2006

The effect of the main factors known to govern the kinetic regularities of enzyme adsorption, such as enzyme solution concentration, temperature, pH, specific surface of the adsorbent, etc., were studied. Two kinds of disperse carbonaceous materials-activated carbon NORIT and carbon black PM-100, were used as matrices for enzyme immobilization. For both immobilization matrices studied, the amount of the adsorbed enzyme was found to reach saturation at catalase (CAT) enzyme concentrations exceeding 20 mg·mL−1 (∼100 μM). The pH of the solution affected the adsorption capacities of the selected immobilization matrices; larger amounts of CAT adsorbed were estimated in neutral and alkaline solutions than under acidic conditions for enzyme immobilization. UV-spectrophotometry was employed as a basic analytical approach in this study.