Restoration challenges for urban rivers.

Urban sources account for significant quantities of important diffuse pollutants, and urban watercourses are typically badly polluted. As well as toxic metals, hydrocarbons including PAHs, and suspended matter, priority urban pollutants include faecal pathogens and nutrients. Can urban watercourses be restored by sufficient reductions in pollution loads? Case studies in the UK and Sweden provide insights and some grounds for optimism. A major trans-Atlantic review of the performance of best management practices (BMPs) is informing BMP planning. New approaches such as the maximisation of self-purification capacity in the receiving waters may also need to be developed, alongside BMPs at source. Other initiatives in Europe, USA and China, including collaborative projects, are trying to address the intractable issues such as persistent pollutants from transport and urban infrastructure. The challenge is daunting, but there are clear ways forward and future research needs are evident.     

Optical channel waveguides in silicon diffused from GeSi alloy

A technique for fabricating low-loss and polarisation-independent channel waveguides in silicon is reported. The waveguides are obtained by Ge-indiffusion using either a GeSi alloy or a system of alternating Ge and Si layers. Typical fabrication parameters for single-mode waveguides are given.<>     

Molecular interactions in aqueous solutions of the starch polysaccharides: a review

The aqueous solution behaviour of malto oligosaccharides, amylose and amylopectin is discussed. Experimental studies, using biophysical methods, on the aggregation behaviour of these compounds are reviewed.     

Correlations between calving ease and calf survival

Multitrait restricted maximum likelihood methods were used for estimation of heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations between calving ease and calf survival. These analyses examined both direct and maternal effects. Genetic correlation for direct effects between calving ease and calf survival was approximately -.8 in both heifers and cows, indicating favorable associations, whereas phenotypic correlations were -.32 and -.22.     

The influence of preparation conditions on the electrochemical behaviour of CuO in a Li/CuO cell

A dozen CuO samples prepared under various conditions and from different starting materials were evaluated as cathode materials for a primary Li/CuO cell. The “thin electrode” method was used for rapid evaluation of the samples. Both coulombic efficiency and discharge voltage depend considerably on the method of synthesis. No correlation was found between the specific surface area and the resistivity of the samples on the one hand and the cathode performance on the other. Best results were obtained from CuO prepared by the oxidation of Cu₂O under controlled temperature and time of oxidation.     

DETECTION OF BACILLUS CEREUS DIARRHEAGENIC TOXIN USING A RAT LIGATED INTESTINAL LOOP ASSAY

A study was performed to determine if the rat ligated intestinal loop assay could detect Bacillus cereus diarrheagenic toxin. The results obtained indicated that this assay system could be used for such a purpose but it was not as sensitive as the young rabbit ligated ileal loop assay. When rats were used, concentrating the cell free culture filtrate of B. cereus 30- to 40-fold was necessary to detect diarrheagenic toxin activity with the intestinal loop assay.     

The use of doped polyaniline as an electrode in the galvanic anodic protection of ferrous metals in industrial acid solutions

In order to investigate the galvanic anodic protection (GAP) of ferrous metals (such as 410, 304 and 316 stainless steels) in acid solutions by doped polyaniline (PANi), separate doped PANi powder-pressed electrodes with different surface areas (the area ratio of the PANi electrode to stainless steel is between 1:1 and 1:2) have been prepared. These were coupled with ferrous metal in the following solutions: 5 M sulphuric acid, 5 M phosphoric acid and industrial phosphoric acid (containing 5 M phosphoric acid and 0.05% chloride ion) to construct a galvanic cell, in which PANi is cathode while ferrous metal is anode. The results indicate that a PANi electrode with sufficient area can provide corrosion protection to stainless steel in these acidic solutions. A pilot scale coupling experiment was carried out. The results indicate that PANi is a promising material as an electrode for the anodic protection of ferrous metals in acidic solutions in industrial situations.     

Non-point sources and the waste discharge charge system.

The development of a waste discharge charge system (WDCS) in South Africa has been proposed to promote waste reduction and water conservation. The WDCS is based on the polluter pays principle and is designed such that the management of waste discharges achieves resource quality objectives (RQOs) at the minimum total cost to the catchment. Two charges are distinguished: first a charge for optimising use of the resource (incentive charge); and secondly, a charge for development and operation of mitigation measures in the resource (mitigation charge). The WDCS is applied to both point sources and non-point sources (NPS) of contamination. In the inclusion of NPS, the charge system distinguishes between registered and non-registered NPS, with the charge applied to the former group only, in the first instance. This paper introduces the WDCS by describing the principles and the theoretical basis of the WDCS, highlighting the link to RQOs as the benchmark of acceptable externalities. The paper explores the inclusion of NPS in the WDCS, describing: first, the principles of NPS inclusion in the WDCS; secondly, the types of NPS included in the present version of the WDCS; thirdly, the methodology for charge estimation; and finally, non-registered NPS and their potential inclusion in future editions of the WDCS. The paper concludes with remarks and challenges facing the first edition of the WDCS.     

Flood risk mapping at European scale.

The aim of this article is to illustrate a framework for flood risk mapping at pan-European scale produced by the Weather-Driven Natural Hazards (WDNH) action of the EC-JRC-IES. Early results are presented in the form of flood risk index maps. We assess several flood risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of flood disasters. Among the causal factors of a flood disaster one is triggering a natural event in the form of extreme precipitation and consequently extreme river discharge and extreme flood water levels. The threatening natural event represents the hazard component in our assessment. Furthermore exposure and vulnerability are anthropogenic factors that contribute also to flood risk. In the proposed approach, flood risk is considered on the light of exposure, vulnerability and hazard. We use a methodology with a marked territorial approach for the assessment of the flood risk. Hence, based on mathematical calculations, risk is the product of hazard, exposure and vulnerability. Improvements on datasets availability and spatial scale are foreseen in the next phases of this study. This study is also a contribution to the discussion about the need for communication tools between the natural hazard scientific community and the political and decision making players in this field.