influence.ME: tools for detecting influential data in mixed effects models

influence.ME provides tools for detecting influential data in mixed effects models. The application of these models has become common practice, but the development of diagnostic tools has lagged behind. influence.ME calculates standardized measures of influential data for the point estimates of generalized mixed effects models, such as DFBETAS, Cook’s distance, as well as percentile change and a test for changing levels of significance. influence.ME calculates these measures of influence while accounting for the nesting structure of the data. The package and measures of influential data\ud are introduced, a practical example is given, and strategies for dealing with influential data are suggested

Effort to improve coupled in situ chemical oxidation with bioremediation: a review of optimization strategies

Purpose - In order to provide highly effective yet relatively inexpensive strategies for the remediation of recalcitrant organic contaminants, research has focused on in situ treatment technologies. Recent investigation has shown that coupling two common treatments-in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) and in situ bioremediation-is not only feasible but in many cases provides more efficient and extensive cleanup of contaminated subsurfaces. However, the combination of aggressive chemical oxidants with delicate microbial activity requires a thorough understanding of the impact of each step on soil geochemistry, biota, and contaminant dynamics. In an attempt to optimize coupled chemical and biological remediation, investigations have focused on elucidating parameters that are necessary to successful treatment. In the case of ISCO, the impacts of chemical oxidant type and quantity on bacterial populations and contaminant biodegradability have been considered. Similarly, biostimulation, that is, the adjustment of redox conditions and amendment with electron donors, acceptors, and nutrients, and bioaugmentation have been used to expedite the regeneration of biodegradation following oxidation. The purpose of this review is to integrate recent results on coupled ISCO and bioremediation with the goal of identifying parameters necessary to an optimized biphasic treatment and areas that require additional focus. Conclusions and recommendations - Although a biphasic treatment consisting of ISCO and bioremediation is a feasible in situ remediation technology, a thorough understanding of the impact of chemical oxidation on subsequent microbial activity is required. Such an understanding is essential as coupled chemical and biological remediation technologies are further optimize

Modeling desorption kinetics of a persistent organic pollutant from field aged sediment using a bi-disperse particle size distribution

Purpose With the predicted climate change, it is expected that the chances of river flooding increase. During flood events, sediments will resuspend and when sediments are polluted, contaminants can be transferred to the surrounding water. In this paper we discuss a numerical intraparticle diffusion model that simulates desorption of dieldrin from a suspension of contaminated porous sediment particles with a well-characterized particle size distribution. The objective of this study was to understand the desorption rate (flux) of dieldrin from a suspension of field-aged sediment at different hydraulic retention times (HRT) of the aqueous phase and to elaborate the effect of particle-size distribution on mass transfer. Materials and methods Desorption kinetics of dieldrin, a persistent organic pollutant (POP), were experimentally measured and described in a separate paper using field-contaminated sediment. A radial diffusion model, accommodating intraparticle reversible sorption kinetics, aqueous phase pore diffusion, and a sink term for bulk aqueous phase refreshment was used to describe the experimental data. Results and discussion We observed rapid equilibrium of contaminants between small particles (10 µm) and the surrounding water even though the sorption affinity of dieldrin towards organic matter was high. On the contrary, for the larger particles (84 µm), calculations show that desorption was limited by intraparticle diffusion. Combining small and larger particles in our radial diffusion model resulted in the biphasic desorption behavior often observed even when using a linear isotherm. Conclusions Flood events will result in an increase of desorption rate of POPs from sediments to the surrounding water. HRT and the particle-size distribution determine the desorption rate. We conclude that nonstationary diffusion within organic matter is the main process of mass transfer. Particle size distributions are very valuable to understand the phenomenology related to mass transfer limitations often described as limited bioavailability and can be used as basis to develop engineering options to limit contaminant mass fluxes into the environmen

Denomination, Religious Context, and Suicide: Neo-Durkheimian Multilevel Explanations Tested with Individual and Contextual Data

In Suicide, Durkheim found that involvement in religious communities is inversely related to suicide risk. In this article, two explanations for this relationship are examined. One is that religious networks provide support. The other is that religious communities prohibit suicide. To examine these hypotheses, individual-level data on suicide in the Netherlands from 1936 to 1973 are used. The results show that with an increase in the proportion of religious persons in a municipality, the chances of committing suicide decrease for every denomination in that municipality, as well as among nonchurch members. Furthermore, along with the secularization of Dutch society, the impact of religious composition on suicide wanes. These results contradict the network-support mechanism and confirm the notion that religious communities have a general protective effect against suicide.

By the Sea of Crystal: Keyboard Modulation

1 page

Watch Hill: Concert Band

Full conductor score and parts for piccolo, flutes, oboes, B flat clarinets, B flat bass clarinet, B flat contrabass clarinets, bassoons, B flat tenor saxophones, E flat baritone saxophones, and B flat trumpets; 21 pages

Psalms for Organ, Volume 10: Maryton

Pages 26-29 in Psalms for Organ, Volume 10

Psalms for Organ, Volume 13: Robinson

Pages 11-15 in Psalms for Organ, Volume 13