We have demonstrated an improved synthesis of a cyclic carbonate of soybean oil (CSO) utilizing supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) as the solvent. Because the mutual solubility of supercritical CO2 and soybean oil is significantly higher than that of gaseous CO2 and soybean oil, our method synthesizes the material in y1/3 of the reaction time reported in the literature. We have also demonstrate...

Nitrogen-fixing activity declines first rapidly and then more gradually when Anabaenopsis circularis is transferred from light into dark conditions. The rate and duration of dark acetylene reduction (nitrogen fixation) depend upon conditions prevailing during the preceding light period. Factors (such as light intensity, CO2 concentration, and supply of glucose), which in the light affect photos...

Estimating the additional amount of global photosynthetic arbon influx into terrestrial ecosystems (PG) becomes possible with a leaf-level factor (Y) developed by Luo & Mooney only when an increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration (Ca) is small. Applying the Y factor to study long-term stimulation of PG with a large increase in Ca needs understanding of adjustments in leaf properties, canopy st...

Increased root exudation and a related stimulation of rhizosphere-microbial growth have been hypothesised as possible explanations for a lower nitrogen(N-) nutritional status of plants grown under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations, due to enhanced plantmicrobial N competition in the rhizosphere. Leguminous plants may be able to counterbalance the enhanced N requirement by increased symbio...

The ecological footprint (EF) commonly neglects the influence of other stressors than land use and CO2 emissions on the land area required for human activities. This study analyzes the relevancy of including nutrients and non-CO2 greenhouse gases in the EF assessment of products. The analysis was based on environmental information for 1,925 goods and services. Our findings suggest that within s...

The number of studies investigating the effect of bio-fertilizers is increasing because of their importance in sustainable agriculture and environmental quality. In our experiments, we measured the effect of different fertilizers on soil respiration. In the present study, we were looking for the cause of unexpected changes in CO2 values while examining Chernozem soil samples. We concluded that ...

We evaluated the histological changes before and after fixation in ten knees of ten patients with osteochondritis dissecans who had undergone fixation of the unstable lesions. There were seven males and three females with a mean age of 15 years (11 to 22). The procedure was performed either using bio-absorbable pins only or in combination with an autologous osteochondral plug. A needle biopsy w...

Phytoplankton in high-light, low-nutrient ocean environments are challenged with maintaining high photosynthetic efficiency and simultaneously preventing photodamage that results from low levels of electron acceptors downstream of photosystem II (PSII). Here, we identify a process in open ocean picophytoplankton that preserves PSII activity by diverting electrons from the photosystem I (PSI) co...

Climate change occasioned by the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) is now widely accepted as an issue which mankind needs to address. The starting point is necessarily the determination of all the sources of emissions during the life-cycles of the studied components. Post-calculation, the results ought to be presented to decision-makers in a clear manner so as to provide the basis on whic...