Assessment of wild plants for phytoremediation of heavy metals in soils surrounding the thermal power station

ArticleThe present investigation was carried out to evaluate the phytoextraction potential of three main wild plant species: annual nettle (Urtica urens L.), daisy fleabane (Stenactis annua (L.) Ness.) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) that grow spontaneously in heavy metal contaminated areas near the thermal power station in Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Analyses of the heavy metal content (Ni, Fe, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn) in soil and plant samples taken from the examined area were performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results obtained revealed that the examined soils are polluted by Ni and Pb and contain relatively high value of Cr and Fe. Annual nettle, daisy fleabane and yarrow have not shown high efficiency in the absorption and accumulation of heavy metals from polluted soils, and therefore these plants are not be considered as potential phytoremediators of soils on the examined area. Furthermore, the results of the study undoubtedly confirm the fact that the total content of heavy metals in soils is not a sufficient parameter for estimating the toxicity of heavy metals in soils and consequently for their transfer and accumulation in plants

Exploring gender differences in attitudes of university students towards entrepreneurship

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to understand gender differences in entrepreneurial intentions as measured by perceived feasibility and perceived desirability, and to explore gender differences in perceptions of entrepreneurship education needs - in terms of programmes, activities or projects - to succeed in an entrepreneurial career from the university students’ point of view. Design/Methodology/Approach - Using data gathered from 3420 university students in more than 10 countries, and applying the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test, differences between genders and different intention groups were examined. To reduce the items regarding educational needs, factor analysis was used. Gender differences in educational needs were also examined via Mann-Whitney Test. Findings - The results confirm that compared to males, female students are less willing to start their own businesses. There are significant gender differences in terms of perceived feasibility and perceived desirability such that although they feel more supported by their families, females are less self-confident, more tense, reluctant and concerned about entrepreneurship. In terms of entrepreneurial intention, there are fewer gender differences among students; however, differences relating to self-confidence and family support still exist. Furthermore, students cited establishing entrepreneurial mentoring and an appropriate tutoring structure as the most needed entrepreneurial educational activity/program/project at an academic institution; this was rated higher by females compared to males. Practical implications – The findings of this paper could help guide educators and policy makers in designing effective entrepreneurship programmes that are customized to respond to gender specific needs to increase entrepreneurial participation. Originality/Value - This study reveals the gender differences in perceived desirability and perceived feasibility which impact entrepreneurial intentions. Gender differences in the entrepreneurial programmes/activities/projects required at an academic institution to promote entrepreneurial participation among university students is also explored

High Power Electronics Innovation Perspectives for Pumped Storage Power Plants

The current framework of high penetration of intermittent energy sources requires variable-speed pumped hydro storage power plants (PHSPs) to provide grid support functions, which are, in this case, achieved through two technologies: doubly-fed induction machine (DFIM), and converter-fed synchronous machine (CFSM). Up to now, limitations of power electronics solutions favoured DFIM due to smaller converter in rotor circuit. This paper presents innovation perspectives for variable-speed PHSPs by presenting a potential future solution: the CFSM configuration employing the modular multilevel converter (MMC). MMC offers almost unrestricted voltage and power scalability. Featuring significantly increased output voltage resolution and scalability, MMC offers in perspective removal, or at least considerable reduction, of the filters and/or transformers, reducing size and cost of installations. This paper discusses potential MMC advantages and drawbacks for variable-speed PHSP applications compared to conventional technologies, considering all the features expected from a flexible PHSP in the current and future electrical grid

Small cells lung epidermoid carcinoma in a HTLV1-infected patient: case report and literature review

The human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the first human retrovirus discovered. Since then, it has spread worldwide and is mainly associated with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV1-associated myelopathy (HAM). Its relationship, however, with other types of cancer is controversial. We describe the case of a patient presenting with small cells lung epidermoid carcinoma who had recently developed HAM, and a review of the literature related to these conditions. This is the first case of this type of lung cancer, the same of the first description in the literature, associated with HAM outside Japan

Mobility as a contradictory resource: Peripatetic Qur’anic students in Kano, Nigeria

Mobility is a powerful resource young people can draw on to improve their lives, but it can also entail risks. This paper explores how mobility becomes a contradictory resource for peripatetic Qur'anic students (almajirai) in Kano State in northern Nigeria. Moving to urban areas allows the young almajirai to escape difficult conditions and to access educational and income opportunities absent in their rural homes. It makes it possible for them to adopt self-conceptions as migrants in search of sacred knowledge who were once widely respected. However, economic decline has made survival in the city more difficult. Lacking the economic and cultural resources to participate in displays of status, and without social superiors to speak for them, the almajirai feel they have become fair game for those searching for scapegoats

Epithelial calcineurin controls microbiota-dependent intestinal tumor development.

Inflammation-associated pathways are active in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and contribute to the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Calcineurin, a phosphatase required for the activation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors, shows increased expression in CRC. We therefore investigated the role of calcineurin in intestinal tumor development. We demonstrate that calcineurin and NFAT factors are constitutively expressed by primary IECs and selectively activated in intestinal tumors as a result of impaired stratification of the tumor-associated microbiota and toll-like receptor signaling. Epithelial calcineurin supports the survival and proliferation of cancer stem cells in an NFAT-dependent manner and promotes the development of intestinal tumors in mice. Moreover, somatic mutations that have been identified in human CRC are associated with constitutive activation of calcineurin, whereas nuclear translocation of NFAT is associated with increased death from CRC. These findings highlight an epithelial cell-intrinsic pathway that integrates signals derived from the commensal microbiota to promote intestinal tumor development.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) grants ZE814/5-1 (S.Z.), BA2863/5-1 (J.F.B.) and CH279/5-1 (T.C.), the European Research Council (ERC) starting grant 336528 (S.Z.), a Postdoctoral Fellowship Award from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (S.Z.), the European Commission (Marie Curie International Reintegration grant 256363; S.Z.), the DFG Excellence Cluster 'Inflammation at Interfaces' (S.Z. and J.F.B.), the DFG Excellence Cluster 'Center for Regenerative Therapies' (S.Z.); the US National Institutes of Health grants DK044319 (R.S.B.), DK051362 (R.S.B.), DK053056 (R.S.B.) and DK088199 (R.S.B.), the Harvard Digestive Diseases Center (HDDC) grant DK0034854 (R.S.B.), and the AIRC grant IG-14233 (M.E.B.).This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Nature Publishing Group via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nm.407

AIDS knowledge and attitudes in a Turkish population: an epidemiological study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate and present some pertinent comments concerning Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) knowledge, attitudes and misconceptions among the general population in a city of west Turkey. This study was deemed important and relevant due to the increasing importance of AIDS in Turkey and the other countries. METHODS: Using a multistage area sampling method, a random sample of individuals aged 11–83 years, living in 65 different quarters in the city of Eskisehir, Turkey during September, October and November 2004 were interviewed. RESULTS: In all, 1048 respondents completed the survey. In most items, respondents displayed a fairly good to excellent degree of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Individuals with higher degrees of education indicated more correct responses in all items relating to knowledge of HIV/AIDS. In general, the respondents' attitudes towards AIDS and people with AIDS were found to be tolerant and positive, with one answer choice showing that the majority of the respondents agreed with the statement that those with HIV/AIDS must be supported, treated and helped (90.7%). Moreover, the proportions of the respondents' misconceptions were found to be significantly low for all the items. However, nearly one fourth of the respondents agreed with the misconceptions 'AIDS is a punishment by God' and 'One is not infected with HIV/AIDS if engaged in sport and well nourished'. CONCLUSION: In general HIV/AIDS related knowledge was high and people showed positive attitudes. However, people continue to hold misconceptions about AIDS and these need to be addressed by health education programs targeting those at higher risk