Hepatitis A Virus Disinfection in Water by Solar Photo–Fenton Systems

This study evaluates and compares the effectiveness of solar photo–Fenton systems for the inactivation of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in water. The effect of solar irradiance, dark- Fenton reaction and three different reactant concentrations (2.5/5, 5/10 and 10/20 mg/L of Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) on the photo–Fenton process were tested in glass bottle reactors (200 mL) during 6 h under natural sunlight. Disinfection kinetics were determined both by RT-qPCR and infectivity assays. Mean water temperatures ranged from 25 to 27.3 °C, with a maximum local noon UV irradiances of 22.36 W/m². Photo–Fenton systems yielded increased viral reduction rates in comparison with the isolated effect under the Fenton reaction in darkness (negligible viral reduction) or the solar radiation (0.25 Log of RNA reduction). With the highest concentration employed (10–20 mg/L Fe²⁺–H₂O₂), an average RNA reduction rate of ~ 1.8 Log (initial concentration of 10⁵ pfu/mL) and a reduction of 80% in the infectivity capacity were reached. Results showed a strong synergistic effect between Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ and sunlight, demonstrating that significant disinfection rates of HAV under photo–Fenton systems may occur with relatively higher efficiency at middle environmental temperatures and without the need for an energy-intensive light source.     

Sea-urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) glutathione S-transferases and cholinesterase activities as biomarkers of environmental contamination

Activities of glutathione S-transferases (GST) and cholinesterase (ChE) from Paracentrotus lividus were investigated as possible biomarkers of environmental contamination in the coastal zone. In the first phase of the study, the activity of both enzymes was determined in various tissues in order to select the most appropriate ones to be used in the following assays. In the second phase, the ChEs present in ambulacra were characterized using different substrates and selective inhibitors. In the next phase, laboratory bioassays were performed with dilutions of water-accommodated fraction of #4 fuel-oil (WAF) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) to determine the response of those enzymes to these pollutants and, finally, the activity of both enzymes was determined during a year in indigenous specimens from six sites on the Northwest coast of Portugal, with different pollution levels, to determine basal values and seasonal variations of ChE and GST activities. Among the several tissues tested, ambulacra and the anterior portion of the intestine were selected for ChE and GST assays, respectively. The determination of ChE in ambulacra tissue may be performed in a non-destructive way. Ambulacra ChE hydrolysed acetylthiocholine preferentially to propionylthiocholine and butyrylthiocholine and, inhibition by excess of substrate was observed. Enzymatic activity was almost fully inhibited by eserine sulfate (>98%) at concentrations equal or higher than 6.25 microM. Sensitivity to both BW284C51 (reaching 98% at 200 microM) and iso-OMPA (73% at 8 mM) was found. In laboratory bioassays, GSTs activity was inhibited by WAF and induced by BaP, whereas ChE activity was not affected by any of these environmental contaminants. Seasonal variations in enzymatic activities were found. For example, in a reference site, ChE values changed from 52.2 +/- 9.3 U mg(-1) protein in autumn to 71.8 +/- 13.3 U mg(-1) protein in spring, while GST activity changed from 129.9 +/- 29.8 U mg(-1) protein in winter to 279.0 +/- 48.0 U mg(-1) protein in autumn. Sea-urchins from reference sites presented significantly higher values of both ChE and GST than animals from contaminated sites in all seasons. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that (i) ambulacra and the anterior portion of intestine are the most suitable tissues to measure ChE and GST activities, respectively; (ii) only one form of ChE seems to be present in ambulacra, showing properties of both typical acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and pseudocholinesterase (PChE); (iii)P. lividus GST is sensitive to both WAF and BaP even after acute exposures while ChE is not, and (iv) in spite of the significant seasonal variations observed in both enzymes in the field, P. lividus ChE and GST were capable of discriminate sites with different contamination levels and, thus, they are suitable for use as biomarkers in biomonitoring studies in the coastal zone.     

Measurements of carbonyls in a 13-story building

BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE: Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are emitted by many mobile and stationary sources and secondary aldehydes are intermediates in the photo-oxidation of organic compounds in the atmosphere. These aldehydes are emitted indoors by many materials such as furniture, carpets, heating and cooling systems, an by smoking. Carbonyls, mainly formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, have been studied because of their adverse health effects. In addition, formaldehyde is a suspected carcinogen. Therefore, the concentrations of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were determined to assess the inhalation exposure doses to carbonyls for people who work in a 13-story building and in order to evaluate the cancer hazard. METHODS: Carbonyl compounds in indoor and outdoor air were measured at a 13-story building located in Mexico City. The mezzanine, fifth and tenth floors, and the third level-parking garage were selected for sampling. Samples were collected in two sampling periods, the first from April 20 to 29, 1998 and the second from December 1 to 20, 1998. Carbonyls were sampled by means of DNHP-coated cartridges at a flow rate of 1 l min(-1) from 9:00 to 19:00 hours, during 2-hour time intervals and analyzed by HPLC with hours, during 2-hour time intervals and analyzed by HPLC with UV/VIS detection. RESULTS: Mean carbonyl concentrations were highest in the 3rd level-parking garage, with the formaldehyde concentration being the highest ranging from 108 to 418 microg m(-3). In working areas, the highest carbonyl arithmetic mean concentrations (AM) were observed on the 5th floor. Acetone and formaldehyde concentrations were highest in April ranging from 161 to 348 microg m(-3) (AM = 226) and from 157 to 270 microg m(-3) (AM = 221), respectively. Propionaldehyde and butyraldehyde were present in smaller concentrations ranging from 2 to 25 and 1 to 28 microg m(-3), respectively, considering all the samples. Mean indoor/outdoor ratios of carbonyls ranged from 1.8 to 9.6. A reduction of inhalation exposure doses of 41% and 45% was observed in the fifth floor air after the air conditioning systems had been repaired. Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde concentrations were higher in smoking environments. CONCLUSION: Indoor carbonyl concentrations were significantly greater than outdoor concentrations. Tobacco smoke seems to be the main indoor source of formaldehyde. After the air conditioning system was maintained and repaired (as was recommended), an important reduction in the emission of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde was achieved on all floors, except for the 3rd level parking garage, thereby reducing the inhalation exposure doses. RECOMMENDATION: The results obtained in this research demonstrated that maintenance of air conditioning systems must be carried out regularly in order to avoid possible adverse effects on health. Additionally, it is mandatory that isolated smoking areas, with air extraction systems, be installed in every public building.     

Use of Oxidation Onset Temperature Measurements for Evaluating the Oxidative Degradation of Isotatic Polypropylene

The widespread use of polymeric materials in many applications requires polymers that are weather resistant. The aim of this study is to examine the usefulness of oxidation onset temperature measurements as a tool for evaluating oxidative degradation of isotatic polypropylene. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to measure the oxidation onset temperature in formulations of isotatic polypropylene containing different concentrations of light and thermal stabilizers after aging in a Weather-Ometer. Oxidation onset temperature gave better results than oxidation induction time for evaluating the degradation of isotatic polypropylene during aging in a Weather-Ometer. However, both tests showed a poor correlation with the appearance of cracks seen by optical microscopy.     

Individual specialization in the hunting wasp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trypoxylon</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trypargilum</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">albonigrum</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera,Crabronidae)

Individual-level variation in resource use occurs in a broad array of vertebrate and invertebrate taxa and may have important ecological and evolutionary implications. In this study, we measured the degree of individual-level variation in prey preference of the hunting wasp Trypoxylon albonigrum, which inhabits the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. This wasp captures several orb-weaving spider genera to provision nests. Individuals consistently specialized on a narrow subset of the prey taxa consumed by the population, indicating the existence of significant individual-level variation in prey preferences. The population niche was broader in the wet season in terms of both prey size and taxa. In the case of prey size, the population niche expansion was achieved via increased individual niche breadths, whereas in the case of prey taxa, individual niches remained relatively constrained, and the population niche expanded via increased interindividual variation. The observed pattern suggests the possibility of functional trade-offs associated with the taxon of the consumed prey. The nature of the trade-offs remains unknown, but they are likely related to learning in searching and/or handling prey. We hypothesize that by specializing on specific prey taxa, individuals increase foraging efficiency, reducing foraging time and ultimately increasing reproductive success.     

Modelling Regression and Dispersion Parameters in a Complex Repeated Measures Experiment

We analyze data from a complex repeated measures experiment directed at the evaluation of the response to an electric stimulus applied to mussel nerves under 5 different salinity levels. We discuss the form of the relation between the response and the different salinity levels, as well as the choice of an adequate within subjects covariance structure that includes random effects and autoregressive models.     

Food supply during prelaying period modifies the sex-dependent investment in eggs of Eurasian kestrels

The theory of sex allocation suggests that if the reproductive value and the cost of producing/rearing offspring differ between male and female offspring, parents should invest differently in sexes depending on environmental conditions. Female parents could allocate more resources to eggs of one sex to compensate potential sex-dependent constraints later during the nestling period. In this study, we tested the influence of environmental conditions on sexual dimorphism in eggs of Eurasian kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) by experimentally manipulating food availability before laying. We found that an increase in food abundance before laying did not increase egg mass but changed sex-dependent resource distribution in eggs. In food-supplemented pairs, but not in control pairs, egg mass and hatchling mass were similar between males and females. In addition, we found, in the food-supplemented group, that the latest hatched females showed shorter hatching times than in the control group. In control pairs, female eggs, hatchlings and nestlings were heavier than males. In addition, male fledglings in the food-supplemented group gained less mass than those in the control group. As that food abundance was only increased until the onset of laying, female kestrels were expected to invest in eggs taking food abundance before egg formation as a predictor of future conditions during brood rearing. Our study shows that environmental conditions before laying promote a subtle adjustment of the resources invested in both sexes of offspring rather than in other breeding parameters. This adjustment resulted in a shortening of hatching time of the last hatched females that possibly gives them advantages in their competitive capacity with respect to male nest-mates.     

Integration of standardized environmental and quality management systems audits

In the last few years, many organizations have chosen to implement standardized Management Systems (MSs), such as the ones based on ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. However, few studies exist on how firms carry out the process of auditing these MSs.Our goal is to study how companies with more than one standardized MSs conduct the audits and to which extent they integrate the audit elements in order to benefit from the advantages of having a sole, integrated audit system.We provide four case studies and confirm the idea that firms with more than one MS integrate their audits. However, the degree and specific characteristics of this integration vary in the different companies analyzed.This paper contains one of the first qualitative empirical studies regarding the integration of MSs audits. The study provides an original contribution to the understanding of whether and how the four case study organizations have integrated certain aspects of the audit systems, for instance, the human resources, time, and audit inputs and outputs.