Isolation and Identification of Mercury-Dissolved Organic Matter Complexes in Mercury-Humic Acid Suspensions.

Rationale: The complexation with dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a pivotal factor influencing transformations, transport, and bioavailability of mercury (Hg) in aquatic environments. However, identifying these complexes poses a significant challenge because of their low concentrations and the presence of coexisting ions.

Methods: In this study, mercury-dissolved organic matter (Hg-DOM) complexes were isolated through solid-phase extraction (SPE) from Hg-humic acid suspensions, and complexes were putatively identified using ultrahigh resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS).

Novel Thiourea Ligands-Synthesis, Characterization and Preliminary Study on Their Coordination Abilities.

Two series of polydentate ,,-ligands containing thiourea fragments attached to a -cresol scaffold, unsymmetrical mono-acylated bis-amines and symmetrical bis-thioureas, are obtained by common experiments. It is observed that the reaction output is strongly dependent on both bis-amine and thiocarbamic chloride substituents. The products are characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectra in solution and by single crystal XRD.

Cobalt Stabilization through Mesopore Confinement on TiO Support for Fischer-Tropsch Reaction.

Cobalt supported on mesostructured TiO catalysts has been prepared by a wet-impregnation method. The Co/TiO catalytic system showed better catalytic performance after support calcination at 380 °C. Co nanoparticles appeared well distributed along the mesopore channels of TiO.

Polydentate ,-Ligands Possessing Unsymmetrical Urea Fragments Attached to a -Cresol Scaffold.

In this study, three series of polydentate ,-ligands possessing unsymmetrical urea fragments attached to a -cresol scaffold are obtained, namely mono- and bi-substituted open-chain aromatics, synthesised using a common experiment, as well as fused aryloxazinones. Separate protocols for the preparation of each series are developed. It is found that in the case of open-chain compounds, the reaction output is strongly dependent on both bis-amine and carbamoyl chloride substituents, while oxazinones can be effectively obtained via a common protocol.

Economic and financial model to the mass-rearing of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Heteroptera: Miridae), a biological control agent against the tomato moth Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in protected culture.

Background: Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is a major pest of tomato produced in glasshouses and open field, causing severe damages to crops, reducing the quality of tomato fruits. The current maintenance of the pest populations below the economic threshold is not achieved by natural and classical control, thus requiring the continuous application of biological control agents (BCAs), under an augmentative or inoculative approach. The present study aims to develop an economic and financial model to evaluate the commercial viability of a continuous mass production of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur), a BCA commonly used against the tomato moth, Tuta absoluta, in protected culture.

Beauveria bassiana exhibits strong virulence against Dendroctonus ponderosae in greenhouse and field experiments.

The mountain pine beetle (MPB) has infested over 16 million hectares of pine forests in western Canada, killing over 50% of mature lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta, in British Columbia alone. There are few tools available to manage irruptive bark beetle populations and to mitigate tree mortality. Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus that causes mortality to several bark beetle species.

Reconstruction and catalytic activity of hybrid Pd(100)/(111) monolayer on γ-AlO(100) in CH, HO, and O dissociation.

The importance of the "heterogeneity" of a Pd monolayer induced by interaction with a semi-ionic support in catalysis was evaluated. The geometry of the Pd monolayer was optimized on the (100) plane of γ-Al2O3 at fixed unit cell parameters defined by the oxide. Simulation of the deposition of a whole Pd monolayer in the flat Pd(100) form cut from the bulk led to the formation of a slightly distorted Pd(111) monolayer.

Facilitated Synthesis of MgNi Based Composites with Attractive Hydrogen Sorption Properties.

Composites based on MgNi with 5% activated carbon from apricot stones (ACAP) have been prepared by ball milling and subsequent annealing in hydrogen atmosphere. The purpose of the primary metal (Mg, Ni, and V) milling was to reduce the particle size and achieve a good contact between them, without forming intermetallic compounds. During hydriding/dehydriding at 300 °C the amount of the MgNi phase progressively increased, and after 10 cycles about 50% Mg(Ni,V) was achieved.

Hydrogen Gas Phase and Electrochemical Hydriding of LaNiM (M = Sn, Co, Al) Alloys.

Hydriding/dehydriding properties of a series of LaNi based alloys were compared by applying both hydrogen gas phase and electrochemical hydrogen charge/discharge methods. The highest hydrogen absorption capacity of 1.4 wt.

Evaluation of Anti-HBs Antibody Immune Response against Hepatitis B virus in Vaccinated People in a North-eastern Bulgaria Region.

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most significant human pathogens responsible for a huge number of acute and chronic liver infectious diseases worldwide.

Aim: To find the duration of post-vaccination immune response in individuals allocated to five age groups from 6 months to 20 years.

Materials And Methods: All tested subjects were born between 1999 and 2018 and therefore covered by the compulsory vaccination program against hepatitis B.

Mercury geochemistry and microbial diversity in meromictic Glacier Lake, Jamesville, NY.

Meromictic lakes are stratified lakes that typically stimulate phototrophic anoxic microbial metabolism, including the transformation of sulphur. Less studied are the transformations of mercury in these environments, and the microorganisms, which mediate these reactions. In order to further an understanding of redox species, mercury and microbial populations in meromictic lakes, we examined the geochemistry and microbiology of Glacier Lake in Jamesville, NY.

Phytoseiid predatory mites can disperse entomopathogenic fungi to prey patches.

Recent studies have shown that predatory mites used as biocontrol agents can be loaded with entomopathogenic fungal conidia to increase infection rates in pest populations. Under laboratory conditions, we determined the capacity of two phytoseiid mites, Amblyseius swirskii and Neoseiulus cucumeris to deliver the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana to their prey, Frankliniella occidentalis. Predatory mites were loaded with conidia and released on plants that had been previously infested with first instar prey clustered on a bean leaf.

Data on the synthesis and characterization of two novel polydentate ligands possessing unsymmetrical NH-urea fragment.

The data represent the synthesis and structural characterization of two novel polydentate ligands possessing unsymmetrical NH-urea fragment: an open-chain substituted aromatic compound with unsymmetrical urea and secondary amine units () and fused aryloxazinone with unsymmetrical urea fragment (). The data include the analyzed NMR spectra, turbo-spray mass spectra, melting points and R-values. 1D and 2D NMR spectra are given in the article.

Mercury Contamination in Riverine Sediments and Fish Associated with Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Madre de Dios, Peru.

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Madre de Dios, Peru, continues to expand rapidly, raising concerns about increases in loading of mercury (Hg) to the environment. We measured physicochemical parameters in water and sampled and analyzed sediments and fish from multiple sites along one ASGM-impacted river and two unimpacted rivers in the region to examine whether Hg concentrations were elevated and possibly related to ASGM activity. We also analyzed the 308 fish samples, representing 36 species, for stable isotopes (δN and δC) to estimate their trophic position.

Water quality function of an extensive vegetated roof.

In this paper we present the results of a four-year study of water quality in runoff from an extensive, sedum covered, vegetated roof on an urban commercial building. Monitoring commenced seven months after the roof was constructed, with the first growing season. Stormwater drainage quality function of the vegetated roof was compared to a conventional (impermeable, high-albedo) membrane roof in addition to paired measurements of wet and bulk depositions at the study site.

Neural Decoding: A Predictive Viewpoint.

Decoding in the context of brain-machine interface is a prediction problem, with the aim of retrieving the most accurate kinematic predictions attainable from the available neural signals. While selecting models that reduce the prediction error is done to various degrees, decoding has not received the attention that the fields of statistics and machine learning have lavished on the prediction problem in the past two decades. Here, we take a more systematic approach to the decoding prediction problem and search for risk-optimized reverse regression, optimal linear estimation (OLE), and Kalman filter models within a large model space composed of several nonlinear transformations of neural spike counts at multiple temporal lags.

A computationally efficient method for incorporating spike waveform information into decoding algorithms.

Spike-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have the potential to restore motor ability to people with paralysis and amputation, and have shown impressive performance in the lab. To transition BCI devices from the lab to the clinic, decoding must proceed automatically and in real time, which prohibits the use of algorithms that are computationally intensive or require manual tweaking. A common choice is to avoid spike sorting and treat the signal on each electrode as if it came from a single neuron, which is fast, easy, and therefore desirable for clinical use.

Zooplankton community changes confound the biodilution theory of methylmercury accumulation in a recovering mercury-contaminated lake.

In this study, the biodilution hypothesis of methylmercury (MeHg) accumulation was examined in a Hg-contaminated ecosystem that has undergone concurrent changes in nutrient loading and zooplankton community composition. Using a long-term record of 17 years (between 1980 and 2009), we demonstrate that zooplankton MeHg concentrations in Onondaga Lake, NY, are strongly driven by changes in the zooplankton community and body size. MeHg concentrations in zooplankton increased with an increase in body size and biomass.

To sort or not to sort: the impact of spike-sorting on neural decoding performance.

Objective: Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are a promising technology for restoring motor ability to paralyzed patients. Spiking-based BCIs have successfully been used in clinical trials to control multi-degree-of-freedom robotic devices. Current implementations of these devices require a lengthy spike-sorting step, which is an obstacle to moving this technology from the lab to the clinic.

Changes in the long-term supply of mercury species to the upper mixed waters of a recovering lake.

We quantified internal processes that supply methylmercury from hypolimnetic reducing zones to the upper waters of a Hg-contaminated lake, Onondaga Lake, NY, USA. Diffusive transport continuously supplied methylmercury to the epilimnion under summer stratification, while fall mixing resulted in a pulsed release of methylmercury to the upper mixed waters. These processes were the main internal sources of methylmercury to the epilimnion, and together almost equaled the total external supply.

Whole-lake nitrate addition for control of methylmercury in mercury-contaminated Onondaga Lake, NY.

Methylmercury (MeHg) strongly bioaccumulates in aquatic food webs resulting in exposure to humans and wildlife through consumption of fish. Production of MeHg is promoted by anaerobic conditions and the supply of inorganic Hg (Hg(2+)), sulfate (SO4(2-)), and labile organic carbon. The anaerobic sediments of stratified lakes are particularly active zones for methylation of Hg(2+) and can be an important source of MeHg to the water column during summer anoxia and fall turnover.

Evaluation of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) as biomonitors of mercury contamination in aquatic ecosystems.

Zebra mussels have invaded many lakes in the United States and could be a useful tool for monitoring responses of aquatic biota to changes in mercury loading. The goal of the present study was to evaluate zebra mussels for use as a biomonitor of mercury contamination by comparing zebra mussel mercury concentrations between a lake with only indirect atmospheric mercury contamination (Otisco Lake, NY, USA) and a lake that was directly contaminated by mercury discharges (Onondaga Lake, NY, USA). Zebra mussels were sampled in both the spring and fall of 2004 and 2005.

Characteristics and antimicrobial activity of Bacillus subtilis strains isolated from soil.

Antagonistic Bacillus strains were isolated from soil and analyzed for the purpose of determining whether they could be used as natural biological agents. Primary in vitro screening for antagonism of the isolates was performed against five phytopathogenic mould fungi. Strains TS 01 and ZR 02 exhibited the most pronounced inhibitory effects.

Evidence for regulation of monomethyl mercury by nitrate in a seasonally stratified, eutrophic lake.

The accumulation of monomethyl mercury (CH3Hg+) in aquatic ecosystems is a redox sensitive process that is accelerated under sulfate-reducing conditions. While nitrate (NO3-) reduction is energetically favored over sulfate reduction, the influence of NO3 on the accumulation of CH3Hg+ has not been reported in the literature. We examined temporal and vertical patterns in redox constituents and CH3Hg+ concentrations in the hypolimnion of a dimictic lake, Onondaga Lake, prior to and following increases in NO3- inputs.