ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION BY SUBSTRATA OF ORE MINING DUMPS, THEIR MONITORING AS WELL AS MEASURES OF REDUCTION

The main activity fields of the research group “Applied Geoecology“ at the University of Potsdam are the development and tests of complex monitoring systems for water bodies and soils, together with the development of sustainable additives for vegetation restoration on ore mining dumps with extreme substratum parameters. The dump substrata are translocated by surface waters and by aeolian processes to the surroundings affecting soil processes. A field spectrometer has been engineered, which can detect dam substrata in soils. Moreover, various soil additives were developed, enabling the establishment of vegetation on the extreme dump substrata. For all components there have been realised extensive tests in the framework of greenhouse and field experiments under different climate conditions on three continents, on various substrata and with varying plant species. All experiments were successful, even though no additional irrigation and no mineral fertilizer were allowed to be used, in order to realise the idea of a sustainable greening

Forest Tree Microbiomes and Associated Fungal Endophytes: Functional Roles and Impact on Forest Health

Terrestrial plants including forest trees are generally known to live in close association with microbial organisms. The inherent features of this close association can be commensalism, parasitism or mutualism. The term “microbiota” has been used to describe this ecological community of plant-associated pathogenic, mutualistic, endophytic and commensal microorganisms. Many of these microbiota inhabiting forest trees could have a potential impact on the health of, and disease progression in, forest biomes. Comparatively, studies on forest tree microbiomes and their roles in mutualism and disease lag far behind parallel work on crop and human microbiome projects. Very recently, our understanding of plant and tree microbiomes has been enriched due to novel technological advances using metabarcoding, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics approaches. In addition, the availability of massive DNA databases (e.g., NCBI (USA), EMBL (Europe), DDBJ (Japan), UNITE (Estonia)) as well as powerful computational and bioinformatics tools has helped to facilitate data mining by researchers across diverse disciplines. Available data demonstrate that plant phyllosphere bacterial communities are dominated by members of only a few phyla (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes). In bulk forest soil, the dominant fungal group is Basidiomycota, whereas Ascomycota is the most prevalent group within plant tissues. The current challenge, however, is how to harness and link the acquired knowledge on microbiomes for translational forest management. Among tree-associated microorganisms, endophytic fungal biota are attracting a lot of attention for their beneficial health- and growth-promoting effects, and were preferentially discussed in this review

Forest Tree Microbiomes and Associated Fungal Endophytes: Functional Roles and Impact on Forest Health

Terrestrial plants including forest trees are generally known to live in close association with microbial organisms. The inherent features of this close association can be commensalism, parasitism or mutualism. The term “microbiota” has been used to describe this ecological community of plant-associated pathogenic, mutualistic, endophytic and commensal microorganisms. Many of these microbiota inhabiting forest trees could have a potential impact on the health of, and disease progression in, forest biomes. Comparatively, studies on forest tree microbiomes and their roles in mutualism and disease lag far behind parallel work on crop and human microbiome projects. Very recently, our understanding of plant and tree microbiomes has been enriched due to novel technological advances using metabarcoding, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics approaches. In addition, the availability of massive DNA databases (e.g., NCBI (USA), EMBL (Europe), DDBJ (Japan), UNITE (Estonia)) as well as powerful computational and bioinformatics tools has helped to facilitate data mining by researchers across diverse disciplines. Available data demonstrate that plant phyllosphere bacterial communities are dominated by members of only a few phyla (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes). In bulk forest soil, the dominant fungal group is Basidiomycota, whereas Ascomycota is the most prevalent group within plant tissues. The current challenge, however, is how to harness and link the acquired knowledge on microbiomes for translational forest management. Among tree-associated microorganisms, endophytic fungal biota are attracting a lot of attention for their beneficial health- and growth-promoting effects, and were preferentially discussed in this review

Investigating the Feasibility of a 3D Virtual World Technology for People with Dementia

Three Dimensional Virtual Worlds (3DVWs) are computer-generated, simulated, graphical and multimedia environments, designed so that users can ‘live in’ and engage via their own digital and graphical self-representations known as ‘avatars’. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using 3DVWs to enhance engagement and quality of life in people with dementia. A mixed-methods research design, guided by a feasibility framework, was used, with data collected from semi-structured interviews, observations, and surveys. Eleven residents expressed interest in the 3DVWs intervention after reading an advertisement and attended an introductory session. After this, eight people expressed a desire to participate in the six-session intervention. Participants generally enjoyed the experience of using 3DVWs. Of those who completed all six sessions, two-thirds showed a positive change in their quality of life score. Moreover, those who participated in almost all sessions showed higher satisfaction with the use of the 3DVW than those who dropped out. Both residents and care staff perceived the 3DVW as engaging, fun and memory stimulating. The findings support the feasibility of using 3DVWs with people with dementia, and this justifies the need for further research

Enantioselectivity of the Transfer of Hydrogen Atoms to Acyclic Prochiral Carbon-Centred Radicals Using Chiral Tin Hydrides

Racemic α-bromo esters 2 have been reduced via prochiral that the minor diastereomer of tin hydrides 1a and 1b reacts with good enantioselectivity whereas the major diastereomer radicals 5 with low to moderate enantioselectivities using chiral tin hydrides 1 with a stereogenic tin atom containing reacts almost unselectively. The observed enantioselectivities are also strongly influenced by steric effects of the substituchiral 2-[(1-dimethylaminoalkyl)phenyl] ligands. The tin hydrides 1 were mixtures of diastereomers. It could be shown ents attached to the radical centre

Using a Powered Bone Marrow Biopsy System Results in Shorter Procedures, Causes Less Residual Pain to Adult Patients, and Yields Larger Specimens

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In recent years, a battery-powered bone marrow biopsy system was developed and cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to allow health care providers to access the bone marrow space quickly and efficiently. A multicenter randomized clinical trial was designed for adult patients to determine if the powered device had advantages over traditional manually-inserted needles in regard to length of procedure, patient pain, complications, user satisfaction, and pathological analysis of the specimens.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Adult patients requiring marrow sampling procedures were randomized for a Manual or Powered device. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores were captured immediately following the procedure and 1 and 7 days later. Procedure time was measured and core specimens were submitted to pathology for grading.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ten sites enrolled 102 patients into the study (Powered, n = 52; Manual, n = 50). Mean VAS scores for overall procedural pain were not significantly different between the arms (3.8 ± 2.8 for Powered, 3.5 ± 2.3 for Manual [p = 0.623]). A day later, more patients who underwent the Powered procedure were pain-free (67%) than those patients in the Manual group (33%; p = 0.003). One week later, there was no difference (83% for Powered patients; 76% for Manual patients.) Mean procedure time was 102.1 ± 86.4 seconds for the Powered group and 203.1 ± 149.5 seconds for the Manual group (p < 0.001). Pathology assessment was similar in specimen quality, but there was a significant difference in the specimen volume between the devices (Powered: 36.8 ± 21.2 mm³; Manual: 20.4 ± 9.0 mm³; p = 0.039). Two non-serious complications were experienced during Powered procedures (4%); but none during Manual procedures (p = 0.495).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results of this first trial provide evidence that the Powered device delivers larger-volume bone marrow specimens for pathology evaluation. In addition, bone marrow specimens were secured more rapidly and subjects experienced less intermediate term pain when the Powered device was employed. Further study is needed to determine if clinicians more experienced with the Powered device will be able to use it in a manner that significantly reduces needle insertion pain; and to compare a larger sample of pathology specimens obtained using the Powered device to those obtained using traditional manual biopsy needles.</p

Аспекты создания многослойных покрытий методом плазменного напыления

In the work, taking into account the state of the issue in the field of applying multilayer heat-shielding and wear-resistant coatings, directions of research are substantiated. The objectives of the development are: improvement of powder materials containing zirconium dioxide partially stabilized with yttrium oxide for plasma deposition of heat-shielding coa-tings; improvement of powder materials containing oxide ceramics and nickel-based alloys for plasma deposition of wear-resistant coatings; development of technological parameters of plasma spraying and subsequent processing by the effects of compression plasma on the coating; analysis of the quality of protective coatings obtained using the optimal technology by studying their structure and physical and mechanical properties. The ZrO2 – 7 % Y2O3 particles contain the predominant tetragonal Y0.15Zr0.85O0.93 phase, monoclinic and cubic ZrO2 phases, and the Al2O3–TiO2–Ni–Cr–Al–Y–Ta composition contains the Cr1.12Ni2.88 phase of the nickel-based solid solution, the a-Al2O3, g-Al2O3 phases, and the orthorhombic phase of titanium oxide TiO2 that contribute to its wear resistance. subsequent optimization of technological parameters for the process of plasma spraying of multilayer heat-shielding and wear-resistant coatings. Technological parameters for the process of plasma spraying of multi-layer heat-shielding and wear-resistant coatings are investigated with subsequent optimization. The optimization criteria were the utilization factor of the sprayed powder material and the structure of the coatings. The influence of the spraying distance on the values of operational characteristics of the formed plasma coatings on Al2O3–TiO2–Ni–Cr–Al–Y–Ta has been studied. The obtained results of controlling the phase composition of coatings by varying the chemical composition of powder materials are presented. In the process of deposition, the differences in the phase composition of the formed material are the more significant, the more inhomogeneous the distribution of elements in the initial powder material. Tests have been carried out for cyclic testing in an oven at a maximum temperature within 1300 °C of heat-shielding coatings to determine their heat resistance. They proved the influence of the phase composition of the formed coatings on their ability to withstand high-temperature oxidation.. В работе с учетом состояния вопроса в области нанесения многослойных теплозащитных и износостойких покрытий обоснованы направления исследований. Задачами разработки являются: совершенствование порошковых материалов, содержащих частично стабилизированный оксидом иттрия диоксид циркония для плазменного нанесения теплозащитных покрытий; совершенствование порошковых материалов, содержащих оксидную керамику и сплавы на основе никеля для плазменного нанесения износостойких покрытий; отработка технологических параметров плазменного напыления и последующей обработки воздействиями на покрытие компрессионной плазмы; анализ качества полученных по оптимальной технологии защитных покрытий путем исследования их структуры и физико-механических свойств. Частицы ZrO2 – 7 % Y2O3 содержат преобладающую тетрагональную фазу Y0,15Zr0,85O0,93, моноклинную и кубическую фазы ZrO2, а композиция Al2O3–TiO2–Ni–Cr–Al–Y–Ta содержит способствующие ее износостойкости фазу Cr1,12Ni2,88 твердого раствора на основе никеля, фазы a-Al2O3, g-Al2O3, орторомбическую фазу оксида титана TiO2. Исследованы с последующей оптимизацией технологические параметры для процесса плазменного напыления многослойных теплозащитных и износостойких покрытий. Критериями оптимизации служили коэффициент использования напыляемого порошкового материала и структура покрытий. Исследовано влияние дистанции напыления на значения эксплуатационных характеристик сформированных плазменных покрытий на Al2O3–TiO2–Ni–Cr–Al–Y–Ta. Приведены полученные результаты регулирования фазового состава покрытий с помощью варьирования химического состава порошковых материалов, отличия в фазовом составе сформированного материала тем значительнее, чем более неоднородно распределение элементов в исходном порошковом материале. Проведены испытания на циклическое тестирование в печи при максимальной температуре в пределах 1300 °C теплозащитных покрытий для выявления их термостойкости. Они доказали влияние фазового состава сформированных покрытий на их способность противостоять высокотемпературному окислению.

Исследование структуры и свойств многослойных плазменных порошковых покрытий из керамики и сплавов на основе никеля

The paper deals with the studies of plasma coatings formed under optimal technological conditions from Al2O3–TiO2–NiCrAlYТа powder compositions. They have an acceptable density and have a number of surface defects acceptable for operation – pores and cracks. Large-dimensional ceramic Al2O3–TiO2 particles are embedded in the NiCrAlYТа matrix during the formation of the coating. This structure is associated with the mobility of the molten liquid-phase components of NiCrAlYТа, which tend to fill gaps and cracks that occur during plasma spraying of metal oxide coating and contribute to an increase in the density of coatings. In the process of high-temperature deposition, the oxide component melts into an organic whole with a metal one in the area of the interface, the elements diffuse and penetrate each other, so the interface is not clearly defined, there are no obvious boundaries between layered structures. These structures, along with chemical and mechanical bonds, also contain metallurgical bonds. With the optimal spraying parameters we have established, a microheterogeneous structure is observed in the coating system with the content of elements that ensure its wear resistance (orthorhombic phase of titanium oxide, Cr1.12Ni2.88, a-Al2O3, γ-Al2O3). Spreading of molten powder particles on the substrate occurs with minimal spattering and losses upon impact on the substrate. The main crystalline phases in the system of the formed coating include Cr1.12Ni2.88, γ-Al2O3, anatase (TiO2) in addition to rutile, and a-Al2O3. In the analysis, diffraction peaks in rutile are detected in the ranges 2θ = 32° and 2θ = 70°, while the content increases after the sputtering process, which confirms the transition from the anatase phase to the rutile phase at high temperature. Based on the results of quantitative analysis, the content in coating of a-Al2O3 and rutile TiO2 is approximately 30.4 % and 32.2 %, respectively, being the main phase structures of the coatings. Studies have been carried out on the influence of distances of the plasma spraying process on the performance characteristics of wear-resistant plasma coatings – adhesion strength, hardness and porosity.В статье рассмотрены проведенные исследования сформированных при оптимальных технологических режимах плазменных покрытий из порошковых композиций Al2O3–TiO2–NiCrAlYТа. Они обладают приемлемой плотностью и имеют допустимое для эксплуатации количество поверхностных дефектов – пор и трещин. Крупно-габаритные керамические частицы Al2O3–TiO2 внедрены в NiCrAlYТа матрицу при формировании покрытия. Такое строение связано с подвижностью у расплавленных жидкофазных составляющих NiCrAlYТа, которые стремятся заполнить промежутки и трещины, возникающие в процессе плазменного напылении металлооксидного покрытия и способствуют повышению плотности покрытий. В процессе высокотемпературного осаждения оксидная составляющая плавится в органическое целое с металлической в области границы раздела, элементы диффундируют и проникают друг в друга, поэтому граница раздела не является четко определенной, нет очевидных границ между слоис-тыми структурами, наравне с химическими и механическими связями присутствуют и металлургические связи. При установленных нами оптимальных параметрах напыления в системе покрытия наблюдается микрогетерогенная структура с содержанием элементов, обеспечивающих его износостойкость (орторомбическая фаза оксида титана, Cr1,12Ni2,88, a-Al2O3, γ-Al2O3). Происходит растекание расплавленных порошковых частиц на подложке с минимальным разбрызгиванием и потерями при ударе о подложку. К основным кристаллическим фазам в системе сформированного покрытия можно отнести Cr1,12Ni2,88, γ-Al2O3, анатаз (TiO2) в дополнение к рутилу и a-Al2O3. При анализе дифракционные пики у рутила выявляются в пределах 2θ = 32° и 2θ = 70°, при этом содержание растет после процесса распыления, что подтверждает переход из фазы анатаза в рутильную фазу при высокой температуре. На основании результатов количественного анализа установлено, что содержание в покрытии a-Al2O3 и рутила TiO2 составляет примерно 30,4 и 32,2 % соответственно, являясь при этом основными фазовыми структурами покрытий. Проведены исследования по влиянию дистанций процесса плазменного напыления на эксплуатационные характеристики износостойких плазменных покрытий – прочность сцепления, твердость и пористость

A call for transparent reporting to optimize the predictive value of preclinical research

The US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke convened major stakeholders in June 2012 to discuss how to improve the methodological reporting of animal studies in grant applications and publications. The main workshop recommendation is that at a minimum studies should report on sample-size estimation, whether and how animals were randomized, whether investigators were blind to the treatment, and the handling of data. We recognize that achieving a meaningful improvement in the quality of reporting will require a concerted effort by investigators, reviewers, funding agencies and journal editors. Requiring better reporting of animal studies will raise awareness of the importance of rigorous study design to accelerate scientific progress

Biocontrol Potential of Forest Tree Endophytes

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