Integument and defence in larva and prepupa of a sawfly living on a semi-aquatic plant

The larvae of the sawfly Rhadinoceraea micans live and feed on a semi-aquatic plant, Iris pseudacorus, and their integument is strongly hydrophobic. The hydrophobicity is part of a chemical defence strategy, easy bleeding, also known from congeners. The prepupae burrow into the soil where they form a cocoon in which they pupate, thus implying different micro-environmental conditions. The cuticle structure and wetting defensive effectiveness of R. micans were compared between larvae and prepupae. The two stages were similarly well defended against attacking ants by the bleeding of a deterrent hemolymph, whereas they were dissimilar in the cuticle surface that presented sculptures and wax crystals at the larval stage only. The integument of prepupae was less structured, and hydrophilic. Larvae of R. micans exhibit, among sawflies, an exceptional cuticle structuring and we assume that they occupy this particular niche of a semi-aquatic environment to avoid encounters with ground-dwelling predators whereas prepupae may benefit from the chemical defence acquired at larval stage.     

A conceptual model of the social–ecological system of nature-based solutions in urban environments

This article provides a perspective on nature-based solutions. First, the argument is developed that nature-based solutions integrate social and ecological systems. Then, theoretical considerations relating to relational values, multifunctionality, transdisciplinarity, and polycentric governance are briefly outlined. Finally, a conceptual model of the social–ecological system of nature-based solutions is synthesised and presented. This conceptual model comprehensively defines the social and ecological external and internal systems that make up nature-based solutions, and identifies theoretical considerations that need to be addressed at different stages of their planning and implementation The model bridges the normative gaps of existing nature-based solution frameworks and could be used for consistent, comprehensive, and transferable comparisons internationally. The theoretical considerations addressed in this article inform practitioners, policymakers, and researchers about the essential components of nature-based solutions. The conceptual model can facilitate the identification of social and ecological interconnections within nature-based solutions and the range of stakeholders and disciplines involved.     

Prenatally detected trisomy 4 and 6 mosaicism—cytogenetic results and clinical phenotype

We report on a live-born male with 46,XY/47,XY+4/47,XY,+6 mosaicism. Trisomy 4 mosaicism was detected by karyotyping chorionic villus samples (CVS) and was confirmed by the analysis of 16 metaphases obtained from cultured amniotic fluid cells. Eight metaphases were normal (46,XY), two had trisomy 4 (47,XY,+4), and two had trisomy 6 (47,XY,+6). Two postnatal chromosomal analyses of blood lymphocytes at birth and at the age of one week were normal. Chromosomal analysis of cultured skin fibroblasts from the right inguinal region at the age of 12 months revealed trisomy 4 (47,XY,+4) in 49 metaphases, trisomy 6 (47,XY,+6) in 2 metaphases, and a normal karyotype (46,XY) in 49 cells of the 100 analyzed metaphases, respectively. The main clinical findings consist of prenatal growth retardation, hypoplasia of the right side of the face, a dysplastic and posteriorly rotated right ear, a high vaulted palate, retrognathia, aplasia of the right thumb, hypoplasia of the fingernails, a deep sacral dimple, and patchy skin hypopigmentation of the right leg. When last seen at the age of 14 months, his development was nearly normal. Five patients with trisomy 4 mosaicism have been reported previously, but none with an additional trisomy 6 mosaicism. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Platin im Regenabfluß einer Straße

Using platinum based catalytic converters, platinum is emitted with the exhaust gases and deposited on the roads, and in their vicinity (sewage treatment plants, rivers), which increases the platinum concentrations in aquatic eco-systems. To evaluate the platinum discharge from roads, the platinum concentration was measured in rainwater from a road with a traffic fre quency of 16,000 automobiles per day. The platinum content of the samples varies strongly dependent upon the previous dry period, and the intensity and duration of the rainfall. Platinum was measured in 18 run-off samples from various rainfall events. The maximum platinum concentrations showed values up to 1.1. μg/l. The median value was 15 ng/l. Analysis of a sample from one rainfall events shows that platinum has a well defined firstflush effect, similar to that of particular bound lead and copper. The good correlation between platinum and coarse suspended matter, coarse particular lead and copper indicates that platinum in road run-offs is frequently found to be particular bound. Under the assumption that the road has been completely washed off, the platinum deposition can be estimated to be 14 ng/(m²d).     

Amnion rupture sequence in a first trimester missed abortion

We report the diagnosis of amnion rupture sequence made by sonography and fetoscopy during the first trimester of gestation in a case of missed abortion. The investigation revealed a demised fetus with the characteristics of 9 weeks of development. The early fetus had an amnion adhesion at the tip of the nose and strands of amnion wrapped around the terminal phalanges of both feet. No defects in addition to the face and limb involvement were identified. The karyotype was normal: 46,XX. In the reported case, fetoscopy allowed confirmation of the sonographic diagnosis of an amnion rupture sequence in the first trimester of gestation and consequently helped to clarify the cause of abortion in this case of early fetal demise. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Critical Reconsideration of Phase Space Embedding and Local Non-Parametric Prediction of Ozone Time Series

Phase space prediction is a feature selection method which triesto exploit non-linear dynamics of an underlying system. We describe and offer a critical reconsideration of this approach,discuss questions of whether non-linear methods are justified by the data, and apply them to ozone time series from single locations. Our main objectives are to obtain air quality forecasts in order to provide public health warnings and to provide an insight into the dynamics of the underlying system.Interestingly, comparable linear data sets (surrogates)have very similar structure and give similar predictionaccuracy to that of the ozone data. In this instance theredoes not appear to be any advantage to applying the phasespace approach to univariate time series.     

Comparison of 226Ra nuclide from soil by three woody species Betula pendula, Sambucus nigra and Alnus glutinosa during the vegetation period

The uptake of 226Ra from the contaminated soil was compared in three woody species: alder (Alnus glutinosa), birch (Betula pendula) and elder (Sambucus nigra). The 226Ra activities increased during the vegetation periods (in 2003, 2004 and 2005) both in the leaves and flowers+seeds. The highest accumulation was found in birch, reaching 0.41 Bq/g DW in the leaves (at the end of the vegetation period in 2003). The lowest 226Ra accumulation was determined in alder. The extent of 226Ra accumulation in the leaves of woody species demonstrates that these pioneer woody species can be used as remediation alternative to the use of herbs, provided that the removal of fallen leaves could be achieved in the end of vegetation period.     

Effect of unburned carbon content in fly ash on the retention of 12 elements out of coal-combustion flue gas

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether unburned carbon particles present in fly ash can help in the retention of S, Cl, Br, As, Se, Cu, Ni, Zn, Ga, Ge, Rb, and Pb out of flue gas during the coal combustion at fluidised-bed power station where the coal was combusted along with limestone. The competitive influence of 10%-25% CaO in fly ashes on the distribution of studied elements was studied as well to be clear which factor governs behaviour of studied elements. Except of S (with significant association with CaO) and Rb and Pb (with major affinity to Al₂O₃) the statistically significant and positive correlation coefficients were calculated for the relations between unburned carbon content and Br (0.959), Cl (0.957), Cu (0.916), Se (0.898), Ni (0.866), As (0.861), Zn (0.742), Ge (0.717), and Ga (0.588) content. The results suggest that the unburned carbon is promising material in terms of flue gas cleaning even if contained in highly calcareous fly ashes.     

The influence of artificial sealing on the capillary barrier’s function

Regulations for the sealing of landfill sites require two independent sealing components. To satisfy this requirement, the combined capillary barrier was developed using impermeable sheeting placed between the capillary layer and the capillary block of the traditional capillary barrier. In this study, a numerical model is introduced based on hydraulic characteristics obtained by means of measurements of samples of capillary barrier materials. To make a comparison possible, samples of a laboratory investigated barrier were measured. Two laboratory experiments with a simple and a combined capillary barrier were repeated using the developed numerical model and good agreement between computed and measured results was found. Subsequently, the model was used for investigating the effect of failure of the artificial sheeting on the capillary barrier’s efficiency. The obtained results are presented and discussed.