Photodegradation of sulfonamide antibiotics in simulated and natural sunlight: Implications for their environmental fate

The photochemical fate of seven sulfonamides was investigated in matrices representative of natural water bodies under various light sources. Fundamental photolysis parameters such as molar absorption coefficient, quantum yield (QY) and first-order rate constants were determined. The photolysis decay rate was dependent on the protonation state of the molecule, pH of the water sample and dissolved organic matter. Natural organic matter was the most significant factor in the indirect photolysis of sulfonamides. Half-lives were in the range of minutes at 254 nm to days under natural sunlight. Under natural sunlight, all sulfonamides showed higher removal rates in natural waters implying that indirect photolysis is the predominant mechanism.     

Evaluation of tidal marsh restoration: Comparison of selected macroinvertebrate populations on a restored impounded valley marsh and an unimpounded valley marsh within the same salt marsh system in Connecticut,USA

Macroinvertebrates were examined on an impounded valley marsh in Stonington, Connecticut, that has changed from aTypha-dominated system to one with typical salt-marsh vegetation during 13 years following the reintroduction of tidal exchange. Animal populations on this restored impounded marsh were evaluated by comparing them with populations on a nearby unimpounded valley marsh of roughly the same size. Populations of the high marsh snail,Melampus bidentatus Say, were quantitatively sampled along transects that extended from the water-marsh edge to the upland; those of the ribbed mussel,Geukensia demissa Dillwyn, were sampled in low marsh areas on transects along the banks of creeks and mosquito ditches. The occurrence of other marsh invertebrates also was documented, but their abundance was not measured. The mean density ofMelampus was 332±39.6 SE/m² on the restored impounded marsh and 712±56.0 SE/m² on the unimpounded marsh. However, since snails were larger on the restored impounded marsh, the difference in snail biomass was less pronounced than the difference in snail density. MeanMelampus biomass was 4.96±0.52 SE g dry wt/m² on the restored impounded marsh and 6.96±0.52 SE g dry wt/m² on the unimpounded marsh. On the two marshes, snail density and biomass varied in relation to plant cover and other factors. The density and biomass ofGeukensia at the edge of the marsh were comparable on the restored impounded and unimpounded marshes. Mean mussel densities ranged from 80 to 240/m² and mean mussel biomass varied from 24.8–64.8 g dry wt/m² in different low marsh areas. In contrast, below the impoundment dike, meanGeukensia density was 1100±96.4 SE/m² and meanGeukensia biomass was 303.6±33.28 SE g dry wt/m². A consideration of all available evidence leads to the conclusion that the impounded marsh is in an advanced phase of restoration.     

我国道路交通安全的国际比较研究

我国的道路交通事故是严重的。在对我国道路交通事故特点进行比较研究的基础上，分析了道路交通事故多发的原因，提出了提高道路交通系统安全性的建议。     

MODEL STUDIES OF SALT WATER INTRUSION1

Model studies were and are still being used to verify certain theories in ground-water flow systems in general. In complex cases, the model studies may be extremely useful especially when a theoretical rigorous analysis does not exist. The models cannot be considered entirely satisfactory due to the several drawbacks in each type in addition to the normal human errors in experimentation. This paper is concerned only with the viscous flow models. However, a brief summary of the other types of models, which may possibly be used in connection with salt water intrusion problems is given. It should be noted that some of such experiments are not directly related to the field of salt water intrusion. Two main types lie within this category: The gravity flow systems which are analogous to some phases of salt intrusion problems and problems in oil fields which bear general similarities to sea water intrusion zones. In oil fields, gas cycling studies give valuable information to sea water problems. Model studies are used by hydraulic engineers, geologists, petroleum engineers, physicists, foundation engineers and several other professional groups.     

Validation of the propensity for angry driving scale

Problem: This study examined the validity of the Propensity for Angry Driving Scale (PADS; DePasquale, J. P., Geller, E. S., Clarke, S. W., and Littleton, L. C. (2001). Measuring road rage: Development of the Propensity for Angry Driving Scale. Journal of Safety Research, 32, 1–16) in predicting aggressive driving. Method: The PADS and the Driving Anger Scale (DAS; Deffenbacher, J. L., Oetting, E. R., and Lynch, R. S. (1994). Development of a driving anger scale. Psychological reports, 74, 83–91.) were administered to 232 college student volunteers with measures of aggressive and risky driving. Results: Convergent and discriminant validity of the PADS were supported through relationships among measures of similar constructs. The PADS significantly (p<.05) predicted moving tickets, minor accidents, aggressive driving, risky driving, and maladaptive driving anger expression, above and beyond gender, miles driven per week, and trait anger. Discussion: Findings suggest that the PADS is a useful predictor of aggressive driving and has some advantages over the DAS. Impact on Industry: The PADS is an effective predictor of aggressive driving that complements established measures like the DAS and provides researchers with another valuable tool for the assessment of aggressive driving.     

Assessment of older drivers: relationships among on-road errors, medical conditions and test outcome

PROBLEM: It is essential that driver licensing authorities have a valid and reliable system for evaluating older drivers' continuing competency; road tests are usually required as part of such a system. This study sought to find information about the nature of driving errors made during license review tests, and about relationships between error type and test outcome for older drivers. METHOD: Data from licensing authority files from 533 road tests during a 12-month period were analyzed; medical and other referral information was included. Average driver age was 76 years. Performance scores were generated for intersection negotiation, lane changing, low speed manoeuvres, positioning and speed control, safety margin, and car control. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that test outcome was well predicted by a subset of driving performance scores; adding driver age to the model explained very little variance. Age alone was strongly associated with outcome. Relationships between referral information and test outcome are also reported. IMPACT: Results highlight several factors relevant to the development of more valid and reliable road tests for older drivers.     

Epilithic Diatoms in an Alpine Lake (Traunsee,Austria) Affected by Soda and Salt Mining Industries

Traunsee, a 191 m deep Alpine lake in Austria, is affected by industrial tailings from the soda and salt mining industries since 1883. In 1998 littoral water chloride concentrations ranged between 40 and 85 mg L^-1 and the highest conductivity was 560 S cm^-1, which is almost double as high as the values reported from the two nearby reference lakes. Chloride concentrations increased towards the location of the industrial salt and soda emission into the lake. Analogously to the chloride gradient, the epilithic littoral diatom flora changes towards the waste inlet. Shifts in the species percentages towards the emission source, a high percentage of taxa with large conductivity tolerances, the presence of a small Achnanthes minutissima Kützing morphotype, and occurrences of taxa focused at habitats of higher electrolyte content, indicate subtle impacts on the epilithic diatom flora. An analysis of the seasonal succession of the epilithic diatoms at the waste inlet compared to a lake intern reference site, reveals that only during the late summer period in 1998 the diatom assemblage at the waste inlet became significantly different, indicating seasonally restricted effects of the industrial emissions.     

Aggressive behavior while driving as predictor of self-reported car crashes

PROBLEM: In Greece, there is a lack of scientific evidence on the relationship between aggressive behavior while driving and young drivers' involvement in car crashes; this study examined this potential relationship. METHODS: The randomly selected samples of 356 young drivers (18-24 years old) were interviewed through a questionnaire of self-reported car crash involvement, which mainly focused on their behavior on the road and the number of car crashes in which they had been involved. RESULTS: The statistical methods used were principal components analysis (PCA) and multiple regression analysis. Two factors relevant to aggressive driving emerged: (a) driving violations and (b) irritability while driving. The multivariate model suggested that driving just for fun (joyriding) and irritability were predictors of young drivers' involvement in car crashes. It was found that younger age was negatively associated with young drivers' involvement in car crashes. IMPACT ON GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY: The findings of this study can contribute in the formation of public policies aiming to prevent young drivers' car crashes. These findings can also be the starting point of some health promotion interventions trying to reduce car crashes and casualties on the road. Finally, the insurance companies may be interested in applying these findings into their field of interest.     

钠盐量影响下DD6单晶高温合金的高温热腐蚀规律研究

目的 开展镍基单晶高温合金DD6在950 ℃下的热盐腐蚀试验(95%Na2SO4+5%NaCl)，探明涂盐量和涂盐方式(周期涂盐和单次涂盐)对DD6高温热腐蚀的影响规律和机理。方法 结合扫描电子显微镜、X射线能量色散谱、X射线衍射等设备，对不同涂盐量及涂盐方式下DD6的表面及横截面形貌进行观察分析，分析不同涂盐量和涂盐方式下DD6的高温热腐蚀机理。结果 DD6在950 ℃下主要发生碱性熔融热腐蚀，同时伴随氧化、硫化和氯化等过程。高温热腐蚀使得DD6合金表面生成的保护性氧化膜被熔融态的腐蚀介质破坏，导致O、S、Cl等外部元素通过氧化膜的缺陷进入DD6基体中，在合金的亚表面发生内氧化、内硫化以及内氯化反应，横截面上出现明显的腐蚀层，其主要由氧化物以及硫化物组成。随着热腐蚀的进行，DD6表面物质发生了剥蚀，沉积盐量的增加导致剥蚀现象越加严重，合金内部致密的组织结构也被破坏，横截面上出现了大量孔洞、裂纹等缺陷。在相同涂盐量下，周期涂盐法使得DD6的腐蚀程度高于单次涂盐法。结论 DD6高温热腐蚀行为与涂盐量及涂盐方式密切相关，相同涂盐方式下，涂盐量越大，DD6热腐蚀更加严重。涂盐量一定时，周期涂盐法使得DD6的热腐蚀剧烈程度大于单次涂盐法，且DD6在上述热腐蚀条件下均发生剥蚀破坏。     

纳氏试剂比色法测定氨氮的市售试剂检查方法研究

纳氏试剂比色法是测定水中氨氮的常用方法,分析所用的市售试剂纳氏试剂和酒石酸钾钠品种较多,选择国产与进口两种纳氏试剂和三种国产酒石酸钾钠批次试剂进行了筛选实验.通过不同反应时间校准曲线分析、检出限、加标回收率、外观、试剂杂质含量等多方面考察了试剂测定水体氨氮的适用性,初步确定了适合水样氨氮监测的试剂,并为市售试剂的可靠性提供了可行的检验方法,对实验室样品分析过程中的试剂控制具有一定的指导意义.