The charge and energy spectra of heavy cosmic ray nuclei

A charged particle detector array flown in a high altitude balloon detected and measured some 30,000 cosmic ray nuclei with Z greater than or equal to 12. The charge spectrum at the top of the atmosphere for nuclei with E greater than 650 MeV/n and the energy spectrum for 650 less than or equal to E less than 1800 MeV/n are reported and compared with previously published results. The charge spectrum at the source of cosmic rays is deduced from these data and compared with a recent compilation of galactic abundances

Development and application of rice starch based edible coating to improve the postharvest storage potential and quality of plum fruit (<i>Prunus salicina</i>)

The study investigated the possibility of enhancing the shelf life of plum fruit coated with rice starch-ι-carrageenan (RS-ι-car) composite coating blended with sucrose fatty acid esters (FAEs). Film solution (starch 3%, carrageenan 1.5% and FAEs 2%) was prepared by mixing the ingredients and properties of stand-alone films (physical, mechanical, barrier and surface morphology) were studied before applying the coating on fruit surface. Fruit were stored at 20 °C for 3 weeks and analyzed for weight loss, ethylene production, respiration rate, color change, firmness, and titratable acidity (TA) and soluble solid content (SSC). Surface morphology of stand-alone film and fruit surface (after applying on the plum fruit) was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Phytochemical analysis was performed during the storage period and total phenolic content (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), flavonoid content (FC) and free radical scavenging activity were determined. The rice starch composite coating was shown to be effective in reducing both weight loss (WL) and respiration rate and inhibiting the endogenous ethylene production when compared to the uncoated control fruit stored at room temperature (p &lt; 0.05). TPC, TAC, FC and free radical scavenging activity was unaffected in the coated fruit throughout the storage period (p &lt; 0.05). The findings reported in this study indicate that the RS-ι-car-FAEs coating prolongs the shelf life and maintains the overall quality of plum fruit during storage and could potentially be commercialized as a new edible coating for the plum fruit industry

Application of biocomposite edible coatings based on pea starch and guar gum on quality, storability and shelf life of ‘Valencia’ oranges

Novel edible composite coatings based on pea starch and guar gum (PSGG), PSGG blended with lipid mixture containing the hydrophobic compounds shellac and oleic acid (PSGG-Sh), and a layer-by-layer (LBL) approach (PSGG as an internal layer and shellac as an external layer), were investigated and compared with a commercial wax (CW) and uncoated fruit on postharvest quality of ‘Valencia’ oranges held for up to four weeks at 20 °C and 5 °C with an additional storage for 7 d at 20 °C. The incorporation of lipid compounds into the PSGG coatings (PSGG-Sh) generally resulted in the best performance in reducing fruit respiration rate, ethylene production, weight and firmness loss, peel pitting, and fruit decay rate of the coated oranges. Fruit coated with PSGG-Sh and a single layer PSGG coatings generally resulted in higher scores for overall flavor and freshness after four weeks at 5 °C followed by one week at 20 °C than uncoated fruit, as assessed by a sensory panel. Although the LBL coating reduced weight loss and respiration rate with improved firmness retention to a greater extent than the single layer PSGG coating, the bilayer coating also resulted in higher levels of ethanol causing increased perception of off-flavors. Overall results suggested that PSGG-based edible coatings could be a beneficial substitute to common commercial waxes for maintaining quality and storability, as well as extending shelf life of citrus fruit and potentially other fresh horticultural produce

The olive biophenols oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol selectively reduce proliferation, influence the cell cycle, and induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells

Current chemotherapy drugs for pancreatic cancer only offer an increase in survival of up to six months. Additionally, they are highly toxic to normal tissues, drastically affecting the quality of life of patients. Therefore, the search for novel agents, which induce apoptosis in cancer cells while displaying limited toxicity towards normal cells, is paramount. The olive biophenols, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, have displayed cytotoxicity towards cancer cells without affecting non-tumorigenic cells in cancers of the breast and prostate. However, their activity in pancreatic cancer has not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the anti-pancreatic cancer potential of oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol. Pancreatic cancer cells (MIA PaCa-2, BxPC-3, and CFPAC-1) and non-tumorigenic pancreas cells (HPDE) were treated with oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol to determine their effect on cell viability. Oleuropein displayed selective toxicity towards MIA PaCa-2 cells and hydroxytyrosol towards MIA PaCa-2 and HPDE cells. Subsequent analysis of Bcl-2 family proteins and caspase 3/7 activation determined that oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol induced apoptosis in MIA PaCa-2 cells, while oleuropein displayed a protective effect on HPDE cells. Gene expression analysis revealed putative mechanisms of action, which suggested that c-Jun and c-Fos are involved in oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol induced apoptosis of MIA PaCa-2 cells

Countryside Survey: Headwater Streams Report from 2007

This technical report describes methods and results from the headwater streams component of Countryside Survey. Countryside Survey (CS) consists of a field-based survey of 591 1km x 1km sample squares spread across England, Scotland and Wales, undertaken approximately every eight years. Around 60% of these squares contain at least one linear water feature such as a stream or ditch. Surveys of a headwater stream or ditch/drain site have been undertaken as part of Countryside Survey in 1990, 1998 and 2007. Since 1998, the survey has consisted of three elements: the macroinvertebrates (small aquatic animals visible to the naked eye which live on the stream bed), the macrophytes (larger aquatic plants) and the habitats (the structure of the channel and riparian zone). A single water chemistry sample is taken for supporting information. In 1990, only the macroinvertebrate component of the survey was undertaken. Compared with larger rivers, headwater streams are relatively poorly covered by the monitoring of national agencies. The data collected in Countryside Survey allow for an integrated description of the changes in ecological status and biodiversity of headwater streams through time, and the description of these changes is the main aim of this report. Additionally, for macroinvertebrates, their status against a minimally-impacted reference condition may be assessed. The vast amount of data available for the terrestrial survey component of Countryside Survey allows many potential linkages to be examined between human activities and stream ecological response. In this report, we detail some of these linkages, which will be elaborated further as part of the Countryside Survey Integrated Assessment to be published later in 2010. Results show many areas of improvement over the period 1998 to 2007. Notable improvements have occurred to macroinvertebrate status indicators in England, although south east England in particular is starting from a lower baseline of headwater stream biological quality when compared to other parts of Great Britain. Numbers of sites at good or high macroinvertebrate status in south east lowland England are still relatively low (30%). Increases in the number of macrophyte species and habitat quality appear to have occurred throughout Great Britain. Finally, improvements to trophic (nutrient) status, as indicated by the macrophyte communities, have occurred in Scotland. Substantial improvements in macroinvertebrate indicators occurred between 1990 and 1998 for all parts of Great Britain, however part of this observed improvement may be due to drought conditions in 1990. Declines have been observed in macroinvertebrate status for the Scottish Highlands, which had the highest proportion of sites at good or high status in 1998, but in 2007 this proportion has dropped to a level comparable to that of the rest of Scotland and upland England. Unfortunately it is not currently possible to pinpoint causes of this decline. There is an indication of increased extent of resectioning (engineering of the channel to widen, deepen and straighten), particularly in lowland Scotland, however this may be due to this feature being better recorded in 2007 compared to 1998. The example from Scotland is unusual in that for other indices and countries, there is no evidence for differences in trends between Environmental Zones. Quantification of changes in Wales is limited by the smaller sample size. A provisional integrated assessment has linked land management characteristics taken from the Countryside Survey square containing each headwater streams site, to an indicator of stream biological quality based on the mean stress sensitivity score of the macroinvertebrate taxa present. This has indicated logical negative relationships between intensive land uses such as arable and improved grassland and ecological status. Indicators of management of the river channel, such as the extent of resectioning (for land drainage and flood defence purposes), are also negatively associated with ecological status. Characteristics of the riparian zone, such as the amount of woody cover, are positively associated with ecological status. Overall, the headwater streams component of Countryside Survey is now beginning to build up a picture of the changes occurring to the ecological status of headwater streams. The changes are broadly positive, although some negative changes will need further investigation. The Headwater Streams Report was produced by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology CEH), with contributions by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), and Bournemouth University (BU)

Diversity of Chironomidae (Diptera) breeding in the Great Stour, Kent: baseline results from the Westgate Parks non-biting midge project

Chalk rivers and streams are of conservation importance due their ecological diversity, historical relevance and economic value. With more than 200 chalk watercourses, England is considered unusual in having the most chalk rivers in the world. However, due to increasing anthropogenic activities, many English chalk rivers and streams are becoming badly degraded. The non-biting midges or chironomids (Diptera, Chironomidae) are considered key-stone taxa in aquatic food webs, and have been used as ecological indicators of freshwater quality and environmental stress. Here we determined the generic richness, diversity, and community structure of Chironomidae across six sites in the mid-section of the Great Stour in Kent, a chalk river for which concern has been expressed regarding both water and habitat quality. Based on the morphological identification of 1336 insect larvae from the six sites (four in Westgate Parks, Canterbury, and two at nearby locations upstream and downstream from Canterbury City), a total of 20 genera of Chironomidae were identified, including some taxa indicative of freshwater habitats with low levels of organic pollution. There were different levels of generic richness and diversity among sites, and while there was little variation in the community composition among the sites within Westgate Parks, there were noticeable generic differences among Westgate Parks sites compared with those upstream and downstream, showing the highest complementarity and Beta diversity values. Overall, the results were comparable with other studies on chironomids in chalk rivers and other river systems. Although spatially limited to a small stretch of river, this represents the first study on chironomids in the Great Stour and provides baseline information on the diversity and structure of this important insect group with aquatic larvae, useful for the objective interpretation of any future biological assessments and monitoring programmes on the Kentish Stour, and also for comparisons with other chalk rivers

Discrete wetland groundwater discharges revealed with a three-dimensional temperature model and botanical indicators (Boxford, UK)

Wetlands provide unique goods and services, as habitats of high biodiversity. Hydrology is the principal control on wetland functioning; hence, understanding the water source is fundamental. However, groundwater inflows may be discrete and easily missed. Research techniques are required with low cost and minimal impact in sensitive settings. In this study, the effectiveness of using a three-dimensional (3D) temperature model and botanical indicators to characterise groundwater discharge is explored at the CEH (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology) River Lambourn Observatory, Boxford, UK. This comprises a 10 ha lowland riparian wetland, designated for its scientific interest and conservation value. Temperature data were collected in winter at multiple depths down to 0.9 m over approximately 3.6 ha and transformed into a 3D model via ordinary kriging. Anomalous warm zones indicated distinct areas of groundwater upwelling which were concurrent with relic channel structures. Lateral heat propagation from the channels was minimal and restricted to within 5–10 m. Vertical temperature sections within the channels suggest varying degrees of groundwater discharge along their length. Hydrochemical analysis showed that warmer peat waters were akin to deeper aquifer waters, confirming the temperature anomalies as areas of groundwater discharge. Subsequently, a targeted vegetation survey identified Carex paniculata as an indicator of groundwater discharge. The upwelling groundwater contains high concentrations of nitrate which is considered to support the spatially restricted growth of Carex paniculata against a background of poor fen communities located in reducing higher-phosphate waters

The UH-Nuclei Cosmic Ray Detector on the Third High Energy Astronomy Observatory

The third High Energy Astronomy Observatory satellite (HEAO-3) carries a particle telescope for the detection of highly charged cosmic ray nuclei. These nuclei, which have Z ≳ 28, are much rarer than the lower charged nuclei in the cosmic radiation. As a consequence, this particle telescope was required to have a large collecting area as well as an ability to resolve individual elements. This paper describes the telescope, composed of large area parallel plate ionization chambers, multiwire ion chamber hodoscopes and a Cherenkov radiation detector. The resulting telescope has a total geometry factor of 59,000 cm^2 sr and is capable of measuring the charges of nuclei in the range 14 ≲ Z ≲ 120