Two-photon axotomy and time-lapse confocal imaging in live zebrafish embryos

Zebrafish have long been utilized to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of development by time-lapse imaging of the living transparent embryo. Here we describe a method to mount zebrafish embryos for long-term imaging and demonstrate how to automate the capture of time-lapse images using a confocal microscope. We also describe a method to create controlled, precise damage to individual branches of peripheral sensory axons in zebrafish using the focused power of a femtosecond laser mounted on a two-photon microscope. The parameters for successful two-photon axotomy must be optimized for each microscope. We will demonstrate two-photon axotomy on both a custom built two-photon microscope and a Zeiss 510 confocal/two-photon to provide two examples

Effectiveness And Ecotoxicity Of Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles During Rhizoremediation Of Soil Contaminated With Zn, Cu, Cd And Diesel

The remediation of soils simultaneously contaminated with organic and inorganic compounds is still a challenging task. The application of metallic nanoparticles, such as zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI), for soil remediation is highly promising, but their effectiveness and potential ecotoxicity must be further investigated. In addition, the performance of nZVI when combined with other remediation strategies is a topic of great interest. Here, we present data on soil chemical (pseudo-total and CaCl2-extractable metal concentrations; petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations) and biological properties (microbial properties and phytotoxicity) after the application of nZVI to soil simultaneously contaminated with Zn, Cu, Cd and diesel, in the absence and presence of other remediation treatments such as the application of an organic amendment and the growth of Brassica napus plants. Soils were artificially contaminated with the abovementioned contaminants. Then, after an aging period of one month, nZVI were applied to the soil and, subsequently, B. napus seeds were sown. Plants were left to grow for one month. Soil samples were collected immediately after artificially contaminating the soil (T1), at sowing (T2) and at harvesting (T3). Overall, the application of nZVI had no effect on contaminant removal, nor on soil microbial parameters. In contrast, it did cause an indirect toxic effect on plant root elongation due to the interaction of nZVI with soil organic matter. These data are useful for researchers and companies interested in the effectiveness and ecotoxicity of zero-valent iron nanoparticles during the remediation of soil contaminated with metals and hydrocarbons, especially when combined with Gentle Remediation Options

Recent Trends in Sustainable Remediation of Pb-Contaminated Shooting Range Soils: Rethinking Waste Management within a Circular Economy

Soil metal contamination in recreational shooting ranges represents a widespread environmental problem. Lead (Pb) is the primary component of traditional ammunition, followed by metalloids such as antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As). Lead-based bullets and pellets deposited on the soil surface are subject to steady weathering; hence, metal(loid)s are released and accumulated in the underlying soil, with potential adverse consequences for ecosystem function and human health. Amongst the currently available environmentally-safe technologies for the remediation of metal-contaminated soils, chemical immobilization is recognized as the most practical and cost-effective one. This technology often uses inorganic and organic amendments to reduce metal mobility, bioavailability and toxicity (environmental benefits). Likewise, amendments may also promote and speed up the re-establishment of vegetation on metal-affected soils, thus facilitating the conversion of abandoned shooting ranges into public green spaces (social benefit). In line with this, the circular economy paradigm calls for a more sustainable waste management, for instance, by recycling and reusing by-products and wastes in an attempt to reduce the demand for raw materials (economic benefit). The objective of this manuscript is to present a state-of-the-art review of the different industrial and agro-food by-products and wastes used for the remediation of metal-contaminated shooting range soils.This work was financially supported by PRADA project (PID2019-110055RB-C21 and PID2019-110055RB-C22) from MINECO, Phy2SUDOE project (SOE4/P5/E1021) funded by the Interreg Sudoe Programme through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Consolidated Research Group of the Basque Government (GV ITO18-16) and, finally, OTRI project 2020.0670

Thermocatalytic CO2 Conversion over a Nickel-Loaded Ceria Nanostructured Catalyst: A NAP-XPS Study

Despite the increasing economic incentives and environmental advantages associated to their substitution, carbon-rich fossil fuels are expected to remain as the dominant worldwide source of energy through at least the next two decades and perhaps later. Therefore, both the control and reduction of CO2 emissions have become environmental issues of major concern and big challenges for the international scientific community. Among the proposed strategies to achieve these goals, conversion of CO2 by its reduction into high added value products, such as methane or syngas, has been widely agreed to be the most attractive from the environmental and economic points of view. In the present work, thermocatalytic reduction of CO2 with H-2 was studied over a nanostructured ceria-supported nickel catalyst. Ceria nanocubes were employed as support, while the nickel phase was supported by means a surfactant-free controlled chemical precipitation method. The resulting nanocatalyst was characterized in terms of its physicochemical properties, with special attention paid to both surface basicity and reducibility. The nanocatalyst was studied during CO2 reduction by means of Near Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (NAP-XPS). Two different catalytic behaviors were observed depending on the reaction temperature. At low temperature, with both Ce and Ni in an oxidized state, CH4 formation was observed, whereas at high temperature above 500 degrees C, the reverse water gas shift reaction became dominant, with CO and H2O being the main products. NAP-XPS was revealed as a powerful tool to study the behavior of this nanostructured catalyst under reaction conditions

How Valuable Are Organic Amendments as Tools for the Phytomanagement of Degraded Soils? The Knowns, Known Unknowns, and Unknowns

Nowadays, soil functionality and productivity are severely impaired due, in great part, to the fact that most of the land is being intensively used for food production and urbanization purposes, with a consequent rise in the generation of wastes and consumption/degradation of fertile soils. These issues can be jointly addressed by an integrated and sustainable management of the soil resource carried out in the framework of two recent paradigms: circular economy and phytomanagement. Within the fields of resource conservation and regenerative (urban) land management, at least the three following fundamental aspects can be contemplated: (i) the valorization and safe recovery of organic wastes (e.g., composts, green and animal manures, and biosolids) as soil amendments (from residue to resource); (ii) the re-development and revegetation of degraded soils characterized by low organic matter content, deficient physical structure and depressed biological status (from bare to vegetated soil); and, finally, (iii) the promotion of soil health in order to support soil ecological processes, functions and concomitant ecosystem services (integration of ecocentric and anthropocentric perspectives). Here, we discuss the benefits (knowns), potential risks (known unknowns) and future/affordable uncertainties (unknowns) resulting from the application of organic amendments (OAs) to soil. Traditionally, most studies have used physical-chemical parameters to assess soil health/quality, whereas less attention has been paid to soil biological criteria. Thus, we highlight the relevance of soil biological properties as key drivers of ecological restoration and suitable indicators of soil health. Notwithstanding, special attention should be paid to “amendments-plants-microorganisms” interactions in different soils and field conditions. Finally, the risk of introduction of emerging contaminants, including for instance microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), through the application of OAs to soil, is currently a matter of much concern that must urgently be addressed if we are to continue with such practice

Mycorrhizal-assisted phytoremediation and intercropping strategies improved the health of contaminated soil in a peri-urban area

[EN] Soils of abandoned and vacant lands in the periphery of cities are frequently subjected to illegal dumping and can undergo degradation processes such as depletion of organic matter and nutrients, reduced biodiversity, and the presence of contaminants, which may exert an intense abiotic stress on biological communities. Mycorrhizalassisted phytoremediation and intercropping strategies are highly suitable options for remediation of these sites. A two-year field experiment was conducted at a periurban site contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls, to assess the effects of plant growth (spontaneous plant species, Medicago sativa, and Populus canadensis, alone vs. intercropped) and inoculation of a commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal inoculum. Contaminant degradation, plant performance, and biodiversity, as well as a variety of microbial indicators of soil health (microbial biomass, activity, and diversity parameters) were determined. The rhizosphere bacterial and fungal microbiomes were assessed by measuring the structural diversity and composition via amplicon sequencing. Establishment of spontaneous vegetation led to greater plant and soil microbial diversity. Intercropping enhanced the activity of soil enzymes involved in nutrient cycling. The mycorrhizal treatment was a key contributor to the establishment of intercropping with poplar and alfalfa. Inoculated and poplar-alfalfa intercropped soils had a higher microbial abundance than soils colonized by spontaneous vegetation. Our study provided evidence of the potential of mycorrhizal-assisted phytoremediation and intercropping strategies to improve soil health in degraded peri-urban areas.This study was supported by the PhytoSUDOE (SOE1/P5/E0189) and Phy2SUDOE (SOE4/P5/E1021) projects funded by the Interreg Sudoe Programme through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), PRADA project (PID2019- 110055RB-C21 and PID2019-110055RB-C22) from MINECO, and the Consolidated Research Group of the Basque Government (GV ITO18-16)

Una experiencia de diagnóstico del estado de conservación de una colección privada de la ciudad de La Plata

En la ciudad de La Plata se encuentra una casona en cuyo interior se custodia una de las bibliotecas privadas más grandes e importantes del país. Dicho inmueble fue construido en su primer nivel y subsuelo cerca de 1886, habiéndose tratado de un casco de chacra prefundacional a la ciudad; luego se adquirió en 1930 y se incorporaron nuevas instalaciones. La casa es conocida como “La Quinta” y perteneció al reconocido político y profesor universitario Ataúlfo Pérez Aznar. La singularidad de la biblioteca se centra en que conserva aproximadamente 50.000 ejemplares referentes a diversas temáticas entre las que sobresalen Historia, Ciencias Jurídicas, Economía, Arte y Religión.Red de Museos de la Universidad Nacional de La Plat

Una experiencia de diagnóstico del estado de conservación de una colección privada de la ciudad de La Plata

En la ciudad de La Plata se encuentra una casona en cuyo interior se custodia una de las bibliotecas privadas más grandes e importantes del país. Dicho inmueble fue construido en su primer nivel y subsuelo cerca de 1886, habiéndose tratado de un casco de chacra prefundacional a la ciudad; luego se adquirió en 1930 y se incorporaron nuevas instalaciones. La casa es conocida como “La Quinta” y perteneció al reconocido político y profesor universitario Ataúlfo Pérez Aznar. La singularidad de la biblioteca se centra en que conserva aproximadamente 50.000 ejemplares referentes a diversas temáticas entre las que sobresalen Historia, Ciencias Jurídicas, Economía, Arte y Religión.Red de Museos de la Universidad Nacional de La Plat

Una experiencia de diagnóstico del estado de conservación de una colección privada de la ciudad de La Plata

En la ciudad de La Plata se encuentra una casona en cuyo interior se custodia una de las bibliotecas privadas más grandes e importantes del país. Dicho inmueble fue construido en su primer nivel y subsuelo cerca de 1886, habiéndose tratado de un casco de chacra prefundacional a la ciudad; luego se adquirió en 1930 y se incorporaron nuevas instalaciones. La casa es conocida como “La Quinta” y perteneció al reconocido político y profesor universitario Ataúlfo Pérez Aznar. La singularidad de la biblioteca se centra en que conserva aproximadamente 50.000 ejemplares referentes a diversas temáticas entre las que sobresalen Historia, Ciencias Jurídicas, Economía, Arte y Religión.Red de Museos de la Universidad Nacional de La Plat

El consumo de energía en el sector residencial del área metropolitana argentina : Potencial de URE

Se dimensiona el yacimiento de ahorro energético del sector residencial del Área Metropolitana alimentado por redes Se cuantifican los ahorros por formas y por usos de la energía. Se comunica la metodología, basada en 2 análisis tipológico edilicio del parque de viviendas ; en un plan de auditorias y diagnósticos energéticos. Entre las conclusiones preliminares se destaca que pareciera ser posible ahorrar el 24% del consumo de gas natural y el 9,2% de la energía eléctrica. El yacimiento potencial de ahorro total es de 713.253 TEP/año.Facultad de Arquitectura y UrbanismoConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasInstituto de Arquitectura Solar. Fundación para la Investigación y el Progreso Energético