Modeling the circular economy in environmentally extended input–output: A web application

Global environmental and resource problems ask for new ways of managing the production and consumption of resources. The implementation of new paradigms, such as the circular economy, requires decision‐makers at multiple levels to make complex decisions. For this, clear analyses and modeling of scenarios are of utmost importance. Meanwhile, as the sophistication of databases and models increases so does the need for user‐friendly tools to use them. The RaMa‐Scene web platform reduces these barriers by allowing users to visualize easily diverse impacts of implementing circular‐economy interventions. This online web platform makes use of the multi‐regional environmentally extended input–output database EXIOBASE version 3 in monetary units, which has been modified to show explicit transactions of raw materials from recycling activities.     

Inflammatory intestinal damage induced by 5-fluorouracil requires IL-4

Background5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) induces intestinal mucositis, which is characterized by epithelial ulcerations in the mucosa and clinical manifestations, such as pain and dyspeptic symptoms. Cytokines participate in the inflammatory and functional events of intestinal mucositis. IL-4 is an important mediator of intestinal inflammation, with either anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory functions, depending on the model of intestinal inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the role of IL-4 in 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis.MethodsIL-4^+/+ or IL-4^?/? mice (25–30 g) were intraperitoneally injected with 5-FU (450 mg/Kg) or saline (C). After 3 days, the mice were sacrificed and the duodenum was evaluated for epithelial damage, MPO activity and cytokine concentration.Results5-FU induced significant damage in the intestinal epithelium of IL-4^+/+ mice (reduction in the villus/crypt ratio: control = 3.31 ± 0.21 μm, 5-FU = 0.99 ± 0.10 μm). However, the same treatment did not induce significant damage in IL-4^?/? mice (5-FU = 2.87 ± 0.19 μm) compared to wild-type mice. 5-FU-induced epithelial damage increased the MPO activity (neutrophil number) and the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, TNF-α, IL-1β and CXCL-8) in the duodenum. These results were not observed in IL-4^?/? mice treated with 5-FU.ConclusionOur data suggest that IL-4 participates as a pro-inflammatory cytokine in a 5-FU-induced intestinal damage model and suggests that IL-4 antagonists may be novel therapeutics for this condition.     

Impiego delle sezioni di coleoptile di alcune varietà italiane di frumento nel dosaggio biologico di sostanze promotrici ed inibitrici della crescita

Abstract

Growth response of coleoptile sections from four Italian cultivars of wheat to some growth regulators.—The following Italian wheat varieties were used to obtain the coleoptile sections used throughout the experiments: Funo, S. Pastore, Abbondanza, Generoso.

The growth substances tested were Indolacetic acid (IAA), Abscisic acid (ABA), Kinetin and Gibberellic acid.

The colcoptile response of each variety was tested with three different concentrations for each growth regulator in combination with two sucrose concentrations and three different pH levels.

The experiments indicated that the coleoptiles from the variety « Funo » react linearly to incresing IAA and ABA concentration resulting the best one to be used in this bioassay.     

Il Pinus Mugo Turra Ed Il Pinus Uncinata Miller in Piemonte. Note Critiche e Distribuzione

Abstract

«Pinus mugo» Turra and «Pinus uncinata» Miller in Piedmont. Critical notes and distribution. — The Authors have carried on a research on the distribution of Pinus mugo Turra (sensu Fl. Eur.) and Pinus uncinata Miller in all Piedmont Alpes and, having observed the extreme variability of the characters which are employed in the keys of determination to differentiate these two species, they suggest other and more constant characters. These are:

Il Pinus Mugo Turra Ed Il Pinus Uncinata Miller in Piemonte. Note Critiche e Distribuzione

All authors

Franco Montacchini & Rosanna Caramiello

https://doi.org/10.1080/11263506809426488

Published online:

14 September 2009

Table     

Carotenoids in ripe green and in autumn senescing leaves of apple tree: I - Qualitative composition of free carotenoids,xanthophyll esters and fatty acids of esters

Abstract

By different chemical, spectral and chromatographic procedures seven carotenoids, two carotenes (α- and β-carotene) and five free xanthophylls (violaxanthin, lutein, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin and neoxanthin) have been isolated and identified in green apple leaves. In autumn senescing leaves, besides the above seven carotenoids, the occurrence of at least seven xanthophyll esters has also been proved. Four esters, violaxanthin mono- and diester and lutein mono- and diester, (≥90% of total esters) and a minor component, neoxanthin triester, have been identified. Another minor component is most probably a monoester of antheraxanthin; the seventh, present in traces, has not been identified.

The fatty acids combined with the above xanthophyll esters have been analysed by gas-chromatography. The unusual presence of low molecular weight fatty acids, C7-C11, has been registered (1,5-8% of the total); caprilic and capric acids have been identified. Lauric acid with three minor homologous (2-7% and myristic acid (9-15%) are also present. The major component, palmitic acid, with palmitoleic and two other minor components, reaches 36-44%. In addition a remarkable presence of oleic acid (12-26%) has been observed together with stearic (8-10%), linolenic (5-6%), arachidic (0,7-2,5%) and linolenic-gadoleic acids (2,5-9,3%).     

Rendiconti e Atti del Congresso Della Societàg Botanica Italiana a Venezia

Abstract

An investigation has been carried out on the effects of some macroelements on the growth and differentiation of carnation meristem-tip. The meristem-tips were cultured over one year period using BAKER and PHILLIPS (1962) modified medium as basal medium. Different concentration of N, P, K and S were used and their effect on the explants was scored. Variation in the K level had no effect on the growth of the meristems except in one case while P at 1/2 X, 1/4 X to 1/8 X levels considerably increased the number of plantlets obtained. N supplied as urea had an inhibiting action on the explant as two different sources of S did.     

Microbial interactions associated with secondary cucumber fermentation

Aims

To evaluate the interaction between selected yeasts and bacteria and associate their metabolic activity with secondary cucumber fermentation.

Methods and Results

Selected yeast and bacteria, isolated from cucumber secondary fermentations, were inoculated as single and mixed cultures in a cucumber juice model system. Our results confirmed that during storage of fermented cucumbers and in the presence of oxygen, spoilage yeasts are able to grow and utilize the lactic and acetic acids present in the medium, which results in increased brine pH and the chemical reduction in the environment. These conditions favour opportunistic bacteria that continue the degradation of lactic acid. Lactobacillus buchneri, Clostridium bifermentans and Enterobacter cloacae were able to produce acetic, butyric and propionic acids, respectively, when inoculated in the experimental medium at pH 4·6. Yeast and bacteria interactions favoured the survival of Cl. bifermentans and E. cloacae at the acidic pH typical of fermented cucumbers (3·2), but only E. cloacae was able to produce a secondary product.

Conclusions

The methodology used in this study confirmed that a complex microbiota is responsible for the changes observed during fermented cucumber secondary fermentation and that certain microbial interactions may be essential for the production of propionic and butyric acids.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Understanding the dynamics of the development of secondary cucumber fermentation aids in the identification of strategies to prevent its occurrence and economic losses for the pickling industry.     

Monitoring of the saproxylic beetle Morimus asper (Sulzer, 1776) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) with freshly cut log piles

Quantitative information on population size, structure and dynamics are urgently needed for assessing species extinction risk and developing monitoring measures, especially for beetles belonging to the threatened guild of saproxylic organisms. Here freshly cut log piles (FCLP) were tested for the monitoring of the longhorn beetle Morimus asper (Sulzer, 1776) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Novel mathematical models based on presence–absence or count data were compared with the most commonly used capture–recapture methods to investigate if less invasive and easier approaches may be suitable for large-scale monitoring of this species and other large saproxylic beetles. The use of FCLP as bait was reliable to detect the presence and abundance of M. asper, and capture events were not influenced by the phenomena of trap-happiness or trap-shyness. In order to obtain accurate presence–absence estimates of M. asper at a reasonable cost piles of at least 0.25 m³ are suggested. Models which take into account the abundance of the species without marking individuals were the best compromise between costs and accuracy of estimation. Therefore, a reliable assessment of the population size of M. asper, can be based on count data without marking individuals. Because FCLP attract adults of M. asper and other saproxylic beetles, they could act also as potential ecological traps if chipped and/or removed after the sampling season. Therefore, if FCLP are used in monitoring as a part of conservation programmes, the piles should be left until completely decayed.     

Atlantic moonfishes: independent pathways of karyotypic and morphological differentiation

Fish of the genus Selene, known as lookdowns or moonfish, are one of the most morphologically derived groups of the family Carangidae, whose phylogenetic relationships are still largely unknown. In this study, we discuss karyoevolutionary aspects of three representatives of this genus from the Western Atlantic: Selene brownii (2n = 48; FN = 48), Selene setapinnis (2n = 46; FN = 48), and Selene vomer (2n = 48; FN = 50). Their body patterns were also investigated and compared to one another and in relation to two other species of different genera. Two mechanisms of karyotypic evolution seem to have acted in the diversification of this genus, namely pericentric inversions and centric fusions. Mapping of rDNA sequences showed that chromosome pairs bearing 5S rDNA sites are similar, whereas those bearing 18 rDNA sites are morphologically distinct while apparently also exhibiting interspecies synteny. Although the nucleolar organizer-bearing chromosomes are extremely efficient cytotaxonomic markers among Selene species, others cytogenetic patterns of these species are relatively conserved. Hybridization with telomeric probes (TTAGGG)_n did not exhibit interstitial telomeric sites (ITS), especially in S. setapinnis, where, along with a reduction in diploid number, a large metacentric pair derived from centric fusion is present. Data obtained by geometric morphometrics enable a clear morphological distinction among the three species, as well as in relation to two other species of the genus Caranx and Oligoplites. Data obtained suggest that morphologic evolution in Selene species was primarily dissociated from visible changes that occurred at the chromosomal level.     

A comparative study of aluminium and nutrient concentrations in mistletoes on aluminium‐accumulating and non‐accumulating hosts

Mistletoes offer a unique model to study interactions among Al and nutrients in vascular plants, because they grow and reproduce on hosts with distinct Al uptake strategies. We investigated Al distribution and nutrient relations of mistletoes on Al‐accumulating and non‐accumulating hosts. We hypothesised that mistletoes would exhibit similar leaf nutrient and Al concentrations as their host plants, but a strong compartmentalisation of Al when growing on Al‐accumulators. We measured concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn in leaves and Al in leaves, seeds and branches of Phthirusa ovata and Psittacanthus robustus infecting Miconia albicans, an Al‐accumulator, and Ph. ovata infecting Byrsonima verbascifolia, a non‐Al‐accumulator. High leaf concentrations of Al in Ph. ovata only occurred while parasitizing the Al‐accumulating host; there was no accumulation in branches or seeds. In P. robustus, large concentrations of Al were found in leaves, branches and seeds. Mistletoe seed viability and leaf nutrient concentrations were not affected by Al accumulation. Passive uptake of Al, Ca, Mg, Mn and Cu in mistletoes was evidenced by significant correlations between mistletoes and host leaf concentrations, but not of N, P and K. Al was retranslocated to different plant organs in P. robustus, whereas it was mostly restricted to leaves in Ph. ovata. We suggest that Al might have some specific function in P. robustus, which only parasitizes Al‐accumulator hosts, while the host generalist Ph. ovata can be considered a facultative Al‐accumulator.