Community-based initiatives in the urban realm what conditions their performance?

A city is a place where many initiatives, people, and social and urban challenges meet. This article brings together the cumulative knowledge of eight researchers who have been studying community-based initiatives (CBIs) via case studies in various countries. In some countries, citizens were not satisfied with government-provided services, or services were l

Dinuclear bisimidazolyl-Cu(II) calix[4]arenes as metalloenzyme models. Synthesis and bifunctional catalysis in phosphate diester transesterification

Calix[4]arenes functionalized with two catalytic bisimidazolyl-Cu(II) centers and two additional hydroxymethyl (2-Cu2) or aminomethyl groups (3-Cu2) were synthesized as models for enzymes that cleave phosphate diester bonds. The kinetics of 2-Cu2 and 3-Cu2 in the catalysis of the intramolecular transesterification of the RNA model substrate 2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate were compared with those of the parent calix[4]arene 1-Cu2, lacking the two additional functional groups. Under neutral conditions, all complexes show high rate enhancements due to the cooperative action of the Cu(II) ions. The kinetics indicate for 3-Cu2 bifunctional catalytic effects. At the pH optimum of 7.4 at least one amine is protonated, which can assist as a general acid in the binding and activation of the substrate

Securing Important Strigolactone Key Structures: Orobanchol and 5-Deoxystrigol

Contains fulltext : 158677.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Sustainable substrates for plants, trees and shrubs enabled with BioFoam®

BioFoam® is a polylactic acid based particle foam developed by Synbra Technology. It is an alternative to current foam materials, but bio-based and compostable. BioFoam® is already used in packaging applications and in construction, but now also horticultural applications are considered. To study possible horticultural applications various experiments have been conducted. Water retention curves of BioFoam® mixtures with potting soil have been determined. Various types of BioFoam® have been used for this. It was found that the water retention of the foam is not as good as e.g., peat, but it can be improved by modifying. In a large greenhouse BioFoam® has been compared with Styromüll for insulation purposes and to improve light reflection during Chrysanthemums growth. Best growing results have been obtained when BioFoam® was used and besides it has better end of life options. A cultivation test in a hydro culture pot system with blackberry plants on BioFoam® and standard substrates showed that plant growth was comparable. Based on the above it is concluded that BioFoam® offers an alternative in various horticultural applications as (partial) replacement for existing substrates like peat or coconut.</p

Sustainable substrates for plants, trees and shrubs enabled with BioFoam®

BioFoam® is a polylactic acid based particle foam developed by Synbra Technology. It is an alternative to current foam materials, but bio-based and compostable. BioFoam® is already used in packaging applications and in construction, but now also horticultural applications are considered. To study possible horticultural applications various experiments have been conducted. Water retention curves of BioFoam® mixtures with potting soil have been determined. Various types of BioFoam® have been used for this. It was found that the water retention of the foam is not as good as e.g., peat, but it can be improved by modifying. In a large greenhouse BioFoam® has been compared with Styromüll for insulation purposes and to improve light reflection during Chrysanthemums growth. Best growing results have been obtained when BioFoam® was used and besides it has better end of life options. A cultivation test in a hydro culture pot system with blackberry plants on BioFoam® and standard substrates showed that plant growth was comparable. Based on the above it is concluded that BioFoam® offers an alternative in various horticultural applications as (partial) replacement for existing substrates like peat or coconut.</p