Governance of water supply systems in the Palestinian Territories: A data envelopment analysis approach to the management of water resources

This study demonstrates that data envelopment analysis (DEA) can be a useful tool to assess the relative efficiencies of water supply systems and to establish benchmarks with which to measure progress in the management of water resources. Frontier efficiency models measure the efficiency of water use in the Palestinian Territories (West Bank and the Gaza Strip). At the municipality level, sufficient data for the years 1999-2002 were available to estimate efficiency and stability scores. The Gaza Strip efficiency scores were considerably lower than those of the West Bank. Water losses were the major source of the inefficiency as indicated by the large slacks of this input. The relative sizes of the municipalities affect efficiency scores little. Palestinian policy makers should focus on rebuilding the infrastructure of the water networks, beginning with the most DEA inefficient municipalities in order to minimize water losses.     

The relationship between multiple levels of learning practices and objective and subjective organizational financial performance

Multi‐level learning approaches suggest that individuals, groups and organizations act both independently and interact dynamically to contribute to organizational performance. We directly examined this proposition in an Australian sample using a longitudinal design that employed subjective and objective financial performance data. Respondents completed a survey that provided details on their individual, team and organizational learning practices (ILP, TLP and OLP, respectively), and self assessed performance compared to 3 years ago. Concurrently, we collected objective performance data (sales/employee numbers) at 3 yearly intervals and averaged these data to create an index. Using hierarchical and moderated regression, we found a positive main effect for OLP with both subjective and objective performance. Main effects for ILP and TLP were not found. Further, we found a significant interaction between ILP and TLP such that the effect of TLP on productivity was better in organizations with less ILP. Three‐way interactions were not found. Overall, these results provide some support for the model. We discuss some limitations of the study and make recommendations for future studies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Qualitative Assessment for Inherently Safer Design (QAISD) at preliminary design stage

Conventional hazard evaluation techniques such as what-if checklist and hazard and operability (HAZOP) studies are often used to recognise potential hazards and recommend possible solutions. They are used to reduce any potential incidents in the process plant to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) level. Nevertheless, the suggested risk reduction alternatives merely focus on added passive and active safety systems rather than preventing or minimising the inherent hazards at source through application of inherently safer design (ISD) concept. One of the attributed reasons could be the shortage of techniques or tools to support implementation of the concept. Thus, this paper proposes a qualitative methodology that integrates ISD concept with hazard review technique to identify inherent hazards and generate ISD options at early stage of design as proactive measures to produce inherently safer plant. A modified theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) hazard review method is used in this work to identify inherent hazards, whereby an extended inherent safety heuristics tool is developed based on established ISD principles to create potential ISD options. The developed method namely Qualitative Assessment for Inherently Safer Design (QAISD) could be applied during preliminary design stage and the information required to apply the method would be based on common process and safety database of the studied process. However, user experiences and understanding of inherent safety concept are crucial for effective utilisation of the QAISD. This qualitative methodology is applied to a typical batch reactor of toluene nitration as a case study. The results show several ISD strategies that could be considered at early stage of design in order to prevent and minimise the potential of thermal runaway in the nitration process.     

People,pigs and pollution – Experiences with applying participatory learning and action (PLA) methodology to identify problems of pig-waste management at the village level in Fiji

Participatory learning and action (PLA) methodology was used at the village level in Fiji to identify and understand factors that influence two selected communities in implementing changes to current pig-waste management practices. The focus area was the Coral Coast in the south of Viti Levu island, where international tourism is expanding but stream and coastal waters are under threat of pollution from the largely uncontrolled release of pig waste into the local environment. The investigation found that participatory approaches are effective at the village level if correct tools are used and if the research process adapts to community needs. In particular, PLA methods in the two study villages (Komave and Votua) were able to assist different demographic groups to identify and then prioritise a range of pig-waste problems, including deteriorating water quality, public health and agricultural sustainability. Encouragement by PLA facilitators for communities to take ownership of these problems led eventually to one village installing a new pig-management system. This has become a showcase as a successful local-scale rural development project with long-term benefits for the local environment and the continuing growth of tourism in the area.     

Biosorption of lead and cadmium using marine algae

The use of algae (Ulva fasciata, green and Sargassum sp., brown) to reduce lead and cadmium levels from mono-metal solutions was investigated. The brown algae showed higher efficiency for the accumulation of lead (～1.5 times) and cadmium (～2 times) than green algae. The optimum pH value is found to be between 4 and 5.5. Regarding biomass concentration, an increase in metals percentage removal and a decrease in metal uptake capacity coincided with the increase in biomass concentration. All light metals (Ca, Mg and Na) showed a suppressive effect on biosorption capacity. The enhancement of biosorption in the case of NaOH was obvious. The biosorption process (65–90%) occurred within 3?min. Experimental data were in high agreement with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich model for lead and cadmium biosorption using different biosorbents. In the desorption study, 0.2?mol?L^?1 HCl recorded the best concentration for the elution of metals from the biomass. The biosorption capacity decreased over the four operational cycles for both lead and cadmium. Infrared analysis showed that amino, hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups provide the major biosorption sites for metal binding. Use of the above-mentioned algae for cheap metal absorbance is considered as one water treatment criterion.     

Preparation and Thermo-Mechanical Characterization of Chitosan Loaded Methylcellulose-Based Biodegradable Films: Effects of Gamma Radiation

Chitosan (0.1–1%, w/w), dissolved in 2% acetic acid solution, was added into 1% methylcellulose (MC)-based formulation containing 0.5% vegetable oil, 0.25% glycerol and 0.025% Tween^?80. Films were prepared by casting. Puncture strength (PS), puncture deformation (PD), viscoelasticity coefficient and water vapour permeability (WVP) of the films were measured. The PS value of 312 N/mm was observed for MC-based films containing 0.25% chitosan. Values of PD, viscoelasticity coefficient and WVP of these films were 5.0 mm, 44.1%, and 6.0 g mm/m² day kPa, respectively. The MC-based films containing 0.25% chitosan were also exposed to gamma radiation (0.5–50 kGy). The PS of the treated films decreased significantly from 312 at 0 kGy to 201 N/mm when treated at a dose of 50 kGy. However, WVP values were not affected by increasing irradiation the dose used. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy supported the molecular interactions due to addition of chitosan in MC-based films. Thermo gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric experiments showed that thermal properties of the films were significantly improved by chitosan loading. Surface topography of the films was studied by scanning electron microscopy and found rougher due to chitosan addition.     

Pregnancy after preimplantation genetic diagnosis for Sanjad–Sakati syndrome

Sanjad–Sakati syndrome (SSS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital hypoparathyroidism, growth and mental retardation. In Saudi Arabia, the disease is caused by a deletion of 12 bp (155-166nt) in the tubulin-specific chaperone E gene. In a family with two affected siblings with SSS, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) was performed. Fluorescent PCR (F-PCR) was utilized to check the heterozygosity and the homozygosity status of the parents and the affected children, respectively. F-PCR was then optimized for single-cell analysis by using peripheral blood lymphocytes. The patient underwent a cycle with intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection. A total of 11 embryos were obtained and biopsied. There were five heterozygous, three homozygous affected and three normal embryos. One heterozygous and one normal embryo were transferred because of their very good quality (morula). A singleton pregnancy was obtained, and amniosynthesis confirmed the presence of the heterozygous fetus. These results show for the first time, the feasibility of PGD for SSS. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sequestration of toxic Pb（II） ions by chemically treated rubber （Hevea brasiliensis ） leaf powder

Rubber leaf powder (an agricultural waste) was treated with potassium permanganate followed by sodium carbonate and its performance in the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution was evaluated. The interactions between Pb(II) ions and functional groups on the adsorbent surface were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). The effects of several important parameters which can affect adsorption capacity such as pH, adsorbent dosage, initial lead concentration and contact time were studied. The optimum pH range for lead adsorption was 4–5. Even at very low adsorbent dosage of 0.02 g, almost 100% of Pb(II) ions (23 mg/L) could be removed. The adsorption capacity was also dependent on lead concentration and contact time, and relatively a short period of time (60–90 min) was required to reach equilibrium. The equilibrium data were analyzed with Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms. Based on Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity of lead was 95.3 mg/g. Three kinetic models including pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order and Boyd were used to analyze the lead adsorption process, and the results showed that the pseudo second-order fitted well with correlation coefficients greater than 0.99.     

Evaluating the impact of water conservation on fate of outdoor water use: a study in an arid region

In this research, the impact of several water conservation policies and return flow credits on the fate of water used outdoors in an arid region is evaluated using system dynamics modeling approach. Return flow credits is a strategy where flow credits are obtained for treated wastewater returned to a water body, allowing for the withdrawal of additional water equal to the amount returned as treated wastewater. In the return credit strategy, treated wastewater becomes a resource. This strategy creates a conundrum in which conservation may lead to an apparent decrease in water supply because less wastewater is generated and returned to water body. The water system of the arid Las Vegas Valley in Nevada, USA is used as basis for the dynamic model. The model explores various conservation scenarios to attain the daily per capita demand target of 752 l by 2035: (i) status quo situation where conservation is not implemented, (ii) conserving water only on the outdoor side, (iii) conserving water 67% outdoor and 33% indoor, (iv) conserving equal water both in the indoor and outdoor use (v) conserving water only on the indoor side. The model is validated on data from 1993 to 2008 and future simulations are carried out up to 2035. The results show that a substantial portion of the water used outdoor either evapo-transpires (ET) or infiltrates to shallow groundwater (SGW). Sensitivity analysis indicated that seepage to groundwater is more susceptible to ET compared to any other variable. The all outdoor conservation scenario resulted in the highest return flow credits and the least ET and SGW. A major contribution of this paper is in addressing the water management issues that arise when wastewater is considered as a resource and developing appropriate conservation policies in this backdrop. The results obtained can be a guide in developing outdoor water conservation policies in arid regions.