bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling enhanced coagulation to improve ozone disinfection
Authors: Urfer Daniel , Huck Peter M. , Gagnon Graham A. , Mutti Dennis , Smith Franklyn 
Published: February 2018

Empirical modeling accurately predicts the benefits of enhanced coagulation in an investigation at full scale.Use of enhanced coagulation to improve disinfection capabilities (C X T) of a postsedimentation ozonation system was investigated at full scale at the Mannheim Water Treatment Plant in Kitchener, Ont. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the effects of different water quality, environmental, and engineered parameters on the average ozone (O3) concentration (Cavg) in the O3 contactor. It was found that Cavg was significantly affected by the transferred O3 dose, the settled water pH, the settled water nonpurgeable organic carbon concentration, the flow rate, and the water temperature. For the specific water tested, model predictions indicated that operation of the plant under enhanced coagulation conditions could substantially improve the disinfection capacity of the ozone system, compared with conventional coagulation. Modeling results also showed that the effect of flow rate (i.e., contact time) on C X T depended on the rate of O3 decay. For rapid O3 decay conditions, models predicted an increase in calculated C X T with increasing flow rate (i.e., decreased contact time).
Training center targets small system operators
Authors: Xie Yuefeng , Cole Charles A. , Long David A. 
Published: February 2018

This new program will help rural and remote systems enhance their managerial and technical capacity by honing operators' computer and laboratory skills.Almost 96 percent of the public water system violations in Pennsylvania in 1996 involved monitoring and reporting, whereas 2 percent involved maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). About 58 percent of the MCL violations were related to the Total Coliform Rule. These violations point to the importance of basic operator training and technology transfer and to the need for a well‐designed operator training program for small systems in Pennsylvania's rural and remote areas. Using grant funds from the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Pennsylvania State University are developing a Small Public Water Systems Technology Assistance Center at the Harrisburg campus. Two training approaches are proposed: (1) train the trainers and (2) train the operators.
Oxidation of MTBE by ozone and peroxone processes
Authors: Liang Sun , Palencia Leslie Soo , Yates Richard S. , Davis Marshall K. , Bruno Jeanne‐Marie , Wolfe Roy L. 
Published: February 2018

These two processes effectively remove MTBE but may also increase bromate.Initial pilot‐scale investigations demonstrated that both ozone alone and a combination of ozone and hydrogen peroxide (known as peroxone) can remove methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from water sources used by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Under the tested conditions, peroxone more effectively removed MTBE than did ozone alone. In pilot tests, peroxone (here, 4 mg/L ozone and 1.3 mg/L hydrogen peroxide) removed an average of about 78 percent of the MTBE from water samples taken from the California State Water Project and the Colorado River. However, in peroxone‐treated samples from both water sources at ambient conditions, bromate was produced at concentrations above the maximum contaminant level of 10 μg/L for bromate in drinking water. A lower pH of 6.5 reduced bromate formation by about 20 percent in samples from both water sources, but it did not reduce the bromate concentration below 10 μg/L (the water sources contained about 0.1 mg/L bromide). Further optimization of the peroxone process may minimize bromate formation while providing acceptable MTBE removal and disinfection.
Cement‐mortar pipes as a source of aluminum
Authors: Berend Kenrick , Trouwborst Tom 
Published: February 2018

Acute aluminum intoxication in dialysis patients was traced to aluminum leached from new cement–mortar pipes.In 1996 in Curaçao, acute aluminum (Al) intoxication sickened patients in a dialysis center that used tap water to prepare dialysate. The mortality rate was 32 percent. A new factory‐lined cement–mortar water distribution pipe had recently been installed. It is known that substantial amounts of barium, cadmium, and chromium can leach from cement–mortar linings. This article shows that high concentrations of Al can leach from cement mortars for at least two years in soft, aggressive water. The newly installed pipe, cement containing four times as much Al as usual, corrosive water, the high pH and temperature of the water, long residence time, and perhaps the corrosion inhibitor polyphosphate may have promoted this leaching. Certification of cements used to line water pipes is warranted. Central water treatment plants must distribute noncorrosive water, especially plants that use membrane desalination or other reverse osmosis or nanofiltration processes. Dialysis units should be promptly informed of any impending change in water treatment that might increase the Al content of tap water and also of any accidental pollution of the water distributed. Dialysis centers should always practice extended purification of tap water used for dialysate. Although Al as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease in the general population is still debated, there is no doubt that Al causes dialysis encephalopathy.
Evaluation of four commercial antibodies
Authors: Hoffman Rebecca , Chauret Christian , Standridge Jon , Peterson Linda 
Published: February 2018

Evaluation of commercially available anti‐Cryptosporidium and anti‐Giardia antibodies indicates each offers advantages and disadvantages.Flow cytometer‐derived fluorescence measurements were used to evaluate lot‐to‐lot variability, cross‐reactivity, and avidity of four antibodies. Variability within kit 3 and 4 antibody lots was great, whereas kits 1 and 2 stained parasites consistently. Kit 3 and 4 antibodies cross‐reacted with non‐parvum Cryptosporidium; kit 1 and 4 antibodies cross‐reacted with Giardia muris. Kit 1 (primary only), 2, and 3 anti‐Cryptosporidium antibodies formed low‐avidity complexes, unlike those in kits 1 (secondary) and 4 and all Giardia antibodies. Additionally, the authors quantified the ability of antibodies to bind stressed and unstressed parasites following methodological processing. The studies identified significant differences in antibody characteristics and performance.
Atrazine removal by preloaded GAC
Authors: Knappe Detlef R.U. , Snoeyink Vernon L. , Roche Pascal , Prados Maria José , Bourbigot Marie‐Marguerite 
Published: February 2018

Utilities can use predictions of remaining GAC life to develop a GAC regeneration or replacement schedule.The effect of granular activated carbon (GAC) service time on the remaining life of GAC adsorbers that are exposed to periodic pollutant episodes was evaluated. Equilibrium and kinetic parameters describing the adsorption of atrazine were determined for GAC that had been preloaded with background organic matter (BOM) for as long as 25 months. Furthermore, atrazine removal was measured in pilot tests employing GAC that had been preloaded for five and 20 months. Isotherm data showed that (1) preloaded BOM sharply reduced the remaining adsorption capacity of GAC for atrazine, (2) competitive adsorption was not important on the tested preloaded GAC samples, and (3) use of pulverized preloaded GAC led to an overestimate of remaining adsorption capacity. Preloading had the greatest effect on GAC capacity; adsorption kinetics were not affected as severely. The homogeneous surface diffusion model was used to predict atrazine removal in pilot tests and to predict remaining GAC life. For the given adsorbent and background water, remaining life predictions for atrazine removal are presented for scenarios that may be typical for utilities in the midwestern United States and in western Europe.
Trends in privatization
Authors: Dysard Joe A. 
Published: February 2018

Competition is changing the face of the public water supply profession.Internal and external competition will likely change the domestic water–wastewater industry in the first part of the twenty‐first century. Regulatory requirements calling for new or upgraded plants, the consequences of deferred maintenance, resistance to rate increases, and communities in financial turmoil promise to threaten both the industry's response to competitive pressures and the desire to improve. This article reports the results of a national survey indicating the trends that are emerging in the public water market to fight these problems. Although some respondents have turned to performance or management audits, outsourcing, staff reductions, automation, and benchmarking to effect change and become more competitive, many are considering public–private partnerships.
Assessing performance benchmarking
Authors: Andrews Bruce H. , Schumann Paul D. , Gowen Tracy L. 
Published: February 2018

A new performance benchmarking system enables a water company to be more competitive by setting aggressive yet feasible goals.Consumers Water Company in Portland, Maine, developed and implemented a new goal‐setting–performance‐measurement system for its regional operating companies. The new system scrutinizes a company's past and future performance in relation to that of its peers and itself. Implementation of this new, generalizable system has allowed Consumers Water Company to evaluate its historical performance as a holding company versus that of its peers, as well as establish feasible, aggressive targets for its individual regional companies based on their inherent capabilities. The methodology appears to be readily adoptable by other water utilities.
Utility benchmarking on the West Coast
Authors: Paralez Linda L. 
Published: February 2018

Establishing a meaningful benchmarking methodology was a challenge for the Western Regional Water Utilities Benchmarking Group.In 1996, a group of water utilities formed the Western Regional Water Utilities Benchmarking Group to search for meaningful benchmarking structures and practices. This article describes the processes used in the research, its findings, and the group's plans for using these findings. The group encountered many challenges in determining a benchmarking approach. The methods used, the lessons learned, and the benchmarking model tests are discussed in relation to operational definitions, qualitative and quantitative protocol, data availability, data management practices, maintenance planning practices, and use of automation. Key findings included unexpected differences in maintenance strategies and tactics among participating utilities and a general ineffectiveness at accessing and using collected or stored component data for decision‐making purposes. The article closes with plans for future use of the benchmarking data and findings to evaluate more specifically differences in practices, outputs, and outcomes.
Building your business overseas
Authors: Zeytoun Ellen Bohon 
Published: February 2018

The US Department of Commerce can help American water treatment companies take advantage of foreign business opportunities.A 1995 World Bank report on the global environmental industry indicated that the world will need to spend $600 billion to $800 billion over the next decade in the areas of water supply, sanitation, irrigation, and power. The US market is so large and well developed that American companies often overlook the significant number of opportunities overseas. However, as the US market becomes fairly well saturated and business opportunities become more scarce, companies will have to look overseas for future growth and survival in this competitive industry. The US Department of Commerce's Office of Environmental Technologies Exports can help US companies take advantage of opportunities overseas. This article provides an overview of international water markets and information on US Department of Commerce export assistance programs available to US companies.
Committee Report: Disinfection at small systems
Authors:   AWWA Water Quality Division Disinfection Systems Committee
Published: February 2018

A survey of smaller water systems' disinfection practices looks at strengths and potential pitfalls in light of upcoming drinking water regulations.In 1998, the Disinfection Systems Committee of AWWA's Water Quality Division surveyed the disinfection practices of smaller US water systems (serving 10,000 or fewer people). Systems using groundwater and those using surface water were surveyed separately. Of survey respondents, 97 percent of surface water systems and 86 percent of groundwater systems provided disinfection. Among surface water systems responding, 94 percent provided filtration. Survey data suggest that most systems will be able to comply with Stage 1 Disinfectants/Disinfection By‐products Rule requirements for total trihalomethanes, but many may need to better control haloacetic acids. This report suggests that systems currently using disinfection should begin disinfectant and disinfection byproduct monitoring and develop disinfection profiles ahead of regulatory requirements.
Optimization of freeze‐thaw conditioning
Authors: Parker Philip J. , Collins Anthony G. 
Published: February 2018

Mechanical freeze–thaw conditioning of treatment residuals may be cost‐effective.Mechanical freeze–thaw conditioning of water treatment residuals (sludge) produces a product with extremely high solids content. Intuitively, the process appears too expensive to be feasible. This article presents a model that can be used to investigate the economics of mechanical freeze–thaw conditioning. Model results reveal two cost‐optimum freezing conditions: typically an initial solids content of 10 percent w/w or higher, and curing times > 6 h. Also, the model is used to compare the cost of the optimum freeze–thaw designs with the costs of traditional residuals management trains. Results show that freeze–thaw conditioning may be cost‐effective for moderate to high disposal costs (> $25/t [$28/metric t]) and low electricity rates (< $0.075 · kW–1· h–1).
Increasing alkalinity to reduce turbidity
Authors: Tseng Tai , Segal Brad D. , Edwards Marc 
Published: February 2018

Increasing alkalinity can improve treatment at the best coagulant dosage.Runoff can rapidly change coagulant demand and produce water that is difficult to treat by conventional coagulation processes. In cases in which alkalinity dropped below about 30 mg/L as CaCO3, adding supplemental OH– (using lime or sodium hydroxide)—and thereby markedly increasing alkalinity before adding coagulant—sharply reduced turbidity after sedimentation but increased coagulant demand. Coagulant demand was a linear function of increased alkalinity and raw water dissolved organic carbon, and it was not strongly influenced by turbidity or calcium concentration below about a pH of 7.8.
Consolidating existing pressure zones
Authors: Smyth James L. 
Published: February 2018

The Sweetwater Authority in Southern California converted five separate water system pressure zones into one zone while maintaining service to its customers.A portion of an existing water system that comprised five separate pressure zones was consolidated into one zone. This article reports on the process of increasing the water pressure by 241 kPa (35 psi) in 46.7 km (29 mi) of distribution pipelines serving 2,900 connections. Because of aging infrastructure and the need to meet current fire department standards, construction of new facilities was needed. However, the real challenge to the staff of the Sweetwater Authority in Southern California was to adequately develop a plan to convert a water system more than 50 years old to this higher pressure while maintaining water service to residential and commercial customers as well as a hospital. Considerable planning and communications among all departments within the authority and public notifications proved to be valuable in completing this project with minimal effects.
Synergistic effect of strontium, bioactive glass and nano‐hydroxyapatite promotes bone regeneration of critical‐sized radial bone defects
Authors: Oryan Ahmad , Baghaban Eslaminejad Mohamadreza , Kamali Amir , Hosseini Samaneh , Sayahpour Forough Azam , Baharvand Hossein 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCritical‐sized bone defects constitute a major health issue in orthopedics and usually cause mal‐unions due to an inadequate number of migrated progenitor cells into the defect site or their incomplete differentiation into osteogenic precursor cells. The current study aimed to develop an optimized osteoinductive and angiogenic scaffold by incorporation of strontium (Sr) and bioglass (BG) into gelatin/nano‐hydroxyapatite (G/nHAp) seeded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to enhance bone regeneration. The scaffolds were fabricated by a freeze‐drying technique and characterized in terms of morphology, structure, porosity and degradation rate. The effect of fabricated scaffolds on cell viability, attachment and differentiation into osteoblastic lineages was evaluated under in vitro condition. Micro computed tomography scan, histological and histomorphometric analysis were performed after implantation of scaffolds into the radial bone defects in rat. RT‐PCR analysis showed that G/nHAp/BG/Sr scaffold significantly increased the expression level of osteogenic and angiogenic markers in comparison to other groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, the defects treated with the BMSCs‐seeded scaffolds showed superior bone formation and mechanical properties compared to the cell‐free scaffolds 4 and 12 weeks post‐implantation. Finally, the BMSCs‐seeded G/nHAp/BG/Sr scaffold showed the greatest bone regenerative capacity which was more similar to autograft. It is concluded that combination of Sr, BG, and nHAp can synergistically enhance the bone regeneration process. In addition, our results demonstrated that the BMSCs have the potential to considerably increase the bone regeneration ability of osteoinductive scaffolds. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 107B: 50–64, 2019.
Mitoprotective therapy preserves chondrocyte viability and prevents cartilage degeneration in an ex vivo model of posttraumatic osteoarthritis
Authors: Delco Michelle L. , Bonnevie Edward D. , Szeto Hazel S. , Bonassar Lawrence J. , Fortier Lisa A. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTNo disease‐modifying osteoarthritis (OA) drugs are available to prevent posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Mitochondria (MT) mediate the pathogenesis of many degenerative diseases, and recent evidence indicates that MT dysfunction is a peracute (within minutes to hours) response of cartilage to mechanical injury. The goal of this study was to investigate cardiolipin‐targeted mitoprotection as a new strategy to prevent chondrocyte death and cartilage degeneration after injury. Cartilage was harvested from bovine knee joints and subjected to a single, rapid impact injury (24.0 ±1.4 MPa, 53.8 ± 5.3 GPa/s). Explants were then treated with a mitoprotective peptide, SS‐31 (1µM), immediately post‐impact, or at 1, 6, or 12 h after injury, and then cultured for up to 7 days. Chondrocyte viability and apoptosis were quantified in situ using confocal microscopy. Cell membrane damage (lactate dehydrogenase activity) and cartilage matrix degradation (glycosaminoglycan loss) were quantified in cartilage‐conditioned media. SS‐31 treatment at all time points after impact resulted in chondrocyte viability similar to that of un‐injured controls. This effect was sustained for up to a week in culture. Further, SS‐31 prevented impact‐induced chondrocyte apoptosis, cell membrane damage, and cartilage matrix degeneration. Clinical Significance: This study is the first investigation of cardiolipin‐targeted mitoprotective therapy in cartilage. These results suggest that even when treatment is delayed by up to 12 h after injury, mitoprotection may be a useful strategy in the prevention of PTOA. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2147–2156, 2018.
Distribution of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in mudflat salt‐soils amended with sewage sludge
Authors: Bai Yanchao , Yan Yiyun , Zuo Wengang , Gu Chuanhui , Guan Yongxiang , Wang Xukui , Zhao Haitao , Shan Yuhua , Shao Hongbo , Feng Ke 
Published: February 2018

AbstractApplying sewage sludge to mudflat salt‐soils can rapidly improve soil physicochemical properties and enhance pollution potential. Nevertheless, the heavy metal distribution in leachate and mudflat salt‐soils with sludge amendment remains unclear. The present work was aimed primarily at investigating the fates of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in mudflat salt‐soils amended by sludge. A leaching column experiment in a greenhouse was conducted to analyze the leaching losses of the metals in the sludge‐amended soils and to evaluate the uptake of these metals by maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings, using a mudflat salt‐soil amended with 0, 30, 75, 150, and 300 g sludge per kg soil. The results indicated that metal concentrations were significantly correlated negatively with pH and positively with dissolved organic carbon concentration in leachate of sludge‐amended soils. The sewage sludge application enhanced metal uptake without inhibiting the growth of maize. The sludge treatments enhanced metal concentrations in top layer (0–20 cm) of soil in the leaching column but did not change metal concentrations in soil layer of 20–40 cm (p > .05). Immobile fraction of Pb and mobile fraction of Cd, Cu, and Zn increased with increasing rates of sludge addition. Long‐term field studies are required for further evaluation of the impacts of recycling sludge on heavy metal behaviors including leaching, accumulation, and dynamic change of metal fractions in mudflat salt‐soils.
Setting up a presence on the World Wide Web
Authors: Powell Andrea 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTThere is considerable pressure on most professional and society publishers to create a presence on the World Wide Web, from their members and customers alike. This paper describes the planning that went into the establishment of CAB INTERNATIONAL’S Home Page, focusing on the strategic issues and detailed preparation rather than the physical tasks involved. Although it is technically straightforward to set up a Home Page, many publishers are faced with difficult decisions about how to use the features of the World Wide Web to best advantage and how to develop a real presence in terms of both promotion and publishing activities.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of an Al‐Si alloy reinforced by Al64Cu24Fe12 quasi‐crystalline particles
Authors: Wang Y.F. , Hou H. , Zhao Y.H. , Tian J.Z. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this work, aluminum‐silicon alloy reinforced with Al64Cu24Fe12 quasi‐crystalline particles have been prepared by a traditional casting method with proper heat treatment process. The microstructures of the composites were examined using optical microscopy, scanning, X‐ray and energy dispersive spectrometer. The results indicate that there was no quasi‐crystalline phase remained and a new phase‐β (Al65‐75Si13‐26Fe3‐10) phase formed, which may act as a new reinforcing phase. There are three primary phases in the final composite: eutectic silicon, β‐phase and the α‐aluminum phase. Also the changes of mechanical properties were studied by tensile test and Vickers hardness test. The test results demonstrate that the mechanical properties of the composite is remarkably improved by adding proper amount of quasi‐crystalline particles. After adding 7.70 vol.% quasi‐crystalline particles, the tensile strength and the hardness increased by 70 % and 62 % respectively. However, adding a big amount (10.09 vol.%) of particles to molten aluminum‐silicon alloy will cause the particles aggregation and adhesion, which resulted in the decrease of the mechanical properties.