Controls on trace metals in urban stream sediments : implications for pollution monitoring using sediment chemistry data

Contamination of urban streams is a rising topic worldwide, but the assessment and investigation of stormwater induced contamination is limited by the high amount of water quality data needed to obtain reliable results. In this study, stream bed sediments were studied to determine their contamination degree and their applicability in monitoring aquatic metal contamination in urban areas. The interpretation of sedimentary metal concentrations is, however, not straightforward, since the concentrations commonly show spatial and temporal variations as a response to natural processes. The variations of and controls on metal concentrations were examined at different scales to increase the understanding of the usefulness of sediment metal concentrations in detecting anthropogenic metal contamination patterns. The acid extractable concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd were determined from the surface sediments and water of small streams in the Helsinki Metropolitan region, southern Finland. The data consists of two datasets: sediment samples from 53 sites located in the catchment of the Stream Gräsanoja and sediment and water samples from 67 independent catchments scattered around the metropolitan region. Moreover, the sediment samples were analyzed for their physical and chemical composition (e.g. total organic carbon, clay-%, Al, Li, Fe, Mn) and the speciation of metals (in the dataset of the Stream Gräsanoja). The metal concentrations revealed that the stream sediments were moderately contaminated and caused no immediate threat to the biota. However, at some sites the sediments appeared to be polluted with Cu or Zn. The metal concentrations increased with increasing intensity of urbanization, but site specific factors, such as point sources, were responsible for the occurrence of the highest metal concentrations. The sediment analyses revealed, thus a need for more detailed studies on the processes and factors that cause the hot spot metal concentrations. The sediment composition and metal speciation analyses indicated that organic matter is a very strong indirect control on metal concentrations, and it should be accounted for when studying anthropogenic metal contamination patterns. The fine-scale spatial and temporal variations of metal concentrations were low enough to allow meaningful interpretation of substantial metal concentration differences between sites. Furthermore, the metal concentrations in the stream bed sediments were correlated with the urbanization of the catchment better than the total metal concentrations in the water phase. These results suggest that stream sediments show true potential for wider use in detecting the spatial differences in metal contamination of urban streams. Consequently, using the sediment approach regional estimates of the stormwater related metal contamination could be obtained fairly cost-effectively, and the stability and reliability of results would be higher compared to analyses of single water samples. Nevertheless, water samples are essential in analysing the dissolved concentrations of metals, momentary discharges from point sources in particular.

Complement factor H dysfunction in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome

Alternative pathway (AP) of complement can be activated on any surface, self or non-self. In atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) the AP regulation on self surfaces is insufficient and leads to complement attack against self-cells resulting usually in end-stage renal disease. Factor H (FH) is one of the key regulators of AP activation on the self surfaces. The domains 19 and 20 (FH19-20) are critical for the ability of FH to discriminate between C3b-opsonized self and non-self surfaces and are a hot-spot for mutations that have been described from aHUS patients. FH19-20 contains binding sites for both the C3d part of C3b and self surface polyanions that are needed for efficient C3b inactivation. To study the dysfunction of FH19-20, crystallographic structures of FH19-20 and FH19-20 in complex with C3d (FH19-20:C3d) were solved and aHUS-associated and structurally interesting point mutations were induced to FH19-20. Functional defects caused by these mutations were studied by analyzing binding of the FH19-20 mutant proteins to C3d, C3b, heparin, and mouse glomerular endothelial cells (mGEnCs). The results revealed two independent binding interfaces between FH19-20 and C3d - the FH19 site and the FH20 site. Superimposition of the FH19-20:C3d complex on the previously published C3b and FH1-4:C3b structures showed that the FH20 site on C3d is partially occluded, but the FH19 site is fully available. Furthermore, binding of FH19-20 via the FH19 site to C3b did not block binding of the functionally important FH1-4 domains and kept the FH20 site free to bind heparin or an additional C3d. Binding assays were used to show that FH20 domain can bind to heparin while FH19-20 is bound to C3b via the FH19 site, and that both the FH19 site and FH20 are necessary for recognition of non-activator surfaces. Simultaneous binding of FH19 site to C3b and FH20 to anionic self structures are the key interactions in self-surface recognition by FH and thereby enhanced avidity of FH explains how AP discriminates between self and non-self. The aHUS-associated mutations on FH19-20 were found to disrupt binding of the FH19 or FH20 site to C3d/C3b, or to disrupt binding of FH20 to heparin or mGEnC. Any of these dysfunctions leads to loss of FH avidity to C3b bearing self surfaces explaining the molecular pathogenesis of the aHUS-cases where mutations are found within FH19-20.

Elämän ja entisyyden maisemat : Kolgujev nenetsien arjessa, muistelussa ja kerronnassa

The dissertation discusses the conceptions of place and landscape amongst Nenets living on the island of Kolguyev or being of Kolguyev descent. The conceptions are examined through the everyday life of the community, oral recollections and narration that unfold meanings related to the island. The research material has been collected in ethnographic fieldwork in 2000 2005. The duration of individual fieldworks varies from two weeks to three months and their total duration is nearly six months. The fieldwork has been conducted both on the island and in the city of Nar yan-Mar. The main methods have been participant observation and recorded and unrecorded informal interviews. In addition to the field work data, archive materials, travel accounts, and other historical texts by outsiders about Kolguyev or the Nenets living in the European side of Russia have been used as a research material. The analysis is based on the idea of the place as a meeting point of the physical features, experiences in them and collective narration about them. The concept sense of place is used to describe the interaction of these three. Lived space manifests individual s or collective sense of place. The places form different kinds of networks of meanings which are called landscapes. Hot spots are places where different meanings accumulate. Furthermore, the material is analysed using the concepts of Tale World and Story Realm by Katherine Young. The Tale World is a realm created during the Story Realm, i.e. the event of narrations. The Tale Worlds are true as such but become evaluated in the Story Realm. The Tale Worlds are seen to arise both from the physical features of a place and from oral tradition, but at the same time these worlds give meanings to the place. The Tale Worlds are one of the central ingredients for the sense of place. One of the most central hot spots in Kolguyev is the arok harbour, where most of the themes of the pre-Soviet Tale Worlds are placed: trade and interaction with the Russians, rituals of the popular religion and arrival of the first Nenets to the island. arok is also part of the landscape of the coast where the meetings of Nenets and the other(s) are generally connected. Furthermore, arok is connected to the network of amans graves but also more generally to the landscape of collective sacred and sacrificial places. Another hot spot is the population centre of Bugrino which unfolds through the evaluations of the Tale Worlds. It also is the centre of the everyday life of the community studied. The Tale Worlds of the radiant past fastens on the population centre which is described through the negative models within the genre of litany. Sacred places, that represent the possibility to meet the Otherworld or mark places were encounters with the Otherworld have taken place, generate many kinds of landscapes in the island. They fasten on the graves of the amans, sirtya tradition, and to collective sacred places with their associations. The networks are not closed systems but are given meanings and new associations continuously in narration and recollection. They form multi-level and significant landscapes which reflect the fastening of the Kolguyev Nenets in the tundra of the island. In the research material the holy places and the popular religiousness are emphasised which is one of the most significant research results. It can be seen to reflect collective resistance and the questioning of the atheistic propaganda of the Soviet years. The narration and the recollection often refer also to the discourse of the anti-religious propaganda or use its strategies. The centrality of the holy places is also based on the tenacity of the religious Tale Worlds and sense of place and to the collective significance of the religion in general.

Analytical Solution of Joule-Heating Equation for Metallic Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Interconnects

In this paper, we address a closed-form analytical solution of the Joule-heating equation for metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Temperature-dependent thermal conductivity kappa has been considered on the basis of second-order three-phonon Umklapp, mass difference, and boundary scattering phenomena. It is found that kappa, in case of pure SWCNT, leads to a low rising in the temperature profile along the via length. However, in an impure SWCNT, kappa reduces due to the presence of mass difference scattering, which significantly elevates the temperature. With an increase in impurity, there is a significant shift of the hot spot location toward the higher temperature end point contact. Our analytical model, as presented in this study, agrees well with the numerical solution and can be treated as a method for obtaining an accurate analysis of the temperature profile along the CNT-based interconnects.

MPK-09, a small molecule inspired from bioactive styryllactone restores the wild-type function of mutant p53

In the search for more efficacious and less toxic cancer drugs, the tumor suppressor p53 protein has long been a desirable therapeutic target. In the recent past, few independent studies have demonstrated that the antitumor activity of wild-type p53 can be restored in cancer cells harboring mutant form of p53 using small molecule activators. In this study, we describe a novel small molecule MPK-09, which is selective and highly potent against allele specific p53 mutations mainly, R175H, R249S, R273H, R273C, and E285K. Except E285K, all other mutations tested are among the six ``hot spot'' p53 mutations reported in majority of human cancer. Furthermore, our study conclusively demonstrates that the apoptotic activity of the small molecule MPK-09 against cancer cells harboring R273C and E285K mutations is due to restoration of the wild-type conformation to the corresponding mutant form of p53.

Trends in aerosol optical depth over Indian region: Potential causes and impact indicators

The first regional synthesis of long-term (back to similar to 25 years at some stations) primary data (from direct measurement) on aerosol optical depth from the ARFINET (network of aerosol observatories established under the Aerosol Radiative Forcing over India (ARFI) project of Indian Space Research Organization over Indian subcontinent) have revealed a statistically significant increasing trend with a significant seasonal variability. Examining the current values of turbidity coefficients with those reported similar to 50 years ago reveals the phenomenal nature of the increase in aerosol loading. Seasonally, the rate of increase is consistently high during the dry months (December to March) over the entire region whereas the trends are rather inconsistent and weak during the premonsoon (April to May) and summer monsoon period (June to September). The trends in the spectral variation of aerosol optical depth (AOD) reveal the significance of anthropogenic activities on the increasing trend in AOD. Examining these with climate variables such as seasonal and regional rainfall, it is seen that the dry season depicts a decreasing trend in the total number of rainy days over the Indian region. The insignificant trend in AOD observed over the Indo-Gangetic Plain, a regional hot spot of aerosols, during the premonsoon and summer monsoon season is mainly attributed to the competing effects of dust transport and wet removal of aerosols by the monsoon rain. Contributions of different aerosol chemical species to the total dust, simulated using Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport model over the ARFINET stations, showed an increasing trend for all the anthropogenic components and a decreasing trend for dust, consistent with the inference deduced from trend in Angstrom exponent.

Residue specific contributions to stability and activity inferred from saturation mutagenesis and deep sequencing

Multiple methods currently exist for rapid construction and screening of single-site saturation mutagenesis (SSM) libraries in which every codon or nucleotide in a DNA fragment is individually randomized. Nucleotide sequences of each library member before and after screening or selection can be obtained through deep sequencing. The relative enrichment of each mutant at each position provides information on its contribution to protein activity or ligand-binding under the conditions of the screen. Such saturation scans have been applied to diverse proteins to delineate hot-spot residues, stability determinants, and for comprehensive fitness estimates. The data have been used to design proteins with enhanced stability, activity and altered specificity relative to wild-type, to test computational predictions of binding affinity, and for protein model discrimination. Future improvements in deep sequencing read lengths and accuracy should allow comprehensive studies of epistatic effects, of combinational variation at multiple sites, and identification of spatially proximate residues.

Influence of anthropogenic contamination on fluoride concentration in groundwater: A study of Mulbagal town, Kolar district, Karnataka

Groundwater contamination is a serious concern in India. Major geogenic contaminants include fluoride, arsenic and iron, while common anthropogenic contaminants include nitrate, metals, organics and microbial contamination. Besides, known point and diffuse sources, groundwater c ontamination from inf iltration of pit to ilet leachate is an emerging concern. The study area of this paper is Kolar district in Karnataka that is hot spot of fluoride contamination. The absence of fluoride contamination in Mulbagal town and the alterations in groundwater chemistry from infiltration of pit toilet leachate motivated the author to examine the possible linkages between anthropogenic contamination and fluoride concentration in groundwater of Mulbagal town. Analysis of the groundwater chemistry revealed that the groundwater in Mulbagal town is under saturated with respect to calcite that suppresses the dissolution of fluorite and the fluoride concentration in the groundwater. The slightly acidic pH of the groundwater is considered responsible to facilitate calcite dissolution under saturation.

Hypersonic interference heating on cones with short three-dimensional protuberances

Heat fluxes around short, three-dimensional protuberances on sharp and blunt cones in hypersonic flow were experimentally measured using platinum thin-film sensors deposited on macor inserts. A parametric study of different protrusion geometries and flow conditions were conducted. Excessive heating was observed at locations near the protrusion where increased vorticity is expected, with the hottest spot being presented at the foot of the protuberance immediately upstream of it. If left unchecked, these hot spots could prove detrimental to hypersonic flight vehicles. Z-type schlieren technique was used to visualize the flow features qualitatively. New correlations to predict the heat flux at the hot spot have been proposed. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Investigation of the separated region ahead of three-dimensional protuberances on plates and cones in hypersonic flows with laminar boundary layers

Heat transfer rate and pressure measurements were made upstream of surface pro-tuberances on a flat plate and a sharp cone subjected to hypersonic flow in a conventional shock tunnel. Heat flux was measured using platinum thin-film sensors deposited on macor substrate and the pressure measurements were made using fast acting piezoelectric sensors. A distinctive hot spot with highest heat flux was obtained near the foot of the protuberance due to heavy vortex activity in the recirculating region. Schlieren flow visualization was used to capture the shock structures and the separation distance ahead of the protrusions was quantitatively measured for varying protuberance heights. A computational analysis was conducted on the flat plate model using commercial computational fluid dynamics software and the obtained trends of heat flux and pressure were compared with the experimental observation. Experiments were also conducted by physically disturbing the laminar boundary layer to check its effect on the magnitude of the hot spot heat flux. In addition to air, argon was also used as test gas so that the Reynolds number can be varied. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

Untersuchungen zu biologischen Schadstoffeffekten bei Nordseefischen: Langzeitdaten zum Auftreten von Lebertumoren bei der Kliesche (Limanda limanda)

Data are presented on the spatial distribution and long-term temporal trends in the occurrence of neoplastic liver lesions of North Sea dab (Limanda limanda) in the period 1988 to 2001, obtained in the framework of the regular fish disease monitoring programme carried out by the German Federal Research Centre for Fishery. Highest prevalences consistently recorded in the first part of the period occurred in the German Bight, at the Dogger Bank and at sampling sites off Humber and Wash. In contrast, stations in the northern North Sea (e.g. in the Firth of Forth area) were always characterised by low prevalences. Particularly during the first years of observation, a clear and general decrease in prevalence could be observed, that was most pronounced in the hot spot areas German Bight and Dogger Bank compared to the Firth of Forth. Current data reveal that, due to the decrease, spatial differences between sampling sites are now much less obvious than at the beginning of the studies. Limited chemical data available suggest that the temporal decrease in prevalence of liver tumours and their precursor stages generally correspond with the decrease in organic contaminants in dab livers as well as in water and sediments. However, the spatial variation in prevalence recorded can not entirely be explained by contaminant levels. For instance, the prevalence was continuously low in the Firth of Forth area wheras the contaminant levels in dab were comparatively high. The opposite feature was observed at the Dogger Bank. Future studies will therefore address the role of other host- and site-specific factors potentially involved in the aetiology of the disease.

Laser-driven inertial ion focusing

A Hohlraum-like configuration is proposed for realizing a simple compact source for neutrons. A laser pulse enters a tiny thin-shelled hollow-sphere target through a small opening and is self-consistently trapped in the cavity. The electrons in the inner shell-wall region are expelled by the light pressure. The resulting space-charge field compresses the local ions into a thin layer that becomes strongly heated. An inward expansion of ions into the shell cavity then occurs, resulting in the formation at the cavity center of a hot spot of ions at high density and temperature, similar to that in inertial electrostatic confinement.

Modelagem sedimentar de sistemas deltaicos altamente eficientes: aplicação para o preenchimento sedimentar do terciário superior da bacia de Bengala, porção nordeste da Índia

A bacia de Bengala, localizada a Nordeste da Índia tem uma história evolutiva extraordinária, diretamente controlada bela fragmentação do Gondwana. O início da formação desta bacia é considerada como sendo relacionada ao final do evento da quebra, datado em 126 Ma quando a Índia separou do continente Antártico e da Austrália. Desde então, a placa continental Indiana viajou do pólo sul a uma velocidade muito rápida (16 cm/a) chocando-se com o hemisfério norte e fundindo-se com a Placa Eurasiana. Durante a viagem passou por cima de um hot spot, onde hoje estão localizadas as ilhas Seicheles, resultando em um dos maiores derrames de lava basáltica do mundo, conhecido como Deccan Trap. Na região onde a bacia de Bengala foi formada, não houve aporte significativo de sedimentos siliciclásticos, resultando na deposição de uma espessa plataforma carbonática do Cretáceo tardio ao Eoceno. Após este período, devido a colisão com algumas microplacas e a amalgamação com a Placa Eurasiana, um grande volume sedimentar siliciclástico foi introduzido para a bacia, associado também ao soerguimento da cadeia de montanhas dos Himalaias. Atualmente, a Bacia de Bengala possui mais de 25 km de sedimentos, coletados neste depocentro principal. Nesta dissertação foram aplicados conceitos básicos de sismoestratigrafia na interpretação de algumas linhas regionais. As linhas sísmicas utilizadas foram adquiridas recentemente por programa sísmico especial, o qual permitiu o imageamento sísmico a mais de 35km dentro da litosfera (crosta continental e transicional). O dado permitiu interpretar eventos tectônicos, como a presença dos Seawards Dipping Reflectors (SDR) na crosta transicional, coberto por sedimentos da Bacia de Bengala. Além da interpretação sísmica amarrada a alguns poços de controle, o programa de modelagem sedimentar Beicip Franlab Dionisos, foi utilizado para modelar a história de preenchimento da bacia para um período de 5,2 Ma. O nível relativo do nível do mar e a taxa de aporte sedimentar foram os pontos chaves considerados no modelo. Através da utilização dos dados sísmicos, foi possível reconhecer dez quebras de plataformas principais, as quais foram utilizadas no modelo, amarrados aos seus respectivos tempos geológico, provenientes dos dados dos poços do Plioceno ao Holoceno. O resultado do modelo mostrou que a primeira metade modelada pode ser considerada como um sistema deposicional retrogradacional, com algum picos transgressivos. Este sistema muda drasticamente para um sistema progradacional, o qual atuou até o Holoceno. A seção modelada também mostra que no período considerado o total de volume depositado foi em torno de 2,1 x 106 km3, equivalente a 9,41 x 1014 km3/Ma.

Petrogênese e geocronologia das intrusões alcalinas de Morro Redondo, Mendanha e Morro de São João: caracterização do magmatismo alcalino no Estado do Rio de Janeiro e implicações geodinâmicas

Os modelos para a formação de plútons alcalinos da Província Alcalina do Sudeste Brasileiro ou Alinhamento Poços de Caldas-Cabo Frio associam a gênese destas rochas a grandes reativações ou a passagem de uma pluma mantélica, registrada pelo traço de um hot spot. O objetivo desta tese é, apresentar novos dados e interpretações para contribuir com a melhor elucidação e discussão destes modelos. Os estudos incluem mapeamento, petrografia, litogeoquímica, geoquímica isotópica de Sr, Nd e Pb e datação 40Ar/39Ar. As intrusões selecionadas correspondem ao Morro Redondo, Mendanha e Morro de São João, no Rio de Janeiro, localizados em posições distintas no alinhamento Poços de Caldas-Cabo Frio. A intrusão alcalina do Morro Redondo é composta majoritariamente de nefelina sienitos e sienitos com nefelina, com rara ocorrência de rochas máficas e é caracterizada por uma suíte alcalina sódica insaturada em sílica, de caráter metaluminosa a peralcalina. Esta intrusão foi datada em aproximadamente 74 Ma (idade-platô 40Ar/39Ar). A intrusão alcalina do Mendanha é composta por diversos tipos de rochas sieníticas, além de brechas e estruturas subvulcânicas, como rochas piroclásticas e diques e caracteriza-se por ser uma suíte alcalina sódica saturada em sílica, de caráter metaluminosa, diferente do que ocorre no Marapicu, este subsaturado em sílica. Esta intrusão apresentou duas idades-platô 40Ar/39Ar distintas de magmatismo: 64 Ma para as rochas do Mendanha e 54 Ma em dique de lamprófiro, registrando magmatismo policíclico. O Morro do Marapicu foi datado em aproximadamente 80 Ma. Já a intrusão alcalina do Morro de São João possui uma ampla variedade de litotipos saturados a subsaturados em sílica, tais como sienitos, álcali-sienitos e monzossienitos (alguns portadores de pseudoleucita), com variedades melanocráticas, tais como malignitos e fergustios. Estas rochas definem suas distintas suítes alcalinas subsaturadas em sílica: Uma de composição sódica e outra potássica. Há também uma suíte alcalina saturada em sílica, definida por gabros alcalinos e shonkinitos. A petrogênese destas intrusões corresponde ao modelo de cristalização fracionada, com assimilação de rochas encaixantes (AFC) como indicado pela alta variabilidade de razões isotópicas de estrôncio. No Morro de São João é sugerido o modelo de mistura magmática. Estas intrusões foram geradas a partir de magmas mantélicos enriquecidos, possivelmente associados à antiga zona de subducção relacionada ao orógeno Ribeira. Em razão das novas idades obtidas, o modelo de hot spot proposto fica prejudicado, visto que o Marapicu é de idade mais antiga das intrusões analisadas, o que era esperado para o Morro Redondo. Alguns modelos projetam plumas mantélicas com aproximadamente 1000 km de diâmetro, o que poderia explicar o Mendanha ser contemporâneo ao Morro de São João. As assinaturas isotópicas obtidas para as intrusões não se associam à assinatura isotópica de Trindade e, caso o modelo de plumas mantélicas seja o correto, a pluma que teria maior semelhança de assinatura isotópica é a pluma de Tristão da Cunha.

Descriptions of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Bottom Longline and Vertical Line Fisheries Based on Observer Data

In July 2006, a mandatory observer program was implemented to characterize the commercial reef fish fishery operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The primary gear types assessed included bottom longline and vertical line (bandit and handline). A total of 73,205 fish (183 taxa) were observed in the longline fishery. Most (66%) were red grouper, Epinephelus morio, and yellowedge grouper, E. flavolimbatus. In the vertical line fishery, 89,015 fish (178 taxa) were observed of which most (60%) were red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, and vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens. Based on surface observations of discarded under-sized target and unwanted species, the majority of fish were released alive; minimum assumed mortality was 23% for the vertical line and 24% for the bottom longline fishery. Of the individuals released alive in the longline fishery, 42% had visual signs of barotrauma stress (air bladder expansion/and or eyes protruding). In the vertical line fishery, 35% of the fish were released in a stressed state. Red grouper and red snapper size composition by depth and gear type were determined. Catch-per-unit-effort for dominant species in both fisheries, illustrated spatial differences in distribution between the eastern and western Gulf. Hot Spot Analyses for red grouper and red snapper identified areas with significant clustering of high or low CPUE values.