Atp-measurements in soil: A combination between the TCA and NRB ® extraction methods

The extraction of ATP from soils with the TCA- and NRB ®-methods shows qualitative and quantitative differences. A combination of both methods results in a higher yield of extracted ATP and in a solution of low optical quenching.     

Bioconcentration potential (BCP) of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzop-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) in terrestrial organisms including humans

The bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in adipose tissue of rats, beef cattle and monkeys have been calculated. The bioconcentration potential of TCDD in man was calculated by two indirect methods: 1) from daily intake of TCDD and its measured concentrations in adipose tissues and 2) from measured half-life and measured concentrations in body fat at steady state using a linear one compartment pharmacokinetic model. The BCFs in humans calculated by both methods are between 104 and 206, or 153, respectively.     

Behaviour of Rice-Byproducts and Optimizing the Conditions for Production of High Performance Natural Fiber Polymer Composites

This present study deals with evaluating some available rice by-products, such as rice straw and rice husks, as a fiber component in manufacturing of high performance natural fiber polymer composites (NFPC). The utilization of these undesirable wastes will contribute to the reduction of the environmental impact of waste disposal by burning. Two matrices (thermoset and thermoplastic) were used. Optimization of manufacture conditions of polyester-based thermosetting polymer composites was carried out through examine the effects of fibers to polymer ratio, amounts of catalyzed and initiator, fraction size of fibers and substituting one fibers by another, as well as time, temperature and pressure of pressing. The possibility of styrene containing polyester solution on improving the fiber interface via in situ grafting and enhancing the strength and water resistance of the produced NFPC was also evaluated, in comparison with that produced from using thermoplastic matrix (polypropylene) in presence of coupling agent. The production of this valuable product (NFPC) by this simple procedure, which not needs special devices (twin extrusion with heater), and chemicals to improve the compatibility between fibers and polymer matrix, will ensure reasonable profits and direct impacts on the Egyptian economy in general and rice growers in particular.     

The booklet “Genetically modified crops”, published from the German Research Foundation, does not meet the given claim - Discussion article

In December 2009 the German Research Foundation published the booklet "Grüne Gentechnik" (Genetically modified crops) claiming to give a scientifically well balanced information about GMO's in agriculture. In this paper we analyse this approach resulting in a critical review regarding the intention of the booklet. We conclude that the evaluation of GMO's in agriculture primarily from a crop breeding perspective is lacking crucial positions in terms of ecology, socio-economy, agronomy, nutritional sciences and finally ethics in life science.     

Contributions to ecological chemistry CXII balance of conversion of buturon‐14C in wheat under outdoor conditions 1

Abstract

The urea herbicide buturon (N‐[p‐chlorophenyl] ‐N’ ‐methyl‐N’ ‐isobutinyl‐urea), ¹⁴C‐labeled, was sprayed on winter wheat as an aqueous formulation (2.98 kg/ha) under outdoor conditions. Upon harvest (three months after application), a total of 49. 2% of the applied radiocarbon was recovered: 2.0% in the plants, 46.9% in the soil, and 0.3% in the leaching water (depth > 50 cm); less than 0.1% was in the grains (0.464 ppm). Only about half of the radioactivity present in plants could be recovered under mild extraction conditions; about half of this was unchanged buturon. In straw and husk extracts, the following metabolites were identified by gaschromatography/mass spectrometry: N‐(p‐chlorophenyl)‐N‐methyl‐O‐methyl‐carbamate (metabolite I), N‐phenyl‐N’ ‐formyl‐urea (metabolite II), two unstable metabolites giving (p‐chlorophenyl)‐isocyanate upon purification (metabolites III and IV), N‐(p‐chlorophenyl)‐N’ ‐methyl‐N’ ‐isobutenylol‐urea (metabolite V), p‐chloroformanilide (metabolite VI) and biologically bound p‐chloroaniline (metabolite VII). In the root and basal stem extract, the following metabolites were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry: N‐(p‐chlorophenyl)‐O‐methyl‐carbamate (metabolite VIII) and N‐(p‐chlorophenyl)‐N’ ‐methyl‐urea (metabolite IX).