Nitrous oxide emissions from irrigated cotton soils of northern Australia

An automated gas sampling methodology has been used to estimate nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from heavy black clay soil in northern Australia where split applications of urea were applied to furrow irrigated cotton. Nitrous oxide emissions from the beds were 643 g N/ha over the 188 day measurement period (after planting), whilst the N2O emissions from the furrows were significantly higher at 967 g N/ha. The DNDC model was used to develop a full season simulation of N2O and N2 emissions. Seasonal N2O emissions were equivalent to 0.83% of applied N, with total gaseous N losses (excluding NH3) estimated to be 16% of the applied N

Belastung und Bereicherung

Flüchtlinge und Vertriebene aus den ehemaligen deutschen Ostgebieten und anderen Siedlungsräumen in Ostmittel- und Osteuropa kamen ab 1945 in sehr großer Zahl auch nach Brandenburg. Bis Ende 1946 nahm das Land mehr als 616.000 Menschen auf, was die Bevölkerung nicht nur erheblich vergrößerte, sondern auch in ihrer Zusammensetzung stark veränderte. Das weitere Schicksal der Betroffenen in der DDR ist jedoch kaum bekannt. Peter Bahl zeichnet erstmals auf breiter Quellenbasis ihre Ankunft und Integration sowie die Erinnerungskultur bis zur Gegenwart nach. Neben Akten lässt er dabei vielfach Zeitzeugen sowohl aus dem Kreis der Vertriebenen als auch dem der Einheimischen zu Wort kommen. An die Darstellung der Ereignisgeschichte schließt er eine Dokumentation für alle Städte und ausgewählte Landgemeinden mit handbuchartigen Informationen zur konkreten lokalen Entwicklung in 340 Orten an. In einem Editionsteil sind ferner 261 Quellentexte aus den Jahren 1945–2018 abgedruckt, die sich für eine vertiefende Beschäftigung mit dem Thema in Bildungsarbeit und Wissenschaft eignen

An Olfactory Receptor Pseudogene whose Function emerged in Humans

Human olfactory receptor, hOR17-210, is identified as a pseudogene in the human genome. Experimental data has shown however, that the gene product of cloned hOR17-210 cDNA was able to bind an odorant-binding protein and is narrowly tuned for excitation by cyclic ketones. Supported by experimental results, we used the bioinformatics methods of sequence analysis, computational protein modeling and docking, to show that functionality in this receptor is retained due to sequence-structure features not previously observed in mammalian ORs. This receptor does not possess the first two transmembrane helical domains (of seven typically seen in GPCRs). It however, possesses an additional TM that has not been observed in other human olfactory receptors. By incorporating these novel structural features, we created two putative models for this receptor. We also docked odor ligands that were experimentally shown to bind hOR17-210 model. We show how and why structural modifications of OR17-210 do not hinder this receptor's functionality. Our studies reveal that novel gene rearrangement that result in sequence and structural diversity in has a bearing on OR and GPCR function and evolution

Belastung und Bereicherung

Flüchtlinge und Vertriebene aus den ehemaligen deutschen Ostgebieten und anderen Siedlungsräumen in Ostmittel- und Osteuropa kamen ab 1945 in sehr großer Zahl auch nach Brandenburg. Bis Ende 1946 nahm das Land mehr als 616.000 Menschen auf, was die Bevölkerung nicht nur erheblich vergrößerte, sondern auch in ihrer Zusammensetzung stark veränderte. Das weitere Schicksal der Betroffenen in der DDR ist jedoch kaum bekannt. Peter Bahl zeichnet erstmals auf breiter Quellenbasis ihre Ankunft und Integration sowie die Erinnerungskultur bis zur Gegenwart nach. Neben Akten lässt er dabei vielfach Zeitzeugen sowohl aus dem Kreis der Vertriebenen als auch dem der Einheimischen zu Wort kommen. An die Darstellung der Ereignisgeschichte schließt er eine Dokumentation für alle Städte und ausgewählte Landgemeinden mit handbuchartigen Informationen zur konkreten lokalen Entwicklung in 340 Orten an. In einem Editionsteil sind ferner 261 Quellentexte aus den Jahren 1945–2018 abgedruckt, die sich für eine vertiefende Beschäftigung mit dem Thema in Bildungsarbeit und Wissenschaft eignen

Advanced chemical and structural Characterization of Nuclear Waste Materials related to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

This dissertation reports structural and speciation investigations of simulated and genuine nuclear wastes. Chapters 4 and 5 emphasize on the very first application of the bulk U, Np and Pu M4,5 absorption edge high-energy resolution X-ray absorption near edge structure (HR XANES) method for characterization of U, Np and Pu oxidation states in model and genuine nuclear waste glasses and spent nuclear fuel (SNF). Chapters 6 and 7 address volatilization and precipitation challenges occurring during vitrification of fission products (FP) like Cs, Tc, Ru and Pd. Various approaches are discussed and potential solutions are proposed. Chapter 4.1 describes the results from the studies of Pu doped borosilicate glasses. Pu(III), Pu(IV) and Pu(VI) are for the first time characterized simultaneously present in a borosilicate glass using Pu M5 edge HR-XANES. It is illustrated that the method can be very efficiently used to determine Pu oxidation states which control the solubility limit of Pu in a glass matrix. HR XANES results show that the addition of excess Si3N4 is not sufficient for complete reduction of Pu to Pu(III) which has a relatively high solubility limit (10-25 wt% PuO2) due to its network-modifying behavior in glasses. It is provided evidences that the initially added Pu(VI) is partly preserved during vitrification at 1200/1400 °C in Ar atmosphere. Pu(VI) could be very advantageous for immobilization of Pu rich wastes since from U(VI) vitrification a possible glass solubility limit of up to 40 wt% can be deduced. Chapter 4.2 reports the characterization and the structural differences between U, Np and Pu doped model and genuine nuclear waste glasses. The U, Np and Pu M4,5 edge HR-XANES reveals predominant U(VI) and Pu(IV) species in all glasses. But ordered structures involving U, O and likely Si are found only in the genuine waste glass by U L3 EXAFS analyses. Strong synchrotron X-ray induced radiation damage leading to reduction of U(VI) to U(IV) is detected also only for the genuine waste glass by U M4 HR-XANES. This effect might be related to differences in the radioactivity and/or the local atomic U environments in the model and the waste glasses. It might be explained with transfer of electronic charge to U from binding ligands and/or free charges as well as possible U reactions with radicals or charged species. Such reduction of U and potentially other An elements might be inducible by α, β and/or γ irradiation processes on a long-time scale and are hence of relevance for the An speciation in HLW glasses stored in an underground repository. Chapter 5 discusses the speciation of U and Pu in commercial and special irradiated high burn up SNF samples as well as of unirradiated UO2 reference materials. The bulk sensitivity of the An M4,5 edge HR-XANES technique is unambiguously demonstrated, whereas X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is sensitive only to species formed on the surface. The U M4,5 HR-XANES method can clearly distinguish between U(IV) and U(V) as well as Pu(IV) and Pu(V)/Pu(VI), which is not always possible with the conventional U and Pu L3 XANES. U(IV) and U(V) likely in the form of U4O9 are found in the two commercial SNF samples. It is shown that the U oxidation continues in ambient conditions as a function of time due to the small particle size of the samples. No phase transformation from UO2 to U3O8 or UO3 is observed for any of the studied SNF samples. The special irradiated high burn-up sample stored in atmosphere with ca. 1% O2 for 20 years has only very minor amount of U(V) which illustrates its high stability against oxidation being advantageous in case of a potential cladding failure scenario for example in extended interim storage. For the first time it is demonstrated that along Pu(IV) also Pu(VI) is present in the bulk of presumably all SNF samples. This Pu(VI) is unlikely formed by oxidation in air but rather is a result of the neutron absorption and subsequent nuclear reactions. Chapter 6 reports studies of HLW residual materials from a reprocessing and a vitrification plant. They are simulated and the formed compounds are characterized as well as possible host matrices for their immobilization are reviewed. The challenge of Cs and Tc volatilization loss is addressed by careful selection of immobilization processes, i.e., addition of reducing agent and application of host matrices with low melting temperature. A selection of suitable immobilization materials is made with regard to minimized FP volatilization behavior. Potential leaching performance is discussed considering composition and macroscopic appearance of the synthesized samples. Chapter 7 presents insights obtained from the X-ray CT in-situ study of a vitrification process with emphasize on the precipitation of noble metal particles (NMP) which are known to cause severe problems in industrial vitrification processes in form of drain plugging and short circuits. Results indicate the formation of the particles at 600 700 °C in the lower part of the cold-cap. An exceptional large precipitated specie is observed and described. Its formation might have an impact on the NMPs sedimentation behavior. For the first time, in-situ tracking of their movement in a glass melt is reported. The designed setup has the potential to unambiguously reveal the highly debated NMP sedimentation mechanism. Two counter measures on the particles formation are tested. The use of glass powder instead of glass beads and the addition of 1 wt% Si as reducing agent decreased the NMP precipitation by 40% and 30%, respectively, and simultaneously retain Re used as a surrogate of Tc by a factor of 2-3

Integrating Fiscal Decentralization Reforms and the Challenge of Implementation

South Africa\u27s struggles with an ambitious and complex fiscal decentralization program are presented in detail in the first six chapters of this book. In this chapter, we summarize our key findings and turn to a discussion of the way forward with the assignment of powers and functions, the development of local sources of revenue, and the redesign of the intergovernmental transfer system. We give special emphasis to the interrelationships among the pieces of the fiscal decentralization system. We also briefly consider two dimensions of the system - development transfers to support capital investment and municipal borrowing powers - that are not discussed at length in the previous chapters

Exercise as a potential modulator of inflammation in patients with Alzheimer's disease measured in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation is recognized as part of the pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the molecular mechanisms are still not entirely clear. Systemically, physical exercise has shown to have a positive modulating effect on markers of inflammation. It is not known if this general effect also takes place in the central nervous system in AD. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 16 weeks of moderate to high-intensity physical exercise on selected biomarkers of inflammation both systemically and in the CNS, in patients with AD. METHODS: Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 198 patients with Alzheimer's disease participating in the Preserving Cognition, Quality of Life, Physical Health and Functional Ability in Alzheimer's Disease: The Effect of Physical Exercise (ADEX) study were analyzed for concentrations of 8‑isoprostane, soluble trigger receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2), and the MSD v-plex proinflammation panel 1 human containing interferon gamma (IFNγ), Interleukin-10 (IL10), IL12p70, IL13, IL1β, IL2, IL4, IL6, IL8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), before and after a 16-week intervention with physical exercise, and we studied whether changes were modulated by the patients' APOE genotype. RESULTS: Most inflammatory markers remained unchanged after exercise. We found an increasing effect of 16 weeks of physical exercise on sTREM2 measured in CSF. Further, IL6 in plasma increased in the exercise group after physical exercise (mean relative change 41.03, SD 76.7), compared to controls (-0.97, SD 49.4). In a sub-analysis according to APOE genotype, we found that in ε4 carriers, exercise had a stabilizing effect on IFNγ concentration with a mean relative change of 7.84 (SD 42.6), as compared to controls (114.7 (SD 188.3), p = 0.038. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate an effect of physical exercise on markers of neuroinflammation in CSF measured by an increase in sTREM2 in patients with AD. Further, there may be a small inflammatory systemic effect related to physical exercise in patients with AD

p53-mediated neurodegeneration in the absence of the nuclear protein Akirin2.

Proper gene regulation is critical for both neuronal development and maintenance as the brain matures. We previously demonstrated that Akirin2, an essential nuclear protein that interacts with transcription factors and chromatin remodeling complexes, is required for the embryonic formation of the cerebral cortex. Here we show that Akirin2 plays a mechanistically distinct role in maintaining healthy neurons during cortical maturation. Restricting Akirin2 loss to excitatory cortical neurons resulted in progressive neurodegeneration via necroptosis and severe cortical atrophy with age. Comparing transcriptomes from Akirin2-null postnatal neurons and cortical progenitors revealed that targets of the tumor suppressor p53, a regulator of both proliferation and cell death encoded b