Three-dimensional ultrasound in prenatal diagnosis of skeletal dysplasia

A lethal form of bone dysplasia, platylospondylic lethal chondrodysplasia, was diagnosed prenatally using three-dimensional ultrasound. The various types of three-dimensional imaging mode provided diagnostic details not available by conventional two-dimensional ultrasound. The diagnosis was made after referral in the 23rd week of gestation, allowing termination of pregnancy due to the poor prognosis. Prenatal sonograms were compared with postnatal radiographs.     

Organic matter source discrimination by humic acid characterization: Synchronous scan fluorescence spectroscopy and Ferrate(VI)

In this study, seven soil and sedimentary humic acid samples were analyzed by synchronous scan fluorescence (SSF) spectroscopy. The spectra of these humic acids were compared to each other and characterized, based on three major SSF peaks centered at approximately 281, 367 and 470 nm. Intensity ratios were calculated based on these peaks that were used to numerically assist in source discrimination. All humic acid samples were then reacted with Ferrate(VI) and were again analyzed with SSF. Upon the addition of Ferrate(VI) SSF spectra were obtained which more readily differentiated humic acid source. This method will assist geochemists and water management districts in tracing sources of organic matter to receiving water bodies and may aid in the elucidation of the chemical nature of humic acids.     

Occurrence of bisphenol A in surface water and uptake in fish: evaluation of field measurements

In this study the actual presence of the suspected endocrine disrupter Bisphenol A (BPA) in water systems was studied in the Netherlands. BPA was shown to be present in Dutch surface water at levels up to 330 ng/l, and one occasional observation of 21 microg/l. During the three sampling periods, 60-80% of the samples, most from marine and estuarine locations, contained BPA levels below the limit of quantification (14-40 ng/l). At a selected number of locations the presence of BPA in fish was studied, which showed that BPA varied from 2 to 75 ng/g in the liver and 1 to 11 ng/g in the muscle. Based on present measured concentrations in surface water and on literature derived toxicity data it was concluded that ecotoxicological effects nor estrogenic effects are likely to occur in the field situation.     

Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Archived Rabbit Serum Samples,Germany 1989

We detected Hepatitis E virus in serum samples of wild rabbits that were hunted in 1989 around the city of Greifswald, Germany. The recovery of one partial sequence and subsequent phylogenetic analysis indicates a close relationship to rabbit HEV sequences from France and suggests a long-established circulation of rabbit HEV in Europe.     

Urban community gardening,social capital,and "integration" – a mixed method exploration of urban "integration-gardening" in Copenhagen,Denmark

ABSTRACT

This study examines a community garden in Copenhagen, Denmark, "The Urban Integration Gardens" that endeavours to strengthen social integration in the local multicultural neighbourhood. The "community" in the gardens is explored, with a focus on how they foster social capital, particularly opportunities for "bridging" social capital. A mixed-methods approach is used, by employing a qualitative analysis of gardeners’ perceptions of "community", diversity and inclusivity, through the lens of "cognitive" social capital, and the meanings the gardeners assign to their experiences, and how they understand their involvement in the gardens. We also examine "structural" dimensions of social capital, involving quantitative data from a questionnaire and data from Statistics Denmark, comparing data concerning socio-demographic backgrounds from gardeners and residents in the local neighbourhood and Copenhagen. Major findings include that the garden generates both bonding and bridging "cognitive" social capital, and the gardeners consistently agreed that the garden has a strong community, and is permeated by diversity and inclusivity. Nonetheless, data from Denmark’s Statistics Office reveal that the garden does not "represent" the diversity in the neighbourhood regarding the distribution of members with a Western/non-Western background, as well as social class. This suggests that endeavours to involve co-citizens with non-Western backgrounds and gardeners with lower social status are restrained by potential structural barriers, which limits the "width" of bridging social capital in the garden.     

Primary colonization and breakdown of igneous rocks by endemic, succulent elephant trees (Pachycormus discolor) of the deserts in Baja California, Mexico

Trees growing in rocks without soil are uncommon. In two arid regions in Baja California, Mexico, field surveys found large numbers of rock-colonizing elephant trees (Pachycormus discolor (Benth.) Coville ex Standl. (Mexican name: copalquin) growing in igneous rocks (granite and basalt) as primary colonizers without the benefit of soil or with a very small amount of soil generated by their own growth. Many adult trees broke large granite boulders and were capable of wedging, growing in, and colonizing rocks and cliffs made of ancient lava flows. This is the first record of a tree species, apart from the previously recorded cacti, capable of primary colonization of rocks and rock rubble in hot deserts.     

TNT and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene influence on germination and early seedling development of tall fescue

Cost-effective and environmentally acceptable methods are needed to remediate munitions-contaminated soil. Some perennial grass species are tolerant of soil contaminants and may promote remediation because of their high water use and extensive fibrous root systems. The effects of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its reduction product, 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4ADNT), on germination and early seedling development of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were determined. Tall fescue seeds were germinated in nutrient-free agar containing 0-60 mg TNT litre(-1) or 0-15 mg 4ADNT litre(-1). Germination decreased linearly as TNT concentration increased but was not significantly affected by 4ADNT at these concentrations. Concentrations less than 30 mg TNT litre(-1) or 7.5 mg 4ADNT litre(-1) had little effect on seedling growth and development. Higher TNT or 4ADNT concentrations substantially delayed seedling development, caused abnormal radicle tissue development, and reduced secondary root and shoot growth. Seedling respiration rates decreased linearly with increasing TNT concentration. Experiments indicate that tall fescue may be grown in soils that maintain soil solution concentrations of 30 mg TNT litre(-1) or less.