text:
Water SA
Water SA vol.35 no.5 Pretoria oct. 2009
Evaluation of modifications to a physicochemical method for determination of readily biodegradable COD
A Escalas-CañellasI,II,*, MA Ortiz-BalderasII; MG Barajas-LópezI,II
ICentro de Investigación y Estudios de Posgrado, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 8, Edificio P, Zona Universitaria, C.P. 78290, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
IIPrograma Multidisciplinario de Posgrado en Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 201, 2do piso, Zona Universitaria, C.P. 78210, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
In the Mamais-Jenkins-Pitt method for determination of readily biodegradable COD (SS), 2 alternatives were proposed for the intermediate determination of soluble inert COD (SI). When a full-scale treatment plant exists, influent SI = effluent truly soluble COD. When there is no full-scale plant, then the truly soluble COD of the effluent of a 24 h fill-and-draw batch reactor treating the wastewater is taken as influent SI.
In this study, both SI methods were statistically compared on 24 wastewater samples from 2 municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). While average SI obtained for the 2 methods was the same, individual samples usually had very different SI values. In fact, virtually no correlation was found between the 2 methods. Also, the SS values obtained using both SI alternatives were statistically compared. A good correlation was observed, in spite of the poor SI correlation – low, dispersed SI values did not seriously affect the correlation between both SS determinations. A method was proposed for determination of the limit of detection and the limit of quantification (LOQ) for both SS methods. The LOQ resulted in 28.6 mg/l and 32.6 mg/l, respectively, for the full-scale and the laboratory-scale alternatives.
Some assumptions of the original laboratory-scale (LS) method could potentially be sources of error in SI determination. Two modifications to the laboratory-scale method were implemented in order to avoid these potential problems: Washing biomass with tap water, and correcting SI in the fill-and-draw reactor by the SI of the original biomass suspension.
These method modifications were tested on wastewater samples from the mentioned WWTPs. The fundamentals and results of both modifications are discussed in this paper, as well as the imprecision associated with estimating influent SI from effluent CODsol in all studied methods, and its impact on SS determination.
Keywords: readily biodegradable COD, physicochemical, wastewater
ASM1
Activated Sludge Model No. 1
ASM2d
Activated Sludge Model No. 2d
batch-test effluent
CODsol
soluble COD (Mamais-Jenkins-Pitt method)
full-scale plant effluent
EPA US
food to micro-organisms ratio
full scale
hydraulic retention time
International Water Association
laboratory scale
laboratory-scale method correcting effluent SI by biomass SI
LSTW
laboratory-scale method using tap water for biomass washing
MCRT
mean cell retention time
PPT '
Parque Tangamanga 1-B' WWTP
determination coefficient
relative standard deviation
fermentation products
sequencing batch reactor
fermentable matter
soluble inert organic matter
State of San Luis Potosí, Mexico
readily biodegradable organic substrate
total suspended solids
'Tanque Tenorio-Villa de Reyes' WWTP
volume of initial mixed liquor in a batch test
volatile suspended solids
VWW
volume of wastewater in a batch test
Water Environment Federation (USA)
WWTP
particulate inert organic matter
slowly biodegradable substrate
Increased usage of BNR has promoted COD fractionation as a tool for wastewater evaluation and process design and control (Spérandio and Paul, 2000). IWA models for BNR use several COD fractions as state variables, so COD fractions must be evaluated for model initialisation, calibration and validation. Both ASM1 and ASM3 models consider 4 wastewater COD components, namely: readily biodegradable organic substrate (SS), soluble inert organic matter (SI), slowly biodegradable substrate (XS) and particulate inert organic matter (XI) (Henze et al., 2000). Other wastewater COD fractions are biomass-related: biomass components, biomass decay particles and internal storage products. Though biomass can account for 10 to 20% of total organic matter in wastewater, not considering it in raw wastewater would not affect the modelling considerably (Henze, 1992). In this case, biomass would be included in the slowly hydrolysable organic fraction, according to the same author. In ASM2d, SS is split into fermentable matter (SF) and fermentation products (SA). However, SS is useful for ASM2d, since SF can be obtained as the difference between SS and SA. So, readily biodegradable COD is a basic and useful COD fraction, and several respirometric and physicochemical methods have been developed for SS determination.
In IWA models, SS and XS fractions are set in terms of their aerobic biodegradation rates, which can be determined by respirometry. Thus, several respirometric methods have been proposed or modified for estimation of readily biodegradable COD (Ekama et al., 1986; Spanjers and Vanrolleghem, 1995; Wentzel et al., 1999; Spérandio and Paul, 2000). At the same time SS is considered soluble, while XS is colloidal or particulate, which allows for physicochemical determination of SS. When compared to respirometric methods, physicochemical methods require simpler and cheaper apparatus, since they are usually based on filtration techniques. However, equivalence between both methods has been a subject of discussion. Filtration through 0.45 µm filters does not ensure the complete removal of colloidal matter, which is slowly biodegradable (Melcer, 2004). The 0.45 µm filtrate can include about 50% of XS, while the rest is SS and SI (Henze, 1992). The colloidal fraction has been successfully removed by either ultrafiltration (Dold et al, 1986) or flocculation and filtration (Mamais et al., 1993; Hu et al., 2002).
The method by Mamais et al. (1993) provides a simple physicochemical technique for determination of truly soluble COD (herein referred to as CODsol) and readily biodegradable COD. In this method wastewater CODsol is determined as the COD of the filtrate obtained after sample flocculation, and filtration through a 0.45 µm filter. Then, wastewater SI is determined as the CODsol of the effluent of an aerobic biological plant treating the studied wastewater. More precisely, 2 alternatives were given by Mamais et al. (1993) for SI:
To determine SI as the effluent CODsol of a full-scale plant treating the wastewater (if a full-scale plant exists)
In the absence of a full-scale plant, to determine CODsol as the effluent CODsol of a laboratory-scale fill-and-draw plant treating the wastewater of interest, and having a mean cell retention time (MCRT) of greater than 3 d and an HRT of 24 h.
Some assumptions of the Mamais et al. (1993) method could be potential sources of error in SI determination and, consequently, on SS, as discussed next.
In the full-scale (FS) alternative, it is assumed that effluent SS is null. According to a plant survey cited in WEF-ASCE (1998), 42 activated sludge treatment plants had an annual mean effluent BOD of 15.5 mg/l (EPA, 1981) with a wide range of plant averages, namely 11 mg/l to 39 mg/l. TSS averaged 18.5 mg/l, with a wide range too. Assuming effluent BOD and TSS being roughly equal, and assuming effluent SS having a BOD of approximately 50% of their weight (WEF-ASCE, 1998), soluble BOD would reasonably average 7.5 mg/l with a range of 5.5 to 19.5 mg/l in secondary effluents of activated sludge plants. In ASM1 and ASM3, soluble BOD, being soluble and biodegradable, can only be included in the SS fraction of COD. Though the 5.5 mg/l to 19.5 mg/l range is rather low, it can account for a considerable fraction of effluent soluble COD in municipal wastewaters, thus affecting SI determination by the FS alternative and, consequently, SS determination in the low SS range. The LS test conditions (24 h HRT, longer than FS activated sludge plants) could perhaps achieve lower effluent SS.
In this study, CODsol, SI and SS were determined by both the FS and LS alternatives of the Mamais et al. (1993) method, on wastewater samples of 2 municipal, activated sludge WWTPs, and the results of both alternatives were compared for SI and SS, in order to determine whether these methods were equivalent and, particularly, whether SI was lower, and SS higher, by the LS alternative.
Since influent SI can be assumed variable, effluent SI must be variable too, even considering equalisation effects throughout the plant. In a previous research, Escalas et al. (2003) studied dissolved organic carbon (DOC) evolution throughout a municipal, continuous-flow activated sludge plant. Though primary clarifiers provoked a clear peak reduction, and secondary treatment yielded a smooth effluent DOC curve, the effluent DOC range was still 13 mg/l to 34 mg/l over a period of one week. This is a considerable variability for soluble organic matter, which includes the inert soluble fraction. The SI subtracted from the CODsol in the method has an intrinsic variability that has not yet been evaluated and this issue is addressed in this paper.
In the LS alternative, a wastewater with a given SI is mixed with a biomass (mixed liquor) that has a different SI, since mixed liquor SI depends on the variable SI fed to the reactor in the previous batches. This could affect SI and SS determination.
In the present study, the issue of SI variability was addressed by analysing effluent CODsol variability in the effluent of the 2 WWTPs studied. In order to suppress or minimise the effect of mixed-liquor SI on LS effluent SI, two LS method modifications were essayed:
To wash biomass with tap water before the LS test, in order to remove CODsol from biomass, thus suppressing the biomass interference on SI determination (LSTW alternative)
To determine biomass SI, and correct effluent SI for this value (LSC alternative).
General experimental design
Twenty-four wastewater samples and their corresponding full-scale secondary effluents were taken at 2 municipal wastewater treatment plants in the city of San Luis Potosí (SLP), central–north highlands of Mexico: Parque Tangamanga 1-B plant (PPT) and Tanque Tenorio-Villa de Reyes plant (TTV). In a first campaign, 16 wastewater samples were taken, corresponding to low and high influent concentration at the plants. A 22 factorial design (Montgomery and Runger, 2003) with 4 replicates was applied (4x22), with plant (TTV/PPT) and influent concentration (low/high) as design variables. Eight additional wastewater samples were taken at the PPT plant, 4 corresponding to high concentration and 4 to low concentration time bands, for a total of 24 samples between the 2 plants. A previous 24 h sampling (12 samples per plant) was performed in order to determine the time bands of low- and high-influent COD concentration. An overview of the general methodology is shown in Fig. 1.
TSS, volatile suspended solids (VSS), COD and CODsol were determined on the samples, and the following alternatives were applied for SI and SS determination:
FS alternative: wastewater SI was determined as the CODsol of the secondary treatment effluent of the full-scale plant, in accordance with one of the Mamais et al. (1993) alternatives (Eq. (1) and (2)).
(SI)FS is the un-biodegradable soluble COD according to the FS alternative
(CODsol)EFF is the truly soluble COD at the FS plant effluent, determined by the Mamais et al. (1993) method
(SS)FS is the readily biodegradable COD according to the FS alternative
(CODsol)WW is the truly soluble COD of wastewater
LS alternative: wastewater SI was determined as the effluent CODsol of a laboratory-scale 24 h fill-and-draw reactor, as in the other Mamais et al. (1993) alternative. Equations (3) and (4):
(SI)LS is the wastewater un-biodegradable soluble COD according to the LS alternative (DQOsol) BTE is the truly soluble COD of the batch test effluent
LSTW alternative: As in the LS alternative, wastewater SI was determined from the effluent CODsol of a laboratory-scale 24 h fill-and-draw reactor. However, the biomass was first washed with tap water in order to remove the CODsol present in the mixed liquor, before mixing with wastewater for the batch test. This process results in a dilution of wastewater SI, so a correction must be applied to SI (Eq. (5)) before SS calculation (Eq. (6)).
(SI)LSTW is the un-biodegradable soluble COD of wastewater according to this method alternative
VML and VWW are respectively the volumes of initial mixed liquor and wastewater used for the batch test
SS)LSTW is the readily biodegradable COD according to this method alternative
LSC alternative: As in the LS and LSTW alternative, wastewater SI was determined from the effluent CODsol of a laboratory-scale 24-h fill-and-draw reactor (Eq. (7)), but the SI of the initial mixed liquor was determined before addition of wastewater to the reactor (Eq. (8)), and a correction was applied to wastewater SI determination. An SI balance applied to the batch test can be written (Eq. (9)), which allows calculating the corrected wastewater SI (Eq. (10)). The usual calculation is applied for SS (Eq. (11)):
(SI)BTE is the un-biodegradable soluble COD of the batch test effluent
(SI)ML is determined as the CODsol of the batch reactor mixed liquor before addition of wastewater
(SI)LSC is the un-biodegradable soluble COD of wastewater according to this procedure
FS and LS alternatives of the Mamais et al. (1993) method were compared in order to check for equivalence between both methods of SI determination. The resulting SS was also compared between both methods. Also, the LSTW and LSC alternatives were compared to the FS alternative, which was taken as reference.
Sampling and storage
Wastewater samples were taken at the 2 municipal wastewater treatment plants mentioned above (PPT and TTV). PPT is an 8 640 m3/d SBR plant with 2 alternating reactors, and TTV is a 60 500 m3/d continuous-flow activated sludge plant with enhanced primary treatment. Both flow rates are operational. At the PPT plant, grab influent samples were taken at the SBR feed-pipe discharge. At the TTV plant, characterisation was applied to grab samples of the secondary treatment influent, in order to avoid interference from the physicochemical primary treatment on the method essayed. Effluent grab samples were taken at the SBR discharge (PTT) or at the secondary settling effluent (TTV). Sampling after disinfection (PPT) or after full tertiary treatment (TTV) was avoided, in order to prevent chemical oxidation of effluent CODsol to interfere with the measured SI. Raw wastewater and mixed liquor samples were analysed and used in the batch tests upon arrival at the laboratory, while effluents and filtrates were stored at 4ºC for less than 12 h before analysis.
Standard analyses, CODsol, SI and SS
TSS, VSS, COD, pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) were determined according to Standard Methods (1998). COD was determined by the closed reflux, 5520 D spectrophotometric method (Standard Methods, 1998), using a DR/4000 spectrophotometer (Hach, Loveland, CO, USA). CODsol was determined by the Mamais et al. (1993) method of zinc sulphate flocculation, settling, and supernatant filtration through 0.45 µm filters (Whatman, cellulose nitrate membrane, Ø47 mm, 0.45 µm pore filters). SI was determined as detailed above (Eq. (1), (3) and (6)), depending on the method alternative. SS was always computed as the difference between CODsol and SI. Duplicate analyses were run for all samples. In the case of CODsol and SI, duplicate flocculation and filtration procedures were also run. Triplicate COD analyses were run on each sample replicate in the low-range COD method, duplicate analysis for the high-range method.
The high- and low-range variants of the Standard Methods (1998) spectrophotometric COD method were validated by analysing the potassium hydrogen phthalate calibration curves for linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), repeatability and recovery. Linearity was evaluated through the determination coefficient (R2) (Miller and Miller, 2002). LOD was computed from the y-intercept absorbance in the calibration-line plus three times the standard deviation (3s) of the blank (from 10 blanks) (Miller and Miller, 2005). For the LOQ, a 5s criterion was applied (Eurachem, 1998). Repeatability was checked through the per cent relative standard deviation (RSD) of COD when computed from 3 calibration lines obtained on the same day (Eurachem, 1998).
Previous COD regime characterisation
Sample diversity was achieved by sampling 2 different plants at different times of the day, so they could present different concentration and COD composition. It was necessary to know the COD evolution of wastewater at the sampling points (COD regime) beforehand. So, samples were taken every 2 h at the sampling points of both plants, in a daylong sampling operation starting at 20:00. Plant influent (PPT), secondary treatment influent (TTV) and secondary effluent samples (both plants) were analysed for COD and CODsol. SI and SS were calculated in accordance with the FS alternative of the physicochemical method (Eq. (1) and (2)).
Main sampling design
Table 1 displays the main sample design, a 22 factorial with four replicates (4x22), based on the variables 'plant' (TTV/PPT) and 'COD concentration' (low/high). The replicates were set in four 22 blocks. Randomisation was applied inside each block, as a usual measure to ensure independent sampling. Due to higher COD and CODsol variability observed at that PPT, 8 additional samples were taken later at this plant for better characterisation, 4 samples corresponding to low concentration, and 4 to low concentration.
Laboratory-scale, 24-h batch tests
For the LS alternatives, mixed liquor from the biological reactors of each WWTP were mixed with wastewater and the mixture was kept aerated for 24 h. Mixed liquor samples were taken at the exit of the biological reactors (TTV) or at the end of the aerated 'react' phase of the SBR cycle (PPT). These biomasses were already acclimated to the wastewaters used in the batch tests, so they were directly used. Mixed liquor (0.5 ℓ) and appropriate wastewater volumes were mixed in order to maintain an F/M of 0.075 g COD/(g VSS.d). Duplicate batch tests were carried out for each sample and experimental condition, in 600 to 2000 ml beakers, aerated through ceramic diffusers. Dissolved oxygen was kept at above 2 mg/l throughout the tests.
Biomass washing
In the tests with previous tap water biomass washing, 0.5 l of mixed liquor from the full-scale plant were settled for 20 min in a 500 ml graduated cylinder. Thereafter the supernatant was decanted and tap water was added to complete the volume to 0.5 l. This process was repeated 2 more times to complete 3 settle-decant-refill operations, which allowed the removal of 99% of the original liquid phase.
Evaluation of method alternatives
The analytical precision of a given method alternative was evaluated through the standard deviation from a pair of sample replicates. First, sample standard deviations were calculated for each pair of replicates. Then, the squares of the maximum and the minimum sample standard deviations were compared in an F-test at 5% significance (Montgomery and Runger, 2003). If they resulted equal, all samples were assumed to have the same analytical variance which was then computed from individual sample standard deviations through the pooled estimator (sP2) (Eq. (12)):
This is a generalisation of the 2-sample pooled estimator in Montgomery and Runger (2003), where si is the analytical standard deviation of sample i, ni is the number of replicates for sample i, N is the number of samples (24 for all methods, except for LSTW, 16), sP is the pooled analytical standard deviation of the method.
If maximum and minimum individual variances were not equal in the above-mentioned F-test, it was concluded that there was not a common s for all samples, and the individual standard deviations lying outside the centred 95% percentile were discarded. Then a pooled s was calculated for the Nh samples sharing a common variance in the upper s range within the centred 95% percentile of standard deviations. These upper ranges included 75% to 100% of all samples. Finally, the analytical precision of a sample result (mean of two replicates) was calculated as Sp/ .
This analytical precision was applied to all (CODsol)WW and (CODsol)EFF determinations. However, when directly estimating influent SI from (CODsol)EFF in grab samples, precision is not only affected by analytical issues, but by the fuzzy relationship between (CODsol)EFF and influent SI, as discussed next. The following assumptions were applied to all influent SI values when directly estimated from (CODsol)EFF, as in Eq. (1), (3) and (7):
Population means of influent and effluent SI are equal, as derived from ASM1 and Mamais et al. (1993) method assumptions
However, it is not possible to precisely associate the CODsol of a given effluent grab sample to a particular influent sample, due to total or partial mixing and time-delays throughout the plant. Consequently, (CODsol)EFF of a grab sample, i.e. influent SI's estimate, should be considered a random variable having the same mean as influent SI, and a variance which can be estimated as the square standard deviation of all (CODsol)EFF values. Consequently, SI precision for grab effluent samples from a WWTP was estimated from the standard deviation of all effluent samples (herein called 'overall standard deviation').
Method comparison was carried out through 3 different approaches:
Means of all samples by 2 methods were compared through t-tests at 5% significance, with previous investigation of equal/different variances using F-tests for variance comparison at 5% significance
Means of 2 methods were also compared through paired t-tests (Montgomery and Runger, 2003)
Regressions of method modifications against a reference method were performed. Equality of methods would be ideally proved through zero y-intercept, unit slope and unit R2 (Miller and Miller, 2005).
The FS alternative was taken as reference method for comparisons.
Variance estimation for linear combinations of variables
When estimated from a simple set of data, variance was estimated as the square standard deviation. When estimating the variance of a linear combination of variables (Eq. (13)), it was computed from the square standard deviations of the individual variables and their sample covariance, through a general equation assuming correlation (Montgomery and Runger, 2003) (Eq. (14)). This was the case in Eqs. (2), (4), (5), (6), (10) and (11), where SI and SS are linear combinations.
x, y and z are variables (e.g., CODsol, SI and SS),
a and b are the coefficients of the linear combination,
sx, sy and sz are the respective standard deviations, and
cov(xy) is the sample covariance of x and y.
Non-correlation was not assumed, so cov(xy) was always computed when using Eq. (14). When effluent SI was involved in these calculations, the overall SI standard deviation was used, while the analytical standard deviation was used for (CODsol)WW.
Limit of detection and limit of quantification for SS
The limit of detection is generally defined as the concentration which gives an instrument signal (y) significantly different from the blank signal. Typically, the sample signal should be greater than the mean blank signal plus three times the blank signal standard deviation, i.e., LOD = yB+3sB (Miller and Miller, 2002). Considering CODsol as the method 'signal', then effluent CODsol (i.e., SI) can be considered a blank for the method, since it nominally corresponds to zero SS, and its 'signal' is subtracted to the influent sample signal ((CODsol)WW) (see Eq. (2) and (4)). So, for an SS value to be detectable, wastewater CODsol should be significantly higher than effluent CODsol. Accordingly, the CODsol corresponding to the limit of detection was computed as the mean SI plus 3 times the standard deviation of SI (Eq. (15):
(CODsol)LOD is the 'signal' corresponding to the limit of detection for SS
is the average SI and s(SI) is the overall standard deviation of SI
The limit of detection for SS was obtained from (CODsol)LOD by substituting this value into the regression equations of CODsol vs. SS (Fig. 6), and then isolating SS.
The limit of quantification was considered under a 5s criterion. The 'signal' corresponding to the LOQ was computed (Eq. (16)), and then the LOQ for SS was computed by substituting (CODsol)LOQ into the regression equations in Fig. 6, and then isolating SS.
COD method validation
Table 2 displays the results of COD method validation. Linearity was excellent (0.9995 to 0.9996). LOD and LOQ for the low-range method were respectively 3.0 and 4.9 mg/l, below all COD or CODsol values obtained in this study, and well below most of them. LOD and LOQ for the high range method were nominally 4.6 and 7.7 mg/l, though the high range was 80-500 mg/l.
Figure 2 shows the evolution of COD (a) and CODsol (b) in influent samples from TTV and PPT. Both WWTPs presented typical COD daily oscillations, with a sharper COD profile at PTT, which does not have primary treatment and its peak-reduction effect mentioned above. The CODsol curve was also sharper for PPT, while the TTV curve was rather flat, making it difficult to define a high/low CODsol concentration regime. For this reason, time bands of high and low COD concentration were determined, and used to set up the experimental design for the main sampling.
The high concentration intervals were 16:00 to 04:00 (TTV) and 12:00 to 02:00 (PPT), while low-concentration intervals were, respectively, 06:00 to 14:00 and 04:00 to 10:00. Table 3 displays time bands and their COD and CODsol averages. The overall COD and CODsol ranges for all samples in both WWTPs were, respectively, 127 to 577 and 38 to 78 mg/l. The different wastewater origin and concentration ranges ensured considerable wastewater variability for the samples involved in the main sampling, as it was intended.
Results from the main sampling
Table 4 displays raw results from the main sampling at TTV and PPT plants, while Table 5 presents SI and SS obtained by the four method alternatives presented above (FS, LS, LSTW and LSC). These results are discussed below.
Influent CODsol
The influent CODsol had an overall average (both WWTPs) of 123 mg/l, with a range of 36 to 215 mg/l, much wider than in the main sampling. The analytical standard deviation of CODsol ranged 0 to 11.0 mg/l for the set of 24 samples (centred 95% percentile), with a pooled analytical standard deviation of 3.9 mg/l (3.2% RSD), 2.8 mg/l for the mean of 2 samples.
Precision of SI determination by the FS and LS alternatives
The analytical standard deviation of the pairs of replicates of (SI)FS ranged 0.1 to 2.9 mg/l (centred 95% percentile), with a pooled standard deviation of 1.2 mg/l to 0.9 mg/l for the mean of 2 samples – which is excellent. However, the overall standard deviation of SI by the FS method was computed for each WWTP, resulting in 6.7 mg/l at TTV plant (50% RSD), and 5.0 mg/l at PPT plant (29% RSD). These s values were found statistically equal in an F-test, and a pooled overall standard deviation of 5.7 mg/l was used for (SI)FS. These results indicate that a high relative imprecision (36% RSD) was found associated to SI determination as CODsol of the FS plant effluent.
Similar results were obtained for the LS alternative. The analytical precision – standard deviation of (SI)LS in individual samples – ranged 0.3 to 4.0 mg/l, with a pooled standard deviation of 1.6 mg/l to 1.1 mg/l for the mean's standard deviation. The overall standard deviation of estimating SI by the LS method was 6.7 mg/l (46% RSD) and 6.6 mg/l (38% RSD) for, respectively, TTV and PPT. Again, a high relative imprecision was associated to (SI)LS determination as the CODsol of the LS plant effluent. The pooled overall standard deviation for both plants was 6.6 mg/l (40% RSD).
As conclusion, the effluent CODsol of a single grab sample can be determined with a considerable precision (s = 1.2 mg/l). However, when attributing effluent CODsol to an (SI)EFF representing influent SI, the overall variability of effluent CODsol applies, which is much greater, ranging 5.0-6.7 mg/l (29 to 50% RSD) for the two plants and methods herein analysed.
Comparing FS and LS alternatives for SI determination
It would be reasonable that a 24 h HRT laboratory-scale reactor could yield lower effluent CODsol than the FS method, since the hypothesis of zero effluent SS seems more feasible for a 24 h HRT reactor. However, the overall means for the 2 series of 24 results (15.8 and 16.4 mg/l) were compared in a simple t-test for equal variances (verified through an F-test), resulting in statistically equal means. Also, a paired t-test was applied to the two series of SI values, resulting again in equality between the means. It can be conclude that the average (SI)FS and (SI)LS obtained from 24 samples were statistically equal for the set of samples obtained from the two WWTPs.
Finally, a correlation study between LS and FS alternatives was carried out for SI by running a linear regression of (SI)LS vs. (SI)FS. Figure 3 displays the correlation results. The determination coefficient was R2=0.0598, pointing to very low correlation between both methods. The y-intercept was quite imprecise and different from zero (11.9 mg/l± 8.4 mg/l), while the slope had large imprecision and was statistically null (0.284 ± 0.498). These results do not meet the conditions for equivalence between two analytical methods (Miller and Miller, 2005). Figure 3 shows great dispersion between (SI)LS and (SI)FS. The difference between both SI estimates distributes almost randomly over a wide range (-10.3 to +12.5 mg/l, 95% centred percentile) for a mean difference of 0.7 mg/l. In conclusion, while the SI averages of a number of samples by both methods were very close and statistically equal, a very poor correlation between (SI)FS and (SI)LS confirms that these methods proved to be non equivalent for individual sample determination. Regarding the hypothesis of (SI)LS being lower than (SI)FS, it was rejected in the t-tests.
SS by FS and LS alternatives
Table 5 displays the results from SS determination by these 2 method alternatives. Similar means (107 and 106 mg/l), ranges (29.6 to 197 and 25.1 to 203 mg/l) and overall standard deviations (50.6 and 50.9 mg/l) were obtained for, respectively, the FS and LS alternatives. Equivalence between both methods is discussed further in this section. First, LOD, LOQ and variance issues of these methods are addressed.
The limits of detection were computed for (SS)FS and (SS)LS. The LOD signal values ((CODsol)LOD) were respectively 33.0 and 36.4 mg/l. In order to calculate the corresponding LOD for SS, plots and regressions of CODsol vs. SS were performed (Fig. 6). The linearity was quite good (R2 of 0.987 and 0.983), so LOD(SS) a was computed from the regression equations in Fig. 6, resulting in 17.2 and 19.2 mg/l, respectively, for (SS)FS and (SS)LS. LOQ were analogously obtained and were 28.6 and 32.6 mg/l, respectively, for (SS)FS and (SS)LS. No sample fell below the limit of quantification for (SS)FS, while 2 samples (8.3%) did fall below that of (SS)LS. However, lower SS can be common in WWTP influents values. In fact, 15% of samples in Mamais et al. (1993) fell below this LOQ for (SS)FS, as well as 8% in Orhon et al. (1997), 17% in Spérandio and Paul (2000) and 57% in Ginestet et al (2002).
Standard deviation of (SS)FS replicates – computed through Eq. (14) – ranged between 5.7 and 17.0 mg/l. A pooled s existed for all (SS)FS (7.5 mg/l, 5.3 mg/l for the mean of 2 replicates). Since SS variance was computed through Eq. (14) the contributions of CODsol and SI variances were analysed, using s2 as variance estimates. (SI)FS accounted for 78% of (SS)FS variance, while CODsol variance represented 21% only. The rest was due to covariance. So, most of (SS)FS uncertainty was attributable to (SI)FS uncertainty. The latter derives from effluent CODsol variability and its fuzzy relationship with influent SI, as pointed above. Similar results were obtained for the LS alternative. Standard deviation of (SS)LS replicates – computed through Eq. (14) – ranged 6.6-15.5 mg/l. A pooled s could be computed (8.1 mg/l, 5.7 mg/l for the mean of two replicates). Since the (SS)LS range was 25.1 to 203 mg/l, RSD ranged, respectively, 22.9-2.8%.
Equivalence between FS and LS alternatives for SS is discussed next, based on the same tests applied to SI methods. An overall t-test for SS mean comparison (for variances found equal) was resulted in statistically equal averages at 5% significance; a paired t-test yielded the same result. So, the two means of 24 samples were statistically equal at 5% significance.
A correlation study between FS and LS alternatives for SS was carried out by running a linear regression of (SS)LS vs. (SS)FS (Fig. 4). A quite good linearity was obtained (R2=0.977), with statistically unit slope (0.995 ± 0.067) and statistically zero y-intercept (-0.01 ± 7.9 mg/l). These results indicate that FS and LS alternatives are equivalent. However, the standard error of estimate was 7.8 mg/l, showing some dispersion between both methods, particularly affecting the lower SS results. This can be mostly attributed to uncertainties in SI determination by both methods, as pointed above.
In conclusion, the main source of uncertainty for SS in FS and LS alternatives was the lack of precision in SI determination, which seriously affected SS determination in the low range. Also, SI imprecision greatly determined LOD and LOQ. In a regression analysis, FS and LS methods for SS proved to be equivalent though some dispersion between both methods was found, attributable to SI imprecision. Regarding the hypothesis of (SI)LS being lower than (SI)FS, it was rejected, since they were found statistically equal.
SI and SS by the LSTW alternative
The results of this section are shown in Tables 4 and 5. (DQOsol)BTE in LSTW alternative was somewhat lower than in the LS alternative. However, when the dilution correction was applied (Eq. (5)), higher (SI)LSTW values were obtained. The (SI)LSTW mean was 32.4 mg/l, vs. 15.8 mg/l the mean of the FS alternative. This difference was statistically significant (t-test at 5% significance). It has been shown that a common batch test (LS) estimated the same mean SI as the FS alternative. Obtaining systematically higher SI values in this modified LS test (LSTW) should be caused by the particular conditions of this method.
It was hypothesised that submitting biomass to tap water, with usually lower salinity and organic matter concentrations than mixed liquor or wastewater, could provoke some COD solubilisation either by desorption, osmotic processes or, even, biomass lysis. An experiment was used to confirm and eventually quantify solubilisation in the LSTW batch tests. A fixed amount of tap water washed biomass from PPT was mixed with three different volumes of the same influent sample from PPT. The volumes were calculated to keep three food to microorganism (F/M) ratios of 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 g COD/(g VSS.d), corresponding to 25%, 50% and 100% of the full-scale plant F/M. The mixtures were aerated for 24 h in new LSTW tests, and replicates were run for each F/M ratio. The whole design was repeated on another day. Under no-solubilisation conditions, the final amount of CODsol (mg) in the batch test reactor should be proportional to the volume of wastewater added to the mixture, since CODsol had been removed from biomass by tap water washing. So, a plot of mg CODsol vs. wastewater volume should yield a line with positive slope, good linearity and zero y-intercept.
Figure 5 shows the plots of mg CODsol vs. added wastewater volume at the end of the LSTW batch tests. The lines presented quite good linearity (R2 of 0.930 and 0.981) and positive slope (0.037 and 0.068 mg CODsol/ml). The y-intercepts of the lines in Fig. 5 were statistically non-zero, as verified in t-tests at 5% significance (95% confidence intervals: 12.1 ± 3.2 and 3.8 ± 2.1 mg CODsol). These y-intercepts represent the extrapolation of residual CODsol if no wastewater volume had been added to the reactor. It means this CODsol was not supplied by wastewater, and could only be supplied by the biomass. Though these amounts can seem low or moderate, they are assigned to wastewater volumes between 60 and 350 ml, introducing an average concentration perturbation of +62 mg CODsol/l (ranging from +16 to +138 mg/l). The lower the wastewater volume, the higher the perturbation in CODsol concentration. The amounts of CODsol released per unit biomass were, respectively, 7.5 and 3.2 mg CODsol/g VSS. As a result of COD solubilisation, (SS)LSTW average and range in the main sampling were significantly lower than those of (SS)LS, in accordance with the higher SI obtained by the LSTW method.
In conclusion, the LSTW alternative led to COD solubilisation during the batch LS test, resulting in abnormally high SI values and lower SS estimates. Consequently, this alternative was discarded for SI and SS determination. Washing with a solution having a more controlled salinity and osmotic pressure could be explored as an alternative.
SI and SS by the LSC alternative
Table 5 displays the results for these variables, while Table 4 shows other variables required for calculations, namely means and standard deviations of CODsol, (CODsol)BTE and (CODsol)ML. The mean (SI)LSC was 12.9 mg/l, vs. 15.8 mg/l for the FS alternative. This difference was not significant in a t-test for different variances at 5% significance, neither in an analogous paired t test. However, (SI)LSC vs. (SI)FS presented very poor correlation (R2=0.0027) and a large standard error of estimate (38.8 mg/l), indicating that while the SI means of two sets of 24 samples were equal, individual samples presented large differences between the 2 method alternatives, which should not be considered equivalent.
In addition, 7 samples (29%) presented negative (SI)LSC values, which makes no sense. This can be attributed to a sharp variance amplification through (SI)LSC calculation, see Eq. (10), a linear combination of (SI)BTE and (SI)ML. For the samples studied, the a2 and b2 coefficients in Eq. (14) averaged 16.7 and 9.9, thus introducing a strong variance amplification in (SI)LSC calculation. While the independent variables in Eq. (10) ((SI)BTE and (SI)ML) had sample variances of 44.1 and 72.2 mg2/l2, the sample variance estimated through Eq. (14) for (SI)LSC was 1.465 mg2/l2, resulting in a standard deviation of 38.3 mg/l. This value is in accordance with that obtained from the 24 (SI)LSC values (38.0 mg/l). Since the mean difference between 1st and 2nd terms in the right side of Eq. (10) was just 12.9 mg/l, the probability of (SI)LSC being negative was 37%, assuming a normal distribution with µ=12.9 mg/l and σ=38.3 mg/l. Actually, 29% of samples presented negative (SI)LSC, as pointed out above.
(SS)LSC estimation resulted in high imprecision, with a pooled standard deviation of 38.6 mg/l (27.1 mg/l for the mean of 2 values) which would be unacceptable for at least the lower half of the (SS)LSC range, assuming a maximum acceptable RSD of 20%. Most of (SS)LSC variance (97%) was contributed by (SI)LSC. In conclusion, the LSC alternative did not allow a reliable SI estimation, mostly due to a sharp increase in SI variance, introduced via (SI)LSC calculation through Eq. (10). This resulted in excessively dispersed (SS)LSC values. Consequently, the proposed LSC alternative was discarded.
Importance of SI precision
It has been found that most of the methods' shortcomings derive from the lack of precision in SI determination by either the FS or the LS methods. Improving precision for SI would allow reliable physicochemical measurement of SS below the limits found in this study. This would require an improved calculation of influent SI from effluent CODsol, either by the FS or the LS alternative, taking into account influent and effluent CODsol regimes, as well as mixing conditions inside the WWTP.
A high relative imprecision is associated with determination of un-biodegradable soluble COD by the full-scale and the laboratory-scale variants of the Mamais et al. (1993) method. This is due to the variability of effluent CODsol both in full-scale and laboratory-scale plants, and to the fact that it is not possible to associate a grab effluent sample with a given influent sample, due to complete or partial mixing in the WWTP. FS and LS SI had relatively high standard deviations, and ranges somewhat greater than the mean SI values. When comparing the full-scale and the laboratory-scale variants, (SI)FS and (SI)LS averages were statistically equal at 5% significance. However, the differences between (SI)FS and (SI)LS in individual samples were very wide. In addition, a very poor correlation between (SI)LS and (SI)FS was found, indicating that these methods were not equivalent for the samples in this study.
The LOQ for (SS)FS and (SS)LS were respectively 28.6 mg/l and 32.6 mg/ℓ. Most samples (92%) were above these limits, because their SS were rather high. However, significant fractions of samples fell below this LOQ in some literature studies. Determination of SS by the FS and LS methods had standard deviations of, respectively 5.3 mg/l and 5.7 mg/l, mostly associated with SI determination uncertainty. This affected the precision of SS determination by both methods at low SS values.
On the other hand, good correlation was found between FS and LS alternatives (R2=0.978, zero y-intercept and unit slope), which means equality of the methods. However, a standard error of estimate of 7.6 g/l indicates a moderate dispersion between methods, relatively more important at low SS. The hypothesis of (SI)LS being lower than (SI)FS was rejected, since they were found statistically equal.
Washing biomass with tap water before the laboratory-scale test (LSTW alternative) resulted in significant COD solubilisation from biomass, which tended to overestimate SI and underestimate SS, especially at low F/M ratios. The solubilisation was quantified as a function of F/M, but the mechanism was not determined. Consequently, this method was discarded as a modification for suppressing influent mixed liquor SI interference. Washing with a solution having a more controlled salinity and osmotic pressure could be explored as an alternative.
The LSC alternative did not result in a statistically different average for SI when compared with the original LS method. However, a regression analysis could not conclude equality between both methods. In addition, Eq. (10) used to calculate (SI)LSC introduced a sharp increase in SI variance, resulting in much larger dispersion of results, including some negative, nonsense SI values. Under the conditions of this research, the probability of a sample to have a negative estimated (SI)LSC was 37%. This method was discarded as an alternative for improving SI and SS determination. However, increasing precision of SI determination in mixed liquor and batch test effluent could allow a re-evaluation of this method alternative.
Most of the methods' shortcomings derive from the lack of and precision in SI determination by either the FS or the LS methods. Improving precision for SI could allow more reliable physicochemical measurement of SI below the limit found in this study. It is possible that the assumption of SI conservation, implicit in the ASM1 model and in the Mamais et al. (1993) method, could be a source of uncontrolled error. However, SI generation in the biological reactors is difficult to quantify and would complicate this simple physicochemical method.
The authors thank the Comisión Estatal del Agua in San Luis Potosí for authorisations, Grupo Proaqua SA de CV and Degrémont de México SA de CV for plant information and sampling support. Ma. de los Angeles Ortiz Balderas received scholarships from CONACYT (No. 198456) and Santander-Universia. This research was funded through CONACYT Project No. C07-ACIPC-01-08.88, UASLP Projects C06-FAI-03-18.21, C07-FAI-11-33.69; Programa Integral de Fortalecimiento de la UASLP (PIFI 1.0 to 3.4) – Plan de Desarrollo del Cuerpo Académico Tecnología Ambiental 2006 – 2008 (P/CA-116 2006-24-36 and P/CA 116-2007-24-42).
DOLD PL, BAGG WK and MARAIS GvR (1986) Measurement of Readily Biodegradable COD Fraction in Municipal Waste Water by Ultrafiltration. UCT Report No. W57. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa. [ Links ]
EKAMA GA, DOLD PL and MARAIS GvR (1986) Procedures for determining influent COD fractions and the maximum specific growth rate of heterotrophs in activate sludge systems. Water Sci. Technol. 18 (6) 91-114. [ Links ]
EPA (1981) Performance of Activated Sludge Processes: Reliability, Stability, Variability. EPA-6500/2 - 81-227, Washington, D.C. [ Links ]
ESCALAS A, DROGUET M, GUADAYOL JM and CAIXACH J (2003) Estimating DOC regime in a wastewater treatment plant by UV deconvolution. Water Res. 37 (11) 2627-2635. [ Links ]
EURACHEM (1998) Eurachem Guide – The fitness for purpose of analytical methods [on line]. Eurachem Group. URL: http://www.eurachem.org/guides/valid.pdf (Accessed on 8 November 2008). [ Links ]
GINESTET P, MAISONNIER A and SPÉRANDIO M (2002) Wastewater COD characterization: biodegradability of physico-chemical fractions. Water Sci. Technol. 45 (6) 89-97. [ Links ]
HENZE M (1992) Characterization of wastewater for modelling of activated sludge processes. Water Sci. Technol. 25 (6) 1-15. [ Links ]
HENZE M, GUJER W, MINO T and VAN LOOSDRECHT M (eds.) (2000) Activated Sludge Models ASM1, ASM2d and ASM3. Scientific and Technical Report No. 9. IWA Publishing, London. [ Links ]
HU Z, CHANDRAN K, SMETS BF and GRASSO D (2002) Evaluation of a rapid physical-chemical method for the determination of extant soluble COD. Water Res. 36 (3) 617-624. [ Links ]
MAMAIS D, JENKINS D and PITT P (1993) A rapid physical-chemical method for the determination of readily biodegradable soluble COD in municipal wastewater. Water Res. 27 (1) 195-197. [ Links ]
MELCER H (2004) Methods for Wastewater Characterization in Activated Sludge Modeling. WERF Report 99-WWF-3. IWA Publishing – Water Environment Research Federation. 7-9. [ Links ]
MILLER JN and MILLER JC (2005) Statistics and Chemometrics for Analytical Chemistry (5th edn.) Pearson Prentice-Hall, Harlow, UK. 268 pp. [ Links ]
MONTGOMERY DC and RUNGER GC (2003) Applied Statistics and Probability for Engineers (3rd edn.). John Wiley & Sons, New York. 720 pp. [ Links ]
ORHON D, ATES E, SÖZEN S and ÇOKGOR U (1997) Characterization and COD fractionation of domestic wastewaters. Environ. Pollut. 95 (2) 191-204. [ Links ]
SPANJERS H and VANROLLEGHEM P (1995) Respirometry as a tool for rapid characterization of wastewater and activated sludge. Water Sci. Technol. 31 (2) 105-114. [ Links ]
SPÉRANDIO M and PAUL E (2000) Estimation of wastewater biodegradable COD fractions by combining respirometric experiments in various So/Xo ratios. Water Res. 34 (4) 1233-1246. [ Links ]
STANDARD METHODS (1998) Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (20th edn.). American Public Health Association (APHA), American Water Works Association (AWWA), Water Environment Federation (WEF). Washington DC. [ Links ]
WEF-ASCE (1998) Design of municipal wastewater treatment plants. WEF Manual of Practice No. 8. ASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practices No. 76 (Vol. II) Liquid Treatment Processes. WEF, Alexandria, VA, USA, and ASCE, Reston, VA, USA. [ Links ]
WENTZEL MC, MBEWE A, LAKAY MT and EKAMA GA (1999) Batch test for characterisation of the carbonaceous materials in municipal wastewaters. Water SA 25 (3) 327-335. [ Links ]
Received 10 February 2009;
accepted in revised form 14 July 2009.
* To whom all correspondence should be addressed.
+52 (444) 817-3381; fax: +52 (444) 817-3381;
e-mail: antoni.escalas@gmail.com
Water Research Commission (WRC)
Private Bag X03, Gezina, Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA, 0031,
watersa@wrc.org.za


text:
Senate Approves Prostitution Freedom Bill, President Obama Expected To Sign Off
Posted on February 3, 2015 by Raoul Stockton
The Senate passed a bill today to force approval of federally legalized prostitution in the United States, which President Obama is expected to pass in his second official clash with the new Republican-majority Congress.
Earlier this week, the Senate approved a bill in support of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Now, with two bills heading towards the President's desk, Republicans seem to be going after and testing President Obama after winning control of the Senate late last year. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is the majority leader chose the 'Prostitution Freedom' bill as the bold companion to the Keystone Oil Pipeline bill, and says that Republicans now have the Presidents hands tied.
"The President would be ill advised to veto both bills," McConnell said. "Obama would have to be stupid to shoot down both, so it seems that he is going to pass the prostitution bill and veto the Keystone pipeline bill, which he is seemingly more concerned with preventing. Democrats are more likely to warm up to the idea of legalized prostitution these days, and for good reason. It works for the state of Nevada, and it will work for the rest of the country. Sometimes, the typical American citizen needs to unwind after a tough week at work."
The Senate voted 61-37 in favor of legalized prostitution, and nine democrats joined Republicans in passing the bill. Democratic senator George Charles of Colorado says that prostitution would help his state just as much, if not more, than the legalization of marijuana. "I mean heck, it is safer this way. Licensed prostitutes will be required to have monthly check-ups to ensure they have a clean product. Without legalized prostitution you have women, and men, walking the streets with God knows what disease while soliciting clients," Charles said. "I know that when it's time to go out and find a nice whore, I want to be ensured that she's as clean as my Mama's backside, if you know what I'm getting at."
Posted in Government, HeadlinesTagged marijuana legalization, prostitution, United States, US Senate
Marijuana Infused Desserts To Be Made Legal For Sale Nationwide
Posted on January 21, 2015 by Raoul Stockton
Peter Carlton, Chief of political negotiations for the National Board of Marijuana Legalities, announced this morning that marijuana-infused brownies and other pastries will be declared legal, once President Obama signs the bill into law.
Carlton, who made the highly anticipated announcement on Capitol Hill, says that congress made the right decision while ultimately making history.
"This is a huge step toward the overall legalization of marijuana. Once the bill is signed into law, it will bring the federal government one step closer to ending the unjustified prohibition of marijuana in the United States of America," Carlton told the Associated Press. "All American citizens aged twenty-one and over will be able to walk into any liquor store in America, and purchase marijuana infused brownies, cakes, and cookies. I don't know about you but I call this progress."
The Obama Administration has made its pro-stance on marijuana well-known, and the President is expected to sign the bill based on statements he made last week at the National Convention of Innovative Nature Provisions and Resources.
"As our hard-working, blue-collar nation, consisting of the great, good-hearted people of America, moves forward one more huge step every day, we realize that many great opportunities lie before us. For instance, the use of taxable medical marijuana and the idea of the complete legalization of recreational marijuana for the use of Americans citizens, who are trusted with consistent and proper judgement. These are the kind of ideas that will cause our struggling but transcending economy to flourish," President Obama stated during a speech at the annual convention held in Denver, Colorado.
While more and more members of the government are being persuaded daily that the eventual legalization of the schedule I drug is beneficial to all of America, some American citizens say legalizing the pot laced desserts it's a disgrace such as Jim Pinkerton, a seventy-five year old resident of Huntsville, Alabama.
"I tell ya what it is, it is a disgrace the way our damn government is trying to turn our people into a country of interracial-loving dope heads. My daddy didn't fight in World War I for a country of these damn liberal pot heads," Pinkerton said.
The bill is expected to be signed by President Obama next month, and the desserts will be available within the weeks following.
Posted in Government, HeadlinesTagged Congress, desserts, food, Law, marijuana legalization, nature, President Obama
Johnny Depp Announces Plan To Run For President In 2016
Posted on October 9, 2014 by Raoul Stockton
NEW YORK CITY, New York –
While taking a break from the filming of the Kevin Smith comedy Yoga Hosers, acting icon Johnny Depp told entertainment reporter Sarah Mayer of Inside Entertainment Daily, that he is interested in politics and he plans on throwing his hat into the ring for the 2016 presidential election, which he says will be a great way to be 'taken seriously.'
"America is screwed up, marijuana is illegal in most states, and the amount of time and money our judicial system spends on non-violent crimes is absolutely astounding. I'm sure people will laugh when they hear I am running for office, but for the most part, I hope to be taken seriously as an aspiring politician," Depp told Mayer on Tuesday. "I have my film career and musical endeavors, and being president of the United States would be an adventurous side gig."
Depp has made several controversial comments about the United States in the past, most infamously of which from an interview for the German magazine Stern, where he said "America is dumb, is something like a dumb puppy that has big teeth that can bite and hurt you, aggressive." Depp said his comment was taken out of context, and that it was his response to how Americans have so much access to powerful things that they often get in over their heads.
Depp says that legalizing marijuana across the board is at the top of his agenda, but there is a lot more that needs to change. "I don't think school children should be ordered to attend school five days a week, they have fragile little minds. They should go to school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, giving their brains time to take in what they have learned the day before. I believe no employer should be allowed to not hire you based on your appearance or make you keep tattoos or piercings covered up. There is not enough individuality in the U.S., this needs to be addressed." Depp added.
When asked about his chances as being considered a legitimate presidential contender, Depp said that he hoped he would have a better chance than most.
"Have you seen the clowns we have had in office the past fourteen years? Over the past 40 years, even. They are nothing more than puppets. There is zero honesty in U.S. politics today, I intend to put it all out there. If the American people can't appreciate that, then the social decline will continue," Depp answered. "I would have never considered putting myself through such a thing, but when you look at the list of contenders for 2016 it is a frightful observation. I am pretty sure that the American people don't even like any of them."
It is not the most far-fetched idea for a legendary actor to seek the presidency. Ronald Reagan made the jump after two succesful terms as the 33rd governor of California. In a nutshell, Depp admitted that he probably didn't stand a chance, but it would indeed be the launching pad into politics, and would perhaps run for governor in his home state of Kentucky. "Within the next year, I will really put my ideas and beliefs out there, I will probably not be considered. But after that who knows, maybe I will run for governor of Kentucky," Depp said.
Posted in Entertainment, Headlines, PoliticsTagged education, Johnny Depp, marijuana legalization, presidential campaign, United States
Bankruptcy Filings Soar As Street Dealers Cope With Marijuana Legalization Laws
Posted on August 28, 2014 by DvanL
Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have legislation regarding marijuana legalization in active committee. What may be a boon for increased state tax revenue and for sellers of home gardening supplies, is apparently tipping the scales in the other direction for local independent street dealers, many of whom are feeling the pinch.
"All of our new bankruptcy clients now are walking in off the street, wanting to file," says Lance Powell, financial advisor and bankruptcy attorney. "When we ask what they did for a living, more and more say 'I was a dealer' or 'I sold weed on the corner.' It's crazy. It's good for my business, but it means it's bad for somebody else's," he added.
"Used to be I could just stick my big toe out the window, and customers came 'round," said struggling dealer known locally as 'Freeman the Treeman.' Now, I can't get arrested! It's a damn shame," he said.
Local bottle and can collector Lee Fan, known for her shopping carts towering with impossibly balanced plastic bags filled with returnable water bottles, soda and beer cans, is also suffering. "Everybody picks up bottles now, not good for me, not good for my income. Dealers can't sell street marijuana so much, so now they pick up bottles. Free money. Streets are much cleaner, but now I take a big loss," she said, guiding her now half-empty carriages in a sad trail down the street.
Effects are also felt below city sidewalks and penetrate far down into local subway systems. Rider Mabel Watson, standing beside her Lower Manhattan Seventh Avenue subway entrance, had this to say: "With all these laws getting more and more relaxed, street people have to change jobs. Me, I got glaucoma in my eye, but now I got a voucher to go to the drugstore to get mine instead of all this street mess."
"So," continued Watson, "I see my local man, 'PuffPuff' down in the train the other day sellin' candy like the kids do to raise money. Probably the first real job he ever had, but anyway he comes up to me and says, 'where you been Mabel?' and I tell him I don't need him no more. He gets all in my face, tells me 'Buy some of my candy then! It's only a dollar, bitch! I mean, ma'am,' — like that's gonna make it all right! I bought 2 peanut M&Ms and some DOTS just to get that fool out my face!"
"It's incredible how many things are affected," said Powell, as he processed another bankruptcy claim for a new client, nicknamed Mr. Kush. See that guy leaving right now? He used to own this neighborhood. Cars, fancy clothes, everything. Now he comes in here almost broke. Never thought I'd see the day when all this would change so fast. I'm swamped," said Powell, eyes bloodshot and glassy. "It's from all this extra work and no sleep, honest," he added, as he returned to a growing stack of new claim forms.
Posted in Headlines, LawTagged bankruptcy, drug dealers, marijuana, marijuana legalization, New York City

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Courtesy of Paul Bucciarelli who also created this.
The Electric Banana's liquor license was suspended for 10 days effective March 3, 1981 for "permitting immoral entertainment," "too much noise," and "insufficient lighting." That's those immoral punks for you, always making noise without adequate illumination.
Gig posters below thanks to the tireless efforts of one of the site's biggest champions, Nick Zeigler. You might need sunglasses to view these, but if you're a true punker you probably have them on already.
Presumably only followers of Descartes were admitted to this show.


text:
Manhasset Magazine
Manhasset Press
Home General News Car Wash Fundraiser At Congregational Church
Car Wash Fundraiser At Congregational Church
Is your car in need of a wash? If so, bring it by the church parking lot this Saturday, from 9 a.m – 3 p.m. at the Congregational Church in Manhasset at 1845 Northern Blvd. across from the Apple Store. Manhasset youths will be washing cars and selling baked goods.
All proceeds will go to our church – wide fundraiser for Adventures in Learning. Wash your car and help a child in our community.
Previous articleSupport Pat Aitken
Next articleTroop 71 Camps At Harriman
Elizabeth Johnson is former editor of Manhasset Press and Manhasset Press Magazine. Growing up in nearby Garden City and attending New York University, she is well-versed in the locale and knowledgeable about the beat she covers. Her community involvement is extensive and includes the Manhasset SCA, Kiwanis International, Manhasset Chamber of Commerce, St. Mary's Church, and various civic and local charitable organizations. Curious by nature, her travels, community service, love of the arts as well as local sports give her the inside view to unique content. During her time at Anton, she has received several awards from the New York Press Association and the Press Club of LI, including the coveted "Best Community Newspaper" several years in a row.
Manhasset Resident Arrested For $19 Million Ponzi Scheme
Petition Against Manhasset Square Project
Plandome Asks For Extension On Cell Nodes
Dual-Threat Thor
Subdivision Proposed For Vacant House
Manhasset Area News
Since 1932, Manhasset Press has served the communities of Manhasset, Munsey Park, Plandome, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor and Flower Hill as a trusted source for local news and community events.
Contact us: manhasset@antonmediagroup.com


Are you keeping up with the wedding trends?
Then you must check these 7 stunning trends that will be taking over for wedding in 2016!
Forget about the days when brides were hunting down the same style, colour and cut for their bridesmaids dresses. Great news for 2016 – and possibly the most practical wedding trend so far – are mismatched bridesmaids dresses!
Bridesmaids dresses used to be a source of endless negotiations – trying to find a style that fits most body shapes, in a colour that flatters any skin tone and a budget that the bride or the girls can afford.
You don't have to go through the same in 2016 – choose few colours that compliment each other and let your bridesmaids pick a style that flatters their body and they will feel amazing in!
The best of all – most of these dresses can be worn on multiple occasions, so no matter what style you choose and how much you spent, it's a win on all accounts!
2016 is about all things natural and there isn't anything more beautiful and natural that a bride with a flowing simple gown and her hair flowing freely in the breeze.
Off shoulder wedding dresses, moving away from traditional white bridal gowns, simple hairstyles including floral crowns, pastel tones for wedding flowers and vintage inspired dresses are the hit for all Boho brides.
Suspended flowers are a great solution if you want something impressive on the table, but don't want to run the risk of the guest not being able to see each other and running out of space.
Suspended flowers look amazing in any venue, especially barns and rustic weddings – but they double up nicely as outdoor venue decoration too.
Have you seen the beautiful ombre wedding cakes?
Now the ombre trend is taking over rest of the wedding too! Think ombre bridesmaids dresses, wedding flowers and venue decor.
Many couples are opting for a more relaxed wedding, in natural surroundings, with flexible program and outfits that are both comfortable and flattering.
Best example would be probably a beach wedding, with the bride and groom walking around bare feet, guests free to choose any outfit they like for the ceremony, bridesmaids in flowing summer dresses and the whole event flowing naturally without a stress out wedding planner running around in the background.
Hot trend that is taking over 2016. Your pets are part of your family, so why should you leave them out on your big day?
Make them your ring bearers or have them walk down the aisle with you!
Long gone are the days when the whole wedding crew spent hours posing for the official photographs. Couples are opting for more natural "in the moment" photos which capture the day more precisely and contain a lot more emotions than standard staged photo shoot.
Having said that, the couple themselves still take some wedding portraits, using natural light and settings, and capturing the joy and happiness of the day.
Have you found a trend you want to use in your own wedding? Leave a comment below, we would love to hear about it!


Description Of gold extraction machine. This kind of alluvial dust gold extraction machine is a new type of energy saving and high efficient gravity concentration equipment and developed based on the traditional Sine Wave Jig.
A wide variety of alluvial gold processing plant options are available to you, There are 1,040 alluvial gold processing plant suppliers, mainly located in Asia. The top supplying country is China (Mainland), which supply 100% of alluvial gold processing plant respectively.
offers 3,749 portable gold washing machine products. About 91% of these are mineral separator, 2% are vibrating screen, and 1% are car washer. Gold Trommel Wash Plant Alluvial Gold Washing Machine Portable Small Gold Washing Machine New Type Portable Small Gold Washing Machine .
Portable type turnkey small mini rotary drum mobile gold trommel screen separator price for alluvial gold washing plant Ghana About product and suppliers: offers 462 sawdust separator products.
China Trommel, Wholesale Various High Quality China Trommel Products from Global China Trommel Suppliers and China Trommel Factory,Importer,Exporter at .
Portable type turnkey small mini rotary drum mobile gold trommel screen separator price for alluvial gold washing plant Ghana About product and suppliers: offers 52 rock wood separator products.
offers 807 mining gold carpet products. About 61% of these are mineral separator, 25% are carpet, and 1% are other plastic products. A wide variety of mining gold carpet options are available to you, such as bathroom, bedroom, and commercial.
Alluvial Mining Washing Portable Gold Washing Equipment Gold Washing Plant About product and suppliers: offers 1,981 portable gold mining equipment products.
You can also choose from free samples. There are 475 gold dust mining suppliers, mainly located in Asia. The top supplying countries are China (Mainland), South Korea, and Taiwan, which supply 98%, 1%, and 1% of gold dust mining respectively. Gold dust mining products are most popular in Africa, Domestic Market, and Southeast Asia.
You can also choose from free samples, paid samples. There are 40,386 gold plant suppliers, mainly located in Asia. The top supplying countries are China (Mainland), India, and Vietnam, which supply 98%, 1%, and 1% of gold plant respectively. Gold plant products are most popular in Africa, Domestic Market, and Southeast Asia.
You can also choose from free samples. There are 112 small river gold washing plant suppliers, mainly located in Asia. The top supplying country is China (Mainland), which supply 100% of small river gold washing plant respectively. Small river gold washing plant products are most popular in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Domestic Market.
About 33% of these are mineral separator, 2% are dust collector. A wide variety of gold dust machine options are available to you, such as gravity separator, magnetic separator. New Technology Pulsating Sluice Box Gold Mining Machine For Small Business Alluvial Gold Dressing Washbox Alluvial Gold Dust Washing Plant .


text:
Q: Class (not instance) constructor Basically I'm trying to do something like this:
class A:
    some_field = None # that is the field which should have 123 value

    # what needs to be here?

class B(A(123)):
    pass

class C(A(456)):
    pass

I want one base class A. And I want children B and C to be able to pass arguments to it like that A(123).
And for example if I do B.some_field I should get 123
How can I do that?

A: unutbu's answer is correct.  I'd just like to point out that you can even do this stuff dynamically...
def make_class(base, value):
    class NewClass(base):
        some_field = value
    return NewClass

class A(object):
    some_field = None

B = make_class(A, 123)
C = make_class(A, 456)

And actually, this one is important enough that python actually has a builtin to do it:
class A(object):
    some_field = None

B = type('B', (A,), {'some_field': 123})

type takes 3 arguments -- The name of the class, a tuple of the base classes and a dictionary of class attributes.

A: If you define B and C like this:
class B(A):
    some_field = 123

class C(A):
    some_field = 123

then:
In [147]: B.some_field
Out[147]: 123

By the way, A(123) would pass 123 to A.__init__. It would not set some_field.
Also, in a class definition,
class B(...)

The stuff in parentheses must be a class or a comma-separated list of classes (or, in Python3, metaclass=SomeMetaClass). It can not be an instance of a class. So
class B(A(123))

is a definite no-no.

In response to the comment: You could use the A.__new__ method to return a class:
class A(object):
    some_field = None
    def __new__(cls, val):
        cls.some_field = val
        return cls

class B(A(123)): pass

then
In [161]: B.some_field
Out[161]: 123

But this is a non-standard use of __new__ since usually it is used to return an instance of A. When it does not return an instance of A, then A.__init__ is not called.
Instead of using a class A it would be more understandable to use a class factory:
class B(make_class(123)): ...

as you mentioned in the comment below.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The Atlantic is really starting to heat up! With hurricane season running through November it's better to always be on your toes and stay prepared. While most of the time we will only see heavy rain & high winds with major hurricanes hitting in recent years it's important to have everything prepared. The best type of hurricane is the one that is completely predicted wrong or the one that just misses bringing that heavy rain I mentioned earlier...but what if you're not that lucky and have to bunker down or evacuate?
We put together the three stages of hurricane preparedness and we think it's extremely important to always be prepared.
All proper preparations should be done before the hurricane hits. This will ensure that you aren't left without certain necessities. When a major hurricane is headed towards your area, people tend to panic and stores run out of important staples like water, batteries, and flashlights very quickly. Truthfully, if you live in a hurricane prone area you should always be stocked with the staples so you never have to worry about the panicking crowds.
Make a plan. When emergency strikes it is important that you and your family have a plan in case you get separated. Agree on a common meeting place that is easy to find and a method of contact.
Create a disaster kit. This should consist of water (one gallon per person per day for three days for all uses), three days worth of food, batteries, flashlights, first aid kit, cell phone with back up the charger, help whistle, garbage bags, pliers, a manual can opener, and any critical medications. Your valuable documents should be tucked away in a waterproof container as well.
Fill all your gas tanks. This should be done as soon as possible because gas is usually one of the first things to run out of before a hurricane.
Fill your bathtubs. Line the bathtub with plastic sheeting or a clean shower curtain, or caulk the drain with silicone caulking — it holds water for weeks and cleans up easily when dry.
Know your property's elevation level. This will help you in determining if your home is flood- prone and can help you prepare for storm surge or tidal flooding.
This is when things start to settle in. There are more deaths and injury after a storm than when one hits! SO be careful! Anything that is broken is replaceable. A life is not. It's easier to completely wait out the storm than to bolt outside to see if you lost a tree in your front yard. Most people are too anxious to get outside and view the damages to their property and come in contact with downed power lines.
If you live near the coast or in a flood-prone area, you may be asked to evacuate. Your "plan" should include researching your evacuation route and making arrangements in advance with family or friends for a safe place to stay.
Area public shelters are for people who have no other place to go. If you must stay in a shelter, listen to news broadcasts for announcements of shelter openings. Shelter volunteers do their best to make you comfortable, but a shelter is not a very comfortable place. Stay with friends or relatives if at all possible.
Those with special medical needs (oxygen, etc.) should go to special needs shelters only. Special needs shelters do not provide hands-on medical care, only medical monitoring. Bring a caregiver with you if need.
Only service animals are permitted in public shelters. Shelters that allow pets are limited, so other arrangements should be made for your pets.
Bring food and snacks. Meals may not be available during the first 24 hours.
Bring your identification, valuable papers, and medications in their original containers.
Bring blankets/sleeping bags, pillows. Those are either not provided or limited in supply.
Bring cards/games/books to pass the hours.
If you happen to be visiting and a storm threatens you during your visit, keep informed with local news and follow any evacuation orders that are issued. If you aren't required to evacuate, follow the tips above to help keep you and your family safe.


text:
Mary Queen of Scots' Downfall – The Life and Murder of Henry, Lord Darnley
Mary Queen of Scots – Volume I: The Challenge to the Crown
Mary Queen of Scots – Volume II: The Survival of the Crown
Scottish Family Trees
About Robert Stedall
Volume I: The Challenge to the Crown
Volume II: The Survival of the Crown
Robert Stedall 18
What happened to "the four Marys" (Beaton, Seton, Fleming, and Livingston) after the death of their lady, Mary, Queen of Scots?
Posted March 10, 2014 · 11 Comments
The four 'Maries' accompanied Mary Queen of Scots as a child to France in 1548 and remained her closest lifelong friends. Mary Beaton was the daughter of the head of Mary's household, who accompanied her, and the others were the daughters of the three noble families closest to the Stewart Court. They had taken a vow of chastity following the death of Mary's husband, Francis II, confirming that they would not marry until their mistress was also remarried.
Mary Beaton (or Bethune)
Mary Beaton was the daughter of John Beaton of Creich, from a distinguished family, who had traditionally fulfilled roles at Court and in Government. John had married Joanne de la Reyneville (or Gryssonier), one of the French Ladies-in-Waiting of Marie of Guise, Mary's mother. The Beatons travelled to France with their two other children, David and Lucretia, and their son James was born while they were there. Mary Beaton was about eighteen months older than Mary and was considered the most classically beautiful of the four. On their return to Scotland in 1560 she was much admired by both George Buchanan and Thomas Randolph, the English ambassador to Scotland. On Valentine's Day in 1564, Buchanan wrote the masque, Valentiana, in her honour. Although seventeen years older than her, Randolph had a soft spot for her, but his attention was not reciprocated and it fizzled out. Yet they played and won at Billiards together against Mary Queen of Scots and Darnley when they were first courting. When Mary's Guise uncle, The Grand Prior Francis, died Beaton was delegated to bring the sad news to Mary as 'the hardiest of the Maries'.
When Mary arranged for the Earl of Bothwell to marry Jean Gordon, the Earl of Huntly's sister, she linked together the families of two of her most powerful supporters. Yet Jean had enjoyed a long running attachment to Sir Alexander Ogilvy 4th of Boyne, and she only reluctantly married Bothwell and was slow to consummate the marriage. Mary stepped in and arranged for Sir Alexander to marry Beaton two months later. There were three children of the marriage, James, Andrew and Robert. James, who inherited from his father as 5th of Boyne married Elizabeth Irvine of Drum.
Beaton died in about 1599, when Sir Alexander was at last able to remarry Jean Gordon, who was now the widow of the Earl of Sutherland. Sir Alexander died before 1606.
Mary Seton (Seaton). This is the only known picture of any of the Four Maries.
Mary Seton
Mary Seton was the daughter of George 4th Lord Seton by his second wife Mary Pyerres, another Lady in Waiting to Marie of Guise. Mary Seton was accompanied to France by a her young brother, James, who tragically died after drinking contaminated water at Ancenis on the Loire, before they reached the French Court at Orleans. After her father's death in 1549, her mother returned to France to be with her and to seek a new husband, becoming Madame de Briante in 1554. Mary Seton was at least six months older than, but was probably the least glamorous of the four Maries, and was a similar height to Mary (5ft. 11 ins.) She never married, but was not without admirers although she seems to have been reluctant to break her vow of chastity.
Mary Seton remained in Mary's service and was able to join her at Lochleven and during her period of house arrest in England, where she remained unpaid, with her own lady's maid and groom for fifteen years. She was a noted hairdresser, a skill which she had learned in France, and Mary was dependent on her to maintain her rapidly thinning hair with wigs and hair pieces.
One of Seton's admirers was Christopher, the second son of Sir Richard Norton, but he was executed for his part in the Northern Rising. When Andrew Bethune of Creich, a kinsman (probably uncle) of Mary Bethune, joined Mary's household in England, he too courted Seton, but she was reluctant to marry someone below her distinguished rank in the Scottish nobility. Eventually in 1577, he travelled to France to release Seton from her vow of chastity but tragically died of smallpox as he was returning.
By 1583, Seton was broken in health, and she retired to France where she joined Mary's aunt at the convent of St. Pierre des Dames in Reims. She lived on there in increasing penury until her death in 1616.
Mary Fleming
Mary Fleming was the daughter of Malcolm 3rd Lord Fleming, who had been killed at Pinkie Cleugh in 1547 and Janet Stewart, the illegitimate daughter of James IV. Although Fleming was the youngest of the Maries, being only marginally older than Mary, she was considered the senior of them because of her her Royal blood.
Fleming was accompanied to France by her widowed mother Janet Stewart, who accompanied the Royal party as their governess. She was extremely vivacious with nubile good looks and soon had an affair with Henry II, and unashamedly announced that she was pregnant. Queen Catherine de Medici collaborated with Henry's long term mistress, Diane de Poitiers to ship Janet Stewart back to Scotland, where she gave birth to a son, Henry. After the death of Marie of Guise in 1560, Janet returned to France so that her son could be brought up with the other Royal children, but her daughter, Mary was about to return to Scotland with her mistress after the death of Francis II.
Fleming shared her mother's nubile good looks and was considered by John Leslie to be 'the flower of the flock'. George Buchanan wrote verses in her honour when she was chosen as 'Queen of the Bean' on Twelfth Night 1564, after finding a bean in her slice of a specially baked cake. The 'Fair Fleming' was chosen by fortune to be Queen. 'Queen Flaminia' was 'Venus in beauty, Minerva in wit and Juno in worldly wealth. She enjoyed a two year flirtatious courtship with William Maitland of Lethington, and by all accounts had him wound round her little finger. He was fifteen years older than her, and Sir William Kirkcaldy of Grange reported her to be as suitable for Maitland 'as I am to be Pope'. Yet they were married in 1566.
They had two children James born in 1568 and Margaret, who married Sir Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe in 1587. When Edinburgh Castle fell in 1573, Maitland took poison to avoid facing a trial for treason. Mary Fleming soon remarried George Meldrum of Fyvie. Yet she was able to arrange the reversal of Maitland's attainder in 1583, and her son James later wrote a defence of his father's honour.
Mary Livingston
Mary Livingston was the daughter of Alexander 5th Lord Livingston and his wife Agnes Douglas, daughter of the 2nd Earl of Morton. She was a keen dancer and a good horse woman, being known as 'Lusty' by Mary and the other Maries. In 1564, she fell in love with John Sempill of Beltries, another keen dancer. Sempill was the illegitimate son of the Master of Sempill by his long term mistress, Elizabeth Carlile, an Englishwoman. This allowed Randolph to refer to him as 'the happy Englishman'. The Livingston family were concerned at their daughter choosing an illegitimate son in marriage, but Mary encouraged them and paid for the wedding dress for the marriage on 6 March 1565. She also provided estates worth £500 per year, some out of the attainted lands of the Earl of Huntly at Strathbogie. When Strathbogie was restored to Huntly, the Livingstons were compensated with Little Cumbrae Island off the Clyde coast at Largs.
The couple remained unfailingly loyal to Mary. John tried to organise a plan for her escape from Lochleven. He later made a plan to assassinate the Earl of Morton, as Regent, but was caught and found guilty of treason. He managed to avoid a traitor's execution, but was placed in Edinburgh Castle. Mary Livingston died in 1577, and although John Sempill was released in 1579, he died shortly after. They had four children. The eldest Sir James Sempill was educated at Stirling with James VI. He was a notable academic and, in 1599, assisted James in writing the Basilicon Doron, his treatise on divine right.
The Affair of Janet Stewart, the Lady Fleming with Henry II of FranceWhile researching for my book 'The Challenge to the Crown' [...]
A Review of "The Challenge to the Crown" by The Stewart Society'The Challenge to the Crown' was recently reviewed in 'The [...]
How historically accurate is Josie Rourke's 2018 film "Mary Queen of Scots" starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie?I have at last seen 'Mary Queen of Scots' in [...]
What Happened to the Duke of Orkney (Earl of Bothwell) after Carberry Hill?On 15th July 1567 the forces of Mary Queen of [...]
Why did Mary Queen of Scots marry the Earl of Bothwell?Historians have puzzled long and hard to establish Mary Queen [...]
Why did Elizabeth I hesitate when signing the death warrant of Mary Queen of Scots?Following Mary Queen of Scots' imprisonment in England William Cecil [...]
Why did Elizabeth I have Mary Queen of Scots executed?Following the murder of Henry Lord Darnley the husband of [...]
4th Earl of Bothwell 4th Earl of Morton Catherine de Medici David Riccio Duke of Châtelherault Earl of Leicester Earl of Moray Elizabeth I of England Francis II of France Henry II of France Henry Stuart Henry Stuart Lord Darnley Henry VIII Holyrood James Douglas 4th Earl of Morton James Hepburn 4th Earl of Bothwell James VI of Scotland John Knox Lochleven Lord Darnley Lord James Stewart Lord Robert Dudley Marie of Guise Mary of Guise Mary Queen of Scots Matthew Stuart 4th Earl of Lennox Philip II of Spain Sir Francis Walsingham William Cecil William Maitland of Lethington
Follow Robert on Twitter
1st Earl of Moray 4th Earl of Bothwell 4th Earl of Lennox 4th Earl of Morton Anne of Denmark Catherine de Medici David Riccio David Rizzio Duke of Châtelherault Dunbar Earl of Leicester Earl of Moray Edinburgh Castle Edward VI of England Elizabeth I of England Francis Duke of Guise Francis II of France George Buchanan Henry II of France Henry Stuart Henry Stuart Lord Darnley Henry VIII Holyrood James Douglas 4th Earl of Morton James Hepburn 4th Earl of Bothwell James VI of Scotland John Knox Lochleven Lord Darnley Lord James Stewart Lord Robert Dudley Marie of Guise Mary I of England Mary of Guise Mary Queen of Scots Matthew Stuart 4th Earl of Lennox Philip II of Spain Regent of Scotland Sir Francis Walsingham Sir James Melville Stirling Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk William Cecil William Maitland William Maitland of Lethington
Copyright © 2012 - 2020 Robert Stedall · All Rights Reserved
Design by Salted Lolly · Developed with Pagelines
Follow @rstedall


text:
New Music: Tank f/ Chris Brown - 'Foreplay'
Tank is ready for foreplay. The singer-songwriter, who's gearing up for the release of his Atlantic Records debut and fourth album Now or Never, just unleashed his Chris Brown-assisted "Foreplay," appearing on Tapemasters Inc.'s mixtape The Future of R&B 36. Though it's uncertain if the sexy track will make the album, it's a delicious mid-tempo slice of mood-setting goodness that listeners can expect on Tank's new joint.
Listen below and get put in the mood.
Download: Tank f/ Chris Brown – "Foreplay" [Tagged]
Audio via ThisIsRnB


Working in the world of advertising - one of the unwritten rules is that you never ackowledge competitors who customers perceive to be smaller in than your company.
A good example of this is Coca Cola - which never mentions Pepsi, however Pepsi being the less established company is always mentioning Coke.
It seems that Nokia has broken all of these rules and by doing so is actually implying that Apple is the more dominant company.
I've always been fond of Coke vs Pepsi analogies ... it's what my economics teacher always used in high school.
I like Coke/Pepsi analogies too.
Trotskii has hit the nail on the head there. By dignifying Apple with a response, they've relgated themselves to the challenger. Despite being "the mobile phone company" - or at least the most famous one.


The Som Berthiot 50mm F0.95 produces extremely creamy bokeh when shooting wide open with high sharpness at the same time. The Lens is a myth and a legend, which is extremely rarely seen and fetches astonishing prices at auctions.
Dallmeyer is an English Lens Company made by J.H. Dallmeyer. Their cinematic lenses are famous for its out of focus rendering and oil-painting quality bokeh. Dallmeyer can be graded from Kinematogrph, Super-Six, Dallac, Speed and Septac. This is Speed, which falls between Dallmeyer most well known Super-Six and Highest graded Septac.
The Speed is in fact even rarely seen than both and it is a mix of characteristics from the Super-Six and Septac. The Lens renders with oil painting style but integrated with swirl bokeh background, which makes the rendering truly unique and one of a kind.
3) The 50mm f/1.8 Planar as used on the Rollei 35 series of SLRs, which never made into actual production.
The Rollei Planar 80mm f/2.8 was designed by Carl Zeiss and made in Germany by Rollei of Braunschweig. This 80mm lens is based on the design of the famous twin lens Rolleiflex 2.8GX/FX TLR, which is an amazingly sharp and high resolution performance lens.
Despite being marketed as an Leica M mount or Rollei M RM mount lens, this lens is actually a Leica screw mount lens sold with an LTM to M adaptor. Therefore, it can be mounted on earlier screw mount cameras as well. Unlike the Rollei Sonnar 40mm f/2.8 HFT, which had an option of an external 40mm viewfinder, there is no external 80mm viewfinder by Rollei for this lens.
Dallmeyer is an English Lens Company made by J.H. Dallmeyer. Their cinematic lenses are famous for its out of focus rendering and oil-painting quality bokeh.
Due to its limited production numbers that demands very high prices on the market. It's cine lenses can be graded from the following series: Kinematogrph, Super-Six, Dallac, Speed and Septac, which is the ultimate and the rarest. However, Dallmeyer is most well-known for its Super-Six series, which offers strong 3D image quality, unique colour rendering, swirly and oil-painting like bokeh.
There are significant differences in image quality and price between each series. Also within each series there are both coated and uncoated versions, with the recognisable "DC" Dallmeyer Coating but uncoated versions are generally more rare and collectible.
Sun Tao is from Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. He graduated with Master Degree from Chinese Ministry of Culture and Chinese Calligraphy Court. Sun Tao is the Arts Director of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Appointed Calligrapher for the Chutian Calligraphy Court of Hubei Province.
Since the 1980s, Sun Tao has been recognised by the Ministry of Culture, the China Federation of Art and Literature, the Chinese Calligraphy Association, the Chinese Disabled Persons Federation, the Central Committee of China and many other institutions. Sun Tao have won multiple awards including the "Chutian Star Award", "Huanghe Group Star Award" and "International Handicapped Painting and Calligraphy Awards".
Sun Tao has participated in large-scale cultural performances of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He has taught more than 10,000 students from all around the world. Sun Tao has also participated in many Cultural and Art exchange between China, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. His works have been collected by political figures and individuals from more than 30 countries.
On 28 July 2018, the Sun Tao Sydney Calligraphy Exhibition was held at the Chinese Cultural Center in Chatswood, Sydney. More than 200 guests of Australian and Chinese elites attended the opening ceremony.
The Australian Artists Association, the Australian Chess and Calligraphy Association, the Australian Chinese Cultural Tradition Association and the Hubei Fellowship Association jointly hosted the exhibition, which exhibited the calligraphy works created by Sun Tao in recent years. The exhibition showcasing his mastery and profound calligraphy that is highly praised by audiences and experts in the calligraphy industry.


Publicity. Born in Stettin. Studied at the Berlin Vereinigte Staatschulen für freie und angewandte Kunst (Union of National Colleges for Free and Applied Art): teachers included Ernst Böhm and O.H.W. Hadank. He then worked at the Dorland Studio with Herbert Bayer. His industrial clients included Standard Elektrik.


text:
Q: Debian/Apache2 server is blocking my IP There is a Debian 6 LAMP server and from about one week I have a problem which occur randomly.
From time to time I can't access one specific domain from one specific location (IP). Our employes from other location and also the customers can access https WWW page with no problem.
Problem is only with one WWW page. Mail server, ftp server, ssh and other WWW pages on this server works OK from my location (in the time while problem with this one WWW page occur).
When the problem occur the browser (any browser) show error:

Server not found
Firefox can't find the server at kotly.com.pl.

*

*Check the address for typing errors such as ww.example.com instead of www.example.com

*If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network connection.

*If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure that Firefox Developer Edition is permitted to access the Web.

I thought that there is a problem with DDos-Deflect script because on this location (IP) we have IP Camera which use mJpeg to show the view and if couple of people entry it could been block because of number of the request to the server, also people checking mails and there is communication between Debian server and our Windows server so the connections form one source is a lot but I've turn DDos-Deflect script off and nothing changed also if it was DDos-Deflect script it would block all server for my location(IP).
When the problem occur I also can't ping or tracert domain but without any problem I can do this with server IP. It looks like a problem with DNS but I have no idea what could be the problem.
Symptoms are like with DNS propagation for domain change.

A: The fundamental issue brought up in this question appears to no longer be relevant. If there was anything wrong with the server, you would be seeing different symptoms. ie. if it was firewalling, you would get a timeout.
What is surprising is that you claim it only happens with one webpage. That doesn't make much sense unless you're referring to a subdomain or alternate domain. If it's the same domain, maybe the pages that are actually working are cached. Or maybe the dns issue is transient so it appears to affect random pages.
I suggest you hit the same nameservers as the ones being used when the problem is occurring and see if you can reliably reproduce the problem. Then take it up with whoever is managing the name server.


The Lipsy Luxe Damask Rose Gold Metallic Glitter Wallpaper is specially designed to give any room the wow factor. This eye-catching wallpaper is from designer wallpaper brand Lipsy and is sure to make a welcome addition to your home. The wallpaper is a timeless damask design on a textured vinyl background for classic style. The intense rose gold metallic glitter finish adds a glamorous twist and complete the damask design.
The Lipsy Luxe Damask Rose Gold Metallic Glitter Wallpaper is well suited for use as a feature wall. Team with cream accents for a beautiful look.


The Sprite network operating system uses large main-memory disk block caches to achieve high performance in its file system. It provides non-write-through file caching on both client and server machines. A simple cache consistency mechanism permits files to be shared by multiple clients without danger of stale data. In order to allow the file cache to occupy as much memory as possible, the file system of each machine negotiates with the virtual memory system over physical memory usage and changes the size of the file cache dynamically. Benchmark programs indicate that client caches allow diskless Sprite workstations to perform within 5 percent of workstations with disks. In addition, client caching reduces server loading by 50% and network traffic by 75%.


text:
Zero star pubs, man hit by train and Toys R Us plan for flats: The most read stories this week
The five most read stories from the site this week
Francesca Perryman
Updated 12:01, 1 MAY 2016
It's been another busy week across Reading,Bracknell and Wokingham, below are the stories you have been reading the most during the last seven days.
Earlier in the year, we revealed the zero and one star restaurants in Berkshire, but now it's time to take a look at our locals and see which pubs aren't up to scratch.
Passengers faced major delays mid-week after a man was hit by a train between Reading and Newbury.
Reading Borough Council has been approached for planning advice about the Homebase and Toys R Us site in Kenavon Drive.
A Wokingham mum's application for a primary school place was refused and she is unhappy with the alternative offer.
Oil giant shell is moving 800 members of staff who are based at the Thames Valley Park.
Here are the top stories you may have missed:
1. Which Berkshire pubs ranked lowest in the food hygiene ratings?
Which places serving pub grub scored the worst in their food hygiene inspections?
Burger lovers, steak eaters and Sunday roast connoisseurs will have their favourite pubs. They'll have their go to boozers as part of the weekly ritual to get down the pub.
Whether it's big hearty, family pub grub or something a bit more special from a gastro pub, it's one of the British traditions that should never ever be broken.
Food Standards inspectors regularly check restaurants in Reading,Bracknell,Wokingham and beyond and rate them accordingly.
Take a look at which pubs ranked zero or one stars in Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell.
2. Rail services delayed after person hit by train between Reading and Newbury
Picture by David Hurst . First Great Western have kept the rail franchise on the main line between London and South Wales for a further two years. Trains arrive and depart at Newport railway station.
Rail passengers faced severe delays on Wednesday morning after a person was hit by a train. The incident took place near Aldermaston early on April 27.
This affected Great Western Railway (GWR) trains which run in both directions between Reading and Newbury.
The line was closed.
3. Reading Homebase and Toys R Us plan for 19-storey block of flats
Homebase and Toys R Us site under discussion for flats plan
A developer has asked Reading planners for an opinion on whether the Homebase and Toy R Us site can be redeveloped into a 19-storey block of flats.
London-based Temple Group has asked for a "screening opinion" on the site in Kenavon Drive, central Reading.
The letter to Reading Borough Council from Temple said: "The site is identified within the Reading Borough Local Development Framework and Central Area Action plan 2009 which state the area will be used for medium density residential use, preserving the east-west links through the site."
Temple, acting for London and Quadrant housing Trust, is proposing demolishing Toys R Us and Homebase and building 700 to 800 flats in a block to a maximum of 19 storeys with 1,200 sqm of commercial, community or retail floorspace.
4. Mother snubs only Wokingham school place offer due to daughter's health concerns
Charlene Hockham and children Laila and Matthew.
A mother-of-three from Riseley is refusing to send her daughter to the only primary school where she has been assigned a spot, arguing that her health could be at risk.
Charlene Hockham's seven-year-old son Matthew attends Lambs Lane Primary School in Spencers Wood, but she was unable to get her daughter Laila a place at the oversubscribed school.
Wokingham Borough Council did offer her three-year-old a place at Gorse Ride Junior School, but Mrs Hockham insists it is too far away and she would find it difficult to reach her child if she suffered from an ongoing breathing problem during lessons.
5. Oil giants Shell to close Reading headquarters
BG Group in Thames Valley Park
Hundreds of people working at an oil and gas company's offices in Thames Valley Park will soon have to uproot to London or accept voluntary redundancy offers.
After a £35bn takeover of BG Group in January, Royal Dutch Shell is planning to move 800 members of staff from BG's former corporate head offices in Reading to the Shell Centre in London by the end of 2016.
But it has started a voluntary redundancy programme as well.
The company is planning to close offices in Aberdeen and Manchester by the end of 2017 and transfer the staff, but it is also cutting more than 10,000 jobs worldwide.