Adsorption behavior of 17α-ethynylestradiol onto soils followed by fluorescence spectral deconvolution

In this study, a simple and rapid procedure for monitoring adsorption of 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) onto soil samples was developed. The used method is based on a multiwavelength fluorescence spectral deconvolution (FSD) where the emission fluorescence spectrum of a sample is considered as a linear combination of emission spectra, named reference spectra. The combination of the reference spectra allows the restitution of the shape of the emission spectrum of any unknown sample. This approach was applied to follow EE2 adsorption onto four soil samples and is an easy and low cost alternative.Adsorption experimental data showed a good fit with the Hill equation, mathematically equivalent to the Langmuir-Freundlich model assuming that the adsorption is a cooperative process influenced by adsorbate-adsorbate interactions. Molecular modelling studies clearly support the “co-operative adsorption” model, showing that after the adsorption of the first layer of EE2 molecules onto the soil, at least one more layer of EE2 is adsorbed, due to interactions established with the first adsorbed layer. Notwithstanding, packing a third row would imply interactions between two EE2 molecules that differ from the ones verified in the lowest energy structure, which also explains the plateau achieved in the adsorption curve.     

Free and conjugated estrogen exports in surface-runoff from poultry litter-amended soil

Land application of animal manures such as poultry litter is a common practice, especially in states with surplus manure. Past studies have shown that animal manure may contain estrogens, which are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals and may pose a threat to aquatic and wildlife species. We evaluated the concentrations of estrogens in surface runoff from experimental plots (5 x 12 m each) receiving raw and pelletized poultry litter. We evaluated the free (estrone, E1; 17beta-estradiol, E2beta; estriol, E3) and conjugate forms (glucuronides and sulfates) of estrogens, which differ in their toxicity. Sampling was performed for 10 natural storm events over a 4-mo period (April-July 2008). Estrogen concentrations were screened using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), followed by quantification using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Concentrations of estrogens from ELISA were much higher than the LC/MS/MS values, indicating crossreactivity with organic compounds. Exports of estrogens were much lower from soils amended with pelletized poultry litter than the raw form of the litter. No-tillage management practice also resulted in a lower export of estrogens with surface runoff compared with reduced tillage. The concentrations and exports of conjugate forms of estrogens were much higher than the free forms for some treatments, indicating that the conjugate forms should be considered for a comprehensive assessment of the threat posed by estrogens.     

Examining the temperature dependence of ethanol (E85) versus gasoline emissions on air pollution with a largely-explicit chemical mechanism

The increased use of ethanol in transportation fuels warrants an investigation of its consequences. An important component of such an investigation is the temperature dependence of ethanol and gasoline exhaust chemistry. We use the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM, version 3.1, LEEDS University) with the SMVGEAR II chemical ordinary differential solver to provide the speed necessary to simulate complex chemistry to examine such effects. The MCM has over 13,500 organic reactions and 4600 species. SMVGEAR II is a sparse-matrix Gear solver that reduces the computation time significantly while maintaining any specified accuracy. Although we use a box model for this study, we determine and demonstrate in a separate study that the speed of the MCM with SMVGEAR II allows the MCM to be modeled in 3-dimensions. We also verified the accuracy of the model in comparison with smog chamber data. We then use the model with species-resolved tailpipe emissions data for E85 (15% gasoline, 85% ethanol fuel blend) and gasoline vehicles to compare the impact of each on nitrogen oxides, organic gases, and ozone as a function of ambient temperature and background concentrations, using Los Angeles in 2020 as a base case. We use two different emissions sets – one is a compilation of exhaust and evaporative data taken near 24 °C and the other from exhaust data taken at ?7 °C – to determine how atmospheric chemistry and emissions are affected by temperature. We include diurnal effects by examining two day scenarios. We find that, accounting for chemistry and dilution alone, the average ozone concentrations through the range of temperatures tested are higher with E85 than with gasoline by ～7 part per billion volume (ppbv) at higher temperatures (summer conditions) to ～39 ppbv at low temperatures and low sunlight (winter conditions) for an area with a high nitrogen oxide (NOx) to non-methane organic gas (NMOG) ratio. The results suggest that E85's effect on health through ozone formation becomes increasingly more significant relative to gasoline at colder temperatures due to the change in exhaust emission composition at lower temperatures. Acetaldehyde and formaldehyde concentrations are also much higher with E85 at cold temperatures, which is a concern because both are considered to be carcinogens. These could have implications for wintertime use of E85. Peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN), another air pollutant of concern, increases with E85 by 0.3–8 ppbv. The sensitivity of the results to box size, initial background concentrations, background emissions, and water vapor were also examined.     

'It'll never happen to me': understanding public awareness of local flood risk

Following the severe flood events of 1998 and 2000, the United Kingdom's Environment Agency prioritised the need to increase public flood risk awareness. Drawing on data collected during research undertaken for the Environment Agency, this paper contributes to understanding of one aspect of flood awareness: people's recognition that their property is in an area that is potentially at risk of flooding. Quantitative analyses indicate that class is the most influential factor in predicting flood risk awareness, followed by flood experience and length of time in residence. There are also significant area differences. Our qualitative work explores how those defined as 'at risk' account for their lack of awareness or concern about their risk status. We conclude that the problem is often not simply a lack of awareness, but rather, assessments of local risk based on experience that underestimate the impact of rare or extreme events. We underline the importance of engaging with local perspectives on risk and making local people part of 'awareness-raising' processes.     

Detection and isolation of fetal cells from maternal blood using the flourescence-activated cell sorter (FACS)

The presence of fetal cells in the maternal circulation during pregnancy has been suggested by repeated observations of small numbers of cells containing Y chromatin or a Y chromosome in the blood of pregnant women. With the fluorescence-activitated cell sorter (FACS), we have used antibodies to a paternal cell surface (HLA) antigen, not present in the mother, to select fetal cells from the lymphocyte fractions of a series of maternal blood samples, collected as early as 15 weeks of gestation. These sorted cells have been examined for a second paternal genetic marker, Y chromatin. Y chromatin-containing cells were found among the sorted cells from prenatal maternal blood specimens in 8 pregnancies subsequently producing male infants whose lymphocytes reacted with the same antibodies to paternal antigen used for sorting with the FACS. In each of 17 pregnancies resulting in male infants who failed to inherit the antigen detected by the antibodies used for cell sorting, Y chromatin-containing cells were not found prenatally. The use of two paternal genetic markers, a cell surface antigen and nuclear Y chromatin, to identify fetal cells in maternal blood permits us to conclude that these cells are present in the mother's circulation, as early as 15 weeks gestation. Further development of the techniques reported here could lead to widespread screening of maternal blood samples during pregnancy for detection of fetal genetic abnormalities.     

Climate change,phenology, and butterfly host plant utilization

Knowledge of how species interactions are influenced by climate warming is paramount to understand current biodiversity changes. We review phenological changes of Swedish butterflies during the latest decades and explore potential climate effects on butterfly–host plant interactions using the Orange tip butterfly Anthocharis cardamines and its host plants as a model system. This butterfly has advanced its appearance dates substantially, and its mean flight date shows a positive correlation with latitude. We show that there is a large latitudinal variation in host use and that butterfly populations select plant individuals based on their flowering phenology. We conclude that A. cardamines is a phenological specialist but a host species generalist. This implies that thermal plasticity for spring development influences host utilization of the butterfly through effects on the phenological matching with its host plants. However, the host utilization strategy of A. cardamines appears to render it resilient to relatively large variation in climate.     

Development of nanoemulsion from Vitex negundo L. essential oil and their efficacy of antioxidant,antimicrobial and larvicidal activities (Aedes aegypti L.)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - It is believed that nanoemulsions were emerged as a promising candidate to improve the qualities of natural essential oil towards antimicrobial and...     

Fetal diaphragmatic hernia and upper limb anomalies suggest Brachmann-de Lange syndrome

We describe two independent cases of Brachmann-de Lange syndrome (BDLS) in which second trimester fetal sonographic studies showed the presence of a diaphragmatic hernia and upper limb anomalies. In both cases the karyotypes were normal. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) developed in the third trimester. Postnatal and postmortem physical examinations demonstrated typical physical findings associated with BDLS. The prenatal diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia with associated anomalies should prompt consideration of an underlying genetic etiology. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.