scholarly journals Developmental instability in German Iris flower as a potential biomonitoring method

2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 837-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasa Barisic-Klisaric ◽  
Danijela Miljkovic ◽  
Stevan Avramov ◽  
Uros Zivkovic ◽  
Aleksej Tarasjev

In light of the increasing need for appropriate, cost-effective detection methods of anthropogenic pollution, we evaluated the biomonitoring potential of flower developmental instability (DI) on a widely planted decorative species, Iris germanica, under in situ conditions. DI was measured by fluctuating and radial asymmetries of parts of Iris germanica perianth (810 fall lengths and widths), from clones already growing in two distinct types of habitats with contrasting levels of anthropogenic pollution: in unpolluted (rural) areas, Novi Banovci, Stari Banovci and Belegis (flowers from 137 clones sampled), and in a polluted (urban) Belgrade metropolitan area (flowers from 133 clones sampled). Our results revealed significantly higher flower radial asymmetry in the polluted habitats compared to unpolluted ones (for three out of four univariate indices, as well as both multivariate ones), but failed to detect a similar effect on fluctuating asymmetry indices. The results of our study therefore demonstrate the potential of DI (when estimated by flower radial asymmetry) in Iris germanica as a cost-effective biomonitoring method for in situ pollution detection based on readily measurable flower parts and moderate sample sizes.

Author(s):  
Aleksandra G. Balakhnina ◽  
Gulnara F. Romashkina

This article systematizes the legal framework, forms, and volumes of support for agriculture from the federal budget of Russia and the regional budget (on the example of the Tyumen Region). The authors have performed a detailed analysis of the directions of such support for 2016-2019. The historical, economic and social features of the relationship between the state and agriculture are shown. State support for agriculture is objectively necessary, and competent budget planning makes it possible to develop. However, the dominance of direct forms of spending support does not stimulate cost-effective and innovative activities, which in the future can bring the industry to a competitive level. There is very little and irregular support for social forms, the development of farming and other forms of private farming in rural areas. The authors conclude that the policy of state support is sufficiently provided by legislative acts, resolutions and state programs. Many programs are updated, and new versions are adopted even before the previous ones expire. Such strong volatility hurts strategic projects and agricultural initiatives. Less expensive forms of activity-mediation and trade turn profitable. Living conditions in the villages significantly stay behind in quality and opportunities, which leads to the human capital leaving rural areas. The authors propose to pay more attention to the development of indirect forms of support, to stimulate economic activity and small businesses.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Maija Nuppunen-Puputti ◽  
Riikka Kietäväinen ◽  
Lotta Purkamo ◽  
Pauliina Rajala ◽  
Merja Itävaara ◽  
...  

Fungi have an important role in nutrient cycling in most ecosystems on Earth, yet their ecology and functionality in deep continental subsurface remain unknown. Here, we report the first observations of active fungal colonization of mica schist in the deep continental biosphere and the ability of deep subsurface fungi to attach to rock surfaces under in situ conditions in groundwater at 500 and 967 m depth in Precambrian bedrock. We present an in situ subsurface biofilm trap, designed to reveal sessile microbial communities on rock surface in deep continental groundwater, using Outokumpu Deep Drill Hole, in eastern Finland, as a test site. The observed fungal phyla in Outokumpu subsurface were Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, and Mortierellomycota. In addition, significant proportion of the community represented unclassified Fungi. Sessile fungal communities on mica schist surfaces differed from the planktic fungal communities. The main bacterial phyla were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteriota. Biofilm formation on rock surfaces is a slow process and our results indicate that fungal and bacterial communities dominate the early surface attachment process, when pristine mineral surfaces are exposed to deep subsurface ecosystems. Various fungi showed statistically significant cross-kingdom correlation with both thiosulfate and sulfate reducing bacteria, e.g., SRB2 with fungi Debaryomyces hansenii.


Microscopy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoguang Li ◽  
Kazutaka Mitsuishi ◽  
Masaki Takeguchi

Abstract Liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM) enables imaging of dynamic processes in liquid with high spatial and temporal resolution. The widely used liquid cell (LC) consists of two stacking microchips with a thin wet sample sandwiched between them. The vertically overlapped electron-transparent membrane windows on the microchips provide passage for the electron beam. However, microchips with imprecise dimensions usually cause poor alignment of the windows and difficulty in acquiring high-quality images. In this study, we developed a new and efficient microchip fabrication process for LCTEM with a large viewing area (180 µm × 40 µm) and evaluated the resultant LC. The new positioning reference marks on the surface of the Si wafer dramatically improve the precision of dicing the wafer, making it possible to accurately align the windows on two stacking microchips. The precise alignment led to a liquid thickness of 125.6 nm close to the edge of the viewing area. The performance of our LC was demonstrated by in situ transmission electron microscopy imaging of the dynamic motions of 2-nm Pt particles. This versatile and cost-effective microchip production method can be used to fabricate other types of microchips for in situ electron microscopy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 100773
Author(s):  
Kamoldara Reansuwan ◽  
Rotsukon Jawana ◽  
Saoharit Nitayavardhana ◽  
Sirichai Koonaphapdeelert
Keyword(s):  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Pol ◽  
Fabio Gabrieli ◽  
Lorenzo Brezzi

AbstractIn this work, the mechanical response of a steel wire mesh panel against a punching load is studied starting from laboratory test conditions and extending the results to field applications. Wire meshes anchored with bolts and steel plates are extensively used in rockfall protection and slope stabilization. Their performances are evaluated through laboratory tests, but the mechanical constraints, the geometry and the loading conditions may strongly differ from the in situ conditions leading to incorrect estimations of the strength of the mesh. In this work, the discrete element method is used to simulate a wire mesh. After validation of the numerical mesh model against experimental data, the punching behaviour of an anchored mesh panel is investigated in order to obtain a more realistic characterization of the mesh mechanical response in field conditions. The dimension of the punching element, its position, the anchor plate size and the anchor spacing are varied, providing analytical relationships able to predict the panel response in different loading conditions. Furthermore, the mesh panel aspect ratio is analysed showing the existence of an optimal value. The results of this study can provide useful information to practitioners for designing secured drapery systems, as well as for the assessment of their safety conditions.


2004 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 1383-1390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip R Goodwin

Abstract The levels (1–2%) and increasing severity of allergic responses to food in the adult population are well documented, as is the phenomenon of even higher (3–8%) and apparently increasing incidence in children, albeit that susceptibility decreases with age. Problematic foods include peanut, milk, eggs, tree nuts, and sesame, but the list is growing as awareness continues to rise. The amounts of such foods that can cause allergic reactions is difficult to gauge; however, the general consensus is that ingestion of low parts per million is sufficient to cause severe reactions in badly affected individuals. Symptoms can rapidly—within minutes—progress from minor discomfort to severe, even life-threatening anaphylactic shock in those worst affected. Given the combination of high incidence of atopy, potential severity of response, and apparently widespread instances of “hidden” allergens in the food supply, it is not surprising that this issue is increasingly subject to legislative and regulatory scrutiny. In order to assist in the control of allergen levels in foods to acceptable levels, analysts require a combination of test methods, each designed to produce accurate, timely, and cost-effective analytical information. Such information contributes significantly to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point programs to determine food manufacturers’ risk and improves the accuracy of monitoring and surveillance by food industry, commercial, and enforcement laboratories. Analysis thereby facilitates improvements in compliance with labeling laws with concomitant reductions in risks to atopic consumers. This article describes a combination of analytical approaches to fulfill the various needs of these 3 analytical communities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 172 ◽  
pp. 03003
Author(s):  
A. Agarwal

In this paper we discussed the new design, fabrication and testing of a mechanical can crusher taking into deliberation the force analysis and ergonomic factors that will enable people to use this mechanical can crusher especially in Botswana rural areas. The process of crushing cans is of vital importance as it saves a percentage of space for can disposal and also makes it easier for these cans to be transported to recycling centers or landfill areas. The methods and processes used to bring this project to life include welding, cutting, bending, drilling and assembly operations. This project study is mainly about generating a new concept of a mechanical can crusher that is compact to transport from one location to another and makes can crushing easy and fascinating to the general public so as to promote people buy into crushing in Sub-Sahara market. Even though there are numerous sorts of the mechanical would crusher be able to as of now in presence, this model provides a more practical usage than previous one with the desired mechanical advantage of 10, machinability to crush the entire cans to 25% of their original size and 100% efficiency for the entire rounds.


2004 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Holownia ◽  
M.S. Chinnan ◽  
A.E. Reynolds ◽  
JW Davis

2001 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 304-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Junge ◽  
Christopher Krembs ◽  
Jody Deming ◽  
Aaron Stierle ◽  
Hajo Eicken

AbstractMicrobial populations and activity within sea ice have been well described based on bulk measurements from melted sea-ice samples. However, melting destroys the micro-environments within the ice matrix and does not allow for examination of microbial populations at a spatial scale relevant to the organism. Here, we describe the development of a new method allowing for microscopic observations of bacteria localized within the three-dimensional network of brine inclusions in sea ice under in situ conditions. Conventional bacterial staining procedures, using the DNA-specific fluorescent stain DAPI, epifluorescence microscopy and image analysis, were adapted to examine bacteria and their associations with various surfaces within microtomed sections of sea ice at temperatures from −2° to −15°C. The utility and sensitivity of the method were demonstrated by analyzing artificial sea-ice preparations of decimal dilutions of a known bacterial culture. When applied to natural, particle-rich sea ice, the method allowed distinction between bacteria and particles at high magnification. At lower magnifications, observations of bacteria could be combined with those of other organisms and with morphology and particle content of the pore space. The method described here may ultimately aid in discerning constraints on microbial life at extremely low temperatures.


2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (19) ◽  
pp. 8906-8916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sankar Das ◽  
Subhra Jana

Halloysite/metal nanocomposites have been synthesized through the immobilization of preformed and in situ synthesized metal nanoparticles over halloysite surfaces, which in turn produce efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally benign heterogeneous catalysts.


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