Somatic Embryogenesis in Vitis for Genome Editing: Optimization of Protocols for Recalcitrant Genotypes

New Plant Breeding Techniques (NPBTs) protocols have been developed to produce new grape varieties with improved quantitative and qualitative characteristics. Reliable transformation protocols for grapes are based on the generation/induction of embryogenic callus cells that are then transformed. Varieties such as Italia have proven to be very recalcitrant to regeneration via somatic embryogenesis. In this work, the development of a protocol for improved production of embryogenic calluses is described. Two sterilization protocols were tested: (a) a lower active chlorine concentration for a longer time (LS); and (b) a higher chlorine concentration for a shorter time (HS), in combination with the absence or presence of citric acid in the growing substrate in the first growth media. The embryogenic calluses formation in Chardonnay, a cv. with a high embryogenic response, was significantly higher in presence of citric acid in the initial growing substrate regardless of the sterilization protocol. In Aglianico, a cv. with a lower embryogenic response, no significant differences were observed. Instead, in a recalcitrant cv. as Italia, we obtained a 13-fold increase in embryogenic calluses formation performing sterilization of flowers with the HS protocol compared to LS.

Optimal location of cutoff walls for seawater intrusion

In this paper, the simulation–optimization method is used to study the optimal location of cutoff walls for seawater intrusion. The optimization model is based on minimizing the chlorine concentration of two water sources after 50 years. In order to reduce the computational complexity, a Kriging surrogate model simulation is coupled with the optimization model. Finally, a hypothetical case is used to evaluate the accuracy of the surrogate model and the performance of the optimization model. The results show that the outputs of the Kriging surrogate model and the variable density groundwater simulation model for the same cutoff wall design fit well, and the average relative error of the two outputs is only 2.2% which proves that it is feasible to apply the Kriging surrogate model to this problem. By solving the optimization model, the location of the cutoff wall which minimizes the sum of chlorine concentration of the two water sources after 50 years is obtained. This provides a stable and reliable method for the site selection of cutoff walls for future projects intended to prevent and control seawater intrusion.

Acute chlorine poisoning caused by an accident at a swimming pool

Chlorine is an irritant gas that is widely used in water purification. Several previous reports had reported accidents of inhalation injuries at swimming pools. However, there have been limited data on the detection of on-site chlorine concentration. This study aims to report a chlorine leakage accident at a swimming pool caused by improper disinfection operations. Calculation using the gas diffusion simulation software showed that the on-site chlorine concentration was 221.45 ppm. When the accident occurred, there were 92 individuals at the swimming pool and the gym, among which 61 were referred to the emergency department of five different hospitals for feeling ill. Among them, 22 patients underwent chest high-resolution computed tomography scans in our hospital. According to the findings, 4 (18.2%) patients had peribronchitis, 3 (13.6%) had tracheobronchitis, 4 (18.2%) had pneumonia, 4 (18.2%) had interstitial pulmonary edema, and 3 (13.6%) had alveolar pulmonary edema. The symptoms of 22 patients who visited our hospital significantly improved after comprehensive treatment. Three months after the accident, 8 of 17 patients presented obstructive ventilation defects or small airway dysfunction. The accidental exposure to chlorine may induce acute poisoning with various respiratory injuries and prolonged lung dysfunction.

Chlorine Decay Simulation in Water Distribution System Using EPANET

Chlorine is used as a disinfectant in the water treatment process so that treated water is delivered safely to consumers. However, chlorine concentration decays when water flows from the treatment plant to the supply point, due to the reaction with natural organic matter and the inner surface of the pipe. Low chlorine concentration may encourage bacteria re-growth, while high chlorine concentration can result in the formation of harmful chemical components. Therefore, this study aims to simulate the complex process of chlorine decay using EPANET. This exercise enables the determination the chlorine concentration dosage required to maintain the desired requirement given by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, Malaysia (MOH). A successful model with an extended period of simulations of 72 hours enable the mapping of spatial and temporal variations of flow and residue chlorine concentrations at all links and nodes. Constant chlorine dosage of 3.96 mg/l at node R1 has successfully satisfy the requirement given by WHO and MOH. The residue chlorine concentrations at the nodes and links in the water distribution system also depends on the water usage at node 5, the size of service reservoir and service tank and distance from the reservoir.

Study of the free residual chlorine concentration in drinking water in Benin: case of Cotonou municipality

The drinking water is very qualitatively monitored. Despite this monitoring, there is a deterioration in the Free Residual Chlorine Concentration (CCRL) along the drinking water distribution network of the commune of Cotonou. The objective of studying areas of consumer vulnerability where the CCRL reaches critical thresholds (<0.1 mg / l). To achieve this, water samples were taken from various locations in the supply network every day, from 04/30/2018. The assay method used is called N-Diethyl-P-phenylene Diamine (DPD) with the use of a DR / 890 colorimeter. This work reveal that the CCRL undergoes degradation during its delivery to the consumer's taps with average concentrations mainly above the standard in force [0.1; 0.8 mg / l] at the 5% threshold. The work made it possible to establish a linear model for predicting CCRL concentration as a function of distance and to identify areas of vulnerability in the study area. L’eau de consommation est très surveillée sur le plan qualitatif. En dépit de cette surveillance, on constate une dégradation de la Concentration en Chlore Résiduel Libre (CCRL) le long du réseau de distribution d’eau potable de la commune de Cotonou. L’objectif d’étudier les zones de vulnérabilité du consommateur où la CCRL atteint des seuils critiques (< à 0,1 mg /l). Pour y parvenir, des prélèvements d’échantillons d’eau ont été pris à divers endroits du réseau d’approvisionnement chaque jour, du 1er au 30/04/2018. La méthode de dosage utilisée est dénommée N-Diéthyl-P-phénylèneDiamine (DPD) avec usage d'un colorimètre DR/890. Ce travail à révéler, que la CCRL subi une dégradation lors de son acheminement vers les robinets du consommateur avec des concentrations moyennes majoritairement supérieures à la norme en vigueur [0,1 ; 0,8 mg/l] au seuil de 5%. Le travail a permis d’établir un modèle linéaire de prédiction de la concentration en CCRL en fonction de la distance et d’identifier les zones de vulnérabilité de la zone d’étude.

Formation Chlorine Measurement From Spectroscopy Enables Water Salinity Interpretation: Theory, Modeling, and Applications

Many methods of calculating water saturation require knowing the chloride concentration in formation water. Chlorides have a strong effect on water properties, and they impact saturation estimates that are based on resistivity, dielectric dispersion, or thermal neutron absorption. Here we introduce a new direct quantitative measurement of formation chlorine from nuclear spectroscopy, enabling a continuous log of water salinity within a limited radial depth. Neutron capture spectroscopy is sensitive to chlorine and is a natural fit for measuring its concentration, except that the spectrum contains chlorine from both the formation and borehole. The borehole chlorine background can be large and is highly variable. Historical efforts to derive water salinity from spectroscopy have relied on ratios of chlorine and hydrogen, which are affected by the borehole and hydrocarbons. The direct use of chlorine provides a more reliable basis for salinity interpretation after isolating its formation signal. We partition the borehole and formation components of chlorine via two unique spectral standards. The contrast between the two standards arises from differences in gamma ray scattering based on their point of origin. The shape of the borehole chlorine standard must be adjusted along depth to account for environmentally dependent scattering, which we achieve with a continuously varying function of borehole and formation properties. The algorithm is derived from 129 laboratory measurements and 2,995 numerical simulations spanning a diverse range of conditions. The remaining signal is converted into a log of formation chlorine concentration. In combination with total porosity, chlorine concentration sets a minimum value for water salinity. Adding an organic carbon measurement enables the simultaneous estimation of water volume and salinity. Chlorine concentration can also be combined with a selected water salinity to compute a water volume for comparison with other methods. Finally, chlorine concentration enables calculation of a maximum expected sigma, which can identify the presence of excess thermal absorbers in the matrix. The systematic uncertainty on the chlorine concentration ranges from 0.03 to 0.07 wt%, depending on borehole size. The resulting salinity accuracy is inversely proportional to porosity. A potential limitation of the measurement is its depth of investigation, reaching 8 to 10 in. for 90% of the signal. The chlorine concentration is sensitive to filtrate or connate water, depending on formation permeability and invading fluids. We first present the technique to measure formation chlorine, supported by modeling, laboratory data, and core-log comparisons. We then propose petrophysical workflows to interpret the chlorine concentration.