Improved Microbial and Chemical Reduction of Direct Blue 71 Using Anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate Immobilized on Granular Activated Carbon

The aim of this study was to evaluate the redox mediating capacity of anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) immobilized on granular activated carbon (GAC) during the reductive decolorization of direct blue 71 (DB71) under microbial and chemical conditions. The immobilization of AQDS on GAC was conducted by adsorption, and it has obtained an uptake capacity of 0.227 mmol g^?1. The anchorage of AQDS on GAC improved its electron transfer capacity (ETC) up to 2.05 times higher than the raw material. Similarly, the addition of GAC-AQDS increased up to 1.75- and 1.16-fold the rate of decolorization (k _d ) of DB71 under microbial and chemical conditions, respectively, in comparison to the unmodified GAC. Surprisingly, a higher k _d value was achieved in incubations without either GAC or GAC-AQDS because of the generation of aromatic amines, from the reduction DB71, taking into account that these species may act as a catalyst in the DB71 reduction process. In contrast, adsorption of aromatic amines on either GAC or GAC-AQDS decreased its redox mediating capacity as evidenced by spectrophotometric screenings of the decolorized solution and the supporting material. The development of materials with enhanced both redox and adsorption properties, as the GAC used in this study, offers a promising way to increase the redox conversion of recalcitrant pollutants commonly found in industrial wastewaters.     

What the hyena's laugh tells: Sex, age, dominance and individual signature in the giggling call of Crocuta crocuta

Background  

Among mammals living in social groups, individuals form communication networks where they signal their identity and social status, facilitating social interaction. In spite of its importance for understanding of mammalian societies, the coding of individual-related information in the vocal signals of non-primate mammals has been relatively neglected. The present study focuses on the spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta, a social carnivore known for its complex female-dominated society. We investigate if and how the well-known hyena's laugh, also known as the giggle call, encodes information about the emitter.     

Monitoring neonicotinoid resistance in biotype B of Bemisia tabaci in Florida

BACKGROUND: Biotype B of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), is a worldwide pest that has developed resistance to many insecticides, including the neonicotinoid class. Florida field populations were monitored for susceptibility to the neonicotinoids imidacloprid and thiamethoxam using a cut leaf petiole bioassay method. RESULTS: Average RR₅₀ values for imidacloprid increased from 3.7 in 2000 to 12.0 in 2003; decreased to 5.0 and 2.5 in 2004 and 2005, respectively; and then increased to 26.3 and 23.9 in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Populations with RR₅₀ values of about 50 to 60 during generation one reverted to RR₅₀ values of ?4 in six generations, when reared without further exposure to imidacloprid. Average RR₅₀ values for thiamethoxam increased from 2.0 in 2003 to 24.7 in 2006 and decreased to 10.4 in 2007. Populations with RR₅₀ values of about 22, 32 and 53 during generation one declined to 8, 5 and 6, respectively, after being reared for five generations without exposure to thiamethoxam. The correlation coefficient from the 26 populations that were bioassayed both with imidacloprid and thiamethoxam showed a significant positive correlation (R² = 0.58) between these populations. CONCLUSION: The high level of RR₅₀ values to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam suggest an unstable decline in the susceptibility of B. tabaci to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, with possible cross‐resistance or predisposition for dual resistance selection. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparison of model forms for estimating stem taper and volume in the primary conifer species of the North American Acadian Region

? The performance of ten commonly used taper equations for predicting both stem form and volume in balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill], red spruce[Picea rubens (Sarg.)], and white pine[Pinus strobus (L.)] in the Acadian Region of North America was investigated.

? Results show that the Kozak (2004) and Bi (2000) equations were superior to the other equations in predicting diameter inside bark for red spruce and white pine, while the Valentine and Gregoire (2001) equation performed slightly better for balsam fir.

? For stem volume, the Clark et al. (1991) equation provided the best predictions across all species when upper stem diameter measurements were available, while the Kozak (2004) and compatible taper equation of Fang et al. (2000) performed well when those measurements were unavailable.

? The incorporation of crown variables substantially improved stem volume predictions (mean absolute bias reduction of 7–15%; root mean square error reduction of 10–15%) for all three species, but had little impact on stem form predictions.

? The best taper equation reduced the predicted root mean square error by 16, 39, and 45% compared to estimates from the widely used Honer (1965) regional stem volume equations for balsam fir, red spruce, and white pine, respectively.

? When multiple taper equations exist for a certain species, the use of the geometric mean of all predictions is an attractive alternative to selecting the “best” equation.

     

Low-oxygen treatment for inhibition of decay and ripening in organic bananas

Summary

Application of a low-O₂ atmosphere for several days prior to storing organic banana clusters was effective in preventing decay development on the crown cuts, and in delaying ripening. Preclimacteric banana clusters (Musa spp. AAA group cultivar Ziv) were treated with a low-oxygen atmosphere (2%) at 208C for 24, 48 and 72.h immediately after harvest. After removal from low-O₂ stress, the bananas were stored at 128C for 21.d, and were then treated with ethylene at 188C for 24.h and transferred to shelf life at 208C for an additional 4.d. The low-O₂ treatments were compared with the commercial treatment of dipping the crown cuts in 0.2% thiabendazole (TBZ). The low-O₂ stress for 48 or 72.h was effective in preventing decay after shelf life, but less so than the TBZ treatment. Low-O₂ for 24.h was not effective enough, and the 72.h treatment markedly impaired colour development after ripening with ethylene. The 48.h low-O₂ treatment which resulted in the best decay prevention also retarded ripening processes (colour, ®rmness, respiration and ethylene production) and reduced chilling injury symptoms, without impairing the taste. The level of reducing sugars in the 48.h-treated fruit was similar to that in the control fruit after ripening and shelf life. The endogenous levels of acetaldehyde (AA) and ethanol produced by the treated fruit were lower than those in the control fruit during shelf life. It seems that there is a high potential for this physical treatment of low-O₂ stress to replace chemical treatments, as means of maintaining the quality of organic bananas.     

Differential hydrological response of biological topsoil crusts along a rainfall gradient in a sandy arid area: Northern Negev desert,Israel

Drylands are regarded as highly sensitive to climatic change. The putative positive relationship between average annual rainfall and runoff, assumed for areas between 100 and 300 mm ignores the fact that climatic change in drylands is not limited to climatic factors alone, but is often accompanied by a parallel change in surface properties. Data on rainfall, runoff and soil moisture regime were collected at five monitoring sites in a sandy area, along a rainfall gradient from 86 to 160 mm. Despite the uniform sandy substratum the frequency and magnitude of runoff declined with increasing annual rainfall. Under wetter conditions a thick topsoil biological crust develops. This crust is able to absorb and retain large rain amounts, limiting the depth to which water can penetrate, and therefore water availability for the perennial vegetation. In the drier area, the thin crust can absorb only limited rain amounts, resulting in surface runoff and deeper water infiltration at run-on areas. Our findings demonstrate the important role played by different types of biological soil crusts along the rainfall gradient considered, and question the generally held belief that higher rainfall necessarily leads to deeper water infiltration in sandy arid areas; and higher water availability for the perennial vegetation.     

Insect resistance of a full sib family of tetraploid switchgrass Panicum virgatum L. with varying lignin levels

Little information is available on insect resistance mechanisms and inheritance in biomass grasses. Although reduction of lignin in biomass grasses in order to increase the efficiency of fermentation may result in increased susceptibility to insect feeding, other resistance mechanisms may be more important. Field grown leaves of two tetraploid parent (Kanlow N1, Summer) and 14 progeny switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) plant clones selected for a diversity of plant form and ranges in lignin levels were tested for leaf resistance to feeding by the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith), a grass feeding insect pest. Although lignin generally appeared important as a resistance mechanism only at early season stages, replicate clones of two low lignin progeny plants generally remained resistant to fall armyworm feeding. Mechanical damaging increased resistance to fall armyworm feeding in several of these plants. Degrees of resistance were sometimes associated with leaf form of progeny. These results indicate there are likely multiple insect resistance mechanisms operating at different stages in switchgrass, and that segregation of some mechanisms appears related to growth form of the plants.     

MONOPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE AS AN IN-SEASON FERTIGATION OPTION FOR POTATO

Monopotassium phosphate (MKP) is a potential option for fertigating phosphorus (P) in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) when petioles are low in P and high in nitrogen (N); which is a situation where using ammonium polyphosphate (APP) could potentially result in excessive N application. Fertilizer trials were conducted in 2004–2006 with 0 or 56 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1 fertigated as either APP or MKP as a supplement to the pre-plant P (112 or 224 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1) broadcast applied to all plots. Supplemental P fertigation increased petiole P concentration, US No. 1 yield, and total yield over the control not receiving any in-season P fertilizer regardless of source. In addition, MKP increased tuber specific gravity. These results support previous studies showing that fertigated P can be used to increase potato yields when petiole P concentrations are low and that MKP is a viable substitute for APP fertilizer when fertigation is necessary.