Treatment performance of gravel filter media: implications for design and application of stormwater infiltration systems

Stormwater infiltration systems are widely used to address the flow and water quality impacts of urbanization. However, their pollutant removal performance is uncertain, with respect to varying filter depth, and over time. Seven simulation experiments were conducted on a laboratory-scale gravel infiltration system to test the pollutant removal under a range of water level regimes, including both constant and variable water levels. Gravel filters were found to be very effective for removal of sediment and heavy metals under all water level regimes, even as the system clogged over time. Despite the sediment particle size distribution being much smaller than the filter media pore size, sediment and its associated pollutants were effectively trapped in the top of the gravel filter, even when the water level was allowed to vary. A media depth of 0.5 m was found to achieve adequate pollutant removal. Breakthrough of pollutants may not be of concern, since physical clogging occurred first (thus determining the lifespan of the filter media). However, gravel filters were less effective at nutrient removal, particularly for dissolved nutrients.     

Reductions in transport mortality in Australia: Evidence of a public health success

Objective

To describe trends in transport mortality for a range of common transport types in Australia over a 30-year period (1975–1977 to 2005–2007).

Methods

Mortality data on all-cause and transport-related causes of death were supplied by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Mortality rates, expected number of deaths and probabilities of death were compared for three time periods: 1975–1977, 1990–1992 and 2005–2007.

Results

There were significant decreasing trends between 1975–1977 and 2005–2007 in all-cause and most other transport mortality types for both men and women. There were significant reductions in the contribution of transport-related mortality to all-cause mortality; however the difference in mortality between men and women (higher for men) changed little over the evaluated period.

Conclusions

Between 1975–1977 and 2005–2007 there were marked reductions in key causes of transport-related mortality amongst Australian adults, and the reductions in transport-related mortality exceeded reductions in all-cause mortality. The reductions could be attributed to better preventive measures and improved medical treatment for people involved in transport crashes. Although there is scope for further improvement, the reductions are evidence of a success in the prevention of crashes and the medical treatment of crash victims.     

Capillary electrophoresis for bovine and ostrich meat characterisation

The objective of this study was to characterise, compare and quantify the water soluble protein (WSP) and salt soluble protein (SSP) fractions from bovine and ostrich muscle by using sodium dodecyl sulphate polymer-filled capillary gel electrophoresis (CE-SDS). Samples were raw ostrich leg and eye round beef collected 24 and 48 h, respectively, after sacrifice from local slaughter houses. WSP were extracted with cold double distilled deionized water and SSP with 0.6 M NaCl/0.01 M phosphate buffer pH 6 with 0.5% polyphosphates. Separation of WSP and SSP extracts was achieved by CE-SDS. Quantitative data for individual proteins was generated by constructing a calibration curve using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a standard. The WSP profiles showed differences for bovine and ostrich meat, both qualitatively and quantitatively and could be employed for species differentiation. Quantitative data derived for WSP and SSP from bovine and ostrich muscle showed significant differences among individual proteins. A comparison of protein profiles form ostrich and bovine meat should be useful for meat species differentiation and muscle characterisation for establishing relations to meat quality.     

Shocking the Suburbs: Urban Location,Homeownership and Oil Vulnerability in the Australian City

Energy security is receiving increasing attention from governments and scholars at the global and national scale. Petroleum security and rising fuel prices are a challenge for cities whose housing systems are highly dependent on automobile transport. This study assesses transport and socio-tenurial patterns within Australian cities to identify how the combined present and future effects of rising fuel costs, mortgage interest rates and general inflation will be spatially distributed. Using an ‘oil vulnerability’ assessment methodology based on Australian Census data, the study reveals broad-scale mortgage and oil vulnerability across the outer suburbs of Australian cities. The paper concludes with some observations about spatially equitable policy responses to ameliorate the housing and urban impacts of rising petroleum costs.     

Isolation and chemical analysis of nanoparticles from English ivy (Hedera helix L.)

Bio-inspiration for novel adhesive development has drawn increasing interest in recent years with the discovery of the nanoscale morphology of the gecko footpad and mussel adhesive proteins. Similar to these animal systems, it was discovered that English ivy (Hedera helix L.) secretes a high strength adhesive containing uniform nanoparticles. Recent studies have demonstrated that the ivy nanoparticles not only contribute to the high strength of this adhesive, but also have ultraviolet (UV) protective abilities, making them ideal for sunscreen and cosmetic fillers, and may be used as nanocarriers for drug delivery. To make these applications a reality, the chemical nature of the ivy nanoparticles must be elucidated. In the current work, a method was developed to harvest bulk ivy nanoparticles from an adventitious root culture system, and the chemical composition of the nanoparticles was analysed. UV/visible spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electrophoresis were used in this study to identify the chemical nature of the ivy nanoparticles. Based on this analysis, we conclude that the ivy nanoparticles are proteinaceous.     

Smoking cessation: Next steps for special populations research and innovative treatments.

Objective: The current introductory article provides the rationale for the special section on understudied smokers and innovative treatments. This article proposes a definition of “special populations” of smokers, outlines a priori criteria by which to judge whether an intervention should be adapted for these smokers, and delineates a process by which cultural adaptation of an intervention can be achieved. Next steps for innovative, theory-based treatments with special populations and with general populations of smokers are discussed. Method: Special populations of smokers are defined as having (a) >10% higher smoking prevalence than the general population of smokers, (b) disproportionate tobacco-related health disparities, (c) less access to treatments, and (d) a lack of prospective, longitudinal treatment trials. Results: Cultural adaptation of evidenced-based treatments (EBTs) for underserved smokers should be applied more widely, outside the bounds of race and ethnicity, but also judiciously, following several a priori criteria. Cultural adaptation may be justified if the target population differs from the general population in (a) rates and patterns of smoking, (b) burden of tobacco-related health diseases, (c) predictors of smoking behavior, (d) risk factors for treatment failure, (e) protective factors that facilitate quitting, (f) treatment engagement, (g) treatment response, and (h) perceived social validity of the EBT. Once these criteria are met, four phases of cultural adaptation of an EBT for the target population are proposed. Innovative treatments need to be developed that use novel channels and linkages between channels; test novel theories or build on mechanisms research to more accurately pinpoint targets of change; and increase consumer demand for EBTs. Conclusion: The process of cultural adaptation should be thoughtfully conducted with a priori definitions and criteria as well as standardized processes. Coupled with innovative, theory-based treatments, these considerations could help to jump-start stalled smoking cessation rates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Food and drink packaging: who is complaining and who should be complaining

This paper reports a questionnaire survey of shoppers at four supermarket stores in the UK. Regression analyses were used to determine factors in consumer complaints with the packaging of food and drink products. Neuroticism and treatment in hospital for an accident involving packaging in the last 3 years were significant associates. Analyses on who was most likely to suffer accidents or injuries while opening food and drink packaging indicated that handedness (that is, being left handed made accidents more likely) and scoring low on a measure of personal control during decision-making were significant associates. Analyses on who suffered the most serious accidents and injuries whilst opening food and drink packaging revealed that the decision-making style of social resistance (that is, the extent to which you resist asking for help from others) was related to susceptibility to the most severe accidents. These findings imply that individual factors (including both personal characteristics and personality traits) should be taken into account when considering the openability of packaging. The results of this study indicate that manufacturers should ensure that novel packaging closures have been tested on left handers in order to discover any unique difficulties for this sub-group, that packaging opening tools specifically for left-handed people should be made available and that manufacturers of packaging should always look at a 'worst case scenario' for their packaging closures as it is evident that some people will continue to struggle with difficult packaging until either they open it or they have injured themselves.