Determination of 14 amines in air samples using midget impingers sampling followed by analysis with ion chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry

An Ion Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (IC-MS) method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of 14 volatile amines in air. The method includes collection of compounds into two midget impingers in a row filled with 15 ml of ultrapure water. The analytical performances with mass spectrometry detection were compared to those obtained with classical conductivity detection. The use of mass spectrometry detection (in SIM mode) overcomes most of the coelutions encountered with conductivity detection. Although the linearity domain of calibrations is reduced for the MS detection as compared with the CD detection, the detection limits in MS detection are highly lowered allowing the quantification of amines at the levels of μg m(-3) in air with a good accuracy for most compounds (RSD of less than 10%). This method was successfully applied to the analysis of amines released from polyurethane foams. Seven amines were identified and some in high concentrations, like dimethylaminoethanol, NIAX and TEDA.     

Integrating gender and environment in NGO training

The global concern for the survival of the planet earth draws particular attention to the Third World countries and the impact of degrading forces on sustainable development. A different response to the growing ecological crisis has recently come to the fore. This response comes from women engaged in the struggle for survival. Women in the Third World, because of their situation on the fringes of society and their role producing sustenance, are often able to offer ecological insights that are deeper and richer than the recipes of technocrats and international experts or ideas resulting from enquiries addressed only to the men in communities. In the following the author seeks to demonstrate how women often bear the brunt of suffering resulting from environmental degradation, wars and poverty that plague the Near East region. However, training of women, especially poor women, in environmental management, and the active participation of local women in community and regional decision making holds a clear promise of eventually controlling the vicious circle of poverty and environmental degradation. An intermediate step is the coordination of NGO activities in a common front for environmental protection and income generation for the poor. Further training of the NGO's own staff in the design and implementation of such projects is also required.     

Seasonal ecotoxicological monitoring of freshwater zooplankton in Bir Mcherga dam (Tunisia)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Dams represent large semi-closed reservoirs of pesticides and various organic and inorganic pollutants from agricultural and human activities, and...     

Correcting sample selection in FARS data to estimate seatbelt use

Introduction

In this paper, we show that FARS data can be a comparable alternative to observational NOPUS data in estimating seat belt use in the United States once we correct for sample selection bias.

Results

Based on assumptions of independence for seatbelt choice, we establish a lower and upper bound for seatbelt usage rates, and find that once we correct for sample selection bias, the seatbelt usage estimates from the corrected FARS emerge at least as a comparable alternative to NOPUS estimates.

Impact on Industry

This implies that researchers can use corrected FARS to complement NOPUS, thus being able to utilize the rich cross-sectional details available in FARS data to analyze various relevant research questions.     

Relationships between soil physicochemical, microbiological properties, and nutrient release in buffer soils compared to field soils

The retention of nutrients in narrow, vegetated riparian buffer strips (VBS) is uncertain and underlying processes are poorly understood. Evidence suggests that buffer soils are poor at retaining dissolved nutrients, especially phosphorus (P), necessitating management actions if P retention is not to be compromised. We sampled 19 buffer strips and adjacent arable field soils. Differences in nutrient retention between buffer and field soils were determined using a combined assay for release of dissolved P, N, and C forms and particulate P. We then explored these differences in relation to changes in soil bulk density (BD), moisture, organic matter by loss on ignition (OM), and altered microbial diversity using molecular fingerprinting (terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism [TRFLP]). Buffer soils had significantly greater soil OM (89% of sites), moisture content (95%), and water-soluble nutrient concentrations for dissolved organic C (80%), dissolved organic N (80%), dissolved organic P (55%), and soluble reactive P (70%). Buffer soils had consistently smaller bulk densities than field soils. Soil fine particle release was generally greater for field than buffer soils. Significantly smaller soil bulk density in buffer soils than in adjacent fields indicated increased porosity and infiltration in buffers. Bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities showed altered diversity between the buffer and field soils, with significant relationships with soil BD, moisture, OM, and increased solubility of buffer nutrients. Current soil conditions in VBS appear to be leading to potentially enhanced nutrient leaching via increasing solubility of C, N, and P. Manipulating soil microbial conditions (by management of soil moisture, vegetation type, and cover) may provide options for increasing the buffer storage for key nutrients such as P without increasing leaching to adjacent streams.     

Conceptualizing Sustainability: Simulating Concrete Possibilities in an Imperfect World

This paper uses a cultural model approach to interpret and analyse the impact of an interactive computer simulation tool (GB-Quest) on the possibility of fostering dialogue about sustainability in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. We define cultural models theory, compare cultural models to mental models and illustrate some basic features of cultural models. We then describe the research process in which participants engaged in conversation, guided and facilitated by GB-Quest, about sustainability. Findings suggest that the use of cultural models frameworks reinforces participants' understanding of sustainability. In reflecting on their prior models of sustainability, we argue that study participants can elucidate how cognitive conceptual resources reflect publicly shared knowledge (Turner, 2004).     

Transformation of sulfaquinoxaline by chlorine and UV light in water: kinetics and by-product identification

Sulfaquinoxaline (SQX) is an antimicrobial of the sulfonamide class, frequently detected at low levels in drinking and surface water as organic micropollutant. The main goal of the present study is the evaluation of SQX reactivity during chlorination and UV irradiations which are two processes mainly used in water treatment plants. The SQX transformation by chlorination and UV lights (254 nm) was investigated in purified water at common conditions used for water disinfection (pH =?7.2, temperature =?25 °C, [chlorine] =?3 mg L^?1). The result shows a slow degradation of SQX during photolysis compared with chlorination process. Kinetic studies that fitted a fluence-based first-order kinetic model were used to determine the kinetic constants of SQX degradation; they were equal to 0.7?×?10^?4 and 0.7?×?10^?2 s^?1corresponding to the half time lives of 162 and 1.64 min during photolysis and chlorination, respectively. In the second step, seven by-products were generated during a chlorination and photo-transformation of SQX and identified using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization and tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS). SO₂ extrusion and direct decomposition were the common degradation pathway during photolysis and chlorination. Hydroxylation and isomerization were observed during photodegradation only while electrophilic substitution was observed during chlorination process.     

Mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and apoptotic induction in microglial BV-2 cells treated with sodium arsenate

The treatment of microglial BV-2 cells with sodium arsenate(As(V):0.1-400 μmol/L — 48 hr)induces a dose-dependent response.The neurotoxic effects of high concentrations of As(V)(100,200 and 400 μmol/L) are characterized by increased levels of mitochondrial complexesⅠ,Ⅱ,and Ⅳ followed by increased superoxide anion generation.Moreover,As(V) triggers an apoptotic mode of cell death,demonstrated by an apoptotic SubG1 peak,associated with an alteration of plasma membrane integrity.There is also a decrease in transmembrane mitochondrial potential and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate ATP.It is therefore tempting to speculate that As(V) triggers mitochondrial dysfunction,which may lead to defective oxidative phosphorylation subsequently causing mitochondrial oxidative damage,which in turn induces an apoptotic mode of cell death.