Depictions of sustainability in children’s books

Images in children’s books can leave a more lasting impression in young learners’ minds than text. Therefore, it is important for children’s books to use images as a teaching tool, especially regarding global issues such as environmental sustainability. This study examined how the images in nonfiction children’s books approach the topic of sustainability and whether these images support the overall goals of environmental education. We selected seven easy-to-access trade books which yielded 384 images for analysis. Two coders analyzed the images according to the following categories: (a) gender and age, (b) actions of people, (c) depictions of nature, (d) depictions of objects, (e) structures, and (f) habitation. Results show that nearly half of the images (48 %) depicted non-natural objects (16 %) or humans (31 %). One half of the images portrayed humans as consumers. Gender bias was evident, with 33 % of females portrayed as consumers and only 16 % of males portrayed as consumers. Similarly, 12 % of the images with males showed them engaged in recycling behavior, while only 4 % of the images showed females recycling. Of the 32 % of images depicting nature, individual plants rather than ecosystems were portrayed. Depictions of man-made systems predominated the images, a surprising finding. No images established the connection between consumerism and the depletion of natural resources or pollution, and further sustainable actions or lifestyles were not portrayed, implying that consumption is a societal norm. We conclude with recommendations for the use of images in children’s literature focusing on environmental education and sustainability.     

Superior photodecomposition of pyrene by metal ion-loaded TiO2 catalyst under UV light irradiation

Background

The photocatalytic degradation of pyrene under UV (125?W Hg-Arc, 10.4?mW/cm²) irradiation of TiO₂ aqueous suspension has been found to be highly improved with the dissolved transition metal ions like Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ag⁺, and Au³⁺, etc. As the reduction potential of these metals lies below the conduction band (CB) position (?0.1?eV) of TiO₂, the photoexcited electron transfer occurs more readily and reduces electron?Chole recombination rate. Therefore, it has a beneficial influence on the photocatalytic ability of TiO₂ because of rapid Fermi energy equilibrium between the CB of TiO₂ and its surface adsorbed metal ions.

Results and discussion

The Fermi level is referred to as the electrochemical potential and plays an important role in the band theory of solids. When metal and semiconductor are in contact, electron migration from photoirradiated semiconductor to the deposited metal occurs at the interface until two Fermi levels equilibrate and enhanced the photocatalytic activity of semiconductor photocatalyst. Ni²⁺ having more negative reduction potential (?0.25?eV) than the CB of TiO₂ imparts negligible co-catalytic activity to TiO₂ photoreaction. It also revealed that loading of Au³⁺ ions displayed higher degradation rate of pyrene than Au photodeposition. Furthermore, when the amount of dissolved Fe⁺³ and Au³⁺ ions gradually increases from 0.1 to 2?wt.%, the pyrene photodecomposition rate also become faster.     

Cell phone electromagnetic field radiations affect rhizogenesis through impairment of biochemical processes

Indiscriminate adoption and use of cell phone technology has tremendously increased the levels of electromagnetic field radiations (EMFr) in the natural environment. It has raised the concerns among the scientists regarding the possible risks of EMFr to living organisms. However, not much has been done to assess the damage caused to plants that are continuously exposed to EMFr present in the environment. The present study investigated the biochemical mechanism of interference of 900 MHz cell phone EMFr with root formation in mung bean (Vigna radiata syn. Phaseolus aureus) hypocotyls, a model system to study rhizogenesis in plants. Cell phone EMFr enhanced the activities of proteases (by 1.52 to 2.33 times), polyphenol oxidases (by 1.5 to 4.3 times), and peroxidases (by 1.5 to 2.0 times) in mung bean hypocotyls over control. Further, EMFr enhanced malondialdehyde (an indicator of lipid peroxidation), hydrogen peroxide, and proline content, indicating a reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative damage in hypocotyls. It was confirmed by the upregulation in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione reductase) suggesting their possible role in providing protection against EMFr-induced oxidative damage. The study concluded that cell phone radiations affect the process of rhizogenesis through biochemical alterations that manifest as oxidative damage resulting in root impairment.     

Photodegradation of sulfonamide antibiotics in simulated and natural sunlight: Implications for their environmental fate

The photochemical fate of seven sulfonamides was investigated in matrices representative of natural water bodies under various light sources. Fundamental photolysis parameters such as molar absorption coefficient, quantum yield (QY) and first-order rate constants were determined. The photolysis decay rate was dependent on the protonation state of the molecule, pH of the water sample and dissolved organic matter. Natural organic matter was the most significant factor in the indirect photolysis of sulfonamides. Half-lives were in the range of minutes at 254 nm to days under natural sunlight. Under natural sunlight, all sulfonamides showed higher removal rates in natural waters implying that indirect photolysis is the predominant mechanism.     

An anticlastogenic in vivo micronucleus assay for tea

Common use of antimutagens and anticarcinogens in everyday life is an effective measure for preventing human cancer and genetic diseases. Antioxidant properties of tea have vast potential as protective agents against diverse toxic effects. The present study was aimed to evaluate the role of aqueous clonal tea extracts (green tea, oolong tea and black tea) in modulating the genotoxic damage induced by cyclophosphamide (CP), a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug and a well-known mutagen and clastogen. All the three tea extracts at 1 and 2% concentration did not increase the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPE) in bone marrow cells of mice when administered individually. The tea extracts decreased the micronuclei (MN) induced by CP. Therefore, regular intake of tea may improve the antioxidant status in in vivo and thereby reduce the risk of cancer and coronary heart disease.     

Effect of cyanobacterial exopolysaccharides on salt stress alleviation and seed germination

Effectof exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by a consortium of cyanobacteria on germination of three crops wheat, maize and rice was studied at different salt concentrations. Production of EPS was found to be stimulated by salts, which in turn had a significant Na+ removal capability from aqueous solution. Seed germination, vigor index and mobilization efficiency in all the three crops remarkably improved when cyanobacterial EPS was applied. While germination improved significantly by 13 to 30%, mobilization efficiency increased marginally by 1.03 to 1.1 times and vigor index increased by 1.15 to 2.4 times in these crops in response to EPS under non-saline conditions. Salinity had an inhibitory effect on seed germination of all the species showing 18 to 54% reduction. However, in the presence of EPS, the salt induced inhibition diminished to 13 to 18%. Inhibitory effect of salt on chlorophyll concentration, vigor index and mobilization efficiency of the seedlings was much less in these crops in the presence of EPS, indicating the latter's role in salt stress alleviation.     

Recent advances in nanomaterial developments for efficient removal of Hg(II) from water

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - “Water” contamination by mercury Hg(II) has become the biggest concern due to its severe toxicities on public health. There are different...     

Sugarcane bagasse into value-added products: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Strategic valorization of readily available sugarcane bagasse (SB) is very important for waste management and sustainable biorefinery. Conventional SB...     

A systematic review on iron-based nanoparticle-mediated clean-up of textile dyes: challenges and prospects of scale-up technologies

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The projected increase of the global textile industry to USD1002.84 billion in 2027 indicates a simultaneous increase in water pollution due to...     

Assessment of cervical range of motion,cervical core strength and scapular dyskinesia in violin players

Background. Playing the violin can lead to asymmetric postures which can affect the cervical range of motion, cervical core strength and scapular stability. Objective. The objective of the study was to assess the cervical range of motion, cervical core strength and scapular dyskinesia in violin players and non-players of the same age group. Methods. An inclinometer was used to assess the cervical range of motion, pressure biofeedback was used to assess cervical core strength and scapular dyskinesia was also assessed in 30 professional violin players (18–40 years) compared with 30 age-matched non-players. Analysis was done using an unpaired t test. Results. Significant change was seen with respect to extension (p?=?0.051), cervical core strength (p?=?0.005), right (Rt) superior angle 0° (p?=?0.004), Rt superior angle 45° (p?=?0.015) and Rt inferior angle 90° (p?=?0.013). Conclusion. This study shows a significant difference in extension range of motion and cervical core strength of violin players. Also, there was scapular dyskinesia seen at 0° and 45° right-side superior angle of the scapula and 90° right-side inferior angle of the scapula.