Morphological and functional responses of a metal-tolerant sunflower mutant line to a copper-contaminated soil series

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The potential use of a metal-tolerant sunflower mutant line for biomonitoring Cu phytoavailability, Cu-induced soil phytotoxicity, and Cu...     

Selective photoreduction of acetonitrile to acetaldehyde in dilute aqueous solutions

Acetonitrile is a commonly used solvent in both industry and research. The treatment of acetonitrile wastes in dilute aqueous solutions with visible light offers advantages to chemical treatment and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. This study presents the degradation of acetonitrile via a photoinduced electron transfer reaction in the presence of a photosensitizer (dye) and a sacrificial reductant under visible light. Acetonitrile photodegradation (photoreduction) was investigated utilizing a variety of sacrificial reductants and photosensitizers. Optimal results were observed in the presence of methylene green and tri-isopropanolamine with a decrease of acetonitrile in solution to 86% in 24 hours. The only photoreaction product observed was acetaldehyde and a plausible mechanism for the photochemical degradation of acetonitrile is proposed.     

What is “Chernobyl Syndrome?” The Use of Radiophobia in Nuclear Communications

This article examines the use of “radiophobia,” “Chernobyl syndrome,” “irrationality,” and other similar concepts in communications on nuclear issues. Historically, these terms have been used in two ways: to describe psychological effects among people affected by nuclear disasters such as Hiroshima or Chernobyl, and to explain the concerns of the unaffected lay public about radiation or nuclear power projects. The latter was actively used in the Soviet Union and in post-Soviet countries such as Belarus to rejects citizens’ complaints and to denounce the arguments of the anti-nuclear camp. This study argues that although the terms can legitimately be used in many situations, their use in communications about nuclear issues can be problematic.