Heavy metal tolerance of fungal and bacterial isolates, and their functional groups following biosorption

Heavy metal contamination still prevails due to improper discharge of effluents from industries, mining activities, agricultural and domestic sources. Hence, the objectives of this study were to isolate bacteria and fungi with high potentials for biosorption of Cd(II), Pb(II), Cr(III) and Ni(II) and to explore their functional groups. Bacteria and fungi able to grow in the presence of 0.1% of selected heavy metals were isolated and enumerated using nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar, respectively. The isolates were then screened for their abilities to withstand high concentrations of heavy metals. After the screening, the isolates with high potential were identified and used for percentage biosorption study. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to compare the spectra and functional groups elaborated by the control and the metal stressed isolates. Bacterial counts were higher than the fungal counts across the soil samples. Screening revealed that the isolates tolerated Pb(II) and Cr(III) better than Ni(II) and Cd(II). The isolates with high biosorption potentials were identified as Ochobactrum intermedium, Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger and Cunninghamella bertholletiae. The functional groups common to the infrared spectra of the control flasks of C. bertholletiae, A. niger and O. intermedium were primary alcohol, aliphatic primary amine, aromatic amine, imine/ oxime, thiol, sulfone and phenol while aliphatic ether, alkyl aryl ether, conjugated ketone, cyclic alkene, α, β-unsaturated ketone, sulfoxide, aromatic ester, isothiocyanate, secondary alcohol, tertiary alcohol, sulfonamide, sulfonate, allene, amine, conjugated acid and conjugated aldehyde were among the functional groups produced in the presence of heavy metals. The findings conclude that the isolates demonstrated a reasonable binding affinity for heavy metals and can be used in developing biosorbent at a commercial level for Cd(II), Pb(II), Cr(III) and Ni(II)

Hypoglycemic and antioxidative activities of ethanol seed extract of Hunteria umbellate (Hallier F.) on streptozotocininduced diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes, a global cause of mortality in developing countries is a chronic disorder affecting the metabolism of macromolecules and has been attributed to the defective production and action of insulin characterized by persistent hyperglycemic properties. This global disorder harms organs of the body such as the liver, kidney and spleen. Medicinal plants such as Hunteria umbellate have been shown to possess hypoglycemic, antioxidative and anti-diabetic properties owing to the high concentration of active phytochemical constituents like flavonoids and alkaloids. The present study seeks to evaluate the hypoglycemic activities of ethanolic seed extract of Hunteria umbellate on streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. Methods: Thirty (30) female experimental rats were randomly divided into five groups with six rats per group and were administered streptozotocin (STZ) and Hunteria umbellate as follows. Group 1 served as control and was given only distilled water, group 2 rats were administered 60 mg/kg STZ; Group 3 was administered 60 mg/kg STZ and 100 mg/kg metformin; group 4 rats were administered 60 mg/kg STZ and 800 mg/kg Hunteria umbellate, group 5 rats 60 mg/kg STZ and 400 mg/kg Hunteria umbellate. The fasting blood glucose level of each rat was measured before sacrifice. Rats were then sacrificed 24 h after the last dose of treatment. Results: The results showed that Hunteria umbellate significantly reversed STZ-induced increase in fasting blood glucose and increase in body and organs weight of rats. Hunteria umbellate significantly reversed STZ-induced decrease in antioxidant enzyme in liver, kidney and spleen of rats. Hunteria umbellate significantly reversed STZinduced increase in oxidative stress markers in liver, kidney and spleen of rats

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Ranking Construction Project Characteristics

This paper is concentrated on ranking project characteristics in order to be able to choose the type of procurement method (such as Traditional or Design & Construct) that can best be used for the design and build stage of a construction project in the future. There are several project characteristics that are defined in literature. But which of these project characteristics are the most important ones? If we know that, a client, in the future, might be able to choose his procurement method better, because the project characteristics are the main criteria for selecting a procurement method. To reach this goal, the first step is to list the relevant project characteristics from literature and practice. The second step is to make these criteria measurable in order to be able to match the characteristics with the procurement method characteristics. This paper will include the relevant project characteristics and the ranking of those by comparing literature with practice. In the future the most relevant project characteristics can be compared with the characteristics of the existing procurement methods in order to be able to make the right choice for a procurement method

Knowledge management in the construction companies in the UK

The construction industry in the UK is facing major challenges, including the 2012 Olympics and the credit crunch. Major contractors recognise the importance of knowledge management, but there is a great difference between technology-based theory, as set out in the literature, and human-centred practice