Framework for evaluating water quality information system performance

1994 Fall.Includes bibliographic references (pages 280-308).Water resource and water quality managers are being held increasingly accountable for the programs they manage. Much progress has been made in applying total systems perspectives to the design and operation of water quality monitoring and information programs, and towards rationalizing those programs with respect to management objectives and information needs. A recent example of that progress is the development of data analysis protocols to enhance the information system design process. However, further work is necessary to develop approaches which can help managers confront the water quality management environment of the future, which will be characterized by: (1) fewer purely technical questions, (2) more complex problems with social, economic, political and legal ramifications, and (3) actively managed and continuously improved water quality information systems. This research concludes that the management of water quality information systems for continuous improvement requires: (1) a competent system design process, (2) comprehensive documentation of system design and operation, and (3) a routine and thorough performance measurement and evaluation process. The framework for evaluating water quality information system performance presented in this dissertation integrates the experience of several disciplines into an instrument to help water quality managers accomplish these requirements. The framework embodies four phases: (1) evaluation planning, (2) watershed and management system analyses, (3) information system analysis, and (4) information system performance evaluation. The application of the framework is demonstrated in the evaluation of water quality monitoring programs associated with a unique municipal water transfer project. Water quality professionals of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey are surveyed as to its potential application to large (e.g., regional or national) systems. Those exercises indicate the framework to be a convenient, economic, and flexible instrument useful towards enhancing water quality information system performance. Recommendations for future research to refine the framework and to extend its scope and utility are also presented

Mađarska narodna nošnja u suvremenoj modi

Svrha ovoga rada je pokazati važnost mađarske tradicionalne narodne nošnje koja pruža dragocjene inspiracije za dizajniranje suvremene odjeće. Narodna nošnja je rezultat dugog razvoja i različiti utjecaji su uvjetovali njeno oblikovanje. Do našeg doba je kultura tradicionalne odjeće izgubila svoje početno značenje i značajno se promijenila. Stara narodna nošnja upotrebljava se u posebnim prilikama ili festivalima, umjesto nekadašnje svakodnevne upotrebe. Moda je podložna konstantnim promjenama, a dizajneri često koriste povijesne i narodne motive i praktična rješenja ovih predmeta u svojim kolekcijama kao inspiraciju. Tako se pruža mogućnost očuvanja bogate tradicije. Na nekoliko primjera se pokazalo kako se motivi narodne nošnje pojavljuju u današnjoj modi Mađarske i kako se simboličke karakteristike ove tradicije mogu primijeniti na nekim praktičnim odjevnim predmetima za svakodnevnu upotrebu. Na primjeru dizajna ženskog kaputa razmatrano je kako se tradicionalna konstrukcija ovog odjevnog predmeta može uskladiti s današnjim potrebama i još uvijek zadržati simboličke elemente mađarske tradicionalne narodne baštine

Mađarska narodna nošnja u suvremenoj modi

Svrha ovoga rada je pokazati važnost mađarske tradicionalne narodne nošnje koja pruža dragocjene inspiracije za dizajniranje suvremene odjeće. Narodna nošnja je rezultat dugog razvoja i različiti utjecaji su uvjetovali njeno oblikovanje. Do našeg doba je kultura tradicionalne odjeće izgubila svoje početno značenje i značajno se promijenila. Stara narodna nošnja upotrebljava se u posebnim prilikama ili festivalima, umjesto nekadašnje svakodnevne upotrebe. Moda je podložna konstantnim promjenama, a dizajneri često koriste povijesne i narodne motive i praktična rješenja ovih predmeta u svojim kolekcijama kao inspiraciju. Tako se pruža mogućnost očuvanja bogate tradicije. Na nekoliko primjera se pokazalo kako se motivi narodne nošnje pojavljuju u današnjoj modi Mađarske i kako se simboličke karakteristike ove tradicije mogu primijeniti na nekim praktičnim odjevnim predmetima za svakodnevnu upotrebu. Na primjeru dizajna ženskog kaputa razmatrano je kako se tradicionalna konstrukcija ovog odjevnog predmeta može uskladiti s današnjim potrebama i još uvijek zadržati simboličke elemente mađarske tradicionalne narodne baštine

Overexpression of a natural chloroplast-encoded antisense RNA in tobacco destabilizes 5S rRNA and retards plant growth

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The roles of non-coding RNAs in regulating gene expression have been extensively studied in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, however few reports exist as to their roles in organellar gene regulation. Evidence for accumulation of natural antisense RNAs (asRNAs) in chloroplasts comes from the expressed sequence tag database and cDNA libraries, while functional data have been largely obtained from artificial asRNAs. In this study, we used <it>Nicotiana tabacum </it>to investigate the effect on sense strand transcripts of overexpressing a natural chloroplast asRNA, AS5, which is complementary to the region which encodes the 5S rRNA and tRNA^Arg.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>AS5-overexpressing (AS5^ox) plants obtained by chloroplast transformation exhibited slower growth and slightly pale green leaves. Analysis of AS5 transcripts revealed four distinct species in wild-type (WT) and AS5^oxplants, and additional AS5^ox-specific products. Of the corresponding sense strand transcripts, tRNA^Argoveraccumulated several-fold in transgenic plants whereas 5S rRNA was unaffected. However, run-on transcription showed that the 5S-<it>trnR </it>region was transcribed four-fold more in the AS5^oxplants compared to WT, indicating that overexpression of AS5 was associated with decreased stability of 5S rRNA. In addition, polysome analysis of the transformants showed less 5S rRNA and <it>rbcL </it>mRNA associated with ribosomes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggest that AS5 can modulate 5S rRNA levels, giving it the potential to affect Chloroplast translation and plant growth. More globally, overexpression of asRNAs via chloroplast transformation may be a useful strategy for defining their functions.</p

SOSIALISASI/PENYULUHAN BAHAYA NARKOBA UNTUK GENERASI MASA KINI DI DESA SEI LAMA

Pencegahan penyalahgunaan narkoba dapat dilakukan dengan cara melakukan pengawasan dan memberikan sanksi yang tepat terhadap pelaku. Cara lain yaitu dengan melakukan penyuluhan tentang penyalahgunaan narkoba. Tujuan sosialisasi ini untuk mengetahui dampak dari penyalahgunaan narkoba pada masyarakat Desa Sei Lama. Partisipan dalam sosialisasi ini adalah kepala desa sei lama beserta warga setempat. Jumlah partisipan sekitar 30 orang, Hasil yang didapatkan bahwa pencegahan penyalahgunaan narkoba telah dilakukan dengan berbagai cara seperti pengawasan dan juga sosialisasi yang selama ini terbukti efektif. Pihak kepala desa memberikan respon yang baik dengan dilakukannya sosialisasi/penyuluhan bahaya narkoba untuk generasi masa kini di desa sei lama.Kata Kunci: Sosialisasi, Narkoba, Pencegaha

Real time data analytics as applied to web-to-roller traction in manufacturing

Avoidance of web handling-related imperfections is often a challenge. As an example, the limit of web-to-roller traction is typically not detected until it is exceeded, resulting in product damage. Detection is often made through product inspection. This delay can result in a large volume of unacceptable material being produced. Inclusion of roller speed monitoring can greatly improve response time, but detection still takes place after failure has occurred.Avoidance of traction problems is normally approached by providing robust equipment design, although this ability is often limited by other machine layout limitations. Variables that can influence web-to-roller traction include: roller wrap angle, roller surface roughness, web surface roughness, bearing frictional drag, roller venting, boundary layer air volume, track-off of foreign materials onto roller surfaces, and wear of roller surfaces.Measurement of web-to-roller traction, often described as excess traction, requires a pre-determined amount of torque to be applied to the roller until the onset of slip. This paper describes an approach which incorporates one or more remote-actuated, machine-mounted prony brakes and a process monitoring (PM) system, which would permit rapid measurement of excess traction on a routinely-scheduled basis while running non-saleable material, enabling traction performance to be trended, and anticipating failures before they occur on saleable product.Incorporating targeted measurement data into a PM system will permit calculations and comparative controls to alarm when there is evidence of traction deterioration. This system provides machine learning algorithms to predict process deterioration and provide input to preventative maintenance scheduling

Characterization of plastid psbT sense and antisense RNAs

The plastid psbB operon is composed of the psbB, psbT, psbH, petB and petD genes. The psbN gene is located in the intergenic region between psbT and psbH on the opposite DNA strand. Transcription of psbN is under control of sigma factor 3 (SIG3) and psbN read-through transcription produces antisense RNA to psbT mRNA. To investigate on the question of whether psbT gene expression might be regulated by antisense RNA, we have characterized psbT sense and antisense RNAs. Mapping of 5′ and 3′-ends by circular RT–PCR and /or 5′-RACE experiments reveal the existence of two different sense and antisense RNAs each, one limited to psbT RNA and a larger one that covers, in addition, part of the psbB coding region. Sense and antisense RNAs seem to form double-stranded RNA/RNA hybrids as indicated by nuclease digestion experiments followed by RT–PCR amplification to reveal nuclease resistant RNA. Western immunoblotting using antibodies made against PSBT protein and primer extension analysis of different plastid mRNA species and psbT antisense RNA suggest that sequestering of psbT mRNA by hybrid formation results in translational inactivation of the psbT mRNA and provides protection against nucleolytic degradation of mRNA during photooxydative stress conditions

Получение сульфата калия конверсией фосфогипса карбонатом калия

This work shows the possibility of obtaining potassium sulfate by converting phosphogypsum and potassium carbotane by the reaction CaSO4 + K2CO3 → ↓ CaCO3 + K2SO4. The optimal conditions for this process are determined. It is shown that in an aqueous medium at a temperature of 20 °C, a stoichiometric ratio of the initial components, the rotation speed of the stirrer 200 rpm for 15-30 min, the degree of use of Ca2+ ions is 94-95 %. Potassium sulfate contained in the liquid phase is transferred into the solid phase by evaporation and subsequent crystallization.Представлена возможность получения сульфата калия путем конверсии фосфогипса и карботана калия по реакции CaSO4 + K2CO3 → ↓CaCO3 + K2SO4. Определены оптимальные условия данного процесса. Показано, что в водной среде при температуре 20 °C, стехиометрическом соотношении исходных компонентов, скорости вращения мешалки 200 об/мин в течение 15–30 мин степень использования ионов Ca2+ составляет 94–95 %. Сульфат калия, содержащийся в жидкой фазе, путем выпаривания и последующей кристаллизацией выделяется в твердую фазу

Одностадийный способ получения сульфата калия и переработка щелока

Method of obtaining potassium sulfate with basic substance content higher 92 % shown. Process conditions: 110 % KCl (10 % excess substance from stoichiometry), mixing at temperature higher 95 °C during 30 min, mixing at temperature 0 °C for 1 hour, stirrer speed 500 rpm, sludge washing 15 % water from wet sludge weight, drying the washed sludge at 70–80 °C during 1 hour. The degree of evaporation of the solution at which the double salt of potassium and ammonium sulfate precipitated was determined. The degree is 30 % at the evaporated suspension cooled, and is 45 % at hot filtration.На основе термодинамических характеристик процесса проведен синтез сульфата калия из сульфата аммония и хлорида калия. Показано, что при стехиометрическом соотношении солей можно получить осадок с высоким содержанием сульфата калия при охлаждении суспензии во льду. Дополнительная промывка осадка и повышение расхода хлорида калия выше стехиометрической нормы позволяют получить сульфат калия выше 92 %. Приняты следующие условия получения сульфата калия в одну стадию: 110 % хлорида калия (10 % избыток), перемешивание при температуре выше 95 °С в течение 30 мин, перемешивание во льду (0 °С) 1 ч, частота вращения мешалки 500 об/мин, промывка осадка 15 % воды от массы влажного осадка, сушка промытого осадка при 70–80 °С в течение 1 ч. При выпарке получаемых растворов образуется двойная соль сульфата калия и аммония и сбросовый хлоридный раствор. Определена степень выпаривания раствора, при которой в осадок можно выделить двойную соль сульфата калия и аммония. При охлаждении выпаренной суспензии она составляет 30 %, а при горячем фильтровании 45 %

Spatial divergence in the proportions of genes encoding toxic peptide synthesis among populations of the cyanobacterium Planktothrix in European lakes

It has been frequently reported that seasonal changes in toxin production by cyanobacteria are due to changes in the proportion of toxic/nontoxic genotypes in parallel to increases or decreases in population density during the seasonal cycle of bloom formation. In order to find out whether there is a relationship between the proportion of genes encoding toxic peptide synthesis and population density of Planktothrix spp. we compared the proportion of three gene regions that are indicative of the synthesis of the toxic heptapeptide microcystin (mcyB), and the bioactive peptides aeruginoside (aerB) and anabaenopeptin (apnC) in samples from 23 lakes of five European countries (n=153). The mcyB, aerB, and apnC genes occurred in 99%, 99%, and 97% of the samples, respectively, and on average comprised 60 ± 3%, 22 ± 2%, and 54 ± 4% of the total population, respectively. Although the populations differed widely in abundance (10−3–103 mm3 L−1) no dependence of the proportion of the mcyB, aerB, and apnC genes on the density of the total population was found. In contrast populations differed significantly in their average mcyB, aerB, and apnC gene proportions, with no change between prebloom and bloom conditions. These results emphasize stable population-specific differences in mcyB, aerB, and apnC proportions that are independent from seasonal influences