Biodegradation of the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin LR in natural water and biologically active slow sand filters

A bacterium (MJ-PV) previously demonstrated to degrade the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin LR, was investigated for bioremediation applications in natural water microcosms and biologically active slow sand filters. Enhanced degradation of microcystin LR was observed with inoculated (1 x 10(6) cell/mL) treatments of river water dosed with microcystin LR (> 80% degradation within 2 days) compared to uninoculated controls. Inoculation of MJ-PV at lower concentrations (1 x 10(2)-1 x 10(5)cells/mL) also demonstrated enhanced microcystin LR degradation over control treatments. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) specifically targeting amplification of 16S rDNA of MJ-PV and the gene responsible for initial degradation of microcystin LR (mlrA) were successfully applied to monitor the presence of the bacterium in experimental trials. No amplified products indicative of an endemic MJ-PV population were observed in uninoculated treatments indicating other bacterial strains were active in degradation of microcystin LR, Pilot scale biologically active slow sand filters demonstrated degradation of microcystin LR irrespective of MJ-PV bacterial inoculation. PCR analysis detected the MJ-PV population at all locations within the sand filters where microcystin degradation was measured. Despite not observing enhanced degradation of microcystin LR in inoculated columns compared to uninoculated column, these studies demonstrate the effectiveness of a low-technology water treatment system like biologically active slow sand filters for removal of microcystins from reticulated water supplies. Crown Copyright (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rayleigh noise mitigation in DWDM LR-PONs using carrier suppressed subcarrier-amplitude modulated phase shift keying

We demonstrate a novel Rayleigh interferometric noise mitigation scheme for applications in carrier-distributed dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) passive optical networks at 10 Gbit/s using carrier suppressed subcarrier-amplitude modulated phase shift keying modulation. The required optical signal to Rayleigh noise ratio is reduced by 12 dB, while achieving excellent tolerance to dispersion, subcarrier frequency and drive amplitude variations.

Hydroxyl radical generation by cactus-like copper oxide nanoporous carbon catalysts for microcystin-LR environmental remediation

Copper oxide supported on nanoporous activated carbon (CuO-NPAC) is reported for the aqueous phase catalytic degradation of cyanotoxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR). The loading and spatial distribution of CuO throughout the NPAC matrix strongly influence the catalytic efficiency. CuO-NPAC synthesis was optimized with respect to the copper loading and thermal processing, and the physicochemical properties of the resulting materials were characterized by XRD, BET, TEM, SEM, EPR, TGA, XPS and FT-IR spectroscopy. EPR spin trapping and fluorescence spectroscopy showed in situ ˙OH formation via H2O2 over CuO-NPAC as the catalytically relevant oxidant. The impact of reaction conditions, notably CuO-NPAC loading, H2O2 concentration and solution pH, is discussed in relation to the reaction kinetics for MC-LR remediation.

More lr saturated L∞ spaces

2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 05D10, 46B03.

Reach extension of high-capacity LR-PONs in chain configuration of distributed amplifier structure

We show 100-Gb/s single-channel transmission in LR-PONs with at least 512 way split and up to 160 km total distance is feasible by means of "chained" cable with amplifier solutions, and appropriate FIR filter designs. © 2015 OSA.

Skolan i livet - livet i skolan : Några illitterata invandrarkvinnor lär sig tala, läsa och skriva på svenska som andraspråk

Many immigrants in Sweden have not had the chance to learn to read and write, for various reasons. In Sweden, literacy is a prerequisite to being able to function in the cultural community, and for many immigrants this is the first time that they experience their inability to read and write as a handicap or see themselves as “illiterate”. The aim of this study is to use a socio-cultural, second language and gender approach to describe, analyse and understand how a number of adult, illiterate, immigrant women experience their situation when they are expected to simultaneously learn to speak, read and write Swedish. The study focuses on two literacy groups in two Swedish municipalities. In one of the groups I act as both teacher and researcher. The thesis is a case study of the learning process of five illiterate immigrant women in Sweden. The results are based on interviews, carried out with the help of an interpreter, and observation of teaching and texts ritten by the students. The study is based on the assumption that human learning is an activity that takes place in a cultural community in a social context. When learning a language, the language is simultaneously the tool that facilitates social communication and the object of the learning process. The study shows that cultural communities influence the women in different ways. Gender structures are firmly planted in a patriarchal value system, which means that women are seen as inferior to men, and women are expected to “meet the demands of others”. The women have no time to study at home, as their household duties are prioritised. However, there are subtle indications that there is a wish to change the situation in accordance with Swedish values and norms. This can be seen in the Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) lessons. As they have little contact with Swedes, school is the only arena in which they have a chance to use Swedish. They are positive towards teaching and school as an institution. Here they are able to develop an alternative identity. The study also shows that teaching in the literacy groups is to a great extent based on a technical approach, in which the teacher tries to elicit a correct answer from the students. Social interaction involving contemplation and negotiation is either not included or not prioritised. the women’s experience and knowledge is not made use of. There are,however, occasions when collaborative discussions take place between the teacher and students. On these occasions an exchange of experiences takes place. Learning is based on the students’ own experiences and thoughts. Linguistic concepts gain meaning in the collaborative discussion. Initially the concepts may be unclear, but the group works on them together, adapting and adjusting them until they finally make sense. Finally, I conclude that women immigrants bring their own socio-cultural values and experience to the school situation, which affects their learning process to varying degrees. Furthermore, immigrant women need more time at school, as it is the only arena in which they can spend time on studying and personal development. another conclusion is that the school must become a learning community that recognises the immigrants’ cultures, makes use of the students’ experience and allows the students to participate in collaborative discussions, so that they can develop their ability to speak, read and write Swedish.

Alla lär sig något? - Teori möter praktiskt yrkeskunnande

Abstract Akademisk yrkesutbildning ställer särskilda krav på såväl studerande som lärare. I Socionomutbildningen fokuseras på teoretiska perspektiv med användningsbarhet i en praxis som den studerande ska förberedas för och förstå. Dessutom ska en bedömning göras av såväl yrkesrelaterat, som teoretiskt kunnande, hos enskild studerande. Yrkesutbildning som akademisk utbildning innebär många utmaningar där det ibland kan uppstå problem. Syftet med detta paper har varit att beskriva förändringar genomförda i kursmomentet Åldrandets villkor, i socionomprogrammets socialgerontologikurs våren 2012, samt att belysa svårigheter med att bedöma den studerandes kunskaper då studerande har rätt till anonymitet i tentamen, tillika med att läraren inte får kräva obligatorisk närvaro. Texten avser att beskriva genomförandet av ett förändrat kursmoment som kallats Åldrandets villkor.  Detta kursmoment reflekteras dessutom som ett exempel på underlag för bedömningen av de studerandes insatser. Resultatet visade att det förändrade pedagogiska arbetssättet med momentet uppskattades av de flesta studerande. Men frågor kvarstår om hur man skapar underlag för en rättvis bedömning av de studerandes kunskaper och förmågor utifrån lärandemålen för just detta delmoment. Avslutningsvis reflekteras över hur svårt det är att finna bra bedömningsverktyg i kurser som avser skapa förutsättningar för såväl praktiskt yrkeskunnande, som ett teoretiskt reflekterande. Medverkan av praktiker i utbildningen kan vara ett redskap för att sammanfläta teori med praxis.

Applications of perceptron techniques to the submarine classification problem. Policy agreement project no. 208-LR-40. Combined progress and final report. Period: 1 June 1961 to 1 June 1962.

Cover title.