Uptake of aluminum by lipid vesicles

Aluminium uptake and tight binding were studied in multilayered phospholipid liposomes, as a model for cellular uptake of aluminum ions. Most of these studies were conducted with an initial aluminum concentration of 10 μM, while aluminum superficially bound to liposomes was removed by citrate chelation. Maximum uptake and tight binding of aluminium were pH‐dependent. In dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) liposomes, this maximum occurred in the neutral pH region, while it was shifted towards more acidic pH values in DMPC liposomes containing 20% of acidic phosphatidylserine. The initial rate of aluminum uptake was apparently dependent on the physical state of the liposome membrane. Prior formation of an aluminum‐citrate chelate prevented aluminum uptake and tight binding to DMPC liposomes.     

Pathways of Mycobacterium ulcerans infection: a review

Buruli ulcer (BU), an often-deforming skin ulceration caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU), is now considered by the World Health Organization to be the third most common mycobacterium infection. However, the reservoir of MU in the environment and the epidemiology of BU are poorly understood. The disease is prevalent in riverine, slow-flowing and swampy areas of several tropical and subtropical regions of the world, especially in West Africa where the disease is rapidly increasing in incidence. This paper presents a review of published literature concerning epidemiology of, transmission and susceptibility to MU infection. It considers several endemic natural environments and their influence on infection.     

Determination of chemical warfare agents in soil and material samples

A gas Chromatographic method for the determination of phenylarsenic compounds (sternutators) and their metabolites in soil and material samples is described. The chemical warfare agents (CWA), but not their hydrolysis and oxidation products, can be detected with GC/ECD. After derivatization with thiols or dithiols, the sum of diphenylarsenic and phenylarsenic compounds can be determined with GC/ECD. The comparison of the analytical results with and without derivatization shows that the sternutators in the investigated samples are metabolized in part.     

The effects of self‐emotion,counterpart emotion,and counterpart behavior on negotiator behavior: a comparison of individual‐level and dyad‐level dynamics

This study expands the negotiation literature by examining how negotiator behavior is predicted by various emotions felt by the negotiators and their counterparts and by counterpart negotiation behavior. Using hierarchical linear modeling, we also compare individual‐ and dyad‐level processes that lead to negotiator behavior and outcomes. The results from a dyadic negotiation simulation showed that both the valence and agency of negotiator and counterpart emotions need to be considered to understand the roles of emotion in negotiator behavior. Negotiators tend to reciprocate counterparts' integrating, compromising, and dominating behaviors, but they also offer complementary (or matching) responses to the counterparts' dominating and yielding behaviors. Integrating behavior was more dependent on dyad‐level interpersonal dynamics than were the other behaviors. The comparison of negotiator‐level and dyad‐level results suggests that negotiation needs to be understood in the context of collective exchanges as well as individual‐level cognitive processes. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An IoT-based bin level monitoring system for solid waste management

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Improper disposal of solid waste that impacts human health and pollutes the environment, arising a need for successful and necessary collection of...     

Climate change adaptation in the Schleswig-Holstein sector of the Wadden Sea: an integrated state governmental strategy

Anthropogenic climate change constitutes a main challenge for the Wadden Sea. Accelerated sea level rise, increasing temperatures and changing wind climate may strongly alter present structures and functions of the ecosystem with negative consequences both for nature conservation and for coastal risk management. Being aware of these challenges, Schleswig-Holstein State Government decided to establish an integrated climate change adaptation strategy for the Schleswig-Holstein sector of the Wadden Sea. The strategy was adopted in June 2015. It aims at the long-term maintenance of present functions and structures as well as the integrity of the Wadden Sea ecosystem in a changing climate. The strategy was prepared by a project group consisting of representatives from State authorities as well as from nature conservation organisations and local institutions. First outcome of the strategy is that extra adaptation measures will not be necessary in the coming decades. However, pending on the future rate of sea level rise, shoreline erosion and sediment deficits in the Wadden Sea will increase and sooner or later drowning of tidal flats and terrestrial habitats like beaches, primary dunes and salt marshes will start. At the time when management measures to counteract the negative developments become expedient from a nature conservation viewpoint as well as for coastal risk management, adequate actions with minimized ecological interferences are possible. It is assumed that balancing the sediment deficits as the main adaptation measure may be implemented most efficiently by concentrating sediment suppletion at locations where natural forces organize redistribution in the Wadden Sea. Local technical coastal risk management measures like the strengthening of sea defences will, nevertheless, remain necessary as well.     

Phytoremediation of zinc and cadmium: A study of arbuscular mycorrhizal hyphae

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are microscopic fungi naturally occurring in soil that form a symbiosis with plant roots, producing a highly elaborated hyphal mycelium network in soil.In vitro lab experiments were conducted to determine whether extraradical mycorrhizal hyphae are directly involved in sequestration and uptake of essential zinc and nonessential cadmium by plant roots under toxic concentrations. The research is a continuation of an initial study presented in the Spring 2005 issue of Remediation that focused on the specific role of AMF in the speciation of heavy metals. Thus, this article presents a more expanded view. Results show that zinc and cadmium heavy metals are sequestered and translocated to plant roots via extraradical AMF hyphae. Root/growth media accumulation factors reached 5:1 and 18:1 for zinc and cadmium, respectively. Phytoremediation of heavy metal–contaminated soils can be enhanced by mycorrhizal inoculation. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.