Evidence for enhanced dissipation of chlorpyrifos in an agricultural soil inoculated with Serratia rubidaea strain ABS 10

The insecticide ¹⁴C-chlorpyrifos was found mineralized in a Tunisian soil with repeated exposure to it. From this soil, a bacterial strain was isolated that was able to grow in a minimal salt medium (MSM) supplemented with 25 mg L^-1 of chlorpyrifos. It was characterized as Serratia rubidaea strain ABS 10 using morphological and biochemical analyses, as well as 16S rRNA sequencing. In a liquid culture, the S. rubidaea strain ABS 10 was able to dissipate chlorpyrifos almost entirely within 48 h of incubation. Although the S. rubidaea strain ABS 10 was able to grow in an MSM supplemented with chlorpyrifos and dissipate it in a liquid culture, it was not able to mineralize ¹⁴C-chlorpyrifos. Therefore, it can be concluded that the dissipation capability of this bacteria might be attributed to its capacity to adsorb CHL. It can also be ascribed to other reasons such as the formation of biogenic non-extractable residues. In both non-sterile and sterile soil inoculated with S. rubidaea strain ABS 10, chlorpyrifos was more rapidly dissipated than in controls with DT₅₀ of 1.38 and 1.05 days, respectively.

Validity and reliability of the session-RPE method for quantifying training load in karate athletes

AIM

To test the construct validity and reliability of the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) method by examining the relationship between RPE and physiological parameters (heart rate: HR and blood lactate concentration: [La --] ) and the correlations between sRPE and two HR--based methods for quantifying internal training load (Banister's method and Edwards's method) during karate training camp.

METHODS

Eighteen elite karate athletes: ten men (age: 24.2 ± 2.3 y, body mass: 71.2 ± 9.0 kg, body fat: 8.2 ± 1.3% and height: 178 ± 7 cm) and eight women (age: 22.6 ± 1.2 y, body mass: 59.8 ± 8.4 kg, body fat: 20.2 ± 4.4%, height: 169 ± 4 cm) were included in the study. During training camp, subjects participated in eight karate--training sessions including three training modes (4 tactical--technical, 2 technical--development, and 2 randori training), during which RPE, HR, and [La -- ] were recorded.

RESULTS

Significant correlations were found between RPE and physiological parameters (percentage of maximal HR: r = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.64--0.86; [La --] : r = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.49--0.75; P < 0.001). Moreover, individual sRPE was significantly correlated with two HR--based methods for quantifying internal training load ( r = 0.65--0.95; P < 0.001). The sRPE method showed the high reliability of the same intensity across training sessions (Cronbach's α = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.61--0.92).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the sRPE method is valid for quantifying internal training load and intensity in karate.

Isolation and characterisation of a bacterial strain degrading the herbicide sulcotrione from an agricultural soil

BACKGROUND

The dissipation kinetics of the herbicide sulcotrione sprayed 4 times on a French soil was studied using a laboratory microcosm approach. An advanced cultivation-based method was then used to isolate the bacteria responsible for biotransformation of sulcotrione. Chromatographic methods were employed as complementary tools to define its metabolic pathway.

RESULTS

Soil microflora was able quickly to biotransform the herbicide (DT(50) ≈ 8 days). 2-Chloro-4-mesylbenzoic acid, one of its main metabolites, was clearly detected. However, no accelerated biodegradation process was observed. Eight pure sulcotrione-resistant strains were isolated, but only one (1OP) was capable of degrading this herbicide with a relatively high efficiency and to use it as a sole source of carbon and energy. In parallel, another sulcotrione-resistant strain (1TRANS) was shown to be incapable of degrading the herbicide. Amplified ribosomal restriction analysis (ARDRA) and repetitive extragenic palendromic PCR genomic (REP-PCR) fingerprinting of strains 1OP and 1TRANS gave indistinguishable profiles.

CONCLUSION

Sequencing and aligning analysis of 16S rDNA genes of each pure strain revealed identical sequences and a close phylogenetic relationship (99% sequence identity) to Pseudomonas putida. Such physiological and genetic properties of 1OP to metabolise sulcotrione were probably governed by mobile genetic elements in the genome of the bacteria.

Investigation of exciton photodissociation, charge transport and photovoltaic response of poly(N-vinyl carbazole):TiO(2) nanocomposites for solar cell applications

The photogeneration of charge carriers in spin-coated thin films of nanocrystalline (nc-)TiO(2) particles dispersed in a semiconducting polymer, poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK), has been studied by photoluminescence and charge transport measurements. The solvent and the TiO(2) particle concentration have been selected to optimize the composite morphology. A large number of small domains leading to a large interface and an improved exciton dissociation could be obtained with tetrahydrofuran (THF). The charge transport mechanism and trap distribution at low and high voltage in ITO/nc-TiO(2):PVK/Al diodes in the dark could be identified by current-voltage measurements and impedance spectroscopy. The transport mechanism is space charge limited with an exponential trap distribution in the high voltage regime (1-4 V), whereas a Schottky process with a barrier height of about 0.9 eV is observed at low bias voltages (<1 V). The current-voltage characteristics under white illumination have shown a dramatic increase of the short circuit current density J(sc) and open circuit voltage V(oc) for a 30% TiO(2) volume content corresponding to the morphology exhibiting the best dispersion of TiO(2) particles. A degradation of the photovoltaic properties is induced at higher compositions by the formation of larger TiO(2) aggregates. A procedure has been developed to extract the physical parameters from the J-V characteristics in the dark and under illumination on the basis of an equivalent circuit. The variation of the solar cell parameters with the TiO(2) composition confirms that the photovoltaic response is optimum for 30% TiO(2) volume content. It is concluded that the photovoltaic properties of nc-TiO(2):PVK nanocomposites are controlled by the interfacial area between the donor and the acceptor material and are limited by the dispersion of the TiO(2) nanoparticles in the polymer.

Influence of soil properties on the adsorption-desorption of sulcotrione and its hydrolysis metabolites on various soils

The retention process of sulcotrione and its two hydrolysis products, 1,3-cyclohexanedione (CHD) and 2-chloro-4-methylsulfonylbenzoic acid (CMBA), were studied in four different soils (Belgium, Landes, Perpignan, and Martinique) under laboratory conditions. Adsorption isotherms were well fitted by a Freundlich relationship. The values of K(fa) ranged from 0.4 to 27.0, and the most adsorbed compound was CHD regardless the soil type. Sulcotrione and CMBA exhibited similar retention behaviors. According to adsorption and desorption results, sulcotrione presents a moderate affinity with soil components; however, its leaching capacity needs to be carefully assessed. Clay content seemed to be the most important factor influencing the adsorption capacity of each compound, whereas organic matter and pH had little influence. The soils were classified according to their adsorption capacity in the following decreasing order: Martinique, Belgium, Landes, Perpignan.

Reference phase-shifter for measuring high power microwave impedance by using a phase modulation method

A basic mechanical phase-shifter is described and proposed for use as a reference circuit for impedance measurements with a phase modulation method. It consists of a section of a curved rectangular waveguide, the length of which is mechanically varied with a stepper motor. The phase-shifter functions without gears. It can be used successfully in industrial set-ups with a pulsed or CW generator which are of low stability in frequency and in amplitude.