Ecological and agriculture impacts of bakery yeast wastewater use on weed communities and crops in an arid environment

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of using yeast wastewater (YW) on weed communities. The study showed that all ecological parameters...     

Performance analysis of photovoltaic-thermal air collectors combined with a water to air heat exchanger for renewed air conditioning in building

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this work, a new solar system that includes photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) air collectors coupled to a water-to-air heat exchanger is investigated. The...     

Effects of Logged and Unlogged Forest Patches on Avifaunal Diversity

In the Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran, reduced-impact silviculture systems, (single-tree and group-tree selection) were applied over a large area, which generated different local habitat structures. The aim of this study was to assess the differences between treated and untreated areas of forest and their effect on avian richness, abundance and diversity (R.A.D). Birds were surveyed during the breeding season in 2009 by 100-point counts, equally distributed in the treated and untreated area. Avian R.A.D was significantly different and higher in the untreated area. Generally, forestry practices cause noticeable changes in canopy percentage, tree composition, snags and shrub number. Treated forest habitats in the area of study had a much more developed understory, fewer snags and fewer large diameter trees. The results highlighted the importance of forest maturity and showed that preventing silvicultural disturbances may not be the best solution for conserving and enhancing biodiversity. Rather, methods such as selective cutting seem an appropriate and sustainable way of forest management. It is suggested that forests should be managed to conserve structural elements which create favorable habitat for bird species, preventing future species losses due to logging practices.     

Correction to: Hydrogen production,storage, utilisation and environmental impacts: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters -     

Antibacterial and antimutagenic activitiy of extracts and essential oil from (Tunisian) Pistacia lentiscus

Aqueous and flavonoid-enriched extract as well as essential oil (EO) obtained from leaves of Pistacia lentiscus were assessed for antibacterial and antimutagenic activities. Antibacterial activity of different extracts and EO were evaluated against six bacterial strains. A marked inhibitory effect was observed against Salmonella typhimurium, whereas lower activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella enteritidis. EO showed significant inhibitory effects against Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis and Staphylococcus aureus. The antimutagenic activity of the different extracts against Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and sodium azide was demonstrated with the Salmonella typhymurium assay. The number of revertants per plate decreased significantly when the plant extracts were added to the assay system using Salmonella typhimurium TA100, TA98 and TA1535.     

Ludwigia stolonifera for remediation of toxic metals from simulated wastewater

The present study investigated the phytoremediation of simulated wastewater, mimicking wastewater generated by industrial processes containing significant amounts of toxic heavy metal ions. The wetland plant Ludwigia stolonifera was used to study its efficiency in the removal of the three toxic metals Pb, Cd and Cr. Survivability of the plant has been studied in solutions at different concentrations of three metals separately or as a mixture, and the accumulation of these toxic metals for a prolonged period has been evaluated. The plant performed very successful in eliminating Cd, Cr and Pb as single metals of up to 65%, 97% and 99%, respectively, within four days. In addition, the trend of metal uptake revealed negligible dependence on different masses of plant and on various pH-values. L. stolonifera has high potential in eliminating various toxic pollutants from aquatic environments.     

The Representation of Biofuels in Political Cartoons: Ironies,Contradictions and Moral Dilemmas

Biofuels are an important component in the suite of renewable energy alternatives but their development trajectory has been fraught with controversy. This study investigated the representation of biofuels in political cartoons on the Internet. Political cartoons have relied on informative, persuasive, and performative attributes to engender critical reflection and mobilize action. We analyzed a corpus of 130 relevant cartoons obtained through Google Images which were then thematically categorized. The problems highlighted in these cartoons focused on the social injustices arising from the diversion of food sources to fuel, the environmental destruction arising from deforestation, the unfulfilled expectations for climate change mitigation, and the policy contradictions that emerged. We suggest that political cartoons’ discursive dimensions allow us to make immediate connections between the image and our cultural stores of meaning, while at the same time further elucidate the dilemmas and contradictions embedded in the public's interface with biofuels as an environmental issue.     

Anti-apoptotic role of spermine against lead and/or gamma irradiation-induced hepatotoxicity in male rats

Exposure to either lead (Pb) or γ-irradiation (IR) results in oxidative stress in biological systems. Herein, we explored the potential anti-apoptotic effect of spermine (Spm) against lead and/or γ-irradiation-induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats. Rats were divided into eight experimental groups of ten rats each: groups including negative control, whole body γ-irradiated (6 Gray (Gy)), lead acetate (PbAct) trihydrate orally administered (75 mg/kg bw ≡ 40 mg/kg bw Pb for 14 consecutive days), and Spm intraperitoneally dosed (10 mg/kg bw for 14 consecutive days) rats and groups subjected to combinations of Pb + IR, Spm + IR, Spm + Pb, and Spm + Pb followed by IR on day 14 (Spm + Pb + IR). A significant decrease in arginase activity as well as mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2 and p21 was observed in rats intoxicated with Pb and/or γ-irradiation compared to controls, whereas Bax mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased. Also, an increased level of nitric oxide (NO) with a reduced arginase activity was observed in liver tissues of intoxicated rats. Spm co-treatment with lead and/or γ-irradiation attenuated the increase in Bax mRNA and protein expression, while it restored those of Bcl-2 and p21 together with NO levels and arginase activity to control values. Altogether, we suggest that Spm may be useful in combating free radical-induced apoptosis in Pb-intoxicated and/or γ-irradiated rats.