The transfer of 137Cs, Pu isotopes and 90Sr to bird, bat and ground-dwelling small mammal species within the Chernobyl exclusion zone

Protected species are the focus of many radiological environmental assessments. However, the lack of radioecological data for many protected species presents a significant international challenge. Furthermore, there are legislative restrictions on destructive sampling of protected species to obtain such data. Where data are not available, extrapolations are often made from ‘similar’ species but there has been little attempt to validate this approach. In this paper we present what, to our knowledge, is the first study purposefully designed to test the hypothesis that radioecological data for unprotected species can be used to estimate conservative radioecolgical parameters for protected species; conservatism being necessary to ensure that there is no significant impact. The study was conducted in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Consequently, we are able to present data for Pu isotopes in terrestrial wildlife. There has been limited research on Pu transfer to terrestrial wildlife which contrasts with the need to assess radiation exposure of wildlife to Pu isotopes around many nuclear facilities internationally. Our results provide overall support for the hypothesis that data for unprotected species can be used to adequately assess the impacts for ionising radiation on protected species. This is demonstrated for a range of mammalian and avian species. However, we identify one case, the shrew, for which data from other ground-dwelling small mammals would not lead to an appropriately conservative assessment of radiation impact. This indicates the need to further test our hypothesis across a range of species and ecosystems, and/or ensure adequate conservatism within assessments. The data presented are of value to those trying to more accurately estimate the radiation dose to wildlife in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, helping to reduce the considerable uncertainty in studies reporting dose-effect relationships for wildlife. A video abstract for this paper is available here

Effect of Forest Edge Cutting on Transpiration Rate in <i>Picea abies</i> (L.) H. Karst.

A field study was conducted to investigate the effect of forest-edge cutting on the transpiration rates of individual Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. trees regarding their susceptibility to bark-beetle Ips typographus (L.) infestation. The study period, spanning from 2019 to 2020, involved two treatment plots (Tp) and two control plots (Cp). Sap-flow sensors working according to the trunk-heat-balance method were set up on selected sample trees from Tp and Cp. Calibration equations were established after a one-year monitoring period between Cp and Tp, followed by 50-meter-long forest edges created at Tp. The changes in the daily sap flow rates were determined as the differences between the measured and predicted values derived from the calibration equations. The results showed that the created forest-edge clearance caused an increase of up to 16% in the sap flow of trees positioned near the new edge. There was a positive correlation between the increase in the sap flow of the trees and the decreased canopy density of the surroundings. The results of this study indicated that forest-edge clearance and forest fragmentation significantly affect the responses of forest-edge trees to new microclimatic conditions

Citlivá voltametrické metoda pro stanovení antioxidantu pyrogalolu s využitím borem dopované diamantové elektrody

A sensitive voltammetric method for the determination of pyrogallol (PY) was developed employing a boron-doped diamond electrode (BDDE). The composition of the supporting electrolyte was investigated during the development of the methodology. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) under the optimized experimental conditions was applied for PY determination with a limit of detection and limit of quantification of 0.85 and 2.82 lmol L-1, respectively. These values are satisfactory for application to real samples. The usability of this method for the quantification of pyrogallol was in range from 2.82 to 296.00 lmol L-1. Finally, the developed method was successfully used for the analysis of real samples of bio diesel produced from rapeseed oil and its blend with diesel fuel. Samples of biodiesel and biodiesel blends were analyzed directly in an electrochemical cell, while samples with very low concentrations of PY in biodiesel were extracted with water using the proposed simple and fast process.Byla vyvinuta voltametrická metoda pro stanovení antioxidantu pyrogalolu s vyžitím borem dopované diamantové elektrody. Tato metoda byla aplikována při stanovení antioxidantu v bionaftě

Vietnam's socio-economic development : a social science review

The small-bodied hominin Homo jloresiensis was recently identified at Liang Bua, Flores, Indonesia. Some researchers have argued that H. jloresiensis represents pathological individuals from a behaviorally modern Homo sapiens population, arguing in part that the stone-tools found in association are too advanced to have been manufactured by a nonmodern hominin. Here we show that the Pleistocene stone-tools from Flores, including Liang Bua, are technologically and morphologically similar to the 1.2-1.9 Mya OldowaniDeveloped Oldowan tools from Olduvai Gorge in Africa. The Pleistocene lithic technology on Flores was therefore within the capabilities of small-brained, nonmodern hominins

Capturing complexity in how configurations of firm Internal Orientations impact corporate social performance outcomes: Breaking from the dominant logic of symmetric-variable to asymmetric-case-based theory and testing

This study exemplifies how an asymmetric and case based (configurational) research approach (using fuzzy state logic and complexity theory) is useful for conceptualization and explanation of complex topics and heterogeneous outcomes. The study here analyses the recipes (condition combinations) for Internal Orientation constructs (IO: strategic intent, CSP management, strategic orientation and industrial standards) among multi-national companies (MNCs) indicating “high” levels of corporate social performance (CSP) and the “United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment” (UNPRI) ESG factor framework (Environment, Social-human rights, and Governance) – separately and as a whole. The study applies a mixed methods research design and includes comparing ESG with financial performance across a “Top-100 Sustainable Companies Index” (n?=?82 of MNCs trading on the Swedish stock exchange). The study's findings support the core tenets of complexity theory; all four IO constructs affect a high E or S or G outcome but not all three outcomes in combination