Short chained alkyl phenols (SCAP) in groundwater: chemical analysis, adsorption mechanism and field cases

An drei Felduntersuchen, welche sich bezüglich ihrer Geologie und Hydrogeologie unterscheiden, konnte gezeigt werden, daß diese Phenole selbst Jahre nach Schließung der betroffenen Standorte im Grundwasser nachweisbar sind. Es wurden Phenolindex und HPLC-Methoden auf Ihre Anwendbarkeit für SCAP überprüft und ein neues robustes Verfahren (HS-SPME-GCMS) vorgeschlagen. Detaillierte Untersuchungen zum Adsorptionsmechanismus (Stufenisotherme) der SCAP zeigten, daß sich die im allgemeinen leichtlöslichen SCAP anders verhalten als die üblich betrachteten Schadstoffe wie BTEX oder PAK. Mittels Laborversuchen, Modellierung und Felduntersuchungen konnte gezeigt werden, daß SCAP sehr mobile Schadstoffe sind, wodurch sich diese hervorragend zur Beschreibung der maximalen Ausdehnung der organischen Schadstofffahne eignen. Adsorption als relevanter Natural Attenuation Prozeß für SCAP ist nicht relevant

A MODEL FOR PREDICTING THE PERFORMANCE OF IP VIDEOCONFERENCING

With the incorporation of free desktop videoconferencing (DVC) software on the majority of the world's PCs, over the recent years, there has, inevitably, been considerable interest in using DVC over the Internet. The growing popularity of DVC increases the need for multimedia quality assessment. However, the task of predicting the perceived multimedia quality over the Internet Protocol (IP) networks is complicated by the fact that the audio and video streams are susceptible to unique impairments due to the unpredictable nature of IP networks, different types of task scenarios, different levels of complexity, and other related factors. To date, a standard consensus to define the IP media Quality of Service (QoS) has yet to be implemented. The thesis addresses this problem by investigating a new approach to assess the quality of audio, video, and audiovisual overall as perceived in low cost DVC systems. The main aim of the thesis is to investigate current methods used to assess the perceived IP media quality, and then propose a model which will predict the quality of audiovisual experience from prevailing network parameters. This thesis investigates the effects of various traffic conditions, such as, packet loss, jitter, and delay and other factors that may influence end user acceptance, when low cost DVC is used over the Internet. It also investigates the interaction effects between the audio and video media, and the issues involving the lip sychronisation error. The thesis provides the empirical evidence that the subjective mean opinion score (MOS) of the perceived multimedia quality is unaffected by lip synchronisation error in low cost DVC systems. The data-gathering approach that is advocated in this thesis involves both field and laboratory trials to enable the comparisons of results between classroom-based experiments and real-world environments to be made, and to provide actual real-world confirmation of the bench tests. The subjective test method was employed since it has been proven to be more robust and suitable for the research studies, as compared to objective testing techniques. The MOS results, and the number of observations obtained, have enabled a set of criteria to be established that can be used to determine the acceptable QoS for given network conditions and task scenarios. Based upon these comprehensive findings, the final contribution of the thesis is the proposal of a new adaptive architecture method that is intended to enable the performance of IP based DVC of a particular session to be predicted for a given network condition

FIRST REPORT OF ALGAL LEAF SPOT CAUSED BY CEPHALEUROS VIRESCENS KUNZE ON LONGAN TREES IN PUERTO RICO

FIRST REPORT OF ALGAL LEAF SPOT CAUSED BY CEPHALEUROS VIRESCENS KUNZE ON LONGAN TREES IN PUERTO RIC

Tantra Ducks and Zen Bunnies

This paper reconsiders the relationship between esoteric or tantric Buddhism and Zen in premodern Japan. Taking the teachings of Enni 圓爾 (1202–1280) and early modern Sōtō lore as its examples, as well as an adapted version of Wittgenstein’s concept of “seeing-as” as its methodological guideline, the paper argues that the categories of “esoteric Buddhism” and “Zen” themselves should be treated as discursively constructed. From this point of view, the scholarly desideratum is to undertake the genealogical elucidation of the process of their construction. The paper concludes that “esoteric Zen” should be considered a family of strategic, discursive practices predicated on acts of “seeing-as” and their subsequent sedimentation through repetition

NEW METHOD FOR LONG TERM STORAGE OF VIABLE MANGOSTEEN SEED

NEW METHOD FOR LONG TERM STORAGE OF VIABLE MANGOSTEEN SEE

Identification and characterization of repetitive extragenic palindromes (REP)-associated tyrosine transposases: implications for REP evolution and dynamics in bacterial genomes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bacterial repetitive extragenic palindromes (REPs) compose a distinct group of genomic repeats. They usually occur in high abundance (>100 copies/genome) and are often arranged in composite repetitive structures - bacterial interspersed mosaic elements (BIMEs). In BIMEs, regularly spaced REPs are present in alternating orientations. BIMEs and REPs have been shown to serve as binding sites for several proteins and suggested to play role in chromosome organization and transcription termination. Their origins are, at present, unknown.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this report, we describe a novel class of putative transposases related to IS<it>200</it>/IS<it>605 </it>transposase family and we demonstrate that they are obligately associated with bacterial REPs. Open reading frames coding for these REP-associated tyrosine transposases (RAYTs) are always flanked by two REPs in inverted orientation and thus constitute a unit reminiscent of typical transposable elements. Besides conserved residues involved in catalysis of DNA cleavage, RAYTs carry characteristic structural motifs that are absent in typical IS<it>200</it>/IS<it>605 </it>transposases. DNA sequences flanking <it>rayt </it>genes are in one third of examined cases arranged in modular BIMEs. RAYTs and their flanking REPs apparently coevolve with each other. The <it>rayt </it>genes themselves are subject to rapid evolution, substantially exceeding the substitution rate of neighboring genes. Strong correlation was found between the presence of a particular <it>rayt </it>in a genome and the abundance of its cognate REPs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In light of our findings, we propose that RAYTs are responsible for establishment of REPs and BIMEs in bacterial genomes, as well as for their exceptional dynamics and species-specifity. Conversely, we suggest that BIMEs are in fact a special type of nonautonomous transposable elements, mobilizable by RAYTs.</p

Interactive comment on “Influence of aquifer heterogeneity on karst hydraulics and catchment delineation employing distributive modeling approaches”

Due to their heterogeneous nature, karst aquifers pose a major challenge for hydrogeological investigations. Important procedures like the delineation of catchment areas for springs are hindered by the unknown locations and hydraulic properties of highly conductive karstic zones. In this work numerical modeling was employed as a tool in delineating catchment areas of several springs within a karst area in southwestern Germany. For this purpose, different distributive modeling approaches were implemented in the finite element simulation software Comsol Multiphysics&reg;. The investigation focuses on the question to which degree the effect of karstification has to be taken into account for accurately simulating the hydraulic head distribution and the observed spring discharges. The results reveal that the representation of heterogeneities has a large influence on the delineation of the catchment areas. Not only the location of highly conductive elements but also their geometries play a major role for the resulting hydraulic head distribution and thus for catchment area delineation. The size distribution of the karst conduits derived from the numerical models agrees with knowledge from karst genesis. It was thus shown that numerical modeling is a useful tool for catchment delineation in karst aquifers based on results from different field observations

THE USE OF CARTOON FILM “SHAWN THE TRAIN” TO IMPROVE THE STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY MASTERY (A CLASSROOM ACTION RESEARCH AT THE FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SDN 3 JATI WETAN KUDUS IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2013/2014 )

Learning vocabulary is the most important part in learning English. Without vocabulary, little can be conveyed. Although we have good capability in grammar, it will be useless if we do not master vocabulary well. On the contrary, people who master vocabulary well will know more words and world as well. But in fact, the fifth grade students of SDN 3 Jati Wetan Kudus in academic year 2013/2014 had difficulties in understanding and memorizing vocabulary, also in knowing the meaning of English vocabulary. The objective of this research is to improve the students vocabulary mastery and to solve the students’ difficulty in learning vocabulary that found in the fifth grade students of SDN 3 Jati Wetan Kudus in academic year 2013/2014. In addition, this research would also want to build the students’ interest and motivation in learning English. The method that used in this research was Classroom Action Research (CAR). The subject of this research was the students of SDN 3 Jati Wetan Kudus in academic year 2013/2014. There were 22 students which consisted of 17 girls and 6 boys. Meanwhile, there were 2 cycles which consisted two meetings in every cycle. The researcher used three instruments in collecting the data, those are: observation sheet, achievement test, and questionnaire. The result of this research is Cartoon Film “Shawn The Train” improved the students’ vocabulary mastery of the fifth grade students of SDN 3 Jati Wetan Kudus in academic year 2013/2014. The average score of the first cycle is 57.5. The category is sufficient. While the average score of the second cycle is 78.1. The category of the second cycle is good. It means that the research show good progress from Cycle I into Cycle II. Based on fact above, the researcher concludes that by using of Cartoon Film “Shawn The Train” in teaching and learning process can improve the students’ vocabulary mastery of the fifth grade students of SDN 3 Jati Wetan Kudus in academic year 2013/2014. The researcher suggests to the English teacher to use Cartoon Film “Shawn The Train” as media in improving English vocabulary. Moreover, the teacher should be creative and professional in delivering material

Emergência de convenções num ambiente não ergódico

A existência de não convexidades tem provocado dificuldades na análise econômica, seja porque não permite que os agentes possam utilizar uma racionalidade baseada na maximização de uma função objetivo, seja porque os processos de mercado tornam-se não ergódicos. A existência de processos de realimentação pode ser utilizada para estudar a emergência de convenções a partir da escolha de procedimentos comportamentais alternativos por parte dos agentes econômicos

Pengaruh Pengaplikasian Edible Coating Pati Singkong (Manihot utilissima) Terhadap Kekasaran Permukaan Basis Gigi Tiruan Resin Akrilik Polimerisasi Panas

Basis merupakan salah satu elemen penyusun gigi tiruan yang umumnya terbuat dari bahan resin akrilik polimerisasi panas. Bahan ini memiliki sifat fisik mudah terjadi porus sehingga dapat menyebabkan peningkatan kekasaran permukaannya. Kekasaran permukaan pada basis gigi tiruan dapat dihindari dengan pengaplikasian edible coating pati singkong sehingga porus pada permukaan dapat tertutup dan permukaan menjadi halus. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui pengaruh pengaplikasian edible coating pati singkong (M. utilissima) terhadap kekasaran permukaan basis gigi tiruan resin akrilik polimerisasi panas. Jenis penelitian ini adalah eksperimental laboratoris dengan rancangan penelitian post-test only control group design. Sebanyak 48 plat resin akrilik polimerisasi panas terbagi menjadi 6 kelompok yaitu kelompok dengan pengaplikasian edible coating pati singkong 2,5%, 5%, 7,5%, 10%, 12,5%, dan tanpa pengaplikasian edible coating pati singkong. Hasil uji kekasaran permukaan menggunakan profilometer menunjukkan seluruh nilai rerata kekasaran permukaan kelompok perlakuan lebih rendah dibandingkan kelompok kontrol. Analisis data pada penelitian ini dilakukan menggunakan uji One-Way ANOVA kemudian dilanjutkan uji LSD. Hasil uji karakteristik SEM menunjukkan adanya gambaran porus pada kelompok kontrol maupun perlakuan dengan jumlah yang semakin berkurang seiring peningkatan konsentrasi pati singkong. Terdapat perbedaan nilai kekasaran permukaan yang bermakna antara kelompok perlakuan dengan kelompok kontrol, kelompok dengan konsentrasi paling optimal adalah kelompok yang diaplikasikan edible coating pati singkong konsentrasi 7,5%. Simpulan penelitian ini adalah terdapat pengaruh dari pengaplikasian edible coating pati singkong terhadap kekasaran permukaan basis gigi tiruan resin akrilik polimerisasi panas