Determination of long distance transport of Cs+, Co2+ and Zn2+ ions in vascular plants by autoradiography and gamma-spectrometry

Heavy metals and radionuclides can enter the food chain via cereals and vegetables grown in contaminated soils. In the case of microelements such as zinc, studies have not focused only to assessing its environmental risk, but also to enhancing its uptake by plants as an important growth-limiting factor. In our study, digitalized autoradiograms of whole plants of celery (Apium graveolens L.), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) grown in hydroponic nutrient media spiked with 137CsCl, 60CoCl2 and 65ZnCl2 were used for quantitative determination of uptake, long-distance transport and distribution of Cs+, Co2+ and Zn2+ ions in plant tissues. Results from autoradiography and gammaspectrometry of plants showed, that cesium was translocated to aboveground part of the plants with the shoot-to-root ratio 1.0 : 0.6. On the contrary, cobalt and zinc were more immobilized in roots, with the shoot-to-root ratio up to 1.0 : 3.8. The highest concentration of cesium, cobalt and zinc, expressed in specific radioactivity per unit of leaf surface (Bq/cm2) was found in top, rapidly growing leaves, the lowest concentration in the oldest leaves in low position. Detection limits 3, 2 and 14 Bq/cm2 by using X-ray film for 137Cs, 60Co and 65Zn, respectively were obtained. These data correspond to detection limits 10.5 pg Cs+/cm2, 7.2 pg Co2+/cm2 and 785 pg Zn2+/cm2 at specific radioactivity of commercially available 137CsCl, 60CoCl2 and 65ZnCl2. Resolutions 1-2 mm was sufficient for visualization of metal uptake and distribution in roots, stalks, leaves and leaf venation. Obtained data are part of quantitative study of uptake and translocation of both low level-radioactive contamination in plants and microelements applied as fertilizers.

Design Issues of a Rotating to Linear Motion Magnetic Converter for Short-Distance Transport Applications

This paper discusses some design issues of a magnetic rotating to linear motion converter (RLMC), suitable for the propulsion system of a short-distance low-capacity vehicle. It basically operates like a magnetic rack, which executes the contactless conversion of the motor torque into a propulsion thrust, deriving from the interaction of on-board permanent magnet (PM) modules and stationary ferromagnetic steel pieces. A design procedure is set up that deals with both the PM module arrangement and the geometric shape of the steel pieces to optimize different performance aspects. A simplified modeling based on 2D transient finite element analyses is carried out to determine the thrust profile and the RLMC losses, which are essential to assess its practical feasibility. Finally, the characteristics as functions of the load angle and speed are determined to enable the prediction of the dynamic power exchange and then of the net energy demand useful to size the on-board source.

Enigmatic clusters of sandstone boulders on plateaus of the Stołowe Mountains (Sudetes, south-west Poland) – their geoheritage and geotouristic value

Among sites of geomorphological interest in the tableland of the Stołowe Mountains, consisting of clastic sedimentary rocks of Late Cretaceous age, are enigmatic occurrences and clusters of sandstone boulders within plateau levels that are underlain by mudstones and marls. These boulders are allochthonous, having been derived from the quartz sandstone beds that support the upper plateau level and stratigraphically are in excess of 50 m above the altitudinal position of the boulders. Topographic conditions preclude long-distance transport from the escarpment slopes; boulders are hypothesised to be the last remnants of completely degraded outliers (mesas) of the upper plateau. Their present-day altitudinal position is explained by passive ‘settling’ following disintegration of caprock and denudation of the underlying weaker rocks. Two localities are here presented in detail, Łężyckie Skałki and Pustelnik, along with adjacent boulder trains in the valleys incised into the plateau. It is argued that both localities have considerable geoheritage value and both play the role of geosites, although on-site facilities are so far limited. However, the complex history of boulders sets a series of challenges for successful geo-interpretation.

Modeling a primate technological niche

The ability to modify the environment through the transport of tools has been instrumental in shaping the evolutionary success of humans. Understanding the cause-and-effect relationships between hominin behavior and the environment ultimately requires understanding of how the archaeological record forms. Observations of living primates can shed light on these interactions by investigating how tool-use behaviors produce a material record within specific environmental contexts. However, this requires reconciling data derived from primate behavioral observations with the time-averaged nature of the Plio-Pleistocene archaeological record. Here, we use an agent-based model to investigate how repeated short-distance transport events, characteristic for primate tool use, can result in significant landscape-scale patterning of material culture over time. Our results illustrate the conditions under which accumulated short-distance transport bouts can displace stone tools over long distances. We show that this widespread redistribution of tools can also increase access to tool require resources over time. As such, these results elucidate the niche construction processes associated with this pattern of tool transport. Finally, the structure of the subsequent material record largely depends on the interaction between tool transport and environmental conditions over time. Though these results have implications for inferring hominin tool transports from hominin archaeological assemblages. Furthermore, they highlight the difficulties with connecting specific behavioral processes with the patterning in the archaeological record.

The use of a long-acting tranquilizer (zuclopenthixol acetate) and live video monitoring for successful long-distance transport of caribou (Rangifer tarandus)

Long-distance transport of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) can result in morbidities and mortalities. This case report describes the use of a long-acting tranquilizer, zuclopenthixol acetate (ZA) and live video monitoring (LVM) to transport caribou over 2300 kilometers. Two groups of captive caribou were transported from Fort St. John, British Columbia to Dryden, Ontario (n=14; 28.5 h transport) and Anchorage, Alaska (n=11; 32 h transport). The day prior to transport, caribou were administered ZA at 1 mg/kg via deep intramuscular (IM) injection. Digital video cameras allowed for live observation of caribou during transport. Still images of videos from each compartment in the Ontario transport were analyzed for percentage (%) lying versus standing over three time periods (Day 1, Night, and Day 2). Overall, caribou spent 57% of the transport lying down, with the highest percentage occurring at night (73%). As group size and animal density decreased there was a trend for caribou to spend more time lying down. Three animals developed extrapyramidal effects to the ZA and were effectively treated with midazolam at 0.2 mg/kg IM. There were no significant visible injuries or mortalities during or up to 6 weeks post-transport. Zuclopenthixol acetate and LVM were used to successfully transport caribou over long distances and should be considered in future translocations to improve animal welfare during transport.

Karst hydrogeology of the Chalk and implications for groundwater protection

The Chalk is an unusual karst aquifer with limited cave development, but extensive networks of smaller solutional conduits and fissures enabling rapid groundwater flow. Small-scale karst features (stream sinks, dolines, dissolution pipes, and springs) are common, with hundreds of stream sinks recorded. Tracer velocities from 27 connections between stream sinks and springs have median and mean velocities of 4700 and 4600 m.d.−1. Tests to abstraction boreholes also demonstrate very rapid velocities of 1000s m.d.−1. Natural gradient tests from observation boreholes have rapid velocities of 100s m.d.−1. There is strong geological control on karst with dissolution focused on stratigraphical inception horizons. Surface karst features are concentrated near the Palaeogene boundary, or where thin superficial cover occurs, but rapid groundwater flow is also common in other areas. The Chalk has higher storage and contaminant attenuation than classical karst, but recharge, storage and flow are influenced by karst. Point recharge through stream sinks, dolines, losing rivers, vertical solutional fissures, and soakaways enables rapid unsaturated zone flow. Saturated zone networks of solutional fissures and conduits create vulnerability to subsurface activities, and enable long distance transport of point source and diffuse pollutants, which may be derived from outside modelled catchment areas and source protection zones.

Weak or No Correlation Between Recent COVID-19 Data and Vaccination Rates in France

Since August 9, the "health pass" became mandatory in France and applies to many economic sectors and social activities such as commercial catering, trade fairs and exhibitions, healthcare services and medical-social centres, public long-distance transport, and some stores and shopping malls. In addition, since September 30, 2021, the "health pass" has been made compulsory for minors aged 12 and two months to 17 years old. The aim is to better control the spread of the Sars-Cov-2 virus by forcing the entire population to be vaccinated in order to reduce the effects of the epidemic. Since vaccination is currently the only pursued strategy to fight against COVID-19 in the world, we were interested in verifying the explanation often put forward to justify the improvement (due to high vaccination rate) or the recrudescence (due to low vaccination percentage) of the health situation linked to COVID-19. At the same time, several developed countries have launched the injection of a third dose of vaccines following a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases. In this regard, we have studied the correlation between the levels of vaccination coverage (percentage of the vaccinated population) and the various epidemiological variables of COVID-19 in the 101 French departments (territories) during the month of September 2021. The findings of the study indicate no significant relationship between vaccination rates and COVID-19 data.

The Next Generation Fast Marine Access Solution

The long distance transport of offshore personnel has traditionally been undertaken by air. However, the desire for increased safety and efficiency in combination with the drive to lower operational cost in the offshore industry opens up new possibilities for fast marine access solutions. This article presents the development of the next generation Fast Crew Supplier that combines high transit speeds at high comfort levels with a reliable, safe and comfortable method of personnel exchange to the platform using a Walk-to-Work solution. The results of an integrated design approach are presented which are used to optimize the main transfer systems and their controls. It is shown that optimization of these systems allows a high workability for a Walk-to-Work solution on a fast and relatively lightweight ship in challenging wave conditions.