Legal regulations of dangerous and harmful substances, the problem of pesticide residues in soil

Zemljište je neobnovijivi resurs i veoma dinamičan sistem, koji obavija mnogo funkcija i pruža usluge od vitalnog značaja za Ijudske delatnosti i opstanak ekosistema. Proizvodnja zdravstveno ispravne hrane, zaštita zdravlja Ijudi, životinjskog i biljnog svijeta, nesmetanog korištenja i zaštite prirode životne sredine mogući su jedino uz zaštitu poljoprivrednog zemljista od zagađenja. Zaštita poljoprivrednog zemljišta se sprovodi zabranom, ograničavanjem i sprečavanjem od direktnog unošenja te unošenja vodem i vazduhom štetnih materija i preduzimanjem drugih mera za očuvanje i poboljšanje njegove plodnosti. U radu su navedeni ključni aspekti regulatorne politike Srbije i zemalja u okruženju sa osvrstom na direktivu EU (91/414/EEC) za postojanost poljoprivrednih pesticida (aktivnih materija) u zemljištu. U radu je predstavijen Evropski regulatorni stav za zemljište po pitanju ne-ekstrahovanih ili vezanih pesticida i njihov uticaj na životnu sredinu kao i uticaj đubrenja na vezivanje pesticida u poljoprivrednom zemljištu.The paper set out key aspects of regulatory policy of Serbia and neighboring countries with regard to the EU directive (91/414/EEC) for the stability of agricultural pesticides (active substances) in soil. This paper presents European regulatory position regarding land for non-extracted or related pesticides and their impact on the environment and the impact of fertilization on the binding of pesticides in agricultural soil

Karakterizacija sirodezmina izolovanih iz fitopatogene gljive Leptosphaeria maculans

The pathogenicity of phytopathogenic fungi is associated with phytotoxins, especially with their chemical nature and quantity. Sirodesmins are phytotoxins from the epipolythiodioxopiperazines group, produced by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans, which are a cause of blackleg and stem canker in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). The aim of this work was to obtain a detailed chemical profile of sirodesmins in five fungal isolates (four from Vojvodina, Serbia, and one from the Centre for Agricultural Research, Rothamsted, UK). Sirodesmins showing different phytotoxicity on treated cotyledons of cv. Quinta were separated and detected by thin layer chromatography in all analysed isolates (L.m, C-3, St-5 and S-11) except K-113, which neither contained sirodesmin congeners nor did it exhibit activity. By use of high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometer, it was possible to identify total of 10 sirodesmins, together with their precursor-phomamide. It was found that the dominant epipolythiodioxopiperazines of the investigated L. maculans isolates were sirodesmin PL, sirodesmin C, and their de-acetylated derivatives.Patogenost fitopatogenih gljiva povezana je sa fitotoksinima, a naročito sa njihovom hemijskom prirodom i količinom. Sirodezmini su fitotoksini iz grupe epipolitiodioksopiperazina, koje proizvodi gljiva Leptosphaeria maculans, uzročnik suve truleži korena i raka stabla uljane repice. Cilj ovog rada bila je detaljna hemijska karakterizacija sirodezmina u pet izolata gljiva (četiri iz Vojvodine i jedan iz Velike Britanije, Centar za poljoprivredna istraživanja, Rothamsted). Kod svih ispitivanih izolata (L. maculans, C-3, St-3, S-11), osim K-113 (koji nije sadržao sirodezmine niti pokazivao aktivnost) tankoslojnom hromatografijom su razdvojeni i detektovani sirodezmini koji su pokazali različitu fitotoksičnost na tretiranim kotiledonima sorte Quinta. Primenom tečne hromatografije visoke efikasnosti, kuplovane sa tandemskim masenim spektrometrom, bilo je moguće identifikovati ukupno 10 sirodezmina, kao i njihov prekursor - fomamid. Utvrđeno je da su dominantni epipolitio-dioksopiperazini ispitivanih izolata L. maculans sirodezmin PL, sirodezmin C i njihovi deacetilovani derivati

Length of carotid stenosis predicts peri-procedural stroke or death and restenosis in patients randomized to endovascular treatment or endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: The anatomy of carotid stenosis may influence the outcome of endovascular treatment or carotid endarterectomy. Whether anatomy favors one treatment over the other in terms of safety or efficacy has not been investigated in randomized trials. METHODS: In 414 patients with mostly symptomatic carotid stenosis randomized to endovascular treatment (angioplasty or stenting; n = 213) or carotid endarterectomy (n = 211) in the Carotid and Vertebral Artery Transluminal Angioplasty Study (CAVATAS), the degree and length of stenosis and plaque surface irregularity were assessed on baseline intraarterial angiography. Outcome measures were stroke or death occurring between randomization and 30 days after treatment, and ipsilateral stroke and restenosis ≥50% during follow-up. RESULTS: Carotid stenosis longer than 0.65 times the common carotid artery diameter was associated with increased risk of peri-procedural stroke or death after both endovascular treatment [odds ratio 2.79 (1.17-6.65), P = 0.02] and carotid endarterectomy [2.43 (1.03-5.73), P = 0.04], and with increased long-term risk of restenosis in endovascular treatment [hazard ratio 1.68 (1.12-2.53), P = 0.01]. The excess in restenosis after endovascular treatment compared with carotid endarterectomy was significantly greater in patients with long stenosis than with short stenosis at baseline (interaction P = 0.003). Results remained significant after multivariate adjustment. No associations were found for degree of stenosis and plaque surface. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing stenosis length is an independent risk factor for peri-procedural stroke or death in endovascular treatment and carotid endarterectomy, without favoring one treatment over the other. However, the excess restenosis rate after endovascular treatment compared with carotid endarterectomy increases with longer stenosis at baseline. Stenosis length merits further investigation in carotid revascularisation trials

Presentation, management, and outcomes of cauda equina syndrome up to one year after surgery, using clinician and participant reporting: A multi-centre prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) results from nerve root compression in the lumbosacral spine, usually due to a prolapsed intervertebral disc. Evidence for management of CES is limited by its infrequent occurrence and lack of standardised clinical definitions and outcome measures. METHODS: This is a prospective multi-centre observational cohort study of adults with CES in the UK. We assessed presentation, investigation, management, and all Core Outcome Set domains up to one year post-operatively using clinician and participant reporting. Univariable and multivariable associations with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and urinary outcomes were investigated. FINDINGS: In 621 participants with CES, catheterisation for urinary retention was required pre-operatively in 31% (191/615). At discharge, only 13% (78/616) required a catheter. Median time to surgery from symptom onset was 3 days (IQR:1-8) with 32% (175/545) undergoing surgery within 48 h. Earlier surgery was associated with catheterisation (OR:2.2, 95%CI:1.5-3.3) but not with admission ODI or radiological compression. In multivariable analyses catheter requirement at discharge was associated with pre-operative catheterisation (OR:10.6, 95%CI:5.8-20.4) and one-year ODI was associated with presentation ODI (r = 0.3, 95%CI:0.2-0.4), but neither outcome was associated with time to surgery or radiological compression. Additional healthcare services were required by 65% (320/490) during one year follow up. INTERPRETATION: Post-operative functional improvement occurred even in those presenting with urinary retention. There was no association between outcomes and time to surgery in this observational study. Significant healthcare needs remained post-operatively. FUNDING: DCN Endowment Fund funded study administration. Castor EDC provided database use. No other study funding was received

Algae control for hydrogeneration canals

The purpose of this Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) was to assess and develop control practices for nuisance algae growth in power canal that delivers water to hydro-generation facilities. This growth results in expenditures related not only to lost generation but also labor and materials costs associated with implementing remediation procedures. On an industry-wide basis these costs associated with nuisance algal growth are estimated to be several million dollars per year

HPLC metoda za određivanje sulfonilurea

Herbicidi iz grupe sulfonilurea su snažni inhibitori acetolaktat sintetaze (ALS), ključnog enzima koji učestvuje u biosintezi aminokiselina sa razgranatim alifaticnim nizom (valin, leucin i izoleucin) u biljkama. Osim toga, sulfoniluree se koriste u suzbijanju korova zbog njihovog širokog spektra delovanja, male rezidualne aktivnosti, široke mogućnosti primene, male fitotoksičnosti. Cilj ovog rada je postavijanje jednostavnog i brzog analitičkog postupka za njihovo određivanje u komercijalnim formulacijama sa oksasulfuronom, triasulfuronom i nikosulfuronom kao aktivnim supstancama

Data Center Chiller Plant: Simulation-based Comparative Control Design Case Study

In this paper we apply HVAC control modeling tools implemented in the OpenBuildingControl project. We utilize the Control Description Language, currently being standardized through ASHRAE Standard 231P, and our libraries of control sequences based on ASHRAE Guideline 36. We created a closed-loop model of a cooling plant that includes a chiller, a water-side economizer, and an evaporative cooling tower. The plant provides cooling at 27◦C zone supply air temperature to a data center in Sacramento, CA, USA. We present chiller plant energy use comparison using a base and an alternative (ASHRAE Guideline 36) set of control sequences. We compare annual and summer season power usage effectiveness and illustrate controller operation. The results show a 25% annual energy use reduction with the alternative controls. The capabilities of simulation-based control performance evaluation, enabled through our tools, will further support energy efficiency, grid flexibility, and resilience aspects of system controls

Selection of NS rapeseed genotypes according to the useful value of oil

Rapeseed (Brassia napus L.) is the most common source of vegetable oils in Europe. Global production of Brassica oilseeds has increased faster over the past two decades than that of any other oilseed. Therefore, one of the main breeding objective is to create rapeseed genotypes with highly appreciated nutritional characteristics. The crude rapeseed oil is rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and other phytonutrients essential for good human health

Ekstrakcija nikosulfurona iz zemljišta

Zemijište predstavlja glavni recipijent u kome se adsorbuju i razgrađuju pesticidi, koji u njega dospevaju direktnim putem, kao posledica kontrolisane primene pri suzbijanju korova. Nikosulfuron je selektivni sistematični herbicid, apsorbuje se listom i korenom, relativno brzo se prenosi do meristemskih tkiva. Ovaj herbicid inhibira sintezu acetolaktat sintetazu (ALS), ključni enizim koji učestvuje u biosintezi amino-kiselina sa razgranatim alifatičnim nizom (valin, leucin i izoleucin) u biljkama i zaustavlja deobu ćelija i rast biljke. Nikosulfuron se primenjuje nakon nicanja kukuruza za suzbijanje jednogodišnjih i višegodišnjih uskolisnih i širokolisnih travnih korova. U poređenju sa tradicionalnim herbicidima koji se primenjuju u količini >1kg/ha, nikosulfuron je efikasan u malim količinama <100 g/ha. Postojanost nikosulfurona u zemljištu zavisi od pH, temperature, vlažnosti zemljišta i sadržaja organske materije u zemljištu. S porastom temperature ubrzava se razlaganje nikosulfurona, kako pod uticajem hemijskih faktora (hidroliza, oksidacija) tako i pod uticajem mikroorganizama

Dissipation of nicosulfuron and oxasulfuron in soil under field condition

Sulfonylureas represent a major advancement in global crop protection technology and they have revolutionized weed control by introducing a unique mode of action. These herbicides have low toxicity to mammals while they are highly toxic to plants. The fate of sulfonylurea herbicides is directly related to their chemical structure and mainly to the ionisation of the sulfonylurea bridge. The dissipation behavior of nicosulfuron and oxasulfuron in soil were investigated. Soil was cored on experimental site Rimski Sanéevi in Serbia four times (0-30 days after the spray). The residue levels and dissipation rates of nicosulfuron and oxasulfuron in soil were determined by liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The pesticide formulations were applied in two different rates for nicosulfuron (50 g ai ha-1 and 100 g ai ha Nicogan 40SC) and oxasulfuron (80 g ai ha’' and 160 g ai ha’' Dynox). The fortified recoveries were in the following range for nicosulfuron from 85.90% to 98.71% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.16—4.80% and for oxasulfuron from 88.09% to 99.01% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 1.6-5.66%. The limit of detections (LODs) for nicosulfuron and oxasulfuron in soil were 0.002 mg/kg and 0.003 mg/kg, respectively. The dissipation of nicosulfuron and oxasulfuron residues over the time in soil was described by the Mittag-Leffler function a*Ea,B (- bt). Coefficients a, b, a, 8 were obtained from the experimental data, by using fitting procedure. We got a=0.8, B=3.71, a=159.11, b=12.79 for nicosulfuron and a=0.8, B=4.11, a=82.53, b=7.0 for oxasulfuron. The field dissipation half-life time for nicosulfuron at the topsoil (0-30cm soil depth) was 5.2 days while for oxasulfuron was 9.67days after application. These results could be utilized for the environmental risks assessment and minimizing risk for contamination of natural water resources and damage to following crops