A GENERALIZED BLOCK BOOTSTRAP FOR SEASONAL TIME SERIES

When time‐series data contain a periodic/seasonal component, the usual block bootstrap procedures are not directly applicable. We propose a modification of the block bootstrap – the generalized seasonal block bootstrap (GSBB) – and show its asymptotic consistency without undue restrictions on the relative size of the period and block size. Notably, it is exactly such restrictions that limit the applicability of other proposals of block bootstrap methods for time series with periodicities. The finite‐sample performance of the GSBB is also illustrated by means of a small simulation experiment.     

Synthesis of Mammalian Gonadoliberin Analogs with the N-terminal glutamine or glutamine or glutamic acid

Synthesis of two mammalian gonadoliberin analogs, [Gln¹]GnRH and [Glu¹]GnRH, in solution by the peptide segment coupling of the [(2 + 4) + 4] type has been described.     

Occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in poultry and poultry products for sale on the Polish retail market

In 2007 and 2008, a monitoring study was carried out in Poland to examine the occurrence of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in raw and cooked chicken products available on the retail market. A total of 912 samples were tested: 443 samples of raw chicken meat, 146 samples of giblets, and 323 ready-to-eat poultry products (150 samples of spit-roasted chicken, 56 samples of smoked chicken, and 117 samples of paté and cold meats). A high level of contamination of raw chicken meat (51.7% of samples) and chicken giblets (47.3% of samples) was detected. However, thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. were found in only 1.2% of the ready-to-eat poultry products.     

Novel conventional and chelating anion exchange resins with amino ligands for sorption of silver

ABSTRACT

The polymeric resins containing diethylenetriamine, tetraethylenepentamine, 2-(diethylamino)ethanol, 1-methylimidazole, and 1,2-dimethylimidazole ligands have been synthesized from vinylbenzyl chloride-divinylbenzene copolymers and used in the removal of Ag(I) from chloride solution. The best Ag(I) sorption was reached in the case of 1-methylimidazole resin. Resins retain their capacity towards Ag(I) in five consecutive sorption/desorption cycles. The resins with imidazole ligands were highly selective for Ag(I) from synthetic chloride solution and they did not sorb chloride complexes of Cu(II). Additionally, the recovery of Ag(I) was tested from real chloride solution coming from leaching of the copper concentrate from Lubin Concentrator (KGHM Polska Mied? S.A.).     

Chemometrics in monitoring spatial and temporal variations in drinking water quality

This case study reports multivariate techniques applied for the evaluation of temporal/spatial variations and interpretation of monitoring data obtained by the determination of chloro/bromo disinfection by-products in drinking water at 12 locations in the Gdańsk area (Poland), over the period 1993-2000. The complex data matrix (1756 observations) was treated with various multivariate techniques. Cluster analysis (CA) was successful, yielding two different groups of similarity reflecting different types of drinking water supplied (surface and groundwater). The locations supplied in general with groundwater could be further classified into two subgroups, depending on whether the groundwater was mixed with surface water or not. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to classify and thus confirm the groups found by means of cluster analysis and proved the existence of statistically significant differences between the concentration levels of CHCl3, CHBrCl2+C2HCl3, CHBr2Cl, and CH2Cl2 in the samples collected. Of all the variables evaluated, only three were characterized by statistically significant correlations (CHCl3, CHBrCl2+C2HCl3, CHBr2Cl). The analysis of correlation coefficients revealed that chloroform formed as the main chlorinated disinfection by-product and, furthermore, the natural presence of bromide in water (both ground and surface) results in the formation of brominated disinfection by-products (DBPs). Temporal variations of volatile organic chlorinated compounds (VOCls) were also evaluated by multidimensional ANOVA. Observation of temporal changes in the concentration of VOCls at the location supplied with both surface and groundwater reveals a steady improvement in drinking water quality. In general, the study shows the importance of drinking water monitoring in connection with simple but powerful statistical tools to better understand spatial and temporal variations in water quality.     

New lake district in Europe: origin and hydrochemical characteristics

This article presents a new lake district in Southern Poland created as a result of human activity in the Upper Silesian region. The area has been named the Upper Silesian Anthropogenic Lake District. The lake density of the Lake District as delineated by the authors (with an area of 6766 km²) is 2.74%. It includes 4773 water bodies of various origins – reservoirs retained by dams, flooded mineral workings, water bodies formed in subsidence basins and hollows, levee ponds, residual water bodies following river regulation and other water bodies. These are located in urban‐industrial, rural‐agricultural or quasi‐natural areas. The hydrochemical diversity of water bodies is conditioned by their origin, location in the catchment and function. Studies have shown the widespread occurrence of eutrophication processes in limnic waters within the Lake District. The diverse origin and hydrochemical properties of water bodies within the Upper Silesian Anthropogenic Lake District make it special among other anthropogenic lake districts.     

The Use of a Novel Ferulic Acid Esterase from Lactobacillus acidophilus K1 for the Release of Phenolic Acids from Brewer's Spent Grain

In this work, an extracellular ferulic acid esterase was produced in bioreactor cultivations of Lactobacillus acidophilus K1 strain. The enzyme was partially purified using ultrafiltration (10 kDa), dialysis (4–6 kDa) and Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (Sepharose CM, Sephacryl S‐300). A considerable increment of enzyme activity (31‐fold) in the final preparation was achieved. Two distinct bands (approx. 21.5 kDa and 39 kDa) were obtained after SDS‐PAGE. A high similarity of the purified enzyme (LC‐MS/MS analysis) to tannase and ferulic acid esterase from Burkholderia ambifaria MEX‐5 was obtained. The optimal pH and temperature for the enzyme activity were 6.3 and 37°C, respectively. The enzyme preparation effectively released phenolic acids (mainly ferulic and p‐coumaric acid) from brewer's spent grain. This novel enzyme preparation can be used for the utilisation of a valuable and inexpensive by‐product of the brewing industry.     

Annular Impinging Jet Controlled by Radial Synthetic Jets

This experimental study focuses on generation and control of annular impinging jets. The annular nozzle used in the investigations was designed with an active flow control system using 12 synthetic jets issuing radially from the central nozzle body. Measurements of the control effects were made on the impingement wall. The data acquisition involved wall pressure and wall mass transfer (by the naphthalene sublimation technique) using air as the working fluid. Also measured was time-mean flow velocity (by a Pitot probe) in the jet flow field. Moreover, flow visualization was carried out. Two main flow-field patterns (A and B) were identified. The patterns differ in the size of the separated-flow recirculation regions that develop attached to the nozzle central body: While pattern A is characterized by a quite small recirculation region (bubble) extending not far from the nozzle exit, pattern B exhibits a large recirculation region, reaching up to the impingement wall, on which it forms a stagnation circle. The control action modifies the flow field, resulting in changes of the corresponding heat/mass transfer distributions. The convective transfer rate on the stagnation circle can be demonstrably enhanced by 20% at a moderate nozzle-to-wall distance, equal to 0.6 of the nozzle outer diameter.