Intra-specific responses of Cymodocea nodosa to macro-nutrient, irradiance and copper exposure

Excess macro-nutrients, metal contamination and light limitation are three of the most commonly encountered anthropogenic stressors affecting seagrass meadows. In this study, the effects of different combinations of nutrients (N-NO3, P-PO4), copper and irradiance were investigated in shoots of Cymodocea nodosa collected from three meadows in the N. Aegean Sea, one (Nea Karvali) impacted by anthropogenically-derived environmental stressors and two in more pristine condition (Thasos, Brasidas). In a series of laboratory experiments, shoots were exposed to varying nutrient and heavy metal concentrations, as well as varying irradiance levels, for 8days and the effective quantum yield (δF/Fm') and leaf elongation were quantified. Results showed that C. nodosa increased δF/Fm' under high nutrient concentrations (30μΜ N-NO3--2μΜ P-PO43-) but significant differences were only apparent in shoots collected from the oligotrophic-less stressed meadows. Irradiance affected δF/Fm' significantly in all shoots irrespective of source and PO4-P concentration, while higher values were measured under low light conditions and it was identified as the main pathway of eutrophication stress in N. Aegean Cymodocea meadows. Shoots, independently of acclimation were tolerant to copper enrichment, with only the highest copper concentrations (4.7 and 7.9μM) having significant negative effects on δF/Fm'. Shoots from the more pristine meadows were less affected by Cu than those from the highly stressed meadow

Interface reactions and Kirkendall voids in metal organic vapor phase epitaxy grown Cu In,Ga Se2 thin films on GaAs

Cu In1 xGax Se2 CIGS films were grown on 001 GaAs at 570 C or 500 C by means of metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. All films were Cu rich [Cu In Ga gt;1] with pseudomorphic Cu2Se second phases found only on the growth surface. During growth, diffusion of Ga from the substrate and vacancies generated by the formation of CIGS from Cu2Se at the surface occurred. The diffusion processes lead to the formation of Kirkendal voids at the GaAs CIGS interface. Transmission electron microscopy and nanoprobe energy dispersive spectroscopy were used to analyze these diffusion and void formation processes. The diffusivity of Ga in CIGS was found to be relatively low. This is postulated to be due to a comparatively low concentration of point defects in the epitaxial films. A reaction model explaining the observed profiles and voids is propose

Evaluating different multi-criteria decision methods for the comparison and investigation of public transport projects

Public transport in Cape Town is considered unsatisfactory by many South Africans and private vehicle usage is preferred by most users. The investment in more attractive public transport services is one of the ways to combat the unsustainable move towards private vehicles. Public transport projects are, generally, evaluated using Cost-Benefit Analyses. This research aims to establish an evaluation method, which includes non-monetary criteria, such as accessibility, reliability and convenience. Specifically, it evaluates existing public transport in Cape Town (rail, bus, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and minibus taxis), as well as a hypothetical integrated public transport system, using various forms of MultiCriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), assuming both weighted and unweighted criteria. The information used in this study was obtained as secondary data through organisations linked to the management of the systems, as well as previous studies. This information was used to determine the criteria that the public transport projects would be measured against. These criteria were weighted using the Analytical Hierarchy Process method with input from academics, government employees, transport engineers and non-profit organisations within the transport discipline. The same survey was then extended to the general public transport users. The scenarios were then evaluated using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method, as well as the Evaluation of Mixed Data (EVAMIX) method of multi-criteria analysis. While the results of the SAW and EVAMIX methods differ slightly, aggregation methods were applied to establish a final ranking. Both MCDA methods provided feasible results and can be applied in the South African context. This project concluded that integrated public transport is the most desirable mode of public transport, while BRT is considered the least attractive.Papers presented at the 40th International Southern African Transport Conference on 04 -08 July 202

A bicarotid trunk in association with an aberrant right subclavian artery. Report of two cases, clinical impact, and review of the literature

A combination of an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) and a bicarotid trunk (BCT) appears in up to 2.5% of the population. The aim of this study is to report the higher total and male incidence of this variation in the literature and to summarise its clinical impact, providing useful knowledge to anatomists, radiologists, cardiologists, and vascular and thoracic surgeons in order to avoid diagnostic pitfalls and therapeutic complications. A total of 72 (43 female and 29 male) Greek Caucasian formalin-embalmed cadavers were studied. The international literature was reviewed along with the dissection archives of the Department of Anatomy from 1986 to 2009. Two male cadavers were found to have an ARSA combined with a BCT (incidence: total 2.78%, males 6.9%, females 0%). Both aortic arches consisted of three branches: (1) the BCT, (2) the left subclavian artery, and (3) the ARSA. The common carotids followed a normal route to the neck; the ARSA passed between the trachea and the oesophagus in the first case and behind the oesophagus in the second case, and was accompanied by a non-recurrent laryngeal nerve. In the second cadaver the ARSA formed a sharp angle (kinking/buckling) on its route to the right arm. The ARSA is associated with several congenital cardiovascular anomalies and some chromosomal and other syndromes. It is occasionaly responsible for causing dysphagia, dyspnoea, or acute ischaemia to the right upper limb, and it may present as a superior mediastinal mass in cases of aneurysm formation. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 2: 68–73

Diversity and composition of algal epiphytes on the Mediterranean seagrass Cymodocea nodosa : a scale-based study

Acknowledgements This work has been conducted at the Fisheries Research Institute (ELGO DIMITRA) as an undergraduate dissertation of Soultana Tsioli at the University of Patras with supervisors Prof. E. Papastergiadou and Dr. S. Orfanidis. FCK received funding from the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC, program Oceans 2025 – WP 4.5 and grants NE/D521522/1 and NE/J023094/1). Sequencing was conducted at the Molecular Genetics Facility (MGF) of NERC, supported by grant MGF 154.Peer reviewedPostprin

A systematic review of viewing conditions and monitor specifications in mammography

Objectives The purpose of this systematic review was to establish the current status of recommended monitor specifications and viewing conditions in mammography for image acquisition and reporting rooms. A literature search was completed between August 2018 and March 2019 using ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Science and MEDLINE databases. An additional manual search was performed to identify relevant guidelines to support the review. Only articles and guidelines written in English were included. Key findings Results were selected according to the following criteria; articles detailing (i) monitor specification and, (ii) viewing conditions in mammography acquisition and reporting rooms. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Six papers described monitor specifications, five described viewing conditions and ten guideline documents were identified from the UK, Europe and the US. Common outcomes were that monitors with 3 or 5 MP resolution seemed to be preferred and at the same time higher illumination levels (>15 lux) were found to decrease the luminance of the monitors and negatively impact the assessment of image quality. Contrary to this, the majority of guideline documents recommended illumination levels above 20 Lux. Finally, there is a lack of guidance for viewing conditions in acquisition rooms. Conclusion This review did not reveal any strong evidence for the proposed room illumination levels in acquisition rooms. In reference to monitors specifications, there is preference for using higher resolution displays (3 and 5 MP) but again, the evidence is not strong. Moreover, variance exists in the guidelines and that promotes inconsistency in mammography departments. Implications for practice This review highlights the lack of standardised guidelines and the need for further research on the viewing conditions and monitor specifications for the acquisition rooms in mammography

Survey of monitor specification and viewing conditions in breast screening units in the North West of England

Introduction: Monitor specification and viewing conditions are important factors affecting image assessment in mammography. This survey evaluates the different viewing conditions and monitor specifications that exist in acquisition and reporting rooms in UK breast screening units. Methods: Static (n=10) and mobile (n=2) breast screening units were evaluated in North West England. Room illumination levels were measured in 3 locations for each room using a calibrated Lux meter and the specification of 122 monitors recorded. Room layout, wall colour, location and number of doors, windows and light sources were recorded. Results: In reporting rooms, 90/91 of monitors had similar technical specifications and were compliant to guidelines. The ambient light levels ranged from 10-25.8 lux. The mean illuminance was 12.32 ± 4.6 lux. In acquisition rooms, great variances appeared in monitor specification and ambient light levels. The majority of monitors (24/34) had 3 megapixel (MB) optimum resolution but the ambient light level ranged from 10-1020 lux. The mean illuminance was 105.3 ± 178.8 lux. The mobile units were consistent with each other and compliant with guidelines. Conclusion: A lack of consistency and great variances appeared in terms of ambient light levels and monitor specifications in the image acquisition rooms. However, there was excellent consistency among the illumination measurements and the monitors’ technical specifications in the reporting rooms. Implications for practice: This research demonstrates, for the first time, the need for further research and specialised guidelines for acquisition rooms