Efficacy of a Levulinic Acid Plus Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS)-Based Sanitizer on Inactivation of Influenza A Virus on Eggshells

Influenza A virus poses a major public health concern and is associated with annual epidemics and occasional pandemics. Influenza A H3N2 viruses, which are an important cause of human influenza, can infect birds and mammals. Contaminated undercooked poultry products including eggs with avian influenza virus constitute a possible risk of transmission to humans. In this study, a novel levulinic acid plus sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sanitizer was evaluated for eggshell decontamination. Influenza A H3N2 virus-inoculated chicken eggshells were treated with a 5 % levulinic acid plus 2 % SDS, 2 % levulinic acid plus 1 % SDS, and 0.5 % levulinic acid plus 0.5 % SDS liquid solution for 1 min. Log reductions of viable viruses were observed by plaque assay. The 5 % levulinic acid plus 2 % SDS sanitizer provided the greatest level of influenza A H3N2 virus inactivation (2.23 log PFU), and differences in virus inactivation were observed for the various levulinic acid plus SDS concentrations tested (P ≤ 0.05). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating influenza A H3N2 virus inactivation on eggshells using a novel levulinic acid plus SDS sanitizer. The sanitizer may be useful for reducing egg contamination and preventing the spread of avian influenza virus to humans.     

Behaviour of chemical elements during weathering of pyroclastic rocks, Hong Kong

The behaviour of whole-rock major, trace and rare earth elements (REE) during weathering under subtropical conditions is examined along a profile developed over crystal--vitric tuffs with eutaxitic texture. The intensity of weathering within the profile varies erratically, indicating weathering processes operate over different scales. Quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase and biotite are the main primary minerals, whereas clays, sesquioxides, sericite and chlorite are the alteration products. Kaolinite, halloysite and illite-mica are the dominant clay minerals present in significantly varying proportions. Two competing processes, namely leaching and fixation, are the main regulators of variations in mostly major and some trace element concentrations along the profile. In general, as the intensity of weathering increases, Ca, Na, K, Sr +/- Si decrease, while Fe, Ti, Al and loss of ignition (LOI) increase. Likewise, the intensity of negative Eu-anomaly decreases while the intensity of negative Ce-anomaly and the La/Lu and Sm/Nd ratios increases. In detail, however, the behaviour of chemical elements cannot be solely explained in terms of the degree of weathering. This study makes it clearly evident that the type and abundance of sesquioxides and clay minerals can significantly modify the geochemical signatures of weathering processes.     

Urban ecosystem services delivered by green open spaces: an example from Nicosia City in North Cyprus

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the major urban ecosystem services (UESs) delivered by a number of green open spaces (GOSs) and their contributions to the human wellbeing (HWB) in four selected sites located in the city of Nicosia of North Cyprus. The objectives of the study were to map the dominant GOSs in the selected sites, to identify the plant species cultivated in the GOSs, and to evaluate the major UESs delivered by the GOSs and their contributions to the components of HWB. The conceptual framework of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment was adopted to evaluate the linkages between the different types/components of GOSs, UESs, and HWB. The relevant data were collected by combining quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews and field surveys) research tools. The collected data were evaluated on a 1–5 Likert scale. Overall, 31 UESs and 14 components of HWB were evaluated. The results of the evaluation revealed that 229 plant species are cultivated in the GOSs. The total average relative value of the UESs delivered by the dominant GOSs was estimated to be very low with 2.43 points. The total average relative contribution of the UESs to the HWB seems to be low with 3.56 points. Plant diversity was identified as the main criterion that influences the degree of UESs. We hope that the results of this study can help policy-makers and planners to design more effective policies in terms of building resilient cities and societies in the city of Nicosia and elsewhere.     

Acrylamide and its metabolite glycidamide can affect antioxidant defenses and steroidogenesis in Leydig and Sertoli cells

Acrylamide, which is commonly used in various industries, may also form in food products cooked in high temperatures. Glycidamide, the ultimate genotoxic metabolite of acrylamide, is generated within cells through CYP4502E1-mediated epoxidation. Recent studies have shown that acrylamide and/or glycidamide may cause infertility by disrupting spermatogenesis, decreasing germ cell production and sperm fertilization ability due to their toxic effects on the male reproductive system. This study aimed to determine some direct effects of acrylamide and glycidamide on antioxidant defenses and on steroidogenic enzymes of Leydig and Sertoli cells. For this purpose, mouse Leydig and Sertoli cells were exposed to acrylamide (0.01 or 1?mmol/L) or to glycidamide (0.001 or 0.5?mmol/L) for 24?h. Following the exposure, antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase), cellular antioxidant levels (glutathione) and steroidogenic enzyme activities (3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) were calculated. It was shown that acrylamide and glycidamide may cause inhibition of antioxidant and steroidogenic enzymes in Leydig and Sertoli cells. In conclusion, acrylamide and glycidamide may alter testicular function, thereby disrupting male reproduction.     

Crystalline phase analysis and phosphorus availability after thermochemical treatment of sewage sludge ash with sodium and potassium sulfates for fertilizer production

Phosphorus rich sewage sludge ash is a promising source to produce phosphorus recycling fertilizer. However, the low plant availability of phosphorus in these ashes makes a treatment necessary. A thermochemical treatment (800–1000 °C) with alkali additives transforms poorly plant available phosphorus phases to highly plant available calcium alkali phosphates (Ca,Mg)(Na,K)PO₄. In this study, we investigate the use of K₂SO₄ as additive to produce a phosphorus potassium fertilizer in laboratory-scale experiments (crucible). Pure K₂SO₄ is not suitable as high reaction temperatures are required due to the high melting point of K₂SO₄. To overcome this barrier, we carried out series of experiments with mixtures of K₂SO₄ and Na₂SO₄ resulting in a lower economically feasible reaction temperature (900–1000 °C). In this way, the produced phosphorus potassium fertilizers (8.4 wt.% K, 7.6 wt.% P) was highly plant available for phosphorus indicated by complete extractable phosphorus in neutral ammonium citrate solution. The added potassium is, in contrast to sodium, preferably incorporated into silicates instead of phosphorus phases. Thus, the highly extractable phase (Ca,Mg)(Na,K)PO₄ in the thermochemical products contain less potassium than expected. This preferred incorporation is confirmed by a pilot-scale trial (rotary kiln) and thermodynamic calculation.

     

Wind energy and Turkey

The global energy requirement for sustaining economic activities, meeting social needs and social development is increasing daily. Environmentally friendly, renewable energy resources are an alternative to the primary non-renewable energy resources, which devastate ecosystems in order to meet increasing demand. Among renewable energy sources such as hydropower, biopower, geothermal power and solar power, wind power offers distinct advantages to Turkey. There is an increasing tendency toward wind globally and the European Union adjusted its legal regulations in this regard. As a potential EU Member state, Turkey is going through a similar process. The number of institutional and legal regulations concerning wind power has increased in recent years; technical infrastructure studies were completed, and some important steps were taken in this regard. This study examines the way in which Turkey has developed support for wind power, presents a SWOT analysis of the wind power sector in Turkey and a projection was made for the concrete success expected to be accomplished in the future.     

The determination of the effect of in ovo administered monosodium glutamate on the embryonic development of thymus and bursa of Fabricius and percentages of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase positive lymphocyte in chicken

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly used in modern nutrition. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of in ovo...     

Do transport taxes reduce air pollution in the top 10 countries with the highest transport tax revenues? A country-specific panel data analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Recently, policymakers have been developing some policies to improve environmental quality. Environmental taxes are the most important of these...     

Removal of copper (II) from aqueous solution by adsorption onto low-cost adsorbents

The use of low-cost adsorbents was investigated as a replacement for current costly methods of removing metals from aqueous solution. Removal of copper (II) from aqueous solution by different adsorbents such as shells of lentil (LS), wheat (WS), and rice (RS) was investigated. The equilibrium adsorption level was determined as a function of the solution pH, temperature, contact time, initial adsorbate concentration and adsorbent doses. Adsorption isotherms of Cu (II) on adsorbents were determined and correlated with common isotherm equations such as Langmuir and Freundlich models. The maximum adsorption capacities for Cu (II) on LS, WS and RS adsorbents at 293, 313 and 333 K temperature were found to be 8.977, 9.510, and 9.588; 7.391, 16.077, and 17.422; 1.854, 2.314, and 2.954 mg g(-1), respectively. The thermodynamic parameters such as free energy (delta G0), enthalpy (delta H0) and entropy changes (delta S0) for the adsorption of Cu (II) were computed to predict the nature of adsorption process. The kinetics and the factors controlling the adsorption process were also studied. Locally available adsorbents were found to be low-cost and promising for the removal of Cu (II) from aqueous solution.