93 research outputs found
Development of a laboratory system and 2D routing analysis to determine solute mixing within aquatic vegetation
A laser induced fluorometry (LIF) system was developed to quantify mixing within spatially variable aquatic vegetation. A comparison is made between intrusive fluorometry techniques and the application of LIF, to quantify mixing in real vegetation in the laboratory setting. LIF provides greater spatial resolution when compared to point fluorometry. Furthermore, LIF is non-intrusive. A two-dimensional routing procedure is used to calculate the longitudinal and transverse velocities and mixing coefficients from a single pulse injection of tracer within a vegetation patch
Investigating in-service failures of water pipes from a multiaxial notch fatigue point of view: A conceptual study
Many mechanisms and processes can cause deterioration and ultimately failure of water distribution pipes during
in-service operation, amongst these is damage caused by metal fatigue. This paper summarises an attempt at formalising
a novel methodology suitable for estimating the number of years taken for a through thickness fatigue crack to form in
this complex scenario. The devised method is based on the so-called modified Wošhler curve method and can be applied
to estimate fatigue damage of water pipes independently from the degree of multiaxiality and non-proportionality of the
load history. The computational approach of the proposed fatigue life estimation technique makes full use of an incremental
procedure: fatigue damage is evaluated year by year by assuming that all variable involved in the process can
change over time. The detrimental effect of corrosion pits is directly accounted for by treating them as conventional
notches whose size increases with time. Finally, by taking as reference information the number of years for a blowout
hole to form, the proposed approach is used to show how the lifetime of grey cast iron pipes can be remarkably
shortened by fatigue
Characterisation of the Physical Composition and Microbial Community Structure of Biofilms within a Model Full-Scale Drinking Water Distribution System
Within drinking water distribution systems (DWDS), microorganisms form multi-species biofilms on internal pipe surfaces. A matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) is produced by the attached community and provides structure and stability for the biofilm. If the EPS adhesive strength deteriorates or is overcome by external shear forces, biofilm ismobilised into the water potentially leading to degradation of water quality. However, little is known about the EPS within DWDS biofilms or how this is influenced by community composition or environmental parameters, because of the complications in obtaining biofilm samples and the difficulties in analysing EPS. Additionally, although biofilms may contain various microbial groups, research commonly focuses solely upon bacteria. This research applies an EPS analysis method based upon fluorescent confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in combination with digital image analysis (DIA), to concurrently characterize cells and EPS (carbohydrates and proteins) within drinking water biofilms from a full-scale DWDS experimental pipe loop facility with representative hydraulic conditions. Application of the EPS analysismethod, alongside DNA fingerprinting of bacterial, archaeal and fungal communities, was demonstrated for biofilms sampled from different positions around the pipeline, after 28 days growth within the DWDS experimental facility. The volume of EPS was 4.9 times greater than that of the cells within biofilms, with carbohydrates present as the dominant component. Additionally, the greatest proportion of EPS was located above that of the cells. Fungi and archaea were established as important components of the biofilm community, although bacteria were more diverse.Moreover, biofilms from different positions were similar with respect to community structure and the quantity, composition and three-dimensional distribution of cells and EPS, indicating that active colonisation of the pipe wall is an important driver inmaterial accumulation within the DWDS
Isolation and characterisation of human gingival margin-derived STRO-1/MACS+ and MACSâ cell populations
Recently, gingival margin-derived stem/progenitor cells isolated via
STRO-1/magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) showed remarkable periodontal
regenerative potential in vivo. As a second-stage investigation, the present
study's aim was to perform in vitro characterisation and comparison of the
stem/progenitor cell characteristics of sorted STRO-1-positive (MACS+) and
STRO-1-negative (MACSâ) cell populations from the human free gingival margin.
Cells were isolated from the free gingiva using a minimally invasive technique
and were magnetically sorted using anti-STRO-1 antibodies. Subsequently, the
MACS+ and MACSâ cell fractions were characterized by flow cytometry for
expression of CD14, CD34, CD45, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD146/MUC18 and STRO-1.
Colony-forming unit (CFU) and multilineage differentiation potential were
assayed for both cell fractions. Mineralisation marker expression was examined
using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MACS+ and MACSâ cell
fractions showed plastic adherence. MACS+ cells, in contrast to MACSâ cells,
showed all of the predefined mesenchymal stem/progenitor cell characteristics
and a significantly higher number of CFUs (P<0.01). More than 95% of MACS+
cells expressed CD105, CD90 and CD73; lacked the haematopoietic markers CD45,
CD34 and CD14, and expressed STRO-1 and CD146/MUC18. MACSâ cells showed a
different surface marker expression profile, with almost no expression of CD14
or STRO-1, and more than 95% of these cells expressed CD73, CD90 and
CD146/MUC18, as well as the haematopoietic markers CD34 and CD45 and CD105.
MACS+ cells could be differentiated along osteoblastic, adipocytic and
chondroblastic lineages. In contrast, MACSâ cells demonstrated slight
osteogenic potential. Unstimulated MACS+ cells showed significantly higher
expression of collagen I (P<0.05) and collagen III (P<0.01), whereas MACSâ
cells demonstrated higher expression of osteonectin (P<0.05; MannâWhitney).
The present study is the first to compare gingival MACS+ and MACSâ cell
populations demonstrating that MACS+ cells, in contrast to MACSâ cells,
harbour stem/progenitor cell characteristics. This study also validates the
effectiveness of the STRO-1/MACS+ technique for the isolation of gingival
stem/progenitor cells. Human free gingival margin-derived STRO-1/MACS+ cells
are a unique renewable source of multipotent stem/progenitor cells
The Response of Lemna minor to Mixtures of Pesticides That Are Commonly Used in Thailand
In the field, aquatic organisms are exposed to multiple contaminants rather than to single compounds. It is therefore important to understand the toxic interactions of co-occurring substances in the environment. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of individual herbicides (atrazine, 2,4-D, alachlor and paraquat) that are commonly used in Thailand and their mixtures on Lemna minor. Plants were exposed to individual and binary mixtures for 7 days and the effects on plant growth rate were assesed based on frond area measurements. Experimental observations of mixture toxicity were compared with predictions based on single herbicide exposure data using concentration addition and independent action models. The single compound studies showed that paraquat and alachlor were most toxic to L. minor, followed by atrazine and then 2,4-D. For the mixtures, atrazine with 2,4-D appeared to act antagonistically, whereas alachlor and paraquat showed synergism
Experimental Design
AbstractThis chapter covers various issues related to the experimental design, a statistical technique at the core of a discrete choice experiment. Specifically, it focuses on the dimensionality of a choice experiment and the statistical techniques used to allocate attribute levels to choice tasks. Among others, the pros and cons of orthogonal designs, optimal orthogonal in the differences designs as well as efficient designs are addressed. The last section shows how a simulation exercise can help to test the appropriateness of the experimental design
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Can information affect sensory perceptions? Evidence from a survey on Italian organic food consumers
This paper aims to investigate the influence of information on consumersâ preferences and sensory perceptions of organic food using a sample of 301 Italian organic food consumers. Consumers stated their preferences for âcore organicâ attributes, labels and information on food products and performed blind and informed tests on strawberry yoghurts and cookies. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney U tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results revealed that consumers appreciate âcore organicâ attributes, like artisanal production and variability of sensory attributes. Comparing blind and informed tests, results showed that information affects the overall liking of products and consumersâ perception of product-specific sensory attributes. However, the influence of information on sensory perceptions depends on the product category, sensory attributes and the type of information provided
High-Performance Work Systems and Organizational Performance in Emerging Economies: Evidence from MNEs in Turkey
This study examines the association between the usage of high-performance work systems (HPWS) by subsidiaries of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in Turkey and employee and subsidiary level outcomes. The study is based on a survey of 148 MNE subsidiaries operating in Turkey. The results show that the usage of HPWS has a significant positive impact on employee effectiveness. However, their impact on employee skills and development, and organizational financial performance are far less clear. Our findings highlight the extent to which HWPS need to be adapted to take account of context-specific institutional realities. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
Microbial analysis of in situ biofilm formation in drinking water distribution systems: implications for monitoring and control of drinking water quality.
Biofilm formation in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) is influenced by the source water, the supply infrastructure and the operation of the system. A holistic approach was used to advance knowledge on the development of mixed species biofilms in situ, by using biofilm sampling devices installed in chlorinated networks. Key physico-chemical parameters and conventional microbial indicators for drinking water quality were analysed. Biofilm coverage on pipes was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The microbial community structure, bacteria and fungi, of water and biofilms was assessed using pyrosequencing. Conventional wisdom leads to an expectation for less microbial diversity in groundwater supplied systems. However, the analysis of bulk water showed higher microbial diversity in groundwater site samples compared with the surface water site. Conversely, higher diversity and richness were detected in biofilms from the surface water site. The average biofilm coverage was similar among sites. Disinfection residual and other key variables were similar between the two sites, other than nitrates, alkalinity and the hydraulic conditions which were extremely low at the groundwater site. Thus, the unexpected result of an exceptionally low diversity with few dominant genera (Pseudomonas and Basidiobolus) in groundwater biofilm samples, despite the more diverse community in the bulk water, is attributed to the low-flow hydraulic conditions. This finding evidences that the local environmental conditions are shaping biofilm formation, composition and amount, and hence managing these is critical for the best operation of DWDS to safeguard water quality
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