Improving escape responses of hatchery-reared scallops <Emphasis Type="Italic">Argopecten purpuratus</Emphasis>

Hatchery rearing of the scallop Argopecten purpuratus has resulted in successive generations of scallops not exposed to predators that are less sensitive to and escape more slowly from predators than wild scallops. The present study examined whether conditioning hatchery-reared A. purpuratus to its natural predator, the sea star Meyenaster gelatinosus, improved its escape responses. Both juvenile and adult A. purpuratus from Tongoy Bay, Chile, were exposed for 7 days to different conditions: (1) continuous predator odor, (2) predator contact for 30 min three times a day, (3) a combination of the two previous conditions, and (4) no exposure to the predator (control). After conditioning, we evaluated scallop’s escape responses: reaction time, total clap number, duration of the clapping response, clapping rate, and the time scallops spent closed when exhausted. Conditioning with contact and odor plus contact (i.e., high predation risk) resulted in 25 and 50% shorter reaction times of juveniles and adults, respectively. Further, these stimuli caused juveniles to increase the number of claps and clapping rate. For adults, the time spent closed after exhaustion decreased by 50 and 63% after conditioning with contact and odor plus contact, respectively. Therefore, it is shown for the first time that exposure of scallops to increasing predator stimuli enhances escape responses, evidence of threat-sensitive predator avoidance.     

An investigation impact of user’s positions in closed space over SAR in the head induced from mobile phone

The purpose of this work was to investigate the impact of user’s positions in close space over the variations of SAR distribution in human head induced from mobile phone under the worst case conditions. The “worst case” considered in this paper refers to conditions that include (1) a half-wavelength dipole antenna, placed near the model of human head—SAM phantom; (2) a vertically oriented dipole antenna, parallel to the side walls of closed space for maximum reflection; (3) metallic closed space acts as a resonant cavity; and (4) 360 randomly selected observation points. We also used a free space model for comparative purposes. The maximum 1- and 10-g average SAR and average SAR in whole-exposed object probability density function curves have been derived to illustrate the percentage of SAR values that have been induced inside SAM for different locations of user in the closed space. The obtained results show that in more than 86.7% of all investigated user’s positions in the metallic closed space, the induced maximum 1-g average SAR in user’s head is in the boundaries of ±10% of maximum 1-g average SAR, when the user use mobile phone in free space. This relationship keep still at maximum 10-g average SAR, where in 85.9% from all investigated user’s positions, SAR values are in boundaries of ±10% of maximum 10-g average SAR in free space. The results showed that closed space causes more significant changes on average SAR in whole-exposed object than maximal SAR values. When we estimated the average SAR in whole-exposed SAM in 85% from all investigated user’s position in closed space, the induced SAR is higher than SAR values in free space model. It can be noted that the highest obtained SAR values in closed space were with 8.5% (for 1 g), 6.7% (for 10-g average SAR), and 15.1% (for average SAR in whole SAM) higher than these of the free space.     

Occurrence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pepper Mild Mottle Virus</Emphasis> (PMMoV) in Groundwater from a Karst Aquifer System in the Yucatan Peninsula,Mexico

The Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico hosts a karst aquifer system that is the only source of freshwater for the area; however, it is vulnerable to human-mediated contamination. Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) is one of the most abundant RNA viruses associated with human feces, making it a viable indicator for tracking fecal pollution in aquatic environments, including groundwater. In this study, groundwater samples collected from a karst aquifer from fresh and brackish water locations were analyzed for fecal indicator bacteria, somatic and male F+ specific coliphages, and PMMoV during the rainy and dry seasons. Total coliform bacteria were detected at all sites, whereas Escherichia coli were found at relatively low levels <40 MPN/100 ml. The highest average concentrations of somatic and male F+ specific coliphages were 920 and 330 plaque forming units per 100 ml, respectively, detected in freshwater during the rainy season. PMMoV RNA was detected in 85% of the samples with gene sequences sharing 99–100% of nucleotide identity with PMMoV sequences available in GenBank. Quantification of PMMoV genome copies (GC) by quantitative real-time PCR indicated concentrations ranging from 1.7 × 10¹ to 1.0 × 10⁴ GC/L, with the highest number of GC detected during the rainy season. No significant correlation was observed between PMMoV occurrence by season or water type (p > 0.05). Physicochemical and indicator bacteria were not correlated with PMMoV concentrations. The abundance and prevalence of PMMoV in the karst aquifer may reflect its environmental persistence and its potential as a fecal indicator in this karst aquifer system.     

Zooming on light packaging waste differences by scanning electron microscopy

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In the present paper, different types of pure and commercial plastic waste from different EU countries (UK, France, Italy, and Romania) were...     

Study concerning the recovery of zinc and manganese from spent batteries by hydrometallurgical processes

Used batteries contain numerous metals in high concentrations and if not disposed of with proper care, they can negatively affect our environment. These metals represent 83% of all spent batteries and therefore it is important to recover metals such as Zn and Mn, and reuse them for the production of new batteries. The recovery of Zn and Mn from used batteries, in particular from Zn–C and alkaline ones has been researched using hydrometallurgical methods. After comminution and classification of elemental components, the electrode paste resulting from these processes was treated by chemical leaching. Prior to the leaching process the electrode paste has been subjected to two washing steps, in order to remove the potassium, which is an inconvenient element in this type of processes. To simultaneously extract Zn and Mn from this paste, the leaching method in alkaline medium (NaOH solution) and acid medium (sulphuric acid solution) was used. Also, to determine the efficiency of extraction of Zn and Mn from used batteries, the following variables were studied: reagents concentration, S/L ratio, temperature, time. The best results for extraction yield of Zn and Mn were obtained under acid leaching conditions (2 M H₂SO₄, 1 h, 80 °C).     

Environmental Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater and Groundwater in Quintana Roo,Mexico

The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in wastewater has been reported as a result of fecal shedding of infected individuals. In this study, the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was explored in primary-treated wastewater from two municipal wastewater treatment plants in Quintana Roo, Mexico, along with groundwater from sinkholes, a household well, and submarine groundwater discharges. Physicochemical variables were obtained in situ, and coliphage densities were determined. Three virus concentration methods based on adsorption-elution and sequential filtration were used followed by RNA isolation. Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 was done by RT-qPCR using the CDC 2020 assay, 2019-nCoV_N1 and 2019-nCoV_N2. The Pepper mild mottle virus, one of the most abundant RNA viruses in wastewater was quantified by RT-qPCR and compared to SARS-CoV-2 concentrations. The use of three combined virus concentration methods together with two qPCR assays allowed the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 58% of the wastewater samples analyzed, whereas none of the groundwater samples were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater were from 1.8 × 10³ to 7.5 × 10³ genome copies per liter (GC l⁻¹), using the N1 RT-qPCR assay, and from 2.4 × 10² to 5.9 × 10³ GC l⁻¹ using the N2 RT-qPCR assay. Based on PMMoV prevalence detected in all wastewater and groundwater samples tested, the three viral concentration methods used could be successfully applied for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in further studies. This study represents the first detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater in southeast Mexico and provides a baseline for developing a wastewater-based epidemiology approach in the area.

     

Support for First Nations' Land Claims amongst Members of the Wilderness Preservation Movement: The Potential for an Environmental Justice Movement in British Columbia

Abstract

In this paper we examine the relationship between identification with the environmental movement and support for First Nations' land claims in order to determine the potential for an environmental justice movement in British Columbia. The findings are based on survey data collected from members of a wilderness preservation movement organization based on Vancouver Island. The findings demonstrate that the stronger an individual identifies with the environmental movement, the more s/he supports linking First Nations' land claims to conservation campaigns. We conclude by proposing that the wilderness preservation movement could increase its mobilization potential and widen the scope of the movement by including First Nations' issues in their campaigns. It could do this by expanding its frame to include issues of environmental justice, thereby connecting environmental protection and fair access to resources.     

Ergonomics intervention on an alternative design of a spinal board

Nurses are often obliged to work in a 12-hr shift work system. We have decided to check whether such a working system constitutes an excessive load for nurses. On the basis of a questionnaire survey among nurses working in an 8-hr daytime shift system (169 nurses) and in a 12-hr shift (536 nurses), the amount of physical workload, work stress, and after-work activities were compared. Data analysis has shown that a 12-hr shift system is characterized by less significant physical workload but greater mental load. The nurses working in a 2-shift system were more tired after work, but they could spend more time on leisure activities and do housework. The data suggest that there are no significant contraindications for nurses to work in a 2-shift system.