Amended Culture Research Articles

Social Capital, Institutional Rules, and Constitutional Amendment Rates

Why are some constitutions amended more frequently than others? The literature provides few clear answers, as some scholars focus on institutional factors, whereas others emphasize amendment culture. We bridge this divide with new theoretical and empirical insights. Using data from democratic constitutions worldwide and U.S. state constitutions, we examine how social capital reduces the transaction costs imposed by amendment rules. The results indicate that constitutional rigidity decreases amendment frequency, but group membership, civic activism, and political trust can offset the effect of amendment rules. Our findings have important implications for scholars in public law, constitutional and democratic theory, and social movements.

Quorum quenching enhanced methane production in anaerobic systems – performance and mechanisms

In our previous study, quorum quenching (QQ) bacteria can effectively enhance methane production in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) while mitigating membrane biofouling. However, the mechanism of such enhancement is unclear. In this study, we analyzed the potential effects from separated hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis and methanogenesis steps. The cumulative methane production improved by 26.13%, 22.54%, 48.70% and 44.93% at QQ bacteria dosage of 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 mg strain/g beads, respectively. It was found that the presence of QQ bacteria enhanced acidogenesis step resulting in higher volatile fatty acids (VFA) production, while it had no obvious influence on hydrolysis, acetogenesis and methanogenesis steps. The substrate (glucose) conversion efficiency in acidogenesis step was also accelerated (1.45 folds vs control within first eight hours). The abundance of hydrolytic fermentation gram-positive bacteria and several acidogenic bacteria, such as Hungateiclostridiaceae, was promoted in QQ amended culture, which enhanced VFA production and accumulation. Although the abundance of acetoclastic methanogen Methanosaeta reduced by 54.2% on the 1st day of QQ beads addition, the overall performance of methane production was not affected. This study revealed that QQ had a greater impact on the acidogenesis step in the anaerobic digestion process, though the microbial community in acetogenesis and methanogenesis steps was altered. This work can provide a theoretical basis for using QQ technology to slow down the rate of membrane biofouling in anaerobic membrane bioreactors while increasing methane production and maximizing economic benefits.

Biodegradation mechanism of chlorpyrifos by halophilic bacterium Hortaea sp. B15

For decades, most of the developing nations have relied on chlorpyrifos for insecticidal activity in the agriculture sector. It is a common chlorinated organophosphorus pesticide that has been widely used to control insects to protect plants. This study aimed to investigate the effects of environmental characteristics such as salinity, pH, temperature, and surfactant on Hortaea sp. B15 mediated degradation of chlorpyrifos as well as enzyme activity and metabolic pathway. The highest bacterial growth (4.6 × 1016 CFU/mL) was achieved after 20 h of incubation in a 100 mg/L chlorpyrifos amended culture. The fit model and feasible way to express the chlorpyrifos biodegradation kinetics in normal condition and optimized was a first-order rate equation, with an R2 value of 0.95–0.98. The optimum pH for chlorpyrifos biodegradation was pH 9, which resulted in a high removal rate (91.1%) and a maximum total count of 3.8 × 1016 CFU/mL. Increasing the temperature over 40 °C may inhibit microbial development and biodegradation. There was no significant effect of culture salinity on degradation and bacterial growth. In the presence of non-ionic surfactant Tween 80, the maximum chlorpyrifos degradation (89.5%) and bacterial growth (3.8 × 1016 CFU/mL) was achieved. Metabolites such as 3,5,6-trichloropyridin-2-ol and 2-pyridinol were identified in the Hortaea sp. B15 mediated degradation of chlorpyrifos. According to the findings, Hortaea sp. B15 should be recommended for use in the investigation of in situ biodegradation of pesticides.

Influence of Carbon Sources on the Phenolic Compound Production by Euglena gracilis Using an Untargeted Metabolomic Approach.

Industrial development and urbanization has led to the diverse presence of metals in wastewater that are often improperly treated. The microalgae Euglena gracilis can tolerate high concentrations of metal via the excretion of organic metabolites, including phenolics. This study aims to evaluate how carbon amendment stimulates phenolic compound production by E. gracilis. The number, relative intensity and molecular composition of the phenolic compounds were significantly different between each of four carbon amended cultures (i.e., glutamic acid, malic acid, glucose, reduced glutathione) during the log phase. Phenolic compounds were mainly produced during the minimum growth rate, likely a response to stressful conditions. A better understanding of phenolic compounds production by E. gracilis and the impact of growth conditions will help identify conditions that favor certain phenolic compounds for dietary and metal chelation applications.

A biorefinery approach for high value-added bioproduct (astaxanthin) from alga Haematococcus sp. and residue pyrolysis for biochar synthesis and metallic iron production from hematite (Fe2O3)

The present study aimed to investigate a biorefinery approach on natural astaxanthin production from the microalgae Haematococcus lacustris and biomass residue for biochar production through pyrolysis. Further, the biochar obtained from the H. lacustris residue was explored for iron oxide reduction using hematite iron ore through a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The alga H. lacustris cultivated in a low-cost polythene made photobioreactor (PBR) for a period of 32 days. During cultivation, several parameters were optimized for the enhanced biomass and astaxanthin accumulation. The results revealed that the highest biomass productivity of 3 g L−1 was found in acetate amended culture medium. Similarly, the addition of an extra carbon source (acetate) supported the highest astaxanthin productivity of 203 mg L−1, and it was observed during the red phase on day 32. The PBR volumetric biomass productivity of H. lacustris was estimated at up to 79.8 tonnes/acre/year. In this study, the alga H. lacustris grown in polythene made PBR produced the highest natural astaxanthin yield of 6.76%/cell dry weight (CDW). Further, the residual biomass was pyrolyzed through a non-catalytic process to obtain the maximum biochar yield. A mini pellet was synthesized using H. lacustris biochar and hematite (Fe2O3), and it was taken for metallic iron production under a nitrogen atmosphere. The results revealed that the biochar was supported for maximum metallic iron (Fe) production at ≥975 °C. This is the first study demonstrating the utilization of microalgae H. lacustris for natural astaxanthin production and biomass residue for metallic iron (Fe) production at low-cost methods.

Why There? Explanatory Theories and Institutional Features Behind Unconstitutional Constitutional Amendments in Asia

This chapter reflects on the various chapters of the book. In so doing, it proposes numerous alternative and mutually reinforcing theories behind the adoption of the unconstitutional constitutional amendment doctrine in Asia: higher law background; correcting flaws in the democratic process; political and policy insurance and hegemonic preservation. It also reviews the recent debates in Israel, and suggests various institutional features that can explain why doctrines of implied limitations on constituent power, such as the Basic Structure Doctrine, were developed in specific jurisdictions: flexibility of the amendment procedure, party or executive dominance; the political and amendment culture, and the absence of effective supra-national institutions.

What constitutes a constitutional amendment culture?

Why are some constitutions amended frequently and others hardly at all? An obvious candidate determinant is constitutional rigidity, i.e., the size and number of procedural barriers to amendment. Given some demand for amendment, greater rigidity implies a smaller supply. However, measures of rigidity often do not correlate significantly (or even with the predicted sign) with amendment rates. Ginsburg and Melton (2015) argue that amendment culture – “shared attitudes about the desirability of amendment” – is a more important determinant of amendment rates. We study up to 128 constitutional episodes from 54 countries and estimate relationships between amendment rates and Hofstede cultural indices. Cultures that are more individualistic and less prone to uncertainty avoidance are associated with higher amendment rates. When cultural dimensions are controlled for, the lagged amendment rate (Ginsburg and Melton’s proxy for culture) is not a robust correlate.

What Constitutes a Constitutional Amendment Culture?

Why are some constitutions amended frequently and others hardly at all? An obvious candidate determinant is constitutional rigidity, i.e., the size and number of procedural barriers to amendment. Given some demand for amendment, greater rigidity implies a smaller supply. However, measures of rigidity often do not correlate significantly (or even with the predicted sign) with amendment rates. Ginsburg and Melton (2015) argue that amendment culture – “shared attitudes about the desirability of amendment” – is a more important determinant of amendment rates. We study up to 128 constitutional episodes from 54 countries and estimate relationships between amendment rates and Hofstede cultural indices. Cultures that are more individualistic and less prone to uncertainty avoidance are associated with higher amendment rates. When cultural dimensions are controlled for, the lagged amendment rate (Ginsburg and Melton’s proxy for culture) is not a robust correlate.

Methanogenic biodegradation of iso-alkanes and cycloalkanes during long-term incubation with oil sands tailings

Microbes indigenous to oil sands tailings ponds methanogenically biodegrade certain hydrocarbons, including n-alkanes and monoaromatics, whereas other hydrocarbons such as iso- and cycloalkanes are more recalcitrant. We tested the susceptibility of iso- and cycloalkanes to methanogenic biodegradation by incubating them with mature fine tailings (MFT) collected from two depths (6 and 31 m below surface) of a tailings pond, representing different lengths of exposure to hydrocarbons. A mixture of five iso-alkanes and three cycloalkanes was incubated with MFT for 1700 d. Iso-alkanes were completely biodegraded in the order 3-methylhexane > 4-methylheptane > 2-methyloctane > 2-methylheptane, whereas 3-ethylhexane and ethylcyclopentane were only partially depleted and methylcyclohexane and ethylcyclohexane were not degraded during incubation. Pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes showed enrichment of Peptococcaceae (Desulfotomaculum) and Smithella in amended cultures with acetoclastic (Methanosaeta) and hydrogenotrophic methanogens (Methanoregula and Methanoculleus). Bioaugmentation of MFT by inoculation with MFT-derived enrichment cultures reduced the lag phase before onset of iso-alkane and cycloalkane degradation. However, the same enrichment culture incubated without MFT exhibited slower biodegradation kinetics and less CH4 production, implying that the MFT solid phase (clay minerals) enhanced methanogenesis. These results help explain and predict continued emissions of CH4 from oil sands tailings repositories in situ.

Production of more toxic hexa-brominated diphenyl ether from rapid biotransformation of decabromodiphenyl ether in anaerobic granular sludge

Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) is used widely as a flame retardant and deserves more attention due to its potential danger to environment. Previous studies generally considered that BDE-209 degraded slowly in environment. Herein, a rapid reductive debromination of BDE-209 to BDE-154 was demonstrated with simultaneous stoichiometric bromide recovery (45%) in 10 h driven by the anaerobic granules. Debromination occurred in anaerobic granules when they were spiked with BDE-209 dissolved in the solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which was proved a potential cosubstrate for stimulating PBDE debromination. Moreover, the solvent DMSO enhanced the penetration of BDE-209 across cell membranes and forced the dominant phylum in anaerobic granules to change from Bacteroidetes to Euryarchaeota. Thus, the amended culture could better raise the functional genera Ralstonia and Pseudomonas, accounting for the rapid degradation of BDE-209. This is the first report that BDE-209 could be quickly debrominated to BDE-154 in anaerobic granules. Given the high cytotoxicity of BDE-154 produced from BDE-209, the fate of BDE-209 in the wastewater treatment plants should be paid more attention.

The time inconsistency of long constitutions: Evidence from the world

AbstractThis article analyses the mechanisms establishing time consistency of constitutions. It explains why shorter and more locked constitutions are more likely to be time consistent (change less) and that long constitutions are more time inconsistent (change more, despite locking). Empirical evidence from all of the democratic countries in the world indicates that the length and locking of constitutions are not independent criteria, and that their combination leads to less time consistency. To address this inter‐relationship, a measure of time inconsistency (a combination of locking and amendment rate) is developed and it is demonstrated that it is connected with the length of constitutions. The article shows how time inconsistency is incompatible with theories of ‘constitutional amendment culture’ not only at the theoretical level, but also empirically. Finally, the article proves that the empirical finding that the length of constitutions is related to lower per capita income and higher corruption are not only in agreement with time inconsistency arguments, but this also extends beyond OECD countries to all democracies.

The Determinants of Constitutional Amendability: amendment models or amendment culture? - Z. Elkins et al., The Endurance of National Constitutions (Cambridge University Press2009); - T. Ginsburg and J. Melton, ‘Does the Constitutional Amendment Rule Matter at All? Amendment Cultures and the Challenges of Measuring Amendment Difficulty’, 13(3) International Journal of Constitutional Law (2015) p. 686–713.

This essay discusses the use of culture in comparative constitutional amendment theory. In particular it assesses the use of culture in normative-culturalist as opposed to empirical approaches of constitutional amendment. It discusses the notion of 'amendment culture' put forth by Ginsburg and Melton, delineating how this represents a shift compared to their earlier work (Elkins, Ginsburg and Melton). Moreover, it probes their idea of a measurable amendment culture in light of the recent work by L. Epstein and A.D. Martin on empirical methodology on one hand, and as regards our own approach to constitutional change through amendment models on the other. This essay examines these approaches to explore their possible contribution to the design of formal amendment rules.

Does the constitutional amendment rule matter at all?: Amendment cultures and the challenges of measuring amendment difficulty

It is often asserted that the United States’ Constitution is the world’s most difficult to amend. But the basis for this empirical claim is shakier than one might imagine. This article introduces the small social science literature on measuring amendment difficulty and identifies several problems with it. We then go on to argue that a concept of an amendment culture is implicit in many discussions of amendment difficulty. We demonstrate empirically that the choice of amendment rule is a less important predictor of constitutional change than is amendment culture, measured as the rate of amendment in the immediately preceding constitution.

Improvement of the Insecticidal Capacity of Two Purpureocillium Lilacinum Strains against Tribolium Confusum.

Entomopathogenic fungi can regulate insect populations. They have extracellular enzymes that degrade cuticle components, mainly hydrocarbons, used as an energy source. The increase in insecticidal activity of fungi in a medium supplemented with cuticular hydrocarbons was assayed and the hydrolytic enzyme profiles of two strains of Purpureocillium lilacinum were evaluated. A spore suspension of P. lilacinum was inoculated in Petri plates with different values (0.99–0.97–0.95) of water activity (Aw) using the substrates gelatin, starch and tween-20. Growth rate on the different substrates and the enzymatic activity index for proteases, amylases and lipases at different incubation times, pH and Aw, was evaluated. Moreover, the insecticidal efficiency of strains grown in media supplemented with n-hexadecane and n-octacosane was analyzed. LT50 was calculated against adults of Tribolium confusum and showed that mortality increased about 15% when the strains grew in amended culture medium. High amylolytic activity was detected, but proteases were the main enzymes produced. Optimal protease production was observed in a range of acid and alkaline pH and lower Aw. The greatest growth rate was obtained in presence of gelatin. Lipase and amylase production was detected in small amounts. Fungal growth in media with hydrocarbon mixtures increased the pathogenicity of the two strains of P. lilacinum, with the strain JQ926223 being more virulent. The information obtained is important for achieving both an increase in insecticidal capacity and an understanding of physiological adaptation of the fungus.

Does the Constitutional Amendment Rule Matter at All? Amendment Cultures and the Challenges of Measuring Amendment Difficulty

It is often asserted that the United States’ Constitution is the world’s most difficult to amend. But how do we really know this? This paper unpacks the tricky methodological issues in measuring flexibility cross-nationally. We find that the various metrics of amendment difficulty offered in the literature are poorly correlated, suggesting potential validity problems. This illustrates a general challenge of institutional accounts of constitutional behavior. Institutions surely matter, but institutional explanations are, like all explanations, always partial. For some matters, behavior may be more driven by political or social factors that can overcome the powerful force of institutional incentives. We argue that amendment difficulty is an example of just such a matter, and provide an alternative theory of amendment difficulty, the key element of which is amendment culture. Drawing on new data, we develop a simple indicator of amendment culture and show empirically that this does a better job of explaining observed patterns of amendment within constitutional systems than do any of the institutional indices or variables on offer. Our article thus offers both a critique of the existing literature and a way toward understanding why constitutional systems vary in their rates of amendment.

Response of soybean fungal and oomycete pathogens to apigenin and genistein

Plants recognise invading pathogens and respond biochemically to prevent invasion or inhibit the colonisation of plant cells. Many plant defence compounds are flavonoids and some of these are known to have a broad spectrum of biological activity. In this study, we tested two flavonoids, apigenin and genistein, in amended culture media against seven soybean pathogens, including Colletotrichum truncatum, Macrophomina phaseolina, Phoma exigua, Phytophthora sojae, Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Both compounds restricted growth of all seven pathogens, although not all equally. For example, inhibition of growth was less (P > 0.05) for C. truncatum than the other pathogens tested. There also was a dosage effect as increased concentrations of either compound significantly (P > 0.05) restricted colony growth. The results suggest that through metabolic engineering, apigenin and genistein may be targets for overproduction in planta to enhance disease resistance in soybean to fungal and oomycetes pathogens.

Eloquence and Reason: Creating a First Amendment Culture. By Robert L. Tsai. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008. 216p. $45.00.

Eloquence and Reason: Creating a First Amendment Culture. By Robert L. Tsai. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008. 216p. $45.00.

Eloquence & Reason: Creating a First Amendment Culture. By Robert Tsai. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2008. Pp. xiii+198. $45.00 cloth.

<i>Eloquence &amp; Reason: Creating a First Amendment Culture</i>. By Robert Tsai. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2008. Pp. xiii+198. $45.00 cloth.

Eloquence and reason: creating a First Amendment culture

This provocative book presents a theory of the First Amendment's development. During the twentieth century, Americans gained trust in its commitments, turned the First Amendment into an instrument for social progress, and exercised their rhetorical freedom to create a common language of rights. Robert L. Tsai explains that the guarantees of the First Amendment have become part of a governing culture and nationwide priority. Examining the rhetorical tactics of activists, presidents, and lawyers, he illustrates how committed citizens seek to promote or destabilize a convergence in constitutional ideas. Eloquence and Reason reveals the social and institutional processes through which foundational ideas are generated and defends a cultural role for the courts.

Seasonal changes in temperature and nutrient control of photosynthesis, respiration and growth of natural phytoplankton communities

Summary1. To investigate the influence of elevated temperatures and nutrients on photosynthesis, respiration and growth of natural phytoplankton assemblages, water was collected from a eutrophic lake in spring, summer, autumn, winter and the following spring and exposed to ambient temperature and ambient +2, +4 and +6 °C for 2 weeks with and without addition of extra inorganic nutrients.2. Rates of photosynthesis, respiration and growth generally increased with temperature, but this effect was strongly enhanced by high nutrient availability, and therefore was most evident for nutrient amended cultures in seasons of low ambient nutrient availability.3. Temperature stimulation of growth and metabolism was higher at low than high ambient temperature showing that long‐term temperature acclimation of the phytoplankton community before the experiments was of great importance for the measured rates.4. Although we found distinct responses to relatively small temperature increases, the interaction between nutrient availability, time of the year and, thus, ambient temperature was responsible for most of the observed variability in phytoplankton growth, photosynthesis and respiration.5. Although an increase in global temperature will influence production and degradation of organic material in lakes, the documented importance of ambient temperatures and nutrient conditions suggests that effects will be most pronounced during winter and early spring, while the remaining part of the growth season will be practically unaffected by increasing temperatures.