Sustainable recovery of grape skins for use in an apple beverage with antiglycation properties

An apple puree formulated with red grape skins was developed on pilot scale as a new beverage with antiglycation properties. The addition level of grape skins was selected by a liking test with 70 consumers. The selected formulation was a fibre‐rich source and delivered grape anthocyanins, flavonols and flavanols resulting in ~ twofold higher antiglycation activity than the apple puree. Pasteurisation (3‐D in the target microorganism Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris) did not affect the antiglycation activity, which decreased by 30% upon sterilisation. Storage for 1 month in the temperature range 15–35 °C affected the contents of anthocyanins, monomeric, dimeric and oligomeric flavanols, while chlorogenic acid, flavonols and dihydrochalcones were stable. About 90% antiglycation activity was retained after one‐month storage at 15 °C. The use of red grape skin as ingredient could represent an opportunity for the apple processing industry to develop a value‐added product.     

Coating with artificial matrices from collagen and sulfated hyaluronan influences the osseointegration of dental implants

Dental implants are an established therapy for oral rehabilitation. High success rates are achieved in healthy bone, however, these rates decrease in compromised host bone. Coating of dental implants with components of the extracellular matrix is a promising approach to enhance osseointegration in compromised peri-implant bone. Dental titanium implants were coated with an artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) consisting of collagen type I and either one of two regioselectively low sulfated hyaluronan (sHA) derivatives (coll/sHA1Δ6s and coll/sHA1) and compared to commercial pure titanium implants (control). After extraction of the premolar teeth, 36 implants were inserted into the maxilla of 6 miniature pigs (6 implants per maxilla). The healing periods were 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. After animal sacrifice, the samples were evaluated histomorphologically and histomorphometrically. All surface states led to a sufficient implant osseointegration after 4 and 8 weeks. Inflammatory or foreign body reactions could not be observed. After 4 weeks of healing, implants coated with coll/sHA1Δ6s showed the highest bone implant contact (BIC; coll/sHA1Δ6s: 45.4 %; coll/sHA1: 42.2 %; control: 42.3 %). After 8 weeks, a decrease of BIC could be observed for coll/sHA1Δ6s and controls (coll/sHA1Δ6s: 37.3 %; control: 31.7 %). For implants coated with coll/sHA1, the bone implant contact increased (coll/sHA1: 50.8 %). Statistically significant differences could not be observed. Within the limits of the current study, aECM coatings containing low sHA increase peri-implant bone formation around dental implants in maxillary bone compared to controls in the early healing period.     

Driving factors of the phytoplankton functional groups in a deep Mediterranean reservoir

The control of phytoplankton growth is mainly related to the availability of light and nutrients. Both may select phytoplankton species, but only if they occur in limiting amounts. During the last decade, the functional groups approach, based on the physiological, morphological and ecological attributes of the species, has proved to be a more efficient way to analyze seasonal changes in phytoplankton biomass. We analysed the dynamics of the phytoplankton functional groups sensu Reynolds, recognising the driving forces (light, mixing regime, and nutrients) in the Sau Reservoir, based on a one-year cycle (monthly surface-water sampling). The Sau Reservoir is a Mediterranean water-supply reservoir with a canyon-shaped basin and a clear and mixed epilimnion layer. The long stratification period and high light availability led to high phytoplankton biomass (110.8 fresh-weight mg L⁻¹) in the epilimnion during summer. The reservoir showed P-limitation for phytoplankton growth in this period. All functional groups included one or more species (X2-Rhodomonas spp.; Y-Cryptomonas spp.; F-Oocystis lacustris; K-Aphanocapsa spp.) selected by resources, especially phosphorus. Species of Cryptomonas (group Y) dominated during the mixing period (winter season) in conditions of low light and relatively high availability of dissolved nutrients. Increases in water-column stability during spring stratification led to phytoplankton biomass increases due to the dominance of small flagellate functional groups (X2 and X3, chrysophyceans). The colonial chlorophycean O. lacustris (group F) peaked during the mid-summer stratification, when the mixed epilimnion was clearly depleted in nutrients, especially SRP. High temperature and increases in nutrient concentration during the end-summer and mid-autumn resulted in a decrease of green algae (group F) and increase of Aphanocapsa spp. (cyanobacteria, group K) and dinoflagellates (group L_o). The study also revealed the important role of physical processes in the seasonal gradient, in selecting phytoplankton functional groups, and consequently in the assessment of ecological status. The Q index (assemblage index) based on functional groups indicated the overall good ecological status of the Sau Reservoir, which varied as a function of the mixing regime. This is the first application of the Assemblage Index to a European water-supply reservoir.     

Environmental stress and recovery: the geochemical record of human disturbance in New Bedford Harbor and Apponagansett Bay,Massachusetts (USA)

Sediments record the history of contamination to estuaries. Analysis of the concentrations of toxic organic compounds, contaminant and crustal metals, organic carbon content and isotopic composition in sediment cores from two estuarine systems in Buzzards Bay allowed reconstruction of human impacts over 350 years. Vertical distributions of the contaminants correlate with changes in the nature of watershed/estuarine activities. All contaminants were highly enriched (tens to hundreds times background) in modern New Bedford Harbor sediments. Enrichment began around the turn of the 20th century for all but PCBs, which were first synthesized in the 1930s. An increase in organic carbon content and a shift of carbon isotopes toward a more terrestrial signature illustrates increasing anthropogenic impact in New Bedford as population grew along with the industrial base. Institution of environmental protection measures in the late 20th century was reflected in decreased, although still substantially elevated, concentrations of contaminants. A lack of industrial development in Apponagansett Bay resulted in much lower concentrations of the same indicators, although specific contaminants related to the early whaling industry increased significantly above background as early as the late 18th century. The similarity of indicators in older portions of cores from NBH and unimpacted Apponagansett Bay demonstrates that cores can be used to establish reference conditions as successfully as using separate sites judged a priori to represent the reference state. The historical reconstruction approach provides the basis for establishing relationships between environmental stressors and factors that drive the stressors, as well as a framework for the assessment of ecological response(s) to environmental stressors over a range of time and/or exposure scales.     

Linearity assumption in soil-to-plant transfer factors of natural uranium and radium in Helianthus annuus L

The linearity assumption of the validation of soil-to-plant transfer factors of natural uranium and (226)Ra was tested using Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower) grown in a hydroponic medium. Transfer of natural uranium and (226)Ra was tested in both the aerial fraction of plants and in the overall seedlings (roots and shoots). The results show that the linearity assumption can be considered valid in the hydroponic growth of sunflowers for the radionuclides studied. The ability of sunflowers to translocate uranium and (226)Ra was also investigated, as well as the feasibility of using sunflower plants to remove uranium and radium from contaminated water, and by extension, their potential for phytoextraction. In this sense, the removal percentages obtained for natural uranium and (226)Ra were 24% and 42%, respectively. Practically all the uranium is accumulated in the roots. However, 86% of the (226)Ra activity concentration in roots was translocated to the aerial part.     

A review of energy efficiency label of street lighting systems

There are very few countries that have provisions addressing the energy efficiency of the whole street lighting system, such as Spain or the Netherlands. Nevertheless, there is not an agreement about how energy efficiency must be assessed. The Spanish Government contemplates it in the Royal Decree 1890/2008 with the goal of improving energy savings and efficiency. However, this has not obtained the expected results. Nowadays, energy efficiency of this kind of systems is assessed using a label. In the case of Spain, this label only assesses one magnitude. The contributions of this paper are two evaluation systems (kiviat diagram and pie chart) which assess five magnitudes: lamps, energy efficiency index, light pollution, renewable energy contribution, and harness of the luminous flux using dimming. After that, a survey was done to study several subjects: (1) if citizens are aware about the efficiency of street lighting systems, (2) whether the sample of colors used in the label is adequate, and (3) if our proposed systems could replace the current evaluation system. Finally, the paper finishes with the conclusions of the survey.     

Methodology for WEEE assessment in Algeria

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) generated in emerging countries is increasing. This study presents a methodology to improve assessment and monitoring WEEE in Algeria. The proposed methodology is a two-step approach. The first step is the collection and collation of existing data from different national and international sources. In the second step, different assessment and forecasting methods are applied. Forecasting methods were selected from those models which provided minimum error indices. The paper considers also the availability and reliability of data in order to provide a future reliable assessment of WEEE in Algeria. The study revealed that the forecasting methods do not have a big influence on the results contrary to the inputs of the model.     

Parastrephia quadrangularis: A Possible Alternative to Inhibit the Microbial Effect on the Generation of Acid Mine Drainage

Mine Water and the Environment - The role of iron- and sulfur- oxidizing microorganisms in the generation of acid mine drainage (AMD) from sulfide ores and tailings is widely recognized. The...     

Operating experience from the ehecatl wind turbines

This paper presents a summary of the mechanical features and the medium term operating experience from three small horizontal axis wind energy conversion systems covering a range of 500 to 5000 Watt, intented for rural and isolated communities. These turbines have a new regulator which reduces gyroscopic loads, is easy to adjust and could be manufactured stronger and in smaller sizes than the conventional tail vanes. It is concluded that is feasible to build cheaps and reliable wind turbine generators with an acceptable efficiency employing common-use elements, but is needed a careful and optimized design.