Extension of the measurement range of electrical conductivity by time-domain reflectometry (TDR)

International audienceThe electrical conductivity (EC) of a medium invaded by TDR sensors can be estimated from the impedance of a TDR reflectogram. Four categories of sensor were tested in salt solutions and the impedances of the TDR pulse wave were correlated to the EC of the solution. The relation between the impedance and EC over a wide range of conductivities is non-linear but stable. Second- to fourth-degree polynomials can extend the measurement range to 44 dS m-1 (equivalent to a NaCl concentration of 28 g l-1 or 0.48 N) and result in better prediction of the conductivities than linear relations. For automatic measurement of EC with a datalogger, the method of Giese and Tiemann (1975, Adv. Mol. Rel. Processes, 7: 45-59) gives accurate measurement of conductivities lower than 10 dS m-1. Polynomial relations between EC and the datalogger's record provide an accurate estimate of the conductivity over a wide range. However, for both manual and automatic measurements, the sensors need to be calibrated individually. In particular, in the non-linear region, the differences between sensors are larger. Fortunately, the relation is sufficiently stable to eliminate significant error

Hypofibrinolysis in diabetes: a therapeutic target for the reduction of cardiovascular risk

An enhanced thrombotic environment and premature atherosclerosis are key factors for the increased cardiovascular risk in diabetes. The occlusive vascular thrombus, formed secondary to interactions between platelets and coagulation proteins, is composed of a skeleton of fibrin fibres with cellular elements embedded in this network. Diabetes is characterised by quantitative and qualitative changes in coagulation proteins, which collectively increase resistance to fibrinolysis, consequently augmenting thrombosis risk. Current long-term therapies to prevent arterial occlusion in diabetes are focussed on anti-platelet agents, a strategy that fails to address the contribution of coagulation proteins to the enhanced thrombotic milieu. Moreover, antiplatelet treatment is associated with bleeding complications, particularly with newer agents and more aggressive combination therapies, questioning the safety of this approach. Therefore, to safely control thrombosis risk in diabetes, an alternative approach is required with the fibrin network representing a credible therapeutic target. In the current review, we address diabetes-specific mechanistic pathways responsible for hypofibrinolysis including the role of clot structure, defects in the fibrinolytic system and increased incorporation of anti-fibrinolytic proteins into the clot. Future anti-thrombotic therapeutic options are discussed with special emphasis on the potential advantages of modulating incorporation of the anti-fibrinolytic proteins into fibrin networks. This latter approach carries theoretical advantages, including specificity for diabetes, ability to target a particular protein with a possible favourable risk of bleeding. The development of alternative treatment strategies to better control residual thrombosis risk in diabetes will help to reduce vascular events, which remain the main cause of mortality in this condition

Definition of realistic disturbances as a crucial step during the assessment of resilience of natural wastewater treatment systems

Natural wastewater treatment systems (WWTSs) for urban areas in developing countries are subjected to large fluctuations in their inflow. This situation can result in a decreased treatment performance. The main aims of this paper are to introduce resilience as a performance indicator for natural WWTSs and to propose a methodology for the identification and generation of realistic disturbances of WWTSs. Firstly, a definition of resilience is formulated for natural WWTSs together with a short discussion of its most relevant properties. An important aspect during the evaluation process of resilience is the selection of appropriate disturbances. Disturbances of the WWTS are caused by fluctuations in water quantity and quality characteristics of the inflow. An approach to defining appropriate disturbances is presented by means of water quantity and quality data collected for the urban wastewater system of Coronel Oviedo (Paraguay). The main problem under consideration is the potential negative impact of stormwater inflow and infiltration in the sanitary sewer system on the treatment performance of anaerobic waste stabilisation ponds.status: publishe

為永春水の読本数種 : 文政末・天保初年を中心に

La alta región de los Andes del sur de Ecuador se caracteriza por cambios intensos de uso del suelo. Estos cambios afectan a todo el páramo, que es una colección de los ecosistemas de pastizales altos altitudinales. En esta región, la interacción entre las cenizas volcánicas en el aire y los resultados de clima frío y húmedo en suelos muy típicos, con un elevado contenido de C orgánico. Las propiedades físicas del suelo están estrechamente relacionados con el flujo de alta y fiable de base en los ríos que descienden desde el páramo, que los hace importantes para el desarrollo socio-económico de la región. En este estudio, se analiza la variabilidad regional de los suelos en el sur rio ecuatoriano cuenca del Paute. En una primera parte del estudio, los datos de los perfiles del suelo a lo largo de transectos norte-sur se utilizan para determinar las propiedades del suelo, y relacionar la variabilidad espacial de las propiedades de las principales tendencias en el material parental, depósitos de cenizas volcánicas y el clima. Los perfiles son Hístico Andosoles y Dystric Histosoles carente de alofano, con muy altas cantidades de materia orgánica. Se observan diferencias significativas entre la cordillera occidental y central, así como una disminución general de las propiedades ándicas de norte a sur, coincidiendo con la disminución de la influencia volcánica. Por último, el impacto de las actividades humanas sobre las propiedades del suelo se evaluó en un estudio de caso en el valle Machángara. Los datos de los 5 perfiles, situado en una zona con vegetación de hierba natural y un bajo grado de impacto humano se comparan con 4 perfiles en una zona muy perturbada, intensamente cultivada drenado. A pesar de la intensidad del uso de la tierra, se encontraron muy pocas diferencias significativas.The high Andes region of south Ecuador is characterised by intense land use changes. These changes affect particularly the páramo, which is a collection of high altitudinal grassland ecosystems. In this region, the interaction between airborne volcanic ashes and the cold and wet climate results in very typical soils, with an elevated organic C contents. The physical soil properties are closely related to the high and reliable base flow in rivers descending from the páramo, which makes them important for the socio-economic development of the region. In this study, we analyse the regional variability of the soils in the south Ecuadorian rio Paute basin. In a first part of the study, data from soil profiles along north–south transects are used to determine the soil properties, and to relate the spatial variability of these properties to the major trends in parent material, volcanic ash deposits and climate. The profiles are Histic Andosols and Dystric Histosols devoid of allophane, with very high amounts of organic matter. Significant differences between the western and central mountain range are observed, as well as a general decrease in Andic properties from north to south, coinciding with the decrease in volcanic influence. Finally, the impact of human activities on the soil properties is assessed in a case study in the Machangara valley. Data from 5 profiles, located in an area with natural grass vegetation and a low degree of human impact are compared with 4 profiles in a heavily disturbed, intensively drained cultivated area. Despite the intensity of the land use, very few significant differences are found.Cuencavolumen 70; número

Extension of the measurement range of electrical conductivity by time-domain reflectometry (TDR)

The electrical conductivity (EC) of a medium invaded by TDR sensors can be estimated from the impedance of a TDR reflectogram. Four categories of sensor were tested in salt solutions and the impedances of the TDR pulse wave were correlated to the EC of the solution. The relation between the impedance and EC over a wide range of conductivities is non-linear but stable. Second- to fourth-degree polynomials can extend the measurement range to 44 dS m-1 (equivalent to a NaCl concentration of 28 g l-1 or 0.48 N) and result in better prediction of the conductivities than linear relations. For automatic measurement of EC with a datalogger, the method of Giese and Tiemann (1975, Adv. Mol. Rel. Processes, 7: 45-59) gives accurate measurement of conductivities lower than 10 dS m-1. Polynomial relations between EC and the datalogger's record provide an accurate estimate of the conductivity over a wide range. However, for both manual and automatic measurements, the sensors need to be calibrated individually. In particular, in the non-linear region, the differences between sensors are larger. Fortunately, the relation is sufficiently stable to eliminate significant error

Experimental study of water flow and sulphate transport at monolith scale

In this study, sulphur transport processes and effect of flow rate on sulphate breakthrough curves (BTCs) were studied on six undisturbed large soil monoliths (each having roughly a volume of 0.5 m(3)), collected from two different agricultural soils being loamy and sandy loam. In the laboratory, each monolith was equipped with different measuring devices to monitor soil water content, bulk soil electrical conductivity (ECa), soil temperature, pressure head, outlet flux, and pH. Four unsaturated steady state experiments were carried out on each monolith using two different imposed fluxes (referred to as low and high). First a chloride breakthrough experiment was performed to identify the basic transport processes followed by sulphate breakthrough experiment for the identification of the important sulphate transport processes. Water and solute (chloride and sulphate) mass balances were made to evaluate effective sulphate transformations at the scale of the monolith. The relative water mass balance errors ranged between -4.0% and 5.0%. The chloride mass balances were almost as good as those obtained for water, whereas the sulphate mass balance revealed that sulphate was subjected to adsorption and immobilization during the transport. The high flux sulphate experiments resulted in relatively large mass balance discrepancies compared to the low flux sulphate experiments. The sulphate breakthrough curves (BTCs) were somewhat retarded in the loamy monoliths whereas both chloride and sulphate BTCs were significantly affected by preferential flow in the sandy loam monoliths. Standard batch experiments showed that the adsorption isotherm was linear and immobilization occurred in both soils studied whereas net mineralization was essentially low. The effect of flow rate on the BTCs and influence of water content on immobilization process was not apparent. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved