The certification of the activity concentration of the radionuclides 137Cs, 90Sr and 40K in wild berries: IRMM-426

This report describes the production of CRM IRMM-426, a dried bilberry material certified for the radionuclide activity concentrations of 137Cs, 90Sr and 40K. The material was produced following ISO Guide 34:2009. Bilberry samples were collected in a woodland region of so-called “strontium hot spots” close to the Chernobyl reactor site. The samples were air-dried at the sampling site before transport to IRMM, where the raw material was oven-dried, cryo-milled, sieved, homogenised and bottled. The bottled material was sterilised by gamma-irradiation. Between-unit homogeneity was quantified and stability during dispatch and storage were assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006. The material was characterised by an intercomparison among laboratories of demonstrated competence and adhering to ISO/IEC 17025. Technically invalid results were removed but no outlier was eliminated on statistical grounds only. Uncertainties of the certified values were calculated in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and include uncertainties related to possible inhomogeneity and instability and to characterisation. The material is intended for the assessment of method performance and quality control. As any reference material, it can also be used for control charts or validation studies. The CRM is available in amber glass jars containing about 100 g of dried bilberry powder. The minimum amount of sample to be used for analysis is 50 g for 90Sr and 18 g for 137Cs and 40K.JRC.D.2-Standards for Innovation and sustainable Developmen

Spatio-temporal variability of the size-fractionated primary production and chlorophyll in the Levantine Basin (northeastern Mediterranean)

Spatial and temporal variations in size-fractionated primary production (PP) and chl a, in relation to ambient physicochemical parameters, were studied in the three distinct ecosystems of northeastern Levantine Basin namely eutrophic Mersin Bay, mesotrophic Rhodes Gyre, and oligotrophic offshore waters. These ecosystems were visited in July and September 2012 and March and May 2013. Total primary production (TPP) rates ranged between 0.22 and 17.8 mg C m(-3) h(-1) within the euphotic zone, whereas depth-integrated TPP rates were in the range 21.5-348.8 mg C m(-2) h(-1) (mean: 105.5 188 mg C m(-2) h(-1)), with the lowest rates recorded for offshore waters. Similar spatio-temporal variations were observed in chl a concentrations, ranging from 2.3 to 117.9 mg m(-2) (mean: 28.9 +/- 124.9 mg m(-2)) in the study area. The Mersin Bay TPP rates have exceeded almost 8-12 times those measured in the offshore waters and the Rhodes Gyre; however, the chl a concentrations measured in coastal waters (0.343 mg m(-3)) and the Rhodes Gyre (0.308 mg m(-3)) were only threefold larger than the offshore values. PP and chl a were dominated by picoplankton in the study area whereas small nanoplankton, being the most active, displayed the highest assimilation ratio in offshore waters (6.8) and the Rhodes Gyre (2.8). In the upper-layer waters depleted of P (0.02-0.03 mu M) of the northeastern Mediterranean, a positive correlation was observed between NO3 + NO2 and PP (and thus, chl a), which strongly suggests that reactive P and inorganic nitrogen are co-limiting factors in the production and biomass distribution of the phytoplankton community in both shelf and offshore waters. (C) 2018 Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences.Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK)Publisher's Versio

The Asi River's Estimated Nutrient Load and Effects on the Eastern Mediterranean

Rivers are primary receiving environments for agricultural runoff and for domestic and industrial discharges. Rivers assimilate and treat incoming pollution load until self-purification capacity is reached. The remaining pollution load and natural nutrients are carried to and discharged into the sea causing variations in the receiving area's nutrient concentration. This study evaluated nutrient loads and effects of the Asi River on the northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Monitoring data from 2006 to 2014 from the State of Hydraulic Works of Turkey were analyzed with an interpolation-based average-estimator model for nutrient load calculation. The nutrient load's impact on the receiving area was determined using satellite images. Annual nitrite (NO2), nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4), and phosphate (o-PO4) loads were found to be 234 102 tones/year, 2 402 066 tones/year, 1 123 714 tones/year, and 603 669 tones/year, respectively, with all nutrients showing distinct seasonality. The Asi River's load increases during winter and reaches its maximum in spring. High stream flow due to increased precipitation during spring months could explain this situation. Similar results were obtained from satellite images. Chlorophyll-a concentrations in the receiving area increase during winter due to high nutrient load. In other words, nutrient load increases the receiving area's primary productivity

Kilikya Baseni (Kuzeydoğu Akdeniz) sularında ötrofikasyon indikatörü parametrelerin (TP, DIN, Chl-a ve TRIX) değişimi

Eutrophication processes and changes in coastal ecosystem are determined by the coastal/open sea interactions and rates of nutrient pollution. The Cilician Basin shelf waters are affected not only by intense industrial activities and increased population, but also by complex atmosphere-sea-land interactions. There is a recognizable difference between water qualities of Mersin bay coastal and the Cilician open waters depleted in nutrients. Eutrophic conditions have developed in the eastern bay shallow waters heavily polluted by land-based inputs during the last few decades. In the present study, basic chemical parameters measured seasonally in water column during the 8 field surveys, as a part of TUBITAK project, in the period of November 2005-September 2007, have been evaluated. Cilician coastal waters were always poor in reactive phosphate (0.02-0.05 mu M) throughout the year. However, there is a distinct decrease and seasonal changes in total phosphorus (TP) levels from the polluted inner bay (0.15-0.20 mu M) to the Cilician open waters (0.05-0.07 mu M). The surface TRIX index values, computed from % dissolved oxygen saturation, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, TP and chlorophyll-a concentrations, increase from 4 (showing tendency from mesotrophic to eutrophic propery), biomass level is high and the Secchi Disc depth varies between 1.5-3 meters.Kuzeydoğu Akdeniz'in Kilikya Baseni kıta sahanlığı suları, yoğun nüfus artışı ve endüstriyel atıksular ve nehir kaynaklı kirleticilerin neden olduğu olumsuz ekolojik değişimlerin yanısıra, atmosferik (yağmur ve toz) girdilerden birinci derecede etkilenir. Açık denizle etkileşiminin zayıf ve karasal (nehirler, atıksu) kirleticilerin yoğun baskısı altında olan Mersin Körfezi doğu bölgesinin sığ kıyısal bölgenin su kalitesini son çeyrek yüzyılda kötüleştirmiş ve ötrofik koşullar gelişmiştir. Bu çalışmada, Kasım 2005 - Eylül 2007 döneminde, TÜBİTAK projesi kapsamında Kilikya baseninde toplam 8 saha çalışmasında ölçülen temel kimyasal parametrelerin zaman ve mekan içinde değişimleri değerlendirilmiştir. Kıyısal bölgenin yüzeyden tabana kadar uzanan su kolonu reaktif fosfat (PO4 3-) iyonlarınca her zaman fakirdir (0,02-0,05 μM). Ancak, toplam fosfor (TP) derişimi kıyıda yüksektir (0,15-0,2 μM); açık sularda 0,05-0,07 μM seviyesine düşer. Yüzey sularında ötrofikasyon göstergesi olarak kullanılan TRIX indeksi parametresi (çözünmüş oksijen (%O2), çözünmüş inorganik azot, TP ve klorofil-a ölçümlerinden hesaplanır) Mersin Körfezinin açık sularında düşüktür (4 (mezotrofik özellikten ötrofik duruma yöneliş) olup, fitoplankton kaynaklı biyokütle yüksektir ve seki disk derinliği yıl boyunca 1,5-3 metre aralığındadır. İskenderun iç körfez yüzey sularında TRIX<3 ve organik madde kirliliği düşükdür; bu durum iç ve dış körfez sularının sürekli etkileşimin içinde olduğunun göstergesidir

Spatio-temporal distribution of picophytoplankton (Pico-eukaryotes, Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus) abundance in the northeastern mediterranean

© 2020 Parlar Scientific Publications. All rights reserved.Primary productivity mostly relies on marine cyanobacteria in the oligotrophic north-eastern Mediterranean (NEM). However, wide shelf basin is fed by nutrient-rich rivers (namely Goksu, Lamas, Seyhan, Ceyhan, Asi) leading to apparent increase in algal production at coastal regions. In the present study, variation of picophytoplankton (pico-eukaryotes, Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus) abundance of at different trophic levels of NEM were investigated. Sample collection was carried out at 50 different stations including Mersin Bay, Goksu River discharge area and oligotrophic offshore waters during October 2017, February, April and July 2018. Minimum and maximum abundance of picoeukaryotes, Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus were found as 1-lxlO4, 103 - 3.3xl04 and SxlO1 - 7.3xl04 cell/ml, respectively. Eukaryotic picoplankton are observed mainly in Goksu River discharge area and could not compete with marine cyanobacteria in offshore waters. Annual average ofpico-eukaryotes abundance was decreased by 1.4 folds from inshore to offshore; while, annual average of Synechococcus abundance was increased by 1.2 folds. Prochlorococcus abundance did not vary from inshore to offshore but decreased by 4 folds from river discharge area to offshore area. Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus have displayed similar abundance profiles with peak levels near the Deep Chlorophyll Maximum (DCM) in October and July. Results showed that Synechococcus was the most abundant regardless of location or season. Even though Synechococcus abundance was found to be higher than Prochlorococcus abundance, a significant increase in the contribution of Prochlorococcus to the total picophytoplankton was observed in July

The Relationship Between Gensini Score and Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome

ABSTRACT: Introduction: In previous studies, the relationship between atherosclerosis and erectile dysfunction (ED) was examined, but the relationship and correlation between Gensini score which evaluates the extent and severity of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), and ED severity were not investigated. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between Gensini score and ED in patients with CCS. Methods: We included 142 consecutive male patients with the diagnosed CCS and underwent an elective coronary angiography between January 2019 and March 2020. Main Outcome Measure: Correlation analysis demonstrated that Gensini score significantly negatively correlated with the International Index Erectile Function - 5 (IIEF-5) score (r = -0.417, P < .001). Results: Severe ED was present in 48 (33.8%) patients, moderate ED in 31 (21.8%) patients, and mild ED in 22 (15.5%) patients. 41(28.9%) patients did not have ED. Both the No ED and Mild ED groups were statistically significantly lower than the Severe ED group in terms of the Gensini score (P < .05). When the recommended optimal cut-off point and accuracy measurements were made for the Gensini score, the area under curve (AUC) value in predicting ED was 0.806 (95% CI: 0.732-0.880, P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that independent predictors for ED were Gensini score and age (P < .001, and P = .026, respectively). Every 1 unit increase in Gensini score resulted in a 6% increase in the occurrence of ED (OR = 1.06, CI:1.03-1.10, P < .001). Conclusion: ED can be caused by endothelial dysfunction. Patients with severe CSS and high Gensini score should be evaluted for ED. ED may be a sign of severe CCS and a high Gensini score. It is also necessary to evaluate cardiological in patients with ED.Deger M, Ozmen C, Akdogan N, et al. The Relationship Between Gensini Score and Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome. Sex Med 2021;9:100376