C14-Altersbestimmung von Grundwasser

The Science of Nature -     

Mesomelic campomelia,polydactyly and Dandy–Walker cyst in siblings

The present report describes two fetuses, one female and one male, with thus far undescribed skeletal malformations. The mother was a gravida 2, para 0. Both pregnancies were terminated in the second trimester because of multiple congenital anomalies diagnosed ultrasonographically resembling a short rib-polydactyly syndrome. Both fetuses were found to have postaxial hexadactyly of the hands and feet, marked bilateral campomelia of the forearm and shank bones, and a Dandy–Walker cyst. In addition, the fourth ventricle was dilated in the first sibling and the second sibling had an inverse intestinal malrotation. A literature search failed to reveal similar observations. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Carbon dioxide variations in continental air

The atmospheric carbon dioxide content was monitored continuously near Pretoria for 15 months. Variations on the timescale of hours, days and seasons were observed and related to source and meteorological parameters. Seasonal variations were found to be greater inland than usually observed at near-coastal stations and are related to continental vegetation influences. Radiocarbon analyses show that fossil CO₂ pollution is small at this site.     

Emotion as mediators of the relations between perceived supervisor support and psychological hardiness on employee cynicism

In this study we explore whether emotion experienced at work mediates the relationships between perceived supervisor support, psychological hardiness, and employee cynicism. Data were collected from employees working at a medical technology company located in Switzerland. Mediational analyses showed that employees' positive and negative emotions experienced amidst an organizational crisis fully accounted for the relations between perceived supervisor support and cynicism and psychological hardiness and cynicism. Practical implications and directions for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Noninvasive prenatal screening for cystic fibrosis using circulating trophoblasts: Detection of the 50 most common disease-causing variants

Objectives

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common severe autosomal recessive disorders. Prenatal or preconception CF screening is offered in some countries. A maternal blood sample in early pregnancy can provide circulating trophoblasts and offers a DNA source for genetic analysis of both the mother and the fetus. This study aimed to develop a cell-based noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT) to screen for the 50 most common CF variants.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from 30 pregnancies undergoing invasive diagnostics and circulating trophoblasts were harvested in 27. Cystic fibrosis testing was conducted using two different methods: by fragment length analysis and by our newly developed NGS-based CF analysis.

Results

In all 27 cases, cell-based NIPT provided a result using both methods in agreement with the invasive test result.

Conclusion

This study shows that cell-based NIPT for CF screening provides a reliable result without the need for partner- and proband samples.     

Potential of microalgae Bio-Coke as a sustainable solid fuel alternative to coal coke

Energy and environmental issues have triggered the search for new sources of green energy alternatives in recent years. Biofuel production from renewable sources is widely considered one of the most sustainable alternatives for environmental and economic sustainability. Microalgae are currently being promoted as one of the most promising liquid biofuel feedstocks due to their rapid growth, high lipid production capacity, and carbon–neutral cycle. In this study, whole microalgae cells were utilized as raw material to produce solid biofuel, i.e., Bio-Coke, and this study aimed to investigate the possibility of microalgae Bio-Coke as an alternative to coal coke. The results show that Bio-Coke can be produced from microalgae in the temperature range of 80–100 °C. The apparent density is between 1.253 and 1.261 g/cm³, comparable to the apparent density of lignocellulosic Bio-Coke. Additionally, the calorific value is higher than the calorific value of lignocellulosic Bio-Coke and within the range of the calorific value of subbituminous coal. Therefore, microalgae Bio-Coke can be utilized to replace coal coke usage in the future.

     

Impact and effectiveness of Bio-Coke conversion from biomass waste as alternative source of coal coke in Southeast Asia

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Growing concern over fossil fuel depletion and the environmental impact of greenhouse gases have driven the demand for solid biofuel energy as an...