Evaluation of Allelochemicals, Abscisic Acid and Coumarin, in Leaf-Origin Suspension Cultured Cells of <i>Prunus yedoensis</i>Using Protoplast Co-Culture Bioassay Method

Dried leaves of Prunus yedoensis and P. lannesiana (50 mg) showed strong inhibitory allelopathic activities, e.g., more than 97% growth inhibition of lettuce seedling using the sandwich method. Similarly, among suspension cultures induced from leaves and peduncles of two Prunus species, we found the strongest inhibitory allelopathic activities of protoplasts of leaf-origin suspension cells of P. yedoensis, when the protoplast co-culture method for bioassay of allelopathy was applied with lettuce as a recipient plant. Effects of two putative allelochemicals, abscisic acid and coumarin, on both protoplast cultures of lettuce and P. yedoensis were investigated. Coumarin inhibited the growth of lettuce protoplasts from low concentrations, while abscisic acid stimulated. Abscisic acid inhibited the protoplast growth of P. yedoensis from low concentrations, while coumarin did not, but inhibited only at a high concentration (1 mM). Contents of abscisic acid in protoplasts were measured using small scale purification and Enzyme Linked Immno Sorbent Assay, and contents of coumarin in leaf-origin susepension cells of P. yedoensis were measured using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Coumarin was more likely the allelochemical causing the strong inhibitory allelopathic activities of P. yedoensis in the protoplast co-culture bioassay. Effectiveness of the protoplast co-culture bioassay method of allelopathy was discussed.

A review of the～1600 Ma sedimentation,volcanism,and tectono-thermal events in the Singhbhum craton,Eastern India

The Palaeoproterozoic-Mesoproterozoic transition （ -1600 Ma） is a significant event in the Earth history as a global thermal perturbation affected the pre-1600 Ma landmasses. Like other cratonic blocks of the world, lithospheric thinning, sedimentation, magmatism, metamorphism and crustal melting/anatexis are associated with this significant geological event in the Singhbhum cratonic province of India. This paper is a review of sedimentological, magmatic and tectono-thermal events in the Singhbhum craton at 1600 Ma. The Palaeo-Mesoproterozoic sedimentation and volcanism in the Singhbhum craton took place in a terrestrial intracontinental rift setting. The available geochronological data are indicative of late Palaeoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic tectono-thermal events in the Chhotanagpur Granite Gneissic Complex （CGGC）, an east-west trending arcuate belt of granite gneisses, migmatites and metasedi- mentary rocks. A detailed multidisciplinary geo-scientific investigation of the Dalma volcanic belt and the area to its north （Chandil Formation） and further north in CGGC will enable us to constrain the extant surface processes and crust-mantle interactions, the collision events between the North and South Indian cratonic blocks, and the position of India in the Columbia supercontinent.

Concealed Environmental Threat in the Coastal Region Requires Persistent Attention:The Panglao Island,Philippines Example

Panglao is a small island in the central part of the Philippines and well-known for its world-class beaches and coral reefs. These attract millions of tourists each year thus providing business opportunities and employment, a significant source of revenue for the local economy. Moreover, this island lies in a region with high biodiversity. However, the escalating activity is so alarming that the negative effect to the local environment is very much prevalent but not easily perceivable. Analysis and measurement of physico-chemical parameters of the groundwater revealed high levels of human-induced contaminants. This subterranean pollution was attributable to the leakage of septic tanks, artificial application of disinfectants as well as infiltration of saltwater from the ocean due to over-extraction of groundwater in order to meet the increasing demand for water. The community within the area was oblivious because human impacts to the environment appear to be virtually absent. These findings clearly suggest the concealed vulnerability of the groundwater resources from human activities. Higher standard for the coastal development plan, strong implementation of environmental policy and immediate government action is deemed necessary.

Why primordial continents were recycled to the deep:Role of subduction erosion

Geological observations indicate that there are only a few rocks of Archean Earth and no Hadean rocks on the surface of the present-day Earth.From these facts,many scientists believe that the primordial continents never existed during Hadean Earth,and the continental volume has kept increasing.On the other hand,recent studies reported the importance of the primordial continents on the origin of life,implying their existence.In this paper,we discussed the possible process that could explain the loss of the primordial continents with the assumption that they existed in the Hadean.Although depending on the timing of the initiation of plate tectonics and its convection style,subduction erosion,which is observed on the present-day Earth,might have carried the primordial continents into the deep mantle.

Tree Network Formation in Poisson Equation Models and the Implications for the Maximum Entropy Production Principle

This paper presents not only practical but also instructive mathematical models to simulate tree network formation using the Poisson equation and the Finite Difference Method (FDM). Then, the implications for entropic theories are discussed from the viewpoint of Maximum Entropy Production (MEP). According to the MEP principle, open systems existing in the state far from equilibrium are stabilized when entropy production is maximized, creating dissipative structures with low entropy such as the tree-shaped network. We prepare two simulation models: one is the Poisson equation model that simulates the state far from equilibrium, and the other is the Laplace equation model that simulates the isolated state or the state near thermodynamic equilibrium. The output of these equations is considered to be positively correlated to entropy production of the system. Setting the Poisson equation model so that entropy production is maximized, tree network formation is advanced. We suppose that this is due to the invocation of the MEP principle, that is, entropy of the system is lowered by emitting maximal entropy out of the system. On the other hand, tree network formation is not observed in the Laplace equation model. Our simulation results will offer the persuasive evidence that certifies the effect of the MEP principle.

The Levels of Toxic Air Pollutants in Kitchens with Traditional Stoves in Rural Sierra Leone

Wood and charcoal fuels, widely used in Sierra Leone for cooking, may impact indoor air quality. Until now, there is presently lack of data to quantify the extent of impact. In this study, concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and carbon monoxide (CO) were measured in kitchens with wood and charcoal stoves during cooking in rural areas. PAH contents of PM2.5 and PM2.5 - 10 fractions were analyzed using HPLC/FLD and SPM and CO were monitored in realtime. Mean ± SD concentrations of PM2.5 related ∑11PAHs, PM and CO were 2127 ± 1173 ng/m3, 1686 ± 973 μg/m3 and 28 ± 9 ppm for wood stoves;and 158 ± 106 ng/m3, 315 ± 205 μg/m3 and 42 ± 21 ppm for charcoal stoves, respectively. PAHs were largely associated with PM2.5 than PM2.5 - 10. Maximum 1-hr time averaged ± SD CO concentration for kitchens with wood and charcoal stoves were 44 ± 21 ppm and 77 ± 49 ppm, respectively. Generally, concentrations of PAHs, PM and CO were higher than the WHO recommended guidelines which raise concern with regards to health risks. Given the existing evidence of reduced emissions of PAHs, PM and CO from cleaner fuels, a transition from cooking with wood and charcoal to cleaner fuels would provide an improvement in indoor air quality, a requirement for good health.

Glycolytic Synchronization in Yeast Cells via ATP and Other Metabolites: Mathematical Analyses by Two-Dimensional Reaction-Diffusion Models

Possibilities of synchronized oscillations in glycolysis mediated by various extracellular metabolites are investigated theoretically using two-dimensional reaction-diffusion systems, which originate from the existing seven-variable model. Our simulation results indicate the existence of alternative mediators such as ATP and 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate, in addition to already known acetaldehyde or pyruvate. Further, it is also suggested that the alternative intercellular communicator plays a more important role in the respect that these can synchronize oscillations instantaneously not only with difference phases but also with different periods. Relations between intercellular coupling and synchronization mechanisms are also analyzed and discussed by changing the values of parameters such as the diffusion coefficient and the cell density that can reflect in tercellular coupling strength.

Human and ecological risks of metals in soils under different land-use types in an urban environment of Bangladesh

Trace metal contamination in soil is of great concern owing to its long persistence in the environment and toxicity to humans and other organisms.Concentrations of six potentially toxic trace metals,Cr,Ni,Cu,As,Cd,and Pb,in urban soils were measured in Dhaka City,Bangladesh.Soils from different land-use types,namely,agricultural field,park,playground,petrol station,metal workshop,brick field,burning sites,disposal sites of household waste,garment waste,electronic waste,and tannery wast,and construction waste demolishing sites,were investigated.The concentration ranges of Cr,Ni,Cu,As,Pb,and Cd in soils were 2.4–1258,8.3–1044,9.7–823,8.7–277,1.8–80,and 13–842 mg kg^-1,respectively.The concentrations of metals were subsequently used to establish hazard quotients(HQs)for the adult population.The metal HQs decreased in the order of As>Cr>Pb>Cd>Ni>Cu.Ingestion was the most vital exposure pathway of studied metals from soils followed by dermal contact and inhalation.The range of pollution load index(PLI)was 0.96–17,indicating severe contamination of soil by trace metals.Considering the comprehensive potential ecological risk(PER),soils from all land-use types showed considerable to very high ecological risks.The findings of this study revealed that in the urban area studied,soils of some land-use types were severely contaminated with trace metals.Thus,it is suggested that more attention should be paid to the potential health risks to the local inhabitants and ecological risk to the surrounding ecosystems.

Comparison of conventional and inverted A^2/O processes:Phosphorus release and uptake behaviors

Two full-scale systems operated in parallel, a conventional A2/O system consisting of anaerobic, anoxic and oxic compartments in succession and an inverted system consisting of anoxic, anaerobic and oxic compartments without internal recycle, were compared in terms of their phosphorus removal performance, with an emphasis on phosphate （P） release behaviors, using both operational data and simulation results. The inverted system exhibited better long-term phosphorus removal performance （0.2 ± 0.3 vs. 0.7 ±0.7 mg/L）, which should be attributed to the higher P release rate （0.79 vs. 0.60 kg P/（kg MLSS.day）） in the non-aerated compartments. The P release occurred in both the anoxic and anaerobic compartments of the inverted system, resulting in more efficient P release. Although the abundances of the ＇Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis＇ population in the two systems were quite similar （（19.1 ＋ 3.27）% and （18.4 ＋ 4.15）% of the total microbe （DAPI stained particles） population in the inverted and conventional systems, respectively, by fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH））, the high-concentration DAPI staining results show that the abundances of the whole polyphosphate accumulating organisms （PAOs） in the aerobic ends were quite different （the average ratios of the poly-P granules to total microbes （DAPI stained particles） were （45 ±4.18）% and （35 ± 5.39）%, respectively）. Both the operational data and simulation results showed that the inverted system retained more abundant PAO populations due to its special configuration, which permitted efficient P release in the non-aerated compartment and better P removal,

光控化学振荡器的设计(英文)

This article reviewed recent progresses in the design of a new class of chemical oscillators and developed a generic model that could qualitatively reproduce those photochemical oscillations seen in experiments. The two oscillators discussed in this report are based on the photolysis of 1,4-benzoquinone and its derivatives, in which external illumination is vital in initiating and sustaining the reaction processes. Nonlinear behavior in these two photocontrolled chemical oscillators are analyzed as a function of light intensity and the initial concentration of reagents including 1,4-benzoquinone, 1,4-hydroquinone, 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, bromate, and sulfuric acid. A generic model proposed initially for the uncatalyzed bromate-aromatic compound reactions was modified here to account for the photolysis of 1,4-benzoquinone or 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone. The modified model qualitatively reproduced chemical oscillations and their dependence on light intensity.

Relation between Amino Acids Profiles and Recalcitrancy of Cell Growth or Salt Tolerance in Tissue and Protoplast Cultures of Three Mangrove Species, <i>Avicennia alba</i>, <i>Bruguiera sexangula</i>, and <i>Sonneratia alba</i>

Amino acids profiles were investigated in tissues, cultured cells, i.e. callus or suspension cells, and their protoplasts of three mangrove species, Avicennia alba, Bruguiera sexangula, and Sonneratia alba. Original tissues of cultured cells of three mangrove species were cotyledons and hypocotyls, leaves, and cotyledons, respectively. In protoplasts isolated from cultured cells, glutamine and alanine were the major amino acids. Different contents of glycine, proline and serine were observed among protoplasts of three mangrove species. Large differences in the major amino acids were found among cultured cells and their protoplasts while no difference was found between callus and suspension cells independent of additional salt in culture medium. Protoplasts of original tissues, young leaves and cotyledons, contained alanine and glutamine and/or asparagine. In suspension cells of B. sexangula, total contents of amino acids were low while their protoplasts showed similar value as of other samples. Protoplasts of leaf and cotyledons of A. alba and cotyledons of A. lanata, A. marina and S. alba were also investigated. The total contents of amino acids and their profiles might be related to the recalcitrance for the growth and salt tolerance or halophilic nature of cells and basal media used for the maintenance of cell cultures or protoplast cultures of the mangrove species. This is the first report on callus induction from hypocotyls of A. alba.

Seismic response reduction of a three-story building by an MR grease damper

This paper describes an application of mag- neto-rheological （MR） grease dampers as seismic dampers for a three-story steel structure. MR fluid is widely known as a smart material with rheological properties that can be varied by magnetic field strength. This material has been applied to various types of devices, such as dampers, clutches, and engine mounts. However, the ferromagnetic particles dispersed in MR fluid settle out of the suspension after a certain interval because of the density difference between the particles and their carrier fluid. To overcome this defect, we developed a new type of controllable working fluid using grease as the carrier of magnetic particles. MR grease was introduced into a cylindrical damper, and the seismic performance of the damper was subsequently studied via numerical analysis. The analysis results of the MR grease damper were compared with those of other seismic dampers. We confirmed that the MR grease damper is an effective seismic damper.

FUZZY MODEL FOR TWO-DIMENSIONAL RIVER WATER QUALITY SIMULATION UNDER SUDDEN POLLUTANTS DISCHARGED

Based on the fuzziness and impreciseness of water environmental system, the fuzzy arithmetic was used to simulate the fuzzy and imprecise relations in modeling river water quality. By defining the parameters of water quality model as symmetrical triangular fuzzy numbers, a two-dimensional fuzzy water quality model for sudden pollutant discharge is established. From the fuzzy model, the pollutant concentrations, corresponding to the specified confidence level of a, can be obtained by means of the a-cut technique and arithmetic operations of triangular fuzzy numbers. Study results reveal that it is feasible in theory and reliable on calculation applying triangular fuzzy numbers to the simulation of river water quality.