Environmental aspects of the use of NTA as a detergent builder

The behaviour, fate and significance of the detergent builder nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) has been reviewed with particular reference to the removal of NTA during wastewater treatment and the effects of NTA on heavy metal solubility both during treatment and in the receiving environment. It is concluded that NTA removal during secondary biological treatment is subject to considerable variation, both temporal and between works as a result of changes in NTA load, temperature, water hardness and treatment process parameters. As a result of such variability, effluent NTA concentrations may be sufficient to mobilise heavy metals resulting in metal contamination of receiving waters and potable waters, particularly in areas of low effluent dilution and high water re-use. Removal of NTA during primary sedimentation and septic tank treatment is concluded to be predominantly due to adsorption to the sludge solids while removal in anaerobic sludge digestion is subject to operational characteristics of the treatment works. Disposal of NTA contaminated sludge to land may contaminate groundwaters and affect heavy metal speciation, while the disposal of contaminated sludge or sewage to sea may result in toxic algal blooms, in addition to effects on metal speciation.     

Solving some combinatorial problems on arrays with one-way dataflow

In this paper we present algorithms for solving some combinatorial problems on one-dimensional processor arrays in which data flows in only one direction through the array. The problems we consider are: ranking the elements in a chain of sizen, rooting a spanning tree withn vertices, and computing biconnected components of a connected graph withn vertices. We show that each of these problems can be solved using arrays of sizen in which the data enters at the first cell and flows through the array in only one direction until it leaves the last cell as output. We also show how the biconnectivity algorithm for the array yields a new sequential algorithm for computing biconnected components which uses onlyO(n) locations of random access memory.     

Ambient air measurements of aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons at urban,rural and motorway locations

Concern over the carcinogenic properties of certain volatile organics in air, particularly benzene, has recently been expressed. Reductions in the lead content of perol in the United Kingdom and other European countries are predicted to change the concentrations of aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons (1,2-dichloroethane and 1,2-dibromoethane) in ambient air. In order to provide baseline air quality data, prior to progressive reductions in the lead content of petrol, this study reports the results of a monitoring survey of ambient air concentrations of aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbon concentrations at urban, rural and motorway locations. A thermal desorption/gas chromatographic method analysing Tenax GC sampling tubes was utilised. Highest concentrations for benzene (9.7 ppb) and toluene (15.5 ppb) were measured at the urban site. The average benzene concentration is comparable with a proposed ambient air quality standard in the Federal Republic of Germany. Multiple regression analysis of nonmethane hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide air quality data demonstrated the importance of meteorological variables in defining measured concentrations. The toluene/benzene ratio (w/w) provided useful information in determining the degree of vehicle-related air pollution and supported evidence obtained from dynamometer studies of dealkylation of higher aromatics to benzene in engines operating at high speed and load at the motorway site.     

Achieving Biocompatible SABRE: An in vitro Cytotoxicity Study

Production of a biocompatible hyperpolarized bolus for signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) could open the door to simple clinical diagnosis via magnetic resonance imaging. Essential to successful progression to preclinical/clinical applications is the determination of the toxicology profile of the SABRE reaction mixture. Herein, we exemplify the cytotoxicity of the SABRE approach using in vitro cell assays. We conclude that the main cause of the observed toxicity is due to the SABRE catalyst. We therefore illustrate two catalyst removal methods: one involving deactivation and ion‐exchange chromatography, and the second using biphasic catalysis. These routes produce a bolus suitable for future in vivo study.     

Linear stability analysis of two monomer systems of frontal polymerization

Frontal polymerization is a method of manufacturing polymer via a self-propagating reaction wave. A mathematical model that describes both free-radical binary frontal polymerization and frontal copolymerization is presented. Linear stability of polymerization waves in the two monomer systems is studied. Parameters that are responsible for the loss of stability are identified, and stability boundaries in the parameter space are obtained.     

Utility of the RT3 triaxial accelerometer in free living: An investigation of adherence and data loss

There is strong evidence for the protective effects of physical activity on chronic health problems. Activity monitors can objectively measure free living occupational and leisure time physical activity. Utility is an important consideration when determining the most appropriate monitor for specific populations and environments. Hours of activity data collected, the reasons for activity hours not being recorded, and how these two factors might change over time when using an activity monitor in free living are rarely reported. This study investigated user perceptions, adherence to minimal wear time and loss of data when using the RT3 activity monitor in 21 healthy adults, in a variety of occupations, over three (7 day) repeated weeks of measurement in free living. An activity diary verified each day of monitoring and a utility questionnaire explored participant perceptions on the usability of the RT3. The RT3 was worn for an average of 14 h daily with 90% of participants having complete data sets. In total 6535.8 and 6092.5 h of activity data were collected from the activity diary and the RT3 respectively. An estimated 443.3 h (6.7%) of activity data were not recorded by the RT3. Data loss was primarily due to battery malfunction (45.2%). Non-adherence to wear time accounted for 169.5 h (38.2%) of data loss, of which 14 h were due to occupational factors. The RT3 demonstrates good utility for free living activity measurement, however, technical issues and strategies to manage participant adherence require consideration with longitudinal and repeated measures studies.     

Attack Crises and Disasters with a Vengeance

There is nothing like doing something right the first time. After all, when do you have time to do it again? So it is with running a business. Do it right the first time and every time. Unfortunately, crackers, phreakers, hacktivists, the competition, and others want to rain on your parade. New and improved products are released. New advertising campaigns attempt to take market share away from you. Those out for a lark, or with malicious intent, break into your computer networks or damage critical infrastructure. To be in crisis mode is not an unusual occurrence.     

Subconjunctival mitomycin C for the treatment of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid

PURPOSE: The authors performed a prospective evaluation of the efficacy of treating ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) with subconjunctival mitomycin C. DESIGN: Unmasked, prospective, internally controlled case series. METHODS: Patients were eligible for treatment with subconjunctival mitomycin C under three criteria: (1) significant complications of systemic immunosuppressant therapy; (2) markedly asymmetric conjunctival disease; and (3) end-stage OCP. All patients received monocular subconjunctival injections of 0.25 ml of 0.2 mg/ml mitomycin C to both the superior and inferior bulbar conjunctivae in the eye with the more severe disease. RESULTS: Nine eyes of nine patients (mean age, 74 years) were treated with subconjunctival mitomycin C to the more-involved eye and were followed for a mean of 23.5 months (range, 12-40 months). Eight of nine patients showed quiescence of their OCP in the treated eye based on serial evaluation of conjunctival cicatrization and grading of conjunctival erythema. Five of the nine untreated eyes showed progression of the conjunctival disease. One patient required concomitant systemic immunosuppressive therapy after subconjunctival mitomycin C. Two patients underwent successful visual rehabilitative surgery in the mitomycin C-treated eye. CONCLUSION: The use of subconjunctival mitomycin C may be effective in preventing progression of conjunctival cicatrization and erythema in patients with OCP. No complications of mitomycin C treatment were noted. Long-term follow-up and further investigation into the efficacy of subconjunctival mitomycin C in the management of OCP is warranted.