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In this study, olive oil mill wastewater (OOMW), an important waste in the Mediterranean basin, was evaluated to produce bacterial cellulose (BC). For this purpose, the effects of different ratios of OOMW fractions (25-100%) and some additional nutrients (yeast extract, peptone and Hestrin-Schramm medium (HS) components) on BC productions were investigated. Unsupplemented OOMW medium (75% and 100%) yielded as much as BC obtained in HS medium (0.65 g/L), while enrichment of OOMW medium (%100) with yeast extract (5 g/L) and peptone (5 g/L) increased the amount of BC by 5.5 times, reaching to 5.33 g/L. In addition, produced BCs were characterized by FT-IR, TGA, XRD and SEM analyses. BC from OOMW medium (100% OOMW with supplementation) has a high thermal decomposition temperature (316.8°C), whereas it has lower crystallinity index (57%). According to the FT-IR analysis, it was observed that the components of OOMW might be absorbed by BCs. Thus, higher yield productions of BCs from OOMW media compared to BC obtained from HS medium indicate that olive oil industry wastes can be integrated into BC production for industrial applications.

The experience of torture can have a lasting impact on survivors’ physical, psychological and social well-being and threaten their sense of safety. Methods: This study utilized a constructivist gro...

Introduction: Inflammatory choroidal neovascularization (iCNV) is a significant complication of uveitis, leading to vision loss in many cases. Recent advances in retinal imaging and the use of anti...

Geomicrobiology of mine tailing from Asia’s largest open-cast Cu mine at Malanjkhand was established, emphasizing the roles of microorganisms in acidification process using 16S rRNA gene amplicon a...

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared officially as the pandemic worldwide. This novel coronavirus affects almost the whole world and it can quickly spread among the population in s...

A new species of the marine dinophyte genus Heterocapsa Stein is described. Two clonal strains originating from Argentinean coastal waters were examined with light and electron microscopy and LSU and ITS rDNA sequence data were obtained. Heterocapsa claromecoensis sp. nov. is described as a distinctive species with a conical epitheca, a similar sized and rounded hypotheca, a single reticulate chloroplast situated in the periphery of the cell, and a large pyrenoid in the episome, above an ellipsoidal to rounded nucleus in the hyposome. The plate tabulation pattern of Po (pore plate), cp (cover plate), X (X-plate or canal plate), 5ꞌ, 3a, 7ꞌꞌ, 6c, 5s, 5ꞌꞌꞌ, 2ꞌꞌꞌꞌ was as for most other species of Heterocapsa. H. claromecoensis sp. nov. differs from all other species of Heterocapsa by the microarchitecture of two different types of organic body scales, which uniquely were different in height. Phylogenetic trees based on LSU and ITS rDNA sequences placed H. claromecoensis in a separate branch, with a sequence assigned to H. orientalis being the closest match based on LSU rDNA., Sí

Development of an appropriate bioremediation strategy for acid mine drainage (AMD) impacted environment is imperative for sustainable mining but remained critically challenged due to the paucity of knowledge on desired microbiological factors and their nutrient requirements. The present study was conducted to utilize the potential of an anaerobic, acid-tolerant, Fe

Anaerobic enrichment of As5+ reducing bacteria in the presence and/or absence of organic carbon (OC) and As5+ from As contaminated soil of Brahmaputra river basin (BRB) (Jorhat, Assam) was performe...

This study investigates the interactions between mood (positive/negative) and information processing style (item-specific/relational/narrative processing) on responses to three types of advertising messages (ungrouped list/grouped list/narrative ads). A mood congruency effect was postulated and found to influence recall, persuasion and behavioral intention. Results supported the hypothesis that message effectiveness was moderated by mood in the direction of congruency. That is, participants in a positive mood recalled more information, were more persuaded, and were more likely to adopt the recommended behavior after exposure to advertisements with a grouped list format. Evidence regarding similarity of factors influencing relational and narrative processing is presented.

Background: Cannabis saliva(hemp) is a source of various biologically active compounds, for instance, cannabinoids, terpenes and phenolic compounds, which exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. With the purpose of expanding the auxiliary application of C. sativa in the field of bio-nanotechnology, we explored the plant for green and efficient synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Methods and results: The nanoparticles were synthesized by utilizing an aqueous extract of C. sativa stem separated into two different fractions (cortex and core [xylem part]) without any additional reducing, stabilizing and capping agents. In the synthesis of AuNPs using the cortex enriched in bast fibers, fiber-AuNPs (F-AuNPs) were achieved. When using the core part of the stem, which is enriched with phenolic compounds such as alkaloids and cannabinoids, core-AuNPs (C-AuNPs) and core-AgNPs (C-AgNPs) were formed. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible analysis, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization timeof-flight. In addition, the stable nature of nanoparticles has been shown by thermogravimetric analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Finally, the AgNPs were explored for the inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli biofilms. Condusion: The synthesized nanoparticles were crystalline with an average diameter between 12 and 18 nm for F-AuNPs and C-AuNPs and in the range of 20-40 nm for C-AgN Ps. ICP-MS analysis revealed concentrations of synthesized nanoparticles as 0.7, 4.5 and 3.6 mg/mL for F-AuNPs, C-AuNPs and C-AgNPs, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of flavonoids, cannabinoids, terpenes and phenols on the nanoparticle surface, which could be responsible for reducing the salts to nanoparticles and further stabilizing them. In addition, the stable nature of synthesized nanoparticles has been shown by thermogravimetric analysis and ICP-MS. Finally, the AgNPs were explored for the inhibition of P. aeruginosa and E. coli biofilms. The nanoparticles exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration values of 6.25 and 5 mu g/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration values of 12.5 and 25 mu g/mL against P. aeruginosa and E. coil, respectively.

Molecular and eco-physiological characterization of arsenic (As)-transforming and hydrocarbon-utilizing Achromobacter type strain KAs 3–5T has been investigated in order to gain an insight into As-...

The Río de la Plata estuary (RdlP) exhibits environmental gradients associated with the freshwater input and oceanic water intrusion. The aim of this study was to assess diatom species distribution in surface sediment samples related to such environmental gradients. The internal section of RdlP was dominated by Aulacoseira spp., Eunotia spp., Staurosirella martyi, Actinocyclus normanii and Thalassiosira baltica, indicatives of low salinity levels and high trophic conditions, associated with the riverine and estuarine regimes. The external section was dominated by Coscinodiscus radiatus, Thalassiosira spp., Paralia sulcata, Cyclotella striata, among other marine taxa, indicatives of high salinity and low trophic conditions, associated with the influence of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, the intermediate section presents a mixture of both diatom groups representing mixing conditions. The observed diatom species groups capture fairly well the RdlP environmental variability and can be reliably used for paleoenvironmental studies in this and other similar estuarine systems. Fil: Perez, Laura. Universidad de la República; Uruguay Fil: Brugnoli, Ernesto. Universidad de la República; Uruguay Fil: Muniz, Pablo. Universidad de la República; Uruguay Fil: Sunesen, Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina Fil: Sar, Eugenia Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina Fil: Crisci, Carolina. Universidad de la República; Uruguay Fil: Cuña Rodriguez, Carolina Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; Argentina Fil: Garcia Rodriguez, Felipe. Universidad de la República; Uruguay

Uranium contamination in groundwater at Balod district of Chhattisgarh state was measured by laser fluorimetric technique. Most of the samples were found under safe limit for uranium contamination ...

Word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing has recently attracted a great deal of attention from marketers, especially since the emergence of social media. Three field experiments demonstrate the effects of con...

A new extant marine diatom, Pseudopodosira boltovskoyi sp. nov. (Pseudopodosiraceae, Bacillariophyta), is described with light and scanning electron microscopy from Argentinean coastal waters. Pseudopodosira boltovskoyi sp. nov. is morphologically distinct with the following combination of characters: (1) cells with numerous lenticular chloroplasts; (2) frustules commonly heterovalvate; (3) valves with concave central area generally occupied by one to several bulges, rarely without bulges; (4) oblique striae located on a horizontal, convex shelf of the valve surface; (5) valve mantle unperforated internally and with variable number of rimmed pores located below the flange externally; (6) one ring of rimoportulae irregularly spaced, not visible externally. Pseudopodosira calyciflos (Tempère & Brun) is formally designated as the generitype, and a new name Pseudopodosira jouseana nom. nov. is proposed to replace for Pseudopodosira pileiformis based on the fact that the protologue quoted the former taxon as a synonym of the latter. We compare the new species with the morphologically allied extinct species Pseudopodosira modesta, P. wittii, P. bella, P. westii, P. hyalina and P. himilis. Although most species of Pseudopodosira are extinct, P. westii, P. calyciflos and P. echinus were recorded as extant. Nevertheless, the survival of P. westii on European coastal sediments is problematic. Pseudopodosira calyciflos was only mentioned in the protologue as living in the Hawaiian Islands but is illustrated by a figure that only shows one valve. As far as we can determine, P. echinus and Pseudopodosira boltovskoyi sp. nov. are the only extant species. Fil: Sar, Eugenia Alicia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Ficología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Lavigne, Andrea Susana. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Ficología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Wetzel, Carlos E.. Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology; Luxemburgo Fil: Ector, Luc. Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology; Luxemburgo Fil: Sunesen, Inés. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Ficología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

This study explored the influence of consumers' attitudes, subjective norms, and novelty-seeking on their intention to purchase fruits of unconventional or novel shapes. Based on the results of an online survey of consumers from around the world, and guided by an extended version of the theory of reasoned action, the findings showed that consumers' intention to purchase buddha- and baby-shaped pears was determined largely by the attitudes they hold about fruits with uncharacteristic shapes, but not by subjective norms. Novelty-seeking was strongly correlated with purchase intention. Young consumers with lower incomes were more likely to buy the non-conventional-shaped products than older consumers with higher incomes.

New Jersey is rapidly running out of capacity for storage of dredged material. A potential solution to this lack of storage space is to remove and reuse the dredged material for some beneficial use. Results from a Rutgers University project performed for the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Office of Maritime Resources, designed to assess the potential for closure of New Jersey landfills using dredge material from existing Confined Disposal Facilities (CDFs) are presented and discussed. The project included an update of the existing NJDEP landfill database, the development of a rating system to identify landfills with the highest potential to utilize dredged material for their closure, and the identification and preliminary investigation of the top candidate landfills based on this rating system.

Ethanol production from whey powder was investigated by using free as well as alginate immobilized E. coli and E. coli expressing Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) in both shake flask and fermenter cultures. Media with varying levels of whey (lactose contents of 3%, 5%, 8% or 15%) and yeast extract (0.3% or 0.5%) were evaluated with fermentation times of 48–96 h. Immobilization and VHb expression resulted in higher ethanol production with all media; the increases ranged from 2% to 89% for immobilization and from 2% to 182% for VHb expression. It was determined that growth medium containing 8% lactose with 0.5% yeast extract yielded the highest ethanol production for free or immobilized strains, with or without VHb expression, in both shake flask and fermenter cultures. Immobilization with alginate was found to be a promising process for ethanol production by VHb-expressing ethanologenic E. coli.

This study looked at the curricular resource potential of refugee-themed picturebooks for embedding an ethics of responsibility for linguistic diversity into the subject of English studied by all students in English dominant western societies. Selected picturebooks were analysed in terms of a Levinasean ethics of responsibility for alterity (Ippolito, 2010) in order to probe the possibilities of a supplement or alternative to the ethics of empathy long established in the literary component of English. The analyses looked at the books as multimodal artefacts (Cope & Kalantzis, 2009; Mourao, 2012), understanding the linguistic modes of the texts from a translingual perspective (Canagarajah, 2014). This perspective construes language as mobile semiotic resources that are rendered meaningful through the performances of interlocutors in a given communicative situation. From the analyses, findings were produced about (1) representations of the monolingual sameness of everyday life in Australia as an English dominant society and (2) the translingual dispositions called forth when language variation enters into the linguistic text. It is concluded that the ethics of responsibility for alterity holds out promise for tapping the curricular resource potential of refugee-themed picturebooks for embedding ethics into the language awareness component sometimes incorporated into English.

Narrative messages on average produce higher levels of involvement, intention, and behavior than other message formats. Narratives also generate feelings of sympathy and empathy, although few studies have directly compared the roles of each emotion in the persuasion process. This article presents the results of two studies that tested the effect of exposure to a narrative or nonnarrative ad on persuasive outcomes and the roles sympathy and empathy play in the persuasion process. Both studies found that the narrative ad produced higher levels of involvement, intention, and behavior and that empathy played a more important role in persuasion than sympathy.