scholarly journals Uptake and Accumulation of Nano/Microplastics in Plants: A Critical Review

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2935
Author(s):  
Imran Azeem ◽  
Muhammad Adeel ◽  
Muhammad Arslan Ahmad ◽  
Noman Shakoor ◽  
Gama Dingba Jiangcuo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Plant Cell Walls ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Transport Pathways ◽  
Modern Agriculture ◽  
Physiological And Biochemical ◽  
Ubiquitous Presence ◽  
Long Term Studies

The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment is an undeniable and serious concern due to their higher persistence and extensive use in agricultural production. This review highlights the sources and fate of MPs and NPs in soil and their uptake, translocation, and physiological effects in the plant system. We provide the current snapshot of the latest reported studies with the majority of literature spanning the last five years. We draw attention to the potential risk of MPs and NPs in modern agriculture and their effects on plant growth and development. We also highlight their uptake and transport pathways in roots and leaves via different exposure methods in plants. Conclusively, agricultural practices, climate changes (wet weather and heavy rainfall), and soil organisms play a major role in transporting MPs and NPs in soil. NPs are more prone to enter plant cell walls as compared to MPs. Furthermore, transpiration pull is the dominant factor in the plant uptake and translocation of plastic particles. MPs have negligible negative effects on plant physiological and biochemical indicators. Overall, there is a dire need to establish long-term studies for a better understanding of their fate and associated risks mechanisms in realistic environment scenarios for safe agricultural functions.

scholarly journals CONGENITAL ANOMALIES IN CHILDREN OF UKRAINE: 25-YEAR MONITORING OF MORBIDITY AND PREVALENCE

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 2193-2197
Author(s):  
Oleksandr P. Volosovets ◽  
Tetyana O. Kryuchko ◽  
Viktor L. Veselskyi ◽  
Sergii P. Kryvopustov ◽  
Tetiana M. Volosovets ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Anomalies ◽  
Congenital Defects ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Epidemiological Analysis ◽  
Child Population ◽  
Total Incidence ◽  
Industrial Regions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Long Term Studies

The aim: Of the work was to study 25-year trends in the incidence of congenital anomalies in the child population of Ukraine in order to determine the impact of ecotoxic environmental factors on their development, in particular radiation. Materials and methods: Methods of statistical assessment, epidemiological analysis of materials at the Center for Medical Statistics of the MOH of Ukraine were used. Results: The rate of congenital anomalies growth for the recent 25 years has exceeded the growth rate of the total incidence in the child population of Ukraine by 1.6 times, occupying the leading place in Europe by the level of environment pollution. Over the last 25 years, the growth of the Ukrainian children’s congenital anomalies incidence level by 59.5% is observed, mostly in children from large industrial regions of Ukraine, due to the significant ecotoxic effect of pollutants on the child’s body. Children living permanently in the areas contaminated by the Chernobyl accident had significantly higher rates of congenital anomalies in 1986 than in the early 1990s, but over the recent 25 years the incidence in this contingent has decreased. Conclusions: The results of such long-term studies performed by a group of leading Ukrainian scientists from different regions of Ukraine indicate that in children experiencing negative effects of ecotoxic factors, including radiation, an increase in the detection and prevalence of congenital defects is observed, which requires complex international and intersectoral measures to prevent and reduce child mortality.

Effect of landscape variables on the long-term decline of Great Argus in the rainforest of Southern Thailand

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
THANEE DAWRUENG ◽  
DUSIT NGOPRASERT ◽  
GEORGE A. GALE ◽  
STEPHEN BROWNE ◽  
TOMMASO SAVINI
Keyword(s):  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Evergreen Forest ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Point Counts ◽  
Southern Thailand ◽  
Line Transects ◽  
Long Term Studies

SummaryIn Thailand, as for most of South-East Asia, large vertebrates are declining rapidly due to habitat degradation and increasing hunting pressure. Once relatively common in the evergreen forest of Southern Thailand, the Great ArgusArgusianus argusis currently limited to a few populations, whose status is currently unknown. In this study we investigated changes in Great Argus abundance over the past 13 years in Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary. Our aim was to estimate and compare the abundance and density of this species from an earlier two-year survey in 2001–2002 and ours in 2014, and to assess the effect of landscape change on its status of the species. We conducted surveys from March to August 2014 during the breeding season. We placed point counts that overlapped the line transects from the 2001–2002 survey. The results indicated a decline of > 35% in mean abundance from 2001 to 2014. In addition, male abundance has shifted and is now positively related to distance from the forest edge. High levels of human disturbance close to the forest edge may have resulted in the birds moving to the core of the forest, suggesting a need to increase protection and management of forest edge areas. In common with other studies of large vertebrates, our results confirm the importance of long-term studies to highlight the negative effects of human disturbance.

Anaerobic co-digestion of surplus yeast and wastewater to increase energy recovery in breweries

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1129-1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Neira ◽  
D. Jeison
Keyword(s):  
Biogas Production ◽  
Granular Sludge ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Brewery Wastewater ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Biogas Yield ◽  
Batch Tests ◽  
Treatment Step ◽  
Long Term Studies

Surplus yeast is a residue produced during brewery process, which presents high contents of organic matter. Biogas production from yeast could significantly contribute to bioenergy production in breweries, via biogas generation. Co-digestion of surplus yeast and brewery wastewater in a single treatment step would simplify the technical and economical requirements for the transformation of both residues into biogas. The feasibility of such co-digestion process was studied by means of batch tests and a lab-scale UASB reactor operation. The effect of applying three pre-treatments (thermal, chemical and mechanical) to the surplus yeast was also studied. Results showed that co-digestion of yeast and brewery wastewater is feasible, since no negative effects of the joint digestion were observed. Pre-treatments tested in this research produced no significant improvements on biogas yield or digestion rates. Even though no negative effects were observed when digesting wastewater and yeast in a UASB reactor after 70 days, long-term studies would be needed in order to detect potential negative effects over granular sludge development, sometimes observed during the treatment of some wastewaters containing suspended solids.

scholarly journals A Review of Published and Unpublished Findings from 20 Long-term Monitoring Studies of Eastern Monarch Butterflies: the Population was Never in Danger, Despite Recent Winter Colony Declines

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Davis
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
The United States ◽  
Distinct Pattern ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
Monarch Butterflies ◽  
Isotopic Signatures ◽  
Long Term Studies

There are a large number of wildlife and insect species that are in trouble on this planet, and most believe that monarch butterflies in eastern North America are too, because of the well-publicized declines of their winter colonies in central Mexico in the last 25 years. A small number of studies over the last decade have cast doubt on this claim by showing declines are not evident at other stages of the annual cycle. To determine how extensive this pattern is, I conducted an exhaustive review of peer-reviewed and grey literature on (eastern) monarch population censuses and studies, conducted across all seasons, and extracted data from these sources to evaluate how monarch abundance has or has not changed over time. I identified 20 collections of data that included butterfly club reports, compilations of citizen-science observations, migration roost censuses, long-term studies of isotopic signatures, and even museum records. These datasets range in duration from 15 years to over 100 years, and I endeavored to also update each with information from the most current years. I also re-examined the winter colony data after incorporating historical records of colony measurements dating back to 1976. This represents the most complete and up-to-date synthesis of information regarding this population. When I examined the long-term trajectory within each dataset a distinct pattern emerged. Modest declines are evident within the winter colonies (over the full 45 year dataset), and, within three censuses conducted during the spring recolonization. Meanwhile, 16 completely separate monitoring studies conducted during the summer and fall (and from varying locations) revealed either no trend at all or in fact an increase in abundance. While each of these long-term studies has inherent limitations, the fact that all 16 sources of data show the same pattern is undeniable. Moreover, this evidence is consistent with recently-conducted genetic work that shows a lack of decline. Collectively, these results indicate that despite diminishing winter colonies and spring migrations, monarchs in eastern North America are capable of rebounding fully each year, implying that milkweed is not limiting within their collective range. Moreover, there is no indication from these data that the summer population was ever truly diminished by changing agricultural practices in the Midwest that reduced milkweed in crop fields within that region. It is possible that the larger population is not as dependent on Midwestern agricultural milkweed as once thought, and/or that monarchs are adapting to increasingly human-altered landscapes. These results are timely and should bear on the upcoming USFWS decision on whether the monarch requires federal protection in the United States. Importantly, they argue that despite losses of many insects globally, the eastern North American monarch population is not in the same situation.

scholarly journals ARE ORGANIC PLANT PRODUCTS OF MORE IMPROVED CHEMICAL COMPOSITION THAN CONVENTIONAL ONES?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Golijan ◽  
Mile Sečanski
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritional Composition ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Organic Products ◽  
Total Antioxidant ◽  
Micro Elements ◽  
Long Term Studies

Considering negative effects of conventional agricultural production, organic food production is a sustainable  approach to the production, which preserves the environment and protects human health. Organic products are products of high quality, without residues of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Through the review of literature data, authors of this paper presented a comparison of chemical compositions of organically and conventionally grown plants and their products. Dry matter, nitrates, sugars, vitamins, macro- and micro-elements, as well as, secondary metabolites have been singled out. According to obtained data, organic products contain more dry matter, significantly less nitrates, less proteins and a higher proportion of amino acids, more sugars, vitamin C, numerous macro- and micro-elements (particularly Fe, Mg and P), more polyphenols and they have higher total antioxidant capacity than conventional products. Although many authors have been dealing for many years with the comparison of the nutritional composition of organic and conventional food products, a clear consensus that organic products have the improved chemical composition compared to conventional products has not been reached yet, i.e. the answers are ambivalent. Therefore, further long-term studies are necessary in order to clarify the existing doubts.  

Are Violent Video Games Harmful?

2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 422-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Porter ◽  
Vladan Starcevic
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Aggressive Behaviour ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Violent Video Games ◽  
Film Violence ◽  
Lines Of Evidence ◽  
Long Term Studies

Objective: The aim of this paper is to revisit the controversial issue of the association of violent video games and aggressive behaviour. Conclusions: Several lines of evidence suggest that there is a link between exposure to violent video games and aggressive behaviour. However, methodological shortcomings of research conducted so far make several interpretations of this relationship possible. Thus, aggressive behaviour may be a consequence of playing violent video games, an expression of hostile traits that existed before exposure to these games, and/or it may be a result of several possible combinations of these and other factors. Mental health professionals need to be aware of these potentially negative effects of violent video games when assessing patients who present with aggression. There is a need for prospective, long-term studies similar to those evaluating the effects of television and film violence on children and adolescents.

Implications of Long-Term Studies of Three Model Preschool Programs for Head Start

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence J. Schweinhart ◽  
Elena V. Malofeeva ◽  
Lawrence J. Schweinhart ◽  
Michelle M. Englund ◽  
Arthur J. Reynolds ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head Start ◽  
Preschool Programs ◽  
Long Term Studies

Primary varicose veins

Phlebologie ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (03) ◽  
pp. 133-137
Author(s):  
H. Partsch
Keyword(s):  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Compression Therapy ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Compression Stockings ◽  
Primary Varicose Veins ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Convincing Data ◽  
Long Term Studies

SummaryBackground: Compression stockings are widely used in patients with varicose veins. Methods: Based on published literature three main points are discussed: 1. the rationale of compression therapy in primary varicose veins, 2. the prescription of compression stockings in daily practice, 3. studies required in the future. Results: The main objective of prescribing compression stockings for patients with varicose veins is to improve subjective leg complaints and to prevent swelling after sitting and standing. No convincing data are available concerning prevention of progression or of complications. In daily practice varicose veins are the most common indication to prescribe compression stockings. The compliance depends on the severity of the disorder and is rather poor in less severe stages. Long-term studies are needed to proof the cost-effectiveness of compression stockings concerning subjective symptoms and objective signs of varicose veins adjusted to their clinical severity. Conclusion: Compression stockings in primary varicose veins are able to improve leg complaints and to prevent swelling.

Diatoms and aquatic palynomorphs in the sediments of the Eurasian Arctic seas and their significance for paleooceanological investigations in the Arctic

2019 ◽  
pp. 246-251
Author(s):  
Yelena I. Polyakova ◽  
Yekaterina I. Novichkova ◽  
Tatiana S. Klyuvitkina ◽  
Elizaveta A. Agafonova ◽  
Irina M. Kryukova
Keyword(s):  
Bering Sea ◽  
Surface Sediments ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Marginal Filter ◽  
Arctic Seas ◽  
Hydrological Parameters ◽  
The Arctic Ocean ◽  
Long Term Studies

Presented the results of long-term studies of diatoms and aquatic palynomorphs in surface sediments of the Arctic seas and the possibility of their use for the reconstructions of paleocirculation water masses, advection of Atlantic and Bering sea water into the Arctic ocean, changes in the river runoff to the seas, sedimentary processes in the marginal filter of the largest rivers, seasonal sea ice cover and other hydrological parameters.

Influence of NPK fertilization on weed flora in maize field

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Éva Lehoczky ◽  
M. Kamuti ◽  
N. Mazsu ◽  
J. Tamás ◽  
D. Sáringer-Kenyeres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Nutrition ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Production Factors ◽  
Maize Field ◽  
Weed Flora ◽  
Npk Fertilization

Plant nutrition is one of the most important intensification factors of crop production. The utilization of nutrients, however, may be modified by a number of production factors, including weed presence. Thus, the knowledge of occurring weed species, their abundance, nutrient and water uptake is extremely important to establish an appropriate basis for the evaluation of their risks or negative effects on crops. That is why investigations were carried out in a long-term fertilization experiment on the influence of different nutrient supplies (Ø, PK, NK, NPK) on weed flora in maize field.The weed surveys recorded similar diversity on the experimental area: the species of A. artemisiifolia, S. halepense and D. stramonium were dominant, but C. album and C. hybridum were also common. These species and H. annuus were the most abundant weeds.Based on the totalized and average data of all treatments, density followed the same tendency in the experimental years. It was the highest in the PK treated and untreated plots, and significantly exceeded the values of NK fertilized areas. Presumably the better N availability promoted the development of nitrophilic weeds, while the mortality of other small species increased.Winter wheat and maize forecrops had no visible influence on the diversity and the intensity of weediness. On the contrary, there were consistent differences in the density of certain weed species in accordance to the applied nutrients. A. artemisiifolia was present in the largest number in the untreated control and PK fertilized plots. The density of S. halepense and H. annuus was also significantly higher in the control areas. The number of their individuals was smaller in those plots where N containing fertilizers were used. Contrary to them, the density of D. stramonium, C. album and C. hybridum was the highest in the NPK treatments.

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