An Evaluation of Biological Phosphorus Removal

Biological phosphorus removal (BPR) was examined to determine its feasibility as a phosphorous removal method for municipal wastewater. A literature search was conducted which reviewed previous research of the mechanism of phosphorus removal and the major biological phosphorus removal processes. A BPR experiment performed at the Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant was reviewed and critiqued. The plant-scale experiment did not succeed because of 1) the presence of dissolved oxygen and nitrates in the anaerobic zone, 2) the low BOD concentration of the influent wastewater, and 3) the small portion of the return activated sludge which was treated anaerobically. A bench-scale BPR experiment was performed using the Mason Farm wastewater. The conclusions from the bench-scale experiment were that: 1) the release of phosphorus is an important step in the removal mechanism, 2) the phosphorus removing organisms may have a minimum requirement for organic carbon, and 3) a BOD concentration of greater than 200 mg/1 was needed for good phosphorus removal.Master of Science in Environmental Engineerin

The Nation\u27s Two Measures of Homicide

The United States uses two national data collection systems to track detailed information on homicides: the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Supplementary Homicide Reports and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Fatal Injury Reports. Both measures were developed as part of a federal effort to improve national statistical systems in the early twentieth century and have gone through a number of changes since then to improve their consistency and coverage. Each program provides valuable information on the nature, trends, and patterns of homicides in the United States. Although the two measures generally capture information on the same types of events, they are designed for distinct purposes and collect different types of information. In combination, however, they produce a fairly comprehensive understanding of homicide, the most serious form of violence

The Long Range Gravitational Potential Energy Between Strings

We calculate the gravitational potential energy between infinitely long parallel strings with tensions \tau_1 and \tau_2. Classically, it vanishes, but at one loop, we find that the long range gravitational potential energy per unit length is U/L = 24G_N^2\tau_1\tau_2/(5 \pi a^2) + ..., where a is the separation between the strings, G_N is Newton's constant, and we set \hbar = c =1. The ellipses represent terms suppressed by more powers of G_N \tau_i. Typically, massless bulk fields give rise at one loop to a long range potential between p-branes in space-times of dimension p+2+1. The contribution to this potential from bulk scalars is computed for arbitrary p (strings correspond to p=1) and in the case of three-branes its possible relevance for cosmological quintessence is commented on.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Relationships in Early Childhood Education and Care: A qualitative study of the parent-teacher relationship from parents' perspectives

This thesis explores, through a qualitative study, the experiences of six mothers in regard to the parent-teacher relationship in early childhood education and care. The perspectives of participants were shared through two face-to-face interviews with mothers in Houston, Texas in the United States over a period of four months. Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States with over 4.1 million people in the Harris County District where the research was conducted. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) list over 3000 childcare operations within Harris County. Of these over 1300 are licensed childcare centres. Participants in the study varied from first time mothers to ones with two or three children. Only one participant was local to the Houston area. All others were originally from interstate or overseas and had relocated to Houston for either their work or their spouse's work. The ages of the children at the beginning of the study ranged from four months to three years

Responding to symptoms suggestive of lung cancer: a qualitative interview study.

BACKGROUND: Late diagnosis of lung cancer can impact on survival rates. Patients delay seeking help for a number of reasons. This study explored symptom appraisal and help-seeking decisions among patients referred to specialist respiratory services with symptoms suggestive of lung cancer. METHODS: In-depth qualitative interviews with patients as soon as possible after referral, ideally before diagnosis and mainly within 10 weeks, explored factors impacting on their pathways prior to referral. Framework analysis, underpinned by the Model of Pathways to Treatment, was used to explore the data with particular focus on patients' beliefs and experiences, disease factors and healthcare professional influences. RESULTS: 35 patients were interviewed (aged 41-88 years, 15 women, 17 with lung cancer). All described similar presenting symptoms and triggers to seek help. Appraisal of symptoms was influenced by whether they had a lung comorbidity; seriousness of symptoms was interpreted within the context of previous illness experiences. Help-seeking was triggered when: symptoms failed to respond as expected; there was an increased awareness of symptoms of lung cancer; the public nature of a cough meant others were able to endorse help-seeking. Almost half visited the general practitioner (GP) two or more times before referral; during this period they reinterpreted initial symptoms and appraised new symptoms. The meaning given to symptoms changed over time and many became increasingly concerned they may have lung cancer. The GP played a role in ensuring timely further help-seeking but often there was little guidance on how to monitor symptoms or when to reconsult. CONCLUSIONS: Patients diagnosed with and without lung cancer had similar symptom pathways. Findings provide guidance for lung cancer awareness campaigns on the importance of social networks in endorsing patient help-seeking. The importance of appropriate advice, monitoring and safety-netting procedures by GPs for people presenting with symptoms suggestive of lung cancer is also highlighted.This report presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research programme (RP-PG-0608-10045).This is the final version. It was first published by BMJ Group at http://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/content/1/1/e00006

Error in hydraulic head and gradient time-series measurements: a quantitative appraisal

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Abstract.&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt; Hydraulic head and gradient measurements underpin practically all investigations in hydro(geo)logy. There is sufficient information in the literature to suggest that head measurement errors may be so large that flow directions can not be inferred reliably, and that their magnitude can have as great an effect on the uncertainty of flow rates as the hydraulic conductivity. Yet, educational text books contain limited content regarding measurement techniques and studies rarely report on measurement errors. The objective of our study is to review currently-accepted standard operating procedures in hydrological research and to determine the smallest head gradients that can be resolved. To this aim, we first systematically investigate the systematic and random measurements errors involved in collecting time series information on hydraulic head at a given location: (1) geospatial position, (2) point of head, (3) depth to water, and (4) water level time series. Then, by propagating the random errors, we find that with current standard practice, horizontal head gradients&amp;amp;#8201;&amp;lt;&amp;amp;#8201;10&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;&amp;amp;#8722;4&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; are resolvable at distances&amp;amp;#8201;&amp;amp;#10886;&amp;amp;#8201;170&amp;amp;#8201;m. Further, it takes extraordinary effort to measure hydraulic head gradients&amp;amp;#8201;&amp;lt;&amp;amp;#8201;10&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;&amp;amp;#8722;3&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt; over distances&amp;amp;#8201;&amp;lt;&amp;amp;#8201;10&amp;amp;#8201;m. In reality, accuracy will be worse than our theoretical estimates because of the many possible systematic errors. Regional flow on a scale of kilometres or more can be inferred with current best-practice methods, but processes such as vertical flow within an aquifer cannot be determined until more accurate and precise measurement methods are developed. Finally, we offer a concise set of recommendations for water level, hydraulic head and gradient time series measurements. We anticipate that our work contributes to progressing the quality of head time series data in the hydro(geo)logical sciences, and provides a starting point for the development of universal measurement protocols for water level data collection.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; </jats:p

Narratives of Black Women STEM Faculty: Breaking Barriers to Promote Institutional Transformation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Women faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), experience many barriers. HBCUs’ rich histories of advancing racial equity have often outweighed a focus on gender equity, with issues at the intersection of race and gender receiving minimal attention. This study highlights the need for institutional transformation at HBCUs by identifying the structural factors that promote and inhibit Black women STEM faculty advancement. Interviews (n=15) were conducted with HBCU Black women STEM faculty using the Life Interview approach. The three major themes related to barriers included: (a) greater likelihood of having their expertise questioned, (b) increased pressure to work harder, and (c) sexism, racism, and gendered racism. This study expands upon existing research in the literature by focusing on an understudied population, Black women STEM faculty at HBCUs. Findings suggest that to advance institutional transformation diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, colleges and universities must establish infrastructures that include supports of benefit to the professional advancement of all faculty

Acceptability of a Mobile Health Unit for Rural HIV Clinical Trial Enrollment and Participation

Few rural minorities participate in HIV clinical trials. Mobile health units (MHUs) may be one strategy to increase participation. We explored community perceptions of MHU acceptability to increase clinical trial participation for rural minorities living with HIV/AIDS. We conducted 11 focus groups (service providers and community leaders) and 35 interviews (people living with HIV/AIDS). Responses were analyzed using constant comparative and content analysis techniques. Acceptable MHU use included maintaining accessibility and confidentiality while establishing credibility, community ownership and control. Under these conditions, MHUs can service rural locations and overcome geographic barriers to reaching major medical centers for clinical trials

Community-Based HIV Clinical Trials: An Integrated Approach in Underserved, Rural, Minority Communities

Although racial and ethnic minorities have disproportionately high rates of HIV infection, these groups are underrepresented in HIV-related clinical trials. This illustrates the need for more innovation in attempts to engage underrepresented populations in calls for interdisciplinary and translational research