The evolution of actinorhizal symbioses: Evidence for multiple origins of the symbiotic association

According to morphologically based classification systems, actinorhizal plants, engaged in nitrogen-fixing symbioses with Frankia bacteria, are considered to be only distantly related. However, recent phylogenetic analyses of seed plants based on chloroplast rbcL gene sequences have suggested closer relationships among actinorhizal plants. A more thorough sampling of chloroplast rbcL gene sequences from actinorhizal plants and their nonsymbiotic close relatives was conducted in an effort to better understand the phylogenetic relationships of these plants, and ultimately, to assess the homology of the different actinorhizal symbioses. Sequence data from 70 taxa were analyzed using parsimony analysis. Strict consensus trees based on 24 equally parsimonious trees revealed evolutionary divergence between groups of actinorhizal species suggesting that not all symbioses are homologous. The arrangement of actinorhizal species, interspersed with nonactinorhizal taxa, is suggestive of multiple origins of the actinorhizal symbiosis. Morphological and anatomical characteristics of nodules from different actinorhizal hosts were mapped onto the rbclL-based consensus tree to further assess homology among rbcL-based actinorhizal groups. The morphological and anatomical features provide additional support for the rbcL-based groupings, and thus, together, suggest that actinorhizal symbioses have originated more than once in evolutionary history.     

Effects of atmospheric SO2 on Azolla and Anabaena symbiosis

The water fern Azolla pinnata R. Br. was fumigated for 1 week with either 25, 50 or 100 nl 1⁻¹ SO₂. The symbiosis of Azolla with Anabaena azollae (spp.) was severely damaged by atmospheric SO₂ even at concentrations as low as 25 nl 1⁻¹, with significant reductions in growth, reduction of C₂H₂, NH₃ assimilation, protein synthesis, and heterocyst development. These disturbances appear to be mainly responsible for the extreme sensitivity of this fern to atmospheric SO₂. Changes in violaxanthin/antheraxanthin and epoxy-lutein/lutein ratios also indicate that free radical products are induced by atmospheric SO₂. These results suggest that the Azolla-Anabaena symbiotic system is a very responsive and reliable lower plant model to study the detailed effects of total sulphur deposition upon the balances between various important plant metabolic processes.     

Selection of Bradyrhizobium strains and provenances of Acacia mangium and Faidherbia albida: Relationship with their tolerance to acidity and aluminium

This work was designed to determine the role of the acidity and aluminium stress in the selection of partners in the Acacia symbioses with relevance to the persistence of the microsymbiont Bradyrhizobium in the soil and the growth and nodulation of the host plant respectively. Fifteen strains of Bradyrhizobium from Acacia mangium and Faidherbia albida formed a very homogenous acid tolerant group as indicated by their ability to grow better in a medium at pH 4.5 than in a medium at pH 6.8. By contrast, a growth experiment using an acid liquid media (pH 4.5), containing different concentrations of aluminium successfully identified strains sensitive to aluminium toxicity and those able to grow even in the presence of 100 M AlCl₃.Our results suggest that high amounts of aluminium in the soil rather than acidity (pH 4.5) were a major soil factor for selection of Bradyrhizobium strains capable of establishing a permanently high population under natural conditions.Unlike the behaviour of the microsymbiont, growth and nodulation of Acacia mangium and Faidherbia albida were not affected by aluminium, even at 100 M, but they might be significantly affected by medium acidity (pH 4.5) depending on plant provenances. It is therefore suggested that ability of the host plant to tolerate acidity stress should be taken into account first when screening effective Acacia-Bradyrhizobium combinations for use in afforestation trials.     

A novel membrane bioreactor for detoxifying industrial wastewater: I. Biodegradation of phenol in a synthetically concocted wastewater

A novel process has been used to biodegrade phenol present in an acidic (1 M HCI) and salty (5% w/w NaCl) synthetically bioreactor, in which the phenol present in the wastewater is separated from the inorganic components by means of a silicone rubber membrane. Transfer of the phenol from the wastewater and into a biological growth medium allows biodegradation to proceed under controlled conditions which are unaffected by the hostile inorganic composition of the wastewater. At a wastewater flow rate of 18 mL h(-1) (contact time 6 h), 98.5% of the phenol present in the wastewater at an inlet concentration of 1000 mg ( (-1) ) was degraded; at a contact time of 1.9 h, 65% of the phenol was degraded. Phenol degradation was accompanied by growth of a biofilm on the membrane tubes and by conversion of approximately 80% of the carbon entering the system to CO(2) carbon. Analysis of the transport of phenol across the membrane revealed that the major resistance to mass transfer arose in the diffusion of phenol across the silicone rubber membrane. A mathematical model was used to describe the transfer of phenol across the membrane and the subsequent diffusion and reaction of phenol in the biofilm attached to the membrane tube. This analysis showed that (a) the attached biofilm significantly lowers the mass transfer driving force for phenol across the membrane, and (b) oxygen concentration limits the phenol degradation rate in the biofilm. These conclusions from the model are consistent with the experimental results. (c) 1993 Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Three research priorities for just and sustainable urban systems: Now is the time to refocus

Now is the time to refocus efforts in urban research and design. A changing climate and extreme weather events are presenting unique challenges to urban systems around the world. These challenges illuminate the social barriers that accompany disruptive events such as resource inequities and injustices. In this perspective, we provide three research priorities for just and sustainable urban systems that help to address these matters. The three research priorities are: (1) social equity and justice, (2) circularity, and (3) digital twins. Conceptual context and future research directions are provided for each. For social equity and justice, the future directions are mandatory equity analysis and inclusionary practices, understanding and reconciling historical injustices, and intentional integration with diverse community stakeholders. For circularity applications, they are better metrics for integration, more robust evaluation frameworks, and dynamic modeling at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Future directions for digital twins include developing principles to reduce complexity, integrating model and system components, and reducing barriers to data access. These research priorities are core to meeting several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (i.e., 1—No Poverty, 8—Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10—Reduced Inequalities, and 11—Sustainable Cities and Communities). Useful social and technical matters are discussed throughout, where we highlight the importance of prioritizing localized research efforts, provide guidance for community-engaged research and co-development practices, and explain how these priorities interact to align with the evolving field of industrial ecology.     

A matter of timing: System requirements for repair and their temporal dimensions

Research into repair within the circular economy (CE) typically focuses on technical aspects of design, policy, and markets, and often assumes simplified conditions for the user/owner and the product system to explain the barriers to scaling repair activities. However, factors occurring at pre-use stages of the product's life cycle can significantly influence whether, and to what extent, repair is viable or possible, that is, warranty duration, after-sale service provision, and access to necessities. The passing of time can directly and indirectly affect the ability, difficulty, and thus, the likelihood of repair activities being performed at each stage of the product's life cycle. Drawing from the literature and applying inductive systems-thinking tools, we propose a framework for considering the “System of Repairability.” We delineate how the passing of time (temporal dimensions) affects one's ‘‘ability to repair,’’ as a product progresses through different life cycle phases (i.e., breakdown vs. repair vs. disposal), and the point(s) at which the repair is considered or attempted (i.e., year of usage). By integrating life cycle and temporal (time-based) dimensions into a broad System of Repairability framework, we clarify relevant interconnections, iterations, sequences, and timing of decision points, stakeholders, and necessary conditions to facilitate an outcome of successful repair at the individual level, and thus intervention strategies for scaling repair within CE. We discuss how a policy mix can address the life cycle of products and the repair system more holistically. We conclude with a future outlook on how temporal dimensions can inform policy strategies and future research.     

SOS!濒临极限的生物多样性

本文论述了生物多样性的价值、多样性丧失的严重性和后果,以及多样性保护与持续利用的对策。文中强调指出,生物界中的每片基因,每一个物种,每一类生态系统对人类的持久生存都是无价之宝,任何多样性的丧失都是不可逆、不可再生的,因而对人类的损失是难以估量的。然而目前由于人类剧烈的活动干扰如滥砍滥伐、滥捕滥猎、环境污染、火灾、垦荒等,生物多样性丧失的速率怵目惊心！若不赶快行动起来,人类赖以生存的生物多样性将所剩无几,人类生存的危机也将难以避免。从保护与利用及其协同发展出发,本文呼吁要大力开展生物多样性的研究和开发工作,目的一方面在于进一步加强生物多样性的基础调查和研究工作,另一方面在于使生物多样性资源更好地为人类造福。为减缓目前生物多样性所承受的压力及促进其恢复,本文建议对完全依赖野生生物资源的传统产业征收“资源更新税”;而对开发和利用生物多样性资源,不仅不影响野生资源,而且能替代它,或减缓其压力,或促进其恢复的高新技术产业,在税收上给予特别优惠。     

Combining industrial ecology tools to assess potential greenhouse gas reductions of a circular economy: Method development and application to Switzerland

Industrial ecology (IE) methodologies, such as input/output or material flow analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA), are often used for the environmental evaluation of circular economy strategies. Up to now, an approach that utilizes these methods in a systematic, integrated framework for a holistic assessment of a geographic region's sustainable circular economy potential has been lacking. The approach developed in this study (IE4CE approach) combines IE methodologies to determine the environmental impact mitigation potential of circular economy strategies for a defined geographic region. The approach foresees five steps. First, input/output analysis helps identify sectors with high environmental impacts. Second, a refined analysis is conducted using material flow and LCA. In step 3, circular strategies are used for scenario design and evaluated in step 4. In step 5, the assessment results are compiled and compared across sectors. The approach was applied to a case study of Switzerland, analyzing 8 sectors and more than 30 scenarios in depth. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) from waste incineration, biogas and cement production, food waste prevention in households, hospitality and production, and the increased recycling of plastics had the highest mitigation potential. Most of the scenarios do not influence each other. One exception is the CCS scenarios: waste avoidance scenarios decrease the reduction potential of CCS. A combination of scenarios from different sectors, including their impact on the CCS scenario potential, led to an environmental impact mitigation potential of 11.9 Mt CO₂-eq for 2050, which equals 14% of Switzerland's current consumption-based impacts.     

Until death do us part? In-depth insights into Dutch consumers’ considerations about product lifetimes and lifetime extension

Long-lasting electronic products contribute to a sustainable society; however, both expected and actual lifetimes are in decline. This research provides in-depth insights into consumers’ considerations about product lifetimes, barriers to extending lifetimes, and responses to a product lifetime label. Results of interviews (n = 22) with Dutch consumers suggest a positive view on long-lasting products. Nevertheless, their products’ value depreciated during their lifetimes. Consumers consider themselves unable to estimate how long products should last, which can be detrimental as low expectations tend to negatively influence actual lifetimes. Also, use intensity and consumers’ care(less) behavior influence the lifetime. To extend product lifetimes, consumers often disregard the option of repairing malfunctioning products. They have limited knowledge and ability, and believe repair provides poor value for money. Lifetime extension can also be hindered by market-related factors, such as convenient replacement services, new technological developments, and (attractive) deals. We suggest a product lifetime label should contain relevant and reliable information; furthermore, we recommend including (extended) warranty information. When information about repairability is included, potential negative responses should be considered. Finally, raising awareness about the environmental impact of short-lived products via a label may have a positive effect but requires more research attention.