Using the Flow Cytometry to Quantify the Giardia Cysts and Cryptosporidium Oocysts in Water Samples

The flow cytometry (FC) has been used to detect Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts quantitatively and instantaneously in this study. The experimental results showed that FC is potential to become a more precise method for the detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in water. This study also evaluated the staining efficiencies for three commercial antibodies. After staining Cryptosporidium oocysts with direct immunofluorescent antibodies in water samples, two populations were detected in the scatter-plots (FL1 versus SSC) of the FC. The Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts are significantly separated from other particles while stained with direct immunofluorescent antibodies produced by Meridian Diagnostics and Waterborne^TM Inc.     

Factors affecting the concentrations of PM10 in central Taiwan

In this study, the synoptic weather types that have high probability and low probability of producing PM10 episode are referred to as HPE and LPE, respectively. Multiple linear regressions analysis showed that NO2 was the most important contributor (35.61%) to the concentrations of PM10 for HPE weather. For LPE weather, the season factor had the greatest contribution (48.11%) to the concentrations of PM10. Using the correlation coefficients between the concentrations of PM10 and SO2 or NO2 on HPE and LPE to calculate the increase of PM10 from LPE to HPE, we found that the increase of PM10 owing to the increase of SO2 and NO2 from LPE to HPE was 12.93microg/m3 which was about 51% of the total amount of PM10 increased from LPE to HPE. Results of factor analysis showed that the first component could be attributed to the result of local pollution especially for the weather patterns of types P3 and P6, while the secondary component for the weather patterns of types P1 and P4 can be attributed to the long-range transport of SO2 pollutants from China.     

Sorption kinetics of toluene in humin under two different levels of relative humidity

To identify any resistant fraction for desorption of toluene from humin and to quantify the sorption-desorption rates, the time courses of toluene sorption to compressed humin disks and to a thin humin film were investigated. The apparent diffusivity of toluene with humin disks ranges from 10(-8) to 10(-9) cm2/s and increases with temperature, based on the weight change of humin disks mounted on a microbalance and on the results simulated by use of a diffusion model. No detectable level of residual toluene was found after desorption, as revealed either by the gravimetric analysis or by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum obtained at either low or high humidity. The time scale for intrinsic vapor sorption without mass transfer hindrance is less than a few minutes with the thin film. All the results indicate that the sorption of toluene to humin is reversible and mainly diffusion controlled. This finding helps to better understand the sorption kinetics associated with humin and soil organic matter.     

Microsomal monooxygenase activity in Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) exposed to a bleached kraft mill effluent using different exposure systems.

Bleached kraft pulp and paper mill effluents (BKMEs) are known to have adverse effects on aquatic organisms. One of the effects of BKMEs is its ability to induce cytochrome P4501A activity in exposed fish. 7-Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity is the most common biomarker used to measure the mixed-function monooxygenase activity. In this study, Tilapia were exposed to BKMEs using different exposure systems and their hepatic EROD activity, as well as liver/somatic index (LSI), were determined. In the Phase I study, Tilapia treated with betaNF and a whole (100%) BKME using a static, non-renewal system exhibited statistically significant EROD induction, but LSI values were not altered. In the Phase II study, fish were either caged in the mill's fishpond with the whole effluent passing through or cultured in tanks receiving 100% of the BKME continuously using a flow-through system in the laboratory. Their EROD activities were then compared with the non-exposed fish (control). The EROD activities in both groups of fish were elevated significantly with the greatest induction being observed in the field-exposed group. The LSI values in all of the field-exposed fish were significantly greater than the control Tilapia. The EROD assay was sensitive in detecting biological changes in fish exposed to the BKME. Further studies are warranted to better understand the impacts of BKMEs on aquatic organisms in Taiwan.     

Chemically Functionalized Plant Fibers and Carbon Nanotubes for High Compatibility and Reinforcement in Polylactic Acid (PLA) Composite

In this study, surface modification is used to improve the compatibility of Kenaf fibers (KFs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix, as well as to enhance the mechanical properties. Through the use of a silane coupling agent, the KF is grafted with functional groups to generate a chemical bond with the PLA; the modified KF shows high compatibility in the PLA matrix. Compared to the bare PLA, the optimal KF/MWCNT/PLA composite (PC1F30-OX) shows increases of 58% in tensile strength, and 113% in impact strength. A small addition of MWCNTs (1 wt%) dramatically improves the antistatic ability by lowering the surface resistance to 3.47 GΩ. With the addition of hydrophilic KF into the PLA, the composite becomes much more environmentally friendly, and the biodegradation rate can be controlled by the amount of KF added. The addition of hydrophilic KF allowed the composite to accommodate more enzyme to hasten the biodegradation; almost complete decomposition occurred after 11 weeks.     

First detection of enteric adenoviruses genotype 41 in recreation spring areas of Taiwan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are DNA viruses found in recreational water, such as water parks and swimming pools. Human adenovirus 41 (HAdV-41) is the...     

A giant spider from the Jurassic of China reveals greater diversity of the orbicularian stem group

A large female spider, Nephila jurassica, was described from Middle Jurassic strata of north-east China and placed in the modern genus Nephila (family Nephilidae) on the basis of many morphological similarities, but, as with many ancient fossils, the single specimen lacked synapomorphies of the family (Selden et al. 2011). In order to test the placement within the nephilid phylogenetic tree, Kuntner et al. (2013) calibrated the molecular phylogeny using N. jurassica in three different scenarios based on inferred mitochondrial substitution rates. They concluded that N. jurassica fitted better as a stem orbicularian than a nephilid. Now, a giant male spider has been discovered at the same locality that yielded N. jurassica. The two sexes are considered conspecific based on their similar morphological features, size, and provenance. The male cannot be accommodated in Nephilidae because of its pedipalp morphology, so the new genus Mongolarachne and family Mongolarachnidae are erected for the species. Comparison with possibly related families show that Mongolarachnidae is most likely on the orbicularian stem, close to other cribellate orbicularians (e.g., Deinopoidea), which suggests a greater diversity of cribellate orbicularians during the Middle Jurassic.