The early development of a combined micro- and full-field X-ray fluorescence analysis system using white X-rays at PLS-II.

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is widely used to analyze elemental distributions in samples. Micro-XRF (µ-XRF), the most basic conventional XRF technique, offers good spatial resolution through precise 2D scanning with a micrometre-sized X-ray source. Recently, synchrotron based XRF analysis platforms have achieved nano-XRF with highly focused X-rays using polycapillary optics or mirrors, leveraging the excellent coherence of synchrotron radiation.

Challenges in the use of gross alpha and beta screening in nuclear waste characterisation and land remediation.

Gross alpha & beta measurement is a widely used technique for rapid screening of radionuclide content. The study evaluated the influence of geometry, alpha & beta energy and presence of natural decay chain nuclides on the observed gross alpha & beta response. Measured calibration data were validated using Monte Carlo-based modelling.

Relationship between trans-generational effects of tetracycline on Daphnia magna at the physiological and whole organism level.

The effects of pharmaceuticals have been underestimated during single generation exposure. Therefore, in this study, we investigated toxic responses at the physiological and whole organism level in tetracycline-exposed Daphnia magna over four consecutive generational lifecycles. The results showed that tetracycline affected energy-related physiological functions in concentration- and generation-dependent manners, and especially maintenance costs increased.

Polyamine as a signaling molecule for controlling an adaptive mutation.

In the absence of exogenous polyamines, the polyamine-deficient Escherichia coli mutant shows not only a characteristic dual-phase growth with abnormal growth, growth arrest, and normal growth after mutation, but also a higher expression of the SOS genes than the polyamine-proficient wild type. The interval of the growth arrest is inversely regulated in a polyamine concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that the polyamines can act as a signal not only for provoking an adaptive mutation, but also for hastening generation of an adaptive mutation.

Biocontrol potential of soybean bacterial endophytes against charcoal rot fungus, Rhizoctonia bataticola.

A total of 137 bacterial isolates from surface sterilized root, stem, and nodule tissues of soybean were screened for their antifungal activity against major phytopathogens like Rhizoctonia bataticola, Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium udam, and Sclerotium rolfsii. Nine bacterial endophytes suppressed the pathogens under in vitro plate assay. These were characterized biochemically and identified at the genus level based on their partial sequence analysis of 16S rDNA.

Effect of gamma irradiation on spleen cell function and cytotoxicity of doxorubicin.

The present study was attempted to evaluate the effects of gamma-irradiated doxorubicin (IRD) on spleen cell proliferation, cytokines release (IFN-gamma and IL-2) and lung metastasis in mice. Gamma irradiation induced degradation of doxorubicin molecule and cytotoxicity on melanoma (B16BL6) and myoblast (H9c2) cell lines were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide tetrazole) assay, respectively. Non-irradiated doxorubicin (NIRD) was used as a control.

Putative effects of pH in intra-chloroplast compartments on photoprotection of functional photosystem II complexes by photoinactivated neighbours and on recovery from photoinactivation in Capsicum annuum leaves.

Leaf segments from Capsicum annuum L. plants grown at 100 (low light) or 500 (high light) μmol photons m s were illuminated in the presence of nigericin, dithiothreitol (DTT), or high [CO2] (1% in air), with or without lincomycin, an inhibitor of chloroplast-encoded protein synthesis. At various times, the remaining fraction (f ) of functional PSII complexes was measured by a dark-adapted chlorophyll fluorescence parameter (1/Fo- 1/Fm; where Fo and Fm are the fluorescence yields corresponding to open and closed PSII traps, respectively), which was calibrated by the oxygen yield per saturating single-turnover flash.