Monitoring alkylphenols in water using the polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS): determining sampling rates via the extraction of PES membranes and Oasis beads

Polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) have previously been used to monitor alkylphenol (AP) contamination in water and produced water. However, only the sorbent receiving phase of the POCIS (Oasis beads) is traditionally analyzed, thus limiting the use of POCIS for monitoring a range of APs with varying hydrophobicity. Here a “pharmaceutical” POCIS was calibrated in the laboratory using a static renewal setup for APs (from 2-ethylphenol to 4-n-nonylphenol) with varying hydrophobicity (log Kow between 2.47 and 5.76). The POCIS sampler was calibrated over its 28 day integrative regime and sampling rates (Rs) were determined. Uptake was shown to be a function of AP hydrophobicity where compounds with log Kow < 4 were preferentially accumulated in Oasis beads, and compounds with log Kow > 5 were preferentially accumulated in the PES membranes. A lag phase (over a 24 h period) before uptake in to the PES membranes occurred was evident. This work demonstrates that the analysis of both POCIS phases is vital in order to correctly determine environmentally relevant concentrations owing to the fact that for APs with log Kow ≤ 4 uptake, to the PES membranes and the Oasis beads, involves different processes compared to APs with log Kow ≥ 4. The extraction of both the POCIS matrices is thus recommended in order to assess the concentration of hydrophobic APs (log Kow ≥ 4), as well as hydrophilic APs, most effectively. © 2017 Elsevier Lt

Topological Monomodes in non-Hermitian Systems

Topological monomodes have been for long as elusive as magnetic monopoles. The latter was experimentally shown to emerge in effective descriptions of condensed-matter systems, while the experimental exploration of the former has largely been hindered by the complexity of the conceived setups. Here, we present a remarkably simple model and the experimental observation of topological monomodes generated dynamically. By focusing on non-Hermitian one-dimensional (1D) and 2D Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) models, we theoretically unveil the minimal configuration to realize a topological monomode upon engineering losses and breaking of lattice symmetries. Furthermore, we classify the systems in terms of the (non-Hermitian) symmetries that are present and calculate the corresponding topological invariants. To corroborate the theory, we present experiments in photonic lattices, in which a monomode is observed in the non-Hermitian 1D and 2D SSH models, thus breaking the paradigm that topological corner states should appear in pairs. Our findings might have profound implications for photonics and quantum optics because topological monomodes increase the robustness of corner states by preventing recombination.Comment: 30 (13+17) pages, 17 (4+13) figures, comments are welcom

Behavioural inhibition and behavioural activation system scales for children: Relationships with Eysenck's personality traits and psychopathological symptoms

This study examined the psychometric properties of an age-downward version of the Carver and White (1994) BIS/BAS scales. Normal school children (N = 284) aged 8-12 years completed the BIS/BAS scales as well as scales of Neuroticism, Extraversion, and psychopathological symptoms. Results showed that the BIS/BAS scales for children had a theoretically meaningful factor structure and satisfactory reliability. Relationships with Eysenck's personality traits of Neuroticism and Extraversion, and psychopathological symptoms were generally as expected. That is, Neuroticism was positively associated with both BIS and BAS, whereas Extraversion was negatively related to BIS but positively to BAS. Further, BIS was convincingly connected to higher levels of internalizing symptoms, whereas BAS was to a certain level related to externalizing symptoms

Structure of a calcium-dependent 11R-lipoxygenase suggests a mechanism for Ca\u3csup\u3e2+\u3c/sup\u3e regulation

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are a key part of several signaling pathways that lead to inflammation and cancer. Yet, the mechanisms of substrate binding and allosteric regulation by the various LOX isoforms remain speculative. Here we report the 2.47-Å resolution crystal structure of the arachidonate 11R-LOX from Gersemia fruticosa, which sheds new light on the mechanism of LOXcatalysis. Our crystallographic and mutational studies suggest that the aliphatic tail of the fatty acid is bound in a hydrophobic pocket with two potential entrances. We speculate that LOXs share a common T-shaped substrate channel architecture that gives rise to the varying positional specificities. A general allosteric mechanism is proposed for transmitting the activity-inducing effect of calcium binding from the membrane-targeting PLAT (polycystin-1/ lipoxygenase/α-toxin) domain to the active site via a conserved π-cation bridge. © 2012 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc

Strømundersøkelse og sedimentkvalitet i dypbassenget vest for Malmøykalven, Indre Oslofjord

Strømmålinger nært bunnen (70m) i det anoksiske dypbassenget vest for Malmøykalven i perioden desember 1998-februar 1999 viste maksimale strømhastigheter på <3 cm/s. Slike strømhastigheter vil ikke føre til oppvirvling av sedimenter av siltig/leirig materiale. De havnesedimentene som planlegges dumpet er tildels grovere enn sedimentene på Malmøykalven, slik at sjansene for oppvirvling er enda mindre. Dessuten skal massene tildekkes av rene masser og kornstørrelsen på dekkmassene må avpasses strømforholdene for å hindre at dekkmassene eroderes under perioder med dypvannsutskiftning. Målinger av oksygen i vannmassen i desember viste anoksisk vann fra 40 m og ned til bunnen. Målinger av sedimentenes innhold av miljøgifter (Hg, Cd, Pb, PAH, PCB,TBT og olje) på fem lokaliteter i bassenget viste moderat forurensning, med unntak av PAH og olje som viste høye konsentrasjoner. Sedimentene er tydelig påvirket av dumping av overskuddsmasser i dette bassenget de senere årene. På grunnlag av vurdering av oksygen, strøm og sedimentkvalitet er dette bassenget egnet som deponeringssted for forurensede muddermasser. Det forutsetter imidlertid at massene dekkes til med uforurenset dekkmasse slik at sedimentets miljøstandard heves i forhold til dagens. Det forutsettes også at uavklarte spørsmål vedrørende miljøpåvirkninger knyttet til selve deponeringen og dekkmassens beskaffenhet avklares.Oslo havnevese

Measuring attitude toward theistic faith : assessing the Astley-Francis Scale among Christian, Muslim and secular youth in England

Empirical research within the social scientific study of religion in general and within the psychology of religion in particular remains very conscious of the complex nature of its subject matter. Empirical research in this field needs to take cognisance of the many forms in which religion is expressed (say, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism) and the many facets within the forms (say, beliefs, behaviours and affiliation). Working in the 1970s, Francis (1978a; 1978b) advanced the view that the attitudinal dimension of religion offered a particularly fruitful basis for coordinating empirical enquiry into the correlates, antecedents and consequences of religiosity across the life span

Topological Monomodes in non-Hermitian Systems

Topological monomodes have been for long as elusive as magnetic monopoles. The latter was experimentally shown to emerge in effective descriptions of condensed-matter systems, while the experimental exploration of the former has largely been hindered by the complexity of the conceived setups. Here, we present a remarkably simple model and the experimental observation of topological monomodes generated dynamically. By focusing on non-Hermitian one-dimensional (1D) and 2D Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) models, we theoretically unveil the minimal configuration to realize a topological monomode upon engineering losses and breaking of lattice symmetries. Furthermore, we classify the systems in terms of the (non-Hermitian) symmetries that are present and calculate the corresponding topological invariants. To corroborate the theory, we present experiments in photonic lattices, in which a monomode is observed in the non-Hermitian 1D and 2D SSH models, thus breaking the paradigm that topological corner states should appear in pairs. Our findings might have profound implications for photonics and quantum optics because topological monomodes increase the robustness of corner states by preventing recombination

Water bottle flipping physics

The water bottle flipping challenge consists of spinning a bottle, partially filled with water, and making it land upright. It is quite a striking phenomenon, since at first sight, it appears rather improbable that a tall rotating bottle could make such a stable landing. Here, we analyze the physics behind the water bottle flip, based on experiments and an analytical model that can be used in the classroom. Our measurements show that the angular velocity of the bottle decreases dramatically, enabling a nearly vertical descent and a successful landing. The reduced rotation is due to an increase in the moment of inertia, caused by the in-flight redistribution of the water mass along the bottle. Experimental and analytical results are compared quantitatively, and we demonstrate how to optimize the chances for a successful landing.</p

Communication Impairments in Early Term and Late Preterm Children: A Prospective Cohort Study following Children to Age 36 Months

OBJECTIVE To investigate the risk of communication impairments at age 18 and 36 months in children born early term (gestational weeks 37-38) and late preterm (gestational weeks 34-36). STUDY DESIGN A total of 39 423 children and their mothers participated in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. The sample included 7109 children (18%) born early term and 1673 (4.2%) born late preterm. Information on gestational age and prenatal and postnatal risk factors was obtained from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Information on communication impairments was assessed using standardized questionnaires filled out by the mothers. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the associations between early term/late preterm birth and communication impairments at age 18 and 36 months. RESULTS Compared with children born at term, children born early term and late preterm had an increased risk of communication impairments at age 18 and 36 months. In early term, the aOR was 1.27 (95% CI, 1.12-1.44) at 18 months for communication impairments and 1.22 (95% CI, 1.07-1.39) at 36 months for expressive language impairments. In late preterm, the aOR was 1.74 (95% CI, 1.41-2.14) at 18 months and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.09-1.73) at 36 months. CONCLUSION Not only children born late preterm, but also those born early term, are at increased risk for communication impairments. Given the large number of children potentially affected, this may result in significant health care costs