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Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made, highly persistent and mobile compounds that have been extensively used in decades, for example as a fire repellent in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). They have been detected in soil, surface water and groundwater, where they pose risks to human health through contamination of drinking water supplies and to ecosystems. In this case study, PFAS spread
A decision is the result of comparing one or more alternatives with respect to one or more criteria that we consider relevant to the decision. Decision making can be considered as one of the most important challenges that analysts and experts encounter to solve complex problems. In recent decades, different methods and algorithms have been presented to support decision making. Multi-criteria analy
Research on the sourcing of siliceous raw materials in Prehistory has taken a step forward with the addition of geochemical techniques and elemental analysis to the archaeopetrological method. Counter to the macroscopic techniques, which retain an elevated subjective percentage in their results, geochemical techniques and especially LA-ICP-MS analysis generate objective, quantifiable and usable da
The TCIRG1 gene encodes a component of the osteoclast vacuolar proton pump and previous work has shown that inactivating mutations of the TCIRG1 cause autosomal recessive osteopetrosis. In order to determine whether allelic variation in TCIRG1 contributes to the regulation of bone mineral density (BMD) in normal individuals, we studied the relationship between polymorphisms of TCIRG1 and BMD in a
Understanding the spatiotemporal distribution of birds is crucial for effective management and conservation of their populations. However, we still have only limited knowledge not only of the wintering destinations of many Iberian breeding migrants but also of aspects as general as the migratory behaviour of the populations of many common avian species that breed in the Iberian highlands. We used
Fragrance production in petunia flowers is highly regulated. Two transcription factors, ODORANT1 (ODO1) and EMISSION OF BENZENOIDS II (EOBII) have recently been identified as regulators of the volatile benzenoid/phenylpropanoid pathway in petals. Unlike the non-fragrant Petunia hybrida cultivar R27, the fragrant cultivar Mitchell highly expresses ODO1. Using stable reporter lines, we identified th
The chemical composition of foraminiferal calcite is widely used for studying past environmental conditions and biogeochemistry. However, high rates of microbial organic matter degradation and abundant dissolved metal sources in sediments and pore waters may impede the application of foraminifera-based proxies due to formation of secondary carbonates or other authigenic minerals on and/or inside o
The study was conducted to investigate whether cervical human papillomavirus infections (CHPI) are associated with contraceptive use and reproductive history. The contraceptive and reproductive histories in 972 women seeking contraceptive advice were noted and screening conducted for human papillomavirus infection. The interview included number of pregnancies and childbirths, legal and spontaneous
Background: Ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) catalyze the formation of the deoxyribonucleotides that are essential for DNA synthesis. The R2 subunit of Escherichia coli RNR is a homodimer containing one dinuclear iron centre per monomer. A tyrosyl radical is essential for catalysis, and is formed via a reaction in which the reduced, diferrous form of the iron centre activates dioxygen. To help und
Industrial waste dumps are rarely colonized by vegetation after they have been abandoned, indicating biological infertility. Revegetation of industrial tailings dumps is thus necessary to prevent wind erosion, metal leaching and has been shown to restore soil functions and ecosystem services. However, little is known about the microbial colonization and community structure of vegetated tailings fo
