Organic pollutants in sea-surface microlayer and aerosol in thecoastal environment of Leghorn—(Tyrrhenian Sea)

The levels of dissolved and particle-associated n-alkanes, alkylbenzenes, phthalates, PAHs, anionic surfactants and surfactant fluorescent organic matter ŽSFOM. were measured in sea-surface microlayer ŽSML. and sub-surface water ŽSSL. samples collected in the Leghorn marine environment in September and October 1999. Nine stations, located in the Leghorn harbour and at increasing distances from the Port, were sampled three times on the same day. At all the stations, SML concentrations of the selected organic compounds were significantly higher than SSL values and the enrichment factors ŽEFsSML concentrationrSSL concentration. were greater in the particulate phase than in the dissolved phase. SML concentrations varied greatly among the sampling sites, the highest levels Žn-alkanes 3674 mgrl, phthalates 177 mgrl, total PAHs 226 mgrl. being found in the particulate phase in the Leghorn harbour. To improve the knowledge on pollutant exchanges between sea-surface waters and atmosphere, the validity of spray drop adsorption model ŽSDAM. was verified for SFOM, surface-active agents, such as phthalates, and compounds which can interact with SFOM, such as n-alkanes and PAHs. q2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

MACROGLOSSIA AS A CAUSE OF ATYPICAL SWALLOWING: COMPARISON OF EVALUATION AND LOGOPEDIC TREATMENT BETWEEN BECKWITH-WIEDEMANN AND DOWN PATIENTS

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PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARASTERISTIC OF URBAN AEROSOL OF CENTRAL BALKANS (BELGRADE)

Size-segregated urban aerosol of Belgrade center (44049'14''N, 20027'44''E) was studied during the summer-autumn 2008. The representative location in traffic area Studentski trg was chosen for investigating physical and chemical characteristics of collected particles. Particle size distribution in the size range Dp £ 0.49 µm, 0.49 £ Dp £ 0.95 µm, 0.95 £ Dp £ 1.5 µm, 1.5 £ Dp £ 3.0 µm, 3.0 £ Dp £ 7.2 µm and Dp ³ 7.2 µm were measured. Aerosol samples were submitted to gravimetric SEM analysis. The shape, size and chemical composition of the fine and coarse particles were analyzed. The imaging was carried out by SEM (Nova NanoSEM 230, FEI, USA). The same SEM was also used for the EDX measurements performed. The particles collected on fiber filters for SEM imaging were further on coated with 4 nm Pt layer to improve conductivity of the samples. The morphological and chemical composition suggested that the most abundant particles were carbonaceous soot but also microbes and natural and anthropogenic inorganic mineral materials. The chemical characterization was performed on a semi-quantitative level. The contents of the carbon were up to 70% or higher. In the samples were dominating next others elements: O, Mo, Si, Fe, Ca, Al, K, Mg

Size-segregated concentration of heavy metals in an urban aerosol of the Balkans region (Belgrade)

This work focuses on the heavy metals contents of the size-segregated urban aerosol of the continental area of Balkans. The distribution of nano/micron heavy metals in the size-segregated urban aerosol of Belgrade center was studied during the summer–autumn of 2008. The particle size distribution in the size ranges Dp ≤ 0.49 μm, 0.49 ≤ Dp ≤ 0.95 μm, 0.95 ≤ Dp ≤ 1.5 μm, 1.5 ≤ Dp ≤ 3.0 μm, 3.0 ≤ Dp ≤ 7.2 μm and Dp ≥ 7.2 μm was measured. The aerosol samples were submitted to gravimetric and chemical analyses. The obtained mean mass concentration of the PM fractions was in accordance with an urban aerosol distribution. The aerosol mass concentrations were determined by gravimetric measurements (mGM) and, for heavy metals analyzed by ICP/MS

Formaldehyde determination in seawater. Preliminary applicationto coastal samples at Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica)

A sensitive spectrofluorimetric-FIA (flow injection analysis) method for formaldehyde (HCHO) determination was improved with the aim of analysing seawater samples.The fluorescence emission versus HCHO concentration shows a linear pattern from sub mg L1 to about 1000 mg L1. The reproducibility at 15 ppb level is about 2%. Interferences from other aldehydes were checked; only glyoxal shows a significative interference, but only when its concentration is about 6000 times higher than that of formaldehyde. Superficial (microlayer, just sub-pack or sea-ice free sea surface) and deep (along the water column, sub-pack or in sea-ice free areas) seawater samples were collected near the coast at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica) during the 1998/1999 and 2001/2002 Italian Antarctic Expedition. We report here the preliminary results of the spectrofluorimetric-FIA determination of the HCHO content. The mean seawater superficial formaldehyde concentration was 15 mg L1; the concentration along the water column ranged between 4.5 to over 40 mg L1 (20 mg L1 mean concentration), usually with a maximum value for the 30 m depth, corresponding to a fluorescence maximum. The sampling was repeated 7 times in the austral summer in order to evaluate seasonal changes in the formaldehyde concentration/seawater depth profiles. The results show changes in the formaldehyde concentration at different depths

Results of the MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR's Search for Double-Beta Decay of 76Ge to Excited States of 76Se

The MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR is searching for double-beta decay of 76Ge to excited states (E.S.) in 76Se using a modular array of high purity Germanium detectors. 76Ge can decay into three E.S.s of 76Se. The E.S. decays have a clear event signature consisting of a ββ-decay with the prompt emission of one or two γ-rays, resulting in with high probability in a multi-site event. The granularity of the DEMONSTRATOR detector array enables powerful discrimination of this event signature from backgrounds. Using 21.3 kg-y of isotopic exposure, the DEMONSTRATOR has set world leading limits for each E.S. decay, with 90% CL lower half-life limits in the range of (0.56 2.1) ⋅ 1024 y. In particular, for the 2v transition to the first 0+ E.S. of 76Se, a lower half-life limit of 0.68 ⋅ 1024 at 90% CL was achieved

ADC Nonlinearity Correction for the Majorana Demonstrator

Imperfections in analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) cannot be ignored when signal digitization requirements demand both wide dynamic range and high resolution, as is the case for the Majorana Demonstrator 76Ge neutrinoless double-beta decay search. Enabling the experiment's high-resolution spectral analysis and efficient pulse shape discrimination required careful measurement and correction of ADC nonlinearities. A simple measurement protocol was developed that did not require sophisticated equipment or lengthy data-taking campaigns. A slope-dependent hysteresis was observed and characterized. A correction applied to digitized waveforms prior to signal processing reduced the differential and integral nonlinearities by an order of magnitude, eliminating these as dominant contributions to the systematic energy uncertainty at the double-beta decay Q value

¿“Nos enfrentamos y nos abrazamos”? Un nuevo recorrido por los usos oficiales del pasado durante el bicentenario de la Revolución de Mayo

El presente trabajo analiza, en primer lugar, los modos en que la historia argentina se tradujo, durante los festejos oficiales del bicentenario de la Revolución de Mayo, en artefactos culturales y festivos dirigidos a atraer un público vasto, prestando especial atención a los usos del pasado allí exhibidos. En segundo lugar, pone en relación dichas operaciones con las variaciones ocurridas en el nivel de las prácticas políticas gubernamentales tras la crisis política de 2008. En última instancia, se plantea que el gobierno de Cristina Fernández de Kirchner se inclinó, al momento de proyectar el festejo patrio en cuestión, por una lógica discursiva liberal–centrada, especialmente, en el consenso inclusivo y la aceptación de las diferencias–con el fin de matizar la partición del espacio socio-político, exhibir una nación reconciliada, interpelar a la sociedad argentina en su conjunto y, de ese modo, contribuir a la reconstrucción de su hegemonía política.Firstly, this paper analyzes how Argentinian history was translated, during the national celebrations of the May Revolution bicentennial, into cultural and festive devices aimed at attracting a massive audience, paying special attention to the uses of the past displayed. Secondly, it illustrates the relations between these operations and the variations of government policy that occurred after the 2008 political crisis. Ultimately, it claims that the Cristina Fernández de Kirchner administration adopted, when it came to planning this national holiday, a liberal discursive logic – mainly characterized by inclusive consensus and pluralism – in order to ease the division of the social and political space, display a reconciled nation, address the entire Argentinean society and, thereby, contribute to the reconstruction of Kirchnerist hegemony.Fil: Amorebieta y Vera, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales; Argentin

Mass distributions and morphological and chemical characterization of urban aerosols in the continental Balkan area (Belgrade)

This work presents characteristics of atmospheric aerosols of urban central Balkans area, using a size-segregated aerosol sampling method, calculation of mass distributions, SEM/EDX characterization, and ICP/MS analysis. Three types of mass distributions were observed: distribution with a pronounced domination of coarse mode, bimodal distribution, and distribution with minimum at 1 μm describing the urban aerosol. SEM/EDX analyses have shown morphological difference and variation in the content of elements in samples. EDX spectra demonstrate that particles generally contain the following elements: Al, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, Ni, K, Si, S. Additionally, the presence of As, Br, Sn, and Zn found in air masses from southeast segment points out the anthropogenic activities most probably from mining activities in southeastern part of Serbia. The ratio Al/Si equivalent to the ratio of desert dust was associated with air masses coming from southeastern and southwestern segments, pointing to influences from North Africa and Middle East desert areas whereas the Al/Si ratio in other samples is significantly lower. In several samples, we found high values of aluminum in the nucleation mode. Samples with low share of crustal elements in the coarse mode are collected when Mediterranean air masses prevailed, while high share in the coarse mode was associated with continental air masses that could be one of the approaches for identification of the aerosol origin. Graphical abstract ᅟ.This work presents characteristics of atmospheric aerosols of urban central Balkans area, using a size-segregated aerosol sampling method, calculation of mass distributions, SEM/EDX characterization, and ICP/MS analysis. Three types of mass distributions were observed: distribution with a pronounced domination of coarse mode, bimodal distribution, and distribution with minimum at 1 mu m describing the urban aerosol. SEM/EDX analyses have shown morphological difference and variation in the content of elements in samples. EDX spectra demonstrate that particles generally contain the following elements: Al, Ca, K, Fe, Mg, Ni, K, Si, S. Additionally, the presence of As, Br, Sn, and Zn found in air masses from southeast segment points out the anthropogenic activities most probably from mining activities in southeastern part of Serbia. The ratio Al/Si equivalent to the ratio of desert dust was associated with air masses coming from southeastern and southwestern segments, pointing to influences from North Africa and Middle East desert areas whereas the Al/Si ratio in other samples is significantly lower. In several samples, we found high values of aluminum in the nucleation mode. Samples with low share of crustal elements in the coarse mode are collected when Mediterranean air masses prevailed, while high share in the coarse mode was associated with continental air masses that could be one of the approaches for identification of the aerosol origin