Inhibitor resistance and in situ capability of nanoparticle based gene quantification

We have demonstrated the preliminary results of the in situ monitoring capability of an inhibitor resistant gene quantification assay using magnetic bead (MB) and quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles (hereafter "MB-QD assay") for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 in environmental samples. The selectivity of the MB-QD assay was demonstrated via the discrimination of the target bacteria in the presence of nonspecific microbial populations. The effect of temperature on the assay was examined to evaluate the necessity of elevated temperature incubation. The reagents (i.e., particle complex and particle-DNA conjugate) were also shown to have a stability of at least 10 days without refrigeration, therefore enabling prior preparation and the subsequent storage of these reagents. In addition, it was found that the MB-QD assay was resistant to the presence of naturally occurring inhibitors (i.e., humic acids, Ca(2+)) and residual reagents from DNA extraction (i.e., surfactant, ethanol). Overall the results indicated that the MB-QD assay is potentially suitable for further development as an in situ bacteria monitoring method for working with inhibitor laden samples without requiring additional purification steps and elevated temperature processes.     

Idealized study on cohesive sediment flux by tidal asymmetry

The flux of cohesive sediment in an estuary is determined by many factors, including tidal asymmetry, wave effect, fluvial influence, phase difference between tidal velocity and tidal level fluctuations, sediment properties, flocculation, bed erodibility, bathymetry effect and other nonlocal effects. Our capability in predicting sediment fluxes in tide-dominant environments is critical to the morphodynamics and water quality of estuaries. Due to the difficulties in carrying out detailed measurement of sediment flux with high spatial and temporal resolutions, an one-dimensional-vertical (1DV) numerical model for cohesive sediment transport, previously verified and calibrated with field measured cohesive sediment concentration data, is utilized here to study some of the aforementioned factors in affecting tidal-driven sediment fluxes in idealized condition. Tidal-averaged sediment flux is shown to be correlated with tidal velocity skewness with a linear relationship. This linear relationship is different from that of non-cohesive sediment and it is demonstrated here to be mainly due to variable critical shear stress implemented for the mud bed in order to parameterize consolidation. The reason that tidal velocity skewness causes tidal-averaged residual sediment transport is shown to be due to nonlinear intra-tidal interactions between flow velocity and sediment concentration. Moreover, the effects of nonlinear intra-tidal interaction between tidal velocity and tidal level fluctuations is shown to mainly cause seaward transport, which is the most significant under progressive wave system (phase difference 90°) and almost negligible for standing wave system (phase difference 0°).     

The role of black carbon as a catalyst for environmental redox transformation

Black carbon (BC) is an important class of geosorbents that control the fate and transport of organic pollutants in soil and sediment. We previously demonstrated a new role of BC as an electron transfer mediator in the abiotic reduction of nitroaromatic and nitramine compounds by Oh and Chiu (Environ Sci Technol 43:6983–6988, 2009). We proposed that BC can catalyze the reduction of nitro compounds because it contains microscopic graphitic (graphene) domains, which facilitate both sorption and electron transfer. In this study, we assessed the ability of different types of BC—graphite, activated carbon, and diesel soot—to mediate the reduction of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) and 2,4-dibromophenol (DBP) by H₂S. All three types of BC enhanced DNT and DBP reduction. H₂S supported BC-mediated reduction, as was observed previously with a thiol reductant. The results suggest that BC may influence the fate of organic pollutants in reducing subsurface environments through redox transformation in addition to sorption.

     

Process modeling and economic assessment of converting municipal solid waste into solid fuel via hydrothermal processing: a case study in Vietnam

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - As with any developing country, Vietnam has faced numerous challenges in the management and treatment of municipal solid waste (MSW)....     

A roadmap for the conservation of freshwater mussels in Europe

Europe has a long history of human pressure on freshwater ecosystems. As pressure continues to grow and new threats emerge, there is an urgent need for conservation of freshwater biodiversity and its ecosystem services. However, whilst some taxonomic groups, mainly vertebrates, have received a disproportionate amount of attention and funds, other groups remain largely off the public and scientific radar. Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) are an alarming example of this conservation bias and here we point out six conceptual areas that need immediate and long-term attention: knowledge, threats, socioeconomics, conservation, governance and education. The proposed roadmap aims to advance research, policy and education by identifying the most pressing priorities for the short- and long-term conservation of freshwater mussels across Europe.     

Synchronization of amniotic fluid cells for high resolution cytogenetics

A high resolution technique was applied to amniotic fluid cells by synchronization. After inoculation, the cells were incubated for 30 h in the presence of either thymidine or 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). After removal of the blocking agent and addition of a low concentration of thymidine, the cells were incubated for another 6 1/2–7 h, then harvested in prometaphase without colcemid. This technique gives a mitotic index of 3·7 per cent after thymidine synchronization and of 3·2 per cent after BrdU synchronization, and more than half of the mitoses were in the earlier phases with the chromosomes showing more than 550 bands per haploid set. GBG, GTG, and RHG prometaphases are presented. Precise high-resolution banding of chromosomes of amniotic fluid cells can increase diagnostic accuracy.     

Analysis of polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) in baked-salt food additives in Korea

Thirty-one samples of baked-salt products used in commercial food additives were analyzed for the presence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Dioxins were highly detected in 12 samples of baked salts. The amount of dioxins found in the samples ranged from 12.47 pg/g to 406.56 pg/g (0.71 pg TEQ/g to 23.51 pg TEQ/g, respectively). The most abundant congeners, as TEQ values, were 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF; 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF; and 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF in PCDF congeners and 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD; 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD; and 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD in PCDD congeners. Meanwhile, PCDDs/PCDFs were analyzed in high-temperature-treated samples of natural sea salt alone and natural sea salt to which di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) had been added. In the former case, PCDD/PCDF formation was most evident at temperatures near 450 degrees C, the total amount of dioxins was 90.07 pg/g (6.07 pg TEQ/g), and PCDD congeners comprised less than 50% of the total PCDDs/PCDFs. However, when the latter samples were heated, the total PCDD/PCDF concentration was 512.30 pg/g (21.53 pg TEQ/g), with PCDD congeners comprising over 87% of the total PCDDs/PCDFs.     

Incorporating differences between genetic diversity of trees and herbaceous plants in conservation strategies

Reviews that summarize the genetic diversity of plant species in relation to their life history and ecological traits show that forest trees have more genetic diversity at population and species levels than annuals or herbaceous perennials. In addition, among-population genetic differentiation is significantly lower in trees than in most herbaceous perennials and annuals. Possible reasons for these differences between trees and herbaceous perennials and annuals have not been discussed critically. Several traits, such as high rates of outcrossing, long-distance pollen and seed dispersal, large effective population sizes (N_e), arborescent stature, low population density, longevity, overlapping generations, and occurrence in late successional communities, may make trees less sensitive to genetic bottlenecks and more resistant to habitat fragmentation or climate change. We recommend that guidelines for genetic conservation strategies be designed differently for tree species versus other types of plant species. Because most tree species fit an LH scenario (low [L] genetic differentiation and high [H] genetic diversity), tree seeds could be sourced from a few populations distributed across the species’ range. For the in situ conservation of trees, translocation is a viable option to increase N_e. In contrast, rare herbaceous understory species are frequently HL (high differentiation and low diversity) species. Under the HL scenario, seeds should be taken from many populations with high genetic diversity. In situ conservation efforts for herbaceous plants should focus on protecting habitats because the typically small populations of these species are vulnerable to the loss of genetic diversity. The robust allozyme genetic diversity databases could be used to develop conservation strategies for species lacking genetic information. As a case study of reforestation with several tree species in denuded areas on the Korean Peninsula, we recommend the selection of local genotypes as suitable sources to prevent adverse effects and to insure the successful restoration in the long term.     

Effects of chelates (EDTA,EDDS, NTA) on phytoavailability of heavy metals (As,Cd, Cu,Pb, Zn) using ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This paper summarises a study of the application of the synthetic chelate ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and the natural chelates...