Modeling of policies for reduction of GHG emissions in energy sector using ANN: case study—Croatia (EU)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study describes the development of tool for testing different policies for reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in energy sector using...     

Synthesis of BiVO4/TiO2 composites and evaluation of their photocatalytic activity under indoor illumination

BiVO₄/TiO₂ composites with different weight ratios have been prepared by coprecipitation-based reactions followed by either thermal or hydrothermal treatment with the aim of evaluating the TiO₂ photosensitization by BiVO₄. The obtained materials present in all cases the desired monoclinic phase of BiVO₄ and anatase phase of TiO₂. Visible light absorption increased with increasing amount of bismuth vanadate. XPS results reveal the surface enrichment of Ti with respect to the bulk composition in samples characterised by a higher content of BiVO₄. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared materials was tested for the degradation of isopropanol in the gas phase under indoor illumination conditions. Although none of the composites was able to improve the activity of TiO₂, the low BiVO₄ containing samples appear as more suitable for further synthesis tuning.     

Women infected with parasite Toxoplasma have more sons

The boy-to-girl ratio at birth (secondary sex ratio) is around 0.51 in most populations. The sex ratio varies between societies and may be influenced by many factors, such as stress and immunosuppression, age, primiparity, the sex of the preceding siblings and the socioeconomic status of the parents. As parasite infection affects many immunological and physiological parameters of the host, we analyzed the effect of latent toxoplasmosis on sex ratios in humans. Clinical records of 1,803 infants born from 1996 to 2004 contained information regarding the mother’s age, concentration of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, previous deliveries and abortions and the sex of the newborn. The results of our retrospective cohort study suggest that the presence of one of the most common parasites (with a worldwide prevalence from 20 to 80%), Toxoplasma gondii, can influence the secondary sex ratio in humans. Depending on the antibody concentration, the probability of the birth of a boy can increase up to a value of 0.72, C.I.₉₅ = (0.636, 0.805), which means that for every 260 boys born, 100 girls are born to women with the highest concentration of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. The toxoplasmosis associated with immunosuppression or immunomodulation might be responsible for the enhanced survival of male embryos. In light of the high prevalence of latent toxoplasmosis in most countries, the impact of toxoplasmosis on the human population might be considerable.     

The removal of arsenic from water with natural and modified clinoptilolite

The presence of increased arsenic concentrations in Eastern Croatia is a consequence of the geological composition of the soil. Because of its known harmful effects, arsenic removal is of high importance and adsorption represents an attractive and economically efficient approach to arsenic removal. The use of zeolites obtained from the Donje Jesenje deposit, Croatia (CZ) and the Zlatokop deposit in Vranjska Banja, Serbia (SZ) in Na- and Fe–Na-modified forms was investigated in order to effectively remove arsenate and arsenite from aqueous solutions. The adsorption kinetics of arsenic was studied as a function of the initial arsenate and arsenite concentrations (30–300 μg · L^?1), equilibration time (3–48 h), pH (5–10) and in the presence of sulfate and phosphate at initial concentrations of 0.2–0.5 mg · L^?1. In order to estimate sorption constants designating the sorption capacity and affinity of the zeolites samples, the experimental results were fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich sorption isotherms. Desorption tests conducted with 1–3 mol · L^?1 HCl indicated that arsenate sorption was irreversible. The results obtained indicated that use of the Serbian zeolite in the Fe–Na-modified form (Fe–Na-SZ) was favourable for arsenate removal from water containing up to 30 μg As · L^?1.     

Milk ejection solicitations and non-nutritive nursings: an honest signaling system of need in domestic pigs?

In domestic pigs, about 20% of nursing episodes end without milk transfer (non-nutritive nursings, NNNs). The function of NNNs has not been satisfactorily explained yet. Here, we suggest that NNNs may be a part of an honest signaling system that enables the sow to provide more frequent nutritive nursings (NNs) to those litters that can prove their need through exceptionally frequent milk ejection solicitations. We further propose that the system is kept stable through the accelerating costs attached to the solicitation in the form of NNNs. Based on this hypothesis, we predicted that (P1) with an increasing number of all nursings (ALL = NNNs + NNs) the number of NNs should increase and that (P2) with an increasing number of ALL the proportion of NNNs should increase. We tested P1 and P2 using a meta-analysis applied to data from eight studies that recorded the number of NNs and NNNs in domestic pigs. We confirmed both P1 (NNs increasing with ALL) and P2 (proportion of NNNs increasing with ALL). In combination, these results show a steeply accelerating cost of each additional nutritive nursing that piglets instigate. This cost sets limits to the piglets' ability to solicit higher maternal investment through more frequent nursing solicitations.     

Changes of emissions and atmospheric deposition of mercury,lead, and cadmium

This paper reviews the information on trends of past emissions of mercury, lead, and cadmium in Europe, as well as examines current levels and future scenarios of these emissions. The impact of various factors on emission changes is discussed including the implementation of various strategies of emission controls in Europe. Future emissions are forecasted on the basis of various scenarios of economy growth in Europe, implementation of European and global legislation (e.g. the Kyoto agreement), population changes, etc.Changes of emissions of mercury, lead, and cadmium are then related to the changes of concentrations of these contaminants in air and precipitation samples at selected stations in Europe. It can be concluded that the reduction trends of anthropogenic emissions of cadmium and lead in Europe are similar to the reduction trends of air concentrations of these metals during the last 2 decades. Somewhat different relationship has been noted for changes in emissions and precipitation. In general for Europe, 60% reduction of Cd emissions was met by about 45% reductions of Cd concentrations in precipitation at the studied stations during the last 2 decades.There is a potential for further reduction of these emissions until the year 2010 up to about 37% for Cd, 51% for Pb, and 49% for Hg as estimated within various emission scenarios presented in the paper.     

Physiological effects of mercury in the lichens Cladonia arbuscula subsp. mitis (Sandst.) Ruoss and Peltigera rufescens (Weiss) Humb

This study aimed at investigating the cellular distribution of Hg in the lichens Cladonia arbuscula subsp. mitis and Peltigera rufescens treated with Hg²⁺ and at testing if Hg treatment affects selected physiological parameters. In both species, increasing Hg accumulation under increasing Hg supply in the treatment solutions was found. P. rufescens showed a higher intracellular accumulation. Photosynthetic parameters were negatively affected in both species, as indicated by the decrease in photosynthetic pigments content, photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll integrity. Cell membranes of both species endured damage as indicated by the increase in the concentration of products of lipid peroxidation and decrease in ergosterol content. Nevertheless, differences between the two species were found, suggesting a differential sensitivity to Hg.     

The Rengen Grassland experiment: bryophytes biomass and element concentrations after 65 years of fertilizer application

The Rengen Grassland Experiment in Germany, established in 1941, consists of the following fertilizer treatments applied under a two cut management: control, Ca, CaN, CaNP, CaNP-KCl, and CaNP-K₂SO₄. The aim of this study was (1) to identify effects of fertilizer application on biomass and species composition of bryophytes and (2) to investigate the impact of fertilizer application on macro- (N, P, K, Ca, Mg), micro- (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn), and toxic (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni) element concentrations in bryophyte biomass. In June 2006, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus was the only bryophyte species recorded in the control. In treatment Ca, R. squarrosus was the dominant bryophyte species whereas Brachythecium rutabulum occurred sporadically only in a single plot of that treatment. The latter was the only bryophyte species collected in CaN, CaNP, CaNP-KCl, and CaNP-K₂SO₄ treatments. Dry matter accumulation of bryophytes was highest in the control (180 g m^???2) followed by Ca (46 g m^???2), CaNP (25 g m^???2), CaNP-KCl (15 g m^???2), CaNP-K₂SO₄ (9 g m^???2), and CaN (2 g m^???2) treatments. A negative correlation between biomass production of bryophytes and dry matter production of vascular plants was revealed up to a threshold value of 400 g m^???2. Above this limit, biomass production of bryophytes remained obviously unaffected by further increase in biomass production of vascular plants. A significant effect of treatment on As, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, P, Ca, Mg, K, and N concentrations was revealed. Concentrations of these elements were a function of amount of elements supplied with fertilizers. Bryophytes seem to be promising bio-indicators not only for airborne deposition of toxic element but also for fertilizer introduced as well.