title: Retention capacity of biochar-amended New Zealand dairy farm soil for an estrogenic steroid hormone and its primary metabolite

authors: Sarmah, Ajit K.

abstract: We examined the retention ability of a New Zealand dairy farm soil amended with 3 types of biochar produced from a variety of feedstocks for a steroid hormone (oestradiol, E2) and its primary transformation product (estrone, E1). Biochars produced from corn cob (CC), pine sawdust (PSD) and green waste (GW) were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Batch sorption studies were performed on soil amended with each biochar (0.5% and 1% by weight) using a complex solvent extraction scheme, and isotherms were fitted to the Freundlich model.
All isotherms were highly non-linear, with N values in the range 0.46–0.83 (E2) and 0.66–0.88 (E1) in soil amended with different percentages of biochars. Overall, addition of all 3 biochars was found to increase the soil sorption affinity for the hormones, with E2 sorption being the highest in the soil amended with 1% PSD biochar. There was no marked difference in hormone sorption ability in the other 2 treatments (soil treated with 1% CC biochar and 1% GW biochar). Overall, the effective distribution coefficient (Kdeff) values for E2 at the lowest equilibrium concentration (Cw 0.5 mg/L) ranged from 35 to 311 L/kg in soil amended with the 3 types of biochar. Addition of 0.5% of PSD biochar resulted in ~560% increase in the Kdeff value for E2, while at 1% addition of PSD biochar, uptake of E2 was nearly 1400% higher than the control. For E1, the percentage increase in Kdeff was comparatively smaller than E2; however, it still ranged from 40 to 280%, and 60 to >320% at addition of 0.5% and 1% PSD biochar, respectively, compared with the control soil. Highest treatment temperature and associated greater surface area, low ash content, higher carbon content, and the abundance of polar functional groups (e.g. –OH, C=O) may explain why the soil amended with PSD biochar exhibited high sorptive capacity for the hormones.

text: Retention capacity of biochar-amended New Zealand dairy farm soil for an estrogenic steroid hormone and its primary metabolite We examined the retention ability of a New Zealand dairy farm soil amended with 3 types of biochar produced from a variety of feedstocks for a steroid hormone (oestradiol, E2) and its primary transformation product (estrone, E1). Biochars produced from corn cob (CC), pine sawdust (PSD) and green waste (GW) were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Batch sorption studies were performed on soil amended with each biochar (0.5% and 1% by weight) using a complex solvent extraction scheme, and isotherms were fitted to the Freundlich model.
All isotherms were highly non-linear, with N values in the range 0.46–0.83 (E2) and 0.66–0.88 (E1) in soil amended with different percentages of biochars. Overall, addition of all 3 biochars was found to increase the soil sorption affinity for the hormones, with E2 sorption being the highest in the soil amended with 1% PSD biochar. There was no marked difference in hormone sorption ability in the other 2 treatments (soil treated with 1% CC biochar and 1% GW biochar). Overall, the effective distribution coefficient (Kdeff) values for E2 at the lowest equilibrium concentration (Cw 0.5 mg/L) ranged from 35 to 311 L/kg in soil amended with the 3 types of biochar. Addition of 0.5% of PSD biochar resulted in ~560% increase in the Kdeff value for E2, while at 1% addition of PSD biochar, uptake of E2 was nearly 1400% higher than the control. For E1, the percentage increase in Kdeff was comparatively smaller than E2; however, it still ranged from 40 to 280%, and 60 to >320% at addition of 0.5% and 1% PSD biochar, respectively, compared with the control soil. Highest treatment temperature and associated greater surface area, low ash content, higher carbon content, and the abundance of polar functional groups (e.g. –OH, C=O) may explain why the soil amended with PSD biochar exhibited high sorptive capacity for the hormones.

year: 2010

title: Interactive definition of single-user profiles for alerting systems

authors: Jung, Doris

subjects: computer science

abstract: This paper introduces Graphical Profile Definition Language (GPDL), a language for the definition of profiles for alerting systems, and an interactive system with which users can construct and edit GPDL-based profiles. In an alerting system profiles define potentially complex conditions about which users wish to be notified. Most current approaches to supporting profile definition, such as those that require the use of XML/XPath, are unsuitable for the general user population. Others support only a limited set of possible profiles to reduce the complexity of the interface. GPDL overcomes these limitations, supporting users to graphically express arbitrarily complex profiles involving Boolean expressions and temporal constraints. The GPDL editor provides a direct manipulation environment in which profiles can be constructed in a dynamic and flexible manner.
The paper also presents the findings of a user evaluation of the GPDL language and editor. With minimal training users were able to interpret and specify profiles with high levels of accuracy and had positive subjective responses to the language and user interface. Some aspects that were not readily understood by all users, such as absolute and repetitive temporal constraints, are discussed along with suggested future work.

text: Interactive definition of single-user profiles for alerting systems This paper introduces Graphical Profile Definition Language (GPDL), a language for the definition of profiles for alerting systems, and an interactive system with which users can construct and edit GPDL-based profiles. In an alerting system profiles define potentially complex conditions about which users wish to be notified. Most current approaches to supporting profile definition, such as those that require the use of XML/XPath, are unsuitable for the general user population. Others support only a limited set of possible profiles to reduce the complexity of the interface. GPDL overcomes these limitations, supporting users to graphically express arbitrarily complex profiles involving Boolean expressions and temporal constraints. The GPDL editor provides a direct manipulation environment in which profiles can be constructed in a dynamic and flexible manner.
The paper also presents the findings of a user evaluation of the GPDL language and editor. With minimal training users were able to interpret and specify profiles with high levels of accuracy and had positive subjective responses to the language and user interface. Some aspects that were not readily understood by all users, such as absolute and repetitive temporal constraints, are discussed along with suggested future work.

year: 2010

title: Tāwharautia Aotearoa

authors: Maxwell, Te Kahautu

abstract: Tāwharautia Aotearoa was composed in opposition to the National Governments attempt to remove Section 9 of the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi which would give the Government power to sell State assets. Performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti at the Te Matatini World Championship Kapa Haa Competition 2013.

text: Tāwharautia Aotearoa Tāwharautia Aotearoa was composed in opposition to the National Governments attempt to remove Section 9 of the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi which would give the Government power to sell State assets. Performed by Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti at the Te Matatini World Championship Kapa Haa Competition 2013.

year: 2013